According to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) projections, between 2010 and 2040, there will be 1.3 million more jobs and an additional 2.4 million people in the 15 cities that comprise the bay area. Of those 1.3 million jobs, almost ½ of them, 600,000, have already been created, and ¼ of the people have already arrived as of 2015. We’re all feeling the hyper-growth of the region, and statistically, about 80% of us commute in a car. Consequently, we are the traffic of which we complain.
In preparing for growth, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sets the total projected housing needs for the Bay Area, and RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) then sets the housing allocation for the different jurisdictions (eg, Los Gatos). Consequently, the Los Gatos allocation for the years 2014 to 2022 is 619 potential residential units.
The people that serve town government have to swear to upholding the law, follow those laws or suffer the consequences. Neither the Town Council, nor the Planning Commission, have been bought off by the developer. In fact, they have significantly reduced the potential allowable size. One of the other government requirements is called an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
EIRs are completed by outside agencies that specialize in this field. The EIR on the North 40 would have allowed up to 750 housing units! The Specific Plan, created by our Town Council with staff input, cut that number by 51% to 364 units. The maximum allowable retail/commercial space was 580,000 and that was cut to 501,000 sq ft. of total, non-residential. Both numbers include the 61,000 of already constructed buildings on LG Blvd.
The Specific Plan also called for an unprecedented 30% of open space. Take a look at recent developments of Laurel Mews, Blue Bird Lane, the old Swanson Ford Netflix or Palo Alto Medical and see if you can find 5% of open space! This council has set a new high bar. No previous council even comes close.
The best of all possible worlds would have seen the North 40 become a park, or athletic fields or remain an orchard. However, we, as a town, missed that boat as we’ve never been inclined to tax ourselves to buy it. The owners have exercised their right to develop it, and the developers, as far as I can see, are staying within the guidelines of the Specific Plan.
The town government can’t JUST SAY NO! We do not exist in a vacuum but rather live in the phenomenally unique bay area that sucks in business, which in turn sucks in more people. The state government basically tells Los Gatos what to do from a planning perspective for the future growth, theoretically in the best interest of the region.
We have to adjust to that or suffer the consequences like those of the city of Pleasanton who JUST SAID NO! Having now paid more than $2.5 million in Iegal fees, they STILL have had to build the housing and have created the Housing Element plan.
I don’t like the fact that we have to develop what could have been a great open space, but we don’t have the money nor has anyone shown the drive to buy it for the town – including all past administrations, nor have the citizens of Los Gatos. I think the council is trying to make the development the best that they can given the restrictions placed upon the town by the state.
Leave a Reply