REPORT TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project:
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: allow an Education Recreation and Enrichment Use in an existing 5,300 square feet, ground-floor tenant space in the Downtown Specific Plan.
Location: 250 W Washington Avenue (APN: 209-35-030)
File #: PLNG-2025-0308
Zoning: DSP-18 (Downtown Specific Plan / Block 18)
Applicant / Owner: Josh Rupert (applicant)/ STC Venture 200WA, LLC (owner)
Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemptions relieve this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.
Project Planner: Julia Klein, 408-730-7463, jklein@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
The project site is an approximately 3.5 acres, rectangular-shaped lot that was recently developed as the CityLine project for a mix of uses including commercial, office and residential. As originally envisioned, the ground-floor of the existing seven-story building is intended for active uses; and may be divided up to support a combination of uses. The property owner has submitted applications for two adjacent tenant spaces: one is for Education Recreation and Enrichment use and the other for a Recreational and Athletic Facility (fitness gym) use. This application (PLNG-2025-0308) is focused on Education Recreation and Enrichment use. A separate application (PLNG-2025-0311) is focused on the Recreational and Athletic Facility (fitness gym) use.
Description of Proposed Project
The applicant proposes use of the vacant, ground-floor tenant space for Education Recreation and Enrichment use. The applicant will not be operating the business, rather this application is intended to allow a future tenant to operate an educational use that is separate and distinct from childcare and K-12 school use. As proposed, the future tenant would be a third-party operator and would be required to comply with this application and the Conditions of Approval for its operation. The project does not include any physical changes to the tenant space, building or property; however, future tenants may apply for permits for signage, interior tenant improvements, etc.
The Special Development Permit (SDP) for Education Recreation and Enrichment use is subject to review and approval by the Zoning Administrator pursuant to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Section 19.24.030. The applicant is requesting an SDP to allow an Education Recreation and Enrichment use in an existing approximately 5,300 square feet tenant space which is shown in purple color in the project plans.
See Attachment 1 for a map of the vicinity and mailing area for notices and Attachment 4 for the project plans and data table.
Previous Actions on the Site
Special Development Permit (2020-7110) - Approved in 2021, to allow a seven-story, approximately 400,800 square feet building for retail commercial, office and flex space with two-levels of underground parking at the former Macy’s site. Subsequent approvals for the site have included several Miscellaneous Plan Permits (MPP) for a master sign program, tenant signage, directional signage, site landscaping and irrigation, and restaurant uses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A Class1 Categorical Exemption (Section 15301 - Existing Facilities) relieves this project from CEQA provisions. The proposed project qualifies for Class 1 exemption in that it consists of the permitting of an Education Recreation and Enrichment use in an approximately 5,300-square foot tenant space located in an existing mixed-use building. No physical changes are proposed with this application and future changes would be subject to review under separate permits.
DISCUSSION
Proposed Use
The project proposes the operation of an education (recreation and enrichment) use by a future third-party operator. This category of education use is separate and distinct from childcare and K-12 school uses as the proposed use is intended to provide space for professional development, trainings, and similar independent learning for adults.
Operations
The business would operate during typical business hours on Mondays through Fridays from 8 AM - 7 PM and would be required to stagger classes by 30 minutes to reduce potential overlap of students on-site. A future operator may request to amend the Condition of Approval for evening and weekend classes, and special events which would be subject to review by the Director of Community Development.
The application does not include information regarding the nature or topics of future classes as it would be dependent upon the future third-party operator.
The project plans for this Special Development Permit show a potential interior configuration for the 5,300 square foot space which includes a lobby, a centrally located lecture space, and smaller meeting rooms. It is anticipated that a future operator will have input on the final plans for the interior tenant improvement building permit.
As the site is surrounded by a variety of uses, including residential uses, the business would be required to comply with the city’s standard Noise ordinance to minimize disruption on nearby uses. For further details, please refer to Attachment 3 for the conditions of approval.
Parking
The project site is located in the CityLine development which includes a total of 786 parking spaces that are intended to be shared by the office, retail and other uses in the development. Based on the available parking supply and site circulation, staff does not anticipate conflicts associated this use. Refer to Attachment 4 for the project plans and data table.
The site is also located within a half-mile from the downtown Caltrain station and VTA bus stops along Mathilda Avenue provide alternative means for staff and students to access the site.
Downtown Specific Plan
The proposed project complies with the applicable land use and development standards for the Downtown Specific Plan as set forth in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC). As proposed, the project complies with the standards for parking and there are no changes to the lot coverage, floor area, height, and setbacks. It is also generally consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan Design Guidelines in that future tenant signage would be subject to the Master Sign Program. Refer to Attachment 2 for the SDP findings and Attachment 4 for the project plans and data table.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS/COMPATIBILITY:
In terms of land use compatibility, the proposed project would serve the surrounding neighborhood, which consists of multi-family residential and office uses; and would complement nearby commercial establishments by bringing in potential patrons.
PUBLIC CONTACT
1,155 notices were sent to surrounding property owners and residents adjacent to the subject site. Staff has received no comments on the item. In addition, the notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Sun newspaper.
Public contact was made by posting the meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the Special Development Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 2 and Conditions in Attachment 3.
2. Approve the Special Development Permit with modifications.
3. Deny the Special Development Permit.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1. Approve the Special Development Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 2 and Conditions in Attachment 3.
Staff
Prepared by: Julia Klein, Principal Planner
Approved by: Momoko Ishijima, Senior Planner
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity and Noticing Maps
2. Recommended Findings
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval
4. Project Plans and Data Table
5. Special Development Permit Justification Form