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PC 01-10-00CITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torte Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON JANUARY 10, 2000 SALUTE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Corr, Harris, Kwok, Stevens, Chairperson Doyle Staff present: Steve Piasecki, Director of Community Development; Ciddy Wordell, City Planner;Vera Gill, Associate Planner; Sean Booth Plamfing Inlcrn. Eileen Murray, Assistant City Attorney APPROVAL OF MINUTES:' Minutes of the Special Planning Commission Meeting of November 3, 1999: MOTION: SECOND: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Com. Harris moved to approve the minutes of November 3, 1999, Special Planning Commission meeting as presented Com. Stevens Com. Corr Passed 4-0- I Minutes of the Regular Planning Commission meeting of December 13. 1999 MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: Com. Stevens moved to approve the minutes of December 13, 1999, Regular Planning Commission meeting as presented Com. Kwok Passed 5-0-0 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: Chair Doyle noted receipt ora letter dated .hmuary 6, 2000, from Davic C. Lafranconi and Christine A. Lafranconi regarding proposed 890 square addition to 7593 Hollandberry Place. POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: Application No.: Applicant: Location: 15~EXC-99 Anne Dot 22525 Balboa Road Fence Exception for an electronic security gate in accordance with Chapter 16.28 o1' Iht Cupcr!im~ Municipal Code. Planning Commission Minutes 2 January I0, 2000 Planning Commission decision final unless appealed Request continuance to meeting of ./anuary 24, 2000 Application No.(s): Applicant: Application: 22-ASA-99, 16-EXC-99 The GNU Group (For Cupertino City Center) City Center (Southeast Corner of DeAnza Blvd. and Slovens Creek Blvd.) Architectural review of a sign program and a sign exception tbr an existing office residential center. Planning Commission decision.final unless apl~ealed Request removal from calendar Application No.(s): Applicant: Location: 5-U-97 (14-EA-97, 4-Z-97, 7-TM-99, 32-EA-99) Hossain Khaziri 22020 Homestead Road (and Maxine( Use Permit to demolish a vacant To rezone a .96 acre parcel from Development (residential) Tentative map to subdivide a .96 street) Tentative City Council meeting February 7, 2000 Request con?inuance lo meeling (?/'&muary 24, 2000 service station and construct 7 single-tinnily residcnccs. Planned Development (general commercial) Io Planned Application No.: Applicant: Location: acre parcel into eight lots (seven residential parcels and one Amend MLmicipal Code regarding review o1' single I'mn ily residential applications City of Cupertino Citywide Amend the Municipal Code to shift all family residential review to residential design review committee and to discuss the Planning Commission Subcommittees Application No. (s): Applicant: Location: 16-U-98, 43-EA-98 Adzich Properties 10216 Pasadena Use permit to demolish an existing house and construct Four single-family residences (approximately) 2,220 to 2,500 square feet) on a I2,480 square Ibot (net) lot. Planning Commission decision )qnal unless appealed Request continuance to Planning Commission meeting qf &tnuary 24, 2000 Application No.(s): Applicant: Location: 1 l-EXC-99 Apple Computer I Infinite Loop, Bldg. 2 Heigl!t exception to exceed the allowed antenna height in accordance with Chaplcr 19. 108 of Iht Cupertino Municipal Code Planllhlg Commission Minutes 3 January I 0, 2000 Planning Commission decision final unless appealed Request removal from calendar MOTION: Com. Harris moved to remove Items 3 and 8 from the calendar Com. Stevens and Com. Corr referred to a letter received regarding Item 8, Application No. t 1-EXC-99. Ms. Wordell said that she did no readily recall the reason ['or the applicant rcqucsling removal from the calendar. AMENDED MOTION: SECOND: VOTE: MOT1 ON: SECOND: VOTE: Com. Harris moved to remove Item 3 fi'om thc calendar Com. Corr Passed 5-0-0 Com. Stevens moved to postpone lterns 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 to the .lanuary 24, 2001) Planning Commission meeting Com. Harris Passed '5-0-0 PUBLIC HEARING Application No.(s): Applicant: Location: 16-U-99, 13-EA-99 Stanley Wang 10060 S. Stelling Road, 10051 Bianchi Way Use Permit' to demolish three single family dwellings and constrnct eight townhomcs Iolaling 17,112 square feet on a 23,170 sqnare foot lot. Tentative City Council meeting February 7, 2000 Staff presentation: Ms. Vera Gil, Planner I1, referred to the overhead map, and proposcd sitc plan, and reviewed the application to demolish two single-family homes and construct eight townhouses, as outlined in the attached staff report. She noted that in order lo approve Iht application, the Planning Commission would have to make the findings for I Icart of thc City exception process, because the setbacks for the project do not meet the required 20 foot side setbacks in the Heart of the City. Staff does not feel it would meet the exception process since il does not have a design which would warrant an exception, is too massive and does ilol relate wcll to existing units on Bianchi Way or Stelling Road, and re992nmends denial of the applicalion. Ms. Gil answered Planning Commissioners questions regarding the application. She noted that there was not a specific requirement for open space; however, applicants were encouraged to have private yard space for the townhouse. Mr. Jolm Lowell, consultant, said that consideration was given to a proposcd office Imilding ~>~' apartment before submitting the application i`or the townhouse project. He said il appeared that the staff reviewed an old report, since the new plans submitted by Pacific Rim Financial colll'orm to all the requirements of the city, and consultant's recommendations. Ms. Gil clarified Ihal updated plans were reviewed by staff in reaching their conclusion. Mt'. Lowell answered questions relative to parking spaces, landscaping and pedestrian access. Planning Commission Minutes 4 January 10, 2O00 Mr. Mike Chen, architect, reviewed tile changes made fbllowing the rccommcndalions ~' lilt Camion Design Group. He said that the rooflines were changed and flower boxes wcrc added. I Ic also answered questions regarding tile back yard spaces, elevations, density and sctbacks. Chair Doyle opened tile meeting for public input; there was no one present who wished lo speak. Chair Doyle summarized tile issues of concern: density/use; FAR; mass/design; 1 lem't of the City Com. Stevens said that tile density confornls to tile plan; however, hc said Ibc layoul was Ioo ambitious, and he had concerti about the traffic. He also expressed concern about I'lan A, I~ and BM, and said he felt the artist's conception still was too busy. He said be Felt the Iral'fic paltcm on Stelling made it difficult to get to different places, and asked is Public Works h,'ld an opporltmily to review it, since he saw it as a major problem. Relative to density and past design, Corn. Slovens said that the area included a variety of single family homes, two story homcs, a warcholtsc ami :~ school, and would likely cllange ill the future. He said he felt f'our uuits across Iht Ii'on! was leo domhlant and overpowering, although it may not appear so hi file filture. I Ic said he could m~l offer a detailed comment on the Heart of the City Plan as he had not studied il in delail, Com. Kwok said that Plan A appeared to be high density because it is in the fi'om o1' the main road on Stelling and he suggested that tbe density be reduced. He said he was not opposed Io Plan IL or the height, but was concerned with the traffic, turnaround and also parkiug. Relative ltl I Icarl of the City, he said he was not certain about file setback guidelines, but Felt hey should bc rattling the Heart of the City guideliues ratber tban automatically giving thenl an exception. Com. Corr'said that ill general he liked tile idea of what riley were aimhlg for: Ibc dcnsily is appropriate; but he was coucerned with elevations and landscape, aud noted Ihat some things Ihal were discussed bad uot been incorporated, yet the architect stated they could be. I Ic said Ihal Ihe Heart of the City Plan should be addressed and tile project may be the one Ihal guides whal would occur next door. Com. Harris said she liked townhouses and tile prqject is a trausitional piece ~vith commercial and houses ill tile area. She said that she Felt tile FAR was too high, and tile nlass aud dcnsily wcrc leo great. She said she felt a continuance was ill order to make the project snlaller und more Io scale with the surronndings. Chair Doyle agreed that tile density was too high; notintL_t!lat it was a transilional 13ropcrly Ii'om Heart of the City ill tile nlain corridor to residential several houses back, thercfin'e Ihcrc should be some transition. He said ill tile past there have been several successfid transitioual properlics wilh .45 FAR or .55 FAR. Relative to the design, he said it was too boxy and needed work on details and articulation to make tbem more distinctive with more character. Chair Doyle said that relative to the. Heart of the City Plan, lie felt it should be a transitional property because it is in a fairly high use corridor; and will set the tone for the future. He concurred that a continuance was in order lo reduce tile density and return with a different shaped product, wbether single Fanlily or townbouse~ whatever is appropriate for the area. Com. Harris asked that Public Works comment on the ingress aud egress issues when tile projccl returns. Com. Kwok suggested that when it returns, applicant work with staFF to complclc smnc of tile chauges suggested by tile consultant Cannon Designs, such an ensuring they arc incorpornlcd into softening tip the mass a little and rednce tile size and density. Conl. l larris suggcslcd Ihal a Planning Commission Minutes 5 January 10, 2000 matrix be compiled showing Cannon's cormnents, what has been done and whether stalT feels il is adequate. Ms. Gil clarified that the traffic engineer reviewed the plans beforehand, and he dkl not have any con~:erns or comments. Com. Harris commented on the need for green space in tile back ~br each unit. (,'om Colt commented on tile density, noting that four units were high FAll., Ibm' were not; there wcrc zcm property lines, and it would be more appropriate if the units weren't so massive in thc fl'ont: and suggested softening the stark appearance with more variety. Com. 14wok said hc I'cll thc prqjcct had merit, and it was recognized as a transitional p,'oject between the two neighborhoods, l lc suggested tile applicant work with the architect and staff to return with a revised phm IYr review. The applicant said they were willing to review the project and revise it Ibr further rcvicw by thc Planning Commission.. Mr. Piasecki suggested removal from tile calendar rather than continuance o[' the item to a particular date because of the time constraints. MOTION: Com. Corr moved to continue Application 16-U-99, 13-EA-99 to February 10, 2000 SECOND: Com. Kwok NOES: Corns. Harris and Stevens VOTE: Passed 3-2-0 Corns. Harris and Stevens clarified their no votes, stating they felt it was advantageous I'm' thc Director to have the option of removing the application [rom calendar because o1' time conslraints. Application No.(s): Applicant: Location: 13-U-97(M) Sunnyview Lutheran Home 22445 Cupertino Road Removal of and replacement of' ten protected trees and t° inodil'y tile rool' malcrials and' paint colors of an approved addition. Planning Commission decision final unless approved Continued from November 22, 1999 Planning Commis.s'iop_tfeeling. Chair Doyle excused himself from discussion or' the item as he resides wilhin facility. Vice Chair Harris chaired tile meeting in his absence. Staff presentation: Ms. Ciddy Wordell, City Planner, introduced Sean Booth, Phmning Intcrn, and gave a brief background of his education and experience. Mr. Sean Booth, Planning Intern reviewed the application to remove ten trees Ii'om Ibc property outlined in tile staff report. He noted that tile portion o[' the application rclalivc lo mol' lnlllcl'i;lls and paint color would be discussed on another date since stat:l' needed additiomd lime lo t2vllltllllc it. He noted the trees to be removed because o[' disease and damage and discussed Iht recommended replacements. Planning Commission Minutes 6 .hmuary I0, 2000 Mr. Ron Zielske, President, Sunnyview Ltttheran Home, said that the recommcndcd removal and replacement of the specific trees would help maintain tile parklike envh'onmcnl IJlal has existed in the past for the residents of the home. SECOND: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Mr. W. Friedman, arborist, discussed tile mitigation effbrts be has been involved in duriug thc last ten years to combat the beetle problem in the area. He also discussed the l'ate o1' tile Monterey Pine trees planted in the valley, which have been planted out of their habitat, and St~I~jocl tO inhmd impacts. He explained that once a tree is infected, it is highly recommended fin' removal since there is no way to rid it of the bore, with no chance ol"recovery for the tree. Chair Harris opened the meeting for public input; there was no one present who wished to speak. MOTION: Com. Kwok moved to continue a portion of Application 13-U-97 with rcspccl Io change of roofing materials and paint colors, to the January 24, 2000 I~lanning Commission meeting. Com. Stevens Chair Doyle Passed 4-0- I MOTION: SECOND: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Chair Doyle returned to the meeting. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None REPORT OF TIlE PLANNING COMMISSION: None Com. Kwok moved approval of Application 13-U-97(M) wilh rcspccl lo lhc removal and planting of 49 trees according to sta~'f recommendation Com. Corr Chair Doyle Passed 4-0- I REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Pi;isccki thanked the Planning Commission for participating with tile City Council in tim City Center work session. He acted that the applicants were planning to file their application by Ibc end February. He said that a study session with the applicant would be planned so that thc Planning Commission would have more time to study the project i~iLits early stages, om. Corr requcslcd an update on the Armadillo Willy's landscape Plan. Ms. Wordell explained thai Iht applicanl had special request which required the Director to step in, and the transition didn't allow it to happen. A report will be given at the second meeting in February. Com. Harris requesled lhill slalTaddrcss tile issue of business signs not adhering to the city's policy. In response Io Com. Kwok's inqttiry about Vallco Fashion Park, Mr. Piasecki said that discLlssions were still ongoing abmll Iht prospective tenants. DISCUSSION OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. to tile regular Planuing Commission meeting at 6:45 p.m. on January 24, 2000. Respectfully Submitted,