101-A - Draft Minutes.pdf
DRAFT MINUTES
CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
Special Meeting
Tuesday October 1, 2013
JOINT MEETING OF CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL AND
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
At 3:05 p.m. Mayor Orrin Mahoney called the joint City Council and Planning
Commission meeting to order in the Quinlan Community Center Cupertino Room,
10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino, CA and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Orrin Mahoney, Vice Mayor Gilbert Wong, and Council members Barry
Chang, and Mark Santoro. Absent: Council member Rod Sinks.
Present: Chair Don Sun, Vice Chair Paul Brophy, and Planning Commissioners
Margaret Gong and Alan Takahashi. Absent: Commissioner Winnie Lee.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Cathy Helgerson said she had concerns with pollution coming from the Apple R&D
facility next to her home. She noted that emissions had been coming out of the building
for years causing health problems for her whole family and that the Planning
department should know what is happening in the building. She said she was also
concerned about pollution from the Lehigh plant and the Stevens Creek Quarry.
STUDY SESSION
1. Subject: Joint City Council and Planning Commission Study Session regarding the
Apple Campus 2 Final Environmental Impact Report
Recommended Action: Review and receive comments on the Final Environmental
Impact Report
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Planning Commission
Description: Application No(s): ASA‐2011‐14, DA‐2011‐01, DP‐2011‐04, GPA‐2011‐
03, TM‐2011‐03, TR‐2011‐39, U‐2011‐11, Z‐2011‐03 (EA‐2011‐12); Applicant(s): Apple
Inc (Dan Whisenhunt)
Location: Area bounded by East Homestead Road, North Tantau Avenue, I‐280, and
North Wolfe Road and includes properties located on the east side of North Tantau
Avenue;
APN #s: 316‐06‐033, 316‐06‐039, 316‐06‐045, 316‐06‐046, 316‐06‐048, 315‐06‐050, 316‐
06‐051, 316‐06‐52, 316‐06‐053, 316‐07‐044, 316‐07‐045, 316‐07‐046, 316‐09‐019, 316‐09‐
027, 316‐09‐028, 316‐18‐025, 316‐18‐027, 316‐18‐035, 316‐20‐074, 316‐20‐075, 316‐20‐
076
a. Environmental Impact Report for the demolition of approximately 2.66 million
square feet of existing office, research and development buildings and the
construction of 3.42 million square feet of office, research, and development
buildings; 245,000 square feet of auditorium (1,000 seat), fitness center, and Valet
Parking Reception uses; 92,000 square feet of utility plants; and associated parking
facilities and ancillary buildings (such as security reception areas and landscape
maintenance buildings);
b. General Plan Amendment to allow a change in the land use designation of a 1.1
acre area from Parks and Open Space to Industrial/Residential to be reflected in the
Land Use Map and various figures and tables, the elimination of a segment of
Pruneridge Avenue from various references as a minor collector and bike lane to
reflect the closure and vacation of this segment of the street, the potential relocation
of Glendenning Barn from the project site and a change in the primary building bulk
setback for N. Tantau Avenue from 1.5 to 1 slope line from the curb line to a 1 to 1
slope line from the curb line, changes associated with the development of the Apple
campus and potential Development Agreement in Policy 2‐35: Vallco Park North;
c. Rezoning of an approximately 1.1 acre area from Park and Recreation (PR) to
Planned Industrial Park (P(MP));
d. Development Agreement for a 20 year term to allow the development of an office,
research and development campus;
e. Vesting Tentative Map to allow a subdivision of property from nineteen parcels to
five parcels;
f. Development Permit to allow the demolition of approximately 2.66 million square
feet of existing office, research and development buildings and the construction of
3.42 million square feet of office, research, and development buildings; 120,000 s.f.
(1,000 seat) corporate auditorium, 100,000 s.f. corporate fitness center, and 25,000 s.f.
Valet Parking Reception uses; 92,000 square feet of utility plants; and associated
parking facilities and ancillary buildings (such as security reception areas and
landscape maintenance buildings);
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Planning Commission
g. Use Permit to allow a corporate auditorium and fitness center at a new office,
research and development campus;
h. Architectural and Site Approval to allow a new 2.82 million square feet office,
research and development building with 2,385 basement parking spaces and a
cafeteria, a 5,870 parking space structured parking facility with attached Central
Plant, a 1,000 seat corporate auditorium, a fitness center, and associated site
improvements including access tunnels, a surface parking lot, outdoor dining and
recreational facilities and landscaping;
i. Tree Removal Permit to allow the removal of approximately 4,501 trees, of which,
approximately 90 trees are proposed to be transplanted, and replacement with at
least 6,200 trees to allow the construction of an office, research and development
campus
Mayor Mahoney noted that no decisions would be made at this meeting and that it
was a time for Council and the Planning Commissioners to ask questions and hear
from the public.
City Manager David Brandt explained the structure and order of the presentations.
Dan Whisenhunt, Director of Global Real Estate showed a video which highlighted
the project background and key elements. He also showed a PowerPoint
presentation highlighting various aspects of the project including: new jobs; new
revenues; public improvements; community benefits; increased property tax; and
one‐time revenue. He talked about the purpose of the new site such as the ability to
keep engineering groups together and transform outdated buildings into one single
campus. He noted the increased landscaping and additional trees using species
designed to reduce water consumption. He talked about the main building and
other structures such as a corporate auditorium, parking structure, transit center,
and new research facilities along Tantau, noting the benefits of each. He explained
that a portion of Pruneridge Avenue would be used for creating a secure area for
employees, talked about a park setting around the complex with colorized bike
paths, and that the Tantau entrance would be a plaza area for visitors. He noted that
the historic Glendenning barn on the site would be restored. He noted the
environment aspects of the project such as sustainable design, alternative
transportation, energy efficient buildings, 100% renewable energy, water efficient
landscape, reuse of all excavations on site, using clean construction technology to
spare the air, becoming LEED certified and exceeding the sustainability
requirements of the City’s Green Building ordinance. He said that after Council
approval, they hope to occupy the new facility in 2016.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Planning Commission
Adam Weinstein, Associate for LSA Associates reviewed the Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) document via a PowerPoint presentation. He highlighted the purpose
of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the environmental review
process and timeline, and the EIR contents which included: planning policy/land
use; population, employment and housing analysis; aesthetics analysis; biological
and cultural resources analysis; geology, hydrology, and hazards analysis; noise, air
quality, and greenhouse gas emissions analysis; and public services and utilities
analysis. He went on to highlight the summary of impacts, the alternatives to the
project impacts which included: No Project alternative; Pruneridge Avenue
alternative; Reduced Construction alternative; and Reduced Density alternative. He
also discussed the responses to comments document.
Jane Bierstedt, Principal for Fehr and Peers talked about Transportation Impact
Analysis via a PowerPoint presentation. She highlighted: the study area; analysis
scenarios; analysis methods; Apple travel characteristics (how do Apple employees
commute); Apple Campus 2 traffic in morning and evening peak hour; daily traffic
variations (showed simulation of traffic around the campus area for AM peak and
PM peak hours); 35 identified transportation impacts and mitigation measures;
intersection impacts; freeway impacts; and Transportation Demand Management.
The following individuals spoke in support of the project:
Doug Smith
Phyllis Goff, Cupertino Postmaster
Barbara Perzigian, General Manager Cupertino Inn
Donna Austin
Patrick Kwok
Colin Heyne, Deputy Director Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Shiloh Ballard, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Ed Hirshfield
Neil Struthers, Building Trades Council in San Mateo County
Sandy James, Cupertino Chamber Board, Silicon Valley Chamber Board, special
needs community and Veterans
Kevin McClelland, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
Steve Von Dorn, Santa Clara County Chamber of Commerce
Shani Kleinhaus, Environmental advocate for Santa Clara County Audubon society
Dolly Sandoval
Pat Robbins
John Zirelli, General Manager Recology
Reginald Swilley
Rich Williams
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Planning Commission
Sridar Pootheri
Rochelle Conores
Sam Nazhand
Elena Herrera
Their comments included: thanks for sharing EIR online; Apple business helps keep
the post office open; Apple will bring tourists and business; biking to work; love the
trees; economic benefit; transportation mitigation is good; applaud effort to save
water; will improve biking around the City; recommend freeway access on Tantau
to alleviate congestion on 280; good community support; creates habitat and jobs;
turns building space into open space; good transportation alternatives; how can
more lane space be added to make traffic run smoother; property owner bordering
project said Apple listened to his concerns and made appropriate changes; make
sure project is done right to avoid gridlock in the area; continue with mitigations
after project complete; public improvement and community benefit; iconic building;
far reaching economic impacts in Cupertino and surrounding communities; right
team managing project; good tax revenue; more action needed from the City
regarding roads; Cupertino privileged to have Apple; suggestion for flyover or
underground tunnel from 280; eliminate Vallco Village; buyout houses in Birdland
area for housing for employees who don’t drive cars to work; some traffic concern
and Stevens Creek Blvd. and De Anza still need to be evaluated; tourism good but
might impact core area; encourage incentives to employees to commute and use
alternate transportation; add electric buses and pedi‐cabs.
Cathy Helgerson shared concerns regarding industry emissions and pollution;
ventilation of new R&D facility; chemicals being used; sewer line going into aquifer;
and unnecessary to cut down trees and replant them.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, October 15 beginning
at 5:00 p.m. for a public hearing regarding Apple Campus 2, Cupertino Community
Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue.
At 6:00 p.m., the Planning Commission meeting was adjourned Tuesday, October 2
beginning at 5:00 p.m. for a public hearing regarding Apple Campus 2, Cupertino
Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Cupertino City Council
Cupertino Planning Commission
____________________________
Grace Schmidt, City Clerk
Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the City Council meeting are
available for review at the City Clerk’s Office, 777‐3223, and also on the Internet at
www.cupertino.org. Click on Agendas & Minutes, then click on the appropriate Packet.
Most Council meetings are shown live on Comcast Channel 26 and AT&T U‐verse
Channel 99 and are available at your convenience at www.cupertino.org. Click on
Agendas & Minutes, then click Archived Webcast. Videotapes are available at the
Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City Channel, 777‐2364.