TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Chris Burton
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 1, 2025
Approved
Date:
5/1/2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3 and 6
SUBJECT: File No. ST25-002 – Street Renaming of Street Segments West St.
John Street, North Almaden Boulevard, and Santa Teresa Street, to “Sharks Way”
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to rename an approximately 1,220-foot segment of West St. John Street extending from North Montgomery Street to North Almaden Boulevard; an approximately 815-foot segment of West St. John Street extending from Santa Teresa Street to San Pedro Street; an approximately 330-foot segment of North Almaden Boulevard extending from West St. John Street to Santa Teresa Street; and an approximately 150-foot segment of Santa Teresa Street extending from North Almaden Boulevard to West St. John Street, to “Sharks Way.”
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
If the City Council approves the action listed above as recommended by staff, the four street segments will be renamed from West St. John Street, North Almaden Boulevard, and Santa Teresa Street, respectively, to “Sharks Way.” Sharks Way will extend in a single, continuous segment for approximately half a mile from San Pedro Square to SAP Center.
BACKGROUND
On March 12, 2025, the San Jose Sharks, submitted an application to rename segments of West St. John Street, North Almaden Boulevard, and Santa Teresa Street as Sharks Way. The attached minor street naming map (Exhibit – Sharks Way COUNCIL AGENDA: 5/13/25
FILE: 25-500
ITEM: 10.2
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 1, 2025
Subject: File No. ST25-002 – For the Minor Street Renaming of Two Segments of West St. John Street, One Segment of North Almaden Boulevard, and One Segment of Santa Teresa Street to “Sharks Way”
Renaming Analysis Map) identifies the location of the street segments to be renamed. It begins at the intersection of North Montgomery Street and West St. John Street and extends approximately 1,220 feet easterly to the intersection of West St. John Street and North Almaden Boulevard; continues on North Almaden Boulevard approximately 330 feet easterly to the intersection of Santa Teresa Street; then continues northerly to the intersection of West St. John Street; and then continues easterly to the intersection of San Pedro Street.
ANALYSIS
City Council Policy 6-5 entitled “Street Naming and Renaming” establishes the process and criteria for the naming and renaming of public and private streets. Pursuant to that policy, the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Director determined that the proposed street renaming is a renaming of a “minor” public street, subject to a streamlined process and criteria because no more than 20 occupied parcels are affected by the proposed renaming. Nineteen parcels will be affected by the proposed street renaming, including 12 occupied parcels. As required by the policy, the proposed renaming was routed for review by the U.S. Postal Service, County of Santa Clara County 9-1-1 Communications Division, and three City of San José agencies: the Building Division (Addressing) in the Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, the Fire Department, and the Police Department. All external and internal reviewers approved the proposed street renaming.
As required by City Council Policy 6-5, Planning staff fully implemented the City Council Policy 6-30 entitled “Public Outreach Policy for Pending Land Use and Development Proposals” by requiring the applicant to post an onsite sign notifying the public of the proposal and identifying how to obtain additional information or submit comments. Five onsite signs were posted along the approximately half-mile street segment to be renamed on April 24, 2025. No public comments were received for this project. No community meeting was held, as it was deemed unnecessary by the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, since the renaming involves a segment of a street that is not a major thoroughfare. Pursuant to City Council Policy 6-30, property owners and occupants within a 300-foot radius were sent public hearing notices for the City Council hearing.
A separate street application to rename the approximately 1,220-foot segment of West St. John Street between North Montgomery Street and North Almaden Boulevard to “Little Italy Way” was submitted by the Little Italy San Jose Foundation on February 18, 2025. Staff recommends approval of the Sharks Way application, as a continuous street name from San Pedro Square to SAP Center will serve to bind the neighborhoods on either side of Highway 87 into a cohesive district. Alternatives for the “Little Italy Way”
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 1, 2025
Subject: File No. ST25-002 – For the Minor Street Renaming of Two Segments of West St. John Street, One Segment of North Almaden Boulevard, and One Segment of Santa Teresa Street to “Sharks Way”
name, such as North Almaden Boulevard between West St. John Street and West Julian Street, will be explored.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
If the street renaming is approved, coordination among multiple City departments, including Fire, Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement, Public Works, Police, and Transportation, will be required to complete a map update.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
San José Sharks is responsible for all costs associated with the new street signs.
COORDINATION
The preparation of this memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the May 13, 2025 City Council meeting.
Planning staff fully implemented the City Council Policy 6-30 entitled “Public Outreach Policy for Pending Land Use and Development Proposals” by requiring the applicant to post an onsite sign notifying the public of the proposal and identifying how to obtain additional information or submit comments. The onsite signs were posted on April 24, 2025. No public comments were received for this project.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Exempt per Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, Common Sense Exemption.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 1, 2025
Subject: File No. ST25-002 – For the Minor Street Renaming of Two Segments of West St. John Street, One Segment of North Almaden Boulevard, and One Segment of Santa Teresa Street to “Sharks Way”
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
Chris Burton
Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement
For questions, please contact John Tu, Division Manager, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, at [email protected] or (408) 535-7900.
ATTACHMENT
Exhibit: Sharks Way Renaming Analysis Map
W St James St
N San Pedro St
W Julian St
N Almaden Blvd
Martel St
W St John St
Post St
N Almaden Ave
N Autumn St
Almaden Blvd
Notre Dame Ave
Santa Teresa St
S Almaden Ave
N Market St
Carlysle St
W Julian St
W Santa Clara St
W St John St
Autumn Ct
Terraine St
Autumn Pkwy
Barack Obama Blvd
Private Driveway
Sharks Way Renaming Analysis
4/22/2025
0 500250
FEET
±
Parks
Affected Parcels (19)
Streets Proposed to be Renamed
N. Almaden Blvd
Santa Teresa St.
W. St. John St.