Neighbors Seek to Reconnect - Page 2

Soon, Carol says, she was getting to know as many neighbors on her street, Stendhal Lane, as she could, and "checking on older neighbors in this community."

Until recently, the neighborhood had a phone tree connecting people, but that died around 2017, she says.

Carol also created and began passing out a flyer throughout Fairgrove: 'Let's Get Reconnected.'

"I created a flyer with a QR code so that people can find and join our email list. I've been sharing with some of our neighbors so that at least they could share it with their friends in this neighborhood. But it's a little bit difficult," she says, noting that many neighbors are private and do not want to get involved.

It may take time to build community, she says. She has put together a list of neighbors for get‐togethers, but it is small. She says that any homeowners group that ever existed is long gone, the covenants and restrictions that came with the tract to protect homes are not enforced, and the city of Cupertino is not doing an adequate job of enforcing the city 'Eichler Design Guidelines' that were adopted in 2001.

She says that many newcomers are doing great things to their homes in keeping with the Eichler style—though others are not. She and a few other neighbors are upset with a recent remodel that is replacing an original‐looking Eichler with something some believe violates the guidelines.

Another neighbor hoping to build a sense of community is Chris Tisdell, who with his daughter, Violet, created and keep stocked an 'Eichler Museum,' a 'Little Free Library' sort of structure filled with art to encourage people to stop, look, and chat. "Here we have the chance to actually bring a little bit more engagement to the community," he says.

"The goal is that over time, we can start highlighting other people's artwork from this neighborhood," says Chris, who trained as an architect and now works for a firm that builds modern modular homes.

Chris and his family often sit in front of their Eichler in chairs set up to provide a view of the street, chatting to dog walkers and others who stroll by. "I thought, this is a great area just to be able to see people walking by, connecting with people," he says.

Ultimately Carol would like to see a stronger community lead to stronger protections for the homes.

"The new owners who have moved in, some are really obsessed with Eichlers." But some just do not care, she adds.

"What I would love is that we become a much more passionate community," Carol says, "and really become advocates to City Council and Planning about how this neighborhood needs to be preserved."

• Fairgrove neighbors looking for more information can connect with Carol Maa via e-mail at [email protected].