REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Continuance for Recommendation on the Architectural Review of (PLN24-00460) for a Demolition of the Existing Single-Family Residence and Construction of a 2,274 Square-Foot Four-Bedroom, Three-and-half Bathroom Two-Story Residence with an Attached Two-Car Garage located at 520 Hilmar Street within 200 Feet of Historic Properties.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00460
Location: 520 Hilmar Street, a 4,050 square foot property located on the eastern side of Hilmar Street, approximately 120 feet south of the corner of Hilmar Street and The Alameda; APN: 230-17-044; the property is zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L).
Applicant: Thanh Nguyen
Owner(s): Thanh Nguyen
Request: Architectural Review for a demolition of the existing single-family residence and the construction of a 2,272 square-foot four-bedroom and three-and-half bathroom two-story residence, with a 362 square foot two-car garage.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• Following the public hearing, the Historical and Landmarks Commission continued this item from the hearing of March 6, 2025 to April 3, 2025.
• The item was continued to allow time for the applicant to work with the neighbor at 530 Hilmar Street to increase the second-floor front setback.
• The applicant revised the plans to set the second-floor back by an additional two feet and three inches. This provides a total of seven feet and three inches from first floor front wall or 27 feet and three inches from the front property line.
• The rendering and elevations that currently detail a traditional modern architectural style with stucco cladding and concrete tile roofing will be updated as Spanish style similar to the existing structures architectural style before the project is set for the Development Review Hearing.
• The following are the design considerations previously outlined in the March 6, 2025 staff report: Hilmar Street consists of one-and two-story residence with mix of architectural types. The north end of the street are commercial properties with frontage along The Alameda. This subject site is the last residential property to the north. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The structure on site is an abandoned single-family residence constructed in 1930 as a Spanish revival. The attached garage was likely a later addition since it was not typical to Spanish style in 1915-1940. The structure is currently in poor condition and the property contains overgrown vegetation.
• The existing structure is of notable age; therefore, a State of California Department of Parks and Recreation DPR 523A form was prepared to evaluate the historical value and integrity of the structure. The report, prepared by Brunzell Historical, concludes that the subject property does not meet any criteria of historic significance on the federal, state or local levels. The report is included as Attachment 3.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)(d), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) in accordance with Historic Preservation Ordinance (Santa Clara City Code 18.130.070), which requires all projects within 200 feet of a Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) property requiring an Architectural Review through a Development Review Hearing to be first referred to the HLC.
o The HLC shall review the project for neighborhood compatibility and consistency with the City’s Design Guidelines and make a recommendation on the Architectural Review at the Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposal is for a demolition of the existing single-family residence and the construction of a 2,272 square-foot four-bedroom and three-and-half bathroom two-story residence, with a 362 square foot two-car garage. The new residence is designed as modern two-story Ranch style with stucco cladding and hip-style roof.
• The project site is located within 200 feet of four historical resources at 530, 540, 550, and 560 Hilmar Street. These HRI properties are examples of 1930s Tudor revival in Santa Clara. The residences are one and two-story in size with similarly designed steep pitched roofs with stucco and brick exterior walls. They share similar house shape, setbacks, and scale. A DPR form prepared for these properties is included as Attachment 4.
• 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:
o 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.
o A prominent front porch or entry is provided.
o Second-story side windows are either obscured or have a five-foot windowsill height.
o The architectural features of the proposed design including the stucco siding, small front porch, and hip-style roof are common to the material and form along Hilmar Street.
o The second floor is proposed to be at 54% of the first floor, which is consistent with the guideline that second floor areas should not exceed 66% of the first-floor area.
• 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.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 5.
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 project is for the removal of a single-family residence and the construction of a single-family residence.
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 20, 2025 for the March 6, 2025 Historical and Landmarks Commission. The continuance hearing was set for a specific date of April 3, 2025; therefore, no additional notice is required for this item. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the proposed project located at 520 Hilmar Street will not destroy or have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the HRI listed properties within 200 feet at 530-560 Hilmar Street; that the construction is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and recommend approval of the Architectural Review at the Development Review Hearing.
Staff
Prepared by: Steve Le, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Planning Manager, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Historical Evaluation of 520 Hilmar Street
4. DPR Form for 530-560 Hilmar Street
5. Conditions of Approval
6. Development Plan