Item 27 Staff Report Consider Adoption of Commercial Design GuidelinesDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 06/20/05
ITEM NO. 7
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
June 9, 2005
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution approving the Commercial Design Guidelines (requires motion approved by
majority of council).
BACKGROUND:
On April 18, 1005 the Town Council considered draft Commercial Design Guidelines along with
three other draft documents related to commercial development. The Council approved a Zoning
Ordinance amendment and companion resolution on modification of use, and adopted a policy on
minor alterations to commercial buildings. The Commercial Design Guidelines (CDG) were
continued to allow staff to address comments made during the Council's discussion.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has divided Council comments into two categories, modifications that can be made without
further Council discussion and those where direction is needed. The matrix of comments (see
Attachment 2) summarizes Council's comments. The matrix also identifies the text in the CDG
document where a change is proposed in response to those comments, and recommended action.
The following items (highlighted in blue in the matrix) should be discussed by the Council and
direction should be provided to staff to complete the CDG document:
1. Delete references to specific buildings and/or addresses
A concern was expressed about citing specific addresses or buildings as good examples since the
CDGs should be a timeless document. The document includes references to several addresses on
PREPARED BY: Bud N. Lort
tor of Community Development
N:\DEV\SUZANNE\CouncilReports\Fwd. to TC\AdvancedPlanning\CDGs-6-20-05.wpd
Reviewed by:Assistant Town Manager (i Town Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 6/9/05 10:27 am
Reformatted: 5/30/02
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
June 14, 2005
page 9, historic buildings on pages 29-32, and a specific building is cited on page 40. In order to
minimize the number of specific examples that are identified in the CDGs, staff suggested to the
General Plan Committee that a separate list of architecturally desirable buildings and commercial
centers be developed. The list could be updated as circumstances change, and would be made
available to any interested member of the public including design professionals, business or
commercial property owners and developers. Staff is not concerned that references are made to
specific buildings in the CDGs. However, if the Council decides that specific addresses and/or
buildings should not be identified, staff should be directed to delete those references and to develop
a separate list of buildings that reflect desirable architecture, site layout or other design elements.
2. Appropriate Colors - Guideline 1.5.12b. (page 14)
Staff provided alternate language for this guideline regarding guidance on the selection of colors
based on a concern raised at the March 23, 2005 Planning Commission meeting. During the April
18, 2005 Council discussion, several comments were made about the existing and proposed
language, however, there was no consensus on the preferred language. The Council should discuss
this and direct staff on whether the original guideline or alternative language should be used in the
CDG. The alternative language is included in the matrix (first entry on page 2 of Attachment 2).
3. Awnings - Guideline 3.3.8 (page 28)
Prior to the April 18, 2005 Council meeting it was suggested in a letter from Len Pacheco that
operable awnings be required, and that more specific criteria be included to address awnings. Staff
recommended inclusion of a bullet on page 28 discouraging striped awnings. Following the Council
discussion, this issue was taken back to the General Plan Committee (GPC) for further discussion.
On May 11, 2005, the GPC consensus was that patterned awnings be discouraged. The following
bullet is recommended for inclusion under 3.3.8(e) on page 28:
• If patterned awnings are proposed, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate that the
color and pattern are appropriate for the design and color of the building.
Staff recommends that operable awnings not be required and no additional language be included in
the CDG's regarding operable awnings.
4. Introduction to Auto Dealership Guidelines - Section 5.B (page 48)
It was suggested that the first paragraph of the introduction to Auto Dealership Guidelines be deleted
on page 48. The concern is a statement that existing dealerships are located in older buildings that
fall short of industry standards. The Council should discuss whether this change should be made,
or if the paragraph should remain in the document. Staff is not concerned about this paragraph
n
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MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
June 13, 2005
because the statement is important and is true at this time. However, if Council would like to qualify
the statement, the following bold text could be added to the beginning of the paragraph:
At the time of adoption of these guidelines automobile dealerships in Los Gatos, for the
most part, are located in relatively older buildings that fall short of current dealership
standards for the image branding desired by automobile manufacturers.
Minor Modifications (captions, typographical errors, word changes)
Minor modifications including the addition of captions for photos that currently do not have them,
correction of typographical errors and minor word changes, as identified in Attachment 2, will be
made prior to publishing the final version of the guidelines. Captions will be developed by staff and
the Consulting Architect since these changes are not substantive and do not require Council review.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended that the Council adopt the Resolution (Attachment 1) approving the Commercial
Design Guidelines. Staff should be directed to make any changes based on discussion of the four
outstanding issues listed above. All changes approved by Council or as outlined in this report and
the attached matrix will be made prior to publishing the final document.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the 2000 General Plan update pursuant tp
the State Environmental Guidelines as adopted by the Town. The Commercial Design Guidelines
is an implementation of the General Plan and no additional analysis is needed as the document is
simply establishing review criteria. Commercial projects will be evaluated for CEQA compliance
and against the Commercial Design Guidelines at the time individual applications are filed.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Attachments:
1. Draft Resolution (two pages) with Exhibit A, Commercial Design Guidelines
2. Matrix of changes and discussion items (four pages)
Distribution:
Planning Commission
BNL:SD:mdc
N:\DEV\SUZANNE\Council\Reports\Fwd. to TC\AdvancedPlanning\CDGs-6-20-05.wpd
RESOLUTION 2005 - 79
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos desires to update its commercial development standards
and guidelines, and
WHEREAS, the draft Commercial Design Guidelines represents a consolidation of five
existing documents that govern commercial development and updates design criteria; and
WHEREAS, the Advanced Planning Work Program includes the adoption of new
commercial design guidelines; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the Commercial Design Guidelines will help provide clear
direction to developers and business owners processing development applications (General Plan
Goal L.G.7.2 and Implementing Strategy L.I.7.4); and
WHEREAS, numerous General Plan goals, polices and implementing strategies support
creation of this document; and
WHEREAS, The General Plan Committee recommends that the Commercial Design
Guidelines be adopted; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Committee recommends that the Draft Commercial Design
Guidelines be adopted, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has held a public hearing and forwarded a
recommendation for adoption of the same document;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: the Town Council of the TOWN OF LOS GATOS
does hereby rescind Resolutions 1987-68 and 1997-136.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Council does hereby rescind any statements related to
the Commercial Design Guidelines for the Central Business District contained in Resolution 1992-
189.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town Council adopts the Commercial Design Guidelines
attached hereto as Exhibit A. These guidelines shall be used to review development applications in
conjunction with the goals and policies set forth in the Los Gatos Boulevard Plan adopted by
Resolution 1997-136. In the event of a conflict, the more restrictive standards shall apply.
FURTHER RESOLVERS the Commercial Design Guidelines shall apply to all development
applications that have not been approved prior to adoption of the document.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the 20th day
of June, 2005, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski, Barbara Spector,
Mayor Mike Wasserman
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED: /s/ Mike Wasserman
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
/s/ MarLyn J. Rasmussen
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
2
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Commercial
Design Guidelines
Town of Los Gatos
January 25, 2005
Public Hearing Draft
EXHIBIT A
PREVIOUSLY
DISTRIBUTED
Community Development Department
110 East Main Street
P.O. Box 949
Los Gatos, CA 95031
(408) 354-6872
(408) 354-7593 fax
www.losgatosca.gov
EXHIBIT A
Commercial Design Guidelines
staff comment
caption will be added
correct in final version of document
make change
add the following bullet:
• Good design can enhance the
viability of a business
correct first address to 206 N. Santa
Cruz Avenue
Council should discuss and direct staff
as to whether site addresses and
specific centers should be deleted.
make change
caption will be added
caption will be added
make change
caption will be added
suggested change
add caption
correct typo: "though" misspelled in last
sentence of second paragraph
add "craftsmanship" to end of third bullet
add a bullet point to reflect economic vitality
(good design can enhance the viability of a
business)
421 N. Santa Cruz is mentioned twice; one
address is incorrect
take out references to specific buildings
add a bullet for use of solar energy
add caption
add caption
combine first and second bullets into one
add caption
location/item
photo
1.1 Applicability
1.4 Community
Expectations
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side bar
side bar
side bar:
Sustainable Design
top photo
top photo
1.5.6 Screen all roof
equipment
14 center photo
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ATTACHMENT 2
Commercial Design Guidelines
staff comment
change to read: "Thoughtful
consideration shall be given to the
selection of color hues. Consider
muted tones of blues, yellows, tans
greys and other hues rather than
selecting non -distinctive beiges and
browns."
make change
bullet 4 can be expanded to include
this statement
caption will be added
caption will be added
make change
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
suggested change
modify language to add specificity
strong building colors "may" not be
approved (rather than "will")
use container planting when there is not
space for in ground landscaping
add caption
add caption
the district goes west to Tait (not east)
add caption
add captions
add caption
28 photos add captions
location/item
1.5.12.b
1.5.12.d
2.1 Basic Design
Principles
third photo
photo
C-2 District
second paragraph
photo
top left photo, photo
under 3.2.3.b
photo
page
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Commercial Design Guidelines
staff comment
add bullet:
• if patterned awnings are proposed,
the burden is on the applicant to
demonstrate that the color and
pattern are appropriate for the
design and color of the building.
operable awnings should not be
required; no change necessary.
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
modify so caption reads: "Good
example of a simple industrial building
form."
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
caption will be added
suggested change
address striped and operable awnings
add captions
add caption
add captions
add captions
take out reference to specific business
add captions
add caption
add caption
add captions
location/item
3.3.8 Install awnings
bottom two photos
photo
photos
top right photo,
photo under 4.2.3c
top photo, left side
two middle photos
top photo
middle photo
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45
46
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Commercial Design Guidelines
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staff comment
Council should discuss and direct staff:
"As of the adoption of this document"
could be added to the beginning of the
paragraph
captions will be added
caption will be added
Consulting Architect verified that this is
correct (the objective is to avoid signs
that are out of scale for a building or
district).
captions will be added
captions will be added
captions will be added
Consulting Architect will develop
language to be included in section 3.3.
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suggested change
eliminate first paragraph: to go towards a
more timeless product
add captions
add caption
sign letter size: standard of one -inch of
height for 40-50 ft. of viewing distance
(verify accuracy)
add captions
add captions
add captions
Encourage corner entries to commercial
businesses where possible (Downtown,
corners where both streets are commercial)
location/item
5B Auto dealership
Guidelines
top and third photos
second photo, right
side bar
top photos
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section 3.3
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Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
June 20, 2005
Los Gatos, California
10:02 PM
OTHER BUSINESS
ITEM #27
COMMERCIAL
DESIGN
GUIDELINES
ITEM #27 (27-37)
Adopt Commercial Design Guidelines (from 4/18/05).
RESOLUTION 2005-79
Staff report made by Bud Lortz.
10:04 PM
CCOUNCIL
COMMENTS
No Council comments at this time.
10:05 PM
OPEN/CLOSE
PUBLIC
COMMENT
No one spoke to this item.
10:05 PM
COUNCIL 1
DISCUSSION
Motion by Mr. Glickman to approve Commercial Design Guidelines with
changes as suggested in Council Report.
Seconded by Mr. Pirzynski.
• Commented that the purpose of pictures is to give clarity and
examples of the buildings.
• Commented that the guidelines should not have address references
without a photo.
• Commented that the text for historic references should remain.
• Commented that color provisions are appropriate.
• Stated that the awning guidelines are acceptable.
• Stated that the auto dealership guidelines are acceptable.
10:15 PM
MAYOR CALLED
THE QUESTION
Carried unanimously.
Y
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