Illegal units show a
need for more housing

The premise that the state can know the local housing market better than the city and one size fits all is a faulty premise ("Committee considering allowing extra units," March 31).

Beyond concern of the state's mandates, it turns out that the city of San Jose has at least 2,700 illegal secondary units in existence now. Clearly there is a market need for these secondary structures and the illegal structures are an unhindered, free-form attempt to fill that market need. Much can be learned from them.

It may be that these illegal secondary units tend to be located in certain types of neighborhoods, which could suggest that these types of neighborhoods be zoned for secondary housing while other areas of the city are excluded. The type of codes would be influenced by the information gained from analysis of the existing units.

It is not productive to outlaw the existing structures, tear them down and force families out on the streets. If the neighbors have not complained and there are no dangerous situations, then amnesty should be declared. It may be possible to make code changes to allow these structures to become legal based on the analysis obtained from the survey.

It is clear that it would be difficult to get people to adhere to code forced by the state if there are a large number of illegal structures in existence. It is also clear that the illegal structure situation has to be cleared up first.

Finally, what does it say about our present code enforcement when there are so many visible structures violating city code?

Bob Boydston

Elwood Road

Almaden would not be
affected by extra units

While I can't vouch for other neighborhoods, the people of Almaden Valley don't have very much to worry about if the city allows homeowners to build secondary units on their properties.

I can't believe, first of all, that many of our neighbors would be willing to undergo such a production of adding a free-standing structure or converting a garage or basement into an apartment. But even if they did, what difference would it make to the rest of the people who live on any particular street?

Would the addition of another car on the street be a problem? No. I can't think of a street in Almaden that doesn't have ample street parking.

Would there be too much noise? Who's to say secondary-unit renters would be loud?

Would there be an influx of "undesirables"? That seems like racist or classist argument that doesn't even deserve a response.

There is obviously a need for more housing in San Jose, and if allowing secondary units on property that can absorb them will help, I'm all for it. If anything, there would be a handful of secondary units built in Almaden, if any at all, and I would expect that the people living in then will be related to the homeowners.

They're not called "granny units" for nothing.

Joe Ignacio

Little Falls Drive

Many helped to
design new library

I wanted to say thanks for the great article on the new Almaden Community Center and Library ("Neighborhood Hub, New library, community center has potential to be Almaden's 'village square,'" March 31). I also want to point out that by no means did I do all of this myself, and I want to be sure that the full team is credited.

Our firm, Field Paoli Architects, was the designer for the building, with the design efforts led by Steve Lovell and Joe Champion. Other key team members were project managers Paul Cooper and Steve Winkel and job captain Jenny Yap. The landscape team was led by Linda Gates of David Gates and Associates. The city's department of public works staff has worked tirelessly on this and all of the other new projects and also deserves great recognition. Finally, West Bay Builders of Novato is the general contractor for the facility.

Mark Schatz

Architect,
Almaden Branch Library and Community Center

New taxes will be
needed to run library

I'll bet most of those who voted for the library bond initiatives were unaware that the construction funds only covered walls, ceilings and pipes and excluded everything else, like furniture and fixtures. I also bet voters were unaware that the increased operating costs associated with the expanded facility are also not covered by bond money and must be covered by the general fund.

You can bet the city will be back with new tax proposals to cover all these unfunded costs and will threaten us with decreased hours and services at the new library if new taxes are not approved. And speaking of costs, Rich Desmond, the director of branch library development, tells us the Almaden library project is on schedule and below budget. I certainly wish the same could be said about the new city hall project that is hopelessly over budget.

Jerry Mungai

Fall River Drive