Ord 2302 - Amend Chapter 11 (Garbage, Refuse, & Weeds) regarding Weed Abatement RegulationsORDINANCE2302
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING CHAPTER 11 (GARBAGE, REFUSE AND WEEDS) OF THE TOWN CODE
REGARDING WEED ABATEMENT REGULATIONS
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos originally adopted a Weed Abatement Ordinance in
WHEREAS, the Town Council recognizes that dry and overgrown weeds contribute visual
blight and create hazardous conditions which increase risk of fire;
WHEREAS, On April 16, 2019, the Town Council recognizing the risk of wildfire in the
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) adopted the Town's Annex 9 to the Santa Clara County
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP);
WHEREAS, On November 5, 2019, the Town Council adopted amendments to Chapter 11
to expand the definition of weeds to include other dead vegetation, fallen limbs, and combustible
trash on private property and add additional language to clarify and strengthen the Town's weed
abatement program.;
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment change will reduce the risk of fire and effectuate
safer passage for first responders and residents in the event of a wildfire;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS DOES ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION II
Section 11.20.015 of Town Code Chapter 11 are hereby amended to read as follows:
11.20.015. - Removal by property owner required.
(a) No owner, agent, lessee or other person occupying or having charge or control of any
building, lot or premises within the Town shall permit weeds to remain upon such premises,
or public sidewalks, or streets, or alleys between such premises and the centerline of any
public street or alley.
(b) Every property owner shall remove or destroy such weeds from such owner's
property, abutting sidewalks, and the abutting half of any streets or alleys between the lot
lines as extended.
(c ) Property owners within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) whose property abuts
Hillside Collector, Neighborhood Collector, and/or Local Street roadway classifications shall
remove or destroy such weeds within ten (10) feet of the roadway to prevent or avoid
undue hardship in fighting fire.
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Ordinance 2302 February 4, 2020
SECTION III
With respect to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the
Town Council finds as follows:
A. These Town Code amendments are not subject to review under CEQA
pursuant to sections and 15061(b)(3), in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the proposed amendment to the Town Code would have significant impact on
the environment; and
B. The proposed Town Code amendments are consistent with the General Plan
and its Elements.
SECTION IV
If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid, such invalidly shall not affect other provisions or applications of
the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this
end the provisions of this ordinance are severable. This Town Council hereby declares that it
would have adopted this ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any particular portion
thereof and intends that the invalid portions should be severed and the balance of the
ordinance be enforced.
SECTION V
Except as expressly modified in this Ordinance, all other sections set forth in the Los
Gatos Town Code shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
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Ordinance 2302 February 4, 2020
SECTION VI
This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos on January 21, 2020 and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of the Town
of Los Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on February 4,
2020 and becomes effective 30 days after it is adopted.
In lieu of publication of the full text of the ordinance within fifteen (15) days after its
passage a summary of the ordinance may be published at least five (5) days prior to and fifteen
(15) days after adoption by the Town Council and a certified copy shall be posted in the office
of the Town Clerk, pursuant to GC 36933(c)(1).
COUNCIL MEMBERS
AYES:
Rob Rennie, Marico Sayoc, Barbara Spector, Mayor Marcia Jensen
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
SIGNED:
MAY R T!f HE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: 21 sYz
ATTEST:
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
r 1
DATE: I Xao
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Ordinance 2302 February 4, 2020