Resolution 1980- 84
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RESOLUTION NO. 80-84
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY
ADOPTING HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES.
WHEREAS, after study, the Planning Commission and staff
has prepared and recommended adoption of the attached guidelines
for proposed hillside development in the City of Gilroy, and
good cause appearing therefor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the
City of Gilroy approves the attached guidelines and adopts the
same for the regulation of proposed hillside developments in the
City of Gilroy.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September, 1980, by
the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: CUNNINGHAM, HUGHAN, LINK, PATE,
TAYLOR and GOODRICH
COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
COUNCILMEMBERS: ALBERT
NOES:
ABSENT:
APPROVED:
~~
. ayor
ATTEST:
dU4~b.c;f~
/ ty C
RESOLUTION NO. 80-84
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L~__ ____
Adopted [)~ City COUll.
SepLt:mber 2, 19(30
Resolution No. 80-84
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HILLSIDE DEVELOPHENT GUIDELINES
PURPOSE
The purpose is to provide specific guidelines for development in hill-
side areas. These guidelines arc incorporated by reference into the
RH (Re::sidential Hillside) :lone, and shall be used as criteria for dt:-
sign rt:view for all development in an RH zone.
INTENT
'fitt: intent of these guidelines i8 to minimi:le the irnpact on the native
environment and provide safe use of the hillside areas. These guidelines
shall be used flexibly as a minimum standard for hill~ide development
in order to best :lmplement this intent.
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I. ENVIRONMENT
A. Soil and Geol~ Reports
Soil and Geology Reports will be needed f~r the foundation
site of each structure which is to be located on aalope
greater than 10%.
B . ,~_e ism i c Sa!" t: ~
Structures should not be constructed within 50 feet of any
trace fault lines.
C. Erosion
No building should be sited on areas subject to eignificant
erosion, sedimentation, soil creep or landslide. or below
an area subject to landslide. No structural work should be
couunenced until all cut and fill slopes have been atabilb:ed.
D. !:>raina~e
Existing drainage patterns should be preserved to the
greatest extent possible. Man-made alteration~ of the
natural drainage system should be minimized.
II. SITE PLANNING
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A. Gra';li~
In order to preserve the appearance of the environment, any
alterations to natural contours and slopes shall be kept to
a mini.mum. All grading in this district shall be verified
by the City Engineer as being the least alllount necessary to
provide services to the proposed structures. Grading, cut
and fill. and retaining walls should be minimized for hillside
development: by using innovative building techniqueI:J which
reflect the natural topography of the sl.te. When cut and
fill is unavoidable, it shall be stabili:led by rounding and
landscaping. Retaining wal Is will only be pennitted where
needed to reduce cut and fj J.1. Upon completion of grading
and p d.or La s ca [" l. of cons true Lion bare tiol1 lUUS t bl;; pro tee ted
Hi 11 s idt,; 1.)e Vt,; [u PIllt,; lll.U i de 1 ine s
.
Adopted 9-L-130 .
Page 2
by netting or Dlulching until vegetation is well established.
No grading l:ihould occur during the winter season from October
through March, unless specific ero$ion control measures are
approved by lhe City Engineer.
B. Buildinp and__._Lo~_J!esigl~
Padding and terracing of building sites will not be allowed.
Buildings and lots should be laid out to reduce the amount
of visual impact of the structures. This will include de-
signtng the buildings to conform to the contours of the /:iite,
and arranging driveway::! and patio areas to be conlpatible
with the slope::; and building design.
C. F=l1er~y Conseevatio]2
Pasl;)ive and active sol.ar heating is encouraged in tl:U;t hill...
slde areas.
D. ?ay~
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Paving for pathways shall be kept to a minimum and shall be
porous in nature, wherever feasible. Paved areaa should be
designed to minimize runoff that is channel'ed to one location.
E. Livestock
Grazing animals will be permttteq, but only where they will
be ut.tlized to reduce the fire hazard of grassy area$. They
shall be kept only where they will not adversely affect neigh~
boring residences. Care should be taken to prevent over.
gra;~it1g. (See City Code Chapter '~).
F. Fences
Fences will be allowed inunedlately adjacent to structures t to
provide a private outdoor area. These fences ahal1 be an in.
tegral part of the bui.lding design so as to minlmize the vi-
sual impact on surrowlding areas. Fencing for pasture areas
shall be des i.gned to mi.nim.iz e theil" vi sua 1 impac t. Swinuning
pools will require fences a~ defined in Ordinance No. 78.25.
Fences shall be approved during the hillside development pro.
cedure or, if requested at a later date, by Lhe Architectural
and S1 La Approval CUlIlllI! ttee.
G. ,Landscaping
1. Ground Cover
Existing ground cover shall be maintained to the greatest
extent possible. All grading and cut and fill areas
shall be landscaped during and after construction to pre-
Vi;lnL erol;)ion. and to inl.:rease slope stability.
2. ~Jat:lve Veeetatlon
Native shrubs and trees shall be retained on hillside
terrain wherever postdble to help maintain natural
drainage swales, reduce erosioll, and preserve the char-
acter of the hillside envlrOllment. Native vegetation
and tret:s shull be pro lee Led from dallld.ge during cons truc-
Cion.
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Hil1~id~ l)~velupl\l~lll Cuidelineti
. Adopted 9-2~80
Page 3
3. Forested Areas
Development in forested areas should be carefully de-
::3 igned lo mildmb:e removal or dmnage to exis ting treel:l
and to allow their continued healthy existence.
4. .Exis tir~_:l~~e~
Existi.ng I~rees 6 inches or more in diameter, at a point
3 feet above the ground, shall be identified on site
plans. Nl)ne of these trees. whether on public or pri-
vaLe rights-of-way, shall be removed unle~"H:l they a"re
clearly indicdted on the pLans, and approved for removal.
Ground cover requiring routine irrigation. shall not be
placed under existing oak Lrees.
5. ~e~_Lands_~ap 1.:.!!.ll
A description and plan shall be submitted as required
by the PLanned Unit Development. apprpval procedure show-
ing the location and type of plant m.terial to be in-
stalled, according to Landscaping Policy. New plants
should blend in w1.th tlwir I;;urroundintis, 'rhex:e shall
be an e"~hasis on native plants for all hillside develop-
ments. In designing lundscaplng. Jrought"'l:esis tant
p1anttl wLll be c0l101d(H't,d Lhe greatest priority. All
planting::.; within 30 f\3eL of .bulldlngs must be fire-resis-
tant.
6. View
Vegetation shall be considered an important aspect of
vistas. Native trees should be installed to screen
development from vi.ew in such a \..Jay as to preserve the
views from the residences. Development: should not occur
on exposed ridges or rock outcroppings.
7. Street Trees
Street. trees will not be installed in the hillside areas.
Any treeo that are provided shall be native or similar
to natives, and shall be arranged in natural~appearing
clusters.
8. !1ufferi.:..l]~
Twenty feet of succulent, fire-retardant landscaping
shall be used as a buffer along major thoroughfares.
9. Irrigation
Plants should be selected which need minimum watering.
Where watering is necessary, it should be provided by
a low-flow irrigat.ion system.
Hill~iJe"'1JL'VelOPlllent.idL'lLneS
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AJopted 9-2-tHJ '
Page 4
III. DESIGN
A. Color and Materials
Color and materials used for buildings shall be compatible
with the natural landscape. Earth-tone colors and natural
lllaL'erials such as wood, natural brick. slump block walls.
and tile, fire rated wood shingle or dark asphalt roofing
ax-erecoIUUlelH.led.
B. Foundation::;
Houses to be located on slopes over 15% shall utilize
special foundation design/;). These foundation designs must
be approved by the City Engineer. The house may be ele-
vated to a level point on the hillside through the uae of
poles and/or piers. 'l'raditlonal pad foundation.s may be used,
but only if they do not neces::iltate a high wall or b<;t.nk
acound the home. Split-level homes and ~anti.lever founda-
tions will be encouraged where it would minimize solI dis-
cup Lion.. Step founda tions lll~iY be used ohly where thia me-
t..:hod will cause leas t ooil disrupt j on and wi~l foll()\/ the
contoul.-!) of the h111sidet:>. '.
C. Roof
Use of fire-retardant materials t:lhall be required to reduce
fire ha~ards in rhe Ilillside ureas. koof line~ of buildings
ohould nor.:: project above ridgelincs in ordel~ to preset-ve the
natural ouLlinL' of the hills.
D. Chimneys
Chimneys shull bL' equipped with spark arreijte~s, and should
not be located within 10 feet of trees.
E. HOUl;~e Numbers
If numbers on a dwelling are not clearly visible from the
street, those numbers mus t be provided on a 4 :Lncn by 4
1nch post, 36 inches tall, installed with the ma.ilbo~ or
oeparately at the driveway entrance. All maln addre/ils num-
erals shall. be a minimtun of 2~ :tnche:i 1n height with a. .3/8
tnch stoke, and placed to rea.d from lc~ft to :r:ight an,d /01,."
feam top to bottom.
F. AnLennas
Exterior an tennat> will no t be penni ttt:J.
IV. UTILITIES
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All utility service lines shall be undergrounded.
A. I.ransforlllers...L Control P~>ir~....t;.:s an~L_Qther Uti)ity Houstngs
Utility housings shall be located so as to minimize their
vLlHwl impact, and shall be E;iafely screened with native
shcubbery.
Hi 11:J j de D~veI Oplllell L (.leI i IWS
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Adopted 9--:!-80
Pdg\..: 5 ,
1L Water
WaLer main::> and fire hydrants shall be installed and ...tpproved
pr"ior to cOllulIellcLng construction with combustible Inatl.~rials.
They shall be locaLed in clustered areas as required by the
fLre chief iJnd shall have a static pr(;,~ssure of at It:a:.;L Lf]
poi. If pressure !woster pWlIpl:i and high eLevation reaervolrs
are necessary, they shall be paid for by the developer. Water
tanks and pUm[Jillf:', facilities, ere., shall be located ::>0 aB to
lIlininlL::e tH" ellllllndLe their vioudl ilupacto, and shall be screened
by plantings of lUlL i Ve shnJbs.
An :J inch l1linilillllH 1I1i.dn shall be required. 'Vith specific approval
by l.he City Engineer, a 6 inch ffiilin may be utled when it.; ccnnect:.i
to an 8 inch or Jarger maln at each end. The length of the 6
inch sectIon sheill not exceed 1500 feet. A 6 inch maIn is also
IH=rlllitled 011 cul-.de-sacs which are It:ss than 75Q Eet;t in length.
C. Sewer
Evecy lot shall be provided with sanitary aew~rs connected to the
pub Lic sanitary sewer system, unless special circumstances necea-
~itule or warrant the use of safe. efficient on-site sanitary
sys tCllIS. Eight inch IlllnimLun sewer mains 15hall. be required, except
un cui-de-sacs I where a 6 inch main J.~ perllrltted.
D. Trash Collection
Tra~h collection locatiollS shall be designed to minimJze the need
fur speciaL cullection facilities by LilC trash collection company.
V. ENGINEElUNG
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A. Roads
1. :L.:Y.e.~
Streets should follow the natural contours of the hillside to
minimize cut and fill. Streets may be split into two one-way
streets in steeper areas to minimize grading and blend with
the terrain. Cui-de-sacs or loop roads will be encouraged
where necessary to fit the terrain.
2. Standards
The width of a two-way road will be 20 feet, with 3 foot wide
shuuld~rs on both sides. The width of a one-way section shall
be 12 fee t, with one :\ foo l. shoul der. 1'he maximum grade will
be 15/,,,; JO/'" will. be pcnnitted where the length of the 20%
section does not exceed 50 feeL. CurvetS should he fatrly
bt-oad, having ae a lIlinlllll.Ull il '*2 foot inside turning radius.
Wider". s t:n.~l: t~ WilY IJe required In 1 il.nited Si-rei;l.l::I. due to antic-
LpeHed craf:.flc 00\',18. All tiLrt.:et tLtZCo shall be C;i~)proved by
the Ci. Ly Enginet;~r.
3. Surface
Roada shall hC;ive a 11I1nilllUllI of 3 tnc11e::l of asphalt on. an
8 inch Claso II ruck base.
11 i lLii d 1,;' U I,; vel U pill I,; II L.l j d I,; li II t;;: s
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AdopLt;;:d 9-2-8(,)
Page 6
L+. Cledranee
Vel: t.ied 1 e 1 ea ranee will oe lUdin tained at 15 fee t . Road-
wayt:. should be designed to avoid major trees, and trees
lllay be pt;;:[I1l1 tt(;:d to rellwLn in i.sland areas of the road-
way area if the roadway Ls dl:.signed appropr'iately.
5. InLer::j(;:ct LOllc;
Int.er::;ecUons U[ any type should not exceed 20 degrees
from a right. angle. In,tei-sections ::;hould be in l.oca-
d.on:;; whel~e vi:;;b:lJ.ity io adequate.
6 . ?-=~n s.!.__QUd ni}~.}]. tl a_l~d})_~.:,.:.F l_l;; r I:)
Signs, gUdrcl rai18 dud hu.n::len; delineating ha~ardous
slwuJJer drt.,as ~jhall be iutll:al] ed whert~ necessary for
tii:.dt::LY.. SLr't~el l.denctficatilJll signs dnd posts shall be
made uf wuod and detligned to be read dearly from the
s tree t s approacll.tng eaclt in Lersec Liop.
7. Cud)s dnd CutLer::;
Curos sho~ld be discourdged. They shbuld be provided
only in areas where they are rwcessacy to prevent traf-
fic frolll goJng off of the rOad Qt' for water runoff con-
Lcol. Guttl:CS ::;hal1. ot: kept. to a lU.inimulll ilnJ only pro-
v Ldt:d whi.: ce Ll II: Y a,ce !1t:I.:ded 'fo r Wa Li.:r rnnoi f contro 1. .
8 . El\~~_El1-t::.~~__Y_~h i ~~_~_~-'<::Ee ti_~_
ACI.:etis roadlj acceptable Lo the fire departlnent shall be
pcovldt=d prior to conullencing con~tructlon which useu
cornbustibl e lIli.lt.er~ldl~. Twelve foot wLde trails connect-
ing Lt.'cmlnal. poLnt8 of streets are encouraged to provide
an al Lenld L j VL~ 10 a 1 aLgI: LUJ:llat-ound a L che end of a
street for ellli.:q.;.ency vehicle 1lI0Velllent. Such Lrails shall
not ex...:eed :\000 feet 1.n Length.. Any plantinga. gates,
fence:::! or' boll dcds 1n sLLch an area lIlUSt: have the capabil-
ity of UiUkL' being flatLt;.:rH.~d by tiu\.-:h emergency vehicles,
or being easily renwved.
B. pr iVe\vays
Cornrnon dr ivewayo d re encouraged in c 1. us tered areas to reduce
the amount of p.:lvLng. Dri.veways shall be at least 12 feet
wl.de. Turning dred~; should l)t..~ designed to meet luinllll\.llll fire-
turning requlrel\IL'll[~i. Caput.: It y. gri:Hlt;s. and verticnl cleur-
dlweu to dr'i.vewi..lY:::; tihall be aL a r-jgh,- angl~ wIth tla: ~t:n~i::t.
whecever f0ds.Lble. CUi'ves l:ihall have a 22 fooL lnside LUl'n:Lng
r aLtlus . I f a elr Lveway exceed::; 250 f t:~e t .I n J ength. one 8 foo t .
by 1~9 foOL LurnuuL shal L be l'L\(lldced every 250 feet.
C. Pedes Lr:.I an t.Ja L kwa v s
...___:.....,........,...._.____..._,...._._____._.c_...___ ___~___.._
SidewaLks shall. noL be cunstnlcled in the hJ.lll:.).lde l:u:e8.f;i. Non-
paved IH:'.des t [Lan paLhs Ulay be provided in areas whert.! develop-
lilt.! n t ti il C C C III Ii L (;: red.
~ ,I. It I
Hil [::;Lde Devt.:LoplllL'lll ,ulde! ines
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Adopted 9-2...80.
PagL~ 7
D. Pi.! Llu; and TrLd 1 ::;
Pa ell::; and Lrai J~; dre encourUt',ed in hill s ide areas I if det.dgned
tll a fashiull co Illill hnize dls lllrbdnce of the native Hlopes and
veg(~LaLioll. 'l'lwy tihall bt;; of a non-impervious Illi.Herial.
E. Pdrk~l2l:j,
On -streeL curb-side pdrking s11all noL be permitted. Parking
aredS shall be prov ided Lhrou!:!,h the use 0 f parking bays and
on-site parking dt retiidentiaI units.
F"'. U' d
!:!.F ~ ~':::.:?_
When bridge:.> lllutil be built over natural or man-made drainage
channels I Ule bridge should be cons t.rue ted so al:i to minimize
vitiual and physical impact:.
G . ~_t 1< e e~~:!:l:~L~ t s.
There shall be a minimum of slreet. lighting in hillside art:as.
Street light.ing shall be located only at major intersections
and where necestlary LO reduce t:n~ffic hazards. All tiltreet
lights slw.ll bi;: shielded Bueh chc~t only tlIt'e inter-socti.on area
18 111urnilld.Led. Light poles :jhall be detllgned hl such a way
as tu be cOlllpaLib te w.i l.h tile design and natural environment
u L [.h~ area.
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I. StlSAJ~NE E. STE IWIETZ. City Clerk of the City of Gilroy,
do herelJy eel-tity that the at.tdched ReHolution No. 80-84
18 an
orie;inal resolution. July adopted by the Cowlcil of the City of
Gilroy at d [-cgular meeting of 3d.id CoW\cil held on che 2nd
duy of
September
. 1 C)~. at which meeting a quonuD was
preBcnt.
HI WITnESS '-'1llEREOF. I have hereW\to set my hand and affixed
the Official ~~al of the City of Gilroy. this 5th
day ot
September
il) 80.
b.