BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
A potential ballot measure in Los Altos could upend the city’s plans to develop downtown parking lots into a park, a parking garage and a performing arts theater.
“It probably kills any project to put this to a vote,” Los Altos Stage Company board president Mike Kasperzak said in an interview Friday.
Residents are gathering signatures for a November ballot measure that would prohibit the city from selling, leasing or modifying any downtown parking lots without voter approval.
Council described its wishes for 10 downtown parking lots in a downtown plan it approved in 2018. The plan calls for a hotel, offices, apartments, parks, a theater and a parking garage.
Theater for live performances
Council in 2023 signed an agreement with the Los Altos Stage Company to set aside a parking lot between 2nd Street and 3rd Street for a theater.
Council in 2024 hired Watry Design for $2.5 million to work on converting two parking lots into underground parking, with a park on top.
Council in August 2024 declared two more lots at the north end of downtown as surplus land so a developer could build subsidized housing there.
The proposed measure includes an exception for this housing. It would allow the city to host farmers markets or similar events.
Downtown business owners said the city hasn’t studied the economic harm the project could cause, or the consequences of the lost parking.
They’re concerned that making trips in and out of town more difficult will compel customers to shop elsewhere, campaign organizer Cindy Andrews said in a statement.
“We believe that decisions of this importance deserve the vote of our community,” said Richard Draeger, owner of Draeger’s Market at 342 1st St.
Fundraising difficulties
Kasperzak said the uncertainty will challenge fundraising efforts for a theater.
“It’s very difficult to raise money if you don’t know where the project is going to be,” he said.
Mayor Sally Meadows has declined to comment on the potential ballot measure.
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