November 17, 2006

City Hall News

Lifetime health insurance for council and Almaden development issue both
deferred to Dec. 5; Reed picks transition team; new director chosen

By Carol Rosen
Staff Writer

While there was much business discussed at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting, two hotly debated items on the City Council agenda were deferred to Dec. 5.

The first was a memorandum by District 1 Councilwoman Linda LeZotte, who is termed out this year. She has suggested that staff supply the requirements and costs for lifetime medical costs for mayors and council members who have served two full terms in the hope of attracting more city council candidates to the job. Her memo indicates the goal is to enact the coverage before Jan.1, when coincidently she has finished her two terms.

Protect green space
The other item deferred is regarding development in District 10. In this item, developers are asking council members to consider appealing the planning director’s decision to deny a tentative map permit subdividing two parcels into 16 lots for single-family detached homes. The site, which is about 500 feet east of Almaden Road and 500 feet west of McKean Road, includes 684.5 acres in a district zoned for single-family residences.

District 10 Councilwoman Nancy Pyle agrees with the planning director’s assessment. She wants to uphold the denial, but she also would like the council to implement a growth assessment reserve for the area because it is part of Almaden’s urban reserve. The land in that area belongs partly to the city and partly to the county and she is concerned that there has been piecemeal development on county land.

Pyle says she is trying to protect the green space, and an assessment will determine what the land will look like in 15 years with the county allowing area development.

“An assessment would be back in 60 to 90 days,” said Pyle’s assistant Lee Wilcox. “Nancy is trying to see if we need to protect the green space.”

Election news
The council did approve adding a special election for March 6 to fill the District 4 vacancy that will occur Jan. 1 when Chuck Reed moves into the mayor’s office. That date already had been set for the District 6 runoff between Pierluigi Oliverio and Steve Tedesco for the seat being vacated by Ken Yeager when he moves to the county board of supervisors.

Mayor-elect Chuck Reed recently announced his three-member transition team; former mayor Tom McEnery, Deputy City Manager Deanna Santana, and senior advisor Victor Ajlouny, who also served on the mayor-elect’s campaign staff. The three are responsible for developing a full transition team consisting of leaders from a broad range of professional, community and academic backgrounds.

Horwedel promoted
Joe Horwedel, who has been acting director of the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, was recently appointed the director of the department. City Manager Les White announced the appointment after a nationwide search that included public involvement.

Horwedel has served as the acting director of PBCE since last January, heading a staff of more than 330 employees. With an annual budget of $39 million, the department provides community-planning services, planning review, building inspection and enforcement services. One of PCBE’s major challenges is balancing staff levels to ensure quick and thorough development services while keeping fees at a sustainable level.

“Joe worked closely with the development community to make sure they were informed and involved,” White said in announcing the appointment. “He’s demonstrated the vision and community awareness necessary for a planning director to succeed in San Jose. Among his recent accomplishments, Joe has made great strides in streamlining permit process for Downtown Development and has implemented a new program to identify major policy conflicts early in the application process,” White added.

During the past year, Horwedel initiated the practice of having the Architectural Review Committee review downtown high-rise developments and launched the Small Business Ambassador program to help small businesses open quickly.

The new director conducts monthly ride-alongs with Code Enforcement and Building inspectors, often works behind the permit counter with staff to assist customers and randomly calls customers to hear how the department is functioning. He has improved public awareness of community meetings by implementing an online calendar for all land use-related community meetings.

Horwedel began his career with the city in 1983 as a planner then went on to serve as deputy director of PBCE Implementation Division. He is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, received his certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the American Planning Association.

Horwedel, whose appointment will take effect Nov. 21, will earn $174,000 annually.