10-21-14 Venue Reuse
1
Reuse of The Venue
(4 New York Avenue)
Los Gatos Town Council
Oct. 21, 2014
2
BACKGROUND
Town Property (4 New York Avenue)
Roughly 1.7 acres, irregularly shaped
Located behind the High School
Land Use: Resource Conservation/Open Space
Additional uses with a C.U.P
The Venue
3,720 square feet, including mezzanine & kitchen
Opened in 1994 with Community & Town support
C.U.P as teen center has lapsed
3
MAP OF PROPERTY
4
TEEN SERVICES
A Place for Teens (a 501-c-3 non-profit)
Constructed and operated The Venue for 20 years
Closed June 2012 due to fundraising difficulties
Services included: after school programs, dances, music studio, Safe Rides to School, snack service
Town support totaled $200,000
New Library Teen Room
Teen use has exploded with 100 – 200 per weekday
Added staffing and programs to meet demand
5
PRIOR COUNCIL DIRECTION
Strategic Goals
Sale or lease of Town properties to meet Town needs
Address school parking and traffic impacts
Land use plan for parcels behind Los Gatos High
Prior discussions with Los Gatos High School
Primary teen-serving institution in Los Gatos
Major expansion planned and funded
No longer need The Venue for expansion
6
YOUTH COMMISSION
Adopted as priority project for the current year
Sub-committee has met twice
Researching other teen centers
Learned history of AP4T and Library Teen Room
Met with other interested parties, including the Recreation Department and Youth Park
Future efforts likely include:
Survey of teens regarding Teen Center/The Venue
Monday pilot program at a multi-purpose facility
7
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
High School and High School District
Possible shared use of property and building
Operational concerns and impacts
Partner in broader teen services
Los Gatos Recreation Department
Previously supported AP4T operations
Limited capacity to expand services now
Partner in Monday Pilot and future operations
Youth Park, Inc. (501-c-3 non-profit)
Primarily supports Boy Scouts currently
Interested in assuming operation of The Venue
8
PROCESS
Establish Primary Objective:
“Meet the needs of the greatest number of Los Gatos teens”
Youth Commission completes its assessment
Solicit proposals for reuse (like for Old Library)
Review by Ad Hoc Comm and YC reps, others?
Negotiate new lease
Lessee applies for new Conditional Use Permit
9
ALTERNATIVES
Convene public brainstorming forum
Commence negotiations with Youth Park
Request Recreation Department operation of the facility (and/or the High School or others)
Proceed with sale of property, with or without restrictions on future use
10
OTHER MATTERS
No environmental review required at this time
Parking variance on non-conforming lot
No fiscal impacts anticipated at this time
Use of Closed Session for negotiations
Specified by State law
Typically utilized by most public agencies
Preserves Town’s rights and obligations
11
RECOMMENDED PROCESS
Establish Primary Objective:
“Meet the needs of the greatest number of Los Gatos teens”
Youth Commission completes its assessment
Solicit proposals for reuse from any party
Review by Ad Hoc Comm and YC reps, others?
Negotiate new lease (through Closed Session)
Lessee applies for new Conditional Use Permit
12