Planning Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Planning Commission Monday, March 14, 2016 7:00 PM Council Chambers and West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION - STUDY SESSION - WEST CONFERENCE ROOM 1 Call to Order in the West Conference Room 2 Roll Call 3 Study Session 16-0220 Overview of City of Sunnyvale Housing Program and Policies Staff Contact: Suzanne Ise, Housing Officer 4 Public Comment on Study Session Agenda Items 5 Adjourn Study Session 8 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION - PUBLIC HEARING - COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Chair Melton called the meeting to order in Council Chambers. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Melton led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Chair Russell Melton Vice Chair Sue Harrison Commissioner Ken Olevson Commissioner Larry Klein Commissioner Ken Rheaume Commissioner David Simons Commissioner Carol Weiss ORAL COMMUNICATIONS City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 None. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Commissioner Klein moved and Vice Chair Harrison seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Chair Melton Vice Chair Harrison Commissioner Olevson Commissioner Klein Commissioner Rheaume Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss No: 0 1.A 16-0238 Approve the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 22, 2016 PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 16-0168 File #: 2015-78091 Location: 748-838 Dartshire Way and 747-837 Devonshire Way (APNs 309-28-001, 309-28-002, 308-28-003, 309-28-036) Zoning: R-0 Proposed Project: Introduction of Ordinance to Rezone 36 contiguous single family home lots from R-0 (Low Density Residential) to R-0/S (Low Density Residential/Single-Story) Applicant / Owner: Martin Griffiths Environmental Review: The Ordinance being considered is categorically exempt from review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15305 (minor alteration in land use) and Section 15061(b)(3) (not a project that may have a significant effect on the environment). Project Planner: Gerri Caruso (408) 730-7591, gcaruso@sunnyvale.ca.gov Principal Planner Gerri Caruso presented the staff report and responded to Commissioner questions. Planning Officer Andrew Miner provided additional information. Commissioner Simons inquired about the minimum lot size in R-0 zoning. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 Commissioner Klein inquired about the FAR breakdown for the homes on the block and whether there are any permit applications in process for any of the homes on the block. Commissioner Rheaume inquired if the block goes through the single story overlay and a property owner wants to increase the footprint, whether there would any different procedure that would need to be followed. Commissioner Weiss inquired as to the guidelines that would be applied should a home be destroyed by an event such as a fire. Chair Melton referred to the recommended finding in Attachment 5 regarding the proposed action being in the public interest, and inquired about the City's definition for the “public interest.” Chair Melton inquired whether any other requests for combining districts have been received for other tracts in Sunnyvale and the status of the property owners who did not sign the request. Chair Melton noted two of the properties at 829 and 825 Devonshire Way that did not participate had County property transfer dates in the last six months. Chair Melton opened the Public Hearing. Applicant Martyn Griffiths provided information about the application. Vice Chair Harrison inquired as to whether the applicant knows the owners of 829 and 825 Devonshire Way. Commissioner Simons inquired as to how the applicant learned about and came to take on the process of requesting the overlay. Geoff Ainscow, resident of Devonshire Way, spoke in support of the rezone application. Kathleen Kronenwetter, resident of Duncardine Way, spoke in support of the rezone application. Applicant Marytn Griffiths provided closing remarks in support of the application. Chair Melton closed the Public Hearing. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 Vice Chair Harrison inquired if there is a provision that would require a property owner to disclose the single story overlay when the house is sold. Chair Melton inquired if the Municipal Code speaks to a maximum number of homes that can be considered at one time on an application. MOTION: Commissioner Olevson moved and Commissioner Klein seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Recommend that the City Council introduce an Ordinance to Rezone 36 contiguous single family home lots from R-0 (Low Density Residential) to R-0/S (Low Density Residential/Single-Story). Commissioners spoke in support of the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Chair Melton Vice Chair Harrison Commissioner Olevson Commissioner Klein Commissioner Rheaume Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss No: 0 3 16-0134 File #: 2015-7262 Location: 1080 Stewart Drive (APNs: 205-23-018) Zoning: M-S (Industrial and Service) Proposed Project: Consideration of application on a 6.10-acre site: USE PERMIT: to allow redevelopment of an existing 248-room Residence Inn hotel with demolition of 40 rooms and construction of a new 7-story hotel with 149 guest rooms (109 net new rooms) and surface parking, and a DESIGN REVIEW to allow new construction . Applicant / Owner: Ken Martin, DLR Group (applicant) / Richard A. Mielbye, FPG Development Group (owner) Environmental Review: Mitigated Negative Declaration Project Planner: Margaret Netto, Planner (408) 730-7628, mnetto@sunnyvale.ca.gov Project Planner Margaret Netto presented the staff report and noted changes to the Conditions of Approval: Condition G6-C Compliance with Approval on page 2 has been deleted; Condition PF-2 Compact Spaces on page 11 has been deleted; Condition PF-4 Completion of Public Improvements has been moved; and BP City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 conditions on page 15 have been deleted. Project Planner Netto noted a correction to the total number of rooms from 311 as listed in the staff report to 357 rooms. Project Planner Netto also noted the impervious surface numbers are incorrect in the data table: the existing impervious surface area is 159,889 square feet and 60%, and the proposed impervious surface area is 178,470 square feet and 67%. Commissioner Klein inquired about privacy issues following the potential development of condominiums at the AMD campus across the street. Commissioner Simons inquired about parking lot shading requirements. Vice Chair Harrison referred to Condition of Approval EP-12 Irrigation Service on page 18 of 21 of Attachment 4 and inquired about accessibility to recycled water. Commissioner Weiss referred to Attachment 4, page 11 of 21, PF-2 Compact Spaces and inquired as to why it was struck out. Commissioner Weiss inquired about the future location of the swimming pool and what will go in its current location. Chair Melton opened the Public Hearing. Owner Richard A. Mielbye, FPG Development Group, provided information about the project and responded to Commissioner questions. Applicant Ken Martin, DLR Group, provided additional information about the project plans and responded to Commissioner questions. Vice Chair Harrison inquired if there will be outdoor activity areas. Commissioner Weiss inquired if it would be possible to expand the shuttle schedule. Commissioner Simons inquired about the durability of the material proposed for the entryway. Commissioner Simons referred to slides he submitted and commented on the differences in architecture and moulding used at various Residence Inn sites. Commissioner Simons commented regarding the 50% shading requirement for the parking areas and confirmed with the applicant that it would not be an issue as a City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 Condition of Approval. Commissioner Simons inquired about the potential reuse of removed trees. Commissioner Rheaume inquired about the construction plans for this property and the previously approved Lakeside property. Owner Richard Mielbye provided closing comments in support of the project. Chair Melton closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Rheaume inquired as to next steps for a new owner should the applicant decide to sell the property following approval of this project. Commissioner Klein inquired about the number of electric car charging stations as it pertains to compliance with CalGreen standards. MOTION: Commissioner Simons moved and Commissioner Rheaume seconded the motion to approve Alterative 2: Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve the Use Permit and Parking Adjustment with modified conditions: 1) Add the parking lot shading requirement to the Conditions of Approval, and 2) Use the revised Conditions of Approval provided on the dais, and 3) Direct that the City Arborist work with the Applicant’s Arborist regarding the potential for reusing the plant material and trees that are planned to be removed. All Commissioners spoke in support of the motion. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Chair Melton Vice Chair Harrison Commissioner Olevson Commissioner Klein Commissioner Rheaume Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss No: 0 Planning Officer Miner stated the Planning Commission decision is final unless appealed or called up by the City Council within 15 calendar days. 4 16-0247 Annual Review of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials City of Sunnyvale Page 6 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 Chair Melton opened the Public Hearing. No speakers. Chair Melton closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Commissioner Olevson moved and Commissioner Simons seconded the motion to send a recommendation to City Council to approve the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials as written. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Chair Melton Vice Chair Harrison Commissioner Olevson Commissioner Klein Commissioner Rheaume Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss No: 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES 16-0248 Consider Modifications to Current Procedures Related to Timing for Release of Public Hearing Reports and Documents Commissioner Olevson provided information regarding the proposed study issue. Planning Officer Andrew Miner responded to Commissioner questions. Chair Melton inquired about how the current noticing schedule was established. Chair Melton opened the Public Hearing. No speakers. Chair Melton closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Commissioner Olevson moved and Commissioner Klein seconded the motion to add the potential study issue to the list of study issues to be ranked in 2017. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 7 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Final March 14, 2016 Yes: 7 - Chair Melton Vice Chair Harrison Commissioner Olevson Commissioner Klein Commissioner Rheaume Commissioner Simons Commissioner Weiss No: 0 NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Simons stated he hopes to see an annual meeting scheduled for Council and Board and Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs. Chair Melton inquired about the status of the continuance of the Weddell item on the March 15 Council meeting agenda and whether a motion to reconsider would be necessary when the item comes back to the Planning Commission. -Staff Comments Planning Officer Miner stated Council approved the 845 W. Maude Avenue application and the Persian Drive project on February 23. Planning Officer Miner stated the Stratford School project is on the March 15 Council agenda. ADJOURNMENT Chair Melton adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 8