City Council Preview: Public Dancing and Priority of Sign Infractions

The Gilroy City Council will take on a number of issues during their 6 p.m. Monday night meeting. Among them will be two separate ordinances that in zoning districts covered by the Downtown Specific Plan and commercial districts outside the DSP. 

The council will motion on one ordinance that would amend certain sections of the DSP as well as the zoning ordinance and another that repeals the city's current public dance enforcement regulations and replaces them with updated ones.

Currently, no more than three large-size dance venues are allowed on Monterey Street between 1st and 10th streets in the city's Downtown Historic, Expansion and Cultural Arts districts.

During their report to the council tonight, staffers will recommend that more than three dance venues can operate within this zone at any given time.

According to the agenda packet, the proposed amendments are "consistent with the General Plan" and will help the intent of the DSP to create a "retail and entertainment destination that provides a vibrant assortment of activities to all age groups."

The new amendments would allow for small and medium-sized dance venues in all the DSP's districts, except for the Professional Office District. Medium to large-size venues would also be allowed in the city's Shopping Center Commercial and Commercial Industrial districts.

The proposed amendments, the agenda states, are designed to bring in more business without adversely impacting adjacent businesses and properties.

If the second ordinance pass, all medium and large-size dance venues would be required to obtain a public dance permit in addition to a Downtown Special Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit.

The council will also motion on whether to set certain violations pertaining to the as low enforcement priorities. These violations include:

• Off site residential open house signs
• Flags, balloons and streamers
• Regulations pertaining to A-frame/portable signs
• Banners exceeding the maximum of three allowed for a business and/or exceeding 30 square-feet each in size and/or maintained for more than 90 consecutive days and/or not attached to a building
• Temporary signs affixed to vehicles
• Window signs exceeding 15 days and/or 25 percent coverage

Other highlights from tonight's meeting include:

• The council will discuss whether to hold a public hearing to approve and adopt the 5.4 percent rate increase to Recology’s rates for garbage and recycling pick up effective July 1.
• A motion by the council to approve a Notice of Acceptance of Completion for the Sixth Street Streetscape Project. Parts of the project include the installation of new water and sewer utility systems, sidewalks, streetlights, street trees and striping and signage on Sixth Street between Eigleberry Street and Railroad Street.
• The council will review adopting a resolution that publically states their position on persons charged with firearms crimes and to recommend that the defendants be charged to the fullest extend of the law. Additionally, the resolution will state that plea-bargaining firearms cases down was not in the best interests of the Gilroy community.

Detailed information on each agenda item is available in the agenda packet. Just click on "packet" next to the May 7 meeting date.

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