Reminder: Welcome to Your D6 August 2026 E-Letter

• Support increasing residential density in District 6
• Prioritize Missing Middle housing types
• Expand protections for landmark and hazard areas
• Encourage community engagement in City Council meetings

• General Plan four-year review amendments
• Density increases for Mixed Use Neighborhood and Urban Residential zones
• Land use changes along The Alameda
• Site-specific land use decisions for Winchester Corridor

• National Night Out August 4
• City Council meetings resumed August 11
• Planning Commission vote June 24
• Upcoming City Council decision on General Plan amendments

Email from City of San Jose You don't want to miss this August E-Letter 2026 Thursday, August 13 Dear Neighbors, As we turn the calendar to August, reality kicks in fast with the busy months ahead, which is why I’ve taken some time to reflect on a spectacular summer for District 6. A summer filled with the beauty of kayakers on the Guadalupe River, wildly successful World Cup watch parties, spirited neighborhoods on National Night Out, celebrating America’s 250th along The Alameda’s Rose, White, and Blue Parade, acknowledging historical markers like Pride and Juneteenth, and so much more. Be sure to take a moment to reflect on your summer, then look forward with us to new beginnings across District 6. I'd like to start by welcoming Lauren Babich, joining our team as Community Relations Director. A San José resident, Lauren most recently served part of D6 under State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. We're excited to have Lauren on board, and she looks forward to strengthening our relationships with District 6 neighbors. August also marks the start of a new school year for thousands of students, teachers, and families. And for those on the move with changes at San José Unified, we wish you a smooth transition. And whether you're walking, biking, driving, or taking transit, please remember to slow down and stay alert around our schools as everyone settles back into their routines. Your District 6 team is wishing all students, educators, and staff a safe and successful year ahead! I also want to thank everyone who participated in National Night Out on August 4. District 6 hosted more than 25 neighborhood gatherings, and our team hustled to visit seven. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many neighbors, meet new families, and celebrate the strong sense of community that makes District 6 such a special place. Join the fun next year by hosting your own National Night Out and be sure to let us know once you register—we'd love to swing by and say hello. Lastly, City Council meetings resumed August 11 after an event filled summer recess. Whether you're passionate about a neighborhood issue or simply want to stay informed, residents can attend meetings in person at City Hall, submit written comments by email and mail, or provide virtual public comments – which has recently returned with updated procedures. Your input plays an important role in shaping the decisions that affect our community, and I encourage you to stay engaged. As always, thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We hope you find it informative, and we look forward to sharing more on how you can close out the summer strong. Best, Michael Mulcahy San José City Councilmember, District 6 Policy Discussions Council Preview: General Plan Four-Year Review On June 24, the San José Planning Commission voted to recommend several amendments for the General Plan to the City Council. These recommendations are part of the City's four-year General Plan Review, a multi-year process that evaluates the General Plan, identifies opportunities for improvement, and proposes policy changes based on the goals established for each review cycle. Here’s a quick recap of how we got here: In March 2025, the Mayor directed City staff to begin work on the four-year General Plan Review in preparation for updating the City's Housing Element. The Housing Element is a state-required document, updated every eight years, that identifies where the City plans to accommodate future housing growth. If a city fails to maintain a compliant Housing Element, California law allows – until a city has complied – housing developers to override local zoning regulations through a process commonly known as the "Builder's Remedy." You will likely remember Builder's Remedy as our city faced this fate during the prior Housing Element. With that context in mind, one of the primary goals of this review has been to identify opportunities to increase housing capacity throughout San José, with particular attention to encouraging the "Missing Middle": housing types that fall between single-family homes and large apartment complexes, such as duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and small multi-family buildings. Over the past year, the Planning Commission has served as the review body for this process, working with City Planning staff to evaluate and refine potential policy changes. On June 24, the Commission voted to recommend a package of amendments to the City Council, including: Increasing the allowable residential density for properties designated Mixed Use Neighborhood (MUN) from up to 30 dwelling units per acre to 20–50 dwelling units per acre, and for Urban Residential (UR) properties from 30–95 dwelling units per acre to 50–95 dwelling units per acre. Modifying land use designations on select sites along The Alameda to allow for additional housing opportunities. Developing criteria that would allow certain Public/Quasi-Public properties, such as schools, churches, and other publicly owned or community-serving sites, to be considered for residential development while taking into account the surrounding community's needs and resources. Increasing allowable density in Residential Neighborhood areas from up to 8 dwelling units per acre to up to 32 dwelling units per acre. On many single-family lots, this would generally allow up to four homes per property and buildings of up to three stories. Single-family homes would still be permitted, as there would be no minimum density requirement. Expanding protections for properties located within City Landmark Districts, flood hazard areas, wildfire hazard areas, conservation areas, mobile home parks, and sites containing rent-stabilized or otherwise protected housing. One of the most heavily debated topics was whether to recommend site-specific land use changes along the Winchester Corridor. While the Planning Commissioners generally agreed that the corridor presents opportunities for additional housing, they were unable to reach consensus on how individual properties should be designated and ultimately did not forward a recommendation on those site-specific changes. The City Council will ultimately make the final decision on both the Winchester Corridor and the broader package of General Plan amendments. Another land use impact to be aware of is California State Senate Bill 79, which allows higher-density housing near major transit stops, bringing significant changes to land use planning across San José. With many proposed General Plan changes and SB 79 impacts concentrated in District 6, our district is likely to be disproportionately affected. It is important to note however, that these are changes on a map, fully dependent on market conditions, and not overnight changes to what individual neighborhoods will look like. These changes do not require property owners to alter what they are currently doing on their sites, and homeowners will still be able to remodel their homes and make improvements without being required to meet a specific density when making those changes. Many of these changes are driven by state law. I agree that San José needs more housing at all income levels and different housing types, though I am equally concerned about the trend toward removing local control and the local voice of neighbors. Which is why I want to ensure that District 6 has a strong voice in this process. The City Council is currently scheduled to consider these recommendations on August 18. While our office has already engaged with many community groups and residents throughout District 6, we encourage you to continue sharing your feedback. If you have thoughts on the General Plan 4-Year Review or any of the proposed changes, please reply to this email before the City Council meeting. I would greatly appreciate hearing your perspective as we prepare for the Council's discussion. City Council Meeting for Tuesday, August 18 State Mandated Turf Reductions Coming to San José Parks Beginning January 1, 2027, California law will require local governments to remove non-functional turf from many publicly owned properties as part of the state's long-term water conservation efforts. In preparation for this statewide mandate, the City of San José has begun identifying locations where turf can be replaced with more sustainable landscaping. Several locations in District 6 have been selected for future turf reduction. You might have seen "Working on my Tan" signs in some of our parks, or actual removals underway. These areas were thoughtfully chosen to minimize impacts on park users and generally consist of non-functional turf, such as narrow landscape strips, small sections of grass that are rarely used for recreation, or areas that have already experienced significant wear. Playfields, gathering spaces, and other actively used recreational areas are not the focus of these conversions. By transitioning these underutilized areas to drought-tolerant landscaping or other creative use, the City will reduce water use, lower long-term maintenance costs, and help meet California's sustainability goals while preserving the spaces residents use most. This is a statewide requirement that affects municipalities across California, and San José is taking a proactive approach to ensure compliance while thoughtfully balancing environmental stewardship with community needs. Our office has been working for several weeks with neighborhood associations and nearby residents on how we can best manage these areas once the reductions take hold. If you want to learn more about the City's turf reduction program, including project locations and timelines, visit this website or feel free to contact our office. D6 Parks Impacted: Arena Green East/West Bramhall Park Fuller Park Wallenberg Lincoln Glen O'Conner Park BART Silicon Valley Construction Project Councilmember Mulcahy serves on the oversight committee for VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II project which continues to move forward, with construction activity expanding along the six-mile extension that will bring BART from the Berryessa/North San José Station through downtown San José to Santa Clara. At the West Portal near Newhall Yard, excavation of the tunnel launch structure is nearing completion, with 84% of excavation and 94% of structural bracing complete as of mid-July. Work is also underway around the future Diridon Station, including soil testing and utility relocations near Santa Clara Street, Stockton Avenue, and The Alameda. Demolition and site preparation are progressing at the future 28th Street/Little Portugal Station, while additional restoration and infrastructure work is beginning around the East Portal. As part of work near the future Diridon BART Station, the parking lot south of Santa Clara Street between Barack Obama Boulevard and South Montgomery Street is temporarily closed from July 20 through October 18, 2026. The closure will allow crews to conduct soils testing and trenching needed for the project, with work generally taking place between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. VTA has distributed construction notices and created additional signage and online resources to keep the public informed throughout the closure. VTA is also completing a comprehensive update of the project's overall cost, schedule, risks, and contingency needs as it continues working toward a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration. The current project estimate remains approximately $12.7 billion, with about $2.38 billion committed through contracts and $2.02 billion paid to date. The project recently reached another important construction milestone with completion of the support-of-excavation work for the tunnel launch structure, helping prepare the site for the future arrival and operation of the tunnel boring machine. Public Announcements Silicon Valley Pride Parade and Festival Silicon Valley’s 51st Pride Parade is coming up on Sunday, August 30, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in the heart of downtown San José. The parade will begin at Julian Street & Market Street, ending at Plaza Park (formally known as Plaza de César Chávez Park). I look forward to a fun morning of walking and celebrating with my team, colleagues, and neighbors in support of the LGBTQ+ community and the principles of progress and equality. There will also be two different festivals you can attend. The first is Silicon Valley Pride’s Night Festival, on Saturday, August 29, from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Plaza Park. The second will be held during the day, immediately following the parade on Sunday, August 30, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, also at Plaza Park. Walk with us to experience the vibrant floats, LGBTQ-owned businesses and entertainment, and to connect with community members from across San José’s diverse districts. Contact us at district6@sanjoseca.gov to sign up and walk with our team. More Details on Volunteering and Registering The Alameda Resurfacing Project Begins This Month The long-awaited resurfacing of The Alameda is scheduled to begin this month with utility work starting August 10, followed by roadway paving on or around August 19. Resurfacing work will continue through the month of September, so prepare for lane closures, dust, and noise. Note that traffic will always be able to move in both directions, but reduced lanes at times will be the norm. Be sure to look out for neighborhood updates from the City’s Department of Transportation and our office as needed. While the project start was delayed due to ongoing utility work near Stockton Avenue, we are pleased to see this project getting underway to finish before the fall and the opening of the Sharks season. In addition to the roadway improvements, our office successfully secured $50,000 during this year's budget process to clean and refresh the Caltrain bridge and underpass at The Alameda/Santa Clara Street. This work will include power washing, graffiti removal (including an anti-graffiti coating), landscaping, light fixture repairs, and new signage. We have also been coordinating San José departments, VTA, Caltrain, and other partners to improve lighting in the area and exploring additional safety measures, including an increased police presence. Together, these improvements will create a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming gateway at Diridon station and the Alameda Business District. Past Events Morgan Autism Center's Dream Campus 2.0 It was a true honor to speak at the Morgan Autism Center’s Dream Campus 2.0 kick-off event, a milestone investment in the future of autistic individuals and their families right here in District 6. This new campus will expand opportunities for students to develop confidence, learn more about the world, and have faith in stepping into unknown spaces with a newfound independence like never before. Since taking office in 2025, I’ve been proud to strengthen a partnership with the Morgan Autism Center, including recognizing April as Autism Awareness Month at San Josés City Hall for the first time. Congratulations to the leadership under Executive Director Josh Drake, dedicated staff, key project partners, families and hardworking students, whose devotion has made this vision a reality. I am proud to represent and watch MAC’s Dream Campus 2.0 serve as a roadmap and model for inclusive education around the globe for generations to come. More Information on MAC Kayaking Down the Guadalupe We kicked off August with a free kayak adventure on the Guadalupe River, welcoming nearly 150 community members – with about 90 getting on the water. We met down at “the Beach” below the W. Santa Clara Street bridge to explore the magic and beauty of the Guadalupe River. It was truly a monumental morning, watching San José residents discover this under-appreciated gem and experiencing the river from a whole new perspective. A special thank you to our partners for making this event possible and super successful: Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition, Western Sea Kayakers and Jim Murdy, Lemon Leaf Drinks, Kimberly Mulcahy, and Marianne and Captain Carl Salas. We look forward to our next voyage - stay tuned! We’ll have more equipment and supplies to accommodate the high demand we expect for “toodling” down the river. Also coming up in your Guadalupe River Park is the sold out Chris Lake (English based EDM DJ/Producer) concert at Arena Green East, right next to Little Italy, hosted by the phenomenal SJ Foos on Saturday, August 22 at 7:00 PM. National Night Out 2026 National Night Out was a major success, as District 6 hosted more than 25 neighborhood gatherings. While we couldn’t make it to every stop, we were grateful to visit seven, where we witnessed the strength, joy, and vitality of our communities. Thank you to our San Jose Fire Fighters and San Jose Police for helping make the evening a success, and keeping our neighborhoods safe. It was wonderful seeing everyone, and we look forward to next year's celebration. If you’re hosting a neighborhood event in the future, remember to let us know. We are always excited to meet more of our District 6 neighbors! Gardner Community Center's Grand Opening The reopening of the Gardner Community Center has been a long time coming. Following the pandemic, the center remained largely closed to regular community programming, while continuing to serve local seniors through the Senior Nutrition Program. Throughout those years, Gardner residents continued advocating for the center to once again become a space that serves the entire neighborhood. After years of anticipation, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is now fully operating the center, bringing new programs and services to neighbors of all ages, including art, dance, music, educational activities, and more programs to come. This new chapter was also made possible through a $1 million grant from Google to support operations and programming at the Gardner Community Center. The funding is helping expand access to educational opportunities, digital literacy, health and wellness resources, and other community-based programs, ensuring the center can once again serve as a welcoming and active neighborhood hub. We are incredibly grateful to the Gardner residents and community advocates who continued to speak up for this space over the years. The Grand Opening is not only a celebration of a new beginning, but a healthy reminder that when community comes together, anything is possible. PolitiBeat 2026 On Friday, August 7, I joined San José Spotlight’s annual PolitiBeat 26 event as a panelist to discuss the future of “Building Vibrant Places: The Promise of Entertainment Zones”. We have 8 active entertainment zones here in San José: Post Street, San Pedro Square, South First Street, Fountain Alley, Paseo de San Antonio, Alum Rock, and two in D6 including Sharks Way and Little Italy. This conversation highlighted the successes (and some of the challenges and lessons learned) of FIFA World Cup watch parties this summer. One exciting takeaway to share has been clear growth in our outdoor special events. According to the City of San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs, San José hosted 388 event days in FY 2023 – 2024, 556 event days in FY 2024 – 2025, with massive growth at 732 event days and 210 permits in FY 2025 – 2026. I look forward to continuing my support of San José’s entertainment zones, while advocating for constant review and refinement, recyclable versus plastic cups, and adding more safe events that drive revenue for our small business community and the city as a whole. Clean, well-run events build pride and create memories for our residents and visitors. Upcoming Events & Community Meetings Indian Independence Day Saturday, August 15 San José City Hall Flag Raising on Friday, August 14 New Compost and Mulch Hub Open Every First Sunday of the Month | 9AM - 12PM | Emma Prusch Park More Information First Tee - Silicon Valley and Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course's Open House Saturday, August 15 | 9AM - 4PM 1649 Hermocilla Way More Information Little Italy's Boss of the Sauce Sunday, August 16 | 12PM–4PM 323 Sharks Way Event Information Adopt-a-Storm Drain Community Event Saturday, August 29 | 10AM - 12PM Penitencia Creek Park Event Information SJ Foo's Chris Lake Concert Saturday, August 22 | 2PM - 9PM Arena Green East Concert Information MLV Norcal Fan Fest Monday, August 24 | 4PM - 6PM San Pedro Square Market Special Guests: Kerri Walsh Jennings, Mayor Mahan, Councilmember Mulcahy Event Information El Mercadito Every Wednesday | 6PM Creekside 105 S. Montgomery Street Event Information Movin' With Mulcahy Friday, August 28 | Time TBD Downtown Willow Glen More Information to Come Soon Repair Café Saturday, August 29 | 2PM Willow Glen Community Center Sponsored by the D6 Council Office More Information San Jose Pride Parade 2026 Sunday, August 30 | 10:30AM - 12PM Meet us at Julian & Market Street to walk with the D6 team Parade Details US Open Viewing Party Sunday, August 30 | 2PM - 6PM Sparks Social SJ 140 S. Montgomery Street Event Details Viva Parks Monday, August 31 | 6PM - 8PM Biebrach Park More Information Viva Calle SJ 2026 Sunday, September 13 South San Jose Event Details 3rd Annual Glen Fest 2026 Saturday, September 26 | 11AM - 6PM Downtown Willow Glen More Information Community Resources Share Your San José Story What places have helped shape your memories of San José? The City's My San José initiative invites residents to share photos, stories, and memories about the neighborhoods, businesses, parks, landmarks, and gathering places that have made an impact on their lives. Your contributions will help preserve the diverse history of our community and inform future historic preservation efforts. My San José Site District 6 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) District 6 CERT is working to host a city-sponsored Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training but need at least 25 interested participants to make it happen. CERT training prepares residents with practical skills to respond safely during emergencies, including disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, medical operations, and team organization. If you're interested in participating in a future CERT training or would like to learn more about joining the District 6 CERT network, please email sjcertd6@gmail.com. Your interest can help bring this training to District 6. Tamien Caltrain Station Closure To support the Guadalupe Bridge Replacement Project, Caltrain will suspend weekend service to Tamien Station for 2 more weekends in August and September. Closure of the station is required as crews need to perform critical bridge work located between Tamien and San José Diridon stations. We had a similar closure of the station last year, although this closure will be limited to the weekends below: Aug 22-23 Sept 19-20 Given the low weekend ridership on the bus bridge last year, Caltrain will not have a bus bridge between Tamien and San Jose Diridon for these weekend closures. VTA does have rail and bus service between the two stations as an alternative. Service north of Diridon Station will remain unaffected. Environmental Services Department Resources FREE Delivery of FREE Recycling Tote bags for Multifamily Dwelling Residents and Property Managers To make it easier for multifamily tenants to recycle, the City of San José has delivered 85,000+ tote bags to more than 1,100 San José apartment and condo complexes in the last year. These bags come with helpful resources and information to understand what is or is not recyclable. Request FREE tote bags for your complex (complexes with five or more units only). This free delivery service will be coming to a close in Summer 2026. For more information on multi-family recycling resources for property managers, owners and tenants, visit SJEnvironment.org/MFDToteBag. Community Cycles Requesting Bicycle Donations Do you have a bike collecting dust in your garage? Donate it to Community Cycles of California and turn it into opportunity. At Community Cycles of California, we believe bikes change lives. Every donated bike goes through a comprehensive 60-point refurbishment and safety inspection by our trained staff and workforce development participants. From there, your bike takes one of two impactful paths: It may go directly into our Earn-A-Bike program supporting unhoused and low-income neighbors in gaining reliable transportation. Participants complete six hours of community service and earn a free, refurbished bike of their own. Or it may be sold through our nonprofit social enterprise, with 100% of proceeds reinvested into our free bike programs, workforce training, and community repair clinics. Your unused bike can become reliable transportation, a pathway to employment, or a source of independence for someone in our community. We accept: Quality bikes of all types and sizes Bikes with flat tires or few broken/missing parts Gently used parts and accessories Ready to donate? Come by 35 Wilson Ave Tuesday - Saturday from 10-5 PM. All donations are tax deductible. Reporting Issues San José 311 is the city's one-stop service hub for reporting issues like graffiti, potholes, and illegal dumping. You can also request services such as streetlight repairs and abandoned vehicle removal. To report an issue, we encourage you to download the 311 app or report online. The 311 App is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Visit the 311 Website Additional Reporting Information City of San Jose | 200 East Santa Clara St | San Jose, CA 95113 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice