Loading...
DRC 06-04-03Design Review Committee June 4, 2003 Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEI4r COMMITTEE HELD ON JUNE 4, 2003 ROLL CALL Committee Members present: Committee Members absent: Staff present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Taghi Saadati, Chairperson Gilbert Wong, Commissioner None Peter Gilli, Senior Planner May 21, 2003 Minutes of the May 21, 2003 Design Review Committee were approved. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: ORAL COMMUNICATION: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEIN BUSINESS: None PUBLIC HEARING: Application: Applicant: Location: R-2003-06 Ron Halfhill (Smith residence) 10221 Hillcrest Road Residential Design Review to construct a 289 square foot first story addition and a 1,490 square foot second story addition for a total of 5,747 square feet and exceptions relating to the size of the second story and visible second-story wall heights. 2 Design Review Committee June 4, 2003 Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed Staff Presentation: Peter Gilli, Senior Planner, briefly described the project and explained that staff had no issues regarding the R1 portion of the project. Staff also supported of both of the exceptions. The first exception is to have a second story that is greater than 35% of the first story. In this case, the project will have a second story that is 42% of the first story. The unique issue with this project is that the detached garage is in the front of the house. Staff believes that the intent of the ordinance has been met and recommends approval. The second exception is the visible second-story wall heights. Mr. Gilli stated that because of the deck in the front, 50% of the visible wall heights are not less than six feet. However, the offsets are met. The deck provides partial screening of second story wall and the applicant has added a section of roof along one area where the two story wall plane to try to mitigate the visual impact. Staff recommends approval for this exception as well. The house sits on the top of a sloping hill and is visible from a long distance away. The applicant will be adjusting the landscape plan to put some screening in and with that staff recommends approval of the project. Gilbert Wong, Commissioner, asked several questions including whether the neighbor to the rear of the property had any privacy concerns. Mr. Gilli stated that he hadn't heard of concerns and that the applicant has a privacy plan that conforms to the ordinance. The applicant would be willing to work with concerned neighbors. Mr. Wong also asked about the setbacks. Mr. Gilli explained that the existing house appears to have 5 1/2 foot setbacks on both sides of the house and the addition on the first floor will not make the side setbacks any smaller and so it is not an issue with staff. Steve Smith, owner, stated that the property is unique and that they have been slowly remodeling the existing home. MOTION: SECOND: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Commissioner Wong moved to approve R-2003-06. Chairperson Saadati. None None 2-0 Application: Applicant: Location: ASA-2003-01 Li-Sheng Fu (Lee residence) 10588-10590 Santa Lucia Road Architectural Site Approval for a new two-story, 4,197 square foot duplex in the R2 Zoning District. 3 Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed Design Review Committee June 4, 2003 Staff Presentation: Peter Gilli, Senior Planner, explained that the subject site is in a mostly single family homes neighborhood. The site currently has a duplex and the proposal is to demolish it and rebuild it with a two-unit structure. The specific regulations for R2 are limited. There are height limitations, lot coverage and setbacks. However, all additions require architectural and site approval. With all that, staff looked at the findings and the purpose statement in the R2 ordinance. On the entire street from Merriman Avenue and Alcalde Road, four are duplexes, mostly concentrated around the site and are single story. There are both single story and two homes in this area. Staff believes the findings can be made for a larger duplex even though the gradual transition criterion is not specifically met. Staff recommends that the Committee provide direction to the applicant and/or staff to reduce the size of the structure to be compatible with the neighborhood and continue the item to the next meeting. Or, if the applicant would like to have a decision, deny the project. No changes have been necessary regarding the design of the structure, although some changes were made to conform to the R2 setbacks. Mr. Wong asked about staff's interpretation of the R2 ordinance regarding duplexes. Mr. Gilli stated that the code states that a duplex is a structure with two families, under one ownership. The generally accepted idea is that a duplex is that both are proportionally about the same size. However, staff did not focus on this aspect of the project. Taghi Saadati, Chairperson, stated that most of the duplexes and fourplexes that he has seen have mostly identical, separate units for separate families. Dennis Lee, owner, stated that he has worked very hard on his project and the property has been a life long dream. Mr. Lee hopes to have his mother come to the United States someday and live with them and still have her own space. He also feels that he has worked closely with staff and took their advice. Mr. Lee explained that he has been working hard on compatibility with the neighborhood. He is keeping the existing pines to help preserve the look and feel of the neighborhood. Mr. Saadati stated that perhaps this item should be heard at the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Wong confirmed with Mr. Gilli that the duplex meets the R2 ordinance. Mr. Gilli stated that the Commission might want to look at the back of the property. That is where one could see that the second story is a bigger size. If the applicant made the second story a little smaller it might be enough to offset the first and second story. The rear lots are also duplex lots. The applicant would be willing to do privacy planting, even though it is not specifically required. Mr. Gilli suggested the option of reducing the second story to 45% of the first story if the overall FAR is 45%. The focus of the work should be on the rear elevation. The 4 Design Review Committee June 4, 2003 architect stated that he could start working on that. Mr. Lee agreed. Mr. Wong stated that this would help with compatibility in the neighborhood. MOTION: SECOND: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Commissioner Wong moved to continue ASA-2003-01 for four weeks with the proposed changes. Chairperson Saadati. None None 2-0 Respectfully submitted: Kiersa Witt Administrative Clerk g:planning/DRC Committee~Minutes060403