CC Resolution No. 24-012 approving the Architectural & Site Approval Permit (ASA-2023-002)
RESOLUTION NO. 24-012
A RESOLUTION OF THE CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
APPROVING OF AN ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL PERMIT TO
CONSTRUCT NEW SEVEN (7) UNIT TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT LOCATED
AT 10046 BIANCHI WAY (APN: 359-07-021)
SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Application No.: ASA-2023-002
Applicant: Leon Hu of Top Mission Realty & Investment, Inc.
Location: 10046 Bianchi Way (APN: 359-07-021)
SECTION II: FINDINGS FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL:
WHEREAS, the City of Cupertino received an application for an Architectural and Site
Approval Permit (Application No. ASA-2023-002) as described in Section I of this
resolution; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act of
1970 (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) ("CEQA") and the State CEQA
Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et seq.) ("CEQA
Guidelines"), the project has been determined exempt under Class 32 CEQA Exemption
pursuant to CEQA Guideline Sections 15332 (Infill Development Projects); and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, at a public hearing, the Planning Commission
recommended on a 3-1-1 vote (No: Madhdhipatla, Absent: Mistry) that the City Council
approve the Development Permit (DP-2023-001) in substantially similar form to the
Resolution presented (Resolution No. 23-20), approve the Architectural and Site
Approval Permit (ASA-2023-002) in substantially similar form to the Resolution
presented (Resolution No. 23-21), approve the Tentative Final Map (TM-2023-001) in
substantially similar form the Resolution presented (Resolution No. 23-22) and approve
the Tree Removal Permit (TR-2023-008) in substantially similar form to the Resolution
presented (Resolution No. 23-23) except as may be further amended by conditions in this
resolution; and
WHEREAS, all necessary public notices having been given as required by the Procedural
Ordinance of the City of Cupertino and the Government Code, and on January 17, 2024,
the City Council held a public hearing to consider the Architectural and Site Approval
Permit; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cupertino is the decision-making body for
this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has met the burden of proof required to support the application
for a Architectural and Site Approval Permit; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds:
1. The proposal, at the proposed location, will not be detrimental or injurious to property
or improvements in the vicinity, and will not be detrimental to the public health,
safety, general welfare, or convenience;
The project has been determined to be consistent with the General Plan, Heart of the
City Specific Plan and applicable portion of the Municipal Code. The project scope has
been determined to fall within Class 32 CEQA Exemption pursuant to CEQA
Guideline Sections 15332 (Infill Development Projects). The incorporated conditions
of approval into the project will further mitigate potential impacts and therefore the
project will not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity,
and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, general welfare, or convenience.
2. The proposal is consistent with the purposes of Chapter 19.168, the General Plan, any
specific plan, zoning ordinances, applicable planned development permit, conditional
use permits, variances, subdivision maps or other entitlements to use which regulate
the subject property including, but not limited to, adherence to the following specific
criteria:
a) Abrupt changes in building scale should be avoided. A gradual transition related
to height and bulk should be achieved between new and existing buildings.
The proposed project is a redevelopment of an existing residential four-plex. The
project incorporates variation in wall planes, rooflines, and multiple recessed areas;
that help to reduce the height and bulk of the buildings. The exterior siding is a
mixture of different materials, textures, colors and finishes; methodically repeated
throughout the building design on every elevation. The landscape plantings help to
further screen the development with the proposal of dense, fast-growing shrubs.
Additionally, the project incorporates trees throughout the street frontage to further
reduce the massing and bulk of the structures.
b) In order to preserve design harmony between new and existing building and in
order to preserve and enhance property values, the materials, textures and colors
of new building should harmonize with adjacent development by being consistent
or compatible with design and color schemes with the future character of the
neighborhoods and purposes of the zone in which they are situated. The location,
height and materials of walls, fencing, hedges and screen planting should
harmonize with adjacent development. Unsightly storage areas, utility
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installations and unsightly elements of parking lots should be concealed. The
planting of ground cover or various types of pavements should be used to prevent
dust and erosion, and the unnecessary destruction of existing healthy trees should
be avoided. Lighting for development should be adequate to meet safety
requirements as specified by the engineering and building departments and
provide shielding to prevent spill-over light to adjoining property owners.
The design quality of the development is consistent with the high-quality standards
encouraged by City Staff. The proposed development is that of a Modern design,
architectural details and style is consistent throughout the development. The
landscape architect has strategically placed landscape screening throughout the site
and has proposed a new six-foot tall redwood fence along the sides and rear
perimeter of the property. Unsightly uses such as roof top equipment installation
is conditioned to be either screened on top of the roof or be located interior to the
structure. The final lighting for the development will be reviewed as part of the
review of the project construction documents to ensure that they meet safety
requirements while avoiding spill-over light to adjacent properties. The applicant
has demonstrated compliance with the City’s Bird Safe Ordinance as well.
c) The number, location, color, size, height, lighting and landscaping of outdoor
advertising signs and structures shall minimize traffic hazards and shall positively
affect the general appearance of the neighborhood and harmonize with adjacent
development; and
Signage approval is not included in this application.
d) With respect to new projects within existing residential neighborhoods, new
development should be designed to protect residents from noise, traffic, light and
visually intrusive effects by use of buffering, setbacks, landscaping, walls and
other appropriate design measures.
The site is not located within an existing residential neighborhood since it is located
in the Heart of the City Special Plan Area. However, the project has been designed
in the manner to protect other residents located in close proximity from noise,
traffic, light and other visually intrusive effects by setting back and locating the
homes further away from the existing residential uses on the street, in addition to
screening landscaping proposed along the side and rear property lines to further
buffer the project from surrounding uses. Additionally, all utilities have been
proposed to be underground and the project will be required to meet the City's noise
ordinance for any noising producing equipment, such as air conditioner units.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
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That after careful consideration of maps, facts exhibits, testimony and other evidence
submitted in this matter, subject to the conditions which are enumerated in this
Resolution, beginning on PAGE 4 herein, and subject to the conditions contained in all
other Resolutions approved for this Project,
The application for an Architectural and Site Approval, Application No. ASA-2023-002,
is hereby approved, and that the conclusions upon which the findings and conditions
specified in this Resolution are based are contained in the Public Hearing record
concerning Application no. ASA-2023-002 as set forth in the Minutes of the City Council
Special Meeting of January 17, 2024, and are incorporated by reference as thoroughly set
forth herein.
SECTION III: CONDITIONS ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
1. APPROVED EXHIBITS
Approval is based on the plan set entitled “Leon Townhouse, 10046 Bianchi Way
Cupertino, CA 95014” consisting of thirty-five sheets labeled A0.0 – A10.0, L1-L1 and
C3.1-C7.1 drawn by Tectonic Builders Corp., except as may be amended by conditions
in this resolution.
2. ACCURACY OF PROJECT PLANS
The applicant/property owner is responsible to verify all pertinent property data
including but not limited to property boundary locations, building setbacks, property
size, building square footage, any relevant easements and/or construction records.
Any misrepresentation of any property data may invalidate this approval and may
require additional review.
3. CONCURRENT APPROVAL CONDITIONS
The conditions of approval contained in file nos. DP-2023-001, TM-2023-001 & TR-
2023-008
4. ANNOTATION OF THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The conditions of approval set forth shall be incorporated into and annotated on the
first page of the building plans.
5. EXTERIOR BUILDING MATERIALS/TREATMENTS
The final building exterior plan shall closely resemble the details shown on the
original approved plans. The final building design and exterior treatment plans
(including but not limited to details on exterior color, materials, architectural
treatments, doors, windows, lighting fixtures, and/or embellishments) shall be
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reviewed and approved by the Director of Community Development prior to issuance
of building permits and through an in-field mock-up of colors prior to application to
ensure quality and consistency. Any exterior changes determined to be substantial by
the Director of Community Development shall either require a modification to this
permit or a new permit based on the extent of the change.
Future changes to the exterior building materials/treatments must be reviewed and
approved by the Property Owner’s Association. As a Planned Unit Development, the
exterior finishes of each of the units (including garage doors and exterior doors and
windows) must remain harmonious with the same/coordinated materials used across
both buildings.
6. BIRD SAFE FENESTRATION
Consistent with CMC 19.102.030, the development shall implement the bird safe
fenestration and glass requirements. The applicant, prior to issuance of Building
Permits, may submit for an Alternative Compliance Method in which the property
owners/applicants may propose an alternate compliance method recommended by a
qualified biologist to meet the requirements and intent of CMC 19.102.030. The
alternate compliance method shall be peer-reviewed by a third-party consultant, paid
for by the applicant, and subject to the approval of the Director of Community
Development.
7. DARK SKY COMPLIANCE
Prior to issuance of Building Permits, the applicant/property owner shall submit final
plans in compliance with the approved lighting plans to comply with development
standards of Cupertino Municipal Code Section 19.102.030 Bird-Safe Development
Requirements and/or Section 19.102.040 Outdoor Lighting Requirements. In the event
changes are proposed from the approved plans, said changes must be reviewed and
approved by the Director of Community Development or their designee. The
applicant shall provide all documentation required to determine compliance with the
Municipal Code. The final lighting plan (including a detailed photometric plan) shall
be reviewed and approved by the Director of Community Development prior to
building permit issuance. A report from a licensed lighting engineer may be required
to confirm all exterior lighting throughout the site complies with the City’s Ordinance.
8. UTILITY STRUCTURE PLAN
Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall work with staff to provide a
detailed utility plan to demonstrate screening or undergrounding of all new utility
structures [including, but not limited to backflow preventers (BFP), fire department
connections (FDC), post-indicator valves (PIV), and gas meters] to the satisfaction of
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the Director of Community Development, Public Works, Fire Department, and
applicable utility agencies.
9. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS
The applicant is responsible to consult with other departments and/or agencies with
regard to the proposed project for additional conditions and requirements. Any
misrepresentation of any submitted data may invalidate an approval by the
Community Development Department.
10. INDEMNIFICATION
As part of the application, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the applicant shall
agree to indemnify, defend with the attorneys of the City’s choice, and hold harmless
the City, its City Council, and its officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the
“indemnified parties”) from and against any liability, claim, action, cause of action,
suit, damages, judgment, lien, levy, or proceeding (collectively referred to as
“proceeding”) brought by a third party against one or more of the indemnified parties
or one or more of the indemnified parties and the applicant related to any Ordinance,
Resolution, or action approving the project, the related entitlements, environmental
review documents, finding or determinations, or any other permit or approval
authorized for the project. The indemnification shall include but not be limited to
damages, fees, and costs awarded against the City, if any, and cost of suit, attorneys’
fees, and other costs, liabilities, and expenses incurred in connection with such
proceeding whether incurred by the Applicant, the City, or the parties initiating or
bringing such proceeding.
The applicant shall agree to (without limitation) reimburse the City its actual
attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in defense of the litigation. Such attorneys’ fees and
costs shall include amounts paid to the City’s outside counsel and shall include City
Attorney time and overhead costs and other City staff overhead costs and any costs
directly related to the litigation reasonably incurred by City. The applicant shall
likewise agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the indemnified parties from
and against any damages, attorneys’ fees, or costs awards, including attorneys’ fees
awarded under Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5, assessed or awarded against
the indemnified parties. The Applicant shall cooperate with the City to enter a
Reimbursement Agreement to govern any such reimbursement.
The Applicant shall agree to (without limitation) reimburse the City for all costs
incurred in additional investigation or study of, or for supplementing, redrafting,
revising, or amending, any document (such as an Environmental Impact Report,
negative declaration, specific plan, or general plan amendment) if made necessary by
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proceedings challenging the project approvals and related environmental review, if
the applicant desires to continue to pursue the project.
The Applicant shall agree that the City shall have no liability to the Applicant for
business interruption, punitive, speculative, or consequential damages.
11. NOTICE OF FEES, DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, OR OTHER EXACTIONS
The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees,
dedication requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to
Government Code Section 66020(d) (1), these Conditions constitute written notice of
a statement of the amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications,
reservations, and other exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day
approval period in which you may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and
other exactions, pursuant to Government Code Section 66020(a), has begun. If you
fail to file a protest within this 90-day period complying with all of the requirements
of Section 66020, you will be legally barred from later challenging such exactions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino this 17th day of January 2024, by the following vote:
Members of the City Council
AYES: Mohan, Fruen, Moore, Wei
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Chao
SIGNED:
________
Sheila Mohan, Mayor
City of Cupertino
________________________
Date
ATTEST:
________
Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk
________________________
Date
1/29/2024
1/29/2024