[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6552298,"mediaKeyId","5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3","parentId",5120737,"title","Cupertino council adopts FY 2025-26 fee schedule after debate over full cost recovery; two members dissent","audioSeconds",3443,"startMs",7971000,"endMs",11414000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3&start=7971&end=11414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3/thumbnail_7971000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552298/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-council-adopts-FY-2025-26-fee-schedule-after-debate-over-full-cost-recovery-two-members-dissent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552298-7f1ddff8cb549e03c264823a757353da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445413&Signature=AhH8aKtSbZ1Z794O9wLLYGKCpLV6ElOW6i29ilFYncLarJyr-tynbcdKtwjrZqHbffW6sAMGppj9EDxMhF-UplcjPzZkUzXxJQpx9il8-ybrUhvK6Qf5Kl5FPuB0MeEoeBiLtcStHdpW5K~b1UooSmeahPZDL3PFvizO45niPWdY51-RKFIN-nSp5cL5dqphr4PPVqN7f1gZ7f-ZlA6UfeSolOivkv1PomP8joUkz0DyxesWBOotqYWfAMtGVzIjOmtt~75mCz8ZxPeHi5xTyH-Vrqtd1XXdz5DkLPsOKyDwyfCWn6zI3MWhoMPCVb4iXR60mzabqxhnVlsA1LVuVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Cupertino","date","2025-07-02T19:09:25.957Z","article","The Cupertino City Council on July 1 adopted updates to the city\u0000\u0000fee schedules covering general fees, engineering, planning and building services, a staff presentation said, with the changes scheduled to take effect Sept. 1.

Finance staff estimated the changes would generate roughly $650,000 of additional revenue for the fiscal year, largely to the general fund. Jonathan (Finance Manager) and Christine Alfaro (Director of Administrative Services) told the council they followed a user-fee study framework that includes target recovery ranges, a multi-year implementation path for large increases and annual updates tied to inflation and labor costs.

Council discussion centered on whether the city should aim for full cost recovery on regulatory services or continue subsidizing particular fees to avoid discouraging permit compliance. Vice Mayor Moore and other supporters argued that fees should reflect the actual cost of service delivery and that many peer cities have moved toward higher recovery levels. Other council members and members of the public, including San R., said the council should protect vulnerable residents and small applicants from sharp fee hikes and consider targeted subsidies.

Public comment reflected the divide. Rhoda Frey asked the council to review the cost side of service delivery and limit fee increases where they create hardship. A caller who identified as \"San\" urged the council to reverse the cost-recovery policy changes, saying some permit applicants are retirees and would be burdened by the increased fees.

The council voted to adopt the recommended fee schedules as presented. The motion carried; the clerk recorded two dissenting votes (Council Member Wong and Mayor Chow). Staff said most fees are tied to documented labor and pension costs; several council members asked staff to supply more detailed comparisons and return with clarifications where large increases had happened in consecutive years.

Ending: The fee changes will be implemented Sept. 1 unless the council reconsiders; staff will continue to provide additional detail and may return with specific recommendations for selected fees if the council requests further refinement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cupertino City Council Meeting - July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cupertino City Council on July 1 adopted updates to multiple city fee schedules that will raise fees for planning, building, engineering and general services and are expected to add about $650,000 in revenue for FY2025-26.","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},6552290,"Midpen officials outline wildfire resilience, species protection and a Highway 17 wildlife undercrossing in update to Cupertino council",765,238000,1003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3&start=238&end=1003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3/thumbnail_238000.jpg","/articles/6552290/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Midpen-officials-outline-wildfire-resilience-species-protection-and-a-Highway-17-wildlife-undercrossing-in-update-to-Cupertino-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552290-f2c60670538ed6f35e01c8fc77ea41ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445413&Signature=neQlLKe3EJoaWE6MmdJZ02T0E51Z7SJZweYSOoyBwZveXyvDxwm7uCRiXFbuqJsKWmwp5qz~LkDWB7Fn-sPoW5xHCgd8U7BlsiENglxWSb88trBdtfQnzzwBiM-~hdbM~Kl2CLFwVfqYKtaHumLyJOReWT2yM3o5on4TnVs-WEsNUXSDAbV7PnO4Gd2X6XPZ~OPQhaptW2JupHbQNZ5x6uOUgXGOdVuqohjIr6KMI~1FJG6kzQdLFi~tN7pY9cttUQ~PM5nIWCnFlV8A-ZDyOQUQL4Uy5mWAfG3hQVrXKGRnCxDm-A9LaQgSlbQcNbao54Jf6xynzESiPYtW9LnWXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board leaders presented an informational update to the Cupertino City Council on July 1 describing the district's mission, preserves and upcoming projects that affect Cupertino residents.

Jed Seer, president of Midpen's board (who indicated his name pronunciation during the presentation), and Craig Gleeson, a director representing Ward 1 which includes portions of Cupertino, described the district's scope: 27 preserves totaling roughly 72,000 acres, publicly accessible trails and a volunteer force of more than 1,000 people a year. The district is funded primarily by a portion of property tax and received voter approval of Measure Double A (2014), a bond package that funds habitat protection, restoration and access.

Seer and Gleeson highlighted the district's wildland fire resiliency program, which the district manages in partnership with CAL FIRE, county and local fire agencies and other organizations. Work includes mapping and monitoring, vegetation management, creation of shaded fuel breaks and prescribed burns. Gleeson showed a photo of a prescribed burn at Cherry Springs in Sierra Azul and said a larger prescribed burn was planned for the area.

Midpen staff also described the Los Gatos Creek Watershed Collaborative, a cross-agency effort that includes San Jose Water, Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council and Santa Clara County Parks and is funded in part by CAL FIRE's forest health grants. Techniques described included understory thinning and shaded fuel break creation to reduce fire intensity.

The district briefed the council on habitat-protection work, noting protection efforts for species such as the endangered San Francisco garter snake, which has strong populations on district land. Midpen also described a planned wildlife undercrossing near the north end of Lexington Reservoir and Highway 17 to reduce wildlife mortality and improve genetic connectivity for mountain lions and other species; the undercrossing work is coordinated with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and has a target construction window around 2027, subject to funding and partnership arrangements.

Seer described Midpen's increasing formal partnerships with local nonprofits and a tiered support model for community programs (pilot, tier 2 and tier 3 grants/agreements) that provide educational and access opportunities for diverse constituencies. The district stressed volunteer opportunities and docent-led activities and directed residents to openspace.org/events for registration.

Ending: Midpen's presentation was informational; council thanked the directors and noted opportunities for continued coordination on fire resiliency and trail connectivity affecting Cupertino.
","Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board leaders briefed the Cupertino City Council on the district's preserves, wildfire-resiliency projects carried out with CAL FIRE and other partners, habitat protections including for the San Francisco garter snake, and a planned wildlife undercrossing near Lexington Reservoir.",{"_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},6552294,"Cupertino council authorizes negotiator to explore purchase of 10480 Finch Avenue for park use",1621,11421000,13042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3&start=11421&end=13042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3/thumbnail_11421000.jpg","/articles/6552294/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-council-authorizes-negotiator-to-explore-purchase-of-10480-Finch-Avenue-for-park-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552294-805616c1e4cf707e606b717a440a69e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445413&Signature=UdtUQ51xFLHTLASLAEIU6iXn3il7rPc0P1SxWJ-ccMraPZw5IIuaVUkp~l-29G-p0EQpmjaroQSXCm-aUWlzfGE4gMqamZJgkMxkHyd3UTcvGqBpRHCw8YA11PQlmBWdpd8c23i3DF6teQAbvKqQBALr-RSVaTgK-hh6VCz25SBsPqq-7xQOigZrkxyxmzv~5-upnIrh0jo3yYJaH3Y8XCqxDWXHeSBH9lSHsmli7rd0-ko8d6CThTrtC17THTzG4W63eNICzaUrj5hdAUVqwrNlXIc4gTcrv18Dm~bgjbo25HX1OL30Jg9j1jZWZnTVymwNUkzr8VOWYpjO4HU9Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council on July 1 authorized staff to begin negotiations and due diligence on the potential purchase of 10480 Finch Avenue, a roughly one-acre parcel in the Rancho Rinconada area that the Cupertino Union School District owns, as a possible park site.

Chad Mosey, director of public works, told the council the district purchased the parcel in 2016 for about $5.4 million and that the site has been remediated for previously identified contamination. \"The property is approximately 1.0 acres ... it is currently vacant,\" Mosey said, adding the city has about $13.2 million in park-in-lieu funds that could be used toward acquisition.

Mosey said the next steps, if council wants to proceed, are to obtain a title report, a preliminary site assessment and an appraisal and then return to council in closed session to discuss terms. The school district has discussed disposing of the site and signaled interest in conversations with the city, staff said; any sale would require further board action by the district.

Public commenters urged the city to proceed carefully and to first examine alternate options, including county-owned land and possible annexations. Supporters argued the parcel would help address a longstanding park shortage in the eastern neighborhoods — several residents said the area has comparatively little parkland and that the site is adjacent to Sedgwick Elementary and could be a neighborhood resource.

Council voted to appoint negotiators and begin the due-diligence step. The motion carried with Vice Mayor Moore recused from the vote; staff said the earliest next council return could be in September after the due diligence is complete.

Ending: Authorization to begin negotiations does not obligate the city to buy the property; council directed staff to complete title, environmental and appraisal work and report back with findings and recommended next steps.","The council voted to appoint negotiators and start due diligence on a potential purchase of a 1-acre parcel at 10480 Finch Avenue from the Cupertino Union School District; staff will order title, appraisal and environmental reviews before returning to council in closed session.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552303,"Cupertino council approves 59-unit townhome development at former Staples site; includes 12 BMR units and multiple state housing waivers",4136,3844000,7980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3&start=3844&end=7980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3/thumbnail_3844000.jpg","/articles/6552303/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-council-approves-59-unit-townhome-development-at-former-Staples-site-includes-12-BMR-units-and-multiple-state-housing-waivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552303-29a4107c1d69cd8f01f6421aaad5504e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445413&Signature=oz8wktt7hxkN4KP5CqO9RMF2HHT16LLDW5Whd7yGnFFyM39DorxEY1uJL1NZRV~CfcJQC3a0xUIgC-hmATzntuq67UPtS-IjNm2qwR6SFswy34Aw9nCmJHtvY8Nyn~QUvwiGeqCx76GkNW58dukHkWWSG9haw58qnghz8C7bfRC-nvLlmD3uarb5P3hjkO-NzJyGIKxH5AZwc2ltmIlWuMJ~RyJ4h7ip74NQtRqHNL~OPvIkVeAfSTviAGXsMaV-g1W9NQ0Ng40fdUAJkbD6ByOL6cn1eKqOWJogu7LFI~ou6ydWMcSWSMDRfR3n~UcEv0VhcTrK1cFhwCfS7O7nEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cupertino City Council on July 1 approved a development to replace a commercial parcel on Stevens Creek Boulevard with 59 townhome-style condominium units, including 12 deed-restricted below-market-rate (BMR) units.

Planning staff and the developer said the project, proposed by Summerhill Homes for 20840 Stevens Creek Boulevard, relies on state housing statutes and a vesting application submitted under Senate Bill 330. Staff said the project qualifies for a Class 32 categorical exemption under CEQA and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.

Emmy Suyama, senior planner, said the proposal includes 59 units in eight buildings with a mix of three- and four-story structures and unit sizes roughly between 1,800 and 2,700 square feet. The developer proposed 12 BMR units — six designated for median-income households and six for moderate-income households — and on-site parking that provides two-car garages for each unit.

The project requests two density-bonus concessions (to omit a commercial component) and 10 density-bonus waivers tied to objective development standards, Suyama said. The waivers would allow small increases to building height (to roughly 45 feet, 10 inches at some points), reduced front, side and rear setbacks, modestly increased lot coverage and narrower guest parking dimensions. The application also includes a vesting tentative map for condominium purposes.

Summerhill development manager Austin Lin told the council the design was revised after community meetings to increase setbacks along the shared southern property line and to rotate buildings to reduce privacy impacts on neighbors. \"In response to further input from the neighbors, our design team was able to shift Building 7 and 8 ... and increased screening trees to 36-inch box size,\" Lin said.

Public commenters were split. Several neighbors and nearby business owners, including Imad Ibrahim, owner of the adjacent restaurant, supported the project and said resident foot traffic would benefit nearby businesses. Others, including long-time residents and some who said they oppose loss of retail, urged the city to consider the cumulative loss of retail space citywide.

Staff noted the project proposes to pay approximately $2,500,000 in park fees, $550,000 in school fees, and $120,000 toward the Stevens Creek Boulevard Class 4 bike lane. The project also proposes replacing 45 on-site development trees and planting 71 new trees, staff said. An off-site heritage oak adjacent to the site will not be removed.

Council member questions focused on tree protection, outreach steps, retail loss and the tradeoffs of state housing laws. Vice Mayor Moore, who moved approval, noted state density-bonus law and the Housing Accountability Act limit the city's authority to deny or condition qualifying housing projects. Council member Freund seconded the motion. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolutions finding the CEQA exemption, making the no-net-loss finding and approving the requested permits and waivers.

The developer said, if approved, it plans to complete working drawings and begin site activity within about a year with an estimated first move-ins in late third/fourth quarter 2027.

Ending: The project moves forward with city approvals in hand. It replaces an underused retail site with homeownership units and includes a for-sale BMR component; the council directed staff and the developer to continue engagement on construction timing and tree protection plans.","The City Council unanimously approved Summerhill Homes\u0000\u0000plan to replace three commercial buildings on Stevens Creek Boulevard with 59 townhomes, including 12 below-market-rate units and multiple waivers under state housing laws; the project was found exempt from CEQA and will pay park and school fees.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552307,"Cupertino manager announces fence material, signage and voluntary equipment request after heated public comments on pickleball noise",381,1141000,1522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3&start=1141&end=1522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5120737-d1e5127818c9c60c3850cecab1175af3/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6552307/Cupertino/Santa-Clara-County/California/Cupertino-manager-announces-fence-material-signage-and-voluntary-equipment-request-after-heated-public-comments-on-pickleball-noise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552307-a4e812fb2c7df82d6ff8162eb2fbe071/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445413&Signature=U9EvAjRTdVVo07ZrKnwaPDRXuP6Tf~aoIgLoTVPxzJ-QraN78RQo12LsaAJb3cFg50jLKvzrgHQ3H0G8nSLOdWOnC-~SRZZ1~UeQ3ufa48PQGiHGRCjYx0rjzhprr3~Jx-Xj5bTmJp1HKDV1HA5PX3kf5ZtTdmWNdpytvblJnLo1FHiG4HNIpJyxspUgjDwidgmvn4hgDxDRVdovUGp~qBLK0K6nAmZ4n0eFMS~zk2xUgMcaKTqSnO--fRpb2adt7flwwx9YDqbfI5pg421C4r6RvfeAVPs84u1DUQHLDdOPzxCJWHO8PMoru-ylkmCfg3KmaYsAf9p7U15bAMNvOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials said July 1 they will install sound-attenuating material on the fence at Cupertino Memorial Park and post signage urging (but not requiring) players to observe quiet hours and consider quieter paddles and balls, after more than a dozen residents and pickleball players addressed the council during oral communications.

The move followed repeated public appeals from members of the local pickleball community who called the manager\u0000\u0000plan proposed in a mayoral email impractical and unfair. Bianca Guerrero, speaking for a group of players, said the city\u0000\u0000should work with players to find a long-term solution rather than impose equipment requirements or strict curfews. \"A sound wall will serve the dual purpose of mitigating noise while allowing continued access to a healthy, inclusive recreational activity enjoyed by citizens of all ages,\" Guerrero said.

City Manager (unnamed in the transcript) told the council the city's multi-step approach will implement step 1 only: \"installing the sound attenuating material on the fence, and requesting players to observe quiet hours and consider utilizing quiet equipment. That signage will be added, but the clarification here is it's not a requirement, it's a request.\" The manager said staff does not plan to immediately enforce the city's noise ordinance and that the signage will make clear the measures are voluntary.

Players and other speakers urged a different mix of fixes. Several speakers, including Anoop Singal and Emily Dana, said requests to buy quieter paddles or to shift play times place an unfair burden on players. Singal argued that an 8 a.m. morning start was reasonable for neighbors and warned that voluntary requests are ineffective: \"Some of them were gracious enough to say, OK, they'll come after 8. But I distinctly remember one guy said, 'It's not the law, so he'll continue playing the way he is.'\"

Other players stressed safety and equity concerns. Evening and early-morning play is popular with older adults and people who work daytime shifts; some speakers said earlier start-times or mandatory new equipment would reduce participation. Several speakers, including Mark Fantasi and Chris Satterley, urged the council to prioritize a sound wall or other physical mitigation over equipment requirements. Satterley said Memorial Park's pickleball community brings hundreds of regular players and attracts visitors who spend money at local businesses.

Speakers also raised cost and funding options. Several said the community is willing to contribute funds or consider crowdfunding for a permanent sound wall; one speaker referenced an estimated $150,000 cost for a full sound wall, and multiple speakers urged staff to begin with fence-mounted attenuation material and evaluate results after a trial period.

No council vote was taken on pickleball rules or equipment. The city manager's update framed the next step as an implementation of a voluntary request and fence modification, not an ordinance change: staff will add signage stating the measures are requests, install the fence material, and monitor results before proposing additional action.

What happens next: staff will pursue procurement and installation of sound-attenuating fence material at Memorial Park, add signage clarifying that quiet-equipment guidance is a request, not a requirement, and monitor the effect before returning to council with options. Several players said they want a facilitated mediation between neighbors and club representatives to reach longer-term solutions.

Ending: The debate underscored tensions between neighborhood quiet and a rapidly growing recreational activity. Council members and staff said they would continue to meet with both neighbors and the pickleball community to refine options and evaluate the initial fence treatment's effectiveness.","After more than an hour of public comments from pickleball players and neighbors, Cupertino\u0000\u0000city staff said it will install sound-attenuating material on the Memorial Park courts' fence and post signage asking (not requiring) players to observe quiet hours and consider quieter paddles and balls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cupertino council adopts FY 2025-26 fee schedule after debate over full cost recovery; two members dissent

Midpen officials outline wildfire resilience, species protection and a Highway 17 wildlife undercrossing in update to Cupertino council

Cupertino council authorizes negotiator to explore purchase of 10480 Finch Avenue for park use

Cupertino council approves 59-unit townhome development at former Staples site; includes 12 BMR units and multiple state housing waivers

Cupertino manager announces fence material, signage and voluntary equipment request after heated public comments on pickleball noise