San José Planning Commission Meeting – December 10, 2025

The San José Planning Commission held a regular meeting on December 10, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting began at approximately 5:45 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and adoption of the code of conduct. All 13 commissioners were eventually present, though Commissioners Oliverio and Young arrived late. The primary agenda item was the annual compliance review of seven active development agreements (DAs). The commission also handled one deferral, approved the consent calendar, and received updates from city staff.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously (8-0-1, with Commissioner Escobar abstaining and two commissioners absent at the time). No items were removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public speakers addressed the commission, either for non‑agendized items or for the consent calendar.
• During the public hearing on development agreements, no members of the public provided testimony.

Discussion Items

• Deferral Request: Staff requested to defer items CP25-001 and ER25-007 from January 14, 2026, to January 28, 2026, because no commission hearing was scheduled on the earlier date. The commission voted 9‑0 (with two absences) to approve the deferral.
• Annual Compliance Review of Development Agreements: Staff presented a report on seven active DAs: Cisco (Shapell Properties), Jackson Taylor Japantown, Apple (North San José), Hitachi (Western Digital, South San José), Novellus/Vista Montez (Home Equity, Tasman Apartments), Museum Place, and Google (Downtown West and Downtown). The review covers the period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Staff recommended adoption of resolutions of compliance for all seven DAs, with an update to the Japantown DA resolution reflecting a revised seven‑year term from completion of the Center for the Creative Arts by November 1, 2032.
  • Commissioners with financial conflicts (owning stock in the respective companies) recused themselves from voting on the Cisco, Apple, and Google DAs.
  • Cisco DA: Commissioner Casey questioned the prolonged delays in some agreements, particularly Museum Place, where a data center is now proposed instead of a 60,000‑square‑foot museum. Staff noted that an application for a data center has been submitted and that any amendment to the DA would come to the commission and council separately. The Cisco DA was approved 10‑0 (one recusal).
  • Apple DA: No additional discussion. Approved 9‑0 (two recusals: Commissioners Escobar and Borosio).
  • Google DA: Commissioner Cantrell raised concerns about community benefit funds, specifically a $1 million allocation for the Gardner community that he believed had been commandeered by the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) department. Staff explained that the funds were set aside for a community committee to disperse, and that PRNS did not control the allocation. The commission agreed to have staff provide a follow‑up update at the next meeting. The Google DA was approved 6‑1 (Commissioner Cantrell voting no; four recusals: Chair Rosario, Vice Chair Bickford, Commissioner Borosio, and Commissioner Escobar).
• Referrals and Staff Reports:
  • City Council actions on December 3, 2025, were noted: approval of historic preservation ordinance amendments (recommended by Planning Commission), Eichler design standards, and PD zoning at 908 Burn Court.
  • Upcoming items: Mega Ordinance Amendments (December 16), SB 79 high‑density housing near transit analysis (Council direction in January 2026), habitat plan amendments, and three pending appeals (Tropicana CUP, PayPal Stadium noise mitigation, Lundy Avenue industrial use).
  • Commission administrative reports: city email issues resolved; City Hall closed December 24 – January 2; no further Planning Commission meetings in 2025; next General Plan Task Force meeting on January 21, 2026; a potential joint study session with the Housing Commission on the cost of residential development study targeted for January 14, 2026 (date to be confirmed).

Key Outcomes

• Deferral Approved: CP25-001 and ER25-007 deferred to January 28, 2026.
• Consent Calendar Adopted: Unanimous approval (8-0-1).
• Development Agreement Compliance Resolutions Adopted:
  • All seven resolutions of compliance were approved in a series of votes:
    1. Non‑conflicted DAs (excluding Cisco, Apple, and Google): 11‑0.
    2. Cisco DA: 10‑0 (one recusal).
    3. Apple DA: 9‑0 (two recusals).
    4. Google DA: 6‑1 (four recusals, one no vote).
• Staff Direction: Staff will provide an update on the Google community benefits fund disbursement at the next Planning Commission meeting.
• Receipt of Reports: Commission acknowledged City Council actions and upcoming agenda items.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM.