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Heart of The City Summary Report Nov 12 & 13, 1993 4.0.10 w v vim...• 1 I CuPevem ?Jo PLAO tJeJ G- I b t-P ri II 1 1 , ... em , , I Illeart 1 , tt Cu . ertino • Desi • n • Charette ^ r: Summary Report November 12 & 13, 1993 I I I IPrepared By: The City of Cupertino Community Development Department December 13, 1993 I di Laz. CONTENTS 1 I HEART OF THE CITY DESIGN CHARS TTE SUMMARY ' STUDY AREA ACKNOWLEDGMENTS COMMUNITY COMMENTS I CHARETTE DRAWINGS 1 1 I I I THE HEART OF THE CITY DESIGN CHARETTE THE BASIS FOR THE DESIGN CHARETTE The Cupertino City Council approved a major General Plan amendment on June 1, 1993. New directions included: • strengthening of hillside preservation • allowing expansion of major companies I . providing additional housing opportunities, particularly affordable housing • reallocating development potential from commercial uses to office/industrial and housing uses 1 • maintaining acceptable traffic levels • protecting neighborhoods • developing a "Heart of the City" The idea of creating a "Heart of the City" has been debated in Cupertino for many years. It resurfaced in 1990 when a citizens Goals Committee, which was convened as a ' precursor to the General Plan review, advanced the goal of the Crossroads area emerging as the geographical and visual "heart" of Cupertino. The Council broadened the location to "on or near Stevens Creek Boulevard." The goal is to create a positive and memorable image of Cupertino, and visually and functionally link the major activity centers on Stevens Creek Boulevard from Highway 85 to the eastern city limits. ' WHAT IS THE "HEART OF THE CITY" DESIGN CHARETTE The City Council determined that a "Heart of the City" Design Charette was the most appropriate planning tool for developing the "Heart of the City" concept -- what it is, where it should be and how should it be realized. The "Heart of the City" Design Charette was a very intensive brainstorming session involving 24 architects, designers and urban planners, with support from other consultants and staff. Three consultants were hired to provide facilitation and technical expertise: • Daniel lacofano, facilitator Moore Iacofano Goltsman • Michael Freedman, urban designer Freedman Tung and Bottomley • Alan Billingsley, real estate economist Sedway and Associates -1- I I I I Prior to the Charette, the public had several opportunities to learn about the issues and the process. A tour guide book was prepared, which identified different "stops" in the study area and discussed the issues relevant to each stop. (See map of study area.) Briefing Isessions also were scheduled for both the general public and neighborhood groups. The Charette was held late afternoon and evening Friday, November 12 and all day ISaturday, November 13. The purpose of the Friday meeting was to brief the design team and to provide time for public comments. On Saturday, the design team worked uninterrupted most of the day. The design concepts were presented to the public at 5:00 p.m., and additional public comments were received. After the charette, the concepts will then be reviewed in public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council. The preferred design concept will be incorporated into a "Heart of the City" specific plan. I _ _ � E I �. 3. - Community presentation of design concepts, November 13, 1993 -2- 1 I I I CHARETTE CONCEPTS 1 The designers divided into four teams. Each team prepared concept plans for the study area as a whole, as well as concept plans for the major activity centers and typical street I cross sections. While there was agreement on the overall concept of future development, the teams had different interpretations of how it would be implemented. Their concepts are described below, and are illustrated by their drawings. The charette facilitator I recorded the summary outline at the time of the presentations. r ,-_--- ______. __ - :_____ _ __ _ ..,_,_ ___ ,_ _ , ______ I _ ,.,, __ __ _________ _ _ _ __..„ _ 9Prn----- .. __ _ _ _____, __ _ _ _ _ _ . _ . __,_____ _, , ___,.. ,...„... 1 .____,-- - ,..,....,_ =_-_- _ ...„,„ - _ - - .,..-'17: --------- - ___. _- ...... - - _ --- 1 `" ll arl Cj i r - _ 1,..--.,...L _ v rill I s s ._ 1f- i I Design team at work I -3- 1 I I I OVERALL CONCEPT- "PARKURBIA" IThis plan proposes not one, but three separate hearts, along Stevens Creek Boulevard. The trio of hearts, or nodes, consists of three existing activity centers - the De Anza I College/Oaks Shopping Center/Memorial Park node, the Crossroads/Civic Center node and the Vallco Fashion Park node. These three areas--representing cultural, office and retail identities--would be linked together by a landscaped parkway along Stevens Creek IBoulevard. Labeled "parkurbia," this concept emphasizes a "green" city which pays tribute to ICupertino's agricultural past. The development moves from the "Boulevard," with formal, tree-lined, transit corridor; to a transition area with retail, housing and pedestrian walking and seating areas; to an informal pedestrian area which connects a pedestrian walking and I biking area. (See Concept Plans, Team 1, Team 2 and Team 4) ITHREE ACTIVITY CENTERS • DE ANZA COLLEGE/OAKS SHOPPING CENTER/MEMORIAL PARK IThe pedestrian connection between De Anza College and the Oaks Shopping Center becomes a gateway into Cupertino. The greenery of Memorial Park is extended over to IDe Anza College. Future land uses at the College are located close to the Stevens Creek Boulevard/Stelling Road intersection. Connections are made between Quinlan Community Center and the other activities in the area. (See Activity Center, De IAnza/Oaks, Team 2) De Anza College is the "people" center. The College has been introverted, so the plan I proposes to connect it with the Oaks Shopping Center, Memorial Park and the Quinlan Community Center. (See Activity Center, De Anza/Oaks, Team 3) 1 An on-grade pedestrian crossing is proposed between the College and Oaks Shopping Center. The Senior Center is relocated to the back of Memorial Park to open up the Park to the street; a restaurant is located in the park. A new hotel is located in the Shopping restaurant and meetingservices for the hotel could beprovided bythe Shopping I Center; PP g Center and the College. (See Activity Center, De Anza/Oaks, Team 4.) I 111 -4- I I I I • CITY/CIVIC CENTER The City Center is a large scale orchard. The orchard theme is prominent at the I crossroads area and is repeated along Stevens Creek Boulevard and in shopping and office areas. A fountain is in the center of the intersection. These additions provide a reason for drivers to slow down. Low scale buildings, including retail, office and residential, I I surround the intersection and street. (See Activity Center, City/Civic Center, Team 1.) The Stevens Creek/De Anza intersection greets people with a large orchard plaza, which Ipeople can use for public gatherings. A series of open spaces provides access to city hall and the library. (See Activity Center, City/Civic Center, Team 2) I • VALLCO Theaters are located above ground. New retail uses extend along Finch Avenue. Calabazas Creek is uncovered, and a creek trail leads to city hall. (See Activity Center, Vallco, and Finch Avenue Cross Section, Team 2) INew retail uses bring the existing shopping center to the streets. An open mall replaces the parking lot in front of Sears. It is connected to additional retail space on the south I side of Stevens Creek Boulevard by a pedestrian overcrossing, which also serves as a gateway. (See Activity Center, Vallco, Team 4.) ISTREETSCAPE/TRANSIT CONCEPTS Stevens Creek Boulevard is bordered by a double row of trees, with transit in the center. I Gateways mark the entrances into shopping centers, and orchard landscaping continues through the parking lots to the buildings, which are set back from the street. (See Concept Plan and Stevens Creek Boulevard Cross Section for Existing Strip Retail, Team 1.) I Trees are found in the median and way,ri ht of and landscaping occurs in the setbacks gP g ' between the street and buildings. (See Stevens Creek Boulevard Cross Section, Team 2.) A pedestrian bridge connects De Anza College and the Oaks Shopping Center. (See IStevens Creek Boulevard Cross Section, Bridge Between De Anza Coll./Oaks, Team 3) Trees in the median and right of way screen residential and office uses which are located I close to the street. (See Stevens Creek Boulevard Cross Street Plan and Cross Section for Residential/Office, Team 4.) I -5- I 1 SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS • Retain the suburban character of Cupertino - build on what we have ' • Enhance existing nodes - don't create another node De Anza College/Oaks/Memorial Park/Community Center - link these ' areas together, create better pedestrian access among them, open up De Anza College and Memorial Park to Stevens Creek Boulevard ' De Anza Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard - Add housing, local serving retail, create a "green" symbolic center Vallco - connect the shopping center to the street by an open mall, uncover Calabazas Creek and create pedestrian trails ' • Create a landscaped parkway along Stevens Creek Boulevard - keep buildings set back, maintain the landscaped areas, design a distinct landscaping plan to reflect ' the orchards of Cupertino's past NEXT STEPS • Prepare Heart of the City Specific Plan ' Focus retail in existing nodes Create new development criteria Determine capital investment I -6- 1 I I STUDY AREA I I 1 rrl Y.....n ,., - l�aT urn�nni r _,.:�_' •. , '.;,�:7 °°�a - - ii 1 ..".. .. —,,C Ji i L •`�i♦vi^ _ miii,-----7.• 1--1 -wi'..---7-- z. - 1 mat■orm i:.` �M �� -III ,e1 4 `` �I75.1 I,. 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B� - Tr; •1 .iY+ .. .. .1I• ,.r_a.. 4i �.'tt • - vc.u+t':................ -' _ _auleslun eaa�Mit �o�+t!. .n y.'.••�' t?�'�Lip ee•� ..n..► .0 .y; . iv...m i ngll. 1 WM', ,� �a..0:�.-SII .a.C•►►Cfe::: •'' 4%•'2 Ca i"•~_ • •� ..1 I v si•:•••°• _—aa1H111111111N1 `�ti. I;; �11•111‘..111•115k :;77.'1144,r.:nt;414 i ii.atg=i:r.1 r-'"'". ' .:1-31111C711_ - +}�- • ° * 4'"'°° ,,. _ . MI.. uu11C NI[-..y:u.Oi.O.a.. • 0 Intersection of Highway 85 and 0 Saich Way to Bandley Drive 0 Blaney Avenue to Portal Avenue Stevens Creek Boulevard I ©Bandley Drive to De Anza Boulevard 0 Portal Avenue to Wolfe Road ©Highway 85 to Stelling Road 0 Town Center mi Wolfe Road to Tantau Avenue ©Stelling Road to Saich Way 0 Torre Avenue to Blaney Avenue m Tantau to Stern Avenue 1 I I I I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 DESIGN TEAM IJeff Berbevich Peter Lockhart Pamela Brule, MA Peter Martin, MA I Michael Dillon Jim Morelan, MA Daryl Fazekas, MA Paul Reed, ASLA David Fox David Regester I Bill Gould, MA Dayana M. Salazar John Hailey Alex Seidel, MA Marty Hochroth, MA Sam Sinnott, MA I Michael Horton, MA Mark Srebnik, AIA Dan Ionescu, AIA David Takamoto, MA Eric Keng Trevor Thompson 1 Susan Landry, ASLA Bill Valentine, MA ICONTRIBUTIONS I Donor Contribution Fidelity Federal Bank/The Prometheus Co. Facility: 10001 N. De Anza Blvd. I Cupertino Chamber of Commerce& Funds, Communications individual members Stacie Williams Event planning and coordination I Linnette Dooley, Studio 8 Designs Logo & poster design services Sign-A-Rama/Sign City Sign banners San Jose Blueprint Printing I Diamond Quality Printing Printing Cindy Stewart Design services Cupertino Courier Advertising 1 La Patisserie Food Florentine Restaurant Food Gourmet Catering Food IHobee's Restaurant Food Sweet Endings Food I Gloria Jeans Coffee service I 1 I ' COMMUNITY COMMENTS I I I Iof I Ileart fhetk ,- ilir • ''' 6..:,t,;,. . ,,--,.---- ,r/ (0 \_. z<0 , • 041, ge•SE, �S(t 'TURd•�- ,i ►INCbV 171oN �, '� 7f i, -._ rr• Dr -t� ` heveinsireof- wm+f / �' �-,.a t'�ev�eH5, rrlcakol • Vram . SG l5 I�`f SEbuL[� y -. _— � - ' �- ,,O'er' ., _�'cop-ittHtliz.ic ,Fiaze.,,, j�' caa -t •E a .r / -, wet:, - am N16+i'1 lib — ` C�fiJ`r n� �. 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What is your overall impression of Stevens Creek Boulevard? • Hodge-podge with badly managed traffic signals since Cupertino incorporated. Wolfe to post office, I2 miles, 11 signals,stop at 7! • First you pushed the wrong character from the Wizard of Oz. Instead of talking about Cupertino •1 being like the Tin Woodsman, you should have thought of the Scarecrow's needs. That you have attempted to create a major traffic flow, and succeeded beyond your wildest dreams. • Portions look well landscaped and comfortable to walk along. I • attractions on the side. Pluses - trees A very busy thoroughfare with a few interesting u , confers and canopy, underground utilities, views of hills. Minuses - Sidewalks at curbside, banners, palm trees, I ' noise. • • It is not a heart, it is an artery. No "heart" feeling is possible with current traffic levels. The I buildings,with a few exceptions, express a hodge podge of ad hoc development since 1968. It's hard to believe that the "heart" project won't be just one more"hodge in the podge"! I • Most of Stevens Creek Boulevard is a hodgepodge of buildings. There is not even a remote thread of architectural consistency. Consequently, Stevens Creek Boulevard is unappealing to the human eye and to the human spirit. To me, it is urban sprawl at its worst. Cupertino needs to establish some architectural standards to correct this situation. Similar architectural style, roof lines, windows, coloring, lighting, landscaping and large trees would all be very helpful. Because of this disarray, the citizens of Cupertino lack a sense of community pride. Yes, there are a lot of great things about ICupertino, but no one would say we have a great looking city. • The City Center area or the crossroads itself is the worst possible place in the city to attempt to form I a pedestrian "Heart of the City". This intersection has to be one of the most impacted traffic sites in the county. It's ridiculous to attempt to transform this into a pleasant pedestrian oriented area. The lawn area here is a misfit, it accentuates the height of the twin towers and it is the worst possible I place in the city for a park. This is prime commercial property and should be developed accordingly and in some fashion to soften the height and the stark look of the towers. I disagree with the idea of surrounding it with 65 foot buildings as I believe the new General Plan allows for(45 feet should be the maximum height). Palms are also definitely out of the questions. Other areas along Stevens I Creek Blvd. (east of DeAnza Blvd.) should not be considered for the "Heart of the City" primarily because the 6 lane configuration is needed to handle future traffic increases. It would be unwise to I reduce the width of the street or to reconfigure it to two slow lanes and four fast lanes when an increase in density is anticipated for retail, commercial and residential growth which will only result in more traffic. The "Heart of the City" plans must include light rail even if it might not be built for I 20 years. Provisions for it must be incorporated at this time. The light rail line must extend to the Flint Center at DeAnza College. I support the concept for a "heart of the City" provided that it is a village type atmosphere and not a Manhattenization of Cupertino such the Twin Towers. Two story I buildings or a 45 foot height limit should be the general height guideline. It also has to be on a small scale and not the entire length of Stevens Creek Blvd. from Stern Ave. to Highway 85. The area between Stelling Road and DeAnza Blvd. is the best suited area for the "Heart of the City" concept. I I encourage the Design Charette to take these basic concepts that have been presented and develop them as one of the design alternatives. Stop 1 Intersection of Highway 85 and Stevens Creek Boulevard 1. What is your overall impression of this area? , • Trees completely obscure properties and DeAnza. Sidewalks too narrow - non-existent. Faulty access to Oaks Center next to 85 on ramp. • That Cupertino lives and dies by automobile. The gasoline Station at the SW "corner", the lack of sidewalks on Bubb Road, and the biggest,most spectacular building is the DeAnza parking structure. ' • Looks fine as is-this should not encourage traffic down Stevens Creek. • Not much of a gateway. Difficult to visualize its value. • The nature trees are an important element. When you arrive in Cupertino, you should feel you've arrived in a woodland habitat. 2. What,if anything,should be done to create a stronger gateway impression? • Remove trees within 25 feet of roadway. Widen sidewalks. Opening of 85 will reduce traffic here - reduce Cupertino to village it used to be. • Tear down the DeAnza Structure or swap it for Flint Center. • Nothing should be done to encourage traffic down Stevens Creek. Should be local exit, i.e. DeAnza/Oaks and adjoining neighborhood. • Plant trees. A tasteful sculpture,perhaps. ' • Take down the overhead utilities. Plant more native trees on the boulevard and back 100 yards to provide shade,fresh air,and the "country"feel that is historically Cupertino. Stop 2 Highway 85 to Stelling Road 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Inadequate parking - terrible congestion due to entrances to Oaks Shopping Center on north side of Stevens Creek. • Lots of traffic, lots of pedestrians using The Oaks parking to avoid the DeAnza parking fees. t Otherwise, a pleasant area. • Best part of Stevens Creek Sports Center and DeAnza College need to be isolated from Stevens Creek traffic. • Very pleasant,except the presence of heavy traffic. The Oaks is a favorite destination for me. I hear ' that a fitness center will be seeking a permit to use most of the vacant stores. (ok if it succeeds. Most do not!) • A busy intersection, not too much traffic to accommodate pedestrian retail gathering places. I like the stepped back offices and 50 ft. setbacks. This is not a good size for "heart". Vallco setback and dense landscape are good for the community. Maintain them! ' • The landscape dominance of nature evergreens is well worth building upon. • This is basically the cultural center of Cupertino and therefore should be pedestrian oriented. However, its close proximity to the freeway pretty much eliminates this desire. I think some I consideration should be given to foot bridges over Stevens Creek Blvd. and Mary Ave. to assist pedestrian movement around the area. In general, this area looks pretty good. This is due to some commonalty of architecture and trees. I find the Spanish architecture more pleasing than anything I else in the city,and we have a lot of different styles to choose from don't we? _ . 2. Should DeAnza College, the Oaks and the Sports Center be more architecturally oriented to IStevens Creek Boulevard? If so,how could this be achieved? • Yes, remove trees 25 ft. either side of roadway. Close all access to Oaks from Stevens Creek, IDedicate west side of Mary to Oak access and added parking! • No. Why should they be? I • No. I like school set back with its own identity. DeAnza architect should remain centered and not sprawled along street. I • No. To be enjoyed they must be set back. • I don't think this is very important. it is more important to make all structural facades to conform to Ithe same pattern,or be screened by nature native evergreens. 3. Should there be greater pedestrian and visual inter-relatedness among the uses? If so, how Icould this be achieved? I . Yes,wider sidewalks,pedestrian overpass DeAnza to Oaks and Stevens Creek. I • No. I • Better pedestrian access between the centers. • Not necessarily. People know the others exist. Proximity is good. I • Pedestrian trails with separate bike paths, away from the Boulevard: these should pass through low- maintenance native landscaping, and have adequate lighting. ' 4. Should the "rural edge" landscaping be emphasized in this area? I • No. Thats what visually divides the areas now. • Sure. Rip out all the buildings, cut Stevens Creek Blvd. back to two lanes, and replant the orchards. Otherwise, leave things alone. • Looks good as is. • No. More planting outside the Sports Center would be welcome, however. How about use of flowers? 1 • Yes, absolutely, and in every other area,too! I Stop 3 Stelling Road to Saich Way 1. What is your overall impression of this area? ' • Outskirts of a village. Nondescript usage,buildings, lots of parking,no pedestrian ties. • Hodge-podge. But what's wrong with that? Do you really want some more empty brick buildings jammed up against the sidewalk and road like the northwest corner of Stevens Creek Blvd. and DeAnza? • No bike path in this area. Office center and Good Earth are appropriate architecture for the Heart of the City. Take that style and mirror in on opposite side of street. ' • A "has-been", except the Good Earth restaurant. Most of the space could be redone with a pleasant small-scale retail and cafe areas, all the way from Stelling to Saich. Visually, the car dealership is an eyesore. • Not enough trees, ugly overhead utilities, a typical "hodge" in the Stevens Creek Boulevard "hodge- podge".. 2. Should this area be the edge of the "Heart of the City?" • Edge of the heart means commercial, light industry and transient residence. A step backward from village outskirts. • No. Further east. • Already too much traffic here. Encourage other forms of transportation. ' • No. It should be integrated with Memorial Park. Maybe this, should be the Heart? A pedestrian bicycle overpass at Alves could be an asset, or if$$$$ is no object, Stelling could go underground here to allow free flow of pedestrian traffic east to west. • It's hard to see how it could be the Heart of anything more than a one-hour shopping trip. 3. Does Saich Way have potential for a downtown side street shopping area? • Not with 30 ft. height limit. • If the present businesses have a tough time making it, why should pulling them out and replacing them with higher rent buildings improve things? • Yes. Only if access is provided by DeAnza Blvd. or transit systems, i.e. do not increase traffic on Stevens Creek. • Yes. But if it is to tie onto Memorial,pedestrian access path should meander through. • Who cares? Unless you're talking about a Portobello Road style "Barrow Market"? We have enough vacant commercial property without driving another nail. , 4. Should mixed uses be considered? • Multi-family residences, commercial and retail make sense. • Yes. ' I • Possibly. I • Yes. Retail,restaurant,and residential,both sides of Stevens Creek. No higher than 2 stories. • As a general rule,this seems to work. Stop 4 Saich Way to Bandley Drive 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Very forgettable,but good convenient shopping. • Retail. The south side is less cluttered than the north side, with buildings jammed up against the street and parking behind them. 1 • Unexciting, but make attractive for people using transit. Use landscaped walkways from street to recessed shopping center. I • Unattractive. The colors of the new buildings are jarring and inappropriate in Cupertino, I feel. Business is flourishing at Target,but not the others. I • Another "hodge" in the"hodge-podge". Sorry to keep saying it,but its 25 years late already. Before you build a heart,maybe you should clean up the artery! I2. What, if any, changes or "Heart of the City" implementation measures would you see for this area? • Widen sidewalks, add pedestrian overcrossing Target to Mervyns, covered walkways, shops to overcrossing, a few kiosks and benches in lot. • Tear out the buildings that front on the street,and re-orient them towards where their customers park. • Tie together with landscaping-bike access,park benches,outdoor cafe atmosphere. I . • Green are&and sidewalk between parkinglot.and stores. Apedestrian path could cross Saich near ' I the side of the Target building(away from Stevens Creek). • As elsewhere noted: building a "rural edge" of native evergreens, conform or screen all facades, put utilities underground, create pedestrian intersections with traffic underpass or (daytime) route Iaround. Stop 5 Bandley Drive to De Anza Boulevard I 1. What is your overall impression of this area? P I • Forgettable. • Same comments as 4. The Banks are particularly bad,when you have to park behind or next to them Iand have to walk to the "front"door facing on Stevens Creek Blvd. • Bank side is good. Narrow sidewalk by B. Dalton's is inadequate, sidewalk should be 10 ft. or have Ilandscaping between them and road. Add bike lane/or not parking. • Not bad, except the ugly red brick building (its green scaffolding-awning effect should go. Tall Iplants needed in some of the tall planters might help also.) • Same as#4. ' 2. What, if any, changes or "Heart of the City" implementation measures would you see for this area? • Deleting vehicular access from Stevens Creek and DeAnza, improve access from Bandley and Alves. Widen sidewalks. • Same as four. Tear out those buildings that pretend to be pedestrian oriented. ' • No more brick buildings, street front style is restrictive,ugly and seems imposing,blocks views. • This is not the place for a heart, but meandering path away from Stevens Creek Blvd. could tie it to properties to the west, across Bandley. • Same as#4. ' Stop 5a Crossroads Center ' 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Serves residents well. Retains some village flavor destroyed by destruction and development on other three corners. • The brick buildings jammed against the sidewalk on the northwest corner are a disaster. The big, ' grassy area on the southeast,corner has improved on the empty dirt lot which used to be there, but isn't useful for anything. • Area provided a beautiful view of mountain ranges when looking southwest. This is more beautiful than building on southeast corner. We must strive to retain this view an character of Cupertino as a gateway to the hills. • Old, outdated, but busy. Needs a facelift and more plants. • Same as#4,but here even more poignantly illustrates the "artery" nature of your projected "heart". 2. Do you see this as a "Heart of the City"? If so,is it the only "Heart of the City" focal area, or one of several? • If integrated with 5b and careful planning and development of northeast corner,not even discussed in "tour". • No. The "Heart of the City" could have been along DeAnza Boulevard, but you widened it to allow t through traffic. Now you want to put in a new "area"? • Heart of the City is east of DeAnza. West should remain low use to maintain view of mountains for pedestrians. • No. The monstrous traffic intersection is its nemesis as a "heart". It can function on its own, ' however. This has been proved. • No. First of all, we are not a city, but a hodge-podge of added on commercial properties with high ' vacancy rates. Does adding more hodge to the podge give the tinman a heart? 1 3. What, if any, changes or "Heart of the City" implementation measures would you see for this Y g tY P area? I • Widen sidewalks, pedestrian overpass of De Anza to 5b. Add benches and kiosks in present parking area. Add trees well set back from roadway. I • Northwest corner. Rip down the brick buildings, add plantings and small retail stores to compliment the Chinese stores and banks. I • Must reduce traffic to allow walking, i.e., encourage public transit and biking. Vehicle access via DeAnza, Wolfe rather than traffic down Stevens Creek. I • More frees along Stevens Creek. A green grassy edge along the sidewalk near the stores. Flowers in containers would help. Busy utility lines underground. I • Same as #4. But, please drop the word "city". Nobody wants to live in a city anymore. Everyone who lives here wants a community,not a city. 1 • Stop 5a/5b, the Crossroads Center/Crossroads Intersection is clearly the "Heart of the City." Instead of spending years and untold resources attempting to convert the long stretch of Stevens Creek I Boulevard into a pedestrian walkway, I believe it would be cheaper and more productive to concentrate on this area. My basic concept for this area would be to underground vehicle traffic on DeAnza Boulevard and on Stevens Creek Boulevard in both directions. This would reduce traffic ' ' congestion and may allow narrowing of the thoroughfares. With the thoroughfares below ground level I would propose building a structure on or above ground I level to house a one story retail area, park and pedestrian walkways. The ground level or above ground level could extend beyond the current borders of intersection.. In fact, it could extend beyond the existing structures on at least three of the corners at that intersection one of which is developed with a fairly new office building. The remaining corners could be integrated into the I . ground level or upper level with ramps and stairways. If an above ground level basically flat structure were built, there could also be shops located at the corners on the ground level so that there would be, in effect,two levels of shops. I Although the above, at first blush, would appear to be a monumental undertaking, I believe it would g P be more economical in the long run since all of the land is currently undeveloped or already I considered for change such as the existing service station. Parking is already available at the Crossroads Center and in front of the Marina Market. IStop Sb Crossroads Intersection 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Forlorn and empty and inaccessible. I • Part and parcel with Crossroads Center. • Too much traffic, too tall buildings, unwelcoming, too "big city". Noisy and smoggy. However, I Ilike the "sandpile" affect. The hotel may help visually. I hope so, since it has permit. • A busy intersection. I • I think the Apple Building works. 2. Should this intersection be the "Heart of the City"? • With 5a. ' • No. Would you make 280-85 interchange the Heart of the City? You've created an area of high traffic flow, and 85 won't change a thing. • Yes. But no large buildings on west side. • No. It is everything I hate. Twenty-five years ago would have been the time to develop this as a "hart." Now it's too late..too urban for a pleasant Cupertino heart. Noise and smelly. • No. Too much traffic to accommodate pedestrian retail gathering places. ' • No. ' 3. If so: a. Should it be a real gathering place or a symbolic "heart?" • Real. ' • Gathering place must reduce traffic to market a suitable gathering place. • It could only be symbolic. Perhaps a landmark structure could help. Keep it as a drive-by location. • Symbolic only,not pedestrian. ' • Impossible,with current traffic levels. b. Should an underpass be considered? • No! Pedestrian overpass to 5a. Undergrounding DeAnza will aggravate access problems and generate need for increased parking access at Rodrigues and Lazaneo. 4. What would you like to see in the lawn area in front of the towers — e.g., additional ' landscaping,uses that would attract pedestrians? • Much less lawn, add band strand, paved walks, kiosks, benches (get "hot dog" wagons off De Anza. ' Serious hazard!) Ground floor of towers retail and food. Add pedestrian overpass to northeast corner. Add trees,well setback from road. • How about a history museum, showing how what was a pleasant "Heart of the City" 35 years ago 111 was ripped apart widen both streets for through traffic? • Park area-bench or 2 drinking fountains. • Trees,fountain,benches,berms,maybe a landmark sculpture. I • Park benches, bushes, sculpture,visual appeal driving by area. • Events, fairs,circus, picnics,trees,trails,habitat. ' 1 Stop 6 Town Center • 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Sterile, muddled, "artistic" layout of streets confounds casual user and creates parking congestion. IPretentious, as is "De Anza Boulevard"for Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Charette for workshop. • The real Town Center is hidden behind the towers. 1 • Looks good for current level of development. The 5 ft. sidewalk and setback from street is good. Olivetti building is good example of terraced,back from the street so it doesn't impose. I • Not pedestrian-friendly near Stevens Creek Blvd. More dense buildings are allowed by the General Plan. I don't like it, but the damage has been done. Step-down buildings can complete transition to Ilow-density surroundings. • Most cohesive strip of the Boulevard,with mixed-use plan providing a more "lived in" feel. I2. Should this area function as the "Heart of the City?" If so,what uses or design features could help fulfill this role? I • No, its already a lost cause. No visibility, poor vehicular access. However, pedestrian overcrossing 5b to northeast corner opens large possibilities planning the entire core. I • If you added stores, restaurants and other attractions to Torre and Rodrigues,this might be a pleasant adjunct to the City hall and Library. By the way,reorient the Library entrances. I • Yes. Slow down traffic, some mixed housing okay. I • The area south of Rodrigues could be a Heart. The office buildings west of Tree, across from the Civic Center, all the way to De Anza Boulevard could be a good destination if redone. • It functions as an example of how full-breadth facade, use and landscape planning might work. But 1 it is an isolated example. 3. Is additional retail desirable and feasible in this area? I • No. Develop northeast corner of Stevens Creek/De Anza in integrated way with 5b. I • I doubt it. • Not necessary. I • Yes. The triangle parkinglot should be a neighborhood park. g g I • The real question is: Is anyone going to use it? I don't think that much more retail space can be added without increasing vacancy. IStop 7 Torre Avenue to Blaney Avenue 1. What is your overall impression of this area? I • Hodge-podge. Inadequate access to south side from west bound Stevens Creek, and to north side from east bound. I • Hodge-podge. But so what? • Good. Encourage parking behind the restaurants. Reduce number of driveways by connecting parking lots behind buildings. • Housing at south is dense already. It needs some permanent open space near Tone for existing residents. The shopping centers are outdated and unconnected. • I like the stepped back offices and 50 ft. setbacks. This is not a good size for"heart". • Lower intensity,because of lower building heights. 2. Do you think this area is vulnerable to change? If so,to what uses? ' • Yes. Who cares. • Probably. Whynot more retail,more housing? Y g • No. I • The triangle parking lot should become a pleasant neighborhood mini-park, with trees, benches, flowers. 1 • The only change we can contemplate is conforming facades and building more tree spaces. 3. Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? • Yes. Sacrifice some for pedestrian walkways. The 5 ft. width limitation (page 4 of "tour") is ridiculous. Three people can't walk abreast comfortably, let alone pass oncomers, trees, kiosks, benches,trash cans and poles. • No. • No. I • Maybe, but I like it. The sidewalk is set back from the street. Again, some green growing things near storefronts could add pedestrian friendliness. More trees needed at Stevens Creek. I • No. Use the large setbacks for pedestrian and cyclist paths. Stop 8 Blaney Avenue to Portal Avenue 1. What is your overall impression of this area? I • See 7. • More hod e- od e,but again, so what? g P g g • Landscape along street looks good. A&W (street oriented building) doesn't look good. Foster Freeze(street cafe style)adds to pedestrian orientation. • North side is ripe for redesign. ' • Low profiles seem more friendly. 2. Do you think this area is vulnerable to change? If so,to what uses? g • Yes. • Probably. More retail, more residential. ' • No.Improve architectural conformity as applications arise. • Mixed-use on northern side. A good place for some residential, school and parks nearby. • No. 3. Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? • See 7-3. The narrow side walks throughout Cupertino make second class. citizens out of all pedestrians. ' • No. • Look good as they are. ' • More trees needed. • No. Stop 9 Portal Avenue to Wolfe Road 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Sidewalks too narrow elements isolated. • North side is mostly parking lots for stores and Vallco. South side Marketplace seems viable. Older ' shopping,which is now isolated by traffic patterns should probably be torn down and combined with the Marketplace. • Trees need thinning in front of Sears. Reduce number of access driveways. • Marketplace is good, except the palm trees. It could be connected to the shopping center on East ' Estates to create a pleasant unified node. • Vallco setback and dense landscape are good for the community. Maintain them! ' • Nice trees. A clean,well cared for area. 2. Should the greater Vallco Fashion Park area serve as the 'Heart of the City?" If so, what design features would help fulfill this role? ' • Only in conjunction with 10. Add pedestrian overpass between Marketplace and Vallco. • No. ' • Vallco is a closed regional center. If in Heart of the City, it must be redesigned to open up to Stevens Creek. P.S. This is a poorly designed shopping center. ' • No. It could be a mini-heart only. • Only east of Miller. Too much through traffic west of Miller. • "Heart of the Community", maybe. Build on its landscape strengths. Use earth berms to screen noise and traffic visuals. Stop 10 Wolfe Road to Tantau Avenue 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • War zone. • Banks and businesses. 1 • Office buildings fine. Trees along road look good. • Treescape along Wolfe is good. Financial Center is attractive. Vallco expansion promises to wreck the effect, at Rosebowl, Tandem's "Jackpot" would be a 160 ft.blight. • The undeveloped edge. Stop 11 Tantau to Stern Avenue 1. What is your overall impression of this area? • Major traffic interchange zone,280/Lawrence/Stevens Creek. • Disaster area. Some of the original shopping 1950's is now moving towards "anything in the store for 89 cents!! Businesses don't seem to be able to survive. • Business buildings and hotel look good. Other side needs improvement. • A good place for mixed-use, retail, cafe,residential, etc. • . Sameas#10. 2. Should the vacant and underutilized parcels be related to the greater Vallco area? If so, what uses and design features can help fulfill this role? • No. Development should minimize generation of new traffic so close to traffic interchange. • What's an "underutilized" parcel? One that brings the smallest return for its owner, or for the City? Given the fact that Vallco shopping and business areas seem to be the only integrating area on the eastern edge of the City,why not tie it all together? • No. • Not necessarily. • See 5b, 7, 9. I • Same as#10. g:/mm/misc/overview _ , I HEART OF THE CITY DESIGN CHARETTE I (From 29 Written Responses) Friday,November 12, 1993 I Question 1 -What is your vision or concept for the Heart of the City? • Not on or centered on either DeAnza Blvd. or Stevens Creek Blvd. • Not a retail facility I • Not a"remember-Bring 8 quarters so you can park"which is the situation at DeAnza I • Hwy. 85 to Stelling Road - Oaks Shopping Center, De Anza College, Memorial Park should be the Culture/Recreation Node. • Stelling Road to Bandley Drive - here you have an opportunity for a mixed use project. The land in this area has the potential for greater use. Example, if the car dealership terminates, housing could be built on the back part of this property, complemented with retail on the street. Saich Way needs I revitalizing. Any new project should be considered as one development for all of the properties. As the old industrial buildings along Bandley convert to housing, a strong need for retail will be established. I • Crossroads intersection - traffic is the big problem here. Too much is going on. The shopping Center is well established. Leave it alone and let it develop naturally. If and when the hotel is built, I it should soften the effect of the Apple Towers. Then small shops and food outlets would develop and this area would become a pedestrian activity node. In the meantime, it would be nice if the property owner would show some consideration and beautify the hotel site area by planting grass Isimilar to the corner. • Town Center- already too crowded! The property owner would like to increase the density here, but 1 there's too much now. • Torre Ave to Wolfe Road - With the exception of several old sites, this area would be very hard to I change. Too many newer office buildings and established businesses. As the older sites come up for change, mixed use of housing and retail could be accomplished. The Marketplace, like the Oaks Shopping Center, is an attractive center and should be encouraged to prosper, as is. Vallco Shopping I Center is the regional shopping center and the major contributor of sales tax dollar and is already covered by a Development Agreement. I . Wolfe Road to Stem Ave- A disaster area! On one side of the street we have run down, boarded up `. old buildings. On the other side,Tandem Computer owning all the vacant land east of Vallco. Their plans are for huge office/industrial development complex that would not lend itself to pedestrian or Ipublic access. A good development plan is badly needed here. • Areas that someday would be available for change. Others that would not change for 30-40 years. That is why I advocate the Parkway concept of just beautifying Stevens Creek Blvd. with Ilandscaping, minor changes in the median strip, and walkways. Cupertino could then have a look that would attract consumers and residents to shop, stroll, and familiarize themselves with the different nodes. These distinctive nodes would then give Cupertino many"Hearts." I • Symbolic Heart-not tied to a traditional downtown I 1 • Several nodes • Need "gathering" places • People like to congregate, be casual, stop for refreshments. People also purchase more when in a happy, cheerful mood. • Pedestrian oriented; human scale; slower traffic; move through traffic to 85; mixed-use; tree-shaded boulevards; plazas. • The "string of pearls" concept that was mentioned in presentation. , • I like the idea of identifying multiple hearts of the City. It seems that often the most memorable town, small and large cities or communities have more than one location that offers unique experiences and intimate contact with people, culture, retail. Lining the "hearts" via a system of trails for bikes and walking would be quite memorable to give the City a sense of harmony/synergy. Also, linking the "park district" which is outside the "Heart of the City" parameters would be important. This includes historic Monta Vista, Blackberry Farm, McClellan Ranch, Stevens Creek and Creek.Trail to the Santa Clara County Park. • Initial Heart: DeAnza & Oaks with bicycle and pedestrian gateway bridge sweeping over Stevens ' Creek Blvd. Trolley/jitney/shuttle (running much more often than County Transit buses) traversing from Foothill Blvd. in west to Stern Avenue or Lawrence Expressway in east to help unify other commercial/office/financial concentrations or centers. • Somewhere in front of Mervyn's-that big block of space. Pulling something close to that in front of Target. Watch out for good sun orientation. Not in the dark a lot. have a narrow storefronts, but deep stores, like people enjoy in malls. Easy to walk from store to store. Vallco is sort of a mistake and appears to be slowing dying. Put its stores near Mervyn's for a denser shopping areas. Attract many people. • Retail, Entertainment,Restaurants,movie theaters,housing on 2nd floor. • Multiple hearts- linked,human scale; bikes and pedestrians. • DeAnza College - The Oaks, the Senior Center, Quinlan Center, Memorial Park seems to me to be the hub of community activity (Buy the car dealer across from Memorial Park). It used to be DeAnza & Stevens Creek but the intrusiveness of the massive buildings and the traffic hinder a people friendly atmosphere. It will never be, Vallco is surrounded by massive parking lots so the Heart is 85 to Stevens Creek to Stelling. It's a place that everyone knows your name and they're all glad you came(cheers) A sense of place already exists here, lets enhance it. Lets link it. • Consistent/clear set of design guidelines for development - primarily the streetscape. A consistent plan for street trees, parking strips, eliminate monolithic curb gutter and side walks. Areas for gathering/public interaction. I • The Heart of Cupertino is the place I go to and feel immensed in Cupertino-ness. It should be people-oriented; it should be open to California nature; it should be pedestrian and bike friendly; it I should be designed with strong aesthetic values. • I have always felt that Monta Vista area of Stevens Creek a natural for a "downtown" heart of the city. • I • I think it is important to not make Valico an orphan or Oaks or Marketplace or any center. Need I places to walk, sit and talk, have coffee wine, art fairs, trade fairs, trees, fountains, shops. A plaza type could be "downtown at the towers and flowing to civic center. Use that as the gateway to lead by wandering lanes like Carmel. Mixed use of restaurants, galleries, shops, planters, fountains, I lanterns, expand Memorial Park to behind Quinlan. Don't go for symbolic. That could be a watertower. I • If there is one major area, it should have lanterns (similar past lighting) that "trails" throughout the entire larger area. Also a transportation type that will carry employees, local citizens, students, etc. from one area- Vallco to another Oaks so people will feel comfortable to venture on foot. A people Imover type,open air tram,make use of parking at the corporations. • A nice place where citizens gather, no tall buildings, good shops and restaurants, trees and flowers, I parking behind shops, museums, theater, etc orchard good design, near civic center and library - disney-land type. • A defined plaza area, low rise buildings,off Stevens Creek/DeAnza so as to allow commute traffic to move throughout green. Maintain suburban quality of Cupertino. • People not cars, low buildings,green space, safe to visit,fun,keep good neighbors,who pays? • Needs to have a village atmosphere like the Oaks shopping center. Area between DeAnza Blvd and Stelling should be the "Heart". Needs to be done in a Spanish architecture to blend with DeAnza I College and Oaks. Building heights must be limited to 2 stories. • I would like to see 3-4 different centers. Each can be defined by its location and what is there to start with. I don't want to impede traffic already impacting Stevens Creek and DeAnza Blvd. It would be nice to make a longer time for pedestrians to cross major intersections; maybe have scramble diagonal crossing. I • Aplace with trees, pedestrian, amenities and shops indoor/outdoor restaurants and a plaza type • P ambiance. Entertainment, culture and should be emphasized. There should be places to walk and site and browse in shops, site in sidewalk cafes. The people will be comfortable and safe. The heart must have an atmosphere of park,plaza trees,fountains, etc. 1 • An area that feels not hurried. The care speed must be reduced if an area is to Heart where people can relax. Need a better mix of shops including cafe/coffee house where people can meet and talk. Provide park settings,benches,water fountains. . I • The Heart of the City is the place to have both day life and night life. The day life should be family oriented to attract not only the locals, but both people from all over the Bay Area. I'd like to be able Ito walk safety and move around without using my car. • An area that creates identity and a sense of place via uniqueness, human scale and aesthetics. The I old idea of a basically retail "downtown" is probably obsolete and we should not create resources trying to resuscitate it. I . I liked many of the ideas expressed tonight especially those encompassing pedestrian friendly bike transport friendly, more trees and landscaping, view of mountains preservation, shuttle buses connecting nodes, slowing traffic,quick fixes,design plan for long term planning decisions. I I 1 Stelling Road to DeAnza Blvd, - I believe this area should be the "Heart of the City". This area contains many popular stores, banks, and restaurants. What it lacks is a pedestrian orientation. If the , parking lots on both sides of Stevens Creek Blvd. (Target center and Mervyn center) could be eliminated, an attractive courtyard design would be possible. Perhaps the parking could be put underground, or in parking garages on the edge of the centers or even over(or under) Stevens Creek Blvd. It would be better to orient the shops inward (away from the street) rather than right next to the street as some seem to be interested in doing. With as much traffic that is on Stevens Creek Blvd., it does not seem appropriate to try to mitigate this situation for the pedestrians' benefit. I just do not see it ever working well. Why not use the buildings themselves to buffer the people from the traffic. It may be advantageous to reduce the width of Stevens Creek Blvd. between Stelling Road and DeAnza Blvd. or to have one slow lane and two fast lanes in each direction as has been described in previous Grand Boulevard layouts. However, in this residents, mind it would only occur in this short length of Stevens Creek Blvd. between Stelling Road and DeAnza Blvd. This would provide for a city ambiance along the street that some people desire. This then could be combined with the courtyard scheme. The disadvantage of this plan is that there would probably be less space available for the courtyard itself. Both sides of Stevens Creek Blvd. could be connected with pedestrian bridges and with a people mover than continually circles the two courtyards. I believe these courtyards should be done in Spanish architecture which would give continuity with the cultural center and create a village style "Heart of the City". DeAnza Blvd. to Wolfe Road- This area is a mixture of retail, commercial and residential. There is a 50 foot setback for most building. The 50 foot setback should be retained as this provides the basis for a grand boulevard look and for accommodating light rail in the future. I would like to see this are have some architectural design controls, but it would not have to conform with the same design controls as the "Heart of the City". This area could have a more modern/hi tech look. Large t3' � trees, such as at Vallco, the Market Place and at the eastern end of the Town Center, should line the street from Wolfe Road to DeAnza Blvd. Trees will greatly enhance the look of the street even without any architectural controls. More commonalty in landscaping of the 50 foot setback would also greatly enhance the look of the street and create a softer, greener look than the city currently has. ' Wolfe Road to Stern Ave. - Seems to me that this area would be ideal for additional housing, primarily apartments and condominiums. Public transportation to the "Heart of the City" and the cultural center should play a significant role in traffic reduction. This area should also be available for Tandem's expansion as well as for Vallco's expansion. Architectural controls, trees and landscaping should be consistent with the area from DeAnza Blvd.to Wolfe Road. I Questions 2-Where is the "heart" of Cupertino? • • Off the two main streets. • DeAnza- Oaks- Stelling,around Marketplace,new open space near Tandem property; use creek. I • Having grown up in Cupertino, the "natural" heart of the city is at the Stevens Creek/DeAnza intersection. Not that this should be the future heart. Since there are a number of important nodes 111 (Oaks/DeAnza College, Target/Mervyn's Vallco (Orchard), we should develop a linear string of pearls concept to line them. • I'm not sure, but Stevens Creek Road may be the "strings" on which the pearls may be located, or 1 branched out from. • Near Mervyn's-that corner of the major thoroughfare intersection. 1 I I ' •. Propane - trolley type - calms traffic -string of nodes - Vallco, .Marketplace, City Center, Mervyn's/Target,DeAnza/Oaks/Memorial Parks. • On Stevens Creek between DeAnza College and DeAnza Blvd - Elements - DeAnza/Flint, Oaks, I Memorial Park/Sports Center/Community Center,Apple Gateway/Bandley, City Hall,Library. • Stevens Creek & Stelling, DeAnza College, Oaks, Memorial Park, Quinlan and possibly the car , I dealers place to extend it. Overpass between Oaks DeAnza and Memorial Park. Perhaps buyout the car dealers across the street and expand heart there plus Quinlan. Get a jitney system - open trolley for major systems on Stevens Creek and make DeAnza Blvd. for Wolfe. I • In its neighborhoods! Some have it, some don't. With respect to tonight's efforts, 3-5 nodes and the connections not all the nodes will have the same uses. One section may be residential others commercial. Others retail, service pedestrian orientation. Auto's become secondary, creation of quality space not bldgs. occupying q tY g PY g sace.P I • The Heart of Cupertino is the axis from the Oaks and Flint Center to the City Hall and the Library. This is where the uniqueness of Cupertino lies. Vallco is not unique, but it is important to Cupertino. Stevens Creek should link the Heart and Vallco/Marketplace. I suggest the gradual redevelopment Iof Stevens Creek according to the parkway concepts to provide the linkage. • Perhaps because I live nearby, but the Oaks Center is a nice place to meet, visit. I am also Idiscovering too;town center area is a possibility. • It is Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino's main street and it has side shops and should have more I: shops for browsing and a way to shuttle from end to end and shop in all of Cupertino including some along DeAnza. • DeAnza/Stevens Creek area, as if it is a more development area, similar to the Oaks and Vallco. It will naturally tie the two "extreme" areas together. The "crossroads" need to be made more comfortable and quaint in order to tie them all together. Merchants could give passes to be used on the shuttle service. • DeAnza College,Oaks Shopping Center area,Civic center area. I • City Hall/Library area is a node. Memorial Park/The Oaks/DeAnza is one. To create an "artificial" center is risky. Stevens Creek between DeAnza and Miller is not a good plan because of major commute traffic and residents going to and from Vallco. I • Several spots alongthe Blvd. P I • Not the Stevens Creek or DeAnza Blvd. not a car oriented area, pedestrian area. The area between Stelling and DeAnza north of Stevens Creek. Has parking,has streets, limits descriptions to existing I Stevens Creek/DeAnza intersection. • Should be Target and Mervyn's centers. Take these two areas into courtyards with parking garages on the perimeters. What should be done is make more of Cupertino like the Oaks Center. The Oaks is too small of an area to be the town center. • • I think there are several areas in Cupertino that can be developed into social, open community meeting places; one definitely should include the Oaks Shopping Center, DeAnza College, Sr. Center, Memorial Park and Tennis Club. The other might include the Apple Building or corner of DeAnza Blvd. and Stevens Creek, the City Hall, library and there is an amphitheater area behind an apartment building back there too,I believe. I • Heart must include DeAnza College, Memorial Park, Quinlan Center. It is the cultural center. The place where 4th of July celebrations used to held. Fireworks really must be restored to make I residents feel like citizens of USA and of cohesive town. (civic center should be a secondary heart area. There can be more than one heart). Oaks Shopping Center has the correct type of atmosphere. • Start with DeAnza/Oaks area. Evolve area between Stelling and DeAnza to become more like Oaks area by adding cafes, landscape architecture/walkways. Tie roads to shopping area. This would tie DeAnza/Oaks to City Center. Secondarily, I would also recommend the Vallco area become a secondary shopping center heart of Cupertino. Areas between Vallco should be architecturally similar/not same. I guess I prefer nodes with emphasis. • Oaks and DeAnza College for sure. Need a safe link(may be underground)to more people between DeAnza&Oaks and Memorial Park. • It might evolve at the Oaks/DeAnza area, but certainly not as a"grand boulevard" on Stevens Creek. • Two regions: City Hall/Library, DeAnza/Memorial Park/Oaks. I do not think Vallco serves as the heart. I prefer DeAnza Memorial Park. I also do not like Stevens Creek/DeAnza Blvd. intersection as the center. Question 3-How should Cupertino create the Heart of the City(as you've described it)? I • Evolve-Guide future development. - Suggest developers aim towards the goals. • Residential Development along Stevens Creek - Linkages between Oaks, DeAnza, Quinlan open up Sports Center,pedestrian/different treatments: • Bike lanes really needed around Oaks - too unprotected, additional row. DeAnza new entrance - happy to hear president say so. • Crossroads - architectural statements- public art-arches, etc.,dull corner-how about some neon. • Cupertino's landscaping is much better done than many cities-keep up the good work. ' • Some simple development guidelines should dictate that buildings to be constructed on Stevens Creek are fronted on the street, mixed-use design and no higher than 3 stories. Both the Target and Mervyns sites can be utilized better with shops on the street. In effect both stores can be hidden with a sign on Stevens Creek similar to the Ralphs Grocery Store in the uptown district in San Diego. Everyone knows where the big stores are. We don't always need to view them across a huge faceless parking lot. I like the concept of quick fix and long term planting trees and improving sidewalks is quick. New buildings is long term. • Direct traffic engineers to design intersections for pedestrian friendliness (being able to cross at all four corners rather than being restricted to specified crossings). 111 • Existing parking lots should be retrofitted to allow for safe, direct, pedestrian entry from the sidewalk(rather than being directed to the traffic entry-ways), i.e. ped paths through parking lots. I • Small. II "drainholes"lanes of stores and cafes there. Have where you can walk out of the blocks of buildings, like small alleys. Straight lanes and streets-not curves-you see more vista. ' • Plan Links- car, bike, pedestrian,plan other designaspects. P I • Pedestrian oriented-put/keep out of town commuter-traffic on Highway 85/280. • Establish development guidelines that allow for mixed-use storefront/housing-2 to 3 stories height- ' tree lined heavy canopy. Benches/drinking fountains. • Shuttle system/use DeAnza College's 5400 parking spaces. • Not by narrowing Stevens Creek, but by passing at - create new ways to go east and west besides McClellan,Homestead and Stevens Creek. I • Symbolic place - Civic Center, shopping, eating, entertainment - sculpture - buildings placed by street- link- common theme, common design-Not L.A. style with tin roofs and pink stucco. I • 25,000 people a day at DeAnza-opening to college at Stevens Creek. I .I Specific design guidelines - tailored to each node and connections - with a common thread that ties the entire boulevard together. • Creaton of districts(res.with commercial/retail "allowed" but not required. • Commercial with residential/retail allowed. I • Retail/active district/areas that encourage people to come - stay - meet neighbors, resident and commercial would be allowed but not required. I. • "Humanize" Stevens Creek between the Oaks and the Crossroads and DeAnza south to Town Center by(1)a set of visual cues; e.g., live oaks,fruit trees,uniform signage, (2)walker(and biker)friendly crossings over/under Stevens Creek at The Oaks, at Stelling, at Saich and/or Bandley, and at IDeAnza, and across DeAnza at Stevens Creek and Rodrigues, (3)development of the Post Office site as a pedestrian wall, (4) encouragement of higher quality retail in the Crossroads Shopping Center and more nature-friendly landscaping. • Not sure. Big question is maintaining the plan to completion-difference Council seem to drastically change good plans to back ones. i . • We are facing some nimby attitudes in Cupertino, with anti-auto, anti-transit, pro-bike, pro- pedestrian, anti-growth, anti-business. Since we have a low revenue from property tax, we need to I think about helping a of our retail centers„ not just one such as Oaks, which has places to sit and talk, but no success in keeping the retail shops filled. I presented a sketch to the Planning Commission that has just about everything suggested tonight incorporated in it, such as shuttle, I "string of pearls" linking all areas. • Establish "the" area. Fill all areas to the major area with landscape and lights - start small, but I continually add and grow. Shuttle service between areas. All streets should have readable street signs,uniquely designed. Allow quaint, good taste signs,for business. Such as those on Cape Code, Mass. Carved signs with gold leaf or"classy" designed painted. I . • Design it well. Use development trends. • Make a parkway (green) along Stevens Creek with parallel streets along sides to stores. Have plaza 1 areas. Not a long shopping strip. • Making Stevens Creek a destination boulevard. Make buildings more open to the boulevard, user friendly. Build closer to the curb. Make the plan and when project is ready for redevelopment, it will be developed according to the new guidelines. • Promote development of this area(above)Keep General Plan Guidelines! • Perhaps the city could help fund the parking garages to replace the large parking area at the Target , and Mervyns Centers. This space could then be converted_to courtyards like at the Oaks (only with hope grace space.) • Things I want to have in communitygatheringareas! Wide sidewalks for people to stroll along P Pand good lighting so people feel safe at night. I'd like to see trees lining, especially Stevens Creek. Leave room for these trees to grow. Big trees give of feeling of establishment and permanency. I'd like lots of seating areas. Uniform park benches scattered all around. Let citizens "buy" a bench donated in memory of someone with a small brass plate attached acknowledging the donation. I'd like tables outdoor(Coffee Society and Fontana's)where people sit and talk and be out in the action. , • Fly in the face of county and state regulations and obstruct the high speed automobile traffic. Create an environment for pedestrian and night life. When you come to Cupertino you should be forced to enter the town and slow down not pass through. Highway 85 will do the throughput. Try to make an architectural common theme in the heart and use fountains and trees. Don't put in high density housing. I • The parking approach should be used. Create buffers for Stevens Creek and/on DeAnza Boulevard. • Perhaps create a traffic circle/mall at the major intersections with fountains and statues. • Start with Oaks/DeAnza. Grow to DeAnza Boulevard to encompass this region as part of the Heart of the City. West of DeAnza should be low rise buildings. • Face lift Oaks Shopping Center. Close traffic to part of this shopping center or all (make use of DeAnza Parking). Add more small shops and restaurants. Have underground walkway from Oaks to DeAnza and memorial Parks, may be with some small shops (example: Downtown Houston, Texas, underground walkway). Encourage outdoor activities with outdoor restaurants and outdoor benches with ground may be fountains around them. • Accept the fact that Stevens Creek Boulevard and DeAnza will remain high-traffic volume arteries. Beautify them,improve traffic flow,and encourage retail/mixed-use,etc. on side streets. • Create visually distinctive focus, statue, arch, fountain, unique building, whatever, so that there's a visual "look"that identifies the city. • Bring major retail to the Oaks, and have the best of both worlds. Give up on Vallco, it serves the 111 region(and the city as a tax base),not the city-dwellers. • Recognize that a sense of place evolves, you can't create it artificially. Note that Los Altos is successful downtown includes a lumber yard,gas stations, and a Kentucky Fried Chicken • I do not think it is possible to transform Stevens Creek Boulevard, but instead put a section of it ' underground. I like the idea of putting a section of Stevens Creek Boulevard underground. For example, put the section of Stevens Creek between Stelling and Hwy. 85 underground. Create space this way between DeAnza& Oaks. Have underground access from Stevens Creek to Hwy. 85. Use I the plaza to create an entrance to Cupertino. The advantage is that the entrance is near Hwy. 8t and j visible. ' • Many quick fixes NOW! • People contributing to Charette must participate in planning decisions. Many bad and/or uncreative ' decisions have been made in the past, even the recent past. Our Commissioners (Planning, parks & Rec.)must be watch-dogged and held to the values expressed tonight. Too many mistakes are made without enough public input and pressure. 1 1 g/mm/misc/chazcom • 1 1 ! . 1 1 1 HEART OF THE CITY DESIGN CHARETTE (From 17 Written Responses) ' Saturday,November 13, 1993 1. Which of the design concepts comes closest to of the City? ?your vision for the Heart i ? Wh Y • Landscape-trees along Stevens Creek Boulevard and H.S. along DeAnza Boulevard. ' • Walkways, bike paths and fountains • "Source of the City" Because you did not forget the people who have lived here, the congest - to which the "Crossroads" (Highway 9) - DeAnza and Stevens Creek)has always been the Heart of the City. When I came here in 1963, I knew exactly where Cupertino's heart was and there were no signs or markers to tell me. Even if they have put buildings in front of the church and changed Target for Gemco and a gas station for "the pizza place" and most awful of all, torn down the Cali Mill. To me, even in the most stalled of traffic, that is the heart. If you had all the money wanted, it should be marked with a fountain. I like,also,the 3 main hubs and the orchard trees. • On grade crossing at DeAnza and the Oaks is a very good idea. • A plaza at DeAnza and Stevens Creek I like. It is the center of town. • The movie theaters on top of the ground and development around it is much better than just seeing a parking lot. • Outside mall at Vallco is an attractive notion. • They are all excellent, if we can realize just one idea from each one in the future, Cupertino will be the City of 2000. • City Park • Team 2 Vallco • "Source of the City" for Crossroads • All were similar- Great Job! • Open up Calabazas Creek and incorporate into streetscape and connecting civic node with retail. • "Orchard"grids connecting areas and defining the Source/Center. • Pedestrian linkways off street • Trolly/Shuttle down middle Stevens Creek • Create new creekwalk-restore Calabazas Creek • No one team except the 3 nodes make a lot of sense to work on what we have. Already there and working. The back of my mind keeps saying "suppose we made a downtown and nobody came...." • The Gateway Concept-the link to Monta Vista and Quinlan met my vision. • The Campbell architect had fresh ideas. Why? Because his ideas were practical and good for business. • Oaks-Memorial- Quinlan-DeAnza-Extend park across street to DeAnza. Move Senior Center to Quinlan. Under or overpass for ped xing. It's Done! • They all address it the same way roughly. • Really like uncovering creeks. People are drawn to water. Nice to think of stores along the creeks. • Keep pedestrian walkways internal from street, i.e., have a border between the sidewalk and the street. • I've always regretted the sidewalk on Memorial Park- it is on Stevens Creek and you feel you are on the street walking,not walking through the park. • The 3 nodes linkage all existing. • Team 3 for Oaks and DeAnza,hotel at oaks,orchard at DeAnza, Stevens Creek Intersection. • Team 2 entrance to Civic Center from DeAnza Boulevard(only walkway,no cars allowed!) • I do not like rails! • Pedestrian Edge Concept • Interesting walkway through City • DeAnza/Oaks access • Source of City • Pedestrian Bridge at DeAnza • Public Art • Cultural/Academic node-mixed use tied into DeAnza College. 2. What do you like about the design concepts? • 3 nodule string of pearls concept. • Low rise buildings. • It reminds me that when I first came here, I could walk to anywhere from my house. My children could walk to school "the back way" away from traffic and through the orchards. I was not afraid to 1 walk across the main streets. (I have been dreading getting older- it takes more time to get across). I like the buildings being kept back from the street. Since walking is being proved the best exercise, I like the trail idea. 1 • 21st Century Park Team I-good. • 3 nodes- Team II includes housing. • Team 2 Vallco area-the above ground open up Calabazas Creek- best ideas-grade level crossing to DeAnza and Oaks, bridge is neat, but too expensive. • Hotel at the Oaks. • Finch Avenue with creek and shops. • 3 nodes-not have a lot of strip shopping centers along SC. • Orchard concept. • I like the idea of 3 "Hearts" each with a different focus, cultural,civic,retail. ' • the ugly shopping center across from Vallco must go. Also the ugly, old stores in that area. • I'd like little specialty stores, small cafes, small restaurants nicely landscaped near Vallco. • I like Quinlin being more incorporated into Heart near Oaks. • Lowering Stevens Creek rather than a bridge. • Hotel at Oaks not a DeAnza& Stevens Creek intersection. • Lots of trees more trees,more trees. ' • Team 2 Concept(except for Hotel at Civic Center)and the bike paths and creek walk. • Put hotel at Oaks Center,not intersection of DeAnza and Stevens Creek. • Do not move Crossroads buildings out towards Stevens Creek. • Visual themes connecting areas-trees. �- • Really like orchard concept. • The sense of agreement. • The 3 nodes linked. • Remove the ugly brick building. • Nice to think of orchard areas. • Love uncovering the creeks. • Like another park in DeAnza parking lot across from memorial Park. Have food and drink access. • Strengthen the importance of the nodes by allowing better development expanding Vallco with parking on the side and not along Stevens Creek. • Easy pedestrian access in Team 3 Oaks/DeAnza. Bringing back orchards to Cupertino and expanding on existing nodes? • Pedestrian orientation and planting of trees with large canopies. 3. What do you dislike about the design concepts? P ' • Light Rail. • Gateway structures. • I don't know how to solve the problem of keeping the traffic away from the people. When I walk, I wish the traffic would stop on red and yet when I drive, I thank the people who walk on red as it takes less time for them to cross so I can get going! • Team 4- Street Section 1 • Light rail- don't like it at all,but all designs showed Stevens Creek as being too wide and formible to cross. I • Bridges over Stevens Creek will not be used often-particularly when there are lots of people. • Meandering walkways. • Parking issues. , • I do not like blocking the intersection of DeAnza and Stevens Creek with anything. Traffic of cars should have plenty of room. No fountain in the middle of it. • I do not want pedestrians to have control over car traffic on Stevens Creek. Pedestrians can share ' control so each style gets a turn. • I don't like pedestrian bridges over highway. Pedestrians still use street level even if a bridge is there. ' • I do not want a large parking lot in Sears parking lot right next to Stevens Creek since it blocks views of shopping center and impedes pedestrians. • I think cars must remain a major focus. pedestrians are nice, but cars are the reality. • More parking must be in the designs or the whole pedestrian focus won't happen(see Saratoga for an example of parking problems). I don't see parking in any of the designs. • No Light Rail. Take it out of the General Plan. I elected City Council members who I thought would stop the Light Rail. • Light Rail-NO! • Keep building height limits<45. • Not so sure about that bridge from Oaks Center to DeAnza College-visually and practically. • Teams 2's City/Civic Center-would friends/family go there to meet-I don't think so. • None suggested a beautiful fountain for the "Heart"-so necessary for a focal point. • Talk of more retail enough is enough. • Let's be realistic about cars-most people will come that way. Once they park, have a lot of walking areas and enticement. • Light rail is ridiculous. • Have 2 or 3 story parking garages in district areas? • Adding the Finch areas in competition of the existing nodes. 111 • Light Rails! • Would like to see mixed use development "infill" occur between Stelling and DeAnza Boulevard to take advantage of DeAnza College's/million visitors per year. Also, allow for more outdoor activities, i.e., sidewalk cafes. 4. Are there any other considerations you would like City staff and the City Council to address as they develop detailed strategies to implement the Heart of the City? 111 • I think they were all mentioned at the meeting. (which was excellent - I was even sorry I couldn't make it to see the first one!) • Don't forget the trees! • Short term immediate idea- shuttle/jitney/"elephant train" service from post office to open sided 20-30 passenger, slow speed, board and step off on right side only. Service every ten minutes minimum. Cost-token(5 for$1.00?)not limited to Stevens Creek, but winding thru parking lots and down Tantau behind Vallco and going along Vallco parkway. V • It is unclear what type of housing is in the concept. Most diagrams showed high density type and that typically is based to make look good for a long time. • Concepts end at 85 - should carry thru to the foothills. • No light rail,no light rail,no light rail. No one on my block wants light rail. We do not want people from San Jose to easily get up to Cupertino and bring undesirable people and CRIME!!! • No high density'housing!!!! Only single family lots. • Art/statues well thought out. ' • Well planned parking needed. • Restore Calabazas Creek and incorporate long creek walk into design. I • Naturalizing Creek. 1 • Orchard, start with Quinlan Center. Take out grass plant orchard. • I would love a long, linked,pathway for skating,biking, or walking. Lots and lots of trees. • Santa Barbara has a path along the ocean. The ocean is their theme. Orchards could be ours. I • Pedestrians need a nice environment to talk - put them near stores, restaurants, water. Not isolated right next to the traffic. • Safety of neighborhood. The current residents close to area of development should not be disturbed! I Like to see lots of greens on Stevens Creek. • Please clean up and integrate along Stevens Creek Boulevard (including Vallco). I live behind P.J. Mulligans and it is so embarrassing to look out and see what we have to look at. It would be great to I increase the height of the retainer walls to provide more privacy for the residents and the businesses. • Look at shuttle system - rather than relying on light rail. Point of info. There are 5400 parking spaces at DeAnza-using a shuttle system will address parking issue for Stevens Creek from Stelling to DeAnza Boulevard. I . g:/mm/misc/charcom2 • I 1 . I I 1 I I . I • I I I -� HEART OF THE CITY DESIGN CHARETTE ' PUBLIC COMMENTS ON FINAL PRESENTATION November 13, 1993 (As transcribed by Daniel Iacofano of MIG) I Response to Recommendations • We must deal with need for significant separation between cars and pedestrians. • Potential problems if light rail is in Center...suggest we put it on one of the sides. , • Very pleased that we would do something with The Oaks. • Would like to see more and more trees! • Public art should be an integral part...planned from the beginning. 1 • Oaks/DeAnza: How to separate autos and pedestrians is key! Consider"sinking" Stevens Creek Boulevard A bridge with shops. • Like ideas for shops at Vallco. I • Don't like idea of another big building at Oaks area. • Like orchard Heart of City concept. • Lots of trees are nice, but also need low-rise shops at street level. ' • Impressed with coherence. • Managed parking must be addressed. • Agree artists must be involved. 1 • These ideas link business, government and education, (which is very much a breakthrough and valuable). I • Agree we must address parking..since we are encouraging people to "shed their car". • Like idea of hotel at Oaks area. r • Light rail in Center without trees would make Stevens Creek seem very wide. • We still need a few gas stations...incorporate some nearby. • Restore Calabazas Creek! I second that idea. , • Putting hotel on Oaks is interesting, but college students won't stay there. Maybe we should put it nearer to prospective users. • Great scheme! Extend it north-south along DeAnza: Like extending public space to corners of DeAnza/Stevens Creek intersection. Like removal of brick corner building. Like screening tall Apple Building. g:/mm/misc/charcom3 I 1 t + I ~_ �..._.. +r') . 4!Iif. i )_ J}ri I `I - -z . — ! t I I ' . ' 70 ' + .I r + .:• „ ■1 I 'i • r Anl }r Il �L 1 0 .r } r ��-' ii{�i4I ;�irI l : Ir ir I I r ) ItI i.II, 1 9"t F cr, l' + � I 1 4.+ 0il I Irtl { Ill' Ihi rl:Gj.i _ 's ii . 1 November 12, 1993 TO: Cupertino .�4wLH . -- RE: Heart of the City Comments" 1 I am not in flavor of the concept of a "Grand Boulevard" ! The I money needed to fund this elaborate project just doesn't eHist. A more sensible approach must be taken that will utilize only the necessary funds needed to make the Heart of the City viable. As a 1 former member of the City Identity group on the Goal Committee, and an activist with CURB, these are my suggestions: 'l First, an foremost, we don't want Cupertino to become another Las Vegas. However, something has to be done to attract people into Ithe downtown area. Stevens Creek has to be beautified. This can be done very easily with heavy planting of trees and flowers. This could I also include widening the median strips and relocating the curbs and walkways. IStevens Creek Blvd. is a hodge podge of new office buildings, strip centers, old buildings, etc. To pull all this together would be an --, enormous project. Instead, I feel areas must be identified, such as, culture, recreation, housing, retail, and office space. These nodes can then be grouped into focal points: II Riwa g 85 to Stelling Road - Oaks Shopping Center, De l nzColleg e, IMemorial Park should be the Culture/Recreation Node. Stelling Road to Dandleg Driue - Here you have an opportunity for I a miu use project. The land in this area has the potential for greater use. Euample If the car dealership terminates, housing could be built on the back part of this property, complemented with retail on Ithe street. Saich Way needs revitalizing. Any new project should be considered as one development for all of the properties. As the old I industrial building along Bandley convert to housing, a strong need for retail will be established. I I I • Crossroads Intersection - Traffic is the big problem here. Too much is going on. The Shopping Center is well established. Leave it ' alone and let it develop naturally. If and when the hotel is built, it should soften the effect of the Apple Towers. Then small shops and food outlets would develop and this area would become a pedestrian activity Node. In the meantime, it would be nice if the property owner would show some consideration and beautify the hotel site area by planting grass similar to the corner. Town Center - Already too crowded! The property owner would like ' to increase the density here, but there's too much now. ' Torre Rue to Wolfe Road - With the exception of several old sites, this area would be very hard to change. Too many newer office ' Buildings and established businesses. As. the older sites come up for change, mived use of housing and retail could be accomplished. The Marketplace, like the Oaks Shopping center, is an attractive center and should be encouraged to prosper, as is. Ballco Shopping Center is tihesregional shopping center and the major contributor of sales taH dollar and is already covered by a Development Agreement. Wolfe Road to Stern Rue - A disaster area! On one side of the I street we have run down, boarded up old buildings. On the other side, Tandem Computer owning all the vacant land east of Uallco. Their plans are for huge office/industrial development compleH that would not lend itself to pedestrian or public access. A good development plan is badly needed here. So_ what are we left with? Areas that someday would be available for change. Others that would not change for 30-40 years. That is why I advocate the Parkway concept of just beautifing Stevens Creek Blvd. with landscaping, minor changes in the median strip, and walkways. Cupertino could then have a look that would attract can sumers and re siden s to shop, stroll, and familiarize themselves with the different nodes. These distinctive nodes would then give Cupertino many "Hearts". . PHIL ZEITMAN I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I THE SUBURBAN DE IGN FOR CUPERTINO'S CUPERTINO'S GREENBELT WOUL N - - RBAN (NOT HIGHRISE URBAN) I NODES(LITTLE HEARTS ON A NECKLACE OF GREEN). I THE NECKLACE WILL B A LITTLE GREEN JITNEY WHICH CONNECTS THE INTELLECTUAL, THE RETAIL SHOPPING, THE PEDESTRIAN COMFORT, AND THE I RECREATIONAL NODES. THE NECKLACE WILL FEATURE TREES AND FLOWERS IN • ABUNDANCEWI NODE #1=DE NODE#2=MEMORI NODE#3=VALLCO NODE #4--TOWN I ANZA COLLLEGE AL PARK, SPORTS AND CENTER. WHEN WHICH BECOMES CENTER , SENIOR MARKETPLACE AND IF NEW ' TRUE CENTER, MAJOR RETAIL HOTEL THISIA COMMUNITY QUINLAN. THI S SHOPPING DEVELOPS INTO. RATHER THAN A BECOMES A NODES ANOTHER ICOMMUTER RECREATIONAL CONNECTED BY PEDESTRIAN COLLEGE AND IS AND PEDESTRIAN GREENBELT AND /RETAIL NODE CONNECTED COMFORT NODE GREENBELT CONNECED BY IWITH THE OAKS CLOSELY JITNEY WITH GEENBELT AND SHOPPING CONNECTED NODES '1 &2. GREENBELT CENTER WITH WITH THE JITNEY. GATEWAYS . INTELLECTUAL INTELLECTUAL NODE. 0 NODE. I_ ! , 0 DICK CAREY -A CX, RESIDENTS I ' MIDNIGHT DREAM! A-SUBURBAN NOT AN URBAN I 1 1 1 1 IPage 1 November 11,1993 ITO: Bob Cowan, Ciddy Wordell; Cupertino City Staff FROM: Al Hoffman, Resident IRE: Cupertino Design Charette I would be pleased if you would entertain the following thoughts regarding the I Cupertino Design Charette. I have discovered among my contacts that these ideas are popular among quite a few Cupertino residents. IThe simple proposal presented here is: I. 1. The Vallco-like installation of double rows of trees and walkways along Stevens Creek Boulevard west to Hwy. 85,and east to the City limits. 2. The establishment of a set of back-route pedestrian pathways criss-crossing ICupertino,also planted with trees. This proposal could be incorporated into a greater design, and, as explained below,would enhance any such design. IRaison d'être Avenue trees have long been a unifying theme along the streets of Cupertino. (I I believe I heard Bob say they were actually in the General Plan at one point.) Few,if any,locations in the Bay Area share this nice feature with us. This proposal extends what already exists, and makes it a focal point of the area -- something that visitors will remember as distinctive,and that residents will take I pride in. I "Tree roads" and paths have helped to make some places famous. The country paths of Le Vesinet,France, and Paris' tree-lined avenues are examples, as is the "tree tunnel" in Kauai. I I I. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Page 2 November 11,1993 ' Here are some benefits of the general tree and path theme: Ii. They continue a theme that already exists, that has a history in this City, and give the City an identity. 2. They are pleasant to almost everyone, and are environmentally positive, providing natural color, shade,filtering of the air,noise reduction,and can be used to mask visual intrusions. 3. There are civic and citizen-involving activities that would fit in with this theme (more below). 4. They generally fit within the current buildout without having to demolish anything. I5. Trees can be used to mask the problem of non-uniform building setbacks along Stevens Creek Boulevard (also non-uniform building designs),and generally fix pre-existing problems while designing a new downtown. ' uil in 6: Tree and path installation is generally cheaper than building g construction. 1 i • 1 1 1 1 I Page 3 November 11, 1993 I Thedetails dea I Tree&walk placement.Trees are for drivers and pedestrians alike. However,the plan will encourage pedestrian use. As much as possible,there should be a 10 foot or greater separation between traffic and I sidewalks. The general idea is to have a walkway between a row of trees on either side of it The curved or meandering sidewalks seem to work well. ITree selection.The ashes such as those planted near Vallco are quick-growing,semi-evergreen,and tall enough to allow for business advertising. Redwoods(which have been planted near the library)also I form a theme. I Commercial enhancement It has been suggested to me that some of these walkways could leave the street and guide the pedestrian into strip shopping areas and office areas(curving through the parking lot;leading to the shopping walkway). This makes the walk more useful,and enhances its commercial Ivalue;it also leads the walk away from traffic. In some areas,outdoor cafes could be encouraged along the walks where they veer away from traffic. I Trees fix pre-existing problems.In areas with non-uniform setbacks,street trees might also enable new I construction in front of the more set-back structures,due to the insulating properties of the trees. This would be a good way to concentrate the density of new construction. In general,the trees would help fix 1 any pre-existing problem in the design of Cupertino's new downtown. . Pedestrian pathways.The pedestrian pathways would be formed out of a consolidation of back- ' neighborhood shortcuts,creeksides,informal trails,and park connectors. A network of these would connect the entire city and would meet up with the county and open-space trails on the western and Isouthwestern sides. These would be kept weed-free and planted with row trees,but usually would not be paved. I Promotional&civic activities. The walks andpaths would bepromoted the CityParks&Rec by I Department,which could sponsor"Sunday Morning Walks"along different stretches on each weekend. Commercial interests could sponsor walks along the more commercial stretches,such as a"sidewalk sale" that stretches past several stores on a walkway. 1 Other civic activities could include pathway tree-planting,adopt-a-tree,and education. Flower beds, Iaccenting the major boulevards,could be provided by the City or by civic groups,or a shared effort of the two. I I I I I I I I I I I I I • 1 I I I I I Page 4 November 11, 1993 ' Conclusion ' It is my belief that this proposal involves lower costs than other possible changes, and, furthermore, that these costs could be reasonably mitigated through ' cooperative use of easements, dedications for new construction, and, due to the popularity of the theme, even by implementing a modest city-wide tax. I hope that these ideas may be considered during the Cupertino Design Charette. If the City decides to proceed with the proposal,I hope I have the opportunity to ' be involved in their implementation. ' Sincerely, ' Albert A. Hoffman (member of CURB and Cupertino Waterfall HOA) 1 1 1 I 1 I I I City of Cupertino f I "Heart of the City" Observations for the Charette • of 1993-11-12, by Peter Haas I Contents I1 We're Not in Kansas Anymore... or Are We? 3 1.1 "A fresh look" — Really? 3 I1.2 - No New Heart Without New Courage • 1.3 Who Are the Wizards? 4 I 2 Along the Yellow-Brick Road 5 What is your overall impression of Stevens Creek Boulevard? 5 IStop 1: Highway 85 and Stevens Creek Boulevard 6 What ... should be done to create a stronger gateway impression? 6 I Stop 2: Highway 85 to Stelling Road 6 What is your overall impression of this area? 6 Should De Anza College, the Oaks, and the Sports Center be more architecturally oriented to Stevens Creek Boulevard? rr5 6 Should there be greater pedestrian and visual inter-relatedness among the uses? 6 IShould the "rural edge" landscaping be emphasized in this area? 6 Stop 3: Stelling Road to Saich Way 7 I What is your overall impression of this area? 7 Should this area be the edge of the "Heart of the City"? 7 Does Saich Way have potential for a downtown side street shopping I area? 7 Should mixed uses be considered? 7 I Stop 4: Saich Way to Bandley Drive 7 What is your overall impression of this area? 7 What, if any, changes or"Heart of the City" implementation measures Iwould you see for this area? 7 Stop 5: Bandley Drive to Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (De Anza Boulevard) el 7 IWhat is your overall impression of this area? 8 What, if any, changes or"Heart of the City" implementation measures Iwould you see for this area? 8 I Cupertino Charette - 1 / 11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas Stop 5a: Crossroads Center 8 What is your overall impression of this area? 8 I What, if any, changes or"Heart of the City" implementation measures would you see for this area? 8 Stop 5b: Crossroads Intersection 8 1 What is your overall impression of this area? 8 Should this intersection be the "Heart of the City"? 9 I What would you like to see in the lawn area in front of the towers? 9 Stop 6: Town Center • 9 I What is your overall impression of this area? 9 Should this area function as the "Heart of the City"? 9 Is additional retail desirable and feasible in this area? 9 I Stop 7: Torre Avenue to Blaney Avenue 9 . , What•.is your overall impression of.this area? 9 Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? 9 I Stop 8 Blaney Avenue to Portal Avenue 10 What is your overall impression of this area? 10 III Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? 10 Stop 9: Portal Avenue to Wolfe Road • 10 I What is your overall impression of this area? 10 Should the greater Vallco Fashion Park area serve as the "Heart of the City"? 10 I Stop 10: Wolfe Road to Tantau Avenue 10 What is your overall impression of this area? 10 Should the vacant parcels be related to designating the greater Vallcd6 I area as the "Heart of the City"? 10 Stop 11: Tantau Avenue to Stern Avenue 11 What is your overall impression of this area? 11 Should the vacant and underutilized parcels be related to the greater Vallco area? 11 I 3 Conclusions 11 I I I I I Cupertino Charette -2/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas 1 1 We're Not in Kansas Anymore... or Are We? City staff certainly put a lot of thought into preparing the Tour Guidebook, including the ' handy fold-out map and the synopses of issues relevant to each "stop". I am especially in favour of the passages indicating interest in establishing "a destination area rather than a traffic thoroughfare" and fostering "social contact by providing good pedestrian and bicycle access..."1 Now I would like to add some ideas of my own and those of Cheri Porter, based on a two- hour and twenty-minute stroll we took on Saturday afternoon, November 6, along the north side of Stevens Creek Boulevard from Highway 85 in the west to Stem Avenue in the east. 1.1"A fresh look" — Really? If we are truly to "take a fresh look"2 at Stevens Creek Boulevard, or any other aspect of our city for that matter, with the intention of finding or creating a city "heart", we will also need to reconsider certain ways of thinking which may have made the city "heartless" in the first place. • • Auto, auto, Ober alles: "... please obey-all traffic laws while driving to each of the stops."2 Why do you assume those taking the tour are going to drive instead of walk? Isn't less dependency on the use of a car part of the process of creating a city with a heart? • Caveant omnes omnia: "... participants agree before embarking on the Tour to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Cupertino, its officers, employees [etc.] ... from any and all liability for any injury arising out of, or in any way connected with participating in this program."3 This should be obvious to everyone. If it isn't, and Cupertino has to be worried about frivolous lawsuits at this level, this suggests a city mentality better suited to maintaining the safe and sterile status quo— it does not portend well for any meaningful fresh or bold thinking. 1.2 No New Heart Without New Courage Let me cite a simple example to show why I think the mentality reflected in these preliminary comments are not trivial, but in fact serious stumbling blocks working against some of the principles outlined we have to overcome our existing fears of litigation and stop giving automobiles priority. Sunny Vista Manor, a Cupertino retirement home, is located on the 1 City of Cupertino"Heart of the City"Tour Guidebook(Fall 1993), p. 3 2 ibidem, p. 1 3 ibidem, p. 2 Cupertino Charette -3/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas — 1 east side of Foothill Boulevard north of Stevens Creek Boulevard. County Transit provides bus service (routes 23 and 23A), with a covered bus stop just a few steps from the home in the northbound direction. God forbid that an elderly person should intend to take a bus going souhbound—there's no pedestrian-activated crossing light, no crosswalk, no median "safety island", no enhanced lighting. In other words, no recognition and no encouragement at all for anyone at Sunny Vista Manor to walk across Foothill Boulevard safely to take public transport— but of course there's a fine thoroughfare that's safe for automobiles. My understanding is that the Cupertino City Council has been worried about recognising a de facto "crossing" in any way, even by just painting pedestrian crossing lines, fearful that the city will be sued if anyone gets hurt while crossing the street on the grounds that the 1 - • crossing might not be safe enough, no matter how it's marked or improved. If this simple issue still causes trepidation and angst at City Hall on behalf of Cupertino I residents who are already more likely to be pedestrians than any other age group, are we really ready for any bigger designs along Stevens Creek Boulevard? 1.3Who Are the Wizards? Years ago, seemingly rational considerations for constructing low-cost public housing encouraged the proliferation of high-rise, high-density accommodations. Rational, yes, but "inhuman" in the monstrous dimensions involved. Most of such buildings have been torn I down by the very cities that built them up in the first place, and it seems Cupertino has lately also come to understand the intimidation big buildings can cause by limiting the height of new buildings4. More recently, it has often been thought that wider streets make traffic flow more easily and safely. Mathematically correct, but again lacking "human" considerations (wider streets attract more traffic and encourage faster speeds). These and other examples should warn us: environments that are healthy (both mentally and physicallyy' or humans require more than stunning architecture and marvelous engineering. With this in mind, we hope the members of the "design(er) team" selected for this project do not get too involved in "high-tech" renderings and grandiose designs, but instead consider questions like "Which cities or towns, among those I have actually lived in, do I like best? Why?" Obviously some will pick cities like Los Altos or Palo Alto or Los Gatos, which are fine choices and directly relevant. But there are other choices that are less obvious, but equally relevant. Specifically, we hope someone will answer the above question by referring to a European city or town where the team member used to live. If no-one is able to do this, then we fear the design team will not be able to look at the issues at hand from a broad point of view, and the ensuing recommendations are likely to yield limited, parochial results. College degrees are not enough; they lead to design sterility or create perversions of the original concept. Specifically, we doubt that someone who has never pedaled along the bicycle lanes and overpasses existing in cities like Munich will be able to effectively encourage bicycle traffic in Cupertino, nor will someone who has never strolled under the 4 ibidem, p. 6 I Cupertino Charette -4/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas 1 ' porticos of cities of Bologna be capable of understanding how to create a definable and vibrant city centre. ' Sometimes it's the small items that make an enormous difference: the use of reusable and decorative interlocking paving stones in lieu of solid concrete and asphalt, for example, especially at pedestrian crossings. We think they also make an attractive alternative to the ' insidious "speed bumps" in slowing traffic speeds. Similarly, "community message boards" combined with mini-magazine/snack shops like the ' kiosques found in France and elsewhere in Europe encourage/entertain pedestrians and provide a "healthy outlet" for publicity that otherwise ends up on fluorescent signs tacked to utility poles. For many of the newer office and business sites within Cupertino, there is often no provision for paved walkways between adjacent sites. Their need, however, is amply shown by the occasional paving stones or muddy paths "blazed" through ivy patches to link one shopping area or set of office buildings to another. We can only think that those responsible for the planning were too narrowly focused on the specific site, separated from.its environment, and Iaccessed only by automobiles. A "city trail plan"5 is a fine thing, but let's start linking what's already in place first. 2 Along the Yellow-Brick Road What is your overall impression of Stevens Creek Boulevard? 1. Our overall impression of Stevens Creek Boulevard is that of an sterile urban asphalt desert, where heat and lack of shade along most of its length discouragesstrollers even in November! I2. The street is too long and the property under consideration too "shallow" for one "heart of the city" to be meaningful. Serious consideration should be given to establishing multiple "hearts" that are linked together. • 3. What can be done, however, to link the city from west to east, is the establishment of a trolley service from Foothill Boulevard to Lawrence Expressway, with subsidised fares to '.. encourage people to use it. Technically, it should be designed for seamless compatibility with the Santa Clara County Light Rail System (assuming someday the line will reach further eastward to San Carlos Street in San Jose). In the meantime it could easily be a ' distinctively decorated bus that serves the same double function, moving people along Cupertino's west-east axis and highlighting access to Cupertino businesses along ' Stevens Creek Boulevard. This distinctive transport link is compatible with the idea of "multiple hearts of the city". 1 5 ibidem, P. 5 Cupertino Charette - 5/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas Note that it is essential that the western terminus for such a shuttle service be Foothill Boulevard, not Highway 85. This allows people to use the service to reach Cupertino's only "manned" post office, and provides a way for non-automobile traffic.to "bridge" the steep grades on Stevens Creek Boulevard that are caused by the street's north-south 1 watery namesake. Stop 1: Highway 85 and Stevens Creek Boulevard -- • • What ... should be done to create a stronger gateway impression? Regardless of what is decided about automobile traffic access here, please don't overlook pedestrian and bicycle access from the west of this point. Perhaps a bicycle and pedestrian bridge west of Mary Avenue would not only provide a visual and functional gateway, it would also draw attention to the complementary nature of the Oaks Shopping Center and De Anza College. The Oaks/DeAnza complex is an ideal candidate, if not the best choice, for the "heart Hof the city". 1 Stop 2: Highway 85 to Stelling Road What is your overall impression of this area? The Oaks Shopping Center seems already capable of drawing pedestrians and bicyclists, , but this could be enhanced by adding bicycle and pedestrian paths interconnecting De Anza College, the Oaks Shopping Center, Memorial Park, and the QuiNan Center. A bridge or tunnel should be built to avoid crossing Stevens Creek Boulevard. Should De Anza College, the Oaks, and the Sports Center be more architecturally oriented to Stevens Creek Boulevard? Install and maintain major bus/trolley stops between Mary and Stelling, enhanced with kiosques and shade trees (including new live oaks like those at the shopping centre). Should there be greater pedestrian and visual inter-relatedness among the uses? , The pedestrian and bicycle bridge previously referred to could extend from a point between Flint Center and the new parking house on the south side to somewhere between Blue Chip Cookies and the Coffee Society on the north side of Stevens Creek Boulevard. Should the "rural edge"landscaping be emphasized in this area? t Definitely, with tall shade trees emphasised on both sides of the street and in the median I section, too, once the overhead wires have been buried and the street lighting moved to the sides of the street, out of the median strip. Green ground cover is needed on the street side of the Sports Center and on the De Anza side across from it. ' Cupertino Charette -6/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas 1 • Stop 3: Stelling Road to Saich Way What is your overall impression of this area? 1 It looks like tired images of Southern California. Don't waste any time on it for now, except to convert abandoned areas to green areas pending a total collapse of the area, ' which may provide the city with an opportunity to reshape it altogether. Shade trees are sorely needed on both sides of the street. Should this area be the edge of the "Heart of the City"? Definitely not, it's already cover the edge", with clashing façades and no character, except ' for the Stevens Creek Office Center. The few trees that are there are being cramped by unforgiving slabs of pavement. Does Saich Way have potential for a downtown side street shopping area? No, except for some megastore like Target across the street. The street looks as lifeless ' as the few trees still standing in the area. Should mixed uses be considered? ' The uses are already as mixed as one could imagine, lacking any cohesion. Stop 4: Saich Way to Bandley Drive What is your overall impression of this area? Typical of Southern California, with minuscule or dead trees. The one positive aspect is the tasteful use of interlocking paving stones on the walkways up to Target. What, if any, changes "HeartCity"implementation measures would you see for this or of the • area? Any other big discounter who wants to set up shop in Cupertino should be located here to • concentrate this kind of eyesore in one spot. Stop 5: Bandley Drive to Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (De Anza Boulevard) One aside here: it was a nice idea to honour the de Anza expedition, but we've gone about it in the wrong way. We have De Anza College, which newcomers have trouble finding because, being silly people, they expect it to be on "De Anza Boulevard". Prospective shoppers from Saratoga and from Sunnyvale know of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (or • Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road) and that would make it easier for them to find shops in Cupertino located on the same street they know from home. Was our ego involved when we decided to pick a name out of line with what other cities use? 1 Cupertino Charette -7/ 11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas A more useful way of drawing attention to Cupertino's geographic centre would be to jettison all those unnecessaryfive-digit numbering house numbers and start from 0 at the intersection of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard. We almost do this anyway for numbers north and south of Stevens Creek Boulevard, but again, how can we 111 - • ' expect to entice out-of-area shoppers when numbers switch from 10000 N to 10000 S ? Carmel can get by with numbers games (or lack thereof); but not Cupertino. What is your overall impression of this area? ' Let's make this area Cupertino's financial centre, it already has a good start. Trees are struggling against hostile concrete slabs. Coast Federal Savings has made good use of ivy as a ground cover toward the street. The often maligned brick building at the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road has one very good feature: it has nice shade trees, supported, protected, and helped with metal grates around the trunks and over the root areas. More of this "tree-friendly" hardware would make it possible for pedestrians and trees to share the same space. I What, if any, changes or"Heart of the City"implementation measures would you see for this area? ' Kiosques and community message boards seem badly needed here to handle the election posters of John Bautista and Okamura (Cupertino Union School District), as well as big posters advertising a German-U.S. soccer game. Stop 5a: Crossroads Center What is your overall impression of this area? Asphyxiation is the main component of this intersection, and a busy filling station and huge parking lot are probably the most appropriate symbols of the area. I What, if any, changes or"Heart of the City"implementation measures would you see for this area? 1 We don't see anything recommending this area as the "Heart of the City". 1 Stop 5b: Crossroads Intersection What is your overall impression of this area? , Filled with week-old election posters for Sandy James, Phil Stokes, Owens (Foothill DeAnza), Don Burnett, No on 174, and Old Mill's World of Terror. By contrast, the median strip is nicely landscaped, without the overhead wires prominent to the west of this point along Stevens Creek Boulevard. Street lighting, along the sides'of the street and not in the median, is also better suited here for the benefit of pedestrians. 1 Cupertino Charette - 8/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas Should this intersection be the "Heart of the City"? No way, it shouldn't even be considered until after shade trees are planted and an ' underpass is built. What would you like to see in the lawn area in front of the towers? tSome kind of landscaped garden, such as a Japanese garden, with a fish pond and stylised bridges. Stop 6: Town Center What is your overall impression of this area? Along Stevens Creek Boulevard it is intimidating, overbearing, and sterile. Despite ' evidence of concentrated housing in the area, there is no-one on the streets. South of Stevens Creek Boulevard, on Torre Avenue around Château Cupertino, the area looks like a well-kept &host town —the aftermath of a neutron bomb, perhaps. ,Should this area function as the Heart of the City"? Surprisingly, there is potential here. The building at 20245 Stevens Creek Boulevard (occupied by Prudential, California Realty, Finet, and Treasury Mortgage) has a pleasant, ' inviting entry way, with singing birds in the trees that shade benches out front. It seems to be the only County Transit bus stop along this section of Stevens Creek Boulevard without graffiti in some form. Whoever is maintaining this property holds the secret to providing a "people-friendly" ambiance! Is additional retail desirable and feasible in this area? Why not hold a farmer's market in the triangular parking lot southeast of the so-called "City Center" that is otherwise chained off on the weekend? I Stop 7: Torre Avenue to Blaney Avenue What is your overall impression of this area? Keep the tree-lined parkway as it is (especially in front of Cupertino National Bank), it's cohesive and beautiful the way it is between Randy and Blaney Avenues, except for the rock median strip from Chez Nous Hama east to Blaney. Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? Since this area already has an established and pleasant business office park character, it would be a shame to redevelop it or to alter the uniform parkway constraint just to get businesses right up to the street. ' Cupertino Charette -._9/11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas Stop 8 Blaney Avenue to Portal Avenue I What is your overall impression of this area? It's a junky area, from the hideous collection of pipes and air conditioning apparatus on t the roofs of Cicero's Pizza and Dairy Belle to the heavy concentration of posters for Okamura, Steven Haze, John Bautista, Marshall Goldman, Virgil McVicker, and Emily Lee Kelley, all on the "Boulevard Center" property on the northeast corner of Blaney and Stevens Creek Boulevard. In contrast, there is a beautiful stand of trees along the otherwise bland and windowless west wall of the Suburban House furniture store. I Is the existing parkway a constraint to proposed changes? As for the previous tour segment, the existing parkway is well-maintained and beautiful. I Any redevelopment should be limited to the immediate commercial vicinity of Blaney and Stevens Creek Boulevard. Stop 9: Portal Avenue to Wolfe Road What is your overall impression of this area? The trees are beautiful in this area. One minor complaint: the traffic lights provide no 1 pedestrian signal for those of us wishing to cross Portal (west to east). The shopping centre dominated by Fabricland is dull and uninviting. Should the greater Vallco Fashion Park area serve as the "Heart of the City"? ;:6 Possibly yes, as a "second heart" following the Oaks/DeAnza area. We have difficulty seeing how an indoor shopping mall can function as a "heart" of anything south of the Arctic circle, except when combined with some outdoor area, such as the vacant parcels in Stop 10. Stop 10: Wolfe Road to Tantau Avenue 1 What is your overall impression of this area? This area appears neglected: plants are dead behind the fenced-in, concrete prosthesis PP 9 , for what was once Calabazas Creek, a bag of trash has been lying some time at Finch and Steven Creek Boulevard, there's no pedestrian signal to cross Finch (west to east), but there are a few election posters around (Emily Lee Kelley, Sandy James). In contrast, the median area is nicely decorated with trees and trellis work between Finch and Tantau, comprising perhaps the prettiest part of this section as it currently exists. Should the vacant parcels be related to designating the greater Vallco area as'the "Heart of the City"? This is a very good idea. Gauging by the number of"for lease" signs we've seen on this tour, we don't think Cupertino needs additional office space. The site is easily accessible Cupertino Charette - 10/ 11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas ' from neighbouring communities and the combination of indoor Valico mall with outdoor attractions to be determined on this site might create a winning combination. At least this area lends itself to occasional events, such as a farmer's market. Stop 11: Tantau Avenue to Stern Avenue I_ , What is your overall impression.of this area? Is this still part of Cupertino? How did that ugly full-sized T.G.I.F. billboard on the south side of Stevens Creek Boulevard sneak into the city? The sidewalk disappears on the south side of the street, and the other predominant signs of blight are the election posters for Sandy James, Owens, Byron, Sorensen, Steven Haze, and Emily Lee Kelley along ' with spray-paint graffiti just before the San Jose city limit sign. Should the vacant and underutilized parcels be related to the greater Valico area? It's not clear anymore where Cupertino ends and Santa Clara or San Jose begins. This ' proximity to the borders of two other cities might develop into a jurisdictional nightmare. Moreover, Vallco is a bit too far away and the freeway and expressway a bit too close for this area to be identifiable as a "Heart of the City". 1 3 Conclusions Cupertino might do well to have "two hearts", one centred at DeAnza/Oaks and the other at Vallco/Tantau. The whole length of Stevens Creek Boulevard, from Foothill Expressway in the east to Lawrence Expressway in the east, should have some kind of distinctive city ' transit feature, such as a trolley, uniting both ends and providing a kind of"linear focus" to the whole area. 1 1 1 . 1 Cupertino Charette - 11 / 11 - 1993-11-12 P.Haas 1 1 1 I LAW OFFICES OF 11 STEVEN D. HOFFIVIAN 20370 TOWN CENTER LANE, SUITE 100 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA 95014 ' TELEPHONE FACSIMILE (406) 252-5900 (408) 252-5906 IOctober 22 , 1993 II II Heart of the City City of Cupertino Community Development Dept. 10300 Torre Avenue , II Cupertino, Ca 95014 IIRE: Heart of the City Design Charette Dear Design Committee: IISince I will not be able to attend the design charette, I thought I would provide a few of my comments. I Stop 5a/5b, the Crossroads Center/Crossroads Intersection is clearly the "Heart of the City. " Instead of spending years and untold resources attempting to convert the long stretch of Stevens 1 Creek Blvd. into a pedestrian walkway, I believe it would be cheaper and more productive to concentrate on this area. My basic concept for this area would be to underground vehicle traffic on De Anza Blvd. and on Stevens Creek Blvd. in both directions. This 11 would reduce traffic congestion and may allow narrowing of the thoroughfares. II With the thoroughfares below ground level I would propose building a structure on or above ground level to house a one story retail area, park and pedestrian walkways. The ground level or above IIground level could extend beyond the current borders of the intersection. In fact, it could extend beyond the existing structures on at least three of the corners at that intersection one of which is developed with a fairly new office building. The ' remaining corners could be integrated into the ground level or upper level with ramps and stairways. If an above ground level basically flat structure were built, there could also be shops I located at the corners on the ground level so that there would be, in effect, two levels of shops. Although the above, at first blush, would appear to be a monumental IIundertaking, I believe it would be more economical in the long run 1 1 Isince all of the land is currently undeveloped or already considered for change such as the existing service station. Parking is already available at the Crossroads Center and in front 1 of the Marina Market. I hope these suggestions help. II. Ve truly yours, IISteven off41 II SH:jl II II II I 11 II I 1 1 • I � Mr. Bob Cowen Community Development Department N� City of Cupertino 10300 Torre Ave. ' ` Copertino, CA 95014 N� November 5, 1993 Dear Sir I submit the following comments regarding the 'Heart of the N� City" Design Charette. Overview - The Lenmth of Stevens Creek Boulevard N� Most of Stevens Creek Boulevard is a hodgepodge of buildings, ' There is not even a remote thread of architectural consistency. Conseqoently, Stevens Creek Boulevard is unappealing to the N� human eye and to the human spirit. To me, it is urban sprawl at its worst. Cupertino needs to establish some architectural ' standards to correct this situation. Similar architectural style, roof lines, windows, coloring, lighting, landscaping and }arge trees would all be very helpful. Because of this disarray, the citizens of Cupertino lack a sense of community pride. Yes, there are a lot of great things about Cupertino, N� but no one would say we have a great looking city. ' Hiqhway 85 to Stellino Rd. m� This is basically the cultural center of Cupertino and � ` therefore should be pedestrian oriented. However, its close proximity to the freeway pretty much eliminates this desire. l 0� think some consideration should be given to foot bridges over Stevens Creek Blvd. and Mary Ave. to assist pedestrian movement around the area. In general, this area looks pretty good. N� This is due to some commonalty of architecture and trees. I find the Spanish architecture more pleasing than anything else in the city, and we have a lot of different styles to choose from don' t we? /9tellinq Rd. to DeAnza Blvd. N� I believe this area should be the "Heart of the City". This area contains many popular, stores, banks, and restaurants. Nhat it lac_ks is a pedestrian orientation. If the parking lots N� on both sides of Stevens Creek Blvd. (Target center and Mervyn center) could be eliminated, an attractive courtyard design would be possible. Perhaps the parking could be put undergrour/d, or in parking garages on the edge of the centers N� or even over (or under) Stevens Creek Blvd. It would be better to orient the shops inward (away from the street ) rather than right next to the street as some seem to be interested in N� doing. With as much traffic that is on Stevens Creek Blvd. , it / 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 does not seem appropriate to try to mitigate this situation for the pedestrians' benefit. I just do not see it ever working N� well . Why not use the buildings themselvesto huffer the � people from the traffic ! ' lt may be advantageous to reduce the width of Stevens Creek N� Blvd. between Stel l ing Rd. and DeAnza Blvd. or to have one slow lane and two fast lanes in each direction as has been described in previous Grand Boulevard layouts. However, in this N� resident' s mind it would only occur in this short length of Stevens Creek Blvd. between Stelling Rd. and DeAnza Blvd. This would provide for a city ambience along the street that some N� people desire. This then could be combined with the courtyard scheme. The disadvantage of this plan is that there would probably be less space available for the courtyard itself. N� Both sides of Stevens Creek Blvd. could be connected with pedestrian bridges and with a people mover that continoally ' circles the two courtyards. I believe these courtyards should done in Spanish architecture which would give continuity with the cultural center and create a village style ' Heart of the Cjt}'''. ueAnza Blvd. to Wolfe Rd. �his area is a mixture of retail, commercial and residential . 0� There is a 50 foot setback for most buildings. The 50 foot setback should be retained as this provides the basis for a grand boulevard look and for accommodating light rail in the N� future. I would like to see this area have some architectural ~~ design controls, but it would not have to conform with the same design controls the "Heart of the City". This area could have a more modern/high tech look. Large trees, such as at N� Val lco, The Market Place and at the eastern end of the Town Center, shouId line the street from Wolfe Rd. to DeAnza Blvd. Trees will greatly enhance the look of the street even without N� any architectural controls. More commonalty in landscaping of the 50 foot setback would also greatly enhance the look of the street and create a softer, greener look than the city N� current ly has. ./' . Wolfe Rd. to Stern Ave. N� Seems to me that this area would be ideal for additional housing, primarily apartments and condominiums. Public transportation to the "Heart of the City" and the cultural 0� center should play a significant role in traffic reduction. lhis area should also be available for Tandem' s expansion as well as for Vallco' s expansion. Architectural controls, trees and landscaping should be consistent with the area from DeAnza Blvd. to Wolfe Rd. � � � "� � I 1 1 1 1 � Conclusion ~~ The City Center area or the crossroads itself is the worst possible place in the city to attempt to form a pedestrian of the City". This intersect ion has to be one of the =m most inpacted traffic sites in the county. It' s ridiculous to ' attempt to transform this into a pleasant pedestrian orientec area. The lawn area here is a misfit, it accentuates the N� height of the twin towers and it is the worst possible place in the city for a park. This area is prime commercial property and should be developed accordingly and in some fashion to N� soften the height and the stark look of the towers, I disagree with the idea of surrounding it with 65 foot buildings as I believe the new General Plan allows for (45 feet should be the maximum height ) . Palms are also definitely out of the N� - quest ion. ' . Other areas along Stevens" Creek Blvd. (east of DeAnza Blvd. ) @� should not be considered for the "Heart of the City" primarily -- because the 6 lane configuration is needed to handle future traffic increases. It would be unwise to reduce the width of N� the street or to reconfigure it to two slow lanes and four fast �� lanes when an increase in density is anticipated for retail, cmxmercial and residential growth which will only result in more traffic. The "6e.Hiart of the City" plans must include Light Rail even if ' it might not be built for 20 years. Provisions for it must be N� ir/cor. .orated at this time. The Light Rail line must extent to the Flint Center at DeAnza College. I support the concept for a "Heart of the City" provided that N� it is a village type atmosphere and not a Manhattenization of . Cupertino such as the Twin Towers. Two story buildings or a 45 foot height limit should be the general height guideline. It N� a}so has to be on a small. scale and not the ent ire length of Stevens Creek Blvd. from Stern Ave. to Highway 85. N� The area between Stel l ing Rd. and DeAnza Blvd. is the best suited area for the "Heart of the City" concept. I encourage ' the Design Charette to take these basic concepts that have been presented and develop them as one of the design alternatives. Sincerely, Gerald M. Cooley ( 19 upertino Citizen Goals Committee) N� 10421 Castine Ave. / m� Cupent ino, CA 95014 ~~ �� 1 1 1 i 1 ''§ Of r M_ ,.:. ; - erce L. 4%, The . Chamber of Commerce advocates the following principles I as guides for the redesign of Stevens Creek Boulevard General Observations • Cupertino is in competition with other Santa Clara Valleycities for sales tax P P , dollars-and we must innovate our urban design if we,are going to maintain and increase our share of this revenue.Development along Stevens Creek is important I because it enables the capture of these dollars that in turn fund parks, roads, and public safety. I • Stevens Creek Boulevard should be viewed as a whole. While certain parts of it may be slated for more intense development,the entire corridor from De Anza College to the city limits on the other end should be encompassed in any resulting I plan.Development allocations along the Avenue have to enable property owners • outside of targeted high density areas to grow. • This has to be viewed as longer than a 5 year plan. A 10-20 year horizon is I appropriate.But,we cannot wait until the end of the plan's life to begin to implement the vision. 111 'Fiscal Observations • Existing businesses cannot be burdened unfairly with the cost of implementing a plan. We are concerned about business being forced to participate in a fast tracked rebuilding of Stevens Creek. Instead rebuilding to plan should be gradually - implemented as properties renovate or come on the market and"naturally" redevelop. • A well-designed plan should increase commercial and residential property values' I and payment for any redesign cost should come in large part from this increase in • value. - I I I20455 Silverado Avenue • Cupertino, CA 95014 • (408) 252-7054 • FAX (408) 252-0638 _ 1 Structural Observations I • Architecture along the street should be aimed at producing a street that is distinctive and cohesive. r • Landscaping should enhance the look and feel of the street'but,it cannot obscure the businesses from drive by traffic. • Stevens Creek's use as a high capacity arterial plays an important role in delivering customers to store owners.Future redesign must incorporate multiple modes of transportation that will not reduce this customer flow. ' • . The densities along the Boulevard should be aimed at enabling it to function as a mass transit corridor. 1 • Mixed use development is appropriate along the corridor, especially if this can accommodate necessary housing to address the jobs/housing imbalance. • • 1 r r r 1 r r r . r