GP99-T-03
Amend the text to modify the Urban Design Policies to allow for building heights up to 120 feet in the North Coyote Valley Industrial Area. (1444acres) (Coyote Valley Research Park, LLC/Gibson Speno, LLC/ Sobrato Development Companies)

There is a Gemeral Plan Text Ammendment regarding north coyote valley. This contradicts the general plan guidelines to preserve the rural atmosphere of the North Coyote valley as outlined below from Steve Nelson's post on the Calpine page. It was explained to me that this is required due a change in drainage plans for Fisher Creek. 250 acres lost to the lake. The extra height would compensate for lost office space.

This must be new math. The current restriction is 90ft.
(1444+250)/1444*90=105ft not 120ft

But since there was supposed to be a bunch open space between the buildings anyway (like a campus thing), why not just count the lake in that and move the buildings closer. The IBM building on Bailey looks OK because it's only 6 stories.

For those interested in what the City had planned for North Coyote Valley before Calpine came along with their proposal, the North Coyote Valley Development Plan describes in great detail the City's vision. The North Coyote Valley Development Plan is described in the document:

The Development Plan for North Coyote Valley states clearly and publicly the City of San Jose's goals for the development of North Coyote Valley.

Here are some quotes from the document:

Even the low intensity of development in the Campus Industrial areas of Coyote Valley will not preserve its rural character if the large setbacks, height restrictions and landscape concepts outlined in this section are not followed.

The North Coyote Valley provides a spectacular setting which makes high quality development mandatory.

A height limit is established to less disruption of views of the hillsides which form the Valley and establish its character.

The City has established that the development of the North Coyote Valley will respect natural resources and produce an extremely competitive marketing images for high technology industries in need of consolidated, highly amenable campus locations. These Guidelines confirm the City's intent and specify those public and private actions necessary to ensure that the end product will conform to that intent.

The recreational aspects of the Fisher Creek corridor will serve the Campus Industrial Area as a linear park or spine, that provides visual delight and common facilities for all. Jogging and walking paths, bicycle trails, picnic and wildlife observation areas are planned.

A complete system of pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes throughout the area is provided. Jogging paths, bicycle paths and equestrian trails are part of the Fisher Creek linear park network.

The Fisher Creek linear park network is approximately 3 miles long and provides linkage to all parcels for community passive recreation opportunities.

Fisher Creek runs from South to North along the hills in North Coyote Valley. The proposed Metcalf Energy Center if built would sit right next to Fisher Creek. In my opinion it is very obvious the City never intended for a power plant to be located Coyote Valley.

--
Tim Alton