hey argued. They threatened. They made impassioned pleas about
preserving one of Gilroy’s historic neighborhoods. But in the end,
residents of Miller Avenue walked out of a council meeting in
disgust as it became clear that councilmen would approve a
controversial housing proposal on their showcase street.
Gilroy – They argued. They threatened. They made impassioned pleas about preserving one of Gilroy’s historic neighborhoods. But in the end, residents of Miller Avenue walked out of a council meeting in disgust as it became clear that councilmen would approve a controversial housing proposal on their showcase street.
In an exact mirror of a spring vote on a zone change clearing the way for the project, three councilmen and Mayor Al Pinheiro pushed through final approval Monday night of a proposal to build six homes where two now stand at 7861 and 7891 Miller Ave.
The project, proposed by father-son development team Neil Mussallem Sr. and Jr., has undergone a number of revisions to meet council and public concerns, but neighbors and their sympathizers insist it will irreversibly change the character of the street, noted for its tree-lined lots and homes set at a distance from the road.
Miller Avenue resident Bonnie Reed said she has seen Gilroy’s population grow from 8,000 to 50,000 since she moved to the street in 1967.
“Miller Avenue has remained a gracious, beautiful, tree-lined street reminiscent of small-town charm,” she said. “To have these homes put on Miller Avenue will destroy that.
“I vote,” she bluntly reminded councilmen, three of whom are facing re-election in November.
Neil Mussallem Jr. declined to comment on the approval and said there is no timeline for the start of construction. He and his father have made a number of revisions to the project over the last two years, including scaling back the size and number of homes, and setting the two houses facing Miller Avenue farther back from the street.
Councilmen favoring the project have argued that it follows the city’s general plan guidelines and is located on the fringe of Miller Avenue, close to an apartment complex, a gas station, and the First Street shopping corridor.
Mayor Al Pinheiro tried to allay concerns of neighbors that the project would set a precedent for the rest of Miller Avenue. He said that if the project were proposed for a site closer to the heart of the neighborhood, “there’s no way I would have supported it.”
In addition to pointing out the project’s location and the numerous design changes it has undergone, Pinheiro and other councilmen insisted that the rest of the street could not be subdivided on a scale similar to the Mussallem project. A map of the area shows that most lots are, in fact, too small for subdivision even after joining two or more properties. But several lots on the east side of Miller, as well as on Princevalle, Fourth, and other streets in the city’s historic core, would allow subdivision if joined, according to critics of the Mussallem project. They said they want both their own street and those neighboring areas safeguarded.
The frustrations of Miller Avenue residents and their sympathizers bubbled over several times. Miller Avenue resident Naomi Murphy leveled a vague conflict-of-interest charge at Councilman Roland Velasco in an attempt to convince him to recuse himself from the vote, but City Attorney Linda Callon dismissed the accusation as groundless. After a number of outbursts and interruptions from the audience during council debate, Mayor Pinheiro told residents they would be escorted from the room if they continued to treat councilmen without due respect.
The warning did not prevent Miller Avenue residents from walking out of the room as Councilman Charles Morales elaborated his reasons for voting in favor of the project. Morales has taken heat over the issue since he is the only councilman up for re-election who has supported the project. Councilmen Bob Dillon and Craig Gartman, who are also seeking re-election, voted against the project.
Following the 4-3 vote, the leading organizer of the opposition, Robb Alonzo, reiterated a number of promises. He said he would proceed with efforts to develop his own property next door to the Mussallem project even as he continues the Miller Avenue fight. If successful in reversing the council decision, he said his family would shelve their development plans for their lot at 7841 Miller Ave.
He said he plans to continue efforts to establish a historic district to protect Miller Avenue and the surrounding showcase streets. He continues to insist the Mussallem project violates the city’s general plan guidelines and intends to file a complaint with the state attorney general’s office. He also plans to investigate a possible appeal at the city level, although at press time it remained unclear if that is possible.
“This is not over,” Alonzo said.
How council voted
For Miller Avenue subdivision
• Paul Correa
• Charles Morales
• Mayor Al Pinheiro
• Roland Velasco
Against subdivision
• Bob Dillon
• Craig Gartman
• Russ Valiquette
