REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on an Architectural Review (PLN25-00453) for the Construction of a 117 Square Foot First-Floor Addition and a 957 Square Foot Second-Floor Addition to an Existing 1,749 Square Foot Single Family Residence on a 5,338 Square Foot Lot at 2693 Toledo Avenue. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15332.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00453
Location: 2693 Toledo Avenue
Applicant: Alexandra Sun
Owner(s): Edmond Hui & Bena Chang
Request: Architectural Review for the construction of a 117 square foot first-floor addition and a 957 square foot second-floor addition to an existing 1,749.5 square foot single story residence with an attached two-car garage.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The proposed project is located in a predominantly single-story residential tract built in the ranch-style architectural style as shown in the Vicinity Map on Attachment 1.
• The site consists of a single-story three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style residence built in 1955.
• There are no significant historical features in the existing residence other than the structure’s age, therefore is not eligible to be designated a Historical Resource under Santa Clara City Code (“SCCC”) 18.130.030.
• Per the SCCC 18.120.020.D.1, the request to build a new second-story element in an existing single-story residence requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing (“DRH”).
• The proposal will result in a 2,498 square-foot six-bedroom, four-bathroom two-story residence with a 340 square foot attached two-garage.
• The applicant proposes the second-story element to be incorporated into the roof form and utilizes dormers to keep it proportional with the existing ground floor. The design of the residence changes to a modern farmhouse from a ranch-style as it has a steep pitched roof and a long-covered porch.
• The proposed construction materials include white stucco, Hardie fiber cement siding for the second story, a multi-panel garage door with horizontal windows, faux wood exterior siding on the ground floor, and black asphalt shingle roof.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (“Residential Guidelines”) (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood as the second story is incorporated into the roof form blending it with the predominately single-story structures in the neighborhood.
o The proposed architectural features of the structure are appropriate to the neighborhood as they are derived from architectural features found in other residences in the neighborhood.
o The roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another, and are consistent with the architectural style of the building as they are typical materials used in modern farmhouse style residences.
• The design went through one round of revision to ensure compliance with the SCCC and the Residential Guidelines. The proposed second story mass got incorporated into the roof form, step backs were provided on all sides between the proposed second story and the first floor to break the massing, and accent material are being proposed in the first floor’s front elevation to add material variety.
• 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 is consistent with SCCC 18.38.060.D.2 as the existing garage meets the 17’ by 18’ minimum two-car parking space dimensions.
• The existing parking spaces are not located in the required front or side yard landscaped area as they are inside the existing garage.
• The parking spaces are in an all-water-surfaced area.
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 adequate in size to accommodate a single-family residence of this size.
• The proposed design matches nearby residence in scale 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:
• Building height and bulk are appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
• Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and are consistent with the proposed architectural style of the building.
• Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the proposed architectural form and are appropriate for the 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 & City Code requirements. Which serves 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 Residential Guidelines:
o The project will 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 District 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 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 - Infill Development Projects), in that
the project site is less than five acres, served by utilities, and complies with the General Plan.
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 June 4, 2026, to 71 owners/tenants. 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 15332 (Class 32 -- Infill Development Projects), and Approve the Architectural Review for the construction of a 117 square foot first-floor addition and a 957 square foot second-floor addition to an existing 1,749.5 square foot single story residence with an attached two-car garage, subject to the conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Associate Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Nimisha Agrawal, Senior 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