Santa Clara just took a major step forward on housing. The City’s unanimous adoption of the updated El Camino Real Specific Plan will create capacity for approximately 4,400 new homes and lays the groundwork for a more connected, walkable, and housing abundant future along one of the region’s most important corridors.

Last week, SV@Home was proud to support the adoption of Santa Clara’s updated El Camino Real Specific Plan, a long-awaited land use update that will create capacity for approximately 4,400 new homes along one of the city’s most important commercial and transit corridors. After years of planning, community engagement, and multiple rounds of City Council direction, this unanimous approval marks a major milestone for housing production in Santa Clara and an important step toward realizing a more connected, housing abundant future along El Camino Real.

The updated plan establishes a stronger framework for mixed-use, transit-oriented development across the corridor by allowing increased residential densities and building heights in key areas while creating clearer standards for future developments. In some portions of the corridor, the plan allows up to six stories and densities of up to 100 dwelling units per acre, a meaningful shift that better reflects our region’s housing shortage, and the opportunity presented by building homes near jobs, transit, and amenities. These updates were badly needed. Previous standards no longer matched the realities of the housing crisis or the potential of this corridor to support vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. While thoughtful implementation will remain critical, this update lays a much stronger foundation for the mixed income and affordable housing developments Santa Clara will need in the years ahead.

We want to thank City staff for the years of thoughtful work that went into shaping this plan, as well as the City Council for unanimously approving it as recommended. This was an important step forward, and one that reflects the kind of long term planning leadership needed to address our region’s housing challenges. We are hopeful this momentum carries into Santa Clara’s other upcoming specific plan efforts, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the City as it works to create more homes and more opportunity for Santa Clara residents.

Stay engaged as Santa Clara’s remaining specific plan updates continue to come before council, helping shape where and how the next generation of housing gets built.