Meeting Minutes 02/26/2002

Century Neighborhood Association Planning Meeting

Chaired by Frank and Sandy Fantino

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Attendees:  93

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Introduction:   

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A youth soccer field is the proposal from the city for our area. The area behind Andrew Hill is marked for softball fields.  We voted on Proposition P in November 2000 which consisted of mainly $200 million for park development. In the fine print, this sports complex development was mentioned.

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The March 2, 2002 City of San Jose Focus Group meeting was cancelled. Councilman Forrest William's office didn't give us a new date but said the next meeting would be to hammer out some of the bigger issues. The soccer group website is stating 3/26 as the next meeting date.

Community Concerns and Suggestions Folks Shared at the Beginning of  the Meeting:

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We need to state why the sports complex is not a good idea at this site location. 

• The hotel being placed across Blossom Hill Road will attract transients making this location a bad idea for a "youth" soccer complex. It won't be the safest place for kids to hang out.

• Property values will go down as result of this sports complex.

• Environmental safety concerns for the wildlife that live in the orchard.

• Parking was a big concern but folks felt that the Parks and Recreation office said that parking across the bridge was not an option.

• Increased traffic along Coyote Rd.  We should request a traffic study.

Many agreed that our first position should be that we do not want a sports complex, then discuss what we will accept if that isn't an option.

We should propose a potential solution is to make this sports complex part of the Cisco development project.

Folks need to write to each and every city council member.

We should help the soccer folks fight for the area across from Safeway on Snell. Someone thought the area would be donated to Parks and Recreation once the current owners pass away.

We need to add folks to contact from the city and county on our neighborhood website.

Can someone contact Forrest Williams and ask what the proper steps are to address the sports complex issue?
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Voting Notes:

All attendees raised their hands when asked if they agreed to coming up with a petition that says no to a complex but yes to building a community park that services our neighborhood. The key is to minimize the destruction to the neighborhood. Since there are different types of theme parks, we need to investigate our options.

7 voted for the complex - of which 1 was okay with the complex if day use only was permitted. And 5 mentioned that we should consider what the alternative might be. For example, we may end up with condos or businesses.
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Volunteers:

Steering / Petition Committee Volunteers:
Folks need to email  fantino@msn.com with issues they want the steering committee to consider. The first steering committee meeting will most likely be held March 6th (next Wednesday) at the Fantino's home. They will email folks with the details.

Flyers

Sherrie Powell
Christine Snyder
Emma Ramirez
Lori Trexler
Vincent and Toni Demanuele
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Printing Flyers:

Pam Gaan  (has print shop)
Russ Powell will make copies if needed

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Negatives and positives generated  by the group.

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Other things to note (folks came up to me after the meeting with these ideas):

• We are on a tight timeline for the petition. Since the next meeting is scheduled for 3/26, there are likely a lot of closed door meetings going on between now and then. We should get the petition written and sent in well before 3/26.

• Linda Martinico will contact the head person in charge of  the neighborhood association that fought the Calpine issue and ask her to attend our first steering committee meeting to give us advice.

Theresa Fulton
tfulton@knightridder.com  

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