Diridon Station Area Plan
Handout Content
What is the Diridon Station Area Plan?
The City of San José adopted the Diridon Station Area Plan (DSAP) in 2014 in anticipation of major transportation investments and a major league ballpark. The DSAP sets forth a blueprint for development in the 250-acre area surrounding the San José Diridon Station on the western edge of downtown. The DSAP envisions the transformation of the station area — which is currently dominated by parking lots and old industrial buildings — into a dynamic mixed-use urban neighborhood anchored by the SAP Center and a world-class transportation hub.
Map of San José area with dot representing Diridon Station Area
What is happening with the Diridon Station Area?
Since adoption of the DSAP, several key planning assumptions have changed, including the following:
Plans for the ballpark fell through, requiring a new land use designation for the area near the station.
The Diridon Integrated Station Concept Plan process is underway.
Google is pursuing a mixed-use master planned development in the Diridon area (see the Archive for additional information).
The City recently adopted a policy that will enable taller building height limits in the Diridon area, compared to the current limits under the DSAP and zoning code.
There is a new focus on environmental sustainability through Climate Smart San José.
The City adopted Downtown Design Guidelines and Standards and initiated a Downtown Transportation Plan.
The City has initiated an amendment process intended to: adapt the plan to current circumstances; align and have the DSAP complement the other adopted and ongoing plans, including the Diridon Integrated Station Concept Plan; and support and facilitate DSAP implementation (private development and public investments).
The City is not expecting to make major changes to the primary objectives of the DSAP. Anticipated changes include adding development capacity and updating the sections on land use, design, transportation, and public spaces. In addition, the City will prepare areawide studies or implementation plans on parking, infrastructure financing, and affordable housing. The City-initiated amendment process will require completion of an environmental analysis as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Objectives
Primary Objectives of the Diridon Station Area Plan
Pages 1-5 of the adopted DSAP
Establish a land use plan and policy framework that will guide future development and redevelopment toward land uses that support transit ridership and economic development and create a worldclass cultural destination;
Improve pedestrian, bicycle, motorized and transit connectivity between the station site and existing adjacent commercial and residential areas;
Develop and implement urban design standards that promote walkable, livable, and business supportive environments within the Diridon Station Area;
Provide a variety of commercial and mixed-use development opportunities, ranging from large-scale corporate or institutional sites to smaller infill development sites;
Create a highly active and lively pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment with excellent connectivity to downtown destinations and regional transit;
Expand Diridon Station to create a well integrated center of architectural and functional significance;
Ensure the continued vitality of the San José Arena, recognizing that the San José Arena is a major anchor for both Downtown San José and the Diridon Station area, and that sufficient parking and efficient access for San José Arena customers, consistent with the provisions of the Arena Management Agreement, are critical for the San José Arena’s on-going success.
Enhance the existing neighborhoods and add high-density residential-commercial mixed-use development within the study area and to act as a catalyst for similar developments in surrounding areas;
Prepare a program-level environmental clearance document which anticipates the maximum build out to facilitate subsequent project-level environmental review, possible changes to existing policy/regulatory documents, capital improvement projects, and private development proposals;
Educate and inform the public about the area planning process and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concepts;
Create a great place in the City of San José that is a local and regional destination.
Community Meeting Board Content
Overview
The City has initiated amendments to the Diridon Station Area Plan (DSAP), adopted in 2014 after several years of community engagement. Since then, conditions have changed. The purpose of the amendments is to adapt to current market conditions, align the DSAP with other adopted and ongoing plans, and support DSAP implementation through private development and public investment. The intended result is a simpler, concise, and clear long-term plan that will guide future development activities in the Diridon Station Area
Map of San José area with dot representing Diridon Station Area
Diagrams in the 2014 DSAP
These diagrams show some of the concepts in the adopted DSAP. The City will propose changes to these diagrams and the supporting policies as part of an amended DSAP
Scope of Changes
The City in not expecting to make major changes to the primary objectives of the DSAP. Recent public feedback and policy direction have reaffirmed the adopted vision for the station area to become a vibrant mixed-use, transit-oriented district that is well-integrated with the intermodal transit station, adjacent neighborhoods, and Downtown.
The anticipated changes include adding development capacity and updating the sections on land use, design, transportation, and public spaces. This includes consideration of increased building height limits. In addition, the amendment will acknowledge the Downtown Design Guidelines and Standards and reference separate but parallel efforts including the Diridon Integrated Station Concept Plan and Downtown Transportation Plan.
As part of this amendment process, the City is also preparing a Parking Study and Affordable Housing Implementation Plan for the Diridon Station Area, as well as analyzing potential infrastructure financing options. These areawide efforts will inform changes to the DSAP.
Amending the plan will require completion of an environmental analysis as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).