What about the neighborhoods?
Has anyone thought about the traffic impact a theater would have on the surrounding neighborhoods?
We live on Orange Avenue and already face quite a bit of “short cut” traffic (people exiting off of El Monte onto University at well over the speed limit to avoid the light at Foothill and El Monte) just to reach downtown a few seconds faster. Our neighborhood is full of children and there are a lot of residents that feel uneasy about the traffic situation already.
We currently have no stop signs on University, Orange, Palm, etc and the corners at Lee, Washington, etc. are all “yield” corners – which most residents do, but people that are in a hurry do not. If, as one of your readers suggested in a recent letter to the editor, “People would come in swarms, not only from Los Altos but neighboring cities” where are all those people going to park,” probably in our neighborhood at the existing church(es) parking spots where they can conveniently walk across Foothill to the theaters and avoid having to look for parking downtown.
Even with a parking structure provided, convenience is always the first choice. So instead of our quiet neighborhood, we will be putting up with traffic and possibly unsafe conditions.
The responsible thing to do before a theater is considered is to take a survey of the residents in the neighborhoods this will affect, do a thorough traffic study and get ready to add several stop signs in our neighborhood to protect our children from the people who are “running late for their movie.”
Mary HermansenLos Altos
LAH moving to high density
With the first reading and passing of a new ordinance at the Council meeting of March 15 concerning all lots in Los Altos Hills, the town is moving from low density to high density. This legislation originally only addressed the constrained lots and now includes all lots.
An analysis of the impact of the new formulas shows that any semblance of decreasing development lot coverage as the percent of slope increases has been eliminated. The numbers increase by 50 percent for development area on lots with a slope of just over 10 percent, to double on lots at 20 percent to 30 percent, and to triple on lots over 30 percent slope.
This increase in development will have a dramatic effect on visual impact. The increased runoff will lead to more erosion and mudslides and our natural drainage channels will be subject to flooding our neighbors’ downstream and the surrounding communities will certainly be impacted. Since no Environmental Impact Report has been required, no neighbors or communities have been notified as to what the potential effects will be.
The rationale has been put forth that we have safeguards, grading restrictions, retaining wall restrictions, etc., that will prevent these numbers to be used.
However, it has been the experience of the town that once you set development and floor area figures, the development will follow. The restrictions will be relaxed or changed as residents insist on using the full amount allowed.
There are some inequities in the current development numbers and some adjustment is probably necessary. The Planning Commission, after a thorough study, recommended some changes which were ignored.
Do we want to be perceived as an environmentally sensitive community and good neighbor or as a crass money spender?
Dot SchreinerLos Altos Hills
Grant Park not a dog park
As a resident of south Los Altos, I like to take frequent walks with my small dog. We often take a route that leads through Grant Park. For some reason, many dog owners feel free to ignore the signs posted at the entrance stating that dogs must be on a leash at all times. They often meet in groups to let their dogs run free. While I understand their desire for such a dog park atmosphere, this is not the intended purpose of Grant Park. It is a multipurpose park and everyone should feel they can safely use it without being accosted by dogs.
Many times, I start into the park (with my dog on a leash) only to be forced to turn around because so many large dogs are running free. I invariably have to pick up my dog and fend off the other dogs. The owners are rarely effective at calling them back nor do they care when I mention the leash law. While the dogs are probably friendly and just curious, I am never sure what will happen and my small dog is always terrified.
In light of the recent fatal dog attack in San Francisco, I would think that people would be more careful and aware of their responsibilities to keep their dogs on a leash and under control at all times.
To the dog owners: Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale is a legitimate dog park where dogs can run freely. Why not take your dogs there when they need to run and play? If you do use Grant Park, won’t you please keep your dogs on a leash so I can enjoy the park, too?
Carol StillwayLos Altos
Ashamed over N.I.M.B.Y.-ism
I feel I must respond to the article about neighborhood resistance to the proposed low-income housing on Fremont Avenue. The whole thing reeks of N.I.M.B.Y.-ism. the neighbors are “not opposed to low-income housing,” only if it’s nowhere near their property.
This town has such a serious shortage of affordable housing that working people (like teachers) literally are leaving the area because they can’t find a decent place to live. Would the neighbors to this proposed project please try to put themselves in these teachers’ (or police officers’, social workers’, nurses’) shoes and consider that they may be decent, hard-working, clean people and not merely a threat to their property values?
I understand the objection to the size of the project, which can certainly be modified to better fit into the surroundings, but I can’t help thinking that there is more to it, and if that is the case, I am ashamed of my fellow Los Altans.
Katharine LangLos Altos
