By Clarence Cromwell
Concerned that Matilija Drive can't handle construction-related traffic, the Monte Sereno City Council, sitting as the Planning Commission, on April 16 postponed a decision on subdividing a parcel along Blythswood Drive.
The family of the late John Boden wants to cut the 14-acre property into seven lots ranging from 1.2 to 3.3 acres. The large lot sizes are required by the city because a steep slope dominates the property.
But area residents say they fear big trucks and the inevitable increase in residential traffic will make the road more dangerous.
Matilija Drive resident John Kohler said the city should require improvements to Matilija if it approves the development.
Councilmembers instructed the city engineer to discuss with county officials ways of restricting traffic during construction. The road is actually within the county's jurisdiction. City Manager Carolyn Lehr noted that the owner will probably have to make some improvements as a condition of attaching a new private road to Matilija Drive.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, April 24, 1996.
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