2002-167-Adopting Cellar And Attic PoliciesRESOLUTION 2002-167
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCLL
OF THE'TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING CELLAR AND ATTIC POLICIES
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos does not currently have any written codes or policies
regulating cellars and attics, and.
WHEREAS, the General Plan encourages use of basements and cellars to provide hidden
square footage in-lieu of above .ground visible mass (Policy L.P.2.1); and
WHEREAS, adoption of such policies will help provide clear direction to developers and
homeowners processing development applications (General Plan Implementing Strategy L.I.7.4); and
WHEREAS, adoption of such policies will help reduce the bulk and mass and scale of new
and remodeled homes; and
'THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: the Town Council of the TOWN OF LOS GATOS
does hereby adopt the Cellar and Attic Policies attached hereto as Exhibits A and B.
PASSED AND .ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the 21st day
of October 2002, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Steven Blanton, Sandy Decker, Steve Glickman, Joe Pirzynski,
Mayor Randy Attaway.
NAYS : None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:
MAYO F THE TO OF LOS GATOS
LOS CIATOS, CALIF P.NIA
ATTEST:
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CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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TOWN COUNCIL POLICY
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
Subject: Attics Enabling Action:
2002-167
Page 1 of 1
Approved: Effective
Date: October 21, 2002
Randy At ay, Mayor
PURPOSE:
The following policy shall be used when reviewing development plans that include attic space. The
intent of this policy is to reduce the visible bulk and mass of structures.
DEFINITION:
An attic is anon-habitable space (that may or may not be used for storage) with a maximum height
of seven feet six inches as measured from the upper surface of the attic floor to the underside of the
roof above. For the purposes of this definition, attic spaces are considered to have floor surfaces.
POLICY:
Attics that meet the above definition shall not be counted as floor space for purposes of determining
compliance with Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limitations.
Note: Once an attic space exceeds seven feet six inches in height, .all areas down to five feet will be
counted toward the floor area ratio (FAR).
C;\DOCUments and Settings\MRasmuss\Locul Settings\Temp\Attic-policy:wpd
Revised March
2i, 2002
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TOWN COUNCIL POLICY
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
.Subject: Cellars
Page it of 2
Enabling Action:
2002- 167
Approved: ~~~-~`~ Effective
Date: October 21, 2002
'Randy Attaway, Mayor
PURPOSE:
General Plan policy L.P.2.3 states: "Encourage basements and cellars to provide "hidden" square
footage in-lieu of visible mass."
The following policy shall be used by staff when reviewing plans that include a cellar.
DEFINITION:
A cellar is an enclosed area that .does not extend more than three feet above the existing or finished
grade in any location. Cellars, as defined here, shall not be included in the FAR. That area of a
cellar where the building height exceeds four feet above existing or finished grade shall not be
included in this definition and shall be included in the floor area calculation. For purposes of this
policy, whichever .grade (existing or proposed) results in the lowest building profile of a building
shall be used.
POLICY:
In reviewing plans for cellars staff shall consider the following:.
A cellar shall not extend more than four feet above the adjacent finished grade at any point
around the perimeter of the foundation. Below grade floor area must meet the above
definition of cellar to be excluded from the floor area calculations for the structure.
If any portion of a cellar extends more than four feet above grade, that area shall be included
in the floor area calculation.
C:\Docamentsand Settings\MRnsmuss\LOCnI Seaings\Temp\Cellar-policy.wpd
Revised September 20, 2002
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• Light and exit wells may encroach into front and side yard setbacks provided that a minimum
three-foot wide pedestrian access is provided around the light well(s). Light wells and
exiting shall be the minimum required to comply with the Uniform Buildind Code criteria
for natural light and ventilation.
• Below grade patios may extend out from a cellar into the required rear yard provided that a
minimum 10 foot setback is retained from the rear property line.
• Cellars and basements (except light and exit wells) shall not extend beyond the building
footprint,.
• The Planning Commission may allow an exception to this policy based on extenuating or
exceptional .circumstances applicable to the property including size, shape, topography,
location or surroundings. The Commission shall make findings to support such a decision.
C;\Documentsand Settings\MRasmuss\Local Settings\Temp\Cellar-policy.wpd
C;\Documents antl Settings\MRasmuss\Local Settings\Temp\Cellar-policy.'\Vp8
Revised September 20, 2002
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