REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW HEARING
SUBJECT
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Action on the Architectural Review (PLN22-00495) for a Proposed Central Utility Building for Intel at 3065 Bowers Avenue
Report
File No.(s): PLN22-00495
Location: 3065 Bowers Avenue, a 26-acre parcel located to the northeast corner of Central Expressway and Bowers Avenue, APN: 216-46-015; property is zoned Planned Industrial (MP).
Applicant: John Schwarz
Owner: Intel International
Request: Architectural Review for a new 17,000 square feet Central Utility Building. On an approximately 1.3-acre portion of the Intel campus.
Project Data
The Project Data and Compliance Table is included as Attachment 2.
Points for Consideration
• The project site is an approximately 1.3-acre area of the southwestern corner of the 26-acre Intel Bowers Campus located at 3065 Bowers Avenue.
• The project proposes to redevelop the approximately 1.3-acre portion of the Intel campus, which currently consists of paved surface parking and landscaped areas, with an up to 17,000-square foot Central Utility Building (CUB). The CUB structure would have a ground-level footprint of approximately 14,200 square feet with an additional 2,800 square feet of mechanical penthouse at the roof level, for a total building area of up to 17,000 square feet. The CUB would have a height of up to 50 feet to the top of parapet.
• Per the Santa Clara Code 18.120.020(D)(4), the project requires Architectural Review approval through a Development Review Hearing.
• The proposed CUB would serve the existing and planned equipment at the SC1 cleanroom facility that is located within the central southwestern portion of the Intel Bowers Campus, directly adjacent to the proposed CUB. The SC1 cleanroom is utilized for the manufacture of microchips and other materials in a controlled environment. The CUB would house a chiller area, pumps, brine containment, generator yard, electrical substation/battery storage room, and mechanical equipment. The CUB would also include an approximately 175 square foot office area to be utilized by engineering and maintenance staff.
• All rooftop equipment would be shielded by metal panels along the exterior of the building, and a screen along the western side of the CUB would further shield the building from the public view along Bowers Avenue. The prefinished perforated metal wall screen is a separate panel feature that would be attached to the CUB. The panel would be a dark grey color. The chillers, electric substation, and generator yard would be within an enclosed exterior yard, obscured from public view.
• Access to the building would be provided via an existing two-way driveway on Bowers Avenue. The proposed CUB would serve and be part of the existing Intel Campus operations; however, the project would not generate new employees or regular trips to and from the site because staff working within the CUB would be existing employees.
• The project would remove 21 surface parking spaces, bringing the total provided from 586 to 565. The required parking is 297 spaces.
• The project includes the removal of nine trees, and the project proposes to plant 11, 36-inch box trees.
• A neighborhood notice was distributed to properties within a 500-foot radius of the subject site for this project review.
• There are no active code enforcement cases for this property.
Findings Supporting Staff’s Recommendation
Granting the Architectural Review approval requires, the following findings consistent with Zoning Code Section 18.120.020(D)(4):
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 development provides a total of 565 on-site parking spaces and provides adequate circulation for vehicular access.
• The project would not generate new employees or regular trips to and from the site because staff working within the CUB would be existing employees.
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 would not generate regular vehicle trips other than occasional trips associated with the CUB.
• Operation of the project would occur fully on-site and would not obstruct pedestrian, bike, or transit plans for the area.
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 proposes a new industrial building and other on-site improvements including landscaping that is compatible with the existing industrial and office research and development uses on site and in the area.
• The building design has a industrial appearance that is compatible with the existing land uses in the surrounding neighborhood in scale and intensity.
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 General Plan and is designed to be compatible with the uses in the surrounding area.
• A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program accompanies the project and shall be implemented throughout project development to reduce any potential impacts to less than significant.
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 design and form of the building is consistent with the City’s Commercial Design Guidelines and General Plan policies.
• The project provides architectural features that avoid large expenses of blank wall to provide a prominent and interesting building appearance towards the street frontage.
Conditions of Approval
Conditions of approval are proposed for the project and are contained in Attachment 3.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered considers the potential environmental impacts of the project addressed in a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The MND and Notice of Availability were posted on the City’s website and were circulated for 30-day review on January 6, 2024, and closed on February 5, 2024, in accordance with CEQA.
The MND analyzed the project’s impact in the various environmental topics covered by CEQA. Most topics were found to have less than significant impact or no impact. The following topics were found to have potential impacts that could be reduced to less than significant with mitigation: air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, and tribal cultural resources. The mitigations and responsible parties for mitigation are included in the mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) (Attachment 1).
Findings
There is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment and that the mitigated negative declaration reflects the lead agency’s independent judgment and analysis.
There were no public comments received on the MND.
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 property owners within a 500-foot radius of the project site on April 4th, 2024. As of the writing of this report, planning staff has not received public comments for this application.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and Approve an Architectural Review for the new 17,000 square feet Central Utility Building and on-site improvements at 3065 Bowers Avenue, subject to findings and conditions of approval.
Staff
Prepared by: Steve Le, Senior Planner, Community Development Department
Approved by: Sheldon S. Ah Sing, Development Review Officer, Community Development Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. Link to Environmental Documents
2. Project Data and Compliance Table
3. Conditions of Approval
4. Development Plan