February 9, 1998
To: San Jose City Planning Commission
From: Kris Cunningham, WGNA President
Re: Proposed plans for Safeway, Meridian and Hamilton
On September 26th and October 8th, boardmembers of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and Richard Zlatunich, representing Safeway, met to discuss the proposed expansion of Safeway at Meridian and Hamilton. Preliminary concerns of the WGNA Board where faxed to Jim Prandi on September 22, 1998. At present, the Board has the following comments to offer:
1. The majority of boardmembers are satisfied with explanations addressing the zero rear setback as long as the easement which Safeway is willing to offer to the home buyers is added to the usual setbacks required - setbacks pertaining to R-1 zoning and the height of the Safeway building.
2. WGNA repeats the request that careful attention be paid to traffic patterns both in and out of the property. The intersection at Hamilton and Meridian is already congested and considered a traffic hazard. The section of Hamilton directly in front of Safeway has been a problem for years.
3. The access road from the Safeway area to the mini mall to the southwest continues to be an issue with residents. Many believe it lessens traffic at the Meridian/Hamilton intersection and provides easy access from one frequent destination to another (ie. from the grocery store and drug store to the post office, Burger King, gas station, Blockbusters, etc.). Any mitigations that can be devised, such as creating a smaller driveway or providing pedestrian access, are encouraged.
4. The Board stresses the important of including plans which provide for pedestrian passage to the Safeway site from the proposed residential development to the south.
5. The preservation of as many mature trees as possible is urged. The planting of large, shade bearing trees in the parking lot is requested.
cc: Carol Hamilton, Planning Staff