Staff Report
PREPARED BY : JENNIFER ARMER
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Town Manager , Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney , Community Development
Director , and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ●A 40 8 -354 -68 32
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
STUDY SESSION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 1 0/0 1 /201 8
ITEM NO: 1
D ATE : SEPTEMBER 26 , 2018
TO : MAYOR , TOWN COUNCIL , AND PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF PROCESS OVERVIEW AND KEY ITEMS TO BE ADDRESSED IN
THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE .
RECOMMENDATION :
Provide input and direction to staff and the consultant team on the key items to be addressed as
part of the General Plan update.
BACKGROUND :
On February 6, 2018, Town Council discussed the scope and process for the General Plan
update. At that meeting, the Town Council indicated that the General Plan is serving the
community well, and an update provides the opportunity to refine the General Plan, address
emerging trends and re cent State laws, and consider new issues.
On February 20, 2018, the Town Council approved the work plan for the General Plan update .
The work plan included the creation of a General Plan Update Advisory Committee (GPAC),
which would be comprised of the e xisting members of the General Plan Committee (GPC) and
additional at -large members appointed by the Town Council.
On March 12, 2018, the Town issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services
associated with the General Plan update and Environ mental Impact Report (EIR). Proposals
were due April 13, 2018.
On April 17, 2018, the Town Council adopted a resolution to establish the GPAC and approve
guiding principles to guide the work of the GPAC (Attachment 1).
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF PROCESS OVERVIEW AND KEY ITEMS TO BE ADDRESSED IN
THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 26 , 2018
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS \2018 \10 -1 -18 Joint Study Session \Staff_Report.docx
BACKGROUND (Continued):
On Ju ne 19, 2018, the Town Council authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement for
consultant services with Mintier Harnish Planning Consultants for preparation of the General
Plan update and EIR . An agreement was executed on July 9, 2018.
DISCUSSION :
This special meeting will provide a n overview of the purpose of the General Plan update, the
key steps in the preparation process (Attachment 4 ), the strategy for community engagement
(Attachment 3 ), changes in State law and regulations since the last up date, and other important
issues affecting the General Plan update process. Attachment 2 contains the first newsletter
for the update process and the dedicated website for the effort is: losgatos2040.com.
In addition to the overview, th is meeting is an opportunity for the Town Council , Planning
Commission , and the public to provid e input on the key items to be addressed as part of the
General Plan update process. The following are questions to consider when providing this
i n put :
• When t he General Plan update is complete, what would make you feel the process was
a successful effort?
• What are the key challenges in Los Gatos that the General Plan should address?
• What are the key opportunities in Los Gatos that the General Plan should enhance or
protect?
• For public engagement, what are the most effective means to get the word out about
upcoming meetings?
All members of the GPAC were invited to attend the Study Session. Rick Rust and Brent
Gibbons of Mintier Harnish Planning Consultant s will be active participants in the Study Session
as well as certain Town staff.
FISCAL IMPACT :
Funding for the General Plan u pdate will come from the General Plan Update Fund. Sufficient
funds are available i n this account.
COORDINATION :
This report has been coordinated with the Town Man a ger’sAOffice,A TownA ttorney’sAOffice , and
the Finance Department.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF PROCESS OVERVIEW AND KEY ITEMS TO BE ADDRESSED IN
THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 26 , 2018
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS \2018 \10 -1 -18 Joint Study Session \Staff_Report.docx
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT :
An Environmental Impact Report will be prepared as part of the General Plan update process.
Attachment s :
1. General Plan Update Advisory Committee Guiding Principles (one page)
2. Newsletter #1 (four pages )
3. Engagement Overview (eight pages )
4. Schedule (one page)
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