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Photograph by George Sakkestad

Residents in the Golden Triangle area of Saratoga have complained to the city for years about the residence at the corner of Kilbride Drive and Glasgow Drive, which has been vacant for 15 years. Neighbors said weeds are growing to the roof, dead trees are falling on the property and the interior is infested with rats.

Abandoned house tarnishes Golden Triangle

By Shannon Burkey

For 15 years, a house has sat vacant at the corner of Kilbride Drive and Glasgow Drive in Saratoga's Golden Triangle area.

That house has now become an eyesore to its neighbors, who say it has not been maintained in well over a year.

"It didn't used to be too bad. Until a year and a half ago, they had a gardener but then he stopped coming," said Ada Bench, who lives across the street. "Now the house is an absolute nightmare."

Neighbors said that the house has been broken into twice, has bushes and weeds growing to the roof, and has dead trees on the property. A December storm caused two birch trees in the front yard to topple "like matchsticks."

And though they have complained for years, they feel their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

"Many departments have been called--the fire department, city hall, code enforcement and the sheriff--all with the same answer--that nothing can be done," said Ruth Coburn, who has lived across the street from the property for 45 years.

Bench said it is a shame the city hasn't done anything about it.

"Every time we mention something to them, they say there is nothing they can do," she said.

Because Saratoga does not have a neighborhood compliance ordinance, officials cannot enforce the cleanup of the property unless it is deemed a hazard.

"One of the things we don't have are ordinances to address properties that are considered a blight," Councilman Chuck Page said.

Dave Bench, who has lived across the street for 35 years, said he spent a lot of time going through the city's codes searching for something to help the neighbors enforce a cleanup of the property.

"They do have the authority to act upon it, but it has never been written in an ordinance, but my contention is it's in the codes," Bench said. "We have a property value problem and we have a nuisance problem, and they have the opportunity to take care of it."

Attempts to contact the owner have also gone unanswered, according to Bench, who said the only way he or the city has of getting in touch with her is through a Saratoga post office box.

Although Bench said he has been in contact with the son of the property owner, San Jose Realtor Richard Calhoun, and Calhoun would like to do something with the home, he does not have the power of attorney to do so and does not speak to his mother or even know where she is living.

The property may not meet the city's standards of a hazard, but the neighbors claim that, among other things, the house is a fire hazard because of all the dead brush and trees.

The fire department did look at the house, but it did not make its list for the yearly fire abatement program, which requires property owners to cut back the brush on their properties.

"When the dry season comes, it may be a different story," Dave Bench said.

Coburn agreed and said she is frustrated looking at the house every day and being told nothing can be done.

"This is a fire hazard and getting worse every day. I speak for many concerned neighbors who are proud of our neighborhood and property and wondering what protection we have against a property owner who can continue to affect our lives and the safety and value of our property," she said.

Elwin Laughlin, who lives next door to the property, said there is another problem.

"Two summers ago I trapped 16 rats in my yard and I continue to trap various numbers," he said. "I'm convinced the rats are nesting in this place."

Page said animal control was sent out to inspect the property, but did not find a problem, so again the city could not enforce a cleanup.

"I think it's terrible. To me this property is an eyesore and it brings down the neighborhood value and must be addressed," Page said.

Neighbors said they just want the city to do what is right so they can have their neighborhood back.

"I would just really like to see the property taken care of and somebody take over and move in and become a part of our neighborhood," Dave Bench said.