At the May 11 meeting, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Helen Solinski said the crowd of close to 100 residents was divided into three separate camps. One group already owned non-conforming secondary units and wanted to know how to legalize them. Other residents supported the construction of new units to ease the affordable housing woes in the valley; the third group was completely against the city's proposal to lift the secondary unit housing ban.

This was the first of two city-required community outreach meetings mandated in each of the 10 council districts.

John Davidson, the city's senior planner of zoning ordinance, presented the San Jose Planning Department requirements for secondary dwelling units at the May 11 meeting.

The city's proposal specifies that the units can be attached or detached to the primary dwelling, but must remain separated by at least six feet if detached. The minimum lot size allowed is 6,000 square feet and the maximum unit size is 650 square feet with one bedroom. The unit must comply with the same lot setbacks and height limitations as the main house and the property owner must live in one of the two units, which would be recorded at the county recorder's office. And an additional parking space is required.

Davidson said that parking and fear of overcrowding on smaller lots were the main concerns raised by residents.

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board member Hugh Graham said neighbors at the meeting brought up concerns that the requirements would not be monitored by code enforcement.

"You can't have rules and not enforce the conditions," he said.

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association treasurer Margaret Hardy shared the concern.

"Just because some fine, upstanding people will build them right doesn't mean that others will follow the rules," she said.

Hardy added that she feared allowing secondary dwelling units would destroy neighborhoods by increasing on-street parking and overcrowding.

Davidson said the city will continue its outreach meetings over the summer and incorporate citizens' feedback before the proposal comes before a city council vote sometime this fall.

"Our fundamental goal is to comply with state law," said Davidson, adding that AB1866 requires cities to have second unit ordinances or to obtain written findings that the housing would endanger public health, safety and welfare.

Also at the meeting, members cast their vote for next year's officers. Incumbent president Helen Solinski was chosen to head the organization for her second term. Returning board members are Ed Rast as 1st vice president, Ellen Santomauro as 2nd vice president, Margaret Hardy as treasurer and previous board member Sharon Fierro as secretary.

Also elected were returning board members Hugh Graham, Matt Hall and Charley Luckhardt. Palm Haven resident Joan Bohnett joins the board for the first time bringing her knowledge of city design guidelines to the association. Solinski also appointed Larry Ames and Jim Spence to serve again on the board of directors.

"It's a very dynamic team," Solinski said. "I'm very excited about the level of professionalism and experience. And there's a lot of leadership coming up the pipeline."