San Jose Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, San Jose held 10 public meetings covering zoning matters. 10 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 9 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 48% compared to September (250 activity items across 9 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Planned Development Permit for wireless monopine at 8790 Village View Drive

Approved.

Approved PD25-004 and ER25-042, a planned development permit for an 80-ft monopine wireless facility. The facility includes 15 antennas, a 30 kW standby generator, ground-level cabinets and ancillary equipment in a fenced enclosure. The site is about 90 gross acres in the R1PD zoning district (PDC 7394), with a General Plan designation of Private Recreation and Open Space. The nearest residence is about 230 ft away. The project is CEQA-exempt under Section 15303. The hearing officer (a single decision-maker) approved it over resident objections.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Funding for Homekey affordable housing conversion at 1510 North 1st Street

Approved.

Council approved actions for converting the Comfort Suites motel into 57 permanent units at 30% AMI and below in District 6. The city contributes $5.7 million and the Santa Clara County Housing Authority is the developer. Total development cost is about $539K per unit, or $366K excluding acquisition. The project uses 9% LIHTC financing, with construction starting year-end and lasting about 12 months. Moved by Council Member Mulcahy. Vote was unanimous with Candelas absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Plan Development Permit Amendment at 14200 and 14420 Union Avenue (Cambrian Park Plaza phasing plan)

Approved.

Plan development permit amendment (PDA 20-007-01, ER26018) to allow implementation of a master phasing plan on an approximately 18.13 gross acre site, including a state density bonus application restricting 28 units as affordable to moderate income households and 22 units as very low income households, and an incentive to remove the requirement that the commercial component be constructed before or concurrently with the residential component. No changes to land use, number of residential units (428 total, 50 affordable), or commercial square footage from previously approved PD 20-007. Approved by the hearing officer along with a determination of consistency with the Cambrian Park Mixed-Use Village FEIR.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

First Amendment to Apple Inc. Development Agreement, Orchard Parkway

Approved.

Commission recommended that City Council adopt the EIR addendum and approve the first amendment to the amended and restated development agreement with Apple Inc. The 86.4-acre site carries 4.15M sq ft of entitlements, of which about 487,000 sq ft is built, and the agreement expires in 2031. The amendment removes 9.7 acres on North First Street for sale to PG&E and supports conditional vacation of Orchard Parkway and Atmel Way. VTA and public speakers opposed the amendment, citing transit-oriented development, bike access, and a related data center. The vote was.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Arena Hotel Homekey redevelopment – developer selection and HCD agreement amendment

Approved.

Council approved the staff recommendation for redevelopment of the city-owned Arena Hotel (about 1.5 acres, 87 units, $46M acquisition) on the Alameda. It selected Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco (ECS) to deliver two phases: conversion of the motel, then 200+ new units on the parking lot. The city will seek HCD approval to change the developer, re-phase the project, and transfer the 30% AMI units to an alternate site. A backup-developer right is included. The approval includes memo direction from Mayor Mahan and Council Member Mulcahy to return in six months. Moved by Mulcahy, seconded by Kamei. Vote was unanimous with Candelas absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Study session on infrastructure financing tools (CFDs and EIFDs)

Deferred.

Informational study session on Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) and Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts (EIFDs) as tools to finance public infrastructure supporting economic development. Staff presented tool mechanics, eligible uses, timelines, and case studies. Noted San Jose captures ~13.5% of the 1% property tax increment. Staff flagged that Council Policy 1-14 (last amended 1993), requiring a minimum $10 million bond and 1,000 single-family homes for a new bonding CFD, is out of date and may need updating to align with Envision 2040 goals. No action taken; not intended to authorize formation of anything.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal of Special Use Permit for Valley Recycling capacity increase

Approved.

Commission denied the appeal filed by California Camper and upheld the Director's December 10, 2025 approval of a special use permit for Valley Recycling's transfer/recycling facility at 1611. The permit raises maximum daily capacity of construction, demolition and inert debris from 174.99 to 2,451 tons per day and allows 24/7 operating hours in a heavy industrial district. The chair's substitute motion to deny unless a dust mitigation plan was approved was rescinded. The final vote was, with three commissioners absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Citywide Title 13 and Title 20 zoning code amendments

Approved.

Commission recommended approval of citywide code amendments, with Commissioner Bondal absent. The changes would: streamline tree removal in high fire hazard zones; clarify SB 9 in historic districts; add a new demolition definition for historic resources; allow ADU combinations of up to 5 units; extend legal nonconforming use discontinuance from 6 months to 3 years; raise the retaining wall permit threshold from 2 to 4 feet; allow admin permits for vehicle gates; and allow fuel cell generation as an incidental industrial use. City Council will hear the item on November 17, 2026.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 10 recorded zoning decisions. See all San Jose meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 45 instances
• land use: 41 instances
• residential: 32 instances
• density: 29 instances
• industrial: 26 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 67% from September.
• Land use came up 64% more often than September.
• Industrial saw 53% more mentions month-over-month.

Stay on Top of San Jose Meetings

This roundup was the month in review. For what is moving in San Jose right now, the county hub follows each new meeting and case as it is posted. Full conditions and vote records for covered decisions live with Pro at $39/mo, with 3 Project Reports a month included.

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