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County preparing MOU with San Jose on AB 3035 implementation for agricultural worker housing; city concerns focus on notice and development conflicts
Summary
The county reported March 20 that it is preparing a memorandum of understanding with the City of San Jose to guide local implementation of AB 3035 (referred to in staff materials as the Pellerin bill), which expands allowable farmworker housing near agricultural land.
The county reported March 20 that it is preparing a memorandum of understanding with the City of San Jose to guide local implementation of AB 3035 (referred to in staff materials as the Pellerin bill), which expands allowable farmworker housing near agricultural land.
Deputy County Executive Sylvia Gallegos told the Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee that county staff are preparing the county’s MOU framework and plan to meet with San Jose staff and council representatives to discuss the city’s concerns and avoid conflicts with the city’s development plans.
Why this matters
AB 3035 expands the eligible number of farmworker housing units allowed under prior law and establishes geographic constraints tied to agricultural land. The county is a pilot jurisdiction for parts of the program; coordination with cities — notably San Jose — is intended to avoid land‑use conflicts and clarify notice, communication and implementation expectations.
What the committee heard
- County role and MOU drafting: Gallegos said the county prefers to draft the MOU framework rather than have the city prepare it, and staff are arranging a meeting with San Jose to begin negotiations.
- San Jose concerns: Committee members summarized San Jose’s reported concerns as centered on potential conflicts between farmworker housing allowed under the statute and the city’s existing development plans. Gallegos said a likely response is clearer notice and communication so the city is not surprised by proposed projects.
- Geographic and program limits: Gallegos reviewed that the statute expands allowable units (from a previous cap to a higher limit, as described in the bill) and is limited to areas within a defined radius near agricultural grazing land; she said that county and city discussions will include those statutory constraints.
Next steps and outreach
Gallegos said staff will schedule a meeting with San Jose to present the county’s draft MOU terms, coordinate with county counsel and return to the Board as negotiations advance. Committee members asked staff to push for communication that prevents surprise impacts to city plans and to return with updates.
No formal committee action was required for the verbal report.
