Library Steering 11-15-00
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CITY OF
CUPEIUINO
City Hall
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-3255
Telephone: (408) 777-3354
FAX: (408) 777-3333
MINUTES OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING STEERING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 15,2000
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m.
Present:
Charles Corr, Julie Farnsworth, Jean Gallup, Gayla Hibbert, Bob Joyce, Carmen
Lynaugh, Bob Rizzo, Elinora Mantovani, Sheila Mohan, Dorothy Stow, Mary Ann
Wallace, Councilmember Michael Chang, Mayor Sandra James, Public Works Director
Ralph Qualls, Director of Community Development Steve Piasecki, City Manager
David Knapp, Santa Clara County Library Director Susan Fuller
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None.
NEW BUSINESS
2.
Site plarming workshop
Steve Piasecki reviewed the site analysis chart and timeline for the library project. He then
introduced Paul Lettieri, Land PlarmerlLandscape Architect, from Guzzardo Partnership.
Mr. Lettieri explained the objectives and relationships of each siting plan. He pointed out the
commonalities of each plan: converting Torre Avenue to a pedestrian-scale street with
diagonal parking, a walkway down the center of Torre, the extension of the Town Center
project, off-site parking, and the preservation of the redwood grove near the present library.
Each plan allows for a 2-story library building of 60-70,000 square feet and has options for
expandability.
He described each plan, beginning with Site A, which shows the library placed close to Torre
A venue and occupying the green space between the current library and City Hall. It allows for
separate courtyard spaces, more parking at the rear of the building, and the potential for
expansion in the future, The entrance for the library faces Torre Avenue and features a civic
terminus such as a obelisk, tower or fountain between the Civic Center area and the Town
Center area.
Site B also depicts the library in the green space, but it is moved back away from Torre Avenue
behind the centerline of City Hall and shows a courtyard directly in front of the building. The
library building serves as the terminus of Town Center Lane and shows more visual space at the
front of the building. It gives a more urban way of thinking about the site, allows the buildings
to "talk" to each other, allows for covered bike parking near the entry, and a drive-up book
drop-off at the rear of the building.
P'¡nted on Recycled Pape.
Site C has a completely different approach with the library placed on the current soccer field
just south the present library, It is more suburban, as it presents the City Hall and library as
stand-alone buildings. The library entrance is oriented toward the northwest comer of the site
with more surface parking than Sites A and B. There is less of a civic feel due to the lack of a
building terminus in conjunction with the Town Center project.
Site D is a modification of Site B with the removal of the current library addition and extra
surface parking placed in that area (approximately 65 stalls). The current building may
potentially be used for future expansion or leased out for other uses.
Mayor James asked about cost of removing the current library addition. Mr. Lettieri explained
the cost would vary, that the cost of demolition would have to be weighed against the cost of
additional parking spaces and other options. Wallace asked if the current library would be
brought up to code. She was informed that it would be in any case. Corr asked if existing
curbline was being used since the building was not moved into the soccer field on three of the
diagrams. He was told that he may be taking 18 feet based on the current survey information,
but there are ways, such as angled parking, to increase efficiency and add spaces. Stow asked
how the buildings in Sites B and D would look to neighbors on the west side. She was
informed that trees would provide screening. Farnsworth asked if library patrons would be able
to see into those neighbors' back yards and was told this could be handled architecturally or
with trees as screening,
Discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of the various sites. By a vote of 10-4, Site B
was selected as the committee's recommendation to City Council for a library site.
3.
Next meeting date and time
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
~~W-L
Recording Secretary
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