A long-awaited project to alleviate Los Gatos beach traffic has received funding — but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the money needed to address bumper-to-bumper gridlock on summer weekends. The VTA board of directors has allocated $11.3 million for the State Route 17 Corridor Congestion Relief Project as part of its budgets for...
Los Gatos balances budget but projects future shortfall
Los Gatos has managed to balance its budget despite a multimillion-dollar deficit by cutting funding for programs and services, ranging from library resources to legal fees. But it might not be smooth sailing for long. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved a fiscally sound budget for fiscal year 2025-26 June 3 after facing a...
Los Gatos group proposes new community center
A West Valley town doesn’t have a central community hub. One local group is trying to fix that. The Los Gatos Thrives Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping older adults, recently unveiled conceptual designs of a potential new community center. The designs signal the start of plans to build a multigenerational community center in a town that’s been...
Housing project across from Los Gatos High moves forward
A controversial Los Gatos housing project next to the town high school is moving forward, despite residents raising safety concerns. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 3-2 May 27 to approve a 30-home, mixed-use development located at 143-151 E. Main St. across from Los Gatos High School. Mayor Matthew Hudes and Councilmember Mary Badame voted...
Los Gatos considers cuts, hiring freezes to tackle budget shortfall
Some of Los Gatos’ key services could be cut as the town contends with looming multimillion-dollar shortfalls. The Los Gatos Finance Commission unanimously recommended the Town Council cut expenses and increase revenues, rather than pulling from its reserves, to address its $2 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2025-26. The commission also recommended a temporary hiring...
More housing planned for Los Gatos Boulevard
Another housing project along Los Gatos Boulevard is one step closer to fruition, with developers continuing to propose homes on the main thoroughfare. The Los Gatos Planning Commission is recommending a 55-townhome development located on 1.56 acres at 15349-15367 Los Gatos Blvd. Vice Chair Kendra Burch recused herself because she lives close to the project....
Los Gatos prepares for second phase of North 40
The second phase of one of Los Gatos’ largest and most controversial development projects is one step closer to a vote after years of delays and revisions. The Los Gatos Planning Commission began discussing phase two of the North 40 project Wednesday, which includes 450 homes and more than 15,000 square feet of retail space...
The Biz Beat: The Happy Hound — a Los Gatos good eats landmark
For the last 54 years, The Happy Hound in Los Gatos has served a menu of classic American diner fare: assorted hamburgers, hot dogs and milkshakes, with fries and onion rings as sides. It’s a formula that works, as attested by the loyalty of longtime customers such as Gary Snyder, who said he only needs...
Los Gatos group collaborates on reducing wildfire risk
One group is clearing hundreds of forestland acreage in one of the largest wildfire risk reduction projects in Santa Clara County. The Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaboration began testing tools to clear brush and restore the forest’s ecosystem on 155 acres along Montevina Road a little more than a week ago. The effort is part...
Los Gatos affordable housing could rise near downtown
Pricey downtown Los Gatos is being primed to become more affordable to live near. The Los Gatos Planning Commission voted 4-1 April 8 to recommend the Town Council adopt zoning changes to allow developers to build 100% affordable housing near downtown along Los Gatos Boulevard, without requiring retail space in their plans. Commissioner Susan Burnett...