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Los Gatos council introduces entertainment‑zone ordinance, adds discretionary review and eco guidance
Summary
The council voted to introduce an ordinance to establish an entertainment zone under SB 969, allowing designated downtown blocks to host conditional, brick‑and‑mortar‑based outdoor drink activations; council added a discretionary denial ground and asked staff to pursue eco‑friendly cup options.
Los Gatos Town Council on Feb. 3 introduced an ordinance to create an "entertainment zone" that would let qualifying brick‑and‑mortar businesses sell and allow controlled outdoor consumption within a designated downtown area.
Economic Vitality Manager Monica Ren told the council the ordinance implements state law (SB 969) and would create a framework for businesses to request conditional activations that must meet Alcoholic Beverage Control rules and town permitting requirements. "The law actually allows 6:00 a.m. to 2 am," Ren said, explaining the town could adopt narrower hours and other restrictions.
Council members pressed staff for operational details. Vice Mayor Risto said she was "startled to see that the hours could be 8:00 a.m. till 10 p.m." but accepted staff’s explanation that hours and monitoring rules could be narrowed at the local level. Staff described requirements including point‑of‑sale controls, signage, wristbands or standardized cups, and potential monitors or ambassadors to keep drink service inside the approved activation area.
The council added a specific, discretionary ground for denial — giving staff and the town manager authority to reject activations when public‑safety or neighborhood impacts justify it — and asked staff to encourage event organizers and the Chamber to pursue environmentally preferable disposable cups. Council members emphasized the ordinance is meant to enable narrow, special‑event activations such as shop‑and‑strolls or small restaurant weeks rather than continuous open‑container downtown use.
The motion to introduce the ordinance, with map updates to clarify which blocks are included and the added discretionary language, passed unanimously. Staff will return with a final ordinance and implementation materials.
Votes at a glance
• Motion to introduce ordinance establishing entertainment zone (SB 969 framework) with added discretionary denial language: Passed unanimously. • Council asked staff to explore eco‑friendly cup options and to update the ordinance map before return.
Why it matters
Supporters said the measure gives downtown businesses a new tool to attract customers and activate underused streets while preserving the town’s ability to set limits. Opponents and cautious council members asked for clear monitoring, signage, and strict conditions to avoid co‑mingling licenses or late‑night impacts.
What’s next
Staff will return with the final ordinance language and an updated map, plus template conditions for activations and guidance on cup standards and monitoring.
