REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00194) for a 1,000 Square Foot Two-Story Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit Addition and a 557 Square Foot First Floor Addition to an Existing One-Story Single-Family Residence Located at 1995 Stafford Street. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15332 - Infill.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00194
Location: 1995 Stafford Street, a 9,000 square-foot lot located on the corner of Scott Boulevard and Stafford Street; APN: 269-08-054.
Applicant: Jeff Guinta, Guinta Designs
Owner(s): Steven Geraci
Request: Architectural Review for the 1,000 square-foot two story attached accessory dwelling unit and a 557 square-foot first floor addition to an existing one-story single-family residence, located at 1995 Stafford 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 consists primarily of single-story and two-story single-family residences. See Vicinity Map in Attachment 1.
• The site currently consists of a 1,673 square-foot with 556 square-foot garage, one-story, four-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family residence built in 1949.
• Per the Santa Clara City Code 18.60.020.A.2.a, the proposed two-story Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”) cannot be approved ministerially as it does not match the height of the existing one-story residence, which requires Architectural Review approval at the Development Review Hearing (DRH).
• The proposed project involves interior and exterior alterations, and new construction of an attached 1,000 square-foot two-story ADU with a 21 square-foot porch and 557 square-foot first floor addition for the main residence.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014) in that:
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 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 is consistent with SCCC 18.38.060.D as the garage still maintains the code compliant two parking spaces of at least 8.5 feet wide by 18 feet deep.
• The proposed parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscape areas as they are in the existing garage.
• The vehicle parking is in an all-weather material surfaced area.
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 inclusion of one dwelling unit to the property does not exceed any traffic or vehicle miles traveled threshold.
• 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:
• Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
• 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 project 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 Residential Design Guidelines in that the project would create a result in a design that is compatible in scale with housing types that are typical in the neighborhood and the entry and roof design are consistent with the existing residence.
• The proposed addition complies 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
is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Exemption Sections 15332 - Infill, in that the project involves an addition and renovations of historic single-family 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 130 property owners/tenants within a 300-foot radius of the project site on March 26. 2026. As of the writing of this report, planning staff have not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 - Infill; and Approve the Architectural Review for the 1,000 square-foot second story attached accessory dwelling unit and a 557 square-foot first floor addition, located at 1995 Stafford Street, subject to the findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Meha Patel, 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