The neighborhood association's president, Ken Eklund, released the document on its website in June. Eklund said it's a "living document," and may change with the time as residents review the standards. The neighborhood association is currently accepting comments on the draft.

The association's board has been considering such a draft ever since a businessman proposed opening a liquor store on the community's border last year, Eklund said.

Residents passionately objected to the move, stating the area was over-saturated with liquor stores. The applicant withdrew his proposal.

"We all kind of felt bad about it in a way, because I don't think he knew what kind of opposition he was up against," Eklund said.

Eklund said the board wants to define what sort of changes are welcome in North Willow Glen, rather than reacting to businesses and developments the community views as unfavorable.

The neighborhood would also like to maintain the city's density standard of no more than eight units per acre and build a pedestrian-friendly community with ample open space, according to the draft.

In line with the essence of the document, association vice president Harvey Darnell said he would like to see modernization in North Willow Glen respect the existing neighborhood and its history.

Darnell has worked alongside other North Willow Glen residents to help integrate development into the community.

Earlier this year, Stonebridge Development had planned to build seven homes on a 0.95 acre lot on Delmas Avenue with garages in front. In response to neighborhood concerns and a request from San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager, the developer agreed to move most of the garages to the rear of the homes and provide public access to the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association may also draft standards of its own under the leadership of Ed Rast, a North Willow Glen resident. Because the association has a much larger membership than North Willow Glen, Rast envisions the process taking years. Rast would like to circulate drafts to its 11-person board and its 500-person membership. He would also like to tap Willow Glen businesses, San Jose Unified School District and developers for their input.

The North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association's quality of life guidelines can be read at www.writerguy.com/nwgna/ quality/.