PC 09-23-91
CITY OF CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
10300 Torre Avenue
cupertino, CA. 95014
(408) 252-4505
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1991
SALUTE TO THE FLAG:
ROLL CALL:
commissioners Present:
Chairman Mackenzie
Vice Chairman Fazekas
Commissioner Mahoney
Commissioner Austin
commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Mann
staff Present:
Robert Cowan, Director of
Community Development
Ciddy Wordell, City Planner
Travice Whitten, Assistant city Engineer
steve Dowling, Director of Parks &
Recreation
Cheryl Kershner, Deputy City Attorney
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
SECOND:
VOTE:
ABSENT:
Com. Austin moved to approve the minutes of September 9,
1991, as presented
Com. Fazekas
Passed 4-0
Com. Mann
MOTION:
POSTPONEMENTS OR NEW AGENDA ITEMS:
2. Application 5-TM-91 - Richard and Nellie Gracia - Staff
request continuance
SECOND:
VOTE:
ABSENT:
Com. Fazekas moved to continue application 5-TM-91 to the
meeting of October 28, 1991.
Com. Àustin
Passed 4-0
Com. Mann
MOTION:
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
- None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
- None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of september 23, 1991
Page 2
CONSENT CALENDAR:
- None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. APPLICATION 3-GPA-90 - CITY OF CUPERTINO: ADJOURNED PUBLIC
HEARING to continue discussion of the General Plan, including
goals and technical analysis.
Staff Presentation: City Planner Wordell presented the staff
report. She noted the police section will be discussed at this
hearing. In answer to questions raised by the Planning Commission
about school funding, Ms. Wordell stated the School District
described where the funding will come from. She noted the schools
could meet the alternatives with the facilities they have, but if
reserved schools were opened new funding sources would have to be
identified. When going through the analysis she stated some
mitigation will have to be developed. A possibility is to raise
the school impact fees or find additional funding.
with regards to the Library, the Library Commission stated there
are no plans to fund additional space as yet. If more space is
needed older items will be weeded out to make room for new items.
Ms. Wordell stated if expansion is needed the funds would have to
come from the City, because the County has not identified funding
for expansion of the facilities.
with regards to the cost of recycling programs, the City has funded
some public relations programs to publicize the benefits of
recycling. There are no city costs at this time. with regards to
penalties, if the reduction required by the state is not met, the
penalty can be up to $10,000 a day.
City Planner Wordell described the Police Alternatives. The
Sheriff's Department provide several services to the city. They
have estimated some costs of what it cost for the hypothetical
al ternati ves. The existing contract is for $3,464,045.00, the
intermediate is $3,799,045.00 and the increase is $4,039,045.00.
The Sheriff's Department stated commercial development would
require the most service. They stated that increased growth can
bring about increased traffic, which can reduce speeding problems,
but also increase congestion and results in more traffic accidents.
It could also force traffic onto neighborhood streets and this is
a concern.
city Planner Wordell explained the policy options as outlined in
the staff report. Buildings should be designed with security taken
into consideration. Traffic should be functional on the main
streets and not impose on the neighborhood streets.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of september 23, 1991
Page 3
City Planner Wordell presented a chart outlining neighborhood parks
and schools with joint agreement areas. She noted the neighborhood
parks are one section in meeting the citywide park and recreational
needs. Usable school yards are included in the park space.
Sedgewick, Monta vista and Cupertino High Schools are included as
part of the usable school areas. Homestead high School was not
included because it is on the edge of the city and only serves a
small portion of the population, therefore not considered a
community resource
In response to Com. Fazekas' question Mr. Dowling stated the method
used when calculating parks is consistent with other cities. He
noted the Standard the City use is a National Recreation & Park
Association Guideline. Most communities include school yards.
Ms. Wordell stated that using the national guideline, the existing
park and recreational spaces exceed the 3 acres per 1000 population
with the ratio at 4.13. Several of the combined neighborhoods are
below the 3 acres per 1000. Ms. Wordell presented a radius map
indicating the combined neighborhoods. Neighborhood G - no land
available; Neighborhood 0 close enough to existing park;
Neighborhood N - will provide parks privately.
She noted the General Plan states that each resident should be
within a half mile walk of a park. Ms. Wordell pointed out the
differences of the radius map presented and the radius map in the
General Plan. The barriers indicated are Stevens Creek, De Anza,
Stelling Rd., Part of Calabasas Creek, Wolfe Rd., Miller Ave., part
of Foothill Blvd., HWy 85 and Southern Pacific Railroad. Some
neighborhoods do fallout of the half mile radius, these were
pointed out.
City Planner Wordell went on to talk about current funding. She
stated park dedication fees is a source of funding. The existing
General Plan states to consider buying school property if it
becomes available. To complete the existing General Plan or beyond
this, it would require identification of funding. Other resources
of funding was discussed. Ms. Wordell stated in the Western Hills,
acreage has been set aside for county parks and open space.
When looking at the alternatives, Ms. Wordell pointed out were
additional housing may be and the demand for more parks in the
Intermediate and Increased Alternatives.
Ms. Wordell pointed out some of the possible solutions. She stated
the Parks Commission has identified some areas for additional
neighborhood parks. They also looked at needs to service people on
Foothill Blvd. The Parks Commission noted linkages is direction
for the future. There may be joint ventures with developers or
park dedication rather than park fees. She noted the Parks
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Regular Meeting of September 23, 1991
Page 4
Commission will be meeting October 3, 1991 to discuss the issues in
more detail.
Mr. steve Dowling, Director of Parks & Recreation, noted there are
four components to the park system: neighborhood parks; special
recreation facilities; school sites; open space and trail linkage.
Com. Fazekas expressed concern regarding neighborhoods not within
the half mile radius.
Mr. Dowling stated previously Stelling Road was not considered a
barrier and the residents east of Stelling Road are served by
Memorial Park. He noted the definition of the barrier can change.
Com. Fazekas questioned the possibility of upgrading Calabasas
creek to a linear park. In response, Mr. Dowling stated this has
not been looked into, but can be considered. He noted many homes
back up to the creek leaving no space for a trail system. He noted
the first step the Parks Commission would take is to look at
upgrading the creek and to identify the desirability and a
potential route, then to investigate with the jurisdictions
involved.
Mr. Dowling explained the minimum park size. He noted the current
General Plan set a minimum of 3 1/2 acres for two reasons: 1)
economy of maintenance, 2) minimum space required for a soccer or
baseball field is 3+ acres. He noted the Parks & Recreation
Commission would like to stay at this minimum with specific
exceptions.
In response to Com. Mahoney's question, Mr. Dowling stated the half
mile radius is a desirable objective, but there may not be land
available in certain neighborhoods.
In response to Chr. Mackenzie's question regarding the change from
the existing General Plan, Mr. Dowling stated the city has
increased park acreage city wide. He feels the new proposals are
more conservative. He outlined the new parks acquired and the
total acreage.
Chr. Mackenzie opened the public hearing.
city Planner Wordell stated the next General Plan meeting will be
October 22, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be
Wednesday, October 16, 1991 at 6:45 p.m.
REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
Com. Fazekas reported on the Grand Blvd. Committee. He noted there
were no decisions. Mr. Cowan stated a consensus report will be
written and presented to the Committee at the October 9, 1991
meeting.