Council bank drive-thru decision correct

The Los Altos City Council’s Dec. 12 decision to discontinue drive-through teller services at Bank of the West on Main Street wasn’t a good decision for the bank, but it was the right one for the future of the downtown.

The council denied extension of a use permit to operate the drive-through, based on the city’s intent to encourage development of retail businesses and pedestrian foot traffic. The goal is what is referred to as “contiguous retail” - connected storefronts with no separation. The drive-through is a separation the city wants to change.

It’s about time. The council in 1997 made the mistake of granting a 10-year permit to extend use of the drive-through, apparently leading bank officials to believe a permit for yet another 10-year extension could be had. However, the city put its collective foot down this time around.

“Contiguous retail is an important downtown goal and … allowing an essentially vacant drive-through service parcel was contrary to that goal,” wrote James Walgren, the city’s community development director. “If we are going to be serious about forcing retail on State and Main, now is the time to exercise that authority.”

Bank representatives said the drive-through window benefits elderly and disabled customers who would otherwise have to park and walk. We agree this is helpful, but other banks around town have managed to serve their customers without a drive-through window. With all due respect and appreciation for Bank of the West, allowing this one exception at the expense of the downtown landscape is not appropriate.

We like the idea of contiguous retail, and appreciate that the council wants to make it stick. Now is the time for a developer to step up and offer a plan to property owner Helen Christopher of San Francisco that is more beneficial to all concerned in the community.

Program won’t hinder Bullis reopening

We don’t foresee the existence of an all-day kindergarten program at the Bullis-Purissima school site interfering with the Los Altos School District’s goal to open the Bullis site as a K-6 school in fall 2008.

We understand the district’s rationale for keeping it there through the 2007-2008 year. There’s been a demand for the program and the Bullis site remains the most cost-efficient option.

However, given past issues of trust between the district and Los Altos Hills, officials need to be absolutely certain the all-day kindergarten does not delay the Bullis campus renovation project. We cannot afford even the perception of another broken promise in the Hills.