REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of the Updated Conceptual Design of a New Public Neighborhood Park at 3005 Democracy Way (Kylli)
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
On October 17, 2017, the City received a project application for Mission Point by Kylli (Project) that includes a proposed amendment to the General Plan to change the zoning from high-intensity office/research to a high-intensity mix of office, commercial, and residential uses (Attachment 1). The Project proposes the development of a 46-acre site with approximately 3,000,000 square feet of commercial office space, 100,000 square feet of neighborhood retail, 1,800 new multi-family residential units, a childcare facility, private recreational amenity spaces, a 3,000 square foot community room, a neighborhood park and a trail.
On February 21, 2023, the Parks & Recreation Commission received a presentation on the initial conceptual design and potential amenities for a 10-acre Public Neighborhood Park to be located at 3005 Democracy Way (Attachment 2, RTC#23-184). The initial park proposal included a natural grass field, children’s play apparatus for ages 2-5 and 6-12, outdoor fitness areas, quiet seating areas, family gathering and picnic areas, a 3000 square foot community room with restroom facilities, an enclosed off-leash dog area with separate sections for small and large dogs, informal recreation areas, a community garden, an art feature, and landscaping. In accordance with established policy, that presentation represented the official launch of the community outreach process with the Commission providing input on the initial conceptual design.
As the project has moved through the City’s review process, the project has evolved. The purpose of this item is to provide the Commission with an updated overview of those changes, as well as the opportunity, to again review and comment on the conceptual design.
DISCUSSION
Enclosed as Attachment 3 is a presentation that will be provided to the Commission at its March 19, 2024 meeting. The Developer (Kylli) will share the updated size, shape, and location of proposed park areas as well as insight on their interest in amending the original parkland dedication from 10.5 acres plus a 0.3-mile trail (1,600 feet) adjacent to the Hetch-Hetchy right of way to 7.6 acres inclusive of a trail section. It is important to note that while this change is substantive, the project is in the very early stages of development and may continue to evolve as parcels are developed.
While the original project was subject to a significant level of community outreach and engagement (which will be detailed in the next section), the revised application has not had that type of review. For this reason, staff requested that the developer return to the Commission to provide an overview of the revised application to allow for the opportunity for public review and comment.
2023 Community Outreach on Initial Conceptional Design
To assist the Commission in evaluating the revised application, the following is a summary of community input process that was used for the original application:
A community survey was posted on the City’s Park Projects webpage [Park Projects | City of Santa Clara (santaclaraca.gov) <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/parks-recreation/park-projects>] from February 22 through March 15, 2023, with a link to the Community Meeting presentation. Notice of the survey was announced at the February 21, 2023 Commission meeting and an email was sent using the City’s GovDelivery system.
The survey had 264 visitors with 214 responses, accounting for 10.7 hours of public comment over the 3-week period. Respondents favored the following:
• Informal, natural areas (68.2%)
• Walking track. (57.5%)
• Natural play apparatus: tree log/beams, sand pit, rock scramble (38.8%)
• Community room: physical fitness, wellness, movement, & health activities (49.1%)
2022/23 In Person Community Input
The Project team attended three City special events, recording over 420 additional community contacts.
• July 4, 2022 - Fourth of July All-City Picnic at Central Park - 100+ contacts
• July 4, 2023 - Fourth of July All-City Picnic at Central Park - 120+ contacts
• September 16-17, 2023 - Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival at Central Park - 200+ contacts
The Project team also hosted two community meetings:
• January 25, 2023 - Virtual
• January 26, 2023 - In-Person
The pattern of responses from these events mirrored the results of the online survey.
Park Design
While the park areas will be constructed in multiple phases in conjunction with the adjacent buildings, the proposed park design envisions that the various parcels will function as a single, cohesive park experience. At the March 19, 2024 meeting, the developer will describe the changes to their original application and seek input from the Commission on the revised application.
Further opportunities for community outreach may be necessary when the park program is ready to be designed in the new footprint. In addition, a new online survey could be initiated, which would include the proposed updated conceptual design to address the need for further community outreach on the placement of the program elements.
The community can opt-in to receive information about the Project by signing up to receive City news on the City website [Sign Up to Receive City News | City of Santa Clara (santaclaraca.gov) <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/i-want-to/stay-informed/sign-up-to-receive-city-news>] and they can check on the City’s Park Projects webpage (see link above) to keep informed.
Staff Input
The Department of Parks & Recreation has held multiple meetings with the developer regarding the revised application. In the Commission’s review of the revised application, staff would like to highlight the following:
1. The project is evolving through the City’s review process. While there is a substantive change in the proposed land dedication, there may be opportunities as the project goes forward to revise the amount of land to be dedicated based on the eventual build out of the project area.
2. The original park design presented to the Commission included graphics for various amenities that could be provided within the site. At staff’s direction, those graphics have been removed from the presentation. Again, because the project is still in the early stages, it would be premature to designate specific uses on individual parcels. That community discussion will occur later on as the parcels are actually developed.
3. While the revised application does propose a reduction in dedicated land, it is important to keep in mind that this project will align with the proposed linear park land dedication in the Patrick Henry Specific Plan. This will afford a continuum of parkland and park uses throughout the greater area. Finally, it is also important to note that the dedication of land for the trail connection is an important element of the revised project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment. The activity covered by this residential development project falls within the scope of the project analyzed under the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which includes the construction of parks, and which is ongoing. The Mission Point project and EIR will be presented to City Council at a later date for review and approval pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund for the outreach, design, and construction of this new Neighborhood Park. The Developer will design and construct the Neighborhood Park to City standards. Park Maintenance costs and responsibility will be established at a later date, with an ongoing funding obligation possibly reflected in the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). If the quantity of public parkland and recreation amenities to be dedicated meets and fully satisfies the requirements of City Code 17.35, then there are no fees anticipated to be due in lieu of the parkland dedication.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Community Development Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> <<mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Provide comments to the Developer on the updated Conceptual Design presented for a new neighborhood park to be located at 3005 Democracy Way.
Staff
Prepared by: Gina Saporito, Staff Analyst
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Assistant City Manager/Acting Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. January 23, 2018 Agenda Report Public Hearing for the Early Consideration of Proposed General Plan Amendment Application for the Property Located at 3005 Democracy Way [PLN2017-12924]
2. RTC #23-184 Initiate the Formal Community Input Process on the Proposed Schematic Design of a New Public Neighborhood Park at 3005 Democracy Way (Kylli)
3. Presentation - 3005 Democracy Way Updated Conceptual Design for a New Public Neighborhood Park