Traffic Concerns Sink Light-Rail-Adjacent Development in San Jose

The city of San Jose has a mixed record of moving forward with land use changes that complement its existing and expanding transit systems.

1 minute read

July 25, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Branham light rail station area.

The Branham light rail station area. Highway 87 and the Narvaez on-ramp are also visible. / Google Maps

"The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has pulled plans for now to build a high-density, mixed-use project near the Branham light rail station," reports Julia Baum.

"In March the VTA asked San Jose officials to amend the city’s General Plan so it could develop a 3-acre parcel at 4747 Narvaez Ave., which currently serves as the agency’s parking lot," adds Baum. Any plans to redevelop the parking lot will have to wait, and the VTA is saying it is waiting for a traffic study on Highway 87. The nearby Highway 87/Capitol Expressway/Narvaez on-ramp is notoriously congested, and "[p]revious development proposals have met with resistance from neighbors who felt area traffic and parking problems were ignored."

The setback for the proposed development breaks a hot streak for transit oriented development in the city of San Jose. Development proposals have moved forward in recent months at the future Berryessa Station and at the soon-to-be-expanded Diridon Station

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 in The Mercury News

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

1 hour ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

2 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

3 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.