CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: July 19, 2022
Subject
Consider receipt of an update on the Lawrence-Mitty Park project.
Recommended Action
Receive an update on the status of the Environmental Summary Report, public outreach process, and joint commission recommendations for the Lawrence-Mitty Park project and provide input.
Background
Since 2002, the City of Cupertino has worked on acquiring, annexing, and developing a neighborhood park on several acres of land along the westerly edge Lawrence Expressway near Mitty Way. The Lawrence-Mitty site consists of two parcels (APN 375-21-001 and 375-22-001) and totals approximately 7.83 acres. The Saratoga Creek channel runs through the site along the western boundary, reducing the developable area to approximately 5.92 acres. The eastern boundary of the site is adjacent to Lawrence Expressway. The development of the site as a park facility and open space is a high priority for Cupertino residents.
In anticipation of annexation, the City pre-zoned the site as Park/Recreation Zone (Pre-PR) in 2007. Development of the site as a park and trail extension was clearly articulated in the 2020 Park and Recreation System Master Plan and the site was included in the 1999 San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail Master Plan as part of “Reach 5” of the trail system. Therefore, a primary element of the improvement of this site will be the continuation of the San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail.
In July 2020, City Council passed Resolution 20-092, approving the purchase of the Lawrence-Mitty site from the County of Santa Clara for the sum of $2.69 million. The site was situated within the jurisdiction, City limits, and urban service area of the City of San Jose, and in April 2022, the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved annexation of the property into the City of Cupertino. The administrative stage of the annexation process is in progress and expected to be completed soon.
After nearly 20 years, the City is moving into the next phase of site-specific planning and design. The City aims to develop amenities which align with the goals of the 2020 Parks and Recreation System Master Plan and to address the needs and desires of local residents. The City is in the process of working closely with our residents, professional consultants, and jurisdictional partners to provide a feasible conceptual design for the site.
Discussion
With up to 5.92 acres of developable land, the Lawrence-Mitty site has the potential to provide several open space and park amenities for the public. The open space adjacent to the creek offers residents opportunities to walk, ride, learn, and play, which is critical for a healthy community. The site proximity to Saratoga Creek and Lawrence Expressway offers unique challenges for access and jurisdictional permissions. The park features proposed will need to balance site constraints and the community’s aspirations.
The City hired MIG, Inc. (MIG) and their team of professional consultants to develop a process for implementation of the project. The project has been divided into five phases:
Existing Site Condition and Technical Analysis
Community Vision
Conceptual Design Alternatives
Draft and Final Master Plan
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Clearance
To date, the project team has completed Phase 1 of the project and is currently engaged in Phase 2.
Phase 1 - Existing Site Conditions and Technical Analysis This phase encompasses all technical field studies needed to gain a better understanding of the site conditions. Studies conducted to date include:
Transportation study
Environmental site assessment
Noise analysis
Biological resources survey
Tree survey and condition assessment
MIG has compiled key findings from these studies into a single document, which has been included as Attachment A of this report. Key considerations in the Environmental Summary Report (ESR) include site-specific opportunities and constraints associated with the following elements:
Site access
Noise reduction
Easements and utilities
Soil assessment and Construction and Demolition Waste
Stormwater management
Biological resources
Tree inventory and landscape habitat
The report provides recommendations and design considerations for each of the elements listed. The findings of this report will be incorporated into the proposed design for the park. The ESR is available to the public via the Engage Cupertino webpage at engagecupertino.org/lawrencemitty.
The ESR also outlines how the project aligns with the City’s guiding policy documents. These guiding documents include the 2020 Parks and Recreation System Master Plan, 2016 Bicycle Transportation Plan, 2018 Pedestrian Transportation Plan, 2015 Climate Action Plan, and the 2015-2040 Community Vision Cupertino General Plan.
Phase 2 - Community Vision
This phase encompasses initial elements related to public outreach, including work with various City Commissions and City Council to develop a plan that reflects the community’s needs and priorities. An ‘Engage Cupertino’ website for the project is available online at engagecupertino.org/lawrencemitty and provides the public with information about the project as well as opportunities for public input. Postcards notifying the community of the project, the online survey, calendar of events, and ‘Engage Cupertino’ webpage were distributed citywide in the week of April 4.
Opportunities for public input were provided in several formats, including:
Ability to provide input through the Engage Cupertino website Online survey (Open March 30 to May 23) (563 responses) Two community-based pop-up events
April 16 at the Big Bunny 5K run (approximately 30 participants) May 7 at Creekside Park during youth soccer league (approximately 30 participants) One virtual community meeting (April 27) (approximately 15 participants) Lawrence-Mitty site tour (April 30) (approximately 60 participants) One joint commission meeting (June 13)
One City Council meeting (July 19)
Many suggestions and comments about the design elements and site conditions have been given during the public outreach events. The project team is working on a design that reflects the common themes amongst these ideas. Attachment B - Community Outreach Summary provides a summary of input collected from the various public outreach forums. The Community Outreach Summary report is also available on the Engage Cupertino website for Lawrence-Mitty.
Key findings from the Community Outreach Summary Report include:
A strong desire for wildlife, nature, and education features Prioritizing walking and biking pathways
Availability of shade
Nature play features
Natural habitat enhancement
Reduction of onsite noise levels
Considerations for site safety
Access to restrooms
On June 13, the City presented findings from the initial public outreach efforts and environmental summary to a joint commission comprised of representatives from the Parks and Recreation Commission, Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, and Planning Commission. At this meeting commissioners provided recommendations on the different aspects of the project.
Some key topics discussed at the joint commission meeting include:
A trail connection on the north end of the site and extension of a trail facilities beyond the property and City boundaries.
Location and access to restrooms
Advantages and disadvantages of lighting in the park
Management of onsite soils containing lead concentrations beyond residential-use screening levels.
Management of noise levels in the park
After gathering initial community input and guidance from the joint commission and City Council, the project team will move into the design phases: Phases 3 - Conceptual Design Alternatives and Phase 4 - Draft and Final Master Plans. In Phase 3, three conceptual design alternatives will be developed based on feedback from the community, the ESR findings, and known site constraints. The project team will present these alternatives to the public, Commissions, and City Council for feedback and input on a preferred alternative and/or a hybrid of the presented options. The preferred alternative will be further developed into a single conceptual design in Phase 4.
During Phases 3 and 4 there will be additional opportunities for public input via the forums employed in Phase 2: ‘Engage Cupertino’ website, ‘pop-up’ events, virtual community meetings, joint commission meetings, and City Council meetings, including final adoption of the preferred alternative.
Once a preferred design alternative is developed and adopted, the project team will move into Phase 5 - California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Clearance. The CEQA clearance is required prior to approval of a defined project. The final outcome of Phase 5 is approval of the required CEQA document for implementation of the preferred conceptual design. Currently, the projected timeframe for CEQA clearance is six months after final acceptance of the preferred design alternative by City Council. Once CEQA clearance is obtained, the City will pursue development of design level documentation.
Sustainability Impact
This project aligns with multiple objectives outlined in Chapter 6, Environmental Resources and Sustainability, of the City’s General Plan, Community Vision 2015-2040. Development of the Lawrence-Mitty site will emphasize elements of Goal ES-1 to ensure a sustainable future, Goal ES-5 which is to protect the City’s urban and rural ecosystems, and Goal ES-7 to ensure the protection and efficient use of all water resources.
Fiscal Impact
Receiving the ESR and Public Outreach reports has no fiscal impact. _____________________________________
Prepared by: Lisa Cameli, Project Manager
Reviewed by: Susan Michael, Capital Improvements Program Manager Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Acting Director of Public Works Reviewed and Approved for Submission by: Dianne Thompson, Acting City Manager Attachments:
A – Environmental Summary Report
B – Community Outreach Summary Report