1987-068-Concerning Design Standards For Buildings Facing Parking Lot 4 Between Elm Street And Grays LaneRESOLUTION NO. 1987 -68
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CONCERNING DESIGN STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS FACING
PARKING LOT 4 BETWEEN ELM STREET AND GRAYS LANE
WHEREAS, the Town Council conducted a public hearing for consideration of
Architecture and Site Application S -87 -1 on February 23, 1987.
WHEREAS design standards are to be used by the Planning Director to review plans
for minor exterior modifications to the buildings facing Parking Lot 4 located
between Elm Street and Grays Lane.
RESOLVED: The Town Council finds that the standards reflect the Town's desire
for Architectural excellence and hereby adopts the design standards attached as
Exhibit A.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos this lst day
of June 1987, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson
Thomas J. Ferrito, Robert L Hamilton and Mayor
Brent N. Ventura
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS ni no
ABSTAIN COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBERS None
SIGNED ,/ %� ff
P
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS OS
PLNOI(TC 6/1 r#8, P. 4)
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE REAR OF THE COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS LOCATED ADJACENT TO TOWN PARKING LOT #4
ELM STREET TO GRAYS LANE
PURPOSE
Architecture and Site approval is currently required for new construction of a
commercial building and any exterior alteration or addition to a commercial
building. This means that minor modifications to the exterior of any
commercial building must submit an application for Architecture and Site
Approval and pay the required fee of $500. Architecture and Site Approval
requires project review by the Development Review Committee and Planning
Commission. however, the purpose of these Design Standards is to allow
Planning Director approval of minor exterior changes to the rear of the
existing commercial buildings adjacent to Parking Lot #4. Any exterior change
which increases the volume or the height of the rear elevation of the building
will be required to apply for Architecture and Site Approval and pay the
required fee.
OBJECTIVES
These design standards have been prepared for use by the Town Planning Director
to provide specific criteria for evaluating requests for minor modifications to
the facades of the existing commercial buildings that can be seen from Parking
Lot #4 (Elm Street to Grays Lane). The standards are intended to complement
all applicable Town regulations. In considering requests, the Planning
Director shall consult with the Building Official and the Director of Parks,
Forestry and Maintenance Services to ensure compliance with Town standards and
policy. The standards will create a unified design theme for the area that is
consistent with all applicable policies of the Community Design Element of the
Downtown Specific Plan. In order to comply with these design standards, the
requested building improvements must be accompanied by landscaping, lighting
and refuse facilities consistent with these standards.
DESIGN STANDARDS
If the proposed changes are compatible with all of the Design Standards listed
below, regarding openings, awnings, materials, colors and landscaping
standards, the application will be approved by the Planning Director. If the
application does not fall within one or more of these standards, or, if the
applicant and the Planning Director cannot agree, then the application must
follow the normal procedure.
i. BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
A. Openings:
Openings include all doors, windows and other major elements which
penetrate from the interior to the exterior of the building. The
existing openings on the rear of a building shall not be expanded.
However, the existing openings may be modified to encourage the
pedestrian environment. Any request for additional openings on the
rear of a building shall be subject to Architecture and Site Approval
procedures as well as all applicable fees.
B. Awnings:
Awnings include all canvas or cloth covered framework which project
from the building. A single awning or the combination of multiple
awnings shall not exceed the width of the building. No awning shall
project any higher than a wall sign. Any sign proposed on an awning
shall obtain a sign permit.
C. Materials:
Any typical exterior construction materials are permitted providing
the material is not highly reflective or does not create glare in an
offensive manner. Materials which are considered unacceptable include
aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, plexiglass, and acrylic. Trellis work
is considered an acceptable improvement. Projections may be permitted
where in compliance with Town regulations and as described in Section
VI of these standards.
0. Colors:
The color(s) of the building should be subdued and restrained, not
harsh or garish. Any color that may create glare will not be
permitted. The exterior colors included in Guild's Historical Society
- Historic Colours of America are considered an acceptable range of
colors. The resultant color scheme, however, must be compatible with
other buildings located in the central business district. Color
schemes using two or three colors are favored over more elaborate or
single color schemes.
II. LANDSCAPING:
A ae ral.
Landscaping shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Planning
Director in conformance with the Town's Landscaping Policies as set
forth in Resolution No. 1984 -76. The area along the entire rear of
the building shall be provided with landscaping except where improved
for pedestrian circulation. A two -year maintenance agreement shall be
provided for all proposed landscaping. Handscaping includes all
sidewalks, patios, entrance courts, etc., and shall be considered an
integral part of the landscape plan and shall be subject to Planning
Director approval. The hardscape shall be designed to complement the
Villa Hermosa sidewalk pattern, enhance the streetscape and promote
pedestrian circulation.
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Acceptable Species:
The following species of trees are recommended because of their
suitability to the area, non - invasive root systems, infrequency of
necessary pruning, minor fruit and seed drop, visual interest,
resistance to disease, etc.
TREES
Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow)
Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle)
M. grandiflora (Magnolia)
Malaleuca lineriifolia (Paper Bark)
Pyrus calleryana (Ornamental Pear)
Platanus acerifolia (London Plane)
In addition to trees, shrubs and groundcover shall be provided in all landscaped
areas. Acceptable species of shrubs, vines and groundcover are provided below:
SHRUBS
Raphiolepis indica rosea (Pink India Hawthorne)
Nerium Oleander 'Petite'(Oleander)
Veronica 'Blue Elf'(Speedwell)
Escallonia rubra
Pittisporum 'wheelers dwarf'
Pittisporum tenuifolium
Photinia fraseri
VINES
Bougainvillea species (Bouganvillea)
Clytostoma callistegioides (Lavender Trumpet Vine)
Gelsemium Sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine)
Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine)
Grewia caftia (Lavender Starflower)
Hardenbergia comptoniana (Lilac Vine)
GROUND COVER
Myoporum parvifolium
Gazania
Hypericum calycinum (Aaron's Beard, Creeping St. Johnswort)
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)
Fragaria Chiloensis (Wild Strawberry, Sand Strawberry)
Additional species may be utilized if they meet the above criteria, to the
satisfaction of the Planning Director.
C. Irrigation:
All landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent irrigation system
W the satisfaction of the Planning Director.
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D. Landscape Planters:
In certain instances, due to existing conditions, it may not be
possible to create landscaped planter areas. In these situations,
planter boxes or premanufactured containers may be used to achieve the
requirements set forth in Section A. In these instances a permanent
irrigation system shall be provided to each planter box or container.
The design, style, size and location of the planter box /container must
be approved by the Planning Director.
E. Function:
Landscaping shall play a primary role in the integration of the
building with its surroundings. Specifically, landscaping shall be
reviewed for its ability to accomplish the following goals:
1. Provide a continuity of streetscape.
2. Blend with adjacent landscaping.
3. Provide a transition between the building and the sidewalk.
4. Reinforce pedestrian circulation and building entrances.
5. Provide seasonal color.
6. Provide shade.
III. LIGHTING:
Lighting shall be designed to achieve aesthetic considerations as well as
to provide lighting for pedestrian walkways. Light fixtures shall be
oriented so that the light does not shine into any residential dwelling.
Downlighting is preferred, however, other non- offensive lighting may be
permitted subject to the approval of the Planning Director. Lighting which
is construed to be a sign or which is not pedestrian oriented shall not be
permitted. Lighting shall be located to avoid the "billboard" effect of
illuminating entire building faces; concentration of lighting at the
street level is encouraged.
IV. REFUSE FACILITIES:
The location of any proposed refuse receptacle shall be subject to the
approval of the Planning Director based on a plan developed in conjunction
with Green Valley Disposal Company and Town staff. Refuse receptacles
shall be shared with other businesses in order to minimize the number of
receptacles. An enclosure shall be provided to screen each receptacle and
shall be constructed pursuant to Town standards.
V. PROCEDURE /APPEALS
Any request or exterior modifications to the rear of a building within
the study area shall comply with the standards set forth herein. Exterior
modifications may be requested by submitting four sets of plans to the
Building Department. One set shall be routed to the Planning Department
for review. One set of the Planning Director approved plans shall be kept
on file in the Planning Department to provide a record of the approval.
If the plans are determined by the Planning Director to be inconsistent
with these standards the plans shall be denied. In order for the plans to
be considered by the Planning Commission, the applicant must submit an
application for Architecture and Site Approval and pay all applicable
fees.
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VI. COMPLIANCE WITH UNIFORM BUILDING CODE
All requests for exterior modifications must comply with the Uniform
Building Code. If a commercial building is located on the rear property
line, the openings and projections shall be treated as if facing a street
for determining compliance with the Town Building Code except that
projections such as sun control devices, cornices, belt courses and
appendages such as sills, capitals and architectural projects of less than
one foot may be permitted over the rear property line without an
encroachment permit. Projections over all public sidewalks and private
pedestrian walkways must comply with the height clearance requirements as
set forth in Chapter 45 of the Town Building Code. Projections over the
rear property line of more than 1 foot shall not be permitted by these
standards.
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