The neighbors believe that in order to conform to the neighborhood's aesthetic standards, the lots can only accommodate two or three houses.

Jim and Penny Stull, who live on Mildred Avenue, turned their driveway into a meeting area with folding chairs, a presentation poster display and a snack table for an afternoon neighborhood meeting on Sept. 29 to discuss the proposed development.

The chairs filled up quickly for the 4 p.m. meeting and soon it was standing room only as Jim led a discussion for about three dozen homeowners on how to stop a developer from building on lots that don't meet the neighborhood's aesthetic standards.

The developer, Travis Hoops, has submitted a proposal to the San Jose Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement.

Hoopes is asking for feedback on the feasibility of building five houses on the two properties. Anastazia Aziz of the planning department said that the department has yet to get back to Hoopes.

Stull's presentation began with a short overview of ways the developer's five-house project would diminish the neighborhood's aesthetic integrity, increase housing density and lower the property value of nearby houses.

Stull claims that the five-house project would also unfairly redistribute utilities and resources, such as water pressure and drainage.

"This housing could also increase traffic and create a major parking problem," Stull said

"Mildred and Cottle is a busy intersection, especially when school is in session; people do speed through that intersection."

He closed by saying the construction would increase the level of noise and dust. Once completed, the anticipated two-story houses could pose a threat to neighbors' privacy, he added.

"Hoopes doesn't have much foot space," Stull told The Willow Glen Resident a few days later. "Without having seen the plans, I can only guess he's going to build up in order to make back what he's invested."

Stull's house, like the other houses on Mildred Avenue, is single story.

"I wouldn't want Bubba shaving in the morning and looking out his bathroom window right into my backyard," Stulls said.

During the 90-minute meeting, the neighbors discussed other concerns and brainstormed strategies. An attendee suggested getting the area designated as a historical neighborhood to prevent developers from building houses that do not conform aesthetically.

Mike Moultray of Broadway Avenue also attended, but only to share his experiences with going up against developers. Another developer had designs on building a "monster house" on Broadway Avenue in September 2001, but the developer eventually withdrew the proposal. The developer's withdrawal was partly influenced by protests from neighbors, spearheaded by Moultray.

Moultray applauded the Stulls and Beth and Tom Linvill for organizing a neighborhood meeting, but stressed that it was of ultimate importance to involve the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, as well as San Jose District 6 City Councilman Ken Yeager's office.

Glenwood Avenue resident Spencer Horowitz shared his experience with the San Jose Planning Commission

Horowitz stressed the importance of becoming familiar with the commission's rezoning procedure and the conditions under which public hearings are held. Horowitz said, "And it's also true that the time to approach is before the public hearing, to object—in writing—to the planning office prior to the public hearing."

Attendees continued to volley topics such as planning department policy minutiae and contemplate Hoopes' plans and advantages. Neighbors wondered whether Hoops might scale back to two or three houses but still make them two-story houses, thereby possibly sidestepping the rezoning process altogether.

"The WGNA is nice; it's helpful," Horowitz warned. "Ken Yeager: nice, helpful, but the people who control the process and make it happen or not happen is the planning commission."

In a follow-up email to neighbors on Oct. 1, Stulls wrote that he had contacted the planning department and learned that the proposal on the property has not been reviewed yet.

Moultry told the Resident that neighbors need to get a copy of Hoopes' plans so they can review them, to "see if the plans do not meet expectations, and maybe see if a compromise can be made."

Stulls also mentioned in the newsletter that he will be addressing WGNA officials at its next meeting on Oct. 9 to ask for the association's support.