Residents ponder prospect of thousands of homes at San Jose golf site

Residents have had their first chance to scrutinize in a public setting the prospect of thousands of homes that could sprout on a closed San Jose golf course.

SAN JOSE — The first chance for residents to scrutinize in a public setting the prospect of thousands of homes that could sprout on the site of a shuttered San Jose golf course left project developers encouraged by the reaction.

The potential housing development could replace the empty former site of the Pleasant Hills Golf Course, which is at the northeast corner of South White and Tully roads, in the Lake Cunningham area of San Jose.

San Jose-based Lakeside Community, a real estate venture which is headed up by veteran Bay Area executives Tony Arreola and Mark Lazzarini, has proposed the concept of a redevelopment of the choice infill site.

Last week, on Feb. 15, Lakeside Community and San Jose city officials met with residents and community representatives to gather feedback about the potential upside, downside, pitfalls and opportunities associated with a large housing development on the property, whose addresses include 2050 and 2079 South White Road.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to hear from such an engaged community about their vision for the site,” Lazzarini said.

It’s possible that 2,480 to 3,991 residences could be developed on the golf course site, according to estimates that were contained in a Santa Clara County government report that came to light in October 2023.

“As longtime San Jose residents, we aim to leave a lasting legacy at Pleasant Hills by designing a community that adds value to the neighborhood,” Arreola said.

Lakeside Community is advocating for the rezoning of the site to enable a large housing development to sprout on the former golf course.

“This is a unique opportunity,” said Rocio Molina, interim deputy director with Catalyze SV, a group that seeks to keep local communities engaged and active on an array of real estate development projects in the South Bay.

City officials and the development group will likely have to navigate a tricky route as they attempt to craft a future for the property that balances community needs, appropriate amounts of housing and a financially feasible project.

“Community input is vital for the success of development projects and Lakeside Community fully understands that,” said Bob Staedler, an executive with Silicon Valley Synergy, a land-use consultancy that is advising the development group regarding potential development.

The former golf course site is deemed to be one of the prime infill development opportunities in San Jose.

“The economic benefit of this project will help this immediate area and the long-term financial health of the city of San Jose,” Staedler said.

The prospect that the property could be developed has emerged at a time when municipalities and counties statewide are under pressure to sketch out blueprints to develop housing of all types, including affordable homes.

“With such a large piece of land available for development, it’s a great chance to have a project that can create the housing the community needs,” Molina said.

The site totals roughly 114 acres. The land has been fallow since the golf course closed roughly two decades ago, in 2004.

“We appreciate the community’s strong desire to add to the desperately needed housing supply, while also enhancing the quality of life for existing residents and their families,” Arreola said.

More community meetings, both in-person and virtual, are expected while rezoning efforts are underway.

“We have met with scores of stakeholders over the past year,” Lazzarini said. “The chance to reach hundreds, potentially even thousands, of residents so heavily invested in the success of this development will ultimately lead to a better project.”