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PC 11-25-85 CITY OF CUPERTINO,STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue,Cupertino,Ca. 95014 Pa Tel: (408) 252-4505 Page 1 e81 • MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 1985 SALUTE TO THE FLAG: 7: 30 P.M. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Present : . Com. Adams Com. Szabo Chr. Claudy Staff Present: Dir. of Ping. and Commty.Devel.Cowan Assistant Planning Director Piasecki CityAttorney ey Kilian APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Com. Adams, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 28, 1985 as submitted. SECOND: Com. Szabo VOTE: Passed 2-0 (Corns. Mackenzie and Sorensen absent,Chr.Claudy abs . ) MOTION: Com. Adams, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 12, 1985 as submitted. SECOND: Com. Szabo VOTE: Passed 3-0 ® (Corns. Mackenzie and Sorensen absent) POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS: It was announced that Item #1 would be heard out of order, since it was still at ASAC*. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS: 2. TRAILER ORDINANCE to consider a comprehensive amendment to the Trailer Ordinance regulating parking and storage of recreational vebicles, trailers, mobile homes, and similar vehicles in all zoning districts. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Environmental Review Committee recommends the granting of a Negative Declaration. Tentative City Council hearing date is December 2, 1985. Mr. Piasecki gave the Staff Report, advising that the issues raised previously had now been addressed, that there had been some restructuring and minor changes, so that Staff suggested the Ordinance go back to ERC*, return to the Planning Commission and proceed to City Council on December 6. 411 *ASAC - Architectural and Site Approval Committee *ERC. - .Environmental Review Committee 4 ( PC-482 PLANNING .COMMISSION MINUTES, NOI,VEMBER 25, 1985 Page 2 Ruth Eagles, 10305 Farallone Drive wanted information on the parking of trailers in front of homes. • Mr. Kilian advised that the City did not have special authority to regulate on-street parking, 'Iand thatthe State law did not differentiate between types of'vehicles parked on the street, apart from non-motorized vehicles and trucks. He informed that in general, vehicles could be parked for 72 hours on the street, unless posted. 1I Com. Adams established with Mr. Piasecki that extra vehicles could be parked on driveways that could accommodate them, if they were behind the front setback line. Chr. Claudy noted he could notvote for the Ordinance in its present form, since there werei' things he would not have favored if present at the last hearing+. He felt utility trailers were less intrusive than largelcampers, that the six vehicles allowed in the front 'setback of a 10,000 sq. ft . or larger lot were too many, and that the Ordinance did not properly address planned develpment, duplex and multi-family zones and did not make a clean differentiation between City property and public sidewalk. Mr. Piasecki explained the dupl,lex zone fell into the under 10,000 sq. ft . lot size category, so that two vehicles would be allowed in the front setback of each unit, and that in multi-family zones, the limited would be six vehicles per development, unless a greater number was approved in conjunc- tion with a development plan. He noted that Staff had been careful to mention the publicsidewalk parking strip where appropriate, and noted it could be reworded, but would present enforcement difficulties. A short discussion on enforcement ensued, with the feeling that the new Ordinance was at ;least less restrictive and easier to enforce than the present one. Corns. Adams and Szabo noted that the Ordinance was acceptable to them in its present form. MOTION: Com. Adams, to continue Item #2 to the Regular Meeting of December 9, 1985. SECOND: Com. Szabo VOTE: Passed 3-0 (Corns. Mackenzie and; Sorensen absent) 3. CO ORDINANCE to consider 'an amendment to the CG (General Commercial) zoning district . 'I ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Environmental Review Committele recommends the granting of a Negative Declaration. The amendment will concentrate on provisions of the Ordinance relating to uses permitted in the zone. Tentative City Council hearing date is December 2, 1985. M. Piasecki, reviewing the Stiaff Report, noted that at the last hearing the Commission had asked for alternative ways to deal with the types of uses considered problematic. He Ask noted that a letter from MADD* ' had been received, and the suggestions therein could beincorporated in the Findings if the Commission so desired. He advised that San Jose and *MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Drivers II I r � PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 1985 PC-482 some other cities had addressed the problem by prohibiting Page 3 • convenience sales with gasoline, whilst still allowing vending sales. He advised that Staff suggested taking the approach of reviewing problematic uses on a case by case basis, and of asking the City Council to consider that all Use Permits, except in designatedareas, end at Planning Commission level. Com. Adams established with Mr. Piasecki that up to 40% of gas stations in the City had some non-vending retail use, but that only half of those would be subject to regulation. Com. Szabo wondered if Use Permits could be put on the Consent Calendar, to simplify the process. Mr. Kilian advised that since property owners within 300 ft . had to be notified, a public hearing had to be considered, though only one, at Planning Commission or City Council level, was necessary. Mr. Piasecki mentioned the zoning administrator approach, which incorporated a daytime public hearing, tending to produce less input. Ms. Kathy Myles, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber's desire that the City avoid any unnecessary regulation of businesses, and that the Chamber would be advising affected businesses to voice their opinions at the City Council Meeting of December 16, 1985. • MOTION: Com. Adams, to close the Public Hearing SECOND: Com. Szabo VOTE: Passed 3-0 (Coms. Mackenzie and Sorensen absent) The Commission examined the Recommendations on page 3 of the Staff Report . They supported A and B, but were not in support of C, which they saw as a reversal. They supported D and agreed that E should be studied further. The matter of a State law to prohibit alcohol sales at gas stations was discussed; Staff felt it was still before the legislature. Mr. Kilian observed there had been great difficulty in making a logical connection between the sale of alcohol and gasoline. Com. Szabo felt that relating convenience sales to traffic, as San Jose had done, was artificial and unsatisfactory. Mr. Piasecki suggested using the State law eventually and the San Jose approach currently. Chr. Claudy did not think prohibiting food sales at service stations would be instrumental in their reduction, . and that this was happening because of the decline in servicing needs. MOTION: Com. Szabo, to continue Item #3 to the Regular Meeting of December 9, 1985. SECOND: Com. Adams VOTE: Passed 3-0 (Coms. Mackenzie and Sorensen absent) PC-482 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVE:4BER 25, 1985 Page 4 Mr. Piasecki clarified that the;' Commission would adopt the Ordinance and the Minute Order At that time. BREAK: 8 :15 P.M. - 8 : 20 P.M. 1. CITY HALL (24-Z-85) REZONE 'approximately 4 . 7 acres from P (Planned Development with Pro,'fessional Office intent) to BA (Public Building) zone. APPLICATION (47-U-85) USE PERMIT to remodel City Hall, to remodel and expand the library, to construct a plaza between the City Hall and Library, and. modify and expand parking lots, including the construction of a new driveway entrance from Pacifica Drive. The subject property is generally located south of Rodriguez Avenue east of Torre, north of Pacifica Drive, and is bordered by the Regnart Creek channel. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The Environmental Review Committee recommends a Negative Declaration for the zoning. The Committee has not completed Recommendation on the use permit . Continue use permit to Planning Commission meeting ofi,;December 9 to complete environmental assessment . Tentative CityCouncil date for the zoning hearing is December 2 198 . 5 Mr. Cowan presented the Staff Report, stating the rezoning was a housekeeping matter and advising that the Use Permit was being continued because accounstical and traffic studies still had to be completed. Hedescribed the four-fold application and explained the public safety building was shown only hypothetically to demonstrate how it could be incorporated in the future, and it was not now part of the • Use Permit . He emphasized that the entire peripheral landscaping of the area would bei installed at this time, however, and mentioned the cir'euitous design of the traffic flow, to prevent neighborhood 'infiltration. Chr. Claudy noted the new entrance to the library would be at the back of the site. Mr. Cowan listed the ASAC* concerns that the plan was too internalized; concern about pedestrian access to the library; concern of lack of integration with Town Center landscaping; and a concern that the light well ',Was expensive in its present location. . They had also felt that a model was required to clarify the library expansion,,1' Ye said. He noted that the plan had been developed with the help of a committee, includinC Councilors Rogers and Gatto, who had guided the architectural team for several months. of HED Associaf es Redwood City, John Duvivier, 1 , Architect, said there had been much study, of the library expansion, since the existing building was such a. dominant statement, that traffic circulation allowed perimeter access and parking and that the landscaping unified the site with trees and the feeling of an orchard heritage. He advised that in City Hall, the entire basement wasp;being developed and that mechanical and climatic considerations had been taken into account in the northerly orientation of the light well, which was necessary to make the space; useable. He noted the desirability of separating the children's and adult libraries, and advised the new building iiould be for children. * ASAC - Architectural and Sie Approval Committee PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 1985 PC-482 Com. Adams established that the possibility of putting Page 5 • the glass area on the east side, rather than the north side, of City Hall had been examined, but had been found impractical. Jim Lee of SWA Group, Landscape Architect, described removing present parking stalls to allow the buildings to sit in a more public, landscaped space,, breaking the remaining parking zones into two areas with free movement throughout the area. He described the relo- cation of the main lobby and the sculpture at City Hall and the addition of a podium and area for public activities, etc. , and further described the creek landscaping as a "redwood hedgerow" providing visual and lighting screening for residents. He advised the parking areas would be shaded by evergreens,and that the basement level landscaping would consist of slope plantings and a paved area with seating and clustered trees. The Bicentennial redwood grove would be preserved and trees would be planted to reflect the City's orchard heritage, with the landscaping helping to create a strong civic quality for the Civic Center and providing an open relationship to the exterior, he said. Mr. Duvivier gave a conceptual description of the library addition, since therewere will many items to be resolved, he said. A garden wall type non-building, with a softening redwood grove and trellised area. was envisioned, to act 111 as a backdrop and foil for the existing building. Com. Adams established that the only access to the terrace area at City Hall would be from the basement level, and that the slope there would not be as severe as the present library slope with plantings to discourage children playing there. The architect advised that an existing grove of olive trees, some dedicated, would be relocated to other parts of the site. Chr. Claudy established that, though the soccer field would not be disrupted, the planting adjacent to the creek there would be carried out. Mr. Duvivier confirmed the present library entrance would be closed off because of security and staffing problems and would become an emergency exit . Com. Szabo was concerned that the addition to the library was so different from the original, though he was mindful of the down-playing concept. Chr. Claudy noted the library parking would now be further away. -- Mr. Duvivier advised the parking had been designed not to disrupt the civic space, and that because of the shortage of parking currently, people now walked from across the 411 street frequently. Chr. Claudy wondered if a patio area was necessary, given that there was already an amphitheater planned in the Town Center project . I � 4 I ' e PC-482 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 1985 Page 6 Mr. Duvivier advised this hadIbeen a request, for community activities, etc. 411 Chr. Claudy felt the integration of the landscaping with the surrounding projects was not a Problem, since it was fitting to the site. He established wiith' the architect that there would be a minor parapet on the roof of the new library building. R.D. Koenitzer, 10060 Phar Lap !Drive, asked if a drive-up book drop had been considered, rb.s this might prevent driveway parking. problems. Jennylea Sepulveda, 10285 Farallone Drive was concerned about losing sight of children being dropped off at the library an d felt the environment would ,be conducive to lurkers, advising that the additional redwoods would create more problems, since people alreadyHslept around the library area at night . Mr. Duvivier advised that security was a major issue, that there was a capability topull up alongside the edge and watch children entering, and that security lighting, with a sharp cut-off so as notlto disturb the residents, was budgeted_ and would prevent such problems. Ms. Sepulveda felt the two-way! driveway from Pacifica would be too narrow and would create' traffic congestion and hazards because of the thoroughfare. Mr. Lee explained the intent of the circuitous scheme used was to discourage throughi,ltraffic. • Ms. Sepulvida compared the situation at the Wells Fargo Bank site, and suggested the entrance be relocated to the center of the block, or be made 'one way. She felt the traffic decision for the Torres%Rodrigues/Pacifica area might affect this Application. ) Chr. Claudy advised that Pacifica area residents had indicated they did not want their access to City Hall cut I off. However, if there was still a through traffic problem after the circuitous plan was ;implemented, speed bumps or further blocking off could be considered, he felt . Mr. Cowan advised Ms. Sepulveda on the accounstical study. Philip Underwood, 10325 Farallone Drive, liked the idea of the redwood buffer along the creek, but did not want to be impacted by their shade or the glare of the parking lot lights, commenting that the lights there now were bad. He also felt the access should be moved to the west, and was in favor of retaining the soccer field, feeling the future public safety building would eventually use up the additional parking. He wondered if a gate could be installed to the library addition, to discourage loitering. Mr. Duvivier mentioned the possible police and fire problems in installing such a gate. Chr. Claudy advised that the lighting would be redone, ... . 411 that the present lights were not the cut-off type, and noted that the public safety ,building would require additional parking, when and if it were built . r i a PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 1985 PC-482 Paul Newhagen, 10375 Farallone Drive, seconded Mr. Underwood i Page 7 • and felt the future public safety building could easily turn into additional City offices and was concerned about the parking. He felt personnel would be added to City Hall and with the addition of the public safety building, parking would again be reduced. He noted that the Negative Declara- tion had not been discussed. Chr. Claudy explained the ERC 's* determinations and Mr. Cowan advised that ERC reports were accessible to the pub ic . Mr. Duvivier advised that City Hall personnel increases would be very minor and that the plan was to provide more space for present personnel, who were overcrowded. He noted that parking would be signficantly increased, however. Mr. Newhagen felt consideration should be given to relocating{ the public safety building elsewhere in the City and using the site for a permanent park, which was needed in the area. Com. Adams hoped that the construction would be phased, to minimize parking difficulties, and felt the tree line on Pacifica should follow the street curb line. Mr. Lee noted the importance of maintaining the soccer field function. Chr. Claudy and Com. Adams felt it more appropriate to have the tree line parallel the street, for pedestrian, motorist and aesthetic reasons. • Ms. Sepulvida felt an adult access to the library off Torre would be convenient and would help the physically impaired. Chr. Claudy felt the idea of a single entrance was due to staffing concerns. Ne noted that the library would noe be at grade and established with the architect that handicapped parking was conveniently situated. Mr. Cowan brought up operational considerations, noting that City Hall operated heavily on some week nights. City Attorney Kilian advised that because the City Council had soveriegn authority, they could change the hours of operation of City Hall without changing the Use Permit . II The Commission was not aware of any complaints received. Mary Ellen McCammon, 10383 Farallone Drive, wondered if a building similar to the present library building had been considered. Mr. Duvivier advised it had, but had been considered inappropriate because the present building was not a functional use of space and was difficult to partition. Ms. McCammon said she also approved of moving the driveway further from residences and commented that a great deal of time and effort had gone into shielding the City Hall complex from the street, but not from the residents. She stated the soccer field was the only open space the neigh- borhood had. *ERC - Environmental Review Committee I I I PC-482 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 1985 Page a Com. Adams established with Mr Cowan that the Parks and III Recreation Commission planned to purchase land at several neighboring school sites, if closed, and that Memorial Park was planned to be expanded. ; Chr. Claudy emphasized the soccer field site had been purchased for civic use and wa°s only being used as a soccer field in the interim. ,r1 MOTION: Com. Adams, to close ith;e Public Hearing • on Application 24-Z-8.5. - SECOND: Com. Szabo "'' VOTE: Passed 3-0 MOTION: Corn. Adams, to recommend the granting of a Negative Declarationon Application 24-Z-85. SECOND: Com. Szabo VOTE: Passed �f ' 3-0 MOTION: Com. Adams, to recomm,erid approval of Application 24-Z-85, !sub, ect -to the • Findings of the StaffDeport and Sub- conclusions of the Hearing. SECOND: Com. Szabo ,j I VOTE: Passed 'i ; 3-0 (Corns. Mackenzie and iSOrensen absent) MOTION: Com. Szabo, to continue Application. 47-U-85 to the Regula'ir ,Meeting of December 9, 1985 ,',!, SECOND: Com. Adams , �' , VOTE: Passed 3-0 (Corns. Mackenzie and ;'Sorensen absent) • OLD BUSINESS 4. JOHN AND PATRICIA SEAMAN: ;] (27-TM-79/Revised) Review of site and architectural plans for Lot 15 of Oakdell Ranch subdivision. i II Mr. Cowan advised that City Council had referred the Application back to the Planning Commission because of privacy concerns; and noted that one second floor, unvented, obscure glass bathroom window!9,faced Phar Lap, and that a vent window overlooked a roof element oriented to the south. Staff felt that both situations: were satisfactory, he advised. R.D. Koenitzer, 10060 Phar Lap Drive, felt this was a better solution than before, but still favored a 45 ft. rear setback, feeling that this angled driveway pushed the house towards the rear of their lot . Peter Bagnall, 10069 Oakleaf 'Place,' adjacent property owner, wondered how the current house related to his, with special • 1regard to the windows on the ;east side. Chr. Claudy advised that City, Council had not deemed it inecessary to restrict in thatdirection, but noted it appeared that Mr. •Bagnall 's house would be facing trees 111 and two small windows. Mr. I1, Bagnall established the rear setback was now 38 1/2 ft . , approximately 13 ft . further away than before. I',, do ° '�V,A i " �'4 r1w`d !t P4` _ '. • .t # rYirt..xt .�S yktir `v1 `, 1 s r• '7fs it-t'r - SFr. t.tu3+�''l. �t+f ti r tr. x } ' r �� �4 i,t`�v c�1y������ �! �.�� Ett�itx �Z�yY•({r er yr a 4 r xs i rf')4 u• i i i{ �;t Iti r' " 1u irk',fir) J ttJl Yyj� .4 1..LAtA\.r b ),t PLANNING CONlMTSSION MINUTES NQ3XEMBER:,'2 ' Y ' `°�sz f� y [t'ri(I 2-' 5, ,x985 , 4 ,r PC=u8 .,. ® The Commission's consensus was -that` with.the:`tfixed,<Qbaere ,Page 9. window and the improsted rear setback, the` Applioation was now acceptable. thp2 i7 f i Mr. Cowan established .with the Commission- that; the npeaimeri.' tree location was. coneeptual,.'and could ''be .d@vis ed 'from to avoid drainage. lires 'in the arena MOTION: Com. Adams, to approve Application 27-TM-79%fy`.-`' ' Revised, subject to the Findings of- the -.Staff,: Report and Subeonclusions of the Hearing,-, and;`.''` :. Conditions l add 2 of the Staff Report-.: „-' SECOND: Com. Szabo VO`Ir': Passed 3.-0 NEW BUSIr1ESS REPORT OF THE PLANNING CoDu4ISSION REPORT OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR Mr. Cowan advised that Vallco Park had requested deletion of the hotel model requirement, because of concerns . : regarding blocking,- in of future development, ,and that,.they ,. would explain the matter to the Commission at the Meeting . ., of December 9, 1985. He advised the final Caltrans Transportation Hearing 'would be held on December 3, 1965 and suggested the Commission adjourn to that Meeting, and that if there, was not a quorum at that time, it could .be so' stated and ,they could appear individually. ° ADJOURNMENT: 10:15 p.m. to December 3, 1985 at 7:00 ATTEST: APPROVED: = y`' airpe on r KI A]