Sunnyvale Zoning Administrator George Schroeder approved a special development permit Sept. 10, 2025 allowing Gold Star Gymnasium to expand into the adjacent tenant space at 721–727 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road (file PONG20240441). The approval includes edits to the posted conditions of approval and a deed restriction that will limit the space's total occupancy and be recorded against the property.

City planner Julia Klein told the hearing that staff moved a building-condition requirement from one section of the posted conditions to the proper building-permit header (from AT3 to BP15) to reflect that the requirement must be satisfied prior to building permit issuance. Klein said the substance of the requirement did not change; staff revised wording in AT1 and other headers to align descriptions of the use with the building conditions.

Schroeder said the expanded use is consistent with the general plan, the El Camino Real specific plan and city zoning requirements, and that site improvements and the use are compatible with the shopping center. He said staff had received no public comment on the item. Architect and applicant representative Anthony Rojas said the applicant and building owner have reviewed and agree with the revised language. The property owner, identified in the record as Ted, confirmed the city attorney has drafted a deed restriction and that the owner will review it. During the hearing the owner said Big 5 will turnover the premises on Sept. 22, 2025.

The final approval includes the following specific changes noted in the decision: renaming the use title from “gymnasium” to “gymnastics” in the decision text; adding BP15 as a building condition of approval requiring a deed restriction that limits the total number of occupants; replacing the AT3 text with language on building occupancy and operation to reference compliance with BP15; and edits to AT1 to replace references to “fitness gym” with “recreational gymnastics school.” Schroeder said he took action on Alternative 2 (approve with recommended findings in Attachment 2 and conditions in Attachment 3) with the listed modifications. He noted the decision can be appealed within 15 calendar days to the planning commission.

No public speakers addressed the project during the hearing. The applicant and owner indicated they will proceed with the deed restriction and record it as part of the planning approval process.