REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
Action on two multifamily residential design schemes for residential development within the Tasman East Specific Plan area located at 2101, 2111, and 2121 Tasman Drive and 2220 Calle de Luna
Report
File No.: PLN23-00131
Location: 2121 Tasman Drive, 2111 Tasman Drive, 2101 Tasman Drive and 2220 Calle de Luna, an approximately 9-acre property located on the east side of Calle Del Mundo; APNs: 097-05-056, -057; the property is zoned Transit Neighborhood (TN).
Applicant: Related
Owner: Tasman East Parcel 56 Owner, LLC
Request: Architectural Review of two potential residential design schemes.
Mid-Rise Scheme: Two eight-story residential buildings with one level below grade parking with a total of 900 units.
High-Rise Scheme: Two eight-story residential buildings with one level below grade parking with a total of 950 units.
Project Data
The Project Data Table is included as Attachment 2.
Points for Consideration
• The applicant proposes to redevelop the 7.76-acre site within the Tasman East Specific Plan (TESP).
• The TESP intends for the redevelopment of the existing industrial area into a high density transit-oriented neighborhood.
• The project includes two potential development schemes, a high-rise scheme with up to 950 dwelling units and a mid-rise scheme with up to 900 dwelling units.
• The density range for the Transit Neighborhood (TN) designation is 100-350 dwelling units per acre (du/ac). The High-Rise Scheme is 122 du/ac, while the Mid-Rise Scheme is 116 du/ac.
• The project site is currently developed with five light industrial buildings and accessory structures, totaling approximately 191,812 square feet, which would be demolished.
• Both design schemes include the extension of Lick Mill Boulevard northward to Calle de Mundo.
• Both schemes include development of two buildings. Building 4A would be located east of the future Lick Mill extension and west of Guadalupe River, while Building 4B would be located north of Tasman Drive and west of the future Lick Mill Boulevard extension.
• Both schemes include development of a 1.5-acre public park.
• Access to the buildings would be provided by one new full-access driveway along the east side of the future Lick Mill Boulevard extension for Building 4A and one full access driveway, on the west side of the future Lick Mill Boulevard extension, would be provided for Building 4B.
Building Design Mid-Rise Scheme
• Building 4A includes 510 units and Building 4B 390.
• The proposed building would have a maximum height of 95 feet and two inches to the roofline.
• The project proposes 62,358 square-feet of residential amenities including a fitness center, pool deck, private sequoia grove, and unit balconies.
• The project would have one level of below grade parking and three levels of above-grade parking with a total of 509 parking spaces in building 4A and 390 parking spaces in building 4B.
• The overall architecture of the building represents a contemporary design. The residential tower utilizes a combination of concrete, bronze paneling, and vision and tempered glass.
Building Design High-Rise Scheme
• Building 4A includes 590 units and Building 4B 360.
• The proposed building would have a maximum height of 220 feet to the roofline.
• The project proposes 81,341 square-feet of private residential amenities including a fitness center, pool deck, and green terraces, and unit balconies.
• The project would have eight levels of above-grade wrapped parking with a total of 624 parking spaces in building 4A and 385 parking spaces in building 4B.
• The overall architecture of the building represents a contemporary design. The residential towers utilize a combination of glass, aluminum, and metal.
Conclusion
• The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan and with the TN Zoning District development standards. The approved Tasman East Specific Plan (TESP) provides for a residential yield of up to 4,500 new dwelling units over the next 20 years. A total of up to 950 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
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). The Mid-Rise Scheme provides 510 Parking spaces where 471 are required and the High-Rise Scheme provides 625 parking spaces where 593 are required.
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 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 TESP 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;
• Both proposed schemes provide 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).
PUBLIC CONTACT
On May 25, 2023, a notice of public hearing of this item was posted 1,000 feet of the project site and mailed to property owners within 1,000 feet of the project site. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Consider the Addendum to the Tasman East Specific Plan EIR and Approve the new construction of two potential design schemes; Mid-Rise Scheme including two eight-story residential buildings with one level below grade parking with a total of 900 units and a High-Rise Scheme including two eight-story residential buildings with one level below grade parking with a total of 950 units, subject to conditions.
Staff
Prepared by: Rebecca Bustos, Principal Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Lesley Xavier, Planning Manager, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Mid-Rise Scheme Development Plan
2. High-Rise Scheme Development Plan
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Addendum to the TESP FEIR