REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on Architectural Review (PLN26-00244) to Demolish Two Existing Office Buildings for an Office Campus Landscape Amenity at 2821 and 2801 Scott Boulevard. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15301 Class 1, Existing Facilities.
Report
File No.: PLN26-00244
Location: 2821 and 2801 Scott Boulevard; a 13.6-acre lot located on the southeast corner of Central Expressway and Scott Boulevard; APN: 224-07-121; Zoned Low-Intensity Office/Research and Development (LO-RD)
Applicant: Sanaz Deldar, Gensler
Owner(s): Roche Molecular System, Inc.
Request: Architectural Review to demolish two existing single-story office buildings and convert the former building footprints into a landscaped amenity for the remainder of the office campus.
Project Data
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
Points for Consideration
• The proposed project is located at the southeast corner of Central Expressway and Scott Boulevard, surrounded by office and commercial structures.
• The site is currently developed with office buildings occupied by Roche Diagnostics.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code (SCCC) 18.120(D)7 the demolition request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The applicant proposes to demolish two existing single-story office buildings and convert the former building footprints into a landscaped amenity for the remainder of the office campus.
• The project is consistent with the City’s landscape regulations SCCC 18.36.050.A.2, providing landscape in undeveloped areas and SCCC 12.35.090.C.7. tree replacement.
o The project is replacing the former building footprints with landscape and onsite amenities.
o The project proposes removal of three trees and planting 27 new 24-inch box sized trees.
• The proposed project complies with the City’s Community Design Guidelines (non-residential). Specifically, the project is consistent with the following guidelines:
o Enhance the attractiveness of the streetscape with street front landscaping areas.
o Landscape design should complement building, pedestrian pathway, and driveway entrance.
• On August 18, 2026, the project was cleared by the City’s Project Clearance Committee.
• There are no active City Code enforcement cases for this property.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed within a 500-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 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 as part of the proposed development, in that:
• The project has at least twenty feet of landscaping adjacent to the public streets.
• While three trees are proposed for removal, the project proposes to retain existing trees and to include new bioretention areas, shrubs of at least five-gallon size, and additional trees at 24-inch boxed sizes. All trees have been selected from the City’s adopted master list.
• Additionally, the project meets all other landscaping guidelines for off-street parking facilities including major canopy trees provided throughout the parking area to provide both screening and shading.
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:
• Demolition of the existing buildings would reduce the traffic flow to and from the site.
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:
• Design of the proposed landscape and amenity are consistent with the characteristic of the surrounding uses.
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 project meets all aspects of the City Code for landscape, tree replacement and tree planting.
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 15301 (Class 1) - Existing Facilities, in that the demolition and landscape amenities will not expand the existing use.
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 September 4, 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 CEQA pursuant to Section 1530 (Class 3) (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structure) of the CEQA guidelines and Approve the Architectural Review to demolish two existing single-story office buildings and convert the former building footprints into a landscaped amenity for the office campus at 2821 and 2801 Scott Boulevard, subject to the 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 Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plan