CITY OF SUNNYVALE
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
2005-0144 – Craig Colvin [Applicant] Dollinger Oakmead Associates, Lp [Owner]: Application for a Use Permit on a 1.7-acre site to allow a wood shop and instructional classes (woodworking). The property is located at 452 Oakmead Parkway (near E Arques Ave) in an M-S (Industrial & Service) Zoning District. (APN: 216-44-024) TZ
In attendance: Craig Colvin, Applicant; Tamirisa Apparao; Steve Woffard; Gerri Caruso, Administrative Hearing Officer; and, Gloria Barron, Recording Secretary.
Ms. Gerri Caruso, Administrative Hearing Officer, on behalf of the Director of Community Development, explained the format that would be observed during the public hearing.
Ms. Caruso presented the staff report on behalf of Teresa Zarrin, Project Planner. She announced that she read the staff report and reviewed the Conditions of Approval with the project planner.
Ms. Caruso opened the public hearing.
Craig Colvin, Applicant, stated that he received and reviewed a copy of the staff report. He agreed to all the Conditions of Approval recommended by staff. Ms. Caruso reviewed the hours of operation with Mr. Colvin.
Tamirisa Apparoa, SHI-APD, explained the type of business SHI-APD was. He then stated that he had concerns with the proposed application due to saw dust the woodshop may produce. He further stated that the application was incompatible with the type of conditions they were trying to create for their business. He added that vibration produced by the equipment and noise may impact their work. Mr. Apparoa also expressed concern with parking with students coming and going.
Ms. Caruso stated that based on the hours proposed, parking should not be an issue due to classes being held in the evening when other users have a lower parking requirement. Ms. Caruso then referred to the noise issue and asked staff what the noise requirement was between industrial users. Staff was not aware of the noise requirement at the time. Mr. Apparoa explained that their application lab needs to be clean at all times from particles and dust. Ms. Caruso asked Mr. Apparoa if he had design plans available of the clean room that showed the ventilation plan. Mr. Apparoa did not have an answer at the time.
Mr. Apparoa then spoke on behalf of another high tech company that is adjacent to the subject property. He stated that they will not be able to test their products if there is any noise. He then stated that some products have to be tested for 24-hours before they are shipped out to the customer. Ms. Caruso stated that no information was received in writing from them and suggested that if she continues the hearing if they could provide information prior to the final decision.
Steve Wofford, stated that the company he represents is more sales and sales administration. He stated that his concern was with vibration and potential noise. He also had concern with dust and particles from activities produced from the woodshop. Mr. Wofford stated that at various times they do have large meetings and expressed concern with parking.
Mr. Miner suggested adding a Condition of Approval to state that the doors to the business remain closed during business hours to contain any dust in the building.
Mr. Colvin stated that he is very cognizant of the fact that he will be generating noise and dust in his shop. He stated that he spoke to the tenant, not present, about his concerns with noise. He added that he proposed building a sound barrier between his shop and the tenant’s business. Also, he stated that some testing was done to see if the noise levels were significantly high. Mr. Colvin then spoke about the HVAC system and stated that it is separate. He added that the HVAC system draws from the front area and releases air into the area where the saw dust will be. He noted that every piece of equipment will have a dust collection system that will collect about 80% of the dust. He then noted that every 10 minutes an air filtration system will turn over the air. Mr. Colvin then referred to parking and stated that he felt parking would not be an issue since most of his business is during the evening and on the weekends.
Ms. Caruso closed the public hearing.
Ms. Caruso continued the application until Monday, April 4, 2005 and stated that staff would have an internal dialogue with the Building Division regarding general building codes and standard codes. Ms. Caruso noted in the industrial area a woodshop is permitted but because of the class he will offer it has opened it up to a higher level of review.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45p.m.
Addendum
Ms. Caruso approved the Use Permit with added conditions of approval regarding testing and verification from a registered mechanical engineer regarding the filtration system and vibration.
Ms. Caruso stated that the decision is final unless appealed to the Planning Commission with payment of the appeal fee within the 15-day appeal period.
Minutes approved by:
Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner