City leaders have agreed to give a San Jose housing developer multimillion-dollar tax breaks as part of a recently-passed program meant to win over builders. The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a seven-story, 345-apartment complex at 905 North Capitol Ave., signing off on $4.9 million in construction tax cuts and fee...
Sunnyvale aims to preserve retail spaces in northern neighborhoods
Sunnyvale wants to preserve retail space in an underserved community, but the city will have to convince developers the investment is worthwhile. The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, with Councilmember Murali Srinivasan absent, to approve a retail preservation program for two aging retail centers slated to be turned into townhomes. The program would allow...
Los Gatos orchard could become townhomes
Wild mustard is in full bloom at one of Los Gatos’ last orchards, where hundreds of bare, brown walnut trees stand as remaining vestiges of the town’s agricultural past. That may soon change. San Jose-based Urban Catalyst recently submitted revised plans for a 138-townhome development to replace the orchard at 14789 Oka Road. Plans for the...
Affordable housing to replace East San Jose abandoned building
A vacant building in East San Jose will be replaced with hundreds of affordable homes. A 100% affordable housing complex was approved at 2940 Alum Rock Ave. across from James Lick High School March 12 at Planning Director hearing. The 50,900-square-foot development would construct 400 homes and demolish two vacant buildings to make way for...
Los Gatos to replace landmark hotel with housing
A large townhome development will replace a decades-old iconic Los Gatos hotel. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved a 155-townhome development Tuesday to replace the Los Gatos Lodge. Councilmember Mary Badame recused herself because of her home’s proximity to the site. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes will develop the project at 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road on...
San Jose approves hundreds of affordable homes at historic site
A 15-story multifamily affordable housing development is about to become part of downtown San Jose’s SoFA district after almost a decade of planning. San Jose Planning Director Chris Burton approved the 220-apartment development, known as Gateway Tower, at a Wednesday hearing. The complex will be 100% affordable housing, including 55 permanent supportive apartments and 165...
Campbell housing project fills hole in downtown corridor
Nearly 100 homes could fill a vacant block next to downtown Campbell that has dragged through the development process for almost a decade. Roseville-based Cresleigh Homes recently submitted plans for a 90-home development at 600 E. Campbell Ave., sandwiched between The Pruneyard and the city’s historic downtown. Plans for the five- and six-story development include...
Campbell Library renovation needs funds for services
After years of delays and planning, Campbell is about to complete construction on its new library — and one nonprofit is counting on locals to step up and fill in the gaps. Friends of the Campbell Library aims to raise $250,000 for essentials not covered in Measure O, a $50-million bond measure voters passed in...
San Jose rejects development due to ‘ridiculous’ red tape
San Jose planners have rejected a proposed project because it was filed at 1.2 inches instead of 1 inch, leaving the developer stunned. Real estate developer Donovan Adesoro said the planning department denied his housing proposal over incorrect paper sizing, a rejection that can create unnecessary setbacks when city standards are so rigid. To right...
San Jose apartment project to reduce affordable housing
Plans for a housing development near Japantown have changed, with the number of affordable apartments being significantly reduced. The San Jose Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday, with Commissioners Melissa Bickford and Pierluigi Oliverio absent, to recommend the City Council approve a 7-story, 118-home multifamily apartment complex with six affordable homes instead of 18 as initially...