Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves conversion of Bletch parcel on Stevens Creek Boulevard to passive parkland with native plantings and seating
Summary
The City Council approved staff’s recommendation to demolish the deteriorated structure at 22050 Stevens Creek Boulevard and convert the half‑acre floodplain parcel to passive parkland with native plantings, minimal pathways and benches; staff and speakers warned against building new structures because of flood risk and cost.
The City Council voted March 17 to convert the city‑owned half‑acre parcel at 22050 Stevens Creek Boulevard (the "Bletch" property) to passive parkland with native plantings and minimal pathways and seating after a staff presentation and public comment.
Director of Public Works Chad Mosley told Council the property is in FEMA flood zone AE, has experienced repeated flooding and contains an aging single‑family structure used in recent years for storage. Mosley presented five options: (1) demolish the structure and return the parcel to parkland with native plantings, minimal grading and seating (staff recommendation); (2) limited park improvements and potential parking expansion; (3) renovate the existing building (costly and risky in the floodplain); (4) build a new facility (least recommended); or (5) take no action.
Several residents and the Cupertino Historical Society asked for more engagement on historic aspects and for low‑cost, low‑impact uses. Claudio Bono, vice president of the Cupertino Historical Society, said the society had not been engaged on this parcel and requested additional coordination. Other speakers said the site is noisy and better suited to passive natural space, limited trail access and benches than to a meditation labyrinth or a new building.
Councilmember Fruan moved (seconded) to adopt the staff recommendation (Option 1) with amendments to remove the structure, restore native plantings, create minimal safe pathways away from Stevens Creek Boulevard and include outdoor seating. Councilmembers discussed preserving mature trees and minimizing grading so the conversion does not expand flood risk. The motion passed by roll call with Councilmember Wong absent.
Implementation notes: staff recommended demolishing the structure to reduce future liabilities and to avoid building in the floodplain; the city will coordinate any minimal path or seating installations to preserve creek functions and avoid FEMA grading complications. Mosley said some stored city items in the building would be relocated prior to demolition and that staff will recommend funding sources and timing in a follow‑up plan.
