The proposed Affordable Housing project for Dittos Lane would have a negative impact on the environment through loss of trees, increased noise levels, reduced privacy for neighbors and destruction of views.
Fifty-five trees will have to be cut down next to the LG Creek Trail to make this project possible. This will change the character of our neighborhood forever and spoil views and destroy privacy for many of our neighbors. In addition, six trees (four on-site and two for access improvements) could be adversely affected by grading.
Trees provide a buffer for sound, screen visibility of the freeway and provide privacy for residents on College Avenue and in College Terrace. They enhance the experience for users of the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
The EIR plans to “mitigate” the loss of these trees by planting some number of new, smaller trees. However, these trees will take up to 30 years to fully grow. In the meantime, the freeway noise, degraded views and loss of privacy impacts will remain. This is NOT an effective mitigation.
The ROEM plan to widen Dittos Lane and Maple Lane will eliminate a gathering place used by many trail hikers and place their safety in jeopardy as traffic to and from Main Street passes. No sidewalks are planned for either part of this “alley.”
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