November 25, 2005

Q & A session number two for New Almaden residents

City and county answer questions about development, road construction

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

New Almaden Community Club members held their second meeting with city and county officials Nov. 17 to seek answers to development and infrastructure issues in the rural community.

Residents expressed concern about the safety issues of Alamitos Road that has been one lane for years after a slide.

But along with the responses about “red tagged” homes, Bertram bridge, landslides, expansion and safety issues, even more issues came to the forefront from the Club members.

County concerns
Responding to county concerns were District 1 Supervisor Don Gage’s office land use and planning policy aid Rachael Gibson and the transportation and environmental policy aid Edwin Chan. County Roads and Airports Department Dan Collin and traffic engineering and operations manager Masoud Akbarzadeh answered questions.

“First on the agenda is the historic house at 21641 Almaden,” said Gibson. “As I reported at the last meeting that house had been red tagged a number of times and the property owner also at the meeting indicated a willingness to work with the county to remove the red tags by getting permits for all the work that had been done.

“The property owner did approach the county and submitted plans earlier this week.” Gibson continued. “Don Gage and I had a meeting with the property owner as well as the building inspection office to figure out how to get the red tags taken off and come in compliance. Again, he expressed a willingness to get the tags removed. He has submitted plans to the building inspector and I should have answers next week.”

New Almaden Community Club president Kitty Monahan asked if the Historic Heritage Commission had been involved with that house. Gibson said that it has not been as of yet but that she was 99 percent certain they would be notified after the Building and Planning Department reviews documents after the permits are approved.

Gibson also said that the two cabins on Bertram Road that have charges pending are being handled by the District Attorney’s Office and the party’s attorneys involved.

Bertram Bridge
“Bertram Bridge has been reopened during the past week,” said Edwin Chan. “At the last meeting, there was a talk about a water line from San Jose Water Company. My staff looked into that and as of yesterday there are no plans that have been submitted for any water line coming through that bridge for now.”

Chan also checked on any plans for a new bridge at Bertram. He shared that it is on the bridge replacement program but it would be at least five years. Monahan also requested that the historic status of Bertram Bridge be looked at that time.

Chan’s staff is working on a survey that should be completed this week including the width of Bertram Road, the access for fire vehicles and the speed signs. The survey for Bertram Road and Bertram Bridge should be completed in January.

The county has no plans to modify Bertram Road. As far as a major resurfacing, Chan said it would take a few years before it would happen. Residents were told to call 252-6427 regarding pothole repairs and the work “should be done within 48 hours.”

New Almaden resident Mike Boulland complained that there were different speed signs on Bertram with foliage covering them. Chan said he would look into the matter.

“Has the county received the proposed drawings to widen Bertram Road?” asked Monahan. “Are you considering it at all?”

“We’ve seen the drawings but they are just for the intersection,” said Chan. “It wasn’t our proposal but the main thing that is driving the study is if that intersection is wide enough for emergency vehicles. It will be addressed and looked at.”

“No one has ever asked to widen Bertram Road,” said Richard Soukoulis who owns the property at 21641 Almaden Road and on Upper Bertram Road. “What we want is the ability to get emergency vehicles to our house. The county is responsible to make sure that we have safe access.

“Your entire agenda last time was about property I own,” continued Soukoulis. “It started out again today about property I own. We submitted plans to get that corner fixed, and we never asked anyone to widen the road. It is an unsafe intersection. It is in the county charter to maintain public safety.”

Roads and Airports Department manager Masoud Akbarzadeh said the survey would be looking at safety, speeding and sign concerns on Bertram, Upper Bertram and the bridge.

Gibson said she was unaware of any variances approved in the H1 district for single-family residences. Gibson brought maps of the county and city jurisdiction of New Almaden. Of the five lots in the county area for land use on the hillside, three were actively in process and two were still undeveloped. She estimated that less than 15 single family homes could ever be built in the county area, with a 20 acre or more minimum, depending on the slope density.

The county is still researching canal issues, according to Chan.

Gibson said any violations like building on the weekends, dumping in the creek or any other illegal activities should be called into her at Don Gage’s office at 299-5010 or to Jim Lamb at 299-5794.

Chan said that to repair the washed out lane at Alamitos Road would cost $1.5 million. The county said that funds are not available for the repair.

“The two stops signs at the washed out area are generally disregarded by everyone who drives there,” said Marv
Snowbarger. “I stop at the signs and they will just drive by me. I’ve almost been hit a couple of times. Also, the county is dragging their feet. If it goes out [the rest of the road] tomorrow, the money would come from someplace. Where would the money come from then? If you have emergency, you’re going to fix it immediately.”

City concerns
Responding to the New Almaden city issues were District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle chief of staff Lee Wilcox and Timm Bordon from the Department of Public Works.

Clarification was requested regarding the hillside on Bertram Ridge. Wilcox said that there were 10 parcels with the possibility of 10 houses. A resident questioned if a parcel could be subdivided. Wilcox said the community would be informed long before if a developer was seeking a zoning change.

Another resident requested that the photos of the hillside taken years ago and a current photo be brought to a meeting. The city suggested that someone from Public Works attend the next meeting with photos.

The next item on the agenda was how many acres were under the city jurisdiction. Wilcox said he would research this. Regarding landslides on the hillside issue, the city felt the area was more secure on the parcel now developed than before. Any grading permits complaints should be made at 535-6835 or 535-8499.

New Almaden Community Club president Kitty Monahan addresses [from left] country transportation and environmental representative Edwin Chan, District 1 Supervisor Don Gage, land use and planning representative Rachael Gibson, District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle’s Chief of Staff Lee Wilcox and Department of Public Works Deputy Director Timm Bordon opening remarks to the residents.

After the agenda was finished, the meeting was open to questions.

“This is has been such a heated meeting the last couple of times,” said Mike Boulland. “What lessons have you people from the government agencies learned from what we have done tonight that will have an impact with us in the future? How are we going to get on the city’s radar so that this part of the city can communicate with you? Do we need add or change the public review process for the hillsides?”

“I don’t think the city’s process really broke down in regard to Mr. Soukoulis’ property,” said Wilcox. AS to the city’s attention, “you had the Director of Public Works here last meeting with three other people and the deputy director. Councilmember Nancy Pyle talks to Kitty regularly. I think you do have the city’s attention. I think since the last meeting people are really getting information. I think there was a lot of misinformation. We need to be proactive coming out to the meetings.”

“I’m very happy that such a large group of the community attended the meeting,” said Monahan. “We still have a lot of unanswered questions that we look forward to responses from the city and county. We’ve been under a cloud and didn’t know what the truth was. At least the questions are out in the open. The meetings are very important in this area with the issues of the creek, canal, hillside and the historic nature of the community.”

The next meeting will be held at the New Almaden Community Club on Jan. 19.