After listening to project representatives at a second community meeting on Jan. 11, residents expressed their approval to Abitare Architecture, the development designers and the San Jose Planning Department. If the planning department approves the design, owner Gloria Maciel will be able to relocate her existing business into a three-story, 11,963-square-foot building at 1030 Lincoln Ave. The site would also have an underground parking structure. Currently, the lot is vacant.

Because attendees at the previous meeting said the presentation lacked visual renderings of the design, the architects brought a three-dimensional model, pictures of the proposed streetscape and a sketch of the building to the subsequent meeting. They also came prepared with answers to issues that citizens raised at the first meeting.

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board member Joan Bohnett said she appreciated the architects' willingness to collaborate the community.

"It was really apparent that they had done some work on the neighbor's concerns," she said. "The architects seem quite willing to work with the city and neighbors."

After some residents who live near the building said they were worried about privacy issues once the spa opened, with customers relaxing on the outdoor terrace, architect Igino Pellizzari said employees at Abitare had revised the proposal to include different trees in the rear of the building. The firm, he said, now will plant strawberry trees—which are moderate growing trees that reaching 25 to 30 feet in height—in the back of the building to block views of surrounding residences.

Although citizens who gathered at the previous Dec. 9 meeting said the proposed building might not be compatible with neighboring businesses and homes, no such issues were raised at the January meeting. Pellizzari said the architects had tried to design a structure that would fit in with the neighborhood.

"One of our considerations was to make sure the building doesn't look too commercial," he said. "We chose to incorporate residential characteristics into the building."

Many residents complimented the architects on the design of the Spanish-style salon.

"It's a handsome building," said Harvey Darnell, vice president of the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. "It enhances Lincoln Avenue."

Residents also appreciated the utilization of underground parking in the design.

"I'm very pleased with the underground parking," Darnell said. "Having on-site parking is an absolute requirement on Lincoln Avenue."

Some residents, however, did voice a concern about the potential safety hazard that might be created with underground parking—especially at night, when it would be vacant. Erin Morris, a city planner, said the facility would most likely be gated at night to prevent people from using it after hours. Pellizzari added that the firm would probably install surveillance cameras in the garage.

After making revisions to the design, Abitare Architecture will submit its plans to the city. Then the project will come before the San Jose Planning Commission for approval. No date has been set for the hearing, but Morris said the meeting will probably occur in late February or early March.