On Dec.7, the San Jose City Council approved two General Plan amendments to allow the construction of high-density residential buildings on Canoas Garden Avenue.

The first parcel, which is approximately 7.05 acres, is bounded by Curtner Avenue to the south, Highway 87 to the east and Canoas Garden Avenue to the west. After the land change, the property will be eligible for the construction of three- to four-story apartments or condominiums. The site is currently occupied by Willow Glen Storage, Roth Wood Products, small businesses and a single-family home.

The second approved amendment in Willow Glen--approximately 4.9 acres--is located at 2390 Canoas Gardens Ave. The amendment would allow a minimum of 98 residential units to be built on the property. Currently, the land is owned by the Santa Clara County Valley Transit Authority, the city of San Jose and the state.

Canoas Gardens Neighborhood Association President Dick Dentino said the two zoning changes are outside of the organization's area of concern, but added that he was not bothered by the prospect of high-density residences being built near his neighborhood.

"You have to do that for the city to grow," he said. "And ultimately it will save taxpayer money as the use of the light rail increases."

Dentino, however, did express concern that Highway 87 and nearby streets might not be equipped to handle a citywide influx of new residents.

"As all these plans materialize and traffic increases, we will see traffic backing up to a point that it impacts all of us," he said.

Bill Rianda, who owns Rianda Painting at 2270 Canoas Garden Ave., had similiar worries about the increase in traffic if high-density residential buildings were constructed.

"I'm concerned about traffic," he said. "It's gotten pretty bad, especially since Jack in the Box opened. It gets really backed up."

Although the city council approved a general plan change to allow the construction of high-density residences, business owners like Rianda should not be concerned that the city will try to buy out their property, Jenny Nusbaum, senior planner for the general plan, said. The amendments only pave the way for a zoning change to allow large residential buildings. If, however, the landowners choose to sell their properties, a developer could construct high-density housing.

District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager said , "It's a great site. It's close to the light rail, Highway 87 and the Almaden Expressway."

He added that residences in that area would most likely be condominiums that would be affordable to people who might not otherwise be able to live in the Willow Glen area.

"There is an increasing need for housing, especially affordable housing, in San Jose," Yeager said. "And having it be in areas outside of residential areas makes sense. That way we don't impact older neighborhoods. And citywide, more people will be able to buy a home, and more people will continue to stay in San Jose. That helps everyone in the city."