Sunnyvale

The Planning Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, City of Sunnyvale, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA on February 14, 2005 at 8:00p.m. with Chair Moylan presiding.

Members Present: Chair Chris Moylan, Vice Chair Chuck Hungerford; Commissioner Laura Babcock; Commissioner Jim Fussell, Commissioner Larry Klein, Commissioner David Simons and Commissioner Brandon Sulser

Staff Present: Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer; Rebecca Moon, Assistant City Attorney; Kelly Diekmann, Associate Planner; Andrew Miner, Associate Planner; and, Gloria Barron, Recording Secretary

1. 2004-0927 – Lowe’s HIW, Inc. [Applicant] Signetics Corporation [Owner]: Application for a Use Permit on a 24-acre site to allow the demolition of existing industrial buildings and the construction of a 141,379 square-foot retail store (Lowe’s) with associated site improvements. The property is located at 811 East Arques Avenue in an M-S (Industrial & Service) Zoning District. (APNs: 205-27-008 and 205-27-004) (Mitigated Negative Declaration) KD

ACTION: Comm. Simons made a motion on Item #2004-0927 to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve the Use Permit with modified conditions – 1) add condition 7S- (Backflow devices and other appurtenances are to be located in low visibility areas and are to include screening and covers as approved by the Director of Community Development) as part of the conditions; 2) revise condition 13f to state that it will not cost more than 5% of the development costs; 3) E.I.F.S material shall not be used as part of the development; 4) the City arborist shall work with staff to maximize the number of trees that can be re-located; 5) 1D shall include a submittal of a merchandising plan to staff for the review and approval of outdoor sales; 6) revised condition 9D shall include a modification stating that alternative options may be looked at for fixture type and lens type with pole heights up to 22-feet; and, 7) that condition #17 be modified to add “except up to 4 vehicles may be available for lease to patrons to deliver goods purchased on site”. Comm. Babcock seconded. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2. 2004-0920 – AT&T Wireless [Applicant] CPK Family Lp [Owner]: Application on a 20,875 square-foot site for a Special Development Permit to allow a co-location of six roof mounted antennas and associates equipment for a fourth provider on an existing building. The property is located at 958 East El Camino Real in a C-2/PD (Business Highway Business/Planned Development) Zoning District. (APN: 313-02-034) (Negative Declaration) RK

ACTION: Vice Chair Hungerford made a motion on Item #2004-0920 to adopt the Negative Declaration and approve the Special Development Permit with attached conditions plus two additional conditions: 1) the screening of the two antennas on the third floor shall be architecturally integrated into the building so that the texture and paint match the existing building; 2) that the emission study, after the antennas have been installed, look at the potential impact on the people staying in the motel and if levels exceed acceptable levels, appropriate mitigation measures will be taken. Comm. Sulser seconded. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.

3. 2005-0033 – Jack May [Applicant] Advanced Micro Devices Inc. [Owner]: Application for a Use Permit on a 3.3-acre site to allow demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new self-storage facility. The property is located at 1165 East Arques Avenue in an M-S (Industrial & Service) Zoning District. (APN: 205-24-013) RK

ACTION: Comm. Klein made a motion on Item 2004-0033 to approve the Use Permit with the attached conditions and recommend to the Arts Commission that a great deal of the Arts budget be used in murals on the front façade of the building and that the murals be considered as appropriate art work for the site. Comm. Sulser seconded. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.

4. 2004-0444 – City of Sunnyvale Study Issue – To consider revisions to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code 19.44 to allow additional commercial signage for Automobile Dealers and Large Retail Stores. DO (Also to City Council on 03/01/05)

ACTION: Comm. Babcock made a motion on Item #2004-0444 to adopt the Ordinance as recommended by staff with a request that staff continue to work with the automobile dealers and large businesses on taking a look at directional signs. Comm. Fussell seconded. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.

5. 2004-0166 – City of Sunnyvale Study Issue – To consider modifications to the height and story limit within the R-3 (Medium Residential) Zoning (Negative Declaration) RK (Also to City Council on 03/08/05)

ACTION: Comm. Babcock made a motion on Item #2004-0166 to introduce an ordinance to amend the Municipal Code concerning an increase in the maximum height to 35’ and an increase in the number of stories to 3, in R-3 Zoning District. Chair Hungerford seconded. Motion carried 6-1 with Comm. Simons dissenting.

Ms. Ryan reported that the agenda for City Council of January 25 included an appeal of a Monopine located on Sunset Avenue and stated that the applicant withdrew the application prior to the public hearing based on concerns that they saw for another cellular facility in another part of town. She then reported that the French American School appeal was heard by the City Council that same evening and noted that the applicant expressed concerns with the requirement for the traffic and circulation study. Ms. Ryan stated that Council approved the requirement for the traffic and circulation study as an advisory report and directed staff to work with the school district to determine which of the recommendations could be implemented. Ms. Ryan then spoke about an item on Poplar Avenue for the construction of three new homes and stated that the Council approved the project with a 55% Floor Area Ratio. Next, Ms. Ryan spoke about a project on Evelyn Avenue with a Use Permit for 45% Floor Area Ratio and a Variance for rear yard setback. She indicated that between Planning Commission and Council hearings the applicant prepared and presented additional information to staff about other properties in the area regarding setbacks. Based on the additional information Council approved the Variance and the Use Permit. Ms. Ryan commented on a study also heard by Council concerning Hours of Construction for attached housing. She stated that last year Council changed the hours of construction to decrease slightly for homeowners and this item further limited owners of attached housing. Furthermore, Ms. Ryan reported that on February 1 staff presented an item to Council concerning a 1.5 million dollar project for Downtown Public Improvements and recommended that the priorities presented move forward for construction and design. She noted that two of the projects presented deal with the Historic Murphy Avenue area and potential upgrades to the sidewalk. Ms. Ryan stated that staff will continue to seek grant funding for all of the projects on the list. She then stated that on February 15 the Council will be considering an initiation of a General Plan Amendment for the Oasis Mobile Home Park. She clarified to the Commission that Council would determine whether or not to accept an application to study a change to the general plan land use designation. She then stated that an appeal for a Large Day Care Facility on Old San Francisco Road would also be reviewed by the Council that evening. Ms. Ryan added that the application on Wolfe Road for the construction of eight Single-Family homes will also be reviewed by Council on February 15.

Ms. Ryan informed the Commission that an appeal was received on the telecommunication facility on Carlisle Way and will be forwarded to the City Council. She then stated that the first request for a condominium conversion for an older apartment complex was filed.

Ms. Ryan thanked Gloria Barron, Recording Secretary, for attending the meeting and stated that she will also be attending the February 28 Planning Commission. She added that the new Administrative Aide might attend the hearing to say hello and meet the Commission.