HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-20 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 3
APPROVEDre MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 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, Commissioners Sunil Ahuja, Kookie
Fitzsimmons, Anjali Kausar, Tina Walia and Herman Zheng
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Nicole Johnson, Senior Planner
Bill Parkin, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 27, 2020.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 27, 2020.
KAUSAR/AHUJA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 27, 2020
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEM: None
Chair Mohiuddin requested that Agenda Item 2.1 be re-ordered before Item 1.1.
AHUJA/KAUSAR MOVED TO HEAR AGENDA ITEM 2.1 BE BEFORE ITEM 1.1.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, WALIA,
ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application PDR19-0034/ARB19-0073; 18530 Marshall Lane (397-02-033);
Munamala Govardhan Trustee & Et Al– The applicant is requesting Design Review
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 3
approval to construct a 5,653 square foot two story residence and a 1,087 square foot
detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The height of the residence will not exceed 26’.
Eleven (11) protected trees are proposed for removal. The site is zoned R-1-40,000 with a
General Plan Designation of RVLD (Residential Very Low Density). Staff Contact: Nicole
Johnson (408) 868-1209 or njohnson@saratoga.ca.us
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-008 approving the proposed residence and detached ADU subject
to conditions of approval included in Attachment 1.
FITZSIMMONS/AHUJA MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-008,
APPROVING APPLICATION PDR19-0034 SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF
APPROVAL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
NEW BUSINESS
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO POSTPONE THE VICE CHAIR ELECTION
UNTIL A NEW COMMISSIONER IS APPOINTED. MOTION FAILED. AYES:
FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: AHUJA, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
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.
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER ZHENG AS VICE
CHAIR. MOTION FAILED. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: AHUJA, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: ZHENG.
AHUJA/MOHIUDDIN MOVED TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER KAUSAR AS VICE
CHAIR. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN. NOES:
FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: ZHENG.
DIRECTOR ITEMS:
None.
COMMISSION ITEMS:
Commissioner Walia requested responses on two questions.
1) Is a straw poll legal at a Planning Commission meeting?
2) Can the February 22, 2020 meeting minutes be changed to note that a straw poll was
taken at the meeting?
The Commission directed staff to work with the City Attorney on responses to the two questions.
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 3 of 3
Commissioners Walia and Fitzsimmons requested paper packets for the next meeting, including
ledger sized (11”x17”) project plans.
Commissioner Kausar thanked the Commission for electing her Vice Chair and is grateful to be
on the Planning Commission and serve Saratoga residents.
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Assistant
City of Saratoga