Building Upon Previous Community Engagement Input
Handout Content
Previous Efforts
The City of San Jose has been planning for improvements to the Diridon Station Area for over a decade. In 2009, the City convened the Diridon Good Neighbor Committee to provide input on the future of the station area. Based on this input and other public outreach, staff prepared the Diridon Station Area Plan, which City Council adopted in 2014.
Cover of Diridon Station Area Plan Final Report
2018 Engagements
10 Station Area Advisory Group (SAAG) Meetings
11 SAAG Solution Group Meetings
7 Community Forums
6 Pop-Ups at Neighborhood Events
5 Stakeholder Presentations
2 Walking Tours
600 Online Survey Responses
Summary Report
The City summarized the input received during the engagement process into the Diridon Station Area Civic Engagement Report (October 2018). The input was categorized into “Key Issues and Opportunities” and “Desired Outcomes” (see reverse for more information). A key finding was that there is still general support for the Diridon Station Area Plan’s vision and objectives.
Google Development Project
On December 4, 2018, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Google to guide collaboration on a mixed-use development project moving forward. The MOU documents shared goals and community priorities, based largely upon input received during the 2018 engagement process. The MOU outlines the process for negotiating a Community Benefits Plan as part of a Development Agreement.
Other City Planning Efforts
In addition to informing the Google Project, the City is considering the community input gathered in 2018 and before to inform other planning efforts, such as the Diridon Integration Station Concept Plan, amendments to the Diridon Station Area Plan, and areawide studies on Affordable Housing, Parking, and Infrastructure Financing.
Community Input Summary Report
Key Issues and Opportunities
Housing and Displacement
Revitalization of Downtown and the Diridon Station Area
Job Opportunities and Social Equity
Expectations of Google and Others
Community Benefits
Growth Impacts and Public Services
High Speed Rail Impacts
Safety and Homelessness
Environmental Sustainability
Effects on San Jose’s identity
Picture of hand written notes of Public Comments
Desired Outcomes
There is a nearly universal concern for the housing crisis; however, there was a wide range of nuanced perspectives about how to meaningfully address it and the implications for the potential Google development in the Diridon area.
Community Members want to enhance educational and economic opportunities for all residents of San José, with a range of perspectives on prioritizing social equity and leveraging Google’s strengths to support access to jobs in tech.
There was strong agreement among community members around land use, design, and parking goals, reflecting general support for a well-designed, high-density, mixed-use station area that integrates with Downtown, incorporates historic features and public art, and is sensitive to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Desired outcomes for public space, creeks, and trails had the highest level of agreement among community members, who seek a safe, accessible, and connected public realm that reflects San José’s unique identity.
There was very strong agreement among community members around transportation and transit, reflecting the significant interest in making the area supportive of transit use and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, while also proactively managing vehicle traffic, parking, and emerging modes of travel.
Environmental sustainability goals were added to fully capture the community’s interest in integrating nature, enhancing habitat, using innovative green building techniques, and minimizing pollution.