Image: Open House attended by SV@Home at Milpitas Library on January 23, 2025

Valley Transit Authority’s (VTA) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Program collaborates with municipal, non-profit, and private partners to encourage development that increases transit ridership and strengthens communities on 28 sites throughout Santa Clara County. More information on the program can be found here. 

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy guides the planning of transit-friendly, walkable, and connected communities by promoting urban design that enhances bike access and pedestrian connectivity. TOD projects on VTA sites help meet regional housing demand by building homes near transit stations that serve households at all income levels. The VTA’s Transit Oriented Communities policy requires 25% of the new homes to be affordable. These developments also generate long-term revenue for transit operators, attract employers, and create economic opportunities. Additionally, TODs provide environmental and public health benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering car dependence, which helps relieve traffic congestion. Living near transit also leads to significant cost savings for households by reducing transportation expenses.

On January 23rd, SV@Home attended VTA’s open house at the Milpitas Library as part of community engagement for the upcoming Great Mall TOD opportunity. The VTA site is located at Great Mall Parkway and Fairlane Drive. It is a 4-acre site with a pedestrian walkway connecting to the Great Mall Light Rail station. The meeting aimed to gather community input to prepare the site for TOD, ensuring development aligns with transit accessibility and community needs. Under VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy, at least 25% of housing on VTA sites must be affordable.

VTA also held two other open houses on February 8th and 13th to gather community input for two additional TOD projects at Hostetter Station and River Oaks Station, both in North San Jose. 

The Hostetter Station site is a 2.3-acre property on Capitol Avenue near Hostetter Road in San José. It currently serves as a park-and-ride lot for VTA Light Rail passengers. The site has potential for mixed-use development, including affordable housing, retail, and employment centers. 

The third site is near the River Oaks Station, which spans 18 acres at North First Street and River Oaks Parkway in North San José. It currently houses VTA’s administrative headquarters and a park-and-ride lot. Like the other sites, this property presents an opportunity for mixed-use development that integrates affordable housing and commercial space near transit.

You can sign up here to receive notifications about development opportunities on VTA land that are available for TOD.