There are some heavy issues for residents to weigh in on as the Los Gatos Town Council takes a road trip this week for one of its special Town Hall in the Neighborhood meetings.
The purpose of the meeting, which was slated for June 29 at 7 p.m. at the Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, was to "provide neighborhood residents with an opportunity to learn more about town services, ask questions and share community concerns."
But since this particular meeting will focus on the concerns of the residents in the Winchester Boulevard, Lark Avenue and Los Gatos Boulevard area, the council should expect some very pointed questions and comments.
Neighbors of the La Rinconada Country Club will likely attend to voice their concerns over the Los Gatos Planning Commission's approval of the club's renovation plans.
Residents of the Wedgewood Avenue and Wimbledon Drive areas are upset that delivery vehicles—and, with the approval of the plans for the remodel, construction vehicles, too—will continue to access the club by way of the small back entrance on Wedgewood. They want the trucks to enter the club through the main entrance on Clearview Drive off of La Rinconada Drive. No doubt residents of that neighborhood, too, will attend the Town Hall meeting to defend their interests.
The issue has played out during planning commission meetings, but this will be the first opportunity for the residents of the two neighborhoods to air their concerns directly to the members of the town council.
Among the other issues the council should be prepared to discuss are the town's approval of the Sobrato Development on Winchester, and possible development plans for the area known as the "North 40" on Los Gatos Boulevard.
The Sobrato Development—and then its revision—has already been approved by the town council, but the impact of that decision will be felt most directly by the residents of the area the council plans to visit. A 160,000-square-foot research and development center and a 290unit residential complex will add a significant amount of traffic to the area. It's a done deal, but it will be interesting to hear what the residents most directly affected by the decision will have to say about it, instead of just hearing the tired blatherings of council gadfly Ray Davis.
Finally, there is the issue of the North 40. The town does not actually own the rights to the land, but some council members seem to be literally salivating over the prospect of obtaining the property and the opportunities it presents.
More retail space, more medical buildings, more residential units, maybe a soccer complex, or how about some open space or park use? The possibilities seem endless ... and so do the potential issues, concerns and questions that could greet the council on its June 29 road trip.
