Saratoga News

Measure G loophole benefits developers

By Huyen Roosenboom

Once again, a large developer has set his sights on Saratoga to exploit a low-density parcel that is ill-suited for development. A high-density, affordable-income, assisted-living senior housing project is planned off Quito Road just before the Highway 85 overpass. The need for senior housing in Saratoga is not a point of debate, as evidenced by the substantial planned expansion of the Odd Fellows complex. It should be noted that the Odd Fellows development is going through the regular channels of the city of Saratoga Planning Department. In contrast, the point of friction lies in the unconventional way the developer attempted to push the Quito Road project forward without consulting the neighboring residents. Most worrisome was the attempt by developer Barry Swenson to take advantage of an unfortunate loophole in Measure G.

By his request to bypass the Planning Commission and proceed to a vote to change the land use, he would successfully blindside the community as to the pitfalls of this property. His desire to force the land-use designation to a vote by June 2 would have circumvented any opposition from successfully organizing on such a short notice. This is in direct contrast to a developer like Pinn Brothers Construction, which consulted with the residents on Douglass Lane before proceeding with their single-family development.

Let's take a quick look at why a swift move to the ballot box would have benefited the developer. The site of the proposed senior housing project has a conglomeration of poor attributes. First of all, a creek runs through the south side of this property and flooded half of this parcel several weeks ago during the heavy rains. Flooding along this creek has also occurred during normal rainy seasons. In addition, the parcel is intersected by a full-size, high-voltage PG&E transmission tower. Furthermore, the site is adjacent to Highway 85 and the Southern Pacific Railway. And, finally, the developer failed to mention to the City Council the large 72-inch Santa Clara Valley Water District pipeline that lurks alongside the proposed project. If it were to spring a leak, due to an earthquake or other calamity, it would wash the entire development--along with all non-Olympic swimmers--into the adjoining creek. Mind you, this high-pressure pipeline would be large enough for the average person to walk through if it were empty. Murphy's Law is just itching for this development to take place. Anyone who commutes to work via Quito Road and Saratoga Avenue does not need to be told what impact an additional high-density project would have on traffic. Additional residents and service vehicles for the assisted-living complex would compete with your driving sanity. Believe it or not, Barry Swenson Builder wants to squeeze up to 120 residences on a mere 2.5 acres. Could the two-acre lot near your house be the next one to come up for a quick land-use designation vote? Obviously, it comes as little surprise that this project was sped up for a premature Measure G vote. It is quite probable that an uninformed voter would have approved this zoning request.

Measure G was specifically approved by the Saratoga voters to prevent strong-arm developers from exploiting and manipulating our elected officials into promoting projects that are not approved of by our residents. Saratoga voters have repeatedly shown their opposition to high-density projects that result in increased traffic, noise, blight and pollution. We should commend the majority of the current City Council for taking a stand on the interpretation of Measure G. The loophole should be permanently closed so that a new development runs its proper course through the Planning Commission before proceeding to a Measure G referendum.

It was heartening to see that the City Council saw through the "grandfatherly" presentation by the developer and is following the intent of Measure G as passed by the voters of this city. The elected officials who continue to resist this immensely popular measure are likely to suffer the consequences when future voters exercise their constitutional rights.

Huyen Roosenboom is a Saratoga resident.

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