PC 09-10-80
CITY OF CUPERTINO. STATE 011 CAllJ10RNU
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, Ca. 95014
Telephone (408) 252-4505
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MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING,PLANNING COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER/SALUTE TO THE FLAG
7:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioner Adams
Commissioner Blaine
Commissioner Johnson
Chairman Koenitzer
Absent: Commissioner Claudy
APPROVAL OF MINUfES
POSTPONEMENTS/NEW AGENDA ITEMS
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Assistant Planning Director Cowan announced the distribution of a
Flyer put out by the California Building Industry regarding a meeting on
inclusionary zoning to be held on September 18, 1980 to which the
Commissioners were invited.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC HEARING
ITEM #1,Application I-GPA-80 of CITY OF CUPERTINO: PUBLIC HEARING TO
consider various amendments to the City of Cupertino General Plan,
including. but not limited to (1) Land use changes for a number of
individual properties located throughout the community; (2) An evaluation
to alternative land use types and development intensities for property
locatèd 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 improvements.
First Hearing continued. Tentative City Council hearing date - October
6, 1980.
CHR. KOENITZER explained that items (1) and (2) had been presented at
previous meetings of the Planning Commission, and the issue for the
present meeting would be issue(3) presented by Public Works Director,
Bert Viskovich.
Planning Director Sisk briefly began the discussion on the hearing,
by saying that the Commission had bean involved in the General Plan
for many months and that the Public Works Department had been involved
in traffic work related to the circulation portion of the plan.
Tonight's discussion would be on further refinement of the traffic
work Public Works Director Viskovich had undertaken as part of the study.
The primary issue would be on traffic circulation and improvements
throughout the community, and it was hoped that the Commission would
take some formal consensus vote to be presented to the Environmental Rev"ew
Committee on the overall question of intensity.
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MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 192.0 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSION
Public Works Director Viskovich referred to Phase I and Phase II reports
submitted, giving technical evaluation of traffic within Cupertino and the
County and summarized them rough~y for the audience, Phase III being the
main subject for the evening. Recapping, Cupertino had utilized the State1s
model and the MTC/ABAG'torfidor evaluation study Cupertino lay in Zone 10
of the Santa Clara County portion. Figure B3 bar graph indicated how different
area zone maps compared as far as traffic activity, so that Cupertino could be
compared. Zone 10 had been separated into A and B, so that 280 could be
eliminated and the focus put on Cupertino streets. The next bar graph
showed 1990 projected conditions, where growth would occur and where problems
would arise. The MTC/ABAG*corridor evaluation study showed the greatest
amount of growth in terms of industry would be between M(1 f fet t _ Park and
Highway 680 and the south county in terms of housing. The model was verified
by asking employees of Cupertino industries where they lived, by zip code,
matching this information with the model. Residents were asked,thrDugh the
Cupertino Scene, to indicate where they worked to verify outgoing trips.
Physical counts were also taken on the City boundaries.Zone lOB was utilized
to see how much traffic came in and out of our zone, and a license plate
survey had been taken iµ some areas. When asked the time the counts were
taken, Mr. Viskovich established that it was during the evening, and were
a joint effort of Caltrans, MTC*and the City. It was a small sample compared
with the total, around 5%. and a large number of license plates had to be
eliminated as they were out of county. Roughly, percentages were local 56%,
north 22%, south 20%; the local zips representing shoppers, workers, etc.,
zips to the north de Anza college students, shoppers and workers, and to the
south through-traffic, people from Four Phase or Hewlett-Packard commuting
to Saratoga, etc. These figures were modified roughly to 50%, 23% and 27%,
respectivelY,with a combination of these different components. It was now
felt that the Department had a feel for the traffic component within the
City. The a.m. peak was then converted to the p.m. peak by including other
traffic, such as commercial. 1990 was then projected, based on new growth
in the City~ assuming full build-out of Valico, the Town Center, Seven Springs
and all infilling. It was determined that the p.m. peak in the southbound
direction would increase by 30-33%, which would overburden the intersections
but not the streets. He pointed out that Exhibit 13 made a comparison of trip-
type increases. Through traffic would increase only 14% with the growth of
housing to the south and jobs to the northwest of Cupertino, an issue he
thought should be remembered when discussing Highway 85. College traffic,
it was felt, would stay about the same, having reached saturation. The last
exhibit, number 14, cOmPared trip-types for 1975-80 and for 1990, and showed
that the overall increase for the pm. peak would be around 21.5%, the 33%
previously mentioned being directional flow. Questions were invited on Phases
I and II before continuing.
CHR. KOENITZER inquired whether a statistician had checked on the quality
of the information.
Public Works Director Viskovich said this had not been done. He thought
that it might be discussed whether the Commission would recommend that in
Phase III a more thorough survey of the amount of traffic on Stelling be made
in order to make a decision on Highway 85. Helicopters had taken slides
that confirmed the model and the numbers, and our citizens had confirmed
their commutes.
COM. JOHNSON wanted to know when was the last time a comprehensive traffic
study had been done.
"MTC: Metropolitan Transporllation Commission
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M.INUTES SEPTEM.BER 10, 19ßO REGUL¡\R ¡\DJOURNED MEETING, JJUNNING COMMISSION
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Public Works Director Viskovich replied that it was in 1973, and the
only road that had increased in traffic volume since that time was De
Anza Boulevard~ whereas Wolfe, which would have been expected to increase
in volume after the construction of the shopping center, had remained
the same,almost.De Anza Boulevard had increased because another lane was ad ed.
COM. JOHNSON wondered why an outside service had not been used this time.
Public Works Director Viskovich said the Commission could ask for an out-
side study if they wished. Two consultants were working on Seven Springs
and Valleo, and they could make comments.
It was decided at this time to study the slides, to see how traffic
appeared aerially. It was established that they had been taken between
4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on a Thursday in August.
Mr. Viskovich described the first slide as being at the intersection of
Foothill Boulevard and Freeway 280. No congestion was apparent, Slides
showing 280 at 85 and De Anza Boulevard and Wolfe Road showed a build-up.
A slide showing the Hewlett-Packard parking lot indicated a staggering
and shifting of hours. and the regional shopping center at this time
was not full. A slide looking back north on Vallco Parkway to 280 did
not show heavy volume and traffic studies showed the volumes were identical
to 1973. He then moved back to the 85 area to study congestion there.
At Stelling and Stevens Creek traffic was heavy due to De Anza College
classes staring at 6:00 p.m., this traffic being mainly from the north,
from the school boundaries. Most of the traffic on De Anza Boulevard
was traffic from Sunnyvale, rather than from 280. Looking southerly
from Four-Phase, traffic was backed up because of the intersection at
Stevens Creek and De Anza. At Prospect, the peak was not much different
than the nount taken in February had indicated. The back-up at Stevens
Creek and De Anza Boulevard was studied in the next slide. The left turn
was very well utilized, and most left turns proceeded past city limits.
Stevens Creek was light the whole time. The slide of Bollinger intersecti
with De Anza also showed a stack-up due to left turn movements. Mr.Viskovi
said that the State was providing a double left-turn lane to improve it.
He noted that De Anza between Stevens Creek and Bollinger was a big proble .
as cars could not get through. After that, flow was better. The next few
slides were taken at the intersection of Prospect and De Anza, and had
been studied carefully for the through-movement aspect. There was a con-
siderable amount of back-up on Stelling, probably because of the stop sign
and on Bubb Road there was now 30% through traffic, whereas there used to
be only 6%. This change probably resulted from diversion off Stelling
because of the stop sign.
CHR KOEN1TZER called for questions of staff from the Planning Commission
and audience before going to Phase III.
COM, ADAMS asked how the lights on De Anza Boulevard operated, and when
told by Mr. Viskovich that they operated on a demand activated individual
basis, he asked for further explanation of this.
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MINUTES SEPTEMßER 10, 1980 REGUL1\R ADJOURNED HEETlNG, PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Vísko~ich explained that it was dependent on the demand at the side
streets and the turn, and the time element at the intersection was State
controlled. He defined demand as cars tripping the detector.
COM. JOHNSON wondered if any thought had been given to taking another series
of shots on a different day, especially ground shots for more perspective.
Public Works Director Viskovich said that more shots wonld be taken at the
end of the month when school was in session. Movies had been taken showing
the flow and turning movements, but they were jittery, so had not been shown.
COM. BLAINE said it had been her observation that most people took vacations
in August, and as Cupertino was not a tourist town, there were no people to
make up for those gone. She would therefore like to see slides taken in October.
Public Works Director Viskovich agreed with
the traffic counts wre not taken in August.
the numbers w·~e the same in both.
this, but
Prospect
pointed out that
was counted to confirm
COM. BLAINE observed that the reason Stelling looked so bad was that it was
only one lane in each direction.
Mr. Viskovich agreed, and said it was the biggest carrier per lane in the City.
CHAIRMAN KORNITZER was concerned about the accnracy of the statistics as the
survey was done in August.
Mr. Viskovich said that the slides did not make a difference to the model,
as it had been done in February.
CHAJ,RMAN KOENITZER called for questions from the audience,but asked that
they be limited to Phases I and II, the traffic studies.
Ann Anger of Cupertino said that the Highway Commissioners had been in Santa
Clara County the previous week. A presentation was given saying that by 1990
we could expect 860,000 people. Santa Clara County had made a study 6/8 months
ago projecting 750,000 by 1990. She had questioned the originators of this
study, who had said things had changed, and the 860,000 figure was now more
correct. She deduced from this that statistics really did not mean that much.
Mr. Von Bedekian, Stelling Road resident, questioned the statistics for
Stelling Road. He and two others the previous week had taken their own
survey. Of 160 cars in 20 minutes, 80% lived in Los Gatos or Saratoga.
From this survey, and from visual inspection every day, he had noticed that
most went down to Saratoga, making a right on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, or
going through on Prospect. He felt that the intersection of De Anza and
Stevens Creek could bear a lot of traffic, being commercial, but that
Stelling was a residential street, and this fact should be remembered in studies.
Public Works Director Viskovich felt Mr. Von Bedekian would be happy to
hear Phase Ill.
Barbara Koppel, 7967 Folkestone Drive, stated that Mr. Viskovich had said
the last traffic study was in 1973 and that only De Anza Boulevard had
increased. Then he had said that, with a stop sign on Stelling, Bubb road
had increased 30%. That was not consistent~
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSIO
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Public Works Director Viskovich explained he meant that the traffic
taken off Stelling most likely went to Bubb, which got an increase in
traffic that would .normally have used Stelling.
Ms. Koppel said she had seven teams at various positions from 85 to
Prospect at Highway 9, and they were going to do their own survey with
tape recorders. She was publicizing this now, so that the report would
be val id,
Mr. John Martinez said he had lived on Stelling Road for 21 years, and
now could not get in or out of Stelling Road because of traffic volume
and back-up. He could not understand the change in the City's position
on getting 85 through.
Mr. Frank Kelly warned that if the right of way for 85 was in any way
cancelled it would be brought to the ballot.
Mr. Shelley Williams, 11951 Brook Ridge Drive, Saratoga, referred to
Exhibit 14, page lOB, and said that trips should be added for the year,
rather- than be given in twice-daily figures, which did not have as much
impact. Figures needed to be updated in our minds to see what the real
traffic problems were today.
CHR. KOENITZER asked if there were any other questions on the traffic
suryey. There being none, Mr. Viskovich was asked to present the
material on Phase III.
Public Works Director Viskovich explained that Phase III was the imple-
mentation program based on Phase 1 and II findings. The increases in
jobs in the future would be located in areas which would not- influence
Cupertino, i.e., the trips would not come through Cupertino. Highway
85 was major in the City's transportation element in 1973 and still was
today. City funds would even be expended to provide a roadway in that
corridor, but there were some political, financial and technical reasons
why a change in how to obtain that roadway was needed. Sincec1973 the
State had indicated it was financially unable to build more roadways, or
very few, The present policy indicated away from freeway building. An
Environmental Impact Survey was proceeding on preservation of the corrido ,
but it was a year away from completion, and the existing corridor was
threatened by 12 or more pending applications before the bodies along th
corridor. If these were approved, the freeway would be killed for ever.
439 acres had to be acquired, and only $400,000 had been budgeted by the
State for this. The City had tried, but was unsuccessfu1.,. in trying
to form a GPA*with all cities along the corridor to come up with an
expressway of some kind, but Los Gatos and Saratoga opposed the idea.
All these factors indicated that there would be no freeway, so for the
last couple of years, the City had been thinking in terms of trying to
get some type of extension between Stevens Creek Boulevard and Saratoga-
Sunnyvale Road. As increases in housing to the south were not great
enough to increase traffic into our zone, and only 14% increase in
traffic due to through movement was expected, with staggering and flex
time cutting down on traffic peaks, it was indicated that the extension
of 85 be for local use primarily. The recommendation for 85 would
therefore be to abandon, and yield 43 acres for development, letting
the developers pay for a roadway in the corridor.
When asked, Mr. Viskovich said that 98/99% of the right of way was owned
within the City.
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MINUTES SEPTE!1BER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Viskovich went on to say that the important thing was to integrate with
the roads in the coriidor. such as Stelling. A major point in the Master
Plan design would be whether to connect the extension with 85, and more
studies would have to be done on whether 85 should serve De Anza College
and West Valley Industrial Park, and how to integrate with Stelling,
Bollinger, etc. It should be initiated with our legislators to pass a law
that part of the proceeds from the sale would go to certain necessary
improvements in Cupertino, such as widening Freeway 280 by two additional
lanes.
COM. JOHNSON wondered how receptive the State would be and how the portion
would be determined.
Mr. Viskovich said that this was something the Planning Commission had to
recommend to the Council. If the Council then took the same position, that
avenue of approach would be taken in dealing with the State. There were
plans this year to interconnect the signals on De Anza Boulevard froM
Homestead to Bollinger.
COM, BLAINE asked if Rainbow was in Cupertino or San Jose.
Mr. Viskovich replied that there was a portion in each City. San Jose,
Cupertino and the State would be involved in the Bollinger, Prospect and
Rainbow project, Cupertino wanted to discourage the light rail idea
that Saratoga had come up with. Cupertino definitely did not want a light
rail terminus. If light rail became beneficial in the future. the
Southern Pacific railroad tracks could be utilized, but it should not stop
in Cupertino. One of the main things in the program was to change the
character of Stelling to a residential collector. which might require a
closure at Prospect and other strategies. Bollinger might have to be
extended to relieve McClellan of the heavy traffic to West Valley IndustrIal
Estate and De Anza College. The City would have to work wIth De Anza College
to see if the beginning hours of evening classes could be moved from the
peak hour.
COM. BLAINE did not thInk the effect of changing De Anza College hours
would help south of Stevens Creek.
Mr. Viskovich said it would relieve Dc Anza Buulévacd, Highwny 85, and
StellIng. There was also traffic on McClellan to the campus and north
on StellIng to the campus, which could be improved by this method. WIth
development occuring later in the south portion of Stelling at Seven Springs
Ranch, the removal of traffic would yIeld some capacity for the residentIal
development. De Anza Boulevard was the next element of the Plan. and would
become the major arterIal within the City of Cupertino.
CHR. KOENITZER wondered If It was being proposed that 280 at the overpass
junction with De Anza Boulevard be widened to six lanes, as with four
lanes it was a bottle-neck.
Mr. Vlskovlch saId that studies had been made and were being continued, but
with modifications to on-ramp signals, southbound additional lanes did
not seem to be necessary. This was not confirmed yet, however.
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSIO
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A discussion ensued on this and various oth~ bottlenecks in the City.
Mr. Viskovich felt that the important thing was the underpass at
Stevens Creek and De Anza to make the interconnect work and make the
traffic flow more efficient on De Anza Boulevard. The grade separation
was not only a traffic solution, but also dealt with land use, etc.
The traffic signal interconnect would be most helpful on De Anza to
carry traffic through, and it would be able to carry the through
traffic diverted off local streets, such as Stelling. Stelling and the
road in the 85 corridor would take care of the neighborhood traffic.
The next major area was Vallco Park, In 1973 Valleo Park had been
restricted in development. The traffic model had assumed full buildout
of Vallco, as it seemed that the roadways within Vallco could handle
additional ttiJffiò" More utilization of those roadways was to be
encouraged. The Plan would recommend that Vall cO be allowed to develop
without restriction. The Town Center, if the grade separation was
allowed, could develop to greater intensity, joining the four quadrants.
The recommended implementation plan would, then, be to require the
State to (1) abandon the corridor and sell it for public development,
(2) abandon plans for light rail, and (3) set aside proceeds from the
sale of the land to assist Cupertino in several projects; grade
separation, interconnection of traffic signals, terminus at 85 and
Stevens Creek and two lanes on 280. In the Master Plan would be the
development of the roadway within the corridor; reverting Stelling
to a residential collector; working with De Anza College to shift
starting times and peak hours; making De Anza Boulevard into the major
arterial by encouraging its use; making improvements in traffic flow
by using interconnect; releasing Valleo's uncommitted lands for
development; removing the 16 trip-end constraint; allowing the Town
Center to develop if the underpass was implemented; develop a capital
improvements program and a funding mechanism, based on State, local and
developers' funding. Staff wanted the Commission to review these points
tonight, and if the general concept of the transportation element was
agreed with,it would then be forwarded to the City Council to take a
policy stance, prior to more detailed master planning of the corridor.
A model of the grade concept would be ready in about three weeks, and
Valleo park would have some time to present a plan for evaluation. A
start could then be made on details of the General Plan. and dealing
with the State on 85.
CHR: KOENITZER wondered if Miller should be widened to four lanes
between Stevens Creek and Bollinger, as this could become a major throug
road.
Mr. Viskovich said the County had gone to bid on this, and the City was
contributing through the Vallco fund.
COM. ADAMS inquired if the Mary Avenue crossing over freeway 280 had
been assessed, as it would be a way of relieving De Anza College traffic
from the north.
Mr. Viskovich replied that this had not been examined, as it was finan-
cially impossible right now.
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MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSION
COM. ADAMS asked for more details on the traffic control system on Stevens
Creek Boulevard.
Mr. Viskovich said the stretch from Bubb Road to Tantau should be in operation
within 45 days. On the intersection with De Anza Boulevard, they were working
with the State to get confirmation and approval to fit the State-type control.
The next stage would be to have most 'of the City interconnected.
COM. ADAMS observed that there would be no control over traffic from 85 onto
Stevens Creek, or over traffic making a right turn on Stelling to go south.
Mr. Viskovich noted that the interconnect would be functioning at 85 and Stevens
Creek, and also that the turn at Stelling could be altered if necessary.
COM. BLAINE questioned the relationship of Stelling and Seven Springs; would
the commute traffic removed from Stelling be replaced by the traffic to
Seven Springs?
Mr. Viskovich replied that the Seven Springs traffic would be less, and
this could be seen from the model.
COM. JOHNSON wanted to know if there was any way to measure the flow before
and after the interconnect installation.
Mr. Viskovich said that time delay studies were being made.
COM. JOHNSON wanted an idea of the cost of the proposed road through the
corridor, assuming it connected with 85.
Mr. Viskovich said that staff was not concerned with this, as the developer
would have to put it in.
COM. BLAINE asked if the 60 ft. right of way would be two lanes, one in each
direction, and also asked if it would connect with present roads in the area.
Mr. Viskovich said that it would be a two-lane, parkway type roadway. The
details of connection had not been decided at the present time.
COM. BLAINE felt that before a decision was made to abandon the freeway
right of way, she would want to know the type of roadway, and if it would
be a collector street. She was not convinced that something else was not
needed to move the people from Stevens Creek to De Anza Boulevard.
COM. JOHNSON observed that it might take a couple of years to convince the
State to sell and to convince them to give a certain portion to the City.
CHR. KOENITZER asked if the 1990 studies assumed that 280 had been widened
to four lanes, as traffic might not get off at 85 in this ease.
Mr. Viskovich informed him that the studies followed the assumptions of the
ABAG* corridor evaluation study, which assumed certain improvements by 1990.
COM. BLAINE observed that the recommended implementation plan was contingent
upon the whole plan being implemented to bring about a reduction in traffic.
* ABAG: Association of Bay Area Governments
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Page 9
Mr. Viskovich agreed, and said staff had been looking at the whole
system rather than parts. Planning must be done today in order to
react to pressures tomorrow. Cupertino needed to work out its own system,
and leave the regional system to the State.
CHR: KOENITZER asked for more questions from the Commission. There were
none.
Juanita McClaren, 22101 Lindy Lane, said she had been a resident of
Cupertino for 24 years, and was chairman of the Board of Directors of
the Chamber of Commerce. She had tried to project what Cupertino would
do in the case of a major disaster without the proper roadways for
ingress and egress to bring in supplies, evacuate, etc. She had put
together a package for the Commission, detailing some of the things
the Chamber had done to try and get 85 through, at least to the Saratoga-
Sunnyvale Road. She could not understand why Mr. Viskovich had come up
with this plan. She did not agree with the pictures shown, they did
not reflect what was truly happening to the valley and the City.
She questioned whether Cupertino could cope in a major earthquake. The
City did not have an emergency generator, or radio equipment, or roads.
The Chamber would fight to the last breath to get 85 through.
Mr. Maurice O'Shea, Clay Street, Cupertino, referred to package III,
exhibits A and B. Exhibit A analyzed p.m. peaks as to where they
were headed, and did not take note of the impact of 2,800 cars going
from the northwest corner to the southeast corner of the City. One
could go through a similar exercise with Exhibit B. The fact that
leaped from the data was that 85 should be built. He had no interest
in a Town Center spanning the street. He felt the whole plan was to
prove that Cupertino needed that Town Center expansion.
Mr. Viskovich reiterated that staff was not eliminating 85,just pursuing
a different method of getting a roadway in the corridor.
Mr. Shelley Williams said th2.t the Multi-modal Transportation Commission,
of which he was a member, was interested in a parkway along the 85
corridor which would take autos, buses, trucks, mopeds, bikes, pedes tria s
and light rail when economical. They were concerned about traffic
throughout the whole valley. The problems now stemmed from anti-roadwa
land use, and that type of planning should be reversed. He was angry
about the State administration hoarding one billion dollars of gas tax
funds. He felt the State Legislature and assemblymen should be lobbied
on the 85 corridor; they should know of the frustrations. If the State
refused to do anything there should be a tax revolt within the County
There was a move afoot in Saratoga to put an initiative before the City
Council to study the general plan and to vote on the 85 corridor. It
was his impression that 65% of Saratoga residents were for the corridor.
Frank Mulkern spoke as a representative of the Cupertino Chamber of
Commerce. The Board of Directors had voted unanimously to reaffirm
support for the multi-modal corridor. He read a letter in this regard.
He thought the City of Cupertino had chosen to make public some studies
it had made in the past and to do an about-turn, as staff had decided
that 85 was impossible, He questioned whether staff had made contact
with San Jose, Campbell and Los Gatos to tell them their plans. He
·
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MINUTES SEPTEMBER la, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSION
Page 10
could not see how Cupertino could make a decision without consulting with
staffs of other cities. It was irritating that Saratoga had not given
much support, and it was half of Cupertino's problem. The State had an
obligation, and the Chamber was bot ready to give up on doing things legis-
latively. The City of Cupertino had taken a stance that was a slap in the
face to San Jose and other cities that had given support on 85. This was
his representation on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Alan Burt, 10398 Westacres Drive, observed that people were traffic
problems, and the fact that Cupertino was going to increase the number of
people by opening up the corridor to development seemed counterproductive.
If Cupertino abandoned the corridor other communities must too.
Don Frolich, former mayor of Cupertino, said he had fought as hard as
anybody on 85. However, the State of California was in a deep hole as far
as highway maintenance, let alone construction and improvements, so that
even in the best circumstances. it might be 1993 before anything appened.
What Mr. Viskovich was proposing was a solution of sorts. The other
communities mentioned were already talking about a non-freeway solution,
such as bus and rail. Cupertino did not want light rail dumping into it,
and the sensible thing to do was to try to come to a solution.
Francien Fa1varian, 7699 Squirewood Way observed that 85 should never have
been stopped at Stevens Creek; freeways were supposed to bypass cities, and
Cupertino had all the traffic in the City itself. He felt the underpass was
to beautify the City and not to alleviate the traffic problems. The only
way to solve the problem was to build 85 through Cupertino and dump the traffic
into Los Gatos and Saratoga so that they would have to solve their own problems.
He also felt it would be unfair, if the corridor was developed as a parkway
with housing, that the homeowners of the new development would have to pay
for the roadway, which was what it amounted to.
Bill Lewis, 7573 Bollinger Road wondered if extending Bollinger through
would overload Stelling with commuter and college traffic, when the object
was to discourªge traffic on Stelling. He was anxious that Bollinger and
Stelling not become Highway 85.
Mr. Viskovich said these questions would have to be analyzed in the Master
Plan. Bollinger would be a relief for McClellan, and through signals, etc.,
other traffic would have to be forced to use De Anza Boùlevard.
Mr. Stan Scarborough, 10371 wondered why Cupertinans could not finance the
roadway in the corridor. Mr. Viskovitch's proposal was to convince the State
to abandon the land. It seemed to .him to be easier to have the State relin-
quish the land to the City, and if the City decided to go ahead with the
road, citizens of Cupertino would probably be willing to take a property tax
burden for it.
~[r. Viskovich explained that if Cupertino decided to spend approximately 3.8
million dollars of City funds to build a two-lane roadway, the remaining
property would probably be sold off by the State. Therefore there would be
no difference in having developers put in the roadway.
CHR, KOENITZER interpreted that the speakers did not want a two-lane roadway,
but something to carry 85 traffic, which would be four lanes, probably
requiring the total 200 feet.
·
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING, PLANNING COMMISSION PC-340
Page 11
Barry Scott, 22093 Baxley Drive, felt that Mr. Viskovich had the
interests of Cupertino in mmnd. He himself had been developing a small
piece of property along the right of way of 85 and had had indirect
dealings with the State. They had said 85 was not being put in,
He thought the City should go all out to put in a roadway where 85
should be, and not leave it up to the developers, which would take
two or three 'years. He was reluctant to see money being spent in other
parts of the City, except for the traffic interconnect.
Jo Celio, 1047 Colony Hills Lane saw a conflict in that the road for
85 was planned to be residential. After the problems wtth ,Bollinger,
Rainbow, Stelling and Bubb, was it right to provide another such street?
Another problem was that much of De Anza Boulevard between Bollinger and
Prospect belonged to the City of San Jose. San Jose did not always keep
its promises, and something on paper was needed to cooperatively work
together.
Adelaide Lewis,7573 Bollinger Road also was in favor of a highway, free-
way or wide road going through the corridor instead of abandonment
Ann Anger stated that Senator Jerry Smith had written a letter to the
Governor two years ago, explaining the problem with 85. An answer had
been received to say that the concern was undàrstood, and the segment
of 85 in Cupertino (1.8 miles) was in an environmental study. This
piece of road was to be a separate element in the 85 study, and with 90%
of the right of way owned, it was protected from private development.
At best it was several years away, but proceeding in the right direction.
This letter had never been taken up, as multi-modal transportation, etc.,
came along, but this commitment should have some validity, she felt.
CHR. KOENITZER was not sure that the Commis.ion was ready for a consensus
decision at this time. Perhaps there should be another meeting on the
project, as more details were needed.
Mr. Viskovich said that the intention of staff had
tual agreement of the Commission only, and then go
could then analyze a Master Plan on the corridor.
lot of time would be wasted if there was no desire
change.
been to get the concep-
to the Council. Staff
Otherwise, he felt, a
to make the conceptual
CHR. KOENITZER went over the problems, as he saw them, in giving a
consensus.
COM. BLAINE inquired of Planning Director Sisk what had been decided
when speaking with the mayor.
Planning Director Sisk replied that it could come before the City Council
during October. Another Planning Commission meeting had generally been
discussed.
Public Works Director Viskovich pointed out that there would be no more
information forthcoming at another meeting. Approval of the concept only
was being requested. Staff could not come up with more plans when the
basework, i.e., the traffic analysi~ was not accepted, and the Commission
and audience were oot·-accepting right now. Maybe a work session with the
Commission was needed.
·
PC-340
]age 12
MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 1980 REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING. PLANNING COMMISSION
COM. ADAMS said he found it difficult to accept asking the State to abandon
the 85 corridor.
cot!. JOHNSON said he would feel more comfortable in seeing outside verification
of the traffic analysis.
CHR. KOENITZER had not heard anything that could force the 900 or so cars
using Stelling to use something else. If a two-lane road was constructed,
as recommended, it would be just another residential street carrying through-
traffic. Where would the major arterial be? People were not going to drive
from Bubb to De Anza to come back.
COM. BLAINE had no trouble in accepting Mr. Viskovich's numbers, but she
wanted to keep the corridor open. The residents wanted something through
there that could be used to get from north to south other than De Anza;
something that would act as a freeway or an expressway. If Cupertino had
to do it, that was acceptable. There was a desire by the members of the
community to have it.
Planning Director Sisk observed that the design along the corridor wou]d be
the design of the Planning Commission and Council. At this time some guide-
lines could be developed, such as a road, free-flowing with no houses fronting
onto it, with a connection to De Anza and/or 85 or not. The Commission had
got broad concepts at this point, and should continue on the 29th. Some
guidelines of what would go into the right of way would be prepared.
Public Works Director Viskovich stated that even a two-lane roadway had to
be designed, and would need master planning, to prevent it being ripped,out
later.
COM. JOHNSON thought it was hard to come to a consensus after receiving the
packages in the mail yesterday, and then talking about it till midnight.
MOTION:
SECOND:
VOTE:
COM. Adams to
Com. Blaine
PASSED
continue the meeting to September 29th at 7:30 p.m.
..
4~ù
MEETING ADJOURNED: 11:45 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 1980 (PC-341)
APPROVED:
~~~~
R. D. Koenitzer Cha rman
z:d'
City Clerk