Laserfiche WebLink
<br />respect to the proposal. To the extent that they may be applicable, the applicant's findings are <br />incorporated herein by reference. <br /> <br />The f()llowing Metro Plan polices are applicable to this request: <br /> <br />Residential Land Use and Housinp. ElemeJ:1! <br /> <br />Promote higher residential density inside the UGB that utilizes existing infrastructure, <br />improves the efftciemy of public services andfacilities, and conserves rural resource <br />lands outside the UGE. (Policy A.1 0) <br /> <br />Genera/~v locate higher density residential development near employment or commercial <br />services, in proximity to major transportation systems or within tran!:>]Jortation-ef(lcient <br />nodes. (Policy A.II) <br /> <br />Coordinate higher density residential development with the provision of adequate <br />infrastructure and services, open space, and other urban amenities. (Po/iGyA.12) <br /> <br />As noted under Goal 10 above, the Santa Clara area has the lowest percentage of multi-family units <br />in the City. The applicant's proposed addition of 1.3 acres of Medium Density Residential is <br />consistent with these policies in that the applicant is adding a higher density designation than a <br />portion of the property is currently designated. However, as the applicant notes under the <br />Refinement Plan Amendment approval criteria, EC 9.8424(2)(e), the City Council amended the <br />Metro Plan to include these policies relatively recently (2004). These policies (and on-going <br />programs to identify higher density sites) in conjunction with the low amount of multi-family sites <br />in Santa Clara, and the amount of density that could be provided on the site even under the current <br />Low Density Residential designation, support more residential density and less commercial than as <br />proposed by the applicant. Although a commercial designation could satisfy the later portion of <br />Policy A.I 0 in that it "utilizes existing infrastructure, improves the efficiency of public services and <br />facilities, and conserves rural resource lands outside the VOB," and the later portion of Policy A.l1 <br />by being located "near employment or commercial services, in proximity to major transportation <br />systems or within transportation-efficient nodes", the policy direction indicates a preference <br />towards higher density residential for these locations rather than commercial. While the expressed <br />language of these policies may not be mandatory, they indicate a policy direction that supports a <br />high density residential rather than commercial on the 7.3 acre portion of the site. <br /> <br />Increase overall residential density in the metropolitan area by creating more <br />opportunities for e.ffectively designed in-fill, redevelopment, and mixed use while <br />considering impacts (~f increased residential density on historic, existing andfuture <br />neighborhoods. (Policy A.i3) <br /> <br />Etpand opportunities for a mix o/uses in new~v developing areas and existing <br />neighborhoods through local zoning and development regulations. (Policy ,1.22) <br /> <br />Reduce impacts a/higher density residential and mixed-use development on surrounding <br />uses by considering site, landscape, and architectural design standards or guidelines in <br /> <br />Staff Findings - October 8, 2007 <br />Page 14 <br />