Brasilia Way Development
The project where the hillside is being carved out across the street from Almaden Lake Park is referred to as Brasilia Way. This project started two Councilmembers and three property owners ago. The community made quite a few requests that were mostly accommodated. The property was then sold a couple of times, and the current owner is now moving forward with those plans. The land was originally divided into two lots, and now it is divided into twelve lots: 10 single-family home lots, 1 road, and 1 open space lot. A few of the homes will be at street level where the hillside is being excavated, and the rest will be up on the hilltop.
Builder’s Remedy Projects (Jurisdiction: Santa Clara County)
There are three projects of note on County land in the south Almaden area where the owners/developers are attempting to utilize a regulation commonly referred to as Builder’s Remedy.
All of these projects are in the initial application phase with Santa Clara County. It has yet to be determined if the applications are complete enough to move forward. If any of those are deemed eligible to move forward, there will be a process that includes hearing from the public. This will happen during the “scoping meeting” for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to determine the potential environmental effects of a proposed project. There will be about a month where the public is encouraged to submit their concerns, both at a formal meeting (probably virtual) and in written form to help staff develop the “scope” of the EIR.
- 6591 Woodcliff Court (on hillside overlooking Castillero Middle School): the applicant is hoping to subdivide this 97 acre parcel into 13 parcels, building 13 single-family homes and 4 detached ADUs that would be affordable to low-income households.
- 19780 Almaden Road (about 400 feet outside the City limit, next to God’s Little Acre Nursery): the applicant is hoping to subdivide this 19 acre parcel into 49 parcels with 49 single-family homes, 10 of which are proposed to be affordable to low-income households.
- 20202 Harry Road (across the street from the City limit, on the lot east of the third-base line of the ballfield at Challenger School): the applicant is hoping to subdivide this 41 acre parcel into 177 single-family homes and duplexes, of which 36 units are proposed to be affordable to low-income households. I understand the parcel is situated in a zone prone to multiple natural hazards, necessitating comprehensive project research to assess its suitability as a building site.
Beacon/Cinnabar School
108 residential units of which 22 will be sold as affordable. The EIR scoping meetings for Beacon/Cinnabar, on Zoom and in-person, took place in August and the comment period closed on 9/5/2024. Builder's Remedy Project.
Gallup Drive
5655 Gallup Dr., Allow the demolition of an existing approx. 19,550 sq. ft. building (old domed movie theater/church) and the removal of 54 trees for the construction of a 244 unit, 7 story multi-family residential building. Builder's Remedy Project.
Camden at Malpas Drive
On Camden Avenue between Canna Lane and Malpas Drive, amending from 9 lots to 7 single family homes.
Summerhill/PG&E
Portswood Drive,15-16 single family detached residents on 8.6 acres. Under construction.
Affordable Homes under SB35
The Charities Housing project at 5885 Santa Teresa Blvd., located in the large parking lot behind the shopping center, is in the final phase of funding. The proposed project is for three multi-family residential buildings consisting of 49-units,100-percent affordable, with new parking. If their Federal tax credit application is approved in October, construction would begin in Feb/Mar 2025. However, they indicate that it is also possible that they might not be one of the few applications to get approved in this round and if that is the case, then they would re-apply in spring with a target to begin construction in Oct/Nov 2025.
Glider Elementary School (80 residential units). Located at 511 Cozy Dr. The EIR scoping meeting for Glider Elementary School took place on October 15 and comments will be accepted for an additional week or two. Allow the demolition of an approximately 35,000 sq. ft. vacant elementary school and the removal of 63 trees for the construction of 80 residential units. Builder's Remedy Project.
BevMo-Wild Wings
859-873 Blossom Hill Rd, BevMo property at Santa Teresa: 162 Dwellings w/ 43 ADUs, configured in 25 buildings. Builder's Remedy Project.
Affordable Homes under SB35
The Charities Housing project at 5885 Santa Teresa Blvd., located in the large parking lot behind the shopping center, is in the final phase of funding. The proposed project is for three multi-family residential buildings consisting of 49-units,100-percent affordable, with new parking. If their Federal tax credit application is approved in October, construction would begin in Feb/Mar 2025. However, they indicate that it is also possible that they might not be one of the few applications to get approved in this round and if that is the case, then they would re-apply in spring with a target to begin construction in Oct/Nov 2025.
Kaiser Santa Teresa
284 Hospital Py, Planned Development Permit to allow the demolition of an existing 250,000 sq. ft. hospital and some trees and build a new hospital.
La Victoria (District 9)
Located at 1357 Kooser Road, Site Development Permit to allow the demolition of an existing 2,958-square foot commercial building and the removal of one non-ordinance-size tree for the construction of a one-story, approximately 2,795-square foot restaurant, on an approximately 0.41-gross acre site.
Chuck E. Cheese (District 9)
1371 Kooser Road, 191 units; 75 studios, 18 one-bedrooms, 48 two-bedrooms, 48 three-bedrooms, 2 three-bedroom manager units; 100% affordable ranging from 30-70% Area Median Income (AMI). Funding to be finalized by December 11th, 2024. Construction must begin by June 2025.
Fish Market (District 9)
1007 Blossom Hill Road, planning to allow the demolition (approx. 11,000 square feet) of an existing commercial building (Fish Market) and the construction of a seven-story building, with five-story, 271-unit multi-family 100% affordable housing development over two-levels of parking, leasing office and amenities (7,568 square feet), on a 1.85-gross acre site.
Heritage Oaks Memorial Park (District 2)
In 2014, the city of San José rezoned 275 acres of hillsides on the west side of Coyote Valley for a cemetery. The 102 acre Heritage Oaks Memorial Park would include a crematorium, multiple mausoleums and other buildings, and a network of roads and parking lots. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was completed, and then the project was paused.
The developer has now asked the city to grant a permit for the first two phases of the project, encompassing 40 of the total 102 acres. In November 2023, environmental advocates asked for a supplemental EIR to be prepared since 10 years have passed and there may be changes to consider. That request was granted and now, the public may once again weigh in on the environmental review process.