REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Conditional Agreement for the Purchase of Park Land from Property Located at 1142 Dahlia Court (Commonly Referred to as the Corn Palace), Approve Budget Modification No. 16, and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15004(b)(2)(A) and 15317
Report
BACKGROUND
On July 14, 2009, City Council considered "Parks of the Future" study that addressed Sunnyvale's parks and open space needs for the next twenty years (RTC 09-183). This is to create a community supported blueprint for providing high quality parks and recreation for all residents. In this study, it was determined that Sunnyvale is a largely built-out City and there are limited opportunities to acquire open space. The Corn Palace property was identified as one of the few opportunities for the City to acquire park land.
The Corn Palace property was originally a 20-acre parcel of agricultural land located west of Lawrence Expressway. In 2013, the western portion of the property was developed into 55 single family homes, while the rest of the property continued to be farmed until 2015. Now the owners of this portion are in contract to sell the land to a developer, who is proposing a new development of 58 single family homes; a portion of this property is currently proposed for park acquisition as discussed in this staff report. Staff identified two acres as an adequate size for a park at this location.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 1.2.7 Acquisition, Leasing and Disposition of City-Owned Real Property
Section 1: Acquisition of Real Property for Municipal Purposes
Real property shall be acquired for current or future municipal purposes, and/or to benefit the community. The City shall acquire real property in accordance with Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 2.07 and the following:
A. Offers to purchase real property shall only be made after a budget appropriation has been approved by the City ...
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