PC 03-18-92 C�,��-�-e.���
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA. 95014
(408) 252-4505
MINIITES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD ON MARCH 18, 1992
ROLL CALL:
Commissioner� Present: Chairman Fazekas
. Vice Chairperson Mann
Commissioner Mahoney
Commissioner Austin
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Mackenzie
Staff Present: Robert Cowan, Director of
Community Development
Ciddy Wordell, City Planner
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Ms. Roberta Holloman, Fine Arts Commission, reiterated the goals
from the Fine Arts Commission. She stated the Planning Commission
I needs to look at aesthetics when planning the City. Ms. Holloman
stated there should be a statement in the General Plan outlining
what the City will look like and to at least create a civic
environment for the arts. She stated the Fine Arts Commission
feels that there should be more attention paid to the arts in the
City.
1. APPLICATION 3-GPA-90 - CITY OF CUPERTINO: ADJOURNED PUBLIC
HEARING to continue discussion of the General Plan
recommendation. Subject: Land Use, including Monta Vista, and
Housing.
( Planning Director Cowan gave an overview of the discussion for this
` hearing. Ms. Wordell stated all the information that has been
accumulated has been condensed into one document.
� Mr. Cowan stated the County is discussing light rail options. He
! showed excerpts from the 2010 plan. He stated the Transportation
System will plan to tie communities and shoppinq centers together.
Mr. Cowan presented the bus system that is being developed by the
Transit District and outlined the routes which will be a commute
r type system. He outlined the major rail corridors being discussed.
Mr. Cowan stated Cupertino will be involved in the regional
transportation system.
Mr. Cowan outlined the high and low intensity areas within the
City. He showed and explained the reallocation charts and
presented a map outlining where the reallocation will occur within
the City.
PLANNING COMMISSI�N MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 2
The Commissioners discussed the reallocation chart presented. Mr.
Cowan explained this and outlined what the major companies are
requesting. He noted the numbers presented on the chart bring the
' General Plan up to the limit of what is not committed and they are �
pre-TDM.
Mr. Cowan showed a map outlining all the commercial areas in the
City pointing out which ones are built out. He stated that in the
areas which are not built out, the square footage will be combined
into a pool and reallocated based upon priorities.
Mr. Cowan explained the Extraordinary Use Policy.
Com. Mahoney stated if a structure is torn down and replaced by a
new one which generates the sarne arnount of trips it should be
acceptable. He noted the General Plan is driven by traffic.
The Cornmission discussed housing.
City Planner Wordell stated the Planning Commission has requested
1000 additional housing units over the existing General Plan. She
noted anything above this would have to be mitigated.
Ms. Wordell went on to explain where the housing would be located.
She stated housinq will be in the change areas and there would be
more mixed-use near companies. Ms. Wordell presented a chart and
outlined which zoning areas could be changed to accommodate
residential and mixed-use. A map was presented outlining where
residential units can be developed.
Ms. Wordell informed the Commission that staff will be proposing a
policy which will consider church sites as well as surplus school
sites in addition to change areas.
Com. Mann suggested expanding the policy to include areas which
have potential for housing, but are not covered. �
Com. Mahoney stated area 1 is appropriate for housing as it is � ;
close to jobs.
The Comrnissioners discussed the map which outlined the utilized �
commercial and R&D buildings in the City.
Chr. Fazekas that the tier approach will be discussed at a �
later date.
At this time the Commissioners went through staff's
recommendations.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 3
I. GENERAL
A. Policy 2-l: Diversity of Land Use
Provide adequate land area for employment, housing,
shopping, entertainment, cultural activities, health
care, personal service, recreation and open space,
including opportunities for mixed land uses.
After discussion City Planner Wordell stated she would work on the
above statement. The Commissioners noted the substance is
acceptable, but should be reworded.
II. DEVELOPMENT REALLOGATION
A. Policy: Development activity should be controlled so
that the City street system is not overwhelmed with
traffic and the desired transportation level of service
is maintained. To meet the City's qoals and priorities,
the remaining uncommitted developrnent potential that
achieves the City's transportation goals should be
reallocated as follows:
Land Use Uncommitted Trip Rate
(Unit of Remaining Development per 1K s.f.
Measurement Net Growth Reallocation room of DU Tri�s
Commercial (s.f.) 809,000 300,000 Z.60 780
Office/Ind. (s.f.) 1,100,000 1,361,000 1.70 2,314
Hotel (rooms) 300 500 0.40 200
Residential (DU) 1,008 2,008 0.80 1,606
Trip Ceiling: 4,900
Mr. Cowan noted the above chart is based on LOS D.
Com. Fazekas stated the only economic consideration would be a big
box retail.
� Com. Austin spoke in favor of the chart, but feels priority should
' be given to a big box retail and a hotel.
The Cornmissioners discussed the possibility of having a big box
retail. They also discussed the reallocation of commercial square
footage. Com. Mahoney noted they do not have a specific system for
the reallocation method.
' Chr. Fazekas suggested 500,000 s.f. for commercial. He suggested
a 5th line be added to the chart for reserved TIPS.
Com. Austin stated the chart should remain as is and if the hotel
does not get built then that square footage can be reallocated.
The Commissioners discussed an additional Policy: "Social
Significance"
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1�92
Page 4
The Commissioners continued with staff's recommendations.
Development allocations shall be made by the City in accordance
with its development approval processes and the following
developrnent priorities tables. The granting of a development
allocation to a specific project may allow it to exceed established
floor area ratio or TIPS development restraints.
After discussion the Commission noted the above statement is
acceptable.
Comrnercial Development Priorities
The Commissioners discussed these priorities and agreed on the
following:
Town Center and Crossroads corners. 1,000,000 s.f.
(Heart of the City)
Remodeling and development of rnajor retail 80,000 s.f.
centers on 5+ acre sites outside of the �
Heart of the City'and on major arterial streets.
Mixed-use developments with residences 70,000 s.f.
outside of the Heart of the City.
Development or revitalization of other 50,000 s.f
commercial parcels.
Full Service hotel - somewhere in the City 500 rooms
For commercial properties, transfers of trips defined by the TIPS
policy approved prior to General Plan adoption rernain valid and are
exempted from reallocation.
Strategy: Develop criteria for evaluating projects.
Office�Industrial Development Priorities
Development potential based on existing FAR 1,100,000 s.f.
restraints and TIPS standards remains with
existing office and industrial parcels.
Com. Mahoney suggested having this similar to the Commercial
priorities list. �
The Commissioners discussed the excess trips and questioned if a
property owner was to lose what was allocated to him, because of
lack of development, could the excess trips be reallocated.
Mr. Cowan stated he will work on the Office/Industrial Development
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 5
-
Priorities to address Com. Mahoney's suggestion.
Com. Austin suggested more square footage be allocated to housing.
The Commissioners continued. .
Town Center & Crossroads corners 111,000 s.f.
Non-designated Pool to be allocated based on the 150,000 s.f.
following priorities:
Company with 1,500+ employees
Company with City corporate headquarters.
After discussion, Mr. Cowan noted he will provide more information
regarding Town Center and the Non-designated Pool designations and
the remaining square footage.
III. FOCAL POINTS
A. Policy 2-2: Urban Focal Points. _
Intensify the focus of urban development in Vallco Park, North
� De Anza Boulevard, Town Center planning areas and the
Crossroad corners, subject to design and transportation
network controls.
Strategies:
� 1. Multiple-Story Buildings and Residential: Districts.
. Allow construction of multiple-story buildings in Vallco
Park, Town Center, and North De Anza Blvd. if it is found
that nearby residential districts will not suffer from
privacy intrusion or be overwhelmed by the scale of a
building or group of buildings.
( 2. Town Center and Crossroad corners. The rnaxirnum building
� height is defined by the City Center twin towers at the
� southeast corner of Stevens Creek Blvd. and De Anza Blvd.
I Other development at the Town Center and Crossroad �
corners is limited to maximum building height of 50 ft.
i and 70 ft. from existing natural grade for landmark
buildinqs. Landmark buildings should conform to at least
three of the following criteria to be considered for the
landmark height limit:
' a) Location on a major street frontage and
prominent visibility from the intersection of
Stevens Creek Blvd. and De Anza Blvd.
b) Very high quality architecture, building
materials and finishes.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 6
c) Inclusion of cultural facilities, such as, art
galleries, rnuseums and performing arts centers.
d) Inclusion of ground level, outdoor public
gathering places that includes pedestrian arnenities
and public art. �
e) Inclusion of uses that prornote social gathering
and interaction, such as, restaurants or
entertainment activities.
3. Strategy: Vallco Park - height limits
50-70 feet in rnost of Vallco area;
70-100 feet against freeway;
Landmark standards to be applied.
4. Strategy: North De Anza Blvd.
50 feet maximurn height.
5. Governmental Offices in Town Center. Encourage other
governmental agencies to locate new administrative offices in
Town Center or move existing offices there.
6. Strategy: Vallco Park Focal Point. To better integrate the
Vallco Park Fashion Mall with the surrounding community and
emphasize its role as a community focai point, encourage any
retail development at Vallco Park south of Highway 280 to
provide outdoor shopping experiences in continuity with the
present indoor shopping. To achieve this focus, development
review should consider the following design considerations:
a. Active retail uses should be oriente� to the street or
outdoor pedestrian corridor with appropriate
to the interior mall shopping activity.
Mr. Cowan stated they have a Policy in the Development Agreement �
with Vallco to encourage the outdoor pedestrian corridor. '
b. Buildings, including offices, should be sited to•develop ±
a strong street presence.
I
c. Projects, including offices, should include pedestrian
amenities: landscaping, furniture, fountains, canopies,
special paving materials and other features to enhance �
pedestrian activity.
d. Parking should be designed and sited to avoid creating
pedestrian barriers and shopping islands.
PLANNING C�MMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 7
IV. HEART OF THE CITY
The Commissioners discussed the Heart of the City cornparing their
goals to the City Council's direction as outlined in the staff
report. .
Mr. Cowan stated staff will combine the goals for comparison.
Chr. Fazekas opened the meeting for public input.
Mr. Mark Kroll, Prometheus, stated he will summarize in writing his
comments. He did not feel that retail will be successful in the
Town Center for various reasons. He stated housing over retail is
not a good concept for Cupertino, but he is in support of mixed-
use. He stated a 500 room hotel in Cupertino is not practical and
he does not think it will be developed. Mr. Kroll noted the
existing heights of buildings in Town Center and stated the
Planning Commission needs to take this into consideration.
In response to Chr. Fazekas's question, Mr. Kroll stated that in
his opinion, Costco would have a negative impact on smaller�retail
stores in the City. He stated if the City wants identity, housing
� should be considered along Stevens Creek Blvd.
Chr. Fazekas asked the speakers to submit their comments in
writing.
Mr. John Sobrato, Sobrato Development, expressed concern about
height restrictions and spoke in support of 70 feet. He stated the
ma�or companies need the height to expand and to support the
mitigation measures the City will zequire.
Mr. John Hailey, Tandem Computer, also expressed concern regarding
the height limits. He stated the County will be making decisions
to include or exclude Cupertino from Transit in the near term and
feels that high density should be encouraged along arterial roads.
Mr. Hailey stated the height limitation would put a severe
� constraint on the potential to build a suites hotel. He stated a
specific plan should be delayed at this time.
' Ms. Nancy Burnett stated the reallocation plan for non-residential
growth is 31 percent over the existing General Plan. Ms. Burnett
requested that wording be added to the end of Paragraph �1 on Page
, 5 of the staff report to read "...and that there is adequate
assurance that the traffic level does not fall below 1eve1 D". She
stated 50 ft. height limit on Stevens Creek is more than adequate
and does not support 70 ft. anywhere in the City.
Mr. Phil Zeitman stated that the major companies have to realize
that the Citizens are concerned about traffic and height limits.
Mr. Zeitman stated that everyone should be sensitive as to what is
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Special Meeting of March 18, 1992
Page 8
best for the City and not for the individual.
Ms . Ann Anger stated she has worked with the City for many years to
keep the Citizens satisfied. She spoke in favor of increasing the
height limit to allow the major companies to expand and remain in
the City. She stated there is a lot of pressure on the companies
to mitigate housing and traffic.
Com. Mann stated she appreciates the people who come forward and
speak, but does not feel they represent the City as a whole.
City Planner Wordell gave an overview of the discussions to be held
at the next meeting.
ADJOURNIKENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 10:15 P.M. to
the next Regular Meeting of March 23, 1992 at 6:45
p.rn.
Respectfully submitted,
µ . R.v-��.t�l�d
Cat erine M. Robil ard,
Recording Secretary
Approved by the Planning Commission
at the RegUlar Meeting of April 13, 1992
/s/ Daryl Fazekas
Daryl Faze as, C airman
Attest:
/s/ Dorothy Cornelius
Dorot y Corne ius, Ci y C erk