RM-2020-018 Action Letter CITY OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PLANNING DIVISION
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
TELEPHONE: (408) 777-3308 • FAX: (408) 777-3333
CUPERTINO CUPERTINO.ORG
September 11,2020
Archana Jain
1631 Villarita Drive
Campbell, CA 95008
SUBJECT: MINOR RESIDENTIAL PERMIT ACTION LETTER-Application
RM-2020-018
This letter confirms the decision of the Director of Community Development, given on
September 11, 2020 approving a Minor Residential Permit (RM-2020-018) to allow for a
portion of a new single-story residence to encroach approximately 8-feet into the required
rear-yard setback located at 20320 Michael Court,with the following conditions:
1. APPROVED EXHIBITS
The approval is based on a plan set entitled'Jain Residence,20320 Michael Ct.,Cupertino,
CA 95014", consisting of 14 sheets labeled "A0.1, A0.1A, A1.1, A1.2, A2.0, A2.OA, A2.1,
A2.3, A3.0, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A3.6, and Cl" except as may be amended by conditions in
this resolution.
2. ANNOTATION OF THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The conditions of approval set forth shall be incorporated into and annotated on the
building plans.
3. ACCURACY OF THE PROJECT PLANS
The applicant/property owner is responsible to verify all pertinent property data
including but not limited to property boundary locations, building setbacks, property
size, building square footage, any relevant easements and/or construction records. Any
misrepresentation of property data may invalidate this approval and may require
additional review.
4. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC WORKS CONFIRMATION FORM
The project shall comply with the requirements indicated on the Public Works
Confirmation form dated June 18, 2020, including, but not limited to, dedications,
easements, off-site improvements,undergrounding of utilities, all necessary agreements,
and utility installations/relocations as deemed necessary by the Director of Public Works
and required for public health and safety.The Public Works Confirmation is a preliminary
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review, and is not an exhaustive review of the subject development. Additional
requirements may be established and implemented during the construction permitting
process. The project construction plans shall address these requirements with the
construction permit submittal, and all required improvements shall be completed to the
satisfaction of the Director of Public Works prior to final occupancy.
5. CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS
The applicant is responsible to consult with other departments and/or agencies with
regard to the proposed project for additional conditions and requirements. Any
misrepresentation of any submitted data may invalidate an approval by the Community
Development Department.
6. EXTERIOR BUILDING MATERIALS/TREATMENTS
The final building exterior plan shall closely resemble the details shown on the original
approved plans. Final building exterior treatment plan (including but not limited to
details on exterior color, materials, architectural treatments, doors, windows, lighting
fixtures, and/or embellishments) shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of
Community Development prior to issuance of building permits to ensure quality and
consistency. Any exterior changes determined to be substantial by the Director of
Community Development shall either require a modification to this permit or a new
permit based on the extent of the change.
7. LANDSCAPE PROTECT SUBMITTAL
Prior to issuance of building permits, the applicant shall submit a full Landscape
Documentation Package, per sections 14.15.050 A, B, C, and D of the Landscape
Ordinance, for projects with landscape area 500 square feet or more or elect to submit a
Prescriptive Compliance Application per sections 14.15.040 A, B, and C for projects with
landscape area between 500 square feet and 2,500 square feet. The Landscape
Documentation Package or Prescriptive Compliance Application shall be reviewed and
approved to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development prior to issuance
of building permits, and additional requirements per sections 14.15.040 D, E, F, and G or
14.15.050 E, F, G, H, and I will be required to be reviewed and approved prior to final
inspections.
8. DEMOLITION REQUIREMENTS
All demolished building and site materials shall be recycled to the maximum extent
feasible subject to the Building Official. The applicant shall provide evidence that
materials were recycled prior to issuance of final demolition permits.
9. DUST CONTROL
The following construction practices shall be implemented during all phases of
construction for the proposed project to prevent visible dust emissions from leaving the
site:
a. Water all active construction areas at least twice daily and more often during
windy periods to prevent visible dust from leaving the site; active areas
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adjacent to windy periods; active areas adjacent to existing land uses shall be
kept damp at all times, or shall be treated with non-toxic stabilizers or dust
palliatives.
b. Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand, and other loose materials or require all
trucks to maintain at least 2 feet of freeboard;
c. Pave,apply water at least three times daily,or apply(non-toxic)soil stabilizers
on all unpaved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at construction
sites.
d. Sweep streets daily, or more often if necessary (preferably with water
sweepers)if visible soil material is carried onto adjacent public streets.
e. The applicant shall incorporate the City's construction best management
practices into the building permit plan set.
10. GRADING AND CONSTRUCTION HOURS AND NOISE LIMITS
a. All grading activities shall be limited to the dry season(April 15 to October 1),
unless permitted otherwise by the Director of Public works.
b. Construction hours and noise limits shall be compliant with all requirements
of Chapter 10.48 of the Cupertino Municipal Code.
c. Grading, street construction, underground utility and demolition hours for
work done more than 750 feet away from residential areas shall be limited to
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to
6 p.m. Grading, street construction, demolition or underground utility work
within 750 feet of residential areas shall not occur on Saturdays, Sundays,
holidays, and during the nighttime period as defined in Section 10.48.053(b)of
the Municipal Code.
d. Construction activities shall be limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8
p.m.and Saturday and Sunday,9 a.m.to 6 p.m. Construction activities are not
allowed on holidays as defined in Chapter 10.48 of the Municipal Code. Night
time construction is allowed if compliant with nighttime standards of Section
10.48 of the Cupertino Municipal Code.
e. Rules and regulations pertaining to all construction activities and limitations
identified in this permit, along with the name and telephone number of an
applicant appointed disturbance coordinator, shall be posted in a prominent
location at the entrance to the job site.
f. The applicant shall be responsible for educating all contractors and
subcontractors of said construction restrictions.
The applicant shall comply with the above grading and construction hours and noise limit
requirements unless otherwise indicated
11. INDEMNIFICATION
As part of the application,to the fullest extent permitted by law,the applicant shall agree
to indemnify, defend with the attorneys of the City's choice, and hold harmless the City,
its City Council, and its officers, employees, and agents (collectively, the "indemnified
parties") from and against any liability, claim, action, cause of action, suit, damages,
judgment, lien, levy, or proceeding (collectively referred to as "proceeding") brought by
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a third party against one or more of the indemnified parties or one or more of the
indemnified parties and the applicant related to any Ordinance, Resolution, or action
approving the project,the related entitlements,environmental review documents,finding
or determinations, or any other permit or approval authorized for the project. The
indemnification shall include but not be limited to damages, fees, and costs awarded
against the City, if any, and cost of suit, attorneys' fees, and other costs, liabilities, and
expenses incurred in connection with such proceeding whether incurred by the Applicant,
the City,or the parties initiating or bringing such proceeding.
The applicant shall agree to (without limitation) reimburse the City its actual attorneys'
fees and costs incurred in defense of the litigation. Such attorneys' fees and costs shall
include amounts paid to the City's outside counsel and shall include City Attorney time
and overhead costs and other City staff overhead costs and any costs directly related to
the litigation reasonably incurred by City.The applicant shall likewise agree to indemnify,
defend, and hold harmless the indemnified parties from and against any damages,
attorneys' fees, or costs awards, including attorneys' fees awarded under Code of Civil
Procedure section 1021.5, assessed or awarded against the indemnified parties. The
Applicant shall cooperate with the City to enter a Reimbursement Agreement to govern
any such reimbursement.
The Applicant shall agree to (without limitation) reimburse the City for all costs incurred
in additional investigation or study of, or for supplementing, redrafting, revising, or
amending,any document(such as an Environmental Impact Report,negative declaration,
specific plan, or general plan amendment) if made necessary by proceedings challenging
the project approvals and related environmental review, if the applicant desires to
continue to pursue the project.
The Applicant shall agree that the City shall have no liability to the Applicant for business
interruption,punitive, speculative, or consequential damages.
12. NOTICE OF FEES,DEDICATIONS, RESERVATIONS OR OTHER EXACTIONS
The Conditions of Project Approval set forth herein may include certain fees, dedication
requirements, reservation requirements, and other exactions. Pursuant to Government
Code Section 66020(d) (1),these Conditions constitute written notice of a statement of the
amount of such fees, and a description of the dedications, reservations, and other
exactions. You are hereby further notified that the 90-day approval period in which you
may protest these fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions, pursuant to
Government Code Section 66020(a),has begun. If you fail to file a protest within this 90-
day period complying with all of the requirements of Section 66020, you will be legally
barred from later challenging such exactions.
Please note that if this permit is not vested within a year,it shall expire on September
11,2021.
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Staff received following public comments from three property owners(staff's response is
in italics):
• An adjacent property owner commented that the 4.5'increase in total building
height to the proposed single-story residence will create privacy concerns for
his/her property.
Staff recorded the public comment, shared the comment with the subject property
owners/applicant,and responded to the commenter. Staff explained that the Cupertino
Municipal Code does not govern privacy mitigation for single-story residences. Any
privacy mitigation measures agreed upon by the affected property owner and subject
property owners will be considered a civil matter and therefore unable to be enforced
by the City.
As a potential solution,the affected property owner may work with the subject property
owners and applicant to resolve the privacy impact concerns through: (1) increasing
the rear fence height up to 8' with a Fence Approval Form and approved Building
Permit and/or(2) installing privacy screening landscape on the subject property. The
subject property owners are amenable to the adjacent property owner's request and
will coordinate with the property owner accordingly.
• An adjacent property owner commented with concerns that the proposed
residence would encroach into adjacent property boundaries.
Staff recorded the public comment, shared the comment with the subject property
owners/applicant, and responded to the commenter. Staff clarified that the Minor
Residential Permit is to allow an 8'encroachment into the required rear-yard setback
on the subject property and does not permit the proposed residence to encroach into
adjacent property boundaries. The Single-Family Ordinance (CMC Chapter 19.28)
allows for a single-story encroachment of up to 10' into the required 20' rear-yard
setback with a Minor Residential Permit provided that the remaining useable rear yard
is at least 20 times the lot width as measured from the front setback line. The proposed
project complies with the useable rear-yard requirement and meets all other required
setback restrictions.
• An adjacent property owner requested clarification on the public comment
process for the project.
Staff recorded the correspondence and responded to the commenter. Staff provided
information on the public comment process and discussed the project details with the
property owner.
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Staff has made all the findings that are required for approval of a Minor Residential Permit
as required and no additional conditions were placed as a condition for approval by
Cupertino's Municipal Code, Chapter 19.28.140 (A).
1. The project is consistent with the Cupertino General Plan, any applicable specific plans,
zoning ordinances and the purposes of this title.
The proposed project is consistent with the General Plan as the project is within the Low
Density land use area. There are no applicable specific plans that affect the project. The
project has been found to be consistent with the requirements of Cupertino Municipal
Code Chapter 19.28 Single Family(R-1) Residential.
2. The granting of the permit will not result in a condition that is detrimental or injurious to
property improvements in the vicinity, and will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or
welfare.
The granting of the permit will not result in a condition that is detrimental or injurious to
property improvements in the vicinity, and will not be detrimental to the public health,
safety or welfare as the projects is located within the R1-7.5 (Single Family Residential)
zoning district, and will be compatible with the surrounding uses of the neighborhood.
3. The proposed project is harmonious in scale and design with the general neighborhood.
The proposed project is located in a residential area consisting of single family homes.The
proposed project maintains the single-family home scale found compatible with the
general neighborhood.
4. Adverse visual impacts on adjoining properties have been reasonably mitigated.
Any potential adverse impacts on adjoining properties have been reasonably mitigated
through setback conformance.
Also, please note that an appeal of this decision can be made within fourteen (14)
calendar days from the date of this letter (Friday, September 25 at 5:00 p.m.). If this
happens,you will be notified of a public hearing,which will be scheduled before the
Planning Commission. Please find a copy of the appeal form attached for your
convenience and to ensure your health and safety during the COVID pandemic (also
available online at: www.cul2ertino.org/121anningforms.) The completed appeal form and
filing fee must be received by the deadline to appeal and may be submitted in one of the
following ways:
1. Preferred:Email the completed form to cityclerk@cupertino.org and call(408)
777-3223 between 7:30AM-5:30PM (M-Th) and 7:30AM-4:30PM(F) to arrange
for payment by credit card.
2. Other options:
a. Mail the completed form and a check in the amount of$277 to Attn: City
Clerk, City of Cupertino, 10300 Torre Avenue, CA 95014.
b. Obtain an appointment to file the appeal by contacting the City Clerk by
email or phone(see contact information above).
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Please contact the City Clerk's office for additional guidance and instructions on how to
file.
Sincerely,
�2G4Q 106,"Zla,
Erika Poveda
Associate Planner
City of Cupertino
Enclosures:
Approved Plan Set
CC: Amit and Anushka Jain,20320 Michael Ct., Cupertino, CA 95014
Randy Pang, 20329 Gillick Way, Cupertino, CA 95014
Mila Lietzke and Mary Abalateo, 20328 Michael Ct., Cupertino, CA 95014
Milind Naphade,20343 Gillick Way, Cupertino, CA 95014