REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Adoption of an Addendum to a Previously Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMRP) and Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00093) for the Construction of an Approximately 145,000 Square Foot Industrial Building with Associated Site Improvements including a Surface Parking Lot and Landscaping Located at 3000 Bowers Avenue.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00093
Location: 3000 Bowers Avenue; an approximately seven-acre parcel located at the south west corner of Central Expressway and Bowers Avenue; APN: 216-48-033; the property is zoned High Intensity Office/ R&D (HO-RD)
Applicant: Sobrato Organization
Owner(s): SI 58 LLC
Request: Architectural Review for the construction of an approximately 145,000 square foot industrial building with associated site improvements including a surface parking lot and landscaping.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is an approximately 7.19-acre site located along Central Expressway, Bowers Avenue, and Oakmead Village Court and is surrounded primarily by one-story industrial/office buildings. Adjacent zoning districts are a combination of Low-Intensity Office/Research and Development (LO-RD) and High-Intensity Office/Research and Development (HO-RD) zoned properties. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The project site and proponents previously sought and were approved for an Architectural Review Permit (PLN2019-1422)-to allow two 165,000 square foot, five-story office buildings totaling approximately 330,000 square feet and a five-level garage with surface parking lots providing a total of 980 parking spaces. The associated Mitigated Negative Declaration was also adopted. The project site is currently vacant as a former two-story building at that location was demolished in 2015.
• The Applicant now proposes to develop the site with an approximately 145,000 square foot industrial building with associated site improvements including a surface parking lot and landscaping. Of the 145,000 square feet, up to 16,000 square feet are reserved for office. It is not known at this time who the tenant will be, and any future tenant shall be subject to the permitting requirements for the proposed use pursuant to Section 18.16.020.
• The proposed building contains a modern architectural style, with simple rectangular forms accented by different colors and textures. The parapet adds architectural interest and rhythm by providing different heights so that it does not appear flat. The proposed materials are primarily concrete tilt-up panels with various textures and colors and varying window styles, with most of the windows focused at the building corners that orient towards the public streets.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)(4), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project is subject to the City’s adopted Community Design Guidelines. The project complies with the Community Design Guidelines in that:
o The proposed project has two prominent building entrances which face Bowers Avenue and Oakmead Village Court.
o The proposed project contains a variety of exterior materials with varying textures, providing architectural interest and shadow lines.
o The proposed project includes various building heights and insets to add architectural interest.
o The proposed project includes a variety of landscaping, inclusive of different tree species surrounding the project site, shrubs, grasses, and ground covers. The majority of the larger species trees are provided along Oakmead Village Court and along Central Expressway.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 18.120.
• As part of the City’s Public Outreach Policy, the Applicant conducted a Community Meeting on December 11, 2025. No public comments were received at that meeting.
• There are no active City code enforcement cases for this property.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed within a 1,000-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 project is required to provide 117 on-site vehicle parking spaces and one loading space to satisfy the City’s parking and loading requirements. The project provides 180 vehicle parking spaces and two loading spaces in the surface parking lot and rear loading dock area and therefore, satisfies the city’s parking and loading requirements. The project also provides an eight-foot perimeter fencing and a variety of landscaping that will assist in screening.
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, with implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures, will generate a less than significant impact on the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). A TDM plan is required for the project in the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) that is a part of the Addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration.
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 an approximately 145,000 square foot industrial building located in an industrial area. The architecture of the proposed building is appropriate for the purpose of the building and the surrounding area.
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 industrial building located in an industrial area in compliance with the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration adequately addresses potential environmental impacts.
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 project complies with the Community Design Guidelines in that the proposed project includes two prominent building entrances facing Bowers Avenue and Oakmead Village Court, contains a variety of exterior materials with varying textures which provide architectural interest, includes a variety of landscaping ranging from different tree species, shrubs, grasses, and ground cover.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered considers the potential environmental impacts of the project addressed in an Addendum to a previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A detailed discussion of the potential impacts and mitigation measures applied to the project are specified in the Addendum and will be implemented through project conditions of approval and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the proposed project.
Pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines, an addendum does not need to be circulated for public review as only minor technical changes were necessary. The addendum and associated technical studies are available for viewing at the Permit Center at City Hall or by contacting Planning staff for further availability. The previously approved MMRP is provided as an attachment.
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 73 property owners/tenants within a 1,000-foot radius of the project site on March 26, 2026. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Consider the Addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and Approve the Architectural Review for the construction of an approximately 145,000 square foot industrial building with associated site improvements including a surface parking lot and landscaping located at 3000 Bowers Avenue, 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. Development Plans
5. Previously Approved MMRP
6. Web links - Project Websites