REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00028) for the Modification of Previously Approved plans (PLN22-00168) for the Addition of 82 Square Feet to the Second Floor of a Previously Approved Two-Story Residence Resulting in a 3,411 Square Foot Residence with Five Bedrooms and Five Bathrooms Located at 3674 Macintosh Street
Report
File No.: PLN25-00028
Location: 3674 Macintosh Street, a 6,129 square foot lot, located on mid-block on the western side between Laurie Ave and Baird Ave, APN: 101-22-039
Applicant: Arbel Toumeh
Owner(s): Tony Wong and Cindy Nguyen
Request: Architectural Review for the modification of previously approved plans (PLN22-00168) for the addition of 82 square feet to a previously approved second floor addition at 3674 Macintosh Street
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. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The existing site is currently a one-story ranch style home which has been previously approved in PLN22-00168 for a for a two-story addition. See Attachment 5 for information on the prior project request.
• PLN22-00168 allowed for a 1,327 square foot 2nd floor addition, 161 square foot 1st floor expansion, and general remodel of the existing portions of the residence. PLN22-00168 was approved July 6, 2022. The Building Permit for the project, BLD22-64836, has all reviews complete, however construction has not started.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.120(D)1. d. the request to modify or expand the existing second story requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The proposal is to modify the previously approved two-story home by adding an additional 82 square feet to the proposed rear portion of the second floor of the home. As seen from the front of the house, the addition balances the massing of the structure compared to the previously approved project.
• 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 front of the house is oriented toward the primary street frontage with an emphasis on the front porch or entry element toward the street by architectural design and landscaping treatment.
o The architectural features of the proposed design including the light-colored stucco and contrasting window, and door trim are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
o The project proposes a modification to a previously approved second-story addition, the modification enlarges the second-story addition but keeps the addition under the maximum of 66% of the first-floor area.
• 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-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 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 project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family Design Guidelines (2014):
o Architectural features of the proposed design area are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
o The proposed project is consistent with the scale and design found in the existing surrounding neighborhoods.
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 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 design and massing to the adjacent properties.
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 is for the modification of a proposed new single-family residence and the demolition of an existing single-story residence, which meets Class 3 exemption requirements.
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 15303 (Class 3 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Approve the Architectural Review for the addition of 82 Square Foot to a previously approved Second Floor Addition located at 3674 Macintosh Street, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Daniel Sobczak, Associate 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
5. Web Links - 7/6/22 DRH meeting staff report and attachments