Sunnyvale’s ongoing trend of rezoning Eichler neighborhoods to exclusively single story to protect their character continues. The city approved two more neighborhood applications earlier this month.

One neighborhood is bordered by Torrington Drive on the north and Sesame Drive on the west and includes 25 properties. The second includes 54 properties and is bordered by Panama Park to the west, Dartshire Way to the south, Mallard Way to the east and Carlisle Way to the north. The rezonings would officially change the neighborhood from low-density residential to low-density residential/single story.

The homes, developed by Joseph Eichler in the 1940s, are known for their single-story layouts and large glass walls that allow heat, sunlight and an outdoor ambiance inside the structures. Those living in Eichler homes have expressed concern to the city for more than a year that future two-story adjacent homes could invade their privacy and block access to natural light and views.

The second application near Panama Park faced a contentious hearing before the city planning commission in December. The commission voted 4-2 to recommend the rezoning, but some commissioners voting in the affirmative were hesitant about going forward.

The city council unanimously approved the two ordinance changes on Feb. 7.