Where is Onizuka Air Force Station (AFS)?

1080 Innovation Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94089; located off of Mathilda Avenue just north of State Route 237 and U.S. 101.

Is Onizuka Air Force Station (AFS) closed?

Onizuka AFS has been slated for closure by the Department of Defense, with its military mission transferring to Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County.  According to base realignment and closure (BRAC) statutes, September 15, 2011 is the date by which Onizuka AFS closure and realignment must be completed.  Onizuka AFS property is still currently owned and operated by the Department of Defense.

How big is Onizuka AFS?

Onizuka AFS is reported by the Air Force Real Property Agency as being 20 acres of land and 3 acres of easement.  An acre is approximately the size of a football field.

Who will decide what will happen with the land?

The Sunnyvale City Council was formally recognized as the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) for Onizuka AFS on April 6, 2006.  In accordance with processes suggested by the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as its own bylaws, the Onizuka LRA will:

• Serve as the single community point of contact for all matters relating to the closure of the base;
• Serve as the single entity responsible for preparing the Onizuka AFS Reuse Plan;
• Serve as the primary agency for all grant/aid applications related to transition, reuse and redevelopment;
• Serve as the lead agency for the California Environmental Policy Act (CEQA) review and to negotiate with and provide support to regulatory agencies responsible for environmental remediation and other environmental assessments;
• Facilitate community input and involvement in decision making related to reuse and economic development at Onizuka AFS through establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee representing diverse stakeholders within the City and the region;
• Evaluate homeless needs in the City of Sunnyvale and balance those needs with other community development objectives during the reuse planning process;
• Negotiate the final plan for disposition of Onizuka AFS with the U.S. Air Force.

The final decision regarding how the property will be transferred will be made by the Department of Defense.

How will the Reuse Plan be prepared?

The Reuse Plan will serve as a guide for the Air Force’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which will include the Department of Defense (DOD) Record of Decision (ROD) describing how Onizuka AFS will be transferred.  Preparation of the Reuse Plan directly impacts the disposition of the property which is the primary objective of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The Reuse Plan is the primary planning document that will establish the community's vision for the conversion of the base from military to civilian use. The Reuse Plan will be prepared by the Sunnyvale City Council, serving as the LRA.

The overall approach of the City as it pursues the reuse planning process will be to keep the public informed and solicit input in order to develop a Reuse Plan that reflects local and regional desires.  The Onizuka LRA will form a Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide advice on formation of the Reuse Plan.  The CAC will represent the interests of diverse stakeholders in the community and region with an interest in the redevelopment of Onizuka AFS and will be established for the duration of the reuse planning process.  Information regarding the CAC application process will be released shortly.

Residents have the opportunity to comment on the plan at several public meetings, through focus groups, surveys and community interviews.  In addition, the Onizuka LRA welcomes feedback through letters and emails.

How can the public stay informed?

The Onizuka Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) has prepared a public outreach plan designed to inform and involve Sunnyvale residents during the community reuse planning process.  Below is a list of some of the methods the City will use to keep the public informed:

·         News Releases

·         Fact Sheet - BRAC - Onizuka

·         Quarterly Report Articles

·         KSUN-15

·      Tentative Council Agenda Calendar

·      Community Events Calendar

In addition, current information is always available on the City's website.