DRC 07-16-03Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
Design Review Committee
July 16, 2003
AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMI'I"I'EE HELD ON JULY 16, 2003
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Committee Members absent:
Staff present:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
July 2, 2003
Taghi Saadati, Chairperson
Gilbert Wong, Commissioner
None
Peter Gilli, Senior Planner
Gary Chao, Assistant Planner
Minutes of the July 2, 2003 Design Review Committee were approved.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
POSTPONEMENTS/REMOVAL FROM CALENDAR:
ORAL COMMUNICATION: None
CONSENT CALENDAR: None
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
ASA-2003-03
Jim Yang (Sheu residence)
10487 Lockwood Drive
Architectural Site Approval to add a 518 square foot addition to an existing 1,889
square foot duplex.
2
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed
Design Review Committee
July 16, 2003
Staff Presentation: Peter Gilli, Senior Planner, briefly described the project and stated
that staff had no concerns, that the project conforms to the R2 ordinance. Staff received
one phone cai1 from a neighbor regarding the project. Mr. Gilli returned the call,
described the project and has not heard back from that neighbor.
Gilbert Wong, Commissioner, asked why the applicant wanted to do the addition.
Taghi Saadati, Chairperson, asked why the application was being heard by the
Committee. Mr. Gilli explained that all additions are brought before the Design Review
Committee, even if it meets the requirements.
Jason Sheu, applicant, stated that an addition bedroom was necessary for the children.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Commissioner Wong moved to approve ASA-2003-03.
Chairperson Saadati.
None
None
2-0
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
R-2003-07
David Perng (Chen residence)
20832 Garden Gate Drive
Residential Design Review of a new 4,737 square foot, two-story residence.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed
Postponed from the July 2, 2003 meeting.
Staff Presentation: Gary Chao, Assistant Planner, described the project and stated that
it meets all of the guidelines. Staff recommends approval.
Mr. Saadati asked if the architectural consultant was able to review the plans. Mr. Chao
replied yes.
David Perng, Architect, stated that he was hopeful to have the project approved.
Mr. Wong stated that he approved the project and made statement regarding design
guideline conformance. Based on the July 7 City Council meeting, the City Council
approved the Mann Drive project, which allowed some of things that the design
guidelines requested. Mr. Wong believes that the City is in the process of refining the
R1 ordinance and until that is complete, Mr. Wong believes that when a project does not
conform it goes back to the study session that stated what the percentage needs to be to
conform to the Design Guidelines. He believes that the ordinance precedes the
3 Design Review Committee
July 16, 2003
guidelines, and that the guidelines are just guidelines and that they just try to meet as
many items as possible, but not ruin the design. Until that is resolved between the
Planning Commission and the City Council, Mr. Wong stated that he stands by the
statement that he said at the City Council that it does not set a precedent. Until the
issues are resolved, the vote on July 7 helps from forward on in regards to how the
Design Guidelines are used.
Mr. Perng asked when the City Council and the Planning Commission would come to a
decision. Mr. Gilli stated that that was unknown at this time. Mr. Perng asked if he
could submit his project for building plan check. Mr. Gilli answered yes.
Mr. Saadati asked that if the project is not in compliance with the guidelines, how close
is it? Mr. Gilli replied that it is as close or as not close as Mann Drive. Mr. Saadati
concurred with Mr. Wong's comments regarding the guidelines. However, the City
Council decision sets to some extent a precedent that if the Committee does not approve
a project, it would get approved by the City Council and that was Mr. Saadati's main
concern. As far as the height, this particular project is about 4 feet lower than the
maximum height allowed. To some extent that addresses the mass, but the guidelines
need to be continued to be worked on to see how to prescribe specific design elements
and perhaps this is the opportunity to do that and provide some flexibility.
Mr. Saadati stated at a Planning Commission meeting, Steve Piasecki stated that when
the City Council votes on something it indirectly changes the ordinance. Mr. Wong
stated that he feels that it changes more of the direction of the ordinance and is still
within the ordinance. Mr. Saadati stated that unless the previous project which was
approved by the City Council had specific issues that are completely different than this
and in the staff report there seems that there is no such thing in the plan that would be
that much different. Based on that, Mr. Saadati would also vote on passing the item.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Commissioner Wong moved to approve R-2003-07.
Chairperson Saadati.
None
None
2-0
Respectfully submitted:
Kiersa Witt
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/DRC Committee~Minutes071603