DRC 12-07-06
Design Review Committee
December 7, 2006
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON December 7, 2006
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Lisa Giefer, Chairperson
Gilbert Wong, Commissioner
Committee Members absent:
Taghi Saadati, Commissioner
Staff present:
Aki Honda Snelling
Staff absent:
None
APPROV AL OF MINUfES:
September 21, 2006
Minutes of the September 21, 2006 Design Review Committee were approved by Chairperson
Giefer at the meeting and by Commissioner Saadati via email.
October 5,2006
Minutes of the October 5, 2006 Design Review Committee were approved by Chairperson
Giefer at the meeting and by Commissioner Saadati via email.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
An email was received from Keith Murphy regarding the replanting of the palm trees at the
Marketplace Shopping Center. Chairperson Giefer asked that since the email relates to the
postponed item, the email be included as part of a future packet when this application will be
heard.
POSTPONEMENTSjREMOV AL FROM CALENDAR:
1. ASA-2006-14, Wayne Okubo, 19770 Stevens Creek Blvd
Postponed to the December 21, 2006 meeting
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
Jennifer Griffin spoke in support of Keith Murphy's email concerning the slowness of the
replanting of the palm trees at Marketplace Shopping Center and how concerned she is that the
historic areas of Cupertino are no longer being recognized and protected.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1.
Application No.(s):
Applicant:
Location:
ASA-2006-14
Wayne Okubo
19770 Stevens Creek Blvd
2 Design Review Committee
December 7, 2006
Architectural and Site approval for Building C and exterior modifications and an
outdoor seating area for Building B at Marketplace Shopping Center
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Requested postponement to December 21, 2006 meeting
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Commissioner Wong moved to continue application ASA-2006-14
Chairperson Giefer
None
None
2-0
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
EXC-2006-13
Michael Inouye (Pots ticker King)
19634 Stevens Creek Blvd
2.
Sign Exception for exposed neon on an illuminated sign at Marketplace Shopping
Center
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed
Staff member Honda explained that the Committee is hearing this application for exposed neon on an
existing, approved sign for Potsticker King. The neon was not mentioned in the original sign approval.
Once Staff became aware of the exposed neon in the sign, the applicant was asked to modify the sign. The
applicant has decided to file for an exception instead. Staff is recommending that the applicant find a way
to tone down the brightness of the sign. Commissioner Wong asked for clarification between the approval
for the neon sign at the Elephant Bar restaurant and this one. Staff explained that the approval process
was different when the Elephant Bar sign was approved on 2004. The sign program for the shopping
center was approved in April. Since then the sign ordinance has been changed pertaining to exposed neon
to allow the DRC to review and determine approvals for neon signs. The Property Manager for the
Marketplace Shopping Center stated that it is possible to install a dimmer switch which will reduce the
brightness of the sign. However, the reduced electricity to the sign may cause the neon to glow
inconsistently around the letters. This solution would be cheaper for them than placing some sort of
barrier over the exposed neon to obscure it. Commissioner Wong said he supports the idea of a dimmer as
opposed to having the applicant go to the expense of replacing the sign. Chairperson Giefer agreed that
trying the dimmer switch approach would be fine. She also made mention that this is the third retroactive
sign exception application to come from the shopping center and that the center needs to get their signs
approved ahead of time in the future. The discussion continued about the replacement of the palm trees.
It was agreed that the applicant would dim the neon lighting so that the committee members and the
public will have a chance to view the modification for a few weeks before the DRC makes a
determination. The application would be reheard at the December 21, 2006 meeting with a continuation to
the first meeting in January ifthe dimmer switch could not be installed right away.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Commissioner Wong moved to continue application EXC-2006-13 to the December 21,
2006 meeting
Chairperson Giefer
None
None
2-0
3
Design Review Committee
December 7, 2006
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
6tt-~ r&/:uI1.
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/DRC CommitteejMinutes120706