One lot, one home.
That's the way Sunnyvale City Council members want it to remain, after they unanimously denied one homeowner's request to squeeze two homes onto his oversized parcel at the Feb. 9 meeting.
The rejection blocked what Director of Community Development David Boesch predicted would become an "unwelcome precedent."
In Sunnyvale, approximately 300 lots exceed 14,000 square feet--nearly twice the size necessary to a build a single family home in the city.
The oversized lots, which usually have a smaller "Granny House" in the back, are remnants of years past when land for housing was plentiful, Boesch said. Most of the homes were built in what once was Santa Clara County, well before the city annexed the land.
"On the one hand, we would be creating additional housing, but on the other, we're creating denser neighborhoods," Boesch said.
"On a case-by-case basis it may not seem significant, but over the course of time, you can see the undermining of the neighborhood's integrity."
Applicant Yen Han Chen argued that as a property owner, he hoped the city would allow him to split his Warner Avenue parcel and build two one-story homes.
Though at one point Chen claimed he would be creating "single family homeowner" possibilities, he later proved contradictory when he said he would rent the second home to his brother-in-law.
"This is a unique street and there are unique opportunities in this neighborhood," Chen said.
Eight residents who live in the neighborhood, and who would have been affected by the proposal spoke at the meeting. Four supported the project, and four spoke in opposition.
Glen Mitchell, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said, "Once they change it for one person, why, there goes the neighborhood."
Another resident, Bob Grenwich, said he bought his home four months ago specifically for the openness the oversized lot provides. He said living where there are no sidewalks, curbs or street lights, allows him to feel closer to a rural neighborhood than a suburban one.
"It may open the door for others to do the same thing, and before you know it, there are two homes on every lot. What I moved here for will be gone."
James Boyle, a neighbor living directly adjacent to Chen's lot, said the project would "enhance the neighborhood."
"His splitting these up is still maintaining the character of the neighborhood," Boyle said.
Councilmember Jack Walker said he would only approve lot-splitting if all the homeowners proposed to do the same.
"If all the neighbors came back and said, 'We want to change the zone,' I would have no problem with that."
Along with opening the door for similar proposals, council members said the plan would also create denser neighborhoods.
"That would be dangerous," Councilwoman Julia Miller said. "Because it would spoil the quality of life for the people that have lived there for some time."
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
