For generations, San Jose has been divided on whether to preserve or develop Coyote Valley, the 7,400 acres of land between the Santa Cruz mountains and the Diablo range. But for the first time in the city’s history, the conversation was finally put to rest–for good — after city leaders unanimously voted on Wednesday to...
A split San Jose City Council votes to weaken rent control law
Housing was at the forefront of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, as San Jose lawmakers weighed making changes to several crucial housing laws. Among them was amending the city’s Ellis Act, where lawmakers voted 6-5 in favor of reducing the number of units developers have to put back under rent control after redevelopment. Councilmembers Sergio Jimenez,...
San Jose expected to preserve northern part of Coyote Valley
For more than five decades, San Jose has been divided on whether to preserve or develop Coyote Valley, the 7,400 acres of land between the Santa Cruz mountains and the Diablo range. This week, city leaders are expected to make major moves toward preservation. San Jose elected officials on Wednesday will vote on whether to...
Major housing policies top San Jose City Council agenda
For months, some San Jose lawmakers have wanted to amend the city’s Ellis Act ordinance by tweaking how many units would have to be put back under rent control after redevelopment — a move spurred by a fear that the current law’s requirement is halting housing production in the region. Now, the City Council on...
San Jose housing advocates stage Halloween protest to preserve Ellis Act
“Trick or treat” had a new meaning at San Jose City Hall Thursday, when protestors dressed up as Mayor Sam Liccardo and waved signs condemning the lawmaker for handing out “treats” to developers. Holding a Halloween-themed news conference, top labor leaders from the South Bay denounced making any changes to a rent control law they...
Santa Clara County cities mull joining collaborative to meet housing goals
Santa Clara County cities don’t always see eye-to-eye, particularly when it comes to development. But the 15 municipalities in the county are now considering a fresh collaboration when it comes to housing. Representatives of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County voted earlier this month to create a new planning collaborative open to each city...
San Jose lawmaker demands apology after executive’s fiery speech
The embers are still smoldering after Scott Knies’ fiery speech at the San Jose Downtown Association’s meeting earlier this month. The executive director’s annual address on Oct. 13 highlighted division within the City Council, criticized the union-backed fair elections initiative and supported a strong mayor system. According to emails obtained by San José Spotlight, downtown Councilmember Raul...
Evergreen trustee Jim Zito is running for San Jose City Council
San Jose Councilmember Sylvia Arenas dodged a rival earlier this month when Rose Herrera confirmed she won’t challenge Arenas’ re-election next year. But that relief didn’t last long. About a week later, a new, formidable opponent jumped into the San Jose City Council District 8 race — Republican Jim Zito. He told San José Spotlight...
Santa Clara County declares local emergency ahead of PG&E power outage, no impact to airport
The first streak of planned power outages swept across California on Wednesday, prompting local leaders to act fast in declaring a state of emergency as both Santa Clara County and San Jose prepare for the looming blackouts — expected to hit tonight. In a fourth news conference this week, San Jose city officials confirmed that...
After a hard battle, East San Jose wins a seat on the planning commission
A drawn-out, months long battle over racial representation on San Jose’s Planning Commission came to an end Tuesday after two new appointees were chosen by the City Council, following hours of intense debate from both sides of the political aisle. After a lengthy interview process, Rolando Bonilla and Mariel Caballero were appointed to one of...