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DRC 05-14-08Design Review Committee May 14, 2008 Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 777-3308 APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE HELD ON May 14, 2008 ROLL CALL Committee Members present: Committee Members absent: Staff present: Staff absent: Lisa Giefer, Chairperson Jessica Rose, Commissioner None Colin Jung Gary Chao Leslie Gross Elizabeth Pettis None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 6, 2008 Minutes of the March 6, 2008 Design Review Committee meeting were approved March 20, 2008 Minutes of the March 20, 2008 Design Review Committee meeting were approved Apri13, 2008 Minutes of the Apri13, 2008 Design Review Committee meeting were approved WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR: None ORAL COMMUNICATION: None CONSENT CALENDAR: None PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Application No.(s) Applicant: Location: EXC-2008-06 Susan Chen (Deng residence) 10170 Amelia Court Single Family Residential Exception to construct a portion of a single story addition to within five feet of the non-conforming side yard setback Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed. Staff member Gross explained that the applicant is requesting the exception due to the odd shape of the lot. The applicant has taken measures to reduce the impact to the setback areas around the rest of the 2 Design Review Committee May 14, 2008 house. She also explained that intent of the R1 Ordinance is still being met given that the house is adjacent to a park and is a single story structure, which reduces the impact to surrounding neighbors. Staff supports the application. Chairperson Giefer clarified that the deck is not included in the FAR calculation and that the overhead eaves are not considered encroaching in to the setback. The applicant did not wish to address the Committee. Chairperson Giefer asked the applicant what is the square footage of the deck as it appeared that it is very close to the rear property line. The applicant stated that the deck was about 100 feet. Staff member Chao explained that since the deck was so close to the ground, there were no setback constraints on it. Staff is recommending that the front porch be pushed back about 6 inches so that only the eaves of the porch would be in the setback area. A neighbor spoke in objection to this exception application, as the new design would cause the house to be out of character with the rest of the houses on the street. Chairperson Giefer explained that the house is within its allowed development percentages. The exception is for the side of the house that faces the park so there would be no visible impact to the neighborhood. The neighbor then stated that he had no further concerns after receiving this explanation. MOTION: Commissioner Rose moved to approve EXC-2008-06 SECOND: Chairperson Giefer ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none VOTE: 2-0 2. Application No.(s): Applicant: Location: ASA-2008-08 Susan Chen 20007 Stevens Creek Blvd Architectural and Site approval for an outdoor seating area at an existing restaurant (I Restaurant) Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed. Staff member Jung reviewed the application for the Committee members. The I Restaurant would like to install outdoor seating to enhance the dining experience for its customers. The seating area would include an overhead trellis, planter boxes and a low wall to separate diners from the sidewalk and traffic. The new seating would not adversely affect the parking requirements. The City is encouraging "walkability" along Stevens Creek Boulevard, so Staff supports the application. Chairperson Giefer asked if the patio would be required to be maintained by possible future tenants. Staff member Jung explained that the new tenant would be required to maintain the patio space, but could submit an application to remove it if they desired. She also asked about the logic of requesting anon-fruiting pear tree instead of an Ash tree. Commissioner Rose had no questions. The applicant did not wish to address the Committee. A resident expressed concern about the patio being placed in the public right of way. Another resident wanted to make sure the landscaping around the patio was replaced and replanted. Chairperson Giefer asked the applicant what the hours of restaurant would be. She said they would be open until 9:30, maybe later in the summertime. She thanked the residents for their comments. They are working hard to compete with the other local restaurants by making a nice outdoor eating area. The applicant said they already have someone to come and take care of the dry area near the restaurant. There is another strip of landscaping that has been unattended for several years which is not part of the restaurant's areas. Staff member Jung confirmed that the patio would be entirely on private property. Commissioner Rose asked for clarification about how many street trees are required to be along the road. Staff member Jung explained that there is at least 1 tree missing. The Public Works department is responsible for the rest of the trees in the area. 3 Design Review Committee May 14, 2008 MOTION: Commissioner Rose moved to approve ASA-2008-08 SECOND: Chairperson Giefer ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none VOTE: 2-0 3. Application No.(s): ASA-2008-02, EXC-2008-09 Applicant: Ray Newcomer Location: 10343 N Wolfe Rd Architectural and Site approval for a new exterior entrance and minor exterior changes and a Sign Exception request to allow signs to exceed the number and maximum height limitations for an existing restaurant (T.G.I Friday's) located at the Cupertino Square Shopping Center. Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed. Staff member Pettis explained that the restaurant is planning several exterior enhancements as part of the Architecture and Site approval application including repainting, updating the awnings and adding a tower element for signage. There are several existing signs around the restaurant that will be replaced, removed and repaired and updated. Staff supports the Sign Exception request due the increased speed of the cars exiting the freeway onto Wolfe Road and extensive landscaping surrounding the site contributing to the overall reduced visibility of the restaurant. Staff is requesting that the applicant wrap around the patio dining area around the Wolfe Road side of the restaurant to provide additional visibility and help activate pedestrian traffic along the walkway. Commission Rose asked for clarification on the placement of the signs. The applicant, Ray Newcomer, stated that the signs and colors are part of the corporate logo brand design. They do not have a problem with the patio enhancement as long as the increased capacity won't necessitate a redesign of the bathrooms per the Building Code. Chairperson Giefer complimented the applicant for using energy efficient bulbs for the signs and asked about using low emission paints. Commissioner Rose asked if the interior of the restaurant will be remodeled. The applicant said that the entire store will be renovated and updated. Chairperson Giefer agreed that he additional signage would be beneficial and was not concerned that the signs are higher in height that the Sign Ordinance allows. She would like the applicant to use low emission paint. Commission Rose concurred with Chairperson Giefer. She felt that the redesign would be good for the mall and was excited to see it when its finished. MOTION: Chairperson Giefer moved to approve ASA-2008-02 and EXC-2008-09 with the condition that the applicant use low emission paint if available in their corporate standard colors SECOND: Commissioner Rose ABSENT: none ABSTAIN: none VOTE: 2-0 OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None Re ectfully submitted: J , Beth Ebben Administrative Clerk