September 15, 2005


Nancy Pyle addresses neighborhood concerns at AVCA meeting

Drug dealing, traffic, monster homes among complaints

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Almaden Valley Community Association (AVCA) members turned out Monday evening at Almaden Country School to voice their concerns to Councilmember Nancy Pyle.

Councilmember Nancy Pyle was the featured guest speaker of Monday night’s AVCA meeting.

Living up to their motto, “Informed Citizens Organized for Constructive Action,” AVCA members questioned Pyle on a variety of subjects affecting the Almaden community, from traffic to drug trafficking. Although Pyle didn’t always offer immediate solutions to their problems, she assured those present that she shared their concerns and would follow up on these issues.

Hurricane Katrina
The city of San Jose is partnering with the County of Santa Clara and the American Red Cross to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina by offering housing at San Jose State University, as well as community and government agency assistance. According to Pyle, transportation, job training, health, social services and educational agencies are prepared to offer assistance to those in need.

“There’s been a broad coalition of supporters who are doing whatever they can to help make it as comfortable a transition as possible,” said Pyle. “We have had residents volunteer their homes to evacuees and I’ve been so impressed with their generosity.”

San Jose has also sent fire department personnel to the Gulf Coast to assist with search and rescue efforts. “We sent 20 firefighters to New Orleans for a one-month tour of duty to help with relief there,” said firefighter and AVCA member Trent Engler. An Almaden resident, Engler, was also happy to answer questions regarding fire service and public safety. “I just want you to know that we provide emergency medical service and will try to get anywhere in the county in eight minutes,” he said. “If we don’t, we’ll be fined by the county.”

District 10 forums to focus on local issues
Beginning in October, Councilmember Nancy Pyle will host monthly public forums to address issues concerning local residents. On Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m., join her and the city of San Jose’s Planning Department at the Almaden Winery Neighborhood Center to discuss the developmental plan for the Coyote Valley.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, emergency preparation will be the focus of November’s forum. On the agenda is a discussion regarding a local evacuation plan in the event of Almaden Reservoir rupturing or the area being hit with a major earthquake. Emergency personnel will be on hand to lend their expertise and answer questions.

West Nile virus spraying
The neighborhood surrounding La Colina Park was recently sprayed to exterminate mosquitoes in the area infected with the West Nile virus. There have not been any negative effects due to the spraying reported. As a precaution, Pyle recommends that residents drain any stagnant water they may have in their yards, which might attract mosquitoes. “Soon all of this will abate, as the mosquitoes go into hibernation,” she said.

Upcoming events
Adding to the places to go and things to see list, the San Jose City Hall’s spectacular rotunda will be unveiled during its grand opening on Oct. 15 and the Almaden Art and Wine Festival will take place at Almaden Lake Park on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both events will include community and cultural performances and children’s activities. “I hope you’ll make it a point to attend,” said Pyle. “VIPs from the city will be there and it will be fun.” The Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park will open on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. “There are a lot of dogs chomping at bit to get into the Fontana Dog Park,” said Pyle.

Potential AVYSL soccer fields at IBM’s Harry Road site
Continuing a 10-year search, Pyle is holding meetings in conjunction with locating a site for the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League (AVYSL). “We’re speculating on a lot of venues,” she said. “You always have to have a plan A, B and C. You never know how things are going to work out.” At the meeting, AVCA members raised strong objections to locating the soccer fields at the IBM Harry Road site and questioned whether an agreement had already been reached with IBM.

AVCA President Lee Dimmitt appreciated Councilmember Nancy Pyle taking the time to hear residents concerns.

“Whenever I do anything that involves changing something in your neighborhood, there will be a definite, specific process in which you will be involved,” reassured Pyle. “You will have the opportunity to come to a meeting and give your opinions. This is not a done deal—just a speculation—and not the only one, but I am determined to get some fields for these kids. It’s been 10 years and we still don’t have fields.”

Shadow Brook II monster home issue
One couple that has lived in Almaden for decades shared their ire regarding a neighboring home that was recently remodeled and now blocks their view of the hills and infringes on their privacy.

“I wish we could do more to help,” said Pyle, “but our hands are tied. If someone has decided to remodel their home, that never comes to council. We get plans for new homes. If someone has submitted plans for a remodel to the Planning Department, they (or Public Works) bless or deny it.” Pyle suggested that the couple try to work with their neighbors. “However, if you think we need to look at the policy regarding monster homes, maybe that’s something we can look at,” she said. “Your CC&Rs do not necessarily govern building.”

Nearby drug dealers
About 10 concerned Winterset Drive residents petitioned Pyle’s office to assist them with drug-related concerns regarding a neighboring rental property.

“Each tenant has been worse than the last,” they said, reporting cars that come into the neighborhood at all hours staying for under five minutes, people leaving with small parcels and fights breaking out. The residents are frustrated at not seeing results after contacting police and the Santa Clara Housing Authority as well as the city attorney’s and Pyle’s office.

“How do we protect our street and neighborhood from people who may be dealing drugs?” they asked. “Is there a process to get assistance from your office? Is there any way we can prohibit a landlord from bringing in people with extremely low lifestyles that are repeatedly evicted … or force the landlord to hire somebody to do proper screening so we don’t have to keep putting up with this? We’re concerned about our kids and we are running out of answers.”

Pyle assured them of her assistance saying, “We need to work jointly to solve this problem, point you in the right direction, get the right people involved and get the word out.” The residents promised to attend every meeting until the issue is resolved.

Identity theft and crystal meth
One AVCA member was concerned about the connection between the methamphetamine epidemic and identity theft.

“With a cocktail you can get a buzz for an hour but with meth it goes on for days,” said the AVCA member. “They break into your house and steal your financial records. Identity theft is rampant. There was a home on Furlough that was a meth lab and the neighbors complained and complained and nothing happened. Finally, they were able to find proof of this due to a new system they have for looking at the septic flow for hot spots.” Pyle agreed that meth labs are a public hazard. “We absolutely cannot tolerate that,” she said.

“If people think that there is suspicious activity occurring in their neighborhood, we would like them to call 3-1-1,” advised San Jose Police Captain Jack Farmer in a phone interview. “If they see a crime in progress, like someone trying to break into a car or a house, they should call 9-1-1 right away. If they see a suspicious car in the neighborhood, they should call so we can get our officers out there.”

Evaluating the personal costs of development
Developing Coyote Valley and the resulting congestion was also a concern of AVCA members.

“You can’t add 50,000 people and 25,000 jobs without impacting everyone else here with additional traffic,” said one resident. “There are also plans for a lake at the intersection of Santa Teresa and Bailey, blocking the road. That’s not a good plan.”

Another resident complained, “City hall is costing every resident $500—you can go there and see what you’ve got for your $500. You have art that brings workers from outside the county and costs $10,000. I want to know when we can expect a representative from District 10 to have some sense about these things. You propose projects that are costing everyone $500 for this, $10,000 for that, and you can’t keep the libraries open. There’s something wrong with the whole set of priorities in the City of San Jose.”

Although Pyle said that she agreed with this contention, she couldn’t assist with areas like Coyote Valley that are outside her purview. “I do have some control over policy,” she said. “This is one of the reasons I want you to show up at the forums and make your feelings known.”

Almaden Expressway
Residents are also upset over the growing traffic on Almaden Expressway in Almaden and are looking for answers. “I don’t want to see Almaden Expressway become a six-lane freeway,” said Pyle. “We need to figure out some other ways to mitigate that traffic. We’ll make an appointment with the Department of Transportation and work with the county. We’re going to look into that and re-examine it, it’s overdue.”

Daniella Polar, community relations coordinator for Councilmember Nancy Pyle, wants to hear residents concerns.

Partnership with county
“I’m happy to tell you that [Santa Clara County Supervisor] Don Gage and I have formed an alliance,” said Pyle. “Yes, the city and county can work together. We’re going to be working on some things that aren’t right in New Almaden. Building goes on where the city and county aren’t working together, so consequently, things go in that could promote some health hazards and some safety hazards. It can’t be where you have the city over here, the county over there, and somebody else over there. We need to work together. We’re trying to do what we can so you’ll really get your dollars’ worth.”

Community partner
“I think it was really nice of Nancy to come out,” said AVCA President Lee Dimmitt. “Usually, our speakers don’t even bring out one-third of the people who came tonight. Some of the problems discussed would never have been known otherwise. The police should have already made some arrests regarding the drug dealings. I’m really concerned about that being in Almaden.”

Daniella Polar, community relations coordinator for Councilmember Nancy Pyle, assured those gathered that Pyle’s office wants to hear their questions and concerns. “I think it was a great opportunity for the community to let Nancy know what is important to them,” said Polar. “I think she’s a genuine person who tries to help wherever she can, making her best effort. If your question hasn’t been answered today, we urge you to write in,” she said. “We respond to every e-mail.”

“We’d like to hear your concerns so we know we’re on the right path,” agreed Pyle.

To contact Councilmember Nancy Pyle, call (408) 535-4910 or Email her at: district10@sanjoseca.gov. Additional information is available online at: www.sanjoseca.gov/district10.