Council Action on Amenities

Posted on by April 12, 2017

Last night (April 11) the city council deliberated on the proposed implementation Chapters on funding Amenities for the Little Portugal and Roosevelt Park urban villages. These chapters supplement the village plans with procedures for funding amenities, including parks, trails, streetscape improvements, public art and affordable housing. Without this we would just get higher density development and none of the things that actually pull together a community and make it a village.

The mayor and four council colleagues, including Raul Peralez and Magdalena Carrasco in whose districts these villages lie, rejected the staff proposal for funding (basically by negotiating with developers) and came up with an alternative of their own (basically a fee). The council agreed that the options need study. The decision was to refer the proposal to staff, which will report on progress in late May and probably not come back with a revised plan until late summer.

So, we are in limbo at the moment, but of course we’ll keep an eye on it and keep you informed.

Dayana Salazar (CommUniverCity) and Davide Vieira and Bob Van Cleef (BARTTVA and FWBT NAC) spoke to urge the council to adopt a funding system that would be sufficient for the necessary amenities and that would involve the community in the spending decisions.

The council also cleared two affordable housing projects (King and Alum Rock and N. 21st Street) in the villages, allowing them to move forward. Community meetings on these projects will be coming up. We’ll let you know when/where.

In Community,

Terry

Providing Amenities for Urban Villages

Posted on by April 9, 2017

The city council’s approval of the implementation chapters for the Roosevelt Park & Little Portugal urban villages is being deferred again.  The mayor and four council members (including Raul & Magdalena) have signed a memo recommending deferral and significant revisions.  You can read it through the link below (thanks to Frances in the Vice Mayor’s office).   Amendment of the Roosevelt Park Urban Village Plan and the Little Portugal Urban Village Plan adding an Implementation Chapter to each Plan   … Continue reading →

The Central Plaza

Posted on by March 20, 2017

Part of our vision for the 28th Street BART station is a central plaza, similar to those in Portugal, with a band stand.  It would be a place where the local Portuguese bands could play and entertain. (details below)  The above picture is from the city of Sabadell in Spain. On the 130th anniversary of the founding of Banco Sabadell, they wanted to pay homage to their home city..  They sponsored a campaign called “Som Sabadell” (We are Sabadell) . … Continue reading →

BART Phase II Status Update

Posted on by April 23, 2017

This is a summary of the current state of the BART Phase II  project.  The Draft SEIS/SEIR has been released and the public review and comment period will end Feb. 20, 3017. Silicon Valley Business Journal January 23, 2017, the Silicon Valley Business Journal published a good overview of the current state of the BART Phase II  project. Are you ready for a subway? Digging for BART begins in two years The bottom-line is simple.  With the passage of Proposition … Continue reading →

Posted in VTA

Empire Lumber Project Community Meeting Report

Posted on by August 16, 2016

On Monday, 15 August 2016, over 60 community members gathered at the Roosevelt Community Center for the City of San Jose Planning Department’s public meeting on the proposed development of the Empire Lumber Site (E. Santa Clara between 26th & 28th Streets). That is an impressive turnout — thanks to all who participated.   The advocate for the developer described the project and then took questions and comments — and those present had a lot to say. Among continuing concerns: … Continue reading →

Action Alert: Empire Lumber

Posted on by August 8, 2016

The Planning Department Community Meeting on the Empire Lumber Development Project is coming up Monday, August 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt Community Center.  Only those who live within 1000 feet of the site have had any official notice about the meeting.   Their original notice was for a meeting on the proposed general plan amendments on height and retail floor area, but we have learned that the Planned Development for the project will also be on the agenda.  That … Continue reading →

The BART station at 28th street is not negotiable!

Posted on by May 27, 2016

It seems like our struggle to assure a BART station at 28th Street (formerly known as the Alum Rock Station) may not yet be over. We’ve heard recently that some folks in Santa Clara are suggesting that one of the three stations planned for San Jose (28th Street, Diridon or downtown) should be dropped to assure that Santa Clara will have a BART station. We understand taking a cautious attitude about what VTA promises and can build, but we regret … Continue reading →

Developer Round Table

Posted on by May 9, 2016

The only problem I had with the Alum Rock Area Developer Round Table, held on April 25, 2016 at city hall, was the name.  It really should have been called the 28th Street Area Developer Round Table. Other than that, I felt it was very, very successful gathering. Here is my review of the event. After being presented with a overview by city staff of the financial and developmental history of the area and a quick introduction to the community’s … Continue reading →

BART station April CWG Report

Posted on by April 21, 2016

From Terry Christensen to the BART Transit Village Advocates, The Community Working Group for the BART station formerly known as “Alum Rock” met on April 13th. The Power Points for the items discussed are available for download in PDF format. Mostly we heard up-dates on funding and other issues. We also heard a report, that had been requested by members of the Working Group, on the prospects of gentrification and displacement including some mitigating measures the City of San Jose … Continue reading →

Station Name: Voting Results

Posted on by April 9, 2016

BART Transit Village Advocates; We closed our Station Naming Survey on April 7 with 5,596 responses.  Yes, that’s up from only 180 responses in the first round of the survey.  Clearly, the survey went viral and some folks were campaigning for particular names. Little Portugal was the overwhelming favorite with 63.62% of the vote.  It was also the leader in our first survey with 35% of the vote. The complete results are attached.  These will be discussed at the next … Continue reading →