Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAC Minutes - 09-23-1976CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014 Telephone: 252-4505 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE. ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL -COMMITTEE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1976, IN THE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM. by Chairperson Sallan with the Salute to the Flag. Since this was the time the first Ford/Carter debate on television Chairperson'Sallan--asked those assembled whether they would like to adjourn for a short time to watch it. Since all did not agree, it was decided the meeting would proceed on schedule. Chairperson Sallan announced that Committee Member Blaine had been appointed to the Planning Commission since the last meeting she extended congratulations to Mrs. Blaine on behalf of the Committe( She then introduced Mr. Ted Ripplinger, who would be sworn in as her replacement. He was invited to sit in on the hearings until this took place. ROLL CALL Members present: Bond, Claudy, Irvine, Chairperson Sallan Members absent: None Staff present: Senior Planning Technician Mark Caughey INFORMAL REVIEW OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS: 1. 18-U-76 Arnold Fluckiger: Construction of a mini warehouse facility located in the northwest quadrant of the intersecti of Valley Green Drive and North De Anza Blvd. Since the applicant was not yet present, this application was put at the end of the agenda. 2. 19-U-76 of Eldon R. Hoffman/Any Mountain, Ltd.: Construction of 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space located at the southwest corner of the intersection of North De Anza Blvd. and Mariani Drive. Architects Goodwin Steinberg, 1737 North First Street, San Jose, and Cliff Peterson, 16298 Oleander, Los Gatos, were present to discuss this application. HC -175 Page 1 HC -175 (MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MEETING Page 2 The Senior Planning Technician explained the most significant happening in this area at present is the flower stand to the south. There is a redwood fence and small shed on the property. The applicant, Mr. Bud Hoffman, Any Mountain, 20630 Valley Green Drive, Cupertino, stated there is a grove of evergreen trees and an old house on the property, which is on a month -to -month rental basis. The Senior Planning Technician pointed out the location of the trees on the map, indicating which will be saved and which cannot be saved. Architect Steinberg said every effort will be made to save as many of the trees as possible. Architect Peterson pointed out, in terms of landscaping, the Alpine -type setting they are planning to create. Chairperson Sallan introduced the discussion of traffic and delivery -truck activity. Mr. Hoffman said there could be as many as 20 United Parcel trucks per day or as few as 2 or 3 deliveries in a month. Member Irvine observed that this is a very exciting plan. He asked how they are going to handle the big tent sale traffic. Mr. Hoffman said his undeveloped property to the rear will hold a large number of cars at this once -a -year sale. They also have agreements with nearby property owners. Chairperson Sallan commented that she would not like to sacrifice the trees on the undeveloped property in order to provide parking once a year. Architect Goodwin Steinberg agreed. Member Bond commented that he liked the proposal for the treatment along De Anza Blvd. Architect Steinberg reviewed the architecture: grey -blue porcelinized metal roof, off-white stucco or concrete exterior. Architect Steinberg, in answer to Chairperson Sallan's concerns, said there will be a small strip along the south wall for some ivy. The Senior Planning Technician pointed out that this proposal does not look like the conceptual plan, and this will be flagged at Planning Commission time. Architect Steinberg said he is very sensitive to the conceptual plan and is comfortable that there will be no problems in that area. Mr. Hoffman said he hopes to incorporate moss -covered boulders and trees into the landscape plan. This met with the approval of the Committee; however, Architect Steinberg cautioned that this could be very expensive. Chairperson Sallan thanked the applicant and his representatives for coming to the meeting. MINUTES OF 9/2,76 H -CONTROL MEETING Since the applicants for application 18-U-76 were not yet present. it was moved by Member Irvine, seconded by Member Bond, to con- tinue application 18-U-76 to the next meeting. Motion carried, 4-0 Chairperson Sallan called a recess at 7:40 PM. Deputy City Clerk Ellen Pagnini was called and it was determined that she had been ill all week, so she was unable to attend this meeting. Over the telephone, she deputized Mark Caughey. The meeting reconvened at 7:56 PM. Deputy City Clerk Mark Caughey swore Mr. Ted Ripplinger into Office. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 8, 1976. Moved by Member Bond, seconded by Member Irvine, to approve the Minutes of September 8, 1976, as recorded. Motion carried, 3-0 Member Claudy abstained POSTPONEMENTS Per the advice of the staff, it was moved by Member Irvine, seconded by Member Bond to continue agenda items 3, 4 and 5. Motion carried, 5-0 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Moved by Member Bond, seconded by Member Irvine, to postpone the written communications to the end of the agenda. Motion carried, 5-0 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chairperson Sallan announced that no new agenda item would be started after 11:30 PM. HC -175 Page 3 18-U-76 cont'd to next meeting 9/8/76 Minutes approved HC -175 MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MEETING Page 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Application HC -51,342.3 - Winchell's Donut House. WITHDRAWN. 4. Application HC -51,392.1 - Sobrato-Berg. CONTINUED TO THE NEXT MEETING. 5. Application HC -51,043.1 - Taube Associates, Inc. (Valley Green Apts.) CONTINUED TO THE NEXT MEETING. 6. Application HC -51,002.41 - Leland R. Appleberry requesting approval of site, architecture, landscaping, grading and lighting for a triplex located in Tract #2769, Lot 51, La Cresta Unit #2, Alpine Drive. The Senior Planning Technician reviewed the September 17, 1976 comprehensive staff report on this application and its history. The applicant has complied with the 20' rear yard setback and has encompassed the City Council's recommendation to have the parking areas in the front in his new set of plans. The staff is concerned about the maneuvering space for one of the parking spaces if it is occupied with a large car. He pointed out the balconies are now oriented away from the neighbors. However, the staff is concerned about the windows of the upper story facing the rear yard. He also introduced the staff's concern about this two-story structure's possibility of blocking the sun from the rear neighbor's swimming pool. Colored slides of the neighbor's back yard and pool area were shown on the screen. Mr. L. Appleberry, 22462 Salem Avenue, #2, Cupertino, stated this is his fourth trip down to City Hall on Lot 51. He contended he has abided by all wishes of the City and asked permission to develop his property. He said this will be his home; it will not be for sale. The day the pad is cut and laid out he said the plants will be put in along the rear so even the carpenters can't look at the neighbors' back yards. He said he is trying very hard to cooperate with everybody concerned. Mr. Appleberry said he knows the one parking space will be tight, and he plans to have the garages out in front for any large cars. The tight parking space will be his, and he will put a compact car in it. The Senior Planning Technician answered Member Irvine that this proposal is consistent with the City's guidelines. MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MEETING Mr. Appleberry offered to put a termoplane window in the master bedroom window to the rear. He said he is putting trash compact in each unit and there will be a screened garbage can area, con- venient to all the units. The Architect said he is probably going to put prefab fireplaces in. There was some discussion about putting the fireplace chim- ney on another wall, but this was discarded. Mr. Appleberry said Japanese privete will be planted close together across the back. It will grow to 60' if it is allowed to. He has had it at one of his homes. Since Chairperson Sallan's reference book did not bear this up, Mr. Appleberry was asked to get this verified by a landscape architect. Member Claudy said he would like to see this shrub extended around both corners for a short distance. Mr. Appleberry agreed to this. Member Claudy noted this new proposal shows the front yard to be mostly driveway. After some discussion Mr. Appleberry agreed to put in 1/3 more plants than shown on the landscape plan. The low-level lighting is designed to not impact the neighbors. Chairperson Sallan asked for comments from the audience. Mr. Paul Hardman, 10397 Vista Knoll, Cupertino, said his home is directly to the east of this property. He thinks the current plan is unacceptable because he does not believe it follows the City's guidelines. The garage is now in the front and that is good. The balconies are now on the side. The rear yard, however has been reduced from 29' to 20'. Although the new plan solves some of the problems it presents others. It makes his spa and pool area more visible. Mr. Hardman said his entire rear wall is glass -- living room, family room and master bedroom sliding glass doors. He said the 20' setback is a minimum and, in this case, is inadequate. The developer is complying with minimum standards, but this does not obligate the City. It is his con- tention that the rear yard setback should be at least 40'. Mr. Daniel Weinstein, 10407 Vista Knoll, expressed disappointment that the City would consider a 20' setback here. For 9 months he has had to live with the Dumas' 40' setback, and it is inadequate. He said the developer is obviously trying to put as much building as possible on this lot. Member Ripplinger asked what the setback presently is on the developed lots in the area. Mr. Weinstein said his is 25', Mr. Rasmussen's is 37', Mr. Hardman's is 25'. HC -175 Page 5 HC -175 MINUTES OF 9/23776 H -CONTROL MEETING Page 6 Mr. R. Rasmussen, 10387 Vista Knoll, said these plans are much less objectionable than the original plans. Garages are now in the front and there are no rear balconies. He approves of the building design, but he feels the 20' setback is inadequate. Mr. Appleberry said this proposal is somewhat smaller, with one 1600 sq. ft. unit and two 1200 sq. ft. units. The lot is 76' x 125'. Mrs. Robin Appleberry, 22448 Salem Avenue, Cupertino, said it is difficult to judge this until it is built. She pointed out that Dumas was allowed his rear balconies and very little landscaping. Mr. Thomas J. DeFranco, 10427 Vista Knoll, said that although there is visual intrusion, his is not quite as bad as some of the other lots. In order to completely block out the view of the pool from the second story windows it will require very dense, 14' high shrubbery. Member Claudy said the proposed shrub is a very dense variety. Mr. Weinstein said that in theory, the dense landscaping is supposed to screen according to line -of -sight. However, it does not work. He said Mr. Duman can sit at his dining table and watch Mr. Weinstein's children play in their back yard. Chairperson Sallan said she had this type situation at her home and her landscaping was the solution to protecting the privacy of her back yard. Mrs. Yvonne Hardman, 10397 Vista Knoll, said the value of her property is going to drop $10 to $15,000 when this is built. She is concerned about the turnover in multiple units. She believes this new proposal is worse because the setback is 9' less. She said Mr. Appleberry's windows will be 27' from her swimming pool. She said Franklin -Bahl, the builders of her home, said there would be one-story duplexes behind her. Mr. Richard Kane, 10437 Vista Knoll, said a 20' setback would be a tragedy and landscaping will not solve the problem. There will be noise problems as well as visual problems. Since there appeared to be no further audience input, it was moved by Member Claudy, seconded by Member Bond to close the public hearings. Chairperson Sallan reviewed the authority and the responsibility of this Committee, also calling attention to its restrictions. The motion and second were rescinded when it appeared there was the wish for more audience input. Mr. Rasmussen said the setback for a one-story building should be doubled for a two-story building. He urged the Committee to visit the site again. MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MEETING The Committee saw no need to visit the site again; they are very familiar with it. New Member Ripplinger said his home is two-sto and he knows how high this proposal will be. The Senior Planning Technician said the Committee may want to continue this application,. allowing the applicant to take the comments made at this meeting into consideration. Member Bond said he did not recall any person on this Committee stating that landscaping will solve this problem. He believes it is up to the City Council to determine whether or not this setback I is less than the City Council wishes. He could not justify a rejec� tion on the basis of their guidelines. The applicant has attempted to change -many items upon request of the neighbors. Screening has worked in Member Bond's back yard, as it also has in the Sallan's back yard. He said we should be looking for a 16' plant and hoping it will grow to 14'. Member Claudy said he agrees with Member Bond's statements. In addition, he feels the applicant could have taken the neighbors' comments undar consideration. If the single story had been put in the rear and the second story units in the front the new plan would have been more readily accepted. Mr. Appleberry said then he could not have had the parking in the front, as the City Counci advised. Member Claudy believes a three -unit building could have been designed for this lot with less impact on the neighbors. Member Irvine agreed with all the previous statements by Committee Members. However, he wanted to make the point that this proposal is no more than that of a typical single-family, two-story home. He observed that the applicant has tried very hard to satisfy the neighbors. Member Ripplinger acknowledged that 20' is not much space for the back yard, but he has no better solution to the problem at hand. HC -175 Page 7 Chairperson Sallan said she is very sensitive to what the people I in the audience have said. The problem she is having is that theri is the feeling that landscaping is the panacea here. She is con- cerned whether this is the best solution to the problem for this lot. She is not sure the mitigating factors are adequate. Moved by Member Ripplinger, seconded by Member Claudy to continue this application to the next meeting to allow the developer time to consider points brought up at this meeting and to allow Member Ripplinger time to stop by and visit the site. Members Bond and Irvine were not in favor of the continuance on those bases. Mr. Appleberry said he would like a decision at this meeting. This motion was dropped, as was the second was withdrawn. IC -175 ?age 8 3C-51,002.41 approved MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MINUTES Moved by Member Bond, seconded by Member Irvine to approve HC -51,002.41 with the standard H -Control Conditions; thermopane-window in the master bedroom of unit I overlooking the driveway; the trash enclosure on the northeast corner of the inner parking area to be cut into the retainer wall; the new landscaping in the front will be to the staff's approval, incorporating additional plants; on the north and east corners of the lot there shall be a minimum of two additional trees of the same type used along the back property line; the trees on the back line will be of a type that grows to a height of 20'-, as certified by a landscape architect and that will compact hedgelike; and per the conditions re- commended by_the staff in the September 17, 1976. AYES: Members Bond, Claudy, Irvine NOES: Chairperson Sallan ABSTAINED: Member Ripplinger Motion carried, 3-1-1 7. Application HC -51,299.4 - California Good Earth, Inc., requesting approval of a sign program for a restaurant facility located on the north side of Stevens Creek Blvd., west of Saich Way. This building was previously occupied by "Bumbleberry Pie Restaurant". The applicant, Mr. Murray Horton, 1409 Marinovich, Los Altos, said they already have a "California Good Earth Restaurant" at 185 University Avenue, Palo Alto. The Senior Planning Technician showed colored slides of the site. Mr. Horton said he will remove the existing signs and relocate them, using the new copy. He said the present location does not have good visibility, and he would prefer to see the signs at the south and west end of the building. The purple and pink colors will be removed and he will be using earthtone colors. There was discussion about the eyebrow of the sign presently on the southeast portion of the fascia, and it was decided this, too, must be removed if the sign is to be relocated. The building will be repainted the same color as it presently is. Mr. Horton said he would like to have one fascia sign and one street sign. He would like to have clarification of the proposed new Sign Ordinance. He was told he would qualify for a ground sign. Mr. Horton explained the details of the plastic sign, with interior illumination. He presented color chips of the earth tones, but he had none for the colors to be used on the various pieces of fruit in his logo. MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL MEETING MINUTES Member Claudy believes the new sign location is better. Member Irvine does not object to the sign location, but stressed the importance of removing the eyebrow from its present location and adding it at the new location. This will enhance the sign. Member Bond agreed. Chairperson Sallan would like to see the color chips for all the fruits before voting on this. She would like to see the proposed sign placed on a drawing of the building to see how it will actually look. The Senior Planning Technician brought in the City's color chips, but they did not match exactly those of the applicant. There was no problem with the concept of the sign nor with the 4 color chips presented by the applicant. However, there were no color chips for the purple,.red, orange and green portions of the proposed sign. Since there were no further comments from the audience, it was moved by Member Bond, seconded by Member Irvine to close the public hearing. Motion carried, 5-0 C-175 age 9 Moved by Member Ripplinger, seconded by Member Irvine to continue I HC-51,299.4 application HC -51,299.4 to the next regular meeting. AYES: Members Irvine, Ripplinger, Chairperson Sallan NOES: Member Claudy ABSTAINED: Member Bond Motion carried, 3-1-1 1. 18-U-76 Arnold Fluckiger: Construction of a mini warehouse facility located in the northwest quadrant of the intersecti of Valley Green Drive and North De Anza Blvd. The Senior Planning Technician said this is intended to be a continuation of the existing mini warehouse development to the west, along De Anza Blvd. Members Irvine and Claudy felt this was not good planning and were not in favor of this use. They felt this was an improper use of the property and was aesthetical incompatible. If the Planning Commission finds this to be an acceptable use, the Committee requests permission to further review it. HC -175 Page 10 No new items after 11 PM; meetings to adjourn at midnight Minute Order to City Counc. re setbacks MINUTES OF 9/23/76 H -CONTROL COMMITTEE MEETING Even though there will be a 50' landscaped setback along De Anza Blvd., there would be a 10' wall without a break and landscaping would not mitigate this problem. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Member Bond complimented the Chairperson for keeping this meeting going and getting through the entire agenda. NEW BUSINESS Member Claudy wanted to propose the policy that no new item be initiated after 11:00 PM and the meeting would adjourn at 12:00 midnight unless it is obvious that it will come to an end shortly thereafter. Member Bond seconded this recommendation. Discussion followed. The Committee Members felt that after 11 or 12, their ability to make relevant comments diminished and the City and the applicants would be short-changed. Motion carried, 5-0 MINUTE ORDER TO THE CITY COUNCIL: Motion made by Member Claudy that the City Council might want to consider modification of the 20' setback minimum to be 20' for single -story structures and 30-35' for two-story structures. There was no second to this motion. MINUTE ORDER TO THE CITY COUNCIL: Motion made by Member Claudy, seconded by Member Bond, to urge the City Council to address the problem of Vista Knoll and Alpine Drive and give direction to the Architectural and Site Approval Committee, regarding situations where multiple units are backing up to single-family homes. Motion carried, 5-0 Now that Member Blaine is a member of the Planning Commission, Member Claudy suggested election of a new Vice -Chairperson be put on the next agenda. Chairperson Sallan agreed. The Senior Planning Technician noted the Council has asked that no more astro-turf be approved. The Senior Planning Technician announced that A & W is not appealing this Committee's decision on the tile roof. MINUTES OF 9/ 2376 H -CONTROL MEETING Chairperson Sallan reported on the recent Mayor's Lunch: 1. Counc. Nellis wants this Committee to pay particular attention to the 50' strip along De Anza Blvd. in regard to the mainten- ance factor and water requirements. The Senior Planning Technician said Sobrato-Berg did not object to ground cover, but Landscape Architect Coleman said it should be 'Lawn. 2. A Citizens' Transportation Committee is being formed. Light Rail meetings are to be held. 3. The Director of Public Works has applied for a Federal Grant for Varian Park, Monta Vista Park, the Corporation Yard and the interconnect system has been removed from the list. 4. Grasscrete is being evaluated. 5. There was discussion about touring the City as a group. Also, a study program for developing criteria for a sign program in the city is under consideration. Member Irvine suggested the staff contact other cities such as Mountain View about this. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Member Bond, seconded by Member Claudy to adjourn. this meeting at 11:40 PM to 7:00 PM on October 7, 1976. Motion carried, 5-0 APPROVED: /s/ C. Nancy Sallan Chairwoman ATTEST: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder City Clerk HC -175 Page 11