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27 Staff Report - Commercial Design GuidelinesDATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT June 9,2005 MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~ DEBRA J.FIGONE,TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE:06/20/05 ITEM NO.~7 SUBJECT:CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES. I· I i I i I I I 1I· I I 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: Staffhas 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)sununarizes 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 ~\{~ PREP ARED BY:Bud N.Lort~~tor of Community Development N:IDEVISUZANNEICouncillReportslFwd.to TClAdvancedPlanningICDGs-6-20-0S.wpd Reviewed by:V~)Assistant Town Manager rTown Attorney __Clerk~__Finance __CommunityDevelopment Revised:6/9/05 10:27 am Reformatted:5/30/02 PAGE 2 MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~ 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 shouldnot 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 usedin 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 PAGE 3 MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~ 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 photo~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 Councilor 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 - RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ADOPTING COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES WHEREAS,the Town ofLos 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; Attachment 1 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. FURTHERRESOLVED,the Commercial Design Guidelines shall apply to all development applications that have not been approved prior to adoption ofthe document. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting ofthe Town Council held on the 20th day of June,2005,by the following vote: COUNCIL MEMBERS: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SIGNED: MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS,CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CLERK ADMINlSTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOS GATOS,CALIFORNIA 2 Commercial Design Guidelines Town of Los Gatos January 25,2005 Public Hearing Draft EXHIBIT A PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED Community D.evelopment Department 110 East Main Street P.O.Box 949 Los Gatos,CA 95031 (408)354-6872 (408)354-7593 fa." wwwJosgatosca.gov EXHIBIT A Commercial Design Guidelines page locati,on/item suggested change staff comment 5 photo add caption caption will be added 6 1.1 Applicability correct typo:"though"misspelled in last correct in final version of document sentence of second paragraph 7 1.4 Community add "craftsmanship"to end of third bullet make change Expectations 7 1.3 Purpose add a bullet point to reflect economic vitality add the following bullet: (good design can enhance the viability of a •Good design can enhance the business)viability of a business 9 side bar 421 N.Santa Cruz is mentioned twice;one correct first address to 206 N.Santa address is incorrect Cruz Avenue 9 side bar take out references to specific bUildings Council should discuss and direct staff as to whether site addresses and specific centers should be deleted. 10 side bar:add a bullet for use of solar energy make change Sustainable Design 10 top photo add caption caption will be added 12 top photo add caption caption will be added 13 1.5.6 Screen all roof combine first and second bullets into one make change equipment 14 center photo add caption caption will be added (1) Commercial Design Guidelines page location/item suggested change staff comment 14 1.5.12.b modify language to add specificity 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." 14 1.5.12.d strong building colors "may"not be make change approved (rather than "will") 15 2.1 Basic Design use container planting when there is not bullet 4 can be expanded to include Principles space for in ground landscaping this statement 18 third photo add caption caption will be added 21 photo add caption caption will be added 21 C-2 District the district goes west to Tait (not east)make change second paragraph 23 photo add caption caption will be added 24 top left photo,photo add captions caption will be added under 3.2.3.b 26 photo add caption caption will be added 28 photos add captions caption will be added (2) Commercial Design Guidelines page location/item suggested change staff comment 28 3.3.8 Install awnings address striped and operable awnings 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. 34 bottom two photos add captions caption will be added -- 35 photo add caption caption will be added 36 photos add captions caption will be added 39 top right photo,add captions caption will be added photo under 4.2.3c 40 top photo,left side take out reference to specific business modify so caption reads:"Good example of a simple industrial building form." 40 two middle photos add captions caption will be added 45 top photo add caption caption will be added 46 middle photo add caption caption will be added 47 photos on left,add captions caption will be added top and bottom right (3) Commercial Design Guidelines page location/item suggested change staff comment 48 58 Auto dealership eliminate first paragraph:to go towards a Council should discuss and direct staff: Guidelines more timeless product "As of the adoption of this document" could be added to the beginning of the paragraph 49 top and third photos add captions captions will be added 51 second photo,right add caption caption will be added 57 side bar sign letter size:standard of one-inch of Consulting.Architect verified that this is height for 40-50 ft.of viewing distance correct (the objective is to avoid signs (verify accuracy)that are out of scale for a building or district). 58-59 top photos add captions captions will be added 60-65 all photos add captions captions will be added 67 photos add captions captions will be added T8D section 3.3 Encourage corner entries to commercial Consulting Architect will develop businesses where possible (Downtown,language to be included in section 3.3. corners where both streets are commercial) N:\DEV\SUZANNE\CommerciaIDesign\CDGmatrix-TCchanges.wpd (4)