A developer has proposed an ambitious high-rise project north of Santana Row and Westfield Valley Fair — at 14 and 17 stories, far taller than any nearby constructing — but not without significant opposition from San Jose and Santa Clara residents who may fear the groundbreaking development change the character of their neighborhood.
VCI Cos. has filed for a general plan amendment to understand its vision of replacing a vacant, dilapidated office constructing near the corner of Winchester Boulevard and West Hedding Street with a high-rise consisting of two towers connected by a skyway.
However, residents have banded together to oppose the project, which could reach a maximum height of 197 feet, calling it “a monstrosity,” “ugly, ugly, ugly” and “an attempt to “to bring the city center into our neighborhood.” .
“These 17- and 14-story buildings are not suitable for an established single-family neighborhood,” said resident Kevin Golden. “This project will not benefit the Cory neighborhood or our neighbors in Santa Clara. The developers are the only ones who benefit while negatively changing the Cory neighborhood forever.”
Several developers have made improvements to the 0.6-acre office site at 826 N. Winchester Blvd. which is covered in graffiti and has been the scene of several fires and criminal activity.
But before the previous owner broke ground, VCI purchased the property last year for more than $6.5 million after lenders foreclosed on the property.
Kelly Erardi, director of entitlements for VCI Cos., said the proposed 135-unit project would consist of 70 one-bedroom units and 65 two-bedroom units. Twenty of the units would be reserved for inclusive, affordable housing.
Erardi said that in addition to the residential component, the developer is also eyeing 15,000 square feet of privately owned retail space and 18,800 square feet of public open space, which it would design with community feedback.
But dozens of residents — many of whom have lived in the single-family home neighborhood adjacent to the property for several years — spoke out against the proposal due to traffic, safety and parking issues, as well as the sheer size of the buildings towering over their homes.
“There isn’t the infrastructure to support a 17-story building with such a high density of housing,” Michelle Olmstead said of the neighborhood where her family has lived for several decades.
Critics of the project also noted that parking became an increasing problem in the area after Santana Row began charging parking fees, leading to an influx of cars on residential streets.
Current zoning at the site limits height to 35 feet in some parts of the property while allowing up to 50 feet in other parts.
While the developer has sought to transform the area into a transit residential district, which would allow for increased building height and density, planning staff noted the proposal was still inconsistent with several cities' policies.
With the exception of one resident, the only positive comments came from housing advocates, who called the project transformative and vital for the city to meet its state housing targets, which call for a plan of 62,200 units by 2031.
“The city needs 60,000 new housing units over the next eight years and this is a fantastic opportunity to get closer to that goal,” said Alex Shoor, managing director of Catalyze SV. “Dozens of my friends and family have left this area because they can no longer afford to live in this community. There is nothing more important to a community than keeping the people they love in the community.”
But Stefan Ewald, who lives on the Santa Clara side of the neighborhood, said he was troubled that housing advocates and developers who don't live in their neighborhood were talking about the community's needs instead of listening to what the Residents told them about their concerns or what they wanted.
“You talked a lot about community, and yes, that will actually bring about change — but not in a positive way,” Ewald said.
San Jose is gathering input for an environmental impact report that might be released by the top of the third quarter of 2025. City staff said that based on that schedule, Planning Commission and City Council hearings would occur in late 2025 or early 2026.
Despite the strong opposition, Erardi said the developer will likely hold additional community meetings in hopes of addressing neighborhood concerns.
“We are here to listen and we are not particularly surprised by some of the things we have heard. We will do our best to address some of these points and see what we come up with,” said Erardi.
Originally published:
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