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DRC 04-16-03Design Review Committee April 16, 2003 Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON APRIL 16, 2003 ROLL CALL Committee Members present: Committee Members absent: Staff present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 19, 2003 Taghi Saadati, Chairperson Gilbert Wong, Commissioner None Gary Chao, Assistant Planner Minutes of the March 5, 2003 Design Review Committee were approved with following corrections: Page 3, Paragraph 5, Last line added: The committee agreed that there should be a 2-foot separation between the fence and all the way around the garage structure for access. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: ORAL COMMUNICATION: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Application: Applicant: Location: R-2003-05 Nghi Le (Pokala residence) 20972 Greenleaf Drive 2 Design Review Committee April 16, 2003 Residential Design Review of a new, two-story 4,900 square foot residence. Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed Staff Presentation: Gary Chao, Assistant Planner, briefly described the application with the addition of a deck exception. The existing neighborhood is a mixture of different styles and the proposed home fits in very with its architectural style. The applicant worked with staff to reduce the overall mass of the structure. As part of the deck exception, the applicant is proposing a total of 3 decks on second floor. One deck will face the street, one will faces the right property line and the largest will face the rear of the property line. Staff has recommended that the rear deck be reduced in size to minimize privacy impacts. The applicant is aware of the recommendation and the architect has stated that the applicant is agreeable to the revision. Regarding privacy impacts, the applicant will be proposing many privacy protection trees along rear and two side property lines. Staff is recommending as a condition of approval that three additional trees be planted to screen decks on the side property lines. The applicant was also aware of this condition and was agreeable. Staff would like the Committee to consider adding a condition to stating that the third driveway flare serving the third stall should be interlockering pavers on sand to provide more natural drainage. The applicant was also agreeable to this condition. There is a wet bar/kitchen area proposed in the basement. The code states that a single-family home cannot have two kitchens unless it is a secondary dwelling unit. Staff has added a condition stating the definition of a kitchen to prevent a refrigerator from being placed in the basement. The applicant will remove the refrigerator. Staff recommends approval with these revisions. Gilbert Wong, Commissioner, asked if there are any existing trees on the property that would provide privacy screening or if all the trees were new. Mr. Chao stated that all the trees shown on the site plan are new. Mr. Wong asked about second story deck exceptions. He also asked if the rear second story deck was not reduced would there be that much of an impact even with the privacy screening trees. Mr. Chao stated that the size of the deck is very large and encompasses two bedrooms, but it would be up to the Committee to decide if there was a great privacy impact. Mr. Wong asked Mr. Chao about the definition of a wet bar. Mr. Chao stated that the applicant would go into more details about the contents of the wet bar/kitchen area. Rao Pokala, owner, stated that he does not plan to use the wet bar area to cook, but would like to have a small refrigerator to keep things drinks. Chairperson Saadati stated that the ordinance states that 50% of the front lot must be a permeable surface. Mr. Pokala preferred to have the concrete driveway, but if he was over the 50%, there are other ways to have the permeable surface like revising the walkway. Mr. Pokala also prefers to have the rear deck as proposed, but would agree to revise it. 3 Design Review Committee April 16, 2OO3 Ming Chow, 20973 Greenleaf Drive, asked to see the plans to see where the decks were located and the floor plan for the basement. Ms. Chow was concerned about the front deck looking into her daughter's window and wanted to know more about privacy screening. Mr. Chao explained that the ordinance requires privacy protection for decks that face other homes, like the side and rear yards. If an applicant only proposed a deck that faced the public street, no exception would be required. The way this particular deck is designed, the garage roof is higher than the deck so the deck would not be visible from the street. Ms. Chow also asked about the definition of a wet bar. Mr. Chao stated that there is no set definition in the code. Another concern was that of parking. Another home in the neighborhood has a 7 bedroom, 7 bath home and there is always a parking problem. Mr. Saadati explained that low-income housing is encouraged, but if there were concerns about that particular home and parking, she should contact the Director of Community Development. MOTION: SECOND: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VOTE: Commissioner Wong moved to approve R-2003-05 with staff's recommendation to reduce the size of the rear deck and to conform to the ordinance to have 50% of the front lot be permeable surface. Chairperson Saadati. None None 2-0 Respectfully submitted: Kiersa Witt Administrative Clerk g :planning/D R C Committee~Minutes041603