Resident warns of displacement after college district’s planned McCallum Terrace purchase

During oral communications at the June 24 meeting the Planning Commission heard a public comment opposing the proposed purchase of McCallum Terrace Apartments on McCallum Road, a 94‑unit property that the speaker described as among the lowest‑rent options in Cupertino.

Rhoda Frey said the Foothill‑De Anza Community College District intends to buy the property and indicated concern the district could replace current tenants with students or staff. "What the Foothill‑De Anza Community College District intends to do is to rent to people who are younger, prettier, or just people that they like better," Frey said, adding that she had asked the district’s chancellor whether the purchase would allow displacement of existing tenants.

Frey cited state tenant‑protection law AB 1482 and asked how the district could evict current tenants. She said some leases would be honored but expressed concern about long‑term affordability and the loss of the city’s lower‑rent stock, describing the project as a threat to the local “missing middle.”

Context and next steps: Frey asked the Planning Commission and city staff to examine whether local policy tools or city advocacy could reduce the risk of displacement if the purchase proceeds. The remarks were part of the public‑comment period and did not trigger a commission action at the meeting.

Ending: Frey urged the city to adopt policies that protect existing tenants and said she would look for the city to provide a local response or clarification about how AB 1482 and tenant protections would apply to the college district purchase.