REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Recommendation on the Significant Property Alteration / Architectural Review (PLN26-00040) to Allow the Partial Demolition of an Approximately 810 Square Foot Non-Historic Rear Addition to an Existing Two-Story Single-Family Residence Listed on the Historic Resource Inventory; Construction of an Approximately 1,058 Square Foot Two-Story Addition in Its Place; and Formal Conversion of a Previously Operated Bed and Breakfast Inn to a Single-Family Residence Located at 1390 Madison Street CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Sections 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) and 15331 (Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation).
Report
File No.: PLN26-00040
Location: 1390 Madison Street
Applicant: John Scourkes (Scourkes Architecture)
Owner(s): Robert and Lanie Iannucci
Request: Significant Property Alteration / Architectural Review Permit to allow the partial demolition of an approximately 810 square feet non-historic rear addition to an existing two-story single-family residence listed on the Historic Resource Inventory, an approximately 1,058 square feet two story addition in its place, and formal conversion of a previously operated bed and breakfast inn to a single-family residence.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Lewis Street and Madison Street. The surrounding area is a mix of single-family residences (both single-story and two-story) and multi-family buildings. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The project site currently contains a two-story single-family residence with a detached garage. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is located above the detached garage. The property is listed on the city’s Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) and is currently subject to a Mills Act Contract. The original residence exhibits Queen Anne architecture.
• The project site is located in the R1-6L(HT) zoning district. The R1-6L(HT) zoning district was approved by the City Council on October 2, 1984, which allowed a bed and breakfast inn at the subject property. The property is currently and would remain a single-family residence.
• Pursuant to Santa Clara City Code Section 18.130.050, the project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission because it has been determined to constitute a major alteration to a property on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI). Section 18.130.050 requires HLC to review applications for major alterations and provide a recommendation to the Development Review Officer.
• The proposed project includes demolition of an approximately 810-square-foot rear addition constructed in 1972 and construction of an approximately 1,058-square-foot rear addition in its place on the existing two-story single-family residence. The project also includes a new second-story deck and exterior stairs at the rear of the residence, relocation of one original window, removal of eight non-original windows to be replaced with new, more compatible windows, and removal of two non-original exterior doors from the original residence.
• The exterior of the addition is differentiated from the original façade by using a ½” reveal with a simple profile for the wood siding, whereas the original wood siding includes a 1 3/8” reveal with an angled profile. Furthermore, a vertical wood trim is proposed between the original structure and the addition, allowing for further differentiation.
• The proposed window trim surrounding the new windows is also differentiated from the original window trim by proposing a simpler profile.
• The roof for the proposed addition compliments the original roof but is subordinate as it is shorter than the original structure.
• Meg Clovis prepared a Secretary of the Interior’s Standards analysis of the proposed project (Attachment 5). The analysis finds the proposed project in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards in that:
o The proposed project requires minimal changes to the character-defining fenestration and no change to distinctive materials, spaces, and spatial relationships.
o The proposed project will retain and preserve all character defining features associated with the Queen Anne architectural style.
o The proposed project is designed in such a way that it is subordinate to the design of the original Queen Anne residence in regard to the size, massing, and design. The new siding is differentiated from the original siding by omitting the reveal and the new windows will be wider than the original windows and the proposed trim around the new windows is complimentary to the original trim but differentiated and simplified.
• As conditioned, 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 proposed project involves minimal changes to the character-defining fenestration, retains and preserves character defining features associated with the Queen Anne architectural style, and proposes an addition that does not overwhelm the original structure and proposes a roof form and exterior materials that are compatible with the original structure.
2) The project proposal shall not have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property, in that:
• The proposed project will retain and preserve all character defining features associated with the Queen Anne architectural style, while also proposing exterior materials and roof forms that are compatible and subordinate to the original structure.
3) The alterations must be compatible with the existing structure or district, in that:
• The proposed project is compatible with the existing structure in that it utilizes complimentary but differentiated exterior materials and is subordinate to the original structure.
4) The alterations must be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Treatment Standards, in that:
• The proposed project requires minimal changes to the character-defining fenestration and no change to distinctive materials, spaces, and spatial relationships.
• The proposed project will retain and preserve all character defining features associated with the Queen Anne architectural style.
• The proposed project is designed so it is subordinate to the design of the original Queen Anne residence in regard to the size, massing, and design. The new siding is differentiated from the original siding by omitting the reveal and the new windows will be wider than the original windows and the proposed trim around the new windows is complimentary to the original trim but differentiated and simplified.
Granting the reversion from a bed and breakfast inn to a single-family residence requires the following findings consistent with Classic City Code Section 18.58.050:
1) That the proposal is consistent with the City’s adopted General Plan;
• The proposed project is consistent with the General Plan in that it is a single-family residence in a single-family general plan designation.
2) That the granting of the permit will not be detrimental to: i) the safety, health, peace, comfort and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood; and ii) the property or improvements in the neighborhood;
• The proposed project is located in a residential area and will continue to be a single-family residence. As discussed above and detailed in Attachment 5, the proposed project is found to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
3) That the permit will not impair the integrity and character of the applicable zoning district or the historic integrity of the property and is in keeping with the purposes and intent of this title; and
• The proposed project is located in a residential area and will continue to be a single-family residence. As discussed above and detailed in Attachment 5, the proposed project is found to be consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
4) That the reversion from the uses allowed under the HT zoning district to residential uses conforms to the requirements of the R1-8L or R1-6L zoning districts or that the reversion from residential uses to the uses allowed in the HT zoning district conforms to the requirements of the HT zoning as approved by the City for the subject property.
• As noted in Attachment 2, the proposed project complies with the requirements of the R1-6L zoning district.
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 Exemption Sections 15332 (In-Fill Development Projects) and
15331 (Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation), in that the project involves an addition and
renovation of a historic single-family residence in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the
Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
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 190 property owners and tenants within a 300-foot radius of the project site on July 23, 2026. 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 the proposed project located at 1390 Madison 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 / Architectural Review Permit to the Development Review Hearing Officer, subject to conditions and findings.
Staff
Prepared by: Tracy Tam, Associate Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Lakshmi Rajagopalan, Assistant Director, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans
5. SOIS Analysis