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James Arnold says he will think twice before he supports any bond measure like Measure E. Arnold, 67, has lived in Cupertino since 1974. He witnessed De Anza College rise from the ground and evolve into one of the biggest community colleges in the nation. He didn't hesitate to vote in favor of Measure E, a bond measure that allows local schools such as De Anza to improve classrooms, construct science labs and replace aging roofs. But he was astounded to find that 385 trees were cut down and a three-level parking garage will be erected across from his house on Stelling Road.
"I am very upset that we were not informed with any measure of candor that the current FoothillDe Anza [Community College District] management has gone well beyond the spirit of Measure E," Arnold said. "Where have the mature, double rows of pines gone? Was the butchery really necessary in the name of public education and progress?"
Arnold and other concerned neighbors have met staff at De Anza and petitioned the FoothillDe Anza Board of Trustees. They say the college, though willing to meet them and listen to their complaints, hasn't addressed their concerns.
Some De Anza students are considering joining the residents in a class-action complaint against the college.
"The college has not provided enough parking for the students and forced us to park on the grass and in the neighborhood. In the meantime, the college is giving students citations," said student Juan De Anda. "We feel the school has failed to accommodate the students' needs."
Residents and students also petitioned the city council, but the city has no jurisdiction over De Anza.
"De Anza is like an island in our city," said Ralph Qualls, director of public works. "We have commented on the college's Measure E improvement
and raised a number of concerns about traffic and circulation around the campus. But we don't see any measure of those concerns have been addressed by the college in the development of their project."
Donna Jones-Dulin, director of college services at De Anza, disagreed.
"We sent out letters to the neighbors and held an open forum in May of 2002. Maybe they didn't understand the letters. But from now on, we will do a better job to keep them better informed," said Jones-Dulin, who is in charge of the college's Measure E construction.
Jones-Dulin said the college has gone through a careful analysis to decide to place the three-level parking garage on parking lot C.
"We have a congestion problem on the west side of the campus. Parking lot C is the best location we can think of," Jones-Dulin said. "The parking structure has an approximately 300-foot setback across from the residences on Stelling Road. That is almost as far as a football field."
The college also expects to replace about all the trees cut down when the construction is completed. A new tree will be planted for each specimen tree removed. ("Specimen trees" refers to such trees as oak trees or California buckeyes with a trunk more than 10 inches in diameter.) The college will also plant 18- to 19-inch-tall cypress trees along Stelling Road.
"We are really committed to our landscaping and trees here," Jones-Dulin said. "And we will continue making a concerted effort to work with the community, because they support us for our Measure E bond."
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