PC 3-11-2025 MinutesPlanning Commission March 11, 2025
MINUTES
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Santosh Rao called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Santosh Rao, Vice Chair Tracy Kosolcharoen, and Commissioners David Fung and
Steven Scharf. Absent: Commissioner Seema Lindskog.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: Approval of the February 25, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve February 25, 2025 Planning Commission
Minutes
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed
the public comment period.
MOTION: Scharf moved and Rao seconded to approve the February 25,
2025 Planning Commission Minutes.
The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen,
Fung, Scharf. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Lindskog.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Diana Ferris spoke about the parking issues at Westport Assisted Living, and the lack of
communication regarding the postponed parking garage removal under AB 2097.
Commissioner Scharf asked when the item was going to come to the Planning Commission.
Planning Manager Ghosh stated that it was not scheduled yet to come to the Planning
Commission, but it will be heard soon.
Jennifer Griffin talked about her frustration around establishing objective standards in lieu
of subjective design standards and the delays in the completion of the Westport
development, and expressed her desire to re-adopt LOS standards for automobile traffic.
Planning Commission March 11, 2025
Rhoda Fry discussed parking at the former Oaks Shopping Center, acquisition of an
apartment complex (McClellan Terrace) by the Foothill-De Anza Community College
District to allow affordable units to support their teachers and students, and questioned
whether the City can get some RHNA credit for doing so and whether the existing residents
were notified about this transaction.
Lisa thanked Diana (a previous speaker) for her insights, criticized the trend of replacing
retail spaces with housing, urging for community discussions to address these concerns and
maintain a balance between housing and local business opportunities.
CONSENT CALENDAR- None
PUBLIC HEARINGS –
2. Subject: Hillside Exception to consider the construction of a new single-family residence
on a vacant hillside property with cumulative disturbance exceeding 500 square feet on
slopes greater than or equal to 30%. (Application No(s).: EXC-2023-001; Applicant(s):
Zhaoguang Lei and Weiju Zhang; Location: 22346 Regnart Road; APN(s): 366 40 005)
Recommended Action: That the Planning Commission adopt the proposed draft
resolution to:
1. Find the project exempt from CEQA; and
2. Approve the Hillside Exception (EXC-2023-001) (Attachment 1)
Planning Manager Ghosh introduced Associate Planner Sugiyama who introduced the
item.
Commissioners disclosed ex parte communications prior to deliberation on this matter.
Associate Planner Sugiyama gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions, which staff responded to.
Chair Rao opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
• Jennifer Griffin
Chair Rao closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Fung moved to adopt the proposal, Vice Chair Kosolcharoen seconded.
Chair Rao opened the floor for Commissioner discussion.
Commissioners made comments and asked clarifying questions.
Staff answered questions.
Planning Commission March 11, 2025
MOTION: Fung moved and Kosolcharoen seconded to adopt the proposed draft
resolution.
The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Fung. Noes: Scharf.
Abstain: None. Absent: Lindskog.
3. Subject: Use Permit Modification, Architectural and Site Approval, and
Tree Removal Permit for the construction of a 275-crypt garden
Mausoleum and removal and replacement of 5 development trees.
(Application No.: M-2024-002, ASA-2024-002, & TR-2024-023; Applicant:
Gates of Heaven Cemetery; Location: 22557 Cristo Rey Drive; APN: 342-63-
002)
Recommended Action: That the Planning Commission adopt the proposed
draft resolutions (Attachment 1 -3) to:
1. Find the project exempt from CEQA and approve the Use Permit
Modification (M-2024-002);
2. Approve the Architectural and Site Approval Permit (ASA-2024-002);
3. Approve the Tree Removal Permit (TR-2024-023).
Commissioners disclosed ex parte communications prior to deliberation on this matter.
Planning Manager Ghosh introduced the item and Senior Planner Martire
gave a presentation.
Commissioners made comments and asked clarifying questions.
Staff answered questions.
Chair Rao opened the public hearing and the following people spoke:
• Jennifer Griffin.
• Lisa.
Chair Rao closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Rao moved and Fung seconded to adopt the proposed draft
resolutions.
The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Fung,
Scharf. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Lindskog.
OLD BUSINESS – None
Planning Commission March 11, 2025
NEW BUSINESS – None
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Planning Manager Ghosh stated that there may be a training for the Commissioners at the
next meeting. It would be a special meeting that would be held on the regular Planning
Commission meeting date, (March 25th), but scheduled to begin at 6 PM, with more
information to come.
Chair Rao asked if there were any Commissioner reports.
No Commissioners had reports.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Chair Rao asked about the Westport item.
Planning Manager Ghosh stated they would notify the Commission when the Westport
item was ready to be agendized.
Commissioner Scharf suggested a future agenda item related to permit parking to offset
parking impacts because of reductions in parking pursuant to AB2097.
Planning Manager Ghosh stated that projects that involve control of the right of way,
including permit parking, is in the under the purview of Public Works and the City Council.
There was no second to Commissioner Scharf’s suggested future agenda item. This was not
added to the Future Agenda items list.
Commissioner Scharf asked about the sub committees
Chair Rao stated that they would need to prioritize the items on the Future Agenda items
list, and stated there was a full agenda with Westport and training, so they have a backlog to
address before they can address this item.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:09 p.m. Chair Rao adjourned the Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Minutes prepared by:
/s/ Lindsay Nelson
Planning Commission March 11, 2025
Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant