Although several residents said they were satisfied with the new presentation and opportunity to air their concerns at the Nov. 30 meeting, the proposed transportation policy did generate skepticism among some residents.

The new Transportation Impact Policy, intends to "protect" 13 intersections throughout the city from further traffic calming. In Willow Glen, the corners of Bird Avenue and San Carlos Street, Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street, and Meridian Avenue and San Carlos Street are among those intersections.

City officials, including transportation deputy director Hans Larsen and planning director Stephen Haase, argue that the proposed policy brings the transportation plan in line with the city's vision for the future.

"The policy we have now was established in the '70s," Larsen said. "Thirty years ago, San Jose was a very different place. The car was king."

The General Plan, which outlines how the city wants to develop, encourages pedestrian travel, a bicycle network and public transit. The Transportation Impact Policy supports that by protecting the character of the 13 intersections located at neighborhood business districts, busy transit areas and planned developments.

Developers interested in building near these signalized intersections would no longer have to pay to ease traffic congestion because there is little room for improvements. But they would be required to improve the area for pedestrians, cyclists and bus and train riders.

More than 25 residents, predominately from District 6, gathered at the San Jose Department Training Center for the presentation. While some people agreed with the spirit of the policy, several questioned whether it could be used by the city and developers to ignore the neighborhood's problems.

Some of the residents at the meeting were concerned that the policy would be an excuse to ignore traffic problems.

Currently, developers are required to decrease traffic congestion caused by new projects. Under the proposed policy, a high density development could be built and traffic would increase because of the project.

To Gary Jansen, the numbers of cars on the road is not going to decrease and neither are new developments. "We moved into Willow Glen because we liked the style and that's getting eroded."

Neighbor Kevin Christman, chairman of the Greater Gardner Coalition, said the new policy would protect the intersection, but not the surrounding land from being overdeveloped. "It would ruin the character of Willow Glen to have all these high density developments," he said.

Larsen said the city's vision is to create three to four story units in these areas, not monster developments. Haase added that the planning department plans to protect single-family neighborhoods.

"We're trying to channel development where we know it's most appropriate," Haase said.

Improvements near protected intersections would be built in the surrounding neighborhood and could include street trees for shade, median islands for easier crossing, improved lighting, bus stops and sidewalks, Larsen said.

But the draft of the policy has yet to outline how the community would be involved in the improvement decision- making process.

Questioned by Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Vice President Ed Rast and Shasta Hanchett Park resident Yolanda Reynolds on when community outreach would be detailed in the policy, Larsen said all comments would be considered in the draft they submit to the planning commission on Jan. 26.

"You, members of the community, have a lot of say how these improvements will be made," Larsen said.

The draft will be available on the web prior to the Jan. 26 planning commission meeting. The policy will go before the city council on Feb. 15.

Even after the 2 ¹/2 hour discussion, Rose Garden resident Kathryn Mathewson was not enticed by the new policy. "Personally, I would not want to improve the neighborhood if that creates a gridlock," she said. "I don't think we're getting much if what we're getting is chaos."

For more information about the proposed Tranportation policy or to view the draft Transportation Impact Policy, visit www.san joseca.gov/planning/eir/eir.htm.