An anti-tax group is fighting to end Campbell’s sales tax hike, tying it up in the courts and putting the city in a multimillion-dollar bind. The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, along with Campbell resident David Wolen, is suing Campbell over Measure K, a half-cent sales tax hike. The measure raises the sales tax to 9.875%,...
Campbell considers funding pool upgrades despite deficit
Campbell is dedicating millions of dollars to improve quality of life for residents in spite of a budget shortfall. The Campbell Planning Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday that more than $100 million in public projects aligns with the city’s goals for the next five years, including a $12 million proposal to redo the community center pool....
Campbell dry cleaner offers free services to the unemployed
When Ali Shirkhodaei immigrated to the United States from Iran at 28 in 2006, he didn’t know how difficult it’d be to get a job, even with his molecular biology degree. He job hunted for a year, with no idea he’d eventually run a successful dry-cleaning business in Campbell. Shirkhodaei did know he wanted to infuse...
West Valley street festivals need city support to stay afloat
The West Valley is known for its flagship festivals that bring multicultural food, live music and dancing to the streets. Those festivals come with a lofty price tag, and organizers are asking their cities for help keeping these beloved events afloat. The Campbell City Council voted 4-1 April 15 to cover 30% of the fee costs for qualifying...
West Valley cities team up to consider homeless shelter
The West Valley has scarce resources for the hundreds of homeless residents living on its streets. That may change as elected leaders consider adding its first shelter. All five West Valley municipalities — Cupertino, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Campbell and Los Gatos — recently approved a homeless shelter feasibility study conducted by Good City Company. The...
Campbell quick to approve backyard homes
Campbell homeowners applying for a tiny home could get city approval in days. Campbell launched an express backyard home permit process this month that shortens approval time to a week or less — the fastest in Santa Clara County where approvals can average between two to three months. The city is accepting two qualifying applications...
Federal cuts end Campbell theater citizenship ceremonies
About seven people gathered in a confused cluster around a notice on the windows of the Heritage Theatre in Campbell to learn their path to citizenship was no longer available there. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) canceled its longstanding contract with the theater March 12 due to a “termination for convenience of the government”...
Campbell hits the brakes on new tobacco shops
One small West Valley city has some of the most smoke shops per person in Santa Clara County. Officials are taking steps to change that statistic. The Campbell City Council unanimously approved a temporary ban Tuesday preventing new tobacco retailers from opening in the city for at least 45 days. Officials want to curb tobacco sales...
Campbell housing project fills hole in downtown corridor
Nearly 100 homes could fill a vacant block next to downtown Campbell that has dragged through the development process for almost a decade. Roseville-based Cresleigh Homes recently submitted plans for a 90-home development at 600 E. Campbell Ave., sandwiched between The Pruneyard and the city’s historic downtown. Plans for the five- and six-story development include...
Campbell Library renovation needs funds for services
After years of delays and planning, Campbell is about to complete construction on its new library — and one nonprofit is counting on locals to step up and fill in the gaps. Friends of the Campbell Library aims to raise $250,000 for essentials not covered in Measure O, a $50-million bond measure voters passed in...