Item2.Addendum with Attachments 3 and 4
PREPARED BY: ERIN WALTERS AND JOCELYN SHOOPMAN
Associate Planner and Associate Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
MEETING DATE: 08/04/2022
ITEM NO: 2
ADDENDUM TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HOUSING ELEMENT ADVISORY BOARD REPORT
DATE: August 3, 2022
TO: Housing Element Advisory Board
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Continue the Review and Discussion of the Draft Goals, Policies, and Programs.
REMARKS:
Attachment 3 contains Board Member comments. The following is provided as additional
clarification in response to comments and questions from a Board Member:
1. Why was Implementation Program (IP) F removed? Consider reinstating.
Staff Response: IP F, Remove Conditional Use Permits for Residential
Development, was removed from the IP section, because it is an IP
K in the existing 2040 General Plan Land Use Element. This
program will be referenced in a new section of the HE where
existing IPs that affect housing are listed.
2. IP K: Seniors helping seniors. Are only Seniors helping?
Staff Response: IP K can be retitled to Helping Seniors Program.
3. IP O: Lot Consolidation: All good, but the two concepts at "Ordinance to include . . ."
and "Streamlined permit processing" should not be limited to lot consolidation.
Consider adding same language to other programs OR pull these out as a separate
program, broadly applicable to all of the efforts to build affordable housing.
Staff Response: Could consider adding same language to other programs if
preferred, though these are standard techniques that could be
utilized even if not specifically mentioned in other IPs.
PAGE 2 OF 7
SUBJECT: Continue the Review and Discussion of the Housing Element Draft Goals, Policies
and Programs
August 3, 2022
N:\DEV\HEAB\2021-2023\HEAB Staff Reports and Attachments\2022\08-04-2022\Item2 - Housing Element Goals, Policies, and
Programs\Addendum\Item2.Addendum.docx
4. IP V: Great explanation of affordability covenants, but is it too much of a deep dive
here? Is there a way to change this to a link to more detail in the final (digital)
document?
Staff Response: Staff will work with the Housing Element consultants to reduce
lengthy program text.
5. IP Z: As I recall, the periodic meeting recommended was with developers, not service
providers. But this is a good program. I would keep it and meet more frequently (maybe
quarterly). And recommend adding a program to meet annually with developers.
Staff Response: Staff does not recommend quarterly meetings, could be modified
to state “at least annually” or “once a year, at a minimum.”
6. IP AL: Are we really amending the 2040 General Plan already? If this is a council-driven
change, from their approval of the General Plan, wouldn't that be done now as staff is
finalizing the GP?
Staff Response: The HEAB provided the direction to allow residential (not in a
mixed-use format) in the Mixed-Use General Plan designation,
which is not currently permitted as part of the 2040 General Plan.
To follow through on this HEAB recommendation, it would require
an amendment to the 2040 General Plan. It is expected that there
will be some additional modifications of the 2040 General Plan as
a result of the Housing Element. Town Council will be the final
deciding body on what to include in the final Housing Element.
7. IP AO: Recommend defining LBNC.
Staff Response: The Housing Element will contain a Key Terms/Glossary section.
8. IP BD: Consider adding the agencies LG supports (e.g., WVCS) as another communication
method or add communication of resources available to program AH.
Staff Response: See suggested edits below to IP BD:
BD Use a Variety of Communication Methods
Broadcast information about available housing resources through a variety of
communication methods across media, technological, nonprofit organizations, and
traditional in person outreach methods, such as the Farmers Market, Library, and
PAGE 3 OF 7
SUBJECT: Continue the Review and Discussion of the Housing Element Draft Goals, Policies
and Programs
August 3, 2022
N:\DEV\HEAB\2021-2023\HEAB Staff Reports and Attachments\2022\08-04-2022\Item2 - Housing Element Goals, Policies, and
Programs\Addendum\Item2.Addendum.docx
Attachment 6 contains public comments received after the completion of the Staff Report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Previously received with the August 4, 2022, Staff Report:
1. Draft Goals, Policies, and Implementation Programs
2. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m. on
Friday, July 29, 2022
Received with this Addendum Report:
3. Board Member Comments
4. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, July 29, 2022, and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
community center, with a particular focus on reaching the very low- and low-income
demographic and those who may not have access to online resources.
(New)
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
From: Kathryn Janoff <>
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2022 6:12 PM
To: Erin Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>; Jocelyn Shoopman <jshoopman@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Melanie Hanssen <>; Joel Paulson <jpaulson@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Comments of the draft Goals, Policies and Programs
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi, Erin and Jocelyn:
Thank you for all your hard work in incorporating the changes recommended by the HEAB members. I
have just a few comments on the draft before us.
Kathryn
**********************
Policy HE-1.2, Multi-family Housing Densities isn't referenced in the IPs. Maybe it's most closely
connected to IPs U and X? Does it need its own IP?
Language under Goal 5 mentions the 2040 General Plan. The new GP isn't mentioned anywhere else
(except IP AL). 2040GP language may be elsewhere in the HE, but since this section stands on its own,
the 2040GP should be emphasized in the introduction to underscore structural change is in place
to support this HE.
Implementation Programs
Why was IP F removed? Consider reinstating.
K: Seniors helping seniors. Are only Seniors helping?
O: Lot Consolidation: All good, but the two concepts at "Ordinance to include . . ." and "Streamlined
permit processing" should not be limited to lot consolidation. Consider adding same language to other
programs OR pull these out as a separate program, broadly applicable to all of the efforts to build
affordable housing.
V: Great explanation of affordability covenants, but is it too much of a deep dive here? Is there a way to
change this to a link to more detail in the final (digital) document?
Z: As I recall, the periodic meeting recommended was with developers, not service providers. But this is
a good program. I would keep it, and meet more frequently (maybe quarterly). And recommend adding
a program to meet annually with developers.
AL: Are we really amending the 2040 General Plan already? If this is a council-driven change, from their
approval of the GP, wouldn't that be done now as staff is finalizing the GP?
AO: recommend defining LBNC
ATTACHMENT 3
BD: Consider adding the agencies LG supports (e.g., WVCS) as another communication method. OR add
communication of resources available to program AH.
Minor edits/comments
Policy HE-2.6: ADUs (remove apostrophe)A: change wording "acres that facilitate" to "acres that can
accommodate"
Policy HE-4.2: insert the word "and" between "Acquisition" and "Improvement."
E: change "explore" to "to drive"
P: First sentence, Insert "BMP" between "existing" and "programs."
Q: Improve readability by (first sentence) inserting a period after housing and remove the next word
"and"
AF: insert apostrophe after tenants
AK: change semicolons after bullets to periods
AN: move closed parenthesis to follow "proposals."
BA: Doesn't seem like policy HE-5.1 belongs with this program
From: Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2022 6:40 PM
To: Laurel Prevetti <LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Great article about benefits of bike lanes
Good evening Laurel,
Could we please share this article with the town council, planning commission and HEAB members? Los
Gatos is planning for a healthier future with each bike lane improvement!
https://www.bluezones.com/2022/07/the-link-between-bikeability-and-
health/?utm source=BLUE+ZONES+Newsletter&utm campaign=09102afbdd-
&utm medium=email&utm term=0 9642311849-09102afbdd-
200016253&mc cid=09102afbdd&mc eid=27a155488e
Thank you,
Maria
Maria Ristow
Vice Mayor, Los Gatos Town Council
To help avoid violations of the Brown Act, please don’t forward this email.
From: Phil Koen <>
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2022 3:46 PM
To: Erin Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>; Joel Paulson <jpaulson@losgatosca.gov>; Jennifer Armer
<JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Shelley Neis <sneis@losgatosca.gov>; Town Manager <Manager@losgatosca.gov>; Matthew Hudes
<MHudes@losgatosca.gov>; Mary Badame <MBadame@losgatosca.gov>; Rob Rennie
<RRennie@losgatosca.gov>; Marico Sayoc <MSayoc@losgatosca.gov>; Maria Ristow
<MRistow@losgatosca.gov>; ; Rick Van Hoesen ()
<>; David Weissman <>; Lee Fagot <>
Subject: Draft Goals of the Housing Element
Members of the HEAB,
The Staff’s June 10, 2022 memo for the HEAB’s June 16, 2022 meeting included a draft of five potential
goals for the Housing Element. The goals were intended to be concise and communicate the Town’s
housing need.
Upon reviewing the goals and comparing them to goals established by a number of other local
jurisdictions also preparing their Housing Element, I would like to offer a different set of goals which I
believe are more on target and more importantly are actionable. Hopefully the HEAB will seriously
consider these alternative goals and publicly discuss their merit:
6ht Cycle Housing Element goals
1.Provide adequate sites to achieve the 6th Cycle RHNA development of new housing.
2.Assist in the provision of affordable housing to meet the needs of the Town’s very-low and low
income households.
3.Maintain and enhance the condition and affordability of existing housing in the Town.
4.Minimize the impact of governmental constraints on the maintenance, improvement, and
development of housing.
5.Promote equal housing opportunities for all residents, including the Town’s seniors and special
needs populations so that residents can reside in housing that meets their needs.
I believe these goals better communicate the housing needs of the Town and will better inform the
community of the housing policies and programs required to achieve these goals.
One last point, I strongly recommend the Town Council review the Housing Element goals and adopt
them before the entire Housing Element is drafted. It is critical the goals are used to guide the
development of the Housing Element policies the Town intends to implement. I cannot find a timeline
that indicates the Town Council will have the opportunity to review and adopt the goals before the
Housing Element is fully drafted. This seems to put the cart before the horse.
Thank you for considering these alternative goals.
Phil Koen
ATTACHMENT 4
From: BAHN Org >
Sent: Monday, August 1, 2022 10:21 PM
To: Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov>; Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>; Mary Badame
<MBadame@losgatosca.gov>; Matthew Hudes <MHudes@losgatosca.gov>; Marico Sayoc
<MSayoc@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Clerk <Clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: comments for housing Elements
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Los Gatos Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council Members,
Attached please find our comments for the housing elements Los Gatos city may discuss. Please feel free
to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Thanks for reading.
Best!
Dan Pan
BAHN Representative
website:
Phone:
BAHN is a non-profit, grassroots organization representing mom and pop housing providers in California.
BAHN advocates for private property rights and housing friendly policies. It promotes education and
professional development among members for their daily property management needs. It provides a
platform for homeowners to connect and help each other. Its mission is to help members achieve greater
success in their rental housing business.
BAHN a non-profit grassroot organization to unite & connect Mom & Pop property
owners in CA Together, we fight for property rights!
Email:
Phone:
RE: Healthy Housing Elements for Californians (8/1/22)
Dear Housing Elements Officials,
We, at Business and Housing Network (BAHN), endeavor to provide a supportive community platform
for mom-and-pop property owners throughout California. We are mostly immigrants and seniors working hard
and overcoming language and cultural barriers to try to achieve the “American dream” of a middle-class life by
investing our efforts and hard-earned savings in providing housing to renters. We highly value the importance
of an inclusive community.
Not long ago, without “too much bureaucracy of tenant protection,” when we came to California with
little financial credential, we were able to find housing often offered by small mom-and-pop housing providers,
and were readily accepted into the communities. For generations the small property owners are the backbones
of the community housing, embracing and inspiring people from all walks of life and from all over the world.
Sadly that social harmony in California has been slowly crumbling. The ever expanding hostile bureaucracy
and draconian rental policies are dividing people, tearing down the centuries’ of proven prosperity through free
enterprise, self governance, and respect for contractual business partnerships. The governmental traps for the
residential rental business are now too daunting for the small players that the privilege is reserved as the
playground for big-money corporations and government-funded organizations. The pathway for small mom-
and-pop owners to middle class, along with their community-friendly privately-owned housing stock, are
systematically squeezed out of the market.
Data and economists consistently show that rent and building restrictions destroy the housing supply
and hurt housing providers and renters alike at same time (see links below). Yet, the current housing element
packet perpetrates and turns a blind eye on such failures:
• Rent control distorts the rental prices and pits one group of renters to subsidize another.
• It completely disregards property owners as laborers who deserve fair compensation to support their
families’ livelihoods and keep up with the costs associated with properly maintaining their properties.
• The forced income/cost deficits destroy the rental housing entrepreneurships, resulting in shrinking
housing offerings, increased competition among renters for the limited housing availability, forced front-
loading of higher rents by the surviving housing providers and reduced rental housing construction.
• Many housing policies nullify the mutual contractual terms between an housing provider and their tenant
clients, resulting in tremendous legal and financial uncertainty for housing providers, especially for the
mom-and-pop and frail seniors with limited education, language skills or mobility, which undermine
their control over their relations with their tenants.
• This government-induced disrespect for property rights result in increased bad tenant behaviors and
problems for the safety and enjoyment of the community. The exorbitant legal costs and disputes only
add to government/owner/renter financial and social woes.
• To see the deterioration of housing affordability and the quality of life under these horrific rent control
and “tenant protection” laws, look no further than the infamous New York City, San Francisco, East
Palo Alto, Oakland and newly extreme-rent-controlled St. Paul, where housing constructions have
dwindled.
As one can see, the proliferating draconian "tenant protection" and rent control policies do not work.
California must start respecting the basic economics that every housing regulation or fee add to the base cost
and thus rent. The government must allow businesses and clients to establish and enforce contractual terms