Zoning Administrator Hearing

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes Zoning Administrator Hearing Wednesday, August 14, 2024 3:00 PM Teleconference: City Web Stream Meeting Online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/94442399040 Public Participation Accessibility/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice CALL TO ORDER George Schroeder, Zoning Administrator, called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Proposed Project: VARIANCE: to allow installation of a four-way pad-mounted switchgear equipment between the face of the building and street within the required 20-foot front setback. Location: 1250 Elko Drive (APN: 104-30-007) File #: PLNG-2024-0214 Zoning: Industrial and Services (M-S) Applicant / Owner: Telsa, Inc (Owner/Applicant) Environmental Review: Class 1 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions. Project Planner: Cindy Hom, 408-730-7411, chom@sunnyvale.ca.gov Mr. Schroeder inquired with Cindy Hom, Project Planner, if there were any additions to the staff report or comments. Ms. Hom had no additions to the staff report. Mr. Schroeder inquired with Ms. Hom if the installation of the switchgear would obstruct any future installation of a sidewalk. Ms. Hom stated that the installation of the switchgear should not obstruct any future installation of a sidewalk. She noted there is a condition of approval that the switchgear is to be installed further west which the applicant is in agreement with. The Department of Public Works was also consulted, and the switchgear would be City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Zoning Administrator Hearing Meeting Minutes August 14, 2024 in compliance with City standards for sidewalk sections. Max Larine, applicant, provided a brief presentation which gave a description of the project and showed the plants that would be used to screen the switchgear. Mr. Larine noted the installation of the switchgear would result in the removal of an overhead power line, which would be a benefit to the City. Mr. Schroeder inquired if the switchgear would be a permanent installation. Mr. Larine stated it would be a permanent installation for the electrical service upgrade. Mr. Schroeder inquired if the location of the switchgear was chosen because of PG&E requirements. Mr. Larine confirmed that the location was mainly chosen because of PG&E’s strict guidelines. Mr. Schroeder inquired what the color of the switchgear box would be. Mr. Larine stated it would be a dark green color similar to other switchgear boxes seen around the City. Mr. Schroeder wanted to confirm that the color would blend in with the surrounding area. Mr. Larine confirmed it should be the dark green color, but would confirm it with PG&E. Mr. Schroeder inquired on why the New Zealand Flax was chosen as the screening shrub. Mr. Larine stated there are some existing New Zealand Flax on the site so it should blend in well. Mr. Schroeder inquired on how tall the New Zealand Flax plants grow to at maturity. Mr. Larine stated the plants should grow to 6 ft. Eddie Tovar, applicant, confirmed the plants should grow to 7 ft., with the canopy growing to 6-8 ft. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Zoning Administrator Hearing Meeting Minutes August 14, 2024 Mr. Schroeder inquired what height the plants will be at the time of planting. He wanted to make sure they would be able to properly screen the switchgear box at the time of installation. Mr. Tovar stated they could specify the size and height of the plant desired during the installation. Mr. Schroeder inquired with Max Larine if the screening would be U-shaped. Mr. Larine confirmed the screening would be U-shaped. Mr. Schroeder opened the hearing to public comments. No members of the public wished to speak on this item. Mr. Schroeder closed the hearing to public comments. ACTION: Alternative 2. Approve the Variance Permit with modifications. • Update PS-1 to state, “Prior to building permit issuance, the applicant shall revise plans to relocate the four-way switchgear and landscape screening further west to allow the improvements to be installed onsite, outside of the public right-of-way, and outside the path of a future City standard sidewalk installation. The landscape screening shall be in a u-shape from plan view with the opening in the plantings facing the building.” • The proposed screening shrubs shall be at least five feet tall when planted. The final species and gallon size shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of Community Development. • The height of the plantings shall be maintained at a minimum of five feet for the lifetime of the switchgear installation. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Schroeder adjourned the hearing at 3:19 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 3