The Santa Clara Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council adopt an amendment to the city’s general-plan open-space element and found that an addendum to the general-plan EIR complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff framed the change as necessary to satisfy SB 1425 and to better recognize creek-trail alignments and potential future park sites.

John Davidson, planning division staff, told the commission that “SB 1425 requires local jurisdictions to amend their open space element to include policies addressing climate resilience, to require jurisdictions to address issues of access to open space for everyone, and to preserve, enhance, and expand a network of open spaces.” He said the city’s open-space inventory is small — three parcels — and listed Eula Stack open space as the only sizable undeveloped parcel inside city limits.

Commissioners probed several practical issues. One commissioner asked whether the city would change parkland‑dedication in‑lieu fees to encourage developers to provide on-site green space. A parks‑related commissioner responded that “our current ordinance does vest in the director of parks and recreation the authority to dictate which they do,” but noted developers, affordable‑housing rules and other constraints mean the parkland‑dedication ordinance is not being altered tonight; the open-space amendment targets undeveloped open space rather than parkland-dedication rules.

Staff showed map changes that add proposed creek-trail alignments (Calabasas Creek, Hetch Hetchy right-of-way, Saratoga Creek and an expanded San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail) and a preferred, conceptual location for a new community park generally north of the city. Davidson said some map elements date to the 2010 plan and that other alignments reflect recent county-built trail improvements.

No members of the public registered to speak during the hearing. After discussion, Commissioner Biagini moved to recommend that the City Council find the EIR addendum complies with CEQA and that the commission adopt a resolution to that effect; Commissioner Busa seconded. The motion passed. The commission then voted to recommend the council adopt the general-plan text amendment and find it satisfies SB 1425; that motion also passed.

The commission’s recommendation and the record will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Staff and commissioners said they will clarify map details with the parks department before the council hearing.