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San Jose residents are building mini homes in their backyards and bringing families close together. Despite economic hardships related to COVID-19 and supply chain delays, 2021 broke records for residents who want to add another home on their property. Permit requests for accessory dwelling units (ADU) reached 804, with 464 permits issued last year. The...
San Jose council review: Homeless report, mental health response
Homelessness, mental health response, cost-saving recommendations and fee decreases to incentivize commercial development were the hot topics at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council meeting. Here’s the weekly breakdown: Annual Homeless Report Despite the hardships exacerbated by COVID-19, the city’s housing department said it has made notable progress on San Jose’s 2020-2025 plan to end homelessness....
UPDATE: San Jose gives more fee breaks to commercial developers
Commercial developers in San Jose will see another fee cut—and some advocates say it’s at the expense of affordable housing. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved a 20% reduction in commercial linkage fees citywide if the fees are fully paid before construction. The fee is a cost per square footage. The plan also increases...
Election 2022: The race for San Jose City Council District 1
With San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones terming out this year, three candidates are vying to represent the residents of West San Jose. Ramona Snyder, president of the San Jose Downtown Foundation board, Rosemary Kamei, a Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee, and Tim Gildersleeve, a paratransit operator, are facing off for the District...
West San Jose six-story hotel approved on Winchester Boulevard
Despite fervent community opposition, a six-story hotel is coming to Winchester Boulevard in West San Jose. On Wednesday, plans for a 119-room hotel on a 0.69-acre parcel at 1212 S. Winchester Blvd. was approved at a Planning Director’s hearing. The approval includes the demolition of two single-story commercial buildings and nine trees. The proposal quietly...
San Jose mayor raises six figures before stepping down from PAC
After raising more than $420,000 in three months, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is stepping away from a political action committee he formed less than six months ago. Liccardo announced on Twitter this week he’s resigning his officer role in Common Good Silicon Valley—a PAC he created in late 2021 to support business-friendly candidates in...
San Jose evictions and airport upgrades tops City Council agenda
Rent relief is about to expire and thousands could be in jeopardy of losing their homes. Upgrades at San Jose airport will help those with disabilities, and redevelopment on North 1st Street is in the works. Here’s your weekly breakdown of happened at the San Jose City Council meeting on March 22. Rental update ...
UPDATE: San Jose looks to limit foreign influence in elections
San Jose is moving to draft laws that limit foreign influence in elections and close some campaign contribution loopholes. On Tuesday, the City Council voted 9-1 to write an ordinance to prohibit foreign-influenced corporations or donors, with no stake in San Jose, from making contributions to local elections. It came before the council with intentions...
San Jose mayor makes first 2022 election endorsement
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has made his first City Council endorsement—Joanna Rauh for District 3. “Joanna Rauh has the common sense, passion, intelligence, listening skills and collaborative temperament needed to be a great city councilmember,” Liccardo told San José Spotlight. “Nobody juggles more than a working mom and she has proven she can master...
San Jose council candidate denies decades-old abuse allegations
San Jose Planning Commissioner and City Council candidate Rolando Bonilla is disputing allegations that have recently resurfaced regarding domestic violence and child support. About 20 years ago, Bonilla’s ex-wife accused him of physical abuse during a custody battle for their son and claimed he failed to pay child support on different occasions, according to media...