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...
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