COUNCIL AGENDA: 9/16/25
FILE: 25-980
ITEM: 10.2
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Chris Burton
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: August 25, 2025
Approved
Date:
8/28/2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 6
SUBJECT: ST25-003 – Renaming of a Street Segment of North Almaden Boulevard to “Little Italy Way”
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution approving the renaming of an approximately 400-foot segment of North Almaden Boulevard extending from West St. John Street to West Julian Street to “Little Italy Way.”
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
If the City Council approves the action listed above, the street segment listed above will be renamed from North Almaden Boulevard to “Little Italy Way.” Little Italy Way will extend for about 400 feet between West St. John Street to West Julian Street.
BACKGROUND
On July 3, 2025, the San José Sharks submitted a revised application to rename an approximately 400-foot-long segment of North Almaden Boulevard as Little Italy Way.
The Attachment - Minor Street Naming Map identifies the location of the street segment to be renamed. It begins at the intersection of North Almaden Boulevard and West St.
John Street and extends approximately 400 feet northerly to the intersection of North Almaden Boulevard and West Julian Street.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
August 25, 2025
Subject: ST25-003 - Renaming of a Street Segment of North Almaden Boulevard to “Little Italy Way”
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 City Council Policy 6-5, the Planning Director determined that the proposed street naming is a naming of a “minor” public street, subject to a more streamlined process and criteria because no more than 20 occupied parcels are affected by the proposed naming.
Planning staff fully implemented 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 sign was posted on August 6, 2025.
Comments opposing the proposed street renaming were received via email from three members of the public, two of whom represent businesses that will be affected. The primary basis for their opposition is the inconvenience and financial impact of changing personal and corporate address information, including regulatory filings, banking information, and promotional materials. One commenter also stated that the affected parties should have been notified earlier in the process and questioned whether an entity that is not affected should be permitted to initiate the street renaming.
For renaming of minor streets, City Council Policy 6-5 does not require that an affected party initiate the street renaming, nor does it require a community meeting or notification prior to mailing public hearing notices for the City Council meeting where the street renaming will be considered. Staff has been available and responded to questions and comments. 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.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Approval of the street renaming will require coordination among City departments, including the Fire Department, Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department, the Police Department, Public Works Department, and the Transportation Department, which is necessary to complete map and address updates. Staff is also exploring a process for commemorative street renaming that would retain the original street names, which could be an alternative pathway for the City Council to consider in the future.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
San José Sharks is responsible for all costs associated with the new street signs .
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
August 25, 2025
Subject: ST25-003 - Renaming of a Street Segment of North Almaden Boulevard to “Little Italy Way”
COORDINATION
The preparation of this memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting.
Planning staff fully implemented 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 August 6, 2025. Three public comments were received for this project, as discussed in the Analysis section above.
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.
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
Director, Planning, Building and Code
Enforcement Department
For questions, please contact John Tu, Division Manager, Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department at [email protected] or (408) 535-7900.
ATTACHMENT
Minor Street Renaming Map
Attachment - Minor Street Renaming Map
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