November 28, 2003


Sycamore Terrace plans sprout community questions, concerns

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

For such an unassuming plot of land, the development site at Almaden Expressway and Coleman has certainly had its share of public scrutiny. Approved by the city for multi-family residential development back in 2001, the original plans submitted by Pulte Developers called for a 59-unit complex to occupy the 1.2-acre site.
Although the proposed project went as far as to include community meetings, a number of factors caused Pulte to reconsider going ahead with the project.

“There were a number of factors involved,” says Pulte’s Steve Kalmback, who served as the project’s director.

“Incorporating the 30 percent affordability units, working with a podium design, and the economic slowdown were all contributors. There was also a concern voiced by Pat Dando about the impact on the surrounding trail system, which was very important to her. All of these things came together and we just couldn’t make the numbers work.”

Now, fast forward to late 2003 and once again, the Almaden Expressway/Coleman site is in the public eye. The players have changed in the past few years—Pulte has been replaced by Barry Swenson Developers—but there are still questions about the proposed housing complex, now known as Sycamore Terrace.

Probably the most significant difference between the two plans is in the population density of the development. Swenson’s design, still in it’s most preliminary stages, calls for 32-units—roughly half of the Pulte design.
Although architectural renderings of Sycamore Terrace are not yet available, Swenson Project Manager Christy Reynolds says the three-story condominiums will resemble more of an “attached single-family home rather than a high-density apartment complex, which will include 17 affordable living units that will range from approximately 950 to 1600 square feet.” Reynolds further adds that each unit would have its own garage, with the living space above.

“The garage will be located on the first floor, the living quarters on the second, and the bedrooms on the third. These will be individual living spaces, residents won’t be stacked one on top of the other.” According to the initial plans, the complex will consist of four separate buildings with no “common area.”

While there has been some community concern over the proposed project, most of the public input into Vice Mayor Pat Dando’s office has been positive. “From what we’ve heard so far, the public is happy to see this development,” says Denelle Fedor, legislative assistant to the vice mayor. “The vice mayor is looking for projects that promote stability in the neighborhoods. Housing that is affordable, close to public transportation, and the park and trail system. This project is in line with the current community standards and will not only offer stability, but will also beautify the area and provide accessibility.”

In outlining the project’s timeline, San Jose Housing Deputy Director of Production Mike Meyer stresses that the development plans are still in their infancy. “The developer received [city] council approval just about a month ago. The next step will be securing the Plan Development (PD) permit. During that process, the developer will gather community input and make a public presentation. Those meetings should be happening around the first of next year, but we don’t have anything scheduled as of yet.”

In the interim, any community concerns may be directed to Vice Mayor Dando’s office. “We want the community to feel that they can come to us with any concerns,” says Fedor. Housing or otherwise.”

To contact Vice Mayor Pat Dando, call 277-5251 or visit her Web site at www.patdando.com.