August 4, 2005

SummerHill Homes buys land to build homes in Pierce Ranch neighborhood

Construction to begin this fall with completion expected at end of year

By Sheila Sanchez
Staff Writer

Palo Alto-based SummerHill Homes closed escrow this week on 5.74 acres in the Pierce Ranch neighborhood where it plans to build 30 single-family detached residences.

As reported in the Almaden Times Weekly in June, the San Jose City Council unanimously voted June 7 to rezone the land owned by longtime Almaden resident Anthony G. Pierce.

Residents nearby want the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to purchase 3.18 acres adjacent to the development to build a 75-car parking lot at the northwest corner of McAbee Road and Skyfarm Drive. If the lot were built, a prohibition against bicyclists would be lifted in accordance with the park’s master plan.

Construction will begin this fall and the development is expected to open at the end of the year. The project will feature executive-style, single-family homes priced upwards of $1 million with up to five bedrooms and 4.5 baths in up to approximately 3,898 square feet on 8,000-square-foot lots, consistent with the nearby neighborhood.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to build homes in this beautiful area and feel that the strong neighborhood amenities combined with the stunning home designs, will ensure the future success of Pierce Ranch,” said Elaine Breeze, senior vice president and development manager for SummerHill Homes.

SummerHill Homes is a Bay Area-based homebuilder with a national reputation for superior design, quality construction and a high level of customer satisfaction.

Many residents who live in the Pierce Ranch area have said the parking lot is needed to accommodate users of Almaden Quicksilver County Park who park along McAbee Road and who are now in danger of being hit by a car as they enter the environmental oasis or exit it euphoric after great workouts.

District 10 San Jose City Councilwoman Nancy Pyle has been working with the county and the developer to build the parking lot.

“We hope they can put a parking lot there,” said Leonard Procker, a member of the Pierce Ranch Neighborhood Watch group, representing about 80 families who live near the planned development.

Procker has said without a parking lot, users would leave their vehicles along the streets of the new homes.
Residents also indicate that the McAbee Road entrance to the park, although not an official gateway, is the place where many community events happen.

San Jose Principal Planner Jean Hamilton echoed Procker’s concerns. She said many park users are in danger of being hit by a car as they often encroach into the travel lane when they prepare for their activities.

Hamilton said the county is interested in acquiring the second parcel of land to build the parking lot, but it would be a separate project, which has not been environmentally studied.