January 21, 2024 - Families & Homes San José (FHSJ), the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family neighborhoods, has issued its endorsements for the upcoming March 2024 City of San José primary elections.  

Endorsement Summary

Endorsements for the March primaries are only extended to candidates that have clearly stated positions on issues that align with the FHSJ’s mission. The organization will consider additional endorsements in other city races for the November general elections. Based on this criteria, FHSJ is pleased to endorse the following candidates:

Kansen Chu- District 4
Michael Mulcahy - District 6
George Casey - District 10

Please support these candidates with your vote, time, and donations.

Criteria for Endorsements

Criteria for endorsements focused on candidates the organization believes are most qualified and committed to advancing policies that protect single family zoning and promote local control over planning and zoning decisions. As it did in the 2022 election cycle, FHSJ is again prioritizing candidates that support placement of the “Our Neighborhood Voices”, a local control of planning and zoning initiative, on the statewide ballot. 

In this cycle, the organization is placing added emphasis on candidates committed to taxpayer advocacy and fiscal responsibility. FHSJ also considered each candidate’s willingness to provide much-needed council oversight of the City’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) team lobbying activities in the California State Legislature and US Congress. In 2023, the city council approved an IGR agenda that contains positions on certain issues that FHSJ believes run counter to the interests of San José residents and promotes legislation unrelated to the delivery of city government core services.  

Process Used for Evaluation of Candidates

“Our leadership team invited all candidates for city council seats to complete our candidate policy survey and carefully reviewed the responses of those who participated. We also evaluated records of incumbents seeking reelection,” said Families & Homes San José board member Sandra Delvin. “We appreciate all of those seeking to serve in city government elective offices and are especially grateful to those who chose to engage with Families & Homes San José in our endorsement process. We’re honored and pleased to endorse Kansen Chu for D2, Michael Mulcahy for D6, and George Casey for D10.”

March 26, 2023 - Ironically, on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, as PG&E grappled with the worst Bay Area outages in nearly 30 years, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) board approved accelerating the dates for banning the sale and installation of natural gas water heaters and furnaces in the Bay Area, mandating conversion to all-electric heating.
 

The BAAQMD press release can be found here: https://www.baaqmd.gov/news-and-events/press-releases dated 3/15/2023.  

We continue to request that the City of San José and BAAQMD improve their outreach to all property owners, including providing information on requirements and incentive programs.  This outreach should start ASAP.

Additionally, we are requesting the City of San José significantly reduce all permitting and inspections cycles related to this decision, including those related to panel upgrades, etc.  Permit fee reductions should be considered.

We are also requesting that San José Clean Energy (SJCE) (which is the “provider” of electricity to the bulk of residents in San José) work with PGE to improve the reliability of the electric infrastructure so that this decision can be fully supported, mitigating the negative impacts to city residents.  

FHSJ wants to inform all property owners that they will no longer be able to replace gas-powered water heaters when they fail after 2027. If your current water heater location does not have 1000 cubic feet space around it, conversion to an electric heat pump water heater may be expensive, complex, time consuming and, in many cases impossible with currently available heat pump technology.  It may be more economically to replace your current gas water heater ahead of the ban. 

WHAT IS COMING?

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, starting at 9 am, it will be open for public comment. Written comments deadline:  Tuesday, March 14th, 5 pm.

The link and agenda for this meeting are currently unavailable.  They will be posted here probably 48 to 72 hours before the meeting. (https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-the-air-district/board-of-directors/resolutionsagendasminutes?event=aad81128-2ffe-4cdb-9222-9eb86ac8b16b)  

At this meeting they will be voting on the following accelerated timeline (from the 2030 California Air Resources Board (CARB)) proposal for banning the sale, installation and replacement of all existing natural gas furnaces and water heaters:

1/1/2027 – No natural gas water heaters can be sold or installed in the Bay Area in all new and existing buildings including single family homes

1/1/2029 – No natural gas furnaces can be sold or installed in the Bay Area in all new and existing buildings including single family homes.

1/1/2031 – No natural gas water heaters can be sold or installed in new and existing building large commercial buildings in the Bay Area

Homeowners will be responsible for the cost impacts which could be as high as $60K (or higher).  While some refunds or incentives may be available, they are not currently available to all homeowners, and they will only cover a small fraction of the full cost of gas-to-electric conversion.  Some existing rebates and incentives programs are available to the installers – not the property owner– making it difficult for homeowners to negotiate and choose the best installer.

BACKGROUND

For additional background, on the State & BAAQMD Mandates that will Cost Homeowners more than $20-60K per household please see https://www.familieshomessj.org/blog.  At that site, you will be able to find information on cost estimates from the Santa Clara County Association of Realtor (SCCAOR) and estimates from San Jose City Staff. And see a copy of our past communications on this topic. 

ACTIONS TO TAKE  

You can communicate your concerns to the BAAQMD by emailing them to mhiratzka@baaqmd.gov. Please note the topic and the meeting date in your email. If possible, please send us a copy at FamilesAndHomeSJ@gmail.com. Again, written comments deadline:  Tuesday March 14th, 5PM.

1. Document your concerns to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District asking them not to accelerate the deadlines. Email mhiratzka@baaqmd.gov

2. Inform your neighbors 

3. Suggest your neighbor’s sign-up to receive our newsletters at https://www.familieshomessj.org/ in order to stay informed about this important and expensive issue.

SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT CAN BE MENTIONED ARE:  

1. Significant Costs to Homeowners
   Up-front Gas-to-electric conversion costs for residential HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and water heaters are significant ($20K to $60K or more depending on the scale of project.) 

2. Elapsed Time to Complete Replacement
   Gas-to-electric conversion may also require extensive electrical work. If panel upgrades, service upgrades, trenching, and/or plumbing re-routing are required, the time for replacing could be weeks.  You may have to move out of your home if your furnace or water heater is being replaced.
   
   Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted in a 2/28/2023 article that America Is Trying to Electrify. There Aren’t Enough Electricians. The article notes that this shortage of trained electricians will increase costs even further as well as delay projects. This will further increase home ownership costs.     

3. Heat-Pump Water Heaters Cannot Operate in Water Heater Closets
   Heat-pump water heaters require a minimum of 1000 cubic feet (typically a 10 ft x 10 ft room x 10 ft height).  Residences and commercial buildings with water heater closets—very common in older SJ homes with detached garages--do not have adequate space for current heat-pump water heater designs.  Homes and businesses with water heaters currently installed in a water closet will also be greatly impacted. A one-size-fits-all water heater mandate will be impossible for some homeowners to implement without sacrificing 1000 cubic feet of living space, re-piping, or other actions that will increase the cost even further.  

4. Rebate and Incentive Program Are Inadequately Funded
   None of the current rebate programs (that we reviewed) cover more than 10% of the expected up-front conversion cost to homeowners. Most of the programs are income based. Some were already currently closed due to lack of funding. Generally, an incentive or rebate will be considered taxable income.  While additional incentives and rebates may be coming in the future, they will not adequate cover the full costs forcing homeowners to refinance or assume personal loans, if they can qualify. 

5. Grid Reliability 

Grid reliability and electric power supply are not adequately addressed. Several opinion pieces and industry reports document current and coming issues with the US electric grid.  (See: SOS for the US Electric Grid, Can the Power Grid Handle a Wave of New Electric Vehicles?  The U.S. Electric System Is Leaning on Customers to Avoid Blackouts – just a sampling of articles on grid issues.  With unaddressed grid reliability issues and increasing electric power rates, homeowners may find it necessary to install solar and battery systems to address the inevitable electric shortage.  This will further increase home ownership costs.

February 13, 2023 - Mandated Replacement of all Natural Gas Furnaces & Water Heaters in the next few years.

The San José City Staff is studying a “Burn-Out Ordinance” for natural gas furnaces and water heaters for ALL EXISTING commercial and residential properties (including single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily units) no later than 2030.  

On September 22, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed a statewide ban on sales of Gas Heaters, Furnaces, and Water Heaters by 2030.  (see: CARB Announces Ban on Sales of Gas Heaters, Furnaces, Water Heaters by 2030 - California Globe).  

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), which includes San José, is considering a ban on the sale and installation of gas furnaces and water heaters as soon as 2027.

All three of these public entities have significantly under-estimated the up-front cost for gas-to-electric conversion, while simultaneously over-estimating future operating cost savings.

The City Staff’s report to the City Council is expected in Fall 2023.  The Council is expected to provide additional direction to Climate Smart city staff (climatesmart@sanJoséca.gov).  It is expected that a “Burn-Out Ordinance” will be proposed (probably with an implementation date sooner than 2027).  This activity is being driven by the City of San José Climate Smart goals.

WHY ARE WE CONCERNED?

We have received cost estimates for replacing natural gas fueled furnaces and water heaters with electric powered heat-pumps from several reliable sources: the Santa Clara County Association of Realtor (SCCAOR); FHSJ members who obtained quotes from HVAC contractors or actually installed these upgrades.  Based on actual implementation costs and quotes from qualified installers, FHSJ estimate that a single-family home (SFH) cost to convert from gas-to-electric would range from $30K to $60K or more. 

A few of our concerns are listed below – but just a few:   

1. Significant Costs to Homeowners
   Up-front Gas-to-electric conversion costs for residential HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and water heaters are significant ($30K to $60K or more depending on the scale of project.) 

2. Elapsed Time to Complete Replacement
   Gas-to-electric conversion may also require extensive electrical work. If panel upgrades, service upgrades, trenching, and/or plumbing re-routing are required, the time for replacing could be weeks.  You may have to move out of your home if your furnace or water heater is being replaced. 

3. Heat-Pump Water Heaters Cannot Operate in Water Heater Closets
   Heat-pump water heaters require a minimum of 1000 cubic feet (typically a 10 ft x 10 ft room x 10 ft height).  Residences and commercial buildings with water heater closets—very common in older SJ homes with detached garages--do not have adequate space for current heat-pump water heater designs.  Homes and businesses with water heaters currently installed in a water closet will also be greatly impacted. A one-size-fits-all water heater mandate will be impossible for some homeowners to implement without sacrificing 1000 cubic feet of living space, re-piping, or other actions that will increase the cost even further.  

4. Rebate and Incentive Program Inadequately Funded
   None of the current rebate programs (that we reviewed) cover more than 10% of the expected up-front conversion cost to homeowners. Most of the programs are income based. Some were already costed due to lack of funding. Generally, an incentive or rebate will be considered taxable income. 

5. Grid Reliability
   Grid and electric power supply were not adequate addressed in the City’s March 2022 study. We have not seen adequate information from PG&E, SJCE, and/or the Climate Smart City Staff regarding grid upgrades and improvements that would be necessary to handle the additional load caused by the conversion of natural gas appliances to electric appliances.
   
   With unaddressed grid reliability issues and increasing electric power rates, homeowners may find it necessary to install solar and battery systems to address the inevitable electric shortage.  This will further increase home ownership costs.     

Several homeowners and/or Board members of FHSJ have met with Climate Smart City Staff expressing our concerns.  Based on these discussions, we are developing a list of recommendations.  In our next communication to you on this topic, we will summarize our recommendations. 

In the short term, we suggest the following:

1. Inform your neighbors 

2. Suggest your neighbor’s sign-up to receive our newsletters at https://www.familieshomessj.org/ in order to stay informed about this important and expensive issue.

Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family neighborhoods, reconfirmed its endorsements for the upcoming November 2022 San José and Santa Clara County elections.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan and opposed efforts to diminish the rights of single-family residential homeowners. In reaching its endorsement decisions, the Families & Homes Leadership Board carefully evaluated candidate public records and positions.

“In the final days before the election, Families & Homes SJ wanted to reiterate our strong endorsements to our members and all interested voters throughout the city and county,” explained Families & Homes Board Co-founder Sandra Delvin. “At a moment when our neighborhoods are being challenged by legislative agendas and quality of life decay, we believe these four candidates can overcome failing approaches to crime, homelessness, and ineffective housing policies.”

Families & Homes enthusiastically endorses the following candidates:

San José Mayor: Matt Mahan

San José District 3 Councilmember: Irene Smith

San José District 7 Councilmember: Bien Doan

Santa Clara County District 1 Supervisor: Johnny Khamis

September 13, 2022 - Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of District 10 Councilmember Matt Mahan for the November 2022 San José mayoral election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10), signed into law in September 2021.

In reaching its endorsement decision, the Families & Homes Leadership Board carefully evaluated candidate records and positions, and interviewed both mayoral candidates: Santa Clara County District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San José District 10 Councilmember Matt Mahan. 

The Families & Homes board focused its selection criteria exclusively on actions, accomplishments, and positions specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods, and issues directly impacting our neighborhoods, such as crime and homelessness. Matt Mahan was endorsed for his opposition to SB9, SB10, and Opportunity Housing, and his support of the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative. 

“Matt Mahan has been a strong advocate for preserving single-family zoning and local control of land use,” explained Families & Homes Board Co-founder Sandra Delvin. “At a moment when our neighborhoods are being challenged by legislative agendas and quality of life decay, we believe that Matt’s innovative thinking can overcome stale approaches to crime, homelessness, and ineffective housing policies.”

In announcing the endorsement, Delvin noted that Matt Mahan publicly stated his opposition to SB9 and SB10 before they were signed into law by the governor, signed the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative (a state initiative to return control of zoning to local agencies), and supported the city’s urgency ordinance to limit the impact of SB9 to four (4) units versus a maximum possibility of ten (10) units.  

As a reminder, ballots for the June primary election will be mailed to all registered voters in Santa Clara County on May 9th. Families & Homes - SJ has endorsed the following slate of candidates running for office in the City of San José. After an extensive vetting process and thorough examination of each of the candidate’s records, we believe these individuals are the most qualified to advance City legislation that will promote and protect single-family neighborhoods.

Mayor of San José - Dev Davis

City Council District 1 - Ramona Arellano Snyder

City Council District 3 - Irene Smith

City Council District 5 - HG Nguyen

City Council District 7 - Bien Doan

March 22, 2022. Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of HG Nguyen for the June 2022 San José City Council District 5 primary election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the recently enacted California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10).

In reaching its endorsement decision, Families & Homes asked declared candidates to complete a questionnaire clarifying their positions on pending residential zoning policy decisions. Selection criteria focused exclusively on each candidate’s positions and accomplishments specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods. The endorsement of Ms. Nguyen is based on her strong commitment to protecting single-family neighborhoods in District 5 which many residents and community leaders agree is among the most vulnerable areas in the city to the threat of gentrification and displacement that is likely to emerge with the recent passage of SB9.

“HG is the only candidate in the District 5 race who has declared unwavering support for the Our Neighborhood Voices ballot initiative to restore local control over zoning and planning decisions” explained Families & Homes Co-founder Sandra Delvin. “District 5 needs a councilmember who will work hard to qualify the initiative for the 2024 ballot and who will act quickly to restore and protect single-family zoning in the district upon passage of this desperately needed reform.”

Delvin also noted Ms. Nguyen’s extensive experiences as a volunteer and community leader throughout the city. Nguyen was the founding president of the Vietnamese-American Chamber of Commerce of Santa Clara Valley and has worked with a number of city departments and council offices to beautify neighborhoods, reduce crime, address the housing crisis, and make City Hall more responsive to residents. She’s worked at the City of San José Redevelopment Agency, and has worked closely with San José Police Department, City Park Recreation & Neighborhood Services, and Planning Department. She has served as a City Council District 7 Community Relations Director, a senior consultant for a State Assembly Member, and a senior council assistant for City Council District 4. Nguyen has received numerous awards for her service over the many years, including Mayor Susan Hammer’s Silicon Valley Business Woman of the Year and the National Economic Development Council Award. Donations to her campaign can be made here.

March 8, 2022. Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of Bien Doan for the June 2022 San Jose City Council District 7 primary election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San Jose’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the recently enacted California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10).

In reaching its endorsement decision, Families & Homes asked all declared candidates to complete a questionnaire clarifying their positions on pending residential zoning policy decisions. Selection criteria focused exclusively on each candidate’s positions and accomplishments specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods. The endorsement of Mr. Doan is based on his strong commitment to protecting single family neighborhoods in District 7, his opposition to SB9, and his support for a statewide ballot initiative to restore local control over zoning and planning decisions.

“Families & Homes is delighted to endorse the only candidate in the District 7 race who is willing to stand against tearing down older, more affordable houses in established neighborhoods and replacing them with high-end duplexes and condos. These duplexes and condos, per a City of San José study, will not produce affordable housing but market rate housing,” explained Families & Homes Co-founder Sandra Delvin. “We’ve gotten to know Bien through his presence at signature gathering events for the Our Neighborhood Voices petition drive. District 7 desperately needs a council member who understands what’s needed to increase the supply of housing without destroying existing neighborhoods."  Bien shares Families & Homes position of building affordable housing, managing traffic and infrastructure, and protecting our tree canopy through local control.  

Delvin also noted Doan’s deep ties to the community and his extensive record of volunteerism. After immigrating to California from Vietnam in 1975 and attending local schools, Doan became a firefighter. He’s served with the San Jose Fire Department for the past 21 years, rising from a Rookie, to Engineer, to his present rank of Fire Captain. He is the first Vietnamese-Fire Captain in the history of SJFD. Doan is the co-founder and President of the Vietnamese American City Employees (VACE), and is a volunteer with the Red Cross and a local COVID vaccination clinic. Donations to his campaign can be made here.

March 1, 2022 - Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of Irene Smith for the June 2022 San José City Council District 1 primary election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the recently enacted California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10).

In reaching its endorsement decision, Families & Homes asked all declared candidates to complete a questionnaire clarifying their positions on pending residential zoning policy decisions. Selection criteria focused exclusively on each candidate’s positions and accomplishments specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods. The endorsement of Ms. Smith is based on her deep understanding of the homelessness and affordable housing challenges facing San José, her commitment to protecting private property rights, and her strong support for the preservation of single-family neighborhoods in San José.

“Irene has an impressive background in business, the housing industry, and housing policy,” explained Families & Homes Board Co-founder Sandra Delvin. “We know that as a councilmember, Irene will be a strong advocate for local control over planning and zoning policy, and we share her vision for smart growth. Irene recognizes that San José can compassionately address the pressing needs of our unhoused residents and expand our city’s housing supply without eroding existing single-family neighborhoods and historic districts.”

In announcing the endorsement, Delvin noted Smith’s broad range of relevant experience and her pragmatic approach to the city’s housing needs that emphasizes accountability, metrics, and multijurisdictional coordination. Ms. Smith holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Villanova University, a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University Law, a Master’s degree in marriage & family counseling from the University of San Francisco, and a PhD in counseling psychology from Northern California Graduate University. She and her husband have lived in Downtown San José since 1989 where she’s worked as a West Coast regional manager for IBM, a housing provider and property manager, a mental health counselor, an Administrative Hearing Officer and Judge ProTem, and a teacher at San José State University and Santa Clara University.  Donations to her campaign can be made here. 

As a member of the Families & Homes Leadership Board, Smith has served as a policy advisor on issues pertaining to housing supply economics, law, and City of San José Housing Department administrative procedures.

February 22, 2022—San José, CA. Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of Ramona Arellano Snyder for the June 2022 San José City Council District 1 primary election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the recently enacted California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10).

In reaching its endorsement decision, Families & Homes asked all declared candidates to complete a questionnaire clarifying their positions on pending residential zoning policy decisions. Selection criteria focused exclusively on each candidate’s positions and accomplishments specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods. Ms. Snyder was endorsed for her early leadership and consistent advocacy for the rights of single-family neighborhoods in San José.

“Ramona has been an active member of our coalition since its inception in the fall of 2020,” explained Families & Homes Board Co-founder Sandra Delvin.

In announcing the endorsement, Delvin noted Snyder’s extensive background as a community leader and champion of local neighborhoods. Ms. Snyder has served as vice chair of the D1 Leadership Group, where she was able to secure grants for local school sports equipment, funding for two libraries, exercise equipment for Gullo Park, and a play structure at Gleason Park. She also orchestrated the painting of murals on the Hamann Park Community building and Fire Station 14. Her neighborhood advocacy extends beyond D1 and includes spearheading a KaBOOM playground on 1.5 acres of land at Sherman Oaks Elementary School in the Campbell Union School District.

As a Families & Homes volunteer, Snyder was the first to draw the coalition’s attention to a proposed statewide ballot initiative, known as Our Neighborhood Voices, that would restore control over zoning and land use decisions to cities and counties. Planning for a petition drive to qualify the initiative for the 2024 ballot is currently underway. District 6 Councilwoman Dev Davis, who Families & Homes has endorsed for the city mayoral race, has been coordinating the volunteer effort for San José, with Snyder  serving as the volunteer coordinator for District 1.

February 7, 2022 - Families & Homes San José, the grassroots citywide coalition defending the rights of single-family zoned neighborhoods, announced today its endorsement of District 6 Councilwoman Dev Davis for the June 2022 mayoral election.

Families & Homes has actively urged elected officials to defend single-family zoned neighborhoods since the fall of 2020. The grassroots, all volunteer organization has consistently advocated for the implementation of San José’s Envision 2040 General Plan, and opposed efforts to eliminate single-family zoning, including Opportunity Housing and the recently enacted California State Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9/SB10).

In reaching its endorsement decision, the Families & Homes Leadership Board carefully evaluated the records and positions of each of the four major mayoral candidates: Santa Clara County District 2 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, San José District 6 Councilwoman Dev Davis, San José District 10 Councilman Matt Mahan, and San José District 3 Councilman Raul Peralez. 

Families & Homes asked all candidates to complete a questionnaire clarifying their positions on pending residential zoning policy decisions. Chavez and Peralez did not respond to the survey request, and their public statements and voting records did not display a strong commitment to the rights of single-family neighborhoods. Davis and Mahan responded to the Families & Homes request, submitting survey responses that align with the broad policy goals of Families & Homes. 

The Families & Homes board focused its selection criteria exclusively on each candidate’s full record of actions, accomplishments, and positions specifically related to the protection of single-family zoned neighborhoods. Ms. Davis was endorsed for her early leadership and consistent advocacy for the rights of single-family neighborhoods in San José.

“Dev Davis has been San José’s most vigorous advocate for preserving single-family zoning,” explained Families & Homes Board Co-founder Sandra Delvin.

In announcing the endorsement, Delvin noted that as a member of the General Plan Task Force, Davis voted against citywide Opportunity Housing in 2020. As a council member, she called for a resolution opposing SB9 and SB10, and authored a memo that led to the passage of an urgency ordinance limiting the destructive impact of SB9 to the bare minimum required by the new state law. As a strong Families & Homes supporter, Davis is leading the citywide petition drive to place an initiative on the November statewide ballot that would restore local government control over zoning and land use decisions. Since November of last year Davis has been helping Families & Homes volunteers at multiple petition signature-gathering events throughout San José.

October 25, 2021 (San José, CA) -- Families and Homes SJ today announced that two more neighborhood groups in Council District 1 have declared their support for single-family residential zoning in San José. The Moreland West Neighborhood Association and the District 1 Leadership Group (“D1LC”) have joined four other District 1 Neighborhood Associations (Eden, Lynhaven, Murdock and Winchester Orchard) to call on their council member and the entire city council to oppose legislative efforts to eliminate single-family zoning.

Council District 1, represented by council member Charles “Chappie” Jones, is now home to more community-based organizations opposed to “Opportunity Housing” than any other council district in the city. Five Neighborhood Associations and the D1LC, which itself represents 29 separate neighborhoods within District 1, have all taken public positions to preserve single-family zoning.

In its letter to the mayor and city council, the D1LC urged the city to utilize its scarce planning resources to finally complete on-gong work on Urban Villages. Urban Villages are the city’s long-established and fully vetted strategy to add housing for an additional 400,000 city residents—a stunning 40% population increase. Even under the most optimistic of projections, disruptive initiatives like Opportunity Housing will add less than 4% of the housing units that will be created by the Urban Village strategy.

Rapid Expansion of Grass-Roots Citywide Coalition Opposed to ‘Opportunity Housing’

Moreland West and the D1LC are the latest members of a fast-growing, citywide grass-roots alliance of locally based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of the 29 organizations—based in 8 of the city’s 10 council districts—that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition can be found on our website at: https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to study and draft a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called “Opportunity Housing” by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing. This proposal, if passed, would be irreversible since state law prohibits down-zoning once a parcel has been up-zoned. 

October 4 2021 - Families and Homes SJ today announced that the Coyote Creek Neighborhood Association (CCNA) is the latest San José community group declaring formal opposition to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. CCNA represents more than 800 households in City Council District 2. It’s board of directors has submitted a letter to Mayor Liccardo and all members of the City Council urging them to reject any proposals to adopt Opportunity Housing. 

The CCNA noted its 40-year history of working with the City of San Jose in pursuit of common goals both for the city and the Coyote Creek neighborhood. This collaboration has included volunteer work in crime prevention and reporting, park maintenance, cleanup and neighborhood beautification projects, and public safety. The group praised the City of San Jose’s well-conceived General Plan to prioritize high density housing in urban villages with access to transit and within walking distance of shopping. CCNA supports the current General Plan, which will accommodate a 40% increase in San Jose residents, while it opposes the euphemistically named “Opportunity Housing” proposal to densify single-family neighborhoods. 

The CCNA letter to the mayor and council acknowledges the recent passage of state legislation that allows lot splitting and duplex construction in single-family neighborhoods and points out that Opportunity Housing is much worse. It allows up to 7 dwelling units to be constructed on a single-family parcel, without the need for lot-splitting, and without any owner-occupancy requirements. The proposal enables multi-unit housing projects “by right” without any public review and appeals process.  

Rapid Expansion of Grass-Roots Citywide Coalition Opposed to ‘Opportunity Housing’

The CCNA is the newest member of a fast-growing, citywide grass-roots alliance of locally based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of the 26 organizations—based in 8 of the city’s 10 council districts—that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition can be found on our website at: https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin studying and drafting a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called ‘Opportunity Housing’ by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing. This proposal, if passed, would be irreversible since state law prohibits down-zoning once a parcel has been up-zoned.

August 4, 2021 (San José, CA) -- Families and Homes SJ (www.familieshomessj.org) today announced their support of a San José council memorandum asserting the city’s right to control local zoning and land use issues. The memo, authored by councilmember Dev Davis, specifically opposes California Senate Bills 9 and 10 (SB9 and SB10), which seek to override local zoning authority by mandating residential density upzoning without any local community input.

SB9 and SB10 would usurp the city’s existing authority to determine if new development projects require planning review and oversight. It would prevent the city from considering the availability of needed infrastructure for new residential construction—including sewer, power, and water availability—forcing approval of all proposed developments ‘by right’ without further analysis or community input. 

SB9 would allow up to 8 units to be built on all existing single-family lots; SB10 would allow even higher density on some existing single-family lots. Neither proposed legislation has any requirement for affordability nor environmental compliance.

“SB9 and SB10 are unconscionable power grabs by the state that would outlaw single-family zoning throughout the state forever. These bills completely remove the city and local residents from the planning process,” explained Families & Homes SJ board member Sandra Delvin. “Local communities are best-placed to understand the trade-offs involved in new development. Allowing high-density multi-unit developments to be built anywhere, regardless of infrastructure availability or other local concerns, is a recipe for urban disaster. Our organization wholeheartedly supports this memo, and we strongly urge all councilmembers to vote for its adoption.”

Grassroots Citywide Coalition Supports Local Control and Single-Family Zoning in San José

Families & Homes SJ--a citywide alliance of neighborhood and community groups opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning--now comprises more than 20 all-volunteer organizations, including neighborhood associations based in 8 of the city’s 10 council districts. A full list of supporting organizations can be found on the Families & Homes SJ website at: https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

The council memo supporting local control of zoning is expected to come before the Rules Committee for consideration on August 11. Members of the public are urged to attend (in-person or online) and voice their support for the memo. Details of the Rules committee meeting will be posted on the Families & Homes SJ website when it becomes available.

August 3, 2021 - Families and Homes SJ today announced that the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association in San Jose City Council District 9 and the Lynhaven Neighborhood Association in Council District 1 have joined the rapidly growing number of neighborhood groups throughout the city to formally oppose the abolition of single-family residential zoning. 

The Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association conducted an online survey of residents in July which drew 351 responses. The results show 95% oppose Opportunity Housing, with only 5% in supporting it. The survey presented respondents with the Envision 2040 General Plan Task Force recommendation on Opportunity Housing, along with ten arguments for and ten arguments against the recommendation. The arguments in favor the Task Force recommendation were provided by paid advocates for citywide Opportunity Housing in San Jose. The arguments against the recommendation were provided by Families and Homes SJ, an all-volunteer organization.

The Lynhaven Neighborhood Association is the second neighborhood group in District 1 to formally declare opposition to Opportunity Housing. In May, the Eden Neighborhood Association announced its opposition to the proposed elimination of single-family zoning following a unanimous vote by its board of directors.  

Rapid Expansion of Grassroots Citywide Coalition Opposed to ‘Opportunity Housing’

The citywide alliance of neighborhood and community groups opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning now includes more than 20 all-volunteer organizations, including neighborhood associations serving 8 of the city’s 10 council districts. The full list of organizations can be found on the Families & Homes website at: https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve the General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin studying and drafting a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called ‘Opportunity Housing’ by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing. This proposal, if passed, would be irreversible since state law prohibits down-zoning once a parcel has been up-zoned.

June 29, 2021. Families and Homes SJ today announced that the Kooser Woods Coalition Neighborhood Association is the latest San José community group announcing its opposition to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. The association, which represents 1,186 households in City Council District 9, has submitted a letter to Mayor Liccardo and members of the City Council urging them to reject any proposals to adopt Opportunity Housing. 

Kooser Woods Coalition Neighborhood Association President Ruth Callahan also stressed the importance of giving voters a direct voice in any final decision that would lead to universal re-zoning of existing single-family neighborhoods. Concerned that a 6 member majority on the City Council could irreversibly change every neighborhood in the city, Callahan stated that “the adoption of Opportunity Housing is such a significant break from San Jose’s established zoning policy that it should only be decided at the ballot box by San Jose’s voters.“

Rapid Expansion of Grass-Roots Citywide Coalition Opposed to ‘Opportunity Housing’

The Kooser Woods Coalition Neighborhood Association represents the newest member of a fast-growing, citywide grass-roots alliance of locally based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of the 17 organizations—based in 8 of the city’s 10 council districts—that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition can be found on our website at: https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin studying and drafting a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called ‘Opportunity Housing’ by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing. This proposal, if passed, would be irreversible since state law prohibits down-zoning once a parcel has been up-zoned.

June 23, 2021 - Families and Homes SJ today announced that the Northside Neighborhood Association is the latest San José community group announcing its opposition to the abolition of Single-Family Residential Zoning in San José. The Northside Neighborhood Association describes itself as representing a large and diverse neighborhood close to downtown San José. A leading civic voice within council district 3, the Northside Neighborhood Association called the proposed ‘Opportunity Housing’ plan a “distraction of valuable time and resources for the Planning Department and City (that) should be stopped as soon as possible.” 

In adopting an official letter urging the city council to reject the General Plan Task Force recommendation to study Opportunity Housing, the Northside Neighborhood Association cited several troubling concerns:

• lack of assurance that Opportunity Housing would provide any affordable housing units, 

• further exacerbate jobs-to-housing imbalance in San José,

• increased demand for scarce city services, 

• reduction in neighborhood trees and shade,

• lack of any historical precedent for the beneficial effects of similar ordinances nationwide,

• increase in neighborhood traffic and parking demand,

• likelihood that Opportunity Housing will primarily impact the most underprivileged areas of the city.

The Northside Neighborhood Association concluded that the city should continue to “provide affordable housing through new development of large complexes in newly developed areas.”

“The Northside Neighborhood Association represents residents and voters in council member and mayoral candidate Raul Peralez’s district 3,” explained Sandra Delvin, one of the founders of Families and Homes SJ. “The association letter outlines many of our key concerns with Opportunity Housing. We hope that all city council members and mayoral candidates will take note of the many negative economic, environmental and quality-of-life concerns identified by the Northside Neighborhood Association.”

Large Grass-Roots Citywide Coalition Opposed to ‘Opportunity Housing’

The Northside Neighborhood Association joins a citywide grass-roots alliance of locally based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of the 16 organizations—based in 7 of the city’s 10 council districts—that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition can be found on our website at:  https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin studying and drafting a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called ‘Opportunity Housing’ by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing.  This proposal, if passed, would be irreversible since state law prohibits down-zoning once a parcel has been up-zoned. 

Published public opinion polls confirm that a clear majority of San José voters oppose the elimination of single-family residential zoning in the city.

June 17, 2021. Families & Homes San José (FHSJ) recently sent an inquiry to each of the 10 city council members as well as Mayor Liccardo. We were interested in two key issues; how they plan to vote this fall on the Envision San José 2040 Task Force recommendation to study the abolition of single-family zoning citywide, and how they feel about subjecting any proposed ordinance that eliminates single family-zoning to voter approval.  

Synopsis

Council members (CM) Davis, Foley, and Mahan oppose the Task Force recommendation. Mayor Liccardo and the other council members declined to answer. 

CMs Davis and Mahan support a voter referendum, CM Foley opposes it, and Mayor Liccardo and the other council members declined to answer. 

Below are the questions we posed, and our perspectives on the responses.

General Plan Task Force Recommendation

“If a Council vote were held today to implement the Envision 2040 General Plan Task Force recommendation that was approved on 8/20/2020, would you vote FOR or AGAINST it?”

When the 40-member Task Force was appointed, its directive was to make recommendations regarding a proposal to implement “Opportunity Housing” (elimination of single-family zoning) in urban villages within a half mile of transit corridors. Instead of adhering to its charter, in August of 2020 the Task Force responded with a recommendation for city staff to study eliminating single-family zoning everywhere in the city. Although the Task Force recommendation has not yet come before the council, city staff has already initiated its research and has been actively promoting the concept in public meetings, podcasts, and other forums. 

D6 CM Davis and D9 CM Foley both served on the Task Force and voted against the recommendation so their responses to our survey came as no surprise. Davis’ response reflects the position of four neighborhood associations in her district, including the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association which launched an online petition in opposition to Opportunity Housing. It is concerning to note however, that shortly after receiving our inquiry, CM Foley launched an online survey seeking input on several ideas that effectively eliminate single-family zoning. The survey questions suggests that CM Foley could be receptive to abolishing single-family zoning under certain conditions, or within certain parts of the city. 

D10 CM Mahan’s response in opposition to the Task Force recommendation was welcome news to FHSJ, and reflective of the prevailing sentiment of D10 residents. The District 10 Leadership Coalition and the Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association, which partially falls within D10, both oppose Opportunity Housing. 

D8 CM Arenas also served on the Task Force and voted in favor of the recommendation. Her position is at odds with the District 8 Community Roundtable (D8CRT) which advocates for neighborhoods in her district. The D8CRT has submitted a formal letter to Mayor Liccardo and members of council in opposition to citywide Opportunity Housing. 

FHSJ is disappointed that Mayor Liccardo and CMs Jones, Jimenez, Peralez, Cohen, Carrasco, Esparza, and Arenas are evading this important issue. 

Voter Approval

Would you support subjecting a proposed citywide change to single family house zoning to final approval by San José voters via a ballot referendum or initiative? (assume this would coincide with the 2022 citywide elections and not necessitate a costly special election)

Given the magnitude of this issue, the FHSJ coalition has asked the council to place the final decision on any proposed ordinance change that would affect neighborhoods currently zoned for single-family detached homes in the hands of voters via a ballot referendum. 

This practice is not uncommon. As recently as 2018, the council placed a citywide measure on the ballot asking voters to reject a small housing development in the Evergreen district. The council successfully sought to counter an initiative placed on the ballot by a developer seeking voter approval of the project. Given the mayor and council were willing to ask all voters in San José to decide the fate of a zoning proposal that would affect only a small sliver of city land, FHSJ finds it unconscionable that they would object to giving voters a voice in an irreversible zoning proposal that would permanently change every neighborhood in the city. 

FHSJ applauds CMs Davis and Mahan for their support and is disappointed that CM Foley opposes it. We are equally disappointed by willingness of Mayor Liccardo and CMs Jones, Jimenez, Peralez, Cohen, Carrasco, Esparza, and Arenas to suppress a direct vote on what could become the most important decision in city history. 

How to Influence Your Elected Representatives

FHSJ is encouraging residents to contact Mayor Licarrdo and all members of the city council urging them to reject the Envision San José 2040 Task Force recommendation and demand a voter referendum on any proposed ordinance that would allow multi-unit development in neighborhoods presently zoned for single-family homes. We are also asking residents to speak at future council meetings when this matter is placed on the council agenda. Sign up for the FHSJ Newsletter to keep apprised of upcoming council meeting dates, times, and instructions for public comments. 

Mayor Liccardo

sam.liccardo@sanjoseca.gov

Council Members

Chappie Jones, District 1 - district1@sanjoseca.gov

Sergio Jimenez, District 2 - district2@sanjoseca.gov

Raul Peralez, District 3 - district3@sanjoseca.gov

David Cohen, District 4 - district4@sanjoseca.gov

Magdalena Carrasco, District 5 - district5@sanjoseca.gov

Devora "Dev" Davis, District 6 - district6@sanjoseca.gov

Maya Esparza, District 7 - district7@sanjoseca.gov

Sylvia Arenas, District 8 - district8@sanjoseca.gov

Pam Foley, District 9 - district9@sanjoseca.gov

Matt Mahan, District 10 - district10@sanjoseca.gov

June 10, 2021—San José, CA. The District 10 Leadership Coalition (D10LC) has issued a formal statement of opposition to a General Plan Task Force recommendation to study citywide implementation of a highly controversial de-zoning proposal its proponents call “Opportunity Housing.” In October, the City Council is expected to consider the task force recommendation that would direct staff to study and draft an ordinance replacing single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits up to four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings.

The mission of the D10LC is to “foster an awareness of issues that facilitates successful advocacy for safe and secure neighborhoods, improved urban services, and a desirable quality of life for current and future San José residents.” Earlier this year, the D10LC worked with the office of D10 Council Member Matt Mahan in appointing Families and Homes SJ to lead a working group focused on the preservation of single-family zoning. 

The D10LC joins a citywide grass roots alliance of locally-based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of organizations that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition--and the seven city council districts they represent--can be found on our website at:  https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

June 8, 2021. Families and Homes SJ today announced that the District 8 Community Round Table (“D8CRT”) is the latest San José community organization joining the coalition opposed to the elimination of Single-Family Residential Zoning in San José. The D8CRT represents residents and homeowners in San José council district 8 on the city’s southeast side. A leading voice within the district 8 community, the D8CRT includes three former city council candidates, a current planning commissioner, and the leaders and founders of several local advocacy groups and non-profits. 

The D8CRT adopted an official letter urging the city council to reject the General Plan Task Force recommendation to study Opportunity Housing, a proposal that would eliminate single-family zoning throughout the entire city of San José. The D8CRT letter also calls for any proposal to implement Opportunity Housing be put to a citywide referendum before adoption.

“The addition of the D8CRT to our grass-roots coalition is very significant for two reasons,” explained Sandra Delvin, founder of Families and Homes SJ. “First of all, the D8CRT is the primary leadership organization within district 8, focused on research, communications, and education on issues of importance to the greater San José Council district 8 communities.  Their opposition to any citywide plan to eliminate single-family zoning in San José speaks volumes about public sentiment in D8. Secondly, it expands our coalition’s political base to now include seven of our city’s ten council districts. We hope the D8 council member will now reevaluate her initial support for Opportunity Housing.”

The D8CRT joins a citywide grass roots alliance of locally-based neighborhood organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. A complete list of organizations that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition--and the seven city council districts they represent--can be found on our website at:  https://www.familieshomessj.org/about-us.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin studying and drafting a binding ordinance to replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called “Opportunity Housing” by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing.

Published public opinion polls confirm that a clear majority of San José voters oppose the elimination of single-family residential zoning in the city.

June 2, 2021 — San José, CA. Families and Homes SJ today announced that the Penitencia Neighborhood Association is joining the coalition opposing the elimination of Single-Family Residential Zoning in San José. The Penitencia Neighborhood Association represents city residents in Council District 4 in North San José.

“Ten neighborhood associations--based in a majority of San José council districts--have announced their support for single-family zoning,” explained Sandra Delvin, founder of Families and Homes SJ. “Our grass roots coalition represents homeowners and residents who are alarmed about radical proposals to eliminate single-family zoning throughout the entire city. We hope their council representatives are listening to the voices of the voters within their districts.”

The Penitencia Neighborhood Association joins a citywide grass roots alliance of sister organizations that are all opposed to the abolition of single-family residential zoning in San José. The organizations that have joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition include:

Association Council District

Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council D4

Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility Citywide

District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group D6

Eden Neighborhood Association D1

Julian St. James Neighborhood Association D3

Naglee Park Campus Community Association D3

North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association D6

Penitencia Neighborhood Association D4

Rose Garden Neighborhood Preservation Association D6

Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association D2 & D10

Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association Citywide

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association D6

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve a General Plan Task Force recommendation to begin the process of studying and drafting a binding ordinance that will replace single-family zoning throughout the entire city with new zoning that permits four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without community notification or public hearings. This radical proposal—euphemistically called “Opportunity Housing” by its promoters—would reduce neighborhood parking availability, increase greenhouse gas emissions, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services and infrastructure, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing.

Published public opinion polls confirm that a clear majority of San José voters oppose the elimination of single-family residential zoning in the city.

Source: Manhattan Institute Urban Policy Report, 2018

Families and Homes SJ continues to monitor activities and content produced by unelected city employees who are required to maintain neutrality and professionalism when representing the City of San Jose.  As instances of bias or misinformation are discovered, the group vows to continue raising objections with the City Manager’s office, Mayor Liccardo, and the City Council. It also encourages its coalition of residents and neighborhood associations to do the same.

May 18, 2021 - San José, CA. By an unanimous vote of its board, the Eden Neighborhood Association, announced its opposition to the proposed elimination of Single-Family Residential Zoning in San José. The Eden Neighborhood Association represents residents and homeowners in West San José located in Council District 1.

Later this year the San José City Council will decide whether to approve the General Plan Task Force recommendation to consider replacing single-family zoning throughout the entire city with a new zoning definition that permits up to four residential units (plus up to three accessory dwelling units or ADUs) on any single parcel without neighborhood review. Under the catch phrase ‘Opportunity Housing’, this radical proposal would reduce neighborhood parking availability, shrink tree canopy, overburden city services, further aggravate the city’s structural budget deficit, and degrade the quality of life that San José families have worked so hard to create—all without adding a single unit of affordable housing in the city.

The Eden Neighborhood Association joins a citywide grass roots alliance of sister organizations that are all opposed to the elimination of single-family residential zoning in San José. The organizations that have already joined the Families and Homes SJ coalition include:

• Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council

• Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility

• District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group

• Julian St. James Neighborhood Association

• Naglee Park Campus Community Association

• North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

• Rose Garden Neighborhood Preservation Association

• Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association

• Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association

• Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

Families and Homes SJ is proud that the organizations backing its call to preserve single-family residential zoning are a true grass roots coalition. 100% of the membership, leadership, and financial support represented by the neighborhood groups in this coalition comes from within the city of San José. This grass roots effort is in sharp contrast with the outside groups pushing to eliminate single-family zoning in San José. Many of the organizations opposed to single-family zoning have membership and leadership based in surrounding cities, including Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Atherton and Los Altos. Unlike San José, these cities are not considering similar measures to eliminate single-family zoning on their home turf. And unlike Families and Homes SJ, these outside organizations opposed to single-family zoning are backed by financial support from Facebook, Google and some of the most powerful corporations and property developers in the region.

Public opinion polls confirm that a clear majority of San José voters oppose the elimination of single-family residential zoning in the city.

April 28, 2021. Growing concern about the City of San José’s pending consideration of a proposal to eliminate single family zoning is continuing to spawn rapidly growing opposition. 

Today Families and Homes SJ is pleased to announce the most recent additions to the list of San José neighborhood groups that have formally issued statements of opposition. 

The Naglee Park Campus Community Association, District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, and Julian St. James Neighborhood Association are all urging Mayor Liccardo and the City Council to firmly embrace the preservation of single family zoning and oppose the General Plan Task Force recommendation that would direct staff to invest scarce resources to study what is misleadingly referred to as “Opportunity Housing.’” 

These organizations have echoed concerns raised by other neighborhood associations about the plan to eliminate single family zoning in San José, including:

• The impact on the City’s structural budget deficit caused by further reducing the jobs-to-employed resident ratio

• The unpredictable fiscal impact of upgrading localized infrastructure, parkland, police and fire services

• Socio-economic impact of replacing entry-level priced “fixer upper” houses with multiplex market rate rental housing units. 

• Environmental impacts, including loss of tree canopy and water-permeable landscapes, as well as increased GHG emissions that would result from increased Vehicle Miles Traveled  

Other neighborhood associations and public interest groups that have joined the call for preserving single family zoning include the Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association, Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council, Rose Garden Neighborhood Preservation Association, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, and Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association.

April 2, 2021. San José residents are becoming increasingly aware of the push to adopt “Opportunity Housing”, a movement to abolish single family zoning citywide. On March 8, 2021, Families and Homes San José announced numerous local neighborhood groups announcing opposition. Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association (STFNA), Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council (BCAC) and the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association were the initial groups in opposition. Additionally, various Bay Area organizations expressed their opposition.

Recently, the Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility  expressed deep concern to Mayor Liccardo about enacting a citywide elimination of single-family residential zoning. Their webpage contains a sample letter to voice your own concerns to local elected leaders.

Joining other San José neighborhood associations, the Rose Garden Neighborhood Association, also opposed the rezoning. The association highlights “[...] the need for housing but we also know that it is possible to both expand the cities inventory of homes and dwellings while still keeping the historical value in the established older neighborhoods.”

As a reminder, the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association has also launched a petition where San Jose residents can express their desire to preserve single family zoning directly to Mayor Liccardo and members of the City Council.

March 8, 2021. As San Jose residents become more aware of a radical proposal to abolish single family zoning everywhere in the city, a growing number of local neighborhood groups are rising up in opposition. A recommendation by the Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan Task Force, referred to by proponents as “Opportunity Housing”, would allow a fourplex and up to 3 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to be built on any single family residential lot in the City of San Jose.  

The Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association (STFNA) is the latest neighborhood group to publicly oppose citywide Opportunity Housing. In a March 3, 2021 letter to Mayor Liccardo and members of the City Council, the STFNA notes the proposal would “directly conflict with numerous goals and policies of the General Plan and undermine the decisions of thousands of residents to live in an environment that reflects their priorities.” The STFNA Board of Directors is encouraging residents to let the City Council Members that represent the neighborhood (Matt Mahan, D10 and Sergio Jimenez, D2) know their views.  

The STFNA announcement follows a formal statement in opposition issued by the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council (BCAC) last month. In a February 16, 2021 letter addressed to D4 Council Member David Cohen, BCAC notes that the proposal would exacerbate the city’s financial challenges caused by the housing to jobs imbalance, add further stress on aging infrastructure, and violate the city’s promise to those who purchased homes in neighborhoods zoned for single family housing. The letter also calls for voters to have an opportunity weigh in at the ballot box if the Council decides to allow further study on the matter.

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was the first group to formally take a stand issuing its position paper in August of last year. The association has also launched a petition where San Jose residents can express their desire to preserve single family zoning directly to Mayor Liccardo and members of the City Council.