HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-21 Planning Commission MinutesSaratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 1 of 2
APPROVED MINUTES
WEDNESDAY JULY 14, 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 Sunil
Ahuja, Clinton Brownley, Jojo Choi, Cheriel Jensen and Razi Mohiuddin
ABSENT: None
ALSO
PRESENT:
Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 9, 2021.
Recommended Action:
Approve Minutes of Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 9, 2021.
CHOI/MOHIUDDIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 9, 2021
MEETING WITH AMENDMENT. MOTION PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, BROWNLEY,
CHOI, JENSEN, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS: NONE
REPORT ON APPEAL RIGHTS
1. NEW BUSINESS - NONE
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 (Continued from June 9, 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
Saratoga Planning Commission Draft Minutes – Page 2 of 2
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 with a General Plan Designation of Residential Hillside
Conservation. 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.
MOHIUDDIN/AHUJA MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 21-009 APPROVING
APPLICATION PDR20-0009/ARB20-0043/VAR21-0002/GRE21-0001. MOTION PASSED.
AYES: AHUJA, BROWNLEY, KAUSAR, MOHIUDDIN, ZHENG. NOES: CHOI, JENSEN.
ABSENT: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. DIRECTOR ITEMS
Director Pedro reported that at their 7/7/21 meeting, the City Council introduced the Tree
Ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission. They also directed staff to add a
more comprehensive tree ordinance review to the Planning Commission’s work plan next year.
4. COMMISSION ITEMS
5. ADJOURNMENT
AHUJA/JENSEN Moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Frances Reed, Administrative Analyst
City of Saratoga