Developers Submit 20 Builder's Remedy Applications in Saratoga, CA to Beat City Deadline

Saratoga faced challenges in certifying its Housing Element, a state-mandated plan to rezone for housing growth, with five submissions required before it was approved. This plan aims to facilitate the construction of over 1,700 homes by 2031. The city managed to avoid further builder's remedy applications, which allow developers to bypass local zoning laws, by obtaining final state approval for the plan. This approval came from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, 18 months after the initial January 2023 deadline.

Impact of the Builder's Remedy

During the period when Saratoga was noncompliant with state requirements, developers submitted 20 builder’s remedy applications, potentially adding around 672 homes. This decades-old legal provision enables developers to circumvent local zoning if a city fails to have its housing plan approved on time. Such projects must include at least 20% affordable housing. Saratoga's requirement includes building 1,712 homes over the next seven years, with 454 designated for very low-income households and 719 for moderate-income families.

Proposed Projects and Community Concerns

Developers have 180 days to formalize builder’s remedy applications. These proposals range from a seven-unit apartment complex on Saraview Drive to a large project featuring over 250 homes and an 81-room boutique hotel at Mountain Winery on Pierce Road. Neighboring Los Gatos faced similar issues, having received 15 builder’s remedy applications before its housing plan was certified. Residents in both towns have expressed concerns about these developments, citing the potential for oversized projects that strain local infrastructure.

Local Reactions and Safety Concerns

Residents like Sahas Munamala have voiced apprehensions about the impact of builder’s remedy projects, urging the city council to manage these developments effectively. One controversial proposal by William Hirschman of Chateau Masson involves a 25-unit complex on Pierce Road. This project has raised safety concerns about increased traffic on narrow roads. Despite these challenges, Saratoga remains a highly desirable and affluent area, with homes selling at an average price of $3.9 million as of last May, typically above the listing price.