GRASS FIRE MAKES FLEMING NEIGHBORS NERVOUS

A small grass fire on steep hillsides behind several large homes jangled nerves and raised the concerns of Fleming area neighbors. The fire was touched off at about 2:00 Thursday afternoon behind several homes near Mahoney and Country Tree Lane. A quick response by San Jose Firefighters averted a disaster. The grasses have been unusually tall this spring, due to the heavy winter rains this year. Firefighters say this should serve as a reminder that the threat of fires in our area will be high this year, and hillside homeowners should cut grass and provide a defensible space between the wildlands, their residences and their neighbors. CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED!

SJ PLANNING COMMISSION STUCK IN NEUTRAL

In a stunning and unusual move, the San Jose Planning Commission refused to take a position on Braddock and Logan's proposals to build 14 homes on Fleming Avenue. The commission could neither support the plan, or kill it outright, so they left it up to the City Council to decide what is in the best interest of the neighborhood. Both plans--one which includes 14 homes and a 1/3-acre pocket park and the other with just 14 homes on slightly larger lots--will be headed to City Council on June 13th for a final decision.

After hearing testimony from the developer, property owners and concerned neighbors, the Commissioners were split. "I'm really, really concerned (about these plans)," voiced Zito. "In a perfect world, the infrastructure would be in place first," he continued." Commissioner Campos agreed and added, "The question is when will it go in?"

Several neighbors applauded the developer and sellers for their ongoing negotiations, but refused to back down from their main position that 14 homes is still too many on the exhausted county road. Citing a dangerous intersection, increased traffic and inadequate road conditions, speaker after speaker urged the Commission to reject the proposals. The speakers were calm, but adamant while building their case, showing color photos of the regular 1/4-mile morning back up, a diagram of the narrow street and 9 crashes that have occurred within yards of the proposed new intersection.

"What is the plan to fix Fleming?" asked a baffled Zito to planning staff. The staff could only point to an ongoing study by the Department of Transportation that is not complete, blaming the delay on the multi-jurisdictions that oversee Fleming Avenue.

After the lengthy public comment and discussion from Commissioners, Levy made a motion to accept the recommendation from planning staff to allow 14 homes without the park to be built. It took three pleas from Chair Dhillon to hear a second, finally Zito made the second "for the sake of proceeding," he said. Commissioners Levy, Dhillon and Pham voted yes, while Campos and Zito voted against the motion.

The matter will be heard by the City Council on June 13th.

PLANNING COMMISSION TAKES UP FLEMING ISSUE

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!

PLANNING DEPARTMENT SAYS "NO" TO GREEN SPACE; CAMPOS SAYS "YES!"

About 40 Fleming neighbors gathered last night to hear a tag-team presentation from Carol Hamilton of the City's Planning Department and Jim Sullivan of Braddock and Logan. "We're not here to discuss whether this property will be developed, but how it should be developed and what the design will be," Hamilton said.

Sullivan presented two plans to build 14 homes on the 2.66 acres lot at 143 Fleming Avenue. One design included a nearly 1/2 acre green space, while the other has larger lots and no public green space. Hamilton stated the City Planning Department will recommend the plan with no park for approval. According to Hamilton, maintaining a pocket park of less than one acre would be "too inefficient" since there are limited resources.

However, in a meeting at City Hall with 5 neighbors earlier in the day, Councilmember Nora Campos said she could support the park plan. She also said if a majority of neighbors were to support the park plan, she would be willing to commit funds for park maintenance for a minimum of two years. Perhaps most importantly, she said having a park would greatly increase the possibilties of creating more traffic calming measures on Fleming Avenue. "This is the kind of creative solution that I know about because of my 10 years experience...They will ask me, 'Is this a route to a park?' and I can say, YES!" Some traffic calming possibilities discussed during the meeting with Campos included crosswalks, flashing lights, lowering the speed limit, and electronic speed monitoring signs.

Also in the works is a comprehensive traffic study by the City Department of Transportation to analyze road conditions, jurisdictions, and traffic flow along Fleming Avenue. The study analysis will be complete in 2 to 3 weeks, according to Campos.

Neighbors were split regarding the future of the lot. Some were in favor of the park, while others thought the green space would attract an unsavory element to our neighborhood. However, one thing remains constant: neighbors are all too aware of the traffic and safety dangers along Fleming Avenue. All agreed that adding more and more developments would only make a bad situation worse.

The San Jose Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the two proposals next Wednesday, May 24th at 6:30pm at San Jose City Hall. They will make their recommendation to the City Council which will have the final say on June 13th.

You can view the proposal on the planning department's website:

Go to www.sanjoseca.gov/planning and click on hearings and meetings. Then click on the Planning Commission Agenda for May 24th (item PDC05-061) .

Please plan on attending the meeting next Wednesday. In the past, a large neighbor turn-out has resulted in two delays and a reduction in the number of homes. We can make a difference!

MEETING REMINDER!

Here is your opportunity to voice your opinion about the two new proposals Developer Braddock and Logan has submitted to the City. Each plan is designed to bring 14 new homes to our neighborhood on the lot of the current church at 143 Fleming Avenue. However, one plan includes a 1/3 to 1/2 acre "pocket park," while the other does not. Please plan on attending the neighborhood meeting on Thursday, May 18th, at 6:30pm at The Lord's Baptist Church.

WHAT IS A POCKET PARK?

There has been a lot of discussion about attaching a possible pocket park to the proposed 14 home development on Fleming Ave. Here is an example of a new pocket park that just opened on William Street in downtown. O'Donnell's Gardens Park is 1/2 an acre, which is the approximate size of what has been discussed for Fleming, although the Fleming proposal may shrink to 1/3rd of an acre to accommodate larger setbacks on the proposed homes. The park is located at 6th and William near San Jose State University.


Neighbors on William Street fought eight years to get this. At this point, we have not been promised anything, and the discussion about whether there will be a green space attatched to the development remains up in the air. Several neighbors have some very justified concerns about attracting an unsavory element to the neighborhood. Others say it would be an asset and provide a buffer for the 14 home development. More photos to come.

BIG NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING PLANNED!

In response to strong neighborhood concerns about the development on the Lord's Baptist Church, the developer, Braddock and Logan and the San Jose Planning Department are reaching out to our community. They have scheduled a meeting at the Church itself to go over issues such as housing density, the status of the pocket park, traffic studies, etc. Let's have another strong showing, to send the message that we care about our neighborhood, and want what's best for the area over the long term. PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING!

Neighborhood Meeting with Braddock and Logan
Thursday, May 18th, 6:30pm
The Lord's (Korean) Baptist Church
Purpose: to see the revised plans Braddock and Logan intends to present at the NEXT Planning Commission meeting (see below).


Planning Commission Meeting
Wednesday, May 24, 6:30pm
San Jose City Hall

By the way, this is the ONE YEAR anniversary of my PARKED SUV being rear-ended and totaled by an unattentive driver on Fleming Ave. It was an event that proved to me our once friendly country road was changing for the worse.

OPEN LETTER TO SAN JOSE PLANNING COMMISSION

This letter was sent by Julie Ramirez to the San Jose Planning Commissioners and sums of our feelings and the feelings many neighbors share about the impact this and other recent projects have had in our area.

Dear Commissioners:

Thank you for delaying the development proposal by Braddock and Logan to add 14 homes on a 2.66 acre lot on Fleming Avenue. The lack of a site plan and memo from the Fire Department clearly made this proposal incomplete. Additionally, the last minute change of a possible addition of a park added to the confusion. The delay will allow the Planning Department and neighbors to review the revised plan more carefully.

As you can tell by our overwhelming presence and demand for due process, we feel that 14 homes is still too many. Even though not everyone spoke, 25 people waited until 10:30 pm to witness this hearing. That's significant. We had the same number the last time. Our committment and unity speaks to the significant impact and unbearable conditions this project would have on our communtiy.

I am deeply concerned about the perception that Mr. Levy expressed that 14 homes would not have a significant impact on the traffic issues Fleming residents currently experience. Mr. Levy, I would invite you and your fellow commissioners to witness the conditions first hand, especially during the morning and evening commute hours, before coming to those conclusions.

As many neighbors have expressed, Fleming Avenue is truly a unique stretch of county road that buffers city and state jurisdiction. City traffic and density standards should not be imposed on a county road that lacks the infrastructure to support more and more development. Developers seem to fly under the radar by building so-called "small" projects that would have "no significant impact" according to city standards. But it is like mixing apples and oranges! The cumulative effect of these small projects is that we end up with a bigger mess than already exists.

In a effort to mitigate traffic and safety concerns, 2 studies have been launched.
(1) The planning department has agreed to work with Cal-Trans to look at the timing of the traffic light at the intersection of Fleming Avenue and Alum Rock during its peak hours. However, in the course of more than 3 months since the initial deferral, nothing has been done.

Regardless of the outcome of this study, if it ever takes place, I don't believe that the timing change will provide much relief. In fact, it may encourage even more traffic to come our way as opposed to using adjacent neighborhood streets as many commuters currently do to avoid the light.

(2) Secondly, after meeting with concerned neighbors regarding safety, City Councilmember Nora Campos commissioned a traffic study to map out the various jurisdictions, widths, conditions and traffic flow on Fleming Avenue. This data could directly support what neighbors have been saying all along.

The reality is that there are simply too many homes and cars in this neighborhood and our street is maxed-out! It's wide is some spots, narrow in others, side walks sprinked here and there, a paved shoulder here and weeds and dirt there. It is a patchwork of unsightly and dangerous conditions for 2 1/2 miles.

Adding more homes, even a few at a time, has a detrimental affect on the safety of our families.

When considering this development and city annexation, exceptionally careful scrutiny is warranted. The conditions and circumstances of our neighborhoond does not neatly fit into the formulas and standards the city has established to monitor growth. Fleming Avenue is unique--with its mixed jurisdictions and dangerous conditions--and should be treated as such.

Frankly, I believe a moritorium should be placed on all new developments along Fleming Avenue. The communication between county, city and state is clearly non-existent. And until there is a safe system in place, you should say no to this development and ones similar to it. Residents should not be forced to sacrifice their safety and integrity of their neighborhood for the sake of new homes.

For more details, including video clips, meeting recaps and comments, please visit our blog.
https://webmail.cbs.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.eastfoothills.blogspot.com/

Sincerely,
Julie Ramirez
158 Fleming Avenue

DEVELOPER'S PLAN CAUSES CONFUSION AND DELAY

Citing the absence of a specific and updated site plan, and a lack of a Fire Department variance, San Jose planning commissioners sent developer Braddock and Logan back to the drawing board on the Fleming Avenue project, a move the developer admitted could doom the project. At least 25 Fleming and Clareview neighbors sat through the marathon meeting Wednesday night at San Jose City Hall which ended near 11pm. "I don't know what we're reviewing" said a frustrated Deputy City Attorney, "What proposal are we considering?" The confusion stemmed from a series of last minute changes and additions proposed by Jim Sullivan of Braddock and Logan. After tough negotiations with the property owner and the office of City Councilmember Nora Campos, Sullivan agreed to reduce the number of homes from 18 to 14 and include a small 1/2 to 1/3rd acre "pocket park" to add open space where four homes would have been located. But the developer did not produce specific enough plans for the city planning department to review and what was submitted was so last-minute, it did not give anyone, neighbors or the planning staff, time to analyze it before the meeting. Then, in response to concerns raised by commission member Zito about home setbacks (separations), Sullivan appeared to reverse course and unfortunately, take the park proposal off the table. Neighbors stated they would accept a smaller park to allow for more setbacks. Further damaging the developer's efforts, other members noted the developer came to the meeting without a variance from the Fire Department to address safety issues which would have been needed to move forward. The developer said he could obtain a variance soon, but the planning commission said it could not approve such an incomplete proposal and they reluctantly deferred the matter until it's May 24th meeting. But Sullivan said that long of a deferral would likely make the deal with the Korean Baptist Church financially unfeasible for his company.

PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT: PLEASE ATTEND!

The San Jose Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on our issue tonight at 6:30pm at San Jose City Hall in downtown San Jose. The meeting takes place in the city council chambers, located on the west side of the rotunda. Free parking with validation is available in the garage underground which can be accessed from 4th street and 6th street.
The proposal has been reduced from 18 to 14 homes with a 1/2 acre pocket park to be jointly developed by Braddock and Logan and the City. This proposal is a significant improvement for the neighborhood, and many thanks should go to all who helped shape it. But it doesn't end there.
While the number of homes has been mathematically reduced, the original plans for the remaining homes remain in place. The city has proposed asking for a variance in the fire code to allow for the smaller than standard turnaround bulb at the end of the proposed cul de sac. The lessons from the Santana Row fire(where several variances contributed to the magnitude and scope of the destruction) are that you cannot compromise on fire safety. This development is going into a semi-rural area with grassy hillsides and homes directly across the street. A fire in any one of the homes could set the others on fire due to their height and proximity to one another.
We feel that a further reduction of at least one more home is needed for several reasons. That would allow for increased setbacks between the proposed homes. Wider setbacks would solve several problems at once:
-it would increase fire safety, allowing the developer to widen the cul-de-sac.
-it would increase fire safety by allowing more defensible space between the homes.
-it would allow wider driveways and solve parking issues.
-it would allow the development to visually blend into the existing neighborhood, where average setbacks are much wider.

Meantime, traffic continues to be an issue that needs to be solved on Fleming. Below is a video taken just this morning showing a traffic jam that grew to 1/4 mile on Fleming at Alum Rock.
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:67389

UPDATE:POCKET PARK NOW IN THE PLANS

Plans to develop homes on the lot of The Lord's Baptist Church on Fleming Avenue now include a 1/2 acre pocket park, according to officials in the office of City Councilmember Nora Campos.
During negotiations with Developer Braddock and Logan, Campos was able to reduce the number of proposed homes from 18 to 14 AND include a 1/2 acre "pocket park" according to her policy aide Todd Rufo. Rufo also said the park would front Fleming Avenue in the spaces previously designated as lots 1 through 4 (CLICK ON ABOVE PHOTO FOR DETAIL). Details on the park's design would still need to be worked out, after input from neighbors.
Keep checking this space for more details and plan on attending a Planning Commission meeting this Wednesday, April 26th, at 6:30 pm at San Jose City Hall.
Please post comments regarding these developments so we can relay them to the Developer and Councilmember Campos.

DEVELOPER DOWNSIZES PLAN: 14 HOMES PROPOSED

Developer Braddock and Logan is submitting new plans for the proposed Fleming Avenue project, downsizing the number of homes from 18 to 14, but the plans do not include a "pocket-park" as requested by neighbors. This revision comes just days before the plans are scheduled to go to the San Jose Planning Commission on Wednesday, April 26th, 2006. While this revision is a step in the right direction, it falls short of the 8 to 10 home plan that neighbors have repeatedly requested based on density, traffic and safety issues on Fleming Avenue. Below you will find the SJ Planning Department memo that recommends approval of this plan. Please read it and comment in the space provided on this blog: ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THIS REVISED PLAN? LEAVE COMMENTS ON THE BLOG! AND LASTLY, PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, AT 6:30pm AT SAN JOSE CITY HALL!
SUPPLEMENTAL MEMO
SUBJECT: PDC05-061/C05-079, PREZONING FROM UNINCORPORATED COUNTY TO A (PD) PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT AND R-1-5 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT ON A 2.93 GROSS ACRE SITE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FLEMING AVENUE, APPROXIMATELY 1,032 FEET SOUTHEAST OF ALUM ROCK AVENUE.

BACKGROUND
This item was heard by the Planning Commission on January 11, 2006. After receiving public testimony, the Planning Commission deferred the proposal to April 12, 2006 to allow the developer to address community concerns regarding density and traffic issues and to address the Commission’s concerns regarding fire access. In response to the applicant’s request for additional time to negotiate with the property owner, the item was deferred to April 26, 2006.
In response to neighborhood concerns regarding density, the applicant is now proposing to reduce the number of allowed units from 18 to 14. Staff has prepared revised Draft Development Standards that reflect the current proposal (see attached). The Fire Department has indicated that fire access issues can be resolved either through a revised cul-de-sac/hammerhead design or via a Fire Variance. Planning and Public Works staff believe that the expanded cul-de-sac/hammerhead options are unacceptable and have recommended that the applicant pursue the Fire Variance option.
At the January 11th public hearing, residents of the area expressed concern regarding the vehicle back-up that occurs on Fleming Avenue during the morning commute due to cars seeking to turn left onto Alum Rock Avenue. Public Works staff indicated that it might be possible to improve the situation by adjusting the signal timing to allocate greater green time to the left-turn movement and agreed to initiate discussions with Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over Alum Rock Avenue. Public Works staff have indicated that they have not yet been successful in obtaining a response from Caltrans on this issue, but that they will continue to pursue the matter.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council approve the proposed prezoning to R-1-5 Single-Family Residence District on the 0.23 acre site as originally recommended, and approve the prezoning on the 2.7 gross acre site to A(PD) with a maximum of 14 units, as indicated in the attached revised Draft Development Standards.



JOSEPH HORWEDEL, ACTING DIRECTOR
Planning, Building and Code Enforcement


cc: Sue Dillion
Braddock and Logan
1700 The Alameda, #210
San Jose, CA 95126
Attachments
Revised Draft Development Standards for PDC05-061
Original Staff Report
Location Maps
Land Use Plan for PDC05-061

PUBLIC MEETING RESCHEDULED...AGAIN!

A San Jose Planning Commission meeting has been scheduled for April 26th, 2006 at 6:30pm at City Hall to discuss the future of the Fleming development on the site of the Lord's Baptist Church.

Please disregard a notice that was recently mailed out to Fleming area neighbors about a planning commission meeting on April 12th. San Jose planning officials tell us that the reason for the reschedule is that the developer, Braddock and Logan, requested a delay. The company is still in negotiations with the property owners to lower the purchase price, thereby allowing fewer homes to be built on the property. The developer is proposing to demolish the church and build 18 single family homes on the 2.6 acre site with a cul-de-sac in the middle. Neighbors have been fighting the development plans due to crowding, traffic and safety concerns on Fleming Ave.

These negotiations have been on-going for the last three months, ever since the last planning commission meeting in January. At that meeting, a big turnout and a strong showing of opposition from our neighbors prompted the planning commission to take the project off the fast track.

So far, the powers that be have listened to us because our opposition to these plans has been strong and organized. We must continue to keep up that spirit. This will be a long process, and there could be more delays. Keep checking this site for future updates!

UPDATE FROM COUNCILMEMBER NORA CAMPOS

Many Fleming area neighbors have been asking about the status of the Korean Baptist Church project. Thanks for your continued concern! We asked for and received the following update from our councilmember Nora Campos:

In January, the proposed project at the Lord's Baptist Church was deferred for 90-days to allow the developer to address concerns raised by the community and the Planning Commission. Later that month, I met with representatives from the community to discuss their concerns with the project. I presented these concerns to the developer and property owners and asked that they work to address the issues raised by the community. Since that time, the developer has been in conversations with the current property owner to try and reduce the number of proposed units. If an agreement is reached, any revised plan would come back to the Planning Commission for public comment and review. If you have any questions, comments or additional concerns regarding this project, please feel free to contact Todd Rufo of my staff at todd.rufo@sanjoseca.gov or 408-535-4948. As reference, agendas for the Planning Commission are available online at: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/hearings/

As an update on our work on Fleming Avenue, I have asked City Staff to study traffic flow and vehicle/pedestrian safety on Fleming Avenue from Alum Rock to Morrie Drive. This includes an analysis of the concerns and recommendations raised in my meeting with the community. Specific areas for review include traffic speeds, vehicle counts, analysis of stop signs / crosswalks, mapping city / county jurisdictions, and evaluating narrow points along Fleming Avenue. Because several sections of Fleming are in the County, City Staff is working with County Staff on similar data in the County sections. This study is an important first step to improving traffic flow and safety on Fleming Avenue. While I will keep you posted as we move forward, if you have any additional questions, again please feel free to contact Todd Rufo in my office.

Councilmember Nora Campos

IN OTHER NEWS: BIG FLEMING FIRE!

For DRAMATIC video clips of this fire click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRJkjgHzKhw

San Jose Fire Department crews rushed to the scene of a house fire on Fleming Avenue tonight. When fire crews arrived, smoke was rising out of the two-story house at 101 Fleming Ave. Several trucks and fire apparatus blocked off Fleming to fight the blaze. Firefighters used ladders to get to the roof of the home to vent the flames, while others ventured inside the burning home to look for possible victims. Flames and burning debris could be seen dropping around firefighters as they struggled to get the fire under control. This was the second fire on this property in the last few months. The property recently sold and the lot is on the books for a possible subdivision of three homes. Unfortunately, the fire struck at about 6:00 pm, and many Fleming area neighbors were just arriving home, only to find the road blocked off. Traffic was detoured for about two hours after the blaze. The cause of the fire was traced to electrical wiring on the second floor of the home. No one was injured, but three residents were displaced, according to San Jose Fire Department spokesman Alberto Olmos.


WATCH VIDEO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRJkjgHzKhw

UPDATE: MEETING WITH CITY COUNCILMEMBER NORA CAMPOS

The meeting with Nora Campos went well. She promised to "work with us" and take our recommendations to a meeting she has with the seller and developer next week. She said a "pocket park" could make sense on this lot. Essentially that means the developer would design and build a green area with equipment to meet the neighbors' desires, and the city would maintain it. We recommended no more than 8 homes and various remedies to decrease speed and increase safety:

-reducing the speed limit on Fleming Avenue from 35 to 30 mph
-adding electronic speed monitoring signs, such as those recently installed on Kirk
-adding more speed enforcement
-improving city/county/neighborhood communication and outreach on proposed developments

We hope to learn more after this meeting between the seller, buyer and Nora. So far we haven't heard if either side is willing to compromise.

After our neighborhood and Planning Commission meetings, it has become clear that Fleming needs some added attention. It is now getting that attention.

Thanks to Nora and her assisant Todd Rufo for their concern and helping us work through this issue. And thanks to all the neighbors who's attention and action have fueled this effort. A special thanks to Tony Alexander and Mrs. Priccolo for attending the meeting with us. We need to keep up the pressure to get what our neighborhood needs!

PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN CONCERNS/SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS AREA OF THIS POSTING BELOW!

FLEMING NEIGHBORS AN OVERWHELMING FORCE:PROJECT DELAYED FOR 90 DAYS!

Citing an "unbearable" traffic situation on Fleming Avenue, as well as potentially dangerous fire protection issues, the San Jose Planning Commission put the Fleming development proposal on hold for 90 days to give our neighborhood and the developer time to come up with a lower density plan.
At least 30 Fleming area neighbors came to City Hall, held signs and spoke to the planning commission with passionate but thoughtful arguments against the proposal to build 18 homes on a 2 1/2 acre lot now occupied by The Lord's Baptist Church.
Neighbors brought up traffic and pedestrian safety issues, the number of recent car crashes, the cumulative effect of several recent home developments in the area, as well as appealing to the commissioner's sense of doing what's right, not just what may be legally allowed by city codes.
Noting photos showing a 1/4 mile long morning traffic jam, Commission Member Xavier Campos disputed a San Jose Planning Department staff report saying that Fleming has a relatively minor "C" traffic condition. "The reality is, there is an "F" condition on Fleming," he said.
But the one issue that seemed to doom the plan, at least for the short term, is the fact that the San Jose Fire Department recommended against the proposal, due to inadequate space for fire trucks to operate in the proposed cul-de-sac. The fire department's memo against the project was buried in the pages of a 6 month old staff report, but brought to light by Julie Ramirez who studied the document diligently in the weeks prior to the meeting.
"I can't imagine this committee approving this project with the comments made by the fire department" said Commission Member Jay James. "Without the Fire Department's approval, it is not a complete project," he added.
According to developer Jim Sullivan, there are at least two possible next steps for Braddock and Logan: negotiating with the property owner to lower the selling price enabling a lower density project to move forward, or walking away from the deal. Sullivan noted that the 90 day delay crushes the land owner's desire to close escrow by February 1st.
There will most likely be another meeting with neighbors, the developer, the property owner and City Councilmember Nora Campos to decide how to proceed from here.
But one thing is certain, the commission's action to delay this proposal was a stunning setback for the developer, and an incremental victory for the neighborhood.

ATTEND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY

Please plan to attend the San Jose Planning Commission meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, January 11th, at 6:30 pm in the City Council chambers at the NEW San Jose City Hall. This is a crucial meeting for us, since the planning commission is the body that will recommend action to the San Jose City Council. We need to turn out in force and make our case in a compelling, fact-based manner.
The facts ARE on our side:
--This plan is too dense for our neighborhood
--This plan is dangerous because it creates a new hazard at an intersection that has been the scene several car crashes in 2005 (see list of car crashes and photos below)
--This plan would worsen traffic on a street never designed to carry the traffic it has now
--This plan is one of 5 high-density projects from the same developer Braddock and Logan w/in a 1 mile radius. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

We need to let the city know that we can do better.
WHAT WOULD WORK?
Use this forum to post your own comments and ideas!
One idea that came out of our December 1st neighborhood meeting would be to allow up to 8 homes on the lot, with the developer building-in a small green open space for neighborhood kids to throw a ball or a small playground. Let's go for high quality, not high density!

The new City Hall is located at the intersection of E. Santa Clara and 4th Street in downtown San Jose. Parking is available in the underground parking garage.
ANYONE WHO NEEDS A RIDE OR WANTS TO CARPOOL/CARAVAN contact Julie at
julcoram@aol.com
SEE YOU THERE!!

SJ POLICE CAR CRASH AT FLEMING/MAHONEY

An on-duty San Jose Police Officer was involved in a serious injury accident on Fleming Avenue at Mahoney in our neighborhood. Preliminary information is that the officer -- a canine unit with a dog in the back seat -- was the victim of a high speed hit and run. The officer may have suffered a concussion from the impact which threw his car sideways at the Mahoney stop sign. The police dog apparently escaped injury. According to witnesses, the driver of the other car may have veered into the officer's lane and forced the police car off the road.
More details to follow.

CRASH AT LORD'S BAPTIST CHURCH IS 7TH ON FLEMING IN 2005

We were awakened by the sound of screeching tires and crunching steel on Fleming Avenue. It was another crash. This one happened at the driveway to The Lord's Baptist Church, at the exact spot where Braddock and Logan plan to put a new street to access the development of 18 homes. Fortunately, no one was injured. But the driver told me he was trying to pull out of the church parking lot to turn onto Fleming when he was struck by a fast-moving pickup. There were wet and foggy conditions at the time. This goes to show how dangerous Fleming has become with too much traffic and too much speed. It also demonstrates what we have been saying all along, that Fleming is too dangerous and too narrow with the traffic it has now, and to add to it at this critical spot, is insane. This is a reminder as to why we are fighting this development. Next time, could it be one of us?
UPDATE: CHP traffic records show this was the 7th vehicle collision on Fleming Avenue in 2005, and the 3rd collision of the year at the intersection of Fleming and Fleming Court!

Here is the list of crashes on Fleming in 2005:

May 1st at Fleming Ct. 2-car collision
June 15 at Altadena Rd. 2-car collision
July 18 at Fleming Ct. 3-car collision
Oct. 22 at East Hills Dr. 2-car collision
Oct. 30 at East Hills Dr. 2-car collision
Dec. 17 at McVay single carhit and run
Dec. 23 at Fleming Ct. 2-car collision

source: Officer Perea/CHP Public Affairs San Jose