2002-025- Governing The Design Review Process And Clarifying The Roles And Responsibilities Of The Town Planning Commission And Architectural ConsultantRESOLUTION 2002-25
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GOVERNING THE DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS AND CLARIFYING
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION
AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos Town Council has determined that there is a need to
modify the Town's design review process; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the Town is to streamline the planning process;. and
WHEREAS, the use of an architectural consultant will improve customer service while
evolving projects to .achieve architectural .excellence; and
WHEREAS, Cannon Desgn'Group :(herein referred to as the "architectural consultant")has
been hired to review the architecture for development proposals;
WHEREAS, the architectural consultant is highly qualified to review and critique
architecture and will work with applicants to design prof ects that are .compatible with their site and
surroundings; and
RESOLVED, by the Town Council that the following policies shall governthe architectural
review process:
~° -~ - A. The architectural consultant will review plans and provide .guidance to applicants to
ensure plans are in compliance with applicable design standards and guidelines,
specific plans and the General Plan. Reports on projects that are reviewed by the
Planning Commission will include the recommendations of the architectural
consultant and plans that have been revised to incorporate those recommendations.
B. The Planning Commission must make one of the following findings to modify the
consulting architect's recommendations:
• That the recommendations of the consulting architect were made based on
erroneous information provided by the applicant.
• That the consulting architect made a mistake of fact.
• That there is compelling evidence, received through public testimony that
there is a privacy or other neighborhood impact to warrant plan modification.
C. 'The Planning Commission should give courteous regard and respect to the
professional expertise of the consulting architect. Rather than focus on the design
detail of proposed projects, the Planning. Commission should look for trends in the
design of proposed proj ects that reflect the need for changes to the design standards.
When changes to design standards are needed, the Planning Commission should
request that staff initiate changes as appropriate and return to the Planning.
Commission with revised design standards that address the areas of concern.
D. Whenever possible, the Planning Commission hould develop conditions of approval
to address issues that surface during a public :hearing rather than continuing an
application and requiring an applicant to return with revised plans.
2
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the 4t" day
of March, 2002, by the following vote.:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steven Blanton, Sandy Decker, Steve Glickman, Joe Pirzynski,
Mayor Randy Attaway.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
.SIGNED:
ATTEST:
. ~~
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LO ATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
MAYOR OF TOWN O' S GATOS
LOS GATO , CALIFORNI
3