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San Jose staff proposes higher housing capacity, points to SB 79 as a major driver
Summary
Planning staff told the task force they are recommending raising San Jose’s residential capacity as part of the four‑year general plan review and outlined four strategies — new growth areas, missing‑middle tools, adjusting residential‑neighborhood rules to allow up to 16 dwelling units per acre, and targeted general plan amendments — while noting state law SB 79 could substantially change zoned capacity when it takes effect in 2026.
San Jose planning staff recommended increasing the city’s residential capacity during a task force meeting, citing state housing mandates and recent population forecasts.
“Since 2011, approximately 57,000 units have either been constructed, or they are under construction, or are entitled,” planner Sunita Ghoshal summarized, noting an additional 44,800 units were earmarked for the housing element site inventory and that this “has left the city with a remaining capacity of 18,000 units out of the 120,000 units that was originally planned in the general plan.” Staff said they are preparing to raise that capacity and indicated they are “recommending increasing the capacity to between 30,060 units.”
Why it matters: staff framed the proposal as a preparatory step for the next RHNA cycle and related housing element work. San Jose must demonstrate sufficient zoning capacity to match state and regional targets; it is not being required to build housing itself, staff said, but to show the land use tools are available.
Four strategies…
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