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Residents urge council to reject Winchester overlay, propose Austin Way alternative
Summary
Dozens of Monte Sereno residents urged the council during public comment to reject the Winchester Boulevard overlay and to study alternative sites (notably an Austin Way triangle), citing traffic and school-safety concerns, privacy, loss of mature trees and potential property-value impacts.
A steady stream of residents spoke during the public hearing on the Winchester overlay, urging the council to reject the proposed rezoning and to consider alternatives such as parcels on Austin Way.
John McGlone, who said he submitted documents to the council, reported a petition with approximately 130 signatures from Monte Sereno registered voters and asked the council to "strongly consider other alternatives." Several residents described daily pedestrian and school routes that they said would be endangered by increased traffic if the Winchester parcels were rezoned for multifamily use. A former teacher and school principal, Billy Martin, called Winchester a poor choice because the two parcels are small, surrounded by backyards and legacy trees, and sit on a school corridor.
Speakers repeatedly cited privacy concerns and the potential for negative property-value impacts; one commenter estimated cumulative damages in the millions. Several speakers requested that the council pause and explore other sites before adopting the overlay; others warned against moving the issue without studying the infrastructure and safety implications of any alternative.
Some residents also said they did not receive direct outreach materials and asked the city to provide more thorough outreach going forward. A smaller set of commenters defended the process and said Winchester's existing mixed-use and rental context made it an appropriate location for an overlay.
The council considered the public comments alongside staff recommendations and the legal context of the city's housing element before voting to adopt the overlay with modifications.
