The vision for the San José 2040 General Plan is for the City of San José to achieve fiscal sustainability and improve its job-to-housing balance. The development of Urban Villages is the fifth of twelve major strategies embodied within the General Plan to help accomplish that goal. Urban villages are walkable, bicycle-friendly, transit-oriented developments in mixed-use settings that provide both housing and jobs; thus, the Urban Villages support the General Plan’s environmental goals of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from increased car trips and placing jobs near housing to encourage more internalized, local walking, biking, and transit trips. The Urban Village Plan provides an opportunity for the continued involvement of the community in the implementation of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan by addressing land use and urban design issues at a finer level within each Urban Village area.

In District 1, we have 8 urban villages – Winchester, Santana Row/Valley Fair (also in District 6), Stevens Creek, Saratoga, Paseo de Saratoga, S. De Anza, Bollinger/Miller Avenue, and Bollinger/Lawrence Expressway. Due to increased development along Winchester, Santana Row/Valley Fair, and Stevens Creek, the urban village planning process was initiated and those three urban village plans are in the process of being created.

Winchester Boulevard Urban Village

 The Winchester Boulevard Urban Village is a Commercial Corridor that contains a variety of residential, office, and large-scale retail uses. The boundary extends from Highway I-280 to the north to Impala Drive to the south.

Santana Row/Valley Fair Urban Village

The Santana Row/Valley Fair Urban Village is currently a popular regional shopping destination and contains residential mixed-use and expanding office spaces. The Urban Village includes Valley Fair Mall and Santana Row. The boundary extends from Forest Avenue to the north to Highway I-280 to the south.

Urban Village Chapters

The three Urban Village Plans have draft chapters outlining goals, policies, and action items that support the goals of the San José 2040 General Plan. The chapters address land use, urban design, circulation & streetscape, parks, plazas, & place-making, and implementation.

To access each Urban Village’s final draft chapters, please visit the following links:

• Winchester
• Santana Row/Valley Fair
• Stevens Creek

Urban Village Planning Process 

The planning process for the Winchester & Santana Row/Valley Fair Urban Villages (being developed concurrently) and the Stevens Creek Urban Village is supported by a Priority Development Area Planning Grant awarded to the City of San José by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

The Urban Villages are the first to be completed with a community advisory group. The Winchester Advisory Group (WAG) and the Stevens Creek Advisory Group (SCAG) members were appointed by Councilmember Chappie Jones. The group members are District 1 residents, property owners, developers, neighborhood leaders, and other key stakeholders. Both the WAG and SCAG met monthly to discuss key topics, such as land use, urban design, art, park space, and transportation and circulation. The advisory groups help City staff and City planning consultants develop an Urban Village plan that reflects the community’s future vision for the area.

The Urban Village Plans for Winchester & Santana Row/Valley Fair and Stevens Creek were heard by City Council on June 27, 2017. During the June 27th City Council meeting, city staff, WAG co-chairs, and SCAG co-chairs each made a presentation, and City Council heard public comment. However, due to a CEQA noticing issue in the staff report, City Council could not vote on the Urban Villages. The Urban Village item was deferred to the City Council meeting on August 8, 2017. During the August 8th meeting, City Council heard public comment and voted on the urban village plans. City Council approved the Winchester & Santana Row/Valley Fair and Stevens Creek Urban Village plans.

View the August 8th, 2017 meeting agenda.

How can I get involved?  
It's not too late to get involved!
Even though the creation of the Urban Village Plans is coming to a close, the process is only beginning. Both the Winchester Advisory Group and the Stevens Creek Advisory Group are recommended to reconvene, in conjunction with each other, to provide feedback on the Implementation Chapter for both Urban Villages. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend the meetings. 

For more information, email my office.