San Jose's Berryessa district is on the cusp of a major transformation, as a new development plan by the Facchino family has been proposed to build over 800 homes and a commercial building near the Berryessa BART station, according to The Real Deal. The longstanding history of the Facchino family and its involvement in commercial real estate development since the 1980s give the area the possibility of reshaping.

Additionally, the San Jose Planning Commission will consider Rob Facchino of Terracommercial Real Estate Corporation's request to rezone a 13-acre plot of land at 1655 Berryessa Road, enabling the development of residential and commercial spaces at the property, as outlined in San José Spotlight. The plan comprises a mix of up to 820 homes, apartments, condos, and townhouses, alongside 455,000 square feet of commercial space that can host office or retail tenants, and a nearly one-acre park.

Location-wise, the site certainly benefits from its quarter-mile proximity to the Berryessa BART station, making it a prime development target that connects to San Jose's broader urban landscape. Beyond the Facchino project, the area is also home to La Pulga, a historical flea market that will be redeveloped into 3,450 residential units and up to 3.4 million square feet of commercial, office, and retail space on a lot adjacent to the station.

This strategic placement, when combined with surrounding retail and shopping amenities, facilitates a transit-oriented development model that promotes walkable, urban village living, as noted by Erik Schoennauer, a lobbyist and land use consultantvia Mercury News.

Moreover, both residential and commercial opportunities enable the creation of a new urban neighborhood with good access to transit, grocery stores, retail, dining, parks, and creek trails, according to Schoennauer. This approach ultimately seeks to deliver a prosperous neighborhood infused with urban living conveniences and walkable connectivity that residents and visitors will appreciate and enjoy.

Undoubtedly, the Facchino family's proposed development plan exemplifies the broader notion of city leaders wanting denser housing and commercial developments that support the urban village philosophy. As the proposed development moves through San Jose's regulatory process, with the final decision on rezoning expected in June, the plans are inching closer to achieving the desired goal of a more connected and prosperous urban landscape.

It's projected by Schoennauer that it could take five to six years to fully build out the project, but with the accurate market demands, the development could become a crucial step in restructuring and revitalizing the Berryessa district.