REPORT TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project:
LANDMARK ALTERATION PERMIT: to allow exterior modifications to the front and rear facades and screening for rooftop equipment for a new restaurant (Zareen’s).
Location: 135 South Murphy Avenue (APN: 209-06-005)
File #: PLNG-2025-0466
Zoning: DSP-2 (Downtown Specific Plan Block 2)
Applicant / Owner: Sa’id Eghbal (applicant) / Zareen Khan (owner)
Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.
Project Planner: Momo Ishijima, 408-730-753, mishijima@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
Description of Proposed Project
The proposed project is to allow modifications to the exterior façade in the front and rear and the screening of rooftop equipment at 135 South Murphy Avenue. The existing building is one-story and formally occupied by a bar (Murphy’s Law). The primary entrance faces South Murphy Avenue and the rear access is from the City-owned surface parking lot and an exterior courtyard space. A Landmark Alteration Permit is required for any exterior modifications to buildings within the Local Landmark District with review and approval by the Heritage Preservation Commission.
See Attachment 1 for a map of the vicinity and mailing area.
Previous Actions on the Site
The building was constructed in 1913, one year after the incorporation of Sunnyvale. The street was originally called Main Street and the 100 block of South Murphy Avenue make up the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District (established in 1979). The building has operated as a bar for decades.
In the 1980’s, there were Planning approvals related to exterior modifications, interior improvements, landscaping and outdoor eating area. Most recently during the pandemic (2020), there was an approval for outdoor dining on Murphy Avenue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions that include minor alterations to an existing facility (CEQA Section 15301).
DISCUSSION
Site Layout and Architecture
The project site is located on the west side, mid-block on South Murphy Avenue between West Evelyn Avenue and West Washington Avenue. The existing building is 1,568-square foot in size with an approximately 1,300-square foot courtyard area in the rear adjacent to the City-owned parking lot. The Design Guidelines for Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District identifies the contemporary mission revival building as a Primary Contributor to the district. The exterior is smooth stucco with an arched parapet. The color of the building and the fabric awning are currently green.
Exterior Modifications:
The project proposes the following modifications to the front facade:
- Remove canvas / vinyl awning covering transom windows over the storefront;
- New, solid wood, sliding windows fit into existing storefront window openings;
- New, solid wood, true divided light, clerestory storefront transom windows within the existing historic opening;
- New 4 x 4 ceramic tile at storefront bulkhead
- New, solid wood, entry door with single, large, vertical light with tempered glazing;
- New, flush mount, globe fixture at entry ceiling; and
- Retain and protect hexagonal tile at front entry threshold during construction.
The project proposes the following modifications to the rear facade:
- Remove arched canvas / vinyl awning over rear door;
- Roof Mechanical Equipment screening
Color: The applicant proposes to paint the exterior a light color with dark trims including the doors and window frames. The pink and green ceramic tiles would be replaced with a white tile color of the same size and glazed finish. The mechanical screen on the roof would be painted to match the exterior color (see colored elevations in Attachment 4). The proposed lighter shade of the exterior facade is brighter than the existing green color.
Applicable Design Guidelines
The following design guidelines from The Design Guidelines for Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District are applicable to the project:
Character Defining Features:
- Limit changes to character defining features
- Retain a glazed storefront
- Avoid painting on ceramic tile base
- Maintain the tile base along Murphy Avenue but consider use of different colored tiles to better enhance the building character
Colors
- Consider repainting in a lighter, creamier color, with dark accents
The proposed modifications to the facades preserve and enhance the character defining features of the historic building with the retention of a single, centered and recessed storefront, smooth stucco finish, ceramic tile base with windows above, arched parapet, and simple color scheme. The historical evaluation by the consultant, Architecture + History, also concludes that the project “will not impair the overall historic integrity of the building or impact the significant character-defining features as identified in the Design Guidelines for this building at 135 South Murphy Avenue” (see Attachment 6). The proposed color palette is compatible with the existing building architecture and adds positively to the Murphy Avenue streetscape.
Development Standards
There are no additions proposed to the building and the project meets all development standards of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code including the proposed screening for the rooftop mechanical equipment as viewed from the rear property line.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS/COMPATIBILITY:
The proposed restaurant will be part of the City’s historic district with a variety of other retail stores, restaurants, and bars. Staff finds that the proposed façade upgrades are consistent with the applicable design guidelines and will not have a negative impact to the surrounding uses with the incorporation of the recommended conditions of approval for construction activities (See Attachment 3). Therefore, the neighborhood impact from the proposed project is expected to be minimal.
PUBLIC CONTACT
425 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 Landmark Alteration Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 3 and recommended Conditions in Attachment 4.
2. Approve the Landmark Alteration Permit with modifications.
3. Deny the Landmark Alteration Permit.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1. Approve the Landmark Alteration Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 3 and recommended Conditions in Attachment 4.
Staff
Prepared by: Momo Ishijima, Senior Planner
Approved by: Noren Caliva-Lepe, Principal Planner
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity and Noticing Maps
2. Recommended Findings
3. Standard Requirements and Recommended Conditions of Approval
4. Site and Architectural Plans
5. Project Description Letter by Applicant
6. Historical Evaluation Report
7. Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District Design Guidelines - Building Specific Excerpt