ERC 11-16-05
Community Development Department
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
HELD ON
November 16, 2005
Committee Members:
Dolly Sandoval
Steve Piasecki
Glenn Geopfert
Gilbert Wong
Dave Knapp
Ralph Qualls
Committee Members absent:
none
Staff present:
Gary Chao
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
September 14,2005
ACTION:
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Approval of minutes ITom September 14, 2005
Dave Knapp
Glenn Geopfert
Steve Piasecki, Gilbert Wong, Ralph Qualls
3-0
NEW ITEMS:
1.
Application No.:
Applicant:
Location:
TM-2005-04, V-2005-15, Z-2005-04, GPA-2005-03
Kelly Snider (Toll Brothers)
Stevens Creek @ Finch Ave
The following items were discussed:
o Air Quality Report (page 38)
o The San Francisco Bay Are Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines recommend
criteria of significance for air quality impacts ITom developments.
o The City's new General Plan is consistent with the BAAQMD most
recently adopted Clear Air Plan (CAP) which includes specific
Transportation Control Measures (TCM).
o Since the project proposed development (number of residential units and
commercial square footage) that is already accounted for in the new
General Plan and the current CAP, the proposed project would not result
in new or significant increases in regional or local air quality impacts
not already analyzed and reflected in the General Plan's EIR.
o The project is also implementing some ofthe General Plan's specified
TCM (i.e., promoting pedestrian activities, traffic calming, bicycle
parking and intersection/crossing improvements).
o Mitigation measures will be required during construction to reduce dust
and other construction related impacts via the "best management
practices"
o An air quality analysis was prepared measuring and analyzing potential
air pollutant impacts on the proposed project. The analysis confirms
that the pollutant levels are well below the significance threshold.
o "smell abatement" measures should be taken into consideration for all
food service tenants
o Bio Resources (page 40)
o A biological survey was prepared confirming that there are currently no
endangered or threatened species inhabiting the proposed development
site at this time. As a mitigation measure, additional pre-construction
survey must be performed to make ensure there is no seasonal habitation
by endangered or threatened species.
o Trees (page 43)
o Of the 317 trees on site, 149 will be removed and 13 will be relocated
(including 1 specimen tree)
o The newly planted trees will be planted in conjunction with the
existing landscaping to ensure for proper drainage and root growth
o There are no heritage trees on site. See Page 46 for the list of the
specimen trees at the site
o Cultural Resources (page 54)
o An archeological study was done to determine if there are any
archeological materials at the existing site. None were found.
o A program of archaeological monitoring shall be adopted during the
construction and excavation phase to ensure that no archaeological
deposits are located and to outline what should be done in the case of a
discovery
o Soils/Geologic Report (page 57)
o A preliminary geotechnical assessment has been prepared for the
project. It states that there are no hazardous substances detected in the
soil
o A geologic study has not been completed at this time
o Hazards/Hazardous materials (page 62)
o An environmental phase I study was done to determine if any hazards
or hazardous materials are at the existing site. None were found.
o Standard mitigating measured will be employed during the demolition
phase of construction
o Creek Study (page 63)
o There is existing creek/culvert along the proposed development that is
underground under Finch and daylights north of Vall co Parkway.
o The creek/culvert is not being altered by this project
o SCVWD has reviewed the project and does not recommend opening up
the underground culvert to restore it back to its original state.
o There are to be no permanent structures installed near the existing
culvert/creek.
o Land Use (page 77)
o Zoning change request is consistent with the City's General Plan and
"Heart of the City" Plan
o The project is requesting a height exception (to 45 feet), a setback
exception for the commercial part of the proposed development.
(requesting an "area average of 35 feet"), parking exception (to be able
to park on Finch and Val1co Parkway) and a density exception (ITom
35 units per gross acre to 37).
o The proposed development currently calls for parking along Stevens
Creek Boulevard. The Public Works Department is not in favor of any
parking along Stevens Creek Boulevard. The applicant agreed to have
this aspect of the parking plan redesigned.
o Noise (page 81)
o All areas of the proposed development area will meet the decibel
requirements once a sound wall is constructed along the 280 ITeeway
o Additional sound buffering efforts special rating windows on exterior
buildings, wall wrapping and landscaping (pages 86-87)
o Limited hours of operation for trash service and commercial deliveries
ofITom 7am to 7pm
o School Impacts (page 92)
o The school impact report is still under review by the both the school
district staff and formal comments
o It is very important that the school districts agree that they can handle
the cumulative expected student body growth ITom all of the City's
proposed developments
o Traffic Impacts (page 99)
o The consulting firm did new traffic counts and a cumulative impact
analysis to include all the City's proposed new development. There are
six intersections that will degrade. The Val1co Parkway/Wolfe Rd
intersection will degrade below VT A guidelines. Appropriate
mitigations ofthe impacts at the intersections affected will be
undertaken and/or contributed to by the project.
o VT A does support the overall plan. The development should provide
improvements at the 6 bus stops in the area and meet Bicycle and
Pedestrian Technical guidelines
o The development will cause trips to increase at peak hours by 450 over
the current count
o Traffic flow and parking plans need to be revised or redesigned
o Residential "cut thrus" will not be increased by the project
o Pedestrian enhancements are needed at several intersections
o An additional study of the traffic flow/impact around Hyde school is
needed
o The Val1co Parkway/Wolfe Rd intersection can be improved,
according to the TIA by overlapping turning movements, which would
require eliminating the SB U-turn. The Public Works Department does
not favor eliminating the U-turn and would like to see the development
add a WB right turn ITom Val1co Parkway to Wolfe Road
o The Public Works Department will not support on-street parking on
Stevens Creek Blvd.
o According to the TIA, the proposed 4-way stop controlled intersections
on Val1co Parkway are not warranted. The Public Works Department
has concerns about controlling traffic along Val1co Parkway with 4-
way stops, but will consider the possibility.
o Additional Discussion
o Open park space totals 4.3 acres. 3.5 acres of this will be public parks
o There are two proposed BMR options for this project. First option has
a senior housing component and the second option provides regular
BMR units
o Hearing timeline
o Continued discussion to the next meeting scheduled for December 14,
2005
ACTION:
There was a discussion to continue this item to December 14, 2005,
however, the committee neglected to take a vote
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Respectfully submitted,
/ s/Beth Ebben
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
G/planning/erc/actionminutesll1605