REPORT TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project:
USE PERMIT: to allow a religious institution (Place of Assembly - Community Serving) within an existing commercial building.
Location: 645 W. Fremont Avenue (APN:202-06-002)
File #: PLNG-2026-0312
Zoning: R-1 (Low Density Residential)
Applicant / Owner: Bryan Hassemer (applicant) / Chabad of Sunnyvale (owner)
Environmental Review: Categorical Exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1)
Project Planner: Christian Mendoza, 408-730-7429, cmendoza@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
BACKGROUND
Description of Proposed Project
The proposed project is a change of use for a new religious institution, Chabad of Sunnyvale, within an existing commercial building located on a 0.57-acre, R-1 zoned property. The new use would be filling the vacancy created by the departure of a childcare use. The project includes tenant modifications to create new rooms and hallways to improve the circulation within the structure. Other interior changes include the remodeling of the existing restrooms to make them more accessible. The project also proposes minimal exterior changes including the removal of existing playground equipment, existing protected trees, and providing a new trash enclosure on the site. The proposal will also provide an accessible parking stall within the existing parking lot. The proposed change of use for a Place of Assembly-community serving use requires a Use Permit per Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Section 19.18.030.
See Attachment 1 for a map of the vicinity and mailing area for notices, and Attachment 2 for the Data Table of the project.
Previous Actions on the Site
The previous uses on the site include a Nursery school and Daycare facility that have since vacated the location as of June 2025. The latest planning permit (1992-0260) had proposed new signage and landscaping and was approved. There have been several building permits that include upk...
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