REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Introduce an Ordinance of the City of Sunnyvale Amending Chapter 19.96 (Heritage Preservation) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Temporarily Excluding the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District Located at the 100 Block of South Murphy Avenue and Surrounding Parcels that Make up the Heritage Landmark District, a Historic Resource on the Local Historic Register, from Applicability of SB 79 Provisions, and Amending the Zoning Map to add a Note Indicating this Exclusion (File No. PLNG-2026-0118)
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission considered this item on April 13, 2026.
Two members of the public spoke on the item, including one person who spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance to allow as many housing options as possible near the Caltrain station downtown. A representative of Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) also spoke to let the Commission know that VTA has been monitoring the implementation and working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on the technical aspects, but thinks SB 79 can play an important role in creating more vibrant, complete communities around the rail stations in Sunnyvale, generating transit ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Planning Commission recommended Alternative 1 to the City Council: Introduce an ordinance of the City of Sunnyvale (Attachment 5 to this report) amending Chapter 19.96 (Heritage Preservation) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code temporarily excluding the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District located at the 100 block of South Murphy Avenue and surrounding parcels that make up the Heritage Landmark District, a historic resource on the local historic register, from applicability of SB 79 provisions, and amending the Zoning Map to add a note indicating this exclusion. The vote was 6-0 (Chair Iglesias absent).
Excerpt final minutes of the Planning Commission hearing are in Attachment 6.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. Notice of the public hearings was published in the Sunnyvale Sun newspaper on April 3, 2026. 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. Introduce an Ordinance of the City of Sunnyvale (Attachment 5 to this report) amending Chapter 19.96 (Heritage Preservation) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code temporarily excluding the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District located at the 100 block of South Murphy Avenue and surrounding parcels that make up the Heritage Landmark District, a historic resource on the local historic register, from applicability of SB 79 provisions, and amending the Zoning Map to add a note indicating this exclusion.
2. Alternative 1 with modifications.
3. Take no action.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance of the City of Sunnyvale (Attachment 5 to this report) amending Chapter 19.96 (Heritage Preservation) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code temporarily excluding the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District located at the 100 block of South Murphy Avenue and surrounding parcels that make up the Heritage Landmark District, a historic resource on the local historic register, from applicability of SB 79 provisions, and amending the Zoning Map to add a note indicating this exclusion.
JUSTIFICATION FOR RECOMMENDATION
The Murphy Station Heritage District is an important aspect in the development of the City of Sunnyvale and preservation of some of its history. Ensuring that an ordinance is in place to protect the integrity of the historic commercial district will allow the Murphy Station Landmark District to be preserved.
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 $500 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
An “X” 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 (affects small number of properties)
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Andrew Miner, Assistant Director of Community Development
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director of Community Development
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Planning Commission [26-0354, April 13, 2026] (without attachments)
2. Senate Bill 79 Text
3. 1981 Resolution Creating the Murphy Station Heritage District and 1983 C-H Rezoning Ordinance with Map
4. Map of ½ Mile Radius from Downtown Caltrain Station
5. Draft Ordinance
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
6. Excerpt of Final Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of April 13, 2026