The Willow Glen Resident Speak Out Bigger not necessarily better for neighbors Willow Glen is growing up, and maybe not for the better. Over the last couple of years, because of the skyrocketing increases in land values, it has become popular to buy a home, knock it down and replace it with a new one. What used to be a typical two- or three-bedroom Willow Glen charmer is converted into a gargantuan 3,500-square-foot structure. These buildings, called homes, completely dwarf our tiny Willow Glen lots and narrow streets. They block the sunlight and create a loss of privacy for the surrounding neighbors, forever changing the quality of our lives. We are sure you have seen this happen in and around your own streets. A home goes up for sale, someone buys it, and soon after the whole house is destroyed save for a lone wall of the original construction. Eventually the wall is knocked down before the new house is completed. Apparently, if you temporarily leave up at least one original wall, the building site will qualify as a "remodel" and not new construction. This fiction cheats us out of tax dollars that would normally be collected if this were to be considered new construction. A few individuals have built huge "spec" homes for profit, much to the detriment of the surrounding neighbors. Many of our neighbors have lived here for 20-plus years. Many of these "old-timers" have moved several times within Willow Glen to find their dream home. When they were looking for something larger, either they would do a tasteful addition that kept the style of the existing home, or they would keep an eye on the neighborhood for a larger home to go on the market. Patience was the key to finding a dream home. Immediate gratification seems to be today's solution. The character of Willow Glen is slowly being eroded by those who want a grand house in a quaint village atmosphere. The two do not always mix, at least in Willow Glen. What makes us different from other neighborhoods is our tree-lined streets with the variety of homes that have been here for 60, 70, 80 years or more. We object to the demolition of perfectly good homes in order to create monstrous buildings in our quaint neighborhoods. If people continue to build these huge houses, Willow Glen's charm will be lost. A city ordinance should be written to protect our neighborhoods. New homes built should maintain the neighborhood's character and should not be built on postage-sized lots. The 35-foot height limit should be re-examined to prevent three-story homes from being built. Loss of light and privacy, not to mention the feeling of claustrophobia the neighbors will feel, are real concerns for those who have lived in their homes for many years. We are sure no one really wants to build an expensive home and find out that their neighbors are devastated by their thoughtless actions. One of the things that makes Willow Glen such a desirable place to live is the way people get to know and enjoy each other. To create a situation where you are not wanted will benefit no one. Our purpose here is to enlighten those who cherish the Willow Glen that we remember and still desire. We believe we need to first be considerate of those who live around us and of their feelings when we do change an existing structure. We have spoken to our neighbors and they are equally outraged as to what is happening in Willow Glen. It is time to take these conversations out of the streets and take them to city hall. We need to contact our civic leaders and let them know how we feel about this unrestricted "growth." Left unchecked, this growing up will change Willow Glen forever. Ron and Gloria Knapel Glenn Avenue Why Lungren and Fong lost the election As an ordinary citizen and a Republican, it is my assessment that abortion and gun control are the issues on which both Dan Lungren and Matt Fong fell on the wrong side, since most Californians are middle of the road. Abortion, in my opinion, should not be a political subject. Emphasis on pro-life, when most Republicans as well as Democrats in California are pro-choice, is a real downer in elections. Although I cannot see why any woman could not make up her mind before the fourth month of pregnancy to abort a fetus, I'm still for the woman's right to choose. Also, pro-choice is the law of the land and a governor cannot change that. The gun-control issue is based on the right to bear arms "within a well regulated militia," not by anyone who individually wants to collect dozens of guns of a warlike nature, which are obviously purchased or stolen for one reason only: to kill people. This brings us down to the main reason why these two Republicans did not win. They were too far to the right on these two issues. This happened in the last presidential election. Will the Republicans never learn? Case in point: Moderates Tom Campbell and Jim Cunneen both won decisively. Issues such as education, where I believe Dan Lungren was correct in promoting school choice, were overshadowed by other opinions of these two candidates. Our diverse population, which becomes more so each year, is another reason why Republicans fall behind in California. The Democrats are better at getting their message across to the new arrivals, albeit with some distortion in their campaign ads of Republican stands on the issues. Republicans, learn from your mistakes and put forth more moderate candidates, or California will become even more filled with Democratic officeholders. Please. Alma Taylor Willow Glen WGNA salutes project volunteers The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board would like to extend thanks to the WGNA members and other volunteers who came out on Oct. 17 to beautify the median strip at Meridian Avenue and Interstate 280. The generous community spirit of participants resulted in the addition of 70 new plants--10 large plum trees, 20 raphiolepsis bushes and 40 white lantana. WGNA would also like to extend thanks to the community spirit shown by the following local businesses who either donated hospitality for our volunteers or landscaping support--Peet's coffee, Manhattan Bagel, Papa John's pizza, Big 4 Rents and Rob's Landscaping. In addition, WGNA would also like to recognize Caltrans for its solution-oriented approach in securing the administrative approvals that made the project possible. Caltrans also supported the project by cleaning up the area and repairing the strip's sprinkler system. An operating watering system will ensure that the new trees and plants will do well during the drier months. The half day of strenuous digging gave all participants sore muscles the next day. However, as these plants mature, we hope our hard work will result in years of enjoyment for both residents and visitors alike. J. Michael Gonzales Project Manager Kris Cunningham President, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, November 11, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.