City of Sunnyvale

Meeting Minutes

Zoning Administrator Hearing

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

3:00 PM

Teleconference: City Web Stream

Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/94442399040

Public Participation

CALL TO ORDER

Julia Klein, Zoning Administrator, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Proposed Project:

SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT to allow auto sales on an existing

commercial property. No building expansion or exterior modifications

are proposed. Site modifications include repaving, restriping, and

landscape upgrades.

Location: 975 W. El Camino Real (APN: 165-01-038)

File #: PLNG-2026-0077

Zoning: ECR-C

Applicant / Owner: Mahsa Nicknam (applicant) / F & N Holding LLC

(owner)

Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this

project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions.

Project Planner: Gino Victoria, 408-730-7430,

GVictoria@sunnyvale.ca.gov <mailto:GVictoria@sunnyvale.ca.gov>

Ms. Klein inquired with Gino Victoria, Project Planner, if there were any additions to

the staff report.

Ms. Victoria gave a brief presentation of the project description. The project does

not propose any modifications to the existing building. There will be improvements

to repair the pavement area and upgrade the landscaping. The most recent use of

the area was as an overflow lot for a used car dealership. Prior to that, it was used

as a used auto dealership. The auto dealership had been defunct for over one year,

so the current owner, Auto Race, must apply for their own Special Development

Permit. Approval of this permit would grant a use that this lot was allowed in the

past.

Staff supports approval of this permit because it results in improved utilization of the

site. Auto Race is also an existing business in Sunnyvale, just right across the street

on West El Camino area. The site is going to be larger than the current site that

they are occupying, so it will allow them an opportunity for continued growth within

the jurisdiction.

This also is compliant with the urban design framework of the west segment, as

written in the El Camino Real Specific Plan. That explicitly states that auto

dealerships are encouraged in the segments within a specific plan.

Mr. Victoria stated there was a change to the Conditions of Approval which was the

inclusion of AT-1 subsection b):

AT-1. HOURS OF OPERATION:

The use permitted as part of this application shall comply with the following hours of

operation at all times:

a) The hours of operation are limited to 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for standard hours of

operation.

b) Modifications to the hours of operation shall require approval of the Director of

Community Development through a Miscellaneous Plan Permit.

[COA] [PLANNING]

Ms. Klein inquired with the applicant if they had any comments or updates.

The applicant had no additional comments or updates.

Ms. Klein opened the hearing to public comments.

No members of the public wished to speak on this item.

Ms. Klein closed the hearing to public comments.

Ms. Klein supported the approval of the project because:

•

It reinstated a use that previously occupied the site and the use is consistent with

the El Camino Real Specific Plan, the City’s General Plan, and applicable zoning

code requirements.

•

There would be no expansion of the existing building and there would be site

improvements to the landscaping and paving.

She supported the findings and conditions of approval along with the added

modification of AT-1 subsection b.