San Jose city officials are hoping a proposed boutique hotel across the street from Westfield Valley Fair mall and just blocks from Santana Row will generate significant tax revenue.

But neighbors living behind the half-acre site at the southeast corner of 2850 Stevens Creek Blvd. at South Clover Avenue, where a gas station currently sits, say the hotel will invade their privacy and exacerbate traffic congestion.

Cambria hotels & suites proposes to build an 11-story, 190,695-square-foot hotel with 175 guest rooms, a lounge and a top-floor restaurant overlooking nearby Santana Row. Parking for 126 cars would be above grade on levels 2-5, and the guestrooms would be on floors 6-10. City officials estimate the hotel could generate $350,000 to $450,000 in annual room tax revenue, and as much as $750,000 if 75 percent occupied.

Much of the discussion at an Oct. 3 community meeting held by city planning officials at Bascom Community Center focused on traffic and parking, but neighbors also took issue with the idea of an 11-story building looming over their back yards.

“You’re basically going to be able to see into our back yard from the hotel,” said one neighbor, “and there goes all our privacy.”

Consultant Henry Cord, who is working with developer Villa Developers Inc., told the Resident he understood neighbors’ concerns but said the developer is simply following city guidelines.

“We’re following the direction set by the city council with their acceptance of the General Plan Task Force recommendations three to five years ago establishing the current 2040 General Land Use Plan,” Cord said. “That General Plan specifically identified urban village areas throughout the city. We were stepping into that plan, which is a bit of stepping into the future, I admit, but the 120-foot height is allowed under this designated Urban Village Planning Area.”

Cord told residents at the meeting the building wouldn’t go any higher than 11 stories.

“If we could go 15 stories we probably wouldn’t because the more rooms you build, the more vacancies you have,” he added.

Parking and traffic added another layer of concerns for residents.

“At Christmastime it’s a zoo,” said one neighbor. “You have Santana Row that’s added to it, you’ve got 975,000 feet of office going in down the street. Monroe (Street) is now that cut-over for traffic to get around. You’re proposing 175 units, and then you add the police and the restaurants: That’s 380 people based on the numbers here for 126 stalls. Where’s everybody going to park?”

Because urban villages allow developments to provide 20 percent less parking than otherwise required, project manager Rebecca Bustos said the hotel will provide a shuttle from San Jose International Airport and bicycles for guest use; meanwhile, employees will get Eco Passes from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to encourage using public transit. City staff said it also will look into 24-hour permit parking for the neighborhood.

If the project meets city approval, Cord said groundbreaking for construction would happen around the middle of next year and be completed within 18 to 20 months.