1988-203-Concerning Development Standards For The Central Business District Commercial ZoneRESOLUTION NO. 1988 -203
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN
OF LOS GATOS CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR
THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT COMMERCIAL ZONE (C -2)
WHEREAS, the Town Council discussed this matter at a public meeting on November
7, 1988;
WHEREAS, the Development Standards are to be used by the Planning Commission
when reviewing plans for new buildings and additions /remodeling of existing
buildings located in the C -2 Zone;
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 at a
lar
Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos held on the 7th day
of November , 1988, by the following vote:
meeting of the
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Joanne Benjamin, Thomas J. Ferrito,
Robert L. Hamilton Brent N. Ventura & Mayor Eric D Carlson
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS
s m
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ATTEST:
SENIOR DEPUTY CLERK OF TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLNOI:TC 11/7 -11
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE C -2 ZONE
These development standards have been prepared for use in conjunction with the
Architectural and Site Approval process as set forth in Section 5.20.020 et seq
of the Zoning Ordinance. The standards are intended to compliment the
considerations established in Sections 5.20.040 and 5.20.045 for review of
Architecture and Site approval applications for commercial buildings in the C -2
Zone.
OBJECTIVES
To establish standards for use by the Planning Commission, Town Council, staff
and property owners in providing for the health, safety, convenience and
environmental quality for improvements to existing commercial developments and
new commercial development located in the C -2 Zone.
To provide development standards for the C -2 Zone that may be used to prepare
plans for consideration by the Planning Commission during the Architectural and
Site Approval process for new commercial buildings and for additions and
exterior changes to commercial buildings.
To preserve and protect the Town's character of downtown Los Gatos through
careful planning and architectural excellence.
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
The Planning Commission will assess the commercial building's compatibility
with the surrounding area. The appearance of the proposed building should
blend with the surrounding area without detracting from the design of adjacent
buildings. The design will be evaluated on its contribution to the Town's
unique character and on its suitability for its location.
Commercial development should not impair - singularly or cumulatively - the
use, enjoyment, and value of neighboring public and private property. The
proposal should be designed to minimize interference with the privacy, quiet
and views of adjacent residential neighborhoods. The location of driveways and
parking areas shall be designed to minimize impact on adjacent residential
properties, pedestrians and the natural environment.
I. SITE PLANNING
The site layout should take into consideration the following issues to
determine the project's effect on adjacent properties and neighborhoods.
A. Parking:
Parking areas shall be designed in a manner which minimizes the
visual impact when viewed from the street and where possible, should
be located along the sides and /or behind the proposed buildings(s).
Depressed parking areas should be encouraged.
In order for the Planning Commission to fully analyze a project's
relationship to its surroundings, all applications shall be accompanied
by a streetscape of the project vicinity both in elevation and plan view
with the proposed structure(s) superimposed. In certain instances, the
streetscape may be required to include both sides of the street and a
sufficient number of structures to provide the Commission with a thorough
impression of the surrounding area. In certain instances it may also be
necessary to provide a photomontage with the proposed building
superimposed.
A. Scale and Mass:
Architectural features such as eave lines, roof forms, balconies,
detailing and articulation of building mass (footprint) shall be
effectively utilized to maintain a sense of scale consistent with
the Town's goals of a pedestrian oriented commercial environment.
Large undifferentiated wall planes on the street elevation will not
be allowed.
B. Materials:
Any typical exterior construction materials are permitted providing
the material does not reflect light or create glare in an offensive
manner. Materials which are considered unacceptable include
aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, plexiglass, and acrylic. Trellis
work is considered acceptable as an improvement. Pergolas and other
projections may be permitted where in compliance with Town
regulations.
C. 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.
D. Building Components:
Building components such as windows, doors, eaves and parapets
should be arranged and detailed to create an architectural
composition which is appropriate to the character of the adjacent
buildings. Main entrances shall be oriented to the street and blend
with the overall design of the structure.
The main entrance(s) to the building shall be differentiated from
the remainder of the storefront through the use of architectural
features or materials. Entrances are encouraged to be recessed into
the building to make them readily identifiable, and also to
facilitate pedestrian flow.
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In addition to trees, shrubs and groundcover shall be provided in all
landscaped areas. A list of acceptable species of shrubs and groundcover is
provided below:
SHRUBS
Raphiolepis indica roses, (Pink India Hawthorne)
Nerium Oleander 'Petite'(Oleander)
Veronica 'Blue Elf'(Speedwell)
Escallonia rubra
Pittisporum 'wheelers dwarf'
Pittisporum tenuifolium
Photinia fraseri
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.
B. Irrigation:
All landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent irrigation system
to the satisfaction of the Planning Director.
C. Landscape Planters:
In certain instances, due to existing conditions, it may not be possible
to create in- ground planter areas. In these situations, planter boxes or
premanufactured containers may be used to achieve the requirements set
forth this in Section. 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.
IV. SECURITY
Street walkways, arcades and parking lots are required to include crime
prevention measures such as good sightline and lighting systems for
security. To allow for police surveillance in parking lots, landscaping
along the parking lot frontages shall be of a low profile and trees shall be
pruned at ground level to provide a 7' sight clearance.
V. PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT
Primary consideration in the design and remodeling of buildings in the C -2
zone shall be the orientation to the pedestrian. Designs shall be visually
interesting and blend with surrounding development so as to not detract from
the overall feeling of the downtown.
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VI. 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.
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.
VII. REFUSE FACILITIES
Refuse receptacles shall be encouraged to 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. The enclosure shall be designed to match the main
structure.
VIII. MODIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Development standards for new commercial building, additions and exterior
remodels in the C -2 Zone are established as guidelines which reflect
current Town policy for community design. In the event a project might
be adversely affected by these standards, the applicant may present a
written request for modification through the Architectural and Site
Approval process. If the Planning Commission deems the requested
modification worthy of favorable consideration, the modification may be
allowed provided that findings are made that such modification will not
be detrimental to the health, safety, general welfare, convenience and
quality of life of the community. If the modification is not allowed by
the Planning Commission, the applicant may appeal to the Town Council.
No modification may be considered without a public hearing.
GP01(DEV.STD C2)
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