Real estate company Hudson Cos. Inc. is seeking zoning from city officials in San Jose, Calif., to build a mixed-use development that will include self-storage and retail space. Thus far, the proposal has been warmly received by officials and the public, according to the source.

September 24, 2015

2 Min Read
Real Estate Developer Hudson Cos. Proposes Self-Storage and Retail Complex for San Jose, CA

Real estate company Hudson Cos. Inc. is seeking zoning from city officials in San Jose, Calif., to build a mixed-use development that will include self-storage and retail space. Thus far, the proposal has been warmly received by officials and the public, according to the source.

The developer presented an overview of the plan to city staff at a Sept. 8 public meeting. The four-story project at 780 S. Winchester Blvd. will include an 82,036-square-foot self-storage building as well as 10,511 square feet of retail space on slightly more than an acre of land. Zoning of the lot is currently split as commercial pedestrian and commercial general, according to Lesley Xavier, the city’s supervising planner. "Both have very different setbacks. The other item is mini-storage is not permitted in either of the two zoning districts, so they'd be allowing that use with this plan,” she said.

City officials have also asked Hudson to include more retail space to fit better with the area’s vision as an urban village. The current plan included only a single retail building. The site plan calls for setting the building farther from the original property line and stepping down the rear side to better align with the three-story apartment behind it, the source reported.

Residents who attended the meeting expressed some concern about increased traffic and security for the storage facility. Hudson representatives assured them onsite managers would keep the facility secure and traffic would be minimal. “Self-storage facilities tend to generate very little traffic and parking demand," said Erik Schoennauer, a land-use consultant working with the developer.

While some residents said the facility’s design seemed “too boxy and modern, and lacked warmth,” others said it reflected the style of other buildings in the neighborhood, the source reported. "I happen to be in favor of urban design. Look around at what's being built; this is what's coming up,” said resident Dave Johnsen.

Incorporating Craftsman-style architectural features may not be appropriate for Winchester Boulevard, said company owner Dan Hudson. "We are using quality materials—lots of glass, metal, stucco. From a cost perspective, these are expensive materials, but from a design consideration, they're a little bit more modern, and I think that's an attractive look,” he said.

The project will undergo an environmental review, then be presented at a planning-commission public hearing in the coming months, the source reported.   

Hudson Cos. has developed real estate in Northern California for nearly 60 years. Its projects include office, retail, self-storage and townhomes.

Sources:

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