South Valley leaders gathered again Wednesday to discuss the
latest developments in the development of the Coyote Valley as
envisioned by San Jose
’s Coyote Valley Specific Plan Task Force.
South Valley leaders gathered again Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the development of the Coyote Valley as envisioned by San Jose’s Coyote Valley Specific Plan Task Force.
Discussions during Wednesday’s hour-long meeting focused on when the development of Coyote Valley just north of Morgan Hill will actually begin.
Consultant David Bischoff, the recently retired city planning director, told the group that the task force has “talked about it as a 20-year plan, but the economists suggest more a 30- or 40-year plan.”
Bischoff said the economy has not recovered enough for a fast-paced buildout.
“There is a large supply of underutilized (commercial) space … the absorption of that first could take some time,” he said. “It seems likely the 50,000 jobs will be created over the next three to four decades.”
The Coyote Valley Specific Plan proposes 80,000 residents, 50,000 jobs and 25,000 housing units at buildout.
Development is dependent on pre-stated triggers, one of which is that 5,000 jobs are in place in Coyote Valley. Other triggers are that San Jose’s budget be in the black and that city services be at a certain level.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy said Friday that condition has not been met.
“Right now, they’re 3,000 jobs short of that,” he said. “The economy isn’t picking up that fast.”
Bischoff said the economists who conducted an economic analysis of the plan “suggest that not until 2012” will that trigger condition be met.
But depending on whom you ask, there are different answers to the question, when will actual construction begin.
“That question has been asked a lot, and we get conflicting stories,” Kennedy said. “I think the view of Mayor (Ron) Gonzales is that we want to get the plan done and get everything in place so it’s ready to go when it’s time … I don’t think there is a firm start date at this point.”
Once the San Jose task force endorses a plan, the concept will have to be approved by the council. San Jose officials expect that to occur in September. The earliest work could begin on the actual project is in 2007, officials estimate.
If the development is so far out, why plan now, people have asked. Gage has his own view about that.
“(Gonzales) is leaving office in two years,” he said. “He doesn’t know if the next mayor will share his views on Coyote Valley.”
Shanna Boigon of the South County Realtors Association, said she believes the San Jose City Council thinks the city’s last growth spurt was out of control, and they would like to be ready when it happens again.
Others on hand were Councilman Steve Tate, Steve Kinsella, Gavilan College president, Jack Faraone, a Coyote Valley landowner, Don Gage, a Santa Clara County supervisor, Alex Kennett, interim Chamber of Commerce executive director, Shellé Thomas, a Morgan Hill School District Board trustee, Carolyn McKennan, superintendent of the Morgan Hill School District; and Connie Ludwig, representing the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance.
The Coyote Valley Specific Plan Task Force will meet Monday, Aug. 30, from 5:30-9pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., in downtown San Jose.
