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Residents say WG's charm and character threatened
Community speaks out against latest area 'monster' home
By Adam Taggart
A group of Willow Glen homeowners is fighting to protect its neighborhood from that towering domestic behemoth--the "monster home."
The residents made their voices heard loudly to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board of directors during a meeting on Aug. 8.
The group accuses Emily Chen, a Cupertino developer, of planning to construct such a residence on Broadway Avenue and is appealing to the Willow Glen community for support in preserving the character and sanctity of its neighborhood.
"This is not just an issue for the residents of Broadway Avenue," said a concerned resident. "It's a problem for all residents of Willow Glen. These obtrusive eyesores are appearing with increasing frequency in our town, and if we don't take organized action soon, the special character and historic charm of our streets will disappear."
The group passed out fliers that read, "stop the rezoning on Broadway Avenue," and accused the developer of "selling our privacy." The fliers named Willow Glen residents Mike and Juli Moultray as spokespeople for the opposition to the project.
The controversial project proposes to erect a 3,500-plus-square-foot residence and a three-car garage in the backyard of another house on Broadway also owned by the developer. Such a building will dwarf the immediate surrounding homes in the neighborhood, which range between 900 and 1,200 square feet.
Neighboring homeowners predict that the proposed home will follow the same design plan as several others built throughout San Jose by the developer, which they deride as cookie-cutter, modern and stucco-faced, and "inconsistent with the style and size of existing homes" on the block.
The construction will also eliminate the pleasing open space that currently defines the border of the surrounding properties they say. Residents feel strongly that such a large structure squeezed into such a small land parcel will damage their property values as well as the neighborhood's scenic appeal.
Of as much concern to these homeowners is the reckless manner in which they perceive the developer is conducting the project. Such an undertaking involves parsing the existing lot into two--a configuration known as a "flag lot"--which requires special permission from the San Jose Planning Department.
Chen said she is looking forward to the neighborhood meeting Aug. 28. She feels that many of the neighbors' fears are based on old or erroneous information and believes a hearing on the subject will clear the air. "It's my fault for not holding a neighborhood meeting sooner," she admitted. "Given the rumors that are now circulating, I'm not surprised people are angry. It's a nice neighborhood and I want to do all I can to fit in."
As for the "premature" bulldozing of the construction site, Chen responded that she was compelled to do so by the local fire authorities. She claims the lot, with its high weeds and dilapidated wooden shed, was declared a fire hazard and that she was issued a deadline by which to remedy the situation.
Those speaking to WGNA board members during the meeting said Chen has already taken steps, such as bulldozing the site, that demonstrate disregard for compliance with proper planned development and environmental clearance policies. As of yet, the property has not received zoning approval to construct the proposed residence.
Denelle Fedor, aide to San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager, said the developer under fire would most likely already have received approval for rezoning if community outcry had not been so passionate. Of particular influence was a submitted petition, signed by more than 50 residents of the Willow Glen community, indicating strong opposition to the planned construction.
"We've been receiving many calls at Councilman Yeager's office about Broadway," Fedor admitted. "The feedback has been heartfelt and concerned, and it is definitely being heard."
Fedor, who advised the Broadway residents to approach WGNA, commended the local activists for their involvement.
WGNA President John Gibbs lent his sympathy to the neighborhood group but stopped short of making any pledges of involvement. Stressing that the San Jose Planning Department has codified legal procedures for handling residential rezoning requests, he expressed his belief that the issue is best left up to the system. With that said, he made a deliberate request that Fedor serve as watchdog to ensure no backroom dealings would allow the proposed development to receive the green light.
"I trust Ken Yeager's office will make sure that all rules are followed and that damaging [to the community] precedents are not set in this case," Gibbs declared. He then called for a volunteer from the board to assume responsibility for monitoring the case for WGNA.
The matter was brought to a close with an invitation for all interested parties to attend a meeting on the issue Aug. 28. The meeting will be held at 1069 Broadway Ave. and will give attendees the opportunity to listen to and question members of city government, the developer and residents of the neighborhood and surrounding community. Further information can be obtained in advance of this meeting by sending an email to SaveWillowGlen@yahoo.com or calling 408.294.9459.
Couple proposes restoration
In stark contrast to the conflict over new construction, local couple Kate and Rusty Lutz addressed the topic of rescuing several of Willow Glen's historic structures from impending demolition.
Self-described "restoration specialists," the Lutzes are interested in preserving two of five buildings located near the intersection of Willow Street and Del Mar. These houses, built around the turn of the last century, currently sit on 1.8 acres that are slated for development by Pulte Homes. Pulte plans to build more than 30 residential units on this site and, therefore, needs to remove the existing older structures. It is offering them free to anyone willing to remove them from the premises. If no one removes the houses, they will be torn down.
Three years ago, the Lutzes purchased a half-acre lot down the block from the houses now being threatened. They purchased the property in order to restore the three buildings that sit on it: a grocery store built in 1905, a 1920 Craftsman house and a 1930 Spanish-style. In addition, there's an 80-by-150 foot vacant lot on their property that the couple claims is perfect for one-possibly two-of the houses Pulte Homes is offering.
The Lutzes are now seeking approval from the San Jose Planning Department to amend the zoning restrictions on the parcel they own to accommodate two additional buildings. They appeared at the WGNA to introduce themselves and their intentions to the community.
"We want to keep the community informed," the couple said. "And we want to demonstrate the appropriateness of saving houses to preserve the flavor of Willow Glen." To learn more about WGNA, its current initiatives and upcoming meetings, visit www.wgna.net.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
