REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN24-00457) for a 560 Square Foot First-Floor Addition and a 403 Square Foot Second-Story Addition to an Existing One-Story Single-Family Residence to Construct a 3,704 Square Foot, Four Bedroom and Two Bathroom, Two-Story Single-Family Residence with a Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit on the Second Floor on a 9,384 Square Foot Lot at 762 Scott Boulevard.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00457
Location: 762 Scott Boulevard, a 9,384 square foot lot located on the west side of Scott Boulevard, approximately 200 feet south of Homestead Road; APN: 294-17-056;
Zoned: Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Leopold Vandeneynde
Owner: Sean McLain Brown
Request: Architectural Review for a 560 square foot first-floor addition and a 403 square foot second-story addition to an existing one-story single-family residence to create a 3,704 square foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-story single-family residence with a junior accessory dwelling unit on the second floor.
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 predominately one-story single-family ranch style residences with gable roofs and wood siding as shown in Attachment 4.
• The site includes an existing 1,637 square-feet, “ranch” style one-story, three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family residence built in 1947 with a 555 square foot detached two car garage that was built later.
• There is a 549 square-foot detached one bedroom, one-bathroom Accessory Dwelling Unit in the rear yard attached to the detached garage (PLN2012-09301).
• The existing single-family residence is a conforming structure as it has a two-car garage and was built prior to the adoption of the R1-6L Zoning district development standards.
• The proposal includes the construction of a new second story Junior ADU (JADU). Per the Santa Clara Municipal Code 18.120.020(D)(7), this request requires an Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• This proposal was submitted prior to the adoption of the updated R1-6L development standards and therefore it doesn’t need to comply with the now adopted 10-foot second floor setback. The addition does provide the minimal three-foot stepbacks as suggested by the Santa Clara Single Family & Duplex Design Guidelines.
• Since the initial submittal of the project the following changes were made:
o The second story element’s windows were aligned and center with the proposed windows on the first floor.
o An entry feature was added in the rear of the property to designate the entrance for the proposed Junior Accessory Dwelling.
o One of the interior doors in the addition was changed to a sliding door to ensure that the door doesn’t block the proposed rear exit of the property.
• The result of the project will be a 3,704 square foot, two-story residence with four-bedrooms and three bathrooms, a JADU with a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit and detached two-car garage.
• The proposed construction will consist of new composite roofing shingles, and stucco with wood siding which is consistent with the existing architectural style of the residence. Page A0.00 of Attachment 3 has a rendering of the proposed project.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and are consistent with the architectural style of the building.
• The proposed project meets the required findings for Architectural Review set forth in Santa Clara City Code Section 18.120.020(F).
• 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
Granting 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 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 is consistent with Santa Clara Municipal Code Section 18.38.030E as the proposed expansion doesn’t trigger the need for more off-street parking for this single-family residence.
• There is no work proposed on the existing detached garage.
• The proposal maintains areas surfaced with all-weather materials for vehicle parking.
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 construction would not create any traffic congestion or hazards.
• The public streets are of adequate size to accommodate a single-family residence of this size.
• The proposed design stays consistent with the scale of nearby residences and would not impair the desirability of the neighborhood.
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 & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the architectural style of the building.
o The new roof form is derived from those found in the existing residences in the neighborhood and increase the compatibility to the existing residence in the neighborhood.
o The proposed addition is consistent with the scale and design found in the existing surrounding neighborhood.
o Architectural features are used to reduce large expanse of blank walls which further harmonizes the development with the existing neighborhood.
o The entry feature in the rear façade of the first floor will break the plain expanse and give some articulation to the mass of the building.
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 construction is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential 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 construction complies with the R1-6L zoning districts development standards.
• The proposed construction complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan and all its policies.
Conditions of Approval
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 1.
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 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 November 3, 2024. 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 the 560 square foot first-floor addition and a 403 square foot second-story addition to an existing one-story single family residence to construct a 3,704 square foot four bedroom, two bathroom, two-story single family residence with a junior accessory dwelling unit on the second floor on a 9,384 square foot lot at 762 Scott Boulevard, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Conditions of Approval
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Development Plans
4. Vicinity Map