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Planning commission endorses FY2026'27 CIP and urges expedited pickleball noise pilot
Summary
The Cupertino Planning Commission endorsed the city's proposed FY2026'27 Capital Improvement Program and unanimously urged staff to expedite a pilot to test sound attenuation at Memorial Park pickleball courts while ensuring neighbor notice and evaluation of multiple options.
The Cupertino Planning Commission on May 26 endorsed the city's proposed FY2026'27 Capital Improvement Program, including a package of facility, parks, transportation and sustainability projects, and directed staff to prioritize a pilot for sound attenuation at the Memorial Park pickleball courts.
The action followed a staff presentation by Public Works Director Chad Moseley and Capital Improvement Program Manager Susan Michael, who reviewed 24 CIP projects and a five'year plan. Michael said the presentation requested additional funding for the Facilities Condition Assessment'related projects and an incremental $5 million toward the city hall annex to bring the project accounting up to an $8 million total. "We're requesting $5,000,000 now to bring the funding up to the $8,000,000," Michael said.
The commission'level discussion focused heavily on the proposed $150,000 line item for pickleball sound attenuation at Memorial Park. Staff described preliminary work suggesting sound panels attached to a structurally upgraded fence and said an acoustic analysis and engineering calcs would be needed before installation. "Preliminary review indicates that sound panels and a new structurally improved fence will be required to hold those panels," Michael said.
Public comment included multiple residents and players: Robert George, a Cupertino homeowner, urged support for the $150,000 project as a balanced solution to reduce noise while preserving park access. Jean Bedord and other speakers urged prompt approval of the CIP projects as prudent spending. Opposing or cautionary public remarks noted potential safety and visibility concerns if tall, opaque barriers were installed.
Commissioners pressed staff on cost estimates, vendor quotes and safety trade'offs. Director Moseley said some vendor estimates were lower but cautioned that additional structural work, delivery and installation could increase costs: "At the price they were providing, it's probably closer to $35,000," he said, noting structural upgrades and installation are additional. Commissioners also asked staff to involve law enforcement and first responders in evaluating sight'line and access impacts.
On a motion by Commissioner Rao, amended on the floor to clarify the commission's endorsement of staff recommendations and to require neighbor notice and evaluation of multiple options, the commission voted unanimously to endorse the FY2026'27 CIP and to encourage staff to expedite the Memorial Park pickleball sound attenuation pilot where feasible. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous with Commissioner Fung absent.
The commission did not take final funding action tonight; the endorsement asks staff to pursue the pilot and return to council with formal budget or scope as appropriate. The meeting adjourned after routine reports and a request that future agendas address evacuation and housing items.
