South-Bay-based Swenson has submitted two permit applications for a development located at 13000 Depot Road in San Martin. They plan to construct 44 single-family homes on the site, and the property has now entered the preparation stages prior to the construction. The project was previously reported on by SF YIMBY in December of 2024 under the former address of 12805 Llagas Avenue.
In addition to the address change, the property has now taken on the name Barrel Oak Meadows Residential Community, and it is to feature a small network of streets connecting the 44 single-family parcels. In addition to the main units, 6 below market-rate accessory dwelling units and 3 market-rate accessory dwelling units are to be constructed, bringing the sit total to 53 residential units.
The project aims to create a walkable and comfortable community environment, with tree-lined streets and a small neighborhood park on site. Meanwhile, each parcel will be equipped with a two-car garage, providing sufficient vehicle access for longer-distance travel needs.
13000 Depot Road Site Location, image via Google Satellite
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We need to call this what it is: suburban sprawl development that is quickly turning the South Bay into something resembling the stretch between the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley and the 10 Freeway in West Los Angeles, in terms of intense traffic congestion. Swenson should be stopped by a citizen ballot initiative, if need be.
The overwhelming majority of the future residents of the 44 market-rate single-family homes will be driving in private vehicles, and most of those vehicles will be greenhouse gas-belching SUVs! As a first-order approximation, none of the future residents will be sitting on a VTA bus to reach San Jose.
I don’t know if Gabriel Clark-Clough has ever been on Highway 101 during or even near commute hours, but if he hasn’t, I would suggest he try it. I can personally report that it’s almost bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go between San Martin and San Jose most days of the week. This development will make things worse, and for that fact alone, it should not be built.