Saratoga News

Photograph courtesy of the San Jose Symphony Auxiliary

Press kits have already been delivered to the area's media publicizing the Symphony Auxiliary's popular Designer Showcase, featuring this home on Sobey Road in Saratoga.

City won't waive showcase fee

By Sarah Lombardo

No matter how much money the San Jose Symphony Auxiliary raises this year with its 21st annual Designer Showcase, it'll still be $1,500 less than members hoped.

That's because the Saratoga City Council voted 3-2 on April 1 to deny waiving the $1,500 temporary use permit fee for the group. And despite the meeting's date, it was no joke.

"We were very disappointed," said Bonnie Radding, a Saratoga resident and president of the Symphony Auxiliary. "We've never had to pay before in any other city. We think $1,500 is a rather large amount."

Each year, the San Jose Symphony Auxiliary creates a designer showcase mansion in a South Bay home. The home is completely redesigned, with local designers and interior decorators donating the work, and then opened to tours. The proceeds then go to the San Jose Symphony. A home at 18450 Sobey Road in Saratoga has been designated this year's showcase home. The event takes place May 9-June 7, Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The auxiliary had requested a waiver of the fee because the organization is nonprofit. Auxiliary members also argued that the event is sure to bring people into the community--and potentially into the shopping districts.

That's one reason, Mayor Don Wolfe said that he would have liked to waive the fee.

"We should not be exacting fees from nonprofits who do so much good for the community," Wolfe said.

Councilmember Stan Bogosian also voted to waive the fee, but for reasons of fairness.

According to Radding, the auxiliary was under the impression that they did not need a permit, an impression that she said played a part in the group's decision to hold the event at the Saratoga home. Radding cited a letter sent from the city on Feb. 10, which read, "Since the event will not require any street closures, a special event permit is not required from the city. The city has no objection to your sponsorship of the event."

But Radding said a subsequent call from city staffers informed her of the requirement for a temporary-use permit fee, which costs $1,500.

Bogosian said he thought it was unfair to charge the fee in light of the letter.

Others disagreed, citing the city's tight budget.

The issue did lead the council to decide to take another look at the city's policy of charging nonprofits. Staff was asked to look into the issue and report back at a later meeting, at which time the policy could possibly be changed to exempt charitable organizations.

But that would be too late for the San Jose Symphony Auxiliary. "It started something, but unfortunately, we're not going to be a beneficiary of a new policy," Radding said. "We just run into one snag after another."

And there is one more possible snag ahead.

Although the auxiliary has already begun publicizing the event, the temporary-use permit has yet to go before the Saratoga Planning Commission for approval. The commission is scheduled to hear the item at its April 8 meeting.

Community Development Director James Walgren said he doubts the commission will refuse the permit, but issues of parking and traffic may result in some conditions being added.

Currently, organizers plan to provide parking for an expected 150 visitors a day in an orchard adjacent to the property. Walgren said that may be easier said than done.

"On paper, it looks as if there is enough room there," he said, "but it's an orchard. In reality, I think it would be difficult to use that site."

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