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: 04/01/2021
ITEM: 2
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN UPDATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REPORT
REPORT
DATE: March 26, 2021
TO: General Plan Update Advisory Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Review and Discussion of the Initial Draft of the General Plan Introduction.
BACKGROUND:
The Los Gatos General Plan update process has so far included:
• Task A: Initiation;
• Task B: Background Report;
• Task C: Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints Report;
• Task D: General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles; and
• Task E: Land Use Alternatives Report.
Based on the Background Report, visioning, and alternatives planning in previous tasks, the
General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) has begun Task F, which is the process of
reviewing the Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs of the General Plan elements.
In addition to the Vision and Guiding Principles, the General Plan is made up of a collection of
elements, or topic categories. State law requires the General Plan to address nine elements:
land use; circulation; housing; conservation; open space; noise; safety; environmental justice;
and air quality. A jurisdiction may organize its general plan in any format, including
consolidated elements, so long as all the relevant statutory issues are addressed. The Town’s
existing General Plan contains the following elements:
• Land Use Element (review began on November 5, 2020);
• Community Design Element (review began on November 5, 2020);
• Housing Element (not part of this update);
• Transportation Element (now called the Mobility Element, reviewed on July 16, 2020);
• Vasona Light Rail Element (now part of the Mobility Element, reviewed on July 16,
2020);
• Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element (reviewed on March 5, 2020);
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: Initial Draft of the General Plan Introduction
March 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPAC\GPAC Staff Reports\2021\04-01-21\Item 2 - Staff Report.docx
BACKGROUND (continued):
• Environment and Sustainability Element (reviewed on July 2, 2020);
• Noise Element (now part of the Hazards and Safety Element, reviewed August 6, 2020);
• Safety Element (now called the Hazards and Safety Element, reviewed August 6, 2020);
and
• Human Services Element (now called the Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure
Element, reviewed on June 18, 2020).
This update will integrate the environmental justice and air quality topic categories into the
existing elements, and will include a new element, the Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice
Element. This update will also include consolidation and renaming of elements, and
redistribution of goals, policies, and implementation programs between the elements.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this GPAC meeting is to review the initial draft of the Introduction to the
General Plan (Attachment 1), and make recommendations for any additions, deletions, or
revisions.
All suggestions for changes to the text of this element, whether from committee members or
the public, that are received by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2020, 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 provided in a Desk Item.
NEXT STEPS:
The next GPAC meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2021, for review of the revised drafts of the
Land Use and Community Design Elements.
Attachments:
1. Initial Draft General Plan Introduction
2. Public Comment
1
1.Introduction
December 2020 Public Review Draft 1-1
This chapter describes the purpose and organization of the Town of Los Gatos General Plan, including an
overview of the General Plan, why it is prepared, and why it is important. The Introduction also describes the
community process to prepare the General Plan and the vision for the future of Los Gatos.
This section is organized under the following headings.
Contents
Section Title Page
Purpose and Use of the General Plan ................................................................................................... 1
What is a General Plan? ........................................................................................................................ 1
Using the General Plan .......................................................................................................................... 2
Maintaining the General Plan ................................................................................................................. 3
Preparing the 2040 General Plan .......................................................................................................... 4
General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles .......................................................................................... 5
Analyses Informing the 2040 General Plan ........................................................................................... 6
Regional Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Los Gatos Boundaries ............................................................................................................................ 8
Organization of the General Plan ......................................................................................................... 11
Purpose and Use of the General Plan
What is a General Plan?
Every jurisdiction in California must have a General Plan, which is the local government’s long -term framework or
“constitution” for future growth and development. The General Plan is prepared with extensive community
engagement to create a plan that expresses the community’s vision for its future, . The General Plan contains
goals and policies upon which the Town Council and Planning Commission will base their land use and resource
decisions. California State law requires that each Town, City, and Count y must adopt a General Plan for the
physical development of the jurisdiction and any land outside its boundaries that bears relation to its planning.
Typically, a General Plan is designed to address the issues facing the jurisdiction for the next 20 years .
A General Plan typically has four defining features:
ATTACHMENT 1
GPAC Draft 2040 General Plan
1-2 GPAC Draft April 2021
▪ General. A General Plan provides general policy guidance that will be used to direct future land use and
resource decisions.
▪ Comprehensive. A General Plan is comprehensive, covering topics such as land use, housing, economic
development, infrastructure, public safety, recreation, natural resources, and much more.
▪ Long-Range. A General Plan provides guidance on reaching a future envisioned 20 or more years in the
future. To achieve the vision, a General Plan includes goals, policies, and actions that address both
immediate and long-term needs.
▪ Integrated and Coherent. The goals, policies, and implementation programs in a General Plan present a
comprehensive, unified program for development, resource conservation, and other issues that impact the
community. A General Plan uses a consistent set of assumptions and projections to assess future
demands for housing, employment, and public services (e.g., infrastructure). A General Plan has a
coherent set of policies and implementation programs that enables citizens to understand the vision of the
General Plan, and enables landowners, businesses, and industry to be more certain about how policies
will be implemented.
A General Plan is made up of a collection of “elements,” or chapters, of which nine are mandatory. The nine
State-mandated elements are: land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, safety, air quality,
and environmental justice. Communities may include other elements that address issues of particular local
concern, such as economic development or urban design. Communities can also organize their General Plan
anyway they choose, as long as the required topics are addressed.
The General Plan is not to be confused with zoning. Although both the General Plan and the zoning ordinance
designate how land may be developed, they do so in different ways. The General Plan has a long-term outlook.
It identifies the types of development that will be allowed, the spatial relationships among land uses, and the
general pattern of future development. Zoning regulates development through specific standards such as lot size,
building setbacks, and allowable uses. However, the land uses shown on the General Plan diagrams will typicall y
be reflected in the local zoning maps as well, as they are both required to be consistent per State law.
Development must not only meet the specific requirements of the zoning ordinance, but also the broader policies
set forth in the General Plan.
The Los Gatos 2040 General Plan meets the requirements of State law by containing the required elements and
one optional element as described in more detail later in this chapter under “Organization of the General Plan.”
Some of the required elements address additional issues of local interest. For example, environmental justice is
expanded to consider Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice and the required elements of conservation and
air quality are found in the broader Environment and Sustainability elem ent. Each element contains goals and
policies that will guide future decisions within the Town. It also identifies a set of implementation programs that
will be used to ensure the goals and policies in the General Plan are carried out.
Using the General Plan
The General Plan is intended for use by all members of the community, including residents, businesses,
developers, and decision-makers. used by the Town Council, Planning Commission, and Town staff to make
decisions with direct or indirect land use implications. It also provides a framework for inter-jurisdictional
coordination of planning efforts among officials and staff of the Town and other government agencies (e.g.,
Federal, State, and local). Town residents, property owners, and businesses use the General Plan for guidance
on Town policies for particular geographic areas or for particular subjects of interest to them.
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-3
The General Plan is the basis for a variety of regulatory measures and administrative procedures . California
planning law requires consistency between the General Plan and its implementing programs, such as zoning and
subdivision ordinances, capital improvement programs, specific plans, environmental impact procedures, and
building and housing codes.
The specific roles of the Town Council, Planning Commission, and Town Departments with respect to the
approval and use of the General Plan are described below.
The Town Council is the political body which formulates and implements policies in Los Gatos. It is the
Town Council, through its decision-making authority, that affirms the policy direction and priorities
contained within this General Plan. The Town Council is ultimately responsible for adoption of the
General Plan, as well as the regulations, capital improvement programs, and financing mechanisms that
implement the General Plan.
The Planning Commission is responsible for conducting public hearings on the General Plan and
Zoning Code modifications, considering the input of the public, and making recommendations to the Town
Council on these matters. The Planning Commission considers the work and recommendations from the
General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC) in its consideration of the 2040 General Plan. After
the General Plan is adopted, the Planning Commission must ensure that all subsequent land use
ordinances, policies, guidelines, and development applications are consistent with the goals, objectives,
and policies in the General Plan. The Planning Commission annually reviews the Town’s Capital
Improvement Program to ensure consistency with the General Plan.
All Town Departments use the General Plan for policy guidance as it pertains to their operations, service
delivery, and planning for future capital projects and potential service level changes. The Town’s
Planning staff ensure that that the General Plan is implemented on a day-to-day basis so that:
appropriate land uses are proposed in the proper locations, appropriate levels of service are provided,
proposed land uses conform to development regulations, and the environment has been adequately
protected. The General Plan is a resource for all Town services and provides an internally consistent
checkpoint for assessing alternatives for the Town’s future.
Maintaining the General Plan
Over time, the Town’s population will likely increase, its goals will evolve, and the physical environment in which
its residents live and work will change. In order for the General Plan to be a useful document, it must be
monitored and periodically revised to respond to and reflect changing conditions and needs over time.
The General Plan should be reviewed annually, with a more comprehensive and thorough review and revision
done every five to ten years to reflect changes in local conditions, new local priorities, or State law . State law
permits the General Plan to be amended up to four times in any calendar year, unless special conditions apply as
defined by Government Code Sections 65358(c) and (d). Each amendment may contain more than one change
to the General Plan.
General Plan Amendments can be initiated by the Town or at the request of a property owner. Each General
Plan Amendment goes through a public review process, including hearings with the Planning Commission and
Town Council. Each Amendment is also subject to it review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
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1-4 GPAC Draft April 2021
Preparing the 2040 General Plan
In 2018, the Los Gatos Town Council initiated a General Plan update looking forward to the year 2040. The
Council appointed an advisory committee to guide the preparation of the 2040 General Plan, consisting of Council
Members, Planning Commissioners, and community members called the General Plan Update Advisory
Committee (GPAC). The update process involved multiple opportunities for the public to engage in the
development of the 2040 General Plan (see Community Engagement section later in this chapter).
The 2040 General Plan reflects the Town’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability, community health,
and social equity. During the preparation of the 2040 General Plan, the community requested that the General
Plan address climate change and increased risk of wildfire; lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. The update process was also tasked with planning for new homes for all
incomes to meet the Town’s fair share of the Bay Area’s housing need.
Community Engagement
The 2040 General Plan was shaped through a public outreach approach that provided an opportunity for all
community members to be involved as an integral component in the General Plan process. The Town gathered
community input through the following methods:
1. Community Workshops;
2. General Plan Update Website – www.losgatos2040.com;
3. eBlasts;
4. General Plan Update Advisory Committee; and
5. Planning Commission and Town Council Meetings, Study Sessions, and Public Hearings.
Community Workshops
The Town hosted three community workshops for residents and stakeholders to share their ideas on how to
shape the future of Los Gatos.
▪ On October 17, 2018, at the Jewish Community Center the Town held a community workshop to provide
an overview of the General Plan update and to gather public input on issues and opportunities that should
be addressed as part of the General Plan update.
▪ On January 16, 2020, at Fisher Middle School to present the land use alternatives to the community,
educate residents on the potential benefits and impacts associated with the land use alternatives, and
solicit feedback on preferences for a Town-wide alternative.
▪ On June 11, 2020, via teleconference to inform the community about the update process and solicit
community input on the topic of community design. The event was held live via Zoom and participants
were able to watch the presentation and ask questions. After the teleconference, community members
were encouraged to provide feedback through three online surveys for more than a month after the event.
The community’s input assisted in the development of the Land Use and Community Design Elements.
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-5
General Plan Update Website
To help expand the outreach efforts of the General Plan update, a dedicated website
(www.losgatos2040.com) provided information on the process including information on the General Plan,
meeting dates and locations, and related documents. The Town maintained the website throughout the
update process to keep community members informed, involved, and engaged.
eBlasts
Throughout the update process, the Town sent timely eBlasts to the General Plan contact list, which
included elected and appointed officials, stakeholders, and engaged community members. People could
join the contact list through a link on the project website by signing-in at a General Plan community
workshop or public meeting, or by directly contacting the Town of Los Gatos.
General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC)
To help guide the update to the General Plan, the Town Council has appointed a Gene ral Plan Update Advisory
Committee (GPAC). The GPAC is composed of the Town’s General Plan Committee and three additional
residents (additional members are listed due to changes of membership through the process). The General Plan
Committee (GPC) includes two Town Council members, three Planning Commissioners, and four residents.
The GPAC served as a sounding board for the discussion of issues, opportunities, and the development of the
plan to guide the community’s future. The GPAC held more than 35 public meetings throughout the General Plan
update process, listening to community input and contributing to the development of the Vision and Guiding
Principles, Land Use Alternatives, and the content of the General Plan document.
Planning Commission and Town Council Meetings
The Town held various Planning Commission and Town Council Meetings throughout the update process to
inform decision-makers and the public, discuss key milestones, and provide direction for the next steps.
General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles
After community discussions at the General Plan Update Advisory Committee, the Los Gatos Town Council
approved a Vision Statement and set of Guiding Principles for the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan on August 20,
2019.
Vision
The Town of Los Gatos is a welcoming, family-oriented, and safe community nestled in the beautiful foothills of
the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Town is a sustainable community that takes pride in its small-town character and
provides a range of housing opportunities, historic neighborhoods, local culture and arts, excellent schools, and a
lively and accessible downtown. Los Gatos offers a choice of mobility options, superior public facilities and
services, and an open and responsive local government that is fiscally sound. Los Gatos has a dynamic and
thriving economy that includes a mix of businesses throughout Town that serves all residents, workers, and
visitors.
Guiding Principles
▪ Transportation
Provide a well-connected transportation system that enables safe access for all transportation modes,
including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
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1-6 GPAC Draft April 2021
▪ Sustainability
Manage, conserve, and preserve Los Gatos' natural environment for present and future generations.
Identify and provide opportunities to enhance the Town' s sustainability policies and practices.
▪ Protect Natural Resources
Protect the natural resources and scenic assets that define Los Gatos, including open space preserves,
recreational trails, surrounding hillsides, and natural waterways.
▪ Fiscal Stability / Responsibility
Provide high quality municipal services to the Los Gatos community while sustaining the Town's long term
fiscal health.
▪ Government Transparency
Conduct governmental processes in an open manner and encourage public involvement in Town
governance.
▪ Community Vitality
Invigorate downtown Los Gatos as a special place for community gathering, commerce, and other
activities for residents and visitors. Foster the economic vitality of all Los Gatos bu siness locations.
Preserve and enhance the Town's historic resources and character while guiding the community into the
future.
▪ Diverse Neighborhoods
Foster appropriate investments to maintain and enhance diverse neighborhoods, housing opportunities,
and infrastructure to meet the needs of all current and future residents.
▪ Inclusivity
Recognize the importance of and promote ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity and equity to
enhance the quality of life in Los Gatos.
▪ Promote Public Safety
Maintain and enhance Los Gatos as a safe community through preparation and planning, education, and
community design that is responsive to the full range of potential natural and man-made hazards and
safety issues.
Analyses Informing the 2040 General Plan
As part of the Town of Los Gatos General Plan update process, the Town prepared the following General Plan
supporting documents:
▪ Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints Summary. The Issues, Opportunities, and Constraints
Summary summarized the key issues, opportunities, and constraints identified based on the findings in the
Background Report, input from community workshops, General Plan Advisory Committee, stakeholder
interviews, and Joint Town Council/Planning Commission study sessions .
▪ Alternatives Report. The Alternatives Report describes the development and evaluation of land use and
policy alternatives. The Report was designed to frame an active discussion among stakeholders,
community members, and Town decision-makers, and led to a determination from the Town Council on a
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-7
preferred land use alternative and direction on key policy issues, which formed the basis of the Draft
General Plan.
▪ Environmental Impact Report. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) responds to the requirements of
the CEQA as set forth in Sections 15126, 15175, and 15176 of the CEQA Guidelines Act. The Planning
Commission and Town Council will use the EIR during the General Plan update process to consider
potential environmental implications associated with implementation of the Genera l Plan and to identify
feasible mitigation measures and future projects may tier their environmental review on the General Plan
EIR if they are consistent with the General Plan.
The Los Gatos Community
Los Gatos is located at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the southwest edge of Santa Clara County and
approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco. The natural landscape includes picturesque hillsides, creeks, and
valley flatlands. The Ohlone lived sustainably in the area rich with fertile soils, abundant wildlife, and other
natural resources. In 1839, El Rancho de Los Gatos was established by a Mexican land grant and was so named
because of the large number of mountain lions in the area.
Agriculture and timber harvesting were mainstays of the local economy. In 1854, James Alexander Forbes built
a flour mill along Los Gatos Creek. In 1860, the first hotel was opened to provide a stage stop on a toll road
between San Jose and Santa Cruz. The railroad reached Los Gatos in 1878, catalyzing residential and commercial
growth. By 1887, the population had grown to 1,500 and the Los Gatos community voted to incorporate.
Because of its distance from other centers of population, Los Gatos developed as a complete community
including residential, business, and industrial elements. Fast forward to today, Los Gatos is within Silicon Valley
and its fast-paced economy. Los Gatos has more than 3,000 businesses with a full range of services for its
approximate 30,000 residents. The Town is a destination for visitors who are attracted to its small-town feel,
beautiful natural setting, recreation opportunities, restaurants, and specialty shopping within a pedestrian
friendly, historic downtown setting.
Regional Setting
Los Gatos is located in Santa Clara County at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, as shown on Figure 1-1.
The cities of San Jose and Campbell border the Town to the north and east; Saratoga and Monte Sereno to the
west; and unincorporated land is south.
Regional access is provided by State Route 85 (SR 85) and State Route 17 (SR 17), both of which are north-
south limited access freeways. SR 17 bisects the Town and General Plan Planning Area and connects Santa
Cruz and other coastal communities with Silicon Valley and the greater East Bay (i.e., Hayward, San Leandro,
Oakland).
SR 85 runs through the far northern edge of the Town and General Plan Planning Area. SR 85 connects the west
side of Silicon Valley from South San Jose to Mountain View. State Route 9 (SR 9) is a north -south highway that
connects Los Gatos to Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and surrounding mountain communities such as Boulder Creek
and Ben Lomond and becomes Los Gatos-Saratoga Road within Los Gatos.
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Los Gatos Boundaries
Incorporated in 1887, Los Gatos encompasses approximately 11.5 square miles. The northern half of the Town
lies on a relatively flat valley terrain abutting the City of San Jose and is primarily developed, while the remainder
southern portion of Town consists of hillside areas and permanent open space. The General Plan uses several
terms to describe the Town and planning boundaries, as shown on Figure 1-2.
▪ Town Limits. The jurisdictional boundary of the Town. The Town limits include the area within the Town’s
corporate boundary over which the Town exercises land use authority and provides public services. State
law requires jurisdictions to adopt a General Plan that, at a minimum, address’s physical development
within this boundary.
▪ Urban Service Area (USA). The defined area in which is served by water, sewer, storm drain, and other
infrastructure services.
▪ Sphere of Influence. A sphere of influence (SOI) is the probable physical boundary and service area of a
local agency, as adopted by a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). A SOI typically includes
both incorporated and unincorporated areas within which the Town and/or special districts will have
primary responsibility for the provision of public facilities and services.
▪ Planning Area. A General Plan, pursuant to State law, must address all areas within the jurisdiction’s
planning area. The planning area encompasses all incorporated and unincorporated territory that bears a
relationship to the long-term physical planning of the jurisdiction. At a minimum, a jurisdiction’s planning
area should include all incorporated land within the Town limits and all land within the Town’s SOI, as it
does for this General Plan. The Los Gatos planning area includes approximately 18 square miles.
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-9
Figure 1-1 Regional Context
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Figure 1-2 Planning Boundaries
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-11
Organization of the General Plan
The General Plan is organized into separate chapters which are the collection of “elements,” or topical areas, of
which nine are mandatory. The nine State-mandated elements are: land use, circulation, housing, conservation,
open space, noise, safety, environmental justice, and air quality. Communities may include other elements that
address issues of particular local interest, such as economic development or urban design. Communities can
also organize their general plan anyway they choose, as long as the required topics are addressed. Table 1-1
shows how the elements of the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan are organized to meet the requirements of State
law.
Table 1-1 Elements of the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan
Los Gatos Elements
State-Mandated Elements Optional Land Use Circulation Housing Conservation Noise Open Space Safety Air Quality Environmental Justice Racial, Social, and
Environmental Justice ◼
Land Use ◼ ◼ ◼
Community Design ◼
Mobility ◼
Housing ◼
Public Facilities, Services,
and Infrastructure ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Open Space, Parks, and
Recreation ◼ ◼
Environment and
Sustainability ◼ ◼ ◼
Hazards and Safety ◼ ◼ ◼
The2040 General Plan is organized into ten chapters, allowing users to find topics or sections that interest them.
The policies throughout all elements work together and users must consider them comprehensively when making
planning decisions. The specific chapters include an Introduction followed by nine elements, as follows.
1. Introduction
The Introduction chapter provides an overview of the General Plan , its use and maintenance, and the
process used to develop the 2040 General Plan. This chapter also includes a Reader’s Guide that provides
useful information on how to read and use the goals, policies, and implementation programs presented in
each element.
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1-12 GPAC Draft April 2021
2. Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice Element
The Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice Elemen t includes goals, policies and programs that
encourage and support local efforts to increase participation in the local political process and to improve
local racial, social, and environmental justice. The themes covered in this Element lay the foundation for
creating a more equitable and inclusive Town for all residents of Los Gatos. The Racial, Social, and
Environmental Justice Element focuses on the empowerment of the community, and especially of the
members of the community who have not been previously heard.
3. Land Use Element
The Land Use Element includes two key components that provide a framework to guide and shape the
future physical development of Los Gatos. First, the Element includes policies establishing land use
designations that identify the type and intensity of uses permissible in the Planning Area. Second, this
Element includes a series of goals and policies identifying the Town’s philosophy for future change and
development. Combined with the Community Design Element, these two Elements address a broad range
of topics related to the physical structure and appearance of the Town’s built environment and establish the
image and character of the Town. These two Elements serve as the primary policy guidance for ensuring
that new land uses are logically organized and developed in a way that is sustainable and enhances Los
Gatos’ unique identity.
4. Community Design Element
The Community Design Element looks at the key components of the Town’s physical environment and
describes the features that, together, contribute to the distinct community character of Los Gatos. The
Element provides a local context and anticipated urban design enhancements for the next 20 years and
highlights a series of Community Place Districts that have specific community design policies tailored to the
context and development potential of these areas in Town. Lastly, the Element covers the overall
preservation of historic areas and the surrounding hillsides to ensure development occurs in the right places
and at appropriate levels consistent with the broader vision for Los Gatos.
5. Mobility Element
The Mobility Element is designed to address all aspect of movement of people and goods. The Element
uses a holistic approach to sustainable transportation methods that focuses on strategies for reducing
vehicle miles traveled, enhancing a multimodal transportation system, and enhancing infrastructure for
bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. The Mobility Element also addresses the typical aspects of a
transportation network including, roadways, parking, and the movement of goods (i.e., truck traffic).
6. Housing Element
The Housing Element ensures that there is adequate land identified to accommodate Los Gatos’ fair share
of new homes. The Town’s certified 2015-2023 Housing Element complies with State law by planning for
required housing, identifying action items to barriers to housing construction, and providing other required
policy guidance. The current Housing Element was adopted in 2016 and will be updated independently of
the 2040 General Plan in accordance with statutory requirements. For this reason , it is formatted
separately from the 2040 General Plan.
7. Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element
The Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element guides decision-making pertaining to the broad
areas of Town services, infrastructure, and resources. Through an effective Public Facilities, Services, and
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-13
Infrastructure Element, the Town is positioned to plan for needed capital improvements and deliver high
quality services to enhance social well-being consistent with the overall vision of Los Gatos.
8. Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element
The Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element guides the long-range maintenance, preservation, and
conservation of open space, parks, and recreational facilities. These assets enhance the character of the
Town, helping to create a unique and pleasant atmosphere for Town residents and visitors.
9. Environment and Sustainability Element
The Environment and Sustainability Element is concerned with protecting and enhancing the charm and
character of the community, conserving natural resources, reducing waste, and addressing climate change.
The Element promotes resource sustainability to protect the Town’s built and natural ecologies for current
and future generations.
10. Hazards and Safety Element
The Hazards and Safety Element evaluates natural and urban safety hazards in Los Gatos, both e xisting
and potential. It establishes policies and actions to avoid and reduce these hazards , including an emphasis
on climate resiliency and adaptation, to protect the Los Gatos community. Additionally, this Element guides
the Town when participating in resolving safety issues that are regional in character, or beyond the
immediate control of the Town.
Readers’ Guide
Goals and Policies
Each element contains the goals and policies to guide future land use, development, resource management, and
environmental protection decisions in Los Gatos. The goals and policies in the General Plan are presented in a
standard format. An explanation of this format, using a sample goal and policy, is illustrated below in Figure 1-3.
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Figure 1-3 How to Read Goals and Policies
Goal
A goal is a statement that describes, in general terms, a desired future condition or “end” state. Goals describe
ideal future conditions for a topic and tend to be very general and broad.
Policy
A policy is a statement that guides a specific course of action for decision-makers to achieve a desired goal.
“Shall” vs. “Should”
Policies and implementation measures throughout the General Plan use terms such as “shall” and “should” to
define the intentions of the Town relative to these components. These modifiers are used as follows in the
General Plan:
“Must” or “shall” or “required” are used to signify a mandatory requirement that the Town will follow. For
example, Policy LU-3.4 says: “Project’s shall be evaluated and the Town shall apply needed mitigation
measures and/or conditions of approval to reduce impacts on urban services, including schools, utilities, police,
and fire.”
Words such as “should” or “may” are used to signify a less rigid directive, that will be honored in the absence of
compelling or contravening considerations.
For example, Policy LU-2.1 says: “Promote a mix of compatible uses in and adjacent to residential
neighborhoods to serve the basic, daily needs of nearby residents. This should include neighborhood shopping
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-15
and services available within a 20-minute walk or bike ride of all non-hillside residential areas in the following
categories.” This provides flexibility in addressing the policy in the context of the project or proposal.
Cross-cutting Topic Icons
The Los Gatos 2040 General Plan contains a number of goals, policies, and implementation programs that
address cross-cutting topics that weave throughout the General Plan. To highlight these goals, policies, and
implementation programs, this General Plan uses one or more icons to highlight if a goal, policy, or
implementation program is directly related to one or more of these topics. The icons are described below:
Sustainability
Sustainability includes the physical development and operating practices that meet the needs of
present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,
particularly with regard to use and waste of natural resources. Sustainability recognizes that
certain resources are finite, and therefore should be used conservatively and wisely with a view
to the long-term priorities and consequences. Items marked with this icon are designed to
enhance the Town’s sustainability relative to a wide range of resources.
Environmental Justice
Pursuant Government Code Section 65302(h), general plans “must include an environmental
justice element or include goals and policies in other element(s) of the general plan to reduce
the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by reducing pollution
exposure, improving air quality, and promoting public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary
homes, and physical activity; promote civil engagement in the public decision -making process;
and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged
communities.” State law defines “disadvantaged communities” as areas that are
disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to
negative health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation. Items marked with this icon
are designed to identify which goals, policies, and programs that address issues related to
disadvantaged communities.
Healthy Communities
The 2040 General Plan focuses on promoting healthy communities and the connection between
the built environment and public health. Healthy communities focus on providing for a quality
and sustainable environment, supporting economic and social development, ensuring social
equity, and encouraging social relationships that are supportive and respectful to meet all
residents’ basic needs across a lifespan. To improve population health outcomes, the Town
needs to focus on policies, systems, and programs that address the social and environmental
determinants of health. Items marked with this icon are designed to identify goal, policies, and
policies that affect and promote overall community health.
Environmental Impact Report Mitigation
To evaluate the environmental implications of the 2040 General Plan, the Town prepared a
Program EIR pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of this
process, some policies will be developed specifically to reduce the potential for significant
environmental impacts. These policies constitute mitigation measures and ensure that
implementation of the 2040 General Plan will includ e the reduction of associated environmental
impacts in accordance with CEQA. Items marked with this icon are also included in the EIR as
mitigation measures.
GPAC Draft 2040 General Plan
1-16 GPAC Draft April 2021
Implementation Programs
While many policies can be implemented as part of standard Town operations, some policies require specific
programs to ensure their implementation. The last section of each element includes a table of implementation
programs in a format illustrated on Figure 1-4. Similar to policies, implementation programs that address one or
more of the cross-cutting topics described above include an icon to highlight the implementation program’s
relationship to these topics, as applicable.
Figure 1-4 How to Read Implementation Programs
1. Introduction
April 2021 GPAC Draft 1-17
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Dear Committee Members,
My name is Giulianna Pendleton, and I am a life-long resident of Los Gatos. At the last GPAC
meeting on March 4th, I provided a public comment expressing my interest in emphasizing
environmental protections and sustainable practices for our town. After doing a cursory reading
of our town code and 2020 General Plan, I think there are opportunities for including a Dark Sky
Initiative and Bird-Safe Building Design within the 2040 General Plan.
With this in mind, I wanted to update you all on recent developments in one of our neighboring
cities, Cupertino. As some of you know, Cupertino has been discussing adopting a Dark Sky
Initiative and Bird-Safe Design program and at their City Council Meeting this Tuesday, they
passed Municipal Code Amendments to adopt glazing and lighting regulations to implement the
City Council Work Program items related to city-wide Dark Sky and Bird-Safe Design.
I am here tonight to express my interest in our town creating similar policies and programs to
implement our own Dark Sky and Bird-Safe Design initiative within the General Plan.
I have also read through the 2020 General Plan, especially the Environmental Sustainability
chapter, and appreciate the policies and actions dedicated to riparian protections and riparian
corridors. I am wondering what our status on this work is and if this will be carried over to the
2040 General Plan?
Additionally, as a novice to this process, I am wondering where I can find the current working
documents for already discussed GP elements, what elements have already been discussed, and
what elements are final for the 2040 plan? I’ve explored the 2040 GP website and town website
(including the minutes), but is there a centralized document or location to find these working
documents? I am also wondering how best to find what 2020 GP actions and policies have been
completed? I can contact Jennifer Armer about this in a separate email as well.
Thank you for your time and commitment to the healthy future of our town.
Sincerely,
Giulianna Pendleton
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