Publication Date

Spring 1994

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

Therese Schmidt, a fellow graduate student, and I were hired by the County of Santa Clara's Planning Department to conduct a land use survey in the Burbank neighborhood in December 1990. The neighborhood consists of scattered pockets of unincorporated land under the County's jurisdiction (known as unincorporated or county pockets), which lie within the City of San Jose's Sphere of Influence. The survey results are being used as a basis for a specific plan. The plan will include recommendations for rezoning and development of the neighborhood, since the existing County zoning is outdated and inappropriate for the needs of the changing neighborhood.

A significant portion of the area is zoned for county rural agriculture uses, stemming from Burbank's prune orchards and canneries that date back to the early part of this century. These agricultural uses contributed substantially to Santa Clara County which was once referred to as the "Valley of Hearts Delight" because of the abundance of fresh produce shipped throughout the world. The Valley of Hearts Delight became known as Silicon Valley with the introduction of computer technology. Consequently, the agricultural Burbank neighborhood was changed forever. Although a few orchards trees still stand in residential backyards, the orchards and Burbank's agricultural industry have been replaced by commercial uses and residential subdivisions. Today, the neighborhood primarily serves as a "bedroom community" with the majority of residents commuting to jobs outside the area The rural agricultural zoning designation has become inappropriate.

Three sections of the Planning Department were involved in conducting the Burbank neighborhood survey: Zoning Administration, managed by Luke Stamos; the Advanced Planning Office, managed by Robert L. Sturdivant; and the Central Permit Office, managed by Raffi Sarkisian. Greg Bazhaw of the Zoning Administration, Gary Rudholm of the Advanced Planning Office, and Jim Rielly of the Central Permit Office directly supervised the survey. Information gathered for the survey included details on the assessor's parcel, permit activity, tax roles, census data, and other pertinent data that helped determine the characteristics of the neighborhood. Aerial photos and assessor's parcel maps were also obtained prior to beginning the land use survey.

The primary purpose of the survey was to determine existing land uses on a parcel by parcel basis. Actual land use data was obtained, irrespective of current zoning and general plan designations and approved permits on file. Using the information collected, a data base and land use maps were created.

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