As a former planning commissioner, I would like to respond to the Nov. 24 letter by David G. Simmons objecting to the planning commission's deliberation on applications for a two story house on Seagull Way (off Sunnyvale­Saratoga Road) and a new development on the previous site of the Dorcich Orchard (off Quito Road).

For the record, I do not know Mr. Simmons and I did not attend the meeting he references, but I am very familiar with the frustration he voices with regard to decisions that seem "capricious" or inconsistent. Most residents understand and accept that their projects will have to conform to city ordinances. These rules leave little room for interpretation; agree with them or not, we generally accept that there is no basis for ignoring them, and most applicants agree that our city planners do an excellent job of helping applicants navigate the ordinances.

The result is invariably an application that meets our "codes." What then is the purpose and the purview of a planning commission made up of citizens who are not certified planners? First, understand that this extra layer of review exists in nearly every jurisdiction, and its existence is based in land use law. Ordinances primarily govern the numbers; i.e., setbacks, height, or maximum allowable square footage given the zoning of the property. However, the planning commission is specifically charged with providing a subjective level of review over and above compliance with the numbers to determine whether a proposed design will fit into the neighborhood or become the precedent that sets the stage for change that is not desirable but can no longer be justifiably prevented.

Mr. Simmons highlighted three areas that dominated the discussion of the applications in question—preservation of neighborhood character, heavy scrutiny of two-story houses in basically one-story neighborhoods, and serious consideration of neighborhood input. These are three of the city council's and the planning commission's top priority considerations for new development, and it is good news that they dominated the discussion.

There are usually good arguments to be made on all sides of these issues. No two applications present the same context. Cookbook decisions would benefit no one. The decisions are never easy. The biggest challenge faced by the planning commission is to prepare applicants and residents for the subjective level of review. After months of work with planners, architects and others, nerves may be easily frayed and any critique or questioning may provoke a reaction.

Unfortunately, too much emotion can derail careful consideration of the issues and result in less than perfect outcomes. From personal experience, I know that better questions, better phrasing of the basis for a decision or a vote, often occur the next morning, or later that night when sleep is impossible due to a particularly emotional public hearing.

However, I can assure Mr. Simmons that even though commissioners may ask questions that seem obvious, they are doing so to establish the record, to put the issues in front of all participants or to reinforce them so everyone understands the available discretion. We often ask Tom Sullivan, our community development director, for assistance in phrasing conditions or framing the basis of findings. We would be foolish not to make use of his 30 years of experience and fund of knowledge.

I served with all but the commissioner who replaced me, and I spent considerable time providing background and answering that commissioner's questions before the appointment. I know all of them to be serious and dedicated individuals, but none of us is perfect. For that reason, a fail safe is built into the process with appeal to the city council.

Many times the choice faced by the council requires Solomon-like judgment and no one is completely satisfied at the outcome. However, we Saratogans do have strong agreement as to the reasons we chose this community, and the city council has given clear direction with respect to neighborhood preservation. We are on the same page.

In the past, applicants have generally been pleased with the considerate, careful deliberation of the planning commission.

Cynthia Barry

San Marcos Road

Islamic courses are not
right for public schools

Islamic curriculum-related course and bazaar at Redwood school? I don't think so! To my understanding there should not be any religious studies or public school-sponsored religious events at any public institution supported by taxpayer dollars.

Although I do appreciate the need to educate our children to the Islamic way, this type of curriculum and event should be reserved to the educational process in the private educational sector. After all, isn't the separation of church and state one of the basic foundations of our country?

Ronald S. Joelson

Rancho Las Cimas Way

Santa and his elves
a hit at Open House

As a resident and longtime reader of the Saratoga News, I was gratified to read your coverage of our annual post-Thanksgiving Village Open House. Both pictures and copy conveyed the truly good time had by all.

I wanted to point out one important omission, though. Santa and his elves were not sponsored by the International Coffee House as the article implies, but by Big Basin Chiropractic, with the chief elf good-naturedly portrayed by Dr. John Marian himself. Santa and his elves were a laugh a minute, and a major hit with all the kids. My family hopes Dr. Marian and his crew will consider a repeat performance next year.

The Village as a whole did a superb job of offering a wonderful shopping and community-building experience for the entire family. Our thanks and appreciation go to all the merchants and organizations who participated. Well done, everyone!

Maryam Webster

Quito Road

Holiday display would spoil this reader's spirit

I live on a cul-de-sac and, even if it were large with deep setbacks, I would not like 1,000 to 1,500 cars passing my home every night for a month or so. Think about the noise. Think about the traffic. Really think what it would be like. My Christmas spirit would be squashed and I bet yours would too.

Christy Kasje

Los Gatos