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Council appoints negotiator to explore purchase of 10480 Finch Avenue for parkland; process to include appraisal and environmental review
Summary
Council authorized staff to begin negotiations and due diligence to potentially acquire a 1.1-acre site at 10480 Finch Avenue from Cupertino Union School District for park use; the motion passed with Vice Mayor Moore recused.
The Cupertino City Council on July 1 authorized staff to begin negotiations and due diligence discussions to explore purchasing a roughly 1.1-acre vacant property at 10480 Finch Avenue from the Cupertino Union School District, with the stated intention of evaluating the site for parkland.
What staff said: Chad Moseley, director of public works, told council the property is vacant, roughly square in shape and was purchased by the school district in 2016 for about $5.4 million. He said the district completed remediation for historical contamination and that the city has approximately $13.2 million in park-in-lieu funds available that could be applied to a purchase. City staff asked council to appoint negotiators so staff could order title reports, a preliminary site assessment, and an appraisal; the results would return to council in closed session to consider next steps.
Public comment: Several community members urged the city to buy the site and called it a long-sought opportunity to add parkland in the Rancho Rinconada area. Lisa Warren and Jennifer Griffin both told council the parcel would fulfill neighborhood park needs, preserve a large redwood tree on the site, and honor a previous landowner’s community intent. One speaker urged council to compare alternative, lower-cost options (such as annexation of adjacent county land) before committing to a purchase.
Council action and vote: Council Member Fruin moved — and the motion was seconded — that the city appoint negotiators and begin due diligence (title report, appraisal, preliminary site assessment). The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Council Members Fruin, Mohan, Wong and Mayor Chow voting yes and Vice Mayor Moore recused from the item.
Next steps: Staff said it would request an appraisal and title report, complete environmental due diligence, and return to council — likely in September — with findings and a recommended course of action. Any final purchase would be subject to a future council approval vote and a review of environmental, title and appraisal results.
Why it matters: Rancho Rinconada and nearby neighborhoods have limited park acreage; acquiring the Finch property would add local park capacity but also require careful budgeting and design. Council emphasized that the July 1 action begins a process, not a commitment to buy.
