CITYOF �
SANJOSE
CAPITAL OF SILICON VALLEY
TO: CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: City Streamlined Review Process for
Infill Housing Development
RECOMMENDATIONS
COUNCIL AGENDA: 12/17/2024
FILE: 24-2353
ITEM: 10.3
Memorandum
FROM: Mayor Matt Mahan
Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei
Councilmember Sergio Jimenez
Councilmember David Cohen
Councilmember Dev Davis
DATE: December 13, 2024
Accept the staff recommendation with the following additional direction:
1. Include in the update to Council Policy 6-30 "Public Outreach Policy for Pending Land Use and Development Proposals"-which is currently underway-a section for Ministerial Approval Processes that incorporates a public informational meeting with opportunity for community input in a timely manner.
a. In the interim, direct planning staff to coordinate with Council offices to determine an appropriate outreach strategy for proposed eligible projects.
2. Return in September 2025 with:
a. Recommendations to expand the Ministerial Process to the Airport Land Use Influence Area and the Downtown Growth Area.
b. An evaluation of potential waivers for certain design guidelines and recommendations for an associated process.
3. Return in September 2026 with recommendations to expand the Ministerial Process in city growth areas identified in the General Plan and Housing Element.
DISCUSSION
San Jose needs to address our housing shortage by streamlining development where we have planned and zoned for it. We made a commitment through our adopted Housing Element to increase housing supply through strategies like ministerial approvals, which provides a CEQA exemption for developments in areas zoned for growth that abide by our city's objective standards and our inclusionary housing ordinance. The proposed ordinance is a necessary first step in unlocking thousands of homes in our urban village sites, and we commend staff for bringing this ordinance forward. However, we shouldn't have to wait for years or redundant