Photograph by George Sakkestad
Resident Consuella Adkins says it's "unfair and inconvenient" for developers to force her to move.
By KATHERINE PETERSEN
The Sunnyvale City Council voted 4-3 Sept. 24 to tear down the King George apartments at 715 Daffodil Court to build a new development. Vice Mayor Landon Noll and council-members Stan Kawczynski and Jim Roberts opposed the project.
The complex of 156 two-story apartments near Old San Francisco Road will be razed and replaced with 268 units, mostly in three-story buildings. Larry Yamaoka of Yamaoka Development Inc. has agreed that 24 of the new units will qualify as below market rate, as required by the city.
More than 20 residents addressed the council during a three-hour public hearing, expressing concerns about being moved out of their homes, increased traffic cutting through nearby neighborhoods and insufficient parking.
Cynthia Singor, who moved into her apartment at King George on March 1, said the council's decision to approve the complex upset her because she and her husband will have to find a new home they can afford.
"We had moved out of our previous apartment because the rent was increased by over $200. We were going to stay here indefinitely. It's upsetting that this is going to happen regardless of what the people in the community say," she said after the meeting. "I think it's a shame to tear these apartments down."
Sunnyvale is sending a message that it does not want low- and middle-income residents in the city, Singor said, adding that she and her husband will have to look elsewhere because Sunnyvale's rents have skyrocketed in recent months.
Terry Feinberg, executive director of the Tri-County Apartment Association, spoke in favor of the project because of Yamaoka's relocation program and the need for housing in Silicon Valley. Yamaoka has provided $50,000 to be divided amongst the residents, given them more than six months notice, returned full security deposits and has said he will help as many residents as possible find new housing, Feinberg said.
Letters will be sent to Sunnyvale apartment owners, asking that preference be given to these residents who need to move.
"He's doing well-beyond what he would have to do to assist the residents. He recognizes it's a difficult situation for people," Feinberg said.
Silicon Valley has experienced explosive job growth in the past two years and has not had the housing to keep up, Feinberg said.
"This complex can fill the need caused by an extreme shortage of housing. Vacancies are extremely low, and rents are rising," he added.
The condition of the complex's sewer system, termites, dry rot and mildew are major factors requiring the redevelopment of the site, according to a report to the council.
"I think redeveloping this property is a wonderful opportunity for the city and makes good sense to do," Feinberg said.
Many residents who spoke raised other issues, such as the incompatibility of three-story apartments with the surrounding community.
"It's not compatible with the neighborhood I've lived in for 29 years. There will also be a large increase in traffic cutting through our neighborhood, leaving the area of the apartments heading toward El Camino Real," one resident said.
Ray Williamson, the city's traffic engineer, said there will be a minimal increase in cut-through traffic, and the roadways in the immediate vicinity can handle it.
"There will be some cut-through traffic, but we expect most people will come in and out via Old San Francisco Road," Williamson said.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 2, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.