An office building and a four-level parking structure are proposed at 1700 Dell Ave. in Campbell.

The city council got a look at a conceptual proposal from Dollinger Properties during a July 18 study session.

A 71,620-square-foot building occupies the site, which is located west of the Los Gatos Creek Trail and just north of Los Gatos town limits.

That building would be demolished if the project is approved.

“What we’re trying to do here is build a building for the 21st century, with all the modern amenities, and also building a building that’s energy efficient,” Dollinger Properties development project manager Derrick Larson told the council.

Larson said the current building is “outdated” and has been difficult to lease to businesses. He said Dollinger Properties has a prospective tenant that is looking to put down roots in the Orchard City, but said he could not disclose more information just yet.

Larson told the council, “We’re about two weeks away from being able to go public with it. I do feel that this is a very important part of development.”

As proposed, the project is inconsistent with city standards, such as height and parking, for businesses in the controlled manufacturing zone. The area does not allow for buildings to surpass 45 feet in height. This project proposes a 75-foot building with an additional 14.5-foot screen. The building would be one of the tallest in the city.

“For me, I’m not looking for a landmark building to enter the city,” said Mayor Liz Gibbons, echoing a few concerns expressed by residents regarding the height of the proposed building.

The area is zoned for controlled manufacturing, which allows furniture/cabinet shops, manufacturing, office, research and development and warehouse businesses, according to the staff report.

Dolinger could apply for a zoning map amendment to rezone the property to planned development to allow flexibility for the building height, floor area ratio and setbacks. In giving its feedback, a majority of the city council was willing to consider a zoning amendment for the parcel.

The half-dozen speakers at the study session insisted the project was too large for the area. Most opposed a zoning amendment.

“I just think that it’s totally premature to try and change all the rules to allow double the height and more than twice the (floor area ratio) and put something in that’s so huge,” resident Ellen Dorsa told the council.

According to the city, the project proposes 788 parking spaces, which would come up short by 88, according to current city standards. Larson said the prospective business could use shuttle buses to bring employees to and from work as well as encourage employees to use alternative transportation.

The council and residents were concerned about the parking shortage and skeptical about alternative transportation, such as shuttle buses.

“It won’t reduce traffic,” said resident Mitch Stermer. “They may try to do things to reduce traffic. I work in high tech and in high-tech businesses. The number of parking spots per business is insufficient.”

The planning commission will review the project’s preliminary application at a future study session. Dollinger Properties is planning to show the commission different architectural drawings depicting other options for developing the parcel.

When the formal application is submitted to the city, the project will undergo an environmental impact review for the planning commission before a final decision is made.