San Jose has plans to transform a dilapidated park into a family-friendly area for sports, but will first clear the area of homeless residents. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to revitalize Columbus Park, located at Asbury and Irene streets. Once a place where youth gathered in an under-resourced area, the new 9.4-acre...
Cupertino sued over expired housing proposals
Housing advocates are suing Cupertino over two controversial development proposals the city claims can’t be built. Housing groups Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Law and California Housing Defense Fund filed two lawsuits against Cupertino April 8, claiming the city shouldn’t have deemed two housing project proposals expired. Developers filed the projects — 20 condos and...
San Jose starts work on safe sleeping site
San Jose is breaking ground on its first sanctioned homeless encampment, which will allow 56 people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept this summer. The vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. will serve as a navigation center, where participants will be given three daily meals and have access to showers, laundry facilities...
San Jose gives more equity to first-time homebuyers
Hundreds of first-time San Jose homeowners who took out loans with the city to make down payments are set to get back tens of thousands of dollars in home equity. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously April 8 to restore home equity shares for residents who bought homes under the city’s defunct First-Time Homebuyer...
Santa Clara approves another 1,000+ housing project
North Santa Clara is slated for more than a thousand new homes over the next few years, with whole neighborhoods under construction. The Santa Clara City Council gave its final approval March 25 on a 25.7-acre development at 2518 Mission College Blvd. The project will bring in 1,792 apartments, 268 of which will be affordable...
San Jose safe parking site full one month after opening
A San Jose safe parking site for homeless people living in their vehicles is at capacity one month after opening — and two people have already moved into permanent housing. The safe parking site at 1300 Berryessa Road offers 86 spaces for individuals and families to live without fear of getting swept or towed. It’s the city’s...
Proposed San Jose Chick-fil-A would be first in West San Jose
The largest fast-food chicken sandwich chain in the U.S. wants its next San Jose location to be the city’s most pedestrian-friendly restaurant. Chick-fil-A is seeking approval from city officials to add another eatery in San Jose with outdoor seating and no drive-thru at 1301 West San Carlos St. A spokesperson previously told San José Spotlight they...
Housing project next to Los Gatos High raises safety issues
A 30-home project could be built across the street from Los Gatos High School, bringing student safety to the forefront. The Los Gatos Planning Commission voted 4-2 on March 26 to recommend the Town Council approve a 4-story, mixed-use housing development at 143-151 E. Main St. across the street from Los Gatos High School. Commissioners...
San Jose homeless people say police citations are harassment
San Jose police continue to issue handwritten tickets to homeless people even after the department switched to electronic citations — a practice that is raising questions. Four homeless residents encamped near Cherry Avenue along the Guadalupe River said police regularly patrol the area and give out tickets for trespassing and littering. The behavior has those...
San Jose homeless people struggle with clean water sources
Dozens of homeless residents living at Columbus Park in San Jose have struggled to get drinking water, as local sources in the park have been off and on for weeks. Residents encamped in RVs and vehicles said they used to get their drinking water from fountains in the park, but the city shut the water...