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Good schools attracting families to Saratoga, mayor tells Realtors Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Pictured left to right are: SILVAR Region 9 Chair John Tripp, Los Gatos/Saratoga District Chair Tim Alston, Saratoga Mayor Ann Waltonsmith and past Board Director and SILVAR Education Committee Chair David Tonna and SILVAR Government Affairs Coodinator Adam Montgomery. “People move to Saratoga because of the schools. If they (homebuyers) have children, Saratoga hits the mark all the time,” Saratoga Mayor Ann Waltonsmith told Realtors and affiliates at a March Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Los Gatos/Saratoga District Realtor tour meeting. Significantly, more adults in the city have earned college degrees than have people in most other cities in California. “We have parents who are well-educated, so they have high expectations from the schools,” said Waltonsmith. Waltonsmith said Saratoga’s six excellent public school districts, private schools and West Valley-Mission Community College District are big assets to the community. She noted Saratoga High School was recently ranked among the nation’s 100 best public high schools by a U.S. News & World Report Survey. Waltonsmith also highlighted other assets of the community. Saratoga has many cultural institutions, like the Saratoga Village, Montalvo Arts Center, the Saratoga Historical Museum and Mountain Winery. Community partners, including homeowner associations, help promote the city and neighborhoods. Then there’s a host of community events - the Mustard Festival, the Village Fashion Show, Arbor Day, Taste of Saratoga, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The community’s 13 city parks and trails have been renovated over the last 10 years. All these, plus the low crime rate, attract families to Saratoga, said Waltonsmith. The Saratoga mayor outlined the city council’s priorities. She said in an effort to promote environmental sustainability, the city just signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Also, the city is seeking LEED certification for all city facilities, providing a residential checklist for green building, and embarking on a Greenhouse Gas Emission Baseline Study. The city seeks to build a sense of community by encouraging civic participation, volunteerism and enhancing city communications. The city seeks to maintain financial responsibility by improving the Village and making other infrastructure improvements. In the area of housing, Waltonsmith disclosed in 2007, the city approved 1,583 building permits. The city’s five-year plan for 2009-2014 includes establishing 292 new housing units in the community – 90 at the very low income level; 68 low-income; 77 moderate; and 57 above-moderate. She reminded Realtors that the city has strict code enforcement and Realtors should make homebuyers aware that if they plan to cut down a tree in their property, they need to check with the city and obtain a tree permit. Saratoga’s population is nearly 30,000, and according to figures from the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Web site, the median household income is $184,500. Waltonsmith said while Saratoga has wealthy citizens, it is not a wealthy city, since only a little over 5 percent of property taxes go back to the city. However, Saratoga continues to be highly regarded for its great schools, attractive neighborhoods, well-maintained parks and controlled development. Hence, she proudly told Realtors, “Because of all these, we have a stable housing market, despite nationwide declines.”
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley. The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers. For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (408) 200-0109. |
