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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAC Minutes - 01-19-1978CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA j HC -210 10300 TORRE AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 Page 1 Telephone: (408) 252-4505 REGULAR '_1EETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL COMiITTEE HELD ON JANUARY 19, 1978 IN THE COUNCIL CHA<MERS, CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairperson Claudy with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Bond (at 7:14), Rioplinger, Irvine, Sallan, Chairperson Claudy Members Absent: None Staff Present: Mark Caughey, Senior Planning Technician NOTICE: Chairperson Claudy announced that no new public hearing will be initiated after 11 p.m. If a hearing is in progress at that time, it will be continued until its completion or until midnight, whichever comes first. The meeting will adjourn by midnight. INFORMAL REVIEW OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 5, 1978. The following corrections were made to the January 5 minutes. Page 5 under Application HC -51,385.2, paragraph 4, first sentence; the word "back" should be eliminated. The sentence would read "A retaining wall will be built in some areas so that drainage will be into the project Page 11, paragraph 2; the word "to" should be inserted between the words "willing" and "negotiate" in the last sentence. Page 13, paragraph 1 under "Signing", second sentence; the word "granting" should be changed to "considering". Member Sallan moved and Member Ripplinger seconded that the minutes of January 5, 1978 be accepted as amended. Motion carried, 4-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Minutes of Regular Meeting of December 15, 1977 Member Ripplinger moved and Member Irvine seconded that the minutes of December 15, 1977 be accepted as submitted. Motion Carried, 3-0 Member Sallan abstaining HC -210 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING Page? j POSTPONEMENTS - none WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - none ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - none PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Application HC -31,380.3 - Coast Federal Savings & Loan requesting approval of signing for a savings and loan located in the existing McWhorter's commercial building at De Anza Boulevard and Scofield Drive. Mr. Garrett Craig of Coast Federal Savings, 855 So. Hill, Los Angeles, CA, and Mr. Howard Friedman (Heath & Co) 3225 Lacyst, Los Angeles, CA, were present for this application. The main issue is the color of the sign. Coast Federal would like to use the Coast Federal colors of yellow nw and brown. The sign grogram for the McWhorter's development calls for blue. The Cost Federal sign will be 28' long and be centered over the wood faced wall on the South elevation of the McWhorter building. Mr. Craig noted that a great deal of money has been spent in advertising Coast Federal Savings and this is tied closely to the color scheme. He felt this new branch of Coast Federal would need this strong identifying theme in order to become established. Chairperson Claudy noted that he is aware that certain companies have different images and logos, but feels that since this is the first branch in Cupertino, the Coast Federal image is not firmly established in the minds of Cupertinians and they could identify with blue as well as they could with yellow and brown. He stated that an exception to the sign program in a two -tenant building would be negating the sign program and that the aim of the program is to have consistency in signing so that a hodgepodge of signs wouldn't develop. Member Sallan noted that the Committee had established the sign program after much discussion and she would not like to see it negated. She stated she could not see that a blue sign would create a hardship for Coast Federal. She suggested that the application be continued so that Coast Federal could come up with a sign that meets the sign program re- quirements. Member Ripplinger stated that he would like to see a color rendering of how the two differing signs would look together on the same building, and noted that if Coast Federal were to put up their yellow and brown sign, the sign program would have to be revised. The major tenant would have to come in for this revision. Mr. Craig stated he feels that Coast Federal is heavily dependent on a certain identity and that other Coast Federal branches may suffer somewhat if the identity is diluted. Another branch is due to be built on Stevens Creek Boulevard in about six months. He had hoped that the future branch as well as the branch now under application would have the same color theme; namely, the yellow and brown Coast Federal colors. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING ( HC -210 Page 3 Member Bond suggested a poll of the Committee. He stated that he could not support the yellow and brown colors and would support Staff's recommendatio to continue this application. Member Ripplinger said he would not approve the application until he could see the color relationship between the new sign and existing McWhorter's sign. Approval would depend on how they would look together. Member Sallan stated that when the sign program was approved, it was assume that the next tenant would follow it. Regarding the ground sign, the second tenant would just add to the bottom of the existing sign in the same colors. (Chairperson Claudy noted that this was the understanding) . She said she could not approve the application as presently proposed because she doesn't feel the Coast Federal identity would be harmed by conforming to the sign program. Member Irvine agreed with Member Sallan and could also not vote for the approval. He added that if the proposed sign were to go up, there would no longer be a sign program at all. Mr. Craig asked if ivory would be more acceptable than yellow. Chairpers Claudy said the Committee would probably not approve ivory either, but would only approve blue. Members agreed. Since there were no comments from the audience, Member Bond moved and Member Sallan seconded that the public hearing be closed. Motion carried, 5-0 Regarding the ground sign, which is existing, Mr. Caughey noted that Coast Federal would use the bottom portion of this sign for identification and that Staff would probably approve either brown or blue letters on an ivory background. Mr. Craig said that he would like to have the application continued so that the sign can be modified to have blue letters on the building and brown letters on an ivory background on the ground sign. Mr. Caughey suggested that the application be denied without prejudice instead so that the applicant could just bring the new colors in to Staff for approval. If Staff still has concerns at that time, it can be brought back to the Committee. Member Ripplinger moved for denial of Application HC -51,380.3 without Denial of prejudice. Member Bonded seconded the motion. Application HC -51, 380 .0 Motion carried, 5-0 ;w/o prejudice 2. Application HC -51,075.6 - DSR Properties (Terry Rose) requesting approval of site, architecture, landscaping. lighting, grading and signing for a two story industrial building located at the northwest corner of Pruneridge Avenue and Tantau Avenue. HC -210 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING Page 4 Mr. Terry Rose (DSR), 990 E. Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale; and Mr. Tom Masters I(Devcon Construction) 425 Lakeside Dr., Sunnyvale, were present for this �application. ain concerns were landscaping and grading. The only landscaping concern s that of screening of parked cars at the east edge of the west -most riveway entry. Staff suggests additional "Grevellea Noelli" at this entrance. r. Masters noted that he does not want to obstruct the view of motorists oming out of the driveway. he other concern is regarding the pad height of the building. The lanning Commission restricts the pad height of the building to 2 ft. bove top of curb to minimize overall building height. Public Works epartment suggests limiting pad elevation to 156 ft. + 6 inches. r. Masters noted that they would like a pad elevation of 157.5 ft. in rder to get a 2% gradient for proper drainage. The Public Works Dept. roposal would allow for a 1% gradient. Highest sidewalk point is 155.7 ft. ember Irvine said that the optimum would be to get adequate drainage with he lowest possible overall building height. Member Sallan agreed. . Masters noted that the parking lot would be drained into a catch basin. rk Caughey noted that Public Works will probably want 2 catch basins. ince there were no comments from the audience, Member Bond moved and Member all an seconded that the public hearing • be closed. Motion carried, 5-0 Approval of 4ember Sallan moved that Application HC -51,075.6 be approved subject to Application he Standard ASAC conditions 1-8 and conditions 9-13 as follows: HC -51,075.6 That the recommendation of approval is based upon Exhibits A, B, C and E except as may be amended herein. �0. Pad height for the approved structure shall be the lowest possible while providing adequate drainage and shall not exceed elevation 157.5. Exhibit C shall be revised at the building permit level to include additional Grevellea Noelli or shrubs of similar characteristics at the east edge of the western -most driveway entry to provide additional visual screening of the parking area. . The street numbers shall be added to the sign face per staff approval. 3. The Architectural and Site Approval Committee reserves the right to review lighting intensity. Motion carried, 5-0 airperson Claudy noted that this application will come up before City uncil on February 6, 1978. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC ;FETING 3. Application HC -51,216.6 - Church Building Service Company, Inc. request ing approval of site, architecture, landscaping, lighting, grading and signing for a retail building located at the southeast corner of Homestead Road and Stelling Road. Mr. Ronald G. Smithson of Church Building Service Co., Inc. was present for this application. Site 1. Parking stalls at the west side of the building are not at a minimum of 9.5 ft as required. This will be changed to meet the requirement. 2. Minimum 27 ft. aisle width is required in the rear parking area. 3. A trash enclosure is not provided. Mr. Smithson said that he would like to combine this with an enclosure for the manhole cover area. The Planning Commission asked that the Committee evaluate closing the passag between the subject. site and the Brunswick Building to the south. The inten of the Commission is to restrict public loitering in this area but still permit police surveillance. The Staff suggests the passage be left open as an emergency fire escape. The applicant proposes a gate at the west edge of the passage. Chairperson Claudy suggested that two gates might be needed to keep people out entirely. This might cause some problems with emergency exit from the Brunswick building, however. He asked if Mr. Smith son had considered a gate 1/2 way between the east and west edge. The applicant said he had not. Member Sallan asked if there was any lighting in this passage. Mr. Smithson rep lied that he is not sure; however, he thinks Brunswick may have some lighting on this side of its building. He does not plan to have any additional lighting. The gate should be discussed with Brunswick. The Committee discussed landscaping on this elevation. Mr. Smithson felt that this area should not be planted because of the heavy traffic going through there and the lack of sunlight between the two buildings. Member Sallan suggested rocks or bark chips if nothing will grow. Mr. Smithson felt rocks would encourage youngsters to throw them. He said he did not think Brunswick would object to doing something with this area of bare soil, but would have to work it out with them. Member Bond suggested that the area be asphalted over, since no one will see the area except for delivery and employee people. This would eliminate the problem of having to care for plantings and keep people from walking over them. Mr. Smithson had no ob- jection to this and other members agreed this might be the best solution. HC -210 Page 5 Another site concern of staff is the difficulty of getting from the Brunswi4 building to the proposed building without getting down into the parking lot. There is no continuous passage between the two sites Member Irvine suggest d that part of the planter area be made into a sidewalk. This would necessitate removal of one of the large concrete planter boxes between the two sites. IIII This again would have to be worked out with Brunswick since the planter box is on their property. Mr. Smithson indicated that he has been having troubl¢ cutting through the corporate red -tape and cannot act directly on these item$ with the manager of the Brunswick lanes. HC -210 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING Page 6 architecture On the east elevation, the applicant is not certain as to equipment screening solution, since he is not sure what the extent and type of the equipment will be. The equipment will be set back 20' from the edge of the building. Since the apartments to the east of the site are two- story, they will have a view of the roof no matter what kind of screening is provided. Member Irvine suggested that the parapet be continued along the north elevation instead of dropping off close to the northwest corner. This would screen equipment from Homestead. Mr. Smithson noted that he expects the property to the north to be developed. The natural arrangement of this future development would be to have a building close to his site. This would completely hide his building from Homestead. He feels that the expense of continuing the parapet would be wasted in• this event, and would rather screen the equipment than continue the parapet. There was discussion as to the use of concrete block as a building material. Member Irvine pointed out that about two years ago, McDonald's restaurant �L the D._ c building, d was required to use siumpstone to blend in with ���C liLuriwSl�.n uuiiuing, even though it was quite a distance away from it. He stated that the front of the Church Building Service Company building should be either slumpstone or brick. Mr. Smithson said he would have no objection to this. Other faces will be concrete block which will be painted. These elevations have little public exposure, except for the north elevation, which can be seen from Homestead until the property to the north of the subject site is developed. Member Sallan noted that the north elevation will be fairly stark. She noted that Mr. Smithson does not know when the property to the north will be developed. She said that there should be plantings on this wall so as to soften this starkness. Mr. Smithson noted that any planting along this wall would be off his property. Member Sallan said that there should be at least some ivy planted along here until the undeveloped property is developed. Mr. Smithson said that if he plants there, he would rather have some evergreens which could be transplanted later. He said he would be willing to negotiate with the property owner to the north on this, since it would be on his property. Member Irvine stated that he is concerned about the abrubt ending of the wrap -around roof and the view from Homestead. Landscaping Staff would like to see more trees planted on the 20' strip between the Church Co. site and.. the apartments to the east to provide some screening. At present, it is planted in African Daisies and there is a wall between them which divides the strip in the middle. There is some question as to whether or not the Church Company owns the entire 20' strip. Mr. Smith- son had assumed the wall marked the property line; however, drawings show the property line being at the easternmost side of the 20' planter strip. Staff feels the screening should be a joint venture between Mr. Smithson and the apartment people. Chairperson Claudy noted that tree roots would have the entire 20' strip in which to expand, even though the wall is there. The applicant had no objection to adding some trees to this area. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING Staff suggested adding boxed plantings at or near the store fronts. Mr. Smithson objected to planter boxes because they are often garbage collector Member Sallan noted that this need not be the case and that planter boxes, if kept free of garbage, may discourage prople from throwing garbage. Mr. Smithson noted that Brunswick does not keep its planter boxes free from garbage. He stated that he will have about 10 tenants in the building and maintenance of dlean planter boxes would be a problem. Member Bond supports the use of planter boxes. Consensus - Planter boxes will be installed at the west elevation of the building. Grading - No concerns Lighting Staff noted that the fixtures at the rear parking area are adjustable to minimize the glare problem. In response to a question from Member Rippling Mr. Caughey stated that the fixtures will be 10' high. Member Irvine asked if the fixtures have a cutoff so they will not go into the apartments. Member Bond said that the light source is inside a metal shield and this would serve as a cutoff. He suggested that there be a condition that the light fixtures from the parking lot shall not intrude on the apartments. Staff suggested the adoption of the standard light intensity review condition. Signing Mr. Smithson said that he would like to have as much flexibility as possible in signing since he does not know who his tenants will be at this time. He stated he would like to have a single color theme, style and size but have the letters as large as possible because of the distance from the street. He proposed 24" letters, maximum. HC -210 Page 7 �r, Chairperson Claudy said he would rather see all letters the same size rathe than set a maximum. Member Sallan noted that the color chosen would af- fect the size of letters; the more intense the color, the less height they would need in order to be seen. Chairperson Claudy pointed out that the larger the letter, the more limitation there would be as to how many letter could be put across a store front. He said that a program should be established which all tenants would follow and be aware of before deciding to lease. Mr. Smithson asked if a program could be worked out with tenants at a later date. -Mark Caughey noted that on Page 27 of the sign ordinance, it require: that a program be set at the time of initial construction. Member Bond expressed the opinion that the builder should not be restricted from starti] construction because there is no sign program. Member Irvine suggested the a program be established when the first tenant comes in, and later tenants would have to follow that program. He said he thought the location of sign! and the height could be established but the decision cannot be made at this meeting. HC -210 Page 8 Approval of Application HC -51,216.6 MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING �Mr. Smithson stated he feels signing should be uniform and does not wish to have a hodgepodge of signs on his building. He said he thinks the first couple of tenants could establish the tone and color of signs and the later tenants should conform to this. He feels there is a lot of flexibility within the ordinance and is happy to work within it. He re- iterated that he would like to have the highest letters possible because of the distance of the store fronts from Stalling Road. Since there were no comments from the audience, Member Bond moved and Member Ripplinger seconded that the public hearing be closed. Member Sallan moved that Application HC -51,216.6 be approved subject to the standard ASAC conditions 1-8 and conditions 9-16 as follows: 9. That the recommendation of approval is based upon Exhibits A 1st Revision, B and E of this application except as may be amended by special conditions contained herein. 10. Exhibit A shall be revised at building permit level as follows: a. Parking stall dimensions revised per Planning Commission Resolution No. 1695 and City Standards. b. Provide enclosure for trash container, the location of which is to be approved by Staff pending determination of the ownership of the 20' planter strip and location of the east property line. c. Provide gate at manhole access area on east property line which is to be approved by Staff pending determination of the ownership of the 20' planter strip and location of the east property line. d. Landscaping shall be augmented as follows: 1. Box planters shall be installed at or near store fronts. Material to be determined subject to staff approval. 2. The north elevation of the building is to be planted with five 15 -gallon size evergreens on 15-20 foot centers subject to staff approval and the agreement of the owner of the adjacent property. 3. The applicant is to provide additional landscaping on the east property line subject to staff approval. 11. The Architectural and Site Approval Committee or its staff shall retain authority to review on -site lighting intensity for exterior lighting fixture approved under this application and may require correction of off -site lighting intrusion problems. 12. Final roof -mounted equipment screening solution shall be subject to staff review prior to issuance of building permits. MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 1978 ASAC MEETING HC -210 rage 9 13. The west elevation of the building shall be brick or slumpstone to tie in with surrounding buildings subject to staff approval. 14. Subject to the agreement and cooperation of Brunswick, applicant is (1 to provide continuous walkway for pedestrians between the two building and (2) to fill the soil area between the two buildings with some type of material, potentially asphalt, which is agreeable to both parties. 15. Installation of a gate between the subject site and the Brunswick building is to be worked out with Brunswick subject to the approval of the Central Fire Protection District and staff. 16. Prior to interior construction permit issuance, a sign program shall be established. The motion was seconded by Member Irvine. Motion carried, 5-0 The Committee recessed at 10:06 p.m. and reconvened at 10:15. 4. Application HC -51,443.1 - San Jose Building Design, Inc. (Silver Oaks West) requesting approval of site, archtecture, landscaping, grading and signing for the construction of a combination residential and commercial development located at the northwest quadrant of the inter- section of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard. Continued from ASAC meeting of December 1, 1977. Mr. Bill Donecho was present for the applicant. Mr. Ron Percy was unable to attend. Member Sallan expressed concern about the closeness of the exterior walls to the streets, noting that additional landscaping should be included to create the illusion of depth. Mr. Donecho said that there will be at least three feet of landscaping. Extra guest parallel parking could be eliminate Chairperson Claudy rioted that the exterior sound wall along Stevens Creek Boulevard is a long straight wall and suggested that "jogs" in the wall be made to break this expanse. Member Sallan suggested that since the wall on Stevens Creek Boulevard is of primary concern, the application should be continued until a revised lanscaping plan can be submitted. Because of grading differences along Stevens Creek, the wall height should break tc follow this, but no more than 6" at each grade break. Member Ripplinger still objects to the use of the readerboard for the shopping center, saying that they could not be read from the street by a passing motorist. He felt the readerboard should be inside the development Chairperson Claudy noted that the center will be distinctive enough so peop will know what it is. Member Irvine noted that the intention of the readerboard is to let passing traffic, both auto and pedestrian, know what is in the center. Mr. Caughey pointed out that each business could have a much larger sign and the center is definitely not over -signed. He-2lo Page 1d Con tinuatic of A.pplica H tion EC -51 443.1 M � J ZS 01 THE JANUAZ-- 19, 1978 AS AC MEvTLN G There was concern about the color of the Silver Oaks Nest sign. umber Sallrequested a color sample of the sign. It is wood, but has or�ge on the face. Member Irv4:ne added that he would also like to see a sample of the brick used. Chairperson Claudy noted that a wooden sig... should, in his opinion, should be in wood tones. Member Irvine said that the readerboard should aieo be wood. Since there .sere no comments from the audience, Member Bond moved and Member Sallan seconded that the public hearing be closed. Motion carried, 5--0 Member Bond moved and Member Sallan seconded that Application HC -51,443.1 be continued. Motion carried, 5-0 UNrLASHED BUSLNESS - none NEW BUS LVESS Member Sallan noted that Burger Pit was not required to screen the equipment on the roof even though some work was done. Mr. Caughey noted that the work dome was considered as maintenances, so no screening requirement e�sted. TITER CC?IfISSICK NOTES Chairperson Claudy noted the City Council rescinded the landscaping moratorium due to the amount of rain that has fallen in the last few weeks. ATTEST: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder City Clerk APPROVED: /s/ John Claudy Chairman