2005-038 -Adopting A Policy On Minor Alterations To Commercial BuildingsRESOLUTION 2005 - 038
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING A POLICY ON
MINOR ALTERATIONS TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is updating its commercial development standards and
guidelines, and
WHEREAS, the Zoning Ordinance allows approval of minor projects by the Development
Review Committee (DRC); and
WHEREAS, there is no definition of a minor project; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a policy defining minor projects 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 will assist staff, and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Committee recommends that the policy on Minor Alterations
to Commercial Buildings 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 adopt the policy on Minor Alterations to Commercial Buildings (attached as Exhibit A).
FURTHER RESOLVED, the policy 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 18 day of April,
2005, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steve Glickman, Diane McNutt, Joe Pirzynski, Mayor Mike Wasserman
NAYS: Barbara Spector
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL POLICY
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
Subject: Minor Alterations to Commercial Buildings Enabling Action:
2005 -
Page 1 of 2
Approved: Effective
Date:
Mike Wasserman, Mayor
PURPOSE
Section 29.20.745(8) of the Zoning Ordinance states that the Development Review Committee
(DRC) shall "determine and issue zoning approval for minor exterior alterations to commercial
buildings ". The purpose of this policy is to define "minor exterior alterations" to commercial
buildings that may be approved by the DRC as set forth in Section 29.20.745(8) of the Zoning
Ordinance. To assist in the redevelopment of commercial buildings, the Town has created a
streamlined review process for minor commercial improvement projects that comply with the
Commercial Design Guidelines.
The following shall be used by staff when reviewing plans for minor exterior alterations to
commercial buildings to determine if proposed proj ects can take advantage of the streamlined review
process.
EXAMPLES OF MINOR ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS:
The following are examples of minor architectural improvements that may be decided by the
Development Review Committee (DRC) after considering public input at a duly noticed public
hearing:
1. Replacing or changing out windows
2. Replacing or adding awnings
3. Changes to or addition of arcades
4. Replacement of or changes to exterior materials
5. Small scale additions (may not result in an increase of more than four peak hour trips)
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Town Council Policy
Minor Alterations to Commercial Buildings
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DEFINITION:
For projects that include small scale additions, a minor commercial project is one which is in full
compliance with the Town's Commercial Design Guidelines and Town Code and does not result in
an intensification of use as described in Section 29.30.200 of the Zoning Ordinance or more than a
minor increase in traffic as described in the Town's Traffic Impact Policy.
The Director of Community Development or the Development Review Committee may refer any
minor commercial project to the Planning Commission if it is not in compliance with the
Commercial Design Guidelines, there are impacts to surrounding properties that cannot be resolved
by the DRC, or as otherwise deemed appropriate.
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