REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the 2518 Mission College Boulevard Public Park Schematic Design (Irvine Company)
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 2022, the City Council approved the Freedom Circle Focus Area Plan and the Freedom Circle Focus Area Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (2022), which establishes the future capacity and an overall vision for a new, high-density mixed-use community.
Santa Clara City Code Chapter 17.35 requires new residential developments to dedicate parkland and/or pay in-lieu park fees. On April 22, 2024, the Irvine Company (Developer), filed an application to redevelop a 25.74-acre parcel located at 2518 Mission College Boulevard into a residential apartment community project (Project) consisting of 1,792 residential units, approximately 3,500 square feet of retail space, and 4.225 acres of public parkland.
On March 25, 2025, the City Council approved a General Plan Amendment and Rezoning, and an Addendum to the Freedom Circle Focus Area Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (2022) (Attachment 1) to allow for the development of the project.
The Project will satisfy its parkland dedication requirements through a combination of the following:
1. Development of a 4.225-acre park.
2. Installation of 4.223 acres of private recreational amenities, eligible for 50% credit toward parkland requirements.
3. Payment of in-lieu fees for the remaining balance of required parkland.
The public park will be dedicated to the City in fee title and improvements accepted once they have been inspected for confirmation that they are to the City’s satisfaction. The developer will construct all public park improvements in accordance with the City’s design criteria and standard specifications and will maintain the park in perpetuity following dedication.
As required in the City Code, the Developer will:
1. Enter into a park dedication agreement with the City;
2. Enter into a park maintenance agreement with the City;
3. Design and construct the park in accordance with the City Council approved schematic design; and
4. Dedicate the improved park to the City in fee title.
An online survey soliciting community input on the park design was posted on the City’s Park Projects webpage and remained open from June 20 through July 7, 2025. An email notice announcing the survey was distributed through the City’s GovDelivery system, and similar messaging was shared on the Parks and Recreation Department’s social media platforms. In addition, a pop-up community engagement session was held on Friday, July 4, 2025, during the City’s Independence Day celebration at Mission College from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
At its July 14, 2025, meeting (Attachment 2), the Parks & Recreation Commission (Commission) received a presentation (Attachment 3) on the proposed schematic design for the park. The Developer also presented the results of the public survey and community engagement event, which together generated 203 online survey responses. The schematic design incorporates the community’s priorities and key design considerations.
The Commission reviewed the schematic design, received public comment, and recommended that the City Council approve the proposed design.
DISCUSSION
At the December 9, 2025 meeting, the City Council will consider the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation to approve the proposed park design.
After Council approval, the Developer will prepare construction documents for building permit submittal, execute a park dedication and a park maintenance agreement, and complete the park improvements to the satisfaction and acceptance of the City. Following confirmation that the park improvements were constructed to the City’s satisfaction, the City will record the parcel dedication with the County of Santa Clara.
The public park improvements will be constructed by the Developer in accordance with the City’s design criteria and standard specifications and, upon dedication, will be maintained by the Developer in perpetuity.
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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the activity covered by the development of the park falls within the scope of the project analyzed under the Addendum to the Freedom Circle Future Focus Area Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (2022), which included the construction of parks and was approved on March 25, 2025 (Resolution No. 25-9425) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no General Fund fiscal impact other than staff time that is budgeted in the Parks and Recreation Operating Budget for the design and construction of the park. The Developer will design the park to City standards, construct the park improvements to code, and dedicate the park to the City in fee title, all at no cost to the City. In addition, the Developer will enter into a park maintenance agreement with the City to pay for ongoing maintenance and capital renewal of the park in conformance with the Condition of Approvals for this project.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Community Development Department, the Finance Department, the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council 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
Approve the 2518 Mission College Blvd. Park Schematic Design (Attachment 4)
Staff
Prepared by: Gina Saporito, Staff Analyst
Reviewed by: Damon Sparacino, Director, Parks & Recreation Department
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Addendum to the Freedom Circle Future Focus Area Plan EIR
2. RTC #25-637: Action on the Proposed Schematic Design for the New Public Park at 2518 Mission College Boulevard (Irvine Company)
3. 2518 Mission College Boulevard Park Schematic Design Presentation
4. 2518 Mission College Boulevard Public Park Schematic Design