Residents and environmental groups have expressed strong concerns regarding the recent industrial park rezoning of the former 35-acre IBM Almaden Research Center, located in the rolling hills of South San Jose. Community members fear that the decision will pave the way for additional data centers in the area, urging the city to establish uniform standards for data center projects before moving forward. Despite opposition, the San Jose City Council voted 9-2 on August 18 to approve the rezoning.
Councilmembers Rosemary Kamei and Pamela Campos voted against the measure, advocating for a postponement to allow for broader community input and consideration of long-term environmental impacts. However, the majority declined to delay the process. Councilmember George Casey, representing District 10 where the site is located, supported making the land economically productive without delay, noting that the vote focuses on industrial rezoning rather than an immediate data center project.
Land use consultant Erik Schoennauer, representing IBM, stated that the rezoning aligns with the city’s general plan to efficiently repurpose 35 acres surrounded by 565 acres of open space. He emphasized that selling and reusing the existing facility will generate substantial tax revenue to support city services, police hiring, affordable housing, and park maintenance.
Environmental organizations including the Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society, Mothers Out Front, and Green Foothills criticized the council’s decision. They pointed out that Senate Bill 131 exempts advanced-manufacturing facilities on industrially zoned land from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews. Advocates like Alice Kaufman warned that future industrial or data center developments could introduce increased traffic, noise, and air pollution from generators, negatively impacting local wildlife and residents in the surrounding open space.
