REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING Action on the Architectural Review (PLN24-00597) for a 395 Square-Foot First Floor Addition and 1,852 Square-Foot Second Floor Addition to an Existing One-Story Duplex Residence Resulting in two 2,331 Square-Foot Two-Story Duplex Units Located at 3245 McKinley Drive.
Report
File No.: PLN24-00597
Location: 3245 McKinley Drive, a 7,841 square-foot lot located on the northeast side of McKinley Drive and Cronin Drive intersection; APN: 296-13-053; zoned Low Density Residential (R2).
Applicant: Devendra Deshwal
Owner(s): Mohammed Shariq
Request: Architectural Review for a 395 square-foot first floor addition and 1,852 square-foot second floor addition to an existing one-story duplex residence resulting in two 2,331 square-foot two-story duplex units, located at 3245 McKinley Drive
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 one-story residence with commercial development across McKinley Drive. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The site includes and existing 2,638 square-foot one-story duplex with a detached 302 square-foot one-car garage.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020(D)(8), the request requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The project proposes demolition, consistent with City Code definition, although some of the existing structure would remain. The project proposes a 191 square-foot first floor addition, a 17 square-foot front porch, a 402 square-foot attached two-car garage, and a 926 square-foot second floor addition to Unit A and a 204 square-foot first floor addition, a 17 square-foot front porch, a 402 square-foot attached two-car garage, and a 926 square-foot second floor addition to Unit B, resulting in two 2,331 square-foot two-story duplex units. Each unit results in four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
• The project is consistent with the Santa Clara Single-Family and Duplex Design Guidelines (2014):
o The design of the entry feature is designed to be in human scale and proportionate to the elevation.
o The project proposes a second-story balcony facing McKinley Drive that meets the maximum 4-foot depth design guideline for second-story outdoor areas.
o The project proposes a 3-foot front and rear second-story stepbacks and 18-foot corner side second-story stepbacks.
• 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 RECOMMEDATION
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires the following findings consistent with City 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 two-car garages.
• 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 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 two-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 project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Design Guidelines (2014):
o The design of the entry feature is designed to be in human scale and proportionate to the elevation.
o The project proposes a second-story balcony facing McKinley Drive that meets the maximum 4-foot depth design guideline for second-story outdoor areas.
o The project proposes a 3-foot front and rear second-story stepbacks and 18-foot corner side second-story stepbacks.
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 project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Design Guidelines (2014):
o The project would create a residential 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 to the adjacent properties.
• The proposed expansion and addition comply with the R2 zoning district’s development standards.
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 15301(e)(1) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), in that the proposed project is a small addition to the existing duplex 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 March 27, 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 Architectural Review for a for a 395 square-foot first floor addition and 1,852 square-foot second floor addition to an existing one-story duplex residence resulting in two 2,331 square-foot two-story duplex units, located at 3245 McKinley Drive, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plans