Santa Clara Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, Santa Clara held 3 public meetings covering zoning matters. 9 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 7 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was down 12% compared to September (227 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Architectural review continuance for office building at 2300 and 2350 Walsh Avenue

Deferred.

Architectural review PLN 2500536 covers demolition of existing structures and construction of a three-story, 692,000 sq ft office building. The project includes three levels of below-grade parking totaling 2,050 stalls, surface parking covered by a photovoltaic trellis, and a pedestrian bridge spanning Walsh Avenue. The item was continued to the November 18, 2026 development review hearing.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review for residential addition at 1640 Market Street

Approved.

The hearing officer approved a 209 sq ft first-floor and 513 sq ft second-floor expansion of a two-story residence, resulting in a 2,336 sq ft home. The property is zoned R3 and lies within 200 feet of a historic resource inventory property. The Historical and Landmarks Commission recommended approval. The project was found CEQA exempt under Section 15301.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Two new single-family residences at 575 Franklin Street

Approved.

The hearing officer approved demolition of an 894 sq ft dwelling and a 650 sq ft garage. The approval allows a two-story 1,462 sq ft residence and a one-story 778 sq ft residence with two uncovered parking spaces. The site is near the 500 El Camino Real historic resource. The Historical and Landmarks Commission recommended approval. Inspired ADUs is the project manager. The project was found CEQA exempt under Class 3.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review for addition at 920 Blossom Drive

Approved.

The hearing officer approved partial demolition and a 1,381 sq ft addition, creating a 2,425 sq ft one-story residence on a 6,206 sq ft lot zoned R1-6L. The project was found CEQA exempt under Section 15303.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review for addition at 2895 Stevenson Street

Approved.

The hearing officer approved a 389 sq ft first-floor addition and a 476 sq ft second-floor addition to a single-family residence. The project was found CEQA exempt under Class 32 infill.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Parking for residents of apartment/affordable housing deferred to 2027 housing discussion

Deferred.

Councilmember Park's 030 requests on resident parking near apartment complexes (item 9) and parking requirements for affordable housing (item 11) deferred to Q1 2027 housing conversation; item 10 (compensation for towed/ticketed residents) removed. Tasman East specific plan amendment (potentially 1,500 more homes) parking study by Fehr & Peers to Planning Commission Dec/Jan. Passed.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Note and file 030 request for data center update and moratorium option

Approved.

Councilmember Hardy's 030 request for a 30-day staff update on entitlement and power allocation for large electrical loads including data centers, with option of a moratorium on new standalone data centers, was noted and filed (no agendizing). Motion by Councilmember Chahal, second by Vice Mayor Gonzales; first vote failed due to mayor's mistaken vote, revote passed. Hardy, Jane and Park spoke against. Staff: power allocation pause since 2023, 8 projects without CUP, $460M power expansion, policies due March 2027; moratorium would need 4/5 urgency vote or non-urgency process under Gov Code 65858B.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

NDAs with standalone data centers folded into data center policy work

Approved.

Councilmember Hardy's 030 on prohibiting NDAs with standalone data centers (re AB 1370) folded into staff's data center water/air quality work, with substitute motion by Councilmember Park (second by Mayor) expanding to a broader citywide NDA discussion. Substitute consideration passed with one no; final motion unanimous. No active data center NDAs since 2021.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 9 recorded zoning decisions. See all Santa Clara meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 32 instances
• industrial: 16 instances
• zoning: 15 instances
• land use: 14 instances
• conditional use: 10 instances

What to Watch

• Industrial mentions were up 100% from September.
• Land use is new this month with 14 mentions, not present in September.
• Conditional use is new this month with 10 mentions, not present in September.

Stay on Top of Santa Clara Meetings

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