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Willow Glen Resident file photograph
Mr. Gonzales' Neighborhood: J. Michael Gonzales says he will focus on putting citizens in touch with their elected leaders.
New WGNA president will continue with enhancement and preservation
J. Michael Gonzales brings 20 years of activism to his post
By Jessica Lyons
Newly elected Willow Glen Neighborhood Association president J. Michael Gonzales relaxes at a table at Starbucks. It's Memorial Day, but he's already looking to summer--the prime time to meet several of his initial goals for the neighborhood group, he says. Over cups of coffee he discusses Willow Glen projects he wants the association to tackle: the Meridian Avenue landscape project, the city's proposed design review for rebuilds and remodels, and local schools and traffic. Although these projects range from city laws to planting trees, all have one thing in common, Gonzales says.
"The purpose of the association is to do neighborhood enhancement and preservation," he says. "I'm going to use that as the basis for everything we do."
That includes finishing the Meridian Avenue landscaping project. Spearheaded by Gonzales, WGNA members and volunteers took to the streets last October, planting trees, shrubs and groundcover along the 150-foot median at the Meridian Avenue freeway entrance to Highway 280. Now, the association can move on to phase two of the project, Gonzales says, which means expanding the planting efforts in Willow Glen. For example, the left turn pocket on Meridian Avenue, across from the landscaped strip, could use a facelift.
"We need to landscape the curb on the other side," he says. "We can fill it in, plant trees and beautify that area. Right now that area just catches debris."
Another dirty problem that Gonzales plans to take on is traffic around Willow Glen schools.
"There are literally hundreds of thousands of cars heading towards schools every day," he says. During peak travel hours, when parents are dropping off kids at schools, busy streets become more congested, posing a safety hazard to children around the schools.
Gonzales suggests an incentive program for carpooling, maybe working with the school district to match parents and students living in the same area and driving to the same schools.
"Everybody would be helped by it," he says "And the school district should be a leader in finding a solution to the problem."
Indeed, connecting local residents with governing bodies is right up Gonzales' alley. For nearly 20 years he has lived in Willow Glen and worked in community relations on major public projects. He helped residents reach city government when both the San Jose Arena and the light rail were being built. And for his day job, Gonzales serves as the public information manager for Menlo Park.
So when the proposed building design review plan goes before the Planning Commission on June 9, Gonzales will be there.
"[The design review ordinance] goes right to the purpose of the neighborhood association--beautification and preservation--he says.
Gonzales believes that the majority of people in Willow Glen want to preserve the community's unique neighborhoods.
"It's very glaring that people are in favor of a characteristics list for Willow Glen," he says.
According to an informal poll taken at the WGNA Spring General meeting, 63 attendees said they agree that a "neighborhood characteristic list" should be developed for Willow Glen and provided to remodelers, builders and designers as a guide for building houses that integrate with Willow Glen. Eight said they disagree, and nine had no opinion on the issue.
"The association and individual members are in complete favor of remodeling and renovating homes," he says. "That's been going on for 20 years and we want that to continue. We're talking about things to help the remodel process go quicker."
Gonzales compares the San Jose effort with Palo Alto's design review process, where home builders whose plans meet all city requirements are expedited through the permit process.
"People should be somehow rewarded for preserving their neighborhood character." After living in Willow Glen for almost 20 years, Gonzales says that's something that's near and dear to his heart, and he vows to help his neighbors make it happen.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
