Huge San Jose housing project, retail in hilly neighborhood OK’d

Plans for over 1,000 homes and village center land final city approval

SAN JOSE, Calif. — City officials have given final approval to plans for over 1,000 homes and a village center atop San Jose’s Communications Hill.

The village center and homes are part of the most recent phases of the massive Communications Hill neighborhood development. During an administrative hearing, the city’s planning director approved the project components.

“This approval allows KB Homes to move forward with phases three and four, as well as all of the infrastructure that is required,” said Jerry Strangis, principal executive of Strangis Properties, which has provided consulting services to KB on the project.

In total, 1,304 residences were approved on Communications Hill during the hearing, allowing for a faster approval process for certain projects.

The Oct. 25 approval included three major components:

— 505 residential units

— 799 housing units

— Commercial space of 32,900 square feet

“The commercial is something that will benefit the community,” he said. “Awesome restaurants, coffee shops, health-related uses, and nutritious foods and beverages.” We’re also thinking about opening a wine bar.”

During the hearing’s public comments session, some local residents expressed concerns about asbestos in the area and what was being done to mitigate exposure to the hazardous material.

An official with a Communications Hill neighborhood association, on the other hand, believes KB Homes is working to ensure that asbestos in the area does not endanger residents.

According to Strangis, the restaurant and retail spaces would be located on the ground floor of the apartment sites.

“It’s kind of like a Santana Row design,” Strangis explained. “Potentially, this is one of the best sites in the Bay Area for a restaurant.”