Priority 3: Housing and Open Space

By Joe Kornder

Balancing the need for housing, especially affordable housing, with the need to maintain open space

Complicating the need for additional housing is the realization that the cost of housing in our City places owning or renting in Santa Clara beyond the reach of many individuals and families. The solution here is to make sure that we take every opportunity to seek, provide, demand affordable housing for those with low and very low income levels, for first time homebuyers, for seniors. Santa Clara is nationally recognized for our effort in this area, having received a Local Government Leadership Award from the State Department of Housing and Community Development for its Housing Element and a #1 State ranking and #2 national ranking for our performance of Home Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) program. In the past five years, we have added significantly to our housing stock for very low, low, and moderate income residents (over 1,500 units). Nevertheless, in terms of housing for residents/families with very low or low income levels, we are still behind in meeting the ABAG goal referenced above. We must continue to work in this area, for example by continuing our City's practice of setting aside 30% of the Redevelopment Agency's tax increment for affordable housing and requiring developers to provide at least 10% of their units, in developments of ten or more units in size, at rents or prices affordable to low and moderate income families. We must continue to be especially vigilant to the need for affordable housing for our seniors.

The third piece in this difficult and hugely important issue is the need to protect and preserve open space. Although on the surface this goal may seem to be in direct opposition to the discussions above, the fact is that with proper and careful planning, the needs and solutions can co-mingle. Santa Clara has consistently required developers to set aside parkland and trail space within projects. We will continue to do so. As available space continues to diminish and as developments continue to turn inward, those open space opportunities become harder to find. They can be found. We may feel driven to "all-or-nothing" solutions. We must maintain a balance.

We must also remember that open space is not just a concept for the future. In Santa Clara it is a concept with a past, a rich and glorious, healthy and successful past. Our City boasts 464.3 acres of open land in 31 parks, special facilities, golf course, cemeteries, and 2.6 miles of trails. Our school district adds another 162.93 acres of turf that is also available to the community. The "Greenprint Map" developed by the City (http://www.ci.santa_clara.ca.us/park_recreation/pr_city_greenprint_map.html) shows elements of this open space distributed across the City's residential areas. The foresight that led to establishing this wonderful legacy is matched only by the commitment and dedication of our City and school district staff in keeping this marvelous collection of open space clean, healthy, inviting, and usable year after year after year. Protecting and preserving our precious open space begins with the care and effort we give to land already set aside. If we can add little new open space to this magnificent collection, but still continue to do everything we can to protect and preserve forever that open space already defined and in use, we will have served our community well.

October 21, 2006

A Mercury News Article on San Jose's parkland leads to an encouraging comparison with Santa Clara. San Jose's goal is to provide 3.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 people. "Currently San Jose averages 3.2 acres per 1,000 people, including school land used for recreation. Take out school land, and the ratio falls to 1.2 acres per 1,000 people." San Jose has a long way to go, not only to reach their acreage goal, but to improve the condition of the parkland they currently have.

Santa Clara has a population shy of 100,000 people, 464.3 acres of open space parkland and 162.93 acres of school land used for recreation. Santa Clara averages 6.27 acres per 1,000 people, including school land. Take out school land, and the ratio is 4.64 acres per 1,000 people. All of Santa Clara's parks and school fields are well maintained.