DRC 09-06-07
Design Review Committee
September 6, 2007
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON September 6, 2007
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Gilbert Wong, Chairperson
Marty Miller, Commissioner
Committee Members absent:
None
Staff present:
Gary Chao
Staff absent:
None
APPROV AL OF MINUTES:
June 7, 2007
Minutes of the June 7, 2007 Design Review Committee meeting were approved
July 5, 2007
Minutes of the July 5, 2007 Design Review Committee meeting were approved
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOV AL FROM CALENDAR:
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Application No.(s): R-2007-29
Applicant: Ray Chen (Chang residence)
Location: 10220 Sterling Blvd.
Residential Design Review for a new two-story 3,438 square foot residence and
an exception to exceed the allowed Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
2
Design Review Committee
September 6, 2007
Staff member Chao explained that the applicant is proposing to build a new home in
the Rancho Rinconada area of Cupertino. The lot backs up to Saratoga Creek. Due to a
large water easement, the buildable lot area has been significantly reduced. The
applicant is asking for an exception to the FAR calculation. The lot is roughly 10,700
square feet. Using the standard FAR calculation, the proposed house would be about
60% of the lot area (due to the subtraction of the easement portion of the lot,
approximately 40 feet). Using a modified FAR calculation (not subtracting the
easement), the proposed house would be only 34% of the lot size. Staff supports the
exception request. The proposed residence is proportional with the overall lot size.
There are a few other non-conforming houses on Sterling Boulevard and the applicant
has agreed to dedicate an easement to the City of a triangular piece of property for
future use by the City as part of the creek-side trail program. Commissioner Miller
asked for clarification on the lot size measurements. He also asked about how the
applicant arrived at a square footage of 3,438. Staff member Chao explained the rational
to the Committee. Chairperson Wong had no questions. A neighbor of the applicant,
Gary Christensen, spoke in support of the project. He stated that the creek in the back of
the houses runs through a concrete gully so there are no erosion concerns by his
neighbor's proposed development and that the likelihood of future development in the
easement area by the water district is very small. He likes his neighbors very much and
would like them to be able to build their house so that they will stay. Another Rancho
Rinconada resident, Jennifer Griffin, spoke in support of the project as well.
MOTION: Commissioner Miller moved to approve R-2007-29
SECOND: Chairperson Wong
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
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Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
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