CC 11-01-2022 Oral CommunicationsCC 11-01-2022
Written Communications
Oral
Communications
From:Rhoda Fry
To:City Clerk; City Council; Cupertino City Manager"s Office
Subject:11/1/2022 City Council Oral Communications
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 4:04:03 PM
Attachments:Purchasing Policy Cupertino.pdf
purch_policy_revision-_2021_redline_fc.pdf
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Dear City Council,
I’m writing you about blinding night lights and purchasing.
Lately there have been blinding lights coming from the quarry.
They are a distraction for drivers and shine into some resident homes.
Does the quarry have land-use authority for this use?
Is there a conditional use permit?
Why weren’t residents notified?
It has been a bit of a nuisance.
Regarding Purchasing (Procurement).
Thank you again for investing in the Moss Adams audit.
It turned up many issues in finance as shown in the image below.
I’d like to see some more work done in the area of purchasing agreements and understand that this
has been part of the plan. It would be good to get this done sooner than later.
Attached you will find the relative lean Cupertino purchasing policy as compared with the Los Altos
purchasing policy.
Los Altos has about half as many residents as we do.
Here is information on purchasing in the City of Mountain View:
https://www.mountainview.gov/depts/fasd/purchasing/default.asp
And it would be great for our City to have a centralized purchasing dept as well like other cities of
our size (as reported in the Moss Adams report.
Thanks Much,
Rhoda Fry
From:Nicholas Egan
To:City Clerk
Subject:Dear Council, please fix our Housing Element Process
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 3:28:28 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
Dear Cupertino City Council,
I am a resident who has lived in Seven Springs for about 25 years. I am extremely concerned
with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is extremely behind in the
process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the required timeline, our city is
projected to finish the housing element process after the January 31st, 2023 deadline. I
recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control due to the builder’s
remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it. Why? In its place, the City has done a poor job of meaningfully engaging
and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants, unhoused people,
service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been outreach
programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and it is
unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon.
Even I currently live in a single-family home, and I know that our housing strategy shouldn't
bend just for us - I never asked you to! I want to see more options and more opportunities for
other families and people to come into Cupertino that DON'T just look like mine. Make more
types of housing! Please!
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Why are we
focusing on an area that won't actually get built? Meanwhile, several Heart of the City locations
had expressed owner interest but were not included. Please communicate them, and work with
enthusiastic folks that are already in our city and want to be in our process. Otherwise, we're
just giving away the city to developers - the exact same thing the current council keeps
claiming they aren't doing.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
Please do not stall this process any longer - these feel like standard governing procedures that
you were elected for, and obstruction only hurts all of us.
Nicholas Egan
nsmegan@gmail.com
11735 RIdge Creek Ct.
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Shuge Luo
To:City Clerk
Subject:Cupertino needs to be more accountable in the Housing Element Process
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 3:10:07 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Shuge Luo
shuge.luo@gmail.com
1730 La Loma Avenue
Berkeley, CA, California 94709
From:Julie Moncton
To:City Clerk
Subject:Make the Housing Element a priority
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 2:48:54 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am deeply disappointed at the failure of the City Council with regard to the Housing Element
Process. We are last in the county and it is evident that you will not complete this by the due
date. This means that we will be subjected to the Builder's Remedy. I am tired of the City
Council not representing the city, but only executing on their own selfish desire to stall any type
of development in Cupertino.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Julie Moncton
jwumoncton@gmail.com
10376 Avenida Lane
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Michael Mar
To:City Clerk
Subject:I am worried about our Housing Element
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 2:01:29 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am a Cupertino resident who is concerned about the upcoming Housing Element deadline. I
am aware of the costs that our city will face if we do not meet the January 31st deadline, and I
do not feel that the city is taking these consequences seriously.
I attended several of the community outreach meetings, and I found them extremely unhelpful.
99% of the meetings just consisted of the two city council members hemming and hawing, and
basically no community input was heard. I understand that these are difficult decisions that
make few people happy, but I think the council needs to step as leaders of our community and
make the hard choices that need to be made.
Regarding the public outreach, I do wish that the community stakeholder group could have had
some more input on the process. If the council dislikes the Cupertino4All group, that's fine, but
we should have at least heard from some more diverse voices. Personally, I felt like there was
zero opportunity for me to provide feedback to city other than the site map, which was one of
the least user friendly ways I could imagine for feedback.
On the actually housing element, I would like to see the plan be less reliant on The Rise and
The Hamptons. It feels a bit like putting all our eggs in to just two baskets. Both of those
developers have been reluctant to start construction so our plan should reflect that. There are
other developers interested in building in Cupertino (several in Heart of the City), and our plan
Housing Element should support those eager to build housing. The housing crisis is real, and
we should do our part to help build more homes.
Michael Mar
megamar88@gmail.com
19503 Stevens Creek Blvd #226
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Yuzhang Chen
To:City Clerk
Subject:Regarding the Housing Element Process
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 1:34:46 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I have recently read about how the City of Cupertino is delayed in the housing element
process. Originally, I didn't think it was an issue that the process would be completed after the
January 31st, 2023 deadline, but when I heard that Cupertino may lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy (which I honestly had to look up), I felt like I had to act.
I have lived across the street (literally) from this wonderful city for all of my adolescent years.
Being in the school district, I attended Lawson Middle School and Cupertino High School. I
have had much fond memories of spending my teenage years in Cupertino, and a lot of my
formative experiences occurred within the city.
I do understand that we have a housing crisis in the area. I am also aware of our desire to
maintain high property values for those who already own property here. However, I do think
that we can make cheaper housing available for workers who are just starting their careers
(even in tech some of my friends share rooms, this is truly unacceptable!). I also believe that
we should perhaps demolish some of the older construction in favor of creating more
earthquake ready, more community focused environments in the heart of our city. Let's not
relegate people to areas of the city where you don't want to live in.
To that end, we should do the following
1. Community outreach with members of the community who are perhaps not your most ardent
supporters or your best friends...those who may not like you...because Cupertino is a city for
them as well as you.
2. Site Inventory: We should actually build homes in places that we want to live in. Let's
consider changing 'already developed' areas in the center of our town. I would like to see us
become a more populated place where there's more stuff to do after sunset, and more cultural
events. And please, we have all seen what a disaster pipeline projects like the 'Vallco Mall' is.
Let's actually build things and see where it goes.
I'd hate to see our town become dictated by outside interests. But if this is what the city council
wants, then I'll just let it be. But if not, we should act with urgency to fulfill our responsibility and
to ensure that Cupertino remains the city that we want it to be.
Yuzhang Chen
chenyz55@gmail.com
798 Doyle Road
San Jose, California 95129
From:Rebecca Smith
To:City Clerk
Subject:Speed up the Housing Element Process
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 1:08:26 PM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I encourage City Council to move forward with the housing element process in a timely
manner. My understanding is that if we are late with our housing element proposal, we might
lose local planning control due to the builder’s remedy.
This situation is reminiscent of what happened with the original project proposal at Vallco. After
months of meetings and forums where the City solicited input from residents as to what
elements we wanted at the new Vallco development, a subgroup of Cupertino residents
decided that we should resist any and every plan for Vallco. They put Measure C on the ballot.
It lost. The developer put Measure D on the ballot. It also lost, but garnered about 5% more
votes than measure C.
At the time, candidates promised to hold a referendum on Vallco to hear directly from the
electorate, but when they won their election, they decided not to hold the promised referendum.
Instead, they continued in opposition to the plans for Vallco.
Now we have lost many community benefits and lost local control over the Rise. I fear we will,
similarly, lose local control over other developments in Cupertino due to the builder’s remedy. It
is November. We have 3 months to complete our housing element. We need to move forward
quickly with a plan that meets the needs of our community for affordable housing for families,
seniors, teachers, and young people, who will be the future of our city - if they can afford to live
here.
Becky Smith
35-year resident of Cupertino
Rebecca Smith
beckys100@hotmail.com
10339 Byrne Ave
Cupertino, California 95014-2811
From:Kamyab Mashian
To:City Clerk
Subject:Please Comply with State Housing Law
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 11:44:15 AM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am reaching out to express my concern with Cupertino's Housing Element process. Given
that we are less than three months from the deadline, it seems increasingly unlikely that we will
have a compliant Housing Element by then. If this comes to pass, the city will be subject to the
builder's remedy and lose local land use control.
The Housing Element process exists to ensure that local governments provide the housing that
is necessary to keep up with regional needs. I am extremely worried that this City Council is
trying to dodge this responsibility. The Council must take the need for housing and the
consequences of noncompliance seriously.
I have been following the Housing Element process closely, and have been disappointed in the
actions of the Council at a number of levels. The required community outreach for the Housing
Element has been repeatedly botched. This City Council correctly assembled a diverse
stakeholder group and then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City
has done a poor job of meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students,
renters, immigrants, unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process.
While there has been outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing
element process, and it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the
outreach feedback, as required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in
terms of which feedback they act upon—having a strong preference for their own political base.
Furthermore, the proposed site inventory is unlikely to be adequate. It relies heavily on pipeline
projects which are not guaranteed to be built.The pipeline projects account for 77% of our
RHNA, most of which are from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved
for years, but have no indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons
would displace hundreds of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also
decided to concentrate planned housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest
to build housing. Meanwhile, several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest
but were not included. We should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8
years. Failing to do this (in addition to exacerbating the housing crisis) will likely get the
Housing Element rejected by the state.
I strongly urge the City Council to take the necessary steps to bring our Housing Element back
on track. The Council should revive the stakeholder group, reduce reliance on pipeline projects,
and make a good-faith effort to comply with state regulations generally.The Council must take
the Housing Element seriously, both to avoid the builders remedy and just because we need
more housing, period. The Council's current attitude will hurt the city.
Kamyab Mashian
kamyab.mashian@gmail.com
240 2nd Street, Apt #2
Davis, California 95616
From:Eric Crouch
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 11:08:15 AM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Eric Crouch
crouch.eric@gmail.com
10221 Phar Lap Drive,
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Sydney Ji
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 9:08:46 AM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Sydney Ji
sydney.y.ji@gmail.com
10056 Mann Drive
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Eric Sun
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 12:40:06 AM
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Eric Sun
ercsun801@gmail.com
2290 HARRISON ST
SANTA CLARA, California 95050
From:Gauri Chawla
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Tuesday, November 1, 2022 12:18:11 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Gauri Chawla
gauribchawla@gmail.com
20488 Stevens Creek Blvd #2214
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Sean Hughes
To:City Clerk
Subject:Lack of Ambition & Urgency in the Housing Element
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 11:55:47 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
The lack of urgency, seriousness, and ambition in Cupertino’s Housing Element process has
been extremely disappointing. I urge the Council and City to take the responsibility to plan for
our future seriously, moving forward with a more likely compliant HE update with robust
policies.
Cupertino is last jurisdiction in our county, and based on publically available info, has not even
started to comment period for the EIR phase of the update. The current timeline puts Cupertino
on track to finish the housing element process after the January 31st, 2023 deadline.
I am concerned that this City Council, along with its appointed commissioners, are not taking
the Housing Element process seriously to proactively address the housing crisis. Repeatedly,
throughout city-run (commission meetings, council debate, comment periods) and public (in-
person, social media platforms) forums, members of the council and commissions (particularly
the planning commission) have disregarded the seriousness of the process (suggesting that
they intend to submit a non-compliant element), interfered with required community outreach
(disbanding and creating their own “stakeholder” meetings), and spreading misinformation
around the process (ranging from a re-categorization of what counts as transit, no recognition
of establish IPCC-backed guidance around the sustainability impacts of land use decisions and
denser building, ignorance and purposeful misuse of the jobs-to-housing metric, re-tellings of
historical events to cast past actions in a better light, dismissing resident concerns around the
feasibility of sites and similarities to other HE’s heavily reliant on pipeline sites, and finally,
consistently fear-mongering and spreading misguided information about state housing laws,
like SB 9 and 10.
We started this process, I provided comment that said this process could be fun, and could be
a hopeful one, as there is no better way to address Cupertino’s largest problems as a city:
exclusivity (affordability and the lack or housing opportunities across all income levels), and
unsustainable design (both in terms of community and climate adaptation). Both could be
addressed by a more ambitious housing element focused on transit oriented development, re-
zoning, removal of parking minimums, streamlining the permitting process and removing
idiosyncratic processes that have negligible value adds (like our duplicative density bonus
update, and portions or proposed SB 9 ordinances)- and so much more.
But instead, I am more cynical and dismayed than ever. It seems that this council and its
appointees seem content to do the bare minimum, pay for op-eds and do press conferences to
do PR damage control. Ironically, they also like to complain about state govt overreach, yet
their actions are all but guaranteeing state intervention and further loss of local control.
In summary, a new housing element should be focused on actually creating housing, rather
than avoiding it. In an ideal world, I’d like to see:
1. Actual Community outreach: This City Council assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons.
In its place, the City has done a poor job of meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse
stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants, unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the
housing element process. The outreach programming, has been purely informative, often with
more moderators than actual residents participating. In particular, the representation of renters
has been dismal, with few participating or even responding to surveys.
Moreover, it is unclear how this outreach is coordinated with the housing element process, and
how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies based on the outreach feedback, as
required by the State.
It often appears that this Council and appointees have been selective in which feedback they
act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base, or supporters of a non or
minimal development status quo.
2. Insufficient and Unambitious Site Inventory: As commented previously and in similarity to
SF, the current site inventory relies heavily on pipeline projects which are not guaranteed to be
built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are from The Rise and
The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no indication they will be
built out within the next 8-years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds of renters and was
even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned housing on Bubb
Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing, and the lack of transit options
within this neighborhood.
Meanwhile, several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not
included. What's more, planning commissioners hand-waved away the idea of incorporating an
update to the Heart of the City general plan, despite the obvious synergy it would have in
encouraging and concentrating development in our areas of highest opportunity, and most
transit service. Based on misguided readings of AFFH guidance in other cities, and in
particular, an insistence by the planning chair that the sites be “spread out” - the commission
opted out of updating that plan until after the HE process. We should recognize the uncertainty
in development, because we are dependent on the market for projects, and plan appropriately.
Moreover, we shouldn’t just defer to the subjective takes of one planning commissioner when
deciding the Cupertino’s future plan for development.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Even though we are behind, this outreach can be down in
tandem with other actions as long as it is complete before policy development. Incorporate
diverse perspectives beyond homeowners: renters, youth, seniors, commuters into the city,
students coming into De Anza. This stakeholder group should have actual involvement and
meaningful impact on the resulting programs and policies (as required by law).
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
I hope this process will be taken more seriously, even if not for me, at least for future
generations.
Sean Hughes
jxseanhughes@gmail.com
7752 Huntridge Lane
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Shaohong Guo
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 11:12:46 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
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City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I’m Shaohong Guo, a long time resident in Cupertino since 1994. I strongly believe that we
must follow the state requirement for the housing project. Both my boys went to Eaton
Elementary School, Lawson Middle School and Cupertino High School. They have enjoyed
their lives from the apartment to single family house in Cupertino. We all love Cupertino as our
hometown and hope that we can still enjoy the rest of our lives freely here.
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Shaohong Guo
snow_guo@hotmail.com
10411 lansdale Ave.
Cupertino , California 95014
From:John Zhao
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 10:13:40 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am the former Chair of the Housing Commission and a longtime Cupertino resident. I am
extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
requirements of the process such as public comment period and EIR review, our city is
projected to finish the housing element process after the January 31st, 2023 deadline, which
will trigger the Builder's Remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While I appreciate
West Valley Community Services and their programming, I don't see how it will be helpful for
developing policies and programs for our housing element. It seemed more like educational
panels that tokenized people with marginalized backgrounds. This Council has also been
extremely selective in terms of which feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for
their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons redevelopment would
displace hundreds of renters and was even recently renovated! I understand that there is a
plan in place to relocate tenants, but there are much better options out there where we don't
have to displace residents. The Council also decided to concentrate planned housing on Bubb
Road, a 1-lane road with limited capacity, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build
housing. Meanwhile, several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were
not included. We should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years, and
plan for it smartly along transit and commercial corridors like Stevens Creek Blvd and De Anza
Blvd. There is a reason why these areas were selected for the Heart of the City plan, and we
should honor it.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
John Zhao
jzhao098@gmail.com
10411 Lansdale Ave
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Kevin Zhao
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 10:03:04 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Kevin Zhao
kzhao682@gmail.com
10411 Lansdale Ave
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Margaret Butko
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 8:54:51 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am a Cupertino resident and home-owner of 9 years, and we have two children in CUSD
schools. I am concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element progress. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and may not complete the process until well after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I think it is unacceptable that we cannot meet this deadline and I think it is
socially unacceptable that our community has not come up with solutions to meet the clear
housing need to ensure that all residents are given their basic human right to housing.
From my perspective, it appears like the City Council is not taking the Housing Element
process seriously. Our leaders should be proactively working together to debate ideas and find
solutions, but all I keep hearing is about tactics to delay and block to keep additional housing
out of Cupertino. The new housing element should be focused on actually creating housing,
rather than avoiding it. I appreciate that this is a challenging task, but I hope that the leaders
that represent my city and my community are up for the challenge or should consider stepping
down to make room for people that are ready to address this challenge.
I appreciate that you conducted community outreach. I eagerly filled out all the surveys,
including the very time-consuming Sites Inventory. I was not able to attend community
engagement meetings because they were always at times that a young, working parent could
not attend. I hope my feedback from the surveys was considered.
We find that many families in our childrens' classes at school only stay in Cupertino for a few
years due to high rent prices and limited housing options within their price range (and these are
biotech and tech workers with high salaries). We are losing incredible families that would add
so much vibrancy to our community and schools because of our poor response to the housing
crisis. In addition, one thing I love about Cupertino is its cultural diversity, and I think we are
losing a key socioeconomic diversity in our school district by not having adequate housing for
people that serve our community in a variety of different professions. Did you know that my
children do not know any kids in the area whose parents are police, firefighters, or teachers in
the community? What a missed opportunity for our Cupertino children not to know members of
our community that serve in our community!
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
Please make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations and ensure that our housing
element will affirmatively further fair housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Margaret Butko
mmbutko@gmail.com
10281 Lockwood Dr.
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Marilyn Beck
To:City Council
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:housing element update
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 8:52:31 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi, I live in Cupertino and I'm concerned about the lack of progress being made on the
housing element.
As I understand it, early next year, if we don't have a certified housing element, Cupertino will
lose local land use control under the builder's remedy. This would be an unwelcome
development for the city. I don't want the city to spend lawsuits with the state - you, the city
council, must take the housing element seriously.
I also think it's important that there be a stakeholder group involved that represents the
community, including de Anza students and lower income workers. Not everyone in Cupertino
is fortunate enough to own their residence.
This is a really important issue for the future of the city. The deadline is coming up soon. Does
the city council have a real plan to meet the deadline?
Thank you,
Marilyn Beck
From:Derek Hu
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 8:23:04 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Derek Hu
derekhu1996@gmail.com
20635 Kirwin Lane
Cupertino, California 95014
From:John Geis
To:City Clerk
Subject:The Housing Element Process Needs Catch-up!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 7:32:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am very concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy - which would be truly terrible.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than stalling.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency please!
John Geis
jgeis4401@gmail.com
10714 Deep Cliffe Dr
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Neil Park-McClintick
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 2:11:00 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Neil Park-McClintick
cupertinoforall@gmail.com
801 Miller Avenue
CUPERTINO, California 95014
From:Donald Williamson
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 12:38:16 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Donald Williamson
gmfordw@gmail.com
1088 Milky Way
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Connie Cunningham
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 12:14:19 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am writing for myself as a resident, not as a Housing Commissioner. Based on the required
timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January 31st, 2023
deadline. This will result in Cupertino losing local land use control. What a very, very, very
scary thought.
I have spoken out before about not using the Hamptons or other properties that will displace
residents. Hamptons alone will displace hundreds of families. Once a family leaves the area,
even if it is planned to be temporary, the move will cut the person's ties with Cupertino. After
the years required for construction, the family may not be able to return at all.
I am concerned that there have been no proactive statements from the Council about the kinds
of policy changes that will be made to allow multi-family buildings.
Site Inventory: Separately from the issue of family displacement, the State law has specific
rules about pipeline projects. The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects
which are not guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most
of which are from The Rise and The Hamptons. These two projects have been approved for
years, but have not yet been built with no signs that they will be built in the future.
I have urged before that we build in Heart of the City locations. Several owners have expressed
interest but were not included in our current Housing Element. These locations have
transportation access, as well as access to schools, stores and other places residents need or
want, like restaurants.
In summary, I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element
back on track. As required by law:
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives: renters, youth, seniors, etc.
This stakeholder group should have meaningful involvement and input over programs and
policies.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
The City cannot afford to stall this process longer. I urge the Council to act now!
Connie Cunningham
cunninghamconniel@gmail.com
1119 Milky Way
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Debra Timmers
To:City Clerk
Subject:Let"s get the Housing Element done
Date:Monday, October 31, 2022 10:36:07 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
Many residents and I have spent hours in Community Engagement Process Meetings on the
Housing Element and on the surveys, including the sites inventory survey, which, for me took
around 6 hours to complete. I thought we were well on our way to complete the process, but
now I am extremely concerned. Cupertino is way behind our surrounding neighbors. I just don't
see how our city is projected to finish the housing element process by the January 31st, 2023
deadline. And I certainly don't want to lose local land use control due to the builder’s remedy
starting on Feb. 1, which is active until we reach compliance.
It almost seems like the process is being slow-walked and we're trying to avoid taking
responsibility of meeting our housing obligations. This puts us at odds with our surrounding
neighbors who would be forced to take on our housing responsibilities. It also puts us at risk of
the already-mentioned builder's remedy, and well as fines and even lawsuits.
I appreciate the work of the City Staff and the contractor, as I believe they are doing the best
they can.
I urge the City Council to bring our Housing Element back on track. Please make a good faith
effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element will Affirmatively
Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Debra Timmers
datimmers@gmail.com
22701 Medina Lane
Cupertino, California 95014
From:Brian Strom
To:City Clerk
Subject:Lead a credible Housing Element Process
Date:Sunday, October 30, 2022 8:48:29 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously. It
could be a well-intentioned process to benefit the wider community. Instead, by fighting it and
delaying action we lose flexibility and agency to chart our future.
Ever since the Vallco redevelopment plan was up-ended, we’ve seen the council waste time
and money saying no, and offering no alternative.
I’m tired of it.
Please make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing
element will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
Brian Strom
brian.strom@me.com
7744 Robindell Way
Cupertino, California 95014-5013
From:Sarat Khilnani
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Sunday, October 30, 2022 8:47:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino
is extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the
January 31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land
use control due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on
actually creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group
and then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor
job of meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters,
immigrants, unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While
there has been outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing
element process, and it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the
outreach feedback, as required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective
in terms of which feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political
base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are
not guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of
which are from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years,
but have no indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would
displace hundreds of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to
concentrate planned housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build
housing. Meanwhile, several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but
were not included. We should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8
years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on
track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful
involvement and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Sarat Khilnani
skhilnan@yahoo.com
1149 Derbyshire Drive
Cupertino , California 95014
From:Marieann Shovlin
To:City Clerk
Subject:Fix the Housing Element Process!
Date:Sunday, October 30, 2022 2:21:04 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
I am extremely concerned with the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. Cupertino is
extremely behind in the process and is the slowest jurisdiction in our county. Based on the
required timeline, our city is projected to finish the housing element process after the January
31st, 2023 deadline. I recently learned that Cupertino is projected to lose local land use control
due to the builder’s remedy.
I am concerned that this City Council is not taking the Housing Element process seriously to
proactively address the housing crisis. The new housing element should be focused on actually
creating housing, rather than avoiding it.
1. Community outreach: This City Council correctly assembled a diverse stakeholder group and
then disbanded it for seemingly political reasons. In its place, the City has done a poor job of
meaningfully engaging and empowering diverse stakeholders (students, renters, immigrants,
unhoused people, service workers, etc.) in the housing element process. While there has been
outreach programming, it has not been well coordinated with the housing element process, and
it is unclear how Cupertino will ground its programs and policies in the outreach feedback, as
required by the State. This Council has also been extremely selective in terms of which
feedback they act upon–having a strong preference for their own political base.
2. Site Inventory: The current site inventory relies too heavily on pipeline projects which are not
guaranteed to be built. The pipeline projects account for 77% of our RHNA, most of which are
from The Rise and The Hamptons, projects that have been approved for years, but have no
indication they will be built out within the next 8 years. The Hamptons would displace hundreds
of renters and was even recently renovated! The Council also decided to concentrate planned
housing on Bubb Road, despite a strong lack of owner interest to build housing. Meanwhile,
several Heart of the City locations had expressed owner interest but were not included. We
should plan for housing that will actually get built within the next 8 years.
I urge the City Council to make dramatic changes to bring our Housing Element back on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Marieann Shovlin
m.shovlin@comcast.net
10277 Vista Knoll Blvd.
Cupertino, California 95014-1033
From:Yvonne Thorstenson
To:City Clerk
Subject:We need a valid housing plan now!
Date:Sunday, October 30, 2022 12:02:45 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Clerk Kirsten Squarcia,
Developing a housing plan is a critical role for every city government. I am extremely worried
about the mismanagement of the City of Cupertino's Housing Element process. The delays are
compromising the future of our city. The housing crisis is real and if we don’t make a plan the
state will take over via the builders remedy.
I urge you to take the HE process seriously. Here are the steps we need right now to get back
on track.
1. Revive the stakeholder group. Incorporate diverse perspectives beyond homeowners:
renters, youth, seniors, etc. This stakeholder group should have actual meaningful involvement
and input over programs and policies as required by law.
2. Reduce reliance on pipeline projects. Add a larger buffer and include more housing sites,
especially within the Heart of the City, an already designated special area that has major
corridors, bike-ped infrastructure, community amenities, and transit lines.
3. Make a good faith effort to comply with state regulations. Ensure that our housing element
will Affirmatively Further Fair Housing and include projects that will realistically be built.
We cannot afford to stall this process longer. We must act with urgency.
Yvonne Thorstenson
yrthor@gmail.com
7744 Robindell Way
Cupertino CA, California 95014