09/04/2024
I'm currently watching LG residents speak at the SB330 Council study session. I find it heartwarming that most folks feel the same way I do.
The Town published a page for all SB 330 applications.
www.LosGatosCA.gov/SB330
Perhaps story poles should make a comeback so community members can visualize just how big these buildings will be.
Funny thing about story poles, one of our local BIG developer "residents" who really isn't a resident but says he is on LinkedIn (when your primary residence isn't in CA, you simply aren't legally a resident), stated the following comment on his LinkedIn: "The requirement of story poles on projects that are protected by state laws that prevent jurisdictions like Los Gatos from denying or reducing the density of housing development projects, including the Housing Accountability Act and the State Density Bonus Law, do nothing more than create unnecessary opposition to projects that are legally entitled to move forward."
I want you all to think about this direct copy/pasted quote - "The requirement of story poles on projects...do nothing more than create unnecessary opposition to projects that are legally entitled to move forward." Other than bad grammar, is this suggesting legal town residents shouldn't object to projects at all? Mr. Developer, should we just sit down, shut up, and when everything is overbuilt, say to our children, "I'm sorry we didn't speak up; we didn't want to create unnecessary opposition to projects."
Here's another fun LinkedIn quote from the same developer who apparently doesn't know there are two folks named "Rob" on the LG Town Council.
"Had the votes gone the way that council members not named Rob or Maria wanted, the Town would 100 percent still be open to Builder's Remedy applications. As a developer, I wish those two had a majority on council. As a resident, I am happy to have Builder's Remedy shut down. Thankful for our majority. Look at the votes. If they were not in favor of removing barriers to housing, they were in favor of losing local control. "
Let me get this straight, when this developer slid in applications under SB 330, it was ok; however, now that his applications are in, it's " " Guess it's all about him making money off SB 330. Charming.
Legal LG residents who can vote need to understand the candidates they are electing for TC. A former Mayor/TC member, who was on the TC during the N40 debacle, is currently a "Principal" at a company established by the unnamed developer above. Sadly, this isn't the first time I've seen a former mayor/council member join forces with developers after a run on the LG TC. This same developer has his hands in at least one, but most likely more, of the current SB 330 list - as seen by his quote above, he's lucky he submitted before the vote; the other partner in his firm formally worked for SummerHill, the same housing developers who built the N40 and recently purchased the beloved Los Gatos Lodge.
Why aren't LG news sources digging into any of this? Where are the journalists who can help make a difference? Los Gatos Weekly-Times, Los Gatan Los Gatos Town - fluff pieces are important but where’s the hard hitting articles digging into the development? What will it take to drive home the fact that building any high density housing in downtown is a disaster waiting to happen. One fire in the hills, one earthquake, one natural disaster, will most likely be the death of folks because they won't have access to get out - especially if something happens during beach traffic.
Full disclosure, I live in uptown; however, I can't help but think that the massive amount of proposed large buildings is going to ruin the quality of living in LG and diminish the health of the actual residents, not the "residents" who are here for a good time but not a long time.
I was outspoken about the N40 as I had numerous concerns. I am not against building sensible housing but I am against welcoming entities like Grovesnor come in and completely change the town because they have no real long-term investment - they will line their pockets and get out. In turn, we, the residents, are stuck with the aftermath.
Effective January 1, 2020, and through its expiration on January 1, 2025 SB 330 (Housing Crisis Act of 2019 – Government Code Section 65941.1) expands or amends Sate legislation, including the Permit Streamlining Act and Housing Accountability Act, with the broad goals of facilitating increased ...
