City Beat

Neighbor approaches WGNA for support

WG resident wants to keep converted garage building

By Moryt Milo

Willow Glen resident Tim Boehme appealed to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board at its Sept. 12 meeting for support to preserve his converted garage.

Boehme said his home located at 1008 Ramona Ave., built in 1923, required extensive remodeling.

"The old garage was virtually a rat trap," Boehme said.

He tore down the garage in 1998 and received approval from the San Jose Planning Department to build a two-car garage with a toilet and sink. After all the permits were signed off by city staff, Boehme decided not to use the building as a two-car garage and converted part of it into an office.

While at home sick one day, Boehme said, "I called animal control because a neighbor's dogs kept barking." The Boehme's neighbor then called the city and said Boehme had violated city code regulations.

Planning department staff came and determined that the unit had been converted into living quarters and told Boehme to reconvert the unit to a two-car garage.

"I feel discriminated against," Boehme said. "There are eight people on my block with the same type of structures."

Boehme told the board that 41 neighbors supported him, in addition to District 6 City Councilman Ken Yeager, who was working with Boehme to solve the problem. Boehme also showed the board before and after photos of the changes he had made to the garage.

The board said it was sympathetic to his situation but was uncomfortable writing a letter supporting Boehme.

Boehme said his case will be heard by the San Jose Planning Commission on Oct. 3.

The board also reviewed a number of Willow Glen development projects.

Board members said construction on a new Longs Drugstore at the corner of Lincoln and Brace avenues should begin in October. Board members discussed neighbors' concerns about construction hours being extended from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. They said the project construction company scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue with neighbors.

The board also reported on opposition to a Broadway Avenue flag lot proposal to divide a single residential lot into two and confirmed that the applicant had withdrawn the proposal.

The board reviewed a 16-unit residential project proposed for the Yellow Cab site near the corner of Bird Avenue and W. Virginia Street. President John Gibbs said it was appropriate for the board to "weigh in and share some issues" on the project. The board decided to draft a letter supporting the proposal and acknowledging neighbor's concerns regarding its proposed density, traffic and parking.

The board also discussed a mixed-use retail-residential project proposed for the corner of Minnesota and W. Alma avenues. Gibbs and second vice president Sharon Fierro attended a Sept. 10 community meeting and reported that there "are huge issues with the present landowner." They said the neighbors want the existing shopping center to be improved but are concerned about the proposed three-story height for the new development as well as ongoing maintenance on the site.

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