HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_08_31 Agenda Packet - Housing Element Update Study Session - City Council Planning CommissionSaratoga City Council Meeting Agenda – August 31, 2021 – Page 1 of 2
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL &
PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 31, 2021
Teleconference/Public Participation Information to Mitigate the Spread of COVID‐19
This meeting will be entirely by teleconference. All Council members and staff will only
participate via the Zoom platform using the process described below. The meeting is being
conducted in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order N‐29‐20 suspending certain
teleconference rules required by the Ralph M. Brown Act. The purpose of this order was to provide
the safest environment for the public, elected officials, and staff while allowing for continued
operation of the government and public participation during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Members of the public can view and participate in the Study Session by:
1. Using the Zoom website https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503408022 or App (Webinar ID
865 0340 8022) and raising their hand when directed by the Mayor to speak on an agenda
item; OR
2. Calling 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833, entering the Webinar ID (865 0340 8022),
and pressing *9 to raise their hand to speak on an agenda item when directed by the
Mayor.
Meeting Recording Information
In accordance with the Saratoga City Council’s Meeting Recording Policy, City Council Study
Sessions, Joint Meetings, Commission Interviews, Retreats, Meetings with the Planning
Commission, and Regular Session are recorded and made available following the meeting on the
City website.
5:00 P.M. STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 26, 2021.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Any member of the public will be allowed to address the City Council for up to three (3) minutes
on matters not on this Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Council from discussing or taking
action on such items. However, the Council may instruct Staff accordingly.
Saratoga City Council Meeting Agenda – August 31, 2021 – Page 2 of 2
AGENDA ITEMS:
Housing Element Update Study Session with City Council & Planning Commission
Recommended Action:
Provide direction on the City of Saratoga Housing Element update.
Memo
Attachment 1 - Study Session Slide Presentation
Attachment 2 - Housing Element Outreach and Engagement Outcomes and Analytics
Attachment 3 - Question/Comment Form Submissions
Attachment 4 - Housing Element Newsletter
Attachment 5 - Saratoga Source
Attachment 6 - Housing Element Print Materials
Attachment 7 - Housing Element Values Survey Results
ADJOURNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA
PACKET, & COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
I, Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing
agenda for the meeting of the City Council was posted and available for review on August 26,
2021 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California and on the City's
website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Signed this 26th day of August 2021 at Saratoga, California.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials
provided to the City Council by City staff in connection with this agenda, copies of materials
distributed to the City Council concurrently with the posting of the agenda, and materials
distributed to the City Council by staff after the posting of the agenda are available on the City
Website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Following removal of State and local shelter in place orders these
materials will be available for review in the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue,
Saratoga, California.
In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in
this meeting, please call 408.868.1216 as soon as possible before the meeting. The City will use
its best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as possible
while also maintaining public safety. [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA title II]
To view current or previous City Council Meeting videos, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/council
Housing Element Update – August 31, 2021 – Page 1
CITY OF SARATOGA
Memorandum
To: City Council
From: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Date: August 31, 2021
Subject: Housing Element Update – City Council & Planning Commission Joint Study Session
The goals of the study session are to provide the City Council and Planning Commission with a
review of the Housing Element components and update efforts so far, request feedback on
possible housing opportunity sites and policies, request feedback on the next phase of outreach
and engagement, and direct the Planning Commission to conduct study sessions in the Fall to
obtain community input on possible opportunity sites and policies.
About the Housing Element
Since adoption of the California Housing Element Law in 1969, the State of California has required
cities and counties to designate sufficient land at sufficient densities to provide their share of
projected housing needs for people of all income levels through the General Plan Housing
Element. The Housing Element is a blueprint for future housing development and must be
updated every 8 years and is subject to review and approval by the California Department of
Housing and Community Development. Saratoga and other Bay Area jurisdictions are required to
submit their next Housing Element update to the State for review in late 2022, with a deadline
for adoption by January 2023.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
Before Housing Elements are adopted, the State assesses housing needs throughout California.
After identifying regional housing needs, the total number of housing units projected to be
needed for each income level are distributed among the jurisdictions in the region. This process
is called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Saratoga’s current draft RHNA allocation
is 1,712 housing units. This represents a huge increase when compared to past RHNA cycles. In
the 2015-2023 cycle, the City received a total of 439 units and in the 2007 -2014 cycle the City
received 292 units. All Bay Area jurisdictions are facing a similar challenge.
RHNA income levels are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) determined annually for each
county by HCD. The 2020 AMI for Santa Clara County is $151,300 for a four -person household.
The thresholds for the different income levels for a four-person household are listed below.
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Housing Element Update – August 31, 2021 – Page 2
Income Category # Units Income Threshold
Very Low 454 Less than $82,850
Low 261 $82,850 to $117,750
Moderate 278 $117,750 to $181,550
Above Moderate 719 More than $181,550
TOTAL 1,712
The Saratoga City Council appealed its RHNA allocation on July 7, 2021, requesting that the
Association of Bay Area Governments reduce the City’s allocation by 50% to 856 units on the
grounds that the Association of Bay Area Governments failed to adequately consider information
submitted in the Local Jurisdiction Survey regarding RHNA Factors, including existing and
projected jobs and housing relationship, availability of land suitable for urban development or
for conversion to residential use; and the region’s greenhouse gas emissions targets to be met
by Plan Bay Area 2050. The Association of Bay Area Governments received 28 appeals from Bay
Area jurisdictions, which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. These were submitted by
Saratoga, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Palo Alto, and Unincorporated Santa Clara
County. The public comment period on the submitted appeals ends August 30. The final RHNA
allocation will be provided in the winter. Jurisdictions will then use their total RHNA allocation to
prepare and submit a draft Housing Element to the State for adoption by January 2023.
Outreach and Engagement Update
At the Housing Element Update Kick Off meeting on January 25, 2021, the City Council agreed on
the importance of early engagement and information sharing with the community and requested
that staff to return with a community engagement strategy in March 2021.
At the City Council Meeting on March 3, 2021, the Council received a report on the Housing
Element Engagement Strategy, outlining plans to encourage engagement and receive feedback
from the Saratoga community on the Housing Element Update. While the Housing Element is not
due until January 2023, the Council directed staff to begin this process early to provide more
opportunities for the community to fully participate. Staff then returned on June 2, 2021 to
provide the Council with an update on the engagement efforts. Additionally, staff has provided
the Council with updates on the status of outreach activities through the City Council
Newsletter.
The Housing Element Engagement Strategy has been divided into distinct phases to allow the City
to build interest and understanding to prepare residents to discuss the Housing Element, then
confirm the City’s understanding of community priorities and values, before finally beginning to
draft the next Housing Element and prepare it for community review. As each phase progresses,
staff has the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of engagement efforts and adapt and plan
for the next phase. This approach allows the City to dynamically respond to the community’s
ongoing reactions and needs throughout the process.
The goal of the first phase of outreach and engagement was to generate interest in the Housing
Element and build a foundational understanding that could be used in future conversations with
the community. As part of this effort, the City launched a webpage dedicated to the Housing
Element update, which can be found online at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing. The page provides
4
Housing Element Update – August 31, 2021 – Page 3
background information on the Housing Element and ways to participate. The second phase
focused on identifying community priorities and values. This phase utilized similar outreach tools
as the first phase, and additionally the Housing Element Values Survey was launched to gain a
better understanding of community values and priorities, which will be used as a foundation for
future conversations about possible strategies to utilize in the Housing Element. Future phases
of engagement will deploy many of the same tools to attract attention, educate, and encourage
participation.
Staff is seeking approval of the next phase of outreach and engagement. From October
through December 2021, staff is recommending the Planning Commission hold study sessions on
the Housing Element to receive community input on possible housing opportunity sites and
polices. Above and beyond the City’s standard methods, including the website, social media,
median banners, and print materials, staff will again utilize distinctive tools to support this effort,
including a citywide postcard, comment form, and the Housing Element Newsletter.
Housing Opportunity Sites and Policies
The Housing Element itself includes seven components. These components include:
• The Housing Needs Assessment that provides demographic and housing need information
for the City.
• A Constraints Analysis of existing and potential constraints on housing deve lopment and
how those will be addressed.
• The Evaluation of Past Performance that assesses the City’s progress in implementing the
policies and programs in the previous Housing Element.
• The Housing Sites Inventory and Analysis that identifies specific loc ations available for
development or redevelopment and that are appropriately zoned to support housing
development.
• The Policies and Programs that are designed to address housing needs.
• The Community Outreach efforts that were conducted as part of the Hou sing Element
update.
The Housing Sites Inventory and Policies and Programs are among the most significant portions
of the Housing Element and serve as the focus of engagement efforts, as they have the most
tangible impacts on the community.
In preparing the Housing Sites Inventory, the City must identify and analyze sites that are
available and suitable for development to demonstrate that there are sufficient and adequate
sites to accommodate 1,712 units of development at the respective RHNA income catego ries.
To ensure that the RHNA is met, a buffer of 10% is added, bringing the total to 1,883 units that
needs to be planned for in the sites inventory. The Housing Sites Inventory is comprised of the
following: units in the pipeline, vacant sites, accessory dwelling units, and opportunity sites.
When units in the pipeline, vacant sites, and accessory dwelling units are accounted for, the City
estimates that it will need to plan for 1,170 units (after factoring in the 10% buffer) through
opportunity sites and policy changes.
While there are many approaches that could be used to reach this target, staff has prepared a
set of possible approaches for the housing opportunity sites and potential to help achieve
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Housing Element Update – August 31, 2021 – Page 4
compliance with the RHNA. The goals of these possible strategies are to minimize changes to
existing single-family neighborhoods by retaining 2 story height limits, prioritizing single-family
homes, and supporting increased development of Accessory Dwelling Units; avoid increasing
density in the Wildland Urban Interface by shifting housing opportunity sites outside of the
Wildland Urban Interface area; and, limiting impacts to existing commercial uses by retaining
commercial zoning for commercial uses only.
These approaches have been drafted based on community input received so far and serve as a
starting point for a conversation about specific strategies that could be deployed in the next
Housing Element. The City Council may provide direction at the study session to use different
strategies and the Planning Commission will have the opportunity to refine the approaches
through their study sessions and conversations with the community.
A key component of the possible approaches that have been drafted call for revisiting existing
opportunity sites. The current 2015 – 2023 Housing Element identified housing opportunity sites
that could yield 335 units. With some changes, this could be increased to 489 units, which would
mean that the City would need to plan for 681 units through new housing op portunity sites and
policy changes.
Housing Sites Estimated Units
Current Housing
Element
Proposed Change Proposed Units In
Housing Element
Update
Prospect Sites 173 Increase density & height
standards
307
Gateway Sites 65 Increase density & height
standards
107
Fellowship Plaza 75 Establish density & height
standards
75
Village Site 22 Remove as an opportunity site
– located in WUI
0
TOTAL 335 489
Three potential opportunity sites have been identified. These combined with existing sites is
estimated to allow for 1,196 units, exceeding the RHNA allocation including the buffer by 26
units.
6
Housing Element Update – August 31, 2021 – Page 5
Site Current Proposed
Extended Gateway Sites
(5 parcels, 5.45 acres)
• Density: 20 units per acre, no
minimum
• Height: 2 stories, 30 feet for
multi-family structures
109 Units
• Density: 20 to 60 units
per acre
• Height: 3 stories
New Saratoga Avenue
Sites
(3 parcels, 10.62 acres)
• Density: 20 units per acre, no
minimum
• Height: 2 stories, 30 feet for
multi-family structures
318 Units
• Density range: 30 to 60
units per acre
• Height: 3 stories
Residential Rezoning 280 Units
• Rezone R-1-40,000
properties outside the
WUI to R-1-20,000
It is important to note that the possible housing sites and number of housing units that will be
presented are in draft form because the application of the State Department of Housing and
Community Development requirements to Saratoga is still being analyzed, including market
trends and capacity justifications.
In addition to the opportunity sites, staff has identified new policies that will further support
housing and make it clearer for the community where future housing can be built. These include:
• Further streamlining the permit process and development standards for Accessory
Dwelling Units
• Establishing standards for residential uses on community facility parcels (churches and
schools)
• Creating a new land use and zoning designation for mixed-use
• Retaining commercial land use and zoning for commercial uses only
• Establishing an inclusionary ordinance to require construction of affordable units as part of
certain housing developments
A copy of the study session presentation is included as Attachment 1.
Attachments:
1. Study Session Slide Presentation
2. Housing Element Outreach and Engagement Outcomes and Analytics
3. Question/Comment Form Submissions
4. Housing Element Newsletter
5. Saratoga Source
6. Housing Element Print Materials
7. Housing Element Values Survey Results
7
Housing Element Update
Joint Study SessionCity Council & Planning Commission
August 31, 2021
8
Study Session Goals
•Review Housing Element components and update process
•Provide feedback on possible opportunity sites and policies
•Provide feedback on the next phase of outreach and engagement
•Direct the Planning Commission to conduct Study Sessions in the fall to receive community input on possible opportunity sites and policies
9
Housing Element Law
Adopted 1969
Projected Future Housing Needs
All Income Levels
Updated Every 8 Years
10
State Growth
Projections
State
Determined
Housing Needs
Regional
Housing Needs
Allocation
11
2023 –2031 (Association of Bay Area Governments Draft)
Total: 1,712 Very Low: 454
(27%)Low: 261 (15%)Moderate: 278
(16%)
Above Moderate:
719 (42%)
2015 –2023
Total: 439 Very Low: 147
(33%)Low: 95 (22%)Moderate: 104
(24%)
Above Moderate:
93 (21%)
2007 –2014
Total: 292 Very Low: 45 (15%)Low: 90 (31%)Moderate: 68
(23%)
Above Moderate:
57 (20%)
12
Total 1,712
Very Low
Income 454 Less than
$82,850
Low Income 261 $82,850 to
$117,750
Moderate
Income 278 $117,750 to
$181,550
Above
Moderate
Income
719 More than
$181,550
13
January
2021
Association of Bay Area
Governments Approval of
Draft Allocation
Methodology
Spring
2021 Official Draft Allocations
Summer
2021
City Council Filed Appeal
July 2021 to Reduce RHNA
by 50%
January
2023 Deadline to Submit
Housing Elements
14
Preparation
&
Education
Values &
Priorities
City Council
Direction
Housing
Element
Drafting
15
Housing Needs
Assessment
that provides
demographic
and housing
need
information for
the City.
Constraints
Analysis
of existing and
potential
constraints on
housing
development
and how those
will be
addressed.
Evaluation of
Past
Performance
that assesses
the City’s
progress in
implementing
the policies and
programs in the
previous
Housing
Element.
Housing Sites
Inventory and
Analysis
that identifies
specific
locations
available for
development or
redevelopment
and that are
appropriately
zoned to
support
housing
development.
Policies and
Programs
that are
designed to
address housing
needs in the
City.
Community
Outreach
efforts that
were conducted
as part of the
Housing
Element
update.
16
Housing Sites Inventory
Requirements
Specific sites
Zoned for
different
types
Variety of
income levels
17
Housing Sites Inventory Components
Units in the Pipeline
Vacant Sites
Accessory Dwelling Units
Possible Opportunity Sites
18
Draft RHNA & Buffer
Saratoga Draft Housing Units Allocation
Income Category RHNA Allocation
Very Low 454
Low 261
Moderate 278
Above Moderate 719
Total 1712
10% buffer 1,883
19
Housing Sites Inventory
Pipeline / Vacant Sites / Accessory Dwellings
Units in Pipeline
•164 Units
•Proposed/under construction,
cannot be completed more than 6
months before Housing Element
due date (June 30, 2022)
•Sites:
•Quito Village Development
•Marshall Lane Subdivision
•Quito Vessing Subdivision
•Saratoga Retirement Community
Vacant Sites
•69 Units
•51 Parcels
•2015-2023 Housing Element: 77
units, 66 parcels
Accessory Dwelling Units
•480 Units
•400 units based on trends
•80 additional units with
incentives
•Based on recent construction
trends, 20% increase allowed with
incentives
20
Housing Sites Inventory Progress
Units in the Pipeline
Vacant Sites
Accessory Dwelling Units
Possible Opportunity Sites
RHNA w/ 10% buffer Running Total Shortfall
1,883 713 1170
21
Different Approaches
Increase the amount of housing that can built on all Commercial and Community Facilities properties.
Increase in allowable building height above 2 stories. In most locations, current maximum is 20 units
per acre with 2 stories.
Increase the number of units allowed on all single-family home properties. Current maximum is 3 units
on a property ― main house, accessory dwelling unit, and junior accessory dwelling unit.
Allow larger single-family properties to subdivide so two new, separate single-family homes could be
built on separate parcels.
Reduce Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations to encourage more units to be built.
22
Values Ranking (Average)
1.Preserving the current character of single-family neighborhoods, as much as possible.
2.Limiting growth in the hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire.
3.Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories.
4.Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers with grocery stores.
5.Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in the community.
6.Building housing for older adults and students.
7.Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied needs of people at all income levels.
8.Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing development projects.
23
Values Ranking (#1 Value Selection)
Value Percentage Number
1. Preserving the current character of single-family neighborhoods, as much as possible.59.7%424
2. Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire.13.1%93
3. Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories. 5.4%38
4.Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers with grocery stores. 5.4%38
5.Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in the community.4.9%35
6.Building housing for older adults or students.1.4%10
7.Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied needs of people at all
income levels.
7.8%56
8.Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing development projects.2.3%16
24
Possible Approaches Based on Values
Minimize changes to
existing single-family
neighborhoods
•Retain 2 story height limit
•Single-family homes vs.
duplexes
•Support further
development of
Accessory Dwelling Units
Do not increase
housing density in the
Wildland Urban
Interface area
•Shift opportunity sites
outside the Wildland
Urban Interface
Limit impacts to
existing commercial
uses
•Only allow commercial uses
in commercial zones.
•Create mixed-use zones that
allow residential/commercial
uses.
25
•Roughly 50% of the City removed from
consideration for additional housing
Wildland Urban
Interface (WUI)
26
Existing Opportunity Sites
Housing Sites
Projected Units
Current Housing
Element
Prospect Sites 173
Gateway Sites 65
Fellowship Plaza 75
Village Site 22
TOTAL 335
27
Proposed Changes
Housing Sites
Estimated Units
Current Housing
Element
Proposed Change Proposed Units In Housing
Element Update
Prospect Sites 173 Increase density & height
standards 307
Gateway Sites 65 Increase density &height
standards 107
Fellowship Plaza 75 Establish density & height
standards 75
Village Site 22 Remove as an opportunity site
–located in WUI 0
TOTAL 335 489
28
Existing Height & Density Standards
•Density: Minimum 30 units per acre, no maximum
•Height: 3 stories per 35 feet
Proposed Height & Density Standards
•Density: 60 to 100 units per acre
•Height: 6 stories
5 parcels, 5.12 acres
Prospect Sites –307 Units
29
Existing Density & Height Standards
•Density: maximum of 20 units per acre, no minimum
•Height: 2 stories, 30 feet for multi-family structures
Proposed Height & Density Standards
•Density: 20 to 60 units per acre
•Height: 3 stories
4 parcels, 5.35 acres
Gateway Sites –107 Units
30
Existing Density & Height Standards
•Density: 15 units per acre
•Height: 3 stories
Proposed Height & Density Standards
•Density: 20 to 30 units per acre
•Height: 3 stories
1 parcel, 10.47 acres
Fellowship Plaza –75 Units
31
Housing Sites Inventory Progress
Units in the Pipeline
Vacant Sites
Accessory Dwelling Units
Possible Opportunity Sites
RHNA w/ 10% buffer Running Total Shortfall
1,883 1,202 681
32
Proposed
Opportunity Sites
•Expanded Gateway Sites
•New Saratoga Avenue Sites
•Residential Rezoning
33
Existing Height & Density Standards
•Density: maximum of 20 units per acre, no minimum
•Height: 2 stories, 30 feet for multi-family structures
Proposed Height & Density Standards
•Density: 20 to 60 units per acre
•Height: 3 stories
5 parcels, 5.49 acres
Expanded Gateway Sites –109 Units
34
Existing Height & Density Standards
•Density: maximum of 20 units per acre, no minimum
•Height: 2 stories, 30 feet for multi-family structures
Proposed Height & Density Standards
•Density: 30 to 60 units per acre
•Height: 3 stories
3 parcels, 10.6 acres
New Saratoga Avenue Sites –318 Units
35
Rezone R-1-40,000 properties outside the Wildland Urban Interface to R-1-20,000
•Approximately 650 properties outside the Wildland Urban Interface
•Estimate of 280 new single-family units could be created which needs justification/analysis
o Targeted outreach/survey of property owners
o Realtor’s assessment
o Age of housing stock
Possible Residential Rezoning –280 Units
36
Saratoga’s Measure G
Seeks to protect Saratoga community by requiring a vote of the people for any General Plan amendment increasing the intensity of use of lands designated for residential or outdoor recreation use.
Includes an exception to the voter approval requirement if:
•Changes are essential for Housing Element compliance with state law;
•No other feasible alternatives for compliance are available; and
•The Department of Housing and Community Development has found that the Housing Element is in substantial compliance with state law.
37
Housing Sites Inventory Progress
Units in the Pipeline
Vacant Sites
Accessory Dwelling Units
Possible Opportunity Sites
RHNA w/ 10% buffer Running Total Shortfall
1,883 1,900 -26
38
Potential Policies to Consider
•Further streamline permit process and development standards for Accessory Dwelling Units
•Establish standards for residential uses on community facility parcels (churches and schools)
•Create a new land use and zoning designation for mixed-use
•Retain commercial land use and zoning for commercial uses only
•Establish an inclusionary ordinance to require construction of affordable units as part of
certain housing developments
39
Oct-Dec
2021 Planning Commission
Study Session
January
2022
City Council Affirms
Scope of Environmental
Impact Report
Spring
2022 Draft Environmental
Impact Report Released
Fall
2022 Public Hearings
Current Timeline
40
Study Session Goals
•Review Housing Element components and update process
•Provide feedback on possible opportunity sites and policies
•Provide feedback on the next phase of outreach and engagement
•Direct the Planning Commission to conduct Study Sessions in the fall to receive community input on possible opportunity sites and policies
41
42
Outcomes & Analytics
Since its launch after the March 3 meeting, the Housing Element page has maintained being the third
most viewed page on the City’s website, viewed over 6,601 times, following only the homepage and
facilities page. “Housing” was the sixth most searched term on the website, searched 67 times, and
“Housing Element Update” was searched 51 times. Comments submitted through the City website can
be found attached to the staff report. The online question/comment forms received 17 submissions, and
the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal comment form received 19 submissions. The Housing
Element newsletter now has 467 subscribers. In addition, information about the Housing Element has
been included 19 times in the weekly Saratoga Source, which has 4,678 subscribers. All Housing Element
Newsletters and the Saratoga Source editions that reference the Housing Element are attached to the
staff report.
An email open rate is one way to measure the success of an email campaign. The open rate is the
number of people who opened an email compared to the number who received it. According to
Constant Contact, Mailchimp, and Granicus, the average email open rate across all industries is 17-22%,
but when broken down by industry, the open rate is 21-29% for government agencies. Since launching
the Housing Element update process in March 2021, the Housing Element newsletter had an average
open rate of 61%, while the average open rate of the Saratoga Source has been 30%, placing both open
rates above the overall and industry averages.
The City create a Housing Element video series comprised of 8 videos available on the City’s YouTube
channel the Housing Element webpage. The videos received the following views:
• Video 1 Housing Element Overview 703 Views
• Video 2 Regional Housing Needs Allocation 346 Views
• Video 3 Housing Element Legal Framework 237 Views
• Video 4 Participate in the Housing Element 209 Views
• Video 5 Priorities and Values 350 Views
• Video 6 Housing Element Glossary 89 Views
• Video 7 Community Meeting Presentation (April) 153 Views
• Video 8 Community Meeting Presentation (June) 26 Views
The launch of housing element resources and participation opportunities, such as the website,
newsletter, videos, community meetings, survey, and Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal, have
been announced on the City’s social media channels and repeatedly promoted. The initial posts received
high levels of engagement, which declined over time. Staff predicts seeing another increase in
engagement when new content and participation opportunities are announced. On Nextdoor, initial
posts received 3,400 impressions and 19 comments. Engagement then declined, with the following post
receiving 1,300 impressions and subsequent posts receiving a few hundred. On Facebook, the City sees
the most success when paying to “boost” posts. For example, a post about the Housing Element update
and community meetings reached 13,000 people, had over 1,000 clicks, and received 80 reactions,
comments, and shares. Staff predicts seeing another increase in engagement when new content and
community meeting dates are announced, and the City will “boost” posts about future community
meetings and participation opportunities as well.
Two postcards about the Housing Element update were mailed citywide to over 12,000 addresses.
Additionally, they were translated into Chinese and made available online and in person at City Hall and
Farmers’ Markets. The majority of residents at the Wednesday market were not Saratoga residents,
however, those who were mentioned receiving the postcard and were interested in learning more. Staff
43
engaged with a much larger number of residents at the Saturday Farmers’ Market and plans to attend
this market again.
The median banner program has been utilized to display two different banners throughout the spring
and summer. One banner provided general information about community meetings, while the other
utilized compelling language and graphics intended to grab attention. Anecdotally, the banner seemed
to have the intended effect based on the number of inquiries received after seeing it. Printed materials,
including banners, English postcards, and translated postcards, are attached to the Staff Report.
The City held two sets of educational community meetings since the launch of the update process, the
first series in April focused on an overview of the Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs
Allocation, and the second in June focused on community values and priorities related to housing in
Saratoga. Each month, there were three different community meetings held on different days and at
different times to accommodate a variety of schedules. The content presented at the meetings was the
same. Each community meeting began with a presentation and was followed by a live question and
answer session. A total of 168 people attended the April community meetings, with 66 attendees at the
April 22 meeting, 45 attendees at the April 24 meeting, and 57 attendees at the April 28 meeting. A total
of 164 people attended the June community meetings, with 49 attendees at the June 10 meeting, 61 at
the June 15 meeting, and 54 at the June 26 meeting.
Eight small group meetings have been held with interested residents and community groups, with one
more currently being planned. Staff has also presented about the Housing Element to five of the City’s
Commissions, with a presentation to the final Commission being scheduled. Additionally, a presentation
was provided to the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee. Commission and
Committee members can serve as communication ambassadors to spread this important information
throughout the community.
The City conducted targeted outreach to community partners, such as the Saratoga Chamber of
Commerce, Saratoga Ministerial Association, schools, and Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council. As
part of this effort, the City shared information about the Housing Element and encouraged these
organizations to share details with community members that they serve. Additionally,
the City requested an opportunity to present information about the Housing Element update to these
organizations. Staff also shared information about the Housing Element update with the Saratoga
News.
In June, the City launched the Housing Element Values Survey which was open through July 31 and
received 743 responses. The goal of this survey was to gain a better understanding of community values
and priorities, which will be used as a foundation for future conversations about possible strategies to
utilize in the Housing Element. Detailed survey results are attached to the staff report.
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77
8/25/2021 CivicSend • Saratoga, CA • CivicEngage
https://www.saratoga.ca.us/Admin/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/137944 1/2
Update Process
Thank you for subscribing to the City of Saratoga's Housing Element
Newsletter. We need your help to decide where to place over 1,700 housing
units in Saratoga, and to determine what policies in the Housing Element will
make that possible. While the updated Housing Element isn't due until January
2023, addressing this challenge will require a significant amount of input and
feedback from the Saratoga community. It's critically important to start this
process early so every community member has the opportunity to participate
before it's too late. We look forward to working with you throughout this
process!
Watch New Video Series
The City created a series of videos to share information about the Housing
Element Update process. Please watch the first 4 videos in this series to learn
about the following topics:
Video 1: Housing Element Overview (6 minutes)
Video 2: Regional Housing Needs Allocation (9 minutes)
Video 3: Housing Element Legal Framework (5 minutes)
Video 4: Participate in the Housing Element Update (4 minutes)
Submit Questions and Comments
You can help us prepare for upcoming community meetings. After watching the
first four Housing Element videos, please share any questions you still have or
topics you would like covered in further detail
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-
48/Community-Meeting-QuestionComment-135]. This will help us tailor those
meetings to cover what the community needs.
Attend Community Meetings
The first series of community meetings will provide an overview of the Housing
Element update process and discuss topics community members want more
information on or still have questions about. The goal of these meetings is to
ensure everyone is fully prepared to participate in upcoming conversations
about housing in Saratoga. The virtual meeting schedule and participation
information is below:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88632451143
Webinar ID: 886 3245 1143
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384423520
Webinar ID: 863 8442 3520
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85289881256
Webinar ID: 852 8988 1256
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
78
8/25/2021 CivicSend • Saratoga, CA • CivicEngage
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After these community meetings in April, we’ll take the information gathered to
prepare for another series of community meetings that will focus on the values
and priorities of the community, as well as potential policy options.
Host Small Group Meetings
There are also opportunities to discuss these subjects in smaller settings.
Invite the City to join you for a meeting
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-48/Small-
Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends in Saratoga to
discuss the Housing Element.
More Information
This information, and more about the Housing Element, is also available at
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please
share this information and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to
participate in the process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
P R I N T C O P Y
79
8/25/2021 CivicSend • Saratoga, CA • CivicEngage
https://www.saratoga.ca.us/Admin/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/141229 1/2
Community Meetings Start Tonight
The first community meeting about the General Plan Housing Element update
is tonight! Saratoga may need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. The decisions made during this process
could cause significant changes for the community.
Make sure you attend one of the following virtual community meetings:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88632451143
Webinar ID: 886 3245 1143
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384423520
Webinar ID: 863 8442 3520
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85289881256
Webinar ID: 852 8988 1256
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
This first series of community meetings will provide an overview of the Housing
Element update process and discuss topics community members want more
information on or still have questions about. The goal of these meetings is to
ensure everyone is fully prepared to participate in upcoming conversations
about housing in Saratoga.
After these community meetings in April, we’ll take the information gathered to
prepare for another series of community meetings that will focus on the values
and priorities of the community, as well as potential policy options.
Host a Small Group Meeting
You can also discuss these subjects in smaller settings. Invite the City to join
you for a meeting [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-
Update-48/Small-Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends
in Saratoga to discuss the Housing Element.
More Information
This information, and more about the Housing Element, is also available
at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please
share this information and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to
participate in the process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
80
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P R I N T C O P Y
81
8/25/2021 CivicSend • Saratoga, CA • CivicEngage
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April Community Meeting Resources
If you missed the Housing Element community meetings in April, you can view
a recording of the presentation on the City website at
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Additionally,
the City has shared a list of common Housing Element questions
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/505/Housing-Element-Questions] we have
received so far, and we will continue to add to this page throughout the
process.
Host a Small Group Meeting
Consider inviting the City to join you for a meeting
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-48/Small-
Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends in Saratoga to
discuss and learn more about the Housing Element.
More Information
This information, and more about the Housing Element, is also available
at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please
share this information and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to
participate in the process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Watch Two New Videos
The City has launched two new videos as part of the Housing Element update
video series. Video 5 [https://youtu.be/uw17gF3AulI] discusses different
priorities and values to be considered during the process, and we recommend
you watch this video before taking the survey on housing in Saratoga. Video 6
[https://youtu.be/6XbevaDVNP4] features a glossary of common Housing
Element terms to help you get from A to Z throughout the update process.
Take the Housing Priorities & Values Survey
It is critical we hear from as many community members as possible throughout
this process. Please take the Housing Element Priorities and Values Survey
[https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/228/Issue_10806/] to share your
opinions about housing in Saratoga.The survey results will be used as a
foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
These topics will be discussed further at the community meetings this month.
Attend a Community Meeting
Don’t forget, the next series of community meetings on the Housing Element update start
this week! These meetings will include conversations about community values and
priorities, as well as time to answer questions. The virtual meeting schedule and
participation information is below:
Thursday, June 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89950416918
Webinar ID: 899 5041 6918
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Tuesday, June 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86354605234
Webinar ID: 863 5460 5234
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451
Webinar ID: 870 1658 4451
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
The three meetings will be held on different days and at different times to accommodate a
variety of community members’ schedules, but the content presented at all three meetings
will be the same.
Host a Small Group Meeting
Consider inviting the City to join you for a meeting
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-48/Small-
Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends in Saratoga to
discuss and learn more about the Housing Element.
More Information
This information, and more about the Housing Element, is also available
at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please
share this information and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to
participate in the process!
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Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Attend a Community Meeting
Don't miss the community meeting on the Housing Element update this Saturday, June 26
from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will discuss community values and priorities, and there
will be time to answer questions. You can join the meeting using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451
Webinar ID: 870 1658 4451
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
The previous two meetings were held on different days and at different times to
accommodate a variety of schedules and preferences, but the content
presented at all three meetings is the same.
Housing Priorities & Values Survey
It is critical for the Saratoga community to make their voice heard throughout this
process. Before the community meeting on Saturday, please take the Housing Element
Priorities and Values Survey to share your opinions about housing in Saratoga. The
survey deadline has been extended to get as much feedback as possible. The survey
results will be used as a foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and
strategies. These topics will be discussed further at the community meeting this Saturday.
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
At the July 7 City Council meeting
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072021-828],
the Council will consider the draft Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
Appeal to request a reduction in Saratoga's RHNA allocation. Currently,
Saratoga is expected to plan for over 1,700 housing units to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031.
The community will have an opportunity to share their comments with the
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) about appeals once they are
submitted. The City will share more information about this process as it
becomes available. You can also subscribe to receive updates from ABAG
about the appeal process [https://abag.ca.gov/our-work/housing/rhna-regional-
housing-needs-allocation/sign-rhna-mailing-list].
Housing Priorities & Values Survey
Community members can still take the take the Housing Element Priorities and Values
Survey to share their opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been
extended to get as much feedback as possible. The survey results will be used as a
foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA)
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2700/2021-City-of-
Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal?bidId=] of more than 1,700 new homes to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28 appeals from Bay Area
jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-
needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-appeals-process], which included 6 appeals
from Santa Clara County. The community can submit comments on appeals to
RHNA@bayareametro.gov [mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Housing Priorities & Values Survey
Take the Housing Element Priorities and Values Survey by July 31 to share your
opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been extended to get as
much feedback as possible, and the results will be used as a foundation for future
conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Host a Small Group Meeting
Invite the City to a small group meeting
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-48/Small-
Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends to share how
residents can help shape Saratoga’s future by participating in the Housing
Element update, which serves as a blueprint for future housing development.
Under State laws, Saratoga may be required to plan for amore than 1,700 new
homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. The City is available to
attend in-person or online meetings.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA)
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2700/2021-City-of-
Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal?bidId=] of more than 1,700 new homes to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28 appeals from Bay Area
jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-
needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-appeals-process], which included 6 appeals
from Santa Clara County. The community can submit comments on appeals
to RHNA@bayareametro.gov [mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August
30.
Let's Talk Housing with the Planning Collaborative
The Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative invites Saratoga residents to a
virtual community meeting on Monday, August 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. Attendees will learn about the Housing Element update process, how to
participate, and join a breakout session to discuss housing in their community.
The Planning Collaborative is hosting a series of countywide meetings, and
this meeting will include the cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, and
Monte Sereno. Register for the Planning Collaborative's meeting online
[http://bit.ly/countywidemeeting1], and learn more about Saratoga's Housing
Element update on the City's website
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/499/Housing-Element-Update].
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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City Council Planning Commission Study Session
The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a virtual Study Session about the
Housing Element Update on Tuesday, August 31 at 5:00 p.m. You can join the meeting
using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503408022
Webinar ID: 865 0340 8022
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
The Study Session will include an overview and discussion of the current understanding of
the community’s values and priorities. Part of this discussion will be based on the Housing
Element Values Survey results. Detailed survey results will be shared before the Study
Session in both the Housing Element Newsletter and the meeting agenda packet. The
Study Session will also include a review of possible strategies, policies, and housing
opportunity sites for the next Housing Element.
The information below provides an overview of the Housing Element and Regional
Housing Needs Allocation to help prepare you for the August 31 Study Session. You can
also watch the City’s Housing Element Video series, which includes presentations from
April and June community meetings, at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation
Saratoga is required to update its General Plan Housing Element to plan for
over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga across all income levels
between 2023 and 2031. Jurisdictions that do not adopt a Housing Element in
compliance with State Law are subject to severe penalties.
The 2023-2031 RHNA allocation represents a large increase compared to
previous cycles. In July, the City Council appealed Saratoga's Regional
Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2700/2021-City-of-
Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal?bidId=] of more than 1,700 new homes to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. The Association of Bay Area Governments
(ABAG) received 28 appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions
[http://abag.ca.gov/our-work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-
allocation/2023-2031-rhna-appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from
Santa Clara County. The community can submit comments on appeals
to RHNA@bayareametro.gov [mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August
30.
Current Housing Element Status
The City’s current Housing Element is based on the Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/RHNA] assigned during the last
cycle, which was 439 housing units to be built between 2015 and 2023. As part
of each update, the City must identify available sites with appropriate zoning
and development standards to meet its RHNA goal. During the last planning
cycle, the City identified sufficient vacant and underutilized sites to
accommodate its RHNA and adopted supplemental zoning and development
standards to specifically encourage and facilitate housing for lower income
households. You can view the current Housing Opportunity Sites Map
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[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2713/Housing-Opportunity-
Sites-Map] on the City’s website.
So far, the City has issued a total of 150 permits to build new housing units. A
detailed breakdown of the goal and progress across all income levels is
available below.
The Housing Element is required to include a section focused on the policies
and programs designed to address housing needs and help the City reach its
RHNA goal. Below are updates on a few notable achievements from the
current Housing Element Policies and Programs.
Policy Action 4-1.1: Amend Commercial-Neighborhood (Residential High
Density) Standards for the Prospect Road Housing Opportunity Site
To encourage higher density mixed-use development, the City amended the
Neighborhood Commercial (Residential High Density) zoning district to increase the
minimum density required from 20 dwelling units per acre to 30 dwelling units per
acre, and increased the allowable building height from 30 feet to 35 feet and from
two to three stories.
Policy Action 4-4.1: Encourage Development of Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are one tool to increase affordable housing
opportunities in Saratoga, so the City amended its policies for constructing ADUs to
make the process easier. The amended standards allow an 800-square-foot ADU,
even when that is larger than what would typically be allowed. Detached ADUs may
have reduced side and rear setbacks of 4 feet from the property line. Parking
requirement may be waived for junior ADUs and attached ADUs.
Host a Small Group Meeting
Invite the City to a small group meeting
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-Update-48/Small-
Group-Meeting-Request-134] with your neighbors and friends to share how
residents can help shape Saratoga’s future by participating in the Housing
Element update, which serves as a blueprint for future housing development.
Under State laws, Saratoga may be required to plan for amore than 1,700 new
homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. The City is available to
attend in-person or online meetings.
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Housing Element Values Survey Results
In June, the City launched the Housing Element Values Survey, which was open through
July 31 and received 743 responses. The goal of this survey was to gain a better
understanding of community values and priorities, which will be used as a foundation for
future conversations about possible strategies to utilize in the Housing Element.
The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a virtual Study Session about the
Housing Element Update on Tuesday, August 31 at 5:00 p.m. The Study Session will
include an overview and discussion of the current understanding of the community’s
values and priorities. Part of this discussion will be based on the survey results. The Study
Session will also include a review of possible strategies, policies, and housing opportunity
sites for the next Housing Element.
You can join the Study Session using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503408022
Webinar ID: 865 0340 8022
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
An overview of the survey results and response count is provided below, and a more
detailed summary is available on the City website.
1. Do you live and/or work in the City of Saratoga?
I live in Saratoga, but work elsewhere: 38.8% (288)
I live and work in Saratoga: 17.6% (131)
I live in Saratoga and I am retired/ do not currently work: 42.7% (317)
I work in Saratoga, but live somewhere else: 0.9% (7)
No response: 0
2. If you live in Saratoga, how long have you lived in the City?
0-2 years: 3.3% (24)
2-5 years: 7.5% (55)
5-10 years: 10.7% (79)
10-20 years: 18.8% (139)
20+ years: 59.8% (441)
No response: 5
3. How old are you?
18 years or less: 0.8% (6)
19-25 years: 1.0% (7)
26-30 years: 0.8% (6)
31-40 years: 5.4% (40)
41-50 years: 18.3% (135)
51-60 years: 23.6% (174)
61-70 years: 26.8% (197)
71-80 years: 16.7% (123)
81 years or more: 6.5% (48)
No response: 7
4. Select the type of housing you reside in:
Single Family Home: 94.5% (699)
Attached Home (Townhouse, Duplex): 2.3% (17)
Multifamily Home (Apartment, Condominium): 2.4% (18)
Accessory Dwelling Unit: 0.1% (1)
Other: 0.7% (5)
No response: 3
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5. Are you a renter or owner?
Renter: 3.5% (26)
Owner: 96.5% (713)
No response: 4
6. Are you satisfied with your current housing situation?
Yes: 95.9% (708)
No: 4.1% (30)
No response: 5
7. Does the range of housing options currently available in the City of Saratoga
meet your needs?
Yes: 89.8% (658)
No: 10.2% (75)
No response: 10
8. If you live in Saratoga, why did you choose to live here? Select all that apply.
Quality of housing: 69.5% (511)
Neighborhood safety: 65.9% (484)
Quality of schools: 62.9% (462)
Scenery: 57.3% (421)
Proximity to work: 29.3% (215)
Family/friends: 24.2% (178)
Recreation/amenities: 22.0% (162)
Shops, dining, etc.: 16.2% (119)
City services: 9.8% (72)
Other: 13.3% (9)
No response: 8
9. As the City plans to meet the State mandate to plan for more than 1,700 new
housing units, which types of additional housing would you be willing to
accept in the City of Saratoga? Select all that apply.
Single Family Homes: 82.3% (595)
Housing for Seniors: 57.8% (418)
Townhomes: 51.3% (371)
Condominiums (Owned): 47.2% (341)
Duplex, Triplex, etc.: 32.1% (232)
Apartments (Rented): 21.0% (152)
Housing for Students: 18.8% (136)
Other: 8.7% (63)
No response: 20
10. Please rank the following based on how important they are to you and your
family, with 1 being the most important and 8 being the least
important. (Average ranking calculated based on number assigned to each
ranking position)
1. Preserving the current character of single family neighborhoods, as much as
possible.
2. Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire.
3. Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers with
grocery stores.
4. Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories.
5. Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in the
community.
6. Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied needs of
people at all income levels.
7. Building housing for older adults or students.
8. Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing development
projects.
No response: 33
Additional Information about Question 10: How many participants chose each
option as their top priority?
1. Preserving the current character of single-family neighborhoods, as much as
possible: 59.7% (424)
2. Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire: 13.1% (93)
3. Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories: 5.4% (38)
4. Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers with
grocery stores: 5.4% (38)
5. Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in the
community: 4.9% (35)
6. Building housing for older adults or students: 1.4% (10)
7. Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied needs of
people at all income levels: 7.8% (56)
8. Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing development
projects: 2.3% (16)
No response: 33
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Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation
As a reminder, comments on Regional Housing Allocation (RHNA) appeals are
due to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) by Monday, August
30. In July, the City Council appealed Saratoga's RHNA
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/2700/2021-City-of-
Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal?bidId=] of more than 1,700 new homes to be built in
Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28 appeals from Bay Area
jurisdictions [http://abag.ca.gov/our-work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-
needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-appeals-process], which included 6 appeals
from Santa Clara County. The community can submit comments on appeals
to RHNA@bayareametro.gov [mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov].
More Information
You can find more about the Housing Element, including videos and other
resources, on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. Please share this information and
encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in this
important process!
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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COVID-19 Updates
Santa Clara County Moves to the Red Tier
Santa Clara County is now in the Red Tier of the State's Blueprint for a Safer
Economy [https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/].
Now allowed indoors at reduced capacity:
Restaurants (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
Retail stores (max 50% capacity)
Gyms and fitness centers (max 10% capacity)
Movie theaters (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
Zoos, museums, and aquariums (max 25% capacity)
The key to fewer restrictions is following public health measures. Counties can
move to a less restrictive tier as COVID transmission goes down and testing
goes up. Stay diligent. Wear a mask, keep your distance, and get vaccinated
when it's your turn. See the State's website for more information
[http://covid19.ca.gov].
As certain activities are allowed to resume, proceed with caution. COVID-19
case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are falling, but still remain very high.
Vaccinations are occurring as quickly as supplies allow, but most people in our
community are still not vaccinated. Remember: Just because it is allowed, it
does not necessarily mean it is safe.
Get Vaccinated When It’s Your Turn
Vaccination has helped humans fight infectious diseases for centuries. You can
help put COVID-19 on the list of infectious diseases we have overcome by
getting vaccinated when it’s your turn! Find out if you’re currently eligible for a
COVID-19 vaccine, and book an appointment, by visiting www.sccFreeVax.org
[http://www.sccfreevax.org/] or calling 408.970.2000
No Wrong Door: Eligible Individuals Can Book Vaccine Appointments
Anywhere
Santa Clara County’s No Wrong Door System is making access to vaccines as
clear and as barrier free as possible. Healthcare providers, including the
county health system, will vaccinate anyone eligible for the vaccine regardless
of where they receive their medical care. For additional details,
visit www.sccFreeVax.org [http://www.sccfreevax.org/]
Recording of COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall with Supervisor
Simitian & Mayor Zhao
On February 18, Supervisor Simitian hosted a Virtual Town Hall on the
COVID-19 vaccine with Mayor Zhao to answer when, where, and how to get
the COVID-19 vaccine. If you weren't able to join, you can watch a recording of
the event [https://sccgov-
org.zoom.us/rec/play/FBv0yVtwHofh6rJeJdMoMMpjm9m9p6SpqJ9np-
EBs5wSL1r3EiLZxTgpHbLrjlFPmkxAQSkU_W2Gd8nu.-b3wIOdK_EZZQf-d?
startTime=1613701813000&_x_zm_rtaid=ca4P3mdNQASUoYnA-
PJ5ZQ.1614669367880.d16d2ae316b129f764713855dd522d94&_x_zm_rhtai
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d=734].
Continue Getting Tested
The County will hold another COVID-19 testing day in Saratoga on Thursday,
March 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center in
Friendship Hall. Testing is free, open to the public, and includes a test for
influenza. Appointments can now be scheduled online [https://direc.to/eyD1].
This testing site is intended for people who do not have symptoms and have
not been exposed to COVID-19.
If you are a frontline worker, get tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, up
to every two weeks, even if you don’t have symptoms. Go
to www.sccfreetest.org [http://www.sccfreetest.org/] to find more testing options
throughout the County.
New Housing in Saratoga
The City has kicked off the process to update the next General Plan Housing Element.
Every 8 years, California cities are required to update their Housing Element to plan for
projected housing needs. Based on the Bay Area's current methodology, Saratoga may
need to plan for over 1,700 new housing units to be built between 2023 and 2031.
We need your help to address this challenge! While the updated Housing Element isn't
due until January 2023, starting this process early provides an opportunity for the
community to fully participate in the Housing Element update process.
Please visit the City's website for more information about the Housing Element, learn how
to participate in the process, and sign up to receive the new Housing Element newsletter
to get updates on next steps!
House Family Vineyards Community Meeting
The City of Saratoga will host a Community Meeting to discuss House Family
Vineyard’s application requesting a Conditional Use Permit for winery
operations that include wine tasting and events, and Design Review for a
tasting deck. The Community Meeting will be held virtually using Zoom on
Tuesday, March 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?
EID=1024&month=3&year=2021&day=4&calType=0]
House Family Vineyards would like to share information about their application
with the community, and the community will have the opportunity to ask
questions about the application and associated operations. For more
information, please contact Senior Planner Nicole Johnson at
njohnson@saratoga.ca.us [mailto:njohnson@saratoga.ca.us?
subject=House%20Family%20Vineyards%20Community%20Meeting] or
408.868.1209.
Help Paint the City!
Vote for your favorite artwork
[http://www.opentownhall.com/portals/228/Issue_10371] to transform 3 utility
boxes into works of art! Saratoga residents can vote for their favorite designs
until 11:59 p.m. on March 8. Artwork that receives the most votes will be
presented to the City Council on April 7 for final approval.
Saratoga artists were invited to submit conceptual artwork for 3 different utility
box locations throughout the City. The City received 70 qualified applications.
The Saratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission and the
Saratoga Public Art Committee carefully reviewed submissions and narrowed
choices to 3 options for each of the locations.
Apply for the Youth Commission
Applications for the Saratoga Youth Commission are due by April 21.
Applicants must be Saratoga residents in 7th through 11th grade during the
2021/22 school year. All applicants must attend a Commission meeting prior to
interviews with the City Council on May 4. Learn more and apply online
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac].
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter 99
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[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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COVID-19 Updates
Get Vaccinated When It’s Your Turn
Vaccination has helped humans fight infectious diseases for centuries. You can
help put COVID-19 on the list of infectious diseases we have overcome by
getting vaccinated when it’s your turn! Find out if you’re currently eligible for a
COVID-19 vaccine, and book an appointment, by visiting www.sccFreeVax.org
[http://www.sccfreevax.org/] or calling 408.970.2000
No Wrong Door: Eligible Individuals Can Book Vaccine Appointments
Anywhere
Santa Clara County’s No Wrong Door System is making access to vaccines as
clear and as barrier free as possible. Healthcare providers, including the
county health system, will vaccinate anyone eligible for the vaccine regardless
of where they receive their medical care. For additional details,
visit www.sccFreeVax.org [http://www.sccfreevax.org/]
Continue Getting Tested
The County will hold another COVID-19 testing day in Saratoga on Thursday,
April 8 at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is free, open
to the public, and includes a test for influenza. Appointments can now be
scheduled online [https://direc.to/eyD1]. This testing site is intended for people
who do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to COVID-19.
If you are a frontline worker, get tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, up
to every two weeks, even if you don’t have symptoms. Go
to www.sccfreetest.org [http://www.sccfreetest.org/] to find more testing options
throughout the County.
Help! Where should over 1,700 housing units go in
Saratoga?
We need your help to decide where to place over 1,700 housing units in Saratoga, and to
determine what policies in the Housing Element will make that possible. Please visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing to watch the video series we've created to share information
about the Housing Element update process and ways you can participate. After watching
the first four Housing Element videos, you can share any questions you still have or topics
you would like covered in further detail using our online form. This will help us tailor
upcoming community meetings to cover what you need. On the City's website, you can
also find the community meeting schedule or request a small group meeting with your
friends and neighbors. We look forward to working with you throughout this process!
House Family Vineyards Community Meeting
The City of Saratoga will host a Community Meeting to discuss House Family
Vineyard’s application requesting a Conditional Use Permit for winery
operations that include wine tasting and events, and Design Review for a
tasting deck. The Community Meeting will be held virtually using Zoom on
Tuesday, March 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/Calendar.aspx?
EID=1024&month=3&year=2021&day=4&calType=0]
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House Family Vineyards would like to share information about their application
with the community, and the community will have the opportunity to ask
questions about the application and associated operations. For more
information, please contact Senior Planner Nicole Johnson at
njohnson@saratoga.ca.us [mailto:njohnson@saratoga.ca.us?
subject=House%20Family%20Vineyards%20Community%20Meeting] or
408.868.1209.
SED Talks
The Youth Commission and Saratoga Library will host SED Talks for Teens
(Saratoga-style TED Talks) on Saturday, March 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The virtual event will feature three guest speakers discussing
entrepreneurship. Register online [https://tinyurl.com/SEDtalksquestions] for
this free event.
Emergency Preparedness Kit Workshop
The Youth Commission will be hosting a virtual Emergency Preparedness Kit
Workshop designed for individuals with disabilities on Saturday, March 27 from
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each participant can register online
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/prepkit] for $10. While the event is designed for
individuals with disabilities, it is inclusive and open to all.
March 17, 2021 City Council Meeting
The March 17, 2021 City Council meeting agenda
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/AgendaCenter/City-Council-13] is now available.
Council meetings continue to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public can speak on items they are interested in by joining
meetings using the Zoom website or app, or by calling in. Detailed participation
instructions are available on each meeting agenda. The meeting can also be
viewed without participation options on KSAR Channel 15 or the City’s website
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/250/Meeting-Videos], and you can submit written
comments [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/City-Council-8/Council-
Comments-Form-47] to the Council before meetings.
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
The City is now accepting applications to serve on multiple Commissions!
Heritage Preservation Commission applications are due April 14, Youth
Commission applications are due April 21, and Traffic Safety Commission
applications are due May 19. Learn more and apply
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/331/Vacancies]!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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COVID-19 Updates
Get Vaccinated When It’s Your Turn
Vaccination has helped humans fight infectious diseases for centuries. You can
help put COVID-19 on the list of infectious diseases we have overcome by
getting vaccinated when it’s your turn! Find out if you’re currently eligible for a
COVID-19 vaccine, and book an appointment, by visiting www.sccFreeVax.org
[http://www.sccfreevax.org/] or calling 408.970.2000
No Wrong Door: Eligible Individuals Can Book Vaccine Appointments
Anywhere
Santa Clara County’s No Wrong Door System is making access to vaccines as
clear and as barrier free as possible. Healthcare providers, including the
county health system, will vaccinate anyone eligible for the vaccine regardless
of where they receive their medical care. For additional details,
visit www.sccFreeVax.org [http://www.sccfreevax.org/]
Continue Getting Tested
The County will hold another COVID-19 testing day in Saratoga on Thursday,
April 8 at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is free, open
to the public, and includes a test for influenza. Appointments can now be
scheduled online [https://direc.to/eyD1]. This testing site is intended for people
who do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to COVID-19.
If you are a frontline worker, get tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, up
to every two weeks, even if you don’t have symptoms. Go
to www.sccfreetest.org [http://www.sccfreetest.org/] to find more testing options
throughout the County.
Help! Where should over 1,700 housing units go in
Saratoga?
We need your help to decide where to place over 1,700 housing units in Saratoga, and to
determine what policies in the Housing Element will make that possible. Please visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing to watch the video series we've created to share information
about the Housing Element update process and ways you can participate. After watching
the first four Housing Element videos, you can share any questions you still have or topics
you would like covered in further detail using our online form. This will help us tailor
upcoming community meetings to cover what you need. On the City's website, you can
also find the community meeting schedule or request a small group meeting with your
friends and neighbors. We look forward to working with you throughout this process!
SED Talks
The Youth Commission and Saratoga Library will host SED Talks for Teens
(Saratoga-style TED Talks) on Saturday, March 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The virtual event will feature three guest speakers discussing
entrepreneurship. Register online [https://tinyurl.com/SEDtalksquestions] for
this free event.
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Emergency Preparedness Kit Workshop
The Youth Commission will be hosting a virtual Emergency Preparedness Kit
Workshop designed for individuals with disabilities on Saturday, March 27 from
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each participant can register online
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/prepkit] for $10. While the event is designed for
individuals with disabilities, it is inclusive and open to all.
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
The City is now accepting applications to serve on multiple Commissions!
Heritage Preservation Commission applications are due April 14, Youth
Commission applications are due April 21, and Traffic Safety Commission
applications are due May 19. Learn more and apply
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/331/Vacancies]!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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COVID-19 Updates
Santa Clara County moved to the Orange Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a
Safer Economy this week. As certain activities are allowed to resume, proceed with
caution. Remember: Just because it is allowed, it does not necessarily mean it is
safe. Changes in the Orange Tier include the following:
Can increase capacity indoors:
Retail stores (100% capacity)
Shopping centers (100% capacity)
Museums, zoos, and aquariums (max 50% capacity)
Places of worship (max 50% capacity)
Restaurants (max 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer)
Gyms and fitness centers (max 25% capacity, indoor pools allowed)
Movie theaters (max 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer)
Allowed indoors at reduced capacity:
Wineries, breweries, and distilleries (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is
fewer)
Offices (businesses are required to maximize telework)
Family entertainment centers (for naturally distanced activities, max 25% capacity)
Cardrooms, satellite wagering (max 25% capacity)
Allowed outdoors only:
Bars where no meal is provided
Amusement parks (25% or 500 people, whichever is fewer)
COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are falling, but remain present in our
community. Vaccinations are occurring as quickly as supplies allow, but most people in our
community are still not vaccinated. While we wait for enough people to receive their
vaccines, we all need to work together to keep our risk of COVID-19 low in the meantime.
Stay diligent. Wear a mask, keep your distance, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.
For more information about the Orange Tier, visit the State's website.
Stop Asian Hate Rally Tomorrow at City Hall
The Mayors of Saratoga, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, and Monte Sereno
invite you to the Stop Asian Hate Rally [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stop-
asian-hate-rally-at-saratoga-city-hall-tickets-147203338147] this Saturday,
March 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Saratoga City Hall (13777 Fruitvale Avenue). Masks
and face coverings required. Please observe social distancing. Free parking
available across Fruitvale Avenue at West Valley College. Please allow
yourself 15 minutes to park and walk to City Hall.
Community Meetings: 1,700 New Homes in Saratoga
Saratoga has started updating its General Plan Housing Element and may
need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga.
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Mark your calendar to attend one of the following virtual community meetings
about the Housing Element update process:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
You can also help shape the content of these community meetings! Visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] to watch the
first four videos about the Housing Element update process. Then, share any
questions you still have or topics you would like covered in further detail using
our online form [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-
Update-48/Community-Meeting-QuestionComment-135]. This will help us tailor
the meetings to cover what you need.
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
The City is now accepting applications to serve on multiple Commissions!
Heritage Preservation Commission applications are due April 14, Youth
Commission applications are due April 21, and Traffic Safety Commission
applications are due May 19. Learn more and apply
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/331/Vacancies]!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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COVID-19 Testing
The County will hold a COVID-19 testing day on Thursday, April 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is free and open to the
public. Appointments can now be scheduled online at https://direc.to/eyD1
This testing site is intended for people who do not have symptoms and have not been
exposed to COVID-19. Testing is recommended for anyone who works with the public,
takes public transit, or has attended a mass gathering. The County also offers free testing
for those with COVID-19 symptoms or anyone who has been exposed to others with
COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms. For more information, visit www.sccfreetest.org
Wildfire Workshops
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hosting a series of free virtual
workshops in April and May 2021 on wildfire preparedness. Topics include
homeowners insurance in high fire risk areas, home preparedness, and the
wildfire recover process. View the schedule and register at
sccfd.eventbrite.com [http://sccfd.eventbrite.com] or call 408.378.4010.
April 7, 2021 City Council Meeting
The April 7, 2021 City Council meeting agenda is now available online at
www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda]. Council
meetings continue to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public can speak on items they are interested in by joining
meetings using the Zoom website or app, or by calling in. Detailed participation
instructions are available on each meeting agenda. The meeting can also be
viewed without participation options on KSAR Channel 15 or the City’s website,
and you can submit written comments to the Council before meetings.
Community Meetings: 1,700+ New Homes in Saratoga
Saratoga has started updating its General Plan Housing Element and may
need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga.
Mark your calendar to attend one of the following virtual community meetings
about the Housing Element update process:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
You can also help shape the content of these community meetings! Visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] to watch the
first four videos about the Housing Element update process. Then, share any
questions you still have or topics you would like covered in further detail using
our online form [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-
Update-48/Community-Meeting-QuestionComment-135]. This will help us tailor
the meetings to cover what you need.
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Apply to Serve on a City Commission
Apply to serve on a City Commission to help shape your community!
Application deadlines are as follows:
Heritage Preservation Commission: April 14
Youth Commission: April 21
Traffic Safety Commission: May 19
Library and Community Engagement Commission: August 18
Parks and Recreation Commission: August 18
Learn more and apply [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/331/Vacancies]!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Virtual Power Lunch with the Mayor
Join the Mayor of Saratoga for the Saratoga Power Lunch! Learn about
Saratoga in bite-sized pieces during this monthly webinar on the 2nd Tuesday
of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. This month’s webinar will feature a
presentation on the City of Saratoga Housing Element by City Manager James
Lindsay and Community Development Director Debbie Pedro. Learn about
how you can help the City decide where to place more than 1,700 new homes
in Saratoga. Have questions about this month’s topic? Submit them in advance
at www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch]
Register for Toga Trails
The Saratoga Youth Commission will host Toga Trails throughout May.
This month-long event encourages community members to hike four featured
trails and enjoy our local outdoor spaces. Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/togatrails
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/togatrails] to learn more and register online by April
23. Registration costs $10 per participant, with $2 from each registration going
towards the Youth Commission's fundraising efforts to purchase an inclusive
swing for a Saratoga park.
State Route 85 Lane Closures
Beginning April 8, Caltrans will perform overnight lanes closure of both
southbound and northbound State Route 85 (SR-85) from Saratoga Avenue
and north of Moffett Boulevard, in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County. These lane
closures are needed for Caltrans crews to safely initiate saw cutting activities
and replace concrete slabs on SR-85. Changeable message signs and
directional signs will be in place to assist motorists traveling in the area.
Overnight lane closures will occur through April, and the project is scheduled to
be finished in early June.
Planning Commission Study Session: House Family
Vineyards
On Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a virtual
study session to discuss House Family Vineyard’s application requesting a
Conditional Use Permit for winery operations that include wine tasting and
events, and Design Review for a tasting deck. Before the study session, a site
visit will be held at 3:30 p.m. The site visit can be attended in person or
virtually.
You can view and participate in the virtual study session by:
Using the Zoom website (URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693802688) or App
(Webinar ID: 826 9380 2688), or
Calling 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833.
Comments received by Monday, April 19 at 5:00 p.m. will be included in the
meeting materials shared with the Planning Commission before the meeting
and made available online. Comments can be submitted online at
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www.saratoga.ca.us/PCcomment [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/PCcomment]
You can view and participate in the site visit by:
Using the Zoom website (URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85662841809) or App
(Webinar ID: 856 6284 1809), or
Calling 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833, or
Attending in person at House Family Vineyards, located at the end of Old Oak Way.
COVID-19
Testing
If you have COVID symptoms or not, it is important to get tested. Even if you
are vaccinated. Getting tested helps monitor COVID variants that are
circulating in our community. Stay safe, get tested. Visit sccfreetest.org
[http://sccfreetest.org/] to find a testing site near you.
Vaccinations
Dr. Fauci says that the best vaccine is the one that you can get the soonest. All
three available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective in preventing
deaths, illness, and hospitalization. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn.
If you have been vaccinated, thank you! Just a friendly reminder to continue
wearing a mask. Every layer of protection counts.
Wildfire Workshops
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hosting a series of free virtual
workshops in April and May 2021 on wildfire preparedness. Topics include
homeowners insurance in high fire risk areas, home preparedness, and the
wildfire recover process. View the schedule and register at
sccfd.eventbrite.com [http://sccfd.eventbrite.com] or call 408.378.4010.
Community Meetings: 1,700+ New Homes in Saratoga
Saratoga has started updating its General Plan Housing Element and may
need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga.
Mark your calendar to attend one of the following virtual community meetings
about the Housing Element update process:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
You can also help shape the content of these community meetings! Visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] to watch the
first four videos about the Housing Element update process. Then, share any
questions you still have or topics you would like covered in further detail using
our online form [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-Element-
Update-48/Community-Meeting-QuestionComment-135]. This will help us tailor
the meetings to cover what you need.
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
Apply to serve on a City Commission to help shape your community!
Application deadlines are as follows:
Heritage Preservation Commission: April 14
Youth Commission: April 21
Traffic Safety Commission: May 19
Library and Community Engagement Commission: August 18
Parks and Recreation Commission: August 18
Learn more and apply [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/331/Vacancies]!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
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[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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People 16+ Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
All individuals age 16 and older who live or work in Santa Clara County are
now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule an appointment, visit
sccFreeVax.org [http://sccfreevax.org/] or call 2-1-1.
Over 1,700 New Homes Coming to Saratoga!
Saratoga has started updating its General Plan Housing Element and may
need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga.
Virtual community meetings about the Housing Element update process begin
next week:
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
You can also help shape the content of these community meetings!
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] to watch
the first four videos about the Housing Element update process. Then, share
any questions you still have or topics you would like covered in further detail
using our online form [https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Housing-
Element-Update-48/Community-Meeting-QuestionComment-135]. This will
help us tailor the meetings to cover what you need.
Register for Toga Trails
Join the Saratoga Youth Commission for Toga Trails, a month-long hiking event
in May featuring 4 local trails and outdoor spaces!
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/togatrails [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/togatrails] to
learn more and register online by April 23. Registration costs $10, with $2
going to the Youth Commission's fundraiser to install an inclusive swing at a
Saratoga park.
Wildfire Workshops
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hosting a series of free virtual
workshops in April and May 2021 on wildfire preparedness. Topics include
homeowners insurance in high fire risk areas, home preparedness, and the
wildfire recover process. View the schedule and register
at sccfd.eventbrite.com [http://sccfd.eventbrite.com/] or call 408.378.4010.
Planning Commission Study Session: House Family
Vineyards
On Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a virtual
study session to discuss House Family Vineyard’s application requesting a
Conditional Use Permit for winery operations that include wine tasting and
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events, and Design Review for a tasting deck. Before the study session, a site
visit will be held at 3:30 p.m. The site visit can be attended in person or
virtually. Learn more about how to participate in the study session
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1033] or site visit
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1032].
April 21 City Council Meeting
The April 21 City Council meeting agenda is now available at
www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda. Council meetings continue to be held virtually due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public can speak on items they are interested in by
joining the meeting using the Zoom website or app, or by calling in. Detailed participation
instructions are available on the meeting agenda. The meeting can also be viewed without
participation options on KSAR Channel 15 or the City’s website at
www.saratoga.ca.us/watch. The public can also send written comments to the City Council
before the meeting using the Council comment form at www.saratoga.ca.us/comment.
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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People 16+ Now Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
All individuals age 16 and older who live or work in Santa Clara County are
now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule an appointment, visit
sccFreeVax.org [http://sccfreevax.org/] or call 2-1-1.
Don't Miss Community Meetings!
Community meetings about the General Plan Housing Element started this week!
Saratoga may need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between
2023 and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant changes
for the community.
There are two more virtual community meetings you can attend this week:
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384423520
Webinar ID: 863 8442 3520
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Wednesday, April 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85289881256
Webinar ID: 852 8988 1256
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
This first series of community meetings will provide an overview of the Housing Element
update process and discuss topics community members want more information on or still
have questions about. The goal of these meetings is to ensure everyone is fully prepared
to participate in upcoming conversations about housing in Saratoga.
After these community meetings in April, we’ll take the information gathered to prepare for
another series of community meetings in June that will focus on the values and priorities
of the community, as well as potential policy options
Learn more about the Housing Element update at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]
Wildfire Workshops
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hosting a series of free virtual
workshops in April and May 2021 on wildfire preparedness. Topics include
homeowners insurance in high fire risk areas, home preparedness, and the
wildfire recover process. View the schedule and register
at sccfd.eventbrite.com [http://sccfd.eventbrite.com/] or call 408.378.4010.
Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Programs
Get ready for a summer of fun while learning and playing at a new summer
program in the Bay Area! Different from traditional summer school, Los Gatos-
Saratoga (LGS) Recreation’s Summer Fun Academy is open to all students in
first through eighth grade and provides the opportunity to strengthen
academics and play outside through a wide range of challenging, engaging,
and fun programs.
This is a multi-week program with instructional tracks similar to periods within a
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traditional school day. A cohort of 14 students will rotate together through a
track consisting of 4 periods everyday, each period lasting 45 minutes. The
goal of the program is to mix both enrichment and athletic programs into each
track to provide students a wide variety of activities to participate in during the
summer months. Learn more about LGS Recreation's Summer Fun Academy
[https://www.lgsrecreation.org/youth/summer-fun-academy/].
Thank You, Volunteers
It's National Volunteer Week is April 19, and we would like to thank all the volunteers who
have given their time and effort to support the City this past year. Although the pandemic
limited involvement in some City programs, new opportunities for the community to get
involved were created. More than 1,840 hours were given by over 220 volunteer
individuals and groups to support Drive-in Movie Nights, Senior Center beautification,
Quarry Park clean-up Saturdays, COVID-19 testing sites, Paint the City utility boxes,
along with general administrative support, trail building, and more. Many thanks for their
dedication and commitment to the community!
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Santa Clara County Moves to State's Yellow Tier
Santa Clara County has moved to the State’s least restrictive Tier in the Blueprint for a
Safer Economy, the Yellow Tier. This change went into effect on May 19, 2021. See what's
changed on the State's website.
Drive Through Safety Fair
Registration is now open for the Saratoga Drive Through Safety Fair on
Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Joan Pisani Community
Center parking lot. Attendees will have a chance to briefly talk with various
organizations about safety-related topics. Each registered vehicle will receive a
free bag from the City with 2 reflective vests to improve visibility during
nighttime activities. To register and find additional information, visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/fair [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/fair]
COVID-19 Testing
The County will hold a COVID-19 testing day on Thursday, May 27 from 9:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is
free and open to the public. Appointments can now be scheduled online at
https://direc.to/eyD1 [https://direc.to/eyD1]
This testing site is intended for people who do not have symptoms and have
not been exposed to COVID-19. Testing is recommended for anyone who
works with the public, takes public transit, or has attended a mass gathering.
The County also offers free testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms or
anyone who has been exposed to others with COVID-19 or COVID-19
symptoms. For more information, visit www.sccfreetest.org
[http://www.sccfreetest.org]
New Housing Element Resources
If you missed the Housing Element community meetings in April, you can view
a recording of the presentation on the City website. Additionally, the City has
shared a list of common Housing Element questions we have received so far,
and we will continue to add to this page throughout the process. Please
visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] to find
these resources, and subscribe to the Housing Element newsletter to receive
future updates!
Apply for the Youth in Government Program
The City of Saratoga is now accepting applications for the Youth in
Government Program! The Youth in Government program invites high school
students who live in Saratoga to spend 2 weeks during the summer learning
about local government, meeting their elected representatives, and gaining
hands-on experience in City government. All class sessions this summer will
be virtual. The program costs $50, and participants also earn internship/service
credits. Space is very limited! Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/yig
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/yig] to learn more and apply soon if interested.
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#SaratogaTogether Business Grants
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for local businesses, so the
City Council made $15,000 of grant funding available to help the community
move forward stronger, better, #SaratogaTogether. Businesses can now apply
for the #SaratogaTogether Business Renewal and Beautification Grant
Program to receive support for aesthetic enhancements. Learn more and apply
on the City website [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=73].
Summer Recreation Programs
Registration is open for Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation's summer programs. View all
the offerings at wwww.lgsrecreation.org [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwwww.lgsrecreation.org&c=E,1,V_OZuUjo8GbC3XLft2hZlbEYqC
D-sOR6Bfb2h4oRZ66L8LgA5DdJRZMcyO5pkHayjLIBSmh2u7TKuEhyxdZz3V-F-
0G007C7WERZQUuh&typo=1&ancr_add=1]
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Join the Mayor for a Virtual Power Lunch!
Join the Mayor for the next Saratoga Power Lunch on Tuesday, June 8 at
12:00 p.m. Lieutenant Neil Valenzuela from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office will join Mayor Yan Zhao to discuss crime trends in Saratoga. Attendees
can submit their questions while registering for the 30-minute webinar. For
additional details and registration information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch]
Housing Element Community Meetings
Make sure your voice is heard throughout the State-mandated Housing
Element Update as Saratoga plans for over 1,700 new housing units to be built
between 2023 and 2031. Mark your calendar for upcoming community
meetings in June that will include conversations about community values and
priorities, discussions on policy options, and time to answer questions.
The three meetings will be held on different days and at different times to
accommodate a variety of community members’ schedules. The content
presented at all three meetings will be the same. The virtual meeting schedule
and participation information is below:
Thursday, June 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89950416918
Webinar ID: 899 5041 6918
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Tuesday, June 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86354605234
Webinar ID: 863 5460 5234
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451
Webinar ID: 870 1658 4451
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Drive Through Safety Fair
Registration is now open for the Saratoga Drive Through Safety Fair on
Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Joan Pisani Community
Center parking lot. Attendees will have a chance to briefly talk with various
organizations about safety-related topics. Each registered vehicle will receive a
free bag from the City with 2 reflective vests to improve visibility during
nighttime activities. To register and find additional information,
visit www.saratoga.ca.us/fair [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/fair]
June 2 City Council Meeting
The June 2 City Council meeting agenda is available online at
www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda]. Council
meetings continue to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public can speak on items they are interested in by joining the
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meeting using the Zoom website or app, or by calling in. Detailed participation
instructions are available on the meeting agenda. The meeting can also be
viewed without participation options on KSAR Channel 15 or the City’s website
at www.saratoga.ca.us/watch [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/watch]. The public
can also send written comments to the City Council before the meeting using
the Council comment form at www.saratoga.ca.us/comment
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comment]
#SaratogaTogether Business Grants
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for local businesses, so the
City Council made $15,000 of grant funding available to help the community
move forward stronger, better, #SaratogaTogether. Businesses can now apply
for the #SaratogaTogether Business Renewal and Beautification Grant
Program to receive support for aesthetic enhancements. Learn more and apply
on the City website [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=73].
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Take the Housing Survey!
Saratoga is required to update its General Plan Housing Element to plan for
over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031 at all
income levels. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga. Please take the City's housing survey
[https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/228/Issue_10806] to help us gain a
better understanding of community values and priorities related to housing.
The results of this survey will be used as the foundation for future
conversations about possible solutions and policy changes. These topics will
be discussed further at community meetings on June 10, 15, and 26. The City
has also launched 2 new videos that we recommend you watch before taking
the survey. You can watch the Housing Element video series, find the
community meeting schedule, and subscribe to the Housing Element
Newsletter on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing] [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch]
Join the Mayor for a Virtual Power Lunch!
Join the Mayor for the next Saratoga Power Lunch on Tuesday, June 8 at
12:00 p.m. Lieutenant Neil Valenzuela from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office will join Mayor Yan Zhao to discuss crime trends in Saratoga. Attendees
can submit their questions while registering for the 30-minute webinar. For
additional details and registration information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/lunch]
Drive Through Safety Fair
Registration is now open for the Saratoga Drive Through Safety Fair on
Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Joan Pisani Community
Center parking lot. Attendees will have a chance to briefly talk with various
organizations about safety-related topics. Each registered vehicle will receive a
free bag from the City with 2 reflective vests to improve visibility during
nighttime activities. To register and find additional information,
visit www.saratoga.ca.us/fair [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/fair]
#SaratogaTogether Business Grants
The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for local businesses, so the
City Council made $15,000 of grant funding available to help the community
move forward stronger, better, #SaratogaTogether. Businesses can now apply
for the #SaratogaTogether Business Renewal and Beautification Grant
Program to receive support for aesthetic enhancements. Learn more and apply
on the City website [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=73].
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
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[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Safety Fair This Weekend!
You can still register for the Saratoga Drive Through Safety Fair
[https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saratoga-drive-through-safety-fair-tickets-
154470345963%20] this Saturday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the
Joan Pisani Community Center parking lot. Attendees will have a chance to
briefly talk with various organizations about safety-related topics. Each
registered vehicle will receive a free bag from the City with 2 reflective vests to
improve visibility during nighttime activities. To register and find additional
information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/fair [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/fair]
Youth in Government Program
There are still a few spots available in the City of Saratoga's Youth in
Government Program – apply today [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/yig]! The Youth
in Government program invites high school students who live in Saratoga to
spend 2 weeks during the summer learning about local government, meeting
their elected representatives, and gaining hands-on experience in City
government. All class sessions this summer will be virtual. The program costs
$50, and participants also earn internship/service credits. Space is very limited!
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/yig [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/yig] to learn more and
apply soon if interested.
Community Meeting: Marshall Lane Subdivision
Application
The City of Saratoga will host a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, June
15 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss an application for a subdivision on Marshall Lane.
The application is to subdivide a 9.8-acre parcel located at 18500 and 18520
Marshall Lane into 9 lots ranging from approximately 40,000 square feet to
51,000 square feet. A new private road off Marshall Lane would be constructed
to access the lots. If the subdivision is approved, it will allow construction of 9
single-family homes and a private road off Marshall Lane to access the homes.
The Project Applicant, Dutchints Development, LLC, will share information
about their application, and the community can ask questions.
Find instructions for how to participate in the virtual meeting
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1044] on the City website.
Housing Element Survey & Community Meetings
Saratoga is required to update its General Plan Housing Element to plan for
over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031 at all
income levels. Please take the City's housing survey
[https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/228/Issue_10806] to help us gain a
better understanding of community values and priorities related to housing.
The results of this survey will be used as the foundation for future
conversations with the Planning Commission and City Council about possible
solutions and strategies.
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On June 10, the City held its first of the June community meetings on the
Housing Element. The next two meetings will occur on Tuesday, June 15 at
7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m. Meeting access details are
available on the City website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. The meetings have been scheduled on
different days and times to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
The content presented at the three meetings will be the same.
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Community Meeting on Housing
Don't miss the community meeting on the Housing Element update this
Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We will discuss community
values and priorities, and there will be time to answer questions. You can join
the meeting using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451
Webinar ID: 870 1658 4451
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
The previous two meetings were held on different days and at different times to
accommodate a variety of schedules and preferences, but the content
presented at all three meetings is the same.
Housing Priorities and Values Survey
It is critical for the Saratoga community to make their voice heard throughout this
process. Before the community meeting on Saturday, please take the Housing Element
Priorities and Values Survey [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opentownhall.com%2fportals%2f228%2fIssue_10806%2f&c=E,1
,tV8Tpg2wL2EULzd4bw90mkWk0DplNKj4iSm5XYSq4xBAwPIggkya8EB-OJb-
qOc0iZS5fucOPQ7Iee-ua61DZ66I0hIfJgfP2wsntiNIZbDuHxT9lA7ckwiZLHg,&typo=1] to
share your opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been extended
to get as much feedback as possible. The survey results will be used as a foundation for
future conversations about possible solutions and strategies. These topics will be
discussed further at the community meeting this Saturday.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
The City is in the process of updating its General Plan Housing Element to
plan for over 1,700 new housing units to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031. Each city and county is assigned a number of housing units to plan
for as part of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment or RHNA. Cities have
an opportunity to appeal their RHNA allocations pursuant to a formal appeal
process. Under State law, appeals may only be considered under a narrow set
of circumstances.
Complete this comment form [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/RHNAappeal] to
share your thoughts on the RHNA appeal. Your comments will be shared with
the City Council when they consider whether to file an appeal at the July 7 City
Council Meeting.
Wildwood Music Fest Tomorrow!
Join the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce for Wildwood Music Fest this
Saturday, June 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Wildwood Park! Enjoy an
afternoon of music, food, and fun with musical performances from Nigel &
Clive, Fish Hook, and One Country. Register for the event online
[http://www.eventbrite.com/e/saratogas-wildwood-music-fest-tickets-
157885613119].
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Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day with an old-fashioned concert on Sunday, July 4 from 10:00
a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kevin Moran Park, 12415 Scully Avenue. Attendees are encouraged
to wear red, white, and blue in celebration of the day. The McCartysville Volunteer Band
will play a broad selection of patriotic songs. Limited chairs and shade will be available for
seniors and those with limited mobility. Please bring your own chairs or blankets for sitting
on the lawn.
Local COVID-19 Orders Phased Out
In light of declining cases and widespread community vaccination against
COVID-19 and the newly adopted workplace regulations issued by Cal/OSHA,
the County of Santa Clara is phasing out the May 18, 2021 Local Health Order.
New Cal/OSHA workplace regulations do not require workers who are fully
vaccinated to wear face coverings, among other changes.
The Order is still in effect for businesses or governmental entities who have not
yet completed two rounds of ascertainment of vaccination status of their
personnel. Once the second round is complete, the May 18 Order does not
apply to them anymore.
Continue working together to keep risk of COVID-19 low and protect those who
cannot get vaccinated:
Get vaccinated.
Continue to hold activities outdoors.
Avoid travel if you're not fully vaccinated.
Continue to regularly test for COVID-19 if you're not fully vaccinated and,
regardless of vaccination status, get immediately tested if you have symptoms.
Read more on the Santa Clara County Public Health Department's website
[https://direc.to/dsdf].
COVID-19 Testing
The County will hold a COVID-19 testing day on Tuesday, June 29 from 9:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is
free and open to the public. You can now schedule an appointment online
[https://direc.to/eyD1].
This testing site is intended for people who do not have symptoms and have
not been exposed to COVID-19. Testing is recommended for anyone who
works with the public, takes public transit, or has attended a mass gathering.
The County also offers free testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms or
anyone who has been exposed to others with COVID-19 or COVID-19
symptoms. For more information, visit www.sccfreetest.org
[http://www.sccfreetest.org/]
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day with an old-fashioned concert on Sunday, July 4
from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Kevin Moran Park, 12415 Scully Avenue.
Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue in celebration of the
day. The McCartysville Volunteer Band will play a broad selection of patriotic
songs. Limited chairs and shade will be available for seniors and those with
limited mobility. Please bring your own chairs or blankets for sitting on the
lawn.
Fireworks: Illegal, Dangerous, Not Worth It
Fireworks are irresponsible, dangerous, and illegal in Santa Clara County. You
wouldn't willingly set fire to your neighborhood, so why take chances with
fireworks? Every year, fireworks start more than 19,000 fires, most of which
are brush, grass, or forest fires. It's not worth it! Celebrate the Fourth of July
safely without the use of fireworks.
City Hall Holiday Closure
City of Saratoga offices will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of
Independence Day. We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Sheriff's Office Teen Academy
The Sheriff’s Office is hosting a free Teen Academy from July 26 to August 5!
Students will get an overview of the Sheriff’s Office with classes ranging from
Criminal Law, to K-9 Demo, and Crime Scene Investigations. If you're
interested, hurry and complete your application by July 14! Find more
information and apply on the Sheriff's Office website
[https://countysheriff.sccgov.org/services/teen-academy].
Join the City of Saratoga Team
Join our team! The City of Saratoga is now hiring for the positions of Building
Inspector, Maintenance Worker, and part-time Communications Assistant.
Learn more about the opportunities and how to apply
[https://www.calopps.org/job-search/city%20of%20saratoga?
keyword=city%20of%20saratoga].
Housing Element Update
Did you miss the Housing Element community meetings in June? You can
watch the presentation and view the presentation slides on the City's website
at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]. You can
also still take the Housing Element Priorities and Values Survey
[https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opentownhall.com%2fportals%2f228%2fIssue_10806
%2f&c=E,1,tV8Tpg2wL2EULzd4bw90mkWk0DplNKj4iSm5XYSq4xBAwPIggky
a8EB-OJb-qOc0iZS5fucOPQ7Iee-
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ua61DZ66I0hIfJgfP2wsntiNIZbDuHxT9lA7ckwiZLHg,&typo=1] to share your
opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been extended
to get as much feedback as possible. The survey results will be used as a
foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
At the July 7 City Council meeting
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07072021-828],
the City Council will consider the draft Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) Appeal to request a reduction in Saratoga's RHNA allocation.
Currently, Saratoga is expected to plan for over 1,700 housing units to be built
in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. The community will have an opportunity
to submit comments to ABAG about appeals once they are submitted. The City
will share more information about this process as it becomes available. You
can also subscribe to receive updates from ABAG [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/sign-rhna-mailing-list]
about the appeal process.
New Public Art Commission
The City is now accepting applications for the new Public Art Commission! As
directed by the City Council, the Commission will evaluate and assess public
art projects or programs in the community. A mix of term lengths are available
ranging from 1 year to 4 years. Applications are due August 11.
There are also positions open on the Library and Community Engagement,
Parks and Recreation, and Traffic Safety Commissions.
Learn more and apply for any of these vacancies on the City website at
www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac]
City Council Meeting Agenda
The June 2 City Council meeting agenda is available online at
www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda]. Council
meetings continue to be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public can speak on items they are interested in by joining the
meeting using the Zoom website or app, or by calling in. Detailed participation
instructions are available on the meeting agenda.
The meeting can also be viewed without participation options on KSAR
Channel 15 or the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us/watch
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/watch]. The public can also send written comments
to the City Council before the meeting using the Council comment form at
www.saratoga.ca.us/comment [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comment]
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://gbc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/twitter.com/CityofSaratoga] and
Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
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Movie Night Photos
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, July 16 to watch Moana in El
Quito Park! View photos from the event
[https://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/photos/?
tab=album&album_id=4102355409848218] and mark your calendar for
the August 20 event that will feature The Wizard of Oz. Movies begin at
sundown, but come early to snag a good spot and enjoy the resource tables!
Saratoga Avenue Traffic Delays
The Saratoga Avenue resurfacing project is underway and expected to last
through the end of the month. Consider using an alternate route as traffic
delays can be expected on Saratoga Avenue south of Highway 85. This project
will repair damaged sections of pavement, micro-surface this section of
roadway, and mark the fresh road surface with improved striping.
Share Concerns About Traveling to School
The City is developing a Safe Routes to School Master Plan to identify
improvements that could be made around schools to create safe opportunities
that encourage walking and biking. We want to hear from students, parents,
and community members to learn about your experiences and to identify the
most meaningful improvements. Please submit your concerns about walking,
biking, or driving to school in Saratoga
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Safe-Routes-to-School-49/Safe-
Routes-to-School-Comment-Form-137], and visit www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS] to learn more.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.saratoga.ca.us%2fDocumentCenter%2fView%2f2700
%2f2021-City-of-Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal%3fbidId%3d&c=E,1,b3bwY4WqJy-
bqb0rY7845iqvKL0GzjK88fCsQ1_8RipTmrFytgCAbS3e6nIwE9w4iqbvZQQKV
88GM8zccILXtaeqFp7XRR5iEru_LNiTwPKmsmA,&typo=1] of more than 1,700
new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28
appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-
appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. The
community can submit comments on appeals to RHNA@bayareametro.gov
[mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Housing Priorities and Values Survey
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Take the Housing Element Priorities and Values Survey
[https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opentownhall.com%2fportals%2f228%2fIssue_10806%2f&c=E,1
,9PMC-ZuVOvutPG9_T6-l-VizUbsyP5rSWdvmIBIwQTg0g_jz2BK-
yCNyNEvNMjUpRra3p7j5LrYeNzy0hx4kFuuCPOVrKlboSlULgXzYaWWdqcVl&typo=1] by
July 31 to share your opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been
extended to get as much feedback as possible, and the results will be used as a
foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
Marshall Lane Subdivision Study Session
On August 10 at 5:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a study session
to discuss an application to subdivide a 9.8-acre parcel located at 18500 and
18520 Marshall Lane into 9 lots. A new private road off Marshall Lane would
be constructed to access the lots. Learn more and find participation information
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1063].
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
The City is now accepting applications for positions on the Library and
Community Engagement, Parks and Recreation, Public Art, and Traffic Safety
Commissions. Learn more and apply for any of these vacancies on the City
website at www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac]
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/cityofsaratoga] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Is Your Home Drought Ready?
We are in a drought emergency, and we must all cut back on our water use
together. Remember to only run full loads of laundry and dishes. Always turn
off the tap when performing other tasks in the bathroom or kitchen. You can
even collect water while your shower warms up to flush the toilet or water your
plants.
To help everyone use less water, Valley Water offers free tools and devices
that make water conservation easy. You can upgrade your showerheads and
aerators for free. To get drought ready, visit www.watersavings.org
[http://www.watersavings.org] to learn how to save water and money.
Saratoga Avenue Traffic Delays Extended
The Saratoga Avenue resurfacing project is underway. Consider using an
alternate route as traffic delays are now expected through mid-August on
Saratoga Avenue south of Highway 85. This project will repair damaged
sections of pavement, micro-surface this section of roadway, and mark the
fresh road surface with improved striping.
Last Chance to Take Housing Survey
Take the Housing Element Priorities and Values Survey
[https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opentownhall.com%2fportals%2f228%2fIssue_10806%2f&c=E,1
,9PMC-ZuVOvutPG9_T6-l-VizUbsyP5rSWdvmIBIwQTg0g_jz2BK-
yCNyNEvNMjUpRra3p7j5LrYeNzy0hx4kFuuCPOVrKlboSlULgXzYaWWdqcVl&typo=1] by
July 31 to share your opinions about housing in Saratoga. The survey deadline has been
extended to get as much feedback as possible, and the results will be used as a
foundation for future conversations about possible solutions and strategies.
Reducing Wildfire Risks in the Home Ignition Zone
Breakthrough research has shown that the majority of homes destroyed by
wildfire are first ignited by embers and small flames. Register today for a free
Santa Clara County Fire Department online workshop on August 11 at 6:30
p.m. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223581831] or on August 31 at 6:30 p.m.
[https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223613927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile] to learn about
hardening your home and reducing wildfire risks within the 5-foot buffer around
your home.
Share Concerns About Traveling to School
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The City is developing a Safe Routes to School Master Plan to identify
improvements that could be made around schools to create safe opportunities
that encourage walking and biking. We want to hear from students, parents,
and community members to learn about your experiences and to identify the
most meaningful improvements. Please submit your concerns about walking,
biking, or driving to school in Saratoga
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Safe-Routes-to-School-49/Safe-
Routes-to-School-Comment-Form-137], and visit www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS
[http://www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS] to learn more.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.saratoga.ca.us%2fDocumentCenter%2fView%2f2700
%2f2021-City-of-Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal%3fbidId%3d&c=E,1,b3bwY4WqJy-
bqb0rY7845iqvKL0GzjK88fCsQ1_8RipTmrFytgCAbS3e6nIwE9w4iqbvZQQKV
88GM8zccILXtaeqFp7XRR5iEru_LNiTwPKmsmA,&typo=1] of more than 1,700
new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28
appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-
appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. The
community can submit comments on appeals to RHNA@bayareametro.gov
[mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Marshall Lane Subdivision Study Session
On August 10 at 5:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a study session
to discuss an application to subdivide a 9.8-acre parcel located at 18500 and
18520 Marshall Lane into 9 lots. A new private road off Marshall Lane would
be constructed to access the lots. Learn more and find participation information
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1063].
Apply to Serve on a City Commission
The City is now accepting applications for positions on the Library and
Community Engagement, Parks and Recreation, Public Art, and Traffic Safety
Commissions. Learn more and apply for any of these vacancies on the City
website at www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac]
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/cityofsaratoga] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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Masks Required Indoors
Vaccination continues to protect against severe COVID-19 illness, but with the
COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people
as well as many unvaccinated people, eight Bay Area health officers have
issued Health Orders requiring masks indoors in public places. The Orders
require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a well-fitting
mask when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions. The latest
information about vaccines and appointments is available at sccfreevax.org
[http://sccfreevax.org]
Marshall Lane Subdivision Study Session
On August 10 at 5:00 p.m., the Planning Commission will hold a study session
to discuss an application to subdivide a 9.8-acre parcel located at 18500 and
18520 Marshall Lane into 9 lots. A new private road off Marshall Lane would
be constructed to access the lots. Learn more and find participation information
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/calendar.aspx?EID=1063].
Reducing Wildfire Risks in the Home Ignition Zone
Breakthrough research has shown that the majority of homes destroyed by
wildfire are first ignited by embers and small flames. Register today for a free
Santa Clara County Fire Department online workshop on August 11 at 6:30
p.m. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223581831] or on August 31 at 6:30 p.m.
[https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223613927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile] to learn about
hardening your home and reducing wildfire risks within the 5-foot buffer around
your home.
Share Concerns About Traveling to School
The City is developing a Safe Routes to School Master Plan to identify
improvements that could be made around schools to create safe opportunities
that encourage walking and biking. We want to hear from students, parents,
and community members to learn about your experiences and to identify the
most meaningful improvements. Please submit your concerns about walking,
biking, or driving to school in Saratoga
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Safe-Routes-to-School-49/Safe-
Routes-to-School-Comment-Form-137] by Friday, August 20.
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS] to learn
more.
Community Meeting & Survey on Fire Service
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The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) is
conducting
a Countywide Fire Service Review. As part of its comprehensive review of fire
and
emergency medical services in Santa Clara County, LAFCO is hosting a Virtual
Community Meeting on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity to:
Learn more about LAFCO's Countywide Fire Service Review
Provide input on fire service and emergency medical service in your community
Hear from your local fire service providers on fire safety and wildfire preparedness
Join the meeting by:
Using the Zoom link https://bit.ly/FireMeeting3, or
Calling 669.900.6833 and entering Meeting ID 97285656161.
This meeting is for residents of Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills,
Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and unincorporated areas
of the northwest Santa Cruz Mountains.
LAFCO also asks you to take a brief survey [https://bit.ly/LAFCO_FireSurvey]
that will be used to evaluate fire services and determine the level of wildfire
preparedness.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.saratoga.ca.us%2fDocumentCenter%2fView%2f2700
%2f2021-City-of-Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal%3fbidId%3d&c=E,1,b3bwY4WqJy-
bqb0rY7845iqvKL0GzjK88fCsQ1_8RipTmrFytgCAbS3e6nIwE9w4iqbvZQQKV
88GM8zccILXtaeqFp7XRR5iEru_LNiTwPKmsmA,&typo=1] of more than 1,700
new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28
appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-
appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. The
community can submit comments on appeals to RHNA@bayareametro.gov
[mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Is Your Home Drought Ready?
We are in a drought emergency, and we must all cut back on our water use
together. Remember to only run full loads of laundry and dishes. Always turn
off the tap when performing other tasks in the bathroom or kitchen. You can
even collect water while your shower warms up to flush the toilet or water your
plants.
To help everyone use less water, Valley Water offers free tools and devices
that make water conservation easy. You can upgrade your showerheads and
aerators for free. To get drought ready, visit www.watersavings.org
[http://www.watersavings.org/] to learn how to save water and money.
Saratoga Avenue Traffic Delays Extended
The Saratoga Avenue resurfacing project is underway. Consider using an
alternate route as traffic delays are now expected through mid-August on
Saratoga Avenue south of Highway 85. This project will repair damaged
sections of pavement, micro-surface this section of roadway, and mark the
fresh road surface with improved striping.
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/cityofsaratoga] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
137
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things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
P R I N T C O P Y
138
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Movie Night
Join the City for a free, family-friendly movie night to watch The Wizard of Oz
on Friday, August 20 at El Quito Park! The movie begins at sundown, but come
early to get a good spot and enjoy the resource tables.
Housing Element Study Session
The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a virtual Study Session
about the Housing Element Update on Tuesday, August 31at 5:00 p.m. You
can join the meeting using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503408022
Webinar ID: 865 0340 8022
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
The Study Session will include an overview and discussion of the current
understanding of the community’s values and priorities. Part of this discussion
will be based on the Housing Element Values Survey results. Detailed survey
results will be shared before the Study Session in both the Housing Element
Newsletter and the meeting agenda packet. The Study Session will also
include a review of possible strategies, policies, and housing opportunity sites
for the next Housing Element.
For more information on the City of Saratoga’s Housing Element Update, visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]
Fall 2021 Activity Brochure Out Now
Looking for a new activity to get involved with? Check out the Fall 2021 Activity
Brochure from Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation. A variety of year-round classes
and camps are offered for all ages and interests, including STEM, dance, arts,
soccer, and more. Visit www.lgsrecreation.org [http://www.lgsrecreation.org] to
view the activity brochure and learn more about youth and adult programs.
Reducing Wildfire Risks in the Home Ignition Zone
Breakthrough research has shown that the majority of homes destroyed by
wildfire are first ignited by embers and small flames. Register today for a free
Santa Clara County Fire Department online workshop on August 31 at 6:30
p.m. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223613927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile] to learn about
hardening your home and reducing wildfire risks within the 5-foot buffer around
your home.
Share Concerns About Traveling to School
The City is developing a Safe Routes to School Master Plan to identify
improvements that could be made around schools to create safe opportunities
that encourage walking and biking. We want to hear from students, parents,
and community members to learn about your experiences and to identify the
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most meaningful improvements. Please submit your concerns about walking,
biking, or driving to school in Saratoga
[https://www.saratoga.ca.us/FormCenter/Safe-Routes-to-School-49/Safe-
Routes-to-School-Comment-Form-137] by Friday, August 20.
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/SRTS] to learn
more.
Community Meeting & Survey on Fire Service
The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) is
conducting
a Countywide Fire Service Review. As part of its comprehensive review of fire
and
emergency medical services in Santa Clara County, LAFCO is hosting a Virtual
Community Meeting on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity to:
Learn more about LAFCO's Countywide Fire Service Review
Provide input on fire service and emergency medical service in your community
Hear from your local fire service providers on fire safety and wildfire preparedness
Join the meeting by:
Using the Zoom link https://bit.ly/FireMeeting3, or
Calling 669.900.6833 and entering Meeting ID 97285656161.
This meeting is for residents of Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills,
Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and unincorporated areas
of the northwest Santa Cruz Mountains.
LAFCO also asks you to take a brief survey
[https://bit.ly/LAFCO_FireSurvey] that will be used to evaluate fire services and
determine the level of wildfire preparedness.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.saratoga.ca.us%2fDocumentCenter%2fView%2f2700
%2f2021-City-of-Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal%3fbidId%3d&c=E,1,b3bwY4WqJy-
bqb0rY7845iqvKL0GzjK88fCsQ1_8RipTmrFytgCAbS3e6nIwE9w4iqbvZQQKV
88GM8zccILXtaeqFp7XRR5iEru_LNiTwPKmsmA,&typo=1] of more than 1,700
new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28
appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-
appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. The
community can submit comments on appeals to RHNA@bayareametro.gov
[mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Saratoga Avenue Traffic Delays Extended
The Saratoga Avenue resurfacing project is underway. Consider using an
alternate route as traffic delays are now expected through mid-August on
Saratoga Avenue south of Highway 85. This project will repair damaged
sections of pavement, micro-surface this section of roadway, and mark the
fresh road surface with improved striping.
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/cityofsaratoga] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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P R I N T C O P Y
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Movie Night Tonight!
Join the City tonight to watch The Wizard of Oz in El Quito Park! The movie
begins at sundown, but come early to snag a spot and enjoy the resource
tables. You are also welcome to bring food, blankets, and chairs.
Housing Element Survey Results & Study Session
In June, the City launched the Housing Element Values Survey, which was
open through July 31 and received 743 responses. The goal of this survey was
to gain a better understanding of community values and priorities, which will be
used as a foundation for future conversations about possible strategies to
utilize in the Housing Element. You can view the survey results on the City
website [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housingsurveyresults].
The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a virtual Study Session
about the Housing Element Update on Tuesday, August 31 at 5:00 p.m. The
Study Session will include an overview and discussion of the current
understanding of the community’s values and priorities. Part of this discussion
will be based on the survey results. The Study Session will also include a
review of possible strategies, policies, and housing opportunity sites for the
next Housing Element.
You can join the Study Session using Zoom or by calling in:
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503408022
Webinar ID: 865 0340 8022
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
For more information on the City of Saratoga’s Housing Element Update, visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/housing]
Drought Response Webinar
San Jose Water is hosting a drought webinar on Thursday, August 26 at 5:30
p.m. Join two members of the San Jose Water Conservation Team for a
presentation on what to know about the drought, steps to take now, and a
sustainable path for water security in the region for years to come. Stay for a
live question and answer session to have your conservation questions
answered! Register for the Drought Response 101 webinar online
[https://sjw.im/conservation-webinar].
Lane Reduction and Closures on State Route 9
This week, Caltrans began a repaving project on State Route 9 from West
Branch Saratoga Creek Bridge to Springer Avenue. Construction is scheduled
to be completed in December. Daytime lane reduction and closures will occur
Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Motorists are advised
to expect delays and allow extra time for their commute. One lane will be
closed at a time, and at least one through traffic lane will be provided for both
directions of travel. Changeable message signs, directional signs, and traffic
control flaggers will assist motorists traveling in the area. Use the Caltrans
Quick Map [http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/] for real-time traffic updates.
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Reducing Wildfire Risk Webinar
Breakthrough research has shown that the majority of homes destroyed by
wildfire are first ignited by embers and small flames. Register today for a free
Santa Clara County Fire Department online workshop on August 31 at 6:30
p.m. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reducing-wildfire-risks-in-the-home-ignition-
zone-hiz-workshop-tickets-152223613927?aff=ebdsoporgprofile] to learn about
hardening your home and reducing wildfire risks within the 5-foot buffer around
your home.
Community Meeting & Survey on Fire Service
The Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO) is
conducting
a Countywide Fire Service Review. As part of its comprehensive review of fire
and
emergency medical services in Santa Clara County, LAFCO is hosting a Virtual
Community Meeting on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity to:
Learn more about LAFCO's Countywide Fire Service Review
Provide input on fire service and emergency medical service in your community
Hear from your local fire service providers on fire safety and wildfire preparedness
Join the meeting by:
Using the Zoom link https://bit.ly/FireMeeting3, or
Calling 669.900.6833 and entering Meeting ID 97285656161.
This meeting is for residents of Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills,
Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and unincorporated areas
of the northwest Santa Cruz Mountains.
LAFCO also asks you to take a brief survey
[https://bit.ly/LAFCO_FireSurvey] that will be used to evaluate fire services and
determine the level of wildfire preparedness.
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Appeal
Earlier this month, the City Council appealed its Regional Housing Needs
Allocation (RHNA) [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?
a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.saratoga.ca.us%2fDocumentCenter%2fView%2f2700
%2f2021-City-of-Saratoga-RHNA-Appeal%3fbidId%3d&c=E,1,b3bwY4WqJy-
bqb0rY7845iqvKL0GzjK88fCsQ1_8RipTmrFytgCAbS3e6nIwE9w4iqbvZQQKV
88GM8zccILXtaeqFp7XRR5iEru_LNiTwPKmsmA,&typo=1] of more than 1,700
new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031. ABAG received 28
appeals from Bay Area jurisdictions [https://abag.ca.gov/our-
work/housing/rhna-regional-housing-needs-allocation/2023-2031-rhna-
appeals-process], which included 6 appeals from Santa Clara County. The
community can submit comments on appeals to RHNA@bayareametro.gov
[mailto:RHNA@bayareametro.gov] until August 30.
Fall 2021 Activity Brochure Out Now
Looking for a new activity to get involved with? Check out the Fall 2021 Activity
Brochure from Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation. A variety of year-round classes
and camps are offered for all ages and interests, including STEM, dance, arts,
soccer, and more. Visit www.lgsrecreation.org [http://www.lgsrecreation.org/] to
view the activity brochure and learn more about youth and adult programs.
Connect with the City of Saratoga
Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on
Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/CityofSaratoga/], follow us on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/cityofsaratoga] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/cityofsaratogaca], and join the Nextdoor
[http://www.nextdoor.com/] community. You can also visit the City’s website to
sign up to receive notifications [http://www.saratoga.ca.us/subscribe] about
things you’re interested in.
Copyright 2021 City of Saratoga. All Rights Reserved.
13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070
Powered by
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City of SaratogaHousing Element Update CITY o f S ARATO
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HELP THE COMMUNITY DECIDE WHERE TO PLACE OVER 1,700 NEW HOMES IN SARATOGA
Housing Element Overview
The City has kicked off the process to update the next General Plan Housing
Element! Every 8 years, California cities are required to update their Housing
Element to plan for projected housing needs at all income levels. Saratoga
may need to plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between
2023 and 2031. The decisions made during this process could cause significant
changes in Saratoga.
Why Your Input is Critical
The first step in addressing this challenge will be to learn about the community’s
values and priorities, and to identify possible solutions and policy changes.
While the updated Housing Element is not due until January 2023, starting this
process early provides an opportunity for the community to participate before
it’s too late. We know you have a lot on your plate, but don’t miss your chance
to shape the community you live in.
Learn More
You can find more information about the Housing Element and Regional Housing
Needs Assessment, the City’s informational video series, and ways to participate
on the City website at www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
How To Participate
Visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
to find more information about the
following ways you can participate:
• Sign up to receive the Housing
Element Newsletter.
• Watch the City’s informational
video series.
• After watching the videos, use
the form to submit questions
you have or topics you would like
covered in further detail.
• Attend a community meeting.
• Host a small group meeting where
the City can share information
with your neighbors and friends.
To view this postcard in Chinese, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/translate本明信片中文版請查看 ： www.saratoga.ca.us/translate
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CITY o f S ARATO
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13777 Fruitvale Avenue • Saratoga, CA 95070
Community Meeting Schedule
The first series of virtual community meetings will provide
an overview of the Housing Element update process, discuss
topics in more detail, and answer questions.
Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88632451143
Webinar ID: 886 3245 1143
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384423520
Webinar ID: 863 8442 3520
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Wednesday April, 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85289881256
Webinar ID: 852 8988 1256
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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薩拉托加市新建住房比例分配（Housing Element）更新 CITY o f S ARATO
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幫助社區決定在何處建造 1700 多套新住宅
新建住房比例分配概述市政府已經啓動下一次總體規劃新建住房比例分配的更新程序！按照規定，加州城市每八年一次更新其新建住房比例分配，基於不同收入的家庭所需要的住房進行預測規劃。 2023 年至 2031 年期間， 薩拉托加市可能需要規劃 1700 多套新住宅。 在這一程序中作出的決定可能導致薩拉托加市的重大變化。
爲什麽您的意見很重要在應對這一挑戰時， 第一個步驟將是瞭解社區的價值觀和優先事項， 確定可能的解決方案和政策變化。 雖然更新新建住房比例分配的截止期限為 2023 年 1月， 但儘早開始這一程序將為社區提供參與的機會，以免為時過晚。 我們知道您很忙， 但不要錯過機會， 請對您所在社區的發展規劃提出意見。
瞭解更多資訊欲進一步瞭解新新建住房比例分配和區域住房需求評估程序、 市政府製作的系列資訊視頻和參與方式， 請查看市政府網頁：www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
怎樣參與
請查看：www.saratoga.ca.us/housing，進一步瞭解下列參與方式：
• 登記訂閲新建住房比例分配通訊。
• 觀看市政府製作的系列資訊視頻。
• 觀看視頻後， 請使用規定表格提交問題， 或您希望詳細説明的題目。
• 參加社區會議。
• 組織一次小型會議， 邀請市政府工作人員為您的鄰居和朋友介紹情況。
如需用英文查看本明信片， 請查閲網站：www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
To view this postcard in English, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing 147
CITY o f S ARATO
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社區會議時間安排第一個系列的虛擬社區會議將概述新建住房比例分配更新程序，詳細説明各種議題，並回答問題。
4 月 22 日星期四晚 7:00。 虛擬會議連接：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88632451143 虛擬會議 ID：886 3245 1143； 電話：1.408.638.0968 或 1.669.900.6833
4 月 24 日星期六上午 9:00。 虛擬會議連接： https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384423520 虛擬會議 ID：863 8442 3520； 電話：1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
4 月 28 日星期三中午 12:00。 虛擬會議連接：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85289881256 虛擬會議 ID：852 8988 1256； 電話：1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
如需瞭解更多詳情，請查閱網站： www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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City of Saratoga
Housing Element Update CITY o f S ARATO
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TAKE THE SURVEY, ATTEND A MEETING, HELP GUIDE WHERE 1,700+ HOMES WILL GO
Housing Element Overview
Saratoga is required to update its General Plan Housing Element to plan for over
1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023 and 2031 at all income
levels. The decisions made during this process could cause significant changes
in Saratoga.
Shape Saratoga: Share Your Opinions
The City launched a survey, and we want to hear from as many community
members as possible! The goal of this survey is to gain a better understanding
of the community’s opinions on housing, strategies, and policies before the
June community meetings. Make sure you participate before it’s too late. Visit
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing to take the survey by June 18!
June Community Meetings
The results of the survey will be used to shape conversations at the next series
of community meetings in June. You can find the three meeting dates on the
other side of this postcard. The three meetings will be held on different days and
at different times to accommodate a variety of community members’ schedules.
The content presented at all three meetings will be the same.
How to Participate
• Sign up to receive the Housing
Element Newsletter.
• Watch the City’s informational
video series.
• Take the survey by June 18.
• Attend a community meeting.
• Host a small group meeting where
the City can share information
with your neighbors and friends.
To view this postcard in Chinese, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/translate本明信片中文版請查看 ： www.saratoga.ca.us/translate
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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CITY o f S ARATO
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13777 Fruitvale Avenue • Saratoga, CA 95070
Community Meeting Schedule
The next series of virtual community meetings will include
conversations about community values and priorities,
discussions on policy options, and time to answer questions.
Thursday, June 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89950416918
Webinar ID: 899 5041 6918
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Tuesday, June 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86354605234
Webinar ID: 863 5460 5234
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451
Webinar ID: 870 1658 4451
Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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薩拉托加市新建住房比例分配（Housing Element）更新 CITY o f S ARATO
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填写調查問卷、 參加會議、 幫助指導將在何處建造
1,700 多套住房
新建住房比例分配概述薩拉托加市必須更新其新建住房比例分配總計劃， 以便為將在 2023 年至
2031 年期間按照不同收入水準建造的 1,700 多套新住房進行規劃。 在這一程序中作出的決定可能導致薩拉托加市的重大變化。
塑造薩拉托加市：分享您的意見本市推出了一份調查問卷， 我們希望聽取盡可能多的社區成員的意見！本調查問卷的目的是在六月份召開的社區會議之前更好地瞭解社區成員對住房、 開發戰略和政策的意見。 請儘早參與， 不要錯過機會。 請進入網站
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing，在 6 月 18 日之前回答調查問卷！
六月份召開的社區會議調查問卷的結果將用於確定六月份召開的系列社區會議的討論内容。 您可以在本明信片背面查看三次會議的日期。 三次會議將在不同的日期和時間召開，以便符合不同社區成員的日程安排。所有三次會議的内容均相同。
如何參加
• 登記訂閲新建住房比例分配通訊。
• 觀看市政府製作的系列資訊視頻。
• 在 6 月 18 日之前回答調查問卷。
• 參加一次社區會議。
• 組織一次小型會議， 邀請市政府工作人員為您的鄰居和朋友介紹情況。
如需用英文查看本明信片， 請查閲網站： www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
To view this postcard in English, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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CITY o f S ARATO
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13777 Fruitvale Avenue • Saratoga, CA 95070
社區會議日程安排接下來的系列虛擬社區會議將包括有關社區價值觀和首要任務的對話、有關政策選擇的討論和回答問題。
6月10日（星期四）下午12:00-2:00 網路研討會網址：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89950416918 網路研討會ID：899 5041 6918； 電話：1.408.638.0968 或 1.669.900.6833
6月15日（星期二）晚上7:00-9:00 網路研討會網址：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86354605234 網路研討會ID：863 5460 5234； 電話：1.408.638.0968 或 1.669.900.6833
6月26日（星期六）上午9:00-11:00 網路研討會網址：https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87016584451 網路研討會ID：870 1658 4451； 電話：1.408.638.0968 或 1.669.900.6833
如需瞭解更多詳情，請查閱網站：www.saratoga.ca.us/housing
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1,700 New HomesComing to Saratoga!
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Housing Element Values Survey Results
Open: June 1 through July 31, 2021
Responses: 743
1.Do you live and/or work in the City of Saratoga?
I live in Saratoga, but work somewhere else.38.8% 288
I live and work in Saratoga.17.6% 131
I live in Saratoga, and I am retired/do not currently work.42.7% 317
I work in Saratoga, but live somewhere else.0.9% 7
No response: 0
2.If you live in Saratoga, how long have you lived in the City?
0-2 years 3.3% 24
2-5 years 7.5% 55
5-10 years 10.7% 79
10-20 years 18.8% 139
20+ years 59.8% 441
No response: 5
2019 Saratoga Census Data
•Living in same house 1 year ago: 92.5%
I live in Saratoga, but work somewhere else:
288
I live and work in Saratoga: 131
I live in Saratoga, and I am retired/do not
currently work: 317
I work in Saratoga, but live somwhere else: 7
0-2 years: 24
2-5 years: 55
5-10 years: 79
10-20 years: 139
20+ years: 441
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3.How old are you?
18 years or less 0.8% 6
19-25 years 1.0% 7
26-30 years 0.8% 6
31-40 years 5.4% 40
41-50 years 18.3% 135
51-60 years 23.6% 174
61-70 years 26.8% 197
71-80 years 16.7% 123
81 years or more 6.5% 48
No response: 7
2019 Saratoga Census Data
•Under 18 years: 20.6%
•18 to 24 years: 4.4%
•25 to 29 years: 3.4%
•30 to 39 years: 6.5%
•40 to 49 years: 14.5%
•50 to 59 years: 19.6%
•60 to 69 years: 14.4%
•70 to 79 years: 8.7%
•80 years or more: 7.6%
18 years or less: 6
19-25 years: 7
26-30 years: 6
31-40 years: 40
41-50 years: 135
51-60 years: 174
61-70 years: 197
71-80 years: 123
81 years or more: 48
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4.Select the type of housing you reside in.
Single Family Home 94.5% 699
Attached Home (Townhouse, Duplex)2.3% 17
Multifamily Home (Apartment, Condominium)2.4% 18
Accessory Dwelling Unit 0.1% 1
Other 0.7% 5
No response: 3
5.Are you a renter or owner?6.
Renter 3.5% 26
Owner 96.5% 713
No response: 4
2019 Saratoga Census Data
•Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 84.6%
Single Family Home: 699
Attached Home (Townhouse, Duplex): 17
Multifamily Home (Apartment,
Condominium): 18
Accessory Dwelling Unit: 1
Other: 5
Renter: 26
Owner: 713
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95.9% 708
4.1% 30
6. Are you satisfied with your current housing situation?
Yes
No
No response: 5
7. Does the range of housing options currently available in the City of Saratoga meet your needs?
Yes 89.8% 658
No 10.2% 75
No response: 10
Yes: 708
No: 30
Yes: 658
No: 75
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8. If you live in Saratoga, why did you choose to live here? Select all that apply.
Quality of housing 69.5% 511
Neighborhood safety 65.9% 484
Quality of schools 62.9% 462
Scenery 57.3% 421
Proximity to work 29.3% 215
Family/friends 24.2% 178
Recreation/amenities 22.0% 162
Shops, dining, etc. 16.2% 119
City services 9.8% 72
Other 13.3% 98
No response: 8
Quality of housing: 511
Neighborhood safety: 484
Quality of schools: 462
Scenery: 421
Proximity to work: 215
Family/friends: 178
Recreation/amenities: 162
Shops, dining, etc.: 119
City services: 72
Other: 98
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9. As the City plans to meet the State mandate to plan for more than 1,700 new housing units, which
types of additional housing would you be willing to accept in the City of Saratoga? Select all that
apply.
Single Family Homes 82.3% 595
Housing for Seniors 57.8% 418
Townhomes 51.3% 371
Condominiums (Owned) 47.2% 341
Duplex, Triplex, etc. 32.1% 232
Apartments (Rented) 21.0% 152
Housing for Students 18.8% 136
Other 8.7% 63
No response: 20
Single Family Homes: 595
Housing for Seniors: 418
Townhomes: 371
Condominiums (Owned): 341
Duplex, Triplex, etc.: 232
Apartments (Rented): 152
Housing for Students: 136
Other: 63
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10. Please rank the following based on how important they are to you and your family, with 1 being the
most important and 8 being the least important. (Average ranking calculated based on number
assigned to each ranking position)
1.Preserving the current character of single-family neighborhoods as much as possible.
2.Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire.
3.Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories.
4.Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers with grocery stores.
5.Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in the community.
6.Building housing for older adults or students.
7.Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied needs of people at all income levels.
8.Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing development projects.
No response: 33
Additional Information about Question 10
How many participants chose each option as their top priority?
1.Preserving the current character of single-family neighborhoods, as
much as possible.
59.7% 424
2.Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for wildfire.13.1% 93
3.Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories.5.4% 38
4.Preserving existing commercial locations, such as shopping centers
with grocery stores.
5.4% 38
5.Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and residential) projects in
the community.
4.9% 35
6.Building housing for older adults or students.1.4% 10
7.Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet the varied
needs of people at all income levels.
7.8% 56
8.Requiring construction of affordable units as part of housing
development projects.
2.3% 16
Preserving the current character of single-family
neighborhoods, as much as possible: 424
Limiting growth in hillsides and areas at risk for
wildfire: 93
Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings
to 2 stories: 38
Preserving existing commercial locations, such as
shopping centers with grocery stores: 38
Creating mixed-use (commercial/office and
residential) projects in the community: 35
Building housing for older adults or students: 10
Providing a diverse range of housing types to meet
the varied needs of people at all income levels: 56
Requiring construction of affordable units as part
of housing development projects: 16
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11. Are there any comments that you would like to share with the City of Saratoga about the Housing
Element?
Answered 327
Skipped 416
Comments (copied directly from survey submissions):
•Adding 1700 houses every decade or so is not a sustainable way to accommodate for a growing
population. We need to collaborate with other cities in order to create a larger plan for the future of
the Bay Area. It's important to me that Saratoga abolishes the two-story limit.
•I recommend a very close look at the commercial districts and the current zoning regulations and
Gateway Guidelines. These need to be drastically changed to attract developers and achieve
Saratogas goals. The Gateway and other C districts area could be an opportunity to transform the
city by allowing mixed-use, increase density and heights etc. The city needs to look at the current
special use permits such as public storage in the gateway which appears to be disallowed. Incentives
to timing, application requirements and fees should also be looked at to attract developers. All this
will increase value of underdeveloped c parcels and spur redevelopment.
•Mixed use makes a LOT of sense. Yes we need grocery stores / farmers markets /restaurants to go
with housing. We don't want people to have to get in a car every time they need basic services. But
we probably don't need big box retail. Get the developers to help connect the bike /pedestrian
pathways. We need to be child and parent friendly (child care resources / play space should be
integrated into developments). I don't think we want Saratoga to become a retirement community
of people who are all 50+..... The wildfire risk is EXTREME!!!!!! Our hills also have seismic /
hydrology (landslide) liabilities. Additional hillside housing needs serious environmental impact
analysis. Santa Rosa made major mistakes in developing the Fountaingrove area. What can be
learned from those examples? The 2 story limit is bonkers -- maybe we don't want skyscrapers but
3-5 stories (above ground) is a no brainer. Building up increases the need for shared green space or
access to nearby parks. Design to facilitate non-automobile movement to schools, groceries,
childcare, open spaces, parks, etc. Build messages to promote benefits of an economically diverse
community.... Low income was me when I started out, it is my child graduating from college, it is my
parents who are retired....."they" were or will be "us". We don't want to create the equivalent of
low income "projects". I don't think it makes sense to "rely" on ADUs -- they will become home
offices (or Airbnb), not housing (being a landlord is a lot of work and not attractive to many/most).
Answered: 327
Skipped: 416
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But if they encourage multi-generational living or caregiver living space so seniors can stay in their
homes that can be a good thing. Are there possible incentives / property tax credits to get the
desired usage? This could especially make sense in the hillsides / WUI. All new construction should
be "green" - all electric and water wise etc.. Battery back up should be incentivized. New internet
and cell phone infrastructure should also be backed up with batteries for emergencies (like the old
landlines). We need neighborhood shared green spaces if we want to phase out lawns etc...
•1) If there are state laws put into effect that affect our city, I'd like to know what those are before
deciding how to build 1,600 - 3,000 new units. I don't want to suggest using high-density downtown
or in commercial zones if we are also going to be required by state laws to allow 4 units on every
single plot of land. That will be a nightmare for the city of Saratoga. 2) If we are required by law to
provide units at next to zero cost to people, I'd like the city to focus on not only people who need
low-cost housing but also people who will greatly add to the community - people like actors, artists,
etc. Find a way to fund housing for typically underpaid professions (i.e., creating live/artist
loft/gallery where 10 - 20% of the artist's sales within the gallery go to fund the housing/gallery
program or small studios over a theatre where performances are developed, created & tickets sold),
so we aren't just paying for low-cost housing that creates problems, but instead paying for low-cost
housing that brings in people who couldn't typically afford to live in our community, but could add a
lot of beauty, charm & interest to the community. Think Laguna Beach. 3) There are ways to make
4 units on every single-family home plot look good and fit into the single-family communities.
Please look to Corona Del Mar, CA as an example. Nearly every home in the downtown area
became a 4 plex, but they all look like single-family homes. They can provide homes for 4 families
instead of 1 by simply using the space more efficiently. On each plot were two one-level 3bd / 2 ba
condos over a set of tandem garages (so two parking spots for these homes). Typically, there was
also one 2 bd/2ba and one single story studio in the back. These typically each had 1 parking spot
you entered from the back/an alley. Allowing this kind of housing isn't bad. It provides a wide range
of options including starter homes (for the young), low maintenance studios (for the newly retired),
as well as more affordable larger homes for those who are in the middle of their prime family years.
I don't really think it makes sense for Saratoga to prohibit these types of buildings. There are a ton
of older, retired people who'd like to get their equity out of their homes but don't want to leave
their community. Additionally, there are people desperately waiting to buy a home, but there is no
inventory. Offering 4 units per single family, if done correctly, can be very good for a community for
so many reasons. 4) Finally, I'd really like to see mixed-use. I'd like to see new (higher rise) buildings
in all the commercial zones - I'd like to see retail/restaurants on the bottom, with smaller/more
affordable (even micro) condos/apartments (for sale, not rent) on the middle floors and then large
roof top bars/restaurants on top of the buildings. I don't want to keep ugly, old run-down
downtown areas just because Saratoga has always had them. They are empty & they aren't
producing the type of investment we'd like to see/have in a downtown area. And, as much as the
arguments continue to claim we are a sleepy town the fact of the matter is that we are absolutely at
the heart of nearly 3/4 of the businesses making money in the world today - the fact that every
single one of these buildings isn't at 100% capacity and filled with thriving businesses speaks to how
poorly the current infrastructure and community plans suit either the businesses of today/the future
or the current residents.
•1) WRT down town development: Can you post on the web site if mixed-use development is being
considered or if is TOTALLY off the table. What a fabulous place to create homes to improve
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businesses for our local shops and businesses. 2) Is there a map of open / empty lots on the housing
Element Web site?
•1. Please take into account traffic management in and out of tight areas, such as the village and
along HWY9 - putting substantially more housing units on these narrow 2 lane streets is not a good
idea for bikers or walkers. 2. What is happening with the old Gene's Foods complex on Cox? That
seems prime for 3-4 story mixed use and would feed into the existing traffic infrastructure well. 3.
What is happening with the derelict strip mall in the village (next to Wells Fargo Bank) - this also
seems prime for a 3-story mixed use development.
•1. We have very few existing commercial locations. To remove one would ruin the quality of life we
now enjoy. That can be seen in what has happened with Quito. If we decided to remove say all of
Jakes pizza development - that would also ruin our quality of living. You would have to list every
business site and allow us to vote on each one, but to come into a long established community and
demand that new rules be met seems to me to be something out of a horror film. We don't have the
space and now we are asked to do the impossible. Might as well ask us to level downtown and
rebuild the whole thing as a mixed use 5 story mish mash - putting the old businesses on the first
floor and living space above like Santana row. 2 What happens if we refuse to meet the mandate. IS
this something that we can fight being a small city that is very mature. We dont even have much
open space to use. We cant create land except by clearcutting areas of hillside prone to widlfire. -
Are their county lands we can annex? 3 What happens if we decide to level something like Sanborn
park and build out there- what happens to the quality of life for most Saratogans 4 What happens if
we use the mountain winery area- do we get in trouble with wildfire issues? You were considering
it for a luxury hotel - what a bout a huge apartment complex? or similar 5 What about family units
on existing plots of ground? 6Did the State ask us to destroy the quality of life now existing in our
city in order to cram 1700 units in? Isn't that a bit disingenuous when places like San Jose have so
many more open sites and we have what? Where is the complete posting off the stae requirements
and does it even make sense for a city like ours?
•1700 seems enormous for Saratoga. Thought more and more people are leaving Ca...?
•1700 new homes means lots of traffic buildup, possible impact on schools and shopping centers,
plus a drain on water usage in pending drought shortages we are facing. Multiple housing
communities can be bad for the environment because they have a tendency to add pollutants into
the atmosphere and really look over crowded and cheap looking as does the new community built
on the old Hacienda property on Highway 9! Please do not approve this plan. Let's leave Saratoga a
high class community and do not take steps to make it look like a typical overcrowded city!!
•1700 new homes will seriously impact traffic on our roads and strain the use of utilities to the point
of collapse. Quality of life will suffer. If anything, we need to decrease density in the bay area. Bay
area counties needs to reevaluate the ratio of commercial to residential space. We do not have a
housing shortage. We have a commercial use overage. Force Apple, Google, and Facebook to
surrender 10% of their office space for new housing. That will solve the problem. The state of
California has given in to the giant commercial property developers for years. Just say NO to the
state.
•1700 units seems like an awful lot.Are all communities being asked for proportionately this much
increase?
•A family like mine with one person in tech and one in non-profit with two kids can not afford to live
in Saratoga at it's current configuration.
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•ABAG approach has been entirely ineffective at solving the region's housing crisis. It needs to be
scrapped entirely. We will never achieve the housing goals for the region if we continue to rely on
this ineffective system. It is a boondoggle and counterproductive. Housing should be located close
to jobs and transportation, not in suburban communities like Saratoga. All of our commercial land in
Saratoga is being eaten up by residential development which means people have to drive further for
jobs and services. The RHENA system is bad for the environment. I would support West Valley on
campus student housing, expanded senior housing options and expanded artist residency programs;
both market rate and low income. I also think we could do what ever we can to encourage small
secondary units in existing and new single family homes. I have suggested during the last housing
update, that we could re-zone the HWY 85 corridor for housing. Building housing over the highway
right of way would reduce noise impacts from the freeway and re-connect the neighborhoods that
were divided when the freeway was constructed.
•Add more retail like chain restaurants that are affordable like Los Gatos. Public transportation to
Light Rail and along Highway 9 to Saratoga or a Free Community Shuttles to Los Gatos West Valley
College El Paseo De Saeatoga running every day from 7 AM-9 PM weekdays and F-Sat til 11 on a
frequent schedule.
•Adding an additional 1,700 housing units would change the scenery, and traffic in our beautiful city.
The beauty and public schools is what drew us here.
•Adding more people, cars, and structures can only degrade the quality of life in Saratoga.
•Additional housing of course should also take into account public transit and the impact all this new
housing would have on traffic. Adding this much new housing will could generate a lot of traffic,
which may make it more time consuming to get to WestGate mall area for shopping, etc. So, it
could well make sense to also enlarge the shopping options at Argonaut Shopping Center, etc. so
that residents don't have to travel as far for routine shopping/services.
•Any increase in density needs to consider parking and traffic impact.
•Any purported methodology to establish housing "needs" and mandate fulfillment via a "realistic"
plan is patently unrealistic. The mandates on offer inevitably require existing property owners to
sacrifice value without compensation. This is contrary to the constitution of the United States.
"Needs" for any valuable commodity will always be greater than availability according to basic
economic theory. "Adequate" housing at affordable prices has been unavailable at least since Mary
and Joseph were turned away from the inn in Bethlehem. Price, profit, and a free market are the
best available tools for meeting housing needs in a "realistic" way. City officials, if they are unwilling
to initiate legal action, should at least refuse to engage in illegal behavior. If the state presses its
mandate, victimized property owners are likely to mount legal action.
•Are you guys crazy? You are going to butcher what were once lovely towns to live in. (Saratoga, Los
Gatos etc..) take a stand!
•As a resident, i want any specific proposal to be clearly communicated well in advance. Also, most of
Saratoga residents treasure the nature scenery as well as the single family neighborhood. If changes
have to be made to provide more housing, we want a clear zoning which defines the high density
areas away from (with a gradual change) the SF neighborhood.
•As also implied by the above rankings, a distinction should be made between different parts of
Saratoga. Preserving the hillsides, both for aesthetic and practical (fire, utilities, etc) is a goal, but
that means that we will need higher density in other parts of Saratoga. Some areas, such as
downtown, perhaps the area near Saratoga/Cox/Lawrence would need to be higher density than
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average -- for those areas the 2 story limit should be relaxed. Enabling a more vibrant downtown,
such as what was done in Sunnyvale, Campbell, and Redwood City in the the last decade, needs to
be a priority, and the zoning rules and housing elements should reflect that. Of course, some
individuals will prefer the suburban single-family neighborhood, whereas others may very well
prefer the more vibrant, higher-density feel of a thriving downtown or commercial district. Saratoga
should allow, and encourage, this diverse mix of preferences, rather than be monolithic and uniform
across the entire city. Our geography -- and the constraints & values we get from it -- is diverse;
how and what we build in the city should be similarly diverse.
•As someone who grew up within walking distance of downtown Saratoga and who loves the city, it's
unfortunately not affordable for me to live in Saratoga after I move out with my parents, unless I
win the lottery. I know there is a lot of concern about single-family homes, but allowing multifamily
housing is NOT removing single family housing. Single family housing will definitely still exist, but
multifamily housing will also be allowed to exist. I would also love to see more socio-economic
diversity in the city--many of my friends choose to live in Sunnyvale or San Francisco because they
can't afford to live in Saratoga and I would love if the city provided more options for them. We have
a once in a lifetime opportunity to make Saratoga a welcoming community. Right now we aren't,
and we should embrace it wholeheartedly.
•As someone who has lived much of my life in Saratoga and the surrounding communities, I am
dismayed at both the amount of NIMBYism displayed by residents when it comes to achieving the
statewide housing mandate goals (particularly when it comes to providing affordable housing units)
that every California community is expected to provide, and also the loss of quality neighborhood
commercial spaces such as Gene's Market, which were vital to quality of life. I feel the pain when it
comes to choosing appropriate development sites--this is a small town and there just aren't a lot of
suitable parcels--but I don't think you can have a thriving community that consists of only either
homes or businesses, there must be a blend of both. Not a Santana Row-style blend, but certainly
we could build up to 3-4 stories in certain designated areas such as downtown, or make sure to
include reasonably-priced commercial spaces when designing multi-family developments. I'm also
concerned when it comes to wildfire mitigation/prevention; we don't want to become the next
Paradise, and I'd rather trade denser development within the low-risk areas (where I live) and limit,
preserve, and manage the higher-risk areas.
•Balance the impact throughout Saratoga and not just force all of this required development on the
east side of the city.
•Be mindful of existing homeowners property rights.
•Be very careful about hillside development. Lack of water in the hills & limited access during
emergencies.
•Being so close to the San Andreas fault, would that limit the height of buildings?
•build hi-rise residential next to paseo saratoga. leave the rest of saratoga alone. initiate legislation
to restore local control to cities regarding zoning matters.
•Building and remodeling homes in Saratoga is already not only cumbersome but a lengthy process
held up by city planners and commissions. We are overly regulated and have an underperforming
city in most all areas. How then can one believe that the City of Saratoga is any way capable of
handling this need for more homes???? I'd say we are so underperforming that the idea is beyond
the scope of this city.
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•Building anything in Saratoga is too difficult and costly under the current rules. This city and others
have imposed too many unnecessary restrictions and subjective approvals which discourages
improving our properties and has lead to architecurally monotonous neighborhoods. I know people
can be fearful of any change; however, I agree with state efforts to remove control from local
governments.
•Building these many affordable housing is disrupting to the neighborhood. How are crime and
safety, traffic, services (our internet and electricity services suck), etc. going to be keep up?
•Built-out communities like Saratoga should have the latitude to reduce or eliminate adding housing.
It is also crucial that any new housing remain in character with the rest of the city and that
neighborhoods not have mixed housing unit types.
•California is short of water. Why would you build more dense housing with no water and wildfire
threats?
•California's population is declining and will decline even faster if we stop illegal immigration
lawlessly encouraged by the current administration. Unite with other cities and fight ABAG,
California's, and Federal edicts to force us to accommodate increased population. Change the laws
and replace politicians that don't represent us. "If you DON'T build it, they WON'T come."
•Can city pursue legal approach to decrease the number of house units according the city situation? I
assume law could be changed if facts are collected and efforts are made
•Cannot increase density in existing neighborhoods as the schools and existing traffic pattern is
already at maximum. Only the hillsides and going further away from the city is the only option. Risk
of wildfires are already mitigated by already state requirements to have fire suppression equipment
in new construction. New home owners will need to learn how to manage brush to avoid wild-fires.
I don't want to have all the issues with high density neighborhoods.
•Certain larger unused/underused land on arterials should be a major focus for high-density
development: the city's North Campus (keep a community room); the land between Ascension and
Beth David (senior housing?); on/near West Valley College (student dorms? Do they qualify as low-
income?); property along Saratoga Avenue near 85. If earthquake building codes allow, build 3- and
4-story units (like Santana Row) as we redevelop commercial space (Quito Ctr, Argonaut Ctr, along
S-S Road, parts of the Village). Encourage continued infill with ADUs. See if we can appeal/re-zone
the parking-space requirements for high-density developments on/near arterials, based on nearness
to VTA and our own public transit systems, as well as Uber/Lyft/autonomous on-call vehicles of the
near future, and shared-vehicles (Zipcar); this could increase the percentage of land that's used for
the housing/courtyards/gardens/etc themselves and make them more affordable. I would like to
have access to summaries of the Consultants' analyses of the various parcels, to see what potential
and limitations they find for each property. Can the City make these available/searchable? And then
we need to consider the NEXT 8-year plan (2032-2040) -- what spaces remain, and how might we
respond then? Are there aspects we might as well accept now, in preparation? Are there
anticipated developments (eg, work-from-home, self-driving vehicles, drone deliveries) that we
should factor in, so we can defer/abandon certain approaches to keep our residential nature?
•Change the regulation so some big size lands can be split into 2 pieces of lands to build single family
homes.This can also create more housings.
•Communicate with residents promptly.
•Consider impact of climate change on our water need. Cant have more houses without enough
water. Also, we now have more intense fires in the area so we need to consider how more houses
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will impact the citys ability to respond and support residents. We need a bigger downtown so higher
buildings should be allowed with underground parking. Developers should be required to contribute
with any new building permit granted.
•Consider impact to schools and traffic
•Consideration of impact on schools, school funding. Consideration of traffic, transportation impact?
Where do these fit? Impact on city tax revenue?
•Construction must be tired to the availability of Water!
•Creating mixed-use projects should take place in existing commercial areas such as Quito
commercial area. It is ok to update existing commercial locations such as Argonaut to mixed use.
We should not turn downtown Saratoga into Santana Row, but we can update the area with
additional mixed use locations.
•Creating multiple egress options in the event of fire.
•Developing in the Wildfire-Urban Interface should be a last resort. There is a responsibility that goes
with living there to protect against fire that would be more difficult to achieve with high-density
housing. Additionally, the roads and utilities in the hills (phone, power, gas or propane, internet, etc)
are not currently well-suited for supplying a higher number or density of homes.
•Developments should have minimal traffic impacts on existing neighborhoods. Water availability
should be evaluated when considering a development.
•Do everything you can to avoid or at least postpone and minimize this. To the degree this MUST be
done, build as few structures with as may floors as possible (like 20) and as many small residential
units as possible (like 40 per floor). Build these in high-traffic and commercial areas. Seize vacant
large footprint buildings like the old Orchard Supply building, demolish them, and build the tallest
structure possible containing the most units possible.
•Do NOT construct any more affordable units. Do NOT provide diverse range of housing types to
meet people at all income levels. Some areas in Saratoga already has affordable housing.
•Do not get wound up with "wokeness" and providing housing that is not in the general Saratoga
character. Saratoga is generally a single family home community on a large lot. Other communities
can provide gigantic apartment buildings and massive housing projects on postage stamp sized lots.
•Do not lose the character of Saratoga. If there is no reason to stay people will leave the area.
•Dont overbuild! Preserve the current beauty of Saratoga!
•Don't forget we are headed for all electric cars which need to be charged nightly and draw a lot of
current. For high density housing, PG&E must put in the appropriate high density current
capabilities. As it is now, PG&E has trouble delivering power at peak times and during high fire
danger conditions.
•Don't let the mountain winery violate the acoustic element as it often currently does on concert
nights. City is too restrictive with regard to landscaping and tree management
•Don't ruin the wonderful city of Saratoga!
•don'y change single family zoning on existing structures.
•Downtown should be like small Europe towns. Four to five story housing over retail and restaurants.
Insisting parcels be combined to creat meaningful projects. Think small Pasadena type, Condos in
size from 1800 to 2000 square feet. Elderly could move from large houses to downtown.
•Duplex or triplex may be able to replace individual homes in neighborhoods (not hillside areas) that
are on lots larger than a third of an acre.
•eliminate exclusionary (i.e. single-family only) zoning
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•Everyone who has spent millions to buy into our school districts should be outraged. The state is
imposing high-density construction mandates, without paying for infrastructure such as the schools.
They will suffer a decline, with everyone's property values to follow. The only winners in this
scenario are the developers who profit from the quick sale of properties in a desirable market, and
the construction trade unions, whose workers leave town at the end of the day. These are some of
the heaviest donors to the campaigns of the state legislators who brought us RHNA numbers in the
first place.
•Fight back with the state on the arbitrary number of required housing units.
•Fight back! Other cities are fighting back to this subjective housing requirement. Thats why we live
here - a bedroom community.
•First thing is that the "required" additional housing units may be based on data older than the
recent COVID situation and not reflect either hybrid or remote offices impact on our Bay Area. Next
it is clear that we do not have transportation available without serious traffic problems. No
provision has been made to fix that issue which is clogging our highways and streets as expressways
are clogged and motorists take alternate routes through the city.
•From a East of 85 perspective, we already have an SB35 project planned for the former Gene's
location. In my opinion, the project as planned is a missed opportunity to preserve of a reasonable
amount of current retail space + adding more diverse housing (and more residents to support retail
in the neighborhood). A SB9-like allowance, even if SB9 does not pass, would also help add plausible
units to the inventory without significantly changing most neighborhoods. Also, not directly related
to Housing Element, but with the RHNA number, Saratoga will have to plan for more density --
please make sure that the areas designated have elements to support additional people, like
sidewalks, transportation options, and perhaps even lower parking requirements. Lastly, please
don't play games with the RHNA number; losing zoning privileges would basically mean that none of
the goals above can be achieved.
•Further encourage adus with insentives like expedited permit approvals and floor area bonuses
•Generally limit mixed-use projects to 3 stories, 4 maximum.
•Given that Saratoga has very few large parcels and that these parcels are currently allocated for
commercial use, I think that mixed-use projects are the only feasible way to add enough housing
while concurrently maintaining businesses such as shopping centers with grocery stores. However, I
think it is important to be judicious about how and where these mixed-use projects are placed.
Assuming that the 4 main candidates for mixed-use locations are the Village, Argonaut, Gateway,
and Prospect, I would propose that the Village and Argonaut have a small scope (2 stories with
businesses on 1st floor and residences on 2nd floor) with Gateway and Prospect being bigger in
scope (multiple stories with businesses on 1st floor and residences on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th...floors - as
high as necessary to fit the required remaining housing units). This is because the Village and
Argonaut are in residential areas with limited street access and so creating bigger projects there
would have huge impacts on surrounding neighborhoods in terms of noise and traffic. Gateway and
Prospect have neither of those concerns, so that is why those projects could be (much) bigger. In
particular, I think that the Prospect site is especially promising since the work could go hand-in-hand
with the El Paseo shopping center re-development and could provide a large chunk of the required
housing units.
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•Have any of the considerations taken into account the need for water, roads, schools. Our roads are
already impacted; there isnt enough water and the schools are already at capacity. We have lost
many of our grocery stores, and that is a crime.
•Having a general plan that includes lower-income housing and more retail options almost certainly
means mixed-use. That might also be a good solution to Downtown being less than vibrant.
Separately I think the City needs to get out ahead of planning for additional housing rather than
have it handed to us by SB35 or similar legislation.
•Having grown up in a small, socioeconomically diverse town, I've experienced how folks of varying
financial levels in a smaller civic setting can create a citizenry that is more cohesive and mutually
respectful. I believe this creates a healthier, more enriched community which I think Saratoga can
achieve if we all get involved. From the HE videos & the Joint mtg on June 2, I sense this is not a
"there goes the neighborhood" situation, because the HE can help us house more regular folks like
first responders, teachers, domestic workers, etc. who are financially prohibited from living in the
community where they work. I hope the City/HE personnel clarify how this can be accomplished
through this process.
•High density development creates traffic issues, safety/crime issues and the necessity for building
additional schools. Not interested in boarding schools for students or any other type of student
housing. People work hard to afford to live in Saratoga. Their property values should be protected
against the urban sprawl syndrome.
•Higher density, multi-story at lower elevations, eg, along creek lines would mitigate view loss. Can
we follow Piedmont and annex or otherwise acquire neighboring areas to use for higher density
housing?
•Hillside restrictions should be loosen, not all Hillside slope is the same. Density should be increased
•Housing decisions must be made at the local level. City leadership must fight attempts by state and
federal agencies to mandate any housing decisions. Also, the county water authority recently
advised us that we must reduce water usage by 15%. How can we possibly do that if we add another
1,700 homes?
•Housing Element Content Optimization - Most of the presentations seem to be repeating the same
content in Videos 1-5, wondering if City Manager can share about the impact of new housing on 1.
Saratoga Population Growth Patterns 2. Traffic Flow Patterns - For each of the potential housing
inventory sites 3. K-12 Schools Existing Capacity & Additional Needs
•How about banding together with the other cities that have unfair RHNA allocations and launching a
lawsuit to fight this injustice?
•How and when are you going to solve the shortage of water and electric problems for these new
developments? San Jose water company rates are so high, will the single families have to pay for the
subsidies for these new development for water and electricity?
•I am concerned about the increased affect of traffic with proposed increase in housing. 3 - 4 story
mixed/unit properties would seem to be a possibility, but only in existing commercial areas would
seem feasible
•I am OK for creating mixed-use projects in the community but only to 3 stories maximum.
•I am seriously concerned about the building of so many housing units when we are having such
terrible water issues. Where will the water come from for all these additional dwellings? What will
happen to the ambiance of Saratoga with all the additional traffic? What about safety?
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•I am strongly against meeting the state mandate to build 1700 more housing units in Saratoga. The
city of Saratoga is so unique from other towns in the bay area mainly because of it current character
of single family neighborhoods. It is a very safe and desirable place to live. The city has done a lot of
work to preserve the natural surroundings and set up strict rules for new house building. By
introducing 1700 more house units, it will violate the existing house building rules and damage the
neighborhood permanently. What's more, it will increase safety concerns and security issues by
bringing in low income people to this neighborhood. And eventually it will tend to make Saratoga a
less attractive place to live. Therefore I am strongly against building 1700 new housing units in
Saratoga and I am willing to take any effort to stop it.
•I appreciate your work in explaining the consequences of each approach and being up front that we
cannot remain exactly the same with the addition of 1700 homes or 5% of the population. I love
living in Saratoga, the nature we have been intentional about preserving, the open spaces and good
schools. I believe we can increase the economic and racial diversity of our community resulting in
an even more vibrant and special community that we all can enjoy.
•I believe in the top 5 priorities, but would specifically STOP those not picked as priorities
•I believe that affordable housing is critical to the future vitality of the Bay Area. The city of Saratoga
needs to do it's part to contribute to the greater community by being open to practical ways of
dealing with the problem that can be implemented in the short term as opposed to pushing the
problem on to surrounding communities.
•I believe that our community and the future residents of Saratoga will benefit the most by focusing
on the building of mixed-use developments. This approach would have the greatest chance at
preserving our current family neighborhoods while providing opportunities for new businesses and
building desirable housing. Looking at the housing opportunity sites, I would advocate for
maximizing the number of units on the Prospect location. It seems like a win for all. A higher density,
larger scale (as high as can be negotiated with the state) development would align with the
proposed adjacent San Jose developments. The proposed San Jose plans include a vibrant
neighborhood of multi-story living and commercial spaces. People looking for housing in California
are trending toward housing simplification and walkable communities. Saratoga can provide what
people are looking for while fulfilling the housing mandate. In addition, the location appears to be
insulated from causing major negative impact on current family neighborhoods. The Gateway site
would also be appropriate for a multi-story (considering the residential nature to the back of the
location, I would suggest a lower building height than at the Prospect location) mixed-use
development. Maybe the single-story strip malls along both sides of Saratoga-Sunnyvale can be
considered for mixed-use redevelopment, too. The commercial areas of Big Basin Way in downtown
Saratoga could be another area for intelligently planned and beautiful mixed-use development given
proper consideration for maintaining historical elements and addressing traffic/parking concerns. It
could revitalize the area. I understand that my opinions have been formed without expertise of any
kind and without possession of all the necessary information but hopefully it may support a
discussion among more knowledgeable contributors. Thank you for making the effort to lead an
open discussion and for listening to the concerns/suggestions of the Saratoga community.
•I believe the City should appeal the 1700 number- that is far more units than the city, its roads, local
air quality, water supply, sewage system, and schools (not in that order) can absorb without greatly
altering the quality and character of this community.
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•I believe we should push-back and fight (including legal/court action) the State/County Gov. dictates
to force fit more housing in our community where our infrastructure is already being overwhelmed
by the increased demand on water, power, sewer, road, etc. infrastructure. We are already seeing
more and more traffic being diverted onto our neighborhood streets because our major road
infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demands cause by the greater influx of people, and forcing
more housing will only make this worse. I want to see the plan to upgrade the infrastructure to
meet this influx put in place before new housing development is forced on us. Also, who is going to
pay for all of this? I don't want to have additional taxes assessed to meet an arbitrary state
mandated number of new dwelling units, and I don't want to pay for any subsidies that would be
required (Whose interests are our state and county representatives responsible for promoting if not
the existing residents?). This demand is being driven in large part by large corporations that don't
care about ruining our neighborhoods that we have worked for decades to build and maintain; will
we be assessing additional taxes on these businesses for the necessary upgrades to the
infrastructure, or just allow them to maximize profits and hand us the bill for the urban sprawl that
they are propagating? I do not want our city or area to become another LA, and I believe we should
fight the state and County Governments to require that any mandated growth be intelligently
planned so that forced growth be accompanied and preceded by the necessary infrastructure
upgrades consistent with the arbitrarily mandated increases in housing.
•I do not agree with allowing property owners to subdivide their lots to build multiple houses on
them Part of Saratoga's beaucolic look and feel are the larger lots and open space preserved that
does not allow for the feel of congestion and crowded streets and increased traffic.
•I do not believe that we need more housing. It is not right to mandate more housing when owners
bought their homes here because they love the area, the beautiful hills, the peace and quiet. As it
stands, our town will be gobbled up by greedy developers who care little for existing ownership. The
almighty dollar is what is driving this "housing crisis" Developers win.
•I do not support a state mandated building quota.
•I do not want our shopping centers to be knocked down just to add townhomes. I moved here
because of the single family home feel. I also think we should ensure more homes get added to
Saratoga high school district, such as the Quito area in Saratoga.
•I do not want to see the character of Saratoga change. I have lived here off and on since 1958!
Because I am not great on the computer, I could not rank list the above. 1. I want to maintain the
single family zoning that presently exists. 2. I prefer one storey houses; 2 storeys maximum. 3. We
should not be building in the hills above Saratoga. This is not wise, given the fire hazard and
drought. 4. We need to preserve existing commercial locations with grocery stores within walking
distance of the village. The village needs a grocery, book store, hardware, pharmacy. That is what
Saratoga had, and has lost.
•I do not wish to see high rises in Saratoga. 2 stores max. I do not want apartment renters as they
dont pay property taxes towards schools. Adding mixed used buildings in the commercial areas is
absolutely fine. But the condos or homes in the mixed used areas must be owned, not rented.
•I do not wish to share my userid and password but I spent all this time taking the survey.
•I dont like it and we should stall adding housing because of lack of water.
•I dont want multiple ADU units at one residence and apartment buildings on a residential street.
We want to retain as much of the open space in Saratoga as much as possible
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•I don't like the top-down way the housing topic is being handled. I don't think that issues of water,
traffic, and environmental impact are being addressed sufficiently. I have grave concerns about all
these issues. We are not considering how all the changes will affect future generations as the
climate changes and shortages of resources occur.
•I don't understand this and hope that this goes away somehow or it takes so long to accomplish that
it never gets done.
•I expect that the Novakovich Orchard will be a prime target for meeting this ridiculous goal with
apartments. People living nearby have all counted on the existing 1 acre zoning to be the only
future development. Having multistory windows peering down into backyards and pools would be
too invasive. Our city council must preserve the single family nature of our city. Already 2 homes in
the neighborhood have included secondary residences which is the only acceptable solution for this
area.
•I feel that mixed use housing like Santana Row would be good but should not be more than 4 or 5
stories high. Lower is better.
•I had a hard time using the CTRL + click option to select multiple choices in the questions above.
Reality is if you add 1,700 housing units to Saratoga you will change the character of the City. I
realize this is being forced on us by the State, which I think is wrong. If we have to do this my
preference is multifamily/mixed use in the Village, and multifamily elsewhere in commercial districts
rather than changing the character of single family residence neighborhoods.
•I have been disappointed at the strong resistance to new, affordable housing or any other
retail/commercial development so far in Saratoga. This has led to an aging and homogenous
population which concerns me for my child's exposure to different view points in public schools, and
availability of playmates. I'm glad that RHNA+SB35 is going to force Saratoga to start to open up (or
be penalized) even if the growth is only 1% of the County's overall growth target. I'm glad Quito
Village is starting to move forward after being a ghost town for several years although I would like to
see it move more quickly. The nature of this feedback process and the materials provided comes
across as being inherently resistant to new housing based with several mentions of "unfortunate"
and the way the questions and priorities are explained.
•I have lived in Saratoga for 22 years and I appreciate our quality of life. However, I realize that we do
not live on an island and we need to open our community to house the people that we rely on for
our everyday life. I think that mixed used projects will not only add the needed housing units, but
will also enrich our lives with more shopping and eating options. Along these lines, Satatoga
downtown is the least lively of any of our neighboring communities. This will be a great opportunity
to update it and make it into a lively and attractive place.
•I have seen mixed use= seniors and students, as well as businesses and living spac above work in
other communities and countries. Also we need to evaluate c0mmercial areas We have not done
much to improve the lot of commercial enterprises around here - too many start and find it too
expensive to stay. Neils hollow is a large area of land tha could be repurposed keeping the
commerical elements and adding living spaces. the parking lot at argonaut is never full a perimiter
of mixed use up to 3 stories would mae sense there . How much spae do we have actually to build
on in the non wildfire area. Finally are there some sections in the f wild fire area tha it make sense to
simply clearout and perimeter protect?
•I hope the city evaluates all aspects including safety, traffic patterns, quality of education, crime and
most of all, retaining Saratoga's charm.
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•I just fail to see the need to build more homes. Saratoga is beautiful as it is, and adding more
construction will destroy this unique charm. The city should push back on the state's demands to
build more housing.
•I object and disagree to the plan for over 1,700 new homes to be built in Saratoga between 2023
and 2031 at all income levels. Saratoga is historic town. Having low income families will make the
city unsafe and undesirable to live as well as decreasing the quality of good school. Parents help
participating school activities that is why Saratoga school is a good school. Low income parents will
have no time to pay attention to school activity and suppor the school, quality of the school will be
negatively impact. Consequently, Saratoga housing value in Saratoga will go down.
•I oppose high rise and high density housing development. How many stories are allowed above the
ground floor commercial uses? Would retaining a practice of generally limiting building to 2 stores
be applied to these mixed-use complex? Would ADU units be counted as affordable housing units
since the occupants probably are under the low income level? Does providing a diverse range of
housing types mean giving up the density and zoning like what Quito developers are doing? By
approving requiring more affordable housing, does this give more freedom for the developers?
•I personally find high-density abhorrent to our city. The views and vistas we enjoy in Saratoga need
to be preserved. California's population is declining as is the national birthrate. This massive
development is WRONG on many levels.
•I think limits to growth should be considered as part of the plan. The only option should not be:
Continual growth ending in degraded living conditions and ambiance.
•I think mixed use with multiple stories makes a lot of sense. And, building in WUI areas is also likely
necessary
•I think some of the height limitations for existing neighborhoods to remain single story dwellings is
too restrictive
•I think that the premise of this initiative was formed before the pandemic. Many people can work
from any location now. Remote working is acceptable as never before. Rather than making areas
denser it is now ok to live in rural areas and not have to commute to work. This changes the premise
of projected housing needs.
•I think the city should be creative about how it zones for new housing- for example, there is a lot of
space around our public schools that could have condos and apartments built and rented out to
school staff only.
•I think the idea of putting housing above commercial locations is good, but anything above two (
possibly three stories) seems like it would diminish our rural location and beautiful hillsides. The
beauty of Saratoga should not be ransomed for state mandated building. I believe we are already
over building in Santa Clara County. ( Also not enough water!)
•I think this proposal is completely unreasonable for the residents of Saratoga......resembles a bad
dream.
•I think we have to get ready to have the State set laws to overrule our local resolutions and laws to
preserve the current character of single family neighborhoods. If they do, then what are we willing
to adapt to? Multifamily homes on lots that are on corners of two streets? Three or four story
buildings with underground parking? Multifamily homes near the bus depot at West Valley College?
Multifamily rentals on large church lots (the church can oversee the maintenance of BMR units)?
Multifamily homes on our three major streets (Saratoga, Saratoga/Sunnyvale, and Saratoga Los
Gatos)?
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•I think we need to remember that low income housing can be attractive and people who live there
wont be .vagrants.
•I want Saratoga to keep its house-free hillsides and small-town charm. That is why we all live here.
•I watched the videos and they are naturally mostly about the move to provide 1700+ new homes in
Saratoga over the coming years. While these are excellent videos that were well thought out and
easy to digest, there should be more complete coverage that extends beyond housing. In other
words, housing as a topic doesn't exist in a vacuum. The topic of city planning as it's impacted by
expanded housing demands more coverage including its impact on roads/traffic/signaling, schools,
retail, etc. Once expanded housing becomes a topic, so do these others and yet there is virtually no
mention of them in the videos beyond the keyword environment impact report which was only
touched upon.
•I would like for the city to create more diverse housing at or near our commercial zones with enough
parking, encourage ADUs and try to maintain the single family neighborhoods as much as possible.
It is so disappointing that the city wasn't more ahead of the game with Quito village, that was an
important lost opportunity.
•I would like high density housing placed in one location near commercial and transit services to
assist with green efforts and control traffic to one location.
•I would like to know what areas of Saratoga are available for mixed use projects like Santana Row.
Do we really need so many single-story real estate offices? Is it possible to add student housing on
the West Valley campus? I think it is necessary to build 3 to 5 story buildings in order to add the
number of units needed without reducing our current single family units.
•I would like to see existing commercial locations converted to mixed-use and, when feasible,
attractive housing developments with accommodation for all income levels. Other factors to be
considered include: inclusion of green spaces and trees (parks, etc.); traffic (for example, the
planned development of El Paseo Shopping Center does not include consideration of increased
traffic); solar power and upgrading of energy grid if possible; water efficiency; and, if necessary, fire
breaks included in the initial plan.
•I would like to see more condos / townhomes / independent homes that can be owned and not
apartment complex that are rented It will be good to understand what are the potential areas that
can be used for housing development
•I would like to see the council look at developing mixed use areas and limiting the extremely high
rate of restrictive single-family zoning in the vast majority of the city. Coupled with walkability and
bikeablity increases, these could help reduce traffic and greenhouse emissions while meeting the
RHNA requirements and starting to mitigate the drastic increase in housing in the area while
maintaining or increasing quality of life.
•I would love to know what the elective officials and staff have learned from other cities equal to our
population concerning housing
•I would prefer to keep existing neighborhoods as they are, serene and spread out. I am against "lot
splitting" and adding multiple housing units in existing single family neighborhoods
•Im opposed to high density housing in our city, especially 7-10 story high density housing. The
infrastructure cant support it and the city wasnt designed for it nor was it intended to be a
community like that. It was designed with space around our single family homes. High density
should be next to freeways or new community developments. Not forced into the suburbs. If I
wanted that, we would have lived in San Francisco or New York City.
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•Im very upset that Quito Village will no longer be a commercial property.
•If low income housing is required, I would prefer if they were rentals and people working in the city
like teachers, would be top on the list to rent them.
•If our water company thinks we can support more building, why do we have drought restrictions
being imposed? Less building, less use of water - isn't this common sense?
•If the State of California, the County of Santa Clara and the City of Saratoga cannot guarantee
enough water and power for current residents - supplied at rational rates - ALL development should
cease until. PERIOD.
•If we have mixed use how do you limit the buildings to be not higher than 3 stories? If developers
met the affordable housing, does the city lose control of the density of housing. We do not want a
repeat of Quito center.
•If you take away the shopping center people will have to drive to other cities to grocery shop etc.
You already took Quito away. That sites offers everything hardware store, bank, pet store, grocery
and the best part is that I can walk there. I'm just about to retire and I enjoy being close to the
shopping center.
•I'm a proponent of affordable, senior-friendly, mixed-use development. Some commercial areas or
edges of residential areas could be redeveloped into such development. Saratoga has an aging
population and needs to support independence of senior residents. By creating denser, walkable
communities, Saratoga will better retain its valued senior residents, while improving their quality of
life. The Housing Element Update must allow for creation of substantial mixed-use development. In
addition Saratoga needs to ensure affordability to allow members of our community to live here.
Our first responders, teachers, librarians, and community college students deserve to have
affordable housing in Saratoga. Currently we have little to offer these integral community members.
The Housing Element Update presents a precious opportunity to mandate creation of affordable
housing in new developments. We must seize the opportunity to help our community members.
•I'm glad to see that Saratoga is prioritizing different types of residential buildings, because I believe
we need to have a more diverse population and certainly a more diverse population in our school
system. This type of building plan will help with social issues such as racism and will help all of us
understand each other better because we will be living closer to each other.
•In Sacramento, where i previously lived, the city allowed duplexes on the corners of streets. So it
maintained the single-family feel while allowing smaller units for seniors or young families in
growing neighborhoods. What available land do we have to add over 1000 homes?
•Increasing the height limit for mixed use buildings - stores on the bottom and living units on top -
would be reasonable. But will parking then be an issue? or will underground parking be an option as
well? Argonaut shopping center has the only grocery store in Saratoga since the little market in
downtown went out of business and Gene's closed. If 90 units are put in where Gene's was (the
commercial area in this development is really non existent from what I hear) what will be done at on
Cox to handle the additional traffic? That big field where the pumpkin patch and Christmas trees are
could be used for housing, but again how will Saratoga Ave handle that traffic, along with what is
being done down the road at El Paseo? If you did a Santana Row thing in downtown Saratoga how
will the traffic on Big Basin and Hwy 9 be handled? and again parking is always an issue in downtown
Saratoga, so if you make it "bigger" with more housing and stores where will people park? I know in
Los Gatos off of University there are apartments down the side streets, maybe a lot of the units can
be put in that way, nested somewhere in Saratoga. There are units down 4th street, is there room
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like that elsewhere? If there was half the number of units, space could probably be found, can this
mandate be renegotiated??
• Is there a common ground at city level to agree this state enforcement? It's better to have majority
of agreement across the current residents before taking any further action.
• Is there a way to incentivize the construction of ADUs? Many Saratoga homes have one or more
acres and could easily have an ADU.
• It is disappointing to have to put the community through all this, and have the liberal politicians and
bureaucrats running the state and ruining our nice community!
• It is hard to imagine the current infrastructure supporting any more homes in Saratoga. Please
consider that we love this place, and would like it to stay semi-rural.
• It is not right that requirements for housing are imposed on our city from outside the Saratoga
community.
• It is our responsibility to zone realistic housing alternatives (other than Single Family Detached) to
diversify the housing stock in Saratoga. There are wonderful examples of how to densify existing
neighborhoods. Housing will NEVER be attainable for our children unless we increase the supply.
Remove the barriers in Saratoga that limit development to what is already general planned.
Preserving character are code words for "keep us a wealthy and privileged community." Rental and
multi-family homes should NOT be a bad word. The strongest communities have a diversity not just
in race, but ages and incomes as well. Our schools NEED families to be able to move in and afford
Saratoga.
• It is quite selfish and not inclusive when we want to limit the city to certain income types/classes.
We want our schools (not just Saratoga School District) to be the best, but its hardly fair when only
rich people can afford to live here. It is only fair that our teachers, healthcare workers, maids,
gardeners and other hardworking folks can also live in our city without having to commute 1+ hr in
traffic. Look at our schools and they are screaming for diversity (where are the Latinos, African
Americans and even Caucasians for crying out loud). We need to do better.
• It is ridiculous to think of adding this many houses when there is not enough water and ongoing fire
danger.
• It seems to me that the state requirement of 1700 new homes in Saratoga is beyond ridiculous. I
understand that this is a state mandate and little can be done to fight it. First concern: Where in
Saratoga and what manner of building could even conceivably fall into "affordable housing"? What
defines "affordable housing"? Second concern: Developers will use the housing element as a tool
to drive their own profit agendas that are not aligned with Saratoga's residents.
• Just because the State has these requirements doesn't mean Saratoga has to accept them. Each city
must evaluate State recommendations and policies as coming from people who have no direct
knowledge of our city and it's culture and history. Not everyone can live in every city or in a
particular city they desire to live in. Where you live is determined by where you work, your
skills/interests, your financial well being. These are in part determined by your level of education,
which contributes to what you can afford.
• Keep the character of the city. No high rise buildings Maintain safety
• Land and housing spectulators have destroyed any commercial businesses from El Paseo Center and
Cox Ave (Former location of Gene's Market). Why can't they construct affordable housing there?
What maximum home value qualifies as affordable housing? I live in the flat part of Saratoga in a 40
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year old home and my insurance company (State Farm) considers (at least one year ago) the
replacement cost for my home to be $350+/square foot, with the assumption that I own the lot.
•Lets keep the Saratoga charm and comfort of living in this neighborhood
•Lets make Saratoga a more inclusive and diverse place to live. The high cost of living and this no new
housing push makes us seem exclusionary and snobbish. We can do better. What if we were an
actually progressive town that prioritized masking housing more affordable?
•Let's develop mix-use around existing areas like Prospect / Saratoga, but also, let's make sure they
are not too tall. We need to be mindful of the traffic impact.
•Let's make Saratoga a vibrant living, working, shopping, and tourist community instead of a dead
town stuck in the 1950s. Instead of sticking our heads in the sand, let's welcome and shape the new
housing to support a vibrant, business and community friendly city like Campbell or Los Gatos. There
is nothing special about our current downtown that is worth preserving.
•Like Los Gatos build the units on the border with other cities.
•Like the idea of Big Basin being more like Santa Row. That way, we have it all. You will need
underground parking, however. This keeps the city rural, which is why all of us chose to live here.
•Limit 2 stories to single family home residential - and increase the square footage of what's allowed
and curb the power of naysayers when someone submits plans for this. When we tried to add a
second story on our 1900 sf home all that would be allowed would be an ugly cracker jack box on
top of the existing home, so we didn't do it. When a home sold across the street from us that was
ugly and hadn't had any updates in 50 years the new owner had nice plans to tear down and put up
a nice 2-story unit but 1 neighbor complained so much and the cost to the new owner for special
planning meetings was so great the gave up and settled for something a lot less than desired. 3
stories in "the village" would be great and more activity and breathe some life into that dead horse.
•Love the idea of adding new homes and making it more affordable. Today Saratoga is ridiculously
expensive there is so much churn on the people living here and then leaving. City must approve this
plan irrespective of the very influential negative comments. Additional housing I believe we have a
lot of waste land that could be useful. People who disagree are just too selfish and wants to
maintain the so called status which is pathetic just simply empty.
•Maintain the charm.
•maintain the culture in Saratoga is most important.
•Mandating housing construction is not democratic. People generally choose where they live based
on desire and personal circumstances. Long-term residents have a vested interest in preserving the
status quo and should be accommodated to do so. In a time of drought, wild-fire danger, rolling
blackouts, and crumbling infrastructure we simply do not have the bandwidth for expansion now.
With so many issues facing us, focusing on a housing priority is unrealistic.
•Many families in the community have let their yards go to hell. This makes Saratoga look like a slum.
The city should enforce minimum standards for property maintenance.
•Many lots in Saratoga are 1/3 acre or larger. Allowing sub-dividing of properties such that the
resulting lots are at least 1/4 acre would allow many more building sites. Add to that increase the
option of Accessory Dwelling units (ADUs) and the result is a considerable increase in housing. Or,
increasing the allowable size of ADUs would also allow population density increases without
becoming burdensome. My own lot is 2/3 acre and could be easily divided to a mix of two 1/3 acre
lots -- with views. My neighbors can do the same. Adjacent lots across the street are currently only
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10,000 square feet (~1/4 acre). Other cities - e.g. Carmel, CA - have much more dense housing with
no detriment to quality of life or value of property.
•Mixed use development is the best way to get diverse living and working environments.
•Mixed use in shopping area formerly occupied by Gene's Grocery? Mixed use in Village? Multi-family
units adjacent to existing shopping areas & along major street routes (Saratoga Ave, Saratoga-
Sunnyvale Rd)? Mixed use in commercial area on west side of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd in area
including Jake's Pizza?
•Monte Serena built what they call some affordable housing & they have not sold any of their units
on the LaHacienda property. Property is so expensive as in Saratoga that no one who needs
affordable property can afford a property even with the discount.
•more update about density of HR
•Most residents of Saratoga moved to this community for a less crowded, peaceful environment. We
made sacrifices to be able to live here. Building multi unit complexes in what are now primarily
single family home areas affect our property values and lifestyles. This is unacceptable. Are
Woodside, Atherton and Los Altos Hills being required to build the same proportionate number of
housing units?!?!!
•My family moved to Saratoga because of the schools and small town feel, with primarily single
family homes on larger lots. We did not choose downtown San Jose or San Francisco with their
different types of housing.
•No
•No apartment complex
•no high density housing
•No housing units on Saratoga Avenue. El Paseo is scheduled to have high density housing installed
so Saratoga Avenue will become unusable.
•No multi story buildings at all in the Triangle. Multiple stories in the downtown like a Santana Row
type is okay. Make offices spaces smaller and incorporate housing into these places, like intersection
of Cox and Saratoga Ave, there is expansive office buildings, and in front of the fire station there is
office space that could be repurposed. The non essential commercial real-estate downtown, can be
changes to housing and add a plaza in downtown and have studios in a mixed use for young and
seniors by the Wells Fargo where the old supermarket was. Only build small ADU in the WUI but not
multi housing units.
•One problem the city needs to solve is traffic, where to place the new housing and what street
improvements are needed.
•One solution that may encourage building of additional housing would be to offer financial
incentives to single-family homeowners to construct new Accessory Dwelling Units on their existing
properties. The rent for these units would be less than for a full size house in the same location, and
would be appealing to local tech workers, students, and other people seeking a smaller unit (1-2
bedrooms/1-2 baths) for long term rentals.Adap
•Optimal strategy to meet the housing unit number would be large condo/townhome developments
near the wineries; if you destroy what we worked so hard for, we will vote all of you out first chance
we get.
•Our neighborhood is already changing due to people flipping houses and building new homes that
dont fit the neighborhood. Im concerned that the Character of Saratoga is changing. Losing Genes
market and the future development on that lot is a great concern.
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• Pacific Retirement Services has submitted a Master Plan to the city. City reduced the requested
amount of new independent living units from 82 to 52 because of the "generally limited to two
stories" zoning policy. I believe the SCCFD can handle taller fires with a modest increase in
equipment costs. Please consider adding back the 30 units that have been cut from the expansion of
Saratoga Retirement Community, and also broadening the zoning for other parts of the city.
• People chose to live in Saratoga due to its more rural character. The lack of sidewalks and street
lights are an important part of the character of our city. Larger lot sizes and more open space is one
of our most desirable assets. No public transportation on most of our streets is in keeping with the
character of our city. I am opposed to ADUs built as rental dwellings but accept their use for family
members, particularly elderly parents. This would not add more traffic or burden our resources. I
also feel building smaller homes for seniors might encourage selling of many homes in our city
occupied by only one senior citizen because they do not want to leave their home town. This would
make large homes available to families wanting to move to Saratoga. Builders would need to
encouraged in some way to build homes that are single story and geared to seniors and with
services close by, ie grocery store, restaurants, services that would be in walking distance for seniors
who just need to downsize but stay in their community.
• People come here for the great schools, but now there is declining enrollment because families can't
afford to live here. We have many friends with young families who are dual-income, had a desire to
move to Saratoga, but could not afford to live in Saratoga, and instead moved to Sunnyvale and
Campbell instead. They are smart, college educated, hard-working, and high-income families. Those
cities are getting more and more of these families while Saratoga misses out by keeping with the
status quo. Also, the many single family houses in Saratoga look old and run-down. More & newer
high density housing - such as multi-family townhomes - would spruce up the look and feel and
attract more businesses. Also, increases safety. When I look at the crime in Saratoga, it is mostly
targeted at the sprawling single family homes. Meanwhile, my townhome community rarely has
crime. All the neighbors know each other and look out for each other. There are many young
families in our townhome community where kids play together outside. That's probably how
saratoga was 20 years ago when most the single family homes contained children. Mixed use
development could go a long way to bring new energy into Saratoga, the way Los Gatos and Los
Altos have thriving and vibrant downtown districts without sacrificing the character of those cities.
• people want to live in saratoga bc of the rural, village look and feel; good schools; quality homes
with yards large enough for families to gather and kids to play; peaceful neighborhoods; owners
who take care of their properties and thus retain the quality of the city. thousands of housing units
have been built within 10 miles of saratoga and remain empty as rents are very high and not
affordable for lower income people. building a lot more of the same will not help house the most
vulnerable and there is very limited public transportation or large shopping centers/amenities to
support a large number of incoming residents. if santa clara county is serious about affordable
housing then it should lower/subsidize the rents on the new vacant apartments already built in
public transportation corridors - dont make cities build more of the same.
• Perhaps parts of the Heritage Orchard could be used for new housing (say, for seniors), in a strip
between the Library and Sacred Heart church. Quito Village also seems eligible for some "dense"
housing. (We sorely miss Gene's)
• Planning the land use is not just a function of what price range of housing is provided, but
transportation and other facilities. Low income units are likely to require mass transit alternatives
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as well, with private cars being less likely. You can't plan one, without the other. Additionally, The
only way you could get low income housing in the area is to go straight up - way up.
•Please build more multihousing units in saratoga rather than single family.
•Please consider building housing on the vacant lot near corner of Saratoga Ave. and Cox Ave. as well
as at Gene's Quit Market area. Less problematic going 3 stories there as there are tall trees and a
creek adjacent. Hope newly approved Dementia Care facility near there will count as housing units
as well.
•Please consider that residents have chosen to live in areas without a lot of traffic, including traffic
from out of this area, and if in a single family home or a duplex, a truly residential uncongested area,
that allowing a SFR to be replaced by a multi unit housing / apt building with tenants that have no
ties to the area or community standards & cause traffic is severely impacting the quality of life that
people have chosen & paid for without regard for them. I know there are CA requirements coming,
but there are areas within Saratoga that are more appropriate for such new housing than long
established SFR areas.
•Please discuss covid19's impact on shifting work and commute patterns, and push back on state
mandates.
•Please do not allow the stringent rules to protect our trees to relax in any way. The character of
Saratoga is based on it's rural and wildlife community.
•Please do not make hillside and wildfire areas even more dangerous by increasing density in those
areas.
•Please dont add affordable housing as it increases crime rate
•Please don't ruin the character of our city.
•Please ensure that Policies for below market rate will not house registered sex offenders.
•please go with the public priorities
•please keep Saratoga a primarily single family residential area. The high-density housing does not fit
Saratoga and. They are better suited for larger cities like San Jose.
•Please keep Saratoga semi-rural. It's a very beautiful city and natural areas should remain that way.
If construction has to be built, then please build over the shopping strips and churches (there are
too many of them).
•Please keep the quality and the character of the the community the same. Please respect our
intelligence and don't tell us it won't change things. Even your list of priorities is filled with one-
sidededness. Instead of asking us what we believe the priorities should be you give us 8 options 5-7
of which many, many people would not even consider if it was not listed as an option. You will then
use the results to say what people want based on the preferences listed - - when they are your
preferences, not the people's. For example you phrase one priority as "Limiting growth in hillsides
and areas at risk for wildfire" without giving an option to build in the hillsides. Clearly the way it is
phrased you are telling people they are bad if they want to build in the hills, so it is not even an
option. I am not necessarily saying that more growth in the hillsides would be a good idea, but by
essentially saying if we do this they will most likely burn down (by phrasing it the way you did)
rather than phrasing it "Would you be willing to build on the hillsides if steps for fire prevention
were taken" would be another way to phrase it. Clearly there are are certain results you want from
this survey based on the way you have phrased it. I did not complete the priority list because to do
so would force me to place something in the #2 slot when I don't think anything should be in the
number 2 slot. I would consider a couple of other options but by putting one of them in the number
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2 slot and a third in the number 3 slot would unduly emphasize its importance to me. So I opted to
only list one. I assume the argument is that all of the proposed building/housingchanges would be
positive. If it was all positive why would they (the state) have to force us. In my opinion it should be
the city's position to oppose the state mandate. Such a move by the state will bring down the
property values and increase safety concerns here which constitutes a "taking" of property in
violation of the constitution. The city should be fighting this mandate. The citizens of Saratoga have
built and maintained this community for over 100 years without anyone telling us what to build or
how to build. Push back on the state and insist that they build affordable housing themselves rather
than force their will on us. There are many places where there is little to no housing. Build there.
Those of us who have worked hard to afford to live here should not be cast to the side.
•Please keep the Safeway/CVS at Argonaut Center. There is no other nearby place for grocery
shopping for people living on the west side of Saratoga/Sunnyvale road.
•Please keep the same neighborhood as much as possible Is there any way we reduce the number of
new unit
•PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Factor in traffic safety with all plans. These roads can barely handle the
amount of traffic now. Also with Hwy 85, Lawrence Expwy, Hwy 9, and Quito Rd all serve as "cut
throughs" for surrounding cities adding to our congestion. This would be #1
•Please preserve the semi-rural upper scale neighborhood as much as possible, and limit high-density
development to protect the environment. Multi-family and townhouses should be limited to the
Villages by converting the area into a mixed-use community.
•Please stop adding housing to roads that are at or over capacity. If we are going to add this many
houses then the traffic situation must be addressed. There are already some severe problems with
capacity and speeding. This is part and parcel of adding more people and cars.
•Please treat all of Saratoga the same, not higher priveleges for hill sides of Saratoga.
•PLEASE we need another grocery store in town. Genes is missed. We have one actual grocery store
excluding Sprouts and TJ. Los Gatos has 4 excluding TJ.
•Please, please, please, please, do everything in your legal and lawful power as City of Saratoga staff
and elected officials, to preserve the single family detached zoning of Saratoga, while complying
with all state laws, but doing everything to preserve as much of the semi-rural appearance of
Saratoga. Please follow the legal strategy of cities such as Portola Valley, and Woodside to keep
Saratoga semi-rural looking. As for affordable housing, more and more people are leaving the San
Francisco Bay Area, for lower cost of housing cities, so housing costs will eventually start to level off
in the San Francisco Bay Area, as the population decreases.
•Preserve Argonaut shopping center, do not build high density housing there. We have already lost
Quito shopping center.
•Preserve saratoga characters.
•Preserve the character of Saratoga! That means keeping low profile buildings and as much foliage as
possible. We don't want a big city feeling, but more of a small town feeling.
•Preserving the "character" of Saratoga that my family and I have enjoyed for over 50 years.
•Preserving the character of Saratoga Village is essential. There is scope for more efficient use of
space that could help accomplish the goal of the housing element but given the historic character of
the village area, overdevelopment or zoning changes would destroy its uniqueness.
•Priority ranking not working properly. In order of ranking: #1 Preserving current character of single
family neighborhoods. #2 Retaining a practice of generally limiting buildings to 2 stories #3 Requiring
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construction of significant affordable housing #4 Preserving existing commercial locations, including
providing grocery stores.
•Promote using the existing railroad track for commute traffic, with Saratoga stops, and prioritize
building high density housing near these stops.
•Re the next question: I attended the; first small group presentation which was made to the St.
Andrew's Episcopal Church Men's Group.
•Residents of Saratoga have paid a huge premium to live here because this community is exclusive
with predominantly single family homes and fewer commercial establishments. Lets not dilute the
residents' investment by turning the city into a high occupancy one that increases traffic and makes
it more congested
•Retain quality education in public schools. Have an adequate transportation infrastructure and
assessment of traffic in new housing areas.
•Retaining as much the single family homes as possible (or at least townhomes WITH yards while
working to retain the general character and skyline of Saratoga should be considered. Tall buildings
will change the skyline for the worse...and this is unique to the character of Saratoga.
•Safety from crime, burglaries, muggings, thefts is a major priority for me. The more low-end rental
properties you have, I worry, the more crime we will have. I am not biased against any group of any
type. Just a fact of life. I value my family's and property's safety. I think multi-purpose
buildings(commercial on the ground floor, residential above) in downtown Saratoga or in the WUI is
a great idea.
•Sand Hill Properties lied to Sunnyvale and declared bankruptcy to get out of their commitments with
the Town Center Project, have lied and sued Cupertino over the Vallco Mall redevelopment and
want cities to provide them with tax breaks etc for their profit over the true benefit of community
partnership. Beware they will not be trust worthy concerning the Quito Shopping Centre
redevelopment. They also run dark pac's and try to manipulate Council Elections.
•Santana Row type structures do not belong is Saratoga. Leave that for San Jose.......
•Saratoga (and the rest of the Bay Area) should seek 0 population growth and no increase in density.
Increasing either of these will increase congestion, increase water requirements, negatively impact
air quality, and generally reduce resident access to other cities, parks, natural resources, etc.
•Saratoga already has major traffic issues created by the hwy 85 on-ramp/exits, West Valley College,
and parents dropping off and picking up students from school. Adding mixed-use projects, and
higher density housing just compounds the traffic issues and puts more strain on infrastructure and
city resources. How does the Housing Element address these already existing issues?
•Saratoga avenue can not take on more traffic burden. Saratoga should be allowed to remain a small,
non-urbanized community.
•saratoga has no room for so many units
•Saratoga is a small city and to add 1700 new units would be very challenging.
•Saratoga is at risk of being passed up by its neighboring communities for desirability. Intelligent and
hard-working young families with high combined incomes are now moving into Campbell, San Jose,
& Sunnyvale and putting down roots there because a SFH in Saratoga costs $3.5 million and there
aren't enough newer $2-2.5 million townhomes to live in. This problem has a network effect and
unless we allow more newer development that young families can afford, neighboring cities will
surpass Saratoga, leaving it in the dust as a declining retirement community. It may be worth
pointing out that allowing for higher density (lot splits, re-zoning to allow multi-family development)
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actually increases the value of Saratoga residents' current properties. Being able to build multiple
townhomes or 2 SFHs + ADUs where one house currently exists makes the land much more valuable
to a buyer. An average SFH in Saratoga is 50 years old and costs $3.5 million (before renovations).
Most young families with combined incomes > $500k can comfortable afford a home in the $2-2.5
million range, and prefer newer construction. Young families are an asset to cities - they spend
money downtown, are active in communities, reset property tax assessments when they move in,
and bring a younger energy and watchful eye on safety to the city's streets, parks & libraries. I grew
up in Saratoga when 6 of the 8 homes on my street had young kids in the school system. Today, that
street only has 1 household with kids that are school-age. Everyone else on that street is retiring in
place. Saratoga could allow more multi-family townhome developments in areas currently zoned for
single family - these areas can be safer because more families who know each other can look out for
one other on their street. Provided development meets stringent fire safety codes, allowing higher
density in the wildland urban interface area would be pragmatic. Saratoga could also allow for lot
splits down to a minimum lot size (ex: 7500 sq ft lot), so larger lots could be better utilized. Lot splits
that result in a new SFH + ADU (which would still cost $2.5M+ new) would be a great way to create
new housing options for younger families while retaining Saratoga's character and meeting the
1700+ home target.
•Saratoga is now already crowded, and should not make it more crowded.
•Saratoga seems destined to miss the 2015-2023 Housing Element target. What will the consequence
be? If it is to miss the 2023-2031 target again, will the consequence be worse?
•Saratoga should not comply with the state on adding 1,700 units. If the state withholds money
from the city then that is worth it to keep Saratoga's semi-rural character. There is nothing to
prevent the state from requiring Saratoga to build another 2,000 units once the 1,700 units are
finished in the years to come. Cupertino sold its soul years ago and now they have a crime
problem, a homeless problem and has now become a smaller version of San Jose.
•Saratoga shouldn't be a generic community. It has a personality needing to be maintained. Mixed
income housing is lovely but should fit into the culture and look of the community. We can be
diverse without losing our identity.
•See below. We must go up in certain locations. Condominiums multi story.
•Should allow some larger lot to be subdivided
•Should build 3 stories in village..more life downtown
•Some of the parts of the survey did not work. I use a MAC.
•State should not dictate our city.
•State-mandated housing development in local communities is an overreach by State legislators.
Local communities must retain local control over housing development. State legislators are
pressuring massive, high-density development while ignoring massive climate change, declining
water supply, degraded power supply, deteriorating infrastructure, adverse impact on local
government and services. Prefer higher marginal state income taxes which can be redistributed to
lower 50% income levels which would provide more housing choices to people vs. forcing higher
density housing upon communities.
•Tell the state to wake up. State should NOT mandate housing units. The demand should promote
construction! We have too many people in CA and forcing more housing units will increase costs,
traffic, pollutions, congestions, accidents, etc.
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•The Argonaut Shopping Center is an essential resource for the Saratoga community in providing
access to food, health care supplies, financial services, and more. In addition to this critical value it
adds to the community on a daily basis, as a commercial center, it drives business and long term
growth for the city. In order to sustain community access to essential resources and maintain a long
term perspective, the Argonaut Shopping Center must be preserved as is.
•The building limits on existing homes and new homes should be revised. Expanding square footage
and height restriction above 26 ft for large acre lots to modernize the existing neighborhoods and
attract younger families. The planning commission is forcing home design similar to the 1960s and
the needs/desires have changed. The current planning and development rules are quite archaic and
restrictive causing Saratoga to deteriorate as a desirable community. The shared community
infrastructure - downtown Saratoga, sidewalks, small parks, road medians, waste, setbacks/brush
needs significant focus. Doesn't take a lot of funding, but rather just care, modernization, and pride
of ownership. Highway 9 from Big Basin to Monte Sereno should be a beautiful drive into
downtown Saratoga. Downtown Saratoga is old and needs major improvements. Without a
downtown, adding housing will not help.
•The city has a very difficult job in front of them. Some residents have resided here for decades
because of the quality of life of a small town/village. More recently, high income families have
moved here because Saratoga has maintained its high standards. Although there is not a lot of retail
business in Saratoga, that has not negatively impacted the quality of life for it's residents. I wonder
how a town/village can maintain its high quality of life when it must conform to mandates by the
state/federal governments. Nothing stays the same forever, but preserving the attractive qualities
of a town is imperative if we want to maintain the high quality of life for its residents.
•The City of Saratoga and the State of California's Housing Element proposal will not only destroy the
bucolic nature of the city, it will destroy our property values. Saratoga can't possibly accommodate
in any appropriate way the unreasonable number of dwellings suggested.
•The city of Saratoga is called the Tree City for a reason - creating a dense network of houses will
really destroy the character of this beautiful city.
•The City should not increase the density in the WUI areas since there is limited access routes on
winding, rural roads which could put lives at risk in an evacuation for fire or other emergency. A
study by Berkeley Researchers concludes that low density is necessary in the high fire areas.
•The city should try to spread out new housing in different parts of the city and avoid concentrating
all the new housing in one location.
•The council should appeal the state's requirement for so much housing. Saratoga only has 6 square
miles outside of the hillside areas and there are already too many homes in that small space. It is not
a reasonable requirement for our small semi-urban comminity.
•The current limits on building height seem overly restrictive In areas on or near commercial zones,
4stories seems reasonable with current housing demand
•The current state politicians are concerned about pollution and they want to add 3400 or more cars
to the city. Doesn't make sense.
•The housing mandate has already adversely impacted the El Quito neighbourhood. Please try to
spread the impact from an increase in population density and increase in traffic around by allowing
for 20,000 sq ft and larger lots to be subdivided. I think adding mixed retail with housing above at
Argonaut is feasible. I don't want to lose more commercial space to housing. Grocery stores, coffee
shops, restaurants, dry cleaners, tailors, shoe repair, hair salons etc, have to go somewhere. I do
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not want to see skyscrapers in Saratoga. It would completely ruin the character of our city. Part of
the reason we live here is being able to see the hillside.
•The housing should be distributed ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY!!! Not just loaded into one corner
because it is already has mixed housing. In other words, the "wealthy" areas of Saratoga should
have additional housing too! "Preserving the current character" is a way of discriminating.
•The idea that Saratoga "needs" 1700 new housing units is completely unrealistic. With ever-
improving remote working options and the expectation of continued increases in the cost of living in
the Bay Area, planning for even more (state-mandated) housing in Saratoga is clearly a fool's errand.
This strategy of "forcing affordable housing" upon all communities ignores the immense public
subsidies this will require. Additionally, the community infrastructure (roads, police & fire
protection, etc) needed to support such an influx of newly housed residents never seems to be
planned for (and realistically costed out) leading to permanent & significant degradation of the
quality of life for all residents. My $0.02.
•The limited water supply is inconsistent with the cities growth projections.
•The priority ranking survey (sort 1 to 8 in importance) should really be two surveys, one on values
for what is important for Saratoga's character, and the other on which strategies/tactics to meet the
housing goals are most preferred. I like that Saratoga feels like a suburb to me, and not sprawl. I live
on a street where kids can play on the street, where there are very few cars parked on the street,
and where you can see the hills. The views, and trees, are important. None of the strategies HAVE to
conflict with the above, but they all can. It all depends on how they are implemented.
•The property next to Marshall Lane Elementary School, how many homes are slated for that huge
piece of property?
•The quality of life in Saratoga is generally based on single family homes and I would prefer to see it
remain that way. I understand the need to add housing and would prefer to see a Santana Row
model downtown. I have no problem with some development in the hills. this is a bedroom
sommunity and that's it's charm. I don't want that to be lost. I do like the idea of mixed use housing
and commercial....it's much like the European model and it works there.
•The ranking is difficult as some of the choices could work under certain circumstances. Older adults
and students are NOT the same and shouldn't be combined. I welcome additional senior housing,
multistory units if required, as I feel it's important for seniors to be able to stay in the communities
where they have friends and family and familiar surroundings, or offer housing to seniors from
surrounding communities. Preserving grocery stores isn't mutually exclusive to mixed use. We
could possibly take the South end and North end of the Argonaut shopping center for several 2-
story townhomes or condos, but leave the grocery store, CVS, ACE. Then there is the little area
across from Argonaut which could be an entire row of 2 story townhomes or condos. The railroad
section at Stg/Sunnyvale, while being an opportunity for multiple units, it would be a detraction to
the local area if there was anything over 3 stories, especially if garages were put under dwellings.
While I am not opposed to affordable units being "considered" in all development projects, I do not
believe it should be a requirement. E.g., Would a developer who is developing two, adjoining, single
family home properties be required to make one affordable, by the nature of splitting both to make
three?
•The state mandate for "affordable" (a euphemism for "low-income") housing is a thinly-disguised
leftist feel-good initiative aimed at destroying the quality of life for high-earning residents of the bay
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area. It is imperative that the Saratoga school district not be overwhelmed with low-income
students or otherwise have its high standing diluted.
•The State should not be able to dictate local zoning requirements. That is a matter for the citizens
of Saratoga to decide.
•The States mandate is ridiculous and should be waived for small communities like Saratoga.
•The streets of Saratoga are already crowded without adding 1700 more homes. I don't know where
the city is going to put that many houses. I don't like what's going to be built at Quito Center or El
Paseo de Saratoga. The next big piece of land is at the corner of Saratoga and Cox. I would rather
have seen the senior housing built there than a sprawling bunch of homes or a large box store.
•The village is a great legacy, please reserve. The other commercial/shops are good to have in the city
but they do not add unique value to the city. Converting the commercial/shops (such as Quito plaza,
Arganaut Plaza) to residential might be a good idea.
•The wild land urban interface should be preserved, i.e. no intrusion allowed.
•There are a number of vacant houses in Saratoga. They have absentee owners that do not
contribute to the neighborhoods and don't allow for families in need of housing.
•There are enough people here, there is no water, the streets are worn. And the quality of neighbors
are awful, beautiful but horrid place to live. My family has lived here since 1954 and this place is in
decline.
•There is a limit to how much housing Saratoga can tolerate while retaining its unique character. The
abundance of traffic and the scarcity of water should also be factored in.
•There should be affordable housing for teachers and policeman, We need good teachers that live in
the community. If policemen lives in the community, they will feel a personal commitment and
understanding for the community.
•This can be a great opportunity to be creative and build a more vibrant, exciting community. We can
build on our heritage and provide a town that promotes and celebrates the old west. We could have
horse and buggy rides, stage coaches parked in front of banks for kids to climb on, tour guides,
affordable restaurants promoting fun healthy foods to go along with horseback riding. Eat like a
horse restaurant serving whole grains with fruits etc. a Happy Hog restaurant which has a smiling pig
asking us to eat more vegetables, corn, phoney baloney sandwiches, Im envisioning a mixed use
town modeled on Santana Row with residents living in town above retail stores. Merchants dressing
in period costumes. Etc etc. Lets make Saratoga exciting. Property values and businesses could
soar. Lets share ideas
•This doesnt seem to take into consideration the logistics of road congestion. Saratoga has more
limited inroutes, than other cities. Thus adding high density housing is unimaginable. This
requirement of 1700 homes has the potential to ruin the reason why Saratoga is special. What a
shame.
•This is a personal request/plea regarding density near the area of Saratoga and Cox Avenues: The
Vineyards of Saratoga (where I reside) has 165 units. Across the street at Quito Center, 90 more
dwelling units will be built. An Altzeimer's facility is scheduled to be built at the northwest corner of
the Abrams property. There is a full freeway 85 interchange at this location, with all the attendant
traffic, pollution and noise. Please do NOT consider the Abrams property (Pumpkin Patch/Queen's
Christmas trees lot) for housing. It would be more equitable to spread the 1,700 dwelling units
throughout the City.
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•This is an incredibly difficult task, and one that we do not envy your taking on - particularly in an
active, vocal, and engaged community like Saratoga. We hope you will seek to be wise for the long
term benefit of our community and region.
•This is an unfair burden being placed on small cities like ours. The city of Saratoga needs to take a
firm and strong position now to protect our cities character, otherwise we will lose forever the
essence of what draws people to Saratoga. Saratoga is highly desired and valued by existing
residents and by people moving in for its semi- rural charm. This needs to be valued and preserved.
•This is just not right. It will destroy the appeal of Saratoga. How will the city handle the additional
schools and facilities required?
•This is not directly related to the Housing Element Update, but why is there no decent grocery story
in Saratoga? We miss Genes Market. I have to drive to Los Gatos (Lunardis) or Cupertino (Whole
Foods) to shop for groceries.
•This will harm the quality of life in Saratoga.
•To support having younger family afford to buy homes in Saratoga, we must increase the density
where possible and move away from the need to preserving village look and feel to accept that
Saratoga is a part for bigger challenge in the Bay Area for affordable housing.
•Traffic and crime is becoming bigger and bigger problem.
•Traffic congestion is #1 concern. Community character (the feeling of a village) and neighborhood
safety are #2. Creative use of existing commercial zones that can also integrate mixed-use housing
makes a lot of sense to me.
•Traffic implications, particularly for hillsides, needs to be addressed.
•Traffic. The only areas with the road infrastructure to support more dense housing are the De Anza
Corridor and the Saratoga Ave/Quito corridor north of Hwy 85.
•Ultimately, this is a fool's errand. We either preserve Saratoga as the pleasant, low density, semi-
rural community of mostly single family homes it is (and has been since it was incorporated), or we
join San Jose in the Wuhan-ization of the Bay Area. Congestion, gridlock, and rabbit-hutch housing
we do not need. Your choice. (In California anything like this takes three times longer and is five
times costlier than originally projected, so I'll be 105 when the first 20-story high-density apartment
house breaks ground.)
•Use as many accessory units as possible to meet the mandate
•Use the shopping plaza where Genes Foods was located as a new hip mixed use residential
development. Do something - anything! - to refresh Big Basin commercial strip without turning it
into Los Gatos.
•Very concerned that parking be assessed before housing added. Granny units (if allowed) must be
limited to on site parking and one unit per single family home per lot.
•Was the mandate for 1,700 DU made by the state legislature, or by un-named bureaucrats?
•We are against any further residential or commercial construction in Saratoga. The small town
charm will be destroyed.
•We are fortunate to have a lovely place to live in. Building 1700 new homes in a wonderful
opportunity to share our good fortune with others. We must wholeheartedly embrace it, be open
and inviting to all demographics and economic status into our city.
•We are not impressed with the current council's response to housing. Rishi Kumar is the only
member fighting to save and preserve Saratoga's rural setting for our future. We should be banning
together with bay area cities and fight these RHNA numbers AND bills like SB9 and other insane
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housing bills coming from our state govt. Evan Low does NOT support Saratoga and should be
recalled as well as other Reps. who push these insane housing bills!
•We are not interested in new housing. It will create more crime and less safety for the elderly
population.
•We don't want higher density. Saratoga is full.
•We have a big lot 3/4 acre with a perfect spot for a smaller house. Is there any way to split the lot
so we could build one and have the new owner own the land too?
•we have a water shortage, horrible traffic and the 'crisis' does not seem as critical as the state
legislature is making it appear. There are other ways to address the issues without causing long
terms problems that elevate the crisis to and create more problems. Saratoga, unlike Cupertino and
other nearby towns just does not have the space for more housing.
•We have lived in Saratoga for 30+ years because of its classic village style and atmosphere.
Arbitrarily driving state housing rules like those will detract from Saratogas values. Keep Saratoga a
village!
•We have no infrastructure to support these additional homes. How many of the new 1700 homes
will be truly affordable -what is the pricing structure?
•We like the small town Saratoga feel..to put high rise and low income ruins the quality of living and
the expensive homes we bought for the small town feel
•We live in Saratoga and thank God we enjoy the neighborhood We also understand that even our
children as they finish college, they want affordable housing 1. We suggest city of Saratoga allow
Buidling multiple stories for each family to provide housing for parents and children. Meaning
parents who already own a home being able to build multiple stories to satisfy need of their family.
If the land is big, divid the land to multiple parcels to build smaller homes for parents and children.
2.If you dont want to have affordable housing in saratoga, then help and improve other
neighborhoods and schools so people dont want to al come to saratoga for good public school. And,
No, private school is not a solution as their tuitions are outrageous.
•We need more housing in the Bay Area! Saratoga should do its part to increase both the amount
and variety of housing available. We live near the Quito Center and I was disappointed when an
earlier mixed use redevelopment project was rejected by the city. I think the concerns about traffic
and changing character of the city are very overblown. I personally think a little more density for
more amenities and diversity is a good trade off.
•We need more nice shopping centers with high end grocery stores and other conveniences close by.
We need affordable water and utilities to accommodate these new houses. More shops, not more
high density homes.
•We should never try to convert Saratoga into a city like Sunnyvale or Mountain View just want to
squeeze in more people. Preserve City of Saratoga. In addition, city needs to improve general utility
conditions, particularly road quality.
•We were attracted to Saratoga because of its charm and low density housing. It feels like living in
the country with access to higher density venues such as San Jose where high rises and high density
housing makes sense.
•We were very disappointed with the construction of multi million dollar units in Monte Sereno that
are very congested. Hopefully Saratoga will not do the same thing?
•What are the concrete plant Lehigh contributions(air pollution) to building housing here? What
about water? Older independent seniors want a walkable neighborhood, bring fewer cars
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•What will 1700 more homes do to traffic?
•When I drive around Saratoga, it seems like most of the available land is built out. The exception are
the hillsides. California is suffering from water shortage, fires and drought. Adding population and
housing doesn't make sense. We only have one grocery store now in Saratoga. In Los Gatos with
similar population, there are 5. Thinking about getting rid of existing commercial space hurts the
businesses already here, and the people who depend on them. This needs to go through the Town's
planning commission, not be fast tracked.
•When we are planning for more housing units in the city of Saratoga, its influence on traffic into and
out of the city should also be taken into account. It gets pretty congested already on Saratoga Ave.
Not sure how it can be resolved or stayed unaffected if the city needs to accommodate more
housing.
•When you allow additional 1700 new housing units, are you going to redraw the Saratoga and
Campbell school district boundary?
•where are the builders going to fit in 1700 housing units?
•While we could replace them with mixed used buildings, we need to maintain our commercial
businesses so that residents have easy access to basic necessities. Our downtown area seems to be
an excellent choice for such development and with increased residents in that area could add life
and more to it. We need to be considering how to manage the increased travel needs of these
residents, both with improved public transit and roads. Expanding housing in the hillsides is certainly
worth examining, but would require major access improvements to facilitate the higher amount of
traffic.
•While we might need more housing, we can't destroy the defining characteristic of Saratoga!
Primarily single-family homes (less than 2 stories) with access to nature and green cover is
important for us to preserve.
•Why does the city have to build so many homes, its B.S how can we fight this
•Why is Saratoga just rolling over and accepting that they have to build 1700 houses? There is not
much available land in Saratoga. Building on the hillsides would be showing poor judgement. Push
back against the State. Show your initiative. It is not responsible to add this many houses when
there is not enough water, much fire danger and no room in the schools for that many additional
kids.
•Why is the location at Saratoga ave. and Quito Road and HY85, have a one story limit? I call it the
Saratoga Bermuda Triangle.
•Will the current Water shortage have any effect on the requirement to build more housing?
•With continued shortages of water, electricity and other necessities, how can anyone justify building
1,700 more homes here? This is insanity! We need to keep the state and federal idiots out of our
local politics!
•With housing plan, need to consider roads, bike paths, and walking paths. Consider grocery stores,
etc. within walking distance of new housing (i.e. mixed use development).
•With the push from the ABAG, the charm of Saratoga Will be lost---once done there is NO GOING
BACK.
•With the shortage of water and electricity, how can the state possibly impose this! It's insane.
•With water restrictions I dont think any building should be added to Saratoga. I would resist building
1700 units for as long as possible.
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•Would be ideal to utilize some of the large vacant parcels that are currently undeveloped - parcels
like the Christmas tree lot/pumpkin patch over by 85. Allow for the redevelopment of the small
shopping center in the village - the old Buy and Save Market area Redevelop the Gene's Quito
Shopping Center into housing with some retail component. Student housing on the West Valley
Campus would be great. Find some large hillside parcels to build on. Lots of land in the hills and it's
generally cheaper to buy.
•Would like to see house be owned, not rented. Encourage long term and discourage high change
over of people.
12. Which community meeting(s) do you plan to attend? The content presented at all three meetings
will be the same.
June 10, 12-2 p.m. 26.0% 92
June 15, 7-9 p.m. 39.5% 140
June 26, 9-11 a.m. 42.1% 149
No response: 388
June 10, 12-2p.m.: 92
June 15, 7-9 p.m.: 140
June 26, 9-11 a.m.: 149
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13. What topics would you like covered in further detail and/or what questions would you like
answered during the community meetings?
Answered 261
Skipped 482
Comments (copied directly from survey submissions):
•A front yard full of weeds is increasing at resident's homes throughout the city. What can be put in
regulations for residents to maintain their yards vs. creating blight such that we retain the beauty of
all neighborhoods.
•- How does the City ultimately decide on what direction to take? Are you looking for concrete
suggestions on zoning changes? How will sentiment from the younger population count compared
to other age groups, if there are fewer responses from younger folks? Many young families (I live
amongst 20 of them) have strong views - nothing like raising a young family to sharpen your focus
on housing needs - but are quite busy and don't have as much time to participate in these hearings
as folks who may be retired and have more time.
•- Population Growth Patterns - Traffic Growth Patterns around each of potential housing inventory
sites - K-12 Student Growth - Existing Capacity & Need for Additional Class Rooms & Schools
•1 How much space do we have now to build on 2 what large tracts of land now exist to build on that
need to be repurposed or otherwise acquired. 3 I would want to see apartments limited to
developments like Jakes pizza. IN singel family ares i think it would be too disruptive to wedge them
in and they would ruin the character of many of the single family areas - unless you can find a
perfect spot for them. 4 What happens if we don't comply with the states requirements?
•1) Do the residents have inputs on the decision process? If they do, can you elabebrate how? if they
don't, why?
•1) El Paseo will become a major mixed use project that will compound traffic issues in Saratoga -
how is this being addressed? 2) Crime was rising pre-COVID-19 but has subsided now that most
people are working from home (will probably rise when people return to the office) - citizens have
had to either install security systems or install neighborhood video monitoring systems at their own
expense to protect themselves - what is the city doing to address this? 3) Quito Center should have
remained a neighborhood retail shopping center - this was a disaster. What has the city learned
from this?
Answered: 261
Skipped: 482
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•1) Which commercial locations would be considered as possible housing locations (either mixed-use
or other) 2) Plans to deal with increased traffic 3) How clean energy; water conservation; and green
spaces will be included in plans
•1) Why do we need more construction in Saratoga? 2) How are we going to organize to push back on
the state's demands to build more housing.
•1. Might the 1700+ number be modified if CA's population continues to decline post-pandemic? 2.
What impacts could the HE requirements have on our public schools? How might funding be
provided to accommodate more students of eg. lower financial status? (Might a wider range of
family income levels avail our schools of more state & federal funding?)
•1. Potential Housing Inventory Sites, Rational, Methodology & Personnel Involved 2. Saratoga
Population Growth Patterns 3. Traffic Flow Patterns - For each of the potential housing inventory
sites 4. K-12 Schools Existing Capacity & Additional Needs over 2023 thru' 2031 5. What legal
options available to City ? Pls avoid repeating the same content again.
•1. How can we limit the number of additional units that will be allowed as per the state directive
(perhaps ~500 new units?)? What legal avenues do we plan to pursue 2. How can we look at options
to preserve Saratoga's unique characteristics for most of the areas -- consider specific and targeted
areas to support new growth? 3. What kind of alternative housing can we consider to count towards
this outcome (students, seniors etc)?
•1. Impact of housing projects on pubic school density
•1. Please take into account traffic management in and out of tight areas, such as the village and
along HWY9 - putting substantially more housing units on these narrow 2 lane streets is not a good
idea for bikers or walkers. 2. What is happening with the old Gene's Foods complex on Cox? That
seems prime for 3-4 story mixed use and would feed into the existing traffic infrastructure well. 3.
What is happening with the derelict strip mall in the village (next to Wells Fargo Bank and across
from Rose Intl Food Store) - this also seems prime for a 3-story mixed use development. 4. Why not
covert all of our commercial properties into mixed use zoning? These function well in other CA
towns.
•1. The variation in zoning recommendations across the city -- what varies, how much, and why 2.
How will traffic concerns be handled for the different areas -- sometimes not addressed, but more
often whitewashed away based on unrealistic premises which are never reflected back upon to
make better assumptions next time. 3. How can downtown be revitalized.
•1. What is the cities position? 2. What is the cities plan to preserve our existing cities semi- rural
character 3. Can city appeal this undue burden ? 4. How will hillside residential with its wild fire risk
areas, get treated or protected in this ? 5. Does the city plan to oppose hi- rise and hi - density
development?
•1. Where will the 1700 new units be built? 2. Does Saratoga have the infrastructure to support these
new units? 3. How does the appeal process work?
•A map of where space is available for housing.
•A more convenient way to propose specific areas for consideration for satisfying RHNA. But I think
Westgate West & Gateway are two obvious choices. Incentives to add ADUs and for builders to add
mixed housing in commercial areas also make sense. Thank you for engaging with the community
the way you have. I'm looking forward to hearing about the EIR plans.
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• Adapting existing shopping centers to accommodate more multi-use options, including moderate
income residential units, while retaining the commercial land use that generates tax income to the
city of Saratoga.
• Add more objective building requirements to fight overreaching state laws like what led us to the
Quito Village disaster. Please enforce existing quality of life laws. For example, I was woken by. gas
leaf blower yesterday at 7:30am even with the new rule against leaf blowers, and the long standing
rule limiting times of their use. I believe it was a commercial landscaper.
• Adding 1700 homes seems a bit nutty. How? Where? Why?
• ADU units to be allowed in properties.
• Are there towns in California that are in need of improvement? Possibly areas that are so
abandoned, run down, neglected that they have been rendered useless or even dangerous? I know
of no areas like that in Saratoga, but I know there are cities that have benefited from development
of that nature. Are we in California using our resources in the best way possible? I know sometimes
one person's "charming old " is another person's "dilapidated". Who said this would be easy or
simple????
• Are we considering changing zoning for 1 acre lots to subdivide lots?
• Areas of development.
• Areas that could accommodate high density housing and how developers would be charged to
improve essential services and school district. The new housing should be very green and be in an
area close to transit and without parking to encourage individuals to use public transportation and
avoid air polluting high traffic density. Zoning should emphasize green building and use of public
transportation.
• As applicable
• As they become available, please share details or summaries about the Consultants' analysis of the
potential/limitations of specific pieces of property. Also, consider factors that might allow higher
density on specific pieces of property, based on public transportation or on-call services (Uber, Lyft,
Zipcar, etc)
• available land, without removing schools, parks, or pathways, like Joe's trail.
• Ban the delivery of unrequested Saratoga news or any publication left in a driveway - make it by
request subscription only.
• Besides the Argonaut shopping sight what are the other options. What about re developing down
town Saratoga with stores on bottom houses on top. Downtown Saratoga currently has nothing to
offer. Some stores went out and only wine places left. Why doesn't Saratoga make it more appealing
like Los Gatos.
• Can the unused property of a Catholic Church in Jewish synagogue on prospect avenue be used for
housing? Is it large enough for a Senior living center?
• Can we exclude wildfire areas from the RNA requirements?
• Can you cover what steps you would take to preserve the character of the community? I'm sure
many of us who live in Saratoga moved here for the quiet charm, safety, and access to nature.
Having lived in Saratoga for nearly 40 years, I can tell you that much has changed, but thankfully
much of the character has been preserved. I worry that the additional housing units will change the
city for the worse.
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• Cant you folks fight the state on this idiotic plan. It makes no sense. They want to push inner city
folks out into the suburbs and give them govt money to live in. What happened to working and
saving your money so you could afford to move out of the crap hole cities and into the suburbs?
• City facts to put this in context: # existing housing units; expected population impact per housing
unit; would rezoning REQUIRE destruction of existing functional, usable housing or buildings?
• Clarification of the consequences if we dont meet the state mandates, eg, does the state take over
the planning department?
• Come and visit the beautiful Saratoga Retirement Community and decide how best to expand and
preserve the green space.
• Commercial Districts and how they can achieve a large portion of the requirement. What are the
potential revisions to C districts so that designs can begin now rather than wait another two years
before we have revised criteria? The Saratoga Gateway Design Guidelines and how this document
completely undermines the cities requirements and goals. This doc looks more like a residential
HOA design review than a commercial district. How compromises must be presented to long-
standing residents, that the community is changing and the Saratoga is no longer a rural town. How
the C districts can absorb a large part of the mandate and possibly minimizing the idea of lot
splitting, hillside development which just serves the upper incomes. How do ADU's really help when
I suspect most are built to serve the upper-income homeowners who can afford to construct these
units. Is there a requirment to rent these out? Does the city care or need to care at this level.
• Complete identification of all sites available for development including the possible number of
homes or apartments that could be built there. THe issues in condemning existing sites in order to
meet the mandate. Like condemning all of downtown Saratoga and rebuilding it a la Santana row.
• consequences of not meeting the 1,700 home requirement
• Consider pushing back on the "mandate" of additional affordable housing. Many cities are pushing
back and we should too.
• Crime increase with low-income housing Parking Traffic Additional schools and parks Additional
capacity at parks and rec classes and activities How can the city absorb 1700 households into the
current infrastructure? Water, sewer, power, roads, schools, library, etc ?
• Crime prevention and law enforcement.
• Current plans and activity for the Quito Village and El Paseo properties - LET'S GET THINGS
MOVING!! That's some prime space sitting there doing nothing!
• Ditch the two story ordinance as a way to get lots of new units in small areas. We need our cities to
be compact and affordable such that valuable and distant farm land is not carpeted with living/retail
spaces
• Do not just build up. This would not keep the Character of Saratoga. File a law suit against the State.
This is a ridiculous requirement, with no consideration of individual cities.
• Do not let this be fast tracked, be responsible to the residents of Saratoga.
• Do Saratoga officials envision any "realistic" path to fulfill mandates without nullifying existing
contracts, such as neighborhood CC&Rs, and ultimately causing property owners to sustain
uncompensated losses?
• Do the schools have room for more students?
• Don't destroy the beauty or character.
• Downtown needs to be 5 story over retail and restaurants. Bonus for combining parcels for greater
use and better design. Condos of 1800 to 2400 square feet would allow seniors to move to a viable
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downtown option and sell there existing housing to younger families. Think European type small
villages. That will make downtown a vibrant entity.
• Downtown revitalization
• Effect on traffic
• Existing planning and development guidelines. Plans for downtown Saratoga. Plans for general
maintenance of shared infrastructure and space.
• Fitting in more houses is one thing, but how do we supply services to that many new units? Water
and other utilities will have to be supplied and do we have the resources to sustainably supply to
that many new homes? What about all the additional waste that will be produced? How can we
make sure that traffic isn't doubled and commutes get that much longer? Already our traffic in
normal times on city streets and freeways is awful and crawls during peak hours. Just look at
Lawrence Expy, 85, 280, Saratoga Ave at 85 interchange, and De Anza at 85 interchange. Also where
was the focus to add housing from the past mandates? I am aware that Saratoga has fallen short of
that requirement but what was the plan for those required units and how many areas from the past
plan are still viable as an option to add housing in the new plan?
• For a family who own a home in saratoga being able to build homes for their children on their land
either by building multiple story or if land is large, divide land into multiple smaller parcels to build
homes for their children on the land they already own
• Give a list of spaces available to build these 1700 new homes.
• Given that the goals for the last house element plan were not met what changes will be made to
ensure we can meet the next set of goals, whatever they might be.
• Handling auto traffic
• Has Saratoga approached land owners to sell or use open land such as the Queen's Pumpkin Patch
area on Saratoga Ave or open land spaces that are not being used (land next to Marshal Lane
School, Novakovich Orchard or vineyards are Allendale and Chester)?
• Has the city staff created any maps of "potentially eligible" sites for at least some portion of the
required 1700? What happens if 1700 is not achievable without drastic measures such a requiring
sub-division of lots that already are developed?
• Higher density housing should be located on main arteries near commercial centers and public
transit.
• Hope to hear and discuss more about the density of Hillside area, the limitation of 2 acres per lot is
too restricted to meet current situation. wild fire of the weeds in HR area is a big problem.
• Housing plans
• How and when are traffic considerations going to be addressed? I am concerned about the impact
on 1700+ new housing units on Saratoga's limited network of streets.
• How and when are you going to solve the shortage of water and electric problems for these new
developments? San Jose water company rates are so high, will the single families have to pay for the
subsidies for these new development for water and electricity?
• How are we going to improve the infrastructure to support this forced expansion? What is PG&E
going to do to ensure adequate power resources are and remain available? How will we meet the
increased water demands where existing resources are already stretched thin? How will we handle
the increased traffic volumes that are already forcing traffic onto neighborhood streets? Who will
pay for all this? What recourse do we have to request relief from the Government agencies that are
arbitrarily demanding we take property rights away from our residents without adequate
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compensation or adequate planning to meet the increased demands that the expansion will place
on already overstretched resources?
•How are we going to prevent more SB35 debacles in our city? The developers of Quito Village are
going to make almost a billion dollars on that project and we get 7 lousy affordable housing units
out of it. This is only going to attract more developers who see an opportunity to make a lot of
money because our city is so expensive to live in. Greed rules developers.
•How are you going to account for additional traffic?
•How can anyone justify 1,700 more homes when we cant support the water & electricity to the
homes we already have? Is Saratoga suddenly going to get more water & electricity?
•How can California mandate further construction when the state suffers from long-term drought
and water shortages?
•How can Saratoga fulfill and even exceed our targets for the next RHNA cycle? What if we planned
for 3000+ homes instead of our current quota? I would love to see mixed-use residential and
commercial in downtown Saratoga--that would make it more vibrant and charming, such as what
Cupertino has done with Main Street!
•How can the schools handle 1700+ new students without building new buildings, and where?
•How can the semi-rural zoning, and single family detached homes be preserved in Saratoga, as
allowing for high density, low income housing, will immediately lower property value for the any
single family detached homes near those high density, low income housing properties. High density,
low income housing will bring increased traffic, noise pollution, and eliminate the semi-rural
appearance in the City of Saratoga. Please preserve the city housing element in the master plan, to
remain a semi-rural / suburban bedroom community, of mostly single family detached homes.
•How can the state require the city to add more housing.
•how can we add so many units in such a condensed city? what about the safety, environmental,
education, and traffic issues? Saratoga is a beautiful city with its unique lifestyle, it is our
responsibility to preserve this heritage.
•How can we protect the trees and wild animal life.
•How city plans to supply water and utilities to all these new homes.
•How do they expect Saratoga to build affordable housing for those that need it with the price of
land?
•How do they plan to deal with traffic? Water, water, water. And thank the 70% of the voters for
voting Democrat, you all deserve what is going to happen when more lower income people move
into bucolic Saratoga.
•How do we buiid a coalition to oppose the allocations rather than figure out how to accommodate
1700 new homes.
•How does each and every option plan to mitigate the significant negative side effects of congestion,
pollution, water shortage, etc., etc?
•How does the city plan to encourage and incentivize the building of auxiliary dwelling units?
•How does the Housing Element takes account transport infrastructure (or lack thereof) ? Theres very
limited public transportation and only 2 lane roads at most so it becomes challenging to increase
density
•How is the city going to force owners to build more homes vs adus?
•How is the city pushing back on the 1700 housing number.
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•How much can residents say and act when participating in the initial allocation plan?
•How much is all this housing element design and planning costing the taxpayers of Saratoga? How
many more TREES Is Saratoga going to plant? How are the Saratoga schools going to handle 1700 or
more students? How is Saratoga going to handle the additional fast-moving traffic through our
SMALL town?
•How the City Council could go about appealing the state's unreasonable mandate requirement for a
small semi-urban community like Saratoga, which only has around 6 square miles outside of the
hillside/fireside area. Half of the 12 square miles of Saratoga is a dangerous hillside. It is not a
reasonable mandate for our small city and is something that should be fought.
•How the city is planning to restore Satatoga's residential areas to their former beauty, and how new
construction can help.
•How the city plans to avoid discrimination and spread the additional housing across the entire city.
•How to acommodate the housing mandate while maintaining (or improving) the quality of living in
Saratoga.
•How to encourage and support mixed use development in the downtown area and along Saratoga,
Prospect avenues.
•how to organize the community to push back. obviously most citizens of saratoga will not be happy
with the proposed density increase. local government should actively engage at the state level and
in the courts to further the desires of its local citizens.
•How to preserve open space and expansion of housing units?
•How to preserve Saratoga village.
•How to reject state mandate for expanded housing in our community.
•How to stop the new housing element.
•How to succeed from the State, or get out from under their thumbs and stupid ideas
•How was the 1700 new residences determined. Where are the likely location of new residences
Which Saratoga council member has what position Are any council members connected to or
funded by developers. Need full disclosure How will the new residences impact traffic, parking at
commercial locations and the nature of life in Saratoga
•How will the city encourage and incentivize auxiliary dwelling units?
•How will the City make decisions regarding locations for higher density housing? Should the City
hire a consultant who has experience in this type of planning?
•How would schools take the additional pupils? Why would more houses be built, when you there is
not enough water/fire danger?
•How would you prevent a "bidding war" on affordable units? What open space is available in
Saratoga for large housing tracks?
•I also think we should ensure more homes get added to Saratoga high school district, such as the
Quito area in Saratoga.
•I assume there will be the appropriate increase in services for 1700 new homes. Will there also be
an appropriate green space or open space (parks) for the increase?
•I believe our Village can be greatly improved if we allow density there. This would be a good place
for multi-family housing in mixed use buildings. Eliminating current retail that includes groceery
stores would be a big mistake for Saratoga. We've already done that with Quito Market.
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•I do not support a state mandated quota. Let private enterprise do it and let the builders and
buyers do it. Not state manadetes.
•I dont want high density projects approved in existing sir neighborhoods
•I think its necessary we know who wants to preserve Saratoga as is, and who wants growth!
•I worry how this project will affect the value of our homes, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the
small town aspect of our city. And what about the water shortage? All those new units will need
water.
•I worry how this project will affect the value of our homes, the safety of our neighborhoods, the
quality of our schools, and the small town aspect of our city. And what about the drought -- adding
all those new dwellings, which all will need water?
•I would be opposed to losing some of our great shopping areas like Trader Joes, Luckies, Safeway,
Ace Hardware, etc. AMK
•I would like a better understanding of the State calculations to allot 1700 homes to Saratoga. This is
1%, but 1% of what? Why is Los Altos Hills also at 1% but that 1% is an allotment of some 400
homes? What is the current home count in Saratoga and what percentage of an increase will 1700+
homes add?
•I would like to have some of my suggestions above discussed and evaluated. This subject has come
up many times but has pretty much been ignored. The housing that was built near Neals Hollow on
Saratoga Sunnyvale Road would have been perfect for upscale senior housing however I believe
there are very few single story houses. Being close to services would be very important for any
senior centered building projects.
•I would like to know what are the potential areas in Saratoga that can be developed for future
housing of 1700 units. I don't know if this information is already out somewhere but we need to
make this more visible to residents of Saratoga
•I would like to receive more information about the legal requirements and the various ways that
Saratoga can respond, ranging from a reduction in requirements to creative ways of fulfilling them
that retain neighborhood homogeneity and character.
•I would like to see a detailed explanation of why it is so important to diversify Saratoga and what
was the thinking behind the State's mandate. I have been studying this with a group for about eight
months and it seems to me that people in Saratoga don't understand the broader reasons for this,
and are therefore very entrenched in their views of single-family homes for Saratoga. If we don't
diversify, we will become segregated ourselves, so please talk about why this is important to the
state and to our city. Also I would like the city to address what is happening to stores that have
gone out of business such as Gene's, and many businesses left vacant. I don't know if there will be
time, but I'd like to know what the cities around Saratoga are doing in terms of their plans, as I think
they may impact ours. (There is a rumor that El Paseo off Quito road is going to be turned into a 10-
story apartment building, along with restaurants and businesses. That would impact the traffic into
and out of Saratoga.)
•I would like to see the city present clear and concrete benefits of having diverse/affordable housing
in the city. I believe that it is the right thing to do, but I don't necessarily have convincing
arguments. The are the ones that I have: 1. It is difficult for young families to move into the city
because of lack of affordable housing. 2. The lack of young families limit the enrollment to some of
the area schools, especially CUSD. 3. Lack of diversity in our community, especially among different
income levels. This limits the area employers' ability to hire a labor force with diverse skill sets.
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Forcing employees to drive long distance will worsen the area traffic which is pretty terrible most of
the time.
•I would like to see the survey summary. What are the gaps between our options and expectations?
•Identification of areas on edges of neighborhood s that could be rezoned or strategies to disperse
rezoning in a neighborhood, such as every corner lot keeping the neighborhood from becoming
solidly high density.
•If new housing is getting built, I would like to know where they are going to be built and also how
they are going to be built to ensure that there isn't a lot of traffic choke points across the city.
•In addition to housing, how will city cater to the schooling needs, parking needs, traffic needs and
other services that will be tasked due to the influx of a lot more residents.
•In addition to planning for additional housing, there needs to be a complimentary discussion of
traffic and public transportation in and out of Saratoga. Residents without cars or with limited car
availability are severly limited in their options to get to appointments, shopping and work. The one
bus along Saratoga Ave and the one along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd. just doesn't do it. As our
community "matures" non-driving options need to be available and convenient for residents.
•In addition to the above questions, I would like to add one more: If one has to meet the housing
units, does it mean giving up the available green space?
•In addition to the above questions, please come to the beautiful Saratoga Retirement Community
campus and see how expansion and preserve green space and be achieved.
•Increase density in hillside zoning
•Increasing costs of water and electricity. Any future plans for water reservoir ? How to keep
Saratoga green and trees alive.
•Instructions to select why we chose to live in Saratoga didn't work! Here are our reasons: scenery,
quality of eduction, recreation, low density housing, semi-rural setting. Please join with other
communities fighting SB35! There is strength in numbers.
•Is Saratoga committed to being part of the housing solution for the region or continue with their
head in the sand - we like how we are and not prepared to explore a solution
•Is there a common ground at city level to agree this state enforcement by the majority of residents?
•Is there a proposal by city indicating where new housing can be built for multi-use, higher density
housing? Streamline the ADU process which is too expensive right now for many home owners.
Grandfather in ADU units already built and not permitted and allow them to count towards the
Housing element allocation. Subdivide large lots to allow for more than one single family home.
Allow multi-use development in downtown Saratoga and raise the height limit.
•Is there any way to avoid this mandate? We have lived in Saratoga for 48 years and hate to see the
character of the city changed.
•Is there anyway of lowering the mandated addition of 1,700 homes?
•It seems impractical to build 1700 additional housing units in this small town. What are the possible
solutions?
•It would be good to get as many specifics as possible on the current housing expansion plan in
Saratoga. What housing plans are in-place or currently being discussed? Where are the 1700+ units
going to be built? What mix of housing is planned in these places? The videos only provided specifics
on one location, that being Quito Center and it's 90 planned townhomes with 9 of them being for
low-income. That's a good start. Then there was only brief mention of Argonaut and Prospect. More
specifics are needed. Once a plan is stated, then it can be debated/discussed. For instance, let's say
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90 townhomes are placed in Quito Center. Given that, is there a plan for a small grocery and more
retail there as well to support the increased number of local families? Otherwise there will be more
cars pouring out onto Cox heading to Westgate every time someone needs a pint of milk. Are there
plans for easy bike and pedestrian access? Where will the residential traffic enter and exit, onto Cox
only or can they routed through Bellgrove Circle and/or McFarland Ave as well? While I'm sure the
Bellgrove residents wouldn't like this, it wouldn't be a good idea to force all traffic onto Cox Ave
either. The devil is in the details on housing and it's not just about the number of units and type of
housing units but it's also about the building up the proper city infrastructure to support it, roads,
bike lanes, lights, stop signs, retail, etc.
•Just want to hear what are the possibilities.
•Keep housing decisions local!
•Keep the character of the Golden Triangle to single family homes, not ADU because of the noise,
parking and density. Do not allow duplex housing or apartments in the Golden Triangle but, look to
the major roadways like Saratoga Sunnyvale, and Saratoga Ave to develop this type of housing. You
want to reduce the traffic in the Golden Triangle to protect walkers and kids playing, etc.
•Lack of competence in city planning department
•Legal process to contest mandate. Consequences if not done.
•let the city, the residents who live here decide what to do, not the county. safety, environment,
education, and traffic, we all care about how to make saratoga better, we love here.
•Local traffic impact and plans for the new developments
•Mixed housing options
•More information on how we can meet the mandate using accessory dwellings
•N/A
•New housing should be concentrated solely in those portions of Saratoga that do NOT feed into the
Saratoga schools.
•No House Winery. They do not follow rules. They are noisy and do noisy work on Sunday. Get rid of
leaf blowers! WE NEED SOME PEACE AND QUIET! Do not put commercial in residential areas!!!!
•No more high density housing projects in existing neighborhoods - no more replacement of Quito /
Saratoga with housing complex. Move this development to further down Pierce road / Sand Hill
road. The traffic is too heavy and we need more mixed use building. We lost companies such as
Lucky's, Lunardi's etc... and we need to shop outside of Saratoga. Want more local services so that
we can bike around rather than driving out of the city.
•None
•None. City council will do what it wants. Preserving downtown as is does nothing for housing or
business.
•None... It sounds like the decisions are already made, and nothing any resident says that these
meetings will have any effect at all.sara
•Plans for the downtown area, any thoughts on ways to improve it.
•Please continue to update all pending state legislation affecting City of Saratoga housing, the related
voting records of local State legislators on same legislation. Saratogans need to communicate
directly with our State representatives on our preferences.
•Please explain how current homeowners will be guaranteed water and and power at rational rates
prior to further development. What will the City of Saratoga do to push back on further
development until the rationing for water and power are eliminated?
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•Please keep Saratoga as the current suburb way which it should be.
•Possible locations within the city, and plans for affordable options.
•Possible proposals, especially the ones related to convert commercial areas to mix use as well as a
more general zoning change.
•potential locations of new homes
•Proposed locations for additional housing
•Pro's and Con's of changing downtown Saratoga into a mix use environment? Where are possible
sites for high density apartments and condos?
•Quito market plans
•Quito Project and contamination update, Traffic plans
•Quito Village underground water contaminated with vapors from dry cleaning.
•Relaxing zoning restrictions to allow sub-dividing existing lots that are greater than 1/3 acre in size.
Also -- need to PUBLICIZE meetings well IN ADVANCE (Saratoga News?) so more people can attend.
I only learned of the 3 June meetings today (July 22).
•Renovations and updates of housing in the area
•Reserving the country sale of our town. Especially quito Road
•Retaining the character of the neighborhoods. If new housing is to be introduced, the character of
Saratoga must not be compromised by congestion, traffic, crime, or burden on city services.
•Review of the formula used to require 1700 homes. Who enforces this? Can we fight it? Is it simply
a case of losing some state funding?
•Safety and Crime: What issues does the city expect? How do they plan to solve? Schools: How are
they planning to accommodate the influx of the students?
•Saratoga and Campbell school district boundary needs to be redrawn. In some case, the current
boundary has children who live next door go to a different school district. It does NOT make any
sense for people who live in Saratoga and their children go to Campbell schools.
•Saratoga Village is floundering compared to Los Gatos downtown and other similar areas. Perhaps a
*little* bit more mixed housing/commercial development would help the Village.
•See above---how much control do we have over the character & traffic in our home neighborhoods?
•See my comments above.
•Sorry I am unable to make any of those meetings
•Status of the Abrams property.
•Stop asking where to build 1,700 new homes and focus on fighting these RHNA numbers and SB9.
This needs to be our Council's #1 priority going forward. Any new building of homes in the city
should be affordable. We need to fight the developers, realty, and construction unions, who are
gaming the system of providing housing in the bay area and the state. Housing costs are out of
control because of GREED, not demand for new office/housing. Ask yourself how we went from
400+ new homes by RHNA to 1,700. Every bay area city is seeing the same massive jump in number
of new housing units.
•Tell the State & Gov. to mind their own business and NOT FORCE GROWTH. Demand should create
housing construction. We do not need to grow CA more. We already have traffic grid lock,
homeless people, congestion and pollution.
•The ability to be able to provide traffic, water, power to a larger future population. Have Portola
Valley, Woodside, Atherton, Hillsborough been mandated to add multi-living development?
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•The city says it has not denied requests for new housing and ADUs so the failure to meet the RHNA
requirements previously, and risk losing local control of development, is out of their hands. What
consideration has the city made to the fact that well over 90% of the residential land in Saratoga is
zoned as single-family, with stringent restrictions on property owners including minimum lot sizes,
maximum land area development, setback requirements, mandatory parking minimums, and low
height limits. Has the city analyzed how much new development is actually possible or likely to occur
given the numerous restrictions to building housing in the already expensive area, risking losing local
control due to these numerous barriers to development?
•The detailed plan to address the State mandate requirements while preserving the character of the
city.
•The impact of 1700 more housing units on facilities such as roads, highways, and parking as well as
on resources such as water.
•The mandate is ridiculous. What will Saratoga do about it?
•The results of this survey and the current ideas being considered.
•The top suggestions for affordable housing. Maybe it should be a vote for all of Saratoga. It can be
done as easily as what you did here. Send postcard and respond to website.
•There are no good answers.
•They have passed.
•This needs to go through regular planning, not be fast tracked. We have one grocery store, while Los
Gatos, same population, has many. Don't get rid of our commercial space. It would be a bad decision
to cram additional housing in, when drought and fire are threats.
•Traffic concern if high density units are built, Saratoga does not have the infrastructure to support
the influx of rapid growth
•Traffic safety and issues on Saratoga Ave
•Traffic. decline in property value by creating density issues near private ownership homes.
Alternate solutions. Public transportation never pays for its costs even operating costs via tickets by
riders and this is not fair.
•Transportation Retail Safety and retaining quality of West Valley College and Schools,maintaining
quiet atmosphere,Highway 85 noise ,traffic and Public Transit.
•Use El Paseo for additional housing. If you use Argonaut center we will not have a grocery store
within our city limits.
•We are already in the limited water supply and electricity allowances. What is the government
thinking. Crazy and deeply disturbing.
•We need to preserve the feeling of Saratoga. Big is not better. We need to preserve what we have.
•We need to stop dodging state requirements and realize that we'll more than maintain the charm of
Saratoga even with multifamily housing opportunities. I am mortified that Council Members
campaigned to be preservationists -- local control means that you can shape the policy on how to
implement, not that you skirt the rules.
•We should absolutely take this to court. The pandemic has changed the home/ work needs in all
communities and commuting is much less necessary.
•What are or will be untouched by this expanding development (i.e., parks, Prospect Community
Center, Heritage Orchard, Congress Springs ball fields, etc.)?
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•What are our options moving forward? Where can these housing units be built? What are other
cities doing about this?(ie: Atherton, Beverly Hills).
•what are the consequences of not following the states guidelines?
•What are the current income and age demographics in Saratoga? What is the current availability of
services for the demographics of people who tend to live in multi-family housing? People in their 20s
and people over 70? Or ??? Share what other communities in CA are doing -- Los Gatos ?
Campbell? Menlo Park? Sonoma County? Santa Barbara? Pick some good case studies. Places with
hills and wildfires and etc.
•What are the different options for making sure that Saratoga has the right amount of housing at
each income level? Is the only way to do this to require developers to put in a certain percentage of
low-income housing in each project, or are there other options?
•What are the general requirements for a unit/wing of a home to be considered an ADU? Is someone
willing to start a petition/commitment list of residents willing to add an ADU to their property, with
a goal of 1,700 units? What is the state's deadline for units to be classified as ADUs to satisfy the
requirement for the additional housing?
•What are the preliminary sites being considered?
•What are ways to control traffic ? Especially along these sites where development is being
considered?
•What area are you considering for this large number of dwellings? Who is the builder and what price
ranges will the units sell for? How are preserving wildlife habitats etc.
•What area's of the city are currently available or under consideration for additional housing
development?
•What can we do to get the State to cease and desist?
•What can we the people of Saratoga do to escape from this BAD DREAM.
•What defines "affordable housing" in the Housing Element? Where in Saratoga is it remotely
conceivable to build 1700 homes in Saratoga, given its current build out? What are the
repercussions for not complying? Is a city lawsuit (or combined cities) to fight the requirement an
option? What will the city do to protect residents against developers twisting the housing element
requirements to suit their own desires?
•What happens if the city does not meet the 1700 unit requirement?
•What has the city done to work with other cities to push back on the legislation?
•What have we done to streamline the process of ADU construction in the City?
•What if any are the consequences of failing to abide by the RHNA directive? Why are we in Saratoga
not strongly opposing this takeover of local control? Where does the City Council propose locating
1700 housing units? What happened to the city wide approved ordinance requiring zoning changes
be subject to city wide election? With the current price of land in the city how can anything
affordable be constructed without massive government funding and where do you propose it
coming from?
•What impact will an increase in population have on our schools/classrooms, police, fire and EMT ? -
and traffic? To decrease traffic, can schools use bus transportation to and from school?
•What is "State mandate to plan for more than 1,700 new housing units"? Is it required by law? Why?
How do you handle traffic when adding 1700 more housing units?
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•What is the current planned construction to meet the requirement of 1700 new residential homes
We feel tricked about the addition of 90 homes at the Genes Market location in Saratoga. Why
werent we allowed to contest this?
•What is the penalty for not complying with the force fitting to build 1700 housing units? Can an
exception be made since much of the area is in a wildfire area for which is hard to get home
insurance? Will there be another state requirement to build more in future years? If so, this should
be considered when building the 1700. Maybe go higher-rise now?
•What is the status of Quito Village development ?? I heard that there was some toxic issue with
existing dry cleaner location
•What is the vacancy rate at high rise building sites in Santa Clara County? The Metro Living, Revela in
Sunnyvale etc. , Vasona development off Blossom Hill Road, also multiple dwelling sites like
Montalvo Oaks and The North 40. If people arent choosing to pay a million dollars for high rise
prison cells why keep building them? There is a chance the state of Calif. is mandating overbuilding
which will remain vacant.
•What is the zoning in the fire area? Could a few four plex's be build with strict fire saftey rules? It is
such a large area it should be part of the solution. Also, Saratoga has so few grocery stores, we need
to maintain Argonaut shopping area.
•What legal options Saratoga has to fight the intrusion of the State into the local zoning process.
What spaces are available (i.e., parcels of land) which might accommodate 1700 or so new
residences. I am concerned about an increase in crime as a result of the additional housing.
•What other options are being considered?
•What percentage of Saratoga's existing housing units plus already committed housing units does the
1,700 figure represent? In other words, what is the required rate of growth in the number of
Saratoga's housing units if units are built per the state/county plan?
•What plans exist to consider impact on traffic flows and water usage.
•What potential housing sites have been identified?
•What will happen to Quito Village? The current landlord has driven out long time commercial
businesses, and the site has lain almost empty, except for Starbucks, for years. Even during the
pandemic the landlord refused to work with the stores and businesses on adjusting or lowering their
leases. Can the city do something about this landlord?
•What will the city do to stop crime in the neighborhood. At the moment it appears that the city does
not care at all. And it is getting worse. How can I pay multiple tens of thousands a year on Property
Tax and the city cannot provide me with basic safety from crime?
•where are the builders going to fit in 1700 housing units?
•Where are the building sites to be planned for the requirement?
•Where are the possible building sites for new housing units.
•Where are the proposed locations of these housing options going.
•Where do u intend to build these 1700 additional housing units?
•Where in Saratoga are these additional housing units going to be located?
•Where is it likely that 1700 new units could be built?
•Where proposed development could be located. How potential traffic and infrastructure concerns
would be addressed.
•Where would be the site(s) for the additional housing construction?
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•Where would new homes go? How many undeveloped lots are available, where are they etc
•Where would the denser housing be located?
•Where would you add housing?
•Which areas are planned for these 1700 new housing units. How would you solve the problem of
more traffic caused by these 1700 new housing units.
•Which locations are under consideration.
•Which locations in the city are presently considered for high density development?
•Who came up with 1700 houses? Why? It's too much...we aren't San Jose [thank goodness]
•Who's paying for this? Why do the local elected officials think this is a good idea? What have been
the lessons learned from communities such as Saratoga that have undertaken such a growth plan?
•why do we need to build 1700 new homes.
•Why do we need to provide "above moderate" priced housing for people making over $170k" when
that allows them to buy around a 2M house? That would be 719 houses, that we don't need to
build. How many "mother-in law" houses are on the books to build that can be counted toward the
1700? Would you consider underground parking or partial basement dwellings for any
apartment/condo/townhouse construction to maintain a low profile? Does the housing element (or
county, city) require pricing caps on the new construction in any form? Does the creative planning
for a given development area only rest with the developer or does the city welcome input from
citizens? What impact does this have to the budget and capabilities of services for our city; school
enrollment, police, fire, etc.
•Why does saratoga have to add so many more homes when it will destroy the city's small town
charm and become more over-crowded?
•Why does Saratoga have to do this?
•Why hasn't the Quito Shopping development broken ground?
•Why is the city talking about the housing development as though it is a bad thing. Your fliers and
notices make it seem as though the apocalypse is coming. I would rather see a vibrant neighborhood
supporting folks of various incoming levels providing much needed diversity to our schools rather
than dead strip malls and empty parking lots.
•Why is this a priority in the face of broader needs?
•Why is this new housing required? What is the business case? Who gets to decide if we have it or
not? Can those living in Saratoga reject/kill this project?
•Why not develop downtown Saratoga with mixed commercial and residential? It is sleepy, not
vibrant. There is no reason to go to downtown Saratoga.
•Will I be forced to split my lot? Will developments be required to include on-site parking of at least
2 spaces per unit? Will developers be required to pay for road upgrades to handle increased traffic?
•Will natural areas be destroyed to create new housing? If so, I think that's a terrible thing to do.
Condos should be built in the areas where there are old shopping strips, so that the neighborhood
still looks beautiful and we can meet our housing quota.
•With the addition of more housing, can we be guaranteed that 'MOST of the current character of
single family neighborhoods' will be preserved?
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14. Please share your email address to receive City newsletters, including the Housing Element
Newsletter and weekly Saratoga Source.
Answered 332
Skipped 411
Answered: 332
Skipped: 411
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