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San Jose approves a bold vision for the future

Despite struggling with budget deficits and a disappearing redevelopment agency, San Jose’s leaders are taking the long view; on Nov. 1, they approved an ambitious and bold General Plan. Envision 2040 lays the foundation for San Jose to become a great, green city of the 21st century.

Read more about conservation safeguards and the vision for a more walkable and bikeable city.

Advocates approve direction (with suggestions!) of Envision 2040

Envision 2040, San Jose's blueprint for growth over the next three decades, is on its way to becoming a model General Plan that prioritizes urban villages near transit, recognizes Coyote Valley as a wildlife corridor and sets ambitious targets to increase the number of people who walk, bike or take transit.

In August, Greenbelt Alliance submitted comments on the environmental impact report of San Jose’s draft General Plan. We suggested improvements to the bicycle realm (map) and support the wildlife corridor recommendations of Science and Collaboration for Connected Wildlands, but overall we like what we see.

To signal our support and intention of following the Plan’s implementation, Greenbelt Alliance and allies, including the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Sierra Club and The Health Trust signed onto a joint letter.
 
The environmental impact report is the latest step in the planning process as the Plan winds its way to final City Council adoption later this year. The report is the community’s chance to see what the environmental impacts of the proposed plan will be and to ensure that intended outcomes, such as a 40% reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled, are achievable.

Designing the best life in South County

South Santa Clara County contains important wildlife corridors, the Pajaro River watershed and some of the last stretches of the Valley’s fertile farmland. The County as a whole is the Bay Area’s fastest growing, and an economic engine for the state. Protecting its creeks, oak woodlands and working farms from encroaching development while supporting the revitalization of local downtowns is key to maintaining its appeal. South County is a breath of fresh air, but the pastoral setting is at risk of sprawl development.

In April and May, the Committee for Green Foothills and Greenbelt Alliance held and investigative series to explore issues facing this area and plan for a future where farms, natural areas and attractive towns thrive side by side.

Planning For Better Health fact sheets

Greenbelt Alliance and the Health Trust of Silicon Valley parterned to produce these six fact sheets on health issues that can be addressed by better land-use planning. The fact sheets specifically use examples from San Jose and Santa Clara County, but the policy recommendations have broader applications.

Read how smart land-use planning can foster healthy aging, diminish childhood obesity, decrease pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, reduce neighborhood health disparities, decrease adult obesity and asthma, and boost healthy diets (6 PDFs, November 2009).