REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
CONTINUED FROM DECEMBER 4, 2018.
Consideration of Useable Open Space in Required Front Yards: Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Section 19.37.100 (Usable Open Space Design Requirements) of Chapter 19.37 (Landscaping, Irrigation and Useable Open Space) and Section 19.12.160 ("O") of Chapter 19.12 (Definitions) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (Study Issue)
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
The Useable Open Space (UOS) Study Issue was considered by the Planning Commission on January 14, 2019. No members of the public spoke during the public hearing.
The Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend to the City Council in accordance with the Staff recommendation, with one modification that the Ordinance should state that allowing useable open space in the required front yard should not preclude planting of large-species trees, as such trees aid in establishing a sense of place, enhanced pedestrian shading, and noise reduction from the public street.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 19.37 (Landscaping, Irrigation and Useable Open Space), including but not limited to (a) Medium, high and very high density multi-family residential zoning districts (R-3, R-4 and R-5), (b) Up to 50% of the required front yard may be counted toward the useable open space requirement, (c) Useable open space in the required front yard would not be a permitted use for a project with a front yard setback deviation or Variance, and Section 19.12.160 ("O") of Chapter 19.12 (Definitions) of the Sun...
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