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Important Information: San Jose Housing Plan up for review and many residents have concerns.

Sharing this information so you are aware and informed.

Every 4 years the City's General plan is updated to give both the city council and the planning department the guidelines necessary for our city to grow and thrive. This year the focus is on housing and responding to new state laws that require a higher housing density especially along transit lines. This is good policy for the environment and for families.

While the city needs to abide by the State's laws and needs to create more affordable housing, it is my understanding that the city's planning department has put out a proposed framework that is much denser than the state laws require. To learn more about the proposal go to the city's website: General Plan 4-year Review

Information and Request for Immediate Action from Families and Homes

Families and Homes is a volunteer organization that is concerned about the city's proposal. To learn more about their viewpoint for San Jose Housing, go to https://www.familieshomessj.org/.

San Jose's plan to radically increase city-wide housing density from 8 to 32 units per acre (not including ADUs/JADU adders) is now officially on the August 18 city council agenda as Item 10.3. The proposal will allow apartment houses 3-stories tall—with ZERO parking—to be built on ANY residential lot in San Jose. This will affect every neighborhood and every street in our city.

Under State law SB330, if city council approves this massive density increase, we can never go back. This San Jose proposal goes beyond any state-wide mandates and Housing Element commitments. And beyond what any nearby city is contemplating.

This is the public's last chance to take action to preserve our neighborhoods.

What to Write? A Sample Letter

Dear Mayor and City Council:

I am writing to OPPOSE the planning commission recommendation to amend the 4-year general plan, as described in agenda item 10.3 of the August 18 council agenda.

Quadrupling the maximum permitted housing density from 8 to 32 units per acre, city-wide, eliminating any possibility for community review or feedback, is a drastic and irreversible change to the community fabric of our San Jose neighborhoods. SB330 prevents any reversal of this up-zoning if it later proves to be unworkable, unpopular or ineffective. Permanent and far-reaching zoning changes—not otherwise mandated by the state—should not be undertaken without the ability to amend or reconsider in future.

The proposal exceeds both Housing Element and State Laws. There is no requirement for onsite parking, this recommendation will increase traffic and parking conflicts on San Jose's already crowded streets, reduce tree cover in rapidly heating neighborhoods, further aggravate San Jose's fiscally draining jobs-to-housing ratio, and further burden strained police, fire, and other city resources.

Respectfully,

[YOUR NAME]

Also please consider attending the City Council meeting on August 18th and sharing your opinion.