Attachment 1
Green Infrastructure Plan
Framework
West Valley Communities:
Campbell, Los Gatos,
Monte Sereno, and Saratoga
City of Campbell
70 N. First Street
Campbell, CA 95008
The Town of Los Gatos
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
City of Monte Sereno
18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
City of Saratoga
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
June 30, 2017
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The West Valley Communities are appreciative of the dedication and hard work of municipal
staff, Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program (SCVURPPP), West Valley
Clean Water Program (WVCWP), and the SCVURPPP C3PO Ad Hoc Task Group, who have all
contributed to this document and continue to promote a Green Infrastructure program in the
West Valley Communities.
West Valley Agency Representatives:
David Tucker
City of Campbell
Jim Harbin
Town of Los Gatos
Jeannie Hamilton
City of Monte Sereno
Mainini Cabute
City of Saratoga
Contributors:
City of Campbell
Roger Storz, PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Todd Capurso, Public Works Director
Stephen Rose, Associate Planner
Paul Kermoyan, Community Development
Director
Town of Los Gatos
Mike Weisz, PE, Associate Engineer
Matt Morley, Director of Parks and Public
Works
Jocelyn Puga, Associate Planner
Joel Paulson, Community Development
Director
City of Monte Sereno
Jeannie Hamilton, Associate Planner
Julie Behzad, City Engineer
Debra Figone, Interim Planning Director
City of Saratoga
Poh Yee, Senior Building Inspector
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Chris Riordan, Senior Planner
Erwin Ordonez, Community Development
Director
West Valley Clean Water Program
Julie Schaer, Program Staff
Gabriella Bedrossian, Intern
Kelly Carroll, Program Manager
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Approval:
Green Infrastructure Plan Framework
Effective Date: June 30, 2017
This Framework is developed and submitted to San Francisco Bay Regional Water
Quality Control Board (RWQCB) in compliance with Municipal Regional Stormwater
NPDES Permit (MRP) Provision C.3.j.i.(1).
West Valley Communities:
Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga
The West Valley Community Green Infrastructure Framework is prepared consistent with the
SCVURPPP template that was developed to assist Co-permittees comply with the MRP requirement.
The Framework is to be approved by June 30, 2017 and submitted to the RWQCB by September 30,
2017.
Campbell:
Brian Loventhal, City Manager Date
Los Gatos:
Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager Date
Monte Sereno:
Debra Figone, Interim City Manager Date
Saratoga:
James Lindsay, City Manager Date
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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
1.1 What is Green Infrastructure? ....................................................................................... 1
1.2 Stormwater Quality Regulatory Requirements .......................................................... 1
1.3 Purpose of Green Infrastructure Plan and Framework ............................................. 2
1.4 West Valley Communities Description and Background ......................................... 3
1.4.1 City of Campbell ................................................................................................ 3
1.4.2 Town of Los Gatos .............................................................................................. 8
1.4.3 City of Monte Sereno ....................................................................................... 13
1.4.4. City of Saratoga ............................................................................................... 15
1.5 West Valley Communities Goals and Overall Approach ...................................... 21
2.0 Green Infrastructure Plan Elements ............................................................. 21
2.1 Summary of Required Elements ................................................................................. 21
2.2 Approach to Completion of Required Elements .................................................... 23
2.2.1 Outreach and Education ............................................................................... 23
2.2.2 Project Identification and Prioritization ......................................................... 24
2.2.3 Prioritized Project Locations and Timeframes .............................................. 25
2.2.4 Completed Project Tracking System ............................................................. 25
2.2.5 Guidelines and Specifications ........................................................................ 25
2.2.6 Integration with Other Plans ........................................................................... 25
2.2.7 Evaluation of Funding Options ....................................................................... 27
2.2.8 Adoption of Legal Mechanisms ..................................................................... 28
2.2.9 Completion and Adoption of GI Plan ........................................................ 28
3.0 Green Infrastructure Development Plan Schedule ................................... 29
Resources…………………………………………………………………………………..30
Appendices
Appendix A. Council memos from Campbell, Monte Sereno and Saratoga, Town
memo from Los Gatos
Appendix B. Stormwater Resource Plan fact sheet
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ABBREVIATIONS
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
BASMAA Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association
Caltrans California Department of Transportation
CASQA California Stormwater Quality Association
CIP Capital Improvement Program
DOF California Department of Finance
EIR Environmental Impact Report
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FY Fiscal Year
GI Green Infrastructure
GIS Geographic Information System
GSI Green Stormwater Infrastructure
LID Low Impact Development
MRP Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRCS National Resource Conservation Service
O&M Operation and Maintenance
PCBs Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Program Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program
RWQCB San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
SCVURPPP Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program
SCVWD Santa Clara Valley Water District
SJWC San Jose Water Company
SOI Sphere of Influence
SR State Route
SWRP Storm Water Resource Plan
SWRCB State Water Resource Control Board
VTA Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
WVCWP West Valley Clean Water Program
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is Green Infrastructure?
“Green Infrastructure” (GI), is infrastructure that uses vegetation, soils, and natural processes to
manage stormwater and create healthier urban environments. At the scale of a town, city or
county, GI refers to the patchwork of natural areas that provides habitat, flood protection,
cleaner air, and cleaner water. At the scale of a neighborhood or project site, GI refers to
stormwater management systems that mimic nature by soaking up and storing water.
Examples of GI include resilient, sustainable systems that slow, filter, harvest, infiltrate, and/or
evapotranspirate stormwater runoff such as: landscape-based stormwater “biotreatment”
using soil and plants ranging in size from grasses to trees; pervious paving systems (e.g.,
interlocking concrete pavers, porous asphalt, and pervious concrete); rainwater harvesting
systems (e.g., cisterns and rain barrels); and other methods to capture and treat stormwater.
These practices are also known as Low Impact Development (LID) site design and treatment
measures.
GI roadway projects are typically called “Green Streets”. Another term related to street design
is “Complete Streets”. This term comes from the transportation field and deals with the
designing of streets that incorporate all modes of travel equally - in particular to increase
safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians. The integration of the goals of both Complete
Streets and Green Streets recognizes that environmentally and holistically designed streets
achieve many benefits: increased multi-modal travel and safety; clean water and air; climate
change resilience and mitigation; placemaking and community cohesion; habitat and energy
savings; and higher property values.
1.2 Stormwater Quality Regulatory Requirements
The City of Campbell, Town of Los Gatos, City of Monte Sereno, and City of Saratoga are
subject to the requirements of the recently reissued Municipal Regional Stormwater National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for Phase I municipalities and agencies
in the San Francisco Bay area (Order R2-2015-0049), also known as the Municipal Regional
Permit (MRP), which became effective on January 1, 2016. The MRP applies to 76 large,
medium and small municipalities (cities, towns and counties) and flood control agencies that
discharge stormwater to San Francisco Bay, collectively referred to as Permittees.
Over the last 13 years, under the MRP and previous permits, new development and
redevelopment projects on private and public property that exceed certain size thresholds
(“Regulated Projects”) have been required to mitigate impacts on water quality by
incorporating site design, pollutant source control, stormwater treatment and flow control
measures as appropriate. LID treatment measures, such as rainwater harvesting and use,
infiltration, and biotreatment, have been required on most Regulated Projects since
December 2011. Construction of new roads is covered by these requirements, but projects
related to existing roads and adjoining sidewalks and bike lanes are not regulated unless they
include creation of an additional travel lane.
A new section of the MRP requires Permittees to develop and implement long-term GI Plans for
the inclusion of LID measures in storm drain infrastructure on public and private lands, including
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streets, roads, storm drains, parking lots, building roofs, and other elements. The GI Plan will be
completed by September 30, 2019. As part of the GI planning process, the MRP requires
Permittees to adopt a Green Infrastructure Plan Framework (Framework) by June 30, 2017 and
submit it to the RWQCB by September 30, 2017. The Framework, a work plan for completing
the GI Plan, will at a minimum include a statement of purpose, tasks and timeframes to
complete the required elements of the GI Plan.
Other sections of the MRP include requirements for municipalities to control pollutants of
concern to water quality in stormwater discharges, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
mercury, trash, and pesticides. LID measures incorporated into green infrastructure can help
remove these pollutants from stormwater runoff. For this reason, the MRP establishes a new
linkage between public infrastructure retrofits and required reductions in discharges of certain
pollutants, specifically PCBs and mercury. Over the next few decades, permittees must reduce
the loads of PCBs and mercury in stormwater discharges with a portion of these load
reductions achieved through the installation of GI systems. Permittees in Santa Clara County,
collectively, must implement GI on public and private property to reduce mercury loading by
16 grams/year and PCB loading by 37 grams/year by 2020. The load reductions will continue in
future permits. Therefore, these efforts will be integrated and coordinated countywide for the
most effective program. Other pollutants, including trash and pesticides, should also be
coordinated with the GI program since, when properly designed, constructed and
maintained, biotreatment systems may also be credited towards trash and pesticide
reduction goals.
A key part of the GI definition in the MRP is the inclusion of both private and public property
locations for GI systems. This has been done in order to plan, analyze, implement and credit GI
systems for pollutant load reductions on a watershed scale, as well as recognize all GI
accomplishments within a municipality; however, the focus of the GI Plan and Framework is
the integration of GI systems into public rights-of-way. The GI Plan is not intended to impose
retrofit requirements on private property, outside the standard development application
review process for projects already regulated by the MRP, but may provide incentives or
opportunities for private property owners to add or contribute towards GI elements.
1.3 Purpose of Green Infrastructure Plan and Framework
The purpose of the GI Plan is to describe how an agency will gradually transform its urban
landscape and storm drainage systems from “gray” to “green”; that is, shift from traditional
storm drain infrastructure, where stormwater runoff flows directly from impervious surfaces into
storm drains and receiving waters, to a more resilient, sustainable system that reduces and
slows runoff by dispersing it to vegetated areas, promotes infiltration and evapotranspiration,
collects runoff for nonpotable uses, and treats runoff using biotreatment and other green
infrastructure practices. The GI Plan will also be used to demonstrate an agency’s long-term
commitment to implementation of green infrastructure to help reduce loads from pollutants of
concern, particularly mercury and PCBs, discharged in stormwater to local waterways. The GI
Plan will be coordinated with other agency plans, such as land use, transportation, parks,
urban forestry, and sustainability plans, to achieve multiple potential benefits to the
community, including improved water and air quality, reduced flooding, increased water
supply, traffic calming, safer pedestrian and bicycle facilities, climate resiliency, improved
wildlife habitat, and a more pleasant urban environment.
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The purposes of this Framework are to:
1. Provide some background on the MRP requirements for GI Planning;
2. Describe the purpose, goals, and tasks to develop the city’s GI Plan; and,
3. Outline the time frames for the creation of the GI Plan and other GI tasks
required in the MRP.
This Framework was reviewed and approved for submittal to the RWQCP by the Saratoga City
Council and by the City Managers for Campbell and Monte Sereno, and the Town Manager for
Los Gatos. The City and Town Councils were notified about GI and the GI Framework with a staff
report or informational memo including the SCVURPPP GI Fact Sheet. The resolution and/or
informational memos are attached as Appendix A.
1.4 West Valley Communities Description and Background
1.4.1 City of Campbell:
The City of Campbell occupies approximately six square miles of relatively flat land located
approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County. Campbell is bounded on
the north, east and west by the City of San Jose and on the south by the Town of Los Gatos.
The city was incorporated in 1952, and has a jurisdictional area of 3,772 acres. According to
the 2010 Census, Campbell’s population was 39,349, with a population density of 6,685 people
per square mile and average household size of 2.42. As of 2016, according to the California
Department of Finance (DOF), the estimated population is 42,584.
Campbell has a traditional Downtown in the heart of the city, a natural creekside trail used by
pedestrians and bicyclists both recreationally and for commuting, a beautiful collection of
parks, a community center on a historic campus, a mix of housing types and a variety of
shopping facilities that are accessible to neighborhoods and employment centers. Campbell
enjoys a nearly perfect balance between the number of jobs and workers within its borders.
Campbell’s attractive living environment is enhanced by its central location in the Bay Area,
and extensive regional transportation network including the Vasona Light Rail corridor.
Additional details for Campbell are provided below.
Land Use:
Campbell is predominantly built-out, with undeveloped properties for new development
becoming exceedingly scarce. As a result, the majority of new projects are infill developments
where older and less dense uses are being replaced with higher density projects. As a result,
the character of some neighborhoods has been affected by this intensification trend, and as
a result, the land use category of some neighborhoods has been changed to a lower density
to reflect the existing housing types. Conversely, some neighborhoods have been identified as
areas where density can increase due to factors such as proximity to light rail. In those areas,
the land use category on the General Plan Diagram has intensified.
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Land uses within the City of Campbell are provided in Table 1. The City of Campbell is primary
comprised of residential land use. Other land uses include commercial and services, industrial,
retail, K-12 schools, and urban parks.
Table 1. Percentages of the City of Campbell's jurisdictional area within
land use classes identified by ABAG (2005)
Land Use Category
Jurisdictional
Area
(acres)
% of
Jurisdictional
Area
Commercial and Services 292.1 7.8%
Industrial 322.9 8.6%
Residential 2,459.3 65.7%
Retail 258.0 6.9%
K-12 Schools 154.9 4.1%
Urban Parks 115.6 3.1%
Other 138.0 3.7%
Population and Households
According to US Census data and the DOF, population growth for the City of Campbell
increased significantly from 27,067 in 1980 to 36,048 in 1990. The growth rate has slowed
appreciably since 1990. The local population has continued to increase since the 2010 Census
(39,349) and has shown continuing population growth through 2016. In 2016, the population
for the City of Campbell had increased to an estimated 42,584, which is the most significant
rate of population increase since the population increases between 1980 and 1990.
Household growth increased at a much higher rate (110 percent) compared to Campbell’s
population (45 percent) from 1970 through 1990. From 1990 to 2010 both households and
population growth slowed and population increases outpaced household increases at 9.2
and 5.6 percent, respectively. As of 2010, Campbell had approximately 16,000 households.
Over the years, the average household size has fluctuated slightly with a high of 3.39 in 1970,
and a low of 2.31 in 1980. In recent years, household size has remained at similar levels with an
average of 2.38 persons per household in 2000, 2.42 persons per household in 2010, and an
estimated 2.52 persons per household in 2016.
Growth Projections:
The City of Campbell developed growth projections as part of its General Plan Land Use and
Transportation Element update, adopted August 19, 2014. Tables 2 and 3, below, describe
projection scenarios with years and estimated percent growth in population and/or additional
square footage of residential and non-residential buildings. Campbell’s population has grown
steadily over the past three decades. Current 2016 population estimates (42,584) have
exceeded the predictions in Table 2. Campbell is currently working on a complete General
Plan update, known as Envision Campbell. Envision Campbell will provide more accurate
growth projections that will be available and included in the GI Plan.
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The population increases in Table 2 were estimated based on the potential increase of 1,600
housing units, concentrated mainly on mixed-use redevelopment sites along light rail transit
corridors and infill development. The time at which full development (“buildout”) will occur
was not specified in or anticipated by the current General Plan. Designation of a site for a
certain use does not necessarily mean that the site will be built/redeveloped with the
designated use over the 20-year horizon of the General Plan.
Table 2:
Historic and Projected Population
1980 1990 2000 20201
Population 26,910 36,048 38,138 41,946
Percent Increase 34% 5.8% 10 %
1. Assuming the development of 1,600 housing units at 2.38 persons per household by 2020. The population
could vary depending on the actual number of persons per household.
Source: City of Campbell’s 2020 General Plan, adopted 2001.
Non-residential building space in Campbell will increase nine percent from an estimated 10.2
million square feet in 2000 to nearly 11.2 million square feet in 2020, as shown in Table 3:
General Plan Buildout Projections for Non-Residential Floor Space. This results from application
of average assumed densities and floor area ratios to vacant sites and areas with potential
redevelopment/intensification opportunities.
Table 3:
General Plan Buildout Projections for Non-Residential Floor Space
Land Use Existing (sq. ft.) Projected Net New Building
Area at General Plan
Buildout (sq. ft.)
Total (sq.
ft.)
Auto-related 413,011 (115,223) 297,788
Retail/Restaurant/Hotel 2,813,528 167,392 2,980,920
Industrial 2,529,444 (64,888) 2,464,556
Prof. Office 3,002,303 986,924 3,989,227
Parking Structures 419,500 - 419,500
Quasi-Public 1,058,072 (34,116) 1,023,956
Total 10,235,857 940,089 11,175,946
Transportation and Street Types:
In Campbell, the local street system is organized in a hierarchy of five types of roadways.
Arterial streets, collector streets, neighborhood collector streets, local streets, and private
streets augment the regional highway system by serving local automobile traffic.
Freeways and highways: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) owns and maintains
several freeways serving Campbell for regional mobility including Highway 17 (which is the
southern extension of Interstate 880), Highway 85 and Interstate 280. These highways provide
excellent north-south and east-west regional automobile access.
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Expressways: These are major divided arterials with access limited primarily to grade
separations and at-grade intersections. Expressways are generally designed, operated, and
maintained by the County of Santa Clara. San Tomas Expressway is the only expressway in
Campbell.
Arterials: Campbell has only a few arterials throughout the City to handle peak hour traffic.
Arterials are major multi-lane streets that primarily function to serve through traffic for inter-city
and intra-city trips. Arterials also provide access to adjacent properties. Both bike routes and
bike lanes can be found on arterials along with ADA accessible pedestrian sidewalks for
access to commercial services. There are two types of arterials within the city: Class I arterials
generally have little on-street parking and serve major bus routes such as Hamilton and
Bascom Avenues, Class II arterials generally have on-street parking and serve major bus routes
such as Campbell Avenue and Winchester Boulevard.
Collector streets: These are low- to medium-speed two-lane or multi-lane streets that serve to
collect and channel local traffic to arterials and to distribute arterial traffic
onto local streets. Local streets are low-speed two-lane streets that provide direct access to
abutting land uses.
Local streets: These provide the lowest level of mobility and usually serve no bus routes. Some
Campbell neighborhoods maintain a rural character including local streets with no sidewalk,
curb or gutter, where runoff from streets has the opportunity to infiltrate into non-pervious dirt
and gravel areas located on private residential park strip areas.
Private streets: These are low-speed access streets that provide direct access to private
properties within a particular subdivision or development.
Public Transit: Campbell has three Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) owned
and maintained light rail stations along the Vasona Light Rail Corridor, including stations at
Hamilton Avenue, Downtown Campbell and Winchester Boulevard. Additionally, the City has
extensive bus service and para-transit, all operated by the VTA.
Maintenance of Public Streets: The City uses a Pavement Management System to identify and
prioritize major preventive and corrective maintenance needs. All city streets are surveyed
and rated every five years and arterials and collector streets every two years. Maintenance
needs are identified by measuring observed pavement conditions against a city standard for
system-wide average pavement surface conditions and standards establishing road repair
strategies with the condition rating for individual street segments.
Water Resources and Water Supply:
Protection of water quality and the provision of adequate water resources is critical for
the health and quality of life of Campbell residents and employees. Water quality is a
regional issue that is regulated at the county, State and federal levels. San Jose Water
Company (SJWC) is the local water supplier in Campbell. The regional wholesale supplier of
water to the South Bay Area is the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), which derives
water from local, recycled and imported supplies. Some of the SCVWD’s water is supplied by
local rainfall and groundwater. The rainwater is stored in ten local reservoirs and some of it is
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transferred to SCVWD’s Groundwater Recharge Facilities. SCVWD owns and operates more
than 30 groundwater recharge facilities, six of which are located in Campbell. These facilities
percolate both local and imported water into the groundwater aquifer.
Four municipal water pollution control plants located in Santa Clara County develop recycled
water for outdoor use. Approximately 20,000 acre-feet per year of non-potable recycled
water could be developed throughout the County by the year 2020. The recycled water is
used mainly for landscape irrigation in various parts of the County. Currently, SCVWD does not
supply recycled water to retailers in the City or have any projects or plans for supplying water
to retailers in the City; however, Campbell has a program to use recycled water (during
drought years) for construction site dust control and median landscape watering.
Flood potential:
Some land within the City of Campbell is located in special flood hazard areas. The land
adjacent to the Los Gatos Creek, San Tomas Aquino Creek and Smith Creek may be
designated as “Areas of 100-year flood” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). In areas with flood potential, the City requires that new construction meets State and
local standards for construction as mandated by the Uniform Building Code.
Stormwater Drainage System:
The City operates and maintains a storm water drainage system and coordinates with
surrounding jurisdictions and Santa Clara County to provide regional storm drainage for
the Santa Clara Valley area. Drainage improvements are planned to enable additional
development while preventing flooding. The stormwater drainage system consists of a series of
inlets and pipes that channel storm runoff to various percolation ponds and Los Gatos and San
Tomas Aquino creeks, which discharge into San Francisco Bay. Nearly all of Campbell’s
catchment areas drain to hardened channels, therefore, hydromodification management is
not applicable.
Open Space:
Within the City of Campbell, open space land consists primarily of city and Santa Clara
County parks and recreation facilities, school recreation facilities (i.e. sports fields), regional
groundwater recharge facilities and creek corridors. Given the limitation for acquisition of new
parkland, the City places a high importance on the maintenance, modernization and
renovation of existing open space, park and recreation facilities to ensure that they are
efficiently utilized and keep pace with the evolving recreational demands of the community.
The City will focus on improving existing unimproved open space lands within the City, such as
SCVWD Groundwater Recharge Facilities. SCVWD owns and maintains 122.4 acres of
groundwater recharge facilities located within the City. If improved and fully accessible, these
facilities would complement the City’s open space, park and recreation resources by
providing unique amenities and special facilities.
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Soil:
Based on the BASMAA 2011 Report, titled “Harvest and Use, Infiltration and Evapotranspiration
Feasibility/Infeasibility Criteria Report”, the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
offers data on existing soil types mapped in the US. In Santa Clara County, a majority of soil is
classified Group D, meaning that it contains soil that is typically clay loam, silty clay loam, or
sandy clays. Group D soils have very low infiltration rates; however, studies conducted in the
West Valley communities, including, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno, have
indicated higher infiltrating soils than other parts of the county. When infiltration is not available
then biotreatment measures may be implemented.
1.4.2 Town of Los Gatos
The Town of Los Gatos occupies approximately fourteen square miles located approximately
50 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara County. Los Gatos is bounded on the north by
the City of Campbell, south by the Santa Cruz Mountains, east by the City of San Jose and
west by the cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga. The Town Incorporated in 1887, and has a
jurisdictional area of 7,281 acres. In 2010, the Town had a population of 30,802, with a
population density of 2,635 people per square mile and average household size of 2.35. As of
2016, according to DOF, the estimated population for Los Gatos is 31,376. Los Gatos is
characterized by hilly terrain located on the lower slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains at an
elevation of 344 feet.
Los Gatos is home to Netflix, Roku and over 3,700 businesses, which serve residents and draw
visitors to the restaurants, hotels, and shops within a pedestrian-oriented downtown setting. The
Town provides excellent schools, a vibrant Downtown, dynamic neighborhood and diverse
shopping experiences and also features many parks and greenbelt areas. Downtown Los
Gatos is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the model of what communities
strive to achieve in a downtown. Additional Town characteristics are provided below:
Land Use:
Los Gatos is predominantly built-out. Land uses within the Town, as defined in the General Plan,
are provided in Table 4. The Town is primary comprised of low density residential land uses. Los
Gatos has approximately 4,329 acres of woodland/forest communities, including riparian
woodlands, oak woodlands, broadleaved upland forest, and non-native ornamental trees, that
support a very green environment. Other land uses include commercial, office, light industrial,
K-12 schools, open space and urban parks.
TABLE 4 EXISTING LAND USES Land Use Category Number of
Acres
Percent of
Town
Acreage
Percent of SOI
Acreage
Residential – Single
5,911 51.2% 51.9%
Residential – Multi-
407 6.5% 0%
Commercial 164 2.6% 0%
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Office Professional 126 2% 0%
Light Industrial 37 0.6% 0%
Public/Quasi-Public 440 4.7% 2.8%
Public Utilities 39 0.5% 0.1%
Agricultural 112 1% 1%
Open
3,841 26.2% 42.2%
Vacant 399 4.7% 2%
Total 11,476 100% 100%
Source: County of Santa Clara, Office of the Assessor, 2006.
Growth Projections:
The Town of Los Gatos is primarily a built-out community with few opportunities for new large-
scale development to occur. The Town established growth/development forecasts as part of
its General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The population growth of Los Gatos has
remained fairly small and stable in the last three decades as depicted in Figure 1.
FIGURE 1 TOWN POPULATION BY YEAR, 1950–2014
Sources: U.S. Census Population Estimates 1950-2000; State of California, Department of Finance
As shown in Table 5, implementation of the 2020 General Plan could result in the construction
of up to 1,600 new residential units within the Town of Los Gatos by 2020. The majority of new
housing is expected to be developed on the Housing Element sites. Approximately 270 units
could be developed in the North Forty Specific Plan area. ABAG also expects that an
additional 170 dwelling units will be developed over the next 10 years in Los Gatos. Most of
these units will be multi-family residences, such as apartments or condominiums. A limited
number of new stand-alone single-family residences will likely occur on vacant parcels in
existing single-family neighborhoods. This increase in residential units could increase the
population by 3,790 residents, from 28,810 to 32,600 people by 2020.
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HOUSING, POPULATION AND JOB GROWTH
UNDER THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN
TABLE 5
Existing Conditions
in 2008
Estimated New
Development Under
Draft 2020 General
Plan
Estimated Total
Development in
2020
Housing Units 12,130 ᵃ 1,600 13,730
Population 28,810 ᵃ 3,790 ᶜ 32,600
Jobs 18,820 ᵇ 2,660 21,480
ᵃ Based on Claritas 2008
ᵇ Based on ABAG Projections, 2009
ᶜ Assuming 2.37 persons per household, based on State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and
Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2009.
Non-residential building space in Los Gatos could result in an increase from an estimated
4,082,050 million square feet in 2008 to nearly 5,025,260 million square feet by 2020, as shown in
Table 6: Commercial, Office, and Industrial Growth Under the 2020 General Plan EIR.
COMMERCIAL, OFFICE, AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
UNDER THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN
TABLE 6
Estimated Existing
Conditions in 2008 ᵃ
Estimated New
Development Under
Draft 2020 General
Plan
Estimated Total
Development in
2020
Retail/Service
Square Footage
1,924,870 419,210 2,344,080
Office Square
Footage
1,630,480 516,000 2,146,480
Industrial Square
Footage
526,700 8,000 534,700
Total 4,082,050 943,210 5,025,260
ᵃ Based on Santa Clara County Assessor Data, 2008.
Transportation and Street Types:
In Los Gatos, the local street system is organized in a hierarchy of six types of roadways.
Arterial streets, collector streets, neighborhood collector streets, hillside collector streets, local
streets, and private streets augment the regional highway system by serving local automobile
traffic.
Freeways and highways: two freeways and one highway serve Los Gatos for regional mobility:
Caltrans owned and maintained Highway 17 (which is the southern extension of Interstate
880), Highway 85 and Highway 9. These highways provide north-south and east-west regional
automobile access.
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Arterials: Arterial streets are designed to facilitate two or more lanes of traffic in each direction
and provide intra-community travel and access to the county-wide highway system. Los
Gatos has eight (8) arterials throughout the Town to handle peak hour traffic. Arterials also
provide access to adjacent properties. Both bike routes and bike lanes can be found on
arterials along with ADA accessible pedestrian sidewalks for access to commercial services.
Examples of arterial streets include Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road.
Collector streets: These are low- to medium-speed two-lane or multi-lane streets that serve to
collect and channel local traffic to arterials and to distribute arterial traffic onto local streets. A
hillside collector street serves abutting property in the hillside areas, carrying traffic to arterial
streets or other collectors.
Local streets: Low-speed two-lane streets provide for neighborhood traffic movement that
provide direct access to abutting land uses. Local streets provide the lowest level of mobility
and usually serve no bus routes. Some Los Gatos neighborhoods, especially those in
unincorporated county pockets, maintain a rural character including local streets with no
sidewalk or curb and gutter. These rural style streets drain mostly to vegetated areas on private
property.
Private streets: Low-speed access streets that provide direct access to private properties within
a particular subdivision or development.
Public Transit: VTA has one planned light rail station along the Vasona Light Rail Corridor on
Winchester Boulevard near Lark Avenue. Additionally, the Town has extensive bus service and
para-transit service, all operated by VTA.
Maintenance of Public Streets: The Town uses a Pavement Management System to identify
and prioritize major preventive and corrective maintenance needs. Town streets are surveyed
and rated on a biennial basis. Maintenance needs are identified by measuring observed
pavement conditions against a Town standard for system-wide average pavement surface
conditions and standards establishing road repair strategies with the condition rating for
individual street segments.
Water Resources and Water Supply:
Protection of water quality and the provision of adequate water resources is critical for
the health and quality of life of Los Gatos residents and employees. Water quality is a
regional issue that is regulated at the county, State and federal levels. The Town of Los Gatos
does not own or operate a water utility. SJWC is the local water supplier in Los Gatos.
The regional wholesale supplier of water to the South Bay Area is SCVWD, which derives water
from local, recycled, and imported supplies. Some of SCVWD’s water is supplied by local
rainfall and groundwater. The rainwater is stored in ten local reservoirs and some of it is
transferred to SCVWD’s Groundwater Recharge Facilities. SCVWD owns more than 30
groundwater recharge facilities. These facilities percolate both local and imported water into
the groundwater aquifer.
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Two open water bodies are within the Town: County owned and maintained Vasona Reservoir
and the northern tip of SCVWD’s Lexington Reservoir (in the Town’s SOI). Creeks include
perennial and ephemeral creek channels with above ground and underground reaches. Most
of these creeks are considered part of the Guadalupe River watershed. Los Gatos Creek is
one of the primary creeks in the area, flowing south to north into and out of the Vasona
Reservoir.
Four municipal water pollution control plants located in Santa Clara County develop recycled
water for outdoor irrigation use. Recycled water is currently produced from these plants and
used for landscape irrigation in some areas of the County. Approximately 20,000 acre-feet per
year of non-potable recycled water could be developed throughout the County by the year
2020. Currently, SCVWD does not supply recycled water to retailers in the Town or have any
plans for supplying water to retailers in the Town.
Flood potential:
Some land within the Town of Los Gatos is located in special flood hazard areas. The land
adjacent to a number of creeks, such as: Ross Creek, Los Gatos Creek, Smith Creek, and San
Tomas Aquino Creek, may be designated as “Areas of 100-year flood” by FEMA. In areas with
flood potential, the Town requires that new construction meets State and local standards for
construction as mandated by the Uniform Building Code.
Stormwater Drainage System:
The Town of Los Gatos is served by an extensive man-made storm drainage system including
pipe networks, ditches and culverts. These systems discharge into the natural creeks that cross
the Town. The Town operates and maintains a storm water drainage system and coordinates
with surrounding jurisdictions and Santa Clara County to provide regional storm drainage for
the Santa Clara Valley area. Drainage improvements are planned to enable additional
development while preventing flooding. The stormwater drainage system consists of a series of
inlets and pipes that channel storm runoff to nearby creeks, including Los Gatos Creek, Ross
Creek, San Tomas Aquino Creek, and Smith Creek, which discharge into San Francisco Bay.
Open Space, Agriculture and Vacant land:
Open Space/Recreation refers to indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, including public
open spaces such as regional parks, community centers, playgrounds and neighborhood
parks, country clubs, and natural open spaces. After Residential Single-family land use, Open
Space/Recreation comprises the second highest percentage of total land in Los Gatos. There
are approximately 1,624 acres of open space in the Town. Much of this acreage is contained
in four large facilities: St. Joseph’s Hill, Sierra Azul Open Space, Vasona Lake County Park and
La Rinconada Country Club.
According to the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office, about 64 acres of land in Los Gatos,
and approximately 48 acres in the SOI, is currently devoted to agricultural uses. Agricultural
land is used for raising and harvesting crops, breeding livestock and/or housing equipment
used for agricultural purposes.
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Approximately 292 acres within the Town are vacant parcels of varying sizes that are scattered
throughout the Town. Most of the vacant acreage in Los Gatos is located in the hillside single-
family residential area on the eastern side of the Town. Parcels here are generally larger than
they are elsewhere in Los Gatos, and a number of significantly sized parcels are vacant.
Generally, vacancies are more common in residential areas of Los Gatos than in commercial
areas, although a few small, isolated commercial vacancies exist.
Soil:
Based on the BASMAA 2011 Report, titled “Harvest and Use, Infiltration, and Evapotranspiration
Feasibility/Infeasibility Criteria Report,” NRCS offers data on existing soil types mapped in the
US. In Santa Clara County, a majority of soil is classified Group D, meaning that it contains soil
that is typically clay loam, silty clay loam, or sandy clays. Group D soils have very low infiltration
rates; however, studies conducted in the West Valley communities, including, Campbell, Los
Gatos, Saratoga, and Monte Sereno, have indicated higher infiltrating soils than other parts of
the county. When infiltration is not available then biotreatment measures may be
implemented.
1.4.3 City of Monte Sereno
Incorporated in 1957, the City of Monte Sereno occupies approximately 1.6 square miles of
land, located adjacent to the Town of Los Gatos and City of Saratoga and nestled in the hills
of western Santa Clara County. According to the 2010 Census, Monte Sereno has a
population of 3,475, with a population density of 2,195 per square mile and average
household size of 2.76.
Monte Sereno is home to peaceful neighborhoods, abundant open space and a serene
lifestyle within close proximity to a variety of high-quality urban amenities. Unlike many other
cities in Santa Clara County, Monte Sereno did not form on a crossroads or from an historical
village. Consequently, a commercial core never developed in the City, leaving Monte Sereno
strictly residential. Additional details for Monte Sereno are provided below.
Land Use:
The majority of land use in Monte Sereno consists of very low and low-density residential
neighborhoods. Monte Sereno does not feature any commercial or industrial land uses. The
City of Monte Sereno is divided into eight neighborhoods, distinguished by their location and
unique characteristics, such as ambience, physical description, type of roadways and
vegetation. Table 7 describes all Land Use categories for Monte Sereno.
Table 7. Summary of Designated Land Uses in Monte Sereno, CA
Land Use Designation Acreage in City Limits
Single-family Residential, 1 DU/Acre 858
Single-family Residential, 2 DU/Acre 55
Single-family Residential, 3-5 DU/Acre 134
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Multi-family Residential, 3 DU/Acre 4.5 (in City SOI)
Public 9
Open Space and Conservation 38
Growth Projections:
Monte Sereno is a largely built-out community with a limited supply of vacant land.
Additionally, many of the remaining vacant sites within the City boundary are located on
unstable, steep slopes, not ideal for development. The General Plan anticipates limited
additional development through 2023. New development is expected to consist of
redevelopment of single family homes and new secondary dwelling units. No additional non-
residential development is anticipated.
Monte Sereno’s population has grown slowly over the past three decades. According to DOF,
as of 2016, Monte Sereno’s estimated population was 3,475. Monte Sereno households are
slightly smaller than the average Santa Clara County household. Average household size in
2007-2011 was 2.85 persons per household in Monte Sereno and 2.89 persons per household in
Santa Clara County. The number of households in the City has remained at approximately
1200 households from 2000-2010. ABAG has predicted that the City will have a 3.2% growth
rate in the decade between 2010-2020, resulting in a net increase of approximately 38
households.
Transportation and Street Types:
Monte Sereno has three types of roads serving the City: thoroughfares, collectors, and local
streets.
Thoroughfares: roadways that accommodate higher volumes of traffic at higher speeds, and
connect Monte Sereno with adjacent communities. The three thoroughfares in Monte Sereno
are state-owned Highway 9, Winchester Boulevard and Quito Road.
Collector and local streets: designed for internal circulation within Monte Sereno and
accommodate lower volumes and vehicle speeds. These are all the streets in residential
neighborhoods.
Maintenance of Public Streets: The City uses a Pavement Management System to identify and
prioritize major preventive and corrective maintenance needs. All City streets are surveyed
and rated every two years. Maintenance needs are identified by measuring observed
pavement conditions against a city standard for system-wide average pavement surface
conditions and standards establishing road repair strategies with the condition rating for
individual street segments.
Water Resources and Water Supply:
Protection of water quality and the provision of adequate water resources is critical for the
health and quality of life of Monte Sereno residents. Water quality is a regional issue that is
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regulated at the county, State and federal levels. The City of Monte Sereno does not own or
operate a water utility. SJWC is the local water supplier in Monte Sereno. The regional
wholesale supplier of water to the South Bay Area is SCVWD, which derives water from local,
recycled and imported supplies. Some of SCVWD’s water is supplied by local rainfall and
groundwater. The rainwater is stored in ten local reservoirs and some of it is transferred to
SCVWD’s Groundwater Recharge Facilities. SCVWD owns more than 30 groundwater recharge
facilities. These facilities percolate both local and imported water into the groundwater
aquifer.
Flood Potential:
Large-scale flooding is not a significant hazard in Monte Sereno. Most of the properties in
Monte Sereno are built above the base flood elevation; however, both surface and
subsurface local drainage problems do exist in some parts of Monte Sereno, and there is
currently no drainage plan for Monte Sereno. Due to its minimal danger of flooding, The
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has withdrawn the City of Monte Sereno
from the emergency program list of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Stormwater Drainage System:
Monte Sereno uses a stormwater collection system, in conjunction with the natural creek
drainage system, to manage runoff. Stormwater collected through this system ultimately drains
into the San Francisco Bay. A majority of the residential streets drain to swales or private park
strip areas of mostly dirt or gravel.
Open Space:
Within the City of Monte Sereno, there is approximately 70 acres of privately-owned open
space land. The City itself, however, does not own or manage public parkland; however, with
very large residential lot sizes, the City provides a vast amount of natural green areas to
accommodate natural infiltration.
Soil:
Based on the BASMAA 2011 Report, titled “Harvest and Use, Infiltration and Evapotranspiration
Feasibility/Infeasibility Criteria Report”, NRCS offers data on existing soil types mapped in the
US. In Santa Clara County, a majority of soil is classified Group D, meaning that it contains soil
that is typically clay loam, silty clay loam, or sandy clays. Group D soils have very low infiltration
rates.
However, studies conducted in the West Valley communities, including, Campbell, Los Gatos,
Saratoga, and Monte Sereno, have indicated higher infiltrating soils than other parts of the
county. When infiltration is not available then biotreatment measures may be implemented.
1.4.4 City of Saratoga
Incorporated in 1956, the City of Saratoga has a jurisdictional area of 7,924 acres located
approximately 35 miles south of San Francisco in the low-lying foothills of the Santa Cruz
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Mountains. Saratoga is located in the westerly portion of Santa Clara County and surrounded
by the cities of Cupertino, San Jose, Campbell, Monte Sereno and unincorporated county.
According to the 2010 Census, Saratoga has a population of 30,219, with a population density
of 2,561 people per square mile and average household size of 2.8.
Saratoga is home to suburban small-town neighborhoods, a pedestrian-oriented downtown,
wineries, and many retail and office uses. Other major land uses in the community include the
Saratoga Civic Center, the Saratoga Library, and neighborhood parks. Additional details for
Saratoga are provided below.
Land Use:
Saratoga is predominantly built-out with the majority of land use being low density, single-
family residences on individual lots. Table 8 below indicates the Land Use categories in
Saratoga. Other land uses include commercial retail, professional office, community facilities,
and open space and urban parks. Due to the city’s large percentage of low density
residential and open space land use areas, Saratoga has a large amount of woodland/forest
communities that support a very green environment.
Table 8 Land Use Categories
LAND USE
MAXIMUM
DU/ACRE OR
PEOPLE PER ACRE
MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE
COVERAGE
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF USE
RESIDENTIAL LAND USES
Residential Hillside
Conservation
(RHC)
0.5 du/ac or
1.55
people/acre
25% of site area, or
15,000 s.f,
whichever is less
Single-family dwellings
Residential Very
Low Density (RVLD)
1.09 du/ac or
3.38
people/acre
35% of site area Single-family dwellings
Residential Low
Density
(RLD)
2.18 du/net
acre or 6.76
people/acre
45% of site area Single-family dwellings.
Medium Density
M-10
M-12.5
M-15
4.35 du/net acre or 13.5
people/acre
3.48 du/net acre or 10.8
people/acre
2.90 du/net acre or 9.0
people/acre
Single-family dwellings.
Residential Multi-
Family
(RMF)
14.5 du/ac or
27-24
people/acre
40% of site area Detached and attached single-family dwellings,
condominiums, duplexes and apartments.
Planned
Development
Residential (PDR)
4.35 - 12.45
du/acre or
13.5 - 38.6
people/acre
25-35% of site
area
Mix of single-family and multi-family densities and
housing types.
COMMERCIAL LAND USES
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Commercial Retail
(CR)
** 60% of net site
area, except as
regulated by an
applicable
specific plan.
Commercial uses/centers serving community and/or
neighborhood; not regional in orientation. Refer to
Saratoga Village Specific Plan for uses, height and
lot coverage permitted in Specific Plan area.
Professional Office
(PO)
** 30% of site area Professional office uses permitted; serves as transition
zone between commercial and residential areas.
PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC FACILITIES LAND USES
Community
Facilities Sites (CFS)
varies varies Public, civic and quasi-public (private institutional
uses, including but not limited to, religious uses
(churches, synagogues, religious schools and the
novitiate), convalescent homes, private schools, the
cemetery, the electrical substation, and the Odd
Fellows Home.
OPEN SPACE LAND USES
Open Space –
Outdoor
Recreation (OS-
OR)
1 du/ 4 acres N/A City or County parks or lands designated for those
uses. Only recreational facilities (i.e. playground
equipment, recreational courts, etc.), structures
necessary to support the parks or structures of
particular historic value are permitted in these areas.
These sites are considered to be of particular value
for recreational purposes.
Open Space –
Private (OS-P)
N/A Consists of open space resources under private
ownership (i.e. Saratoga Country Club Golf Course)
Open Space –
Managed
Resources (OS-MR)
N/A Consists primarily of orchard lands, water reservoirs and
lands that are under Williamson Act Contract. Only
single-family dwellings or structures directly associated
with agricultural use are permitted.
Hillside Open
Space (HOS)
1 du/20 acres to
1 du/160 acres
(based on a
slope density
formula subject
to stringent
criteria)
25% or 12,000
square feet
whichever is less
Covers all areas within Saratoga’s Sphere of
Influence (SOI) not designated as parks or OS-MR.
Uses include agricultural, mineral extraction, parks
and low intensity recreational facilities, land in its
natural state, wildlife refuges and very low intensity
residential development and support uses of those
listed above. These criteria apply to the SOI portion
of the General Plan
Public Use Corridor
(PUC)
N/A N/A Applies to the railroad corridor and allows multi-use trails.
• Overall Height Limit – No structure permitted over two stories in height except for structures located within the Saratoga
Village boundary (as defined by the Saratoga Village Area Plan, (1988) which shall be regulated by the “Village Plan”) or
for quasi-public uses, a three-story structure is allowed provided the slope underneath the three-story area is 10% or more
and a stepped pad is used.
•• Mixed residential/commercial uses are permitted in all commercial lands, with a maximum of 20 dwelling units per acre
excluding density bonuses for very low-income, low-income, or senior housing. The residential portion shall not exceed 50%
of the total floor area, (850 sq. ft. for a one-bedroom unit-1,250 sq. ft. for a two-bedroom unit), with an increase of 10% of
the total floor area permitted for the site, for projects that provide below-market-rate housing. Total site coverage may also
be increased by 10% for a project containing below market-rate housing.
Growth Projections:
The City of Saratoga has developed growth/development forecasts as part of its General Plan
Housing Element. Table 9 and Figure 2 below, describe projection scenarios with years and
estimated percent growth in population. As stated in Saratoga’s General Plan Housing
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Element, and according to the U.S. Census, Saratoga experienced a 7 percent population
increase between 1990 and 2000, and less than 1 percent increase between 2000 and 2010.
Table 9 compares Saratoga’s population growth trends with those of the County. Despite a
slower growth rate over the past decade, ABAG predicts that growth rates will increase and
the City will have nearly 3,000 more residents in 2040. In 2013, DOF estimated Saratoga’s
population to be 30,706. Figure 3 shows population growth projected by ABAG.
Table 9: Population Growth 1990-2010
Total Population 1990-2000 Growth 2000-2010 Growth
1990 2000 2010 Number Percent
Change Number Percent
Change
Saratoga 28,061 29,843 29,926 1,782 6% 83 <1%
Santa Clara
County Total 1,497,577 1,682,585 1,781,642 185,008 12% 99,057 6%
Source: Census 1990, via 2014-2009 Saratoga Housing Element; Census 2000 and 2010, via ABAG Data for Bay
Area Housing Elements
Figure 3: Population Growth
Source: ABAG
According to the Saratoga Housing Element, a portion of this population increase, through
2023, would be generated from the potential increase of 439 housing units, concentrated
mainly through infill development.
Transportation and Street Types:
In Saratoga, the local street system is organized in a hierarchy of six types of roadways. Major
and minor arterials, collector streets, local or residential streets, hillside streets, and heritage
29,843 29,926
30,800
31,900
32,700
28,000
28,500
29,000
29,500
30,000
30,500
31,000
31,500
32,000
32,500
33,000
2000 2010 2020 2030 2040
Po
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
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lanes, which all augment the regional highway and expressway system by serving local
automobile traffic.
Freeways and highways: Freeways are limited access, high-speed travel ways included in the
State and Federal Highway systems. The only freeway in the City is State Route (SR) 85. This
Caltrans owned and maintained freeway provides for regional mobility and excellent north-
south regional access.
Expressways: These are major divided arterials with access limited primarily to grade
separations and at-grade intersections. Expressways are generally designed, operated, and
maintained by the County of Santa Clara. The only expressway facility within the City limits is a
very short segment of Lawrence Expressway north of Saratoga Avenue.
Major and Minor Arterials: Major arterials are typically four- or more lane roadways and serve
both local and through traffic. Minor arterials are typically two- to four-lane streets and serve
local and commute traffic. Examples of major arterials are Saratoga Avenue east of SR 85,
Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, and Quito Road north of SR 85. Minor
arterials include Saratoga Avenue west of SR 85, Fruitvale Avenue, Cox Avenue (Saratoga-
Sunnyvale Road to Saratoga Avenue), and Quito Road south of SR 85. Both bike routes and
bike lanes can be found on arterials along with ADA accessible pedestrian sidewalks for
access to commercial services.
Collector streets: These are streets that provide land access and traffic circulation within
residential, commercial and industrial areas. They connect local streets to arterials and are
typically designed with two travel lanes that may accommodate on-street parking. Collector
streets include Herriman Avenue, Pierce Road, and Miller Avenue.
Local or residential streets: Local streets provide direct access to abutting residential properties
as their primary function. Local streets have no more than two travel lanes and may or may
not accommodate on-street parking. In many areas of Saratoga, local streets do not include
curb, gutter, and sidewalks.
Hillside Streets. These roads are local streets located in the foothills that have narrow travel
lane widths and slower travel speeds. No on-street parking is typically permitted and no right
of way is available for separate pedestrian or bicycle facilities. Examples include Bohlman
Road and portions of Canyon View Drive.
Heritage Lanes. Two roadways in Saratoga are designated as “heritage lanes.” While not an
official roadway classification for circulation purposes, this designation indicates corridors that
are maintained to preserve the City’s character. The two roadways with this classification are
Saratoga Avenue between Fruitvale Avenue and Park Place, and Austin Way south of
Saratoga-Los Gatos Road (SR 9).
The City maintains or contracts maintenance of all improved public streets. The City uses a
Pavement Management System to identify and prioritize major preventive and corrective
maintenance needs. All city streets are surveyed and rated on a biennial basis. Maintenance
needs are identified by measuring observed pavement conditions against a city standard for
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system-wide average pavement surface conditions and standards establishing road repair
strategies with the condition rating for individual street segments.
Water Resources and Water Supply:
Domestic water is supplied to Saratoga primarily by SJWC, a private company serving central
Santa Clara County, including the City of Saratoga. Two small private water companies
currently also supply water to portions of the City on Bohlman Road. Water is available from
three sources: local groundwater, which is extracted via a series of wells, local surface water,
perennial streams and runoff from local hillsides, and imported water from SCVWD. Portions of
the higher elevations of the Santa Cruz Mountains within the city’s Sphere of Influence provide
water runoff into local streams and recharge wells that provide a portion of the City’s water
supply. Well and stream water is purified at the SJWC treatment plant in Los Gatos. SJWC does
not supply water to areas more than one lift (300 feet) above the City's service system.
Four municipal water pollution control plants located in Santa Clara County develop recycled
water for outdoor use. Approximately 20,000 acre-feet per year of non-potable recycled
water could be developed throughout the County by the year 2020. The recycled water is
used mainly for landscape irrigation in various parts of the County. Currently, SCVWD does not
supply recycled water to retailers in the City or have any projects or plans for supplying water
to retailers in the City; however, since 2016, Saratoga implemented a program to use recycled
water for street sweeping.
Flood Potential:
Saratoga is located in the North Central Flood Zone of SCVWD. Creeks in the City under
SCVWD jurisdiction are Calabazas, Rodeo, Saratoga, Wildcat, and San Tomas. In general,
flooding from these creeks has been confined to the relatively narrow flood plain directly
adjacent to the creeks. In areas with flood potential, the City requires that new construction
meets state and local standards for construction as mandated by the Uniform Building Code.
Stormwater Drainage System:
The City operates and maintains a storm water drainage system and coordinates with
surrounding jurisdictions and Santa Clara County to provide regional storm drainage for
the Santa Clara Valley area. Drainage improvements are planned to enable additional
development while preventing flooding. The stormwater drainage system consists of a series of
inlets and pipes that channel storm runoff to various creeks, which discharge into San
Francisco Bay.
Open Space:
The City of Saratoga develops (when possible), protects and preserves their parks, trails and
resource conservation areas. The City maintains, and where possible improves city owned
lands as appropriate to increase the City’s supply of public parks. In addition, the City will
continue to encourage dedication of lands for park use with subdivisions of 4 or more parcels.
In the year 2020, with a population estimated to be 33,300, the City would require 165.5 acres
for parks.
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Private and Community open space land includes private properties with established open
space use such as the Saratoga Country Club, Madronia Cemetery and Villa Montalvo. The
Madronia Cemetery is maintained by a Cemetery District. Villa Montalvo, is operated in trust
by the Montalvo Association and the trail lands are leased to the County on a long-term basis
for public use. Additionally, with many very large residential lot sizes, the City provides a vast
amount of natural green areas to accommodate natural infiltration.
Soil:
Based on the BASMAA 2011 Report, titled “Harvest and Use, Infiltration and Evapotranspiration
Feasibility/Infeasibility Criteria Report”, NRCS offers data on existing soil types mapped in the
US. In Santa Clara County, a majority of soil is classified Group D, meaning that it contains soil
that is typically clay loam, silty clay loam, or sandy clays. Group D soils have very low infiltration
rates; however, studies conducted in the West Valley communities, including, Campbell, Los
Gatos, Saratoga and Monte Sereno, have indicated higher infiltrating soils than other parts of
the county. When infiltration is not available then biotreatment measures may be
implemented.
1.5 West Valley Communities: Goals and Overall Approach
As the West Valley Communities consider the future needs of their municipalities and the
communities they serve, achieving environmental sustainability is an important goal of each
municipality. GI is a concept and tool that the West Valley Communities will use to make the
built environment more environmentally sustainable. The implementation of GI jurisdiction-wide
will occur over several decades and into the next century, therefore long-range planning is
essential in determining the prioritization and strategy for the most cost-effective use of limited
public funds. Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and Saratoga will include GI goals and
policies in their General Plan and other planning documents, and may also potentially create
a policy for public works projects to consider GI with all public projects. Public street projects
may provide the best method to implement the goal of retrofitting impervious surfaces.
Streetscapes present an important opportunity to achieve sustainability goals, as a well-
designed project can provide multiple ecological and community benefits beyond
circulation.
To comply with this direction, the West Valley Communities will consider the use of GI for all
future street projects. Goals and policies for well-designed streetscapes can be integrated into
planning documents to work in harmony with other “complete street” elements which provide
safer, more active, and more attractive public streetscapes. Public participation and input will
be included as part of each municipalities future review and updates of their General Plans.
2.0 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN ELEMENTS
2.1 Summary of Required Elements
To meet MRP requirements, the West Valley Communities’ GI Plans will address the following
elements:
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• Project Identification and Prioritization Mechanism: The GI Plan will describe the
mechanism by which the West Valley Communities will identify, prioritize and map
potential and planned projects that incorporate green infrastructure components in
different drainage areas within their jurisdication. These include public and private
projects that may be implemented over the long term, with milestones for
implementation by 2020, 2030, and 2040. The mechanism will include the criteria for
prioritization and outputs that can be incorporated into the West Valley Communities’
long-term planning and capital improvement processes.
• Prioritized Project Locations and Timeframes: The GI Plan will contain the outputs
resulting from the identification and prioritization mechanism described above, such as
lists and maps of prioritized projects and timeframes for implementation. The outputs will
also include “targets” or estimates of how much impervious surface within the West
Valley Communities will be converted or “retrofitted” to drain to a green infrastructure
feature, such as a vegetated area or stormwater capture or treatment facility, by the
2020, 2030, and 2040 milestones.
• Completed Project Tracking System: The GI Plan will describe the municipality’s process
for tracking and mapping completed public and private projects and make the
information available to the public.
• Guidelines and Specifications: The GI Plan will include general design and construction
guidelines, standard specifications and details (or references to those documents) for
incorporating green infrastructure components into projects within the municipality.
These guidelines and specifications should address the different street and project types
within the municipalities, as defined by its land use and transportation characteristics,
and allow projects to provide a range of functions and benefits, such as stormwater
management, bicycle and pedestrian mobility and safety, public green space, urban
forestry, etc.
• Integration with Other Plans: The GI Plan will describe its relationship to other planning
documents and efforts within the West Valley Communities and how those planning
documents have been updated or modified, if needed, to support and incorporate the
green infrastructure requirements. If any necessary updates or modifications have not
been accomplished by the completion of the GI Plan, the GI Plan will include a work
plan and schedule to complete them.
• Evaluation of Funding Options: The GI Plan will include an evaluation of funding options
for design, construction, and long-term maintenance of prioritized green infrastructure
projects, considering local, state and federal funding sources.
In addition, the West Valley Communities will adopt policies, ordinances, and/or other
appropriate legal mechanisms to allow implementation of the GI Plan. The municipalities will
also conduct outreach and education to elected officials, department managers and staffs,
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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developers and design professionals, and the general public as part of development and
implementation of the GI Plan and implementation of specific projects within the GI Plan.
2.2 Approach to Completion of Required Elements
The West Valley Communities are committed to working within their various departments and
with SCVWD and SCVURPPP to complete the required GI Plan elements described in Section
2.1. This section describes their approach to each required element.
2.2.1 Outreach and Education
One of the first and most important steps in the development of the GI Plan is educating a
municipality’s department staff, managers, and elected officials about the purposes and
goals of green infrastructure, the required elements of the GI Plan, and steps needed to
develop and implement the GI Plan, and get their support and commitment to the Plan and
this new approach to urban infrastructure. Another important first step is local community and
stakeholder outreach to gain public support. The West Valley Communities began this process
in FY 15-16 and FY 16-17 by completing the following tasks:
• Convened interdepartmental meetings with affected department staff and
management to discuss GI requirements and assigned tasks.
• Discussed with appropriate department staff the MRP requirements to analyze
proposed capital projects for opportunities to incorporate GI, and completed the first
list of planned and potential GI projects.
• Provided training to department staff on GI requirements and strategies using the GI
workshops and other training tools developed by SCVURPPP.
• Informed elected officials with an informational memo to raise awareness of the goals
and requirements in the MRP and the concepts, intent and multiple benefits of GI.
• Worked with WVCWP and SCVURPPP to study and possibly develop a GI resource
center within the West Valley Communities to demonstrate GI projects specifically for
smaller communities.
• Participated in the stakeholder working group for SCVWD and SCVURPPP project to
develop a Storm Water Resource Plan (SWRP) for the Santa Clara Basin.
• Coordinated with SCVURPPP on a comprehensive outreach and education program.
Key audiences include: the general public (countywide, and in the neighborhood or
municipality where GI projects are located); the development community (e.g.,
developers, engineers, landscape architects, and contractors); and elected officials.
Incorporated the materials produced by SCVURPPP into outreach efforts on the local
level.
The West Valley Communities will conduct or continue to conduct the following education
and outreach activities as part of development of the GI Plan:
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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• Continue to hold inter-department and committee meetings to get input on the GI
Plan.
• Continue to keep elected officials updated on GI Plan development and schedule for
adoption.
• Create a webpage for GI on the city/town’s website to provide outreach to the local
community and other stakeholders to get input and support for the GI Plan.
• Continue to provide outreach to the general public and development community in
coordination with SCVURPPP.
• Continue to conduct internal training as needed, and send staff to SCVURPPP trainings.
• Continue to participate in the stakeholder working group for SCVWD/SCVURPPP SWRP.
2.2.2 Project Identification and Prioritization
The West Valley Communities will use the following approaches to identify, prioritize and map
potential and planned projects that incorporate green infrastructure components in different
drainage areas within the city/town:
a. Coordination with the Santa Clara Basin Stormwater Resource Plan: SCVWD and
SCVURPPP obtained a Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program planning grant to
develop a SWRP for the Santa Clara Basin. The SWRP will support the development and
implementation of GI Plans within the Basin (including the West Valley Communities’ GI
Plan) through identification of local and regional opportunities for GI projects and
development of modeling tools for estimating pollutant load reductions over future
timeframes. The resulting maps and tools will be available for local use by participating
municipalities.
The SWRP will also produce a list of prioritized GI projects eligible for future State
implementation grant funds. Building on existing documents that describe the
characteristics and water quality and quantity issues within the Santa Clara Basin, the
SWRP will identify and prioritize multi-benefit GI projects throughout the Basin, using a
metrics-based approach for quantifying project benefits such as volume of stormwater
infiltrated and/or treated and quantity of pollutants removed. The metrics-based
analysis will be conducted using hydrologic/hydraulic and water quality models
coupled with GIS resources and other tools. The products of these analyses will be a
map of opportunity areas for GI projects throughout the watershed, an initial prioritized
list of potential projects and strategies for implementation of these and future projects.
The list of potential projects within the West Valley Communities will then be
incorporated into the city or town’s list for its GI Plan. For more information, the
Stormwater Resource Plan fact sheet is attached as Appendix B.
Review of Capital Improvement Program Projects for Green Infrastructure Opportunities:
As required by the MRP, the West Valley Communities have each begun to prepare
and maintain a list of public and private GI projects that are planned for
implementation during the permit term, and public projects that have potential for GI
measures. The first such list was submitted with the FY 15-16 Annual Report. These lists will
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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be used to provide potential projects for inclusion in the SWRP development and
incorporation into the GI Plan.
The GI Plan will also describe the tools and approaches used, the criteria for prioritization, and
the outputs that can be incorporated into the West Valley Communities’ long-term planning
and capital improvement processes.
2.2.3 Prioritized Project Locations and Timeframes
The GI Plan will include the prioritized list of projects and map of locations within the West
Valley Communities’ jurisdiction resulting from Task 2.2.2 above, as well as timeframes for
implementation. The outputs will also include “targets” or estimates of how much impervious
surface within each municipality will be converted or “retrofited” to drain to a green
infrastructure feature, such as a vegetated area or stormwater treatment facility, or converted
to pervious surfaces, by the 2020, 2030, and 2040 milestones. The West Valley Communities will
work with SCVURPPP on a methodology for estimating these targets, and will apply the
methodology to estimate their specific targets.
2.2.4 Completed Project Tracking System
This section of the GI Plan will describe the West Valley Communities’ process for tracking and
mapping completed public and private projects and making the information available to the
public. The West Valley Communities will work with SCVURPPP to develop a consistent
countywide approach to tracking and mapping completed projects and estimating
expected PCB and mercury load reductions resulting from these projects.
2.2.5 Guidelines and Specifications
The West Valley Communities will support and participate in the SCVURPPP process to develop
and adopt GI Design Guidelines and Specifications for streetscapes and other public
infrastructure. A set of model Guidelines and Specifications will be developed at the
countywide level which will be used as a reference by the West Valley Communities. Each
municipality will evaluate the model Guidelines and Specifications for consistency with its own
local standards, and revise existing guidelines, standard specifications, design details, and
department procedures as needed.
The Guidelines and Specifications will also include the results of the regional analysis of
alternative approaches to sizing GI facilties where project constraints (e.g., limited space in
public right-of-way, utility conflicts, etc.) preclude fully meeting the permit-required sizing
criteria for such facilities. This regional project being conducted by BASMAA is expected to be
completed in late 2017.
2.2.6 Integration with Other Municipal Plans
The West Valley Communities have preliminarily reviewed their existing municipal planning
documents and tentatively identified which documents may need to be updated or modified
to support and/or be consistent with the GI Plan, and the timing for those updates or
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
26
modifications. A summary of the results of the municipal plan review and the schedule for
updates or modifications is presented in Tables 10-13 below. If any necessary updates or
modifications have not been accomplished by the completion of the GI Plan, the GI Plan will
include a work plan and schedule to complete them.
Table 10: Campbell Schedule for Municipal Plan Updates for Green Infrastructure
Name of Plan
Last
Updated
Next
Projected
Update
Includes
Language
to Support
GI?
If No,
Date to
Complete
GI Update
General Plan 2001 2019 No 2019
General Plan – Land Use &
Transportation Element
2014 2019 No 2019
General Plan – Housing Element 2015 2023 No TBD
Table 11: Los Gatos Schedule for Municipal Plan Updates for Green Infrastructure
Name of Plan
Last
Updated
Next
Projected
Update
Includes
Language
to Support
GI?
If No,
Date to
Complete
GI Update
2020 General Plan 2011 2020 No 2020
Housing Element 2015 2023 No 2023
Specific Plan: North Forty Plan 2015 NA No TBD
Albright 2013 NA No TBD
Hillside 1978 NA No TBD
Sustainability Plan 2012 NA No TBD
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 2017 NA No TBD
Table 12: Monte Sereno Schedule for Municipal Plan Updates for Green Infrastructure
Name of Plan
Last
Updated
Next
Projected
Update
Includes
Language
to Support
GI?
If No,
Date to
Complete
GI Update
General Plan 2015 2023 No TBD
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Table 13: Saratoga: Schedule for Municipal Plan Updates for Green Infrastructure
Name of Plan
Last
Updated
Next
Projected
Update
Includes
Language
to Support
GI?
If No,
Date to
Complete
GI Update
General Plan 2010 2020 No 2020
Land Use, Circulation and Open Space 2010 2018-19 No 2018-19
Hillside Specific Plan 1984 NA No TBD
Storm Drain Master Plan 2017 2018 No TBD
Area Plans 1983 NA No TBD
2.2.7 Evaluation of Funding Options
The West Valley Communities currently use a combination of federal and state grants and
local revenues to fund construction of projects in its capital improvement program (CIP) and
other projects. They will analyze possible funding options to raise additional revenue for the
projects that will eventually be included in the agency’s GI Plan, including capital and
operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of these projects. The West Valley Communities will
use the guidance on stormwater funding options being developed by SCVURPPP as a
reference for conducting their analysis. Options for capital project funding include the State
Proposition 1 Stormwater Grant Program implementation grants, Prop 1 IRWMP grants and
California Urban Rivers Grants.
Additional funding options that may be explored by the West Valley Communities include:
• Treatment at an Offsite Location – An alternative compliance option in which a private
Regulated Project (one required to treat runoff from created and replaced impervious
surface on the project) would instead treat runoff from an equivalent amount of
impervious surface offsite, potentially in the public right-of-way, in LID treatment facilities
it would pay to construct (and/or maintain). That is, the private developer would fund
and oversee construction of a potential green infrastructure project identified by the
West Valley Communities.
• Payment of In-Lieu Fees – An alternative compliance option in which the developer of
a private Regulated Project, in lieu of constructing LID treatment facilities on-site, would
pay equivalent in-lieu fees for construction and maintenance of a regional or municipal
stormwater treatment (green infrastructure) facility.
• Public-Private Partnerships – An option in which green infrastructure facilities are jointly
funded by the municipality and a private organization or land owner for the benefit of
both parties.
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2.2.8 Adoption of Policies, Ordinances, and Other Legal Mechanisms
The West Valley Communities will review their existing policies, ordinances, and other legal
mechanisms related to current planning procedures and implementation of stormwater NPDES
permit requirements to identify which documents may need to be updated or modified to
help implement the GI Plan, and the timing for those actions. All needed updates,
modifications, or new mechanism(s) will be completed and adopted (if necessary) by
September 30, 2019. In the GI Plan the West Valley Communities will describe any updates to
ordinances, policies, plans or programs needed to implement the GI Plan and associated
programs, or state that existing mechanisms are sufficient to implement the GI Plan.
2.2.9 Completion and Adoption of the GI Plan
The West Valley Communities will draft their GI Plan to contain all of the elements described
above, obtain reviews and approvals by various departments, governing bodies, and the public
as needed, and submit the GI Plan to the Water Board by September 30, 2019. Internal deadlines
to complete and adopt the GI Plan are presented in Table 14 below.
Table 14: West Valley Communities’ Schedule for Completion and Adoption of GI Plan
Task Department/Group Deadline
Prepare draft GI Plan WVCWP, Planning and
Public Works
December 30,
2018
Review and amend draft GI Plan Planning and Public Works
April 15, 2019
Approve draft GI Plan Planning and Public Works,
City/Town Manager
July 15, 2019
Approve final GI Plan City/Town Council August 30,
2019
Submit GI Plan to Water Board SCVURPPP
By September
30, 2019
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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3.0 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
This section describes the approximate time frames for completion of the tasks presented in this
Framework to develop and adopt the West Valley Communities’ GI Plan.
Task
No. Green Infrastructure Plan Development Task
Responsible
Organization(s)/
Department(s)1
Estimated
Completion
Date
1 Project Identification and Prioritization
June 2017/On
going
Coordination with the Santa Clara Basin
Stormwater Resource Plan
SCVURPPP, Public Works
Community
Development/Planning,
WVCWP
Review of Capital Improvement Program Projects
for Green Infrastructure Opportunities
Public Works, WVCWP
Use of Additional Tools to Identify, Prioritize and
Map Potential GSI Projects
SCVURPPP, Community
Development/Planning
Public Works, WVCWP
2 Review SCVURPPP GI Plan Template & Guidance,
prepare to provide data
Community
Development/Planning,
Public Works, WVCWP
Dec. 2017-Jan.
2018
3 Receive/input data into GI Plan template per
SCVURPPP GI Plan Template and Guidance, review
drafts and revise
WVCWP, Community
Development/Planning,
Public Works, WVCWP
Jan. 2018-On
going
4 Outreach and Education SCVURPPP, WVCWP,
Community
Development/Planning,
Public Works
On going
5 Prioritized Project Locations and Timeframes SCVURPPP, Public Works,
WVCWP
June 2018
6 Guidelines and Specifications SCVURPPP, Public Works,
WVCWP
June 2018
7 Integration with Other Municipal Plans Community
Development/Planning
Public Works, WVCWP
June 2018
8 Evaluation of Funding Options SCVURPPP, Public Works,
WVCWP
June 2018
9 Completed Project Tracking System SCVURPPP, Public Works,
WVCWP
December 2018
10 Adoption of Policies, Ordinances as deemed
necessary
Community
Development/Planning,
Public Works, WVCWP
Prior to Sept. 30,
2019
11 Write, review and revise GI Plan drafts and required
support documents
WVCWP, Community
Development/Planning,
Public Works
Jan. 2018-April
2019
12 Approve Final GI Plan City/Town Council July-Aug. 2019
13 Submit to Water Board SCVURPPP Sept. 30, 2019
1 With the exception of Item 7 (Integration with Other Municipal Plans) and Item 10 (Adoption of Policies, Ordinances as deemed necessary) all other
tasks are to be managed by Public Works in the City of Campbell.
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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References
The City of Campbell General Plan; Adopted November 6, 2001, Land Use and Transportation
Element Update, Adopted August 19, 2014, Housing Element, Adopted February 17, 2015,
Retrieved May 1, 2017 from www.cityofcampbell.com
Monte Sereno General Plan; Adopted December 16, 2008, Housing Element, Adopted May 19,
2015.
Nielsen Claritas, Neilsen Claritas 2008. http://www.claritas.com
Saratoga General Plan; adopted May 4, 1983, Land Use Element update, adopted June 6,
2007, 2015-2023 Housing Element, adopted November 19, 2014.
State of California, Department of Finance, E-4 Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and
the State, 2011-2016, with 2010 Census Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2016.
Town of Los Gatos, Los Gatos 2020 General Plan. Los Gatos, California, January 7, 2011.
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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Appendix A
• City of Campbell City Council Memo
• City of Monte Sereno City Council Memo
• City of Saratoga City Council Memo
• Town of Los Gatos Town Council Memo
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West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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Appendix B
Storm Water Resource Plan for Santa Clara Basin
Fact Sheet
West Valley Communities GI Plan Framework
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