PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project: Draft Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards that will update and replace the existing Single-Family Home Design Techniques (City Council Study Issue CDD 20-01 and Strategic Goal Project ID HO-25)
Location: Citywide
File #: PLNG-2024-0517
Environmental Review: The action is exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15268.
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards are being presented to the Planning Commission as a follow up from a previous Study Session. Staff will provide clarification on how comments have been addressed and request any additional feedback from the Planning Commission. Public comments will also be considered during the public hearing. These will be brought to the Planning Commission for a formal recommendation to City Council at later dates. Contact the Project Planner Aastha Vashist for questions or comments about the project.
BACKGROUND
On February 27, 2020, the City Council authorized an update to the 2003 Single-Family Home Design Techniques through Study Issue Paper CDD 20-01. A key goal of the update was to develop objective, measurable design standards consistent with the requirements of the Housing Accountability Act (HAA). The Dahlin Group was selected as the consultant in 2022.
On December 12, 2026, staff released a public draft of the document, titled "Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards" for the public and Planning Commission to review which was also posted on the City's website (see Attachment 1). On January 12, 2026, the Planning Commission held a Study Session. The Planning Commission generally liked the flexibility built into the standards and reduced thresholds for review but also expressed concern that some of the ...
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