REPORT TO STADIUM NEIGHBORHOOD RELATIONS AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Stadium Neighborhood Relations Ad Hoc Subcommittee Report
Report
BACKGROUND
At the November 4, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution 25-9506 establishing the Stadium Neighborhood Relations Ad Hoc Subcommittee (Committee). The Committee is comprised of up to three Councilmembers.
The first meeting of the Committee was held on December 15, 2025, at the Northside Branch Library.
The meeting served as an orientation and baseline briefing on current Levi’s® Stadium (Stadium) related concerns, outreach, and impacts related to the upcoming major event Super Bowl LX.
The meeting began with introductions from the committee members, staff and community members attending. An overview of the Committee’s purpose and a survey was conducted with the attendees. The survey asked attendees the following three questions:
1. What is the biggest challenge or issue you experience related to Stadium Events?
22 participants with 42 responses. The top challenges/issues were Parking (multiple responses; parking by non-neighborhood residents, parking littering, among others), Traffic, Littering, Noise and Trail Closure.
2. How do you typically receive information about Stadium Events today?
21 participants and 27 responses. The most common form of obtaining information is through social media, email, mailer, mail at home and Google.
3. And what aspects of communication or outreach for Stadium events are working well?
16 participants and 21 responses. The type of communication/outreach that received the most responses is Notifications on street closures (street signs), Facebook and Email.
The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) provided a presentation including an overview of the major event public safety experience, stadium public safety deployment, stadium command structure, checks and balances, Community Hotline and historical data, major issues impacting quality of life, and some action items desired by the SCPD.
During 2021 through 2025, the Stadium held 54 NFL events and 29 non-NFL events (concerts, soccer events, etc). SCPD was able to collect the historical data received through the Community Hotline (data collected from 2021 - 2025). The SCPD reported of the 97 calls most complaints are noise (33), illegal vending (24), parking (19), and miscellaneous (21) (public intoxication, littering & other issues). The core case of the quality of life (QOL) issues is parking, the stadium is surrounded by public streets without residential parking restrictions.
While SCPD received the most complaints about noise most of those complaints came from concerts and non-National Football League (NFL) events.
Parking emerged as a primary concern among most community members in attendance at the meeting the impacts of stadium event attendees parking in their neighborhoods causing negative impacts like littering, not being able to leave their homes (losing parking spots), individuals partying, and intoxicated individuals, among others.
Several residents referenced a parking permit plan that was expected to be implemented following the stadium’s opening, noting that they had previously received parking passes for use in the area. The SCPD clarified that although parking passes were distributed and initial screening efforts were conducted, the permit program was never formally codified within the City of Santa Clara’s municipal code. Consequently, SCPD is unable to enforce the intended program, and the streets remain designated as unrestricted public parking.
City staff provided an overview of the existing Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program, including the requirement for majority support (50% plus one) from affected property owners to establish such a program. Staff also discussed the potential for developing a tailored permit parking policy for neighborhoods surrounding the stadium, leveraging new technology to support a more efficient and effective implementation process.
While parking was an issue, not all residents indicated a desire for permit parking but focused on posting “No Event Parking” and closing the pedestrian pathways to discourage event attendees from parking in the neighborhoods and walking to the Stadium.
Similarly, as no parking restrictions are codified in the City’s municipal code, SCPD will not be able to enforce any “No Event Parking” posted signage, there is also no legal authority for the City to close the pedestrian pathway between Wilcox to Stars and Stripes Drive and from the Agnew Road pedestrian entrance. The closure of Wilcox to Stars and Stripes pedestrian pathway has only occurred twice due to safety requirements for the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 events: Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl LX.
The City also shared information on the upcoming closures for Super Bowl LX including road and trail closures including the various phases of closures month leading up to and during the Super Bowl LX game day. Concerns raised about closures impacting bike commuters, proper noticing, designate alternative bike route and keeping the bike route clear. In addition, the City shared information on the Special Event Zone that was implemented during Super Bowl LX February 1, 2026 - February 10, 2026.
Other issues that were mentioned include rideshare drop-off location, trail closures, and stadium lighting.
The Committee appointed Albert Gonzalez to be Chair and Karen Hardey to be Vice Chair.
DISCUSSION
During the first Stadium Neighborhood Relations meeting, discussion items for the next meeting included: Stadium Overview, Stadium Financial overview and an updated parking program efforts.
At the March 30, 3026 Committee meeting, staff will include a recap of Super Bowl LX, including public safety debrief, closure and traffic impacts, and the communications plan, an overview of the Stadium structure and an update on the parking program efforts. Staff will also provide a Stadium Financial overview at a future meeting.
Stadium Overview:
It is widely understood that the City owns the land and the Stadium Authority owns the Stadium, the complexity of the underlying agreements and operational structure is less commonly known. Staff will provide an overview of the entities, agreements, and overall structure of operating and maintaining the Stadium.
Stadium operations are separated by seasons: NFL season (6 months) and Non-NFL Season (6 months). During NFL season, the stadium tenant is related to the 49’ers; the remaining six months of the year, there is no tenant, and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority contracts with a management company to market/promote the Stadium for events (concerts, sporting events) in addition to managing the stadium.
Measure J
Measure J was approved by Santa Clara voters on June 8, 2010. The measure set forth the following:
• Measure J funded stadium development (up to a threshold)
• Terms for the development and operations of a professional football/a major event stadium in Santa Clara.
• Redevelopment Agency:
o Funded not to exceed $40 million to stadium development
• Stadium Authority to be established and responsible for:
o Stadium Authority construction obligations
§ Limited to specific stadium
o In charge of Stadium operations (may contract out)
o Receives all “net revenues” from non-NFL events
o Stadium Authority receives a per-ticket surcharge imposed on all tickets sold for non-NFL events.
• City Role:
o No City General fund or enterprise monies to be used for stadium development. Nor any new or increased taxes.
o City is not liable for Stadium construction or operation costs (City is reimbursed for public safety and other event support services)
o Received a portion of ticket sales
o Leases City property to Stadium Authority
Stadium Entities
There are five entities involved in the ownership, operation, and management of the Stadium:
1. City of Santa Clara
The City owns the land on which the Stadium is built and leases it to the Santa Clara Stadium Authority (SCSA). The City is also responsible for providing public safety, traffic control, and emergency response services for all Stadium events, with costs reimbursed by Stadium-related entities.
2. Santa Clara Stadium Authority (SCSA)
SCSA owns the Stadium. It leases the Stadium to StadCo during the six-month NFL season and contracts with ManCo to manage operations during the non-NFL portion of the year.
3. Forty Niners Football Company (TeamCo)
TeamCo owns and operates the San Francisco 49ers. During the NFL season, TeamCo subleases the Stadium from StadCo for all NFL games and related team activities.
4. Forty Niners SC Stadium Company (StadCo)
StadCo is the primary tenant of the Stadium during the NFL season (approximately six months). During this time, StadCo subleases the Stadium to TeamCo and is responsible for certain operational and financial obligations under the Stadium Lease.
5. Forty Niners Stadium Management Company (ManCo)
ManCo manages the day-to-day operations of the Stadium year-round, including both NFL and non-NFL events. ManCo operates under contract with StadCo during the NFL season and with SCSA during the non-NFL season.
During the 2026 Major events hosted at the Stadium, Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup there are additional entities associated with the operations and maintenance of the Stadium.
1. The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC)
BAHC is the nonprofit organization that successfully petitioned the NFL and FIFA to host the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup matches at the Stadium. BAHC serves as the primary coordinating body, working closely with the NFL, FIFA, the City, SCSA, StadCo and ManCo to plan and deliver these events.
To formalize roles and responsibilities, BAHC entered into a League Event Agreement with the City, SCSA, StadCo, and ManCo, which outlines each entity’s obligations related to hosting the Super Bowl. In addition, BAHC executed an Assumption and Assignment Agreement with the City, SCSA, and ManCo that defines the respective roles and responsibilities for hosting the FIFA World Cup matches.
Key Stadium Contracts
The operation of the Stadium is governed by four primary agreements:
1. Ground Lease:
Purpose: City leases land to SCSA for development and operations of Stadium.
Entities: City (Landlord) and SCSA (Tenant)
Key Terms:
• Lease - 40 years
• Base Rent: Incremental currently $1 million annual base rent
• Performance Rent: 50% of the net income from non-NFL events for any given lease year less the sum of Performance-Based Rent Credits.
• Santa Clara Senior & Youth Fees: $0.40 per NFL games capped at $300,000 to the City.
• City provides public safety, transportation management and emergency response services. SCSA/StadCo reimburse City.
2. Stadium Lease:
Purpose: Defines financial and operational terms for use of the Stadium, including revenue and cost responsibilities.
Entities: SCSA (Landlord) and StadCo (Tenant)
Terms:
• Lease -
o 40-year term; each year during NFL Season (August 1 - January 31)
o StadCo receives exclusive rights year-round for NFL-related operational areas.
o StadCo is responsible for ManCo operational expenses during their lease term.
• Lease Rent(s)
o $24.8 Million Facility Rent (subject to adjustments)
o Stadium Building Licensees (SBL’s) Revenue from season ticket sales goes to offset construction financing costs.
• Public Safety Costs Threshold
o If public safety costs exceed $374,400 per game (increase 4% annually) costs incurred over the annual threshold will be repaid over time with the Additional Ticket Surcharge and the Discretionary Fund.
o Capital Reserves/Expenditures
o SCSA must deposit $2 million per year (3% annual increase) into Capital Reserve Fund. If there are excess revenues up to an additional $1 million is deposited.
o Funds spent per Capital Expenditure Plan by ManCo subject to SCSA approval.
• SCSA Revenues:
1. Non-NFL Ticket Surcharge Revenue equal to a minimum of $8 per ticket sold; Base Ticket Surcharge ($4) and Additional Ticket Surcharge ($4) go to reimburse public safety costs
2. $0.35 per ticket for NFL games capped at $250,000 annually to the City for senior/youth programs
3. Stadium Naming Rights $8.1 million (FY 2025/26) per lease year (increasing by 3% annually)
4. Non-NFL event revenues (parking, concession, ticket sales, ad revenues, etc.)
5. Excess Revenues and net revenues after paying off certain SCSA departments and funding operational and capital reserves
3. Management Agreement:
Purpose: Outlines ManCo’s responsibility for managing and maintaining the Stadium. ManCo to maintain the Stadium in the “Required Condition” with duty to control costs and maximized revenues.
Entities: SCSA, StadCo and ManCo
Terms:
• ManCo markets and books all non-NFL events on behalf of SCSA
• Fees
o SCSA and StadCo split the $400,000 annual Base Management Fee (3% annual increase)
o ManCo receives Marketing & Book Fee (percentage based)
4. Stadium Operations Agreement:
Purpose: Establishes how SCSA and StadCo coordinate shared use of the Stadium.
Entities: SCSA and StadCo
Terms:
• Procedures for scheduling stadium events
• Coordination on preparation/approval of annual operations and maintenance plan
• Coordination for the preparation of public safety budgets
• Reserves SCSA rights to approve capital expenditures
• Specifies rules for access by suite licenses and premium stadium areas
• Provisions for selection of concessionaries, parking operators
Parking Program & Options:
A major concern that was brought up and discussed at the first Committee meeting was parking by event attendees in the residential neighborhoods. Staff provided information on the City’s Residential Parking Program (RPP) and discussed the opportunity to develop a parking program designed for the neighborhoods adjacent to the Stadium.
The City currently has the RPP, which establishes the process to create permit parking in neighborhoods. The RPP program addresses parking issues in neighborhoods by establishing permit parking in neighborhoods near high-traffic areas (e.g., hospitals, transit stations, businesses, schools) to improve resident parking availability, though it does not guarantee a space; residents with permits are exempt from time limits or parking restrictions, while visitors must display a pass or are restricted from parking.
City staff researched parking programs near stadium/arenas in the region, including the cities of Mountain View, San Franisco, Oakland and San Jose. The cities researched each have various types of overlay parking zones, including stadium programs, downtown zones, and neighborhood business zones.
The City is currently exploring development of a draft Stadium Event Overlay Parking Program (“SEOPP”) to help mitigate parking impacts in residential neighborhoods during major events at the Stadium. The proposed SEOPP provides a flexible, event-based alternative to the City’s existing Residential Parking Permit Program that would better meet the concerns and needs of the residential communities adjacent to the Stadium.
In its current draft framework, the proposed SEOPP would only apply to specifically designated locations (which have not yet been identified) and would only be activated during days when major events are held at the Stadium. Residents would be eligible to receive a limited number of permits for their household and guests, subject to program enrollment and permit renewal. To encourage compliance, the SEOPP would also include enforcement measures, such as citations for violations.
Importantly, as part of the City’s commitment to community engagement, the City will be comparing the two options parking program options RPP and the draft SEOPP. Staff will be seeking feedback on the two options, including feedback on the following:
• What are the primary goals we are trying to achieve (e.g., resident parking access, safety, or mitigating event impacts)?
• Which program do you think will be more successful in achieving the goal(s)?
• How should success be measured (e.g., parking availability, reduced complaints, safety improvements)?
• How will each option impact residents, renters, and multi-family housing differently?
• What geographic area should be included?
• What resources (staffing, systems, technology) would be required for enforcement?
• What penalties or incentives would support compliance?
• What trade-offs are residents willing to accept (e.g., stricter rules vs. convenience for guests)?
• How will residents, their guests, and service providers access parking under each option?
Super Bowl LX Recap:
Staff will provide a brief recap of Super Bowl LX’s public safety, road closures, and communications plan during the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only, and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated by the City Manager’s Office, the Police and Finance Departments.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Stadium Neighborhood Relations Ad Hoc Subcommittee 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 or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Provide feedback on the draft Stadium Event Overlay Parking Program. Receive and file this report and provide direction that the Committee may bring forward near-term and rolling recommendations to the City Council as they are identified, informed by twelve years of stadium operations experience and stakeholder input gathered through the Committee process. Staff will support as needed and return with additional analysis as directed by Council.
Staff
Reviewed by: Paulina Morales, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager