PC 9-23-2025 MinutesMINUTES
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
At 6:46 p.m. Chair Santosh Rao called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Santosh Rao, Vice Chair Tracy Kosolcharoen, and Commissioners David Fung,
Steven Scharf and Seema Lindskog. Absent: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Subject: Approval of the September 9, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the September 9, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
MOTION: Lindskog moved and Kosolcharoen seconded to approve the September 9, 2025
Planning Commission Minutes. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Rao,
Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Lindskog, Fung. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Luthern Williams, the head of Tessellations School, noted frustration about a seven-month delay in
a promised traffic study. He shared that the school has engaged with local officials, including the
Public Works Department and the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office, who are taking steps such as site
visits, signage evaluation, and increased patrols. Williams also said the school continues to meet
with city leaders and neighbors to address concerns, aiming to grow responsibly despite facing a
costly and complex approval process compared to similar schools.
Julias Paras spoke about Tessellations School and his experience as a parent. He shared that he was
impressed by the school’s core values, its natural environment, and efforts to reduce wait times
during school pickup.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
Planning Commission Minutes September 23, 2025
NEW BUSINESS –
2.Subject: Presentation on the Arts & Culture Commission’s recommendation to the City
Council on an Art-in-lieu fee policy. (Application No. MCA-2025-003; Applicant: City of
Cupertino; Location: City-wide)
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation.
Assistant Director of Community Development Connolly introduced Senior Planner
Martire who gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions which staff responded to.
Arts and Culture Commission Chair Rohra spoke.
Commissioners asked questions, which Chair Rohra responded to.
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public
comment period.
Commissioners asked questions and comments, which staff responded to.
Chair Rohra spoke.
MOTION: Rao moved and Scharf seconded to propose to retain the premium for the in-
lieu fee, not having it reduced to one percent, and create a separate art fund, proposing
the council maintain final discretion on approvals.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Scharf proposed a friendly amendment to the motion, that
the art fund, as established as a separate fund, be solely used for the creation of public art
in any form.
Rao accepted the friendly amendment.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Scharf proposed a friendly amendment to the motion, to
support the in-lieu fee being the same percentage as the amount the developer would
spend on the art, but only if at least fifty percent were spent on the on-site art.
Rao did not accept the friendly amendment.
The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Scharf. Noes:
Lindskog, Fung. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Planning Commission Minutes September 23, 2025
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS –
Commissioner Lindskog met with Tessellations School staff and discussed the community
feedback.
Commissioner Scharf asked about the next Planning Commissioner Academy and requested
that Commissioners have the option to attend. Staff responded to his question.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING – None
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:07 p.m. Chair Rao adjourned the Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Minutes prepared by:
Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant