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Attachment 9 - April 13, 2022 Planning Commission Addendum Report, with Exhibit 11PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, AICP Planning Manager Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT MEETING DATE: 4/13/2022 ITEM NO: 3 ADDENDUM DATE: April 11, 2022 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Review and Make Recommendations on the Draft 2040 General Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report to the Town Council. REMARKS: Exhibit 11 includes public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022. EXHIBITS: Exhibits previously provided (available online here: http://losgatos2040.com/documents.html): 1.Draft 2040 General Plan 2.Draft EIR 3.Revised NOA and Transportation section 4.Final EIR Exhibits previously received with the April 13, 2022 Staff Report: 5.Draft Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 6.GPAC Recommended Changes to the Vision and Guiding Principles 7.Modifications Proposed in Public Comment 8.Board of Forestry Recommended Changes 9.Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, May 6, 2021, and 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2021 10.Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Monday, September 20, 2021, and 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2022 ATTACHMENT 9 PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: Draft 2040 General Plan and Final EIR DATE: April 11, 2022 EXHIBIT (continued): Exhibit received with this Addendum: 11. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2022 EXHIBIT 11 From: Levine, Joshua Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2022 1:13 PM To: Jennifer Armer Cc: Council Subject: plant based education Dear Jennifer, My name is Joshua Levine and I am a resident in Los Gatos. I am writing to ask that we include a plant- based education program to Section 8 Environmental and Sustainability section of the General Plan. I feel that it is important for residents of Los Gatos to be aware of the huge environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, and I’d like to see the Town fund education on this topic. Thank you for your consideration Best Josh _________________________________________________ Joshua Levine | Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor RBC Wealth Management City National Bank NMLS ID 1594861 From: Lisa Wade Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2022 7:43 PM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Fwd: Petition for Plant-Based Education in Los Gatos Hi Jennifer, We would like to see Plant-Based Eating Education added to section 8.12 Environmental Sustainability Element Implementation Programs. Section 8.12 has several Implementation Programs. We are requesting that you add a Plant-Based Eating Education Program to this section. I am submitting our petition with 265 names and 11 organizations asking for a plant-based education program in the Los Gatos 2040 General Plan. We have the names of 225 residents (including community and business leaders who live in Los Gatos). In addition, we have 40 names of residents living in neighboring towns including Cambell, Monte Sereno, and Cambrian who frequent Los Gatos businesses. We also have the support of 11 local groups, Health and Environmental NGOs including The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and the Center for Biological Diversity. We also have the support of prominent citizens both in Los Gatos and neighboring cities such as Lucas Ramirez vice mayor of Mountian View and Alison Hicks city council member in Mountian View. In addition, we have written testimony from the Center for Biological Diversity attached below. Dashiel Leeds from the Sierra club gave verbal testimony at an earlier planning commission meeting expressing the support of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter for our initiative. We want to thank you and the planning commission for all your hard work on the General Plan. Our petition is attached below. Supporters of Adding Plant-Based Education to Los Gatos General Plan 2040 Name, Last Name, First Position / Affiliation Address / Town Area Comments Community and Business Leaders of Los Gatos Albright Karla Together We Will/Indivisible Los Gatos Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Kevin Pinehurst Community Garden organizer Los Gatos, CA Great idea and I support this plan! Brown Elisabeth Educator Los Gatos, CA I am a teacher in town. I’d love to incorporate any lessons into my curriculum. I also lead student council and would be willing to organize an assembly. Chan Wendy Business owner: Tai Zhan Plant-Based Microbakery Los Gatos, CA Goetz Alicia Owner, Los Gatos Theatre Los Gatos, CA Hertan Peter Vice President, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Board Los Gatos, CA Iyar Rupar Owner, Pura Wellness; philanthropist Los Gatos, CA Montonye Reese Laura Agriculture Fairness Alliance; Vegan Justice League Los Gatos, CA Moore Rob LG Anti-Racism Coalition; Plant-Based Advocates Los Gatos, CA Owens Heidi Community leader Los Gatos, CA Preville Bruce CERT Leader, Los Gatos Los Gatos, CA Romano Andrea Owner, Centonove Restaurant Los Gatos, CA Spargo Alicia Outreach Coordinator, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition Los Gatos, CA Residents of Los Gatos Aidi Karen Los Gatos, CA Anji Roberto Los Gatos, CA Arienzo Wendy Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Frank Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Susie Los Gatos, CA Bagatelos Mary Ann Los Gatos, CA Balijepalli Priya Los Gatos, CA Balakrishnan Jeyendran Los Gatos, CA Barden Ben Los Gatos, CA Barden Sue Los Gatos, CA Barnett Kaitlyn Los Gatos, CA Bay Juliana Los Gatos, CA Bayne Daphne Los Gatos, CA Bernholz Malte Los Gatos, CA Biller Jason Physician Los Gatos, CA Bolen JP Los Gatos, CA Bolen Rachel Los Gatos, CA Booth Sandra Los Gatos, CA Bora Anita Los Gatos, CA Bosworth Mary Ann Los Gatos, CA Boyd Sandy Los Gatos, CA Brzak Lukas Los Gatos, CA Burkhart Chris Los Gatos, CA Bz Linda Los Gatos, CA Cao Xuong Los Gatos, CA Cappon-Javey Maureen Los Gatos, CA Carol Amy Los Gatos, CA Carpio Virginia Los Gatos, CA I support putting into the General Plan a plant based education program. There are several benefits from such a program, including potentially better general health and a healthier air quality in our community from consuming less meat, i.e., raising fewer animals that contribute to the increase of methane gas. I think this program would be very good for our community and far beyond it. Chavez Vana Los Gatos, CA Christensen Beverly Los Gatos, CA Christensen John Los Gatos, CA Cisneroz Diane Larson Los Gatos, CA Corini Tamara Los Gatos, CA Dai Biller Jenny Physician Los Gatos, CA Davies Tiffany Physician Los Gatos, CA Davies Mark Physician Los Gatos, CA De Cesare Anne Marie Los Gatos, CA De Louraille Karen Los Gatos, CA Czinski Laura Los Gatos, CA Deak David Los Gatos, CA Dempsey Caroline Los Gatos, CA DeMaria Dawn Los Gatos, CA Dickinson Ilene Los Gatos, CA Dickinson Roger Los Gatos, CA Dillehay Kristine Los Gatos, CA Dreiger Jeannie Los Gatos, CA Dreher Diane Los Gatos, CA Erdengiz Sevgi Los Gatos, CA Evjenth Gail Los Gatos, CA Evjenth Tim Los Gatos, CA Fletcher Lisa Los Gatos, CA Fox Audrey Los Gatos, CA Fox Larry Owner, Valet Custom Cabients Los Gatos, CA Frager Bernadette Los Gatos, CA Freedom Rea Los Gatos, CA Pollution and waste in Factory Farms;, use of land for meat production, killing of wildlife and use acres of land to support livestock; nets in the ocean killing millions of sea creatures; all contribute to climate change. Reducing meat consumption is something we all can do. Please place plant based education in the general plan. It is the right thing to so. Garland Lynette Los Gatos, CA Gibbons Maria Eugenia Los Gatos, CA Goldberg Kristine Los Gatos, CA Goldberg Michael Los Gatos, CA Griffin Julie Los Gatos, CA Gupta Reeta Los Gatos, CA Gummow Todd Los Gatos, CA I support plant based diet education programs Hamilton Georgia Los Gatos, CA Hamilton Scott Los Gatos, CA Harrison Julia Los Gatos, CA Hassoun Joe Los Gatos, CA Haylock Archna Los Gatos, CA Yes we need more options at school and at local restaurants. Hemmis Matt Los Gatos, CA Hendry Dan Los Gatos, CA Hendry Wendy Los Gatos, CA Hinsche Danielle Los Gatos, CA I am a resident of Los Gatos and I support the addition of a plant-based education program in the Town’s 2040 General Plan. Hiroshima Kevin Los Gatos, CA Hojjat Sara District Leader Volunteer- California Congressional District 18. Member of Plant-Based Advocates Los Gatos, CA Honorio Mia Los Gatos, CA Houghton John Los Gatos, CA Howe Chelsea Los Gatos, CA Hsieh Cynthia Los Gatos, CA I would love to see a vegan, zero waste restaraunt in Los Gatos. Huang Jenny Los Gatos, CA Hussey Jacklyn Los Gatos, CA Anything that will help save our planet I will definitely support! Ingle Lori Los Gatos, CA Isaacs Varily Los Gatos, CA Iyer Harish Los Gatos, CA Javey Shahram Los Gatos, CA Jog Chetan Los Gatos, CA Johnson Karen Los Gatos, CA Johnston Jan Los Gatos, CA Juhl Linda Los Gatos, CA Thank you Kamali Kristine Los Gatos, CA Karavelioglu Sevil Los Gatos, CA Keating Kathleen Los Gatos, CA I believe it is to the best interest of Los Gatos to establish a plant based education program at the high school and for the general public. I believe many of our children and others need to know that plant based eating is good for their bodies if done right. Please provide funding for an education for plant based eating. Please sponsor cooking classes as well. Keller Lisa Los Gatos, CA Love it. Yes!! Koch Charlene Foster Los Gatos, CA I would LOVE to see this happen!! So very needed. Koke Cynthia Los Gatos, CA Kollu Badrinath Los Gatos, CA Kurlin Carolyn Los Gatos, CA Kurlin Gregg Los Gatos, CA Kurtz Karen Los Gatos, CA Lasso Alberto Los Gatos, CA Lawton Ann Los Gatos, CA YES! Lazzarino Dominic Los Gatos, CA Le Denise Los Gatos, CA I’m not a vegan or vegetarian but I’d love to incorporate more plant based and less meat protein to my diet. Leeds Felice Los Gatos, CA Lesko Camille Los Gatos, CA Cooking classes are a great idea! Levine Joshua Los Gatos, CA Levine Marni Los Gatos, CA Lewis Jessica Los Gatos, CA Education is key for this important information. Thanks to all involved in making this happen! Lammers Victoria Los Gatos, CA Need more vegetarian places/options Li Van Los Gatos, CA Liu Andre Los Gatos, CA Liu Calista Los Gatos, CA Liu Gabriela Los Gatos, CA Lockman Juliana Los Gatos, CA Lorig Glenn Los Gatos, CA Lorig Sue Ann Los Gatos, CA Lowe Debbie Los Gatos, CA McKinnon Skyler Los Gatos, CA Madduri Sandeep Los Gatos, CA Malhotra Priti Los Gatos, CA Malhotra Neeraj Los Gatos, CA Mandurrago Gloria Los Gatos, CA A fantastic idea! Margolis Sonya Los Gatos, CA McGill Alex Los Gatos, CA McInerny Celeste Los Gatos, CA Menhardt Trixi Los Gatos, CA Mordaunt Joshua Los Gatos, CA Newlin Kerry Los Gatos, CA Mager Nan Los Gatos, CA Mano Robin Los Gatos, CA Martins Rosilene Los Gatos, CA Meinhardt Suzanne Los Gatos, CA Miramontes Emily Los Gatos, CA Morley Eric Los Gatos, CA Nguyen Kim Los Gatos, CA Niederauer Tricia Los Gatos, CA North Pamela Los Gatos, CA O'Connor Rebecca Los Gatos, CA O'Toole June Los Gatos, CA Park Monica Los Gatos, CA Parker Dana Los Gatos, CA Parsons Daniel Los Gatos, CA Parsons Debbie Los Gatos, CA Parsons Jackie Los Gatos, CA Parsons James Los Gatos, CA Parsons John Los Gatos, CA Patel Minal Los Gatos, CA Rai Vivek Los Gatos, CA Yes, I am in for plant based projects. Raad Mona Los Gatos, CA Raad Ellie Los Gatos, CA Ramaswamy Vinay Los Gatos, CA Ram Amrith Los Gatos, CA Ramesh Mythri Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at GPAC Reese Dirk Los Gatos, CA Rennie Isabella Los Gatos, CA Reyna Melody Los Gatos, CA Reyna Orlando Los Gatos, CA Rhine Molly Los Gatos, CA Richter Jessica Los Gatos, CA Riley Kate Los Gatos, CA Rittenhouse Simone Los Gatos, CA Robinson Kari Los Gatos, CA Rovin Lynne Los Gatos, CA Rovin Stuart Los Gatos, CA Rubio Karen CERT volunteer Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at Town council meeting for 2040 General plan Rubio Fred Los Gatos, CA Rubio Erik Los Gatos, CA Rude Christina Los Gatos, CA Ry Regina Los Gatos, CA Sand Gretchen Los Gatos, CA Sardana Manan Los Gatos, CA Sarkar Prasenjit Los Gatos, CA Sathyamurthy Shreelatha Los Gatos, CA I strongly support this initiative. Schirmer Lisa Los Gatos, CA Schwartz Jan Los Gatos, CA Shah Bhanik Los Gatos, CA Shah Swati Los Gatos, CA I support the local effort! Shoff Sue Los Gatos, CA Seshadri Sruba Los Gatos, CA Smith Angie Los Gatos, CA Smith Rucy Climate Reality presenter and activist Los Gatos, CA Sneddon Laura Los Gatos, CA Snyder Stephen Los Gatos, CA Srinivasan Kiran Los Gatos, CA Starov Vladimir Los Gatos, CA I fully support this worthy cause! Stillinger Kelsey Los Gatos, CA Would love to see more emphasis on plant-based diet - through restaurants, education, community garden, etc. Stone Helen Los Gatos, CA Stone Paul Los Gatos, CA Streicker Robin Los Gatos, CA Tompkins Liz Los Gatos, CA Venkatesan Arun Los Gatos, CA Venkatsubramanyan Shailaja Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at GPAC Von Luehrte Missy Los Gatos, CA Vuckovich Melissa Los Gatos, CA Waters Michelle Los Gatos, CA Wade Christopher Los Gatos, CA Wade Lisa Los Gatos, CA Gave verbal comments at GPAC Wade Lucas Los Gatos, CA Wade Stephen Los Gatos, CA Wade Charles Audobon Society Lifetime Achievement Award Los Gatos, CA Wales Pamela CERT; Animal search and rescue disaster response team; animal sanctuary volunteer Los Gatos, CA Walker Kelsey Los Gatos, CA Waters Michelle Los Gatos, CA Wentzien Erin Los Gatos, CA White Tony Los Gatos, CA White Hillary Los Gatos, CA Willey Kathleen Los Gatos, CA Gave verbal comments at GPAC Willey Mark Los Gatos, CA Willing Lara Los Gatos, CA Plant based eating is part of a long term solution. Wilson Beth Los Gatos, CA Yannoni Mike Los Gatos, CA Yosfee Hanley Los Gatos, CA Zilka Stephanie Los Gatos, CA Let’s join the scientific community and educate people about the importance of plant based living!!! It’s vital to the survival of our planet and species!!! Organizations Endorsing our Proposal Plant-Based Advocates of Los Gatos http://www.plantbasedadvocates.com/ TWW/Indivisible-Los Gatos https://www.twwlg.org/ Sierrra Club Loma-Prieta https://www.sierraclub.org/loma-prieta Center for Biological Diversity https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/Provided Written testomony on behalf of our proposal Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet https://www.acterra.org/ Eat for the Earth (Based in Santa Cruz) https://www.eatfortheearth.org/ SAFE Worldwide https://www.safeworldwide.org/ (Based in Monte Sereno) Green Monday USA https://greenmondayus.org/ Factory Farm Awareness Coalition https://www.ffacoalition.org/ A Well-Fed World https://awellfedworld.org/ Physicians Against Red Meat https://pharm.org/ Other Community and Business Leaders Hicks Alison City Council Member of Mountain View Ramirez Lucas Vice Mayor of Mountain View and Council Member Brook Dan Professor at SJSU; author; environmentalist San Jose State University Gurunathan Mohan Environmentalist; designed Mountain View plant-based outreach program Mountain View, CA Love Beth Environmentalist; Founder of Eat for the Earth, a Santa Cruz-based group promoting plant-based diets for sustainability Santa Cruz, CA Mackey Mary Actress; Model; SAG BookPals program (reading to children in homeless shelters) and LIFE (Living in Freedom Everyday) Program, teaching life skills to inmates San Jose, CA Middlesworth Linda Owner, V-Dog; health coach Sacramento, CA Sehgal Tony Documentary Filmmaker Saratoga, CA Support from Neighboring Residents Adalja Anish San Jose, CA Anand Monico San Jose, CA Balachandran Jackie San Jose, CA As a vegetarian of 17 yrs and a registered nurse, I strongly support this plant-based education program because I believe it will help improve the health of members in our community. Berlinberg Jacqueline Monte Sereno, CA Bengt Amanda San Jose, CA Bevard Mariah Monte Sereno, CA Castro Jennifer San Jose, CA I support adding an education component to the Los Gatos 2040 plan which would educate citizens about plant-based foods. Chaykin Lori Monte Sereno, CA Chugh Rahul San Jose, CA Duguma Jemanesh Campbell, CA East Rowena San Jose, CA Emerson Ziba San Jose, CA Good job. Giacomini-McDonald Cathy Monte Sereno, CA Guh Teresa Monte Sereno, CA Harrold Kat Campbell, CA Thank you for this, I frequent Los Gatos so this would be great to see. Also I believe in the power of empowering our local farmers, and the more money we can get them, the better for everybody locally. Back to our roots! Better for the planet and better for everyone Isis Dawn Campbell, CA Though I don't live IN Los Gatos, I hope my support will indicate interest in this important issue in the wider area, & that Los Gatos may become a model for addressing it. Jain Beena San Jose, CA I support the educational program. Kinger Amit San Jose, CA Lambert Jennifer Monte Sereno, CA Lanzl Linda Monte Sereno, CA Matar Elizabeth Monte Sereno, CA Thank you! Yes!!! Matar Lisa Monte Sereno, CA Thank you! I’m completely in for this!! Mesler Michelle San Jose, CA Mulchandani Mukesh Campbell, CA Moving to Los Gatos soon! Petroff Patrice Monte Sereno, CA Ramirez Gustavo San Jose, CA We need more plant based food options! The meat industry is cruel and unsustainable. Renson Kellee Monte Sereno, CA Yes need more veggie places to eat Shearer David San Jose, CA I support this effort Stolberg Robb Environmental Education: Veggielution, Walden West San Jose, CA Streicker Robin Monte Sereno, CA Thakur Smita Saratoga, CA I have been plant based for the last two years. It has made me healthier and it's the best thing for the planet. Would love to have more people join plant based way of life. Woodhouse Dori San Jose, CA May 5, 2021 Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner Community Development Project Town of Los Gatos Via JArmer@losgatosca.gov Dear Ms. Armer, On behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity and our California members, I thank you for considering food sustainability initiatives and emissions strategies in the Los Gatos General Plan. The Center strongly supports these actions. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national conservation nonprofit with nearly 2 million members and supporters. Our expertise is grounded in a staff of scientists and legal experts tackling crucial issues like climate change and effective mitigation strategies. Food emissions are a substantial part of global and national human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show we cannot meet climate mitigation targets without tackling emissions from the food and agriculture sector, and namely by shifting diets toward lower emissions foods. The agriculture sector accounts for as much as 37%1 of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food procurement is an important opportunity to reduce consumption-driven emissions. Most emissions come from only a few types of foods. The foods with the highest emissions are meat and dairy products,2 which are responsible for approximately half of all food-related emissions and 16%34 of global greenhouse gases. The overproduction (and consumption) of meat and dairy come with a high cost to the climate,5 as well as to water6, land7, and biodiversity8. Tracking institutional food purchases and shifting toward climate-friendly foods is a crucial climate solution that also has health and other environmental benefits. Unfortunately, some sustainability initiatives overlook the need to address overproduction of animal-based foods in their commitments. Instead, municipal plans should build on frameworks of supporting 1 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2019). Special Report on Climate Change and Land Use. https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/. 2 Our World in Data (2020). Environmental Impacts of Food Production. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local. 3 Calculated using the 2017 online update to the FAO 2013 GLEAM assessment that estimates the livestock sector emitted 8.1 GT CO2eq in 2010 (using 298 and 34 as global warming potentials for N20 and CH4, based on the IPCC 2014 report). The IPCC 2014 report estimates total anthropogenic GHG emissions in 2010 of 49 GT CO2eq. See: FAO, Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM) [online], Rome, www.fao.org/gleam/en/ and IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change], Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri & L.A. Meyer (eds.)], IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland (2014), http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full_wcover.pdf. 4 Gerber, P. J., Steinfeld, H., Henderson, B., Mottet, A., Opio, C., Dijkman, J., ... & Tempio, G. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock: a global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). http://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf. 5 University of Michigan. Center for Sustainable Systems (2017). Carbon Footprint Factsheet. http://css.umich.edu/sites/default/files/Carbon%20Footprint_CSS09-05_e2020_0.pdf. 6 Water Footprint Network (2021). Water Footprint of Crop and Animal Products: A Comparison. https://waterfootprint.org/en/water-footprint/product-water-footprint/water-footprint-crop-and-animal-products/. 7 Carbon Brief (2021). Interactive: What is the Climate Footprint of Eating Meat and Dairy? CarbonBrief.org. https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/what-is-the-climate-impact-of-eating-meat-and-dairy/. 8 Center for Biological Diversity (2021). Extinction Facts. TakeExtinctionOffYourPlate.com. 2 environmental goals through procurement, in line with similar efforts regarding recycled and sustainable products and local food. Food procurement has a significant impact9 on the environment and overall municipal emissions and can often be addressed by resolution or executive directive requiring government food purchases to meet specific guidelines. Making a moderate shift toward climate-friendly menus can make a big difference in advancing sustainability goals, particularly emissions targets. The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change10 affirmed we have only a decade left to avoid irreversible climate damage. This fact has driven municipalities to include meat and dairy reductions as key factors in emissions reductions and sustainability policies, including the initiatives recommended to add to the Los Gatos General Plan. For example, Los Angeles, California recently joined the C-40 cities initiative; and Santa Monica, CA integrated food procurement commitments into their Climate Action Plan and committed to a 15% reduction of meat and dairy procurement to meet its emissions targets; Carrboro, North Carolina has set food emissions targets in their Climate Action Plan and set a goal to reduce emissions from consumption by 50% by 2025; Denver, CO found emissions from food procurement accounted for 14% of overall emissions, nearly equal to emissions from residential energy and gasoline-powered vehicles. Reducing beef procurement – if replaced with plant-based foods - would immediately help reduce the city’s emissions as beef emits more greenhouse gases than any other food.11 Beef is also a particularly water-intensive process that depletes vital watersheds, from the Colorado River to local waterways.12 Thus, reducing beef procurement also supports water conservation goals. Given California’s drought, wildfires and extreme weather, municipalities must do what they can to support water-saving efforts. Cities and townships must strive to mitigate the emissions associated with municipal operations. Increasing support for local produce growers will also improve engagement with farmers markets and local food hubs, bringing economic benefits to your community. Similarly, increasing access to healthy, climate-friendly foods with city-supported neighborhood-based community gardens bring equitable solutions for those who lack access to healthy, sustainable foods. Sustainable food policies can increase climate resilience, help eradicate poverty13, improve public health and equity, and protect biodiversity.14 The urgency of these issues and the health of the planet demand action to transform unsustainable food systems. Sincerely, Jennifer Molidor, Ph.D. Senior Food Campaigner Center for Biological Diversity BiologicalDiversity.org jmolidor@biologicaldiversity.org 9 United Nation System Standing Committee on Nutrition (2017). Sustainable Diets for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet. https://www.unscn.org/uploads/web/news/document/Climate-Nutrition-Paper-EN-WEB.pdf. 10 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018). Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5c. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/. 11 Our World in Data (2020). Environmental Impacts of Food Production. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local. 12 Richter, B. (2020). Water Sustainability and Fish Imperilment Driven by Beef Production. Nature Sustainability. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/59918. 13 Smith, P. (2012). “Climate Change and Sustainable Food Production.” Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/climate-change-and-sustainable-food-production/DE02043AE462DF7F91D88FD4349D38E7. 14Food and Agriculture Organization (2010). Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity. http://www.fao.org/3/i3004e/i3004e.pdf. From: Phil Koen Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 4:06 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Shelley Neis Cc: jvannada; Rick Van Hoesen; David Weissman; Lee Fagot; Tran Nguyen Subject: Agenda item #3 - Planning Commission Shelley and Jennifer, Please include the attached white paper in the Planning Commission package. Thank you What is driving the massive increase in Los Gatos’ RHNA allocation? 4th Cycle – 562 units 5th cycle – 619 units 6th Cycle – 1,993 units Background Each California city is required to plan for new housing to accommodate a share of regional needs. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment (“RHNA”) is the process established in State law by which housing needs are determined. Prior to each planning cycle the total new housing need for each region of California is determined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) based largely upon economic and demographic trends. HCD is responsible for determining the number of housing units for which each region must plan, known as the Regional Housing Needs Determination (RHND). The RHND is based on a population forecast for the region from the California Department of Finance (DOF). Los Gatos is located within the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) region, which includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties. The total housing need for the ABAG region is distributed to cities and counties by ABAG based upon objectives and criteria established in State law. In 2021 HCD determined that the total new housing need for the entire ABAG region in the 6th Housing Element cycle (2023 – 2031) is 441,176 units. The 6th cycle RHND is significantly larger than the previous 4th cycle and 5th cycles. For comparison the 5th cycle RHND (2015 – 2023) was 187,990 units and the 4th cycle (2006 – 2014) was 214,500. The 6th cycle represents a 2.4x increase over the 5th cycle and 2.1x increase over the 4th cycle. What’s different in the 6th cycle RHND from the 5th and 4th cycles? For the 6th cycle the State made major modifications to the process for determining RHND. In prior RHND cycles total housing was based primarily only on projected population growth. However, for the 6th cycle the State added existing need to the total RHND calculation. Existing need includes households that are currently overcrowded (defined as more than on person per room) or are overpaying for housing (defined as more than 30% of gross income). Additionally, the 6th cycle made a major modification to the region’s current vacancy percentage to provide healthy market vacancies to facilitate housing availability and resident mobility. The total 6th cycle RHND for the ABAG region is comprised of the sum of projected growth, existing need, and a vacancy adjustment as follows: Projected growth 223,550 Existing need 118,827 Vacancy adjustment 98,799 Total 6th Cycle RHND 441,176 The important point to note is the need for additional housing units based on projected population growth is only 50% of the total 6th cycle RHND with the other half coming from first-time adjustments the State has made to address existing needs and to improve regional vacancy rates. As seen from this breakdown, if these adjustments were excluded (as was the case in prior RHND cycles) the total need for the 6th cycle would be 223,550 which is very similar to the 4th cycle RHND of 214,500 and only a 19% increase over the 5th cycle. Los Gatos 6th Cycle RHNA Allocation Explained Once the RHND has been determined, ABAG must now allocate the 441,176 new housing units to each jurisdiction beginning with a share of the RHND. This allocation process is called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). The baseline allocation used to begin the assignment is the jurisdiction’s total number of forecasted households for the year 2050, which was determined by the Plan Bay Area 2050 Blueprint. For Los Gatos, the baseline allocation was .3% of the 223,550 projected growth in regional units. The .3% represents Los Gatos’ share of Bay Area Households in year 2050. The calculation is as follows: 223,550 Projected growth x .00326 = 730 units This number is 18% above the 5th cycle RHNA of 619 units. The next step is to allocate the existing need and vacancy adjustment of 217,626 new units to Los Gatos. Again, using the baseline allocation of .3%, the additional units assigned to the Town is computed as follows: 217,626 existing need and vacancy adjustment x .00326 = 710 units This amount combined with the projected growth increased the RHNA to 1,440 new units. The ABAG methodology also places greater emphasis on assigning new housing units to those areas which have been determined to be a High Opportunity Area or areas that are in proximity to jobs and public transit rather than vacant deployable land. This methodology shifts the regional growth pattern, with more household growth directed to transit-rich, high resource places to support the Pan Bay Area 2050 Blueprint. Since Los Gatos has been determined to be a High Opportunity Area, the RHNA methodology allocates more housing than the .3% baseline percentage. This results in an additional 553 units being allocated to Los Gatos. Essentially, Los Gatos is “exporting” this additional housing to other regional areas to balance the regional housing needs. In summary, the 6th cycle RHNA allocation for Los Gatos is compromised of the following elements: Projected growth 730 Existing need and vacancy adjustment 710 High Opportunity and Job allocation 553 Total 6th cycle RHNA 1,993 Conclusion It is important to understand how the 6th cycle RHNA was constructed especially if one is trying to project future RHNA allocations for the Town. First, the 6th cycle has embedded in it a long-term element since the baseline allocation is based on the Town’s projected share of Bay Area households in 2050. Secondly, the number of new units required based on projected population growth is only 730 units, which is close to the 5th cycle RHNA allocation. If one is trying to project future RHNA allocations, it would be prudent to only use the units required to meet the population growth since it is impossible to determine what the State may want to do regarding future adjustments for existing need and access to opportunity areas. The last point is the adjustments made by the State in the 6th cycle, were done to compel local governments to take immediate action to implement policies, strategies, and zoning changes to accommodate their RHNA allocations. The 6th cycle RHNA allocation will establish a pattern of housing growth in the near term (2023 to 2031) that will anchor the foundation for how the Bay Area jurisdictions move forward on implementing the longer-term vision in Plan Bay Area 2050. The hope is that these adjustments will be made in the near term and that future RHNA will then only reflect the population growth as done in prior cycles. From: Phil Koen Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 4:35 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Shelley Neis Cc: jvannada; Rick Van Hoesen; David Weissman; Lee Fagot Subject: Comments on general,plan Please include in the Planning Commission packet these previously submitted comments on the General Pkan that aren’t in the package. Thank you From: Phil Koen Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2021 8:40 PM To: GP2040 <GP2040@losgatosca.gov> Cc: Laurel Prevetti; Robert Schultz Subject: Comments on the Draft General Plan 2040 and the Draft General Plan 2040 EIR Please accept these comments as attached. Thank you. Phil Koen Comments on the Draft General Plan 2040 and the Draft EIR Population and Growth The Land Use Element of the General Plan 2040 allows for the development of 3,738 new dwelling units, 475 of which are units from existing approved projects, by 2040. This is accomplished by materially increasing all residential zoning densities, mixed use densities, central business district densities, office professional densities and the creation of a new community commercial land use designation. As documented by the draft General Plan 2040 EIR (page 4.13-6) at full build out, the population of Los Gatos will be approximately 42,021 through the addition of 3,738 dwelling units. This represents a 27% increase in the population over the 2021 estimate of 30,832 and a 27% increase in housing units. The annual growth rate in population would be 1.6% for the period 2021 to 2040. As documented in the 2007 Housing Element, the population of Los Gatos was 28,813 in 2008. Over the past 13 years the population has increased at an annual rate of .5%. The Plan Bay Area 2040, which was adopted by ABAG and the MTC, projected the Town’s population to be 33,050 by 2040. This represents an annual growth of .3% which is slightly below the historical 13- year growth rate of .5% but substantially in-line with historical long-term growth rate. Therefore, the General Plan 2040 would induce substantial unplanned population growth beyond the ABAG population forecast and the 13-year historical growth rate. The General Plan 2040 provides no evidentiary support for the projected 27% increase in population and an annual growth rate that is over 300% greater than the 13-year historical rate. The projected level of growth is not reasonably expected to occur in the absence of the proposed General Plan 2040. Simply put, the projected population growth in the General Plan 2040 is not projected to occur under any alternative and fosters growth rather than managing and accommodating the reasonably expected growth forecasted by ABAG. The proposed General Plan 2040 fosters this growth by implementing material increases in zoning densities Town-wide. For example, under current land use zoning densities, potential low density and medium density residential units would be 328 dwelling units. However, under the proposed densities in the General Plan 2040 the total potential housing production increases to 934 – a 184% increase. This induced population growth directly conflicts with the Town’s own assessment of housing opportunities and constraints. In the jurisdiction survey submitted to ABAG, the Town identified land suitability, impact of climate change and natural hazards, construction costs, availability of vacant land and funding for affordable housing as constraints for the development of additional housing by 2030. Additionally, the Town identified that public transit and the lack of a transit hub was a constraint in encouraging more jobs and housing near public transportation. Lastly, the Town stated that residential areas near jobs were largely built out. Growth inducement may constitute an adverse impact if the growth is not constrained or accommodated by land use plans and policies for the area affected. The General Plan 2040 and the General Plan 2040 EIR do not adequately analyze and address the potential impacts of non-orderly expansion of urban development on public services such as water supply, roadway infrastructure, sewer services, solid waste service and police services. Amazingly the Draft General Plan 2040 after adopting a 27% increase in population as the part of the project definition dismisses this forecast by stating “these projections do not reflect actual growth trends” and therefore concludes “no mitigation measures are required, and impacts would be less than significant without mitigation”. Apparently, the Draft General Plan EIR studied a different project than what was defined in the Draft General Plan 2040 and the NOP of the EIR. Furthermore, conclusory statements which are unsupported by facts do not equate to a good faith and reasoned analysis. The substantive question that is left unexamined and unanswered is, what are the environment impacts based on the growth in population and dwelling unit development defined in the Draft General Plan 2040. Jobs/Housing Ratio The Draft EIR states on page 4.13-7 that “growth under the 2040 General Plan would result in a more balanced jobs-housing ratio in 2040 by increasing housing available in Los Gatos”. The EIR concludes that “such growth would not result in any adverse effects associated with an increased imbalance of jobs and housing in the Town”. Again, this is a conclusory statement which is not supported by any facts or reasoned analysis. As documented by the 2015 Housing Element, according to ABAG there were approximately 2.1 jobs per household in 2010. The ratio jobs/housing ratio increased from 2005, when it was 1.5 jobs for every household. This increase was attributed to the recovery of the economy and Los Gatos businesses expandeing, creating new jobs to support the immediate community. An increasing jobs/housing ratio indicates the potential for increased demand for more housing to accommodate the growth in new jobs. As documented in the Background Report, in 2018, there were 19,300 jobs in Los Gatos with 13,299 households. This equates to a jobs/housing ratio of 1.45. This ratio is widely viewed as “in balance” since the assumption is for every household there are 1.5 workers. The ratio improved because more dwelling units added over the eight- year period while jobs remained relatively flat. The Draft General Plan 2040 assumes that only 1,280 new jobs will be added over the next 20 years. These new jobs are entirely attributed to the current 475 projects that have been approved. The Draft General Plan 2040 assumes no new jobs will be created from the 3,263 new dwelling units to be added over the next 20 years. Based on this, in 2040 the jobs/housing index will fall to 1.2, which indicates that the Town is a “net provider” of housing to the surrounding community. This decrease is directly attributable to the growth in housing with no corresponding increase in local jobs. On an incremental basis, the Draft General Plan 2040 calls for only 1,280 jobs for 3,736 new dwelling units, which is a jobs/housing ratio of .34. This shows that the individuals living in these new dwelling units will be driving to jobs located outside of the Town, which will further negatively impact VMT generated in Los Gatos, air quality, and will not achieve the goal of increasing non-vehicle transportation modes. This result is also inconsistent with the statutory objective to promote intraregional job-housing relationships. The EIR conclusion of a “more balanced ratio” is not supported and in fact suggests just the opposite, that the new dwelling units will be occupied by workers who will be driving to jobs outside of Los Gatos. From: Phil Koen Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 7:18 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Shelley Neis Cc: jvannada; Rick Van Hoesen; David Weissman; Lee Fagot; Tran Nguyen Subject: Planning Commission - Agenda item #3 Hello Jennifer and Shelley, Please include the following in the meeting package for the up coming Planning Commission. Dear Planning Commission, Below is the housing buildout schedule that was presented to the Town Council at their September 20, 2021 Joint Study Session that is referenced in the Staff memo. It should be pointed out the projected number of units developed in that schedule included 166 Hillside residential units. The total number of units was 3,904. The Staff memo references total units of 3,738. This is obviously an error since it does not include Hillside Residential units. This is a failing since the Land Use Element includes zoning for the Hillside Residential area. For the public to understand the discussion and come to their own conclusion regarding the Land Use Element, it is critical that the project definition and numbers be stable. They aren’t, as shown here by the inconsistency in the treatment of Hillside Residential. Please make sure that the public understands that the latest buildout schedule was the one presented at the September 20, 2021 Town Council meeting. I do not believe there has been anything published regarding this schedule for the public to review since that meeting. Thank you, Phil Koen PAGE 6 OF 9 SUBJECT: Draft 2040 General Plan DATE: September 16, 2021 DISCUSSION (continued): Land Use Designation Density Range (du/ac) Typical Density (du/ac) Assumed Redevelop- ment (Redev) Existing General Plan Draft General Plan Existing General Plan Draft General Plan Existing General Plan Draft General Plan New Housing (Vacant Land) New Housing (Redev) New Housing (Vacant Land) New Housing (Redev) Hillside Residential 0 to 1 0 to 1 1 1 0% 116 - 166 - Low Density Residential 0 to 5 1 to 12 4 12 5% 75 13 283 84 Medium Density Residential 5 to 12 14 to 24 10 20 10% 107 133 224 343 High Density Residential 12 to 20 30 to 40 18 36 15% 53 111 110 268 Neighborhood Commercial 10 to 20 10 to 20 16 18 10% 11 39 26 91 Community Commercial 0 20 to 30 0 26 15% - - 156 Mixed-Use 10 to 20 30 to 40 16 36 20% 55 242 126 605 Central Business District 10 to 20 20 to 30 16 26 15% 12 46 21 113 Office Professional 0 30 to 40 0 36 15% - 4 255 Service Commercial 0 20 to 30 0 26 15% - 10 44 Subtotal 429 584 970 1,959 Housing Units, New and Redeveloped 1,013 2,929 Housing Units, ADUs 500 500 Subtotal 1,513 3,429 Housing Units, Existing Projects 475 475 TOTAL 1,988 3,904 Page 9 From: Phil Koen Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 7:45 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Shelley Neis Cc: jvannada; Rick Van Hoesen; David Weissman; Lee Fagot; Tran Nguyen Subject: Planning Commission Meeting - Agenda Item #3 Hello Jennifer and Shelley, Please include the following in the Planning Commission package, Dear Planning Commission, There has been tremendous confusion regarding the Land Use Element and the rational for the proposed increases in Town wide land use densities which are In the 2040 GP. Much of the discussion has focused on RHNA 6th cycle number and the need to accommodate enough capacity in the Town’s Land Uses for these units. What has been totaled ignored is the independent forecast, which was published by the Town, of the likely growth of the Town over the next 20 years. The most likely range of growth is between 1,529 and 1,954. Please see the attached pages from the Alternative Land Uses report. This range of units should establish the appropriate baseline for informing the Town as to what is required through appropriate Land Use zoning to accommodate growth over the next 20 years. Since the State has mandated a slightly higher number of unit (eg 1,993) above the high end of the range, it would be prudent to plan for an additional number of units to give the Town an appropriate buffer. The Staff has suggested a number of 2,292. This makes total sense given that number will be sufficient to meet the high end of the growth forecast AND meet the mandated 1,993 units in the 6th cycle. We should be very clear on this point- there is no objective forecast that supports making the drastic changes in the Land Use densities Town wide as outlined in the 2040 GP which would allow for the development of 3,901 and even more units. Thank you, Phil Koen Housing Residential Market Demand The demand for housing in a particular location is based on a number of factors, including natural increase in the resident population (births over deaths), in-migration due in part to job opportunities, and the relative price of housing in the area. Since 1980, Los Gatos has increased population at the rate of about one-half percent per year. This has generally been about half as fast as the County. Between 2010 and 2019, Los Gatos grew by ǾRGTEGPVYJKNG5CPVC%NCTC%QWPV[ITGYRGTEGPV The actual pace of growth is also a function of the growth in the supply of housing, which the General Plan will consider. If market demand is higher than the available housing supply, residential prices increase faster than they would otherwise. Home prices in .QU)CVQUJCXGKPETGCUGFUKIPKƒECPVN[KPTGEGPV[GCTUUKOKNCTVQ many communities in the Bay Area and Santa Clara County. The DOF prepares population projections for counties based on the age and ethnic demographics of the population, and also taking into account regional shifts in population due to migration. DOF projects Santa Clara County to grow at a rate of about one percent per year between 2020 and 2040. In the early years of this projection, in-migration to the County accounts for just over half of the population growth, but by 2040, in-migration accounts for 64 percent of growth. If Los Gatos were to continue to see growth at about half the County rate, then the total population would increase by approximately 3,478 persons between 2020 and 2040. If the average household size stays at 2.4 persons CPFVJGXCECPE[TCVGTGOCKPUEQPUVCPVCVCDQWVǾRGTEGPV then 1,529 housing units would be needed to accommodate this population growth. GROWTH 2010-2019 Los Gatos 5.4% (0.6% annually) Santa Clara County 9.7% (1.1% annually) Units Needed to Accommodate Growth: 1,529 at 0.5% annual growth Town of Los Gatos General Plan 2040 | Land Use Alternatives Report 6 I However, considering the age demographics of the Los Gatos population, the overall demand for housing could be higher than using DOF populations projects as the base. One of the fastest growing population segments are senior, otherwise known as the “Baby Boomers.” Currently, 19 percent of the Los Gatos population is 65 years or older, compared to 12 percent for the %QWPV[CUCYJQNG#RRN[KPICIGURGEKƒEITQYVJTCVGUVQVJG existing Los Gatos population, based on the DOF demographic projections, shows an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent for Los Gatos, compared to 0.5 percent based only on the countywide growth as discussed on the previous page. This latter projection also accounts for a share of County in-migration being attracted to Los Gatos. Given the income and housing price differentials between the Town and the County, we estimate that housing demand from in-migration to Los Gatos is about one third the rate of the County. Using this combined approach of age demographics and in-migration, we project an increase of 4,446 people and 1,954 housing units between 2020 and 2040. Therefore, the range of likely market demand for housing in Los Gatos between 2020 and 2040 is 1,529 (DOF Projection) to 1,954 (ADE Projection) units. Market demand also relates to the anticipated mix of unit types. With the acceleration of housing costs in the Bay Area, there is increased demand for smaller, less expensive units, that are more affordable to the broad populace. This will likely be reinforced in Los Gatos with additional demand for senior housing. Both of these trends emphasize the need for multi-family housing. Alternative A (Low Growth) has the lowest share of multi-family housing at 66 percent, while the other alternatives have a greater percentage of multi-family housing ranging from 82-83 percent, which is more likely to meet future market demand. Units Needed to Accommodate Growth: 1,954 at 0.7% annual growth December 2019 7 E O From: Lisa Wade Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 9:25 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Fwd: My Verbal Comments for Planning Commission Meeting (April 3) My name is Lisa Wade and I am with Plant-based Advocates in Los Gatos. I have lived in Los Gatos for over 30 years. Thank you for your hard work on the General Plan. We appreciate your efforts. We also want to thank you for adding the words Plant-based to a couple of sections. When the GPAC added the words plant-based to these 2 sections of the General Plan they also stated that they would do more because of the widespread public support for plant-based eating education in Los Gatos. Our specific ask is this. We would like to see Plant-Based Eating Education added to section 8.12 Environmental Sustainability Element Implementation Programs. Section 8.12 has several Implementation Programs. We are requesting that you add a Plant-Based Eating Education Program to this section. We have come up with some wording for an implementation program that could be easily inserted into section 8.12 (Implementation programs) in the General Plan. Plant-Based Education Implementation Program Description: Implement programs to educate and support residents about the benefits of shifting to plant-based diets, which include: curbing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing biodiversity loss and deforestation, reducing water usage, and reversing pollution of our air, land, and water. We have a petition with 265 signatures asking for a plant-based education program in the General Plan. We have the names of 225 residents (including community and business leaders who live in Los Gatos). In addition, we have 40 names of residents living in neighboring towns including Cambell, Monte Sereno, and Cambrian who frequent Los Gatos businesses. . We also have the support of 11 groups including local groups, Health and Environmental NGOs (including The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and the Center for Biological Diversity.) In addition prominent citizens (both in Los Gatos and neighboring cities) such as Lucas Ramirez vice mayor of Mountian View and Alison Hicks city council member in Mountian View. support our efforts. Also, the planning commission and council have received numerous emails requesting a plant-based eating education program be added to the General Plan 2040. It is important to include such a program because numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies agree that plant-based eating is the most effective way for individuals to help the planet. For this reason, any plan to address climate and sustainability should include the promotion of plant-based eating. Please do not leave out this powerful, cost-effective solution and add a Plant-based education program to section 8.12. This section will not be complete without such a program. According to Project Drawdown, the third- and fourth-best climate change solutions are reducing food waste and eating a plant-rich diet. (The top two solutions aren't things the average person can easily control: refrigerant management and onshore wind turbines.) Making the transition to a plant-based diet may well be the most effective way an individual can stop climate change." page 40 Project Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed TO Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken. I am attaching our petition below. I've also attached testimony from the Center for Biological Diversity. Thank you for your consideration! Supporters of Adding Plant-Based Education to Los Gatos General Plan 2040 Name, Last Name, First Position / Affiliation Address / Town Area Comments Community and Business Leaders of Los Gatos Albright Karla Together We Will/Indivisible Los Gatos Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Kevin Pinehurst Community Garden organizer Los Gatos, CA Great idea and I support this plan! Brown Elisabeth Educator Los Gatos, CA I am a teacher in town. I’d love to incorporate any lessons into my curriculum. I also lead student council and would be willing to organize an assembly. Chan Wendy Business owner: Tai Zhan Plant-Based Microbakery Los Gatos, CA Goetz Alicia Owner, Los Gatos Theatre Los Gatos, CA Hertan Peter Vice President, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Board Los Gatos, CA Iyar Rupar Owner, Pura Wellness; philanthropist Los Gatos, CA Montonye Reese Laura Agriculture Fairness Alliance; Vegan Justice League Los Gatos, CA Moore Rob LG Anti-Racism Coalition; Plant-Based Advocates Los Gatos, CA Owens Heidi Community leader Los Gatos, CA Preville Bruce CERT Leader, Los Gatos Los Gatos, CA Romano Andrea Owner, Centonove Restaurant Los Gatos, CA Spargo Alicia Outreach Coordinator, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition Los Gatos, CA Residents of Los Gatos Aidi Karen Los Gatos, CA Anji Roberto Los Gatos, CA Arienzo Wendy Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Frank Los Gatos, CA Arroyo Susie Los Gatos, CA Bagatelos Mary Ann Los Gatos, CA Balijepalli Priya Los Gatos, CA Balakrishnan Jeyendran Los Gatos, CA Barden Ben Los Gatos, CA Barden Sue Los Gatos, CA Barnett Kaitlyn Los Gatos, CA Bay Juliana Los Gatos, CA Bayne Daphne Los Gatos, CA Bernholz Malte Los Gatos, CA Biller Jason Physician Los Gatos, CA Bolen JP Los Gatos, CA Bolen Rachel Los Gatos, CA Booth Sandra Los Gatos, CA Bora Anita Los Gatos, CA Bosworth Mary Ann Los Gatos, CA Boyd Sandy Los Gatos, CA Brzak Lukas Los Gatos, CA Burkhart Chris Los Gatos, CA Bz Linda Los Gatos, CA Cao Xuong Los Gatos, CA Cappon-Javey Maureen Los Gatos, CA Carol Amy Los Gatos, CA Carpio Virginia Los Gatos, CA I support putting into the General Plan a plant based education program. There are several benefits from such a program, including potentially better general health and a healthier air quality in our community from consuming less meat, i.e., raising fewer animals that contribute to the increase of methane gas. I think this program would be very good for our community and far beyond it. Chavez Vana Los Gatos, CA Christensen Beverly Los Gatos, CA Christensen John Los Gatos, CA Cisneroz Diane Larson Los Gatos, CA Corini Tamara Los Gatos, CA Dai Biller Jenny Physician Los Gatos, CA Davies Tiffany Physician Los Gatos, CA Davies Mark Physician Los Gatos, CA De Cesare Anne Marie Los Gatos, CA De Louraille Karen Los Gatos, CA Czinski Laura Los Gatos, CA Deak David Los Gatos, CA Dempsey Caroline Los Gatos, CA DeMaria Dawn Los Gatos, CA Dickinson Ilene Los Gatos, CA Dickinson Roger Los Gatos, CA Dillehay Kristine Los Gatos, CA Dreiger Jeannie Los Gatos, CA Dreher Diane Los Gatos, CA Erdengiz Sevgi Los Gatos, CA Evjenth Gail Los Gatos, CA Evjenth Tim Los Gatos, CA Fletcher Lisa Los Gatos, CA Fox Audrey Los Gatos, CA Fox Larry Owner, Valet Custom Cabients Los Gatos, CA Frager Bernadette Los Gatos, CA Freedom Rea Los Gatos, CA Pollution and waste in Factory Farms;, use of land for meat production, killing of wildlife and use acres of land to support livestock; nets in the ocean killing millions of sea creatures; all contribute to climate change. Reducing meat consumption is something we all can do. Please place plant based education in the general plan. It is the right thing to so. Garland Lynette Los Gatos, CA Gibbons Maria Eugenia Los Gatos, CA Goldberg Kristine Los Gatos, CA Goldberg Michael Los Gatos, CA Griffin Julie Los Gatos, CA Gupta Reeta Los Gatos, CA Gummow Todd Los Gatos, CA I support plant based diet education programs Hamilton Georgia Los Gatos, CA Hamilton Scott Los Gatos, CA Harrison Julia Los Gatos, CA Hassoun Joe Los Gatos, CA Haylock Archna Los Gatos, CA Yes we need more options at school and at local restaurants. Hemmis Matt Los Gatos, CA Hendry Dan Los Gatos, CA Hendry Wendy Los Gatos, CA Hinsche Danielle Los Gatos, CA I am a resident of Los Gatos and I support the addition of a plant-based education program in the Town’s 2040 General Plan. Hiroshima Kevin Los Gatos, CA Hojjat Sara District Leader Volunteer- California Congressional District 18. Member of Plant-Based Advocates Los Gatos, CA Honorio Mia Los Gatos, CA Houghton John Los Gatos, CA Howe Chelsea Los Gatos, CA Hsieh Cynthia Los Gatos, CA I would love to see a vegan, zero waste restaraunt in Los Gatos. Huang Jenny Los Gatos, CA Hussey Jacklyn Los Gatos, CA Anything that will help save our planet I will definitely support! Ingle Lori Los Gatos, CA Isaacs Varily Los Gatos, CA Iyer Harish Los Gatos, CA Javey Shahram Los Gatos, CA Jog Chetan Los Gatos, CA Johnson Karen Los Gatos, CA Johnston Jan Los Gatos, CA Juhl Linda Los Gatos, CA Thank you Kamali Kristine Los Gatos, CA Karavelioglu Sevil Los Gatos, CA Keating Kathleen Los Gatos, CA I believe it is to the best interest of Los Gatos to establish a plant based education program at the high school and for the general public. I believe many of our children and others need to know that plant based eating is good for their bodies if done right. Please provide funding for an education for plant based eating. Please sponsor cooking classes as well. Keller Lisa Los Gatos, CA Love it. Yes!! Koch Charlene Foster Los Gatos, CA I would LOVE to see this happen!! So very needed. Koke Cynthia Los Gatos, CA Kollu Badrinath Los Gatos, CA Kurlin Carolyn Los Gatos, CA Kurlin Gregg Los Gatos, CA Kurtz Karen Los Gatos, CA Lasso Alberto Los Gatos, CA Lawton Ann Los Gatos, CA YES! Lazzarino Dominic Los Gatos, CA Le Denise Los Gatos, CA I’m not a vegan or vegetarian but I’d love to incorporate more plant based and less meat protein to my diet. Leeds Felice Los Gatos, CA Lesko Camille Los Gatos, CA Cooking classes are a great idea! Levine Joshua Los Gatos, CA Levine Marni Los Gatos, CA Lewis Jessica Los Gatos, CA Education is key for this important information. Thanks to all involved in making this happen! Lammers Victoria Los Gatos, CA Need more vegetarian places/options Li Van Los Gatos, CA Liu Andre Los Gatos, CA Liu Calista Los Gatos, CA Liu Gabriela Los Gatos, CA Lockman Juliana Los Gatos, CA Lorig Glenn Los Gatos, CA Lorig Sue Ann Los Gatos, CA Lowe Debbie Los Gatos, CA McKinnon Skyler Los Gatos, CA Madduri Sandeep Los Gatos, CA Malhotra Priti Los Gatos, CA Malhotra Neeraj Los Gatos, CA Mandurrago Gloria Los Gatos, CA A fantastic idea! Margolis Sonya Los Gatos, CA McGill Alex Los Gatos, CA McInerny Celeste Los Gatos, CA Menhardt Trixi Los Gatos, CA Mordaunt Joshua Los Gatos, CA Newlin Kerry Los Gatos, CA Mager Nan Los Gatos, CA Mano Robin Los Gatos, CA Martins Rosilene Los Gatos, CA Meinhardt Suzanne Los Gatos, CA Miramontes Emily Los Gatos, CA Morley Eric Los Gatos, CA Nguyen Kim Los Gatos, CA Niederauer Tricia Los Gatos, CA North Pamela Los Gatos, CA O'Connor Rebecca Los Gatos, CA O'Toole June Los Gatos, CA Park Monica Los Gatos, CA Parker Dana Los Gatos, CA Parsons Daniel Los Gatos, CA Parsons Debbie Los Gatos, CA Parsons Jackie Los Gatos, CA Parsons James Los Gatos, CA Parsons John Los Gatos, CA Patel Minal Los Gatos, CA Rai Vivek Los Gatos, CA Yes, I am in for plant based projects. Raad Mona Los Gatos, CA Raad Ellie Los Gatos, CA Ramaswamy Vinay Los Gatos, CA Ram Amrith Los Gatos, CA Ramesh Mythri Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at GPAC Reese Dirk Los Gatos, CA Rennie Isabella Los Gatos, CA Reyna Melody Los Gatos, CA Reyna Orlando Los Gatos, CA Rhine Molly Los Gatos, CA Richter Jessica Los Gatos, CA Riley Kate Los Gatos, CA Rittenhouse Simone Los Gatos, CA Robinson Kari Los Gatos, CA Rovin Lynne Los Gatos, CA Rovin Stuart Los Gatos, CA Rubio Karen CERT volunteer Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at Town council meeting for 2040 General plan Rubio Fred Los Gatos, CA Rubio Erik Los Gatos, CA Rude Christina Los Gatos, CA Ry Regina Los Gatos, CA Sand Gretchen Los Gatos, CA Sardana Manan Los Gatos, CA Sarkar Prasenjit Los Gatos, CA Sathyamurthy Shreelatha Los Gatos, CA I strongly support this initiative. Schirmer Lisa Los Gatos, CA Schwartz Jan Los Gatos, CA Shah Bhanik Los Gatos, CA Shah Swati Los Gatos, CA I support the local effort! Shoff Sue Los Gatos, CA Seshadri Sruba Los Gatos, CA Smith Angie Los Gatos, CA Smith Rucy Climate Reality presenter and activist Los Gatos, CA Sneddon Laura Los Gatos, CA Snyder Stephen Los Gatos, CA Srinivasan Kiran Los Gatos, CA Starov Vladimir Los Gatos, CA I fully support this worthy cause! Stillinger Kelsey Los Gatos, CA Would love to see more emphasis on plant-based diet - through restaurants, education, community garden, etc. Stone Helen Los Gatos, CA Stone Paul Los Gatos, CA Streicker Robin Los Gatos, CA Tompkins Liz Los Gatos, CA Venkatesan Arun Los Gatos, CA Venkatsubramanyan Shailaja Los Gatos, CA Made verbal comments at GPAC Von Luehrte Missy Los Gatos, CA Vuckovich Melissa Los Gatos, CA Waters Michelle Los Gatos, CA Wade Christopher Los Gatos, CA Wade Lisa Los Gatos, CA Gave verbal comments at GPAC Wade Lucas Los Gatos, CA Wade Stephen Los Gatos, CA Wade Charles Audobon Society Lifetime Achievement Award Los Gatos, CA Wales Pamela CERT; Animal search and rescue disaster response team; animal sanctuary volunteer Los Gatos, CA Walker Kelsey Los Gatos, CA Waters Michelle Los Gatos, CA Wentzien Erin Los Gatos, CA White Tony Los Gatos, CA White Hillary Los Gatos, CA Willey Kathleen Los Gatos, CA Gave verbal comments at GPAC Willey Mark Los Gatos, CA Willing Lara Los Gatos, CA Plant based eating is part of a long term solution. Wilson Beth Los Gatos, CA Yannoni Mike Los Gatos, CA Yosfee Hanley Los Gatos, CA Zilka Stephanie Los Gatos, CA Let’s join the scientific community and educate people about the importance of plant based living!!! It’s vital to the survival of our planet and species!!! Organizations Endorsing our Proposal Plant-Based Advocates of Los Gatos http://www.plantbasedadvocates.com/ TWW/Indivisible-Los Gatos https://www.twwlg.org/ Sierrra Club Loma-Prieta https://www.sierraclub.org/loma-prieta Center for Biological Diversity https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/Provided Written testomony on behalf of our proposal Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet https://www.acterra.org/ Eat for the Earth (Based in Santa Cruz) https://www.eatfortheearth.org/ SAFE Worldwide https://www.safeworldwide.org/ (Based in Monte Sereno) Green Monday USA https://greenmondayus.org/ Factory Farm Awareness Coalition https://www.ffacoalition.org/ A Well-Fed World https://awellfedworld.org/ Physicians Against Red Meat https://pharm.org/ Other Community and Business Leaders Hicks Alison City Council Member of Mountain View Ramirez Lucas Vice Mayor of Mountain View and Council Member Brook Dan Professor at SJSU; author; environmentalist San Jose State University Gurunathan Mohan Environmentalist; designed Mountain View plant-based outreach program Mountain View, CA Love Beth Environmentalist; Founder of Eat for the Earth, a Santa Cruz-based group promoting plant-based diets for sustainability Santa Cruz, CA Mackey Mary Actress; Model; SAG BookPals program (reading to children in homeless shelters) and LIFE (Living in Freedom Everyday) Program, teaching life skills to inmates San Jose, CA Middlesworth Linda Owner, V-Dog; health coach Sacramento, CA Sehgal Tony Documentary Filmmaker Saratoga, CA Support from Neighboring Residents Adalja Anish San Jose, CA Anand Monico San Jose, CA Balachandran Jackie San Jose, CA As a vegetarian of 17 yrs and a registered nurse, I strongly support this plant-based education program because I believe it will help improve the health of members in our community. Berlinberg Jacqueline Monte Sereno, CA Bengt Amanda San Jose, CA Bevard Mariah Monte Sereno, CA Castro Jennifer San Jose, CA I support adding an education component to the Los Gatos 2040 plan which would educate citizens about plant-based foods. Chaykin Lori Monte Sereno, CA Chugh Rahul San Jose, CA Duguma Jemanesh Campbell, CA East Rowena San Jose, CA Emerson Ziba San Jose, CA Good job. Giacomini-McDonald Cathy Monte Sereno, CA Guh Teresa Monte Sereno, CA Harrold Kat Campbell, CA Thank you for this, I frequent Los Gatos so this would be great to see. Also I believe in the power of empowering our local farmers, and the more money we can get them, the better for everybody locally. Back to our roots! Better for the planet and better for everyone Isis Dawn Campbell, CA Though I don't live IN Los Gatos, I hope my support will indicate interest in this important issue in the wider area, & that Los Gatos may become a model for addressing it. Jain Beena San Jose, CA I support the educational program. Kinger Amit San Jose, CA Lambert Jennifer Monte Sereno, CA Lanzl Linda Monte Sereno, CA Matar Elizabeth Monte Sereno, CA Thank you! Yes!!! Matar Lisa Monte Sereno, CA Thank you! I’m completely in for this!! Mesler Michelle San Jose, CA Mulchandani Mukesh Campbell, CA Moving to Los Gatos soon! Petroff Patrice Monte Sereno, CA Ramirez Gustavo San Jose, CA We need more plant based food options! The meat industry is cruel and unsustainable. Renson Kellee Monte Sereno, CA Yes need more veggie places to eat Shearer David San Jose, CA I support this effort Stolberg Robb Environmental Education: Veggielution, Walden West San Jose, CA Streicker Robin Monte Sereno, CA Thakur Smita Saratoga, CA I have been plant based for the last two years. It has made me healthier and it's the best thing for the planet. Would love to have more people join plant based way of life. Woodhouse Dori San Jose, CA May 5, 2021 Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner Community Development Project Town of Los Gatos Via JArmer@losgatosca.gov Dear Ms. Armer, On behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity and our California members, I thank you for considering food sustainability initiatives and emissions strategies in the Los Gatos General Plan. The Center strongly supports these actions. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national conservation nonprofit with nearly 2 million members and supporters. Our expertise is grounded in a staff of scientists and legal experts tackling crucial issues like climate change and effective mitigation strategies. Food emissions are a substantial part of global and national human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show we cannot meet climate mitigation targets without tackling emissions from the food and agriculture sector, and namely by shifting diets toward lower emissions foods. The agriculture sector accounts for as much as 37%1 of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food procurement is an important opportunity to reduce consumption-driven emissions. Most emissions come from only a few types of foods. The foods with the highest emissions are meat and dairy products,2 which are responsible for approximately half of all food-related emissions and 16%34 of global greenhouse gases. The overproduction (and consumption) of meat and dairy come with a high cost to the climate,5 as well as to water6, land7, and biodiversity8. Tracking institutional food purchases and shifting toward climate-friendly foods is a crucial climate solution that also has health and other environmental benefits. Unfortunately, some sustainability initiatives overlook the need to address overproduction of animal-based foods in their commitments. Instead, municipal plans should build on frameworks of supporting 1 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2019). Special Report on Climate Change and Land Use. https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/. 2 Our World in Data (2020). Environmental Impacts of Food Production. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local. 3 Calculated using the 2017 online update to the FAO 2013 GLEAM assessment that estimates the livestock sector emitted 8.1 GT CO2eq in 2010 (using 298 and 34 as global warming potentials for N20 and CH4, based on the IPCC 2014 report). The IPCC 2014 report estimates total anthropogenic GHG emissions in 2010 of 49 GT CO2eq. See: FAO, Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM) [online], Rome, www.fao.org/gleam/en/ and IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change], Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri & L.A. Meyer (eds.)], IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland (2014), http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full_wcover.pdf. 4 Gerber, P. J., Steinfeld, H., Henderson, B., Mottet, A., Opio, C., Dijkman, J., ... & Tempio, G. (2013). Tackling climate change through livestock: a global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). http://www.fao.org/3/i3437e/i3437e.pdf. 5 University of Michigan. Center for Sustainable Systems (2017). Carbon Footprint Factsheet. http://css.umich.edu/sites/default/files/Carbon%20Footprint_CSS09-05_e2020_0.pdf. 6 Water Footprint Network (2021). Water Footprint of Crop and Animal Products: A Comparison. https://waterfootprint.org/en/water-footprint/product-water-footprint/water-footprint-crop-and-animal-products/. 7 Carbon Brief (2021). Interactive: What is the Climate Footprint of Eating Meat and Dairy? CarbonBrief.org. https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/what-is-the-climate-impact-of-eating-meat-and-dairy/. 8 Center for Biological Diversity (2021). Extinction Facts. TakeExtinctionOffYourPlate.com. 2 environmental goals through procurement, in line with similar efforts regarding recycled and sustainable products and local food. Food procurement has a significant impact9 on the environment and overall municipal emissions and can often be addressed by resolution or executive directive requiring government food purchases to meet specific guidelines. Making a moderate shift toward climate-friendly menus can make a big difference in advancing sustainability goals, particularly emissions targets. The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change10 affirmed we have only a decade left to avoid irreversible climate damage. This fact has driven municipalities to include meat and dairy reductions as key factors in emissions reductions and sustainability policies, including the initiatives recommended to add to the Los Gatos General Plan. For example, Los Angeles, California recently joined the C-40 cities initiative; and Santa Monica, CA integrated food procurement commitments into their Climate Action Plan and committed to a 15% reduction of meat and dairy procurement to meet its emissions targets; Carrboro, North Carolina has set food emissions targets in their Climate Action Plan and set a goal to reduce emissions from consumption by 50% by 2025; Denver, CO found emissions from food procurement accounted for 14% of overall emissions, nearly equal to emissions from residential energy and gasoline-powered vehicles. Reducing beef procurement – if replaced with plant-based foods - would immediately help reduce the city’s emissions as beef emits more greenhouse gases than any other food.11 Beef is also a particularly water-intensive process that depletes vital watersheds, from the Colorado River to local waterways.12 Thus, reducing beef procurement also supports water conservation goals. Given California’s drought, wildfires and extreme weather, municipalities must do what they can to support water-saving efforts. Cities and townships must strive to mitigate the emissions associated with municipal operations. Increasing support for local produce growers will also improve engagement with farmers markets and local food hubs, bringing economic benefits to your community. Similarly, increasing access to healthy, climate-friendly foods with city-supported neighborhood-based community gardens bring equitable solutions for those who lack access to healthy, sustainable foods. Sustainable food policies can increase climate resilience, help eradicate poverty13, improve public health and equity, and protect biodiversity.14 The urgency of these issues and the health of the planet demand action to transform unsustainable food systems. Sincerely, Jennifer Molidor, Ph.D. Senior Food Campaigner Center for Biological Diversity BiologicalDiversity.org jmolidor@biologicaldiversity.org 9 United Nation System Standing Committee on Nutrition (2017). Sustainable Diets for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet. https://www.unscn.org/uploads/web/news/document/Climate-Nutrition-Paper-EN-WEB.pdf. 10 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018). Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5c. https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/. 11 Our World in Data (2020). Environmental Impacts of Food Production. https://ourworldindata.org/food-choice-vs-eating-local. 12 Richter, B. (2020). Water Sustainability and Fish Imperilment Driven by Beef Production. Nature Sustainability. https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/59918. 13 Smith, P. (2012). “Climate Change and Sustainable Food Production.” Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/climate-change-and-sustainable-food-production/DE02043AE462DF7F91D88FD4349D38E7. 14Food and Agriculture Organization (2010). Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity. http://www.fao.org/3/i3004e/i3004e.pdf. From: Sue Ann Lorig Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 11:21 AM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Please add a plant-based education program to Section 8 of the Environmental section of the General Plan Dear Ms. Armer and Town Council: I am Sue Ann Lorig and a resident of Los Gatos. I am writing you to request that a plant-based education program be added to Section 8 of the Environmental section of the General Plan. The IPCC has stated that to avoid climate catastrophe, global emissions must be halved by 2030. That means we must do everything we can now to reverse climate change. Right behind fossil fuels in the causes of climate change is industrial animal agriculture, which we can address as individuals and a community by reducing our consumption of animal products and eating more plants. Industrial animal agriculture currently occupies more than half of the world’s arable land resources, uses the majority of our freshwater stores, and expels more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector. Additionally, it causes rampant air and water pollution, land degradation, and deforestation, and is pushing countless species to the brink of extinction. It takes 160 times more land resources to produce beef than it does to produce vegetables, fruits, and legumes. The rainforests, the planet’s lungs, are being burned as we speak to clear land for more animal agriculture. But it’s not just beef. It’s also chickens, pigs, dairy cows, and the other farm animals that make up our current farming system. The entire livestock system currently occupies 45% of the planet’s land surface. In comparison, 95% of the human population occupies 10% of the world’s land. In addition to using scarce land, we’re using scarce water resources to grow food to feed animals for food. In the U.S., 47% of soy and 60% of corn is consumed by livestock. An average cow will consume around 1,000 pounds of feed every few months. Within a short lifetime, that cow will use about 183,500 gallons of water through feed alone. When you include the millions of gallons for everything from hydration to washing excrement off concrete floors, cleaning blood and grease from the equipment in the butchering process, etc., it takes about 1,800 gallons of water on average to produce 1 pound of meat. Dairy cows use tons of water, too, with about 2,000 gallons of water being used to create just one gallon of milk. In one year, the average American consumes roughly 58 pounds of beef, 50 pounds of pork, and 91 pounds of chicken. The water that it takes to produce just a pound of each one of those meats is approximately 1,800 gallons, 576 gallons, and 468 gallons, respectively. To put this into perspective, it only takes 119 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of potatoes. Simply stated, if we used all of this water to produce food for direct human consumption, rather than the roundabout process of industrial meat farming, we would have a lot more food and a whole lot more water to go around. With respect, I implore you to add a plant-based education program to Section 8 of the Environmental section of the General Plan. Sincerely, Sue Ann Lorig Los Gatos, CA From: Christopher Wade Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 1:14 PM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Plant-Based Education To the Planning Commission, Thank you for your tireless work on the General Plan. I have lived in Los Gatos for more than 40 years. My family moved here when I was a kid, and I attended Blossom Hill School, Fisher Middle School, and Los Gatos High School. I'd like to request that you please add a plant-based education program to the implementation programs in Section 8 (Environmental and Sustainability Element) of the General Plan. Many cities are taking measures to facilitate a shift to plant-based diets, and I'd like to see Los Gatos make more progress in this direction. Under Mayor Eric Adams, New York City recently introduced Vegan Fridays serving plant-based meals to all students as the default on Fridays. If students want animal products they must request that option. https://gothamist.com/food/nyc-public-schools-will-start-vegan-fridays Mayor Adams is also expanding a Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine Program (that was piloted in Bellevue) to five new health and hospital locations across the city. https://gothamist.com/food/mayor-adams-expand-plant-based-eating-clinic-all-five-boroughs Adams said that after becoming vegan in 2016, he reversed his Type 2 diabetes, including loss of vision and nerve damage. In fact, he wrote a book on this subject called, “Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses.” I'd like to see Los Gatos follow in the footsteps of cities such as New York. Mountain View, Berkeley and so many more. Sincerely, Chris Wade From: Julie Struthers Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 2:07 PM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Include Plant Based Education in Town General Plan Dear Los Gatos Town Council, I have been a Los Gatos Resident since 1999 and I am writing to ask that we include a plant-based education program to Section 8 Environmental and Sustainability section of the General Plan. I feel that it is important for residents of Los Gatos to be aware of the huge environmental benefits of a plant- based diet, and I’d like to see the Town fund education on this topic. kind regards, Julie Struthers From: Nick Struthers Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 2:07 PM To: Jennifer Armer; Council Subject: Town General Plan to include Plant Based Education Dear Los Gatos Town Council, I have been a Los Gatos Resident since 1999 and I am writing to ask that we include a plant-based education program to Section 8 Environmental and Sustainability section of the General Plan. I feel that it is important for residents of Los Gatos to be aware of the huge environmental benefits of a plant- based diet, and I’d like to see the Town fund education on this topic. kind regards, Nick Struthers From: roberto anji Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2022 9:26 AM To: Jennifer Armer Cc: Council Subject: Section 8 the Environmental section of the General Plan. Dear Jennifer, My name is Roberto Anji and I am a resident of Los Gatos staying at I wanted to add my support to add Plant Based Nutrition and Education to the towns General Plan. Just like Climate Change is now a Household word we need to add Veganism as well as it has a multitude of benefits not only for our planet but also our health. There is no need to covert everyone to be Vegan 24x7, just a few days a week can make a tremendous impact and once pople change their habits they will also support the Vegan industry in developing a bigger variety of tasty Vega food. Have you tried Vegan Gouda Cheese available at Whole Foods? It is a pretty good imitation. More like that will arrive if we support the industry and Los Gatos can proudly be at the forefront by adding it to their plan. Thanking you in advance! - Roberto From: Beth Wilson Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2022 12:07 PM To: Council; Jennifer Armer Subject: Plant Based Diet Education Hello, My name is Beth Wilson and I live in Los Gatos. I am writing to ask that we include a plant- based education program to Section 8 Environmental and Sustainability section of the General Plan. I feel that it is important for residents of Los Gatos to be aware of the huge environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, and I’d like to see the Town fund education on this topic. Thank you, Beth Wilson From: Dirk Reese Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2022 1:05 PM To: Jennifer Armer Cc: Council Subject: Plant-Based Education in the Town General Plan Los Gatos Town Council, My name is Dirk Reese and I live in Los Gatos. I am writing to ask that we include a plant-based education program to Section 8 Environmental and Sustainability section of the General Plan. I feel that it is important for residents of Los Gatos to be aware of the huge environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, and I’d like to see the Town fund education on this topic. Sincerely, Dirk Reese Los Gatos This Page Intentionally Left Blank