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Published on 08/31/1998 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Tripling density unfair to Sherwood

For the second time in a year, the Los Altos Planning Commission has decided to stick it to the residents of the northern corner of Los Altos. Hard on the heels of its avaricious approval of the Tree Farm behemoth, the planning commission has now recommended increasing the residential density of the Sherwood Triangle to 20 units-per-acre. Compare this figure to the 7-units-per-acre limit recently recommended by the Sherwood Gateway Advisory Committee.

If the planning commission's recommendation is accepted by the city council, the additional traffic, noise and pollution that will inevitably ensue could become the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back in this increasingly overcongested area.

I wonder whether the members of the planning commission have even a clue about the many enormous changes that have taken place in recent years in the area that surrounds the intersection of San Antonio Road and El Camino Real (adjacent to the Sherwood Triangle)? Have they noticed the twin skyscrapers now being built on the old ASK property in Mountain View? Have they observed the massive high-density housing projects constructed on Chester, on Cesano, and at The Crossings, not to mention the "thing" on the Tree Farm property (whatever that turns out to be). And now, to add to this mix, we may see a tripling of density in the Sherwood Triangle retail/residential complex. No other part of Los Altos has experienced such a dramatic increase in congestion as the northern corner.

Officials of Los Altos and Mountain View are manipulating this mixed-use area as a political expedient to unload their cities' obligations for high-density low-cost housing onto the backs of the local residents. Evidently, these officials are counting on the complacency of most Los Altans to say: "What do I care? I don't live there." But I can assure the planning commission that families who do live in this area care very much what is being done to their neighborhood - and we don't like what we see happening. The congestion of high-density housing is not being spread evenly and equitably throughout all of Los Altos; it is being concentrated on our doorstep.

Mark StarrLos Altos

Fewer cars a better solution

A recent letter to the editor praised Los Altos' effort to crack down on speeding vehicles in order to make our streets safer. There's no doubt we need to increase safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and our children, but handing out more speeding tickets to achieve this goal is like building more freeways to relieve traffic; it is only a stopgap measure. The answer to safety is not slower cars, it is fewer cars.

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) signed into law in June made $218 billion in federal funds available for bike and pedestrian projects. We need to take advantage of this funding by planning bike and transit projects that will provide real, convenient, safe alternatives to cars. Los Altos could also do much to further its small town atmosphere and to build a stronger sense of community by encouraging commute alternatives and drastically reducing reliance on cars in the city.

Unfortunately we have a long way to go to becoming a commute-friendly city. Bicyclists have to contend with motorists who don't share the road and use bicycle lanes for extra room. Pedestrians have to work their way around a maze of dead end streets. Anyone wanting to take public transit faces even more deplorable conditions due to infrequent bus service and absence of shuttles connecting to Caltrain. For example, it would take me upwards of 45 miles to travel the short five mile commute to my job in Palo Alto.

The only way we can change this unacceptable system is to encourage alternative transportation projects and to stop planning around cars. In addition to identifying projects for TEA-21 funding, citizens can get involved by commenting on the recently released Regional Transportation Plan at one of the upcoming public hearings (see http://www.mtc.dst.ca.us/ for information).

So, instead of focusing on speeding, lets work on the bigger issues to ensure a better future for our community.

Laura TekslerLos Altos

Good memories about Al the barber

We have such happy and good memories of Al's Barber Shop. In fact, Al gave our son, Larry, his very first haircut. Now that was back somewhere in 1952!!

Some newspaper reporter walked into the shop about that time and took the cutest picture of this first haircut, and of course, Larry wanted to see what the reporter was doing and as he turned, the picture was snapped, and looks like Larry is biting Al's finger! Can't believe all those years ago, but those two guys, Al and Louie, are indeed, a joy. We're going to miss them, we congratulate them on their 50th year in business together, and surely wish them all God's blessings.

Leo and Lorraine Guidi

Los Altos