Council Wrap-up

It might be a little easier to build a two-story home in Cupertino, after the City Council voted Tuesday to streamline some rules.

Other issues decided included opting in to a voluntary redevelopment agency for Vallco, and letting the state know the city wants to remain in one assembly district. The council also said a fond farewell to two city employees. 

Here’s the wrap-up:

• The council adopted some Planning Commission recommendations to make rules concerning approval of two-story homes more streamlined and easier to understand. Members agreed to do away with story poles—poles and plastic orange fencing used prior to building or adding onto a home to demonstrate the size of the new structure. Instead, a black and white rendering of the building plans posted at the site will be required. The council veered from a Planning Commission recommendation to do away with all design review of new construction. Instead they voted that review will be triggered by homes with second stories that are 66 percent or more of the first floor, or that have less than a 15-foot setback from the property line.
• The city will keep its lone redevelopment agency for the Vallco shopping center on a voluntary basis. A council majority reluctantly voted in favor of “opting in” on the agency. Governor Jerry Brown signed two pieces of legislation in June, one that would do away with redevelopment agencies, and another that would give local governments the ability to keep the agencies, if they commit to giving more money to local schools and special districts. “It’s really holding us ransom that we have to pay to play,” Mayor Gilbert Wong said. City staff recommended voting in favor of keeping the agency, as it may help future mall owners in redeveloping the property. Only council member Barry Chang voted against opting in.
• The Council will tell the Citizens Redistricting Commission in Sacramento that after the redistricting process is complete. A current proposal splits the city 92 percent/8 percent between two districts. Neighborhoods off of Homestead Road, and west of Foothill Boulevard would be split off from the rest of the city in the proposed map.
• Wong thanked two departing city staff, Redevelopment/Economic Manager Kelly Kline and Chief Architect Terry Greene. Kline has taken a position in Fremont. “We really value the time you spent here in Cupertino,” Wong said of Kline. Wong also praised the retiring Greene, who oversaw numerous projects in the city, including Cupertino Community Hall, Phase 1 of the Stevens Creek restoration and trail, among others.