Item 9 Staff Report Accept Report on Planning Commission Adoption of Policies for Accessory Dwelling Units and Accesory StructuresCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: October 25, 1996
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 11/4/96
ITEM NO.
ACCEPT REPORT ON PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTION OF POLICIES FOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept report on Planning Commission adoption of Policies for Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory
Structures.
REMARKS:
The Architectural Standards Committee has worked on developing policies for Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory
Structures for the past year. The issue was referred to the Committee by the Planning Commission in November 1995.
The Commission and Planning Department staff will use the policies to evaluate Architecture and Site applications for
accessory structures and Conditional Use Permit applications for accessory living quarters. The Policies adopted by
the Planning Commission on October 9, 1996 are included as Attachment 1.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Attachments:
1. Policies for Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory Structures, revised October 9, 1996
Distribution:
Marcia Jensen, Planning Commission Chair
LEB:KS:sm
N:1DEV\CNCLRPTSIACCSYPOL
PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMAN
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Reviewed by: ir Attorney \ Finance
Revised: 10/25/96 1:05 pm
Reformatted: 10/23/95
Town of Los Gatos
Policies for
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
Established by
The Town Planning Commission
Revised: October 9, 1996
The Los Gatos Town Code allows for a variety of accessory structures to be placed on residentially zoned
property in the Town. The guidelines contained in this policy are to be followed in administering the Town
Code regulations.
All accessory structures shall bear a reasonable relationship to the primary structure and the lot size.
Accessory structures are permitted where the total of all accessory structures on the lot do not exceed 30%
of the primary structure square footage or 10% of the lot size, whichever is less.
Applications are commonly submitted for three types of accessory structures, which are listed in the table
below. The table indicates which features are allowed in each type of structure.
Features
Workshop, Studio,
or Entertainment
Room
Pool House or
Cabana
Accessory Living
Quarter/ Guest
House
Toilet
yes
yes
yes
Wash Basin(in bathroom)
yes
yes
yes
Shower or Bathtub
no
yes
yes
Regular sink
yes
no
yes
Bar sink
yes
no
no
220 wiring
yes
yes
no
More than 1 main room*
no
no
no
Cooking facilities
no
no
no
Refrigerator
yes
no
no
Dishwasher
yes
no
no
*Baths, closets and other rooms with Tess than 75 square feet of floor area are not considered a main room.
Exceptions may be made to these guidelines by the deciding body on a case by case basis. An exception
shall not be considered a precedent for any other application.
N:DEVIKSIACCSSY.POL
ATTArii'<y: E° rrT 1
November 4, 1996
Los Gatos, California
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS/PLANNING POLICIES (09.47)
Motion by Mayor Attaway, seconded by Mrs. Lubeck, that this item be continued to December
2, 1996, at which time the rationale for this proposal can be explained more fully to Council.
Mr. Attaway noted the goal of restricting the increase of secondary units, but not necessarily
restricting additional accessory buildings. Carried unanimously.
TOWN COUNCIL SCHEDULE/STUDY SESSION/HOUSING ELEMENT REVIEW (23.10)
Motion by Mrs. Lubeck, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council amend Town Council Meeting
Schedule for 1996-97 Fiscal Year adding the December 9, 1996 Council Study Session. Carried
unanimously.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (24.10)
There were no additional Council Committee Reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that this evening's meeting be adjourned
at 9:03 p.m. Carried unanimously.
AI 1 EST:
Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
TC: D8: MM 110496
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