Publication Date

Spring 1994

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

This planning report covers thirty years of land use development policies that have shifted dramatically in the City of Santa Clara's Old Quad area. It examines the evolving pressures that led to these dramatic swings in land use policies as exemplified in successive General Plan revisions.

In addition, my research addresses the land use policies for the Old Quad as outlined in successive Specific Plans prepared for this area as a Redevelopment District.

Research on this subject reveals that during the late 1950's the old Santa Clara downtown business district was slated for urban renewal, and subsequently all buildings were razed to implement this plan. The surrounding single family residences dating from the turn of the century were also slated for removal and replacement with commercial use and higher density housing.

Fortunately, not all of the original downtown urban renewal plans in the Old Quad have come to past. In fact, the opposite is occurring. The process of rehabilitation is slowly regenerating the original neighborhood fabric of the now historic single family residences.

This neighborhood regeneration process has culminated with the recent adoption of General Plan Amendment #34 by the City Council; a process that was accomplished within a politically charged climate involving homeowners, citizen activists, historic preservationists, development interests and the City Staff.

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