The City of San Jose is asking for public input to inform their environmental review of a residential redevelopment at 5670 Camden Avenue in Cambrian, San Jose. The project will replace existing sports fields and associated structures behind the Beacon School campus with 108 townhome-style units. Mana Camden Fund, LLC is the project applicant.
Construction will span 6.67 acres of the 10.7-acre parcel. The area will be reshaped with 108 units across 32 buildings, with 20 three-plex structures and 12 four-plexes. Parking will be included for 243 cars and 35 bicycles. Of the 108 townhomes, 22 will be designated as affordable housing for low-income residents.
5670 Camden Avenue, illustration by Hanna Brunetti
The City published a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report earlier this week, kickstarting a month-long period of public outreach for members of the public to provide comments that will inform the draft environmental review process. Public comments will be accepted between now and Thursday, September 5th. A public meeting is scheduled to occur this Monday, August 12th, starting at 6 PM. For more information about how to attend and participate, visit the city website here.
Public records show the property is owned by Union School District, a San Jose school district founded in 1863 and named in honor of the Union Army during the American Civil War. The District oversees eight schools with over five thousand students across San Jose.
The estimated cost and timeline for construction have yet to be shared.
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Looks like they’re taking away all the grass and playground.
Not cool.
I have nothing against housing, but I kind of wish the city could buy this for recreational lots. The school district should have a right to sell their land, but I wish the idea of the park department buying up the property was considered.
The city could build a new park near the creek and Coleman Rd.
Housing is what is in shortage. Not parks.
Well, that’s a pretty rotten thing to do.
Historically, School Districts have only committed to long term leases on underperforming properties. The motive behind long term leases by the School District, was to eliminate maintenance cost of the subject property while creating revenue for the District and still maintaining ownership, a benefit to both parties. Fast forward, California in 2017 past SB35, promoting the development of “Affordable Housing” to be streamlined through the City/Towns.
Additionally, the State will be penalizing Cities/Towns on how many units the “State” felt Cities/Towns were short if they were slow at adding units. This mandate has created Cities/Towns to add residential units with very little fore sight of the future consequences. Yes, we can agree the Valley is short of housing, we are also short of Infrastructure to handle this demand from California (Roads, Water, Schools…). Taking open land being used as parks, sports…for residential is a BAD idea. Put the new home in Coyote Valley and see what happens, the “Open Space” group will be all over rejecting the development. I am opposed to the development!
I’d rather not trade open space for anything less than 25 due/acre and even that’s a very low bar. So tired of this continued suburban sprawl development, just for the sake of “protecting” detached home neighborhoods. Knock over a block of detached homes to build this not the few large parcels that could be used for shared outdoor space.