DRC 08-21-08 Design Review Committee
August 21, 2008
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON August 21, 2008
ROLL CALL
,
Committee Members present: Lisa Giefer, Chairperson
Jessica Rose, Coinmissioner
Coinmittee Members absent: none
Staff present: Elizabeth Pettis
Staff absent: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
August 7, 2008
Minutes of the August 7, 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): EXC-2008-15
Applicant: Kyi Chow-Shar (Mardesich Company Crossroads, LLC)
Location: 20510 Stevens Creek Blvd
Sign Exception to allow signs to exceed the number and maximum height limitations at
an existing commercial building (Ever Trust Bank)
Design Rez~iezu Conimittee decision final unless appealed.
Staff inember Pettis explained that the applicant is requesting a Sign Exception to the Sign
Ordinance due to the poor visibility the bank has on Stevens Creek Boulevard. There is a gas
station next door and with its signs and landscaping and the traffic on Stevens Creek Boulevard,
the bank is easily overlooked. They just received approval for one sign over the main entrance
facing De Anza Boulevard. This sign will be 24" high. For conformity, the applicant is
requesting that the sign over their secondary entrance on Stevens Creek Boulevard also be 24".
The Sign Ordinance allows for only an 18" sign. Staff inember Pettis noted that the previous
tenant at two signs at this location, however, it appears that the second sign did not have proper
2 Design Review Committee
August 21, 2008
approval. Staff is recommending approval of the application with the condition that the
applicant take this time to also install some landscaping improvements along the De Anza side
of the building since what exists there is in poor condition. All of the plants around the
perimeter of the building are not in good shape. Cominissioner Rose asked what was currently
planted there and what Staff recommended would be a good replanting choice. Chairperson
Giefer asked how many other signs were already at the site. Staff inember Pettis explained that
the planting strip is very narrow so trees would not be a good option but tall shrubbery or
bamboo would work. She said that there are no other signs at the site. Chairperson Giefer asked
the applicant how they felt about the additional landscaping requirement. Mr. Kyi Chow-Shar
stated that they would need to work out something with the landlord. A resident spoke in favor
of the project. Coinmissioner Rose stated that she is familiar with the shopping center and
knows that signage is a problem for the tenants. She supports the project and would like the
bank to work with their landlord to come up with a solution to the planting issue. Chairperson
Giefer also supports the project. She understands that working with the landlord could be a
problem, so does not want to make the replanting of the strip along De Anza conditional as part
of the approval. She suggested that if the landlord did not want to participate in replanting, the
bank could put in potted plants or topiaries themselves.
MOTION: Commissioner Rose moved to approve EXC-2008-15 with the additional "friendly"
condition that the property owner be responsible for making minor landscaping
improvements along the East side of the building. If the owner is unwilling to take
staff's suggestion in this regard, then the applicant is to place potted plants on either
side of their main entrance
SECOND: Chairperson Giefer
ABSENT: none
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 2-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
Beth Ebben
Administrative Clerk
g:plamm~g/DRC Committee/Minutes082108