Santa Clara Zoning Decisions: February 2026

In February 2026, Santa Clara held 5 public meetings covering zoning matters. 5 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 3 approved (60% approval rate), 2 denied. Activity was up 663% compared to January (32 activity items across 1 meeting).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Stevens Creek Subaru Trash Pickup Modification Appeal

Denied.

Council denied Subaru's appeal to modify conditional use permit conditions to allow trash pickup from Cecil Avenue instead of the originally approved Stevens Creek Boulevard location at 3225 Stevens Creek Boulevard. Planning Commission had previously denied the request 5-2 on May 21, 2025.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal Denial - Smoke Shop at 770 Kiley Boulevard

Denied.

Planning Commission unanimously affirmed the Community Development Director's denial of zoning clearance for a smoke shop at 770 Kiley Boulevard. The applicant had been operating the business since June 2025 without proper permits. Smoke shops have been prohibited in the MUNC (Mixed Use Neighborhood Commercial) zone since July 2024. Staff noted the applicant could apply for a convenience store with ancillary tobacco sales instead.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal Affirmed - Residential Addition at 2892 Mesquite Drive

Approved.

Planning Commission affirmed the Development Review Officer's approval of architectural review for a 621 sq ft first floor addition and 397 sq ft second floor addition to an existing 2,081 sq ft two-story single family residence with 500 sq ft attached garage on a 7,351 sq ft lot. Appellant Soren Panucci at adjacent 2896 Mesquite Drive had appealed seeking measurable standards for conditions P3 (setback) and P4 (landscaping). The wedge-shaped pie lot configuration was central to the dispute.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

CEQA Exemption - 2892 Mesquite Drive Residential Addition

Approved.

Planning Commission determined the residential addition project at 2892 Mesquite Drive is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to guidelines section 15301, Class 1 existing facilities.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Citywide Objective Design Standards Ordinance Introduction

Approved.

Council waived first reading and introduced citywide objective design standards for multifamily and residential mixed-use projects, updating Santa Clara Zoning Code Chapter 18.27. Standards address building massing, facade composition, fenestration, landscaping, and transitions between uses.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 55 instances
• residential: 19 instances
• commercial: 16 instances
• mixed use: 14 instances
• land use: 13 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning is new this month with 55 mentions, not present in January.
• Residential came up 90% more often than January.
• Commercial is new this month with 16 mentions, not present in January.
• Mixed use is new this month with 14 mentions, not present in January.
• Land use is new this month with 13 mentions, not present in January.

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