REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on a Minor Use Permit (MUP) to allow the short-term rental of up to 121 units of the Lafayette located at 2333 Calle del Mundo for a period of two years
Report
File No.: PLN24-00645
Location: 2333 Calle del Mundo, APN: 097-05-110
Applicant: Placemakr
Owner(s): Summerhill Apartment Communities
Request: Minor Use Permit (MUP) to allow the short-term rental of up to 121 units of the Lafayette located at 2333 Calle del Mundo for a period of two years
PROJECT DATA
Project development plans are proposed as Attachment 2. There are no changes proposed to the building as a part of the Minor Use Permit (MUP) application. The project description of the Placemakr use is included as Attachment 3.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The site of the proposed MUP is the recently completed Lafayette apartment building, located at 2333 Calle del Mundo. See Vicinity Map, Attachment 1.
• Placemakr proposes to rent 121 of the 347 units on a short-term rental basis (meaning renting the units for 30 days or less). Per the Santa Clara City Code, Placemakr will pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and the Santa Clara Tourist District Assessment (SCTDA) on all rentals.
• No changes to the building are proposed as a part of the proposed short-term rental use.
• All the proposed short-term rentals include one in-building parking space.
• Additional in-building parking spaces are available for a fee.
• Per the project description, as a part of check-in, guests are informed that there is no overnight on-street parking on Calle del Mundo.
• Per Santa Clara City Code Section 18.60.250, the request requires a MUP. Because one of the abutting neighbors has requested a public hearing, the MUP is being heard by the Director of Community Development pursuant to Code Section 18.114.040.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed within a 300-foot radius of the subject site for this project review.
Objections to the Proposed Permit
On February 21, 2025, Ron Patrick, the owner of 5191 Lafayette Street, submitted a letter of objection to the proposed MUP and requested a public hearing, The letter is included as Attachment 4. A summary of Mr. Patrick’s objections, as presented in his letter, are:
1. Loss of ability to use Calle del Mundo for eastbound truck transport
2. Increases in crime in the area due to continuous vehicle break-ins
3. Increase in fire hazard due to blocking of access to fire hydrant
4. Increase in danger to pedestrians due to parking blocking sidewalks
5. Increase in burden to businesses because of the dumping of garbage by people parking their cars
Staff responses to Mr. Patrick’s objections
1. The eastbound travel lane is still adequately sized for truck travel, per Department of Public Works specifications. The proposed MUP does not change the lane width.
2. Additional users of the Lafayette will provide additional pedestrian activity in the neighborhood and eyes on the street, which generally helps to make neighborhoods safer.
3. Guests are provided with an in-building parking space, with the option to rent additional spaces. As a part of the project description (Attachment 4), guests are informed at check-in that overnight on-street parking is not allowed on Calle del Mundo. (The project description is provided as Attachment 2.) Because guest parking is provided within the building, the proposed use will not affect access to fire hydrants.
4. Because guest parking is provided within the building, the proposed use will not change the relationship between on-street parking and visibility for pedestrians.
5. In addition to in-building parking, guests at the Lafayette have access to and use of trash disposal and recycling collection areas.
FINDINGS SUPPORTING STAFF’S RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Minor Use Permit requires the following findings consistent with City Code Section 18.114.050:
Based on an analysis of the facts presented, staff recommends that the Director finds:
(1) The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan; in that:
The proposed time-limited use of the apartment units within the project for short-term rentals is consistent with the Transit Neighborhood land use designation of the General Plan and the Tasman East Specific Plan in that it helps to activate the use of a recently completed building in the Tasman East Specific Plan area.
(2) The proposed use is allowed within the subject zone and complies with all other applicable provisions of this Zoning Code and the City Code; in that:
The adopted zoning code allows for the time-limited short-term rental of recently built apartment units to activate both the building and the surrounding neighborhood.
(3) The design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use are compatible with the allowed uses in the vicinity; in that:
The short-term rentals take place within the existing building and are limited to a two-year window. Parking inside the building is provided for short-term rental guests.
(4) Operation of the use at the location proposed would not be detrimental to the harmonious and orderly growth of the City, or endanger, jeopardize, or otherwise constitute a hazard to the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or general welfare; in that:
The adopted zoning code allows for the time-limited short-term rental of recently built apartment units to activate both the building and the surrounding neighborhood. Guests are provided with an in-building parking space as part of their rental, with the option to rent additional spaces if desired. Guests are informed as a part of the check-in procedures that overnight parking is prohibited on Calle del Mundo.
(5) The subject site is:
a. Physically suitable in terms of design, location, operating characteristics, shape, size, topography, and the provision of public and emergency vehicle (e.g., fire and medical) access and public services and utilities; in that:
No changes to the approved exterior elevations are proposed.
b. Served by highways and streets adequate in width and improvement to carry the type and quantity of traffic the proposed use would likely generate; in that:
The proposed use differs only in the term of the rental, and not in the use of the apartment units.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 5.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is considered Categorically Exempt per CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Existing Facilities).
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 March 28, 2025. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)(1) (Class 1 - “Existing Facilities”), and Approve the Minor Use Permit, subject to the required findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: John Davidson, Principal Planner
Approved by: Sheldon Ah Sing, Development Review Officer
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Maps
2. Development Plans
3. Placemakr Project Description
4. Letter from Ron Patrick, owner of 5191 Lafayette Street, requesting a public hearing
5. Conditions of Approval
6. Public Correspondence