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101-Draft Minutes 09-11-2012.pdfCITY OF CUPERTINO 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 CITY OF CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES 6:45 P.M. September 11, 2012 TUESDAY CUPERTINO COMMUNITY HALL The regular Planning Commission meeting of September 11, 2012, was called to order at 6:45 p.m. in the Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA. by Chair Marty Miller. There was a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy in New York City on September 11, 2001. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Chairperson: Marty Miller Vice Chairperson: Don Sun Commissioner: Paul Brophy Commissioner: Winnie Lee Commissioner: Clinton Brownley Staff present: City Planner: Gary Chao Senior Planner: Vera Gil Assistant Planner: Simon Vuong APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 14, 2012 Planning Commission meeting: MOTION: Motion by Com. Brownley, second by Vice Chair Sun, and unanimously carried 5-0-0, to approve the August 14, 2012 Planning Commission minutes as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PUBLIC HEARING 2. DP-2012-04, ASA-2012-09 Development Permit to allow the construction John Noori (Apple, Inc.) of a 22,742 sq. ft. cafeteria for Apple employees; 20625 Alves Dr. Architectural and Site Permit approval to allow site improvements and the design of a 22,742 sq. ft. cafeteria for Apple employees. Cupertino Planning Commission September 11, 2012 2 Simon Vuong, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report: • Reviewed the application for Development Permit to allow modifications to the previously approved cafeteria building for Apple employees, and architectural and site approval associated with a new cafeteria for Apple employees, as outlined in the staff report. • He referred to an overhead presentation and reviewed the background of the project, noting that the Planning Commission originally approved the cafeteria building for 21,468 sq. ft. and the applicant is submitting a modified proposal. A summary of the modifications is outlined in the presentation. • Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approve the Development Permit and Architectural and Site Approval in accordance with the draft resolution. • Staff answered Commissioners’ questions regarding the proposed project. Vice Chair Sun: • Asked if there were any significant traffic impacts for the city. Gary Chao: • Said the previous traffic consultant studied the new design with the new layout, in particular the driveway access design, and the conclusion in the supplemental report was that there would not be any significant traffic impact. He noted that the engineer prefers the proposed circulation which was considered to be more efficient and safer. • Staff said it was coming to the Planning Commission rather than the Design Review Committee because of the increase in square footage which automatically triggers a development permit which goes to Planning Commission if it is under a certain amount of square footage. • Staff explained the suggested landscape improvements. Jason Lungard, Manager of State and Local Government Affairs, Apple: • Discussed their vision when redesigning the building; by making the changes, they were able to take all the equipment previously on the roof which needed screening, and drop it into the roofline, resulting in simplifying the roofline and adding to the element of elegance throughout the entire design. They were also able to create additional space on the roof for increased use of solar panels or solar thermal heating, which will result in a more environmentally friendly design. Also significant improvements to traffic flow by separating the trash pickup and the entrance to the garages; the results being a better design with a building that will maximize the interior use; there is a better flow inside building and will result in a better experience for diners. Com. Sun: • Asked if further consideration had been given by the applicant to open up the cafeteria facilities to the public as visitors to the Apple campus. Mr. Lungard: • Said that Apple’s thinking had not changed much since April and still viewed it as a private cafeteria and was necessary to create an atmosphere where employees were willing to openly and frankly discuss business issues; and having a private facility is a key component of that. He added that much had been done in the design to visually engage passers-by, by adding fountain elements to the eastern side, which will add an element of visual interest to the guests of the hotel down the street. He said they did not envision the site as a specific location for visitors to linger at or utilize. Cupertino Planning Commission September 11, 2012 3 Chair Miller opened the public hearing; there was no one present who wished to speak; the public hearing was closed. Com. Brownley: • Said he felt the project was a good project, and was consistent with the General Plan and zoning, consistent with the North DeAnza Conceptual Plan, and the additional square footage was both consistent with General Plan procedures and was being used for good purposes. The change for traffic flow in and out of the building is more efficient and a better transportation plan in and out of the building; they are planning on using some of the new space to add elements that will make the building LEED Gold Platinum level certified; and there is plentiful bicycle parking spaces for pedestrian bicycle friendly transport to and from the building. Vice Chair Sun and Com. Lee: • Said they supported the project. Com. Brophy: • Said he supported the project with proposed changes. Chair Miller: • Said he supported the project. Motion: Motion by Com. Lee, second by Com. Brownley, and unanimously carried 5-0-0, to approve Application DP-2012-04 and ASA-2012-09 per the model resolutions. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE: No meeting HOUSING COMMISSION: No meeting MAYOR’S MONTHLY MEETING: No meeting ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: No meeting REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Gary Chao reported: • City Council considered the Mainstreet Cupertino project; Council approved swapping out the senior housing component with apartments with some retail on ground floor and some peripheral ground floor units being live/work. Council discussed some of the diagonal parking along Vallco Parkway since they moved away from any potential of having retail along Vallco Parkway and the diagonal stalls originally were intended to support additional retail along Vallco. The end result was staying with it and the applicant offered to provide the city with some funding for the future if the Council finds that diagonal parking is disruptive or there are concerns or negative consequences, the city can use that Cupertino Planning Commission September 11, 2012 4 funding to start the project or revert back to parallel stalls. As a result the Council asked the applicant to provide more parking onsite to anticipate for the potential swap. • Council also approved the Green Building Ordinance, accepted staff’s recommendation, and following public comment, they increased the certification threshold that triggers LEED for multi-family and non-residential projects from 25,000 sq. ft. to 35,000 sq. ft. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned to the next regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled on September 25, 2012, at 6:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: ___/s/Elizabeth Ellis____________________ Elizabeth Ellis, Recording Secretary