Business & Tech

'We Support Los Gatos' Submits 4,000 Signatures In Favor of Netflix HQ Project

Effort to qualify controversial issue for the June 3, 2014 ballot.

The "We Support Los Gatos" organization made up of local residents and businesses submitted more than 4,100 signatures to the Los Gatos town clerk today to qualify a citizens’ initiative in support of the Albright Way office park project desired for expansion by online media streaming giant Netflix.

The effort to gather the signatures to place the measure on the June 3, 2014 ballot has been "incredibly successful," the group said in a press release, adding that it had obtained 44 percent more signatures than required and occurring in less than four weeks.

The initiative, if passed, would allow the development of 485,000 square feet of office space to allow Netflix to expand and remain in Los Gatos long term, replacing the sprawling, now mostly demolished 1970s era industrial office complex at the corner of Albright Way and Winchester Boulevard.

Four Class A commercial buildings are planned, two at 65 feet tall and two at 50 feet, plus a three-story garage at 35 feet. The edifices will be located next to Highway 85 and near the planned end of the Vasona Light Rail Line.

The Los Gatos Town Council approved the project twice, after more than three years of public analysis, input, debate and review, the release stated.

The initiative would create site-specific zoning and make General Plan amendments to allow for the office campus, "allowing the project to move forward despite lawsuits intended to delay it." Netflix would then occupy two of the four buildings it's leased, which would be built on time, the release continued.

The group Los Gatos Citizens for For Responsible Development has been watching over the project from the onset, challenging it after the Council approved it in August of 2011 on a 3-2 vote due to the lack of an environmental impact report.

The Citizens prevailed in court in April of 2012 and the Council rescinded its prior approvals and began again, this time completing the EIR. The group, however, began challenging the project as of late on the basis of its magnitude, contending the town's General Plan caps buildings in the light industrial zone at 35 feet.

The Citizens also stress the General Plan's language stipulating the lower height is "rigid." They say the project's EIR recommended the development of 350,000 square feet.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Joseph H. Huber is reviewing the matter after a hearing Dec. 6. The magistrate is expected to issue a ruling soon interpreting the 35-foot-height limit provisions.

The June 3 ballot measure would only affect the single Albright Way property and locks the owners into developing only the approved plan and architecture for seven years or until the voters approve something different, the release said.

"We appreciate the overwhelming support from the people of Los Gatos for this project because of its tremendous benefits for our town and community," said Phil Albanese, a leader of "We Support Los Gatos."

"Their support enables our town to reaffirm its commitment to Netflix and to take another step towards moving forward on this important matter," Albanese said.

Netflix currently employs about 1,100 people in Los Gatos. The headquarters project would generate more than $1 million in annual property tax revenue for Los Gatos schools and more than $300,000 in annual tax revenue for town services such as public safety, traffic improvements, libraries and parks, the release said.

If the project is built, We Support Los Gatos said the community would receive $485,000 in public benefit funds and the school districts would receive their development fees.

Town Attorney Judith Propp said the election would cost the government body between $82,000 and $100,000. 


—This is a developing breaking news story. Please check back for updates

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