Neighbors criticize design, raise parking and density concerns as developer revives plan for parcels at 1530 and 1540 in Santa Clara

A developer presenting plans for two residential buildings on parcels numbered 1530 and 1540 in Santa Clara told a community meeting the project must be redesigned after an earlier approval lapsed, and proposed 11 for-sale units across two structures.

The project representative said the earlier approval, granted in February 2021 for an eight-unit configuration, expired during the building-permit process. "Our bank period has expired. So we have to restart, rebuild everything," the project representative said, explaining the need to submit a new application and to redesign one parcel to meet current density rules.

Planning staff told attendees the city updated its zoning code last August to match the general plan and that both parcels now allow a Residential-30 designation. "Both the parcels allow a residential 30 right," a planning staff member said, and noted that the developer's condominium map would have to be approved at a future planning commission hearing after technical review.

Why it matters: the lapse in permits, a zoning-code update and ongoing work on a community-specific plan along the El Camino corridor…