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: 06/20/2019
ITEM: 5
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REPORT
REPORT
DATE: JUNE 14, 2019
TO: GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR DRAFT LAND USE ALTERNATIVES.
BACKGROUND:
The Issues and Opportunities Report (Attachment 1) has been completed. The Report
summarizes the input collected from the community between October 2018 and April 2019.
The input received and summarized in the Report was used in the vision and guiding principles
process and provides information that will also be used for the land use alternative and policy
development phases of the General Plan update. Many of the questions in this Report were
developed based on the input from the report.
DISCUSSION:
This meeting is the first discussion regarding Phase 4, Land Use Alternatives, of the General Plan
update. This first, high level discussion is intended to provide direction to staff and the
consultant for the development of the Land Use and Policy Alternatives Report, which will then
return to the General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) for review. This Report will
contain maps and descriptions for land use, circulation, and policy alternatives, and an
evaluation of alternatives in terms of implications for land use and community character,
development capacity, economic development, fiscal health, mobility and connectivity, public
facilities and services, and the natural environment.
Five potential General Plan Focus Areas have been created for the GPAC’s consideration
(Attachment 2). The primary questions for discussion are:
• Are the Focus Area boundaries appropriate?
• Are there other areas of Town that should be considered as a Focus Area?
• What should be analyzed for these Focus Areas?
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Below is a list of the five potential Focus Areas and questions to begin the discussion.
1. Focus Area 1 – Hillside
The Hillside Focus Area is located on the southern end of Town extending from the
Town limits west of SR-17, east to the San Jose city limits at Begonia Drive and south to
the County unincorporated area. This Focus Area has land uses that reflect the current
General Plan designations of Hillside Residential and Open Space with pockets of
Agriculture.
• Should the Town decrease the density in the Hillside Focus Area?
• To improve fire safety in the Hillside Focus Area, should the Town consider more
stringent development standards?
2. Focus Area 2 – Downtown
The Downtown Focus Area includes the Central Business District and surrounding
neighborhoods. The Downtown Focus Area boundaries are Los Gatos Boulevard to the
east, Wood Road to the south, Glen Ridge Avenue to the west, and Blossom Hill Road to
the north. This area includes residential, commercial, and open space land uses.
• Should the Downtown Central Business District encourage more housing types?
• In order to attract additional businesses, are there land uses or development
standards that should be modified to enliven the Central Business District?
• What should the Town consider to enhance access to and throughout the
Downtown Focus Area?
3. Focus Area 3 – University Avenue
The University Avenue Focus Area runs along University Avenue from Blossom Hill Road,
northeast to Lark Avenue. This Focus Area includes mainly light industrial, residential,
and open space land uses, and abuts Vasona County Park.
• Should the Town modify land uses or development standards to allow for more
concentrated industrial and research and development uses along University
Avenue?
• Should there be greater emphasis on connection/access to Vasona County Park, Los
Gatos Creek Trail, and other parts of Town from surrounding uses (existing and
future)?
• Should there be increased development restrictions in areas with the potential for
flooding?
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4. Focus Area 4 – Los Gatos Boulevard
The Los Gatos Boulevard Focus Area runs along Los Gatos Boulevard from Spencer
Avenue, northeast to Burton Road and the San Jose city limits. This Focus Area contains
primarily commercial land uses.
• Should the allowed mixed-use (i.e., combination of housing and retail or housing and
office) land use or development standards be modified to promote mixed-use
development?
• Should the Town prioritize multi-modal improvements along Los Gatos Boulevard to
enhance the safety and accessibility for all modes of transportation in alignment
with the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan?
5. Focus Area 5 – Vasona Light Rail/Oka Road
The Vasona Light Rail/Oka Road Focus Area runs along Winchester Boulevard from Lark
Avenue, northeast to Division Street, and southeast to Highway 17. This Focus Area has
mainly commercial and industrial land uses and includes the location for the potential
VTA Vasona Light Rail Station.
• Should the Town plan for transit-oriented development near the potential Vasona
Light Rail Station?
• Should there be greater accessibility between the North 40 and the Vasona Light Rail
Station/Oka Road Focus Area?
• In the absence of a future Vasona Light Rail Station, what other uses would be
appropriate in this Focus Area that would benefit the overall community?
NEXT STEPS:
The next steps in the General Plan update process include:
• Refine and confirm the General Plan Focus Areas; and
• Prepare the Land Use and Policy Alternatives Report for consideration by the GPAC and
recommendation to the Planning Commission and Town Council.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Issues and Opportunities Report (38 pages)
2. Maps of Potential General Plan Focus Areas (11 pages)
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
1
Introduction
Los Gatos 2040: Update Overview
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, in order to address
emerging trends, and recent changes in State law, and consider new issues facing the community. 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 Issues and Opportunities Report presents data from the first General Plan Community Workshop,
the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meetings #1 and #2, Spring into Green, online
engagement exercises on engage.losgatos2040.com, and Town staff. The input received and
summarized in this Issues and Opportunities Report will facilitate discussion and provide direction in the
visioning and guiding principles process, land use alternative process, and policy development in the
General Plan.
Executive Summary
Overall, the Issues and Opportunities input collected from the community is not surprising and focuses
heavily around four topic areas: traffic and congestion, housing, development pressure concerns, and
protection of natural resources. These issues are not necessarily unique to communities in the Bay
Area; however, due to Los Gatos’ geographical location in the Silicon Valley, these issues have become
more prevalent in the last decade as increasing employment growth creates growth pressures
regionally. Traffic and the associated impacts of congestion are of the greatest concern to the
community, not only local traffic within Town, but also weekend traffic heading over SR-17 to the coast
and commuter traffic from the Peninsula and Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay Regions.
Community members are also highly concerned with the increasing regional growth pressures in Silicon
Valley and its effect on the high cost of housing, volatile real estate market, and housing availability.
The increased demand for housing and its related affordability is not the only concerns relating to
development. As the South Bay builds out, there is greater demand for retail, industrial, office, and
manufacturing space, which have the potential to conflict with the established character the Town has
maintained for the last half-century. Lastly, the community is concerned that the development
pressures might conflict with remaining open space in and around Town. Los Gatos is very protective of
its natural resources, and based on community feedback, this is of high importance to preserve.
ATTACHMENT 1
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
2
Sources of Issues and Opportunities
The Issues and Opportunities Report includes input from the following sources.
Los Gatos 2040 Community Workshop #1
Workshop #1 was held on October 17, 2018, at 6:30 PM in the Jewish Community Center (JCC), 14855
Oka Road in Los Gatos. The purpose of the workshop was to:
•Provide an overview of the General Plan update;
•Explain why the Town is updating its General Plan; and
•Develop a list of issues and opportunities that should be addressed as part of the General
Plan update.
The workshop was attended by 17 individuals divided into three small groups. The workshop included a
brief opening presentation that gave an overview of the General Plan purpose and process. As part of
the presentation, the Town’s General Plan Consultants briefly explained areas of State law that have
changed since the Town’s existing General Plan was adopted in 2010.
General Plan Advisory Committee Meetings #1 and #2
General Plan Advisory Committee Meetings #1 and #2 were held on October 30, 2018, and December
11, 2018. The GPAC Chair and Town staff presented the GPAC with the results of Community Workshop
#1. The GPAC discussed the issues and opportunities raised by the community and identified additional
items to be addressed as part of the update at both meetings.
Spring into Green General Plan Pop-Up Booth
At Spring into Green, held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, the Town hosted a booth on the General Plan
update to inform the community about the General Plan process and solicit feedback related to the
community’s vision for Los Gatos. The Spring into Green booth included a series of stations with
informative boards on the update process and Background Report and interactive activities for
community members of all ages to participate.
Online Engagement Exercises on engage.losgatos2040.com
Using online engagement tools, the Town posted three online exercises to engage residents via the
update website, engage.losgatos2040.com.
•November 2018 Survey: Participants were asked to describe Los Gatos, list any issues facing
the Town, and identify opportunity areas that should be addressed in the General Plan. This
Survey was available from November 2018 to February 2019.
•Places to Consider Map Exercise: Participants were asked to place pins on a map of Los
Gatos to identify favorite places in Town, areas with issues, and locations that the General
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
3
Plan should enhance or highlight as community assets. This exercise was available from
November 2018 to April 2019.
• February/April 2019 Survey: Participants responded to a short survey on the Town’s
business mix and housing needs. Participants also provided feedback on a list of potential
issues by rating them from “Not Important” to “Very Important.” This survey was available
from February 2019 to April 2019.
Issues and Opportunities
Los Gatos 2040 Community Workshop #1
April 14, 2019
Workshop Exercise: Issues and Opportunities
As part of Workshop #1, participants were asked to write down the issues and opportunities that they
feel the General Plan update should address. Participants put each issue on a separate white index card
and each opportunity on a separate green index card. Participants could use as many cards as they
wanted.
Once complete, the participants at each table were asked to discuss the issues and opportunities that
they came up with individually with the other participants at their table. Then, working together, each
table was asked to identify their top three issues and top three opportunities.
The following are the top issues and opportunities identified by each of the three tables at the
workshop. There is no order or emphasis intended in the following lists. These items are presented as
written, without editing. See pages 10-14 for a complete list of the issues and opportunities.
Issues
Top Three Issues
◼ Table 1:
o Traffic - affects lifestyle choice and affects daily life (certain times of day). Lights
sensitivity (not timed)
o Not enough publicity of benefits for the library - limited parking
o Safety for pedestrians, cyclists (non-auto-transportation) (crosswalk someone killed) (on
sidewalk to bump people)
◼ Table 2:
o Housing - mix below market, move down, affordable (not market rate)
o Traffic - more communication, with schools, and specific projects (e.g., North 40)
o Downtown - high rent, increase economic vitality to lower rent
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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◼ Table 3:
o Los Gatos outside of downtown - planning/prioritizing other gems (i.e., car dealerships)
o Lack of diversity: economic, housing, stock, community activities
o How do we define density: increasing density in Los Gatos; density vs. intensity
Top Three Opportunities
◼ Table 1:
o Close proximity to freeways/one-ways streets?
o HPC height on buildings (keep small town); historical- preserving - have small town feel
o Round-abouts for traffic; Diversity - include more cultural events, many town events,
concerts, cultured town parade
◼ Table 2:
o Open space - don't develop; outdoor events, parks for all ages
o County pockets - eliminate pockets or increase communication between public safety
agencies
o Volunteers - involve non-profits and make sure Town volunteers have jobs to do
◼ Table 3:
o Transportation: walkability, public transportation, traffic calming
o Transparency: communication, engagement, i.e., standalone pillars for flyers-arts and
STEM
o Social interaction: public spaces, smaller activities targeted toward both youth and
adults-not more large sports fields-neighborhood centers as part of community
buildings use
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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All Responses, Issues:
The following is a list of all entries provided for issues and opportunities. The list is divided into general
categories by topic. There is no ranking or order to these ideas. These items are presented as written,
without editing or corrections to grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Transportation and Parking
Traffic X
Traffic - some elderly are afraid to drive to Los Gatos due to dense traffic and
aggressive drivers; before 10, after 3pm X
Traffic is a big issue - most people I know plan their day around when there is less
traffic X
Fix cut thru traffic X
More parking X
Public transportation X
Fix all traffic lights to be censored X
Egress walking-riding, biking X
Parking X
Traffic - stop cut thru driving - coordinate signals X
Better bus system X
One-way streets X
School district should be more able to work with Town about parking and traffic X
Cut number of cars to H.S. students X
Continue momentum on alienating traffic around schools X
Put the full court files on Waze, etc. i.e. traffic thru the neighborhoods X
Town should give more regular info -- No. 40 traffic congestion X
Traffic is bad and getting worse with new development and will continue to
deteriorate X
Parking downtown for big events, maybe shuttle X
Slowdown the traffic in residential areas with speed bumps X
Public transportation X
Road repairs (Shannon is dangerous) X
Bike/ped facilities are improving - please add on - long way to go to be great X
Transportation for seniors X
Sidewalks and walkability is amazing - keep improving X
Convert lights into roundabouts X
Downtown area is easy to get around - walkable X
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Small size, large area of relatively flat terrain offer opportunity for non-auto
transportation
X
Housing
Adequate housing opportunities for the multiple RHNA cycles that this plan will
cover (i.e. 2 plus cycles) X
Lack of housing options - both small houses and lower cost opportunities X
Resources for homeless and at risk are needed X
Look to develop housing for moderate income and seniors, teachers etc. Not
market rate or above X
Senior move down housing need to encourage through planning process X
Affordable housing for young adults needs to encourage through planning process X
The state continues to be active with housing legislation. This GP is an
opportunity to activate in Los Gatos, to anticipate, but also allow Los Gatos to be
responsive and flexible to meet the needs of the community without
compromising for state leg.
X
Build apartments above retail downtown X
Economics
Greater economic diversity X
Downtown as a draw for people (millennials, younger) living outside Los Gatos -
downtown economic vitality for X
Lack of diversity income and social X
Create more opportunities X
Fed. Funding where possible and appropriate X
Economics, Entro Pengrial X
Promote local businesses X
Small business opportunities X
Support entrepreneurs (neighbors selling to community/ lemonade stands/small
business)
X
Town Operations
Sometimes police will not even direct traffic when needed X
Police need to be friendlier X
Town government transparency on financial matters X
Unrealistic expectation of what is within the power of Town to influence a change X
Community Development Department is excellent and well managed - give them
more power
X
Town clerk is good give her a raise X
Work with County Sheriff and CHP to better coordinate police coverage X
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Allow town volunteers more autonomy for decision making - use their expertise X
Volunteers - involve non-profits; make sure town volunteers are given jobs to do X
To increase transparency of Town government and processes X
While doing update- improve 1.) its organization 2.) clarity and meaning X
Retail/Businesses
Business rent control X
Should be more retail stores in Town - we miss Donus, Chrislows X
Need more family restaurants X
Economic Vitality, downtown focus X
Help downtown businesses improve parking, support events X
Clubs - not many X
Car dealerships that are closed be redeveloped X
Development/Design
Design Guidelines X
Historic Preservation X
Density Issues: housing, existing residential, commercial X
Height control on residences X
Objective standards for new development, not just "neighborhood compatibility" X
If possible - reduce density of housing which will reduce number of cars X
Mountain views avoid development that blocks views X
An update of building design and guidelines X
The Town's historical context X
The quaint feeling of Los Gatos should be preserved X
It's natural setting - restrict inappropriate applications for bldg. complexes X
Buildings that were empty car lots need to become new opportunities X
Building height limits X
Services and Programs
Provide more public opportunity for volleyball, basketball etc. in small courts- not
large soccer, baseball courts or fields X
Provide opportunities for community gardens year-round (not just high school
during summers) X
More visibility on resources - where to go online - where to go in person X
Promote Libraries X
Youth participation is palpable X
Sport teams X
Outdoor events like jazz in the plaza, farmer's market, music in the park - because
climate is so beneficial
X
Volunteers - involve non-profits; make sure town volunteers are given jobs to do X
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Expand market to Sat. and Sun. X
Schools increase communication between schools, home and school clubs etc. to
help mitigate problems
X
Add more arts and STEM opportunities by adding resources more than one
library/ community center
X
Allow the voice of students to be heard X
Library is well managed - increase their budget X
More downtown events to raise money X
Many town events X
Existing events: wine concerts, parades X
At LGS Recreation plethora of classes and opportunities for seniors: walks, dance,
games, food, computer help
X
Excellent school facilities X
Let our community know the Los Gatos library is more than books: lectures,
ebooks, audio, Hoopla (free movies etc. on phone)
X
Culture: concerts, 3x etc would like more plays @ LGHS and use of the theater X
Parks and Open Space
Provide more public opportunity for volleyball, basketball etc. in small courts- not
large soccer, baseball courts or fields X
Create more small gathering spaces rather than large parks, that encourage
socialization X
More lighting on the trails X
Off leash dog areas X
Embrace nature - exercise and community X
Community Gardens X
Parks for all ages, ie dogs, seniors (walkable) X
More open space X
Maintain /improve/do not change (i.e. develop) our beautiful open space X
Open space feeling is a big factor in Los Gatos -- limit high rise construction to
keep open space feeling
X
Preservation of natural settings X
Town Identity/Community
Hard to get engaged/ involved X
Bubble community X
Better local paper X
Public recognition that Los Gatos is part of a greater community with
responsibilities that go beyond protecting status quo X
Recognize that Los Gatos is not just downtown library (school and university) X
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Close to 280, 85 and 17 highways X
Quaint, historical downtown X
Small town feel X
Uniqueness diversity X
Environment
Fences and wildlife corridors can be built in without impacting homeowners only X
Fire protection in hills X
Other
Utilities: power-water X
In the final step of the exercise, participants were asked to mark locations on a map of the community
that had location-specific issues (red dots) or opportunities (green dots). The following are the maps
done by each of the three tables. The information in the bottom left corner is for the issues and
opportunities exercise.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Table 1
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Table 2
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Table 3
Issues and Opportunities Report
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General Plan Advisory Committee Meetings #1 and #2
October 30, 2018, and December 11, 2018
The GPAC convened on both October 20, 2018, and December 11, 2018, in the Town Council Chambers
to receive the feedback from Community Workshop #1 (October 17, 2018) and to confirm, comment,
and add key issues and opportunities the General Plan update should address. Based on this discussion,
the GPAC agreed with the overall community direction and identification of issues and opportunities in
Los Gatos. The GPAC also included some additional issues and opportunities consideration for the
General Plan which are noted below. These items are presented as written, without editing.
Participant Comments Issue Opportunity Retail/Businesses
No guidance on vision for what the Town is. X
Opportunities for clusters of businesses or neighborhood serving businesses.
More retail, coffee shops, etc.. Sprinkle these throughout the Town. X
Development/Design
Possibly look at design guidelines update to meet the new housing needs and
based on a possible revised Town vision
X
Services and Programs
Town Government transparency on financial matters, unfunded liabilities, make
these issues understandable, methodology of addressing those items
X
Focus on safety since it was high on the value list X
Parks and Open Space
Requiring developments to have a minimum of open space as an objective
standard
X
Park standards distance from neighborhoods X
Town Identity/Community
Los Gatos is a family town X
Good quality schools X
Make sure that the Town has policies that emphasize distinct different
neighborhoods
X
Environment
Sustainability X
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Spring into Green General Plan Pop-up Booth
April 14, 2019
At Spring into Green, held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, the Town hosted a booth on the General Plan
update to inform the community about the General Plan process and solicit input on the development
of the community’s vision for Los Gatos. The Spring into Green booth included both an interactive
visioning exercise as well as hardcopy surveys focused on refining the issues and opportunities feedback
from the community. The hardcopy survey provided to participants is a shortened version of the same
survey that was on EngagementHQ for the first three months of 2019. Below is a copy of the survey.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
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Spring into Green Survey Results
The Town collected six surveys from the Spring into Green event which included nine questions (seven
rating-scale questions and two short answer questions). Below are the results from the survey.
Please rate the following on a scale from 1-6, 1 Not Important and 6 being Very Important.
How important are multi-modal projects
(such as green bike lanes) to you?
How important is the issue of beach traffic?
Do the Town’s parks and open space meet
your needs?
Does the Town have sufficient quantities of
pathways and trails?
17%
0% 0%
17%
33% 33%
0%
16%
0%
17% 17%
50%
0% 0% 0%
50%
33%
17%
0% 0%
33%
11%
17%
50%
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Please rate the following on a scale from 1-6, 1 Not Important and 6 being Very Important.
How likely are you to use a free community
shuttle?
How important is it to attract small
businesses to the Downtown area?
How important is it to have a diverse housing
supply in Town (mix of apartments,
condominiums, townhomes, single-family
homes)?
17%
0% 0%
33%
17%
33%
60%
20%
0% 0% 0%
20%
0% 0%
17% 17%
33% 33%
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Additional Survey Questions
Other than retail and restaurants, are there commercial uses, such as office, industrial, or other uses
that you believe would strengthen the Town’s commercial districts?
1. Not really.
2. No more chain stores please!
3. Offices for start-ups.
4. Art
How do you think the Town should address housing needs in Town (i.e., affordability, availability,
allowable types of housing, development standards, etc.)?
1. It needs more spread out housing.
The items above are presented as written, without editing.
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Online Engagement Exercises on engage.losgatos2040.com
EngagementHQ has had three exercises gathering feedback on issues and opportunities in Los Gatos
since it was launched in October 2018. Two of the exercises were in the form of surveys.
Survey #1 (November 2018)
The first survey was an initial high-level gathering of what community members thought were the top
three issues and opportunities that the General Plan should address. Over 30 community members
participated in the first survey. Below are the results. These items are presented as written, without
editing.
Survey #1: Question #1
Please list the top three issues you believe the General Plan update should address.
1. Housing for older independent adults and young families
2. Density, housing, and Downtown
3. Solve parking issues, divert traffic during summer months
4. Safety, housing affordability, environmental impacts of people and traffic
5. Traffic, parking (downtown), lack of affordable housing
6. Traffic, affordable housing, preparedness
7. Traffic, road condition, become more local business friendly
8. Summer beach traffic, Summer Beach Traffic, Summer Beach Traffic
9. Unfunded pension & OPEB liability, Growing expense of our police force, School
transportation
10. Revenue. Staff and council adherence to goals from existing general plan. Keep L.G. a self-
sufficient place without increasing intensification
11. Affordable housing, Widen Route 17, Non-downtown areas
12. Traffic, downtown, north 40
13. Traffic into Town, including parking for downtown. Street maintenance to keep on-going
remediation of streets at lower cost, to Town and drivers (reducing car damage)
14. Sustainable transportation options, increase in housing quantity and type, maintain natural
beauty and trees
15. Homeless, traffic
16. The homeless, emergency preparation, intergenerational opportunities
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Survey #1: Question #1
Please list the top three issues you believe the General Plan update should address.
17. 360 walking path around Vasona Lake. (Requires pathway from rentals to Stephens creek
trail), More parks near Netflix, Making sure people maintain their front lawns and keep them
beautiful
18. Beach Traffic. Including widening HWY 17 lanes and bridges (work with Caltrains). No off-
leash dog park; example: Rip Van Winkle Open Space in Pacific Grove. No barrier-ed Bike
Lanes
19. Safe transportation for all modes of travel. Downtown vitality. Maintain/Enhance Parks and
Open Space.
20. Worcester Park
21. A playground for Worcester Park! More bike lanes!
22. Transportation, move away from our dependence on cars. Seriously address climate change;
ban all single use items, propane heaters, lawns. Resolve all the pension debt.
23. Parks, Parking, Housing
24. Over crowding bc of high density housing replacing existing useful stores: Ace across from the
post office and the post office itself, keep the existing useful community stores and make
housing on top.
25. There should be a recognition that there is a conflict in town with business and residential
needs. delineate policy in this area
26. Relationship with other south bay communities, balance between past and future, safety
27. Transportation (roads, congestion, parking, bike and pedestrian "lanes"), Housing (how we
will meet RHNA, etc.), Public Safety (FIre:Defensible Zones; Police / Emergency Preparedness)
28. High school parking, less chain stores, add a dog park
29. Traffic, preservation of open space, limiting growth
30. BEACH TRAFFIC, traffic on Los Gatos Blvd, crime
Survey #1: Question #2
Please list up to three opportunity areas you believe the General Plan update should address.
1. In-fill, recreation, not dominated by medical buildings
2. Upstown vs downtown (Multiuse), affordable housing, clean zoning that doesn't require a
public hearing
Issues and Opportunities Report
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Survey #1: Question #2
Please list up to three opportunity areas you believe the General Plan update should address.
3. Better connection of vasona entrance to little league fields area. Adding exterior bathrooms
for use of Town plaza, and city hall area.
4. Drugs in the schools (especially Middle and High School), housing affordability, safety
5. Walk-ability/bike-ability, community spaces for meetings and events (theater), ways to keep
brick and mortar businesses viable in the face of online shopping
6. Community Center, economic expansion
7. Invite local businesses and services to invite residents to shop and dine in town
8. Not sure at this time
9. Embrace ride sharing and self driving cars to alleviate traffic and parking problems.
10. Limit residential and professional use on the Blvd. Limit Santa Cruz ave from recreational use.
i.e. Restaurants,.
11. Focus on 20 year horizon. Non-retail businesses, denser housing, community events
12. continuing improvement for bicyclists and pedestrians; continued revitalization of downtown;
incorporating North 40 into town
13. Strategic plan to deal with "homeless" folks. Plan for traffic from all of North LG area,
including N 40, Netflix, Good Sam Hospital (in San Jose).
14. Encourage mixed-use and higher-density housing along LG Blvd, more dense housing
especially above retail and near the business core downtown, commit to complete streets
and encourage mode shift senior services, emergency prep, intergenerational programs and
opportunities
15. Human services revamp, improved senior services, integrated Age Friendly services
16. 360 walking paths around Vasona Lake. (Requires pathway from rentals to Stephens creek
trail), Add another park within walking distance to Netflix, Find a way to better curb appeal of
homes
17. Opportunity to resolve beach traffic. Opportunity to reduce use of cars in high congestion
areas/events such as school pickup/drop off and town events. North 40
planning/implementation.
18. Worcester Park
19. A playground for Worcester Park! More bike lanes!
20. Los Gatos Creek Trail. It should be made into a 24/7 lighted bicycle path. LG is small enough
that a lower speed limit throughout town works to keep things calm. Benefits ped and bike
safety directly
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June 2019
21
Survey #1: Question #2
Please list up to three opportunity areas you believe the General Plan update should address.
21. Small Business, Startups, New Parks
22. Recycle splash pads for kids, pedestrian overpassed or underpasses to link the two sides of
town across 17, allow residents to add dormers to extend living space while keeping the
quaint style homes
23. Requiring specific open spaces within future development projects that can be publicly
accessed
24. Relationship with south bay communities, move people out of cars, improved financial
management practices
25. Town beautification (we have tired facilities/public buildings, streets, sidewalks) ... we are not
investing in our infrastructure. Economic Vitality
26. Parking near high school- some streets have been made permitted and it has caused a lot of
congestion on adjacent streets that use to not have high school parking issues.
27. Preservation of trails and open space, enhancing downtown business, decreasing traffic
28. BEACH TRAFFIC, traffic on Los Gatos Blvd, crime
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
22
Survey #2 (February 2019-April 2019)
The second survey was an extension of Survey #1 and included a series of 12 questions that dug deeper
into specific issues and opportunities based on previous feedback. Questions were provided in two
formats; rating scale and short answer. Over 60 community members participated in Survey #2. Below
is a copy of the survey and the results. These items are presented as written, without editing.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
23
Please rate the following on a scale from 1-6, 1 Not Important and 6 being Very Important.
Please rate the following on a scale from 1-6, 1 Not Important and 6 being Very Important.
How important are multi-modal projects
(such as green bike lanes) to you?
How important is the issue of beach traffic?
Do the Town’s parks and open space meet
your needs?
Does the Town have sufficient quantities of
pathways and trails?
0%
6% 9%
21%
29%
35%
1% 5%
16%
24% 21%
33%
12%
8%
20% 20% 18%
22%
2% 3% 0%
6% 8%
81%
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
24
Please rate the following on a scale from 1-6, 1 Not Important and 6 being Very Important.
How likely are you to use a free community
shuttle?
How important is it to attract small
businesses to the Downtown area?
How important is it to have a diverse housing
supply in Town (mix of apartments,
condominiums, townhomes, single-family
homes)?
32%
9%
4%
17%
11%
27%
5% 3% 5%
11% 11%
65% 25%
17%
20% 18%
8%
12%
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
25
Survey #2: Question #8
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen Downtown Los Gatos?
1. A combination of popular restaurants such as True Foods or similar we drive out of town for.
More retail that is mainstream. Don't be afraid of chains, they're a known entity people
frequent.
2. Local seafood restaurant, household goods, coffee shop
3. Any retail, service, or industrial business that flourishes. Vacant properties undermine the
town's appeal.
4. More restaurants that are kid-friendly and with excellent food (Palo Alto could be a good
inspiration). For example, a pizzeria like Terun in Palo Alto, where the food is actually
delicious and you can take your kids.
5. Restaurants, bars, and any kind of place with activities
6. Family friendly restaurants, activities. High End Retailers similar to Santana Row (like Lulu
Lemon)
7. Restaurants, family friendly activities, Entertainment and attractions
8. Family oriented restaurants. Not over priced venues that we have due to high rents.
9. Restaurants with outdoor seating/rooftop bars. Need grab and go lunch places
10. Kids clothing, patio dining, and family friendly restaurants
11. Restaurants, retail
12. There needs to be a shift away from restrictions on “chain” stores. With Amazon around, the
mom and pop stores are having a very hard time surviving. It is better to have occupied store
fronts instead of empty ones.
13. Restaurants, retail, formula retail
14. We need more unique restaurants over the typical burger and pizza places to attract more
people from outside Los Gatos. More people are becoming plant based as there is more and
more awareness on how destructive animal agriculture is to our environment,
15. More healthy eating options that are kid friendly like Mendoceno Farms, Salad type places,
children’s clothing stores, bookstore!
16. More family friendly restaurants. Upscale chains. Places people actually want to eat
17. Restaurants- family friendly, burgers, steaks, pasta. Not crappy food like Double Ds.
18. Farm to table restaurant, outdoor eating, live music, an artisan dessert cafe
19. Bar/restaurant with viable outdoor seating, beer garden at Oak meadows, lounge
20. Family friendly restaurants, restaurants with outdoor seating
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
26
Survey #2: Question #8
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen Downtown Los Gatos?
21. Family Restaurants
22. Family/Group Activity Experiences - Escape Room, Neighborhood small pub/bar, Unique
Shopping and Restaurants
23. Live music venue.
24. Multiuse residential/commercial, Higher end clothing and merchandise, more affordable
cafes for lunch time, maybe a multiuser for area with common seating
25. Restaurants
26. Grocery store
27. Healthy restaurants, especially quick serve. Book store. Kids clothes (now that 2 are closing).
28. Restaurants
29. Please, we need a book store
30. Larger scale destination/luxury retail. I also think we need a more vibrant nightlife (bars) that
attract a younger crowd (who then shop and eat in town).
31. Mendocino Farms, True foods, unique businesses that drive traffic. Not big box stores... etc
32. Fun restaurants that are family friendly. WE want a thriving downtown like Campbell, Chico,
SLO and Huntington Beach. Breweries, close of the street once a week from 3-8 and have
booths. Better parking so people can eat and shop(3 hours is not enough
33. Non-chain stores, but they have to be able to make a living -- rents are too high
34. I family oriented restaurant that has reasonable prices to take your family too.
35. Restaurants with outdoor seating.
36. We need a great shoe store that is in the middle range of price. Designers such as rag and
bone, stuart weitzman, ect.. We need another high-end workout studio like barrys boot
camp.
37. Children's Party Venues, TJMAXX or Marshalls, restaurants that will be opened until 11:00 PM
or midnight to bring night life to the town (like Santana Row and Campbell)
38. Unique, local owned businesses that respect the history and character of our town.
39. More casual restaurants with outdoor seating
40. Small, locally owned stores
41. Please find a way to add a bookstore! I am not sure how to make it so smaller businesses can
thrive with the high rents, though.
42. More unique small businesses
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
27
Survey #2: Question #8
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen Downtown Los Gatos?
43. Affordable clothing shops for teenagers and for young children, as well as shoe stores other
than just sports shoe specific. A quality European-style bakery (Italian and/or German) A real
Jewish-style deli-restaurant like a Kornblatt's in NJ and Oregon.
44. Stores that have department type goods
45. Restaurants with outdoor seating. No more salons or chain stores
46. Gift and card shops like Fiori's used to be.
47. Clothing women, men and children/teens, outdoor dining, evening entertainment. Retail and
restaurants can collaborate together and create an environment where people want to come
and shop and dine. make It excite to come shop and dine in town.
48. Restaurants with outside seating. brand name retail
49. Non chain restaurants, some chain stores but mostly boutique clothing and specialty stores.
Like it is now!
50. Unique, independently owned
51. Outdoor seating restaurant. Local shops.
52. Small business, restaurants cheaper
53. Small independent shops, more diverse independent restaurants, more services, cafe, coffee,
bookstore
54. Restaurants, boutiques, on-trend stores not old stores that no one visits. ones that can
survive. I've given up going to Los Gatos because every time you go in the newly opened store
has closed. There are some great concepts that come in, but don't last
55. Civic auditorium for community theater and events, permanent farmer’s market open 7 days
a week,
56. We need more mainstream stores, national chains such as urban outfitters, free people and
the like. We also need casual dining that is family friendly and happy hour friendly. Outdoor
seating is a must. We don’t need boba tea and meditation stores. Junk
57. Affordable dining with outdoor seating
58. Mom and pop type stores. Not big chains easily found in a mall. Fewer beauty parlors and nail
salons.
59. Restaurants, bars and retail
60. Restaurants
61. More restaurants since so many have closed
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
28
Survey #2: Question #8
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen Downtown Los Gatos?
62. Really just giving new businesses the opportunity to thrive. With lack of patrons due to
impaired infrastructure & high leases makes it difficult to thrive.
Survey #2: Question #9
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen other shopping areas such
as Los Gatos Blvd. or shopping centers throughout the Town?
1. We need "quality" family restaurants in uptown. More large retail chains, electronics, etc.
We have great local wineries, wooing some of them to have a tasting room in town would
also help increase our chances of being a destination place.
2. Seafood restaurant
3. Any retail, service, or industrial business that flourishes. Vacant properties undermine the
town's appeal.
4. I love Kings Court, for example the toy store there, but it looks old. The curb appeal should be
much better, it could be remodel make it more appealing (think of the Stanford mall)
5. I'm not much of a shopper
6. Family Activities (trampoline / rope courses).
7. Urgent care, food stores, restaurants, retail stores
8. More quality restaurants in the non-downtown area
9. Kids clothing, patio dining, and family friendly restaurants
10. Medical, private school/tutoring programs, small engineering company's
11. Let Whole Foods enlarge to a regular size store. Upscale grocery store.
12. Medium size box stores such as target express, formula restaurants and retail
13. A plant-based grocery store - people there isn't one around here. Also, a place for kids to play
while their parents eat. Our boys were sad when Double Ds reopened, and they had taken
away the pool tables and games.
14. More kid friendly restaurants that are no burger or pizza restaurants. Support healthy eating!
15. Mendocino farms, true food kitchen, Los Altos grill, shake shack, restaurants bring people to
the town.
16. We need to remove the homeless, they have grown in numbers and that is what will hurt
businesses the most. Make it illegal to panhandle and illegal to be on public property
between 2am-5am.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
29
Survey #2: Question #9
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen other shopping areas such
as Los Gatos Blvd. or shopping centers throughout the Town?
17. Exercise studios, Outdoor seating restaurant, marketplace like ferry building in sf, a food hall
with multiple casual vendors, food truck gathering spot, outdoor gathering space
18. LG Blvd needs more restaurants
19. Boutique shopping
20. Family Restaurants
21. Chick-fil-A
22. A Best Buy or another electronic store.
23. Smaller specialized food areas, Multiuse residential
24. Create the Santa Row for Los Gatos
25. Family friendly restaurants. Craft/art supply store. Indoor kids play pace. Shared office
space/meeting rooms.
26. Restaurants
27. More family friendly dining, family friendly retail
28. Something with live entertainment on weekends.
29. On Los Gatos Blvd... maybe the bigger restaurants like true foods.
30. More places like Viva. Bring in places like Aqui, sports bars where families can go with games,
pool tables and a bar. Outdoor seating. Retail if possible.
31. Craft and gift stores
32. A clothing store for women that is fashionable and not crazy priced
33. North side of town (near Lark) could use a 7-11 type store or CVS
34. Fitness Studios, Restaurants with outdoor seating,
35. Restaurants, Children's Party Venues, TJMaxx, Marshall's (well-known stores that will bring
lots of costumers)
36. Small businesses. Non-chain businesses. Quality restaurant(s). A nice park.
37. More restaurants with outdoor seating, small boutique shops
38. A mix of mid-size stores and small, locally owned stores
39. Again, somewhere in town we need a bookstore. At least one. One for new and another for
used books would be good. Even a big box store like B&N, if it fits.
40. There is a good mix on LG Blvd now
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
30
Survey #2: Question #9
What types of businesses do you believe could complement or strengthen other shopping areas such
as Los Gatos Blvd. or shopping centers throughout the Town?
41. Maintain the existing auto supply stores, the tire/brake shops, and the auto garage service
centers. Maintain the existing Ace Hardware. It would be nice to have a Hallmark Card shop.
Good quality family style restaurants serving American cuisine.
42. Sporting goods and housewares
43. Boutique stores. Casual dining with outdoor seating
44. Same and nicer restaurants on LG Blvd
45. Give each section of the town ability to have retail and restaurants that support those areas.
Create an inviting feel that brings residences to various pets of town. Give them exciting
restaurants and entertainment.
46. Nicer restaurants but has to be redeveloped for that.
47. Cooperative businesses. Meaning multi owners in one space
48. Less pricey places
49. Bookstore, coffee, cafe, local independent restaurants, independent boutiques
50. I think you should look at Burlingame downtown for the answer here. What are they doing? A
great downtown. In the question at the end, yes its important to attract small businesses, but
if the rent is so high they can't survive,
51. Live music establishment,
52. Focus on downtown. That needs the revitalization.
53. Places of entertainment, pool hall, beer garden with games etc.
54. Same as above
55. Big chain retailers; office space
56. Restaurants, small businesses
57. Something like Fiore, a Hallmark store.
58. Office space, local vendors
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
31
Survey #2: Question #10
How do you think the Town should address housing needs in Town (i.e., affordability, availability,
allowable types of housing types, development standards, etc.)?
1. I think in town we have maxed out our space for housing. Traffic is a big concern and what's
left of our green hillsides adjoining our neighborhoods we wish to keep seeing. This is one
very special characteristic here in Los Gatos, lots of greenery.
2. New developments, regardless of size, should include mixed size and style of homes, not
cookie-cutter. Range could be bungalow, duplex, common courtyard for 3 single family units,
etc.
3. Buy into the CASA Compact.
4. I think housing is perfect in the sense that is family oriented, we love our neighborhood and
being surrounded of families with young kids like us.
5. Build more in the flatlands, but not up in the hills
6. I don't have a good answer for that. The green areas are so important to the character. It
would be interesting to explore housing subsidies or other solutions for educators & First
Responders
7. Affordable housing for teachers and service workers
8. Affordable apartments
9. Make the permitting process easier. Get out of the way. Allow multi story buildings. Let
markets solve our problems like the rest of the free world. Crazy how LG shoots itself in the
foot over and over and over on this issue.
10. There should be PCU's available for government workers with very strict rules about who
qualifies to live there. The PCU's should be granted to government workers such as teachers
and police and firefighters with active contracts with the town.
11. Yes, but to a point. The Town should be kept small to keep its charm.
12. Put housing on some of the closed car dealerships. They should be multi story and dense.
Make the developers pay for a new school or soccer fields.
13. Limit affordable high-density housing to the proximity of direct freeway/mass transit access
14. As much as I would like to keep the charm of downtown, I think some multi use
condo/apartment type housing over retail could revitalize downtown. More people could live
directly downtown and would use the local shops and restaurants
15. Upscale apartments over shopping
16. The town should create minimum lot sizes, the latest small developments are too tight and
will be hurt significantly when the housing market drops. Require builders to contribute a %
of development cost towards beautification of street, sidewalks.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
32
Survey #2: Question #10
How do you think the Town should address housing needs in Town (i.e., affordability, availability,
allowable types of housing types, development standards, etc.)?
17. I don’t know.
18. No more homes
19. Stop building so many houses so close to roads and so close together
20. Downtown retail rents are generally too high and make it difficult for small business,
especially when combined with beach traffic issues. Is it possible to utilize 2nd/3rd floor
spaces in downtown to offer housing that could then help lower retail rent?
21. High rise townhomes on LG Blvd.
22. Allow major streets to build up (not out) 3 stories really should be the way of the future in the
core areas
23. Revisit the development standards
24. More multi-family housing!!!! Let homeowners build out granny units and garages to add
housing units. Rent control.
25. Encourage expansion of downtown and LG Blvd areas with 2-3 story mixed use buildings with
housing above (and parking below grade). Make underground parking NOT count against FAR
ratios.
26. Build granny units!!!!! And take away the fees.
27. Difficult with NIMBY, but needed
28. No longer allow these complexes with a bunch of home crowded into one small area. It
causes a lot of traffic and overcrowding in our schools
29. Since we cannot expand roads, new housing should be kept to a minimum. LG Blvd and Lark
will be a disaster after N40 is built
30. We are limited because our schools especially the middle and High school are impacted.
31. Parking and traffic is a huge issue in this town. If more housing is created, the traffic will be
unbearable. It's very hard to drive on Lark and the Fisher traffic is awful. The traffic light on
Los Gatos BLVD is not set right from 8:15 to 8:40.
32. I don’t know- our traffic is so bad already that adding more homes will only increase it, but we
do need more housing.
33. There is so much snobbery against low-income housing. But to me, if you bring more housing,
you will bring more families because of our schools, so we would need to consider adding a
school??
34. More single family smaller/less expensive homes
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
33
Survey #2: Question #10
How do you think the Town should address housing needs in Town (i.e., affordability, availability,
allowable types of housing types, development standards, etc.)?
35. Encourage a housing moratorium until the horrific and dangerous traffic situation throughout
Los Gatos is solved, once and for all. The type of housing; single family style homes to limit
traffic congestion and overcrowding of the Los Gatos schools
36. Small two-bedroom one bath houses on the north 20
37. No more expensive housing increasing traffic and not affordability
38. I think at this point adding additional houses on existing land that is left is hurting the small
town feel of our community. The old Los Gatos feel is no longer due to packed housing
developments.
39. Consider mixed retail/housing above it.
40. Single family homes and apts.
41. High density housing, put in better transit, connect to light rail.
42. Stop building for now.
43. To retain the character of our neighborhoods we need to allow larger homes being converted
into multiple unit dwellings.
44. Housing is out of your hands. The market is the market. Rents could be controlled. We don’t
need any more housing.
45. No more housing within the down town area. its already to crowded.
46. Housing types that blend in with the architecture of the downtown buildings.
47. Los Gatos is small and charming. Not a place for huge development of housing
48. Permitting process is painful and nit picky. Los Gatos is gaining a reputation of being closed
for business. We need a thriving downtown community
49. No more dense housing like near Fisher school
50. I don’t understand how new housing is going up with lack of infrastructure. Many people i
talk to avoid LG on the weekends due to high traffic
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
34
Survey #2: Question #11
Other than retail and restaurants, are there commercial uses, such as office, industrial, or other uses
that you believe would strengthen the Town’s commercial districts?
1. If big business is willing to invest to build or build out existing structures here I view that as a
gain for us. Making it difficult to do business here just creates more empty space and a dying
town.
2. Diversify. Benchmark cities such as Menlo Park and Walnut Creek.
3. Not sure. I like the fact that Netflix is in town but very close to the highway and far away from
downtown. I feel that it's the way it should be done.
4. None I can think of
5. No. We have tons of little offices.
6. Community centers, parks, youth activities
7. Not that I am aware of. Los Gatos needs to be a destination.
8. LG should allow existing commercial zoned land stay commercial. But I don’t believe LG needs
to create newly zoned commercial land.
9. Office space
10. Bring in small engineering and medical firms.
11. None
12. More office space would be great, but not allowed on the ground floor displacing prime
retail/restaurant space
13. Someplace for kids - skate park, pump track (dirt biking area with course) open air brewery
with games like corn hole, darts, croquet, putting green, batting cage etc.
14. Parking is the issue mostly. More office spaces are vacant because there is such little parking.
We should invest in some type of parking alternative or underground garage. Or creating a
parking garage with multiple levels by the post office, etc.
15. Better roads and parking. We can't have more people, more stores, more stuff without the
infrastructure. I rarely go to town in the summer or during rush hour unless I have to. I'm
considering selling and moving due to this inability to leave my home
16. Offices with curb appeal. Medical buildings that are attractive.
17. Sports complex, office space,
18. N/A
19. Start up and incubator spaces
20. A larger DMV with more parking.
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
35
Survey #2: Question #11
Other than retail and restaurants, are there commercial uses, such as office, industrial, or other uses
that you believe would strengthen the Town’s commercial districts?
21. We are really short on office area and support for those uses
22. I would avoid office and commercial. We need services businesses.
23. Affordable fitness and wellness centers for families and individuals.
24. Yes, but you have to permit a level of density and mass transit that people have ignorantly
refused in the past.
25. No ideas
26. Multi-use businesses. The town needs to be recruiting businesses and looking at other small
towns, like mentioned above for ideas.
27. Art centers
28. No
29. No, rent would be too high so commercial businesses would seek areas outside the city
30. No leave the small-town feel
31. Offices, medical, high tech
32. A transportation hub
33. Office and industrial serve a limited clientele but add to the traffic problems already exiting in
Los Gatos. Some of the existing Blvd. retail spaces could use an architectural face-life and a
coat of paint to encourage new shoppers to the to the Blvd.
34. No
35. No. There is too much traffic already
36. No
37. No
38. Unsure. Perhaps some medical bldgs.
39. Nope
40. We have no nice-looking office buildings; everything is over-priced and super outdated -
especially for the money being asked. The cost of Los Gatos living is too high for the town we
are getting for our money. The roads are awful, garbage on the streets
41. I would love to see a WeWork style building in Los Gatos
42. No. We need retail and restaurants that are attractive the community. And we don’t need any
more hair or nail salons.
43. No more medical centers. Mom & Pop shops with character are best
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
36
Survey #2: Question #11
Other than retail and restaurants, are there commercial uses, such as office, industrial, or other uses
that you believe would strengthen the Town’s commercial districts?
44. No
45. More park space and development of some fun space for kids, like a skate park
46. No
47. Too many medical buildings, dialysis, acute care, etc.
48. Yes, having office space would benefit. Employees supporting local businesses.
Survey #2: Question #12
How do you think the Town and General Plan should address disaster preparedness and overall
community safety concerns moving forward?
1. More local training and neighborhood team building
2. Embrace best practices. Community safety concerns are highly exaggerated. Neighborhood
Watch programs have been effective and are highly ubiquitous.
3. I loved than when we moved in to our new home, a person from Los Gatos Police came to see
us to give us all kind of information. Maybe you could do a test for the town to make sure
that in case of an actual emergency everybody receives the alerts?
4. I am more concerned about theft, homelessness, and driving in fractions than disaster
preparedness.
5. I don't know. I worry more about burglaries, homeless population in need to psychological
help (drunk, cursing, etc)
6. Create more training and location opportunities for CERT
7. Priority number 1. With all the recent fires, we need to plan for evacuations.
8. Between fire, floods and earthquakes, this is a serious topic and LG should make sure the
local government is ready for such an event: outreach to ensure the local citizens are
prepared is also essential
9. Having a more visible plan. I have lived here on and off for 20 years and have never seen one.
10. Marked escape routes, backup power for hospitals and critical services.
11. Education. But please deal with beach traffic in a major way. The Wood Rd closure has so far
been by far the best solution. Traffic has been awful with any other solution so far.
12. Increase the budget and strengthen our LGMSPD and add more patrol 24/7 to try and stop
the home and auto break-ins
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
37
Survey #2: Question #12
How do you think the Town and General Plan should address disaster preparedness and overall
community safety concerns moving forward?
13. Advertise at schools and churches for awareness meetings. Have more "meet your fire
department and police " events
14. Require infrastructure improvement costs to any development greater than 2 homes. If a
disaster struck our area, there are not enough exit points and we may suffer like Paradise
with an inability to navigate out of town.
15. Fire escape route.
16. Again, limit population. Stop allowing developers to increase population and traffic
17. Fire safety in the hillsides. Online information along with a yearly community meeting
regarding weed abatement.
18. Verify building in locations to provide to access points out
19. Update the weed ordinance and enforce it for all lots - improved and unimproved - defensible
perimeter
20. Be more aware of how traffic could affect emergency services. Ie. summer beach traffic
creates such gridlock that any large-scale emergency (fire, earthquake, etc) would be
dangerous.
21. Ban overnight truck parking on streets, and narrow lanes, with bike lanes. There should be
sidewalks in all neighborhoods: charge a low fee for participation, or mandate the
homeowner pay the full cost if they defer until sale (with an easement on trans)
22. Not my specialty.
23. Make North Santa Cruz one way going north so if there is a fire in the mtns(Paradise
Campfire) people will all be heading out. Also, it will deter traffic. One-way South is a recipe
for disaster.
24. Not Sure
25. Provide more education to Families, parents and kids in the schools
26. Hold community classes on how to prepare for fires, earthquakes etc.
27. Provide evacuation plans and centers as schools
28. I don't feel qualified to address the question.
29. Train community members to assist when disaster strikes
30. Use social media platforms -next door, Facebook to communicate
31. No focus on reviving our dying town
32. Doing it! Love the chamber office space. More meetings there
Issues and Opportunities Report
June 2019
38
Survey #2: Question #12
How do you think the Town and General Plan should address disaster preparedness and overall
community safety concerns moving forward?
33. Disaster plan that everyone knows.
34. Find a community platform such as Nextdoor or Facebook to post weekly and keep people in
the know. Also hold information events - maybe at the Farmer's Market
35. I think a professional video needs to be made and shared with all residents. I also believe the
town should partner with Nextdoor and the 33 established Los Gatos groups to ensure
neighbors can protect other neighbors and keep town leaders informed.
36. Not important. We are safe. Make it a community-based town and we will take care of each
other.
37. Not sure
38. I’m not sure
39. Address summer traffic with more local traffic only restrictions and active policing
40. Do we have enough first responders?
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 1 of 11
POTENTIAL GENERAL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
1
2
3 4
5
Hillside
Downtown
University Avenue
Los Gatos Boulevard
Vasona Light Rail/Oka Road
1
2
3
4
5
ATTACHMENT 2
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 2 of 11
FOCUS AREA #1: HILLSIDE
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 3 of 11
FOCUS AREA #1: HILLSIDE
55%
36%
4%
2%
0%
3%Hillside Residential
Open Space
Agriculture
Low Density
Residential
Medium Density
Residential
Other
Hillside Residential
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
Open Space
Agriculture
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 4 of 11
FOCUS AREA #2: DOWNTOWN
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 5 of 11
FOCUS AREA #2: DOWNTOWN
38%
8%
8%
6%
6%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%25%
Medium Density
Residential
Public
Central Business
District
High Density
Residential
Neighborhood
Commercial
Low Density
Residential
Mixed Use
Commercial
Office Professional
Open Space
Service Commercial
Hillside Residential
Other
Central Business District
Service Commercial
Neighborhood Commercial
Mixed-Use Commercial
Office Professional
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Open Space
Public
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 6 of 11
FOCUS AREA #3: UNIVERSITY AVENUE
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 7 of 11
FOCUS AREA #3: UNIVERSITY AVENUE
30%
29%
13%
9%
3%
1%
15%
Open Space
Light Industrial
Low Density
Residential
Service
Commercial
Medium
Density
Residential
Public
Service Commercial
Light Industrial
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
Open Space
Public
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 8 of 11
FOCUS AREA #4: LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 9 of 11
FOCUS AREA #4: LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
42%
21%
10%
4%
4%
2%
1%
16%
Mixed Use
Commercial
North Forty Spec
Plan
Low Density
Residential
High Density
Residential
Public
Office Professional
Medium Density
Residential
Other
Mixed-Use Commercial
Office Professional
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Public
North 40
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 10 of 11
FOCUS AREA #5: VASONA LIGHT RAIL/OKA ROAD
General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting #6
Attachment #2 | June 20, 2019
Page 11 of 11
FOCUS AREA #5: VASONA LIGHT RAIL/OKA ROAD
19%
15%
13%10%
9%
5%
5%
0%
24%
Medium Density
Residential
Light Industrial
High Density
Residential
Low Density
Residential
Open Space
Neighborhood
Commercial
Public
Office Professional
Other
Neighborhood Commercial
Light Industrial
Office Professional
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Open Space
Public
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