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Ordinance October 20, 2020
ORDINANCE NO. _______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
AMENDING CHAPTER 29 (ZONING REGULATIONS) OF THE TOWN CODE REGARDING
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
WHEREAS, Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) of the Town Code of the Town of Los Gatos
regulates outdoor lighting and prohibits “shoestring lighting”; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 2019, the Town Council Policy Committee held a public
hearing to consider possible changes to the current regulations on outdoor lighting and
prohibition of “shoestring lights.” The Policy Committee continued the matter to November 28,
2019, and directed staff to bring back possible modifications to Town Code and the Residential
Design Guidelines for further discussion; and
WHEREAS, staff prepared draft modifications for the Policy Committee’s consideration;
and
WHEREAS, on November 28, 2019, January 28, 2020, and July 28, 2020, the Policy
Committee held public hearings to consider modifications to Sections 29.40.09015 and
29.40.025 of the Town Code; and
WHEREAS, this matter was regularly noticed in conformance with State and Town law
and came before the Planning Commission for public hearing on August 26, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2020, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to
consider modifications to Sections 29.40.09015 and 29.40.025 of the Town Code. The Planning
Commission recommended that the Town Council approve the modifications; and
WHEREAS, this matter was regularly noticed in conformance with State and Town law
and came before the Town Council for public hearing on October 6, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on October 6, 2020, the Town Council reviewed and commented on the
amendments to Chapter 29 of the Town Code and the Town Council voted to introduce the
Ordinance.
ATTACHMENT 1
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Ordinance October 20, 2020
NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS DO
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I
Chapter 29 of the Los Gatos Town Code is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE I. – IN GENERAL
…..
Sec. 29.10.09015. - Control of Residential outdoor lighting.
Outdoor lights must be shielded and directed to shine on improvements including plants on the
zoning plot where the lights are located and not directly on other property or any public right-
of-way. Shoestring lighting is not permitted.
All permanent exterior light fixtures should utilize shields so that no bulb is visible and to
ensure that light is directed to the ground surface and does not spill light onto neighboring
parcels or produce glare when seen from nearby homes. Decorative lighting fixtures are
preferred for security lighting fixtures.
…..
ARTICLE IV. – RESIDENTIAL ZONES
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Sec. 29.40.025. - Court game areas.
Tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton and similar court game areas may be located
anywhere on the lot except in the required front yard or side yard abutting the street. Fences
over six (6) feet high are allowed to enclose court game areas, when approved through the
Administrative Procedure for Minor Residential Projects. Lighting for court game areas is
prohibited unless approved through the Administrative Procedure for Minor Residential
Projects and unless it is in compliance with the following standards to the satisfaction of the
Planning Director:
(1) Game court lighting shall incorporate cut-off fixtures and lighting shall be shielded and
directed onto the court.
(2) Lighting for game court areas shall not be used after 10:00 p.m.
(3) High-intensity lights are not permitted.
(3)(4) Lighting in the hillside areas is prohibited. Hillside areas are defined by the hillside
area map in the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines.
…..
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Ordinance October 20, 2020
SECTION II
With respect to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and
General Plan, the Town Council finds as follows:
A. These Town Code amendments are exempt from review under CEQA
pursuant to sections and 15061(b)(3), in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the amendments to the Town Code would have a significant effect on the
environment; and
B. The amendments to the Town Code are consistent with the General Plan.
SECTION III
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or
applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The Town Council
hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any
particular portion thereof and intends that the invalid portions should be severed and the
balance of the ordinance be enforced.
SECTION IV
Except as expressly modified in this Ordinance, all other sections set forth in the Los
Gatos Town Code shall remain unchanged and shall be in full force and effect.
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Ordinance October 20, 2020
SECTION V
This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Los Gatos on the 6th day of October 2020 , and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance
of the Town of Los Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on
the 20th day of October 2020. This ordinance takes effect 30 days after it is adopted. In lieu of
publication of the full text of the ordinance within fifteen (15) days after its passage a summary
of the ordinance may be published at least five (5) days prior to and fifteen (15) days after
adoption by the Town Council and a certified copy shall be posted in the office of the Town
Clerk, pursuant to GC 36933(c)(1).
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: __________________
ATTEST:
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: __________________