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RESOLUTION NO. 1289
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE TOWN
OF LOS ALTOS HILLS ADOPTING A POLICY CONCERNING TENNIS
COURTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT AND
SUBDIVISION
WHEREAS , the Planning Commission has recommended the approval
of a policy regarding the building of tennis courts and sports courts
"which come within the definition of a structure ," together with
procedures for its implementation; and,
WHEREAS , the City Council , having considered the proposed policy
and its implementation, desires to approve the same as being required
to protect the public health, safety and welfare because tennis and
games played on a "sports court" are capable of high visual or aural
intrusion,
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED as follows :
1 . The City Council of the City of the Town of Los Altos Hills ,
herein called the "TOWN" , recognizes the popularity of tennis and the
wholesomeness of tennis as a recreation, and that there are some lots
in the TOWN that can support a tennis court without adversely affecting
either the property on which the court is located or adjoining properties .
Such lots , in most instances , have tennis court sites which comply with
normal setback requirements , impervious surface limitations and grading
policies , and do not require Variances . In such instances , the City
Council believes that tennis courts are appropriate uses .
2 . While the right of each individual property owner to develop
his or her property to whatever extent he or she deems appropriate within
the framework of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code and the General ti
Plan, the City Council is also responsible to provide for a degree of
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protection of the privacy of neighbors , and of the townspeople as a
whole while using the public thoroughfares .
3 . The following guidelines are approved to provide guidance
to persons presenting plans or making applications under the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code , or both , for the building of tennis courts
or any type of "sports court" which comes within the definition of a
structure in the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, namely:
(a) All court applications shall be reviewed by the
Site Development Committee .
(b) A Variance is required under the Los Altos Hills
Municipal Code if the court encroaches into a setback .
The specific setbacks of the TOWN should be maintained
where current neighbors or potential neighbors are
concerned. Minor encroachments into setbacks might
be considered under exceptional circumstances of non-
residential land use or less restrictive zoning on
adjoining properties .
(c) Impervious surfaces must be considered carefully
in terms of allowing natural drainage . In no case will
the percentage of impervious surface exceed that allowed
by the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code . Because of the
large amount of surface needed for a court , it is unlikely
that many lots of an average size will be able to accom-
modate a tennis court and still retain the amount of
P open space suggested by the ordinances of the TOWN and
the General Plan.
(d) In general , grading shall be considered excessive
and inconsistent with TOWN objectives when the amount
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of fill exceeds six feet (6 ' ) or the total grading (cut
and fill) exceeds twelve feet (12 ' ) . Projects which
exceed the total grading (cut and fill) maximum of
twelve feet (12 ') shall be carefully reviewed by the
Planning Commission. Because of the large amount of
flat surface needed for courts and of the natural steep-
ness of many areas of the TOWN, it is unlikely that
courts can be accommodated on many lots (outside of
the flat areas) unless those lots are very large e or
very flat . '
(e) Landscaping will be required to assure that each
court and its fencing are visually unobtrusive when
viewed from all directions . A careful search shall
be made from off-site locations in planning for this
objective or in preparing the landscape plans . Screening
designed to be functional within two (2) years shall be
planned and planted accordingly. In general , the court
should be constructed in cut rather than fill to the
greatest extent feasible to provide a lower finished
grade and less visual impact . Landscaping berms may
also be used to provide effective screening. All cuts
and fills shall be rounded to natural contours and
covered with appropriate planting materials . A bond
sufficient to guarantee maintenance and care of land-
scaping shall be deposited with the TOWN.
(f) Concerning the design of a court , the following
requirements shall be complied with :
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( i) All fencing shall not exceed ten feet (10 ' )
in height and shall be constructed of a
dark colored and non-shiny material .
( ii) All surfaces , retaining walls , and corners
shall be made as unobtrusive as possible .
Colors shall be in the natural tones .
(iii) No lighting for use of the court after
dark shall be provided for.
4 . The TOWN should encourage the use of existing private club
and public (Foothill College) facilities available to large numbers
of residents .
REGULARLY passed and adopted this 16th day of July, 1980 .
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ATTEST :
City Clerk -
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