Rose Garden Resident
News
Residents say they don't favor Stockton Avenue zoning changes
By Mary Gottschalk
Neighborhood opposition has convinced the San Jose Planning Commission to delay making any recommendations about zoning changes that would allow broader commercial use and high rise residences along Stockton Avenue.
Although city staff supported the proposed changes to the General Plan designation that would rezone three properties along Stockton, the commission voted Nov. 13 to defer the matter until the next General Plan review hearing in February or later.
During a community meeting Nov. 6, residents vented their frustrations with the city on issues such as speeding on The Alameda, parking problems and a desire for more parks.
Erik Schoennauer, a land use consultant representing the owners of the properties, opened the meeting with a brief presentation on why changes were being requested.
"Our initial goal is to renovate these buildings and bring them back into use for commercial uses," Schoennauer told the group.
Under current zoning, he said, the property can be used as a recycling and collection facility, for heavy manufacturing, and as a truck and bus transportation facility, among other things.
The new designation, he said, would allow property owners to lease to restaurants, daycare centers, offices, shoe repair businesses and a weight loss center, as well as other things.
Despite Schoennauer's repeated assurances to the group that there are no proposals "to build anything on this site at this time," he was met with skepticism.
For several months there have been rumors of a planned 20- to 25-story residential tower on Stockton between The Alameda and Julian Street, opposite the proposed Whole Foods store.
It was clear these rumors fueled attendance at the meeting.
San Jose planning department employees Lesley Xavier, project manager, and Ron Eddow, a senior planner, both said they were not aware of any proposals for a high-rise on Stockton.
Xavier attempted to keep the meeting focused on the proposal, but most residents kept coming back to the issue of a high-rise on Stockton.
"Tall buildings are bad. It would be alien to have a big building here," said one area resident.
Schoennauer pointed out that under the current zoning and given the properties' proximity to Diridon Station and its status as a major transit hub, owners could construct a 150-foot-high building now without any zoning or planned development changes.
However, he acknowledged it could not be for residential use without the changes now being sought.
"Just because it's allowed doesn't mean you can do it without community comment," Schoennauer said. "Having a discussion about a high rise doesn't make sense at this time because there are no proposals."
Area residents said they would fight the proposed changes.
"Our concern is that this would set the precedent for the future," said one resident.
