REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a new 89-unit multi-family residential project located at 2354 Calle Del Mundo
Report
File No.(s): PLN2019-14040
Location: 2354 Calle Del Mundo, an approximately 0.46-acre project site located on the south side of Calle Del Mundo east of Lafayette Street; APN: 097-46-002; property is zoned Transit Neighborhood (TN)
Applicant: Ensemble Real Estate Investment, LLC
Owner: Ensemble Real Estate Investment, LLC
Request: Architectural review of a new 89-unit eight-story residential building within the Tasman East Specific Plan
Project Data
|
|
Existing |
Proposed |
|
General Plan Designation |
Transit Neighborhood |
No change |
|
Zoning District |
Transit Neighborhood |
No change |
|
Land Use |
Light Manufacturing |
Residential |
|
Lot Size |
0.46 acres |
No change |
|
Residential Units |
N/A |
89 |
|
Parking |
Surface parking |
75 total 72 = stackers 2 = accessible spaces 1 = EV |
|
Flood Zone |
AE |
Points for Consideration
• The applicant proposes to redevelop the 0.46-acre site within the Tasman East Specific Plan (TESP) and construct a new eight-story residential building with 89 residential units. The site is located within the Center District of the TESP, which envisions improvements to the streets, the construction of greenways, and the dedication of park land to support a high-density residential neighborhood near transit.
• The density range for the Transit Neighborhood (TN) designation is 100-350 dwelling units per acre. Based on the subject 0.46 net acre site, the project site qualifies between 46 and 161 housing units. 193 dwelling units per net acre is proposed. Density is calculated as net density within the TESP.
• With the recent adoption of the TESP and the Related Santa Clara (formerly City Place) project, the site and its surroundings are expected to be a neighborhood in transition. Currently, the neighborhood is characterized by low-intensity industrial buildings.
• There is an existing vehicular easement on the south and east sides of the subject property that benefit surrounding property owners that will be maintained as part of the proposed project.
Building Design
• The project includes a residential building that would consist of 89 dwelling units and with two levels of above-grade parking and one underground “stacker pit” to accommodate the proposed vehicle stackers. The proposed building would have a maximum height of 88 feet to the roofline.
• The project proposes 1,379 square-feet of residential amenities including a fitness center, lounge room, and outdoor courtyard on the third floor.
• A new driveway is proposed on the north side of the project site along Calle Del Mundo to serve as access to the garage. As noted above, the project would have two-levels of above-grade parking with a total of 75 vehicular parking spaces and 53 bicycle parking spaces.
• The project is consistent with the Building Design Guidelines of the TESP. TESP standards and guidelines are achieved that address the building design (fenestration, building scale, rooftop amenity areas), building performance, bulk and massing (discouraging long buildings), building frontages (setbacks and landscaping). The overall architecture of the building represents a contemporary design. The residential tower utilizes a combination of concrete, metal, spandrel glass, and aluminum.
• The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan and with the TN Zoning District development standards. The approved TESP provides for a residential yield of up to 4,500 new dwelling units over the next 20 years. A total of 89 units are proposed.
• The proposal will support goals, policies and land uses established in the TESP to create a mix of housing types, open spaces, and supporting linkage to the Guadalupe River Trail.
Findings supporting the Staff Recommendation
1. That any off-street parking area, screening strips and other facilitates 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 development exceeds the required parking spaces under SCCC 18.25.070(a)(3) and (5) and provides 75 total spaces where 66 are required.
2. That the design and location of the proposed development and its location to neighboring developments and traffic is such that it will not impair the desirability of investment or occupation in the neighborhood. And will not unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring developments, and will not create traffic congestion or hazard, in that:
• The project is consistent with the Tasman East Specific Plan Street Design Guidelines, Open Space Design Guidelines and Building Design Guidelines. The project implements the TESP by providing the necessary components such as bike lanes, sidewalk widths, and landscaping. The building is designed to be consistent with the TESP by providing building recesses, notches, a variety of materials, colors and fenestration patterns.
• The proposed project incorporates high quality sustainable, energy efficient materials and will meet or exceed all CalGreen requirements.
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 development is consistent with the Transit Neighborhood designation. The project is compatible with the planned high-density residential uses in the area.
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.
• The use, scale, and design of the development, as conditioned, are consistent with the Tasman East Specific Plan standards and are compatible with the planned uses in the surrounding area.
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, in that;
• The proposed development provides for an attractive, inviting, imaginative and functional site arrangement of the building, the obscured parking areas, and a high quality architectural and landscape design. The project also provides for proper access, visibility and identity, and access to transit within the Tasman East Specific Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
An Addendum was prepared for the project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 states that when an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been certified or a Negative Declaration adopted for a project, no subsequent EIR shall be prepared for that project unless the Lead Agency determines on the basis of substantial evidence in light of the whole record that substantial changes or new information of substantial importance has been identified. The City of Santa Clara certified the Tasman East Specific Plan (TESP) EIR (SCH#2016122027, File Nos. CEQ2016-01026, PLN2016-12400). Based on the proposed project description and knowledge of the project site (based on the environmental review prepared for the TESP FEIR), the City has concluded that the proposed project would not result in any new impacts not previously disclosed in the TESP FEIR and would not result in a substantial increase in the magnitude of any significant environmental impacts previously identified in the FEIR. For these reasons, an addendum to the TESP FEIR has been prepared for the proposed project. An addendum is not required to circulate for public review, but will be attached to the TESP FEIR, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15164(c).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City for processing the requested application other than administrative staff time and expense typically covered by processing fees paid by the applicant.
PUBLIC CONTACT
On March 5, 2021, a notice of public hearing of this item was mailed 1,000 feet of the project site and posted within 300 feet of the project site. Planning Staff has not received public comments for this application.
Public contact was made by posting the Council 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 at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. 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>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve, subject to conditions, the Architectural Review of an 89-unit multi-family residential project located at 2354 Calle Del Mundo.
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Gloria Sciara, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Development Plans
2. Conditions of Approval
3. Addendum to the TESP FEIR