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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAC Minutes 01-09-1974CITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California Telephone: 252-4505 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL COMMITTEE OF JANUARY 9, 1974 IN THE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG The meeting was opened at 7:32 p.m. by Chairman McLaren with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Members present: Members absent: Staff present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dressler, Koenitzer, Sallan, Weinstein, Chairman McLaren None Senior Planning Technician Toby Kramer Minutes of December 5, 1973: On page 7, paragraph 1, the last sentence should read: "Member Koenitzer said no matter what was done, bicycle crossing accesses to shopping center, freeway or Mary Avenue are a problem, but some type of bicycle lane is desirable." Page 7, paragraph 2, the last sentence should read, ":Member Koenitzer said there was no way of riding west on the south side of Stevens Creek Boulevard as the law requires bicycles tc be,r�.dden in the same direction as traffic." Page 7, paragraph 5, line 4 should read "way around building and there is a one-story extension to the east. He explained......". I There being no further corrections, it was moved that the Minutes of December 5, 1973 be approved as corrected. HC -97 Page 1 Mi.n u t e s of 12/5/73 approved as corrected Motion carried, 4-0 Member Dressler abstained HC -97 Page 2 Minutes of 12/19/73 approved as corrected HC -51,027.13 James Frost MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING Minutes of December 19, 1973: On page 5, last paragraph, :Member Sallan wished the last sentence to read as follows: "This discussion would be informational so the applicant would have time to revise his plans in light of the discussion relative to the architecture." On page 7, Member Sallan wished the following inserted just prior to Unfinished Business. "The scope of the suggestions for Bumbleberry was as follows: (1) Replace 1 -gallon plants with 5 -gallon plants as per original plan., (2) Add 4 evergreen trees, 15 -gallon size, to Stevens Creek planter area'. (3) Replace 1 -gallon plants with 5 -gallon plants on eastern boundary as per original plan. (4) Add more 5 -gallon shrubs on Stevens Creek frontage as appropriate. There being no further corrections, it was moved to accept the Minutes of December 19, 1973 as corrected. Motion carried, 4-0 Chairman McLaren abstained POSTPONEMENTS: None WRITTEN CO?1UNCATIONS : None ORAL CONNUNICATIONS: None Staff Member Kramer noted that a modification to Bob's Big Boy and sign ordinance changes would be discussed under Unfinished Business. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Application HC -51,027.13 of Edwin J. Myers (James Frost) request- ing approval of landscaping and lighting for a single -story pro- fessional office building located westerly of Torre Avenue approxi- mately 100 feet northerly of the intersection of Pacifica Drive and Torre Avenue. Staff report: Ms. Kramer recalled this application had been reviewed in October with lighting and landscaping being continued to allow for an overall theme to be developed between this applicant and the Taylor Wheeler Corporation. She used a site plan to exhibit Taylor Wheeler landscaping design. Frost plan will use same plants. A sketch of the trash enclosure was exhibited. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING Member Koenitzer asked about light standards. These will be the same as approved for Taylor Wheeler. Member Sallan ascertained there would be lights around building. Mr. Robin Kipp, 1309 Rimrock, San Jose, answered Member Sallan's request for clarification of mounding. The top of the mound would be 3' high with ground cover. Member Sallan said her concern was to be sure the parking lot was screened. Mr. Kipp said there would be a Holly Oak tree behind mound. Member Sallan ascertained there would be shrubs in that area running completely across the front. The shrub will be 18" to 24" high. In answer to Member Sallan, Mr. Kipp described the rear portion of the site. Member Koenitzer said he would like some accent shrubs all around the three open sides. He suggested two or four per side. Mr. Kipp asked if Taylor Wheeler were being required to put these in. Member Sallan said this was not an unreasonable request in terms of cost and would add depth to landscaping aesthetics. Mr. Kipp offered to add two on Torre Avenue close to building. Mr. Kipp pointed out the transformer had been moved to Torre Avenue side in northeast corner as directed by PG&E. It is a 3'x3' green square box on 64" square concrete pad. They were not happy at having it in this location either. Chairman McLaren asked Mr. Kipp to do the best he could in screening it. Member Sallan asked for extra clumping of shrubs below mound in corner square. Chairman McLaren noted trash enclosure would be of slumpstone material similar to buildings. Mr. Kipp said the enclosures would be 6' high and in approximately same location as Taylor Wheeler's. The lighting was briefly discussed. Member Sallan noted the plant list size of Lantana was 1 -gallon. The committee had adopted guidelines that spoke to size of plantings on major frontages; she suggested these be changed to 5 -gallon size rather than the 1 -gallon size. Mr. Kipp said Taylor -Wheeler would be using 1 -gallon size and he felt they should use the same size. He felt they were being penalized. Chairman McLaren pointed out this applicant had been asked to delay the landscaping portion of his application. Member Koenitzer said since these plants are being used as ground cover they would be 1 -gallon size. A discussion followed regarding the application of guidelines. HC -9 7 Page 3 Landscaping Trash enclosu Lighting HC -97 Page 4 Public Hear -1 ings closed HC -51,027.13 approved w/ condition MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING Member Weinstein asked how long it would take for these plants to cover the ground if planted on 5' centers. Mr. Kipp did not know. Member Weinstein suggested decreasing plantings to 4' centers if using 1 -gallon size. Mr. Kipp said he would rather do this than use 5 -gallon size plants. Chairman McLaren announced this was a Public Hearing and asked for comments from the audience. There were none. Member Sallan moved, seconded by Member Koenitzer, to close Public Hearings. Motion carried, 5-0 Member Weinstein said 5' centers between ground cover would not be (effective. Member Sallan said if the applicant were staying with 1 - (gallon plants, the selection could be changed. Chairman McLaren said since they had been asked to wait and their plans coincided with Taylor Wheelers which had been approved, she felt these should be ;also. Member Koenitzer noted Taylor Wheeler's application was approved ,with these spacings. Member Koenitzer moved to recommend approval of application HC --51,027.13 to the City Council with the standard conditions, attached exhibits and (following additional condition: (1) That several accent shrubs will be placed around three sides of building and on the small square next to the parking lot, 5 -gallon container size to be used. !Motion was seconded by Member Dressler. AYES: Members Dressler, Koenitzer, Sallan, Weinstein and Chairman McLaren NOES: None Motion carried, 5-0 The applicant was notified this would be heard by the City Council at its January 21, 1974 meeting. 2. Application HC -51,075.331 of Cal -Coast Sign Company (4 Phase) HC -51,075.331 requesting approval of a sign plan for a light industrial 4 Phase building located at the south of 280 Freeway, north of Vallco Parkway. Staff report: Staff member Kramer showed slides of site and proposed sign. The sign is 5½ feet above ground and approximately 40 square feet per side. It is internally illuminated. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING Member Dressler noted this was a monumental type sign as had been requested. Mr. Vern Pitroff, 965 Richard Avenue, Santa Clara, described the sign poles for :Member Sallan. They will be material with simulated concrete wrapping of a color to match the building. Chairman McLaren opened the meeting for comments from the audience. There were none. Member Weinstein moved, seconded by Member Koenitzer, to close the Public Hearings. Motion carried, 5-0 Member Weinstein moved to approve application HC -51,075.331, subject to standard conditions and Exhibits F and F-1. Seconded by Member Koenitzer. AYES: Members Dressler, Koenitzer, Sallan, Weinstein and Chairman McLaren NOES: None Motion carried, 5-0 The applicant was notified this would be heard by the City Council on January 21, 1974. 3. Application HC -51,032.2 of Sign Designs, Inc. (Care -Free #1 Wash & Dry) requesting approval of a sign plan for a commercial building located at the northeast corner of Blaney Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard. Staff report: Staff member Kramer said this was a request fora' single faced wall sign approximately 69 square feet in size. She showed slides of site, pointing out location of sign and other signs in the center. She said this was an old center with no sign program. This sign could be setting precedent for any future signs in the center. HC -97 Page 5 Public Hear- ings closed HC -51,075.33 approved HC -51,032.2 Care -Free #1 Wash & Dry HC -97 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL ETING Page 6 The sign will be centered over the door. Mr. Douglas C. Smith, 440 Hockler, Modesto, answered Member Koenitzer that sign would be against parapet. Member Weinstein asked about the use of #1, if this connoted this would be a chain of laundromats. Mr. Smith said the owner hoped so. This place has been in business approximately 5 weeks. Member Weinstein said he could not see relationship between spaceman on sign and a laundromat. Mr. Smith said the intent was to show something unusual. Member Weinstein expressed his personal objection to spacemen, the Big Boy, and other figures on signs and said he could not approve sign as it is. Member Koenitzer said he did not feel #1 added anything to sign. His major objection to sign was the size in relationship to rest of signs on the building. 12 feet x 2 feet would be his limit. Mr. Smith said the owner was not particularly married to logo style, but in relationship to building front this sign would proportion out. He 'pointed out shape of building and other projecting signs limited ;their business's visibility to traffic. He also pointed out there is a realm of signs of different types in this center. ;Chairman McLaren said one thing that must be taken into account is that this is the first change in signing in this center, which gives ;the committee a chance for upgrading, and they must be careful of !sign size. She felt a 23 foot sign would be too long. Member Koenitzer said sign could be half as high and still be legible. He pointed out there is a shopping center sign on Blaney and Stevens ;Creek so there is exposure on the two frontages. Mr. Brailey said he built laundromats and Mr. Medwin had purchased this laundromat from him. They had customers from Los Gatos because of this niceness of this laundry. It is 1/3 of a block from Blaney along H part of building where they are located. Their allowance is 108 square feet and they are only asking for 69 square feet. Other signs in center are made out of plywood and sheet metal, and theirs will be more in keeping with signs along Highway 9. Mounting back on building will give a balanced effect. He thought Mr. Medwin would be willing to give up identification of spaceman. This is a $50,000.00 investment and they are concerned with identification. Member Sallan noted the interior of the facility was lovely. She shared the zoncern relativa to size. She asked Ms. Kramer what was the position in terms of discussion with owner of shopping center and future signing in the shopping center; how the committee could effect some type of unity between this and whatever else happens. The staff member explained MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING the different alternatives covering this situation. To change all signs would require a major modification to building. She suggested the committee should use this sign as an example of type of sign desired relative to size and color. Member Sallan said the color was a problem since this might be a precedent for future signs and she felt it would be better to have one color rather than the three colors as proposed. Member Koenitzer suggested specifying size and background and leaving it up to future H -Control committees to decide if colors were appropriate. The signs should fit to general plan in terms of size, but not locked in under one color. They could be roughly the same height and width with dark frame and white background, but the colors could be decided later. Member Dressler pointed out this sign was not far off the 12% that was being considered under new sign ordinance and he did not hassle with sign or colors. A discussion was held regarding the color and layout of sign. A consensus of opinion seemed to be to go to one color. Chairman McLaren asked for comments from the audience. There were none. Member Koenitzer moved, seconded by Member Weinstein, to close Public Hearings. Motion carried, 5-0 Member Weinstein moved to approve application HC -51,032.2 to City Council with standard H -Control conditions and in accordance with Exhibits F, F-1 and F-2 and the following modification: (1) Cartoon spaceman be eliminated. (2) Size of sign be reduced by size of the spaceman, approximately 2 feet 7 inches. (3) Color of the sign, in particular "Carefree #1",be changed to two blues used in other portion of sign. (4) Some "matting" process be applied to slightly attenuate brightness of colors of letters. Seconded by Member Dressler. HC -9 7 Page 7 Public Hear- ings closed HC -51,032.2 approved w/ conditions HC -97 Page 8 Otsen Sign Continued to next meeting Bob's Big Boy MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING AYES: Members Dressler, Weinstein, Chairman McLaren NOES: Members Koenitzer and Sallan Motion carried, 3-2 Chairman McLaren notified the applicant this would be heard by the City Council on January 21, 1974. The applicant complimented the committee on the way they discharged their responsibilities. Member Sallan said her objection was to choice of color, preferring ,green to blue. REVIEW OF CHANGE OF COPY OF SIGN FACE 4. Otsen Signs (Mary Jakob Realty) requesting change of copy of an existing sign located at 10300 East Estates Drive. Member Koenitzer said his objection was the larger size of this sign in relationship to others on the building. Staff report: Ms. Kramer noted the applicant was not present. She showed slides of sign on building and pole sign. The window sign occupies more than 25%. Since there were many questions by the committee, Chairman McLaren suggested continuing until applicant could be present to answer them. Member Sallan moved to continue application for Otsen Sign to next meeting, giving applicant some guidelines of concern of committee relative to busy-ness of sign. Seconded by Member Weinstein. Motion carried, 5-0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Staff member Kramer said Bob's Big Boy was requesting some modification needed to hide mechanical equipment on roof. She used plans to point out air conditioning and other mechanical equipment on roof. The applicant was asking to add wood strips to cover this. The stacks on building would be lowered an additional foot. Ms. Kramer used slides to show building and stacks, and equipment on roof. The two 2' x 10' boards used to block view of air conditioning equipment would be stained to match color of trim. Member Koenitzer did not feel this would improve looks of building. MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL MEETING Staff member Kramer pointed out stacks had to be a certain height to conform to code so could only be dropped 1 foot. The architect had assured Mr. Eakin there would be no equipment showing. Chair- man McLaren asked if there was a rendering of suggested changes and an architectural sketch showing changes was exhibited. Ms. Kramer pointed out the wood on top would tie in with trellis on back of building. Member Sallan said she was concerned about application as she could not adequately visualize what it would look like. Mr. Robert Eakin, 22270 Kendle, Cupertino, used the sketch to further describe and explain proposed changes. Member Dressler said the wood trim matched the fascia and should have been there in the first place to cap block. Chairman McLaren pointed out this was not the applicant's fault, and in order not to delay him further, some recommendation should be made. Mr. Eakin said whatever recommendation was made would be done. Member Sallan said she was not sure this was optimum solution and the applicant should come in with drawings. Mr. Eakin suggested staff could come back to site and a board could be put up to ascertain what would be necessary to cover the equip- ment. Member Dressler moved to make a Minute Order for a 12" parapet for afield fix correction of visual condition of air conditioning stained to match fascia of building, to be regulated by the staff so that if 12" fascia does not satisfy, the applicant is to come back with drawing with correct size of parapet to hide air condition{ ing equipment. Seconded by Member Koenitzer. Motion carried, 5-0 The stacks are to be dark to match the rest of thebuilding trim. Staff member Kramer said the sign ordinance was not included on agenda but she had made copies of reports by Member Koenitzer and Member Weinstein and revised draft of the Sign Ordinance, for the committee's perusal. It was decided to take a break before beginning study of Sign Ordinance. Meeting reconvened at 9:48 p.m. after a 10 minute recess. HC -9 7 Page 9 Minute Order HC -97 Page 10 Sign Ordinance Landscaping Meeting Public safety issue relative to landscaping! Resolution No. 347 Highway 9 Landscaping Adjournment MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 1974 H -CONTROL t fEETING Member Weinstein explained the chart he had prepared relative to sign sizes to be allowed. He said he had taken data shown on sign survey and used a 1'% ratio, keeping a maximum of approximately 135 square feet. Ms. Kramer pointed out that any sign ordinance would be prefaced with the thought they would not be allowed an area greater than the size agreed upon by the committee and the committee would be given discretion to allow less. Different ways of expressing this were discussed. Time' abatement period on non -conforming signs was discussed. The revised draft of the Sign Ordinance was gone over and several changes made. Member Sallan suggested that the committee should have someone to speak for the changes when it was presented to the Planning Commission and City Council. It was announced that a meeting with Dick Heldrith of the Saratoga Horticulture Society had been arranged for Thursday, January 17, 1974 at 7:30 p.m. Staff would also try to contact a representative from a nursery and a lanascape architect. The committee was asked to come prepared with questions. Member Sallan said she thought public safety issue should be looked into with pictures and statistics being given for the committee's study. This to be done at a later date. Member Sallan reported changes made on Resolution No. 347. The City Council had asked for committee clarification on mound height, what other streets are considered major frontages, etc. A Minute Order was received from City Council to require this committee to include in standard conditions the requirement of one specimen tree in each development. Associate Planner Cowan said landscaping study•'•of Highway 9. would be reopened, and Mr. Jim Coleman would be in with schematic docu- ment covering suggestions. Member Koenitzer reported the old car is still in front of Mobil service station. At 11:00 p.m. the motion was made to adjourn to the meeting to be held on Thursday, January 17, 1974. Motion carried, 5.0 ATTEST: APPROVED: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder /s/ Juanita McLaren City Clerk Chairman 4