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Title:
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Public Hearing: Recommendation on the Significant Property Alteration / Architectural Review (PLN25-00116) for a 465 Square Foot First Floor Addition Resulting in a 1,559 Square-Foot Single-Story Residence on the Historic Resource Inventory Located at 834 Main Street
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REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Recommendation on the Significant Property Alteration / Architectural Review (PLN25-00116) for a 465 Square Foot First Floor Addition Resulting in a 1,559 Square-Foot Single-Story Residence on the Historic Resource Inventory Located at 834 Main Street
Report
File No.: PLN25-00116
Location: 834 Main Street, a 5,694 square foot lot located on the west side of Main Street approximately 116 feet north of Lexington Street; APN: 269-28-062; zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: German A. Villarraga
Owner(s): Rebecca and Andrew Fung
Request: Significant Property Alteration and Architectural Review for a 465 square-foot addition resulting in a 1,559 square-foot single-story residence on the City's Historic Resource Inventory (HRI).
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 one-story residences, multi-family residences, public park, and 11 other Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) properties. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
* The property is listed on the city's HRI and was constructed in 1932. The site includes an existing single-family residence with a 231 square-foot ADU that was converted from a detached one-car garage. The residence is currently subject to a Mills Act Contract.
* The project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) in accordance with Historic Preservation Ordinance (Santa Clara City Code 18.130.050), which requires any project determined to be considered a major alteration to a HRI property shall first receive a recommendation from the HLC.
* The proposed project involves interior and exterior alterations and new construction to provide additional living area and functional use of the home. The proposed project is for the construction of a 465 square-foot extension which will include a new bedroom, a full-sized bathroom, and a walk-in closet.
o The addition is to the rear right side of the property. The addition is designed to minimize its impact on the neighborhood and uses exterior finish materials to differentiate between the existing residence.
o The new roof tiles will naturally differ from the existing roof tiles at the front due the wear.
o The proposed stucco will feature a subtle color wash variation to distinguish it from the original structure.
* An analysis of the proposed project's consistency with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (SOIS) was prepared by Page & Turnball (Attachment 5). Attachment 5 also includes a copy of the 2020 DPR prepared for the Mills Act Contract.
o The analysis finds the project was designed to comply with the Secretary of Interior's Standards in that:
* The project does not propose adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties.
* The existing windows are to be salvaged.
* The proposed project will not result in the substantial diminution or loss of the resource's materials, features, or craftmanship.
* The project does not propose repair or replacement of deteriorated historic features.
* The project does not propose chemical treatments.
* The old and new volumes are differentiated, and the proposed addition could be removed in the future while retaining the essential form and integrity of the house.
* The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 18.130.
* 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 Significant Property Alteration approval requires the following findings consistent with City Code Section 18.130.050(D):
1) The alterations shall be designed to the essential character, features, and defining elements that make the Historic Resource Inventory property significant, in that:
* The addition is proposed at a lower height than the existing ridge and the roof and exterior finish material are compatible, but distinct from the original structure.
* The addition includes the low-pitched roof and stucco finish material which is compatible with the Spanish Eclectic/Revival architecture style.
2) The project proposal shall not have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property, in that:
* The proposal includes removal of three original windows which will be salvaged to be reused in the original home in the future.
* The addition does not impact the exterior chimney, a distinctive feature.
* The massing and height are visually subordinate to the historic house.
3) The alterations must be compatible with the existing structure or district, in that:
* The addition continues the low-pitched, cross-gable roof form and the stucco asymmetrical fa?ade with little decorative detail to maintain the historic residence's Spanish Eclectic/Revival architecture.
4) The alterations must be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Treatment Standards, in that:
* The project plans include an analysis of the proposed project against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards (Attachment 5).
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) per CEQA Guidelines Exemption Sections 15332 - Infill and 15331 - Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation, in that the project involves an addition and renovations of a historic 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 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 August 21, 2025. 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 834 Main Street will not destroy or have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property and that the proposed construction is compatible with the resource and recommend approval of the Significant Property Alteration.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, Associate 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. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans
5. SOIS Analysis Memo