Early Consideration for Privately-Initiated
General Plan Amendment
File No. GP24-010
City Council
June 10, 2025
Item 10.2
Presenters:
Chris Burton, Director
Ruth Cueto, Principal Planner
Early Consideration Process
www.sanjoseca.go v/planning
Policy IP-3.11 of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan provides for an applicant of a privately-initiated General Plan Amendment to request the Early Consideration process. This allows for a General Plan Amendment to be heard by City Council for early feedback before the full review and
submittal of the development permit.
2 Site Description
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
• 8.29-gross-acre site
• Existing single-family residence
• Surrounded by single-family
residences
• Above the 15 % slope line
• In a Geological Hazard Zone
• In a Seismic Hazard Zone
3 General Plan
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
Existing General Plan Designation:
Lower Hillside, 1 DU/5AC
Proposed General Plan Designation:
Rural Residential, up to 2 DU/AC
4 Project Description
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
5 Informal Project Submission
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
6 www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
General Plan Consistency
• Inconsistent
• Focused Growth
• Focused Growth Major Strategy #3, and Land Use Policies 2.3, 9.17, and 17.1 • Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction
• Reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled Goal TR-9, Environmental Sustainability Policies H-4.2 and H-4.3, and Balanced Transportation Policy TR-1.3
• Housing Equity
• Housing Social Equity and Diversity Goal H-1
• Hillside/Geological Hazards
• Environmental Considerations/Hazards Policy EC-4.3, Hillside Development Hazard Avoidance Policy LU-18.6, and Fiscal Sustainability Service Delivery Policy FS-5.8 • Consistent
• Housing
• Social Equity and Diversity Policy H-1.9
7 Other Options Available
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
SB9 Subdivision
• Allow the parcel to be subdivided
into two parcels.
• Can build up to two units on each
lot:
• One Duplex
• One Single-Family Home
• Two Single-Family Homes
• One Single-Family Home and
one Accessory Dwelling Unit.
8 Planning Commission Recommendation
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
Approve staff recommendation and deny the
applicant’s request to amend the Envision San
José 2040 General Plan Land Use/ Transportation
Diagram designation from Lower Hillside to Rural
Residential.
9 Staff Recommendation
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
Deny the applicant’s request to amend the
Envision San José 2040 General Plan Land Use/
Transportation Diagram designation from Lower
Hillside to Rural Residential.
10 Potential City Council Actions
www.sanjoseca.gov/planning
(1) Approve staff recommendation and deny the proposed
General Plan Amendment;
(2) Deny staff recommendation and direct staff to continue processing the General Plan Amendment and any other
associated applications as proposed; or
(3) Deny staff recommendation and direct staff to continue processing the General Plan Amendment with suggested
modifications to the proposal, such as with a different land use designation.
11 Early Consideration for Privately-Initiated
General Plan Amendment
File No. GP24-010
City Council
June 10, 2025
Item 10.2
Presenters:
Chris Burton, Director
Ruth Cueto, Principal Planner