PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
CITY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Project Name: San José Buddhist Church Betsuin Expansion Project
File Nos.: PDC23-104, PD23-016, and ER23-176
Description: Planned Development Rezoning and Planned Development permit for the demolition all existing structures, including an existing school, and the construction of a two-story school building totaling 10,771 square feet. The school capacity would increase from 24 students to 30 students. One teacher would also be added to the staff. The new library, conference room, and multi-purpose room would be used for small community meetings and events. The project also includes a new preschool play area, courtyard plaza, and garden at the center of the site.
Location: The 1.17-acre project site is 639 and 645 North Fifth Street and 624 and 642 North Fourth Street, located between North Fourth Street and North Fifth Street in the Japantown neighborhood in the City of San José.
Assessor’s Parcel No.: 249-41-009, -22, -23, -24, -25, -75
Council District: 3
Applicant Contact Information: San José Buddhist Church (Attn: Steve Onishi); 640 North Fifth Street, San José, CA 95112; (408)439-3206; sjbc@sjbetsuin.org
The City has performed an environmental review of the project. The environmental review examines the nature and extent of any adverse effects on the environment that could occur if the project is approved and implemented. Based on the review, the City has prepared a Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for this project. An MND is a statement by the City that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment because the project will include mitigation measures that will reduce identified project impacts to a less than significant level. The project site is present on the list pursuant to Section 65962.5 of the California Government Code.
The public is welcome to review and comment on the Draft MND. The public comment period for this Draft MND begins on Wednesday May 7, 2025 and ends on Wednesday May 28, 2025. The Draft MND, Initial Study, and reference documents are available online at: www.sanjoseca.gov/negativedeclarations
The documents are also available for review with an appointment during normal business hours at the City of San Jose Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, located at City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street; or during normal business hours at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Main Library, located at 150 E. San Fernando Street; and the Joyce Ellington Branch Library located at 491 East Empire Street. Please contact Bethelhem Telahun at (408) 535-5624, or by e-mail at bethelhem.telahun@sanjoseca.gov for or additional questions, comments, or concerns.
CHRISTOPHER BURTON, Director
Planning, Building and Code Enforcement
Circulation period: May 7 to May 28, 2025
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