DRC 06-02-2016Design Review Committee
June 2, 2016
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON June 2, 2016
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present: Margie Gong, Chairperson
Geoff Paulsen, Commissioner
Committee Members absent: none
Staff present: Erick Serrano, Associate Planner
Benjamin Fu, Assistant Director of Community Development
Staff absent: none
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
March 17, 2016
Minutes of the March 17, 2016 Design Review Committee meeting were approved as written
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Application No.(s): EXC-2016-02
Applicant: Mr. & Mrs. Ruiz residence
Location: 10240 Stern Ave APN # 375-12-042
Fence Exception to allow a (six) 6 foot fence in the required front setback area
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Member Serrano explained that the applicant submitted a plan last year to the Planning
Department for a proposed addition. That project required a conformance setback which, per the Fence
Ordinance, required a three foot front yard fence. After construction on the addition was finished, the
applicant felt that the fence did not provide adequate privacy screening. The way the lot is oriented
posed a challenge for installing a six foot fence in that the functional rear yard is by the City's definition
the front yard. The proposed design meets as much of the Fence Ordinance requirements as possible,
and allows for a six foot fence while preserving as much of the rear yard space as possible. The fence
2 Design Review Committee
June 2, 2016
curves around Arata Way, a five foot setback is proposed to allow for pedestrian travel. Further down
Arata, the fence adjacent to the neighbor will have a twelve foot by ten foot 'clear' area so that the
neighbor can back out of the driveway without visual obstruction. The Public Works Department
reviewed the plan and determined that a six foot fence where Arata meets Stern, would not pose a line -
of -site safety issue at that corner. Staff supports the Fence Exception application and requests approval
per the draft resolution.
Commissioner Paulsen suggested that trees be planted along Arata Way to reduce the visual impact of a
six foot fence to pedestrians walking along there.
Chair Gong commented that there is an existing fence there and was confused about the replacement
plan. Staff member Serrano explained that the existing fence in a non -conforming fence. The application
will push the fence back and bring it into compliance. The discussion continued regarding the
orientation of the house on the lot. The home has a Stern Avenue address, but the homeowner enters the
home from Arata Way. Due to this orientation, the front yard will have a six foot fence.
The applicants mentioned that once they move the fence, there will be bushes between the fence and the
sidewalk addressing Commissioner Paulsen concern about plantings to soften the look of the fence.
Chair Gong and Commissioner Paulsen agreed that the application was well thought out and was a
good solution for the challenges of the space.
MOTION: Commissioner Paulsen moved to approve EXC-2016-02 per the draft resolution
APPROVE: Chair Gong
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
A*t�, � u
Beth Ebben
Administrative Assistant