HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-21 Planning Commission Minutes
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 2
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY MAY 12, 2021
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Chair Kausar 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 Anjali Kausar, Vice Chair Herman Zheng, Commissioners Sunil
Ahuja, Jojo Choi, Clinton Brownley, Cheriel Jensen and Razi Mohiudinn
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Christina Fusco, City Arborist
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of April 14, 2021.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of April 14, 2021.
MOHIUDDIN/JENSEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 14, 2021
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, BROWNLEY, CHOI, JENSEN, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS: NONE
REPORT ON APPEAL RIGHTS
1. NEW BUSINESS: NONE
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application APTR21-0001; 18532 Cox Ave (389-13-012); Mahesh and Chhaya
Mehta. The property owners are appealing the denial of permit application TRP20-0324 for
the removal of one (1) Tristaniopsis laurina tree which grows in the front yard of the property,
Staff contact: Christina Fusco (408) 868-1276 or cfusco@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 2
Adopt Resolution No. 21-009 denying the appeal as the required findings cannot be made for
the removal of the protected tree.
JENSEN/BROWNLEY MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 21-009 DENYING THE
APPEAL APPLICATION APTR21-0001. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA,
BROWNLEY, CHOI, JENSEN, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 Application ADR21-0004/ARB21-0011; 18580 Cox Avenue (389-13-009); Byron
Kemper (Applicant) – The applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new 3,537
square foot one-story single-family home. Five protected trees are proposed for removal –
the City Arborist is recommending that one of the protected trees be retained. The site is zoned
R-1-10,000 (Single Family Residential) with a General Plan Designation of M-10 (Medium
Density Residential). Staff Contact: Christopher Riordan (408) 868-1235 or
criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 21-007 denying the application for Design Review as the required
findings cannot be made for the removal of a protected tree.
AHUJA/MOHIUDINN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 21-007 APPROVING
DESIGN REIVEW APPLICATION ADR21-0004 AND REMOVAL OF FIVE
PROTECTED TREES. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, BROWNLEY, CHOI,
KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: JENSEN. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS
3.1 Update to April 20, 2021 House Family Vineyard Study Session
Director Pedro reported that staff has prepared answers to the questions that came up during
the study session, an Environmental Impact Report will be prepared for the project, and a
dedicated project website was launched earlier today where the public can access frequently
asked questions (FAQ), sign up to receive notifications, and find out more about the EIR
process and timeline as information becomes available. The website address is
www.saratoga.ca.us/HFV.
4. COMMISSION ITEMS: NONE
5. ADJOURNMENT: MOHIUDINN/KAUSAR MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:15 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Technician
City of Saratoga