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PC 07-10-75- _ I CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 'n 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, Ca. 95014 Telephone: 252-4505 MI1\Tt1TES OF TIC ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING CONMISSIOr HELD ON JULY 105 1975, IN.THE CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA f SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman Gatto called the meeting to order at 8:06 p.m,. with the Salute to the Flag.. ROLL CALL Comm.. present; Cooper, O'Keefe, Chairman Gatto- Commm absent, Adams, Woodward Staff present.- Assistant Planning Director Cowan Assistant City Engineer Whitten Associate Planner Laurin PUBLIC HEARING 1. Public Hearing to consider the 1,973 Comprehensive General Plano, (a) Hillsides The Assistant Planning Director stated that the purpose of this meeting was to come to some consensusof opinion of the Commission for a plan for the hillsides and to explore some of the problems of implementation of the General Plan as well as some environmen- tal problems. It was hoped there would be some general consensus reached at this meeting, and the Commission would come back in two weeks, ready to adopt the Hillsides Element of the General Plan. Low/Moderate Income Housing Potential, Vegetation and Wildlife, any Character of the Hillsides written staff reports were distributed.. The Appendix C Hillside Road Study was also handed out., The staff presented updated informational data. PC-197 Page 1 H IC,-197 1MINUTES OF THE JULY 10, 1975 PLANNIN,, COMMISSION MEETING 'age 2 1 The Assistant Planning Director said in regard to the flood factor, that the problem areas of. Stevens Creek to the reservoir and a very small portion above the reservoir where there are some cabins, as well as certain sections of Permanente Creek can all be solved.with individual proposals. He added that the public safety factor must be solved by this fall,. As to the fire safety, information recently prepared by the County shows three fire risk areas on the map. The Fire Code adopted by the City states that natural vegetation cannot be within 30' of any homes in the hills,. The natural vegetation can be replaced by exotic plant material. Nine sketches were displayed :illustrating different types of character that can be attained in the hills. The study prepared by Assistant Planner Piasecki in regard to the impact on housing costs was reviewed. jChairman Gatto said a mix in housing would be good, but there could be ;many kinds of accompanying problems to subsidized housing such as maintenance, resale, additions to the smaller homes, etc. I Comm. 0`e(—O�e said he would be in favor of refurbishing some of the older, existing homes. Chairman Gatto said he would be willing to make a low/moderate cost housing development available but not mandatory for the developer. Comm. O'Keefe said he would like to have them do this on their own initiative rather than have it forced upon us by the federal government. He would prefer to concentrate on upkeep and maintenance of existing homes in our community. He said he visited a "no .frills" housing development in Ft. Worth, Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles and it is a mess. It was his opinion that the farther we get away from federal grants the better off we will all be. Comm. Cooper agreed that the way to Handle this is on a local level. However, it is very difficult to "bit.e the bullet" and make any progress along these lines. She contends that cities have to get off the dime in working out some way to make low/moderate cost housing available to young people on fairly reasonable salaries to make a start. We have to allow for them to live in this area. Comm. O'Keefe said it won't work if we are going to ask the peoFLe to subsidize low cost housing. If the federal government wishes to have these programs they must fund them. The Assistant Planning Director explained the Palo Alto proposal for subsidizing housing. MINUTES OF THE JULY 109 1975 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Ms.. Ann Anger, Monta Vista, said we already have our portion of low-income _housing in Rancho Rinconada and. Garden Gate. Mrs. Lucien Hertert, San Juan Road, introduced the concept of housing where a minimum -sized structure is placed on a 7500 sq. ft. lot for young people who don't need a bigger house but would like to have their own garden. If there is less cost involved in constructing the home it should cost less. She was thinking about! the one -bedroom. one -bath size home, Comm. O'Keefe added that a person could purchase a home that meets the Building Code, but do the finish work himself. Architect Ellis Jacobs said the amount of policing and inspection is very difficult on this if type housing. He said the "sweat/equity", expandable concept is good as long as it can be properi y inspected Chairman Gatto said he believes Cupertino does not necessarily have to have the entire housing spread; this is expanded into the entire County. Some areas are just going to cost more than others We have to either lower our design standards or increase density in order to get low income property. Comm, O'Keefe felt it was good planning when we put the lower income people closer to the services they will need, such as shopping centers, etc,q_,because perhaps they won't need two cars. Mrs, Hertert was not in favor of lowering the design standards, but rather build a smeller house. She suggested the San Carlos homes proposal for 50 homes could be smaller houses. In addition, she would like to see something done to help lower land costs. Mr. Bill McGuire, 10421 Phar Lap Drive, Cupertino, said he would like to see the Monta Vista area upgraded; it cannot be ignored. It.may be necessary for the entire community to contribute. The roads need to be upgrated. He said we have to solve the problem of deterioration. At this point, Chairman Gatto said he would like to table the "mandatory versus negotiable" portion of the consensus until Comm.. Adams and Woodward can be included. Mr. McGuire gave a presentation on foothills in general and on Regnart Canyon specifically, He feels that Reglan Mutual Water should not be ignored. The worth of the loop system road proposal was not clear to him. Since the Regional Park District is right up there, he felt there should be a policy that the District pay their fair share on the roads up there, He feels many of the restrictions for hill -side development are of benefit to the Valley residents. Some thought should be given to the hillside homeowner by reducing requirements such as road costs. It is his opinion that concrete curbs and gutters are not necessary up there. PC-197 Page 3 IPC-197 MINUTES OF THE JULY 10 , .1.97 5 PLANNTNG COMMISSION MEETING Page 4 Mr. McGuire said whether or not hillside land can be developed is reflected in the cost of the land. In the past, property has been purchased based on access and water availability. The Associate Planner said interest has been expressed as to the capacity of the Reglan Water Company. There are currently 17 homes in Regnart Canyon, The Water Compa;iy can service 125 homes at the present time. The Assistant Planning Director next reviewed the "Hill Area General Plan Evaluation Matrix". Comm. Cooper said it all boils down to environment, character and traffic. She feels the slope/density formula is the best approach. Chairman Gatto said the Seven Sprin;.,s Ranch and the Church Property would be the only ones that perhaps could allow the mix we would like ito accomplish. He said he would be willing to stay with the slope/ 'density formula. iComm. Cooper said she would like to further explore the chain reaction !of densities in relation to traffic on various streets. i ,Chairman Gatto suggested road capacity and number of lanes required should be included in future traffic studies. Comm. O'Keefe said he would like to drive around and make some notes before getting down to specifics as to desired ultimate road widths. Mrs. Hertert added that the Commission should also consider what the people in the area want. ;The Associate Planner explored.the assumptions used on projected ;service levels of our roads. Mrs. Hertert asked the Commission consider the cars using these roads 'during the balance of the day, not just the peak hour traffic. Chairman Gatto asked the staff to assess the community character in relation to traffic. He would like to complete this work at the next meeting. 'In regard to the road system for Lindy Canyon and Regnart Canyon, the lAssistant Planning Director said fui.1 services would not be needed with ;minimum development. However, if developed to its full potential, it (would probably require a full road system and services. We need two 'ways in and out of that area because of fire risk. There is no (capacity problem here. c . E JULY 10ING COMMISSION MEETING OF TH?�N In regard to the loop road, Chairman Gatto observed that if a property owner up there decided not to develop his portion, the loop road would not be accomplished. Various approaches to 1 accomplishing this loop road system were explored. There was a � consensus that it is essential to have fire protection up there. He asked what the minimum road standards are. The Assistant City Engineer said design standards for roads are lessened in order to save trees, etc. IIe went on to explain the standards. It was agreed there must be fire protection- through some. road system in conformance with and adjustments made to the design standards of a 24 ` wide road with curb and gutter are to be i required only if maximum development is desirable- There should j be no leapfrogging. There will be a fenced fire road through the i Paris District property., It was decided the policy statements and character of the roads will be established at the nez>t meeting. 1 1 ADJ OURn1 1ENr. Chairman Gatto adjourned -this meeting at 10;20 pFm to the regular; Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. on July 14, 1975. 1 APPROVED: I i /s/ John ego Gatto Chairman ATTEST: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder_ City Clerk PC-197 Page 5