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Letters
Formula for Disaster
This formula, if followed, will ensure disharmony, enmity, friction, and even hatred in a neighborhood.
First, all agencies of the city should try not to notify local people when a new house or building is planned--try to be certain that the building permit is issued quickly and quietly.
If a house or building is to be demolished to make way for new construction, don't let the neighbors know until they hear the crash of timber and see the dust rising.
Next, the city should avoid sending anyone to the proposed building site to inspect the impact the new building will have on the configuration of the neighborhood.
House size is dictated by lot size according to city code--follow this code without regard to the neighborhood. If a two-story house is planned and square footage falls within the code, signal "GO" to the builder, even if there are no two-story houses on the street or in the area.
If the neighborhood has houses that range from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet but the proposed new building lot will accommodate 4,000 square feet, go for it.
It's best to execute all of this formula on a flag lot because four or five neighbors will be affected instead of two or three.
Another advantage of following this formula is if the builder is allowed to construct the tallest and largest building allowed by city code, the second floor will violate the privacy of all four neighbors.
If neighbors complain about size or house height of the proposed construction, simply tell them that city code is being followed and there is nothing that can be done. Also be sure no one from the building department actually measures the height of the house. If the new house is a few inches or feet higher than the plans indicate, who cares?
Do not let people know, however, that codes can have exceptions that are often granted by the city. For instance, there are certain codes pertaining to hillside construction but we often see examples of the planning commission and the city council voting to grant exception to the code so that a house can be constructed on a hillside.
Again, if neighbors complain, just tell them, "Hey, it's the code."
Strangely enough, I have an example of this formula.
A year ago I returned from a trip to find the 45-year-old house in front of me reduced to dust.
In the pursuit of efficiency, and without a permit, the retaining wall holding up the hillside was also demolished.
My fence was also demolished so the deer could have free access to all my plants and flowers.
There was not even a slap on the wrist for this code violation.
A new house should not conflict with costs on the neighbors, right? Wrong!
In this case I was forced to get a survey because my new neighbor felt entitled to footage from three of his neighbors.
Cost for the survey--over $5,000.
When I put up the fence to keep the deer out, my new neighbor hired an attorney and threatened a lawsuit.
Three of us had the same attorney. My bill was over $6,000.
This new house cost me not only money but also our view. From downstairs we now look at our neighbor's house. From our second floor we now look at the roof of our neighbor's 4,000-square-foot house.
This formula works.
Believe me.
Warren Dunn
Cupertino
Where the big boys play
Q: Which of the following cities does not have a City sponsored teen
center--Los Gatos, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, or Cupertino?
A: You're living in Cupertino. This summer, the city of Cupertino shut down the YMCA summer skate camp in response to noise complaints. So the skate camp had to bus their kids to area parks with skateboard facilities. Of course, none of these parks are in Cupertino. How much noise can the swish of skateboards make, and whom are they disturbing during workday hours?
On the other hand, the city of Cupertino allows you to make as much noise as you want on Saturdays and Sundays, even if the neighbors complain! All you have to be is a developer, delivering construction materials, hammering nails, or doing anything else you want. An example is the current construction on Wallin Court, where 12 truckloads of dirt were delivered early Saturday morning, and moved around until after 7 p.m.
In Mayor Sandra James' report on the State of the City in February of this year, she reiterated her call to include Cupertino's youth in all aspects of life in the city, saying, "these are the people that we don't serve as well as we should." These words are very true, and getting truer every day.
Cupertino is a playground for developers, not for children.
In Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Sunnyvale teens enjoy city sponsored teen centers and skate parks. In Cupertino, it's the 7-11 or Vallco--if they don't make too much noise, and stay out of the way of any construction.
Russell and Jennifer Blalack
Cupertino
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
