2015-056 - General Plan Amendments Necessary for the North Forty Specific PlanRESOLUTION 2015 -056
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS NECESSARY FOR THE NORTH
FORTY SPECIFIC PLAN. THE PLAN AREA COMPRISES APPROXIMATELY 44
ACRES LOCATED AT THE NORTHERN EXTENT OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS,
BORDERED BY STATE ROUTE 17 AND STATE ROUTE 85 FREEWAYS TO THE
WEST AND NORTH, LOS GATOS BOULEVARD TO THE EAST, AND LARK
AVENUE TO THE SOUTH. APN 424-07-009,010,024 THROUGH 027,031 THROUGH
037, 052 THROUGH 054, 060, 063 THROUGH 065, 070, 081 THROUGH 086, 090, 094
THROUGH 095, 099, 100,102 THROUGH 112,424-06-115,116, AND 129.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT: EIR -10 -002
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS: GP -14 -001
ZONING CODE AMENDMENT: Z -14 -001
WHEREAS:
A. The applicant, the Town of Los Gatos, proposes to adopt a Specific Plan for the
North Forty Area (area bounded by Lark Avenue, Los Gatos Boulevard, Highway 85 and
Highway 17) with a maximum development capacity of up to 270 housing units and 435,000
square feet of non - residential uses. At least 30% of the area (approximately 13.2 acres)
would be open space. The North Forty Specific Plan includes General Plan Amendments
(GP -14 -001), Zoning Code Amendment (Z -14 -001), and an Environmental Impact Report
(EIR -10 -002).
B. California law requires a Specific Plan to be consistent with a Town's 2020
General Plan.
C. The adoption of the North Forty Specific Plan requires amendments to the 2020
General Plan.
1
D. Although amendments to the Town's 2020 General Plan will be necessary to
adopt the North Forty Specific Plan, the policies, standards and guidelines of the North Forty
Specific Plan are consistent with the overarching goals of the 2020 General Plan.
E. The Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on July 23, 2014, at
which time the Commission considered the public testimony, the staff report prepared for
that meeting ( "Staff Report"), and all other documentation related to the North Forty Specific
Plan and Final EIR, and continued the matter to their August 13, 2014 meeting.
F. The Planning Commission held a continued public hearing on August 13, 2014, at
which time the Commission considered the Staff Report prepared for that meeting, and all
other documentation related to the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR, and
recommended that the Town Council consider the North 40 Specific Plan in light of the
specific recommendations and possible amendments to the Specific Plan, and forwarded the
Final Environmental Impact Report to the Town Council without certification because the PC
cannot make the overriding considerations and due to specific deficiencies in the EIR.
G. The Town Council held a duly noticed public hearing on September 2, 2014, at
which time the Town Council considered the public testimony, the Staff Report, and all other
documentation related to the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR and continued the item
to September 16, 2014,
H. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on September 16, 2014, at
which time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation
related to the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR and continued the item to December
16, 2014.
FA
1. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on December 16, 2014, at
which time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation
related to the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR and made a motion to certify the final
EIR and return to Council with an updated resolution documenting the certification with the
Town Council specifically finding that 1) the document has been completed in compliance
with CEQA; 2) the document has been presented to the Town Council as the decision making
body of the lead agency; 3) the Council has reviewed and considered the information
contained therein; and 4) the final FIR reflects the Town's independent judgment and
analysis. The Town Council also continued all other items to February 3, 2015.
J. On January 20, 2015 the Town Council adopted Resolution 2015 -002 certifying
the EIR specifically finding that 1) the document has been completed in compliance with
CEQA; 2) the document has been presented to the Town Council as the decision making
body of the lead agency; 3) the Council has reviewed and considered the information
contained therein; and 4) the final EIR reflects the Town's independent judgment and
analysis.
K. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on February 3, 2015, at which
time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation related to
the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR and continued the item to March 3, 2015.
L. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on March 3, 2015, at which
time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation related to
the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR and continued the item to April 14, 2015.
W
M. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on April 14, 2015, at which
time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation related to
the North Forty Specific Plan and Final FIR and continued the item to June 2, 2015.
N. The Town Council did not consider the item at their continued public hearing on
June 2, 2015 and continued the item to June 17, 2015,
O. The Town Council held a continued public hearing on June 17, 2015, at which
time the Town Council considered the Staff Report, and all other documentation related to
the North Forty Specific Plan and Final EIR.
P. The Town Council considered all facts and information related to the General
Plan Amendments for the North Forty Specific Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
A. That the Town Council finds that the proposed General Plan Amendments are
consistent with the 2020 General Plan.
B. That all proceedings have been conducted in compliance with the provisions of
Government Code Section 65350 et seq.
C. That the Town Council adopts the General Plan Amendments attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
LI
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos, California, held on the 17`x' day of June, 2015, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Rob Rennie, Marico Sayoc, Mayor Marcia Jensen
NAYS: Steve Leonardis, 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
61
EXHIBIT A
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
California law requires a Specific Plan to be consistent with a Town's General Plan. Although
amendments to the Town's General Plan will be necessary to adopt this Specific Plan, the
policies, standards and guidelines of the North 40 Specific Plan are consistent with the
overarching goals of the Los Gatos General Plan. The proposed amendments to the Land Use
Element are below.
FFi"re LU -3:
The legend would be modified as follows:
North Forty Specific Plan Overlay
Section E. General Plan Land Use Designations
1. Residential Land Use Designations
This section provides a brief description of each residential land use designation and the
desirable range of density for each designation. A Specific Plan may also address
residential uses.
2. Non - Residential Land Use Designations
For non - residential land uses, the specific uses mentioned are illustrative, and other
compatible uses, including those authorized in any other Zoning District within the
Town, may be permitted where authorized by a Planned Development Overlay Zone or
Specific Plan.
Section F. Special Planning Areas:
Delete Section 3. Overlay Designation and move this text as revised to the revised number
Section 3 Other Plans:
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•
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Proposed General Plan Amendments
Page 2
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3. Other Plans
The Hillside Specific Plan and Los Gatos Boulevard Plan areas are each developed
according to separate land use goals and in different areas of the Town. In addition to
these approved Speei€fe Plans, the Town will be develepifl,g has adopted a North Forty
Specific Plan.
d. The North Forty pecific Plan
The North Forty Specific Plan provides land use and development guidance to the
approximately 40 -acre property bounded by Los Gatos Boulevard to the east Highway
17 to the west, Lark Avenue to the south, and Highway 85 to the North This Specific
Plan determines the mix of uses, dimensional standards architectural standards phasing
and infrastructure to support the development of the site The Specific Plan has a
Proposed General Plan Amendments
Page 3
maximum capacity of 270 housing units and up to 435,000 square feet of commercial
uses. The North Forty Specific Plan is based on:
• Include a mixture of uses that complement the Downtown and the rest of the
community.
• Be based on sustainable and "smart" development practices.
• Include public ag thering spaces such as apllaza and park.
• Provide for a variety of residential housing types, both rental- and owner- occupied
A minimum of 20 percent of the units shall be affordable to households at the
moderate income level or below.
• Include high - quality architecture and design that reflects the rural and agricultural
history of the site.
• Provide pedestrian- oriented buildings along the Los Gatos Boulevard frontage with
minimal parking oriented to the street.
• Take advantage of the grade change across the site.
• Continue the "boulevard treatment" along the southwestern end of Los Gatos
Boulevard, with interconnections from one parcel's drive aisle to the next where
feasible.
• Include connections to existing intersections along Los Gatos Boulevard and Lark
Avenue.
• Allow for future development of gateway or landmark features at Los Gatos
Boulevard and Lark Avenue and at Los Gatos Boulevard and the Highway 85 off -
ramp.
• Provide an easily accessible, fully connected street network that encourages walking
• Provide a vegetative buffer and screening along Highways 17 and 85.
• Preserve Town character and views.
These elements are embodied in the Town Council's Vision Statement and Guiding
Principles:
Vision
The North 40 reflects the special nature of our hometown. It celebrates our history,
agricultural heritage, hillside views, and small town character. The North 40 is
seamlessly woven into the fabric of our community, complementing other Los Gatos
residential and business neighborhoods It is respectful of precious community resources
and offers unique attributes that enrich the quality of life of all of our residents
Guiding Principles to Achieve this Vision
• The North 40 will look and feel like Los Gatos.
• The North 40 will embrace hillside views, trees and open space.
• The North 40 will address the Town's residential and /or commercial unmet needs
Proposed General Plan Amendments
Page 4
• The North 40 will minimize or mitigate impacts on town infrastructure, schools, and
other community services.
Modify Land Use Policv 11.4 as follows:
Policy LU 11.4 Include a variety of regional destination and loeal sen4n,g commercial uses
in the Na fth Foi4y are r lllowing reflective of the Town Council's Vision
and Guiding Principles for the North Forty. Land uses shall follow a
logical land use pattern that takes advantage of the site opportunities while
protecting adjacent uses.
Delete Land Use Action Item LU -11.1 as follows:
Action T 1 T 11.1 D«,...are and adept a ei fie plan for the North Forty Effea prior to