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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Minutes - 08-28-1974CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue,, Cupertino, California 95014 Telephone: 252-:-4505 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISS HELD ON AUGUST 28, 1974, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chairman O'Keefe called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Co -,,m. present: Adams, Cooper, Gatto, Woodward, Chairman O'Keefe Comm. Absent: None Staff present: Director of Planning and Development_ Sisk Associate Planner Laurin Associate Planner Cowan Deputy City Attorney Wenzel PUBLIC HEARING 1. City of Cupertino: Public Hearing to consider 1973 Compre- hensive General Plan. a. Hillsides The Associate Planner said he had received a phone call from Dick Finnegan's office regarding the 20 acre parcel of Bayshore Properties off Foothill Blvd. They asked to make a conceptual presentation at this meeting. Chairman O'Keefe stated that as long as a decision is not needed, the Commission would listen to the presentation. Mr. Roger Griffin, of Dick Finnegan's office, placed the conceptual site plan and elevations of their proposal for one and two story homes. He stated they have tried to work with the grades. They took into consideration the major trees on the site. The flat portion would have the patio homes, on the uphill situationthe unit is to be placed above the garage, and on the downhill situa- tion the unit will be beneath the garage. These homes would .be of a high quality nature, There ;•rill be public access td a trail system. On site recreation facilities will reduce the burden to the City, at no cost to the City. The units will run 1200 to PC -165 Page 1 Public Hearing General Plan PC -165 MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28. 1974 ADJOURNED PLANNING C01 i1ISSION MEETING Page 2 1400 sq. feet, with fully enclosed two car garages. Because of the nature o the site, most of it would be maintained in its natural state. There will be landscaping immediately around the units and the recreational area. There will be a charge of approximately $35.00 per unit per month to cover the maintenance and fire insurance. Mr. Charles Boone, President of Bayshore Properties, said that earlier this year the City proposed this property for R1_--1 acre lots. The Associate Planner said this is on the urban fringe and is under .a City initiated application to be heard on October 15, 1974. Mr. Griffin answered Comm. Cooper that the density on this proposal is 4 units per acre. It was generally felt by the Commission that this was too high a density. Chairman O'Keefe stressed the importance of the preservation of the oaks. Ann Anger, Monta Vista, said she was happy to see the plan goes along with the contours of the hills. She is concerned about the natural state of the hills. De Anza Oaks subdivision has left 17 acres in natural state and that area is full of weeds. There has been no maintenance. Mr. Griffin said rye grass can be sprayed on these hills. Comm_ Woodward :voted that if it is partially watered and planted in rye, it will be more desirable. lie noted that when children start pl. .yirig on tile tali brown rays it becomes trampled and eventually becomes a dust bowl. Comm. Adams suggested that Mr. Griffin confer with the staff about De Anza Oaks problems. Comm. Adams noted this proposed density is about four times what the Planning Commission was talking about for this property. There was discussion about the inadvisability of constructing homes too close to the oaks. Mr. Griffin said they can't build under the power lines either. Comm. Gatto observed that if you fill the open space with homes you lose the open space. Also, it is more desirable to have a home with trees on the lot. Comm. Cooper said her concern was such that as you drive by you look down at this property and see the towers. She is concerned about the visual impact of the tops of the houses. Her other concern was that there are too many units in this proposal. Mr. Griffin said they are considering berming along Foothill Blvd. so the vision of the activity near the road is diminished. Comm. Cooper cautioned that they make sure that the development fits the site rather than to try and get as many units as possible on the site. She said all the open space is on the other side of the hill and will not be seen from the public access nor from the homes. Juanita McLaren, Lindy Lana, Cupertino, suggested the open space be used for pasture land and perhaps stable facilities since there is such a demand for families to have horses for their children. This would also keep down the fire hazards. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28, 1974 ADJOURNED PLANNING CO101ISSION MTG. PC -165 Page 3 Comm. Woodward suggested some innovative thought should be given to the homes that face the north and the south, so as you look at them from the public access, you don't see a solid row of buildings going up the hillside. Comm. Gatto advised the staff that site sections should be re- quired for proposals in the hillsides. The August 28, 1974 memo from the Planning Director regarding Hillside Phase of General Plan was introduced. It contains a discussion outline for the General Plan Study. Associate Planner Laurin said the cost of these documents will be $3,00 from now on. Associate Planner Laurin recapped the previous discussion on this matter and pointed out the changes and additions to the document. Comm. Woodward requested a copy of the Minutes of May 23, 1974 meeting. I. Description of Basic Principle established by Commission in hillside work completed to date. A. Private ownership and low intensity residential land use vs. public ownership and "pristine" open space use. Associate Planner Laurin said one of the problems is the jurisdictions don't have the money to purchase this open space. The Mid —Peninsula Park District may come up with some money but the decision has not yet been made. Economics is the answer to "A". Associate Planner Laurin said we must consider not only the visual impact of clusters of homes in order to preserve open space but we must also consider the con- venience and the capacity of the road system. Comm. Woodward introduced the question of whether or not it is a legitimate right to get credit for open space under power lines where you couldn't build anyway. B. Similarly situated properties shall be treated, (regulated) equally. A minimum number of categories will be formulated. C--165 MINUTES OF THE. AUGUST 28, 1974 ADJOURNED PLANI''ING CO:ISSION MEETING Page 4 C, A mathematical —orientated means shall be used to determine residential density. The object here is to try to get as much density as possible employing several formulas. Comm. Gatto said we have to cover what is meant by "units", e.g., 5 becrooms vs. 2 bedrooms. He suggested the staff assign a unit measurement per the number of bedrooms. II. Concept to define similarly situated properties. It is recommended that 5 categories be established -defining similarly situated properties. The categorization of properties shall be determined by three factors: Geographical location (community character/proximity to existing development) Slope steepness Proximity to existing or proposed services Category One --Properties located on urban fringe, with a 10% average slope or less, and with existing urban utility and emergency services. Category Two The "Catholic Church" properties and the properties easterly and southerly of the church property that would be greatly influenced by its development. The Catholic Church property and peripheral properties are located in the urban fringe, have a varied topography range of from 10% slope to 60-7--% slope, and has exist- ing urban utilities and a road system for emergency services. Category Three -Properties located adjacent to the urban fringe with an average slope steepness greater than 10% within the urban service area. Category Four- Properties with an average slope steepness greater than - 10% outside of the urban service area. Category Five -.Properties located on Montebello Ridge. These properties are placed in a separate category because of the exist- ing ownership pattern, slope steepness, and vehicular access. MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28 , 1974 ADJOURNED PLANNING COI1NISSIONI PITG . Associate Planner Laurin noted that quite often the best building site is at the top of the hill. e must think about how we want to handle this, Associate Planner Cowan said the Urban Service Area boundaries are not yet formed. We may get involved in urban transition areas. This is reviewed annually by LAFCO. There followed a discussion on Urban Service Area vs. rural areas. III. Functional studies. Factors to determine land use within each property category A. Community development factors 1. Traffic capacity 2. School capacity 3. Sewer capacity 4. Emergency services B, Environmental Resources Factors 1. Agricultural use 2, Ground Water retention (vegetation/grading) 3.> Aesthetics 4. Recreational trails, paths and open space C. Community Risk Factors 1. Fire risk 2. Flood risk 3. Geologic Instability D. Community character PC -165 Page 5 PC -165 Page 6 MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28, 1974 ADJOURNED PLANNING COISSION MEETING Mrs. McLaren said as the studies are made, we are going to see many new innovations and concepts for development of the hills. Comm. Woodward said it a matter of sub -population we want to allow in the hills. Assoc. Planner Laurin said better mans and more information on the hills are needed. In addition, he said the Planning Commission might wish to have speakers come and give their observations and opinions. For instance, we should explore whether or not it is financially feasible to farm some of these areas. Comm. Gatto suggested we start with the total population of the hillside should carry, take a number of people the infilling will produce and the existing population.. Use the slope density formula. A series of charts can be developed from this. The Planning Director said there are also character questions, service questions, etc. that must be considered. Population should be based upon existing facilities and existing roads, as well as the prevailing character of the area. Comm. Gatto agreed that the population that we want to have up there must be determined first. For instance, if a dense population were desired, then there are mechanical ways of furnishing services needed. Assoc. Planner Laurin offered the information that the traffic consultants, for Montebello Ridge, have done a study on the capacity of roads. IV. Discussion of slope -density formulas. Should the County's slope -density formulas be accepted, or: F. Should they have lower density (or zero density) on the very steep slopes? It should not be accepted in total. Should be a sine curve or a modified sine curve. B. Would the advantage of sine curves justify their introduction? Yes C. Should there be a "wide -range" formula for certain areas on the urban fringe? It was felt that more study was needed here. The Planning Director said there is a policy statement that there shall be no mass grading. It was decided that there should be no bonus for cluster- ing on large acreages. It was decided that there should be a graduated combination of slope and stability scoring, rather than the "all -or --nothing" approach. Ui'' J' .., Atict:;. 25, 1911E .+.D.?OUl:;i:D I'l,A'::.:ii G CoI1ss IUh NTG. It: 1:a5 .?[.i;iCtC-`Ci i.h,1.t. the provinces for riEtielJ:i"eTit in t:hC is noas the • i 1 tOpen SaP. AIIC.�T-i� r:ii:t .O.�l., StatCd in ti.'Iht�:i .'f7i� adopted Space ELe.:•.eiit of the Cupertino 's General Plan, should be sustain- ed. The Planning Co,,miission decided the requirements for the Scenic Highways, as stated in the tentatively adopted Open Space Element of Cupertino's General Plan, shall be sustained. Comm. Wooclw-: Ord commented that he feels the Montebello Ridge Road can never achieve the characteristics of a scenic highway. V. Special Area Studies. 1. Catholic Church 2. Regnart Canyon 3. Inspiration Heights The Planning Commissioners indicated they would be interested in setting up a field trip to study slope densities. It %,as ncved by Comm. Gatto, seconded by Comm. Cooper to continue this public hearing to the next regular meeting on September 9, at 7:30 P.'rM. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by the Chairman at 9:53 P.M. APPROVED: /s/ Daniel P. O'Keefe Chairman ATTEST: /s/ Wm. E. Ryder City Clerk PC-iC,5 P_;