REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on An Architectural Review (PLN25-00266) for the Demolition of an Existing Residence to Construct a 1,645 Square Foot Three Bedroom, Two & a Half Bathroom, Single-Family Residence with a 475 Square Foot Attached Two-Car Garage on a 5,384 Square Foot Lot at 2495 Painted Rock.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00266
Location: 2495 Painted Rock Drive
Applicant: Ramin Zohoor
Owner(s): Guillermo Segura Flores
Request: Architectural Review for the demolition of an existing residential building to construct a 1,645 square foot three-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom single-family residence with a 475 square foot attached garage.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The proposed project is in a residential tract that consist of single-story ranch style residences as shown in the Vicinity Map on Attachment 1.
• The site currently consists of an 897 square-foot one-story, three-bedroom, one-bathroom single family residence built in 1954. The property has an existing non-conforming attached one-car garage.
• The existing single-family residence is a non-conforming structure as it does not have a required two car garage per the R1-6L Zoning District regulations. All new construction is required to conform to the R1-6L Zoning District regulations and provide a two-car garage.
• There are no significant historical features in the existing residence other than the age of the structure therefore not eligible to be designated a Historical Resource under Santa Clara City Code (“SCCC”) 18.130.040.
• Per SCCC 18.120.020 (E) and 18.120.020(D)(7), the request to demolish an existing structure requires an Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing (DRH).
• The result of the project will be a 1,645 square foot three-bedroom, two & a half bathroom single family residence with a 475 square foot attached two-car garage.
• The proposal includes construction of a 420 square foot attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”). Per SCCC 18.60.020 an attached ADU is subject to a ministerial approval and will be approved through the Zoning Clearance after the proposal for the main house is approved at the DRH.
• The applicant proposes a contemporary take on the tract-home architectural style with a minimalistic roof form and massing.
• The proposed construction will consist of new composition roofing shingles, stucco, and wood siding in the lower portion of the front façade and on the entry feature
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o The architectural features of the proposal are appropriate for the neighborhood
o The roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and are consistent with the architectural style of the building.
• The front elevation’s design went through multiple revisions to ensure it met the City’s design guidelines. The entry feature’s roof was incorporated into the proposed structure’s roof to reduce the complexity of the rooflines. The roof now consists of two gables instead of three.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code 18.120 for Architectural Review.
• 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 is consistent with Santa Clara City Code Section 18.38.060D as the new construction has code compliant 20’ by 20’ two-car garage.
• The proposed parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscape areas
• The proposal provides areas surfaced with all-weather materials for vehicle parking.
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 construction would not create any traffic congestion or hazards.
• The public streets are adequate size to accommodate a single-family residence of this size.
• The proposed design matches nearby residence in scale and would not impair the desirability of the neighborhood.
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 & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o Building height and bulk is appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
o Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the architectural style of the building.
o Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
Portions of the front façade will have wood siding to break the plain expanse.
A tree will be planted in the front yard to provide shade, soften the building, improve the streetscape, and comply with the City’s Climate Action Plan.
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 construction is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential 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 to the adjacent properties.
• The proposed construction complies with the R1-6L Zoning Districts development standards.
• The proposed construction complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan and all its policies.
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 15332 (Class 32 – Infill Development Projects), in that the project site is less than five acres, served by utilities, and complies with the General Plan
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 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 September 4, 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 exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 -- Infill Development Projects), and Approve the Architectural Review for the demolition of an existing residential building to construct a 1,645 square foot three-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom single-family residence with a 475 square foot attached garage on a 5,384 square foot lot at 2495 Painted Rock Drive, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Alex Tellez, Assistant Planner, Community Development Department
Reviewed by: Nimisha Agrawal, Senior 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