REPORT TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Forward a Recommendation to the City Council to Adopt a new City Council Policy 6.4.5 (Heritage Resources Plaque Program for Private Property) Establishing a Plaque Program for Heritage Resources to sponsor up to five plaques per year and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section15061(b)(3). (Study Issue)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
In 2015, the Heritage Preservation Commission?(HPC) sponsored a Study Issue to explore options for a plaque program for heritage resources (Attachment 3). The program would increase awareness of the structures and trees that make up Sunnyvale's local Heritage Resources, and to educate the community on Sunnyvale's history.
Staff has conducted research on other plaque programs, considered what components of those programs would be the most successful in Sunnyvale, and is proposing the following options for the Council to consider if they choose to establish a plaque program:
* Option A: A city funded plaque program with funding for up to five plaques per year;
* Option B: A city funded plaque program with no limit on the number of plaque applications the City would process per year; or,
* Option C: An applicant-funded plaque program (no budgeted City money) guided by a City-designed plaque template and specifications for creating and installing a plaque.
If established, those properties listed on the City's Heritage Resources Inventory at the time of the plaque application may participate. Participation would be voluntary and applications would be submitted by the property owner of the resource if interested in displaying a plaque.
Staff recommends Option A. In this option, the City would budget annually for five plaques. Applications would be considered on a first come first served basis, with the establishment of a waiting list, if needed. This option would promote Sunnyvale's Heritage Resources and serve to increase awareness of the histo...
Click here for full text