November 11, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting

The agenda and reports for the November 11, 2020 Planning Commission meeting are available online. The Planning Commission will consider an appeal of a Development Review Committee decision approving a request for demolition and re-build of a single-family residence on Loma Alta Avenue and a request for a zoning consistency determination and Conditional Use Permit for Charles Schwab Community Banking and Investment Services on University Avenue. 

Planning Commission meetings are held regularly on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Commission meetings are broadcast live on KCAT-15. Live and archived videos are also available online.

This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online.  In accordance with Executive Order N-29-20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber.

If you are interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/85351571794?pwd=OTM4WVlBajJBTm1rOU1pL1lqeVp6UT09 with password: 996096. 

To access the meeting by phone, dial (213) 270-2124 or (888) 273-3658 (US Toll Free) with conference code 898841.
 
During the meeting:

• When the Chair announces the item for which you wish to speak, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom.  If you are participating by phone on the Zoom app, press *9 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.  If you are participating by calling in, without a Zoom app, you must notify the Community Development Director  at PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov which item(s) you would like to speak on prior to 7:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. 
• When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Planning Commission meeting.

If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may send an email to PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item #__ ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.”  Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.  All comments received will become part of the record.  The Chair has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received.

For details on this agenda or about Planning Commission meetings, please send an email to the Community Development Department.

FY 2019/20 Annual Report

The Town of Los Gatos FY 2019/20 Annual Report has been released! The Report highlights the Town’s services, work, and accomplishments throughout the last year, including the areas of community character, public safety, transportation and infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. The Town continues to work on existing Council Strategic Priorities and identify and implement new priority actions in response to these unprecedented times, while remaining strong, flexible, and resilient.  Check out the report on the Town website. 

Free Flu Shots Available

Every person aged 6 months and older needs the flu vaccine, every year. This is especially true this year, with COVID-19 also circulating widely in Santa Clara County.

Free flu shots are available every Saturday at the Santa Clara County Fairground Expo Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through mid-December.  The car entrance for general parking is located at Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111.  The pedestrian entrance and disabled parking is located at Gate B, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111.

No appointment is required and all are welcome regardless of immigration status.  Shots are available for everyone aged 3 years and older.  Children ages 3 - 17 years must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.  Younger children should get a shot from their regular pediatrician.  

For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website. 

SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Program)

The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department is pleased to introduce a new program to assist our community members with special needs. The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) is voluntary and confidential. It is designed to provide First Responders with important information when responding to calls that involve individuals who may have a memory disorder, hearing impairment, autism, or other needs. For more information, please visit: https://www.losgatosca.gov/2583/SNAP

Represent Los Gatos Oral History Project

The Local History Room of the Los Gatos Library holds a collection of historically valuable documents that help tell the story of the Town of Los Gatos. However, the stories of Black, Indigenous, and people of color are underrepresented in this collection. We acknowledge that without the voices of the BIPOC community, it is not possible to paint a complete picture of the history of our Town. We are launching the Represent Los Gatos Oral History Project to fill these gaps in our collection and to allow you to share your own stories, however you would like them to be told. To learn more and to share your story, please visit the Represent Los Gatos webpage. 

Becoming an Inclusive Community

Visit the Town's webpage, Becoming an Inclusive Community to find information about the Town's commitment to inclusivity and diversity, including related Town Council actions, advance promotion of future workshops, an overview of Police Department community policing, and a dedicated email for comments and inquiries regarding these important issues.

If you have concerns, experiences, questions, or ideas regarding how Los Gatos can be more welcoming for all, please let us know by sending an email to Community@losgatosca.gov.

California Blueprint for a Safer Economy

• 21 day mandatory wait time between moves, and
• meet metrics for the next tier for two straight weeks

Santa Clara County Business Database

Curious about which businesses are COVID-19 prepared? You can now search the Santa Clara County business database to see which businesses are following Social Distancing Protocols. Search by name, type or location: https://sdp.sccgov.org/.   

Businesses must require the following for employees and customers:   
-Face coverings (exceptions for medical reasons)  
-Social distancing  
-Handwashing or provide hand sanitizer stations

Concerns About Not Following County COVID 19 Guidelines 

If you have concerns about a business, school, or healthcare provider not following Santa Clara County COVID-19 Guidelines, visit the County Health website to report a concern.

CHECK for Your Safety!

Santa Clara County requires ALL businesses to post and implement a Social Distancing Protocol. The “COVID-19 Prepared” Checkmark Sign and Visitor Information Sheet should be posted at the business entrance. The Social Distancing Protocol provides important information about hand-washing, hand-sanitizing, cleaning, social distancing, signage, training, control measures, how to report a complaint, and other safety measures. For more information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health website.  Remember when you enter a business to CHECK for your safety!

Los Gatos Strong

Over the years, the Town’s conservative budgeting practices have resulted in healthy reserves and frequent annual budgetary surplus.  Those reserves and surpluses are now paying the Town huge dividends. 

On May 26, 2020, the Town Council reallocated $1,900,000 in prior surpluses reserved for downtown streetscape revitalization toward COVID-19 economic stimulus recovery efforts.  Visit downtown restaurants and shops to see how some of our local businesses are expanding into temporary parklets on Santa Cruz and Main. This is one of the single largest economic recovery packages ever proposed in the Town’s history.

In addition, on June 2, 2020, the Town Council approved a balanced Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 with no reductions to service, despite significant revenue and other economic impacts from sheltering-in-place.  

Update to Available Town Services

Police Department: Fully operational. Non-essential functions are postponed until further notice.  Personnel are utilizing remote means to handle non-life threatening calls when appropriate.  For more information, visit the Department website. 

Community Development Department: Temporarily closed to the public. No in-person counter services are currently available.  Inspections that can be completed via video are being scheduled and other on-site inspection services are evaluated on a case by case basis.  Limited staff resources are available to perform work on permits remotely.  Electronic permit submittal, resubmittal, and limited issuance started on April 17^th.  Please visit the Town’s Building and Planning webpages for further information on this option. 

Library: The lobby is now open Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. There is a collection available for browsing, self-checkout machines, and staff at the Circulation desk to assist. For your safety and the safety of staff, the number of people allowed in the building at a time is limited. Check in at the patio desk before entering the building. When you enter, wear a face covering (anyone over age 2), sanitize your hands, maintain a 6 foot distance from others, do not enter if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, and please note that no restrooms, seating, or in-person tech help are available at this time.  Follow Facebook, Instagram, and the website for a schedule of remote storytimes and other fun activities. Other online services such as e-books and e-magazines are available.  For questions, email library@losgatosca.gov. 

Parks and Public Works Department:  Parks and trails are open with physical distancing of at least six feet.  Park restrooms are available and cleaned once a day. Playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields, and BBQ areas are open with physical distancing and other requirements as posted.  Park reservations are being accepted.  Routine maintenance of streets and parks continues at reduced levels.  Selected construction projects and support for urgent work for utility companies exempt from the County Order continue. Email any concerns to ppw@losgatosca.gov. 

Economic Vitality Department: Resources for small businesses, employers, and employees are available here and on the Town website. The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is also a good source of information for businesses and the community. Any questions can be emailed to Monica Renn at mrenn@losgatosca.gov. 

Finance Department: Business license services are available remotely via email at businesslicense@losgatosca.gov. 

Clerk Department: Requests for public records are being processed, but time limits to respond have been suspended.  We appreciate the importance of your request and will do our best to respond within 10 days, but responses may be delayed until such time the order is suspended and Town Hall opens fully for all services.

Notify Me!

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.