The proposed development at 940 Willow St.\u00a0has faced an organized opposition campaign<\/a> since Redco first proposed it in 2023. Critics argue<\/a> the seven-story building is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood, which is largely made up of single-family homes<\/a>. They also warn the influx of more than 100 new residents would strain local resources.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no buildings even half the height within a mile of it,\u201d Maren Sederquist, president of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThe density is such that it will affect traffic, parking, storm drains, sewers, the electric grid, internet service providers \u2014 the whole infrastructure is going to be stressed by this many people.\u201d<\/p>\n Under normal circumstances, the project might have been denied outright due to the site\u2019s zoning designation, which doesn\u2019t allow for residential developments except projects that focus exclusively on below-market rate housing. However, Redco submitted its application under California\u2019s \u201cbuilder\u2019s remedy<\/a>\u201d law, which took effect in January 2023 after San Jose missed the deadline to submit a state-approved housing plan.<\/p>\n As a result, the 940 Willow St. project \u2014 along with dozens of others submitted in the 12 months that the city remained out of compliance<\/a> \u2014 can move forward even though they don\u2019t meet local zoning rules.<\/p>\n While the builder\u2019s remedy does allow local officials to step in when a project poses a public health or safety risk, Ruth Cueto, the hearing officer who oversaw the Dec. 3 planning hearing, said no such exceptions applied to the 940 Willow St. proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, I must approve this project, because there aren\u2019t any federal or state laws where this project can be denied,\u201d she said at the meeting.<\/p>\n Redco Development also used a state density bonus law, which effectively doubled the number of homes allowed on the site.<\/p>\n San Jose\u2019s housing plan commits the city to produce more than 62,000 homes by 2031. Of those, 15,000 must be affordable homes set aside for low-income residents.<\/p>\n During the meeting, Redco co-founder Chris Freise sought to address residents\u2019 concerns about the proposed development, which will include 20 below-market rate homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not someone who doesn\u2019t care about San Jose or its fabric,\u201d he said. \u201cWe had a lot of conversations around massing, height, parking and impacts on the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n Freise, who did not respond to a request for comment, argued at the meeting that the proposed building needs to include seven stories to provide space for on-site parking. Under the proposed design, the building would operate a parking garages on its first and second stories with enough capacity to accommodate 127 spaces.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want a shorter building with no parking, it\u2019s very much possible,\u201d Freise said.<\/p>\n Redco\u2019s proposal also includes transit and pedestrian improvements for the surrounding area<\/a>, including wider sidewalks and a new bus shelter in front of the development site, according to city officials. Nevertheless, residents said they remain alarmed about the potential traffic impacts.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a little boy, and the streets are already busy,\u201d resident Jenny Ellis said during the meeting. \u201cWith all these extra cars driving around, that intersection is going to be extra dangerous, so I\u2019m concerned about safety.\u201d \u201cWe desperately need more housing in the area,\u201d Weber said. \u201cIt\u2019s sad to me that there are members of the immediate community that might not be in favor of this \u2026 I\u2019m not actually sure why a person who lives in single-family dwelling in Willow Glen is allowed to tell other people that they can\u2019t live in high density housing close to them, and I\u2019m looking forward to my new neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4630-1024x768.jpg\")
The new housing development would replace a liquor store that presently operates on the site. Photo by Keith Menconi.<\/p>\n![\"NewsMatch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765819028_121_interactive-255337946814.png\")
<\/a>Not all residents who spoke during the meeting opposed the development. Kate Weber said she welcomed the added foot traffic and vibrancy the influx of new residents might bring<\/a>.<\/p>\n