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...
Housing project next to Los Gatos High raises safety issues
A 30-home project could be built across the street from Los Gatos High School, bringing student safety to the forefront. The Los Gatos Planning Commission voted 4-2 on March 26 to recommend the Town Council approve a 4-story, mixed-use housing development at 143-151 E. Main St. across the street from Los Gatos High School. Commissioners...
Los Gatos asks courts for legal clarity on proposed developments
Los Gatos wants clarity over a housing dispute with the state, and land use experts say the results of the legal spat could slow needed housing. Los Gatos requested legal clarification from the Santa Clara County Superior Court March 28 about a land use disagreement between the town and California Department of Housing and Community Development....
Nonprofit gets nod to manage Los Gatos stables — for now
Ashley Byington brushes her horse Pete in his stall at Bear Creek Stables in Los Gatos, smiling at his little huffs of air. Pete is the third horse she’s boarded there, and while she said it was “a great place to grow up,” the dilapidated stables have seen better days. With a push from the...
Los Gatos services could be hit by federal funding cuts
The shifting political tides in Washington, D.C. have Los Gatos officials strategizing ways to protect vital services. The Los Gatos Town Council voted 4-1 March 18 to review federal funding changes every two months to determine the effect on town services, with Councilmember Mary Badame voting no. The small West Valley town has yet to receive...
Los Gatos orchard could become townhomes
Wild mustard is in full bloom at one of Los Gatos’ last orchards, where hundreds of bare, brown walnut trees stand as remaining vestiges of the town’s agricultural past. That may soon change. San Jose-based Urban Catalyst recently submitted revised plans for a 138-townhome development to replace the orchard at 14789 Oka Road. Plans for the...
Los Gatos projects multimillion-dollar deficits
One West Valley town may have to brace for some rocky years as it faces multimillion-dollar shortfalls. Los Gatos could be looking at an estimated $5.6 million deficit for fiscal year 2025-26, a significant number for a town with a roughly $60 million budget for the current fiscal year. The shortfall is largely due to...
Los Gatos to replace landmark hotel with housing
A large townhome development will replace a decades-old iconic Los Gatos hotel. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved a 155-townhome development Tuesday to replace the Los Gatos Lodge. Councilmember Mary Badame recused herself because of her home’s proximity to the site. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes will develop the project at 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road on...
Los Gatos will defend councilmembers in defamation lawsuit
The Los Gatos Town Council is standing behind two of its members accused of defaming a resident. Three Los Gatos Town officials — Mayor Matthew Hudes and Councilmembers Rob Rennie and Mary Badame — voted unanimously Friday for the town to pay legal fees to defend Vice Mayor Rob Moore and Councilmember Maria Ristow in...
Historic Los Gatos hotel could be replaced with 155 homes
More than 100 homes could displace a longstanding, landmark hotel in Los Gatos. The Los Gatos Planning Commission unanimously recommended a proposed 155-townhome development Wednesday that would replace the Los Gatos Lodge. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes is slated to develop the project at 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road on roughly 8.9 acres. Plans for the three-story...