Ann Waltonsmith




Saratoga believes in marching to its own tune

By Ann Waltonsmith

I am enthusiastic about the place I live. I love Saratoga, and I loved growing up here. I am proud that Saratoga dances to its own tune, and does not automatically do what other cities are pressured into doing. This independent thinking began at the 1956 incorporation. Our predecessors warded off San Jose's push to grab land, put in small lots, big government, big taxes, and miles of strip malls. It is no accident that our predecessors then voted for few sidewalks and streetlights; they wanted Saratoga to remain rural and low-key suburban.

We continue to protect our open space in the hills, with small fencing allotments, no houses on ridgelines, and earth-tone houses blending into the hills. With the passage of old Measure G and Measure A, we guaranteed that we would keep the speculators out of our neighborhoods, and keep our communities as single-family residences and low-density developments. We also love our trees, so we have strict tree-cutting permits, and promote the design of new houses around existing trees.

After a long public debate, we reluctantly agreed to one Route 85 interchange. The evidence showed that interchanges always bring more traffic and housing density, and that interchanges do not reduce traffic at other neighboring interchanges. The most recent study confirmed our foresight. So when other cities are overwhelmed with cross traffic, streets too wide to walk across, and ill-planned high-density housing, Saratoga has fewer problems to deal with.

It is no accident that Saratoga has no big town center. We wanted retail, commercial business and parks to be decentralized and low key. We also wanted our schools to be excellent and focused on academics.

We have missed some big opportunities in our past. We are now trying to rectify the increased noise level of Route 85 that pushes through Saratoga. And since we did not buy enough land for parks, playfields and open space, the city council is now partnering with schools, churches and the community college for playfields. Because we have been a little blind to our heritage, we have only remnant examples of our early houses and retail buildings. However, we have saved the Heritage Orchard (one of the last in the Valley) and our Heritage Lane. Where do we go from here? How do we build on history that makes us such a special and sought-after place to live?

The vote on bonds for an upgraded library and fire station is a good start. The city council has spent money to enhance services to youths and seniors, through remodeling the Community/Senior Center and overhauling several of our parks and playfields. In the near future, the council will discuss upgrading the rest of our parks, paths and trails, so our 21st-century citizens can enjoy their city.

The council has begun cleaning up the pollution in the Saratoga Creek, and we are working on our traffic and noise problems before they become as awful as our neighboring cities' problems. The council is completing a study on traffic-calming options in the Prides Crossing neighborhood, as well as evaluating redeployment strategies of our law enforcement staff. In addition, the council recently negotiated a noise and traffic abatement contract with the Mountain Winery.

The council is developing and putting into place much needed support to upgrade our retail and commercial districts. A new economic development coordinator will be hired shortly, and will be out recruiting destination businesses. Plans for beautifying the Village and the Gateway are being discussed. The council is asking citizens to support the ballot Measure G, a temporary moratorium on converting our dwindling commercial land (1 percent of Saratoga) to high-end high-density housing. This will give the city staff and council time to complete its economic development plans to revitalize our retail and bolster our much needed sales tax revenues for the city budget.

In the works, is a rewrite of our housing element that will allow us to meet the state requirements for below-market-rate housing. This will be the first time the city has positively responded to the needs of its citizens looking for smaller space, and our much-appreciated community professionals looking for housing in a tight market. Saratoga will focus on using its "granny flats."

Let's work together to protect and enhance our city. I have been proud to be a part of its leadership. I ask you to KEEP SARATOGA ON TRACK, by returning me to the city council on Nov. 7.

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