REPORT TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project:
Design Review: to construct a first-story addition of 730 square feet to an existing one-story single-family home, resulting in 2,592 square feet (2,132 square feet living area and 459 square feet garage) and 32 percent floor area ratio (FAR); and,
VARIANCE: from Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 19.48.050 to allow a reduced first story rear yard setback (7-foot 4-inches) where a 10-foot minimum is required, and to allow 34 percent rear yard encroachment where 25 percent maximum is permitted.
Location: 1401 South Mary Avenue (APN: 320-22-053)
File #: PLNG-2026-0028
Zoning: R-1 (Low Density Residential)
Applicant / Owner: J & S Consultant Inc / Li Qian and Gui Haojin
Environmental Review: A Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.
Project Planner: Christian Mendoza, (408) 730-7429, cmendoza@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
Description of Proposed Project
The project proposes multiple additions that add to 730 square feet total to an existing single-story, single-family home. 510 square feet of the addition is in the front yard along Cascade Drive. 28 square feet of the addition is provided on the reducible front yard facing South Mary Avenue. And 191 square feet of the addition will be in the rear yard. The proposed project will result in 2,592 square feet (2,132 square feet living area and 459 square feet garage) and 32 percent floor area ratio (FAR).
A design review is required for the proposal as it is a new single-story exterior addition to a single-family residence in the R-1 zoning district which does not exceed 45% lot coverage or 45% floor area ratio per Sunnyvale municipal code (SMC) Section 19.080.040.(a)(2).
The applicant seeks a Variance approval to allow a deviation from Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Section 19.48.050 for the rear addition to be located with a rear yard setback of 7 feet 4 inches...
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