[2] Coyote Valley is approximately 7,400 acres (2,995 ha) in size and largely composed of farmland, orchards, open space preserves, and homes.

The area was threatened by large-scale development in the early 2000s, which drew criticism from the public, resulting in the abandonment of the redevelopment plans and the establishment of the conservation policy which governs the valley.

In 2021, the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to protect Coyote Valley for open space and agricultural uses.

North Coyote Valleycontains the largest freshwater wetland in Santa Clara County, Laguna Seca, a mostly seasonal lake important to groundwater recharge.

De Anza students have used motion activated cameras to document that these passages are used by deer, bobcats, puma, coyote, and other large mammals.

Dahlin Group's Conceptual Plan called for at least 50,000 jobs and 25,000 homes, an international garden, a 54-acre (22 ha) central lake, a hub and spoke Bus Rapid Transit system, and a green belt between the new town and Morgan Hill.

[18] The Committee also argues the Draft Analysis overestimates income by failing to account for tax revenues "cannibalized" by businesses moving from other parts of San Jose to Coyote Valley.

In 2017, Phase 1 of the Coyote Valley Center was completed, becoming Gavilan's newest instructional site and the home for South Bay Public Safety Training Consortium police and fire academies.

[21] In November 2019, the San Jose City Council voted to purchase 937 acres in northern Coyote Valley to be preserved for open space.

[22] In November 2021, the San Jose City Council voted to rezone northern Coyote Valley from industrial use to agricultural and open space use.