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HomeMy WebLinkAboutASAC Minutes - 08-11-1977CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA HC -200 10300 TORRE AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014 Page 1 TELEPHONE: 252-4505 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL COMMITTEE HELD ON AUGUST 11, 1977, IN THE LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman Caludy called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bond, Irvine, Ripplinger, Sallan (7:35), Chairman Claudy Members Absent: None Staff Present: Senior Planning Technician Mark Caughey Chairman Claudy announced that the meeting will continue until 12:00 a.m. If any public hearings are in progress at 11:00 p.m. they will continue until 12 or until they are concluded. No public hearings will be initiated after 11:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Application HC -92,004.2 - City of Cupertino requesting approval of site, architecture, landscaping and grading for modification to the existing Corporation Yard located on Mary Avenue opposite Meteor Drive. Since site, architecture and grading had been approved at the August 4 meeting, landscaping only was discussed. Bert Viskovich, Director of Public Works, began the discussion by noting that all building openings will face the freeway and that the transfer station (where dumpsters are located) will be at the point farthest away from the residential area. One-half of the Yard is occupied by orchard, part of which will remain for the present. HC -200 Page 2 MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING {C-92, 004.2 approved (Landscape) The east end of the site will have a wall 3' high on top of a 3*' mound. Landscaping will hide the wall when it grows high enough. There was some discussion of the necessity of a wall. Member Bond favored landscaping on the mound instead of a wall. Mr. Viskovich said the reasons for a wall would be to screen vehicles and sight into the Corporation Yard from the street and also to discourage youngsters from using the parking lot to ride their bi- cycles, skateboards, etc. He said the Corporation Yard wants to get away from the feeling of a business in a residential area. Members agreed on a need for a wail or fence. Chairman Claudy suggested that an open rail fence and undulating mounds would be more attractive and still screen vehicles and act as a barrier. Cons€uses: The Committee agreed that undulating mounds and a wooden fence would be appropriate. Since there were no comments from the audience, it was moved by Member Bond and seconded by Member Irvine that the public hearing be closed. Motion carried, 4-0 Member Sallan absent at this time. Member Bond moved and Member Irvine seconded that the landscaping portion of application HC -92,004.2 be recommended for City Council approval subject to the standard ASAC conditions and final configuration of the wall on the east end will be staff approval. Landscaping shall refer to Exhibit C, first revision. Chairman Claudy moved to amend the motion to read that applicant shall have permission to undulate the mounding along Mary Avenue subject to Staff approval. Member Ripplinger seconded the amendment. The second was withdrawn by Member Ripplinger when Member Bond restated his motion to say that the Applicant shall undulate the mounding on the east side subject to Staff approval. Chairman Claudy noted that the Planning Commission is Staff in this case. Motion carried, 4-0 Member Sallan absent at this time. Chairman Claudy interjected at this point that he learned at the Mayor's luncheon that County Transit will put up bus stops and is considering an offer by an advertising company to donate seats and signs in return for the right to exclusive advertising. He mentioned as a possibility that the City may end up buying its own bus stops. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING HC -200 Page 3 STUDY SESSION regarding drought -resistant landscaping techniques. PRESENTATIONS BY: Michael Painter & Assoc., Landscape Architects; Robert W. Adsero & Assoc., Landscape Architects. Chairman Claudy gave a short background on the study sessio. He noted that there is currently a moratorium in effect in the City on landscaping until the drought is over. However, the Committee's concern about dust and the attrac- tiveness of the streets led to permission from the City Council to study alternatives to an all-out ban. H -Control will make a recommendation to the City Council on alterna- tives. Present Methods of Irrigation Mr. Painter noted that a 30% savings of water could result if present systems were maintained properly and the proper amount of water were used. He noted also that winter wate: ing need not be as extensive as summer watering. Mr. Adse: said that 50% savings could be realized by only watering for 10 minutes, waiting 10 minutes, and watering another l0 minutes. This would eliminate run-off. Proper soil preparation, drought -resistant plants, and proper aeration would also result in water savings. Soil type, kind of plants, slope of the land and exposure are all variables which would make a difference in water use no matter what system of irrigation were used. New Methods - Drip Irrigation In a drip irrigation system, several advantages are realized, which are as follows: 1. Each plant is watered seperately by hoses which are underground or near the surface, eliminating the watering of bare ground and much run-off. 2. Plants can be planted at wider intervals with coverage still resulting in 1 1/2 to 2 years. 3. Drip irrigation is slower than conventional irrigation, which allows for more even watering and no run-off. Typical delivery is 1 gallon per hour. 4. Since delivery heads are underground or if above grounc are not visibly attractive, vandalism loss is less. 5. Installation and maintenance costs of drip irrigation systems are less than for conventional systems. 6. The weed problem would be lessened because water is directed to where it is needed, directly to the roots of the tree, bush or shrub. HC -200 MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING Page 4 7. Root stress systems, which measure the moisture of the soil and therefore how much water is needed, are making progress. They would increase efficiency of drip irrigation systems. 8. A 60%-75% water savings could be realized by using drought -resistant plants and drip irrigation once the plants are established. (Note: variables as previously stated will affect this figure). Disadvantages include: 1. Drip irrigation is not appropriate for lawns. 2. The emitter need to be kept working. 3. If the emitter is above -ground, vandalism may be a problem. 4. All plants on the same system of valve must have similar water requirements for appropriate watering. New Methods - "Sweating" A new method for watering lawns has recently been developed which consists of pipes (flexible) which have many small pores filled with water. The system of pipes is buried with pipes at regular intervals so that all the grass is supplied with water. This system works only with sod, is more expensive to install than conventional or drip irrigation, but is ideal for small grass areas. Temporary alternatives to lawns would be wood chips to lessen dust, or ground cover, which uses less water than grass and is easier to maintain. Concensus: A preliminary report on the study session should be prepared for the next council meeting. The report should include statistics on various methods of irrigation and water savings as well as statistics on how much water is being saved by an all-out ban. Landscape management should be included. The Committee will have a recommendation pending questions and comments by the City Council. The recommendation will be made at the next meeting. Chairman Claudy called a recess at 9:38 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:46 p.m. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING RECONVENE PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Application HC -51,058.12 - Ad -Art Signs, Inc. (Stereo Scene requesting approval of exception to the approved sign program for the Shoe Fair Shopping Center, and to Section 6.03.2 of Ordinance 746 to permit excess adver- tising area. Mr. Jim Finch and Mr. Douglas Turk were present as repre- sentatives of Shoe Fair Center and Stereo Scene respective. ly. The drawing of the old sign was presented along with one of the new sign. Differences were: 1. Old sign covered 36.81 sq. feet with letters. New sign covers 27.25 sq. feet with letters. 2. The maximum letter height of the new sign is 24 3. Sign colors are the same colors as Shoe Fair's sign. Since there were no comments from the audience, Member Bond moved and Member Irvine seconded that the public hearing be closed. Motion carried, 5-0 Member Irvine moved and Member Bond seconded to recommend to the City Council approval of application HC -51,058.12 subject to the ASAC standard conditions 1-8 to the extent that they do not conflict with the conditions enumerated herein. In the event a conflict does exist, the special conditions enumerated herein shall guide. Condition 9 - The recommendation of approval is based on Exhibit F, Revision 1 and F-i of this application except as may be amended by special conditions contained herein. Condition 10 - The Architectural and Site Approval Committ( and its staff shall retain authority to review lighting intensity of signs approved under this application pursuanr to Section 7.07 of Ordinance 746. Findings: 1. As provided in Section 11.01, strict interpretation of Section 6.03.2 of Ordinance 746 will result in inconsis, tencies with the intent of the sign ordinance. 2. Section 7.12.1 of Ordinance 746 intends limits in signing for multi -tenant developments. Literal enforcemen of Section 6,03.2 would lose the appearance of continuity in the subject's case. HC -200 Page 5 HC -51, 058.1: approved e HC -200 Page 6 MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING Subconclusion A - Approval of this Committee of a sign identical in size for the adjacent tenant subject center was granted prior to enactment of the current sign ordinance and sign program. It is the Committee's view that the aesthetics of signing and architecture at the Shoe Fair Center will be enhanced by granting the requested exception (Section 1.03.3a, Ordinance 746). Motion carried, 4-1 Member Rippi-Inger dissenting 3. Application HC -51,436.1 - Chrisman-Taylor Real Estate Investments requesting approval of site, architecture, landscaping and lighting for a retail music store located adjacent to and southerly of Stevens Creek Boulevard approximately 450 ft. westerly of the intersection of South Blaney Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard. Mr. Kenneth Rodrigues, representing Habitec Architects, and Mr. Bob Chrisman, representing Chrisman/Raylor, Inc. were present. Site - Condition of approval will be a cooperative driveway system with the Custom House, adjacent to the site. Possibilities were discussed at length. Mr. Chrisman will try to have the manager of the Custom House attend the next H -Control meeting so than an agreement can be made which is agreeable to all. This portion of the application was continued until next meeting. Architecture - Mr. Rodrigues pointed out that the elevation of the building was raised 3' to hide the machinery on the roof. Staff recommends a wood screen be used. Committee members agreed to go with the higher elevation instead of a wood screen. Wooden posts instead of slump stone trellises will be used. There was some discussion regarding a strip of white stucco above the windows. This will eventually become the sign band. Mr. Rodrigues said the color is off-white and will provide a shadow line to break the solid look of the building. Color of sign band will be discussed at the time of site approval. Architecture approval was coitinued until the next meeting. Member Rippi inger voiced his objection to the proposed Stereo Scene sign during discussion of said sign. Landscaping - Birch and silver dollar trees will be planted on the west side of the building. Vines will be planted on the trellises. Condition for approval is that a tree(s) be planted in the front to break the large 24'x17' expanse. Landscaping in the parking area and driveway area is pending a final plan for this area. Drip irrigation will be considered. Landscaping was also continued until the next meeting. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 11, 1977 H -CONTROL MEETING HC -200 Page 7 A grading plan has not yet been drawn up. Staff pointed out that a grading plan is needed before the application can be presented to the City Council. Mr. Chrisman indicat d that grading has been decided upon conceptually and can be ready for the next Council meeting. Lighting - Member Sallan objected to the round light fixtures based on inconsistency to neighboring developments. It was agreed that a rectangle or modified rectangle fixture would be used. Color of the fixture would be amber or smoke. This approach would blend in well with the lighting of the Custom House. Member Bond moved and Member Ripplinger seconded that the application for approval be continued until the next meeting. Conditions of approval will be a cooperative driveway with the Custom House, a complete landscaping plan wood posts instead of slump stone trellises, consideration of a drip irrigation system, a grading plan, and a tree or trees planted in the front of the building. Motion carried 5-0 The meeting was adjourned at 1136 p.m. by Chairman Claudy. /s/ John Claudy Chairman ATTEST: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder City Clerk