DRC 01-06-2011Design Review Coiiiiiiittee
January 6, 2011
Cupertino, CA 9 014
(408) 7
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON January 06, 201� f
ROLL CALL
Conunittee Members present;
Coinrnittee Members absent
Staff present:
Staff absent:
Ginnie Lee, Chairperson
Dave, Kaneda, Cornrnissi ner
Martyr Hiller, Conunissioner
George Schroeder
None
APPROVAL of MINUTES: -
December 2, 2010
Minutes of the December 2, 2010 Design Review Con nittee meeting were approved
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION. -
None
CONSENT T CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Application No. s :
Applicant:
Location:
ASA-2010-0
Jon'Enrds (Saratoga Capital)
7373 F llerdeaf L
Director's Minor Modification to allow enhancements to -the existing court -yard facade arid
associated landscaping at an apartment complex
Design Re ie i) Cor ni tee decision final unless appealed.
Staff member Schroeder explained that the Fallenleaf Apartments are in the R-3 zone, The R3 Ordinance
requires -that any exterior design changes be approved by The Design Review Conunittee. The applicant
is proposing -to remove the decaying front fa�ade consisting of a ca-twalk, -trellis and stairwell system.
They propose -to add a new decorative terra cotta wall, a metal entryway feature and new stairwells to
access the second floor apartments. They are also proposing to update the look of the courtyard area b
resurfacing with decorative paving, installing a BBQ counter, benches and fencing around the pool.'
Landscaping changes include planting trees and shrubs. Staff supports -the project with two conditions;
add articulation features to i7educe the visual mass of the proposed 12" terra cotta walls, and. ensure
■
2 Design. Review Coinmittee
compliance with the Water Efficiency Landscape ordinance. The project falls into the scope of the new
Ordinance so the applicant will need to provide information regarding what kinds of vegetation -they
will be planting and how much landscaping area will be replanted.
Comn-dssioner Kaneda asked for clarification of the existing design and if the proposed decorative
paving will be re -surfacing existing paved areas or new. The applicant explained that they are just
texturing existing concrete paving, not creating n r new paved areas. Chair Lee asked about the concrete
area beside the apartinent doors. The applicant said that they were not re -doing any areas other than the
courtyard. She also asked Staff f or ideas on how the applicant could reduce the visual scaling of the terra
Gotta walls. Staff member Schroeder said that they cold perhaps use patterns or off -sets but it"s really
up to the architect to present their ideas for Staff review. Commissioner Kaneda commented that he did
not like the current proposed design and wants to have the applicant modify the look of the walls. The
architect explained that the idea behind the design is to create an updated look. The current entry way i
not inviting and is confusing with two pathways leading onto the site. The trellis attached to the existing
entryway is rotting and blocl<s natural light into the front facing apartments and courtyard. They are
planning on re-creating the entryway wall with unique concrete patterning, changing the layout to
provide more natural light reaching into the courtyard and apartments. The new wall design will make
the courtyard more open and inviting while giving it a contemporary, porary, sculptural feel. The new design
will include lighting to add visual interest at night as well. The new stairwells will be standard
manufacture -produced and n-supported by the new entry wall.
Conu tissioner Kaneda appreciated the need for a gall to protect the privacy of the courtyard activities,
but would like the applicant to work with Staff to come up with a solution to satisfy the of ttee`s
desire for a more articulated wall to further enhance the entrance area, He :feels that the current design
looks like one verb' large blank wall, He added that if they add any more paving, they use impervious
materials. Chair Lee agreed that a more prominent and inviting design for the entry feature would, be
better,
MOTION: Commissioner Kaneda moved to approve ASA-2010-07 with the above mentioned changes,
SECOND: Chairperson Lee
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE; 2-
OLDBUSINESS:
Done
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
&' �
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk