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CC 09-14-05 · CUPERJINO APPROVED MINUTES CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL Regular Adjourned Meeting Tuesday, September 14,2005 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE At 6:08 p.m. Mayor Kwok called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber, 10350 Torre A venue, Cupertino, California, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL City Council members present: Mayor Patrick Kwok, Vice-Mayor Richard Lowenthal, and Council members Sandra James, Dolly Sandoval, and Kris Wang. Council members absent: none. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None Mayor Kwok reordered the agenda to take up item number 3 next. NEW BUSINESS 3. Adopt a resolution appropriating $25,000 to the Santa Clara Valley Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief aid, Resolution No. 05-158. City Manager David Knapp reviewed the staff report. Deborah Hill said that people who lost pets to Hurricane Katrina might have difficulty coping, and that children also need someone talk to. She encouraged people to donate to the American Red Cross and other organizations, or to volunteer their time, as she planned to do. Mayor Kwok asked residents to assist in any way possible by calling 1-800-HELP NOW. James/Lowenthal moved and seconded to adopt Resolution No. 05-158. The motion carried unanimously. Mayor Kwok reordered the agenda to take up item number 2 next. September 14,2005 Cupertino City Council Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. General Plan update, Application Nos. GP A-2004-01 and EA-2004-17, City of Cupertino, Citywide. (This item was continued rrom the meeting of September 6). City Planner Ciddy Wordell highlighted the topics of discussion, which included the Environmental Resources element, the Health and Safety element, and the draft Environmental Impact Report (ErR). Donald Woolfe rrom Planning Resource Associates gave a PowerPoint presentation on sustainability and defined it as a means of creating environments today that will not cause negatively impact future generations through the depletion of natural resources. The recommendations included: Appointing a task force or commission to develop and oversee a comprehensive annual Sustainability and Resource Plan for Cupertino; energy conservation through retrofitting; and the Green Buildings program, which uses materials and design to reduce energy consumption and material use in order to be sensitive to the environment. Ted Sayre rrom Cotton Shires Association made a PowerPoint presentation on the Geological, and Health and Safety element. He highlighted geotechnical hazards; liquefaction; seismic and geological hazards maps; the Cupertino Quadrangle Preliminary report; photos of different sites; and risk reduction/mitigation measures. Al Morales made a PowerPoint presentation on the draft ErR. He highlighted topics which included land use; circulation; open space, parks and trails; visual/aesthetics qualities; air quality; public services and utilities; wildlife and vegetation; noise; geology and seismicity; floods, drainage and water quality; population, housing and jobs; hazardous materials; historical and cultural resources; energy; mineral resources; and consistency with existing plans. Wordell continued with a PowerPoint presentation, which highlighted the topics of sustainability, circulation, and the proposed 1 % for Art program. At 7: 15 p.m. the public hearing was opened. Geofrrey Paulsen, Chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission, supported re-inserting language regarding balancing a level of service with pedestrians and bicyclists. He said the commission is concerned about safety, and it is good for smart growth to encourage walkability by not emphasizing traffic flow only. Mike Bullock talked about cash out for car parks. He said he made a change to his charts in anticipation of the Chamber of Commerce concerns, and distributed copies of the charts to staff. September 14, 2005 Cupertino City Council Page 3 Rusty Britt expressed concern about Council's approval of General Plan Amendments permitting urban developments. She suggested that the general standard for housing density be 15 housing units per net acre, and 30 units per net acre at Valleo Park Planning District; City voters in an election would approve any exceptions outside the limitations. Ned Britt talked about how housing density affects school population, and how the numbers discussed during the draft EIR presentation should be examined. Beverley Bryant, representing the Home Builders Association of Northern California, Southern Division, said that the California Home Builders all comply with Title 24, the California Energy Efficiency Standards, and are 30% more energy efficient than homes built in the rest of the country. She asked Council not to impose additional requirements because homes would become much more expensive, and encouraged incentives for future homeowners. Steven Scharf said that bike lanes are needed on Torre and Vista; the pedestrian signal at Stevens Creek and Torre should have a higher priority; Pacifica needs to be widened where the barrier gate used to be; and that traffic-calming measures are needed on Pacifica and Farallone. He requested that staff look into ways to make it safer for kids going to school. Council suggested that Mr. Scharf attend a Bicycle Pedestrian Commission meeting, or email the commissioners to share his suggestions. Roberta Hollimon encouraged Council to support the public art policy and the I % for art program. She also said that the school studies that have been done all say that standard density produces fewer students than low density. Marty Miller supported the changes to Policy 2-70 to remove the language regarding locating creek trails on opposite sides of the creek ITom residential development. He also encouraged the Council to remove the Regnart Creek trail ITom the General Plan due to safety issues. Mark Bums, representing the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, encouraged higher density housing than 15 units per acre to provide more housing, especially around shopping areas. Deborah Hill said that Cupertino needs more housing, especially for low-income residents. Chris Draper, Govemment Affairs Coordinator for the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, encouraged an incentive-based approach to green buildings rather than increasing the costs of housing production. He also noted that the Cupertino zoning code allows leniency for homes that install solar panels. Norm Hackford encouraged setbacks of 35 feet; 15 units per net acre of housing density and 30 units in Valleo; height limits of 35 feet and 45 feet in Valleo; and said that the General Plan shouldn't include reference to the streetscape plan without public input. September 14, 2005 Cupertino City Council Page 4 Tom Hugunin said that the General Plan should give more guidance regarding the placement of cellular towers. He suggested that the City could be a primary partner with the wireless carriers in placing aesthetic wireless installation on major thoroughfares like Stevens Creek and De Anza Blvd. Ciddy Wordell noted the next items for discussion on September 20, including an additional topic on hillside land use on Lindy Lane, development allocation, building heights, and cohesive commercial centers (economic development). She said that the goal is to have Council begin decision-making on October 4, and have final approval of the General Plan and the ErR on November 1. Mayor Kwok reordered the agenda to take up item number I next. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING CLOSED SESSION - None CLOSED SESSION 1. Pending litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(a), Mike Honda et al. v. Kimberly Smith et aI., Superior Court Case Number 105CV047535. (No documentation in packet). Council recessed to a closed session ITom 7:53 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 8:11 p.m. The City Attorney announced that no action had been taken. ADJOURNMENT At 8:12 p.m. the meeting was adjoumed ~~ìJJ- Grace Schmidt, Deputy City Clerk For more information: Staff reports, backup materials, and items distributed at the meeting are available for review at the City Clerk's Office, 777-3223, and also on the Internet at www.cupertino.org.Click on Agendas & Minutes/ City Council/ Packets. Most Council meetings are shown live on Cable Channel 26, and are available at your convenience ITom our web site. Visit www.cupertino.org and click on Watch Meetings. Videotapes are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased ITom the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.