2010051713 - Introduce an Ordinance adding a new Chapter 30 to the Town Code Entitled "Neighborhood Preservation"

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PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW CHAPTER TO THE LOS GATOS TOWN CODE ENTITLED "NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION" DISCUSSION: The residents and businesses of the Town of Los Gatos place a high value on their quality of life and on the maintenance of properties in all zones. For the most part, deviation from required Town ordinances and maintenance standards is enforced by the community's known expectations in that regard. Nevertheless, there are problem properties which demand repeated attention and resources from the Town's enforcement personnel. In reviewing this matter with Town staff, it became obvious that the Town Code prohibited these conditions generally, but did not specifically address many of the property maintenance issues presented by these problem properties. The lack of specific expression of a particular violation makes it difficult both to describe the nature of the violation to the property owner and to file a charge to cure the violation, if the property owner refuses to comply, The proposed ordinance would add a new chapter to the Town Code and would specifically list prohibited conditions that exist on properties. The list would aid enforcement staff in communicating with the property owners and/or tenants as well as assist those owners in understanding the violation. More importantly, the proposed ordinance will provide greater efficiency for Town enforcement staff in achieving compliance. Town staff, including Community Development, Police, and Parks and Public Works, reviewed the proposed ordinance and refined the individual provisions to match their experiences and needs in the field. If the ordinance is adopted, Town staff will continue to work with property owners to gain voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, violations of this ordinance can be corrected through the administrative procedures adopted by the Town Council in 2004 or pursued through a variety of other methods, including nuisance abatement and enforcement tlu~ough the misdemeanor or infraction process. FISCAL IMPACT: The fiscal impact of this provision may result in additional revenue from administrative penalties'and fines as well as saving some staff time in achieving compliance. There is no direct fiscal impact by this action. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.