Accessory Dwelling Units - Desk Item and Exhibit 19
PREPARED BY: SALLY ZARNOWITZ, AIA, LEED AP
Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 â—Ź 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/08/2017
ITEM NO: 2
DESK ITEM
DATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2017
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 29 (ZONING REGULATIONS) OF
THE TOWN CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. TOWN
CODE AMENDMENT APPLICATION A-17-003. PROJECT LOCATION: TOWN
WIDE, APPLICANT: TOWN OF LOS GATOS.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 19 includes public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, November 7, 2017,
and 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017.
As the Commission reviews the draft Town Code amendments, staff requests that the
Commission discuss the questions identified under the topics outlined below.
Design and Development Standards
In September, the Commission recommended allowing accessory dwelling units on all lots
(conforming and nonconforming) in residential zones subject to conformance with the Hillside
Development Standards and Guidelines and other development standards. The minimum
allowable lot size in Town (in the R-1D zone) is 5,000 square feet.
Q: Should accessory dwelling units only be allowed on lots 5,000 square feet or greater in size,
or on lots of any size?
Setbacks
In September, the Planning Commission recommended allowing new accessory dwelling units
on hillside lots of all sizes, subject to the FAR, setback, and Least Restrictive Development Area
(LRDA) provisions of the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines (HSD&G). The
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SUBJECT: CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO TOWN CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING
UNITS/A-17-003
NOVEMBER 8, 2017
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2017\ADU Amendments 11-08-17 DESK.docx 11/8/2017 1:27 PM
proposed amendments now include language clarifying that a new accessory dwelling unit in
the HR and RC zones shall comply with the setbacks of the zone for a primary dwelling unit
(Exhibit 14, page 3). In addition, the proposed amendments will include language clarifying that
they shall be located within the LRDA.
Q: Is there any other clarifying language the Commission would like to include regarding
hillside properties?
Height
In September, some Commissioners had concerns about potential privacy issues, most of the
Planning Commissioners recommended allowing accessory dwelling units to be constructed
within the existing space of the second floor of a primary dwelling unit or accessory structure,
including new window openings for egress, light, and ventilation. The Commission did not
recommend allowing new second-story attached or detached accessory dwelling units. Public
comment (Exhibit 20) has requested consideration of allowing new second -story accessory
dwelling units to be constructed above existing one-story detached garages.
Q: Should new second-story accessory dwelling units be allowed to be constructed above
existing one-story detached garages?
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with September 27, 2017 Staff Report:
1. Senate Bill 1069
2. Assembly Bill 2299
3. Chaptered changes in Government Code Section 65852.2
4. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 1. Sec. 29.10.020 Definitions
5. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 4. Sec. 19.10.150(c)(2) Parking
6. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 7. Sec. 29.10.305-335 Accessory Dwelling Units
7. ARTICLE IV. DIVISION 1. Sec. 29.40.015 Accessory Buildings
8. Public Comments received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2017
Previously received with September 27, 2017 Addendum Report:
9. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2017 and 11:00
a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Previously received with September 27, 2017 Desk Item:
10. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017 and 11:00
a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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SUBJECT: CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO TOWN CODE REGARDING ACCESSORY DWELLING
UNITS/A-17-003
NOVEMBER 8, 2017
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2017\ADU Amendments 11-08-17 DESK.docx 11/8/2017 1:27 PM
Previously received with November 3, 2017 Staff Report
9A. Findings
10A. Senate Bill 229 and Assembly Bill 494
11. Neighboring jurisdictions’ zoning regulations regarding accessory dwelling units
12. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 1. Sec. 29.10.020 Definitions, November 8, 2017 Draft
13. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 4. Sec. 19.10.150(c)(2) Parking, November 8, 2017 Draft
14. ARTICLE I. DIVISION 7. Sec. 29.10.305-335 Accessory Dwelling Units, November 8, 2017 Draft
15. ARTICLE IV. DIVISION 1. Sec. 29.40.015 Accessory Buildings, November 8, 2017 Draft
16. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2017 and
11:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2017
Previously received with November 7, 2017 Addendum Report:
16A. Public Comment received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2017 (not included in staff
report)
17. Assembly Bill 2406
18. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2017 and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Received with this Desk Item:
19. Public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, November 7, 2017, and
11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2017.
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