108-7. GP Policies & Text Excerpts.pdf2-46
LAND USE/ DESIGN
00, Policy 2-67. Stevens Creek Park
The Santa Clara County Parks pro-
gram should pursue the goal of con-
necting upper and lower Stevens
Creek Parks. The County parks budget
should pursue acquisition to the extent
possible and emphasize passive park
development in keeping with the pris-
tine nature of the hillsides. Work to
keep the watershed and storage basin
properties of Stevens Creek.
00- Policy2-68: Continuous Open Space
Actively pursue inter -agency coopera-
tion in acquiring properties near the
western planning area boundary to
complete a continuous open space
green belt along the lower foothills and
to connect the open space to the trail
system and the neighborhoods.
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
The Santa Clara Valley Water District
can help Cupertino carry out its open space
policies by continuing its policy of cooperat-
ing with local government to fund access and
restoration projects. It helped Cupertino pre-
pare its natural flood plain policy for Stevens
Creek between Stevens Creek Boulevard
and the Stevens Creek reservoir and directly
helped to buy open -space lands within
McClellan Ranch Park. The Water District
has a plan to partner with cities and the
county to provide access to creekside trails
and parks for recreational opportunities,
This plan, the "Clean, Safe Creeks and
Natural Flood Protection" plan, requires the
Water District to incorporate trails, parks
and recreational opportunities into existing
or new flood protection projects.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
The City of Cupertino's main role in
open -space planning, in the past, has been in
developing neighborhood parks. In the future,
in order to create a stronger sense of commu-
nity, Cupertino needs to also develop and
emphasize more community park facilities.
Presently Memorial Park, which encompasses
the Community and Senior Centers, is the
only venue for community festivals, large
group events and cultural programs. The
development of new community recreational
facilities, such as a skateboard park, commu-
nity gym and teen center, have not been pro-
posed for inclusion within neighborhood
parks due to the intensity of use, noise and
unacceptable traffic they would generate.
The Sports Center, 6.2 acres at Stevens
Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road, was
acquired as an extension of Memorial Park. It
is one of the few City -owned sites appropriate
for intensive recreational use, due to its loca-
tion on major arterial streets, its proximity to
public transit and its location in relationship
to the Community and Senior Centers.
Blackberry Farm is a 33-acre park, open
space and golf course facility along Stevens
Creek Boulevard between Scenic Boulevard
and Byrne Avenue that charges a per -person
entry fee and is only open weekdays in the
summer. The City is preparing a master plan
for this facility in combination with the adj a -
cent McClellan Ranch, Simms and
Stocklmeir properties. Council goals for the
plan include ,a-ccommodating ye°ar-around
use, incorporating a trail system, minimizing
neighborhood impacts and restoring Stevens
Creek corridor.
The City's master plan for this entire
acreage is intended to convert the facilities
from majority non-resident to majority resi-
OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND TRAILS
2-47
Monte Bello % Rancho San Antonio Rancho
Open Space Open Space Preserve San Antonio
Preserve County Park
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Ins A1.
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I Monte Bello
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G— iOpen`Space J�
Preserve
4°"'°`"n Picchettl
Ranch Area 'I I
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Stevens Creek Fremont Older
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CounfyPark Open Space
Preserve
Long Ridge Upper Saratoga Gap Proposed
Open Space Stevens Creek Open Space Stevens Creek
Preserve County Park Preserve Trail Corridor
Includes over 13,000 acres (over 20 square miles) of public open space
in Cupertino's boundary agreement area and contiguous jurisdictions.
Figure 2-H. Existing and Proposed Public Open Space
dent use and will allow the inclusion of the
acreage in the park inventory. V
011Policy 2-69: Future Use of Blackberry
Farm
Retain some form of revenue -generat-
ing potential at Blackberry Farm
(through the life of the municipal
bond that financed its purchase) as the
Blackberry Farm
s„nnyvale
SmiJore
S— ck.
1.Y',l IN LI --
,`
Existing County Parks
F771Existing
MiclPeninsula Regional
Open Space Preserve
Proposed Expansion of
Regional Open Space Lands
Public Access to
Open Space Preserves
Proposed Open Space Linkages
City Boundary
® ® ® ®
Urban Service Area Boundary
— —
Sphere of Influence
---
Boundary Agreement Line
Unincorporated Areas
0 0
1 Mile
0 1000 3000
Feet -
0 500 1000Meters
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE/COMMUNITY DESIGN
uses are transitioned from non-resident
to resident use. Increase community
park acreage, and consider the finan-
cial implications of this transition.
Strategy.
Blackberry Farm Masier Plan. Prepare
a master plan for Blackberry Farm, and
solicit broad public participation.
000. Policy2-70: Recreational
Opportunities for Special Needs
Provide more recreational opportuni-
ties for special needs groups, such as a
Braille or fragrance park for the blind,
and wholly accessible trails for the
aging and/or disabled.
There are several private, open -space
and recreational -activity businesses in
Cupertino's planning area, including a golf
course, riding stables and clubs offering tennis
and swimming. They are valuable to the com-
munity because they provide services that are
not traditionally provided by the public sector
on City or regional parklands. Land use con-
trols and incentives should be incorporated
into public policy so these operations can
continue. Private open space has been
secured through the development review
process. Several hillside subdivisions, as well
as valley -floor apartment complexes, offer
both natural and improved recreational facil-
ities to their residents. Utility system power
line corridors in the City's foothills are anoth-
er category of privately controlled open space.
An example of public -private partner-
ship for the joint use of private open space is
the approximately one -acre site at the south-
east corner of Stevens Creek and De Anza
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Boulevards. Adjacent to a hotel and apart-
ment complex, this privately owned area is
available for public use.
Policy 2-71: Private Open Space and
Recreational Facilities
Encourage the continued existence
and profitability of private open space
and recreation facilities through incen-
tives and development controls.
110, Policy 2-72: Public Use of Private
Open Space
Seek cooperation from private
landowners for public use of private
open space.
Trails
Trails and paths connect people to each
other and to open space and park resources.
They provide an alternative to driving from
place to place. Promoting more trails and
connectivity along creeks, hillsides, and
through neighborhoods is a major goal of the
General Plan. Providing access to open space
and parks is not completely dependent on
trails. Sidewalks and streets can also connect
pedestrians to their destinations. However,
occasional barriers break the continuity.
These need to be identified and corrected.
The status of the five major trail corri-
dors is as follows:
OPEN SPACE, PARKS AND TRAILS
2-51
ing the two most heavily used parks in Santa
Clara County, Rancho San Antonio County
Park and Vasona County Park. A feasibility
study found that this project is not feasible at
this time. Acquisition of right-of-way or
easements is anticipated when the Railroad
goes out of service in 20 years. The corridor
is designated as a proposed trail on the Trail
Linkages diagram. Should the railroad corri-
dor use change, provision for a continuous
trail through the corridor must be included
in the new use.
5) MARY AVENUE BICYCLE FOOTBRIDGE
The proposed Mary Avenue Bicycle
Footbridge links the north side of I-280 to De
Anza College, Memorial Park and the Oaks
Shopping Center. It is consistent with the De
Anza College Facilities Master Plan and the
Cupertino Pedestrian Transportation Plan.
Implementation is scheduled for the years
2004-2005.
000. Policy2-73: Open Space and frail
Linkages
Dedicate or acquire open space lands
and trail linkages to connect areas and
provide for a more walkable community.
Strategies:
1. Cupertino Pedestrian Transportation
Plan. Implement the recommendations
of the Cupertino Pedestrian
Transportation Plan to develop a City
trail/pedestrian linkage between major
employment centers, the Heart of the
City and major open space areas.
2. Trail Projects. Implement the trail
projects described in this element.
Evaluate any safety, security and privacy
impacts and mitigations associated with
trail development. Work with affected
neighborhoods in locating trails.
3. Dedicated Trails or Easements. Require
dedication or easements for trails, as
well as their implementation, as part of
the development process, where appro-
priate.
4. joint Use Agreement. Establish a joint
Use Agreement with the Santa Clara
Valley Water District that sets standards
and implementation measures for creek
trails.
Cupertino's most significant open space
and park resources are neighborhood parks.
They are essential to providing convenient
recreational opportunities and attractive vis-
tas for Cupertino's families. Cupertino has
aggressively pursued various Hypes of commu-
nity recreational resources. Private open
space, trails, school playing fields and sports
facilities offer a full -range of recreational
choices. Escalating land costs and a reduc-
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
2-52
LAND USE/ DESIGN
tion in local funding means the City must
consider new ways to acquire parkland, such
as long-term joint -use agreements and devel-
opment dedications. The City should also
reconsider the uses of all existing facilities, so
as to provide more community -oriented
parks. Cupertino's neighborhood parks sys-
tem serves the active and passive neighbor-
hood and community parks recreation needs
of its residents. Table 2-B lists the existing
park and recreation acreage by area.
Accessibility
Some areas within neighborhoods are
isolated by physical barriers, including land
forms, freeways, railroad tracks, or streets
with heavy traffic. Accessibility is a major
consideration in neighborhood parks. Figure
2-L shows the neighborhoods and the 1/2
mile service area radius for neighborhood
parks. The shaded service areas show physi-
cal barriers, such as freeways, railroad tracks
or stream beds. The diagram does not show
streets with heavy traffic. These busy streets
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
may discourage some people, especially
young children, from visiting nearby parks.
The City of Cupertino shall continue its
commitment to a responsive and attractive
open space and park system by adhering to
the following policies.
Policy 2-74: Park Acreage
Provide parkland equal to a minimum
of three acres for each 1,000 residents.
010Policy 2-75: Park Walking Distance
Ensure that each household is within a
half -mile walk of a neighborhood park,
or community park with neighborhood
facilities, and that the route is reason-
ably free of physical barriers, including
streets with heavy traffic. Wherever
possible, provide pedestrian links
between parks.
000. Policy 2-76: Park Variety
Plan for park uses that provide for a
variety of recreational activities.
00- Policy 2-77. Recreational Intensity
Recognize the level of recreational
intensity appropriate to each neighbor-
hood park, so that future park planning
can be based on the desired intensity
of use.
000- Policy 2-78: Park Minimum Acreage
Plan parks to be at least 3.5 acres for
flexibility of use. The acquisition and
development of parks less than 3.5 t2
acres may be considered according to
the following priorities:
High Priority - Designated neighbor-
hoods that have no park or recreation
areas.
2-58 LAND UsE/CommuNITY DESIGN
ting. Features could include paths,
benches, water features, picnic
tables, public art, trees and gardens.
They should be oriented toward the
street or an activity area where it is
easily accessible to the public.
Passive areas deemed inaccessible or
unlikely to be used by the public
should not be credited toward park
dedication. Providing public trail
connections may be given partial
credit toward park dedication.
2. Where feasible, public park and
recreational facilities should be pro-
vided for those who live and work
in Cupertino.
3. New residential developments
should be encouraged to blend their
recreational facilities into the com-
munity at large.
4. Park fees should be collected based
on a formula that considers the
extent to which the public and/or
private park space and facilities
meet the park need.
land use activities, public streets, and
constructed or natural physical barriers
or a combination of any of these. Show
the precise boundary on the zoning
map.
Policy 2-88: Residential Density
Ranges on the Map
Recognize that residential density
ranges on the General Plan Map and
its legend shows the desired develop-
ment intensity for a general area. The
actual gross dwelling -unit density may
be slightly different if the properties
reflect the general development char-
acter of neighboring properties.
001- Policy 2-89: Public and Quasi -Public
Activities
Allow public and quasi -public activi-
ties in commercial or office land use
categories with zoning and use permit
review based on the following criteria:
1. The proposed project must have sim-
ilar building forms, population, traf-
fic, noise and infrastructure impacts
as the existing land use categories.
Policy2-86: Recreational Facilities 2. The proposed project must maintain
Recognize the public benefits derived a commercial interface in commer-
from facilities such gymnasiums, swim- cial designations by offering retail
ming pools and/or tennis courts and activities, creating a storefront
work to provide these facilities as the appearance or other design or use
use of school facilities is maximized. options that are similar to commer-
cial activities.
Strategy:
GENERAL POLICIES Commercial ordinance. Amend the
10, Policy 2-87: Boundaries Between commercial zoning ordinance to allow
Land Uses public and quasi -public activities as
Base boundaries between land use clas- conditional uses.
sifications upon lot lines of established
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
CIRCULATION
V
INCREASED USE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT, CARPOOLS,
BICYCLING, WALKING AND TELECOMMUTING
Measures to manage travel demand,
called Transportation Systems Management
(TSM), are directed at reducing the number
of single -occupant vehicles (SOVs) using the
circulation system during peak hour commute
periods. SOV trips represent about half of all
the daily trips generated in Cupertino.
Policy 4-2: Reduced Reliance on the
Use of Single -Occupant Vehicles
Promote a general decrease in reliance
on private, mostly single -occupant
vehicles (SOV) by encouraging attrac-
tive alternatives.
Strategies
1. Alternatives to the SOV. Encourage
the use of alternatives to the SOV
including increased car-pooling, use of
public transit, bicycling and walking.
2. TSM Programs. Encourage TSM pro-
grams for employees in both the public
and private sectors by including pre-
ferred parking for carpools, providing
bus passes, encouraging compressed
workweeks, and providing incentives
and rewards for bicycling and walking.
3. Telecommuting, Teleconferencing and
Other Electronic Communication.
Encourage employers to use the internet
to reduce commute travel. Encourage
schools, particularly at the college and
high school levels, to make maximum
use of the internet to limit the need to
travel to and from the campus.
4. Design of New Developments.
Encourage new commercial develop-
ments to provide shared office facilities,
cafeterias, day-care facilities, lunch-
rooms, showers, bicycle parking, home
offices, shuttle buses to transit facilities
and other amenities that encourage the
use of transit, bicycling, walking or
telecommuting as commute modes to
work. Provide pedestrian pathways and
orient buildings to the street to encour-
age pedestrian activity.
5. Street Space for Alternative Transpor-
tation. Provide space on appropriate
streets for bus turnouts, or safe and acces-
sible bike lanes or pedestrian paths.
6. Alternative Transportation Informa-
tion. Use the Cupertino Scene and
other media to provide educational
material on alternatives to the SOV.
7. Citizen Participation. Continue to
work with the City Bicycle/Pedestrian
Advisory Committee, community
groups and residents to eliminate haz-
ards and barriers to bicycle and pedes-
trian transportation.
Cupertino is an auto -oriented, subur-
ban city developed during the 1950s and
1960s. Local streets provide limited service
to other transportation modes. As would be
expected in a ('ity designed with the auto in
mind, walking and bicycle riding currently
represent just 7% of all trips generated in
Cupertino.
The land use policies of this Plan are
intended to locate trip generators and attrac-
tors closer together and thus promote walk-
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLES 4-7
ing and bicycle use. In addition, the weather
and terrain make Cupertino an ideal loca-
tion to develop pedestrian and bicycle modes
of transportation.
A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF PEDESTRIAN
AND BICYCLE ROUTES AND FACILITIES
1111-Policy4-3: Cupertino Pedestrian
Transportation Guidelines and the
Cupertino Bicycle Transportation
Plan.
Implement the programs and projects
recommended in the Cupertino
Pedestrian Transportation Guidelines
and in the Cupertino Bicycle
Transportation Plan, as well as other
programs that promote this goal.
Strategies
1. The Pedestrian Guidelines. Implement
the projects recommended in the
Pedestrian Guidelines including:
® After engineering review, and where
found to be feasible, improve safety
at selected intersections by one or
more of the following: prohibit right -
turn -on -red, add time to the pedes-
trian signal phase, construct a medi-
an and/or reduce corner radii.
® Where feasible provide missing side-
walks on arterial and collector
streets and on neighborhood streets
as desired by residents.
® Identify a citywide pedestrian circula-
tion grid including shortcuts, pathways
and bridges, where needed, to close gaps
in the pedestrian circulation system.
2. Pedestrian Grid. Consider developing
a quarter -mile grid of safe, walk -able
sidewalks and paths to provide pedestri-
an access among residential, shopping,
recreation and business locations.
3. Safe Routes to School. Work with the
School Districts to promote the Safe
Route to Schools program.
4. Pedestrian Time on Traffic Signals.
With engineering review, provide addi-
tional time for pedestrians to cross
streets at appropriate intersections.
Added time would be most appropriate
near shopping districts, schools and sen-
ior citizen developments. This strategy
should be considered even if it could
reduce the Level of Service (LOS) for
automobile traffic.
5. Pedestrian Improvements. To enhance
walking, consider various improve-
ments to roadways to make them more
pedestrian friendly and less auto -cen-
tric. Where a median is provided, it
n;N
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
PUBLIC TRANSIT 4-9
6. Crosswalk Marking, Medians, and
"Chokers." Following engineering
review, mark crosswalks with pavement
treatment scaled to the speed of traffic.
Use medians and "chokers" to narrow
the width of the street where feasible
and appropriate.
7. Pedestrian/Bicycle Impact Statement
(PBIS). Encourage all public construc-
tion and private development projects
to submit a PBIS. For projects that
require a TIA, the PBIS may be incor-
porated into the TIA. The impact of
the project on pedestrians and bicycles
shall be reported in terms of safety,
route connectivity, loss of existing facil-
ities, adequacy of proposed facilities,
and potential adverse impact of pro-
posed pedestrian/bicycle, programs on
automobile traffic and vice versa.
8. Implementation of the Bicycle Plan.
Implement the Bikeway Network as
recommended in the Bicycle Plan. The
Network is shown in Figure 4-B.
9. Bicycle Facilities in New Develop-
ments. Encourage the developers of
major new or remodeled buildings to
include secure interior and/or fully
weather protected bicycle parking.
10.Traffic Calming on Bicycle Routes.
Where feasible and appropriate, imple-
ment traffic calming on those bicycle
routes where automobile traffic volumes
are low. Bicycle traffic flows best where
automobile traffic volume and speeds
are low and where there are no stop
signs or traffic signals to hinder through
traffic flow.
11.Bicycle Parking. Provide bicycle park-
ing in multi -family residential develop-
ments and in commercial districts as
required under Section 19,100.040 of
the City code.
000. Policy 4-4: Regional frail
Development
Continue to plan and provide for a
comprehensive system of trails and
pathways consistent with regional sys-
tems, including the Bay Trail, Stevens
Creek Corridor and Ridge Trail. The
General Alignment of the Bay Trail, as
shown in the Association of Bay Area
Governments' Bay Trail planning doc-
ument, is incorporated in the General
Plan by reference.
The City of Cupertino -does not operate
any public transit services. The VTA operates
nine regular and three express bus routes serv-
ing 128 bus stops in Cupertino. The Stevens
Creek Corridor is served at 15-minute head -
ways on weekdays and 30 minute headways in
the evening and weekends. Most other arteri-
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
-12
CIRCULATION
Table 4-I. Level Of Service Definitions For Signalized Intersections.
Level of
Service
Vehicle Delay
(Seconds)
Description
A
0 - 5.0
Free flow, no congestion (very little delay)
B
5.1 - 15.0
Stable flow, limited congestion (slight delay)
C
15.1 - 25.0
Stable flow, moderate congestion (acceptable delay)
D
25.1 - 40.0
Approaching unstable flow, high congestion (tolerable delay)
E
40.1 - 60.0
Unstable flow, near breakdown (typically unacceptable delay)
F
>60.0
Forced flow, breakdown (excessive delay)
The concept of maintaining no worse
than a tolerable level of congestion is impor-
tant, not only to provide a reasonable LOS
for motorists, but also to protect neighbor-
hoods from the impact of excessive through
traffic. To the extent that the arterial and
major collector street system is operating
with limited congestion, there will be less
incentive for drivers to use local streets to
bypass areas of congestion.
Cupertino uses a computerized traffic
signal interconnect system to increase the
traffic carrying capacity of arterial streets. The
system controls the flow at intersections to
favor commute traffic. Green lights are longer
on major streets to encourage shoppers, com-
muters and workers to use those streets.
These policies encourage drivers to use
the arterial street system. Cupertino discour-
ages motorists from other cities from using
local streets, and, where appropriate, from
using collector streets, by means of stop
signs, speed humps, raised medians, diverters
and intensified enforcement of speed limits.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
ROADWAY DESIGN THAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE
NEEDS OF MOTORISTS, PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLES
AND ADJACENT LAND USE
Policy 4-6: Traffic Service and Land
Use Development
Maintain a_minimum LOS D for major
intersections during the morning and
afternoon peak traffic hours. Achieve
this standard by imposing reasonable
limits on land use to ensure that princi-
pal thoroughfares are not unduly
impacted by locally generated traffic at
peak traffic hour.
In order to accommodate development
that furthers a unique gathering place in
the Crossroads area on Stevens Creek
Boulevard, set the LOS standard for the
intersections of Stevens Creek
Boulevard with De Anza Boulevard and
with Stelling Road to LOS E+. (No
more than an average 45 seconds of
delay per vehicle). The standard for the
intersection of De Anza Boulevard at
Bollinger Road shall also be LOS E+.
ROADWAYS 4-13
LOS standards may also be adjusted as
described in Policy 4-8.
Strategies
1. Street Width Limitation. To minimize
the barrier effect and the negative aes-
thetics of major streets, limit the mid- 5.
block width of De Anza Boulevard to
eight lanes
Z. Synchronization of Traffic Signals.
Enhance the synchronization of traffic
signals on major streets.
3. Allocation of Non-residential Devel-
opment. In order to maintain a desired
level of transportation system capacity,
the city's remaining non-residential
development potential shall be pooled
and reallocated according to the city's
development priority tables as shown in
the Land Use Element of this Plan.
4. Citywide Transportation Improvement
Plan. Carry out a citywide transportation
improvement plan to accommodate
peak hour traffic flows on arterial streets
and major collector streets at a minimum
of LOS D. If feasible, the Plan should
maintain the LOS higher than level D.
However, as described above, exceptions
to this standard are set for the intersec-
tions of Stevens Creek Boulevard with
De Anza Boulevard and with Stelling
Road and for the intersection of De Anza
Boulevard at Bollinger Road.
Annual LOS Analysis. Conduct a LOS
analysis, consistent with the reporting
requirements of the VTA, to be com-
pleted at the time of the annual
General Plan review.
6. Intersection Capacity Improvements.
Make capacity improvements as needed
to maintain Level of Service policies.
(DeAnza Boulevard and Homestead
Road and Stelling Road at McClellan
Road.)
7. Enhanced Level of Service. Strive to
enhance the intersection Levels of
Service where feasible.
010Policy 4-7. Traffic Service and
Pedestrians Needs
Balance the needs of pedestrians with
desired traffic service. Where neces-
sary and appropriate, allow a lowered
LOS standard to better accommodate
pedestrians on major streets and at spe-
cific intersections.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
4-14 CIRCULATION
Strategy:
Traffic Signal Walk Times. This strate-
gy is described in Policy 4-3. Added time
on walk signs would be most appropriate
near shopping districts, schools and sen-
ior citizen developments.
1110. Policy4-g: Roadway Plans that
Complement the Needs ofAdjacent
Land Use
Design roadways based on efficient
alignments, appropriate number and
widths of traffic lanes, inclusion of
medians, parking and bicycle lanes and
the suitable width and location of side-
walks as needed to support the adja-
cent properties.
In addition, design the local streets to
satisfy the aesthetic requirements of the
area served. In general, the aesthetics of
a street will be improved if it can be
narrower rather than wider, include sig-
nificant landscaping with shade trees,
and provide safe and convenient places
for people to bicycle and walk. Details
of design, such as provision of vertical
curbs and minimum corner radii, are to
be considered desirable. Design details
should be developed in the City's road
improvement standards.
Strategies
1. Road Improvement Standards. Develop
the City's road improvement standards
to include consideration of service to
traffic, bicycles and pedestrians, as well
as the embodiment of aesthetically pleas-
ing design features, like trees.
Improvement standards shall also con-
sider the urban, suburban and rural envi-
ronments found within the City.
2. Rural Road Improvement Standards.
Identify candidate rural roads and devel-
op specific street improvement stan-
dards that preserve the rural character of
these streets. Rural roads would typical-
ly feature natural landscaping, no side-
walks and narrow unpaved shoulders.
3. Semi -Rural Road Improvement
Standards. Identify candidate semi -rural
roads where curb and gutter improve-
ments, and no sidewalks, are appropriate.
4. Urban Road Improvement Standards.
Develop urban improvement standards
for arterials such as Stevens Creek and
De Anza Boulevards. In these areas,
standards may include wide sidewalks
with appropriate street furniture.
5. Suburban Road Improvement
Standards. Develop suburban road
improvement standards for all streets
not designated as rural, semi -rural nor
in the Crossroads Area.
6. Intersection Design. Survey intersec-
tions to ensure that the roadway align-
ments are as efficient as possible. Where
feasible and appropriate, redesign and
rebuild those intersections where
improvements would upgrade traffic
flow and pedestrian and bicycle con-
venience and safety.
Too many driveways may impede traffic
flow on husy streets because drivers can
indiscriminately enter the travel lanes at
multiple locations. Landscaping themes
along the street frontage maintain a stronger
visual continuity with fewer curb cuts while
also improving service for bicyclists and
pedestrians.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
FLOOD HAZARDS 6-25
Strategies
1. Communication Methods. Use the
local TV channel, the Internet and
other communication methods to
transmit information to the citizenry.
2. Public Information Office. Activate
the Public Information Office either in
the emergency Operations Center or in
City Hall as quickly as possible.
000. Policy6-40: Community
Preparedness
Support the CERT program to ensure
the development of neighborhood
based emergency preparedness
throughout the City. Encourage coop-
eration with CERTs in other cities.
An earthquake of significant magni-
tude could temporarily isolate Cupertino
from major full -service hospitals (Figure 6-
F). City personnel, paramedics and local
physicians will have to administer first aid
until access to the major full -service hospi-
tals is reestablished.
Policy 6-41: Disaster Medical
Response
Coordinate with local emergency clin-
ics to provide disaster medical
response. Coordinate with the CERTs
throughout the City to ensure that
they are prepared to provide medical
care at the neighborhood level.
Memorandum of Understanding.
Develop a Memorandum of Under-
standing with local emergency clincs.
Floods are surface hydrological hazards
that can have a significant, and sometimes,
long lasting effect on a community. They can
cause substantial property damage, and
sometimes loss of life. Nationally, annual
losses from floods generally exceed losses
from other natural disasters.
Floods can originate from various
sources: heavy rainstorms, landslides and/or
dam failure. Regardless of their source, their
impacts on a community can be devastating.
Precautionary measures must be taken and
preventive measures must be in place to pre-
vent and/or minimize potential damages
related to floods.
PROTECTION FROM RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
FLOODS
00. Policy 6-42: Evacuation Map
Prepare and update periodically an
evacuation map for the flood hazard
areas and distribute it to the general
public.
000. Policy 6-43. Flood Insurance Map
Rates
Ensure that FEMA Flood Insurance
Rate Maps are developed for the City
of Cupertino.
Rain related floods are seasonal. They
are the most common type of floods, and
usually occur during those periods of extend-
ed heavy rainfall. One of the contributory
conditions to flooding in the urban environ-
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
6-26
HEALTH & SAFET Y
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LEGEND
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Hospitals
Potential
Barriers
City of
Cupertino
Figure 6-F. Areas Potentially Isolatable in a Seismic Emergency.
ment is the reduced percolation potential of
the land, caused by increased development
and/or paving. During extended periods of
heavy rainfall the open/undeveloped lands
are insufficient to absorb the rainfall and
become saturated. Once the soils are saturat-
ed rainfall will sheet flow toward the lower
elevations, seeking available outlets. If an
adequate storm drainage system is not in
place to dispose of the surface runoff, the end
result of the excessive runoff will be floods.
r:..7MM
Landslides can generate floods by creat-
ing water basins. In Cupertino a landslide
could occur within a steep ravine at the
fringes of the foothills in the more moun-
tainous terrain of the Urban Service Area
boundary. In the event such a landslide were
to occur in a ravine serving a relatively large
watershed, the natural flow of water would
be blocked off and water would collect
behind the blockage created by the land-
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
slide. If appropriate spillways are not provid-
ed to relieve the pressure being exerted on
the blockage, it could collapse, causing large
volumes of water to precipitate down the
ravine, causing injuries to people and/or
damaging property. Landslides can also cre-
ate floods by falling into a dam and/or reser-
voir displacing large volumes of water and
spilling into the adjacent areas. Such land-
slides can also create seiches (the sloshing
action within an enclosed or semi -enclosed
body of water), which in turn can create
large waves topping the dams and flooding
downstream, causing property damage and
injury to developments and residents down-
stream. Fortunately, the watersheds in this
area are relatiygif small, so the risk of floods
caused by landslides is minimal.
Flooding resulting from dam failure is yet
another hydrological hazard. The largest body
of water within the area is the Stevens Creek
FLOOD HAZARDS 6' 2 7
Reservoir. Stevens Creek Dam meets current
dam safety standards and the probability of its
failure is minimal. Causes for dam failure are
numerous. They include inadequate design,
construction deficiencies and sometimes poor
underlying foundation conditions.
010. Policy 6-44: Emergency Response to
Dam Failure
Ensure that Cupertino is prepared to
respond to a potential dam failure.
Strategy:
1. Emergency and Evacuation Plan.
Maintain a dam emergency and evacu-
ation plan.
Z. Emergency Response to Dam Failure.
Coordinate dam -related evacuation
plans with the City of Sunnyvale to
ensure that traffic management between
the two cities facilitates life safety.
ZrTffl• _
Floods whether related to rainstorms,
landslides or dam failure are independent
events, but could also occur simultaneously.
For example, a landslide could occur during a
flood caused by a heavy rainstorm as a result
of the land becoming saturated, possibly
weakening the structural integrity of the hill -
sides or causing displacement_ of a large
amount of stored water. And while the com-
bination Of rainstorm related flood and a land-
slide is not totally improbable, the likelihood
of a seismic event that could rupture a dam
also occurring at the same time is remote.
Infrastructure
With the exception of some the older
areas of the planning area, such as Monta
Vista, the City is served by a storm drainage
system to accommodate a 10-year flood, and
the City now requires that all new develop-
ment adhere to this standard. In addition,
the City proposes to upgrade the key parts of
the older system through a long-term capital
improvement program, including a project to
specifically provide a storm drain system for
the Monta Vista area.
The City has not studied in detail the
carrying capacity of the existing system, but
it is estimated that it could accommodate the
runoff from a 10-year to a 40-year flood,
although there would be some overflow that
would run along the street gutters but ulti-
mately dissipate into the major storm chan-
nels and creeks able to accommodate a 100-
year storm. Heavier storms may cause some
flooding of yards, but flooding of buildings
would be extremely unlikely. As previously
mentioned, there are a few areas of the City,
such as Old Monta Vista and older areas next
to the foothills, that are not protected by a
storm drainage system. These areas would be
subjected to flooding, but it-i-s difficult, if not
impossible, to predict the location and
extent of the effect of the flooding in these
smaller isolated areas. The extent of proper-
ty damage caused by flooding in these areas
would be commensurate to the intensity of
the flooding, but the risk Of loss of life is vir-
tually non-existent.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
HEALTH & SAFETY
Sediment deposits increase flood risks
because they clog the drainage system as well
as the natural percolation function of the
streambeds, which replenish the underground
water table. Sediment is caused by natural
erosion as well as erosion induced by develop-
ment, mostly in the hillsides. Removing sedi-
ment from the drain lines is a major expense
to the City. Preventive measures, such as the
City's Residential Hillside Ordinance require
private hillside construction to install erosion
control measures on all cut -and -fill slopes,
including roadways, driveways, and house
pads, help to minimize the problem.
Most water -storage facilities shown in
Figure 6-0 are designed to withstand ground
shaking. If the magnitude of ground shaking
was not previously assessed or if the water
facilities were designed before new standards
were developed, their structural integrity
should be assessed. The City owns three
tanks, but they are being leased to the San
Jose Water Company. The San Jose Water
Company is responsible for the maintenance
and safety of the tanks. The City should work
closely with the owners of other tanks and the
San Jose Water Company to ensure that the
structural integrity of all the tanks is main-
tained in accordance with the latest seismic
engineering standards and that an evaluation
of the possible areas of flooding be conducted.
An acceptable level of risk is the chance
one is willing to accept weighed against the
probability of the occurrence of an event that
may cause property loss or injury. It is a con-
scious decision that takes into account the
cost/benefit ratio of risk reduction. Risk
reduction is proportionally related to cost, the
lower the risk, the greater the cost.
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Flood risks within Cupertino and its
planning area are relatively low. There are a
number of water storage tanks existing in the
hillside areas (see Figure 6-0) that have the
potential to inflict property losses and injuries
to residents of homes existing in their prox-
imity in the event of failure. However, the
probability of their failure is considered to be
very low; consequently, they are considered to
be a minimal risk. The largest body of water
within the area is the Stevens Creek
Reservoir, and the probability Of its failure is
minimal. Figure 6-0 depicts the extent of the
inundation potential resulting from the failure
of made -made water storage facilities.
Immu
Stevens Creek and its streamside are
among the natural elements that have the
most influence on Cupertino's character.
The creek strongly defines the boundary
between the urban and rural parts of the
City, extends a note of unspoiled beauty into
the heart of the developed valley floor and
gives many residents and visitors a space for
play, relaxation or study of the creek's plant
and animal life. Other creeks traversing the
City are Permanente Creek, Regnart Creek
and Calabazas Creek. These creeks collect
surface runoff and channel it to the Bay.
However, they also pose potential flooding
risks should their levees be topped as a result
of heavy runoff.
Land uses in ther9 flood plain should
allow the public access to -the creek, but
materials that would restrict the free flow of
the creek waters or significantly disturb the
riparian environment should be prohibited.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District
and the City of Cupertino are actively
involved in programs to minimize the risk of
FLOOD HAzARDs 6-29
flooding. The City developed a flood plain
010.Policy 6-45: Existing Uses in the
land use policy for the non -urbanized flood
Flood Plan
plain of Stevens Creek south of Stevens
Allow commercial and recreational
Creek Boulevard. This ensures the preserva-
uses that are now exclusively within
tion of the 100-year flood plain and the pro-
the flood plain to remain in their pres-
tection of the riparian corridor along this
ent use or to be used for agriculture.
portion of Stevens Creek.
The City and the Water District devel-
oped a flood management program for the
flood plain of Stevens Creek between
Interstate 280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard.
The strategy is to keep the natural environ-
ment of Stevens Creek, although structural
improvement may be necessary to protect
properties from a 100-year flood. The major-
ity of the people living in the Phar Lap Drive
and Creston neighborhoods have a high
flood risk, but they are partially covered by
the Federal Flood Insurance Program.
The Santa Clara Water District has
now completed the construction of the
Calabazas Creek Project, which included the
construction of a conduit across Interstate
280 to reduce the barrier effect created by
the freeway itself that was built across the
natural flood plain. The scope of the project
also included improvements that should also
minimize the flooding problems in the Miller
Avenue area.
The watersheds in the Santa Cruz
Mountain Range feed into four major
streambeds that cross the City: Permanente
Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek,
Calabazas Creek. Figure 6-H shows the
streambed locations and the extent Of a 100-
year flood, which has a one percent chance
of occurring during any given year. The 100-
year flood is the standard design flood
accepted by the City, the Santa Clara Valley
Water District and federal agencies.
00, Policy 6-46: New Construction in
Flood Plains
Adopt stringent land use, zoning and
building code regulations limiting new
construction in the already urbanized
flood hazard areas recognized by the
Federal Flood Insurance Administrator.
Strategies:
1. Finish Floor Level. Install the first floor
finish level of all habitable space of new
construction above the inundation
level of a projected 100-year flood.
2. Description of Flood Zone Regulation.
Publish a description of flood zone reg-
ulations and a map of potential flood
hazard areas in the Cupertino Scene.
Policy 6-47. Dwellings in Natural
Flood Plain
Regulate closely all types of habitable
development in natural flood plains.
This includes prohibiting fill materials
and obstructions that may increase
flood potential downstream or modify
the natural riparian corridors.
001. Policy 6-48: Hillside Grading
Restrict the extent and timing of hill-
side grading operation to April through
October. Require performance bonds
during the remaining time to guarantee
the repair of any erosion damage. All
graded slopes must be planted as soon
as practical after grading is complete.
VV,
�
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
6-30 HEALTH & SAFETY
Facility Failures
Los Altos
e� Cristo Rey Tank"
j \2 Mil. Gal.
ProposeclTanko Mann
61.3 Acre Feet id 1 Mil.
20 Mil. Gal.:;' v
sx".
/� ` Voss Ave. Pond h F 0+1!
° s \8-10 Acre Feet,
°
° Mercedes Tanks.= y °
° r (2) 2 Mil. Gal. ► Y
— ,I12.�2 Acre Feet i
4 Mil. Gal. 11
Reglin Tanks
20 Mil. Gal.
j� Reglin Canyon Tank
19
0.76 Mil. Gal. flAINO — DRIVE Rainbows End
r � 0.3 al
Stevens Creelii d�� __ ��_` - PBOSPEC
J Reservoir t Reglin!ghtsTank
3700 Acre Feetao0.14 M L Gal.
1 Bil. 29� Mil. Gal J
Figure 6-G. Extent of Flooding as a Result of
Failure of Man -Made Water Storage
Facilities.
0 +30 Min,
e Tank
G
nk
OMiI.G
Saratoga
010- Policy 6-49: Stability of Existing
Water Storage Facilities
Assure the structural integrity of water
storage facilities.
Sunnyvale
San Jose
Santa Clara
= LEGEND
Flood Limit Line
Natural or Man -Made Water Course
City Boundary
® — — ® Urban Service Area Boundary
-- — Sphere of Influence
— — Boundary Agreement Line
Unincorporated Areas
Note: Flood inundation area for failure
of Stevens Creek Reservoir is based upon
maximum 3700 acre feet storage capacity.
0 0.5 Mlle
0 1000 2000 3000 Feet
0 500 1000 Meters
of all existing water storage facilities
and related improvements, such as: dis-
tribution lines, connections and other
system -components.
v
Strategy NOISEPOLLUTION
I
Coordination with other Agencies.
Work closely with the San Jose Water Freedom from excessive noise is a major
Company and owners of other water contributor to a high quality of life. This sec -
storage facilities to develop and imple- tion gives a policy framework for guiding
ment a program to monitor the stability future land use and urban design decisions and
FrR
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
NOISE POLLUTION 6'31
r
Los Altos
Sunnyvale
HOME51UD I ROAD
i
i
RAINBOWDRIVE
steve"teeek
Saratoga
� I
Figure 6-H. Extent of Flooding as a result of a "100-Year' Flood.
100-Year Flood
Contained In
Channel o
3
sTEVENs I CREEK BLVO
Santa Clara
JSan]ose I
100-Year Flood
Contained In Channel
LEGEND
Flood Limit Line for a
"100-Year"Event
Natural or Man -Made
Water Course
City Boundary
— — — Urban Service Area Boundary
— — Sphere of Influence
— — Boundary Agreement Line
Unincorporated Areas
ate: Detailed Maps of 100-Year Flood
,entAre Available at City Hall
0.5 1 Mlle
1000 2000 3000 feet
500 1000 Meters
nm%;�� (0 -
contains a system of control and Abatement ety of factors, some independent of the noise
measures to protect residents from exposure to source itself. Time of day, bacckground sound
excessive or unacceptable noise levels. level, the listener's activity and surrounding
land use can all influence the degree to
The noise environment is an accumu- which a particular sound is perceived as
lation of many different sources, ranging annoying. Value judgments also enter into
from common machinery to the major tolerance for urban sound levels. Most peo-
source, street and freeway traffic. The.degree ple tolerate emergency sirens and loud lawn -
to which noise is irritating depends on a vari- mowers because they represent necessary
CITY OF CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN