I want to hear more about alternative sites. I want to know if there is a requirement that there must be a small number of appoveable choices. You cannot convince me that the only local useable place is the Tulare Hill site about 2000 feet from a neighborhood.

I took a ride through Coyote Valley today, exploring alternative sites to the Tulare Hill power plant location. This is one of the first times I payed close attention to the land, and I was surprised about the beauty it contains.

First I visited the site near IBM. This location may be better suited because it is further from visible housing. As the crow flies it actually may be closer to another portion of the neighborhood but the intervening hills are higher and may provide a greater protection from the pollution fall-out.

Next I visited the Coyote Valley Sporting Clay Range. This is about 4 miles south of Bailey off Santa Teresa Blvd. It is an absolutely beautiful small extension of the main valley. I'm certain not many people are aware of this delightful spot. It is almost completely isolated from all housing because it is surrounded by a ring of hills. It may not even be part of the green belt. Only the shot gunners know this place. I'm certain the range is located there because the closet neighbor cannot hear the gun fire. It would be a great place to hide a power plant and not require that much greater expense to run gas and power lines. In fact, there are power lines that run nearby.

Next I drove north on Santa Teresa back towards Bailey. I took every left turn (about 4 or 5) and drove west toward the hills, looking for another hidden valley extension. There are none. I did find a place called Amphitheatre picnic area. Wonder who owns this park and what events happen there.

The power plant could be placed any where along the base of these hills and have a similar terrain to Tulare Hill. Although it would be visible from Santa Teresa Blvd there is almost zero housing there at this time. The plant could be built in this non-residential area. Anyone deciding to build or buy a house at a later date, would be making this choice with full knowledge that they are locating near an existing plant, rather than having the plant imposed upon an existing neighborhood.

Next I drove across Monterey Highway, turned north, and then right onto Metcalf Rd to the substation. Take the first right just before the substation and drive south. Just past the substation you will run into Coyote Ranch. I wondered why the plant could not be located on the property next to the substation. The space may be small between the substation and the golf course. Are we more concerned with providing for golfers and golf courses than the South San Jose neighborhood?

The space between Monterey Highway and 101 might make a reasonable location for the plant in this general vicinity. There is light industry mixed with a little farmland and the golf course.

The only drawback is the proximity to Encinal School. So here is a creative idea! Build the power plant at or near the Encinal School site, and have Calpine rebuild the school at another location such as Tulare Hill or IBM. Maybe this can also serve some benefit to the Morgan Hill Unified School District which overlaps with our South San Jose neighborhood. How can this be a win-win situation for all parties?

Have the city planners given any consideration to alternatives?

It seems that there is a rush to judgement about meeting some deadline dictated by CEC or Calpine. It seems that our city planning is being done by CEC and Calpine. This project needs much more study than is being allotted.