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Council Watch
Open forum on proposed remodel law yields ideas
The so-called 'monster house' bill goes back to planners next week
By Jessica Lyons
As the public debate period winds down on Frank Fiscalini's proposed design review ordinance for new homes and rebuilds, it seems everyone in Willow Glen has an opinion--ranging from complete support for the proposed legislation to total opposition to any kind of review process .
Glenites will have one more opportunity to voice their thoughts about the proposal at the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association meeting Wednesday, May 19, one week before the measure goes back to the Planning Commission.
"Basically, the neighborhood association is trying to find out what are the opinions of Willow Glen," WGNA President Kris Cunningham says. "First, to educate, and then, to gather feedback. What we want to do is really be able to balance the concerns for people who live close to rebuilds and remodels with the property rights of those who want to rebuild and remodel."
The tentative date for the City Council to act on the proposal is June 15.
Under the proposed ordinance, a site development permit would be required for the construction of all new single-family homes. Planners would also review plans for remodels or additions that change the ratio of floor area, add a second story, increase the square-footage above a given percentage, or remove an exterior wall or roof rafters.
The meeting will provide a question-and-answer period with Jean Hamilton, senior planner with the city, and Randy Tsuda, a former city planner for Cupertino, Campbell and Danville, now with Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Attendees will also be able to write their top concerns about the measure on a card which will be passed on to the planning department, Cunningham says.
"One of the things that's coming out loud and clear is the need to focus on the size of the house in relation to the size of the lot," Hamilton says, but adds that at this point in the debate, questions and comments about the proposed design review cover the entire spectrum.
"We're hearing some comments about the subjective nature of the design review. Some people have total support for the ordinance. We're hearing some concerns about how this could potentially pit neighbor against neighbor. It's really the whole range," she says.
The WGNA Spring General Meeting to discuss the proposed design review ordinance takes placeWednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m., at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church, 1420 Newport Ave. Information on the proposed law is available online at www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/planning/sjplan.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
