San Jose Rejects Bid to Convert Industrial Land for Housing – NMP Skip to main content

San Jose Rejects Bid to Convert Industrial Land for Housing

May 13, 2015

An effort to expand Bay Area housing opportunities by changing the land designation on a San Jose industrial property to accommodate multifamily housing has been rejected.

According to a Mercury-News report, the San Jose City Council voted 9-2 to reject a proposal that would have replaced two commercial properties on a 4.1-acre site with a multifamily complex that would have accommodated as many as 200 apartments. Mayor Sam Liccardo and the city’s planning director, Harry Freitas, lobbied against the conversions, arguing that new housing would drain municipal resources; roughly 15 percent of San Jose’s land is set aside for industrial and commercial operations.

This vote is the fourth attempt to convince the city council to convert industrial land into residential space. None of the previous votes were successful.  

About the author
Published
May 13, 2015
June Jobs Report Improves Mortgage Rate Outlook

Slower hiring strengthens bonds and eases concerns over additional Fed tightening

Jul 02, 2026
NEXA Founder Mike Kortas Launches evoLend To Help Originators Retain Borrowers

New Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac- and Ginnie Mae-approved mortgage servicer aims to keep originators connected to borrowers through servicing data, payoff visibility and retention tools

Jul 02, 2026
President Trump Cancels 21st Century ROAD To Housing Act

Trump cancels signing the bipartisan housing bill, leaving affordability package in limbo

Jun 24, 2026
Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Tops $5 Trillion In Q1

MBA says outstanding debt grew by $26.3 billion in the first quarter, led by multifamily lending and increased holdings from banks, agencies, and life insurers

Jun 18, 2026
Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Outlook Dims For Mortgage Rate Relief

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged but updated projections show more policymakers expecting additional hikes

Jun 18, 2026
Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Senate voted 87-8 to advance House-amended package, with final votes expected in coming days

Jun 17, 2026