REPORT TO HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Updates to the Design Guidelines for the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District: Forward a Recommendation to the City Council to Adopt a Resolution Updating the Design Guidelines for the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District, and Find that the Action is Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guideline Sections 15308 and 15061(b)(3). (Study Issue)
Report
BACKGROUND
The 100 block of South Murphy Avenue is bounded by Washington Avenue, W. Evelyn Avenue, S. Sunnyvale Avenue, and S. Frances Street, and is a part of the City's Downtown Specific Plan (Block 2 - described as the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District). As Sunnyvale's historic commercial core, this district developed along Evelyn Avenue and the railroad tracks at the intersection of Murphy Avenue (originally called Main Street) and characterized the heart of the fledgling City. Preservation of this district began in 1979 with the first inventory of historic resources conducted by the City of Sunnyvale.
In 1980, the City prepared the first design guidelines for the buildings on the100 block of South Murphy Avenue, including store fronts on Evelyn Avenue and Washington Avenue, which was the remaining section of the old Sunnyvale downtown. At the time the guidelines were adopted, Murphy Avenue was in poor condition and many of the buildings had been renovated over the years with cheap materials that were not consistent with the architecture of the structures or their surroundings. The original design guidelines document included a development plan, which proposed significant public improvements to the street, as well as design guidelines to foster thoughtful and appropriate renovations to the existing structures. Following the adoption of the design guidelines in 1981, the City Council designated the area the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District (District). A map of the District can be found in Attachment 4. After the design guidelines wer...
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