Planning & Transportation Commission - June 10, 2026

Commission recommends reducing Hansen Way setback to 20 feet

The Planning & Transportation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the City Council reduce the special setback along Hansen Way at 3300 El Camino Real from 50 feet to 20 feet. The commission also advised staff to identify the property explicitly in the draft ordinance rather than relying only on a map.

Staff said the reduction would align the frontage with the typical 20-foot setback in the property’s Research Park zoning and provide more buildable area on a site crossed by a diagonal utility easement. The site has been discussed for a mixed-use housing development, but no development application had been submitted as of June 10. The council initiated the setback change in May 2025 through its adoption of the Expanded El Camino Real Area Focus Plan.

In a separate 6-0 vote, the commission recommended that the council explore reducing the Hansen Way setback at 3200 El Camino Real, across the street. Commissioners discussed whether such changes should be considered more broadly, with some raising concerns that parcel-by-parcel exceptions could appear to be special treatment. Staff said any actual change at 3200 El Camino Real would require separate consideration and public notice.

A representative of the ground lessee at 3300 El Camino Real supported the 20-foot setback, saying it would provide needed buildable area and improve the corner. Staff will transmit the draft ordinance recommendation to the council and include the separate request concerning 3200 El Camino Real in its report. If adopted by the council, the ordinance would take effect on the 31st day after its second reading.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet