The SJ Planning Division will host a virtual Community Meeting on May 6 at 6 p.m. for local residents to learn about proposed changes to the El Paseo Mixed-Use Village Signature Project.
The proposed Amendment to the Planned Development Permit (PDP) — approved by the City Council in 2022 — would significantly alter Buildings 1, 2 and 4. On May 6, City staff and the developer will present the proposed revisions, answer questions, and listen to community feedback. Please see the links below and share with neighbors.
What: Community Meeting on El Paseo
When: Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
Meeting Info: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/6790/4953?curm=5&cury=2024
Zoom:
https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/98019160755#success
Project Webpage
Proposed PDP Amendment, submitted on Dec. 6, 2023 (File No. PDA20-006-02)
- Buildings 1 & 2:
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/107892/638381485126200000 - Building 4:
https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/107890/638381485111670000
Summary of Dec. 6, 2023 Amendment
- Building 1:
12-stories plus rooftop pool & gym, 120 feet tall, 376 apartments, 13,500 SF of commercial space - Building 2:
10-stories, 102 feet tall, 371 apartments, 15,500 SF of commercial space - Building 4:
7-stories, 80 feet tall, 120-unit senior assisted living facility. (Developer has indicated intent to submit plans at a later date for an additional 7-story, 120-unit, market rate residential building at this site.)
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
- Buildings 1 & 2 are Massive. Last year, the Planning Division approved the developer’s request to dramatically change plans for Building 3, reducing it from an 11-story mixed-use building to a single-story commercial building. The current proposal transfers the 200+ apartments that were removed from Building 3 to Buildings 1 & 2, which were already very large. Where else do we see buildings with 370+ units? How tall are those buildings?
- Apartment Sizes are Significantly Reduced. The proposed Amendment includes 1/3 fewer 2BD units and 2/3 fewer 3BD units. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of units in Buildings 1 & 2 would be 1BD or smaller, including 2 new unit types: “Urban 1BD” and “Tech 1BD”.
- NO Below Market Rate (BMR) Units?! The project was approved with the promise that 15% of units would be BMR.
- Proposed Amendment does not appear to meet Signature Project Requirements:
- Commercial SF is only 87.3k vs. the 165.9k that was approved
- The two sites appear distinct, with no unifying architectural and landscape features
- A Fifth Building is Proposed, with No Details except that it would include “120 market rate units”. Only 4 buildings are approved in the PDP.
- What is the Plan for Open Space? Where will 2,300 new residents — who live in very small apartments — recreate? Doesn’t the City require 6 acres of park/open space for this many new residents? Will park/open space be located within walking distance of El Paseo?
- Site Plans & Details are Spread Throughout Two Documents. Need a 1- or 2-page summary of all proposed building & site details and a comparison with the approved Planned Development Permit. (Is the new proposal for 867 units? 987 units?)
- Need Summary of Proposed Parking vs. the number of required spaces based on residential units, commercial SF, and office SF.
- Request a New Traffic Study to evaluate traffic flow and VMT impacts resulting from change in residential unit mix, commercial space, and senior assisted living facility use.
Additional Community Questions & Comments, shared with the City — January 11, 2024
City’s Initial Response to the Developer — January 19, 2024
Questions or comments should be directed to Alec Atienza, SJ City Planner, at alec.atienza@sanjoseca.gov
MORELAND WEST 