Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 97-17 RESOLUTION NO. 97- 17 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DENYING AN APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DR-96-056; UP-96-016; ARGONAUT ASSOCIATES SARATOGA-SUNNYVALE ROAD AT BLAUER DRIVE WHEREAS, Argonaut Associates, the applicants, have applied for design review approval to redevelop and expand the Argonaut Shopping Center by renovating the existing commercial structures and constructing two new free-standing buildings. Use permit approval is necessary to allow the existing 30,070 sq. ft. Safeway Supermarket to be expanded by 10,720 sq. ft.; and WHEREAS, on February 12, 1997, the Planning Commission of the City of Saratoga held a duly noticed public heating on said application at which time all interested parties were given a full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence and following the conclusion thereof, the Planning Commission granted the application; WHEREAS, the granting by the Planning Commission has been appealed to the City Council by the applicant. WHEREAS, on March 19, 1997, the City Council conducted a de novo heating on the appeal at which time any person interested in the matter was given a full opportunity to be heard; WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed and considered the staff report, minutes of proceedings conducted by the Commission relating to the application, and the written and oral evidence presented to the City Council in support of and in opposition to the appeal. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Saratoga as follows: Section 1. Design Review Findings for DR-96-056. By split vote of the City Council (Councilmember Jacobs voting in opposition) the appeal from the Planning Commission is hereby denied, and the decision of the Hanning Commission is affirmed to wit: The applicant has met the burden of proof required to support the design review application and the following findings have been determined: The height, elevations and placement on the site of the proposed new structures and the renovated existing structures, when considered with reference to the nature and location of residential structures on adiacent lots, will avoid unreasonable interference with views and privacy. The proposed new structures and the renovated existing structures in relation to the immediate neighborhood will minimize the perception of excessive bullc The proposed new structures and the renovated existing structures will be compatible in terms of bulk and height with existing residential and commercial structures on adjacent lots and those within the immediate neighborhood and within the same zoning district, and will not unreasonably impair the light and air of adjacent properties nor unreasonably impair the ability of adjacent properties to utilize solar energy. The proposed site development plan incorporates current grading and erosion control standards used by the City. - The proposed new structures and the renovated existing structures are consistent with the Saratoga Commercial-Neighborhood zoning ordinance and all other applicable development regulations and design policies. Section 2. Conditional Use Permit Findings For UP-96-016. By split vote of the City Council (Councilmember Jacobs voting in opposition) the appeal from the Planning Commission is hereby denied and the decision of the Planning Commission is affirmed to wit: The applicant has met the burden of proof necessary to support the application and the following timings have been determined: - That the proposed supermarket expansion is in accord with the objectives of the Zoning Ordinance and the Saratoga General Plan. 2 That the proposed supermarket expansion would not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, nor materially iniurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity in that appropriate conditions have been placed on the project to minimize potential impacts. - That the proposed supermarket expansion will comply with all other applicable provisions of the Saratoga Municipal Code. Section 3. After careful consideration of the site plan, architectural drawings, plans and other exhibits submitted in connection with this matter, the application of Argonaut Associates for design review approval and conditional use permit approval be and the same is hereby granted to the extent set forth above and only subject to the following conditions: 1. The development shall be located and constructed as shown on Exhibit "A" (incorporated by reference) except as otherwise modified by these conditions of approval. 2. Prior to submittal for Building or Grading Permit, the following shall be submitted to Community Development Department staff in order to issue a Zoning Clearance: a. Four (4) sets of complete construction plans and four (4) sets of engineered grading and drainage plans, all incorporating this Resolution as a separate plan page. b. Revised landscape plan indicating an effort to retain and incorporate as many existing healthy trees as possible. All landscaping per the approved/modified plan shall be installed. c. Creek bank improvement plans for the northwest corner of the parking lot indicating the removal of the chain link fence along the creek to be replaced with half solid/half open wood fence, per Exhibit "A", along the property line. A riparian enhancement plan shall also be prepared to remove non-native planting and debris along the creek bank and revegetate the area with native plants. 3. Prior to installation of any new signs in the Argonaut Shopping Center, the applicants shall prepare a comprehensive sign design program for Community Development Director review and approval. 3 4. Pursuant to the applicant/owners' agreement with the neighboring property owners, the following maintenance requirements shall apply: a. All dumpsters shall be visually "walled-off" and gated, with the potential to be locked. b. Motion sensor triggered down-directed hooded light fixtures shall be installed and maintained along the north and east sides of the main building. c. Speed bumps shall be installed along the north and east sides of the parking lot. d. Masonry or precast soundwalls, not to exceed 8 ft. in height, shall be constructed along the north and east property lines. Final construction plans shall be subject to City Arborist review and approval. 5. Exterior colors and materials shall be medium earthtone as reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission, pursuant to the approved plans and material board. 6. Provide one fire hydrant capable of delivering no less than 1500 GPM. Said hydrant shall be located at or near the northeast comer of Saratoga- Sunnyvale Rd. and Blauer Dr. The exact location shall be determined by the fire chief. 7. The two new free standing structures, one at the northeast and one at the southeast comer of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd. and Blauer Dr., shall be provided with an early warning fire alarm system with a commercial fire alarm panel. Said alarm system shall be installed in accordance with current California State Fire Marshal, N.F.P.A., and Saratoga Fire District standards. 8. The two new free standing structures shall be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Said system shall be designed and installed in accordance with current California State Fire Marshal, N.F.P.A., and Saratoga Fire District standards and specifications. 9. The existing shopping center and Safeway grocery store shall be provided with an early warning fire alarm system with a commercial fire alarm panel. Said system shall be zoned and installed in accordance with current 4 Califomia State Fire Marshal, N.F.P.A., and Saratoga Fire District standards. 10. The existing shopping center and Safeway grocery store automatic sprinkler system shall be retrofitted with a post indicator valve. The valves in the pit shall be eliminated. 11. The existing shopping center and Safeway grocery store may need to be retrofitted with attic area separations. Said separations shall be installed in accordance with the current edition of the Uniform Building Code. 12. Subject to the review and approval of the Public Works Director, the following improvement requirements. shall apply: a. All utility services to existing and new buildings on both properties shall be placed undergrotmd. b. Overhead utility lines along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, fronting both properties, shall be placed underground. To accomplish this, the ox~q~er (applicant) shall agree to participate in a future Underground Utility District formed by the City to underground utility lines along Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road. Further, the owner (applicant) shall contribute to the future Underground Utility District, the proportional cost of undergrounding the utilities along both properties, in relation to the total cost of the District, as determined by the Public Works Director prior to commencement of the underground construction. Prior to the issuance of any permits for construction activity on either property, the owner (applicant) shall post a performance bond or other acceptable security in an amount to be determined by the Public Works Director, but not to exceed $300,000, to guarantee the contribution to the future Underground Utility District. c. City standard curb, gutter and sidewalks shall be installed along the frontages of both properties. A bus turnout with but stop improvements including a bus shelter, as required by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, shall be installed along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. Improvement plans depicting the above shall be submitted to the Public Works Director for review and approval prior to the issuance of any permits for construction activity on either property. d. Existing median islands on Blauer Drive shall be removed and replaced 5 with new landscaped median islands to be maintained by the owner (applicant). The owner (applicant) shall enter into an agreement with the City to provide for the maintenance of the median landscaping. Prior to the issuance of any permits for construction activity on either property, the owner (applicant) shall submit an improvement plan depicting the proposed layout and landscaping of the new median islands to the Public Works Director for review and approval. e. The southbound left turn egress from the main entry shall be eliminated/diverted. f. The owner (applicant) shall post a performance bond or other acceptable security in an amount to be determined by the Public Works Director to guarantee completion of the improvements described in paragraphs c, d and e above prior to the issuance of any permits for construction activity on either property. 13. The owner (applicant) shall retain permits from Caltrans, the City of Saratoga, and/or any other appropriate agencies prior to commencement of any work. 14. All building and construction related activities shall adhere to New Development and Construction - Best Management Practices as adopted by the City for the purpose of preventing storm water pollution. An Urban Runoff Mitigation Plan shall be prepared and submitted for Community Development staff review and approval incorporating, to the degree feasible, stormwater infikration measures. Examples of appropriate measures include: a. Schedule for regular patking lot cleaning. b. Previous paving materials at perimeter of parking lot to collect and drain sheet flow stormwater. c. Filtered storm drains at locations where stormwater may drain through garbage enclosures, and ffitration systems built into storm drains wherever feasible. 15. Applicant agrees to hold City harmless from all costs and expenses, including attomey's fees, incurred by the City or held to be the liability of City in 6 connection with City's defense of its actions in any proceeding brought in any State or Federal Court, challenging the City's action with respect to the applicant's project. 16. Noncompliance with any of the conditions of this permit shall constitute a violation of the permit. Because it is impossible to estimate damages the City could incur due to the violation, liquidated damages of $250 shall be payable to this City per each day of the violation. Section 4. Construction must be commenced within 24 months or approval will expire. Section 5. All applicable requirements of the State, County, City and other Governmental entities must be met. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on the 2nd day of Ap.~i l, 1997, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Bogosian, Jacobs, Shaw and Wolfe NOES: None ABSENT: Mayor Moran ABSTAIN: None ATrEST: Deputy C , City Zlerk~ / MSR:dsp J :\WPDXMNRSWX273XRES9 7V~GO.DEN 7