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| Visitors to events at the Saratoga Foothill Club, left, will no longer be allowed to use the parking lot at the Saratoga Federated Church, far right. |
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Parking is a problem for Foothill Club By Kate Carter Parking congestion near the crowded corner at Saratoga Avenue and Saratoga-Los Gatos Road is having an effect on a Saratoga institution and its historic meeting place. As of last April, those who rent out the Saratoga Foothill Club for events can no longer use the adjacent Saratoga Federated Church parking lot. The club's meeting place, which was designed by the famous architect Julia Morgan and built in 1916, relies on the revenue generated by those rentals, and is trying to find parking alternatives for its renters so that it can continue to maintain the aging building. "We feel very strongly that we want to share this building with the public," said club president Marlene Duffin. "We feel strongly we will keep the building open for rentals." The parking restriction is only the most recent event in an ongoing neighborhood struggle between residents unhappy with the level of nonresident parking on their streets and the numerous organizations located there - including the club, the church, the post office, the Sheriff's station and the fire station - that vie for the limited number of spaces. The Foothill Club has no on-site parking of its own. For a while, though, its needs were met through an agreement with the church that permitted use of the church parking lot. The club, an organization comprised mostly of older women, has about 225 members living in Saratoga or its school district. The club meets monthly between October and May and hosts about six lectures a year. "The church is really supportive of Foothill Club activities," Duffin said. However, according to church treasurer Jerry Bruce, the club has been renting the building for more and more non-club events. That has created a "parking burden" for the church, to the point where it is having to turn away its own parishioners attending weddings or funerals there because the parking lot is already booked by the club. Also, he said, now that the church's renovation work is complete, it would like to use its newly updated facility for more church events. "We can't afford to book ourselves 100 percent in advance," Bruce said. The church itself is also under fire from nearby residents who want it to be able to get more of its members parked on-site rather than using streetside spots; therefore the church is in the process of devising ways to meet the growing parking demands of its own congregation. "The neighbors have become more vocal in their concerns," he said. "We feel our primary allegiance is to the neighbors." Bruce said that church administrators had mentioned the parking problem to club members and on April 5 sent the club a letter spelling out the new relationship - no parking at the church for revenue-generating events at the club building. However, the church will permit the club's already-scheduled rentals to use the parking lot, though some of those events are already planned as far ahead as next spring. Bruce said that club members, some of whom are also members of the church, didn't remember those verbal exchanges before they received the letter. "Overall, the club was really surprised," Duffin said. "But they're growing, and it's becoming a problem. We're trying to be a good neighbor, also." She said that the club, which operates on approximately $80,000 a year and charges its members $50 in yearly dues, needs the rental money for the expensive upkeep of its building. The organization also provides scholarships and does other community service work. Renting the building costs between approximately $600 and $1,000, depending on the size and scope of the event, she said. The club does have a capital maintenance fund. "When you've got a building that old, you've got to have a fund," she said - but the rentals are a necessary help. So the club is pursuing options of not only continuing to rent the building but also becoming more financially self-sufficient. Duffin said that the club is making efforts to attain nonprofit status so it can receive tax-exempt or deferred contributions. She said it is also in the process of "substantially" raising its dues, a decision that will be made in October. "It's a very sensitive organization," she said, declining to give specifics on the change in dues. "We just have to get our act together." The club is in discussions with commercial offices across Saratoga Avenue, as well as Saratoga Elementary School, about receiving permission to use their lots for events, Duffin said. The club has already received permission from West Valley College to use its parking lot, she said, but that would require renters to arrange a shuttle from the college several miles away to the club's building. Duffin said that the club had already been trying to reduce its parking strain by further limiting the number of individuals at rented events, most of which are weddings and wedding receptions. Previously they allowed 150 people; now it has a 125-person limit. Bruce pointed out that the club had the opportunity to purchase a lot adjacent to its building, on which it could have built its own parking. But the club didn't buy the property, and now three homes stand there. He said he has heard from some displeased Foothill Club members but also some who understand the church's dilemma - it's a dilemma everyone in the area shares. Duffin said that the club is prepared to take responsibility for resolving its portion of the problem. "We're trying to prepare for the future and save our building," she said. "The ladies are up to the challenge." |
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