The Silicon Valley Adds Another Single-Story Overlay District

"The city of Sunnyvale has granted another [Joseph] Eichler neighborhood's request to be rezoned to retain its single-story character," reports Victoria Kezra.

The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to rezone a 45-home neighborhood, according to Kezra. "With the exception of a single two-story home and approved plans to build a second two-story home, the homes covered by the rezoning are single-story homes and predominantly Eichler structures."

Kezra notes that Eichler-designed neighborhoods in the nearby cities of Mountain View and Palo Alto have also sought similar limitations on allowable building. This is the fifth time since 2001 a neighborhood in Sunnyvale has requested single-story limitations be added to the zoning code.

The unique characteristics of the Eichler-designed homes are credited with the special zoning limitations. Although he expressed reservations with the single-story overlay in concept, Councilmember Jim Griffith acknowledged Eichlers as unique and meriting 'protection beyond a normal single-family home.'"

The decision in Sunnyvale has gained broader traction for two reasons. One is the ongoing buzz surrounding the recent resignation of Kate Downing from the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission. The other is this tweet by reporter Kim-Mai Cutler about the irony of the situation, given Eichler's political views.

The great irony is that the designer of these homes was a vociferous opponent of racial, economic segregation. https://t.co/vXR2AQpfov

— Kim-Mai Cutler (@kimmaicutler) August 21, 2016