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Published on 07/20/1998 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Gas station denial was right call

I would like to congratulate the Los Altos City Council for taking a unanimous stand to discontinue the nonconforming use of the gas station at Grant Road and Fremont Avenue.

Reports in the Town Crier of the great enthusiasm for the continued use of the gas station are misguided. Those of us who have been here since the city was formed know that the residents in this area have been extraordinarily united and active in defending the area from the many attempts of developers seeking to spot rezone for commercial uses. All of the city councils through these many years have turned down commercial zoning. It was a great day when the General Plan solidified the situation.

I believe it makes little sense to allow the nonconforming use to continue because of strong opposition in this area. Further, it is far too late to rehash years of zoning issues and battles. Finally, I believe Mayor Kris Casto's observation on the public benefit of a General Plan is right on the mark.

Elwood C. StewartLos Altos

CC&Rs spelled out in San Antonio Hills

My family and I have lived in the unincorporated part of Santa Clara County known as San Antonio Hills for more than 11 years, and I have served a stint on its board of directors. I read this couple's letter ("Don't take away our property rights," July 15 Town Crier) and reflected on when we moved into this unique neighborhood.

Our Seville agent required us to fully read and sign off on the Codes, Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that accompanied our right to "our" property. It was very clear that we were buying into a unique area with its own form of development regulation. It seems to me that the law of unintended consequences may have impacted this couple. The "legal harassment and intimidation" were outcomes of individuals who chose to ignore or plead ignorance of our longstanding CC&Rs. Or, perhaps, and I certainly hope not, their real estate agent may have failed to fully educate them about their purchase.

It seems to this observer and part-time participant in the process that much frustration and animosity towards one's neighbors could have been avoided by the kind of caring and foresight we were shown by our real estate agent.

David ColemanLos Altos

Misconceptions about 70-year-olds

My attention was directed to Joan Lester's statements (adoption counselor for Palo Alto Animal Services) in the brochure (July 8 Town Crier, "Some advice to those bringing pets to festival") regarding the Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival.

"Lester compared bringing a 10-year-old family dog to a festival to bringing a 70-year-old family member into the hot sun to get trampled by a sea of people."

It is obvious that there are misconceptions of 70-year-olds (since I am 70 years old). I would like to provide several examples:

On the streets of Los Altos every morning there are hundreds of 70-plus year olds walking briskly and even running like rabbits. I know those that run miles every day.

A not atypical day for a 70-plus-year-old would be to walk a few miles, spade the garden for two hours, mow the lawn, go shopping for two hours, do the laundry, take care of the grandchildren, etc.

The 70-plus sports person may tramp the Sierra, camp out, trout fish or hunt, carrying a pack up a few thousand feet, etc.

Many in the 70- to 80-year- old range go on "recreational and educational" foreign tours. On these, typically they are up at 6 a.m., have their bags out, tour all day, mostly on their feet, possibly ride 200 miles to their next destination, go to bed about midnight, and repeat this for three weeks.

On a cruise, you had better be careful stepping onto the deck at 6 a.m. You may get run over by a herd of 75-year-olds doing their morning trot.

These are just a few observations to correct the misconceptions. After all, in a few years everyone will have to work to 70 before they get Social Security.

I hope none of the doting, shuffling 70-year-olds were trampled at the festival.

All in fun.

Lou Morgan

Los Altos