HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2025 Planning Commission Meeting MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY MAY 14 , 2025
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Vice -Chair Li called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Vice-Chair Ping Li, Commissioners Clinton Brownley, Paul Germeraad,
Zaheer Hassan, Badri Sridharan, Herman Zheng
ABSENT: Chair Kausar (excused)
ALSO PRESENT: Bryan T. Swanson, Community Development Director
Cindy McCormick, Development Manager
Kyle Rathbone, Associate Planner
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Planning Commission Meeting of May 14, 2025
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of May 14, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting.
GERMERAAD/ZHENG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 14 , 2025 MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, GERMERAAD, HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN,
ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: KAUSAR. ABSTAIN: NONE.
Vice Chair Li requested agenda item 3.1 to be moved as first item presented.
NEW BUSINESS
(Re-ordered by request)
3.1 Finding of General Plan Conformity FY 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program
California Government Section 65401 requires the local planning agency to report on the
conformity of proposed public works with the adopted general plan.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-008 finding the Capital Improvement Program projects proposed for
Fiscal Year 25-26 conform to the Saratoga General Plan.
LI MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION FINDING THE FY 2025-26 CIP PROJECTS
CONFORM WITH THE GENERAL PLAN. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY,
GERMERAAD, HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: KAUSAR.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS: NONE
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.1 Application FER25-0007: 20361 Kilbride Dr; (393-03-001) Rahul Kamath (Applicant): The
applicant is requesting a Fence Exception for a fence of 6-feet solid redwood located within the
exterior side setback where 3 feet is allowed. No protected trees are proposed for removal. The
site is zoned R-1-12,500 with a General Plan Designation of Medium Density Residential (M-10).
Staff Contact: Kyle Rathbone (408) 868-1212 or krathbone@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-004 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included in
Attachment 1.
GERMERAAD/BROWNLEY MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 25-004 APPROVING
APPLICATION FER25-0007. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, GERMERAAD,
HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: KAUSAR. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 Application MOD25-0001: 14771 Montalvo Rd (Lot 2); (517-19-040) Yugal Aggarwal
(Applicant): The applicant is requesting a Modification of Approved Application for a previously
approved Design Review project for a new 4,563 square foot two-story single-family residence
with a building height of 26’ and with a 799 square foot detached accessory dwelling unit. The
modification proposes changes to the exterior architectural style. The site is zoned R-1-20,000
with a General Plan Designation of Low Density Residential (RLD). Staff Contact: Kyle Rathbone
(408) 868-1212 or krathbone@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-005 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included in
Attachment 1.
Xie Sun commented.
Ana Sani commented.
Jie Xu commented.
Stilla Raissi commented.
Joe Beyers commented.
GERMERAAD/SRIDHARAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 25-005 APPROVING
APPLICATION MOD25-0001. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, GERMERAAD,
HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN. NOES: ZHENG. ABSENT: KAUSAR. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.3 Application PDR24-0006/ARB24-0059: 14340 Elva Ave; (503-27-021) Aman Dulay
(Applicant): The applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new 2,880 square foot two-
story single-family residence with a building height of 26’. No protected trees are proposed for
removal. The site is zoned R-1-10,000 with a General Plan Designation of Medium Density
Residential (M-10). Staff Contact: Kyle Rathbone (408) 868-1212 or krathbone@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-006 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included in
Attachment 1.
GERMERAAD/BROWNLEY MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 25-006 APPROVING
APPLICATION PDR24-0006 WITH THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE APPLICANT
TO WORK WITH NEIGHBORS ON PRIVACY CONCERNS. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
BROWNLEY, GERMERAAD, HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: KAUSAR. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.4 Application PDR24-0017/ARB25-0008: 20758 Seaton Ave; (503-58-026) Seema Mittal
(Applicant): The applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new 4,279 square foot two-
story single-family residence with a building height of 26’ and with attached 796 square foot ADU.
Two protected trees are proposed for removal. The site is zoned R-1-12,500 with a General Plan
Designation of Medium Density Residential (M-10). Staff Contact: Kyle Rathbone (408) 868-1212
or krathbone@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 25-007 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included in
Attachment 1.
Shu-Jung Yu commented.
GERMERAAD/ZHENG MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 25-007 APPROVING
APPLICATION PDR24-0006 WITH RECOMMENDATION FOR THE APPLICANT TO
WORK WITH NEIGHBORS ON PRIVACY CONCERNS. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
BROWNLEY, GERMERAAD, HASSAN, LI, SRIDHARAN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: KAUSAR. ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Item moved before Public Hearing
3.2 Selection of Preapproved ADU Plans
Program 3.1-1 of the adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element involves developing a permit ready
ADU program with a diversity of plans choices available to facilitate reduced applicant cost and
expedited review for ADU projects.
Recommended Action:
Select at least three preapproved ADU designs from the Community Planning Collaborative’s
ADU Plans Gallery database to be added to Saratoga’s preapproved ADU website.
The Planning Commissioners provided recommendations for staff.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS
Director Swanson thanked Vice Chair Li for filling in to lead the meeting. He thanked staff for
their work for this meeting. He reminded the Commission about the Volunteer Appreciation dinner
and the Joint Study Session with City Council on June 25, 2025 on the Village Design Standards.
4. COMMISSION ITEMS
Vice -Chair Li reminded everyone that Saturday is the Annual Blossom Festival at the Civic Center
and the Heritage Orchard.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Li moved for adjournment at 8:45 P.M.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
City of Saratoga