Ord 1832 - Amending the zoning ordinance relating to traffic impactsORDINANCE 1832
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO TRAFFIC IMPACTS
THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ORDAINS:
SECTION I
Section 5.20.030 of the Town Zoning Ordinance is amended to read:
SEC. 5.20.030: APPROVAL REOUIRED
Architecture and Site Approval is required in all zones for the following:
(1) new construction of any principal building;
(2) exterior alteration or addition to a building (other than single - family and two
family dwellings and minor exterior alterations);
(3) intensification of land use;
(4) residence conversions;
(5) any development in a floodplain as required by Chapter 3.85; and as otherwise
specified in this Ordinance.
(For the purpose of this Section only, intensification of land use means all changes in use
which require more parking and /or results in an increase in peak hour trips for mixed use,
multi - tenant commercial or industrial or multi - family development projects if the trips
exceed the traffic generation factor assigned to the project at the time of approval and /or
an increase of five or more peak hour trips.)
SECTION II
Section 5.20.040 of the Town Zoning Ordinance is amended to read:
SEC. 5.20.040: CONSIDERATIONS 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- street
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 accessibility of off- street parking facilities.
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 intersections 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 year after occupancy.
The deciding body shall review the application for traffic roadway /intersection
capacity and make one of the following determinations:
(a) The project will not impact any roadways and /or intersections
causing the roadways and /or intersections to exceed their
available capacities.
(b) 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 (a) may proceed. Any project
receiving Town determination (b) 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 override 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 advertising signs and
structures in relation to the creation of traffic hazards and the appearance and
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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 with 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. Emphasize 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, including 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
buildings 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 neighborhood (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 architectural 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
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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, mail 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.
69KIoll[67► ■III
Section 5.20.230 of the Zoning Ordinance is amended to read:
SEC. 5.20.230: CONDITIONAL USE MODIFICATION
A use authorized by Conditional Use Permit shall not be modified unless a
modification to the permit is approved. The following changes in use are modifications:
(1) Intensification of use. (By way of example, intensification of use are
evidenced by additions to seating capacity or gross floor area, increase in peak
hour trips for mixed use, multi- tenant commercial or industrial or multi-
family development projects if the trips exceed the traffic generation factor
assigned to the project at the time of approval, increase of five or more peak
hour trips, increases in parking required -- other than the requirement of
increases because of ordinance amendment -- use of additional land, or
commencement of new activities.)
(2) Any change that is a substantial departure from plans which were the basis
of the Conditional Use Permit Approval.
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SECTION IV
This ordinance takes effect 30 days after the date it is adopted. Within 15 days after
this ordinance is adopted, the Town Clerk shall cause it to be published once in a
newspaper of general circulation published and circulated in the Town.
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the
Town of Los Gatos on July 2, 1990, and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of
the Town of Los Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council on July 16, 1990.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Joanne Benjamin, Eric D.Carlson, Robet L. Hamilton, and
Mayor Thomas J. Ferrito
NAYS: Brent N. Ventura
ABSENT:
4141000
ATTEST:
MAYOR OFT TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, ALIFORNIA
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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