DRAFT 12/19/22________
T-CDD-200013/64600 1
Council Agenda:
Item No.:
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SUNNYVALE ACCEPTING THE ADDENDUM TO THE
2020 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN, AMENDING THE
G E N E R A L P L A N , A N D A M E N D I N G T H E S P E C I F I C P L A N FOR THE DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN AREA.
WHEREAS, on August 11, 2020 the City Council adopted the 2020 Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), which substantially amended the previous DSP that was originally adopted in 1993 and updated in 2003 (Resolution #1015-20); and WHEREAS, on May 8, 2018 the City Council approved a DSP Amendment Initiation to study changes to the development intensities and standards for Block 20 of the DSP to increase the number of allowable residential units, an increase to the square footage of office allowed, and an increase in building height to allow up to five stories; and WHEREAS, on August 11, 2020, City Council certified an EIR (State Clearinghouse #2018052020) for the Downtown Specific Plan Amendments and six Specific Development Projects (DSP EIR), Which provided a program-level review of the 2020 DSP amendments, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15146(b), and project-level review of six development projects, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15146(a); and WHEREAS, Section 15164 of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provides that an agency shall prepare an Addendum to a previously-adopted EIR if “only minor additions or changes would be necessary to make the previous EIR adequately apply to the project in the changed situation” and none of the triggers set forth in Section 15162 of the CEQA Guidelines has occurred that would require preparation of a supplemental or subsequent EIR; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines, the City prepared an Addendum to the 2020 DSP EIR, which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, by motion adopted following a public hearing on December 12, 2022, the Sunnyvale Planning Commission recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the DSP; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held by the City Council on January 10, 2023, regarding the Project and the Addendum, following notice duly and regularly given as required by law, and all interested persons expressing a desire to comment thereon or object thereto were heard, and the Addendum was considered.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNNYVALE THAT:
Attachment 5
T-CDD-200013/64600 2
Council Agenda:
Item No.:
1. ADDENDUM TO THE 2020 FINAL EIR. The Addendum was presented and considered by the City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting of City Council on January 10, 2023, and has been independently reviewed and considered by the members of the City Council. The Addendum was prepared for the Project in compliance with the requirements of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines and is adequate for the City’s use as the Lead Agency Under CEQA Based on evidence submitted and demonstrated by the analysis included in the Addendum, none of the conditions described in Section 15162 or 15163 of the CEQA Guidelines calling for preparation of a subsequent or supplemental EIR have occurred.
2. GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT. The City Council finds and determines that the proposed General Plan Amendment constitutes a suitable and logical change in the plan for physical development of the City of Sunnyvale, and it is in the public interest to approve the following amendment to the General Plan, to wit, replace Figure 3-2 in the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) to read as follows:
3. AMENDMENT OF THE DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN. The City Council concludes that the adoption of the amendments to the DSP attached hereto as Exhibit A constitute a suitable and logical change in the plan for the physical development of the City of Sunnyvale, and it is in the public interest to approve the amendments.
The City Council finds that the amended DSP is consistent with the City’s General Plan, and supports the City’s long-term goals for the area. Based upon the DSP’s consistency with the General Plan, and subject to the implementation of the previously adopted Mitigation monitoring and Reporting Program as a condition of approval, the City Council approves and adopts the amended DSP. Copies of the DSP are on file in the office of the City Clerk.
4. FILING OF NOTICE DETERMINATION. The Council hereby directs the Planning Division to file a Notice of Determination regarding the approval of the Project within five business days of adoption of this resolution.
Attachment 5
T-CDD-200013/64600 3
Council Agenda:
Item No.:
Adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting held on January 10, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
RECUSAL:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
__________________________________ _________________________________
DAVID CARNAHAN
City Clerk
LARRY KLEIN
Mayor
(SEAL)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
JOHN A. NAGEL
City Attorney
Attachment 5
Attachment 5
3.8 Historical Buildings and Heritage Resources
Downtown Specific Plan Block 20 Amendment Page 3-23
FIGU
RE 3-5 HISTORIC RESOURCES
Attachment 5
5 \ Downtown Districts
FIGURE 5-1 LAND USE PLAN
Attachment 5
5.2 \ Land Use and Development Intensities
Downtown Specific Plan 2020 Page 5-5
Table 5-1 Land Uses and Development Intensities [1]
Block # Area
Acres
Downtown
Land Use Types
Residential
Units per Block
Max. Office
Sq. Ft.
Max. Commercial
Sq. Ft.
Max. Building
Height
Commercial Core District
18 37.92 Downtown Mixed Use 817 709,000 642,000 75 ft. except 80 ft. for movie theater
Subtotal 3 7.92 817 709,000 642,000
North Washington District
1 5.87 Office - 480,600 10,000 100 ft.
1a 4.35 Downtown Mixed Use 407 - 41,000 85 ft.
2 6.36 Commercial - 80,000 171,000 36 ft.
21 2.35 Downtown Transit Center - - - 85 ft.
22 1.46 Office and Commercial - 56,200 85 ft.
Subtotal 2 0.39 407 616,800 [2] 2 22,000
Sunnyvale/Carroll District
3 2.95 Commercial - - 62,000 50 ft.
4 3.80 Downtown Very High
Density Res. 160 - -
40 ft. except
30 ft. on Washington
and McKinley 0.58 Medium Density Res. 13
5 1.13 Downtown Very High
Density Res. 46 - - 40 ft.
6 2.33 High Density Res. 85
- -
40 ft. except
30 ft. on Washington
and McKinley 1.16 Medium Density Res. 27
7 5.92 Downtown Mixed Use 100 36,000 14,000 50 ft.
23 5.27 Hi gh Density Res. 191 - - 50 ft.
Subtotal 2 3.14 622 36,000 76,000
South of Iowa District
8 1.14 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 15 - - 30 ft.
8a 0.57 Medium Densit y Res. 12 - - 30 ft.
8b 1.60 Low Densit y Res. 12 - - 30 ft.
9 1.77 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 20 - - 30 ft.
9a 1.17 Low Densit y Res. 8 - - 30 ft.
10 1.92 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 47 - - 30 ft.
11 3.68 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 49 - - 30 ft.
12 3.79 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 51 - - 30 ft.
13 4.71 Office and Commercial - 176,100 21,000 50 ft.
2.16 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 25 30 ft.
20 16,400 - 40 ft.
0. Office - 30 ft.
Subtotal 2 4.93 21,000
West of Mathilda District
14 2.83 Downtown Very High
Density Res. 173 - 10,000 30 ft. on Charles;
50 ft. on Mathilda
15 2.80 Downtown Very High
Density Res. 152 - 10,000 30 ft. on Charles;
50 ft. on Mathilda
16 3.12 Downtown Very High
Density Res. 173 - 10,000 30 ft. on Charles;
50 ft. on Mathilda
17 4.65 Low-Medium Densit y Res. 48 - - 30 ft.
Subtotal 1 3.40 546 - 30,000
TOTAL 1 19.78 2,682 1,554,300 991,000
Note:
[1] Refer to Section 5.2 for an explanation of the table and a description of the Downtown land uses and development options. [2] Total includes the commercial area for Block 22.
309
30,977
207,077192,500
1,568,877
Attachment 5
6.4 Commercial Core District Design Guidelines
Downtown Specific Plan Block 20 Amendment Page 6-1
CHAPTER 6 | Design Guidelines
6.1 Purpose and Intent
The Design Guidelines (Guidelines) are intended to encourage high quality design and development, while allowing for creativity and flexibility within the Downtown Sunnyvale Specific Plan area. As described in the Downtown Vision (Section 3.1) and the Goals and Policies (Chapter 4) of this Specific Plan, the Design Guidelines aim to promote excellence in the design of the public and private realm by:
Fostering a compact development pattern with new development that respects the existing urban grid system and reinforces the connectivity to existing Downtown destinations while also producing high-quality urban form and walkable Downtown blocks.
Enriching the architectural vocabulary of Downtown with attractive buildings that relate to the historic buildings on Murphy Avenue, where applicable, and capitalizes on the unique opportunity to integrate new development with the historic Downtown fabric.
Providing recommendations for high-quality outdoor gathering spaces and pedestrian-oriented amenities that are vibrant, safe, accessible, and contribute to fostering a strong sense of community.
The Guidelines will assist the community in the design and the evaluation of future site and architectural plans in Downtown Sunnyvale. To this end, the Guidelines include language that expresses a standard, which much be followed by using the terms: shall, must, or required. Guidelines that are more qualitative and express design intent use the terms: should, may, encouraged, and discouraged. The Design Guidelines are provided in three four sections:
Section 6.2, General Design Guidelines" are applicable to all uses and address site layout and design; building form and articulation; architectural character and details; parking lots and parking structures; signage; open space and landscaping; streetscape; service facilities; and mechanical equipment. General Design Guidelines are indicated by the prefix GG. These guidelines should be reviewed in conjunction with the Downtown District priorities (Chapter 5) and Circulation and Parking (Chapter 7).
Section 6.3, Building Type-Specific Design Guidelines address low rise residential, mid- to high-rise residential, office, and ground floor retail development within mixed use buildings. Building Type-Specific Design Guidelines are indicated by the prefix BT.
Section 6.4, Commercial Core Design Guidelines address design guidelines for the Commercial Core district. These guidelines are to be addressed in addition to the General Design Guidelines in this chapter.
The Commercial Core Design Guidelines are indicated by the prefix CC.
Appendix B, Design Guidelines for Block 20 summarizes and references the design guidelines in this chapter applicable to Block 20, including proposed updates or additions to the guidelines.
For new single-family residences in the lower density areas in the Sunnyvale/Carroll, South of Iowa, and West of Mathilda districts, the Citywide Design Guidelines shall apply.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
CHAPTER
6 Attachment 5
Downtown Specific Plan Block 20 Amendment Page A-1
CHAPTER 9 | Implementation
A.1 Allocation of Housing Units for Downtown Parcels
The tables that follow summarize the allowed allocation of housing units for each parcel in coordination with Table 5-1, Land Uses and Development Intensities of this Specific Plan, organized by district, block, and land use.
RESIDENTIAL ALLOCATION
FOR DOWNTOWN BLOCKS
APPENDIX
A
Attachment 5
A / Residential Allocation for Downtown Blocks
Page A-8 Downtown Specific Plan Block 20 Amendment
Table A-1 Allocated Housing Units by Block and Parcel Number (continued) Attachment 5
B.1 Applicable Design Guidelines for Block 20
The following design guidelines, shown in Table B-1, apply to Block 20 in the Downtown Specific Plan. Additions or proposed revisions to the Downtown Specific Plan are shown in red, underline, or strike-out text.
The following design guidelines, shown in Table B-1, apply to Block 20 in the Downtown Specific Plan. Additions or proposed revisions to the Downtown Specific Plan are shown in red, underlineor strike-out text.
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates
6.2 General Design Guidelines (GG)
GG-A Site Layout and Design
GG-A.1 a, c, d Activity Building Frontages Active building frontages should be created along the edges of Downtown parks, The Loop, and pedestrian priority streets, to activate these outdoor spaces and increase their security. Active building frontages include:
a
. Mixed-use buildings with ground level commercial spaces, office lobbies, and/or residential entrances and active residential amenity spaces; along with private usable open spaces at the upper levels.
GG-B Building Form and Articulation
GG-B.2 a, b, c Building Organization and
Massing
The following standards apply to all building types.Mid-rise and high- rise buildingsAll buildingsshould shallbe organized with a base, middle, and top as a fundamental design approach.
a. The building base shouldshall be differentiated with projections and/or setbacks and enriched with finer grain design details and decorative elements, such as awnings, canopies, arcades, entryies, and window treatments;, planter boxes, etc., and landscape elements to support a more pedestrian-oriented scale along the street.
b. The middle and top portions of mid-rise and high-rise buildings, including the upper floors above the building base, will need toshould be set back from the back of the sidewalk and
articulated to create a regular rhythm and sense of pedestrian- scaled enclosure to the public realm. Low-rise buildings and Smaller sites and sites with shallow depths (less than 100 feet) may not need to be setback at the upper floor, subject to propose incorporating alternative design approaches to that DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR BLOCK 20
APPENDIX
B
Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates provide architectural interest through quality exterior materials and architectural features and projections.
c. A building column grid system of 30 foot on center is commonly used for new mid-rise and high-rise buildings in the Downtown proposing ground floor and/or underground garages. These structural bays and should be referenced in the design of new buildings, to establish a consistent façade rhythm and
commercial storefront widths along the street.
GG-B.3 b, c Building Organization and
Massing
New development which is adjacent to or across the street from existing lower-scale, built neighborhoods and historic districts should give special attention to scale and massing, to prevent significantly altering the existing neighborhood character. The height and massing of new development should be generally similar in scale to the adjacent district and step up to the maximum allowed building height, as suggested in Figure 6-2. b
. New development that shares a rear yard property line with an adjacent residential district and proposes a building height greater than the maximum height allowed in Table 5-1 (Land Use and Development Intensities), shall be required to step back the floors above the maximum height limit an additional 10 feet or provide a minimum 50 feet of separation from the adjacent residential building, as shown in Figure 6-3.
FIGURE 6-3: BUILDING REAR YARD SETBACK FROM ADJACENT
RESIDENTIAL LOT
Building setbacks of a minimum 30 feet from the rear property line of an adjacent residential district is required for the portion of the building greater than the maximum permitted building height.
Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates c. New development, at or above 4 stories or a maximum of 50 feet, shall step back a minimum of 10 feet from the build-to-line on Olive Avenue and Mathilda Avenue, rising up to the maximum permitted building height shown in Figure 6-4.
FIGURE 6-4: BUILDING STEP BACK
at or above the 4th story is required across the street from a lower-scale land use.
GG-B.5 a, b, c Façade Articulation and
Variation
Articulation of the building on the groundand upper floors is a priority, to avoid the appearance of a monolithic structure. a. Continuous flat facades should shall be avoided and instead facades should be articulated through use of setbacks, recessed windows, awnings, balconies, bay windows, and breaks in the horizontal and vertical planes, with a goal of providing breaks in the façade between 25-50 feet.
b. Commercial and mixed-use building facades shouldshall be articulated at least every 60 feet, to be more similar in scale to traditional commercial storefront width and patterns, such astypical in the Murphy Station Landmark District, consisting of lots that are more typically 25 feet and 50 feet in width.
GG-B.6 a, b, c, d, e, f
(reformatted as
indicated in updates
to the right)
Façade Articulation and
Variation
A well-defined street edge is encouraged along public streets in the Downtown, especially within the Commercial Core and North of Washington districts.
Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates a. Ground floor facades shall address the street and define the public- realm edge by placing buildings along a build-to line behind the required sidewalk width (as defined in Section 7.5), to create a consistent but articulated setback along the streets (Mathilda and Olive Avenues on Block 20). [changed to a bullet point] b. A minimum ground floor setback of at least 30 inches from the back of sidewalks is encouraged every 100 feet or less. Setbacks should be designed to activate the street with opportunities for window shopping, landscaping, outdoor dining, seating, covered walkways or overhangs, and other pedestrian amenities. [bullet point a in Chapter 6]
c. Alternatively, the entire building or ground floor facade is encouraged to be further set back from the build-to-line, to provide additional public space on the street and to define the public and private realms. [bullet point b in Chapter 6] d. The height of the ground floor shouldshall be a minimum of 1814 feet from floor to floor and. The ground floor façade should be designed with transparent storefronts that allow full visibility into retail, service, office, or common area spaces. [bullet point c in Chapter 6]
e. Where residential units are proposed on, the first floor of residential units, they shall provide a should transition from the public realm with raised stoops, steps, or other transitional elements. [bullet point d in Chapter 6]
f
. Refer to Section 6.3 D for the design of ground floor retail uses within mixed-use buildings. [bullet point e in Chapter 6] GG-B.7 Façade Articulation and
Variation
Buildings used as focal points at a street corner (Olive and Mathilda Avenues) shouldshall include special corner treatments, such as increased transparencies, pronounced entry features, wrap-around balconies or fenestrations, changes in materials, and/or increased height with accent roof elements.
GG-B.8 Façade Articulation and
Variation
No changes.
GG-B.10, GG-B.11,
GG-B.12
Building Tops and Roofs GG-B.10 Variable heights and roof forms should be used to break up the building mass along a block. A uniform block of
buildings built to the maximum height limit shouldshall be avoided. Building heights may be increased by a
maximum of 25 feet for towers, elevator and/or stairwell cores, chimneys, necessary mechanical appurtenances,
and similar architectural or utility structures in accordance Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates with SMC Section 19.32.030 (Building heights-Increased- When).
GG-C Architectural Character and Detail
GG-C.1 to
GG-C-4
General GG-C.2 Building bases should shallbe strongly defined with architectural features such as a stringcourse, a continuous horizontal band along the length of the building façade, step backs, or changes in materials and color. The base should be expressed with façade treatments and detailing that are scaled to pedestrians. Blank facades should be avoided, especially along The Loop and pedestrian priority ways.
GG-C.5 Windows Where new development is planned near existing residential development, new windows and outdoor spaces shouldshall be carefully designedsited and designed to respect the privacy of adjacent and nearby neighbors by:
a. Limiting direct views into the windows of other residential units and private yards, when feasible.
b. Incorporating landscaping, such as screen trees, to support the privacy of new and existing development.
c. Incorporating translucent windows that support privacy while providing access to natural daylight.
GG-C.6 to GG-C7 Windows No changes.
GG-C.8 a, b, c Windows The use of transparent glass is required. c. Tinted glass; fritted glass; and decorative glass may be used to augment other decorative elements of the building on the upper floors or used to address privacy issues.
GG-C.9 to
GG-C.11
Windows
No changes.
GG-C.12 Building Materials No changes.
GG-C.13 to
GG-C.14
Color No changes.
GG-D Parking
GG-D.1, GG-D.3, GG-
D.4
Parking Structure Location
and Access
No changes.
GG-D.6 through
GG-D.8
Design of Parking
Structures
No changes.
Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates GG-E Signage
GG-E.1 Color and Materials No changes.
GG-E.3 Commercial signs shall consist of externally or internally-lit individual lettering or .Signage externally lit signage on awnings. Internally-lit cabinet signs are prohibited.
GG-F Open Space and Landscaping
GG-F.5, GG-F.7 Special Paving Materials No changes.
GG-F.12 Usable Open Space and
Common Open Space
Usable open space shallould be well landscaped in accordance with SMC Chapter 19.37, “Landscaping, Irrigation and Usable Open Space,” to enhance the aesthetics of individual developments.
GG-F.14 Common areas, located at upper-level floors for use by building residents and visitors, may qualify as usable open space. Usable open space must be provided for multifamily residential and mixed-use developments as defined in SMC Section 19.37.100, “Usable Open Space Design Requirements” and the requirements for the Downtown Specific Plan blocks presented in SMC Section 19.28.90, “Block Development Criteria,” except as noted below:
a. Private balconies, solely used to meet usable open space requirements, must have a minimum dimension of five (5) feet in any direction and a minimum area of 50 square feet.
b. Decks or rooftop patios and gardens must be a minimum of ten (10) feet in any direction and have a minimum area of 120 square feet.
c. Podium level and central courtyard spaces that are used to provide daylight and natural ventilation to multifamily residential units must be a minimum average of 25 feet in any direction and have a minimum area of 1,000 square feet. The height of buildings above the courtyard space must rise no more than three (3) stories (30 feet) above the courtyard space; or otherwise, the minimum depth of the courtyard space shall be increased to match the height of the portion of the building rising above the courtyard.
d. Usable open space shall be open to the sky.
GG-F.17 Outdoor Common Areas
and Spaces
No changes.
GG-F.20 Plant Palette and
Landscape Materials
No changes.
Attachment 5
Table B-1 Applicable Design Standards and Guidelines for Block 20 Guideline Section
and Number Design Topic Proposed Standard or Guideline Updates GG-G Streetscape
GG-G.7, GG-G.8 Streetscape Elements No changes.
GG-G.14, GG-G.15 Streetscape Furnishings No changes.
6. 3 Building Type Design Guidelines (BT)
BT-D Ground Floor Retail within Mixed-Use Buildings
BT-D.1 through
BT-D.7
Ground Floor Retail No changes.
Attachment 5