The San Jose Planning Commission will take up the issue of building 14 homes on Fleming Ave. on Wednesday, May 24th, at San Jose City Hall. This is the third planning commission meeting on the subject since January. In the two previous meetings, commissioners sent the developer back to the drawing board to resolve several issues. Dozens of Fleming neighbors have attended the meetings, and we have been the single biggest group at both the meetings we have attended. Let's keep the heat on! To read the Planning Staff's recommendation, please click on http://www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/hearings/2006-05-24/PDC05-061andC05-079SupplementalPCmemo3.pdf
Developer Braddock and Logan will present 2 plans to the Planning Commission, one with 14 homes and a 0.35-acre pocket park, and the other with just 14 homes on slightly larger lots. Planning staff will make a recommendation to support the plan with only 14 homes and no public green space.
The bottom line is that we could have a development similar to the one under construction at Alum Rock and Fleming (next to the Jordan School) on Fleming Avenue. These plans offer no street improvements to our neighborhood.
Can Fleming Avenue handle the additional traffic?
While the plans offer no street improvements, Councilmember Campos indicated that having a pocket park on Fleming Avenue would greatly increase the chances of putting traffic calming measures in place. Possible measures include more stop signs, crosswalks and lowering the speed limit. Nonetheless, a new and dangerous intersection will still be in place if this plan moves forward.
Is having a public green space a compromise that we can live with?
The green space would provide a much needed buffer between the street and big homes. If approved, the walk-in park would take the place of four residential lots located closest to Fleming Avenue. We, the neighbors, would have a major say as to what we would and would not like to see there. It would be maintained by the City and close before dusk.
In your opinion, is one of these alternatives acceptable to our neighborhood? If these plans are unacceptable, what is an acceptable alternative?
Ask yourself, "What can I live with?" "What is in the best interest of my neighborhood?" This is where opinions will vary, but all need to be heard, so a win-win solution can be reached.
These are the issues we must speak to at the Planning Commission meeting tomorrow.
Our item is placed mid-way on the agenda. If you choose to speak, you need to fill out a speaker's card and give it to the tech on the floor. You will be allowed 2 minutes to make your point.
If you need a ride, please respond to this email. To make comments, please use the space below.
Hope to see you there!
1 comment:
Please, NO stop sign at Fleming and Neves. The intersection isn't that busy.
For those of us who live on this street, the noise generated by the stop sign at Mahony is bad enough. The street seems to be a magnet for loud cars, trucks and (worst of all) a particular brand of motorcycle, sans muffler.
A little enforcement would do wonders.
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