Design Review Commission Meeting - May 21, 2025 (Agenda Indicates Cancellation; Transcript Reflects May 7, 2025)

Note: The official agenda for May 21, 2025 states the meeting was cancelled due to no business to conduct. However, a transcript from a Design Review Commission meeting dated May 7, 2025 was provided. This summary is based on that transcript, which covers a regular meeting that took place on May 7, 2025. The discrepancy is noted per accuracy guidelines.

Discussion Items

Taiwanese Community Center and After School Program (1755 Sunnyvale Avenue)

• Purpose and Background: The project proposes a 4,500-square-foot, one-story community center to serve Taiwanese cultural classes for adults and an after-school program for kindergarten through 8th grade students. The site, zoned R-8 single-family residential, currently houses the East Bay United Methodist Church (built 1938) and other structures. Three parcels are being merged. The project includes demolition of an existing building, construction of a new community center, widening of the existing driveway, relocation of ADA parking, new walkways, landscaping, and a shared parking agreement with the existing church (50 total parking stalls).
• Operations: The cultural center will operate 9 a.m. to noon, Monday–Friday (adult/senior classes). The after-school program will operate Monday–Friday, with a maximum capacity of 33 students (anticipated 20 students and 40 teachers daily, split between two classrooms). The church operates only on Sundays, so no parking overlap is expected. The city's traffic administrator confirmed parking is sufficient.
• Design and Architecture: The building has a modern design with three masses: a white stucco wall (45 feet long facing Sunnyvale Avenue), a gray mass, and a triangular auditorium mass. The main entrance faces south (interior of site) to maintain a low profile from neighbors. Materials include gray and white stucco, standing seam metal and PVC roof, and yellow cedar glue-lam columns at the entrance. The north elevation has a long blank wall (45 feet) that does not meet the city's design standard (max 30 feet of blank wall along sidewalks). Staff recommend breaking up this wall with additional design elements and larger trees (currently 15-gallon trees; 24-inch box size recommended). Other design standards not yet met: pedestrian-scale lighting along walkways, downward-directed shielded lighting, and a material change for the pedestrian crossing at the driveway.
• Landscape: Preliminary plan includes four new 15-gallon trees (redbud, strawberry, guava) and shrubs/grasses. Existing trees (cedar, mulberry, evergreen pear) are to be preserved or removed per arborist report. Commissioners noted the need for a more refined landscape plan with appropriate species (e.g., dogwood and maple may not tolerate Walnut Creek heat) and larger tree sizes for screening.
• Mechanical and Noise Mitigation: The HVAC unit (heat pump, about 6-7 feet tall) will be located in a fenced area on the east side, adjacent to a residential neighbor. A 6-foot fence is proposed, but the neighbor's existing hedge is 9-10 feet tall; commissioner suggested a taller CMU wall to screen the unit and mitigate noise. A noise study is underway.
• Cultural Identity: Commissioners encouraged the applicant to incorporate elements that celebrate Taiwanese culture more explicitly, such as art, patterns, or signage, so the building does not disappear among the residential context.
• Drop-off/Pickup: The after-school program drop-off area is planned near the EV parking spaces. Commissioners noted the operational plan should address how 30+ students will be safely dropped off and picked up.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote or decision; the Design Review Commission provided feedback and direction for the applicant to refine the design before going to the Planning Commission for approval of the Conditional Use Permits (cultural institution, after-school program, legalization of existing church use) and design review.
• Commissioners' recommendations included:
  • Break up the 45-foot blank wall on the north elevation (e.g., with windows, obscure glass, vertical elements, control joints, or additional landscaping at the required 24-inch box size).
  • Improve pedestrian crossing material differentiation and add pedestrian-scale lighting.
  • Provide a more detailed landscape plan with appropriate species and larger tree sizes.
  • Conduct a noise study for the HVAC unit and consider a taller masonry wall (e.g., CMU) on the east property line.
  • Add solar panels on flat roof areas (future installation, per code requirements).
  • Consider unified campus design connecting the new building with the existing church and social hall.
  • Incorporate cultural identity elements to celebrate Taiwanese heritage.
• Applicant accepted the feedback and will refine plans for the Planning Commission hearing.