The town of Los Gatos is searching for interested individuals to become part of a gateway working group to help decide the look and location of notable entryways into town. Some areas of town that have already been suggested as major entrances are Los Gatos Boulevard, Winchester Boulevard and Pollard and Blossom Hill roads.

The gateway working group will consist of 10 to 15 town residents, business owners and property owners who will meet once or twice a month for about six months. Students ages 12 and up may apply. Group members will work with design professionals hired by the town to come up with the look of the gateways.

"We're trying to reach out and get a broad section of the community," said Marty Woodworth, redevelopment manager. The town has already received a few applications, and many more people have expressed interest, he said.

The town began considering gateways in the downtown area, along Santa Cruz Avenue, in 1996. Following those talks, the town council decided to look at gateways for other areas of town.

The 1997 Los Gatos Boulevard Plan included a section on gateways, stating as part of its goal "to establish gateways as architectural or landscape elements which welcome people to Los Gatos and Los Gatos Boulevard as a destination."

"There's been discussion and thought for a long time, but not a lot of funding," Woodworth said.

The town has yet to secure funding and isn't sure how much these gateways will cost, but the council wants to begin the discussion process.

"What the council wants to do is go ahead and look at conceptual designs, and then we'll have to look for funding," Woodworth said.

Applications are available at the town's website, www.town.los-gatos.ca.us, under the "What's New" link. Applications are due June 1 to Woodworth at the Town of Los Gatos, P.O. Box 949, Los Gatos, 95031.