DRC 08-07-08Design Review Committee
August 7, 2008
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON August 7, 2008
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Committee Members absent:
Staff present:
Staff absent:
Lisa Giefer, Chairperson
Jessica Rose, Commissioner
none
Gary Chao
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
July 17, 2008
Minutes of the July 17, 2008 Design Review Committee meeting were approved as amended
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
None
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
None
ORAL COMMUNICATION:
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
None
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Application No.(s): ASA-2008-04
Applicant: Brian Replinger (Cupertino Village)
Location: Homestead & Wolfe Road
Architectural and Site approval to finalize the architectural, site and landscaping plans
for an approved Use Permit (U-2007-06)
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
This application is being heard by the Committee to finalize the parking plan, and final
Architectural and design details as directed by the City Council with it's approval of the Use
Permit in April of 2008. Staff member Chao explained that the applicant had met the
requirements of the conditions of approval and supports the application, but would like to add
some additional conditions to further enhance the shopping center. Specifically the addition of
more shade trees in the courtyard areas, enhance the fountain in front of the Joy Luck Palace
Restaurant and "spruce up° the entrance area near the Ranch 99 grocery store. The final plaza
detail should be presented to Staff for approval prior to final occupancy and should include the
2 Design Review Committee
August 7, 2008
new sidewalk plan and provisions to replace the "Welcome to Cupertino' sign. Commissioner
Rose asked about the construction materials of the sidewalk and had questions for the applicant
regarding the "rain gardens' in the swales. Chairperson Giefer asked for clarification of where
the plaza enhancements would be and asked about using impervious pavers in the parking lot
or as part of the landscaping plan. Staff member Chao explained that the parking lot for the
Ranch 99 store has a space requirement. If pavers were used to mark the pedestrian walkways,
they would lose spaces. The Architect for the applicant, Young Wong, pointed out where the
placement of the recycling and trash bins were going to be and where the "rain gardens' were
planned. He explained that everywhere they were redesigning planters and the grade was
supportive, they would be using rainwater run off to sustain the gardens. The discussion
continued about how to obtain more water percolation in the parking lot without losing
parking spaces or creating a maintenance or tripping hazard. It was suggested that the parking
lot be designed with or parking headers to funnel rainwater. It was also suggested to design the
tree planters to be open at the bottom with hardy trees that grow well in parking islands.
Commissioner Rose asked the applicant how they felt about the additional conditions Staff had
proposed. He stated that he was fine with the conditions overall. They would find a better use
of the fountain area. The applicant is open to either paying toward the purchase of a new
"Welcome to Cupertino' or replacing it with a sign similar to the sign shown on the plans. The
concept sign is about 6' feet tall with a wooden middle and backlit lettering. The concrete sides
are the supports for the handicap ramp. They would add more plants to the area to complement
the existing ones. The discussion continued regarding approving a sign to incorporate a
"welcome" sign and a center sign at the existing "Welcome to Cupertino' sign site. The
Committee would like to have the sign designed such that there would be one sign with both
messages on it. Staff will work with the applicant on the design, height and lettering font. The
applicant expressed concern about the need to extend the sidewalk width along two of the
perimeters due to the very mature trees along there. Staff member Chao said that the City
Arborist would determine which trees the sidewalks would have to go around so as not to
endanger the root system of the existing trees. Chairperson Giefer liked the design, but wanted
the applicant to be sure to plant drought tolerant and native species.
MOTION: Chairperson Giefer moved to approve ASA-2008-04 with the additional conditions
that fountain enhancements and other plantings on the site be native and drought
resistant species and that the sidewalk width may be reduced if the City's Arborist
deems that the sidewalk enlargement will impact the health of the existing trees
SECOND: Commissioner Rose
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Res ectfully submitted:
Beth Ebbe
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/DRC Committee/Minutes080708