02. Draft Minutes®~ fl
CUPERTINO
DRAFT AIINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Regulaz Meeting
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:45 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney called the regular meeting to order in the Council Chamber,
10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice-Mayor Kriis Wang, and Council members Dolly Sandoval,
Mark Santoro, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: none.
CLOSED SESSION -None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS -PRESENTATIONS -None
POSTPONEMENTS
Item No. 5 was removed fiom the agenda ;and will be brought back after the Planning
Commission has the opportunity to heaz it.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Deputy City Clerk Grace Schmidt distributed the following items:
• Corrections to the minutes of Feb. 3
• PowerPoint slides for Item No. 11
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chung Lin talked about the torture and disappearance of a renowned human rights attorney and
the persecution of those who practice Falun Gong. She distributed a newspaper article about the
issue.
Mike Yuen said he represents the proponents of dog pazks and ofd leash training. He said that he
would like to have his dog participate in theripy training to visit hospitals and convalescent
homes. He explained that his dog must be of£-leashed trained in order to participate in the
program.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 2
Carol Miller said that the current punishment for having anoff--leash dog is both a misdemeanor
and a $1,000 fine, which is consistent with one being convicted with narcotics violation. She felt
that the off-leash violation should be a fee only, not a misdemeanor. She suggested a trial period
for owners with off-leash dogs, to provide that the owners are responsible and the situation could
be resolved to work for everyone.
Sparky Cohen said that he went to the Library Joint Powers meeting last month and presented a
problem regarding library closing announcements. He said that the announcements begin 2 hours
before the library closes and at a very loud volume. He suggested they begin an hour before once
and then once 5 minutes before the library closes, at a lower volume so as not to disturb the
patrons.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Wong moved and Wang seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendaz as
recommended, with the exception of Item Nos. 1 and 5 which were pulled for discussion. Ayes:
Mahoney, Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None. Abstain: None.
2. Adopt a resolution accepting Accounts Payable for January 30, Resolution No. 09-019.
3. Adopt a resolution accepting Payroll for February 6, Resolution No. 09-020.
4. Adopt a resolution approving the destruction of records from the City Clerk Department,
Resolution No. 09-021.
6. Adopt a resolution accepting a Grant of Easement for Roadway Purposes, Prakas K. Nair
and Surekha P. Nair, 10514 Felton Wav, APN 359-18-036, Resolution No. 09-022.
The property owners of this residential development agree to grant to the City an
easement for public roadway purposes, together with the right to construct, operate, repair
and maintain public utilities and improvements, over a portion of the property.
7. Adopt a resolution accepting a Ouitclaim Deed and Authorization for Underground Water
Rights, Prakas K. Nair and Surekha P. Nair, 10514 Felton Wav. APN 359-18-036,
Resolution No. 09-023.
The property owners of this residential development agree to grant to the City the right to
extract water from the basin under the overlying property.
8. Adopt a resolution accepting a Quitclaim Deed and Authorization for Underground Water
Rights, Mulka Ravi Reddy and Chitra Ravi Reddy, 20374 Clifden Wav, APN 369-36-
020, Resolution No. 09-024.
The property owners of this residential development agree to grant to the City the right to
extract water from the basin under the overlying property.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 3
9. Adopt a resolution affirming local support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 funding, authorizing the filing of an application for American Recovery and
.Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding, and: stating the assurance to complete the project,
Resolution No. 09- 025.
1 O. Accept applications for an Alcoholic Beverage License:
a) Asiaeo Vineyyards, 17659 Montebello Road, Wine Grower (2)
b) Hofbrau Beer Hall SV, LLC, 10123 N. Wolfe Road #2124, On Sale General -
Eating Place (47)
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR {above)
1. Approve the minutes from the January 20, 27, 28, and February 3 City Council meetings.
The Deputy City Clerk distributed a page showing corrections to the minutes of Feb. 3
and noted a correction to the minutes of Jan. 20 as well.
These items were approved as amended.
5. Accept the Planning Commission recommendation to appoint Lisa Giefer as the
Environmental Review Committee representative. (Continued from Feb. 3).
Under postponements, this item was removed from the agenda.
Council member Sandoval said that •when this item comes back she would like
information regarding whether Council needs to approve the ERC representative or if the
chair of the Planning Commission automatically becomes the representative.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. Consider a Municipal Code amendment to the Sinele Family Rl ordinance (section
19.28.060) regarding the allowed ratio of: the second floor building area compared to the
first floor building area. The revised ordinance will consider adjusting the allowed ratio to
facilitate greater architectural diversity, but will not consider increasing or decreasing the
total allowed building azea on an R1 lot or changing the required second story setbacks.
.The ordinance amendment will also include minor language clarifications relating to
gardening activities and miscellaneous wording changes to improve the readability of the
document, Application No. MCA-2008-03, City of Cupertino, Citywide_
Associate Planner Piu Ghosh reviewed the staff report.
At 7:27 p.m. Mayor Mahoney opened the public hearing.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council
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Joshua Richardson said that because of current ordinance rules, he must artificially
increase the bottom floor in order to give him the square footage he needs for the second
floor. He urged Council to eliminate the 45% ratio rule.
Jessica Rose showed pictures of the Garden Gate area before and after it was annexed to
Cupertino. She noted that before the annexation, the homes built were very boxy-looking
but with the Cupertino restrictions, the homes were toned down and were anicer-looking
Mediterranean style. She said that azchitectural diversity is a good goal but changing only
one part of the ordinance wouldn't work towazd that goal. She urged Council to focus
more on sustainability issues rather than how big the second floor can be.
Jennifer Griffin said that many people in the Rancho Rinconada area encouraged
annexation because they wanted more protection against "monster homes." She said the
ordinance works well as it is now and that the homes being built under the current rules
aze nice. She urged Council to either open up the whole R1 ordinance or leave it alone
and focus on something important like sustainability.
Stanley Lee said that he is for the single-tier proposal and hopes Council doesn't put too
much restriction on two-story houses and no additional restriction on houses less than the
45% ratio.
Jeff Schulken said that he was happy that his Rancho Rinconada neighborhood was
annexed to Cupertino to slow down the building of "monster homes." He suggested
Council open up the entire Rl rather than just one aspect, if Council looks at it at all.
Eric Keng said that Council should streamline the planning process and let people build
houses the way they want because the 45% ratio is not flexible enough. He suggested
setting an absolute second floor square footage, instead of 45% of the first floor, by using
the overall lot and the setback.
Susan Chen urged Council to remove the 45% ratio because it is not environmentally
friendly, since people are forced to build a bigger first floor and use more material. She
also said that removing the 45% ratio would also create more diversity.
Y.Q. Qi said he agreed with increasing the ratio for the second floor so there is more
space for a yard.
At 8.05 p.m. Mayor Mahoney closed the public hearing.
City Planner Gary Chao explained that the Rl 45% ratio topic came up again as a design
issue. Even though the existing ordinance works, Planning found that-more people were
building wedding-cake style houses. Staff wanted to see ordinance options without
changing setbacks on second floor, floor area ratio (FAR), or privacy issues, to how best
accomplish diversity in building styles.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 5
Council discussed and commented on the draft Two Story Design Principles in the
packet.
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to continue the item to March 17 with direction to
staff regarding amending the design print;iples and pictorial examples, and also review
the effect of removing the second stor}~ setback surcharge and applying the design
principles, or keeping the setback surcharge but applying only visual relief techniques.
Councilmember Sandoval also wished to have additional wording in the design
guidelines about sustainability. 'The motion carried unanimously.
Council recessed from 8:55 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -none
NEW BUSINESS
12. Consider an meal from Mr. Sridar Obilesetty regarding undergrounding utilities, 10171
Lebanon Drive APN 342-14-008. (ContinLied from December 2).
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Linder reviewed the staff report.
Appellant Sridar Obilesetty showed a PowerPoint presentation stating his case. He
explained that the Public Works staff reviewed and approved his blueprints, and those
plans did not reflect the need to underground utilities. He said it would have been easier
to do it then than now, because all the overhead work would have to be demolished,
thereby wasting energy and money. He showed a picture of anewly-constructed home on
Lorre Ave_ which had overhead utilities. He said that that he was told undergrounding
was an aesthetic issue and not a safety issue, and he asked that Council uphold his appeal
and allow him to keep the power overhead..
Assistant Public Works Director Glenn ~ ioepfert explained that it is a Public Works
department policy to underground utilities, and the current question is whether the City
wants to participate in the cost of doing the undergrounding at this time because the
City's process has somehow cost the appellant money.
Wong moved and Santoro seconded for discussion to deny the appeal and to require
undergrounding of the utilities, with a modification to set a cap of $4,000 for the City's
participation in the costs of undergrounding the electrical service, specifically for work
beyond what undergrounding would have ~~st if constructed originally, in exchange for a
release of the City against all future claims, and the City should work with the applicant
to minimize the impact on the existing hoi~se_ Wang added a friendly amendment that the
City would only pay for 30% of the cost. The amendment was not accepted.
Sandoval moved and Wang seconded to amend the motion that the City would only pay
for 30% of the cost. That motion failed with Mahoney, Santoro, and Wong voting no and
Sandoval and Wang voting yes.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council
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The original motion carried with Mahoney, Santoro, and Wong voting yes and Sandoval
and Wang voting no. The final motion was to (1) deny the appeal; (2) require the utilities
to be placed underground; (3) to set a cap of $4,000 for the City's participation in the
costs of undergrounding the electrical service beyond what undergrounding would have
cost if constructed originally; (4) require Mr. Obilisetty to release the City against all
future claims; and (5) staff will work with the applicant to minimize the impact on the
existing house.
ORDINANCES
13. Conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 09-2037: "An Ordinance of the City of
Cupertino adding Chapter 19.118.00 requiring artwork in public and private
developments."
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to read the ordinance by title only and that the
Deputy City Clerk's reading would constitute the second reading thereof. Ayes:
Mahoney, Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to enact Ord~na*+ce No. 09-2037. Ayes: Mahoney,
Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
14. Conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 09-2038: "An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Cupertino amending Chapter 19.108: Wireless Communications
Facilities, of the Cupertino Municipal Code regarding the expansion of potential site
locations, adding design and siting review criteria and miscellaneous technical changes".
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to read the ordinance by title only and that the
Deputy City Clerk's reading would constitute the second reading thereof. Ayes:
Mahoney, Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to enact Ordinance No. 09-2038. Ayes: Mahoney,
Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
STAFF REPORTS -None
COUNCIL REPORTS
Riccardo Gaudino, Golden State Historian for the Golden State Transportation-Ag Education
Fund, presented a proclamation, in the form of a flag, to Mayor Mahoney to celebrate the 500th
anniversary of the naming of America in geography. He said the organizing committee is
awarding 50 cities in California the designation of Culture Capital of America 2009 Alta
California_ This is to help further community support through education.
Council members highlighted the activities of their committees and various community events.
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February 17, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 7
Council concurred to set a closed session for March 24 at 5:00 in Conference Room A to
evaluate the City Manager.
ADJOURNM..ENT
At 1 1:20 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.
Grace Schmidt, Deputy City Clerk
Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are available for review at
the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223, and also on the Internet at www.cunertino.org. Click on
Online Services, then Watch City Meetings.
Most Council meetings aze shown live on (.able Channel 26, and aze available at your
convenience on the web site: Visit www.cupertino.ors ,then click Online Services and Watch
City Meetings. Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the
Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.
REDEVELOPMENT .AGENCY MEETING
Canceled for lack of business.
The City of Cupertino has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure X1094.6; litigation
challenging a,final decision of the City Council/,Redevelopment Agency must be brought within 90
days after a decision rs announced unless a shorter time rs required by State or Federal Law
Any interested person, including the applicant, prior to seeking judicial review of the city council's
decismn with respect to quasi judicial actions, must first fsle a petition for reconsideration weth the
city clerk within ten days after the council's alecrsion. Any petition so fzled must comply wsth
municipal ordinance code §2.08.096.
In compliance with the Americans with Drsabzli%tses Act (ADA), the City of Cupertino wilt make
reasonable efforts to accommodate persons wia!h qualified disabilities. If you require special
assistance, please contact the city clerk's office a+` 408-777-3223 at least 48 hours in advance of the
meeting_
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Cupertino City Council regarding any item
on thrs agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office located at City
Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, during normal businessr hours.
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