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DRC 06-19-2014 Design Review Committee June 19,2014 Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 APROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON June 19, 2014 ROLL CALL Committee Members present: Winnie Lee, Chairperson Alan Takahashi, Commissioner Committee Members absent none Staff present: George Schroeder Staff absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 6, 2014 Minutes of the February 6, 2014 Design Review Committee meeting were approved with modifications to correct typographical errors WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: Email from Young Kang objecting to the proposed LF,D signage POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: None ORAL COMMUNICATION: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Application No.(s): EXC-2014-01 Applicant: Sal Pablo (Valero Service Station) Location: 10002 N. De Anza BouElvard Sign Exception to allow LED signage on two existing fuel price ground signs Design Review Committee decision final unless al)pealed. Staff Member Schroeder explained that the application is to allow an existing gas station to replace their ground signage with new illuminated cabinets. The LED lighting would be for the pricing numerals. They would be static, for number pricing only and not used for advertising and be mechanically equipped with the ability to regulate the brightness. The LED lights are proposed as they are more energy efficient and allow for easier price changing as necessary by the gas station's employees. Under the current Sign Ordinance, the proposed signs would not be permitted because they have a visible light source. This restriction is primarily to restrict glare from passing motorists and to ensure that store 2 Design Review Committee June 19,2014 signage is of high quality. A condition of approval requires that the lighting be tested by an Engineer to ensure that the light intensity is not too bright so as to cause distractions. Commissioner Takahashi asked for clarification regarding the light testing range and proximity to residences. Staff member Schroeder stated that the testing is done from 100' and the closest residence is 140' away. This would be the first LED gas station signage in Cupertino. The numbers will be in red, are perpendicular to the closest residence and are 6" in height. The Sign Ordinance allows for a maximum brightness of 250' lamberts. The proposed signage has a measurement of 150 lamberts at a distance of 2, so at a distance of 140' (the nearest residence) the visual light would be greatly diminished or, even overpowered by other ambient light sources. Future changes to the Sign Ordinance could incorporate language regarding this technology, but currently all Sign Exception applications would be referred to the Design Review Committee for approval and would be conditioned on a case-by-case basis. The applicant feels that the existing signage at the gas station is brighter than the proposed LED signage and that having this type of sign would be safer for their employees. They could change the pricing from inside the station and not have to worry about traffic while manually switching out the numbers. He also stated that this LED sign technology is becoming the industry standard so most service stations will be changing out their signs. The applicant also asked about the appeal process. Both Committee members felt that the conditions applied to the application for approval were sound and that the signage would not be a nuisance to the neighbors. They supported Staff's recommendations. MOTION: Commissioner Takahashi moved to approve EXC-2014-01 per the draft resolution SECOND: Chair Lee ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none VOTE: 2-0-0 2. Application No.(s): EXC-2014-05 Applicant: Seema Shenvi(Telang residence) Location: 10445 Byrne Ave R1 Exception to allow a 10' combined first floor side yard setback where a 15' combined setback is required Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed. Staff Member Schroeder explained that the applicant is proposing to demolish the existing detached garage, storage room and a portion of their single story residence and construct a 1,200 square foot first floor addition which will include a new two-car garage. The R1 Exception is required as the setbacks on either side will only be 5' for*the front portion of the house along the new garage. The residence is located in the Monta Vista area where lot sizes are normally substandard. The applicant is also going to be required to provide an easement to the City for street frontage improvements further reducing the lot size. Precedence has been established through multiple approvals in the Monta Vista area for similar development applications. Staff supports the application as the design of the new construction fits into the neighborhood, the design meets the intent of the R1 Ordinance and the exception is only for the new garage portion. The applicant stated that the neighbors are also in support of their proposed project. The Committee members supported the application. It is a challenging lot size, but with a good proposed design. They liked the fact that there would be more street improvements in the area as well. 3 Design Review Committee June 19,2014 MOTION: Commissioner Takahashi moved to approve EXC-2014-05 per the draft resolution SECOND: Chair Lee ABSENT: none ABSTAIN:none VOTE: 2-0-0 OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None Respectfully submitted: Beth Ebbe Administrative Clerk