CITY OF SUNNYVALE
HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Draft Minutes
 Wednesday, June 4, 2003
6:30PM
West Conference Room
Sunnyvale City Hall

PUBLIC HEARING
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Comm. Hopkins; Comm. McQueen; Vice Chair Reid ; and Chair Shoemaker
Staff: Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner; Steve Lynch. Associate Planner; and Joey Mariano, Staff Office Assistant, Recording Secretary.
Excused Absence: Comm. Pang; Comm. Love                         Unexcused Absence: Comm. Rau
Guests: Mayor Julia Miller and Sunnyvale Resident Elizabeth Steward
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (5 minutes)
A.  Minutes of May 7, 2003

Comm. Mc Queen moved to approve the minutes of May 7, 2003. Comm. Hopkins seconded.

Motion carried unanimously 6-0 with Comm. Pang, Comm. Rau and Comm. Love absent.
B.  Visit with Mayor Julia Miller
Chair Shoemaker welcomes Mayor Miller to the Commission meeting.
Mayor Miller noted that she is present to sit in and listen to their views of the items on the agenda.
Mayor Miller asked the Commission if they were involved with the Wayfinding System. The Commission responded that they attended the Joint Study Session with City Council and the Planning Commission on the Wayfinding System on April 22, at the Library
Comm. Mc Queen asked the Mayor regarding the latter item on the agenda previously brought up regarding the Murphy Avenue Streetscape, and possible closure of Murphy Avenue.
Mayor Miller responded that an outside consultant was hired to look at the current streetscape and further noted the history of the development of Murphy Avenue. Chair Shoemaker noted that closing off the street during certain events is a good idea and is more favored than allowing traffic on Murphy during large events.
Comm. Mc Queen suggested to maybe expand the businesses through part of the street and to have Murphy Avenue a one way street. Mayor Miller noted that Murphy Avenue is truly the City’s "Downtown". She further noted that she would like to see several ideas to dress up Murphy Avenue during the year but the cost and effort to have all of these items need to be weighed.
Mayor Miller further noted that there is a fund of 1.7 million dollars put aside to help the downtown businesses during the construction phase. She further noted that the funds has not been used and that she would like some suggestions from the Commission what these funds should be used for. She noted that she would like to see the funds be used to upgrade hardscape features around downtown.
Chair Shoemaker noted that suggestions should be discussed at the next Heritage Preservation Commission meeting.
3. OPEN FORUM
Elizabeth Steward, resident re-introduces herself from the last Heritage meeting. She noted that she has submitted her application for this Commission and that her appointment to City Council is on June 16. The Mayor and Commission welcomed her to the meeting.
4. COMMISSION OLD BUSINESS
None
5. COMMISSION NEW BUSINESS
A.  Review proposed application fees for FY 2003-2004
Steve Lynch, Associate Planner, summarized RTC 03-192 and stated the proposed fees for Heritage Preservation. The commission went over the report and stated no objection to the proposed fees.
Chair Shoemaker noted that the proposed fees seem reasonable and noted no objection to the proposed fee increases. She asked staff regarding the Landmark Alteration fees from $68 dollars to $150 dollars and what the increase is based on. Steve Lynch explained the basis of the increase.
Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner, stated that this fee for time extension of a Landmark Alteration permit is not common.
Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner noted about Landmark Alteration Permits. She stated that the permit would apply around the Murphy district or a Historical Landmark.
Mayor Miller stated that RTC 03-192 (proposed application fees FY 2003/2004) was discussed in last night's City Council meeting. She noted that the City Council would like the Heritage Commission's input on the fees relevant to Heritage Preservation Commission to City Council meeting on June 17.
She asked staff what fees are relevant to Heritage Preservation Commission. Staff responded that the Mills Act Contract Request fee that is a new proposed fee and the Landmark Alteration Permit which is an existing fee.
Mayor Miller thanked the Commission for taking the time to accommodate her in this meeting. Comm. Mc Queen thanked the Mayor for attending.

Comm. McQueen made a motion to approve the proposed new Mills Act Contract Request Fee and the increase fee for Landmark Alteration Permits for Fiscal Year 2003/2004. Comms. Reid seconded

Motion carried 4-0 with Comms. Love, Pang and Rau absent.
6. COMMUNICATIONS (10 minutes)
A. Murphy Avenue Streetscape Discussion
Steve Lynch, Project Planner, presented the existing Streetscape in the Murphy district. He noted that the existing streetscape is a random montage of what Murphy is today. He noted that downtown businesses would like an increase in outdoor seating to a common location. He stated that staff recommended moving the street furniture such as benches and the trashcans to accommodate outdoor dining to a common location. Mr. Lynch further asked the Commission for their historical perspective regarding this issue on streetscape.
Comm. Mc Queen commented that he would like to discuss the issues but would like to see the Murphy Avenue Design Guidelines before submitting a formal suggestion regarding streetscape.
Chair Shoemaker stated that she understands the demand for outdoor dining. She also noted that, by exploring other cities, outdoor dining can be intrusive on the sidewalk area, although, she would like to see more space for outdoor dining in a controlled manner. However, she would not like to hamper this type of development.
Comm. Hopkins asked staff if there are any regulations on the type of outdoor furniture that businesses can have outdoors. She noted that Palo Alto has rules regarding the type and color of outdoor furniture which businesses may have.
Staff responded that a policy was adopted to have wood or metal furniture. She further noted that, since it was only a policy and not in Sunnyvale Municipal Code, that businesses started to use plastic furniture for less loss liability and easier storage. She noted that due to the common practice of using plastic furniture, the City let the businesses use dark green plastic furniture.
Chair Shoemaker asked if a permit is required to have outdoor seating, and if so, then these codes needs to be enforced. Staff replied yes, and that this is why staff is asking this Commission for their input.
Comm. Mc Queen noted that he was in favor for more outdoor seating since businesses would want more seating outside to attract customers. He further noted that despite his being in favor of outdoor dining, he would like to look over the Murphy Avenue Design Guidelines before he submits any formal statements for outdoor dining
Comm. Hopkins asked staff what the restaurants' potential is to put an outdoor patio area. Staff responded that there is no space to accommodate for outdoor patio areas.
Steve Lynch, Associate Planner, noted that the planters are the second issue along Murphy Avenue. He noted that removing the planters is suggested by Public Works because many of them have been damaged. He asked the Commission what are their views regarding removal of the planters in place of better landscaping to accommodate more space.
Comm. Hopkins noted that if outdoor seating permits, then having planters to divide outdoor dining to visually separate and divide outdoor dining among restaurants is her idea. She further noted that planters are probably favored since people like to sit outside to be around nature.
Comm. Mc Queen noted that the planters are nice looking for downtown. He noted that he would not like to see all of the planters disappear.
Chair Shoemaker commented that if there is a problem with the existing planters, then more maintenance should be invested in them. She stated that the City usually maintains landscaping in a better manner than usual. She noted that she would not like to see the planters go away.
Staff noted that there might be more interruptions with outdoor seating between businesses if the planters stay because of space control.
Steve Lynch, Associate Planner, noted the third and final issue that staff is asking input on are for the existing "A" frames on Murphy Avenue. He noted that a Landmark Alteration Permit is required to have an "A" frame in the rear of the restaurant only.
Comm. Mc Queen noted that all of these issues are pointing to space accommodation on Murphy. He suggested to maybe permanently close Murphy Avenue to vehicle traffic. Staff responded the history of the idea of closing the street. Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner, noted that floating the idea around again is a good way to get that suggestion around.

The remainder of the agenda will be continued to the next meeting due to this evening's special Planning Commission meeting regarding project # 2002-0612 - City of Sunnyvale Downtown Plan, General Plan Amendments and Environmental Impact Report.
B.  Staff Follow-up

C.  Continue Developing Outreach Objectives

D.  July 2, 2003
7. ADJOURNMENT

Comm. Hopkins made a motion to adjourn. Comm. Reid seconded. Motion carried unanimously 4-0 with Comms. Love, Pang, and Rau absent.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

Submitted by,

Steve Lynch, Associate Planner

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