From: Connie Cunningham
To: City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject: 23-3-28 PC Agenda Item 2, 19191 Vallco Parkway by Apple, Inc.
Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 2:40:45 PM
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Subject: Agenda Item 2, Consider the proposed
development at 19191 Vallco Parkway Project by Apple,
Inc.
Good evening, Chair Scharf and Commissioners,
My name is Connie Cunningham, Housing Commissioner,
speaking for myself only.
Thank you for this opportunity to speak on the Apple
project at 19191 Vallco Parkway.
Thank you for this Staff Report. The Senior Planner
advised that he or the applicant could respond to
questions on the Bird-safe Dark Skies Ordinance at
this meeting.
I am pleased that the applicant plans to abide by the
ordinance, and the project is conditioned in the
Development Permit.
The Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS)
letter addresses several issues. I hope that are
clarified this evening.
I hope the Commission can answer another question
this evening. Calabazas Creek runs along the western
side of the property. Also, there is the Junipero
Serra Channel that runs along the northern side of
the property.
Can the applicant provide detail on the creek corridor
and, also, on the channel?
For example, what is the width of the creek setback,
and what structures and activities are permitted in the setback? Please provide the width of the channel setback, and
what structures and activities are permitted in the
setback?
Thank you for your attention to these questions.
Sincerely,
Connie Cunningham (self only)
March27,2023
RE:19191VallcoParkwayProject
DearChairScharfandCommissioners,
TheSantaClaraValleyAudubonSociety(SCVAS)isoneofthelargestNationalAudubonSocietychapters inCalifornia.Ourmissionistopromotetheenjoyment,understanding,andprotectionofbirdsandother wildlifebyengagingpeopleofallagesinbirding,education,andconservation.Weappreciatethe opportunitytocommentonthe19191VallcoParkwayProject.TheProjectproposestodevelopa 282,320-square-footofficebuildingwithadetached213,080-square-footparkingstructureandto removeandreplace113trees.Notallprojectplansareavailableforpublicreview,whichlimitsour abilitytocommentontheproject.WehopethePlanningCommissionwillbeabletoclarifythefollowing questions:
1.Trees
a.Manyofthetreesonthepropertyseemtobenewlyplanted.Wereanyofthesetrees initiallyplantedat19191VallcoParkwayasmitigationforthelossoftreesand/orcanopy coverelsewhere?
b.TheProjectdescriptionproposesthat113treeswillberemoved.Thearboristreport statesthat96teeswillberemoved.Cantheapplicantclarifythediscrepancy?
2.DarkSkyandBirdSafety
a.WeunderstandthatthebuildingmustcomplywithCupertino’sBirdSafeandDarkSky Ordinance.SincetheProjectDescriptiondoesnotprovidespecificBird-SafeandDark Skyimplementationdetails,cantheapplicantprovideinformationontheanticipated birdsafetytreatmentfortheproject?
Weareconcernedastheartist’srenderingmakesitappearthattheglassisuntreated andhastransparentcorners.Effectivebirdsafetymeasuresareespeciallycriticalwhen glassfacadesareadjacentandfacearipariancorridor,suchasCalabazasCreek. i.TheAmericanBirdConservancyhasanupdatedproductdatabasewith bird-friendlymaterialsandtheirassociatedThreatFactorsthatprovidea measureofthehazardlevelthatglassposestobirds.1CanCupertinoaskfor,and 1https://abcbirds.org/glass-collisions/products-database/
istheapplicantamenableto,usingaThreatFactorlowerthan20,andavoiding UVtreatments(UVtreatmentsareineffective)?
b.TheDarkSkyOrdinancerequiresthattheCorrelatedColorTemperature(CCT)ofoutdoor lightingnotexceed3000Kelvin.ThisCCTstillretainsalargebluelightcomponent,which isunhealthytohumansandecosystems.Newerrecommendationsaswellasincreased productavailabilitysupportsusinglowerCCTforoutdoorlighting.Istheapplicant amenabletousingCCTof2700orless,especiallywithin300feetoftheriparian corridor?
c.Cantheapplicantprovidedetailonthecreekcorridor?Forexample,whatisthewidthof thecreeksetback,andwhatstructuresandactivitiesarepermittedinthesetback? Thankyouforyourconsideration.Pleasedonothesitatetocontactusifyouhavequestions.
Respectfully,
AnnieYang
CupertinoResident
EnvironmentalActionCommitteeChair
SantaClaraValleyAudubonSociety
22221McClellanRd
Cupertino,CA95014
[email protected]
From: Piu Ghosh (she/her)
To: Luke Connolly; Gian Martire
Subject: FW: Comments/Questions for the Apple VP01 Project Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 4:28:39 PM
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FYI…
Piu Ghosh (she/her)
Planning Manager
Community Development
[email protected]
(408) 777-3277
From: Larry Dean <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 4:21 PM
To: City of Cupertino Planning Commission <[email protected]> Cc: 'Larry Dean' <[email protected]>
Subject: Comments/Questions for the Apple VP01 Project
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Cupertino Planning Commissioner,
I am a neo-native Cupertinian and have been a very active advocate for making it “Safe an Easy to Walk and Bike” in Cupertino.
Regarding the plans submitted for the Apple VP01 development project, my questions/comments below are mine alone. That said, the community is fortunate to have such a solid community partner like Apple Computer who wants to continue to improve its presence and growth in Cupertino- for all community stakeholders.
My current questions/comments regarding the Apple VP01 project are:
We understand that in addition to Apples’ business/office needs, the project will house some retail businesses that could include a bicycle shop and other retail amenities that the community would benefit from. This is great - but I wonder if the space allocated is large enough. I would think a bike shop would need 4K-5K square feet; In the submitted planning documents, there doesn’t appear to be any meaningful mention of the site plan’s integration with the existing Cupertino Master Bike and Pedestrian plans – and how they would integrate with any special issues - either physical or user volume related.
Currently, there are painted bike lanes on both sides of Vallco Parkway and on Tantau Avenue , but I am concerned that the lanes on Vallco don’t appear wide enough to accommodate merging bike users entering/exiting from the Tamien Trail. The developer/planner might look/consider accessing right of way from Valley Water to the broaden access and use of the existing bike lanes. As you know, we recently sustained a cyclist’s death at the intersection of Vallco Parkway and Tantau Avenue. Since a report hasn’t yet been released by the Sheriff’s department, it’s unclear if any special adjustments/changes have or should be considered to the intra and extra-site design elements.
How the complex handles intra-site bike and “ped-ways”: There are parking garages as part of this project that will generate much traffic. Does the plan look and facilitate safe walking and cycling when entering/exiting the complex and walk/bike travel within the complex?
Thank you for your time and service to the community. On the surface the Apple VP01 project appears solid, but I urge you to clarify the project’s plans as it relates to safe cycling and walking on-site and in the broader community.
Best regards,
Larry Dean, Founder
Walk-Bike Cupertino
From: Benjamin Fu
To: Gian Martire
Subject: Fwd: March 28, 2023 Agenda Item #2 Replacement Apple Building on Vallco Parkway Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 5:42:18 PM
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Benjamin Fu
Director of Community Development
Community Development
[email protected]
(408) 777-3247
Begin forwarded message:
From: Lisa Warren <[email protected]>
Date: March 28, 2023 at 5:19:41 PM PDT
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>, City of Cupertino Planning Commission <[email protected]> Subject: RE : March 28, 2023 Agenda Item #2 Replacement Apple Building on Vallco Parkway
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
RE : March 28, 2023 Agenda Item #2 Replacement Apple Building on Vallco Parkway
Planning Commission Chair, Vice Chair, and Members,
Retail for Height Unbalanced
I am asking for discussion for an increase in ground floor ‘commercial’ (should be ‘Retail’) square footage, and potential for more retail dedicated parking stalls at the Apple VP1 site.
Please be sure to have the ‘commercial’ designation in the project’s description and images be corrected to ‘retail’. As I understand it, that is how the GP requirement is written.
And it would be best to consider that there has been a long standing awareness that the city’s ordinance (19.08.030) is wholly inadequate because it does not provide a minimum amount (percentage) of Retail in the requirement that entitles property owners/developers to increase building height in areas from max 45 to 60 feet (Applicant is just shy of that max ht) in ‘trade’ for public retail.
It is truly off-putting that this project has just over 3 percent of the ground floor total square footage identified as ‘commercial’ (should be Retail) square footage.
My understanding is that Apple is considering a bicycle store in the proposed mere 2,300 square foot space. While this seems to satisfy the current general plan, as written, it is disappointing that the applicant isn’t providing a significantly larger square footage of publicly accessible useful retail offerings.
What is the mechanism used by the City to ensure that this ‘commercial’ (should be Retail) space acts and remains as Publicly accessible amenity, and with adequate public parking ?
Trees
While the applicant is reportedly following the GP requirements for tree replacement, I hope that they are encouraged to do better than that.
More trees on the property is much preferred for numerous reasons. The applicant has proven to be good stewards of trees, so that it comforting, but sticking to the minimum required feels wrong when building size/height, parking capacity, and ‘site population’ are all significantly increasing. Native tree species would be appreciated.
Bird Safe - Dark Sky
This project is conditioned with both Bird Safe and Dark Sky ‘requirements’. This is a great thing.
There are, however, issues with glass buildings that are not covered by those ordinaces.
Majority glass buildings create glare and light trespass. Santa Clara home owners/residents, Residence Inn and potentially loft apartments could all suffer from that.
Some older examples of this - attached photos show the occupied leased office building on SCBlvd. It’s ‘twin’ is not yet occupied. I was unable to find all of the photos I hoped to include
Future Exemptions or ‘Modifications’
Once this portion of the project is discussed, potentially modified, and approved, there may be any number of exemptions applied for. I ask that any future ‘exemption(s)’ on a project of this size NOT be ‘approved’ by staff, via ‘director’s approval’ or any other mechanism that bypasses Planning Commission and/or City Council.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Lisa Warren
From: Rhoda Fry
To: City Clerk; City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject: Planning Commission 3/28 Agenda #2 New Apple building Date: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 11:56:42 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
March 28, 2023
RE: Agenda Item #2 New Apple Building
Dear Planning Commission,
- - - Summary of Comments - - -
1. More trees on Tantau if possible
2. Increase bicycle store square footage from 2300 sq ft to 5000 sq ft - - - Details - - -
Regarding the new Apple building, it is good that they are doing a good job with tree replacement and providing shade on the Vallco Pkwy sidewalks. Would it be possible to do similar on Tantau? I do like that they have selected a different type of tree than surrounding developments. It would also be nice to see as many native trees as practical.
It is perplexing that a small amount of retail square footage entitles developers to raise their roofs from 45 to 65 feet (Apple is going to 58 feet). My understanding is that Apple is considering a bicycle store in its proposed 2300 square foot space, and I think that this is too small for a business to be viable as shown in the following table. I did some very crude measurements of a number of local bike stores using google earth and it seems to me that having a store of approximately 5000 square feet would be preferable in order for there to be room for different types of bikes, accessories, and a repair shop.
1. What will the City do to ensure that a retail tenant shall remain in that location?
2. Will there be sufficient parking in that location?
3. Will there be an area where customers can take bikes for a test ride? Approximate Square Footage of Bicycle Stores Near Cupertino Bicycle Store Square Feet
Bicycle Outfitter
963, 969, 971, 973 Fremont Avenue Los Altos
> 9000
Bike Connection Palo Alto
2011 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306
~ 5000
Wheel Away Cycle Center
402 E Hamilton Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
~ 4300
Mike's Bikes of Los Gatos
201 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
> 5000
Summit Bicycles
111 E Main St
Los Gatos, CA 95030
> 4000
Palo Alto Bicycles
171 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
> 5000
Sincerely,
Rhoda Fry