Attachment 5 - Policy DG7 of Section 3.1, Architectural and Site Character Goals and Policies, North Forty Specific Plan3-1North 40 Specific Plan
Design Guidelines 3
Last Modified: June 17, 2015
3.Design Guidelines
This section outlines design guidelines for future development that is reflective
of the North 40 Vision Statement and Guiding Principles. Mandatory
regulations are denoted by the use of the word “shall.” A guideline, which is
denoted by the use of the word “should,” is not mandatory, but is encouraged
with some discretion by staff, the Planning Commission, and the Town
Council. Guidelines include:
•Commercial Design Guidelines
•Residential Design Guidelines
•Neighborhood Identity
•Signage Design Guidelines
In an effort to build upon the Towns existing guidelines, relevant portions of
the Town Commercial Design Guidelines and the Affordable Housing Overlay
Zone Design Guidelines (AHOZDG) documents have been replicated within
this Specific Plan. It is the intention that the Specific Plan goals, policies and
guidelines supersede the existing Town documents, but that their intent and
applicable concepts not be lost.
3.1 ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE CHARACTER
GOALS AND POLICIES
Goal: To continue the small town character of Los Gatos while enhancing its
sense of place and community identity within the Specific Plan Area.
Policy DG1: Neighborhood Design
Promote a healthy, safe, and secure walkable neighborhood environment.
Policy DG2: Neighborhood Identity
Create a new neighborhood that has its own identity yet complements the
existing character of Los Gatos.
Policy DG3: Mixed-Use Projects
Design mixed-use projects to create a pedestrian-scale environment through
appropriate street and sidewalk widths, block lengths, relationships of
buildings to streets, and use of public spaces.
Policy DG4: Adjacent Neighborhoods
Consider impacts of non-residential development adjacent to residential
neighborhoods through screening, buffering, circulation, lighting and
placement of utility elements.
Policy DG5: Residential Siting
Locate residential development to minimize traffic, noise, and air quality
impacts and encourage walkability to neighborhood serving uses.
Policy DG6: Architecture
Produce high quality, authentic design, and 360 degree architecture consistent
with the architectural design guidelines contained within this Specific Plan.
Policy DG7: Historic Character
Design the architecture and landscape to reflect the historic and agricultural
heritage of the site and the Town of Los Gatos. The HPC should work with
applicants on their individual applications to determine how the agrarian feel
of the Specific Plan Area is integrated into the development. The existing red
barn should be retained as much as salvageable.
Policy DG8: Wayfinding
Provide a wayfinding signage program for the Specific Plan Area that includes
an information kiosk on the area’s history and Downtown businesses and
events.
Policy DG9: Project Identification Signage
Design Specific Plan Area signs and gateway elements to reflect the Town’s
character and to be consistent with Signage Guidelines in this Specific Plan.
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