Cupertino adopts brush‑abatement resolution after public concerns about county properties and quarry

The Cupertino City Council adopted a resolution ordering abatement of public nuisance and potential fire hazards and confirmed enforcement procedures tied to defensible‑space requirements.

City staff and a deputy fire chief described the brush abatement program and homeowner responsibilities under local and state wildfire guidance. The city presentation said the Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) requires homeowners to maintain a 30‑ to 100‑foot buffer around structures and that property owners may perform work themselves or, if noncompliant, the county may authorize a contractor to abate and later place the cost on the owner's property tax bill. "The homeowner may complete the required work themselves, or the county may authorize a contractor to complete the work on behalf of the owner, and the cost would be added to the next property tax bill," the city clerk said during the presentation.

Staff described the inspection and notice timeline: letters sent in February, inspections beginning April 1, re‑inspections in May and notices of the hearing sent in early June. The staff recommendation was that the council consider objections from property owners listed as noncompliant and adopt resolution 25‑029 ordering abatement to allow Santa Clara County to proceed with abatement where owners did not comply. City staff reported three properties on the noncompliant list and said none submitted objections for the hearing.

Public commenters raised concerns about vegetation maintenance on nearby county lands and an inactive quarry that adjoins neighborhoods. Speakers urged the city to coordinate with the county and the quarry owner to address fuels on unincorporated properties that could threaten Cupertino neighborhoods. Deputy Fire Chief Hector Estrada said the city and county coordinate with property owners and public‑land managers and that the formal abatement process includes multiple notices before a contractor is authorized and costs placed on tax bills; he said staff would follow up on county and railroad properties identified by speakers.

The council adopted the resolution by unanimous roll call vote. Council members noted that being designated a very high fire severity zone triggers higher brush‑management standards and urged neighbors to comply and to work with the city and county on open‑space fuel management projects.

Staff said they will continue enforcement and follow‑up and will coordinate with county partners for any abatement actions on unincorporated parcels.