Item 2 - 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: 03/18/2021
ITEM: 2
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REPORT
REPORT
DATE: March 12, 2021
TO: General Plan Update Advisory Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Review and Discussion of the Revised Initial Draft of the Community Design
Element.
REMARKS:
The General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) review of the initial drafts of the Land
Use and Community Design Elements has included the following meetings:
• GPAC meeting on November 5, 2020;
• Town Council meeting on November 17, 2020;
• GPAC meeting on November 19, 2020;
• GPAC meeting on January 7, 2021;
• GPAC meeting on January 21, 2021;
• GPAC meeting on February 4, 2021; and
• GPAC meeting on February 18, 2021.
The detailed review of the Community Design Element began on February 18, 2021, and was
continued on March 4, 2021. Because the meeting ran long, the matter was continued to
March 18, 2021.
In response to the discussion on March 4, 2021, the consultant has prepared some additional
language that could be added to the introduction for Section 4.5, Community Place Districts
(Attachment 30), to clarify the purpose of these Districts.
Attachment 31 contains comments from Committee Members. Additional comments, whether
from Committee Members or the public, that are received by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March
17, 2021, will be provided to the GPAC in an Addendum Report that afternoon so that text
changes can be considered by all Committee Members prior to the meeting. Any comments
received after that time, but before 11:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting will be provid ed in a
Desk Item.
PAGE 2 OF 3
SUBJECT: Revised Initial Draft of the Community Design Element
March 12, 2021
N:\DEV\GPAC\GPAC Staff Reports\2021\03-18-21\Item 2 - Staff Report.docxN:\DEV\GPAC\GPAC Staff Reports\2021\03-04-21\Item 2 - Staff
Report.docx
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments previously received with the November 5, 2020 Staff Report:
1. June 11, 2020 Community Workshop and Online Survey Summary
2. Initial Draft of Land Use Element
3. Initial Draft of Community Design Element
4. Public Comment received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2020
Attachments previously received with November 5, 2020 Addendum:
5. Committee Member Comments
6. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2020 and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Attachment previously received with the November 5, 2020 Desk Item:
7. Committee Member Comments
Attachments previously received with the November 19, 2020 Staff Report:
8. November 17, 2020 Town Council Staff Report with Attachments 1-7
9. Committee Member Comments
Attachments previously received with the November 19, 2020 Desk Item Report:
10. Committee Member Comments
11. Public Comment
Attachments previously received with the January 7, 2021 Staff Report:
12. Revised Initial Draft of Land Use Element
13. Comment Response Summary Table – Land Use
14. Revised Initial Draft of Community Design Element
15. Comment Response Summary Table – Community Design
16. Updated Potential Housing Production Table
Attachments previously received with the January 7, 2021 Addendum Report:
17. Committee Member Comments
18. Public Comment
Attachments previously received with the January 21, 2021 Staff Report:
19. Maps of the Area Described in a Public Comment
20. Committee Member Comments
Attachment previously received with the January 21, 2021 Addendum Report:
21. Historic Preservation Committee Comments
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: Revised Initial Drafts of the Land Use and Community Design Elements
March 12, 2021
N:\DEV\GPAC\GPAC Staff Reports\2021\03-18-21\Item 2 - Staff Report.docx
ATTACHMENTS (continued):
Attachment previously received with the January 21, 2021 Desk Item Report:
22. Committee Member Comments
Attachments previously received with the February 4, 2021 Staff Report:
23. Updated Comment Response Summary Table – Community Design Element
24. Committee Member Comments
Attachment previously received with the February 4, 2021 Addendum Report:
25. Committee Member Comments
Attachments previously received with the February 18, 2021 Addendum Report:
26. Committee Member Comments
27. Public Comment
Attachment previously received with the March 4, 2021 Addendum Report :
28. Committee Member Comments
Attachment previously received with the March 4, 2021 Desk Item:
29. Public Comment
Attachment received with this Staff Report:
30. Community Place Districts Introduction
31. Committee Member Comments
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Existing Community Places Introduction
Within the Town, eight Community Place Districts were identified as areas that have unique
characteristics that warrant specific community design policies specific to the area because of the
potential for change (Figure 4-2). These Community Place Districts are focused on major corridors in Los
Gatos that anticipate the most change as a result of the 2040 General Plan. Each Community Place
District includes an overview of existing uses on the ground today (2020) and well as an aspirational 2040
Vision for what the Community Place is intended to become over the next 20 years. [Source: New Text]
Revised Community Places Introduction
Within the Town, eight Community Place Districts (Figure 4-2) were identified for having the most
potential for future multi-family and/or mixed-use development, because of the residential densities
specified in the Land Use Element. These Districts align with the overall General Plan effort to provide
opportunities for a more diverse range of housing types meant to fulfill the State’s Regional Housing
Needs Allocation in the future update of the Town’s Housing Element. The boundaries of the Districts are
primarily focused on areas that have commercial and mixed-use land use designations where there is an
increase in the maximum allowed residential densit ies and the potential to support higher intensity uses,
but they also include adjacent medium and low density residential areas that should be considered in the
design of any future redevelopment. The boundaries of these Districts were placed to capture retail
nodes as well as surrounding residential areas to create more walkable, integrated neighborhoods; thus
creating a more sustainable urban fabric that focuses on alternative modes of travel to access amenities
rather than the sole use of vehicles.
The intent of the Community Place Districts within the Community Design Element is to continue the
tradition in Los Gatos of creating unique and identifiable areas of Town that provide diversity in both
development and community gathering spaces. Rather than focusing on specific uses or densities in
these areas, which are addressed in the Land Use Element, the Community Design Element focuses on
the integration of design, overall urban form, design driven connectivity, and compatibility between
varying development types.
Each Community Place District includes an overview of existing uses on the ground today (2021) and an
aspirational 2040 Vision for what the Community Place is intended to become over the next 20 years.
ATTACHMENT 30
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
ATTACHMENT 31
From: Maria Ristow
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2021 3:41 PM
To: Alexa Nolder
Subject: historic preservation and sustainability
Good afternoon Alexa,
Would you please share this email with the GPAC members?
Thank you,
Maria
As we discuss sustainability in the 2040 General Plan, please glance at these articles that point out the
environmental benefits of preserving existing buildings over tearing down and replacing with new
“green” structures. Preserving out past can be beneficial to our future in many ways.
https://www.wbdg.org/design-objectives/historic-preservation/sustainable-historic-preservation
https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/reconciling-preservation-and-sustainability_o
https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/smart-growth-and-preservation-existing-and-historic-buildings
4. Community Design Element
Chair and Vice Chair Edits for:
4.4 Hillside Development
As stated in the March 4 meeting, some edits are needed in this section, particularly with CD-6
as the policies mirror directly some of the content in the Hillside Development Standards and
Guidelines. A compromise solution is to keep the main topics but make them more general.
Goal or Policy
Number
Suggested Direction Explanation
Introduction Remove Hillside Specific
Plan from last sentence.
Hillside Specific Plan is very outdated and
will not likely be updated as we have the
HDSG.
CD-5 Edit goal to remove the
phrase “by regulating new
homes”
Agreed upon by GPAC
CD-5.2 Edit policy to explain
why—fire safety
Agreed upon by GPAC
CD-6 Edit goal to add “site
placement” and “fencing”
to the list of items
regulated.
GPAC gave direction to reduce the detail in
the policies under CD-6. See below.
New CD- 6.1
LRDA (spell out)
Add policy stating that
building to the Least
Restrictive Development
Area (LRDA) is required to
ensure that there is the
least disturbance of the
natural environment and
so that hazards are
avoided.
New CD-6.3
Natural Ridge Line
Protection
Please combine the
current CD-6.1 Natural
Ridge Line Protection with
Too much overlap—these are best
combined.
CD-6.2 Ridge Line Grading
Prohibition
New CD-6.2
Natural Land
Contours
Move current CD-6.3
Natural Land Contours to
become CD-6.2
Place this before the ridge line protection
policy as it is more comprehensive.
CD-6.4
Landscaping Design
Hillside Landscaping
Design should be
modified to remove
bullets and keep only the
content from current (a)
and (d)
More detail is in the HDSG. So item b is too
prescriptive in the GP and item c is
covered in the new CD-6.2. For example,
“Hillside landscaping shall be designed to
minimize formal landscaping and
hardscape and to preserve native trees,
native plant and wildlife habitats including
migration corridors.”
CD-6.5
Fence Design
Modify policy to say
“Fences should be of
open design to allow
passage of native
wildlife”.
This “passage of native wildlife” is more of
the intent. The details are in the Fence
Ordinance and need not be spelled out
here.
CD-6.6
Lighting Design
Remove first sentence
and item d) and the last
sentence on indoor
lighting. Also change from
bullet format to text.
For example, “Outdoor lighting shall be
limited, shall be shielded so as not to be
viewable from non-hillside areas and any
permitted lighting shall be of low
intensity.”
4. Community Design Element
Chair and Vice Chair Edits for:
4.5 Community Place Districts pages 4-27 through 4-29
As stated in the March 4 meeting, this is an important section as it is a big part of what we are
planning for in the next 20 years. Here are some specific suggestions for changes to facilitate
the next meeting discussion.
Goal or Policy
Number
Suggested Direction Explanation
Introduction Need to rewrite the
introduction to reflect what
we are hoping to accomplish
by creating these districts. It
is fine to include the
description of what is in the
section but start out with
the why.
Some committee members suggested
on March 4 that we are trying to create
“destinations” or “desirable places to
live”.
CD-7 As suggested by Committee
Member Rosenberg—add
the why to the goal.
“Enhance specific districts and areas to
guide redevelopment of unique places
that ….why added here per Mr.
Rosenberg’s comments.
CD-7.1
Signage
Delete this policy Agreed upon by GPAC
New CD-7.1
Neighborhood-
Friendly Design
Add “especially including
shopping centers”.
Also, should add the phrase
“undergo redevelopment”
before “to integrate design
features”.
Most important concept should be first
policy. By emphasizing this along with
our desire for redevelopment, we can
also eliminate the current CD-7.5.
New CD-7.2 is
additional policy
Encourage mixed use
Encourage redevelopment of
commercial properties to
incorporate mixed use to
provide additional housing in
close proximity to
Discussed at March 4 meeting
neighborhood serving
commercial.
New CD-7.3 is
additional policy
Transition in scale
and connectivity
Ensure that redeveloped
commercial and mixed-use
properties provide transition
in scale and pedestrian
connectivity to existing
residential neighborhoods.
CD-7.4
Outdoor
Seating/Parklets
Move existing CD 7.3 to 7.4
and modify. “Encourage
parklets and outdoor seating
in commercial and mixed-
use areas to provide street
activation for these
districts.”
Current CD-7.4
Wider Sidewalks
Keep and move to 7.5
Current CD-7.5
Encourage Aesthetic
Improvements to
shopping centers
Delete this. By adding
“shopping centers” to new
CD-7.1 Neighborhood-
Friendly Design along with
the encouragement to
“undergo redevelopment”,
this is covered.
Current CD-7.6
Encourage active
residential fronts
This can be likely deleted as
we are trying to evolve the
commercial areas in all of
these districts. Also, this may
be in conflict with mixed use
which will be on upper
floors.
Current CD-7.7
Enhanced
landscaping
This will be new CD-7.6.
Not sure this is needed in
the form it is in as it is
covered elsewhere. Suggest
changing this to “Open
Space” and changing policy
to something like, “Require
open space including green
open space such as planters
and park strips in all
commercial and mixed-use
areas to enhance livability as
well as the pedestrian
experience”
GPAC CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR EDITS TO COMMUNITY PLACE DISTRICTS 4.5
In an attempt to expedite discussion, we have incorporated committee members comments
and made edits to the existing conditions and the Vision 2040 for each of the eight districts and
have re-rewritten the intro. We suggest using this as basis for discussion as the previo us version
has not been edited for GPAC comments. Only the goals and policies for the Downtown District
have been revised here (thank you to Committee member Quintana)
4.5 Community Place Districts
NOTE FROM THE CHAIRS—suggest reordering the districts by expected growth but start with
Downtown. For example,
1-Downtown
2-Los Gatos Boulevard
3-Winchester
4-Lark
5-North Santa Cruz
6-Union
7-Harwood
8-Pollard
Eight areas within the Town are anticipated to experience the most change during the period of
this 2040 General Plan. Designated as Community Place Districts, these areas are designated to
become unique, attractive, destination neighborhoods. All are located along major
transportation corridors and/or contain significant neighborhood shopping centers. Because of
this, each District has the ability to accommodate additional growth. In most cases, mixed use
housing types will be introduced in shopping or office areas to provide new smaller unit and
higher density housing supported by neighborhood-serving businesses. The Community Place
Districts will transition seamlessly with existing neighborhoods, using missing middle or other
appropriate building forms to visually strengthen neighborhoods. Given that each of these
areas are anticipated to experience the most growth and change during the timeframe of this
General Plan 2040, they warrant specific community design goals and policies to ensure that
each has a unique character and individual sense of place. The following sections include an
overview of each Community Place District and a vision for its future.
Same question: Central Business District or Downtown Business District? Can we simplify this
to one “term” used in zoning and discussion? GPAC Chair and Vice Chair recommend changing
the zoning and General Plan designation of Central Business District to Downtown Business
District.
Downtown District existing:
NOTE: mostly includes the content of the original draft. Eliminated detailed discussion of
boundaries, as it is shown on the map. Shortened the second paragraph—too detailed.
The Downtown Business District is the historic heart of Los Gatos. It encompasses much of the
southwest section of Town. To many, the Downtown in generalities is larger, but for the
purposes of the General Plan, this area has been provided with specific boundaries as seen in
Figure xxx. This area includes what is designated currently as the Central Business District as
shown on the General Plan Land Use Map.
The Downtown Business District is composed of many retail shops, boutiques, coffee shops,
restaurants, and other hospitality-oriented uses including several hotels. Being that the
Downton is the original historic center of the Town, it is naturally home to some of the iconic
architectural styles that make Los Gatos unique and has a rich history of architectural
excellence. Located within and adjacent to this District, are the Town’s Historic Districts which
are meant to honor and preserve Los Gatos’s roots as a rural foothill community built along a
rail line. This District is home to many outdoor public spaces including the Town Plaza Park, Los
Gatos’s civic space, which hosts several popular community events that draw visitors regionally.
NOTE: no edits but maybe put the last two sentences in a NOTE or highlight box vs. part of the
existing conditions discussion.
For a discussion on the Historic Districts as it relates to land use, see Goal LU -14 in the Land Use
Element. For goals and policies relating to Historic Preservation as it relates to Design, reference
Section 4.3 of this Element.
Vision 2040: Downtown District
This section has been re-written by the Chairs as a suggestion, using comments from GPAC
members.
The Downtown District treasures its unique architectural character and continues as the social
and historic core of Los Gatos. After more than a century of successful planning and design, the
District values its unique architectural character and discourages conflicting styles from erasing
what is quintessentially Downtown. New structures are constructed at a human -scale to
maintain the continuity of the historic development pattern.
The Downtown District emphasizes first floor retail and restaurant uses and encourages office
and residential units above the first floor. It is through mixed use development above first floor
retail/restaurants that residential growth is accommodated. Multi -story mixed use transitions
in scale seamlessly with nearby residential which includes growth through missing middle
housing while maintaining the charm and character of these neighborhoods. The DTD provides
a truly walkable environment, where sidewalks are wide and pedestrian-friendly. The expanded
sidewalks accommodate additional space for outdoor dinin g, public art and street
furniture. Enhancing the visitor experience in the DTD, digital display informational kiosks with
establishment directories provide a 21stt century amenity. Updated building signage, a
Downtown wayfinding system, and gateway entrance signs mark the Downtown as the core of
the community. The DTD thrives as one of the most beloved areas of the Town, one that has
stood the test of time and continues to do so.
NOTE on Goals and Policies:
Too much design detail here. Suggest incorporating Committee member Quintana’s suggestions
for the goals and policies:
CD-8 Goal
Incorporate new development and growth while maintaining a unique sense of place of the
Downtown District.
CD-8.1 Downtown District Identity (combines CD 8.1 and CD 8.6 from original draft)
Maintain the Downtown District as the cultural, social and historic core of Los Gatos.
CD-8.2 Preservation (Previous CD-8.7 modified)
Preserve, restore, rehabilitate and reuse existing historic buildings whenever possible (deleted
pre-1941 suggest leaving to other documents to define what is historic).
CD-8.3 Mass and Scale (Previous 8.3 modified)
Ensure there are no abrupt changes of scale and mass between new development and historic
structures in the Downtown District
CD-8.4 Street Environment (combine previous CD-8.8, 8.9 and 8.10)
Elements of the street environment such as parklets and street furniture and equipment
(including but not limited to lights, street, bus shelters, refuse receptacles, planters, signs both
public and private) shall be designed to be cohesive, human scale, pedestrian friendly and to
reinforce the architectural history of the Downtown District.
Harwood Road District
The Harwood Road District is focused at the intersection of Harwood Road a nd Blossom Hill
Road, bordering the City of San Jose and anchored by the Blossom Hill Square Shopping Center.
This commercial center is home to national chains, including Walgreens, Starbucks and Subway.
The layout of the center, like most in Los Gatos, is auto-oriented with a street fronting parking
lot with access points on both side of the intersection. This commercial center serves residents
of Los Gatos and San Jose. The district is surrounded by low-density residential, with a few
medium density residential designated parcels intermixed that use the center for primary daily
needs. Nearby Noddin Elementary School in San Jose educates the neighborhood youth of both
Los Gatos and San Jose and adds to the sense of community.
Vision 2040: Harwood Road District
The Harwood Road District is a primary commercial hub for the east end of Los Gatos and
serves as a vibrant gathering place for community members to mingle and enjoy local
amenities. Successful street activation of the shopping center area i s evident with parking
relocated to the rear of property, shielded from the public view. Residential growth is
accommodated by the addition of mixed- use design incorporating neighborhood commercial
on the first floor and smaller residential units above. Contemporary design and dense
landscaping buffers revitalize and compliments surrounding neighborhoods, creating a
welcoming and inclusive destination.
NOTE: do we need to add something about adding sidewalks to connect to nearby residential
south of Blossom Hill? Definitely need to consider more robust crosswalks across Blossom Hill
Road.
NOTE: Need to add Goal and policies specific to this District
Policies suggested:
Update the commercial center as a mixed zone designation, reflecting contemporary design
through changes in paint, materials and structure placement
Enhance transition to neighboring low and medium density neighborhoods through missing
middle development and welcoming landscape buffers
Ensure commercial structure lighting is shielded to prevent light pollution and glare in
neighboring residential areas
Create a walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment by siting structures and future retail pads
to abut the sidewalks
Shift parking inward with development wrapping around it, shieldin g parking from public view.
Lark Avenue District
The Lark District includes a portion of Winchester Boulevard, Lark Avenue from Winchester Blvd
to University Avenue, and a segment of University Avenue including a portion of the Los Gatos
Creek Trail. The area includes most of the Town’s industrial uses and office complexes, as well
as primary frontage to the enormously popular Los Gatos Creek Trail. Office parks in this area
are reminiscent of the technology boom in the early 1980s, which included the development of
vast single-story office parks and campuses, with an abundance of parking. The district is
currently surrounded by a mix of low and medium density residential.
Vision 2040: Lark Avenue District
The Lark Avenue District encapsulates modern office park planning and development that
integrates the District’s natural features and recreation opportunities. This District includes
integrated office styles that support multi-story development and subterranean parking.
Growth and sustainability are accomplished by adding residential growth in the form of mixed
use live/work environments including some new neighborhood-serving commercial. Removing
surface lots increases space for private open space areas for residents and employees to
recreate. Developments include entrances along University Avenue and along the Los Gatos
Creek Trail, allowing cyclist commuters to get to work without relying on heavily-used streets
and corridors. Development is open to the natural terrain of Los Gatos Creek and the trail and
allows a seamless transition between the natural and built environments.
Note: Above includes Mixed use, speaks to transitions. Do we need Missing Middle?
Goal CD-9 and policies to be discussed at meeting.
Los Gatos Boulevard District
The Los Gatos Boulevard District extends along Los Gatos Boulevard from Louise Van Meter
Elementary School north to the Town boundary with San Jose (Campbell?). This area was
developed (under a now decades-old Specific Plan) as an auto-oriented corridor with a mix of
stand-alone retail and office, car dealerships and several neighborhood-serving shopping
centers, such as Blossom Hill Pavilion, Kings Court, Cornerstone, El Gato Village and Los Gatos
Village Square. These centers are set back far from the street with expansive surface parking
lots fronting the Boulevard. This type of development largely focused on retail centers with
limited ability to incorporate other uses, such as office and residential. Residential
neighborhoods backing the commercial corridor are primarily low-density residential, with
some medium- and high-density parcels. Transition in scale as part of the original plan includes
stepping down height and intensity moving south of Blossom Hill and especially south of
Shannon Road.
Vision 2040: Los Gatos Boulevard District
The Los Gatos Boulevard District reflects a comprehensive transformation from a 1950s auto-
oriented corridor to a multi-modal District with 21st century amenities. The LGBD reflects high-
density residential living over retail and commercial offices. It is a pedestrian-oriented district
with clearly defined bike lanes and wider sidewalks and mid-block pedestrian crossings.
Increased landscaping provides visual consistency between the Boulevard and the scenic
backdrop of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The numerous shopping centers are now abutting the street with human -scale enhancements
and parking relocated to the rear. Housing in the form of lofts, live/work units, apartments,
condominiums and townhomes are above and adjacent to commercial development in a
mixed-use design, allowing residents to easily walk from home to shopping and services. Street
activation is accomplished by moving parking to the rear, which has enabled valuable land to be
repurposed for increased outdoor amenities in the form of parks, plazas and other common
open space areas. The revitalized mixed-use buildings transition seamlessly to nearby
residential neighborhoods which in turn are revitalized and grow through the addition of
missing middle housing. Going from north to south, the time-honored practice of stepping
down development height and intensity continues towards the southern end of the district
where three public schools are located. The integration of office space and hospitality uses
including restaurants and hotels adds to a vibrant district, a place that residents desire to live,
work and play. Not only a destination to congregate, the Los Gatos Boulevard District attracts
visitors from across the Bay Area to experience the uniqueness of the community.
Goal: Street activation? Vibrant destination attracts residents and visitors from across the Bay
Area (Madison Avenue?)
NOTE: Plan to discuss goals and policies at the meeting.
Policies (pulled from the old vision):
Pedestrian emphasis rather than auto
Parking placed at rear of developments or in structures or underground
Parks, plazas and other common open space areas will be provided
Provide an increased amount of mid-block pedestrian crossings and bollards
Increase median plantings, drought tolerant plants, reduce concrete monolith
Aesthetic upgrades include plant, materials, paint, structure placement
All commercial areas are linked throughout a series of walkways and paseos connecting to
wider sidewalks and reducing the need to rely on vehicles to travel between centers (is this
realistic?)
Vibrant mix of housing styles, such as lofts, live/work units, apartments, condominiums, and
townhomes are incorporated adjacent to or above commercial development
Integration of office space and hospitality gives the area vibrancy and creates a pace residents
desire to live work and play.
North Santa Cruz District
The North Santa Cruz Avenue District extends along North Santa Cruz Avenue between Blossom
Hill Road and Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, adjacent to the Downtown Los Gatos District. Uses
along North Santa Cruz Avenue vary from office and professional, retail, light industrial, and
hospitality. Various commercial uses are intermingled along North Santa Cruz Avenue,
including Safeway, a national retail chain store. Medium -density and infill high-density housing
developments are also present along North Santa Cruz Avenue. The District’s eclectic mix of
building types and styles sets it apart from the more cohesive and historic architecture of the
Downtown District.
Vision 2040: North Santa Cruz District
The Santa Cruz Avenue District is a vibrant mixed-use area that features an eclectic range of
architecture and public amenities. Growth in residential living opportunities include the
introduction of mixed-use with smaller residential units placed over ground floor
retail/restaurants/services along with missing middle housing incorporated into nearby
residential. The overall building massing and form is consistent with and connects well with the
Downtown District, but incorporates varying architectural styles that evoke different and more
contemporary periods in the Town’s rich history. Use of rooftop decks and parklets provide
unique vibrancy to the area. Parklets and other public open space provide opportunities for
community members to gather. Landscaping further connects this District to Vasona County
Park located at the northern end of this District.
Policies (from vision statement)
A continual emphasis on a pedestrian-oriented environment includes expansion of sidewalks
and increased street activation amenities such as outdoor dining and street retail.
Encourage incorporation of second and third story lofts and apartments above exi sting
businesses to provide additional housing types for community members, creating a truly mixed -
use corridor.
NOTE: need to discuss goals and policies at meeting
Pollard Road District
The Pollard Road District at the intersection of Pollard Road and More Avenue borders the City
of Campbell. This district is anchored by the Rinconada Shopping Center. This shopping center
is anchored by a grocery store and other retail and hospitality businesses. The layout of the
center is automobile-oriented with a street-fronting surface parking with access points on
either side of the intersection. The center is neighborhood -serving, surrounded by largely
residential neighborhoods that rely on the center for daily needs. Nearby Rolling Hill Middle
School in Campbell across Pollard Road adds to the sense of community here. Pollard Road is
less travelled than other Los Gatos arterials, which emphasizes the neighborhood focus.
Vision 2040: Pollard Road District
The Pollard Road District is a welcoming and vibrant neighborhood gathering space and
commercial center for community members to mingle and enjoy local amenities. Successful
street activation is evident with parking relocated to the rear of property, shielded from the
public view. Additional residential living opportunities are accommodated by addition of
smaller residential units above retail or office in a mixed -use configuration. A dense landscape
buffer also at the rear of the center provides a thoughtful transition obscuring the commercial
structures from neighboring residential areas which in turn have been revitalized with the
introduction of missing middle housing in some areas. Wide sidewalks and other pedestrian
amenities ensure a safe and connected community. Office space intermingled with commercial
uses and higher density residential units reveals an attractive and efficient mixed-use district.
Note: Above includes Mixed use, landscaped transitions. Missing middle added.
Policies (pulled from the vision statement):
Upgrades to commercial center focusing on paint, materials structure placement
Parking relocated to rear of center
Dense landscape buffer obscuring commercial from surrounding residential
Wider sidewalks to accommodate outdoor dining and seating, more street trees and
landscaped park strips
Residence over office or commercial
NOTE: need to discuss goal and policies at meeting
Union Avenue District
The Union Avenue District is focused on the intersection of Union Avenue and Los Gatos-
Almaden Road, northwest of Blossom Hill Road and Union Avenue, bordering the City of San
Jose. This district is anchored by the Downing Center, which is designed as aut omobile-
oriented shopping center with street-fronting parking and access points on either side of the
center. This commercial center is anchored by Safeway, a national chain grocery store, and
serves the daily needs of Los Gatos and San Jose residents. Nearby Union Middle School and
Alta Vista Elementary schools enhance the sense of community, serving the youth of both Los
Gatos and nearby San Jose neighborhoods.
Vision 2040: Union Avenue District
The Union Avenue District is a welcoming and vibrant neighborhood gathering space and
commercial center for community members to mingle and enjoy local amenities. Successful
street activation is evident with parking relocated to the rear of property, shielded from the
public view. The relocation of parking has provided new opportunities for street activation
including parklets and outdoor dining. New and wider sidewalks and other pedestrian amenities
provide for safe and connected living conditions. Additional new residential living opportunities
include smaller units placed in a mixed-use configuration over retail and office. A dense
landscape buffer also at the rear of the center provides a thoughtful transition obscuring the
commercial structures from neighboring residential areas. Office space intermingled with
commercial uses and higher density residential units reveals an attractive and efficient mixed -
use district. Missing middle housing offers attractive medium- and high-density transition to
surrounding single occupancy residential neighborhoods.
Note: Above includes Missing Middle and Mixed use, speaks to transitions.
NOTE: NEED TO add specific goals and policies for this District
Winchester Boulevard District
The Winchester Boulevard District is focused on the intersection of Winchester Boulevard a nd
Knowles Drive, bordering the City of Campbell. This district also includes office and medical
uses adjacent to Netflix and El Camino Hospital. This area is home to a complex and eclectic
mix of architectural styles and development types. Existing com mercial, office, medical and
residential developments are compartmentalized and disconnected from each other.
Winchester Boulevard, the primary arterial in the district, is a wide thoroughfare with moderate
traffic speeds which impede a more pedestrian-oriented environment. The commercial
shopping centers in the area have been updated, but are single story and offer primarily
offering neighborhood-serving hospitality.
Vision 2040: Winchester Boulevard District
The Winchester Boulevard District is a community hub for innovation, technology and
contemporary design. The District is situated with easy access to the adjacent communities as
well as a direct link to Hwy 85. The Winchester Blvd District includes modern amenities, a
variety of entertainment venues, and hospitality-oriented businesses geared toward multiple
generations calling Los Gatos home. Wide sidewalks and expansive outdoor dining and retail
creates a unique atmosphere unlike other areas of the Town. Mixed -use configurations
seamless integrate additional smaller housing options with shopping, dining, work and play. An
emphasis on dense, urban style housing in the form of live/work units, lofts, flats, apartments,
micro-units, and condominiums provide ample housing opportunities supported by ac cess to
the Vasona and Winchester Light Rail stations.
NOTE: is it reasonable to assume there will be a Vasona Light Rail Station? Maybe if we create
more residential living opportunities, it will come?
Policies (from the vision statement):
Housing to serve employees will lessen dependence on automobile use
As a counterpoint to Historic Downtown and as a means to create a unique regional
attractiveness to this area, encourage contemporary and modern design, using extensive
glazing, exposed metals, natural woods, simple and geometric building forms, bold colors, shed
and flat style roof forms
Provide cohesive connection to the community and incentivize alternate modes of
transportation, capitalizing on its connection to the Los Gatos Creek Tr ail and Downtown
Developments are encouraged to provide secondary entrances, paseos, walkways and other
linkages to connect to the Los Gatos Creek Trail
NOTE: full discussion of goals and policies at meeting