July 17, 2015

Galleria is taking steps to bring us into water conservation compliance.

Increased landscape irrigation efficiency:

• As required by both the State of California and City of San Jose regulations our outdoor watering has been restricted to two days per week.

• Crystal Springs (Galleria’s landscaping company) has, over the last few months, surveyed, located leaks and breaks which were repaired and then tested our irrigation/sprinkler systems.

• Sprinkler heads have been adjusted to prevent wasteful overspray or “watering the pavement”.

• The Galleria HOA Board has been working with Community Management (CMS) to develop drought tolerant planting.   Some of our current landscaping is already drought tolerant.

• Bid requests went out to finish the Galleria grounds mulching program.  The first phase of mulching occurred on the Fountains complex side (heading towards Research Place).  Our estimate came back too high so a second request for bids has been instituted.  The new mulch is not the chunky ground tree bark style.  It is much finer and looks like dirt.  Mulch helps retain moisture and helps to prevent erosion, if we ever get heavy rains again.

What can you do to help?

• If you see leaks or misaligned sprinklers (spraying sidewalks or roadways) please contact Community Management Services at 408-559-1977

• Some Galleria units have an outdoor water faucet.  These are not for public use.  The unit owner pays the bill for that tap water.

August 26, 2015

Late last night  there was a fire in the old orchard behind Cadence (on Seely) to the side of Epic (Epic Way facing towards Montague, the Coyote Path and the little farm on the corner of Seely and Montague.   It is hard to guess but it looked like a few acres burned.  The flames went over the path in two small patches before being extinguished.

It was very fortunate that the high wall next to Epic Way and the open area behind Cadence stopped the flames.

There was no mention of this fire in the local news today.  Helicopters noise was heard circling above as you might have noticed.

There is no cause of the fire listed on the SJFD site.

Following are updates from the September River Oaks Neighborhood Association (RONA) meeting, September 2015

Status of the new Elementary/High Schools on the former Agnews property

• At a City Development meeting held in Alviso last week, Larry Adams gave us a status update on the former Agnew’s site.
• Approval has been given for the toxic soil cleanup and that project is out to bid.
• Zanker Road will need to be widened on the east side between River Oaks and the Cisco buildings.
• In the spring of 2016 work will start on the removal of former Agnews buildings.
• There is a lot of asbestos in the buildings which will need to be cleaned out before the demolition can proceed.
• Architectural design will take a year.
• There will be outreach to the neighbors for input.
• The estimation is that it will take 1.5 years for construction so it may be 3 to 4 years before a new school will open.   There was no indication if the time frame would be for both the elementary and high schools or just the elementary.  More information to follow.
• The plan is to save the historic water tower.  It, at this time, is not a certainty.

Boston Properties Site (Future Apple Location?)

• The former? Current? Lockheed site bordered by Research, Montague, Zanker and Innovation (behind Crescent Village and Montague) is about to be renovated.
• An application is before the city Planning Committee.  It listed as an unknown company planning on Research and Development.
• It has been rumor to be an Apple site.  The current plan lists keeping four existing buildings and creating two new larger buildings.
• We were told there will be a neighborhood meeting in late September or early October to discuss impact on our homes.

River Oaks Street Construction Project

• The paving of River Oaks should be finished in the next few days.
• There is a bit of uneven road that has not been included in the construction as River Oaks meets Montague.
• We have been told that area is County property and the other paving is from the city.
• An outreach to the county was made and their representative said he understands the issue and see what can be done.

Bike Lanes on River Oaks

• Bike lanes on River Oaks have been promised (in writing) but will not be laid out until the original paving project has been concluded.

Status of Epic Park  

• This is area behind Epic Apartments to the foot of the Coyote River Path.  Epic Park is not likely to be the real name of the area.
• This area was where the construction equipment, materials and parking was located during the construction of the Epic Apartments.  The area is best seen from the Coyote Trail path that is behind Epic, Crescendo, Millbrook, Parkside, Verona and Cisco.
• We were told it could possibly be like the park area in front of Crescent Village.
• There is a legal document and plan between the city and the developer,  The developer and is asking for clarification on easement from the city.
• There will be two community meetings to discuss this project, the first may possibly be in early November and the second in January.
• This will be neighborhood residents chance to give input for the type of park.  Should it be a dog park?  Should it be a quiet area?  etc.  Watch for more information on the dates and location if you are interested.

Our new District 4 City Councilman

• Mahn Nguyen (first name pronounced Mon) is our newly elected representative. He was invited to the recent River Oaks Neighborhood Association.
• The invitation was not early enough to get on the Councilman’ agenda but he was able to send his assistant to learn about our neighborhood and our needs.
• They have indicated they will be at future meetings.