A regular meeting of the Sunnyvale Planning Commission was held on June 23, 2003, at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, with Chair Simons presiding.

Members Present: Chair Simons; Vice Chair Babcock, Comms Chu, Lee, Moylan and Satterlee

Excused Absence: Comm. Swegles

Staff Present: Trudi Ryan Planning Officer; Joan Borger, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Fred Bell, Principal Planner; Kelly Diekmann, Associate Planner; and Alice Gamboa-Navas, Recording Secretary

Trudi Ryan, Planning Officer, reported that on June 17 City Council considered the Downtown General Plan Amendments and the Environmental Impact Report. Relative to Planning Commission recommendation, the City Council certified the Environmental Impact Report and made the following modifications: 1) increased the height limit at the Town & Country to 85 feet high, 2) decreased the number of housing units for Block 18 from 300 housing units to 200 and modify the height to 75 feet with up to 85 feet for the movie theaters, 3) increased the number of units in the Mall to 350 units, 4) lowered the intensity of development along Block 13, 5) to re-insert into the Downtown Design Plan Block 20, 6) to lower the height from 40 to 30 feet the Taaffe frontage of Block 13. She added the City Council directed staff to work with the school district in assessing the projected school needs.

Ms. Ryan added that staff will put a schedule and plan for the outreach and community participation for the next phase of downtown planning efforts.

Furthermore, at the same evening the City Council adopted the Budget for FY 2003/2004 and the new fees noting that there are a number of Planning permits with increased fees and staff will be alerting the public of these new fees.

There were no Planning Commission related items discussed at the City Council meeting of June 10.

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1. 2003-0285 - Appeal of a decision by the Director of Community Development denying a Tree Removal Permit for the removal of one Pine tree. The property is located at 123 Killean Court in an R-2/PD (Low-Medium Density Residential/Planned Development) Zoning District. (APN: 309-40-009) SL (Application status changed to Approved, no appeal necessary)

No action necessary of the Planning Commission. Application approved at staff level.

2. 2003-0227 - Application for a Design Review to allow a first and second story addition to an existing one-story house for a total of 3,299 square feet for a total FAR (Floor Area Ratio) of 60.1% where 45% is allowed without Planning Commission review. The property is located at 934 Primrose Avenue in an R-0 (Low-Density Residential) Zoning District. (APN: 213-26-020) EW

Vice Chair Babcock made a motion on Item #2003-0227 to approve the Design Review with modification to modify Condition of Approval #3 to state "Final design element details shall be approved by staff. Comm. Lee seconded. Motion carried 4-2 with Chair Simons and Comm. Satterlee dissenting and Comm. Swegles absent.

3. Announcements to City Council

Chair Simons, on behalf of the Planning Commission, thanked Comm. Satterlee for her 5 years of service on the Planning Commission. Comm. Moylan presented her with a token of their appreciation.

Comm. Satterlee thanked the City Council for appointing her twice to serve the City of Sunnyvale. She also thanked staff for the assistance afforded to her. She expressed her gratitude to staff and stated that she finds staff to be professional, helpful and courteous and is a true asset to the City. She further stated that during her tenure, there have been a variety of issues including policy making. She felt dismay that she was unable to complete some tasks. She encouraged her fellow Commissioners to consider adopting a policy for the Commission in selecting a Chair and Vice Chair. She wished the City of Sunnyvale the best of luck. Comm. Satterlee gave a box chocolate to staff as a token of her appreciation.

Ms. Ryan thanked Comm. Satterlee for the treats and noted that the chocolate will be shared with staff in the morning. Ms. Ryan added that on behalf of the staff and the City, she thanked Comm. Satterlee for her services.

Comm. Lee also thanked Comm. Satterlee noting that it was a privilege to serve with her and the services she gave to the City. He stated that he finds Comm. Satterlee most knowledgeable, always prepared, never lacks opinion on items and always honest. He further stated that it was a wonderful experience and that she would be sorely missed.

Comm. Chu echoed Comm. Lee and thanked Comm. Satterlee for her services and support of the Planning Comm. Chair Simons stated that Comm. Satterlee is one of the most ardent architectural reviewers and he will miss her opinions on these matters.

Comm. Moylan also echoed Comm. Lee and Comm. Chu and thanked her for her services and on behalf of the Planning Commission, presented Comm. Satterlee with a token of appreciation.

Chair Simons announced the success of the "Dinner at the Dump". He thanked Comms. Chu, Lee and Swegles who assisted in the success of the event. He also thanked Vice Chair Babcock who donated a gift and noted that the event raised $15,000.

Ms. Trudi Ryan congratulated Comm. Moylan on his re-appointment to the Planning Commission for an additional four years.

With no further business, the Commission meeting adjourned at 9:35PM.

Submitted by:

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Trudi Ryan
Planning Officer

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