REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommendation to the Governance and Ethics Committee to Name the New Public Parks located at 5123 Calle Del Sol.
Report
BACKGROUND
On November 13, 2018, the Santa Clara City Council adopted the Tasman East Specific Plan (TESP). The project area is an existing 45-acre industrial neighborhood bounded by Tasman Drive to the south, the Guadalupe River to the east, the closed Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club to the north, and Lafayette Street to the west. The TESP creates the framework for the development of a high-density transit-oriented residential neighborhood along with supportive retail services. The TESP provides allowed uses, densities, height limits, design criteria, connections to the existing Guadalupe River trail, strategies for better access to transit, and specific locations for parkland (Attachment 2 and Attachment 3).
On July 17, 2019, the Architectural Committee approved the Ensemble Residential Project located at 5123 Calle Del Sol to construct 311 apartment units on Parcel 19 and 192 apartment units on Parcel 29. The developer has proposed to meet its parkland dedication requirements under Santa Clara City Code 17.35 and the TESP through a 4,466sf (0.1025 acres) public park dedicated to City in fee title, and a 950sf plaza dedicated to the City as an easement. Public park improvements will be constructed by the developer to the City’s design criteria and specifications and will be maintained by the developer in perpetuity after dedication.
On October 20, 2020 the Parks & Recreation Commission began discussion of recommending names for the mini park and the plaza to the Governance and Ethics Committee (Item 3. File 20-982). The Commission voted to continue the item to the November 17, 2020 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting for further discussion.
DISCUSSION
Under Council Policy No. 035 (Attachment 1), the Parks & Recreation Commission makes recommendations to the Council Governance and Ethics Committee for names of facilities relating to the Commission’s purview such as parks. Proposed names must be in accordance with at least one of the criteria outlined in Council Policy 035. Should the Commission choose to recommend a park name in honor of a person, then the Commission will develop and provide a biographical sketch for the nominee(s) that provides an accurate account of the life and activities of the individual(s) under consideration including the person's name, place of residence, education, occupation, life, accomplishments and activities and other relevant details. Alternatively, the Commission could use a different nomenclature such as landmarks, regional identifiers, native plants or trees, or another name that could identify this new park location.
Proposed names and reasons for the recommendation(s) should be developed for consideration by the Commission and prior to the Commission making a recommendation to the Governance & Ethics Committee.
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 governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment. The park associated with the new residential development project is consistent with the TESP FEIR that the City certified on November 13, 2018 (after January 1, 1980).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund associated with the current action. The developer will construct the public park improvements, provide a park sign, and maintain the park in perpetuity, all to City standards and at no cost to the City.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
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> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. If the Commission chooses to name the park(s) after a person, the Commission will develop and provide a biographical sketch for each person nominated that provides an account of the life and activities of the individuals under consideration including information about the person's name, place of residence, education, occupation, life, and activities and other important details of the person being recommended prior to making a recommendation to the Governance & Ethics Committee.
2. If the Commission chooses to name the park(s) using a different nomenclature such as landmarks, regional identifiers, native plants or trees, or another name that would identify the new park location(s), proposed names and reasons for the recommendation(s) should be developed prior to making a recommendation to the Governance & Ethics Committee.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend a name for the Governance and Ethics Committee consideration for the New Public Park and/or the New Public Park Plaza located at 5123 Calle Del Sol (Ensemble Residential Project).
Staff
Reviewed by: Dale Seale, Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy No. 035
2. 5123 Calle Del Sol Plaza Site Plan
3. 5123 Calle Del Sol Mini Park Site Plan