Item 12 Staff Report Consider Adopting a Resolution Governing the Design Review Process and Clarifying the Roles and Responsibilities of the Town Planning Commission and Architectural ConsultantMEETING DATE: 03/04/02
ITEM NO. I A
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: February 28, 2002
TO:
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION GOVERNING THE DESIGN
REVIEW PROCESS AND CLARIFYING THE ROLES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION AND
ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the resolution governing the design review process and clarifying the roles and
responsibilities of the Town Planning Commission and Architectural Consultant (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION:
On January 7, 2002, the Town Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to enter
into an agreement with Cannon Design Group to serve as the primary architectural consultant and
with Mark Srebnik, AIA, to serve as the secondary architectural consultant. The Council directed
staff to return with a separate resolution governing the design review process. The draft resolution
is Attachment 1. The Planning Commission members all received a copy of the draft resolution and
had the opportunity to provide input. That input was incorporated into the resolution.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the resolution (Attachment 1)
FISCAL IMPACT: None
BNL:SD:mdc
cc: Larry Cannon, Cannon Design Group, 180 Harbor Drive, Suite 219, Sausalito, CA 94965
Mark Srebnik, AIA, 1644 Dallas Court, Los Altos, CA 94024
PREPARED BY: BUD N. LORTZ
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: Olt, Attorney Clerk Finance Community Development
Revised: 2/28/02 10:45 am
Reformatted: 5/23/01
RESOLUTION 2002-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GOVERNING THE DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS AND CLARIFYING
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION
AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos Town Council has determined that there is a need to
modify the Town's design review process; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the Town is to streamline the planning process; and
WHEREAS, the use of an architectural consultant will improve customer service while
evolving projects to achieve architectural excellence; and
WHEREAS, Cannon Design Group (herein referred to as the "architectural consultant") has
been hired to review the architecture for development proposals;
WHEREAS, the architectural consultant is highly qualified to review and critique
architecture and will work with applicants to design projects that are compatible with their site and
surroundings; and
RESOLVED, by the Town Council that the following policies shall govern the architectural
review process:
A. The architectural consultant will review plans and provide guidance to applicants to
ensure plans are in compliance with applicable design standards and guidelines,
specific plans and the General Plan. Reports on projects that are reviewed by the
Planning Commission will include the recommendations of the architectural
consultant and plans that have been revised to incorporate those recommendations.
B. The Planning Commission must make one of the following findings to modify the
consulting architect's recommendations:
o�.
• That the recommendations of the consulting architect were made based on
erroneous information provided by the applicant.
• That the consulting architect made a mistake of fact.
• That there is compelling evidence, received through public testimony that
there is a privacy or other neighborhood impact to warrant plan modification.
C. The Planning Commission should give courteous regard and respect to the
professional expertise of the consulting architect. Rather than focus on the design
detail of proposed projects, the Planning Commission should look for trends in the
design of proposed projects that reflect the need for changes to the design standards.
When changes to design standards are needed, the Planning Commission should
request that staff initiate changes as appropriate and return to the Planning
Commission with revised design standards that address the areas of concern.
D. Whenever possible, the Planning Commission should develop conditions of approval
to address issues that surface during a public hearing rather than continuing an
application and requiring an applicant to return with revised plans.
2
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the day
of , 2002, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
N:1DEV\RESOSWrchitect-PC.wpd
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK
PROOF OF SERVICE
(by Mail)
I, MarLyn J. Rasmussen, declare:
1. I am over the age of 18 years, not a party to this action, and am employed in the County of Santa Clara at
110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, California, 95030.
2. I am readily familiar with the Town of Los Gatos' practice for collection and processing of correspondence
for mailing with the United States Postal Service and that correspondence is deposited with the United States Postal Service
that same day in the ordinary course of business.
3. On March 7, 2002 I mailed at Los Gatos, California a true copy of Town Council Resolution 2002-25
relating to the design review process and architectural consultation to the following:
Larry Cannon, Cannon Design Group, 180 Harbor Drive, Suite 219, Sausalito, CA 94965
Mark Srebnik, AIA, 1644 Dallas Court, Los Altos, CA 94024
4. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct and that this declaration was
executed on March 7, 2002.
/s/ MarLyn J. Russen
Ma yn .. asr e , CMC
Executive Assistant/Senior Deputy Clerk
Town of Los Gatos
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
cc: DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
c:\proof
RESOLUTION 2002-25
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GOVERNING THE DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS AND CLARIFYING
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION
AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos Town Council has determined that there is a need to
modify the Town's design review process; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the Town is to streamline the planning process; and
WHEREAS, the use of an architectural consultant will improve customer service while
evolving projects to achieve architectural excellence; and
WHEREAS, Cannon Design Group (herein referred to as the "architectural consultant") has
been hired to review the architecture for development proposals;
WHEREAS, the architectural consultant is highly qualified to review and critique
architecture and will work with applicants to design projects that are compatible with their site and
surroundings; and
RESOLVED, by the Town Council that the following policies shall govern the architectural
review process:
A. The architectural consultant will review plans and provide guidance to applicants to
ensure plans are in compliance with applicable design standards and guidelines,
specific plans and the General Plan. Reports on projects that are reviewed by the
Planning Commission will include the recommendations of the architectural
consultant and plans that have been revised to incorporate those recommendations.
B. The Planning Commission must make one of the following findings to modify the
consulting architect's recommendations:
That the recommendations of the consulting architect were made based on
erroneous information provided by the applicant.
That the consulting architect made a mistake of fact.
• That there is compelling evidence, received through public testimony that
there is a privacy or other neighborhood impact to warrant plan modification.
C. The Planning Commission should give courteous regard and respect to the
professional expertise of the consulting architect. Rather than focus on the design
detail of proposed projects, the Planning Commission should look for trends in the
design of proposed projects that reflect the need for changes to the design standards.
When changes to design standards are needed, the Planning Commission should
request that staff initiate changes as appropriate and return to the Planning
Commission with revised design standards that address the areas of concern.
D. Whenever possible, the Planning Commission should develop conditions of approval
to address issues that surface during a public hearing rather than continuing an
application and requiring an applicant to return with revised plans.
2
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the 4' day
of March, 2002, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steven Blanton, Sandy Decker, Steve Glickman, Joe Pirzynski,
Mayor Randy Attaway.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED: /s/ Randy Attaway
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
/s/ Marian V. Cosgrove
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
3
Town Council Minutes March 4, 2002
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
HICKS ROAD 17101& SHANNON ROAD 14045/GREENBRIER RESIDENTIAL (08.15)
Mr. Davis, resident, spoke against the actions taken by Council regarding this issue.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council accept report in the form of
Planning Commission Minutes regarding a Planned Development at 17101 Hicks Road & 14045
Shannon Road. Carried unanimously.
DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS/CLARIFYING ROLES/RESOLUTION 2002-25 (12.29&31)
Mr. Davis, resident, spoke against the adoption of the resolution and the changes suggested. He
would prefer to see more public input.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mrs. Decker, that Council adopt Resolution 2002-25 entitled,
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS GOVERNING THE DESIGN REVIEW
PROCESS AND CLARIFYING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN
PLANNING COMMISSION AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTCarried unanimously.
BANNER PROGRAM DOWNTOWN (23.39&31)
Council Comments:
Mr. Glickman would like both the Downtown and the Boulevard to be part of the banner program.
Mrs. Decker agreed, and believes that both locations should be exposed to the program.
Mr. Pirzynski would like both areas studied and that the banners should be in both locals.
Mr. Attaway spoke of putting the working group together and letting it evolve, while at the same
time being cost conscious and expecting a professionally executed program.
Council accepted and filed report on the Current Banner Program and provided direction for staff.
VIDEO PRODUCTION SYSTEM/TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS (24.42)
Mayor Attaway announced that this was the time and place so noted to consider report on selection
of a basic, up-gradable video production system, and authorization to advertise for bids for the
purchase and installation of a video production system.
Jenny Haruyama, gave a brief report regarding off -site and on -site up-gradable video production
systems for the town.
George Sampson, KCAT manager, explained the differences and costs between the two options.
Ray Davis requested this system be put in place as soon as possible so that the public could have
more immediate access to the public affairs of its town.
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, that Council authorize the selection of an on -
site basic up-gradable video production system for use in the Town Council Chambers. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, that Council authorize staff to advertise for
bids for the purchase and installation of video production system equipment to broadcast Town
Council meetings. Carried unanimously.
Council Consensus that the microphones and sound system be replaced as soon as possible, rather
then waiting for the acquisition of the video production equipment. The sound system to be
compatible with the video equipment. Council willing to fund this request.
COUNCIL MATTERS (25.28)
Mayor Attaway thanked everyone for their hard work on the reception for the New York firefighters.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Attaway closed this evening's meeting at 10:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
Marian V. Cosgrove, Town Clerk
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