PC 05-27-80
,-
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
Telephone (408) 252-4505
PC-333
Page 1
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER/SALUTE TO THE FLAG
7:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Commissioner Adams
Commissioner Blaine
Commissioner Johnson
Chairman Koenitzer
Staff Present:
Assistant Planning Director Cowan
Director of Public Works Viscovich
Planning Director Sisk (arrived later)
POSTPONEMENTS/NEW AGENDA ITEMS
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
A letter was received from Teranomics Development Corporation about
the trip-count restrictions on their shopping center; and, two letters
were received from Staff with input for the General Plan.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Because Mr. Vi'skovich, Director of Public Works, was making a
presentation before the City Council and was not available
immediately for ITEM #1, it was agreed tha~-Pnfinished Business
would be concluded first on the Agenda. '
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
ITEM #3, Application 10-TM-77 of ROBERT NELLIS:
quest for modificatin of building site location
Lot 12 of the 23-lot Nellis subdivision.
L^NDS OF RANDALL - Re-
and grading concept of
Assistan~ Planning Director Cowan pointed out on the exhibited plans the
areas for cut and fill, the pads for house and tennis court, and the
contour map of the area indicating the house would not be visible from
the valley floor. He said the tennis court area would be sufficiently
planted that it would not be unduly visible from the Open Space Preserve
over which it was to be built. The changes in location for the house,
and for the driveway, although provided for by approval of the Planning
Director, as indicated in the original 1977 approval of the subdivision,
he said, were sufficiently different as to require a brief review by th
Commissioners.
Mr. Richard Randall, 3714 Lynx Court, San Jose, CA 95136, explained the
changes in great detail. He advised Com. Johnson that the approximate
size of fill would be in the neighborhood of 3,000 sq. yards. Noting
that the elevation of the house in the new plan was at 873, he said the
neighbor's home (elevation 900 ft.) would have an unobstructed view. He
stated that the new plan represented a superior utilization of land and
terrain.
PC-333
Page 2
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MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
COM. BLAINE said that· since they were not in a public
hearing, but only reviewing a previously approved plan,
she'd make a motion for consideration.
MOTION:
Com. Blaine, recommend
of changes as outlined
Com. Adams
PASSED
Approval 10-TM-77 with the Conditions
in the Staff Report.
SECOND:
VOTE:
4-0
Since Mr. Viskovich still was not available for his
presentation before the Planning Commission, Assistant
Planning Director Cowan explained the letter received from
Teranomics, which copy had been in the packets for the
commissioners.
TERANOMICS, in a letter to the Planning Commission, requested con-
sideration for leasing facilities to Bascom & Robbins, 3l-Flavors,
for an ice cream store. Mr. Cowan said the City had a traffic re-
straint -- a traffic standard that fixed high generating uses. The Staff
felt that the General Plan standard that applied had to be adhered to;
however, he stated that the request would initiate a means of deleting
the process and agreement from the General Plan. Assistant Planning
Director Cowan asked that the letter from Teranomics be filed for future
action at a time when conclusions as to traffic standards were reached.
The General Plan policy had to be decided on this and other similarly
considered property as to retention or modification, or possible deletion
of tripend restraints. Location at Portal Avenue and Stevens Creek Blvd.
ITEM #1, Application l-GPA-80 of CITY OF CUPERTINO:~'PUBLIC HEARING to
consider various amendments to the City of Cupertino General Plan in-
cluding, but not limited to (1) Land use changes for a number of in-
dividual properties located throughout the community; (2) An evaluation
of alternative land use types and development intensities for property
located along· Homestead Road, De Anza Boulevard, and Stevens Creek
Boulevard; (3) A refinement of the City's Circulation Plan including a
plan to provide long-term financing of major transportation improve-
ments. First Hearing continued. Tentative City Council hearing date -
June l6, ,1980.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan reported that the Transit District
planned increase in their bus fleet to 700 buses. And, in the dis-
tribution of trips from businesses in the area, he reported that a
number of business were in the van pooling and further involvement was
expected as the program was expanded.
Although the Staff had wished to start with the overall plan and in-
formation for the area of Cupertino, Assistant Planning Director Cowan
agreed to start the procedure with reminding the Commission that the
issue of neighborhood compatibility and assessment of optional land
uses, in terms of impact, had been covered; and, immediately, he said
he wished to discuss the definition of density and its generation of
traffic. Posting a Table on the board, he said tòat the common denom-
inator was the acre unit. Showing density levels of 1-5, 5-10, 10-20,
20-30, and 20-35, he pointed out the varied expectations of numbers of
trips calculated to originate from each level.
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-333
Page 3
CHR. KOENITZER asked Mr. Cowan if the Planning Commission had not recom-
mended a 10-20 units/acre density to the City Council on the Portal Plaz
development.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan outlined the last action as having
been the pulling out of parcel E for assessment. Many things had been
taking place in terms of the General Plan, he said. During the last wee
he said he and Mr. Piasecki had met with residents in Northpoint, and
had observed a meeting at which Mr. Chartier met with residents living
adjacent to the Portal Plaza parcel.
Continuing the review of the Agenda Item HI, Assistant Planning Director
outlined the effect of density on the elementary school population. A
letter was expected to outline the school district position on school
impaction, which had changed from the 10-15 year past predictions. The
density of an area could determine when school would be closed. The
community shopping center had its own demographics in traffic congestion.
An acre of drive-in restaurants, at peak hour, would generate an astro-
nomical number of trips at peak hour (drive-in installations had been
discouraged in Cupertino). Industrial installation generation of trips
was dependent upon whether the work done could be compared to ware-
housing activity, or production-intense activities. The shopping centers
such as Crossroads, as an example, drop off from 800 trips/hour/day to
100 trips at the peak hour as compared with all traffic associated with
various forms of residential development. Restaurants generated par-
ticularly high levels of traffic at peak hours; and, he remarked that
few of them had been built during the last few years.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan said he hoped he had helped in the un-
derstanding that when they talked about density they~ere also talking
about many underlying considerations. In talking abotlt the requirements
of the General Plan, he said, it was necessary to talk about activities
in the City and in the various neighborhoods. Although the chart being
used was incomplete, at the present time, he promised that it would be
completed as information was accumulated, and he said the results would
be available to those who wished to request them.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan admonished members of the community to
remember that even though their particular issue was not being discussed
it was important that they hear and evaluate all information for its
interrelativity to the City in general, and its relativity to their area
of interests.
COM. ADAMS asked if he understood correctly that the big difference be-
tween commercial and residential (15 dwelling units) is about 3 to 3~
times the traffic for the whole day -- 2,000 cars versus 600 cars per
day.
COM. BLAINE clarified that when they were talking about specialty stores
they were not talking about food stores -- a neighborhood center being
one dominated by a supermarket. (Specialty centers were mentioned.)
COM. JOHNSON In warehousing I find it hard to believe, he said, that a
warehouse would generate 42 trips. He asked if the numbers could be
substantiated.
PC-333
Page 4
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Assistant Planning Director Cowan said the numbers were obtained from
a traffic engineer. The numbers were used for an area on Homestead
Road since the property was zoned industrial. Further checking of
sources was possible in the file, and he volunteered to supply the
information if Com. Johnson felt it was required.
Public Works Director Viskovich arrived and Mr. Cowan asked that he
make his presentation on Staff Report, GENERAL PLAN TRANSPORTATION
ELEMENT, dated May 22, 1980, submitted to the Planning Commission by
Mr. Viskovich as part of the PC-333 packet, copies of which were
made available for the public.
Mr. Viskovich advised that he was using reports from MTC*, and ABAG*,
as outlined in his Staff Report. and outlined in Santa Clara County
document, "Transportation/Land Use Planning Outlook within the Present
General Plan Structure." (County Model)
Traffic zones were identified surrounding Cupertino, which was Traffic
Zone #10, on map Figure A. A Table of calculations of trips, originating
for various purposes, was exhibited and explained.
Mr. Viskovich stated that the input was far from complete and results
of information already available would be fit into future accumulation
of pertinent facts.
One conclusion available from present reliable statistics, he said,
indicated that the major percentage of traffic on Cupertino streets
originated from residential areas within the City. Surprising as this
was to them, and no doubt, surprising as it would be to those listening
to the report and reading the report, he said, information was still
being generated and analyzed, and if there was any change in the con-
clusion the information would be passed along.
Since the figures indicated most of the peak hour congestion was created
within Cupertino, he said it then became necessary ~. determine what
areas and types of development produced the traffic. .
The various sources of information were outlined, and efforts for
future sources of information were outlined.
The Cupertino Scene was utilized to ask residents to respond on the
Sound Off form, with their address, the address of their work place.
Three hundred (300) responses had been received. The information was
superimposed with the County traffic model. The percentages showed to
be consistent with the amount of traffic directed into different
zip zones from Area #10, or directed into Job Zones from Area #10.
The housing and jobs verified and we then checked the traffic models
of County boundaries of Area Zone #10.
COM. ADAMS asked if the county model relied on license 'surveys for their
traffic count. Mr. Viskovich said they used economic and land-use
factors to develop where the traffic would be going to from the housing.
COM. KOENITZER asked if there was knowledge of how much of the traffic
was on Route 280. Mr. Viskovich said that that was to be part of the
next step in the verification and development of information.
COM. ADAMS asked for clarification of the last paragraph. Mr. Viskovicþ
exhibited Figure D, and said that if one com-
* MTC -- Metropolitan Transportation Commission
ABAG -- Association of Bay Area Governments
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-333
Page 5
pareu Zone 84 and Zone 89, the model was the figure on top and the city
was on the bottom.. He said therè was quite a variation; however, by
combining Zone #9 and Zone #4, the total in Zone #10 was almost the sum
of the two. The Cupertino Scene sample was still coming in and would b
worked into the figures.
Mr. Viskovich said that having arrived at this point, it was necessary
to become more sophisticated in computing traffic flow into and out of
the area within the boundaries established.
COR, KOENITZER said that it seemed to him that with the summary of what
the traffic situation was in the city to-date, it might be possible that
the members of the Planning Commission might be willing to recommend a
10-20 units/acre zoning on Portal Avenue.
Public Works Director Viscovich said he did not see that the traffic
model or any traffic projections developed so far, the variations being
so small, would seem not to help in making that decision.
The members of the Planning Commission discussed the figures, and they
noted that the figures did not take into account generation of traffic
in Town Center. The figures mentioned were: 2.000 eastbound, 1,000
westbound. At De Anza the figures were: 1,700, southbound and 650
northbound (5:00 p.m. peak hour used on Stevens Creek). They concluded
they had problems with the people who wouldn't understand what was said
complaints about traffic is great, but the impact of Parcel E would not
be that great when it was viewed in terms of true traffic count and
traffic on a city-wide basis.
Ì"...
CRR. KOENITZER summed up that the real question was how much of whatever
traffic, whether commercial or residential, would be using Portal Avenue
and Price. Stevens Creek would be congested anyway, he said. He sug-
gested that the members of the audience who wished to speak to the repor
be allowed to do so before the Commissioners discussed the matter.
Mr. Larry Matheny, 20202 Rodriquez, Cupertino, asked that the time ele-
ment (how much time is taken for going from Point A to Point B, etc.).
He stated that numbers didn't mean a lot. He said that he'd moved out
of SunnyÎTa1e and he found the congestion in Cupertino "terrible."
He said it was "absolutely terrible." He recalled that Mr. Viscovich ha
stated that the situation was not as bad as had been thought. He said
he'd like to know what was anticipated before the traffic study was be-
gun.
Mr. Ron Bierman, 19781 Bixby Drive, Cupertino, said it had been a long
time since he'd worked with statistics, but he did know that statistics
can say whatever one wishes them to say. He asked for a definition of
peak hour. Mr. Viskovich said they had been taking the peak hour as
between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., with the highest count being between
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Mr. Bierman said he didn't understand that.
COM. BLAINE said part of the explanation
for shopping on the way home from work.
none -- women working in greater numbers
weekly.
could be found in women stoppin
She said it was a new phenome-
and shopping daily rather than
PC-333
Page 6
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Mrs. Bixby, Wheaton Drive, Cupertino said she could attest to the fact
that Wheaton Drive was the Gran Prix of Cupertino every day as drivers
cut down the street to miss traffic lights at major intersections.
Mrs. Rosemar Callahan, 19954 Wheaton Drive, Cupertino, wished to
clarify a point about the agenda. Referring to Point (3) of the Agenda,
she said that certainly that meant Areas F & G on Stevens Creek Boule-
vard. Members of the community had been sent notices to attend the
meeting. Now, she said, they found that Areas F & G were not to be
determined. She asked that the Areas be discussed.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan said that the Staff particularly
ished to discuss Area E because it was in limbo before the City
Council in terms of zoning. He said he understood the irritation of
those coming to the meeting not hearing what they thought was going to
be presented; however, he again reminded them that all information
generated was pertinent to the General Plan.
The Commissioners were reminded that there was a possibility of Areas
F & G going commercial. He said the Staff felt that the 1979 General
Plan should be reaffirmed for residential use.
ublic Works Director Viskovich,~gt if the property went commercial,
then they were going to attract' from a circle all around -- as from a
arket the traffic radiates. With residential development there was
ore of a ,directional flow of activity in a network.
CHR. KOENITZER felt that one of the things they were going to have to
decide and look at was the impact of developing commercial in the Town
Center and other parcels scheduled for commercial or industrial. He
said that if their road system would not support developments that were
talked about, they would certainly have to change dftections. In his
opinion, he felt he could not talk about Parcel E without an overall
approach to the City again. Parcels F & G were not going to have the impact
on the surrounding areas in terms of traffic because they exited on
Stevens Creek Boulevard.
rs. Pauline'R. Lee, 20104 Wheaton Drive, Cupertino related that her
property was directly behind F or G (she was not certain which), and
she had been visited by a builder with plans that she had thought were
going to pe presented at the meeting. She said that was why she had
come to the meeting.
r. Bill Clark, 20054 Wheaton Drive, Cupertino commented on Mrs.
Callahan having been attending meetings since October. He said it
seemed to him to be a foregone conclusion that the property at Portal
Avenue and Stevens Creek would go residential rather than commercial.
CHR. KOENITZER commented that from past votes of the Planning Commission
and City Council, it was still up for discussion.
r. Maurice O'Shea, 20367 Clay Avenue, Cupertino, said that they seemed
to be going in a circle -- one of the things in the reports and actions
being a "hidden script." He said that in order to engaRe traffic as an
issue, they had to decide whether decisions would be made by the piece
or by the whole -- to look at each property and make decision, or to
look at the entire town and goals. As for densities, he said he couldn't
imagine going above "8." He said the items mentioned for consideration
ad irritated him and others in the room. He said the people just seem
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-333
Page 7
to be left out of considerations by the Planning Commission and Planning
Department of the town, and by the priorities necessary to get an issue
resolved. He said that night after night the citizens attend the
meetings and leave disgusted -- the town was being turned off. Let's
get rid of the hidden scripts; let's deal with that, he said.
Mr. Bill Clark, 20054 Wheaton Drive, Cupertino, said he had been up here
before. He said he noticed that they had all the impact studies on
traffic, associating things like school and children. He said they had
not considered the increase in crime/density. The higher the density,
the higher the crime rate, he said.
Donna Aboot (phonetic) 10156 Caralee Drive, Cupertino, said she was
against high density. She said the other options for the available land
should be ¡ooked into. Cupertino needed more open space and parks. The
people are staying home more because of the energy crisis and needed the
parks. Available parks were overcrowded, and she asked that some of the
space be dedicated to parks.
Mr. John Callahan, 19954 Wheaton Drive, Cupertino, said that the traffic
report convinced him there was no way additional traffic could be added
onto Stevens Creek. He said he had been in touch with the Environmental
Impact Resóurces Board,Sacramento, and they had advised him that they
would not approve additional developing of the Stevens Creek area for
cluster housing. He reported that if there were any complaints or con-
cerns, the Sacramento Commission would require a full hearing and study
of the public concerns. He reminded the Commissioners that they had re-
ceived a 300-signature petition against higher density.
~lønnin~ Oirector Sisk eXDlained that decisions had been delayed until
the information on the traffic situation was available. Now that the
traffic report was in progress, along with accessin~Pther information
pertinent to the areas involved, he felt they were moving closer to a
decision on the General Plan Amendment; Areas F & G.
CHR. KOENITZER asked if the Staff thought it was possible to conclude
Areas F & G at the June 23rd Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan said that if that was the direction of
the Commisioners, then, the Staff would be prepared.
RECESS; 10:00 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.
ITEM #1, continued. CHR. KOENITZER called the meeting to order and
advised that the item for consideration was the Portal Avenue, Stevens
Creek. Staff guidelines were available for densities abutting each othe
within the City.
COM. BLAINE asked if it was possible for the Commissioners to answer the
question Mr. O'Shea had raised: Whether the properties would be con-
sidered separate, as entities, or would they wait for the larger overall
goals of the city -- setting up a Goals Committee.
COM. ADAMS asked if the City Council had not given direction that the
Planning Commission review the site, Area E.
COM. JOHNSON said that it appeared that, with or without sufficient in-
formation, they were going to consider the Areas ßS separate entities.
PC-333
Page 8
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Assistant Planning Director Cowan advised that the Staff had tended
to put down some of the guidelines that would enable the Commissioners
to decide whether or not they ~ere comfortable with such uses on
Stevens Creek. (Staff Report, May 23, 1980 - May 27, 1geO PC-333,
page 3 (Objectives -- Residential Design Use Standards». The ob-
jectives and design use standards that were questioned by the Commissoners
ere explained by Mr. Cowan. Point #4 showed the 20 degree plane at a
igher density, working from the setback or property line, graduating
the height of the structures toward the center and reducing them a~ain
to one-story at the 20 degree line, the ratio to be determined.
The Commissioners questioned whether it was 20 degrees or 20%; and,
it was said to be 20%, by Mr. Cowan, who promised to check out the
reference and report back to the Commissioners. Design objectives
ere more and more in vogue, rather than restrictive zoning shall's
and shall not's.
CHR. KOENITZER asked the public if they wished to comment on the Land
se for the parcel at Portal and Stevens Creek.
ITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE FOLLOWING SPEAKERS OBJECTED TO HIGH DENSITY IN
THE AREA UNDER QUESTION. On other issues, they made the following
comments.
r. Bill Irvine, 10560 Castine Avenue, Cupertino, asked when the issue
ou1d go to City Council, assuming a decision would be made soon.
ssistant Planning Director Cowan said that the Commissioners might
ish to delay consideration of plans until after th~General Plan
discussions had been completed.
COM. ADAMS stated that the only reason they were looking at the General
Plan was to update areas of density that had been looked at in the past.
With the General Plan showing a density level at the present time, it
would be obligatory (somewhat) for them to vote on the application; and,
CHR. KOENITZER felt that he could not go to the meeting of the 23rd of
June if they had arrived at a decision on specific property prior to
the meeting. Three of the Commissioners concluded that it was up to the
applicant to make the decision to present plans. Assistant Planning
Director Cowan said that Mr. Irvine's Item was on the Agenda, and he
said that if the Commissioners wished, the Item could be moved to the
head of the Agenda.
Mr. Jim Jo , 19811 Price Avenue, Cupertino, asked if the outline of
Residential Density and Architectural and Site Design Standards was
open to discussion. Since it was, he called attention to Item #4
and suggested it be reworded to say that "Perimeter vehicle parking
and circulation areas, (when incorporated into the design -- added
clause), etc. Item #5: he asked that before it was decided upon that a
report of incidence of crime in underground parking be reported upon.
He continued that he had understood that there would not be further
discussion on Areas F & G. Yet, he said, in coming back from the break
he found that they were discussitllstandards that would be pertinent to
the F & G property
MINUTES MAY 27, ]980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-333
Page 9
A search of the record showed that Mr. Cowan, Assistant P1annint Directo ,
had mentioned the fact prior to recess. COM. BLAINE said they were sorr
for the misunderstanding.
Mr. Joy insisted that the three-page Staff Report should have been calle
to the attention of the public. The guidelines contained in the Staff
Report did concern-- the Portal Avenue property. COM. BLAINE said she
felt the public had been told a decision would not be forthcoming from
the meeting. Mr. Joy asked that the format of the meetings be changed t
provide instruction from the Staff directly to the public in the use of
the materials and reports generated by the Staff.
Mr. John Carlson, 10203 Portal Avenue, Cupertino, was interested in
Parcel E, and then on all of the properties on Stevens Creek Boulevard.
He said he wished to remind the Commissioners and the Staff of the
scarcity of residential projects on Stevens Creek - two or three houses
remaining from earlier days. He reminded the Commissioners that in
December of 1978, they had recommended commercial for the property. The
City Council had returned the matter to the Planning Commission with the
direction that high density residential be considered instead. At this
point he said he failed to see why the property had to be considered ex-
clusively for residential.
Mr. Jason Chartier, 21060 Homestead Road, Cupertino, partner in the
development, said it was true that the property could take one of many
forms. He said he'd gotten to the residential because of the need for
such property within Cupertino. Having met with the homeowners (along
with Mr. Cowan and Mr. Piasecki) during the previous week, considering
the controls, he said they were talking about a property that would be
a credit and would be more than adequately maintainèi. The value of the
property and the surrounding property would not be reduced because of th
higher density and design plan, both of which could enhance the area.
On the BMR program,information had generated the feeling that the par-
ticipants were second-class citizens; an opinion and feeling that was fa
from true. -
COM. ADAMS asked if Mr. Chartier would be handicapped if the 20 degree
or 20% requirement was all the way around the perimeter of the proiect
with street units to one-storJ units.
är. Chartier responded that that would be a matter of design and parking
He said that the setback was about 70 ft. before the building started
and then one had greenery, and he predicted no visual impact on Stevens
Creek Boulevard. He concluded that a good residential of medium density
could be designed against single family residential.
COM. BLAINE asked the outcome of the meeting with residents. Mr.
Chartier was pleased. The concerns of privacy, traffic, were discussed,
and the conceptual plan was presented and discussed with the residents.
He felt the meeting was time well spent.
COM. JOHNSON asked Assistant Planning Director Cowan for his impression
of the meeting. Mr. Cowan said that he and Mr. Piasecki had attended as
observers.
PC-333
Page 10
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
It was agreed that misunderstanding as to what was intended was a
major ?roblem. It was felt that explanation of exhibits and plans
was productive in allaying the fears of citizens on new projects.
Mr. Larrv Mathpny, 20202 Rodriquez Avenue, Cupertino, asked if the
issue was rezoning or density. It seemed to him, he said, that they
had already decided what would be built on the property.
COM. BLAINE explained that they were considering all of the options
for the area; but, the immediate issue was to rezone from 20-35 to
10-20. Assistant ~lanning Director Cowan said the General Plan called
for Residential at 20-35 units/acre but that the zoning was still
commercial. Therefore, the General Plan designation prevailed and the
Planning Commission was required to bring the zoning and the General
Plan into agreement.
Mr. Stan Scarborou h, 10571 Whitney Way, Cupertino, using information
he had obtained through Assistant Planning Director Cowan of the
Planning Department of Cupertino, sàid he did not feel that rezoning
was fair to the residents of the area. He reviewed the projects that
had been approved during the year, which had created a large need for
housing units, and in places where housing had not been needed prior to
the installation of the business. Slides were shown locating schools
surrounded by 1-5 density; 5-10 west of Wilson school was pointed
out; the· area on Price with six new townhouses, and the Biltmore
with about 15.8 density was located. He said he did not think it was
right to come into five acres, or two acres, and putting in high
density. He said if industry was really responsible they'd be
building down south where they could also construct housing. Areas
suitable for high density were pointed out. For P1~ned Development,
he said that plotting it out, he had discovered that the base density
was 8 units/acre/6 acres. Then one could go to 10 on 13 acres (over
on Mary); and, it seemed to him, he said, that Cupertino Village was
the most satisfactory project he had ·looked at. What had impressed
him was the low density applied to six acres and under. High density,
although it was attractive from the outside of the property, actually
appeared to be a parking lot as one walked through the area. On Area
E, Mr. Scarborough felt 8 units/acre should be the limit.
Mr. Ron Bierman, 19781 Bixby Drive, Cupertino, said he was impressed
with Mr. Scarborough's charts and work. He suggested the possibility
of building multi-story high rises next to industry. Mr. Bierman said
he was concerned because of the quality of some of the developments.
He said he still liked automobiles and he'd not purchase a home without
provision for locking up his car (s). Mr. Bierman said he did not see
the higher density lowering the value of the single-family homes. A
statistic that was strange was the one that indicated schools would be
kept open if high density was allowed. He said he hoped there were still
open minds for commercial.
Mr. O'Shea said that what was peak AM and peak PM traffic flow. He
stated that peonle on Clay experiencpd a daily dodge. through a
residential that had impacted thE whole area. He said that perpetuated
in Cupertino would be the same situation that the surrounding com-
munities of New York had not done. In the communities around New York
that held development down to 8 units/acre, delightful communities had
evolved.
MINUTES}\AY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-333
Pa¡>;e 11
Mr. John Johnson, 19831 Price Avenue. Cupertino, said that personally he
would prefer business expansion. He said he recognized the concerns of
those who wished for 8 units/acre restrictions. He sug¡>;ested that ex-
amples of developments at various densities be exhibited. He felt that
20 units/acre would be completely out.
Mr. Jason Chartier su¡>;¡>;ested residents visit surroundinR towns.
Mr. John Foster, 20212 Rodriques Avenue, Cupertino said that he had move
to Cupertino because he thought it was a nice community to live in, and
he said he was willing to do his part to see that it was kept that way.
He felt that 8 units/acre was high density. Mr. Foster said he had
signed the "log" several times and had as yet not received any infor-
mation from the city.
Mr. Marty Hall, pointed out the suitability of housing to particular
areas. Area E, he said, accommodated the plans of 14.9 or 15 units/acre.
He said that in their many efforts to design for high density they had
been educated in the various areas that must be considered within a com-
munity. Higher density could be translated to less square foota¡>;e. A
lower density translated into units with more square footage. Lower
density and higher square foota¡>;e per unit translated into families and
more cars.
COM. ADAMS, speaking for the Commission, said they had heard a few
pros and cons and the gook points and bad points of commercial, resi-
dential, or even office space. He congratulated Staff on doing a good
job in putting together a set of guidelines that he hoped would help in
the making of a decision. He asked that future guidelines reinforce the
buffer zone requirement between single family and higher density develop-
ment. The 20 deg. angle, parking carports buffering noise, limitation
of height next to one-story residential, had been looked at in turn as
controls and protection for the insurance of privacy.
?:'~~
COM. BLAINE stated that as for privacy, in residential (1-4 density) it
was possible to put two-story houses up against one-story residential,
and under those circumstances the view looked right down into back yards
Nevertheless, she recommended considering 10-15 density with a slight
variation factor. The difference between 10 and 20 bein¡>; double, she
felt it should be possible to pin it down a little better.
COM. JOHNSON complimented the Staff on the design standards they had
provided. Since he'd not felt comfortable with this particular parcel,
he said he'd have problems going for 10-20.
CHR. KOENITZER pointed out that commercial, business, or office space
would pull people in from other areas (as Mr. Scarborough had pointed
out in his presentation), and he said that with the City objectives,
as stated in the General Plan, (attempting to increase the housing ), it
was necessary to start some place (considering all undeveloped parcels
in the city). The recommendation of Com. Blaine of 10-15 units/acre was
his preference he said.
PC-333
"al\e 12
MINUTES MAY 27, 1980 REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MOTION:
SECOND:
VOTE:
AYE:
NO:
ABSENT:
Com. Blaine, Recommend to the City Council a designation
of 10-lS units/acre density on Area E, General Plan, located
at corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Portal Avenue,
Com. Adams I-GPA-80. ****
PASSED 3-1
Commissioners Adams, Blaine, Koenitzer
Commissioner Johnson
Com. Claudy
ITEM #2, CITY OF CUPERTINO: PUBLIC HEARING to consider a Comprehensive
Noise Ordinance relative to the control of noise oril\inating within the
City. First Hearinl\ continued. Tentative City Council hearing date -
June 16, 1980.
Planning Director Sisk introduced Mr. Stan Shelly, Consultant on the
noise ordinance for Cupertino.
Mr. Stan Shelly said that based on the previous meeting and the chanl\es
recommended by the commissioners and the public, he was presentinl\ a
completed Noise Control Ordinance to the Commission for consideration.
The members of the commission agreed that having gone over the last
draft by the pal\e and exhaustively, they had no commènts or sUl\gestions
to offer for the present.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: Com. Blaine.
PASSED
MOTION:
SECOND:
VOTE:
ABSENT:
****
SECOND:
VOTE:
Second: Com Adams
4-0
Com. Blaine, recommenù Approval ûf the Noise Control Ordinance
to City Council.
Com. Adams
PASSED 4-0
Com. Claudy
MOTION:
Com. Adams, Continue Area (Site) E, l-GPA-80, to the
Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 9, 1980,
depending on ErR action. Continue l-GPA-80 to the
Regular Planninl\ Commission Meeting of June 23, 1980.
Com. Blaine
PASSED 4-0
EW BUSINESS
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
CHR. KOENrTZER reported he had attended the meeting held by Supervisor
Gerrv Steinbere.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
ssistant Planning Director Cowan announced to the Planning Commission
embers that the City had voted to forceably annex the Inspiration
Heights area.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
42-
City Cl~
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