Santa Clara tackles sidewalk encroachments, fatal shooting inquiry, and Meta lawsuit amid governance reforms
Suara Pecari | Santa Clara city officials approved a shift that transfers authority over minor public right‑of‑way modifications to the city manager, a move that coincides with a recent homicide investigation and a high‑profile lawsuit against Meta.
The council voted 4‑3, with Albert Gonzalez, Karen Hardy, Kelly Cox and Mayor Lisa Gillmor supporting the measure, while Raj Chahal, Kevin Park and Suds Jain opposed it.
The new procedure permits staff to endorse fences, mailboxes or other structures adjacent to sidewalks without first convening a public hearing, though all actions must still comply with existing codes.
Adam Thompson, chair of the Downtown Community Task Force, warned that removing public oversight could erode transparency, stating, “This isn’t the city right‑of‑way. This is the public’s right‑of‑way.”
Residents have long complained that installations on Lexington Street in the Old Quad area, including a large curb‑side mailbox and nearby fencing, have narrowed walkways and limited pedestrian access.
Following the dissenting voices, the council sent the proposal back to staff for revision, requesting an appeal mechanism and clearer notice requirements for affected neighborhoods.
In a separate incident, police discovered a second body inside a house that was ablaze on Enright Avenue Friday evening, after initially responding to a shooting at the same location.
Officers arrived to find a man shot in front of the residence; he was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities have not released his identity.
Drones later identified a second victim in the rear of the home, but investigators could not enter the burning structure until the fire was contained the next day.
The department described the case as a targeted attack with no further public safety risk, urging anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant D. Bell.
Local residents expressed unease about the violence, noting that it adds to community concerns already heightened by ongoing sidewalk disputes.
Meanwhile, Santa Clara County has filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the social‑media giant of earning billions from fraudulent advertisements that violate California consumer‑protection statutes.
The county alleges Meta turned a blind eye to deceptive ads, seeking monetary damages and an injunction to stop the practice.
Leaked internal documents allegedly reveal that Meta generated up to $7 billion annually from high‑risk scam ads, with its artificial‑intelligence tools reportedly aiding malicious actors.
County Counsel Tony LoPresti said, “Meta has profited from scams that hurt our residents and must be held accountable for the damage caused.”
Meta responded that it vigorously combats fraud on its platforms and rejects the allegations as unfounded.
These three developments underscore the complex challenges Santa Clara confronts, ranging from local infrastructure governance to public safety and digital‑era consumer protection.
City and county leaders have pledged to refine policies, pursue thorough investigations, and safeguard the well‑being of their constituents.
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