Why is the city's specific plan process more important than ever, even though the city received an SB 35 application from the developer?
The Specific Plan creates an ongoing opportunity for negotiation of design details, a development agreement and community amenities. There is no path for negotiation in the SB 35 application process. Community members are encouraged to continue to stay engaged in the design and planning process of the Vallco Special Area.
How do I get answers to my questions?
Cupertino’s Planning Division supports thousands within an active community of residents, property owners, contractors, sign makers, brokers, architects, designers, public agencies and many more. To help you get what you need as seamlessly as possible, please consider these options:
- Email your question to planning@cupertino.org (save a trip, save time). This mailbox is monitored daily by our team and allows you to be directed to the right person and/or department.
- Call408.777.3308/3309. If you get voicemail during regular business hours, it’s only because the planner-on-duty at that time is assisting other community members. Be sure to leave your name, a call back number and, your question in brief, clearly, in the event you get to voicemail. Emailing: planning@cupertino.org, as an alternative is encouraged.
- Check the City of Cupertino website for resources such as, public records, meeting agendas, Muni Code and major project updates.
- Sign up for e-notification and select the topics that interest you most: enotification-signup.
- Make an appointment. (Avoid walk-ins and a second trip!) This allows your planner to prepare information for you. You are also assured your planner is available rather than in a meeting, out in the field or assisting another person within the Cupertino community.
- Contact your project planner and stay in touch about expected milestones. All applications are assigned to a single project manager who will help you from preliminary concept phase through to signing off on occupancy (finalizing your building permit). Work with the same person throughout the process for an efficient response. In the event of any staffing changes, you will be assigned a new project manager to guide you through the process.
- Check cupertino.buildingeye.com for information on building and planning projects currently under review, under construction, or completed; or, if you simply want to know if your neighbor down the street has a permit for “that.”
- Use Cupertino 311. Have concerns about unpermitted work, spotted a pothole, a listing street tree, a branch blocking the sidewalk, a trip hazard on a sidewalk or simply anything? Use the Cupertino 311 app (iOS or Android) or visit www.cupertino.org/cupertino311 to let the City know from wherever you are, except if you’re driving! (But please, do let us know when you get there.)
Where will all these new Apple Park employees live?
At its peak, Hewlett Packard, which had previously owned the property, had approximately 9,800 employees. With Apple’s redevelopment, it is anticipated that there will be approximately 13,200 employees at Apple Park, an increase of 3,400 people. While cities are not specifically required to house all employees, California state law requires cities to plan for housing demand as a result of expected job growth. As part of a required Housing Element, each city is required to plan for a certain allocation of housing over a specific period (Regional Housing Needs Allocation or “RHNA.”) Cupertino’s commitment to meeting its RHNA and to creating more opportunities for affordable housing is reflected in various policies adopted and championed by the City Council.
Cupertino’s Housing Element (HE), adopted in May 2015, identified sites throughout the city to accommodate its (RHNA) to help improve the jobs to housing ratio and to bring housing closer to jobs.
- In addition, in 2015, the Council increased developer in-lieu fee contributions toward affordable housing. Additionally, the City successfully negotiated with developers to include affordable housing within their projects that would be affordable for lower income residents, teachers, etc.
- Since adoption of the HE and increased housing mitigation fees, the City has approved 807 new residential units:
- Hamptons – 600 net new homes (total 942 units); 71 affordable units (41 very low and low income; 30 moderate income)
- Marina Plaza – 188 net new homes; 18 affordable units (16 very low income; 2 moderate income)
- The Verandas – 19 net new homes; 18 senior affordable units (6 extremely low income, 6 very low income and 6 low income)
- As the City works toward implementation of housing goals, it will continue to look for ways to incorporate more housing and affordable housing options.
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