Hillview redo rejected by Los Altos voters

A bond measure to fund renovations at a Los Altos park and community center was roundly rejected by voters in Tuesday’s election, according to complete unofficial election results.

Measure A proposed providing $65 million in bonds to replace the Hillview Community Center, which is nearly 70 years old, and make improvements at Hillview Park.

About 72 percent of voters rejected the measure, one of only two on the ballot in Santa Clara County in today’s election. Measure B, the renewal of a $96 parcel tax to benefit the Union Elementary School District in West San Jose, was the other measure.

Both measures required two-thirds approval to pass.

Proponents of Measure A said it would create needed areas for recreational activities at the center and park and comes at a time of low interest rates and construction costs.

However, opponents said the project’s plan proposed taking up a space three times larger than other community centers in neighboring cities like Saratoga, and that the total estimated cost of the project is around $87 million.

Voters appear to have approved Measure B, with more than 74 percent voting yes, according to the unofficial results.

The existing $96 parcel tax, which benefits the district’s eight campuses by supporting academics, retaining teachers and keeping class sizes small, was set to expire on June 30, 2016. The renewed tax will now go into effect July 1.

Proponents noted the tax will not be used to pay administrators and that certain people, including seniors, are exempt from paying it.

Opponents, including the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, said the district doesn’t need the funds, noting that voters last year approved $125 million in bonds for it via Measure J for building repairs and other renovations.