REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN24-00587) to Demolish an Existing 1,092 Square-Foot One-Story Residence and Construct a New 3,511 Square-Foot One-Story Residence Located at 3140 Humbolt Avenue.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00587
Location: 3140 Humbolt Avenue, a 10,037 square-foot lot located on the south side of Humbolt Avenue, approximately 376 feet west of Moraga Street; APN: 290-19-015; zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Mike Ma
Owner: Jiangtao Kuang
Request: Architectural Review to demolish an existing 1,092 square-foot residence and construct a new 3,511 square-foot four-bedroom, one-story residence.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The proposed project is in a residential tract consisting of one- and two-story residences. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The site includes an existing 1,092 square-foot single-story residence with three bedrooms and one bathroom.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020.D.7, the request requires Architectural Review approval through Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposes a new one-story residence with 3,092 square-foot living area, 419 square-foot two-car covered garage, a covered porch, and a covered rear patio resulting in a 3,511 square foot residence with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms.
• The project proposes new cement plaster finish material. A smaller, enclosed front porch oriented towards the street replaces the existing covered porch open from one side. The proposed design continues the hipped roof forms from the existing residence.
• The project is consistent with the Santa Clara Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o The design of the entry feature is derived from the architectural style of the home and is human scale with height designed to be proportionate to the porch.
o The proposed residence uses roof forms that derive from those found in the existing home and the neighborhood.
o The architectural style and design of the proposed addition are true to the architectural form of the existing residence and for the neighborhood.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City code Chapter 18.120.
• There are no active City code enforcement cases for this property.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed within a 300-foot radius of the subject site for this project review.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires the following findings consistent with the City Code Section 18.120.020(F):
1) That any off-street parking area, screening strips, and other facilities and improvements necessary to secure the purpose and intent of this title and the general plan of the City area a part of the proposed development, in that:
• The proposal provides the required two covered parking spaces at the front of the residence with the two-car garage.
• The required parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscaped areas.
• The proposed project provides areas surfaced with all-weather materials of parking vehicles.
2) That the design and location of the proposed development and its relation to neighboring developments and traffic is such that it will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood, will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring developments, and will not create traffic congestion or hazard, in that:
• The proposed residence would not create traffic congestion or hazards.
• Public streets are adequate in size and design to serve the proposed two-story residence, and the use will not create a substantive increase in traffic.
3) That the design and location of the proposed development is such that it is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and is such as not to be detrimental to the harmonious development contemplated by this title and the general plan of the City, in that:
• The proposed project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o Architectural features of the proposed design area are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
o The proposed project is consistent with the scale and design found in the existing surrounding neighborhoods.
4) That the granting of such approval will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, materially affect adversely the health, comfort or general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of said development, and will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injuries to property or improvements in said neighborhood, in that:
• The project is subject to the California Building Code and City Code requirements, which serve to regulate new construction to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
5) That the proposed development, as set forth in the plans and drawings, are consistent with the set of more detailed policies and criteria for architectural review as approved and updated from time to time by the City Council, which set shall be maintained in the planning division office. The policies and criteria so approved shall be fully effective and operative to the same extent as if written into and made a part of this title, in that:
• The proposed project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o The project would create a house design that is compatible in scale and character with the housing types that are typical in the neighborhood as the proposed design will have similar massing to the adjacent properties.
• The proposed expansion and addition comply with the R1-6L zoning district’s development standards.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), in that the proposed use consists of construction of new, small structures where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Development Review Hearing agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
A public hearing notice was mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on February 27, 2025. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Approve the Architectural Review to demolish an existing 1,092 square-foot one-story residence and construct a new 3,511 square-foot one-story residence located at 3140 Humbolt avenue, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans