Willow Glen Resident
News
Commissioners OK project on Radio Avenue but require four changes
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
A proposed 14-unit project at 2102 Radio Ave. is moving forward, with a few more suggested changes.
Developer Paul Majoulet asked the San Jose Planning Commission on July 18 to change the zoning of the site from medium-density residential to residential. This zoning request caps the number of units at 15 versus 25.
Majoulet wants to construct 13 "duet-style" homes--built side by side--and one single-family detached home at the front of the project facing Radio Avenue. The project will be built on a .074-acre site and named Willow Village Square.
Although no community members were present at the meeting, the discussion was contentious, with parking, density and open space causing major concerns among commissioners.
The planning commission unanimously approved the request but added four conditions: more parking, open space per unit and overall open space and greater setbacks.
The commissioners told the developer he had to increase the minimum amount of side-by-side parking by 50 percent in addition to the proposed tandem parking. The commissioners were concerned that residents would not utilize the tandem parking--one car in front of the other in each home's driveway--and take up the parking spaces on the street.
"Tandem parking is a way of cutting down the cost of making the garages," said San Jose planner Rebekah Ross, "but people tend not to use it as a two-car garage so residents tend to oppose it."
On the other hand, this type of parking allows for greater landscaping opportunities, she said.
The approved plans must also include a minimum of 400 square feet of private open space per unit. The commissioners said the original proposal had the homes too close. They told the developer to add another 100 square feet of open space per unit.
Setbacks were also too close. The commission increased the setback recommendation from 5 to 10 feet along the southern portion of the property where the side of each garage would border existing single-family homes.
The last condition was to add 1,000 square feet of common open space to the overall development.
"The orientation of this project is contrary to what we usually try to achieve," said Commissioner Ash Kalra. "I know the shape of the plot may have something to do with it, but there's not much of a community feel. The tandem parking and modest amount of open space, is this going to create the type of quality of life we are interested in?"
Commissioner Randi Kinman agreed but emphasized, "this is a miserable lot, and it's completely impacted by high density around it."
Density was another issue that made the commissioners uncomfortable.
"I think we need to reduce the number of units," said Commissioner Matt Kamkar. "There is only 16 feet of driveway. Imagine if there's an emergency. We are pushing too many limits, and the quality of life isn't representative of San Jose. This project is just too dense."
Project consultant David Dolter was not surprised by the night's outcome.
"We are disappointed because we did try to meet all the guidelines put before us," Dolter said.
Even so, Dolter said, "We're going to make a good faith effort to see what we can do with the proposed changes. I think it was a positive outcome and am glad that it keeps the ball rolling, but at the end of the day, it has to be a financially feasible project for the developer."
The project has a history dating back to 2005. Since then the project has evolved from the original 17 units proposed to the current 14.
Residents at the April 10 community meeting argued a project of this size would affect traffic, parking and the density on their residential street. They also voiced concern as to how the development would affect the safety of seniors using the nearby Willows Senior Center and children crossing the street at Lincoln Glen Park.
Robert Raffanti, president of developer Instratum Corporation and a Willow Glen resident, said the project would be "beneficial" to the neighborhood, and the traffic and density would not have a negative impact.
The proposal will come before the San Jose City Council at City Hall, located at 200 E. Santa Clara St., on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.
