Perspective Perspective (March 05, 2004)

Exit loss the price of progress

By Candice Shih

I don't live next to a Home Depot, a creek, a meditation center or a high-rise apartment complex, just a few of the items that Mountain View residents have found offensive within the last year or two. But I now have my very own "not in my backyard" issue: the Highways 85/101 North interchange.

This new connector ramp that is supposed to dramatically ease the current level of traffic congestion has now encroached on my life -- it caused the closure of my exit off Highway 101. As of last week, the Middlefield Road exit is off limits for the next 18 months.

Since I work downtown at the Voice, I don't need to take 101 daily. But I do end up using this exit about once a week, even if I'm just coming back home from Century 16 Cinemas. And like thousands of other Mountain View residents and workers, I won't like using a detour for the next year and a half.

When I found out about the ramp closure, I started thinking about joining forces with a man I saw at a Mountain View City Council meeting who ranted about the reconfiguration of the Moffett Boulevard ramp, which he uses every day to get to and from work.

But then common sense got the better of me.

Unlike Moffett Man, I just don't think losing the Middlefield Road exit is that big of a deal. Of course it's annoying, but I understand that these projects are all necessary. What's more frustrating than having to take a mile-long detour is being delayed 30 minutes every morning and evening trying to get off and on 85, which is what commuters are facing now.

Having witnessed many "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) disputes during my two years reporting at the Voice and seeing this one up close, I think I know the difference between valid NIMBY arguments and what are just whiny complaints.

If the offending structure or situation would keep you from moving into your home in the first place, then you have a valid NIMBY argument.

Part of the reason the No on N movement, which successfully rallied to stop Home Depot from moving into town, took root is because many residents understood the neighbors' fear that the giant store, with its trucks, noise, pollution and big-box attitude, could be truly harmful to the surrounding homes.

Oversize and loud delivery trucks, toxics in the air, early morning band practices and midnight train repairs are all things that significantly impact the quality of life in a neighborhood, so go ahead, complain. These are factors worth considering before you move into a new place.

But if it's a minor annoyance that is going to go away soon or means just a couple more cars in your neighborhood, stuff that complaint. Whining over something petty seldom gets you anywhere anyway.

I can't say I like it, but I can do without my exit ramp for 18 months. Or at least I can get by without feeling the need to lobby my elected officials so I'm sorry, Moffett Man, but you're on your own.

E-mail Candice Shih at editor@mv-voice.com

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