REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Project: Forward a Recommendation to the City Council to take the following Actions:
a. Find that the Proposed Actions are Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308;
b. Adopt a Resolution to Establish Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards for Single-family Dwellings, Two-family Dwellings and Dual Urban Opportunity (DUO) Housing Developments, and Repeal the Single-Family Home Design Techniques;
c. Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 19 (Zoning) to Amend Chapter 19.32 (Building Heights, Lot Coverages and Floor Area Ratios) and Repeal and Replace Chapter 19.80 (Design Review) to Implement the Lower Density Residential Design Standards, and to Amend Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units) to Conform with New State ADU Laws;
d. Adopt a Resolution to Update and Adopt the Green Building Tables for 2026; and
e. Repeal City Council Policy 1.1.12 Maximum Standards for Small Lot Single-Family Residential Developments.
Location: Citywide
File #: PLNG-2024-0517
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
The existing Single-Family Home Design Techniques were adopted by the City Council in 2003 as a guide for evaluating the design of single-family and duplex projects. The design techniques are primarily subjective in nature and require some level of interpretation by decision makers. Due to recent changes in State housing laws, the City Council authorized staff to update the design techniques in 2020 with more objective and measurable design standards.
In 2022, the City selected Dahlin Group, an architectural and planning consulting firm, to assist in preparing the updated design standards. Staff and the Dahlin Group team conducted multiple community outreach events, including three Planning Commission study sessions and a public workshop. The ...
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