PC 01-25-1993 CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA. 95014
(408) 252 -4505
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD ON JANUARY 25, 1993
Planning Director Cowan called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
MOTION: Com. Mahoney moved to nominate Commissioner Austin as
Chairperson.
SECOND: Com. Doyle
VOTE: Passed 5 -0
MOTION: Chr. Austin moved to nominate Commissioner Mahoney as
Vice Chairperson
SECOND: Com. Roberts
VOTE: Passed 5 -0
SALUTE TO THE FLAG:
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: Chairman Austin
Vice Chairperson Mahoney
Commissioner Roberts
Commissioner Doyle
Commissioner Bautista
Staff Present: Robert Cowan, Director of
Community Development
Ciddy Wordell, City Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
MOTION: Com. Mahoney moved to approve the minutes of January 11,
1993, as presented.
SECOND: Com. Austin
VOTE: Passed 2 -0 -3
ABSTAIN: Com. Roberts, Doyle, Bautista
POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS:
Item 1: Application 11 -U -92 - Brinker Int'l. dba Chili's:
Applicant requests withdrawal.
MOTION: Com. Roberts moved to accept the withdrawal of
Application 11 -U -92.
SECOND: Com. Doyle
VOTE: Passed 5 -0
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
- None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of January 25, 1993
Page 2
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
- None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
- None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
- None
OLD BUSINESS:
2. Referral from City Council for Planning Commission comments on
10 -U -92 (Westfield, Inc.), for a modification of a use permit
to permit construction of a parking structure on the front
parking lot (Stevens Creek frontage) of the Sears Department
store in Vallco Fashion Park.
Staff Presentation: Planning Director Cowan presented the staff
report. He noted the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the
proposed final plan submitted by Westfield. He noted all concerns
of the Planning Commission and City Council have been addressed.
He noted staff will have final approval over the signs, as well as
the bus stop. Mr. Cowan stated the applicant's architect will go
through the changes made. Mr. Cowan reviewed former Com.
Mackenzie's comments regarding using solid panels. He noted the
applicant has proposed grills and trellis as it is difficult to
close the structure completely because of ventilation problems.
Mr. Cowan stated a landscaping plan was submitted by Westfield.
Mr. Jim Eller, Attorney, Westfield Inc., introduced Mr. Terry
Ferrera, Architect and Mr. Demitri Vazelakis, Executive Vice
President, Westfield Inc. He stated the proposed plans are a
result of the Planning Commission and City Council's comments. He
stated they would like an approval at this time to move forward.
Mr. Terry Ferrera, Project Architect, reviewed the landscaping
plan. He stated the center element of the parking structure will
be similar to the corner elements. The walkway will pass through
the towers and will be an all wood structure with trellis work. He
stated it will not have a solid roof, as the City Council did not
want metal. Regarding the service driveways, Mr. Ferrera stated
they choose to leave a gap in the walkway.
In response to Com. Mahoney's question, Mr. Ferrera stated the
walkway will not be protective as previously proposed. He also
noted that grills with landscaping will be used over the openings
to address the shadow problem. He stated security is a concern if
too many panels are filled in.
Com. Bautista suggested raised planters on the ground level,
similar to the planters on the first and second floors. He feels
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of January 25, 1993
Page 3
this would cut the size of the opening and the screen would
continue on from the planters.
Mr. Ferrera stated he will look into this.
In response to Com. Roberts question, Mr. Ferrera stated Westfield
did not support a tile roof because of economics and aesthetics.
Com. Mahoney stated the trees along Stevens Creek Blvd. will screen
the parking structure.
Mr. Ferrera stated there will be adequate lighting for the parking
structure and the walkway.
Com. Austin expressed concern about security.
Mr. Demitri Vazelakis, stated there is an existing security force
who police the entire area.
In response to Chr. Austin's question, Mr. Ferrera stated using
plexiglass would enclose the structure causing ventilation
problems.
Com. Roberts stated the City needs to be careful in their efforts
to disguise the parking structure that they do not undermine the
purpose of the structure. He feels the structure needs to be
immediately identifiable as a parking structure.
Com. Bautista stated the east elevation is the location of the
walkway and there is an area for low planters, he suggested the
south elevation be symmetrical to this. He feels this will not
block ventilation, but will provide screening from the street side.
Chr. Austin concurred with Com. Bautista. She noted the main
concerns are the treatment of the shadows, security and overall
design.
Com. Mahoney stated there are three issues:
1. The Walkway, should it be a solid cover for protection or not?
2. Should the panels be open or closed?
3. Planters, as suggested by Com. Bautista.
Com. Bautista stated he does not see the covered walkway as an
essential feature to the parking structure. He feels the openness
would enhance the walkway.
There was a 4 -1 vote (Bautista No) to have a solid cover for
protection over the walkway.
Chr. Austin stated Westfield needs to explore this further.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of January 25, 1993
Page 4
There was a 5 -0 vote to support the proposal with the open lattice
rather than the solid panels.
There was a 5 -0 vote to support the planters as proposed by Com.
Bautista.
Planning Director Cowan noted the following conditions will be
added:
7. The walkway roof shall be constructed with solid material. If
Metal is the only practical material various designs should be
explored and presented to Council.
8. Planters described on the east elevation should be repeated on
the south and west elevations.
He noted the landscaping plan will be added to condition 11.
MOTION: Com. Mahoney moved to recommend approval of the
resolution subject to the findings and subconclusions of
the hearing with the conditions added as written above.
SECOND: Com. Doyle
VOTE: Passed 5 -0
NEW BUSINESS:
3. Appointment of a Planning Commissioner to the Environmental
Review Committee and recommendation of appointment to the
Affordable Housing Committee.
Com. Mahoney gave an overview of the Environmental Review
Committee.
City Attorney Kilian stated the purpose of the Committee.
Com. Bautista volunteered to serve on the Committee.
There was a unanimous vote to appoint Com. Bautista to the
Environmental Review Committee.
Com. Doyle volunteered to serve on the Affordable Housing
Committee.
Chr. Austin nominated Com. Doyle to the Affordable Housing
Committee. The vote was unanimous.
4. Resolutions of Appreciation for Retiring Planning
Commissioners.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of January 25, 1993
Page 5
MOTION: Com. Mahoney moved to adopt the Resolutions of
• appreciation for Retiring Planning Commissioners.
SECOND: Com. Doyle
VOTE: Passed 5 -0
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
- None
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Mr. Cowan outlined the format of his report to the new
Commissioners.
DISCUSSION OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS:
- None
ADJOURNMENT: Having concluded business, the Planning Commission
adjourned at 7:40 P.M. to the next Regular Meeting
of February 8, 1992 at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cath eri n e M. Robillard,
Recording Secretary
Approved by the Planning Commission
at the Regular Meeting of February 8, 1993
/s/ Donna Austin
Donna Austin, Chairman
Attest:
/s/ Dorothy Cornelius
Dorothy Cornelius, City Clerk