Planning Commission SPECIAL Meeting
Special MeetingLos Gatos, CA · May 2, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 2, 2022
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Special Meeting on Monday,
May 2, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the state
of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §
54950 et seq.). Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044, all
planning commissioners and staff participated from remote locations and all voting was
conducted via roll call vote.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Melanie Hanssen, Vice Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Kylie Clark,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner Steve Raspe, Commissioner Reza Tavana, and
Commissioner Emily Thomas
Absent: None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Review and Make Recommendations on the Draft 2040 General Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Report to the Town Council.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to accept the suggested changes listed
in Exhibit 7 as Items 43, 48, and 53 with language modified to include
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 2, 2022
any food producing trees; 54 with the word “public” added to the existing
Policy CD-11.6 in the Community Design Element; and add 55 as an
implementation program to study the Mills Act and its implementation.
Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
Commissioner Clark requested the motion be amended to include the definition of “rafters”
to the key terms.
The maker of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
The seconder of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Clark to recommend Item 20 from Exhibit 7
under the Land Use Element with the following changes: 1) Remove
housing from Office and Service Commercial designations to reduce the
development capacity by 313 units; 2) Reduce Low-Density Residential to
a maximum density of 10 dwelling units per acre; 3) Reduce Medium-
Density Residential to a maximum density of either 20 or 22 dwelling
units per acre, whichever results in more than 500 parcels.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
The maker of the motion withdrew the motion.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Clark to recommend Item 20 from Exhibit 7
under the Land Use Element with the following changes: 1) Remove
additional housing from Office and Service Commercial designations to
reduce the development capacity by 313 units; 2) Reduce Low-Density
Residential to a maximum density of 10 dwelling units per acre; 3)
Reduce Medium-Density Residential to a maximum density of either 20
or 22 dwelling units per acre, whichever results in more than 500 parcels
that are large enough to allow a four-plex. Seconded by Vice Chair
Barnett.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 2, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to forward the Draft 2040 General Plan
and Final Environmental Impact Report to Town Council with a
recommendation for approval of the Draft 2040 General Plan with the
changes that the Planning Commission has documented over the last four
meetings, and to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
Director Paulson thanked the Planning Commission for its thoughtful discussion and
consideration over the past four meetings in getting the Draft 2040 General Plan and
Final Environmental Impact Report to the Town Council, as well as members of the
public who participated throughout the GPAC process, the GPAC, the Town’s
consultants, Ms. Armer for leading the way on the General Plan Update, and other Town
colleagues.
The results of the community survey were given to the Finance Commission on May 2,
2022 and will be reviewed by the Town Council on May 3, 2022.
A community meeting related to cannabis is scheduled for May 4, 2022.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Raspe
- HPC met on April 27, 2022 and reviewed four matters, one of which was the requested
removal of a pre-1941 structure from the inventory. The HPC found the structure to be
without historical significance and in need of significant repairs and granted the request.
The three remaining matters were requests for modifications to homes. The HPC provided
its thoughts and comments on those requests.
Housing Element Advisory Board
Chair Hanssen
- HEAB met on April 21, 2022 to discuss the inventory of sites for production of affordable
housing toward the Town’s RHNA number with the goal of making the inventory smaller
and saving the sites for a possible future RHNA cycle. HEAB will meet on May 5, 2022 to
continue discussion regarding the potential sites by district. HEAB is also looking for input
from staff as to what potential housing production could come out various sites before
HEAB makes its final recommendation to Town Council.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 2, 2022
Commission Matters
Chair Hanssen
- Chair Hanssen thanked her fellow Commissioners for the time they have put into hundreds
of pages of documents and comments over multiple very long meetings to go through all
parts of the General Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:14 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
May 2, 2022 special meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
MAY 02, 2022
110 EAST MAIN STREET
LOS GATOS, CA
Melanie Hanssen, Chair
Jeffrey Barnett, Vice Chair
Kylie Clark, Commissioner
Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS
Steven Raspe, Commissioner
Reza Tavana, Commissioner
Emily Thomas, Commissioner
How to participate: The Town of Los Gatos strongly encourages your active participation in the
public process, which is the cornerstone of democracy. If you wish to speak to an item on the
agenda, please follow the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. If you wish to speak
to an item NOT on the agenda, you may do so during the “Verbal Communications” period, by
following the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. The time allocated to speakers
may change to better facilitate the Planning Commission meeting.
Effective Proceedings: The purpose of the Planning Commission meeting is to conduct the
business of the community in an effective and efficient manner. For the benefit of the community,
the Town of Los Gatos asks that you follow the Town’s meeting guidelines while attending
Planning Commission meetings and treat everyone with respect and dignity. This is done by
following meeting guidelines set forth in State law and in the Town Code. Disruptive conduct is
not tolerated, including but not limited to: addressing the Commissioners without first being
recognized; interrupting speakers, Commissioners or Town staff; continuing to speak after the
allotted time has expired; failing to relinquish the podium when directed to do so; and
repetitiously addressing the same subject.
Deadlines for Public Comment and Presentations are as follows:
Persons wishing to make an audio/visual presentation on any agenda item must submit the
presentation electronically, either in person or via email, to the Planning Department by 1
p.m. or the Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission
meeting.
Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the materials provided to the
Planning Commission must provide the comments to the Planning Department as follows:
o For inclusion in the regular packet: by 11:00 a.m. the Friday before the meeting
o For inclusion in any Addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the day before the meeting
o For inclusion in any Desk Item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting
Planning Commission meetings are broadcast Live on KCAT, Channel 15 (on Comcast) on the 2 nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Live and Archived Planning Commission meetings can be viewed by going to:
www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING,
PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK DEPARTMENT AT (408) 354-6834. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE TOWN
TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING [28 CFR §35.102-35.104]
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent
with Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the
state of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §
54950 et seq.). Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044 this
meeting will not be physically open to the public and the Council and/or Commissioners will
be teleconferencing from remote locations. Members of the public can only participate in the
meeting by joining the Zoom webinar (log in information provided below). The live stream of
the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online at:
https://meetings.municode.com/PublishPage/index?cid=LOSGATOS&ppid=ed97530d-9c22-
4c95-961a-4d6a2c43b619&p=1. In accordance with Executive Order N-29-20, the public may
only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chambers.
PARTICIPATION
If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can
view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFh35XRBWer1DPx-F7vvhcg.
If you are interested in providing oral comments in real-time during the meeting, you must
join the Zoom webinar at:
https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/84730964860?pwd=VXBDeHpWaTJUYnNNbk5peHhzWWsydz09.
Passcode: 172409.
Please be sure you have the most up-to-date version of the Zoom application should you
choose to provide public comment during the meeting. Note that participants cannot turn
their cameras on during the entire duration of the meeting.
During the meeting:
When the Chair announces the item for which you wish to speak, click the “raise hand”
feature in Zoom. If you are participating by phone on the Zoom app, press *9 on your
telephone keypad to raise your hand. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on
your telephone keypad to raise your hand.
When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other
time as the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council
meeting.
If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may send an email to
PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item # ” (insert
the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda
Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 11:00
a.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The
Chair has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.
REMOTE LOCATION PARTICIPANTS
The following Planning Commissioners are listed to permit them to appear electronically
or telephonically at the Planning Commission meeting: CHAIR MELANIE HANSSEN, VICE
CHAIR JEFFREY BARNETT, COMMISSIONER KYLIE CLARK, COMMISSIONER KATHRYN JANOFF,
COMMISSIONER STEVEN RASPE, COMMISSIONER REZA TAVANA, AND COMMISSIONER EMILY
THOMAS. All votes during the teleconferencing session will be conducted by roll call vote.
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
MAY 02, 2022
7:00 PM
MEETING CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
RULES OF DECORUM AND CIVILITY
To conduct the business of the community in an effective and efficient manner, please follow
the meeting guidelines set forth in the Town Code and State law.
The Town does not tolerate disruptive conduct, which includes but is not limited to:
· Addressing the Planning Commission without first being recognized;
· Interrupting speakers, Planning Commissioners, or Town staff;
· Continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired;
· Failing to relinquish the microphone when directed to do so;
· Repetitiously addressing the same subject.
Town Policy does not allow speakers to cede their commenting time to another
speaker. Disruption of the meeting may result in a violation of Penal Code Section 403.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Members of the public may address the Commission on any matter
that is not listed on the agenda. Unless additional time is authorized by the Commission, remarks
shall be limited to three minutes.)
CONSENT ITEMS (Items appearing on the Consent Items are considered routine Town business and
may be approved by one motion. Any member of the Commission may request to have an item
removed from the Consent Items for comment and action. Members of the public may provide
input on any or multiple Consent Item(s) when the Chair asks for public comments on the Consent
Items. If you wish to comment, please follow the Participation Instructions contained on Page 2 of
this agenda. If an item is removed, the Chair has the sole discretion to determine when the item
will be heard.)
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Applicants/Appellants and their representatives may be allotted up to a total
of five minutes maximum for opening statements. Members of the public may be allotted up to
three minutes to comment on any public hearing item. Applicants/Appellants and their
representatives may be allotted up to a total of three minutes maximum for closing
statements. Items requested/recommended for continuance are subject to the Commission’s
consent at the meeting.)
1. Review and Make Recommendations on the Draft 2040 General Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Report to the Town Council.
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OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS / COMMISSION MATTERS
ADJOURNMENT (Planning Commission policy is to adjourn no later than 11:30 p.m. unless a
majority of the Planning Commission votes for an extension of time)
Writings related to an item on the Planning Commission meeting agenda distributed to members of the Commission
within 72 hours of the meeting are available for public inspection at the reference desk of the Los Gatos Town Library,
located at 100 Villa Avenue; the Community Development Department and Clerk Department, both located at 110 E.
Main Street; and are also available for review on the official Town of Los Gatos website. Copies of desk items
distributed to members of the Commission at the meeting are available for review in the Town Council Chambers.
Note: The Town of Los Gatos has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6; litigation challenging a
decision of the Town Council must be brought within 90 days after the decision is announced unless a shorter time is
required by State or Federal law.
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