REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Update to the Downtown Community Task Force (DCTF) Roster
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
On October 2, 2018, the City Council held a study session to discuss the proposed Downtown Precise Plan and to provide input on the project scope and the member composition of a Downtown Community Task Force (DCTF) that would inform the planning process.
Community engagement is an integral part of the Downtown Precise Plan process to produce a final plan that is supported by the community and various stakeholders in Santa Clara, and that provides a clear vision for the ongoing development of the area over the next 20 to 30 years. The DCTF is advisory and is time-limited to the duration of the Precise Plan process. The DCTF meetings are formally noticed and open to the public. The purpose and mission of the Task Force is to provide input and help guide the process through:
§ Review and input during the first weeks of work on the scope of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services to support the planning effort;
§ High-level strategic thinking on the direction of the plan at key points in the project;
§ Review, interpretation, and guidance on the results of the public workshops and other engagement activities; and
§ Recommendations on the vision, land use, circulation, and key policy topics for the project area.
The DCTF serves in an advisory capacity, providing recommendations that the City Council evaluates along with input from staff, the Planning Commission, other regional agencies and boards, as well as additional studies and reports before making a final decision.
On December 4, 2018, and December 15, 2020, the City Council appointed the following individuals to the DCTF:
• Adam Thompson - Representative of Old Quad Residents Association (OQRA)
• Dan Ondrasek - Representative of Reclaiming Our Downtown (ROD)
• Butch Coyne - Representative of Santa Clara University (SCU)
• Ana Vargas-Smith - Representative of the Historical and Landmarks Commission
• Debra von Huene - Representative of the Cultural Commission
• Rob Mayer - Architect and Santa Clara resident
• Mathew Reed - member of El Camino Real Citizen Advisory Committee, Santa Clara District 2 resident and representative of SV@Home (advocates for affordable housing)
• Chan Thai - Resident and faculty member at SCU
• Atisha Varshney - Resident
On December 5, 2023, the City of Santa Clara City Council adopted the Downtown Precise Plan and accompanying Form Based Zoning Code to implement the community’s vision and objectives for Downtown. As a part of the motion adopting the Precise Plan and Form Based Code, by consensus, the City Council directed staff to look into doing a nexus study to apply a Community Benefits Program (with a fee-based bonus structure) and ask the Downtown Community Task Force to return when the nexus study is complete to formulate a bonus program.
Through the RFP process, the City selected RSG, Inc. (“RSG”) as the City’s consultant. The scope of work for RSG include three to four meetings with the DCTF, as well as two community workshops. Work on the Community Benefits Plan has commenced, and the consultant is ready for its first meeting with the DCTF. The entire development process is anticipated to be completed by September 2026.
As the DCTF prepares to reconvene for the upcoming meetings focused on the Community Benefits Program development, the roster needs to be updated to reflect members who have moved away or changed positions.
DISCUSSION
Task Force Member Thai is no longer able to participate. Santa Clara University has requested to update their representative to Sean Collins, who also serves as SCU’s representative on the Station Area Task Force (SATF). Butch Coyne will continue to serve on the DCTF as someone who is employed in the City of Santa Clara and not specifically representing the University. Member Reed no longer works at SV@Home, but will continue to participate as a Santa Clara resident. Member Varshney no longer lives in Santa Clara but owns property and will continue to participate as a Santa Clara property owner.
If these adjustments are approved, the DCTF roster will be as follows:
• Adam Thompson - Representative of Old Quad Residents Association (OQRA)
• Dan Ondrasek - Representative of Reclaiming Our Downtown (ROD)
• Ana Vargas-Smith - Representative of the Historical and Landmarks Commission
• Debra von Huene - Representative of the Cultural Commission
• Rob Mayer - Architect and Santa Clara District 5 Resident
• Mathew Reed - member of El Camino Real Citizen Advisory Committee, Santa Clara District 2 Resident
• Butch Coyne - Employed in Santa Clara
• Sean Collins - Representative of Santa Clara University
• Atisha Varshney - Santa Clara property owner
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. On December 5, 2023, the City Council certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Downtown Precise Plan. The Community Benefits Program will undergo environmental review for a determination as to whether it falls within the scope of the certified EIR, and if necessary, a supplemental environmental document will be brought to the City Council at the time when the Council considers the Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City for appointing members to the DCTF other than administrative staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’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
Take the following actions with respect to the Downtown Community Task Force (DCTF): Appoint Sean Collins as the SCU representative, designate Butch Coyne as a representative of someone employed in Santa Clara, designate Atisha Varshney as a representative of a Santa Clara property owner, and approve the Updated DCTF Roster with these changes.
Staff
Reviewed by: Afshan Hamid, Director of Community Development
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager