REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing: Action on Architectural Review (PLN25-00515) for a 416 Square Foot First Floor Addition and a 1,199 Square Foot Addition for an Accessory Dwelling Unit to an Existing One-Story Residence with a 492 Square Foot Detached Garage on a 6,250 Square Foot at 4383 Cheeney Street. CEQA Status: Exempt from CEQA per Section 15332.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00515
Location: 4383 Cheeney Street
Applicant: Marten Walker
Owner(s): Madhava Reddy
Request: Architectural Review for a 416 square foot first floor addition and a 1,199 square foot addition for an accessory dwelling unit to an existing one-story residence with a 492 square foot detached residence.
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 consists of predominately single-story residences built in the ranch home architectural style popular in the late 1950s as shown in the Vicinity Map on Attachment 1.
• The site consists of a single-story two-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch home built in 1956.
• There are no significant historical features in the existing residence other than the structure’s age therefore is not eligible to be designated a Historical Resource under Santa Clara City Code (“SCCC”) 18.130.030.
• Per SCCC 18.120.020.D.1., the request to add a second story element to a single-family residence requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing (“DRH”).
• The proposed addition result is an 1,894 square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom single family residence with a 490 square-attached garage and a 1,199 square foot attached accessory dwelling on the second floor.
• The applicant proposes to integrate the proposal’s design with the rest of the neighborhood by providing window trims, mass breaks, and stone wainscoting that are similar to other residences in the subdivision.
• The proposed construction materials will include Versetta Stone “Granite Peak” exterior wainscot, “Grand Manor Black Pearl” roof shingles, and “Snow” Light Cream stucco finish.
• The project is consistent with the City’s Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (“Residential Guidelines”) (2014):
o Building height and bulk is generally appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
§ The second-story addition is set on top of the first story with a five foot setback from the first-floor wall on the right and two feet from the left, which is less than the three foot required side stepback from the first floor walls. However, the second floor walls on the left side are located approximately 15 feet from the property line, and are sufficiently distanced from the neighboring property, minimizing potential privacy concerns.
§ The second story addition provides a five foot stepback from the first-floor front porch and more than 10 foot step back to the rear.
o The architectural features of the proposal are appropriate for the neighborhood as it preserves the existing architectural design of the building.
o The roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another, and are consistent with the architectural style of the building as they are typical materials use in a modern cottage-style residence.
• Approximately 5.5 foot wide balcony is proposed to the rear, which is 41 feet away from the rear property line, minimizing any privacy concerns.
• The design went through one round of revisions to ensure compliance with the SCCC and the Residential Guidelines. Following revisions were incorporated:
o The main entrances to the principal unit and the accessory dwelling unit were swapped with the principal unit’s entrance now in the structure’s front.
o The second story balconies were moved to the front and back from the sides to protect the neighbor’s privacy.
o Finally, the second story’s mass was adjusted to meet the second story side setback requirement of ten feet.
• The proposed project meets the required findings set forth in SCCC 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 exceeds the 20’ by 20’ minimum interior dimensions.
• The existing parking spaces are not located in the required front yard or side yard landscape area as they are in the existing garage.
• The parking spaces are 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 public streets are adequate in 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:
• Building height and bulk are appropriate relative to the neighborhood.
• Roof materials, building materials, and finishes work in conjunction with one another and consistent with the architectural style of the building.
• Architectural features of the proposed design are true to the architectural form and appropriate for the neighborhood.
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 & City Code requirements. Which serves 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 Residential Guidelines:
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, materials, and form 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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
An early project notification was mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on December 23, 2025, to 76 owners/ tenants. No public comments were submitted.
A public hearing notice was mailed to property owners within a 300-foot radius of the project site on March 26, 2026, to 76 owners/ tenants. 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 a 416 square foot first floor addition and a 1,199 square foot addition for an accessory dwelling unit to an existing one-story residence with a 492 square foot detached residence, subject to 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