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PC 09-16-02 Joint with CCC ~F CUPEfLTINO APPROVED MINUTES CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL and PLANNING COMMISSION Regular Adjourned Meeting Monday, September 16, 2002 ROLL CALL At 4:40 p.m. Mayor Lowenthal called the meeting to order in Conference Room C of City Hall, 10300 Torte Avenue, Cupertino, California. City Council members present: Mayor Richard Lowenthal, Vice-Mayor Michael Chang, and Council members Sandra James, Patrick Kwok, and Dolly Sandoval. Council members absent: None. Planning Commission members present:, Commissioners Marc Auerbach, Taghi Saadati, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: Chairperson Charles Corr and Angela Chen. Staff present: City Manager David Knapp, Administrative Services Director Carol Atwood, City Attorney Charles Kilian, Parks and Recreation Director Therese Smith, Public Information Officer Rick Kitson, Public Works Director Ralph Quails, and City Clerk Kimberly Smith. STUDY SESSION Conduct a joint study session with the Planning Commission regarding the Cupertino Town Center. Senior Planner Aarti Shrivastava compared the newest plans with the previous proposal and highlighted the changes. She said that the applicant will be required to pay for the cost of a traffic analysis, and a traffic calming plan for Rodrigues and Pacific Avenues will be needed. Ed Storm of Hunter/Storm, applicants, talked about the improvements to the parking plans and the better jobs/housing balance in this current plan. Landscape architect, Vince Lattanzio, discussed the landscaping plan, including a 15-foot wide "central park" with a water feature and gateway elements on each end. These features also serve as traffic calming elements. He said that they would retain existing oak trees, and would catch and re-use runoff water. The street trees will be replaced with plane trees, and special pavers and markers will be used to show pedestrian zones. September 16, 2002 Cupertino City Council and Planning Commission Sean Kelley, architect, discussed the plans for the two residential buildings, which included subterranean parking. He explained how one of the 3-story buildings would actually have four interior levels. The residential buildings will have stoops on the park side to create a pedestrian friendly environment. Dennis Medinger, architect, explained that the application for which they requested approval tonight is a two-story office building and restaurant on a plaza near City Hall. Ed Storm said that the height and central park both add impact and create a sense of place that would still work well even if the master plan is denied. Shrivastava read comments from Planning Commissioner Charles Corr (not present at the meeting) which recommended more work on the east face of Building R1; a step-up in the elevation on DeAnza at Building R2; and concern about whether there will be enough parking, and if angled parking is a safe solution. Planner Commissioner Gilbert Wong said he would not discuss or vote on this item because his family owns a building in this area that would be affected. He asked that the developer be sure to notify property owners if there is to be a community event in the area. In response to questions by Council, the applicant and the architects discussed in more detail how the pitched roof on one building creates a fourth level in one of the buildings, as well as the amenities to be offered by the play garden with bench seating on the perimeter, and the other open space available. The streets can be shut down to make the whole park available for community events, and in the future they plan to add light fixtures on podiums that are historical markers which will connect to the civic area as well, to enrich both the pedestrian and driver experience. The residential housing will be junior 1 bedroom, as well as 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units ranging from 600 sq. ft. to 1200 sq. foot. Lowenthal asked staff to request that the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission investigate ways to tie in pedestrian access between this project and the City Center development. James said she would prefer that the retail footage was not reduced, and she still wanted the housing to be for sale instead of rental units. Auerbach suggested that this project include signs directing pedestrians to the library, city hall, and nearby hotel, etc. Kwok said he had concerns about traffic, and the other side of DeAnza may feel unbalanced. He would like more analysis from the staff regarding public benefit. He also agreed with Charles Corr's suggestions about a step up from DeAnza Boulevard. September 16, 2002 Cupertino City Council and Planning Commission Chang asked whether the civic park housing would have sufficient sound protection. Deke Hunter of Hunter/Storm, applicants, distributed the latest version of the Civic Park plans and elevations. ADJOURNMENT At 6:00 p.m. the Planning Commission adjourned to September 23 at 5:00 p.m. for a study session on the Crossroads Downtown Village concept, and the City Council recessed. (See City Council minutes of September 16 for continuation of their meeting). Ki~City Clerk For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are available for review at the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223. Televised meetings may be viewed live on Cable Channel 26, and may also be viewed live or on demand at www.cupertino.org. Videotapes of the televised meetings are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased fi'om the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.