CITY OF SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA

Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement

801 North First Street, Room 400

San José, California 95110-1795

Hearing Date/Agenda Number

C.C. 10-21-03        Item No.

 

File Number

C03-074

STAFF REPORT

Application Type

Conforming Rezoning

 

Council District

7

 

Planning Area

South

 

Assessor's Parcel Number(s)

499-36-052

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Completed by:  Anastazia Aziz

Location: Northwestern corner of East Capitol Expressway and McLaughlin Avenue

Gross Acreage:  15.47

Net Acreage: 15.47

Net Density:  N/A

Existing Zoning: A(PD) Planned Development

Existing Use: Commercial

Proposed Zoning: CN Commercial Neighborhood

Proposed Use: Commercial

GENERAL PLAN

Completed by:  AA

Land Use/Transportation Diagram Designation

NCC Neighborhood/Community Commercial

Project Conformance:

[ x ] Yes      [   ] No

[   ] See Analysis and Recommendations

SURROUNDING LAND USES AND ZONING

Completed by:  AA

North:        Single-Family Residential

R-1-8 (PD) Residential

East:         Single-Family Residential

R-1-8 Residential

South:       Single-Family Residential

R-1-8 Residential

West:        Single-Family Residential

R-1-8 Residential

ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS

Completed by: AA

[ x ] Environmental Impact Report Resolution No. 65459

[  ] Negative Declaration

[   ] Exempt

[   ] Environmental Review Incomplete

FILE HISTORY

Completed by:  AA

Annexation Title:   Evergreen No. 68

Date:  July 10, 1961

PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION

[ X ] Approval

[   ] Approval with Conditions

Date:  _________________________

Approved by:  ____________________________

[  ] Action

[ X ] Recommendation

 OWNERS

 

Kenneth T. & Irene N. Namimatsu

14523 Sobey Road

Saratoga, CA 95070

Richard & Sharon Inouye     Reiko & Melvin Matsumoto     Naomi & Gary Kanoa

1378 Glacier Dr.                    4380 Silva Drive                       596 Trumbulu Ct.

San Jose, CA 95118               San Jose, CA 95118                 San Jose, CA 95118

 

 

PUBLIC AGENCY COMMENTS RECEIVED

Completed by:AA 

None received.

 

Other Departments and Agencies

See attached memoranda from Public Works.

 

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

 

None received.

 

ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

The property owner is requesting a conforming rezoning of the subject 15.47 gross-acre site from A(PD) Planned Development to CN Commercial Neighborhood to continue to allow commercial uses and simplify the renovation/expansion process of the existing plaza. The applicant has indicated a desire to renovate and/or expand the existing shopping plaza and has filed a Site Development Permit (File No. H03-048) to implement the proposal.

 

Adjacent uses include single-family residential uses to the north, south, east and west.  The neighborhood is generally characterized by residential uses and is served by the existing shopping plaza.       

 

GENERAL PLAN CONFORMANCE

 

The site is designated Neighborhood/Community Commercial on the San Jose 2020 General Plan Land Use/Transportation Diagram.  The proposed CN Commercial Neighborhood Zoning District is consistent with this designation.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

 

The environmental impacts of this project were addressed by a Final EIR entitled, “San José 2020 General Plan,” and certified on August 16, 1994, by the City of San José City Council.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The current A(PD) Planned Development zoning of the site was approved in 1976.  The site-specific zoning allows substantially the same uses and development standards as the CN Commercial Neighborhood District, but fixes the specific locations of the buildings, hindering development and renovation of the plaza.  When any change is proposed to an existing building footprint, a new Planned Development Zoning may be required, which is a long, expensive process and not needed for the ongoing improvement and development of the site.  Rezoning the site to a standard commercial zoning district facilitates renovation and expansion of the shopping plaza by simplifying the permit process.  An expansion would require a Site Development or Conditional Use Permit depending on the specific nature of the proposal.

 

 

The proposed CN District closely reflects the existing design of the site and the pattern of the surrounding neighborhood. The CN Commercial Neighborhood District is consistent with the General Plan and will ensure that the development standards for any future renovation or expansion of the existing shopping center are appropriate for the site. 

 

Staff will work with the applicant at the Site Development Permit stage to ensure that the proposed modifications and expansion of the shopping center meet the City’s standards for new development and are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.   

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

A notice of the public hearing was distributed to the owners and tenants of all properties located within 1,000 feet of the project site.  Staff has been available to discuss the proposal with members of the public.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Planning staff recommends approval of the proposed zoning for the following reasons:

 

1.            The proposed rezoning is in conformance with the General Plan Land Use/Transportation Diagram designation of Neighborhood/Community Commercial.

 

2.            The proposed rezoning is compatible with surrounding land uses.

 

3.            The proposed rezoning will provide for a streamlined permitting process and maintain appropriate development standards to ensure that modification or expansion of the existing shopping center is compatible with the pattern of the neighborhood.

 

 

c.c. Manuel Ordonez, Kenneth Rodrigues & Partners, 10 South Third St., #400, San Jose, CA 95113