[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6639033,"mediaKeyId","2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988","parentId",2558717,"title","Planning Commission approves hillside exception for new home at 22346 Regnaught Road","audioSeconds",1615,"startMs",1263000,"endMs",2878000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988&start=1263&end=2878","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988/thumbnail_1263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639033/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-hillside-exception-for-new-home-at-22346-Regnaught-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639033-726f4b85e5ce6db21aaec650fb0f2d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072385&Signature=XFXdx59py8Dqm9vCGIAwUZCmBTjBWQ-oByu1XRkNTOCNzoYYRIC7b7tRpVvxxIWijdK4apIRCYVI~t4OaAGWDezYJv2cwx25tx0hof9JF17BBGr~jW5bn-SZQO7-BCS6yQKu89NA1vQlFxq6W6UpZSz47t2UMf2nWBGUIMF4P4xHita31lkBQl8jomFbferlsaf8PYaCRYCUKTd5hSCYimPt1-yUP22R-w~Q-1FE0JPJcZa0EBR~1t9eMDOqUSlHm1BEWgDNEIgd~2OPUPH7uodiI3vsNPW7qIYJrMKbrDudj6klrfedW0UDIEL9ZHpvbxACc2uAan0BTrVRFnoo~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cupertino","date","2025-03-12T02:52:29.937Z","article","The Cupertino Planning Commission voted to approve a hillside exception (EXC2023001) to permit grading greater than 500 square feet on slopes steeper than 30% for a proposed single-family residence at 22346 Regnaught Road.

The motion adopted the staff recommendation to find the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and to approve the hillside exception and associated site design as outlined in the staff report.

Why it matters: The lot is within the Residential Hillside (RHS) zoning district and has an average site slope the staff described at about 45%, with the majority of the developable area near 36% slope. The commission’s approval allows construction on a steep hillside where special exceptions and geotechnical conditions apply.

What staff reported: Amy Sugiyama, planning staff, said the lot was created in a 1979 subdivision (Regnart Ridge) and that most lots in the subdivision were previously developed. She said the applicant proposes a 6,436-square-foot residence sited in the flattest portion of the lot, two non-protected trees would be removed and two oak trees added, and a septic system with a leach field would be located behind the residence. Sugiyama said the project proposes \"12 54 cubic yards\" of cut and fill, which the staff presentation characterized as less than the allowable 2,500 cubic yards for the site. She noted the property is within the city’s slope-instability geologic hazard area; the applicant prepared geologic and geotechnical reports that were peer reviewed by the city’s consultant and, according to staff, showed no evidence of landslides in the proposed development area. The Santa Clara County Fire Department asked the applicant to widen the private roadway frontage and improve a turnaround; the affected neighbor and HOA provided consent for that off‑site work.

Public comment and questions: Jennifer Griffin, speaking during the public hearing, raised concerns about septic systems’ long-term viability and asked whether the city has explored extending sewer lines up Regnart Road in the future. Commissioners pressed staff on the geologic reports’ dates and whether borings and peer review were recent; staff said original reports dated to February 2019 with supplements in 2021 and that a supplemental geotechnical report will be required at building-permit stage. Staff said peer review requested borings and that the borings did not find evidence of a landslide within the proposed disturbance area though some indications existed elsewhere on the larger property.

Commission discussion and vote: Commissioners asked about the frequency of hillside exceptions; staff noted about 21 such exceptions have occurred for development since the requirement began, and that two adjacent lots in the same subdivision previously received exceptions. Commissioners also asked about liability; staff said an indemnification agreement is in place with the developer and that additional geologic review is required before building permits are issued. The commission carried the motion; the meeting record states the motion carried with Commissioner Linscott absent.

Next steps: Staff condition the project’s building permit review on updated geotechnical documentation and compliance with the fire‑department roadway improvements and the resolution’s conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cupertino Planning Commission Meeting - March 11, 2025 (Live Streamed Version)","oneSentenceSummary","The Cupertino Planning Commission voted to approve a hillside exception (EXC2023001) to permit grading greater than 500 square feet on slopes steeper than 30% for a proposed single-family residence at 22346 Regnaught Road.","taxTitle","Cupertino, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3985,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639038,"Cupertino seniors and neighbors say Westport development eliminated promised parking",213,414000,627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988&start=414&end=627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988/thumbnail_414000.jpg","/articles/6639038/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-seniors-and-neighbors-say-Westport-development-eliminated-promised-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639038-f2167acad331332ee7bc133d81d6d358/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072385&Signature=KAZv4mcK7vj6c7jXCaQWUS-TEkD5-sSG5c3sc9GTrqVGtmS-uTgxmwGnbxyRjasb9dKyOiito6-3OsUd~OIXYZEs782i-ULCb2dp16mJ~cUkuw2yQo~1NC9I~ZKeCPYUTGgh~CvgYkgC~V8a3kwWe7UcML5kfDsRswkSRhgBWbhZHbogB0j8tmU-B9bYwaL0IICxLWtuhMwG1pv7xwHULwwCN5a-Xm3jw-nRWbU5gzoEentvrm6Qly~kZr6Xn~4EGiOZIJng-5DG1VxziUsjO0JA~QyCooT-Ku1HGHpQge2lqq9~z5bvXlHxaLdtSgsL9xryr1se~87STrdhNLb-Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Diana Farris, a resident of Westport Senior Apartments, told the Cupertino Planning Commission during oral communications that the project eliminated its parking garage and left many residents with nowhere to park.

Farris said the developer relied on a regulation cited as “AD 02/1997” in notices to justify removing the garage and argued that the site is not within a half-mile of “major transportation.” She said she reviewed the bus schedule and found service mostly every 30 to 60 minutes, and questioned whether the development qualifies for the state rule cited in the notice. “I looked at the law and determined that it said that we had to have bus stops that run every 15 minutes,” Farris said.

Why it matters: Residents said the change leaves seniors and people with disabilities dependent on cars without adequate parking, raising safety and access concerns for a demographic that often needs close, reliable vehicle access.

Commission staff did not have the Westport application on this meeting’s calendar. When asked by Farris, staff said the item “hasn’t been scheduled yet,” and that they will notify the commission and the public when it is agendized.

Several speakers described the local parking shortfall. Farris said the Westport complex includes 48 units and that residents were told parking would be provided by an adjacent assisted-living facility after the developer removed the residential garage. She provided a breakdown she said was in current use at the site: nine general parking spaces plus one EV, one EV/handicap and one additional handicap space — “a total of 12 parking spots for 48 units,” she said. “We literally come home at night and have nowhere to park,” Farris added.

Resident Jennifer Griffin criticized the state-driven shift to objective standards and repeated concerns about Westport’s parking. “We need those parking,” Griffin said, adding she has mobility limits and finds the loss of parking “insulting.” Rhoda Frey and other oral-communication speakers also raised parking problems at multiple local apartment conversions and asked the commission to pursue solutions including looking at student housing across Stevens Creek and possible RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) credit implications.

A commenter on Zoom, identifying herself as Lisa, said she saw a pattern of developers changing plans “the bait and switch over and over and over again” and urged the city to hold community workshops and consider the local retail and service impacts of conversions to housing.

What the commission said: Staff told the commission the Westport item had been postponed from a previous date and that notices will be circulated once a hearing is set. No formal planning action on Westport occurred at this meeting; the comments were part of the public comment (oral communications) portion of the agenda.

Next steps: Planning staff said they will schedule and notice the Westport matter and that the commission will have the opportunity to hear the project when it is placed on a future agenda.","Residents told the Cupertino Planning Commission that the Westport Senior Apartments lost a dedicated parking garage during development, leaving about 48 units served by roughly 12 parking stalls and limited nearby street parking. Speakers asked staff when the item will return to the commission.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639028,"Planning Commission approves Gate of Heaven mausoleum expansion and five‑tree removal with replacement",964,2913000,3877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988&start=2913&end=3877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2558717-70fc78663e2b276f823cd7310c87e988/thumbnail_2913000.jpg","/articles/6639028/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Planning-Commission-approves-Gate-of-Heaven-mausoleum-expansion-and-fivetree-removal-with-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639028-1003019c6f3b68468ddadef709605e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771072385&Signature=FL51gpWybaJGPjOIhKzGEapyht67eBzjSuaWUJfKanGUbJIiIznWtwSd~OtkdI14xamyKdBPmXjMFz3tcmiY2AZ~WKo~g1TINeL0vaL8PgcNQn~rhCuEuespJ-N~BsN0sOpXQlq4jKXeeHJ4QgcuIcDupO9cak617PV7wQXx5WCgkSuW0wOXH-7busExKz0BfrhDwfuXP4RGIL0QRdoTWSy2j~G5seSZKv5PiGhEeZyKjH8TStbMUldFg1TKplMl~pBjFgTaTVlbvd8mxnZLCSPuuSIg-hOej89HHdL~ASDdRc0fh1kvf20qsW0btElaAAN29ujziC4urNDuGwIcKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cupertino Planning Commission approved a use‑permit modification, architectural and site approval, and a tree removal permit to allow construction of a roughly 3,400‑square‑foot garden mausoleum with about 275 crypts and roughly 224 niches at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (22557 Cristo Del Rey).

Why it matters: The cemetery is an established memorial park within Cupertino. The project adds crypt capacity and niche space and includes removal of five European white birch trees adjacent to the proposed structure; the applicant proposed replacement plantings as required under the municipal code.

What staff reported: John Martyr, senior planner, explained the cemetery site is about 58 acres on the western side of the city and that mausoleums have been approved there historically. The proposed garden mausoleum is adjacent to an existing mausoleum and chapel; the nearest single‑family residences are about 760 feet away, according to the staff presentation. Staff recommended the planning commission find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the small‑structures provision (staff cited section 15303) and adopt the draft resolution approving the use‑permit modification, architectural/site approval and tree removal permit. The draft condition set requires replacement trees per the municipal code’s replacement ratio (staff noted replacement in 24‑inch box size per the code standard).

Public comment: Jennifer Griffin and a Zoom speaker (Lisa) spoke in favor of careful stewardship of the cemetery grounds and urged that replacement trees be robust. Lisa asked the applicant to consider larger replacement trees and praised the project as more acceptable than a previous larger development at the site.

Applicant statement: A Gates of Heaven representative said the cemetery routinely balances tree planting and removal; the applicant said they are cautious about adding trees in the grassy memorial area and that the proposed design matches existing mausoleum architecture. The applicant noted prior mausoleum construction on the site and said the cemetery tries to maintain a tranquil setting.

Commission discussion and vote: Commissioners, including Fung and others who had visited the site, expressed support. The motion to approve the staff recommendation passed unanimously with Commissioner Lindscoff absent. Tree removal approval requires the applicant to provide replacement plantings consistent with the municipal code’s tree‑replacement rules.

Next steps: The applicant must submit any required landscape and replacement tree plans and comply with conditions of approval; building permits and tree replacement enforcement will occur through the city’s standard permit and inspection process.","The commission approved a use‑permit modification, architectural/site approval and tree‑removal permit for a 275‑crypt garden mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery; the project will remove five European white birch trees with replacement plantings required under the city's tree ordinance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Commission approves hillside exception for new home at 22346 Regnaught Road

Cupertino seniors and neighbors say Westport development eliminated promised parking

Planning Commission approves Gate of Heaven mausoleum expansion and five‑tree removal with replacement