PC 03-01-83
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
Telephone: (408) 252-4505
PC-409)
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING
HELD ON MARCH 1, 1983 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER,
CUPERTINO, CALIFCP~IA
COMMISSION
CITY HALL
Chairperson Adams called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Council!
Cha~ber, City Hall.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Commissioners absent:
Blaine, Glaudy, Koenitzer
Chairperson Adams
Binneweg
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(arrived at 7:35 p.m.), I
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ROLL CALL
Commissioners present:
Staff Present: Director of Planning and Development Sisk
Director of Public Works Viskovich
City Clerk Cornelius
Assistant Planning Director Gowan
APPRúVAL OF MINUTES: None
POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS: None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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1. Application 33-U-79 of Gregg Bunker (Photo Drive-Up): A Public
hearing initiated by the City of Cupertino to consider the revocation!
of Use Permit 33-[1-79 (allowing the operation of a drive-up window) I
because of non-compliance with Conditions of Apprcval. Said property I
is located at the northwest corner of Wildflower Way and Saratoga- .
Sunnyvale Road in a P (Planned Development with commercial and
residential, 5-15 dwelling units per gross acre, intent) zoning
district. First Hearing Continued.
Director of Planning and Development Sisk reviewed the work that has
been completed around the site and presented tG Council the schedule
for completion of construction for other improvements to be made.
(City Clerk's Note: Com. Koenitzer arrived at 7:35 p.m.)
Richard Hansen, attorney representing the applicant, was available
to answer any questions from the Commission.
Director of Public Works Viskovich was asked his opinion regarding the
completion of scheduled construction.
Richará Hansen, 220 State Street, Los Altos, stated that he had visited
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MINUTES OF THE MARCH 1, 1983 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
the site, reviewed the work that had already been completed and ex-
pected that the proposed schedule would be followed, should the weather
allow.
It was moved by Com. Koenitzer, seconded by Com. Blaine and passed
unanimously to continue hearing to consider revocation of permit
33-U-79 to the second regular meeting in April, April 25, 1983.
2. Application l-GPA-80 of City of Cupertino General Plan Amendment:
Continued Public Hearing to consider a comprehensive aIDéndment of
the City of Cupertino General Plan and a Specific Plan for the
Stevens Creek Boulevard Planning Area. The General Plan 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 devel-
opment of a more detailed land use, circulation anà urban
design plan for properties which abut the reach of Stevens
Creek Boulevard between Stelling Road on the west and Stern
Avgnue On the east.
Director of Planning and Developffient Sisk reviewed his February
28 memo with the Commission regarding the Ge~eral Plan being
returned to the City Council.
Director of Public Works Viskovich reviewed Council's previous
actions and their effect regardiflg traffic and inteflsity. he
stdted tbat the Council's road improvement strategy actually allowed
more improvements than would be needed for the intensity the Planning
Commission had chosen.
It was moved by Com. Blaine, seconded by Com. Koenitzer and passed
unanimously to continue thE: GenETBl Plan public hearing pertaining
to traffic until Council has reviewed the proposed plan and referr~d
it back to the Commission.
Director of Planning and DevelopmE'nt Sisk informed the Comffiission
that representatives from De Anza/Foothill Community College District
were present to address them regarding a proposal for a high tech
center to be developed on campus. In answer to the Commission's
question, Mr. Sisk stated that he did believe that the City does
have control over other than educational matters on a college campus.
Assistant Planning Director Cowan requested that the Commission
look at the College District's request in relationship to the General
plan process - Should the General Plan be open to consider this?
What does this late entry do to the General Plan process? Would
such a center have a benefit to the community as a whole? Issues
to be considered are traffic, economic (market feasibility), fiscal
and community character. Mr. Cowan stated that he felt it could
be included in the General Plan process without slowing it down
appreciably.
MINUTES OF THE MARCH I, 1983 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
PC-409
Page 3
Dr. Robert De Hart, De Anza/Foothill Community College District,
stated that the project is just in the conceptual stage at thiE time.
Originally, the District planned to develop in Sunnyvale but did not
get State funding for their proposal. He felt that the project as
proposed could solve approximately half of the parking preblém.
The District was still looking for a solution to the rest of the
problem. He st~ted that the proposed parking structure and office
space would geúerate revenue for the College District. He felt that
this would be a way for De Anza to serve the community interest and
train people for high tPch careers including health professions.
He stated that there would be some R&D but no manufacturing. He
expressed the opinion that the College would qualify for substantial
grants. Included in the facility would be video conferencing and ,
it would allow for the College to create a hotel/restaurant managementl
curriculum. It would be a conference center with housing available j
and not a hotel with a conference center. He stated the District !
would realize an income of approximately $2-4 million a year from
the center Dr. De Hart stated that he will be working on the educa-
tional specifications for the center and they would serve as a guide
for further development. He felt that the proposed six stery buildipgl
would fit with the De Anza architecture. I
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George Fernandes stated that the business community has conCérns
regarding adequate space for training classes and housing. The
proposed center would be primarily a learning unit. The six story
structure would be left of Flint Center. There would be 2,000 parking,
places. He felt the college c~mpus was an ideal location for such
a facility as it is right off High.~y 280 and 85 and near an airport.
Discussion followed regardin& what other alternatives were discussed)
such as moving classes to Foothill and using De Anza for a high
tech center without the addition of the building.
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Dr. De Hart stated that that alternative had not been considered, that I
both college campuses are attracting many students and are beyond the
100~ level. At present both De Anza and Foothill are offering
claoses off campus. It was pointed out that Foothill College has
approximately half as many students as De Anza. At present, De
Anza College is subsidizing Foothill, but the new president is
trying to change that. Since both campuses are in the same district,
the money goes into a "district pot."
The Commission expressed concern regarding impacting Cupertino with
additional people when there is a campus available with room.
Dr. De Hart stated that the District is doing some internal shifting
from De Anza to Foothill that should solve the problem.
The Commission did point out that should the project be approved,
while the parking facility is being constructed there would be a ser-
ious parking problem. They also asked if the building of the garage
would result in a higher parking fee which could also impact parking
in the surrounding areas. Concern was expressed regarding a
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MINUTES OF THE MARCH 1, 1983 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
profit-making facility being placed on a college campus. Another
concern expressed was the effect a six story building would have on
"community character."
Dr. De Hart stated that such a project must be commercially viable.
He felt the board would want to keep some,control over the facility and
therefore not use all venture capital. However, the District WOU.lU not
do just a commercial project. He stated that the conference center would
have approximately 20,000 sq. ft. and include a living facility of
approximately 300 rooms. The Commission expressed concern regarding
traffic and felt that unless Highway 85 were ,extended the traffic problem
could be unsolvable.
Dr. De Hart stated that the District did expect to do a traffic study.
He stated that they have not looked at other school sites available
for sale as they do already own the property for the proposed development.
They had previously tried to buy another site. The State Finance Depart-
ment did not approve. He stated that industry likes the idea of being
on a college campus. The District is presenting their maximum plan,
however, it could possibly be scaled down. Upon being asked by the
Director of Public Works if, from a conceptual standpoint, this project
should be included in the General Plan process, the Commission inquired
regarding the amount of staff work that would be necessary. Because of
work already done during the General Plan process, staff felt it would
not require a great deal of additional work.
Walter Ward, General Manager of Vallco, stated that he is not opposed
to a training or learning center. However, he stated that for eight
years Vallco has not been able to develop, the constraints are still
on Vallco. He stated that he is asking to develop unùer the present
General Plan because he feels it will be months before the new one is
completed. He asked how staff could do the proposed De Anza College
project in only one or two months. lie stated that Vallco pays prop~rty
tax, the College is exempt. He asked if the College would also be exempt
from the hotel tax. He stated doubt that inserting the proposed develop-
ment in the General Plan process would delay it only two months as
staff had stated. Mr. Ward informed the Commission that if the center
is used for industry seminars, it would compete with the proposed Vallco
center.
The Commission expressed the opinion that they would not care for Offices
and R&D in a campus facility, but educational functions only.
It was moved by Com. Blaine, seconded by Com. Claudy and passed unan-
imously to recommend that the Council consider the high tech center as
part of the General Plan.
Sam Young, 1134 Buena Boulevard, Alameda, addressed the Commission
regarding condominium conversion. He stated that the City Council does
not wish to be totally precluded from reviewing potential condominium
conversions. He would also like feedback from the Planning Commission.
He retracted his earlier statement regarding pushing along approval for
condominium conversions. He felt that a great deal of education has
M1NlITt:S OF THE MARCH 1, 1983 PLANNll'C COMHlSSlON MEETlNG
PC-409
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to be completed first. He requested a dialogue with the Planning
Commission regarding the best way to move forward at this time. He is
preparing a letter to submit to the City. He mentioned a recent articl
he had seen that stated that purchasing condominiums that had been con-
verted from apartments usually ran 20% less.
The Commission requested that he check the one condominium conversion
that had been done in Cupertino and bring back the information to them.
They also requested a detailed description of what improvements will
be done when conversion takes place.
Hr. Young stated he would submit that to the City within a week.
Com. Blaine also requested the names and addresses of the buildings
that Mr. Young had converted.
Upon being asked by Co~nission, Mr. Young stated that he was in dis-
agreement with the secret ballot. He felt there would be low voter
participation. He was informed that this was one of the stipulations
of the Council.
It was moved by Com. Claudy, seconded by Com. Koenitzer and passed
unanimously to continue the General Plan public hearing to March 28,
1983.
REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION:
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Rr;PORT OF PLANNING DIRECTOR: Director of Planning and Dcvelopment .1
Sisk informed the Commission that the agenda for the March 14 meeting .
is extremely lengthy (13 items at this time) and he requcsted that
the Commission plan on meeting two nights. It was agreed that the
Commission will meet March 14 and March 16. Nothing past Item 9 as
listed on the draft agenda would be heard on the evening of March 14.
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
None
None
At 10:00 p.m., the Commission adjourned.
ATTEST:
APPROVED;
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City Clerk
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