December 8 , 2004

Pool plans continue to tread water

By Bruce Barton/ Town Crier Staff Writer

Faced with another standing-room-only crowd and a letter from the attorney representing opposing residents, the Los Altos City Council last week postponed action on the Rosita pools plan to the council's next meeting, Dec. 14.

Council punted the issue back to city staff to address remaining questions from residents and, in particular, attorney Jeffrey B. Hare's letter about the city's analysis of alternative sites.

Councilmembers said they wanted to ensure the final environmental impact report for the two-pool proposal was as complete as possible to avoid further litigation. Neighbors had already sued the city over the lack of a project EIR and the assertion that no further analysis was needed.

"I would like to give this process the best benefit of the doubt," said Councilman Ron Packard. "I think we need to be careful."

Hare's Nov. 29 letter, representing the Rosita Neighborhood Coalition, noted the final EIR is "inadequate due to a fundamental failure to review potential impacts of the environmentally superior alternative at alternate sites." The coalition wants the city's EIR consultants, David J. Powers & Associates, "to conduct further evaluation of the impacts of a one-pool project at the alternative sites and thereby allow the city council to make an informed decision."

Before the council is a staff recommendation to certify the final EIR as complete, adopt a statement acknowledging a projected overall 5-decibel increase, and add the swim center to the city's capital improvement program for 2005-2006.

The council's Nov. 30 public hearing on the final EIR drew approximately 45 speakers, most in opposition to the plan.

The proposal for two pools, a 75-by-60-foot lap or competitive pool and an 82-by-75-foot pool for community swimming and lessons, has dragged on for more than six years. Proponents led by the non-profit group Swimmers Promoting Los Altos Aquatics, Safety and Health (SPLASH) maintain there's a demand for community pools. The group has offered to raise the money for the pools, which in turn would be run by the city.

Most neighborhood residents remain unconvinced that such a project on a 0.8-acre site at the end of Rosita Avenue would not have significant traffic impacts, as the final EIR asserts. Residents noted the potential rise in traffic on Rosita, from about 720 trips a day to the projected maximum of 2,260, represents a 317 percent hike in traffic that would compromise neighborhood quiet and safety.

"(2,260) cars a day is significant," said Ann Testa, echoing the sentiments of many speakers. "Don't insult our intelligence. Swimmers don't care where the pool is - we do."

"I fully support the plan as this is a project to serve the community," said resident Jan Hafner. "It's hard to imagine any place in Los Altos where traffic (from a pool project) is not going to be a problem."

Hafner suggested a shuttle plan, similar to one at Stanford University, that could take pool users to the site and offload vehicle trips in the process.

But traffic and noise increases, the latter element which the final EIR said could not be mitigated, continue to be sources of resident concern.

"This becomes a very simple analysis - peace and safety versus the need for swimming for the community," said resident Tim Forell. "(By going ahead with the project), we're saying peace and safety is not as important."