San Jose Zoning Decisions: March 2026

In March 2026, San Jose held 9 public meetings covering zoning matters. 12 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 11 approved (92% approval rate), 1 denied. Activity was up 76% compared to February (285 activity items across 10 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Appeal of 940 Willow Street Builder's Remedy Project

Denied.

Planning Commission denied appeal filed by David Fox and upheld the Planning Director's December 3, 2025 decision to approve site development permit for a 7-story mixed-use building with 126 residential units and 1,626 sq ft commercial space at 940 Willow Street (corner of Willow Street and Kotenburg Avenue). Project includes 15% very low income and 15% moderate income units. Applicant: Chris Friess. The appeal alleged non-compliance with citywide design standards including landscaping, lighting, setbacks, and flat roof requirements.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Retail-to-Residential Conversion at 620 North 6th Street

Approved.

Plan development permit amendment (PDA15-055-02) approved to convert approximately 14,500 square feet of ground floor retail space into 11 residential units at 620 North 6th Street, near the intersection of 6th Street and Jackson Street. The 1.69-acre site currently has a six-story building with 219 residential units and approximately 18,000 square feet of retail. After conversion, the building will have 230 residential units and approximately 3,500 square feet of retail. Applicant is Shea Company, represented by Sean M. The project includes extended Saturday construction hours from 8AM to 5PM for interior work and minor exterior work.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

60-Unit Condominium Development at 1175-1199 Saratoga Avenue

Approved.

Site development permit and vesting tentative map approved for construction of 60 residential condominium units in nine three-story buildings on 2.78 gross acres. Project submitted under Builder's Remedy provision of Housing Accountability Act. Includes demolition of two existing office buildings and removal of 22 trees (18 ordinance-sized). 8 units (13%) reserved for low-income households. Developer OICC Ventures represented by Mark Conroe. Project density is 21.5 dwelling units per acre versus maximum allowed 80 units per acre.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

12-Unit Townhome Development at 1295 Curtner Avenue

Approved.

Site development permit and vesting tentative map approved for 12 residential condominium units (8 on separate lots, 4 on two lots) on 0.65 gross acres in Council District 6. Project uses State Density Bonus Law with one concession to allow two-family dwelling use and 14 waivers for height, stories, FAR, open space, tree canopy, parking, building entrances, and lot depth ratio. Includes demolition of single family home and removal of 21 trees (15 ordinance-sized). Applicant Tom Wilson. One very low income unit and one moderate income unit provided. 42 on-site parking spaces (2 per unit plus guest parking).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

El Paseo Saratoga Multifamily Housing Incentive Program Admission

Approved.

Council approved admission of El Paseo Saratoga, a 772-unit residential development by Sandhill Property Company, into the multifamily housing incentive program. The project includes two buildings (12-story with 398 units and 10-story with 374 units) and will produce 39 restricted affordable units at 110% AMI. Developer will pay $13 million mixed compliance IHO in-lieu fee directed to Cathedral of Faith affordable project at 2315 Canoas Garden Avenue.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SB 79 Industrial Employment Hub Ordinance (Item 10.2)

Approved.

Council approved first reading of ordinance designating five industrial employment hubs to be exempt from SB 79 housing provisions: North San Jose, Berryessa International Business Park, Lundy Milpitas Park, East Gish Mayberry, Monterey Business Corridor, and Old Edenville/Old Edenville Transit Employment Center. These areas exceed 250 acres and are primarily dedicated to industrial uses.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

SB 79 Title 20 Zoning Code Amendments

Approved.

Planning Commission recommended approval of zoning code amendments to implement Senate Bill 79 (Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act), including designation of five industrial employment hubs to be exempt from SB 79 residential development provisions. The exemption covers 2,051 parcels totaling 4,448 acres across North San Jose, Berryessa International Business Park, Lundy Milpitas BART, East Gish, Mabry, Monterey Business Corridor, and Old Edenville areas.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

108-Unit Residential Development at Camden Avenue (Builder's Remedy)

Approved.

Planning Commission recommended City Council approve a site development permit and vesting tentative map for 108 residential condominiums in 32 three-story buildings at the former Cinnabar Elementary School site (northeast corner of Camden Avenue and Singletree Way). Project includes 7.4% extremely low income units, demolition of Little League fields, removal of 41 trees including 23 ordinance-sized trees, and a density bonus waiver for rear setback. Developer: Orville Power and Scott Murray. Requires adoption of Environmental Impact Report with Statement of Overriding Considerations for significant and unavoidable greenhouse gas and VMT impacts.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 12 recorded zoning decisions. See all San Jose meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Planned Development (two PD zoning districts, neither allowing housing) → Treated as consistent with residential use under Builder's Remedy, 2.78 gross acres at 1175-1199 Saratoga Avenue (OICC Ventures)
• R-1 (single family residential) → R-1 with State Density Bonus Law concession allowing two-family dwelling use, 0.65 gross acres at 1295 Curtner Avenue (Tom Wilson / City Connect Partners)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at North San Jose Industrial Employment Hub (City of San Jose)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at Berryessa International Business Park (City of San Jose)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at Lundy Milpitas Park (City of San Jose)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at East Gish Mayberry (City of San Jose)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at Monterey Business Corridor (City of San Jose)
• Industrial/Employment → Industrial Employment Hub (SB 79 exempt), Exceeds 250 acres at Old Edenville/Old Edenville Transit Employment Center (City of San Jose)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 93 instances
• density: 61 instances
• industrial: 50 instances
• zoning: 50 instances
• commercial: 45 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 151% from February.
• Density came up 69% more often than February.
• Industrial saw 79% more mentions month-over-month.
• Zoning increased 150% compared to February.
• Commercial mentions were up 96% from February.

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