PC 12-10-73 � C7i:TY OF CUPER`.l'INf1, S'.L'A7'I�. OF GAI.,IFOR:�IIA PC-134
iO31)0 lorre tivenl_te, Cupertino, Ca:ii_fornia y5�1/f �'��� 1
Teiephone : 252--4505
MINUTES Or Ti3E RE,(��'[ILAR titEETING OF THE PLF��;NING COMMTSSION
HFLD UN DLCETIF3ER 1_0, 1973 IN THE COUNCIL C�I�'1�`1BE;
CIT� HALL , CUPF.RTINO , CALII'OR;vIA
. SALUTE TO THF FL�1G
Cilairman 0`Keef e cal_led the meeting to order at 7:32. P.M. with the
Salute tu the Plag.
ROLL CALL
Comm. present: Hdams, Buth�nuth, Gatto, Nellis, Chairman 0'Keefe
Camm. absent: PTone
Staff present: Di�rec�or of Planning and Development Sisk
Director of Puhlic tdorks Vis':covich
Asszstar.t City tittor�ey Kilian
Associate Plann�r Cowan
�'YROVAL 0�' MINUTES
Minutes of Regular Meeting of November 26, 1_973:
Fage 5, paragraph 4, last line: Change "along" to "alone".
i'age 6, para�raph 1, li.�e three: Del�te "Comm. GatC.o said one i;�
a disc.ar.ce of landscaped berm and tree-lined strips with very
li:nited access." and - replace with: "Comm. Gatto said one guid.e is
a specified distance oi landscaped area, bermed and tree-7_ined,
with very limited access."
Page 6, next to the la5t paragraph, second line: Delete "the land
uses stated here" ar.d replace �ai_th "thei_r stated land uses" .
Page 8, .first paragraph, add the follo�,rin�: "It was the concensus
of tl�e Planning �onunission_ to recommend that tlie exi.sting planned
indusf:rial GT7_'l� U� the base zone and the sec�aidar,y use ��rithi.n that
zone sha11 ba recreational.
Pabe 10, second motion, should read "Motion carried, 4-1".
Page 12, last motii.on on the page shnuld re1d: "NOES: Comm.
taellis . . . . . .Ntotion carried, 4-1"
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PC-134 rIINUTES OF THE D�'CETiBER 10, 1973 PLANNING COrIMISSION MEETING
Page 2
Moved �by Comm. Bi��henuth, seconded by Comm. Nellis to approve the
Minu�es of November 26, 1973 as corrected.
Motion carried, 5-0
MinuCes of Regular Adjourned Meeting of November 19, 1973:
Page 2, third line: Delete the word "opposing" and replace with the
word "indicating".
Page 2, paragra�h 6, last line: Insert "on Stevens Creek Blvd." between
the words "Stelli.ng" and "was". �
Page 3, lasC para�raplz, line 6: Adc� a period after the word "qualities"
anc� c��lete the �rords "and amortizing will r.emove bad qualities. We should
try to preserve �xisting use of areas." Next sentence: Delete the words
. "true nf bulk of" ar�d replace with the ti�ord "for".
Page 6, line 4, second l.ine: Delete the words "apartments were too" and
replace with the words "apartment density was".
Moved by �omm. Nellis, secnnded by Comm. Gatto, to apprave the Minutes
of November 19, 1973, as corrected.
Motion carried, 5-0
PO5TPdN��ENTS, etc. -- None
WRITTEN COMrNNICATIONS -- None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- None
PU}.3LIC HEARiNGS :
1. CITY OF CUPERTINO: Public Hearing to consid�r 19�3 Comprehensive
General P1an.
The Planning Director introduced the praliminary proposal for the
"Town Center P1an", and asked for comments from the Commis�ioners.
He answered Comm. Gatto that the G'ity of Cupertino is initiating the
development plan. This means tha't any one of the parcels within the
Town Center. can develop independen�ly as 7_ong as they conform to this
development plan, Thi.s document, when adopted, will become an exhibit �
attached to the Ordinance.
i
. PC-1.34
MINUTES OF TH� 13ECT'MB�R 10, 1.913 PLANNING COMIr1ISSIUN MEETZNG Page 3
The �ssociate Planner next went through the do�ument with the
Planning Commiss:ioners, page by page. He pointed out �hat it is
feJ�t the Town Cent�r wil.l meet Cup�rtino's needs rather than
regional needs. Chairman 0'Keefe encouraged audience participation
as the discus�ion of the document proceeded.
An updated versic�n of the Totan Center P1an will �be forthcoming
from the P1anr�ing Department. The fn�.lawing comments led up to
these changes.
On page 2, Camm. Nellis felt that the predominant use of the total
Town Center shoul�i be office, with a balance of commercial anc�
resid�ntial. Conun. Buthenuth felt tl:at the north side of Rodrigues
should be a mix of commercial and residential a�d predominantly
office use on the south side of Rodrigues.
The Assistant �ity Attorney advised thaL with a canceptua.l develop-
ment plan the P].anning Commission or staff can designate land uses
wit�iin certain areas. Going beyond that, if an ir_dividual property
o4nzer wants to c�eve].op, his plan must bQ consistent with the
� conceptual plan.
There followed a discussion of Ttem 3 on �age 2. It was not felt
that the entire City of Cupertino should be "be An::a type archi-� �
tecture". This ref erred to the term "California heritage" f�und
throughout the dncument.
Chairnian 0'Ke�fe said he believes in c�nsistenc�� Q£ architecture
type. With the styl� �he same, there can be a great d�a1. of
beauty. H� 1:Lked the idea n£ "�arly California Neritage" archi-
tecture. '
Comm. Nellis dnes not want to see each building look the same,
but th�re shnuld be some tie between the uses to give the Ci.ty
some identity.
Comm. Adams agreed there should be some tie. Perhaps we should
not hav� muclz more of the De Anza type architecture; however, he
would not wan� to 5ee drastic differ.ences; e.g., fl.at roofs, He
would like ro see the design of tl�e builuings compatible t�ith the
existing develapment.
Comm. Nellis observed th�t all throu�h this documen� there are
items for which the Architectural and Site Approval Committee could
give guidance.
Com.-�, Buthenu�h �ranted to discuss the possibility of extension of
Torre Avenue. He does not tl�ink there should.be the requirement
for a City street going t}irough to Stevens Creek I31vd . ��e would
prefer to see internal private streets sucli as are presently in
ttie developed Town Center.
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PC--134 MINUTES OF TIiE DI:CEMBI:R ].0, 1973 PLANNING COMMISSION M�ETI.NG �
Pa�e 4
The DirecCor of Puhlic Worlcs c�rent over the points discussed at the
staff ineeting on this matter. Torre Avenue could be realigned to tie
� in with Vista Drive at Stevens Creek i�lvd., and it woul.d in some
manner enter Saratoga--Sunnyvale Road at a signalized intersection.
The main ttlrust f or having that read�aay is to relieve tliat busy
intersecrion of Hi.gh�aay 9 and Stevens Creek Blvd,
Comm. Buthenuth suggested letting the deve]_opers decide whether or
not a north-south road is needecl here. C:omm. Nellis agreed.
Attorney Thomas 0'Donnel�,.representing the Cali Family, noted that
the Cali Family has 26 acres in the To�an Center, and then you have
several owners of smaller parcels. He was answered by the Assistant
City Attorney that no property owner can tie up the development of
another of the properties :in the Tatan Center as long as the proposal
is consistent with the conceptual plan for the To��rn Center.
The City cannot create a plan that closes the door to an individual's
developing his property indi.vidually. There are S or 6 propPrty
owners involved in these 52 acres. An ordinance can be drafted that
gives incentives. Comm. Nellis said one incentive would be to allow
higher density only if the l.and o�ners agreed to get together.
Mr. Val Dor.mer, Vice Yresident, Northern California Savings and Loan,
said he is opposed to being forced to devel_op as tt�e others do
although they do endorse the overal_l development of the 52 acres.
He �vould like to have the question as to individual rights cleared up.
• He urged the Plai.zners to make development of these prcperties
economically feasible.
Attorney Dan Donovan, representing r1r. Don Chucic, owners of the most
easterly porti.on of the Town Center - Nc,rth, asked about the status
of the 1962 To�Jn Center Plan ptit together by tlie property o�aners .
He noted that Neuntan Properties may sti11 be interested in developin�
the total 52 acres. He is no� in £avor of spli.tting the property with
Torre Avenue . He ans�oered Conun. Nellis that Mr . Chuck is �ailling to
work together with the other prope.rty oGmers on this.
rir. vomer asked if tl:e Tr'hitted proposal is in t direction that the
City would like to have it go. Comm. Gatto sai_d there have been further
discussions of Mr. Whitted's plan. Comri. Ne1_lis said the Planning
Commissian likes the idea of all the land o�aners getting together
with an overall p]_an. Comm. Buthenuth suggestect this be handled the
way Vallco Park �aas haudled.
Attorney 0'Donnell said ttie Cali Family is naL, at r.t�e pr.esent titne,
asking to have a�l the conunErcial zc3ning. 1'h��y taould like. to worlc
with ttteir neighbors, but that does not say it i.s going to ��ork. He
noted there �s existing commercial_ use of the Cali property.
MINUTES GF 7'II�: ll�CL:M�EK 10, 1913 PLl�NNING COi�'il`1ISSION MET�TII�'G PC-134
Page 5
Juanita McLaren, 22101 L�.�zdy Lane, Cupertino, noted that after tlie
19G2 ��O�dll Cei�te�- Plan c�as put Lo�;ether �_t �vas exposed to tlie en-
tire country. Slie has �ao�-lced ��ith t}ie Torr.es and the Chucks far
years , Lrying to impl_emeilt the plan . She sai.d r1r , j�lli.it ted has a
proposal for the overal]_ To��m Center i.f he can get the density.
Comm. Adams was answer.ed by the Pl.anning Di_rector that the
existing portion of Torre Avenue �aent in when the To�an Center was
initiated. There were a number of streets traversing the Town
Cent�r plans t:en years ago.
Chai.rman 0'Keefe called a recess at 9:22 F.ri. The meeting re-
convened at 9 :38 P .?�1.
Chairntan 0'Keefe said there i.s either going to be piecemeal '
devel_opment of the Tocan C�nter or we are going to have to ;
encourage throu�h the means of incentives the coordinated effort
of the prcpert}� o��mei s, The general idea is that �-.e want sornethir.
unique as �aell as cohesive.
Comms Buthenuth said the first thing to be decided is �ahether cae
are going to require the landowners to come up �vitl� an overall
plan for the 52 acres and if so, hoc,T we are going to implement it.
Before getting back into the To�.m Center disct�ssio�:, Ghair_man
0'Keefe announced that agenda items L(a) and (c) were not going
to be discussed at this meeting.
Getting baclr to the matter of incentives, Comm, Buthenuth �aas not
convinced the 16 units per acre should be set in the ordinance.
He felt increased density should be one of the incentives.
Chairman 0'Keefe said he would prefer more units per acre if the
design was for the "empty nesters" and/or to meet some social goal
such as housing for the elderly rather than to accommodate iarge
families. He noted that ���e have here some property owners with
income from their property and some without.
Comm. Adams said he had stated earlier that he pre.ferred a planned
development�: here. He would be willin� to concede that street
e�:tension is not ne.cessary unless the Director of Public t•lorks can
prove to him other.wise. If the Town Center is developed piece-
meal, then Torre Avenue wi.11 have to go through.
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PC-134 MINUTES OF THE DFCEI�IBER 10, 1973 PLANNING COMMISSION PILETING
Page 6
On page 7 of the propos�l, Comm. Buthenuch aslced �ahy there is to Ue no
median break in Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road between Rodriguez and Pacifica.
Tre Director of Public G7orks explained that tl�ey Lelt To�oii Cer�ter Lane
and Rodriguez are too close together to a:Llow another bxeak.
Comm. Buthenuth asked if a pharmacy-type business will be allowed in
the Town Center, south of Rodrigues. The Planning Director said it
would.
No matter•what happens to Torre Avenue extensicn, Chairman �'Keefe
believes there should be north-south bilce pat�is.
Comm. GaCto believes �ne term "California heritage" is nebulous and
suggested a�eneral policy statement be included ir, this document
to the effect that the City is looking for a. high quality design style
caith an overall harmonious des:ign theme, �ie noted that we are going
to have different scale, functions and uses of these buildings.
Tirs. McLaren said she is very much in favor of the present design in
the Town Center. She oelieves we need to leave some room for f lexibility
for the devel.oper .
Chairman 0'Keefe asked the staff to deal with the tarminotogy before �
the next hearing ori this document.
' Attorney George Stap:Ler, Cupertzno resident, said there is great danger
for thi_s Planning Con�i.ssion to be too restrictive in design. There
�ollowed a discussion of the terms "compatible" and "consistent".
Comnt. Nelli_s felt it �a�.s v�ry important to have something tie this
development together.
Comm..Nelli� said we should take a careful look at the list of uses
on page 14. She �aould like to eliminate the market.
Comm. Gatto said there i.s 1�enefi.t to the City to develop ttiis Totm
Center in a cohesive ma.nner. Hc� ���as in favor of 250,000 sq. ft. of
commercial area and 500 living units with an average of 1.5 bedrooms.
Comm. Nellis said that if they c��n get toget.zer for total development,
she would like to se� 25U,000 sq. ft. of commerr_ial and 15 units per
acre. As an alternate, she would be in favor of something similar to
the Lake Biltmore ap�.rr_ments or offices,
Comm. Adams �sas in favor. of approximately 25Q,000 sq, it , commercial
and 20 un:its p�r acre resi.dential.
Comm. Butheiiuth urould l ilce to see parti_ally undergrotind parking and you
can't get this, econoM.icall_y, unless th.e inc:entive is there.
Chairman 0'ICeefe spol<e in favor of more optioris because it �.�ould y;ive
the a.rchi.tect more lati.tude.
MINU1'�S OF THE DECF'��21��R 10, 197:i YI�I�;N?I�TG CQ�'Il�IISSlON ME}:'TING PC-134
Page 7
Cliairman 0'Y.eef.e said Lake Piltrnore, at 13 units per ac.re, is
automobile orient�d; ��.e c-aant tlie To��n Center to he ped�strian
oriented.
Comm. hellis said that if concessions are €;iven to the Tocan Center
property o�47ners it �ai_J.1 be hard to ref�.ise the sane to the property
o�aners along High��.a�� 9, t�'e �ail_1 be face�i caith the same problem
in order to ger_ the people a?.ong �Iigh� 9 together.
rfr. L�omer said the To��rn Center program has been in effecL some ten
years and the investments are far greater th�n for the land
Comm. Nel]_is was speakir.g abcut. As to �he design of the overal.l
develapment , he asked the Co..unissioners to give t:tiought to the �
naise factor when meshing the plan.
Attorney Donovan said the proposal here is for a uniqtte plan,.for
the Town Center only.
Upon request of Comm. Nellis, the Director of Public L•�orks
explained the traffic generati.on and trip ends per acre,
Mr. Robert G?hitted, Neuman Properties, noted the $00 units plus
250,000 sq. fti. of commercial, comes to appr.o�;imately 30 units '
per acre. As to design, Mr. Whitted's opinion was,that the
Northern California Savings and Loan building is not compatible
with the City Hall or the Library. He s�id his prPVious plan that
he presented did not include unuerground parl:.ing; that is another
economic. ballgame.
Comm. Buthenuth said if we can't come up with an over�,ll' plan, the
individual properties �ail1 have ta 1ae worked out on a percentage
basis.
Comm. Gatto said the term "intensity" is a measure of many things
includin g trip ends. The Planning Commission must consider whethe
or not they want the intensity level comparable to that ef �
Crossroads Center, the r.egional cent.er, or less. The Director of
Public l,iorks said "Vallco Paik is around 25 trip ends no�h�., Cross-
roads Center is about 40 trip ends. Gemco may he more than that. .
Comm. Buthenuth said the decur.ment should include a limit on the
ntimber of bedrooms.
In the last paragraph on page 16, Comm. Rutlienuth ieels the
developer sliould come up �aith the street Ulan if it is an overall
pl.an.
The Director of Pub1i c ��Torks stated that the Srevens Ci: 131_vd ./ �
Ilighway 9 inter5ection is crit:ical; eli.m:inating the ext.ension of
Torre Avenue northerly Lo Lazaneo shottld bc� avoid�d. Without the
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PC-134 P�SINUT�S OF THE DLCI:T4BER 10, 1973 PLANNING COMMISSION MF.F:TLNG
Page 8
relief of this portion �f Torre Avenue, it w.ill encourac;e traf:fic to
use residential Blaney Avenue. ,dith th� 25 trips per. acre, we will
generate 1250 cars at that center. This is almcst a lane of traffic
bei.ng put on Iiighway 9 or Blaney Avenue. H� said the design could be
le£t up to tlie developer. Inner. stre:e*_s will also }�e required, with
30 units per acre. He urged the Planning Commission to include Torre
Avenue.
Comm. Butlienuth asked if this portion of Torre Avenue could be a
private s�treet. The Director ans��ered that 2 lanes would probably
be enough, but hP urged that it not be sealed off. The street can
help the interior circulation. It shoul.d sL at Torre Avenue and
should be aJ_igned with Vista Drive; however, it could meand`r through
the To�m Center if necessary . P1r . S,Thitted added that the access
w�uld be very bene£ici.al. He 3greed that ir developed individually,
the City should provide fer tiiis street. ,
In regard to the 5�' buffer, property owners feel there would be
considerabl.e liability to them if the buffer is to include public
access,aays rather than strictly landscaped ar.eas. He suggested the
develaper be requized �o put them in and then the City could take over
the easements.
The Planning Di�ector ans�lered Comm. BuChenutli that tlle �ity is r?ot
planning far 10' sidewalks.
The Director o£ Public ��dorks stated t�hat the transition for the 11-lane
intersections st�rts to taper and eli.mi.nates Iiarclay's ?3ank and that
row of cammercial buildi.ngs orL the east side of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. �
rir. ��Ihitted said Lhe Center could i�e oriented toward the City Ha11,
but he �aot�ia pret er noL to have it include the d iagonal , central
corridor indicated oz� page 18 of the To�•m Center Plan. ��lso, he felt
rhe �aidth sttou.ld not be more than 30' separating the shops.
� On page 19, the Planziin� Commission and :1r. Whitted stated they preferred
open to enclosed malls.
C7n page 20, r1r. Whitted indicated he raoul.d rather_ achieve the effect with
a be rnl and landscaping than with underground parlcing.
Comm. Gatto raised the question oi whether �ae �J3nt to screen the parking
or screen tlie asnhalt.
On the c�uestion of huilding heights in the Center, Comm, Ne]_lis said she
was opposed to 4 stories, .�nd prc�.fers to have a 40' ma�irnum requ�_rement.
Comm. Butlicituth and E�d<�ms pre.terrecl thc re�i>>iremeut to t�e 4 stories.
I
t�fI\U'TES OF '1'IIE DI:CEi-Il3LR 10, 1.973 PL,A��NING CUI•1:-fISSIOV T1I:I;TII�G PC-134
Pagc� 9
On pa�e 21., in regard to si�ni�i�, "Ir, V'hitted said c�:hat you �tiant
is st}�le and �c��ethin� in lcecpi.n, :�itti the s?top hut not. unif.ormity
or mini.mal. Ciiai.rman 0`h:e-e£e hclieves sign.� :stio�ild be uniform ancl
rni_nitnal. �1]:ter furttier discussion, Cor:L Adams, GatL and \el.li_s
��ere in £a��or o£ elimir_ati:�g the raord "uni£orrn".
U.�FItiISHI?D 13UST�ESS : I�one
NE�d BUSI\L'SS : None
RFPORT OI�' PL:'�.��II��G CO�i:`ilSSIO� : None
R�POF:r OF PLA\:�ING llI�:TCTOR : hone
ADJ OUI:\'� 1ENT � �
r:oved b}� Coni::l. Nellis, seconded. by Comm. I�utllenuth to adjour_n the
meeting at 12 :32 A.�1, to 7:30 P.r:. llecember 27 , 1973 .
rlotion carriec�, 5--0
AP�'ROV$D :
/s/ D2nie1 P. 0'Keefe
Chairman
ATTEST:
s Wm . E R.yder
City Clerk
��<