REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project:
Recommendations to the City Council related to the General Plan Update to:
a. Adopt a Resolution to Amend Chapter 3: Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) to update Figure 3-2 and add clarifications in the Village Center Section regarding the Commercial Floor Area calculations; and
b. Find the proposed amendments are consistent with the LUTE EIR and do not require additional environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15183 and 15162.
Planning File Number: PLNG-2023-0840
Environmental Review: The proposed edits are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 in that the proposed edits are within a development density established by the existing general plan policies for which EIRs were previously certified and does not require additional environmental review. In addition, the proposed edits are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15162 as the proposed edits will not require major revisions of the previous EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects.
Project Planner: Shaunn Mendrin, 408-730-7431, smendrin@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission considered this item on January 22, 2024. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 in accordance with the staff recommendation of Alternative 1 to recommend to the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) to Amend the Land Use and Transportation Element; and find that the proposed amendments are not a substantial change to the LUTE as analyzed in the LUTE EIR and no additional environmental review is required pursuant to Sections 15183 and 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines.
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. 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 Notice of Public Hearing was published in the Sun newspaper and staff emailed notices to interested parties, developers, various advocacy organizations, and neighborhood groups.
As of the date of staff report preparation staff has not received any additional letters/emails from the public since the start of the public review period.
ALTERNATIVES
Take the following actions related to the General Plan Land Use and Transportation Element:
1. Take the following actions:
a. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) to Amend the Land Use and Transportation Element; and
b. Find that the proposed amendments are not a substantial change to the LUTE as analyzed in the LUTE EIR and no additional environmental review is required pursuant to Sections 15183 and 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Alternative 1 with modifications, provided the modifications are within the scope of the previously certified EIR.
3. Do not take any action and provide direction on desired changes.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Take the following actions:
a. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) to Amend the Land Use and Transportation Element; and
b. Find that the proposed amendments are not a substantial change to the LUTE as analyzed in the LUTE EIR and no additional environmental review is required pursuant to Sections 15183 and 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines.
The proposed General Plan amendments are minor corrections to Figure 3-2 and clarifications on the calculations for commercial floor area ratio for the Village Centers. These changes do not result in any of the projections for the Land Use and Transportation Element. The edits correct the build out projections and provide clarification for staff and applicants for projects in the Village Centers.
Staff
Prepared by: Shaunn Mendrin, Planning Officer
Reviewed by: Trudi Ryan, Director of Community Development
Reviewed by: Connie Verceles, Deputy City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Planning Commission [24-0139, January 22, 2024] (without attachments)
2. Draft Resolution for General Plan Amendments
3. Goals and Policies Relevant to the General Plan Amendments
4. Link to General Plan Environmental Documents
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
5. Excerpt of Final Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of January 22, 2024