You are invited to a United Neighborhoods' "Town Hall Meeting" on the proposed changes to San Jose's Group Home Ordinance on February 13, 1997, 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the First Congressional Church on Hamilton and Leigh.

Various speakers, officials and staff, will be there for questions and answers.

The holiday season is over, and it's time for another newsletter. But first, I'd like to say thanks to all who helped make Willow Glen such a beautiful and festive place this season, and a special thanks to those who, in the season's true spirit of sharing, helped others with food and good cheer, and to those who helped organize decorations and festivities in their neighborhoods.

We will soon have our annual Board elections in May. WGNA has for many years had term-limits, so several of the present Board members (myself included) can't continue on in the same capacity. The Nominating Committee will be seeking volunteers for the various positions, and will also need some "new blood" to fill vacancies and to handle turn-over. If you are interested in a Board position, or if you would like to join a subcommittee to become a little more involved and see what WGNA is about, please get in touch with us. Since mail-in ballots will be distributed in the next newsletter, nominations need to be received by March 15th for inclusion on the ballot. I hope you will participate, <it truly is a rewarding experience serving the community!> editor

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is setting up a web site! For those of you on the Internet, be sure to visit us at:

http://members.aol.com/wgnasj

We will be posting information about upcoming events, special notices, and our monthly Board meeting agendas, our Bylaws and a list of our current Board members are posted. Also, Membership application/renewal forms can be downloaded from the web site. We have also posted information about the Los Gatos Creek Urban Stream Restoration Project (including the article that we presented at the "Western Regional Urban Stream Conference" last fall in Arcata, CA). We will soon be posting "how-to" information about block parties and holiday decorations. Soon, we will link to some other cool web sites (including one where you can download an aerial satellite photograph of your street, with fine enough resolution to see the cars on the driveways and the dotted line down the middle of the road!)

For those of you not yet on the "Information superhighway", don't be left out! We can still be reached by phone at 408/294-WGNA. We also send a copy of our monthly Board meeting agenda to the Willow Glen branch of the public library for posting on their "community interest" board.

The Airport Commission is considering the expansion of San Jose International Airport (SJC). The goal is to accommodate a projected 18 million passengers a year, by the year 2010, nearly double the present 9 million passengers annually. The Commission held a series of well-attended public hearings on the subject late last year. They also have placed a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (which is 8" thick!) in the Willow Glen branch of the library for public review.

The San Jose Planning Commission will study plans and alternatives prepared by consultants and hear public testimony at a meeting on Feb. 12th at 7:00 PM, at the San Jose City Hall (801 N. First St.), in the Council Chambers. The Commission will then recommend either the "Full Project", or Alternative "A" or "B", or they could recommend the "no project" (do nothing) option. The recommendation then goes to the SJ City Council March 4th for the final decision.

The accompanying table summarizes data presented at the public meeting. The airport currently has three runways: a central one 10,200' long for commercial use, flanked on either side by much shorter runways for general aviation (private planes). All three options call for extending the main runway to a length of 11,000'. The Full Project option calls for also extending the eastern-most runway to 10,500', while Alternative "A" lengthens it to 8,900' and Alternative "B" leaves it unchanged. The runways are too close together for simultaneous landings, but the dual runways allow for one to be used for landings while departures set up on the other. The dual runways also allow one runway to be closed for repairs or for disabled aircraft without shutting down the airport.

The airport currently has two terminals: the old one (now called Terminal C), and the newer Terminal A. The Full Project calls for replacing the old C with a new Terminal C, and also building a Terminal B between it and Terminal A, thereby increasing the number of gates from 31 to 49. The other options call for a smaller Terminal B and/or not replacing terminal C, giving 37 and 35 gates, respectively. Additional parking facilities are included in all Alternatives.

The expansion of the airport would move the cargo facilities to the western side of the airport, and would reduce the number of private planes that can be accommodated.

The presentation did not mention the possible use of Moffett Field for cargo, or of the increased usage of Reid Hillview.

The DEIR reports that all three alternatives are financially feasible. The Project Case would cost ~$800 million, to be financed through bonds which draw their revenue from the existing $3 ticket tax and rental fees currently collected from the airlines. The alternatives would cost less and produce less revenue.

The expansion plans also call for increasing the on-site fuel storage facility. Presently the Airport is able to store only a few hours worth of fuel-disrupt the fuel supply, and the airport closes within hours. The proposal is to have a three to five day supply, requiring up to a 4-million gallon capability (eight tanks), depending on Alternative. The tanks would be located on airport property just west of the Guadalupe River and north of US-101.

Access to the airport is already in the process of being improved with the upgrading of the Guadalupe Parkway into Freeway 87, and Skyport Drive will be extended through an interchange with 87, across the Guadalupe River, and into the airport. This new access is required because Airport Parkway is too close to US-101 to have an interchange. Bicycle access is being improved, too, via the Guadalupe River Trail, Airport Parkway, and a newly opened access from Central Expwy. Lightrail access remains unchanged.

The proposed expansion of the airport will affect Willow Glen and all of San Jose, both positively and negatively. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) estimates that the loudness will not increase (two planes cannot land simultaneously), and it actually may decrease slightly (as the older noisier planes are replaced). The hours of operation are not scheduled to change-they propose to keep the existing curfew. On the otherhand, with more gates, nearly twice as many planes can arrive and depart per hour.

In other words, it would be no louder and no later, but it would be a lot more often.

Proponents say the airport is good for business, which affects the local job market and improves property values; opponents say the increased frequency of flights will affect the quality of life and depress some property values. Whether or not the airport is expanded, the total number of trips from the Bay Area will probably increase to roughly the same number (one doesn't decide to go on a trip just because the airport is close). On the other hand, fewer flights for a given demand in an area increases the price and could cause more people to travel to SFO or Oakland for their flights (increasing congestion and pollution along the highway).

The WGNA Board has not taken a formal position yet relative to any of these Alternatives. We invite you to further research the issue, consider the numerous pros and cons, and let us know what you think. We also invite you to attend the Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 12th, 7 PM, at the City Hall Council Chambers (801 N. First St.)

For many residents of San Jose, the Group Home Ordinance has sparked a controversy centered around the right to establish residential care facilities within single-family R1 zoned areas vs. preserving the present zoning safeguards for single-family residences. Group home ordinances across the United States have landed several cities into legal battles because that ordinance attempted to establish a definition of a family. If the residents were not all related family members then the home ordinance attempted to limit the number of residents. Basically, home ordinances encountered legal difficulties trying to distinguish legitimate care facility programs from transient living arrangements while still complying with conditions to meet the requirements of the Federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act.

The proposed revisions to San Jose's Group Home Ordinance seek to mitigate these legal issues while safeguarding Single Family Zoned residences. The revised Group Home Ordinance is scheduled to be heard by the planning commission on February 26, 1997, 7:oo p.m., at San Jose City Hall (801 N. First St.), in the Council Chambers. The recommendation then goes to the SJ City Council March 18th for a final decision.

The table below details the proposed uses for group home Zoning Amendment and provides an overview of use limits.

LEGEND: P - Permitted R1 - one family dwelling No - Not Permitted R2 - two family dwelling

R4 - multi-family dwelling

C - commercial

(Continued on page 5)

Interested individuals are encouraged to comment in writing as well as at the public meeting. For further information, or to verify meeting agenda and times, please contact City Planning at (408) 277-4576 or Council offices at (408) 277-5166.

In addition, if you would like more information regarding the Group Home Ordinance, the public is invited to a United Neighborhoods' "Town Hall Meeting" on the proposed changes to the ordinance on February 13, 1997, 7:00 p.m. at the First Congressional Church on Hamilton and Leigh. Various speakers, officials and staff, will be there for questions and answers.

About eighteen volunteers planted 170 trees along the Los Gatos Creek on December 7th. The planting was easier than previous times because (1) the ground was softer, (2) the trees were smaller, and (3) the irrigation system was (for the most part) already installed. We mainly planted poplars and willows in the glen, down at the water's edge. Yes, many of them were inundated in the floods a few weeks later, but they all look like they weathered the storm just fine. When these trees mature, they will provide shade for the creek, improving the riparian habitat, and making the stream cooler and more inviting for the salmon that spawn there.

The city has negotiated an easement (congratulations!) from the San Jose Water Company that will allow the recreational trail to be built from our project site up to Meridian Ave. (near Liebelt Ct.).

The city planning department is now working to provide safe access from there: the current plan is for a new traffic light at the trail's end, between Willow and Fruitdale, and some type of bicycle facility on Meridian from there.

The city is also working on the planned bike lanes and bike routes to connect the trail to the Arena. They are slightly behind schedule as they work to find the optimal alignment. While the bike lanes and routes will be the only trail connection between Meridian and Lincoln, the rest of the route to the Arena is to be replaced someday with an off-road streamside trail, WGNA continues to work to advance that day.

WGNA has been asked if our members would like to "adopt" the Willow Street (Bramhall) park. This is a lovely and popular park in the middle of old Willow Glen, and it could use a little extra attention. The main responsibilities would be to help pick up litter after the weekend. If we can get enough interested volunteers, then we will officially adopt the park; if only a few volunteer, then we will just continue informally helping as time and labor permit. Also, some members have asked about adopting the Meridian Avenue/I-280 interchange, which serves as the gateway to Willow Glen. If you would like to help with either of these projects, please get in touch with us (mail, phone 294-WGNA, or via our web page).

The Willow Glen Beautification Project (WGBP) is a volunteer organization helping to beautify Willow Glen. The Project has been responsible for the hanging flower baskets and sculptures on Lincoln Avenue and in Willow Street Park. The Project is currently working to light the trees on Lincoln Avenue and to create a kiosk depicting the history of Willow Glen. The WGBP is planning a "Music in the Park" event in May and their annual Gala on April 26^th. The WGBP meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association's office at 1275 Lincoln Ave. Willow Glen residents interested in becoming involved in these projects can contact Babs Doyle at (408) 267-1294.

San Jose has switched to district planners: rather than having planners work one day on a project in, say, Alviso and the next day on one in Evergreen, now the planners can concentrate on an area and learn more about a specific districts special concerns. The planner for Dist. 6 is Jim Prandi: WGNA is working with him and various developers, giving community input with the hope that the results will be positive additions to our neighborhood.

Three recent examples:

1. The Electrical Appliance Parts store (1140 Lincoln) is to be torn down and replaced with a row of stores, tentatively including several restaurants. The initial proposal did not have adequate parking for the retail area and restaurants they were proposing. We welcome the rebuilding of the site, but we see no reason why it can't conform to the city parking codes. The city planner sent the designs back to the developer for revision, and the design has subsequently been improved.
1. Six new houses are planned for a long, narrow vacant lot on Lincoln, south of Nevada. After seeing so many other examples of poorly designed infill, it was nice to see a good design, with units well placed on the subdivided lots-we offered the developer our support and encouragement.
1. Ownership and control of the large lot just south of the Hamilton Avenue Safeway is presently in litigation. We were invited to give comment regarding the possible uses of the land, but we declined to do so until the courts have rendered a decision in the case. Once ownership is established and plans presented, we will be glad to work with the developer (whoever it may be) and the surrounding community. As usual, the concerns are noise, traffic, parking, and adequate recreational facilities.

Working with the community may sometimes complicate the process of developing a facility-it's probably easier to open a business in a strip-mall. However, businesses willingly pay increased rents to be in Willow Glen because it is a "community". WGNA will continue with its charter to help keep Willow Glen a nice community that is attractive to both business and residents alike.

If you have a tulip tree that has been infested with Aphids and/or Scales, don't give up on it! Residents in southern Willow Glen have organized a group spraying of the trees at a special discount rate. If you live between Foxworthy and Dry Creek, and between Meridian and Cottle, call the Killroy Pest Control company at 408/378-0441, ask for Dennis, and say that you want to be part of the next Willow Glen Tulip Tree spraying.

The full treatment consists of one or more "dormant sprays", combined with root injection of a systemic insecticide.

It is important to treat all of the trees in the area-if some are left untreated, the bugs will continue to live there, and then perhaps spread back to the treated trees later. If you would like to serve as a "block captain" and help organize your block, or for further information, please contact Dan Morris at 408/292-2892.

If your tree is dead, Dan also has information about removal and replacement. However, if your tree is only "mostly dead", then it can be saved, and at a far less cost. Our City Forest has additional information on the care of tulip trees-call them at 408/277-3969.

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