City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
Zoning Administrator Hearing  
Wednesday, June 25, 2025  
3:00 PM  
Teleconference: City Web Stream  
Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/94442399040  
Public Participation  
CALL TO ORDER  
George Schroeder, Zoning Administrator, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
Proposed Project:  
1
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: To allow a childcare center with  
preschool and afterschool programs with an occupancy of up to 70 children  
in Unit #1, the addition of a 1,400-square-foot outdoor play area, construction  
of a new trash enclosure, and associated site improvements.  
Location: 717 E. El Camino Real (APN: 211-10-043)  
File #: PLNG-2024-0826  
Zoning: ECR/MU-24  
Applicant / Owner: Ray House (applicants) / 717 El Camino, LP (owner)  
Environmental Review: Class 1 and 3 Categorical Exemptions relieve this  
project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.  
Project Planner: Julia Klein, 408-730-7463, jklein@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with Julia Klein, Project Planner, if there were any additions  
to the staff report.  
Ms. Klein acknowledged there was an update on the cover sheet of the plan sets of  
Attachment 5. This update came after the publication of the staff report and was  
uploaded as Attachment 9. She had no additional updates or comments from the  
public.  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with the applicant if they had any updates or comments.  
Sulakshana “Sula” Shravage, applicant, had no updates or comments.  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with Ms. Shravage if they planned to vacate their existing  
space once the new space is built.  
Ms. Shravage confirmed they will vacate their current Unit 10 to move into Unit 1  
once completed.  
Mr. Schroeder opened the hearing to public comments.  
No members of the public wished to speak on this item.  
Mr. Schroeder closed the hearing to public comments.  
ACTION: Alternative 1. Approve the Special Development Permit with  
recommended Findings in Attachment 3 and Conditions in Attachment 4.  
Proposed Project:  
2
VARIANCE: to allow 62% front yard impervious surface and uncovered  
parking, where a maximum of 50% is permitted.  
Location: 1688 Samedra Street (APN: 320-17-038)  
File #: PLNG-2025-0028  
Zoning: R-1 (Low Density Residential)  
Applicant / Owner: Larry Yu (applicant and owner)  
Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this  
project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.  
Project Planner: Momo Ishijima, 408-730-7532,  
mishijima@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with Momoko Ishijima, Project Planner, if there were any  
additions to the staff report.  
Ms. Ishijima gave a brief presentation based on the description of the project. She  
stated the area on the left of the lot with impervious pavers is where the applicant  
was requesting a variance. She noted this variance request was submitted to the  
Planning Division because of a Neighborhood Preservation case. Ms. Ishijima also  
noted there was space for 8 total parking spaces without the variance: six  
uncovered on the lot and two in the garage.  
Ms. Ishijima explained that while the lot is larger than typical, staff did not note any  
exceptional or extraordinary conditions to approve the variance. She noted granting  
the variance would be a special privilege to the owner that would not be awarded to  
surrounding property owners.  
Ms. Ishijima stated that staff spoke to the applicant and it would require the removal  
of approximately 117 square feet of pavers or conversion of a permeable paver in  
order to meet the 50% front yard maximum allowance. The applicant did not agree  
with the proposed options.  
Staff recommended denial, but noted that a complaint was filed with the Department  
of Public Works regarding parking in the neighborhood being impacted by the  
installation of bicycle lanes. The neighborhood experiences heavy overflow parking  
from the neighboring Homestead High School during pick-up and drop-off hours  
because the bicycle lanes removed on-street parking on the adjacent roads. Ms.  
Ishijima noted that staff had been in communication with the Traffic Division and  
Homestead High School administration to alleviate the parking situation through the  
use of safe routes and redlining the curbs for property owners impacted.  
Ms. Ishijima acknowledged receipt of one public comment that was made available  
to the Zoning Administrator prior to the hearing.  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with the applicant if they had any updates or comments.  
Larry Yu, applicant, gave a brief presentation explaining why he required the  
variance. He stated that due to the bicycle lane installation made by the City of  
Sunnyvale, he and his neighbors were heavily impacted by the increased off-street  
parking demand due to the reduced use and access to their lots. Mr. Yu claimed  
that the current improvements to his property only affected 1.5% of the front yard.  
Mr. Yu presented photographs showing heavy traffic in his neighborhood during  
school pick-up and drop-off hours. He noted there’s already been two car accidents  
in recent times due to the heavy traffic. He explained that he and his guests which  
includes his mother-in-law in a wheelchair would often have to park a block away  
and then walk back to their property.  
Mr. Yu stated on-premise parking added benefits such as: easing the local parking  
shortage, improving traffic flow, and enhancing pedestrian safety through increased  
visibility and decreasing congestion. He also stated that City initiatives should not  
come at undue expense to its residents. Mr. Yu explained that it is unjust to impose  
changes without offering support or remedies for potential issues to those possibly  
impacted. He noted he spent his own money to try and improve the situation without  
incurring any cost from the public.  
Mr. Schroeder inquired with Mr. Yu if the parking situation was an issue prior to the  
installation of the bicycle lanes.  
Mr. Yu stated the parking situation was much better prior to the installation of the  
bicycle lanes. He explained he rarely had issues parking in front of his property  
before the installation, but cars are parking in front of his property now.  
Mr. Schroeder inquired if Mr. Yu had consulted with the City before making the  
improvements to his front yard.  
Mr. Yu stated he only consulted his contractor.  
Mr. Schroeder opened the hearing to public comments.  
No members of the public wished to speak on this item.  
Mr. Schroeder closed the hearing to public comments.  
Mr. Yu reiterated that he felt the improvements on his property provided benefits to  
all and only came at a personal cost.  
Mr. Schroeder acknowledged that the neighborhood has been impacted by the  
heavy traffic during school hours. He stated the parking issues could be worked on  
with the Traffic Division and school administration implementing solutions previously  
presented by Ms. Ishijima along with a permit parking system.  
Mr. Schroeder noted that there are parking spaces available during non-school  
hours and that the lot is similar to other lots in the area. He stated while the lot is  
nicely designed and has permeable material, it does not meet the code  
requirements for the variance.  
ACTION: Alternative 3. Deny the Variance Permit.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Mr. Schroeder adjourned the hearing at 3:30 p.m.  
Public Participation Options  
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Written public comment:  
Public review of items:  
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