San Jose has cleared out 224 homeless encampments since January, with more than 75% of those removals happening in Districts 3 and 7, city data shows. City officials said a sweep could mean booting one person from their camping spot—or clearing out a massive site with multiple people. Advocates, who have long called for the...
A look at San Jose policy changes headed to lawmakers
Nearly a year after it first convened, the 23-member body in charge of making changes to San Jose’s city charter is finished with its duty. Wednesday’s meeting of the Charter Review Commission unanimously rubber-stamped final recommendations for numerous changes to city laws—including shifting the timing of mayoral elections and adding more council districts. Commissioners voted 16-0,...
UPDATE: San Jose officials suggest dropping Opportunity Housing
A San Jose commission is asking the City Council to abandon a controversial local housing initiative in favor of a similar state law. And they’re looking for ways to ensure the law would open the door to more affordable housing. The Planning Commission voted 8-2 Wednesday to approve several staff recommendations for how to implement...
San Jose school trustee jumps into District 7 council race
East Side Union High School District Board President Van Le is joining the contested race for the San Jose City Council District 7 seat. Le, 63, has served as a board member in one of the largest San Jose school districts since 2010. She also owns a State Farm Insurance agency in the city. “My slogan...
San Jose residents clash over proposed redistricting maps
Bitter and passionate words marked the San Jose City Council’s first public redistricting hearing as advocates urged lawmakers to embrace two different visions of redrawn political boundaries. Mayor Sam Liccardo and fellow councilmembers refrained from discussion Tuesday, opting instead to hear from more than 150 residents. The hearing is the first of three to be...
UPDATE: San Jose council sends airport billboard plan back to commission
San Jose lawmakers stalled putting up electronic billboards along Highway 101. The San Jose City Council voted 9-1 Tuesday to send a proposal to construct two billboards by media company Clear Channel back to the Airport Commission. Councilmember Raul Peralez voted no. This follows several failed votes to approve the proposal. The proposal will be heard again...
‘You’re not wanted here’: Advocates decry barriers around San Jose homeless camp
In an effort to clear one of the Bay Area’s largest homeless camps, San Jose installed barriers near Columbus Park right before Thanksgiving, prompting concern from some unhoused advocates. The city installed K-Rail barriers at the intersection of Spring and Hedding streets and east of it earlier this month. The city also placed “no outlet/not...
What do San Jose commissioners actually accomplish?
San Jose City Council decisions are almost always final, but they don’t start that way: Most major decisions go through a commission of appointees before they head to the council’s 11-member dais. Before a law or policy is passed, it’s usually first taken up by the relevant commission. After presentations from city officials, public comment...
San Jose expands investigation of labor violations at emergency housing sites
San Jose is expanding its investigation of illegal labor practices, including wage theft, at emergency housing projects handled by Habitat for Humanity, but there’s no set date for when workers will get paid. The city’s Public Works Department is demanding $319,631.46 in restitution for workers from Veev Build, a subcontractor, for various alleged labor violations reported by...
San Jose’s Cambrian Park Plaza inches toward redevelopment
Cambrian Park Plaza is a step closer to redevelopment with the release of its draft environmental report. Located at the intersection of Union and Camden avenues in San Jose with its iconic carousel sign, the reimagined single-story shopping center, which dates back to the 1950s, is a long way from approval. An estimated completion date...