Willow Glen Resident

News

Appeals prevent Alano Club from opening over holidays

By Alicia Upano

Despite San Jose Planning Commission's vote to keep Alano Club West open over the holidays, two appeals will keep the Minnesota Avenue facility's doors closed until next year.

Concerned residents had 10 working days after the Nov. 15 commission decision to appeal the club's conditional use permit. Property owner David Cayton and neighbor Chris Piekarski filed appeals before the Nov. 27 deadline and requested the city modify the club's permit.

The San Jose Planning Commission approved the permit with numerous conditions aimed at resolving noise and privacy issues in the neighborhood. The conditions included increasing the use of the club's rear parking lot to eliminate parking in the public lot next door and reducing the rear deck from 815 to 300 square feet within 90 days to ease privacy and noise problems with adjacent residents.

Cayton, however, wanted more done to improve the parking situation at the club. Cayton has owned 1385 Lincoln Ave. for nearly 30 years. The building, which sits 100 yards away from the club, houses The Grapevine and three other businesses.

"I have observed the empty Alano lot and full city lot for years," Cayton wrote in an Oct. 25 letter to the planning commission. On Nov. 15, he wrote another letter urging the commission to require Alano Club members to track the usage of its parking lot and revoke the permit if members fail to use the club's lot regularly. In his appeal, Cayton wrote that on-site parking should be required rather than merely available.

Piekarski, on the other hand, requested the deck be eliminated. The Iris Court resident contends the large deck is the primary source of noise and that "the only way to ensure the peace, morals and welfare of adjacent residents is to remove the patio."

Likewise, Piekarski requested the hours be reduced to give the residents a respite from the constant noise generated by the club, according to a Nov. 27 appeal letter sent to the city. Currently the hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Piekarski prefers 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The club cannot reopen until the city council considers the appeals. The city hopes to bring the matter to council shortly after the new year, said city planner Erin Morris.

The commission wanted the club to reopen due to the need of its members--recovering alcohol and drug abusers and their families--for solace over the holiday season.

Between 120,000 and 150,000 recovering alcoholics, drug abusers and their families pass through the Minnesota Avenue club each year. Noise complaints began in 2003. Beginning in 2004, the city sent the club nine compliance orders to apply for a conditional use permit.

The group completed the application only after the San Jose Appeals Hearing Board ordered the club to close on Oct. 31 because it was operating without a permit. The club and the city worked feverishly to prepare the case for the planning commission in November.