By It seems like just a few short months ago that the Santa Clara Valley Water District's plan for renovating the Reach 5 portion of Adobe Creek in Los Altos Hills fell for the fourth time at the ruling of the city council.
Councilmembers and residents felt the district’s plan for addressing a 100-year flood was too concrete laden, with adverse impacts on the environment. The district’s plan, for instance, called for more than 140 trees to be removed. Further, district officials appeared, in the town’s view, unable to compromise on the size and scope of their plan. As one resident put it, “It’s either their way, or the highway.”
Presumably, the district took to the highway after the council rejection. Residents opposing the district’s plan were relieved, but still far from satisfied. Erosion problems and flooding potential remain at Adobe Creek. With the district gone, the residents faced the prospect of no Reach 5 creek channel improvements at all. Reach 5 extends a quarter-mile downstream of West Edith Park, with the proposed renovation work running roughly parallel to Fremont Road.
Rather than give up, creekside residents and local environmentalists formed their own group aimed at bringing district officials back to the bargaining table.
It worked. The new Adobe Creek Watershed Group has been meeting with district officials to work on a new compromise plan - one that we hope will adequately address potential flooding issues with minimal impacts on the natural surroundings. And surprise, district officials appear willing to compromise to create an alternative plan.
Los Altos as well as Los Altos Hills residents on both sides of Adobe Creek are involved in the watershed group to ensure a compromise solution. Furthermore, their efforts have triggered recent discussions on the matter between city managers Phil Rose of Los Altos and Maureen Cassingham of Los Altos Hills, with district CEO Stan Williams.
Resident involvement is crucial to all creek improvements. And because Adobe Creek winds through miles of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto, it is essential that renovations in all reaches, or designated sections of the creek, be addressed. Otherwise, what is not done at Reach 5 will mean adverse impacts for Reaches 7-9, from Burke Road to O’Keefe Lane, and so on.
Residents value their environment and their views. They didn’t want a plan that impacted these factors very much. But that’s not to say they wanted no plan. It is their determination, combined with the willingness to listen by the water district, that will ultimately mean a solution to the longstanding creek issues.
