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SJ planners call stop to Home Depot construction
Contractor goofs by beginning foundation work
By Michelle Ku
Work at the Home Depot site on the corner of De Anza Boulevard and Bollinger Road was stopped by the San Jose Planning Department on Monday, Aug. 9.
The city ordered the work stoppage because crews were beginning construction of the foundation before the completion of the wall along the back of the property, said Linda Hannigan, a San Jose planner.
"They were supposed to construct the wall first to preclude dust and noise and construction impacts to the neighbors," Hannigan said.
According to permits issued to Home Depot, the wall was to be built first to protect the residential neighborhood behind the site.
"The contractor who was working on the project misunderstood the conditions [of the permit]," said Amy Friend, Home Depot spokeswoman. "We'll be meeting with the city planning staff next week to review everything again, so we have all the accurate information we need to continue with the construction."
The city stopped construction following noise complaints by neighbors and a visit by building inspectors.
"The whole effect of construction without the wall being in place would include, noise, dust and activity on the site," Hannigan said.
For the most part, neighbors have not been unduly affected by construction. Some have been awakened by the construction crews. "They start working at 6 a.m. It's kind of early," said Simon Smundak.
The noisiest part of the work is over now, Smundak added. "It was much noisier before, when they were demolishing K-Mart, but now it's quiet work," he said.
Although construction noise will continue to be an issue, it has not affected Joya Basu, who lives on Westlyn Lane. "Sometimes it bothers me a bit, but not really," she said. "In the morning, we're busy and are not bothered by the sound."
Home Depot has tried to minimize the effect of dirt and dust on neighbors by having street sweeping and spray trucks water up and down De Anza to keep the dirt at bay.
"Before construction you could see the lines (on the road) very clearly, but with the dirt and in the dark, it's kind of hard to see the lines," said Tony Wu, a Bollinger Road resident.
It was very nice and considerate of Home Depot to try to wipe out the dirt, Basu said.
Several neighbors aren't concerned with the construction at all.
"Yes, there is additional noise, dust and dirt, but not to the point where it's a problem," said Seth Levinsky who lives on Westlyn Lane. "I'm more concerned with the traffic that will speed down this road. Once it's built, people will use [this street] to avoid the lights. People already speed down the street."
George Beloiu, a Bollinger Road resident, believes the construction is noisy, but he fears the type of noise the neighborhood will experience once the store is opened.
"I'm thinking later on noise might be worse when merchandise is being delivered at night," he said.
Home Depot has tried to make itself accessible to address the neighbors' concerns.
"It's fairly common for us, when we're working on a construction site that's so close to a neighborhood to at least walk around and introduce ourselves to the neighborhood," Friend said. "We want to make sure that they recognize us and that if there are any problems or issues during construction, they have a phone number and a contact to call to have their issues resolved."
Two weeks ago, Home Depot representatives gave each home two gift certificates for a movie ticket, small drink and popcorn.
Demolition of the old K-Mart building to clear the lot began last month. Home Depot plans to construct a 106,000-square-foot home and garden supply center. The company has planned on opening a retail location there since 1995.
Home Depot is hoping to have the store open sometime early next year, Friend said."The contractor who was working on the project misunderstood the conditions [of the permit]," said Amy Friend, Home Depot spokeswoman. "We'll be meeting with the city planning staff next week to review everything again so we have all the accurate information we need to continue with the construction."
The city stopped construction following noise complaints by neighbors and a visit by building inspectors.
"The whole effects of construction without the wall being in place would include, noise, dust and activity on the site," Hannigan said.
For the most part, neighbors have not been unduly affected by construction. Some have been awakened by the construction crews. "They start working at 6 a.m. it's kind of early," said Simon Smundak.
The noisiest part of the construction work is over now, Smundak added. "It was much more noisier before, when they were demolishing K-Mart, but not it's quiet work," he said.
While noise from the construction will continue to be an issue, it has not affected Joya Basu who lives on
Westlyn Lane. "Sometimes it bothers me a bit, but not really," she said. "In the morning, we're busy and are not bothered by the sound."
Home Depot has tried to minimize the effect of dirt and dust on neighbors by having street sweeping and spray trucks water up and down De Anza to keep the dirt at bay.
"Before construction you could see the lines (on the road) very clearly, but with the dirt and in the dark, it's kind of hard to see the lines," said Tony Wu, a Bollinger Road resident.
It was very nice and considerate of Home Depot to try to wipe out the dirt, Basu said.
Several neighbors aren't concerned with the construction at all.
"Yes, there is additional noise, dust and dirt, but not to the point where it's a problem," said Seth Levinsky who lives on Westlyn Lane. "I'm more concerned with the traffic that will speed down this road. Once it's built, people will use [this street] to avoid the lights. People already speed down the street."
George Beloiu, a Bollinger Road resident, believes the construction is noisy, but he fears the kind of noise the neighborhood will experience once the store is opened.
"I'm thinking later on noise might be worse when merchandise is being delivered at night," he said.
Home Depot has tried to make itself accessible to address the neighbors' concerns.
"It's fairly common for us, when we're working on a construction site that's so close to a neighborhood to at least walk around and introduce ourselves to the neighborhood," Friend said. "We want to make sure that they recognize us and that if there are any problems or issues during construction, they have a phone number and a contact to call to have their issues resolved."
Two weeks ago, Home Depot representatives gave each home two gift certificates for a movie ticket, small drink and popcorn.
Demolition of the old K-Mart building to clear the lot began last month. Home Depot plans to construct a 106,000-square-foot home and garden supply center. The company has planned on opening a retail location there since 1995.
Home Depot is hoping to have the store open sometime early next year, Friend said.
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