San Jose is continuing to beautify its downtown with more public art projects, but at the expense of small businesses. The city is installing another public art piece on the facade of the Market Street parking garage next to San Pedro Square, with construction expected during next year’s Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup games....
Campbell volleys back and forth over pickleball permits
It’s a Silicon Valley battle for the ages — pickleball versus housing. The Campbell Planning Commission unanimously directed city staff Tuesday to explore a five-year conditional use permit on a pickleball facility expansion at The HUB Silicon Valley. But commissioners also questioned Campbell’s intent to impose this requirement on the entire facility, when the property...
Palo Alto approves 368-apartment complex on El Camino Real
One of Palo Alto’s largest and most ambitious housing projects, a 368-apartment complex proposed for the former site of The Fish Market on El Camino Real, has received the green light from the city, clearing the way for construction to begin. The proposal from Acclaim Companies for 3150 El Camino Real exemplifies more than any...
Santa Clara County DA bans employee from working — again
In a story that keeps repeating itself, Santa Clara County’s top prosecutor won’t let a political rival who works for him return to the office — while the county continues to pay the employee a six-figure salary. A June 13 letter from District Attorney Jeff Rosen — obtained by San José Spotlight — instructs a...
San Jose voter data shows how Anthony Tordillos won D3
A dark horse candidate in the San Jose District 3 special election eked out a second place finish in April. Then he trounced his opponent in the June runoff for the City Council seat. San Jose Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos was able to pull voters from all of the candidates who lost in the...
Liccardo bill would create pathway to financing ADUs
Rep. Sam Liccardo introduced a bill last week that would create a new federal financing pathway for accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to address the nation’s housing shortage. The bill, H.R. 4479, also known as the SUPPLY Act, has 16 co-sponsors and was introduced on the House floor on July 18. ADUs — sometimes referred...
San Jose official wants ICE agents to wear identification
One San Jose official wants to unmask federal immigration officers when they conduct operations in the city. District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz is proposing a policy that would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to wear identification. The policy notes masked ICE agents and people impersonating them pose threats to public safety. Ortiz...
Trump announces plan to accelerate U.S. artificial intelligence development
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a sweeping plan to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and further integrate the technology across the federal government. His speech made clear he wanted to allow a lot of leeway for tech executives to lead, and that he sees artificial intelligence as a crucial way for the country...
West Valley commuters have limited public transit service
Los Gatos resident Kylie Clark wants to be able to rely on public transportation for VTA Citizens Advisory Committee meetings where she serves. But to do that would take her up to two hours each way — time she can’t spare, especially when it takes up to 30 minutes to drive. Clark is one of...
Swing state Democratic strategists aren’t sold on Gavin Newsom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom won over South Carolina’s political heavyweights on his buzzy tour of the state this month. But in swing states, his potential presidential candidacy could be more of a liability, Democratic strategists say. “The thing that the electorate wants right now is authenticity, not necessarily agreement, and that’s what Gavin Newsom is...