Are you aware that the Los Gatos Community Development Department and planning commissioners are trying to fast-track zoning modifications to allow developers to build several large high-density low-income housing developments in Los Gatos?
Through a process known as Affordable Housing Overlay Zone, or AHOZ, 565 new housing units, mostly apartments, will be built at a density of 20-30 per acre, with 80 percent reserved for very-low through moderate-income occupants.
High-density affordable housing developments are not compatible with the highly-sought-after small-town characteristics of Los Gatos, where families pay considerable sums for residences built at lower densities of 2-6 units per acre.
One good reason to oppose the AHOZ is that Los Gatos schools, which already lack financial resources and exceed capacity, will be forced to absorb hundreds of new students.
Another reason to oppose AHOZ is a fairness issue … northern residents of Los Gatos will be burdened with nearly the entire stock of affordable housing.
With AHOZ, 86 percent of affordable housing in Los Gatos will be segregated to approximately 14 percent of the town north of Lark Avenue.
Traffic signal delays through Los Gatos are projected to slow down to an average grade of C+ (on an A-F scale).
Finally, numerous studies show that highly concentrated affordable housing has serious consequences for nearby neighborhoods resulting in elevated crime rates and reduced property values.
