TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Chris Burton
SUBJECT: Envision San José 2040
General Plan 2025 Annual
Performance Review Report
DATE: June 1, 2026
Approved
Date:
6/10/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Envision San José 2040 General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review report.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The Envision San José 2040 General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review report (Report or Annual Report) provides the City Council with updated information on the status, conditions, and outcomes related to the 12 major strategies in the Envision San José 2040 General Plan (General Plan or Plan) based on Fiscal Year 2024-2025 data to evaluate the City’s progress toward implementing the General Plan. While the City has advanced many of the General Plan's goals, some performance measures remain relatively inconclusive or unchanged and need continued work through efforts such as the General Plan 4-Year Review process. This outcome is as expected, since the goals set forth in the General Plan are longer-term and market conditions and growth opportunities continue to evolve.
Acceptance of this recommendation will result in acceptance of the Annual Report.
BACKGROUND
On November 1, 2011, the City Council adopted the Envision San José 2040 General Plan. California state law requires an annual performance review report to be submitted to the City Council and the State of California, which analyzes and tracks progress on COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/23/26
FILE: 26-756
ITEM: 2.19
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
June 1, 2026
Subject: Envision San José 2040 General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review Report
strategies and implementation actions. The attached Annual Report fulfills this evaluation requirement.
ANALYSIS
The General Plan provides a strong framework for the longstanding policies of growth management to create great places throughout San José and enhance job growth. The Plan sets forth goals and policies relating to growth management, fiscal and job growth, infrastructure and service levels, environmental sustainability, housing affordability and availability of housing supply, and healthful community living. The 2025 Annual Performance Review Report expands on the City's progress in implementing the General Plan.
The Annual Report is organized by the General Plan's 12 Major Strategies. Collectively, these strategies build on the vision of the Plan to directly inform the Land Use/Transportation Diagram and the Goals, Policies and Implementation Actions formulated to guide the physical development of the City and the evolving delivery of City services. These interrelated and mutually supportive strategies are considered fundamental to the achievement of the City’s Vision and together promote the continuing evolution of San José into a great city. The 12 Major Strategies are listed below.
1) Community Based Planning
2) Form Based Plan
3) Focused Growth
4) Innovation/Regional Employment Center
5) Urban Villages
6) Streetscapes for People
7) Measurable Sustainability/Environmental Stewardship
8) Fiscally Strong City
9) Destination Downtown
10) Life Amidst Abundant Natural Resources
11) Design for a Healthful Community
12) Periodic Major Review
Although it is not a Major Strategy, housing plays an integral role in the General Plan through the Housing Element, as a component of multiple Major Strategies, and through General Plan goals and policies. The Report also includes a summary of progress over the last year in achieving the General Plan’s housing goals. The Housing Element Annual Progress report was also provided separately for City Council’s consideration on March 24, 2026. Typically, the General Plan report is also provided within the same timeframe but was delayed this year due to the team’s focus on completing the intensive General Plan 4-Year Review process.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
June 1, 2026
Subject: Envision San José 2040 General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review Report
Since the adoption of the General Plan, the City of San José has made notable progress toward achieving the Major Strategies of the General Plan. This progress is evidenced by new dense, mixed-use development experienced in the General Plan’s Growth Areas; adoption of Urban Village Plans, implementation of multi-modal Capital Improvement projects; and implementation of sustainability goals and policies.
While the City has advanced many of the General Plan’s goals, some performance measures such as environmental sustainability and healthful community living remain relatively inconclusive or unchanged from 2011 as noted above and need continued work. Many of these items will be addressed in the upcoming General Plan Tri-Element update work on Open Space, Safety, and Environmental Justice Elements.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No additional follow-up action with the City Council is expected at this time.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office. The information contained in the General Plan Annual Performance Review report was obtained through collaborative work with the City Manager’s Office, City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, Environmental Services Department, Housing Department, Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department and the Transportation Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
This report was presented to the Planning Commission in a study session on May 27, 2026. No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-009, Staff reports, assessments, annual reports and informational memos that involve no approvals of any City action.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
June 1, 2026
Subject: Envision San José 2040 General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review Report
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in Section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/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: General Plan 2025 Annual Performance Review