SunnyvaleRTC

SUBJECT:	2005-0096 – Sal Caruso Designs [Applicant] Teresi Investments [Owner]: Application for related proposals on a 3-acre site located at 857 and 865 Carlisle Way in an R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) Zoning District;
Introduction of an Ordinance	Rezone from R-3 (Medium-Density Residential) to R-3/PD (Medium-Density Residential/Planned Development) Zoning District;
Motion	Special Development Permit to modify 60 apartments into 60 condominium units; and
Motion	Tentative Map to allow 60 condominium lots and one common lot.

Existing Site Conditions	60 units of apartment townhomes.
Surrounding Land Uses
North	Medium Density Residential
South	Single-Family Residential
East	Medium Density Residential
West	Medium Density Residential
Issues	Compatibility of the proposed land use with surrounding land uses
Environmental Status	A Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from California Environmental Quality Act provisions and City Guidelines
Planning Commission Action	Approval with conditions
Staff Recommendation	Approval with conditions

	EXISTING	PROPOSED	REQUIRED/ PERMITTED
General Plan	Residential Medium Density	Same	N/A
Zoning District	R-3	R-3/PD	Rezone
Lot Size (s.f.)	131,956	Same	8,000 min.
Gross Floor Area (s.f.)	69,834	73,134	N/A
Lot Coverage (%)	27.4%	30%	40% max.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	53%	55%	N/A
No. of Units	60	Same	73 max.
Density (units/acre)	20	Same	24 du/ac max.
Meets 75% min?	Yes	Yes	55 min.
Bedrooms/Unit	2	Same	N/A
Unit Sizes (s.f.)	1,164	Same	N/A
Lockable Storage/Unit	None	300 cu. ft. min.	300 cu. ft. min.
No. of Buildings On-Site	8	Same	N/A
Distance Between Buildings (ft.) **	15’	Same	23’ min.
Building Height (ft.)	26’6”	Same	30’ max.
No. of Stories	2	Same	2 max.
Setbacks (First & Second Stories Facing Property)
Front	23’11” min. & avg.	Same	15’ min. 20’ avg.
Left Side	23’6”	Same	6’/9’ min.
Right Side	23’6”	Same	6’/9’ min.
Total Side-yard	47’/ 47'	Same	15’/21’ min.
Rear (buildings)	66’10”	Same	20’ min.
Rear (carports) **	N/A	5’	20’ min.
Landscaping (sq. ft.)
Total Landscaping	47,158	51,833	26,397 min.
Landscaping/Unit	785	864	425 min.
Usable Open Space/Unit	785	800	400 min.
Frontage Width (ft.)	23’11”	Same	15’ min.
% Based on Floor Area	36%	39%	20%min.
Parking Lot Area Shading (%)	40%	50%	50% min. in 15 years
Water Conserving Plants (%)	N/A	70%	70% min.
Parking
Total Spaces	96	120	120 min.
Standard Spaces	96	85	78 min.
Compact Spaces/ % of Total	0	30%	35% max.
Accessible Spaces	0	5	5 min.
Covered Spaces	0	60	60 min.
Aisle Width (ft.)	15’	Same	12’ min.
Bicycle Parking	0	40	15 min.

** Starred items indicate deviations from Sunnyvale Municipal Code requirements.

The subject site is currently occupied by the Carlisle Apartment Townhomes, which was approved by the City in 1964. The Carlisle Townhomes are comprised of 60, two-story units; all of which are approximately 1,164 square feet with two bedrooms. The applicant is proposing to convert this project into 60 ownership condominium units at a density of 20 units per acre. The project includes an application to Rezone the site to Planned Development, which does not change the existing permitted maximum density of the site but allows the application to seek relief from specified zoning standards. The site has a General Plan Land Use designation of Residential Medium Density (RMED) and is Zoned R-3 (Medium Density Residential).

In addition to the Rezone request, a Special Development Permit for design and layout of the site and a Tentative Subdivision Map to delineate property dimensions are included as part of the application. The applicant is proposing the following modifications to the layout of the site: a new 2,100 square foot clubhouse, carports for 60 covered parking spaces, additional landscape areas, and new hardscape areas to add visual interest to the site.

Previous Actions on the Site: The following table summarizes previous planning applications related to the subject site.

File Number	Brief Description	Hearing/Decision	Date
1964-4313	Original building permit for the apartment complex	N/A	N/A

A Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from California Environmental Quality Act, as amended, and in accordance with City Guidelines. Class 1 Categorical Exemptions include alterations to existing facilities.

Change Under Consideration: The subject property is located within the R-3 (Medium Density Residential) Zoning District. The applicant is requesting the addition of a PD (Planned Development) Combining District requiring a Rezone to R-3/PD (Medium Density Residential, Planned Development).

Objective: This Rezoning request is being made to allow the applicant to concurrently apply for a Special Development Permit (SDP) to convert the 60 townhouse units into ownership condominiums. The purpose of the Planned Development is to provide modifications, additions and limitations to other zoning districts in order to meet special conditions and situations. In 1998, the City Council approved guidelines for the use of PDs and SDP. The subject request for a PD meets all of the three applicable established guidelines.

Discussion: The PD Combining District enables the consideration of deviations from the Code and/or imposition of more restrictive requirements. The surrounding properties to the north, east, and west are developed with varying types of medium density residential development. The properties to the south are developed with single-family homes. The PD Combining District provides flexibility in formulating a project that promotes reinvestment in the neighborhood and allows townhouse-style ownership housing.