The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Letter

Neighbors learned by organizing against hotel

In your recent article titled "Hotel project riles nearby residents," we were disappointed that the reporter did not contact a neighborhood representative for comment. The decision to fight this project was a very difficult one. The Selvis, co-developers on the project, are long-time residents and respected members of our community. However, the only way the citizens could influence the project was to organize themselves against it.

From the very beginning, the community understood that an upscale hotel could be beneficial to Sunnyvale. But the location was all wrong. Mr. Vidovich likened the hotel to the Fairmont in San Jose. The Fairmont is the center of a large commercial center in downtown San Jose. It is surrounded by other tall structures. It is near the conventions and corporate businesses which it services. In the case of the proposed hotel, over one-third is surrounded by single-family houses. At four stories and 54 feet high, it towers over the one-story structures which surround it and is nearly 20 feet higher than the highest roof peak of the Value Inn across the street.

To our disappointment, the developer was unrelenting, and the building and site alternatives offered by the community were not considered. The developer, the city and the residents are victims of poor zoning. Nowhere else in Sunnyvale is there a site so invasive to the surrounding single-family housing.

The City Council voted against the hotel primarily because of its height and mass. Despite a perceived "win" by the community, we're faced with what could still be developed.

Despite all the hardships endured by mounting this effort against the hotel, our community has benefited. We've met with our City Council and Planning Commission members and now appreciate the difficult job they face. We are better informed regarding key issues within our local government and better established to influence decision-makers on our behalf. Like other Sunnyvale neighborhoods, we're getting organized and all of Sunnyvale will benefit from informed and active communities. As Mr. Bricker pointed out (Opinion, Sept. 17), it's regrettable that it took something in our back yard to motivate us, but we're looking forward now. We're determined to make an impact and preserve the best in Sunnyvale.

Jean McLaughlin
Washington Park Neighborhood Association

[ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ]

This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 1, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.