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July 22, 1970k 0 Ll CITY OF CUPERTINO, State of California 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California Telephone: 252-4505 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE APPROVAL COMMITTEE HELD JULY 22, 1970 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY HALL, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Chairman Adams who led the salute to the flag. Roll Call Members present: McLaren, Ryder, Small, Chairman Adams. Also present: Chief Building Inspector Benevich, City Clerk Ryder. Member absent: Marquez. Minutes of Previous Meeting It was moved by Member Small., seconded by Member McLaren and passed unan- imously that the minutes of July 8, 1970 be approved as submitted. Written Communications Chairman Adams recognized' Mr. J. Robert Dempster who had submitted a written request to appear before the Committee. Mr. Dempster said that he had discussed a particular interpretation of the sign ordinance with Mr. Benevich and, with mutual agreement, this matter was being presented to the Committee for their decision. He said the question involved shopping center signs and whether it was necessary to include thereon the names of all tenants even if those tenants did not wish to be so named. He said he had reviewed the sign ordinance and had found it to be permissive rather than demanding. Mr. Dempster continued by saying the particular situation involved the Crossroads Shopping Center. Unaware of the interpretation as applied by Mr. Benevich, leases had been signed which included certain allocated space on the Center sign. He requested clarification of this from the Committee. During the discussion Chairman Adams said that if the ordinance was not clear, any legal interpretation must of necessity be forwarded to the Council and the City Attorney. Member McLaren pointed out that Section 11.1 of the ordinance calls for the chief building official to interpret intent. Chairman Adams then said the section in question involves the word "may" and not "will". Member Small said that this was not a question of interpretation and that the Committee should concern itself only with the square footage of the sign and not whose name goes on it. HC-12 f lag salute Iroll call minutes approved recognition of mr. dempster crossroads shopping center interpreta- tion of ordinance page 2 11 Minutes of H-Control July 22, 1970 HC-12 391-HC-69 legend request for retaining wall explained landscaping and parking discussion continuation favored reluctant approval by vallco park This was agreed to by Member Ryner who added that it would be his pre- ference to see free-standing signs for this Center and limited to only one. He thought the matter of whose name was involved to be between the tenant and the owner. Mr. Dempster commented that he had no argument with Mr. Benevich but had wanted clarification only; but if it was acceptable to the Commit- tee he wished to have approval on the Center sign at this meeting because of a time limit hardship. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren and passed unanimously that the Committee consider this Center sign as a part of the total application under No. 437-HC-69. Public Hearings 1. Application 391-HC-69, Sears, Roebuck & Company, 2650 E. Olympic B1vd.,.Los Angeles, requesting approval to install a concrete retaining wall at the northeast corner of the Sears property on Wolfe „ Road. Mr. Kenneth Mendia addressed the Committee saying he represented Mr. Charles Luckman, the architect. Mr. Benevich explained that the request for a retaining wall had been necessitated due to incorrect contours having been placed on the topo- graphical map by the several engineers. This was not discovered until the grading had been well under way; and in order to maintain a level parking lot with adequate drainage, this wall had been proposed. It would extend in height some four feet; and would slope down to practic- ally nothing. It was pointed out that the elevation of this parking area would make visible to passing motorists and pedestrians the wheels., bumpers, and under parts of automobiles in this parking lot. He said that one of the alternate suggestions would be to have this particular wall inset in the existing landscaping along Wolfe Road by some four feet, which then would permit a corresponding setback for automobiles parked in this area. This would min?mize the unsightliness but not correct it. Chairman Adams said this was a very unsightly development, particular- ly along a main entrance to the City. Member Ryner was told that it was not now possible to move dirt and rearrange grading contours. He was also told that the row of parking involved could not be removed in that this would reduce the number of parking spaces below that required by the ordinance. Member McLaren favored continuance of this application to permit more information to be developed. When asked by the chair, Mr. Will Lester of Vallco Park said that this particular design had been approved'by Vallco Park under its architect- ural control, but with reluctance. He said they were totally opposed to the removal of any street trees or any incursion into the land- scaping areas. This landscaping was the chief asset of the industrial park. He would prefer the loss 'of ;parking_ spaces if the Council would waive the minimum requirements. 4 D 0 • to Minutes of H-Control July 22, 1970 HC-12 page 3 Mr. Benevich informed the Chairman that if the status of parking require- 40 ments was to be changed, the whole project would have to go back to the suggestion Planning Commission. He suggested the possibility of having this sent by chief back to the engineers in Los Angeles to see if the topography could not bldg. inspector be somehow blended without construction of a retaining wall. Mr. Mendia for solution said this could be done, but time was of the essence. Member McLaren said she would have no objection to the calling of a special meeting if it became necessary. It was moved by Member Ryner, seconded by Member Small and passed unani- 391-HC-69 mously to continue Application 391-HC-69 to permit time for the applicant continued to present an alternate proposal. 2. Application 437-H - 9, Federal Signs, 1521 Terminal Ave., 437-HC-69 San Jose, requesting a blanket approval of all of the legend shop signs at the Crossroads Center and an additional wall sign for Mervyn's Store on the west side of the building. Mr. Benevich advised the Committee that this application had been continued revision in order to permit the signs to be redrawn and recalculated'for.stdnddrd- of signs ized effect within the Crossroads Shopping Center. Mr. Gene Barber, 915 Ferngrove Drive, San Jose, referred the Committee to .the printed work sheet which showed the allowable square footage for each applicant's sign and the proposed size for each. He requested approval for these representative ® standard sizes but said that neither color nor design could be standard- requests ized because of trademarks and possible identification. He pointed out approval that the approval requested also was for the construction of the signs, which included their being set one foot away from the wall. , Chairman Adams said that the Committee should treat this particular appli- cation in phases -- phase A being limited to the size of signs, plus their construction; phase B pertaining to Atwood's Import sign only; phase C application pertaining to the sign for Morris Fabrics; phase D to the Mervyn's sign to be treated at the west end of the building, and phase E to the free-standing Center in phases sign. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member Ryner and passed unani- approval of mously that phase A of Application 437-HC-69,for the size of signs only as phase "a" presented, be recommended for approval. Member Ryner pointed out that the printed agenda was in error as the wall agenda sign for Mervyn's store was to be on the west, not east, side of the correction .building. It was moved by Member Ryner, seconded by Member Small and passed unani- mously that phase B of Application 437-HC-69 be recommended for approval phase "b" as presented and submitted but that the additional lettering to be added approved in the lower righthand corner not be obtrusive and that the color and lighting be the same as shown. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren and passed unani- mously that phase C of Application 437-HC-69 be recommended for approval on1phase "c" the basis of the applicant's statement that the word "Morris" would be in approved acrylic rose color and the word "Fabrics" would be in turquoise blue. page 4 Minutes of H-Control July 22, 1970 HC-12 P request for slides by chairman mervyn's sign landscaping unsatis- factory lighting not approved phase "d" approved shopping center sign discussion of colors Chairman Adams wanted the record to show'that the other nine signs would be required to come before the Committee for approval. He also requested the applicant to have colored slides available for the Council so it could see specifically what had been recommended for approval. During the discussion of phase D, which is for the Mervyn sign at the west end of the building, it was said that this would consist of indi- vidual metal letters with plastic faces on a metal background. Each would be individually lighted and the overall size would be 2' X 17'. Member Ryner said this possibly was out of context and he was totally dis- satisfied with the landscaping of this development --- if that was a criterion on the control and standardization to be employed by the devel- oper, he was opposed to it. IMr. Dempster said that his client was in the audience and was most inter - jested in determining what the problem was and assured that corrective !action would be taken. Mr. Ryner said that no landscaping plans had come ;before the Committee, and consequently had not been approved by that Committee. The large trees that had been moved in had died, leaving but 'one juniper, and the planter area was smaller than what would be placed lin a residential yard. Chairman Adams.added that the lighting had not !been submitted to this Committee for approval either, but yet had been linstalled. Mr. Dempster offered to meet with Mr. Benevich and the owner to go over each item on a checklist, before taking' whatever corrective action was required. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren that phase D of Application 437-HC-69 be approved. The motion passed, with Member Ryner voting "no". During the discussion of the free-standing shopping center sign, it was stated that it would be of a stippled epoxy material, off-white in color. It would have self-contained lighting in all -metal cabinets behind plastic facing. It would be located right at the sidewalk area of the property line between the bank and the shopping center. It would be placed in a planter area. Member Small pointed out that the rendering submitted and the colored slide shown did not match and asked that this be corrected prior to the Council meeting. The colors of the sign were then discussed and it was determined that the wording for the bank would be white on green with bronze trim. The wording for Crossroads would be black letters on white and brown letters on white, and Atwood's would be white letters with black outline on red plus red letters, on white. Tine sign would be perpen- dicular to Stevens Creek Boulevard. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren and passed unani- phase "e" mously that phase E of Application 437-HC-69 be approved subject to the approved requirements that the sign area be'landscaped, the colored slide be cor- with rected, and that the sign include no other individual signs than what had conditions been approved. on council lat Chairman Adams advised the applicant that this would be before the Council agenda its meeting of August 3, 1970. 0 0 0 'I Minutes of H-Control July 22, 1970 page25 3. Application 438-HC-69, Sambo's Restaurant, 3760 State St., 438-HC-69 Santa Barbara, requesting approval to erect three wall legend signs (126+ sq. ft. total) at Sambo's Restaurant, located at 10385 S. Saratoga -Sunnyvale Road. Mr. Benevich said this had been continued from the previous meeting due to the inability of the applicant to be present. He then introduced Mr. Ron introduction Brenneman of Medford, Oregon, representing the Medford Aeon Company. of applicant Member McLaren said that at the previous meeting she had been concerned with the visible bracing on the roof sign and asked if there was any way it could be hidden. She did not care for this to be sitting on the tip of a sloping roof. Mr. Brenneman said that the support rods were but one- half inch in diameter and would not be that noticeable. For the total sign the letters are six inches in thickness, four feet two inches tall, and seventeen feet long. Considerable discussion ensued, the consensus of the Committee was that the roof sign as presented was objectionable. The applicant was advised roof sign ® that this particular property qualified for a ground sign, suggested objectionable `And that this be considered. The Committee was told that there was confusion to committee because of the three separate parcels. Because of the probability that a shopping center would be constructed here .and, if -so, aiground sign for this center would be wanted -on Sunnyvale -Saratoga Highway, and inasmuch as this particular parcel had the only frontage, a ground sign was being re- served for that purpose. Mr. Benevich pointed out that should this occur a variance would be required for parcels A and B before the installation ® of a sign on parcel C. Member Ryner said that he had noticed an alarming trend of the placing of signs on the fronts and sides of too many buildings. Chairman Adams asked the applicant if he would consider continuing this matter and coming back with a new proposal on the facts and information presented during this discussion, to which the reply was affirmative. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member Ryner and passed unani- 438-HC-69 mously that Application 438-HC-69 be continued. continued 4. Application 454-HC-70, Sterling Homes, Inc., 489 Division St., 454-HC-70 Campbell, requesting approval to install a 6 ft. masonry legend fence at the 140-unit townhouse complex located off Foothill Boulevard and north of Stevens Creek Boulevard. Mr. Pat O'Connell of Sterling Homes explained that the masonry fence I measurements would be 610 feet in length, which was considerably more than the require- of fence ment for this particular development. It would consist of individual 12-ft. concrete panels 6 feet high reinforced with 3-inch steel resting in two steel channels. He presented colored slides of the area and similar fences. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren and passed unani- 54-HC-70 ® mously that Application 454-HC-70 be recommended for approval as per the pproved plans submitted. Chairman Adams advised the applicant that this would be before the Council �Renda n council at its meeting of August 3, 1970. 1page 6 Minutes of H-Control July 22, 1970 HC-12 oversight to be corrected discussion on don's Dastrami 'city clerk to advise 'council mayf air 'market key chevrolet beautifica- tion of city corporation yard 1. Member McLaren commented it had been the policy and custom of the City to present former officers with certificates of appreciation. She noted that three former members of this Committee had not been so honored. They were Members Aguilar, Fitch and Youmans. Mr. Ryder said he thought this was entirely an oversight and the matter would be processed. 2. Member Ryner asked about the status of the deficiencies of the Don's Pastrami establishment and the Burger Chef. Mr. Benevich said that he had again informed the owners of Don's Pastrami that corrective action needs to be taken. He had been promised that it would be, but obviously nothing had been done yet. Member Small reminded the Committee that the City Attorney had said the Committee's powers are enforceable only through Council action. He wished the minutes of this meeting to stress that the City Council again was being requested to take appropriate action. It was moved by Member Small, seconded by Member McLaren and passed unanimously that the chief building official write to the Burger Chef Company asking for compliance with the conditions imposed. When asked by the Chairman, Mr. Ryder said that in his capacity as City Clerk he would see that this information was contained in the minutes, but also in his capacity as Acting City Manager and Ex-Officio member of this Committee he would inform the Council in a separate City Manager's Report of the feeling and position taken by this Committee. 3. Member Small asked by what authority the current outcropping of signs were being placed on the back of a building at the Mayfair Market Center. He said these were in violation of the ordinance and should be removed. Member Ryner said that there seemed to be a lack of enforcement as well as questionable practices by some firms. He commented that the old Key Chevrolet sign that had been removed from its pre- vious location now very cleverly'had been stored to the rear of the property, but in such a manner that it was clearly a commercial identification sign to motorists driving east on Stelling Road. He said he was not implying any malice but that this, too, was in violation of the ordinance. New Business 1. Mr. Benevich advised the members of the Committee that the City Council had requested the Committee undertake a project to arrive at recommendations for the beautification of the City Corporation Yard. He presented colored slides to orient the members as to the problem and the location of;the Yard. Different possibilities were discussed in general, and it was agreed that the members should individually make a personal inspection before further dis- cussion. U 40 Minutes of H-Control HC-12 page 9 2. Chairman Adams commented on the proposed changes in procedure to procedural ® improve the presentations, deliberations and record keeping of appli- changes on cations before this Committee. He said in view of the late hour and applications the absence of one member, he would postpone further discussion and postponed the taking of any formal action on suggestions that had been sub- mitted already. Adjournment It was moved by Member McLaren, seconded by Member Ryner and passed unani- adjournment mously that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was declared adjourned by Chairman Adams at 11:05 P.M. Submitted for approval, /14 61. /___ 217. C ty Clerk 0 /es