PC Summary 01-28-2014 City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
'�� Cupertino,CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
C U P E RT 1 N O � FAX (408) 777-3333
Community Development Department
To: Mayor and City Council Members
From: Aarti Shrivastava, Community Development Directar
Date: January 30, 2014
Subj: REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION DECISIONS MADE January 28, 2014
Chapter 19.32 of the Cupertino Municipal code provides for
appeal of decisions made by the Planning Commission
1. Avnli� cation
U-2013-09,Benjamin Himlan(Whole Foods Market), 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd
Conditional Use Permit to allow a weekly mobile food truck event in the parking lot of an
commercial establishment
Action
The Planning Commission approved the applications on a 4-1-0 vote.
Enclosures: Planning Cominission Report January 28,2014
Planning Commission Resolution(s) 6733
Approved scope of project
g:planning/Post Hearing/summary to cc012814
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
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CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO,CA 95014-3255
(408)777-3308 • FAX(408)777-3333
CUPERTIN4
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. Agenda Date:Januar�28, 2014
Applications: U-2013-09
Applicant: Benjamin Himlan (Off the Grid)
Location: 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd. (APN 326-31-022)
APPLICATION SUMMARY:
Use Permit (U-2013-09) to allow the operation of a weekly mobile food market in the parking lot of an
existing commercial establishment.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Use Permit in accordance with the draft
resolution(Attachment 1).
PROJECT DATA:
General Plan Designation Commercial/Office/Residential
Zoning Designation Planned General Commercial and Residential
P(CG, Res)
Lot Size 232,959 sq. ft. (5.34 acres)
Existing building area (no change) 67,144 sq. ft.
Existing building height(no change) 45 ft.
Existing parking supply(no change) 376 stalls
Hours of operation:
Current Whole Foods Market hours 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week
Proposed hours for Off the Grid 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, every Tuesday
Project Consistency With:
General Plan Yes
Zoning Yes
Environmental assessment Categorically Exempt
BACKGROUND:
Application Request
The applicant, Benjamin Himlan, representing Off the Grid is requesting a Use Permit to operate a
weekly outdoor mobile food market at the Whole Foods Market on 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard. The
mobile food market is a collection of individual food truck venders that gather weekly and operate
similar to a farmer's market. The General Commercial (CG) Ordinance requires a Conditional Use
Permit at Planning Commission Level for any commercial uses which are neither permitted uses nor
U-2013-09 Off the Grid January 28,2014
excluded uses and which are, in the opinion of the Planning Commission, consistent with the character
of the general commercial zone.
Other Community Markets
Cupertino currently has two outdoor markets operating weekly events. In 2000, Cupertino's original
farmers market at Vallco Shopping Center was approved on a temporary trial basis and obtained a
permanent approval in 2002. Currently, the Vallco farmers market operates every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Wolfe Road. In 2011, a second farmers' market at the Oaks
Shopping Center on Stevens Creek at Highway 85 was approved operating every Sunday from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m.
Existing Center and Surroundings
The project site is located within the parking lot of Whole Foods Market, on the intersection of Stevens
Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road. To the west of the site is the Cupertino Sports Center and Schell; to
the east is the Stevens Creek Office Center; to the north is the Abundant Life Assembly of God; and to
the south and across the street is a commercial shopping center and the Union Church of Cupertino. The
nearest residential property is approximately 265 feet away from the property line.
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Site Plan
DISCUSSION:
Mobile Food Market Operation
The applicant is proposing a Tuesday market with opening hours from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Typical setup
and clean up times are approximately 1 hour before and after the opening hours for a total timeframe of
U-2013-09 Off the Grid January 28,2014
4:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. The proposed market area is the most southerly parking lot aisle, encompassing 38
parking stalls, which the applicant estimates can accommodate a maximum of 9 vendors who will be
offering a range of specialty food items.
Key Issues
Staff has identified the following key issues and placed conditions in the resolution to address them.
• Parking - Should parking demand for the site exceed the parking supply the applicant is required to
come back to obtain another Use Permit to create a forxnal shared parking agreement between
Whole Foods Market and the adjacent Abundant Life Assembly of God Church.
• Outdoor Live Entertainment —Amplified entertainment activities are prohibited at the market,
unless otherwise approved by the Director of Community Development for special events.
• Cleanup -The applicant will be responsible for cleaning up the parking lot after each market event.
• Review of Operations—Staff is recommending an automatic one year review of the permit.
Traffic
Off the Grid held a trial event at Whole Foods Market on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event involved setting up mobile food trucks in the second row of the parking lot and the City
Traffic Consultants were present to observe the traffic and parking conditions. Traffic was observed
during peak traffic periods of the event and congestion was found to be within acceptable City-adopted
traffic congestion standards.
Traffic operations were observed to function adequately during the event. Little to no queues formed at
the Stevens Creek Blvd. and Stelling Road parking lot entrances. Based on the Traffic Consultant's
recommendation, the applicant has agreed to move the truck setup area to the parking aisle closest to
Stevens Creek Blvd. and block off access to this parking aisle to minimize any vehicular conflict or
queuing near the driveway entrance along Stevens Creek Blvd.
Parking
Presently the Whole Foods Market parking supply exceeds the City's parking requirements by
aproximatly 95 parking stalls. Vendor and customer parking will be primarily in the Whole Foods
Market lot and secondarily in the adjacent Abundant Life Assembly of God parking lot. During the trial
run the studied parking area had little utilization and adequately accommodated the market area
vendors and established customer parking demands.
OTHER DEPARTMENT/AGENCY REVIEW
The City's Public Works Department; Building Division; the Santa Clara County Fire Department;
Cupertino Sanitary District; and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department have reviewed the request
and have no objections to the project. Their pre-hearing comments have been incorporated as conditions
of approval in the draft resolutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The use permit is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per
section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves a negligible expansion of
use and section 15332 (In-Fill Development)because the proposed use occurs within the city limits and is
surrounded by urban uses.
U-2013-09 Off the Grid January 28,2014
PERMIT STREAMLINING ACT
T'his project is subject to the Permit Streamlining Act (Government Code Section 65920 — 65964). The
City has complied with the deadlines found in the Permit Streamlining Act.
Project received: November 5, 2013
Deemed incomplete:December 5, 2013
Deemed complete:January 16, 2014
Since this project is Categorically Exempt, the City has 60 days (until March 16, 2014) to make a decision
on the project. The Planning Commissiori s decision on this project is final unless appealed within 14
calendar days of the decision.
PUBLIC NOTICING &OUTREACH
The following table is a brief summary of the noticing done for this project:
I�otice a�f Fub�.�Heaicin. ` Sit�t�c►tie�&T:e �l A,�. �. +�ns�a
■ Site Signage ■ Posted on the City's official notice
(14 days prior to the hearing) bulletin board (one week prior to the
■ Legal ad placed in newspaper hearing)
(at least 10 days prior to the hearing) ■ Posted on the City of Cupertino's Web
■ 68 notices mailed to property owners within site (one week prior to the hearing)
300 feet of the project site
(10 da s rior to the hearin )
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends approval of the request since it is not anticipated to have significant impacts to the
neighborhood. Additionally, the proposed market provides an opportunity for the community and
neighborhood to gather in a commercial location.
Prepared by: Kaitie Groeneweg, Planning Department
Reviewed by: Approved by:
/s/Gary Chao /s/Aarti Shrivastava
Gary Chao Aarti Shrivastava
City Planner Community Development Director
ATTACHMENTS:
1 -Draft Resolution U-2013-09
2—Project History&Business Description
3—Traffic Analysis (Hexagon Transportation Consultants)
4—Plan Set
U-2013-09
CITY OF CUPERTINO
� 10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
RESOLUTION NO. 6733
OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO APPROVING
A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A WEEKLY MOBILE FOOD
MARKET IN THE PARKING LOT OF AN EXISTING COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT LOCATED AT
20955 STEVENS CREEK BLVD
SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Application No(s).: U-2013-09
Applicant: Benjamin Himlan (Off the Grid)
Location: 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard (APN 326-31-022)
Subject: Use Permit (U-2013-09) to allow the operation of a weekly mobile food market in the
parking lot of an existing commercial establishment.
SECTION II: FINDINGS FOR A USE PERMIT:
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Cupertino received an application for a Conditional
Use Permit as described in Section I of this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the necessary public notices have been given as required by the Procedural Ordinance of the
City of Cupertino, and the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 28, 2014 in regard to the
application; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has met the burden of proof required to support said application; and has
satisfied the following requirements:
1) The proposed use, at the proposed location, will not be detrimental or injurious to property or
improvements in the vicinity, and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general
welfare, or convenience;
2) The proposed use will be located and conducted in a manner in accord with the Cupertino
Comprehensive General Plan and the purpose of this title.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
After careful consideration of the, maps, facts, exhibits, testimony and other evidence submitted in this
matter, the Planning Commission hereby approves Application No. U-2013-09 based upon the findings
described in section II of this resolution, the public hearing record and the Minutes of Planning Commission
Meeting of January 28, 2014, and subject to the conditions specified in section III of this resolution. •
Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014
SECTION III: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
1. APPROVED EXHIBITS
Approval is based on the plan set received August 5, 2013 consisting of sixteen sheets entitled "Off the
Grid: Cupertino @ Whole Foods" except as may be amended by conditions in this resolution.
2. ACCURACY OF PROJECT PLANS
The applicant/property owner is responsible to verify all pertinent property data including but not
limited to property boundary locations, building setbacks, property size, building square footage, any
relevant easements and/or construction records. Any misrepresentation of any property data may
invalidate this approval and may require additional review.
3. OPERATIONS
a) The market shall be operated with the area delin eated on the site plan exhibit.
b) The market is capped at a maximum of 9 trucks/vendors.
c) The market is approved to operate on Tuesdays between 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., allowing for one
hour set up before the market opens and one hour for break down and cleanup after the market
closes at 9:00 p.m.
d) The market shall be swept cleaned and all trash removed at the end of each market event.
e) A parking atendent will be present to direct traffic for the first month of operation.
f) The event shall not operate the week of Christmas and Thanksgiving.
g) No alcohol shall be permitted unless approved by Planning Cossion.
h) The location of the event shall not be in the first parking asile closest to Setevens Creek Blvd. for the
first six months of operation.
4. NOISE CONTROL
Noise levels shall not exceed those as listed in Community Noise Control Ordinance, Cupertino
Municipal Code Chapter 10.48. If there are documented violations of the Community Noise Control
Ordinance, the Director of Community Development or Noise Control Officer has the discretion to
require noise attenuation measures to comply with the ordinance.
5. SHARED PARKING AGREEMENT
Should parking demand for the site exceed the parking supply the applicant is required to come back
to obtain another Use Permit to create a formal shared parking agreement between Whole Foods
Market and the adjacent Abundant Life Assembly of God Church.
6. TEMPORARY SIGNAGE
T'he applicant shall apply for a temporary sign permit for any signage used in conjunction with the
event. No signage is approved as part of this use permit.
7. BUSINESS LICENSE
The business owners and individual vendors shall obtain a City of Cupertino business licenses.
8. PREMIT REVIEW
A permit review shall be conducted by staff after six months from approval. If complaints have been
received regarding market operations that have not been addressed immediately by the applicant, then
the Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing on the permit at which time, the approval
may be modified or revoked.
Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014
9. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS
The applicant is responsible to consult with other departments and/or agencies with regard to the
proposed project for additional conditions and requirements. Any misrepresentation of any submitted
data may invalidate an approval by the Community Development Department.
10. MODIFICATION OF MARKET OPERATIONS
The Director of Community Development is empowered to make adjustments to the operation and
location of the mobile food market to address any documented problem or nuisance situation that may
occur.
11. REVOCATION OF USE PERMIT
T'he Director may initiate proceedings for revocation of the Use Permit in any case where, in the
judgment of the Director, substantial evidence indicates that the conditions of the conditional use
permit have not been implemented, or where the permit is being conducted in a manner detrimental to
the public health, safety, and welfare, in accord with the requirements of the municipal code.
12. EXPIRATTON
If the use for which this conditional use permit is granted and utilized has ceased or has been
suspended for two year or more, this permit shall be deemed expired and a new use permit application
must be applied for and obtained.
13. INDEMNIFICATION
To the extent permitted by law, the Applicant shall indemnify and hold harxnless the City, its City
Council, its officers, employees and agents (the "indemnified parties") from and against any claim,
action, or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and the applicant to
attack, set aside, or void this ordinance or any permit or approval authorized hereby for the project,
including (without limitation) reimbursing the City its actual attorneys' fees and costs incurred in
defense of the litigation. The City may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with
attorneys of its choice.
14. NOTICE OF FEES DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER EXACTIONS
The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees, dedication requirements,
reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(d) (1),
these Conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the amount of such fees, and a description
of the dedications, reservations, and other exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day
approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions,
pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(a), has begun. If you fail to file a protest within this 90-
day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally barred from
later challenging such exactions.
SECTION IV: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1. TRASH FACILITIES
Per Public Works Department requirements, the property owner must ensure that all lids for trash,
recycling, and yard waste bins remain closed when material is not being deposited into them. Bins are
not to be overfilled; material is not permitted to be stockpiled alongside bins and the area in and
around the bins shall be kept clean at all times. A yard waste bin is required at the property for food
Resolution No.6733 U-2013-09 January 28,2014
waste and organics. Lack of compliance with the City's litter control measures will result in a notice of
violation and a fine.
2. EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOAM
Expanded PolyStyrene Foam (EPS Foam) will not be permitted for use during the event. It is the
applicant's responsibility to inform the food vendors of this restriction and to ensure EPS foam is not
used or distributed.
3. TRASH CLEANUP
Within 24 hours of each event, the applicant is required to clean off trash and litter all on-site storm
water facilities (the storm water treatment swales in the Whole Foods Parking lot), all areas within 25
feet of the event location, and the adjacent public sidewalk, curb and gutter areas. The applicant and
vendors are not permitted to spray down the event area to address clean up or spills. On site storm
water facilities connect to the public drain system which ultimately flows to creeks and the bay.
SECTION VI: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
1. EMERGENCY FIRE ACCESS
Location of food trucks shall not obstruct required fire departxnent emergency access and fire
applicances.
SECTION V• CEQA REVIEW
The conditional use permit is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)
per section 15301 (Existing Fac ilities) of the CEQA Guidelines because it involves a negligible expansion of
use and section 15332 (In-Fill Development) because the proposed use occurs within the city limits and is
surrounded by urban uses.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of January, 2014, Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of
the City of Cupertino, State of California,by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Chair Brophy, Sun,Gong, Takahashi
NOES: COMMISSIONERS:Vice Chair Lee
ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS:none
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS:none
ATTEST: APPROVED:
/s/Gary Chao /s/Paul Bro.�h,�
Gary Chao Paul Brophy
Assist.Director of Community Development Chair, Planning Commission
G:\Planning\PDREPORT\RES\2013\U-2013-09 res.doc
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concept is based around the idea of using open space ' ""� ' �" I � I �'" I �I I �
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to create a place for people to meet while focusing '��K '�� "� '�� '��
on chef-driving small business.Our markets would be � ���
consisting of 8-10 mobile food vehicles once-per- _ _- — ---- -----
week.Off the Grid: Cupertino will be an alcohol free � �
market operating rain or shine,year round and is �
anticipated to launch in January of 2014.The market Stevens Creek Blvd �
will rotate vendors on a consistent bi-weekly basis in � p
order to keep things fresh and interesting,as well as
offer an opportunity to maximize truck participation.
local health permits,$1,000,000.00 liability insurance,proper auto
All Off the Grid markets have at least two staff on site at all times insurance,a business license,a CA seller's permit and proper
(one market manager and one event staff).These staff members commissary documentation.Off the Grid will manage all
function to maintain the space, problem solve if issues occur,handle documentation and paperwork requirements to ensure that all
set up,breakdown and cleanup of the event conclusion. vendors fulfill all necessary regulations.We communicate weekly
with all Bay Area region health departments in order to ensure the
We intend for our markets to become vital parts of any community good standing of all vendors we work with.
we enter and as a result we are committed to creating spaces that
encourage neighborhood interaction,activation of outdoor eating Sustainability and Trash:
spaces and provide value priced high quality food items in a family Off the Grid encourages all participating vendors to try and use
friendly environment.We believe that our once-per-week market organic sustainably produced products.In addition,al�vendors will
will help attract more foot traffic to the businesses nearby. be required to use only compostable and recyclable service
materials.
Vendor Relationships:
Off the Grid works with a fleet of 175+trucks in the Bay Area and Off the Grid staff will clean the area immediately surrounding the
has long-standing relationships with many business owners.Off the market and ensure that we leave the market space cleaner than we
Grid is committed to coordinating,booking,and managing our found it.Off the Grid will provide two trash stations at the two exit
relationships with these owners.We guarantee fulfilling all shifts points of the event. In addition,food vendors are required to
that are booked provide a 3-part waste disposal system in front of their vehicles.
Location&Hours: Amenities and Noise Directives:
We will obtain all proper permits through the City of Cupertino and Off the Grid will provide and set up lightening to create a
Santa Clara County to run a safe event.Off the Grid:Cupertino will comfortable an enjoyable ambiance.We will also provide and set up
run from S:OOpm–9:OOpm on Tuesday evenings.Ideally beginning 200 chairs for customers to use while attending our market.In
January of 2014.During the winter we will shorten or hours of addition to our amenities,we will provide live-tented music.
operation.We require or��,�llo�.rr.kip„fQr��n�he,,c}pe�in�and, ,� �r_F
closing of markets for se up and breakdown. ' ""'E1V usic will perform from 6:OOpm–8:00 with limited
ampli ication by facing the speakers to the center of our market.
ri'��<"' �� °' ' Nois levels created from the truck generators will be a minimum.
Liability and Documenta ion: �+ � .•.�+�.:�►�..�,,,�,v��� •�(�,
Off the Grid maintains cc�ies of all vendor documentaY6rf`;;.�%- --•� `� �Ne r uire all our vendors to purchase the Honda EU3000is.This
accountability.For all ev nts we will require all our vendors to hav gene tor is by far the most fuel efficient and quietest generator on
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About Off the Grid
Off the Grid Markets began in 2010 with the simple idea that grouping Street Food Vendors together would create an experience that would allow
neighbors to connect with friends and families to reconnect with each other.Since Off the Grid has worked hard to develop markets that are both
located in urban cores of cities and that utilize spaces that are not easily activated effectively throughout the day.Off the Grid is proud of its role
organizing,promoting and managing all of its markets and the small mobile food businesses that we work with.Currently Off the Grid operates 25
weekly markets in the greater Bay Area and works with 175+vendors weekly.At its core,Off the Grid believes in the power of shared food
experience to connect communities and we worked hard to create lively shared spaces wherever we serve.
Vendor Facts:
• 38%woman owned
• 55%minority owned
• 61%first time business owners
• Use of local&sustainable food when possible
Community Benefits:
• Increased foot traffic per event
• Increased property value
• Broad attendee demographic
• Food diversity
• Creating culture in a food driving open space
Off the Grid Planned Events:
• Local Santa Clara Health Permit(weekly feedback if necessary)
• $1,000,000.00 liability/auto insurance
• Compostable/biodegradable materials
• Sunnyvale Business License
• CA Seller's Permit
• Commissary Documentation
Recognition/Publicity/Public Outreach:
Social Media Outreach(50,000+Facebook followers and 35,000+Twitter followers).Off the Grid has been featured in hundreds of publications
including:The NY times,The Guardian,The Travel Channel and 7X7 Magazine for our expertise in Street Food management and urban place
making.We currently manage and facilitate 25 weekly mobile food markets,numerous mobile food pods and 6-12 private large-scale Street Food
events per week.
Additional Operational Descriptions
Food and Alcohol
Food preparation is done at individual mobile food vendor's commissaries. Health perrr�its for individual
commissaries is required for the vendor's mobile food truck to gain a separate health permit through the
Santa Clara County Health Department. Each vendor is required to have a Santa Clara Health Permit to
operate at all of our events.This documentation is kept on individual trucks and copies are on file in Off
the Grid offices. Upon approval of permit for a reoccurring event,Off the Grid will contract, book and
manage the food trucks that operate in this specific market.These health permits will be transparent if
needed at that point.
Mobile food trucks are all self-sufficient and will use power from a generator to run all electrical
equipment on the truck.Some trucks will use propane to run gas-powered equipment.All fire inspections
and requirements are incompliance with obtaining a health permit.All preparation and cooking is done on
the truck.
Portable Restrooms
Off the Grid has written authorization to use the public facilities inside Whole Foocis.Off the Grid will
ensure all bathroom standards,capacity,and the distance of 200' are compliant with Santa Clara Health
requirements.
Lighting and Sound(please see photos)
Sound
Off the Grid will provide live,amplified music from the hours of 6:OOpm—8:OOpm.We set up two
speakers,and the artist/musicians under a 10'X10' pop-up tent.The point of the music is to provide
background noise and some mil entertainment to encourage guests to spend time in the space.The music
we book is what we classify as"Gypsy Jazz"and is very similar to the live music found at farmer's markets.
Off the Grid will pursue a sound permit for this entertainment separately unless the sound permit is
folded into the special event/use permit.
Lighting
Off the Grid provides in the upwards of 200' of string lighting held up by a sophisticated weighted bases
and poles.The lighting runs of the same generator as the music tent.We bring two generators to each
event in case on is not working to assure we always have lighting and music. Generators are filled with
gasoline prior to arrival of the event and will not be refilled onsite.The lighting creates a romantic
ambiance and provides visibility. In addition, all of the trucks have lighting under their canopies in front of
the trucks.
Signage:
Off the Grid will produce signage to safely close the parking lane closest to Stevens Creek Blvd. Please see
examples of signage in site-plan. In addition please see cross-promotional signage with direction to
bathrooms.
Waste Management
Off the Grid treats each market with a "zero footprint" mentality. Off the Grid provides three
compartment(trash, recycling,and compost)waste stations at each entrance into the event. In addition,
Off the Grid requires each vendor to provide a three-compartment waste station in front of each truck.All
the waste accumulated in the bins that vendors own packs out the garbage and manages it onsite at their
individual commissaries.All the garbage accumulated in the bins that Off the Grid owns packs it out and
pays the San Francisco Conservation Corp. (SFCC)to manage waste. Off the Grid is extremely responsible
about managing our waste.We also require that all of our vendors use only recyclable and compostable
service ware.
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We are very rnuch looking forward tv warking with Off The Grid to provide a
' ' fun, delicious eventfar our custamers to partake in.
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9!.; We have at�alyzed the customer counts on every day of#he week for our stare
� and have determined that Tuesday nights from S:OOPM-9:OOPM experience the
lowest customer count of any other night of the week.
in regards to our parking on Tuesday nights,we have determined tF�at our
parl<ing lot can currently sustain the parking for customers during this time. We
understand that the food trucks will take away some parlcing for both�ur
customers and aur emplayees. We have a verbal agreement with Abundant tife
Church that our employees may park in their parking lot during peak times in
our business so as to leave parking available for our customers. ,
Rlease let us know if you have any ather concerns. Look farwa.rd ta working
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`� �IEXAGON TRAHSDORTATION CONSUITANTS. INC.
October 22, 2013
Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg
City of Cupertino Planning Department
10300 Torre Avenue
City of Cupertino, CA 95014
RE: "Off the Grid" Special Event Traffic Observations
Dear Ms. Groeneweg:
Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc. has completed its review of the traffic impacts of an"Off the
Grid"special event that was held at Whole Foods Market on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. This event was a
mobile food market that was held in the Whole Foods parking lot at 20955 Stevens Creek Boulevard in
Cupertino, California. The event took place between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, with setup beginning at 3:30
and breakdown finishing by 10:00. A member of Hexagon's staff was present from 4:30 to 7:00 in order to
observe the impacts of the event on (1)the operation of the intersection at Stevens Creek Boulevard and
Stelling Road and (2)the queues that form at the parking lot entrances on Stevens Creek Boulevard and
on Stelling Road.
This special event involved setting up mobile food trucks in the second row of parking (see Figure 1),
which is the second drive aisle parallel to Stevens Creek after entering the parking lot from the Stevens
Creek Boulevard entrance. That drive aisle was closed to tra�c, and food trucks were parallel parked
along both sides, occupying the parking spaces in that aisle. Tables for people wishing to sit down with
their food were set up in the center of the drive aisle.
The intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road experiences heavy traffic volumes during
the PM peak period. In addition, significant pedestrian and bicycle activity was observed crossing all four
approaches to the intersection throughout the PM peak period. All four approaches to the intersection
include bicycle lanes.
The De Anza College campus occupies the southwest corner of the intersection, and the City of
Cupertino's public tennis courts and other recreational facilities are located on the northwest corner. The
northeast corner, immediately adjacent to the intersection, is occupied by a gas station. Beyond the gas
station on both Stevens Creek Boulevard and N. Stelling Road is the Whole Foods parking lot, which has
one entrance on Stevens Creek approximately 350 feet from the intersection. That access point allows
right in-right out access only, due to the median strip on Stevens Creek. The parking lot also has two
entrances on N. Stelling Road, one of which is approximately 160 feet north of the intersection and one of
which is approximately 350 feet north of the intersection. Both of these driveways are also right in-right out
only access points, due to a median strip on N. Stelling Road.
Figure 1 shows the lane configurations at the intersection of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road,
and identifies each turning movement by a number, in order to facilitate discussion of the traffic issues
observed. For example, vehicles turning right from southbound N. Stelling Road onto westbound Stevens
Creek Boulevard are referred to as movement#1. Vehicles going southward straight through the
intersection from N. Stelling to S. Stelling Road are referred to as movement#2, and so on in clockwise
fashion around the intersection for all 12 possible movements.
There were three turning movements(#3, #4, and#12)that did not always clear in one cycle during the
peak period, and which are discussed below. All other movements generally cleared in one signal cycle.
111 W.St.lohn Street,Suite 850•San 1ose,California 95113
phone 408.971.6100•fax 408.971.6102•www.hextrans.com
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�� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg
October 22, 2013
" Page 4 of 6
Movement#3(Left or U-turn from southbound Stellinq Road)
The City of Cupertino requested that we pay particular attention to movement#3, vehicles heading south
on N. Stelling and making either a left turn onto eastbound Stevens Creek or a U-turn. The left turn pocket
for that turning movement is about 340 feet long,which is enough space for 13– 17 cars, depending on
how closely they space themselves. Between 4:30 and 5:00, there was always adequate space in that left
turn pocket for all the cars wishing to turn left or make a U-turn at movement#3, and all the cars in the
pocket were able to make their turn during the left-turn arrow phase of the signal cycle. After 5:00,
however, sometimes not all vehicles wanting to complete movement#3 were able to clear in a single
cycle, but they were always able to clear during the next cycle. That is,when the left-turn arrow for
movement#3 turned red, there were often several cars remaining in the left-turn storage pocket(especially
between 5:30 and 6:30)that needed to wait until the next left-turn arrow phase. The maximum number of
vehicles observed to not clear during the left-turn arrow phase was nine cars, but usually there were 3 to 5
cars that needed to wait for the next left-turn arrow. No car ever needed to wait more than finro cycles to
get through the intersection from southbound Stelling Road.
The left turn pocket on N. Stelling (for movement#3)was observed �o be full to capacity during several
cycles between 5:30 and 6:30. Also, sometimes there were cars that could not access the left turn lane
because the through lane (movement#2)had such a long queue before the green phase. Typically, about
11 – 13(although once as many as 15)vehicles made the left or U-turn movement during the left-turn
arrow phase at movement#3. Of those, usually 2-5 vehicles were making a U-turn. Of those making a U-
turn, the majority–but not all—then turned into one of the finro Whole Foods driveways on N. Stelling
Road. All cars wishing to turn into one of the Whole Foods driveways were able to do so easily. It was not
possible for us to determine how many of the cars turning into the Whole Foods lot after making that U-turn
were doing so in order to attend the Off the Grid event, as opposed to those who simply intended to shop
at the market.
Based on our observations, the City of Cupertino may want to consider lengthening the left-turn signal
phase at movement#3 by a few seconds during the PM peak period, so that the left-turn storage pocket
completely empties in a single cycle. During the peak hour of 5:30–6:30, the left turn storage pocket
often held more vehicles than were able to make the turn during one cycle, since some drivers were not
always alert to the initial change of the signal and roughly 25% of drivers slowed down as they entered the
intersection to make a U-turn.
Movement#4(Riqht turn from westbound Stevens Creek to northbound Stellinq)
The farthest right lane on westbound Stevens Creek Boulevard includes cars turning right onto N. Stelling
Road and cars intending to proceed straight through the intersection (a through/right lane). There is also a
bicycle lane at that location, which is sometimes used by vehicles that squeeze into the bike lane in order
to turn right. Because of the volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic at that intersection, drivers wanting to
turn right onto Stelling must often wait after the signal turns green before they can make their right turn. As
a result, not all cars in the rightmost lane on Stevens Creek cleared on every signal cycle during the PM
peak period, and a queue often formed from the intersection back towards the Stevens Creek driveway of
Whole Foods. (Interestingly, the two lanes with through movement only(#5)vehicles nearly always
cleared during one cycle. If more of the cars wishing to go straight through the intersection used the two
through-only lanes and the right-hand lane were used only by those wishing to turn right, movement#4
would function better and experience less delay.)
Occasionally, the queue in the right-turn lane of Stevens Creek extended so far back from Stelling Road
that it went past the Whole Foods driveway, so that cars wanting to turn right into Whole Foods had to wait
for the signal at Stelling to allow traffic to move forward so they could turn into the driveway. However,
they were always able to make their right turn into Whole Foods after the signal cycle allowed the cars to
/� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg
October 22, 2013
" Page 5 of 6
proceed through the intersection ahead. In other words, the queue east of the Whole Foods driveway
dissipated after the queue from the intersection proceeded through the signal.
Further, there were brief periods when outbound cars from the parking lot relied on the courtesy of
westbound vehicles to pause and allow them to enter the flow of traffic when they turned right onto
Stevens Creek Boulevard. Although there were times when the heavy westbound traffic on Stevens Creek
made it difficult for cars to exit that driveway, the outbound queue generally cleared within one or finro
minutes when gaps in traffic(resulting from the signal at Saich Way)appeared again after one or two
signal cycles to allow drivers to exit safely.
Movement#12 (Left turn from eastbound Stevens Creek Boulevard onto N. Stellinq Road)
Because there is only one left turn lane on eastbound Stevens Creek Boulevard, this movement(#12)
basically never completely cleared in one cycle during the entire PM peak period. Of those cars turning
left onto Stelling from Stevens Creek, the great majority were heading further northbound on Stelling and
only a small percentage turned into one of the Whole Foods driveways,which they could easily do.
Our observations suggested the City may want to study the possibility of adding a second left turn lane
here in the future. Such a study is far outside the scope of the current review of the Off the Grid special
event, but it appears there is room for a second left turn lane.
Drivewav Queues on Stellinq Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard
We did not observe a queue at either of the Stelling Road access points to the Whole Foods parking lot
during the entire PM peak period. All cars wishing to turn into the parking lot from Stelling could do so
easily. Cars were also able to exit from the driveways easily, since there were adequate gaps in traffic on
every cycle.
The access point on Stevens Creek Boulevard was somewhat more problematic for two reasons. First,
the queue in the right turn lane from the intersection at Stelling sometimes extended all the way back to the
Whole Foods driveway. This created a secondary queue of cars wanting to turn into Whole Foods that
needed to wait for the light to change at Stelling in order for them to get to the driveway. However, this
queue generally cleared after one cycle.
Second, this driveway has a very short throat length, so that cars turning into the parking lot from Stevens
Creek pause almost immediately to see if parking is available in the first row of parking. For example, on
several occasions we observed a car stopping to look down the first drive aisle and waiting for a gap in the
outbound traffic lane in order to turn left into that row of parking spaces. When that occurs, because the
car has stopped to look for parking only about 50 feet from the entry point, subsequent cars entering the
parking lot must wait behind that car until it turns left into the first row of parking. This can cause a short
queue of vehicles that spills onto Stevens Creek Boulevard.
During the Off the Grid Special Event, the second row of parking was occupied by the food trucks(as
shown on Figure 1), so that once a vehicle passed the first parking row, they proceeded further into the
parking lot to begin to look for parking at the third row(or even farther). We believe the parking lot would
function better if the food trucks occupied the very first row of parking and event staff waved incoming
traffic past that first row and further into the lot. This would have the effect of lengthening the driveway
throat length so that cars had no reason to slow down and start looking left into the parking rows for
parking availability until they reached the second (or further)drive aisles. This would eliminate the back-
up of cars that spill onto Stevens Creek when a car pauses at the first drive aisle to start scanning for
parking.
/� Ms. Kaitie Groeneweg
October 22, 2013
" Page 6 of 6
Conclusion
For the most part,we observed traffic operations to function adequately during the Off the Grid Special
Event and most movements cleared in one signal cycle. Although the left-turn and U-turn queue from
southbound Stelling Road (movement#3)exceeded the capacity of the storage pocket befinreen 5:30 and
6:30 on a few cycles, no car waited more than two cycles to get through the signal, and most were able to
get through in one signal cycle. The City may wish to consider providing more time for that left turn arrow
phase, so that the left turn pocket completely empties each cycle during the PM peak period.
No queues formed at the Stelling Road entrances to the Whole Foods parking lot during the peak period
and vehicles were able to enter and exit the lot easily. Short queues formed for very brief periods on
Stevens Creek Boulevard at the Stevens Creek access point, but these were mostly related to the back-up
in the right-turn lane from the intersection at Stelling. Because drivers wishing to turn right from Stevens
Creek onto Stelling need to yield to bicycles and pedestrians, that turning movement sometimes doesn't
fully clear in one cycle. Clearly, this delay had nothing to do with the Off the Grid Special Event that was
being held.
The other source of small back-ups at the Stevens Creek driveway is the habit of some incoming vehicles
to slow down or even stop almost immediately after entering the parking lot in order to scan for parking
availability in the first row of parking. We recommend that the food trucks occupy that first row of parking
in any future events so that there is no reason to slow down to look for parking until at least the second row
of parking is reached. We recommend that clear signage be posted to announce the presence of the food
truck market in the first row and to instruct drivers to proceed further into the lot to look for parking. If
necessary, an Off the Grid staff person can also stand nearby and wave cars into the lot so that cars do
not pause at the first drive aisle. This will improve the function of that access point for both incoming and
outgoing vehicles.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this report. Please do not hesitate to contact us if additional
information is needed.
Sincerely,
HEXAGON TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS, INC.
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Jane Clayton, Planner
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