The Willow Glen Resident

Council Watch

Council considers rezoning north end of Lincoln

Officials expect change to attract homes and retail

By Cecily Barnes

Townhouses and storefronts might soon be seen in the northern end of Willow Glen. In October, the Planning Commission and City Council will consider changing the zoning of the 22-acre triangle bordered by Coe and Lincoln avenues, I-280 and Los Gatos Creek from industrial to commercial and residential.

"Nobody that is already there will be asked to leave by the city," said Joe Guerra, aide to District 6 Councilmember Frank Fiscalini. "However, residential developers who are looking for land are going to start contacting property owners, and the property value is going to go up."

In the long run, the businesses that are already there, including a coin-operated carwash, a storage locker facility and a junkyard, will likely make way for condominiums, townhomes and stores.

"Lincoln from Coe could all be converted to an extension of Willow Glen," Guerra said. "From my perspective we've got an untapped treasure."

Folks from the San Jose Real Estate Board agree. Willow Glen is coveted by residential developers, and any new area with a Willow Glen address is a find.

"It's a very hot area for residential developers," said Dolores Anaya, statistics analyst for the San Jose Real Estate Board. "Willow Glen is comparable to Los Gatos; it's old and has the feeling of a quiet neighborhood. People want that."

Fiscalini's office and other people in Willow Glen say the industrial area is not living up to its full potential.

"We have a lot of acres there that don't look very nice and have never really been a part of Willow Glen," Guerra said. "I think this will improve Willow Glen overall; the area isn't best as an industrial zone."

Industrial-zoned businesses operating in the area slated for rezoning either don't care about the change or think it will work to their benefit.

Motor Body towing company is a contractor with the California State Automobile Association-AAA and deals exclusively with road assistance calls.

"I don't think it will affect us," Motor Body manager John Golden said. "[Motorists] are going to be breaking down and need us no matter what."

Other businesses, like Talk of the Town catering and deli, have high hopes that the rezoning will usher in more foot traffic and business.

"It would be about time they allowed us, down here, on the Avenue," said Lynn Knee, owner of Talk of the Town. "I think the rezoning is going to improve the whole pride of ownership up here. I also believe it will increase our foot traffic and business in general."

While the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association has not formally discussed the matter during a board meeting, WGBPA President Kathy McDonald says she doesn't see how the rezoning could be anything but good.

"Personally I think it would be great. I haven't heard what any of the disadvantages will be," McDonald said. "And if it did expand into restaurant and retail and there were enough business owners interested in becoming [Business Improvement District] members, I think expanding it could be an option."

General plan changes will go before the Planning Commission Oct. 22, 27 and 29, and before the City Council Nov. 13, 17 and 20.

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]