REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00132) for a Proposed Manufacturing Building and Central Utility Building for Intel at 3065 Bowers Avenue. CEQA Status: Exempt per CEQA Section 15183.
Report
File No.(s): PLN25-00132
Location: 3065 Bowers Avenue, a 26-acre parcel located to the northeast corner of Central Expressway and Bowers Avenue, APN: 216-46-015; property is zoned High Intensity Office R&D (HO-RD).
Applicant: John Schwarz
Owner: Intel International
Request: Architectural Review for the development of a new manufacturing building (BW2) with an attached Central Utility Building (CUB2) to serve the planned manufacturing equipment. The buildings will be three-story structures and will have a total area of 101,971 square feet. The project will be constructed on an approximately 2.4-acre area on the southwest corner of the existing campus.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is an approximately 2.4-acre area of the southwestern corner of the 26-acre Intel Bowers Campus located at 3065 Bowers Avenue. This campus is a part of the Intel’s manufacturing business.
• The project proposes to redevelop the approximately 2.4-acre portion of the Intel campus, which currently consists of paved surface parking and landscaped areas, with an up to 101,971-square foot manufacturing building (BW2), including an attached Central Utility Building (CUB2). The proposed building will be a three-story structure with maximum height of 101 feet and will have about 77,533 square feet of manufacturing space and 24,438 square feet of CUB2 space.
• The proposed BW2 will include manufacturing space, data servers, electrical and power facilities, and storage areas. The CUB2 portion will house a chiller area, pumps, cooling towers, piping, control equipment, and emergency generators. Intel plans to manufacture masks for processing chips.
• Per the Santa Clara Code 18.120.020(D)(4), the project requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The building design matches the look and feel of the building materials and screening for the recent CUB project (approved in 2024) on the western portion of the campus.
• Access to the building would be provided via an existing two-way driveway on Bowers Avenue. The proposed BW2 and CUB2 would serve and be part of the existing Intel Campus operations; however, the project would not generate new employees or regular trips to and from the site because staff working within the CUB would be existing employees.
• The project is consistent with the city’s community design guidelines below:
o Rooftop equipment is screen from the closest public right of way.
o Utilities equipment is located out of street yards and are located behind the proposed building.
o Façade, roof and fenestration treatments are consistent throughout the proposed building and the recently approved CUB building.
o The bulk and scale of the building is appropriate for the immediate industrial and office neighborhood.
• The project would remove eight surface parking spaces, bringing the total provided from 443 to 435. The required parking is 261 spaces.
• The project includes the removal of one mature tree, and the Applicant proposes to plant 16 (15 gallon) trees and four 24-inch box trees.
• A notice was sent to properties within a 500-foot radius of the subject site for this project review.
• There are no active code enforcement cases for this property.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires, the following findings consistent with Zoning Code Section 18.120.020(D)(4):
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 development provides a total of 435 on-site parking spaces, where 261 spaces are required and provides adequate circulation for vehicular access.
• The project would not generate new employees or regular trips to and from the site because staff working within the BW2 and CUB2 would be existing employees on campus.
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 project would not generate regular vehicle trips other than occasional trips associated with the BW2 and CUB2.
• Operation of the project would occur fully on-site and would not obstruct pedestrian, bike, or transit plans for the area.
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:
• Façade, roof and fenestration treatments are consistent throughout the proposed building and the recently approved CUB building.
• The bulk and scale of the building is appropriate for the immediate industrial and office neighborhood.
• The development proposes a new industrial building and other on-site improvements including landscaping that is compatible with the existing industrial and office research and development uses on site and in the area.
• The building design has an industrial appearance that is compatible with the existing land uses in the surrounding neighborhood in scale and intensity.
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.
• The use, scale, and design of the development, as conditioned, are consistent with the General Plan and is designed to be compatible with the uses in the surrounding area.
• A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program accompanies the project and shall be implemented throughout project development to reduce any potential impacts to less than significant.
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 design and form of the building is consistent with the City’s Commercial Design Guidelines and General Plan policies.
• The project provides architectural features that avoid large expenses of blank wall to provide a prominent and interesting building appearance towards the street frontage.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 4.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Exemption Sections 15183 - Consistency with Community Plan or Zoning, in that the project is consistent with the General Plan designation and zoning district standards.
The associated analysis of CEQA exemption section 15183 is attached to this report by a link in Attachment 3.
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 500-foot radius of the project site on January 28, 2026. 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 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 - Consistency with Community Plan or Zoning and Approve the Architectural Review for the development of a new manufacturing building (BW2) with an attached Central Utility Building (CUB2) and on-site improvements at 3065 Bowers Avenue, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Steve Le, 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. Link to Environmental Documents
4. Conditions of Approval
5. Development Plan