The inclusion of the fence and trellis to provide immediate shade and safety were added to the recommendation at the Dec. 7 hearing, after neighbors at an Oct. 25 community meeting expressed concern.

Michael LaRocca, treasurer of Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Association, told the commissioners, "The only thing that is missing from the park is fencing around the whole perimeter," LaRocca said. "The community spoke to it and wanted it. It's a considerable safety hazard to leave it without a fence.

He also said that the community was concerned about sufficient park lighting for safety reasons and was reassured by Brad Brown, San Jose park planner, that extra street lighting had already been added to the plan design.

The 0.6-acre park is part of a 2-acre project consisting of 46 three-story townhomes developed by Pinn Brothers at the intersection of Curci Drive and Meridian Avenue. The park will include three play areas for children, an open space, seating and drinking fountains. A large oak tree, which is on the site, will have a park bench installed underneath it.

The project will also widen St. Elizabeth Drive and lighting will be installed along the street. This lighting will be in addition to two streetlights already included with the park design. Along with the widening of St. Elizabeth Drive, there will be a new four-way stop at McKinley Avenue and St. Elizabeth Drive.

Requests for restrooms and a strip to walk dogs were made at the community meeting but the park was deemed too small and will not include them, said Michael Black, a spokesman for the developer.

The construction of the park as well as the street improvements will be part of Pinn Brothers' phase one housing development and is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring. The start of the project is contingent on San Jose City Council approval sometime in the first quarter of 2006.