The San Jose City Council on Tuesday approved a zoning change which preserves a 314 acre plot in Coyote Valley, preventing the construction of two colossal Amazon warehouses.
The new legislation red zones the land from industrial to agricultural and open space use. The decision ends a long battle between commercial developers and environmental conservationists.
Texas-based real estate developer Crow Holdings Industrial wanted to build two Amazon warehouses on the 126 acre farmland at Santa Teresa and Bailey Roads, spanning the equivalent of six football fields. Monday’s decision blocks that construction from happening.
Councilwoman Pam Foley said the valley is one of few parts of the city untouched by urban sprawl.
"Recently the council voted to commit the city to become carbon neutral by 2030. We will not reach those goals if we do not take bold steps now and preserve the coyote valley," she said prior to the vote.
"We really can stop and draw the line in the Coyote Valley area," fellow councilmember Raul Peralez added. "There is a lot that coyote valley has to offer and that we can preserve there, specifically and including our wildlife ecosystem."
However, there are property owners who planned to sell their land for that development. Former mayor Chuck Reed, one of the lawyers representing that group, said this decision devalues their property.
"There’s only one way to ensure the open space goals in coyote valley will be successful - we need to own the land or the development rights. Changing general plan designations and zoning are not permanent solutions," he explained.
The decision could lead to legal battles, though current Mayor Sam Liccardo said that the city will do what it can to support property owners.
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