Los Gatos wants clarity over a housing dispute with the state, and land use experts say the results of the legal spat could slow needed housing. Los Gatos requested legal clarification from the Santa Clara County Superior Court March 28 about a land use disagreement between the town and California Department of Housing and Community Development....
East San Jose apartments planned for 8-story complex
A neglected East San Jose medical building will be torn down to make way for multifamily housing. City officials approved a mixed-use development at 2470 Alvin Ave. to replace an existing medical office building during a March 26 San Jose Planning Director’s Hearing. The nearly one-acre parcel will be redeveloped into an 8-story, 138-apartment and...
Former San Jose motel to become permanent housing
San Jose is transferring ownership of a former motel rife with issues to the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, with plans to convert it from temporary homeless housing to permanent apartments. The City Council approved finalizing the sale Tuesday for $1, with the housing authority expected to own the building by the end of June....
San Jose not on track to open safe sleeping site
San Jose’s first safe sleeping site for homeless residents was supposed to open in March, but has been delayed by months. The city is converting a vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. near Watson Park to allow up to 56 homeless people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept. Mayor Matt Mahan previously...
San Jose mayor wants to clear homeless camps near freeways
San Jose has been clearing homeless encampments along city waterways, and is looking to do the same for people living under freeways. Mayor Matt Mahan is exploring a partnership with Caltrans to accelerate sweeps near freeways through state legislation and a city pilot program. State freeways, highways and underpasses are under Caltrans’ jurisdiction. But due...
San Jose policy gives housing developer millions in tax breaks
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...
San Jose mayor’s proposals criminalize homelessness, advocates say
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is taking a hardline approach in his budget plan to get homeless people off the streets. Community advocates are calling it unjust. Mahan’s upcoming 2025-26 budget message proposes several ways to tackle homelessness, including reallocating more Measure E funding toward temporary shelter, encampment services and homelessness prevention. While proponents say...
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...