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Attachment 5ATTACHMENT 5 ARCHITECTURE AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS Section 29.20.150. C onsiderations in review of applications: The deciding body shall consider all relevant matter including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Considerations relating to traffic safety and traffic congestion. The effect of the site development plan on traffic conditions on abutting streets; the layout of the site with respect to locations and dimensions of vehicular and pedestrian entrances, exits, drives, and walkways; the adequacy of off -s treet parking facilities to prevent traffic congestion; the location, arrangement, and dimension of truck loading and unloading facilities; the circulation pattern within the boundaries of the development, and the surfacing, lighting and handicapped access ibility of off -street parking facilities. a. Any project or development that will add traffic to roadways and critical intersections shall be analyzed, and a determination made on the following matters: 1. The ability of critical roadways and major inters ections to accommodate existing traffic; 2. Increased traffic estimated for approved developments not yet occupied; and 3. Regional traffic growth and traffic anticipated for the proposed project one (1) year after occupancy. b. The deciding body shall rev iew the application for traffic roadway/intersection capacity and make one (1) of the following determinations: 1. The project will not impact any roadways and/or intersections causing the roadways and/or intersections to exceed their available capacities. 2. The project will impact a roadway(s) and/or intersection(s) causing the roadway(s) and/or intersection(s) to exceed their available capacities. Any project receiving Town determination subsection (1)b.1. may proceed. Any project receiving Town determination subsection (1)b.2. must be modified or denied if the deciding body determines that the impact is unacceptable. In determining the acceptability of a traffic impact, the deciding body shall consider if the project's benefits to the community o verride the traffic impacts as determined by specific sections from the general plan and any applicable specific plan. (2) Considerations relating to outdoor advertising. The number, location, color, size, height, lighting and landscaping of outdoor adver tising signs and structures in relation to the creation of traffic hazards and the appearance and harmony with adjacent development. Specialized lighting and sign systems may be used to distinguish special areas or neighborhoods such as the downtown area and Los Gatos Boulevard. (3) Considerations relating to landscaping. The location, height, and materials of walls, fences, hedges and screen plantings to insure harmony w ith adjacent development or to conceal storage areas, utility installations, parking lots or unsightly development; the planting of ground cover or other surfacing to prevent dust and erosion; and the unnecessary destruction of existing healthy trees. Emph asize the use of planter boxes with seasonal flowers to add color and atmosphere to the central business district. Trees and plants shall be approved by the Director of Parks, Forestry and Maintenance Services for the purpose of meeting special criteria, i ncluding climatic conditions, maintenance, year -round versus seasonal color change (blossom, summer foliage, autumn color), special branching effects and other considerations. (4) Considerations relating to site layout. The orientation and location of buil dings and open spaces in relation to the physical characteristics of the site and the character of the neighborhood; and the appearance and harmony of the buildings with adjacent development. Buildings should strengthen the form and image of the neighborh ood (e.g. downtown, Los Gatos Boulevard, etc.). Buildings should maximize preservation of solar access. In the downtown, mid -block pedestrian arcades linking Santa Cruz Avenue with existing and new parking facilities shall be encouraged, and shall include such crime prevention elements as good sight lines and lighting systems. (5) Considerations relating to drainage. The effect of the site development plan on the adequacy of storm and surface water drainage. (6) Considerations relating to the exterior archi tectural design of buildings and structures. The effect of the height, width, shape and exterior construction and design of buildings and structures as such factors relate to the existing and future character of the neighborhood and purposes of the zone in which they are situated, and the purposes of architecture and site approval. Consistency and compatibility shall be encouraged in scale, massing, materials, color, texture, reflectivity, openings and other details. (7) Considerations relating to lighting and street furniture. Streets, walkways, and building lighting should be designed so as to strengthen and reinforce the image of the Town. Street furniture and equipment, such as lamp standards, traffic signals, fire hydrants, street signs, telephones, mai l boxes, refuse receptacles, bus shelters, drinking fountains, planters, kiosks, flag poles and other elements of the street environment should be designated and selected so as to strengthen and reinforce the Town image. (8) Considerations relating to acce ss for physically disabled persons. The adequacy of the site development plan for providing accessibility and adaptability for physically disabled persons. Any improvements to a nonresidential building where the total valuation of alterations, structural r epairs or additions exceeds a threshold value established by resolution of the Town Council, shall require the building to be modified to meet the accessibility requirements of title 24 of the California Administrative Code adaptability and accessibility. In addition to retail, personal services and health care services are not allowable uses on non -accessible floors in new nonresidential buildings. Any change of use to retail, health care, or personal service on a non -accessible floor in a nonresidential b uilding shall require that floor to be accessible to physically disabled persons pursuant to the accessibility requirements of title 24 of the California Administrative Code and shall not qualify the building for unreasonable hardship exemption from meetin g any of those requirements. This provision does not effect lawful uses in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter. All new residential developments shall comply with the Town's adaptability and accessibility requirements for physically disabled p ersons established by resolution. (9) Considerations relating to the location of a hazardous waste management facility. A hazardous waste facility shall not be located closer than five hundred (500) feet to any residentially zoned or used property or any p roperty then being used as a public or private school primarily educating persons under the age of eighteen (18). An application for such a facility will require an environmental impact report, which may be focused through the initial study process. S:\COUNCIL REPORTS \2018 \06 -19 -18 \Objective Standards \Attachment 5 - Architecture and Site Considerations.docx