Crossed fingers? Time will tell
After a seven-year standoff, the state of California is happy with Los Gatos. That's because the town finally submitted a new housing element for its general plan, this time with a commitment to consider rezoning for apartments. That was what the state needed to give the housing element its approval.
The question is, did town officials have their fingers crossed when they agreed to allow high-density zoning?
We think they probably did. But what choice did they have?
The state insists that Los Gatos needs some 200 affordable housing units. Current zoning makes that an unobtainable goal.
The state's insistence that every community have a plan to create adequate affordable housing is reasonable. It's intended to ensure fair housing opportunity for people of all races and economic status.
On the other hand, most people who live in Los Gatos moved here because of the small-town atmosphere and rural setting.
Accommodating the state will almost certainly mean changing the character of the town.
That leaves the town between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
Previously, the town simply told the state it was satisfied with its housing element regardless of what the state thought of it.
But not having a general plan can be precarious. Theoretically, the state could refuse to allow the town to issue building permits.
Finally, the town hired a consultant who told officials what they already knew: The state will approve the housing element if you tell them what they want to hear.
Reluctantly, officials said they would be willing to tamper with current zoning--but only as proposals come up.
Before the town adopts the housing element, it must let the residents have their say. If past history is any indication, a rousing endorsement is not likely.
Housing element or not, pressure for high density won't go away. Several proposals are currently working their way through the planning process, including one to replace a mobile home park with some 150 units.
Soon enough, it will be clear if town officials had their fingers crossed when they agreed to rezoning.
Planning Ahead
Butcher, baker, candlestick-maker. Any or all might contribute just the right mix for the General Plan Task Force. The Town is forming a 25-member task force whose job will be to attempt to discover a community consensus about the vision for Los Gatos in the next century.
The town is making a concerted effort to populate the committee with as broad a spectrum of the community as possible.
The selection process will rely heavily on processing the applications through a matrix system intended to provide a cross section of the community.
Meeting dates have already been established. The task force's work concludes in January 1998.
Anyone who's interested in helping chart the course for the future of the town should consider applying. Applications must be filed with the Town Clerk's office no later than May 30 at 5 p.m.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, April 23, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.