REPORT TO THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
Title
File #: 2018-7810
Location: 1260 N Mathilda Avenue (APN: 110-25-051)
Applicant / Owner: Bloomenergy (applicant) / JSR Micro Inc (owner)
Proposed Project:
VARIANCE to allow installation of mechanical equipment (Bloomenergy servers and other ancillary equipment) between the face of the building and the street.
Reason for Permit: A Variance is required for mechanical equipment proposed to be located between the face of the building and the street, per Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 19.48.100 (Mechanical equipment - Setback requirements).
Project Planner: Kelly Cha, (408) 730-7408, kcha@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Recommendation: Approve the Variance with Conditions of Approval.
Report
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The proposed project requests a Variance to allow for the installation of mechanical equipment between the face of the building and the street. The mechanical equipment, which includes eight Bloomenergy servers and other ancillary equipment, will be screened with an 8-foot (97 inches) tall fence with vertical green slats on each of the south and west sides of the equipment area. The applicant proposes to add vines to the fences to mitigate the visual impact from the street and mimic the trees and landscaping within the site. Findings for the Variance can be found in Attachment 3.
The Bloomenergy servers and ancillary equipment would provide clean energy for the site as an alternative to power from the existing energy grid. The servers would generate clean, reliable power onsite with minimal environmental impact, according to the applicant (Attachment 6).
The proposed enclosure for the Bloomenergy equipment will cover approximately 6,475 square feet, and will remove approximately 4,410 square feet of landscaped area from the project site. It would result in a total of approximately 118,883 square feet of landscaped area, which is more than the minimum landscaped area required for the project site. The proposed enclosure does n...
Click here for full text