Loading...
March 8th, 1972a, CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino Telephone: '252-4505 HC-51 Page 1 I HC-51 MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972 H-CONTROL MEETING Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. Application HC-51,075.24 - Vallco Park, Ltd., requesting approval of landscaping for median strips on Wolfe Road and Stevens Creek Blvd. River -washed The Senior Planning Technician said due to the development of Vallco Park's rock and financial center at the corner of Wolfe Road and Stevens Creek Blvd., a liquidambar joint effort between the City and Vallco Park, Ltd. to design a landscaped trees median channelization has evolved which will include river -washed rock and liquidambar trees. Colored slides of the area were shown. Vallco to Mr. Bill Tagg, 619 Torrington Drive, Sunnyvale, confirmed that Vallco pay for will pay for the plants but the City will pay for the change in landscaping. plants He said the landscape architect is the same as the one doing the financial center landscaping. Smaller Member Gatto noted that the boulders presently by Sears are the 6-8" boulders variety; these plans show 2-3" diameter boulders. Mr. Tagg said that proposed since this is a smaller area the architect wants to use smaller rocks. Request for Member Gatto noted that the problem with liquidambar trees is that they other than lose their leaves. He would like something of high caliber here, at liquidambar the entrance to the City. Mr. Tagg said the City Engineering Department insists that the trees go 14' before they branch out. He said he does not want to use olive trees in this area, although they will be used in the Center. The Vice -Chairman asked for comments from the audience. There were none.* Member Sargent said he felt there should be a certain continuity here since there already are nice, long rows of trees along Wolfe Road. • Public roved by Member Gatto, seconded by Member McLaren to close the Public Hearing Hearings. closed Motion carried, 4-0 HC-513,075.24 Moved by Member Gatto, seconded by Iember Sargent to recommend to the City approved I Council approval of HC-51,075.24 - Vallco Park, Ltd., subject to the w/conditions standard conditions, Exhibit A, anc further, that the river -washed rock that fills the median match that or, Stevens Creek Blvd. in front of Sears; the liquidambar indicated be replaced with an evergreen -type tree meeting all the City Engineer's requirements, 15-gallon or 10-foot minimum size. AYES: Members Gatto, McLaren,argent, Vice -Chairman Adams VOES : None Motion carried, 4-0 t� b MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972.H-CONTROL MEETING UNFINISHED BUSINESS Vice -Chairman Adams asked the staff to prepare a summary of the pending applications. HC-51 Page 3 Pending applo summary requester NEW BUSINESS Vice -Chairman Adams recapped the Councilaction on the H-Control applications at the March 6th meetings The City Council has asked for ,a list of the people interested in -Possible appoint - serving on this Committeeandfor the staff to arrange interviews` s ment of new with those who have not already been interviewed. Member REVIEW OF CHANGE OF COPY ON SIGN FACE 5. Stanley Reneson requesting change of copy of an existing canopy sign located at 10050 North Blaney Avenue, formerly The Associations The Senior Planning Technician said the applicant requests ap- proval to change an existing 2Y x 10' plywood :sign (formerly known as .The Association, located in the Blaney 'Boulevard Shopping Center), by means of painting the background yellow and adhering black ` plastic letters reading "Shoe Repair". He noted that most signs in this Center are about 6" off the canopy.while the sign in j- question is about 12" above the canopy. ..All signs are non-illumi.- natede ­ MINUTE ORDER Moved by Member McLaren, seconded by Member.Gatto that this sign !-Shoe Repair sign change of copy shall be approved with the new sign to be no higher _approved .'wifh than the other signs already on the canopy. 1 condition Motion carried, 4-0 z. 1. V u.' HC-51 Page 4 The proposal Nonconform- ing use Applicant was open for suggestions Fence display along SCB MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972 H-CONTROL MEETING 6. Haller Lumber Yard requesting approval of change of copy of an existing wall and roof sign, located at 20195 Stevens Creek Blvd., formerly Cupertino Lumber Yard. The Planning Technician said the applicant is requesting approval of a change of sign copy for two existing signs located on the Cupertino Lumber Company building at the corner of Stevens Creek Blvd. and Randy Lane. One sign is a painted plywood sign 3' x 20' and is mounted on the east wall facing Randy Lane. The second sign is a roof -mounted 4' x 15' sign located in the front, center section of the building. The sign area proposed is within the amount allowed by Ordinance. Colored slides were shown. The Vice -Chairman asked how long this Use Permit will be valid. The staff noted this is a non -conforming use and was picked up within the allowable 6 months, so it can remain in effect until the use changes. Mr. Haller said they.are not too enthused with the yellow front on the building, but they do wish to paint the side of the building, too. He would like to put some trees in pots on either side of the front door and put a sign over the door. He said he was open for suggestions as to how to dress up the front of the building. The Vice -Chairman noted that under the circumstances, the Committee could not require removal of any sign(s). Me-nber McLaren said she appreciates the cooperation of the new owner of the lumber yard. She was concerned about the stacks of lumber visible to the passersby on Stevens Creek Blvd., however. She suggested a fence be constructed across the front to hide it. Mr. Haller said they are planning to put up a display of types of fencing there, which ishould be quite attractive. • i Dress up !Member McLaren suggested some architectural treatment be added around front windowsithe windows to help dress up the front of the building. Suggestion to Member Gatto was not sure that we need both signs. All the little, remove roof secondary printing is superfluous. The words "Lumber Company" would sign be more attractive. He suggested they take the sign off" the roof and put only the signs on the front anc! side of the building. Mr. Haller said he needs the sign on the roof to get the traffic going east. Upgrade bldg Member Sargent commented that as hE! looked at the colored slides he was reminded of Hubbard and Johnson Lumber Company and the transition they have gone through. He felt that the sign perpendicular to the street is perhaps not as effective as one very nice, flat sign on the front of the building. This would be the beginning of modernization of the building. JP MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972 H--CONTROL MEETING As .to the point of change of copy of the signs, Member Sargent was , I not too surehow many people could real the smaller print. He had no objection to the content or colors. ' j Member McLaren agreed that the company would need identification for ,the people travelling east. She suggested a broad expanse .of a flat sign on the front of the building would ,be attractive and eye-catching for people travelling both east'and west. Mr. Haller said there is a tree down the street which blocks the view of the top sign and you see the one on the side of the building first. Member Gatto suggested putting "Haller Lumber Company" across the front and side of the building and removing the roof sign. Member Sargent wondered if the roof sign were rotated -90° if it would still be blocked by the tree They could put it parallel with the rain gutter up in that area. HC-51 Page 5 Tree blocks view) of top sign" Turn sign '90° MINUTE ORDER: Moved by Member Gat to, seconded by,Member Sargent to recommend Change of copy approval of the copy change of the signs, and there has been enough approved; staff discussion here so the applicant and the staff can arrive at the & applicant to best location for the signs. discuss sign location. Motion carried, 4-0 7. Discussion on Procedural Curtailing The Planning Director recapped the March 2nd memo from the Archi- Possibility of tectural and Site Approval Staff Committee. With the increased procedural number of applications being filed it is becoming harder and harder changes to work into the agenda other items of importance to this Committee Changing and updating of the Sign Ordinance should be discussed. The Committee should discuss the possibility"of elimination of certain types of applications for review by this Committee. To alleviate some procedural problems, the staff suggested application, such as sign change of copy or minor modifications be handled on the staff level. Vice -Chairman Adams said he would have no.objection to having the,. „ staff ,approve minor copy changes on signs. 4 HC- 51 Page 6 Procedural error Appeal to the Committee Shell has purchased Amer. Oil station Staff to draft a Resolution Review of alternative designs was acceptable to Committee Beautif icatior Committee needed MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972 H-CONTROL MEETING Member Sargent brought up the Sun 'N Soil application that the Council has returned to the H-Control. The Planning Director said there was a procedural error here because the Sign Ordinance says any exceptions to the Sign Ordinance must have a public hearing. Member Sargent suggested that the staff could make recommendations to the applicant and if he insists, he could be given the opportunity to come before the H-Control Committee. 'The Planning Director said Shell Oil Company has purchased American Oil station at Stevens Creek Blvd., and Highway 9. There is a provision for a temporary sign; also, they will be coming in later with proposed changes to the site. Member Gatto would like to see some way of getting'more teeth into the enforcement of the Sign Ordinance. There was some discussion about the staff approving sign changes if the sign material and sign size are the same and if good taste is used as far as copy is concerned. The Vice --Chairman asked the staff to prepare a draft of a Resolution for this type of situation. The Planning Director stated that at one time the Committee felt strongly about not having alternatives presented to them. He asked this Committee if they saw any great prcblem if alternatives were presented to them. Member Gatto felt that if the applicants request guidance it should come under Unfinished or Net, Business any come back at a later date tinder Public Hearings. He diy not like the idea of having to sit up there and design or help to design something for the applicant. A review of alternative designs was acceptable to the Committee. Ltiiember McLaren feels we need a beautification committee, appointed by the City Council. It was brought up that a big issue to be resolved is one whereby the Planning Commission and the H--Control would like to see applications prior to the granting of zoning. Member Sargent feels the City's professional staff should feed input to the developer as to what the City would like to see and what the City requires. He would prefer that it be an extreme rarity to see alternatives; the Members can either vote for or against'a proposal. It was noted that PD and Use Permits are where we run into these problems. • MINUTES OF THE MARCH 8, 1972 11-CONTROL MEETING HC- 51 Page 7 Member Gatto felt that the., Planning Commission shculd deal with , Possibly comb; land use and zoning and that the H-Controlshould deal with location,.Planning Com street pattern,.placement and configuration of.buildings. Or the H-Control two could be combined. 1:1ember Gatto felt that most -applicants would appreciate hearing what the ground rules are and just take it from there. Member McLaren feels it would be placing quite a responsibility on Expedite the planning I staff sometimes when developers come in to the City applications with their plans. She wondered if perhaps some of these applica- tions are dragged out too long. She would like to see some way of expediting these applications. Member Sargent suggested one member of each Commission and Committet meet with and give the applicants guidelines. Vice -Chairman Adams suggested the Planning Commission meet with the, H-Control when reviewing PD development. Because of the terrain:ofthe hillsides and because of the great number of small'sized lots in Monta Vista, Member McLaren felt there will be the need for many discussions.. Member McLaren asked the staff to check'all the signs at the corner of Valley Green Drive and Highway 9. The Planning Director said this has already been done. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Member McLaren, seconded by Member Sargent to adjourn the Aft meeting at 9:30 PM. Motion.carried, 4-0 APPROVED: Is/ Victor J. Adams Vice Chairman ATTEST: Isl :Wm. E..Ryder. City Clerk