Two major housing developments in San Jose are the first to be approved as part of Mayor Matt Mahan’s latest initiative to expedite projects that provide “extraordinary benefits” to the city. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously April 8 to accept proposals from Canada-based real estate company Westbank to develop 1,492 homes across two...
San Jose officials weigh ballot measure for maintaining parks
San Jose’s most passionate parks advocates say city leaders need to create a new stream of funding to address the multimillion-dollar maintenance backlog and ongoing disparity in park quality for residents who live in areas like East San Jose. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council revisited the idea of a 2026 ballot measure that...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve park revitalization plans
San Jose has plans to transform a dilapidated park into a family-friendly area for sports, but will first clear the area of homeless residents. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to revitalize Columbus Park, located at Asbury and Irene streets. Once a place where youth gathered in an under-resourced area, the new 9.4-acre...
San Jose gives more equity to first-time homebuyers
Hundreds of first-time San Jose homeowners who took out loans with the city to make down payments are set to get back tens of thousands of dollars in home equity. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously April 8 to restore home equity shares for residents who bought homes under the city’s defunct First-Time Homebuyer...
UPDATE: San Jose special election is a race for second place
A Wednesday election results update shows Gabby Chavez-Lopez maintaining her lead in the special election for the District 3 seat on the San Jose City Council, but the second place vote getter has flipped. As of 4:02 p.m. Wednesday, Chavez-Lopez still holds on to a solid 29% of the vote, but Anthony Tordillos has leaped...
Former San Jose motel to become permanent housing
San Jose is transferring ownership of a former motel rife with issues to the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, with plans to convert it from temporary homeless housing to permanent apartments. The City Council approved finalizing the sale Tuesday for $1, with the housing authority expected to own the building by the end of June....
San Jose sets stricter rules for street vendors
San Jose police officials told city leaders they need more tools to impound the property of illicit street vendors in downtown, especially during events. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Police Chief Paul Joseph’s proposal to create a new street peddler permit policy to streamline law enforcement powers and remove permitting barriers. Police...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve charging first responder fee
City leaders have approved a fee program allowing the San Jose Fire Department’s emergency medical services to collect payments from people they treat. Fire Chief Robert Sapien said San Jose needs to join the 23 fire agencies across California that already have first responder fees for people using the fire department’s emergency medical services. While...
Voter registration for San Jose special election ends today
Today is the last day to register to vote for one of seven candidates running for the District 3 San Jose City Council seat, with just more than two weeks left until the special election. Eligible residents in the downtown district can register online through the Secretary of State’s website to receive a vote by...
San Jose mayor and county clash over homelessness crackdown
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants Santa Clara County to scale up shelter and health treatment options in response to the city’s renewed crackdown on homelessness. During Tuesday’s City Council discussion on Mayor Matt Mahan’s 2025-26 March budget message, Councilmembers David Cohen and Domingo Candelas sought to involve county officials in the mayor’s “Responsibility to...