Carl Guardino's Blog

Location.  Location.  Location.

That’s the familiar mantra we hear when discussing how to value real estate.  The same can be applied to a land use debate currently underway in the Town of  Los Gatos.

The issue:  On an existing, mostly empty and outmoded office park at the edge of the Town, a local developer is proposing to build four new office buildings at four stories each.  The prospective main tenant for the buildings is Netflix, a locally grown company headquartered in Los Gatos that wants to deepen its roots and add 900 plus high quality, high-tech jobs.

This is the second iteration of a project that was approved by the Town in 2011 but then stopped due to a challenge filed under the California Environmental Quality Act, a good law that is often abused, as is the case here.

Why the opposition to the project?  A small but vocal minority of Los Gatos residents are very concerned it will erode the “Town character.”

Let’s pause for a moment.  Yes, the Town of Los Gatos is a wonderful place.  I moved there 10 years ago, attracted by many of the elements we all hold dear.  The downtown is a gem, one that draws people from all over the region.

That said, the argument that we should only allow office buildings no higher than 35 feet in order to preserve the “town character” is a one size shoe fits all approach.  It ignores the fact that the site backs up against Highway 85, is nowhere near the Town center and is near the end of a planned light rail line.  In recognition of these site attributes, the Town’s general plan has long designated this location for more intensive job growth.

“Town character” is critical, but should not replace critical thinking. This revitalization of an old office complex does not threaten the Town character and will bring with it many benefits like increased property tax revenues for our schools, a stronger argument to complete the light rail expansion and 900 high skilled jobs.

If you live in Los Gatos or Monte Sereno, please join me at the May 20 Council hearing to support good jobs in the right location in a wonderful Town.  I hope to see you there.

State Senate President Darrell Steinberg may not be a household name in Silicon Valley, but the work that he does and the leadership he provides impacts every household in California.

His work has led to meaningful workers compensation reform, the curtailment of
frivolous lawsuits against small businesses and a host of other legislative successes.

He is thoughtful and tenacious; and a master of bringing all sides together to forge consensus over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Which brings us to today. Senator Steinberg is now working to champion meaningful reform to the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA.

CEQA – a great law often greatly abused for non-environmental purposes – is the Holy Grail to many advocates on all sides of the issue.

Senator Steinberg’s legislation – SB 731 – is up for its first committee vote. The legislation is not perfect, but neither is my marriage . . . Or my house . . . Or anything else in life. It is, however, a significant starting point.

More importantly, we have the right leader who is “walking point,” willing to be attacked by all sides while working to find meaningful reform that will still protect our environment, strengthen our economy, and end the frivolous lawsuits that are filed for reasons based more on greed than the common good.

Thank you, Senator Steinberg. Your leadership is appreciated.

Last week, the San Jose City Council  voted 10 to 1 to move forward with an $82 million investment in Mineta San Jose International Airport, supporting Signature Flight Support’s winning proposal to enhance private jet service from globally-leading companies like Google.

In a Democracy, it is both common and appropriate to have differing points of view.

What is less appropriate is when a thoughtful debate on issues takes a back seat to ugly attacks on individuals.

At the hearing, a colleague took photos of hand-printed signs – held up high in the council chambers – with scrawled curse words disparaging and intimidating those who supported the winning bid by Signature Flight Support.

The First Amendment to our Constitution protects free speech, which is vital and valued.  It is a shame when the first amendment is abused by those who are short on factual arguments and long on individual attacks.

Years ago, I spoke in favor of a proposed affordable home development in San Jose.  As I departed the council chambers, a man who opposed my point of view followed me out to my car – in the dark of night – hurling insults in my direction.  Free speech? Perhaps. Hateful speech? Absolutely.

While we cannot control the tone and temper of others, it can serve as a reminder how we should behave.  A civil society operates best when we are engaged in our democracy, while treating others, even those with opposing points of view, with respect and dignity.

Recently, I was asked to speak on business ethics to a community organization here in Silicon Valley.

As always, I learn more by preparing for a speech than by hearing a speech. Here were my take-aways on ethical business practices:

* First, character counts: As Chrysalis Software CEO Debbie Diersch says, “In all you think, say or do, never make yourself right by making the other person wrong.”

* Second, community matters: My friend Darius Assemi, CEP of Granville Homes, often states, “Character is defined by how you treat those who can do nothing for you.”

* Third, colleagues come first: My mentor and friend David Wright, CEO of Clear-Edge Power, says “When you take care of your people, they will take care of business.”

* Fourth, course corrections are possible: Tigo Energy CEO Sam Arditi reminds me to “Never live in the shadows of our mistakes. Let them light your way.”

We are on Earth for only a short time. Learn from yesterday. Listen and humbly lead today. Look forward to tomorrow.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has the patience of Job. He has reached out, yet again, to Major League Baseball Commissioner and professional Hermit Bud Selig – the same Bud Selig who appointed a “Blue Ribbon Task Force” 4 years and one month ago to explore the proposed move of the A’s to downtown San Jose. Yes, four years ago. Or, in Silicon Valley’s innovation economy terms, four iPhones ago.

The objection, it seems, still comes from the San Francisco Giants, who have won World Championships twice in the past four years. They fear their “Territorial Rights” to San Jose – as if we were part of their fiefdom – which, ironically, the A’s willingly granted to the Giants back in 1992 when the Giants wanted to build a ballpark . . . here in San Jose. No good deed goes unpunished. Its funny – but not in a humorous way – that the Giants don’t mind competing on the baseball field, but seem to hate competition when it comes to the market-place. How anathema to the culture of Silicon Valley and the global innovation economy.

We applaud Mayor Reed for his fortitude and focus in once again reaching out to Commissioner Selig. At the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, we have also written to the Commissioner – more than two years ago – signed by 100 CEOs. Like Mayor Reed, we are still waiting by our mailbox for the courtesy of a reply.

“Monopoly” is a great board game. When it comes to a business model, however, the Monopoly we call Major League Baseball elicits behavior like we are witnessing here in San Jose and Silicon Valley