Dean and Darin Devincenzi and Ron Garald received the green light from the Los Gatos Planning Commission to proceed with their plans to open Forbes Mill Steakhouse. That means the owners could very well meet their goal to open the restaurant by March 1 of next year.

The proposed steakhouse will take over the building on N. Santa Cruz Avenue that was once occupied by Stovie's.

At the Nov. 13 meeting, commissioners approved design plans and a request for off-site parking. They also recommended approval for a conditional-use permit modification, which includes a request for full alcohol service and a full bar. The Los Gatos Town Council, the decision-maker for alcohol-related applications, will examine the issue on Dec. 16.

Dean Devincenzi told commissioners that the proposed restaurant is a "common request" that he hears from patrons of Double D's. "This town has everything to offer restaurant-wise but a steakhouse," Devincenzi said.

The steakhouse, which will only be open for dinner, will seat up to 149 guests. The space includes a private party room, patio dining and a "casual dining" or verandah area. A town staff report says the average entree will be between $18 and $35.

According to Devincenzi, the bar would be a separate but integrated part of the restaurant. At 336 square feet—out of the 6,600 square feet total of the building—the bar would be a place for customers who are waiting to be seated. "Our intent is not to see how drunk we could get people," Devincenzi said.

When one commissioner suggested having full liquor service without an actual bar, Devincenzi replied that it was not possible. "A bar is a nice complement to a classy restaurant," Devincenzi said.

Devincenzi pointed out other restaurants of a similar ilk that have bars. He said that the management of Forbes Mill Steakhouse would encourage people to eat at the bar and strictly enforce a policy of no shots and no beer on tap. Also, Devincenzi pointed out, the bar would serve as a place for singles to be served.

Director of Community Development Bud Lortz interjected that he had met with the owners and with Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Chief Scott Seaman. The Devincenzis and Garald had demonstrated, through some very specific actions, that the restaurant will be a "fine dining establishment," Lortz said.

Lortz and Seaman had worked with the applicants to make sure that the steakhouse would not become a "watering hole." The interior design, including the small size of the bar, would limit people's ability to gather at the bar and allow for relatively easy enforcement, Lortz said.

Monte Sereno resident Ken Rodrigues said Double D's proved that the bar would not be a watering hole. "They currently have a very nice establishment with a bar," Rodrigues said. "They somehow got that area to not have that area feel like a bar."

Rodrigues added that he feels comfortable letting his children hang out in the area, which has arcade games nearby. Rodrigues said the size of the bar and the fact that the owners enforce the bar make it work.

Also, Rodrigues said, the restaurant is a true "mom and pop" operation instead of a chain. The steakhouse would not compete with existing restaurants and would add to the downtown Los Gatos dining environment, he said.

"I think the applicants here have a great background in working with the town," said Los Gatan Len Pacheco. Pacheco had been on the planning commission when the Devincenzis wanted to open Double D's. The brothers, Pacheco said, had been enthusiastic and receptive to the town's concerns.

Whenever the town has a chance to improve any part of downtown, Pacheco said, "we should jump on it."

The old building's exterior will be transformed, with a brick façade and fabric awnings replacing the existing green-painted wood walls.

Forbes Mill Steakhouse owners also requested a variance to allow for off-site parking. The restaurant has secured agreements with adjacent properties to meet the parking requirement of 50 spaces. Wells Fargo will supply five spaces, while 212 through 216¹/2 N. Santa Cruz—Morton Jewelers, Kitchen Enthusiasts, Tip Top Cleaners and Manaz—will contribute 11 spaces. Forbes Mill's customers will be able to use those spaces in the evening hours.

Devincenzi said 15 to 20 employees will be working nightly and will not be parking in those spaces.

While commissioners had some concerns and wanted some changes made to the design, they were generally in favor of the proposal.

Commissioner Chairwoman Lee Quintana said, referring to the patio dining, "Having activity closer to the street in fact enhances the feeling of downtown."

Vice chairman Paul Dubois said the "intensification is not impacting but in fact utilizing resources that are available."

With Commissioner Mike Burke having recused himself due to conflict of interest, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the designs and forward a recommendation of approval of the conditional-use permit to the town council. The parking variance, however, was approved 5-1 because Quintana said she did not agree that the restaurant needed the requested spaces.