REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN25-00082) for the Construction of a 137 Square-Foot First Floor Addition and Internal Reconfiguration of an Existing Single-Family Residence, Resulting in a 3,170 Square-Foot Five-Bedroom and Four-Bathroom Single-Family Residence with Two-Bedrooms with Exterior Access on a 10,454 Square-Foot Lot at 3513 Oxford Court.
Report
File No.: PLN25-00082
Location: 3513 Oxford Court, a 10,454 square foot lot located on the west side of Oxford Court, approximately 906 feet north of Pruneridge Avenue.
APN: 224-12-124
Zoned: Single-Family Residential (R1-6L)
Applicant: Greg Stowers
Owner: Premier Homes - Fastrack Investments Inc
Request: Architectural Review for the construction of a 137 square-foot first floor addition and internal reconfiguration of an existing single-family residence, resulting in a 3,170 square-foot five-bedroom and four-bathroom single family residence with two-bedrooms with exterior access.
PROJECT DATA
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2
POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION
• The 10,454 square-foot parcel (“project site”) is developed with a residence built in 1960. See the attached vicinity map (Attachment 1) for a visual context of the project site.
• The project site is surrounded by one-story single-family residences. The single-family residences are all part of the same subdivision development, and an example of a late ranch style tract home built with efficiency and simplicity in mind. The homes have low-pitched roofs, low profile, and few visible architectural features
• The existing structure is not a potential historical structure as it doesn’t meet the Historical Resource designation criteria under Santa Clara City Code 18.130.040(A).
• The applicant proposes five bedrooms and two bedrooms with exterior access, under Santa Clara City Code 18.120.020(D)(1), this requires an Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The applicant proposes the addition in the rear of the property and blend it architecturally with the rest of the residence by having the same height and roof form.
• The applicant will change the front stucco façade by adding board and batten siding as accent materials. Code-compliant light fixtures will be added across the structure to add accent lighting. The development plans are attached for reference (Attachment 4).
• The project is consistent with the Santa Clara Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014):
o The request is to build a small addition to the rear of the existing structures and internal reconfiguration that will not impact the privacy of the neighbors.
o The roof and building materials work in conjunction with each other and maintain the existing architectural style of the building.
o High quality construction materials are being proposed to be use on site that will blend the home with the rest of the neighborhood.
• The proposed design will have some variety of materials as accent materials are being proposed to reduce the blandness of the structure.
• The following design changes were made since the initial submittal:
o Accent materials were added on the front façade.
o New windows are proposed in the front and rear elevation to reduce the number of blank walls.
o Accent lights were added across the structure.
• The request meets the required findings set forth in Santa Clara City Code Section 18.120.020(F) (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 project site.
FINDINGS
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires, the following findings consistent with Zoning 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 request is consistent with Santa Clara City Code Section 18.38.030(D) as the proposal includes an attached two-car garage.
• The request has sufficient off-street parking for the residential building type.
• The request maintains 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 request would not generate any traffic congestion or hazard.
• The public streets are of adequate size to accommodate a single-family residence of its size.
• The request’s design stays consistent with the scale of nearby residences 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 request is consistent with the Santa Clara Single-Family & Duplex Residential Design Guidelines (2014) as the bulk and mass blends well with the rest of the neighborhood.
• The request meets all required development standards for the zoning district.
• The request is design to protect the privacy of the neighbors.
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).
• The request complies with the R1-6L zoning districts development standards.
• The request complies with the intent of the Santa Clara General Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guideline Section 15332 (Class 32 - In-Fill Development Projects), in that the request is on a project site less than five acres and served by all required utilities & public services.
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
On May 2nd, 2025, a notice was mailed to property owners within 300 feet of the project site to informed them of the public hearing. At the time of preparing this report, the Planning Division has not received any comments.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Determine the project to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) formal pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Class 32 - In-Fill Development Projects), and Approve the Architectural for the construction of a 137 square-foot first floor addition to an existing single-family residence, resulting in a 3,170 square-foot five-bedroom and four-bathroom single family residence with two-bedrooms with exterior access at 3513 Oxford Court, 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