City Engagement

Gilroy:

This week I’d like to address questions regarding property line adjustments that were recorded for land at 8050 Camino Arroyo in northeast Gilroy, where an Amazon data center is now under construction.

A complaint was recently filed with the County concerning whether those adjustments, which happened prior to the sale of the land to Amazon, improperly created new parcels and therefore should have been subject to a different public review process. 

To ensure that the City’s response included a thorough review, I directed City staff to examine all parcel records and consult with a licensed land surveyor to provide an independent, third-party assessment.

Here are the findings:

• The lot line adjustments were done legally, in accordance with the California Subdivision Map Act, which prescribes how lot lines can be adjusted. 
• Importantly, the adjustments did not create additional lots or parcels. The number of parcels remained the same before and after the adjustments. This is why the adjustments did not trigger a review by the Planning Commission or City Council under the Map Act. 
• Some of the recorded documents describe the adjusted parcels as “new.” In this context, however, “new” refers to the revised size, shape or configuration of an existing parcel, not the creation of an additional parcel.

It should be noted that lot lines are often adjusted by property owners before land is sold or developed. A simple example is a property owner who acquires land behind a home and adjusts the boundary between the two existing parcels to enlarge the backyard. After the adjustment, one parcel is larger and the other is smaller. Their boundaries are new, but the number of parcels has not changed.

Based on our review, the City found no evidence to support that the lot line adjustments were conducted improperly or used to avoid public hearings surrounding the data center project.

At the same time, the City recognizes the broader reaction from many residents who said they were not aware of the Amazon data center until after construction was underway. The City has previously acknowledged that the process, while conducted under the rules in place at the time, highlighted opportunities for greater community awareness, engagement and review for future projects of this size.

That is why the Gilroy City Council, on August 17, approved sweeping changes to how major development proposals will be reviewed in the future. These changes include earlier and more predictable opportunities for public engagement and feedback, community meeting requirements for large commercial and industrial projects, broader public notifications, and mandatory Planning Commission hearing for all projects requiring an environmental review. 

The City appreciates the opportunity to address community questions and concerns regarding the Amazon data center and other private development in Gilroy. We will continue to listen and improve how the community is informed and engaged when future development proposals come forward.

Matt Morley

City Administrator

The community is invited to join Mayor Greg Bozzo for the 2026 State of the City Address on Thursday, September 17, at 6:00 PM. 

This annual event brings together residents, businesses, and community partners to reflect on key accomplishments, acknowledge ongoing challenges, and look ahead to Gilroy’s priorities for the coming year.

The Mayor’s address will highlight the initiatives and partnerships that support a thriving, inclusive, and forward‑looking community.

2026 State of the City Address with Mayor Greg Bozzo:

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM (Reception begins at 5:00 PM)
• Location: Gavilan College Theater, located at 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard 

Parking will be available in Parking Lot A. Please park in parking spaces labeled "general parking."

Spanish-language interpretation services will be available during the event. 

Valley Water is scheduled to repave westbound Luchessa Ave from Monterey Rd to Princevalle St on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. One westbound lane will remain open throughout the work.

Please follow all traffic control signs, slow down, and use alternate routes when possible. 

Work may be extended to Thursday, September 10, if needed.

The community is invited to provide comments on the Draft EIR at the Hecker Pass Residential project community meeting, rescheduled from September 17 to Monday, September 28 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  

The City received an application for an architectural and site review and tentative map permit for a single-family residential development at 2480 and 2740 Hecker Pass Road.  

The proposed project includes 116 single-family residences, with nine designated as extremely low-income units, and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  The Draft EIR is available for public and agency review from August 21 to October 5, 2026.   

The meeting will be held at City Council Chambers, City Hall, 7351 Rosanna Street, Gilroy, CA 95020. 

For additional details on the project, please visit the Hecker Pass Residential Project webpage.  

15 or 20 miles per hour is the new speed limit in private and public school zones. These speed limits are in effect anytime children are present.

Keeping our children safe is everyone’s responsibility.

Children are counting on you.

Preparedness is one of the most important ways to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property, and it starts with small steps.

Emergencies can happen at any time, without warning. This month, take a moment to think of how you respond in an emergency.

Do you have a plan in place? If not, now is the best time to start, whether it’s building an emergency kit, having an evacuation plan, or signing up to receive the latest emergency notifications.

Sign up to receive emergency notifications on these two platforms:

• Nixle (used by the City of Gilroy) and
• AlertSCC (used by Santa Clara County)

Be Ready. Be Prepared.

For additional resources, visit the Emergency Preparedness webpage.

The City of Gilroy’s Office of Emergency Management invites you to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hybrid and in-person training this Fall. This free, 20-hour course, will equip you with essential skills to help your family, neighbors, and community during a disaster.

Attendance is required for all days. 

Hybrid Training Dates (via Zoom) 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Sept. 29, Oct. 1, Oct. 6, Oct. 8, Oct. 13,

Oct. 15, Oct. 20 and Oct. 22 

6:30 PM- 8:30 PM 

In-person Training Dates 

Saturday, October 24 

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Location: To be determined 

🔗 Sign Up Today 

What You'll Learn: 

✅ Local disaster preparedness tips 

✅ Fire safety 

✅ Light search and rescue 

✅ Team organization & communication 

✅ Damage assessment 

✅ Disaster medical operations 

✅ Disaster psychology 

By completing this course, you'll also have the opportunity to join Gilroy’s Emergency Management Volunteer program as a CERT team member. Participation is optional, but your new skills will make a difference wherever you choose to use them! 

Questions? Contact Andrew Young at Andrew.Young@cityofgilroy.org. 

For additional details, please visit the City of Gilroy Emergency Preparedness webpage.

To participate in the Gilroy Citywide Garage Sale, please complete your online application by Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 PM.

Gilroy Citywide Garage Sale Details:

• Date: Sept. 12 & Sept. 13

• An interactive map will be available on the Second Chance Week webpage on Friday, Sept. 11 at noon and will close Sept. 13 at 2:00 PM.

Visit the Second Chance Week webpage for more information.

To learn more about other programs or resources,

visit the Environmental Programs webpage.

The community is invited to join the Gilroy Fire and Police Departments at the 25^th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2026. Together, we will honor the lives lost, recognize the heroes, and remember all those affected by the events of 9/11.

The ceremony will include addresses from the Gilroy Fire Chief and Police Chief, followed by the Mayor and the City Administrator.

We hope you can join us.



Event: September 11 - 25^th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony

Time: Ceremony begins at 9:00 AM

Location: Gilroy Police Station, 7301 Hanna St., Gilroy

Join us in celebrating the vibrant culture of our city through the "For the Love of Gilroy" public art campaign. This is your chance to showcase your talent and creativity by designing new light post banners that will adorn Monterey Road in Downtown Gilroy.

14 selected designs will each earn $500 and be featured prominently in our community!

📅 Deadline: Submit your designs by 4:00 PM on Thursday, December 3, 2026.

📬 How to submit: Designs may be submitted electronically to https://gilroy.city/artform, or drop them off at Gilroy City Hall’s Information Desk, located at 7351 Rosanna Street.

Let’s make the streets of Gilroy a canvas of our creativity!

For more information and templates visit For the Love of Gilroy webpage.

For questions and sponsorship information, please email the Arts and Culture Commission Chair Ruben Dario Villa.

Calling all volunteers! Join the Recreation team on Saturday, September 19, for a community cleanup at Uvas Creek. This is a great opportunity to give back, support a healthier environment, and earn volunteer hours. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors.

Everyone is welcome!

Event: Uvas Creek Cleanup Day

Date: Saturday, September 19

Time: 9:00 AM - Noon

Check-in: Solorsano Middle School Gym, 7121 Grenache Way, Gilroy

Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. You can download and print the volunteer waiver ahead of time. Copies will also be provided onsite. 

Official Coastal Cleanup Day Flyer

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about mental health and encourage open conversations about suicide.

In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. It is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 14 and young adults ages 15 to 24. However, in Santa Clara County, over 20% of suicides happen among older adults.

Check in with your loved ones and offer support. Seek help when it’s needed.

Learn to recognize the signs and the risks of suicide.

Signs may include alcohol abuse, aggressive behavior, isolation from family and friends, or impulsive and reckless actions. Risk factors can include substance abuse, a family history of suicide, serious mental illness, or past trauma or abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988.

Learn more by visiting Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services.

The City of Gilroy has an exciting opportunity for a Junior, Assistant, or Associate Engineer in the Utilities Department. The ideal candidate will play a key role in planning, designing, coordinating, and delivering the infrastructure necessary to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services for the City of Gilroy. 

Under the direction of a Senior Civil Engineer, the candidate will perform engineering work in both the field and office, with assignments and level of responsibility ranging from entry-level, pre-professional work to journey-level professional engineering.

You will be part of a collaborative team working on a wide variety of projects, including water and wastewater capital improvements, infrastructure planning and design, development review, permitting, and construction.

To learn more about this career opportunity and to apply, visit www.cityofgilroy.org/jobs

Application closes September 21, 2026.