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Home My WebLink AboutPC 10-28-25 Searchable PacketCITY OF CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 10350 Torre Avenue, Council Chamber and via Teleconference Tuesday, October 28, 2025 6:45 PM IN-PERSON AND TELECONFERENCE / PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INFORMATION OPTIONS TO OBSERVE: Members of the public wishing to observe the meeting may do so in one of the following ways: 1) Attend in person at Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue. 2) Tune to Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 on your TV. 3) Watch a live stream online at www.Cupertino.org/youtube and www.Cupertino.org/webcast OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE AND COMMENT: Members of the public wishing to address the Planning Commission may do so in the following ways: 1) Appear in person at Cupertino Community Hall: a. During “Oral Communications”, the public may comment on matters not on the agenda, and for agendized matters, the public may comment during the public comment period for each agendized item. b. Speakers are requested to complete a Speaker Card . While completion of Speaker Cards is voluntary and not required to attend the meeting or provide comments , it is helpful for the purposes of ensuring that all speakers are called upon. c. Speakers must wait to be called , then proceed to the lectern/podium and speak into the microphone when recognized by the Chair. d. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes each. However, the Chair may reduce the speaking time depending on the number of people who wish to speak on an item. A speaker representing a group of 2 to 5 or more people who are present may have up to 2 minutes per group member, up to 10 minutes maximum . e. Please note that due to cyber security concerns, speakers are not allowed to connect any Page 1 1 PC 10-28-2025 1 of 36 Planning Commission Agenda October 28, 2025 personal devices at the lectern/podium. However, speakers that wish to share a document (e.g. presentations, photographs or other documents) during oral comments may do so in one of the following ways: • At the overhead projector at the podium or • E-mail the document to planning@cupertino.gov by 3:00 p.m. and staff will advance the slides/share the documents during your oral comment. 2) Written communications as follows: a. E-mail comments to planningcommission@cupertino.gov b. Regular mail or hand delivered addressed to the: Cupertino Planning Commission, City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 c. Comments addressed to the Planning Commission received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting will be included in written communications published and distributed before the beginning of the meeting. b. Comments addressed to the Planning Commission received after the 5:00 p.m. deadline, but through the end of the Planning Commission meeting, will be posted to the City’s website by the end of the following business day. 3) Teleconference in one of the following ways: a. Online via Zoom on an electronic device (Audio and Video): Speakers must register in advance by clicking on the link below to access the meeting: https://cityofcupertino.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8h1sRCuXRna1reErHB7MUg • Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. • Speakers will be recognized by the name they use for registration. Once recognized, speakers must click ‘unmute’ when prompted to speak. • Please read the following instructions about technical compatibility carefully: One can directly download the teleconference (Zoom) software or connect to the meeting in their internet browser. If a browser is used, make sure the most current and up-to-date browser, such as the following, is used: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers, including Internet Explorer. Page 2 2 PC 10-28-2025 2 of 36 Planning Commission Agenda October 28, 2025 b. By Phone (Audio only): No registration is required in advance and speakers may join the meeting as follows: i. Dial 669-900-6833 and enter WEBINAR ID: 879 1354 9847 ii. To “raise hand” to speak: Dial *9; When asked to unmute: Dial *6 iii. Speakers will be recognized to speak by the last four digits of their phone number. c. Via an H.323/SIP room system: i. H.323 Information: 144.195.19.161 (US West) 206.247.11.121 (US East) Meeting ID: 879 1354 9847 ii. SIP: 87913549847@zoomcrc.com PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Subject: Approval of the October 14, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the October 14, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes 1 - Draft Minutes POSTPONEMENTS ORAL COMMUNICATIONS This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Commission on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission and not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes. In most cases, State law will prohibit the Commission from making any decisions with respect to a matter not on the agenda. Unless there are separate discussions and/or actions requested by council, staff or a member of the public, it is requested that items under the Consent Calendar be acted on simultaneously. STUDY SESSION 2.Subject: Study Session: Objective Design Standards That the Planning Commission provide feedback and recommendations regarding the establishment of objective design standards for new multi-family and residential mixed-use development Staff Report 1 - Presentation Page 3 3 PC 10-28-2025 3 of 36 Planning Commission Agenda October 28, 2025 PUBLIC HEARINGS - None Effective January 1, 2023, Government Code Section 65103.5 (SB 1214) limits the distribution of copyrighted material associated with the review of development projects. Members of the public wishing to view plans that cannot otherwise be distributed under SB 1214 may make an appointment with the Planning Division to view them at City Hall by sending an email to planning@cupertino.org. Plans will also be made available digitally during the hearing to consider the proposal. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS - None STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS This portion of the meeting is reserved for staff to provide any updates on matters pertinent to the Commission and for Commissioners to report on any Commission related activities they have taken part in since the prior regularly scheduled meeting. FUTURE AGENDA SETTING This portion of the meeting is reserved for the Chair or any two Commissioners to propose a future agenda item within the jurisdiction of the Commission. A proposal to add a future agenda item shall be brief and without discussion by the Commission. ADJOURNMENT If you challenge the action of the Planning Commission in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Cupertino at, or prior to, the public hearing. In the event an action taken by the Planning Commission is deemed objectionable, the matter may be officially appealed to the City Council in writing within fourteen (14) days of the date of the Commission’s decision. Said appeal is filed with the City Clerk (Ordinance 632). In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who is planning to attend this meeting who is visually or hearing impaired or has any disability that needs special assistance should call the City Clerk's Office at 408-777-3223, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to arrange for assistance. In addition, upon request in advance by a person with a disability, meeting agendas and writings distributed for the meeting that are public records will be made available in the appropriate alternative format. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission after publication of the packet will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development Department located at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014 during normal business hours and in Planning packet archives linked from the agenda/minutes page on the City web site. Page 4 4 PC 10-28-2025 4 of 36 Planning Commission Agenda October 28, 2025 IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be advised that pursuant to Cupertino Municipal Code section 2.08.100, written communications sent to the City Council, Commissioners or staff concerning a matter on the agenda are included as supplemental material to the agendized item. These written communications are accessible to the public through the City website and kept in packet archives. Do not include any personal or private information in written communications to the City that you do not wish to make public, as written communications are considered public records and will be made publicly available on the City website. For questions on any items in the agenda, or for documents related to any of the items on the agenda, contact the Planning Department at (408) 777 3308 or planning@cupertino.org. Page 5 5 PC 10-28-2025 5 of 36 CITY OF CUPERTINO Agenda Item Subject: Approval of the October 14, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes Approve the October 14, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF CUPERTINO Printed on 10/24/2025Page 1 of 1 6 PC 10-28-2025 6 of 36 DRAFT MINUTES CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, October 14, 2025 At 6:45 p.m. Chair Santosh Rao called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue and via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Santosh Rao, Vice Chair Tracy Kosolcharoen, and Commissioners David Fung, Steven Scharf and Seema Lindskog. Absent: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Subject: Approval of the September 23, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the September 23, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes MOTION: Fung moved and Kosolcharoen seconded to approve the September 23, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes. The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Fung, Lindskog. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. POSTPONEMENTS – None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None PUBLIC HEARINGS – None NEW BUSINESS 2. Subject: Appointment of a Planning Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittee to report on best practices on community noticing from other Bay Area cities. The Planning Commission may identify procedural or policy areas that would benefit from detailed review by this ad hoc subcommittee. The subcommittee will operate consistent with the Brown Act and Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 2.32, focusing on its defined scope and providing a report back to the full Commission for discussion and possible recommendation to the City Council. Recommended Action: - Appoint a Planning Commission Ad Hoc subcommittee with the defined scope to study best practices of other cities on community noticing; and 7 PC 10-28-2025 7 of 36 - Direct the subcommittee to return with findings and recommendations to the full Commission on the following topic: Community Noticing – Evaluate current noticing best practices from other Bay Area cities for development projects and their related applications and report back on a comparison of practices in the area of community noticing with the goal to further enhance community awareness and participation. Consider a motion that the Planning Commission form an ad hoc subcommittee to study community noticing best practices from Bay Area cities, and direct the subcommittee to return with findings and recommendations to the full Commission within the recommended timeframe. This study session will allow Commissioners to form an ad hoc subcommittee to address the identified topic, establish subcommittee membership, and set expectations for reporting timelines and deliverables. Commissioners asked clarifying questions, which Assistant City Attorney Michael Woo and Assistant Community Development Director Luke Connolly responded to. Chair Rao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke: • Jennifer Griffin Chair Rao closed the public comment period. Commissioners asked questions and made comments. Chair Rao nominated Commissioner Scharf for the Ad Hoc subcommittee. Commissioner Scharf agreed to be appointed to the Ad Hoc subcommittee. Vice Chair Kosolcharoen agreed to be appointed to the Ad Hoc subcommittee. Rao moved and Scharf seconded to appoint Commissioner Scharf and Vice Chair Kosolcharoen to a Planning Commission Ad Hoc subcommittee with the scope to study best practices of other cities and community noticing as applicable to projects heard at the Planning Commission. Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Lindskog. Noes: Fung. Abstain: None. Absent: None. STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS – Assistant Director of Community Development Luke Connolly provided an update on the upcoming Planning Commissioners Academy, scheduled for March 11–13 in Anaheim. He 8 PC 10-28-2025 8 of 36 noted that funding is available for all Commissioners interested in attending. Registration opens in early December and typically fills up quickly, so Commissioners were encouraged to express their interest as soon as possible to ensure timely registration by staff. FUTURE AGENDA SETTING – • Establish a utilities subcommittee to examine latest plans and compare the fees with other cities from San Jose Water. (Kosolcharoen, Scharf) • Create a subcommittee focused on community outreach on education, helping the community to understand best practices for fire safety in high-fire severity zones. (Kosolcharoen, Scharf) • Create a subcommittee focused on traffic safety technology. (Kosolcharoen, Scharf) ADJOURNMENT At 7:43 p.m. Chair Rao adjourned the Regular Planning Commission Meeting. Minutes prepared by: Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant 9 PC 10-28-2025 9 of 36 CITY OF CUPERTINO Agenda Item Subject:Study Session: Objective Design Standards That the Planning Commission provide feedback and recommendations regarding the establishment of objective design standards for new multi-family and residential mixed-use development CITY OF CUPERTINO Printed on 10/24/2025Page 1 of 1 10 PC 10-28-2025 10 of 36 PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Agenda Date: October 28, 2025 Subject Study Session: Objective Design Standards Recommended Action That the Planning Commission provide feedback and recommendations regarding the establishment of objective design standards for new multi-family and residential mixed- use development Background Cupertino is preparing new residential design standards, known as objective design standards (ODS) in response to changes in State housing law over the last several years. Staff and the project consultant, PlaceWorks, have conducted Planning Commission Study Sessions for the ODS on May 13 and July 22, 2025. The Study Sessions covered the following topics: • Relevant legal background for ODS • The definition of ODS • Differences between discretionary and ministerial review • Regulatory limits of ODS, which do not regulate land use or density, unlike zoning of land use plans • Current Cupertino design policies, guidelines, and standards • Local flexibility in the ODS processes • Typical ODS content and approaches In response to the Planning Commission’s request at the most recent July 22, 2025 study session, PlaceWorks has compiled a package of locally-adopted ODS. Each of the following samples includes the following information: • Adoption date of the ODS • Publication method • Applicable development types • Primary chapters/sections • ODS approaches and formats 11 PC 10-28-2025 11 of 36 • Summary of Outreach • Links to document I. City of Sunnyvale Citywide Objective Design Standards Adoption date: June, 2023 Publication method: Stand-alone document Applicable development types covered by the ODS: • Multifamily residential • Mixed-Use Residential • Supportive/transitional housing Primary chapters/sections: 1. Introduction 2. Site Design 3. Building Form 4. Building Detail and Lighting 5. Parking and Service Area Design 6. Open Space Design 7. Landscape Design 8. Bird Safe Design 9. Glossary ODS Approaches and Formats: • Text requirements • Tabular quantities and requirements • Selective lists • Point-based scoring • Text accompanied by 2D diagrams • Text accompanied by 3D diagrams • Text accompanied by photographs Outreach Summary (2021-2023): • Virtual Public Meeting: ODS Education • Virtual Public Meeting: Design Insights • (1) Virtual Stakeholder Focus Group: Developers and architects • (1) Joint PC/CC Study Session Link to document: Sunnyvale ODS II. City of San Mateo Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards Adoption date: December, 2023 12 PC 10-28-2025 12 of 36 Publication method: Stand-alone document Applicable development types: • New multifamily development • New mixed-use residential development • Additions to multifamily and residential mixed-use development Primary chapters/sections: 1. Organization 2. Purpose and Applicability 3. Site Planning 4. Building Design and Architecture 5. Landscaping, Open Space and Exterior Lighting 6. Other Site Features 7. Specific Plan Area Standards 8. Definitions ODS Approaches and Formats: • Text only standards • Text associated with photographs • Text associated with labeled & illustrated photographs • Texts associated with 2D diagrams • Text associated with 3D diagrams • Selective lists Summary of Outreach (2021-2023) • Community Workshop: ODS Education • Community Workshop: Design input • (2) Planning Commission Study Sessions • Developer Roundtable • Joint PC/CC Study Session Link to document: San Mateo ODS III. City of Palo Alto Objective Design Standards Adoption date: 2022 Publication method: Palo Alto Municipal Code, Section 18.24 Applicable development types: “Multifamily housing with three or more units ("multiple-family use" as defined in Section 18.04.030), supportive and transitional housing, and residential mixed-use projects with at least two-thirds residential square footage shall meet the objective design standards.” Primary chapters/sections: 13 PC 10-28-2025 13 of 36 1. Purpose and Applicability 2. Public Realm/Sidewalk Character 3. Site access 4. Building Orientation and Setbacks 5. Building Massing 6. Façade Design 7. Residential Entries 8. Open Space 9. Materials 10. Sustainability and Grenn Building Design ODS Approaches and Formats: • Text only standards • Tabular quantities • Equations • Texts associated with 2D diagrams • Text associated with 3D diagrams Summary of Outreach (2021-2023) • Multiple Architectural Review Board (ARB) review sessions Link to document: City of Palo Alto ODS IV. City of Foster City Multi-Family Objective Design Standards Adoption date: September, 2024 Publication method: Stand-alone ODS User Guide Applicable development types: • New multi-family development • New mixed-use development Primary chapters/sections: 1. Introduction 2. Applicability 3. Site Design and Development Standards 4. Building Design and Development Standards 5. Appendix: Checklist ODS Approaches and Formats: • Text only standards • Equations • Text associated with photographs • Text associated with labeled photographs • Texts associated with 2D diagrams/site plans 14 PC 10-28-2025 14 of 36 • Text associated with 3D diagrams • Selective lists Summary of Outreach (2021-2024) • Public Study Session • Urban Design Data Walk • PC Study Session Link to document: Foster City ODS V. Town of Los Gatos Objective Design Standards Adoption date: January, 2023 (updated) Publication method: Stand-alone document Applicable development types: • Multi-family housing developments • Residential mixed-use developments with a minimum of two-thirds of the square footage designated for residential use • Supportive and transitional housing development Primary chapters/sections: 1. Purpose and applicability 2. Organization 3. Key Terms 4. Site Standards 5. Building Standards ODS Approaches and Formats: • Text only standards • Texts associated with 2D diagrams/site plans • Text associated with 3D diagrams Summary of Outreach (2021-2023) • Community Meeting: Preliminary Topics • Community Meeting: Draft Standards • (2) PC Study Sessions prior to Draft ODS review Link to document: Los Gatos ODS Analysis: The example ODS discussed above present a range of options and formats that the City can choose to include in its own ODS document. Staff encourages the Commission to review the local agency examples and convey to staff what preferences they have so that staff can develop a draft document for the Commission’s consideration prior to the end of the calendar year. 15 PC 10-28-2025 15 of 36 Environmental Review This study session and the resulting Planning Commission recommendations will not cause a direct or indirect physical change to the environment. As such, they do not constitute a CEQA “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 21065 – Project. No environmental review is, therefore, required. Other Department/Agency Review None required. COMMUNITY OUTREACH This Planning Commission Meeting follows two public outreach events conducted as part of the ODS Project: 1. Open House: City staff and PlaceWorks conducted a hybrid in-person/virtual Housing Design Preference Open House on February 10, 2025, at Cupertino Community Hall. The goals of the meeting were to introduce residents to the ODS process and conduct a design preference open house. 2. PC Study Session: City staff and PlaceWorks conducted the aforementioned Planning Commission ODS Study Session on May 13, 2025. 3. Planning Commission ODS Study Session on July 22, 2025 NEXT STEPS City staff and PlaceWorks will complete a draft Objective Design Standards document for consideration by the Planning Commission and, subsequently, the City Council, with expected public review and adoption of the final ODS by mid-2026. _____________________________________ Prepared by: Greg Goodfellow, Senior Associate II, PlaceWorks Reviewed and Approved for Submission by: Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community Development 16 PC 10-28-2025 16 of 36 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards Planning Commission Study Session, October 28, 2025 17 PC 10-28-2025 17 of 36 6:45 7:00 7:30 3. Agenda PROJECT WELCOME PREVIOUS DISCUSSION 1. 2. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION 4. SAMPLE ODS REVIEW 3. 18 PC 10-28-2025 18 of 36 Project Welcome 19 PC 10-28-2025 19 of 36 PROJECT TEAMWELCOME Luke Connolly Assistant Director of Community Development, City of Cupertino Piu Ghosh Planning Manager, City of Cupertino Greg Goodfellow Senior Associate II, PlaceWorks Charlie Knox Principal, PlaceWorks 20 PC 10-28-2025 20 of 36 Previous Discussion 21 PC 10-28-2025 21 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards Previous PC Study Sessions May 13, 2025 »Introduce ODS project and review community design preferences. »Discuss and document Planning Commission residential design priorities. »PC direction: Develop sample ODS based on design feedback. July 22, 2025 »Review package of potential ODS developed in response to five PC design priorities. »PC direction: Compile summaries of adopted local ODS, including approach, formatting and public outreach process. 22 PC 10-28-2025 22 of 36 Sample ODS Review 23 PC 10-28-2025 23 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Sunnyvale Background Information Adoption date: June 2023 Publication method: stand-alone document Applies to multifamily residential, mixed-use residential, and supportive/transitional housing Outreach Summary (2021-2023) Virtual Public Meeting: ODS Education Virtual Public Meeting: Design Insights (1) Virtual Stakeholder Focus Group: Developers and Architects (1) Joint PC/CC Study Session 24 PC 10-28-2025 24 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Sunnyvale ODS Approaches and Formats Text only standards Tabular quantities and requirements Selective lists Point-base scoring 2D diagrams 3D diagrams Photographs 25 PC 10-28-2025 25 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of San Mateo Background Information Adoption date: December 2023 Publication method: Stand-alone document Applies to new multi-family development, new mixed-use residential development, and additions to multi-family and residential mixed-use development Outreach Summary (2021-2023) Community Workshop: ODS Education Community Workshop: Design Input (2) Planning Commission Study Sessions Developer Roundtable Joint PC/CC Study Session 26 PC 10-28-2025 26 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of San Mateo ODS Approaches and Formats Text only standards Text associated with labeled & illustrated photographs 2D diagrams 3D diagrams Selective lists 27 PC 10-28-2025 27 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Palo Alto Background Information Adoption date: 2022 Publication method: Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 18.24 Applies to multifamily housing with three or more units, supportive and transitional housing, residential mixed-use with at least two-thirds residential square footage Outreach Summary (2021-2023) Architectural Review Board (ARB) review sessions 28 PC 10-28-2025 28 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Palo Alto ODS Approaches and Formats Text only standards Tabular quantities 2D diagrams 3D diagrams 29 PC 10-28-2025 29 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards Sample 4: Foster City Background Information Adoption date: September 2024 Publication method: Stand-alone ODS User Guide Applies to new multifamily development & new mixed-use development Outreach Summary (2021-2024) Public Study Session Urban Design Data Walk PC Study Session 30 PC 10-28-2025 30 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards Sample 4: Foster City ODS Approaches and Formats Text only standards Labeled photographs 2D diagrams/site plans 3D diagrams Selective lists 31 PC 10-28-2025 31 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Los Gatos Background Information Adoption date: January 2023 (updated) Publication method: stand-alone document Applies to multifamily development, residential mixed-use with minimum two-thirds of SF designated residential, supportive and transitional housing development Outreach Summary (2021-2023) Community Meeting: Preliminary Topics Community Meeting: Draft Standards (2) PC Study Sessions prior to Draft ODS Review 32 PC 10-28-2025 32 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards City of Los Gatos ODS Approaches and Formats Text only standards 2D diagrams/site plans 3D diagrams 33 PC 10-28-2025 33 of 36 Planning Commission Discussion 34 PC 10-28-2025 34 of 36 City of Cupertino Objective Design Standards Planning Commission Discussion Local examples of ODS 1.Format 2.Outreach 3.Approaches Project Direction 1.Review Administrative Draft ODS before City Council review 2.Review revised sample package based on July 22, 2025 PC feedback and additional detail before City Council review 3.Other 35 PC 10-28-2025 35 of 36 Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards Planning Commission Study Session, October 28, 2025 36 PC 10-28-2025 36 of 36