CC 01-12-09CUPERTINO
APPROVED 1VIINUTES
CUPERTINO CI'CY COUNCIL
Regular N[eeting
Monday, Janu:~ry 12, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
At 5:30 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney called the m~:eting to order in Conference Room A of City
Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino California.
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice-Mayor Kris Wang, and Council members Dolly Sandoval,
Mark Santoro, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: none.
CLOSED SESSION
1. Appointment, Employment, Evaluation of Performance, Discipline or Dismissal of Public
Employee -Government Code Section 54957(b) (1) regarding the City Attorney. (No
documentation in packet).
Mayor Orrin Mahoney reported that the City Council met in closed session and no action
was taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney called the meeting back to order in the Council Chamber,
10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice-Mayor Kris Wang, and Council members Dolly Sandoval,
Mark Santoro, and Gilbert Wong. Absent: none.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS -PRESENTATIONS
2. Proclamation to the American Red Cress for National Blood Donor Month. (No
documentation in packet).
Mayor Mahoney presented the proclamation to Mona Helmhold, Account Manager for
the American Red Cross.
POSTPONEMENTS -None
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 2
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
• Letter from David Gold of Apple regarding Item No. 14 -Main St. Project
• Draft Council model resolution for Item No. 14 -Main St. Project
• Email from Bill Pope supporting Item No. 16 -Wellness Program
• Email from Cupertino Employees' Association (CEA) President Susan Winslow
supporting Item No. 16 -Wellness Prograrr~
• Updated committee assignment list for Item. No. 17
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Virginia Tamblyn said that the noise coming from the yogurt shop at the Marketplace Shopping
Center is unbearable, especially at night even thoL~gh it is within the required decibel limit. She
urged Council to consider constant noise when thc;y consider building anything in the City. She
asked Council to help solve the problem by adding buffering.
Suzi Blackman, CEO for the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, noted some upcoming events,
including a Lunar New Year celebration at the Dynasty Restaurant in connection with the Asian
American Business Council; two Bridge Awards to be given out to family therapist Ann
Stevenson and the Quota Club of Cupertino; the upcoming State of the City address by Mayor
Mahoney, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Cupertino Rotary, and the City; and the
Chamber of Commerce Star Awards to be held on March 14 at the Cypress Hotel. She added that
details about nominations for Citizen of the Year ~~nd Large and Small Business of the Year can
be found on the Chamber of Commerce website at www.cupertino-chamber.or~ or by calling
408-252-7054.
Danny Chow suggested designating the lower level of Cupertino Square mall as an innovation
center and commercial destination. He suggested a variety of stores including a computer store,
video game store, technological toy store, electric car/bike store, solar/green biotech commercial
product store, electronic store, and book store. P[e also said that technologically related trade
shows on the weekend might also be a draw for people coming to the mall.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Sandoval/along moved and seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as
recommended, with the exception of Item Nos. 5 ;end 6 which were pulled for discussion. Ayes:
Mahoney, Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
3. Approve the minutes from the December 1 ti City Council meeting.
4. Adopt resolutions accepting Accounts Payable for December 12, 19, and 31 Resolution
Nos. 09-001 through 09-003.
7. Accept an application for an Alcoholic Beverage License for Tomokazu Japanese
Cuisine, 20625 Alves Dr., On-Sale Beer & Wine -Eating Place (41).
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 3
8. Adopt a resolution approving a Parcel Map., Saeed F. Ghazvini, 10075 Pasadena Avenue,
APN 357-17-112, Resolution No. 09-006.
Approval of the parcel map permits the ma~~ to be forwarded to the County for recording,
which completes the subdivision.
9. Adopt a resolution approving a Parcel Map, Kong-Yeu Han and Sue-Jane Han and Huei-
Hwang Hung and Tracy Hsu, 21871 Dolores Avenue, APN 357-14-026, Resolution No.
09-007.
Approval of the parcel map permits the map to be forwarded to the County for recording,
which completes the subdivision.
10. Adopt a resolution accepting a Quitclaim Deed and Authorization for Underground Water
Rights, Nancy Hong and Dereck X. Loi, 10160 Stern Avenue, APN 375-12-006,
Resolution No. 09-008.
The property owners of this residential development agree to grant to the City the right to
extract water from the basin under the overlying property.
11. Accept Citesprojects performed under contract: Local Streets Pavement Management 2,
Project No. 2008-OS (G. Bortolotto & Com~~any, Inc.).
The City's contractor G. Bortolotto & Connpany, Inc. has completed work on the Local
Streets Pavement Management 2 Project. The work consisted of roadway surface
improvements including placement of asph;~lt overlays, cape seals and slurry seals.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR (above)
5. Adopt resolutions accepting Pam for December 12 and 26, Resolution Nos. 09-004 and
09-005.
Wang/Sandoval moved and seconded to adopt Resolution Nos. 09-004 and 09-005 with
an amendment to No. 09-005 to change the year to 2009. The motion carried
unanimously.
6. Accept the Treasurer's Investment Report for November 2008.
Wang/Sandoval moved and seconded to accept the report noting an amendment to page
6-1 to change the year to 2009. The motion carried unanimously.
Council consented to take up Item No. 15 under Nc;w Business next.
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 4
NEW BUSINESS
15. Consider accepting a painting of President-Elect Barack Obama from Fariba Nejat, on
behalf of the Iranian Federated Women's C lub and Payvand Cultural School.
Fariba Nejat spoke about the painting. A video showing the making of the painting was
viewed.
Shahnaz Parvaneh said she supported the proposal for the City to accept the painting.
Sandoval moved and Mahoney seconded to accept the painting and direct staff to mail the
painting to President-Elect Obama as a gift of congratulations on behalf of the citizens of
Cupertino.
Wang made a friendly amendment to have; the Council recognize the Iranian Federated
Women's Club for doing the artwork and lhelp forward the artwork, but to send it under
the club's name. Sandoval did not accept the friendly amendment.
Wang moved and Santoro seconded to amend the original motion to say that the City
would forward the painting to the Whig: House on behalf of the Iranian Federated
Women's Club and Payvand Cultural School. The motion failed with Sandoval, Santoro,
and Wong voting no, and Mahoney and Wang voting yes.
Sandoval called for an immediate vote ~~n the original motion; the call failed with
Mahoney, Santoro, Wong, and Wang voting no, and Sandoval voting yes. The Council
discussion continued.
Wang moved and Santoro seconded an amendment to accept the painting and forward it
to the White House on behalf of the Iranian Federated Women's Club and not on behalf
of the citizens of Cupertino. The motion. carried with Mahoney, Santoro, and Wang
voting yes and Sandoval and Wong voting no.
Council member Wong said that he would be voting no on the motion because he
preferred the original wording which state~~ the gift was from the citizens of Cupertino.
He said he meant no disrespect to the Irani~~n Federated Women's Club, and he thought it
was a wonderful gesture for the club to send the painting in collaboration with the City,
but he was not comfortable with the wording as amended.
Council member Sandoval said she would have preferred the painting be sent to the
White House with a letter from the City embracing the Iranian community.
Council member Santoro said that, given the nature of the painting, it felt like Council
would be making a political statement and he felt uncomfortable with that, and so he
would be voting no. However, if the painting were to be sent by the City, it should be on
behalf of the citizens.
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 5
The final motion as amended was to accept the painting of Barrack Obama and forward it
to the White House on behalf of the Iranian Federated Women's Club. The motion failed
with Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong voting no, and Mahoney and Wang voting yes. No
further action was taken.
Council concurred to bring this item back at the next Council meeting with a draft letter
unless the club chose to send the painting on its own.
Item No. I2 was taken up next.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. Consider approving bingo permit renewal; for the Senior Center Coordinating Council
and St. Joseph's Church.
Mayor Mahoney opened the public hearing at 8:45 p.m. There were no speakers, and the
public hearing was closed. Sandoval/Won€; moved and seconded to approve the requests
for bingo permit renewals. The motion can~ied unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None
NEW BUSINESS -continued
13. Order the abatement of a public nuisance (weeds) pursuant to provisions of Ordinance
No. 724 and Resolution No. 08-165, ResolL~tion No. 09-009.
Since no protests were made, Sandoval/W~~ng moved and seconded to adopt Resolution
No. 09-009. The motion carried unanimously.
Council recessed from 8:34 p.m. to 8:42 p.m.
14. Consider Application Nos. U-2008-01, E,~-2008-07, ASA-2008-06, TM-2008-01, TR-
2008-08, Kevin Dare / 500 Forbes, LLC (South Vallco Main Street Project); North Side
of Stevens Creek Boulevard between Finch Avenue & Tantau Avenue, APN Nos. 316-20-
078, 316-20-079, 316-20-085: (Continued from December 16):
a) Negative declaration
b) Use Permit and Architectural and Site Approval for a master plan for amixed-use
development consisting of approximately: 147,000 square feet of retail
commercial; 100,000 square feet of office; a 150 room hotel a 160 unit senior (age
restricted housing facility; 145,000 square feet of athletic club; a four level
parking garage and a 1.6 acre park/town square. (A project alternative consists of
approximately 205,000 square feet of office and a 250-room hotel in place of the
athletic club)
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council
Page 6
c) Tentative map to subdivide 3 parcels (approximately 18.7 acres) into 5 parcels for
a master plan for amixed-use deve',~opment consisting of approximately: 147,000
square feet of retail commercial, 100,000 square feet of office, a 150 room hotel, a
160 unit senior (age restricted) housing, facility, 145,000 square foot athletic club,
a four level parking garage and a 1.i5 acre park/town square. (A project alternative
consists of approximately 205,000 square feet of office and a 250 room hotel in
place of the athletic club)
d) Tree Removal request to remove ~~pproximately 93 trees in conjunction with a
proposed master plan for amixed-u:>e development
Senior Planner Aki Snelling reviewed the sl:aff report.
The applicant Kevin Dare highlighted several issues including office square footage, the
park next to Metropolitan, the turnaround bulb near the park, LEED certification
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Below Market Rate (BMR), and
building sequence (phasing). He asked Council to not require a General Plan
Amendment as part of the office allocation and asked that the condition of approval
regarding LEED be changed to say that if the applicant does not qualify for the multiple
buildings and on-campus building project, they will specifically obtain LEED
certification for the hotel and office.
Project Architect Ken Rodrigues talked about the Square European Parking Plaza and the
green screens on the parking garage.
Gary Laymon with Guzzardo Partnership talked about supplementing the existing ash
trees with new ash trees.
Stephen Lin said that once the park space is given away it would be hard to get it back
and he urged Council to maintain the acre c f park space.
Suzi Blackman, CEO Cupertino Chamber cif Commerce, said that the proposed project is
well-planned and much needed. She said that the availability of office square footage
must be addressed and that adequate office space footage is critical.
Emily Shieh clarified that shrinking or eliminating the park next to Metropolitan was a
Planning Commission comment and not what the public wants. She said that all projects
have to provide adequate park space or pa;y fees and she urged Council to keep the one-
acre park square footage.
Jennifer Chang from Metropolitan Homeowners said that they want the one-acre park in
order to create a buffer zone. She noted that the parkland would also bring business to the
retailers, more sales tax to the City, and increase property values in the long run.
Al DiFrancesco said he supports the plan. as did Ruby Elbogen, who had to leave. He
said he had concerns about less-than-35••foot setback on one wing of the hotel and
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council
Page 7
supports maximum parking, 5-story hotel, smaller park, active senior housing, European
style plaza, larger hotel, moving ahead with office square footage allocation, and not
subdividing until there are plan for the parcels.
Ms. Snelling clarified that the applicant had. changed the plan so that the entire hotel has a
35-foot setback. She also noted that Sand Hill Properties would own and maintain the
park and that the City would have a Joint L1se Agreement to use the park. She also noted
that at the Planning Commission hearing some non-Metropolitan residents had suggested
reducing the park space.
Angeline Lim urged Council to keep the one-acre park. She also had concerns about the
addition of a driveway off Stevens Creek Boulevard which reduces the park and walkable
blocks, and decreases pedestrian safety.
Jennifer Griffin commended Sand Hill Properties for its public outreach and said she
supports the project including the 35-foot setback along Stevens Creek and not removing
the ash trees until they are replaced.
Darrel Lum distributed his comments in v~riting. He said that he supports the Planning
Commission recommendation on alternative options; a 3 or 5-story terraced hotel along
Stevens Creek; a covenant for age-restricted senior housing; a minimum 20-foot
landscape buffer between the project and Metropolitan; Planning Commission approval to
allow 100,000 square feet; removing requirement for a General Plan Amendment (GPA)
and that Sand Hill shouldn't be required to pay for one; phased construction; aesthetic
enhancements to the corner building; and €;ateway feature. He said the parking structure
is too massive, but the landscaping is okay, and the park area along Metropolitan could be
large. He said the Heart of City guidelines and South Vallco Master Plan should be
adhered to, he liked the creek trail improvements, and was okay with the Planning
Commission recommendation regarding L1=;ED guidelines.
Robin Su said he is in favor of the project except that he would like the park to be bigger.
Tom Hugunin said that he likes the European Plaza concept, supports a housing covenant
for senior housing, urged Council to give 'Sand Hill the office allocation and not save it
for Apple, and he liked the park and the gateway feature on Stevens Creek.
Assistant Public Works Director Glenn Goepfert answered questions from Council about
how street lane reductions on Vallco Parkway would affect the flow of traffic and
crosswalk enhancements on Stevens Creek.
Council came to consensus on the followin;; items:
• Corner of Stevens Creek Blvd. an~3 N. Tantau Ave: Support the athletic center
(Scheme A) or retail commercial (~~lternate Option). No support for the 205,000
square foot office complex (Scheme; B)
• Square European Parking Plaza: Su~~port as proposed by the applicant
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 8
• Hotel size: Support for the larger five-story, 250 room hotel with more amenities
• Park size: Support for the revised smaller park size
• Senior housing interface with Metropolitan: Acceptable as proposed
• Senior housing: Support the building size as proposed and require a covenant for
the senior housing to ensure that the building remains as age-restricted housing for
seniors.
• Below Market Rate Housing: No support to allow in-lieu fees to satisfy the Below
Market Rate Housing requirements.
• Eco passes: Require applicant/developer to provide Valley Transit Authority
(VTA) Eco-passes for one year for the senior residents of the project
• Green BuildinglLEED Certificatior.~: Support the applicant's proposed condition
that more clearly outlines the Planning Commission's recommendation
• Parking garage size: Support as recommended by the applicant and Planning
Commission
• Office: Support 100,000 square feet of office
The Council also reached consensus to bring b;~ck the following items to the January 20tH
meeting for additional discussion:
• Project phasing
• Vallco Parkway/Finch Retail Options, including whether to expand retail along
Vallco Parkway
• Parking garage conversion to future retail
• General Plan allocations
• Senior housing Below Market Rate :housing
• Elevations and architectural details
• Vallco Parkway lane narrowing/parl:ing
• Senior housing details, including size of units
• Amenities for the hotel, such as a banquet hall or conference center
• Possible expansion of the park
• Details of the green building measures
Sandoval/Wong moved and seconded to continue the item to Jan. 20. The motion carried
with Santoro voting no:
16. Consider implementing Phase II of the City Wellness Program.
Wang/Wong moved and seconded to continue this item to Jan. 20. Wong second. The
motion carried with Sandoval voting no.
17. Select Council assignments for local anti regional organizations and agencies. (No
documentation in packet).
Council finalized the assignments for local ,and regional organizations and agencies.
January 12, 2009 Cupertino City Council Page 9
ORDINANCES
18. Conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 08-2034: "An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Cupertino Amendin;~ Table 11.24.160 of the Cupertino Municipal
Code Relating to Prohibition of Parking During Certain Hours; Greenleaf Drive".
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to rend the ordinance by title only and that the City
Clerk's reading would constitute the second reading thereof. Ayes: Mahoney, Wang,
Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
Sandoval moved and Wong seconded to er.~act Ordinance No. 08-2034. Ayes: Mahoney,
Wang, Sandoval, Santoro, and Wong. Noes: None.
STAFF REPORTS
COUNCIL REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
At 1:03 a.m. on Tues., Jan. 13, the meeting was adjourned with a moment of silence in memory
of Lauralee Sorensen, former mayor and commu~lity member, to Tuesday, January 20 at 5:00
p.m. for a closed session regarding the City Attorney.
Grace Schmidt, Deputy City Clerk
Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are available for review at
the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223, and also on the Internet at www.cupertino.org. Click on
Agendas & Minutes/City Council/ Packets.
Most Council meetings are shown live on Cable Channel 26, and -are available at your
convenience on the web site: Visit www.cupertino~org and click on View Meetings Online.
Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City
Channel, 777-2364.