CC 05-06-2025 Item No. 9 Interim Urgency Ordinance_Written Communications (added 5-7-25)CC 05-06-2025
Item No. 9
Interim Urgency Ordinance
Imposing a Moratorium on
transition of Multi-Family Use
Housing to Student Housing
Written Communications
May 5, 2025
RE: Support for Affordable Student Housing
Dear Mayor Chao and Members of the City Council,
As representatives of California’s 26th Assembly District and 13th Senate District, we are pleased to see
Foothill-De Anza Community College District and the city of Cupertino’s interests in housing for our
residents and student population.
Our state’s community colleges are essential to California’s economic mobility, workforce development,
and long-term prosperity. Foothill and De Anza colleges serve as gateways to higher education for
thousands of students, many from right here in Cupertino. These students become our region’s nurses,
teachers, engineers, and small business owners. They are central to the vitality of Silicon Valley’s future.
We know that potential cannot be realized without stability. The South Bay Area remains one of the
most expensive housing markets in the country. For many students, the lack of affordable housing is a
defining barrier to enrolling and completing their education. In our work at the state level, we have
consistently prioritized affordable housing, access to education, and workforce training as pillars of
economic resilience. The District’s approach to student housing directly supports all three.
We respectfully urge the Council to refrain from rushing this process and to engage in good-faith
collaboration with our college district to find an equitable solution. More conversations are needed
before we rush to legislate without proper participation and discussion.
Thank you for your consideration and continued commitment to strengthening our communities.
Sincerely,
Josh Becker Patrick Ahrens
State Senator, 13th District Assemblymember, 26th District
From:Siva Sunder
To:City Council; City Clerk; City Attorney"s Office
Subject:Request for moratorium on Item No. 9 on 5/6/25 council meeting
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 6:33:37 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia, Dear Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees, Chancellor Lambert,
President Torres, and Cupertino City Council,
I am a community member who has lived at my present address (1043 November Drive) for
18 years. I strongly oppose the transition of McClellan Terrace to DeAnza-Foothill student
housing and request a moratorium to enable further discussion.
McClellan Terrace is within walking distance of three schools. Converting this to college
student housing makes no sense to me: why are we trading off K-12 school access for
community college access ? Such a change will completely change the character of this
neighborhood where we see little children walking to and back from school.
Were there other choices considered ? Such as building new student housing within the
DeAnza campus ?
Sincerely,
Sivaprakasam Sunder
From:Yuvaraj Athur Raghuvir
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:City council 5/6/2025 agenda item #9 vote yes on moratorium
Date:Wednesday, May 7, 2025 7:15:41 AM
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Cupertino Resident,
Yuva Athur
From:Nicole Phan
To:City Clerk
Subject:Support for Student Housing Acquisition Near De Anza College
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 10:37:38 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
Dear Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees, Chancellor Lambert, President Torres, and Cupertino
City Council,
I am a lifelong Cupertino Community Member writing to express my strong support for the
Foothill-De Anza Community College District’s student housing proposal to acquire and
repurpose existing homes, so students have somewhere to live near campus. I am extremely
concerned by the Cupertino City Council's opposition, including a poorly thought out proposed
moratorium on converting existing homes into student housing. The City should be supporting
the District in housing students and faculty, as they are also members of the Cupertino
community.
This proposal represents exactly the kind of practical, community-oriented solution we need in
the midst of a worsening housing crisis. It keeps dozens of existing homes near campus on the
market for students and potentially faculty—preventing them from being sold to bad actors or
repurposed into unaffordable rentals. The project also uses Measure G bond funds
responsibly, leaving room for additional housing projects in the future. And it includes a
relocation plan that provides time, assistance, and dignity to the residents who are affected.
Wise local leaders should be celebrating this effort, rather than standing in the way by limiting
the district's available tools to house its students and faculty. Cupertino’s Housing Element
(especially Strategy HE-7.3.1) calls for close partnerships with educational institutions like De
Anza to expand housing opportunities, and it also details the need to preserve existing homes
for “all populations” which certainly includes students.
This project brings us closer to a future where De Anza is not just a commuter school, but a
vibrant, integrated part of the community—where students can live, learn, and contribute
locally. It’s a step in the right direction, and I hope to see the District continue exploring and
investing in additional housing opportunities moving forward, including building more homes, in
addition to preserving and repurposing existing ones.
Please move forward with this acquisition and show that our region is serious about housing
students with dignity, urgency, and care.
Nicole Phan
rollie.pollie268@gmail.com
866 Lily Ave
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Philip Nguyen
To:City Clerk
Subject:Support for Student Housing Acquisition Near De Anza College
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 10:02:45 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
Dear Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees, Chancellor Lambert, President Torres, and Cupertino
City Council,
I am a Community Member writing to express my very strong support for the Foothill-De Anza
Community College District’s student housing proposal to acquire and repurpose existing
homes, so students have somewhere to live near campus. I am very concerned by the
Cupertino City Council's opposition, including a poorly thought out proposed moratorium on
converting existing homes into student housing. The City should be supporting the District in
housing students and faculty, as they are also members of the Cupertino community.
This proposal represents exactly the kind of practical, community-oriented solution we need in
the midst of a worsening housing crisis. It keeps dozens of existing homes near campus on the
market for students and potentially faculty—preventing them from being sold to bad actors or
repurposed into unaffordable rentals. The project also uses Measure G bond funds
responsibly, leaving room for additional housing projects in the future. And it includes a
relocation plan that provides time, assistance, and dignity to the residents who are affected.
Rather than standing in the way, local leaders should be celebrating this effort, rather than
limiting the district's available tools to house its students and faculty. Cupertino’s Housing
Element (especially Strategy HE-7.3.1) calls for close partnerships with educational institutions
like De Anza to expand housing opportunities, and it also details the need to preserve existing
homes for “all populations” which certainly includes students.
This project brings us closer to a future where De Anza is not just a commuter school, but a
vibrant, integrated part of the community—where students can live, learn, and contribute
locally. It’s a step in the right direction, and I hope to see the District continue exploring and
investing in additional housing opportunities moving forward, including building more homes, in
addition to preserving and repurposing existing ones.
Please move forward with this acquisition and show that our region is serious about housing
students with dignity, urgency, and care.
Philip Nguyen
vietwhammies@gmail.com
866 Lily Ave
Cupertino, California 95014
From:g s
To:City Council; City Clerk; City Attorney"s Office
Subject:ATTN CITY CLERK, COUNCIL, MAYOR: Written communications for the 05/06/25 city council meeting
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 6:45:55 PM
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Dear City Clerk, Could you please include the below in written
communications for the 05/06/25 city council meeting.
PREVIOUS EMAIL BOUNCED. HOPE THIS REACHES SAFELY IN TIME.
THANK YOU!
============================================================
McClellan terrace apartments:
HOW COULD WE JUSTIFY DISPLACEMENT AS A SOLUTION?
WE PAID TAX AND PARCELS TO BOTH SUPPORT AND
PROVIDE FOR YOUNG FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TO ATTEND
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS NOT TO BE DISPLACED FROM
THE COMMUNITY AND KILL THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY
SPIRIT!!! AND WE ALSO SUPPORTED THE NEARBY
EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER, FHDA'S SOLUTION
IS QUITE INCISIVE BY TAKING IT FROM ONE FACET TO
PROVIDE FOR ANOTHER INSTEAD OF ASSIMILATION! NOT
APPROPRIATE! WITHOUT ANY DISPLACEMENT AND KEEPING
THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY SPIRIT ALIVE AND WELL
MUST BE ALL OF OUR FOCUS!
1. What's the exact plan designed for this property? Is it exclusive
or inclusive?
2. If what I'm hearing is that only students will be housed within this
complex, and a 100 FAMILIES WILL BE DISLOCATED, what about the
staff and other operating members of the school? Why aren't they
included in the housing allotment? It's already an indication
to segregate the community into many facets by removing one
ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY to provide for another exclusive group!
WHY?
3. It is critical to be inclusive of all community facets in any given
housing community. That's how we will sustain and enrich that
community rather than excluding most valuable community
members like the young families raising children of school
ages
4. As the Cupertino school district has suffered a great deal of
enrollment loss, we had to shut down one of the oldest and most
beloved Regnart elementary schools without children being able to
attend the neighborhood schools, the dangers and the
inconveniences risen from losing more families from within the
trischools area is very HUGE TO IGNORE. WE MUST WORK TOWARD
KEEPING FAMILIES WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD! WE PAID PARCEL
AND TAXES EVERY YEAR TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
5. Now by excluding those families completely out of their
neighborhood school area will also eliminate the chance for those
children walking and bonding and enriching their neighborhood
within a safer premise. This bonding of forming a community can't
happen when children are displaced from the neighborhood and are
transported into the schools they attend
6. In fact this exclusionary decision will
drive out the families further away
from our city than encourage them to
find a permanent home in the city
which should be every members'
responsibility to maintain safer
communities together. PLEASE DO
NOT DISPLACE THEM!
7. By having a strong mix of families, students and staff families
may also protect the community from falling into exclusive groups
that have no direct returns to provide to the community. Sustenance
becomes non-existent over time
8. Exclusivity and segregation of community members within
a dense, congested established small area like this location
instead of embracing and including everyone certainly will
deteriorate the spirit of the community within this locale.
9. EVEN If the FHDA board considered only one facet of their
problems(just students and staff housing somewhere
else)BUT is considering only options JUST TO benefit their
own 'community' needs then it becomes pertinent that we as
Cupertino city residents need to stand up and voice for our
community's well-being. It's the residents' voice that must be
considered and taken into account as we live and contribute
directly to this neighborhood day in day out not just the
board members who may or may not be living within the
vicinity of this project and may or may not be directly
affected by its repercussions.
10. Please take our voices and requests in consideration and we
appreciate your support to keeping the families and finding a more
sustainable solution for those needing housing - let FHDA provide
their campus grounds to allot student housing where all the
infrastructure, safety, security, proximity are all already there for the
students to benefit instead of killing the community for it! Thank
you!
Geetha
Educator, Block Leader, Neighborhood Watch, CERT, CARE/MRC.
City of Cupertino;
From:Chandrakant Tibrewala
To:City Council; City Clerk
Subject:Support Agenda Item #9, 2025-05-06 City Council Meeting: Vote YES on Moratorium on the Transition of Multi-
Family Use Housing to Student Housing
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 5:57:15 PM
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Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written communications for the 2025-05-06 City Council
Meeting:
Dear Cupertino City Council Members,
This message is to share my thoughts on the subject for suitable governance and oversight
action(s).
Basic Premise:
1. There is no doubt that students -- FHDA students in this context -- should have
access to affordable housing and a supportive ecosystem while they are engaged
in their academic pursuits so that they have a better chance in life for themselves
and as contributing citizens and leaders of society at large
2. The faculty of FHDA may certainly stand to benefit from housing provided at
these premises by the institution (FHDA) they work at
3. The current Multi-Family Units at 7918 McClellan Terrace, McClellan Rd,
Cupertino, CA 95014 provides affordable housing to families in a ecosystem
where affordable housing is already stressed
Furthermore, and I could be wrong, but in my mind:
THE TRANSACTION: This is not a simple, and it is not simply a real-estate
transaction between a buyer and seller of the subject property McClellan Terrace,
Cupertino, CA.
ROLE OF THE CITY: The City has the resources, the authority and the
mandate to not only participate in this transaction but help provide the guidance
and governance on probably a suite of solutions that meets not only the needs of
its community but so that the community and city can thrive; solutions that are in
sync with the vision and mission of the city.
DUE DILIGENCE & TIME: To do the required due diligence and to ensure
that the associated community members are looped in every step of the way so
that they can participate adequately -- so that there is a buy-in from all impacted
entities -- this office needs to give itself the time to perform its role adequately.
This Moratorium time will help ensure that the voices of not only impacted
community members (Cupertino residents as well as FHDA students who are
likely to be future residents) are heard but the Subject Matter Experts required in
the process can be duly engaged and the right oversight governance of this critical
decision can be provided by the City of Cupertino.
Some questions:
What is -- and should be -- the mandate of the City on this transaction?
Can the end result not be zero-sum? Why can the end result not be a Win-
Win-Win-Win-Win? With so much resources at disposal!!
What does look like a solution but isn't? (immediate / short-term / long-
term -- for the City / FHDA / Current residents on premises / Impacted
residents in the vicinity)
What really helps solve the housing issues of all of FHDA students in need,
and to what extent?
Can the FHDA students not rent here directly?
Can the FHDA faculty not rent here directly?
Ask: Therefore, please vote "YES" and approve the Interim Urgency Ordinance (Item
#9).
Sincerely,
Chandrakant Tibrewala
Resident of Cupertino, CA
Chandrakant.Tibrewala@gmail.com
M:302-521-1753
From:Ping Gao
To:City Clerk; City Council
Subject:Council Meeting Agenda Item 9
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 5:02:05 PM
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Dear Cupertino Councilmembers,
This is Ping, a 18-yr local resident living in Cupertino.
I just want to let you know that I support the proposed moratorium on converting existing
rental units into student housing, listed as Item 9 on today's council meeting agenda. I believe
this ordinance will help protect our local residents' interests. As local taxpayers, we stand
united in backing it.
Thanks and Regards,
Ping Gao
From:Tessa Parish
To:City Clerk; Cupertino City Manager"s Office; City Council
Subject:Agenda Item #9
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 4:38:44 PM
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Dear Council,
I would like to urge you to vote Yes on Moratorium. We need housing for students but it
seems to me that displacing 70+ families to house college students, seems like an incorrect
priority in relation to benefit for the community. A family results in local shopping and
students in our schools.
Recently I was able to place a De Anza student by posting on Nextdoor for a room for rent.
It seems like students could occupy the many empty rooms held by our local homeowners.
perhaps the city can help with the production of such network.
Thank you,
Tessa Parish
resident of 10 yrs
From:Niha R
To:City Attorney"s Office; City Clerk; City Council
Subject:Opposition to the Conversion of McCLellan Terrace Apartments into Student Housing
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 4:11:20 PM
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Dear City Officials,
I am a proud resident of Cupertino, having lived in this vibrant community for the past four
and a half years. Like many families, we made a thoughtful and deliberate decision to move
here, prioritizing access to high-quality schools for our children. Shortly after settling in, we
faced the unexpected closure of our home school, Regnart Elementary, which forced our
children to transition to Lincoln Elementary. After much adjustment and effort, they have only
recently begun to feel settled in their new environment.
Now, we are deeply concerned about the recent proposal to convert the Mc Clellan Terrace
Apartments from individual family housing into student housing. This change raises multiple
issues that will significantly impact our neighborhood:
1. Disruption to School Enrollment: The shift in residential demographics will likely
cause unpredictable changes in school enrollments for the upcoming academic year,
further unsettling families who have already had to adapt to prior disruptions.
2. Safety Concerns: With increased transient population and students possibly commuting
to various community colleges, the safety and experience of younger children walking
to school could be compromised.
3. Misuse of Public Funds: The acquisition of McLellan Terrace appears to have been
made at nearly 60% above market value, despite it being a Class C property that will
require substantial investment to meet city standards. This raises serious concerns about
fiscal responsibility, especially given that taxpayer dollars are involved.
4. Community Displacement: The proposed conversion would displace more than 90
families currently living in the complex—families who have built their lives around
local schools, parks, and community connections.
Moreover, there seems to be a lack of alignment between the location of the property and the
educational institutions that the student housing is intended to serve. If students will be
attending various community colleges across the region, the rationale behind purchasing
property in one of the Bay Area’s most expensive zip codes becomes even more questionable.
As a taxpayer and concerned resident, I urge the County and City to reconsider this decision
and prioritize the long-term stability and well-being of our families and community. The
voices of current residents—those who contribute daily to the vibrancy and future of
Cupertino—must be considered in this process.
Sincerely,
Resident of Cupertino, CA
From:Pam Hershey
To:Liang Chao; Kitty Moore; R "Ray" Wang; J.R. Fruen; Sheila Mohan; City Clerk; City Attorney"s Office
Subject:Fw: Approve Moratorium on the Multi-Family Use Housing to Student Housing
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 4:05:01 PM
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Dear City Clerk,
Please include the below in written
communications for the 05/06/25 city
council meeting.
Item #9 on the agenda.
Honorable Mayor Chao, Vice Mayor
Moore, Council Members Fruen, Mohan,
and Wang:
With respect, I am writing the council to
please consider placing a moratorium on
the transition
of the Multi-Family Housing Units into
Housing for Students .
The McClellan Terrace Apartment
Complex is home to 67 students and their
families who are cohorts
of CUSD and FUSHD. These families will
be displaced so that other students have a
place to live while
they have to move and find a new home
and school. Uprooting one set of
students to make room
for another seems like a win-lose
situation.
It seems like ther could be a win-win for
all students if the FHDA board would
choose to rent or buy a
local hotel ot the like. For example, San
Jose State has rented a tower at the
Fairmont and plans to
purchase that tower in two years. Or buy
a hotel like Aloft. Additionally, other cities
have protections
against conversion. There is precedent.
San Francisco, Berkeley, Davis, San
Diego, Santa Clara
all have protections.
Hopefully, there can be a win-win solution
for the housing of all students that are in
need of affordable
housing and close proximity to their
schools.
Respectfully,
Pamela Hershey
Cupertino resident
Retired teacher
From:Xgll Zong
To:City Clerk; City Council
Subject:moratorium on converting rental units into student housing
Date:Tuesday, May 6, 2025 4:04:30 PM
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Dear Cupertino City Councilmembers,
I am a local residents living in Cupertino. I support the proposed moratorium on converting
existing rental units into student housing, listed as Item 9 on today's council meeting agenda. I
believe this ordinance will help protect our local residents' interests. As local taxpayers, we
stand united in backing it.
Best，
Danya