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City Beat
Commission approves a three-story Alma project
No opposition was voiced at Nov. 28 commission hearing
By Moryt Milo
After more than a year of neighborhood controversy, the proposed multi-use retail-residential development on the corner of Minnesota and West Alma avenues was approved by the San Jose Planning Commission Nov. 28 without any protest by neighbors.
The project for up to 14 residential units--four one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedrooms--on two stories above 10,000 square feet of commercial space, was approved as a three-story retail and residential development.
At a neighborhood meeting Sept. 10, nearby residents opposed the design, specifically the two buildings' third stories, which would allow apartment residents to see into their homes and back yards and wouldn't conform to the scale and appearance of the mostly one-story residential area.
The neighbors were also concerned that the development would have an inadequate number of parking spaces, as many people who use the nearby light-rail station would fill the spots and continue to park on the neighborhood streets.
But the planning commission credited property architect Sal Caruso, with Salvatore Caruso Design, for working closely with planning department staff to bring the design into compliance with planning staff recommendations. Planning Commission Chairman Jay Ross said, "We are looking forward to seeing the development of the site."
Only Caruso, property owner Bob Viahopouluoti and one neighbor, who was in favor of the project, spoke before the planning commission Nov. 28.
Although residents had agreed on the need to redevelop the rundown property, none attended to present arguments against the project's third-story design or potential parking and traffic congestion problems.
Project manager Anastazia Aziz said the proposed redevelopment was changed only slightly after meetings with nearby neighbors. Two areas of the development that were modified based on staff recommendations: the design of the buildings on the corners of Minnesota Avenue and Belmont Way should mirror each other in appearance, and the development should be set back farther--25 feet--from the residential homes on Minnesota Avenue to allow for a more generous landscape buffer.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
