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Council approves $10.4 million Finch Avenue purchase from CUSD to create parkland in east Cupertino
Summary
Council approved an exchange agreement with Cupertino Union School District to acquire 10480 Finch Avenue for $10,400,000 using Parkland Dedication (Quimby) funds; council also directed staff to pursue rezoning to Parkland and noted Quimby Act constraints on fee use.
The City Council voted July 7 to approve an exchange agreement and allocate $10,400,000 from the Parkland Dedication (Quimby) Fund to acquire the 10480 Finch Avenue property from the Cupertino Union School District. Staff reported the price is supported by an appraisal and the acquisition aims to address a parkland deficit on Cupertino's east side.
City staff said the Parkland Dedication Fund had a current balance of roughly $21,000,000 but that, accounting for a $5,800,000 appropriation for the Lawrence Midy Park project and projected interest, the estimated available fund balance at the end of fiscal year 2025'026 is approximately $15,600,000. Staff and the director of public works explained Quimby Act rules allow the funds to be used for park acquisition and improvements that increase the number of users but not for routine maintenance.
Several residents and neighborhood speakers urged purchase of the land for a neighborhood park, highlighting a large historic redwood on the site, the property's proximity to multiple schools, and the general shortage of parks in that area. Council members discussed constraints in the Mitigation Fee Act and Quimby Act and emphasized that the funds are meant to be used for park purposes rather than returned to developers if unused.
The motion approved city staff's recommendation to execute the exchange agreement with CUSD, to fund the acquisition with Parkland Dedication funds, and to direct staff to pursue rezoning the site to Parkland (rezoning to be returned for future action). The motion was moved and seconded and carried with the mayor recused for that item; the clerk noted the vote carried unanimously among the participating members.
Council also asked staff to provide an informational memo on the historic Maryknoll/Mary Knowles residence and to continue outreach as state-agency reviews proceed on other agenda items.
Next steps: staff will execute the exchange agreement, complete required administrative steps, and return with the formal rezoning and park development proposals for future council consideration.
