Your feedback will be instrumental in helping develop preliminary concepts for the Master Plan. All your feedback is being reviewed and considered. We will make refinements to the project approach to address the comments received.

Following are our answers to your questions.

When was the Village Center Concept approved?

The Village Center concept was established in 2017 when the City’s General Plan Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) was updated. For the General Plan's definition of a Village Center, see Details.

Why is the City developing a Master Plan?

The LUTE sets the density, intensity, heights, land use approach, and general guidance for future development at the Village Centers. The LUTE also requires preparation of a Master Plan or Precise Plan to create a more detailed vision and development standards for each Village Center. The Master Plan is being developed to be consistent with guidance in the LUTE and more recent state regulations. The Master Plan will establish focused land use policies as well as objective design standards to ensure future development is integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods, while enhancing the local identity and sense of place with a vibrant mix of public, commercial, and residential activities and public space improvements.

Will sites be redeveloped?

We only set the parameters for any future redevelopment of sites. These parameters are what the City is currently developing. Development activity may occur at any of the Village Center sites due to development applications proposed by private entities, such as property owners and developers, before the Master Plan development.

The Master Plan does not propose any specific projects, nor does it require development to occur. The Master Plan provides guidance to ensure that future development, if it occurs, is consistent with the intent of the General Plan, and occurs in a high-quality manner.

There are two Village Center applications we are reviewing include the following:

• 877 W. Fremont Avenue: Redevelopment of the site with 114 residential units and 35,393 square feet of medical office (part of Village Center 1)
• 911 E. Duane Avenue: Redevelopment of the site with 62 townhouses (Village Center 5)
• 1119 Lawrence Expressway: SB 330 Preliminary Application seeking a vesting tentative tract map to develop a mixed-use, 95-unit townhome condominium development with 16 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) built within the townhome footprint and 15% moderate income units. Additionally, 36,605 square feet of commercial space is proposed along with approximately 33,693 square feet of common open space (Village Center 6).

We approved the projects located at 166 and 102 E Fremont Avenue for a total of 85 townhouse units and approximately 11,500 square feet of commercial space. 24-Hour Fitness remains. Construction has begun on the eastern side of the site (part of Village Center 2).

What are objective design standards? Why do we need them?

The Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (HCA) and Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) require "objective design standards" to be used when approving or denying a development project that includes housing. Cities and counties are prohibited from denying a development project or modifying a project based on a subjective design standard. For this reason, objective design standards will be part of the Master Plan, in order to ensure that clear objective criteria are provided for use by developers and for City review of future applications.

How can I review materials related to the Master Plan?

Review the Existing Conditions Analysis, Workshop #1 Video, Workshop #1 Survey Results, and the videos for Workshop #2 and #3 to learn more. 

What is next? How can I stay informed?

We are developing a Workshop Summary to capture all feedback received in Workshops #2 and Workshop #3. We are reviewing all feedback received following the workshops. Based on feedback, we will refine the project approach and come back to the community with a survey or workshop. We will include study sessions with the Planning Commission and City Council before moving forward with the Master Plan.

Ascent Environmental is helping us develop the Master Plan. The project engagement process will include opportunities for public feedback at each stage of the planning process and participation in the public hearing process.

Upcoming Meetings

City Council Meeting
Join discussion of outcome of outreach efforts and Council direction for next steps.
When: By August - pending

Existing Conditions Analysis

To study each of the Village Centers, we conducted an Existing Conditions Analysis. The analysis reviewed the following:

• Each site and its surrounding context
• Applicable regulations, zoning and planned improvements
• Preliminary opportunities and constraints based on LUTE guidance

What is a Village Center

A Village Center as defined by the General Plan:

"A Village Center is a specifically identified neighborhood crossroad or district nucleus that is planned to become the focus of activity and future transformative change for nearby neighborhoods. It is designed to support a lifestyle with less reliance on a private automobile. It is an active, pedestrian-oriented place with neighborhood-serving commercial uses that are close to residents and are mixed with residential uses. It serves as a meeting place for the community and may also support public and quasi-public services to reduce the need for automobile trips. Residential uses in a Village Center address diverse lifestyles, ages, and incomes in order to allow residents to stay in the neighborhood longer. A Village Center has a unique 'sense of place' beyond what has been experienced in Sunnyvale’s older neighborhood commercial areas."

Village Center Elements

The Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) of the General Plan was updated in 2017. It included a Village Center goal (LT-5) and Land Use description. It also established guidance on the development of the Village Centers. The guidance included:

• Average density of 18 dwelling units per acre
• Maximum height of 3 to 4 stories
• Commercial or Office area of 10% to 25% of the lot area square footage
• Supportive of a lifestyle without a private automobile
• Neighborhood-serving or community-serving commercial core
• Pedestrian-oriented design: active ground-floor uses and generous outdoor spaces
• Activated by mixed-use (commercial with residential)
• Easily accessed by pedestrian and bicycle networks
• Regular transit service
• Reduced need for parking
• Unique design guidelines to address form
• Neighborhood gathering spaces (such as plazas, coffee shops, community gardens, taverns)

All videos are YouTube videos unless noted.

Past Meetings

Thank you for your comments, suggestions and concerns. They will be taken into consideration as we move forward with the development of the Master Plan.

March 27 - Planning Commission Study Session video (2:50:52)

Public Workshops 

Combined Workshop Summary held on Jan. 18 and Jan. 25. 

Jan. 25 - Community Meeting with focus on North Village Centers

• North Village Community Meeting video (00:54:01)
• North Village Community Meeting presentation

Jan. 18 - Community Meeting with focus on South Village Centers

• South Village Community Meeting video (00:55:52)
• South Village Community Meeting presentation

May 2022 - The public engagement process began with a virtual workshop video and survey. We received over 500 responses in total. Your feedback has been instrumental in helping the project team develop preliminary concepts for each of the seven Village Centers.

• Workshop #1 video (00:15:38)
• Workshop #1 Survey Results

The General Plan was consolidated and updated in 2011. This consolidation reduced the number of sub elements that the City had. In 2017, the LUTE was updated to align with the City’s Horizon 2035 document. It also addresses the most recent State Laws on climate change. The LUTE included the Village Centers. The intent is to encourage intensification of underutilized shopping centers near existing transit. It also strives to provide better neighborhood-serving commercial uses and more housing opportunities. The LUTE requires preparation of a Master Plan or Precise Plan to create a more detailed vision and development standards for each Village Center.