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Director's Report OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ,,� CITY HALL 10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255 G U P E RT 1 N O (408) 777-3308 � FAX (408) 777-3333 • planning�cupertino.orq Subject: Report of the Community Development Director � Planning Commission Agenda Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 The City Council met on May 4, 2010 and discussed the following item(s) of interest to the Planning Commission: 1. North Portal Subdivision - Applicant was granted a postponement to the May 18 hearing. 2. PW Market/Homestead Square - City Council approved the project consistent with the Planning Commission s recommendations. The City Council required the applicant to contribute $10,000 towards a gateway feature. 3. 2nd Reading of the Landsca�e Ordinance - Conducted the second reading and enacted the ordinance with the following changes: • Change the trigger point threshold to from 3,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet for single family homes. Add a sentence in 14.15.100 (page 27-12): "City shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations on the process for determining what constitutes existing landscaping larger than one acre." Miscellaneous Items: 1. Marketplace Sho�pin�Center Parkin� Analysis - A parking analysis of the Marketplace Shopping Center determined that the existing parking supply of 594 spaces is sufficient to meet the current and future parking needs of the center based on projected full occupancy of Building C and the existing and proposed tenant mix. The existing parking supply exceeds future parking needs by 11 parking spaces. The parking analysis, prepared by Fehr and Peers dated April 22, 2010 (attached), was prepared as a condition of approval for the Use Permit allowing the development of Building C, the last phase of development for the shopping center. The condition required that a parking analysis be prepared when Building C is 50 % occupied. This is the final parking analysis required with this condition of ap Upcoming Dates: May 19 Plant Master Plan (San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant) Community Workshop for Cupertino and West Valley cities, Cupertino Community Hall, 6-8 PM May 27 CREST Awards Ceremony, Community Hall, 7 PM Enclosures: News Articles G: � Planning � AartiS � Director's ReporE � 2009 � pd5-11-IO.doc 1 —DR `' �� '�i�11�� =` J � _ � � � , �i,: ��' �� ='� SUS�C�1�C1��C+ �'�1�1�5 ;,; _ � _ __ _ -- - ;,..:;..;�;;>>>.;,;:;��;;�;;;�>>,;,;,,;,:;��:;; ��=�.�.��-� :x � �� : �� °� I�' � � � _ ,� � � �,� ��.- . �� ,,,,�,.,,,..,��,,,,.,,�,�,.,,,,,,.�,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, �, — ,,,,� ,� � . ..>> >.>>>,�,�,_ ,,,�.,,>>>_..�,,.,.a,.,,, ,� _ -��, �"�or_�e = --:-. . - �.. _ � : - ,��. s California communities stru�gle co rebuild their budgets ,� �� t� and local economies, it's helpful to consider the contri- ,�.�._- butions that can be made by investing in sustainabiliry N•�� s � policies, programs and projects. California's green technology boom has both economic development and sustainability impli- - - ;= _r cations statewide. At the local level, individual agencies' decisions to promote sustainability also have economic benefits. � a�°` ` ' �� ` �' �,� � .. '�'�:��.; 4�"'� i js'��f;{7T� �iJa��lll��ll�:J ��?�?Ot"I�J�ili�� ' � _'._� � ri.� t- �_ '�� ..C',_` ��.'_i.12 LJ r� � i:O?i li'�=:J Q?lLi QiSJ ' Local opportunities to promote sustainability policies span a ` .. ; -�•-- -�- -.�._� �._�,_..:�_. broad range and include: , • Investing in energy efficienry and alternative energy; and rerycling bins, thus providing businesses wich a way to store � • Creating newly designed, vibrant downtowns that �velcome reryclable materials prior to collection. Combined �vith tiered ; visicors, who in turn spend money in shops, restaurants, hotels pricing that makes ic cheaper to rerycle than dispose of trash, ; and other local businesses; Ojai has helped to make it easier and economically attraaive for a the businesses to recycle. ; • Helping owners of businesses thac use rerycled materials find a ; new location for their enterprise; Other communities combine commercial rerycling policies with a extensive education and assistance for businesses, along with a , • Supporting programs that make it cheaper for businesses to tiered pricing structure to encourage rerycling and save busi- ; recycle than discard trash. nesses money. ; Because strecching every dollar is essential, creative local officials California's Rerycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) ; are looking at individual policies and projects with an eye toward program combines recycling with economic development to � identifying those with multiple benefits. fuel new businesses, expand e�sting ones, create jobs, and divert ; waste from landfills. Thirty-three active RMDZs rhroughout : n�D;�i ��? b��;? ;7] N ��.'i�3; 'r��s'!. j'i; i� the stace ofFer low-cost financing to assist businesses and have ; Promoting commercial recycling helps keep reryclable materials Produced an estimated 20,000 jobs. ; out of landfills. This conserves resources, extends �he landfill's ' life, saves businesses money and reduces the potential genera- ��'��ra=� Gr�°""' �3�i1'��tl� ; tion of inethane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) rhat is released from California cities and counties are embracing green buildin� ; improperly managed landfills. Successfiil commercial recycling policies and ordinances. Green buildings reauce energy con- : programs are business-friendly, provide educational assistance sumption, use water more efficiently and utilize materials with > and frequently use a tiered pricing system where reryclin� is rerycled content, thus saving money and natural resources and ; cheaper than garbage collection. reducing GHG emissions. ; The small Ciry of Ojai overcame a barrier to recycling experi- Monterey County has gone one step further in conneaing the ; enced by businesses located in a three-block redevelopment area sustainability concept of green buildings �vith economic develop- : by working with them to address the issues that made rerycling ment. The counry offers homeowners a voluntary green building : difficult. As a result, the city designed joint enclosures for waste ; continued on page 21 , Yvonne Htinter is program director of the Institute for Local Gocernment's California Climate �ction Netrvork (CC.=\N) program and can be reached at <yhunter�ca-il�.or;>. For more information about CCAN, visit wwrv.ca-iig.ora/climatechange. `dl'P!'i�i.'i!Y��5 :i"}tj.:0 �_ D R Westem City �aaj 2�� fl 9 �.µ :;,_- -_� � - . . ,i.S:::�i::`-�� '�.T'u �..:%t_::_c::...�1'OiG'vTEt L 1:�� il ::ci� ��i i QP_C. i;rJRTP..:'_':�?'077'c �QC� � certification program, StepUp2Green, ; as an opporcuniry co have their home ; certified green. The �oal is �o create a " � � ,; -, ; ; standardized cercificacion process thac will _, - _ � . . � . . �. . . . . �� '. . . . : J .. . . . � . . �•� ' . . encourage home retrofittin� and assure ' ; homeowners that the improvemencs they , � � J ' � make effectively reduce GHG emissions. y ; StepUp2Green hzlps protect consum- � - " � _ , ; ers by educarin� rhem about appropriate ; ; and cost-effeaive retrofit�ing, stimulates ; the econamy by making homes more ; attracuve for resale and reduces GHG ; emissions. According to county staff, the :�Uj:;� _�� L,ti�i"� 1�iiiCi �;' ;'�/ ��1� ji�;�� Area Governments, assists and recognizes ° program also helps people sell their homes The Sonoma County Energy Indepen- small businesses and public agencies that � and �hus stimulates the economy. dence Program (CEIP), a joint effort �plement measures to conserve energy ; {., between rhe county and nine cities in and water, minimize waste and prevent ; i„i°�iy ; �iL'i�dl�lt� �"i'J;i � the counry, offers low-interest loans to pollution. More than 1,800 businesses i� �"� �' ��' ��'� homeowners and businesses co install have been certified since 1996. One par- ; solar ener stems or ener efficien �icipant says, "Becoming a green business ° Farmers markets may be the epitome of �' �' � � is a no-brainer. It's a win-win situacion sustainability. They do more than just retrofits. The program is based on the ; suppon local agriculture and bring local ne�,v energy financing assessmznt districts �at saves you money and protects the i farm products to �he community — they made possible by AB 811. Appro�cimately environment. Customers appreciate our ; also contribute to its economy. Residencs �� million in CEIP projects were con- being a green business." ; who come to a farmers market often tracted in July and August 2009, resulting : in about S00 new construction obs. ��'� �ry �1i7�f;�7;,��;��i �''.:��1��';� Li:�9i','. ' stay co shop at surrounding businesses. j � Communities that have reworked their For a list of additional resources and links ' downtotivns to be more pedestrian- and �T'Otiloi� 1.�iC:]; G�'°y(l $llSiii?Sg�S to the projects and programs mentioned ' bicycle-friendly have the added benefit of The Bay Area Green Business Program, here, see the online version of this article ; making it easier for shoppers ac fazmers coordinated by the Association of Bay at www.�vesternciry.com. � ; markets to navigate the downtown area • and contribute to the local economy and � tax base. : + �. i = Well-planned communities with a bal- � ance of housing, jobs, shopping, schools � and recreation give people the option of � ■� � , � walking, biking or using cransit rather � than driving. This promotes physical The City of Pomona is a highly diverse and multi-cultural community of over 160,000 residents. Pomona is � activiry and more vibrant healthy and a Full service city ideally located between the (nland Empire and San Gabriel Valley approximately 30 miles ; from downtown Los Angeles. � � sustainable communities and also results � � ?r"�y';:, � in lower GHG emissions. HUMAN RESOURCES/ The Citv seeks an ';�' �� ; exceptional leader and � • � The Ciry Center Plaza in Redwood Ciry RISK MANAGEMENT strong business partner ��I � provides an outstanding example of how DIRECTOR �o serve `as the new ,,, ��,,, � ' successful mixed development can Human Resources/Risk William Avery & Associates ; rejuvenate and revitalize a neighbor- Management Director. The neuv Director will lead a staFF oF 10 seasoned Management Consultants � and experienced staFf, and �vill work closely wi[h the City Manager's oFFice , ' hood and use sustainability to promote and department heads in advancinb key city initiatives torward. A strategic 3 h N. Santa CruzAve., Suite A ; economic vitali The ro�ect created Los Gatos, CA 95030 , CY' P 1 and team-orien[ed leader who can develop and maintain e�cellent working , 43 construction and 21 permanent jobs, relationships �vi[h a wide array oFconstituents will be essential. 408.399.4424 ; Fax: 408.399.4423 built 81 new affordable homes for low to email: jobs@averyassoc.net � moderate-income families, and renovated A s[rong expertise in labor/employee relations, a solid Foundation in risk w ' management (liabili[y and workers compensation) and a �eneralist HR ' an entue block to create new and tivelcom- back�round are recuired in this role. The ideal candidate will have a minimum oF eight years human ° in� entrances into the dorvntown area. resources experience �vith at least five of thoseyears in a management capacity. A BS/BA degree in a related . Ic attracted several new businesses and field is reQuired. An NIS/MA is highly desired. To apply, forvvard a letter uF in[erest, resume, current salary created a public space enjoyed bv boch and Five work-related references (email preferred) to Paul Kimura by ►une II, 2010. The annual salary range residents aznd visi�ors. is $105,?94-$141.103, DOQ A Formal job announcement is available at http://www.averyassoc.net/jobs. � �,;;�; _sr�:°r. 3 Western Ci#y,May 2010 2� �� Homestead Shopping Center targeted for first major expansion By Matt Wilson mwilsonC�community-newsoaoers.com Posted: 04/22/2010 08:01:03 PM PDT Updated: 04/22/2010 08:01:04 PM PDT Despite a tough economy that has many developers standing pat, one local shopping center is looking at increasing its size with its first major makeover in 40 years. The Homestead Square Shopping Center wants to knock down more than 95,000 square feet of space and replace it with 147,709 square feet for new and existing tenants. If approved, the project will add four new commercial satellite buildings and three major tenant spaces. The center, including the new buildings, will be about 203,792 square feet after the expansion. The Cupertino Planning Commission reviewed the proposal April 13 and is recommending that the city council approve the project. The council is set to vote on the proposal in May. "This is a definite improvement to the center," said Marty Miller, who was among the three commissioners who voted in support of the project. Two commission members, Lisa Giefer and David Kaneda, were absent. "It's nice to see in this time of economic difficulty that we actually have some property owners that want to enhance their center, which is a benefit to our residents and an increase in sales tax dollars to our city. Both are desirable objectives," Miller added. The site, near the Sunnyvale border at 20680 Homestead Road, is about 15 acres and includes Carl's ]r., Togos, Great Clips and a laundromat. Major tenant space that would be knocked down for the expansion includes Kinkos, Michael's Arts & Craft Store, T) Maxx, P.W. Market and Rite Aid. The applicant, FBJ Homestead Associates, is requesting a 24-hour drive-through pharmacy for a new Rite Aid building. New buildings would receive new architecture, and buildings left standing will receive a facelift. The project will be done in phases so current tenants can continue operating during construction. A second drive-through in the shopping center was a point of contention between city staff and project applicants. The city was concerned that a second drive-through would result in poor traffic circulation at the center. FBJ said the second drive-through option was vital to the project, adding that the site had operated with two drive-through businesses as recently as a year ago. The commission is recommending to the council that the second drive-*�rough be �ermitted. It would operate from 6 a.m to 11 p.m. The type of business that would use the second drive- through is uncertain at this time, according to FBJ representatives. Project architect Ken Rodrigues said FBJ is asking the city to waive some project fees or lessen some public art requirements to help get the project off the ground while the economy remains challenging. A gateway sign welcoming people to Cupertino and some public art could be part of the project. "What we're doing is enhancing this center for the next 40 years, and that's a very expensive undertaking," Rodrigues said. The council is tentatively set to review the project in May. 4-DR Cupertino signs $2.1 million contract with Siemens to lower its utility bills - San Jose Me... Page 1 of 2 t��CCttl�,� ��lV� MercuryNews.cam the retrofits, Siemens will pay the difference if the Cupertino signs $2 .1 project fails to meet the expected energy savings. million contract with The plan includes retrofitting 2,950 city-owned Siemens to lower its streetlights with new energy-efficient and longer- lasting induction lamps. Many of the lights utility bills scheduled to be replaced are high-pressure sodium, metal halide and mercury vapor fixtures. The new lamps will have a 10-year warranty. By Matt Wilson mwilson@community-newspapers.com To tackle the city's water use, Siemens will replace 111 irrigation controllers with modern weather- Posted: 04/29/2010 08:03:02 PM PDT based controllers. The new technology would allow city public works to monitor and control irrigation Updated: 04/29/2010 08:03:03 PM PDT anytime of the day with a computer and have the The city of Cupertino is going to work with Siemens system automatically adjust to current weather engineering company to lower its utility bills. conditions. The city signed a$2.1 million contract with the The city has been working with Siemens to reduce global engineering firm on April 20 to retrofit the its energy use since June, when the city received city's streetlights and irrigation system. $526,200 in federal stimulus money from the Department of Energy to conduct an audit of city Rick Kitson, public and environmental affairs facilities. director for Cupertino, said the project is an opportunity for the city to significantly lower its The city paid Siemens $74,000 to find ways to save utility bills. City leaders anticipate a$20,000 energy. The audit found that the city spends about $ savings each month. 1.2 million annually on utility costs including gas, electricity and water, according to a staff report. The "This project would pay for itself in six years," majority of the city's electrical costs go toward city- Kitson said. owned streetlights at a cost of about $206,000 annually. Water consumption costs about $539,000 The city is financing the project with $438,000 in annually. grants and $562,000 in capital improvement reserves. Kitson said the city is looking at a private Kitson said the city is facing an 18 percent increase lender or reserves to fund the remaining $1.1 from the San Jose Water Co. this year and gradual million. The council is scheduled to make a final increases in following years. decision on how to budget the project in coming weeks. Utility rates have risen dramatically, city staff said. In 2009, expenditures exceeded budget estimates Under the contract, Siemens guarantees a certain by nearly $65,000. In just four years the city's utility energy-cost savings. For the first three years after budget has increased $302,000 and expenditures Advertisement �nd-tQ-Er�d fi�aini�g as I� �h��Id ��: �.OrO�/'a �NLlME! . � J . �- � #��. .i� � ..�� '• 1 . i�� . t� ! k� � � ' � r ! : �. � : . � � a � . _ . . _ � � �1� � �4 � �! •i% i •w. Print Fov+�ered By ��'��'��tD n+� arn � 5—DR http://www.mercurynews.com/san jose-neighborhoods/ci_14987933?nclick check=l 5/4/2010 Cupertino signs $2.1 million contract with Siemens to lower its utility bills - San Jose Me... Page 2 of 2 c��je��cur,��'�u�� MercuryNews.com have increased nearly $200,000. The city began discussing the Siemens project proposai last November, but the council had questions about the large scope of the project, which then included solar panel installation and interior lighting updates. Siemens and the city have worked since January to simplify the project and shorten the payback period. The project is also an attempt to further address stricter environmental regulations the city said the state will push upon cities. Assembly Bill 32, for - example, requires local agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. "The state is going to be all over us to do this stuff, so we might as well do it and save money at the same time," said Councilman Orrin Mahoney. Advertisement �. k :: : �" �': � � �� •� `�� d .� � . - ,� � ,.�: Z �. ; � � - a � -' �. i � Print Powered By ��i `��'�`na�Qy�nami�s" 6—DI� http://www.mercurynews.com/san jose-neighborhoods/ci_14987933?nclick check=l 5/4/2010 Cupertino leaders looking at whether bridge is more than aesthetic - San Jose Mercury Ne... Page 1 of 2 t��,��Ct�t't� ��ttl� MercuryNews.com Cupertino leaders henause we plucked about $3 million into this 9� looking at whether bridge �/alton was among the first bicyclists to cross the is more than aesthetic bridge when it opened last year with much fanfare. The white steel cable-stay bridge was intended to give travelers a shorter route between De Anza ay nnatt wiison College, Homestead High School, the Oaks mwilson@community-newspapers.com Shopping Center and other destinations separated by the 11-lane highway. Posted: 04/29/2010 08:06:27 PM PDT About 80 percent of the $14.8 million project was Updated: 04/29/2010 08:06:28 PM PDT funded by VTA Measure A money and outside April 30 marks the one-year anniversary of the grants. The city of Cupertino contributed about $3 Mary Avenue Bicycle Footbridge, which has already million, and the city of Sunnyvale provided about $1 become a local landmark with its steel suspension million. cables spanning Interstate 280, and Cupertino leaders have decided it's time to take a look beyond Over the past 12 months, the bridge has won seven its aesthetics. awards for engineering and aesthetics, including a Helen Putnam Award for Excellence and a gold The city is set to undertake a head count of how award for engineering excellence from the American many people are using the bridge that connects Council of Engineering Companies of New York. Sunnyvale to Cupertino. The count could be done as early as this summer and be similar to a vehicle While the bridge undoubtedly has attracted much traffic count with specialists observing, reporting visual attention, community reaction remains mixed. and recording cyclist and pedestrian traffic at different periods of the day over a single week, according to Ralph Qualls, director of public works Neil Bowie, who lives near Cupertino Square mall for Cupertino. and walks to the bridge three to four times a week in the morning with his dog, said bridge use appears Prior to the bridge's construction, Cupertino city surprisingly sparse to him. officials and the Valley Transportation Authority estimated that approximately 190,000 people would "IYs a lot less than I expected. I think a lot people use the bridge each year, with the majority, or about haven't caught on to the bridge yet. IYs not yet part 126,000 users, being bicyclists. No studies have of their routine or they don't even know that there's been done since that time. this cool little path thaYs a shortcut across the highway," he said. "IYs a very convenient path. I love 'The VTA, if no one else, would probably like to � know how much they got for their buck," said Cupertino resident Joe Walton, who suggested the Apple Inc. employee Bob McNamara uses the bridge count. "It has to be a matter of curiosity in Cupertino two to three times weekly as part of his commute Advertisement � t . �� . �� • , � . � � . � i i ' 1 . ' � � � a►,i ��i "' �i. � i � , � j" � i � � � �' � i:r� �� ::�. Print Rowered By n��'��i� t�amics` 7—DR http://www.mercurynews.com/san jose-neighborhoods/ci_14988085 5/4/2010 Cupertino leaders looking at whether bridge is more than aesthetic - San Jose Mercury Ne... Page 2 of 2 ��Ct��C� ,��N� MercuryNews.cam from Mountain View. "It's really about connecting communities. Freeways "I am a little undecided about the bridge, but it are really divisive in the landscape when they go looks great. For me it's not much different than through communities," she said. "IYs a physical coming down Stelling [Road], but it's a lot nicer than connection, but its also a connection about how driving underneath the bridge," McNamara said. they feel about their environment and their neighboring city that is only like a few hundred feet De Anza College student Keith Hubbard hopes the away. It wouldn't have that community feel if it were peaceful path from the bridge to the school will a big vehicle overpass." motivate more students to bike rather than drive to the popular campus, which can be light on parking Ritwik Chauhan, who recently moved into a home spaces on some days. near the bridge, agreed. "We hope it can decrease the amount of driving to "It adds a lot of great aesthetic value to the campus to help the environment and lower the community," he said. "IYs exciting to walk across. school's carbon footprint," Hubbard said. You get a really great view of the mountains." Use could start to increase in coming weeks. In March, Google unveiled a map service that allows users to get directions to places using bicycle paths. A route using the Mary Avenue Bridge was recently added to the website. Local art teacher Jo Vadeboncoeur is also pushing to make more students aware of the bridge. After using the bridge to commute to Cupertino Middle School last summer, she decided to incorporate it into some art lessons as an example of architecture that local children can recognize. "IYs a nice bridge, but sort of useless," said Todd Kusaba, who has lived in the neighborhood near the bridge for 48 years. "I don't like it. It cost way too much, and I think that money could have been put to a much better use." Corinne Winter, executive director of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, said there is more to the bridge's function than getting from point A to point B. Advertisement � � � �� ,. � � � �rint Powered By � ��'rn� � C�yn�rrtics`_ 8-DR http://www.mercurynews.com/san jose-neighborhoods/ci_14988085 5/4/2010