REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN23-00590) of a Proposed First-Floor Addition Resulting in Five Bedrooms at an Existing Single-Story Residence at 3878 Hancock Drive
Report
File No.(s): PLN23-00590
Location: 3878 Hancock Drive, a 6,432 square-foot lot located on the south side of Hancock Drive, approximately 200 feet east of Howard Drive; APN: 316-14-005; zoned Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Alexander Angkawijaya
Owner(s): Anurag Agrawal and Rekha Mittal
Request: Architectural Review for a 723 square-foot first floor addition to an existing one-story single-family residence, resulting in a 2,593 square-foot, five-bedroom, four-bathroom one-story single-family residence. Existing 455 square-foot attached two-car garage to remain.
Project Data
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
Points for Consideration
• The proposed project is in a residential tract consisting of both one- and two-story residences.
• The site includes an existing 1,350 square-foot one-story residence with four bedrooms, two-bathrooms, and attached two-car 455 square-foot garage.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020(D)(1)(a), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposes a 723 square-foot first floor addition to the rear of the existing one-story residence, and a 24 square-foot porch.
• With the remodel and addition, the total living area will be 2,073 square feet plus a 455 square-foot garage, and a 24 square-foot covered porch for a total building area of 2,552 square feet.
• As proposed, the project would result in five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
• The proposed addition to the residence will consist of class A composition shingles roofing materials and color to match the existing and stucco siding finish.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood (3a(1)).
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the architectural style of the building (3a(3)).
• 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.
Findings Supporting Staff’s Recommendation
Grant 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 provides the required two covered parking spaces at the front of the residence with the two-car garage.
• The required parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscaped areas.
• The proposed project provides areas surfaced with all-weather materials of parking of vehicles.
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 residence would not create traffic congestion or hazards.
• Public streets are adequate in size and design to serve the proposed one-story residence, and the use will not create a substantive increase in traffic.
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 addition is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o The proposed addition is consistent with the scale and design found in the existing surrounding neighborhood.
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 addition is consistent with the City’s Single-Family 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 have similar massing and height to the adjacent properties.
• The proposed expansion and addition comply with the R1-6L zoning districts development standards.
Conditions of Approval
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 1.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structure), in that the activity consists of the permitting of a proposed use that will expand an existing structure and add a small addition to the front of the 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.
A public hearing notice was mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on April 4, 2024. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15303 (Class 3) (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structure) of the CEQA guidelines, and Approve the Architectural Review for a 723 square-foot first floor addition to an existing one-story single-family residence, resulting in a 2,593 square-foot, five-bedroom, four-bathroom one-story single-family residence at 3878 Hancock Drive, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Reviewed by: Meha Patel, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Conditions of Approval
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Development Plans