DRC 02-02-05
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN REVIEW
COMMITTEE HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 2005
ROLL CALL
Committee Members present:
Marty Miller, Chairperson
Lisa Giefer, Commissioner
Committee Members absent:
None
Staff present:
Colin Jung, Peter Gilli and Gary Chao
Staff absent:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A memo was received stating that Commissioner Saadati had reviewed the minutes
and had approved them.
January 19, 2005
Minutes of the January 19, 2005 Design Review Committee were approved.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
POSTPONEMENTSjREMOV AL FROM CALENDAR:
4. R-2004-42; Eddy Shen (Qi residence), 10690 Merriman Road
Request removal from calendar.
7. R-2004-14; Steve Yang (Liu residence), 20902 Garden Gate Drive
Request vostvonement to the February 16. 2005 meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATION: None
CONSENT CALENDAR: None
2
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
1.
EXC-2005-01
Jimbo Schwalb (Swamy residence)
10655 Santa Lucia Road
Fence Exception for an electronic gate for an existing single-family residence.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Presentation: Colin Jung, Senior Planner, briefly described the project. Staff
recommended denial of the fence exception request.
Jimbo Schwalb, applicant, stated that the gate was built with out the knowledge of a
required permit. He was unclear that an exception was needed to electrify the gate. He
feels that there is a strong, demonstrated need for security and safety. Mr. Schwalb
asked several law enforcement members and a building inspector from City of Santa
Clara and considers them to be experts. He produced past sheriff's reports from that
area. The most current was over 2 years old.
Discussion continued regarding the past police reports and access for emergency
personnel.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
VOTE:
Commissioner Giefer moved to deny EXC-2005-01.
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
2.
R-2004-42
Eddy Shen (Qi residence)
10690 Merriman Road
Residential Design Review of a new, two-story 4,145 square foot residence.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Postponed from February 1, 2005.
Request removal from calendar.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
Commissioner Giefer moved to remove R-2004-42.
Chairperson Miller
None
3
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
None
2-0
3.
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
U-2004-12, ASA-2004-15
Robert Rickman
10200 Empire Avenue
Use Permit for a second story and garage addition to an existing one-story,
single-family residence in a PeRes) Planned Development with Residential Intent
zoning district.
Architectural and Site Approval for a second story and garage addition to an
existing one-story single-family residence.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Presentation: Peter Gilli, Senior Planner, stated that a revised set of plans had been
submitted. Mr. Gilli described the project and stated that staff supports the first story
setbacks, but the second story could possibly use more. The issues that would need to
be discussed are floor areas, setbacks, the garage, the roof form and side building walls.
Chairperson Miller and Mr. Gilli briefly spoke about a previously approved application
on Santa Clara Avenue.
Discussion continued regarding setbacks and the garage.
Robert Rickman, applicant, thanked the neighborhood homeowners for their support
and blessings. Mr. Rickman read a statement explaining his intentions for the new
home including his reasons for a second story and his space needs.
Commissioner Giefer asked Mr. Rickman if he intended to park two cars in the garage.
Mr. Rickman answered yes. Commissioner Giefer also asked if a tandem garage had
been considered. Mr. Rickman answered yes and explained the reason why that would
not be practical.
Commissioner Giefer was concerned about the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Discussion
continued regarding floor area and vaulted ceilings.
The applicant plans to work on lowering the roof pitch, bringing the floor level up, a
stronger dormer element, the garage width, and FAR of 55%, some articulation on the
north side.
4
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
Commissioner Giefer moved to continue U-2004-12 and ASA-2004-15 for
one month.
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
4.
EXC-2005-02
Brian Connolly (Alexander's Steakhouse)
10330 N. Wolfe Road
Sign Exception to locate a sign on the roof, to have a second wall sign and to
allow the logo to exceed the allowed height.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Presentation: Gary Chao, Assistant Planner, briefly described the sign exception.
Mr. Chao explained that the signs would only be partially visible to southbound traffic
on Wolfe Road. Staff recommends approval.
Brian Connolly, applicant, concurs with staff.
Commissioner Giefer asked if there were any alternate colors for the red background.
Mr. Connolly stated that the color was going to be a beige color.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
Commissioner Giefer moved to approve EXC-2005-02.
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
5.
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
R-2005-0l
Krishna Kidambi
10060 Carmen Road
Residential Design Review of an exception to the second-story wall offsets for a
previously approved new residence (R-2004-27).
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
5
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
Staff Presentation: Gary Chao, Assistant Planner, briefly described the project. Staff
recommends approval.
Commissioner Giefer stated that the project was well designed and will fit in well with
the neighborhood.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
Commissioner Giefer moved to approve R-2005-01.
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
6.
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
R-2005-02
Steve Nelson (Wu residence)
11150 Bubb Road
Residential Design Review for an exception for 1,622 square foot second-story
addition to exceed 35% of the first story.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Staff Presentation: Gary Chao, Assistant Planner, briefly described the project. The
property has some slope on the northeast corner and the applicant has taken measures
to step that portion of the house down to contour with the slope. Staff recommends
approval.
Commissioner Giefer stated that Larry Cannon, Architectural Consultant, had
recommended lowering the entry way arch and wondered if this had been done. Mr.
Chao answered yes.
Commissioner Giefer asked the applicant about the driveway. Mr. Chao stated that the
applicant has agreed to use turf blocks or interlocking pavers.
Sherry Newman, 11131 Bubb Road, was concerned about the mass from her
perspective. Ms. Newman stated that she spoke to two other neighbors who were not
present at the meeting and they shared her concerns about the project blocking the sun
and the sky. She doesn't understand why the addition could not be made to the first
floor. Ms. Newman feels that the new owners did not try to contact the neighbors.
John Lemons, 21467 Krzich Place, felt that the home was huge. Since Krzich Place is
downhill, the second story already looks like a third story. One of Mr. Lemons concerns
was if the home was going to be used for multi-family living. He was concerned about
6
Design Review Committee
February 2,2005
the size of the home in the existing neighborhood. If the home is approved he would
like to make sure there is landscaping and drainage. Currently there is a catch basin in
the backyard that drains through his property to the curb below the driveway that
should go away. Chairperson Miller asked if there was an easement. Mr. Lemons was
not sure.
Mary Ann Lemons, 21467 Krzich Place, was concerned about the height of the project.
Noel Eberhardt, 21407 Krzich Place, stated from his perspective he does not see the
addition. He feels that the scale of the house is quite large and massive for the
neighborhood. He was also concerned about drainage. As far as multi-family goes, the
previous owners had converted the garage into residential space. Mr. Eberhardt would
also like to see landscaping.
Mr. Chao addressed the concerns of the neighbors starting with height. The proposed
home is under the maximum height for the Rl Ordinance and in the allowable daylight
plane. The applicant has provided quite a significant amount of setbacks. In terms of
multi-family use, on only one home is allowed on the site. Mr. Gilli stated that as long
as the unit is a single-family unit, they could fit as many people in the house as the fire
code allows.
In regards to drainage, the Public Works department will be reviewing the project
before the building permits' are issued.
Discussion continued regarding landscaping.
END OF TAPE - Tape 2 did not record. The following information came from notes
taken at the meeting.
Public: Garage conversions discussed.
Commissioner Giefer: Catch basin location? Flag issue with Public Works. Additional
privacy measures? Plant more or work out privately.
Chairperson Miller: Work with neighbor for drainage and privacy.
Public: Spirit of laws - height 28' as affected neighbors see it.
Public: Drainage - pay particular attention. Drain to storm drain directly.
Commissioner Giefer: One house is better than the potential of subdivision. Deed
restriction on going 2-story? Minimize drainage impact from this property. More
upstairs means more land to absorb water. Additional planting as determined
7
Design Review Committee
February 2, 2005
appropriate by staff unless neighbors decide it is unnessary. Driveway layout - pork
chop shape.
Chairperson Miller: Two-story. Lot so large - building larger house is possible. Cited
ordinance change. Important to talk to neighbors first, head them off early. Keep water
from going over neighbors' lots. Pavers in driveway (or turf block). Deed restriction.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
Commissioner Giefer moved to approve R-2005-02 with the following
conditions: 1. Storm Drain: minimize the drainage impact. 2. Additional
planting as determined appropriate by staff, unless neighbors deem it
unnessary. 3. Driveway layout - porkchop. 4. Pavers in driveway (or
turf block). 5. Yerify there is no deed restriction. (or trees?)
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
7.
Application:
Applicant:
Location:
R-2004-14
Steve Yang (Liu residence)
20902 Garden Gate Drive
Residential Design Review for a new 4,743 square foot, two-story residence and
an exception for a 1,355 square foot second floor exceeding 35% of the first story.
Design Review Committee decision final unless appealed.
Request postponement to the February 16, 2005 meeting.
MOTION:
SECOND:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
YOTE:
Commissioner Giefer moved to postpone R-2004-14.
Chairperson Miller
None
None
2-0
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
Respectfully submitted:
j{¿J; /1 ()u 1J)¡ii-~
Kiersa Witt
Administrative Clerk
g:planning/D RC CommitteejM.inutes020205