Los Gatos council approves $3.8 million sale of Fort Tate property with historic covenant

The Los Gatos Town Council voted unanimously to accept a $3.8 million all‑cash offer for the former Fort Tate property and to record a historic‑preservation covenant that runs with the land.

The council’s decision followed a staff report from assistant town manager Katie Namura that summarized a public marketing process after the town declared the building surplus and rezoned it residential. Staff said the property had been marketed beginning in February at a $3.5 million listing price and generated offers above that figure; the recommended buyer, Bran Vidic, proposed to renovate the structure and live on the site.

Namura told the council the covenant will require compliance with applicable historic‑preservation laws and obligate town approval for any changes to facades along Main Street and Tate Avenue. The town estimates net proceeds of roughly $3.6 million after closing costs; proceeds will be returned to the town’s general fund and the council will consider appropriation once the sale closes.

Resident and preservation committee member Lee Quintana urged clearer, committee‑level review of which architectural features should be preserved; the buyer told the council he plans to hire a historic‑preservation architect and work with town staff to restore the building. In the roll‑call vote the council approved the sale with Vice Mayor Risto recused from the discussion and vote because of a proximity conflict.

The transaction returns a vacant, underused municipal asset to private ownership while locking in town‑level review and a recorded covenant to preserve historically significant elements. Staff will return with final closing documents for the manager’s execution and will report back to council on the net proceeds and any recommended uses.