minutes of the JOINT San José city council

AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BOARD

 

 

SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA                                                           TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2003

 

The Council of the City of San José convened at 5:53 p.m. to hear Items 7.1 and 7.2 in a Joint Session with the Redevelopment Agency in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Present: Council Members     -              Campos, Chavez, Chirco, Cortese, Dando, Gregory, LeZotte, Reed, Williams, Yeager; Gonzales.

 

Absent: Council Members     -  None.

 

 

JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/CITY COUNCIL ITEMS

 

7.1              Acceptance of the biannual progress report on the Downtown PMP.

Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council and Agency Board accept the biannual progress report on the Downtown Parking Management Plan (PMP). [MERGED]

 

Documents Filed: Memorandum from City Manager Del Borgsdorf, and Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Susan Shick, dated August 26, 2003, recommending acceptance of the biannual progress report on the Downtown Parking Management Plan.

           

Discussion/Action: Mayor Gonzales asked if Staff is tracking the usage at the 4th Street garage facility in regard to what percentage of parking spaces is being used, and Director of Transportation Jim Arbuckle replied usage is approximately 30% on a daily basis, with up to 50% usage on special event days. Upon motion by Council Member Chavez, seconded by Council Member Gregory, and carried unanimously, the biannual progress report on the Downtown Parking Management Plan was accepted, with Staff directed to continue to follow up on how the recommendations contained in the Downtown Parking Management Plan Progress Report connect to the Diridon Study, and in regard to pursuing the expansion of the Downtown Free Parking Program to include Market and Balbach, Staff is directed to continue to communicate with the neighborhood that has been extremely tolerant of the lot, and not to digress from the strategy of partnering with them. Vote: 11-0-0-0.

 

7.2       Approval of the Downtown Historic District Guidelines.

Recommendation: Adoption of Resolutions by the City Council and Agency Board approving the Downtown Historic District Guidelines. CEQA: Except, PP03-01-010 (Deferred 8/19/03), Item 7.1) [MERGED]

 

Documents Filed: (1) Memorandum from Mayor Gonzales, Council Members Chavez, and LeZotte, dated August 26, 2003, directing Staff to amend the draft historic guidelines, and bring back to the Board for approval. (2) Memorandum from Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Susan Shick, and City Manager Del Borgsdorf, dated August 26, 2003, recommending review approval of the Downtown San José Historic District Design Guidelines. (3) Letter from the public stating opposition to the approval of the Downtown San José Historic District Design Guidelines.

 

Discussion/Action: Mayor Gonzales called for public testimony. Pat Gerriera spoke on the issue. Upon motion by Council Member Chavez, and seconded by Council Member LeZotte, and carried unanimously, Resolution No. 71727, entitled; “A Resolution of the Council of the City of San José Revising the Proposed Downtown Historic District Guidelines and Providing Direction to City Staff”; and Agency Resolution No. 5429, were adopted, with direction to Staff to amend the draft historic district design guidelines as follows and bring back to the Board for approval: (1) Redefine the boundaries to include only the Downtown Commercial National Register Historic District. (2) Delete reference to specific ground floor uses, focus on the historic design issues associated with uses, and refer to zoning code and other applicable ordinances for allowable uses. (3) Direct Staff to include references in the design guidelines in the revised Downtown Zoning Ordinance currently under development by Agency and City Staff. References should clearly outline how the guidelines will be used in the evaluation of projects in the Downtown Commercial National Register Historic District, new and/or expanded historic districts, adjacent areas, and throughout the Downtown. (4) Direct Planning Staff to return to Board/Council within 60 days with: (a) Methods on how the guidelines could be incorporated into the zoning code to evaluate projects in the Downtown Commercial National Register Historic District, new and/or expanded historic districts, adjacent areas, and throughout the Downtown; (b) A workplan for outreach to impacted communities, including historic preservationists, downtown property owners and developers, and other groups as appropriate. Vote: 11-0-0-0.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Council of the City of San José and Redevelopment Agency Board adjourned at 5:59 p.m.

 

 

RON GONZALES, MAYOR

 

ATTEST:

 

 

PATRICIA L. O’HEARN, CITY CLERK