Outlook
FW: 4/29/25 City Council - Montague & Seely - Turnkey Park Agreement, Master Plan, and Park Naming From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Mon 4/28/2025 10:50 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Ross, Rebekah <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2025 10:33 AM
To: City Clerk < [email protected]>; Talosig, Sheena <[email protected]> Subject: Fw: 4/29/25 City Council - Montague & Seely - Turnkey Park Agreement, Master Plan, and Park Naming Please post as a Public Comment letter to item 7,1 of tomorrow's (4/29/25) City_Council agenda.
We will also post this letter on PRNS' Montague & Seely Future Public Park webpage.
From: Jane May
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2025 11:10 PM
To: Ross, Rebekah <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 4/29/25 City Council - Montague & Seely - Turnkey Park Agreement, Master Plan, and Park Naming [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn morel Dear Rebekah,
Thank you for your kindness in letting us know about the City Council Meeting in which the City Council will name the Park on our family farm property on Montague & Seely Ave.
We are hopeful that the Council will take your Department's recommendation and name the Park "The Eiichi Edward Sakauye Park". We appreciate the hard work you and your staff have done in researching the history behind our family farm and our father. Thank you.
We will be watching the meeting online this Tuesday.
Best wishes,
Jane Sakauye May
On Friday, April 18, 2025 at 04:56:22 PM CDT, Ross, Rebekah <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello,
I hope this email finds you well. Please feel free to forward this email to interested parties.
San Jose's City Council will consider a Park Master Plan, Turnkey Parkland Agreement, and "Eiichi Edward Sakauye Park" as the official park name for a future public park that will be constructed within the "O Seely Avenue" project (a.k.a. Montague & Seely project) during the Tuesday, April 29, 2025 meeting.
Meeting Details
When: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
Time: Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. This will be discussed as item 7.1.
Where: City Council Chambers, San Jose City Hall
200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95116
The agenda for the meeting, which includes the staff report and proposed Master Plan, is posted on the City's Legistar website at: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx? M=A&ID=1283482&GUID=E53E7A50-3210-4671-9361-1493391A6B07 and from the City's Agendas and Minutes webpage.
Questions related to the relocation of the Sakauye House to History Park can be emailed to city staff at: [email protected].
There are three ways to participate:
1. Attend in-person and provide public comments after submitting a yellow speaker card when the item is being heard, or
2. Ask questions or provide written comments prior to the meeting by emailing staff at:
[email protected] or city,[email protected], or
3. Watch the meeting online without public participation via: 1) The City of San Jose's 'YouTube' channel,_or 2) By clicking on the "In Progress" or "Currently in Session" link on this webpage: https://sanjose.granicus.com/player/event/5516? view_id=51&redirect=true
Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email the ADA Coordinator at [email protected] or by calling (408) 535-8430. The ADA Coordinator will use their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety in accordance with the City procedure for resolving reasonable accommodation requests.
• Adaptaciones para discapacitados serán proporcionadas a pedido. Mande correo electrónico [email protected]; Llame (408) 535-8430
• Nhu câu cho người khuyết tật được cung cấp theo yêu câu. Email [email protected]; Gọi (408) 535-8430
Meeting Details
When: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
Time: Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. This will be discussed as item 7.1.
Where: City Council Chambers, San Jose City Hall
200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95116
Rebekah Ross (she/her), Planner IV
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
Capital Improvement Projects - Strategic Planning Team
(408) 535-3828
Building Community Through Fun
Website Twitter Facebook | Instagram
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Outlook
FW: Eichii Edward Sakauye Park - Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Naming From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Mon 4/28/2025 3:10 PM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Ross, Rebekah
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2025 3:02 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Eichii Edward Sakauye Park - Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Naming Please post with item 7.1 of tomorrow's Council agenda. Thank you! From: Donald R May <
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2025 12:25 PM
To: ParkPlanning ≤[email protected]>; Talosig, Sheena <Sheena.Talosig@sanjoseca,gov›; Scordelis, Stephen Bowman, Marybeth <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>:Ross, Rebekah <[email protected]> Cc: Jane May -; Carolyn Sakauye
Subject: Re: Eichii Edward Sakauye Park - Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Naming [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn morel Dear Rebekah,
Thank you for your help and support!
Jane and I are very much appreciative!
With best wishes from Jane and me,
Donald
On Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:57:34 AM CDT, Ross, Rebekah <rebekah.ross @sanjoseca gov> wrote:
Thank you! I've added the City Clerk to this thread to have the attached letter added as a Public Comment letter to item 7,1 of tomorrow's (4/29/25) City Counci agenda, We will also post this letter on PRNS' Montague & Seely Future Public Park webpage.
Best, Rebekah Ross
From: ParkPlanning <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2025 9:24 AM
To: Donald R May < Scordelis, Stephen *; Ross, Rebekah
<[email protected]>; Bowman, Marybeth <[email protected]> Cc: Jane May Carolyn Sakauye
ParkPlanning <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Eichii Edward Sakauye Park - Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Naming Hi Donald & Stephen,
I'm looping in the project managers @Ross, Rebekah and @Bowman, Marybeth so they're aware of the letter of support (attached) for the name "Eiichi Edward Sakauye Park" for the Montague & Seely project scheduled for City Council on 4/29.
-Leo
Leonel Tapia | Planner III
Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services
City Hall 9th Floor | P. (408) 793-5528
200 E. Santa Clara St., San José CA 95113
Building Community Through Fun
Website Iwitter Facebook Instagram
- SAN JOSE -
PARKS, RECREATION & SAN JOSE
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
From: Donald R May 1
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2025 10:21 PM
To: ParkPlanning <[email protected]>: Scordelis. Stephen ‹ Cc: Jane May Carolyn Sakauye
Subject: Re: Eichii Edward Sakauye Park - Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Naming [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] You don't often get email from Learn why this is important Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your help!
Donald
On Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:18:07 AM CDT, Scordelis, Stephen < wrote:
Good Evening,
I am writing in connection with the Montague and Seely Master Plan & Park Name Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025. My firm represents Carolyn Sakauye and Jane Sakauye (the daughters of Eichii Edward Sakauye), who wish to express their support for naming the proposed park in honor of their father. Please find attached a letter of support for the City's Council's consideration.
Thank you.
Stephen
Stephen Scordelis | Partner
B BERLINER
COHEN LLP
San Jose | Modesto | Merced
10 Almaden Blvd., Eleventh Floor | San Jose, California 95113 | 408.286.5800 | F 408.998.5388 | www.berliner.com
in f
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Outlook
FW: PAC*SJ Comment On: Agenda Item 7.1 Adoption of a Park Master Plan, Approval of a Turnkey Parkland Agreement, Adoption of an Official Park Name within the 0 Seely Ave Mixed Use Project From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Wed 4/30/2025 11:21 AM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Ross, Rebekah <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 9:23 AM
To: City Clerk < [email protected]>
Subject: Fw: PAC*SJ Comment On: Agenda Item 7.1 Adoption of a Park Master Plan, Approval of a Turnkey Parkland Agreement, Adoption of an Official Park Name within the 0 Seely Ave Mixed Use Project Please post this with the public comments received for yesterday's CC, item 7.1. Thank you, Rebekah From: Mike Sodergren
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 1:49 PM
To: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District1 <[email protected]>; District2 < [email protected]»; District3 <[email protected]>; District4 <[email protected]>; District5 <[email protected]>; District 6 < [email protected]>; District7 <[email protected]; District8 <district&@sanjoseca.gov>; District9<[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]> Cc: Ben Leech ; Mike Sodergren < ; Ross, Rebekah
<[email protected]>; Bill Schroh ‹
Subject: PAC*SJ Comment On: Agenda Item 7.1 Adoption of a Park Master Plan, Approval of a Turnkey Parkland Agreement, Adoption of an Official Park Name within the 0 Seely Ave Mixed Use Project [External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
PAC*SJ thanks you for the opportunity to consider our comments regarding the following recommended actions:
(a) Approve a master plan for an approximate 2.5-acre public park located along the northeast side of Seely Avenue, approximately 500 feet northwest of Montague Expressway.
(b) Approve a Turnkey Parkland Agreement between the City of San José and SummerHill Epic Way LLC, Seely Development Partners, LLC, and Trimble Building A Holdings LLC to satisfy the requirements of the City's Park Impact Ordinance (San José Municipal Code Section 14.25) and Parkland Dedication Ordinance (San José Municipal Code Chapter 19.38) which include:
(1) Dedication of a 2.506 gross acre site to the City;
(2) Design, construction, and dedication of park improvements on this site; (3) Payment of City Design and Review Fees; and
(4) Payment of Parkland Fees.
(c) Direct the City Clerk to record a certified copy of the Turnkey Parkland Agreement, including the exhibits hereto, with the Office of the Recorder for the County of Santa Clara.
(d) Adopt "Eiichi Edward Sakauye Park" as the official name for the park as recommended by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission and as a result of a public outreach process.
First off, PAC*SJ wishes to thank The Mayor and Counsel for its discussion at its 8/13/24 meeting of its desire to ensure the Sakauye Farmhouse's preservation. Since that time, the developer has kept the farmhouse on site pending its eventual move to History Park. As funding for relocation is being pursued, we encourage the City and the developer to do everything possible to protect this historic asset. Even with fencing, security cameras and patrols, there were several fires under the Pallesen Apartment Building when it was sitting on the same type of box cribbing that the Sakauye home sits on now. The developer in that project applied fire retardant on the undercarriage of that building that likely saved it. Also, given the City's recent experience in a lengthy process of authorizing the ascension of the Coyote Depot into History Park, PAC*SJ would like a formal assurance that the Sakauye House will remain on site until full funding is secured from outside sources, or the developer provides the remaining funding. PAC*SJ also recommends that the City require that Landmark Eligible buildings such as this one, be appraised and insured against loss while they remain on a development site.
Despite our deep respect for the hardworking people of San Jose's PRNS, and our sympathy for the monumental challenge facing this department relative to deferred maintenance, it is our opinion that the Conceptual Master Plan (Exhibit B) and its 35% Construction Drawing (Exhibit B1) are far from adequate in commemorationing Eiichi Sakauye. We are grateful that PRNS listened to the family and got the name of the park properly named, but do not believe this plan reflects the will of the people of San Jose or the desires of the Japanese-American Community. While the 149 page Parkland Agreement document provides great specificity about everything else, it includes almost nothing about how it will recognize Eiichi Sakauye's life experience and contribution to the greatness of our City (no public engagement, no examples, nothing).
As for today's Agenda Item, Staff's memo provides a summary of feedback from members to the City's survey of members of the public living in proximity of the project. Staff's report includes data that "Historic Interpretation" ranked second only to the pickle ball court in importance, with park space for dogs coming in 6th out of 9 generic park features.
And yet, the space allocated to dogs dwarfs the pass through area of commemoration of Eiichi Sakauye. We believe that the general public who live in the area were likely customers of the farmland that was operated into 2024, and were sufficiently moved by what little they actually heard of Eiichi Sakauye's life story to rank its importance higher than a dog park that will occupy a significantly higher proportion of the park's space.
If Council accepts Staff's recommendation to accept the 35% design before you today, it is our understanding that the elements and proportions of the park plan will be locked in place for the next 5 years with no opportunity for the family, JAM, History San Jose, PAC*SJ or the public in general to ask for any additions or alterations within the proposed park's boundaries that could better honor Eiichi Sakauye. Given that NO funds will go into the City coffers for this park or the Alviso Park until 2030, we respectfully ask what in the world is the rush to accept the current 35% design?
That said, PAC*SJ sees the importance to the project's success in the financials associated with the park clearly specified (as is the case with the current draft of the Parkland Agreement) so PAC*SJ respectfully requests that the Council add and/or modify language relative to the 35% design to allow for reasonable changes that specifically benefit the City's commitment to commemorate Eiichi Sakauye. PAC*SJ further requests that Staff be given guidance to develop a Master Plan that truly represents the interests of the people. Doing less than this risks making it look like we don't care about the commemoration of a truly worthy American citizen. The total budget could be capped using current numbers.
Finally, PAC*SJ reminds Counsel when this project was last discussed we stated very clearly that we were not in any way opposed to the proposed housing of this project. We hoped for an onsite retention of artifacts and trees, but did not challenge the demolition of all but one of 18-structures on a working orchard that dates back to the late 1,800s. At one point, this Developer was willing to work with the City to preserve the Sakauye house on site if PRNS would have accepted its relocation within the park. We know that ship has sailed, but the Staff Report Recommendation before you today erroneously asserts that the building could not be saved in the park space. That is not the case. It could have been saved on site, and could have made for a much more effective commemoration of Eiichi Sakauye. We believe this "it can't be done" mindset needs to change if we are ever to develop solid public/private partnerships that can address the financial and operational concerns that PRNS rightfully deals with on a daily basis.
In short, PAC*SJ believes that we need to find a way to better honor Elichi Sakauye.
Thank you,
J. Michael Sodergren
President
Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC*SJ)
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