After months of contentious debate among residents and town officials, Los Gatos has received state approval to build nearly 2,000 homes more than a year past the deadline.
Los Gatos received a letter from the state on Friday stating it met “statutory requirements.” This is the town’s sixth attempt at its housing element — a detailed planning document submitted every eight years to the state — which outlines how it will accommodate at least 1,993 new homes by 2031, 847 of which must be deemed affordable to low-income families.
The plan identifies Los Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Oka Lane and Burton Road as future development sites for housing. The housing element must still go through final Los Gatos Town Council approval before heading back to the state for certification.
“This was a monumental task that did not come easy,” Mayor Mary Badame told San José Spotlight. “Moving forward, the town remains dedicated to implementing the strategies outlined in the element to effectively achieve our Regional Housing Needs Allocation.”