REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on Proposed First-Floor Addition Resulting in Five Bedrooms at an Existing Single-Story Residence at 3222 Loma Alta Drive
Report
File No.: PLN23-00576
Location: 3222 Loma Alta Drive, a 8,684 square foot lot located on the east side of Loma Alta Drive, approximately 400 feet southwest of Live Oak Drive; APN: 290-43-048; zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Cornelia Haber
Owner(s): Benjamin Lau and Xiaofang Yu
Request: Architectural Review for a 1,310 square-foot addition to an existing 2,119 square-foot residence resulting in a 3,429 square-foot, 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom one-story single-family 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.
• The site includes an existing 2,119 square-foot one-story residence with three bedrooms, two-bathrooms, attached two-car 478 square-foot garage, and a 119 square-foot shed.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020, the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposes a 1,197 square-foot first floor addition to the front and side of the existing one-story residence, and a 113 square-foot porch.
• With the remodel and addition, the total living area will be 2,719 square feet plus a 478 square-foot garage, a 113 square-foot covered porch, and a 119 square foot shed for a total building area of 3,429 square feet.
• As proposed, the project would result in five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
• The proposed addition to the residence will consist of new asphalt composition roofing existing wood shake roofing and stucco siding to match the existing residence.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood (3a(1)).
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the architectural style of the building (3a(3)).
• 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 Recommendation
Grant the Architectural Review approval requires, the following findings consistent with Zoning Code Section 18.120.020.F:
1) That any off-street parking area, screening strips, and other facilitates 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 of 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 one-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 addition is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o The proposed addition is consistent with the scale and design found in the existing surrounding neighborhood.
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 addition 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 and height to the adjacent properties.
• The proposed expansion and addition comply with the R1-6l zoning districts development standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (e)(1) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), in that the project is a small addition to the existing single-family residence.
PUBLIC CONTACT
On February 29, 2024, a notice of public hearing was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project side. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)(1) (Class 1 - “Existing Facilities”), and Approve the Architectural Review for a 1,310 square-foot addition to an existing 2,119 square-foot residence resulting in a 3,429 square-foot, 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom one-story single-family residence at 3222 Loma Alta Drive, subject to 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. Development Plans
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval