San Jose border cities feel impact of housing projects they have limited power to control

CAMPBELL RESIDENT STACIA LUMLEY should hear birds chirping in her backyard and feel the warm sun on her face. Instead, the songbirds are drowned out by construction noise, and the sun is partially blocked by a six-story apartment development looming over her home.

Lumley has lived in her red two-story house on Moneta Way for more than 20 years. Although she and her neighbors are not opposed to a 100 percent affordable housing development, they fought to change the design that now towers over their properties on the quiet cul-de-sac. Their efforts to alter the project were futile since the development was fast-tracked under Senate Bill 35, leaving city officials and neighbors powerless to stop it. The law streamlines approvals for housing projects that fit within city zoning and planning rules.