HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-2023 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 2
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9, 2023
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Chair Brownley called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Clinton Brownley, Vice Chair Jojo Choi, Commissioners Paul
Germeraad, Anjali Kausar, Ping, Li, Razi Mohiuddin, and Herman Zheng
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Bryan T. Swanson, Community Development Director
Chritopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Chrsitina Fusco, City Arborist
Kyle Rathbone, Assistant Planner
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of July 12, 2023.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of July 12, 2023.
Commissioner Mohiuddin clarified that his absence from the July 12, 2023 meeting should be noted
as an excused absence.
GERMERAAD/ZHENG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 12, 2023
MEETING AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, GERMERAAD,
KAUSAR, LI, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: MOHIUDDIN.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS: NONE
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.1 Application APTR23-0002; 18693 Devon Ave (389-13-053); Guina Wang (owner) - A
neighbor to the property is appealing the approval of permit application TRP23-0356 for the removal
of three (3) Canary Island Pine trees, Pinus Canariensis, with trunk diameters of 21, 23, and 28 inches
which grow in the back yard of the property, Staff contact: Christina Fusco (408) 868-1276 or
cfusco@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No.23-0012 denying the appeal.
CHOI/ZHENG MOVED TO CONTINUE THE DECISION ON APPEAL TO SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
MEETING FOR STAFF TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE MITIGATION MEASURES.
Second motion before the vote was taken.
MOHIUDDIN/KAUSAR MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION DENYING THE APPEAL FOR
APPLICATION APTR23-0002. MOTION FAILED. AYES: KAUSAR, LI, MOHIUDDIN. NOES:
BROWNLEY, CHOI, GERMERAAD, ZHENG. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
The vote was taken on the first motion.
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 2
CHOI/ZHENG MOVED TO CONTINUE THE DECISION ON APPEAL TO SEPTEMBER 12,
2023 MEETING FOR STAFF TO INVESTIGATE MITIGATION MEASURES. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, GERMERAAD, ZHENG. NOES: KAUSAR, LI,
MOHIUDDIN. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 Application PDR22-0016/ARB22-0080: 19348 Athos Place; (389-33-010) David Kuoppamaki
(Applicant) - The applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new 4,750 square foot two
story single-family residence. The project includes a request for a height exception to increase the
allowable 26’ tall building height by an additional 1’-7.5” for a total building height of 27’-7.5”. The
project will also include a 736 square foot detached accessory dwelling unit with a maximum height
of 15’-5”. No protected trees are proposed for removal. The site is zoned R-1-20,000 with a General
Plan Designation of Low Density Residential (RLD). Staff Contact: Christopher Riordan (408) 868-
1235 or criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 23-011 denying the project as staff cannot make all the required findings for
design review and for granting a height exception for a single-family dwelling to exceed a height of
26 feet.
KAUSAR/MOHIUDDIN MOVED TO CONTINUE APPLICATION PDR22-0016 TO A DATE
UNCERTAIN FOR STAFF TO WORK WITH APPLICANT TOWARD A
RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI,
GERMERAAD, KAUSAR, LI, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS
Director Swanson thanked attorney Bill Parkin for conducting the Study Session on the CEQA
Process and reminded Commissioners about the upcoming Study Session for the Saratoga
Retirement Community project on September 27, 2023, time TBD.
4. COMMISSION ITEMS
Commissioner Choi requested an update on the House Family Vineyards project. Director
Swanson noted that the project was scheduled to appear before the City Council on September 6,
2023.
5. ADJOURNMENT
KAUSAR/ZHENG moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
City of Saratoga