Item 2 Staff Report Public Hearing to Consider the Final Report of the Commercial Specific Plan Committee,Voa i.fly ? 3
COUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 5/13/91
ITEM NO.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 9, 1991
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMERCIAL
SPECIFIC PLAN COMMITTEE
DISCUSSION:
This item was considered by the Council on May 6 and was continued to May 13. Please refer to the
Council report dated April 30.
•
PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMAN'
PLANNING DIRECTOR
LEB:BL:Ikj 5/91 2:24 pm
L9\cnclrpts\cspcc File #
Reviewed by:
Attorney Clerk Finance Treasurer
COUNCIL ACTION/ACTION DIRECTED TO:
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 c.c.P.)'
STATE OF C .L1FOI;IIl::
COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA
•
aul a citi: n of the United States and
a resident- of the County aforesaid: 1 !
am over the oge of eighkcn years,;
and not party to or interested in the!
anove entitled matter. 1 am the
principal cirri: of the printer of. tree;
• LOS GATOS WEEKLY T,f7ES
• 50 University ..,vnue, Suite 12, Loa;
Gatos, California. PO 13ox 339, Los;
Gatos, California, 95031; a newspaper!
of genClal CirCul�ti0n, printed eVery:
Wednesday in the City of San Jose,:
California, County of Santa Clara, and;
published in tne Town of Los GA Los,,
California, County of Santa Clara; and'
wnicn newspaper has Aeon adjudged a•
• aeti,rpaper of general circulation py
the Superior Court of Ufa County of
Santa Clara, Slate of California, Case
Jumper 63031, dated Islay 27, 1952,•
Lnat L notice of w11icil tie annexed;
is aW print.e;l copy (set in type note '
smaller Wan non-pareil), Las beet
puDlid in cac11 rc2u4a• ar,d entire.
ir:ue of said newspaper and no: in
any supplm.;nt t1lai:of. cif
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1 certify (�r declare) under penalty of
p.°rjury trlat the forezoin2 is•true and,
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Don't! at Los Gaws, California, this
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Fi1in Sump
PROOF OF PU13L1C4TJ0U OF
h#t4 nate, hlate-li
•
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
OFFICE OFTNE TOWN
CLERK
NOTICE OF PUBLIC NEAR-
ING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that the Town Clerk of the Town
of Los Gatos has scheduled a
public hearing for MONDAY,
MAY 13,1991 AT 7:30 P.M. in
the Council Chambers, Civic
Center, 110 East Main Street,
Los Gatos. This Public Hearing
is for consideration of Prelimi-
nary Capital Improvement Pro-
jects for the year 1991-1994.
A complete record con-
cerning this matter is on file for
public inspection in the office of
the Town Clerk. INTERESTED
PERSONS are encouraged to
appear and be heard at this
public hearing.
/s/ MARIAN V. COSGROVE
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF
LOS GATOS
PUB: 5/1/91
•
•
Sicnaturi:
•
•
May 13, 1991
Los Gatos, California
HEARINGS
FEE AND RATE STRUCTURE/CONT.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, to not raise the fee for appeals at this time,
feeling that accessibility to the local government is essential. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr.
Attaway voted no, stating that the Planning Commission's decisions should be given more weight
by charging a fee in order to appeal the Commission's decision.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, to have staff return with a higher fee
schedule on Community Services Fees for the Neighborhood Center, :tegory II, Private Parties.
Failed by a vote of 2 ayes. Mr. Attaway, Mr. Blanton and Mayor ntura voted no.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council accept the recommended fee
schedule for Community Services Department Fees except for the Non-resident fees which will
return to staff for further consideration and comparison to fees of local private facilities. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that we remove the fee from the tree
removal permit. Carried by a vote of 3 yes. Mr. Blanton and Mr. Carlson voted no, stating that
the service does deserve payment of a fee.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council adopt Resolution 1991-94
entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE
OF SERVICE FEES FOR BUILDING. COMMUNITY SERVICES. ENGINEERING. GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION SERVICES. LIBRARY. PARKS, FORESTRY & MAINTENANCE.
PLANNING. POLICE AND TOWN CLERK DEPARTMENTS AND REPEALING PREVIOUS
RESOLUTIONS, which incorporates the amendments made this evening. Carried unanimously.
COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN COMMITTEE/FINAL REPORT
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to consider
the final report of the Commercial Specific Plan Committee.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Dr. McFate, 50 Saratoga Ave., Los Gatos Lodge, explained the financial burden of the property
and unavailability of financially feasible development propositions. Requested consideration of
approval of a 300 room hotel financed by construction of housing on the hillside.
Steve Rice, Vice -Chair of the Commercial Specific Plan Committee, encouraged an open review
of the document so that the Committee could respond to Council's comments as they were made.
Ellen Graff, President of the Chamber of Commerce, requested Council's consideration in
adopting and implementing the report as soon as is practical.
TC:D1:MM051391
2
May 13, 1991
Los Gatos, California
HEARINGS CONTINUED
COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN/CONT
Linda Lubeck, member of the Specific Plan Committee, requested Council's consideration of
appointing a committee to review the policy of design review standards rather than hiring an
expensive consulting service.
Mayor Ventura requested that the record reflect his desire to see the wording modified in Item
II; A. Issues; #8, of the Committee Report.
Mrs. Benjamin made comments on page 6; within items 3, 4 & 5 the word "relax" was not to
her preference; that Sec. II. C. 6. should remain at a lesser priority; Sec. II. C. 9. should
strongly consider the accessibility of the public to their local government on projects that impact
their neighborhoods; and Sec. II. C..12 should remain as a low priority.
Consensus motion to include the word consider relaxing in Secs. II. C. 3., 4. & 5. on page 6.
Consensus motion to change the word restricted to prohibited in item 5. b. on page 6.
Michael Abkin referring to the streamlined development process he explained the proposal
assumed a non obligatory option for preliminary review which would include a minimal service
charge.
Consensus motion to change Sec. II. C. 9. on page 6 to read, "Identify areas or projects for which
the development process can be streamlined to allow staff greater decision making without
sacrificing public input, noticing requirements, or compromising design standards."
Consensus motion to have Sec. II. C. 10. be an optional process and those who wished to use
it would be charged a cost recovery fee.
Consensus motion to have Sec. II. C. 16. on page 7 read, "Develop appropriate and individually
delineated residential design standards for mixed use developments for each Commercial Area
where permitted.", and deleting the second sentence.
Consensus motion that Secs. II. C. 15. and 16. on page 7 would be valued at 5 medium priority.
Consensus motion that Sec. III. A. 1. c. page 8 read, " To allow intensification of existing
commercial properties within certain parameters."
Consensus motion that Sec. III. A. 2. a. page 8 include the words, ".... process for non street front
exterior improvements
Consensus motion that Sec. III. A. 2. c. page 8 read, "....guidelines for Planned Developments
which allow intensification of use within certain parameters."
Consensus motion that Sec. III. C. 2. c. page 10, and Sec. III. 2. b. (2). page 13 read, "....process
for non street front exterior improvements...."
TC:D1:MM051391
3
May 13, 1991
Los Gatos, California
HEARINGS CONTINUED
COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN/CONT
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council direct staff to carry out the
implementation measures by highest priority first, and to prepare a letter for the Mayor's
signature to the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Merchants Association requesting
these organizations consider hiring an economic development coordinator. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council sunset the Commercial Specific
Plan Committee. Carried unanimously.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM/CIP 1991-1994
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to consider
the approval of the 1991-1994 Capital Improvement Program.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Mike Bomberger, Chairman of Los Gatos Parks Commission, requests that the park funds be
channeled toward the Novitiate Park Site on a first priority basis.
Ardith Sams, Parks Commissioner since 1976, talked about the history of the Novitiate Park
development and the need to complete this park at this time.
Dianna Bond, 108 Fancher Crt., representing CASA, spoke in favor of moving the 7-11 bus stop
to the new project area of parking lot 15.
Ted Simonson, Principal of Los Gatos High School, spoke in favor of the Alpine Street parking
lot bus stop as an alternative to the 7-11 location.
Chief Todd, Los Gatos Police Chief, detailed the need to move the 7-11 bus stop to a different
location.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mayor Ventura, to remove Shannon Road at Blossom Hill
Park undergrounding program from funded and place on unfunded, and place the $43,000 in an
investment fund. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that the Mayor appoint himself, Mrs.
Benjamin, other members of the Council, Mr. Bomberger from the Parks Commission to pursue
whether between now and September first, construction on the Creek Trail can take place and
the allocated $93,000 Transit Development Act Creek trail Funds can be utilized this year. If
this project does not progress by September 1, 1991, staff will apply applicable funds toward the
completion of the Novitiate Park and the purchase of new playgrc id equipment. Carried
unanimously.
Consensus Motion to pursue the building of Lot 15 as soon as possible.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council approve the 1991-1994 Capital
Improvement Program with amendments made this evening. Carried unanimously.
TC: D 1: MM051391
5
COUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 5/6/91
ITEM NO.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: April 30, 1991
TO: MAYOR AND TOW COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER Y� tikL.
67.?Er
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMERCIAL
SPECIFIC PLAN COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept the Final Report from the Commercial Specific Plan Committee including all implementation
measures recommended by the Committee.
2. Accept the Committee's priority ranking for each implementation measure as indicated in the Final
Report
a. Measures II.C.15., II.C.16., and III H.2.b. need to be assigned a priority ranking since these
measures were added by the Committee at the last meeting.
b. Measures II.C.2., III.A.2.a., III.F.2.c. and III.G.2.a. and f. need to be assigned a priority ranking
since the Committee's ranking resulted in a tie.
3. Direct staff to carry out the implementation measures by priority ranking.
4. Direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature to the Chamber of Commerce and the
Downtown Merchants Association requesting these organizations consider hiring an economic
development coordinator.
5. Sunset the Commercial Specific Plan Committee.
PREPARED BY:
LEE E. BOWMAN
PLANNING DIRECTOR
(Continued on Page 2)
LEB:BL:lkj
L9\cnclrpts\cspc
Attachment: Final Report - Commercial Specific Plan Committee dated April 25, 1991.
Distribution: (See Page 4 for Distribution List)
4/30/91 12:46 pm
File #
Reviewed by:
Attorney Clerk Finance Treasurer
COUNCIL ACTION/ACTION DIRECTED TO:
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN
COMMITTEE
DATE: April 30, 1991
BACKGROUND:
On April 17, 1989, the Town Council approved the formation of the Commercial Specific Plan Committee.
The Committee was to be comprised of two members of the Town Council, two members of the Planning
Commission, two members of the Downtown Business Community, one member of the Westside Business
Community, one member of the Eastside Business Community and four resident representatives. The
Committee was charged with the creation of a Commercial Specific Plan to include, but not limited to the
following:
1. Zoning to include specific businesses in specific areas of the community.
2. Potential zoning for larger scale businesses in certain outlying areas of Town.
3. Definition of resident serving businesses.
4. Aesthetic considerations for the commercial areas.
5. Definition of the use of art in commercial areas.
The Committee held its initial meeting on January 25, 1990. The first activity of the Committee was to
organize the commercial areas of the Town into 12 subareas for study purposes, and then to identify issues
with accompanying findings, suggested preliminary policies, and further studies that might be necessary for
each of the 12 areas. (See Commercial Area Study Map, Figure 1). The Committee then held public
meetings, inviting property and business owners from each area to identify issues and possible solutions.
The Committee presented its preliminary findings of extreme urgency to the Town Council on June 18, 1990
(see Appendix A). The Council considered the Committee's recommendations, adopting some and referring
others to the appropriate committees for further study. The Council also appropriated funding for the
preparation of a Market Study as recommended by the Committee (see Appendix B).
The Town hired Economics Research Associates (ERA), the Committee's recommendation, to develop a
market study that focused on the Central Business District, Los Gatos Boulevard and the Southeast quadrant
of the Route 85/17 interchange. The purposes of the market study were to:
1. Determine what types of businesses could and should be attracted to each of the areas;
2. Determine which businesses would provide a net increase in revenue to the Town, and;
3. Provide recommendations of how the Town could entice these businesses to locate in the desired
areas.
The Executive Summary of the consultant's Final Market Study is included as Appendix C and the
consultant's recommendations and the Committee's findings and considerations are incorporated in Sections
II, III and IV of the Final Report (attached).
On January 31, 1991, the Committee determined that in order to expedite potential actions recommended
as a result of the Committee's findings, the Committee would make a series of specific recommendations
for immediate action rather than develop a "specific plan" as defined in the Government Code. These
recommendations, which range from General Plan and Ordinance amendments, to funding the position of
an economic development coordinator, can be acted upon more expeditiously if presented in the form of
a report.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN
COMMITTEE
DATE: April 30, 1991
DISCUSSION:
As Council knows, the Town is experiencing an unprecedented revenue shortfall. While this shortfall is
attributable to a reduction in several sources of revenue, the most drastic impact results from sales tax
losses. In 1989, Los Gatos' share of the taxable sales in Santa Clara County was the lowest (2.9%) since
1980. Between 1988 and 1989, the greatest decline in sales tax revenue resulted from the loss of several
auto dealerships and their $24.1 million in sales. While revenues are declining, the demand for services is
not. To provide the services demanded by residents, new revenue sources and increased revenues must
be found. The Commercial Specific Plan Committee considered this issue at great length and developed
the goals and implementation measures contained in the attached report. The Committee determined that
the Town's "quality of life" and the Town's unique charm and character must be preserved and this concept
was of primary importance when developing measures to foster economic health. As previously mentioned,
one of the Committee's primary goals was for the Town's businesses to meet the needs of the community.
By meeting the community's needs, traffic congestion and, consequently, auto emissions would be reduced
since the Town's residents would not have to drive to other communities for goods and services. In
addition, the Committee felt that it was important to make sure that the Town have a diversity of revenue
sources as well as a variety of businesses that provide sales tax revenue. This would eliminate the possibility
that if one revenue source or one business category experiences financial difficulty it will not significantly
impact the Town's operating budget.
Implementing the recommendations contained in the Final Report will require a great deal of staff time that
will extend over a period of several years unless consultants are hired by the Town to expedite the
recommended items requiring special expertise (such as design standards, marketing strategy, etc). For
this reason each Committee member prioritized the measures (low, medium and high). Following each
measure is a tally of the Committee's priority ranking. It is recommended that the Council accept the
ranking determined by the Committee majority. Implementation measures II.C.15., II.C.16., and III.H.2.b.
were added at the last Committee meeting and all of the members did not have an opportunity to assign
a priority ranking to these implementation measures. In addition, the Committee's priority ranking resulted
in a tie for measures II.C.2., III.A.2.a., III.F.2.c., and III.G.2.a., and f. Consequently, the Council should assign
a priority ranking to these implementation measures.
CONCLUSION:
The Committee was extremely careful to develop measures in the Final Report which will ensure that the
Town's "quality of life" would be preserved and enhanced. The Committee also considered revenue methods
other than sales tax such as redevelopment and increasing transient occupancy tax revenue by allowing
intensification of certain existing motels and allowing a new hotel on Los Gatos Boulevard at Route 85.
It is recommended that the Council accept all of the Committee's implementation measures. Certain
measures may not be consistent with current Town policy, and others provide direction on issues that have
been debated for many years. It is clear that the Town must reevaluate the importance of the commercial
sector in generating much needed revenue that is essential in meeting the service needs of the community.
Certain changes in the Town's development policies are essential to the community's economic vitality.
Financing and carrying out the measures in the Final Report represent an investment in the future of Los
Gatos and the importance of this investment should not be underestimated.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Certain implementation measures will require the expertise of professional consultants. For example
preparing development guidelines for each commercial area will require an architect or someone with a
degree in urban design. Developing a marketing strategy will require someone knowledgeable in marketing.
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE FINAL REPORT OFTHE COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN
COMMITTEE
DATE: May 1, 1991
DISTRIBUTION:
To reduce mailing and copying costs, a copy of this report and the Final Report have only been sent to the
Commercial Specific Plan Committee, the Planning Commission, the Parking Commission, the Chamber of
Commerce and the Los Gatos Downtown Association. A copy of the Council Agenda item has been sent
to the following:
Harvey Orndorf, 325 Saratoga Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Dan Simons, 340 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Bill Lee, Andrea Morgan, Economics Research Associates, 1160 Battery St. #350, San Francisco, CA 94111
Greg Marrone, P.O. Box FC, Los Gatos, CA 95031
Hopkins Development Co., Rod Chisessi, Sr. Vice -President, 7677 Oakport St., Ste. 480, Oakland, CA 94621
John Moore, 15500 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
May 6, 1991
Los Gatos, California
COMMERCIAL SPECIFIC PLAN/FINAL REPORT/HEARING
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to consider
the final report and recommendations of Commercial Specific Plan Committee.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Bill Lee, Sr. Vice President of Economics Research Association, introduced technical analyst
Andrea Morgan, doing market study for the Commercial Specific Plan, specifying the downtown
area and the highway 85/17 location. Spoke on the identification of service provisions, quick
development and financial strength.
Rick Miller, BP Station, Blossom Hill Rd, gave a very positive statement on committee work.
Steve Rice, spoke regarding the desirability of committed implementation of the plan and the
hope of moving forward shortly.
Mayor Ventura thanked Linda Lubeck and Terry McElroy for serving on the committee.
Ellen Graf[, Chamber of Commerce President, made a statement pledging the commitment and
willingness of the Chamber to assist in implementing segments of the Commercial Plan.
Joe Hargett, President of the Los Gatos Downtown Association, thanked Council for work and
support on the Committee. The suggestion of hiring an Economic Development Coordinator
is being investigated and also the acquisition of a Retail Recruitment Enhancement Developer.
The Downtown Association and the Chamber are now working together on these projects.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded which
time Council will hold the pnue ublic heaitem ro ing, set priorities
and1,
scheduled first on the agenda,
and voice issues. Carried unanimously.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT/ZONING ORDINANCE A-90-10/DANCING/HEARING
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to consider
adoption of resolution and introduction of ordinance for Zoning Ordinance Amendment A-90-
10 to the Los Gatos Zoning Ordinance permitting dancing and/or live entertainment
establishments in various zones with a Conditional Use Permit.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that Council continue this item to June 17,
1991 and Council will take action on this item at that time. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mrs.
Benjamin had left the room.
SANTA CRUZ AVE N 227/HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY/HEARING
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to cons i er
id
appeal of the building service's director's decision to require primary
ty
features Up? North Santa Cruz Avenue. Appellant: James Griffiths. Owner. Dolores and
Betista Vierra.
There was no one in the audience to i\�sp Bunt o issue.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Council close the public hearing. Carried
by a vote of 4 ayes. Mrs Benjamin voted no.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council deny the appeal noting that the
appellant keeps the ability to convince the building director that there is another solution to the
accessibility. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mrs Benjamin voted no.
6
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