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The San Jose City Council waved the green flag on Aug. 17 for the rezoning of 4.6 acres—part of the Scottish Rite Foundation property—that was sold to Vitoil Inc. to develop a 172-unit condominium project. The residences will be built on what is now an empty field at 2455 Masonic Drive near Curtner Avenue.
The city council approved the rezoning because the project is located within a transit corridor, which fits into the city's General Plan to design more urban village-style developments.
San Jose project planner Erin Morris said there were no speakers at the public hearing and no letters, phone calls or emails before the latest hearing voicing any concerns over the project.
Morris said that the project's rezoning was approved despite the "poor quality in architecture," which included six-story buildings that are 350 feet long with no articulation, she said.
"The plans were worse than they'd normally be in the zoning stage, but we have hope it can be addressed," Morris said.
Planning staff had already met with the architect to discuss a full redesign, which will be looked at more closely at the next stage, the planned permit process, she said.
Canoas Garden Neighborhood Association President Dick Dentino, who attended the April 27 community meeting that discussed the proposed rezoning and development of the property, said he did not attend the Aug. 17 hearing.
"We realize the project is necessary for the growth of the city," he said. "It's near the light rail, so it's meant to be high-density housing. Our only real concern is how it will be implemented."
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