TO: RULES AND OPEN
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: Chris Burton
SUBJECT: Joint City Council and
Planning Commission
General Plan and Land Use
Overview Study Session
DATE: August 13, 2025
Approved Date:
8/15/25
RECOMMENDATION
Set a Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session entitled General Plan and Land Use Overview for Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Wing Rooms 118-120 and approve the Study Session agenda.
PURPOSE
Provide the City Council and the Planning Commission an overview of the history of land use in San José from the early 1990s through today, covering emerging issues and possible future direction.
OUTCOME
The City Council and the Planning Commission will have a better understanding of the context surrounding the development of the City’s General Plan and current land use issues prior to beginning the General Plan 4-Year Review process.
BACKGROUND
The Envision San José 2040 General Plan was adopted by the City Council on November 1, 2011. Since then, the general plan has been amended numerous times, including as part of two Major Reviews (also known as 4-Year Reviews). This study session will provide a historical overview of the development of the current General Plan, and the current state of land use planning.
RULES COMMITTEE: 8/20/25
ITEM: B.2
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
August 13, 2025
Subject: Joint City Council and Planning Commission General Plan and Land Use Study Session
ANALYSIS
The Study Session will cover the following topics:
1. Pathway to the Current General Plan: Context and Current Status
2. General Plan 101
3. Key Land Use Challenges and Emerging Issues
4. Future Direction
/s/
Chris Burton
Director, Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement Department
For questions please contact, Ruth Cueto, Principal Planner, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department at [email protected] or (408) 535-7886.
ATTACHMENT
Study Session Agenda
City Council Meeting Agenda
Study Session
General Plan and Land Use Overview
Thursday, September 18, 2025
1:30 PM
LOCATION:
Wing Rooms 118-120, City Hall
City Council Study Session Agenda September 18, 2025
• Call to Order and Roll Call
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Study Session – General Plan and Land Use Overview Wing Rooms 118-120, City Hall
STUDY SESSION
Purpose: Provide the City Council and the Planning Commission an overview of the history of land use in San José from the early 1990s through today, covering emerging issues and possible future direction.
Outcome: The City Council and the Planning Commission will have a better understanding of the context surrounding the development of the City’s General Plan and current land use issues prior to beginning the General Plan 4-Year Review process.
1. Introduction
2. Pathway to the Current General Plan: Context and Current Status
3. General Plan 101
4. Key Land Use Challenges and Emerging Issues
5. Future Direction
• Public Comment
Members of the public may comment on agendized items only at this Study Session. There will be no Open Forum. Cal. Govt. Code §54954.3(a).
• Adjournment