REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2085 Establishing the Citywide Objective Design Standards Ordinance for Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Projects by Adding a New Chapter 18.27 to the City Code
Report
BACKGROUND
At the February 24, 2026 Council meeting, proposed Ordinance No. 2085 was passed for the purpose of publication. Pursuant to City Charter Sections 808 and 812, a summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2085 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on March 4, 2026, and copies were posted in three public places.
DISCUSSION
The proposed ordinance would add a new Chapter 18.27 to the Zoning Code to establish objective design standards for certain multifamily and residential mixed-use projects. Recent state legislation has limited the City’s authority to impose subjective design standards on multifamily development. Although the City has already established a variety of objective design standards in its specific plans and precise plans, there are relatively few Citywide standards for multifamily developments. The proposed ordinance would utilize criteria that have already been adopted for the Downtown Precise Plan, Patrick Henry Drive Specific Plan, Tasman East Specific Plan, and Lawrence Station Area Plan, as they have already undergone public review. The City will return with a second phase of new development standards at a later date.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The adoption of the Citywide Objective Design Standards is an implementation action of the 2023-2031 Housing Element for which the City prepared an Addendum to the 2010-2035 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Addendum indicated that the adoption of the Housing Element, and its implementing actions, would not result in environmental impacts beyond those described in the General Plan Update EIR. At the conclusion of the public hearing on January 26, 2023, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve the Addendum, and on January 31, 2023, the City Council adopted the Addendum. The recommended actions all fall within the scope of the adopted Addendum.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City for processing the request other than administrative time and expense for staff to draft this report and coordinate the environmental assessment.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the Community Development Department.
PUBLIC CONTACT
A summary of proposed Ordinance No. 2085 was published to the Santa Clara Weekly on March 4, 2026, and copies were posted in three public places and made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office.
Public contact was made by posting the Council 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 at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. 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.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Waive Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2085 Establishing the Citywide Objective Design Standards Ordinance for Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Projects by Adding a New Chapter 18.27 to the City Code.
Staff
Reviewed by: Glen Googins, City Attorney
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 2085 (Intro)