Attachment 3June 13, 2019
VIA E-MAIL [aandrews@losgatosca.gov] The Honorable Steve Leonardis, Mayor of Los Gatos and Members of the Los Gatos Town Council Town of Los Gatos 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030
Re: Annexation of Unincorporated Islands Dear Mayor Leonardis and Members of the Town Council: Since the early 1970s, it has been the policy of all fifteen cities in the County, the County, and LAFCO that annexation of unincorporated islands should be pursued to achieve more logical boundaries and more efficient provision of services and facilities. LAFCO
supports and encourages the annexation of Los Gatos unincorporated islands. Annexation of the islands would allow Los Gatos to regulate land use and ensure that development within the islands is consistent with town policies and standards. It would allow the Town to plan for the entire community and carry out those plans. The Town could directly address any neighborhood issues that arise and minimize negative impacts on other adjacent town neighborhoods. It would eliminate the need to coordinate time-consuming inter-jurisdictional referral processes. Residents would be able to vote for Los Gatos elected officials and participate in community decisions. They would benefit from improved services and programs and have greater accountability from and less confusion about service providers. Recognizing the inefficiency of unincorporated islands, State legislation streamlines annexations for urban islands of 150 acres or less. To encourage and facilitate island annexations, the County covers the costs to prepare island annexation maps and reports, pays the State Board of Equalization’s filing fees, and prioritizes road maintenance in unincorporated islands slated for annexation or reimburses cities for certain road maintenance costs. LAFCO helps coordinate these supportive efforts and waives its fees for processing such annexations. On behalf of LAFCO, I urge the Los Gatos Town Council to approve the proposed annexation of certain unincorporated islands within the Town’s Urban Service Area. Thank you. Sincerely,
Neelima Palacherla LAFCO Executive Officer
ATTACHMENT 3
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Dear Los Gatos Town Council,
garyfales@comcast.net
Thursday, June 06, 2019 11:38 PM
Council; Arn Andrews
Opposition to Annexation -14701 La Rinconada Drive
I was unaware of the issue of annexation being discussed on June 4th by the Los Gatos Town Council until I was notified
by a friend this morning. I understand the Town of Los Gatos adopted a resolution to initiate annexation of certain
urban unincorporated islands within the Town of Los Gatos Urba'n Service Area pursuant to sections 56757 and 56375.3
of the California Government Code at this meeting. Had I known of this meeting, I would have attended and voiced my
opposition as would many others who have opposed previous attempts to annex our properties. Just because there is a
new avenue to initiate the process for the town does not make it right!
I have since watched the June 4th meeting online and want to make my strong opposition known to move forward with
this annexation. I have lived in my property for over 30 years and do not see any benefit to the proposed annexation. In
fact, I oppose the LG building department standards and policies versus the Santa Clara County building department
standards and policies, specifically I oppose the regulations and restrictions that would be put on our property that we
do not want including town building codes, landscaping and tree removal, blowers, bees and chickens, etc. I see no
added value being annexed into the Town of Los Gatos -we are very pleased with all county services including the
Sheriffs Dept, road maintenance, county libraries, etc. -and want to go on record that WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS
LATEST ATTEMPT TO ANNEX OUR HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD!
Gary Fales
_Sheryl Fales
14701 La Rinconada Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
1