REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a new pedestrian bridge spanning San Tomas Expressway to connect 2788 San Tomas Expressway and 2721 San Tomas Expressway (NVIDIA)
Report
File No.(s): PLN2020-14632
Location: 2788 San Tomas Expressway, a 35.62-acre campus located on the south side of Central Expressway; APNs: 224-11-068 and 224-45-032; property is zoned Planned Development (PD).
Applicant: Sares Regis
Owner: NVIDIA
Request: Architectural review of a new pedestrian bridge spanning San Tomas Expressway
DISCUSSION
In December 2008, the San Tomas Business Park Campus Project was approved, which included 1,950,000 square feet of office/research and development (R&D) within three 650,000 square-foot buildings. In June 2013, the project was modified to reduce the size of the Phase I and Phase II buildings to 509,400 square feet and increase the size of the Phase III building to 931,200.
Subsequently in 2018, the project was modified to increase in the size of the Phase II building from 509,400 to 754,100 square feet and decrease the size of the Phase III building from 931,200 to 700,100 square feet.
NVIDIA currently has two campuses, one on each side of San Tomas Expressway. The subject project would construct a pedestrian bridge over San Tomas Expressway to connect the two campuses. Specifically, the pedestrian bridge would connect 2721 San Tomas Expressway with 2788 San Tomas Expressway. The bridge would be supported by six columns located within the two NVIDIA properties; no supports would be located within the San Tomas Expressway right-of-way. The bridge is intended to be for private use of NVIDIA employees.
Points for Consideration
• The bridge would be approximately 416.5 feet long and 12 feet wide and range in height from 22 to 25 feet above grade.
• The guardrails on the bridge would be solid surface faceted metal panels. The panels would have a grey powder coated finish consistent with the metal detailing on the buildings.
• Pedestrian lighting would be included on the interior of bridge to directly light the walkway pursuant to City code requirements. No lighting is proposed above the guardrails or on the exterior of the bridge.
• A total of 10 trees would be removed to construct the bridge. Trees removed shall be replaced at a minimum of 2 to 1 ratio (depending on the size, species and health of the trees) in accordance with City requirements with the campuses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Addendum was prepared for the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 states that when an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been certified or a Negative Declaration adopted for a project, no subsequent EIR shall be prepared for that project unless the Lead Agency determines on the basis of substantial evidence in light of the whole record that substantial changes or new information of substantial importance has been identified. The City of Santa Clara certified the San Tomas Business Park EIR. Based on the proposed project description and knowledge of the project site (based on the environmental review prepared for the San Tomas Business Park FEIR), the City has concluded that the proposed project would not result in any new impacts not previously disclosed in the San Tomas Business Park FEIR and would not result in a substantial increase in the magnitude of any significant environmental impacts previously identified in the FEIR. For these reasons, an addendum to the San Tomas Business Park FEIR has been prepared for the proposed project. An addendum is not required to circulate for public review but will be attached to the San Tomas Business Park FEIR, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(c).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City for processing the requested application other than administrative staff time and expense typically covered by processing fees paid by the applicant.
PUBLIC CONTACT
On March 5, 2021, a notice of public hearing of this item was mailed 1,000 feet of the project site and posted within 300 feet of the project site. Planning Staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve, subject to conditions, the Architectural Review of a new pedestrian bridge spanning San Tomas Expressway to connect 2788 San Tomas Expressway and 2721 San Tomas Expressway (NVIDIA).
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Gloria Sciara, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Development Plans
2. Conditions of Approval
3. Addendum to the San Tomas Business Park EIR