REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN26-00018) for the Complete Demolition of the Existing 1,627 Square-Foot One-Story Single-Family Residence and the Construction of a New 3,002
Square-Foot Two-Story Residence Located at 3523 Golden State Drive. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
Report
File No.: PLN26-00018
Location: 3523 Golden State Drive; Located to the south-east of the intersection of Lawrence Expressway and Benton Street; on the northern side of Golden State Drive; APN 290-22-139
Applicant: Han Li
Owner(s): Wei Li
Request: Architectural Review for the Complete Demolition of the Existing 1,627 Square Foot Single-Story Residence and the Construction of a1,908 Square Foot First Story and 1,094 Square Foot Second Story Resulting in a 3,002 Square Foot Two-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 both one- and two-story residences. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The site is currently developed with a 1,627 square-foot one-story single-family residence constructed in 1954.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)(7), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing due to the demolition of the existing residence.
• The project proposes the demolition of the existing residence and the construction of a new 3,002 square-foot two-story single-family residence. The new residence is designed as a contemporary two-story four-bedroom three-and-a-half-bathroom residence with white stucco cladding, stone veneer, seamed metal roof on the first story, and shingle roof on the second story.
• The proposed project complies with the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014). Specifically, the project is consistent with the guidelines, in that:
o The front of the house is oriented toward the primary street frontage with an emphasis on the front porch or entry element toward the street by architectural design and landscaping treatment.
o The second-story front wall is set 27 feet behind the front property line.
o Second-story right and left side window glass is frosted.
o The second floor is proposed to be 57.36% of the first floor, which is consistent with the guideline that second floor areas should not exceed 66% of the first-floor area.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 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 RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires the following findings consistent with 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 a 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 for 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:
• Architectural features of the proposed design area are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood. Surrounding properties are one to two story homes with mixed architectural. The design includes white stucco siding on the first floor and second floor, stone veneer on a portion of the first floor, seamed metal roof on the first story, shingle roof on the second story, and a small front entry porch.
• The proposed project is consistent with the scale 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 front of the house is oriented toward the primary street frontage with an emphasis on the front porch or entry element toward the street by architectural design and landscaping treatment.
• The second-story front wall is set 27 feet behind the front property line.
• Second-story right and left side window glass is frosted.
• The second floor is proposed to be 57.36% of the first floor, which is consistent with the guideline that second floor areas should not exceed 66% of the first-floor area.
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.
An early notification notice was sent to 99 neighbors within a 300-foot radius within 30 days of the
filing of the application. Staff received one comment from a neighbor expressing concern that the proposed home’s overall design, massing, and two-story height would be incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. However, the property is not historic nor located near any historic resources, and the proposed development meets all applicable City design guidelines and development standards. Additionally, the street contains other modern and two-story homes and reflects an eclectic mix of architectural styles. The correspondence is included as Attachment 5.
A public hearing notice was mailed to 99 property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site
on March 26, 2026. As of the writing of this report, planning staff have not received any additional 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 for the complete demolition
of the existing1,627 Square-Foot One-Story Single-Family Residence and the Construction of a New 3,002 Square-Foot Two-Story Residence Located at 3523 Golden State Drive, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Summer Foss, 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
5. Public Comment