Attachment 8 - May 24, 2023 Planning Commission Desk Item Report with Exhibits 6PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, AICP
Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/24/2023
ITEM NO: 2
DESK ITEM
DATE: May 24, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Forward a Recommendation to the Town Council on Modifications to the
Town Height Pole and Netting Policy for Additions and New Construction.
The Proposed Amendments to Town Policy are Not Considered a Project
Under the California Environmental Quality Act. Project Location: Town
Wide. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 6 includes Planning Commissioner comments.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with the April 26, 2023, Staff Report:
1.Current Story Pole Policy
2.Story Pole Installer Input
Previously received with the April 26, 2023, Addendum Report:
3.Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, April 21, 2023, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Previously received with the May 24, 2023, Staff Report:
4.Story Pole Policy Examples
Received with the May 24, 2023, Addendum Report:
5.Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, May 19, 2023, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Received with this Desk Item Report:
6.Commissioner Comments
ATTACHMENT 8
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From: Emily Thomas
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 10:15 AM
To: Alexa Nolder
Cc: Joel Paulson; Jennifer Armer; Jocelyn Fong
Subject: Re: ADDENDUM: Planning Commission Meeting - 05/24/2023
Hi,
Can the following suggestions to the Story Pole Policy recommendations be shared as a Desk Item,
please?
II. Height Poles and Netting:
Height story poles and netting shall be used for the following types of Community Development
Department, Planning Division, land use applications:
• For Hillsides and Open Space:
o New Buildings
o Second story additions
o Additions exceeding 900 square feet and increases in roof height
o Accessory structures exceeding 900 square feet
o Tees proposed to be removed (marked with ribbons, tags, or other approved & obvious
marker)
• Other:
o Projects in Historic Districts asking for exceptions to height, FAR, setbacks (?), etc
o Special Story Pole Requirements for “Specific Plans” (ie North 40 Specific Plan) (if legal
and possible)
III. Project Identification Signs:
All development applications that must comply with the story pole and netting requirements shall also
provide project identification signs on the development site consistent with the following requirements.
E. Sign Content:
o Requirements need to be updated (the address and phone number of the planning
department is less helpful than website information) - what information should be
required to be included?
o How can we make sure these signs act as a "visual notice" for the community?
o Can we require a QR code and/or website link for people to scan to get to the
application? Contact information for town staff or developers? Town Meeting & Agenda
page? AND any digital representations required?
The above ideas are informed by the following:
• The Town's Current Height Pole and Netting Policy
• The Town of Los Altos' findings that story poles (1) add subjectivity, (2) extend the review
process, and (3) add additional cost
• Los Altos Hills current Story Pole Policy
• Information provided in the staff report and exhibits (including public comment)
Thanks,
Emily Thomas
EXHIBIT 6
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