City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
Planning Commission  
Monday, November 22, 2021  
5:30 PM  
Telepresence Meeting: City Web Stream |  
Comcast Channel 15 | AT&T Channel 99  
Special Meeting: Study Session - 5:30 PM | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM  
Special Teleconference Notice  
Public Participation  
Accessibility/Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Notice  
5:30 P.M. STUDY SESSION  
Call to Order  
Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953(e), the meeting was conducted  
telephonically; pursuant to state law, the City Council made the necessary findings  
by adopting Resolution No. 1089-21, reaffirmed on November 16, 2021.  
Vice Chair Pyne called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM.  
Roll Call  
Present: 5 -  
Vice Chair Martin Pyne  
Commissioner Sue Harrison  
Commissioner John Howe  
Commissioner Ken Rheaume  
Commissioner Carol Weiss  
Absent: 1 - Chair Daniel Howard  
Chair Howard arrived at approximately 5:40 PM.  
Study Session  
Proposed Project:  
A.  
21-1026  
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT to consider increase the allowable  
residential units to 103 for the block, increase the amount of commercial  
square footage to 36,500 square feet, updates to design guidelines for  
the block and identify streetscape improvements for S. Mathilda Avenue.  
Location: 510-528 S. Mathilda Ave. and 562-564 S. Mathilda Ave.  
(APN’s: 209-29-060, 209-29-061, 209-29-0057 and 209-29-076)  
File #: 2018-7585  
Zoning: DSP (Downtown Specific Plan)/Block 20  
General Plan: Downtown Specific Plan  
Applicant / Owner: Shawn Karimi/Sunnyvale Imaging and Shawn  
Taheri/Sam Cloud Barn, LLC  
Project Planner: Shaunn Mendrin, (408) 730-7431,  
smendrin@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Proposed Project:  
B.  
21-1069  
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT to demolish the existing  
single-family residence and construct 19 rental units within a  
four-story multi-family residential building. The applicant proposes  
three below market rate units and utilizes State Density Bonus  
Law to request concession and waivers from the required side  
yard setback, landscape area, usable open space, and private  
usable open space requirements.  
Location: 444 Old San Francisco Road (APN: 211-01-031)  
File #: 2020-7112  
Zoning: R-4/PD  
Applicant / Owner: Silicon Valley Wzredwood Capital, LLC (applicant  
and owner)  
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458,  
avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
ATTACHMENTS  
1. Site and Architectural Plans  
2. Justification for the requested concessions and waivers by the  
applicant  
Adjourn Study Session  
7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING  
CALL TO ORDER  
Pursuant to Government Code Subdivision 54953(e), the meeting was conducted  
telephonically; pursuant to state law, the City Council made the necessary findings  
by adopting Resolution No. 1089-21, reaffirmed on November 16, 2021.  
Chair Howard called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 6 -  
Chair Daniel Howard  
Vice Chair Martin Pyne  
Commissioner Sue Harrison  
Commissioner John Howe  
Commissioner Ken Rheaume  
Commissioner Carol Weiss  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
None.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
MOTION: Commissioner Howe moved and Vice Chair Pyne seconded the motion to  
approve the Consent Calendar.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Chair Howard  
Vice Chair Pyne  
Commissioner Harrison  
Commissioner Howe  
Commissioner Rheaume  
Commissioner Weiss  
No: 0  
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 8, 2021  
1.A  
21-1066  
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of November 8, 2021 as submitted.  
Approve the 2022 Planning Commission Annual Work Plan  
1.B  
21-1067  
Approve the 2022 Planning Commission Annual Work Plan as submitted.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
None.  
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES  
None.  
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS  
Planning Commission Proposed Study Issues, Calendar Year: 2022  
(Information Only)  
2.  
21-1070  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Commissioner Comments  
Commissioner Howe stated that it has been a pleasure working with Assistant  
Director Andrew Miner, thanked him for his help, and noted that the City of  
Sunnyvale has benefited from his work within the Planning Department.  
Commissioner Harrison thanked Assistant Director Miner for all that he has done –  
including allowing the Commissioners to feel confident in their decisions by  
providing them with necessary information.  
Commissioner Rheaume agreed with comments made by the Commissioners who  
spoke before him and commended Assistant Director Miner for listening to the  
Commissioners’ concerns and working alongside the Commissioners to overcome  
them. He applauded Assistant Director Miner for having the City’s best interests at  
heart when supporting the Commissioners, recognized that he made the Planning  
Commission hearings as enjoyable as they were, stated that he will be missed, and  
wished him well.  
Commissioner Weiss acknowledged Assistant Director Miner’s efforts to mentor her  
early on during her time as a Commissioner. She stated that his humor during the  
Planning Commission hearings was much appreciated and that he served as a good  
resource for the Commissioners. Lastly, Commissioner Weiss mentioned that  
Assistant Director Miner will be missed and that she wishes him much happiness as  
he embarks on the next chapter of his life.  
Vice Chair Pyne echoed comments made by Commissioners who spoke before him  
and stated that he agrees with Commissioner Weiss in that Assistant Director Miner  
was a great mentor for him as well. Vice Chair Pyne thanked Assistant Director  
Miner for addressing his questions and added that he is glad to have been a part of  
the Planning Commission prior to Assistant Director Miner’s retirement.  
Chair Howard agreed with all that had been said by his fellow Commissioners,  
stated that he will miss Assistant Director Miner, and disclosed that he is curious to  
see what Assistant Director Miner will do once he retires.  
-Staff Comments  
Assistant Director Miner reflected on his time with the City, stated that this is the  
best job he has ever had, and highlighted that his work for the City has been  
meaningful as it has allowed him to serve a broader community. He credited the City  
for its City Council and Planning Commission, both bodies he holds great respect  
for, and revealed that he feels fortunate to have worked with the Planning  
Commission. Assistant Director Miner called attention to memorable projects he was  
involved with: creating opportunities for affordable housing and housing in  
transit-rich areas, considering the sale of alcohol and cigarettes near schools,  
revising the Sign Code, producing the Green Building Program, improving the City’s  
architecture, protecting trees, and more. He disclosed that he will miss the Planning  
Commissioners and keep them in his thoughts.  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Howard adjourned the meeting at 8:02 PM.