Planning Commissioner Pierluigi Oliverio talks a lot about San Jose’s proposal to consolidate its single-family neighborhoods, but some residents say it does not educate the public as much as misinformation.
Faced with a housing crisis, San Jose leaders are devising a plan to allow more density in its suburban neighborhoods. So-called Opportunity Housing can house duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and granny units – also known as Accessory Welling Units (ADUs) – in neighborhoods that today are zoned exclusively for single-family homes.
While Oliverio sits on the task force that drafted the policy for the San Jose City Council to consider, but only supports if it is limited to downtown. Some have since criticized him for his outspoken views on the subject. Now its accuracy is being questioned.
Michael Young captured a speech by Oliverio earlier this month. His ears lit up when the commissioner began his presentation by saying: ‘Opportunity housing will’ eliminate all single-family homes in the city ‘.
“I believe this is not correct because I have never heard any staff member or elected official say it,” Young said. “I have Mr. Oliveiro asked to verify this information, and he referred to some notes from a General Plan meeting earlier this year. ‘
Oliveiro told San José Spotlight he did not say anything wrong, calling it a matter of phrase.
“Proponents will say, ‘We offer an opportunity for an owner to build a higher density, where this has never been done before,'” Oliveiro said. “On the other hand, we say: ‘this proposal changes the general plan and eliminates the family home for single houses, so that the owner can build up a higher density. So it’s just a matter of how you say it. ‘
We decided to check his statements.
“Opportunity Housing” eliminates the family home for single families? ”
The deputy director of planning, Michael Brilliot, said the statement “Opportunity Housing does not eliminate solar destination” is inaccurate.
“No, it does not eliminate the family home for single families,” Brilliot said. “In fact, those district districts would still remain in the city on the properties there.”
Brilliot said single-family neighborhoods will still have single-family homes. But homeowners now have the choice to convert their existing home into a duplex, triplex or quadruple. The homeowner can also build up to three ADUs, depending on the number of units in their home.
“I think we just want to get the facts right, because we hear people say, ‘The city is proposing to eliminate single-family destination, which means a developer can build a six-story apartment building next to my house,'” Brilliot said. . . “Which is not suggested.”
Single-family neighborhoods have certain restrictions on house heights and the space between homes, so developers can not suddenly build a multiple family-high building in the area. Brilliot said the guidelines for elevation and spacing will not change, but the new proposal will amend land use rules to allow duplexes and triplexes of the same size.
Fact check: “Your home may be surrounded by three quadruples and six ADUs.”
Young said Oliveiro has a ‘very negative view’ of housing opportunities that ‘border on scare methods’.
Oliveiro said he’s just a case.
“It offers you the opportunity to be surrounded on all three sides by development,” Oliveiro said. ‘If you look at an ordinary single-family home, you have someone on your left, someone on your right and a backyard. Theoretically, therefore, you can have the type of development around you. Or you have the opportunity to make it happen. ”
In this case, Oliveiro’s statement is correct: San Jose’s new plan enables residents to convert their homes into quadruples and add ADUs. Oliveiro claims it could harm the ‘aesthetic character’ that homeowners bought when they moved to their neighborhood. Two other San Jose residents said his opinion is a “serious mischaracterization” of the plan in a recent Op-Ed for San José spotlight.
Brilliot said the underlying fear of change may worry some residents, but he says residents do not have to worry about immediate demolition and change.
“We do not expect Opportunity Housing to appear anywhere,” Brilliot said. “There will be development that will happen slowly over time.”
Oliverio’s biggest emphasis is that affordable housing eliminates the choice of a resident to live in an exceptional single-family neighborhood.
The plan was not set up in stone. The San Jose City Council has yet to review it and may make changes.
Finally, Young said both proponents and opponents of the proposal have valid arguments.
“What I do not like is that Mr Oliveiro is using dubious facts, extreme cases and other language to create fear among residents around this issue,” Young said.
Contact Carly Wipf at [email protected] or follow @CarlyChristineW on Twitter.