REPORT TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project: Application on a 7,030 square-foot site:
USE PERMIT to construct a 7-foot 8.5-inch tall wooden fence within the front yard of a single-family home.
Location: 1128 Spinosa Drive (APN: 208-08-033)
File #: PLNG-2024-0685
Zoning: R-1/S (Low Density Residential / Single-Story combining district)
Applicant / Owner: Megan Blaine (applicant) / Lynn Bos (owner)
Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.
Project Planner: Wendy Lao, 408-730-7408, wlao@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
Description of Proposed Project
The subject site consists of a single-story single-family home of Eichler architecture. The applicant is proposing to construct a 7-foot 8.5-inch tall wooden fence within the front yard, located approximately 15-feet from the front property line. The fence would primarily extend across the lot width, leaving an opening for the driveway and walkway to the building entrance.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Section 19.48.025 requires a Use Permit to allow front yard fences to exceed 6 feet in height. Fence height within the front yard is measured from the top of the nearest curb. The SMC defines a front yard fence to include any fence located between the face of the building and the street.
See Attachment 1 for a map of the vicinity and mailing area for notices.
Previous Actions on the Site
Previous actions to the site include a building permit (BLDG-2024-0726) to allow a 180-square foot addition to the side of the house and interior remodel, as well as a building permit revision (REV-2024-0386) for additional modifications.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
A Class 1 Categorical Exemption (minor alteration of existing structures) relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.
DISCUSSION
Site Layout
The subject property is a 7,030 square-foot, rectangular-shaped interior lot on Spinosa Drive, located between Templeton Drive and Snowberry Court. The property is located within the R-1 zoning district with a Single-Story combining district. The site features a gentle incline that slopes down toward the sidewalk. As noted above, the fence would be located 15 feet from the front property line. The fence would primarily extend across the lot width, leaving a wide opening for the driveway to the garage and walkway to the building entrance.
Architecture
The house was originally built in 1959 and reflects a mid-century modern design, which is similar to many houses in the neighborhood. The house is best characterized as mid-century modern in design, with architectural features consistent with the renowned developer Joseph Eichler’s architectural style. The single-story house has a flat roof with exposed rafters, transom windows above the garage, and two narrow floor-to-ceiling windows along the front of the house.
Fence Design
The applicant proposes a 7-foot 8.5-inch tall fence when measured from the top of the curb, which is 5-feet 7.5-inches in height when measured from the grade. The fence would be constructed with one inch by four inch clear cedar vertical slats and would align with an existing fence on the neighboring property to the south. The fence would be located approximately 6-feet 7-inches away from the front of the house. The fence conforms to the Eichler Design Guidelines in that it is simple and modern in design with a strong vertical emphasis, which is a common approach with the Eichler style. Additionally, there would be a quarter-inch gap between the cedar slats, which complements the vertical-grooved siding with flat surfaces commonly seen in Eichler homes, including the subject property.
Use Permit Justifications
Staff finds that the subjective fence meets the Use Permit findings in that the general appearance of the proposed structure will not impair either the orderly development of, or the existing uses being made of, adjacent properties. The fence toward the southern side of the property would allow some privacy for the residents, and the fence on the northern side would also serve as a trash enclosure screening. The fence would not encroach into any vision triangles as required for vehicular safety purposes, and would not result in a negative impact to neighbors. See Attachment 2 for Use Permit findings.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS/COMPATIBILITY:
The appearance of the fence is simple in design, consisting of vertical wooden slats, and the design would complement the mid-century modern Eichler homes on the subject site as well as the neighborhood. As described above, the fence would not encroach into the 10-foot driveway vision triangles as required for vehicular and pedestrian safety purposes.
PUBLIC CONTACT
52 notices were sent to surrounding property owners and residents within 300 feet of 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 Use Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 2 and recommended Conditions in Attachment 3.
2. Approve the Use Permit with modifications.
3. Deny the Use Permit and direct staff with requested changes.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1. Approve the Use Permit with recommended Findings in Attachment 2 and recommended Conditions in Attachment 3.
Staff
Prepared by: Wendy Lao, Associate Planner
Approved by: Momoko Ishijima, Senior Planner
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity and Noticing Maps
2. Recommended Findings
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval
4. Site and Architectural Plans
5. Use Permit Justification Form