References to Village Mixed Use and Village Centers in the Land Use and Transportation Element
The land use policies provide direction for the amount, location, and direction of future change. This chapter presents a 20-year growth scenario for Sunnyvale that includes additional mixed-use residential/commercial uses in key transit-oriented areas and in transformed Village Centers. Areas for additional business (or industrial) growth are also identified.
The features of a Complete Community include:
Sustainability by design
Reduced automobile trip-making, with daily needs within a 20-minute walk from home or work, and a focus on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) Village Centers with enhanced neighborhood services
The Character of Change
Future change areas were selected based on the following general criteria Mixed-use development transforming older shopping centers and office areas into new Village Centers to provide close-in services and residential diversity in existing residential areas (to be managed through the preparation of precise plans or site-specific plans).
GOAL LT-5: CREATION, PRESERVATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF VILLAGE
CENTERS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITIES THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
LT-1.2a Promote transit-oriented and mixed-use development near transit centers such as Lawrence Station, Downtown, and El Camino Real and in neighborhood villages.
POLICY LT-1.5 POLICY RECOGNIZE AND PLAN SO THAT NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGES MAY CROSS BORDERS INTO ADJACENT CITIES.
LT-3.1b Establish reduced parking requirements for transit, corridor, and village mixed- use developments and for developments with comprehensive TDM programs that are consistent with the City’s established goals.
LT-3.2a Use transportation services and facilities to facilitate connections between neighborhood Village Centers both within and outside of Sunnyvale.
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LT-4.2b Amend the Zoning Code and Zoning Map to incorporate mixed-use zoning districts on designated parcels within Village Centers and the El Camino Real Specific Plan.
POLICY LT-4.3 ENFORCE DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES AND ZONING
STANDARDS THAT ENSURE THE MASS AND SCALE OF NEW STRUCTURES ARE
COMPATIBLE WITH ADJACENT STRUCTURES, AND ALSO RECOGNIZE THE CITY’S VISION OF THE FUTURE FOR TRANSITION AREAS SUCH AS
NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGE CENTERS AND DESIGNATED PARCELS WITHIN THE EL CAMINO REAL SPECIFIC PLAN.
GOAL LT-5 CREATION, PRESERVATION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF VILLAGE
CENTERS AND NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITIES THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGE CENTERS THAT CREATE AN IDENTITY AND “SENSE OF PLACE” FOR
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, PROVIDE NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING
PLACES, AND ALLOW A VIBRANT MIX OF PUBLIC, COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIES. THROUGH DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND OTHER
PERMITTING PROCESSES, ENSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IS PROVIDED TO
RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN NEW USES AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ARE CONSIDERED.
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POLICY LT-5.1 STRENGTHEN THE IMAGE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS COMPOSED
OF COHESIVE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, EACH WITH ITS OWN INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER AND VILLAGE CENTER; ALLOW CHANGE AND
REINVESTMENT THAT REINFORCES POSITIVE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCEPTS
AND STANDARDS SUCH AS WALKABILITY, POSITIVE ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER, SITE DESIGN, AND PROXIMITY TO SUPPORTING USES.
LT-5.1a Promote land use patterns and urban design in Village Centers that reflect context and iconic aspects of the surrounding neighborhood to strengthen the sense of uniqueness and community.
LT-5.1b Consider the designation of a new Village Center at the intersection of Fremont Avenue and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road.
LT-5.1c Allow mixed-use development at appropriate Village Centers while preserving sufficient commercial zoning to serve neighborhood retail and service needs.
LT-5.1d Provide public gathering places with appropriate amenities for residents, such as Village Centers and neighborhood and community parks.
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LT-5.1e Prior to accepting any applicat ion for a Village Center Plan, a public engagement program shall be submitted to the City for City Council approval with a recommendation from the Planning Commission. The public engagement program should provide a range of opportunities for community members to identify preferences for uses, design, density or intensity, height, open space, privacy, and transportation. City Council may provide direction on the community preferences and the vision for individual Village Center Plans, which shall be used in the preparation of the Plan.
LT-5.1f Seek opportunities to create distinctive landmark features or focal elements at Village Centers and at points of entry or gateways into neighborhoods from the Village Centers.
LT-5.2a Enhance existing residential nei ghborhoods by retaining and creating Village Centers with safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access.
LT-5.2d Require amenities in new dev elopment and Village Centers that serve the needs of residents.
LT-5.3b Where an opportunity arises, consi der integrating or co-locating a Village Center with a neighborhood park or open space.
POLICY LT-7.4 PROMOTE NEW MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AND ALLOW HIGHER
RESIDENTIAL DENSITY ZONING DISTRICTS (MEDIUM AND HIGHER) PRIMARILY
IN VILLAGE CENTERS, WHERE ALLOWED WITHIN THE EL CAMINO REAL SPECIFIC PLAN, AND FUTURE INDUSTRIAL-TO-RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
LT-8.1d Develop standards for comm unity gardens in Village Centers.
LT-9.1a Define a minimum open space st andard for residential uses, mixed-use developments, business developments, and Village Centers.
POLICY LT-14.3 USE SPECIAL AREA PLANS TO GUIDE LAND USE AND
DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS THAT SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL MODES,
VILLAGE CENTERS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND A BETTER JOBS/ HOUSING RATIO.
LT-14.3b Prepare a special area plan for eac h of the Village Centers to provide focused land use, transportation, and design standards, policies, and guidelines.
Attachment 4
Attachment 4
Village Mixed-Use
This category provides neighborhood-serving commercial uses integrated with residential uses. In the future, most residents can expect to have a mixed-use Village Center within one-quarter to one-half mile of their homes. The Village Centers should typically be located at a crossroad of arterials or major collector streets and have excellent pedestrian and bicycle connections.
Commercial uses are a crucial component of these sites, and future mixed uses should include commercial components equal to a minimum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 10% of the entire site area, up to a maximum FAR of about 25%. The residential uses in most Village Mixed-Use areas are anticipated to achieve an average density of 18 dwelling units per acre (medium density), with the same variations in density described in the Corridor Mixed-Use section above. If determined to be appropriate due to more intensive surrounding uses (such as at the corner of Tasman Road and Fair Oaks Avenue), residential densities may be higher subject to a public review process. Residential uses will likely be concentrated near street corners above commercial uses and may give the appearance of a medium- to high-density development. Village Mixed-Use developments will be designed to provide buffers between higher-intensity sections and the adjacent lower-density neighborhood. Densities and intensities within each Village Mixed-Use area should be further refined and implemented with a specialized plan such as a precise plan, specific plan, or area plan and a toolkit of development standards and design guidelines.
LAND USE CATEGORY VILLAGE MIXED-USE
DESCRIPTION Allows neighborhood-serving commercial uses integrated with residential uses, typically located
near arterial intersections or major collector streets
providing pedestrian and bicycle connections.
Promotes residential uses concentrated near street
corners above commercial uses and buffers
between higher- intensity development and
adjacent lower-density neighborhoods.
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DENSITY/INTENSITY Commercial— FAR of entire site: minimum = 10%, typical maximum = 25%
Specific densities and intensities determined by
Specific Plan or Area Plan
TYPICAL ZONING DISTRICTS (MU-V) Mixed-use Village
(LSP) Lakeside Specific Plan (very high density
residential with hotel)
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Attachment 4