City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
Planning Commission  
Monday, January 26, 2026  
6:00 PM  
Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,  
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086  
Special Meeting: Study Session - 6:00 PM | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM  
6 P.M. SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING (Study Session)  
Call to Order  
Vice Chair Shukla called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.  
Roll Call  
Present: 7 -  
Chair Nathan Iglesias  
Vice Chair Neela Shukla  
Commissioner Galen Kim Davis  
Commissioner Chris Figone  
Commissioner Martin Pyne  
Commissioner Michael Serrone  
Commissioner Ilan Sigura  
Study Session  
A.  
Proposed Project: Related applications on a 4.42-acre site:  
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: to demolish the existing  
96,410 square foot one-story industrial building and construct 136  
townhome style condominiums within 13 three story buildings.  
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP: to create 136 condominium units  
and subdivide into two lots.  
26-0249  
Location: 1484 Kifer Road (APN: 216-27-023)  
File #: PLNG-2025-0451  
Zoning: Flexible Mixed-Use II (MXD-II)  
Applicant / Owner: City Ventures (applicant) / Fortinet Inc.(owner)  
Environmental Review: No additional review required pursuant to  
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15162 and  
15168(c)(2) and (4) - environmental impacts of the project are  
addressed in the 2016 Lawrence Station Area Plan Environmental  
Impact Report (EIR - State Clearinghouse No. 2013082030) and 2021  
Lawrence Station Area Plan Update/Intuitive Surgical Corporate  
Campus Project Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR - State  
Clearinghouse No. 2019012022).  
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458,  
avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Adjourn Special Meeting  
7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Iglesias called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Chair Iglesias led the salute to the flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 7 -  
Chair Nathan Iglesias  
Vice Chair Neela Shukla  
Commissioner Galen Kim Davis  
Commissioner Chris Figone  
Commissioner Martin Pyne  
Commissioner Michael Serrone  
Commissioner Ilan Sigura  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
None.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
There were no public speakers for this agenda item.  
MOTION: Commissioner Pyne moved, and Vice Chair Shukla seconded the motion  
to approve the Consent Calendar.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Chair Iglesias  
Vice Chair Shukla  
Commissioner Davis  
Commissioner Figone  
Commissioner Pyne  
Commissioner Serrone  
No: 0  
Abstained: 1 - Commissioner Sigura  
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2026  
1.  
26-0250  
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2026, as submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
Proposed Project: Related applications on a 0.29-acre site:  
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: To allow construction of  
five three-story townhome-style condominium units, including  
requests to deviate from front setback, height, garage size, and  
usable open space requirements.  
2.  
26-0214  
TENTATIVE MAP:ꢀTo create five condominium units.  
Location: 1001 S Wolfe Road (APN: 211-16-042)  
File #: PLNG-2024-0639  
Zoning: R-3/PD (Medium Density Residential/Planned Development)  
Applicant / Owner: Samir Sharma (applicant) / Gregory Cary (owner)  
Environmental Review: Exempt from review under the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code  
Section 21080.66 (AB 130).  
Project Planner: Shila Bagley, (408) 730-7418,  
sbagley@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Senior Planner Shila Bagley presented the staff report with a slide presentation.  
Commissioner Davis confirmed with Senior Planner Bagley that the date on the site  
and architectural plans for the proposed project signifies the date of its most recent  
iteration.  
Commissioner Pyne noted that the proposed project site is not included in the City’s  
Housing Element Sites Inventory. He asked whether the housing units provided by  
the proposed project, if approved, will still count toward the housing units required  
by the Housing Element. Senior Planner Bagley answered affirmatively.  
Lance Crannell (architect) thanked City staff, particularly Senior Planner Bagley, for  
their assistance throughout the application and submittal process. He added that he  
is available for any questions or comments.  
At Commissioner Pyne’s request, Mr. Crannell explained that the project proposes  
to include only the minimum number of residential units permitted on the site to  
strike a balance between livability, unit density, and streetscape frontage.  
Commissioner Davis confirmed with Senior Planner Bagley that while the proposed  
project does not include road changes, it does include a dedication to provide a  
wider sidewalk.  
Vice Chair Shukla and Mr. Crannell discussed the proposed project’s requested  
setback reductions and bioretention system.  
Chair Iglesias recognized the way the proposed project will preserve the privacy of  
neighbors.  
Chair Iglesias opened the Public Hearing.  
There were no public speakers for this agenda item.  
Chair Iglesias closed the Public Hearing.  
MOTION: Commissioner Davis moved, and Commissioner Shukla seconded the  
motion to approve Alternative 1 – Find the project exempt under CEQA and Approve  
the Special Development Permit and Tentative Map with the Findings in Attachment  
2 and subject to the Conditions of Approval in Attachment 3.  
Commissioner Davis noted that the proposed development will be a huge  
improvement to the current site.  
Vice Chair Shukla spoke in favor of the proposed project and believes it will be  
cohesive with the surrounding neighborhood.  
Commissioner Serrone expressed his overall support for the proposed project. He  
also commented that the analysis completed to demonstrate that the proposed  
project qualifies for a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption is  
similar in size to a CEQA analysis. Principal Planner Julia Klein explained that the  
analysis completed is consistent with new state laws.  
Commissioner Pyne acknowledged that the proposed development will be a positive  
addition to the neighborhood, uses the available site space efficiently, requests  
reasonable deviations, and meets the required findings.  
Chair Iglesias confirmed his support of the proposed project.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 -  
Chair Iglesias  
Vice Chair Shukla  
Commissioner Davis  
Commissioner Figone  
Commissioner Pyne  
Commissioner Serrone  
Commissioner Sigura  
No: 0  
This decision is final unless appealed or called up for review by the City Council by  
5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.  
Proposed Project:  
Related applications on a 1.16-acre site:  
3.  
26-0212  
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: To allow the  
redevelopment of a commercial site into four 3-story residential  
buildings with 28 townhome-style condominium units.  
VESTING TENTATIVE MAP: To create 28 condominium units  
Location: 845 Stewart Drive (APN: 205-21-010)  
File #: PLNG-2025-0080  
Zoning: MS/ITR/R3/PD (Industrial and Service with Industrial to  
Residential/Medium Density Residential/Planned Development  
Combining District).  
Applicant / Owner: Julia Koppman Norton, City Ventures (applicant) /  
Jenab Family Ventures (owner).  
Environmental Review: Categorically Exempt under California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15332, In-Fill Development  
Projects (Class 32).  
Project Planner: Wendy Lao, (408) 730-7408,  
WLao@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Principal Planner Julia Klein presented the staff report with a slide presentation.  
Vice Chair Shukla confirmed with Principal Planner Klein that the Phase I and  
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments conducted for the proposed project  
specify the vapor barriers are adequate for the proposed residential development.  
Commissioner Pyne requested that staff provide a summary to the Commission  
outlining changes made and indicating which pages were updated if attachments to  
the staff report are ever updated. This will allow the Commission to review any  
revisions more easily.  
Commissioner Pyne asked whether links to appendices of substantive documents  
may be provided separately rather than included with the document itself to allow for  
the navigation of such documents with greater ease. Principal Planner Klein  
responded that this will be considered.  
Commissioner Davis stated that the reasons provided for each requested waiver  
were well-written and made the justification for each waiver easy to understand.  
Commissioner Figone asked whether there are any noise ordinances that apply to  
the proposed project site since the proposed development will be surrounded by  
commercial developments that may generate an abundance of noise. Principal  
Planner Klein answered that it is assumed that potential buyers of the proposed  
units will do their due diligence to understand the context of the neighborhood they  
are buying into. She added that businesses are expected to comply with the City’s  
zoning code requirements for noise thresholds regardless. Lastly, she stated that  
based on the existing businesses in the area, City staff do not anticipate current  
business operations would have a negative noise impact on the site.  
Commissioner Pyne shared that, from his own personal observation of the existing  
site, the area is relatively quiet.  
At Chair Iglesias’ request, Principal Planner Klein shared details on the conditions of  
approval required for the proposed project since it will be located near a Superfund  
site. She added that the city’s CEQA consultant completed a peer review of the  
applicant’s Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments and confirmed the  
recommendations are appropriate for residential development and have been  
incorporated as conditions of approval for the proposed project.  
Chair Iglesias commented that the requested concession and waivers are  
necessary to meet the desired density.  
Julia Koppman Norton (Senior Development Manager at City Ventures) presented  
additional information on the proposed project.  
Commissioner Davis questioned how the environmental conditions of the proposed  
project site impact the complexity of the proposed project. Samantha Hauser (Head  
of Development and Executive Vice President at City Ventures) responded that the  
incorporation of the vapor barrier necessary for the proposed project is an added  
cost.  
Chair Iglesias opened the Public Hearing.  
Joseph Coelho urged the Planning Commission to deny the proposed project and  
recommend that City Council do the same. He also spoke of the need for more  
neighborhood commercial services to support the increase in housing developments  
in the area and proposed ways to address the City’s housing affordability crisis.  
Yan Say spoke in favor of preserving Agape Grill, the restaurant currently operating  
on the proposed project site.  
Janice Leung shared her concerns about the lack of walkable commercial spaces in  
the subject area, recommended mixed-used developments as a solution to the  
affordable housing crisis, and noted that existing parking shortages in the subject  
area may worsen with the addition of more housing units.  
Himanshu Sethi voiced his concerns regarding the environmental review completed  
and the requested CEQA exemptions for the proposed project, the proposed  
project’s lack of mixed use, and the displacement of Agape Grill.  
Ms. Hauser responded to concerns raised by members of the public and provided  
closing comments on the proposed project.  
Commissioner Pyne asked whether there was any interest in the three vacant  
commercial spaces on the proposed project site. He also asked when they were last  
in use. Ms. Hauser answered that, to her knowledge, they had not been in use for a  
couple of years and there has been little demand for them since.  
Commissioner Pyne asked whether any consideration was given to using the  
parking lot at the nearby Lowe’s site for guest parking for the proposed project. Ms.  
Hauser explained that she is open to exploring this idea and that the intent is for  
residents of the proposed project to park in their garages.  
Vice Chair Shukla questioned whether it is possible to require sellers to disclose the  
soil condition of the proposed project site when selling units. This is to ensure future  
owners are informed prior to digging or building on the site, even years later. Ms.  
Hauser assured her that the soil condition of the proposed project site will be  
disclosed to subsequent owners of the proposed units since this information will be  
included on the recorded title for the property.  
Vice Chair Shukla confirmed with Ms. Hauser that Agape Grill’s owners will be  
notified about the construction process and timeline for the proposed project.  
Vice Chair Shukla asked whether there is anything the City may do to assist Agape  
Grill’s owners since they will be displaced because of the proposed development.  
Principal Planner Klein responded staff has made a note of this matter and can  
provide an update to the Planning Commissioners.  
Commissioner Davis confirmed with Principal Planner Klein that, under current state  
housing laws, the burden is on the City to prove if a proposed housing project poses  
health and safety concerns and there is little basis to deny the proposed project.  
Commissioner Sigura confirmed with Ms. Hauser that post-tension slabs will be  
used in the construction of the proposed development.  
Commissioner Sigura inquired about whether the Covenants, Conditions, and  
Restrictions (CC&Rs) may stipulate what modifications may or may not be made to  
the foundation of the proposed development. Ms. Hauser agreed that such a  
stipulation may be included provided it allows for required repair and maintenance.  
Commissioner Serrone stated that the requested concession and waivers are  
reasonable and the justifications provided to support them were clearly written. He  
also commented on the decline in commercial spaces within the City and asked  
whether the art piece at Agape Grill may be preserved.  
Chair Iglesias closed the Public Hearing.  
Commissioner Pyne and Principal Planner Klein discussed the history of Industrial  
to Residential zoning for the proposed project site and surrounding area.  
Commissioner Davis shared that he is sympathetic to small business owners and  
highlighted what jurisdiction the Planning Commission has over the proposed  
project.  
MOTION: Commissioner Davis moved, and Commissioner Sigura seconded the  
motion to approve Alternative 2 – Find the project exempt under CEQA and approve  
the Special Development Permit and Vesting Tentative Map with the findings in  
Attachment 2 and subject to the revised conditions of approval in Attachment 16 and  
the inclusion of the condition of approval stated below:  
COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS (CC&Rs) - The applicant shall  
include in the CC&Rs information regarding the vapor barrier, ongoing monitoring,  
and prohibit future basement or other penetrations to the foundation, other than  
required for repair and maintenance through a qualified engineer.  
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Ms. Hauser the applicant’s agreement to the  
addition of the above new condition of approval.  
Commissioner Davis spoke in full support of the motion.  
Commissioner Sigura voiced his support for the motion.  
Commissioner Pyne noted that the proposed development will be a positive addition  
to the community, sympathized with the loss of Agape Grill and the small amount of  
incorporated guest parking spaces, and commended the proposed development for  
maximizing density on the site. He also discussed how the City Council is  
considering priority projects involving strengthening retail across the city and  
creating relocation assistance funds for Village Center small businesses that are  
displaced. He urged members of the public to continue voicing their opinions on  
those priority projects when they are considered by the City Council in February  
2026.  
Vice Chair Shukla confirmed her support of the motion and noted that the proposed  
project will provide much-needed housing.  
Chair Iglesias stated that he is in support of the motion and encouraged members of  
the public to continue voicing their concerns despite how discouraging the process  
may feel.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 -  
Chair Iglesias  
Vice Chair Shukla  
Commissioner Davis  
Commissioner Figone  
Commissioner Pyne  
Commissioner Serrone  
Commissioner Sigura  
No: 0  
This decision is final unless appealed or called up for review by the City Council by  
5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
None.  
-Staff Comments  
Principal Planner Julia Klein announced that on January 27, 2026, the City Council  
will review the City’s Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed  
Officials and consider the approval of 2026 Board and Commission annual Work  
Plans.  
Principal Planner Klein reminded the Planning Commissioners that the Council  
Priority Projects Workshop will take place on February 26, 2026.  
Commissioner Pyne noted that on January 27, 2026, the City Council will hold a  
ceremonial oath of office for the incoming Vice Mayor who represents the district in  
which the proposed project at 845 Stewart Drive is located.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Iglesias adjourned the meeting at 9:11 PM.