Planning Commission Study Session

State law requires Cities to adopt objective design standards to streamline and increase housing production for qualifying housing projects. The Planning Commission will hold a Study Session on April 12 at 7:00 p.m. to review draft objective design standards that will be applicable to the new Housing Element mixed use sites and the existing public administrative and commercial zoning districts. The Commission will also review modifications to the City Code to include development standards for the new mixed use districts. Feedback from the Planning Commission will be incorporated into the final draft and presented with the Housing Element Update. 

You can view and participate in the Study Session by: 

• Attending in person: Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
• Using the Zoom webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82652375945
• Calling In: 1.669.900.6833 or 1.408.638.0968 (Webinar ID: 826 5237 5945)

Members of the public can also send written comments to the Commission prior to the meeting.

Cast Your Vote to Paint the City Design

Voting for Paint the City is now open until May 7! Saratoga residents are invited to select their favorite artwork for 3 different utility box locations throughout the City. The artwork that receives the most votes at each location will be presented to the Public Art Commission and then City Council for final approval.

Take the Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey

Your thoughts on hazard mitigation planning are needed! Participate in the Santa Clara County survey to share feedback on natural or other hazards and their impact across Santa Clara County, including Saratoga. This survey is part of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update effort, which will include an annex to specifically address hazards in Saratoga. Input received through the survey will help inform the City of Saratoga’s hazard mitigation priorities, including strategies that reduce vulnerability to disasters, promote safety and ability to adapt, promote vitality after a disaster, and lessen response and recover resource requirements after a disaster. 

Free Removal Tree Removal Permits

Permits to remove blue gum eucalyptus trees are free for all property owners in Saratoga through June 30, 2023 and may be submitted to the City Arborist by email. This temporary waiver of fees was adopted by the City Council after community concerns were expressed during the late winter and early spring storms. Property owners in the Wildland Urban Interface can submit a free permit to remove Monterey pine or blue gym eucalyptus trees any time.

Protect Yourself from Scammers Presentation

Join Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and Deputy District Attorney Erin West for a presentation on different types of scams and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to them. This educational event will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Saratoga Library, 12650 Saratoga Avenue. The presentation will focus on phishing, which is the practice of tricking internet users through deceptive email messages or websites into revealing personal or confidential information to be used illegally. 

Lehigh Town Hall

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian invites you to join him on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cupertino Community Hall for his annual Lehigh Meeting. He’ll be joined by a panel of representatives from various oversight agencies, as well as members of the public, who will be able to ask questions of the panel. For more information, visit https://district5.sccgov.org/district5events

Blossom Festival

The annual Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Heritage Orchard and Saratoga Civic Center, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Come enjoy the antique cars, live music, art, crafts, gourmet food trucks, children's activities, a petting zoo, historical characters, local organizations, and more! The event is free to attend and is produced by the Saratoga Historical Foundation. 

Seeking City Commissioners

City Commissioners are volunteers that serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on a variety of subjects, helping to address community needs and interests. Learn more about how you can make a difference in your community online at www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac 

Severe Storm Damage Disaster Relief 

The severe winter storms in California from December 27 through January 31 caused widespread damage throughout the State, resulting in Federal Disaster Declaration 4683. Santa Clara County residents are not eligible to receive individual assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency under this declaration. However, property owners may be eligible for property tax relief or property tax bill deferral if their property was damaged as a result of the recent storms. Additional information is available on the Santa Clara County Tax Assessor's website.

Connect with the City of Saratoga 

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