 |
|
|
|
|
Residents are opposed to possible housing complexes
People in southern Willow Glen want shopping center to stay, get facelift
By Kate Carter
Residents in southern Willow Glen are opposing two proposed General Plan amendments that would permit two nearby high-density residential developments.
The amendments would make it possible to build a three- to four-story development for more than 400 units at the Hacienda Gardens shopping centers on the northwest and southwest corners of Meridian and Foxworthy Avenues.
More than 50 residents and shopping center business owners gathered June 29 at a neighbor's home to discuss the proposal and to how to raise their concerns at several upcoming community meetings and public hearings.
"What we want to do is inundate [city officials] with public concern," said neighbor Rhonda Hansen. "The more reaction from the neighbors, the more they have to look into this particular thing."
Amendments to San Jose's General Plan change the city's land-use policy. The Hacienda Gardens shopping centers are zoned for neighborhood commercial uses. A market, bank, gas station, shops and restaurants are located on the intersection's northwest corner and an Albertson's, Rite Aid and other shops are on the southwest.
One proposed General Plan amendment would change the zoning of about 9.5 acres on the northwest corner--not including the market or gas station--to high-density residential, which would allow between 25 and 50 single-family units per acre. The other proposal would change the zoning of about 2.7 acres between Foxworthy and Hillsdale avenues along Yucca Avenue to high-density residential, with between 3,000 and 9,000 square feet for retail uses. The Rite Aid would not be affected.
The property owner is Garrett Rajkovich, and the project developer is Hacienda Gardens. The spokesman for the developer was on vacation last week and couldn't return calls.
Some neighbors at the meeting are concerned about potential increased traffic and parking problems in their neighborhoods caused by a development that wouldn't conform to the appearance of their suburban community. Some mentioned similar problems that have arisen from a recent development on Matson Drive, they said.
Hansen told the group the best way to oppose the amendment would be to have it scaled down to low-density, one- to two-story housing, although for many that isn't the preferred option.
"Most of the people prefer for the shopping center not to go away," she told The Resident. "They want to see the owners upgrade the center."
Many of the nearby residents are elderly, and most neighbors enjoy the convenience of the shops, Hansen said.
She said she would deliver formal letters of protest and petitions signed by neighbors to City Hall this week.
Not everyone who attended the neighborhood meeting was opposed to the new development. Neighbor Gerald Hunt said he supported improved developments at the shopping centers as ways to improve the community and build a more urban environment that could encourage use of public transportation.
"The neighborhood across Foxworthy is already second class," he said. "My opinion is that it's going to happen; the question is how. We have to hold the developer to a higher standard, but the property can be developed so that everyone in the community is brought out of their cocoon."
Chris Hemingway, District 9 City Councilman John Diquisto's aide on this project, said Diquisto does not yet have a position on the proposed amendment but will have a representative at all the upcoming community meetings regarding the possible development.
City planner Mike Mena said the project has at least three years of zoning and permit approvals and neighborhood meetings before any new construction at Hacienda Gardens.
The proposed Hacienda Gardens General Plan amendments are among about 40 scheduled for discussion and decision by the city council this summer.
The first community meeting was held July 9. Future meetings will be at 6:30 p.m. on July 12 at the Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St.; and at 7 p.m. on July 16 at the Alviso Community Center, 5050 N. First St. A planning commission public hearing will be at 6 p.m. on Aug. 8; and a city council public hearing will be at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21. Both will be held in the council chambers, 801 N. First St., second floor. For information call 408.277.4576.
|
|
|
|
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
