REPORT TO CULTURAL COMMISSION
Title
Action to Recommend a New Cultural Commission Member to Serve on the Station Area Task Force
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
Manage Strategically Our Workforce Capacity and Resources
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
The City received grant funds to prepare a Specific Plan for the Santa Clara Station Area. Preparation of the Specific Plan utilizes a consultant team, as well as City staff, to conduct a planning process including community engagement, technical analysis, and the preparation of land use policy documents.
The Santa Clara Station Focus Area consists of 244 acres generally bounded by De La Cruz Boulevard, Reed Street, and Martin Avenue to the northeast, and Franklin Street and El Camino Real to the southwest as shown in Attachment 1. At the center of this area is the existing Santa Clara Station, which is served by Caltrain and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) rail lines and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus service. The station area will also become the terminus for the VTA’s planned extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system also known as BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BART Phase II). BART Phase II is an approximately six-mile-long extension of the BART system from the Berryessa/North San Jose BART Station in San Jose to the proposed Santa Clara BART Station. As such, the station area will transform into an important transit hub for the Bay Area.
The Station Area Task Force (SATF) is part of the overall community engagement strategy, and its purpose is to provide input during the preparation of the Specific Plan. The SATF generally meets on the third Thursday of each month and consists of 11 members which includes a designated representative from the Cultural Commission.
DISCUSSION
At its November 7, 2022 meeting, the Cultural Commission voted to appoint Commissioner Diaz to the SATF. Commissioner Diaz has informed staff that she is unable to continue serving on the task force. Consequently, the Community Development Department is requesting that the Cultural Commission identify a new representative.
The new Commission appointee will be expected to attend the monthly meetings held at City Hall. The meetings start at 6:00 p.m. To date, the SATF has met a total of five (5) times and the new representative will be expected to review all past meeting materials. It is anticipated that the new representative will assume their responsibilities effective with the next meeting of the SATF which is scheduled for November 21, 2024, and continue until the completion of the specific plan which is targeted for August 2026.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Commission review the request and provide direction as appropriate.
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Assistant City Manager and Acting Director - Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Santa Clara Station Area Boundary Map