In addition to its negative impacts on traffic, environment and schools, the ROEM proposed project for Dittos Lane poses risks to public safety, hillside stability and College Terrace residents.
Dittos Lane and Maple Lane are proposed to be widened to 20 feet to create a two-way “alley.” No sidewalks are planned, so residents and visitors must walk in the same space as vehicles entering and leaving the project. Since Maple Lane enters Main Street at its terminus, vehicles will endanger users of the Los Gatos Creek Trail and pedestrians using the Main Street sidewalk.
Dittos Lane is located in a geologic area characterized by landslides. Deep cuts are planned for the hillside adjacent to College Avenue and also on the trailside. These reduce slope stability and magnify the risks of landslides. Planned, but not yet designed, retaining walls may lessen; but not eliminate these risks.
Dittos lane and College Terrace are both in a Fire Hazard area. Previously, the site building configuration allowed for possible access from Dittos Lane to the end of College Terrace, but with the ROEM planned project (Building B) that won’t be possible. Since access of fire engines to College Terrace from College Avenue is not practical, College Terrace would be unprotected.
Building B of the proposed development blocks the views of College Terrace residents and eliminates their privacy. The planned buildings will reflect and amplify freeway noise.
Planned parking for the Dittos Lane project is inadequate. ROEM planned parking of only 58 parking spaces allowing 9 for visitors. Even worse, 34 of the planned spaces are tandem garages, requiring the outside vehicle to employ one of 2 shuttle spaces to allow the inside vehicle to exit. The inconvenient result will be to force apartment tenants to seek parking in our Town’s already overcrowded parking areas.
This project is too large, too dense and unsuitable for the planned location. It does not meet the General Plan’s guidelines and vision for our Town. It’s impact on our community would create untenable traffic, parking and safety problems and destroy some of the most valuable environment in our Town including removal of 55 mature trees and destruction of the current access to the Los Gatos Creek trail which attracts so many visitors to our town and its businesses.
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