For years, San Martin residents have voiced concerns to the county for approving construction without considering concerns of residents. In recent years, San Martin residents have been victims of perchlorate contamination from Olin Corporation, the Waste Transfer Site next to the elementary school and the recurring raw sewage contamination assault from Morgan Hill.
Last winter, when the sewer trunk system (managed by Morgan Hill and Gilroy) spilled hundreds of gallons of raw sewage onto Llagas Creek, San Martin roads and farmland, neither city would claim responsibility to ensure San Martin residents (and the environment) were safe.
And now we are watching San Martin become a rural speedway! On the rural roads of San Martin, where equestrians could once meander, commuters zoom at highway speeds, having no respect for the residents and the serene country roads.
The community of San Martin needs immediate action, and attention placed on the damage and danger speeding commuters are inflicting. Truckers notoriously use the roads as a detour from U.S. 101, and daily commuters are following suit. Through these rural roads, drivers are racing at excessive speeds down Columbet, Middle, Murphy and Sycamore avenues. Residents—attempting to exit their driveways or just to retrieve their mail—are jeopardizing their lives as they dodge rude, horn-honking, reckless speeding drivers.
Were traffic studies really considered when Morgan Hill and Gilroy approved their many massive housing developments? Was the unincorporated rural community of San Martin ever taken into consideration?
Back in 2000, dispiritedness within the community grew and a few residents formed the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA) in order to provide one voice for the community. Year after year, SMNA and advocates for keeping San Martin’s rural integrity have continued to speak up at the Santa Clara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings about the dangerous scenarios we face on the rural roads in San Martin.
Unfortunately, most county representatives do not live in South County; nor are they familiar with the rural lifestyle many in San Martin live and how it differs from the big city.
SMNA (sanmartinneighbor.org) continues to address concerns of large developments that are being proposed in San Martin. Some applications submitted for development in San Martin include proposals on Sycamore Avenue, San Martin Avenue, California Avenue and Monterey Road. These projects WILL significantly impact our rural roads and neighborhoods. These applications should necessitate LOCAL TRAFFIC SAFETY studies.
There is a county document known at the San Martin Integrated Design Plan (SMIDP), which is supposed to be the guidelines used when building in San Martin. The rural roads of San Martin were not designed for heavy commuter traffic, nor daily treks of semi-trucks escaping the U.S. 101 check stops or hauling enormous daily loads.
The San Martin community is also being used as an “unauthorized park-n-ride” by commuters. There are several areas near Mama’s Market where the soft shoulder of the road is being ruined by commuters parking their vehicles there all day. Then, upon returning to their vehicles, drivers are regularly seen congregating and drinking alcohol until dusk at the corner of Sycamore and San Martin Avenues.
Why is this outdoor bar activity being ignored by the authorities? This just compounds an already dangerous combination of heavy traffic, with impatient drivers, who are now intoxicated. Not only should there be “no parking” signs, but also “no drinking in public.”
Furthermore, there is consternation about the additional proposed project at this location for a porta-potty storage business. In addition to the concerns about more traffic, there are valid environmental concerns due to the proximity of this business being along Llagas Creek. This is entirely absurd!
Residents are sharing facts about auto accidents of loved ones that continue to take place throughout San Martin.
It seems from all the online comments from San Martin neighbors, that something needs to take place. Here are some general ideas: 1) a better sheriff presence; 2) “local traffic only” signage; 3) speed bumps; 4) more four-way stop signs; 5) yellow flashing warnings to slow down. Although this may impact residents from getting around, it will improve chances of surviving another day on the road.
San Martin residents need your support!
Connie Ludewig
San Martin
