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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAC Minutes 01-17-1974CITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torte Avenue, Cupertino Telephone: 252-4505 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL COMMITTEE HELD ON AA VARY 17, 1974 IN LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman McLaren opened the meeting at 7:40 p.m. with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Members present: Members absent: Staff present: PUBLIC HEARINGS: Koenitzer, Sallan, Weinstein, Chairman' McLaren Dressler Senior Planning Technician Kramer It was decided to hear item 2 before going on to discussion of landscaping guidelines. 2. Application HC -92,.004.1 City of Cupertino Corporation Yard requesting approval of site for a rock bin enclosure located at the northwest corner of Mary Avenue and Meteor Drive. Staff report: The Senior Planning Technician described the location of the corporation yard and said this would be an on -site improve- ment. The bins are for the storage of loose gravel. The landscap- ing plans for this yard will be brought before the H -Control ccmmittee at its next meeting. She explained the bins would not he seen from the freeway. Chairman McLaren asked that an earlier study that had been made of the corporation yard be made available to the committee. Member Koenitzer noted -the freeway runs 20 ft. to 30 ft. above the corporation yard, making it difficult to screen. A Minute Order to approve this application was proposed. HC -98 Page 1 HC -92,004„1 Corporation Yard Minute Order Motion carried, 4-0 HC -98 Page 2 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 1974 ADJOURNED H -CONTROL MEETING 1. Discussion of Landscaping Guidelines Staff report: The Senior Planning Technician introduced Mr. Dick Hildreth, Saratoga, Horticultural Society representative; Mr. Frank Ortiz, Parks Foreman for the City of Cupertino; and Mr. Jim Coleman, landscape architect. She had asked a nursery representative, but he was not present. The interim guidelines recently adopted were to act as a stop -gap measure, but this input could provide unbiased opinions to aid the committee in setting forth permanent landscaping provisions. Member Sallan had asked Ms. Kramer to take pictures showing 1 -gallon, 5 -gallon size plantings and 15 -gallon types to show difference. Member Sallan indicated her concern was for major frontages. She asked that the guests read the interim guidelines. Staff member Kramer explained that in the future packets might be put together for developers to give them guidelines and indicate exactly what is wanted. Slides were shown of various developments showing the landscaping planting and growth patterns, with Member Sallan pointing out the different aspects of landscaping intent and actual performance of plantings. It was suggested that perhaps container size. might not be a good indicator, noting one application where the developer had complained about the size of plants received from nursery. Mr. Ortiz pointed out that maintenance makes a difference in growth pattern. If plants are placed too close at time of planting, there will be a problem unless maintenance is provided to reduce them. Chairman McLaren referred to narrow median treatment on Bailey Avenue between El Camino and Alma Street in Mountain View. It is attractive and would require low maintenance. Member Sallan asked Mr. Hildreth to address the guidelines. Mr. Hil- dreth said that #1 was generally accepted. #2 he didn't agree with; cannot be tied down too narrow. A discussion was held as to how long it would take a 1 -gallon planting to catch up with a 5 -gallon plant- ing. Mr. Hildreth said it would depend on planting treatment and care of the plant. Member Sallan said the committee would need to deal with average conditions, noting the committee is told by many developers that it is better to plant 1 -gallon size because (a) the root system will be better, and (b) they will overtake the other larger size plantings in a very short period of time. Mr. Hildreth said the root system should be the same in both sizes assuming proper care in the nursery. Some species could catch up in a year; others . MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 1974 ADJOURNED H -CONTROL MEETING could take longer. Mr. Hildreth said the demand for nursery stock over the last several years has been tremendous. Most growers are producing for landscape architects or other nurserymen. Because of the shortage, smaller plants are being accepted at the same price quoted for larger sizes. He said some cities specify from whom the plants are to be purchased. Also, some cities require the stock to be inspected before it is planted. Mr. Ortiz spoke of a situation where this had prevented the loss of many trees for the City of Cupertino. Member Weinstein asked if a decision could be made on. the condition of stocks before planting, and Mr. Ortiz said he thought he could. Member Sallan asked Mr. Hildreth's opinion on 15 -gallon vs 5 -gallon plantings for screening of cars. Mr. Hildreth said it would depend on how soon the effect is wanted and the cost factor to be consider- ed. The cost factor could be as much as 25%. He said "root bound- ness" should not be a problem for either size if properly grown. The critical question was not size, but how it had been grown. He used the blackboard to describe growth of a tree from seedling stage Mr. Coleman noted one reason landscape architects preferred the smaller size was they were not so likely to be root bound in the case where proper care had not been given at the early stages. He read an article about little seedlings being planted in big holes, Mr. Hildreth said another problem could be the 3 ft. median with underground utilities. In this case you cannot plant $5.00 tree in a $10.00 hole. He wondered if these were desirable planting areas at all. The Senior Planning Technician noted there was also the safety factor at this point. Different ways of treatment on these medians were discussed. Mr. Coleman pointed out there should be a 16 ft. vertical clearance for truck traffic. Mr. Hildreth said the committee should also consider aesthetics and survival factor. Chairman McLaren asked about types of trees to be planted on medians and freeways. Monterey Pine is not to be used because of disease and insects. In answer to Member Weinstein, Mr. Hildreth suggested substituting Allepo or Canary Island Pine. TheStateloses 10% of the Monterey Pines. There is a study being done by the State with regard to this. Member Sallan had a question regarding trees which developers say a diseased and cannot be saved. Mr. Hildreth said very often the orchard trees are old, have not been maintained and it is just as well to cut them down. Mr. Ortiz said the average person doesn't know how to take care of orchard trees so they probably wouldn't survive. HC --98 Page 3 HC -98 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 1974 ADJOURNED H -CONTROL MEETING Page 4 Member Sallan said she would like a statement relative to guidelines for screening of automobiles. She asked Mr. Hildreth to give a plus and minus list relative to 1 -gallon plants as opposed to 5 -gallon plants and 5 -gallon trees as opposed to 15 -gallon trees. Mr. Hildreth said assuming money was no problem, of course the larger plants would screen quicker. Chairman McLaren asked about spacing and Mr. Hildreth said the spac- ing should be according to the ultimate growth of the plant. Another technique is to use both larger and smaller p.Lants, interspersing them. Mr. Coleman told Mr. Hildreth he thought the committee wanted to know the difference in age between the 1 -gallon and 5 -gallon sizes. Mr. Hildreth said between 1 -gallon and 5 -gallon would be about 12 months and between the 5 -gallon and 15 -gallon trees would be about 18 months. The Senior Planning Technician asked if height could be used as a criteria. Mr. Hildreth said he would not recommend tying the hands of the landscape architect, developer and purchasing agent by having specifications so narrow that they could not get stock. There is a danger in ordering by container size. It is getting hard to get cans which could make specs meaningless. He suggested making a reasonable range in which the landscape architect, contractor and nurserymen can work. Fie said one problem with regard to the City is that it is work- ing within a one year framework. Planning ahead would give the nursery much better chance to supply. He suggested wording in such a way as, to allow flexibility but still retain control needed. Perhaps container size coupled with plant size with list of acceptable and unacceptable plants. Size is not always the best criteria. He suggested the committee look to what other cities are doing and consult with several nurserymen. He invited them to the visit the foundation. Member Sallan asked Mr. Hildreth to speak to optimum spacing. He said it would depend on ultimate size of plant and effect desired. Chairman McLaren asked if there were any trees that wouldn't stand up to wind and storm stress. Mr. Hildreth said it was not always the type of tree, but could be the tree surroundings, care of tree, care in grading, etc. Member Koenitzer asked if there was information available on growth habit and size of plants. Mr. Hildreth said to his knowledge no nursery would have the information worded in just such a way. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 17, 1974 ADJOURNED H -CONTROL MEETING IIC-98 Page 5 Chairman McLaren spoke to the problem of trees being hit by car bumpers and felt it would be important to have adequate spacing to prevent this. Ar. Coleman said most parking lots are designed --te pr-eventthds-from-bra-peening -i€--the ears- are parked —properly,-- --- but this was not always done. Chairman McLaren also brought up the necessity for paying closer attention to a plan submitted by an architect not familiar with this climate. Member Sallan said she would like to discuss cost but felt it might be more appropriate to wait until a nurseryman could be present. It was asked if there was a difference in cost to developer and to a private citizen. Retail cost is as much as 22 times more than the wholesale cost. 1 gallon sizes 5 gallon sizes 15 gallon trees 24 inch box specimen trees $ 0.85 to $ 2.50 $ 3.50 to $12.00 $22.50 to $28.50 $120.00 and up These are wholesale costs. Retail costs are 2.5 to 3 times as much. Planted costs are 2 to 8 times these costs, depending on size. Mr. Hildreth answered that there is no written guarantee from the nurseries. The architect may specify guarantee from the contractor. Mr. Coleman said he requires a 60 -day guarantee. The best insurance is inspection of stock prior to planting and good maintenance. It was noted a guarantee should be that the plants will grow reasonably well -- some plants just survive. Ni. Coleman said with regard to price of plants, it is more appropriate to consider the price of plant in -ground. The cost might be 4 times as much in -ground. Member Sallan said she would like more information relative to cost. Member Weinstein said much of this had nothing to do with guidelines or the applications that came into the committee. The only thing he got that might enhance the committee's ability to judge the landscaping plan is the possibility of requiring the inspection of stock prior to the time it goes into the ground. He did not feel they could worry about prices. Member Sallan noted the City Council had asked them to consider not only the aesthetics but the cost. ADJOURNMENT After further discussion, Chairman McLaren thanked Mr. Hildreth, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Ortiz for coming. Member Sallan moved, seconded by Member Koenitzer to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. ATTEST: Motion carried, 4--0 APPROVED: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder /s/ Juanita McLaren City Clerk Chairman