DRC 11-18-2010 Design Review Committee
November 18, 2010
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777 -3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
HELD ON November 18, 2010
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present: Winne Lee Chairperson
Marty Miller, Commissioner
Committee Members absent None
Staff present: George Schroeder
Staff absent: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
November 4, 2010
Minutes of the November 4, 2010 Design Review Committee meeting were approved
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Application No.(s): R- 2010 -22, RM- 2010 -20, EXC- 2010 -08, TR- 2010 -44
Applicant: Minerva Abad (Liu & Fang residence)
Location: 21835 Lomita Ave
Residential Design Review for a new 3,492 square foot, two -story single family residence;
Minor Residential Permit for a second story rear deck;
R1 Exception to reduce the combined first story setback to 10 feet instead and the combined
second story side setback to 20 feet, 1 inch instead of the required 25 feet
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff member Schroeder explained that the application is being heard by the Design Review Committee
because the applicant is requesting an Exception to the R1 Ordinance for the first and second floor side
yard setbacks. He also corrected the new home's proposed square footage from the advertised 3,492 to
2 Design Review Committee
November 18, 2010
2,912. The larger square footage amount included footage from a rear structure on site. The applicant is
requesting the side yard setback exceptions due to the narrowness of the lot size. There are many lots in
the Monte Vista area which are sub - standard in size. The exception request is to reduce the first floor
setback by 5 feet to allow for a 30 foot wide first floor and to reduce the second floor setback by 4 feet, 11
inches. The lot is 198 feet deep and will have a 5 foot encroachment easement for the sidewalk and other
street improvements. The proposed new house will be Mediterranean style in neutral tones. The
applicant has worked with the neighbors to mitigate privacy concerns due to the reduced setbacks by
agreeing to plant cypress trees along the west side, raising the windows and obtaining tree waivers. The
front yard will have a trellis and small courtyard to help reduce the visual mass of the garage. The tree in
front was reviewed by the City Arborist since it is in the path of the future sidewalk. The City's arborist
recommended removal of the tree due to its poor limb structure. The applicant will re -plant 1, 36' box to
replace it in accordance with the Tree Ordinance. Staff supports the applications.
Commissioner Miller asked if the garage needed an exception since it is so large, how many other houses
in the neighborhood had front yard courtyards and if the applicant could plant a 24 inch box instead of a
36 inch. Staff member Schroeder explained that the garage did not need an exception, there were 2 other
houses in close proximity with courtyards and the Tree Ordinance calls for either 2, 24 inch box trees or
1, 36 inch box tree. Chair Lee confirmed that there was only one proposed balcony on the new house.
Commissioner Miller asked if the neighbors on the rear and east side were noticed of the application.
Staff member Schroeder said that they were and that these neighbors had no concerns due to the existing
trees along the property lines. The applicant addressed Chairperson Lee's concern about the existing
fences. They will be replacing the fences as a way to compensate the neighbors for the reduced setbacks.
The applicant hopes the Design Review Committee would approve the application. A resident spoke in
favor of the application. The Committee members also supported the application and thought it was a
nice house design.
MOTION: Commissioner Miller moved to approve R- 2010 -22, RM- 2010 -20, EXC- 2010 -08, TR- 2010 -44
SECOND: Chairperson Lee
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2 -0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
biktIAJ
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/DRC Committee/Minutes111810