Cupertino planning commission backs Toll Brothers townhome project, despite disputes over contamination and parking

The Cupertino Planning Commission unanimously voted Nov. 12 to recommend City Council approval of a Toll Brothers proposal to redevelop the former United Furniture shopping center on Stevens Creek Boulevard with 55 townhome condominiums and 10 accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Senior planner John Martier told commissioners the 2.6‑acre site was rezoned in 2024 and the application, submitted under SP3330 before housing‑element certification, proposes 10 three‑story buildings, 11 below‑market‑rate (BMR) units and a series of requested waivers: western side setbacks of about 10 feet instead of roughly 20 feet 8 inches, a rear setback reduced from about 62 feet 2 inches to 9–11 feet to the building face, and a modest lot‑coverage increase from 40% to 43%. Staff said the developer proposes two enclosed parking spaces per unit plus nine guest spaces (119 total) and that state law (AB 2097) restricts the city’s ability to require parking near qualifying high‑transit corridors.

Why it mattered: the public session centered on two issues that divided speakers and commissioners — long‑standing soil and vapor contamination from historical dry‑cleaner operations on the site, and neighborhood parking, setback and tree‑retention concerns. Staff and the city’s environmental consultant, PlaceWorks, advised the commission that the project qualifies for a CEQA Class 32 (infill) categorical exemption and that a revised Condition 7 would tie issuance of grading and building permits to satisfactory remediation or a long‑term mitigation and monitoring…