1994-033-Establishing Development Standards For Mixed Use ProjectsRESOLUTION 1994 -33
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ESTABLISHING
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR MIXED USE PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the Downtown Specific Plan and the Commercial Plan Report encourage
developing mixed use projects;
WHEREAS, it is essential that mixed use projects co -exist successfully and that
adjacent residential development is protected.
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission considered the draft Mixed Use Development
Standards on December S, 1993, and recommended adoption;
RESOLVED: that the establishment of mixed use development standards is desirable
and essential to the public health, safety and welfare and are adopted as shown in attached
Exhibit A.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council held on the
22nd day of February, 1994, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Linda Lubeck, Patrick O'Laughlin,
Mayor Randy Attaway
NAYS: None
ATTEST:
CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR MIXED USE PROJECTS
PURPOSE
The adoption of the Downtown Specific Plan in 1982 established policy that encourages
mixed residential and commercial uses in the downtown. The benefits of mixed use to
the downtown are the vitality and sense of community it provides. In areas outside the
downtown mixed use projects can put jobs and housing closer to public transit and use
in -fill land more efficiently. It is essential that appropriate standards and guidelines be
established to ensure the successful co- existence of commercial and residential uses
within the project itself as well as protecting existing neighborhoods in the project area.
OBJECTIVES
The goal of encouraging mixed use development and the intent of these design guidelines
is to:
■ Allow housing to be mixed with commercial uses where it can be
demonstrated that the two uses can co -exist successfully.
■ Encourage housing in the downtown
■ Encourage the development of alternative housing types to further
community diversity.
■ Encourage optimum use of public transit facilities by moving jobs and
housing closer to these facilities.
■ Provide standards and guidelines for the general public and the development
community.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Mixed use projects should be processed as Planned Developments to allow
maximum design flexibility.
2. Land assembly is encouraged to provide larger parcels, multi- street frontages,
corner lots and separate street access.
3. Projects within a Parking Assessment District shall provide on -site parking for the
residential phase.
4. A true mixed use concept has residential uses above commercial uses sharing
common building and taking advantage of unused space to provide housing.
5. Commercial uses should be limited in mixed use projects to general retail, personal
service and professional office uses to ensure a compatible co- existence with
EXHIBIT A
residential uses. Twenty -four hour businesses shall not be permitted and light
industrial use including auto related businesses are not encouraged.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. Separate vehicular access should be provided for the commercial and residential
phase of development whenever possible.
2. Adequate landscape buffers shall be provided when adjacent to single family
residential zones.
3. Private open space shall be provided for the residential phase of a project.
Community open space should also be incorporated in projects outside the
downtown.
4. Appropriate design features should be incorporated to buffer residential from
commercial noise (i.e. mechanical equipment, building orientation, trash collection).
5. Trash collection and commercial delivery and loading areas should be oriented
away from residential uses.
6. A clear delineation shall be established between the commercial and residential
parking.
7. An exemption from the Floor Area Ratio requirements may be allowed for the
residential phase of a project.
8. Below grade parking is encouraged to maximize use of land.
9. When both commercial and residential uses share a building, concrete construction
is required or similar material other than wood to buffer noise between the two
uses.
10. Mechanical equipment such as air conditioning or heating units provided on a roof
shall be designed in a "split" system that uses several small units minimizing
vibration and noise as opposed to one large unit.
11. Provisions for garbage chutes should be considered for high density multi -story
developments to centralize garbage and recycling collection.
12. Things such as vertical shafts and refrigerator compressors should be planned at
time of construction. Adding equipment after construction generally does not
function as quietly as equipment incorporated at time of construction.
13. Interior as well as exterior lighting for commercial use shall be designed to prevent
glare and shine -off from adversely affecting residential uses.
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