May 17, 2007

Councilmember Nancy Pyle addresses questions regarding city
budget; Coyote Valley development at AVCA meeting

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Speaking off the cuff, San Jose City Councilmember Nancy Pyle expressed her concern regarding the city budget and the Coyote Valley Specific Plan during an Almaden Valley Community Association (AVCA) meeting Monday evening.

AVCA members are eager to hear about how developing Coyote Valley will affect Almaden Valley and the surrounding area.

“We’re not satisfying the needs of the people that live here,” said Pyle. “We have tremendous sales tax leakage. In Santa Clara County, per capita, San Jose is dead last.”

As Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Pyle plans to turn things around for a city plagued with budget cuts. “The city recently had to cut $16 million from its budget,” she says. “With cuts 6 years in a row, you start getting down to the bone.”

By investing in retail, the city hopes to attract new business and increase sales tax revenue to defray the cost of public safety personnel. “I’m doing what I can to bring more sales tax into the city,” she said, “so we can hire more policemen and firefighters. We absolutely have to have more officers; we’re starting out with 15 and we need at least 50.”

One resident was highly cynical of the city council’s vision. “You complain about budget shortfall,” he said. “What about the scoreboards for Sharks games and car races, or city employees’ salaries and healthcare benefits?”

Nonplussed, Pyle replied, “Which question do you want me to answer first?” A city firefighter attending the meeting added that he hadn’t received a raise in years.

Defending the $16 million cost for the technological update to the HP Pavilion, Pyle pointed out that at 14-years-old, the equipment was antiquated. “We were able to get the Sharks to meet us half way,” she said, “and rather than one lump sum, the money will be allocated over a period of time.” Pyle believes that the city will see a significant return on its investment, as with their new operating system, the HP Pavilion--which already generates
$5 million per year--will be able to attract bigger shows and dollars to San Jose.

Regarding the cost of the San Jose Grand Prix, Pyle highlighted the marketing value of the event, which publicizes the city on an international scale, as well as the income it generates. “The Grand Prix brought $26 million for local businesses to San Jose as well as sales tax,” she said. “It grows each year, bringing in more profit.”

In a bid to become more of a destination city, Pyle mentioned that San Jose is undergoing negotiations with business class airline, MAXjet Airways, to offer direct flights between San Jose and England. The city is also the proposed site of “Living Tomorrow,” a model home of the future.

“We need to do a better job of providing the services and retail,” said Pyle, “and become a friendlier city with the business community.”

One such business venture is the addition of a new Whole Foods Market to Almaden Valley which is slated to open in 2010. The store will be situated at the corner of Almaden Expressway and Blossom Hill Road in the Rite Aid location. Although Office Max and Kragens Auto Parts will remain, the large market will necessitate the relocation of other businesses.

Plans are also in the works for revitalizing Via Valiente Shopping Center. According to Pyle, although the shopping center’s owner and management company were initially reluctant to discuss updating the site, after receiving code violation notices, they were ready to talk. Pyle would like to see a place for teens open in the shopping center. “Maybe City Diner could relocate there,” suggested AVCA Director Kitty Monahan, who thanked Pyle for a previous presentation on the extensive wildlife living in Coyote Valley.

During the question and answer portion of the meeting, the only issue Pyle refused to discuss was the city’s relationship with the unions. “The union issue is something I can not and will not discuss in public,” she stated. “It is usually a closed session item. I can’t even go there.”

Traffic and the development of Coyote Valley
Residents were especially eager to hear about the Coyote Valley Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Traffic was a primary concern, as 22 intersections in District 10 (and 13 in Almaden) would be adversely affected by the development. “It’s heartbreaking to realize that only 4 percent of the people who leave Coyote Valley will use mass transit,” said Pyle, “so that’s a massive problem.”

As Co-Chair of the Coyote Valley Task Force, Pyle assured residents that development in Coyote Valley is a long way off and that the Specific Plan is merely a planning document for when and if the area is developed.

Councilmember Nancy Pyle shares a citywide update with AVCA members. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

“I plan to propose alternatives that minimize or eliminate impacts to our Almaden and Blossom Valley neighborhoods,” she said. “If the Specific Plan is to move forward with my support, it will have to successfully avoid these significant impacts to District 10.”

Pyle says that the initial idea of the Coyote Valley Specific Plan was that housing and jobs would balance in a self-contained community. “The jobs and the housing would both have to be there,” she said, “or people will go somewhere else, which defeats the purpose.”

“The whole concept is flawed,” stated one resident. “The idea of a self-contained community is ridiculous. We’re talking about an area with 7,000 acres, 50,000 primary jobs and 25,000 residences. Something the size of Mountain View is not going to be self-contained.”

Another resident pointed out incredulously that the traffic study omitted narrow Bailey Road as it climbs the hill towards McKean. “Bailey over the hill is in need of being totally redone,” replied Pyle. “Is everything going to remain the same? If it is, we’re going to have some major problems.”

“The study is full of intersections, but what about the cars going 10 mph between traffic lights?” asked a woman. “I’ve been on 85 when its only 10 to 15 mph. Aren’t we going to have that on Almaden Expressway pretty soon?”

“This is all part of the EIR,” answered Pyle. “These are all things that need to be mitigated. There are assumptions that have been made that I think we need to take a good, strong look at.”

The AVCA asked Pyle to return to update them on the city and Coyote Valley Specific Plan. “If you want me to come back, I’m ready,” Pyle replied. “Communication is the name of the game, and perhaps the more informed you are, the less frustrated you’ll be.”

June 29 is the deadline for public comment on the Coyote Valley Specific Plan.

For additional information, visit: www.sanjoseca.gov/coyotevalley or www.sanjoseca.gov/district10.