Consulting Architect Presentation
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
Review Role of Consulting Architect
Los Gatos Town Council
April 21, 2014
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
BACKGROUND
Review requested by two Councilmembers
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Added to 2014-16 Strategic Goals
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Purpose of Study Session
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Provide background information and history
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Obtain Council direction on:
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•Any additional information needed
•Potential changes for future consideration
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
History
2000 –Concerns raised about PC design review
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Efficiency (long meetings, backlogs, re-hearings)
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Effectiveness (lack of professional input)
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Pilot launched in 2002
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Evaluation of Pilot
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Positive feedback from applicants, residents, PC
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Refocusing of PC time and efforts
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Backlog eliminated
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Architectural Consultant used ever since
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Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
COUNCIL RESOLUTION 2002-25
1.Architectural Consultant reviews plans:
Recommendations included in staff report
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Revised plans incorporate recommendations
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2.PC makes findings to modify recommendations
Based on erroneous information
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Mistakes of facts
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Compelling evidence of privacy or n-hood impact
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3.PC respects professional expertise of Architect
4.PC avoids continuing projects for revised plans
Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
SELECTION OF ARCHITECT
Works as “extension of staff” under CDD
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Competitive process in 2001-02
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Larry Cannon as primary
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Mark Srebnikas secondary
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Competitive process in 2011-12
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Larry Cannon as primary
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RMM Design Group as secondary
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Applicants pay costs except for Town projects
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Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
COUNCIL ISSUES
Public review of design alternatives
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All designs are part of project file until acted upon
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PC receives recommended changes and final plans
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Applicants may submit preferred alternatives to PC
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Public may submit requested alternatives to PC
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Clarify or strengthen Resolution Section A
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Increase or further limit PC design discretion
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Add more PC findings allowing design modifications
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Reiterate required findings for design modifications
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Memorialize desired changes in Resolution Section B
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Note: Some architectural support needed by staff
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Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus
COUNCIL DIRECTION
No direction (Maintain status quo)
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Request additional information
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Survey of municipal best practices for design review
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Survey Town participants on design review process
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Modify Resolution 2002-25
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Regarding design review alternatives (Section A)
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Regarding PC design review discretion (Section B)
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Other sections
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Rescind Resolution 2002-25
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Small Town Service ~ Community Stewardship ~ Future Focus