REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on an Amendment to the Zoning Code, SCCC Chapter 18.76 Architectural Review
Report
BACKGROUND
Chapter 18.76 of the Santa Clara City Code (SCCC) establishes an architectural review procedure whereby the Santa Clara Architectural Committee (AC) acts as the review body for specified new land use development projects not otherwise subject to Planning Commission or City Council review or other proceedings established within the City Code. Projects typically considered by the AC include additions to single-family residences and new construction within commercial and industrial districts. The City Code currently states that the AC will be composed of one member appointed by the City Council and two members of the Planning Commission appointed by the Chair of the Commission. In recent years the City Council's practice has been to appoint a member of the Council to serve on the AC along with the two Planning Commissioners.
At the March 5, 2019 City Council meeting, staff received direction from the City Council to amend Chapter 18.76 of the Santa Clara City Code (SCCC) to revise the architectural review procedure, replacing the Architectural Committee with an administrative process. The City Council also provided direction to include design feedback from architectural professionals in the design review process and to maintain the City Council as the hearing authority for all appeals of architectural review public hearing actions.
Staff prepared the subject Zoning Code Amendment to implement the March 5 City Council direction to modify the City's architectural review process, including the composition of the Architectural Committee, with the goals of avoiding any potential due process issues on appeals and streamlining the review process. The Planning Commission considered the proposed Amendment at their May 22, 2019 and August 14, 2019 hearings and are recommending approval of a modified version of the Amendment (referred to ...
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