PC 12-13-77
CITY OF CUPE~INO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10)00 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, Cali~ornia 95014
Tele~hone: 2;2-4505
PC-270
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE JOINT CITY COù~CIL/pLAN"TI¡G COMMISSION ADJOUmlSD
MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ON DECEMBER 13, 1977
CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA
SALUTE TO THE F'uAG
The meeting was called to order at 7.32PM by Mayor Frolich.
ROLL CALl
Councilmen Present, Jackson, Meyers, Nellis, O'Keefe, Mayor Frolich
(Councilman Nellis left at 9.45PM due to illness).
Councilmen Absent. ::on"
Commissioners Present: Adams, Blaine (8.4OPM), Gatto, Chairman Koenitze
(left at 8:15P~I returned at 10,OOPM because of
an evening class).
Commissioners Absent: Markkula
Staff Present. City Manager Quinlan; Director of Planning and
Development, Sisk; Director of Public Works,
Viskovich; Director of P~ks and Recreation,
Butler; Assistant Planning Director, Cowan;
Assistant Planner, Toby Kramer; Assistant Planner
Piasecki; Graphic Tec~nician, Linda Prat; Deputy
City Clerk, Dorothy Cornelius
The Director of Planning and Development began the staff's portion of
this public hearing by introducing the Assistant Plannin~ Director, Cowan
who reviewed in depth the December 9, and November 17, 1977 staff memos
re~arding General Plan Consolidation Program, He said there is consist-
ency of all our General Plan Elements. We must have an ongoing review
system to make sure the plan is implemented. He then went through the
December 9, 1977 General Plan Consolidation Program staff memo, ~ge by
paze. He asked the members of the Council and the Plannin¡¡: Commission to
io~k at the plan and determine if it is consistent with the City's
objectives, He asked the City Council and Planning Commission to look
at the jobs/housing issue, and to discuss the key vacant properties -
Alternatives 1 and 2,
~ouncilman Jackson said he has no doubt tb¿t there is conflict between
the previous assumption and present County problems, He believes we must
explore this subject. Cupertino has always been a leader in the County.
He would be in favor of following the recommended course of action and
ask the City Attorney to check and see if we are in tune with present
thinking.
Councilman Nellis asked what area we look at when we try to balance jobs
and housing -- regionally or locally? The Assistant Planning Director
said ABAG has been directed to prel'Sre a "Fair Share Plan", Councilman
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MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1), 1977, JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNED MEETING
Nellis asked if it makes sense to put housing in Vallco Park, or does it
make sense to leave it industrial and lean on th~ housing in San Jose, Sunny-
vale, and Santa Clara.
Mayor Frolich said that if you increase the density in some areas within the
City you have to look at the chain reaction of this action.
Councilman Jackson is willing to look at the effect transit might have on
the City.
Councilman Meyers feels we must look at the problem regionally. He does not
believe we are going to achieve a total balance.
Councilman O'Keefe said that by creating high density at Vallco Park it could
have an adverse effect on the type of impact we can have on housing for
Cupertino, We have to look at what we have and what we can do. He is not in
favor of "performing surgery" on our General Plan at this point,
Councilman Nellis said this City Council and this Planning Commission has
always taken the position they are willing to look at any proposal, however,
much ground work has been done to reach the position we are in at this time.
She does not hear the City Council saying as a whole, that they will consider
one of the alternatives. She questioned whether the Council is willing to
convert Vallco Park, vacant land to any types of housing.
Councilman Jackson does not believe in "killing the patient". As soon as a
General Plan is completed w~ must take a fresh look at it. It should oe
fluid.
The City Manager cautioned that the staff was not recommending Alternates 1
and 2, but rather pointing out Alternatives. He said he has some auarrel with
the workers per household figure. The cost of homes has contributed to this.
Working wives as well as unrelated people sharing a home are on the increase.
Councilman Frolich said rather than using staff time on it now, perhaps we
should adopt a wait and see attitude.
Planning Commissioner Adams said Sunnyvale and Mountain View are prorably
talking about quite a few jobs per household. But Saratoga and Los Altos Hills
probably one job per household. We are right in the middle of this. Ten to
twenty years from now he would be pretty disappointed if he saw 20-units per
acre development here. We will probably see more bicycles and motorcycles, and
a bus or rail system in the next 20 years. .ith the cost of automobiles we will
see more car and van pooling. He questioned just how many people working in
Vallco Park would want to live there?
Commissioner Gatto took strong exception to the statement that a General Plan
is static. He believes that is it very dynamic. You constantly reevaluate a
General Plan. He believes we should address all of the elements of it. We
must now look at our problems regionally.
Mayor Frolich would like to know how many man hours it would take for the staff
to address the job housin~ imbalance. The Assistant Planning Director said the
fiscal impact should be looked at along with the job housing, but not toomuch
time should be spent on the subject.
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 1') I 1977 JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMYISSIŒ¡
ADJOù~NED MEETING
?C-270
Fa.,,?,e 1
Cou ndlman Jackson sUl>;gested the staff come back with different levels
of density on those irAividual properties.
Councilwoman Nellis agrees with Commissioner Gatto's assessment of a
General Plan being something fluid, although we can 't solve the County
problems entirely. She would like the Council arA Planning Commission to
be more specific so staff time being spent on this subject would be going
in the right direction. She said we should have adopted our General
Plan, it is taking entirely toolong. She is convinced that Cupertino is
out of balance, based on ABAG studies. She is also convinced we are not
meeting the low income housing demand. She is not convinced how we can
meet that need. She believes Alternate 3 needs to be discussed. as well
as Freeway 85 only to De Anza Boulevard and its impl~ations. She
questions whether this community has the ability to take on another
specialty shop complex. She believes we need to study that Alternates
and converting Core Area exce1)t for Vallco Park at 12-16 units per acre.
Moved by Councilman Nellis, seconded by Mayor Frolich to direct the staf
to study Item 3 outlined in the December 9, 1977 memo. Item 4 and Item
5, that the staff take on a study as to what it would mean to convert
those properties, still remaining undeveloped in the Core Area as resi-
dential not to exceed 16-units per acre.
Discussion followed. Councilman Jackson said we would be tying the hands
of the staff in doing this. They have said it would tak~ very little
time. He believe" very well defined residential planned community could e
induded in Vallco Park. And he "auld like to see ever¡ -œrcel 1n the
Core Arg~ ~tudied iy, v1.ew of' luxury apa.rtm~...ts ?t!: '''~'l .:I.~ 11+'~er +.'~'~~ ,...,ço
~n1.'t!:~~~. Pe wnuld 11~~ +'0 s~'ld'! ~"r.'+ tt'! ....h~ "'~""'!:I"'4..'¡'·r ,...&' the ~~-t~_!""'"
rro~erty and Valleo P~rk ~~ .Ç'~~ ~s re~idgntial towe~~, etc. He see~
~or~ environmental problems. if we go to this hig~ rtensity also.
Council~An Meyers feels a number of properties should be studied.
"auld like to know what effect this would be on the community. He
that we should consider a change for t~e 7-Springs Ranch property.
He
doubt~
At this point the motion and its second were withdrawn.
Moved by Councilman Meyer, seconded by Councilman Jackson to authorize
the staff to proceed with the e~luation of the property shown in
Alternate 2 for conv~rsion to housing or increased housing densities.
It was moved by Mayor Frolich, seconded by Councilman O'Keefe to table
the above motion until the following Monday night.
Motion died 2-3
Commissioner Gatto suggested the staff time be s~ent in reco~mending
mixed ""es. The General Plan allows residential, commercial and indus-
trial along Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard. Commissioner
Blaine said one problem is not necessarily economic mix but ",an:' differ-
ent t:rpes of housi~. The moritorium on apartments will be u~ next
s~ring. We need to know how "Iany apartments we should have in our City
and other types of housing.
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Pa!"e 4
MINUTES OF THE DECEV~ER 13. 1977, JOINT CITY COill¡CIL/P~~NING COMMISSION
ADJOURNED !'.EErI:lG
The Meyers-Jackson motion caZ'!.'ied,·- 2.
Moved by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Meyers to direct the
staff to proceed with Items ), 4, and 5 of the December 9.1977 staff memo.
Motion carried 5-0
Moved by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Nellis to ask the staff
without spending a tremendous amount of time to proceed with Item 2. (Housing
needs of low and moderate income levels).
Motion c~rried 4-1
Councilman O'Keefe dissented.
Mr. Walter Ward, Vallco Park, Gp.neral Manager, believes the model should
include a wider area as far as Fremont. He believes the State of California
is going to act on this issue. Public transit is being studied. Vallco Park's
commitment of $67.000 for 20 years must be considered. Due to assessed
evaluation it is not economically feasible for housing in Vallco Park. He
will speak further with the staff on this issue.
Merritt Sher,280 Battery,San Francisco 94111. wanted to give some commercial
realities to this public hearing; He does not believp. the Town Center should
be residential. Mariani's property and Freeway 280 function co~mercially.
The north side of Stevens Creek Boulevard is wroP~ for commercial. The property
next to Drexel Heritage Furniture Store should be commercial.
Mav~r Frolich called a recess at 9,45PM. Everyone wished Councilman Jackson
a Happy Birthday. The meeting reconvened at 10105PM.
Public Hearing - Application 24-Z-77, Town Center
The Assistant Planner recapped the history of the Town Center zonin~ TIl&n, and
briefly discussed different concepts explored as possibilities for a Town
Center. He said we have a scattering of the types of uses that a Town C~nter
should be.
Councilman Jackson asked if there is any other specific improvement that he
visualized the City going into. The Assistant Planner said long range plans
could include recreation building for se~orsand adopted children, children's
theater, etc. Conceptual planning sum would be a committment on the part of
the City Council which could be changed or updated at a later date. We have
an intent to shift public support into this area for ~ Community Center and
Parks and Recreation building at this time.
Councilman Jackson would like to know where there is an existing ideal Town
Center that we would like to pattern our Town Center after. The City Mana~er
suggested the following ingrediientsl a Community Center related to parks,
Post Office, a sub-center (County facilities), Public Safety facility, Senior
Citizen facility, The City Hall basement could be utilized for SOMe of these
things.
:-!ITh"!'ES 0::' T~ DECEMBER 13, 1077. JOI:;':' CITY CmmCIL/PW¡;¡nC CO¡',11ISSIO:;
ADJOt~NED MEETING
Mayor ~olich would like attention ~ven on wr.ether there should be a
Senior Citizen facility constructed at this time.
P1anni~ CO!lU!1issioner Koeni tzer said when the people can say "Let. I s go
down town to see what's going on" we will hav.. achieved ·.hat we are afte
He is not sure we have the funds to make this happen, howev..r.
Councilman Jackson said h.. has a difficult time seeing ~1blic funds used
to achieve this. Perhaps theater, restaurants, etc. would be a step in
the right direction.
Councilman Frolich does not see the need for a "downtown". He is not
sure we wa.'t a Communi tj Center in our downtown.
Councilman O'Keefe what the time frame would be for development of a
Town Center building. We must consider priorities.
Counci~ Meyers thinks that if and when we have a Community Center the
appropriate s-pot would be Memorial Park.
~
Mrs. Elsa Rolevarda., of the Live Long and Like It Club, Mid ev"r¡thi~,,!,
she was going to say has already been said. She would like to see some
action now. The Senior Citizens Club has raised $1,300 with which they
are going to try to furnish their kitchen. They have 153 members -
over half of whom are over 80 years old. Delay would not be .rood.
are 1,000 people going through that little blue house every '!onth.
don 't ~o out much. They don't want to meet in any basement. -¡'hey
Thanksgiving dinner to J4 people last year.
Ther
They
serv>1i
Councilman Jackson was cpposed to changi~ the location of the present
Senior Citizen Center, we have the funding necessary.
Councilman O'Keefe a~"ed with the Lady and her concern about immediate
action on a site for the Senior Citizens. They want to be near people.
They do not want to be off to themselves. Interaction in the Town
Center might be ~od long rang.. planning.
Moved by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman Meyers to reaffirm
the City's commitment to proceed with plans for a Senior Citizens facil-
ity in Memorial Park,
Motion carried 4-0
Council~An Nellis was absent.
Commissioner Adams 5aid with incre-.sed tax base we should explore the
possibility of acouisition of 2 acres of either side of the north side
of Rodrigues Avenue. Perhaps even considering using property south cf
the Lib~! for a tradeoff.
Commissioner 3Laine was very concerned about adding another shopping
center. She would like to ask the City consultant and staff to ccnsider
alternatives. She would like the Town :e~te~ to be someth1~~ very dif:-
erent and verI special, and something that says "Cupertino".-
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MINUTES OF THE DECEHBEk 13. 1977, JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNED MEETING
Commissioner Gatto said we have to look at what kind of development could
economically go in there. Another is the degree of integration of resident: ,¡
commercial.
Councilman Jackson said if the City has a need now or in the future we still
need to have these specific uses delineated.
Commissioner Blaine said if we can't have something unique for the commercial
part of the Town Center, then she would prefer to go exclusively to residential
there.
Mr. G, D. Gibson, Koll Co~~ny. an associate with the Cali family, said their
interest is commercial and professional office use. He is a member of the
executive committee of the Urban Land Use Institute. He said mixed uses have
for the most part not been sucessful. He recommended the City Council study
this issue very carefully. They would welcome community support and involve-
ment. He called attention to the fact that Cupertino is a suburban City. One
where it is a great place to live and raise a family.
In summation, the Assistant Planner said the staff and Planning Commission along
with the economic consultants will study the density level and types of uses
for the Town Center.
Moved by Councilman Jackson, seconded by Councilman O'Keefe to close the public
hearing for the City Council.
Motion carried 4-0
Councilman Nellis was absent.
Moved by Commissioner Blaine, seconded by Commissioner Gatto to continue the
Planning Commission hearing on the Town Center to January 23, 1978.
Motion carried 4-0
Commissioner Markkula was absent.
ADJOURNIoI.ENT
The Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission was adjourned
at 1l:40PM.
APPROVED:
~~,þ=
Chairman ~
ATTEST: