REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on an Architectural Review (PLN26-00079) for the Demolition of More than 50% of an Existing Single-Family Residence to Construct a 2,387 Square Foot Four-Bedroom Three-Bathroom Single Family Residence with an Attached Two-Car Garage on a 7,840 Square Foot Lot at 2035 Jackson Street. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15332.
Report
File No.: PLN26-00079
Location: 2035 Jackson Street
Applicant: Minh Pham
Owner(s): Sannabasavana Gowd Haraginadoni
Request: Architectural Review for the demolition of more than 50% of an existing single-family residence to construct a 2,387 square foot four-barroom three-bathroom single-family residence with an attached two-car garage.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The proposed project is in a predominantly single-story residential tract built in the patio home style architectural style as shown in the Vicinity Map on Attachment 1.
• The site consists of a single-story three-bedroom, one-bathroom patio home style residence built in 1954.
• There are no significant historical features in the existing residence other than the structure’s age, therefore is not eligible to be designated as a Historical Resource under Santa Clara City Code (SCCC”) 18.130.030.
• Per the SCCC 18.120.020.D.7, the request to demolish more than 50% of the existing residence requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing (“DRH”).
• The proposal will demolish 68% of the existing walls and leave the left garage wall & the right main structure wall intact to build the 1,233 square foot addition.
• This will result in a 2,387 square foot four-bedroom three-bathroom single-story residence with an attached two-car garage.
• The applicant proposes the new residence to maintain the patio style architectural design found throughout the subdivision by having low-sloped shed roofs with simple vertical wood siding wall planes.
• The proposed construction materials include new faux wood siding, a multi-panel garage door with horizontal windows, white stucco, and black asphalt shingle roof.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (“Residential Guidelines”) (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood as it’s single-story with a low sloped shed roof with a mass break between the garage and the front bedroom.
o The propose architectural features of the structure are appropriate to the neighborhood as they are derived from architectural features commonly found in other patio homes.
o The roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another, and are consistent with the architectural style of the building as they are typical materials used in a patio home style residence.
• The design went through one round of revision to ensure compliance with the SCCC and the Residential Guidelines. The roof eaves were widened to create a more prominent architectural feature, and a transom window was added above the garage door to reduce the blank space on the facade.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in SCCC 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.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMEDATION
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 a part of the proposed development, in that:
• The proposal is consistent with SCCC 18.38.060.D as the garage meets the 20’ by 20’ minimum interior dimensions.
• The existing parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscape area as they are in the existing garage.
• The parking spaces are in an all-weather material surfaced area.
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 construction would not create any traffic congestion or hazards.
• The public streets are adequate in size to accommodate a single-family residence of this size.
• The proposed design matches nearby residence in scale and would not impair the desirability of the neighborhood.
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:
• Building height and bulk are appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
• Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and are consistent with the proposed architectural style of the building.
• Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the architectural form and are appropriate for the neighborhood.
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 & City Code requirements. Which serves 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 construction is consistent with the Residential Guidelines:
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.
• The proposed construction complies with the R1-6L Zoning District development standards.
• The proposed construction complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan and all its policies.
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 15332 (Class 32 - Infill Development Projects), in that
the project site is less than five acres, served by utilities, and complies with the General Plan.
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 300-foot radius of the project site on June 4, 2026, to 96 owners/tenants. As of the writing of this report, planning staff have not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 -- Infill Development Projects), and Approve the Architectural Review for the demolition of more than 50% of an existing single-family residence to construct a 2,387 square foot four bedroom three-bathroom single family residence with an attached two-car garage, subject to the conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Associate Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Nimisha Agrawal, 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. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans