Pool issue: Proceed cautiously

After years of legal opposition, Superior Court Judge Les Nichols has cleared the way for at least one community pool at the end of Rosita Avenue.

Nichols said the city did its job by producing a valid environmental impact report for the plan, a report that concluded traffic and noise impacts were manageable.

Still, given all the ill will with surrounding neighbors, city officials would be wise to proceed cautiously.

Although the EIR accepts a plan that includes two large pools and a small wading pool, the city should consider less for the sake of those who have fought this plan for so long.

Given the former Covington Pool’s long history at virtually the same location, one pool is a known factor. Many neighbors have already said they can live with that.

Members of SPLASH (Swimmers Promoting Los Altos Aquatics, Safety and Health) have offered to raise the necessary funding for two large pools, one cooler-temperature pool for competitive, lap swimming, the warmer pool for lessons.

This remains a generous and ambitious offer. However, SPLASH wants something in return.

Ultimately, this means control over how the pools are used. Understandably, they want a venue for competitive swimming, but open, communitywide swimming could get the short shrift.

City officials should find alternative funding sources. Keep SPLASH in the mix, but don’t become reliant on that group. Ultimately, a community pool should be the goal. A community pool - for this community.

Condo plan has good points

The three-story, 29-unit condominium project at 5100 El Camino Real approved by the Los Altos City Council last week has had its potential benefits overshadowed by an unfortunate conflict-of-interest controversy and hundreds of residents petitioning against the project.

The project does have its good points. It provides needed housing in a community that has long been built-out.

It provides three units of affordable housing that at least make a dent in meeting a state mandate to provide such units. And it meets all zoning and setback requirements.

On the other hand, resident protests have brought to light the traffic problems in the area. This is an issue the city should address now, not later. The developers have offered to become part of the solution by pledging to contribute 25 percent of the cost of any traffic-calming improvements.

Let’s get going on resolving this and other traffic issues throughout town, even if it means the city bringing in additional help.

Certainly housing is a quieter alternative to additional business development. In the final analysis, the project’s benefits outweigh its disadvantages.