HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-21 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 3
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JUNE 9, 2021
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
Chair Kausar 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 Anjali Kausar, Vice Chair Herman Zheng, Commissioners Clinton
Brownley, Jojo Choi, Cheriel Jensen and Razi Mohiuddin
ABSENT: Commissioner Sunil Ahuja
ALSO
PRESENT:
Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
Christina Fusco, City Arborist
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 12, 2021.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of May 12, 2021.
MOHIUDDIN/JENSEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 12, 2021
MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS: NONE
REPORT ON APPEAL RIGHTS
1. NEW BUSINESS
1.1 General Plan Conformity FY 2021-2022 Capital Improvement Program
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 21-012 finding the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects proposed
for Fiscal Year 21-22 conform to the Saratoga General Plan.
CHOI/JENSEN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 21-012 FINDING THE CIP
PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR FY21-22 CONFORM TO THE SARATOGA GENERAL
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 3
PLAN. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, JENSEN, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN,
ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Application PDR15-0018/ARB15-0051/VAR21-0003; 14701 Ambric Knolls (503-
55-019); Edick Lazari (Applicant) – The applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new
5,063 square foot two-story single-family residence and a variance to locate the residence on an
area of the site with a slope more than 40%. Twenty-four protected trees are proposed for removal.
The site is zoned R-1-40,000 with a General Plan Designation of Residential Very Low Density
(RVLD). Staff Contact: Christopher Riordan (408) 868-1235 or criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 21-011 approving the project subject to conditions of approval included in
Attachment 1.
MOHIUDDIN/BROWNLEY MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 21-011 APPROVING
APPLICATION PSP20-0002. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.2 (Continued to July 14, 2021) Application PDR20-0009/ARB20-0043/VAR21-
0002/GRE21-0001; 22551 Mount Eden Road (503-13-117); Tom Sloan AIA (Applicant) – The
applicant is requesting Design Review approval for a new 4,733 square foot two-story single-
family residence with a 930 square accessory dwelling unit. The project also includes requests for
variances for 1) retaining walls with heights more than five feet and greater than three feet in the
front setback area, 2) a reduction in the width of the front setback area from 70’-7” to 30 feet, and
3) to locate the residence on an area of the site with slopes more than 40%, and a grading exception
for the combined cut and fill to exceed 1,000 cubic yards. No trees are proposed for removal. The
site is zoned Hillside Residential (HR) with a General Plan Designation of Residential Hillside
Conservation (RHC). Staff Contact: Christopher Riordan (408) 868-1235 or
criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 21-009 approving the applications for Design Review, Variances, Grading
Exception, and City Arborist clearance – no trees are proposed for removal.
JENSEN/CHOI MOVED TO CONTINUE THE ITEM TO JULY 14, 2021 WITH
DIRECTION FOR STAFF TO PROVIDE MEASURE A TEXT TO COMMISSIONERS,
REQUEST PROJECT GEOLOGIST TO ATTEND NEXT MEETING AND PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENTS. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
BROWNLEY, CHOI, JENSEN, ZHENG. NOES: KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, ABSENT: AHUJA.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
2.3 Amendment to the Tree Regulations/ZOA20-0004. Amendments to Article 15-50
(Tree Regulations) of the Saratoga City Code to allow the removal of qualifying tree species within
the Wildland Urban Interface Area, waive the permit fees, and exclude problematic tree species
from being used as replacement trees following a removal. Staff Contact: Christopher Riordan
(408) 868-1235 or criordan@saratoga.ca.us.
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 3 of 3
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 21-010 recommending the City Council approve the attached proposed
changes to Article 15-50, Tree Regulations (Zoning) of the Saratoga City Code.
MOHIUDDIN/ZHENG MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 21-010
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE TREE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT AND
SUGGEST ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS RELATED TO FIRE SAFTEY IF DIRECTED
BY CITY COUNCIL. MOTION PASSED. AYES: BROWNLEY, CHOI, KAUSAR,
MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: JENSEN. ABSENT: AHUJA. ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS: NONE
4. COMMISSION ITEMS
Chair Kausar announced that the Saratoga 4th of July celebration will take place this year at Kevin
Moran Park and there will be a band playing. Look for more details coming soon about the event.
5. ADJOURNMENT
JENSEN/CHOI Moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
City of Saratoga