Nineteen ninety-five was a noisy year, starting with storms that caused mudslides, power outages and fears of overflowing creeks. Highway 85 roared all year as residents protested the noise and sought solutions. Montalvo upped the decibels at its concerts despite neighborhood protests, and the Saratoga Neighborhood Preservation Initiative raised a ruckus as it made its way to the ballot. Hammers and heavy equipment were employed to turn the former Paul Masson champagne cellars site into the new Greenbriar housing development, and the wrecking ball loomed over El Paseo Shopping Center as new owners prepared to tear it down and start from scratch.
The Saratoga Business Development Council worked to make some noise about the offerings of local business as the city's artists continued to pour out a wealth of music, art, drama and dance. Bands helped celebrate Saratoga in the fall, and carolers helped decorate it in December as we prepared for another year of joys and challenges. It was a noisy year, but a good one.
January
Freeway Rumbles
The Freeway Sound Reduction Coalition on Jan. 4 asked the Saratoga City Council to file an injunction against Caltrans and the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority to force the two agencies to reduce the noise generated by cars traveling the roadway. Angry residents who attended a November meeting of the group said they were working in subgroups on legal and technical research related to freeway noise.
As if the noise weren't enough, a small group of Saratogans also reported that the new freeway rained concrete dust on their homes and back yards, a phenomenon that turned out to be temporary.
Villa Revamped
Workers were still hammering and sawing on two major renovation projects that began in December at Villa Montalvo: replacing clay-pipe plumbing cracked in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake and putting down new floorboards. The plumbing and floors were those originally installed in 1912.
Montalvo also added an additional Front Lawn concert to its season and installed 275 more seats in the Garden Theater.
Preseason Spotless
The Prospect High School girls basketball team won three tournaments after shooting their way to an 11-0 record in preseason play. The Panthers pounced on numerous teams at Gilroy, Cupertino and Newark tournaments. Then they opened the season by defeating Leigh 58-36 during the week of Jan. 2.
The Big Storm
Saratoga, the "place of swift water" in native-American parlance, lived up to its name Jan. 6-10. A raging Pacific storm dumped more than 4 inches of water during the first three days. Then, on the fourth day, another 4 inches deluged the city.
Those who monitor local rain levels declared the drought over.
Torrents of rainwater flooded basements, toppled trees and downed 600 different electrical lines in the West Valley area. City utility crews worked overtime for days patching up the city.
Winery Offer Made
Raymond Ratcliff, president and chief executive officer of Pacific Summit Development, gave word Jan. 24 that he planned to buy the Mountain Winery from Ray Collishaw. City Council members said they were pleased with the idea of a Saratogan owning the concert venue. Collishaw later sold the winery to a different local company.
Cruddy Creek in Court
Creek lovers on Jan. 25 sued the city of Saratoga. San Francisco BayKeeper and Friends of Santa Clara County Creeks asked a federal court to make the city stop fecal matter and pollutants from flowing into Saratoga Creek. Members said the group videotaped an "especially egregious discharge" oozing from a storm drain pipe on Dec. 18.
The court case is not yet settled.
Montalvo Ups Volume
Concerts at Villa Montalvo cranked up to 65 decibels after a Superior Court judge OK'd the change on Jan. 26. The concert venue's owners managed to change a two-year-old court order that limited concerts there to 54 decibels in previous years.
February
El Paseo Rebuilds
New owners of the 20-year-old El Paseo de Saratoga shopping center announced plans to tear it down and rebuild from scratch. Demolition of the nearly vacant mall is to take place in January 1996.
A new 343,200-square-foot center is scheduled to open in fall 1996.
Tree Talks Troubled
Thanks, but no thanks, the City Council told the Saratoga Tree Committee on Feb. 20.
The council declined to make law of the tree committee's 28-page proposed tree protection guidelines, saying the rules are unneeded and intrusive. "To extend the cold, dead hand of government over your fence is not what we're about," Councilmember Don Wolfe said.
The committee members, who spent two years formulating the unwanted guidelines, complained that the council shot them down without hearing the group's presentation. The council scheduled an April 29 public workshop on the guidelines, but never adopted them.
Planners Protest Reversals
A series of City Council reversals of Planning Commission decisions left commissioners asking why at a Feb. 20 joint meeting of the two groups. The council overturned decisions on the Greenbriar development and a Jan. 3 appeal regarding changes in fence heights and lot lines; the commission had rejected both.
Councilmembers said they decided to allow variances on those projects because, despite minor objections, they were sound projects.
"I just think you have a different perspective on the Planning Commission than you do on the council, and I don't think either of us is wrong," said then-Councilmember Paul Jacobs.
March
Second Soaking Brings Slides
The Pineapple Express, the second major storm of the rainy season, roared through Saratoga March 9-12, pounding the city with 9 inches of rain and leaving broken power lines, mudslides and fallen trees in its wake. After the rains washed away part of Pierce Road and a fallen oak knocked out power to 190 houses in the area of Highway 9 and Toll Gate Road, City Manager Harry Peacock declared a local emergency.
Falcons Score High--in Class
With an average grade-point average of 3.77, the brainy Saratoga girls' basketball team racked up more points on their report cards than any other basketball team in the section. The team also had the highest GPA among all winter sports teams in the section.
School Uniforms Considered
In an attempt to help students' self-esteem, parents, teachers and principals from Rogers Middle School and Country Lane Elementary School voted to adopt a dress-code policy that took effect at the beginning of this school year. The two Moreland district schools include some students from Saratoga.
Starting September, the students were expected to wear uniforms to school. The uniform is optional, however, because state law requires that parents be able to exempt their children from wearing uniforms.
Prospect Closed at Lunch
Prospect High School Principal Bruce Samples on March 9 abruptly slammed the door on students' open-campus privileges after a series of lunch-time fistfights that broke out at Saratoga Station Shopping Center.
Shopping Center Opposed
The Kosich family withdrew plans to convert part of its land to a commercial center. They had planned a mixed commercial and residential development on the 5-acre parcel along Saratoga Avenue near Lawrence Expressway. But the family gave up after neighborhood opposition surfaced.
April
Chavez to Leave WVC
West Valley College president Leo Chavez accepted a job as chancellor of the nearby Foothill-De Anza Community College District, effective July 1. Chavez said he decided to accept the chancellor's post because he wanted to have a larger impact on education.
Food Workers Walk
Pickets lined the front of Safeway stores in Saratoga and other cities when the grocery's union went on strike April 6 over health benefits. The picketers asked customers to shop at local independent grocers, such as Nob Hill or Petrini's, rather than patronize the Argonaut Safeway, staffed by a skeleton crew of temporary employees.
Poetry Slasher Hits Books
A mysterious bibliophobe sliced pages from 11 modern American poetry books at the Saratoga library, as well as numerous pages from books in 19 other libraries throughout Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Many of the books were out of print.
Bye, Bye Benny
Benny Pierce retired after 33 seasons as Saratoga High School's varsity football coach. He led the Falcons to 31 winning seasons, 16 lead championships, a county title and four Central Coast Section crowns. A dinner was held in his honor as he prepared to spend more time with his family and cheer on the efforts of new head coach Mike Machado.
May
Village Association Quits
After more than 35 years boosting local business, the Saratoga Village Association disbanded. Dwindling membership, weary volunteers, insurance woes and a shrinking bank account were cited. The group's final action was to sell the terra-cotta flowerpots that line Big Basin Way to the merchants.
Nelson Gardens Dream Dies
Despite pleas to save the Nelson Gardens property on Saratoga Hills Road for a park, the City Council voted to release the property from the Williamson Act, which restricted development until the year 2000, and allow the Community Foundation of Santa Clara County to proceed with plans to build nine homes on the site. Friends of Nelson Gardens sued to stop the development, but as of December, the development was proceeding through city channels.
WVC Cuts Programs
Facing a budget crunch, West Valley College President Leo Chavez recommended phasing out the journalism and photography programs at West Valley College, along with fashion merchandising, office technology and real estate. By the beginning of the fall semester, most of the classes in those departments were gone. The Norseman school newspaper continued being put out on a semi-regular basis despite the program cuts.
Mountain Winery Sold
After a couple of almost-sales to other buyers, a Southern California development firm purchased the Mountain Winery. A federal bankruptcy judge allowed Amcal Diversified Group of Westlake Village to buy the 600-acre parcel for $6.5 million in cash from former owner Ray Collishaw. Amcal turned over management to Entertainment Unlimited, which announced plans for an abbreviated fall concert series because it was too late to plan the venue's traditional summer series.
Western Micro Leaves
Saratoga's second-largest employer, Western Micro Technology, announced that it was leaving town. It sold its electronic components division to Reptron Electronics of Florida. The remaining computer systems division moved from Saratoga to offices in Campbell. Reptron planned to finish Western Micro's lease at its offices on Saratoga Avenue, but was expected to eventually consolidate its portion of the business with existing operations in San Jose. As part of the sale, former Western Micro CEO Ron Mabry moved to Reptron as vice president.
City Faces Budget Crunch
City staff informed the Saratoga City Council that it would have to make some cuts to balance the budget. Funding for the afternoon teen center at Warner Hutton House and Sunday library hours were among the casualties. The council also reduced by $17,000 its support for senior programs and trimmed street maintenance, code enforcement and recreation staff. Friends of the Library later picked up the Sunday library hours.
June
Farmers' Market Opens
The Saratoga Farmers' Market opened June 10 at the intersection of Big Basin Way and Saratoga-Los Gatos Road. The first big project of the Business Development Council, it was hoped that the market would bring people into the Village on Saturday mornings. To boost interest, the organizers offered live entertainment, plus a peach cookoff in the spring and a pumpkin-carving contest in October. The market closed for the winter in November and is expected to reopen in the spring.
Chamber Honors Mallory
Former City Council member Jack Mallory was named Citizen of the Year by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Known for his upbeat personality and signature straw hats, Mallory has served on the boards of many local groups, organized annual picnics for his fellow former Pennsylvanians, and spearheaded the planting of time capsules by individuals, neighborhoods and school groups.
Heritage Lane Named
Signs went up marking the portion of Saratoga Avenue from Fruitvale Avenue to Saratoga-Los Gatos Road as a Heritage Lane. The Historic Preservation Commission voted that that section of road had sufficient historic significance to deserve recognition.
Angels Win 17
The Angels won 17 games in a row, winning the Saratoga Little League major division championship for 1995. The 17th game was a close one, in which the Angels triumphed over the Marlins with a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to break an 8-8 tie.
Father Duong New Pastor
Father Paul Duong was named pastor of Ascension Catholic Church, replacing Father Robert Leger. Duong had served as a parochial vicar at the church since 1992. He previously was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Vietnamese Mission.
Leo Goes, Sam Arrives
WVC said goodbye to Dr. Leo Chavez, who left for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. Taking his place was Dr. Sam Schauerman, former superintendent/president of El Camino Community College in Torrance.
July
Sorry, Home Depot
The Saratoga City Council rejected the idea of a Home Depot store coming to town. "Saratoga isn't a Home Depot kind of place," Councilmember Gillian Moran said. The owner of a 9-acre lot on Saratoga Avenue between Cox Avenue and Highway 85 was approached by Home Depot about leasing the land for a store, but when City Manager Harry Peacock mentioned the possibility to the council, the response was thumbs-down, despite the approximately $400,000 the store was expected to bring in annual sales tax. The councilmembers were concerned about traffic and the effect on the city's "bedroom community" image.
Blazes Hit Saratoga
Firefighters were kept busy fighting four fires that broke out on July 27 on the hillside above Saratoga Village. No buildings were damaged, and the blazes were quickly contained, but they drew firefighters from departments across Santa Clara County who came to help. Earlier that same day, Saratoga firefighters fought flames on their own roof when debris caught fire while a roofing contractor was working up there.
Council Uproots Tree Plan
The City Council voted to dissolve the ad hoc Saratoga tree committee and declined to use the committee's guidelines to revise the city's tree ordinance. The councilmembers objected to the idea of legislating treatment of trees on private property. The tree committee protested that they were not informed until after the action was taken and that the Saratoga City Council did not take the committee's conclusions seriously.
City Reroutes Detours
Drivers sneaking down Devon and McFarland avenues as a shortcut between Quito Road and Saratoga Avenue found themselves facing new barricades as a result of neighborhood protests about added noise and danger from speeding cars. The barriers created new bottlenecks in the neighborhood, and the city sought a more permanent solution.
Trésors Moves Out
Paul Bird packed up his Village antique store, Trésor's, and moved to Carmel. Mitch Cutler, owner of La Fondue restaurant, took over the space, doing massive renovations in preparation for opening the Blue Rock Shoot coffee shop and bookstore there.
Magic Works
The Magic girls' softball team won the first annual Junior Olympic Commissioner's Invitational Tournament in Nevada. A week earlier, they had claimed the crown in the California Cruisers Central California Classic in Atascadero. They went on to win the national championships.
August
Animal Plan Flops
After a brief try at doing its own animal-control services, the city of Saratoga voted to renew its contract with the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley. The city had cut back its contract with the humane society to only the minimum emergency services, hoping to save $20,000 by picking up its own stray and dead animals and letting city staff deal with complaints about noise, sanitation and homes with too many animals. The number of complaints and the strain on the city caused Saratoga to change its mind in less than a month.
Wolfe Leaves Job
Councilmember Don Wolfe, who had taken heat during the 1994 council election for his job as governmental affairs director for the Building Industry Association of Northern California, lost his job as part of the organization's restructuring. He continued to be associated with the BIA as a consultant on an as-needed basis.
Westgate Remodeling Set
While El Paseo de Saratoga made plans for a complete makeover across Campbell Avenue, rival Westgate Shopping Center got a new owner, M&H Realty Group, which also launched a renovation effort, hoping to attract some big anchor stores to the aging shopping center. Smaller stores were expanded into bigger spaces, and many tenants moved out, but the center remained open while work took place behind big white panels.
Initiative Launched
A citizens group calling itself the Save Our Neighborhoods Initiative Committee started a campaign to put an initiative on the ballot that would require citizens to vote on development proposals that would change parklands to residential lots or increase density on property zoned for residential use. They collected enough signatures to force the City Council to put the measure on the March ballot.
Substation Negotiations Off
After months of negotiations between the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department, cities served by the Westside substation and West Valley College, plans to build a new substation at West Valley College were dropped. The $2 million project was just too expensive, they decided. They discussed other options, including stationing some of the sheriff's staff at Cupertino and Los Altos city halls.
Greenbriar Gets Underway
The framework went up as Greenbriar Saratoga Road Co. started building the first of its executive homes project on the former Paul Masson Champagne Cellars site. The 94-home project has been christened Bellgrove. Homes range from 2,900 to 3,139 square feet and are expected to be priced in the $600,000 range.
September
Jacobs Becomes Mayor
Paul Jacobs was seated as the new mayor in September. Jacobs replaced Ann Marie Burger. Early reviews of Jacobs were mixed. Some called him a good listener and a friend of the city, while others called him pro-development and anti-neighborhood preservation.
Jacobs denounced political disputes between the city and the community. He declared that they would disappear if battling factions kept the entire city in mind.
Computer Upgrade Needed
Saratoga may be a high-tech kind of city, but the computer system at City Hall is out of date and should be replaced, Finance Director Thomas Fil told the City Council. He urged the city to hire a computer expert to come up with a plan for the new system.
Agencies Go Natural
The city of Saratoga, West Valley College and the local post office united on a plan to use compressed natural gas for their vehicles. A natural gas fueling station for the agencies was installed in the city corporation yard on Allendale Avenue.
October
Saratoga Celebrates!
The Chamber of Commerce's annual Celebrate Saratoga! street dance returned to Big Basin Way. The celebration went on for two weeks and included a Falcon Fun Run, a shopping-spree contest and a community parade.
Truck Starts Fire
A brush fire visible for miles started when flames from a burning landscaping truck leaped into roadside bushes. The blaze consumed 10 acres near Bohlman Road and On Orbit Lane before California Department of Forestry firefighters got it under control. Several homes were evacuated, but fortunately no structures were burned.
Fire Station Unsafe
The Village fire station is not the safest place to be in an earthquake, said a structural engineer who examined the 70-year-old building. The fire district is now looking for a way to replace the aging station with a new one. One possibility under consideration is constructing a public safety building the department would share with the Westside sheriff's substation, which is also seeking a new home.
November
New Tree Committee Formed
Having disbanded the old tree committee, the City Council voted to form a new subcommittee, consisting of Councilmembers Ann Marie Burger and Karen Tucker, that would focus on preserving heritage trees and planting new trees.
Initiative Qualifies
The Saratoga Neighborhood Preservation Initiative turned in enough signatures to Saratoga city clerk Betsy Cory to force the City Council to either pass the initiative as a city ordinance or put it on the March ballot.
Sobey Oaks Transfers OK'd
The transfer of students who live in the Sobey Oaks area from the Campbell school districts to the smaller, higher-ranked Saratoga and Los Gatos school districts was made official. The agreement, forged by the school districts, makes Sobey Oaks a potential part of the Saratoga School District and allows Sobey Oaks students to continue to attend Saratoga Schools through interdistrict transfers.
The agreement, which has yet to be passed by the state, stipulates that the 16 Sobey Oaks students can attend Saratoga schools until 2001, while the Campbell districts receive the property taxes generated by the Sobey Oaks area.
Odd Fellows EIR Approved
The environmental impact report for the Odd Fellows retirement home's proposed expansion was approved by the Planning Commission. The commissioners still need to consider the development plan for the project. The Odd Fellows hope to build two new apartment buildings, 19 duplex units, and additions to the 83-year-old main building and apartment complex.
December
Shriver Pleads Guilty
Former Saratoga Finance Director Patricia Shriver pleaded guilty to three counts of felony embezzlement. She was suspected of making out city checks to herself and depositing them in her own bank accounts. She worked for the city for nine years before being asked to leave the city when the embezzlement was uncovered. Her sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 19.
Storm Wallops Saratoga
A massive storm Dec. 11-12 blew down fences, knocked out power and phones, and deposited several inches of rain. Schools were closed on Dec. 12 for lack of electricity. Some residents were without power for nearly a week as PG&E crews labored to fix the many outages. Mayor Paul Jacobs complained that PG&E response was too slow and that the utility made it too difficult for residents to get information and assistance.
Initiative Goes on the Ballot
On Dec. 20, the City Council voted to put the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative on the March 26, 1996 ballot. If the initiative becomes law, a majority vote from the public would be needed to change a residential area to a commercial or a higher-density area until 2025. Voters would also have the final word if the city wanted to sell or rezone parklands for commercial or residential use.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, Wednesday, December 27, 1995.
©1995 Metro Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.