For the past several months, builder Barry Swenson and his team of contractors have been presenting their plans to construct three buildings—each with 20 two-story condominiums—to residents at several PTA meetings. The proposed site for these 60 units is on the approximate 2.5-acre lot at the corner of Quito Road and Highway 85.

The site is where Swenson originally proposed to build 80 to 120 units for seniors back in 1998. This plan was shot down when council members directed that the issue be processed with the planning department before going to voters in a March ballot, under Measure G.

According to Measure G, which was approved by voters in 1996, no proposal requiring a change in density could be approved without going to the voters.

Swenson refrained from moving forward due to the costs associated with city processes and the uncertainty of receiving the public's approval in a citywide election.

According to Kevin Bayley, a senior associate for Catapult Strategies and spokesman for Swenson, the homes would be specifically for teachers and municipal employees such as firefighters and sheriff's department employees. He said that this would be advantageous to both the community as a whole and the potential buyers.

"This is designed to keep teachers and city employees in Saratoga, where they can earn equity on a home while feeling like they are a part of the community in which they work," Bayley said. "In addition, the community would benefit in the sense that if an emergency were to occur, firefighters and sheriff's deputies would be able to respond more quickly."

The city may benefit from the project as well. According to Bayley, half of the homes would be equally divided and designated to fit moderate-to-below-average-income levels. Based on figures mandated by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the city must provide 539 new dwelling units by 2006—320 to fall in the above-average-income category, 108 in the moderate bracket, 36 in the low range and 75 in the very low category.

To assist those who may need additional financial resources, Bayley said that Swenson plans to establish a foundation as a way to distribute grants.

"Exact numbers have not yet been determined, but it will be a substantial amount of money," Bayley said.

Details of how a person would qualify have not yet been worked out, but Bayley said that Swenson also plans on establishing a point system similar to that in Cupertino in which a certain amount of points would be given to a potential buyer for fitting certain criteria.

Although the homes are designed specifically for teachers and city workers, it may be possible for a person to sell the property to a non-teacher or city employee. Bayley said that one way to prevent this from happening is to provide an incentive for residents to sell to another teacher or city employee. If a teacher decides to sell the property to another such individual, the seller would not have to repay the foundation in equity as he would have to if the home were sold to someone outside the targeted demographic.

Sherry Miles, a teacher at Marshall Lane Elementary School, said she is attracted to the concept of affordable housing, but is concerned about a number of issues regarding reselling restrictions, space and traffic.

"This is a great opportunity for a first-time home buyer," Miles said. "However, there would be too many units in such a small spot." Miles said that the location would be ideal for her because it is close to the school, but would create a larger nuisance for neighbors considering that the freeway is nearby.

"Quito Road is congested as is," said Debby Freeman, another teacher teacher and local resident. "There is definitely a need for affordable housing, but this is the wrong location."

Despite concerns, Bayley said that more than 1,000 residents have signed a petition urging the city council to seriously consider the project. One of the signatures belonged to resident Lisa Liu.

"This is a great idea given that the housing market has not really cooled down for first-time home buyers," Liu said. "This also allows city employees, most of whom live outside of the city, to better understand the needs of the community."

Bayley said that an environmental impact study is currently under way. There will be several community meetings to gather public input and to determine whether it should be included on the November ballot.