By A forgiving town council?

Recent news items show us the real legacy of Toni Casey’s leadership in Los Altos Hill’s City Council.

First, we have Casey to thank for the loss of LAH’s landmark, the Winbigler Mansion. The owners trashed it even though it is classified as a historic building in LAH’s General Plan. Its destruction is a direct result of the cynical building strategy that Casey has fostered: don’t bother getting permission (even to demolish a historic building), because it’s easy to gain forgiveness from her city council.

We residents are the losers. Second, the decision by Nancy Couperus’ group, Los Altos Hills Open Space, to pursue a ballot initiative to ban sales of LAH’s open space illustrates Casey’s other legacy: our deep mistrust of her council.

Despite the council’s adoption of a “pledge” to let voters decide important land sales, Couperus’ initiative will ensure that if the city council ever decides to rescind its pledge, they won’t have the power to sell our open space assets.

Casey calls her supporters the “New Guard,” but I think that Couperus and the leaders of Hills 2000 and LAH Outrage are the real guardians of Los Altos Hills.

Nancy KelemLos Altos Hills

Charming house lost to community

What is a house? Well, Webster’s says it is a building in which people live. The thesaurus gives synonyms of “dwelling” and “residence.” The luckiest houses actually become homes - places where a family makes an impression and is most happy to be.

Once in awhile, a house becomes part of the greater community. Such was the case with the Winbigler (a.k.a. Crane) house in Los Altos Hills. This house sat on about seven acres on the s-curve on Fremont Road, near Bullis School. It was built in 1926 by the Crane family and was next inhabited by the Winbigler family until just recently. A neighbor bought the property and is building a new house on the site.

The Winbigler house was in the French style. It was big for its day (about 4,000 square feet), painted black and white, and highly visible. It had a height of 35 feet, above today’s ordinances. The design was not really acceptable by current development standards, but the house was beloved just the same. Inside, it had very human dimensions. It was like walking into an oversized doll house. The charm was complete for anyone who appreciates old things.

This house reminded us of a bygone era. It was a frame of reference as we look to the future. It held a special place in many people’s hearts. A dollar figure does not apply to it.

We accepted the promise from the town and the new owners that, although it would never be the same, somehow it would be preserved in the new design. Their promise was an apparent sham, which many neighbors have actually been suspecting for a long time.

Last week, the house was tucked into the courtyard of the new house and unceremoniously demolished. We had faith in their word.

Now it is all gone. And our town lost a piece of its soul that will not be replaced for a long time, if ever.

The fault with the owners, I suppose, is that they are out of tune with their neighbors and their community. The primary fault lies with the town, which did not adequately protect this resource, even though it was identified in the General Plan as historic.

If the town values these resources, it should protect them. If towns folk want to preserve our ambience they should make it known to staff, and stand behind staff when tough decisions have to be made.

If you want the town to protect these resources, if you want the town to follow the General Plan, please speak up. I wish I had.

I hope the new house is lucky enough to become a real home with a big soul. I hope it gives back to the community what it has removed. But I have my doubts.

Tay VanderlipLos Altos Hills

Time to reconsider Rosita pools

No one will deny that it would be a good thing if Los Altos had a swimming pool, a pool designed for its citizens and their children.It is quite another thing to place an Aquatic Complex in a quiet residential area with a school, baseball and soccer fields at the dead end.

This Aquatic Complex is designed to be financially feasible only if it attracts paying customers from the Bay area.Is the aim to produce an Olympic Champion in imitation of the Santa Clara Swim Club?

Mention has even been made to allow concessionaire stands at the Complex.

The City Council seems bent on changing this quiet area into a de facto commercial zone.

This conglomerate has been called “Rosita Park”. It is not a park, it is a Sports Complex. Parks are designed for all people,where even the elderly might go and enjoy a walk.

It is time to reconsider this whole project.

Sylvanus J. Devine

Los Altos

Water problem still exists

An open letter to the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission:

I live directly across the road from the Benzacars’ planned development.

On July 28, 1999, I attended my first planning commission meeting in 15 years because this same site was to be developed with a house, basement, driveway, etc., that was over twice the size of the first dwelling. I voiced my concerns about the drainage and water runoff that would occur.

At that time, and to the present, I still have standing water on my property.

As of today, there is a mucky, smelly bog 15 feet from (neighbor) Planning Commissioner Charles Wong’s fence.

My water problem has not been resolved.

Wong’s overdeveloped landscape does not have adequate drainage, but I am told by the town staff the water overflow is merely from his sprinklers that were placed on the fence line.

My neighbor is aware of the water; he has called the sheriff to make me remove the four-foot weeds.

The sanitation department was also sent to kill the mosquitoes in the water - Charles Wong’s water.

I sincerely hope other La Lanne Court residents don’t wind up with my water problems.

Mildred Gallo

Los Altos Hills