Ord 1745 - AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO TRAFFIC IMPACTSORDINANCE NO. 1745
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 5.20.040 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 crit-
ical 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:
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(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) shall not be approved.
The Town Council shall adopt by Resolution the criteria and
procedures that implement the above and after review and recom-
mendation by the Planning Commission may adopt a list of
exemptions which are necessary to allow minimal development of
vacant lots or to fulfill t he-Rolicies_o. -the- General- P-lan -Ra
ing Element.
(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 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.
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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 Blvd., etc.). Buildings should maximize
preservation of solar access. In the Downtown, mid -block pedestrian
ades_linking-San -ta Co. Avenue wi- th-- exis-t-ing-and neW p�rl in�f -as l
ities 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 develop-
ment 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 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.
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(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.
SECTION II
SECTION 5.20.045 of the Town Zoning Ordinance is repealed.
SECTION III
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.
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This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on February 16 , 1988 and
adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of the Town of Los Gatos at a
regular meeting of the Town Council on March 7 , 1988•
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Thomas J. Ferrito, Brent N.
Ventura, and Mayor Eric D. Carlson
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Joanne Benjamin, and Robert L.
Hamilton
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS None
ATTEST:
(5 &h-4-
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GA
PLN01:A- 87 -11, pgs. 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
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