REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of the Proposed East Neighborhood Park Master Plan & Schematic Design to be located at 5155 Stars & Stripes Drive (Related)
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
On June 28, 2016, the City Council approved the construction of a new multi-phased, mixed-use development on a 240-acre project site north of Tasman Drive, formerly the site of the City’s Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club. Related Santa Clara (Developer) will create a LEED-certified, multi-phased, mixed-use development at 5155 Stars & Stripes Drive across from Levi’s Stadium. This urban center will incorporate residential units, restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, retail and office space to establish a new neighborhood in a pedestrian oriented “live, work, play” environment. The development includes 1,680 residential units, and three neighborhood parks located generally on the east, west, and north sides of the project. The East Neighborhood Park will be located to the west of Lafayette, just north of the VTA station and to the south of a dedicated, but undeveloped, 30-acre Community Park parcel.
DISCUSSION
Initial Schematic Design and Review
An initial schematic design for the two-acre public neighborhood park parcel was developed by OJB Landscape Architecture for Related Santa Clara. The schematic design proposed a natural grass play field (12,500 square feet), enclosed off-leash dog areas for large breeds (11,000 square feet) and small breeds (2,000 square feet), play areas including all elements of play and integrating the various apparatus for children ages 2-5 and 6-12 (15,000 square feet) into the terraced planted topography (3:1 slope covering 1.04 acres), two sand volleyball courts (8,000 square feet), as well as multiple seating areas, pathways, shade trees, and landscaping. The park also includes an off-street bike trail connecting VTA to points north and south as required by the City Place Master Plan.
The initial schematic design was reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Department as part of the City’s standard project application and review process. The submittal met the Parks & Recreation Department’s public park design requirements: an inclusive, age-friendly, sustainable design; playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 6-12 that contain all developmentally appropriate elements of play; provision of safe routes to and through the park and connectivity to adjacent uses with public access from public right of way; off-street parking; an adjacent restroom; place-making & art features; natural habitat value; use of an approved drought tolerant plant palette; support of a diverse/active recreation program for the immediate neighborhood’s needs; and, consideration of efficient operation and lifecycle maintenance. Generally, neighborhood serving parks do not include non-standard or duplicative amenities because they may not be supported by demand and may increase capital construction and life-cycle maintenance costs. A 40-foot wide spur trail segment (including setbacks and separations) is incorporated within the length of the park since it is required by the City Place Master Plan.
Community Outreach
The East Park initial conceptual design and amenities were presented for community input. Opportunities included: (a) a Community Survey that was posted on the City website from September 16 through October 9, 2022, (b) in-person engagement at the Art & Wine Festival held on September 17 and 18, 2022 in Central Park, and (c) two Parks & Recreation Commission meetings. The public was invited to participate in the Community Survey through the City’s GovDelivery system, and announcement at the September 20, 2022 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. In addition, Related Santa Clara employed a variety of efforts to drive traffic to the online survey, including public contact at the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival, sending direct mail to approximately 1,000 city residents, leveraging ACE, Capital Corridor, and VTA’s social media channels, partnering with the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce to disseminate information to its membership, and leafletting at local parking garages. At the September 20, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Developer presented the initial schematic design and proposed amenities for the East Neighborhood Park consistent with the overall City Place project’s Architectural Review approval (RTC #22-1079). The Commission received public comment and provided feedback.
Community Input
In total, the East Park input tallied over 514 responses. The online survey received 214 responses, equal to about 11 hours of public comment on specific aspects of the park design and amenities. The Art & Wine Festival in-person contacts numbered over 300 Santa Clarans and represented a wide/diverse demographic. Residents indicated their preferences on story boards by placing a color sticker next to their preferred neighborhood park uses. Based on the input, residents provided positive feedback about the park’s proposed design elements including park accessibility, bike path connectivity, inclusive elements of play, activities for people of all ages, as well as the park location. Young children were notably favorable about the playground and dog park. Teens voiced support for open spaces for informal group sports activities and exercise. Older teens expressed a desire to see a rope climbing structure to challenge older teens.
Proposed Park Master Plan & Preferred Schematic Design
While the proposed park master plan and preferred schematic design remain substantially similar to the initial design, the Developer has incorporated design changes that respond to the top areas of community feedback. Sport courts were a highly rated park element with requests for inclusion of a pickleball court. The proposed design includes one sand volleyball court and two pickleball courts separated by a planting area and barrier to contain sand and stray balls. Ecologically friendly, drought tolerant planting and a pollinator garden were frequently requested. The proposed design includes both. Ample seating and shade were high public priorities. The design includes additional seating and an increased number of shade trees.
On November 15, 2022, the Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed a presentation (Attachment 2) by Developer for the proposed East Neighborhood Park Master Plan and preferred Schematic Design. After discussion and confirmation of the proposed changes, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Council approve the proposed East Neighborhood Park Master Plan and Schematic Design.
On January 10, 2023, Council will consider the November 15, 2022 Parks & Recreation Commission’s recommendation for approval of the proposed East Neighborhood Park master plan and schematic design. The design and review process included extensive outreach, participation, public input and is consistent with the overall City Place project’s approved Architectural Review. The proposed recreation program elements and features are supported by the community, and the design incorporates the City Place Project’s required regional bike spur trail segment. As designed, the new neighborhood public park will meet the needs of the new residents in the immediate neighborhood and reduce potential impacts on the City parks system.
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 included the construction of parks, and which was approved on June 28, 2016 (Resolution No. 16-8337) 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 design and construction of the east neighborhood park. The Developer will design and construct the neighborhood park to City standards. Park maintenance costs and responsibility will be established in the Developer’s first DAP application for the project Phase 2 and ongoing funding obligation reflected in the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Parks & Recreation Department, Finance Department and 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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> <<mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that Council approve the proposed East Neighborhood Park Master Plan & Schematic Design to be located at 5155 Stars & Stripes Blvd.
Staff
Prepared by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Schematic Design - Master Plan of East Neighborhood Park (5155 Stars & Stripes Blvd.)