REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan and Its Proposed Parks & Recreational Facilities and Amenities
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
BACKGROUND
On March 22, 2022, Council adopted a resolution approving the Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan (Specific Plan). The Specific Plan will support the development of a new high-density, mixed-use urban neighborhood in close proximity to jobs, retail, services and entertainment, and alternative travel modes based on its proximity to the Tasman VTA Light Rail line. The area is approximately 74 acres bounded by Mission College to the south, Great America Parkway to the east, the Hetch-Hetchy right-of-way to the north, and Calabazas Creek to the west. The Specific Plan includes a land use framework to develop the area into a transit-oriented neighborhood with up to 12,000 residential units and up to 310,000 square feet of non-residential uses.
The full draft Specific Plan is available at <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/specific-plans/patrick-henry-drive>.
DISCUSSION
Dedicated public facilities, parks and recreational amenities are part of the Specific Plan and include spaces for a variety of recreational and community services that will support a “complete neighborhood.” The Santa Clara City Code 17.35 requires new residential development to dedicate parkland and recreational amenities at current City service levels of 2.6 to 3.0 acres of developed parkland per 1,000 new residents, and/or pay fees in lieu thereof. The proposed park sites and facilities will be reviewed by staff, and then go through a public input process as outlined below.
Park Concept Proposals - Staff Level Review.
The Parks & Recreation Department staff reviews each residential housing development application and proposal for conformance with the provisions of Santa Clara City Code 17.35. This assures that a variety of public parks and recreational amenities will be provided within each dedicated public park space, and that appropriate credit is given for on-site private recreational amenities. Generally, the public parks and private recreational amenities within a residential development are designed to work cohesively in order to serve the greatest number of residents and diversity of public recreational interests, whether indoor or outdoor, and organized for formal group use or more informal individual use.
During the staff review, specific attention is paid to the size, shape and location of the proposed park parcel(s), and within it, the appropriately sized amenities and features to serve the desired capacity. Design standards and principles are used in the review process, such as: code requirements (ADA, safety guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission); research based best practices (physical development, elements of play, health and wellness across the lifespan); inclusion; environmental sustainability and support of natural habitats; shade and weather; trends and use patterns; compatibility of adjacent uses and amenities; lifecycle operation costs and maintenance frequencies, etc. Where there are multiple park parcels to be dedicated by different developers at different times, the park design(s) must provide a cohesive integrity such that they can be constructed and fit together in phases at different times, potentially by different developers, but still provide immediate service.
Public Schematic Design Process.
The Parks & Recreation Department staff work with the various developers to propose an initial/feasible Conceptual Site Plan for each parcel to be dedicated to the City and coordinate with adjacent property owners to achieve a cohesive Park Site Master Plan. The proposed Master Plan will move through an iterative public design review process inclusive of a community survey, public input and the Parks & Recreation Commission review, during which the Master Plan is refined and ultimately recommended to City Council for final approval. As residential developers initiate their specific development proposals the public will be able to participate in the public park schematic design process. As a reminder, the implementation of the Specific Plan is a long-term process and the timing of the development of individual parks and recreation facilities and amenities will be dependent upon when development occurs.
Patrick Henry Drive Public Parkland, Open Space & Desirable Amenities List.
The adopted Land Use Plan includes approximately 10 acres of parkland (Attachment 1) as summarized below. The descriptions provide park locations and a preliminary list of potential recreational amenities and features for discussion purposes only. The remaining private open space obligation of approximately 3 acres is provided in part through Privately Owned, Publicly Accessible Open Space (POPOS) to meet the Specific Plan’s 22% open space target.
• A 5.25 acre Neighborhood Park at the center of the Plan Area shared across multiple properties including Menlo Equities, Marriott Center Owners Association, Z&L Properties, and Sares-Regis. Amenities on the southern two parcels: (a) Community Center includes program spaces to accommodate: library, community/classroom, activity spaces for seniors and youth, full size multipurpose gymnasium for indoor sports and fitness, staff offices, restrooms, custodial and storage; (b) underground public parking; (c) park site includes low water use landscaping, perimeter shade trees, small indoor/outdoor amphitheater space adjacent to Center, pathways, bench seating, wayfinding signage; (d) slow street frontage. Amenities on the northern three parcels: (a) one acre, off leash dog park; definable setback & screening, water feature; (b) meandering pathways, arboretum, classic greenhouse/community garden; (c) playground with varying topography; (d) slow street frontage.
Staff has conducted preliminary analysis of a joint library-gymnasium-community center concept, to be located within the central neighborhood park. Given the anticipated population density of the Specific Plan, allowance for an approximate 47,000 square foot community facility is justified. A compact multi-level facility configuration with parking below grade is feasible and may require a smaller building footprint to preserve at grade park space and achieve desired program service levels that match the funding available from park in lieu fees. However, further analysis and public input are necessary. The source(s) of funding for the library component needs to be identified.
• A 0.57 acre Mini-Park located along the center southern portion of the plan area, with SummerHill dedicating 9,250 square feet (0.21 acres) of outdoor parkland adjacent to a 5,000 square foot indoor public visual arts center, and O2 Micro property dedicating 15,800 square feet of parkland (0.36 acres) adjacent to the Summerhill dedication, to create one contiguous park. Amenities: (a) Visual Arts Center accommodates program spaces for studio, classroom, temporary exhibits gallery, restroom, storage office, circulation; (b) Art Walk linear space adjacent to building for outdoor sculpture garden, class space, temporary exhibit/activities; (c) right of way or additional landscaped space to include bicycle/pedestrian pathway (contingent upon coordination and support of Mission College), wayfinding, shade trees and park benches, specimen trees.
As envisioned, the City Parks & Recreation Department would manage this indoor visual arts space and the related outdoor area for periodic/temporary art displays curated by the City.
• A 1.75 acre Neighborhood Park two parcels west side. Amenities: (a) bocce court, restroom, landscaping, access to adjacent development parking/restroom; (b) playground, meadow, multiuse sport court (TBD), picnic tables with game tops, possible trail access to the Calabazas Creek pedestrian bridge from the Plan Area.
• A 1.25 acre park in the southeast section of the Plan Area, split proportionally between properties owned by Dollinger and New Hope Church. Amenities: (a) playground with active play features, picnic tables, park benches, landscaping, (b) individual restroom.
• A 1.1 acre Neighborhood Park on the Pearlman property, to be developed if the property is redeveloped with residential uses.
• A North East Mini Park. Drawbridge on the northeast corner of the plan area has offered approximately 13,000 square feet of land (0.30 acres) that staff is analyzing for feasible park uses.
• Creek Trail head northwest corner. Amenities: (a) bike and pedestrian trail access, wayfinding/interpretation, bike/ped supporting amenities such as bike service and water fountain.
In addition to the required parkland dedication, the on-site private recreational amenities, the POPOS for which developers receive credit, and the payment of fees due in lieu of parkland dedication, the Specific Plan includes payment of a separate Infrastructure Fee and the formation of a Community Facilities District to provide funding for lifecycle maintenance of the park facilities and amenities to assure their ongoing quality.
The Parks & Recreation Commission has adopted a Work Plan Goal to review new park projects. By way of this report, the Commission is informed of the various parks, recreational facilities and amenities including potential for a joint facility (conceptually a library-gymnasium-community center) and potential visual arts center within the Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan Area. No action is required at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is an informational item only and does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a), as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
City staff monitor new residential housing projects and review proposals for compliance with SCCC 17.35, any Specific Plan conditions, and with a goal to achieve 100% cost recovery for the design, construction, operation and lifecycle maintenance of the residential developments in order to mitigate the impacts on the City’s park and recreational system and the City’s general fund when feasible.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office and Community Development Department.
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>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the report.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kim Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan - Selected Sections 4.5 & 5.4