General Plan- Dec 1989GENERAL PLAN DECEMBER 1989
420.14
Kul
`# -a L) , II.
The City of Cupertino
December, 1989
Prepared By
Department of Planning and Community Development
With Additional Assistance
z z
Jan Ford, Public Relations
Writing and Editing
The Fornalski Company
Illustration and Design
, .
r, -
Table of Contents
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
is
•
Table of Contents
Section
1 Introduction
1-1
COMMUNITY SETTING
1-1
LANDFORM
1-2
BUILT FORM
1-2
GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARY OF THE PLAN
1-3
THE PLANNING PROCESS
1-3
EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE PLAN
14
KEY ASSUMPTIONS OF THE GENERAL PLAN
14
Demographic Assumptions
14
Age Distribution
1-6
Economic Assumptions
1-6
Lifestyle Trends
1-6
Assumptions Influencing Public Services
1-7
MAJOR PROPOSALS
Section
2 Land Use and Community Character
2-1 INTRODUCTION
2-1
COMMUNITY CHARACTER
2-1
Major Issues and Goals
2-2
A. Community Identity
2-2
B Regional Distribution of Jobs and Housing
2-2
C. Housing Demand
2-2
D. Traffic Management
2-2
E. Urban Fiscal Balance
2-2
F. Environmental Management
2-2
G. Human Comfort and Community Diversity
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Table of Contents
Land Use and Community Character (Continued)
2-3
COMMUNITY IDENTITY
2-6
Land Use Height and Intensity Limitations
2-8
Speclal.Planning Areas
2-8
Town Center
2-8
Valico Park
2-10
North De Anza Boulevard
2-10
East Stevens Creek Boulevard
2-10
Crossroads Shopping District
2-11
Monta Vista
2-13
Catholic Church Property
2-13
Merriman and Santa Lucia Road
2-14
Balance of Commercial, Office, and Industrial Areas
2-14
Building Form and Scale
2-15
Streetscape
2-17
Gateways
2-19
Urban Scenic Corridors
2-19
Sign Control
2-20
Rural Scenic Highways
2-20
Neighborhood Entries
2-20
Traffic Intrusion
2-21
HOUSING
2-22
Housing Variety
2-23
Privacy
2-23
Neighborhood Awareness
2-24
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2-25
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
2-25
Preserving the Hillsides
2-27
Flood Plain
2-28
Energy Awareness
2-28
Sun Control
2-28
Wind Control
2-29
Heritage Resources
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Table of Contents
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use and Community Character (Continued)
2-30
THE LAND USE PLAN AND GENERAL POLICIES
2-30
Land Use Categories
2-30
Residential
2-31
Commercial
2-31
Office
2-32
Industrial
2-32
Commercial/Residential
2-32
Commercial/Industrial
2-32
Quasi -Public Institutional
2-32
Private Recreation
2-32
Parks
2-32
Public Facilities
2-32
General Policies
Section
3
Housing
•
3-1
INTRODUCTION
3-1
PURPOSE
3-1
CONTENTS
3-1
Relationship to Other General Plan Elements
3-2
Public Participation
3-2
Effectiveness of the Previous Element
3-3
Progress in Implementation
3-3
Appropriateness of Goals and Policies
3-6
Goals and Policies
3-6
To Expand the Supply of Housing
3-10
To Preserve and Enhance Cupertino's Neighborhood
3-13
To Promote Access to Housing
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Table of Contents
Section
4
4-1
4-1
4-1
4-4
4-7
4-8
Section
5
5-1
5-1
5-1
5-1
5-1
5-3
5-3
5-3
5-3
5-3
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-6
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Circulation
INTRODUCTION
CIRCULATION GOAL
THE REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
THE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Description of the Circulation Plan
Accommodating Alternatives to the Automobile
Environmental Resources
INTRODUCTION
OPEN SPACE PLANNING
CONSERVATION PLANNING
Conservation and Management of Resources
Agricultural Lands
Alr Quality
Principal Pollutants of the Air Basin
Particulate Matter
Carbon Monoxide
Air Quality Policies
Wildlife and Vegetation
Streamsides
Grasslands
Brushlands
Foothill Woodlands and Forests
Impacts and Mitigations
Mineral Resources
Limestone
Crushed Rock
Sand and Gravel
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Table of Contents
Environmental Resources (Continued)
5-9 Water Resources
5-9 Preservation of Watersheds
5-9 Ground Water Recharge Facilities
5-9 Other Water Resources
5-10 Urban Water Conservation
5-11 Energy Conservation
5-11 Regional Perspective
5-12 Residential Energy Use Mitigation Measures
5-13 Transportation Energy Conservation Practices
5-14 Open Space Resources
5-14 Public Open Space Management
5-14 MldPeninsuia Regional Open Space District
5-14 Santa Clara County
5-14 Santa Clara County Parks Program
5-15 Santa Clara Valley Water District
5-16 OPEN SPACE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
5-17 Private Open Space Resources
5-19 Neighborhood Open Space Program
5-19 Definition of Need
5-19 Implementation
5-26 Explanation of the Funding Code Descriptions in Table 5-E
5-26 Expenditure of Funds for DevelopmentlConstruction of
Facilities
Section
6
Public Health and Safety
6-1
INTRODUCTION
6-1
SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARD
6-2
Earthquake Probability
6-5
Geologic Hazards
6-6
Acceptable Level of Risk
6-12
Policy Recommendations
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Table of Contents
Public Health and Safety (Continued)
6-14 FIRE HAZARD
6-14 Fire Hazards in the Foothills and Mountains
6-14 Road Access
6-15 Water Supply on Montebello Ridge and In Stevens Canyon
6-15 Water Supply for Foothill Regions Within the Urban Service
Area
6-15 Building Codes
6-15 Fire Hazards on the Urbanized Valley Floor
6-15 Relationship of Building Design and Materials to Fire Risk
6-16 Accessibility
6-16 Water Supply
6-18 Acceptable Level of Risk
6-20 Policy Recommendations
6-22 FLOOD HAZARD
6-22 Flood Hazard from Rainstorms
6-22 Flood Hazard from Failure of Water -Storage Facilities
6-22 Flood Hazard from Landslides
6-25 Acceptable Level of Risk
6-25 Policy Recommendations
6-27 NOISE POLLUTION
6-27 Effect of Noise on People
6-31 Policy Recommendations
6-31 Land Use Compatibility
6-33 Transportation Noise
6-34 Train and Aircraft Noise
6-34 Kaiser Permanente Truck Traffic
6-34 Non -Transportation Noise Sources
6-34 Adjoining Dissimilar Land Uses
6-35 Common Neighborhood Disturbances
6-38 Noise Attenuation
6-38 Barriers
6-39 Landscaping and Setbacks
6-40 Building and Site Design
6-40 Insulating Buildings from Noise
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Table of Contents
Public Health and Safety (Continued)
6-41
CRIME
6-41
Park Design
6-42
Non -Residential Design for Defensible Space
6-43
DISASTER PLANNING
6-43
Cupertino Emergency Pian
Section
7
Implementation Program
7-1
INTRODUCTION
7-4
LAND USEXOMMUNITY CHARACTER ELEMENT
7-6
HOUSING ELEMENT
7-8
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
7-9
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT
7-11
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Table of Contents
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COPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Introduction
INTRODUCTION
The City of Cupertino's task is to develop a long-range set of goals for the City's physi-
cal and social development that best meet the needs of its residents. This is accomplished
through a comprehensive General Plan that contains five sub -plans or elements. The ele-
ments are Land Use/Community Character, Housing, Circulation, Environmental Resources,
and Public Health and Safety. An Implementation section follows these elements.
Community Setting
Cupertino is located on the San
Francisco Peninsula. It was incor-
porated in 1955 and has seen its
land use shift from agriculture to
homes and industry. Cupertino
was motivated to set its original
boundaries by residents who were
concerned that nearby cities' at-
tempts to incorporate the area
would submerge Cupertino's dis-
tinctive qualities and diminish
home -rule. In this way, "commu-
nity character' has been an integral
aspect of Cupertino since it was
established.
Land Form
Most of Cupertino is on level
ground that rises gently to the west.
The incline increases at the chan-
nel of Stevens Creek, forming a
short plateau near Foothill Boule-
vard. The plateau ends at the foot
of the steep Montebello system of
ridges, which extends along the
west and south edges of Cupertino,
creating a dramatic amphitheater
backdrop to the valley Floor.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Introduction
Built Form
Development in Cupertino from the late 1950s to the late 1960s generally concentrated
on homes. Since the mid-1970s, construction of industry has expanded dynamically. Jobs
are centered in new developments including Vallco Industrial Park, North De Anza Boulevard
Industrial Park and the popular regional shopping mall, Vallco Fashion Plaza. The east
and north -central areas of town have had the newest and most intensely urban develop-
ment, while the southerly and westerly areas have mostly retained a moderate residential
character and a greater proportion of older, well-established neighborhoods.
Geographical Boundary of the Plan
The boundaries are not simple. Figure 1-A shows the planning area within the City's
corporate limits and pockets of land now under the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County.
County lands are included because Cupertino land use decisions affect their residents.
Also, State legislation encourages cities to plan for all areas within their "Sphere of Influ-
ence." General Plan decisions will not legally bind people who own property in County
jurisdiction unless the property is annexed into Cupertino. Annexation policy is explained
in the Plan's Implementation Element.
Figure] -A. Cupertino Planning Area.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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The City of Cupertino
Unmcerporaled Gees
.—.—Urban Service Area Boundary
Boundary Agreomanf Line
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Figure] -A. Cupertino Planning Area.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Introduction
The Planning Process
This Plan evolved from a land use plan adopted in 1964. Each amendment to that
plan added content and implementation technique.
There are four basic steps in the planning process.
1. Data collection.
2. Development of alternative goals.
3. Evaluation of alternatives.
4. Development of a plan to carry out the favored alternative.
A high degree of public participation by residents, special interest groups, and offi-
cials is required for the goal formulation phase. The General Plan goals were developed
by a Citizens Goals Committee over two years, ending in 1972. Those goals are in this
Plan.
The planning process must remain Flexible to allow for social and economic changes
beyond the control of local government. An annual Plan review process achieves this
flexibility because it lets the Planning Commission set the Plan goals based on new infor-
mation. A major overhaul of the Plan will become necessary if economic and social changes
are significant.
Figure 1-B. General Plan Process.
External Factors That Influence the Plan
The private market dominates land use. A public goal to increase stores, housing, or
industry can only be carried out if the private sector will invest in the community. Com-
mercial and industrial investors will make their decisions based on factors that may or
may not be under the control of cities. Here are two examples. Commercial investors
want a market analysis that favors development, showing encouraging estimates of fu-
ture population and household income and an acceptable level of competition from other
commercial centers. The Plan may designate a parcel of land for high-density residential
use that may or may not be economically possible because of public preferences for hous-
ing types. These examples show that while Cupertino has a great deal of control over
land use, land use decisions must relate realistically to market forces. It is especially diffi-
cult for Cupertino or any other city when a desired land use pattern may be possible in
the long term but not possible in the next one to five years. The difficulty comes because
landowners may find immediate development more economical due to taxes and pos-
sible lost income. In addition to marketplace constraints, the Plan is heavily influenced by
policies of other local governments and by actions other governmental agencies.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Introduction
Regional agencies and local special districts constrain Cupertino's planning abilities
the most. MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District's policy of acquiring significant
acreage in the lower foothills next to the westerly City limit has set Cupertino's growth
boundary. Most Cupertino residents want more open spam, but the idea of having a narrowly
focused special purpose district decide Cupertino's growth limit and indirectly affect its
public service planning may not be positive. The Cupertino School District Board's inde-
pendent actions on school closures plays a major role in the City's park planning and af-
fects the social organization of residential neighborhoods designed around neighborhood
schools. Regionally, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission have prepared a joint transportation plan for Santa Clara County.
This plan influences future transportation methods and service levels in Cupertino, and,
therefore, the intensity of land use permitted on properties in Cupertino's jurisdiction.
The Bay Conservation and Development Commission requires counties to prepare waste
water management plans that determine the location and extent of future waste disposal
sites. The San Francisco Bay Area Air Pollution District determines the extent to which
industry may emit pollutants into the air, therefore stopping certain industries from locat-
ing in Cupertino.
Key Assumptions of the General Plan
The General Plan's goals, policies, and programs are based not only on the market-
place and governmental constraints just described but on key demographic, economic and
social trends. Any major changes in these trends may require the revision of the General
Plan. The Plan must be reviewed yearly because these trends can move quickly.
Demographic Assumptions
The fertility rate, which is the number of children a woman will bear, is expected to
decrease from about 2.1 in 1970 to about 1.8 in the year 2000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"Baby boom" children of the post -World War II era are rapidly increasing the number of
new households. These trends suggest a continuing high demand by smaller households
for new, possibly smaller, dwellings.
Cupertino uses the household -size factor to estimate future City population. Figure
1-C shows the household sizes for 1975 and the projected 1990 household sizes for vari-
ous sub -neighborhoods. These household sizes and the population estimates will be a
major factor in decisions on providing service to various areas in Cupertino. For example,
neighborhood park planning depends primarily on the estimates of future population.
Age Distribution
There will be a dramatic shift in the percentages of age groups in Cupertino by 1990.
Pre -teen and teenage populations will decline while adults and seniors will increase dra-
matically. Age distribution will play a major role in allocating money to meet needs for
that age group.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PIAN
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Introduction
Economic Assumptions
Economists identify two broad categories of employment when they speak of large-
scale economies such as a city, county, or region. "Basic" employment refers to jobs and
workers producing goods and services that go to markets outside the city. "Service"
employment serves local needs only. Basic employment is often used as a key indicator of
the economic system's wealth and vitality.
Basic and service employment in Cupertino will increase from about 19,350 in 1977 to
about 29,000 by 1990. That projection is based on multiplying current employee -per -acre
figures for lands planned for basic industrial employment with lands planned for service-
oriented commercial employment.
It's reasonable to assume that this increase is possible, given the strong growth of the
electronics industry in the county, which provides basic employment. It is unclear now
whether the housing shortages and high prices and increased congestion will continue to
make northern Santa Clara County attractive to industrial development. It's become a
trend for electronics companies to move their manufacturing operations to areas with lower
labor and housing costs. However, it seems likely that research and development depart-
ments of local firms and newer sophisticated electronics industries that require skilled workers
will continue to be attracted to the area.
By 1900 there will be a demand for about 180,000 sq. ft. of shopping center -type retail
space, consisting of department stores, clothing stores, specialty stores, fast-food restau-
rants, and personal services, according to an economic study by a consultant. One acre
yields about 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial area, so the demand will be limited to about 18
acres. There is room for expansion of highway -oriented specialty commercial and office
development.
Lifestyle Trends
Cupertino residents will continue to want to live in single-family homes and drive
their cars, reinforcing the suburban nature of the City. However, rapidly increasing hous-
ing and land costs, decreasing fuel availability, and shrinking family sizes may require a
shift to higher -density housing and mass transit.
Assumptions Influencing Public Services
The General Plan assumes that the westerly and southerly boundary of the Urban Service
Area will not be expanded in the foreseeable future because of ownership patterns and
the intended use of the properties surrounding the City.
The Plan also assumes that their will be no major economic changes that will signifi-
cantly change the ability of any major service provider to fulfill its function. Finally, the
Plan assumes that the City's financial mechanisms will not be limited to a point at which
City government would have severe difficulty providing essential services.
rmJxarrtz�a.txn�
•
•
0
IIL
•
Introduction
MAJOR PROPOSALS
1. Guide land use and urban design to create a community focal point and to create a
more pleasing environment, especially in shopping areas next to Stevens Creek Boule-
vard and North De Anza Boulevard.
2. Reduce the harm caused by traffic on the quality of life in Cupertino, especially in the
residential neighborhoods.
3. Preserve the quality of residential neighborhoods and increase dwelling unit densi-
ties in the center of Cupertino so that there will be more housing opportunities for
people who work in Cupertino.
4. Protect and enhance the unique scenery, plants, trees, and recreational opportunities
in the City's hillsides and streambeds.
5. Regulate development to reduce risk to life and property of flooding, fire, landslides,
and earthquakes.
6. Create more effective government through greater service efficiency and by encour-
aging greater self-reliance.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Introduction
n
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
0
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•
Introduction
00
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
0
•
•
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
The City of Cupertino's task is to develop a long-range set of goals for the Citys physi-
cal and social development that best meet the needs of its residents. This is accomplished
through a comprehensive General Plan that contains five sub -plans or elements. The ele-
ments are Land Use/Community Character, Housing, Circulation, Environmental Resources,
and Public Health and Safety. An Implementation section follows these elements.
Community Setting
Cupertino is located on the San
Francisco Peninsula. It was incor-
porated in 1955 and has seen its
land use shift from agriculture to
homes and industry. Cupertino
was motivated to set its original
boundaries by residents who were
concerned that nearby cities' at-
tempts to incorporate the area
would submerge Cupertino's dis-
tinctive qualities and diminish
home -rule. In this way, "commu-
nity character" has been an integral
aspect of Cupertino since it was
established.
Land Form
Most of Cupertino is on level
ground that rises gently to the west.
The incline increases at the chan-
nel of Stevens Creek, forming a
short plateau near Foothill Boule-
vard. The plateau ends at the foot
of the steep Montebello system of
ridges, which extends along the
west and south edges of Cupertino,
creating a dramatic amphitheater
backdrop to the valley Floor.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
E
Introduction
Built Form
Development in Cupertino from the late 1950s to the late 1960s generally concentrated
on homes. Since the mid-1970s, construction of industry has expanded dynamically. Jobs
are centered in new developments including Vallco Industrial Park, North De Anza Boulevard
Industrial Park and the popular regional shopping mall, Vallco Fashion Plaza. The east
and north -central areas of town have had the newest and most intensely urban develop-
ment, while the southerly and westerly areas have mostly retained a moderate residential
character and a greater proportion of older, well-established neighborhoods.
Geographical Boundary of the Plan
The boundaries are not simple. Figure 1-A shows the planning area within the City's
corporate limits and pockets of land now under the jurisdiction of Santa Clara County.
County lands are included because Cupertino land use decisions affect their residents.
Also, State legislation encourages cities to plan for all areas within their "Sphere of Influ-
ence." General Plan decisions will not legally bind people who own property in County
jurisdiction unless the property is annexed into Cupertino. Annexation policy is explained
in the Plan's Implementation Element.
Figure 1-A. Cupertino Planning Area.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
M '
The City of Cupertino
UninmrporatedAreas
— Urban Sennet Area Boundary
�'. I.
Boundary Agreemen( Line
..
Figure 1-A. Cupertino Planning Area.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
0
•
•
Introduction
The Planning Process
This Plan evolved from a land use plan adopted in 1964. Each amendment to that
plan added content and implementation technique.
There are four basic steps in the planning process.
1. Data collection.
2. Development of alternative goals.
3. Evaluation of alternatives.
4. Development of a plan to carry out the favored alternative.
A high degree of public participation by residents, special interest groups, and offi-
cials is required for the goal formulation phase. The General Plan goals were developed
by a Citizens Goals Committee over two years, ending in 1972. Those goals are in this
Plan.
The planning process must remain Flexible to allow for social and economic changes
beyond the control of local government. An annual Plan review process achieves this
flexibility because it lets the Planning Commission set the Plan goals based on new infor-
mation. A major overhaul of the Plan will become necessary if economic and social changes
are significant.
Figure 1-B. General Plan Process.
External Factors That Influence the Plan
O
The private market dominates land use. A public goal to increase stores, housing, or
industry can only be carried out if the private sector will invest in the community. Com-
mercial and industrial investors will make their decisions based on factors that may or
may not be under the control of cities. Here are two examples. Commercial investors
want a market analysis that favors development, showing encouraging estimates of fu-
ture population and household income and an acceptable level of competition from other
commercial centers. The Plan may designate a parcel of land for high-density residential
use that may or may not be economically possible because of public preferences for hous-
ing types. These examples show that while Cupertino has a great deal of control over
land use, land use decisions must relate realistically to market forces. It is especially diffi-
cult for Cupertino or any other city when a desired land use pattern may be possible in
the long term but not possible in the next one to five years. The difficulty comes because
landowners may find immediate development more economical due to taxes and pos-
sible lost income. In addition to marketplace constraints, the Plan is heavily influenced by
policies of other local governments and by actions other governmental agencies.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
0
•
•
Introduction
Regional agencies and local special districts constrain Cupertino's planning abilities
the most. MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District's policy of acquiring significant
acreage in the lower foothills next to the westerly City limit has set Cupertino's growth
boundary. Most Cupertino residents want more open spacebuttheideaofhavinganarrowly
focused special purpose district decide Cupertino's growth limit and indirectly affect its
public service planning may not be positive. The Cupertino School District Board's inde-
pendent actions on school closures plays a major role in the City's park planning and af-
fects the social organization of residential neighborhoods designed around neighborhood
schools. Regionally, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission have prepared a joint transportation plan for Santa Clara County.
This plan influences future transportation methods and service levels in Cupertino, and,
therefore, the intensity of land use permitted on properties in Cupertino's jurisdiction.
The Bay Conservation and Development Commission requires counties to prepare waste
water management plans that determine the location and extent of future waste disposal
sites. The San Francisco Bay Area Air Pollution District determines the extent to which
industry may emit pollutants into the air, therefore stopping certain industries from locat-
ing in Cupertino.
Key Assumptions of the General Plan
The General Plan's goals, policies, and programs are based not only on the market-
place and governmental constraints just described but on key demographic, economic and
social trends. Any major changes in these trends may require the revision of the General
Plan. The Plan must be reviewed yearly because these trends can move quickly.
Demographic Assumptions
The fertility rate, which is the number of children a woman will bear, is expected to
decrease from about 2.1 in 1970 to about 1.8 in the year 2000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"Baby boom" children of the post -World War II era are rapidly increasing the number of
new households. These trends suggest a continuing high demand by smaller households
for new, possibly smaller, dwellings.
Cupertino uses the household -size factor to estimate future City population. Figure
1-C shows the household sizes for 1975 and the projected 1990 household sizes for vari-
ous sub -neighborhoods. These household sizes and the population estimates will be a
major factor in decisions on providing service to various areas in Cupertino. For example,
neighborhood park planning depends primarily on the estimates of future population.
Age Distribution
There will be a dramatic shift in the percentages of age groups in Cupertino by 1990.
Pre -teen and teenage populations will decline while adults and seniors will increase dra-
matically. Age distribution will play a major role in allocating money to meet needs for
that age group.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
1•
0
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
n
U
is
•
Introduction
Economic Assumptions
Economists identify two broad categories of employment when they speak of large-
scale economies such as a city, county, or region. "Basic' employment refers to jobs and
workers producing goods and services that go to markets outside the city. "Service"
employment serves local needs only. Basic employment is often used as a key indicator of
the economic system's wealth and vitality.
Basic and service employment in Cupertino will increase from about 19,350 in 1977 to
about 29,000 by 1990. That projection is based on multiplying current employee -per -acre
figures for lands planned for basic industrial employment with lands planned for service-
oriented commercial employment.
It's reasonable to assume that this increase is possible, given the strong growth of the
electronics industry in the county, which provides basic employment. It is unclear now
whether the housing shortages and high prices and increased congestion will continue to
make northern Santa Clara County attractive to industrial development. It's become a
trend for electronics companies to move their manufacturing operations to areas with lower
labor and housing costs. However, it seems likely that research and development depart-
ments of local firms and newer sophisticated electronics industries that require skilled workers
will continue to be attracted to the area.
By 1900 there will be a demand for about 180,000 sq. ft. of shopping center -type retail
space, consisting of department stores, clothing stores, specialty stores, fast-food restau-
rants, and personal services, according to an economic study by a consultant. One acre
yields about 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial area, so the demand will be limited to about 18
acres. There is room for expansion of highway -oriented specialty commercial and office
development.
Lifestyle Trends
Cupertino residents will continue to want to live in single-family homes and drive
their cars, reinforcing the suburban nature of the City. However, rapidly increasing hous-
ing and land costs, decreasing fuel availability, and shrinking family sizes may require a
shift to higher -density housing and mass transit.
Assumptions Influencing Public Services
The General Plan assumes that the westerly and southerly boundaryof the Urban Service
Area will not be expanded in the foreseeable future because of ownership patterns and
the intended use of the properties surrounding the City.
The Plan also assumes that their will be no major economic changes that will signifi-
cantly change the ability of any major service provider to fulfill its function. Finally, the
Plan assumes that the City's financial mechanisms will not be limited to a point at which
City government would have severe difficulty providing essential services.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
0
•
•
Introduction
MAJOR PROPOSALS
1. Guide land use and urban design to create a community focal point and to create a
more pleasing environment, especially in shopping areas next to Stevens Creek Boule-
vard and North De Anza Boulevard.
2. Reduce the harm caused by traffic on the quality of life in Cupertino, especially in the
residential neighborhoods.
3. Preserve the quality of residential neighborhoods and increase dwelling unit densi-
ties in the center of Cupertino so that there will be more housing opportunities for
people who work in Cupertino.
4. Protect and enhance the unique scenery, plants, trees, and recreational opportunities
in the City's hillsides and streambeds.
5. Regulate development to reduce risk to life and property of flooding, fire, landslides,
and earthquakes.
6. Create more effective government through greater service efficiency and by encour-
aging greater self-reliance.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
1]
u
•
Introduction
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community
Character
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
INTRODUCTION
Land use planning arranges activities within the community to achieve harmony between
differing uses and protect public health. Planning must consider the effects on property
values, the profit potential for business and manufacturing, and maintenance of a strong
tax base for government and school operation.
This Element unifies the other elements of the General Plan
Hillside
Residential
and is the standard by which proposed policies are tested for
qt%
logic and consistency. It points the way for other principles of
open Space
public policy. Here are two examples. The Housing Element's
25%
policy of increasing the supply and variety of housing is re-
Industrial
lated to density limits for residential land in this Element. The
7%
City's organizational plan for the transportation network, as
Commercial
outlined in the Circulation Element, must follow the principles
tt%
of site accessibility and scale of development intensity set forth
Residential
in this Element.
ts%
COMMUNITY CHARACTER
Cupertino has a special community character, a physical setting and visual image that
makes the City stand apart from its neighbors and contributes to the quality of life and
sense of place enjoyed by people who live and work here. Residents often appreciate cit-
ies for their appearance and the way they are organized for use and enjoyment.
The real of this Element is to hely public and vrivate efforts to keep and
Land Use/
Community
Character
Land Available
For Develop-
ment. (Source:
July 1977 Land
Use Survey, Cu-
pertino Planning
Department)
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
the character and density of established neighborhoods. Local concerns and County and
regional urbanization will continue to influence decision making.
This Element and its recommendations and policies are based on seven issues, each of
which will be discussed at length later in this Element.
A. Community Identity
Cupertino is located in a broader urban area, the Santa Clara Valley. City bounda-
ries blur unless distinguished by unusual land forms or built features. The geographi-
cal and historical center of Cupertino, the Town Center/ Crossroads area, is only par-
tially developed and represents an opportunity to create an identifiable downtown at
the very heart of the City.
B. Regional Distribution of Jobs and Housing
Jobs are concentrated in northern Santa Clara County; most homes are in South
Santa County. Commute traffic congests major streets and is starting to spill over
into local streets and divide neighborhoods.
C. Housing Demand
Cupertino wants to house residents of all income levels. Expensive single-family
houses on large lots have been built by the private market at the cost of other forms of
housing. Rental or cluster housing may serve people whose households and life-
styles don't fit into big, expensive houses.
D. Traffic Management
This Element must balance the need to control development so it won't overwhelm
the road system against the need for a sound economic base.
E. Urban Fiscal Balance
The land use mix must support public service by generating enough revenue and
the development must be arranged for efficient servicing. Fiscal zoning priorities may
clash with other community goals including providing housing for all income levels
and supplying non -emergency City services such as parks, recreation, and library.
F. Environmental Management
Land that can be developed is in high demand. Unless there are fair but firm
restrictions to protect the public interest, health, and safety, this demand threatens
the natural and visual resources of Cupertino. There are several features that are
essential elements of the character of Cupertino and must be protected and preserved.
Views of the wooded hillsides of the Montebello Ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains
give the City a green backdrop. The streamside environment of the Stevens Creek
Flood Plain and significant mature specimen trees must be considered carefully in the
urban context.
G. Human Comfort and Community Diversification
As traffic congestion gets worse and neighborhoods become more crowded, it's
more important for government to protect the physical and mental health of residents
from these intrusive effects of urbanization. Social interaction and personal privacy
in living spaces and in the City at large must be balanced. The City must also offer a
variety of educational, entertainment, and cultural experiences throughout the day
for continuous community vitality.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
COMMUNITY IDENTITY
Cupertino is located in western Santa Clara County, bordered by Los Altos, Sunnyvale,
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Saratoga and by the green Santa Cruz Mountains to the west.
Goal A: Create a sense of place In Cupertino by encouraging a development
pattern that promotes the urban environment with unique land forms
and features that satisfy the economic, social, and esthetic needs of Its
residents.
This can be accomplished by creating land use controls that enhance Cupertino's natu-
ral hillside setting and shape the built environment.
Figure 2-A is an urban design overlay that establishes the fundamental direction for
this element. It defines the appearance and dominant activities of the desired land use
"Crossroads Area" N. DeAnza Blvd. Light Vallco Light
Community Shopping District Industrial and R&D Corridor Industrial R&D
Commercial
So. Saratoga -Sunnyvale Rd.
Commercial Corridor, Low -
Intensity Commercial Office
Legend:
Major Arterials and
Collector Streets
Freeways/Expressways
'sw»
���. 9 Y High Activit Centers
Stream Corridor
tt1Q /Ilpl Hillside Backdrop
Figure 2-A. Urban Design Overlay.
Notes:
High activity commercial/entertainment uses are
encouraged in Valloo Park, Town Center, and Cross-
roads Center. These uses shall be limited in areas
outside of the above centers.
Building heights of 4-8 stories permitted in Vallco Park
and Town Center - height for the Vallco Park hotel is
unspecified.
Landscaped parkways required in the corridors leading
to the center of town - retain views of the hillsides.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
r
DeAnza College -
Educational/
Conference Area
�� ff
Monte Vista
\\
"Vallco"
"Town Regional
_
Edge -
((( Urban Ed
Center" Shopping,
Oifica, Office,
Retain Open \\
Shops, Hotel/
Space Rural
f Transition
Hotel Conference
�%%
Stevens Creek Blvd.
,
%Office
Corridor
``
Office and Low -Intensity
So. Saratoga -Sunnyvale Rd.
Commercial Corridor, Low -
Intensity Commercial Office
Legend:
Major Arterials and
Collector Streets
Freeways/Expressways
'sw»
���. 9 Y High Activit Centers
Stream Corridor
tt1Q /Ilpl Hillside Backdrop
Figure 2-A. Urban Design Overlay.
Notes:
High activity commercial/entertainment uses are
encouraged in Valloo Park, Town Center, and Cross-
roads Center. These uses shall be limited in areas
outside of the above centers.
Building heights of 4-8 stories permitted in Vallco Park
and Town Center - height for the Vallco Park hotel is
unspecified.
Landscaped parkways required in the corridors leading
to the center of town - retain views of the hillsides.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
pattern. The diagram defines high-intensity nodes in Town Center and Vallco Park con-
nected by lower -intensity heavily landscaped suburban office and commercial centers. The
outdoor private recreation and De Anza College campus form a green edge on the west
side of Stelling Road to define the extent of office and commercial development and tran-
sition to less intense land uses in the western half of the City. The diagram also describes
the hillside backdrop and Stevens Creek stream corridor, both of which establish the char-
acter of the city. The design concepts are refined in the design policy section.
Vallco Park and the industrial complex on North De Anza Boulevard are already in-
tensely urban. Town Center has potential for new urban activity. All three of these areas
have the potential for highly sophisticated building forms to enhance Cupertino's natural
skyline; this will advance the long sought-after goal of breaking up the current pattern of
commercial strip development.
Housing near major boulevards offers an opportunity to increase streetside landscap-
ing and experiment with interesting juxtapositions of architecture. Reserving space near
major streets for housing or open space says that Cupertino wants to diminish the auto-
mobile's claim on disappearing vacant urban land and that the community identity de-
pends on an around-the-clock population for a vital downtown.
Policy 2-1: Diversity of Land Use
The Comprehensive Plan shall provide adequate land area for employ-
ment, shopping, entertainment, cultural, health care, and personal service.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
C1
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40
Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-2: Urban Focal Points
Intensify the focus of urban development in Vallco Park, North De Anza
Boulevard, and Town Center planning areas, subject to design and
transportation network controls.
Cupertino is unusual in that it has no identifiable downtown and that most of i is available
commercial property is in the center of town. This is an opportunity to create a large-scale
focal point that reflects Cupertino's character in a uniformly planned mixture of stores,
housing, and public facilities.
Policy 2.3: Town Center
Coordinate efforts of private property owners in Town Center to plan and
create a community focal point that expresses the character of Cupertino
through a diversity of uses, serving City residents and scaled for pedestri-
ans.
More specific policies for Town Center are described in the Planning Area Policy Section
of this Element.
Vallco Park is the second high -activity urban area. Vallco Fashion Park, the multiple -
story financial center, and the high-rise corporate office building will create a high-inten-
sity activity center with a regional focus rather than a local focus.
Controls on intensity and height will shape Town Center and Vallco Park in Cupertino's
suburban setting. The controls will ensure that the suburban feeling is maintained so that
it preserves the integrity of residential districts and contrasts with the high -activity cen-
ters.
SEE POLICY 2-1,
POLICY 4-8
(STRATEGIES),
POLICY 2-53
5'`t
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
Land Use Height and Intensity Limitations
Figure 2-A schematically defines the desired land use pattern. The land use diagram,
which is attached in the rear jacket gives a more specific description of permitted land use
including intensity of use for residential areas. The intensity of use, including height and
building area for industrial and commercial activities, is defined by thearea plans described
below and by other policies contained in this document.
Although development intensity is controlled by height and setback requirements,the
most direct means to control intensity is by regulating the amount of building area al-
lowed on a specific site. The Cupertino land use element directly regulates this in two
ways:
SEE Floor Area Ratios (FARs): This determines buildable Floor space by multiplying a specific
DEVELOPMENT value (.25, .33, ...) times lot area. In the upper portion of Figure 2-13, a conceptual one story
INTENSFY building is shown based on a series of FAR values. The lower portion of the figure illus -
MANUAL trates that FARs limit only the total building area, but do not necessarily dictate the shape
or height of the structure.
0.33 F.A.R.
1.0 F.A.R.
M,P
.50 F.A.R.
lei
1.0 F.A.R.
100% Lot Coverage 50% Lot Coverage
Figure 2-B. Floor Area Ratios.
1.0 F.A.R.
1.0 F.A.R.
25% Lot Coverage
SEE POLICY 2-31 Traffic Intensity Performance Standard (TIPS): This regulates land use intensity in a
manner which prohibits a development from exceeding a specific vehicular trip rate. The
standard limits activities to those that do not exceed16 one-way trips per acre.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
The TIPs policy is generally applied to the North De Anza Blvd and East Stevens Creek
Boulevard areas. Shopping centers that existed before December, 1973, when the "Core
Area" General Plan amendment was passed, are exempted from the TIPS policy. The FAR
policy applies to those properties.
Land -use intensity in the Town Center area is regulated by a specific traffic genera-
tion accounting system described in the Town Center planning area description.
Commercial, office, and industrial land uses in the rest of the community are regu-
lated by a FAR. The specific FAR standards are identified in the area plans and general
intensity policies described below.
Policy 2-4: FAR Credit Transfer In Core Area:
Allow Core Area properties designated for commercial, office, industrial
land, or any combination of these to transfer Floor Area Ratio Intensity
Credit from one owner to another. In this case, a Core Area property is
one that fronts De Anza Boulevard from from Bollinger Road to Home-
stead Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard from Stelling Road to the
eastern Cupertino limits. Apply this policy to properties that do not
adjoin to these streets but are part of a shopping center or planned
industrial and office center that does adjoin these streets.
Ensure that properties involved in the transfer are zoned Planned Devel-
opment and that the degree of transfer is determined based on the permit-
ted land use intensity of the transferring site.
SEE POLICY 2-30
a-31
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
Special Planning Areas
Town Center
Function: A large-scale focal point for Cupertino in the City's
geographical and historical center.
Location: The southeast quadrant at the intersection of DeAnza
and Stevens Creek Boulevards
Development Activities: Offices, stores, entertainment busi-
Town nesses, and restaurants will be contained in buildings with
Center varied form, combined with generous plazas. The Cali Mill
could be replaced by landmark multiple -story buildings with
a variety of shapes if traffic studies find this to be feasible.
SEE PoucY 2-53 Building Heights: Maximum of eight stories.
SEE 4-U-86
2-Z-83 Development Intensity: Regulated by the trip end distribution described in Table 2-A.
SEE POLICY 2-1
Vallco Park
Function: Mixed use, highly urbanized regional commercial
and employment center.
Location: Area bounded by Wolfe Road, Stevens Creek Boule-
vard, Homestead Road and the easterly City Limit line.
Development Activities: Vallco Fashion Park, the multiple-
Vallco
� story financial center, and the high-rise corporate office build -
Park ing are in place. A hotel complex, with a maximum of 1,000
A
rooms, a conference/convention center and related shops/serv-
ices and additional office, industrial , residential, and other ancillary uses may be located
in the Vallco Park Planning Area.
SEE 1-Z-83 Building Heights: Generally not to exceed eight stories with the exception of the hotel,
SEE POLICY 2-1 which is unspecified. Buildings may exceed normal height limits to emphasize Vallco
Park's role as a major center. Final approved heights of all buildings, including the hotel,
will be determined along with development applications.
Development Intensity: Intensity is regulated by the following Floor area ratios:
Commercial .25 FAR
Office .37 FAR
Industrial .33 FAR
The "Lester" property located in the northeast quadrant of Tantau Ave and Stevens
Creek Blvd. and the "Old Hotel Site" located in the southeast quadrant of Pruneridge Ave
and Wolfe Road have no development credits because development intensity was trans-
ferred to other sites.
Vallco Park Ltd. is allocated 300,000 sq. ft. of additional commercial space and 450,000
sq. ft. of additional office and industrial space over and above the building areas allowed
by designated FARs. The additional building area may be allocated to areas located east
of Wolfe Road, south of Pruneridge Ave, and north of Stevens Creek Boulevard. Vallco
Park Ltd. is encouraged to seek agreement from non-Vallco Park owners regarding the
allocation of the additional space.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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Land Use/Community Character
Table 2-A. Town Center Planning Area Trip Accounting By Major Ownership
SITE A — Prometheus Development Co.
Trip Credit:
26.11 ac. @ 16/ac. = 418 Trips
Trip Generation:
V -$E FACTOR TRIPS
Office "339,000 s.f." 1/1K s.f. = 339 Trips
Residential 158 DU .5/DU = 79 Trips
TOTAL = 418 Trips
SITE B — De Anza & Town Center Properties
Trip Credit:
14.11 ac. @ 16/ac. = 226 Trips
Council Resolution 6136 = 3 Trips
TOTAL = 229 Trips
Trip Generation:
1kl
ii
Alternative 1
UaE
Site A
FACTOR
VaE
FACTOR
Office
TRIPS
Office "45,000 s.f."
1/iK s.f.
= 45
Trips
Residential 366 DU
.5/DU
= 183
Trips
Elderly 0 DU
.18/DU
= 0
Trips
Trips
TOTAL
= 228
Trips
Alternative 2
1kl
ii
UaE
Site A
FACTOR
,�r
a
TRIPS
Office
"90,000 s.f."
1/1 K s.f.
= 90
Trips
Residential
276 DU
.5/DU
= 138
Trips
Elderly
220 DU
.18/DU
= 40
Trips
TOTAL
= 268
Trips
SITE C — Lincoln Properties/Pinn
Bros.
Trip Credit:
7.0
ac. @ 16/ac.
= 112
Trips
Trip Generation:
UaE
FACTOR
TRIPS
Office
"91,000 s.f."
1/1K s.f.
= 91
Trips
Residential
42 DU
.5/DU
= 21
Trips
TOTAL
= 112
Trips
Total Trips Credited
47.26 ac. @ 16 trips/ac. = 756 Trips
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
1kl
ii
�
Site A
,�r
a
slte e
Site C e
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
1,40011, North Re Anza Boulevard •
Function: Business office and research and development ac-
tivity with some stores.
E Location: Properties between Stevens Creek Boulevard and
s cInterstate 280 on North De Anza Boulevard.
64.11 Development Activities: Mixed use commercial, office, indus-
North trial, and residential.
Do Anza
SEE ....... ... . Boulevard Building Heights: Maximum of four stories.
Nom 0
DEANzA PLAN Development Intensity: Regulated by the 16 one-way TIP
SEE Poucy 4-2 standard..
(STRATEGY)
East Stevens Creek Boulevard
Function: Mix of commercial retail centers and general office
buildings.
Location: Stevens Creek Boulevard east of De Anza Boule-
vard and west of Stern Avenue on the east City limit line.
Development Activities: Offices are preferred but retail is
East
Stevens allowed. Regulated by the 16 one-way TIP standard.
Creek
Boulevard Building Heights: Oneor two stories in theStevensCreek office
corridor east of De Anza Boulevard with some buildings as
SEE SCB PLAN high as three stories, if the additional height can be found to
SEE Poucy 4-2 add diversity and interest to the structure and do not hurt
(STRATEGY) surrounding land uses, especially residential districts.
Crossroads Shopping District
Function: Original shopping district in Cupertino.
Location: Properties fronting Stevens Creek Boulevard between
De Anza Boulevard and Stelling Road.
. . . . . . . . . ...
. . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . Development ActiAties: Retail is preferred but offices are
allowed.
Crossroads
Shopping Building Heights: One or two stories, with some parts of
District buildings as high as three stories, if the additional height can
be found to add diversity and interest to the structure and do
SEE POLICY 2-30 not hurt surrounding land uses, especially residential districts.
Development Intensity: Regulated by a Floor Area Ratio of
.25 for commercial and .37 for offices.
0.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
Monta Vista
Function: Monta Vista is the commercial and residential
7.9
district that predates Cupertino's incorporation. The commer-
cial district should serve as a commercial center for Monta
.
Stwm6 Crook
Vista and its adjoining neighborhoods. Residential use ar-
eas should be retained and enhanced.
Location: The commercial area includes the north and south
sides of Stevens Creek Boulevard from the Southern Pacific right -of-
Monta
way to Byrne Avenue and from Stevens Crock Boulevard south to Granada '
Vista
C� MW
Avenue and from Orange Avenue to the Southern Pacific Railroad right- V
of -way.
The residential areas south of Stevens Creek Boulevard are bounded by Granada Avenue
SEE MONTA
to the north, Byrne Avenue to the west, Imperial Avenue to the east, and McClellan Road
VISTA DESIGN
to the south. The residential area north of Stevens Creek Boulevard is bounded by Uni-
GUIDELINES
versity Avenue to the north, Peninsula Avenue to the west, Alhambra Avenue to the cast
,and Stevens Creek Boulevard to the south.
Development Activities: Mixed use commercial, office, and residential on Stevens Creek
Boulevard. Balance of area is designated for a variety of residential types and densities.
Refer to Area Plan inset on Land Use Map.
Building Heights: Two-story buildings with some three-story elements.
Development Intensity:
Polley 2-5: Land Use intensity Regulation by FAR SEE POLICY 2-31
Regulate land use intensity for properties described in Figure 2-C by a .33
Floor Area Ratio for both commercial and office activities. Regulate
development intensity for other non-residential use areas by the FARs for
the rest of the community.
Policy 2-6: Commercial Blight and Noise Intrusion SEE POLICY 2-22
POLICY 4-5
Work to ensure that blight and noise from commercial and industrial uses
do not intrude upon residential neighborhoods.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
7
Monta Vista
Planning Area _
M
III 11411P1 IA— LI1" bl r7—Fl t it ❑ \\
Boundary Line Describing Area Where Commercial
Activities Can Occupy Office Buildings Constructed
Based Upon a .33 Floor Area Ratio.
®Boundary of Area Where Property Owners Can
Obtain Credit for On -Street Parking for
Commercial Activities.
Figure 2-C. Monta Vista Land Use Intensity.
SEE POLICY 44 Policy 2-7: Interconnected Access, Shared Parking of Individual
Properties
Ensure that individual properties developed independently of surround-
ing sites have interconnected pedestrian and vehicle access and shared
parking.
Policy 2-8: Housing Units Removed Under Eminent Domain
Require that housing units removed under eminent domain proceedings
be replaced on a one-for-one basis within the same geographical area and
that the people who were displaced can afford the units.
Policy 2-9: Architectural Barriers
Eliminate architectural barriers to pedestrian mobility.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
IV
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9
Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-10: Residential Street Improvements
Maintain a semi -rural appearance with residential street improvements.
Policy2-11: Neighborhood Landscaping
Preserve existing neighborhood landscaping features during redevelop-
ment. Emphasize on-site parking instead of street frontage parking.
Policy 2-12: Mixed -Use Development
Allow mixed-use development within the area bounded by Cranada
Avenue, Stevens Creek Blvd., Orange avenue and the SP right of way to
rely on public parking on Pasadena And Imperial Avenues to meet the
off-street parking needs for the commercial part of the project.
Policy 2-13: Storefront Appearances
Require commercial and office structures to exhibit a traditional store-
front appearance to the public street. Require buildings intended for
initial office use to be designed to accommodate future entrances from the
sidewalk for retail shops. Do not permit the building to be separated
from the public sidewalk by extensive landscaping or changes in eleva-
tion.
Catholic Church Property
Function: The 735 -plus acre property is designated for
housing.
Location: South of 280 freeway and west of Foothill Boule-
vard. The planning area is served by Cristo Rey Drive and
is contiguous to and northerly of Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Development Activities: The extent of the surplus land that is
suitable for development is not known, so the development area on the
land use map is general.
Development Intensity: Land use intensity is based on the 1/2 acre foot-
hill modified slope density formula described on the land use map. In no case shall more
than 400 dwelling units be built.
Merriman and Santa Lucia Roads
Function: The area, subdivided in 1917, has duplexes
and single-family homes. To recognize standing viable
duplexes, legally constructed duplexes may remain in the
section of the planning area that is planned for up to five
units and will be rezoned to a duplex zoning district.
Location: Bounded by Santa Lucia Road, Alcalde Road, and
Foothill Boulevard.
ASAC REso. 1097
Catholic
Church
Property
SEE POLICY 2-34
, .-3.S
Merriman and
Santa Lucla
Roads
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
Development Activities: Balance of commercial, office, and industrial areas
Building Heights: Two stories, with some parts of buildings as high as three stories, if
the additional height can be found to add diversity and interest to the structure and do
not hurt surrounding land uses, especially residential districts.
Development Intensity: Regulated by Floor Area Ratios of .25 for commercial, .33 for of-
fice, and .33 for industrial.
Goal B: Encourage a development pattern for the community which will promote
a variety of scale and formality in building form and which will facilitate
access to all pans of the community by all segments of the population.
Building Form and Scale
Cupertino encourages variation in form,scale, and intensity of building activity. Areas
of high-intensity development offer the greatest opportunity for innovations in construc-
SEE POLICY 4-8 tion and the City encourages creative approaches to large-scale site planning.
(STRATEGY)
The size, color, materials, and design of buildings and the placement on their sites
SEE POLICY 2-1 result in a cumulative design statement that shapes the image of the City. Figure 2-A de-
scribes the two high-intensity nodes at Town Center and Vallco Park. The linkages be-
tween Town Center and Vallco and other activity centers in the City must be weighed
along with a consideration of the design relationship between various use types. The City
does not impose a specific architectural style; it seeks a varietyof building forms and materials.
Cupertino stresses the need to establish design harmony between differing uses, for ex-
ample, between commercial and residential.
Policy 2-14: On -Site Environments
Emphasize attractive on-site environments during the development
review process by giving careful attention to building scale, landscaping,
placement, screening of equipment and loading areas, and related design
considerations.
SEE POLICY 6-29
ease
Multi-StoryUnderground
Commercial �.
4.4R;
,,I Parking
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Q
•
40
Land Use/Community Character
Generally, abrupt changes in building scale should be avoided. Amore gradual tran-
sition between buildings of one and two stories and low-rise to mid -rise buildings should
be achieved by using three-story and four-story buildings at the edge of the project site.
Provide Transition Between Low Buildings and
Mid- and High- Rise Structures TTT
Preferred
Policy 2-15: Public Open Space Development
Avoid
Encourage development of residential and public open spaces on lands
next to major streets to give a balanced variety of land uses, to increase
the housing supply, and to break current or potential strip development
patterns.
Streetscape
Cupertino's streets heavily influence
the City's form and the lifestyles of
people who live here. Streets can form
neighborhood boundaries and add to the
sense of community, but they can also
compartmentalize and cut off other
areas, causing isolation.
Streets become barriers when they
are difficult to cross and close one re-
gion off from another. According to
studies, speed, even more than the vol-
ume of traffic, greatly influences the
activities of people who live nearby.
Families with young children want to
live somewhere else and people who do
live near major streets often decide not
to have pets because of traffic dangers.
Because of past decisions and the
growth of neighboring cities, Cupertino
is cross -divided by a grid of major streets
with a high-volume carrying capacity
to accommodate through commute traf-
fic. The roadway network is probably
the most serious threat to the integrity
of Cupertino's community character.
Traffic danger, odor, noise, and the
stacking effect of cars at peak times
SEE POLICY 3-2
POLIcY 3-3
Accent Neighborhood "Gateway"
ReduceReduce Bldg. Large Scale
Street Width Scale Near Pavement
At Pedestrian Minor Streets 1 Treatment
Crossing Q ®,� \t"1
0
0
1 1
Major
Bikes _ Thoroughfare
Overcoming the Barrier Effect
Intensity
Landscaping
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
IlIBM Land Use/Community Character
disrupt activities along the streets. Taken to extremes, the major streets could tum Cu-
pertino into a random collection of individual neighborhoods.
A city designed around automobiles works and looks entirely differently from one
built for a variety of transportation. People who live in a city designed for cars don't have
much opportunity to use other forms of transportation.
Street improvement design is guided by these standards.
SEE POLICY 2-19 a. Ensure that the three corridors leading to the center of Cupertino remain park-like
- through 50-foot landscaped parkways, landscaped medians, and abundant on-site
landscaping.
SEE POLICY 2-16 b. Limit entrances and exits to properties to avoid disrupting landscaped continuity
a \� and traffic flow.
c. Provide on-site coordination of driveways and parking aisles to allow access to
secondary streets and traffic signals and to keep disruption of traffic flow to a
minimum.
d. Hide off-street parking from public view as much as possible. Determine the re-
quired number of off-street parking spaces for multiple -story projects in the Core
Area along with specific development proposals.
People notice the when they are in a different city by looking at streets. Cupertino can
distinguish itself from the outlying fringes of Sunnyvale and San Jose by avoiding copy-
ing the development form of those cities: the strip development—an unbroken continuity
of commercial and office buildings with intense daytime activity where the automobile is
king.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
• Gateways
Gateways are important in creating a memorable impres-
sion of a city. There are formal elements—arches, fountains,
banners, or landscaping. Gateways may also be dramatic
without constructed devices. Gateways are not always found
at the city limits. For example, the street overcrossing at
Lawrence Expressway and Stevens Creek Boulevard are a
definite gateway to the cast edge of Cupertino, even though
the overcrossing is not in Cupertino.
Policy 2-16: Community Gateways
Review properties next to community entry
points when they are developed or
redeveloped to reflect the gateway
concept.
Large numbers of curb cuts can impede traffic
flow on busy streets as drivers enter travel lanes indiscrimi-
nately. Landscaping themes along the street frontage main-
tain a stronger visual continuity with fewer curb cuts.
Policy 2-17: Curb Cuts
Minimize the number of driveway openings, or curb cuts, in each devel-
• opment
•
Site A Site B
2 -Frontage Site
m
Access From
Secondary
Street n i
Only
Major Street
SEE POLICY 44
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-18: Street Improvement Planning
SEE PoucY 4-2 Plan street improvements such as curb cuts, sidewalks, bus stop turnouts,
(STRATEGY) bus shelters, light poles, benches, and trash containers as an integral part
POLICY 4-3 of a project to be ensure safe movement of people and vehicles with the
least possible disruption to the streetscape.
Policy 2-19: Parking Area Layout
Include clearly defined spaces for pedestrians in parking lots so that foot
traffic is separated from the hazards of car traffic and people are directed
from their cars to building entries.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
Urban Scenic Corridors
Hoping to lessen the visual disruption of Cupertino's image
caused by the City's two major boulevards, the City Council
requires an extensive landscape setback next to De Anza
Boulevard from Stevens Creek Boulevard to Route 280 and
on Stevens Creek Boulevard east to the City limits. This will
lead the observer to or from the pedestrian -scale shopping
environment of Town Center through an intensively planted
parkway that people who are driving cars can enjoy.
Policy 2-20: Boulevard Landscaping Setback
Require properties fronting on De Anza Boulevard and Stevens Creek
Boulevard cast of Town Center to provide a landscaped front setback of
50 feet from the face of the curb, excluding parking lots.
Policy 2-21: Roadway Design to Offset Barriers
Encourage the use of design techniques and development controls that
will offset the divisive barrier effects of major roadways.
Sign Control
In order to keep its streets attractive, Cupertino rejects the modern merchandising
technique of directing business signs at drivers frequently and from as far away as pos-
sible. The City is also de-emphasizing commercial strip development. So, business signs
visible from the streets are limited to those necessary to identify a business site, rather
than to advertise from afar. This sign control also enhances the linkage of the Vallco-North
De Anza Boulevard -Town Center areas along the City's major streets by keeping sign
disruption to a minimum.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
I Land Use/Community Character
Rural Scenic Highways
Most of the significant rural roads are outside City ju-
risdiction and are covered by the County Scenic Highway
Preservation Policy. Montebello and Stevens Canyon Roads
in the western foothills and the upper segment of Regnart
Road at the south edge of the City are among these streets.
The scenic integrity of these rural roads can be protected by
significant frontage setbacks, reduced right-of-way, and
reduced carrying capacity while still permitting adequate
public access to their unique beauties.
Neighborhood Entries
Well-defined entrances are essential to neighborhoods. They aid public safety because
drivers are likely to slow down and pay closer attention when they know they are enter-
ing a residential area. A gateway that is appropriately styled and in keeping with neigh-
borhood scale can help residents feel part of the neighborhood.
Policy 2.22: Neighborhood Gateways
Define neighborhood entries through architecture, landscaping, or land
forms appropriate to the formal or rural character of the neighborhood.
Discourage electronic security gates, walls, and fences because these
isolate individual developments.
Traffic Intrusion
Cars intrude into local neighborhood streets at peak traffic hours from Cupertino's
many major boulevards and streets. There are several ways to minimize this intrusion,
including building streets so that they connect circuitously, rather than directly, to major
streets; using street "diverters" that direct or eliminate turns; and variation in pavement
width to discourage speeding and emphasize crosswalks.
SEE Poucy 4-6 1 Policy 2-23: Neighborhood Traffic Pattern Investigation
Investigate neighborhood traffic patterns comprehensively and find
solutions to protect neighborhood streets from through -traffic spill-over.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
HOUSING
Goal C: Enhance and protect the Integrity of residential neighborhoods.
The private housing market is now geared to big, expensive homes on large lots to the
exclusion of higher -density housing. Since the type of household attracted to live in a city
is dictated by the available housing, this trend will discourage households with other inter-
esting lifestyles from living in Cupertino and adding to its vitality.
Policy 2-24: Full Range of Housing Opportunities
Provide for a full range of ownership and rental housing unit densities, SEs POLICY 3-1
including apartments and other high-density housing. POLICY 3-2
Policy 2-25: Housing with Other Development
Consider housing along with non-residential development, permitting it SEE POLICY 3-3
in addition to the floor area ratio established for non-residential develop-
ment.
Cupertino, like most cities, is organized into neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods
have a large variety of activities and others have fewer. Any neighborhood must be planned
carefully to be sure that its residents live safely and comfortably and that their property
investment is protected to a reasonable degree.
The choice of a home is as much an emotional as a financial investment. When people
feel themselves to be a part of their neighborhoods, and responsible to their neighbors,
cooperative relationships can flourish. Neighbors can help watch children at play and
help protect property against burglary and other crime. Property owners may also be
encouraged to continue to maintain their homes to a high standard.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
agEgNIM Land Use/Community Character I
Policy 2-26: Scale of Residential Development
Ensure that the scale and density of new residential development and
remodeling is reasonably compatible with the City's predominant single-
family residential pattern.
Housing Variety
Cupertino encourages a variety of housing types. People with low or moderate in-
comes can be excluded from living in Cupertino when there is no suitable housing. These
include the elderly, the handicapped, newly formed households, and students.
Current zoning regulations perpetuate the single-family detached house. However,
skilled designers can fit more intense residential buildings into scattered empty lots with-
out harming the single-family neighborhood appearance.
SEE POLICY 3-2 1 Policy 2-27: Housing Variation /n the Urban Core
Encourage variations from the regulations of the zoning district for
properties in the urban core area in housing type and increased density,
making sure that the development is consistent with the visual character
of surrounding buildings.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
Privacy
A successful residential environment should give people a chance to socialize when
they choose to and space to be alone, both inside and outside the home. City attention to
privacy consideration during the development approval process can go a long way to set
homesites apart from each other. Complete privacy is not possible in a city and people
must balance the need for isolation and the need to live within an urbanized area.
Greater Separation
Lesser Separation
6' t:J
6'
Liw.wn.•y"'j(:;vinJi:i»,v. ✓.eiiYiin'i+.n. i<iiiri:iRrn::..+N.:yf$i)%
Policy 2-28: Privacy in
Site Design
Ensure that the site design for
a residential project has
private indoor and outdoor
spaces for each unit and com-
mon outdoor recreation space.
Policy 2.29: Minimizing
Privacy Intrusion
Keep the sights and sounds of
the neighbors from intruding
on residents. Techniques can
include greater building
setbacks, wing walls, window
shutters, and non -transparent
glass.
Wing
Wall
i
View
Fixed
Shutters
Dense View J Fixed
Planting Shutters
Privacy Controls
Neighborhood Awareness
Burglary, vandalism, and other crimes occur in all neighborhoods. Investigating and
solving crimes is the job of the police; crime prevention is everyone's job. Design of new
buildings must include security measures, so that the people living or working there will
feel safe and so police won't have to respond to so many calls. Building design and place-
ment should let neighbors watch each other's properties and children's play areas.
Policy 2-30: Designing for Security
Use design techniques in new development and rehabilitation to increase SEE Poucr 6-29
security and personal safety and to increase neighborhood awareness.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Balancing land use intensity against the traffic -carrying capacity of the street network
is a major emphasis of the City's land use policy. The policy must also consider the
economic health of the community and find ways to encourage redevelopment of older
retail centers.
Policy 2-31: Shopping Center Rehabilitation
To make the rehabilitation of shopping centers built before the "Core Area
Plan" was adopted in 1973 easier, the City Council may allow a center
being considered for rehabilitation to increase its building area above the
basic Floor area ratio constraint.
The increase may add as much as 5,000 sq. ft. of additional gross floor space over the
existing floor area. The amount of additional Floor space will be proportional to the extent
to which a development plan incorporates new landscaping and other site improvements,
architectural revisions consistent with the General Plan design standards, space for new
activities more consistent with land use policies or other General Plan policies, or other
benefits consistent with General Plan policies.
Policy 2-32: Development of Substandard Areas
Allow the Floor Area Ratio to be increased to make development or
redevelopment of substandard areas easier. The maximum increase is .40
FAR and 1,000 sq. ft. above the building space normally allowed.
Policy 2-33: Monitoring for Over -Saturation
Continue to monitor development activity, fiscal effects, and development
rates to avoid short-term over -saturation of the market.
Policy 2-34: Grandlathered Development
Clarify that land use activities or buildings consistent with the General
Plan or Zoning as of July 18, 1983 and development activities approved
before that date are still valid even though the activity or building is
inconsistent with this General Plan. Cupertino's Procedural Ordinance
defines the terms by which various types of applications remain valid.
The City's goal to achieve a balanced community is enhanced by the development
and operation of a Convention Center to be located in a core area business and office cen-
ter. A Convention Center would:
1. Provide a meeting and gathering space for official functions that would otherwise
be held outside Cupertino.
2. Provide meeting and support services for corporations which are headquartered in
the City.
3. Strengthen the viability of a full service hotel which in turn would provide fiscal
benefits to the City.
The City may enter into a relationship with a hotel/convention center developer to
encourage such a center.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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41
Land Use/Community Character
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
GOAL D: Protect the environment and the personal safety of the City's residents.
It is necessary to respect irreplaceable natural assets to maintain community charac-
ter. Sometimes, careful design controls can cause built forms to complement and enhance
the natural terrain. For example, the landmark Mary Knoll Seminary is situated on a
prominent ridgeline and accents the wooded setting. In other cases, such as in the Ste-
vens Creek Flood Plain, the land's natural plants should be left undisturbed as a break in
the urban pattern.
Preserving the Hillsides
Cupertino's hillsides are an irreplaceable resource shared by the entire Santa Clara
Valley. Building a low -intensity residential development in the foothills would give the
owners of these houses an interest in preserving the natural environment. This kind of
development would be limited to high-income households, this is in compliance with the
broad goal of providing housing opportunities to all economic segments of the commu-
nity. Cupertino is trading off housing opportunity for low-income and moderate -income
households for the preservation of a natural resource that benefits the region.
Policy 2-35: Foothill Development
Apply a slope -density formula to low -intensity residential development
in the foothills. Permit limited commercial and professional offices in a
Hillside Planned Development if they directly serve the residents.
There will be some scarring from hillside development as roads, housing sites, and
public and private subdivision improvements are graded. So, improvement standards
must balance the need to furnish adequate utility and emergency services against the need
to protect the hillside land form, vegetation, and animals. Roads should be narrowed to
avoid harming trees and streambeds. Grading should be kept to a minimum by prohibit-
ing mass grading for building sites and by allowing narrow driveways, instead of public
streets, to serve more than one lot.
SEE
DEVELOPMENT
INTENSITY
MANUAL
SEE CMC 1608
SEE POLICY 6-12
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
SEE POLICY 5-8
PoucY 5-9
Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-36: Rural Improvement Standards In the Foothills
Require rural improvement standards in the residential hillside zoning
ordinance and the hillside subdivision regulations to preserve the rural
character of the hillside.
The Montebello foothills at the south and west boundaries of the valley floor are a
scenic backdrop to the City, adding to its sense of scale and variety of color. It's impos-
sible to guarantee an unobstructed view of the hills from any vantage point, but people
should be able to see the foothills from public gathering places.
Policy 2-37: Views for Public Facilities
Design and lay out public facilities, particularly public open spaces, so
they include views of the foothills or other nearby natural features.
When highly sensitive natural areas such as those subject to floods, brush fires, earth-
quakes, and landslides become part of a city, human life must be protected.
Policy 2-38: Hillside Development Proposal Analysis
SEE Subject proposals for hillside development to prior investigation by
DEVELOPMENT professional consultants to find environmental dangers and to suggest
IIJrENsrrY solutions to lessen their effects.
MANUAL
SEE POLICY 6-8 Policy 2-39 Land Disturbance During Development
Be sure that natural land forms and significant plants and trees are
disturbed as little as possible during development.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
11
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Land Use/Community Character
Flood Plain
Stevens Creek and its streamside are among the natural elements that have the most
influence on Cupertino's character. The creek strongly defines the boundary between the
urban and rural parts of the City, extends a note of unspoiled beauty into the heart of the
developed valley floor, and gives many residents and visitors a space for play, relaxation,
or study of the creek's plant and animal life. At times, however, floods can pose a risk to
the City.
Land uses in the flood plain should allow the public to get to the creek but should
prohibit materials that would restrict the free flow of creek waters or significantly disturb
the streamside environment.
Policy 2-40: Existing Uses In the Flood Plain
Allow commercial and recreational uses now exclusively within the flood
plain to remain in their present use or to be used for agriculture.
Policy 2-41: Non -Recreational Property to Residential
Designate non -recreational properties to become residential with up to
five units allowed with these conditions:
a. Forbid structures designed for forced human habitation, such as
dwelling units, in the natural flood plain. The natural flood plain is
defined by the General Plan based on data from the Santa Clara Valley
Water District. Unfenced volleyball courts, picnic tables, and similar
recreational uses may be constructed within the natural flood plain.
b. Base the maximum number of dwelling units allowed on each prop-
erty or group of properties on the numerical designation range on the
General Plan Map. Land in the flood plain can be credited in an
amount not to exceed one dwelling unit per gross acre to determine the
number of dwelling units on each property or group of properties
consolidated into one development plan. If part of the parcel is outside
the flood plain, the maximum density will be six dwelling units for
each gross acre. This policy makes it impossible for a relatively small
parcel to get a high density status as a result of one dwelling unit per
acre density credit from a relatively large area within the flood plain.
The total number of units allowed will be based on the ability of the
applicant and designer to integrate the development into the natural
environment of Stevens Creek and the adjacent residential neighbor-
hoods.
c. Require residential development plans to incorporate the Stevens
Creek trail described in the public parks section of the General Plan.
Policy 2-42: Land In Natural Flood Plain
Allow public and quasi -public land in the natural flood plain after review
of a specific zoning or use permit application.
SEE POLICY 6-10
SEE CMC 16.52
SEE POLICY 5-22
SEE POLICY 5-19
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
SEE POLIcY 3-28
Land Use/Community Character
Energy Awareness
Site and building design can save energy by using the benefits of the seasonal climate
and controlling its disadvantages. This section discusses a few of the many different ways
to make homes more comfortable and reduce energy needed for heat and cooling.
Sun Control
California requires cities to consider solar access when reviewing subdivision design.
To increase the daily number of hours of sunlight, builders are encouraged to orient pri-
vate outdoor spaces to the south, cast, or west sides of a site, preferably with two unob-
structed views. Private outdoor spaces also need to be sheltered from the sun. Trellises,
awnings, landscaping, and the height and position of neighboring buildings should be
studied to protect against excessive shadow on yards, assuring equitable access to sun-
light's benefits.
Policy 2-43: Sun Access and Protection
Ensure that all homes have an acceptable balance of access to the sun and
protection from it, as well as control of prevailing winds.
North Wind Plant Mass & Garage &
Blank Walls On North To
Break Cold Breezes
O'
"Sun Pockets"
For Outdoor
Deciduous Trees Allow Winter
Trellis Sun Living
Sun To Warm Interior and
Filter
Provide Summer Shade
Wind Control
Cupertino's prevail-
ing winds blow from the
northwest across San
Francisco Bay. Winds
reach their peak in theaf-
temoon; the City's low
buildings and relatively
Flat ground do not slow
themdown. Thebmezes
give relief from warm
temperatures, but high
winds discourage the
use of outdoor areas. So,
careful site design can
break up wind patterns
and reduce their speed
to produce gentler, more
refreshing breezes.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Prune Lower
Vegetation To
Promote
Circulation
Wail and
Vegetation
Windbreak
Turn Buildings 450
To Prevailing Wind
and Arrange In
Clusters To Reduce
Velocity and Chan-
nel Summer
Breezes
11
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Land Use/Community Character
Heritage Resources
Heritage properties show Cupertino's history. These sites remind residents of the colorful
people who built and occupied them, creating stronger ties between today's Cupertino
residents and yesterday's.
Most of the historically significant properties are in private ownership, so pressure to
remove them or change sites in a way that obscures historic character is not controlled by
public policy. Where feasible, private owners and City government can work together to
find creative alternatives to the destruction of heritage properties.
A successful example of this cooperation is the rehabilitation of the De La Vega stable
in the Rancho Deep Cliff residential subdivision. The "Tack House" was refurbished ex-
tensively inside but its exterior remains much the same. It is the 61 -home community's
recreation center and meeting hall.
8
n
i
_1
��\ r
The City of Cupertino
• Community Landmarks:
Historic Sites:
A.
De Anza Industrial Park
1.
Mary Noll Seminary
10.
Petite Trianan
B.
Vallco Industrial Park
2.
Cupertino Del Oro Club
11.
Cupertino Union Church
C.
Kaiser Permanente
3.
Monta Vista Train Station
12.
Blacksmith McClellan Ranch
D.
Downtown Monta Vista
4.
Gazebo, Memorial Park
13.
Doyle Site
E.
Memorial Park
5.
St. Joseph's Church
14.
De Laveaga Horse Barn
F.
Valico Fashion Park
6.
Baer House
15.
Ridge Viveyards
G.
Cali Mill
7.
Oak Dell Ranch
16.
Picchetti Ranch
H.
De Anza College
8.
Lewis Stocklmeir Ranch
17.
Monte Bello School
I.
Cupertino Civic Center
9.
Woelffel Cannery
Figure 2-D. Cupertino's Heritage Resources
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
i Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-44: Landmark Rehabilitation
Undertake an active partnership with private owners of landmark struc-
tures to rehabilitate the buildings for public or semi -private occupancy
and retain their historic character.
THE LAND USE MAP AND GENERAL POLICIES
The Land Use Map of the General Plan illustrates the policies in this element and in
other elements that play a major role in guiding urban development. The map can't be
used alone because it illustrates the text and should be used along with it.
The General Plan Map illustrates the general form of Cupertino in terms of space allo-
cation and intensity of land use activities. In contrast, the Municipal Zoning Map divides
the City into very precisely drawn land use categories. Zoning districts have precisely
written standards governing permitted activities and development forms. A series of policy
statements accompany the planning text to guide the public and government officials in
establishing precise zoning boundaries to pinpoint permitted activities.
California requires that the zoning map and zoning regulations be consistent with the
General Plan Map and text. The zoning map and regulations must be brought into con-
formity with the General Plan within a reasonable period after it is adopted.
Land Use Categories
Patterns and symbols, defined on the map legend, are used on the General Plan Map
to identify land use categories, the road system, major land features, and significant pub-
lic and private facilities.
Here is a description of each land use category:
Residential
Areas suitable for dwellings, divided into five sub -categories based on dwelling unit
density expressed as the number permitted on each gross acre. The General Plan does not
define whether the dwellings are to be owned or rented by their inhabitants or whether
they are.to be attached or detached.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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Land Use/Community Character
Very Low Density: Intensity is based on applying one of three slope -density for-
SEE DEVELOP-
mulas—Foothill Modified, Foothill Modified 1/2 Acre, or Semi -Rural 5 Acre. This clas-
MENT INTENsnY
sification is intended to protect environmentally sensitive areas from extensive devel-
MANUAL
opment and to protect human life from hazards related to flood, fire, and unstable
SEE ORD. 1450
terrain.
Low Density: 1-5 units on each gross acre. This category is intended to promote a I SEE ORD. 1449
suburban lifestyle of detached single-family homes. Planned residential communi-
ties can be incorporated into this category if the development form is compatible with
adjoining residential development.
Medium Low Density: 5-10 units per gross acre. This category accommodates SEE ORD. 575
more intensive forms of residential development while still being compatible with the ORD. 664
predominant single-family detached residential neighborhood. This development can
be successfully incorporated into a single-family environment.
Medium High Density: 10-20 units per gross acre. This category provides greater
opportunity for multiple -family residential developments in a planned environment.
This range usually results in traffic volumes and buildings that are not compatible
with single-family residential neighborhoods. These developments should be located
on the edges of single-family residential communities where utility services and street SEE ORD. 779
networks are adequate to serve increased densities.
High Density: 20-35 units per gross acre. This promotes a wide range of housing
choices in multiple -family dwellings. The intensity requires that the category be used
only at locations with adequate utility services or transit or both. The development
may result in structures with three or four levels and underground parking. This category
offers maximum opportunity for housing choice, especially for people who want a
city environment.
Commercial
This designation is directed to retail sales, businesses, professional offices, and serv- SEE ORD. 1344
ice establishments with direct contact with customers. This applies to commercial activi-
ties ranging from neighborhood convenience stores to regionally oriented specialty stores.
Retail stores that would be a nuisance for adjoining neighborhoods or hurt the commu-
nity identity would be regulated by the commercial zoning ordinance and use permit
procedure.
Office
This designation includes all office uses referenced in the City's Administrative and SEE ORD. ()02(X)
Professional Office Zone including administrative, professional, and research and devel- ORD. 002(Y)
opment activities.
Prototype research and development is permitted if it is conducted along with the
office functions of a business. Prototype R&D is defined as research and development
activities that lead to the development of a new product or a new manufacturing and assembly
process. Products developed, manufactured, or assembled here are not intended to be
mass produced for sale at this location.
Guidelines for Prototype Research and Development:
The type, use, and storage of hazardous material for prototype R&D or assembly
is regulated by the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Fire Code, and any new
ordinance or other regulation that controls hazardous materials.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
The building must not present the appearance that a prototype R&D or assembly
process is in place. There will be no exterior storage and receiving facilities will be
small. Generally, no more than 25 percent of the total space occupied by the firm will
be devoted to this activity.
Industrial
This designation is applied to manufacturing, assembly, and research and develop-
ment. Administrative offices that support manufacturing and wholesaling are included.
Commercial/Residential
This designation is applied to lands located on major boulevards and suitable for
commercial or residential activities or a combination.
Commercial/Industrial
This designation is applied to lands suitable for either commercial or industrial activi-
ties or a combination.
Quasi -Public institutional
This designation is applied to privately owned land involving activities such as a pri-
vate utility, a profit or non-profit facility giving continuous patient care, an educational
facility, or a religious facility.
Private Recreation
This designation is applied to privately owned land use for recreation oriented to the
outdoors.
Parks
This designation is applied to land owned by the public and used for recreation.
Public Facilities
This designation is applied to land used or planned to be used by a governmental
entity for a public purpose.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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11
11
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Land Use/Community Character
General Policies
The loose format of the General Plan Map makes it necessary to enact general land
use policies to guide City officials and others in formulating private and public land use
decisions.
Policy 2-45. Boundaries Between Land Uses
Base boundaries between land use classifications generally upon lot lines
of established land use activities, public streets, and constructed or
natural physical barriers or a combination of any of these. Show the
precise boundary on the zoning map.
Policy 2-46: Residential Density Ranges on the Map
Recognize that residential density ranges on the General Plan Map and its
legend show the desired development intensity for a general area. Also
recognize that the actual gross dwelling unit density may be slightly
different if the properties reflect the general development character of
neighboring properties.
Policy 2-47: Minimum Lot Size for Single -Family House
Allow owners of existing legally created residential lots of at least 5,000
sq. ft. to use it for a residential purpose. The minimum lot size for a con-
ventional single-family residential zoned parcel is 6,000 sq. ft. The owner
of a legally created parcel less than 5,000 sq. ft. may also develop it for
single-family residential use if it can be shown that the property was not
under the same ownership as any contiguous property on the same street
frontage on or after the effective date of this amendment.
Owners of contiguous substandard residential lots of record which do not
conform with the density requirements of the Plan may redraw the lots
when it results in a more logical development pattern and is generally
consistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Consoli-
dation or redrawing should not result in more lots or more potential
dwelling units than the number of legal lots of record.
Policy 2-48: Public and Quasi -Public Activities and Land
Allow public and quasi -public activities to be located within any land use
designation in the General Plan upon zoning review approval to ensure
compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and the street and
utility system capacity. Allow residential land uses in areas designated
for quasi -public uses with appropriate zoning changes.
Policy 2-49: Closed School Site Use
Designate all public school sites for public use provided that school that
are closed may be used for quasi -public or institutional activities or both,
or for housing. The dwelling unit intensity and development pattern
shall reflect the character of the surrounding residential districts. The
future of unused school sites shall also reflect the park acquisition pro-
gram in the Environmental Resources Element.
SEE PLANNING
COMM. REso.
2616
SEE POLICY 5-24
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Land Use/Community Character
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' Z �.\ :^::' 1:1s.�jJi �d'�.i�.,~TM"^a cntA• tl: 'W I',.4 . ,n� / � 'a' � D \
Figure 2-E. Hypothetical Development Plan for Inspiration Heights.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
40 1
is
Hypothetical Dwellings
constrained Areas
®
Property Ownership Boundary
■ ■ ■
Proposed Roads
®
Existing Dwellings
Figure 2-E. Hypothetical Development Plan for Inspiration Heights.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2-50: Very Low Density Residential
Allow lots of record legally created by the County or City subdivision
process before June 22,1976, and located on land designated for very low
density residential use to be used as a single-family building site even
though the application of current slope -density formulas would prohibit
development. Do not allow substantially vacant, non -improved small lot
subdivisions that were recorded many years ago without adequate field
investigations and improvement plans to be used as a single-family build-
ing site. In such subdivisions, lots can be used for single-family housing
even though the application of slope -density formulas would forbid de-
velopment under any of two circumstances:
1. Where the owner of the lot either owns or buys contiguous land that can
be combined with the lot, by filing a new map, to create a new lot or lots
to conform to the slope -density formulas.
2. Where a lot was under ownership by June 22, 1976, and the owner has
not owned or bought any contiguous land since the approval of this
document which would allow him or her to meet the requirements of the
first instance.
Figure 2-E explains this policy for Inspiration Heights.
Flint Center— De Anza College
Policy 2-51: De Anza College
Allow land uses not traditionally considered part of a college such as
lodging or conference facilities and institutional office and research
facilities to be built at De Anza College. Final determination of the
intensity, character, and ultimate desirability will be evaluated with
regard to the effects on traffic and the consistency with the college's
educational nature.
Sec CMC 18-1.10
(MERGER LAW)
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Land Use/Community Character
Policy 2.52: Take -Out Restaurants
Actively discourage more freestanding take-out restaurants unless they
are part of an overall planned center.
Policy 2-53: New Drive -Up Services
See DRIVE -UP Permit new drive -up service facilities for commercial, industrial, or
FAc1LmEs institutional use only when adequate circulation, parking, noise control,
GUIDELINES architectural, and landscaping compatible with the visual character of the
surrounding uses are provided and residential areas are adequately
buffered. Further evaluate any proposed site for conformance with other
goals and policies of the Plan.
Policy 2-54: Late -Evening Entertainment Activities
Discourage late -evening entertainment activities such as cocktail lounges,
recreational facilities, and theaters in the relatively narrow depth of
Stevens Creek Boulevard properties but encourage them in Town Center,
Vallco Park, and other large properties that are isolated from residential
districts and can provide their own security.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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CUPERTMO GENERAL PLAN
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regulate the design and location of residential development projects. The Land Use/Com-
munity Character Element and the Circulation Element define City form, densities, and
the location and movement of people, describing where housing is to be placed and what
density is to be permitted. The Environmental Resources Element discusses preserving
open space essential to maintaining community quality of life. Open space preservation
is part of the development approval process for both residential and non-residential proj-
ects. The Public Health and Safety Element regulates residential development in seismi-
cally sensitive areas and emphasizes safety features in residential projects.
Public Participation
The Housing Element was amended in 1983 when the General Plan was amended.
There were 17 public hearings, presenting opinions and information from the entire com-
munity. The public also commented at meetings of an ad hoc committee on below -mar-
ket -rate housing. A 25 -member community Goals Committee held meetings during the
two years before the Plan was amended, reviewing land use, transportation, and housing
policies. Local newspapers and publications from special interest groups such as the Santa
Clara Valley Manufacturers' Association and the Midpeninsula Citizens for Fair Housing
covered the amendment process. This update includes additional 1980 U.S. Census data,
housing need figures from the Association of Bay Area Governments, and program changes.
Cupertino actively encourages citizen participation to help insure the success of the hous-
ing program.
Effectiveness of the Previous Element
The previous Housing Element's program did not meet its goals for new construction
of very low-income, low-income, and moderate -income housing because there were no
available state and federal subsidies.
Twenty-seven units for the handicapped were constructed as planned. The City con-
tinues to have households assisted through the federal rental subsidy program and Proj-
ect Match, a private, non-profit group. Only about 10 percent of the need for very low-
income and low-income housing was met from 1980 to 1985.
There are eight moderate -income units available through the Below Market Rate (BMR)
Program, well under the projected 100 units. About 20 percent of the moderate -income
housing need was met through private development and the BMR Program. Private
development met about 50 percent of the housing needs projected for households earning
above moderate incomes from 1980 to 1985.
High interest rates in the early 1980s made the situation worse. The City's fast-track
processing, reduced fees, and land available for high-density residential development did
not add to the restrictions on developing below -market -rate units.
The Condominium Conversion Ordinance preserved existing rental units, while the
City rehabilitated about eight owner -occupied low-income units per year through the use
of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which met the 1980 Housing
Element projections. Rehabilitation funds for rental units were unavailable; this goal was
not met.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Housing
Progress In Implementation
Cupertino's housing program has been expanded to include mortgage revenue bond
financing for rental construction as planned in the 1983 element. There are about 280 rental
units in the planning stage. Fifty-six of these could be for low-income households if mort-
gage revenue bonds are used. A voluntary mediation program for income property owners
and tenants was established and CDBG funds have been set aside for low-income senior
housing.
The City dropped its BMR Program for moderate -income households to focus efforts
on low-income households and to spread the burden of this development among all de-
velopers instead of concentrating it on developers of high-density residential projects. In
its place, the City is considering charging a construction tax on all residential, commer-
cial, and industrial development and using general funds to supply housing for both very
low-income and low-income households. Cupertino will contract with a non-profit de-
veloper or find another way to operate this housing. The existing below -market -rate units
will be maintained. Current lower interest rates should help in building affordable hous-
ing.
Appropriateness of Goals and Policies
The goals and policies remain generally the same, except for the deletion of the BMR
Program. The City is taking a more activist role in developing low-income housing by
using its general fund. Development of below -market -rate housing should be helped by
the availability of mortgage revenue bond financing. Goals also include programs that
require federal subsidies, although it is unlikely that these funds will be available. If they
do become available, the City is willing to use them for new construction. There is more
information on the City's programs and goals in the Program Description section of the
Housing Element Background Report.
Overview
Cupertino, set in the northwest section of Santa Clara County, was incorporated in
1955 with fewer than 2,500 residents. From the 1950s until the mid-1970s, the City grew
rapidly as the county evolved from an agricultural center to a capital of light industry.
Northern Santa Clara County became nationally known as Silicon Valley, center of semi-
conductor research, development, and production. This development has affected cur-
rent and future land use and circulation patterns.
'a 40
9
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0 FWArug:zesty::.cfiig:qn;:WWW'�oi:iifr'e'%"t<o ££ n'E
1955 1960 1965 1970 19751980 `1985`1990
Year
Figure 3-A. City of Cupertino's Population
Growth History and Projections
e 15
4
10
7
a
5
0
3
0
0
1975 1980 1985 1990
Year
Figure 3-B. Cupertino's Dwelling Unit
Projections -1975 - 1990
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Cupertino's population nearly doubled from 1970 to 1980 through growth and land
annexations, rising from 19,500 to 34,015. This is one of the largest increases in Santa Clara
County. Population in 1985 was estimated to be 38,000. If Cupertino were entirely built
up, holding capacity would be about 49,000. Between 1970 and 1980, the number of hous-
ing units in Cupertino more than doubled, growing from 5,598 to 12,554. There were 12284
households in 1980 and 13,980 estimated in 1985.
Housing preferences have changed since 1970, as the number of housing units increased
and the number of persons per household decreased. Following a California trend to-
ward smaller households, Cupertino's figures declined from 3.1 persons in 1970 to 2.7 in
1980. This figure is expected to remain the same or increase slightly before 1990. The
trend reflects lifestyle changes, a postponement of childbearing, and a tendency for people
to establish households at a younger age.
The median age of Cu-
pertino's population is ris-
ing, also changing housing
needs. It was 26 years in
1970 and had risen to 32 by
1980.
Household income and
housing cost also affect >
housing need. Compared
to other Santa Clara County
cities, Cupertino is rela-
tively affluent. The 1980
U.S. Census reported me-
dian household income to
be $30,312 countywide. In
1985, median income for
Cupertino households that
had at least one worker em-
ployed in Cupertino was
$54,000.
$170,000
$160,000
$150,000
$140,000
$130,000
$120,000
$110,000
$100,000
65r
20-64
10.19
0-9
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Percentage
Figure 3-C. Cupertino Age Distributions
June June June
1980 1983 1984
Figure 3-D. Median Selling Prices
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
June July
1985 1995
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Rising household incomes have not kept up with skyrocketing housing costs. The
median price for a home in Santa Clara County jumped 244 percent from 1971 to 1979
while the median household income went up only 69 percent. These figures are about the
same for Cupertino.
The prices have not risen as steeply in the 1980s as in the previous decade. These fig-
ures are from the San Jose Real Estate Board for the Cupertino Zone.
More than half of Cupertino's housing is single family. About two-thirds of the City's
units are occupied by owners and one-third by renters. In 1981, 56 percent of all housing
units were single family; 12 percent were cluster; six percent were duplex, three percent
were triplex; 20 percent were R4 apartments; three percent were group quarters, and .01
percent were mobile homes. Housing choices are limited; the Federal Home Loan Bank
reported a 1.7 percent vacancy rate for March, 1985.
Cupertino's housing stock is relatively new and in good condition. According to the
1983-86 federal Housing Assistance Plan, 383 housing units are suitable for rehabilitation;
151 are owner -occupied and 232 are occupied by renters.
Cupertino is a major employment center in Santa Clara County with a large number
of employees commuting from other areas. In 1980, Cupertino had approximately 27,800
employees. By 1985, this figure had increased to 35,000, and is projected to reach 41,460
by 1990. Consequently, the jobs and housing ratio for the City is over -balanced 1 to 1.3 in
favor of jobs. Cupertino needs to produce more housing to balance this ratio and meet the
housing needs of its employees, where possible.
Single Cluster Duplex Triplex Apartment Group
Family Quarters
Figure 3-E. Cupertino's Dwelling Unit Types -1981
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Housing
GOALS AND POLICIES:
TO EXPAND THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING
Goal A: Expand the supply of residential units for all economic segments to
achieve greater housing opportunities.
Housing stock can be expanded by making more land available for housing and by
increasing allowable density levels for new dwellings. The 1978 Plan amendment increased
the potential number of units by 1,060 over the previous Plan. Cupertino's land use regu-
lations allow for densities as high as 20-35 units per acre. High-density development has
averaged 22 units per acre. By using these density allocations and planned development
permits, residential developers have more Flexibility in design and can build more units.
Cupertino's Second Unit Ordinance allows some additional housing on developed lots.
Mortgage revenue bonds reduce the cost of units.
Figure 3-F. Expand Housing Stock
SEE PoucY 2-23 1 Pollcy 3-1 Density Increase on Social -Goal Projects
Exceed General Plan density levels on projects found to satisfy a commu-
nity social goal. Make density increase dependent on the City finding that
the project will be in harmony with adjacent land uses and will not
overburden public services, utilities, and the road system.
SEE POLICY 2-23 Policy 3-2 Innovative Plan Design in Mixed -Use Developments
POLICY 2-25
Encourage developers to follow innovative design concepts that integrate
residential and non-residential uses in one project.
SEE POLICY 2-24 1 Policy 3-3 Unit Addition In Mixed -Use Developments
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Permit commercial and industrial developers to add residential units to
build mixed-use projects without penalty in terms of the Floor area ratios
established in the Land Use Element. Subject all development proposals
to the standard reviews of the Planning Commission and City Council.
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Policy 3-4 Review of Vacant Land for Rezoning
Review all vacant and uncommitted commercial and industrial lands
every three years to determine if there is a potential to rezone them for
housing. Determine if surplus school sites would be available for
housing.
Policy 3-5 Accessory Housing Units
Allow an accessory housing unit on certain lots in single-family districts.
Cupertino recognizes the need to provide housing for all economic segments of the
community. Supplying affordable housing for low-income and moderate -income house-
holds requires local powers combined with state or federal assistance or both. Cupertino's
powers include include residential site identification, priority processing, waiver of fees
for below -market -rate units, and using a Below Market Rate Program or City funds to
finance affordable housing. The City participates in various state, county, and federal
programs that provide below -market -rate housing.
i AffortlS418 s.
HOUSitig
Priority Processing 4A u HCD Funds
Site Identification CDBG
Mortgage Revenue Bonds
City Funds
Cooperate with Non -Profit Developers
Maintain Existing Below Market Rate Units
Figure3-G. Provide Affordable Housing
Policy 3-6 Site Identification for Housing
Cooperate with the county, private developers, and non-profit housing
corporations to identify sites for very low-income, low-income, and
moderate -income housing.
Policy 3-7 Attracting Other Housing Programs
Promote a helpful atmosphere for attracting low-income and moderate -
income housing programs financed by other levels of government.
Encourage mortgage revenue bond programs. Be sure all such develop-
ments meet the City's design and service criteria.
SEE ORD. 1449,
SEc.14
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Policy 3-8 Participating in Other Housing Programs
Participate in county, state, and federal programs that promote or supply
housing.
Policy 3-9 HCD Funds in BMR Housing
Continue to make federal Housing and Community Development funds
available to developers to help pay costs of meeting or exceeding the
requirements for supplying below -market -rate housing.
Policy 3-10 Sites for Low -Income Housing
Make available federal HIED or general City funds to buy sites for very
low-income and low-income housing. Make these parcels available to
private developers or a non-profit housing corporation capable of con-
structing this housing.
Pollcy 3-11 City Funds for Rental Housing
Use City money to fund programs that help supply affordable rental
housing to very low-income and low-income households, particularly
senior citizens and disabled persons who are on a fixed income, identify-
ing need through Census and other data and giving priority to Cupertino
residents. Contract with a non-profit organization or find another way to
supply this housing.
Policy 3-12 Priority Processing for Some Developments
Give priority processing to applications that provide very low-income,
low-income, and moderate -income housing to reduce development costs
caused by delays.
Policy 3-13 Affordable Housing on the Ballot
Place the issue of affordable housing on the state ballot if this becomes
necessary to provide for affordable housing.
Policy 3-14 Mobile Homes and Pre -Fabricated Housing
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Permit the construction of mobile homes and pre -fabricated houses on
permanent foundations, subject to compliance with zoning regulations,
building code, and other applicable City regulations.
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Housing
Apartments are the primary source of moderate -cost shelter in Cupertino. They are
starter housing for young families and singles, temporary housing for students, and an al-
ternative, less expensive form of housing for the middle-aged and elderly who no longer
want to own a home or cannot afford home ownership. Apartments offer housing afford-
able to the skilled production and manufacturing employees who are vital to the local
electronics industry. Many local companies have been leaving Santa Clara County to find
more housing these employees can afford. Ignoring this need may seriously hurt the local
economy.
Uncontrolled conversion of apartments to
condominiums may severely endanger the City's
goals of promoting and maintaining a fully var-
ied range of housing. It may lessen the number of
people in Cupertino's population from the groups
that typically rent apartments. Cupertino's con-
dominium conversion ordinance recognizes and
addresses these issues.
Policy 3-15 Condominium Conversion Ratios
Deny condominium -conversion applica-
tions if the proposal significantly dimin-
ishes the number of rental units in """ `'' """""""" "'""' "";'
Cupertino or substantially reduces the Figure 3-H. Preserve the Existing
ratio of ownership -to -rental units at the Supply of Rental Housing
time of the requested conversion. Gener-
ally, forbid conversion to condominiums
when the rental vacancy rate within the Cupertino Housing Market Area
is less than five percent when the application is made and has averaged
five percent over the previous six months. Determine the vacancy rate by
surveys conducted by the City of Cupertino's Planning Department.
Polley 3-16 Condominiums and Housing Stock
Ensure that a significant portion of the converted units remain part of the
low-income and moderate -income housing stock before approving any
condominium conversions.
Policy 3-17 Condominium Upgrade Before Conversion
Ensure that the project has been upgraded to eliminate any health and
safety hazards and to meet current development standards before approv-
ing any condominium conversions. Reasonably demonstrate that compa-
rable replacement rental housing exists in Cupertino to accommodate the
displaced residents.
SEE
CONDOMINIUM
CONVERSION
ORDINANCE
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Housing
GOALS AND POLICIES TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE
CUPERTINO'S NEIGHBORHOODS
Goal B: Establish and enforce effective guidelines and regulations for the
construction of safe, high-quality housing, and for the maintenance and
Improvement of existing housing.
Cupertino maintains streets, sidewalks, signs, waterlines,
utilities, and street trees through its public works program
to protect the public's investment and to enhance neighbor-
hood appearance. City ordinances prohibit storing garbage
and non -working vehicles in private yards to safeguard the
public health and to protect neighborhoods from visual deg-
radation. The City's weed abatement ordinance reduces fire
risk and eliminates unsightly conditions.
Figure 3-1.
Pollcy 3-18 City Maintenance
Maintain
Existing
Continue the high quality of maintenance of public streets, rights of way, and
Housing
recreational areas. Continue the semi-annual trash pick-up program through-
out the City and encourage the unincorporated districts within Cupertino's
planning area to start a similar program.
Policy 3-19 Energy Commission
Continue the Energy Commission's promotion of conservation measures
through its workshops and recommendations to the City Council.
Policy 3-20 Code Enforcement
Continue City code enforcement efforts and encourage the Santa Clara
County Board of Supervisors to increase code enforcement in county islands
and lands within the City's planning area.
Policy 3-21 Improvement Districts
Support local neighborhood improvement districts and homeowner associa-
tions. Use a neighborhood approach in upgrading residential property,
allowing as much local participation as possible and offering services as in-
centives for rehabilitation.
Cupertino has no improvement districts but has worked closely with several homeo%
associations to decide on appropriate improvements and to sponsor the Rehabilitation
gram. This approach has been particularly successful in Monta Vista.
Policy 3-22 Property Maintenance
Encourage residents to maintain residential property.
Policy 3-23 Pre -Sale Code Inspection
Consider developing a pre -sale code inspection program for residential
structures, linking the program to rehabilitation loan programs to offset costs.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
11
11
Housing
Cupertino's housing stock is relatively new; 62 percent was constructed after 1959.
The newer housing is generally in uniformly good repair because of high development
standards and enforcement of strict building codes by the City. Most of the physically de-
teriorating units in town are found in older neighborhoods built under county jurisdic-
tion before Cupertino was incorporated in 1955. These older neighborhoods have a vari-
ety of housing types and quality; some have begun to decline, but they retain a distinct
character that the City wishes to keep. Cupertino has used more than half of its HCD
Block Grant rehabilitation funds primarily in the unincorporated areas.
The three neighborhoods most in need of rehabilitation are Monta Vista, Garden Gate,
and Rancho Rinconada, in unincorporated pockets in Cupertino's planning area.
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PmePyly
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Rehabilitation
Target Areas
�,
Figure 3-1. City of Cupertino's Rehabilitation Target Areas
Policy 3-24 HCD Rehabilitation Loans
Continue participating in the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program
financed through the Urban County HCD Block Grant Program. This
program makes low-interest rate loans and small grants to very low-
income and low-income homeowners to correct building code violations
and housing deficiencies.
Policy 3-25 Other Rehabilitation Programs
Investigate and pursue other rehabilitation programs funded by federal,
state, and county government to expand rehabilitation in Cupertino.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Housing
Policy 3-26 Upgrading of Substandard Housing
Encourage the upgrading and rehabilitation of substandard housing
within the City's planning area.
Policy 3-27 Information on Rehabilitation
Provide information on loan programs, fix -up techniques, and labor
services. Encourage feature stories in the local media.
The past decade's rising energy costs and uncertain supplies have forced cities to look
at energy conservation in residential development. For example, active and passive solar
techniques can be incorporated into designing, orienting, and constructing new houses;
existing housing can be fitted with energy sav-
ing devices. State energy standards increase
fyy/iiy v4 Y� ,iiif ilrw i3
budding efficiency, but additional efforts can
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make buildings even more energy efficient. Cities
can take an active role by encouraging more at-
tention to energy conservation in planning, zon-
ing, and building construction requirements. En-
ergy efficiency can be attained without increas-
ing housing costs; this should be taken into ac-
count when an energy program is set up.
Figure 3-K. Promote Energy Conservation
SEE POLICY 3-19 1 Policy 3-28 Energy Conservation Techniques
Actively promote energy conservation techniques and energy efficiency in
building design, orientation, and construction. Do not allow the cost of
energy conservation in any particular project to reduce the supply of
affordable housing.
Policy 3-29 Solar Energy
Re-examine the residential zoning ordinance to ensure that use limitations
on mechanical apparatus do not unduly inhibit solar energy use.
Policy 3-30 Other Energy Conservation Efforts
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Investigate and pursue information about energy conservation programs
or policies in effect in other California cities.
Housing
PROMOTE ACCESS TO HOUSING
Goal C: Establish a community In which all people have an equal opportunity to
obtain housing regardless of their race, age, religion, national origin,
sex, marital status, ancestry, Income, or physical handicap. Promote the
fair solution of problems between Income property owners and tenants.
Discrimination against homeseekers on the basis of ram, age, religion, national ori-
gin, sex, marital status, or ancestry is prohibited by law. While discrimination exists, it is
uncertain how much there is. Local service organizations, such as Midpeninsula Citizens
for Fair Housing, which is supported in part by County HCD Block Grant funds, and the
Housing Service Center have been effective in eliminating Flagrant violations of the law.
More subtle practices are difficult to detect and require support from local governments
to produce action.
Figure 3-L. Promote Equal Opportunity for Housing
Policy 3-31 Eliminating Discrimination
Support efforts of organizations working towards eliminating discrimina-
tion in Cupertino.
Rental property conflicts center on claims by tenants regarding rent increases and lack
of building maintenance and claims by owners about non-payment of rent and property
destruction. Cupertino is working through its rental property subcommittee and outside
agencies to address these issues.
Policy 3-32 Rental Property Mediation
Refer rental property complaints to a voluntary mediation board established
by the City and operated by Operation Sentinel.
•
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Housing
Units Conserved., (Housing units preserved as affordable because of Conversion
Ordnance or through existing programs).
Approximately 3,900 duplexes, triplexes and apartments can be preserved if no
conversions occur. Should conversions occur, a percentage of the units will be
dedicated to below market rate households.
— Maintain the 27 family and elderly affordable units for the handicapped and the 14 existing
BMR units
— 20 very low and low income households can be assisted through the Section 8 Existing
Program and 75 households can be assisted through Project Match.
Rehabilitation 25-50 low income owner units.
SUB -TOTAL: 4,016.4,086 Units Conserved
Moderate Income:
= Approximately 20 family ownership units could be provided by the Mortgage Revenue
Bond program.
— 120 market rate units (family) could be provided with developer participation in the
Mortgage Revenue Bond program for rental construction
— 20 family units through mixed use developments.
SUB -TOTAL: 160 Moderate Income Units
Above Moderate Income:
— Over 1,000 units can be constructed in the above moderate income range.
SUB -TOTAL: 1,000 Above Moderate Income Units
rssuming the housing market Improves and subsidies are available. Actual development
ay be less due to the condition of the housing market and the availability of subsidies.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Very Low d Low Income:
MAXIMUM NUMBER
OF UNITS TO BE
— 80-130 units of subsidized family and elderly housing (10-20 elderly and 70.110 family
CONSTRUCTED OR
units) if Section 8 new construction or other subsidies are available,
CONSERVED OVER
A 5 YEAR PERIOD
IN CUPERTINO(-)
— 100 units could be developed as second units, generally for the elderly.
— 60 family units through participation in the Mortgage Revenue Bond program for rental
construction. (More market rate rentals would also be built through this program).
— 60 family, elderly, and disabled units can be developed through the use of City funds in
cooperation with a non-profit developer.
SUB-TOTAL:300-350 New Construction Very Low 8 Low Income Units
Units Conserved., (Housing units preserved as affordable because of Conversion
Ordnance or through existing programs).
Approximately 3,900 duplexes, triplexes and apartments can be preserved if no
conversions occur. Should conversions occur, a percentage of the units will be
dedicated to below market rate households.
— Maintain the 27 family and elderly affordable units for the handicapped and the 14 existing
BMR units
— 20 very low and low income households can be assisted through the Section 8 Existing
Program and 75 households can be assisted through Project Match.
Rehabilitation 25-50 low income owner units.
SUB -TOTAL: 4,016.4,086 Units Conserved
Moderate Income:
= Approximately 20 family ownership units could be provided by the Mortgage Revenue
Bond program.
— 120 market rate units (family) could be provided with developer participation in the
Mortgage Revenue Bond program for rental construction
— 20 family units through mixed use developments.
SUB -TOTAL: 160 Moderate Income Units
Above Moderate Income:
— Over 1,000 units can be constructed in the above moderate income range.
SUB -TOTAL: 1,000 Above Moderate Income Units
rssuming the housing market Improves and subsidies are available. Actual development
ay be less due to the condition of the housing market and the availability of subsidies.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Circulation
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Circulation Element
INTRODUCTION
People travel in Cupertino by a wide range of methods,
from driving on the freeway to taking a bus or a car on a
street to walking along a hiking trail. This element's pur-
pose is to integrate the travelways and the transit service into
a single system that fits in with the ways in which Cupertino
residents have chosen to live.
CIRCULATION GOAL
The goal is to promote a balanced circulation system that is integrated with the re-
gional system, offering flexibility for the future by allowing for a variety of forms of trans-
portation and keeping negative environmental and social effects on the community to a
minimum.
This requires a commitment of political will to achieve intergovernmental cooperation
and economic resources to fund transportation.
THE REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Cupertino does not plan its circulation system in a vacuum; it participates in regional
and sub -regional planning and supports the Santa Clara Valley Transit District bus system
by installing new bus improvements. The City requires bus turn -outs to be built at key
intersections and makes sure that new development encourages bus patrons to walk home
from the bus stop. A new bus transfer station will be built in Vallco Park when new devel-
Circulation
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
t.Circulation Element
housing supply by 1100 dwellings, Cupertino may not be able to balance new jobs with
new housing. It would have to rezone industrial parcels located in built-up industrial
areas to high-density residential to achieve this balance. This is not practical because most
of that land is planned for the expansion of existing firms and most of the remaining par-
cels are too small for housing. Cupertino encourages mixed-use development to increase
housing supply. There is a policy later in this element that shows a way to create new
housing in commercial, office, and industrial areas without the loss of development cred-
its for the primary, non-residential, use.
Policy 4-1: City Participation in Regional Transportation
Participate actively in developing regional approaches to meeting the
transportation needs of residents of the Santa Clara Valley.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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The City of Cupertino
Primary Routes
mM Feeder Routes
�Q�(,•: Express Routes
0 Bonus Bus Routes
•----•••--•-•------ Scheduled Trips Only
• — — — — — Urban Service Area Boundary
------- Boundary Agreement Line
Figure 4-A. Existing and Planned Bus Lines.
Table 4-A. Traffic Service Levels.
Circulation Element
0
1¢
m ;
)m 2
N
kAw
n g„
:
MCCIeIMnd Road
Park &.
Ride Lot
Level of
Service
Technical Definition
Short Definition
A
Free Flow (Relative)
Good, no congestion
B
Stable Flow (Slight Delay)
Some congestion
C
Stable Flow (Acceptable Delay)
Congestion
D
Approaching Unstable Flow (Tolerable Delay)
High congestion
E
Unstable Flow (High Delay)
Near breakdown
F
Forced Flow (Jammed)
Breakdown
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Circulation Element
THE LOCAL PERSPECTIVE
Cupertino's land use and circulation plans control the intensity of land use based on
the capacity of the street network to carry traffic, incorporating measures that protect resi-
dential areas from through traffic.
The term "traffic carrying capacity" is subjective. Its definition is based on the desired
maximum road with and number of travel lanes and the "level of service." Except for
intersections, the City limits the number of travel lanes in each direction to four. This limit
is based on future widening possibilities and a judgment that wide streets are unattractive
and divide Cupertino. Figure 4-C shows the adopted roadway system.
"Level of service" refers to a system that measures the degree of traffic congestion. It
ranges from Level A—free Flow, to Level F—failure. Table 4-A explains these levels. Level
A is ideal, but it is not feasible to maintain that level in an intersection if surrounding inter-
sections are more congested. Drivers looking for the fastest way to their destination will
go to the less congested intersection and equalize the congestion for the whole system.
2 13,40020,000F_ c`9i 22,000
Homestead
76,000 90,000 121,000 10000
10000 Road
0
g Q Q Q 000
Pruneridge
m 25 25 �S Ave.
6,200 11,000 15 soo m M m sevens
30.000 27,500 713 Creek
7 000 ❑ 1�O Blvd.
8 0 8 Route 280
m m
Z
6,300 Q Q
25 cYi 21 2
Bellinger
Q Road
4,400 4,100 Doyle
N Road
N
N
Prospect
Road
9 K
cc Q Q Q
Freeways", Arterials, Major Collectors -'77 '78, '79!
Figures represent approximate volumes compiled,from,traffic counts between 1977,:-_i M.
Figures obtained from Calif: Dept. of Transportation 1977.
Note'!Volumes may vary10,000 during peak months.
Figure 4-B. Average Daily Traffic Counts —1977 -1979.*
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a w a ...vcavw. �: a. a v w a '. M
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Creek Blvd
m e 9
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Bollinger Rd
SEE
DEVELOPMENT
INPE•IBPIY
MANUAL
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLM
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McClelland
Road
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Creek Blvd
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Bollinger Rd
SEE
DEVELOPMENT
INPE•IBPIY
MANUAL
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLM
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Circulation Element
Table4-8. Street Hierarchy
Street
Street Function
Typical
Catagory
Number of Lanes
and Access
Characteristics
FREEWAYS
Inter State/InterCity
4 lanes or greater
AND
EXPRESSWAYS
Highways carrying inter -city, inter county and inter -state
access
traffic. Freeways and expressways do not provide direct ac-
yP
ado r
adjoining property)
cess to abutting lands.
ARTERIAL
Intercity .
4 lanes or greater
Streets and highways serving major metropolitan activity
(Limited access to
centers, the highest traffic volume corridors. The longest trip
adjoining property)
desires, and a high proportion of total urban area travel on a
minimum of mileage. Service to abutting land should be sub-
ordinate to the provision of travel service to major traffic move-
ments. This system carries the major portion of trips entering
and leaving an urban area, and normally will carry important
intra -urban as well as inter -city bus routes.
MAJOR
Inter City/Inter Neighborhood
2 - 4 lanes
COLLECTOR
Streets and highways interconnecting with and augment-
(Directand indirect
ing the arterial system and providing service to trips of moder-
access to adjoining
ate length at a somewhat lower level of travel mobility. The
property)
system places more emphasis on land access and distributes
travel to geographic areas smaller than those identified with
the higher system.
MINOR
Inter City/Inter Neighborhood
2 - 4 lanes
COLLECTOR
Streets penetrating neighborhoods, collecting traffic from
(Direct access to
local streets in the neighborhoods and channeling it into the
adjoining property)
arterial system. A minor amount of through traffic may be carried
on collector streets, but the system primarily provides land access
service and carries local traffic movements within residential
neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas. It may also
serve local bus routes.
LOCAL
Intra Neighborhood 2lanes
Streets not classified in a higher system, primarily provid- (Direct access to
ing direct access to abutting land and access to the higher sys- adjoining property)
tems. The offer the lowest level of mobility and usually carry
no bus routes. Service to through traffic is deliberately discour-
aged. Local streets may function to "collect" traffic from the
immediate neighborhood and provide access to the above named
street categories.
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Cupertino uses a traffic model that assigns future commute, work, shopping, and non -
shopping trips to find how much new development can occur without exceeding the road-
way limits imposed by Level D and road width criteria. The county traffic model in-
cluded future build -out levels in surrounding communities based on their general plans.
It also includes significant future road improvements such as the Interstate 280 widening
project but does not include pending improvements in the Highway 85 corridor. The model
converts surplus roadway capacity to land use capacity. The land use capacity is expressed
in terms of available peak hour trips which in turn can be converted into future building
space of various types of land use catagories.
The amount of allocated space is based upon the traffic generation rate. The higher the
traffic generation rate, the less building area allowed. For example, an office building generates
less traffic than an equally sized retail establishment. An allocation of 10 trips to a site may
result in a 10,000 sq. ft. office building or a 5,000 sq. ft. retail building or a 3,000 sq. ft.
restaurant.
The land use plan allocates available development credits and establishes land use
intensity controls in the form of Traffic Intensity Performance credits and establishes floor
area ratios for each area of Cupertino. Excess development credits are allocated to the
Vallco Park and Town Center planning areas. This mechanism is fully explained in the
Land Use/Community Character Element.
Each time a new development application is reviewed, the level of service and maxi-
mum lane width criteria are considered so that the traffic carrying capacity of the road
remains in line with new development.
Policy 4-3: Coordination of Street Improvements
Develop the street construction plan that makes sure that critical street
improvements are finished before or at the same time as major develop-
ments. The plan should be based on the principle of equity, ensuring that
land developers help pay for street improvements.
Strategy
1.' Traffic Evaluations With N64W,DevelopmenL Require a traffic evaluation when the ,
final development plans for ar y major development are filed.:
The five-year Capital Improvements Program outlines improvements for the entire
network. The timing of improvements will be adjusted depending on land development
projects.
Description of the Circulation Plan
Figure 4-C describes Cupertino's Circulation Plan for City streets except for residen-
tial streets, which are not shown. It locates the freeways, expressways, arterials, and major
and minor collectors. Table 4-13 defines the function of each street type and its typical lane
design.
The street hierarchy is designed to concentrate traffic on freeways and arterials that
serve commercial and industrial areas and to shift traffic away from residential areas to
the network of freeways and arterials. The plan is put into effect in stages by the five-year
Capital Improvements Program and by improvements built along with new development.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Circulation Element
Cupertino uses site planning criteria to control development to obtain a more efficient
street system. The area plans controlling development next to major arterials have design
standards that strictly limit the number of access points to the property. Curb breaks are
typically shared by adjoining properties and developers are required to record reciprocal
circulation easements to let adjoining properties share roads and gain access to secondary
streets that intersect with major arterials.
The North De Anza Boulevard plan
requires property owners to participate
in the construction of a new access road
that parallels De Anza Blvd. A system
of private driveway connections is re-
quired to link adjoining parking lots.
As a result, De Anza Blvd. has few curb
breaks and few side restrictions to slow
traffic. The policy's secondary benefit
is that the lack of curb breaks has re-
sulted in an attractive streetscape.
Interconnecting Driveways to
Reduce Curb Breaks.
d
m
Access From c
Secondary tt'tt't'tt1'i
Street
Only
0
Major Street '1
2 -Frontage Site
SEE POLICY 2-16 1 Policy 4-4: Driveway Interconnection
0 1� Discourage direct access from adjoining properties to major arterial
streets. Require access by interconnecting private driveway networks to
connecting side streets or other major entrance points unless this is unsafe
or impractical because of the established development pattern.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Cupertino uses a computerized
traffic signal interconnect system to
increase the capacity of arterial streets
to carry traffic. The system controls the
flow at intersections to favor commute
traffic. Green lights are longer on ma-
jor arterials to encourage shoppers, com-
muters, and employees to use those
streets.
These policies encourage travelers to use the arterial system. Cupertino discourages
drivers from other cities from using local streets and, where appropriate, local collector
streets, by means of stop signs, speed bumps, raised medians, diverters, and intensified
enforcement of speed limits.
Policy 4-5: Protection From Effects of Transportation System
Work to protect the community from noise, fumes, and hazards caused by
the City's transportation system.
Policy 4-6: Neighborhood Traffic Management
Develop traffic management plans for neighborhoods affected by unac-
ceptable levels of through traffic. Design these plans based on the concept
that commute or through traffic should be redirected from local residen-
tial streets and minor collectors to the freeway, expressway, and arterial
and major collector streets.
Policy 4-7: Abusive Driving
Continue to study and carry out techniques that discourage abusive
driving on local neighborhood streets, including intensified enforcement
of speed laws, enforcement of State muffler laws, and review of traffic
management strategies.
Accommodating Alternatives to the Automobile
Development of travel routes and methods that are al-
ternatives to the automobile will increase the efficiency of
thesystem. However, until alternatives are widely accepted
locally, Cupertino cannot rely on them to reduce traffic lev-
els noticeably. The City will encourage alternatives to the
automobile to offer choices in improving the quality of life
for people wiling to use them. Bike lanes must be safe and
conveniently located. Buses must be frequent and be able to
use preferential lanes where possible.
Policy 4-8: Reliance on Usage of Private Cars
Promote a general decrease in reliance on private
cars by accommodating and encouraging attractive
alternatives.
SEE POLICY 2-22
2-23
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
lrlffrlCirculation Element
SEE POUCY 2-17
a -A,3
Alternative transportation can enhance recreational opportunities. Figure 4-D shows
a plan for bikeways. It coordinates directly with bikeways planning by the County and the
MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District.
SEE POLICY 2-24 I Policy 4-9: Regional Trail Development
-�A Continue to plan and provide for a comprehensive system of trails and
pathways consistent with regional systems.
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Figure 4-E. Bike Lanes.
•
Prmpw
�I Bollinger Rd
The City of Cupertino
Existing Bike Lanes
—••�••— Proposed County Trunk Routes
Proposed Bike Lanes
........ Other City Routes
--- Urban Service Area Boundary
---- Boundary Agreement Line
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Environmental Resources
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INTRODUCTION
Land used to be thought of solely as a commodity to be bought, sold, and developed
for the largest private profit with little regard for public cost or environmental harm. The
unchecked growth caused by this attitude made urban lands scarce, clogged the streets,
polluted the air and water, and made it necessary for cities to increase taxes to supply
services for inefficiently planned communities. This attitude has changed; people are more
aware that the quality of life depends on the community setting.
The General Plan is a tool for making day-to-day judgments on public poli-
cies dealing with stewardship of the land.
OPEN SPACE PLANNING
Open space planning includes buying and developing land for parks, protect-
ing watersheds and reservoirs, allowing for farming in or next to urban areas, and
creating opportunity for privately owned recreational sites.
CONSERVATION PLANNING
Conservation means responsible human coexistence with plants and animals,
responsible mineral extraction, and preservation of ground water recharge areas.
Conservation and Management of Resources
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Cupertino's demonstration farm and orchard will continue to serve schools and youth
service organizations as a field trip site. Cupertino will set aside community vegetable
gardens in parks that have a rural flavor and will offer gardening classes through the
Recreation Department.
Policy 5-3 Farming and Grazing
Encourage farming and grazing on the hillsides to preserve open space
and monitor to prevent erosion.
Air Quality
Cupertino's air is often full of particles that reduce visibility and harm human health. SEE l -GPA -80
This section describes the most common air pollutants and their sources and outlines policies AIR QUALITY
to improve air quality. TECHNICAL
APPENDIX
The federal Clean Air Act is the primary regulator of air quality but day-to-day re-
sponsibilities fall under the regional Bay Area Air Pollution Control District. The air quality
analysis here is from the district's Air Quality Management Plan for the Bay Area.
Principal Pollutants of the Alr Basln
Particulate Matter
Particles enter the air when the wind erodes the earth, when minerals are quarried,
and from automobile engines, tires, and brake linings. Larger particles are rapidly expelled
by the natural defenses of the human body but very small particles can remain deep in the
lungs for weeks or years. Some airborne particles are toxic in themselves or become toxic
when they combine with other air products. Organic compounds from inefficient burn-
ing of solid waste or diesel fuel have been found to cause cancer over time.
Carbon Monoxide
About 90 percent of carbon monoxide pollution comes from motor vehicles. Carbon
monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, displaces oxygen in human blood, di-
minishingpeople's ability to perform mentally and physically. Higher concentrations follow
highway patterns and are related to traffic speed and congestion.
Air Quality Policies
The Plan's Circulation Element encourages alternative modes of transportation to reduce
traffic on major streets, making commuter trips more efficient; and encourages protection
of residential neighborhoods from through commute traffic.
Increasing the efficiency of traffic flow will decrease congestion and air pollution. Using
traffic management devices such as diverters, circuitous road systems, and stop signs to
discourage commute traffic in residential neighborhoods will hurt air quality by making
trips longer. The Stevens Creek Boulevard Plan Line/General Plan Study demonstrated
that improving the boulevard would decrease congestion and pollutants. It also showed
that a diverter system on Byrne Avenue and Orange Avenue would make trips longer,
increasing neighborhood air pollution.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
The traffic signal interconnect system on Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boule-
vard will save about 400,000 gallons of gasoline yearly. If this gas were burned, it would
worsen air pollution for the neighborhood and for cities downwind. Installation of boule-
vard stop signs on Blaney Avenue will increase gas consumption between Merritt Drive
and John Drive. About 140,000 gallons will be used over a year as a result of installation
of five new stop signs.
Cupertino discourages drive -up windows. On a small scale, this does not improve
air quality much. But, depending on the design of the window, customers waiting in line
with their engines idling could be exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide and other
pollution, endangering people who have cardiovascular or lung disease. Handicapped
people and parents who do not want to take children into a bank or restaurant will be
inconvenienced, but the City's policy of removing barriers to the handicapped and en-
couraging walk-up windows should help.
SEE POLICY 4-5 1 Policy 5-4 Air Pollution Effects
Continue to assess air pollution effects of future land use and circulation
planning.
Policy 5-5 Fuel -Efficient Vehicles
Look into buying more fuel-efficient vehicles for City use.
Policy 5-6 Jogging and Bicycling Warnings
Use the Cupertino Scene and other publications to tell residents about the danger of
inhaling pollutants while jogging and bicycling near busy streets. Expand the par course
and jogging trails to meet demand.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Environmental Resources
Wildlife and Vegetation
Wild animals live mostly in the western foothills, not on the urbanized valley floor.
This is because the valley is heavily populated, buildings are under construction, animal
food and nesting materials have been removed for fire and weed control, and dogs and
cats kill native birds and mammals that inhabit open fields in the City.
Birds, fish, and mammals live in the foothills in abundant variety, especially in the
streambed habitat of Stevens Creek.
Streamsides
Streamside vegetation follows the banks of Stevens Creek, a stream that flows year-
round, and along the intermittently flowing banks of Regnart Creek and Honey Creek on
the valley floor. There are trees, shrubs, vines, and plants of many kinds that provide a
habitat for many varieties of birds and animals not found nearby. Willow, sycamore, live
oak, toyon, blackberry cattail, and spike rush are characteristic. The yellow warbler and
Wilson's warbler as well as the fox squirrel are streamside inhabitants declining in popu-
lation.
Grasslands
There are grasslands on the lower slopes of the western foothills and at some of the
peaks of the Montebello Ridge system. Dominant plants include yellow star thistle, yel-
low mustard, wild oats, and rye grass. Much of the land was formerly used for pasture.
Many of the species were introduced by humans and have adapted well to the climate, to
grazing, and to development of nearby orchards.
The western meadowlark, not considered a rare species, depends on grasslands. It is
a permanent grassland resident and is declining in population.
Brushlands
Dominant species are coyote bush, poison oak, and varieties of ceanothus and wild
rose. Brushlands are generally on steeper slopes or in areas between streamside and wood-
land habitats in dry locations. There are no threatened animal species here.
Foothill Woodlands and Forests
Characteristic are scattered trees with an undergrowth, in some areas, of plants and
low shrubs. Higher elevations in the Montebello Foothills include mixed hardwood trees
and evergreens, including redwoods. Woodlands benefit wildlife as a food source, and as
shelter, nesting, or cover; they help control erosion from foothill draining basins; they reduce
wind speeds, increasing the oxygen in the atmosphere and neutralizing certain air pollut-
ants.
Woodlands provide visual relief from the urbanized valley floor. The Montebello Ridge
system's extensive tree cover gives seasonal color variation, variety of shape, and defini-
tion of hillside contours. Endangered wildlife species are the San Francisco garter snake
and Cooper's hawk. Both are declining in population.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
,.
ahr.�
.l nan
Inte�mitant
Riparian' :
ass ff
;G nd et Soil
} Quarry i Y
," c i
i ` Riparian ;
] -c Rowing R11 E ?
C7 Foothtlli��''. s=�+e:na�
Grassland ;,,Deciduous' �oodland/
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Cha arcel� ,;"•,','ti
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_=Lj......:,...
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'g�ss'si�aj'nd; ant
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Figure 5-C. Vegetation Resources.
Impacts and Mitigation
Human activity, particularly urban development and resource extraction, is the most
destructive influence on plants and animals in Cupertino. Urbanization of mountain lands
and construction of new housing next to streambeds will likely destroy vegetation. Grad-
ing for roads and building sites and leveling for septic tank drain fields also destroys vegetation
and creates potential for soil erosion.
Fire also threatens vegetation and the animals that depend on it for food and shelter.
Fire suppression is a mixed blessing to the natural environment. It maintains the scenic
beauty of the wildlands, protects life and property, and, at least on the surface, enhances
wildlife habitat. But, wildfires are a natural phenomenon. Some local mountain plant species
rely on periodic low-intensity fires to germinate seeds and cut down competing plants.
Wildlife forced out by fire may be able to survive if there is a suitable environment nearby.
But if development and other human changes of the environment make a new home for
wildlife impossible, certain animals may be forced out of the urban fringe or out of Cu-
pertino's planning area altogether.
These policies will protect animal and plant life in Cupertino's planning area.
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Pollcy 5.8 Development Near Streambeds and in Foothills
Design development in the foothills or near streambeds to disturb the
natural vegetative cover as little as possible and to minimize removal of
specimen trees.
Policy 5-9 Landscaping Near Natural Vegetation
Emphasize native plants and ground covers when landscaping properties
near natural vegetation, particularly for control of erosion from distur-
bance to natural terrain.
Policy 5-10 Hillside Property Fencing
Confine fencing on hillside property to the area around a building, rather
than around an entire site, to allow for migration of wild animals.
Policy 5-11 Recreation In Natural Areas
Limit recreation in natural areas to activities compatible with preserving
natural vegetation, such as hiking, horseback riding, and camping.
Policy 5-12 Public Access
Provide public access to wildlife observation and fishing sites consistent
with preserving important wildlife habitat.
SEE: OED. 1450,
SEC. 12
SEE OED. 1484
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
Mineral Resources
There are several commercially significant deposits of limestone and crushed rock and
the potential for quarrying gravel and sand in Cupertino's western foothills.
Much of the knowledge of the mineral significance of the Montebello Ridge comes
from a study by the California State Division of Mines and Geology. Excerpts from that
study will be discussed here. Mineral resource areas are outlined on the Plan land use
map.
Limestone
Kaiser Cement and Gypsum Corporation's quarry of high-grade limestone is the most
prominent mineral extraction operation in Cupertino's planning area. The quarry opened
in 1939 to supply cement for Shasta Dam. Quarry reserves are difficult to estimate be-
cause of the uneven terrain but recent investment in expanding the plant capacity will
sustain output for many years.
Crushed Rock
Crushed rock is used for many purposes, including concrete aggregate, asphalt ag-
gregate, roadway base, and fill. The by-product of Kaisers operations is the highest -qual-
ity crushed rock in Cupertino.
The Stevens Creek Quarry northwest of Stevens Creek Reservoir produces crushed
rock from time to time. Regional population growth will continue to support demand for
this product. The Montebello Ridge has many potential quarrying sites for crushed rock.
The sites will be quarried when it is profitable to investors and operators. Cupertino should
consider setting up a mineral resource area to provide enough space for quarrying and a
suitable buffer zone.
Sand and Gravel
Sand and gravel are extracted intermittently from the former Voss Quarry at the north-
west edge of Stevens Creek Reservoir. More extraction can be expected as it becomes prof-
itable.
Policy 5-13 Mineral Resource Area
Establish a mineral resource area designation to allow extraction.
Pollcy 5-14 Mineral Extraction Controls
Control scenic restoration and noise pollution as well as air and water
pollution in mineral extraction quarrying, processing, and transportation.
Policy 5-15 Recreation at Old Quarries
Look into the desirability of designating abandoned quarries for passive
recreation to rehabilitate the land.
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Water Resources
Water conservation has been fragmented and sometimes ineffectual despite the in-
creased attention it has received over the past few years.
Preservation of Watersheds
Cupertino has 16 square miles of very productive watershed—hillside land with abun-
dant vegetation and heavy rainfall. This watershed is important to the City and to the
county. Grading plans for developments must be prepared to prevent erosion, protecting
water quality in the City's drainagebasin. Erosion control eliminates siltation, which makes
the water cloudy and reduces wildlife populations and stream bed ground water recharge
ability.
Ground Water Recharge Facilities
The ground water basin is the largest supply of water in Santa Clara County. It has an
estimated storage capacity of 1,770,000 acre feet, compared to reservoir capacity of only
160,000 acre feet. The Santa Clara Valley Water District prevents too much water being
drawn out by wells by placing recharge sites, sometimes called percolation ponds, through-
out the valley where the geological composition of the soil is suitable. Two of these are
located in Cupertino.
Policy 5-16 Ground Water Recharge Sites
Continue to support the Santa Clara Valley Water District to find and SEE PACE 5-24
develop ground water recharge sites within Cupertino's planning area
and provide for public recreation at the site where possible.
Other Water Resources
Cupertino has three major water suppliers: California Water Service, Cupertino Water
Utility, and San Jose Water Company. A private water service cooperative, the Reglin
Mutual Water Company, serves part of Regnart Canyon.
Water comes from three main sources: wells fed by ground water, surface run-off into
Stevens Creek Reservoir, contributing to ground water recharge; and imported water from
the Rinconada Treatment Plant. Cupertino gets about 1.6 million gallons a day from the
ground water and about 1.2 million gallons a day from the Rinconada plant. Stevens Creek
Reservoir yields about 2500 acre feet per year to the seasonal run-off from ground water
recharge. The Water District projects the total demand for Cupertino will be about 6.85
million gallons a day by 1990, double the current demand. Conservation could reduce the
demands.
The San Felipe Water Importation Project has been supplying water since June, 1987.
The Water District has studied the possibility of reclaiming waste waters for use in some
farming and industry. The district has found that putting the San Felipe Project into effect
and using reclaimed water at the same time would overfill projected demands by about
40 percent. Agricultural irrigation in the North County will drop to almost nothing by
1990.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Urban Water Conservation •
Cupertino's industries are overwhelmingly oriented to new semiconductor technolo-
gies. This industry, concentrated in a small space in Cupertino, demands huge amounts
of high-quality water for manufacturing and discharges vast quantities of industrial waste
into the sanitary sewer system.
Cupertino should continue to work with the Cupertino Sanitary District and other
agencies involved in conservation and waste water management to implement these poli-
cies.
. C\ KIP rr
• \ o
\�15 y
( " D Uer
t NJ
iil
a
a`
0
0 an Mir=
McClelland
Prospw
Figure 5-C. Water Utility Service Area Boundaries.
•
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
s
Environmental Resources
Policy 5-17 Water Rates and Conservation
Refine the water rate schedule to give economic incentives for
conservation.
Policy 5-18 Industrial Water Recycling
Encourage industrial projects, especially at the building permitPp«
approval stage, to include long-term conservation measures Pnval
including recycling equipment for manufacturing and pooling
water supplies in the plant. Work with the Cupertino Sanitary District to
carry out this policy.
Policy 5-19 Natural Creek Beds
Retain creek beds in their natural state to assist ground water percolation.
Energy Conservation
Escalating energy costs and decreasing availability of fuel sources reinforce the need
for energy efficiency. Energy conservation is an individual responsibility to some extent
and personal efforts may work better and cost less than a complex system of government
regulations. This section discusses the energy use problem and gives local conservation
policy options.
Regional Perspective
In 1972, 19.5 percent of the nation's energy was used for residential and commercial
applications, transportation used 24 percent, industry 31 percent, and electrical utilities
24.5 percent. About half of the energy used by households is wasted. Home heating is the
largest cause of waste; it uses 65 percent of the residential energy budget and makes up 80
percent of the wasted energy. Water heating takes about 13 percent of the budget, light-
ing about 10 percent, and cooking and air conditioning five percent each.
In California, 96 percent of homes are heated by gas, the rest by electricity. Very little
coal, oil, or wood are used for home heating. In 1972, the Bay Area energy was used this
way: homes, 17.1 percent; commercial, 6.5 percent; refineries, 18.4 percent; utilities, 15.4
percent, industrial, 10.6 percent; transportation 30.5 percent, and miscellaneous, 1.6 per-
cent.
During 1972, 2.8 million cars and light-duty trucks consumed 6,000,000 gallons of gasoline
while driving about 76,000,000 miles, taking up about one quarter of the daily energy budget.
In the Santa Clara Valley, the average daily household use is about 15 kilowatts of
electricity and about 3.3 therms of natural gas.
In Cupertino, a considerable amount of energy could be saved by making home heat-
ing and water heating more efficient or finding alternatives to current processes; making
lighting, cooling, and cooking more efficient; and reducing unnecessary use of automo-
biles.
The Cupertino Planning Department found that people who live in the Flatlands use
only about 15 percent of the total energy demand for transportation because they are near
major roads, while people who live on hillsides use twice that amount.
Energy usage could be reduced by at least a third if these suggestions are followed.
SEE COUNTY
HAZARDOUS
WASTE MCMT
PLAN
SEE POLICY 2-39
.:�-`tO
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
Residential Energy Use Mitigation Measures
1. Types of Construction
Single-family detached houses lose more heat per square foot of floor area than indi-
vidual dwellings in multiple -family buildings. Less exterior wall area compared to Floor
area also reduces energy loss. So, a rectangular or L-shaped one-story house loses the
same amount of heat as a two-story square house when both have insulated walls and
ceilings. Floor plans with an H -shape or T-shape lose even more heat compared to the
square layout.
2. InsulationlHeat Loss Protection
Floor, wall, and ceiling insulation reduces interior heat loss. A well -insulated house
in the Bay Area has little need for air conditioning on most warm days. Insulation desig-
nated R-19 in ceilings and walls and R-11 in floors cuts heating and air conditioning costs
considerably. These designations are higher than those required under California law.
If the building has perimeter heating ducts under the slab, it will lose even less heat if
there is edge insulation.
Insulated thermal windows, storm doors, and sealed fireplace Flues further reduce
energy loss from inside the building. Light-colored exterior paint makes the indoors cooler.
In multiple -family buildings, a heat pump system can provide home heat, water heat-
ing, and air conditioning using less than half the energy needed to do the same thing with
conventional heaters and coolers. Solar heat collection panels can augment the usual pool
heating system.
SEE POLICY 2-42 1 3. Orientation of Buildings
Buildings built on hills will need an eave overhang of 24 to 32 inches to shade ex-
posed walls windows from direct summer sunshine. In the winter, the sun's lower path
through the sky allows some rays to penetrate under the eaves to supply some heat.
It is best to use more windows in walls that face southeast, south, and southwest and
to shade them with trees, shrubs, awnings, or eaves to reduce summer heat gain. Planting
evergreen trees near north -facing walls reduces wind. Leafy trees shade the south walls
in the summer and allow solar heat gain when they shed their leaves in winter. Shrubs,
trellises, and hedges should provide natural wind breaks for building entrances. Air
conditioner condensers must be shaded and have plenty of natural ventilation to increase
compressor efficiency and reduce energy use.
PPJ��:11I:C•IHq.1�:;1A9R.1
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Environmental Resources
Transportation Energy Conservation Practices
People rely on their cars in the Santa Clara Valley, and these cars are a principal source
of pollution. They inefficiently consume vast amounts of gasoline, the materials needed
to build them, and the roads they run on.
Cupertino provides incentives to use alternative transportation. Major industrial
development approvals have required experimental employee van -pooling. A major bus
system transfer facility is planned for Vallco Shopping Center to encourage commute trips.
Recognizing that people will probably prefer to use their cars for transportation for
many years to come, the City Council approved construction of an electronic traffic signal
interconnect system for the major commute boulevards. This system will ease traffic and
reduce the number of stops by making it possible to control signals flexibly and sensi-
tively over a longer portion of the commute path. If this system functions correctly, air
quality, gasoline economy, and vehicle operation cost will improve.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
Open Space Resources
Public Open Space Management
Several public agencies share the task of acquiring, maintaining, accessing, and de-
veloping open space lands for the enjoyment of residents of Cupertino and its neighbor-
ing cities. Some of these public open space lands provide intensive or low -intensity rec-
reation; some emphasize scenic beauty; others preserve vegetation or wildlife habitats;
still others help control urban sprawl.
MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District
The District, created in 1972 by the County electorate, has as its major goal preserv-
ing, undisturbed, unique and sensitive wildland habitat by carefully controlling access.
District lands in Cupertino are designated for low -intensity use to give long-term protec-
tion from encroaching urbanization. These lands were acquired according to three princi-
pal criteria: scenic preservation, preservation of unique sites, and the guidance of urban
form. Guidance of urban form is probably the District's most controversial acquisition
strategy. The District has purchased key properties in Cupertino's planning area. The
effect of the purchases is to restrict further extension of streets and utilities into the foot-
hills and to contain future growth within Cupertino's urbanized valley floor. This de facto
growth management policy could be considered a preemption of local use planning pre-
rogatives. The Cupertino City Council and the District Board agreed to a review proce-
dure in 1976 of District purchases in Cupertino's planning area. The informal agreement
provides for City review of potential purchases within the planning area and no review of
all acquisitions outside the planning area.
Santa Clara County
Most of the hillsides in Cupertino's planning area are unincorporated and undevel-
oped, so County policies dictate their final land use. The Montebello Ridge Plan, adopted
by the County Board of Supervisors in 1974, has as its main goal preserving and retaining
the natural open space character of the Montebello Ridge and of Stevens Canyon. The
Plan achieves this goal primarily through a restrictive slope -density formula that controls
the number of houses built. Restrictions were tightened to require a 20 -acre minimum for
flat land up to 160 acres per lot for a slope over 45 percent. This dramatically reduced the
theoretical maximum number of houses from 830 to a range of 115 to 190.
The Montebello Ridge Plan is shown on the Plan land use map and is adopted as a
part of the Plan by reference. Cupertino expects that the Board of Supervisors will amend
the plan to reflect the more restrictive limitations and the City Plan will be amended ac-
cordingly.
Policy 5-20 Montebello Ridge Plan
Encourage the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to amend its
Comprehensive General Plan to reflect the RHS -20 zoning restrictions.
Santa Clara County Parks Program
This program operates on a tax over -ride to acquire and develop a regional park sys-
tem. It emphasizes completing Upper Stevens Creek Park and its connection to Stevens
Creek. Because the upper portions of Stevens Canyon are environmentally sensitive, the
County Parks and Recreation Department should be asked to re-evaluate its commitment
to development and determine whether acquisition should be given higher priority for
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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17J
Environmental Resources
those two parks. Parks Department representatives have said that the County is becom-
ing more aware of long-term maintenance costs and that the new Capital Improvements
Program may place more emphasis on acquisition.
Policy 5-21 Stevens Creek Park
Recommend that the County Board of Supervisors reaffirm the goal of
connecting Upper and Lower Stevens Creek Park. Ask the Board to
consider whether the heavy emphasis on development will create traffic
that will harm the pristine sections of the hillside, examining whether
funds are better spent on acquisition.
Table 5-A. Santa Clara County Charter Parks Amendment.
1972- 1982
1972 -1978
Lower Stevens Creek 400,000 259,500
Stevens Creek Connection 2,000,000 400,000 55,000
Upper Stevens Creek 900,000 5,500
Skyline Recreation Route(1) 2,600,000
Rancho San Antonio (2)
TOTAL 4,600,000 1,700,000 2,893,000 265,000
1) Skyline Recreation Route Involves scenic easements and lineal parks for a
geographical area from San Benito County to San Mateo County on the north.
The County plan concentrates on parcels located in the Cupertino Sphere of
Influence.
2) The 132 -acre Rancho San Antonio was not considered in the initial 1972 plan.
Santa Clara Valley Water District
The District can continue to help Cupertino carry out its open space policies. It helped
Cupertino prepare its natural flood plain policy for the reach of Stevens Creek between
Stevens Creek Boulevard and the reservoir and directly helped to buy open space lands
within McClelland Ranch Park. It also created a Flood Protection Program for that reach
of Stevens Creek next to the Creston and Oakdell Ranch neighborhoods.
The District is studying the ability of Stevens Creek Reservoir to withstand earthquake
damage. The preliminary report shows that the reservoir may sustain damage if an 8.3
magnitude earthquake occurs on the San Andreas fault. If further studies show that the
reservoir is unsafe, one option is to abandon it, declare it as surplus, and sell it privately.
Policy 5-22 Stevens Creek Reservoir
Work to keep the watershed and storage basin properties of Stevens
Creek Reservoir in public ownership if the Santa Clara Valley Water
District decides to abandon it.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
OPEN SPACE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS •
Cupertino's main role in open space planning is in developing neighborhood parks.
The City has policies that encourage the MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District and
the County Park System to complete phases of their programs and to buy certain proper-
ties it feels need to be owned by the public but still kept undisturbed.
Figure 5-D indentifies these properties. Cupertino intends to create a continuous open
space green belt next to its planning area.
Policy 5-23 Continuous Open Space
Encourage inter -agency cooperation in buying properties near the west-
ern planning area limit to complete a continuous open space green belt
along the lower foothills.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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•
Environmental Resources
The Stevens Creek Flood Plain is Cupertino's most prominent urban open space re-
source. The land is designated for recreation and farming, with adjoining properties set
aside for low-density residential use.
Since the late 1950s, many jurisdictions have advocated a formal urban trail following
Stevens Creek, extending from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Cupertino's
1964 and 1972 plans proposed an ambitious plan to buy lands for this purpose.
The barrier caused by Interstate 280 along with the encroachment of residential de-
velopment breaks the continuity of the ocean -to -bay trail system. So, there will most proba-
bly be urban links connecting the trail from Homestead Road to Lower Stevens Canyon
Park by way of Foothill Boulevard and Stevens Canyon Road.
The Plan retains the open space character of the Stevens Creek Flood Plain between
the reservoir and Stevens Creek Boulevard, but the intent is not to build an urban trail
system with an asphalt hiking and bicycling path.
Several land purchases should be made to preserve the open space of the flood plain.
To allow for Flexible future use, the Plan includes a list of uses ranging from very passive
extension of the City's Naturalist Program to active use involving expansion of the two
golf courses.
The Stocklmeir property is uniquely suited to be a joint open space and historic pres-
ervation site. A decision on buying the property will be triggered either by the owner's
request to develop the property or to dedicate it for open space or by a direct request of
the community. If the community found that it would be too expensive to buy the prop-
erty or cost too much to maintain it over a long period, the property would remain in
private hands. Since most of the property is in the natural flood plain, its residential
development potential is limited to a small area around the existing homesite that is out-
side the natural flood plain.
The rest of the properties proposed for purchase will be listed in the City's Capital
Improvements Program. The open space acquisition and public trail easement through
the 150 -acre Kaiser Property south of Linda Vista Park will come about when the prop-
erty is proposed for development and City review begins.
Policy 5-24 Open Space and Trail Linkages
Work to acquire the open space lands and trail linkages described in SEE POLICY 4-9
Figure 5-E.
Private Open Space Resources
There are several private open space and recreational activity businesses in Cupertino's
planning area, including golf courses, riding stables, and clubs offering tennis and swim-
ming. They are valuable to the community because they provide services that are not
traditionally provided by the public sector on City or regional parklands. Land use con-
trols and incentives should be incorporated into public policy so these operations can continue.
Policy 5-25 Private Open Space and Recreational Facilities
Encourage the continued existence and profitability of private open spaceI SEE ORD. 1484
and recreation facilities through incentive and development controls.
Utility system power line corridors in the City's foothills are another category of pri-
vately controlled open space. Deer and other animals use these as migration paths.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
c
'f tev1eek Blvd o
I ! " ' ?:'..�'. '• •. �� Ll Lr. .i1\
J--
a
_ .. "
• ui�L. t7i
MCClellan•ROad
McClellan
1 Ranch% ��- J ...•. ..e i .
f
r
Linda Vista
��- LLJi
6lty Park
?l �
Proposed` Open Space
Expansion i\
�\I P /t ,) Acquisition,
�� of Fremont {�
1 Older.Open P Q Existing Public
j ® Open Space t
ISpace,`
Preserve- j`
I ID Proposed Open
Space Linkage -
Figure 5-E, Public Open Space in the Stevens Creek Flood Plain.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Environmental Resources
Neighborhood Open Space Program
Cupertino's neighborhood parks system serves the active recreation needs of its resi-
dents. The park system will be developed based on these policies.
Policy 5-26 Park Acreage
Provide space equal to three acres for each 1,000 residents.
Policy 5-27 Park Walking Distance
Ensure that each household is within a half mile walk of the park and
that the route is reasonably free of physical barriers including streets with
heavy traffic.
Policy 5-28 Park Minimum Acreage
Plan parks to be at least 3.5 acres for flexibility of use.
Policy 5-29 Park Design
Design parks informally to make use Flexible and long-term maintenance
costs low.
Policy 5-30 Park Street Access
Ensure that parks are bounded by public streets. When possible, re-
evaluate parks that meet minimum size requirements to see if it is
feasible to install a perimeter road.
Policy 5-31 Memorial Park Development
Limit the community parks program to the continued development of
Memorial Park with the exception of a possible acquisition of part of a
surplus high school site.
Definition of Need
Some sub -neighborhoods are isolated by physical barriers, including land forms, rail-
road tracks, or streets with heavy traffic.
Accessibility is a major consideration in neighborhood parks. Figure 5-C shows the
half -mile service area radius for neighborhood parks. The shaded service areas show
physical barriers, such as freeways, railroad tracks, or stream beds. The diagram does not
show streets with heavy traffic. These busy streets may discourage some people, espe-
cially young children, from visiting parks. For example, many parents would not allow
their pre-school children to cross De Anza Boulevard or Stevens Creek Boulevard alone to
go to a park.
Implementation
Cupertino will not have the money to buy enough park land to meet the standard of
three acres for each 1,000 residents. Table 5-E and Figure 5-H show an acquisition strategy
that stretches limited money by using school sites, expanding existing parks, and taking
advantage of park dedication requirements for major new developments, such as Seven
Springs Ranch and the Town Center.
SEE FIGURE 5-G
SEE POLICY 6-30
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
E-1 v;
A-1
E-21 ( A-2
A
Same
.
St 'S
Creek ; i
Reserooir
rinnnnntinm
T F-2
\`;\4
H-1
H f
d
� Q
H-21:,
P-1 w'
RalrBow-i1
��
rive
P-2
P ... P l
Road 1 I �
M
L-2
Stwons Crook BW 3
-1 J-1
1-2
K
Rd
\ ; I
The City of Cupertino
----Urban Service Area Boundary
•
Boundary Agreement Line
■a..uuont Neighborhood Boundary Line .
Figure 5-F. Neighborhood Map.
School enrollment is declining in Cupertino and the Cupertino School District is evalu-
ating closing schools. Residents depend on neighborhood schools for open space and,
less often, as space for organized group play. Plan strategy is to acquire school sites as
they become available in neighborhoods that do not have enough park land. Table 5-D
inventories school sites. The third column shows the potential for school closure. The
fourth column in Table 5-E identifies school sites that the City is thinking of acquiring for
parks if the school is declared surplus. Surplus school sites not listed in Table 5-E will not
be considered for purchase by the City for parks.
Policy 5-32 Park Acquisition Program
Recognize Table 5-E as the City's neighborhood park acquisition program.
Funding and timing priorities are listed in the Capital Improvement
Program.
•
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Environmental Resources
Table 5-B. 1977 and Projected 1990 Population for Cupertino Urban Service Area.
Neighborhood
1977
1990
Park Unit
Pop. Estimate
Pop. Projection
A-1
770
700
A-2
1,235
1,400
B (w/o San Jose)
3,375
2,890
B (w San Jose)
1,810
1,445
C
170
1,535
E-1
2,510
2,820
E-2
4,110
4,215
F-1
700
590
F-2
5,730
5,570
G
885
720
H-1
1,885
1,830
H-2'
2,740
2,435
1-1
3,615
4,480
1-2'
1,845
1,565
J-1
805
690
J-2
990
700
K
4,455
3,735
L-1
985
1,980
L-2
3,935
3,700
M
5
5
N
0
510
O'
1,645
1,635
P-1'
1,150
1,180
P-2'
1,925
1,745
TOTAL
L727 5
7275
48,075
Neighborhoods Outside
LAFCO 1978 S
here of
Influence for C4drtino; 1977 popula{ioh
of
these nei hborh
ds was 12,105
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Envirorimerital Resources
Table 5-C. Neighborhood Park Land Need Analysis for 1990 Urban Service Area Population.
7
1990 Park
Supply Status
Neighborhood
1990
Based on
1977 Inventory
Park
1990
Neighborhood
1977 Inventory
Surplus/Deficit
Service Areas
Population
Park Need'
Numeric
% Need
(Acres)
(Acres)
A-1 and E-1
3,520
10.6
Varian Pk. 6.2
-4.3
59%
A-2, B and C
7,270
21.8
Linda Vista Pk. 11.0(1)
-10.8
50%
E-2
4,215
12.6
Monte Vista Pk. 4.2
-8.4
33%
F-1
590
1.8
- 1.8
0
F-2
5,570
16.7
Memorial Pk, 22.2
5.5
133%
G
720
2.2
Somerset Pk. 1.7
-0.5
77%
H-1 and H-2
4,265
12
Jollyman Pk. 3.2
-9.6
25%
1-1 and 1-2
6,045
18
Wilson Pk. 5.2
-12.8
29%
J-1, J-2 and K
5,125
15.4
Rancho(2) 1.9
-13.5
12%
L-1
1,980
5.9
5.9
0
L-2
3,700
11.1
Portal Pk. 4.1
-7
37%
N
510
1.5
1.5
0
O
1,635
4.9
4.9
0
P-1
1,180
3.5
Three Oaks 5.1
1.9
154%
P-2
1,745
5.2
-5.2
0
TOTALS
48,070
144.4
66.8
' Based on 3 acres/1000 Papulation
1) Large portion of
park site unusable
due to steep terrain
2) Rancho Rinconada Recreation District
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources
Table 5-D. School Site Inventory (Elementary, Junior High, and High School).
Neighborhood
School
Operational
Total Usable
Service Area
Sites
Status/Type
Acres
Acres
A-1 and B-1
Stevens Creek
XXX/E
10
5.3
A-2, B and C
Lincoln
XXX/E
10
6.6
Kennedy
XXXX/JH
25
14.2
Regnart
XXX/E
9.5
6.2
Monta Vista
XXXX/SH
29.2
15.8
E-2
Monta Vista
X/E
97
3.6
F-1
No School Sites
F-2
Garden Gate
XXXX/E
10
4.6
G
No School Sites
H-1 and H-2
Faria
XXXX/E
9.5
5.4
Jollyman
XXX/E
10.5
7.9
1-1 and 1-2
Wilson
X/E
10
7.1
Eaton
XXX/E
10
7.8
Older
XXX/E
13
6.1
J -1,J-2 and K
Sedgwick
X/E
8.8
4.5
Doyle
XXX/E
9.3
5.8
Hyde
XXXX/JH
14.5
9.5
Cupertino
XXXX/SH
31
16
L-1
No School Sites
L-2
Portal/Nan Allen
XXXX/E
11
4.8
Collins
XXX/JH
17.9
6.5
N
No School Sites
N
No School Sites
P-1
No School Sites
P-2
Hoover
XXX/E
10.8
6.5
TOTALS
259.7
144.2
Status Codes:
XXXX Closure U
li ely
XXX Closure P$4ible
XX Closure Lily
X Closed to deheral Enrollme+
to remain
in inventory1fdr
specialized use
X Closed to lielsold
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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11
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Environmental Resources
Policy 5-32
The City's park acquisition is defined by Table 5-E. The Acquisition
Program is based upon four broad acquisition objectives:
1. Complete the Neighborhood Parks Acquisition Program.
2. Maintain an adequate inventory of sports fields.
3. Purchase a site for a community center.
4. Retain creek site and other natural open space areas identified in the
Open Space section of the General Plan.
The plan is a policy document which will be used annually to assist in the
preparation of the updated Capital Improvements Program. The plan is subject to
revision depending upon the availability of funds and subsequant actions of the
Cupertino Union School District regarding the disposition of surplus school sites.
Table 5-E. Proposed Park Land Acquisition Program.
Area Po ulatlon Future 1982 1990 Proposed
Cost of
Total
Future
Notes
Demand Supply Supply Purchase
Purchase
Inventory
Railo
Acres Acres Acres Acres
$k
ac/1000
A -1/E-1 2617 7.85 11.6 11.6
11.6
4.43
F -1/F-2 6286 18.86 40.6 40.6
40.6
6.46
G 715 2.15 1 1
1
1.4
1
N 1180 3.54
2
Subtotal 10798 32.4 53.2 53.2 0
0
53.2
4.93
A-2/B/Cl 6949 20.85 66.3 66.3
66.3
9.54
E-2 4271 12.81 6.2 6.2 7.9
691.25
14.1
3.3
3
H-1/1-1-2 3795 11.39 17.1 9.2 11.4
3990
20.6
5.43
4
O 1642 4.93
5
P-1 1168 3.5 3.4 3.4
3.4
2.91
P-2 1733 5.2 6.5 4.86
1701
4.86
2.8
6
Subtotal 19558 58.68 99.5 85.1 24.16
$6,382.25
109.26
5.59
1-1/1-1 5678 17.03 29.3 18.2 3.2
1120
21.4
3.77
7
J -1/J-4 5170 15.51 30 25.5 4
1400
29.5
5.71
8
L -1/L-2 5367 16.1 15.1 15.1
15.1
2.81
M
Subtotal 16215 48.64 74.4 58.8 7.2
$2,520.00
66
4.07
Total 46571 139.72 227.1 197.1 31.36
$8,902.25
228.46
4.91
1) Land riot 4vailablelfor acquistbn in neigl{borhood G
1) Park Iind { ill be pjovided prilately in nejghborhood N
1) 7.9 acjes 4f natur4 open span will be ahquired (4.0 Stocklemeij,
3.0 Simms) adjacent to gevens Creek
per a Isti g open pace plan
Purchse 11.5 acr s to provid sports field and co munity cent
site
Park I d i neigh rhood O vtill not be *quired b�ause of closla
proximity to other parks
1) 4.86 ares will be acquired on phe Hoovel site
1) 3.2 acrlas 4 Wilson turf will belacquired t4 retain yorjth fields
1) 4 acre of the Seddwick site wjll be purcHaseed for ¢outh fields and neighborhood park spade
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Resources I
Area of Greatest Deficiency: This relates to park acquisitions that satisfy the space and
access goals of the parks program. For example, the City should acquire land first within
areas of greatest need. The most important priority is that lands are not preempted for
other uses. It may be advisable to delay buying land in unincorporated pockets of County
land within City limits until it becomes clear that the land will probably be annexed. This
point is less important because property tax has become less significant as a source of support
for parks.
Explanation of the Funding Code Descriptions in Table 5-E
General Fund: Money collected through property tax, sales tax, and other sources not
specifically designated for another purpose.
Park Dedication: These fees are collected in residential subdivision development.
Generally, these funds should be spent in the neighborhood in which they were col-
lected.
Federal and State Grants: The City has used federal and state grants to help acquire
park land and build on the land and hopes to continue to do so. Money has come from
the State Bond Act of 1974 and 1976, state Urban Open Space moneys, a Department of
Housing and Urban Development grant for the McClelland Ranch Park, and the Hous-
ing and Community Development Act.
Proceeds from Surplus Park Land Sales: On occasion, when there is too much park
land in a neighborhood, or when park design is awkward, some land may be sold to a
residential developer and the proceeds used to buy land in a neighborhood that needs
parks.
Other Agency Participation: As it has in the past, Cupertino will work with the Santa
Clara Valley Water District, school districts, the MidPeninsula Regional Open Space
District and other governmental bodies to acquire park land jointly.
Voluntary Donation or Gift: The City is sometimes offered park land along with
development or an owner may want to bequeath land to the city for a park. Landown-
ers may also wish to dedicate land to the City with the understanding that they continue
to own the property for their lifetimes.
Expenditure of Funds for Development and Construction of Facilities
Because money is limited and there is pressure to close schools, land acquisition should
have priority over park development. Lawns may be installed to a limited degree on
some park sites depending on available money. Cupertino has completed a senior
center in Memorial Park, and, as of 1988, plans a to build a community center in the
park as well. The City will continue to use schools to conduct its teen drop-in program
and other recreation programs. If the Lincoln School site is going to be closed, the City
may want to go ahead with acquisition to take advantage of an excellent multi-purpose
room.
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this element is to develop ways to be sure that it is reasonably safe to
live and work in Cupertino. It shows potential threats to life and property from nature,
including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and landslides; and from human carelessness,
including urban fires and failures of water storage; as well as more subtle hazards such as
long-term exposure to excessive noise and crime encouraged by misjudgments in land
planning and building design.
There is no such thing as a risk-free environment; there is only an acceptable level of
risk. The question lobe answered is "how safe is safe enough?" This is a subjective ques-
tion. It would be ideal to be conservative and get rid of as much risk as possible, but local
government must try to set realistic standards within today's economic and social limits.
Seismic and Geologic Hazard
The City is seismically very active. The mountains and lower foothills of Cupertino
are crossed by the San Andreas Fault, which moves from side to side; and its two splinter
faults, the Sargent-Berrocal and Monta Vista fault systems, which move up and down.
Figure 6-A shows the two categories of fault displacement. The San Andreas and the
Sargent-Berrocal fault systems are in the mountains of Cupertino's planning area. The
Monta Vista Fault follows the line between the valley floor and the hillsides where urban
development has taken place. This fault is potentially active, meaning it has not ruptured
within the past 11,000 years. The potential always exists, and must be considered when
reviewing urban development.
Ground shaking is the greatest hazard in an earthquake. Earthquake intensity is measured
two scales. First, the Richter Magnitude, which measures the
Public
Health and
Safety
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safetv
A. San Andreas Fault
- Horizontal Offset of the Ground Surface
Horl
B. Sargent - Berrocal Fault
• Verticall
y Elevated Block
Fault Type: Right Lateral (Strike -Sup) Fault
Displacement: Horizontal
Fault Type: Thrust (Dip -Slip) Fault
Displacement: Vertical
Figure 6-A. Diagrams Exhibiting Faults Within the Cupertino Planning Area Characterized By
Horizontal (A) and Vertical (B) Displacements.
Earthquake Probability
The time necessary for maximum probable earthquakes to occur again on a given fault
are guesses based on present and past activity, the amount of displacement of rock forma-
tions of different geologic ages along the fault tract, and the amount of strain accumula-
tion now measured across it. Estimates on potentially active faults such as the Sargent-
Berrocal and Monte Vista are even less accurate than the estimate for active faults such as
the San Andreas.
Table 6-B estimates the maximum earthquake magnitude and recurrence intervals of
maximum probable earthquakes for fault systems that affect Cupertino. There is not enough
information to estimate probable recurrence of a maximum earthquake on the Sargent-
Berrocal and Monta Vista Faults. The recurrence interval on the San Andreas fault is 50 to
200 years; the last maximum earthquake was in 1906. Each year that passes without a
maximum earthquake means that an earthquake is statistically more likely to happen within
any year.
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Table 6-A. General Comparison Between Earthquake Magnitude and the Earthquake Effects
Due to Ground Shaking.
Earthquake
Catagory
Richter
Mag.
Modified Mercali Intensity Scale`
(After Houser, 1970)
Damage To
Structure
I Detected only by sensitive instruments
2.00
II Felt by few persons at rest, esp. on upper floors;
delicate suspended objects may swing
III Felt noticeably indoors, but not always recognized as
No
3.00
an earthquake; standing cars rock slightly, vibration
Damage
like passing trucks
Minor
IV Felt indoors by many, outdoors by a few; at night,
some awaken; dishes, windows, doors disturbed; cars
rock noticeably
4.00
V Felt by most people; some breakage of dishes,
Architectural
windows and plaster; disturbance to tall objects
Damage
VI Felt by all; many are frightened and run outdoors;
falling plaster and chimneys; damage small
5.00
5.3
VII Everybody runs outdoors. Damage to buildings varies
depending on quality of construction; noticed by
drivers of cars
Moderate
6.00
VIII Panel walls thrown out of frames; fall of walls,
monumnets and chimneys; sand and mud ejected;
drivers of cars disturbed.
Structural
6.9
IX Building shifted off foundations, cracked, thrown
Damage
out of plumb; ground cracked, underground pipes
broken; serious damage to reservoirs/embankments
Major
7.00
X Most masonry and frame structures destroyed;
ground cracked; rails bent slightly; landslides
7.7
XI Few structures remain standing; bridges destroyed;
fissures in ground; pipes broken; landslides; rails
bent
Total
Destruction
Great
8.00
XII Damage total; waves seen on ground surface; lines of
sight and level distorted; objects thrown into the air;
large rock masses displaced
Subjective m asure of broft shaking; not engineering measure of ground accelerate n
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Table 6-B. Active and Potentially Active Faults and Their Earthquake Characteristics.
ti••1l-°•'gyp s'� .�•
VIII
CD
VII - VIII II '�a:: ° .., " •� oa. _.;
i' � °tea•• •N -° •
•'a rl0 it.B."
�c X - XII - Modified Mercaln
G.� VIII - . ;IX • 9 dG Intensity
IX
P
VII - 71
V IIIX - XII j
San Andreas Fault -
Magnitude 8.3
Figure 6-B. Apperent Intensity Map of the Cupertino Planning Areas, San Francisco Earth-
quake of 1906. (Modified after Algermi5sen,1972; and Borchert, et a1, 1975)
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Causative
Distance From
Maximum
Maximum
Est. Recurrence
Faults
De Anza/SCB
Historic Quake
Probable Quake
Interval of Max. Prob.
Intersection
Magnitude
Magnitude
Earthquake
San Andreas
5.5 Miles
8.3 (Richter)
8.3 (Richter)
50-100 Years
(Last event 1906)
San
Andreas
Hayward
10 Miles
7.0+ (Richter)
7.0+ (Richter)
10-100 Years
System
(Last event 1868)
Calaveras
14 Miles
6.0+ (Richter)
7.0+ (Richter)
10-100 Years
Sargent-
Berrocal
3.5 Miles
3.7-5.0 (Richter)
6.5-7.0 (Richter)
Insufficient Data
Berrocal
System
Monta Vista
2 Miles
2.0-3.0 (Richter)
6.5-7.0 (Richter)
Insufficient Data
ti••1l-°•'gyp s'� .�•
VIII
CD
VII - VIII II '�a:: ° .., " •� oa. _.;
i' � °tea•• •N -° •
•'a rl0 it.B."
�c X - XII - Modified Mercaln
G.� VIII - . ;IX • 9 dG Intensity
IX
P
VII - 71
V IIIX - XII j
San Andreas Fault -
Magnitude 8.3
Figure 6-B. Apperent Intensity Map of the Cupertino Planning Areas, San Francisco Earth-
quake of 1906. (Modified after Algermi5sen,1972; and Borchert, et a1, 1975)
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— — —
_J �'� a 7'\ VII - VIII . 8
_ D \
I \ L 0
0 X _• XII
I fe\ IX
-Xp \ Monte Vista Fault-
`�0 Magnitude 7.0
VII -VIII' i Figure 6-C. Hypothetical Intensity Map
for a Maximum Probable Earthquake on
`.._..—..—..—..i_.s._—_.—..—_
the Monta Vista Fault.
Cupertino is divided into 13 geologic/ seismic hazard zones. Figure 6-D shows the
zones and describes the specific hazards that could happen within each zone. The hazard
map and table will be used to determine which future development projects must un-
dergo geologic review and the degree of detail of each review.
Geologic Hazards
Landslides are the greatest geologic hazards to the foothills and low mountains in the
planning area. Landslides can move earth up or down. The sliding of a slope is the nor-
mal geologic process that widens valleys and flattens slopes. The rate ranges from rapid
rockfalls to very slow soil and bedrock creep. Landslides are caused by inter -related natural
factors such as weak soil and rock over hillsides made steeper by rapid stream erosion,
adverse geologic structure, ground water levels, and high rainfall rates. Landslides can
be caused by improper grading, excessive irrigation, removal of natural vegetation, and
altering surface and sub -surface drainage.
Figure 6-E shows landslide deposits within Cupertino. Geologic mapping in the hill-
sides shows that landslide deposits cover as much as 20 to 30 percent of the hillsides in the
planning area. Landslides range from small, shallow deposits made up of soil and weak
bedrock materials to large, deep landslides involving a large amount of bedrock.
It's nearly impossible to know the long-term stability of a landslide deposit. Old deposits
are the most difficult to judge. Experience shows that old landslides are more far more
likely to move again than areas that have not had landslides before. Areas in these old
landslides that are next to steep, new stream channels are more likely to have new land -
sliding than areas further from the new channels. This would be especially true with
severe shaking during a major earthquake on any of the three faults in Cupertino. The
historic account of the 1906 earthquake shows many landslides throughout the Santa Cruz
Mountains. Some of these were catastrophic, causing loss of life, personal injury, and severe
damage to buildings.
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;:77!777.=-'
:77! /.fir 1 • r
Ni
Q f`` P
'KJr � •�
Figure 6-E. Cupertino Goelogy.
MOW -Valley Floor Aluvium
QTsc - Santa Clara Formation
0 Tm,Tr - Tertiary Sedimentary Rocks
0 KJr - Franciscan Assemblage
- Landslides
-Thrust Fault
Strike -Slip Fault
Figure 6-F shows vital facilities that must remain intact during the worst probable
earthquake on any fault system in Cupertino. Most of these facilities are owned by pri-
vate companies or public agencies beyond direct City control. The map's purpose is to
bring the owners' attention to the need to evaluate the facilities in terms of their potential
to disrupt service or cause hazard to Cupertino residents. Cupertino City Hall is a com-
munications center for natural disasters including earthquakes and will be important in
coordinating emergency services. The City must be sure that critical parts of the water
system can withstand a maximum earthquake so they can be used for drinking water and
water to fight fires.
Table 6-E shows a policy position on the amount of technical evaluation needed to be
sure that hazards in new developments are reduced to an acceptable level of risk based on
land use. Critical facilities in Cupertino's planning area should be evaluated and modi-
fied structurally to withstand a maximum earthquake.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Table 6-C. Explanations: Goelogic and Seismic Hazards Map of the Cupertino Planning Area.
Hazards Within Terrane Unit Zone Map I To Be Considered
Svmbol In Hez. Zone
VALLEY FLOOR: Nearly flat,
GROUND SHAKING - Moderate to locally
- Ground Shaking
urbanized valley floor; steep
severe VIII to IX intensity for max. probable
- Ground Failure
walls of Stevens Creek Canyon;
event (8.3M) on San Andreas Fault. X to XI I
VF - 1/2/3 - Ground Rupture
low rolling foothills area near
intensity within 1000 n. and VII to VIII in-
(Monza Vista Faun)
St. Joseph Seminary and
tensities at distance> 1000 ft. from max.
- Flood Inundation
Moms Vista substation
probable event on Monte Vista Fault.
(Calabazas Creek',
GROUND FAILURE - Moderate to high land-
slide potential along steep Stevens Creek VF - 4
- Ground Shaking
canyon walls; Moderate -high potential
- Ground Failure
lateral spreading and ground lurching, Ste-
(landsliding, lurc
vens Creek Canyon walls, liquefaction po-
lateral spreadinc
lenlial low -moderate
tial along Stevens Creek under seismic or
intensity within 2000 n. from Berrocal
- Ground Shaking
GROUND RUPTURE - Moderate potential
- Ground Failure
along and w/In 300h., Monte Vista Faun VF - 5
(liquefaction)
trace
- Flood Inundation
MOUNTAINS - Moderate to
GROUND SHAKING - Moderate to locally M - 1
- Ground Shaking
- Ground Rupture
severe X to XII intensity for max. probable
FLOOD INUNDATION - Modorale-high poten-
Montebello Ridge and
(Monza Vista Fa
(landslidinq)
tial along Stevens Creek under seismic or
intensity within 2000 n. from Berrocal
non -seismic conditions, and along Calabazas
VF - 6 .
- Ground Shaking
GROUND FAILURE- Moderate to high land- M-2
Creek under non-selsmic conditions
- Ground Rupture
THILLS - Gentle to stoop,
GROUND SHAKING - Moderate to locally
F - 1
- Ground Shaking
illy urbanized hillside
severe VIII to IX intensity for max. probable
- Ground Failure
located west of Valley
event (8.3M) on San Andreas Fault. X to XII
(landslidinq)
, generally east of
intensity within 2000 11. west of Morita
600 It. of San Andreas Faun trace; Moder-
- Ground Failure
ebello Ridge
Vista Fault for max. probable event (7.01))
F-2
- Ground Shaking
- Ground Failure
GROUND FAILURE - Moderate to high land-
- Ground Rupture
slide potential under se'smicJnon-seismic
conditions for slopes > 15%: ground lurch-
F-3
- Ground Shaking
ing, Iracluring within 2000 It. west of
- Ground Failure
Monte Vista Faun trace during maximum
_
- Ground Rupture
probable earthquake.
GROUND RUPTURE- Moderate potential
F-4
- Ground Shaking
along and won 30011. east and 600 h. west
(Same as
- Ground Failure
of Monte Vista Fault and Berrocal Faun
VF - 5)
- Flood Inundation
FLOOD INUNDATION - Moderate -high polen-
ftal along Stevens Creek under seismic or
non -seismic condsions
MOUNTAINS - Moderate to
GROUND SHAKING - Moderate to locally M - 1
- Ground Shaking
steep hill- side areas of
severe X to XII intensity for max. probable
- Ground Failure
Montebello Ridge and
event (8.3M) on San Andreas Fault. X to XII
(landslidinq)
Santa Cruz Mountains
intensity within 2000 n. from Berrocal
Fault for max. probable event (7.OM)
GROUND FAILURE- Moderate to high land- M-2
-Ground Shaking
slide potential under seismic/non-seismic
- Ground Failure
conditions for slopes > 15%: ground lurch-
(lurching, fraam
ing, fracturing within 2000 It. west of
Berocal and San Andreas Faun
GROUND RUPTURE - High potential w/in M-3
- Ground Shaking
600 It. of San Andreas Faun trace; Moder-
- Ground Failure
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Table 6-D. Acceptable Exposure to Risk Related to Various Land Uses.
Land uses and sinucilral types
re armged belowaocording to the level of exposure tocceptabto
dsk
appropriate to each cup; the
west level of exposure to acceptable risk should be all
ed for Group 1 and
the highest level of sure t
cceptable risk for Group 7.
Acceptable
Lend Use
Extra Project Cost To
Exposure
Group
Reduce Risk To
To Risk
Acceptable Level
EXTREMELY LOW Group 1
VULNERABLE STRUCTURES (nuclear reactors,
As required for maximum
large dams, plants manufacturing/storing
attainable safety
hazardous materials)
Group 2
VITAL PUBLIC UTILITIES, (electrical transmis-
Design as needed to remain
sion internes/substantions, regional water
functional after max. prob.
pipelines, treatment plants, gas mains)
earthquake on local faults
Group 3
COMMUNICATION/TRANSPORTATION (airports,
5% to 25% Of project cost
telephones, bridges, freeways, evac. routes
SMALL WATER RETENTION STRUCTURES
Design as needed to remain
functional after max. prob.
EMERGENCY CENTERS (hospitals, fire/police
earthquake on local faults
stations, post -earthquake aide stations, schools
City Hall, Do Anza College)
Group 4
INVOLUNTARY OCCUPANCY FACILITIES (schools,
prisons, Convalescent and nursing homes)
HIGH OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS (theaters, hotels,
large office/apartment bldgs.)
MODERATELY Group 5
PUBLIC UTILITIES, (electrical feeder routes,
5% to 25% of project cost
LOW
water supply turnout lines, sewage lines
Design to minimize injury,
FACILITIES IMPORTANT TO LOCAL ECONOMY
loss of life during maximum
probable earthquake on local
faults; need not design to re-
main functional
ORDINARY RISK Group 6
MINOR TRANSPORTATION (arterials and
2% of project cost; to 10%
LEVEL
parkways)
project Cost in extreme cases
LOW -MODERATE OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS (small
apartment bldgs., single -lam. resid., motels,
small commerciallollice bldgs.)
Group 7
VERY LOW OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS (warehouses,
Design to resist minor earlh-
farm structures)
quakes w/o damage; resist
mod. earthquakes w/o siruc.
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION AREAS (farm land,
damage, w/soma non-struct.
landfills, wildlife areas)
damage; resist major earth-
quake (max. prob, on local
faults) w/o collapse, allowing
some struc. & non-struc.
damage
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Table 6-E. Technical Investigations Required to Design Structures Based Upon Acceptable Level
of Risk for Various Land Use Activities.
VF 123 56 F 1234
M 123 VF 4
(Table 6-D)
Uniform Bldg. Code (UBC) Uniform Bldg. Code (UBC)
Groups 1 to 4 Soils Soils
Seismic Hazard Seismic Hazard
Geology
Uniform Bldg. Code (UBC) Uniform Bldg. Code (UBC)
Groups 5 to 7 Soils Soils
Geology
Description Of Tec4olcal Evaluations
UBC 1976 Edition, Uniform Building Code
Soils Soils and foundation investigation to determine ability
of local soil conditions to support structures
Geology Determine subsurface structure to analyze potential
faults, ground water conditions and slope stability
Seismic Hazard Detailed soils/structural evaluation to certifyadequacy
of normal UBC earthquake r gulations or to recommend
more stringent measures
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Policy Recommendations
This section outlines actions the City should take to reduce the risk of injury or prop-
erty loss caused by natural disasters. Regulating new development offers the greatest rewards
in risk reduction because while it is difficult to improve existing development, it is much
easier to locate and design new buildings to achieve this goal.
SEE POLICY 2-37 I Policy 6-1: SelsmiclGeologic Review Process
01 Adopt and use a formal seismic/geologic review process to evaluate new
development proposals all over the City.
It is not practical to improve buildings to incorporate revised earthquake safety stan-
dards. Luckily, most buildings in Cupertino are new and were constructed under a build-
ing code that includes components and designs that resist ground shaking.
Still, structures identified as "critical facilities" should be re-evaluated, especially those
in the high -hazard zones. Many seismic safety evaluations have been completed. Cu-
pertino's schools comply with legal standards. The Santa Clara Valley Water District found
that Stevens Creek Reservoir's location and construction method were too risky to allow
the dam to continue to hold water until an additional safety review was complete. The
state Department of Transportation is looking at freeway overcrossings to see how resis-
tant they are to ground shaking.
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Policy 6-2: Evaluation of Critical City Facilities
Evaluate City facilities on the Critical Facilities Map to reduce risks consis-
tent with Table 6-D and encourage agencies in the planning area to do the
same.
Evaluating non-critical public or private buildings is too expensive but City govern-
ment should educate residents, employers, and business owners to protect their property
and reduce risk of injury.
Policy 6-3: Public Education on Structural Seismic Safety
Start an educational program to help residents reduce earthquake hazards.
SEE EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS
PLAN
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
FIRE HAZARD
People who live in the foothills and mountains of Cupertino's planning area are most
at risk from fire. The City is not directly involved in firefighting in the mountains but fire
safety in the Montebello Ridge and Stevens Canyon area does affect Cupertino directly.
Major fires would hurt the Stevens Creek watershed, would increase Flooding potential
by silting up the stream beds, and would reduce recreation.
Fire Hazards in the Foothills and Mountains
The vegetative cover, the degree of slope, and critical fire weather are the three natu-
ral factors upon which the California Division of Forestry classifies the severity of poten-
tial fire in the foothills. The amount of hazard to life and property is affected not only by
the fire itself but by road access for evacuation, the number of available fire fighters, the
availability of water to fight the fire, and the effectiveness of building codes and inspec-
tion of developments in fire hazard areas.
There are about 16 square miles of land and 100 houses in the mountains of the Cu-
pertino planning area. Under county zoning regulations, the number of houses would
peak at between 112 and 190. Considering the size of the land, only a few houses are
exposed to fire hazard.
Most of the mountainous land is owned either by the MidPeninsula Regional Open
Space District or the Santa Clara County Parks System. When the parks are fully active,
many people could be exposed to fire risk.
Road Access
Public road access is severely limited and the problem is worsened by a decision by
the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to scrap an emergency road access planning
program. Property owners are asked to act independently or to form groups to maintain
fire access roads. More restrictive zoning has cut down on development so much that it is
not feasible to expand the planned fire road to form links. Santa Clara County lists the
Montebello Road/Stevens Canyon area as the fourth highest risk in the county.
A fire trail links Montebello Road and the Palo Alto Sphere of Influence to the bottom
of Stevens Canyon.. The MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District is considering ex-
tending the trail to get rid of a quarter -mile gap in the fire trail system to make patrolling
easier. The district is working with the California Department of Fish and Came to get
approval to improve and rebuild the former fire trail and to make access continuous. A
fire trail extends from Skyline Boulevard through Charcoal Road and down to Stevens
Canyon. Segments of that road are not paved and are extremely steep, so standard pas-
senger cars cannot be used.
Road accessibility in the lower foothills is easier. The City requires an all-weather
surface, private emergency access connection between public streets within Lindy Can-
yon and Regnart Canyon. If the Inspiration Heights area develops, the system of public
streets and private fire access roads will be extended within the Kaiser property north of
Stevens Creek.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Water Supply on Montebello Ridge and In Stevens Canyon ,
There are no water systems in the Montebello Road and Stevens Canyon area. The
county requires each homesite to be served by a 5,000 gallon tank. It is theoretically pos-
sible to have water storage systems that are jointly owned and operated and possible to
reduce the required amount of water if there is an adequate water main distribution for
all homes sharing the joint facility. The County Fire Chief's Assn. recommends that struc-
tures larger than 1,600 sq. ft. located in a remote fire hazard area have 10,000 gallons of
stored water. The county policy suggests that its land development regulations include
that standard. There is now no apparent support for increasing the tank standard and
there is no commitment of county resources to inspect the minimal 5,000 gallon tanks.
Water Supply for Foothill Regions Within the Urban Service Area
All development in the Urban Service Area must be served by a water system that
complies with City standards for household and firefighting use. In the short term, a few
developed areas, such as lots in the upper reach of Regnart Canyon and a few areas in
Inspiration Heights, have an inadequate water system. In the long term, these areas will
receive a better supply of water for fighting fires as the City's water system expands along
with new development and capital improvements projects.
Building Codes
Cupertino and Santa Clara County use a Uniform Fire Code and designate certain
areas in their jurisdiction as hazardous fire areas. The code regulates building materials
and the closeness of combustible plants to a structure. The County Fire Marshal and Central
Fire District regulate activities in fire hazard areas, including closing an area to the public.
Neither the City nor the county has an effective inspection program under the fire code.
The lack of funding may eventually require people who live in rural fire areas to monitor
their own property and monitor activities of their neighbors that may jeopardized their
properties.
Fire Hazards on the Urbanized Valley Floor
People who live and work in Cupertino are not subject to a high risk of fire. The City
has a well-managed fire protection service; buildings are relatively new; there is a strong
code enforcement program and adequate water service. Nevertheless, there is room to
reduce fire hazards in some geographical areas. Fire risk in cities depends on building
construction techniques, materials and heights, response time of fire equipment and fire-
fighters, and water availability. '
Relationship of Building Design and Materials to Fire Risk
Cupertino minimizes fire hazards by regulating building construction and site plan-
ning through the Uniform Fire Code and the Uniform Building Code. All land within
City limits is designated Fire Zone 3 under the Uniform Fire Code. This is the least re-
strictive of the fire zones and is used by suburbs in which most of the buildings are con-
structed to modern standards and separated so that fire is not likely to spread from one to
another. Cupertino's large commercial and industrial buildings are designed to separate
large areas to prevent the spread of fire. The City also requires automatic sprinkler and
fire detection systems, further reducing risks. Fire Zone 1, the most restrictive category, is
used for central business districts in older cities.
The City and the fire district periodically inspect commercial and industrial buildings
but single-family homes do not require inspection. Smoke alarms are required in new
homes and the City has considered requiring them when homes are resold.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Accessiblllty
A radius of a mile and a half is generally the ideal service area for a fire station, but a
large number of commercial and industrial buildings may require a radius of three-quar-
ters of a mile while a rural environment of single-family and two-family houses may per-
mit a radius of three to four miles or more. Figure 6-G shows the distances from three
Central Fire District Stations and the Rainbow -Blaney Avenue station in San Jose. These
distances predict potential response time, which may change due to traffic congestion and
other problems. The ideal service area lines are used to show the relative degree of acces-
sibility to various areas in Cupertino.
One of the major goals of fire service is to reduce response time, but the City's policy
of discouraging commute traffic from driving through neighborhoods may delay response
time because it is difficult for fire equipment to use direct routes. Private security sys-
tems for planned residential communities may also delay response time and must be looked
at carefully.
Water Supply
Having enough water is important in fighting fires. Figure 6-H shows private and
public water systems that serve Cupertino. The San Jose Water Company and the Califor-
nia Water Service supply the new areas of the City so the water lines and distribution
systems are adequate to meet domestic and fire -flow needs. However, although they meet
today's needs, neither private water system is required to maintain adequate fire flows
under its agreements with the City and fire agencies. The City and the fire district are
looking into the possibility of new legislation that would require minimum fire -flow ca-
pabilities to be maintained by water service providers.
The City bought its domestic water system in 1960. It consisted of old distribution
lines and pumping facilities. The utility has modernized lines mostly through new devel-
opment, but there are areas in the City that must be upgraded to meet fire -Flow require-
ments. Figure 6-H shows system deficiencies.
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Table 6-F. Total Possible Points of Deficiency and Relative Value of Items in Grading Schedule.
Item Relative %
Values Of Total
Water Supply 1,700 34
Fire Department 1,500 30
Fire Alarm 550 11
Fire Prevention 350 7
Building Department 200 4
Structural Conditions 700 14
Climatic/Unusual Conditions —
Divergence between first
two items — —
Total 5,000 100
Table 6-G. Points of Deficiency Which Determine Class for Major Items in Grading Schedule.
Class Water Fire Fire Fire Building Structural
Supply De artment Alarm Prevention Department Conditions
1 0-170 0-150 0-55 0-35 0-20 0-70
2 171-340 151-300 56-110 36-70 21.40 71-140
3 341-510 301-450 111-165 71-105 41-60 141.210
4 511-680 451-600 166-220 106-140 61-80 210-280
5 681-850 601-750 221-275 141-175 81-100 281-330
6 851-1020 751-900 276-330 176-210 101-120 331-420
7 1021-1190 901-1050 331.385 211-245 121-140 421-490
8 1191-1360 1051-1260 386-440 246-250 141-160 491-560
9 1361-1530 1261-1350 441-495 251-315 161-180 561-630
10 1531-1700 1351-1500 496-550 316-350 181-200 631-700
Class 1 0 to 500 Points of Deficiency Class 6 2301 to 2300 Points of Deficiency
Class 2 501 to 1000 Points of Deficiency Class 7 3001 to 3500 Points of Deficiency
Class 3 1001 to 1500 Points of Deficiency Class 8 3501 to 4000 Points of Deficiency
Class 4 1501 to 2000 Points of Deficiency Class 9 4001 to 4500 Points of Deficiency
Class 5 2001 to 500 Points of Deficiency Class 10 4501 and Over Points of Deficiency
their staffing, and place greater restrictions on buildings. Fire insurance premiums would
not change that drastically anyway, so it would make economic sense for the city and property
owners not to spend the money needed to upgrade to Class 1.
This General Plan element should encourage Santa Clara County to take greater steps
to reduce the risk of a major fire within the Cupertino Planning Area. Although county
government has not adequately put its fire prevention policies into effect on land devel-
opment, the Board of Supervisors has agreed with a volunteer fire department to provide
fire protection for the Montebello Ridge and Stevens Canyon area. The group will supply
service between October and May when the California State Division of Forestry station
at Stevens Creek Reservoir is unstaffed. The Central Fire District will give administrative
support and the Division of Forestry will train volunteers. The Board of Supervisors will
finance insurance.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Policy Recommendations
Policy 6.4: County Fire Hazard Reduction
Encourage the county to put into effect the fire reduction policies in the
County Public Safety Element.
Policies and programs that ensure adequate access and water supply, along with current
effective regulations on fire -retardant building materials and clearance of vegetation around
homes, would help protect hillside residents and property.
Policy 6-5: Fuel Management to Reduce Fire Hazard
Encourage the MidPeninsula Open Space District and the County Parks
Department to continue efforts in fuel management to reduce fire hazard.
Policy 6-6: Green Fire Breaks
Encourage the MidPeninsula Open Space District to consider "green" fire
break uses for open space lands. Ibis could include commercial timber
harvesting.
Residents of Cupertino's Urban Service Area have an acceptable level of fire protec-
tion. Improvements can be made to increase safety in specific areas.
Policy 6-7: Master Cupertino Fire Plan
Prepare a master fire plan for Cupertino. Outline a fire protection pro-
gram to achieve a high degree of fire protection with minimum public and
private cost. Use the plan to find the break point in the level of service -
versus -cost equation. The plan should establish the best level of fire
protection for each land use and should analyze the emphasis on prevent-
ing fires as opposed to fighting fires.
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Policy 6-6: Dead -End Street Access
Allow public use of private roadways during an emergency for hillside
subdivisions that have dead-end public streets longer than 1,000 ft. or find
a secondary means of access.
Policy 6-9: Smoke Detectors
Continue to require smoke detectors in new residential construction and
continue to support fire protection agencies' education of homeowners on
installation of smoke detectors. Use the Cupertino Scene to publicize fire
hazards and correction methods.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
w=Public Health and Safety
Floods can result from large rainstorms, failure of water -storage facilities, and from a
water basin created by a landslide.
Flood Hazard from Rainstorms
Floods caused by large rainstorms are the most common and the least risky. The vast
watersheds in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range feed into four major streambcds that cross
the City: Permanente Creek, Stevens Creek, Regnart Creek, and Calabazas Creek. Figure
6-I shows streambed locations and the extent of a 100 -year Flood, the flood than has a 1
percent chance of happening during any given year.
The 100 -year Flood is the standard design Flood accepted by the City, the Santa Clara
Valley Water District, and federal agencies. There is more information on this subject in
the section on acceptable level of risk.
The remainder of Cupertino is protected from Flooding by the concrete sub -surface
storm drain system. It was designed for the largest storm that could happen once in three
years and was redesigned in 1977 for a 10 -year flood. All new development will have the
larger system. In the meantime, the key parts of the older system will be updated through
the long-term capital improvements program.
The City has not studied in detail the carrying capacity of the system for larger Floods,
but in general a moderate storm, a 10 -year to 40 -year flood, will be contained within the
curbs and gutters of the streets and will flow into major storm channels and creek beds
designed to handle a 100 -year flood. Heavier storms may cause some flooding of yards,
but it would be extremely unlikely for water to enter buildings. A few areas in Cupertino,
including Old Monta Vista, and older areas next to the foothills, are not protected by storm
water systems. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the location and extent of flood-
ing in smaller isolated areas. In any case, the risk to life is virtually non-existent.
Heavy rainstorms in the foothills and mountains of the planning area generally do
not cause flooding problems. A report sponsored by the Divisions of Mines and Geology
showed that all streambeds can carry a 200 -year flood.
Landslides and mudslides are the main problems caused by heavy rainstorms. These
happen when heavy sheet flows of water expose cut -and -fill slopes. Unless the slopes are
protected by erosion control methods, there will be landslides and mudslides, which silt
up streambeds.
Flood Hazard from Failure of Water -Storage Facilities
Figure 6-J shows the location and size of water -storage facilities in the planning area.
It describes the flooding if Stevens Creek Reservoir should fail instantaneously. Theflooded
area is based on the maximum storage capacity of 3,700 acre feet. The reservoir is being
operated at a reduced level of 1,200 acre feet until a dam safety study is completed, so the
flooded area would be smaller. The water district does not have an flooding plan pre-
pared for the smaller storage capacity, but that limit was imposed to remove the probabil-
ity of dam failure in the event of a maximum probable earthquake on the San Andreas
Fault.
The storage tanks shown on Figure 6-J are considered a minimal risk, but there is a
possibility of injury and property loss for homes located near these tanks if they were to
fail. Owners of such tanks are not required under law to prepare flooding maps and
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The City of Cupertino
Flood Limit Line for a "100- Year" Event
.- --•—Natural or Man -Made Water Course
- — — — Urban Service Area Boundary
Boundary Agreement Line
Note: Detailed Maps of 100 -Year Flood Event
Are Available in City Hall
Figure 6-1. Extent of Flooding As A Result of A "100 -Year" Flood.
none have been prepared by water utilities. The San Jose Water Company has installed
Flexible couplings and check valves in the 20 -million -gallon Regnart Road Reservoir to
minimize valve and water line failure during an earthquake. The City's two water tanks,
each holding 2 million gallons, do not have a check valve or Flexible couplings. The 8 -to -
10 acre-foot Voss Avenue Pond was determined to be safe by an engineering consultant.
Flood Hazard From Landslides
A landslide could occur within a steep ravine in the foothill fringe in the more moun-
tainous terrain outside the Urban Service Area boundary. If there is a landslide in a ra-
vine serving a relatively large watershed, water could collect behind the landslide debris
and eventually collapse the debris wall, resulting in a wall of water cascading down the
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Flood
Y
100 Year
Contained In m
`
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s V, t
es
m
o
Channel a
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Slovens Crook Blvd
� NC�
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801111911 Rd
Drive
` 1-100 Year
Flood
Proepw
The City of Cupertino
Flood Limit Line for a "100- Year" Event
.- --•—Natural or Man -Made Water Course
- — — — Urban Service Area Boundary
Boundary Agreement Line
Note: Detailed Maps of 100 -Year Flood Event
Are Available in City Hall
Figure 6-1. Extent of Flooding As A Result of A "100 -Year" Flood.
none have been prepared by water utilities. The San Jose Water Company has installed
Flexible couplings and check valves in the 20 -million -gallon Regnart Road Reservoir to
minimize valve and water line failure during an earthquake. The City's two water tanks,
each holding 2 million gallons, do not have a check valve or Flexible couplings. The 8 -to -
10 acre-foot Voss Avenue Pond was determined to be safe by an engineering consultant.
Flood Hazard From Landslides
A landslide could occur within a steep ravine in the foothill fringe in the more moun-
tainous terrain outside the Urban Service Area boundary. If there is a landslide in a ra-
vine serving a relatively large watershed, water could collect behind the landslide debris
and eventually collapse the debris wall, resulting in a wall of water cascading down the
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Public Health and Safety
r
klujju�u ldl[K
61:3 Acre Feet
. 7
Marin Dr
!
0 Mil. Gal.�
YX
M il. Ga
0 +10 Min.
Voss .Ave.
cPond
0+11
cre Feet
w
i cre A t
.4 '1 al
0 +10 Min.
Yk
w
,MII. Gal.
Redill III
A6servoIr
0
. +30 Min.
Sevens I Creek
C i
IVICULIlmd let
Road LI
Rainbow
W.
Prospect
3I 1 8 Ifing" Rd go.
The City of Cupertino
Flood Limit Line
Natural or Man -Made Water Course
Urban Service Area Boundary
Boundary Agreement Line
Note: Flood Inundation Area for Failure
of Stevens Creek Reservoir Is Based Upon
Maximum 3700 Acre Feet Storage Capacity.
Figure 6-1. Extent of Flooding As A Result of Failure of Man -Made Water Storage Facilities.
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• ravine, injuring people or damaging property. The watersheds in this area are relatively
small, so the risk of Floods caused by landslides is minimal. There is a massive ancient
landslide west of Stevens Creek Reservoir but it would not be a flood hazard or result in
an unstable pond.
Acceptable Level of Risk
There is low risk from Flooding in Cupertino and its planning area. There is an ex-
tremely low risk from flooding if Stevens Creek Reservoir were to fail. Sometimes rain -
swollen flood channels cause drowning when people fall into them or venture out onto
them in boats.
It is possible to design Flood protection for a 500 to 1,000 -year Flood, but it would be
extremely expensive in relation to the property's land -use activity. For example, it would
be foolish to construct a flood works to protect grazing land next to a stream and slightly
less foolish to protect agricultural land. It is prudent to protect a housing development
and essential to protect a critical facility such as a hospital.
Policy Recommendations
The Santa Clara Valley Water District and the City are actively involved in programs
to minimize the risk of flooding. The City developed a Flood plain land use policy for the
non -urbanized reach of Stevens Creek south of Stevens Creek Boulevard. This ensures
that the area Flooded in a 100 -year Flood would be preserved and protects the natural
streamside environment.
• The City and the district developed an unusual Flood management program for the
reach of Stevens Creek between Interstate 280 and Stevens Creek Boulevard. The strategy
is to keep the natural environment of Stevens Creek even though structural improvements
would be necessary to protect properties absolutely from a 100 -year Flood. The majority
of people living in the Phar Lap Drive and Creston neighborhoods agreed to accept a higher
level of Flooding risk with the understanding that risks would be partially lowered by
using the Federal Flood Insurance Administration Program and installing a flood warn-
ing system. The strategy also includes building anew conduit on Interstate 280 to reduce
the barrier effect of the freeway itself, which was built across the natural Flood plain.
Policy 6-10: No New Construction In Flood Plains
Adopt stringent land use and building code requirements to prevent new
construction in already urbanized Flood hazard areas recognized by the
Federal Flood Insurance Administrator. For example, the finished floors
of new construction must be higher than the water level projected for the
100 -year flood. A description of flood zone regulations and a map of
potential flood hazard areas will be published in the Cupertino Scene.
Policy 6-11: Prohibit Dwellings In Natural Flood Plain
Continue the policy of prohibiting all forms of habitable development in
natural flood plains. This includes prohibiting fill materials and obstruc-
tions that may increase flood potential downstream or modify natural
streamsides.
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Public Health and Safety
Removing sediment from drains is one of the major expenses of the City and the water
district. The sediment is caused by natural erosion as well as erosion induced by devel-
opment, mostly in the hillsides. The City's Hillside Development Ordinance requires private
hillside construction to install erosion control measures on all cut -and -fill slopes includ-
ing roadways, driveways, and house pads. Sediment increases flood risks and clogs the
natural percolation function of streambeds, which replenish the groundwater table.
Polley 6-12: Restrict Hillside Grading
Continue to restrict the extent and timing of hillside grading operations.
Allow lot and street grading from April through October. Require a
performance bond to be submitted by a grading permit applicant before
grading starts during the remaining months. The amount of the bond will
guarantee the repair of erosion damage. All graded slopes must be
planted as soon as practical after grading is complete.
Most water -storage facilities shown in Figure 6-J are designed to withstand ground
shaking. If the magnitude of ground shaking was not previously assessed or if the water
facilities were designed before new standards, the City should re-evaluate the design if
the facility is publicly owned or strongly suggest that the owners evaluate the structural
integrity based on the maximum possible earthquake on the San Andreas fault, including
an evaluation of the possible area of Flooding.
Polley 6-13: Evaluate City Water -Storage Facilities
Program necessary funds to evaluate the structural integrity of municipal
water storage facilities, including distribution line connections and any
necessary repairs. Possible flood speeds and Flooded areas should be
included. The study consultant will confer with the City's geological
consultant to determine the geology and the maximum expected ground
shaking intensities of the tank site
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NOISE POLLUTION
Freedom from excessive noise is a major factor in maintaining a high degree of qual-
ity of life. The noise environment is an accumulation of many different sources ranging
from common machinery to the major source, street and freeway traffic. Table 6-H lists
some common noise sources and their sound levels.
The degree to which noise is irritating depends on a variety of factors, some inde-
pendent of the noise source itself. Time of day, background sound level, the listener's
activity, and surrounding land use can all influence the degree to which a particular sound
is perceived as annoying. Value judgments also enter into tolerance for urban sound lev-
els. Emergency sirens and loud lawnmowers are tolerated by most people because they
represent necessary actions, public safety and neighborhood upkeep. However, loud noises
from cars with defective or modified mufflers are usually greeted as annoyances.
Overall noise levels seem to be increasing despite efforts to identify and regulate noise
sources. Truly effective solutions to the noise problem will probably require lifestyle changes
and tradeoffs between freedom from government intervention in personal lives and the
convenience and economy of using noisy devices. It's not possible to control all city noise
sources but some regulation is needed to offset negative results of excessive noise.
Figures 6-K and 6-L are noise contour maps that focus on the transportation network
and its noise impacts on the community. They are described in Ld. (average day /night
sound levels) and Leo (the sound levels exceeded 10 percent of the time). The Leo map
shows the less continuous, more noticeable, intemuttant noises characterizing traffic sounds
in residential neighborhoods.
Effect of Noise on People
Noise can affect the physical, social, psychological, and economic well-being of com-
munity residents. Excessive noise can result in temporary or chronic hearing loss and
physiologic damage to the inner ear. Noise can disturb privacy, worsen mood, disturb
relaxation, and interrupt sleep. It can interfere with speech and confuse other auditory
signals. Diminished worker efficiency and economic loss can result if noise disrupts the
performance of complicated work tasks. All of these stresses are reasons for trying to control
the effects of urban noise. The next section outlines and discusses some measures that can
be put into effect by cities and identifies City policies aimed at counteracting some of the
increasing noise irritations.
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Public Health and Safety
Table6-H. Sound Levels and Loudness of Illustrative Noises in Indoor and Outdoor Environments.
IB(A) Overall Level Community Home or Industry Loudness
(Sound Pressure (Outdoor) (Indoor) (Human judgment of
Level = .0002 Microbar) dill. sound levels)
130
120
110
100
10
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Elec. Typwrtr. @ 10'
Dishwasher @ 10' (
Bird Calls (44)
Lower Limit
Threshold
Takeoff w/Afterburner
of Hearin
From Carrier @ 50 ft. (130)
UNCOMFORTABLY
Ox en Torch 121
120d8 A 32 times as loud
LOUD
Turbofan Aircraft Takeoff
@ 20011. (118)
Riveting Machine (I 10)
Rock -n -roll Band 108
110dB A 16 times as loud
Jet Flyover @ 1000 ft. (103)
Boeing 707 @ 6000 It.
before landing (108)
VERY
Helico ter @ 1001t. 100
100d0 A 8 times as loud
LOUD
Power Mower (96)
Newspaper Press (97)
Boeing 737 @ 6000 h.
before lending (97)
Motorcycle @ 2511. 90
90d8 A 4limes as loud
Car Wash @ 20 fl. (89)
Food Blender (88)
Prop Plane flyover @ 1 k' (88)
Milling Machine (85)
Diesel Truck 40mph @ 50' (84)
Diesel Train 45mph @ 50'(83
Garba a Di sal 80
80d8 A 2limes as loud
High Urban Ambient (80)
Living Room Music (76)
MODERATELY
Pass. Car 65mph @ 250. (77)
LOUD
Freeway @ 50h. frm. Pavement
Elec. Typwrtr. @ 10'
Dishwasher @ 10' (
Bird Calls (44)
Lower Limit
Threshold
of Hearin
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Policy Recommendations
This section gives a policy framework for guiding future land use and urban design
decisions and contains a system of control and abatement measures to protect residents
from exposure to excessive or unacceptable noise levels. Policy objectives will be identi-
fied and analyzed according to land -use compatibility, noises sources related to and not
related to transportation, and will include discussion of severe effects of Kaiser Perma-
nente truck traffic on Foothill and Stevens Creek Boulevards.
Acceptable noises do not disturb commonly recognized activities, such as conversa-
tion and rest. Various studies have established maximum interior noise levels that will
insure undisturbed conversation and relaxation. Exterior noise environments are more
difficult to analyze and control. The ability to speak at close range in a normal voice seems
to be a reasonable standard with which to judge outside noises. This section allows tech-
niques to help protect interior and exterior environments from disruption by city noise of
activities basic to comfortable daily living.
Land Use Compatibility
Goal A: Strive to ensure a compatible noise environment for all existing and
future land uses.
Many undesirable noise effects can be reduced or avoided if noise conditions are
considered when assigning uses to specific land parcels. Noise cannot and should not be
the primary factor considered in land use analysis, but the City should strive to match
land uses to compatible noise levels.
Compatibility may be achieved by locating land use types outside of designated noise
impact areas or by requiring modifications including setbacks, noise walls, building insu-
lation, or landscaping.
Policy 6-14: Land Use Decision Evaluation
Use Figures 6-K, 6-L, and 6-M to evaluate land use decisions
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Public Health and Safety
Figure 6-N. land Use Compatability for Community Noise Environments.
Community Noise Exposure
Land Use Catagory (Len or CNEL, dB))
55 60 65 70 75 80
RESIDENTIAL - LOW DENSITY
Single Family, Duplex, Mobile Homes
RESIDENTIAL - MULTI FAMILY
Motels, Hotels
HOSPITALS NURSING HOMES
AUDITORIUMS, C(
AMPHITHEATERS
SPORTS ARENA, OUT[
SPECTATOR SPORTS
PARKS
GOLF COURSES, RIDING STABLES
WATER RECREATION, CEMETARIES
OFFICE BUILDINGS, COMMERC
AND PROFESSIONAL CENTERS
UTILITIES, AGRICULTURE
L Normally Acceptable
rW Conditionally Acceptable
(I/I10MMA Normally Unacceptable
IMIMEM Clearly Unacceptable
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Transportation Noise
Goal B: Work to reduce the noise Impact of major streets and freeways upon
Cupertino.
Traffic noise is the greatest contributor to noise pollution in Cupertino and one of the
most difficult to control through local effort. Cupertino is crossed by two major freeways
and nine major arterial streets.
Cupertino is fortunate that significant portions of Highways 85 and 280 are recessed
because this helps lessen noise in the surrounding neighborhoods. Freeway noise is at a
constant but subdued level, less of a direct threat to neighbors. Commuters use local
north -south streets heavily and greatly increase local traffic congestion, air pollution, and
noise.
4
Looking West on Interstate 280 s
Near Stelling Road. Recessed =_
Freeway Minimizes Noise impacts.
The problem is worsened by the incomplete status of State Route 85, which will direct
much of the through commute traffic away from streets, if it is ever completed. Unfortu-
nately, further extension of Route 85 may increase noise above acceptable limits for many
of the homes along the right of way. Careful consideration of potential noise generated
by the extension is absolutely necessary for future freeway design and should go along
with more stringent California and federal noise standards to lessen noise.
About 2,000 of Cupertino's 16,000 homes are exposed to excessive noise potential from
freeways and major streets.
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Public Health and Safetv
Table 6-I. Noise Exposure Index (Un, 60 dB and above).
E cistidg utufe' Tojal
Unitsf Popblation Units Po ulation Unitsl Phpulation
R-1 1500 4380 300 880 1800 5260
R-2 R-3 500 1460 1460
TOTAL 2000 5840 300 880 1800 6720
Futuro imphcted of has rej ult from Hidhway 45 j xtension
to Sar�atogd Sunnif ale Riad hnd fror}l Bollinbef Road
extenfion $ Stellijb Roa$
NOTO: Podulatiorjjnultipljer 42.92 p4[sons/ioisehold
Policy 6-16: Freeway Design and Neighborhood Noise
Be sure that design and improvement of roads along the West Valley
Transportation Corridor are designed and improved in a way that mini-
mizes neighborhood noise.
Policy 6-17: Support Stricter State Noise Laws
Continue to support enactment of stricter state laws on noise emissions from
new motor vehicles and enforce existing street laws on noise emissions.
Local Streets/Neighborhood Protection
Neighborhood streets are especially sensitive to noise abuse. The resident's need to
drive and the need to keep emergency vehicle response time to a minimum must be bal-
anced against the need for safe and quiet neighborhoods when policies on streets are
considered.
Policy 6-18: Neighborhood Need Priority
Continue to review the needs of residents for convenience and safety and
make them a priority over the convenient movement of commute or
through traffic where practical.
Policy 6-19: Solutions to Street Abuse
Continue to evaluate solutions to discourage abuse of local streets
through modified street design. Examples include meandering streets,
diverters, landscape islands, street closures, and widened parking strips.
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Train and Aircraft Noise
Trains and aircraft do not contribute much to noise in Cupertino. Aircraft flying into
Moffett Field Naval Air Station are restricted to the northeasterly corner of Cupertino,
affecting some residents of the Rancho Rinconada neighborhood. Cupertino's only rail-
road line passes through the Monta Vista neighborhood and connects with the Kaiser
Permanente Plant in the Western foothills. There are only two trains a day but if Kaiser
products are shipped more often by rail, people living along the Southern Pacific line would
suffer from more noise pollution because there are no noise protection devices.
Kaiser Permanente Truck Traffic
The most crucial example of traffic noise intrusion on the quality of neighborhood life
is the effect of heavy duty truck trips to and from the Kaiser Permanente Plant in the western
foothills on people who live near Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Boulevard. There
are about 1,500 trips each working day, generating up to 90 decibel noise levels next to the
road.
When trucks speed up, slow down, or use their high-powered brakes on the unusu-
ally steep road, the truck noise problem is worsened. A detailed analysis of this problem
is in the Noise Element Working Paper Appendix. Figure 6-N displays the results of an
analysis of truck noise and attempts to define only the noise from Kaiser trucks.
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Figure 6-N. Equal Noise Level Contours.
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Public Health and Safety
Policy 6-20: Noise Improvement by Restricting Trucks
Continue to work toward improving the noise environment along Foot-
hill Boulevard by restricting truck traffic to the Kaiser Permanente Ce-
ment Plant, especially during late evening and early morning hours. It is
preferable that this restriction be voluntary.
A study prepared by professional acoustical engineering consultants suggested a se-
ries of measures to diminish noise for homes along the truck traffic corridor. Reducing
truck travel and carrying out these measures could give some relief to the residents most
severely affected.
Policy 6-21: Reduction of Noise from Kaiser Permanente Trucks
Work to carry out noise mitigation measures listed in the Edward L. Pack
and Associates report to diminish noise from Kaiser Permanente truck
traffic for homes near Foothill and Stevens Creek Boulevards.
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Non -Transportation Noise Sources
Goal C: Protect residential areas as much as possible from Intrusive noise
generated by sources other than traffic.
Noises not generated by traffic are typically stationary and sporadic. They have a
relatively minor affect compared to traffic noise, but noises such as barking dogs and rat-
tling of garbage cans when people are trying to sleep can be annoying and disruptive.
Complete regulation of these noises is unlikely, but the City can work to protect neighbor-
hoods from excessive noise during the evening and early morning, when noise levels tend
to be lower.
Adjoining Dissimilar Land Uses
People who live near commercial loading docks often complain of late night and early
morning disturbances. Similarly, those who live near industrial areas are often annoyed
by sounds from chemical storage plants, air conditioning equipment, and the general
manufacturing process. It's easy to anticipate these problems but it's hard to resolve them
in the development review process because economic interests and property rights must
be balanced.
Policy 2-23 of the Land Use/Community Character Element of this plan gives a strat-
egy for design controls to ensure a more peaceful co -existence between neighboring dif-
ferent land uses. These should be studied carefully at the beginning of an commercial or
industrial project that will adjoin homes.
Policy 6-22: Commercial Delivery Areas
Be sure new commercial or industrial developments plan their delivery
areas so they are away from existing or planned homes.
r—r
%N
Commercial Delivery Area
Adjoining Single -Family
Residences - McClellan Square
Shopping Center.
See-Pomer 2=20-
(2)VVI 1 i
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
6'<=''38tc'; ttwfPublic Health and Safety
SEE CMC 10-45 I Pollcy 6-23: Limit Delivery Hours
Continue active enforcement of Section 10.45 of the Municipal Code
limiting commercial and industrial delivery hours.
Policy 6.24: Noise Control Techniques
Continue to require analysis and implementation of techniques to control
the effects of noise from industrial equipment and processes for projects
near homes.
Construction can also disrupt neighborhoods. Expecting this, the City has required
in several cases that building construction be stopped during evenings and weekends.
Policy 6-25: Restrict Hours of Construction Work
Continue to restrict non -emergency building construction work near
homes during evening, early morning and weekends.
Common Neighborhood Disturbances
Common household activities are often audible beyond property lines. Barking dogs,
parties, lawnmowers, amplified music, and pool equipment are just a few of these.
Policy 6-26: Comprehensive Noise Ordinance Development
Develop a comprehensive noise ordinance that gives time restrictions on
commercial and industrial deliveries, establishes procedures for regulat-
ing noisy animals, regulates hours for construction, and establishes
maximum noise levels for common neighborhood disturbances.
Noise Attenuation
Goal D: Encourage use of techniques to diminish noise wherever they can
produce practical and desirable results.
Interior noise can be best be diminished in the same way homes are insulated against
cold. Leaks around doors, windows, vents, or through open fireplace dampers as well as
uninsulated exterior walls and lack of seals or weatherstripping increase noise intrusion
and can be remedied. Sound is pervasive in cities and it's difficult to control exterior noises.
Different noise control techniques can be used with varying degrees of success. Each
site should be evaluated to find the best combination of noise control devices. Here is a
summary of common techniques and their uses.
Barriers
Solid noise walls can reduce noise from 1 to 15 decibels or more. Their effectiveness
depends on the relative grade of the roadway, the distance of the listener from the center
line of the nearest road, placement and height of the noise wall in relation to the source's
line of travel, the size and location of the area to be protected, and the frequency of the
noise source. The barrier is more successful with higher -pitched noise and is usually more
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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1-1
L
0
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mililim.,I
On Grade
a
oil
511E
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1
11
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Building and Site Design
Building and site design techniques can control noise effectively in new developments
or when existing buildings are modified. Sensitive areas can be set back or buffered by
buildings, parking, or recreation areas. Homes can use rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms,
and garages to buffer the more sensitive bedrooms and living rooms. Buildings should
face solid walls onto the noise source and be sure that no vents or other air leaks face the
noise source.
Insulating Buildings From Noise
Conventional building practices will achieve noise reductions from adjoining road-
ways of between 10 and 20 decibels.
This table, from the Santa Clara County Noise Element, shows noise reduction from
typical building types.
Table 6-1. Approximate Noise Reduction Achieved by Exterior of Common Structures'.
Bldg. Type
Window Condition
Reduc. of Noise
Max. Exterior
from Outside
Noise level
Source
Matched to
45dBA Interior
Design Sind.
All
Open
10 decibels
55 dBA
Light Frame
Ordinary sash, closed
20 decibels
65 dBA
Masonry
Single pane, closed
25 decibels
70 dBA
Masonry
Double pane, closed
35 decibels
80 dBA
75dBa
60 Feet
0cl -r d
10
P.L.
Air/Sound Leaks:
• Roof and Walls Lack Insulation • Floor Vents
• Poor Quality Window/Door Assemblies • Windows/Doors Lack
Weather Stripping
Figure 6-P. Typical Structure Exposure To Noise.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Public Health and Safety
CRIME
The concept of defensible space, popularized in the early 1970s, uses architectural design
7
to create a physical environment that allows the person in it to monitor activities, thereby
reducing unacceptable behavior. Cupertino evaluates 70 to 100 development projects a
year; these translate into the working and living environment for Cupertino residents. The
City should develop an appreciation of the sociological and psychological effects of the
physical environment on human behavior.
Park Design
People who live next to neighborhood parks have had problems with nuisance and
criminal behavior in parks, especially park areas that are not easily visible from the street.
Future park design will include a perimeter road that would allow neighbors and the
police to see the park from all sides. This gives people more control over their neighbor-
hoods. Figure 6-Q shows the current and proposed design of Three Oaks Park, north of
Rainbow Drive. If technical and legal problems can be resolved, a part of the park will be
sold to a home builder with the proceeds to be used to buy land in a nearby neighborhood
for another park. Parks in other parts of Cupertino should be checked to see if this might
work there.
WIIIr. r _ YOIIr11.
BOB
,PAR
��raRTSE
air
Existing Configuration Proposed Configuration of
Three Oaks Park Three Oaks Park
Figure 6-Q. "Defensible Space" Park Design.
Cupertino's zoning codes stress the need for visual privacy protection. This could
conflict with the idea of defensible space if privacy design techniques isolate households
enough so that people lose the feeling of possession of private and semi -private spaces in
a residential development. Design can be used to create social cohesion, important not
only for a planned residential community but in single-family detached homes. For ex-
ample, someone who lives in a single-family home needs assurance that the neighbor-
hood would support his or her effort to question a stranger parked at the curb or to report
a strange car that keeps cruising up and down a street. If the resident thinks that other
neighbors don't want to get involved or don't care about strangers in the neighborhood,
that person would watch out only for his or her own property. Cupertino has actively
supported a Neighborhood Awareness Program that offers advice on crime prevention
and encourages neighborhood cohesiveness.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Public Health and Safety
Policy 6-28: Neighborhood Awareness Programs
Continue to support the Neighborhood Awareness Program and others
intended to help neighborhoods prevent crime through social interaction.
Non -Residential Design for Defensible Space
Using design techniques to prevent crime in non-residential districts is more direct
than it is in non-residential areas. The key is to design buildings to ease police patrol and
help community surveillance. Decisions on crime prevention involve tradeoffs between
esthetics and the ease of access for patrol vehicles as well as tradeoffs between privacy
and acoustical protection between commercial properties and adjacent homes.
Commercial office and industrial properties designed with interior garden courts with
private fenced patios and isolated entrances have more burglaries and robberies than those
that are highly visible. Masonry barriers and landscaping beds are typically used to iso-
late parking lot noise in commercial operations. The County Sheriff's Office, which pro-
vides police service in Cupertino, believes that these solutions do not increase burglary in
adjoining homes.
Policy 6-29: Crime Prevention in Building Design
Consider the relationship between building design and crime prevention
in reviewing all developments. Develop criteria with help from the
Sheriff's Office to determine the degree to which crime prevention stan-
dard's should override esthetic concerns.
Policy 6-30: Public Perimeter Roads for Parks
Encircle neighborhood roads with a public road to provide visual accessi-
bility whenever possible.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Public Health and Safety
DISASTER PLANNING
Under state law, cities must prepare an emergency plan to respond to "war -caused"
or other disasters that threaten the health or property of their residents. The City's Emer-
gency Plan mainly establishes an organizational framework to let the City plan for its
emergency response activities and to coordinate with county and state agencies. Effective
communications is one of the primary objectives of the Emergency Plan.
The Cupertino Emergency Plan
The City's Emergency Plan depends greatly on the availability of key people once a
state of emergency is declared. Typically, only the city manager, department heads, assis-
tant department heads, and some clerical staff members have participated in annual dis-
aster drills. City Hall operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so it is highly likely that an emer-
gency will occur during non -working hours. Many Cupertino employees do not live in
the City, so it is likely that a general emergency such as a major earthquake would delay
people from staffing their emergency operation positions.
Policy 6-31: Broaden Emergency Service Training Program
Broaden the Emergency Service Training Program to include more middle
management and non -management employees in future emergency
training programs.
A large earthquake could isolate Cupertino from major full-service hospitals. City
personnel and local physicians will be ill-equipped to meet the emergency needs of resi-
dents if a major earthquake strikes.
6rya `0id. s wy
l�dlo 101
2B0 F+n N w
W
(owns Crook
o u a
m m E
c m ~
Q J p
a til
O
Hospitals
r
Potential F2�
Barriers
Figure 6-R. Areas Potentially Isolatable In A Seismic Emergency.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
L6 f;44iuv.Public Health and Safety
Policy 6-32: Shift Emergency Responsibility to the State
Join other local cities to lobby the state to shift the responsibility of plan-
ning and providing major emergency medical responses in cities to the
state government.
Cupertino planned the construction of an emergency operation center in the City Hall
basement for 1980. Emergency diesel generator and telephone equipment is already in-
stalled.
Policy 6-33: Emergency Operation Center
Incorporate a permanent display system and information update process
in the design and operation of the emergency operation center.
Right after a major emergency, police, fire, and medical services will be spread very
thin. Residents must develop self-reliance in first aid and storage of food, water, and other
essentials. The last major disaster was the 1906 earthquake, so most Cupertino residents
have not experienced a major disaster.
Policy 6-34: Informed Citizenry
Use the Cupertino Scene and other communication methods to inform
residents that they have a responsibility to be prepared for emergency
disasters and give information on how to achieve this self-reliance.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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Implementation Program
INTRODUCTION
This section outlines the steps to betaken to carry out General Plan policies and programs
during a set period of time. It monitors the City's progress toward meeting the Plan's goals
and measures the Plan's effectiveness through periodic reviews.
It is not easy to relate policies and programs that extend over a long time to concrete
implementation steps but other policies and programs that are very specific can be completed
relatively quickly.
Implementation Techniques
The General Plan is carried out through four techniques: control of timing of growth,
development regulations, capital improvements, and intergovernmental coordination.
Controlling the timing of growth includes consideration of the infrastructure capacity,
geographic limitations, and annexation. Cupertino makes sure that the City's infrastructure,
in other words, its utilities and road system, can absorb the impacts of growth, regulating
growth's timing and extent.
Cupertino cooperates with the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission
(LAFCO) to define the growth limits of the City. LAFCO establishes an Urban Service Area
boundary that identifies a supply of land to accommodate five years of growth based on the
growth rate of the previous five years and a Sphere of Influence lin showing the 25 -year growth
limit Both limits are illustrated on Figure 7-A.
Cupertino's Urban Service Area is developed with the exception of a few areas along the
western fringe of the foothills, the Vallco Park planning area and the San Jose Diocese prop-
erty near Interstate 280. Cupertino does not intend to expand into the 25 -year limit Sphere of
Influence growth line at this time.
Most of the county islands within the Urban Service Area have been annexed into Cu-
pertino. Routine annexation will will continue with properties that require new or expanded
connections to Cupertino Water Service or properties that develop under county jurisdiction
with a formal agreement to annex at a specified time. Annexations of large areas will be reviewed
as they come up to find the degree of benefit to both the annexed area and to Cupertino.
Policy 7-1: Annexations of Small Islands
Actively pursue annexation of small islands, especially those in need of
Cupertino Water Service and other municipal services to facilitate new
development.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Program
Figure 7-A. Urban Service and Sphere of Influence Lines.
Some of Cupertino's development regulations are proactive, defining the actions of the
City and other agencies to meet planning goals. A good example is in the Environmental Re-
sources Element. Policies identify lands to be acquired by the City and other agencies for public
open space and recreation. Others are reactive, regulating the use of land by private parties.
They are in the Land Use/Community Character Element and on the land use diagram, which
identifies approved land use types and intensity.
The need for significant capital improvements and their location are shown in the Gen-
eral Plan. The City is responsible for adopting a Capital Improvements Program to set the
amount and source of money to build streets, acquire parks, and build physical improvements
to carry out the Plan.
The Plan gives direction for agencies that directly serve the City, such as the fire district,
sanitary district, school system, and the regional open space management district. The Plan
also contains policies that react to regional planning efforts, such as the T-2000 Transporta-
tion Plan.
This implementation chart links the policy principles to a system to identify the actions
and timing needed to carry them out. The Plan will be reviewed yearly and the policies will
be tested to be sure that they are still relevant and possible economically and politically, thus
ensuring that the Plan remains current.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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The City of Cupertino
> I
UrJnmrporaled Areas
��r.r Urban Service Area Boundary
Yr.
�
J f
Growth)
(25 Yr. GrowN,
Figure 7-A. Urban Service and Sphere of Influence Lines.
Some of Cupertino's development regulations are proactive, defining the actions of the
City and other agencies to meet planning goals. A good example is in the Environmental Re-
sources Element. Policies identify lands to be acquired by the City and other agencies for public
open space and recreation. Others are reactive, regulating the use of land by private parties.
They are in the Land Use/Community Character Element and on the land use diagram, which
identifies approved land use types and intensity.
The need for significant capital improvements and their location are shown in the Gen-
eral Plan. The City is responsible for adopting a Capital Improvements Program to set the
amount and source of money to build streets, acquire parks, and build physical improvements
to carry out the Plan.
The Plan gives direction for agencies that directly serve the City, such as the fire district,
sanitary district, school system, and the regional open space management district. The Plan
also contains policies that react to regional planning efforts, such as the T-2000 Transporta-
tion Plan.
This implementation chart links the policy principles to a system to identify the actions
and timing needed to carry them out. The Plan will be reviewed yearly and the policies will
be tested to be sure that they are still relevant and possible economically and politically, thus
ensuring that the Plan remains current.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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The City of Cupertino
> I
UrJnmrporaled Areas
��r.r Urban Service Area Boundary
Yr.
',.
�
�.... Sppher. of noa Line
S here
Growth)
(25 Yr. GrowN,
1
-- — Boundw AgroomeNLine
'.'S��s'
room
ni [rack•
Z�f,.^ ....
_.
Figure 7-A. Urban Service and Sphere of Influence Lines.
Some of Cupertino's development regulations are proactive, defining the actions of the
City and other agencies to meet planning goals. A good example is in the Environmental Re-
sources Element. Policies identify lands to be acquired by the City and other agencies for public
open space and recreation. Others are reactive, regulating the use of land by private parties.
They are in the Land Use/Community Character Element and on the land use diagram, which
identifies approved land use types and intensity.
The need for significant capital improvements and their location are shown in the Gen-
eral Plan. The City is responsible for adopting a Capital Improvements Program to set the
amount and source of money to build streets, acquire parks, and build physical improvements
to carry out the Plan.
The Plan gives direction for agencies that directly serve the City, such as the fire district,
sanitary district, school system, and the regional open space management district. The Plan
also contains policies that react to regional planning efforts, such as the T-2000 Transporta-
tion Plan.
This implementation chart links the policy principles to a system to identify the actions
and timing needed to carry them out. The Plan will be reviewed yearly and the policies will
be tested to be sure that they are still relevant and possible economically and politically, thus
ensuring that the Plan remains current.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
•
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The City of Cupertino
> I
UrJnmrporaled Areas
��r.r Urban Service Area Boundary
Yr.
',.
�
�.... Sppher. of noa Line
S here
Growth)
(25 Yr. GrowN,
1
-- — Boundw AgroomeNLine
Figure 7-A. Urban Service and Sphere of Influence Lines.
Some of Cupertino's development regulations are proactive, defining the actions of the
City and other agencies to meet planning goals. A good example is in the Environmental Re-
sources Element. Policies identify lands to be acquired by the City and other agencies for public
open space and recreation. Others are reactive, regulating the use of land by private parties.
They are in the Land Use/Community Character Element and on the land use diagram, which
identifies approved land use types and intensity.
The need for significant capital improvements and their location are shown in the Gen-
eral Plan. The City is responsible for adopting a Capital Improvements Program to set the
amount and source of money to build streets, acquire parks, and build physical improvements
to carry out the Plan.
The Plan gives direction for agencies that directly serve the City, such as the fire district,
sanitary district, school system, and the regional open space management district. The Plan
also contains policies that react to regional planning efforts, such as the T-2000 Transporta-
tion Plan.
This implementation chart links the policy principles to a system to identify the actions
and timing needed to carry them out. The Plan will be reviewed yearly and the policies will
be tested to be sure that they are still relevant and possible economically and politically, thus
ensuring that the Plan remains current.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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The General Plan must be both practical and visionary. The Plan must not be limited to
a short-term view -point because it contains fundamental goals that it may not be possible to
achieve in a prescribed period. The steps to carry out such goals must be tested yearly to be
sure that they are still valid and attainable. The community should appoint a Goals Com-
mittee to examine and restructure the Plan every five years to reflect changing community
values.
Policy 7-2: Plan Review Schedule
Schedule the General Plan for review annually by the Planning Commission
and every five years by an ad hoc citizens review committee.
The implementation diagram shows follow-up actions to be taken within a specific time
period based on a system of priorities. The Program Code refers to the Capital Improvements
Program, Legislative Review Program, or to the Community Development/ Public Works
Departments' annual work programs, which contain more detailed description of each ac-
tivity.
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Program
= vQLI. =
Land Use/Community Character Element High Priority Low Priorityj� lSl\
•S = Medium Priority An = Unprogrammed
L`
POLICY DESCRIPTION
FOLLOW-UP ACTION
TIMING
NUMBER (Program Summary)
Program
Development Regs.
I Inter-
CIP
Agency
Code
Code/Ord. Guldelns.
Chane
Coord.
1990- 1991 1992 1993 1994
2-1 Intensify urban development In Vallco
a
Park, N. De Anza BI. and Town Center
Coordinate Private Development yof
2-2 Town Center to Create Community
Focal Point
2-3 Allow transfer of FAR Credit between
core area properties
Protect residential areas from intrusive
2.5 Impacts of commercial and industrial
uses
Implement shared driveways and
2-6 Interconnect parking lots on
commercial sites
2-8 Eliminate architectural barriers to
pedestrian mobility
2-13 Encourage residential and public
P6
open space next to major streets
Review proposed development at
2-15 Community entries to include
Gateway Treatment
2-16 Minimize number of curb cuts in each
development
Provide 50 ft. setback for properties
2-19 fronting De Anza and Stevens Creek
Blvds.
2.20 Use Design techniques to offset
barrier effects of major roadways
2-21 Define neighborhood entries
Ph
through architecture, landscaping
2-22 Protect neighborhoods from through
traffic spillover
2-23 Provide full range of housing density
and tenure type
2.24 Consider housing In non-residential
developments
Ensure scale and density of new 8
2-25 remodel housing consistent with
predominant single fam. pattern
2-26 Encourage variety in housing type
and density in urban care
Include private indoor/outdoor spaces
2-27 for each unit in residential
developments
CU?ERTINO GENERAL PLAN
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CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Program
General Plan Element: Land Use I Community Character = High Priority L = Low Priority
= Medium Priority rjy = Unprogrammed
POLICY
DESCRIPTION
FOLLOW-UP ACTION
TIMING
NUMBER
(Program Summary)
Program
Devela moot Regs.
Inter-
Code/Ord. Guldelns.
CIP
Agency
Code
1990 1 1991 1992 1 1993 1994
Chane
Coord.
2.28
Use design techniques to reduce
privacy Intrusion from neighbors
2-29 Use design Techniques to enhance
security/nelghbomood awareness
Allow up to 5000 s.f. gfa bonus for
2-30
redevelopment of pre -1973 shopping
centers according to established crlterla
Increase FAR to .40 or add 1K sl over
2-31
base FAR (whichever less) for
redevelopment of substandard sites.
2-32 Monitor development rate/fiscal
effects to avoid market saturation
Use Procedural Ord. to "grandfather'
certain uses predating 07/18/83
2-33
City may enter Into agreement with
developer of hotel/convention center
to develop such facility
2.34 Apply slope density formula to foothill
residential areas
2-35 Require rural improvement standards In
hillside subdivisions
2.36 Include view of loothlllVnatural
features In public facllides design
2.37 Investigate/mldgate environmental
dangers of hillside development
Minimize disturbance of natural
2-38
contours, plants, trees during hillside
development
Allow existing commerdal/recreation
2.39
uses In Boodplain to remain or convert
to agriculture
2.40 Designate non -recreational sites In
floodplain as res. per allerla
2-41 Allow public, quaskpublic uses
In floodplaln atter review
2-42 Balance access to, protection from
sun exposure for all homes
2-43 Encourage private rehabilitation and
retention of landmark buildings
Combine Parcels .5000 s.f. if owned
2-46
contiguously; single family use
allowed If stand alone ownership
2-50 Allow non-traditional uses at
De Anza College
2-52 Allow new ddveup facilities If mm-
patibillty w/sunoundings shown
Discourage late -hour activities except
2.53
In Vallee , Town Center or areas
Isolated from residential uses
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Program
Housing Element
PROGRAM SUMMARY
RESPONSIBLE
AGENCY
FUNDING
SOURCE
TIMING
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989-90
1. Provide information regarding rezoning of
commercial and industrial lands to residential for
owners of these lands.
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
2. Work with county, state, federal and private
agencies in developing affordable housing; Use
HUD funds to finance infrastructure
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
HUD
(ONGOING)
3. Construct 80-130 units of assisted family and
elderly rental housing using state/federal subsidies
if available. Develop family and elderly units in
proportion to needs identified
Planning Dept.
Section 202
Section 8
CDBG
4. Continue participation in Section 8 (Ex.) to assist
20 very low income families and elderly households
Housing Auth.
o/ SC Co.
CDBG
Project sponsor
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
5. Develop rental and affordable ownership housing
opportunities through the following combination of
programs:
— Continue priority processing of developments
that have low/moderate income units
(ONGOING)
— Identify suitable sites in Figure 3-M and
determine availability of surplus school sites
— Excuse all/part of development fees for
projects which include low -mod. income units
if no adverse public impact is identified
(ONGOING)
— Apply for state predevelopmenl loans to
write down predevlopment costs; use Mort-
gage Revenue Bonds to finance rental
construction
(ONGOING)
As Needed
— Adopt method to implement density bonus
increases per Gov. Code Section 65915
— Use City funds to asist non-profit organization
to develop rental units for low and very low
income households. Establish funding source
and transfer funds to recipient agency in
response to to RFP.
6. Determine necessity for Article 34 referendum
Staff Report to
City Mgr.
City Funds
7. Participate in Mortgage Revenue Bond pro- grams
through the county. Provide ownership housing for
20 moderate income HH's, rental units for 60 low
income HH's and 120 moderate income HH's
Continue City
participation
w/County
Bond Sales
City Funds
(ONGOING)
8. Encourage inclusion of housing in mixed use
developments by exclusing housing from FAR
calculations; encourage housing in areas otherwise
reserved for non-residential growth
Planning Dept.
Stall Time
City Funds
(ONGOING)
9. Review vacant lands for potential rezoning every
three years including rezoning non- residential land
to residential uses and increasing permitted density
of residentially zoned parcels
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
" CUrcHi WO 6.e.:eAAi: MLAN
4 .T;:.
[ a*
Implementation Program
General Plan Element: Housing
PROGRAM SUMMARY
RESPONSIBLE
AGENCY
FUNDING
SOURCE
TIMING
1985 1 1986 1 1987 1 1988 1989-90
10. Continue second unit ordinance. Approx-
imately 100 units primarily for elderly expected;
investigate financing assistance options
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
11. Continue to support Project Match with CDBG
funds; Assist 15 low income elderly households
annually
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
CDBG
(ONGOING)
12. Continue to use CDBG funds to reduce costs in
supplying below market rale housing through Senior
Citizen Housing Fund/CDBG money
Planning Dept.
City Funds
CDBG
(ONGOING)
13. Conserve existing BMR units and 27 low income
handicapped units; control BMR resale price and
affordable rent schedule
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
14. Continue code enforcement and maintenance
of public areas
Planning Dept.
Public Wrks. Dpt
City Funds
(ONGOINGI
15. Provide low interest loans to 5-10 very low and
low income HH'styr. to rehabilitate deficiencies and
code violations per rehab. guidelines. Expand
program to rental units it funds allow
City Rehab
Coordinator
CDBG
(ONGOING)
16. Continue Condominium Conversion Ord, to
preserve existing supply of affordable rental units
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
17. Provide information on loan programs and fix up
techniques through the rehabilitation program
City Rehab
Coordinator
CDBG
(ONGOING)
18. Review existing City Ord. and energy pro- grams
from other jurisdictions. Develop energy policies;
ensure housing costs net affected
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
19. Determine need for pre -sale code inspections.
Staff Report
City Funds
20. Continue the City Energy Commission's
activities
City Manager
City Funds
(ONGOING)
21. Investigate, pursue federal, state and county
funded program for expansion of rehabilitation
activities
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
CDBG
(ONGOING)
22. Refer discrimination complaints to contract
service agency
Planning Dept.
Staff Time
(ONGOING)
23. Refer landlord/tenant complaints to City
established mediation agency.
(ONGOING)
24. Continue support of Midpeninsula Citizens for
Fair Housing through County CDBG program
Santa Clara Co.
(ONGOING)
I
CUPERTINO GENERAL PLAN
Implements: er. I-. _jvnm
Circulation Element = High Priority Low Priority
. _ ,. = Medium Priority = Unprogrammed
POLICY .,. •DESCRIPTION
FOLLOW-UPACTION
-'--"`
TIMING
NUMBER (Program Summary)
Program
improvement plan to accommodate
Development Roos.
Inter-
Code/Ord. Guidelns.
_ -
CIP
Agency
Code
-,. -• °, _
Chane
Coord.
1990 1 1991 1 1992 1 1999 1 1994
4-1 Participate in developing regional
major developments
transportation solutions
Interconnect private ddveways in
- - ---- - - -" —'
Strategy Preserve/Constrtmt Rte. e5
4-4 lieu of direct access to major
=;;- r improvements
streets
Strategy Support.•xpansion of County
Transit fleet to 750 vehlcies
►7e _y ,:�i
Develop traffic mgmt. plans for
Maintain reazonaile PM peak hour
4-2 traffic movement tl rough land use
limitations
Limit Stev=ns Creek Blvd. and
Strategy De Anza Blvd, to B lanes; retain -- - -
16 trip/ac. core area limit j
Strategy Impose FAR on commercial,
office and industrial uses
-'--"`
Strategy Carry out citywide transportation
improvement plan to accommodate
LOS D on major street system
Plan construcion of critical street
4-3 improvements to coincide with
major development
Strategy Require traffic stu,y with plans for
major developments
Interconnect private ddveways in
- - ---- - - -" —'
4-4 lieu of direct access to major
streets
4-5 ?Tatect community from harmful
Impacts
of transportation system
►7e _y ,:�i
Develop traffic mgmt. plans for
4.6 neighborhoods affected by
excess levels of through traffic
4-7 Study/implement techniques to
discourage abusive driving
4-6 Oiscourage private auto use in
- :ctror o: 0610, travel mn'es
Stmtagy Encourage bicycling, m^ ``i!�o 1
use and w:/van pc:!ing I
Provide street space for
ts
—Strategy
rn;e
lanes, pzd, paths, bus turnwts n
b
Strategy Req --ire on site bicyclo facilities at I -
indusuial, comm. deve!opmenls
Strategy Consider jitney servire blwn Town
conterNallco bus transfer station
and N. Do Anzo Blvd.
4-9 Plan coin-ahnnsive trail system
consistent with ragional system �It If,
CUPERT.::;'•.SNE... d:: LAN
0
14rPa'idLtI40 Aation Program '
Environmental Resources Element =High Priority =Low Priority
A
= Medium Priority Unprogrammed
POLICY DESCRIPTION
FOLLOW-UP ACTION
TIMING
NUMBER (Program Summary)
Program
'
Development Rs.
Inter-
CIP
Code/Ord. Guidelns.
Agency
Code
1990 1 1991 1 1992 1 1993 1 1994
Chane
Coord.
5.1 Designate Williamson Act properties
..
for their anticipated developed use
:=,ur
5-2 Recognize aesthetics of farming in
development review
-•vn w`^'•
:�1!1• qxe'
5.3 Encourage farming/grazing in hillside
areas - monitor erosion'
-'id•
;� drout•...
5-4 Assess air quality impacts of major
i .q_
developments
--- - -
5.5 Consider purchase of more fuel
-- — -
efficient city city vehicles
Warn joggers, cyclists against
5-6 inhaling pollutants - expand par
jogging trails per demand
- -- - - - - -
5.8 Design foothill, stroarrside develop-
-
ment to minimze disrubance of
•. - -- .. ,, -
vegotatiorvspecimen trees
_ ..
5.9 Use native plants near natural veg-
etation and for erosion control
5-10 Limit fencing of hillside lots to area
new building, not entire site
-
5 -11 Limit recreation activity as compat.
,. „
ible with preserving natural areas
-
5 -12 Provide public access to wildlife and
fishing sites
- ,.•,q
5-13 Establish mineral resource area
j - _.
designation to allow extraction
1 �� r
544 Control pollution, scenic restoration
in mineral extraction activities
-
5-15 Consider passive recreation uses at
p
Fn
abandoned quarries
5-16 Support SCVWD development of
ground water recharge sites in city;
'
provide public rec. uses when poss.
oic^ -
5.17 Set water rate schedule to
-
-
..rd
encourage conservation
n':111;''�••t'c i
•'
Enmurage inclusion of conservation
5-18 measures in industrial projects with
Sanitary District cooperation
u
5-19 Retain natural suite of croak beds to
enhance ground water recharge
. .
'`' ,, �•
5-20 Encourage County GP amendment
�!�
to reflect city RHS -20 zoning
W..
J'CIUEii RTKfi-MVLv NERAL PLAN
General Plan Ele
of
HUMBER
E-21
R,
wrinc-nion,.
rreek : adt
5-22
Kc,
wale(She�:.'
5-23
Encourage ii
gr".,. belt sF
5.14
Acquire opei
Figure S -C
6-25
E..m-,rage c
pf: ',a oper.
5-2L
%, 13 .:.vi
wpu.- ;;
5-27
Protide pari
mlihg diSL
5-28
fpn f ark ar
wer for fle)(I
5.29
Do::p pari'
maimonat.c,
5-30
.. .ure park
crea
5-31
E i ...,a I
nor,al
5.32
sue F
.--Io 5-G ft
of
4
.._ — HAAS _ipi3. S�flTh4'1L.SIAN
tation Program
Public Health and Safety Element = High Priority n 'Lovv'Priodty
Medium Priority Unprogrammed
POLICY
DESCRIPTION -
FOL -UP I N-
323DTI;AINC •;IJf'
NUMBER
(Program Summary)
- —
Dovelo mem hcw-
Inter-
Program
Code
' imc utgot9) u5 ,
CIPnI,
v
Code/Ord.
GuilJ.e.}s.
Agency
—1-99-07-1-96T 1992 1993 1994
-
1 '•.,.
i Chan a
Coord.
6-1
Adopt formal geologic process for
:00 Loan- no.�.oH S-2
new developedment
'4oiv gJ10r. .lot•?V
r- x '9
6.2 Evaluate City's critical facilities to
d -�}-- _
ensure adequate seismic
rn
n0 znev6IL goo) ZS -2
resistance
n
een. iuq nl a- ' u
mpoc yon.
6.3 Start public education program to
earthquake hazard _
reduce earth q
g ,
, 'owol m, t m.
oogric . ,
Strategy Impose informational covenant on
seismically affected properties
.•nfi2�x; t.�i:lnn.i - .,.::n.3 ?
?':
Strategy Publish earthquake safety flyer for
�..,.
to •
homeowners and businesses
C`l
L .r 6gz r, n:Vaviu,
to e_s
sc'•. • 't ,
Strategy Activate Emergency Operation
-- - __---_ _
AI
Center in time of emergency
noaol�mq
6-�sgs.i:
.w� S t • `7 _
6-4 Encourage Counim lements.Cn
_-- —$
'•s
tion of fie hazard polices in
I(j`►,
vcnh; t vna�=. •�w v
County GP
__.__
'q,Idio nl s
6-5 Encourage outside agencies to
pursue fuel management
practices
-::r;dl int a$%;q ngiz,,
6.6 Encourage MPOSD to allow use
of green fire breaks
td v„7 •t•Nf em r • r:n3
-r.•'- l•,vnhv— _ : •ovz
6.7 Prepare master fire for City, in-
cluding level of service for land
___„
?h
tr, ;Sia; n:
uses
mnq .dto
4upan dtcr �• 7
6-8 Allow public access to private
streets in emergency for dead
I
I
• ^ , Ibnu:;jaT
end streets
6.9 Require smoke detectors in new
res. structures
6-10 Discourage new construction in
urban flood hazard areas
6-11 Continue prohibiting habitable
devel. opments in natural flood
plains
l
6.12 Restrict hillside grading from April
to October; replant allected
slopes
6-13 Evaluate structural integrity of city
G]
water system components
i11
6-14 Use GP data to evaluate land use
com- patibility with noise
environment
Strategy Review new/remodel housing in
proximity to traffic noise sources
Strategy Consider adoption of noise
standard for intermittent sources
.._ — HAAS _ipi3. S�flTh4'1L.SIAN
I
Implementation Program,
Gerierat Plan. Element: E nvi ronnne6tal Resources
High Priority Low Priority
Medium Priority ?n = Unprogrammed
,poijey. ^•10ESCRIPTION.,
FrGLLOW UP ACT1110011i,
TIMING
IMBER (Program Summary)
Program
I Development Reg
Inter-
CIP
Agency
Code
I Guidoins.
1990 1991 1 1992 1 1993 1 1994
lGode(ENd
Chen a
Coord.
Z -16,16 Design of West Valley Transportation'
,should minimize raise intrusion
�,,ii17 gihiiFiort stricter noise reduction
rn
f4station CS) state level
...+.6-1a iPrfontlze resident convenience and
safety ovsr through commute traffic
E,
153419 altsilla solutions to haAabuse of
local streets; inclUding assessment
district funded'Improveiiiints
6-20 Manitairdevel. rate/fiscal effects to
'avoid market saturation
-------------- 7-7,
6-21 '.Wark stward,voltaitary truck traffic
'rrFeducd6haI.Kaiser
plant
X 6-22 - Issart new commercialrindustrial
delivery weas'iway from residential
LISGS
6;23 Limit delivery hours per Murwdpw
Code
6-24 Require noise analysislmitigation for
industrial was new homes
6.25 Restricthowstal construction works,
.:near homasr
6-26. Dewlap comprehensiveraiseordiz
nance to setmaudinturt clisturbance
many i ,.
levels from.- source
6-9111 Support Neighborhood Awaoseass
Program to prevent crlle.-
Consider crime reduction techniques
z—• in project planning and design
6-30 Encircle public parks with perimeter
reads when possible
.'':6.31'.. Breeden emergency training programsw.,-.
,t access formove iily, employees
- —
6-32Lob*St at . a to am . urn ' a - greater
burden of omieri;6 4
.-....:6J3;;.IncorporaledisipfayiAnfaira lion
update system in Emergency
Opertations.cir..
6-34 Use appn:fiiil9,maW15 to encourage
residents to prepwo far emergencies
CUPERTINO GENERAL lsliANii
W1