April 1, 2004

STREET SCENEMockingbird Hill Lane

On a rolling hillside street in New Almaden, residents enjoy the beautiful scenery among grand estate homes mixed with country ranch-style houses, many with magnificent views of the valley and foothills. Mockingingbird Hill Lane boasts another distinction besides urban meeting rural homes. The north side belongs to the city, while the south is the county dividing line. And one of the three Almaden Quicksilver Park entrances is at the end of the lane, where hikers and equestrians enjoy the outdoor splendor of shaded woods and wildflowers. On April 17, bicyclists will be allowed.

“I’ve lived here 30 years,” Blondie Barnd said of her ranch home, complete with a barn, horses and sweeping Almaden Valley views. “I’ve seen a lot of changes, first a couple of new houses near Almaden Road and then Penn Brothers built across the street.”

Barnd owned Almaden Feed and Fuel for 25 years and is a realtor in the area. She reminisced about the weddings and receptions celebrated on the patio area of her home overlooking the valley with views past the Pruneyard Towers to Moffet Field. On a clear day, she can see all the way to South San Francisco.

“I am upset about the bay tree coming down next door to me. The county has no ordinances for cutting down old trees [the city does]. Fifteen years ago, a tree surgeon told me it was 300 years old. It’s a real shame. A red tailed hawk nested there.” The owners of the property cut it down to make room to build a large house.

The street features the newer homes on the northern city side. A sea of tract houses spreads in back of them across the rest of Santa Clara valley. The older homes, some with acreage on the south county side, nestle next to other country farmhouses and land. Some on the street have city services; others are on septic tanks. Zoning is different from one house to another. One of the older homes is in the process of being demolished.

“I’ve had this house since 1987,” Don Ivanco said in front of his home, which is in a partial state of demolition.

“I’m building a 4,500-square-foot house here. The tree had to come down. We’ll stay here. It’s a great street, very quiet, not too many people, no problems. My daughter knew the boy who was murdered across the way though. Terrible. It’s still sketchy about what really happened there.”

Down the hill are Barnd’s horses and a short walk to the entrance to the Quicksilver Park. The lane is a lush green from the recent rains and dotted with wildflowers as hikers pass by to enter the park.

Birds are abundant here: blue jays, quail and dove. Other wildlife is also abundant, which sometimes poses problems. Barnd had raccoons who snacked on the goldfish in her pond, so now she’s thinking of adding carp instead. And last year, a rattle-snake bit her small terrier dog. After a sizable vet bill, the dog was fine with only a scar on his muzzle. “It was worth it,” she said with a sigh.

“We moved here last November,” Valerie Renter said with an English accent. “It is so lovely and quiet. I plan to start hiking in the park. It is upsetting about the boy who was killed. I have a daughter who was in the same class. Now she understands the midnight rule.”

Two of the newer larger homes have sold recently. A 4,500-squaer-foot house with four bedrooms sold for $1.8 million and another house with 3,400 square feet, also with four bedrooms, sold for $1.1 million None of the ranch style homes have been marketed recently, but many are on large lots or acres, commanding high prices in today’s market.

“There have been lots of changes on the street,” 25-year resident Jack O’Brien said. “The neighborhood does some socializing around Christmas. The best thing about living here is the country environment.”

Mockingbird Hill Lane, a mixture of old and new construction where rural meets urban and the beauty of nature, joins the two harmoniously.

—By Jeanne C. Lewis