Willow Glen Resident
News
VTA Tower meeting leaves residents with more questions than answers
By Tiffany Carney
San Jose residents hoping to gain a better understanding of a 12-story housing and retail proposal for W. San Carlos and Sunol streets were left with more questions than answers following a neighborhood meeting with developers on April 9.
Representatives from Green Valley, a company owned by Republic Urban Properties and Barry Swenson Builder, attended the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board meeting to discuss the possible development of a seven-building project ranging from four to 12 stories on an 8.25-acre site, a large portion of which is currently owned by the Valley Transportation Authority.
Michael Van Every, senior vice president of Republic Urban, called the new development "destination retail" combined with as many as 800 residential units.
The meeting quickly turned into a heated question-and-answer session as Willow Glen residents voiced concerns about whether the proposal met the city's Midtown Specific Plan land-use designation for the area where the project is planned. Even though density and height are among top concerns, Van Every said they were not "locked in" to a specific size.
Downtown business owner and Willow Glen resident Gina America said she likes the idea of high-rise living, but would like to see more open space in the final design.
Van Every explained that the proposal is still a concept, and nothing has been finalized.
If the land sale is approved, the VTA board will implement a disposition and development agreement, or purchase and sale contract, defining the number of phases and any additional conditions.
"We want projects that are assets and will enhance communities and promote transit-oriented development," said Bernice Alaniz, deputy director of marketing and public affairs for VTA.
Alaniz was not at the meeting.
According to Alaniz, the board's decision to go through with the land sale will be based on whether the developers' proposed concept and the goals of VTA are congruent. VTA also want projects with high-quality design that will set an example for other developers.
Once approved, Green Valley will begin the 15- to 24-month planning process with San Jose, Van Every said.
After last week's presentation, Van Every left the neighborhood meeting early without making a second scheduled presentation about another development his company is planning for Meridian Avenue.
Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio did not attend the meeting, but his chief of staff, Denelle Fedor, told residents, "The council member is not supporting any project yet."
The presentation was the last meeting as part of the community outreach effort.
VTA officials extended an exclusive land negotiation contract with the company earlier this year until the developers could prove they made a good faith effort at communicating their plans to the community.
The VTA board of directors is set to decide whether to approve the land sale on May 1.
After the meeting, Ed Rast, board member of the neighborhood association, said he feels the he is being "railroaded" into the project.
"The community at this point does not have enough information to make a good decision on the project," he said.
Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager urged people to attend the VTA board meeting to voice their opinions.
"We've got to get involved early," he said.
In the meantime, Willow Glen association members scheduled a special meeting April 23, 7 p.m. at Willow Glen Baptist Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave. to discuss the project further.
