REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN24-00585) for the Construction of a 627 Square-Foot First Floor Addition and a 1,276 Square-Foot Second Floor Addition to an Existing 1,958 Square Foot Single Story Residence, Resulting in a 3,939 Square Foot Four Bedroom, Three-Bathroom Two-Story Residence with an Attached Three Car Garage at 807 Park Court located within 200 Feet of a Historic Resource.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00585
Location: 807 Park Court, a 9,202 square foot lot located on the north side of Park Court approximately 705 feet east of Washington Street
APN: 269-51-017
Zoned: Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Robin McCarthy
Owner: Terra & Anthony Vitarelli
Request: An Architectural Review for the construction of a 627 square-foot first floor addition and a 1,276 square-foot second floor addition in an existing 1,958 square foot single story residence, resulting in a 3,939 square foot four-bedroom, three-bathroom two-story residence with an attached three car garage at 807 Park Court located within 200 feet of a historic resource.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The 9,202 square foot lot (“project site”) is developed with a residence built in 1948, an attached garage, and a storage building at the rear of the property. See the attached vicinity map (Attachment 1) for location of the property.
• The project site is surrounded by one- & two-story single-family residences designed in typical early 1950’s tract house architectural design and early 1920’s craftsman.
• The existing residence is not a potential historical structure as it doesn’t meet the Historical Resource designation criteria as specified in Santa Clara Municipal Code 18.130.040(A), however it is within 200 feet of a property on the Historic Resource Inventory (HRI), requiring the project to go before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) in accordance with the Historic Preservation Ordinance (SCCC 18.130.070)
• The HLC reviewed the project for neighborhood compatibility and consistency with the City’s Design Guidelines on February 6, 2025. Due to the timing of the publication of this staff report, the HLC’s recommendations on the project will be presented during the Development Review Hearing to the Development Review Officer & public.
• The proposal includes the construction of a new second story. Per the Santa Clara Municipal Code 18.120.020(D)(1), this request requires an Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• This report is being prepared prior to this project going before the HLC and the Applicant understands the risk of potential design changes to comply with the HLC’s recommendations.
• The proposed a modern farmhouse architectural style with gabled roofs and the second floor’s mass will have articulation is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. The Development Plans are attached for reference (Attachment #4).
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Architectural features of the proposed design are appropriate for the neighborhood as its transitional.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and are consistent with the proposed architectural style of the building.
• Since the initial submittal of the project, the following changes were made:
o The windows have been treated with grids to complement with the craftsman designed historic property at 794 Park Court.
• The proposed project meets the required findings for Architectural Review set forth in Santa Clara City Code Section 18.120.020(F).
• 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
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires, the following findings consistent with Zoning 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 proposal is consistent with Santa Clara Municipal Code Section 18.38.030(D) as the proposal includes an attached three-car garage.
• The proposal has sufficient off-street parking for the residential building type.
• The proposal maintains areas surfaced with all-weather materials for vehicle parking.
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 construction would not create any traffic congestion or hazards.
• The public streets are of adequate size to accommodate a single-family residence of this size.
• The proposed design stays consistent with the scale of nearby residences and would not impair the desirability of the neighborhood.
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 consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the proposed architectural style of the building.
o The proposed larger second-floor windows are oriented towards the front and rear while the side windows are more the 15 feet away from the property lines.
o The second floor is proposed to be 49% floor area of the first floor, which is consistent with the guideline that second floor areas should not exceed 66% of the first-floor area.
o The proposed second floor exceeds the step back guidelines in that the second-floor areas are set back more than five feet from the front wall and three to five feet from the side and rear walls of the first floor.
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 project is subject to the California Building code and City Code requirements, which serve to regulate new construction to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
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 construction is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o The project would create a house design that is compatible in scale and character with the housing types that are typical in the neighborhood as the proposed design will serve as an architectural style transition.
• The proposed construction complies with the R1-6L zoning districts development standards.
• The proposed construction complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan and all its policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), in that the proposed project will expand an existing single-family residence.
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.
On January 30th, 2025, a notice of public hearing was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site. At the time of preparation of this report, the Planning Division has not received any public comments.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)(1) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), and Approve the Architectural Review for the construction of a 627 square-foot first floor addition and a 1,276 square-foot second floor addition in an existing 1,958 square foot single story residence, resulting in a 3,939 square foot four-bedroom, three-bathroom two-story residence with an attached three car garage at 807 Park Court located within 200 feet of a Historic Resource, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Nimisha Agrawal, Senior 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. Staff Report for Historical & Landmarks Commission