The Sunnyvale Sun
News
News Briefs
Solar panels
win; trees get
poodle cut
Carolynn Bissett and her husband Richard Treanor, who live on the 1500 block of Benton Street in Sunnyvale, gave up last Wednesday. They cut branches from the middle of two redwood trees that shade solar panels on neighbor Mark Vargas' Santa Clara roof.
In December 2007, a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge ordered the couple to prune or remove two of their redwood trees under the state Solar Shade Control Act, which protects solar panel owners from trees that block or will later block sunlight.
They quit their appeal.
"We had to give up the appeal because we just ran out of money," said Treanor. They hired someone to cut branches from the middle of the trees.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, introduced SB 1399 last week, which would protect existing trees such as those of Bissett and Treanor.
Neighborhood
grants up
for grabs
The city's Neighborhood Grant Program is open to residents with creative ideas for projects and events.
To merit one of the $1,000 grants, an idea must do at least one of the following: increase communication among neighbors, build bridges between cultural groups, improve the physical condition of a neighborhood or enhance neighborhood pride and identity.
Applications are due by May 16 at 5 p.m. To apply or for more information, visit neighborhoods.insunnyvale.com or contact Nathan Truitt at 408.730.7471 or ntruitt@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.
Meeting to
discuss Moffett
operations
Residents with questions or concerns about operations at Moffett Field, which is managed by NASA, can air their concerns and ask questions at a meeting on April 10 at 7 p.m. in the Sunnyvale City Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Ave.
NASA will present information and invite questions and comments. The meeting will be broadcast on KSUN-15 and replayed according to a schedule at KSUN.insunnyvale.com.
NASA is responsible for oversight of Moffett operations and is the approving authority for requests to use the airfiled. The city of Sunnyvale, reflecting the concerns of its residents, has long held an official position opposing commercial flights.