County streamlines Loma Prieta Community Center Project
SAN JOSE – Continuing its support of the restoration of the Loma Prieta Community Center on Loma Prieta Joint Union School District’s (LPJUSD) North Campus, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved County Planning’s recommendation to grant LPJUSD’s request to exempt the community center project from the County Zoning Ordinance.
“While a technical action, it’s an important one to move the project forward,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian who brought forward the initial proposal for County Counsel and Planning Department consideration after receiving LPJUSD’s request. “The community center is a critical centerpiece for ‘community building’ and public safety during emergencies.”
To enhance emergency services and community resources in the Loma Prieta area – particularly in the event of an earthquake, wildfire, or PG&E power outage – LPJUSD plans to renovate two existing, adjoining buildings that will serve as the permanent community center. The rear building currently serves as a temporary community center. The front building will restore the joint Sheriff’s Office substation—a collaborative effort between the Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County sheriff’s offices — that was previously lost in the 2017 fire. Both sheriff’s offices have committed to sharing the cost of outfitting the dedicated room for the substation.
“As I’ve said before, emergencies do not know or care about County lines,” said Simitian. “Having a permanent community center to serve the Loma Prieta community is essential for the community’s safety and wellbeing. But this space isn’t just about safety; it will also be a resource for various community activities.”
While the Zoning Ordinance exemption enables the project to move forward more expeditiously, the community center development still needs to comply with other provisions of the County Ordinance Code that are not part of the Zoning Ordinance, and any applicable laws, including but not limited to:
California Fire Code, as amended and adopted by the County (Ord. Code Div. B7)
California Building Code, as amended and adopted by the County (Ord. Code Div. C3)
County’s requirements for grading approval, if the Project proposes cut or fill (Ord. Code Sec. C12-421 et seq.)
County Geologist review (Ord. Code Sec. C12-606 et seq.)
Department of Environmental Health regulations (Ord. Code Div. B11), including requirements for onsite wastewater treatment (septic) permits
Santa Cruz County Code road standards, to the extent improvements to Summit Road are proposed or required
“The goal,” said Simitian, “is to make the review thorough but not unnecessarily bureaucratic.”
The restored community center located on the North Campus will be more accessible and continue to serve area residents as a vote center, a meeting room for LPJUSD bid opening meetings and Loma Prieta Community Foundation meetings, and a blood donation center. In addition, the center will serve as a cooling and warming center during PG&E power shutdowns.
LPJUSD is spearheading the Community Center project. But due to a funding shortfall driven by inflation and related economic factors, the school district has faced challenges in advancing the project. With the Board of Supervisors’ approval earlier this year, the County of Santa Clara has stepped up to provide a $100,000 grant, which will be matched 1:2 by LPJUSD and/or community contributions, totaling $300,000, or roughly half of the project’s total cost.