1998-007 - Amending the Residential Development Standards for single family and two family dwellings in all zones except RC and HRRESOLUTION 1998 - 7
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR SINGLE
FAMILY AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS IN ALL ZONES EXCEPT RC AND HR
WHEREAS, the Town Council and Planning Commission determined at a Study Session in
February 1997 that Floor Area Ratio (FAR) requirements should account for slope; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council referred the matter to the Architectural Standards/ Hillside
Committee for study; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Standards / Hillside Committee reviewed information from
nearby cities about slope and floor area requirements and studied the current Town Code
requirements for FAR in Section 29.40.075; and
WHEREAS, the Architectural Standards/ Hillside Committee and Planning Commission
determined that an amendment to the Residential Development Standards to include FAR
requirements as they relate to slope would provide a guideline to applicants developing sloped lots.
RESOLVED, this amendment to the Residential Development Standards is not a project and
therefore is not subject to CEQA requirements; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Council amends the "Residential Development
Standards for All Single Family and Two Family Dwellings in All Zones Except the Resource
Conservation and Hillside Residential Zones" Section I, Subsection B.1, as follows:
B. SITE PLANNING
(1) Site design:
A project should be designed to fit a site's natural conditions, rather than alter the site
to accommodate a stock building plan. Existing topography should be preserved.
The Town will consider proposals to make minor modification to existing topography
where it contributes to good appearance or where necessary, to correct unacceptable
construction conditions (grading, drainage, etc.). Natural grade and vegetation should
be retained to the maximum extent practicable. Excessive cuts and fills must be
avoided. Unretained cuts or fills will not be allowed. The site layout should take into
consideration the project's effect on adjacent properties and neighborhoods (e.g,
views, privacy, setbacks, etc.).
For residential projects which require zoning approval, if a slope is greater
than 10 %, then the net lot area shall be reduced according to the following
standard:
Average lot slope Percent of net site area to be deducted
10.01-20% 10% plus 2% for each 1% of slope over 10%
20.01-30% 30% plus 3 % for each I% of slope over 20%
Over 30% 60%
The net site area after this deduction is calculated shall be used to calculate
the FAR for the site. A perspective drawing showing the project, hillside, and
adjacent homes is required. The perspective drawing shall demonstrate the
scale, mass and fit of the house with the existing slope.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California held on the 20th day of January 1998 by the following vote:
TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Jan Hutchins,
Mayor Linda Lubeck
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None C
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
to �-
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA