PC 10-28-2019 CITY OF CUPERTINO
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
APPROVED MINUTES, October 28, 2019
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:45 p.m Chairperson Wang called to order the special Planning Commission meeting in the
Cupertino Community Hall Council Chambers, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA. and led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson R Wang, Vice Chair Vikram Saxena, Commissioners Kitty Moore, Alan
Takahashi. Absent: David Fung.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Subject: Draft Minutes of September 24, 2019.
Recommended Action: Approve or modify the Draft Minutes of September 24, 2019
Moved by Moore and seconded by Saxena to: "Approve the minutes". The motion carried 3-
0-2 (Fung, Takahashi absent)
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Charlene Lee spoke about an incident she had with the Sheriff's Department. It was suggested
that she address her concerns at the next City Council meeting.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR: None
STUDY SESSION
2. Subject: Study Session related to Bird-Safe Development policies and guidelines.
Application No(s): MCA-2019-004; Applicant(s): City of Cupertino; Location: citywide
Recommended Action: Provide direction to Staff on the areas of regulation related to bird
safe development
Associate Planner, Ellen Yau, reviewed the Staff Report and answered questions from the
Commissioners.The Commissioners discussed protections for migratory and year-round birds.
They talked about use of glass, architectural design and what policies other cities have
incorporated into their design guidelines.
Chair Wang opened the public comment period and the following individual(s) spoke:
Dashiell Leeds, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Connie Cunningham
Jamie Jany, Audubon Society
Keith Wandry
Margaret F inebaugh, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Shani Kleinhaus, Advocate for Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Peggy Griffin
Lisa Warren
Lisa Karpinski, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Chair Wang closed the public comment period.
The Planning Commissioners suggested that; Staff review established and industry accepted
regulations to ensure standardization and consistency within the architectural community; A
new ordinance include requirements for bird safe mitigations for remodels and tenant
improvement projects, proximity to landscaped areas and consider including exemptions for
small residential and historic buildings. Incorporate flexibility in proposing alternative bird-
safe solutions; It is important to make sure the City's landscaping, lighting, Architectural
Designs, Building Codes and Best Management Practices don't conflict with each other.
Commissioner Takahashi joined the meeting during Staff's presentation of item #3.
3. Subject: Study Session related to Dark Sky policies and/or standards. Application No(s):
MCA-2019-003; Applicant(s): City of Cupertino; Location: citywide
Recommended Action: Provide direction to Staff on potential policies and/or standards for
lighting regulations
Senior Planner, Erick Serrano, reviewed the Staff Report and answered questions from the
Commissioners. Staff is asking for input in developing new lighting standards.
Chair Wang opened the public comment period and the following individual(s) spoke:
Dashiell Leeds, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Shani Kleinhaus, Advocate for Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Connie Cunningham
Jamie Jany, Audubon Society
Lisa Warren
Jennifer Griffin
Lisa Karpinski, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Chair Wang closed the public comment period.
The Planning Commissioners suggested that: Staff review regulations and guidelines of other
jurisdiction, and how the regulations and guidelines were developed; Staff develop and
provide educational information to the public on the impacts of light pollution; Ensure that
security lighting is addressed in the ordinance to ensure a secure property, and; Any lighting
requiring a hearing be based on the project/use and size
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Vice Chair Saxena left the meeting during the break between items #3 and #4.
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4. Subject: Study Session on the General Plan Annual Review/Implementation Plan
Recommended Action: Provide additional direction to Staff on the format and content of
the General Plan Annual Review/Implementation Plan
Planning Manager,Piu Ghosh, gave the Commissioners an update on the document formatting
changes requested at the last Planning Commission meeting. She was asked and answered
questions. The Planning Commission would like to develop General plan review procedures
to employ for future reviews of the document.
Chair Wang opened the public comment period and the following individual(s) spoke:
Jennifer Griffin
Peggy Griffin
Chair Wang closed the public comment period.
The Planning Commissioners discussed the difference between reviewing to make sure General
Plan policies are being implemented and reviewing updates to the General Plan.They provided
additional feedback regarding the formatting of the review document.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
Chair Wang expressed thoughts and concerns for the fire victims in Northern California.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm to the next regular Planning Commission meeting on
November 12, 2019 at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
- A,,LOA, UZ)12241',
Beth Ebben, Deputy Board Clerk