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DRC 01-16-02Design Review Committee January 16, 2002 Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON JANUARY 16, 2002 ROLL CALL · Committee Members present: Committee Members absent: Staff present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. December 19, 2001 Marc Auerbach, Chairperson Angela Chen, Commissioner None Colin Jung, Senior Planner, Peter Gilli, Associate Planner Minutes of the December 19, 2001 Design Review Committee meeting approved. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: ORAL COMMUNICATION: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None PUBLIC HEARING: 2. Application: Applicant: Location: 20-ASA-01 Karen McPherson (for Metro PCS) 10602 N. Portal Avenue Architectural and site approval of a previously approved monopole antenna to determine adequacy of screening and tree protection. Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed Design Review Committee January 16, 2002 Staff Presentation: Colin Jung, Senior Planner, gave a brief explanation of the project. Staff feels that the applicant has addressed the visual concerns adequately. Concerning putting the equipment among the trees, Staff has requested an arborist's report regarding the impact on the roots. The foundation of the pole would be between the two existing cedar trees. The arborist suggests centering the pole between the two trees. Before pouring the foundation, the arborist suggests an impermeable lining around the concrete to prevent the chemicals from entering the soil, causing damage to the root structure. The equipment pad will be located between the next two trees. The arborist recommends that the slab foundation be placed on piers, and again suggests an impermeable lining around the concrete. Mr. Jung suggests placing the cable/wiring in a trench around the canopy of the trees or placing the cable trays above ground, minimizing the impact on the roots. Mr. Jung would also like to put a bond on the trees, just in case there is some damage. Staff recommends approval of the location with the tree protection conditions. Marc Auerbach, Chairman, had questions regarding the trimming back of the tree itself. Mr. Jung explained that he had received a letter from the applicant stating that they would have to trim some of the lower branches in order to get the equipment in, but they would not be trimming the upper branches near the antennae themselves. Karen McPherson for Metro PCS, applicant, agrees with all of the suggested conditions and will be placing the cable above ground at staff's request. The only concern she has is with the arborist's recommendation for placing the pad on piers. After checking with her engineering firm, it was determined that six piers, one in each corner, and two placed in the center would be needed to support the pad, drilled 30" deep. If the pad were built at the grade level, they would only need to be drilled 12" deep. Cedar tree roots grow quite deep. Mr. Jung replied that staff would prefer having a more shallow footing rather than the 30" deep pier. Commissioner Chen moved to approve 20-ASA-01 with the following amendments: to place the cabling above ground and to build the pad with a continuous footing not more than 12 inches deep. MOTION: SECOND: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Commissioner Chen moved to approve 20-ASA-01 Chairperson Auerbach None None Approved 2 - 0 Application: Applicant: Location: 18-R-01 William Hurt 21860 Alcazar Avenue Design review and exception to construct a new 3,867 square foot, two-story residence. Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed Deslgn Revlew Commlttee January 16, 2002 Staff Presentation: Peter Gilli, Associate Planner, explained that the primary concern with the house is the tower element on the front elevation. Staff considers the rest of the house very well designed. The base of the tower is unadorned and causes the tower to look more massive. Staff has requested that the applicant look into adding some detail and refinement to the tower. The applicant wanted to get some direction from the Committee before making those changes. Some possible changes are to have the eve line of the tower line up with the eve line on the second story, shrinking the radius of the interior stairway, which would shrink the size of the whole tower itself. A reveal could be added to the base, alternative materials or even shrubbery to mask the unadorned part of the tower. Staff recommends the Committee provide some direction on the tower element. Mr. Auerbach inquired about changing the size of all the windows on the tower. Mr. Gilli replied that only on the tower element on the front elevation, he is recommending that the windows all be like size. Staff has no preferential solution regarding the mass of the tower, just to address the base of the tower. William Hurt, applicant, stated that the guidelines regarding the tower element are designed to remedy a different problem, that being the large entry way seen on a lot of homes. He feels that the proposed tower is appropriate for this style of house and lot. There is an existing tree that is going to be in front of the tower. Angela Chen, Commissioner, asked about the landscape. The applicant explained that landscaping plan doesn't show all of the detail. Discussion continued regarding the landscape and the canopy of the tree. Tracy Hsu, 21869 Dolores Avenue, is concerned about privacy. She lives behind the applicant's property. From the plan she can see there are eleven windows proposed on the rear of the property that face into her kitchen and bedrooms. Ms. Hsu doesn't feel that there is adequate screening. She is suggesting planting evergreen trees that can grow fast in the five years. Ms. Hsu is also concerned about the floor area ratio exceeding 45%. She believes that the impact on the neighboring properties will be great. Her suggestion is to increase the setback to 30' on the first floor and 35' on the second floor. Ms. Hsu is afraid that if this project is approved with the floor area ratio exceeding 35%, it might cause a domino effect for future projects in the neighborhood. William E. Rowan, 21871 Alcazar Avenue, has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years and has seen the neighborhood change over the years. He is very pleased with the design and style of the house and fully supports the project. Mr. Hurt stated that he is working with the existing trees in the rear property to help reduce the privacy issues. He is also willing to add additional screening along the rear property fence to assist privacy protection. Mr. Gilli stated that there is a privacy plan in place that includes additional screening along that rear fence. Mr. Hurt explained that the evergreens selected would come to their full maturity as far as height was concerned is 4 Design Review Committee January 16, 2002 around 5-10 years, topping out around 20-30 feet. Ms. Chen asked staff about the setbacks. Mr. Gilli stated that the project conforms to the minimum setback requirement. If additional setbacks were required, the already narrow home would be even narrower. Ms. Chen was concerned about the massive look of the tower and inquired if there can be an agreement to add more landscaping at the base of the tower. Mr. Gilli explained that this is a condition of approval and will stay with the property for future homeowners. Staff is comfortable with either the shrubs or the lattice with vines. Mr. Auerbach briefly discussed the privacy protection code in relation to Mr. Hurt's application. He notes that in the front and the rear of the applicant's home, Mr. Hurt has privacy protection trees planned along the fence line in front of every proposed second story window. Mr. Auerbach stated that having faster growing trees is not one of the requirements. Regarding setbacks, the applicant has met the R1 ordinance requirements. He was a little concerned with a recorded covenant stating that the shrubs in front of the tower must stay. Mr. Gilli stated that any future homeowner could request the removal of the covenant or make a change. Commissioner Chen moved to approve 18-R-01 with condition #2 modified to read the applicant shall install landscaping features around the base of the tower to screen the view of the blank wall plane. MOTION: SECOND: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Commissioner Chen moved to approve 18-R-01 Chairperson Auerbach None None Approved 2 - 0 Respectfully submitted: Kiersa Witt Administrative Clerk g:planning/DRC Committee/Minutes011602