[{"_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",6525353,"mediaKeyId","3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf","parentId",3536505,"title","Speaker urges mandatory background checks for pet adoptions, cites San Jose shelter deaths","audioSeconds",169,"startMs",232000,"endMs",401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf&start=232&end=401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf/thumbnail_232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6525353/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Speaker-urges-mandatory-background-checks-for-pet-adoptions-cites-San-Jose-shelter-deaths","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525353-afd05a2c9ba5dc829f8c8a6e005231a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150442&Signature=CzxrBX-GtGJnswSxwytJ7LQgndVe4xTdGy-sCehAw7hYDaUqY0mV7GqC9IesBTrTfBecYLHQLoCEojE63~-Am8VMYhI2fYRln~DEbbbCpQo9i7d2ZRA3yqpCL4AFFOz4K5IrWt4b2a86TjMvriiV-sTPtZz9aWVOoqlaaiqVkj0VpMkJei5NCUV1NHI4HH86Rox2fnfCdLPGVE4Ekk1jVYrTK9DXmFtyio8asnspD1ivDNBauMU4Enad6H-b0DplUuON6pZ~-xquBn-0dA4VgVKV1vjYPodDY3RncJkO0qOhUOL66dlofRpKcjVffc-Mxd9M2tsJcFiNVdmzwmJKEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cupertino","date","2025-05-27T20:37:11Z","article","During the May 27 Cupertino Planning Commission meeting’s public comment period, a resident identified as Hazik urged the city to require mandatory background checks for people adopting pets, arguing that animals depend on adopters and that background checks are routine for other types of care.

Hazik said many animals suffer abuse or neglect and cited recent incidents at the San Jose animal care center, referencing named animals and an audit finding that the shelter was overcrowded relative to capacity. He tied those examples to a broader call for safety measures, saying, “If background checks became standard? Because all animals deserve safety, love, and respect. Let's be their voice before it's too late.”

The call was a public-comment appeal; the commission did not take action on the matter during the meeting. No staff report or proposed ordinance to implement background checks was presented at the hearing. The comments were part of general oral communications; no commission commitment or referral was recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cupertino Planning Commission Meeting - May 27, 2025 (Live Streamed Version)","oneSentenceSummary","During oral communications at the Cupertino Planning Commission meeting, a resident called for mandatory background checks for pet adoptions and cited recent reported deaths at the San Jose shelter as a rationale.","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},6525358,"Residents urge environmental review for Babich Court, Vista Heights projects after CAL FIRE hazard designation",155,414000,569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf&start=414&end=569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf/thumbnail_414000.jpg","/articles/6525358/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Residents-urge-environmental-review-for-Babich-Court-Vista-Heights-projects-after-CAL-FIRE-hazard-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525358-340a17252f4379349e301b12303cb61b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150442&Signature=XkIi-y1HEQSRq~I9-Gokk7gAo2QOF4Eyj84gx0cL6JMOUrfu7Pcx3zHuW1QkyIQ~hyTRvdp3Q6NYwUTe9gir10AyhwO6aEwvhsu~4YplnpeEjz83v8nuy455hpyziFRNr5vDFNPmKylBZTFm07cBUsje52T9PpsinTshCbW-AMMpYw13PlehBYdojjH95RvAYlqKrStksY~stYQnHZ5OqanAJuJkqb4Rk4xsgzjD6qS37d8ock3k~rNje3GTsDkmpLlB3L0VTGmdY01aSm1PHwsVo2OblsR52Jjb5pCbX8xl15TvyyFcI~eqjYBf~uU-AFw2Yi7z9xZe1lS2-eCNew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Cupertino Planning Commission meeting on May 27, a resident said proposed developments on Babich Court and the nearby Vista Heights site should require full environmental review given a recent high fire hazard designation from CAL FIRE.

David (last name not provided), speaking remotely during the meeting’s oral communications period, said the Babich Court project sits in one of the city’s most fire-prone areas and that CAL FIRE’s new high fire hazard severity map was being formally adopted. He said the map notes the city cannot downgrade state hazard designations and argued that the new designation warrants pausing any fast-track approvals and conducting a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

David referenced a contemporary dispute in San Diego over whether developers could skip environmental review for projects in similar circumstances and warned that approving housing without full review in high-hazard areas could set a precedent. He also said the Vista Heights proposal is near Linda Vista Park and approximately 500 feet from the site David described; he urged the commission to “take a firm position” and requested an EIR for the projects.

A second resident, Lisa, told the commission she echoed David’s concerns. The commission did not take action on the oral communications item; these remarks were part of the public comment period and not on the formal agenda.

No staff or commissioners committed to a specific follow-up during the meeting. Earlier in the session staff noted the city mailed notices confirming CAL FIRE’s new map; no staff report at the hearing announced a formal pause or an upcoming CEQA determination for the Babich Court or Vista Heights projects.","Speakers at Cupertino Planning Commission oral communications asked the city to require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for proposed projects near Babich Court and Vista Heights following a new CAL FIRE high fire hazard designation.",{"_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},6525362,"Planning commission approves exception to attach garage at 890 Brent Drive",1215,747000,1962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf&start=747&end=1962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3536505-f0974db9bb299951fdf5ed5a709286bf/thumbnail_747000.jpg","/articles/6525362/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-exception-to-attach-garage-at-890-Brent-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525362-57a4fe03c509dc95b3de67c375802539/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150442&Signature=XKRizRoNuaEjCePmqVeL95NnhscTL-9jvN9aZDlyrF17gHYgtA91tbAdN2g1bRd7mq79daMapoMw-DN3soC14FAnpTO3qfWJzCxxtmjUYdJTJiMA-vdYPblTdTZTOPTgb5c6MEwZ0K5SiLDptEMj7TBsgKCAbPftsPJwr3SGlpbq0CQx8Ww77IZOlGaD3~O0UkU9lkLXtDe3Ljf62EtwONC3Wi~XIeqJko72rTeEXF8AdT7Xkw3JaclQdXkQaNs0x~Kzz2GFxd3TL3xmu7Z1p4yqwmEBvn5f89fQlJb9RrAlp4facXu8x4Z7rh42jsh9FiEtvkAkeDjilWOLVjNfCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cupertino Planning Commission on May 27 unanimously approved an R1 exception (Application EXE2025002) permitting homeowners at 890 Brent Drive to attach an existing detached garage to the principal dwelling, creating a reduced side-yard setback. The commission voted to adopt the staff recommendation and found the project exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under the existing-facilities exemption.

Staff said the proposal would add 1,059 square feet to the house, made up of a 327-square-foot addition between the existing detached garage and the house, a 650-square-foot addition at the front of the principal dwelling and an 82-square-foot front porch. Jelani Mora, assistant planner, told the commission the lot is in the South Bellini neighborhood on a 6,089-square-foot parcel created in 1958 and annexed into Cupertino in 1979. Mora said the project retains front and rear setbacks and keeps most side setbacks; the only technical nonconformity is a portion of the detached garage that would remain on the property line.

Mora said the proposed lot coverage, excluding eaves, is 44.9 percent; including certain eave areas the coverage is 49 percent, which staff said is consistent with R1 standards when eaves are excluded. He described the resulting side-yard condition as 5 feet at the former garage wall and 9 feet 8 inches for the adjacent side to meet the 15-foot combined side-yard requirement with no side less than 5 feet. Mora noted a nearby, similar design-review approval at 874 Brent Drive in February 2010.

Applicants Meng Wu and Jin Chen spoke to the commission about family needs, saying they are a six-person household with a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old and that the addition would create a bedroom and bathroom for grandparents who help care for the children. A member of the public who lives in the neighborhood told the commission she supported the project and praised the single-story design and the applicants' decision to retain existing structure where possible.

Commissioners asked about noticing, which staff said was done to adjacent residences and by posting a site sign about two weeks before the hearing, and about previous R1 exception frequency; staff said the city has processed 14 R1 exceptions since 2005 and only one other of this exact nature (attaching a detached garage to the principal dwelling) was approved previously.

Chair Rao moved to adopt the staff recommendation; the motion received a second and passed unanimously. The planning commission closed the public hearing and thanked the applicants and staff for the presentation.

The commission record for the item identifies the application as EXE2025002 and finds the project exempt from CEQA under the existing-facilities exemption. No conditions that would change the approved setbacks or the footprint of the existing detached garage were referenced in public remarks at the meeting.","The Cupertino Planning Commission on May 27 approved an R1 exception (EXE2025002) allowing owners to connect a detached garage to the principal dwelling at 890 Brent Drive; staff found the project exempt from CEQA.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speaker urges mandatory background checks for pet adoptions, cites San Jose shelter deaths

Residents urge environmental review for Babich Court, Vista Heights projects after CAL FIRE hazard designation

Planning commission approves exception to attach garage at 890 Brent Drive