San José has approved its first major housing development under a new City Streamlined Ministerial Ordinance. The ordinance reduces permitting time for large projects. The new process allowed approval of a 917,000 square-foot development at Saratoga Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard in eight months. This is shorter than the usual two-year timeline. The city aims to speed up housing construction and address housing needs in Silicon Valley.
The approved project includes two eight-story buildings at 3896 Stevens Creek Boulevard. It will offer 540 housing units, with 27 units designated as affordable. The development will also provide about 800 parking spaces and 14,000 square feet of retail space. Plans include a public paseo. The site is within the Stevens Creek Boulevard Urban Village Plan area. The project will now move to the funding and construction permitting phase.
City officials, including City Manager Jennifer Maguire and Mayor Matt Mahan, said streamlining the permitting process supports growth and housing access. Mayor Mahan stated that delays in permitting affect housing availability in San José and the region…