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The houses that Jack built
By Deborah Taylor-Hollis
The phrase, "You can't fight city hall" is usually true. That doesn't mean neighbors shouldn't band together and try, especially when they feel that their homes and way of life are endangered.
Folks living near the Foxworthy/Meridian intersection feel they have a safe, nice neighborhood, and will have to fight city hall to keep it that way. Change, when it has happened in the past, has been forced upon them. Unfortunately for them--and for many who work near or shop in the Foxworthy Hillsdale complex--change is happening again, and it will probably not enhance anyone's quality of life.
On Tuesday, July 3, 58 neighbors gathered together to hear Noel Carpenter and Rhonda Hansen speak about the proposed two-part project that would include demolition of the buildings housing Marie Callender's and Learning Express, as well as possibly other buildings on that lot, as well as a second project to remove the entire western wing of the Albertson's center--both for high-density, moderate-income housing.
Only neighbors within 1,000 feet had been notified that the new owner of the two shopping centers has plans for the lot where the P.W. market is, and could, if no one protests, put four-story apartments on it, adding up to 380 units and greatly impacting the neighborhood.
Carpenter and Hansen are both working moms who cut their teeth as the Ninth District Neighborhood Action Committee. They successfully modified the addition of the Challenger School in their neighborhood, and are once again letting their neighbors know that outside forces are working to drastically change the area. Residents have little time to make their voices heard.
"There is no official project proposal," Hansen told the crowd as she educated them about the developers' request to change the General Plan before making zoning changes for both lots. "We need to write a formal letter of protest to the city and inundate them with public concern."
Frequently ignored by city hall in favor of contribution-friendly builders, home owners were reminded that they needed to have their voices heard because this was about their "lack of input about their city, their neighborhood and their lives. Developers decide how people will live, how their neighborhoods will change and who lives next to you. Convince the city not to change the General Plans."
One neighbor, identified only as Clarence, had already contacted her city council representative John DeQuisto.
"I went to see him today at noon" she said. "We are somewhat friends, and I wasn't very pleased at what he had to say. He said this will be a better deal than the school--and he was a big supporter of the school. DeQuisto apparently already made up his mind before I even got there."
The yearly review of the General Plan is the first step in making changes like demolition of two shopping centers. Public hearings, scheduled throughout the city July 9, 12 and 16, were the first step. On Aug. 8, a formal city hearing with the planning commissioners and the traffic department will decide on that change.
If approved, the owner of the two lots can request zoning changes that conform with the new plan and get the lots approved for the high-density residential housing. That will reap the quickest profit for the owner--and create the largest traffic hazards, parking, noise and privacy issues as well as impacting the San Jose Unified School District and possibly forcing another school bonds request to pay for a new elementary school in the already overbuilt and established neighborhood.
"This doesn't fit the city's plans for adding housing in the transportation corridors, and the traffic department claims this won't affect any traffic problems," Hansen told the incredulous crowd. Those same assurances were made when the charter school went in, and now residents claim no one can make left-hand turns on Foxworthy during peak school times.
"They (city hall officials) need to feel we're not just a bunch of hysterical housewives with time on their hands," Hansen reminded the angry neighbors, as she outlined the issues that they needed to address. "It's a three-year process ... We have got to get the word out. We need to have our own voice heard." Carpenter continues to take calls at 408.264.5007 concerning the demolition plans.
Contact Deborah Taylor-Hollis at DTHollis@metronews.com
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
