Planning Director's Decision on the Monopole in Gardner
Decision at the Planning Director's Hearing,
re. Communications Antenna in Gardner
— WGNA issues letter; expected to appeal the decision
On the morning of Wednesday, August 15, 2018, members of WGNA's Gardner Committee appeared at the Planning Director's Hearing regarding item b. SP17-044 on the agenda, pertaining to a new 50-foot tall Wireless Communication Antenna Slimline Monopole in the Gardner neighborhood at the northeast corner of Prevost Street and Jerome Street.
The staff recommendation was to consider the exemption in accordance with CEQA, and to approve a special use permit as described above. An action was approved in an agreement with the recommendation, and with added conditions. The synopsis (action minutes) can be seen here. To listen to the hearing on an audio file, click here, and select the indexed item SP17-044 or fast-forward the recording to 18:08 minutes.
At the hearing, WGNA's Gardner Committee chairperson issued a letter, which was also delivered to the San Jose City Clerk for public record. See here to read WGNA's letter issued August 15, 2018, in PDF format (on three pages).
Members of WGNA's Gardner Committee have since regrouped and are planning to make an appeal of the decision made by the board.
On Monday, August 20th, 2018, Alex Harris made a presentation at the Gardner Community center on behalf of the WGNA's Gardner Committee.
Please see our website again and soon for more updates.
WGNA July 2018 Board Meeting & Presentations
Our next board meeting on Thursday, July 12, 2018, will include Willow Glen Planning Area updates on a number of items, and including Bramhall-Willow Street Park, and the Greater Gardner Area.
The Willow Glen Planning Area is one of fifteen large sub-areas in the City of San Jose's "Greenprint". The Planning Areas are used by the city in a number of ways, including how the Planning Division or the Parks Department monitors the supply and absorption of vacant land and to track and forecast development activity.
The Greenprint, in itself, is "a long-term plan that sets goals and strategies for how San José's parks, trails, and community centers will change over the next 20 years. City staff and policymakers use the Greenprint as a guide as they explore the ways the parks system can help people in San José be healthier and happier. The City is working on a major update of its existing Greenprint, which was accepted by City Council in 2009. The new Greenprint Update is expected to be complete in Spring 2018."
The 2009 version of the Willow Glen Planning Area and "Greenprint" is what defines the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association's area of membership and advocacy, as noted in our Bylaws and Policies. See the "Planning Maps" page of our website, and an annotated 2009 Willow Glen Planning Area here.
Two years ago, in WGNA's July 28, 2016 Board Meeting, issues relating to Bramhall-Wilow Street Park were presented by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village, then with a follow-up walk-through of the park happening that August. By November 2016, Dave Mitchell from San Jose's Department of Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services (PRNS) visited WGNA's Board Meeting for a response and presentation. This July 2018, we will now review the issues from the last two years, give updates on the progress, and engage feedback on current and future needs in the park.
WGNA's Greater Gardner Committee will give an update on issues since our last Town Hall Meeting on December 14, 2017, with Jim Beall, Jr., California State Senator (15th District). Recent items have included a sound wall (concrete fence) behind the Gardner Academy; neighborhood traffic calming and street paving initiatives (especially on W. Virginia St.); California High-Speed Rail right-of-ways into the area; playground and other improvements inside Biebrach park; freeway/Caltrans cleanup issues; homelessness; Gregory Street area needs; impacts from the proposed Google-San Jose development; plus, the most recent proposal (application) for a wireless cell phone tower on Prevost Street near Jerome Ave.
Note that WGNA meetings typically occur on the second Thursday of the month.
Our regular meeting location is Willow Glen Library, Community Room, 1157 Minnesota Avenue, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
See the meeting Agenda here.
In the following August 2018, WGNA will be hosting National Night Out.
#WillowGlen #WGNAsj #SanJoseCA #GreaterGardner #WillowStreetPark. #BramhallPark #StakeholdersSGV #StakeholdersWSP
WGNA Approves Two Position Papers, first on the wireless antenna in Gardner
WGNA Approves Two Position Papers
— the first on a wireless antenna slimline monopole in the Gardner Neighborhood;
— the second on the Page Street Development by Charities Housing
Two Position Papers were approved by the WGNA Board of Directors at their June 14th, 2018 meeting. The first position paper, referring to the antenna in the Gardner neighborhood, is finalized and now published here online at our website. The second paper will be drafted soon and relates to a position in support of the Page Street development project by Charities Housing.
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Ref. Mobilitie Wireless Antenna: a San Jose Special Use Permit to allow the installation of a new 60-foot Wireless Communication Antenna Slimline Monopole within a new 6-foot block wall compound along the perimeter landscaping on a 0.45 gross acre site. Location: Northeast Corner of Prevost Street, and Jerome Street, San Jose. City of San Jose Planning Reference Number: SP17-044.
(Action) Recommendation to approve a draft Position Paper that is due for a separate Greater Gardner meeting on June 21 at the Gardner Community Center. -
Ref. The Page Street Development: a project development by Charities Housing;
(Action) Recommendation to approve the draft of a position paper in support of the Page Street Development project (after tonight’s guest speaker’s presentation). This draft item was postponed after the last WGNA Board meeting for May.
Click here for a PDF formatted copy of the position paper endorsed on 2018, June 14, ref. Mobilitie Wireless Antenna — the position paper references a City of San Jose Special Use Permit to allow the installation of a new 60-foot Wireless Communication Antenna Slimline Monopole within a new 6-foot block wall compound along the perimeter landscaping on a 0.45 gross acre site. The project location/address is at the northeast corner of Prevost Street, and Jerome Street, San Jose. The Applicant is Mobilitie, based in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The city's project Reference Number is SP17-044; and number 2017 039775 DV. The WGNA position paper was endorsed by the WGNA Board and reads in part:
Mobilitie LLC proposes a cell tower installation for T-Mobile in a site 80 feet from the nearest residential property line. This will affect Gardner neighborhood residents, even if they are not directly benefiting from the wireless service...
June 21st Meeting in Gardner re. Wireless Antenna Slimline Monopole
The canvassing flier in the below will be handed out to residents in the greater Gardner neighborhood.
This is for a special meeting on June 21, 2018, at the Gardner Community Center, which will occur prior to our regular WGNA Board meeting on June 14th at the Willow Glen Library (Minnesota Avenue). Both meetings are an open house for everyone.
A position paper will be discussed at the June 14th meeting, as well as presentations.
For questions, please contact WGNA Board Members Jeremy Taylor and Rowan Pike, who live in Gardner, or contact WGNA's Greater Gardner Committee by email at [email protected]
Also see a PDF formatted document of the above flier here.
Read more
June 2018 Meeting
NEXT WGNA Meeting & Presentation
on Thursday 14 June 2018, 7:00 PM
Location: Willow Glen Library, Community Room; 1157 Minnesota Avenue
SUMMARY:
Board Meeting (re. official WGNA board affairs): 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Action Items (three): approve last month’s minutes; two position papers
Recomendation of Two Position Papers:
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Ref. The Page Street Development: a project development by Charities Housing;
(Action) Recommendation to approve the draft of a position paper in support of the Page Street Development project (after tonight’s guest speaker’s presentation). This draft item was postponed after the last WGNA Board meeting for May. -
Ref. Mobilitie Wireless Antenna: a San Jose Special Use Permit to allow the installation of a new 60 foot Wireless Communication Antenna Slimline Monopole within a new 6 foot block wall compound along the perimeter landscaping on a 0.45 gross acre site. Location: Northeast Corner of Prevost Street, and Jerome Street, San Jose. City of San Jose Planning Reference Number: SP17-044.
(Action) Recommendation to approve a draft Position Paper that is due for a separate Greater Gardner meeting on June 21 at the Gardner Community Center.
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Ref. The Page Street Development: a project development by Charities Housing;
Guest Speakers (two): Presentation, & Community Discussion: 7:20 - 8:15 p.m.
- Destination:Homes, re. Housing for the homeless; and
- Charities Housing Development Corp., re. Affordable Housing
WGNA Greater Gardner Committee: re. discussion and position: 8:15 - 8:45 p.m.
Final discussions, closing remarks, & adjournment: 8:45 - 9:00 p.m.
For a review or download of the meeting agenda, please see the dedicated page at http://www.wgna.net/meeting_agendas, or go directly to the PDF document here.
Read more
June 21st Meeting in Gardner re. Wireless Antenna Slimline Monopole
The below canvassing flier will be handed out to residents in the greater Gardner neighborhood.
This is for a special meeting on June 21, 2018 at the Gardner Community Center, which will occur prior to our regular WGNA Board meeting on June 14th at the Willow Glen Library (Minnesota Avenue). Both meetings are open house to everyone.
A position paper will be discussed on the June 14th meeting, as well as presentations.
For questions, please contact WGNA Board Members Jeremy Taylor and Rowan Pike, who live in Gardner, or contact WGNA's Greater Gardner Committee by email at [email protected]
Also see a PDF formatted document of the above flier here.
Read moreWillow Glen Schools Gifted Invitation to Earthquakes Soccer Game
Several students at our Willow Glen Neighborhood Schools will receive prize tickets to the soccer game — The San Jose Earthquakes versus Los Angeles FC at the San Jose Avaya Stadium — scheduled for June 9th, 2018 at 7:15 PM.
Participating schools include:
Willow Glen Elementary
River Glen School K-8
Ernesto Galarza & Hammer Montessori
Gardner Academy
The game tickets are courtesy of Stakeholders for Safe Green Village (SGV), purchased by the co-sponsorship of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA); Willow Glen Business Association (WGBA); and the Table Restaurant.
We also thank the Earthquakes for their free giveaways, school assembly demonstrations, mascot appearances, etc. Together, we have promoted Safe Routes to School, and community pride. We invite you to enjoy “Willow Glen Neighborhood Night” with the Earthquakes! And enjoy your end-of-year summer vacation!
Read more
May 2018 Meeting & Presentation
NEXT on WEDNESDAY 16 MAY 2018, 7:00 PM
Note: This is not on our usual day, due to our political forum that was just held May 10th.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING & URBAN LIVING SERIES: This coming meeting at the Willow Glen Public Library includes a presentation by Sandra Heredia of Charities Housing Development Corporation. She will share the insights on the Page Street Development in the W. San Carlos Urban Village Planning Area nearby Willow Glen. (See our prior speakers in this series, noted below or in the News section of our website)
TRAILS UPDATE: Additionally, we will get another Trails Update from Yves Zsutty, Trails Manager of the San Jose Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services (PRNS) department. He will talk about the improvements around the Coe Avenue area, as well as points in the greater trails network.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Finally, we will engage a discussion on the underserved areas, and with particular regards to the long proposed Fire Station #37. Neighborhood Commissioners from District 6 are invited to speak and answer questions.
March 2018 Meeting
Next Open House Board & Membership Meeting
March 8,2018 Thursday; Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Subject: Urban Living — Market Rate Housing; Midtown & Willow Glen; comprising aprox. 1,540 units total
Presenter: Konstantin Voronin, Republic Urban Properties, Inc.
Developing projects around the Willow Glen Planning Area:
- Meridian at Midtown, condominiums, approx. 220 units
- Ohlone Towers (3), condominiums, approx. 880 units
- Del Monte Park, soccer field, and dog park
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Tamien Station Towers (2), approx. 440 Units
- A Transit Village, with daycare center
- Tamien Neighborhood Park
Presentation begins at 7:40 PM to 8:10 PM
February 2018 Meeting & Speaker
Open House Monthly Board & Membership Meeting
With the February Guest Speaker
THE EARLY PIONEERS THAT MAPPED WILLOW GLEN & SAN JOSE HISTORY — WED 07 FEBRUARY 2018
Local historian April Hope Halberstadt will be the guest speaker at the next Board and Membership Meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA [also see us on Facebook]
Join us for this "Open House" meeting on the second Wednesday 07 February 2018 at 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the community room of the Willow Glen Public Library [also see the location on Facebook].
Note: Our meetings are usually on the second Thursday of the month, but the schedule has been changed for this particular event.
Halberstadt will talk all about Willow Glen History, as well as the surrounding areas, with a few other new stories that are not included in her original book, "The Willow Glen Neighborhood, Then and Now". She will particularly focus on the early pioneers, including some of those who are often overlooked. This should be an interesting follow up to Halberstadt's previous work.
You can also add the Facebook Event to your calendar: Facebook.
Safe Crossings on Bird Avenue
Letter to the City & Decision at City Hall —
WGNA Request to SJ City Council Districts 3 & 6
re. Safe Crossings on Bird Avenue
TO: Councilmember Raul Peralez (D3) & Dev Heinert Davis (D6)
SUBJECT: Improve Public Safety for primary school children attending Gardner Academy School on Illinois Avenue at Auzerais Avenue. Two major intersections along a California State Roadway — Bird Avenue — are unsafe crossings. First, there is Auzerais at Bird Avenue; and secondly, Virginia Street at Bird Avenue.
ACTION REQUESTED:
California State Senator Jim Beall, Jr. is requesting that the City of San Jose, Department of Transportation (DOT), conduct a traffic study of these two intersections. Once the studies are completed, the state of California will take on the necessary improvements to make these intersections safe for primary school children to cross. The timing of these two studies is very important.
Please get back to me within the next twelve working days with a resolution. That is, confirm a date and time when these two studies will be scheduled and expected to be completed. We would appreciate a copy of any correspondence sent to the San Jose DOT team, and their responses.
The Bird Avenue roadway has become increasingly busy, and with all the recent developments beginning at the north of the intersections, West San Carlos Street at Bird Avenue/ Montgomery Streets traffic will increase dramatically. The intersection of Auzerais Street, Bird Avenue and Interstate 280 (i.e., the on and off ramps) is already very dangerous.
See a JPEG version of WGNA's letter to the city here.
NOTICE: This item will be decided at the Rules and Open Government Committee in San Jose City Hall, on the Agenda for 2/14/2018. See the particulars in the below table:
| File #: | ROGC 18-094 Version: 1 |
| Type: | Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations, and Approvals |
| Status: | Agenda Ready |
| File created: | 2/8/2018 |
| On agenda: | 2/14/2018 |
| In control: | Joint Meeting for the Rules and Open Government Committee and Committee of the Whole |
| Title: | Autumn, Montgomery and Bird Corridor Study. (Peralez/Davis) |
| Attachments: | 1. Memorandum, 2. Letter from the Public |