CC 09-17-92
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 TORRE AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CA 95014
TELEPHONE: (408) 252-4505
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR. ),uusl1ÑGOF THE CITY COUNCIL
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, COUNCIL CHAMBER., CITY HALL, 10300
TORRE AVENUE, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA
CC lOA
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Sorensen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chamber
ROLL CALL
Coune. Present:
Dean, Goldman, Koppel, Szabo, Mayor Soreoscn
Staff Present:
City MsnagCf Brown
Deputy City Clerk Wolfe
Director of Publie Worb Viskovicb
Director of CommUDity Development Cowm
City Attorney Kilian
City PlannCf Wordell
Associate PlannCf Jung
Housing and Services Coordinator Norling
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS· None.
PUBUC HEARING
I. Consideration of a comprcbCDSive amcncIment of the Cupertino Geneœ1 Plm.
includinglmd use, housing. h......,o.tation, open spøce praervation, public
safety, conservation, and noise clements. Emphasis will be placed on City
identity.
Director of Community Development Cowm explained the !U1gr-t..d meeting format
md presented the Cupertino Proposed Planning District Map as well as the Land Use
and Development Planning District Matrix.
Housing and Services Coordinator Norling presented a series of slides depicting the
various housing types. These included Housing Type I(~hnents and townhomcs, IS-
20 D.U.lAcre density, surface parking, 2 stories); Housing JyPc II (apartments and
MINUTES Of 11Œ SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COVNCL MEETINO
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condominiums, 20-35 D.U.lAcre, below grade parking, 2-3 stories); Housing Type m
(apartments and condominiums, 35-50+ D.U.lAcre. below grade or 1st floor pRge
parking, 3-5 storÍes- could be exceeded for landmark buildings); and Housing Type IV
(mixed use projects, housing over retail or office, varying densities, surface or street
parking, 2-4 storÍes- could be exceeded for landmark buildings). Ms. Norling said that
in considering densities you need to consider the design. how they arc massed, number of
stories, how rooflincs arc varied, orientation to streets, setbøcks, amount of open space
and trees and where they're placed. You must also take into aœount the size of UDÍtlIIId
amount and kind of parking as well as the way density is calculated.
Mr. Cowan answered questions regarding density éIlIculatioos. The presentation WIS to
help Council think about the type of housing as they go through the sites.
Mr. Cowan introduced Dan loncscu who told Council about his background as an
architect and planner.
Mr. loncscu said he was very impressed with what Council is doing. He has seen many
projects like this and is pleased with some good ideas. He said he was here about the
identification of the City. He travels extensively. His conclusion is that there is a very
beautiful and natura1 way of achieving city identity. There is a unique opportunity,
Council wíll need vision, strength and risk taking power to do this. When you talk about
city centers you talk people. They create city centers - life, action, activity. There is a
portion of tile City that meets the requirements for a future linear downtown. Mr.
lonescu said that Mr. Freedman had put Council on the right track with his presentation.
The area between Highway 85 and DcAoza Boulevard is natura1 because of the natura1
border and tile college. The City should make efforts to make the college more
extroverted. Memorial Park is another important element in a downtown area. You
should stress visua1I1CCC1S to the park much better. It is a very weak entry to a very DÍce
park. You must think about scale. We don't want to drive. If you think pedestrian you
can't think big scale. He said he docs not think the area around DcAnza Boulevard and
Stevens Creek Boulevard wíll be the City center. After 5:00 p.m. it's empty. Ten or
twenty years down the road you would have infill projects in the arca he proposed IS a
city center to really make sense as a city ccnter. He said Council is on the right track.
Next they should talk to the college to see if there is a way to have mixed use college
oriented type building with residential nearby. Residential is what would give you the
life of the city. Make sure you have an extroverted design. In secondary layers behind
commercial you should have residential 20-50 D.U.lAcre. It is no problem to get what
you want if you stick to your guns. Regarding landscaping, think about canopies of
trees on both sides of the Grand Boulevard. Regarding light rail, it is his strong
recommendation to have it turn 00 DcAnza Boulevard. Regarding bike routes, Mr.
lonescu said he has not seen real bike lanes in the United States. In the city center spine
you might integrate design of real bike lanes which could be a pilot project for everyone
around.
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Counc. Szabo commented OIl why he feels tho college has not integrated into tho
community.
Mr. IOIlescu said the design is introverted. It is a very important seam between City mcI
college but it is ready to be broken. It is worth the work it will take to break the seam.
Everybody is losing the way it is now.
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Counc. Szabo attributed it to DcAnza being a commuter college. He agreed that the rail
connection should turn at DcAnza Boulevard, but we have thousands of people who
commute to DeAnza college.
Dick Rosemeier, representing Hewlett-Packard, thanked tho City and Prometheus for
tonight's concert. When he walked here tonight he gained a new appceciation of what
Cupertino is and could become. He said H-P wants to bring an architectural planner in
on October I. He thinks they could answer questions and be of benefit He Solid we are
all tired of what has been a 1000g process. Cupertino is trying to develop a new vision.
Mr. Ionescu said we have an opportunity to deal with some things that other
communities have not dealt with. Mr. Rosemeier said that becllV!e of that he thinks it is
important that Council not rush toward a conclusion. He asked them to allow H-P to
come OIl October I and that tonight maybe they could raise issues that they think are
particularly important to address. He said he would like to address issues affecting tho
Vallco area. Breaking it down into planning districts would be a way to deal with it
John Hailey, Tandem Computer, commented 011 City identify. The way to influence City
identity is to direct growth to occur in tho change area. Regarding the development
change area. Tandem's development lIw'oaclI is that the fundamental question is getting
the right land use relationships, with urban design and architecture following. He said he
thinks Tandem has the right answer. They have been emphasizing horizontal mixed use.
The third Planning Commissioo recommendation embodies two major issues, building
setback and heights. The setback issue is a function of tho urban design approach. He
said he favors the approach that brings mon: life to the street, hence, smaller setbacb.
Regarding heights, they can live within Planning Commission's recommendation. He
offered cautiOll regarding language about landmark i>uilding criteria. Mr. Hailey handed
out a summary of Tandem's planning concepts.
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Mr. Hailey introduced John Skibbe, Director of Design at the San Francisco office of
Wallace Roberts and Todd He said he would like to make three point about the
opportunity to address the ideas of City image and design, both embodied in the plan
Tandem is ploposing and also in general as to the whole City's planning process that they
are tackling now. The three things are: I. The opportunity to create a district-wide
urban design concept among several centeB in our City's plan. The City needs a center
but needs sub-districts. What kind of benefits can we capture from intensifying the land
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MINUJ'ES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, ADJOURNED REOUI.ARCITY COUNCLMI!EI1NO
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uses? What are some of the cleaip wuea? In reprd to item I, we have an opportuøity
to work with a few landownen to ereate an im......la4t ecooomic and IICtivity center.
The second uwOolWlÍty is to clarify an cxisting retail center, to bring two land uses
together. We are at an important eastcm gateway to tho City. Development here will
signal that you have entered Cupertino. This œoter will complement other city ~.
wherever tho city œoter is, offering a bø1ance and mix of retail. office IIDd reaieJ"C'ti"
uscs. We have an opportunity to provide open spøce. Private land uses will provide and
maintain public open space. Last. we have the jobs housiDg bø1ance, the ability to wa1k
to work and also to have people downtown, to have an aetive place during the evening.
The benefi1s of iDtensifying land use are sevaa1. First, we can ereate a sense of place.
Tandem wants to support and enhance V sllco by CIICOIU88ÍD8 people to shop at lunch
and stay after work. Mr. Skibbe talked about borimntaI mix of land uscs. He said
Council can support public transit by encouraging development along aliDear spine. We
also have the opportunity to ereate developmen1s that do not have suñace parking and
that can provide significantly more open space at ground level. He said the plan shown
was not designed to show detailed architecture but shows baic IDSSSiDft. He showed
slidcs of what it might be like to walk through tho development iD the future.
Counc. Dean said this looks like redeveloped San Jose which is not working. He asked
why this is different
Mr. Skibbe said people live here and there is an established retail 8R8, plus this is a
smaller amL
Counc. Goldman said the massiDg slide showed lots of fim floor retail and asked him to
show him where it would be on the plan. Mr. Skibbe did so.
In answer to Council queations, Mr. Hailey said security could be designed iDto the
buildiDg and not prohibit public activity on the ground floor. Parking would be located
iD structures behind the buildinp. They are hoping for some shared parking as well
Mr. Skibbe said they are anticipating some bike routes within the campus. linking to 1he
proposed housing. He doesn't think housiDg near Stevens Creek Boulevard would be
advantageous or sell well unless it was high rise housiDg. Stevens Creek Boulevard is
better suited to commercial, retail and office.
Mr. Skibbe said a parking and traffic plan must be established &om the beginning
includiDg ride sharing and staggered timcs of hows. He said we have s great opportunity
to control that aspect of traffic and help diminish it There must be coordination and
timing among three big owners.
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MINUTES OF TIlE SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, ADJOURNED REGULAR cm COUNCL MEETING
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Glen Barber, resident of Cupertino, represented Apple as Vice President of Real Estate,
Construction and Facilities. As long as the process has been so far, it has fon:ed
everyone to examine fundamental ideas. One example is collaboration among H-P,
Apple and Tandem in trying to address issues. They have found more III"C8S of common
interest and common good than they thought possible. There are differences still. Apple
has examined . perception about housing. They started out thinking it inapproptiste to
be involved in the creation of housing. They now believe they should be a part of it
Their fundamental position in regard to Apple's growth is they believe it is in the mutual
interest of the corporations and Apple to allow growth limited, controlled, responsible
and properly mitigated. Apple is continuing to ask for the right to construct up to
200,000 sq. ft. at the City Center site and up to 600,000 sq. ft. at the Cupertino gateway
site. They think the request can be compatible with a well planned City. It can be done
in a way that enhances and preserves the residential character of the City. We have come
a long way on some issues. Mr. Barber said they arc ahead of schedule on the R&D
campus. They have a major, multi-million dollar commitl.1ent to the community. He
introduced Bill Valentine, HOK.
Mr. Valentine commented on the City Center and Gateway projects and showed slides
describing the two 1II"C8S. First the City Center portion: office; housing; not a gateway
but infill; sense that it will become one of the neighborhoods; sense of place with
housing back off the street; sense of entry, buildings set back; splitting it into parts. scale
going up to eight story buildings in back; just enough retail to be fun and helpful.
Second, the Gateway portion: sense of scale and people wbo might use it is important;
buildings set back and "quiet" and have park be focus, 700 ft. long with s1Ret presence;
buildings large enough to be belpful to Apple but not too imposing; dining in park;
Apple museum, partially on-grade and quite a bit underground; would become green
gateway; place for people (public park) but have boundaries; real gateway - not gateway
buildings but a gateway place.
Roger Qser, representing Lincoln Town Center and Symantec, commended Council for
their hard work. He is aware of concerns that City Council bas regarding the P!oposed
project and bow it fits in with the General Plan. Concerns are traffic, bousing, beisht,
straining of City services and providing of tax revenues. He said they want to work with
everyone to be sure to come up with a project that fits the General Plan and addresses the
concerns.
Phil Zeitman said be was expressing personal comments, not representing any
orgI'"Î7.JdÎon. He is involved in City activities and would like to have them continued.
He said he knows to do this there must be revenue. He said be speaks fi'om point of view
that it is important to bave a balance of growth. He said wben be looks at these projects
be sees massive development We have to allow the business community and major
industry to grow. However, Mr. Zeitman said be sees too much wben be looks at
projects. He sees an opportunity to move some of the mass to the west of DeAnza
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MINUI'ES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCL MEETING
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Boulevard. We have to expect a certain amount of density, but iftbere is a balance be
would be satisfied. Mr. Zei1man said high buildingJ are OK but be doesn't like
continuous mass.
Ann Anger talked about the 1970 citizen goals committee. She said they were very
particular about zoning. She had a copy of a Chamber of Commcn:e 1966 article about
Cupertino. She said she doesn't think there is another City anywhere that is as beautiftd
as Cupertino. Ms. Anger described what Borrel Leonard did for the City by helping to
preserve about 400 acres.
Nancy Burnett, 729 StendhaI Lane, speaking for herself said these wen: good
presentations. There are lob of good ideas. She said Council may think about what size
they want Cupertino to be, how many people they want living hen:. AJJ you add more
bulk in office and industrial you will create a need for housing.
Mayor Sorensen said this should be a general discussion rather than starting on key
concepts one at a time.
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Counc. Dean said he docs not accept the concept of a particular vision based on the
jobslhousing ratio. We have to address the crowded classrooms. Then: is a limit of
capacity. Looking at downtown areas, trends in retail have changed. He docs not see
mixed use housing. Counc. Dean also said he doesn't think companies should have
anything to do with housing or should have to provide housing. We need to support the
manufacturers already here to some degree. If the City can't afford the cost of its
operation we can't afford expansion.
Counc. Koppel said she is not convinced that Cupertino is to be the retail capital of the
world and is opposed to so much that it will not be used. She commented on Mr.
Ionescu's presentation. All the presentations are good but put too much emphasis 00
retail.
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Counc. Szabo said we have been limited in amount of expansion by traffic. We have
heard a pooposal to move expansion to the west, but DcAnza-Stevens Creek Boulevard
intcJ1lection is nearly at capacity. We are limited to how much development we can do
without a ·Viskovich ditch- which would be tremendously costly. Regarding
jobslbousing Mr. Szabo said he doesn't think we will meet the state's goals, but if we
don't make the effort the General Plan will not be accepted by the State. This means we
must locate housing here. The best way in his opinion is to take out the old tiltup
industrial buildingJ and make these residential at a reasonably high density (Bandley
Drive and Bubb Road). We need to go to underground parking if we don't want to
appear high density. AJJ for city center, Mr. Szabo doesn't think a pedestrian Cupertino
city center is going to happen. He favors baving an area with a heavy canopy of trees.
We need lots of vegetation on Stevens Creek Boulevard. He would welcome some
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MINU'l'ES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 1992, ADJOURNED REGULAR CITY COUNCL MEETINO
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mixed use development Mr. Szabo said he does not think we should say we will
develop for the sake of money but would like to have a vital, vibrant community, not
hung up in traffic. We need to get whatever public transit that is developed to DeAnza
CoUege.
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Counc. Goldman stated that this Counçil bas to have give and take discussions on these
issues. There are lots of ideas being brought forth as alternatives and when you look at
them you see there are some solutions if we can identify critical issues and the ones we
want to solve. There is a general awareness in the community that there are alternatives
we can use to do things differently. Cupertino is concerned about growth today ~II'"
government bas not done its job of controlling growth. As a result we have two
freeways bisecting the City. That decision has created a non pedestrian oriented city.
You take your life into your hands to ride a bike on DeAnza Boulevard or Stevens Creek
Boulevard. With respect to that issue we have a choice: We will continue to be a non
pedestrian city, or we will choose alternatives that lead us to be a pedestrian oriented
city. We should stick to that goal. Mr. Goldman said the community overwhelmingly
wants to protect hillsides. Some may say that we want to ignore the state, but if we don't
provide housing somewhere in Cupertino, the hillsides will be built out because of the
pressure that will be brought to bear on future Councils. We must create a policy
allowing some reasonable growth of howing in this community which will also preserve
neighborhoods. How do we do that? We look at the concept of an urban core. Hillsides
may not be built out today but will in ten YeaJ1l. The other issue is that we have had all
this growth over the last ten years. One of the problems with development is that the
public does not see it working toward their interest If they don't see that they won't
accept traffic. Looking at additional growth. it must do more for the public than meet
problems it creates. People agree they want a city center. We must answer where, how,
and if it will work. The concept of bringing DeAnza College into the community is
good. Five thousand students live in Cupertino. Mr. Goldman said we must collectively
come up with a plan about what the limits of growth should be over the next twenty
YeaJ1l. That plan must be for something that will enhance the community, not just
mitigate problems. If you must say go over the General Plan you cannot create more
traffic. The concept of districts is a good one. Monta Vista has its own type of
architec:ture. Other districts should be coordinated within the district and generally
coordinated within the City. Mr. GoldmM referred to the staff report and said it talked
about only parkway concept. A parkway creates a very automobile oriented street.
Development would be pushed toward neighborhoods. He said we should still consider
boulevard versus parkway. A boulevard would lend itself more to lower buildings.
.
Mayor Sorensen listed the following: 1. She would like to discuss height variance - is it
appropriate to have all one height or do you vary it? Pros and cons. 2. Discussion of
city identity. She said she is intrigued with the concept suggested tonight of city identity
west of DeAnza Boulevard and the parkway concept at the other end. 3. Rapid transit-
where? 3. Mixed use. 4_ We must consider the Americans with Disabilities Act when
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MJNUl'ES OF TIm SPl'l'F.Y8P1l1'J.IWL Þ.DJO\JINI!D IEŒJLAll mv <DJNCL1&Et1NG
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blllñ"8traffic. s. WOIInInnJrÍl'IPd'Iow_~totakoplsc l~20y...fiom
now. 6, Aped with Couoc. SZIbo repn!ÏD8we ,,,'im. .
Mayor SORDICD said Council will bear tho 1'"_ 4_I:oa fiom Skidmore oa Ootaber 1 md
discuu Itey concepls. A field trip duough L-P~ Hciglda will be 1Cbedu1ecl. 8D
adjourned City Council medÏD8 after October 1.
At 9:50 p.m., the meeting _ adjourned.
Jf¡~ "' ~J ,..)~
Deputy City Clerft
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