Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Editorials

Common sense works when tastes are similar

It looks like Monte Sereno's new laissez-faire attitude may be more appropriate for old, established houses than for big, bold new ones. Recently, the same City Council that took the teeth out of the city's historic preservation ordinance and decreed that homeowners should be allowed "wiggle room" with local ordinances, voted unanimously not to allow a property owner to build a flashy new home.

Or perhaps councilmembers simply learned a basic lesson in local politics: When angry neighbors descend upon City Hall, the last thing they intend to give their representatives is wiggle room.

Ironically, the name of Monte Sereno founder Thomas Inglis was invoked by some neighbors in their letters asking the council not to allow the proposed house at 16095 Ridgecrest Ave.

For a year prior to last November's election, a group of Monte Sereno residents calling themselves Citizens FOR Monte Sereno became a thorn in the side of Monte Sereno's government.

The citizens' group, also invoking the founder's name, pretty much said local government should butt out and let homeowners do what they want with their property.

Two current councilmembers were swept into office on this principle.

The Ridgecrest neighbors argued that they have so far been able to maintain the rural charm of their neighborhood because oversized homes have not been built there. Oversized homes--currently fashionable with Silicon Valley executives--have cropped up in other Monte Sereno neighborhoods.

The city finds itself in an awkward position these days. It's always been an affluent community. But many of its homes were built at a time when well-heeled executives built homes of 2,500 to 3,500 square feet.

These homes--many of them one-story ranch-styles--became the local standard for good taste.

Now there's a new breed of executive; they have more money than many of Monte Sereno's early residents even dreamed of.

They want to move to classy neighborhoods and build homes that reflect their status. Many of them have a taste for homes that look like Mediterranean villas or German castles.

As the new councilmembers are quickly learning, the "common sense" approach works best when everyone's standards and tastes are pretty much in accord.

With the economy booming in Silicon Valley, it's a good bet this battle between modest, tasteful homes and a huge flashy one won't be the last to come before the Monte Sereno council.

Making a contribution

Chris Miller is proving that young people are willing and able to make significant contributions to the community. A conversation with his neighbor about a problem at Bachman Park inspired the Los Gatos High School sophomore, a student member of the Parks Commission, to survey residents about their use of town parks.

The result of his efforts might well be that the town's already commendable parks could improve and meet people's needs even better than they already do.

It's a reminder that it takes people of all ages working together to make a community.