PC 07-11-63
10321 So. Saratoga-Sunn~a1e Road
C I T Y 0 F C U PER TIN 0
CUPERTINO, ·C~~.LIFORNIA
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, July 11,
1963
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Time:
Place:
8:00 P.M.
Board Room, Cupertino School District, 10300 Vista Drive
Commissioners Present: Adamo, Fitzgerald, Leonard, Rampy, Small,
Snyder, Frolich
Commissioners Absent: None
Chairman Frolich called the meeting to oi'del', and turned it OV8~'
to Mr. Volker, the Planning Consultant. Mr. Volker gave a brief resume I
of the Preliminary General Plan to the seven.:Lutcrested citizens on
hand. Mr. Volker explained the map overlay, which shows recent growth.
Four new school sites have been recommended in addit.ion to t;)ose
determined by the school district. Park acreage is recomr¡lended, an¡1
location is suggested near the school sites.
A discontinuance of commercial strips is suggc:Jted, they are 'ü-
convenient for one stop service, also there is often a traffic problem
involved.
The Planner again mentioned tr~t Stevens Creek Road should he
considered for extensive tree planting, and preservlng the rul'al atmos-
phere öf the City.
Commissioner Fitzgerald pointed out that a 10-acre commercial
site in Neighborhood #7, and one at Bubb Rd. & McClellan is now shown.
The Planner said he was not aware of the areas being zoned, but the
centers as shown on the Plan would be cons:i.dered the optimum arrange-
ment. He stated that the Plan is intended to be general, and is
intended to be a policy statement by the City on what they feel the
City's development should look like.
Commissioner Fitzgerald aslced how zoning postponements can be
made until the adoption of the Plan. Mr. Volker replied thatwitholding
zoning is done all the time, and it could be postponed for a reasonable
length of time, until the Plan is pretty well established.
Commissioner Small reviewed the apartment development, stating
there are 3,000 units under construction or already zoned, and he is
concerned about the vacancy factor, which is approaching 10% in the
valley. .
The Planner felt that 3,000 is somewhat premature. If the Plan
is approved and adopted, a zoning proposal for specific densities
would be in order and will be prepared, also a zoning ordinance and
map. Only 950 acres have been recommended for high density, generally
concentrated around the core of Highway 9 and Stevens Creek. The high
density of 14 units per acre is a relatively nominal density. Location
of high density around the core is because of activity centers that
will be located nearby. Street networks in the core can handle traffic
better than in the outlying areas.
Commissioner Small wondered if "we should hold out a yellow
caution light on apartment buildings", fearing that the 950 acres
would be filled within six months, rather than the projected twenty
years.
Commissioner Snyder asked about parks. The Planner stated that
park holdings should be increased, that the s.pecificacrease.neeèed.has
not been calculated. Studies of this type are USUá11yhandled under
a Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Snyder asked how many acres
are necessary for the sites next to schools. . . The Planner did not
knoW, but stated that 1500 total acres have been proposed for parks.
In addition to the 5 acres that would be available per school, equip-
ment and facilities would be needed. The Final Plan will show this,
also a neighborhood analysis phase of the program, and neighborhood
park needs.
Mr. Volker pointed out that the Capital Improvement Plan is not
called for under the present program. A lot of detailed study
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on the City's needs and finances is required. Streets will be shown on
the Final Plan, street sizes will not be shown. Traffic patterns will
determine the size streets needed.
Commissioner Leonard brought up the question of commercial joining
residential either back to baclc, or facing, such as across a wide street,
wondering which is more appropriate. The Planner stated that back to
back treatment is preferable, landscaping, trees or fences can separate
the activities.
The Commissioner spoke about the corner of Section #7 proposed
for high density. It was felt this was a good place for it, with the
freeway cutting it off, there isn't enough acreage for a school or any
other services.
Commissioner Leonard continued. The Plan states there is some
debate still on using this for light industrial. It has not been
determined if the market will absorb more high type light industrial-
research activities. Land might be equally suited for that because of
advertising space and accessibility.
Commissioner Fitzgerald asked about commercial shown south of
the freeway, stating there is an application for the top 10 acres of
that to be zoned multiple. The Planner stated that if multiple were
granted on the parcel, it would destroy the purpose and intent of the
Plan.
Commissioner Snyder asked if the Plan should show space for a
hospital that will no doubt be needed by 1985. He asked too where
service industries are located, such as electrical contractors, and
plumbers. The Planner replied that the possibility of a hospital will
be explored. Service industries would not be in a commercial area,
but perhaps at the interchange between freeways.
Commissioner Leonard stated that fOr example, the Aaronson property
has some material distribution and storage, also the roofing operation
in Monta Vista. The M-I-H ordinance was not intended to be a park-type
development, its purpose was to get a separation of routine type con-
tractor operations. He mentioned the possibility of an automobile
dealership loolcing over the area, stating that if one should decide to
come to the City, the decision of which frontage would be suitable would
have to be made. It might be helpful to match up things ¡mown to be
available to see if some of the "problem" acres equId be macthori to
some of the uses that might fit them. A hospital and medical officCD
on the Paganini property might be a possibility.
C~man Frolich felt that taking a piece of property for a hospital
would keep the owner from selling to anyone else and might cause a
hardship. The Planner did not thinlc a location could be pinpointed.
Commissioner Small agreed that a hospital site should be given
consideration, if not in Cupertino, then in the West Valley.
Commissioner Leonard stated that the Kaiser Center explored
Cupertino, then settled on a site 2-1/2 miles from Cupertino's nearest
boundary.
Chairman Frolich thought it would be a good idea if the Monta
Vista area were considered for redevelopment. The County Planning
Department is open to suggestions, feeling that anything is better than
what exists. ·The.Plannerpointed out that marking an area for re-
development tends to put a blight on the area and suppress any further
development.
Commissioner Leonard, referring to the fact that the two major
landowners in the Monta Vista area were in attendance, presented
both sides of the questión. In favor of the Monta Vista area~ is
is the only point in Cupertino with rail. service. The area has both
freeways and rail activity, and power. On the drawback side, it is
removed from the center of the City. The elevation is lOa' higher, and
it is more difficult from a matter of water supply. Existing wewer lines
thin down, funnel1ing down in pipe size. The area is at the foot of
some of the most lovely hills in this part of California, and this· might
make it desirable residential area. Both the County and City want the
best possible use for the area.
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In Area #1, served by freeways and interchanges, more nearly in
the center of the population development in the valley, it is a question
of what major needs can best make use of the area. It can go into
multiple, light industrial, hospital or medical use. It has a lot
of potential, the Commissioner conclud~d.
Commissioner Small felt that a hospital district should be recom-
mended to Council with adoption of the General Plan. Forming a dj.strict
takes a lot of time, and if it were started now, a hospital would still
be three years away.
Commissioner Adamo pointed out that there is a lot of activity
going on around the corner of Bubb Rd. and McClellan, and possibly
there will be more commercial needed there. T~e Planner agreed that
there is a shortage of commercial in that area compared "to other areas.
The Final Plan will show amount of commercial necded for individual
areas.
Trailer parks were mentioned. The Planner stated that they would
be considered high density and should be located n9xt to high access
streets and thoroughfares. He added that it is possible that Cupert1no
doesn't want any.
Commissioner Adamo asked about theaters. They are considered
general commercial and would be located in high use c01nmercial zone.
Commissioner Small referred to the recreation study of some time
ago, the findings of which showed a 25 acre park necessa~J. ·The cost
of the land alone would be a half million dollars before any improve-
ments. The annual tax to float such a bond issue would be about $4.00
per home per month. He stated that he is concerned about bond issues
that will eventually raise taxes. Apartment houses, industries,
regional shopping centers should Iceep taxes do~m. As an example, he
mentioned Sunnyvale, with Lockheed, and the fact that their rate is not
low. The Planner stated that the tax picture has been one of the
factors in the Plan's recommendations. Chairwan Frollch mentioned
that Sunnyvale suffers right along with everyone else in the CUpertino
School District on the tax rate.
Commissioner Snyder asked if the Commission should say "no" to
owners with commercial intentions if the Plan disagreed. The Planner
said "Yes, if you have confidence in the Plan."
The Commission wondered if the fact that property owners had not
come to the meeting in protest meant that they were in agreement with
the Plan, or willing to abide by it.
Commissioner Fitzgerald aslced if the Plan suggested that some
of the zoning be taken away. The Planner said that regressive zoning
has been done, and that the City has that right.
Mr. Bob Scott stated that they have put a $75,000 bUilding in an
area now marked high density. He asked if the City would be opposed
to a strip of commercial from Highway #9 down to Vista.. The Planner
replied that they are recommending agsinst a strip, but that the Plan
is general and he will probably be protected by zoning in the long
run. He stated that he doubts that the City will do anything with
existing commercial development. . ,.'" '
Chairman Frolich felt the session has been productive, but it is
the people who complain that are not present. "It is obvious to every-
one here just how interested the cc~ty iff in this". He stated that
the Plan will be subject to adjustment from time to time. It does give
people an indication of what is expected to happen in the future and
give landowners an indication of what sort of application the City may
favor. In the past, applicants who have been turned do~m may have .
gone away not knowing why, but at least now there is a plan, the
Chairman pointed out.
Commissioner Snyder stated that the success of the Master Plan
is only as good as the cooperation between the homeowner and the ~~ster
Plan.
Discussion followed on advertising the meeting, and Chairman
Frolich stated that it had appeared in the Courier twice, and other
papers had mentioned it. It was in the San Jose Mercury Thursday
morning.
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September 15 is scheduled for the final proposal for the General
Plan. Chairman Frolich wondered if the General Plan should be moved
ahead to try to allow more time for the zoning ordinances and proposals.
The Planner said that there will be a published report; he is in
favor of keeping to the September date. Their contract runs into
February, and calls for a review of ordinances, opposed to rewriting
the old ordinances. There will be a schedule prepared that will have
some detail for work sessions in conjunction with presentation of
zoning. The Planner requested an additional work session. Then the
General Plan will be presented for as many work sessions as necessary.
Two public hearings should be held, and then recommended to Cow1cil.
Council is required to hold one hearing before adopting the Plan.
Mr. Lazaneo asked if the Commission would follow the Preliminary
Plan as their guide in future rezonings.
The Chairman replied that, possibly they would, as a matter of
policy. One thing that has been questioned is density, he added.
Densities shown are average for the entire area. Zoning is not spelled
out, except for some centers.
The next meeting with the Planner will be July 23, after the H-
Control Meeting. It was suggested that H-Control start at 7:30 with
the Commission meeting afterwards.
Commissioner Snyder moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded
by Commissioner Small. Meeting adjourned 10:00.
APPROVED:
Isl Donald Frolich, Chairman
ATTEST:
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Lawrence K. Martin,
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Ci ty Cler!c
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