April 6, 2022
Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County 777 North First Street
Suite 410
San Jose, CA 95112
[email protected].
Re: City of Cupertino Application for Annexation (Agenda Item #__) Dear Commissioners:
Thank you for taking the time to consider the City of Cupertino’s application for the annexation of two parcels into the City. I write on behalf of the Cupertino City Council to express the Council’s strong support for the annexation and to urge the Commission to take action to approve the City’s application.
The City’s application would allow the City of Cupertino to annex two parcels, totaling approximately 7.91 acres (referred to as the “Lawrence-Mitty properties”), and would detach those parcels from the City of San Jose. The City of Cupertino acquired the parcels from Santa Clara County for use as parkland in 2020. The properties’ annexation and detachment are supported by the City of San Jose as well as by the City of Cupertino.
The annexation will allow for the creation of much-needed open space in an underserved area of Cupertino, which currently lacks the same recreational amenities that are available to residents in other parts of the City. The design process for converting the vacant land to a public park is already underway. The Commission’s approval of the annexation application will allow the City to commit fully to completing design of the project and funding and completing the construction of a new park.
On August 17, 2021, the Cupertino City Council voted unanimously to support the annexation of the Lawrence-Mitty properties. The Council’s Resolution in support of annexation is enclosed for your reference. On January 25, 2022, the San Jose City Council approved by consent their support for the requested annexation.
Our City Council respectfully requests that the Commission approve the annexation. The City’s application meets all legal requirements for approval. In addition, the application would transfer a sliver of land separated from the rest of the City of San Jose by the Lawrence Expressway to the City of Cupertino, where it would provide need open space for an adjacent residential neighborhood within the City’s jurisdiction. Thus, the application advances the Commission’s policy of encouraging cities “to exchange territory between them to improve illogical boundary or service situations.” (Policies on Annexation, Jan. 1, 2003.) For these reasons, we ask that the Commission approve the City’s application and allow the annexation and detachment of the Lawrence Mitty properties. Thank you again for your consideration of the City’s application.
Sincerely,
Darcy Paul
Mayor
City of Cupertino
Enclosure
Correspondence Re: City of Cupertino Application for Annexation (Agenda Item #__) page 2 of 2 page 1 of 2
Mayor Darcy Paul
City of Cupertino