News

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Installed

To address the neighborhood crime issues, we worked with SJPD and Flock Safety to install an ALPR camera at our front entrance to assist SJPD in gaining actionable information to help solve break-ins and other crimes.

This new capability will provide an additional level of safety and security for our neighborhood. This new service, along with our landscaping work, makes up most of our expenditures.



Meeting With City of SJ on Trail Crossing Improvements

Trail crossing sign

As you may be aware, we have been in discussions with the City of San Jose on ways to improve the area where our walking and biking trail crosses Graystone Lane, close to the bridge over the creek.  It is currently an unmarked crossing — a crossing without painted lines, signage or flashers.  We have learned that our safety concerns have been heard and funding has been secured by Matt Mahan and his D-10 staff to address this safety issue. The City (DOT specifically) has reviewed their thinking with a few of us and now want to hold a Zoom session with all interested neighbors to share their plans and get feedback.

The Zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 6 at 6 pm.  We will share the link soon.  



Big Thank You!

We’d like to offer a big Thank You to all who saved our homes!

This morning we all got up with a huge sense of relief to be able to do what is normal — get out of our own bed.  So many professionals responded last night in a magnificent way to save our homes.  For that we are most grateful.  In a effort to express our sincere appreciation, we have placed a large Thank You in the Mercury News that will appear tomorrow, Saturday.  Next to our Thank You will be their story about the fire.  We felt that standing next to the article was a fitting tribute — we stand with all of the professionals that risked their lives to save our homes. 



Helping One Another

We Can Help One Another During This Covid-19 Crisis.  

Obviously this is a trying time for all of us.  Here are two ways that we (our neighborhood) might be able to help you reach out to help others.  Let us discuss both:  

First, anyone who is in need of some extra help, no matter how big or small, can log into our website,  GraystoneofAlmaden.org, and send us a request, using the Contact Us button.  Maybe you need someone under 65 years old to make a grocery run or pick up something for you at the drug store.  We, the Association, will then communicate those needs to all the neighbors and ask for helpers.  We will match up needs and helpers.

Second, if you are a heath care worker (HCW) and overwhelmed with work responsibilities, maybe you can use some extra help to make it through your week.  Paul McGuire, your neighbor and an Association board member, is coordinating a program with Holy Spirit Church to create a volunteer buddy system to take over those weekly shopping needs that may be almost impossible when you are asked to work 12 hour days, every day.  So, if you are one of those on the front line, please contact Paul, at mcguirepaul@comcast.net to request help.  And, if you are interested in volunteering to be a HCW buddy, again, contact Paul to get more information on how you can assist.

Please use our website to communicate your needs, thoughts, suggestions and/or willingness to help out .  Together, we can make this tough time a better time with neighbors helping neighbors.


Association Membership Renewal

In early June, you should have recently received a hardcopy newsletter at your doorstep. Please consider joining or renewing your membership. Also, please return your email confirmation form to us so we can stay in touch throughout the year. All of our communications are via email with the one exception of the hardcopy newsletter/renewal notice/database clean up effort in May each year.

If you have any questions, send us an email using the Contact Us button on this home page. We will get back with you as soon as possible.



Boulder Ridge Update

Happy New Year and it is time for an important update on Boulder Ridge. You may have seen the recent front page news article in the Mercury News giving everyone an update on the development proposal. Below is more detail.

As we shared with you in November, the Board of Supervisor’s (BOS) hearing ended with a 2 – 2 vote, with Ken Yeager present for the presentation, public comments, and most of discussion, but unfortunately having to leave before the final vote was taken. Although Supervisor Yeager initially stated that the project proposal was rejected (a proposal must win by a majority), after request by Mr. Garcia and his attorney and much discussion by County personnel, it was determined that the issue would return to the BOS for a final vote, since it takes 3 votes to approve or disapprove a project. While the final process has not been confirmed by the County, we believe that there will be no further opportunity at the next hearing for public comment, but that the Supervisors will discuss and take a final vote with all 5 present. Seemingly, the Boulder Ridge development proposal will end up as a 3 – 2 vote, either for or against the proposed development unless one of the four Supervisors who voted change their vote. Obviously, we have been communicating with Ken Yeager’s office to ensure our position is well understood.

We also communicated with you in November that Supervisor Wasserman suggested two important restrictions when he voted for the development proposal. First, he eliminated the swim meets and all the associated noise. Second, he proposed that Boulder Ridge could not sell a separate membership to the Fitness and Swim facility. This second restriction still needs clarification. If, as County has stated, the only reason that they would approve a Fitness and Swim facility on the Hillside is that it is ancillary to a golf course, we want it made clear that only golf members be allowed to use the new facility.

While we remain clear in our position that there should be “no new development” on the Hillside overlooking our homes, we were encouraged by the discussion at the November meeting. Two Supervisors agreed with our position and the two Supervisors that voted to approve the development felt that substantive restrictions where required to justify approval. No matter the final outcome, we are making a difference.

After the meeting, Boulder Ridge’s attorney approached our attorney with a new request. He asked that we agree to participate in a settlement conference between Boulder Ridge and the neighborhood groups. While we are unsure what they could offer that would be acceptable to us, we agreed to listen. On January 14, we held the first meeting. After listening to them and sharing our views, they have agreed to submit a proposal to us. We will review their proposal and update everyone.

The BOS vote is scheduled for February 10.



Our New Website

GraystoneWebsiteThe new Graystone Neighborhood Associate website is now live!  The site was designed to showcase our community, and meet our needs for years to come.

The site features a Members section that allows users to log in to update their information, view the members directory, download documents, vote in elections, and renew their membership through our secure PayPal payments system.

Thanks to member Scott Sherwood for spearheading the website effort, with assistance from Ron Mak and Paul Reilly.