HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-27-20 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 3
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING
Chair Mohiuddin called the virtual Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. via teleconferencing
through Zoom. Prior to Roll Call, the Chair and Community Development Director explained that
the Planning Commission meeting was conducted pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act and a
recent Executive Order issued by the Governor to facilitate teleconferencing to reduce the risk of
COVID-19 transmission at public meetings. Ordinarily the Brown Act sets strict rules for
teleconferencing. The Governor’s Executive Order has suspended those rules. The Executive
Order does require that public agencies continue to notice meetings in advance and provide
members of the public an opportunity to observe the meeting and offer public comment. The
Planning Commission met all the applicable notice requirements and the public is welcome to
participate in this meeting. Information on how the public can observe the meeting and provide
public comment was also shared. Additionally, the Chair explained that votes would be taken
through roll call.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Razi Mohiuddin, Commissioners Sunil Ahuja, Kookie Fitzsimmons,
Anjali Kausar, Tina Walia and Herman Zheng
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Victoria Banfield, Planner I
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 13, 2020.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 13, 2020.
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 13, 2020
MEETING AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Jeffrey Schwartz commented on the minutes of a previous PC meeting
Sandy Reed commented on the resignation of Lucas Pastuszka
Angela Ling commented on the resignation of Lucas Pastuszka
Hobart Birmingham commented on the resignation of Lucas Pastuszka
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 3
1. NEW BUSINESS
1.1 Election of Vice-Chair
AHUJA/MOHIUDDIN motioned to nominate Anjali Kausar as Vice-Chair.
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA motioned to nominate Herman Zheng as Vice-Chair.
COMMISSION VOTED AND MOVED TO APPROVE ELECTION OF HERMAN
ZHENG AS VICE-CHAIR. MOTION FAILED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA.
NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: AHUJA, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
ZHENG.
COMMISSION VOTED AND MOVED TO APPROVE ELECTION OF ANJALI
KAUSAR AS VICE-CHAIR. MOTION FAILED. AYES: AHUJA, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN. NOES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN:
ZHENG.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application PDR19-0027/ARB19-0065; 15450 Pepper Lane (510-04-007); Vikaas
Trust (Owner) / Louie Leu AIA (Applicant) – The applicant requests Design Review approval
to construct a new 6,392 square foot one story single family residence which includes a 655
square foot attached accessory dwelling unit and a 3,442 square foot basement with a
maximum overall building height of 22 feet. The existing building and all hardscape will be
removed. Nineteen (19) protected trees are proposed for removal. The site is R-1-40,000 with
a General Plan Designation of RVLD (Residential Very Low Density). Staff Contact:
Christopher Riordan (408) 868-1235 or criordan@saratoga.ca.us
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-007 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included
in Attachment 1.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-007,
APPROVING APPLICATION PDR19-0027 SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF
APPROVAL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 Application ZOA20-0003/PCUP20-0001/LOTMER20-0001; 14434 & 14488 Oak
Street (503-17-046 & 517-10-009); Our Lady Fatima Villa Foundation – The applicant
requests the removal of a Planned Combined (PC) District from two adjacent parcels in the
R-1-10,000 zoning district and approval of a Conditional Use Permit in order to maintain the
existing Community Facility Use on the site. The project also includes a lot line adjustment
and lot merger of the two adjacent parcels. No additional square footage or change in use is
requested. No protected trees are requested for removal. Staff Contact: Victoria Banfield (408)
868-1212 or vbanfield@saratoga.ca.us.
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 3 of 3
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No.20-006 recommending the City Council approve the proposed removal
of a PC district, proposed Conditional Use Permit, and proposed Lot Merger/Lot Line
Adjustment subject to conditions of approval included in Attachment 1.
KAUSAR/AHUJA MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-006,
RECOMMENDING CITY COUNCIL APPROVE APPLICATION ZOA20-
0003/PCUP20-0001/LOTMER20-0001. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA
FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
DIRECTOR ITEMS:
None.
COMMISSION ITEMS:
Commissioners Walia and Fitzsimmons thanked Lucas Pastuszka for his service to the city and
wished him all the best.
Chair Mohiuddin proposed that a study session is scheduled to review meeting guidelines after
new commission member is appointed by Council.
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Assistant
City of Saratoga