Staff Report with Attachments
PREPARED BY: JENNIFER ARMER, AICP
Senior Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
MEETING DATE: 10/30/2018
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 25, 2018
TO: GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: FIRST MEETING OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
BACKGROUND:
On February 6, 2018, Town Council discussed the scope and process for the General Plan
update. At that meeting, the Town Council indicated that the General Plan is serving the
community well, and an update provides the opportunity to refine the General Pl an, address
emerging trends and recent State laws, and consider new issues.
On February 20, 2018, the Town Council approved the work plan for the General Plan update.
The work plan included the creation of a General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC),
which would be comprised of the existing members of the General Plan Committee (GPC) and
additional at-large members appointed by the Town Council.
On March 12, 2018, the Town issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services
associated with the General Plan update and Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Proposals
were due April 13, 2018.
On April 17, 2018, the Town Council adopted a resolution to establish the GPAC and approve
guiding principles to guide the work of the GPAC (Attachment 1).
On June 19, 2018, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement for
consultant services with Mintier Harnish Planning Consultants for preparation of the General
Plan update and EIR. An agreement was executed on July 9, 2018.
On August 1, 2018, the Town Council appointed three at -large members to the GPAC, in
addition to the existing members of the GPC.
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SUBJECT: FIRST MEETING OF THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 25, 1018
N:\DEV\GPAC\GPAC Staff Reports\2018\10-30-18\Staff Report 10-30-18.docx
On October 1, 2018, the Town Council and Planning Commission held a joint special meeting to
discuss the process overview and key items to be addressed in the General Plan update.
On October 17, 2018, Town staff and Mintier Harnish hosted the first Community Workshop of
the General Plan update process.
DISCUSSION:
The first meeting of the GPAC will include:
1. Election of a Chair and Vice Chair;
2. Review of the General Plan update purpose and process;
3. Discussion of the community engagement strategies;
4. Presentation of the results of the first Community Workshop; and
5. Discussion and refinement of issues and opportunities identified by Town Council,
Planning Commission, and the participants at the Community Workshop.
In addition, the meeting will include identifying the November topic for EngagementHQ
(www.losgatos2040.com) and the next GPAC meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
As of the drafting of this report, no comments from the public have been received.
Attachments:
1. General Plan Update Advisory Committee Resolution and Guiding Principles (four pages)
2. Newsletter #1 (four pages)
3. Engagement Overview (eight pages)
4. Schedule (one page)
RESOLUTION 2018 -015
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ESTABLISHING THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AS AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE TOWN COUNCIL AND APPROVING GUIDING
PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE
and
WHEREAS, the existing General Plan of the Town of Los Gatos was adopted in late 2010;
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2018, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos approved
the preliminary scope for an update to the General Plan that focuses on transportation,
sustainability, fiscal stability /responsibility, diversity /inclusivity, compliance with the Governor's
Office of Planning and Research 2017 General Plan Guidelines and State law, revisions of
inconsistencies, gaps, and ineffective goals and policies, removal of completed action items,
evaluation and potential modification of existing objective standards, and creation of new
objective standards; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan Update Advisory Committee is intended to be an advisory
committee created for the purpose of advising Town staff, providing a forum for public
involvement, and making recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council on
updates to the General Plan.
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos desires to formalize the creation
of the Town of Los Gatos General Plan Update Advisory Committee, including its purpose, and
number, and terms, as set forth below, in this Resolution; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos
establishes the General Plan Update Advisory Committee, which shall be advisory to the Town
Council and shall operate in the manner hereinafter prescribed:
1. Appointment
The General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) shall consist of nine
members of the General Plan Committee as established by Council resolution and up to
five "at- large" members appointed by the Town Council. The "at- large" members shall
represent various geographic areas, community interests and organizations, age groups,
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Resolution 2018 -015 April 17, 2018
ATTACHMENT 1
residential interests, business interests, and other interests as identified by the Council
at the time the appointments are made. The "at- large" members of the Advisory
Committee may not belong to any other established Town Commission, Board, or
Committee.
The General Plan Update Advisory Committee shall sunset on July 2, 2020 unless
extended by the Town Council.
2. GPAC Role
The GPAC shall serve as an advisory body that provides input on specific tasks
associated with the General Plan update. Unless authorized by the Town Council, the
General Plan update shall be limited to the review of the issues previously identified by
the Town Council and minor modifications of existing policies. The inclusion of
additional issues or modification of the approved scope of work and timeline would
require approval by the Town Council. Council input and direction will be sought at
major milestones during the update. The role of the GPAC is to:
Adhere to the Town Council approved Guiding Principles (Exhibit A);
Provide guidance on the development of the General Plan;
Provide an additional forum for public involvement;
Forward milestone products to Town Council;
Review the Draft General Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR); and
Make recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
Meetings
The Chair of the General Plan Committee shall serve as Chair of the GPAC. The
GPAC will determine its schedule (it is anticipated that the Committee will meet no
more than twice a month). GPAC members are expected to regularly attend meetings
and public workshops. However, it is understood that on occasion, a Committee
member may not be able to attend a meeting. Three absences in a calendar year may
subject the member to expulsion from the GPAC.
2of4
Resolution 2018 -015 April 17, 2018
4. Conflict of Interest
Upon appointment to the Committee, members are required to file Conflict of
Interest forms with the Town Clerk for Disclosure Categories 2, 3 and 4 as listed in Town
Code Sec. 2.30.615.
5. Powers of Town Council and Planning Commission
Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as restricting or curtailing any of the
powers of the Town Council or Planning Commission, or as a delegation to the GPAC of
any of the authority or discretionary powers vested and imposed by law in such bodies.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos,
California, held on the 17th day of April, 2018, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Marcia Jensen, Steve Leonardis, Marico Sayoc, Barbara Spector, Mayor Rob Rennie
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
SIGNED:
4W
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA /
DATE: G v
ATTEST:
J
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: a1
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Resolution 2018 -015 April 17, 2018
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Los Gatos Town Council provides the following Guiding Principles to the General Plan
Update Advisory Committee to guide and focus the update of the Town's General Plan.
Transportation — Provide a well - connected transportation system that enables safe access for
all transportation modes, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all
ages and abilities.
Sustainability— Manage, conserve, and preserve Los Gatos' natural environment for present
and future generations. Identify opportunities to enhance the Town's sustainability policies
and practices.
Fiscal Stability /Responsibility — Provide high quality municipal services to the Los Gatos
community while addressing the Town's long term fiscal obligations.
Community Vitality — Invigorate downtown Los Gatos as a special place for community
gathering, commerce, and other activities for residents and visitors. Foster the economic
vitality of other Los Gatos business locations. Protect the Town's historic resources that
contribute to community identity and pride.
Unique Neighborhoods— In recognition of the variety of neighborhoods within the Town,
foster appropriate investments to maintain and enhance housing opportunities and
infrastructure needs to meet the needs of all economic segments of the community.
Diversity /Inclusivity— Cultivate ethnic, cultural, and socio- economic diversity and equity to
enhance the quality of life for Los Gatos residents of all ages.
EXHIBIT A
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Resolution 2018 -015 April 17, 2018
Los Gatos General Plan 2040!
We are excited to announce that in October 2018, the Town of Los Gatos kicked
off the update to the Town’s General Plan. The update is scheduled to take
approximately two years, and throughout the process, the public is welcome to
provide input on how Los Gatos should evolve over the next two decades.
NEWSLETTER #1: GENERAL PLAN OVERVIEW
losgatos2040.comHAVE QUESTIONS?Town of Los Gatos
Planning Division
planning@losgatosca.gov
What is a General Plan?
Every jurisdiction in California must have a General Plan, which is the local
government’s long-term framework or “constitution” for future growth and
development. The General Plan represents the community’s view of its future
and expresses the community’s goals. The General Plan contains the goals
and polices upon which the Town Council and Planning Commission will base
their land use and resource decisions. California State law requires that each
Town, City, and County must adopt a General Plan for the physical development
of the jurisdiction and any land outside its boundaries that bears relation to its
planning. Typically, a General Plan is designed to address the issues facing the
jurisdiction for the next 20 years.
A general plan has three defining features:
•General. A General Plan provides general policy guidance that will be used
to direct future land use and resource decisions.
•Comprehensive. A General Plan is comprehensive, covering topics such
as land use, housing, economic development, infrastructure, public safety,
recreation, natural resources, and much more.
•Long-Range. A General Plan provides guidance on reaching a future
envisioned 20 or more years in the future. To achieve the vision, a
comprehensive plan includes goals, policies, and actions that address both
immediate and long-term needs.
VISIT THE UPDATE
WEBSITE TO:
▪Stay informed
▪Find out about
upcoming meetings
▪Sign up for
email updates
▪Share your ideas on
the Town’s future
ATTACHMENT 2
VISION AND GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
Based on community input,
a updated Vision Statement
will be developed to express
the ideal future for the
community and the Guiding
Principles will state the core
values that will be used to
reach the envisioned future.
Facilitate Broad, Inclusive Community Engagement (Task H)
Provide a range of opportunities for community members to be involved at each step in the development of the General Plan update.
General Plan Update
Initiation (Task A)
Establish website, public
outreach strategy, and
other set up activities.
Focused Research
(Task B)
Gather information and
describe key existing
conditions and trends
that will influence the
future of the community.
Why Update the Current General Plan?
The Town of Los Gatos adopted its current
General Plan in 2010. While the existing General
Plan is serving the community well, the Town
is doing an update to refine the General Plan,
address emerging trends and recent changes in
State law, and consider new issues. This effort
is intended to be a fine-tuning of the existing
General Plan, rather than a comprehensive
overhaul of the document. This planning effort
will also allow the General Plan to incorporate
best practices in planning to ensure Los Gatos is
resilient to future risks while also improving the
community’s quality of life.
The General Plan update will address:
BACKGROUND REPORT
The Background Report will
highlight existing conditions
and trends for a variety of
key topic areas including:
Land Use, Population
and Housing, Economics,
Infrastructure, Climate
Change, Environmental
Justice, and Transportation.
ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND
CONSTRAINTS SUMMARY
The Issues, Opportunities,
and Constraints Summary
will identify items that should
be addressed as part of the
General Plan update, including
findings from the Background
Report and items identified
by the Town Council, Planning
Commission, General Plan
Advisory Committee, and input
from the community.
Findings and Exchange
of Ideas (Task C)
Identify issues and
opportunities that
will shape the future
of the Town.
1. Land use
2. Transportation and mobility
3. Environmental sustainability
4. Evaluation and modifications to objective standards
5. Fiscal stability/responsibility
6. Diversity/inclusivity
7. Emerging trends
8. Recent State laws and General Plan Guidelines
9. Refinements and updates as necessary to the vision,
goals, policies, and action items in the General Plan
10. Participatory community engagement
Vision for the Future (Task D)
Establish the community’s
vision for its future,
and establish priorities
for the General Plan.DOCUMENTSPROCESSWhat are the steps in the General Plan update?
ALTERNATIVES REPORT
The Alternatives Report
will present alternative
approaches to land use
and policy that can be used
to address the identified
issues and opportunities.
This document will be used
by the Town to provide
direction on the focus of
the General Plan update.
PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT REPORT
The Town Council,
Planning Commission,
and the public will use
the EIR during their
consideration of the
draft General Plan
to understand the
potential environmental
implications associated
with the update.
FINAL DOCUMENTS
At the end of the
update process, the
Town will publish an
adopted General Plan
and certified Program
EIR. The new General
Plan will be available for
use in printed or online
formats.
DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
The draft General
Plan will contain the
goals, policies, and
implementation actions
that will guide future
land use and resource
decisions within the Town
and guide the community
towards its envisioned
future.
Develop and Consider
Options (Task E)
Identify and evaluate
alternative land use
scenarios and evaluate
policy choices for
consideration.
Draft the Plan (Task F)
Prepare the updated
General Plan for public
review and comment.
Evaluate and Mitigate Potential Environmental Impacts (Task G)
Prepare a Program
EIR that evaluates the
potential physical impacts
of the goals, policies,
and programs of the
draft General Plan.
Decide on a Course of Action (Task I)
Conduct public hearings
with the Planning
Commission and Town
Council to consider
the findings of the
Program EIR and adopt
a new General Plan.
These include workshops; online engagement; and General Plan Update Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, and Town Council meetings.
How Can You Make a Difference?
Get Involved!
For the General Plan to truly represent the community’s vision for the
future, we need your help. The success of this planning effort will
depend on the input of the community, and we have provided a range
of ways to hear your ideas for the future of Los Gatos. You have the
choice to attend a community workshop or provide input online from
the comfort of your home.
VISIT THE UPDATE WEBSITE
The update website (losgatos2040.com) is frequently updated with
information on the status of the General Plan update, announcements
of upcoming workshops and meetings, and publication of reports.
SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL UPDATES
On the update website (losgatos2040.com), you can sign up for email
notifications. By signing up, you will be notified when new documents
have been released and when meetings or workshops will be held.
ATTEND MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS,
AND POP-UP EVENTS
Not only are these great opportunities to learn about the General Plan
update, meetings and workshops are also a great place for your voice
to be heard and to listen to other’s ideas. Pop-up events will also be
held in Los Gatos to provide more opportunities for input.
Check losgatos2040.com for upcoming dates and locations.
.
ENGAGEMENT HQ
From the losgatos2040.com
website, click on the
“ENGAGEMENT HQ” button on the
Home page to open a range of
tools designed to get your input
and feedback on the future of Los
Gatos. During the update, you can
contribute to the conversation
anytime from any connected
device.
▪Share your ideas.
▪Support or expand on ideas
you like.
▪Respond to an instant poll or
survey.
▪Submit links, maps, photos,
and videos that help explain
your ideas for how to make
Los Gatos an even better place
to live, work, and play.
Engagement HQ will open in
October 2018. Please join the
discussion on our future.
Revised 09/11/2018
Community Engagement
Overview
TOWN COUNCIL / PLANNING COMMISSION
Presented October 1, 2018
ATTACHMENT 3
In Person Engagement Activities ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Community Workshops ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Community Event Booths............................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
GPAC Meetings ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Presentations to Local Service Clubs, Schools, and Other Community Organizations ................................................. 3
Presentations to Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions .................................................................................................... 3
Town Council/Planning Commission Study Sessions, Meetings, and Hearings ................................................................ 3
Online Engagement Tools ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
General Plan Update Website: losgatos2040.com ................................................................................................................................... 4
EngagementHQ .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Translation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Outreach Tools ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Outreach Matrix ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
General Plan Update Newsletters ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Branding ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW | 1
This document details the outreach methods to be used throughout the Los Gatos General Plan update process. It
describes how the engagement will be structured to provide ample opportunities for community engagement.
IN PERSON ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Community Workshops
The following is a list of community workshops that will be a part of the General Plan update process. For each
workshop, a preliminary description of the event is provided. The actual activities at each workshop may change.
These workshops will be held at different locations throughout Town.
Community Workshop #1 – Update Initiation: Community Workshop #1 will provide an overview of the key
steps in the General Plan update process, the purpose and scope of the update, and community engagement
opportunities. The community will be asked to identify issues and opportunities that should be addressed as part
of the General Plan update.
Community Workshop #2 – Issues and Opportunities Refinement: Community Workshop #2 will have three
major components: (1) An overview of the existing conditions and trends that will influence the future of the
community; (2) Interactive exercises to obtain input on issues and opportunities identified by Town Council,
Planning Commission, General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC), first Community Workshop, and other
outreach activities; and (3) Small group discussions on unique features of Los Gatos, places they like to take out‐
of‐town visitors, places they consider “public‐places” (i.e., places where people gather), and natural or manmade
features that make the community special.
Community Workshop #3 – Vision and Guiding Principles: Community Workshop #3 will include several
interactive visioning exercises that encourage community participation and dialogue about the future of Los
Gatos.
Community Workshop #4 – Alternative Choices: Community Workshop #4 will focus on identifying land use and
policy choices based on previous Town Council direction and community input. For example, policy alternatives
could address transportation options, healthy community updates, public facility choices, and so forth.
Community Workshop #5 – Draft General Plan: Community Workshop #5 will include an open house to present
the Draft General Plan to the community. The open house could be set up in the format where residents can visit
stations or “booths” focused on each element of the General Plan.
Scoping Meeting: The scoping meeting is associated with the release of the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Scoping Meeting will be held during the 30‐day NOP period to introduce
the community to the EIR process and obtain input on the Program EIR scope of work. It will include a brief
presentation by the consultant, followed by public comment and input from meeting attendees. The consultants
will prepare a summary of all input gathered, which will be included in the Draft Program EIR along with any
written public comments received during the NOP comment period.
2 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Community Event Booths
To broaden the reach of engagement, Town staff will set up “pop‐up” booths at several community events in Los
Gatos.
Booth Content
The booth will feature display boards and hand‐outs that provide an overview of the General Plan update,
information on opportunities to get involved, and activities to obtain community input relevant to the current
planning effort. The activities may be similar to the exercises from the most recent community workshop. Display
boards will also be provided to support the events.
Sample Events for Booths
The following are sample events that could be used for the pop‐up booths. Actual events will be posted to the
General Plan update website.
Event Name Date Location
Farmers' Market Sundays (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.) Town Park Plaza,
Downtown Los Gatos
Main Street / N. Santa Cruz Avenue
Los Gatos Music in the Park July through early August Civic Center Lawn
Spring into Green April 2019 Town Plaza Park and a portion of
Main Street,
Downtown Los Gatos
GPAC Meetings
The General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) has been appointed by the Town Council to guide the
preparation of the General Plan update and its associated materials. The GPAC will provide technical input and
review of draft documents, including the Background Report, Issues and Opportunities Summary, Vision and Guiding
Principles, Alternatives Report, Draft General Plan, and Draft Program EIR. The public will have an opportunity to
provide written comments and/or verbal testimony at all meetings.
The members of the GPAC include the Town’s General Plan Committee (two Council members, three Planning
Commissioners, and four residents) plus three additional residents.
The GPAC is expected to meet monthly over a two‐year period, although this may vary. Of the GPAC meetings
programed, six meetings are specifically described below to highlight key work items and some work items will likely
require more than one meeting.
GPAC Meeting #1– Introduction to the General Plan Update Process and Work Products.
GPAC Meeting #2 – Review Existing Conditions Background Report.
GPAC Meeting #3 – Review Draft Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints Report.
GPAC Meeting #4 – Review Draft Vision and Guiding Principles.
GPAC Meeting #5 – Review Draft Alternatives Report.
GPAC Meeting #6 – Review Draft General Plan.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW | 3
Presentations to Local Service Clubs, Schools, and Other Community
Organizations
As appropriate throughout the General Plan update process, staff will be available to make presentations to
local service clubs, schools, and community organizations to obtain additional input and engagement in the
development of the new General Plan.
Presentations to Town Boards, Committees, and Commissions
As appropriate throughout the General Plan update process, staff will be available to make presentations to the
Town’s Boards, Committees, and Commissions to obtain additional input and engagement in the development
of the new General Plan.
Town Council/Planning Commission Study Sessions, Meetings, and Hearings
Study Sessions
Joint Study Session #1 – Introduction to the General Plan: The purpose of the first joint Town Council and
Planning Commission Study Session is to introduce the consultant team, review the scope of the effort, identify
the key milestones and products of the process, describe the strategy for community engagement, explain
changes in State law and regulations since the last update, and discuss other important issues affecting the
General Plan update.
Joint Study Session #2 – Review Existing Conditions Report: The Town Council and Planning Commission will
discuss the implications of the report findings on the future of the community.
Joint Study Session #3 – Review Issues and Opportunities Report: The Town Council and Planning Commission
will discuss the implications of the report findings for new or revised General Plan policies and programs and
solicit input on key issues and opportunities for the update.
Joint Study Session #4 – Vision and Guiding Principles: The purpose of this study session is to gain direction from
the Town Council, based on inputs from the Planning Commission, on the Draft Vision Statement and Guiding
Principles and provide direction on the development of goals, policies, and implementation measures in the
General Plan update.
Joint Study Session #5 – Alternatives: The purpose of this study session is to gain direction from the Town
Council, based on inputs from the Planning Commission, on the alternatives to be studied and to identify a
Preferred Alternative for further evaluation.
Joint Study Session #6 – Draft General Plan: The Town Council and Planning Commission will discuss the major
features of the draft General Plan.
Joint Study Session #7 – Technical Issues: This Study Session will provide information on Vehicle Miles Traveled
(VMT) metric, Climate Action Plan, and other technical issues associated with the General Plan update.
4 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Meetings
At key milestones of the General Plan update, the Town Council will be asked to approve the work products that have
been vetted at community workshops, GPAC meetings, and joint Town Council/Planning Commission Study Sessions,
including the Issues and Opportunities Report, the Vision and Guiding Principles, the Alternatives, and the Preferred
Alternative for the new General Plan. The Town Council will also be asked to accept the Draft General Plan document
as the basis for the analysis in the Environmental Impact Report, recognizing that the Draft General Plan may have
additional revisions in response to the EIR findings.
Hearings
Planning Commission Hearings and Recommendations on the Draft General Plan and Environmental Impact
Report
Town Council Hearings and Consideration of the Draft General Plan and Environmental Impact Report
ONLINE ENGAGEMENT TOOLS
General Plan Update Website: losgatos2040.com
The Los Gatos General Plan update has a distinct website to facilitate access to information, upcoming events, and
online community engagement. The website can be accessed directly at losgatos2040.com or through the Town’s
website: www.losgatosca.gov.
The website has the following features:
Overview of the General Plan update
Contact information
Announcements about upcoming meetings
Information on past meetings and events, including key documents and meeting summaries
Links to online community engagement activities (called Engagement HQ) and mapping resources
EngagementHQ
EngagementHQ is the platform for online public engagement through surveys, opinion polls, discussion forums, photo
sharing, mapping exercises, and more. It also offers analysis and reporting tools to understand who is participating
and summarizes community input on a range of topics. The Engagement HQ software will be used for active public
engagement for approximately 12‐months during the development of the General Plan (October 2018 –
October 2019), with the remainder of the website maintained during the public review portions of the update
(October 2019 – General Plan adoption).
Translation
An important goal of the General Plan update is to ensure that the process is inclusive and accessible to all segments
of the community. The General Plan update website can translate the content into a variety of languages using an
interactive, automated service based on Google Translate. As with all machine‐based translations, this will be a very
close translation and will likely lack some nuances of language based on context.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW | 5
OUTREACH TOOLS
This section outlines the various outreach methods to publicize meetings, events, and the release of important
documents.
Email Announcements/Email Blasts (eblasts)
General Plan Update Website
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor)
Local Print and Television
OUTREACH MATRIX
The following table summarizes when the various outreach methods could be used to effectively inform the
community about upcoming events, meetings, and the release of important documents. As not all methods are
necessary or appropriate for every announcement, the table offers suggestions based on the type of information to
be announced.
Email Announcement/ Email Blasts Website Social Media Local Media Town Council and/or Planning Commission Meeting
General Plan Update Advisory Committee Meeting
Community Workshop
Release of Document/Work Product
Event Booth
Always When Needed N/A
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters will be used to summarize key milestones of the General Plan update process:
Newsletter #1 – General Plan Update Overview: Describes a General Plan, the purpose for the update, the
schedule and process outcomes, and community engagement opportunities.
Newsletter #2 – Existing Conditions Background Report: Summarizes key findings from the Background Report
and initial outreach efforts.
6 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW
Newsletter #3 – Alternatives: Summarizes the land use and policy alternatives and generates public interest and
attendance for an upcoming community workshop where the public will have an opportunity to comment on the
alternatives.
Newsletter# 4 –Draft General Plan: Summarizes the Draft General Plan that provides highlights of the key
features and changes in the updated General Plan.
BRANDING
The following logos brand the Los Gatos General Plan update. The optional logos will be used depending on the
format of a document and/or slide presentation.
Primary Logo Optional Logo Optional Logo
2018JulAugSeptOct NovDecJanFeb2019 Feb2020Mar AprMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDecJanTask A:
Project Initiation
Task B:
Prepare Background
Report
Task C:
Identify Community
Issues, Opportunities,
and Constraints
Task E:
Development of
Alternatives
Task D:
Development of
General Plan Vision
Task G:
Environmental
Impact Report
Task I:
Certification of EIR
and Adoption of the
General Plan
Town of Los Gatos General Plan Update | Project Schedule
Task F:
General Plan Goals and
Policy Development
Task H:
Community Outreach
and Engagement
MayJunJulEngagement
Strategy/
Branding
Website/Online Engagement HQSetup
Newsletter #1
Kick-off Meetingand City Tour
CommunityWorkshop#2
GPAC Meeting #2
CommunityWorkshop#1
Newsletter #4
Public ReviewDraft General Plan
NOP
Admin DraftProgram EIR
45-dayPublic Review
Screencheck andPublic Draft EIR
Response toComments
Mitigation, Monitoring,and Reporting Program
Scoping
Meeting
PC/CCHearings AdoptionHearing
FinalEIR
FinalGeneral Plan
Admin. Draft
GIS Data/
Basemap
Study Session#1
Newsletter #3
PC Meetingon Alternatives
General PlanAudit Report
TC Meetingon Alternatives
30-day Public Review
Newsletter #2
GPAC Meeting #1
PublicDraft
Admin.
Draft
Public
Draft
GPAC Meeting #3
Study Session#2
Study Session#3
CommunityWorkshop#3
Admin.
Draft
Public
Draft
GPAC Meeting #4
Study Session#4
CommunityWorkshop#4
Admin.
Draft Public
Draft
GPAC Meeting #5
Admin. Draft
GPAC Meeting #6
Preliminary
Draft
Study Sessions#5, #6, #7
CommunityWorkshop#5
ATTACHMENT 4