GOAL 6.3A: TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE OF, AND APPRECIATION FOR, SUNNYVALE’S HERITAGE AND TO ENCOURAGE BROAD COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HERITAGE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
Policy 6.3A.1. Provide information on Sunnyvale’s heritage to schools, civic groups, neighborhood organizations, business organizations and other established organizations.
Action Statements
6.3A.1a. Consider development of partnerships with the Sunnyvale Historical Society and other interested organizations and individuals to prepare a plan for a comprehensive multi-media informational resource package on Sunnyvale’s heritage resources and programs.
6.3A.1b. Use informational materials provided by other sources, such as the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Sunnyvale Historical Museum.
6.3A.1c Seek out funding sources to develop multimedia presentation resources.
6.3A.1d Publish and distribute written materials.
6.3A.1e Provide copies of all materials, including materials and information developed as a result of historical research, to the library for the Sunnyvale historical archive.
6.3A.1f Consider making presentations on Sunnyvale’s heritage preservation resources and programs to school boards and to school classes and/or make materials available to teachers.
6.3A.1g Consider making presentations on Sunnyvale’s heritage preservation resources and programs to organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and groups such as the Murphy Avenue business owners, as well as to interested neighborhood and community groups.
6.3A.1h Mail monthly meeting agendas and announcements of heritage preservation events to interested organizations and individuals
Policy 6.3A.2. Develop and expand cooperative working relationships with schools, civic groups, neighborhood organizations, business organizations and other established organizations to share in the promotion of heritage programs and projects.
Action Statements
6.3A.2a. Provide training to assist Heritage Preservation Commissioners who wish to make presentations to other local government agencies and private organizations about Sunnyvale’s heritage preservation resources and programs.
6.3A.2b. Encourage Heritage Preservation Commissioners to act as liaisons to other organizations such as the Sunnyvale Historical Society, in order to maintain current and effective communication and maximize the benefits of mutual cooperation.
Policy 6.3A.3. Promote the understanding that heritage preservation enhances property values and provides financial and economic benefits to property owners, neighbors and the City.
Action Statements
6.3A.3a. Collect information on the economic development and vitality of Murphy Avenue.
6.3A.3b. Research and document the link between preservation and enhanced property values and/or economic development.
6.3A.3c. Integrate economic benefit information with other information provided in presentations and written materials.
Policy 6.3A.4. Consider development of a comprehensive outreach program to encourage involvement of a broad spectrum of the community in heritage preservation issues and projects.
Actions Statements
6.3A.4a. If demographic changes indicate the need to do so, consider development of multi-lingual information materials for distribution.
6.3A.4b. Develop ongoing relationships with the local press to maximize publicity opportunities for heritage preservation programs and projects.
6.3A.4c. Use the community access channel to publicize programs and events.
Policy 6.3A.5. Provide helpful and efficient customer service to persons interested in heritage resources.
Action Statements
6.3.A.5a. Maintain current data on heritage resources.
6.3.A.5b. Provide written materials on heritage resource regulations, procedures, projects and programs for distribution.
6.3A.5c. Maintain public records related to heritage preservation in an organized, systematic manner.
6.3.A.5d. Provide a California and local history collection that meets the needs of historical research and in archival in school for Sunnyvale and the Santa Clara Valley.
6.3.A.5e. Work with the Sunnyvale Historical Society in studying the feasibility of establishing a Sunnyvale Historical Archive Collection.
Policy 6.3A.6. Keep all informational materials, whether writte, visual or graphic, as current as possible.
Action Statements
6.3A.6a. Update the Cultural Resources list each time there has been a change in the properties listed on the Cultural Resources Inventory.
6.3A.6b. Revise and republish the Cultural Resources Inventory every five years, or as needed.
6.3A.6c. Revise and republish the Murphy Avenue Design Guidelines every ten years, or as needed.
6.3A.6d. Review the Heritage Preservation Sub-Elelment periodically to determine if it should be updated.
6.3A.6e. Consider republication of the book Images
6.3A.6f. Acknowledge and use all appropriate resources, including oral traditions, when developing informational materials.
Policy 6.3A.7. Ensure that appropriate and effective public notification and access are provided for all heritage preservation commission activities and all heritage preservation programs and projects.
GOAL 6.3B: TO ENHANCE, PRESERVE AND PROTECT SUNNYVALE’S HERITAGE INCLUDING NATURAL FEATURES, THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND SIGNIFICANT ARTIFACTS
Policy 6.3B.1. Preserve existing landmarks and cultural resources and their environmental settings.
Action Statements
6.3B.1a. Continue to monitor and review development on Murphy Avenue, to preserve its heritage resources and encourage the maintenance of an environment that attracts both visitors and local residents, thereby encouraging Murphy Avenue’s ongoing commercial vitality.
6.3B.1b. Use the review process to encourage the development and maintenance of appropriate settings and environments for heritage structures, to the greatest degree feasible.
6.3B.1c. Protect the architectural and spatial development characteristics of cultural resource streetscapes, to the greatest degree feasible.
6.3B.1d Encourage ongoing matinenance and appropriate use of heritage properties.
6.3B.1e. Consider instituting a “Partners” program for older neighborhoods containing a number of cultural resource structures where there is evidence that structures in the neighborhood may be deteriorating due to poor maintenance and lack of repairs.
Policy 6.3B.2. Provide owners of heritage resource properties with information on the various tax and other financial benefits that may be available to them, and when needed, assist them with applying for these benefits.
Action Statements
6.3B.2a. Identify all potential tax and other financial incentives to encourage the preservation and proper maintenance of heritage properties and keep this information current.
6.3B.2b. Prepare and distribute a mailer on financial incentives to owners of heritage resource properties.
6.3B.2c. Provide financial incentives information to potential owners and those inquiring about renovating their properties.
6.3B.2d. If needed, assist owners in preparing required historic documentation.
6.3B.2e. At owners request, consider Mills Act contracts with owners of residential landmark properties.
Policy 6.3B.3. Enhance the visual character of the City by preserving diverse as well as harmonious architectural styles, reflecting various phases of the City’s historical development and the cultural traditions of past and present residents.
Action Statements
6.3B.3a. Identify architectural features and styles which are historical, architectural or cultural interest and encourage the preservation of these features and styles whenever possible, even when building or streetscape has not been specifically designated as a heritage resource. The Citywide Design Guidelines and the design review process can be used to support this approach.
6.3B.3b. When new residents wish to make changes that will affect the architectural character of older homes which have distinctive architectural features or style, encourage them to retain the most significant architectural features.
Policy 6.3B.4. Identify and work to resolve conflicts between the preservation of heritage resources and alternative land uses.
Action Statements
6.3B.4a. When the proposals are received which could involve removal of heritage resources or significantly affect such resources or their environments, including cultural resources streetscapes, such proposals should be reviewed by a heritage resources committee, composed of staff from various divisions of the Community development Department, to ensure that decisions that are made consider all significant factors. The committee should seek the advice of the Heritage Preservation Commission when appropriate.
6.3B.4b. Consider providing more flexibility in the zoning code to provide for adaptive reuse of heritage structures when existing uses are not economically feasible and alternative uses would not be allowed under existing zoning regulations.
Policy 6.3B.5. Seek out, catalog and evaluate heritage resources which may be significant.
Action Statements
6.3B.5a. Conduct surveys of older residential neighborhoods and those containing homes built by well-known architects and/or containing homes of a distinctive design to determine if such homes and streetscapes should be considered for inclusion in the Cultural Resources Inventory.
6.3B.5b. Identify structures or other resources which are no designated as “cultural resources” but which have qualities that may make them eligible for landmark status.
6.3B.5c. Identify trees, sites and artifacts which should be considered for cultural resource status.
6.3B.5d. Where it has been determined that a structure, streetscape or other heritage resource should be considered for designation as a cultural resource or as a landmark, institute the process to designate them accordingly.
Policy 6.3B.6. Whenever a local landmark may have qualities that might make it eligible for a State or National Landmark status, encourage the owner of the landmark to apply for the status and actively assist with the application process.
Policy 6.3B.7. Encourage a commercially strategic mix of uses on Murphy Avenue.
Action Statements
6.3B.7a. Consider the current use patter to determine it the use mix is in balance or whether more diversity is needed.
6.3B.7b. Solicit and encourage a commercially desirable mix of uses.
Policy 6.3B.8. Maintain current information on all State and Federal programs, projects, policies and funding sources which could affect or enhance Sunnyvale’s heritage programs.
Policy 6.3B.9. Maintain the heritage preservation ordinance and its regulations and procedures as part of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code , making minor modifications as necessary but keeping its principle functions intact, including the maintenance of the Heritage Preservation Commission’s roles and functions.
Policy 6.3B.10. Archeological resources should be preserved whenever possible.
Action Statements
6.3B.10a. Whenever construction is proposed in an area which may contain archeological resources, a condition of approval for the project should provide that construction should cease and a qualified archeologist be called in the even that evidence of archeological resource is found.
Policy 6.3B.11. Provide a qualified Heritage Preservation Commission whose members have the skills and expertise needed to perform their roles properly.
Action Statements
6.3B.11a. Actively recruit individuals with the desired qualifications and expertise to serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission
6.3B.11b. Encourage Commissioners to attend relevant workshops, seminars and conferences
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