[{"_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",6598936,"mediaKeyId","3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910","parentId",3021619,"title","Cupertino council approves $3 million to Mary Avenue Villas; reallocates below-market-rate funds after debate","audioSeconds",2685,"startMs",3107000,"endMs",5792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910&start=3107&end=5792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910/thumbnail_3107000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6598936/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-council-approves-3-million-to-Mary-Avenue-Villas-reallocates-below-market-rate-funds-after-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598936-5a0d1f4d03d534eaa4303389d7bb2711/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171106&Signature=RN3t-Ml35MQXBGAW5DW0aJBL4TbP9tbdQDOmhEeWoKGCrlm9xZihW7BSuIJvfx5qT-8XNouEOAqcP8KFUSOJnBA~t1iY~aa3DYqxkJme9pIqpkUQlVY3n9VFRAYeAlmNsDkH7x7Vnmz5WvxR16HGikSnS8bT8K~k4mAHAl2NfY3ojpEs-hOlngWOpYUGlgURO4MXy2pYmsXffp5s3hVYz98rwOMASYFQNliqvvo3BDZZW1FSJv~yW2bs8MEo6uxK9rcuGNM2~fH0LWysKGrj6jFnpLjc0kCAKdDD9BIXCOTzPY5~7NIrDZt~n6X8f1DYLlQRZAF0cLKr8rq~XVllyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cupertino","date","2025-04-16T05:56:28.853Z","article","The Cupertino City Council voted April 15 to adjust its below-market-rate (BMR) housing funding recommendations and commit $3,000,000 to the Mary Avenue Villas project (Charities Housing) while allocating $1,083,200 to Eden Housing's Wolf Road project.

Vice Mayor Moore moved the substitute motion and was seconded by Councilmember Fruin; the motion passed with Councilmember Long recorded as the sole vote against the final allocation. The council approved the funding after extensive public comment that included advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), housing-service providers, neighbors concerned about parking and traffic, and developers.

City staff described the recommended funding stack for Mary Avenue Villas as a combination of program sources: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding ($174,567.37), Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds ($908,683), and BMR capital funds ($1,916,800), totaling $3,000,000 for the project. The council's action commits BMR funds locally; staff confirmed the city will execute loan/loan-agreement documents contingent on the projects receiving required planning entitlements.

Supporters urged the council to approve the allocation so housing for people with IDD can move forward promptly. Jennifer Lucas, manager of the Central Coast Office of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, told the council \"people with developmental disabilities are particularly impacted by the shortage of affordable housing\" and said many remain with aging parents. Jia Fong of Housing Choices, the project's proposed on-site service provider, said Mary Avenue would provide \"doorways to independence\" for residents who often live on Social Security benefits.

Speakers representing Housing Choices, West Valley Community Services, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and families whose relatives already live in nearby affordable housing emphasized the project's readiness and the population's low incomes. Several speakers asked the council to prioritize people who live or work in Cupertino on BMR waitlists; staff said current waitlist rules already award points to applicants who live or work in Cupertino and said further refinements could be studied for future policy changes.

Opponents and nearby residents raised concerns about parking, traffic and the suitability of the Mary Avenue location for a 40-unit affordable project. Several neighbors urged the council to seek design changes, additional on-site parking or alternative sites; staff said planning review and entitlements would address many of the design, parking and traffic issues and said the city would reserve the right to return BMR funds if projects fail to reach planning approvals.

Council discussion focused on balancing project readiness against other pipeline projects. Staff explained Eden Housing's request was for a later project phase and County and state funding applications for Wolf Road continue; the council majority concluded the Mary Avenue project's readiness justified the larger allocation now.

Ending

Councilmembers directed staff to execute agreements once planning entitlements are obtained and to work with the Mary Avenue developer on design and parking mitigation; staff also retained authority to return reserved funds to the BMR balance should planning approvals not be achieved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cupertino City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025 (Live Streamed Version)","oneSentenceSummary","The Cupertino City Council voted April 15 to reallocate below-market-rate housing funds, committing $3,000,000 to the Mary Avenue Villas affordable housing project and awarding $1,083,200 to the Eden Housing Wolf Road project after public testimony and prolonged council discussion.","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},6598940,"Santa Clara County Fire presents new LRA fire-hazard severity maps, outlines local impacts and timeline",757,228000,985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910&start=228&end=985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910/thumbnail_228000.jpg","/articles/6598940/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Santa-Clara-County-Fire-presents-new-LRA-fire-hazard-severity-maps-outlines-local-impacts-and-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598940-760a9d0bc054ddfd2ce628a8971958ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171106&Signature=hviIEPsYUO9XmyRzm7dS8ihjjLNttqVG0u7Xg-IgKkoWAtMsgqQPFTelE6xRJpF3A5QSPN5YeHpGiTbqDuxhMsMKrHZllnc3dLZSoItTJ4hd1TJuw3Ktpe92Dj9jTk4rgWy6tL6eMzjDVTC0kNy0VRhEJVv4iqFQGkX9kmni68mgONlzaGCEVuPa58Uvc3CHsdE1Eyuo~NOc5llS8GZup4tntfeytmBxUUIZUrBCzointkJ0qMljQHpHu7AuZkUxsHGCGssPrBYSRlnzUFLSvLs~JQQ1SVyAojI4EnmM9UT3r7KX488tjPvx12RpL6zTMyYjgLP7fOJZoCAqkCxM0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Santa Clara County Fire Assistant Chief Hector Estrada told the Cupertino City Council on April 15 that the state\u00019s updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity maps, released to local governments in February 2025, require cities to post the maps for public comment and adopt them locally by June 24, 2025.

Estrada said the maps classify areas as moderate, high or very high based on modeled fire behavior and factors including vegetation, slope and historic winds. He emphasized that the maps identify hazard under existing conditions rather than the later, controllable measure known as \"risk.\" \"The maps are primarily focused on identifying fire hazard,\" Estrada said, adding that steps such as home hardening and defensible space can reduce risk even in high-hazard zones.

The assistant chief outlined the maps' legal and technical background: early statewide mapping was prompted by the 1980 Panorama fire and later by the Oakland Hills and CZU Lightning Complex fires; state laws and bills since the 1980s and 1990s (which he cited during his presentation by name and year) shaped the current mapping and the requirement for local adoption. He also cited Government Code 51179 as limiting local governments from reducing mapped hazard levels and noting that any local increase would require significant justification and coordination with CAL FIRE.

Estrada said Cupertino's previous adopted map dated to a 2007 baseline. The new 2025 LRA map is more comprehensive and uses updated modeling and vegetation data; the larger mapped footprint prompted substantial public questions after the maps were released. \"People were very surprised by seeing such a stark change,\" he said, noting improved data, growth in vegetation and methodological updates as likely contributors to the larger hazard footprint. He encouraged the city and residents to seek the technical documentation CAL FIRE used and said staff is working with CAL FIRE to obtain more details.

Estrada walked through practical implications for property owners: potential WUI (wildland-urban interface) building standards for new construction, requirements for defensible space and annual fuel inspections in some areas, and hazard real estate disclosures at point of sale. He also flagged potential insurance-market consequences and pointed to guidance from the California Department of Insurance and its commissioner on how insurers use risk models. He offered links and public-facing FAQs and urged residents to pursue Firewise community organization and phased approaches to home-hardening for existing structures.

Council members asked procedural questions about the local adoption timeline and the city\u00019s ability to request parcel-level adjustments, and Estrada said the council may propose additions but any upward change requires \"significant justification\" and CAL FIRE cooperation. He encouraged staff and residents to use the 120-day adoption window to gather data and, if warranted, pursue limited map refinements in coordination with state officials.

Estrada said staff will publish the presentation and update the FAQ to reflect new information. He also offered to answer follow-up questions routed through city staff. The presentation drew no formal council action; it was provided as information to prepare Cupertino for the coming local-adoption process.

Ending

Estrada closed by stressing resident preparedness and neighborhood organization: creating Firewise communities, pursuing defensible space and incremental home-hardening measures are practical ways to reduce the local risk that follows from the static hazard designation on the state map. The city and county will continue to coordinate with CAL FIRE and post additional technical materials for public review.","Santa Clara County Fire Assistant Chief Hector Estrada briefed the Cupertino City Council on newly released Local Responsibility Area (LRA) fire hazard severity maps, explaining the maps' origin, what they do and do not mean for property owners and the city, and a June 24, 2025 local adoption deadline set by state law.",{"_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},6598931,"Cupertino council directs staff to send Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor vision study to both Bike/Ped and Planning commissions",2202,5798000,8000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910&start=5798&end=8000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021619-3a0bebbc9fe3ac0d71b07bac35f3b910/thumbnail_5798000.jpg","/articles/6598931/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-council-directs-staff-to-send-Stevens-Creek-Boulevard-corridor-vision-study-to-both-BikePed-and-Planning-commissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6598931-e108c4b1def3b64a6d5eba1d427c9d52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171106&Signature=Ld5kPPnO2g3~xEH-uGa-DYgYcI3hk0vYntV24hwFUQM6xXnqelHaDdUcP7qel50ikhDLd1L5LA0zrFqXqXE65aMZJ6B0OtwJts59sbBrxFlAZ~OBM5qkrk0y4Vrt2tgsO9lJD4mf6gwQgstoHGr75buHdXbghgIdlorGFS~~FKD~H~FLmBcTs~BqQJ4NeT-ROetTqYuVm724MywzUXaxdSQbvCS6zDqJOuh3j5Kehrg2EMrXAAqudanaz-1K7TNLNpAqH0UuDilqQY1g6VoaIhOelggwpDpIQrm8OLV-ec~9y70bKZyvcbGIwG2-CHn3lp1BdjS9mjhMLEGHYx91ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cupertino City Council voted unanimously on April 15 to direct staff to transmit the Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor vision study to both the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission and the Planning Commission for formal review and comment.

Public speakers and several council members argued for different paths. Some residents and bicycle-safety advocates urged quick action through the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission, citing pedestrian and cyclist safety data and pressing needs for protected lanes. \"If you care about the well-being of our community's environment, please present the study to the bicycle pedestrian commission and let them fulfill their mission and get more people onto bikes,\" said Beck Polternetti, a Cupertino resident who bikes to school.

Other speakers and some council members argued the study's scope
includes streetscape, land-use and transit components that fall naturally under the Planning Commission and the city's general plan mobility element. Planning staff and several council members noted the 2019 council resolution that originally chartered the study and said the scope emphasizes high-capacity transit concepts alongside multimodal corridor improvements.

Public Works Director Chad Moses briefed council that either commission could reasonably review the document but recommended against sending the item to both commissions because it could generate conflicting directions and duplicate staff work. Several council members, however, said the public interest and the overlap between mobility and land-use warranted input from both bodies. After discussion, Councilmember Freund moved to send the study to both commissions; the motion passed unanimously.

Councilmembers and members of the public also discussed timing and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and regional agencies. Staff said the study has already been presented to some partner agencies and technical committees and that other corridor jurisdictions (including Santa Clara and San Jose) are scheduling their own reviews; staff said Cupertino's review would be one stage in a multi-jurisdictional process and that council direction on which commission to use would guide local public hearings and staff work.

Ending

Staff will place the corridor vision study on the agendas of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission and the Planning Commission for their separate reviews and return summary comments to the council. Councilmembers asked staff to ensure the materials include clear analyses of right-of-way constraints, costs and implementation implications for Cupertino properties.","After public comment and a lengthy discussion about commission jurisdiction, the Cupertino City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to present the Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor vision study to both the Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission and the Planning Commission for review and comment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cupertino council approves $3 million to Mary Avenue Villas; reallocates below-market-rate funds after debate

Santa Clara County Fire presents new LRA fire-hazard severity maps, outlines local impacts and timeline

Cupertino council directs staff to send Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor vision study to both Bike/Ped and Planning commissions