REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00483) to Allow a New Second Floor Approximately 800 Square Foot Accessory Dwelling Unit to an Existing Single-Family Residence located at 746 Woodhams Road. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15303.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00483
Location: 746 Woodhams Road
Applicant: Guanghong Ou
Owner(s): Minh Hang Vu
Request: Architectural Review to allow a new second floor approximately 800 square foot accessory dwelling unit addition to an existing single-family residence.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is located on Woodhams Road between Fairlane Avenue and Stevenson Street and is in a primarily single-family neighborhood. North of the project site is a two-story multi-family development. Single-family detached residences are located to the east, west, and south of the project site. West of the project site are primarily single-story single-family residences and east of the project site are a mixture of single-story and two-story single-family residences. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The project site currently contains a single-story single-family residence with an attached garage.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code (SCCC) 18.120.020(D)(1)(d), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The proposed project involves a new second story addition of approximately 800 square feet for an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The attached ADU will be accessed by an exterior staircase located along the southern property line and towards the rear of the single-family residence. The proposed project has implemented privacy measures by partially enclosing the ADU entrance and incorporating frosted and high sill windows on the second floor.
• A new second story is allowed by the Santa Clara City Code pursuant to Chapter 18.10 (Residential Zones).
• The project is subject to the adopted Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014). The project is found consistent with these design guidelines in that the project:
o Includes a setback from the second floor exterior wall to the first floor exterior wall,
o The second-floor square footage is approximately 49% of the first floor square footage, which is less than the 66% noted in the design guidelines, and
o Incorporates high sill windows and a frosted window on the second floor to reduce privacy impacts to adjacent properties.
• The design went through couple of rounds of revisions to ensure compliance with the SCCC and the Residential Guidelines. A previously proposed deck on the south side was reduced in size to primarily serve as the entrance to the ADU. The second floor was altered to meet the setback requirement of 10 feet from the property line. A horizontal wood siding material was added to the entryway element for the single-family residence to reduce the scale.
• 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.
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 proposed project is a second-story addition to an existing single-family residence located in a single-family neighborhood. The existing single-family residence has an existing two car garage which will remain. The existing two-car garage satisfies the city’s parking requirement.
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 project is a second story addition to an existing single-family residence located in a primarily single-family neighborhood. The nature of the proposed project is expected in single-family neighborhoods, and the proposed project is not anticipated to generate additional traffic.
• The proposed project is designed to reduce privacy impacts to adjacent properties.
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:
• The proposed project is located in a primarily single-family neighborhood with single-story residences (primarily to the west) and two-story residences (to the east). The Santa Clara City Code allows for two-story single-family residences within the associated zoning district.
• With implementation of setbacks, stepbacks, and privacy measures, including high sill windows and a frosted window, the proposed project has taken measures to reduce privacy impacts to adjacent properties.
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 proposed project is an addition to an existing single-family residence located in a single-family neighborhood. The proposed project does not alter the nature of the neighborhood as it is a single-family residence in a single-family neighborhood.
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 project is subject to the City’s adopted Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014). The project has incorporated the following into the project design:
o A setback from the second-floor exterior wall to the first floor exterior wall to reduce the massing;
o Ensuring the second-floor square footage is less than the first floor square footage (approximately 49%) which is less than the 66% as noted in the design guidelines; and
o High sill windows and a frosted window on the second floor to reduce privacy impacts to adjacent properties.
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 15303(a) (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), in that the proposed project involves an addition to an existing single-family residence in a residential zone.
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 on June 25, 2026, to 142 property owners and tenants within a 300-foot radius of the project site, in addition to the residents who requested notification for this project. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has received five public comments for this application, which are attached to this report. The public comments raise the following concerns: 1) loss of privacy/privacy impacts, 2) bulk/scale of the 2nd story, and 3) neighborhood inconsistency/incompatibility.
To reduce privacy impacts, the proposed project incorporates high sill windows on the second floor and where a high sill window cannot be accommodated, the proposed project incorporates a frosted window. Furthermore, the proposed entrance to the accessory dwelling unit has been significantly reduced from prior iterations. To reduce the bulk and scale, the proposed project incorporates stepbacks from the first floor exterior wall to the second floor exterior wall. Additionally, the square footage for the proposed second floor is approximately 49% of the square footage of the first floor, which is less than the 66% as noted in the design guidelines. While two-story residences in single-family neighborhoods are allowed, second story proposals should be designed in a manner that is sensitive to the privacy of adjacent properties. The proposed project has incorporated the privacy measures noted in the design guidelines.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a) (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), and Approve the Architectural Review to allow a new second floor approximately 800 square foot accessory dwelling unit addition to an existing single-family residence, located at 746 Woodhams Road, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Tracy Tam, Associate 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. Public Comments
5. Development Plans