Planning Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes Planning Commission Monday, June 26, 2023 7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room 145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Special Meeting: Study Session - Canceled | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM STUDY SESSION CANCELED 7 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CALL TO ORDER Chair Pyne called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Pyne led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Chair Martin Pyne Commissioner Daniel Howard Commissioner Michael Serrone Commissioner Neela Shukla Commissioner Carol Weiss Absent: 1 - Commissioner John Howe Commissioner Howe’s absence is excused. PRESENTATION 1. 23-0689 PRESENTATION - Recognition of Service City of Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein gave a recognition of service presentation for Commissioner Weiss and Vice Chair Iglesias. While Commissioner Weiss served approximately ten years on the Planning Commission, Vice Chair Iglesias served approximately two years on the Planning Commission and was recently appointed to a new term. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT CALENDAR There were no public speakers for this agenda item. MOTION: Commissioner Howard moved and Commissioner Shukla seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Chair Pyne Commissioner Howard Commissioner Serrone Commissioner Shukla No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Howe Abstained: 2 - Iglesias Commissioner Weiss 2. 23-0688 Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 12, 2023 Approve Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of June 12, 2023 as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 3. 23-0631 Proposed Project: DESIGN REVIEW to demolish an existing home and construct a new two-story single-family home, resulting in 4,506 square feet (3,625 square feet living area, 462 square feet garage, and 419 square feet covered patio) and 49.1% floor area ratio (FAR) Location: 1376 Ramon Drive (APN: 313-12-043) File #: 2021-7819 Zoning: R-1 (Low-Density Residential) Applicant / Owner: JF Building Design / Piyush Jain and Shyamali Kundu Environmental Review: A Class 3 Categorical Exemption relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions. Project Planner: Cindy Hom, 408-730-7411, chom@sunnyvale.ca.gov Associate Planner Cindy Hom presented the staff report with a slide presentation. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 Commissioner Weiss confirmed with Associate Planner Hom that the proposed project involves the removal of six trees in total – one of which is not a protected tree. At Commissioner Weiss’ request, Associate Planner Hom provided clarification on the results of the solar study conducted for the proposed project. Commissioner Weiss asked whether the proposed project is required to include a sidewalk along its frontage. Associate Planner Hom answered that improvements on frontages are subject to review by the City’s Department of Public Works. If required, they are shown on the project plan and must follow the City’s standard detail. If the owner desires decorative paving, it will need to be on private property. Principal Planner George Schroeder added that the addition of a sidewalk is not a requirement for the proposed project. Commissioner Shukla confirmed with Associate Planner Hom that notices were sent to properties within 300 feet of the proposed project and staff did not receive any public comments for the proposed project. Commissioner Shukla confirmed with Associate Planner Hom that the property behind the proposed project site is a two-story single-family home with a rear balcony on the second floor. Associate Planner Hom added that the tree between these two properties is in good health and will not be removed. Chair Pyne opened the Public Hearing. Property owners Piyush Jain and Shyamali Kundu along with Jon C. Freel, their designer, presented additional information about the proposed project. Commissioner Howard suggested that the design for the proposed project’s second-floor balcony be revised to include narrow, vertical slats rather than horizontal ones for child safety reasons. Commissioner Weiss confirmed with the property owners that the proposed project’s laundry closet is located on the second floor. Commissioner Weiss advised the property owners to carefully examine the mulch intended for the proposed project’s playground area to minimize the risk of splinters. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Mr. Freel that the walls on both sides of the proposed project’s second-floor rear balcony are approximately five feet in height. Commissioner Howard later added that page A4 of Attachment 5 specifies that the proposed project’s balcony walls are each five feet in height. Vice Chair Iglesias confirmed that the property owners are amenable to a 10-foot minimum side yard setback for all second-floor balconies. Chair Pyne confirmed with Mr. Jain that Crepe Myrtle trees were selected to replace two of the trees that will be removed on the proposed project site since these tree species require less water. Chair Pyne encouraged the consideration of alternative native tree species rather than Crepe Myrtles. Mr. Jain responded that he will do so as long as these alternative options do not require a significant amount of water. There were no public speakers for this agenda item. Chair Pyne closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Vice Chair Iglesias moved and Commissioner Howard seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1 – Approve the Design Review based on the Findings in Attachment 3 and subject to the Conditions of Approval in Attachment 4. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Commissioner Howard proposed a friendly amendment to include two additional Conditions of Approval for the proposed project, and Vice Chair Iglesias accepted the friendly amendment. The modified Conditions of Approval are as follows: 1) Note that native trees must be considered at the discretion of the applicant and City staff instead of the two Crepe Myrtle trees included in the proposed project’s landscaping. The tree species may be modified if a more suitable replacement is found. 2) Note that the proposed project’s balcony design may be modified for child safety reasons at the approval of City staff. Vice Chair Iglesias commented that he is in support of the proposed project and noted that it is a beautiful home and a great space to raise a family. City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 Commissioner Weiss voiced her support of the motion and noted that the proposed project’s understated, elegant design is consistent with neighboring homes. Commissioner Serrone spoke in support of the motion. He added that since the proposed project is in a previously unincorporated area, it is surrounded by homes that vary in size. As such, it is consistent with the overall look of the neighborhood. Chair Pyne confirmed his support of the motion since findings pertaining to neighborhood compatibility and the Single-Family Home Design Techniques have been met and the proposed project is an improvement to the neighborhood. Commissioner Shukla commented that the proposed project is beautiful and will be a good addition to the neighborhood. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Chair Pyne Iglesias Commissioner Howard Commissioner Serrone Commissioner Shukla Commissioner Weiss No: 0 Absent: 1 - Commissioner Howe This decision is final unless appealed or called up for review by the City Council by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Commissioner Howard thanked Commissioner Weiss for her service on the Planning Commission. He also thanked the Commissioners who attended the Planning Commission meeting of June 12, 2023 and reviewed the Citywide City of Sunnyvale Page 5 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26, 2023 Objective Design Standards for Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Developments and the Moffett Park Specific Plan. Commissioner Weiss acknowledged her wonderful experience working with staff and Planning Commissioners during her time on the Planning Commission. She also noted that her role on the Commission brought her satisfaction since she studied City Planning in graduate school but chose not to pursue it as a profession. Chair Pyne stated that it has been an honor to serve with Commissioner Weiss on the Planning Commission and that she will be missed. He added that her advocacy for environmental issues, comments on proposed project designs, and attention to detail when reviewing plans are inspirational. -Staff Comments Planning Officer Shaunn Mendrin advised the Planning Commissioners that recruitment is underway for the City’s Board of Library Trustees, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, and Personnel Board. He added that applications for these recruitments are due by 4 p.m. on August 3, 2023. ADJOURNMENT Chair Pyne adjourned the meeting at 7:53 PM. City of Sunnyvale Page 6