Opinion: Why citywide upzoning likely to misfire, hurt San José residents

London, in 1851, George Cruikshank British Publisher David Bogue British, Subject Queen Victoria British 1851. The MET

According to leading SJ neighborhood group Families & Homes, the upcoming proposal to upzone the whole city isn't a minor tweak. Rather, F&H sees it as a complete overhaul of our residential neighborhoods with major risks for residents:

1. It’s an affordability myth. High land and construction costs mean multi-unit builds won't lower housing prices. Read more

2. It drains city finances. Adding density without commercial tax base worsens our jobs-to-housing deficit—leaving fewer consresources for police, fire, roads, parks and libraries. Read more

3. It destroys tree canopy and spikes traffic. Building on residential lots strips mature backyards (70% of SJ's canopy) and forces more driving in suburban zones. Read more
   --Families and Homes SJ

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