The Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village Plan effort will lead to a City Council-approved planning document outlining a vision and standards that will guide future development in this neighborhood. This new plan joins together perspectives from the residents, business owners, and other community members to shape its future vision. 

Public input received from the first workshop held in Fall 2025 serves as the foundation to drafting a plan that will address key issues such as housing development, transportation safety, and parks and open space. As staff develops the plan, these key issues will be fleshed out through further engagement with the community through online tools that will provide opportunity for reviewing drafts, or polls/surveys on policy questions, etc. The two upcoming workshops as well as other opportunities are for the public to review the proposed plan and provide input will take place in 2026. Regular updates to the community will be provided via emails as various milestones are reached (see figure below). 

Sign up for updates to receive emails about these meetings and progress on the plan update. 

ABOUT Eastside Alum Rock urban village 

The Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village is located in East San Jose and is bordered at the west by Highway 680, the south by the E. Capitol Expressway and east by Manning Avenue. The urban village is mostly comprised of parcels along Alum Rock Avenue and South Capitol Avenue.

The urban village can be currently characterized as mostly commercial with shopping plazas, centers, offices, and community serving institutions adjacent to single-family homes, apartments, and multi-family housing.

Learn more about San José’s urban village strategy and how urban villages can foster a mix of housing and work opportunities and reduce driving and emissions while promoting pedestrian and bike-friendly communities.

Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village Area

LATEST PLAN UPDATE

There have been two community meetings for the Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village Plan. The first was held in September 2025 to gather community insights on key topics such as housing, open space/ amenities, and transportation to draft an initial vision for the plan. The second community meeting was held in January 2026 where Neighbors and community members gave feedback on the draft ideas that City staff made after feedback from the first meeting.

City staff is now doing deeper research on potential policies and regulations to present at the second community meeting and will prepare a draft plan with community feedback in mind. A third workshop, as well as other opportunities for the public to review the proposed plan and provide input, (such as additional surveys), will take place in Spring 2026.

Outreach & Workshops

Upcoming Community Meetings

Virtual Community Meeting #2
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - 6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Zoom: bit.ly/3IiQves
Zoom number: +1 669 900 9128
REGISTER HERE and find meeting details available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Online Feedback

If you would like to share your thoughts on the plan, please fill out our online survey (Opens January 26^th): bit.ly/ESARUVsurvey

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

What is the Envision San José 2040 General Plan?
The Envision San José 2040 General Plan is the City’s blueprint for the future growth of San José. Approved in 2011 by the City Council, it reflects the input of thousands of residents and businesses. Urban villages are a key strategy in the plan for how and where San José grows.

What is an urban village?
Urban villages bring housing, retail, and jobs together with higher-density, mixed-used developments. They typically locate along transit corridors to reduce car use and promote walking, bicycling, and transit use.

What are the benefits of an urban village?
Instead of “urban sprawl,” urban villages provide a place for people to live, work, and play. This concentrated approach reduces traffic and greenhouse gas emissions and supports healthy living with less time in cars. Economic development and growth is promoted in key locations, helping to take pressure off developing in environmentally sensitive areas.

How big is the Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village plan area?
The current area is roughly 61 acres. It consists of single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, shopping centers, office uses, and neighborhood serving institutions.

What about parking and traffic?

Addressing parking and traffic is a key part of the planning process. A key goal is to make it easier for people to reach their destinations without driving. We'll consider pedestrian improvements, safe pedestrian and cycling networks, bicycle storage, and how new infrastructure might shape our transportation options.

How will the public be engaged in the Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village plan?
A series of three workshops will occur between 2025 through 2026.

• Community Meeting 1: Community Values
  Residents were invited to share ideas about development in this area which helps the City determine which values to integrate into the development of the Eastside Alum Rock Urban Village Plan. Community members shared their views and concerns on housing, transportation, parks and open space, and neighborhood amenities.
  • Virtual Community Meeting: September 29, 2025
  • In-Person Community Meeting: October 2, 2025

• Community Meeting 2: Plan Development
  Residents are invited to provide feedback on key aspects of the Conceptual Plan. Community members will be given the opportunity to share their opinions on the draft concepts concerning proposed density and land use, circulation strategies, and open space and parks priorities.
  • In-Person Community Meeting: January 26, 2026
  • Virtual Community Meeting: February 11, 2026

• Community Meeting 3: Open House via Webinars
  Staff will present the Draft Plan and seek final comments during a series of three webinars. After addressing these final comments, staff will prepare to present the plan to the Planning Commission and City Council for approval.
  • This workshop is scheduled for Spring 2026. Staff are now drafting the plan which will inform the content of this workshop.

LANGUAGE TRANSLATION & ADA ACCOMMODATIONS 

Spanish, and Vietnamese interpretations will be provided at the community workshops. Other language assistance is available upon request by calling (408) 793-4100.

For accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, call (408) 793-4100 or 7-1-1 (TTY) at least 3 days before a meeting. 

For more information, email eastsidealumrockuv@sanjoseca.gov.