November 13, 2024 Planning commission meeting

The agenda and reports for the November 13, 2024 Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online. Among the items on the agenda, the Planning Commission will consider:

• Request for Approval for Construction of a Single-Family Residence and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on a Vacant Property Located at 15411 National Avenue;
• Request for Approval of a Planned Development for Demolition of an Existing Senior Living Community, Construction of a New Senior Living Community, Removal of Large Protected Trees, and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on Property Located at 110 Wood Road;
• Consider an Appeal of the Community Development Director Decision to Deny a Fence Height Exception Request for Construction of a Fence Exceeding the Maximum Height within a Required Street-Side Setback and Traffic View Area on Property Located at 108 Westchester Drive;
• Consider an Appeal of a Community Development Director Decision Determining that the Residence Remain a Contributor to the Historic District for Property Located at 228 Bachman Avenue; 
• Make a Recommendation to the Town Council on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) of the Town Code Regarding the State Mandated Density Bonus, Pursuant to Implementation Program R of the 2023-2031 Housing Element; and
• Make a Recommendation to the Town Council on Adoption of a Replacement Unit Program Ordinance and Policy, Pursuant to Implementation Program AU of the 2023-2031 Housing Element. 

The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on KCAT-15 television and/or online at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.  

The Town welcomes public participation. For instructions regarding how to participate in the meeting, including the Zoom link, please see the meeting agenda.  For additional details on providing comments, please visit the Town Public Guide to Town Planning Commission Meetings webpage. 

For more information on this agenda or about Town Council meetings, please call (408) 354-6832 or send an email to the Planning Department.

Upcoming Board, Commission, and Committee Meetings

To view upcoming Town Board, Commission, and Committee meeting agendas, visit the Town's Agendas and Minutes webpage. Next week's scheduled meetings include:

• November 12, 2024 Youth Commission at 7:00 p.m.
• November 13, 2024 Library Board at 3:00 p.m.
• November 14, 2024 Complete Streets and Transportation Commission at 7:30 a.m.
• November 14, 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission at 5:00 p.m.

TOWN OF LOS GATOS ANNOUNCES ART EXHIBIT IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ENTITLED “AN EXPLORATION OF COLOR PART 2”

The Town of Los Gatos is pleased to announce the upcoming Art in the Council Chambers exhibit, titled “An Exploration of Color Part 2, Works by 55 Plus Program Artists,” coordinated by the Los Gatos Arts and Culture Commission. This marks the first such exhibit since 2022, showcasing local talent and the vibrant creativity within our community.

This exhibit features artwork from artists in the Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation's "Friday Art Workshop" and "Women Artist Connection." The display will include a variety of mediums, representing artists with diverse experiences. For some participants, this exhibit is a first foray into art, while others bring a lifetime of passion to their work. Together, their pieces illustrate the profound joy and dedication to creativity that unites these artists.

Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers. The exhibit will be open to the public through February 24, 2025, and can be viewed shortly before and during intermissions of Town Council meetings. The Town Council Chambers are located in the Town of Los Gatos Civic Center, at 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030.

For more information, please contact Ryan Baker at (408) 354-6894 or via email at rbaker@losgatosca.gov.

October/November Nighttime Roadwork on Santa Cruz Avenue and Victory Lane

Attention Downtown residents, businesses, and patrons – The overnight sewer repair roadwork in downtown Los Gatos will continue through November 13, 2024.  The work started in late October and is occurring from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday through Thursday.  Drivers should continue to expect one lane of Santa Cruz Avenue, between Elm Street and Main Street, to be closed, with an alternating one-way traffic pattern while the work is underway. Victory Lane will be closed at certain times during the work as well, with similar impacts. We appreciate your patience while this work is completed. 

Valley Water Temporary Detour of Los Gatos Creek Trail at Vasona Dam

Valley Water will be working at Vasona Dam from October 28 through November 22, 2024.

Shannon Road Pedestrian and Bikeway Improvement Project

The Town of Los Gatos has contracted Sposeto Engineering for the Shannon Road Pedestrian and Bikeway Improvement Project, which began in September 2024.

The Town is hiring!

The Town is hiring for various positions including: 

• Accounts Payable Administrative Technician 
• Maintenance Assistant (Temporary/Hourly/Unbenefited)
• Police Community Services Officer Intern
• Police Officer 
• Police Trainee

For more information on both of these positions and to apply, visit the Town website at www.losgatosca.gov/1696/Employment. 

647 N. Santa Cruz Avenue Formal Development Application Received Under Senate Bill 330

The Community Development Department has received a formal development application for 647 N. Santa Cruz Avenue requesting approval for construction of a multi-family residential development (11 units) under Senate Bill 330.

All plans and application information concerning this matter are available for public review online by property address at the following link: www.losgatosca.gov/2383/S. If you have questions or want to provide comments, please email them to Planning@losgatosca.gov.

This application was submitted as a development proposal for evaluation by the Town and no public hearings are scheduled at this time.  Separate noticing will be sent prior to a public hearing. 

NOTE: The materials received at this time are the initial application submittal and may change over time as the Town conducts the required technical review. Depending on the applicable regulations, that review may be limited exclusively to the Town’s Objective Standards. Visit www.losgatosca.gov/objectivestandards to learn more about Objective Standards.

15171 Los Gatos Blvd Preliminary Senate Bill 330 Development Application

The Community Development Department has received a preliminary application under Senate Bill 330 for construction of a multi-family residential development (23 Units) at 15171 Los Gatos Boulevard.

Senate Bill 330 Development Applications

Senate Bill 330 expands or amends Sate legislation, including the Permit Streamlining Act and Housing Accountability Act, with the broad goals of facilitating increased production of new residential units, protecting existing units, and providing for an expedited review and approval process for housing development projects through submittal of a “preliminary application.”

Sign Up for AlertSCC

AlertSCC is Santa Clara County's official Emergency Alert System.

Why sign up for AlertSCC?

• Stay ahead of emergencies and protect yourself and your loved ones. 
• Receive vital alerts directly to your device ensuring you're informed and prepared when it matters most. 
• Your information in AlertSCC is confidential and secure, used only for alerting purposes.

How are alerts received?

• AlertSCC is free for everyone and easy to set up.
• Alerts are sent directly to your mobile device, landline, and/or email.
• You can decide how you want to receive alerts and set up alerts for loved ones. 

Types of alerts include fire, earthquake, severe weather, public safety, and instructions during a disaster. 

Visit www.AlertSCC.org to sign up! 

County of Santa Clara Launches 

988 Phone Number Dedicated to 

Crisis Mental Health Services

Santa Clara County has launched a lifeline phone number for people to call in times of mental health or substance use crisis, with teams of trained counselors available 24/7 to offer support by phone or in-person, depending on the nature of the situation.

The lifeline – reached by dialing 9-8-8 – is the result of a push to make similar crisis and suicide prevention services available across the country starting July 16, 2022. The County of Santa Clara’s 988 operation includes an array of mental health services designed to de-escalate crisis situations.

The County’s new lifeline is designed to provide support for those experiencing emotional or mental health distress, including thoughts of suicide, fearfulness, or other mental health or substance use crises. Loved ones and others can also call 988 if they are concerned for someone else.
  
The lifeline will also serve as a connection point for County Behavioral Health Services and community-based organizations. The various onsite mobile response teams are made up of crisis clinicians and peer outreach specialists; services that both involve or do not involve law enforcement are available. The goals of 988 are de-escalation, stabilization, and referral to continued services.

County Behavioral Health Services staff are thoroughly trained on the new system, and the 988 line went live in a soft launch in May. The service is free, anonymous, and confidential, with no information shared unless in-person dispatch is required. Language interpretation is available in more than 200 languages. Calls to 988 are routed by area code; if the phone used does not have a 408, 650 or 669 area code, the Santa Clara County service can be accessed by calling 1-800-704-0900 and pressing 1. The same 800 number can be used for non-emergency calls to County Behavioral Health Services regarding general mental health and substance use treatment services information and referrals.

Lifesaving Information For Emergencies (L.I.F.E.) File

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them to and many of the requests for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) happen within the home. The Town of Los Gatos is partnering with the Santa Clara County Fire Department to promote their new L.I.F.E. file program. The L.I.F.E. File is a simple tool individuals and families may use to assist emergency responders during a medical emergency. First Responders rely heavily upon the patient, and/or the patient’s family members, to provide information used to help in the treatment and care of the patient. However, there are times when the patient is unable to provide this information and family members may not be present or available to assist First Responders during a medical emergency. The L.I.F.E. File information includes past pertinent medical history, allergies to medications, medications currently prescribed to the patient, advanced medical directives and any additional information. The L.I.F.E. File pouch is a vinyl magnetic pouch that is placed in an easily seen location on the front or side of the refrigerator.

You may pick up L.I.F.E. Files from the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department and local fire stations. If you, or anyone you know, would like additional information on the L.I.F.E. File program please contact Jackie Rose, Community Outreach Coordinator at JRose@losgatosca.gov.

How can we help you if we can't reach you? While you have signed up to receive these weekly "What's New" emails, many of your neighbors may have remained in the dark because they did not receive current information from the Town. In addition to emergency communications, you may sign up for Town notifications regarding infrastructure projects in your neighborhood, Town events, meetings, and other topics of community interest. 

Please encourage your friends and neighbors in Los Gatos to sign up for Town communications through "Notify Me" at: www.losgatosca.gov/notifyme. Type your email address in the box and select "sign in."  From there, you can subscribe to the topics you wish and you are able to unsubscribe at any time.

If you need help, call the Town Manager's Office at (408) 354-6832 during business hours or email engage@losgatosca.gov with subject "Sign Me Up."