Creating a Great Community in Sunnyvale

Creating a Great Community in Sunnyvale 

Background

The City of Sunnyvale is currently engaged in several planning processes that involve community outreaching, including the Lawrence Cal Train Station Transit Village Plan, an update to the Land Use and Transportation Element, and a Climate Action Plan. The three plans are essential to the future of the City as they will guide many of the decisions regarding tranportation, housing, and climate issues for the next few decades. The City of Sunnyvale is currently outreaching to its residents as the process for all three planning documents is just beginning. Urban Habitat and Sunnyvale Cool are allying together to ensure that the process is inclusive to all residents affected by the plans. UH and its allies hope to guide the plans towards a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly community in Sunnyvale.

To accomplish this goal, Urban Habitat will engage community residents, local community based partners, elected officials and staff in the development of all three planning processes.  Urban Habitat will work with local partners to engage key public stakeholders and build relationships with planning staff from both the City of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. Urban Habitat will support adoption of policies and practices that will strengthen the affordability component of the Lawrence Station Plan as well as prevent resident displacement in the TOD area. Urban Habitat will also support the adoption of policies in the Land Use and Transportation Element Update that will reduce automobile dependency, increase transit options, and reduce overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

Cities for All Ages Community Presentation

Planning Process

Currently, the City of Sunnyvale is starting the public engagement process for the Lawrence Cal Train Station Transit Village Plan, Land Use and Transpotation Element Update, and Climate Action Plan:

Lawrence Cal Train Station Transit Village Plan: In addition to coordinating with the City of Santa Clara and the Valley Transit Authority, the City is engaging with its residents to explore the scope of the Lawrence Station Plan. As part of the planning process, the City is exploring the following potential issues: increasing housing opportunities near the station, alternative transit options, creating mixed use zoning opportunities and additional shuttle service options to nearby businesses.

Land Use and Transportation Element Update (LUTE): The City of Sunnyvale is currently outreaching for public input on the LUTE's consultant contract, environmental impact report budget, and community outreaching/education process.

Climate Action Plan (CAP): The CAP will be created in conjunction with the LUTE.

 Next Meeting

Goals

Urban Habitat hopes to accomplish the following goals in Sunnyvale:

• Increase public participation in the development of the Lawrence Cal Train Station Plan and process that results in increased density and mixed-use housing that is affordable to all income levels and supports the existing Cal Train station.
• Increase public participation in the Land Use and Transportation Element update that results in land use policies that create denser and more walkable neighborhoods adjacent to transit, services, and jobs. Transportation goals also include emphasizing the importance of transit and bike alternatives, including the provision of transit/bike street infrastructure, especially for low-income neighborhoods and youth/elderly residents.
• Increase public participation in the Climate Action Plan that results in policy changes that will guide Sunnyvale towards lowering Greenhouse Gas emissions throughout the City, while benefiting low-income communities and communities of color, most of whom are typically more disproportionately affected by health detrimental policies than other communities.
• Identify and engage local community partners and other major stakeholders in the planning process for all three planning processes. Build the capacity of local community partners so that they are effective advocates for and have the capacity to win community benefits such as inclusionary zoning ordinances, appropriate levels of affordable housing and  prevent displacement of current residents.

Community Participation

Interested residents should contact Vu-Bang Nguyen, Land Use Program Coordinator at Urban Habitat for information on how to participate in any of the current planning processes in Sunnyvale: Land Use and Transportation Element Update (LUTE), Lawrence Cal Train Station Transit Village Plan, or the Sunnyvale Climate Action Plan.