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PC 05-24-82 CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 Telephone: (408) 252-4505 PC-385 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON MAY 24, 1982 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Adams, Binneweg, Blaine, Koenitzer, Chair- person Claudy Staff Present: Director of Planning and Development Sisk City Clerk Cornelius Director of Public Works Viskovich Assistant Planning Director Cowan City Attorney Kilian APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes by Com. approve of Regular Adjourned Meeting of April 22, 1982 - It was moved Blaine, seconded by Com. Adams and passed unanimously to as submit ted. Minutes of the Regular Adjourned Meeting of May 12, 1982 - It was moved by Com. Blaine, seconded by Com. Koenitzer and passed with Com. Claudy abstaining to approve as submitted. POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS: It was moved by Com. Blaine, sec- onded by Com. Adams and passed unanimously to continue Item No.2, Application 2l-U-80 of Far West Savings and Loan Association to the regular meeting of June 14, 1982. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Application I-GPA-80 of City of Cupertino: General Plan Amend- ment to consider a comprehensive amendment of the City of Cuper- tino General Plan and a Specific Plan for the Stevens Creek Boule- vard Planning Area. The General Plan Amendment will concentrate on land use, traffic circulation, housing and economic issues which affect the entire community. The Stevens Creek Boulevard Specific Plan will concentrate on the development of a more de- tailed land use, circulation and urban design plan for properties which abut the reach of Stevens Creek Boulevard between Stelling Road on the west and Stern Avenue on the east. First Hearing continued. P~ 185 E ,2 MINUTES OF THE MAY 24, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MAJOR DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Staff presentation 1. Public Safety: Central Fire District and County Sheriff's Department 2. Circulation 3. Housing 4. Land Use/Community Character B. Discussion Assistant Planning Director Cowan briefly reviewed the application and planned format for discussion with the Commission. He introduced Capt. Don Tamm of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department and Chief Doug Sporleder of Central Fire Protection District. 1. Public Safety: Central Fire District and County Sheriff's Department Capt. Tamm informed the Commission that in determining public safety needs he had considered maximum buildout which would basically consist of a change of style from horizontal to vertical policing. Problems include visibility and communications. Plans should call for built- in communication systems in areas of high intensity development. Other issues to consider would be increase of establishment of private security, both during and after construction; built-in surveillance equipment for underground parking and concealed area; adequate planning for access and parking of emergency vehicles; adequate roadways for peak traffic (including holidays, conventions, etc.); business use of modern security devices. Capt. Tamm informed the Commission that maximum buildout could at times require double the number of Sheriff personnel on the streets in Cupertino. He stated that there are models in other areas available that could be used. Chief Sporleder stated that at present there are two fire stations and ten staff members in Cupertino. With buildout, no high rise (over 60 feet), and estimating 50,000 population, and the addition of a station in the Seven Springs area, Chief Sporleder stated that there would be an increase to a total of twelve firefighters on duty. Any problems would be very little different from those faced now. A fire could be fought inside or outside the building. With develop- ment of high rise buildings, a fire can be fought from inside the structure only. Approximately 15 additional firefighters would be necessary as well as one more pumping apparatus. Additional staffing would include three battalion chiefs and an additional fire prevention inspector. Chief Sporleder stated that access was critical. It was necessary to make sure that underground parking areas were accessible to emergency vehicles. Additional training of firefighters was also necessary. This is being undertaken and is expected to be completed when development is done. MINUTES OF THE MAY 24, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING PC-385 Page 3 Discussion followed regarding the use of plastics hotels. Chief Sporleder said that the hotels are sure they are in conformance with the Fire Code. nishings are difficult to control. and synthetics in inspected to make However, the fur- The Commission requested that the Chief submit any information he might have regarding this particular area. The Commission was informed that inspection of the structures are done during construction and subsequent to completion of the building they are done on an ongoing basis. The Chief would recommend that a partic- ular party be assigned to a large complex to do inspections on a routin basis. The Chief stated that buildout with no high rise would be mini- mal cost to the District, particularly if part of the conditions of development of the Seven Springs area were the dedication of land and building of a fire station. With high rise structures the estimated additional staffing costs is a total of $773,000. This is an ongoing expense and does not include a plan checker. The additional building and equipment costs would be $945,000 for a total of $1,718,000. This includes a Seven Springs station. Dr. Barbara Stofer, 20555 Prospect, stated that she was at the MGM Hotel the day before the fire. She presented the Commission with an article entitled, "Seven Steps to Preserving Rural America", and a list of research services. Alf Modine, 10385 Prune Tree Lane, asked if the fire district were informed when the City closed streets or put up traffic barriers becaus of traffic problems. He was informed that each station noted such things on a response card. The Chief also informed Mr. Modine that it was City policy to notify the fire district. If the district feels it does affect response time, they will submit comments. (City Clerk's Note: Capt. Tamm and Chief Sporleder left at 8:20 p.m.) 2. Circulation Director of Public Works Viskovich reviewed the traffic information with the Commission. He pointed out different levels of service and the cost of each scenario. He also reviewed various options for im- provements in the west Cupertino area. The options included Highway 85 extension, including partial extension, Bollinger extension, a four- lane Stelling, a diversion (adding a southbound lane on De Anza Bouleva d at Stevens Creek). He also presented the Commission with a summary showing various intersections, the current level of service and the level of service at the intersections projected for 1990 with decreased existing, intermediate, or increased development and the total cost. Discussion followed regarding traffic on De Anza Boulevard. It was stated that perhaps on De Anza southbound over 280 the addition of a number three lane and extension of the two left turn lanes would help the flow of traffic. Other measures suggested were removal of some of the traffic lights and eliminating some of the curb cuts allow- ing turning movements in and out of business parking lots. P~385 P 4 MINUTES OF THE MAY 24, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Director of Public Works Viskovich suggested that the lights and curb cuts allowing the people out on De Anza keep cars out of the neighborhoods. He suggested that the commuter not be given a better level of service than the residents. He was asked why the free right turn lane from Stevens Creek east to De Anza Boulevard south was removed. It was stated that the free turning movement was found to be a hazard. Mr. Madine asked what information was used as baseline data. He was informed that staff's and CH2M Hill's report was used. He was also informed that the County's computer model was not used but the consultant stated that there is very little difference for the Cupertino area. Mr. Madine asked what effect Highway 85 would have on improvements mentioned in the report. He was informed that CH2M Hill had found there would be an impact on the City in the a.m. peak. Upon being asked by the Commission, Director of Public Works Visko- vieh informed them that the State is not planning in the immediate future to finish the third lane from Homestead to 101 along Highway 85. Mr. Viskovich discussed the proposed five-cent Countywide tax on gasoline which would be allowed under SB 215. Dr. Stofer stated that the local people have created the problem and perhaps they should pay the five cents. Chairperson Claudy informed Dr. Stofer that planning had been done based on the State's stated plan to build Highway 85. In reply to Dr. Stofer's comment that Cupertino had planned to build on the Highway 85 right of way, Chairperson Claudy replied that it was an option if only a two-lane road were built in that corridor. Bill Lewis 7573 Bollinger, expressed the opinion that the two-thirds vote required for the additional five-cent tax would probably not be achieved. He felt that the City should rule out help from that source. He also stated that Highway 85 had priority 10 in the area at this time. He stated that of the six or seven problem intersections mentioned, some type of roadway built in the 85 corridor would probably help. He suggested that even two lanes could be built and the results tested. He expressed hope that the staff would refine the costs of the alternatives and their com- ponents. Director of Public Works Viskovich stated that he is in touch with Caltrans regarding the 85 corridor and requirements of an EIS. He stated that San Jose got funding and approval for Highway 85 regarding the regular procedure - completion of an EIS and alternative analysis. RECESS: 9:33-9:52 p.m. (City Clerk's Note: City Attorney Kilian left at 9:45 p.m.) MINUTES OF THE MAY 24, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING PC-385 Page 5 Frank Mulkern, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, asked if San Jose had been required to do an entire ErS on the Guadalupe Corridor including part of 85 and if they did not, why would we be required to do an en- tire EIS on the corridor even if we built in only a part of it. The Director of Public Works stated that he would find out that information. Jim Jackson, 10455 Torre Avenue, stated that he felt that San Jose probably tied that portion of 85 into Highway 87 as part of that EIS. 3. Land Use/Community Character Assistant Planning Director Cowan reviewed three diagrams with the Com- mission. He pointed out the General Plan Amendment study area showing vacant and underdeveloped acreage with the relationship between the FAR and footprint. A second diagram showed the General Plan Amendment study area with the existing FAR as of January 1, 1982. He reviewed da and evening population estimates during peak periods as well as a summary of land use activities resulting from the four alternative land uses and the effect upon community character. The third diagram showed the General Plan area in relationship to bar and dining facil- ities. Mr. Cowan also showed drawings of possible development patterns of Vallco Park and Town Center was well as a map demonstrating location of high rise development currently existing or approved in the local bay area. Commission was informed that such concerns as lack of servic population included in household figures and use of more realistic figures regarding incomes and down payments on houses would be pre- sented when the Housing Element of the General Plan was discussed. It was pointed out that restaurant facilities do bring income into the City as employees do eat lunch and dinner in the City as well as going to "happy hour". Mr. Modine asked if any public housing projects were included in the General Plan. He was informed that that would show up in the Housing Element and not the Land Use Element. Assistant Planning Director Cowan also stated that the present General Plan does include publicly subsidized housing. It was stated that the Goals Committee took an opposing view to this. It was moved by Com. Koenitzer, seconded by Com. Blaine and passed unanimously to adjourn at 10:32 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., May 26,1982 for further hearing on the General Plan Amendment. APPROVED: ATTEST: 4~ ¿4..b City Clerk