A proposal to extend a reduction in housing development fees in downtown San Jose has labor advocates at odds with the business community, who say the longstanding incentive program has suddenly become “politicized.” On Thursday morning, the two groups pled their cases about the incentive program — known as the Downtown High Rise Incentive Program —...
Santa Clara officials give 49ers a deadline to turn over management of Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara city leaders have given the San Francisco 49ers until Nov. 15 to turn over management duties for non-NFL events at Levi’s Stadium, but what comes next may be messy. The football team, which received notice of the city’s decision Wednesday morning, will need to decide whether or not it will put up a...
Santa Clara votes to strip 49ers’ power to sign contracts at Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara officials Tuesday night voted to remove the San Francisco 49ers as managers of Levi’s Stadium and to effectively strip the NFL team of its ability to sign contracts or buy items for the stadium. The 49ers are currently the manager and operator of the stadium and have the ability to sign contracts or...
San Jose leaders adopt environmental building codes
San Jose leaders on Tuesday voted 10-0 to adopt a new reach code ordinance that mandates all new buildings to become electric, a bold effort many supporters and environmental advocates praised as a response to what the City Council also unanimously declared is a “climate emergency.” Vice Mayor Chappie Jones did not vote, as he...
Otto Lee lands Silicon Valley Democratic Club endorsement for county supervisor
If it were up to the Silicon Valley Democratic Club, former Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee would be joining the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The intellectual property lawyer and former Sunnyvale mayor won the club’s endorsement – earning 72.9 percent of the second round of voting – for the District 3 supervisorial seat, despite...
San Jose responds to grand jury report on $3.4B in unfunded pension liabilities
Growing retirement benefits and poor investment returns are at the heart of San Jose’s ballooning pension obligations — which are projected to drain an average of $340 million a year from the general fund over the next decade — according to a Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury investigation the City Council discussed Tuesday. The...
San Jose to consider a new privacy policy and environmental building codes
On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council is expected to adopt a new privacy policy and a building ordinance that will create a more environmentally friendly set of practices for new construction. As part of a growing effort to increase technological security, the lawmakers will hear a report from city officials on the importance of...
Silicon Valley lawmaker authors bill to strengthen public records act
One of California’s oldest government transparency laws is expected to get a boost if a new bill that removes the fear of a financial burden from those requesting public records is signed into law in the coming weeks. The proposed measure from a Silicon Valley lawmaker could clear the way for more open government. Sen. Bob Wieckowski,...
Another San Jose planning commissioner resigns
Months after a fierce showdown over political representation on San Jose’s Planning Commission unfolded, another commissioner announced on Wednesday that he’s resigning, opening up an extra vacancy on the powerful panel. The lengthy and drawn out battle over a seat on the 7-member commission began months ago, after some community leaders denounced the appointment of...
San Jose leaders declare a climate emergency
As climate change continues to exacerbate weather conditions and increase the scope of natural disasters worldwide, San Jose leaders are saying enough is enough, calling for the city to step in as one of the growing number of cities to declare a climate emergency. The bipartisan effort to combat against a warming planet was led by...