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San Jose task force backs higher neighborhood densities, pauses new growth‑area expansions amid SB 79 uncertainty
Summary
City planning staff recommended raising residential‑neighborhood densities to about 32 dwelling units per acre, evaluate mixed‑use commercial and corridor sites on a parcel‑by‑parcel basis, and not add new tiered growth areas now while state law SB 79’s practical effects remain uncertain; VTA urged joint work on two large transit‑oriented sites.
San Jose planning staff told a task force Wednesday that raising density allowances in existing residential neighborhoods and targeted site changes—rather than adding new growth areas—best balance the city’s housing goals with neighborhood and job‑land protections.
"I'm Sanita Ghoshal, supervising planner of the general plan and analytics team," Sanita Ghoshal said as staff opened a presentation on residential capacity, strategies and outreach. Staff outlined four strategies: concentrate growth near high‑frequency bus corridors, incorporate state 'missing middle' laws such as SB 9 and SB 79 into capacity estimates, increase residential‑neighborhood densities, and pursue targeted general plan amendments on specific parcels.
Why it matters: SB 79, a new state law, creates substantial theoretical housing capacity within a half‑mile of transit stops, but planning staff emphasized that parcel sizes, site…
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