REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Variance to the Rear Accessory Building Setback and the Accessory Building Setback from the Main Building, in Order to Allow a 68 square foot accessory building in the rear of a Single-Family Residence at 2121 Sheraton Drive; and Action on a Class 1(e) CEQA Categorical Exemption
Report
File No.(s): PLN22-00441
Location: 2121 Sheraton Dr., a 7,000 square foot single-family residential lot, APN: 224-31-104; the property is zoned R1-6L - Single Family Residential.
Applicant: Jim Horner
Owner: Jim Horner
Request: Variance to the code required rear accessory building setback and the accessory building setback to the main building, in order to allow a 68 square foot accessory building in the rear of a single-family residential lot.
CEQA: Not required per Section 15270, Projects Which Are Disapproved. If approved, Categorically Exempt per Section 15301, Class 1(e) Additions to Existing Structures.
Staff Recommendation: To deny the accessory structure based on the requirements of City Code.
BACKGROUND
On August 3rd, 2022, the applicant, Jim Horner, filed an application for a variance to retain an existing 68 square foot accessory building without plumbing located in the rear setback area of a single-family residence. The project requires a variance in order to maintain the applicant's 'hobby hut' inside the rear five-foot accessory building setback and closer than six feet from the main building.
The location of the accessory building in the rear yard formerly housed an outdoor spa. The applicant has chosen to replace this outdoor spa with the 68 square foot hobby hut. The City of Santa Clara does not require a building permit for structures under 100 square feet, however the City Code does specify that all accessory buildings shall be five feet away from the rear property line and six feet or more from the main building. The applicant has submitted evidence showing that within the subdivision tract for which ...
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