Loading...
PC 03-30-92 C:���`�,�_�` CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA. 95014 (408) 252-4505 MINU`PES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON MARCH 30, 1992 SALUTE TO THE FLAG: � ROLL CALL: Commissioners Present: Chairman Fazekas Vice Chairperson Mann Commissioner Mackenzie Commissioner Mahoney Commissioner Austin Staff Present: Robert Cowan, Director of Community Development Bert Viskovich, Director of Public Works , Colin Jung, Associate Planner Cheryl Kershner, Deputy City Attorney ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Ann Anger concurred with the letter from Mr. John Allen requesting that the discussions on Monta Vista be continued to the meeting of April 13, 1992. l. APPLICATION 3-GPA-90 - CITY OF CUPERTINO: ADJOURNED PUBLIC HEARING to continue discussion of the General Plan: Subjects are Land Use (including Hillsides and Monta Vista), Transportation, Housing. . Com. Mann gave a presentation on the Diocese property, a copy of which was presented to the Commissioners and staff. She noted her presentation is based on density. Corn. Mann outlined on a map where development should be on the property. She stated the maximum number of units should be 293, as in the existing general plan. The number should not be increased because of the constraints on the property. � The Cornmissioners. cornpared Com. Mackenzie's proposal with Com. Mann's proposal. The Commissioners then reviewed the Hillside General Plan Policies and rnade the following changes: MOTION: Com. Mahoney moved to remove the words "Dioeese Pro�erty" from the definition. SECOND: Com. Mackenzie V�TE: Passed 5-0 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 2 MOTION: Com. Mackenzie moved to add the following sentence to . Existing Lots of Record "significant public open space should be required as a by product of development". � SECOND: Com. Austin � VOTE: Passed 5-0 The Commissioners reviewed the Seminary Property recommendations. Com. Mackenzie noted that some of the policies aim at developing small houses on the Seminary property. The following changes were rnade: C. DENSITY 1. Policy: Any portion of the property above the "hillside'� line should be regulated by hillside densities and ordinances. This area rnay be allowed less density as part of a plan for the total property. 5-0. 2. Policy: The maximurn nurnber and type of units allowed are: 290 single family units and up to 190 Multi-family attached units if a distinct and positive social good can be shown. 3-2 (Mann, Austin No). Com. Mackenzie stated the list of development criteria for the property will determine the number of units allowed. He stated a number is needed to rneet State law. Chr. Fazekas suggested 290 units and up to 190 multi-family units may be allowed if a distinct and positive social good can be shown, as written above. . Com. Austin stated she supports the 41 homes as suggested by Councilmember Goldman. Com. Mann stated the property should be developed with care and not to the maximum. She noted she supports 293 units. • D. SENSITIVE AREAS 1. Policy: Ecologically sensitive areas must be avoided in any development. The following areas shall be protected from development: a. Riparian corridor b. Significant tree cover and major native trees c. The prominent knoll on the Northeast section of the property and hilltops - structures rnust not interrupt the ridgeline as viewed from I-280 or Foothill Blvd. d. Steep slopes; slopes greater than 30� shall not be • developed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 3 e. Southwest corner of the property Environmental impact analysis may determine other sensitive areas. F. TYPE OF HOUSING Policy: Sma�ler, less expensive houses are preferred over larger . houses 3-2 (Mann, Austin No) G. DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES AND DESIGN REVIEW Policies: (the changes are indicated below) 2. Reduce the visual irnpact of development through such means as using materials and colors that blend with the landscape, stepping structures down the hillside, avoiding multi-storied structures, limiting grading quantities and following natural contours, limiting the height and mass of wall planes, limiting paved areas, avoiding glass walls and steeply pitched roofs; and keep structures low. 3a. Consider the view from the open space areas to the development. 4. Utilize common recreational areas such as tennis courts and swimming pools in lieu of large individual facilities. H. PARKING Policy: Consider parking facilities which access the County park and open space preserve. LAND USE Planning Director Cowan presented the staff report outlining the changes in this section: page 2, additional sentence to Commercial Development Priorities which reads "Develop criteria for evaluating projects which request a share of these allocations". He stated staff's recommendation is not to get involved in reallocating the 150,000 s.f. for the Office/Industrial. Mr. Cowan presented the staff recommended revisions to Tiered Traffic Mitigation Policies (revised 3/30/92). In response to Chr. Fazekas' question, Mr. Viskovich stated in tier 2, housing and other TDM measures would have to be reviewed as to how the synergism.works in being able to give credit for housing. Chr. Fazekas expressed concern regarding the major companies getting bonus square footage without providing housing. PLANNING COMMISSI�N MINUTES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 4 Com. Mackenzie expressed concern about the use permit running with the land and future owners not adhering to the TDM programs. Mr. Viskovich stated that tier 2 can be a monitoring system, once implemented, if assigned to the actual use permit. A development agreement will set forth sanctions and parameters which will run with the land. Mr. Cowan stated it is the property owner who will be obligated to enforce the TDM system. Com. Mackenzie stated he is in favor of allowing the major companies to expand, but would.like Cupertino residents to benefit from this. He suggested, as an exarnple, if a company ean reduce the traffic and save 10 trips, they should only be able to build back 8 trips worth of square footage. He stated he would like to see this as a General Plan policy. In response to Chr. Fazekas' question, Com. Mackenzie stated there should be a policy in the General Plan which recommends considering a General Plan Amendment for a big box retail. Chr. Fazekas expressed concern regarding the tier approach and stated there should be some social good. Mr. Cowan suggested writing a policy which defines social good. Chr. Fazekas suggested the following: Additional housing Additional public facilities Economic benefit Additional infrastructure improvements. Chr. Fazekas stated the above criteria should be tied to the increased FAR. Com. Austin suggested fines if the tier approach is not adhered to. She stated the developer must provide social good before getting square footage over and beyond what is allowed in the General Plan. Mr. Viskovich stated that the tiers deal with traffic only and there will be other criteria which will have to be rnet before the companies receive additional square footage. Mr. Viskovich explained the State requirements. He noted the Congestion Management Agency can not levy fines. � Com. Mackenzie stated the listing for public good for the General Plan should be written. The Development Agreements will work out the details. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 5 Com. Mackenzie suggested setting up a scale to balance future commercial development and housing rather than asking commercial developers to build houses. He noted that commercial buildings should not be developed unless housing is developed. Mr. Cowan -stated the Affordable Housing Committee will be discussing this issue. He presented a chart titled "Comprehensive Jobs/Housing Ratios for Different Nexus Mitigation" and explained how this relates to limiting the commercial development. The Commissioners discussed the Jobs/Housing balance. Com. Mackenzie suggested, in an attempt to keep the jobs/housing balance as it is today, there should be one house built for every 1000 s. f. of commercial development. Chr. Fazekas stated that housing should be built simultaneously with commercial development. HEART OF THE CITY Com. Austin stated she does not support town center as the Heart of the City as she previously did. Com. Mackenzie suggested expanding the library with "Heart of the City features". Com. Mahoney stated a critical mass is needed to make the Heart of the City successful. The Commissioners could not reach a consensus on the location of the Heart of the City. Mr. Cowan stated he will provide a matrix of the places identified for th� Heart of the City and show the pros and cons for each location. The Comrnissioners discussed the location of the crossroads shopping district. Com. Mackenzie stated that retail development should go only as far as Saich Way. The preferred shopping district option is between De Anza Blvd. and Saich Way 3-2 (Austin, Fazekas No) The old post office site and everything to the west should be housing. 4-1 (Austin No) BUILDING FORM AND SCALE The following reflects the discussion and changes to strategy l. PLANNING COMMISSION MINIITES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 6 Strategies: 1. Low Profile Building Heights. Ensure that building height reflects Cupertino's low prof ile design. Consider buildings taller than two stories only in locations that are already urban in character and are specified in the General'Plan. 4-1 (Mann No� The Commissioners reached a consensus to request staff to develop guidelines for a thematic approach which will be added as #6 under Building Form and Scale. The Commissioners discussed the Urban Parkway concept. Associate Planner Jung stated the Commission's recommendations for the landscape parkway effect on Stevens Creek Blvd. should have reduced front building setbacks. There should also be additional landscaping in the median and along the streets. Mr. Jung stated the Grand Blvd. Committee's report for the parkway concept, suggested having wide landscape front setbacks and possible side-on orientations of the buildings. Chr. Fazekas spoke in support of the either parkway concept with the existing setbacks or the buildings brought in slightly. Com. Austin spoke in favor of having the buildings oriented to the street. Com. Mahoney concurred. Com. Mackenzie spoke in favor of continuing the East Stevens Creek Blvd. plan. , The hearing was opened for public input. . Mr. John Hailey, Tandem Computers, expressed concern about the tier system. He stated the Congestion Management Agency requires companies who are participating in future Congestion Management Programs to have viable programs, but does not necessarily guarantee results. He stated the aspects of the tie'r system guarantees results. He stated companies must be large in order to be effective and implement the TDM programs. With regards to tier 1, Mr. Hailey suggested removing the word "rental" when mentioned with regard$ to housing. He also suggested that tier 3 should be allowed to be selected at any point. Mr. Hailey presented a chart to the commissioners regarding height limitations. He noted 14 ft. floor to f loor is the desired minimum. Mr. Hailey stated that energy efficient mechanical equipment adds additional height to buildings. Mr. John Allen stated he cannot attend the April 13th meeting and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meeting of March 30, 1992 Page 7 requested he be allowed to comment on Monta Vista at this time. He stated flag lots should remain as there are no problems with � emergency vehicles etc. He noted that a 50 ft. frontage will � provide a reduced house size. He is opposed to reducing the lots � sizes from 7500 s.f. to 6000 s.f. He urged the Planning Commission � to leave Monta Vista as is. ' Mr. Mark Kroll, City Center Associates, stated the elevator penthouse is on the roof which requires additional height. He stated putting this below has drawbacks, which he will outline in writing. Ms. Nancy Burnett, 729 Stendhal Ln., pointed out that a potential area of conflict for Stevens Creek Blvd. is in the Transportation � Element. The policy recommends a maximum of eight lanes on Stevens Creek Blvd. and De Anza Blvd. which may be in conflict with the � Grand Blvd. concept. � ADJOURNMENT: The Planning Commission adjourned at 9:15 P.M. to the next Reqular Meeting of April 13, 1992 at 6:45 p.m. � Respectfully submitted, I � Cc �.� 1✓1 '4- �-�'�.��, � Catherine M. Robil ard, Recording Secretary Approved by the Planning Commission � at the Regular Meeting of April 13, 1992 I � /s/ Daryl Fazekas ' Dary Faze as, C airman � Attest: � , /s/ Dorothy Cornelius Doro y Cornelius, Ci y C erk