New apartments built near single-family homes should feature lots of green space — and better not rise too high. These were the top concerns raised by members of the Diridon Station Area Advisory Group (SAAG) Monday night, as the group discussed San Jose’s plan for the 250-acre area, as well as Google’s proposed 80-acre campus project. The...
Meet the community activist running for San Jose City Council
While the election may look like it is wrapping up, it is just beginning for LaToya Fernandez who is running for a seat on the San Jose City Council in 2022. Fernandez, 32, an educator, activist and community leader, said she intends to bring equity and representation to District 3. She would replace Councilmember Raul...
San Jose City Council: How will the property transfer tax increase be spent?
Eight months after voters approved Measure E — a property transfer tax increase— the city will decide how to spend the money intended for affordable housing projects and homelessness prevention services. Under the plan coming to the City Council Nov. 10, councilmembers propose using the $30 million in tax revenue to create new properties for...
Protester shot 6 times by San Jose police still awaiting trial 20 weeks later
It was the fifth night of protests in San Jose following the police killing of George Floyd and Yuridia Ochoa was doing a sideshow in his silver 2009 Audi A4 — turning in tight, fast circles in the car in front of City Hall at about 9 p.m. Within minutes, he was the target of...
WATCH: What has San Jose learned from a season of protests?
As the country grappled with the police killing of George Floyd, San Jose found itself at the center of widespread protests, confrontational policing and conversations about police brutality, racial bias and First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists. What has San Jose — its people, elected leaders and civic institutions — learned from a season...
San Jose moves to preserve undeveloped land in Coyote Valley
San Jose’s General Plan task force this week overwhelmingly voted to preserve Coyote Valley as open space for wildlife and limited agricultural use. More than 160 letters were submitted ahead of a meeting Oct. 29, including 116 with the subject “Please Protect Coyote Valley” asking task force members to preserve the land as agricultural and...
Who is responsible for The SVO’s racist image? They won’t say
Three days after a racist campaign image appeared on The Silicon Valley Organization’s website, the business lobby remains mum about who is responsible. Additionally, campaign finance records show the business group continues to work with a campaign consultant blamed for another racist campaign message posted in February. The most recent image, posted Oct. 27 and...
San Jose installs Black Lives Matter banners at City Hall
San Jose unveiled new Black Lives Matter banners at City Hall on Oct. 29, an effort to bridge the community following a year that saw deep divisions and widespread protests over racial inequality. The red, black and green banners, designed by local entrepreneur Cherise Orange, feature the colors of the Pan African Flag, which stands...
San Jose lawmakers approve plan to begin city’s redistricting process
After hours of heated debate, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to create a more transparent redistricting process based on recommendations from California Common Cause, a statewide political advocacy group. Under the plan approved Oct. 28, all San Jose residents can apply to the redistricting commission through a public process where residents can comment...
Plans to redesign San Jose’s St. James Park move forward despite setbacks
Despite setbacks stemming from the pandemic, steps to create a reimagined St. James Park in downtown San Jose are moving forward. Plans to revamp the struggling downtown park include building a performing arts pavilion, playground, dog park, picnic area and café. The idea, organizers said, is to make St. James Park a recreational focal point...