Mixed-use, high density housing is a concern could be future

The town council is finalizing its draft 2040 General Plan

Housing development, racial justice and climate change and wildfire mitigation mark some of the top changes to the Los Gatos General Plan.

The draft 2040 General Plan update, which was approved by the planning commission last month, will serve as a framework or constitution for the town for the next 20 years, covering issues like affordable housing, diversity, equity and inclusion and transportation.

While these changes have been years in the making, some — like the updates to housing types and densities — are causing discomfort,

The City Council held a special meeting Monday to provide input on the plan and is scheduled to take a final vote Thursday.

The most significant changes to the plan include a new racial, social and environmental justice element and land use changes to boost mixeduse development in commercial areas. Staff also shifted the focus of transportation policies and street design to support bicycles and pedestrians as well as motor vehicles to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

“The draft 2040 General Plan is just a draft, even at this point when we've had extensive discussions,” planning manager Jennifer Armer said. “The planning commission even recommended additional changes and modifications. The town council can consider whether to accept these modifications in whole, in part, and may include other modifications or further modifications in their decision.”

The General Plan includes housing and commercial development plans, including 3,280 homes to be built through 2040.

The staff's strategy to achieve these housing goals is to focus on medium-density and mixeduse developments like apartments with streetlevel restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops to promote walkability.

The General Plan is separate from the Housing Element, in which the town has to plan for 1,993 housing units to be built over the next eight years.

A handful of residents raised concerns during public comment about the proposed high-density and mixed-use housing developments, particularly near the mountains and areas with high wildfire risk.

Longtime Los Gatos resident Rob Stump spoke against residential density increases that would greenlight more homes to be built in a smaller area.

“A blanket upzoning approach is not prudent from a public safety standpoint,” Stump said, noting that almost 3,100 Los Gatos homes are located in the wildland urban interface area. “This entire area and even areas outside the WUI live with the threat of wildfire. If increased housing densities are approved in the WUI, there could be catastrophic impacts to residents.”

The town council went through the planning commission's recommended changes to the General Plan before council members offered their own.

The General Plan Advisory Committee held 35 meetings over the past 21/2 years to create an updated general plan. The council meets again Thursday for another special meeting to finalize the General Plan.

“I think we got a lot of good work done, but more to go,” Mayor Rob Rennie said.