On June 29, 2021, the City Council approved the Berryessa/San Jose Flea Market Southside Rezoning. A major focus of the Council discussion was the vendor community and how to support the vendors and allow development adjacent to San Jose’s only BART station to proceed. The new zoning allows more development than previously planned on the approximately 60-acre site, as shown on the land use diagram below. Future development may now include up to 3,450 residential units and up to 3,400,000 square feet for commercial uses. The new zoning also requires parks and open space and five acres dedicated to an urban market. For the full description of the rezoning and related documents, visit the Planning Division project page.

When approving the rezoning, the City Council directed staff to work with and support the Flea Market vendors, as plans to redevelop the site proceed.

The Office of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs (OEDCA) has the responsibility for ensuring a vibrant local economy and lifestyle, and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been almost exclusively focused on supporting the owners of small businesses who have been hard-hit. We are responsible for ensuring the City is fully involved in supporting the Flea Market vendors through and beyond the development process initiated by the property owners of the Flea Market.

Working with the Flea Market operators and the Berryessa Flea Market Vendor Association, we have developed a sign-up list for email updates, multi-lingual web pages and a texted updates for vendors. 

Our recent texts included shaed information on applying for loans through the California Rebuilding Fund and an alert on the City’s web pages for vendors. Available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the website provides information on services, events and other resources for vendors.

Beginning in 2022, City staff will work with vendors and community representatives set up a Flea Market Advisory Group to guide decisions related to the Fund and the new market concept, as well as to lead outreach and communications with the vendors. Based on City Council approval in June 2021, the Flea Market Advisory Group will consist of representatives of the property owner/developer, the City, and a supermajority of Flea Market vendors, including members from any vendors’ associations.

Over the next year or so, City staff will work with the vendors and other stakeholders to draft a charter for the Advisory Group. The charter will outline the purpose of the group, the number of members and its composition, and which members shall have voting rights. The City Council will ultimately be responsible for approving the charter and the composition of the Flea Market Advisory Group.

Sign up to receive briefings and updates on City of San Jose and Flea Market: SJFleaMarket@sanjoseca.gov

Check out our web pages in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.