Don’t you just love streaming on the Internet – now you can watch the Santa Clara City Council via the web – awesome idea.  Very Cool – saves having to go to city hall!

Seems like the city council heard the citizens last night and their concern about the issues that surrounded the proposed building on the old Wheels and Deals site.  Congratulations to all the city council, it seemed that none of them in one way or an other were inspired to support the proposed development.  The city council recommended that the developer go back to planning and reconsider the plan – especially the back where it shaded the homes behind the complex and the related creek.

The cynical side of me just can’t help but question some of the reasons behind the decision but for the purpose of this exercise I will refrain from making comments.

It does occur to me that why the city didn’t send back the Marina Playa project when there were questions regarding how the traffic would enter and exit that site.  I guess it was nothing compared to the big picture of having Marina Playa there on Lawrence Express Way.

Now that the city has set a precident let’s see if they can be consistent.  Let’s hope that they continue to listen to neighbors and hear there concerns about high density.  Maybe they are starting to think twice about the plannin departments dream to fill the empty space with high rise condos.  (By the way – I love Mr Riley talkin about the four story complex on Wheels and Deals – and then the architect admiting it’s actually 5 story)  How is that?  Such discrepencies should not exsist in planning – might forget to build a floor! oops

Anyway victory to the residents around Wheels and Deals -  and Victory to the City Council for taking a stand against developers who don’t consider residents, but don’t feel that because a developer doesn’t sit down with you for an hour that they took the residents concerns into consideration.  Or because a developer offers to run a bike path or a creek conversion beside the new complex it doesn’t mean it’s truly something the community wants.  I couldn’t think of anything worse – I’d rather a complex that offers a descent cuppa coffee and a newspaper or some WIFI so I can watch our fine council members finally taking a stand against developers who stomp on residents - hope it lasts at least till the Fairfield Residential discussion.

The sad part out of all of this was that here was a great chance to clean up El Camino – something Mr Moore pointed out.  Oh well hopefully Mr Moore will do something about this as he continues to be in office after the next election.  Good maybe there is hope  …. I just hope it’s not more big time developers vs little guys who haven’t got the right PR system behind them.   Tip to the Wheels and Deals developer – employee a PR person – they will help you in smoothing the way – and never read a magazine while sitting in Council Chambers – not a good idea.  (Good pick up Mrs Mahan)

 

©Letters From Silicon Valley 2008