Residents, neighbors press Cupertino council over Mary Avenue Villas plan, citing safety and parking

Dozens of residents and local stakeholders urged the Cupertino City Council on Sept. 3 to address safety, traffic and parking impacts from a proposed 40‑unit housing project along Mary Avenue, near Memorial Park.

Public commenters said the site is a cramped, congested corridor used by students, seniors and cyclists and argued the proposal would worsen pedestrian and emergency access and remove dozens of on‑street parking spaces. Several speakers asked the council and staff to pause or redesign the plan to mitigate impacts before moving forward.

The speakers included longtime residents, nearby property managers and representatives of local schools and nonprofit organizations who offered competing views of the project’s local benefit and harm. Joe Houser, a 50‑year Cupertino resident, said the area is already the city’s densest and “there will be a very difficult time crossing Mary Avenue” for residents who use walkers or wheelchairs. He cited the distance between marked crosswalks and said the nearest retail is on the far side of Memorial Park.

Brian Avery, who said his family company built and maintains a large neighboring property (Glenbrook), said removing about 89 on‑street parking spaces would force his community to…