Dear Planning Department,

Congratulations on your recent awards from the Northern Section, California Chapter, of the American Planning Association. http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/planning/sjplan/award.html

I read with great interest the reasons for the selection of your department as recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award, which is not given out on a regular basis.

"This award specifically recognized San Jose's as a leader in developing plans and policies designed to manage growth consistent with the City's objectives for sustainability, economic development, neighborhood quality and environmental protection."

"The San Jose 2020 General Plan was the key document considered by the awards jury which recognized that the Plan contains major long term development policies which are incorporated into the daily life of the City and are designed to guide San Jose's evolution as a high quality urban environment."

The highlights are mine, and hopefully these will be in the minds of the Planning Dept. and the commission as they consider the many modifications to the General Plan required to shoehorn the proposed Capline power plant into the Santa Teresa neighborhood.

Regards,

Tim Alton