The City of San José is conducting a study of Coyote Valley, focusing specifically on properties located on the east side of Monterey Road.

The objective of the study is to analyze existing and potential new uses for the properties located along the east side of Monterey Road in Coyote Valley, which are compatible with or directly support the region’s agriculture and open space resources. The study will inform future proposed amendments to the General Plan as to allowed uses and development regulations contained in the General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. 

This study was directed by the San José City Council at their November 16, 2021 meeting.

Working with a consultant team, staff anticipates that the study will span 18-20 months. The work includes:

• A baseline assessment of the study area
• An economic/land use study in the area
• Regulations for design and development standards
• Environmental review process
• Extensive community outreach

Placeworks, Inc. has been selected as the consultant team for this project. For more information, please refer to the Coyote Valley Corridor Study Project Scope.

BASELINE ASSESSMENT

The Baseline Assessment is intended to establish the history and objectives of the Coyote Valley Corridor Study and provide an overview of existing regulatory, physical, economic, and environmental conditions in the study area.

• Baseline Assessment Report

The Baseline Assessment is intended to establish the history and objectives of the Coyote Valley Corridor Study and provide an overview of existing regulatory, physical, economic, and environmental conditions in the study area.

• Draft Baseline Assessment Report

The Draft Land Use/Economic Assessment highlights the potential uses for the study area. This report is meant to provide an overview of each land use’s compatibility with the General Plan and stakeholder input.

• Draft Land Use/Economic Assessment

There will be multiple opportunities for community participation over the course of the study, including a series of stakeholder focus groups and community meetings.

Past Meetings & Focus Groups

Community and Economic Development Committee
Monday, May 20, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Location: City of San José Council Chambers
200 East Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95113

Community Meeting #2, In-Person
Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Southside Community Center, Multipurpose Room
5585 Cottle Road, San José, CA 95123
Mailing Notice and Agenda – Meeting Synopsis 

Community Meeting #1, Virtual with In-Person Viewing Location
Thursday, August 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location for in-person viewing of virtual meeting: Coyote Creek Golf Club
Mailing Notice and Agenda
Meeting Recording
Presentations:  English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese

Focus Group, Third Round (Virtual)
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Presentation and Synopsis

Focus Group, Second Round - Stakeholder Workshop
Thursday, February 1, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Southside Community Center, Multipurpose Room
5585 Cottle Rd. San Jose, CA 95123
Presentation and Synopsis

Focus Groups, First round (Virtual) 
Tuesday June 6, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - Property Owners
Tuesday June 6, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - Business Owners
Thursday July 7, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - Community Advocates 
Presentation and Synopsis

Historically, Coyote Valley served as an urban reserve for the City of San José.

1960s - Starting with the 1960 General Plan, the City planned for industrial growth in North Coyote Valley; pre-recession plans envisioned future development of 50,000 jobs and 25,000 housing units for the area.

2011 - The Envision 2040 General Plan, adopted in 2011, continued to designate Mid-Coyote Valley as an urban reserve, not planned for development through 2040.

2019 - In 2019, the California State Legislature adopted AB 948 - Coyote Valley Conservation Program, recognizing the significance of the Coyote Valley as “a unique landscape providing agricultural, wildlife, recreational, climate, and other natural infrastructure benefits.”

2021 - In 2021, as part of the recommendations to come out of the City's General Plan 4-Year Review process, the City Council voted to change General Plan and Zoning designations of properties within Coyote Valley to Agriculture to protect the region from future urban development.

Coyote Valley serves as a significant wildlife and open space resource, particularly marked by the habitat it provides to several varieties of threatened or endangered species as well as the access it provides to wildlife migration between the Santa Cruz Mountain Range and the Diablo Mountain Range. The area has also served as the City of San José’s last remaining productive agricultural area.

Properties east of Monterey Road. The properties east of Monterey Road are unique in comparison to the agricultural lands to the west of Monterey Road in that they interface with the rail line, creek, and freeway all of which create barriers for wildlife and traffic circulation (humans/goods). Property owners in the area have expressed that traditional/historic agriculture uses along the corridor have faced significant challenges over the years. 

The City’s existing agricultural and open space development regulations do not adequately address modern farming operations and only allow a limited number of other compatible uses. The study will recognize that the distinct character of this portion of Monterey Road and Coyote Valley could potentially support uses which are more industrial or commercial in nature that wouldn’t otherwise be appropriate in the other Agricultural zones within the city boundaries or sphere of influence. Modernizing the Agricultural and Open Space zoning regulations will provide better distinction between the ways that agriculture and open spaces function in our city’s urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.

Documents

• Baseline Assessment Report
• Memorandum from Liccardo Jimenez Peralez Foley Cohen
• Coyote Valley Corridor Study Project Scope

CONTACT

For questions or comments, contact:
Project Manager: Brent Carvalho, Planner
Email:  brent.carvalho@sanjoseca.gov