12 Desk Item.Story Pole Policy Modifications
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, AICP
Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Community Development
Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/05/2023 ITEM NO: 12 DESK ITEM
DATE: December 5, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution, Based on Planning Commission Recommendations,
Modifying the Height Pole and Netting Policy for Additions and New
Construction. The Proposed Modifications to Town Policy are Not Considered
a Project Under the California Environmental Quality Act. Project Location:
Town Wide. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos.
REMARKS:
On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Town received a finding/comment letter from the California
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) regarding the Town’s Draft
Revised Housing Element. One of the comments included in that letter specifically addressed
the Town’s Story Pole and Netting Policy:
Program AW (Story Poles and Netting Policy): While the Program now commits to revise
Story Poles and Netting Policy Requirements; these requirements are constraints and impact
housing costs; supply (number of units) and approval certainty and should be removed or
replaced with cost effective measures to promote certainty for the developers and the
community. Further, the element should evaluate the effectiveness of any future
requirements or measures, and making adjustments, as necessary, by a specified date (e.g.,
by 2028).
As a result of this comment, staff in consultation with the Town’s Housing Element consultant,
recommends that the Town Council modify the Town’s Story Pole Policy to allow for video
renderings and signage in place of story poles for buildings proposed to be 55 feet or taller.
This would allow the next response to HCD to include this change as a more cost effective
measure, along with a commitment to future evaluation and adjustments as needed.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Story Pole Policy Modifications DATE: December 5, 2023
ATTACHMENTS:
Previously received with the August 1, 2023 Staff Report:
1. Draft Revised Story Pole Policy with Changes Red-Lined
2. Draft Resolution with Exhibit 1
3. April 26, 2023 Planning Commission Staff Report with Exhibits 1-2
4. April 26, 2023 Planning Commission Addendum Report with Exhibit 3
5. April 26, 2023 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
6. May 24, 2023 Planning Commission Staff Report with Exhibit 4
7. May 24, 2023 Planning Commission Addendum Report with Exhibit 5
8. May 24, 2023 Planning Commission Desk Item Report with Exhibits 6
9. May 24, 2023 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
Previously received with the August 1, 2023 Desk Item:
10. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2023, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Previously received with the December 5, 2023 Staff Report:
11. Revised Draft Story Pole Policy with Changes Red-Lined
12. Revised Draft Resolution with Exhibit 1