Enjoy this month's newsletter from the City of Saratoga!

COVID-19 Updates

Santa Clara County Moves to the Red Tier
Santa Clara County is now in the Red Tier of the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. 

Now allowed indoors at reduced capacity:

  • Restaurants (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
  • Retail stores (max 50% capacity)
  • Gyms and fitness centers (max 10% capacity)
  • Movie theaters (max 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer)
  • Zoos, museums, and aquariums (max 25% capacity)

The key to fewer restrictions is following public health measures. Counties can move to a less restrictive tier as COVID transmission goes down and testing goes up. Stay diligent. Wear a mask, keep your distance, and get vaccinated when it's your turn. See the State's website for more information.

As certain activities are allowed to resume, proceed with caution. COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are falling, but still remain very high. Vaccinations are occurring as quickly as supplies allow, but most people in our community are still not vaccinated. Remember: Just because it is allowed, it does not necessarily mean it is safe.

Get Vaccinated When It’s Your Turn
Vaccination has helped humans fight infectious diseases for centuries. You can help put COVID-19 on the list of infectious diseases we have overcome by getting vaccinated when it’s your turn! Find out if you’re currently eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and book an appointment, by visiting www.sccFreeVax.org or calling 408.970.2000
 
No Wrong Door: Eligible Individuals Can Book Vaccine Appointments Anywhere
Santa Clara County’s No Wrong Door System is making access to vaccines as clear and as barrier free as possible. Healthcare providers, including the county health system, will vaccinate anyone eligible for the vaccine regardless of where they receive their medical care. For additional details, visit www.sccFreeVax.org
 
Recording of COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall with Supervisor Simitian & Mayor Zhao
On February 18,  Supervisor Simitian hosted a Virtual Town Hall on the COVID-19 vaccine with Mayor Zhao to answer when, where, and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you weren't able to join, you can watch a recording of the event.
 
Continue Getting Tested
The County will hold another COVID-19 testing day in Saratoga on Thursday, March 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Prospect Center in Friendship Hall. Testing is free, open to the public, and includes a test for influenza. Appointments can now be scheduled online. This testing site is intended for people who do not have symptoms and have not been exposed to COVID-19.
 
If you are a frontline worker, get tested for COVID-19 at least once a month, up to every two weeks, even if you don’t have symptoms. Go to www.sccfreetest.org to find more testing options throughout the County.

New Housing in Saratoga

The City has kicked off the process to update the next General Plan Housing Element. Every 8 years, California cities are required to update their Housing Element to plan for projected housing needs. Based on the Bay Area's current methodology, Saratoga may need to plan for over 1,700 new housing units to be built between 2023 and 2031. 

We need your help to address this challenge! While the updated Housing Element isn't due until January 2023, starting this process early provides an opportunity for the community to fully participate in the Housing Element update process.

Please visit the City's website for more information about the Housing Element, learn how to participate in the process, and sign up to receive the new Housing Element newsletter to get updates on next steps!

House Family Vineyards Community Meeting

The City of Saratoga will host a Community Meeting to discuss House Family Vineyard’s application requesting a Conditional Use Permit for winery operations that include wine tasting and events, and Design Review for a tasting deck. The Community Meeting will be held virtually using Zoom on Tuesday, March 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

House Family Vineyards would like to share information about their application with the community, and the community will have the opportunity to ask questions about the application and associated operations. For more information, please contact Senior Planner Nicole Johnson at njohnson@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1209.

Help Paint the City!

Vote for your favorite artwork to transform 3 utility boxes into works of art! Saratoga residents can vote for their favorite designs until 11:59 p.m. on March 8. Artwork that receives the most votes will be presented to the City Council on April 7 for final approval.
 
Saratoga artists were invited to submit conceptual artwork for 3 different utility box locations throughout the City. The City received 70 qualified applications. The Saratoga Library & Community Engagement Commission and the Saratoga Public Art Committee carefully reviewed submissions and narrowed choices to 3 options for each of the locations.  

Apply for the Youth Commission

Applications for the Saratoga Youth Commission are due by April 21. Applicants must be Saratoga residents in 7th through 11th grade during the 2021/22 school year. All applicants must attend a Commission meeting prior to interviews with the City Council on May 4. Learn more and apply online. 

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13777 Fruitvale Ave Saratoga, CA 95070

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