Handout Study SessionI a - How do you describe Los Gatos?
BROAD TO SPECIFIC VISIONING EXERCISE
North 40 Specific Plan Council StudV Session
(DRAFT— February 13, 2012)
Los Gatos is both historic as well as contemporary, an evolving town of eclectic residential
neighborhoods, superior schools, beautiful Santa Cruz mountain backdrop, with a vibrant
downtown commercial district serving as the meeting place for all ages to experience and
express small town community.
Gem of the Foothills
Los Gatos is unique in Silicon Valley, in that it has more feel of "Community' than most other cities. We are
centrally located around a downtown that is second -to -none, and yet we have neighborhoods — East Los
Gatos, Rinconada, etc — that are cohesive themselves. Our neighborhoods are walkable, friendly and safe.
Friendly, social, unique, safe, clean, well planned, irreplaceable, non - duplicable.
Framed by the natural beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos provides residents with a unique small
town experience at the edge of a major metropolitan area. It honors its rich history and encourages eclectic
neighborhoods and a vibrant business community to meet the needs and preferences of all residents.
CONVERGENCE:
Friendly, social, meeting place, community, small town (4)
Foothills, mountains (3)
Unique, non - duplicable, irreplaceable (3)
Downtown, vibrant business community (3)
Beautiful, beauty, gem (3)
Neighborhoods (3)
Eclectic (2)
Historic (2)
Vibrant (2)
Safe (2)
Silicon Valley, edge of metropolitan area (2)
For all ages, all residents (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES:
Contemporary
Superior schools
Evolving
Walkable
Clean
Second -to -none
1 b - How do you describe your neighborhood?
BROAD TO SPECIFIC VISIONING EXERCISE
North 40 Specific Plan Council Study Session
(DRAFT— February 13, 2012)
Non - traditional neighborhood of modest size homes uniquely situated in a woodsy setting just a minute's walk
from Main Street and 600 steps from the new library. Redwood trees, a creek, birds, squirrels, deer and other
wildlife. Young families and long -time residents.
Topographical, woodsy, open, serene, walkable, natural, comfortable.
My neighborhood is close to downtown, walkable, friendly, affluent and safe.
Historic
My neighborhood is a mix of Victorian, Craftsman, and bungalow architecture, currently undergoing a
renaissance as older commercial uses are replaced by new residential development capturing the historic feel
of this gateway to the downtown. Because of its historic character, it differs architecturally from the 60s ranch
style neighborhood immediately to the east.
CONVERGENCE:
Downtown, close, gateway (3 -4)
Walkable (3)
Woodsy, Redwood trees, creek, wildlife, open, topographical (3)
Historic (2)
Comfortable, affluent, safe, friendly (2)
Architecture, mix, non - traditional, renaissance (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES:
Modest size homes
Serene
Young families and long -time residents
(Various architectural styles)
1 c - How would you like to describe the North 40 years after it is developed?
BROAD TO SPECIFIC VISIONING EXERCISE
North 40 Specific Plan Council Study Session
(DRAFT— February 13, 2012)
The North 40 development "completed" Los Gatos by fulfilling unmet needs in housing and commercial space.
It appears to have grown organically and has the look, feel, and density as other neighborhoods in the town.
Like other parts of Los Gatos it has many trees and mountain views.
Anew neighborhood, not unlike others in Town — walkable, friendly, cohesive, and safe. It should look as if it
has been there for many years. It should provide services that are not currently available in Town, so as to be
complimentary, not competitive with, other parts of Town.
In 2012, the North 40 was developed to successfully address the Town's unmet needs while respecting its
hillside settings, the site's agricultural and historical legacy, and all without overburdening the Town's schools
and streets.
Vibrant, functional, unimposing, complementary, accessible, desirable, intelligent.
As the northern gateway, the North 40 will introduce the uses and architecture that reflect the unique
character of the town. It will primarily serve the needs of the town's immediate neighborhoods, secondarily
that of the rest of our town. The North 40 should be described as a continuation of the northern commercial
and residential neighborhood of Los Gatos, not an island isolated from the town.
Unmet needs, services not currently available, complementary, complimentary, not competitive (meet
neighborhood and town needs) (4)
Grown organically, look as if it has been there for many years, historical legacy (3 -4)
"Completed" Los Gatos, continuation, not an isolated island (3)
Look, feel and density of other neighborhoods, a new neighborhood not unlike others (2)
Without overburdening Town's streets, accessible, walkable (3)
Mountain views, hillside settings (2)
Agricultural legacy, many trees (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES:
Northern gateway introduces unique character of the town
Without overburdening Town's schools
Friendly
Cohesive
Safe
Vibrant
Functional
Unimposing
Desirable
intelligent
2 a — Uses and Attributes that Should Be in the North 40 and Why
SPECIFIC TO BROAD VISIONING EXERCISE
North 40 Specific Plan Council Study Session
(DRAFT— February 13, 2012)
A Senior Residential Community (A full service senior neighborhood of small individual residences,
townhomes, and community center) Appropriate because of our aging demographic seeking to downsize
their homes yet remain in Los Gatos while participating in an active community life that expresses Los Gatos
values.
A neighborhood serving mix of restaurant and retail businesses Appropriate because the northern sector of
town has few neighborhood opportunities to access these services within walking or biking distance from
home.
Medical office and health service facilities Appropriate because it will provide continuity with the Samaritan
medical complex as well as provide the neighboring northern neighborhoods and the senior community on
this property with immediate access to health services.
Boutique Hotel, Conference Center, Performing Arts Center Appropriate because there is an obvious
deficiency of each of these uses within the town. A hotel would integrate very well with the transient
residential needs of relatives and friends of those being served by the Samaritan medical community as well
as the senior community.
Attributes that address the Town's unmet needs
(Attributes that) respect the Town's hillside settings
(Attributes that) respect the North 40's agricultural legacy
(Attributes that) respect the North 40's historical legacy
Senior housing because seniors are the fastest growing population segment and there are not enough
options for them to stay in the community they love, from active living to full spectrum care.
Hotel with conference facilities /performing arts theater because there is no place in Los Gatos for events
with more than 250 or venues for live indoor performances and concerts
Neighborhood serving retail and restaurants because residents at the north end of town are underserved
Mid -size retail because we lack retail spaces appealing to certain types of businesses such as
appliance /electronic stores and sporting goods, forcing residents to leave town to make these purchases
An elegant hotel (like Rosewood Hotel & Conference Center in Menlo Park; this is the most important element
and the whole North 40 design should be built around this primary use). Why? Because we need a world
class hotel, spa, and conference center that will attract the jet -set, corporate elite and related events.
Class A Office space (catering to venture capitalist, investment bankers, lawyers, medical groups etc). Why?
Class A Office of this type will be synergistic with the elegant hotel idea above, and we are known to be
short according to the BAE study.
Retail /commercial district with a park in or around it that can host community events (This should include
restaurants, cafes, bookstore, music store, sporting goods, outdoor /open market concept like the Ferry
Building in San Francisco, an electronics retailer, and a general merchandise store (a well- disguised 80K square
feet 2 level Tar -get' may produce up to $150 million in gross sales and Los Gatos would receive about $1.2
million in sales tax revenue from one store, but may not mesh with the ideas listed above). Why? To fill holes
in the retail mix according to the BEA Study of Los Gatos, to attract shoppers from the RTA and beyond, to
avoid competing (to complement) downtown shopping, to bring the North 40 a sense of community
(genuine Los Gatos vibe).
Senior Housing Why? Because the North 40 property is located close to medical services, shopping, and
major transportation corridors, and our demographics and general plan support this.
Indoor Sports complex Why? A different kind of recreation that is gaining in popularity and can be utilized
all seasons. And, there aren't any close by. The 49er's practice here and it may also bring synergy to the
hotel guests /businesses as additional recreation opportunities.
Hotel / Conference center — a need sorely needed, and lacking currently in Town
Larger floor plate retail — not "Big Box " . This will offer for potential retail uses that for which we do not
currently have room.
School? — If not here, where?
Resident serving and regional serving retail / restaurant —These will provide services for those at the "north
end" of Town as well as serve as a draw for adjacent areas of San Jose and Campbell.
Senior residential ? ? ??
CONVERGENCE - USES:
Hotel /Conference center (4)
Resident serving retail (4)
Senior housing, residential (3 -4)
Performing arts space (3)
Regional retail, mid -size, larger, not "big box" (3)
Office uses, including medical (2)
CONVERGENCE— WHY?
Town unmet needs (5)
Neighborhood unmet needs (4)
Regional unmet needs (3)
Changing demographics (3)
Proximity to related uses (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES - USES:
School
Indoor sports complex
UNIQUE REFERENCES — WHY?
Respect Town's hillside settings
Respect North 40's agricultural legacy
Respect North 40's historical legacy
World -class presence
Increased tax revenues
Create sense of community in North 40
2 b — Uses and Attributes that Should NOT be in the North 40 and Why
SPECIFIC TO BROAD VISIONING EXERCISE
North 40 Specific Plan Council Study Session
(DRAFT— February 13, 2012)
Attributes that do not address the Town's unmet needs
(Attributes that) interfere with views of the hillsides
(Attributes that) fail to acknowledge the North 40's agricultural legacy
(Attributes that) fail to acknowledge the North 40's historical legacy
No single Family homes, townhomes or apartments Why? The location is too close to the intersection of
two major freeways, and two major arterials and this would be a huge waste of economic opportunity for
Los Gatos. Single family home needs are better served by infill, in locations closer to schools where
children can walk to school and their parents won't create conflicting traffic. Townhomes and apartments
should be considered for senior housing only. Also, this is the last chance to develop 40 contiguous acres to
bring in recurring revenue to pay for town services IN ADDITION TO to property tax revenues which are
capped at 2% /year.
No multiplex movie theater or performing arts center Why? Because according to the BEA study there are 5
multiplexes within a few miles drive in the RTA.
Performing arts separate venue (with hotel or other okay). Compete with Mountain Winery, Montalvo, Flint
Center, and multiple venues in San Jose, Mountain View and San Francisco. This would prove economically
challenging for a performing arts center in the North 40.
No Santana Row. Why? Santana Row is one giant chunk of concrete. It feels to me unapproachable from
the outside. Citizens of Los Gatos will never go for something like this. Plus, mimicking Santana Row does
not guarantee success. The concept is already in place. Can this valley support another Santana Row a few
miles away? Probably not.
No malls or massive clusters of chain store retail centers Why? We don't want to waste this opportunity on
properties like Camden Place, Westfield, or The Plant. There are already several malls in the RTA and we
don't want a downtown killer. Looking for uniqueness. A combination of proven successful ideas that fit
the community character is desired.
No high -rise anything Building heights should be limited to fit the character of Los Gatos and protect the view
shed. Why? This is what townspeople appreciate most when they describe Los Gatos as "rural" and "small
town." Also, the North 40 Development will be the first impression residents and travelers to Los Gatos will
see. Buildings too tall and intense will define Los Gatos as a big city and not a peaceful, serene escape from
Silicon Valley.
Multi family residential — I just don't see the need
Office space — with the Albright way project, I don't see it on this side of 17. In addition, it will likely require
more height than I can see for this site.
Too much density Everything I have seen thus far is too dense.
Santana Row South - A Second Downtown Inappropriate because the distinct character of the town is
embodied in our downtown core, and the uses exhibited there will be in jeopardy if a duplicate mix is
created on this site. It is difficult to see what specific restaurant and retail providers would not impact our
downtown.
A Large Multifamily Residential Complex Inappropriate because the town's population is stable at 30K and
projected to be only slightly more in the next 20 -30 years. A significant increase in residential development
is not called out as a need. In addition, a large increase in the school population would be significant
without the development of a neighborhood elementary school to accommodate student increases.
Big /Medium Box Retail Inappropriate because these would serve as a regional draw primarily, with the
consequence of significant traffic impacts on an already heavily congested road system. The leakage in sales
that is currently projected ignores the regional attraction of our downtown given its unique character,
setting, and commercial opportunities.
Large scale multi- family housing because it is not needed to serve our current residents and it adds too much
density and traffic to the neighborhood
A movie Cineplex because it would endanger the historic theater downtown and because there are already
22 movie theaters within 5 miles of central Los Gatos
Office buildings because the town already has a variety of commercial space options, from inexpensive Class
C to a Class A corporate campus
Uses that are primarily designed to serve the region as opposed to our own community
CONVERGENCE — USES:
Multi- family residential (4)
Big regional retail center (3)
Movie theaters, multiplex (2)
Santana Row South (2)
Office uses (2)
High rise, block views (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES — USES:
Separate performing arts venue
Too much density
CONVERGENCE — WHY:
Compete with Downtown (3)
Already provided in Town (3)
Competition beyond the Town (3)
Traffic (3)
Too much density (2)
UNIQUE REFERENCES -WHY:
School impacts
Agricultural legacy
Historical legacy