REPORT TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Title
SUBJECT
Consideration to Initiate the Heritage Resource Nomination Process for Several Redwood Trees at Sunnyvale Civic Center
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 2017, during the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) public comment hearing item, a representative of the Sunnyvale Urban Forest Advocates (SUFA) requested the HPC to consider the nomination of 15 to 17 redwood trees at the civic center to the Heritage Resource Inventory (Attachment 2). The Commission voted 5-0 (two absent) to agendize the item at their next public hearing in accordance with Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 19.96.
The subject trees are located within a walkway and open space area at Sunnyvale Civic Center, between the Sunnyvale City Council Chambers and City Hall Annex buildings (Attachment 3). The trees are visible from West Olive Avenue and All America Way. The trees generally appear to be in good condition.
The City is currently preparing a master plan for modernization of the Civic Center campus, which is comprised of approximately 26 acres, including public streets. Preservation of trees is one of the key issues called out in the Vision Statement for the plan. An inventory of all the trees at the Civic Center has already been completed as part of the project. The City is currently developing master plan alternatives and will conduct extensive community outreach before the master plan is considered for adoption. Once the City Council selects the preferred scenario, a Program Environmental Report will be prepared and circulated for public review and comment. It will include an evaluation of existing trees and potential heritage resources throughout the campus. Staff anticipates final adoption of the master plan and environmental analysis to occur in September 2018.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION
The criteria for designation of heritage resources is described in detail in SMC 19.96.050 (Attachment 1). Currently, there are 19 tr...
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