PC 07-24-75CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA PC--200
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino P, ge 1
Telephone: 252-4505
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMKISSION HELD
ON JULY 24, 1975 IN THE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, CUPERTINO,
CALIFORNIA.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG j
The meeting was.opened at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman. Gatto with the Salute I
to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Comm. present: Adams, Cooper, O'Keefe, Woodward, Chairman Gatto
Comm. absent: None
Staff present: Planning Director James.Sisk
Assistant Planning Director Robert Cowan
Associate Planner Adde Laurin
Director of Public W.Orks Viskovich.
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PUBLIC HEARING: Hillsides ;
Comm. O'Keefe introduced members of his Political Science class from
° De Anza College who were guests at this meeting.
Chairman Gatto announced this Public Hearing was a continuation of the
hillsides study.
Assistant'Planning Director Cowan referred to the July 23, 1975 staff
memo as an outline for this study session. He said the question of
road character was raised at the last Public Hearing. He talked about
a revised staff policy on the slope density formula in regard to land
now open space areathat would not have urban services available to the
property. 14e referred to the "Semi -rural slope density approach"
document included in the packet.
Mr. Cowan said Mr.. Mauratonio and Mr. Gregory had found the slope density
formula very restrictive on their property in the- Regnart Canyon area.
Exhibit C-2 was reviewed by the Commission and attention called to the
revisions made. There was a lengthy discussion of density transfer as
it relates to the Kaiser property.
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MINUTES OF THE REG. ADJ. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 24, 1975
Mr. Harold Ashton, representing Kaiser properties, referred to the July 18,
1975 letter from David C. Slipher, Vice-president of Kaiser Land Development.
77 units on 133 acres is not practical.
Ms. Nancy Hertert,.San Juan Road, initiated a discussion of density transfer
pros and cons. It was generally felt that density try-sfer can occur
between more than one property owner but the transfer should be from
hillside property to hillside property and from valley floor property to
valley floor property.
Geologist Edward Hayes asked in regard to the slope density formula if any
geologic parameters were considered. Topography is one of the least
(important parameters in habitibility of the hillside area of Cupertino.
Chairman Gatto"explained that each applicant will have to support his
tapplication with geologic soils report and if there is ome question of
geologic instability the density will be reduced.
Mr. Hayes asked if they were allowing transfer for density of intrinsically
+undevelopable land. Chairman Gatto said when the actual application came
before the City information would be required of land not to be developed
as well as land to be developed. Mr. Hayes said this would probably cause
+resentment and could be called "inverse condemnation".
Mr. Hayes called attention to his map showing the landslides in the area.
He feels geologic parameters should be built into the document. He
questioned whethef there should be specific statements of hazards that
would be considered by a geologic investigation under item 8.-He
pointed out a fault system on the front of the hillside which could
be a potential earthquake area. The Alquist-Preola Bill calls attention
to this problem mainly on the San Andreas fault but does not cover the
fault system on the hillside. He explained the Portola Valley seismic
study. Chairman Gatto pointed out this is a guidance document, not an
ordinance which would be more specific.
mm. O'Keefe suggested Mr. Hayes put in writing what he would consider
nimal or adequate guidelines.
Chairman Gatto suggested changing the wording of item 10 on page 34 to
read as follows: "The property owners within the Hillside General Plan
area may transfer dwelling unit credits to non-continguous properties
within that Hillside General Plan area if adverse impacts are found to
be acceptable and unit transfers specifically approved. The property
from which.....".
corporation of the slope instability into the density formula was
scussed.
MINUTES OF THE REG. ADJ. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 24, 1975
The commissioners then voted on whether to accept item 10 as amended.
AYES: Adams, 0°Keefe, Woodward, Chairman Gatto
NOES: Cooper
Motion carried, 4-1
A break was called at 9020 p.m. with the meeting reconvening at 9*30 p.m.
Specific hillside policies were discussed. With regard to item 3 on
page 35, it was agreed that non -indigenous vegetation could be substituted
if permanent irrigation was provided. The word "well" should be inserted'
in last line between "until" and "established",
Planning Director Sisk said it was planned to put this document on the
agenda for the July'28, 1975 meeting for final action. He said he would
be talking with Mr. Hayes before the meeting.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan referred to page 27, Development
Staging within the Urban Service Area, pointing out several corrections
to be made.. He gave a basic description of the General Plan map.' Mr.
Cowannoted the'Garrod property was the only one singled out for a
precise land use designation. He pointed out two locations that were
expected to be dedicated -to the City for neighborhood parks.
A specific statement regarding the San Andreas study zone was discussed;
It was to have been left under Alquist-Preola act, but if Mr. Hayes was
correct, a basic format such as used in Portola Valley was needed. A
discussion followed on where construction would be allowed and under
what restrictions.
In answer to a question raised by Comm. Cooper, Mr. Cowan said this
document was written on.the assumption it has been through the entire
review process. Chairman Gatto then suggested"the last sentence -in the
first paragraph under Evaluation of Alternatives on page 7 should be
omitted. It was. so -agreed.
It was also agreed to drop the last sentence under item 2 on,page 31.
Chairman Gatto suggested changing the word "provide" to "encourage" in
Goal III on page 49 The majority agreed. Comm Cooper opposed this
change, feeling it negated the work of the Goals Committee,
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MINUTES OF THE REG. ADJ. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 24, 1975
Associate Planner Laurin then explained his memo on Road Character.
It was noted that increasing the thru traffic ability doesn't do the
City any good because the traffic will just be increased. The bulk
of movements they are trying to solve seems to be for thru traffic.
Using the Tables in Mr. Laurin's memo, the commissioners held a
discussion on varying service levels at various locations. It
was noted there are some intersections where it is physically
impossible to widen the lanes. Chairman Gatto felt the whole
Stevens Creek movement needs further study; left turn lanes and
acceleration pockets might be able to increase traffic flow.
It was agreed that plan lines will be based on four lanes but mid -
block study is needed.
The new slope density formula for applications in areas within the
Urban Service Area not having urban services was then explained by
Mr. Cowan and Mr. Laurin. Mr. Cowan no ed the main problem in
setting specifics for this area was lack; of data. He said tonight
staff was asking for their opinion on general approach of mid -range
formula which would then be tested on property in that area. He
did not feel that one building on 20 acres was a fair designation.
Comm. Woodward agreed the semi -rural formula seemed more realistic.
Mr. Laurin described rationale for the new formula.
Mr. Earl Gregory said he and Mr. Mauratonio have worked with the City
on this property for over ten years. One estimate for a road just to
come to the property was approximately $30,000.00. He was hoping for
a compromise of 4 or 5 acre parcels. This would make it economically
feasible to build homes there. Chairman Gatto assured him the direction
was to pursue a mid -range formula and look at the various shapes it
might take.
Planning Director Sisk referred to the delineation of quasi -public
use on Church property. He showed a schematic representation. With
the understanding this is schematic, they would be protected.
At 11:10 p.m. Chairman Gatto adjourned the meeting to the 'regular
meeting of the Planning Comission on Monday, July 28, 1975 at 7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
/s/ John M. Gatto
Chairman
/s/ Wm. E. Ryder
City Clerk