I have lived on Mantelli Drive for over 35 years and have seen
it go from a quiet one-block-long country lane to what the city
calls an
”
exit
”
street.
By Karen Shurden, Gilroy
I have lived on Mantelli Drive for over 35 years and have seen it go from a quiet one-block-long country lane to what the city calls an “exit” street. In 1985, the building of hundreds of houses began and with that the peaceful quality of our neighborhood was gone forever. Our street dead-ended at the west corner; there was a barb wire-fence with foothills beyond.
First order of business was extending the street until it met with Burchell Road. Previously the only cars traveling Mantelli Drive were the residents who lived there. Children played ball in the street and rarely had to move for a car and if they did it was someone they knew. Pets could cross the street safely. The first real impact was the number of trucks passing by. Cement trucks, semis loaded with building materials and worker’s trucks. The constant rumbling of trucks was reminiscent of the beginning of an earthquake, and this happened dozens of times each day. I ran a daycare at the time so I was home all day. It was difficult to get out of our driveway, but after witnessing trucks racing and passing each other or flicking lit cigarettes and tossing beer cans out the window, I called the police department about the issue. I was told, “Oh yeah I live on a busy street, too.” Gee thanks for the help.
We received surveys from the city regarding the impact of the construction on our lives to which I responded truthfully and critically but my complaints were never acknowledged. Then the building began across the street. What was once a meadow now became a nightmare of noise and debris. Across from our house a new street named Poplar was constructed with three cul-de-sacs off of it. If the cul-de-sac on Bay Tree Drive would have opened up to Santa Teresa, it would have kept a lot of traffic off Mantelli Drive. I guess that was not part of the “plan.”
A few years ago when Santa Teresa was refurbished (we all remember that debacle), two left- turn lanes were constructed to enter what immediately becomes the one right lane on Mantelli Drive. I am retired now, but when I would come home from work and turn onto my street the cars fought to be first. I let them because I would soon need to turn into my driveway. Even though I signaled, not too soon and not too late, I was honked at flipped off and I am amazed I was never rear ended. Why are these drivers in such a hurry when their homes are only a block or two away?
The traffic has continued to worsen as more homes are built. There are also two schools and a church up the street. In the mornings it is difficult to exit my driveway and each afternoon when school lets out there is a line of cars that extends back from the traffic light on Santa Teresa to the front of my house. Even on weekends it is impossible to enjoy sitting in my front yard because of the constant rush of cars.
Gone are the days of children playing ball in the street and I, along with neighbors, have lost many pets to speeding drivers. I have had many people ask me why nothing is done. Why can’t speed bumps be put in? I have no answers.
So while I empathize with the residents of Welburn Avenue, I would ask for equal consideration for Mantelli Drive. When the City of Gilroy makes a plan, the quality of life for the existing residents should weigh heavily on the decisions that are made. My feeling is that the main factor in the decisions made during the housing boom of the late ’80s and early ’90s are attributable to pure financial gain.
