Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Design Standards topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners review updated 'lower‑density' objective design standards for single‑family homes
Summary
City planning staff proposed replacing Sunnyvale's 2003 single‑family home design techniques with objective 'lower‑density residential' standards, expanding the neighborhood definition to a 300‑ft radius, removing several prescriptive materials and appendices, and narrowing which standards apply to second‑story additions.
A study session of the Sunnyvale Planning Commission on March 23 reviewed a draft update that would replace the city’s single‑family home design techniques with "lower density residential objective design standards," staff said.
Senior planner Asta told commissioners the draft, developed with consultant Dalon, updates a 2003 guideline and responds to prior Commission feedback. The draft expands the definition of "neighborhood" to include parcels within a 300‑foot radius that share zoning and dwelling type — a change staff said aligns the definition with the standard noticing radius for design reviews. Asta said that neighborhood definition would apply only to the second‑to‑first floor ratio for two‑story homes and to entry door orientation.
The draft removes three materials from the list of prohibited exterior materials (including faux stone/brick foam on garage elevations and EIFS) and proposes limiting exceptions: staff‑level permits would allow up to two exceptions while Planning Commission reviews could allow up to three. Staff also proposed removing several massing standards from the exception list (second‑to‑first floor ratio, ground floor plate height, second floor plate height and roof spans) and deleting Appendix B (recommended screening trees and plants).
Commissioners generally praised the increased objectivity and flexibility. Commissioner Cerrone commended staff for trying to "objectify subjective standards," and staff said they are developing a checklist to help applicants demonstrate compliance. Commissioner Davis suggested clearer glossary language for terms such as "predominantly one‑story" and cautioned about using images that are not demonstrably compliant; staff said Appendix A photos will be labeled as illustrative and that they’d prioritized local Sunnyvale examples where possible.
Other discussion topics included screening of rooftop mechanical equipment, allowed deviations related to plate height and roof pitch, and how the new standards interact with neighborhood‑specific guidelines (for example, separately adopted Iller/Icler neighborhood standards will continue to apply in those areas). Staff said they are working with IT to produce a public map that will show neighborhood extents under the new definition.
The draft is scheduled for a Planning Commission hearing on April 27 and a City Council hearing on June 2. Staff requested additional Commission feedback before those hearings.
