Item 2 - Exhibit 03 - Town Council Policy Committee Report, June 25, 2019PREPARED BY: JOEL PAULSON
Community Development Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 6/25/2019 ITEM NO: 3
DATE: JUNE 17, 2019 TO: POLICY COMMITTEE FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON DEMOLITION REGULATIONS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction on demolition regulations.
BACKGROUND:
The Policy Committee last considered this matter on April 9, 2019. After discussion, the
Committee’s direction was to forward a recommendation to the Planning Commission to
approve the following proposed modifications to the demolition regulations:
•Removal of the contiguity requirement; and
•To allow the repair exception for non-historic homes.
Their discussion also included support for one of the additional topics for consideration, which
was to add existing chimneys as an exclusion from the existing wall area. Additionally, the
Committee requested that the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) be provided an
opportunity to review the proposed modifications relating to historic structures.
On April 24, 2019, the HPC considered the potential changes as they would apply to historic
structures. After discussing the matter, the HPC recommended approval of the changes as
recommended by the Policy Committee.
EXHIBIT 3
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: LAND USE APPEAL PROCESS DATE: JUNE 17, 2019
N:\DEV\TC POLICY COMMITTEE REPORTS\2019\6-25-19\Demolition Report.docx 9/3/2019 8:58 AM
BACKGROUND (continued):
On May 22, 2019, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed Town Code amendments
from the Policy Committee. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the
amendments with modifications to the Policy Committee’s draft ordinance language based on
public comments and discussion at the hearing.
In addition to these specific recommended changes, the Planning Commission also expressed
support for a reconsideration of larger concepts within the demolition definition, specifically
whether interior wall structure (framing) might be considered in place of wall surface material
when retaining existing walls, as was mentioned during the public comment period of the
hearing.
DISCUSSION:
On June 4, 2019, the Town Council considered the Planning Commission recommendation and
introduced an Ordinance effecting amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) of the
Town Code regarding demolition regulations. At that meeting, the Town Council also referred
discussion of additional amendments to the Policy Committee for further discussion. The
specific larger concept for the Policy Committee’s consideration is:
• Whether interior wall structure (framing) might be considered in place of wall surface
material when retaining existing walls.
Staff looks forward to the discussion and direction of the Policy Committee for next steps.
COORDINATION:
The preparation of this report was coordinated with the Town Manager’s and Town Attorney’s
Offices.