 |
|
|
|
|
Planners give thumbs up to gravel lots at nurseries
By Nathan R. Huff
With little fanfare and no discussion, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a resolution to allow pre-1977 nurseries and botanical gardens to continue operating with gravel parking lots.
Under the proposed code change, pre-1977 nurseries could legally use gravel as a parking lot surface, so long as they met a number of conditions, from preventing gravel spillage onto the public right-of-way to frequent watering to keep dust down. The resolution has been forwarded to the Town Council for a vote.
The April 26 resolution stemmed from Green Thumb Nursery's 1999 conditional-use permit (CUP) hearings. The nursery's previous use permit was grandfathered in, but expired in 1997. Steve Mohlo, owner of the 50-year-old nursery, said he would be unable to meet the town's paved parking requirement--part of the nursery's new CUP--because of runoff concerns and of potential damage to the nursery's plants from reflected heat.
Green Thumb appealed to council for an extension to meet the requirement, though Mohlo said he would probably move the business before paving the lot. Mohlo gathered 700 signatures from loyal customers who asked that the town make an exception, and council members were besieged by letters and emails supporting the nursery.
Last July, the council agreed to a one-year extension regarding the parking lot, and directed planning department staff to study a revision of the town's surfacing requirement. Planning staff said they believed a code amendment could be consistent with language in the General Plan that focuses on preserving small, unique businesses.
The proposed code change reads that pre-1977 nurseries may use decomposed granite, gravel or other granular material so long as it is intended to moderate the reflected heat, minimize storm runoff and be approved by the town engineer. All other town parking requirements still apply.
Following the meeting, Mohlo said he was happy the matter was almost finished. He looks forward to the town council setting it in stone, which it is expected to do.
|
|
|
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
