REPORT TO HISTORICAL AND LANDMARKS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Recommendation on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00567) for the Construction of Two New Single-Family Residences, including the Demolition of an Existing Single-Family Dwelling and Detached Garage to Construct a Two-Story 1,462 Square Foot and a One-Story 778 Square Foot Residence Consisting of Two Bedrooms and Two Bathrooms Located at 575 Franklin Street Within 200 Feet of a Historic Resource Inventory Property. CEQA Status: Exempt From CEQA Per Section 15303 (Class 3 -- New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).
Report
File No.: PLN25-00567
Location: 575 Franklin Street, 6,000 square foot lot, located on the north side of Franklin Street, about 200-feet from the corner of Sherman Street and Franklin Street, APN 230-08-029, R3- Medium Density Residential.
Applicant: Ryan Heath, Inspired Homes
Owner(s): Santa Clara College President & Board Of Trustees
Request: Architectural Review for demolition of an existing 894 square foot single family dwelling and 650 square foot detached garage to construct a two-story 1,462 square foot residence consisting of three bedrooms and two bathrooms and a one-story 778 square foot residence consisting of two bedrooms and two bathrooms
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The surrounding neighborhood consists of a mix of educational and residential uses, including several potentially eligible historic properties and one designated Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) property in the immediate vicinity of the project site. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The project site currently contains one single-family residential structure and a rear detached garage accessory structure. The residence is a 1,065 square feet single-story structure and is identified as potentially historic.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020(D) the demolition and reconstruction requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• 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. The HLC shall review the project for neighborhood compatibility and consistency with the City’s Design Guidelines (2014) and make a recommendation.
• The property is identified as potentially historic in the City permit system database. Therefore, a Historic Resource Evaluation Report was prepared by Albion in June 2026 (Attachment 4) to assess whether the residence is eligible for listing on the City’s HRI. The report concluded that the residence does not meet the local listing or California listing eligibility.
• The proposal will allow the construction of two single-family dwelling units, one larger 1,462 square-foot two-story residence oriented toward Franklin Street, and one smaller 778 square-foot single-story residence toward the back of the property.
• The nearest HRI property to the subject project is located at 500 El Camino Real, the former third site of Mission Santa Clara. The resource is situated south of the terminus of Franklin Street, between Franklin Street and Palm Drive.
• The project is consistent with the City Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014), in that:
• The architectural features are true to the architectural style and appropriate for the neighborhood.
• The proposed materials, including stucco, composition shingle roof and wood siding are found throughout the neighborhood.
• Roof forms should avoid excessive roof ridgelines, heights, hips, and valleys. The project proposes simple gable roof form which is one of the two primary types of roof style on the block.
• A prominent front porch or entry should be provided. The project proposes a porch with similar gable roof form as the primary house.
• The proposed project does not meet second-floor setback in the front and side, and the 66% second to first floor area ratio from the Design Guidelines; however, it is consistent with the R3 development standards.
• 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 15303 (Class 3 -- New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures), in that the proposed project proposes the demolition of a single-family home and accessory structure to construct two new single-family residences.
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 56 property owners and tenants within a 300-foot radius of the project site on August 20, 2026. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend that the Historical and Landmarks Commission find that the proposed project located at 575 Franklin Street will not destroy or have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Historic Resource Inventory property within 200 feet at 500 El Camino Real; 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: 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. Historic Resources Evaluation Report
5. Development Plans