Willow Glen Neighborhood Association
P. O. Box 7706,
San Jose CA 95150
408/294-WGNA
www.WGNA.net
March 2008 editor: Helen Solinski
Call for WGNA Board Candidates
Volunteer to help,
and get involved in your community!
~also~
Save the date: May 14th:
WGNA Spring General Meeting
(details in the next newsletter)
It’s early March, and time to begin thinking about elections. Not just the national campaign for President of the US, but also the local election of next year’s WGNA Board. As Kris Cunningham explains in her article in this issue, the Nominating Committee is seeking volunteers to be candidates for the WGNA Board. The election will be by mail-in ballot in the April/May newsletter, and the term of office is for a year starting in June. This is your opportunity to become more involved in the community, to do grass-roots politicking, to make a difference in your neighborhood. We’re always looking for new faces and fresh ideas. Please volunteer!
In the meantime, the current WGNA Board continues to actively work to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Willow Glen. As usual, the big issues lately are traffic calming and land-use. The land-use issue is multi-faceted, including overall City Policies (e.g., development setbacks along stream banks or the amount and location of industrial land in the City) as well as individual projects, both within and outside Willow Glen. For decades WGNA has followed plans for the MidTown area just north of I‑280, and we are now meeting with City Planners and Developers on proposals for major projects near San Carlos Street. And some projects involve both traffic and land-use, such as the 3-Creeks Trail, which would create a bikeway alternative to driving and some much-needed openspace parkland. “So little time, so much to do!”
Dear
Readers,
Again we invited our local elected officials to contribute articles to our newsletter, and we extended the invitation to others in the community who expressed an interest in writing for the newsletter. This resulted in another interesting newsletter. Thank you to those who wrote in! Enjoy!
Helen Solinski, Editor
At the General Plan Task Force a few weeks ago, we discussed transportation and how future VTA projects will guide San Jose’s land use. The VTA budget for new projects is funded out of the voter-approved half-cent sales tax. The tax provides partial funding for BART, light rail extension, bus rapid transit improvements, some road paving, trails and bike lanes.
The big-ticket item is BART. The low estimate to bring BART to San Jose is $5 billion, but some say the amount is closer to $10 billion. Whether you are a BART cheerleader or a skeptic, one thing both sides agree on: BART is a huge investment. It is fair to say that BART will at least have a $1 billion overrun and that the $200 million that is budgeted for trails and bike lanes alone will not close the gap on the BART shortfall.
Trails and bike lanes are two of the most important transportation options available to us. They are the smallest items in terms of funding on the “to do” list at $200 million, versus $5 billion plus for BART. I have had many different forums in my district where residents are constantly asking me about trails and bike lanes. These residents ask how they can help with grant writing, private/public partnerships, etc.
I ask myself: Why not spend the money on trails (like the Willow Glen/Three Creeks Trail) and bike lanes first since the money needed is much less than any other transportation options like BART? In addition, the talent that can be gained by working with volunteers and the community would be an asset for the VTA, City and County in our goals for trails and bike lanes.
One caveat with trail land is that for the City and County to get its best value, we must purchase land now because land appreciates in value. Trails can be expensive at around $1 million a mile. However, in comparison, BART is around $500 million a mile, with an estimated completion of no sooner then 2017.
Another form of transportation discussed was the bus rapid transit lines. In addition to special preference at traffic signals, these buses travel major routes and have fewer stops. However, I would encourage that ALL the buses are equipped with real time GPS information. For example, the bus stop would have a display that would communicate to waiting passengers how many minutes till the next bus arrives. The GPS system has already been successful in Europe and many US cities today. Instead of passengers having to guess what time a bus will arrive by looking down the street from the gutter, they would simply look at the display. This would bring a higher level of consumer satisfaction and increase the number of bus riders.
I think it is prudent to pick off the lower hanging fruit for transportation projects while keeping an eye on the big picture.
What do you think?
As a member of the General Plan Task Force, I’m helping guide the development of San Jose’s new general plan, a document that will set the direction for land development in San Jose over the coming decades. So far, we’ve had some good discussions about what our priorities should be. At the February meeting, I advocated for continuing to look at ways to preserve San Jose’s historically significant neighborhoods. San Jose is blessed with many beautiful historic buildings – District 9, for example, has many fine Mid-Century houses – and I know it’s important to residents that we preserve our city’s unique character.
In addition to preserving our history, we’re also looking towards the future. Along with other task force members, I’ve spoken in support of continuing to encourage mixed-use, infill development around public transit. This strategy can help us accommodate our growing population, and at the same time make San Jose a more livable city. We need to think of new development as an opportunity to create a friendlier environment for pedestrians, so that people feel comfortable walking to neighborhood restaurants and grocery stores, or even walking to a nearby light rail station and going the rest of the way on transit. Pedestrian travel can be more convenient and can help protect the environment, but it’s also a great way to meet our neighbors and build a stronger sense of community.
The General Plan is an opportunity to think about how we can continue to improve our City, and our meetings are always better with community input. Join us for the next Task Force meeting on Monday, March 24th at 6:30 PM, or visit www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/gp_update/ for a full meeting schedule. All meetings are held in room W-120 at City Hall.
As spring approaches and the weather turns sunny it brings us all out to enjoy our parks and other outdoor activities. Unfortunately, it also brings an increase in graffiti throughout San Jose. Since 1999, the Anti-Graffiti and Litter Program has taken an annual survey on the number of tags; they have found a steady decline in tags every year until 2007. An initial review of tags abated during the first 6 months of this fiscal year compared to the same time period last year indicates that city staff removed almost 61% more tags this year. We are continuing to address this problem and ask for your help by calling the 24 hour anti graffiti hotline at 408/277‑2758 to report graffiti. I encourage you to become a volunteer by calling Graffiti Abatement at 408/277-3208 and they will supply you with free anti-graffiti supplies and information. Let’s make San Jose graffiti free.
Bring your youngsters for a morning of springtime crafts, games, face painting and family memories. There will be egg hunts for each age group and a chance to take pictures with the Big Bunny. Each child will receive a goodie bag filled with surprises. Space is limited; pre registration is required. The $5 fee is for children ages 1 to 10 with children 12 months and younger are free, but need to be registered. The event is scheduled from 10 am to Noon on Saturday, March 15th at the Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave. Egg Hunts times will be 15 minutes per age groups between 10:30 AM and 11:15 AM. Register at the Center or mail/fax registration using the Citywide Activity guide found on line at www.sanjoseca.gov. For further information: 408/559-8553.
Camden Community Center is gearing up for a great spring and summer with lots of new programs and special events for the whole family. Some of the new classes for children include Little Hoopsters and Outdoor Activities, Tiny Tales art class and Stranger Danger - Kid Escape Workshop. Adults can sign up for a Zumba fitness class, Calligraphy or Square Dancing.
The Summer Day Camp schedule includes “Survivor Camden” and Leaders in Training camp for teens ages 11 – 16. The Extreme Teens Camp combines visiting local destinations and the challenge of activities that will push the limits.
The new spring/summer activity guide from the City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is available on- line and the Camden community Centers information can be viewed at www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/centers/CC/Camdencc/Camden.asp. You can also pick up a guide at any Community Center or Branch Library.
The public is invited to attend this upcoming program at the historic We and Our Neighbors clubhouse, on the corner of Los Gatos/Almaden Road and Union Ave.
The 116th Birthday Celebration of We and Our Neighbors women’s club will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 1 – 3 PM. In addition to birthday cake, a program on craftsman architecture will be presented by April Halberstadt, professional archivist and curator of the Saratoga Historical Museum. For more information contact Penny Canario at 408/267‑8175
On Saturday, May 17th we will host the 3rd Annual Celebrate Cambrian Spring Community Festival at the Cambrian Community Center. This year the theme is a country fair. There will be a community resource fair, live entertainment, food, art contest and children activities. More information will be available in future news articles, our District email, and website.
If you wish to receive periodic emails from my office please visit the District 9 website at www.sanjoseca.gov/district9 and click on “Join Judy’s email list”. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at District9@sanjoseca.gov or 408/535-4909.
Dear Friends,
On Tuesday, February 26, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a referral that Ken Yeager and I sponsored to direct County staff to participate in the Three Creeks Trail (formerly Willow Glen Spur Trail) Technical Advisory Committee with City of San Jose staff. We informed the WGNA eList, but also wanted to inform WGNA members through the Newsletter.
Ken and I have been longtime advocates of this project and wholeheartedly support efforts to move forward on the development of this trail. The City is requesting a County contribution of $4 million towards acquisition of parcels along the eastern alignment. Any potential contribution would come from the Parks Charter Fund and would need Board of Supervisors approval. Such funding would enhance the substantial County investment for trail expansion, which I sponsored in 2004.
We are hoping that the County and City can work together to develop a trail that serves both bicyclists and pedestrians as well, one that is safe, convenient, and offers a dedicated trail system to the residents of Santa Clara County. Pierluigi’s office has championed the Three Creeks Trail from the City perspective and we look forward to working with him as the plan develops. While City staff has identified several problem areas, I believe they are not insurmountable. If the political and community will remains constant, we will work through the obstacles, just as we did in the past when advocating for the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
Best Regards, Blanca
Protecting the natural beauty of our county has always been one of my top priorities, especially while working to build and maintain a network of trails and preserve the urban trees that line our neighborhood streets.
During the Feb. 26 Board of Supervisors meeting, I was pleased that my fellow supervisors unanimously supported a proposal I made with Supervisor Blanca Alvarado to collaborate with San Jose on the development of the Three Creeks Trail, also known as the Willow Glen Spur Trail. As proposed, this trail would follow the now-unused Union Pacific Railroad eastern alignment beginning near Lincoln Avenue and Los Gatos Creek, crossing the Guadalupe River near Highway 87, and connecting to Kelley Park near Senter Road.
The request I made with Supervisor Alvarado directs Santa Clara County staff to work with the City of San Jose to begin planning this trail connection. Once completed, this trail will allow residents and their families to link up with the Los Gatos Creek Trail, the Guadalupe River Trail, and numerous neighborhood parks.
In addition to helping to beautify our county by establishing trails, I have also been working on maintaining the attractiveness of our neighborhoods. A resident recently asked the county for a permit to cut down two old Shamel Ash trees on Grace Avenue, near Hamilton and Meridian Avenues in San Jose. The resident was concerned that the trees’ roots had been damaged during sidewalk repairs.
I was not convinced that the trees had to be removed, so I requested that the county’s arborists inspect the trees to make sure they were healthy. The arborists said the trees are standing strong and shouldn’t pose any danger to cars or passers-by.
The trees have since been pruned, and I hope they remain standing for years to come.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office any time. You can call me at (408) 299-5040 or contact me via e-mail at ken.yeager@bos.sccgov.org.
The developer that has proposed four 120-foot high-rises on the corner of West San Carlos and Sunol streets has scheduled five meetings to hear community input on the project.
The Valley Transportation Authority, which currently owns the property where the high-rises are proposed, asked the developer to hold at least three public meetings before April 11 to gather feedback from residents and community leaders.
The meetings are scheduled as follows:
· At-Large Community Meeting: Tuesday, March 18, from 6:30 PM to 8 PM in the Media Room at Lincoln High School, 555 Dana Ave., San Jose
· Burbank/Del Monte NAC: Thursday, March 27, from 7 PM to 8:30 PM at the Sherman Oaks Community Center, 1800A Fruitdale Ave., San Jose
· West San Carlos Business Association: Tuesday, April 8, from 6:30 PM to 7 PM at Korean Palace, 2297 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose
· Willow Glen Neighborhood Association: Wednesday, April 9, from 7 PM to 7:30 PM at the Willow Glen Baptist Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
I encourage everyone to participate in this public meeting process to make sure your voice is heard as the developer revises its plans and submits them to VTA and to the City of San Jose for final approval.
To read more about this issue and my op-ed on the proposed high-rise project, visit my website at www.supervisoryeager.org and click on “Current Issues” and then click on “Development and Land Use.”
It is time to begin the annual process of identifying volunteers for the next WGNA Board, which will be elected in May. In accordance with our By-laws, a five-member Nominating Committee solicits members who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors. The 2008 Nominating Committee was elected in last May’s election and includes Kris Cunningham (Chair), Sharon Fierro, Jim Gardner, Lynn Repetsky and Helen Solinski.
Our By-laws stipulate that Officers of the Association (President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) must be members of WGNA for at least one year prior to the May election date, and can serve for only two consecutive years in any one office. Besides the officers, four Directors and next year’s Nominating Committee are elected. The Directors and Nominating Committee do not have term limits, but typically there is a good mix between new and experienced members of the Board.
We are actively soliciting WGNA members who would like to become more involved. Our Board is a collaborative group and active participation is important. Board members attend the monthly WGNA Board meeting and work to “preserve and enhance” our neighborhood by responding to residents’ concerns, attending appropriate meetings, and participating in neighborhood projects. Please submit your request to be on the board by March 31st to the Nominating Committee by mail (PO Box 7706, San Jose, CA 95150-7706), by phone (408/294-WGNA), or by email (nominations@wgna.net). Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
The Nominating Committee will present to our membership a specific slate of recommended Officers and Directors. Any qualified candidate that submits their name to the Nominating Committee by the March 31st deadline can request that their name appear on the ballot. The ballots will be mailed to all WGNA members in good standing in a newsletter several weeks before the May General Meeting. The membership then votes by mail or in person at the General Meeting. The ballots are tallied within a week and the results announced on the wgna.net website.
One aspect of the “Wild West” may be
ending: soon folks will no longer have to call the Sheriff, but instead will be
dealing with the City Police. For years, there have been “pockets” of
unincorporated County land in Willow Glen (and elsewhere in San Jose), and
these pockets received County services, such as police protection provided by
the Sheriff. Originally there may have been tax advantages to being unincorporated
– no taxes for City services – but for years now the property taxes have been
fixed at 1% of the basis value, and so there are only negligible differences
(e.g., the sewer bill may be larger but the garbage collection bill may be
smaller). However, these unincorporated County pockets have complicated the
delivery of needed services and thus drove up costs: the Police from the local
station could handle problems on one side of the street in incorporated San
Jose, but the County Sheriff would have to drive in from the outskirts of town
to handle problems across the street in the unincorporated County.
The City and County have been working together to reduce these problems by incorporating these pockets. If interested, you are invited to a public meeting at the Sherman Oaks Community Center, 1800 Fruitdale Ave # A, on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 6:30 – 7:30 PM. (There will be a second meeting on the topic at the same time and location on Thursday, April 3, 2008: you’re invited to attend, although the emphasis will be more towards the Burbank area than Willow Glen.)
For more information, see www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/annex.
I’ve mentioned San Jose’s “Riparian Corridor” policy a number of times over the years, but Helen the Editor points out that I’ve never really explained it or its importance to Willow Glen. In 50 words or less, it is a City policy, first adopted in 1994, that says that the space adjacent to creeks and streams should be kept open for streamside trails and pathways, and for the preservation and restoration of riparian (“streamside”) habitat.
The
policy defines the extent of the corridor: to the top-of-bank, or the edge of
the existing riparian habitat, whichever extends further. The policy then limits
future construction or development within 100' of this corridor. The policy
has a number of exemptions, such as accepting a smaller setback downtown or for
single residential (“in-fill”) lots in an established neighborhood. Problems
sometimes arise when the developer of a project wants to construct more units
on a site than can comfortable fit. The Planning Department and Planning Commission
then review the proposal and make recommendations, with the City Council has
final say in the matter. Thus, sometimes the Department and/or Commission
might recommend scaling back a proposed project so as to preserve adequate
streamside setbacks for trails and habitat, and then representatives of the
developers will then urge the City Council to override the recommendations; sometimes
the Planning Department or Commission recommend policy variances, and then members
of the community, including creek advocates, trail enthusiasts, and WGNA Boardmembers,
address the Council to argue for preserving the riparian setbacks. We win
some, we lose some, and sometimes there is a middle ground that displeases
everyone. But, paraphrasing the City Planner who helped to write the Policy in
the first place, now the City asks for 100' setbacks and developers sometimes argue
down to 75', whereas before the policy the developers would propose no setbacks
whatsoever and the City had to argue for whatever they could get.
A number of us on the WGNA Board, together with other community representatives and environmental activists, are working with City Staff to help clarify and enhance the Riparian Corridor Policy language for possible inclusion in the upcoming General Plan Update. WGNA will also continue to press for appropriately sized setbacks along streamside projects in and near Willow Glen, so as to allow room for habitat preservation and recovery, and to leave room for completion of the Los Gatos, Guadalupe, and Three Creeks Trails.
The eList community – over a thousand users of WGNA’s free “electronic equivalent of talking with neighbors over the back fence” – is an excellent resource. Ask a question in any topic and usually someone will know the answer, or at least where to look. It’s also a great resource for community recommendations for finding anything from acupuncturists to yoga instructors. When those making the recommendations are willing to stand behind their recommendations and give us permission (as indicated by including the phrase “okay to quote”), we collect the information into a webpage: the “Community Recommendations” webpage at www.wgna.net.
About a year ago, the volunteer who had been collecting the information and maintaining the recommendations webpage left. Before leaving, he wrote down all the tricks of updating the webpage. However, due to a computer crash, some of the details were lost. (Let that be a cautionary tale – be sure to make regular backups!) Anyway, it’s taken us a while to find new volunteers and to figure out how to proceed, but now we’re back on the path, and I hope we can look forward to new updates to the Recommendations webpage in the not-too-distant future.
Every few years the Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) updates the long-range Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) – see www.vta.org/studies/vtp2035. The plan provides a planning framework for developing transportation projects over the 25-year life of the plan. This is the year when the agency develops its plan for 2035. The process is expected to result in a plan ready for approval of the VTA governing board in February 2009.
The plan covers the full spectrum of projects related to transportation in Santa Clara County. Beside the transit usually associated with the VTA, it includes freeway and expressway improvements, local street and county road projects, and bicycle paths. The most expensive potential individual projects relate to transit, with a 16-mile BART extension into Santa Clara County taking the lion’s share. Community feedback on plan priorities is available online through a survey at wwwvta.org/studies/vtp2035.
Some of the proposed projects are probably less well known to Willow Glen residents.
One of the more expensive is the electrification of Caltrain from San Francisco. It is claimed this project would increase speed, reduce operating costs, and provide benefits in noise reduction and air quality improvement for those living along the rail corridor.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements are being considered for the most traveled bus transit corridors in the County – El Camino, Stevens Creek, and Alum Rock. Initial improvements will include bus signal priority, limited stops, frequent service, and headway-based schedules. Subsequent improvements include permanent rail-like stations, more intersections with bus signal priority, real-time station display information, new higher capacity vehicles, exclusive bus lanes, and off-vehicle fare payment.
High Occupancy Toll (HOT) improvements are being considered for Highways 85 (South San Jose to Mountain View) and 101 (Cochrane Ave to San Mateo County line). These projects were authorized by AB 574, signed by the Governor in October 2007, allowing the VTA to implement two HOT Lane corridors within Santa Clara County and issue bonds backed by potential program revenues. The HOT lanes would be dedicated to bus, carpool and single occupancy vehicles that paid a toll using the FasTrak system. A high-occupancy vehicle lane may only be operated as a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane during the hours that the lane is otherwise restricted to use by high-occupancy vehicles.
If you want your voice heard, complete the online survey and participate in the public comment process. The VTP 2035 will be reviewed by the VTA Board in the fall and early winter of 2008. The board meets at 6 PM on the first Thursday of the month in the County Board of Supervisor’s Chambers at 70 W. Hedding Street in San Jose. The Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee (CMPP) provides ongoing oversight of the planning program. It meets the third Thursday of the Month at 10:30 AM in the County Government Center in San Jose, 70 West Hedding Street, Conference Room #157
Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back against cancer May 17 – 18 at Relay For Life of Willow Glen. Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, to remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue. During Relay For Life, teams of family, friends and co-workers gather at Willow Glen High School track, decorate their campsites and take turns walking laps for 24 hours, from 10 AM Sat. to 10 AM Sun. to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Entertainment on stage runs from 10 AM to 10 PM with off-stage activities running 24 hours, including a kids tent from 11 AM – 6 PM. There is no minimum fundraising amount to participate as a team other than a team registration fee of $100. Survivors may register for free. The event is open to the public. For more information go to http://events.cancer.org/rflwillowglenca or www.relayforlife.org. Relay is 24 hours you’ll never forget.
It all started with 9/11. On that day, we were hit with the realization that although my husband, Mark, and I knew most of our neighbors by name, we really didn’t know them. That day, we felt compelled to reach out to them in some sort of life-affirming gesture. We made flyers inviting our neighbors to come to our house that night to process the horrible events of the day. We had about a dozen neighbors show up. That night, we all realized that we needed to make an effort to build community in our court. What made this an interesting prospect is that our neighbors are about as diverse as you can get - racially, socio-economically, educationally, religiously and politically, so it wasn’t a natural social network we were building. This was intentional community.
Because we are initiators by nature, we started the ball rolling by organizing an outdoor block party on Halloween. That success led us to start the tradition of a Christmas progressive dinner and gift exchange. Then ten months was too long to go without a neighborhood get together, so we added a summer block party. As we were getting to know other neighbors on the surrounding streets, we started inviting them to the summer block party. Neighbors chip in to help plan and execute the party, so it’s becoming an event that people actually plan their vacations around.
Intentional community has created a sense of caring, concern and a willingness to go out of one’s way for a neighbor. It’s the neighborliness of being comfortable enough to ask favors and goes well beyond that. When one family had a fire, many neighbors came to their aid with practical and thoughtful acts of kindness. When another family had to move due to a forced retirement, they screened potential buyers to ensure that a “nice family” bought their home (they had higher offers from people who appeared to be disinterested in community.) It’s also meant one of our neighbors chased down a thief to retrieve the new neighbor’s lawn mower that was stolen out of their shed (not a recommended course of action, but it was a true act of neighborliness.) Our neighbors now know and look out for each other.
How we have benefited from our efforts is that we have neighbors who call us a midnight to tell us we’ve left our garage door open, who help us decorate our yard and street at Christmas, who help us with the “little emergencies,” and that bring food over “just because.” But most importantly, our lives have been blessed by our “diverse” neighbors becoming our friends.
Intentional community does require effort and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone, but you and your neighborhood will reap many benefits if you choose to initiate and participate.
In 2000, I found myself cross-training in a class called Pilates Mat. I had been running marathons over the years, but wanted some gentle core strengthening exercises. I was hooked after a few sessions, and I moved onto equipment training at a Pilates studio. Inspired again, I decided to learn more about this 100 year old exercise method, invented by Joseph Pilates, who began his training during World War I, in a hospital in England. I became certified by Polestar Pilates several years ago and continue my training with specialty classes in order to help clients with chronic conditions, injuries or specific sports needs.
I am pleased to announce that Portable Pilates mat classes continue to be held in Willow Glen, with 3 options at the Willow Glen Episcopal Church on the corner of Pine and Newport. Whether you are a trained athlete or a senior citizen, Pilates exercises offer a supportive, gentle method to strengthen core muscles, improve balance and coordination and improve postural muscles.
We offer a beginning mat class at 5:30 PM on Mondays, an intermediate/advanced class at 6:30 PM on Mondays and Cardio Core Training on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM. All classes are one hour, and the first class is free! Discount cards are available (five classes for $60 and 10 classes for $100).
Please call or email with your questions! We look forward to seeing you at the Willow Glen Episcopal Church.
Tammi Rose, M.A., can be reached at 408/315-5564 or by email at tammisrose@gmail.com
A fun fund-raiser / social event on Sunday March 16th to help preserve historic San Jose: go to www.Preservation.org for details.