Item 9 Staff Report Accept Planning Commission Recommendation Regarding West Valley Hillside Joint Planning Review: Draft Outline of "Hillside Preservation Strategy."COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 11, 1996
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 1/16/96
ITEM NO. el
ACCEPT PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING WEST VALLEY
HILLSIDES JOINT PLANNING REVIEW: DRAFT OUTLINE OF "HILLSIDE
PRESERVATION STRATEGY."
RECOMMENDATION:
Planning Commission recommendation is that the Town Council accept the draft outline of "Hillside Preservation
Strategy" proposed for the West Valley Hillsides Joint Planning Review with the amendments listed on Page 3.
Accepting the draft outline is equivalent to giving conceptual approval. This action would signify that the Council:
1. Agrees that the basic elements contained in the outline should be included in the final Strategy, and;
2. Authorizes staff to undertake, in conjunction with the other cities' staff and the County, the work
necessary to fill in the details for each of these elements.
The final Hillside Preservation Strategy will be submitted to the County Planning Commission, the Board of
Supervisors, and the planning commissions and city councils of the West Valley cities for review and adoption.
BACKGROUND:
The Town has been working for several months on a cooperative planning project with Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte
Sereno, and Santa Clara County for the purpose of developing a joint "Hillside Preservation Strategy" to protect the
natural character of the hillside and ridgeline areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains most visible from the valley floor and
located outside town/city urban service areas. The basic idea of this program is to extend the same type of policies,
procedures and local review that the Town currently enjoys with its Joint Hillside Specific Plan to the other West Valley
citizens.
DISCUSSION:
1. Origins of Study
This proposal to establish a West Valley Hillsides Joint Planning Project arose both from the efforts of the Four West
Valley Cities -- Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and Los Gatos -- and from the County's General Plan Review
Program.
(Continued on Page 2)
PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMA
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Reviewed by: 11 Attorney Finance
Revised: 1/11/96 8:34 am
Reformatted: 10/23/95
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PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: WEST VALLEY HILLSIDES JOINT PLANNING REVIEW
January 11, 1996
In 1994, the cities submitted a grant application to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) for funds to
undertake a cooperative, multijurisdictional planning program to protect the natural values of the hillsides that provide
the scenic backdrop to their communities. At about that same time, the County was completing the public review
process leading to adoption of the revised County General Plan. Included in the revised Plan are policies stating that
the County should work cooperatively with cities on planning programs to resolve issues of mutual concern.
Although the grant proposal was not funded by ABAG, the cities and the County decided to proceed with the project
anyway, using existing staff resources.
2. Development of a Joint "Hillside Preservation Strategy"
The general plans of all five jurisdictions express the basic goal of maintaining the predominantly natural character of
the non -urban hillside areas that are an important scenic resource contributing to the overall quality of life in the West
Valley area. This proposed planning project is intended to develop a joint strategy to facilitate implementation of these
existing policies.
3. Steps in the City and County Review Process
A basic objective -- and challenge -- of this project is to proceed in a way that will be acceptable to all five jurisdictions.
This will be achieved, in part, through coordination and cooperation among the staff of the various jurisdictions working
on the project.
But more importantly, it will be achieved by asking the City and Town Councils, the Board of Supervisors, and the
Planning Commissions of each of the jurisdictions to review draft proposals at critical stages in the planning process.
All the participating jurisdictions reviewed and approved the draft work program earlier this year. They are now being
asked to review a draft outline of the elements proposed to be included in the Hillside Preservation Strategy. The final
step, anticipated to take place sometime in mid- to late-1996, will be for each jurisdiction to review and adopt the
detailed recommendations of the final Hillside Preservation Strategy.
4. Multilateral and Bilateral Issues
For the most part, the Joint Planning Review is focusing upon multilateral issues -- that is, issues that are of concern to
all five jurisdictions. These include, for example delineation of long term growth boundaries, minimizing the visual
impacts of future hillside development, etc.
In addition, some issues have been identified that may most appropriately be addressed on a bilateral basis -- that is
between the County and an individual city. These might include, for example, issues relating to the potential future
development of specific, significant sites in the unincorporated area adjacent to a city. Some of these bilateral issues
may be addressed during the Joint Planning Review; others may be identified as prime candidates for subsequent
bilateral discussions or joint planning efforts between the County and individual cities.
5. An Implicit Quid pro Quo
Underlying the Joint Planning Review is an implicit quid pro quo understanding between the cities and the County. The
cities are being asked to delineate long term growth boundaries that will serve to minimize further urban encroachment
into the West Valley hillsides.
In exchange, the participating cites are asking for assurances from the County that the development the County allows
outside the cities' long term growth boundaries will be appropriate for rural, hillside areas and will have minimal visual
impacts when viewed from the valley floor.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: WEST VALLEY HILLSIDES JOINT PLANNING REVIEW
January 11, 1996
CONCLUSION:
The Planning Commission, at its meeting of December 13, 1995, recommended Council approve the West Valley
"Hillside Preservation Strategy." The Commission unanimously recommended the following additions or amendments
to the outline:
Page 1 Exhibit A Add a bullet "Maximize preservation of natural terrain, vegetation and available
wildlife habitats."
Goals
Strategy II
Strategy III
Strategy III
(under visual)
Strategy II
Implementation
Add "To protect the natural ecology and visual character."
Add "Purpose to protect the natural ecology and appearance of the West Valley
hillsides."
Add "Minimize the ecological and visual impacts of hillside development with
purpose to protect the natural ecology and appearance of the West Valley
hillsides."
Delete the word "visual."
Delineation of growth boundary doesn't seem enough and needs more work than
geographic. It isn't an intensity limit.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission minutes for meeting of December 13, 1995.
2. Draft Outline of "Hillside Preservation Strategy."
LEB:sm
N:IDEVICNCLRPTSIW VFIILLS.PLN
S M 121CNCLRPTSI W V HILLS. PLN
West Valley Hillsides
Joint Planning Review
DRAFT OUTLINE OF
"HILLSIDE
PRESERVATION
STRATEGY"
A collaborative planning project involving:
The City of Cupertino The Town of Los Gatos
The City of Monte Sereno The City of Saratoga
The County of Santa Clara
November 1995
ATTACHMENT 2
BACKGROUND
Origins of Study
The West Valley Joint Hillsides Planning Review is an interjurisdictional planning
project involving the Cities of Cupertino, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga, the Town of Los
Gatos, and the County of Santa Clara.
It was established earlier this year for the purpose of developing and implementing a
joint "Hillside Preservation Strategy" for preserving the predominantly natural
appearance of the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains most visible from the valley
floor.
Purpose of This Draft Outline
This draft outline of the "Hillside Preservation Strategy' indicates the six major
elements proposed to be included in the final Strategy and implemented by the
participating jurisdictions:
• Develop joint hillside land use objectives
• Limit expansion of urban development into hillside areas
• Minimize the visual impacts of hillside development
• Encourage public acquisition of key hillside lands
• Provide mechanisms for the resolution of hillside land use issues
• Adopt additional implementation mechanisms, if necessary
The purpose of this draft is to provide the participating jurisdictions and the public an
opportunity to review the proposed elements of the Strategy before the project staff
and the individual jurisdictions proceed to take the actions necessary to develop the
final Strategy document.
Next Steps
Once the elected officials of the five participating jurisdictions have reviewed and
approved this draft outline:
• Each of the four cities will delineate their long term growth boundaries
• The County will review the adequacy of its current policies and procedures
regarding minimizing the visual impacts of hillside development
• The joint project staff will:
• Develop a set of joint land use objectives for the study area
• Prepare recommendations concerning potential public acquisition of key
undeveloped sites
• Develop proposals for mechanisms for resolving future interjurisdictional
land use issues
1
SUMMARY OF GOALS, ISSUES, AND SOLUTIONS
GOAL OF PROJECT
• To protect the predominantly natural visual character of the West Valley hillsides
by:
• Confining urban uses to flatland areas most appropriate for urban development,
• Allowing in the hillsides only development appropriate to rural, hillside areas, and
• Minimizing the visual impacts of non -urban hillside development.
ISSUES
• How to protect the predominantly natural character of the West Valley hillsides
against urban development.
• How to protect the predominantly natural character of the West Valley hillsides
against the visual impacts of non -urban hillside development.
• How to resolve interjurisdictional land use issues affecting the West Valley hillsides
that may arise in the future.
SOLUTION
• Develop and implement a joint West Valley "Hillside Preservation Strategy"
[see "Proposed Elements of a Joint West Valley Hillsides Preservation Strategy" on
next page]
2
PROPOSED ELEMENTS OF A
HILLSIDES PRESERVATION STRATEGY
STRATEGY #1: Develop joint hillside land use objectives
Purpose: To assure basic consistency of hillside land use policies
among the various jurisdictions
Implementation: Adoption of joint hillside land use objectives by each
jurisdiction as a part of its General Plan (as a supplement to
existing policies)
Implementors: The West Valley cities and the County
STRATEGY #2: Limit expansion of urban development into hillside areas
Purpose: To protect the natural appearance of the West Valley hillsides
by preventing the further expansion of urban development into
hillside areas
Implementation: Delineation by each city of a long term growth boundary
Implementors: Each of the West Valley cities individually
STRATEGY #3: Minimize the visual impacts of hillside development
Purpose: To protect the natural appearance of the West Valley hillsides
by assuring that the visual impacts of future development will
be minimized
Review, and refinement where necessary, of current policies,
procedures, and guidelines regarding the visual impacts of
hillside development
Implementation:
Implementors:
The County and the West Valley cities
3
STRATEGY #4: Encourage public acquisition of key hillside lands
Purpose: To provide permanent open space protection for key hillside
lands
Implementation: Development of general recommendations to public parks and
open space agencies regarding acquisition of key parcels that
would contribute to the protection of the natural scenic
backdrop of the West Valley cities
Implementors: Development of recommendations: The County and the cities.
Implementation of recommendations (contingent upon
availability of funding): Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District and the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Department
STRATEGY #5: Provide mechanisms for resolution of hillside land use issues
Purpose: To provide means for resolution of interjurisdictional hillside
land use issues that may arise
Implementation: Develop procedures for the cities and the County to discuss
and resolve future hillside land use issues that may arise
regarding interpretation of the jointly -adopted hillside land use
objectives and/or specific developments that may be proposed
Implementors: The cities and the County
STRATEGY #6: Adopt additional implementation mechanisms, if necessary
Purpose: To allow flexibility for additional implementation mechanisms to
address special situations or issues (e.g. issues that can be
addressed more effectively on a bilateral basis between an
individual city and the County)
Will depend upon the specific implementation mechanisms
proposed. May occur after the final Preservation Strategy is
adopted.
Implementation:
Implementors:
Will include the affected jurisdictions
4
January 16, 1996
Los Gatos, California
HILLSIDE PRESERVATION STRATEGY
Motion byMrs. /WEST VALLEY JOINT PLANNING REVIEW (09.47)
Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council accept Planning Commission
recommendation regarding West Valley Hillsides Joint Planning Review: Draft Outline of
"Hillside Preservation Strategy" and authorize staff to undertake the work necessary to fill in the
details for each of these elements. Carried unanimously.
HOUSING ELEMENT/CERTIFICATION/HOUSING CONSULTANTS (10.19)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council authorize sending request for
proposal to housing consultants for Housing Element update and certification. Carried
unanimously.
CLAIM REJECTION/BILL MEYER (11.01)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council deny claim of Bill Meyer for
obstruction of property rights allegedly occurring on March 30, 1995. Carried unanimously.
CAFETERIA PLAN/TOWN EMPLOYEES/RESOLUTION 1996-1 (12.10)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-1
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ADOPTING AMENDED
CAFETERIA PLAN (IRC SECTION 125) PLAN FOR TOWN EMPLOYEES AND APPROVING
SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTIONS. Carried unanimously.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING/CONSULTING SERVICES/RESOLUTION 1996-2 (13.40)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-2
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH TJKM TRANSPORTATION
CONSULTANTS FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE POST -
ROUTE 85 TRAFFIC SIGNAL COORDINATION RE -TIMING PROJECT, Carried
unanimously.
TREE PRUNING/9524 PROJECT/STORM DAMAGE CLEANUP/RESOLUTION 1996-3 (14.35)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-3
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS -ON FILE_IN THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE FOR PROJECTy524 - TREE
PRUNING, Carried unanimously. FLEET MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM/PROTOTYPE/RESOLUTION 1996-4 (15.28)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-4
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TO AUTHORIZE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH PROTOTYPE
INCORPORATED FOR PURCHASE OF A PC BASED FLEET MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM, Carried unanimously.
AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY (17.09)
MOU/POLICE DEFT/RESOLUTION 1996-5
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that Council adopt Resolution 1996-5
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS RATIFYING THE FIRST
AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE REGIONAL
AUTO THEFT TASK FORCE (RATTF) OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Carried unanimously.
TC: D8: MM011696
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: January 27, 1995
TO: MAYOR AND TOWCOUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 2/6/95
ITEM NO.
ACCEPT REPORT FROM PLANNING COMMISSION CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION
OF A FLOOR AREA RATIO FOR STRUCTURES IN THE HILLSIDE ZONES.
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept report from Planning Commission concerning implementation of a floor area ratio for structures in
the hillside zones.
REMARKS:
The Town Council expressed concern that the Town does not have standards limiting the size of residences
in the hillside zones. At the January 7th workshop, the Council requested that the Planning Commission
agendize this matter for consideration and report back to the Council.
On January 25, 1995 the Planning Commission referred the request to the Planning Commission's Hillside
Committee. The Committee will consider the matter on March 15, 1995 at 6:00 p.m. The Planning
Commission also requested that the Hillside Committee's recommendation be forwarded to the Architectural
Standards Committee for their consideration and recommendation concerning ordinance modifications. The
recommendations of both Committees and the Planning Commission will be forwarded to the Council.
PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMAN
PLANNING DIRECTOR
LEB: DRR: mb
N:\DEV\CNCLRPTS\HILLSIDE
1/27/95 10:23 am
Reviewed by: Attorney Clerk Finance Treasurer
COUNCIL ACTION/ACTION DIRECTED TO:
February 6, 1995
Los Gatos, California
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT/PRESENTATION (XXX.26)
Mayor O'Laughlin introduced Pete Siemens, President of the Board of Directors of the Open
Space District, who introduced Craig Britton, General Manager of the District, who in turn gave
an informative slide presentation of the Open Space District's accomplishments and plans.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (01.01)
Informational report regarding currently scheduled public hearings was received and filed.
PLANNING COMMISSION/PLANNING DEPARTMENT MONTHLY STATUS REPORT (02.47)
Informational report regarding activity of Planning Commission and Department was received
and filed.
COUNCIL CALENDAR OF MEETINGS (03.10)
Informational item presenting future Town Meetings for Council and other Town Boards and
Commissions was received and filed.
PAYROLL RATIFICATION/JANUARY 1995 (04.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council ratify the check register for
the payroll of January 1 through January 14, 1995 paid on January 20, 1995 in the amount of
$222,324.73. Carried unanimously.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/RATIFICATION/JANUARY 1995 (05.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council ratify the accompanying check
registers for accounts payable invoices paid on January 13, 20 and 27, 1995 in the amount of
$626,981.25. Carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 17, 1995 (06.V)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council approve the Minutes of
January 17, 1995 as corrected. Carried unanimously.
HILLSIDE ZONES/FLOOR AREA RATIO/RESIDENTIAL (07.47)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council accept report from Planning
Commission concerning implementation of a floor area ratio for structures in the hillside zones.
Carried unanimously.
LOCAL EMERGENCY/WINTER STORMS/PROCLAMATION (09.37)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council ratify Town Manager's
proclamation terminating local emergency due to winter storms. Carried unanimously.
CLAIM REJECTION/CASUALTY INSURANCE CO. (10A.01)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council reject the claim of California
Casualty Insurance Company filed with the Town Clerk on December 28, 1994. Carried
unanimously.
CLAIM REJECTION/SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY (10B.01)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council reject the claim of San Jose
Water Company for indemnity filed with the Town Clerk on January 13, 1995. Carried
unanimously.
TC: D7: MM020695
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