REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Recommendation on a Proposed 987 Square Foot First Floor Addition and 942 Square Foot Second Story Addition (PLN25-00049) to an Existing Potentially Historic Resource at 642 Park Court Located Within 200 Feet of Historic Resource Inventory Properties.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00049
Location: 642 Park Court
Applicant: Scott Galka
Owner(s): Geetha Chandu
Request: Architectural Review for the construction of a 942 square foot second story addition and a 987 square foot first floor addition, resulting in a 3,377 square foot five bedroom - three and a half bathroom two story potentially historic residence.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The project site is surrounded by predominately single story, vernacular, Craftsman Bungalow style single-family residences.
• The single-family residence is part of a subdivision tract developed between 1925 to 1930. See the Vicinity Map in Attachment 1
• The residences in this subdivision tract were designed in the Craftsman Bungalow architectural style with some designs that have Cape Cod, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman style. Common features found in these Craftsman Bungalow style residences are low, horizontal mass with a full-width gabled roof, horizontal wood lap siding with alternating wide and narrow boards, and a front entry volume emphasized by a slight bump-out.
• The project site is a 6,250 square-foot lot currently occupied by a 1,137 square-foot two-bedroom, one-bath single story residence with a detached one car garage. The residence was built in 1925.
• Staff recommended that the applicant complete a DPR 523A Form (Attachment 5), as the subject property is located within the same subdivision as 574, 584, 631 and 633 Park Court, other properties listed on the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI). The DPR 523A Form concluded that 642 Park Court is eligible for inclusion on the Historical Resource Inventory due to its “age, integrity, and meeting local criteria”. However, the property owner is not proposing to initiate designating the property on the HRI and owner consent is required per the City Code Section 18.130.040 - HRI Property Designation. Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D) 1, the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing due to the construction of a new second floor.
• The project is before the Historical and Landmarks Commission (HLC) in accordance with Historic Preservation Ordinance (Santa Clara City Code 18.130.070), which requires all projects within 200 feet of a Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) property requiring an Architectural Review through a Development Review Hearing to be first referred to the HLC.
o The HLC shall review the project for neighborhood compatibility and consistency with the City’s Design Guidelines and make a recommendation.
• The subject property at 642 Park Court is 200 feet away from 574, 584, 631, and 633 Park Court that are on the Historical Resource Inventory (HRI).
• The project proposes a 987 square-foot first floor addition and a 942 square-foot second story addition to the rear of an existing 1,137 square-foot single family residence. The first floor would be approximately 2,435 square feet while the second floor is 942 square feet. In addition, a new attached tandem garage will be built to replace the existing garage being removed to accommodate the project.
• This proposed addition will be built to the rear of the existing structure, approximately 55 feet from the front property line, to preserve the potentially historical structure. The second story meets current setback requirements which will reduce bulk and create a distinction between the new and the old through the placement of the second story element. The applicant is proposing to use materials for the addition that are like the original structure but is open to provide siding that is oriented differently to differentiate the addition to the original structure.
• The proposed project complies with the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014). Specifically, the project is consistent with the guidelines, in that:
o The existing front of the house is to remain and is oriented toward the primary street frontage. A roof will be added over the front door creating a small front porch or entry element facing the street enhancing the architectural design.
o The architectural features of the proposed design including the wood siding at the front of the structure, the siding on the rear of the structure, and the front porch are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
o The proposed second story is stepped back 10 feet from the side property lines.
o The roof form proposed on the second story element derives from those found in the existing Park Court neighborhood which increase the compatibility with the neighborhood.
• 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.
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 15332 (Class 32 - In-Fill Development Projects), in that the request is on a project site less than five acres, served by all required utilities, meets all zoning standards, and doesn’t destroy a potentially historical resource.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Historical and Landmarks Commission 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 property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on May 22, 2025. Planning staff has received public comments from the neighbors expressing concern with the size and scale of the proposal and the public correspondence is attached to this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the proposed project located at 642 Park Court will not destroy or have significant adverse effect on the integrity of the HRI listed properties within 200 feet of the subject property; that the proposed construction is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and recommend approval of the Architectural Review at the Development Review Hearing.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Planning Manager, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans
5. DPR 523 Form
6. Public Correspondence
7. Applicant Letter