DRC 04-16-2020 Design Review Committee
April 16,2020
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408)777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON April 16, 2020
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present: R Wang, Chair
David Fung,Commissioner
I
Committee Members absent: none
Staff present: Jeff Tsumura, Associate Planner
Piu Ghosh,Planning Manager
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. September 6,2018
The minutes of September 6,2018 were approved as written
2. July 18,2019
The minutes of July 18, 2019 were approved as written
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC MEETING:
3. Application No.(s): EXC-2019-002
Applicant: Gus Ortega/SDI Signs (Valero Service Station)
Location: 1699 Se Anza Blvd APN: 366-10-120
Sign Exception to consider allowing LED signage on an existing fuel price ground sign, two additional
wall signs on the building, and four additional signs on the fuel canopy at an existing service station
(Valero).
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Member Tsumura reviewed the project with the Committee. The Applicant is proposing new and
additional signs to a previously approved Sign Exception (EXC-2010-10) project and Director's Minor
Modification(DIR-2019-007).The applicant is requesting these signs for additional illumination,required
safety signage, and as designations for the existing Service shop, Convenience Store, car wash tunnel,
fuel canopy, tank storage and updates to the existing ground level fuel pricing sign. The City's Sign
Ordinance requires that all signs with visible light sources be approved by the Design Review
Committee. The Ordinance does not specify requirements for LED light fixtures. However, as with prior
2 Design Review Committee
April 16,2020
LED approvals, Staff is recommending Conditions of Approval that require the fixtures to have
automatic controls to adjust for brightness based on the surrounding ambient conditions. The proposed
LED lights in the fuel canopy will have a similar Condition of Approval for controls and shielding to
diffuse the light downward.
There are currently some temporary signs on site and some of the earlier conditions of approval have not
been adhered to. These violations will need to be rectified prior to final building inspection.
Staff has determined that the overall square footage of the new signs is in conformance with the Sign
Ordinance, the scope of the project is not detrimental to the site or surrounding businesses and that once
all of the conditions of approval have been implemented, the business will be an asset to the City.
Committee member Fung uses this service station so is familiar with the site. He is concerned about the
traffic flow. He suggested that the traffic patterns in and out of the driveways be looked at a little closer.
Staff member Ghosh reminded the Committee that the traffic flow had been decided by the City Council
upon appeal of the project. With this approval, the applicant is being directed to implement the original
approval. Staff was not making any changes to the ingress/egress of the site. Committee member Fung
also asked if Staff had any plans to amend the Sign Ordinance to allow LED signage for ground level
sign boards. Staff Member Ghosh said she anticipates the Sign Ordinance coming up for review in the
next Work Program cycle.
Chair Wang agreed with Committee Member Fung's thoughts that amending the Municipal Code was in
order. These kinds of requests for LED signage lighting are basic, modern changes that should not be so
cumbersome for applicants. He asked for clarification about regulating the intensity of the canopy
lighting. Staff member Tsumura said that a light study would be performed after installation to ensure
compliance.
Commissioner Wang opened the Public Comment period.
There were no speakers
Commissioner Wang closed the Public Comment period.
The Committee members had no additional comments on the project.
MOTION: Commissioner Fung moved to approve EXC-2019-002 per the draft resolution
APPROVE: Chair Wang
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN:none
VOTE: 2-0-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
Beth Ebben
Deputy Board Clerk