Attachment 3 - Excerpt from 2040 General Plan pg 6-31 and 6-326.Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element
June 2022, adoption 2040 General Plan 6-31
The following goal and policies address libraries in Los Gatos.
Provide a library facility that will accommodate library services to meet the
educational and informational needs of the community.
PFS-24.1 Access to Library Services
Ensure that all residents have access to Library services, including electronic resources,
technology resources, and a range of operating hours.
PFS-24.2 Maintain Relevance of Library
Maintain the Library as an important activity center within the community.
The Town of Los Gatos has a rich history as a center of arts and literature and the home to both historical and
contemporary artists of renown. And today, Los Gatos maintains a thriving arts community that is invaluable to
people of all ages in the Town. The Town has committed to protecting and promoting its cultural resources,
including theaters, museums, art galleries, and public art. The Town also strives to further attract and encourage
performing arts in Los Gatos, including live theater, music, and dance, as well as the literary arts, including author
events and poetry.
Los Gatos’s Arts and Culture Commission is actively involved in promoting cultural events and public art displays
in the Town. The Arts and Culture Commission is an advisory group to the Town Council and works to encourage
the development of music, drama, art, and other cultural and creative activities. One of the seven members of the
Arts and Culture Commission is a Youth Commissioner, appointed by the Youth Commission.
The Town supports a wide variety of cultural experiences including the Music in the Park Summer Concert Series,
the annual July Fourth musical celebration, and public art in the Council Chambers and throughout the
community. Music in the Park is a free summer concert series held Sunday afternoons on the Civic Center Lawn
which has been running since 1988. Arts in the Council Chambers displays exhibits throughout the year. The
Forbes Mill Footbridge children’s murals span Highway 17 and link Forbes Mill to Old Town. The Banner Project
incorporates public art in Downtown banners. The Utility Box program covers local utility boxes with artwork
created by Town residents. Many of these efforts are supported or led by the Arts and Culture Commission.
Los Gatos has a museum – the New Museum of Los Gatos (NUMU). NUMU has been a key cultural element of
the Town since its founding in 1965, contributing to the unique character of Los Gatos. The Museum’s stated
mission is to engage the community at the intersection of art, history, and education through innovative, locally
connected, and globally relevant exhibits, programs, and experiences. NUMU actively partners with many
community organizations and Town departments and government leaders to make programs accessible and
responsive to the community. The Museum is the custodian of an extensive art and history collection and works
with the Los Gatos Library and other resources to enrich an understanding of our cultural heritage.
The following goal and policies address the arts in Los Gatos.
Enrich the Town by making visual arts, the performing arts, literary arts, and other
cultural amenities more accessible to the Town’s residents.
PFS-25.1 Incorporation of Art-Related Uses
Encourage and maintain art-related uses (theaters, museums, and art galleries) in new and
remodeled retail development.
ATTACHMENT 3
Los Gatos 2040 General Plan
6-32 2040 General Plan June 2022, adoption
PFS-25.2 Support and Maintain Arts Programs
Continue to support and maintain community-based, musical, and other arts programs in an effort
to collect, archive, and share the stories and histories of Los Gatos residents through a variety of
platforms and voices.
PFS-25.3 Performing Arts Facilities
Encourage new or expanded public and private facilities to host performing arts events.
PFS-25.4 Encourage Private and Public Funding for the Arts
Encourage private and public funding, development, and operation of cultural amenities,
activities, and centers.
PFS-25.5 Facilitate Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Encourage all local arts groups and artists to collaborate and partner across disciplines, media,
and venues for a richer and more diverse cultural experience.
PFS-25.6 Expand and Deepen Partnerships
Retain art-related uses, with the objective of retaining the museum and art organizations in Town.
PFS-25.7 NUMU and the Visual Arts
Continue to support the growth of NUMU, its visual arts program, local history and education
programming, and the stewardship of its Art and History Collections for service to and benefit of,
visitors and participants of all ages.
A healthy community promotes a positive physical, social, and economic environment that supports the overall
well-being of its residents. While other parts of the General Plan also touch on aspects of health and quality of
life, the purpose of section is to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve residents’ quality of life.
Outdoor activity is also part of a healthier community. Bicycle and pedestrian options are covered in
Section 5.2 (Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities) in the Mobility Element and in Section 6.2 (Parks and
Recreation) in the Open Space, Parks, and Recreation Element.
The following goal and policies address health in Los Gatos.
Ensure all residents have access to healthy foods, including plant-based options.
PFS-26.1 Healthy Food Options
Encourage farmer’s markets and healthier food options within neighborhoods or near child-
oriented uses (e.g., schools, day care, and parks).
PFS-26.2 Limit Concentrations of Alcohol and Tobacco
Establish zoning code requirements to guide locations and restrict concentrations of businesses
selling alcohol and tobacco near sensitive land uses.
PFS-26.3 Healthier Diet Options
Support programs that guide healthier diet and plant-based eating options within the community.