REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of the Conceptual Design for the Plaza del Sol Phase II Project
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Parks and Recreation Commission considered this item on July 8, 2020.
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to approve Alternative 1: Recommend that City Council Approve the Preferred Concept as shown on Attachment 6 of the report. The vote was 5-0.
After the Preferred Concept was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission, there was a request from a member of the community for constructed shade to be added to the plan. Vegetated shade was the highest rated and constructed shade was the fourth highest rated desired amenities in the online survey. In response, both forms of shade were featured prominently in each of the three concept plans that were presented at Community Meeting #2. The leaf-shaped shade structures, new trellises and other structures proposed in the three concepts received little support in the voting exercise, and the Plaza Green Concept was favored by the community, which provides shade primarily through the use of trees, in lieu of constructed elements. The Preferred Concept proposes the addition of several trees to add vegetated shade and enhances the existing trellis through the addition of cooling misters.
A comment was also received by a developer regarding the wing walls of the proposed garage entry covering at the corner of Altair Way and Taaffe Street. The wing walls will be next to the curbless raised street that will be installed along Taaffe Street as part of the development project at 100 Altair Way. There is concern that the wing walls have the potential to create a visual and physical barrier from the street into the project’s front plaza resulting in a harsh and unpleasant condition. The suggestion is for the garage walls to be angled back to create a gentle surface slope from the street to the top of the entry covering, this area can still receive new planting and programming while allowing visual connection. This will reduce the area of the covered entry and usable park space above the parking garage.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyvale Public Library and Department of Public Safety. In addition, the agenda and report are available at the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the Preferred Concept as shown on Attachment 6 of the report.
2. Provide other direction to staff as the City Council deems appropriate.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Approve the Preferred Concept as shown on Attachment 6 of the report.
Staff
Prepared by: Nathan Scribner, Assistant City Engineer
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Parks and Recreation Commission 20-0406, July 8, 2020 (without attachments)
2. Community Outreach Meeting #1 Report Summary
3. Community Outreach Meeting #2 Report Summary
4. Community Update #3
5. Design Options
6. Preferred Concept
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
7. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of July 8, 2020