September 20, 1996
Mayor Susan Hammer and Councilmembers,
City of San José
801 North First Street
San José, CA 95110
re: School in the Tamien Specific Plan area (agenda item 9e, Sept. 24th)
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association supports San Jose Unified School District’s proposal to consider siting an elementary school on Transportation Authority property in the Tamien Specific Plan area.
We understand that the Transportation Authority would prefer to lease the land for housing so as to create a revenue stream. We hope that the city can help the involved parties find some financing arrangement that is suitable to all. We feel that it is important to provide a school site in this area. Indeed, one of our main concerns about the original plan for the Tamien Specific Plan was the quantity of housing that was being proposed without the inclusion of a school for the increased population.
The school site will have to be reviewed by various agencies to verify that the location conforms to the school selection criteria (e.g., proximity to railroads, soil analysis, etc.). But given shortage of school space in the north and central sections of the San Jose Unified School District, and given the increase in population resulting from the Tamien project, we urge that you study the feasibility of locating a school in the Plan area.
Thank you for your support, and please contact us if we can provide any assistance.
~Lawrence Lowell Ames, President
cc: San Jose Unified School District Board
Transportation Authority