17. N. Vallco Plan Phase I
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
Fax: (408) 777-3333
CUPERTINO
Community Development
Department
Summary
Agenda Item No. n
Agenda Date: November 5,2007
APPLICATION SUMMARY:
Accept the report on the North Valleo Master Plan - Phase 1.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council accept the report.
The report will be provided to prospective developers in the area, along with
relevant zoning and general plan information.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council authorized the preparation of the first phase of a Master Plan for
the North Vallco area, as defined by the General Plan, which is roughly bounded
by Homestead Road, Wolfe Road, 1-280 and Tantau Avenue. (Please see Figures
1.1 and 1.2 of the North Valleo Master Plan report for location maps.) The 240-acre
acre includes the 96-acre Hewlett Packard campus and the approximately 64-acre
future Apple campus, as well as Cupertino Village, a hotel, two apartment
complexes (consisting of 550 units) and additional office and residential properties
(See Figure A.5 for property information.)
The study was initiated to proactively address development issues in the area
ahead of development proposals. The urban design firm of Freedman Tung and
Bottomley, represented by Michael Freedman, was selected to help prepare the
plan and facilitate three Community Workshops. Freedman Tung and Bottomley
is an award-winning urban design firm, who designed such notable projects as
downtown Mountain View and downtown Livermore, which recently received an
American Planning Association award. Bruce Liedstrand, former City Manager of
Mountain View, served as a consulting advisor on the Master Plan process, and a
Core Team of City staff members oversaw the project. The City Council appointed
a 20-person Study Committee as advisors to the project; the members are listed on
Page 33 of the report (one person dropped out, so 19 names are listed). The Study
Committee met four times.
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North Vallco Master Plan
Page 2 of 4
The community was invited to participate in the study. Appendix B of the report
describes the three Community Workshops. A citywide postcard was mailed to all
Cupertino property owners prior to the first Workshop. The Workshops were
taped and posted on the website, and website information was updated
throughout the process.
The Study Committee reviewed and commented on a first draft of the enclosed
report at its last meeting on July 23. That draft was amended to reflect those
comments, and the Study Committee was able, as individuals, to review it and
forward any additional comments to staff prior to the Planning Commission
meeting. Most of the additional comments were incorporated into the enclosed
draft. Several suggestions or comments were not included in the draft because,
while they were discussed, it was not clear that they had consensus of the whole
Study Committee. They are, in summary form:
SUGGESTED CHANGES BY INDIVIDUAL STUDY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
. Pedestrian Scale Blocks (Page 7, Section 5.4): The traditional style of
individual buildings surrounded by large parking lots should also be
encouraged.
. Minimize building footprint (page 8, Section 8.2): Remove first sentence
that says "Substantial new development increments should be encouraged
to provide multiple story structures that minimize building footprint and
maximize available land for future development." Could also encourage
underground parking and bermed building with below grade parking such
as already exist near existing Apple campus (old Four Phase Building site).
. Figure A.2 and A.3 (Page 24): Take out these figures, they confuse the issue.
People did not appear to want to slow Pruneridge down.
. Photos on Pages 6, 7 and 8: Suggest removing or replacing these photos.
They may give a different viewpoint than our committee statements and
seem to suggest design elements that the committee removed from the
document at the last meeting.
COMMENTS BY INDIVIDUAL STUDY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
. Minimization of traffic impacts (Page 9, Section 10): There used to be an
ACE train shuttle pickup on Tantau...it might be a good idea to start this
shuttle up again, if it has been discontinued.
17 - 2
North Vallco Master Plan
Page 3 of 4
. Most of FTB1 s concepts have become obscured in this documentl e.g'l the
need to break down the superblocks into a system of streets and blocks that
accommodates the current owners while still allowing futurel possibly
multiple smaller owners to effectively utilize and share the space.
DISCUSSION:
The Study Committee recommendations consist of the IIPrinciplesjIssues to
Addressll found on page 5 through 9. Appendix A and other materials provided
by the urban design consultant are support materials. As shown in those
materialsl Michael Freedman presented in-depth information on the 21st Century
Workplace and how that concept might be realized in Cupertino. Debbie Staufferl
Chairperson of the Study Committeel will present the Study Committeel s
recommendations at the City Council meetingl and Study Committee members are
invited to attend.
In summarYI the Study Committee supports the importance to the community of
HP1 Apple and the industrial properties. Future development in the area should
be done through a collaborative processl making it an attractive workplace while
recognizing companiesl security needs. An attractive workplace includes
providing areas for interactionl accessibility to retail and servicesl public spacesl
and connectivity. Gatewaysl landmarks and public art should be considered.
New development should be encouraged to be sustainablel with minimal building
footprints. Adjacent neighborhoods should be protected from trafficl visual
impacts and noise. The issue of residential development should be addressed as
development of the study area proceeds.
PLANNING COMMISSION:
On October 91 the Planning Commission discussed the North Valleo Master Plan
report (see enclosed minutes). Major points included:
. Expression of thanks to the Study Committee and to Debbie Stauffer who
chaired the Study Committee and made the presentation to the Planning
Commission.
. Purpose was to get the community together and to put a plan in place so
that developers would have a better understanding of what makes sense in
the area.
. Expression of concern about protecting the tech parks as far as locating
housing in this area.
. Interest in connectivityl transitl and adding retail and services in the area.
. Concern that the plan is slightly generic. City Council should challenge
consultants to go beyond good solid principles for urban design and push
to keep Cupertino on the cutting edge.
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North Valleo Master Plan
Page 4 of4
. Important to have a long vision and plan for the future. This document has
concepts that might challenge the ideas that Apple moves forward with.
The public will be informed and hopefully we will have a really great
project. Need to continue to add information to the document in the future.
PUBLIC:
Four speakers:
. Call for smart growth, infill strategy, urbanism, pedestrian friendly
downtowns. Bridge over 280 to span north and south Valleo.
. Concern that this is a rhetorical study that does not do a lot for the
community.
. Importance of North Valleo as a tech park.
. Concern about involvement of Apple and Hewlett Packard in the study.
STAFF:
. Representatives from Apple and Hewlett Packard played an active role in
the study.
. Some of the consultant's concepts, which were not in the Study Committee
recommendations, are found in the earlier administrative draft (Exhibit B).
Enclosures:
North Valleo Master Plan - Phase 1
Exhibit A: Presentations from Michael Freedman, Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Ganuary 25 and March 8, 2007)
Exhibit B: Administrative Draft prepared by Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Exhibit C: Planning Commission Draft Minutes, October 9, 2007
Prepared by: Ciddy Wordell, City Planner ~ ,
Approved by: Steve Piasecki, Director of Community Developm~
,~.' {l~ 4~ ~J<h1d'
G:planning/pdreportjmisc/North Vallco Master Plan 11-05-07 ;I
17 - 4
North Vallco Master Plan - Phase I
Working Toward A Vision for the North Val/co District of the City of Cupertino
Cupertino'17_~A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. ORIENTATION... ......... ...... ...... ... ... ............. ...... ... ........ ........ .... ... ... ... ..... ............1
II. PRINCIPLES / ISSUES TO ADDRESS.................................................................5
Appendix A: Starting Point - Existing Conditions.................................................11
A p pen d i x B : Co m m u n i ty W 0 r k s hop s .................................................................. 21
Appendix C: North Vallco Study Committee Working Sessions............................. 31
Pro j ect Pa rti c i pa nts............................................................................................ 33
Page i
17 -7
I. ORIENTATION
This report contains the results of a series of community conversations held in anticipation of significant near term
changes likely to affect North Vallco's highly valued industries, their neighbors and the larger community.
THE NORTH VALLCO STUDY AREA
The North Vallco Study Area is a primarily built-out area of the City that is not easily recognizable as a cohesive
district, but that is distinguished very clearly by its edges. The Study Area - see Figure 1.1 Study Area Location Map-
comprises the 240 acres that are bounded along their northern edge by Homestead Road; its eastern edge is defined
by the properties that line the eastern frontage of Tantau Road; it is bounded to the south by 1-280; and it is bounded
to the West by all of the development between Wolfe Road and the single-family neighborhood to the west. All of the
northern and eastern boundaries and most of the western boundary of the Study Area are also the boundaries of the
City of Cupertino.
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Cupertino e,l>' lioundary
Figure 1.1 Study Area Location Map
17 - 9
By far the largest property owners of the study area are Apple Inc. and HP. Apple has recently purchased most of the
southern portion of the study area which is understood to be intended for a new campus that will ultimately involve
redeveloping some or all of the property currently under the company's ownership.
The Study Area is identified in the City's recently updated General Plan as a "Special Center" intended to be retained
as an employment center with lodging and neighborhood commercial uses. General plan policies allow the primary
employment uses to be complemented with some lodging, housing, as well as permitting some overall intensifica-
tion. The segment of Calabazas Creek that runs through the Study Area is intended to be improved as part of the
Calabazas Creek Trail.
Physical conditions existing in North Valleo at the time of this Study are detailed in Appendix A: Starting Point - Ex-
isting Conditions.
COMMUNITY INTENT
Major portions of the North Valleo Study Area
are likely to change in the short term. The
community highly values the current and po-
tential industries located in North Va II co. This
preliminary visioning exercise is intended to
explore potential benefits to those industries,
to the North Vallco "workplace district," and
to the larger community that might be derived
from some advance thinking and a more col-
laborative approach to planning for change in
the district.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
The Planning Process for this first phase of
the planning effort for the North Valleo district
was organized around a series of community
workshops and North Vall co Study Commit-
tee working sessions. The process was sup-
ported by a Project Core Team that included
members of the Community Development
Department, the Public Works Department
the Chairman of the Planning Commission,
and consultants.
Prior to initiating community discussion, City
Staff and consultants contacted representa-
tives of Apple Inc. and HP - the primary prop-
erty owners and employers in the district - to
explore opportunities for collaboration and
to engage in initial discussion regarding the
planning effort.
Three community workshops open to the
general public were held initially and were
followed by four working sessions in which
the North Vallco Study Committee reviewed
community workshop comments, additional
information provided by City Staff and project
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as a "Special Center."
A segment of Calabazas Creek runs through the Study Area,
17-10
consultants, and discussed and developed the ideas presented in the subsequent chapters ofthis report. Overall,
discussion ranged over a wide variety of issues related to planning North Vallco, with varying degrees of consensus
and disagreement.
Changes to the composition of each workshop's participants augured against consensus on all issues, but there was
sufficient consistency of information to make the discussions quite valuable to the preparation of Phase One recom-
mendations, both as a bellwether of the larger community and to brainstorm ideas. Support for Apple and HP was
a major theme in both community workshops and Study Committee working sessions. Housing and traffic impacts
were primary concerns. Participants in the first workshop expressed strong opposition to adding residential units,
whereas various participants in the third expressed significant support to consider permitting some housing in North
Vallco. Adding new public facilities for the community and compatible development adjacent to close-by residential
neighborhoods were notions that received fairly consistent support.
Ps,ge :3
17-11
II. PRINCIPLES / ISSUES TO ADDRESS
GUIDING FUTURE GROWTH AND CHANGE IN NORTH VALLCO
As change occurs in the North Vallco District, consideration of the following Principles is considered a key to
maximizing the effectiveness of the district in meeting the needs of the precious industries located there, and
to insuring that new development contributes to the creation of a beautiful and functional city district.
OVERVIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES
1. "Win-win" Partnership Planning
2. Workplace Core
3. Convenient Services
4. Settings for Interaction
5. Wa I kabi I ity/Con nectivity
6. District Identity & Visibility
7. Sustainability
8. Efficient Land Utilization
9. Protection of Adjacent Neighborhoods
10. Minimization of Traffic Impacts
11. Consideration of Housing
THE PRINCIPLES IN DETAIL
1. "Win-win" Partnership Planning. Partner with Apple and HP in the planning and development of the
North Vallco District.
Apple and HP are highly valued members of the Cupertino community - both as major employers and tax
revenue generators for the City, as well as being the primary property owners and stakeholders in the current
core of this "workplace district." To maximize the value of all new private and public investments in North
Valleo for the benefit of Apple and Hp, planning and development should prQceed in a collaborative process
organized whenever the City, Apple or HP contemplate significant change in the district. This collaborative
process should also involve Cupertino Village and other North Vallco stakeholders as appropriate.
The collaborative planning process should always focus on achieving "win/win" outcomes - i.e., mutuall~ ben-
eficial results - for private and public interests.
2. Workplace Core. Protect and Enhance North Vall co's Existing Industrial Base
2.1. Core Land Use. Retain the existing tech industry "workplace" - more specifically: office, office/research &
development - land uses at the core of the district.
2.2. Security. Recognize Apple and HP's physical and intellectual security needs.
2.3. Workplace District Competitive Edge. Collaboratively plan changes in the district that guide its transition to
a "Twenty-first Century Workplace" that will provide the features and characteristics that will support Apple
and Hp, bolster North Vallco's competitive position in the region - focusing particularly on the attraction of
North Valleo to future occupants, and to the industry's most sought-after employees (see Principles 3 and 4,
below).
Page 5
17 - 13
3. Convenient Services. Encourage the provision and access to needed services convenient to Apple and
HP executives, employees, and guests - and to potential future occupants of the core of this workplace
district -including lunch places, fine dining, hotels, local-serving retail and services, and child care.
3.1. Market Driven Development. Retail and services development should be market-driven and consistent with
other nearby retail and services. Avoid plans that require uses in locations for which there is no market
demand.
3.2. Easy Walking Distance. Accommodate investment in convenient services within easy walking distance of
company employees.
3.3. Enhance connections to existing centers featuring retail and services (see Principle 5, below).
4. Settings for Interaction. Attract "Knowledge Workers" by incentivizing the provision of an engaging
and vital working environment. Attract knowledge workers who work in North Vallco by clustering the
business and personal services mentioned above within walking distance "that stimulate interaction among
people, including places to eat and drink conference and meeting facilities, recreation space and facilities,
parks and plazas, business service centers."l
4.1. Public accessibility. Convenience retail & services should also be available to the whole workplace district
and to the larger community.
4.2. Clustering. Convenience retail and services are primarily composed of a compact cluster of ground level
activity-generating uses such as cafes, restaurants and services.
4.3. Public Space. Convenience retail & services are organized around public spaces that provide settings for
interaction, such as plazas, greens, campuses, promenades, and pedestrian-oriented streets.
4.4. Central Location. To serve as the heart of the workplace neighborhood, a cluster of business and personal
services should be pedestrian-friendly and easily accessible to the workplace core.
4.5. Comprehensive Planning. Create incentives that encourage the planning of cohesive workplace environments
and campuses rather than piecemeal design.
A Compact Cluster of Ground Level Activity-Generation
Uses.
Convenience Retail and Services can be Combined with
Public Spaces that Provided Settings for Interaction and that
Complement Private and Semi-Private Work Spaces.
See "Linking the New Economy to the Livable Community" by Collaborative Economics.
17-14
5.
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.
5.4.
6.
6.1.
Walkability/Connectivity. Consistent with company security requirements (see Principle 2.2, above), plan
new development patterns and amenities to facilitate walkability and convenient connections in the
study area and to adjacent areas.
Multi-modal Connectivity. Provide connectivity for
all modes, pedestrian and vehicular - including
automobile, bicycle, shuttle and Segway.
Intra-district Connectivity. Enhance connections to
development outside the district, especially Cupertino
Village and Cupertino Square. Encourage the
provision of facilities that provide connectivity between
Apple campuses, and between North Vallco and City
Center/Crossroads and De Anza College.
Creek trail access. Work with Apple and Water District
staff to explore the possibility of trail access along
Calabazas Creek, while evaluating flood protection,
security and liability issues.
Pedestrian Scale Blocks. Encourage clustered patterns
of development as opposed to individual buildings
surrounded by large parking lots.
Providing connectivity for all modes of transportation
is an essential aspect of the workplace of the 21St
District Identity and Visibility. Work with Apple, HP, Century.
Cupertino Village and other North Vallco stakeholders to create a distinctive identity for the district.
Gateways and Landmarks. Consider gateway features, landmarks, and/or distinctive landscaping positioned
at particularly visible locations and at appropriate scale that call attention to district entrances and entrances
to company compounds that express the character of the city and district.
Strategically positioned new buildings can be designed as dramatic gateways into the district or
into a company campus or compound.
17 - 15
Special free-standing gateway landmark features could be positioned to call attention to a gateway
to the city and district.
6.2. Landscaping. Preserve the mature, well maintained trees already present
in the district as much as possible; continue to add landscaping that
meets sustainability principles (see below) and that provides a flattering
image for the district.
6.3. Public Art. Encourage the incorporation of public art into the design of
buildings, company landscaping, and into the design of public places in
the district.
7. Sustainability. New development should be encouraged to
comprehensively utilize the knowledge and technology available
throughout the planning, design, and construction process to help
achieve sustainability through energy efficiency and resource
conservation.
8. Efficient Land Utilization. Developable land is a rapidly diminishing
resource In Silicon Valley and new development in the study area
should use the land efficiently and wisely.
8.1. Efficient parking. Encourage the provision of parking either in above-
ground or in underground parking structures or in parking lots Bridges over the freeway might
configured to accommodate future transition to structured parking. be improved to provide dramatic
entrances and enhanced connections
8.2. Minimize building footprint. Substantial new development increments to the district.
should be encouraged to provide multiple story structures that minimize
building footprint and maximize available land for future development.
Taller buildings should be kept to the center of the district to avoid impacting adjacent neighborhoods.
Overall, new development should avoid the reproduction of the pattern of single low-rise buildings
surrounded by large surface parking lots.
8.3. Plan Intensification. Plan for the possibility of intensification - including for potential infrastructure
requirements of intensification - over the long-term. Insure that new development does not unduly restrict
options for intensification should that become desirable over time as property values increase and available
land becomes increasingly scarce to accommodate industry needs.
17 - 16
8.4. Usage oftemporarily undeveloped property. Where appropriate and consistent with company security,
confidentiality, and liability, encourage the creation of usable private and public open spaces on undeveloped
land.
8.5. Address Superfund site; Given the importance of using all land in the district efficiently, begin the process of
exploration of superfund site long term clean-up and potential ultimate readiness for development
9. Protection of Adjacent Neighborhoods. Planning for new development should respect the interests of
adjacent residential neighborhoods.
9.1. Traffic. New development should include planning that discourages cut-though traffic in adjacent
. neighborhoods.
9.2. Visibility. Respect the privacy of pre-existing residential development by avoiding the placement of the tallest
new structures along the other periphery of the workplace core. In particular, new workplace development
across from homes lining Homestead should retain deep landscaped setbacks that minimize views of
commercial development from those pre-existing homes.
9.3. Compatible Adjacent Uses. New development should respect existing residential neighborhoods. In
particular, new development backing up to homes behind development along Tantau should be scaled and
disposed to minimize impacts on those adjacent residential properties.
9.4. Transition Zones. Where appropriate, transition zones should be considered to help buffer adjacent single
family neighborhoods.
9.5. Noise. New development must be planned to buffer adjacent homes from potential noise impacts.
10. Minimization of Traffic Impacts. As change occurs, organize new development to minimize congestion
in this part of the City. Plan short-term development in a forward-looking manner, e.g., in a way that
improves the integration of land use, development form and transportation infrastructure.
11. Consideration of Residential Uses. Residential development is an important community issue on which
individuals within the community have differing views. As development of the study area proceeds, the
issue of residential development should be addressed in a constructive manner that seeks to come to
community consensus on the appropriateness of additional residential development in the area.
Page 9
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APPENDIX A: STARTING POINT - EXISTING
CONDITIONS
CONTEXT: THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
Cupertino is a unique and diverse community. It is a destination city for families seeking excellence in education,
professional development and civic pride. Cupertino elementary schools are in the top 5% of the state. One of our
high schools was recently rated in the top 100 in the country. Our community college has been ranked among the
best in the country as well. We are a high tech community and home to Apple Inc. and in the near proximity of Hp,
CISCO, SUN and Google among others. We are surrounded by outstanding universities such as Stanford, Santa
Clara, San Jose State and Berkeley. We are a combination of high tech companies and a bedroom community.
We have the best and brightest of high tech engineers and scientists from around the world living here. With respect
to ethnicity, we are one of the most culturally diverse communities anywhere. We have parks for hiking, picnicking,
and recreation. We have one of the best micro-climates in the country. In short, we have a great place to live.
- Summary provided by Dr. Wendell Stephens, Member, North Vallco Study Committee.
CONTEXT: ACCESS TO REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The North Vallco Study Area is favored with a geographically central location in Santa Clara County, providing conve-
nient (and essential) industry access to the places that drive innovation such as universities, corporate headquarters,
and centers. of venture capital.
Figure A.1 Regional Context
p- '1
17-19
The Study Area has excellent access to the regional highway infrastructure due to its positioning at a primary 1-280
interchange. However the Study Area is currently disadvantageously positioned with regard to existing regional
mass-transit corridors such as Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority 0fTA) Light Rail, and ACE - see Figure
A.1: Regional Context.
IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: NORTH VALLCO ENVIRONS
As illustrated in Figure A.2 - Site Context, below, the North Vallco Study Area is across 1-280 from South Vallco, which
is dominated by the recently renovated Cupertino Square shopping center (formerly Vallco Fashion Park). The North
Vallco Study Area combines with South Vallco to compose a "rectangle of development" distinguished less by its
internal cohesion than by its vivid contrast with the single family neighborhoods that surround it.
The North Va II co Study Area is in close proximity to a new Kaiser Permanente medical center, and in reasonably
close proximity to the city's second-largest employment center (North Vallco is the largest by acreage) just to the
west along 1-280 that includes Apple's prestigious Infinite Loop Headquarters. A variety of medium-sized properties
containing or potentially containing employment development both within and outside of city jurisdiction are located
in close proximity to North Valleo. The Study Area is also within a very short drive of the City Center district.
LEGEND:
III . Potential City/Site - Residential ~. Civic
Gateway Treatment
n . Workplace L - Retail
Figure A.2 Site Context
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17 - 20
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT
There are currently over two and a half million square feet of occupied and unoccupied office, and office research
& development buildings that provide by far the dominant land use in the North Vallco Study Area (see Figure A.3:
Existing Development, below). This "workplace core" is complemented by medical offices in the northeastern corner
of the site, and by multi-family residential (about 550 units) and lodging (about 315 rooms) development clustered
loosely around the intersection of Wolfe Road and Pruneridge Avenue. In the northwestern corner, Cupertino Village
provides both the workplace district and surrounding neighborhoods with a supermarket-anchored neighborhood
shopping center consisting of about 125,000 square foot of shops and eateries (currently under new ownership with
plans for expansion). A church occupies the farthest northwestern corner of the Study Area. In the farthest south-
western corner of the Study Area, a privately owned green space is positioned between single family homes and 1-280.
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17 - 21
URBAN DESIGN
The workplace development that dominates the character of the district is first generation business park develop-
ment that dates back to the 1960s when land in Santa Clara County was significantly less expensive, and when it was
believed that the densities of employment centers should be kept very low. Buildings are separated by significant
distances that are primarily covered with surface parking creating an environment that is suited primarily to circula-
tion in automobiles. This pattern of development is clearly illustrated in Figure A.4: Pattern of Existing Development,
below. Residential, lodging and shopping center development are similarly characterized by buildings set back from
the public sidewalks and surrounded primarily by surface parking.
Figure A.4 Pattern of Existing Development
The edges of most of the workplace development feature deep landscaped setbacks. Deep setbacks along the
northern portion of the workplace core provide a landscaped buffer from the single family homes across Homestead
Road from the HP campus. Along the eastern side of Tantau Road, buildings of similar site and mass face toward the
roadway, forming a somewhat unified one-sided boulevard composition. Commercial development along the eastern
side of Tantau directly abuts detached single family development to the east.
Deep setbacks along the northern portion of the workplace
provide a landscaped buffer across from the single family
homes across Homestead Road.
ce 14
Buildings along the eastern side of Tantau back up against
detached single family homes.
17 - 22
Both the primarily HP campus that dominates the northern half of the site, and The Hamptons residential develop-
ment feature central semi-private green spaces. The district's only public green (as opposed to green landscaping,
which is not meant to accommodate activity) is located in the center of the Cupertino Village shopping center. None
of these green spaces are connected to each other or to other public or semi-public spaces in the district.
There is a Well Used Public Green Space in the Center of Cupertino Village.
VISUAL CHARACTER AND IDENTITY
The most visible portions of the North Vallco district are the wide arterials - Wolfe Road, Homestead Road, Pruneridge
Avenue. and Tantau Avenue - and the treatment of the private development lining their edges. For the most part, the
thoroughfares are richly landscaped with well maintained plant materials that have achieved substantial maturity.
Dramatic formal arrangements of mature street trees buffer most sidewalks from moving traffic and provide shade
and amenity for pedestrians and bicyclists. Identical street furnishings, similarly wide arterial treatments, large scale
plantings and the absence of visible buildings make many segments of the four primary arterials somewhat difficult
to distinguish one from another. The visibility of uniformly sited buildings along Tantau provides a distinctive imag-
ery in comparison.
Primary arterials are richly landscaped and well maintained, but can be difficult to distinguish from each other.
,-? 'i 5
17 - 23
Entrances to the city and to the district feature a number of understated markers and/or landscape treatments.
Similarly, within the workplace core, mature, very well maintained landscaping isthe most noticeable feature along
with surface parking lots and buildings of interchangeable design.
Existing on-site amenities are characterized by dramatic stands of mature. very well maintained planting arrangements and
allees of trees.
Entrances to the city and to the district feature a number of understated markers and/or landscape treatments.
17 - 24
VULNERABILITY TO CHANGE
Various existing conditions and recent transactions involving real estate in the study area would seem to indicate
that major portions of the North Valleo District are likely to change in the short term. Apple Inc. has very recently
purchased a large part of the southern portion of the district, with the presumed intent of redeveloping all or most of
the property for a new Apple campus. Currently there are vacant buildings along Tantau Avenue. The HP property
dominating the largest portion of the district is perhaps the oldest facility in the wide range of HP properties, and one
of the oldest in the Silicon Valley, making it a likely candidate for some level of change in the not too distant future
(no specific plans have been made public and there is no reason to believe that any are being developed at this time).
Cupertino Village has recently been purchased and the new owners have expressed the desire to intensify the site
during Study Committee Working Session.
There are vacant buildings along Tantau Avenue.
;-~E .::;, 1 7
17 - 25
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL
Apple Inc. and HP together own virtually the entire workplace core that makes up the vast majority of the district - see
Figure A.5 : Property Ownership and Control, below (during the course of this Study, Apple purchased the property
along the eastern frontage of Tantau south of Calabazas Creek, adding to the size of their current holdings). All other
increments of property ownership and control are significantly smaller, and are held by various owners, as indicated
in the diagram below.
T.",,", Duildrfl.f~
AlWleaIlnn
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Figure A.5 Property Ownership and Control
17 - 26
Pattern of Streets and Blocks
Existing development in North Vallco is composed entirely of superblocks. The scale exceeds the typical distances
most people are willing to walk, especially during lunchtime and to and from shops, offices and homes. There are no
through-streets anywhere along Pruneridge Avenue between Wolfe Road and Tantau Avenue, a distance of over t~o
thousand feet. Future development should consider providing more through-streets to Pruneridge, Wolfe and Tantau
to foster walking and bicycling between in-district destinations.
Existing development in North Vallco is composed entirely of superblocks.
"c 10
~,- '....
17 - 27
APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
The Planning Process for this first phase of the North Vall co Master Plan was organized around a series of
community workshops and steering committee working sessions. Three community workshops were held as
part of this first phase, as follows:
January 25,2007: Community Workshop 1
March 8, 2007: Community Workshop 2
April 2,2007: Community Workshop 3
Note: At the beginning of this Study, there was a
pending proposal for a new residential development
for the property along the eastern frontage of Tantau
Avenue, between Calabazas Creek and 1-280. During
the course of the project, the residential development
proposal was withdrawn. Subsequent to the with-
drawal of that proposal, but after the third Community
Workshop was held, Apple Inc. completed purchase of
that property, adding to their holdings in North Vallco.
The following is a summary of workshop content and
comments received from participants at each of the workshops.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1
Date held: January 25, 2007
Workshop Agenda:
· Welcome and Introduction
Ms. Christine Mallery, North Vallco Study Committee
· Presentation: Opportunities for Refreshing N Vallco: The City, The Site, and the Changing American Work-
place.
Michael Freedman, Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Note: A copy of the PowerPoint exhibits used in this presentation are available on the City's website.
· Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
Summary of Particioant Comments
Regarding the Prospective Uses of the Study Area:
Tech Park
. The tech park makes Cupertino complete
. North Vallco is a Tech Park and should be retained as a tech park (x 4)
2 .~
17 - 29
Retai I / Activity Center
· Create a small city retail area
· Desire for "a hub where we can walk and shop and exchange ideas."
· Create community gathering places without intensifying
· Go back to the old town concept with housing above stores- an urban destination.
. Mixed use - desirable
Housing
· The Condos are just as good as the single family homes in the area
· Find some affordable housing, more diverse and age appropriate, emphasis on needs of older households (x2)
· No new housing except for single family (x4)
· Just having retail and industry is not a "complete dream." Housing is needed.
Recreation and Open Space
· Retain visual prominence of landscaping and trees (x2)
· Concentrate on recreation - rec centers and fields
· Jogging path - child care
· "lots of public park" good - accessible, not just green space
Other ideas (parts of the vision)
· School transportation transfer site
· Jogging path
· Increased safety (bike cops, foot patrol)
. A new elementary school
· A trauma center, more specifically some care facilities for seniors
· A "world class" child care facility
· Opportunity for light rail
· Become a leader with green development, solar requirements, recycling
· Create high density to save land, encourage transit and public transportation
Concerns about Impacts
· Traffic congestion - bad Oust as bad at lunch) (x6)
· School district crowding - bad (x2)
· Competition w/City Center
· Acceptability of mixed use and density increase is based on ability to handle traffic
· Privacy impacts of concern to those in single family homes surrounding the site to the north, east and west,
including residents of other cities, who should be involved. Need to create buffer between residential and
Pa Q e 22
17 - 30
office uses; need to create buffer between medium density and single family housing
. Environmental concerns relating to landscaping
. Site is now nice and quiet on the weekends
Other Comments and Questions
. What will be the impact of people getting older yet still being in the workforce?
. Why doesn't the Golden Triangle model work anymore?
. Is greater density appropriate, is Cupertino going to become a big City?
. What degree of influence do community members actually have?
. What is the status of South Vall co?
. Where do the people who live on site currently work?
. What is vulnerable and likely to change?
. "Are we going to become a big city like San Francisco or is Cupertino going to stay the way it is?"
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #2
Date held: March 8, 2007
WorkshoD Aaenda:
· Welcome and Introductions
Ms. Christine Mal/ery, North Val/co Study Committee
· Presentation: Envisioning the Future District: Preliminary Concepts.
Michael Freedman, Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Note: A copy of the PowerPoint exhibits used in this presentation are available on the City's website.
· General Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
N Vallco Study Committee Questions to Participants, Feedback and Comment to Consultant Team.
· Next Steps; Adjourn.
Primarv Exhibits Disolayed for Particioant Resoonse: The illustrations on the following pages (see Figures A.1, A.2
and A.3) were presented as preliminary responses to comments received at Workshop #1.
Page 23
17 - 31
Figure A.1 Existing conditions are characterized by a diffuse pattern of development, with buildings separated
by large surface parking lots.
Figure A.2 A rearrangement of the same amount of development as currently exists on the site, but in a clustered,
walkable scaled pattern of development forming public spaces and a district "vital center."
qe 24
17 - 32
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17 - 33
Recorded Particioant Comments
· If there are going to be residences built East of Tantau, then they should be 1 story, single family houses only.
· This person preferred the office only scenario that was presented.
· The surrounding communities need more schools and one should be built on the site.
· It was suggested that a possible school location would be on the East side of the HP property along Tantau.
· "Leave things alone, is a common opinion."
· What is going to happen to/in Cupertino Village?
· A representative of the League of Women Voters approved of housing to be built onsite:
· "We will always speak for housing....that is appropriate for the site".
· Not opposed to housing or office, but wouldn't want a "5-story concrete fa~ade" across from the existing
homes east of the site.
· Doesn't like housing on the east side of Tantau.
· Likes the concept of a Center on Pruneridge with retail and restaurants.
· Doesn't want Meadow Ave. (in subdivision east of Tantau) to connect with the street serving the offices to the
north of the houses.
· Encourages public transit and bike paths.
· The city should consider a "no new traffic policy".
· There is a lack of parks, schools in this part of the City.
· Doesn't recommend more commercial on the site if there will not be more housing built as well.
· More of the site's open space should be developed.
· Doesn't understand how FTB's proposal is an efficient use of land.
· The entire site is already of a walkable scale.
· Li ked the concept.
· Cupertino is almost and could be an urban destination, and the FTB proposal seems like it would help
achieve that goal.
· Concerned that this project is a way to eventually turn the entire site into housing, and sees the smaller
blocks as a way of making this even easier.
· "This whole process is unnecessary....until Apple says what is wants."
· 5 to 8 minutes is the longest optimal time it should take to get to a lunch destination.
· The site should have a walking track, some place/reason for people to get out and walk around.
· The big controversies here are the lack of room in schools and that there is too much traffic.
F'bge 26
17 - 34
. "We need a school on this sitel"
. Suggested putting the Center at Tantau and Pruneridge.
· Most companies want their workers to stay on the site during the day.
. Most companies also do not want the public wandering in and out of their property.
· Doesn't want more housing, but since most cities in the region have a mandate to build more housing in any
space that is available there may not be a choice.
· Putting sports facilities on the site is "ok", but the area needs more parks (i.e. Memorial Park in Cupertino).
However, the current location of the soccer fields is a logical location.
. The community must compromise on new housing and allow some to be built.
· Yes the site is of a walkable scale, but it time is the issue. The FTB design seems to be successful in
addressing that concern.
· Thought that consolidation/clustering of office buildings was better than the current development pattern,
but was still worried about a lack of recreation space.
---....---------..--..-..---...-----------..-..-..-..-----..---------------..-------------------';------..-----
Study Committee Member Comments -Included as an Agenda Item at the Conclusion of Community Work-
shop #2
Visions for the Calabazas Creek:
. -Should be naturalized
. -Concern over flooding
· -City Position is to eventually have a trail along the creek.
What should we (city/community) be concerned about in the future?
. -Need to ensure flexibility, and not be locked into one type of development.
General: Retail, parks will require a sacrifice.
Random comments from non-Study Committee member:
· Referring to a previous planning exercise by the city, Apple wants the smaller office spaces leftover after its
move to remain office in order that its support companies can develop as well.
. -Apple is building a new campus in order to free up smaller random sites.
· -The city should not overbuild, but needs to find a happy medium in order to prevent excessive vacancies (in
case of a .com bust situation)
. -The schemes presented by FTB "add vibrancy to intensity".
. -What incentive does HP have in doing this project?
· -Yes, increased intensity in order to accommodate HP/Apple is ok.
Pal~le 27
17 - 35
· -Doesn't know what to think about the project because there isn't enough info to tell what will happen right
now.
. -"In planning for success, we must anticipate more intensity."
Comments from general Community Workshop Participants:
· -The market is very strong in the area and can facilitate more growth
. -liDo not fear change."
. -People need to allow mixed use development.
· -Pruneridge IS a major travel corridor, and it may not be wise to narrow/slow it down.
· -There needs to be a representative of the local school districVs in attendance at these meetings in order to
answer some important questions being raised.
· -Not as convinced that there needs to be a central gathering place (i.e. cafes) because HP/Apple will have
their own amenities.
. _"I wish that more people from the community would attend [these meetings]".
1.uVrt..,~.\ ~.,..~ ~"!'win.).
lfoJt::l~
k~!
1.1:1* UI<"'~I~ IlX~IQmIW
M{~jiWfl4 ltil;J. ~''rb-i1~, k~.\i4:':Jl~.1
Figure A.4 Preliminary "Envisioned Future Land Use" diagram displayed for discussion in
Community Workshop 3.
17 - 36
More Comments from non-steering committee
members:
. -Doesn't see the attraction of having a
central meeting place because there
would not be anyone there at night, and
no one from the rest of Cupertino is
going to get in their car and drive across
1-280 to get there.
. -Advocated putting housing and food/
retail establishments in this location.
. -Thinks the process is guided more by
Apple than anyone else, and doesn't
think that HP will want to rearrange
their site with out getting something in
return
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #3
Date held: April 2, 2007
Figure A.S A list of "Desirable Features of the Future North Valleo
District" presented for discussion at Community Workshop #3.
Primarv Exhibits Displayed for Particioant Response:
Exhibit 1 - Preliminary "Envisioned Land Use" diagram (see Figure A.4)
Exhibit 2 -List of "Desirable Features of Future North Valleo District" (see Figure A.5) as developed in the preceding
North Vallco Steering Committee Working Session (see Appendix B, below).
Summarv of Participant Comments
Regarding Prospective Uses for the Study Area:
Tech Park
. Embrace Apple/HP.
· We should be asking companies what they want - enhance other businesses & south Vallco.
· Recognize Apple's security interests; need security of intellectual products. HP and Apple need to be gated.
. HP/Apple don't want to share facilities.
. Possible long-term intensification.
. Likes H
. P buildings set back & tree lined walkways. HP is beautiful; people use it for walking.
· Feels safe at night walking along street - no Starbucks, etc.
. Crosswalk - mid-block on Wolfe.
Retail/Activity Center
· Apple would benefit from surrounding lunch places, fine dining, hotel, create an urban lifestyle that serves
young employees.
17 - 37
. Like quiet weekends near corporations; services could be noisy.
. Need services to walk to.
Housing
· League of Women Voters supports low/moderate income housing, scattered throughout the community
. Don't lose sight of who is living here, e.g., seniors.
. Housing should be accessible, no gates. Match the neighborhood.
· Be aware of how new development fits into the community. If housing makes sense here, be sure it reflects
the community that is there.
· Condominiums are a good housing solution. Be sure they are well designed initially.
Recreation and Open Space
· Example of the Washingt.on DC mall-lots of interaction, open area can be active.
Other Ideas:
. Daycare
Concerns about Impacts:
· Jobs/housing balance
. Schools
· . . Traffic. It would be nice if Apple employees didn't have to get into cars between campuses. Hope they make
easy for employees to walk & bike, e.g., sidewalk on west side of overpass. Shuttle for lunchtime. Provide
mobility choices. Make Wolfe Road pedestrian friendly.
· Need details on infrastructure, shuttles, solar effects on surrounding communities.
· Congestion will make their housing prices go down.
Other Comments:
· What is being done about the Superfund site?
· Intensification: quality development, don't degrade.
· Address the whole City.
· Large campuses don't build community; sea of cars. Consolidate cars so it doesn't look like a shopping cen-
ter.
P2~ie 2f:i
17 - 38
APPENDIX B: NORTH VALLCO STUDY COMMITTEE WORKING SESSIONS
In addition to the Community Workshops listed in Appendix A, the planning process was organized around a series of
North Valleo Study Committee Working Sessions. Four working Sessions were held, as follows:
WORKING SESSION #1 - OCTOBER 19, 2007
Focus of Session: Review and discussion of the purposed of the North Vallco Study and the role of the Study Commit-
tee.
WORKING SESSION #2 - MARCH 28, 2007:
Focus of Session: Discussion and Development of Preliminary list of "Desirable Features of Future District" for sub-
sequent discussion and review at the third community workshop.
Results of Workina Session #2 - Aoril2. 2007:
List of Desirable Features of Future District
. Physical & Intellectual Security
· Lunch places close by
· Fine Dining; Restaurants with private rooms
. Accommodations for the best brightest sho come here from all over the world: A Nice Hotel
· Beautiful campuses and buildings
. Urban lifestyle: places that appeal to employees in their 20s and early 30s
. High end shopping/eating/lingering place like Santa Row-type place
· Transportation - "Keep Cars off the Road"
· Cleaners and other personal and business services
· Day Care
· Make Wolfe Road more pedestrian friendly
· Plan for intensification over the long term
WORKING SESSION #3 - MAY 23, 2007
Focus of Session: Review of draft "Principles" to guide growth and change in North Vallco. This discussion formed
the basis of Chapter V - Principles in this document.
WORKING SESSION #4 - JULY 23, 2007
Focus of Session: Review of draft North Valleo Master Plan - Phase I document and direction to City Staff and con-
sultant team with regard to recommended modifications.
P3Qe 31
17 - 39
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
NORTH VALLCO STEERING COMMITTEE
Debbie Stauffer, Chairperson
Fari Aberg
Bill Brown
Lynn Ching
Roger Costa
Mike Foulkes
Frank Geefay
Christine Giusiana
Jennifer Griffin
Rick Hausman
Shawna Holmes
Christine Mallery
Marty Miller
Mahesh Nihalani
Anne Ng
Wendell Stephens
Darryl Stow
Kevin Wu
Thorisa Yap
CITY STAFF - PROJECT CORE TEAM
Steve Piasecki, AICp, Director of Community Development
Ciddy Wordell, AICp, City Planner
Carol Atwood, Director of Administrative Services
David Stillman, Senior Civil Engineer
Marty Miller, Chairman, Planning Commission
CONSULTANTS
Liedstrand Associates - Public Process Design; Urban Design
Bruce Liedstrand, Principal
Freedman Tung & Bottomley - Urban Design; Workplace District Planning
Michael Freedman, Principal
Ellen Greenberg, Principal
Michael Kritzman, Urban Designer
Alexa Lawrence, Urban Designer
PaQe 33
17 - 41
Exhibit A
Tbe City ~f C/fpcrtillo
North Vallco
Master Plan
Community Workshop #1
January 25, 2007
.
Tonight's Agenda
· Welcome and Introduction
M.L ChriJtim MalleI)'. North Valko Stlldy
COl1lmittee
· Presentation: Opportunities for Refreshing N
Valko: The City, The Site, and the Changing
American \Workplace.
1I1ithttel Freet/177t1ll, Freedlllt11l 7;mg & Bottomley
· Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
17 - 43 1
Planning Process: Community Meetin~
· TONIGHT: Community Workshop #1:
Opportunities and Community Aspirations
· March 8: Community Workshop #2: The
Envisioned Future District - Preliminary Urban
Design Concepts
· April 2: Community Workshop #3: The
Envisioned Future District - Preferred Urban
Design Concepts.
· TBD: N Valleo Study Committee Review
Session: Prepare Report to PC/Council on
Recommendation Re: The Envisioned Future N
Vallco District.
QQ.portunities for Refreshing
North Vallco:
The City, The Site, and the
American Workplace
17-44 2
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17 - 45 3
Special Centers
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17 - 48 6
Existing Workplace
Development
Existing Workplace Development
17 - 49 7
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17 - 55 13
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17-56 14
Entering City IDistrict
17 - 57 15
17-58 16
17 - 59 17
17-60 18
17 - 61 19
Early in the 20th Century,
separate-use zoning was
institutionalized as a way
to keep noisy I
from homes, shops and
pedestrians.
17-62 20
Nearly a century later, the continued
implementation (i.e. institutionalization) of this
early 20th Century zoning concept continues to
direct the development of the suburban
workplace.
17-63 21
17 - 64 22
17-65 23
17-66 24
17-67 25
Special Centers
rip.. l-s. ~ Caw:n .
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17 - 68 26
There is a Growing Consensus that we need to substantially
improve the Design of the Parts of our Cities that house the
Primary Drivers of Our Economy.
..._..._~_..._-_..__._-
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JAMES O'TOOLE
EDWARD E~ LAWLER III
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17-69 27
17 - 70 28
17 - 71 29
17-72 30
f'gure 4 Featurp.!, of honomlt Commumty
1hI' pI;t<< ..we. of the f_ fconomy.", "",'ed both in the new
basis: cl' compelit~ 8ttMn~ and in tlte new n.lhln.> of work
Uniting the New Economy to the
Uvable Community
Publication by
Collaborative Economics,
Mountain View, CA
17-73 31
fji:~JtffJt!';ijijt.Cl.U l;,.tcr~.Qhi NUl.wnmV;m:!.s'~J,,>NHt!i.:Mr ".liI!'
11"1'1111"';"
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ell"" Wilkinson Architects'
propata' fo, the '"designed
Gnogleple, included sketches
jllu'~r;;ling hmdamentlll fealures
Qf the new interior. Chief among
them is the USE of ;; '"'maIn stroot."
a cemral pedestrian corridor lined
by >.h.red-use buUd,ng block.-
!below!"nd gl...-walled work-
rooms along the perimeter (rightl.
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"The development of Urban Typologies and Neighbourhood
Planning in office environments is a reaction to the pent-up
demand for more meaningful work places..."
Nicola Gillen, DEGW
17-74 32
Private Community Space? (= No Network)
Vital Centers Require
Concentration of Customers
· A recent survey by the International Council of Shopping
Centers found that office workers make a significant
amount of purchases before and after work:
· 10% purchase cosmetics care; 20% purchase gifts; 25%
purchase home items-furnishings; 28% purchase
ap~arel; 30% purchase drugs and personal care items;
40 Yo purchase groceries.
· Gibbs Planning Group's research indicates that each
office worker airectly supports 2 square feet of retail
plus 5 sf of restaurant space. Typically each office
building has 1 worker per 200 sf gross. (This means
500,000 sJ. of office space supports at most 20K
retail/restaurant). .
17 - 75 33
17 - 76 34
Firms Not Tied to Geographic
Features
· Firms J need to be located
near ports, power sources, customers
· Firms attracted to pools of talent,
freeway access, airport access,
industry clusters, prestigious
addresses.
· (HP just announced they are opening
research facility in St Petersberg)
17-77 35
17-78 36
"OO"""fOBntIftJ;.,I1.WDU:~a.~
INSIDE THE NEWS
17 -79 37
The Importance of Concentration
· Concentrated, mixed use places reduce
distances between destinations, so people
. can walk between places they want to go,
which means fewer people need a car
during the work day.
Importance of Housing Choices
Near Work
· Plentiful jobs within four miles of home
significantly reduce VMT and VHT for
Work trips. That is, jobs-housing balance
matters." -- Robert Cervero and Michael
Duncan, Journal of the American Planning
Association, 9/22/06.
17 - 80 38
17-81 39
Yuba CiZV's NeH) EnzploJilnent
Center
Town Center Master
Plan
17-82 40
BefORE PROJECT: DISTRICT STRUCTlIRE
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17 - 83 41
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17-84 42
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17 - 85 43
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17-86 44
Ea5;t PaloL41to
Ravenswood Business
District Redevelop111ent '
Plan
.
17-87 45
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j
~/
...-
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~__o..ns.
..
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Envisioned Build-Out
.,
Redevelopment Master Plan
17 - 88 46
17 - 89 47
Opportunity Sites - Office
llltEat"'Ahu~r-.
:..=....r ~~
r",,'Gf&ilt No/Jlo
Street I Frontal:e T~'pes
17-90 48
~~-
-- -
I..l"_n
Retail Clusters
1'btf.;wt".a:.AItt.>~M.ta
Ci~(I{f.AIlr*Ahcl
17 - 91 49
17 - 92 50
17 - 93 51
17 - 94 52
~-_...._-
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nw".. hkoAtkt briuhn.ti_ Mal
(:i:t}.,.{f.-
17-95 53
17-96 54
Realizing the 21st Century
Workplace
· Civic leadership is required
- Multiple properties are involved
- Public realm is a key component
- Infrastructure and services must respond to
shifting demands
- Linkage to other places is required
17-97 55
17 - 98 56
Exhibit A J..
North ValIeo Master Plan
PbaJt 1: Tbe Visilm /or Nul"/.! fl a/ko
Envisioning the Future
District: Prelilninary
Concepts
Community \'X7orkshop #2
A!.lId, 8;;', 21VJ7
.
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........
;-::-::-:.. '11
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-
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IUw~ ~K_J
17 - 99
1
Planning Process: Community Meetin~
· Community Workshop #1: Opportunities and
Community Aspirations.
· March 8: Community Workshop #2: Envisioning the
Future District - Preliminary Urban Design Concepts.
· TBD: N Vallco Study Committee Review Session
· April 2: Community Workshop #3: Envisioning the
Future District - Preferred Urban Design Concepts.
· TBD: N Vallco Study Committee Review Session:
Prepare Report to PC/Council on Recommendation Re:
The Envisioned Future N Vallco District.
17 - 100
2
North Valleo Master Plan
l'bmt 1: The Visio1l fill' Nonb Valko
Envisioning the Future
District: Prelilninary
COflcepts
Community Workshop #2
idol tee, sJ. 2 ()O 7'
.
. , '<}" ~ ,., .,'
Tonight's Agenda
· Wekome and Introductions
M.r. Clwi,ailii' ALlier)'. j\Jr'l'lh l'~llko Sf/toI) Gi'i!:ilfil!('(
· Presentation: Envisioning the Future District:
Preliminary Concepts.
;\J;(/.!:w/ Frrt'd!JhiU. Fn.(;JlIIan TltJlg & Bou(/mIl}
· General Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
· N Valleo Study Committee Questions to
Participants, Feedback and Comment to
Consultant Team.
· Next Steps; Adjourn.
17 - 101
3
CITY OffiCIALS
COllllllunity
Aspirations
Considered o,gajllJt tbe barkdrop (if tet'h illdtlJt~J) meds
17 - 102
4
17 - 103
5
flgWf' 4 features of Economl( Communtty
n.. p/<<o....... .,fIhPNwvEt__ _ borh in 1hP.-
_ of c:otItP<<i...~onrJ in m.1leWllOt_of..",.,
Unking the New Economy to the
Uvable Community
Publication by
Collaborative Economics,
Mountain View, CA
Interaction
-
New EC9*'10my values vital centers
17-104
6
1Hl....'fftM': ntfr.l...VMM'ttlt':'nlN:lla.l..
INSIDE THE NEWS
17 - 105
7
17 - 106
8
17 - 1 07
9
Opportunities for
Refreshing North Vallco
Prelimillal)' Ideas itl Respotlse to lVorksbop # 1
17 - 108
10
17 - 109
11
17-110
12
The Existing Intensity at N Vallco
can Sugport a "Vital Center"
· Built Office Space = 2,843,144 sJ.
· leSe: office workers make a significant
amount of purchases before and after
work.
· Gibbs Planning Group's research: each
office worker directly supports 2 square
feet of retail plus 5 sf of restaurant space.
17-111
13
17-112
14
17-113
15
17 -114
16
17-115
17
Better: eommunity Space for the Facility
17-116
18
Better: eommunity Space for the Facility
mWJID1U^,U'UWJ; U!~~ Nn:Ulf1I.~AUfJIiJJJ>>nfJ:!tS.'j.If f!JIft.Jt
17-117
19
17-118
20
17 -119
21
17 - 120
22
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17 - 121
23
17 - 122
24
17 - 123
25
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17 - 124
26
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17 - 125
27
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17 - 126
28
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17 - 127
29
17 - 128
30
N Vallco is primarily composed of two
. "superblocks"
17 - 129
31
17 - 130
32
I'
17-131
33
The Value of Street Hierarchy & Pedestrian-
Scaled Slocks
Existing Street Network
~"""""D\IIIrii:I:
.~ Proposed Streel Network
~ etr... 4lIFo -..-..........l'-d
~_"""""A.Iw
..
17 - 132
34
17-133
35
17 - 134
36
17 - 135
37
17 -136
38
17 - 137
39
17 - 138
40
17 - 139
41
17 - 140
42
Clustering development (also) provides opportunities for
much more efficient land use
17 - 141
43
17 - 142
44
17 - 143
45
17 - 144
46
17 - 145
47
17 -146
48
Exhibit B
North Vallco Master Plan - Phase I
Working Toward A Vision for the North Vallco District of the City of Cupertino
Cupertino~7_1~A
Executive Summary
This report contains the results of a preliminary exploration of the potential benefits to North
Val leo's highly valued industries, their neighbors and the larger community that might be
derived from some advance thinking and a more collaborative approach to planning for change
in the city's largest "workplace district."
The thinking was organized around a series of three community workshops and four study
committee working sessions. Workshop and working session discussions expressed broad
consensus on the issue of the high value placed on Apple and HP, and a general lack of
consensus on issues of potentially complementary land uses or potentially desirable physical
features of future development. Over the course of discussion, however, notions of
encouraging the development of well connected places, the exploration of ways of adding some
public spaces, and the idea of encouraging the development of some convenient retail and
services in walking distance of company compounds, appeared to gain tentative support as
ideas at least meriting further exploration.
The challenge became increasingly defined as one of establishing more of a partnering attitude
toward planning change, meeting the needs of North Vallco's companies, and building any
changes on the things that people value that are already present in the Study Area and the
wider Cupertino community.
An inventory of the primary characteristics of the present pattern of development in the Study
Area presents a clear picture of a well-located, first generation business park. Development is
characterized by superblocks occupied by single-use, low-rise buildings separated by surface
parking lots and perimeter landscaping. Occupants of adjacent single family neighborhoods
value the deep-planted setbacks and quiet of the business park, but are concerned about traffic.
This study is a response on the part of community leaders to recent indications that major
portions of North Vallco are likely to change in the short term. Foremost among these
indications is the recent purchase of a large portion of North Vallco by Apple Inc. Other
indications of possible "vulnerability to change" are the recent change of ownership of
Cupertino Village, the presence of vacant office buildings along Tantau Avenue, and the age of
the existing HP facility occupying the largest property in the district,
A review of current research into the physical environment most supportive of the
contemporary American workplace in general, and of the tech industry in particular, reveals
wide agreement regarding the unsuitability of many aspects of the aging business park model
to contemporary companies and their most sought-after employees. One can expect the most
desirable future workplace districts to feature not only valuable locational characteristics, but
also engaging settings for face-to-face contact and spontaneous interaction, nearby activity-
generating land uses and public spaces, development patterns that support walking and
bicycling, and comfortable company transit facilities, all designed in accordance with company
security needs.
Issues that merit further consideration in planning the evolution of North Valleo begin with
practicing collaborative planning between the City and North Vallco primary stakeholders.
Retaining the core workplace uses and respecting industry's security needs are considered
fundamental. Consideration should be given to the identification of incentives and other.
means of encouraging potentially desirable new features that would increase the appeal and
functionality of the district. Foremost among such new features meriting further exploration
are features that largely mirror at least a portion of the features advanced by current research
reported on above: settings for interaction - especially a very centrally located "Vital Center," a
17 - 148
range of shared open spaces, connectivity between the primary pieces of the district and to key
facilities outside of the district, gateway features, resource conserving buildings and site
treatments, features to redUce traffic generation and to buffer adjacent neighborhoods from
noise, traffic or abrupt changes in scale.
The Study concludes with some very preliminary efforts to explore the application of these
notions to the physical conditions in North Vall co. These concepts are expressed in simple
diagrams with plenty of options to provide ideas to move forward with the collaborative
planning process that is just beginning.
17 - 149
City Of Cupertino
North Vallco Master Plan · Phase I
A Vision For The North Vallco District Of The City Of Cupertino
Administrative Draft
July 2007
Prepared for the City of Cupertino
By Freedman Tung & Bottomley
and Liedstrand Associates
17 - 151
I. ORI ENTATION ........... ............. ............, ......... ........ ...... .... .... ....... ,.".". ...,.. .,.. ....1
II. P HAS EON E 0 B J E C T I V E S .............,....,............,....,..,....: .. .. .. . .. , .. .. .. .. . .. , .. . .. .. .. .. . 5
III. STARTING POINT: EXISTING CONDITIONS.........,........,...............,...................... 7
IV. THE CHANGING WORKPLACE ..,........................................,............................17
V. PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE FUTURE GROWTH AND CHANGE IN NORTH VALLCO.....21
VI. ENVISIONING THE FUTURE DISTRICT: PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS.....................,29
Appendix A: Community Workshops ..........,......................................................, 44
Appendix B: North Vallco Study Committee Working Sessions.............................54
Pro j e c t Part i c i pan t s . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . , , . . . . . , . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , . . , . . . . . . . . . . . , ,. 55
FRUDMAN
TUNG l.ND
BOTTOMLfY
Page i
17 - 153
I. ORIENTATION
COMMUNITY INTENT
Major portions of the North Valleo Study Area are likely to change in the short term. The community highly values
the current and potential industries located in North Valleo. This preliminary visioning exercise is intended to explore
potential benefits to those industries, to the North Valleo "workplace district," and to the larger community that might
be derived from some advance thinking and a more collaborative approach to planning for change in the district.
THE NORTH V ALLCO STUDY AREA
The North Valleo Study Area is a primarily built-out area of the City that is not easily recognizable as a cohesive
district, but that is distinguished very clearly by its edges. The Study Area - see Figure 1.1 Study Area Location Map-
comprises the 240 acres that are bounded along their northern edge by Homestead Road; its eastern edge is defined
by the properties that line the eastern frontage of Tantau Road; it is bounded to the south by 1-280; and it is bounded
to the West by all of the development between Wolfe Road and the single-family neighborhood to the west. All of the
northern and eastern boundaries and most of the western boundary of the Study Area are also the boundaries of the
City of Cupertino.
_ . _ Slmly Area Bound.!)'
Cupertino <:it)' nound.,)
Figure 1.1 Study Area Location Map
17 - 155
By far the largest property owners of the study area are Apple Inc. and HP. Apple has recently purchased most of the
southern portion of the study area which is understood to be intended for a new campus that will ultimately involve
redeveloping some or all of the property currently under the company's ownership.
The Study Area is identified in the City's recently updated General Plan as a "Special Center" intended to be retained
as an employment center with lodging and neighborhood commercial uses. General plan policies allow the primary
employment uses to be complemented with some lodging, housing, as well as permitting some overall intensifica-
tion. The segment of Calabazas Creek that runs through the Study Area is intended to be improved as part of the
Calabazas Creek Trail.
THE PLANNING PROCESS
The Planning Process for this first phase of
the planning effort for the North Vallco district
was organized around a series of community
workshops and North Vallco Study Committee
working sessions. The process was supported
by a Project Core Team that included members
of the Community Development Department,
the Public Works Department the Chairman of
the Planning Commission, and consultants.
Prior to initiating community discussion, City
Staff and consultants contacted representa-
tives of Apple Inc. and HP - the primary prop-
erty owners and employers in the district - to
explore opportunities for collaboration and to
engage in initial discussion regarding the plan-
ning effort.
Three community workshops open to the gen-
eral public were held initially and were followed
by four working sessions in which the North
Vallco Study Committee reviewed community
workshop comments, additional information
provided by City Staff and project consultants,
and discussed and developed the ideas present-
ed particularly in the fifth an sixth chapters of
this report. Workshops were initially sparsely
attended, but the third and final community
workshop drew a significantly larger group.
Overall, discussion ranged over a wide variety
of issues related to planning North Vallco. with
varying degrees of consensus and disagree-
ment.
Special Centers
North D. A.... 8.......~
D. A.... ColI.g. V.llco Park North~
Hom.stoad Road V.llco Pork South
!:u"'l.....J,
-~~ ,^, - ~ ':. ~
- 1D....'- ~ '.~ ..r
~ : - -. !"
!
,
. LEGEND
Figure 2.E. Special emter.
Ot)' Boundary
UrN" S.,vlu Area Boundary
....... ...- Sphele of fnfluenu
80undJry AgfHmfnt Una
UnlntorpOf'ted AleiS
N.iqhbothood Cenw
fTF"""Yl {ommBciillCMtfi
W-...l:J EmplOynMnt Center
~j EducaoonJCl.lltur.IC.nter
c .~ ~ trolOAfMI i~~
'\,..",...... ,"'.... \'ftiJJ
Figure 1.2 The North Vallco study Area is identified in the General
Plan as a "Special Center."
Changes to the composition of each workshop's
participants augured against consensus on all
issues, but there was sufficient consistency of
information to make the discussions quite valu-
able to the preparation of Phase One recom-
mendations, both as a bellwether of the larger
community and to brainstorm ideas. Sup- A segment of Calabazas Creek runs through the Study Area.
17 - 156
port for taking good care of Apple and HP was a major theme in both community workshops and Study Committee
working sessions. Housing and traffic impacts were primary concerns. Participants in the first workshop expressed
strong opposition to adding residential units, whereas various participants in the third expressed significant support
to consider permitting some housing in North Vallco. Adding new public facilities for the community, and compatible
neighbors and treatments for adjacent neighborhoods were notions that received fairly consistent support.
More detailed information regarding comments received at these sessions is included in the Appendix.
Page 3
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1. Practice collaborative planning. launch a model of collaborative planning between the community and its
primary stakeholders; use this first phase of the study to begin to practice (and refine) collaborative commu-
nity planning for the first time with Apple and HP.
2. Achieve Mutual benefit. Establish preliminary agreement between all parties regarding principles to guide
public and private investment in the North Vallco district that have the potential to deliver benefits to the
district's companies and to the larger community.
3. Set the Standard for Workplace Districts. Partner with Apple, HP and the other district stakeholders to
envision a district worthy of the world-class industries that occupy North Vallco now and in the future.
4. Define the anatomy of the 21s1 Century Workplace. Rapid innovation is the industry's primary characteris-
tic and its key to maintaining its position as the world leader. Support that innovation by partnering to begin
to define the necessary anatomy of the "2151 century workplace district" - the physical setting for such innova-
tion.
5. Retain Existing Value. Ensure that new development builds on the strengths of the area already in place and
that are valued by the community.
6. Provide What Industry Needs. Plan a physical district that meets, and preferablly exceeds, the needs of
Apple, Hp, other tech industry companies. and their most sought-after employees.
7. Innovate ("Think"). Go beyond the typical, the expected, the obvious, and the usual: offer ideas in urban
design and planning that match the innovation in the industry.
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II Ie STARTING POINT: E X.I S TIN G CON D IT rON S
CONTEXT: THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
Cupertino is a unique and diverse community. It is a destination city for families seeking excellence in education,
professional development and civic pride. Cupertino elementary schools are in the top 5% of the state. One of our
high schools was recently rated in the top 100 in the country. Our community college has been ranked among the
best in the country as well. We are a high tech community and home to Apple Inc. and in the near proximity of HP.
CISCO, SUN and Google among others. We are surrounded by outstanding universities such as Stanford, Santa
Clara, San Jose State and Berkeley. We are a combination of high tech companies and a bedroom community.
We have the best and brightest of high tech engineers and scientists from around the world living here. With respect
to ethnicity, we are one of the most culturally diverse communities anywhere. We have parks for hiking, picnicking,
and recreation. We have one of the best micro-climates in the country. In short, we have a great place to live.
- Summary provided by Mr. Wendell Stephens, Member, North Vallco Study Committee.
CONTEXT: ACCESS TO REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The North Vallco Study Area is favored with a geographically central location in Santa Clara County, providing conve-
nient (and essential) industry access to the places that drive innovation such as universities, corporate headquarters,
and centers of venture capital.
Figure 3.1 Regional Context
PDge 7
17 - 161
The Study Area has excellent access to the regional highway infrastructure due to its positioning at a primary 1-280
interchange. However the Study Area is currently disadvantageously positioned with regard to existing regional
mass-transit corridors such as Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) Light Rail, and ACE - see Figure 3.1:
Regional Context.
IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: NORTH VALLCO ENVIRONS
As illustrated in Figure 3.2 - Site Context, below, the North Valleo Study Area is across 1-280 from South Val leo, which
is dominated by the recently renovated Cupertino Square shopping center (formerly Va II co Fashion Park). The North
Valleo Study Area combines with South Valleo to compose a "rectangle of development" distinguished less by its
internal cohesion than by its vivid contrast with the single family neighborhoods that surround it.
The North Valleo Study Area is in close proximity to a new Kaiser Permanente medical center, and in reasonably
close proximity to the city's second-largest employment center (North Valleo is the largest by acreage) just to the
west along 1-280 that includes Apple's prestigious Infinite Loop Headquarters. A variety of medium-sized properties
containing or potentially containing employment development both within and outside of city jurisdiction are located
in close proximity to North Valleo. The Study Area is also within a very short drive of the City Center district.
LEGEND:
. . Potential CitylSite - Residential .. - Civic
Gateway Treatment
n - Workplace ti. - Retail
Figure 3.2 Site Context
,
0' 400' BOO'
8
17 - 162
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT
There are currently over two and a half million square feet of occupied and unoccupied office, and office research
& development buildings that provide by far the dominant land use in the North Vallco Study Area (see Figure 3.3:
Existing Development, below). This "workplace core" is complemented by medical offices in the northeastern corner
of the site, and by multi-family residential (about 550 units) and lodging (about 315 rooms) development clustered
loosely around the intersection of Wolfe Road and Pruneridge Avenue. In the northwestern corner, Cupertino Village
provides both the workplace district and surrounding neighborhoods with a supermarket-anchored neighborhood
shopping center consisting of about 125,000 square foot of shops and eateries (currently under new ownership with
plans for expansion). A church occupies the farthest northwestern corner of the Study Area. In the farthest south-
western corner of the Study Area, a privately owned green space is positioned between single family homes and 1-280.
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9
17 - 163
URBAN DESIGN
The workplace development that dominates the character of the district is first generation business park develop-
ment that dates back to the 1960s when land in Santa Clara County was significantly less expensive, and when it was
believed that the densities of employment centers should be kept very low. Buildings are separated by significant
distances that are primarily covered with surface parking creating an environment that is suited primarily to circula-
tion in automobiles. This pattern of development is clearly illustrated in Figure 3.4: Pattern of Existing Development,
below. Residential, lodging and shopping center development are similarly characterized by buildings set back from
the public sidewalks and surrounded primarily by surface parking.
Figure 3.4 Pattern of Existing Development
The edges of most of the workplace development feature deep landscaped setbacks. Deep setbacks along the
northern portion of the workplace core provide a landscaped buffer from the single family homes across Homestead
Road from the HP campus. Along the eastern side of Tantau Road, buildings of similar size and mass face toward the
roadway, forming a somewhat unified one-sided boulevard composition. Commercial development along the eastern
side of Tantau directly abuts detached single family development to the east.
Deep setbacks along the northern portion of the
workplace provide a landscaped buffer across from the
single family homes across Homestead Road.
PE\ge 10
Buildings along the eastern side of Tantau back up
against detached single family homes.
17 -164
Both the primarily HP campus that dominates the northern half of the site, and The Hamptons residential develop-
ment feature central semi-private green spaces. The district's only public green (as opposed to green landscaping,
which is not meant to accommodate activity) is located in the center of the Cupertino Village shopping center. None
of these green spaces are connected to each other or to other public or semi-public spaces in the district.
There is a Well Used Public Green Space in the Center of Cupertino Village.
VISUAL CHARACTER AND IDENTITY
The most visible portions of the North Valleo district are the wide arterials - Wolfe Road, Homestead Road, Pruneridge
Avenue. and Tantau Avenue - and the treatment of the private development lining their edges. For the most part. the
thoroughfares are richly landscaped with well maintained plant materials that have achie,ved substantial maturity.
Dramatic formal arrangements of mature street trees buffer most sidewalks from moving traffic and provide shade
and amenity for pedestrians and bicyclists. Identical street furnishings. similarly wide arterial treatments. large scale
plantings and the absence of visible buildings make many segments of the four primary arterials somewhat difficult
to distinguish one from another. The visibility of uniformly sited buildings along Tantau provides a distinctive imag-
ery in comparison.
Primary arterials are richly landscaped and well maintained, but can be difficult to distinguish from each other.
1 !
17 - 165
Entrances to the city and to the district feature a number of understated markers and/or landscape treatments.
Similarly, within the workplace core, mature, very well maintained landscaping is the most noticeable feature along
with surface parking lots and buildings of interchangeable design.
Existing on-site amenities are characterized by dramatic stands of mature, very well maintained planting
arrangements and allees of trees.
Entrances to the city and to the district feature a number of understated markers and/or landscape treatments.
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17 - 166
VULNERABILITY TO CHANGE
Various existing conditions and recent transactions involving real estate in the study area would seem to indicate that
major portions of the North Valleo District are likely to change in the short term. Apple Inc. has very recently pur-
chased a large part of the southern portion of the district, with the presumed intent of redeveloping all or most of the
property for a new Apple campus. There are vacant buildings along Tantau Avenue. The HP property dominating the
largest portion of the district is perhaps the oldest facility in the wide range of HP properties, and one of the oldest in
the Silicon Valley, making it a likely candidate for some level of change in the not too distant future (no specific plans
have been made public and there is no reason to believe that any are being developed at this time). Cupertino Village
has recently been purchased and the new owners have expressed the desire to intensify the site during Study Com-
mittee Working Session.
There are vacant buildings along Tantau Avenue.
13
17 - 167
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL
Apple Inc. and HP together own virtually the entire workplace core that makes up the vast majority of the district -
see Figure 3.5 : Property Ownership and Control, below. All other increments of property ownership and control are
significantly smaller.
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17 - 168
Pattern of Streets and Blocks
Existing development in North Valley is composed entirely of superblocks. The scale exceeds the typical distances
most people are willing to walk, especially during lunchtime and to and from shops, offices and homes. There are
no through-streets anywhere along Pruneridge Avenue between Wolfe Road and Tantau Avenue, a distance of over
two thousand feet. One would need to walk over a half-mile south of Tantau and cross under 1-280 before being able
to make any turns. Similarly, Wolfe Road is a continuous frontage without through streets or streets that connect to
other streets for the entire length of the district north and south of the Pruneridge Intersection. This superblock pat-
tern of development greatly discourages walking and bicycling between in-district destinations, and greatly increases
the number of private automobile trips added to the district and environs.
Existing development in North Valleo is composed entirely of superblocks.
15
17 - 169
In order for the vision for North Vallco to effectively accommodate the changing needs of the tech industry, the first
phase of this effort included an investigation of forces of change that relate to the physical form and design of con-
temporary workplace districts. Foremost among these forces is the widely accepted fact that in the knowledge-based
economy the ability to attract and retain talent is a central concern for leading technology industries. The design of the
workplace district - going beyond the building - can appeal to and ultimately satisfy the needs of those professionals
with the most choice about where to work The increasing importance being placed on providing engaging settings
for face-to-face contact and spontaneous interaction is just one of the factors influencing the design of workplace
districts and resulting in a movement away from a conventional business park model.
Of course, locational characteristics remain vital- in particular easy accessibility to the places that drive innovation
and linkages to other activity centers, such as airports, universities, corporate headquarters locations, and centers of
venture capital. North Valleo offers these locational advantages as well as the possibility of satisfying a broad range
of desires that typify the knowledge worker.
Nationally, a number of high-value business parks are investigating the opportunity to satisfy these desires through
measures that will set apart their environments as ones that have distinctive identity and appeal. These measures
typically include the creation of a mixed use environment, more urban building forms, a traditional pattern of blocks
framed by walkable streets, recreational open space, and easy availability of transit services. These qualities are seen
as offering multiple benefits, including reduction of commute and mid-day vehicle trips, and are widely viewed as
having the potential to increase the value, competitive appeal, and functionality of well-located workplace districts.
In thinking about the physical characteristics of workplace districts, the needs of several groups are relevant:
WORKER PREFERENCES
Highly-skilled workers seek satisfying work with opportunities for financial and professional advancement. In addi-
tion, they want work places where there is easy access to a wide range of convenience goods and services, and where
there is the possibility of easy interaction with people engaged in similar or complementary work. Of course, these
people aren't merely workers - they are community members as well, and as members of a local community they
value
High quality education, from kindergarten through university
Mobility and easy accessibility to common destinations
High quality housing stock attainable at their income level
Art & cultural activities
District vitality - a synergistic mix of activities and uses
Natural environment - in the Bay Area, this means access to open space, bike trails, mountains, beaches and
Bay
TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS PREFERENCES.
From the perspective of technology businesses, many items on the above list are priorities shared with workers. To
that list, however, we can add several other important items relevant to the design of a workplace district responsive
to both worker and corporate needs:
Security with respect to both proprietary information and physical threats
A workplace environment where activities can be unrestricted by concerns of neighboring uses, especially
residents
Access to workforce that can attain satisfactory housing and educational opportunities
Work location that enhances corporate identity and branding for employees and visitors
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17 - 171
Flexibility / adaptability of space and operations
Location in a community that values the presence of technology businesses
North Valleo offers the opportunity to satisfy both these sets of needs. Success in meeting the needs of workers and
corporations will also mean success in supporting broader community objectives for educational quality, mobility and
housing opportunity.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR MASTER PLANNING
A new focus on linking the needs of workers and firms to the workplace has emerged in the past decade. Annalee
Saxenian's pioneering work on the qualities that give the Silicon Valley its competitive edge has begin to be followed
by the work of urban designers, economists and architects focused on understanding and creating environments that
will satisfy workers and firms in high technology industries. Both Doug Henton of Collaborative Economics in Palo
Alto and Francis Duffy of London-based DEGW emphasize the value of places that offers opportunity for face to face
interaction, exchange of ideas and collaboration, as well as the convenience of physical proximity, referring to such
places variously as "vital centers," "innovation habitats," or "urban villages." Importantly, the values ofthese places
in fostering innovation and satisfaction can be met while creating a place that supports the broader set of workforce
needs.
Leading high tech firms are increasingly cr~ating stimulating and satisfying environments internally, within their
buildings and campuses. These accomplishments, however, don't substitute for physical design that brings the
qualities of interaction and convenience to the broader districts. Based on our review of workplace design trends
and research literature regarding worker and firm preferences, and drawing on the body of relevant work addressing
land use and transportation, we consider the following list of elements important to the design of workplaces that
satisfy the changing needs of both employers as well as the most sought-after employees:
Intensity of Development. Several factors contribute to the trend away from the low density campus. Foremost
among these are (1) the move away from manufacture and assembly activities that required large footprint, single
story buildings, and (2) the higher land values that drive greater height and more intensive use of land. Further, bring-
ing more activity into the workplace district could mean increasing the number of people and firms that share in the
benefits of the district's advantageous location.
Creation of a Mixed Use District. Creation of a "vital center" or "innovation habitat" that responds to the prefer-
ences of highly-skilled workers demands a district that includes a range of uses including retail shops, business and
personal services, restaurant and take out food businesses. This mix will offer convenience, sociability, and enjoy-
ment to local workers. The number and size of these businesses can be reasonably restricted to a scale that can
be supported by the district's other uses. Successful dining establishments and shops may require the support of
nearby residents as well as business patrons.
Mix of locational opportunities for different size users. Firms of 25 persons and less are a major growth force in
Silicon Valley. These small organizations are increasingly collaborating with larger organizations, making easy ac-
cess vital. Currently, many of these small, high-value firms are locating in the Valley's downtowns, so their leaders
can enjoy the urbanity of University Avenue in Palo Alto, or the restaurant choices on Mountain View's Castro Street.
Typical business environments separate this important growth sector from larger space users, both because smaller
spaces are frequently unavailable, and because the services and amenities desired by small firms can't be found
within walking distance of the usual business park setting. Plans for new or redeveloping workplace districts should
incorporate opportunities for firms of 25 employees or less, and for support businesses, reflecting (1) the importance
and growth of small firms in the high tech sector, (2) the high level of collaboration between small high value firms
and large firms, and (3) the benefits of small firms' support for outside business services, retail and dining uses.
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17 -172
Ability for corporate users to both maintain secure campus areas with buildings, open space, etc. as well as to
contribute to the district's public realm. The creation of an "innovation habitat" can be consistent with secure cam-
pus areas. The features described here can be incorporated into a workplace core that houses activities that do not
require a high level of security, with secure areas "behind" the core.
Open space: active, passive, public and private. Inclusion of open space within the employment district offers
multiple benefits, offering the unique qualities of the Valley as a place where business thrives in a beautiful natural
setting, and where people value their recreation time. In terms of the physical design of the contemporary workplace
district, open space can add to the all-important settings for contemplation and interaction that complement private
work space; open space can provide an attractive buffer between the district and its surroundings; and recreational
open space can add an attractive shared amenity to enhance the appeal of the district. In particular, small public
open space in the form of plaza, sidewalks, promenades or green space should be combined with ground-level activi-
ties in the "vital center" to add amenity and outdoor seating opportunities in a centrally located setting in walking
distance from the greatest concentrations of employment.
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GUIDING FUTURE GROWTH AND CHANGE IN NORTH VALLeo
As change occurs in th~ North Vallco District, consideration of the following Principles is considered a key to
maximizing the effectiveness of the district in meeting the needs of the precious industries located there, and
to insuring that new development contributes to the creation of a beautiful and functional city district.
OVERVIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES
1. "Win-win" Partnership Planning
2. Workplace Core
3. Convenient Services
4. Settings for Interaction
5. Wal kabi lity/Connectivity
6. District Identity & Visibility
7. Sustainability
8. Efficient Land Utilization
9. Protection of Adjacent Neighborhoods
10. Minimization of Traffic Impacts
11. Consideration of Housing
THE PRINCIPLES IN DETAIL
1. "Win-win" Partnership Planning. Partner with Apple and HP in the planning and development of the
North Vallco District.
Apple and HP are highly valued members of the Cupertino community, and are the primary property owners
and stakeholders in the current core of this "workplace district." To maximize the value of all new private
and public investments in the district, planning and development should proceed in a collaborative process
organized whenever the City, Apple or HP contemplates significant change in the district. This collaborative
process should also involve Cupertino Village and other North Valleo stakeholders as appropriate.
The collaborative planning process should always focus on achieving "win/win" outcomes - Le. mutually
beneficial results - for private and public interests. For example, a cooperative effort might cost-effectively
produce both needed company facilities and benefits and needed community facilities and benefits.
2. Workplace Core. Protect and Enhance North Vallco's Existing Industrial Base
2.1. Core Land Use. Retain the existing tech industry "workplace" - more specifically: office, office/research &
development - land uses at the core of the district.
2.2. Security. Recognize Apple and HP's physical and intellectual security needs.
2.3. District Competitive Edge. Collaboratively plan changes in the district that will provide the features and
characteristics that will bolster North Valleo's competitive position in the region focusing particularly on
the attraction of North Valleo to future occupants, and to the industry's most sought-after employees (see
Principles 3 and 4, below).
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3. Convenient Services. Encourage the provision of needed services convenient to Apple and HP
executives, employees, and guests - and to potential future occupants of the core of this workplace district
-including lunch places, fine dining, hotels, local-servicing retail and services, and child care.
3.1. Market Driven Development. Retail and services development should be market-driven. Avoid plans that
require uses in locations for which there is no market demand.
3.2, Easy Walking Distance. Accommodate investment in convenient services within easy walking distance of
company employees.
3,3. Enhance connections to existing centers featuring retail and services (see Principle 5, below).
4. Settings for Interaction. Attract "Knowledge Workers" by incentivizing the provision of an engaging
and vital working environment. Attract knowledge workers by clustering the business and personal
services mentioned above in a "Vital Center" (or vital centers) "that stimulate interaction among people,
including places to eat and drink conference and meeting facilities, recreation space and facilities, parks and
plazas, business service centers."l
Center less Workplace "Vital Center"
4.1. Public accessibility. A Vital Center should also be available to the whole workplace district and to the larger
community.
4.2, Clustering. A vital center is primarily composed of a compact cluster of ground level activity-generating uses
such as cafes, restaurants and services.
4.3. Public Space. Vital Centers are organized around public spaces that provide settings for interaction, such as
plazas, greens, campuses, promenades, and pedestrian-oriented streets.
A vital center is primarily composed of a
compact cluster of ground level activity-
generating uses.
Vital centers are organized around public
spaces that provide settings for interaction
and that complement private and semi-private
work spaces.
See "linking the New Economy to the Livable Community" by Collaborative Economics.
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4.4. Central Location. To serve as the heart of the workplace neighborhood encourage the development of a
centrally located Vital Center in a pedestrian-friendly (see Principle 5, below) district.
4,5. A Hierarchy of Settings for Interaction. To attract knowledge workers, encourage the development of a
wide range of connected public and semi-public (e.g. spaces that are open to anyone in a given campus
setting, but not to the public at large) settings that provide pedestrian amenities and multiple opportunities
for interaction. A great example of this pattern is the organization of buildings and spaces at Stanford
University. An excellent example of a semi-public space is the central campus at Apple's Infinite Loop facility.
Combining connected public vital centers with and semi-public settings for interaction is considered a key
to creating a richly livable and engaging district that assists its occupants to out-compete other workplace
locations for the most sought-after employees.
The Stanford University campus features a wide range
of connected .public spaces that provide multiple
opportunities for interaction.
Apple's Infinite Drive headquarters is organized around
a semi-public space.
4.6. Shared Recreational Facilities. As opportunities arise, consider installation of public spaces such as sports
fields that would enhance the range of offerings in the district, and that could be made available to adjacent
neighborhoods and/or the larger Cupertino community at times not set aside for use by particular company
employees.
5. WalkabilityjConnectivity. Consistent with company
security requirements (see Principle 2.2, above),
plan new development patterns and amenities to
facilitate walkability and convenient connections in
the study area and to adjacent areas.
5.1. Multi-modal Connectivity. Provide connectivity for
all modes, pedestrian and vehicular - including
automobile, bicycle, shuttle and Segway.
5.2. Intra-district Connectivity. Enhance connections to
development outside the district, especially Cupertino
Village and Cupertino Square.
5.3, Creek trail access. New development should provide
trail access and ame.nities along Calabazas Creek.
Providing connectivity for all modes of
transportation is an essential aspect of the
workplace of the 21'. Century.
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17 -177
5.4. Walkable Scaled Development Increments. Development should be planned in a pattern of pedestrian-scaled
blocks (new streets should not be required to be either publicly accessible or even to be used by automobiles)
or increments to accommodate pedestrian connections throughout the district and to offer the possibility of
increased future in-district automobile circulation, should that become desirable.
6. District Identity and Visibility. Work with Apple, HP and Cupertino Village to create a distinctive
identity for the district.
6.1. Gateways and Landmarks. Consider gateway features, landmarks, and/or distinctive landscaping positioned
at particularly visible locations and at appropriate scale that call attention to district entrances and entrances
to company compounds that express the character of the city and district.
Strategically positioned new buildings can be designed as dramatic gateways into the
district or into a company campus or compound.
Special free~standing gateway landmark features could be positioned to call attention to
a gateway to the city and district.
Paqe
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6.2. Architecture. Building design should express Cupertino's architectural
heritage and climate.
6.3. Landscaping. Preserve the mature. well maintained trees already present
in the district; continue to add landscaping that meets sustainability
principles (see below) and that provides a flattering image for the district.
6.4. Public Art. Incorporate public art into the design of buildings, company
landscaping, and into the design of public places in the district.
7. Sustainability. New development should be encouraged to
comprehensively utilize the knowledge and technology available
throughout the planning, design, and construction process to help
achieve sustainability through energy efficiency and resource
conservation.
Energy Efficiency and Resource Conservation. Encourage new building,
site. and landscaping design and construction to conform to green
building standards including plants and materials selection. daylighting,
passive solar heating, cooling, and ventilation, water management. and
clean energy generation programs.
7,1.
Bridges over the freeway
might be improved to provide
dramatic entrances and enhanced 7.2.
connections to the district.
Stormwater Management. Encourage building, site. and landscaping
design treatments that minimize storm-water run-off and maximize
on site retention, filtration, and aquifer recharge such as green roofs,
water features, bio-swales and rain gardens. and porous or conventional
pavements with recharge beds.
7.3. Identify linkages between Sustainability and other principles of Settings for Interaction, Walkabilityj
Connectivity. Efficient Land Use. and Minimized Traffic Impacts to take advantage of overlapping
opportunities.
8. Efficient Land Utilization. Developable land is a rapidly diminishing resource on the Peninsula and new
development in the study area should use the land efficiently.
8.1. Minimize surface parking. Parking should be provided either in parking structures or in parking lots
configured to accommodate future transition to structured parking.
Building Design Should Express Cupertino's Architectural Heritage.
8.2. Minimize building footprint.
Substantial new development
increments should be encouraged
to provide multiple story structures
that minimize building footprint
and maximize available land
for future development. Taller
buildings should be kept to the
center of the district to avoid
impacting adjacent neighborhoods.
Overall. New development should
avoid the reproduction of the
pattern of single low-rise buildings
surrounded by large surface
parking lots.
17 - 179
8.3. Flexibility. Development should be planned in a pattern of pedestrian-scaled blocks (new streets should
not be required to be either publicly accessibly or even used by automobiles) that can accommodate future
changes in ownership that would not require complete demolition, and that offer the possibility of future in-
district irculation.
8.4. Plan Intensification. Plan for the possibility of intensification - including for potential infrastructure
requirements of intensification - over the long-term. Insure that new development does not unduly restrict
options for intensification should that become desirable over time as property values increase and available
land becomes increasingly scarce to accommodate industry needs.
8.5. Usage o{temporarily undeveloped property. Where appropriate and consistent with company security and
confidentiality, useable private and public open spaces should be created on undeveloped land.
8.6. Address Superfund site. Given the importance of using all land in the district efficiently, begin the process of
exploration of superfund site long term clean-up and potential ultimate readiness for development.
9. Protection of Adjacent Neighborhoods. Planning for new development should respect the interests of
adjacent residential neighborhoods.
9.1, Traffic. New development should include planning that avoids producing cut-though traffic in adjacent
neighborhoods.
9.2. Visibility. New workplace development should not create undesirable vistas that can be seen from adjacent
homes. In particular, new workplace development across from homes lining Homestead should retain deep
landscaped setbacks that screen views of commercial development from those pre-existing homes.
9,3. Compatible Adjacent Uses. New development contiguous with existing residential neighborhoods should
be compatible with those pre-existing uses. In particular, new development backing up to homes behind
development along Tantau should be scaled and disposed to minimize impacts on those adjacent residential
properties.
9.4. Transition Zones. Where appropriate, transition zones should be considered to help buffer adjacent single
family neighborhoods. Low scale residential or business development should be considered along the east
side of Tantau to provide a buffer for the residential neighborhood to the east.
9.5. Noise. New development must be planned to buffer adjacent homes from potential noise impacts.
10. Minimization of traffic Impacts. As change occurs, organize new development to minimize congestion in
this part of the City.
10,1, Convenient Retail & Services (see Principle 3, above). Eliminate the need for a private vehicle at mid-day by
providing retail and services in easy and pleasant walking distance for company employees who prefer to eat
lunch off-site or who would like to run some errands at lunchtime.
10.2, Clustered development (see Principle 8, above). As new development occurs, avoid development patterns
characterized by low rise workplace buildings separated by surface parking lots.
10.3, Housing Nearby (see Principle 11, below). Consider accommodating market-driven housing in appropriate
locations and densities to increase the number of homes close to jobs.
10.4. Small blocks instead of superblocks (see Principle 5.4, above). As development occurs in substantial
increments, organize new development into blocks or block-like increments (without requiring that streets
between blocks be made immediately accessible to automobiles or that such spaces be made accessible to
the public) so that the pattern can accommodate future in-district circulation to take the pressure off of the
surrounding arterials, should that become desirable in the future.
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17 - 180
10.5. People movers ola// kinds (See Principle 5, above). Encourage Apple to provide a shuttle between campuses.
consider other forms of para-transit. consider providing in-district shuttles, dial-a-ride services. and shuttles
to and from transit terminals.
10.6. Building a Better Future with Each Increment of Change. Plan short-term development in a way that improves
the integration of land use, development form and transportation infrastructure to slowly retrofit those
aspects of suburban development that contribute to congestion without contributing to other things the
community values.
11. Consideration of Residential Uses. Residential development is an important community issue on which
individuals within the community have differing views. As development of the study area proceeds, the issue
of residential development should be addressed in a constructive manner that seeks to come to community
consensus on the appropriateness of additional residential development in the area, Some potential
principles for planning the future of North Vallco that have emerged in the discussion thus far (but that have
not resulted in consensus) are the following:
11.1. Housing along the periphery. Accommodate some housing in the periphery of the district, especially where
low-rise residential buildings offer the possibility of a buffer zone for adjacent single-family detached homes.
11.2. School Planning. Consideration of new residential development must be planned along with consideration of
impacts on classroom size and quality of schools, in collaboration with the various school districts.
11.3, Housing Choices. Provide for the needs of the population who desire smaller units that require less
maintenance than single family detached homes - for example by providing attached single family homes.
also known as "town homes" (when that term is uses correctly). Alternatively or in addition, provide for the
needs of the population who desire smaller units that require less land and are more affordable than single
family detached homes on larger properties.
Consider allowing townhomes . . .
and/or live-work buildings to provide a transition
between existing single family detached neighborhoods
11.4. Market-Driven Development. Residential uses should not be required in locations or in forms for which there
is no market demand. Within appropriate limits, allow appropriately located and designed market-driven
residential development.
11.5. Traffic mitigation. Consider planning a district with a workplace core and somewhat dense homes along
the periphery in keeping with research that shows that over time housing near jobs reduced traffic
(notwithstanding the tendency of people to change jobs and for firms to change locations).
27
17 - 181
11.6. The Live-Work Alternative. Consider allowing live-work or work-live development in North Valleo as a form of
housing that is more in keeping with the character of a workplace district, as well as a potential "incubator"
for small tech firms that may not initially be able to afford to pay for both working living spaces.
11.7. Improve the jobs/housing balance. Consider allowing new residential development along the periphery of
the district to improve the jobs/housing balance. Consider permitting increases in workplace development
intensity only if accompanied by a proportional addition of residential units within the North Vallco district.
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17 - 182
This section applies several of the Principles detailed above to the physical conditions of North Vall co and
identifies a number of very preliminary conceptual site development opportunities that merit further explora-
tion.
SHARED OPEN SPACE. SETTINGS FOR INTERACTION, RECREATION AND/OR CONTEMPLATION
To accommodate a wide range of open space amenities to diversify the district's offerings and complement private
work space, a variety of shared open spaces, from semi-private to public, merit further exploration. The accompany-
ing diagram (Figure 6.1 Shared Open Space) suggests four conceptual locations for different types of shared open
space, as follows:
1. Open space at the center of company compounds (given likely security requirements, this type of shared
open space would probably be "semi-private, " meaning that it would be accessible only to the employees of
the company and people cleared by company security to enter the compound)
2. Open space at a possible "Vital Center" located somewhere along Pruneridge - this type of shared open
space would be publicly accessibly to anyone in the district and in the larger community. Companies might
choose to advertise or otherwise provide highly visibly expressions of their presence at this location to add to
the vibrancy and character of the district center.
3. Recreational open space located toward the Tantau Avenue side of the Study Area might provide a green
buffer and/or amenity associated with the nearby residential neighborhood. A passive green space might be
considered. Alternatively, a shared recreational green space containing sports facilities might be considered
- to be used by business employees during normal business hours and open to the larger Cupertino
community during non-business hours.
4. Pedestrian amenities at the Wolfe/Pruneridge Intersection, possibly in conjunction with access to transit,
people-movers, and such, likewise merit further exploration.
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LEGEND:
1 "
21B
3 RIS,.
4 PM*,
Figure 6.1 Shared Open Space
Page
17 -184
VITAL CENTER
Large scale changes being contemplated by the major companies provide an opportunity to consider the location of
a "Vital Center" as discussed at length in community workshops and Steering Committee Working Sessions. The
most convenient possible location for a Vital Center would appear to be someplace along Pruneridge Avenue, the
only public right-of-way positioned between the two large properties owned by Apple and HP. That primary concept
is expressed in Figures 6.2 through 6.5.
The following four diagrams (Figures 6.6 - 6.9) explore the issue of location. The underlying assumptions expressed
in these conceptual diagrams are 1) that both HP and Apple properties will ultimately change substantially, and 2)
that although we do not know what form the companies will choose to take, it is assumed that the companies will
ultimately choose to have some sort of central campus, and 3) that they will provide at least walking access from
that center toward the surrounding public streets (the positioning of those connecting ways and campus spaces are
meant to be diagrammatic and not in any way prescriptive). All diagrams therefore explore the creation of a small
scale, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use Vital Center on Pruneridge. The diagrams illustrate four alternative locations
that merit further exploration, as follows:
Alternative 1. A Vital Center located as close as possible to Wolfe Road, located on property currently owned by Apple
Inc.
Alternative 2. A Vital Center located in the center of Pruneridge between the two primary companies, positioned on
property currently under the ownership of HP.
Alternative 3. A Vital Center located at the Pruneridge and Tantau Avenue intersection.
Alternative 4. A Vital Center located in the center of Pruneridge and at the edges of the Apple and HP properties.
Page 31
17 - 185
Figure 6.2
Figure 6.3
Figure 6.6
Figure 6.7
17 - 186
Figure 6.4
Figure 6.5
Figure 6.8
Figure 6.9
17 - 187
SECURITY
Current understandings regarding company security requirements conditioning near term change imply that indi-
vidual companies will require that their facilities be located within very secure compounds regardless of the pattern
of development within those compounds in terms of open space, block structure, etc. Figures 6.10 through 6.13
illustrates that concept by showing the potentially secure compound edges corresponding to the earlier ideas about
possible locations for a Vital Center.
Figure 6.10
Figure 6.11
Figure 6.12
Figure 6.13
17 - 188
CORRIDORS AND THE EDGES OF DEVELOPMENT
As change occurs, the three primary public thoroughfares and the private development lining the thoroughfares (the
facing development + the right-of-way = the corridor) should evolve in different directions in order to suit their con-
text, as follows (see Figure 6.14 - Corridors and the Edges of Development).
Homestead Corridor. Development in the Study Area along Homestead Road - Le. along the south side of Homestead
Road - should feature deep landscaped setbacks to buffer the single-family neighborhood along tlw north side of the
corridor from the noise and scale of the workplace core.
Wolfe Road Corridor. Wolfe Road within the study area has the potential to become the primary transit corridor serving
the North Vallco Study area. Over time, buildings might be developed close to the sidewalk along Wolfe Road, acti-
vating the sidewalk and making the most of their visibility along this primary transportation corridor. Ultimately the
corridor might evolve into a mixed use boulevard with offices, business-serving lodging, and perhaps even medium to
high density residential (see land use, below) contributing to the activity and making the most of people-moverfacili-
ties accessible there.
Tantau Avenue Corridor. Because of its close relationship to the residential neighborhood to the east, Tantau Avenue
might most appropriately evolve into a less "urban" environment than Wolfe Road, becoming a quieter, tree-lined
neighborhood boulevard that will help buffer the nearby residential areas from the high tech uses within the work-
place core.
Pruneridge Corridor. Along Pruneridge Avenue, buildings should be built to the back of wide sidewalks and contribute
to the creation of a comfortable pedestrian area from Wolfe Road to Tantau. Where possible curbside parking should
be provided to help buffer the pedestrians from the traffic and provide convenient spaces for visitors to the district.
The street should be a slow moving "district main street" in character. Surface parking lots should not be permitted
along Pruneridge.
The Back Edges of Development. New development should include landscape screening along the rear yard to miti-
gate impacts on contiguous single family housing.
CONNECTIVITY
On a number of levels, enhancing connectivity is at the heart many of the Principles considered essential to the transfor-
mation of North Val/co from olrJ fashioned business park to a workplace district capable of accommodating the needs of
today's contemporary workplace.
As illustrated in Figure 6.15 - Connectivity, essential connections to provide include connections between the work-
place core and centers featuring restaurants and cafes, services and convenient shops. That begins with providing
connections to Cupertino Village and Cupertino Square. If and when a "Vital Center" is developed, providing comfort-
able and attractive pedestrian connections from workplace compounds to that center will be vital.
Pruneridge Avenue. Given the likely security requirements of Apple and Hp, it would appear likely that connections
from those company compounds to other locations in and near the district would begin with Pruneridge, the primary
and likely closest right-of-way to both companies (the need to buffer workplace development from adjacent homes
and from 1-280 would suggest that most workplace buildings will likely be clustered closer to Pruneridge than to the
other edges). Establishing a comfortable pedestrian environment along Pruneridge, as well as bicycle lanes and such
would appear to be an essential first step toward offering such connectivity.
Wolfe Road has the potential to become the primary transit corridor serving the North Vallco district. A clearly visible
and customer friendly transit stop might be constructed at the Wolfe/Pruneridge intersection. This would suggest
that enhancing connections from companies to other facilities, both in and outside of the district, would begin with
providing an attractive sequence to Wolfe Road via Pruneridge. In that case, the segment between the primary point
of connection at Pruneridge and Wolfe Road might be the first priority.
Page 35
17 - 189
Figure 6.14 Corridors and the Edges of Development
17 - 190
Legend:
00000.. Pedutritm lJ1Id Bicycle I'dt#lway
-
-
Center of Comptury
CDmpound
CJ
-
J'~
".."
Sillglc FQJfIily
Neighbomood
SIlop$. Eatillg.
d Scr'Iicu
.
Vital Center (Somewhere
at I'runeridge)
.... Neighborhood BouIcWJl'd
WU Urlxm BouleWJl'd
Workploce Cort:
High OcMity Residential
& LDdgillg
Tl1lIlSit Accus
Figure 6.15 Connectivity
37
17 - 191
Tantau Avenue. As discussed above, Tantau's close relationship to the residential neighborhood to the east suggests
that while pedestrian and other amenities would still be important to enhance connectivity, they should be designed
with a quieter, and perhaps more green, informal character. As suggested in the section above, this side of the dis-
trict might be the appropriate location for future recreational or passive green spaces.
Calabazas Creek Trail. Pedestrian amenities along the Creek along with connections to and from those amenities
would be desirable features of future development in North Vallco.
LAND USE
The principal land use in the North Vallco district is workplace - office, office research & development, tech industry
light assembly and tech industry light manufacturing (although we would not expect much of the latter uses to be
located in North Vallco) - and a substantial portion of the district will be reserved exclusively for workplace use.
To what extent, if any, that the periphery of the workplace core might be allowed to be developed for residential or
live-work use is the primary land use issue that merits further investigation. The accompanying diagrams (see Fig-
ures 6.16 - 6.18 Envisioned Land Use Alternatives) illustrate three alternatives with regard to housing, as follows:
Alternative A. No net new housing in the district.
Alternative B. New housing permitted in the district, but "outside the rectangle" (that is, outside the roughly rectan-
gular shape of property enclosed by Wolfe Road, Homestead Road, Tantau Avenue, and 1-280).
Alternative C. New housing permitted along the periphery "within the rectangle."
In all cases, the assumption is that in the areas that housing would be permitted, it would only occur if market driven,
and that the same property would be available for workplace use as well as residential use.
.NQm: The Envisioned Land Use alternatives diagrams do not address the issue of the specific location for potential
new retail, restaurants and service uses. The possible addition of a small cluster of such uses along Pruneridge Av-
enue is explored in- the section on "Vital Center" above, and indicated on the diagrams with an asterisk to signify the
notion of a possible Vital Center somewhere along the Pruneridge Avenue corridor.
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17 - 192
LEGEND:
_ Ww\;pb(('Cou-
IItI Mtdi~JOIfic.:s
_ l.cdpinr
_ K<tail
-
Low Ocn:MIl Roi<knlial
McdiWll " Ui;:b IXNh) Rcsidmlllll
Figure 6.16 Envisioned land Use Alternative A: No Net New Housing in the District
17 - 193
Wl.1fkpbrtr C(Jf("
Mc4io:.alOfT...-n
lA.'ldgm,
Ilmil
!\
1..0\\ nau.:it",'keJ.idlmIial
M~jum .. Ilil'h Dmm,' Resi4:mllt
PlllMi.a1 toutKttt t1,,"V.LaJ Ceruct"
Figure 6.17 Envisioned Land Use Alternative B: New Housing Permitted "Outside the Rectangle"
Page
17 - 194
LEGEND:
_ Wor1tp~c.'<1f't
__ M~ic,,10m~
_ LOOfihfl:
_Krt.1ii
-
L~ ~jll kc~i(ktltiltl
M<4i1ll1l " 1lia;1.llm>il) !l<>iekmiat
Figure 6.18 Envisioned Land Use Alternative C: New Housing Permitted "Inside the Rectangle"
Paoe 41
17 - 195
Page 43
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APPENDIX A: C.OMMUNITYWOR'KSHOPS
The Planning Process for this first phase of the North Vallco Master Plan was organized around a series of
community workshops and steering committee working sessions. Three community workshops were held as
part of this first phase. as follows:
January 25. 2007: Community Workshop 1
March 8. 2007: Community Workshop 2
April 2, 2007: Community Workshop 3
The following is a summary of workshop content and
comments received from participants at each of the
workshops.
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #1
Date held: January 25, 2007
WorkshoD Aaenda:
· Welcome and Introduction
Ms. Christine Mallery, North Vallco Study Committee
· Presentation: Opportunities for Refreshing N Valleo: The City, The Site, and the Changing American Work-
place.
Michael Freedman, Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Note: A copy of the PowerPoint exhibits used in this presentation are available on the City's website.
· Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
Summary of Participant Comments
Regarding the Prospective Uses of the Study Area:
Tech Park
. The tech park makes Cupertino complete
. North Valleo is a Tech Park and should be retained as a tech park (x 4)
Retail/Activity Center
. Create a small city retail area
. Desire for "a hub where we can walk and shop and exchange ideas."
. Create community gathering places without intensifying
. Go back to the old town concept with housing above stores - an urban destination.
. Mixed use - desirable
PElqe
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Housing
· The Condos are just as good as the single family homes in the area
· Find some affordable housing, more diverse and age appropriate, emphasis on needs of older households (x2)
· No new housing except for single family (x4)
Recreation and Open Space
· Retain visual prominence of landscaping and trees (x2)
· Concentrate on recreation - rec centers and fields
· Jogging path - child care
· "lots of public park" good - accessible, not just green space
· Just having retail and industry is not a "complete dream." Housing is needed.
Other ideas (parts of the vision)
. School transportation transfer site
· Jogging path
· Increased safety (bike cops, foot patrol)
. A new elementary school
· A trauma center, more specifically some care facilities for seniors
· A "world class" child care facility
· Opportunity for light rail
· Become a leader with green development, solar requirements, recycling
· Create high density to save land, encourage transit and public transportation
Concerns about Impacts
· Traffic congestion - bad Oust as bad at lunch) (x6)
. School district crowding - bad (x2)
· Competition w/City Center
· Acceptability of mixed use and density increase is based on ability to handle traffic
· Privacy impacts of concern to those in single family homes surrounding the site to the north, east and west,
including residents of other cities, who should be involved. Need to create buffer between residential and
office uses; need to create buffer between medium density and single family housing
· Environmental concerns relating to landscaping
· Site is now nice and quiet on the weekends
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Other Comments and Questions
. What will be the impact of people getting older yet still being in the workforce?
. Why doesn't the Golden Triangle model work anymore?
. Is greater density appropriate, is Cupertino going to become a big city?
. What degree of influence do community members actually have?
. What is the status of South Vallco?
. Where do the people who live on site currently work?
. What is vulnerable and likely to change?
. "Are we going to become a big city like San Francisco or is Cupertino going to stay the way it is?"
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #2
Date held: March 8, 2007
WorkshoD AQenda:
· Welcome and Introductions
Ms. Christine Mallery, North Vallco Study Committee
· Presentation: Envisioning the Future District: Preliminary Concepts.
Michael Freedman, Freedman Tung & Bottomley
Note: A copy of the PowerPoint exhibits used in this presentation are available on the City's website.
General Discussion, Feedback and Comment.
. N Valleo Study Committee Questions to Participants, Feedback and Comment to Consultant Team.
· Next Steps; Adjourn.
Primary Exhibits Disolaved for Particioant Resoonse: The illustrations on the following pages (see Figures A.1, A.2
and A.3) were presented as preliminary responses to comments received at Workshop #1.
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Figure A.1 Existing conditions are characterized by a diffuse pattern of development, with buildings separated
by large surface parking lots.
Figure A.2 A rearrangement of the same amount of development as currently exists on the site, but in a clustered,
walkable scaled pattern of development forming public spaces and a district "vital center."
Page .:17
17 - 201
~
.....
,
'"
o
'"
Figure A.3 "A Workplace District for the 21st Century"
Recorded ParticiDant Comments
· If there are going to be residences built East of Tantau, then they should be 1 story, single family houses only.
· This person preferred the office only scenario that was presented.
· The surrounding communities need more schools and one should be built on the site.
· It was suggested that a possible school location would be on the East side of the HP property along Tantau.
. "Leave things alone, is a common opinion."
· What is going to happen to/in Cupertino Village?
· A representative of the League of Women Voters approved of housing to be built onsite:
· "We will always speak for housing....that is appropriate for the site".
· Not opposed to housing or office, but wouldn't want a "5-story concrete fac;ade" across from the existing
homes east of the site.
· Doesn't like housing on the east side of Tantau.
· Likes the concept of a Center on Pruneridge with retail and restaurants.
· Doesn't want Meadow Ave. (in subdivision east of Tantau) to connect with the street serving the offices to the
north of the houses.
. Encourages public transit and bike paths.
. The city should consider a "no new traffic policy".
· There is a lack of parks, schools in this part of the City.
· Doesn't recommend more commercial on the site if there will not be more housing built as well.
· More of the site's open space should be developed.
· Doesn't understand how FTB's proposal is an efficient use of land.
· The entire site is already of a walkable scale.
. Liked the concept.
· Cupertino is almost and could be an urban destination, and the FTB proposal seems like it would help
achieve that goal.
· Concerned that this project is a way to eventually turn the entire site into housing, and sees the smaller
blocks as a way of making this even easier.
· "This whole process is unnecessary....until Apple says what is wants."
· 5 to 8 minutes is the longest optimal time it should take to get to a lunch destination.
· The site should have a walking track, some place/reason for people to get out and walk around.
· The big controversies here are the lack of room in schools and that there is too much traffic.
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. "We need a school on this sitel"
. Suggested putting the Center at Tantau and Pruneridge.
. Most companies want their workers to stay on the site during the day.
. Most companies also do not want the public wandering in and out of their property.
. Doesn't want more housing, but since most cities in the region have a mandate to build more housing in any
space that is available there may not be a choice.
. Putting sports facilities on the site is "ok", but the area needs more parks (i.e. Memorial Park in Cupertino).
However, the current location of the soccer fields is a logical location.
. The community must compromise on new housing and allow some to be built.
. Yes the site is of a walkable scale, but it time is the issue. The FTB design seems to be successful in
addressing that concern.
. Thought that consolidation/clustering of office buildings was better than the current development pattern,
but was still worried about a lack of recreation space.
.....--......-----...............-------------.---....---........---------------.....................----------------......--
Study Committee Member Comments - Included as an Agenda Item at the Conclusion of Community Work-
shop #2
Visions for the Calabazas Creek:
. -Should be naturalized
. -Concern over flooding
. -City Position is to eventually have a trail along the creek.
What should we (city/community) be concerned about in the future?
. -Need to ensure flexibility, and not be locked into one type of development.
General: Retail, parks will require a sacrifice.
...----....-....-........---.............--.....---...---------..--............-..---.............----.................---..-------..............-..............
Random comments from non-Study Committee member:
. Referring to a previous planning exercise by the city, Apple wants the smaller office spaces leftover after its
move to remain office in order that its support companies can develop as well.
. -Apple is building a new campus in order to free up smaller random sites.
. -The city should not overbuild, but needs to find a happy medium in order to prevent excessive vacancies (in
case of a .com bust situation)
. -The schemes presented by FTB "add vibrancy to intensity".
. -What incentive does HP have in doing this project?
. -Yes, increased intensity in order to accommodate HP/Apple is ok.
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· -Doesn't know what to think about the project because there isn't enough info to tell what will happen right
now.
· -"In planning for success, we must anticipate more intensity."
....---------....----...--...--...........---....----......-.....---.......---........---------....---..---....
Comments from general Community Workshop Participants:
· -The market is very strong in the area and can facilitate more growth
. -"Do not fear change."
· -People need to allow mixed use development.
· -Pruneridge IS a major travel corridor, and it may not be wise to narrow/slow it down.
· -There needs to be a representative of the local school district/s in attendance at these meetings in order to
answer some important questions being raised.
· -Not as convinced that there needs to be a central gathering place (Le. cafes) because HP/Apple will have
their own amenities.
· -"I wish that more people from the community would attend [these meetings]".
----......------....-----.......................--.........................----....................-...-..--..-................------..------......
More Comments from non-steering committee members:
· -Doesn't see the attraction of having a central meeting place because there would not be anyone there at
night, and no one from the rest of Cupertino is going to get in their car and drive across 1-280 to get there.
· -Advocated putting housing and food/retail establishments in this location.
· -Thinks the process is guided more by
Apple than anyone else, and doesn't
think that HP will want to rearrange
their site with out getting something in
return
COMMUNITY WORKSHOP #3
Date held: April 2, 2007
Primary Exhibits Displaved for
Particioant Resoonse:
Exhibit 1 - Preliminary "Envisioned Land Use"
diagram (see Figure A.4)
Exhibit 2 -List of "Desirable Features of Future
North Valleo District" (see Figure A.S) as de-
veloped in the preceding North Valleo Steering
Committee Working Session (see Appendix S,
below).
Figure A.4 Preliminary "Envisioned Future Land Use" diagram
displayed for discussion in Community Workshop 3.
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Summary of Particioant Comments
Regarding Prospective Uses for the Study
Area:
Tech Park
. Embrace Apple/HP.
. We should be asking companies what
they want - enhance other businesses &
south Valleo.
. Recognize Apple's security interests;
need security of intellectual products.
HP and Apple need to be gated.
. HP/Apple don't want to share facilities.
. Possible long-term intensification.
. Likes H
Figure A.S A list of "Desirable Features of the Future North Vallco
District" presented for discussion at Community Workshop #3.
. P buildings set back & tree lined
walkways. HP is beautiful; people use it
for walking.
. Feels safe at night walking along street - no Starbucks. etc.
. Crosswalk - mid-block on Wolfe.
Retail/Activity Center
. Apple would benefit from surrounding lunch places, fine dining, hotel, create an urban lifestyle that serves
young employees.
. Like quiet weekends near corporations; services could be noisy.
. Need services to walk to.
Housing
. League of Women Voters supports low/moderate income housing, scattered throughout the community
. Don't lose sight of who is living here, e.g., seniors.
. Housing should be accessible, no gates. Match the neighborhood.
. Be aware of how new development fits into the community. If housing makes sense here, be sure it reflects
the community that is there.
. Condominiums are a good housing solution. Be sure they are well designed initially.
Recreation and Open Space
. Example of the Washington DC mall - lots of interaction, open area can be active.
Other Ideas:
. Daycare
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Concernsaboutllnpacts:
. Jobs/housing balance
. Schools
· Traffic. It would be nice if Apple employees didn't have to get into cars between campuses. Hope they make
easy for employees to walk & bike, e.g., sidewalk on west side of overpass. Shuttle for lunchtime. Provide
mobility choices. Make Wolfe Road pedestrian friendly.
· Need details on infrastructure, shuttles, solar effects on surrounding communities.
. Congestion will make their housing prices go down.
Other COlnlnents:
. What is being done about the Superfund site?
. Intensification: quality development, don't degrade.
. Address the whole City.
. Large campuses don't build community; sea of cars. Consolidate cars so it doesn't look like a shopping cen.
ter.
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· . APPENO.IX B: . NORTHYAl.LCOSTUQYCOMMITTE~.WORK'NGSES$leNS'. ...
,__ _,_ .,.,_.....,.,..._.,..'._....'...........u....._.............._'..___'..... ............ .........._ .... ,'. '" .......... "', ............. ." _," .,"_""."_" ..._,...._ . . _, '0_ _... """, ," .............,. __m" .....__..._...._... " ..... ......,
In addition to the Community Workshops listed in Appendix A, the planning process was organized around a series of
North Valleo Study Committee Working Sessions. Four working Sessions were held, as follows:
WORKING SESSION #1 - OCTOBER 19, 2007
Focus of Session: Review and discussion of input received in the first two community workshops.
WORKING SESSION #2 - MARCH 28, 2007:
Focus of Session: Discussion and Development of Preliminary list of "Desirable Features of Future District" for sub-
sequent discussion and review at the third community workshop.
Results of Working Session #2 - Aoril 2. 2007:
List of Desirable Features of Future District
· Physical & Intellectual Security
· Lunch places close by
· Fine Dining; Restaurants with private rooms
· Accommodations for the best brightest sho come here from all over the world: A Nice Hotel
· Beautiful campuses and buildings
· Urban lifestyle: places that appeal to employees in their 20s and early 30s
· High end shopping/eating/lingering place like Santa Row-type place
· Transportation - "Keep Cars off the Road"
· Cleaners and other personal and business services
· Day Care
· Make Wolfe Road more pedestrian friendly
· Plan for intensification over the long term
WORKING SESSION #3 - MAY 23, 2007
Focus of Session: Review of draft "Principles" to guide growth and change in North Valleo. This discussion formed
the basis of Chapter V - Principles in this document.
WORKING SESSION #4 - JULY 23, 2007
Focus of Session: Review of draft North Valleo Master Plan - Phase I document and direction to City Staff and con-
sultant team with regard to recommended modifications.
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NORTH V ALLeo STEERING COMMITTEE
Christine Mallery, Chairperson
Debbie Stauffer, Moderator
Fari Aberg
Bill Brown
Lynn Ching
Roger Costa
Mike Foulkes
Frank Geefay
Christine Giusiana
Jennifer Griffin
Shawna Holmes
Marty Miller
Mahesh Nihalani
Ann Ng
Wendell Stephens
Darryl Stow
Kevin Wu
Thorisa Yap
CITY STAFF - PROJECT CORE TEAM
Steve Piasecki, AICp, Director of Community Development
Ciddy Wordell, AICp, City Planner
Carol Atwood, Director of Administrative Services
David Stillman, Senior Civil Engineer
Marty Miller, Chairman, Planning Commission
CONSULTANTS
Liedstrand Associates - Public Process Design; Urban Design
Bruce Liedstrand, Principal
Freedman Tung & Bottomley - Urban Design; Workplace District Planning
Michael Freedman, Principal
Ellen Greenberg, Principal
Michael Kritzman, Urban Designer
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Cupertino Planning Commission
6
DRAFT
Exhibit C
(
NEW BUSINESS
2. Report on North Vallco Master Plan - Phase 2. Tentative City Council date:
November 5, 2007.
Ciddy Wordell, City Planner, presented the staff report:
· Said the study committee was convened to pro actively address development issues in the area
ahead of development proposals. She introduced Debbie Stauffer who chaired the committee,
with 19 committee members.
Debbie Stauffer, Committee Chair:
· Introduced committee members, and asked Com. Miller to explain purpose of the study.
Com. Miller:
· From the Planning Commission standpoint, they felt it would be helpful if the city took some
key areas in town and looked at them in more detail and put some General Plans in place so
that when developers came in they had a more specific idea of what would make sense and
what didn't make sense.
. They also felt it would be appropriate when developers come in they are talking about just one
piece of property and they have control over that property but they have no control over
neighboring properties or the area in general. While they can do an excellent job in planning a
specific property, they cannot do very much in terms of how those properties fit into the larger
hole in the region and how they interlink and what the connections are and how the region
works. At the time we were thinking the best area to focus on would be South Vallco, but at
that time there were plans already in place, so we thought South Vallco was a done deal and it
turns out not to be and we should look at that again.
. The next area that I thought might make sense would be North Vallco, it looked like it was
right for redevelopment and about three months after I proposed the idea Apple came in and
bought 50 acres. It was right for redevelopment and I think this process should hopefully help
the Council get a better understanding of what makes sense there as Apple moves forward with
their plans and helps us all work together to have a better city as a result of this planning
process.
Ciddy Wordell:
. Said the study area is based on the General Plan; North Vallco is one of the special center
areas. The boundaries of the study conform to our General Plan definition of a special center.
Looking at the area more closely you can see some of the major land use blocks, the 96 acre
Hewlett Packard site, the Apple Computer properties of about 64 acres because they have also
purchased some additional properties across the street since the map was made and some of
the surrounding uses, Cupertino Village, 2 apartment complexes, hotels and other office
industrial properties.
. The consultant identified areas that are vulnerable to change and they are a hierarchy for them
because some of the properties were being considered for change at the time the study
commenced.
. A large part of the project was some background materials from consultant Michael Friedman
who concentrated significantly on what the 2151 century workplace would be like. The basic
question he was posing is how do we use the land that houses the primary drivers of our
economy in the light of research into the needs of the contemporary workplace. This set the
stage for his materials as well as the discussion from the study committee. Some of his
conclusions were that the new workplace would provide engaging settings for face-to-face
contact, provide a vital center and have nearby uses that have public spaces and activity.
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Cupertino Planning Commission
7
October 9, 2007
Some additional concepts that he has would be to have development patterns that support
walking and bicycling.
Debbie Stauffer:
. The committee has a series of community outreaches, which was a core part of the process.
There were three community workshops, postcard mailings were sent to all property owners in
the city, the workshops were taped and posted on the website.
. The City Council appointed 20 persons to the committee, a list of names is on Page 33 of the
report. The committee whose role was to serve as advisors to the project, met four times'. The
committee reviewed and commented on the fIrst draft of the principles in July, and a draft was
amended with fInal feedback to include those principles. With regard to the recommendations
of the study committee, everything is about building community and the process reflected that
in involving people at different levels. There was discussion about a variety of issues as staff
mentioned about what is a 2181 century workplace, and claiming how valuable it is to have
Apple and Hewlett Packard be cornerstones of what that will be for the city and continue to be.
. There was discussion about a district center and what kind of interaction buzz is wanted in that
center; what kind of a public realm if any to exist there, and how to really create a district in an
area where it has just been a creature of zoning; what is really possible in that environment;
how can we attract the most sought after employees in that 2181 century workplace and how
does that affect the, greater community as a whole.
. She briefly reviewed the committee's 11 recommendations. Detailed recommendations are
described in the report.
1. "Win- Win" partnership planning
2. Workplace Core
3. Convenient Services
4. Settings for Interaction
5. Walkability/Connectivity
6. District Identity & Visibility
7. Sustainability
8. EffIcient Land Utilization
9. Protection of Adjacent Neighborhoods
10. Minimization of TraffIc Impacts
11. Consideration of Housing
. Summarized that the process enabled them to establish some community principles prior to
when the development comes in and discussion began about creating a vital workplace district
and the potential for a full range of opportunities in that area. She said they were hopeful that
the Commission would recommend acceptance of the principles to the City Council.
Staff answered Commissioners' questions about the report.
Chair Giefer opened the meeting for public comment.
HOD. Mark Brodsky:
. Said it was wonderful to be in favor of green buildings, green appliances; think how much
better it is to build green buildings. The MTC, ABAG, VTB, 2030 and all the state plans show
California will be flooded with millions more people; millions of people all bringing cars
many of which will run right through our neighborhood. Our geography of nowhere is based
upon the car that those who know about these things, call for smart growth, infIll strategy,
urbanism and determine that we need walkable pedestrian friendly downtowns. This is the
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Cupertino Planning Commission
8
October 9, 2007
only way to go green. The question is "why not start here?" why not start in Cupertino;
Cupertino needs a new downtown and we have plenty of space where it will do the most good.
Air space, right for development that does not look over neighborhood fences and provides the
platform for a new heart of Cupertino.
. Apple. will soon build over one million more square feet and between them and Hewlett
Packard over 10,000 employees will commute here with cars. Make it comfortable and
convenient to get them out of their cars, walk to the retailer across the freeway that Cupertino
needs to succeed. Plan to bridge thai distance like others have with a covered and developed
grand span and remove thousands of car trips from the city streets each day.
. Locate senior housing, the Vallco Hotel, and the new magnet schools where kids can ride
bikes and people can walk where the community can take pride. That span will be the three
way base transit hub where fast moving shuttles with a regional reach can provide a real
alternative to driving alone. The mayors of this valley voted unanimously for this and there is
no better transit plan coming from the county; we must design it ourselves. The original
Vallco showed the way with its bridge over Wolfe Road. More walk there than will ever be
walking over the freeway and it was built without tax money.
. Apple and Hewlett Packard need all the space in North Vallco for their business to succeed;
honor their wishes. Put together a plan to connect their workers with the Cupertino business
services with a grandly developed freeway that becomes an icon for Silicon Valley. Once
Cupertino has a site specific plan, developers from around the world will come calling; they
lmow the city, the zip code. Cupertino has value; save it from being overrun with cars!
. He formally requested that the Planning Commission include a referral action to the City
Council to consider creating a site specific plan for the entire Vallco area, as a basis of making
the new Cupertino the hub of the leading green city in America.
Keith Murphy, Cupertino resident:
. Thanked fellow residents who participated as part of the study group for the North Vallco
study. He said he participated as a resident at some of the community outreach meetings and
was pleased to see that the meetings were well attended.
. Expressed concern that $100,000 was spent resulting in a rhetorical study where most people
lmew what the problems were going in, that there were some property owners who had a stake
there, and have their own vision for that area. We should wait to see what they want to do, in
the form of them offering or coming to the Planning Commission and City Council with an
actual design concept. At that point, it is not the community's dime that is being spent, it will
be the property owners who will be wanting a certain project there. Said that rhetorical studies
do not do a lot for the community; it was heard that it could be 50 years out that we could be
debating. I don't think we need to spend $100,000 to do that. Before the study was proposed,
the Planning Commission brought in a lot of the commerciaVindustrial property owners and
asked them what they thought should be done with the commerciaVindustrial property; they
talked, they were honest and told you exactly what you wanted to know if you asked them the
right question. There are lots of opportunities to do that which cost the public nothing and we
should invest in that, rather than spend $100,000 to tell them what they already know, that it is
the property owners themselves who will decide what is going to happen there with guidance
from the community.
Jennifer Griffin, Rancho Rinconada resident:
. One of the important features of the study is that it has brought to the city's recognition the
importance of North Vallco. 'The area was for a long time one of the edges of the
neighborhood and city. One of the goals of the study was to try to find out what should
happen in North Vallco; North/South Vallco Shopping Center is a very pivotal area in the city
and the last few years have shown the intensity of changes in that area.
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Cupertino Planning Commission
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October 9, 2007
. Said she has always felt that North Vall co was the tech park and the city understands the
importance of North Vallco; and she hoped that it. can be retained as an industrial and tech
center. Tech park lands are irreplaceable; they are a part of our city that we need to have good
commerce and to lose them to housing is a road we don't want to go down.
. Said she was pleased the report shows there was a discussion about housing and it should be
taken that there was no opinion; and the report should be respected that way.
Barry Chang, resident:
. Asked about the extent of involvement of Apple and Hewlett Packard.
Ciddy Wordell:
. Said that there were two representatives, one from Apple and one from Hewlett Packard who
came to all or most of the community meetings, and also attended most of the study committee
meetings. They played an active role in the study.
Com. Miller:
. Said that one-on-one meetings were also scheduled with them and an offer to sit down with
both of the companies to discuss what their plans were. Hewlett Packard availed themselves
of the opportunity, but not Apple who said they weren't ready to talk until they had a better
idea of what they wanted to do with their campus.
Chair Giefer closed the public input portion of the meeting.
Com. Miller:
. Expressed appreciation to Debbie Stauffer for the excellent presentation and her participation
in the study committee and meetings.
. Said that the point of the study was twofold; one to get the community together on a serious
endeavor to plan a larger area of town rather than how things had been developed in the past,
where a developer comes in on a specific site and discussion takes place.
. One of the speakers said we are going to wait until a developer tells us what he wants to do
and then we will go ahead and do it. That way has not worked in the past and I believe that
individual has been active in creating a referendum that opposed some of the decisions that
were made with that process. This is a larger process; it is a planning process.
. Other cities have been successful in doing this; the closest one is Mountain View who
followed the same process when they developed their downtown area. They planned it in
advance, they did something similar with consultants to work with the community and study
group and planned out what they wanted in the downtown area; and they took it to another
level that Cupertino has not taken it to; so that when developers came in, the developers had a
clear idea of what the city wanted and what they would accept and not accept. That makes
things work better; the developer said "this is great, we know what we can do and what we
cannot do; we are not going to waste our time and money trying to design something and then
convince the city that we want to do it and then worry about whether the residents are unhappy
and that we go to referendum on it". All that was decided in advance, so the process for
application was streamlined so things get done better and it is done to a plan that the city
agreed to, that the Council at the time with the support of the residents, all agreed to. That is
what we are trying to do in Cupertino. When we conceived this on the Planning Commission
when we were working through the General Plan, we were looking for a better way to do
things. Maybe this hasn't reached the ultimate objective, but it made a start on that objective
and one would hope that when Apple comes in when they have a better idea of what they
want, we have already started the Council thinking of what key concepts are important and
what things they want to look into further when Apple does come in.
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Cupertino Planning Commission
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October 9, 2007
. Explained that $100,000 was spent for a consultant with professional experience, in terms of
the right way to develop an area such as this. The process has been successful in other cities,
and the expense was well justified.
Com. Wong:
. Thanked Debbie Stauffer and the committee members. Said the plan that was suggested today
could work in North Valko area, but also in South Valko area, in the Crossroads, but they are
a set of ideas that can be used for the city.
. Said he had reservations on some parts of the vision and was concerned about the importance
of tech parks in the North Vallco area. He said that the Chamber and some of the
neighborhood groups said they should protect the tech parks. Said he was concerned about
putting any type of housing in the industrial area. This is just an idea of putting housing on the
side; I was on the minority side on the General Plan area and it is being suggested again.
. He suggested opening up major thoroughfares to have connectivity for major tech park areas.
He did not advocate putting in housing, but suggested adding some retail, coffee shops, and
services along major thoroughfares for connectivity between employees; and also bring more
sales tax dollars to the city of Cupertino.
. Said the expenditure of $100,000 was a difficult decision that the City Council made, and he
did not feel it should be debated at this level. The goal tonight is to determine if the plan is a
viable, workable plan. The consultant presented a good plan and perhaps it will be in a future
budget to be applied.
Steve Piasecki:
. The principles are universal principles of good design. Michael Friedman, an award winning
urban designer was hired, and he introduced in conjunction with North Vallco some common
sense good urban design principles that are interchangeable with many other areas in town.
. Said that a North DeAnza Boulevard Plan was developed ahead of the current Apple campus;
and is similar to the concepts being discussed. A collection of various property owners
brought it together.
. Relative to the possibility of bringing light rail into Cupertino, he said it was not wrong to say
how important it is to explore ways to bring transit services to Cupertino as a site. It is a
sustainability concept and is common sense and they should be working on it. It is in the
General Plan.
Com. Kaneda:
. Expressed concern that although it showed good principles, it was slightly generic. There are
rapid changes happening and thought should be given to urban design and how generation X
works and what the workplace is going to be over the next 2, 3, 5, and 10 and 20 years.
. He suggested forwarding a message to City Council to consider that, and if needed, bring
consultants in and challenge them to not think not only about what is today's good solid
principles for urban design, but also try to get a step ahead and push to keep Cupertino on the
cutting edge of what the next good thing is going to be.
Steve Piasecki:
. Said that the premise of the consultant's work was for them to be on the cutting edge; the
committee and some of the public were uncomfortable with that, which is why the report has
more of the generic principles instead of the cutting edge principles. He did a lot of research
and tried to advocate it Svong1y, feeling that is how Cupertino would stay competitive over the
next 20 to 50 years.t.; ,~'
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Cupertino Planning Commission
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October 9,2007
Com. Kaneda:
. Expressed concern that sometimes you look toward fairly short sighted goals and end up
shooting yourself in the foot, which is a message for the Council to at least consider.
Ciddy Wordell:
. Said that Planning Commission comments are forwarded to the City Council, and if the
Planning Commission wishes to make that a recommendation from the entire Planning
Commission, it can be done as well. She said that Com. Kaneda's suggestion could be passed
on or the Planning Commission can choose to make it a Planning Commission suggestion.
Steve Piasecki:
. Said some of the concepts were in the earlier administrative draft and are part of the
consultant's record.
Chair Giefer:
. Thanked everyone involved for taking part in the task force, especially since it involves a lot
of one's personal time.
. Said it was important for the Planning Commission to have a long term vision and a plan for
the future. That may be what caused part of the problem in the South Vallco area when Toll
Brothers came in; since there was no vision for that area; the decision ended up being recalled
since there hadn't been a study and there hadn't been an envisioning process there. Any time
the public can be pulled together and reach consensus although it may not be perfect in
everyone's viewpoint, it will help in the long term as they move forward and further develop.
. She said that looking back at her work experience, she enjoyed working in downtown San Jose
more than Hewlett Packard, because having an active space helps employees during their busy
day.
. We need to push Apple forward as they come in because they will be the first big site that
comes to us. As the city, we have a vision and I hope our citizens have a vision and when
Apple comes in, this document shares some concepts that might challenge the ideas that they
move forward with. When they come to us, we will have the public hearing process if there
are things that are outside their entitlements with the land, the public will be informed and
hopefully we will have a really great project that will come forth in Cupertino with lots of
transit, and all the other surfaces we want to see activated in that area. I agree that what is
cutting edge today, may seem somewhat generic in 20 years; and if Hewlett Packard ever
decides to redevelop, what is in this document will be old fashioned then.
. Said she was comfortable passing the study onto the City Council and would also like to add
her voice to Com. Kaneda's comments that design is relative to the time we are in, and we
need to continue to add information to this document as we move out into the decades.
Com. Miller:
. Expressed appreciation to the committee members; the city acknowledges how valuable
everyone's time is and the city is always appreciative of the volunteers to help the city move
forward.
Motion: Motion by Com. Miller, second by Com. Wong, that the recommendations be
forwarded to the City Council with the added suggestions from Planning
Commissioners. (Vote: 4-0-0)
OLD None
None
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