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San Jose council adopts ministerial infill review to speed housing approvals, seeks labor and community outreach for expansion
Summary
Council approved a ministerial process to shorten approvals for qualifying multifamily infill projects in designated growth areas, setting minimum standards and exemptions; members and unions asked staff to consult building‑trade groups before expanding the program to downtown and airport areas.
The San Jose City Council voted Dec. 17 to adopt an ordinance to implement a ministerial review pathway for qualifying multifamily infill housing in specified urban growth areas, a change intended to shorten approval timelines and help the city meet housing element commitments.
The measure implements Program P‑7 of San Jose’s 2023–2031 Housing Element by allowing projects that meet objective criteria and design standards to be reviewed administratively rather than through discretionary site‑development permits. Planning staff said the ministerial route can also allow projects to use CEQA ministerial exemptions, which shortens environmental review timelines.
Key criteria and limits Staff described eligibility rules that projects must meet to use the streamlined process: sites must be in approved urban villages or certain growth areas (the ordinance excludes specific plans and a handful of areas like the Caltrain station plan, Midtown and Jackson‑Taylor for now); projects must meet minimum densities (40 dwelling units per acre or higher where the general plan…
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