Special Joint Meeting of the Town Council and Planning Commission - Study Session
Special MeetingLos Gatos, CA · September 12, 2023
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Town Council and the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a special
meeting in person and utilizing teleconferencing means on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at
7:00 p.m. to discuss state laws pertaining to housing.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Maria Ristow, Vice Mayor Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes,
Council Member Rob Moore, Council Member Rob Rennie, Commissioner Emily Thomas
(arrived 7:36 p.m.), Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Kathryn Janoff,
Commissioner Susan Burnett, and Planning Commission Chair Jeffrey Barnett
Absent: Planning Commission Vice Chair Steven Raspe
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Receive and Discuss Information Regarding Statewide Housing Laws that Apply to
Applications for Housing Development Projects in the Town.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated the parameters for discussion and introduced Barbara
Kautz.
Joel Paulson stated the locations in which a SB330 pre-application or formal application has
been submitted.
Barbara Kautz, consultant, gave a presentation on state housing laws.
The Town Council Members and the Planning Commissioners asked preliminary questions.
Mayor Ristow opened public comment.
Tina Johnson
- Commented on concerns regarding a potential development in the Belwood area, traffic
safety, and infrastructure.
James Bowen
- Asked about the transparency of development plans, and environmental impact and traffic
studies.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Town Council Meeting of September 12, 2023
DATE: September 12, 2023
April Maiten
- Commented on traffic safety concerns and requested speed humps in the Belwood area.
Jeff Suzuki, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented on concerns regarding exclusion of economically disenfranchised
communities.
Miles Tasker, Los Gatos Anti Racism Coalition
- Commented on his experience in a lower income household, and requested the Town
consider allowing denser development and economically sensible housing.
Ronald Meyer
- Commented on concerns with the Housing Element work plan timeline and the Town’s
previous Housing Element consultant.
Sandra Livinghouse
- Commented on concerns with the process of certifying the Housing Element and inquired
about the builder’s remedy.
Mike Maiten
- Commented on concerns regarding the approval of the Housing Element and asked about
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
Alba Levitas
- Commented on concerns with traffic safety in the Belwood area and asked about the
process for purchasing land for development.
Tony Alarcon
- Commented on potential legislation to help small Towns’ rights to build more moderate
housing and commented on fire safety and traffic concerns.
Lee Fagot
- Commented in support of additional safety requirements for new developments and
requested they have multiple access points for vehicles.
Lee Quintana
- Inquired if the Town’s density bonus ordinance is consistent with state law and requested
clarification on the Martinez versus the City of Clover decision.
Mitzi Anderson
- Asked a question about builder’s remedy.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Town Council Meeting of September 12, 2023
DATE: September 12, 2023
Bryce Wat
- Inquired about lot size density bonus reductions.
Jak Van Nada
- Inquired about builder’s remedy applications.
Calvin Louie
- Commented on racism and asked questions about the Regional Housing Need Allocation
(RHNA) numbers.
Sutton
- Inquired about dates to certify the Housing Element, potential penalties, housing costs per
affordability levels, and a study on water and sewer infrastructure.
Bill Kraus
- Commented on racism, inquired if traffic could be considered an objective standard for
limiting development, and asked about requiring higher fees for special applications to
cover the cost of consultants.
Nika S.
- Commented on her personal experience and the need for affordable housing in Los Gatos.
Jake Wilde
- Commented on the purpose of planning and zoning requirements, concerns with
segregation, and requested Los Gatos go above and beyond demands for housing.
Jim Lyon
- Commented on concerns with the cost of building housing, infrastructure, revenue loss
from the conversion of commercial to residential, and inquired about property tax
revenues.
Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented on issues with the unhoused and in support of affordable housing.
Kinsey Lee, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented in support of the current Housing Element.
Sandrine Chaumette
- Commented in support of housing for essential workers.
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SUBJECT: Minutes of the Special Town Council Meeting of September 12, 2023
DATE: September 12, 2023
Albert Lustre, Carpenters Union Local 405
- Commented on Assembly Bill 2011 related to construction workers and future
developments.
Mayor Ristow closed public comment and called a recess at 9:25 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:42 p.m.
Staff answered questions raised during the public comment period.
The Town Council Members and the Planning Commissioners asked additional questions and
discussed the information.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________________
/s/ Jenna De Long, Deputy Town Clerk
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND PLANNING
COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
110 EAST MAIN STREET AND VIA TELECONFERENCE
LOS GATOS, CA
7:00 PM
PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS
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 Town Council meeting.
Effective Proceedings: The purpose of the Town Council 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 Town Council 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 Town Council without first being recognized; interrupting speakers, Town Council 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 Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00
p.m. on the day of the Council meeting.
Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the materials provided to Town
Council must provide the comments as follows:
o For inclusion in any Addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the Monday before the Council meeting
o For inclusion in any Desk Item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Council Meeting
Town Council Meetings Broadcast Live on KCAT, Channel 15 (on Comcast) on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Rebroadcast of Town Council Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Live & Archived Council 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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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION -
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
110 EAST MAIN STREET AND VIA TELECONFERENCE
7:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is a hybrid meeting and will be held in-person at the Town Council Chambers at 110 E.
Main Street and virtually through the Zoom webinar application (log-in information provided
below). Members of the public may provide public comments for agenda items in-person or
virtually through the Zoom webinar by following the instructions listed below. The live stream
of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online
at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.
PARTICIPATION
To provide oral comments in real-time during the meeting:
Zoom webinar: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL
to join: https://losgatosca-
gov.zoom.us/j/82368611139?pwd=NW1qazZwWjZMQ1Q2VHZwMk5JbmZUdz09
Passcode: 147042 You can also type in 823 6861 1139 in the “Join a Meeting” page on
the Zoom website at https://zoom.us/join.
o When the Mayor 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.
Join by telephone: Join by Telephone: Dial: USA 877 336 1839 US Toll-free or 636 651
0008 US Toll. Conference code: 686100
o If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your
hand.
In-Person: If you wish to speak during the meeting, please complete a “speaker’s card”
located on the back of the chamber benches and return it to the Town Clerk. If you wish
to speak to an item on the agenda, please list the item number. The time allocated to
speakers may change to better facilitate the Town Council meeting.
When called to speak, you may be asked to provide your full name and your town/city of
residence. This identifying information is optional and not a requirement for participation. Please
limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Mayor may decide,
consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting.
If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to Clerk@losgatosca.gov the subject
line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment). Comments
received by 11:00 a.m. the day of the meeting will be reviewed and distributed before the
meeting.
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MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
APPROVE REMOTE PARTICIPATION (This item is listed on the agenda in the event there is an
emergency circumstance requiring a Council Member or Commissioner to participate remotely
under AB 2449 (Government Code 54953)).
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 Town Council or Planning Commission without first being recognized;
· Interrupting speakers, Town Council members, 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.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (As a Special Meeting, members of the public may address the Town
Council and Planning Commission only on the agenda items. Unless additional time is authorized
by the Mayor, remarks shall be limited to three minutes.)
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
1. Receive and Discuss Information Regarding Statewide Housing Laws that Apply to
Applications for Housing Development Projects in the Town.
ADJOURNMENT
Writings related to an item on the Town Council meeting agenda distributed to members of the Council within
72 hours of the meeting are available for public inspection at the front desk of the Los Gatos Town Library,
located at 100 Villa Avenue, and are also available for review on the official Town of Los Gatos website. Copies
of desk items distributed to members of the Council 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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