REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing. Rezone Request from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD High Intensity Office / R&D for the Properties Located at 2421, 2431, 2441 and 2451 Mission College Boulevard to Align Zoning with General Plan Land Uses
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing and Transportation Development
BACKGROUND
The proposed rezoning on the subject site from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD - High Intensity Office/R&D directly corresponds to and conforms with the site’s High Intensity Office/R&D General Plan land use designation, which is intended for high‐rise or campus-like developments for corporate headquarters, offices, R&D, and supporting uses.
The proposed rezoning was presented before the Planning Commission at a publicly noticed meeting on January 31, 2024. The Planning Commission staff report (Attachment 1) provides an analysis of the project’s consistency with the General Plan. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the project (6-0-1 (Commissioner Huang absent)).
The City Council is being asked to conduct a public hearing and take two actions:
1. Determine that the project falls within the scope of the December 19, 2023 Addendum to the General Plan EIR.
2. Adopt a resolution approving a Rezone from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD High Intensity Office / R&D.
DISCUSSION
At the January 31, 2024 Planning Commission meeting, staff presented an overview of the proposed rezoning and its conformance with the previously-adopted General Plan EIR Addendum. No members of the public provided comments.
The Planning Commission asked clarifying questions about the types of uses allowed in the HO-RD zoning district and whether data centers would be allowed, as well as understating the current use of the site. Staff responded that stand-alone data centers would not be permitted but that ancillary data centers would be permitted. Secondly, the site is already developed with four office buildings, one is occupied and three are vacant. The rezoning will allow for the three vacant buildings to be re-tenanted.
The Planning Commission stated that the uses of the HO-RD zoning district seem viable in this location and the rezone request aligns with the General Plan. The new zoning code map is coming forward for adoption soon, which would have fixed the site’s current discrepancy between the General Plan land use and zoning district. The developer applied for this action in advance of the new map in order to proceed with leasing the vacant buildings. Any future development project contemplating demolition of existing structures would need to come back through the appropriate review process. The Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the rezoning (6-0-1 (Commissioner Huang absent)).
A copy of the January 31, 2024 Planning Commission Staff Report can be found as Attachment 1. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the project and the requested actions and alternatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On December 19, 2023, the City Council adopted an Addendum to the 2010-2035 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which concluded that the adoption and implementation of the Zoning Code, including corresponding zone changes such as the proposed Project, fell within the scope of the previous EIR and would not require major revisions to the previous EIR; that there is no substantial change in circumstances as that would cause new or substantially more severe significant impacts from what was considered in the previous EIR; and that there is no new information of substantial importance that identifies new or more intense significant impacts than those identified in the previous EIR. The Project will rezone the property, consistent with the December 19 Addendum, in order to change the use for an existing office building in an established Office/R&D area with no construction.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than administrative staff time and expense to prepare this report.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Deny the Rezone from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD High Intensity Office / R&D.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
2. Determine that the project falls within the scope of the December 19, 2023 Addendum to the General Plan EIR.
3. Adopt a resolution approving a Rezone from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD High Intensity Office / R&D for the Properties Located at 2421, 2431, 2441 and 2451 Mission College Boulevard.
Staff
Reviewed by: Reena Brilliot, Acting Director, Community Development Department
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Staff Report of January 31, 2024
2. Resolution Approving the Rezoning from MP Planned Industrial to HO-RD High Intensity Office / R&D.