The Los Gatos Town Council was in a good mood at its Apr. 16 meeting, approving the two projects before it, and voting the consent items without discussion.
The council clarified its early direction to the Planning Commission and approved a new home in the 4-lot subdivision on Reservoir Rd. Council gadfly Ray Davis called it a "beautiful design" and councilmembers applauded the use of stone found on the site and that the project was not a "monster home."
Viva restaurant in the Cornerstone shopping center at Los Gatos Blvd. and Blossom Hill Rd. sought permission to expand into the former High Tech Burrito space next door. The council was all smiles, apparently remembering delicious meals at the upscale restaurant. Viva CFO Bo Jacobs spoke on behalf of the application, seeking longer hours, including breakfast, full bar service for a new take-out operation tentatively called Viva-a-Go-Go, and more freedom in the restaurant's conditional use permit for a variety of musical accompaniments. Los Gatans Dave Eberle and Larry Gerston encouraged the council to reward the restaurant for its excellence so far.
Assistant Director of Community Development Randy Tsuda told the council that Viva's architectural and site plans had already been approved by the Planning Commission, and that Viva was not increasing the number of seats already allowed, so there was no parking impact.
Vice Mayor Barbara Spector was the lone dissenter. The application seemed to some to request a blank check, asking for more freedom than other businesses in town enjoy.
"This is the expansion of a fine dining restaurant," Councilmember Mike Wasserman clarified. "We're not approving a new, high-turnover restaurant with a full liquor license."
"I think we should be consistent with the way we have treated other restaurants," Vice Mayor Spector said. The application passed, 4-1.
Mayor Joe Pirzynski began the meeting with a moment of silence for the victims of the shootings at Virgina Tech earlier in the day. The consent calendar included authorizing Ross, Drulis, Cusenbery, Architects, to study the feasibility of a police facility at 15900 Los Gatos Blvd. Dan Siegel sat in for Town Attorney Orry Korb.
During public communications, Ray Davis reminded the council that he had suggested a "no diapers" sign for the town's public fountain, and he praised Mayor Pirzynski for implementing the suggestion. Turning more characteristically critical, Davis complained that selling the town's parcel in Vasona Park to the county would be missing a "golden opportunity."
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