Director's Desk: How do you plan for a city as big and as diverse as San José

Each stop feels like a different city, yet they're all San José. Those conversations are a constant reminder that no two neighborhoods are exactly alike. They each have their own history, priorities, challenges and aspirations. And that raises an important question: How do you plan for a city as large and diverse as San José? The answer is both simpler and more complex than many expect.

Planning for San José means planning for different realities. Different neighborhoods, different cultures, different needs, different expectations and different realities. At its core, our job is to create a framework that helps today's choices add up to tomorrow's city. Rules should be fair, transparent and aligned with a long-term vision that serves the entire community.

So what does that actually look like? The work isn't abstract. We rely on a set of tools we use in public, with the community and within state law. Our general plan sets the long-term vision. Zoning translates that vision into clear rules about what belongs where. Permits make sure projects meet standards that protect health, safety, and the quality of our built environment. Code Enforcement steps in when properties don't meet the standards our community expects, focusing on voluntary compliance to keep neighborhoods safe and healthy.

Of course, our work is rarely about a single right answer. We need more affordable homes while also preserving what makes neighborhoods feel like home. We want to move projects along efficiently while also taking time for due diligence and community input.

Chris Burton
Director, Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement