Willow Glen Resident
News
Retail center is community eyesore, but facelift is on the way
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
The spot where Minnesota Avenue turns into W. Alma Avenue, residents are subjected to a retail eyesore. Now that neglected area is finally getting a much-needed facelift.
The San Jose department of planning, building and code enforcement met with residents Sept. 25 to discuss two proposed retail developments in the area.
One project at 220 W. Alma Ave. would demolish a bar--Bears Lounge-- and a single-family home. The dwellings would be replaced by a 9,900-square-feet single-story retail center. The project would include 38 parking spaces. The building would face W. Alma Avenue, and parking would be located on the south side.
The second project, which includes 580 and 640 W. Alma Ave., would renovate the 9,280-squarefoot retail center at 580 W. Alma Ave. The building would be reduced in size to a single story. At 640 W. Alma Ave., where there is no dwelling, a 5,100-square-foot retail center would be constructed. The two locations would have a combined 57 parking spaces.
Salvatore Caruso Design is the developer for both projects.
At both sites the developer is taking advantage of the 10 percent transit reduction, which allows for fewer required parking spaces because of their proximity to the Tamien light rail station.
The hot button issue of the night was how the current owners have done little to improve the properties' aesthetic condition. Residents wanted to make sure the developers didn't continue that practice over time. They were particularly upset with the state of the 580 W. Alma Ave. site.
"The biggest issues residents have are the way the current owner has maintained the site," said San Jose city planner Erin Morris. "The sites are in poor condition and have illegal dumping."
Residents wanted the property screened off from Minnesota Avenue and anywhere there are residential neighborhoods, Morris said.
To accommodate the residents' requests, the developer has agreed to design the project with 24-foot setbacks from the parking lots and will plant two rows of trees on the residential side for screening off Minnesota Avenue.
Residents also wanted the developer to move the driveways onto the Minnesota Avenue side, since this is already a heavily trafficked area.
The developer proposes to move the driveway at the site from the back side of the lot closer to Alma.
"My suggestion was to limit the driveway to be a one-way, either in or out, and the developer was open to that," Willow Glen resident Ellen Santomauro said.
Santomauro said she was pleasantly surprised by the willingness of developers to work with the residents.
"The architect took into consideration concerns that were brought up about the site six years ago and brought creative solutions to us," Santomauro said. "The architect remembered that garbage was an issue, mature landscaping was needed and that residents preferred 24-inch tree boxes rather than 5-gallon ones."
Residents had to deal with loitering, garbage dumping and vagrants in the past, but with the developer's proposed layout would encourage business owners to become the residents' eyes and ears and be able to help monitor the problems.
Santomauro is looking forward to the renovation. "Hopefully, this will encourage more businesses to start up here," she said.
