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Legislative Public Meetings

File #: 25-0354   
Type: Report to Council Status: Passed
Meeting Body: City Council
On agenda: 3/25/2025
Title: Proposed Project: Introduce an Ordinance to: Amend Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Repeal and Re-adopt Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units), Amend Related Definitions in Chapter 19.12 (Definitions) and Other Sections of Title 19 Pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations. File #: PLNG-2024-0544 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). Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Attachments: 1. Report to Planning Commission [25-0107, February 10, 2025] (without attachments), 2. Draft Ordinance - ADUs and Other Code Updates (Updated since Planning Commission hearing), 3. Links to 2023 and 2024 State ADU Laws, 4. Links to City's Pre-Approved ADU Plans Gallery and Calculator, 5. Excerpt of Final Minutes of the Planning Commission Meeting of February 10, 2025, 6. Public Comments, 7. Presentation to Council RTC No 25-0354 - 20250325
Related files: 25-0107
REPORT TO COUNCIL

SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project: Introduce an Ordinance to:
Amend Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Repeal and Re-adopt Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units), Amend Related Definitions in Chapter 19.12 (Definitions) and Other Sections of Title 19 Pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations.
File #: PLNG-2024-0544
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).
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov

Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Planning Commission considered this item on February 10, 2025. No members of the public spoke on the item. An excerpt of the meeting minutes is in Attachment 5. One comment letter was received prior to the meeting.

Commissioners asked questions about state ADU law, whether ADUs are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and about removal of protected and heritage trees to accommodate ADU construction. Commissioners were generally supportive of the updated Ordinance.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the staff recommendation: Alternative 1, to introduce the Ordinance (Attachment 2) Amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code on Accessory Dwelling Units, with no modifications.

ADA Compliance
ADUs on single-family properties are not generally required to comply with accessibility standards in Title 24 of the California Building Code, but multifamily ADUs may be subject to accessibility requirements based on the year of construction of the original development.

Protected Tree Removal and Replacement
The draft ordinance reviewed by the Planning Commission included a tree replacement standard, requiring planting one 15-gallon tree for each protected tree removed due to the construction of an ADU, consistent with the tree replacement standard for prot...

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