REPORT TO HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Preliminary Direction on the Study to Update the Historical Context Statement to Include Historical Contributions Made by Asian Americans and Other Minority Groups (Study Issue CDD 19-04)
File #: PLNG-2024-0485
Environmental Review: The action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306.
Project Planner: Bonnie Filipovic, (408) 730-7462, bfilipovic@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
The City Council adopted the Historical Context Statement (“Statement”) in 2012, which provides a framework for setting goals, policies, and action statements that direct the City’s heritage preservation program. The Statement documents different aspects of Sunnyvale’s historical development such as land use patterns, important events, and architecture. In addition, prominent figures who have contributed to Sunnyvale history are highlighted, including early Native Americans, Spanish-Mexican settlers, European farmers, and Chinese and Japanese laborers and farmworkers. A link to the current Statement is provided in Attachment 1.
On October 3, 2018, the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) sponsored Study Issue CDD 19-04 which seeks a significant update to the Statement to include more in-depth information on Asian Americans and other minority groups’ influence on Sunnyvale history. The study issue paper is provided in Attachment 2. The City Council ranked CDD 19-04 for study at the 2023 Study Issues and Budget Proposals Workshop and subsequently appropriated a $50,000 budget supplement to cover the cost of a consultant to lead the study. Through an Informal Request for Proposals solicitation process, staff selected Architectural Resources Group (ARG) to conduct the study.
EXISTING POLICY
The study aligns with the following goals and policies within the Community Vision and Heritage Preservation chapters of the General Plan:
COMMUNITY VISION GOALS
V. Diverse Population - To celebrate the diversity of the population and to provide equal opportunity for all residents to participate fully in community life.
XIII. Community Identity - To foster a strong sense of community which promotes participation in civic affairs, community pride, and a sense of place.
HERITAGE PRESERVATION
GOAL CC-5 PROTECTION OF SUNNYVALE’S HERITAGE - To enhance, preserve, and protect Sunnyvale’s heritage, including natural features, the built environment, and significant artifacts.
Policy CC-5.1 Preserve existing landmarks and cultural resources and their environmental settings.
Policy CC-5.4 Seek out, catalog, and evaluate heritage resources which may be significant.
GOAL CC-6 KNOWLEDGE OF SUNNYVALE’S HERITAGE - To promote knowledge of, and appreciation for Sunnyvale’s heritage, and to encourage broad community participation in heritage programs and projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A Class 6 Categorical Exemption (Section 15306 - Information Collection) relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act provisions. This exemption includes information gathering as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.
DISCUSSION
The primary goals of the study are as follows:
• Develop an updated Statement that includes comprehensive information on the contributions of Asian Americans and other minorities to Sunnyvale’s history despite laws preventing their full participation in civic society.
• Determine clear eligibility criteria to help identify properties associated with the contributions of Asian Americans and other minorities.
• Identify five register-eligible properties associated with contributions made by Asian Americans and other minorities.
• Produce a readable, usable document to help the general public recognize and understand Sunnyvale’s diverse, multicultural history.
A presentation on the Statement update is provided in Attachment 4. Staff and ARG seek feedback and guidance from the HPC on the parameters of the study. Questions to help focus the study include:
• Should the identification of potential resources allow for flexibility in physical integrity?
• If a property has been demolished, are there other opportunities to recognize the site’s historical importance? If there is no physical site or building tied to the contribution, what is the best way to recognize it?
• Does the HPC have feedback on the scope, timeframe, and themes ARG has proposed for the Statement update?
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with this report; however, significant modifications to the study scope could result in an increase in consultant costs and therefore the study’s current budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Receive information and provide feedback on the study focus and approach.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Bonnie Filipovic, Administrative Aide-Confidential
Reviewed by: Cindy Hom, Associate Planner
Reviewed by: George Schroeder, Principal Planner
Approved by: Momo Ishijima, Senior Planner
ATTACHMENTS
1. Link to Historical Context Statement
2. Study Issue CDD 19-04 Paper
3. ARG Proposed Approach, Timeframe, Outline, and Bibliography