HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-20 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Minutes – Page 1 of 3
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 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
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Nicole Johnson, Senior Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 10, 2020.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 10, 2020.
WALIA/KAUSAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 10, 2020
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEM: None
1. NEW BUSINESSS - None
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application PDR19-0033/ARB19-0072; Monte Vista Drive (397-08-057); Yella
Venkata Trustee Et Al – The applicant is requesting Design Review approval to construct a
5,672 square foot single story residence. The height of the residence will not exceed 24’.
Seventeen protected trees are requested for removal. The site is 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.
Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes – Page 2 of 3
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-009 approving the proposed residence subject to conditions of
approval included in Attachment 1.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-009,
APPROVING APPLICATION PDR19-0033 SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF
APPROVAL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2. Application ZOA20-0002 – City Code Amendments (City Wide): Amendments to
Saratoga City Code Article 15-56 (Accessory Dwelling units) pursuant to State Legislation.
These amendments include reducing onsite parking requirements for accessory dwelling
units; allowing detached accessory dwelling units to be located within side and rear setback
areas of parcels located in residential zoning districts subject to height and floor area
limitations; the elimination of minimum parcel size requirements; allowing both a Junior
Accessory Dwelling Unit and a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit to be located on a single-
family zoned parcel; allowing a lot with a multifamily dwelling to have two detached
accessory dwelling units subject to setback, height, and floor area limitations; the conversion
of existing non-livable space within a multifamily dwelling to accessory dwelling units;
restricting the use of accessory dwelling units as short-term rentals; removing the owner-
occupancy restrictions on parcels which contain an accessory dwelling unit; and reducing the
time period that the City must act on an accessory dwelling unit application from 120 days to
60 days. Staff contact: Christopher Riordan: (408) 868-1235 or criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 20-011 recommending the City Council adopt an ordinance amending
Article 15-56 (Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Saratoga City Code.
Commissioner Kausar moved to adopt Resolution 20-011 as amended. Motion failed for
lack of a second.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 20-011, WITH
CHANGES, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT ORDINANCE
AMENDING ARTICLE 15-56 (ACCESORY DWELLING UNITS) OF THE
SARATOGA CITY CODE. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, FITZSIMMONS,
KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, WALIA, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS:
1.1 – Communications from City Attorney
Director Pedro said that staff will schedule a Parliamentary Procedure Workshop after the
new Commissioner is appointed.
Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes – Page 3 of 3
Councilmember Manny Cappello announced his resignation from the City Council because
of his new role as Associate Vice Chancellor of Government Relations and Public
Communications for the West Valley Mission Community College District.
City Arborist Kate Bear will be retiring at the end of July.
COMMISSION ITEMS:
Commissioner Walia and Fitzsimmons thanked Arborist Kate Bear for her service to the City.
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS/KAUSAR MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:09 PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Technician
City of Saratoga
Approved at 8/12/2020 Planning Commission Meeting