Willow Glen
Neighborhood Association
P. O. Box 7706,
San Jose CA 95150
408/294-WGNA
August 20, 2009
Thang Do, Chairman
Planning Commission of the City of San Jose
Attn: Sylvia L. Do Sylvia.Do@sanjoseca.gov
Planning Division City of San Jose
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, California 95113
Re: HEARING DATE: AUGUST 26, 2009 APPEAL OF STUCCO SUPPLY SITE
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT H09-009
Dear Chairman Do and Honorable Planning Commissioners:
Position:
Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) supports the appeal and requests
denial of the Stucco Supply Permit to develop a structure on this mapped Trail Land.
Discussion and Rationale:
WGNA endorses "Save Our Trails" in their efforts to avoid Trail Land that is mapped in
our General Plan from being sold off piece by piece because the City in these difficult
times is in short supply of cash to buy the Trail property from the Union Pacific railroad.
Communities across the country are learning that conserving community greeninfrastructure-
lands for parks, trails and public open spaces is not an expense, but an
investment that produces important economic benefits.
Research verifies what we intuitively know. The value of parks, trails and related open
space reduces energy consumption and storm water runoff. It increases the value of
neighboring property and improves academic performance among teens.
Studies show crime is lower in neighborhoods where parks and trails exist, visits to
hospitals and emergency rooms are reduced when kids have a safe place to play: an
alternative to playing on the streets and parking lots.
Recreational opportunities, parks and trail amenities are important quality-of-life factors
for businesses choosing where to locate and for individuals choosing a place to live.
Mixed "Land Use'' and decreased automobile dependence require transportation
alternatives (walking on trails, bicycling and transit) and increased density balanced by
preservation of green spaces. Density is balanced by open green space like our trail
system and protection of riparian corridors that remain un-built and that provide access to
nature for people who live and work in the area. There is a emphasis on walk-ability with
wide trails, tree shaded sidewalks on both sides of the streets and on mixed land use with
destinations such as stores, schools, theaters, open space, and offices near home.
San Jose has three interurban trails in desperate need of attention. Interurban trails using a
former Union Pacific Rail Road bed; “Los Gatos Creek Trail”, ” The Guadalupe River
Trail" and the Willow Glen Spur Trail/Three Creeks Trail" need to be completed and the
Three Creeks Trail needs to be rescued with attention of our Mayor and City Council.
These three trails connect "Downtown San Jose" with close-by urban neighborhoods, and
provide an alternate form of transportation between Happy Hollow Park while passing
through Districts six, seven, and three. As San Jose continues to densify and urbanize,
this alternate form of transportation will be badly needed.
WGNA realizes the UPRR has a right to sell this trail property, but we also look to our
City and the Planning Department to protect the General Plan and preserve designated
Trails within the General Plan. The RR has the opportunity to sell the property; the City
has the opportunity to protect the General Plan.
In an appeal filed by Save Our Trails attorney, Bruce Tichinin, (Appeal Of Permit For
Stucco Supply Company) notes an appellate court case,("Fonseca v. City of Gilroy"
(2007) 148 Cal.App4th 1174,1182'') Inconsistent With The General Plan, "Local land use
decisions must be consistent with the General Plan". The project violates the provision of
the General Plan requiring a 30ft. Trail corridor across the site.
Locally, practices that contribute to sustainability are reducing energy, protecting the land
from this type development. Good examples of sustainability indicators include, trail
development, bike trails, transit ridership, people living within a ten-minute walk of a
park.
Rather than allowing developer-initiated piecemeal development, our local
government should take charge of the planning process. General Plans should designate
where new growth, infill or redevelopment will be allowed to occur. Please protect our
trail system. It is a good plan.
Making the City of San Jose more bike/pedestrian friendly is really what’s bringing our
Downtown and City along the Trail near the Stucco Supply back to life. Trails enhance
the goals of the Good Neighbor policy and help San Jose become a "World Class City".
Conclusion:
WGNA urges the Mayor, Council, Planning Department and Planning Commission to
support the Save Our Trails appeal and protect the General Plan trails network vision.
Richard Zappelli
Chair Planning and Land Use Committee
Board Secretary
Willow Glen Neighborhood Association
cc: Honorable Mayor
Councilmember Madison Nguyen
Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio
Joseph Horwedel, Director PBCE
Albert Balagso, Director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
Matt Cano and (Division Manager)
Yves Zsutty (Trails Director)
James R. Helmer, Director of Transportation
John Brazil, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, San Jose DOT
Taisia McMahon, Acting Chair, Save Our Trails
Office of the City Clerk, San Jose, CA cityclerk@sanjoseca.gov
Meri Maben, District Director for Congressman Michael Honda- 15th District
California State Assembly member Jim Beall
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager