HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-20 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 3
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2020
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR 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, Vice Chair Lucas Pastuszka, Commissioners
Kookie Fitzsimmons, Anjali Kausar, Tina Walia and Herman Zheng.
ABSENT: Commissioner Sunil Ahuja (excused).
ALSO PRESENT: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Nicole Johnson, Senior Planner
Kate Bear, Senior Arborist
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 12, 2020 and the
Special Planning Commission Meeting of April 7, 2020.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of February 12, 2020 and the
Special Planning Commission Meeting of April 7, 2020.
WALIA/KAUSAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 12, 2020
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
PASTUSZKA, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: ZHENG.
WALIA/KAUSAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 7, 2020
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
PASTUSZKA, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
1. NEW BUSINESS
1.1 General Plan Conformity FY 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Program
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 3
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-005 finding the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects
proposed for Fiscal Year 20-21 conform to the Saratoga General Plan.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-005, FINDING
THE PROPOSED FY20/21 CIP PROJECTS CONFORM TO THE GENERAL PLAN.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, PASTUSZKA,
WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application PDR19-0008/GEO19-0011/ARB19-0030/GRE19-0002; 20078
Goetting Road (503-10-074); Etcheverry Lance T Trustee & ET AL - Applicant requests
Design Review approval to construct a new 7,222 square foot two story residence with a 3,004
square foot basement (maximum height 26’) and a 556 square foot detached accessory
dwelling unit. In addition, a grading exception is requested of combined cut and fill in excess
of 1,000 cubic yards. Six (6) protected trees are proposed for removal. The site is zoned
Hillside Residential (HR) with a General Plan Designation of OS-H (Hillside Open Space).
Staff Contact: Nicole Johnson (408) 868-1209 or njohnson@saratoga.ca.us
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-003 approving the proposed residence, detached ADU, and Grading
Exception subject to conditions of approval included in Attachment 1.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-003,
APPROVING APPLICATION PDR19-0008 WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, PASTUSZKA,
WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 Application PDR19-0010/ARB19-0033; Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (503-82-044);
Anthem Reality Ventures, LLC. - Applicant requests Design Review approval to construct
a new 4,210 square foot two story residence, including an attached accessory dwelling unit,
with a 1,197 square foot basement (maximum height 25’). Five (5) protected trees are
proposed for removal. The site is zoned R-1-12,500 with a General Plan Designation of M-
12.5 (Medium Density Residential). Staff Contact: Nicole Johnson (408) 868-1209 or
njohnson@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-002 approving the proposed residence subject to conditions of
approval included in Attachment 1.
KAUSAR/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-002,
APPROVING APPLICATION PDR19-0010 WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, PASTUSZKA,
WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 3 of 3
2.3 Application ZOA20-0004; Amendment to Tree Regulations - Amendments to
Section 15-50.080(a), Tree Regulations (Zoning) of the Saratoga City Code to allow the
removal of trees that would contribute to the increased risk and spread of wildfire. Staff
contact: Kate Bear, City Arborist (408) 868-1276 or kbear@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-004 recommending that the City Council approve the proposed
change to Section 15-50.080, Tree Regulations (Zoning) of the Saratoga City Code to allow
the removal of trees that would contribute to the increased risk and spread of wildfire.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-004 AND
RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL AMEND TREE REGULATIONS. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, PASTUSZKA, WALIA,
ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
DIRECTOR ITEMS:
Director Pedro reported that a discussion of the Mountain Winery Annexation project is scheduled
for the May 20, 2020 City Council Meeting.
COMMISSION ITEMS:
Commissioner Walia requested that in-person site visits be held during Shelter in Place Order.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons concurred. Commissioner Fitzsimmons also questioned the need for
a special meeting scheduled for May 27, 2020, she would like the items delayed to the June
meeting with the expectation that the COVID19 Shelter In Place will be lifted in June and in-
person site visits could resume.
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS/KAUSAR MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:26 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Assistant
City of Saratoga