05. Draft Minutes
CITY OF
CUPEIQ"INO
DRAFT MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Adjourned Meeting
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
ROLL CALL
At 5:02 p.m. Mayor Kris Wang called the meeting to order in City Hall Conference Room A.
Present: Mayor Kris Wang, Vice-Mayor Patrick Kwok, and Council members Richard Lowenthal
(5:03 p.m.), Orrin Mahoney, and Dolly Sandoval. Absent: none.
INTERVIEWS
1. Conduct interviews for the Parks and Recreation and Bicycle Pedestrian Commissions.
Council interviewed Jeanne Bradford, Sakunthala Nallamotu, David Lee, and James
Wiant for the Parks and Recreation Commission, and appointed Jeanne Bradford and
David Lee to full terms ending January 2011.
Council interviewed Sakunthala Nallamotu, James Wiant, Geoffrey Paulsen, and Sonny
Chen for the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, and appointed Geoffrey Paulsen and Sonny
Chen to full terms ending January 2011. Council directed staff to re-advertise the
remaining vacancy. Council also directed staff to amend the Conflict of Interest code to
include all commissioners.
RECESS
Council was in recess from 6: 1 0 p.m. to 6: 15 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
2. Labor negotiations - Government Code Section 54957.6 regarding the evaluation of the
City Manager. (No documentation in packet).
At 6:15 p.m., Council recessed to a closed session. When they reconvened in open
session, the City Manager announced that no action was taken.
S--1
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 2
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At 6:45 p.m. Mayor Kris Wang called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Kris Wang, Vice-Mayor Patrick Kwok, and Council members Richard
Lowenthal, Orrin Mahoney, and Dolly Sandoval. Absent: none.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS - PRESENTATIONS
3. Proclamation recognizing the week of March 19 as Hepatitis B Awareness week. (No
documentation in packet).
Mayor Wang presented the proclamation to Mindy Chu and Alina Wong, students at
Monta Vista High School, representing the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University.
4. Val1co update. Continued from March 6. (No documentation in packet).
Mike Rohde, Val1co General Manager, said that the AMC The~ters are scheduled to open
at the end of April. He noted that the Cupertino Education Endowment Foundation
(CEEF) would be the beneficiary at the grand opening fundraiser tentatively scheduled for
April 23. He also gave a status report on the mall floors, the garage by J.e. Penney,
California Pizza Kitchen, Islands Restaurant, Strike bowling alley, and the food court.
POSTPONEMENTS
Deputy City Clerk Grace Schmidt noted that the Santa Clara Valley Water District requested that
Item No.18 be continued to May 1.
Lowenthal/Sandoval moved and seconded to continue this item to May 1. The motion carried
unanimously.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
The Deputy City Clerk announced the following written communications:
1. An Access Cupertino communication from Tom Pochylski regarding Item No. 20,
protective/permissive left turn signals.
2. A letter addressed to City Council from Geoffrey Etnire regarding item No. 16, Peet's
Coffee appeal.
~-2-
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 3
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Tony and Grace Toy talked about the Sports Center operation and Lifetime tennis and suggested
some proposals to increase Sports Center revenue.
EJ. Conens said he is concerned that the City isn't receiving any revenue from the Lifetime
Tennis program. He asked Council to look into the issue.
Martin Bishop said that he needs authorization from the Valley Transit Authority to put together
a task force of mobility-impaired individuals and asked for Council support. He also noted that
the community should support placing a cell phone tower on the railroad right-of-way because it
would benefit the entire community.
Patrick Kwok asked staff to respond to Tony and Grace Toy's statements and provide any
updates since the last report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Sandoval/Lowenthal moved and seconded to approve the items on the Consent Calendar as
recommended. Ayes: Kwok, Lowenthal, Mahoney, Sandoval, and Wang. Noes: None.
5. Approve the minutes from the March 6, City Council meeting.
6. Adopt resolutions accepting Accounts Payable for February 23 and March 2, Resolution
Nos. 07-040 and 07-041.
7. Adopt a resolution accepting Payroll for March 9, Resolution No. 07-042.
8. Oppose Senate Bill 49 (Migden), which would create a 100-mile radius as a "no 49-er
Stadium zone".
9.. Accept municipal improvements, Li Shing and Lumin S. Chang, 21915 Lomita Avenue,
APN 357-16-068. (No documentation in packet).
These applicants have completed City-specified improvements in the City right-of-way,
including curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway, and storm drain work, as required by the
improvement agreement with the City for a single-family dwelling building permit.
10. Adopt a resolution approving an improvement agreement, Kelly Gordon Development
Corporation, 10114 Crescent Court, APN(s) 327-17-009 and 327-17-030, Resolution No.
07-043.
Through an improvement agreement with the City for a multi-family development
building permit, these applicants will be obligated to bond and construct city-specified
roadside improvements, including curb, gutter, sidewalk, and driveway, along the street
frontage of their building site.
S--3
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 4
11. Adopt a resolution approving a final tract map for Kelly Gordon Development
Corporation, 10114 Crescent Court, APN(s) 327-17-009 and 327-17-030, Resolution No.
07-044.
Approval of the final tract map permits the map to be forwarded to the County for
recording, which completes the subdivision.
12. Adopt a resolution approving a Stormwater Management Facility Easement Agreement,
Kelly Gordon Development Corporation, 10114 Crescent Court, APN(s) 327-17-009 and
327-17-030, Resolution No. 07-045.
Through an agreement with the City, the property owners of this residential development
will be required to grant ingress and egress rights to the City for the purpose of inspecting
storm water management facilities installed in accordance with the approved Stormwater
Management Plan.
13. Adopt a resolution approving a Stormwater Management Facilities Operation and
Maintenance Agreement, Kelly Gordon Development Corporation, 10114 Crescent
Court, APN(s) 327-17-009 and 327-17-030, Resolution No. 07-046.
Through an agreement with the City, the property owners of this residential development
will be required to operate and maintain stormwater management facilities in accordance
with the approved Stormwater Management Plan, to minimize adverse impacts due to
changes in storm and surface water flow conditions.
14. Accept the resignation of Housing Commissioner Richard Abdalah, direct staff to notice
the unscheduled vacancy, and set the date to conduct interviews for May 22.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR (above)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. Consider two appeals of the Planning Commission's decision to deny an appeal of a
Residential Design Review approval and a Minor Residential Permit to construct a new,
two-story 4,219 square foot residence with two-second story rear yard decks, Application
Nos. R-2006-08 and RM-2006-13, Cliff Cowles (Moigani residence), 21180 Grenola
Avenue, APN 326-28-057. (Continued from March 6). The appellants are:
a) Jessica Rose and John Tracy
b) Elena Herrera and Subir Sengupta
Community Development Director Steve Piasecki highlighted the staff report VIa a
PowerPoint Presentation.
Jessica Rose and John Tracy said that they are appealing the minor residential permit for
two rear balconies. They showed pictures of the proposed project from their backyard and
~-l{
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 5
from inside their house. Ms. Rose also discussed discrepancies in the balcony
measurements and the landscape plan. She urged Council to deny the permit for the
second-story, rear-facing balconies, noting that neighbors on all three sides have protested
the balconies.
Elena Herrera said that the ordinance as written supports her proposition that the house is
out of scale for the neighborhood. She noted that this is a transitional neighborhood and
showed pictures of the neighborhood houses. She said that her appeal speaks to both
balconies.
The applicants, the Mojganis, said that they wanted to build the balconies for their own
enjoyment only and that the design modification has reduced the buildings so much as to
be unlivable. Mr. Mojgani said that they do have the support of the neighbors. Mrs.
Mojgani showed pictures of the neighboring houses from the roof of their existing house,
noting that the neighbor's backyard cannot be seen.
Mayor Wang opened the public hearing.
Lester Bowers said that the privacy issue would come up again, especially in Garden Gate
where houses are changing, and that there should be a plan to give more consideration to
pri vacy in a mixed neighborhood.
Lee Xu said that he signed waivers on the privacy landscaping last year, but he said he
didn't know there would be a large balcony planned. He said he wrote to the planning
department about his concerns. He urged the neighbors to limit the size of both balconies
to have a more harmonious relationship amongst all the neighbors.
Patsy Zanto-Embry said she was in favor of the applicants building their balconies and
urged Council to deny the appeal.
Wesley Embry said that he understands the need to tear down and rebuild houses, and
noted that on Grenola Avenue a third of the homes are already two stories.
Jennifer Griffin said that in her Rancho neighborhood there was a need to have the
neighborhood annexed to Cupertino to have some restrictions on house size. She urged
Council to keep the large oak tree and not cut into the canopy.
Mayor Wang closed the public hearing.
Mahoney/K wok moved and seconded to adopt the staff recommendation to approve the
residential design review and minor residential permit to allow construction of a two-
story residence including the balcony on the east side of the rear elevation, but eliminate
the master bedroom balcony on the west side of the elevation, and amend the landscaping
plan to assure that the magnolias and the pittosporums are 24-inch, 8-foot tall, and that
the spacing on the pittosporums be adopted by staff to be appropriate for those plants.
The decision upholds the appeal relating to the west side balcony and denies the appeal
)-5
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 6
related to the design and east side balcony, and modifies the planning commISSlOn
decision per the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
16. Consider an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to modify the use permit for
Peet's Coffee to allow an opening time of 5:30 a.m., Application No. M-2006-07, Laura
Thomas (Peet's Coffee), 20807 Stevens Creek Blvd., APN 326-32-051. The appellant is
Council member Richard Lowenthal. (Continued from March 6).
Community Development Director Steve Piasecki highlighted the staff report VIa a
PowerPoint Presentation.
Council member Richard Lowenthal explained that he had appealed this item because of
the issue of inadequate parking on the Peet's Coffee side. He said this is a good
opportunity for people to park once and shop twice, to allow pedestrian access between
Whole Foods and the Peet's Coffee/office center parking lot. He also said he was
concerned about Peet's Coffee opening of 5:30 a.m. because it was an imposition on the
community including more traffic and noise early in the morning, and even more
crowding for that parking lot, particularly for the office users.
Mayor Wang opened the public hearing.
Ellen Sinnott, District Manager for Peet's Coffee, asked Council to address the hours of
operation for Peet's Coffee so that their permit is in compliance with the 5:30 a.m.
opening time, which is consistent with when their competition opens.
John Volckmannm, property manager, said he met with Mr. Lowenthal because he didn't
understand the connection between Peet's request to change the hours of operation and
creating a pedestrian access. He said that tenants wouldn't use the path because they
would have to cross a loading dock area with no sidewalk, and he was concerned about
skateboarders, etc. causing liability issues. He added that it would impact the office center
tenants to lose one of the parking spaces required in order to create the opening and he
wasn't in favor of creating the access.
Goeffrey Etnire, attorney for the Stevens Creek Office Center, distributed a letter
addressed to Council outlining his comments. He noted that the issue is the question of
whether there is a real nexus between Peet's opening at 5:30 a.m. and the pedestrian
access. He said that most pedestrians would use the Stevens Creek sidewalk. He urged
Council to deny the appeal.
Mayor Wang closed the public hearing.
LowenthallKwok moved and seconded to grant a temporary use permit allowing Peet's
Coffee to open at 5:30 a.m. and to review the entire use permit in six months. The motion
carried unanimously.
Council was in recess from 9:32 p.m. to 9:39 p.m.
r;-~
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 7
17. Conduct the first of two public hearings regarding the use of fifth program year (2007-08)
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and Human Service grants, and
begin review of the 2007-08 Annual Action Plan.
Senior Planner Vera Gil reviewed the staff report via a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Wang opened the public hearing.
The following individuals spoke on behalf of their specific non-profit organizations and
asked for Council support.
Jordan Dancer, United Way 2-1-1 Santa Clara County Information and Referral Service
Cindy Boone, Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA)
Tami Cardenas, Second Harvest Food Bank
Sherry Wasserman, Development Director, Support Network for Battered Women
Colleen Hudgen, Live Oak Adult Day Services
Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, Cupertino Community Services
Ray Bramson, Emergency Housing Consortium
Sandoval/K wok moved and seconded to continue the public hearing to April 3 to allow
for a 30-day review period, and to add a minute order directing the City Clerk to call a
special meeting for 6:45 p.m. on April 3, before the regular meeting, to hold the public
hearing at a time certain. The motion carried with Lowenthal voting no.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
18. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a third
amendment to the City's existing agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District
for the reconstruction of the bridge on Bollinger Road over Calabazas Creek, Resolution
No. 07-047.
This item was continued to May 1 under postponements.
19. Adopt a Resolution regarding the intent to Vacate a Public Utility Easement on 10720
Alderbrook Lane, APN 369-20-047, Resolution No. 07-048.
Council member Dolly Sandoval recused herself and left the dais at 10: 15 p.m.
Ed Hoffman distributed a petition signed by neighbors supporting the vacation of the
easement.
Lowenthal/Kwok moved and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 07-048 and set the public
hearing for April 3. The motion carried unanimously with Sandoval absent.
)--{
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 8
Dolly Sandoval returned to the dais at 10:20 p.m.
20. Discuss and make a recommendation to remove the protected-permissive left-turn traffic
signal operation (flashing red turn signals) at several intersections in Cupertino.
Senior Civil Engineer David Stillman reviewed the staff report via a PowerPoint
presentation.
Marty Johnson urged Council to remove the signal phasing because it caused a dangerous
situation.
Jennifer Griffin urged Council to remove the signals.
Kwok/Mahoney moved and seconded to support staffs recommendation to remove the
signal phasing from Cupertino intersections and to replace it with a protected-only (solid
green arrow) left-turn signal phasing. The motion carried unanimously.
21. Consider a code change regarding construction hours on Sundays.
Community Development Director Steve Piasecki reviewed the staff report via a
PowerPoint presentation. He said that staff recommended no change to construction
hours.
Jennifer Griffin said that sometimes during construction of a project, trucks would come
before the recommended time in the morning and idle for 30 minutes.
Council concurred to take no action.
22. Conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 07-1999: "An Ordinance of the City of
Cupertino, Amending Title 11, Section 11.24.140 of the Cupertino Municipal Code
(Parking for Purposes of Servicing or Repairing, Regarding For-Sale Signs in Cars), to
Conform the Provisions of the Code to the Requirements of Current Case Law, and
Conform the Provisions of the Code to be Consistent With Present City Practices."
City Attorney Charles Kilian reviewed the staff report.
The Deputy City Clerk read the title of the ordinance. Sandoval/Lowenthal moved and
seconded to read the ordinance by title only, and that the City Clerk's reading would
constitute the first reading thereof. Ayes: Kwok, Lowenthal, Mahoney, Sandoval, and
Wang. Noes: None.
ORDINANCES
s--y
March 20,2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 9
23. Conduct the second reading of Ordinance No. 07-1998: "An Ordinance of the Cupertino
City Council Pre-zoning 13.5 acres to Pre-PR (Public Park or Recreational Zoning
District) and Pre- T (Transportation Zoning District) Lands East of Saratoga Creek to the
Centerline of Lawrence Expressway from Highway 280 to Bollinger Rd., APN 375-21-
001 and 375-22-001."
Jennifer Griffin said she is excited about this park coming into the neighborhood, but had
concerns about potential security at the park and graffiti. She urged Council to create a
plan for added security.
Lowenthal/Mahoney moved and seconded to read the ordinance by title only and that the
Deputy City Clerk's reading would constitute the second reading thereof. Ayes: Kwok,
Lowenthal, Mahoney, Sandoval, and Wang. Noes: None.
Lowenthal/Mahoney moved and seconded to enact Ordinance No. 1998. Ayes: Kwok,
Lowenthal, Mahoney, Sandoval, and Wang. Noes: None.
STAFF REPORTS
City Manger David Knapp noted that the tree ordinance and the R-l ordinance have been
advertised for April 3. He suggested holding the public hearing on both ordinances on April 3,
and continuing the items to a work session to discuss both in detail.
Council members concurred to reserve April 4 and May 2 to hold possible work sessions on the
ordinances. Mayor Wang will work with staff to decide how best to handle the public input and
action on these items.
24. Receive status report on General Fund Revenue and Expenditures. (No documentation in
packet).
Administrative Services Director Carol Atwood highlighted the current revenues and
expenditures. The City Council received the report.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Council members highlighted the activities of their committees and various community events.
Vice Mayor Kwok asked staff to agendize at a future meeting a discussion regarding setting a
threshold for houses being built that go beyond a certain percentage of the adjacent houses in a
neighborhood, and to possibly include a more formalized public hearing process at either the
Design Review Committee (DRC) or Planning Commission levels.
~-I
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 10
ADJOURNMENT
At 11 :25 p.m. the meeting was adjourned
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.
<:;~(()
March 20, 2007
Cupertino City Council
Page 11
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
Canceled for lack of business.
The City of Cupertino has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure 91094.6; litigation
challenging a decision of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency must be brought within 90 days
after a decision is announced unless a shorter time is required by State or Federal law.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Cupertino will make
reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities. If you require special
assistance, please contact the city clerk's office at 408-777-3223 at least 48 hours in advance of the
meeting.
s--Il