Contentions over whether Stadium Authority Board Members speaking to the media has “tainted” public opinion was the centerpiece of a discussion about community outreach regarding Levi’s Stadium. Board Member Dominic Caserta spoke to the media last week regarding Santa Clara losing the Ed Sheeran concert to San Francisco’s AT&T Park because of the City’s 10 … Read more
The Santa Clara City Council has overturned a Planning Commission ruling denying a variance for an art studio because the setback for building was not within the guidelines detailed in the City code. Andrew Crabtree, Director of Community Development, recommended the Council uphold the Planning Commission’s decision and deny the request at the Council meeting … Read more
Santa Clara voters will soon decide whether to divide the City into two districts and switch to a transferable vote ranked choice voting system. The Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to authorize City Attorney Brian Doyle and City Manager Deanna Santana to draft a ballot measure to put the charter amendments to a … Read more
A Chinese developer’s plans to erect a 50-story office tower and another 35-story housing tower will move forward after the Santa Clara City Council decided the additions to the development do not warrant halting the project. Kylli Inc., a subsidiary of juggernaut Genzon Property Group, wants to turn the 46-acre site formerly owned by Yahoo … Read more
Despite strenuous objections from the Vice Mayor, the Santa Clara City Council approved making the Interim City Attorney full-time to the tune of $320,000 a year. Brian Doyle has been acting as Interim City Attorney—working part-time—since former City Attorney, Richard Nosky, resigned early this year during his evaluation. The Council unanimously—with Vice Mayor Dominic Caserta … Read more
A pilot program for the community room at Levi’s Stadium failed to move forward after concerns about the room’s location continued to surface. At its meeting Tuesday night, the Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board heard from Ruth Shikada, Assistant City Manager, who presented the program for the second time. The six-month program would aim to … Read more
Tuesday night’s Santa Clara City Council meeting wasn’t one that will soon be forgotten. Council Member Patricia Mahan announced that she will be taking a short leave from the Council after learning that her breast cancer—in remission for several years—has spread to her spine. She called the recurrence “serious but treatable.” Mahan announced the bombshell … Read more
The lack of a contract with a public relations firm—and whether Mayor Lisa Gillmor used that firm on her crusade to control the public narrative regarding strife between the 49ers and the City—has galvanized the Santa Clara City Council. The contract in question, with DC-based Banner Public Affairs, came up during a routine discussion of … Read more
Contention over funding and access to a public meeting room at Levi’s Stadium prompted the Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board to reject a City Manager recommendation. At Tuesday night’s Stadium Authority Board meeting, Walter Rossman, the City’s Chief Operating Officer, told the Council that the 49ers Management Company (ManCo) has offered $25,000 in grant money … Read more
An ordinance calling for a one-year moratorium on the commercial sale of marijuana caused friction between Santa Clara City Council Members. In a 5-2 vote, the Council prevented the City from defaulting to state law that passed last year permitting recreational use of marijuana in California. Although cities are unable to prohibit the growing of … Read more