PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project: Peery Park Specific Plan (PPSP) Amendment to increase office and research and development (R&D) square footage and residential units and allow relocation of the Libby Water Tower, and Scoping Meeting to receive public comments on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to the previously certified 2016 PPSP EIR.
Location: Peery Park Specific Plan (PPSP)
File #: PLNG-2024-0678
Applicant: Steelwave LLC
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the proposed Peery Park Specific Plan (PPSP) Amendment on September 30, 2026, initiating a 30-day public comment period as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This marks the first step in the Supplemental EIR process. The purpose of the NOP is to inform agencies and the public that an EIR is being prepared to address potential impacts resulting from approval and implementation of the PPSP Amendment and gather input from the public and public agencies on the scope and content of the environmental analysis to be included in the Supplemental EIR.
The City, along with its consultant PlaceWorks, will hold a hybrid community outreach and environmental scoping meeting during the public comment period on October 12, 2026, as part of the Planning Commission Study Session. The public comment period will close at 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 2026. The City is also sending consultation request letters to local Native American tribes pursuant to AB 52 and SB 18.
The PPSP encompasses approximately 450 acres generally bounded by State Route 237 to the north and northwest, North Mathilda Avenue to the east, the Southern Pacific Railroad line to the south, and Mary Avenue to the west. Portions of the PPSP extend west of Mary Avenue toward the Sunnyvale Golf Course and east of North Mathilda Avenue to include properties along Santa Cecilia Terrace.
Adopted in 2016, the PPSP permitted net increases in office, light industrial, retail, and residential uses. The area has now nearly reached its allowable capacity for office, research, and other nonresidential development. Consequently, the proposed Amendment would revise the maximum buildout and land use designations to accommodate additional development throughout the area. A portion of this growth is anticipated within the Sunnyvale Business Park site and four Housing Opportunity Sites (HOS) along Hermosa Court. The amendment would also allow relocation of the Libby Water Tower, a designated City landmark, elsewhere on the Sunnyvale Business Park property.
Under the proposed PPSP Amendment, the plan would allow up to 1,200,000 square feet of new office and research and development (R&D) uses across the PPSP area and 1,632 new residential units on the Sunnyvale Business Park and HOS sites, while maintaining the previously planned 200,000 square feet of net new retail uses. These revisions would increase both residential and employee populations in the PPSP area and adjust the maximum permitted buildout for residential and office/R&D uses.
The purpose of the October 12 meeting is to provide an overview of the proposed amendment and to gather questions and comments from commissioners and the public. Comments received during the NOP review period will be addressed in the Supplemental DEIR.
Public Contact
Public contact was made by posting the Planning Commission meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services 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.
The City sent notices and email notifications to interested parties announcing the community outreach and environmental scoping meeting on October 12, 2026. The NOP was also posted on the City’s CEQA notices webpage and state CEQA clearinghouse webpage. Staff has not received any letters, emails, or calls from the public at the time of staff report production.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Provide comments on the Notice of Preparation.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
_x_ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_ __ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: Aastha Vashist, Principal Planner
Reviewed by: Shaunn Mendrin, Planning Officer
Approved by: Matt VanHua, Assistant Director of Community Development
ATTACHMENTS
1. Notice of Preparation of a Supplemental EIR to the PPSP Certified EIR
2. PPSP Amendment Initial Study