Item 21 Desk Item Staff Report Consider Adopting a Resolution to Establish Cellar and Attic Policiesn
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: October 21, 2002
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
REMARKS:
MEETING DATE: 10/21/02
ITEM NO.
DESK ITEM
CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH CELLAR AND
ATTIC POLICIES.
Attached is the Resolution (including Exhibits A and B) which was inadvertently omitted from the
report during the copying process.
Attachments:
1-4. Previously submitted
5. Draft Resolution for adoption of Cellar and Attic Policies (two pages) with Exhibits A and
B.
BNL:SD:mdc
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17��
PREPARED BY: BUD N. LORTZ —
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: PS. Assistant Town Manager (A(, Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 10/21/02 1:59 pm
Reformatted: 5/23/02
RESOLUTION 2002-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING CELLAR AND ATTIC POLICIES
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos does not currently have any written codes or policies
regulating cellars and attics, and
WHEREAS, the General Plan encourages use of basements and cellars to provide hidden
square footage in -lieu of above ground visible mass (Policy L.P.2.1); and
WHEREAS, adoption of such policies will help provide clear direction to developers and
homeowners processing development applications (General Plan Implementing StrategyL.I.7.4); and
WHEREAS, adoption of such policies will help reduce the bulk and mass and scale of new
and remodeled homes; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: the Town Council of the TOWN OF LOS GATOS
does hereby adopt the Cellar and Attic Policies attached hereto as Exhibits A and B.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the day
of , 2002, by the following vote:
Attachment ,j
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED: /s/ Randy Attaway
ATTEST:
/s/ Marian V. Cosgrove
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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2
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL POLICY
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
Subject: Cellars - Enabling Action:
2002-
Page 1 of 2
Approved:
Randy Attaway, Mayor
Effective
Date:
PURPOSE:
General Plan policy L.P.2.3 states: "Encourage basements and cellars to provide "hidden" square
footage in -lieu of visible mass."
The following policy shall be used by staff when reviewing plans that include a cellar.
DEFINITION:
A cellar is an enclosed area that does not extend more than three feet above the existing or finished
grade in any location. Cellars, as defined here, shall not be included in the FAR. That area of a
cellar where the building height exceeds three feet above existing or finished grade shall not be
included in this definition and shall be included in the floor area calculation. For purposes of this
policy, whichever grade (existing or proposed) results in the lowest building profile of a building
shall be used.
POLICY:
In reviewing plans for cellars staff shall consider the following:
• A cellar shall not extend more than three feet above the adjacent finished grade at any point
around the perimeter of the foundation. Below grade floor area must meet the above
definition of cellar to be excluded from the floor area calculations for the structure.
• If any portion of a cellar extends more than three feet above grade, that area shall be included
in the floor area calculation.
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Revised September 20. 2002
Exhibit A
TOWN COUNCIL POLICY
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
Subject: Attics Enabling Action:
2002-
Page 1 of 1
Approved:
Randy Attaway, Mayor
Effective
Date:
PURPOSE:
The following policy shall be used when reviewing development plans that include attic space. The
intent of this policy is to reduce the visible bulk and mass of structures.
DEFINITION:
An attic is a non -habitable space (that may or may not be used for storage) with a maximum height
of seven feet as measured from the upper surface of the attic floor to the underside of the roof above.
For the purposes of this definition, attic spaces are considered to have floor surfaces.
POLICY:
Attics that meet the above definition shall not be counted as floor space for purposes of determining
compliance with Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limitations.
Note: Once an attic space exceeds seven feet in height, all areas down to 4% feet will be counted
toward the floor area ratio (FAR).
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Exhibit B