Santa Clara Zoning Decisions: August 2026

In August 2026, Santa Clara held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 7 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 142% compared to July (183 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

030 request to agendize data center water use policy

Approved.

Council Member Jain's 030 request to place on a future agenda a policy limiting the type and quantity of water used by data centers, plus consideration of demand-side grid support programs. Santa Clara has 58 data centers contributing ~$41 million (13%) to the general fund. References the 2805 Bowers Data Center (72 MW) which uses less than 0.5 acre-feet of recycled water annually. Approved unanimously to agendize.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Vesting tentative subdivision map at 3521 and 3591 Homestead Road

Approved.

Vesting tentative subdivision map PLN 24-00665 to reconfigure two existing parcels and create a subdivision for condominium purposes for 147 units and one commercial building at 3521 and 3591 Homestead Road. Project (Pulte Homes) includes 94 four-story stacked condominium units, 57 three-story townhome units, and approximately 4,900 sq ft commercial building. Project used SB 330 and state density bonus law with four waivers and one concession (reducing commercial from 22,215 to 4,991 sq ft). Council found project within scope of adopted MND. Approved-1 with Park abstaining.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review PLN 2600188 at 261 Rita Court

Approved.

517 square foot first floor addition and 1000 square foot second floor addition to an existing three bedroom, one bathroom single-story single-family residence at 261 Rita Court, turning it into a modern farmhouse style home on a 6,272 sq ft R1-6L lot. Owners Kasturi and Nandita. One rear neighbor (Dora and David, lot 14) objected on privacy grounds, requesting a strengthened landscaping condition. Hearing officer approved with an added condition and determined project categorically exempt from CEQA (class 32 infill). No voting body.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review PLN 2600273 at 2288 Manhattan Place

Approved.

Demolition of an existing single family residence and construction of a 3,322 square foot, five bedroom, five bathroom, two story single family residence with an attached two-car garage of 459 sq ft, on a 6,863 sq ft R1-6L lot at 2288 Manhattan Place. Architect Kyle Chen; owners David and Alice Wen. Neighbor consent letters obtained. Hearing officer determined project categorically exempt from CEQA (class 32 infill) and approved. No voting body.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review PLN 2500417 at 1855 De La Pena Avenue

Approved.

Approximately 236 square foot first floor addition and new approximately 960 square foot second story addition to an existing single story single family residence at 1855 De La Pena Avenue, on an R1-6L lot. Owners Tom Wachowski and Joanne Lin. Rear neighbor requested privacy landscaping; hearing officer added a condition. Determined categorically exempt from CEQA (section 15303) and approved. No voting body.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

030 request to revise Chapter 17.15 street improvement requirements

Deferred.

Council Member Chahal's 030 request to revise Chapter 17.15 (Table 3) of the city code eliminating the requirement for residents to make ADA street improvements (driveway approaches, sidewalks, curb ramps) when improving their property (800 sq ft trigger residential, $200,000 non-residential). Improvements cost $5,000-$19,000 per project. Referred back to staff for further review including cost analysis and retroactive analysis, with options and Planning Commission review. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Significant property alteration and architectural review for Queen Anne historic residence addition

Approved.

Addition to a Queen Anne architectural style single-family home, formerly a bed and breakfast, being restored to a single-family home. Addition located primarily at rear and side. Owners Robbie and Lainey Iannucci. Found compliant with single family/duplex residential design guidelines; Historic and Landmarks Commission unanimously recommended approval. Hearing officer determined categorically exempt from CEQA (sections 15332, 15331) and approved. No voting body - hearing officer decision.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Third zoning code cleanup ordinance and Tasman East rezoning TN to R6

Approved.

Public hearing to waive first reading and introduce the third zoning code cleanup ordinance and adopt a resolution rezoning properties currently designated TN (Transit Neighborhood) to R6 (Transit Neighborhood Residential) in Tasman East District. Includes: incorporating HP historic combining district, allowing institutional uses on 10+ acres to reach 200 feet/12 stories (as a conditional use), unbundled parking for multifamily projects over 15 units per AB 1317, streamlining architectural review, and various definition/consistency changes. Approved with amendments (parallel parking to street prohibited instead of requiring perpendicular). Councilmember Park dissented and had sought to strike the 200-foot height change.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• TN → R6 at Tasman East District, Santa Clara

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 62 instances
• commercial: 57 instances
• density: 52 instances
• residential: 46 instances
• adu: 40 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 464% from July.
• Commercial came up 850% more often than July.
• Density saw 940% more mentions month-over-month.
• Residential increased 119% compared to July.
• Adu mentions were up 111% from July.

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