Loading...
CC 06-27-94 , . . t þ þ .. CC-882A MINUTES Cupertino City Council Regular Adjourned Meeting June 27,1994 CALL TO ORDER At 6:03 p.m., Mayor Barb Koppel called the meeting to order in the City Council Chamber!J, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Council member!J present: Jolm Bautista, Don Burnett, Wally Dean (7:30 p.m.), LauraIee Sorensen, and Mayor Barbara Koppel. Council members absent; Wally Dean. Planning Commission members present: Donna Austin, Andrea Harris, and Orrin Mahoney. Planning Commission members absent: David Doyle and Paul Roberts. StatfPresent; City Manager Don Brown City Clerk Kim Smith Community Development Director Bob Cowan Parks and Recreation Director Steve Dowling Public Infonnation Officer Donna KIey Public Works Director Bert Viskovich City Planner Ciddy Wordell Associate Planner Colin Jung ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Joint workshop of the City Council and the plmnil'lg Commission to discuss the Stevens Creek Boulevard (Heart of the City) Specific Plan. The Community Development Director said the purpose of the workshop was to evaluate the preliminary work on the specific plan, and he reviewed the major components of the project which include land use, infrastructure and implementation, and streetscape. He distributed a discussion outline and reviewed the questions which statfhoped to have answered during the workshop. Mr. Michael Freedman, the consultant working on the Specific Plan, discussed the design charette process and showed slides of the resulting design which was ~ . . June 27, 1994 Cupertino City Council Page 2 . labeled the Hemt of the City. He showed a series of slides which included historical photographs, current pictures of surrounding communities and other parts of the state, renderings of proposed streetscapes and signs, a sundial, and other elements of the plan. He said the results of the charette were that (1) There should be a unified visual impact to enhance the visual character of what currently exists; (2) The unified image should be orchard-like to draw on the history of the landscape; (3) There an- three different nodes which currently exist along the corridor (DeAnza College area, Town Center Area, and Vallco area) which should be recogni=ble as special places within the larger design; (4) The visual character needs substantial improvement Mr. FfPI'{Iman reviewed slides of the conceptual streetscape plan which changes in character at each special node from oaks to ash to a more formal grid of flowering trees and grass in the central area. He said in all cases they recommend a double row of trees wõth sidewalks in between them, and he discussed alternatives to improve the visibility of the merchants' signs since buildings would be jess visible. Mr. Freedman showed slides of signs used in another community, and renderings of a proposed iron gateway with the City's name which would be constructed at either end of the project area. He discussed alternatives for the open-space property at the comer of Steven's Creek Boulevard and DeAnza Boulevard, and showed slides which included a formal orchard with a monument of some kind, or a retail center with additional landscaping. He said that bo!b staff and the community expressed a preference for not building on that parcel. Mr. Freedmm discussed their recommendations for lighting and street furniture such as ber.ches, trash receptacles, etc., and then discussed the signage issue in greater deta.1. He suggested that the signs be placed further out towards the curb, and be li' from the interior, so that they would be very visible to the passing motorist. He said that they would develop sign standards to compensate for reduced visibï Ity, and would bring those back to the Council. . . In response to questions by the Council members and Commissioners, Mr. Freedman pro' ided the following infonnation: They did not propose to move any buildings closer to the street; they recommended using concrete for sidewalks but the walnut grove should have a decomposed granite under the trees instead of grass; Some areas were not optimum for oak trees but they might work, and their landscape architect would participate in selecting the best species or variety of plants for the area; The likelihood of installing a transit system in the median was unknown and the specifications varied so widely that they were unable to anticipate what effect there might be on existing trees in the central median; He agreed that a consistent method of identifying street number.: must be included in the signing program, and that sidewalks should be at least 6 feet wide where possible; They do not propose removing any deodoras at DeAnza College. The Community Development Director noted that the college is developing a master plan which includes a building at the comer of Stelling and Stevens Creek Boulevard, and they would be contacted to see what they had in mind regarding buildings and landscaping. Mr. Freedman said that he was not familiar with any trash container system that allowed for separation of recyclables, but that he would be interested in . . . " June 27, \994 Cupertino City Cound\ Page 3 developing one. He recommended that the iron gateway be painted forest green with touches of white, and that the electrical lights be painted white, although there may be higher maintenance costs for the painted items. He discussed the pros and cons of providing comfortable public benches, and said that there did not appear to be a serious problem with people sleeping on the benches, but they could consider two four-foot benches side by side. Ms. Diane Ikeda said she was speaking on behalf of the Cupertino Fine Arts Commission. She referred to the parcel at the comer of Stevens Creek Boulevard and DeAnza Boulevard, and said that when the property was donated by the Cali family it was on the condition that it was to remain open space. She said the Commission had talked about placing a sculpture on the parcel and naming it the Joseph and Rosa Cali Family Park because they were instrumental in the City's history. She cautioned that the parcel should not be overdone with too many trees or flowers. Mr. John Statton, representing the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, said they had $trong concerns about visual access into the retail segment, and they looked forward to working with Mr. Freedman to work out those issues. Ms. Ann Anger, representing the Monta Vista Improvement Association, said she had personally planted 53 trees on her property over the last 2 1/2 years, and she encouraged other property owners to pl&J1t additional trees as well. She said she was very impressed with the presentation of the specific plan. Ms. Mary Davis, a principal with the newly selected property managers of the Market Place, distributed photographs of the shopping center and commented on some of the maintenance problems she had experienced in the past with ash trees. She said she was excited about the concept, but Council must remember that this particular area was the heart of the retail area which could be dSlmaged by a reduction in visibility when the trees were increased. The Community Development Director asked if the conceptual plan addressed the charette designs. Coone. Sorensen said that she they were addressed in general, and it clarified the plan for her. Counc. Burnett said he was very enthusiastic, and was especially pleased with the idea of three separate groves. Counc. Bautista complimented everyone who had worked on the plan because it did what was envisioned. It will take the good characteristics of the City and enhance them. The unifying theme of the orchard was terrific, but they must work with local businesses to address the visibility factor. The Community Development Director asked what areas need further study. Mayor Koppel said that signage must be more flexible. She said that the Fine Arts Commission should be involved with the public art, and that Council should ensure there would be funds for that. She suggested a certain percentage of the project cost be specifically earmarked for public art. Comm. Austin asked if there was a city arborist to help with guidelines for selecting appropriate trees. Mr. June 27, t 994 cupertino City Council Page 4 . Freedman said at this time the suggestions were conceptual, but they would work with a horticulturist who was familiar with this area to select the appropriate plants and trees. The City Council and Planning Commission concurred that they would like to hold another joint workshop to discuss the next phase of the project. Comm. Mahoney raised the issue of the plans for the vacant parcel at Stevens Creek Boulevard and DeAnza Boulevard. Mr. Freeman showed slides of the two proposals and discussed the pros and cons. Counc. Bautista said that a retail use goes against what he wanted on the comer. He pointed out that a similar layout on Stevens Creek and Foothill was unsuccessful. Having a retail center on the vacant parcel to serve as a visual ste¡Hlown from the larger building behind it would only work from one angle. He said he was vehemently opposed to a retail building on that parcel, but liked the idea of open space with retail along the perimeter. Mayor Koppel said that she liked the orchard look but it should not be so dense as to seem not friendly. . Comm. Harris said there was serious concem on the part of the business community about the lack of visibility. There was naturally fear of change, but Mr. Freedman had the expertise to deal with the issue. Counc. Burnett agreed with Comm. Harris. He said he liked the idea of the four seasons orchard, and the Fine Arts Commission should participate in the public art portion of the project Counc. Sorensen said she liked the gateway design concept but would like to see other designs. although not )...--....rily more high-tech. Coone. Bautista also liked the idea, and said it had a "world fair" feel. Counc. Sorensen said she would also like to know what else could be done about minimum sidewa1k widths. The Public Works Director said it was a question of right-of-way costs. The Community Development Director said that staff would bring this item back in late September. Mr. F 'P<'<!man reviewed the preliminary cost estimates for this project. The entire project consisting of a double row of trees on the frontage, completion of the median, furniture, and street lights would be S3.5 million. Special feature!J may go as high as S900,ooo, and could include the sundial, gateways, and the four seasons orchard with irrigation, lighting. and benches. . Mayor Koppel asked that staff come back with a matrix showing the different combinations. The Community Development Director noted that some of the landscaping would be installed by private developers. . . . JUDC 27,1994 ADJOURNMENT CupertiDo City Council Page 5 At 7:45 p.m. the meeting was adjourned, and the City Council adjourned to Tuesday, July 5, 1994, at 6:00 p.m.. ~'»1~~ Kim Marie Smith City Clerk