March 25, Policy committee meeting

The agenda and reports for the March 25, 2025 Policy Committee meeting at 5:00 p.m. are available online. Among other items, the Policy Committee will consider:

• Revisions to the Code of Conduct Policy; and
• Proposed Amendments to the Existing 2018 Resolution that Governs the Los Gatos Youth Commission.

The Town welcomes public participation. For instructions regarding how to participate in the meeting, please see the meeting agenda. 

For more information on this agenda or about Policy Committee meetings, please call (408) 354-6832 or send an email to the Town Manager's office.

March 26, 2025 planning commission meeting

The agenda and reports for the March 26, 2025 Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. are available online. Among the items on the agenda, the Planning Commission will consider:

• A request for Approval to Construct a New Single-Family Residence and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit located at 16497 S. Kennedy Road;
• A request for Approval to Demolish an Existing Single-Family Residence and Construct a New Single-Family Residence located at 14341 Browns Lane; and
• A request for Approval to Demolish Existing Commercial Structures, construct a Mixed-Use Development (30 Multi-Family Residential Units) with Commercial Space on the Ground Floor, a Conditional Use Permit, a Condominium Vesting Tentative Map, and Remove Large Protected Trees Under Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) located at 143-151 E. Main Street.

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:

• March 26, 2025 Historic Preservation Committee at 4:00 p.m.
• March 27, 2025 Community Health & Senior Services Commission at 4:00 p.m.
• March 27, 2025 Complete Streets and Transportation Commission at 4:00 p.m.

Town Commitment to Emergency Preparedness

Earlier this week, it was inaccurately reported by a news outlet that the Town is halting recruitment for an Emergency Manager position in order to close a funding gap. While the news article has since been corrected, the Town wants to assure the Los Gatos community of its commitment to emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts. The Town’s Emergency Manager recruitment is not halted and is continuing. The job posting opened on February 25, 2025, is set to close on March 23, 2025, and is available on the Town website at www.LosGatosCA.gov/Employment.

The Town understands how important emergency and wildfire preparedness work is to Los Gatos residents. In January, the Los Gatos Town Council unanimously voted to add the full-time Emergency Manager position and designate $1M for emergency management efforts.  Furthering the Town’s emergency preparedness, resiliency, and response capabilities, particularly in the area of wildfire risk, is also one of the Town’s top Strategic Priorities for the next two years as reaffirmed by the Town Council in February. More information on the Town’s emergency preparedness, including wildfire reduction efforts, is available on the Town website at www.LosGatosCA.gov/EmergencyPreparedness.  

March 24, 2025 Santa Clara County Multi-City Inclusionary Zoning and Affordable Housing Study Virtual Public Meeting

The Town of Los Gatos is participating in a multi-city initiative to explore updates to and/or enact new affordable housing policies to be applied to new development projects. These policy studies include some combination of residential affordable housing impact fees, inclusionary requirements and in-lieu fees, and commercial linkage fees. The project team, led by Strategic Economics and Community Planning Collaborative, is hosting a virtual public meeting to share the purpose and goals of the study and explain how the findings could be used to inform policies that help produce more affordable housing in Los Gatos. The meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to ask questions and participants will also be invited to provide feedback on these policies via a follow-up online survey.

The meeting will take place on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Please use the Zoom link to join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5128092635?omn=87671065322

For questions or comments, reach out to stakeholderfeedback@strategiceconomics.com.

Vegetation Management at La Rinconada, Worcester, and Novitiate Parks 

March 17 – April 4, 2025

The Town of Los Gatos will be conducting hazardous vegetation clearing in and around La Rinconada, Worcester, and Novitiate Parks. Work will occur first at La Rinconada Park, followed by Worcester Park, followed by Novitiate Park. 

This work is critical for wildfire safety by reducing potential hazardous fuel and creating defensible space around park structures, trails, and perimeters as well as in areas adjacent to residential homes.

Work Dates: March 17 through April 4, 2025. 

Work Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

Questions or Concerns? Contact the Los Gatos Parks and Public Works Department at (408) 399-5770 or PPW@LosGatosCA.gov.

Please note that the images provided on the graphic are an example of the before and after views from similar work completed in another area. They are not from Los Gatos.

New Local Responsibility Fire Hazard Severity Zoning

CAL FIRE has revised their Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps. These changes are part of an effort to enhance wildfire preparedness and safety across California. These maps classify areas into “Moderate,” “High,” and “Very High” fire hazard zones based on factors like vegetation, slope, and fire weather conditions. The Town is required to adopt these changes within 120 days of the map’s release (June 2025).

Visit www.losgatosca.gov/LRFHSZ to learn more and provide your input.

2024 Silicon Valley Clean Energy Community Impact Report

Los Gatos residents and businesses saved money and reduced emissions with their clean power in 2024! Through this clean, renewable electricity Los Gatos is using the power of community to create a healthy, safe future for the entire region.

2024 Community Impact Report for the Town of Los Gatos and Silicon Valley Clean Energy:

• $1,020,500 on-bill savings for Los Gatos residents
• $73,520 cash payments to Los Gatos residents for surplus solar
• $176,230 rebates claimed for electric home upgrades

To learn more about Silicon Valley Clean Energy, visit www.svcleanenergy.org.

AEDs now available at blossom hill park and creekside sports park

On April 2, 2024, the Town Council accepted a donation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and Outdoor SaveStation Cabinets from the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation. 

The Town is pleased to announce that there is now an AED available at Blossom Hill Park and one available at Creekside Sports Park. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. For more information, including instructions on how to use these AED devices, please visit https://youtu.be/-fv9l7fuWXI?si=1_t37jlkD5OIcBGX.

Age Friendly Community Survey

The Town has partnered with Santa Clara County to gather data for Los Gatos as part of the Town's commitment in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities!

Santa Clara County Fire Department Spring 2025 Wildfire Preparedness Workshops

The Santa Clara County Fire Department is hosting two upcoming Wildfire Preparedness workshops. Learn about wildfire readiness, connect with local agencies, and access resources. 

The first workshop is on April 22, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pavilion at Redwood Estates (21450 Madrone Drive, Los Gatos). 

The second workshop is on May 3, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Joan Pisani Community Center (19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga). 

Register at http://sccfd.eventbrite.com.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt Grant Applications Now Open!

The California Residential Mitigation Program has announced the opening of its Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant application window for 2025.

Eligible California homeowners may now apply for Earthquake Brace + Bolt seismic retrofit grants to help make their homes less vulnerable to earthquake damage. There are 1,118 eligible ZIP codes including 95030, 95032, and 95033. Eligible homeowners can apply for up to $3,000 in seismic retrofit grants through March 26, 2025 at www.EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.

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: 

• Emergency Manager
• Grants Administrator (Temporary/Unbenefited)
• Maintenance Assistant (Temporary/Unbenefited)
• 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. 

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."