PC 08-15-63
10321 So. Saratoga-$unnyval~ Road
C I T Y 0 Feu P E R TIN 0
GUPE~L1NV;-CK£1~URNIA----
MINUTES FOR ADJOURNED MEETING OF PLANNING COr~lISSION, AUGUST 15, 1963
252-4505
Time:
Place:
8:00 P.M.
Board Room, Cupertino School District
10300 Vista Drive, Cupertino
I
II ROLL CALL: MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: July 22, 23, & 30
Comm. Pres~nt:
Comm. Absent:
Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Small, Snyder,
Frolich
Rampy
Minutes of the previous meetings will be read at the next regular
meeting of the Planning Commission.
III COMMUNICATIONS:
A. Written - None
B. Verbal - None
IV HEARINGS SCHEDULED:
A. STUART MOLDAW; Appl. 26-u-63 for a Use Permit for 6.067
acres owned by Domenica TOrre, et al; property zoned PC-H:
Use Permit sought for R-24-H; bounded on east by Blaney Ave,
on west by projected Randy Lane, south of Stevens Creek Blvd.
Hearing continued.
Mr. Ned Abrams, Architect, made the presentation for the Moldaw
application. He proposes 88 units on 6.067 acres.
Comm. Snyder requested street patterns and drainage information
from the City EngineerinG Dept. It was pointed out that it would tie
in with the storm drain on Blaney.
Comm, Fitzgerald as!ced about easements, to which Mr. Abrams re-
plied there would be a Randy Lane easement.
Comm. Snyder asked whether the homeowners would be responsible
for maintaining streets. Mr. Abrams pointed out that the homeowners
would be required to join an association whereby each would contribute
funds, included in the mortgage payment, toward maintenance and re-
pairs, There would be a lien against the property for the collection
of the maintenance funds.
To Comm. Fitzgerald's question regarding improvement of Randy
Lane, Mr. Abrams stated their portion will be dedicated.
Chairman Frolich requested details on the type of roofs intended.
Mr. Abrams stated the plans called for medium shake, which run approx.
$27 or $28 per square foot, as opposed to roughly $20 per square foot
for composition, $40 per square foot for heavy shake, or $80 per
square foot for tile.
Comm. Adamo wondered about the feasibility of going to steel and
concrete construction. Mr. Abrams stated it would be considerably
more expensive, but would not necessarily guarantee a more civic-
minded type of people.
Comm. Adamo asked about the life expectancy of the proposed con-
struction. Mr. Abrams stated the Internal Revenue Dept says 50 years;
mortgagors say 20 years, and Mr. Abrams would estimate the 50 year
figure to be more realistic.
Chairman Frolich asked how they planned to take on the building
of this property, to which Mr. Abrams replied they planned to first
build the unit nearest the recreation area, then the recreation area,
then the balance of the units.
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To Chairman Prolich's questions about the ~elationship between
parking areas, dr1ve~lays and existing grading, Mr. Abrams pointed out
the carports would be 1/2 car depressed. He added that it would create
no problem to add garage doors to these carports, if the Commission
so desired. He also stated that the internal street will be 27' wide.
Comm. Leonard questioned the impact of such a development on the
community. He wondered if the developers had done anything about the
financing to prevent the attraction to transients. Mr. Abrams stated
the developers are now talking in the low $20,000 bracket. Also,
ownership of the land as well as the structure would have some effect
upon the type of people to which this would appeal. The deed insures
that proper maintenance will be accomplished throughout the years~
Comm. Leonard, realizing the initial equity will grow, wondered
what the initial equity would be. Mr. Abrams stated it would be close
to $3000 down since the maximum loans would be $17,200.
Mr. Barnett Kernoff, 1930 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto, and
Mr. Myron Stern, 24905 La Lema Court, Los Altos, were the other prin-
cipals for this development who were present at the meeting.
Mr. stern stated that it was their desire to keep the same kind
of quality they put into Brookside Glen. They hope to build the same
quality, but at a lower cost per square foot because they:~elieve
they have learned by some of their mistakes.
Mr. Abrams added that they have put in fewer units to give the
feeling of openness and quality; and this quality will manifest itself
throughout the units. The exteriors will be of brick, sidin g, and
stucco with a 2 foot overhang on the roofs. Mr. Doug Bayless will be
the landscape architect. He also pointed out there will be sidewalk
access to every unit for the benefit of the post office, as well as
the owners.
cooun.Fitzgera1d. stated that ewn tho he· had a business· lnt~rést
in thè initialstagès·óf the Town Center, he will vote on it.
Comm. Small absolved because his company is involved in this
development.
Comm. Leonard made the following motion:
I. Whereas the area proposed for this multiple was originally de-
signated for this use in the hearings on the TOWN CENTER planned
community of 100+ acres at which time the following was reviewed:
1. Traffic-handling capacity of the neighborhood;
2. Harmony between uses adjoining;
3. Landscaping and open spaces;
4. Availability of utilities; and
II Whereas the facts developed at these present hearings; and the
plans and sketches shown are consistent with the original planned
community presentations, and;
III Whereas the applicants show a better parking ratio, ànd a better
than average handling of guest and owner parking; and
IV Whereas applicants, under heavy questioning on general price
levels of units and likely qualifying incomes for purchase, have
indicated:
1. Sales prices in excess of $20,000 a unit;
2. Initial equities exceeding $2fOOO a unit; and
3. Minimum incomes in excess of $750.00 per month
All of which are cited as reasonable reasons for expecting a
development with a strong community and participation, and with
fairly stable occupancy akin to say that of a $20-$21,000 R-l
tract; and
V Whereas the land now has zoning end requires only a use permit.
Now therefore be it resolved: That this Commission recommend grant-
ing the use permit subject to conditions:
1 - 12. Schedule B -- the usual City list;
13. Conformity of roof materials to the master plan of the Town
Center committee which exists to provide neighborhood harmony and
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a generally pleasing roof theme carried out throughout the entire
Town Center; .
14. Filing of a subdivision map on the project before issuance of
building permits.
15. Approval of deed restrictions by the City Attorney, City Manager,
and City Council with particular reference to maintenance of
common areas and project streets.
Comm. Snyder seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Snyder, Frolich
None
Small
Rampy
5 for, 0 against
B. RICHARD H. STONE: Appl. 34-V-63 for a variance to allow a
front yard of 16' where ordinance requires 20'; 19717 Lar~r.
Mr. Stone was absent, but he had submitted a letter on August 11,
together with signatures of neighbors who had no objections to his
proposed addition to his home.
Chairman Frolich pointed out there have been no written or verbal
protests to this application.
Comm. Snyder stated these homes were already granted a variance
of a IS' setback; therefore, he already has the maximum building
coverage for this size lot.
Comm. Adamo suggested Mr. Stone could build a second story
without involving variances.
Comm. Leonard stated that the Idylwild tract was within the
ordinance on most of the homes. He has been through this area, how-
ever, with insurance adj~stors who generally felt it is a nice look-
ing subdivision but the houses are too close to the street.
Comm. Snyder moved to deny the variance requested under applica-
tion 34-v-63. Comm. Fitzgerald seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Small, Snyder, Frolich
None
Rampy
6 for, 0 against
C. VICTOR MANDELLA: Appl. 36-v-63 for a variance to the Sign
Ordinance to allow a sign 28' high where ordinance permits
20'; south side of Stevens Creek Blvd. across from Randy Ln.
Mr.Rocky, Stone, of Amcoe Sign Company, 404 Town & Country Vil-
lage, Palo Alto, presented a drawing of thè sign in question. He
pointed out the cactus spears would not be illuminated, but that they
would extend 13 feet above the 20 foot illuminated sign.
Comm. Small commented on the good taste and originality of the
sign, but felt that it would set a precedent if the Commission allowed
this variance.
Mr. Stone stated he was concentrating on the aesthetics in de-
signing this sign and felt the need for some elasticity in the controls.
Comm. Leonard pointed out that if this variance were granted
there would be constant pressure for higher or bigger signs. In the
case of the Adobe Inn, the building itself sells itself. If it were
being remodelled or changed into something else the feeling of the
Commission ,might be somewhat different.
After discussing the pros and cons of putting the sign on the
roof, it was decided that Mr. Stone would make some modifications to
cut down the overall size of the sign.
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Comm. Small moved. and Comm. Fitzgerald seconded the motion to
continue this Hearing at the next regular Planning Commission meeting.
V UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Miscellaneous -- None
B. COOK & WILSON: Tentative Subdivision Map of Units 3, 4, and
5 La Cresta.
Mr. A. T. Cook, 195 Atherton Avenue, Atherton, submitted the
tentative maps for the west side of Foothill Blvd. to the Commission
for approval.
Comm. Small commended Mr. Cook on his development on the east
side of Foothill Blvd. He stated it was a credit to the City.
Mr. Cook stated his company's plans for the west side are es-
sentially the same as those for the east side. He wanted approval
because the original application had expired. The Engineering Dept.
indicated that it basically conforms to specifications.
Comm. Leonard moved to approve the plan. Comm. Fitzgerald
seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Small, Snyder, Frolich
None
Rampy
6 for, 0 against
VI NEW BUSINESS
A. Miscellaneous
Comm. Snyder brought up the possibility of reorganizing the H-
Control committee. He would like to see a general architect and a
landscape architect added to the Committee. He felt the committee
would inherently command more respect with their professional back-
ground, as well as relieve the Commissioners of some of their duties.
Comm. Small stated that about a year ago he made a public appeal
in the"Sunnyvale Standard" and "Cupertino Courier", and also asked
City Council for any volunteers bu~ as yet has received none.
Comm. Leonard suggested a different approach. He wondered if
perhaps a seminar could be arranged whereby several architects could
lecture and discuss architectural principles with the Commission,
talcing care not to narrow the discussion down to specific opinions.
This would infringe on their ethics.
Chairman Frolich stated he had attended a Tri-County Planning
meeting in San Francisco about a year ago where he heard of architects
in Marin County being on committees similar to our H-Contro1.
Comm. Leonard felt that if the approach were strictly on a
principle basis there would be more success in getting volunteers.
VII ADJOURNMENT
Comm. Small moved the meeting be adjourned. Comm. Leonard
seconded.
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Small, Snyder, Frolich
None
Rampy
6 for, 0 against
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
AftBB'1'.
APPROVED:
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Seoretar7. Plann1ng Commi..ion
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