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 mayor oversells the value of temporary housing
San Jose’s mayor is touting a plan to end unsheltered homelessness through temporary housing solutions, claiming it’s 95% cheaper than building permanent affordable housing. But he’s leaving out a crucial detail. Mayor Matt Mahan wants to achieve “functional zero” — when the number of people exiting homelessness is greater than the number of people becoming...
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...
Historic Los Gatos hotel could be replaced with 155 homes
More than 100 homes could displace a longstanding, landmark hotel in Los Gatos. The Los Gatos Planning Commission unanimously recommended a proposed 155-townhome development Wednesday that would replace the Los Gatos Lodge. San Ramon-based SummerHill Homes is slated to develop the project at 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road on roughly 8.9 acres. Plans for the three-story...
San Jose opens multi-story modular housing site for homeless families
A South San Jose modular housing project for homeless people is finally opening after months of delay due to issues with mold, plumbing and structural safety. The 3-story temporary housing campus situated on a 2-acre lot at 1 Branham Lane will welcome up to 214 unhoused residents later this month. The project is the first...
San Jose to rezone land near airport for business development
San Jose is eyeing patches of vacant land underneath the San Jose Mineta International Airport flight path for commercial use. San Jose planning department officials want to rezone about 11 acres of unused, city-owned land along Coleman Avenue and West Hedding Street from open space to commercial. The proposal is expected to go before the Planning...
San Jose tackles thousands of homeless camp fires
Fires emanating from San Jose’s homeless encampments far outnumber those coming from homes and businesses, leaving nearby residents scared for their safety and health. Over the past year thousands of non-structural fires have been sparked by homeless camps, causing toxic fumes and safety problems for people and property. Jerry May, president of the San Jose Fire...
San Jose mayor sees ADUs as housing crisis quick fix
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the Los Angeles wildfires created a rare opportunity for the state to build tens of thousands of new homes for displaced residents while simultaneously tackling the housing crisis. Mahan made his proposal to the state housing and community development department in an opinion piece published last week where he advocated...
Silicon Valley water agency flops on outreach ahead of sweeps
Santa Clara County’s largest water agency has begun banning homeless encampments on its property, reversing a commitment to let nonprofits and advocates do outreach prior to enforcing its new policy. Although Valley Water planned to start training nonprofit groups to provide information to homeless residents prior to enforcing an encampment ban on Jan. 2, that hasn’t...
Los Gatos senior housing development back on track
An older adult community in Los Gatos is on its way toward a major overhaul, providing what officials said are much-needed homes. The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved the Los Gatos Meadows development Tuesday, a 209-home, multi-story project dedicated for older adults at 110 Wood Road. Councilmember Maria Ristow recused herself from the vote...