Cupertino Matters
The 4th of July will be quiet in Cupertino. The traditional fireworks and celebration at Memorial Park have been canceled, though the Pancake Breakfast will still be held outdoors. State and national parks are busy as residents resume travel for deferred vacations and family visits, though international travel remains limited.
Enjoy the new Linda Vista Extension of Steven Creek Trail, now officially open, linking Linda Vista Park and the historical buildings at McClellan Ranch, skirting the eastern side of Deep Cliff golf course. The land, a former haul road, was generously donated by our own former Mayor Richard Lowenthal and his wife, Ellen. The city subsequently developed the land into the trail now present today, creating a remarkable corridor of parkland from the Blackberry Farm golf course through the Blackberry Farm swimming and picnic areas to McClellan Ranch, and now to Linda Vista Park.
The community farewell for our City Manager Deb held on Friday, June 25, in front of Community Hall, was well attended, with tributes from local officials, city staff, and members of the public .It was hastily arranged under pressure after local resident, Jennifer Shearin, complained about the lack of recognition in a Letter to the Editor in the Mercury News on June 17. The event was an overall pleasant affair aside from an unfortunate remark from former Mayor Steven Scharf on fellow former Mayor Dolly Sandoval’s age, which provoked nervous laughter and audible gasps. The interim city manager, Greg Larson, will start on July 14. The next city council meeting is scheduled for July 20.
The city housing survey has been extended until July 16 (opentownhall.com/10752) to collect feedback from residents regarding housing. For those so inclined, Cupertino for All has released a point-by-point examination of the survey with suggested potential responses based on that analysis.
RECAP – PLANNING COMMISSION – Tues., June 22, 2021 6:45 p.m., Regular Session
YouTube: 2 hr. 46 min.
Commissioners Vikram Saxena and Muni Madhdhipatla were absent for this meeting.
Item #2: Vesting Tentative Map to replace a previously approved Vesting Tentative Map (TM-2018-03) for the Westport Cupertino development project to create a separate parcel for the age restricted senior below market rate building. City approval would be a Vesting Tentative Map; (Application No(s): TM-2021-002; Applicant(s): KT Urban (Mark Tersini). This was a muddled agenda item. It should have been a straight-forward parcel map change to facilitate financing of the affordable senior housing component. Instead the staff report included a change in funding for the bike improvements giving the impression that they would not be done. However, the applicant committed to include the bike improvements, regardless of the funding. In typical foot-dragging, the Commission asked for more documentation and deferred the vote. This, however, disrupts the noticing requirements for council approval, which could negatively impact the financing.
Item #3: Consider an appeal of the Community Development Director’s approval of a Two-Story Permit to allow for a new 2,922 square-foot two-story home with a 746 square-foot attached accessory dwelling unit and a Minor Residential Permit to allow for a new second-story balcony. Though there was discussion about potentially changing the Municipal Code regarding balconies, this project complies with current law. The appeal was denied on a 2-1-2 split vote, with Commissioner Kapil voting nay, his usual position. The matter could still be appealed to the city council.
EXPRESS YOUR OPINION: Readers are encouraged to email individual members of the council, the council as a whole, the city manager, and the city clerk. Note that emails to the city council as a whole are forwarded to the city manager, whereas emails to individual councilmembers are not. Clearly include in your subject line the topic or agenda item on which you are commenting: These become part of the public record. Contacts at CupertinoMatters.org/express-your-opinion
CUPERTINO COURIER, June 25, 2021
The front page photo and article on page 5 is Homegrown goodness: Cupertino Lions tend garden to feed local residents in need at Via Services West Campus in Cupertino. Also on page 5 is an article, Larson will serve as Cupertino’s interim city manager. Community briefs on page 5 are (1) Vaccine policy unveiled for Foothill-De Anza Community College District, and (2) Interesting development regarding KT Urban, local developer of Westport/Oaks. Page 6 is Apple plans for sculpture: It will feature over 400 columns made out of sand from 58 deserts. Page 12 features two articles: (1) Ridgeline faces ‘clear and present danger’: Santa Clara County teams up with environmental agency to fight plan to expand the Lehigh Permanente Quarry, and (2) Lack of construction, booming workforce creating housing crisis.
Warm regards,
Jean Bedord
Cupertino Matters
Publisher and Editor
