Planning Commission backs housing, retail and zoning actions | 456 W. Olive Ave | Sunnyvale | The Common News

Summary

Planning Commission backs housing, retail and zoning actions

SunnyvaleApr 28, 20264 min read

At a glance

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The Planning Commission recommended three citywide actions: a temporary moratorium on new smoke shops, lower-density residential design standards, and a mixed-use project at 911 Duane Avenue with 67 homes and retail space.

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Planning Commission

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CommerceHousing

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What this means

The commission sent three recommendations to the City Council. One would pause new smoke shops citywide, another would change how lower-density homes are reviewed and designed, and the third supports a mixed-use project at 911 Duane Avenue with 67 residential units and retail. The project site was described as 4.22 acres and the commission noted it did not need additional environmental review under the cited CEQA finding. These recommendations still needed City Council consideration.

Key decisions

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Recommended approval of the April 13, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes, with a correction to the formal amendment text.
Recommended a temporary citywide moratorium on the establishment and operation of smoke shops.
Recommended lower-density residential objective design standards, related zoning code changes, and updated green building tables.
Reviewed a mixed-use project at 911 Duane Avenue proposing 67 residential units and 18,535 square feet of retail.

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Meeting information

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Planning Commission

Apr 28, 2026, 1:00 AMOnline and Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086completed

Special Meeting: Study Session - 6:00 PM | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM

Agenda

Public Participation
6 P.M. SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Roll Call
Study Session
Proposed Project: Related applications on a 4.22-acre site SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: to construct a mixed-use project consisting of 67 residential units (55 townhomes and 12 flats) and 18,535 square feet of retail (maintain 2,900 square foot Speedy's Tacos building and construct new 15,635 square foot two-story retail building), for a total of 10% commercial FAR. TENTATIVE MAP: to subdivide one parcel into 17 lots and two common lots. Location: 911 Duane Avenue (APNs: 205-12-001, 205-12-002, 205-12-003 and 205-12-004 File #: PLNG-2024-0083 Zoning: C-1 (Commercial) Applicant / Owner: Paul Meuser (applicant) / Nicholas Gera (owner) Environmental Review: Environmental impacts of the project are addressed in the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) Environmental Impact Report (EIR): no additional review required per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183. Project Planner: Margaret Netto, (408) 730-7628, mnetto@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Adjourn Special Meeting
7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
Proposed Project: Recommend to City Council to Adopt an Urgency Interim Ordinance pursuant to Government Code Section 65858 adopting a Temporary Moratorium on the establishment and operation of “Smoke Shops,” as defined, within the City of Sunnyvale. Location: Citywide File #: PLNG-2026-0232 Environmental Review: Exempt CEQA Government Code 15061(b)(3)), would not result in a significant impact. Staff: Rebecca Moon, (408) 730-2700, rmoon@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Proposed Project: Forward a Recommendation to the City Council to take the following Actions: a. Find that the Proposed Actions are Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308; b. Adopt a Resolution to Establish Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards for Single-family Dwellings, Two-family Dwellings and Dual Urban Opportunity (DUO) Housing Developments, and Repeal the Single-Family Home Design Techniques; c. Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 19 (Zoning) to Amend Chapter 19.32 (Building Heights, Lot Coverages and Floor Area Ratios) and Repeal and Replace Chapter 19.80 (Design Review) to Implement the Lower Density Residential Design Standards, and to Amend Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units) to Conform with New State ADU Laws; d. Adopt a Resolution to Update and Adopt the Green Building Tables for 2026; and e. Repeal City Council Policy 1.1.12 Maximum Standards for Small Lot Single-Family Residential Developments. Location: Citywide File #: PLNG-2024-0517 Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458, avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
-Staff Comments
ADJOURNMENT
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LEGAL NOTICES
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