PC 04-26-82
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014-3255
Telephone: (408) 252-4505
PC-382
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD ON APRIL 26, 1982 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA
Chairperson Claudy called the meeting to order in Council Chamber,
City Hall, 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 MINUES - None
POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS - None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Application 25-Z-80 of Interland Development Company (Seven
Springs Ranch): Pre zoning approximately 148 acres from Santa
Clara County Exclusive Agricultural ("A") zoning district to City
of Cupertino P (Planned Development with residential intent) zone
or whatever zone may be deemed appropriate by the Planning Com-
mission and Environmental Review: A Draft Environmental Impact
Report has been prepared. The proposed Planned Development pre-
zoning would permit approximately 419 dwelling units consisting
of a mix of detached and attached single-family dwellings. The
property is geI!erally bounded by Rainbow Drive to the north,
Stelling Road to the east, Prospect Road to the south, and by the
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve and Upland Way to the west.
Public hearing closed.
Chairperson Claudy reviewed pl"evious decisions regarding this applica-
tion. The first item considered was the inclusion of a fire station
in the area, Condition No. 21.
Commission inquired as to cost and possible methods of funding of a
fire station.
r"C-382'
Page 2
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Upon being asked, Chief Sporleder of the Central Fire Protection
District stated that average response time of fire trucks in Cupertino
was 3.1 minutes. In the area of the proposed Seven Springs Ranch
development, average response time is 5+ minutes. He stated that
the District's goal was a station within a 1~ miles radius of a potential
fire. Any fires in the area of the proposed development would be
responded to by trucks from the Cox Avenue Saratoga station, the
one on Stevens Creek Boulevard or the one in the Monta Vista area
of Cupertino. He stated that the first choice of site would be the
small triangular spot which is slightly over an acre. Should the
site selected be square, less square footage would be needed.
Commissioners reviewed the proposed conditions numbered 15-24.
In regard to Condition No. 21 pertaining to the fire station, it
was requested that the Director of Planning and Development address
the source of funding to Council for determination. Do they want
it tied into the use permit?
Commission expressed concern that if one street within the project
linked the entire project tOfether, it would possibly encourage
through traffic, although otherwise traffic would be forced into
the neighborhoods to get from one part of the project to another.
The Director of Public Works suggested that as these were private
streets~ residents could use speed bumps and chokers internally
to help discourage through traffic. Also, diverters could be put
up at Prospect and the entrance to the development. The Commission
expressed opposition to gates at the entrances of said development.
In regard to integration of the proposed development with the existing
neighborhood, the Commission felt all homes adjacent to Upland Way
and Rainbow Drive should be oriented toward those streets. However,
this would not preclude the use of cul-de-sacs off Rainbow Drive.
Ms. Norris representing the property owner, Dorothy Lyddon, expressed
concern regarding the assets of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District and felt that insurance would relieve that concern (Condition
No. 22). The Commission amended Condition No. 22 to provide protec-
tion to the property owners in regard to any liability because of
easements and fencing.
Proposed Condition No. 16 pertaining to the number of dwelling units
was amended to delete the exact numbers of each type of unit and
add trips generated to allow the developer flexibility within certain
guidelines.
In regard to Condition No. 17 as proposed, the Commission expressed
reservations regarding tieing phasing of the development to Highway
85. Commission expressed a preference to objective criteria under
control of the City to be spelled out at the use permit stage.
Things to be considered could be effectiveness of the interconnect,
widening of De Anza Boulevard, Bollinger being put through, General
Plan mitigation measures, etc.
The Commission requested that City staff initiate a request to the
PUC for a railroad grade crossing at Stelling Road. Discussion
followed regarding a time limit to obtain such permission. It was
determined that this requirement could be waived at the use permit
stage if the City were unable to obtain the permit.
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
It was moved by Com. Blaine, seconded by Com. Koenitzer and passed
unanimously to recommend approval of Application 25-2-80 with the
following conditions:
Standard conditions 1-14.
15. The approval is based upon Exhibits A, A 1st Revision and
Alternates 1-3 as may be modified by additional conditions contained
herein.
16. The approval permits construction of a maximum of 419 dwellings
consisting of 6 to 9 (including existing dwellings) dwellings
located on the 40± acre site designated IIretained propertyl1 and
413-410 dwellings located on the balance of the property to
include 3860 maximum trip generating factors for single-family
detached, semi-detached, townhouse and elderly townhouse structures.
17. The applicant/property owner agrees to participate in his propor-
tionate share of major off-site street improvements of a local
or communitywide nature. Said agreement shall include, but
not be limited to, agreement to participate in a local improve-
ment district, or directly contribute to street improvement.
If an assessment district is formed, the applicant/property
owner's share would be determined by a cost benefit ratio as
established by assessment district law. Boundaries for any district
would be determined at a later date per assessment district law.
The agreements to install the above improvements shall be submitted
and recorded prior to or in conjunction with the issuance of
building permits. At the use permit stage, building permits
shall be phased in conjunction with mitigation of traffic con-
sistent with an adopted General Plan.
18. The on-site circulation plan shall contain the following elements
(a) The driveway serving hillside homes and the collector road
serving the main project area from Upland Way shall be
consolidated.
(b) The applicant shall construct a direct vehicular access to
Stelling Rd. The applicant shall construct said road as des
cribed on Exhibit A Alternative 3 which may require con-
demnation of a separate parcel unless waived at the use
permit stage. The City and developer shall cooperate in
acquíring 'pproval of a railroad grade crossing from the
State Public Utilities Commission.
~
(c) The use permit plan shall incorporate a detailed traffic
control plan for the reach of Rainbow Drive between the
intersection of Bubb Road to the Southern Pacific railroad
crossing. The traffic control plan shall include an element
to reduce vehicular speeds and volumes of traffic and dis-
courage penetration into adjacent neighborhoods. The
traffic control plan may eliminate left turn movements from
the Seven Springs Ranch project site onto Rainbow Drive.
The homes adjacent to Upland Way and Rainbow Drive shall be
oriented to those streets.
PC-382
Page 3
25-Z-80 recom-
mended for
approval with
conditions as
follow
pr '82
Pc" 4
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
(d) The use permit site plan shall describe a circulation plan
to eliminate or reduce the potential for vehicles traversing
the site from Prospect Road to the Stelling Road or Upland
Way project entrances. The plan shall orient traffic to
Stelling Road and Prospect Road access points to the great-
est extent possible.
19. The number of hillside dwellings located west of the 200 ft. wide
riparian easement shall be determined by application of the
"Foothill Modified, Half-Acre" slope density formula. The gen-
eral and specific development standards contained in the Residen-
tial Hillside Development Ordinance shall be used as a general
guide to review a subsequently submitted use permit site plan
for the subject area of the project site. A riparian zone
delineated on Exhibits A and A 1st Revision shall be 100 ft. from
either side of the creek as measured from the center line of said
creek. Grading for development in the riparian zone is pro-
hibited except for narrow paths for passive recreational activi-
ties such as walking and jogging.
20. The development shall incorporate passive and active water and
space heating design principles and equipment to provide approxi-
mately 75% of the heating requirements. A precise energy
plan shall be submitted and approved by the City in conjunction
with the use permit plan.
21. The applicant shall provide an irrevocable offer of dedication,
dedicate) or otherwise acquire a fire station site for the City
in one of three alternative locations listed below:
1st Priority - A site located adjance to the required access
road and Stelling Road referenced in Condition l8(b).
2nd Priority - A site located in the northwest quadrant of the
intersection of Prospect Road and Stelling Road.
3rd Priority - A site located on the south side of Rainbow Drive
immediately west of the Southern Pacific railroad
right of way.
The City will select the site and means of acquisition in con-
junction with the use permit and tentative subdivision phase of
the Planned Development application process.
The applicant shall participate in the funding for the construc-
tion of the fire station building based upon a subsequently de-
veloped and approved financing mechanism. The fire station building
shall be owned by the City of Cupertino.
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 1982 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-38Z
Page 5
22. The applicant/owner shall convey a public equestrian and hiking
trail easement (or a fee interest) linking Upland Way with'the
Fremont Older Open Space District as shown on Exhibit A, 1st
Revision. Said trail shall be designed to provide neighborhood
access. Accordingly, the trail shall not include a parking
facility. The Midpeninsùla Regional Open Space District shall
provide fencing adjacent to the easement and shall indemnify
and defend owners of subject properties from any liability
as a result of operation and maintenance of fencing and public
equestrian and hiking trail easement.
23. The public park depicted on the approved site pl~n exhibit is
not approved. The 3 acre space may be infilled by dwelling
units shifted from other areas in the site plan. The final design
will be approved in conjunction with a subsequently filed use
permit application.
24. The development rights to the common area shall be dedicated
to the City of Cupertino in advance of the recordation of a final
subdivision map, to assure that the open space shall be available
for the entire development.
Findings and subconclusions as per staff report dated April 15, 1982*
and as mod Hied at the hearing of April 26, 1982.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
0- /JlI k ~ %J})'V~"G1>airn. s';;//
w1¿'~ V ~
*Exhibit "A" attached.
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Traffic Improvement Recommendation for the Seven Springs Ranch
The Nolte traffic assessment and staff analysis for the Seven Springs Ranch
concludes that there is "adequate roadway capacity" today and there will be
adequate roadway capacity in 1990 to serve the Seven Springs Ranch Development.
The analysis assumes that specific improvements will be made in the local road
system; that land use and behavioral assumptions in the City's base traffic
model will remain valid, and that "D" level service is an acceptable peak
hour service indicator. Emphasis was added to the term "adequate capacity"
because most of the testimony given by residents stresses the need to evaluate
traffic not only based upon level of service indicators but on more subjective
definitions of acceptable level of traffic.
Although the City does not currently evaluate the acceptable level of traffic
for residential streets based upon "livability", staff certainly agrees with
the principle that the City's circulation system should be designed base~ upon
a hierarchy of streets which draws traffic from residential neighborhoods to
successively wider collector and arterial streets and, thence, to the Countywide
expressway and freeway system.
It is recommended that the Planning Commission submit the following traffic-
related findings and recommendations to the City Council.
Findings
1. The City staff's traffic studies and Environmental Impact Report
demonstrates that the Seven Springs Ranch development will not
result in existing or 1990 traffic congestion exceeding the level
service "n" at intersections within the local street network, with
the exception of the intersection of McClellan Road and Stelling
Road.
2. A "D" level can be achieved for the Stelling Road/McClellan Road
intersection in the short term and in 1990 with minor widening to
provide additional turning movements.
3. The Planning Commission and City Council will make roadway improve-
ment decisions to ensure at least a minimum level service "n" and
to the greatest extent possible a higher level of service in con-
junction with the pending General Plan hearings.
4. That the Seven Springs Ranch development applicant,as well as other
developers within the community, should be obligated to participate
in the improvement of off-site traffic improvements based upon
findings and mechanisms developed in conjunction with the General
Plan.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Application 25-Z-80 be approved subject to the conditions
of approval contained in the model resolution. Said resolution incorporates
required site design and traffic modifications.
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