San Jose moves forward with plan to allow more apartments in single-family neighborhoods
SAN JOSE, Calf. (KGO) -- San Jose is moving forward with a plan to overhaul its land-use laws after a City Council vote on Tuesday night.
The approved proposal targets neighborhoods currently restricted to single-family homes, opening the door for apartments, townhouses, and duplexes.
If fully implemented, this policy shift could quadruple housing density across the city's suburban areas.
The meeting drew a large crowd of local residents, with the vast majority speaking out against the plan.
Opponents expressed deep concerns over the erosion of neighborhood character.
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"When people choose single housing, they choose single housing," argued one resident. "When they choose a community where kids go to certain schools, they want to go to those schools. Let's not mess up that community."
Supporters highlighted the benefits of modern urban planning.
Another resident praised the initiative, noting that it "adds parking, triggers environmental reviews above certain density thresholds, and allows light commercial uses for walkable neighborhoods."
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While the council approved the next steps, no final or binding decisions have been made. The plan will now undergo an extensive environmental review phase to study its potential impacts on infrastructure and local ecosystems.
Due to the length of the review process, final zoning changes are not expected to take effect until late 2027.
