REPORT TO HISTORICAL LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Consideration to add street names to the City’s Approved Street Names List
Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hunter Storm Properties (“Applicant”) is proposing four new street names to be added to the City’s approved street names list for assignment to private streets within and bordering the Gateway Crossings project site located at 1205 Coleman Avenue. The project was approved by the City Council on July 9, 2019 and consists of two parcels on a 21.4 acre project site. The proposed street names include Champions Way, Wondo Way, Chastain Place, and Rickbaugh Way. A fifth private street within the development would be assigned Corcoran Drive, which is already on the City’s approved street names list.
BACKGROUND
Chapter 2.120 of the Santa Clara City Code provides for the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) to act as an advisory board to the Council on street naming. The last update to the street name list was 2008 following recommendation by the HLC and approval by Council. Additions to the street names list have since occurred as part of the Tentative Map process for individual development projects that include private and public streets.
.
DISCUSSION
The roadway network in the Gateway Crossings Project consists of five private streets that transect and link the mixed use development on the site to public and private streets and adjacent development. A site map is attached illustrating the approved street layout and its integration into the street network connecting adjacent land uses on the neighboring Coleman Highline Planned Development Project to the east in San Jose. Champions Way borders the Gateway Crossings Project along the eastern boundary of the site and is partly within the jurisdiction of San Jose and becomes a private street as it enters Santa Clara. Champions Way is an approved street name for the portion of roadway in San Jose and is proposed for continuance and continuity as an approved street name in Santa Clara with construction of both developments.
The Applicant initially submitted a proposal for the addition of Champions Way, Champions Drive, Olympic Drive and Hansen Drive to the City’s list for assignment to the new private streets in the Gateway Crossings Project. The fifth street name was chosen from the City’s approved list and is Corcoran Drive.
The names were reviewed and discussed at the HLC meeting of March 3, 2020, at which time the applicant presented an alternate street name - Wondo Way for consideration in place of Champions Drive. Following discussion of proposed street names, the HLC recommended the surnames of three fallen City of Santa Clara Police officers (Ricakbaugh, Mendis and Whybark) and a Santa Clara native Olympic medalist (Chastain) for consideration by the applicant and supported the inclusion of Champions Way and Wondo Way to the City’s approved list of street names. The Applicant has considered and concurs with HLC’s recommendation and has revised the proposal to request the addition of four new names to the City’s list of street names that include Champions Way, Wondo Way, Chastain Place, and Rickabaugh Way for assignment to the private streets in the Gateway Crossings Project. The Applicant’s updated request for the proposed street names and map of the assignment of names to the roadway network is attached.
The proposed names have been reviewed by the Communications Division of the Police Department and Traffic Engineering and determined not to pose any emergency response concerns. Staff recommends that the HLC recommend approval of Champions Way, Wondo Way, Chastain Place, and Rickabaugh Way be added to the City’s approved street names list.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (”CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) as the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have a potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in questions may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the City other than administrative staff time and expense for processing the request.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the 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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission recommend Council approval of the proposed street names: Champions Way, Wondo Way, Chastain Place, and Rickabaugh Way be added to the City’s approved street names list.
Staff
Reviewed by: Rebecca Bustos, Senior Planner
Approved by: Gloria Sciara, AICP, Development Review Officer
ATTACHMENTS
1. Applicant Request for Proposed Street Names