February 26, 2002

Mayor Ron Gonzales
City of San Jose
801 North First St.
San Jose, CA 95110-1704

RE: Group Home Policy

Dear Mayor Gonzales:

I am writing on behalf of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) to indicate support for a review of the City's Reasonable Accommodation Policy.

Neighbors of a proposed group home in the southern portion of Willow Glen attended our February WGNA Meeting to enlist our assistance in opposing a group home on Kilo Ave. Although WGNA took no action on the specific Kilo Ave. issue, the Board did vote to send you this letter indicating our desire to see a review of the policies on group homes.

It is our understanding that the City Council is considering changes to the Reasonable Accommodation Policy. WGNA supports this review and any other efforts to reduce the burden group homes can place on residential neighborhoods. WGNA believes this review should include:

per person square footage requirements;
a dispersal policy to ensure that no one neighborhood is overly impacted; improved noticing when homes are proposed;
and general changes to the policy that would mitigate the impacts group homes can place on neighborhoods.

WGNA looks forward to working with the City to develop a set of fair and workable regulations to accommodate group homes, while ensuring that the quality of life in our neighborhoods is protected.

Thank you for allowing WGNA to present its perspective on this matter, if I can provide you with any additional information please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

John L. Gibbs, WGNA President

CC: San Jose City Council
San Jose Planning Commission