826 North Winchester Boulevard Mixed-Use Apartments

Ask a question to begin.

The existing two-story commercial building at 826 N. Winchester Blvd is abandoned. Over the following years it becomes covered in graffiti, a site of multiple fires and criminal activity. Multiple developers eye the property for redevelopment, none successfully, until VCI Companies purchases it.

VCI Companies hosts the first public outreach meeting at the Agrihood community center at 76 N. Winchester Blvd to introduce its plans to the Cory Neighborhood Association and surrounding residents. The 17-story, 14-story twin tower design with glass skybridge is presented. VCI distributes a survey to gather community input.

SF YIMBY publishes a detailed article on the 826 N. Winchester proposal including renderings. Comments reflect the split: pro-housing advocates cite the ideal transit-adjacent infill location; neighbors object to residents being able to look into their backyards from the upper floors.

Greenbelt Alliance formally endorses the 826 N. Winchester project under its Climate SMART Endorsement Program, citing the project's infill location, transit proximity, affordable units, and LEED Silver commitment. Catalyze SV PAC also endorses the project.

The City of San Jose Planning Department hosts a formal Community, General Plan Amendment, and Environmental Impact Report Scoping Meeting for the 826 N. Winchester project. City File Nos.: GP23-011, C24-062, H24-052, ER24-147. The meeting receives community input on the scope of environmental review.

The Real Deal publishes "NIMBYs Roast Plan for Apartment Towers Near San Jose's Santana Row," documenting organized homeowner opposition. Residents describe the project as "a monstrosity," "ugly, ugly, ugly," and "an attempt to bring Downtown to our neighborhood."

The San Jose City Council votes unanimously to deny VCI's request for a General Plan Amendment at 826 N. Winchester Blvd. More than 40 speakers address the council; a majority oppose the project. Key opposition voice: Lindy Hayes (daughter of former Mayor Janet Grey Hayes). Key supporters: Housing Action Coalition; NorCal Carpenters Union Local 405 (Rigo Gallardo). VCI offers to reduce height to 11 stories — the council denies the project regardless. Councilmember Michael Mulcahy leads the denial. The Real Deal: VCI's plans are "now effectively dead."

The property had been abandoned for five years, attracting fires and crime. The project would replace blight with 135 homes, 20 affordable units, ground-floor retail, and public open space — exactly the kind of infill development San Jose's housing goals require. VCI conducted extensive community outreach and offered to reduce height to 11 stories.

"Greenbelt Alliance believes the 826 N. Winchester project will provide much-needed SMART, higher-density housing in San Jose. We are proud to give this project an endorsement! We hope its approval will inspire cities in Santa Clara County and around the Bay Area to be audacious and redouble their efforts to grow in more sustainable ways."

Spoke in favor at the June 2025 council hearing. Supported the project as an infill development that would add needed housing near jobs and transit.

Rigo Gallardo (Local 405 representative) spoke in favor of the project at the council hearing, supporting the construction jobs and housing the project would provide.

"We are extremely grateful to the city council for preserving the vibrancy of our neighborhood in this way." Rallied homeowners against the project. As daughter of former Mayor Janet Grey Hayes, her visible role reflects the social and political capital of established West San Jose homeowner networks.

"These 17- and 14-story buildings are not suitable for an established single-family neighborhood." (Kevin Golden, resident). A majority of the 40+ speakers at the June 2025 council hearing opposed the project. The association hosted VCI's early outreach meetings but ultimately organized against the project on height and scale grounds.

"We need housing of all types and for all income levels. However, at its core, the proposed project was inconsistent with San Jose's general plan and was outsized for the Cory neighborhood. We informed the Planning Commission and staff that the Winchester corridor as a whole should be looked at more intentionally for right-sized, mixed-use housing options during the general plan review and update about to commence." Note: During his 2024 campaign Mulcahy stated he was "motivated to help grow the affordable housing stock." He led the unanimous denial of 135 apartments five months after taking office.

VCI Companies required a General Plan Amendment to change the land use designation of 826 N. Winchester from "Neighborhood Community Commercial" to "Transit Residential" — necessary to permit the requested density and height. The amendment was a fully discretionary action requiring City Council approval, giving the council complete latitude to approve or deny based on policy judgment without being bound by objective development standards. The council voted unanimously to deny the amendment on June 10, 2025, citing inconsistency with the General Plan and scale concerns. Unlike most cases in this database (CEQA lawsuits, SB 35 denial, referenda), this denial required nothing more than a council vote. No litigation, no referendum, no environmental challenge — just elected officials exercising their discretionary authority. The developer offered to reduce height from 17 to 11 stories and was denied anyway.

Second detailed account of the denial. Confirms 40+ speakers, majority opposed. Contains Mulcahy's fuller quote about the Winchester corridor general plan review.

Primary source for the June 10 council denial. Contains Mulcahy quote, Hayes quote, Kelly Erardi quote, Rigo Gallardo and Housing Action Coalition support, and the detail about VCI offering to reduce to 11 stories.

NBC Bay Area coverage of the denial. Confirms VCI offered to reduce to 11 stories and was still denied.

Good roundup that aggregates key coverage of the denial. Confirms site "is riddled with graffiti, and has been the site of multiple fires and criminal activity." Provides case file numbers. (GP23-011, C24-062, H24-052, ER24-147)

First post-denial coverage. Contains key phrase "plans are now effectively dead." Confirms amendment was from "Neighborhood Community Commercial" to "Transit Residential."

Best source for the organized opposition as it developed. Contains Kevin Golden quote, "monstrosity" characterizations, and "attempt to bring Downtown to our neighborhood" framing.

Best source for project specifications: 179,250 sq ft total; 135 apartments (70 one-bed + 65 two-bed); 25,000 sq ft retail; 170-car garage; 18,800 sq ft POPOS; 17 and 14 stories; glass skybridge; 20 affordable units.

Formal Climate SMART endorsement. Updated June 10, 2025 with note that the council voted against the project. Important for documenting institutional pro-housing support and its irrelevance to the outcome. (Endorsement date approximate — VERIFY)