Here we are again! The end to another successful year for the RGNA. This is my chance to reflect back and to thank all of you who donated time, resources, and money to help make our events not only successful but special too. Thank you to all of you who helped at the Neighborhood Picnic, the Warmth Drive, the Star Parties, the National Night Out Ice Cream Social, the Recycling Drives, the Neighborhood Yard Sales, the Easter Parade, the Here Comes Santa Claus Celebration and the Battery Replacement program.
Thank you to Council member Cindy Chavez and Sue Eakins for their efforts in helping the RGNA obtain a new park for the neighborhood.
And last but not least, a big thank you to the volunteers who brave the elements to bring you this newsletter.
Happy Holidays, Joseph
Let's face it. Things need to be fixed in our neighborhood including our 50+ year old streets, gutters that no longer flow properly, curbs that have been raised by tree roots, etc.
The RGNA will be hosting three meetings in regard to the infrastructure of our neighborhood. Our hope is to present a list to the City of San Jose and obtain grant money to address neighborhood issues or work with various departments of the City and be placed on a schedule to get work done.
What we would like from you is your help and input. Come to the meetings and let the RGNA know what neighborhood issues are important to you.
When:
Jan. 9, 2002, 7:00 p.m. - Brainstorming meeting to create an initial list
Feb. 13, 2002, 7:00 p.m. - What San Jose will and won't do on our list
Mar. 13, 2002, 7:00 p.m. - Price tags and ranking of what the City will do on our list
Where: 1731 Technology Drive in the 3rd Floor Conference Room
Santa Claus will be handing out candy canes while sleighing through the neighborhood on Saturday, December 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Santa will be travelling down San Pedro, up Forrestal, down Santa Paula, up San Juan, down Keoncrest and up Arnold. Each street will take approximately 30 minutes.
Please come out to wave or say hello when he rides down your street!
If you would like to have a picture taken with Santa and his sleigh, we will have a photographer present. The cost of each picture is $3. Please have exact change available.
Note that this event will be cancelled if it is raining.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Long time residents Karl and Marisa McElmurry on N. San Pedro St. are proud to announce the engagement of their son Nelson McElmurry to Kenia Soto. Currently, Nelson is in his first year of law school and Kenia is attending the police academy. Congratulations!
Welcome to newlyweds Orlando and Vania Betencor, first time homeowners of N. San Pedro St. Soccer is a game they both enjoy playing, Orlando is on a Semipro team and Vania plays indoor soccer. They share their home with their cat, Boo Boo and they love being "home again" in Rosemary Gardens. Best Wishes!
Congratulations to Melinda and Renee Hoppe of W. Rosemary St. on the birth of their first child, Cameron Karl Hoppe. Cameron was born on Oct. 19th at 4:17 p.m., weighing 7 lb, 5 oz. and 21" in length. Welcome Little One!
Airport Staff presented an update on the Acoustical Treatment Program (ACT) at a community meeting August 11, 2001. Several questions concerning the program where raised during the meeting and responses were sent to those residents that attended. If you would like a copy of the questions and responses, please call Cristina Flores at (408) 501-7781.
The Noise Exposure Map (NEM) update process has been delayed due to the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, but is starting up again in December.
The public is invited to attend the Airport Noise Advisory Committee / Planning Advisory Committee meeting on December 17, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at 1732 North First Street, 4th floor conference room. This is an opportunity for the public to see the new NEM and discuss the impact on the community.
If you have any questions please call Monica Gomez at (408) 501-7792.
Rosemary Gardens and Bachrodt School proved a successful star party could happen...without any stars...or let's say, very few! 100 parents and children defied the weather and came to the Star Party at Bachrodt School on November 20th. In spite of the clouds, two amateur astronomers from San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) did not want to disappoint so they set up their scopes in the school's playground. SJAA's Education Coordinator, Jim Van Nuland, had his vintage 8-inch Newtonian telescope. Gary Mitchell, another club stalwart, brought his 6-inch. Both men graciously fielded many questions from curious kids and parents. One child asked how far away Saturn was and Jim made a valiant effort to explain how far a billion miles was. Bachrodt principal, Carolina Bejarano, beamed at the success of the party in spite of the weather. She remarked how much she appreciated the opportunity to have the school share in this sense of community.
Much of the success of the star party was because of the efforts of former RGNA president, Lilian Dennis, and current board member Stephanie Lykam. They both cheerfully dispensed lots of coffee, cocoa and cookies to the stargazers.
The prevailing opinion was that if the party was a success on a cloudy night, how great things would be on a clear night! Recognizing this, Jim pledged that he will come again after the rainy season. So keep an eye on the newsletter for the announcement of the next star party!
1. What is happening to the streets in our neighborhood?
The City of San Jose is responding to the numerous complaints from residents and the RGNA about the conditions of our streets. Crumbling or uneven sections of the roadway are being removed and replaced and areas where the roadway has lifted higher than the curb are being milled down. This is all part of the preparation for "chipping." The City will be repaving the entire neighborhood, possibly in June, with the oil and gravel mixture we all know and love. For more information, contact Jan Chacon, City of San Jose, Department of Transportation, at 277-3026.
2. Thefts in the neighborhood?
The RGNA has been informed of a series of auto break-ins and vandalism along Rosemary St. and Ferrari Ave and one auto theft on San Juan Ave. If you should see any suspicious activity near your vehicle or a neighbor's vehicle, please call 911. Help keep our neighborhood safe.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District is processing applications from low-income seniors for an exemption from the $39 parcel tax that was approved by Santa Clara County voters in November.
The parcel tax provides funding for the water district's Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection plan through the year 2016.
Applicants need to fill out a simple form verifying property ownership as well as the owner's age and income. Once the application has been approved, the exemption will be granted.
To quality, you must be a Santa Clara County resident who:
- Owns and occupies your own home
- Was 65 years of age or older on Dec. 31, 2000
- Had a total household income of less than $32,850 during Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2000
A completed application is necessary to receive the initial exemption. In subsequent years, the water district plans to mail a verification card to confirm the property owner's continued eligibility. During the first year of the exemption, approved seniors will receive a refund of the $39 parcel tax. In subsequent years the exemption will be reflected in the annual tax bill.
To request an application packet you can contact your RGNA or call the Water District offices during regular business hours at (408) 265-2600, ext. 2238. For assistance in filling out the application, please call (408) 2600, ext. 2810.
The 1996 Measure B Interstate 880 Widening Project broke ground on July 17, 2001. Since then, many milestones have been reached. The project calls for widening from a four-lane to a six-lane freeway between U.S. 101/North First Street and Montague Expressway. Also included is a new, wider bridge to be constructed over Brokaw Road and Coyote Creek, completely replacing the existing 50 year-old structure.
During the month of October and November, VTA contractors accelerated the construction schedule to complete preparation activities for the Coyote Creek Bridge construction before the rainy season approached. The preparation work had to be done within specific times of the year to maintain the natural flow of the creek and minimize impacts to creek habitat during construction. Completed activities include bridge footing and column construction for the new bridge to be built beside the existing structure and the placement of falsework, the temporary wooden frame on the areas that support the weight of the bridge during construction. The traffic shifts to the new bridge are on schedule for early summer 2002.
Construction in the median continues from Brokaw Road to Old Bayshore Highway. The median will then be used for traffic lane shifts so new asphalt paving can be set on the existing roadway.
VTA contractors continue to make every effort to minimize disruption during construction. If you have any questions about this project, please contact VTA Community Outreach at (408) 321-7575 or e-mail at I880.comments@vta.org.
December 8
Vita Fota
1229 N. San Pedro St.
January 12
Ingrid Krantz
1251 Keoncrest Ave.
On behalf of SSR Realty Advisors, Inc., we wanted to give the Rosemary Gardens neighborhood an update on the development of the residential portion of the Skyport project, which was approved by the San Jose City Council in 2000. The office, retail, residential and hotel plan was approved at that time. Consistent with City approvals, we are now implementing this portion of the project with the development of 315 high-quality rental apartments.
By way of background, SSR Realty Advisors, Inc. is an owner of Class A multifamily communities throughout the country. Our multifamily development philosophy centers on a long term investment commitment in our surrounding communities as we focus our efforts on building attractive, high quality living environments that will be managed and operated in a first class manner.
To accomplish this objective, we have assembled an experienced, knowledgeable development team consisting of our developer BayRock Residential, LLC and our architects, Sandy & Babcock International. Together and individually, these firms have developed award-winning communities in urban locations throughout California, including Pasadena's historic district, Oakland's Jack London Square, San Jose and Cupertino.
We are hosting a neighborhood meeting on December 5, 2001 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. to provide a preview of the residential community plans, architecture, landscaping and other features, as well as construction schedules. The meeting will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, 1350 N. First Street.
Please feel free to contact Eric Morley at 408-293-7680 if you have any questions or need additional information about the development.
- Trevor Wilson, Director, Development SSR Development Partners, LLC