REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2057 Authorizing the City, pursuant to Section 714.1. of the Santa Clara City Charter, to Begin Work at Ulistac Natural Area
Report
BACKGROUND
At the March 7, 2023 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2057 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2057 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on March 15, 2023, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
The Ulistac Natural Area ("Park"), located at 4901 Lick Mill Boulevard, is 40 acres of parkland that was dedicated on March 22, 2000 to showcase seven distinctive natural habitats. The City's Open Space Park Master Plan for Ulistac calls for the removal of non-native and invasive species and the restoration of habitat with appropriate, drought tolerant native species. Santa Clara City Charter Section 714.1 prohibits substantial building, construction, reconstruction, or development of parks and recreation facilities except pursuant to ordinance subject to referendum. The proposed ordinance would authorize the City, pursuant to Section 714.1. of the Santa Clara City Charter, to begin the work of removing non-native species and restoring the habitat on the Park.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to the following sections of the CEQA Guidelines:
Section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land), and 15304(b) (Class 4(b) - replacement of existing landscaping with water efficient landscaping), in that the project would make minor alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation which do not involve the removal of healthy, mature scenic trees, and would include the replacement of existing conventional landscaping with water efficient landscaping. The project proposal (Attachment 3) would remove the unhealthy eucal...
Click here for full text