REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority on Voluntary Freeway Contributions from the Santa Clara Square Project [Council Pillar: Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure]
Report
BACKGROUND
On December 15, 2015, the City Council approved the Santa Clara Square Residential/Mixed Use Project’s (Project) Environmental Impact Report and Development Agreement. The Project consists of approximately 1,800 housing units, 40,000 square feet of retail space, 4,500 square feet of leasing space, and 38,000 square feet of amenity space on 33.4 acres near Bowers Avenue, Scott Boulevard and Augustine Drive.
The Project’s Development Agreement includes a voluntary contribution of $103,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to assist with various transportation needs outside the City’s jurisdiction. The developer has paid the $103,000 voluntary contribution to the City. The City and VTA staff have been working on an agreement to transfer the funds to the VTA for use towards the study of potential freeway improvements.
DISCUSSION
The funding agreement stipulates that the funds will be used on State Route 237 improvements from Lawrence Expressway to US Highway 101 and will entail conducting a study to identify potential improvements to relieve traffic congestion, improve operations and enhance safety along the corridor. The VTA has preliminarily identified a list of improvements that the proposed study would further analyze. This includes improvements to auxiliary lanes, on-ramps, off-ramps, HOV/transit only lanes, express lanes, and ramp metering along the corridor. Study findings will be used by the VTA to identify projects for inclusion into the long-range Valley Transportation Plan for future funding. At this time, construction funding is not identified.
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 government organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $103,000 voluntary contribution was provided by the developer and deposited in the City’s Deposit Fund, which is an unbudgeted fund that accounts for various deposits. Per the Agreement, a $103,000 payment from the City’s Deposit Fund will be made to the VTA.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the Finance Department.
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>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority on Voluntary Freeway Contributions from the Santa Clara Square Project; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to make minor, non-substantive modifications to the Agreement, if needed.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement