Plans for a San Jose urban village have shifted, after developers agreed to pay millions to offset their decision to build more affordable homes. The San Jose Planning Commission unanimously approved a downscaled plan for hundreds of apartments at the El Paseo de Saratoga shopping center Nov. 20 after developers agreed to pay $13.9 million...
Silicon Valley water district will fine people living on its property
Homeless people are barred from living along regional waterways owned by Santa Clara County’s largest water agency — and could be charged with an infraction or misdemeanor and face up to $500 fines if they’re caught camping there. The Valley Water board of directors voted 6-1 on Tuesday to enact the Water Resource Protection Zones...
Sunnyvale to spruce up downtown pedestrian mall
Sunnyvale is taking steps to make its downtown more inviting for residents and visitors alike by beautifying its most historic block. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved concept plans to turn the historic Murphy Avenue block of downtown into a permanent pedestrian mall, with Councilmember Russ Melton absent. The plans include more bike...
San Jose hits some homelessness goals, misses others
San Jose is inching toward its housing and homelessness goals, but still has a ways to go before it can shelter thousands of unhoused residents. The city released its latest annual homelessness report in early November detailing its progress in cleaning up the streets and waterways, sweeping encampments and building temporary housing. It met some goals,...
San Jose tow-away zones threaten RV residents
People living in RVs along Almaden Expressway are worried they’ll be thrown onto the streets when San Jose begins its tow-away zone program next year. Under a new pilot program, the city will choose up to 30 temporary tow-away zones and 10 permanent sites to clear RVs for street sweeping and cleanup by the end...
San Jose officials greenlight hospital expansion
No one at the packed San Jose City Council meeting wanted the West Valley hospital to close or miss its seismic retrofit deadline, but numerous residents wanted city officials to hear their concerns about the company that owns the hospital. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the environmental impact report...
Sunnyvale to scout sites for safe parking program
Sunnyvale leaders want to lower the anxiety levels of residents living in their vehicles through a widely supported solution: giving them a safe place to park. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a policy to allow safe vehicle parking sites in the city, with Councilmembers Alysa Cisneros and Omar Din absent. Safe parking...
Silicon Valley transit agency funds community growth near train stations
VTA wants to increase its presence, and ridership numbers, by pumping dollars into community groups near its light rail stations. To kick off the effort, VTA officials have started a transit-oriented community grant giving program to help retain nearby small businesses and uplift residents. The public transit agency has given more than $400,000 to various...
San Jose mobile home park residents face illegal rent increases
Illegal rent increases at a mobile home park just outside the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds have San Jose housing department staff turning to the city attorney for help. A Nov. 7 report by Housing Director Erik L. Soliván alleges the owners of Western Trailer Park, Stockton-based Harmony Communities, told residents earlier this year rent would go up...
East San Jose development could add hundreds of affordable homes
East San Jose could be home to one of the city’s largest affordable housing developments in recent history under a new proposal. City leaders are hosting a Nov. 18 community meeting to discuss a proposed 100% affordable housing development at 2940 Alum Rock Ave., just across from James Lick High School. The 50,900-square-foot development would...