REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Proposed Construction a New 1,817 square-foot Three Bedroom, Two-Bathroom Single-Story Residence with an Attached Two-Car Garage and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 645 Jackson Street (PLN24-00605), Located Within 200 Feet of a Historic Resource.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00605
Location: 645 Jackson Street, a 6,000 square-foot lot located on the midblock of Jackson Street, between Market Street and Santa Clara Street
APN: 269-36-070
Zoned: Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: De Nguyen
Owner(s): De Nguyen
Request: Architectural Review for Construction of a New 1,817 square-foot Three Bedroom, Two-Bathroom Single-story Residence with an Attached Two-Car Garage and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 645 Jackson Street, Located Within 200 Feet of a Historic Resource.
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 a vacant site used informally as parking.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)1. The request to construct a new single-family home requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• Because the project is within 200 feet of an Historic Resource Inventory property and requires Architectural Review through a Development Review Hearing, it was referred to the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) for a recommendation.
• The HLC reviewed the project at their March 6, 2025, meeting for neighborhood compatibility and consistency with the City’s Design Guidelines. Due to the timing of this report, the HLC recommendation will be noted at the Development Review Hearing.
• The proposal is to construct a new 1,817 square-foot three bedroom, two-bathroom home with an attached two-car garage. The home is to be single-story with vertical wood siding on the front of the home, standing seem metal roof on the front of the home, and a small stone veneer wrapped front porch with a single window dormer above the two-car garage.
• The project also includes an Accessory Dwelling Unit; however, this is subject to ministerial review.
• 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:
• 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.
• A prominent front porch or entry is provided.
• The architectural features of the proposed design including the wood siding at the front of the structure, the stucco siding on the rear of the structure, and the small front porch are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
• The project proposes both a gable roof form on the street side of the house, and a hip roofed style to the rear of the property, mirroring both styles of roof forms seen in the area.
• 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 18.120.
• The project, due to its proximity to two HRI properties, was required to be reviewed at a Historical and Landmarks Committee meeting, prior to being heard at a Development Review Meeting. This project was heard at the regularly scheduled HLC meeting held on March 6, 2025. The staff report for that meeting is attached to this report.
• 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 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 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.
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 project is for the construction of a new single-family residence on a vacant lot, which meets Class 3 exemption requirements.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Historical and Landmarks Commission 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 for construction of a new 1,817 square-foot three bedroom, two-bathroom single-story residence with an attached two-car garage and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 645 Jackson Street, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Daniel Sobczak, Associate 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. March 6, 2025 HLC Staff Report