Planning Commission voted April 9 to recommend a General Plan amendment to allow 100% affordable housing projects in mixed-use commercial and restricted highway commercial zones.
Commissioner Susan Burnett was the lone vote against. She said Los Gatos has been going further than it has to, when it comes to encouraging home builds for lower-income folks.
“Do you really think the citizens of Los Gatos are going to be happy with this decision from our Planning Commission?” she asked rhetorically. “You want to add additional incentives?…If you read what the incentive and waivers would be for these 100% affordable building, it’s unbelievable what they could get.”
The motion found broad support as the action is an implementation program in the Housing Element.
Commissioner Rob Stump noted this has previously been considered and approved by the Town Council.
Commissioner Kendra Burch took a shot at Burnett in highlighting the current reality of State housing policy.
“I just want to make the point that if you guys want to not vote for this for a stance or something, that’s fine, but this is already something that can happen,” she said.
Community Development Director Joel Paulson confirmed there are generous density bonus provisions that essentially allow 100% affordable housing in these areas already.
Chair Emily Thomas said when she was on the Housing Element Advisory Board, while this change was not explicitly required by the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Town’s consultants urged the municipality to include it to bring the Housing Element into compliance.
“This was an olive branch, essentially,” she said. “100% affordable can happen anywhere, anyways.”
