Sunnyvale is prepared to launch a guaranteed basic income program — it’s just waiting for funding. The Sunnyvale City Council approved the pilot program unanimously last week, with Councilmember Alysa Cisneros absent, and instructed city employees to look for external funding. The pilot could run for up to two years and provide at least 100...
Meet the candidates running for Sunnyvale City Council
Sunnyvale could have a new City Council and mayor next year, with multiple seats up for election come November. Four seats on the Sunnyvale City Council will be on the ballot — the mayor and council districts 2, 4 and 6. District 4 Councilmember Russ Melton is terming out and challenging Mayor Larry Klein for...
‘Appalled’: Backlash over Sunnyvale school board candidate’s anti-LGBTQ views
Sunnyvale residents are worried about a school board candidate who sent an email to a neighborhood association suggesting that LGBTQ people engage in public indecency. Residents of North Sunnyvale have voiced concerns about Frances Renteria who is running for the Fremont Union High School District Trustee Area 2 seat. The residents pointed to Renteria’s signed...
Sunnyvale candidates talk housing issues ahead of election
The Sunnyvale City Council will make decisions on housing, transit and the city’s budget in the near future — and candidates seeking elected office are sharing their approaches to governing. Sunnyvale voters attended a candidate forum on Sept. 18, hosted by San José Spotlight, where two mayoral candidates and five of six council candidates fielded...
Sunnyvale older adults to get living center, convalescent hospital
More than 100 apartments for older adults and a medical facility could be coming to Sunnyvale within the next few years. The Sunnyvale Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for a six-story senior living site and 72,000-square-foot convalescent hospital at 1027-1035 West El Camino Real during its Monday meeting. It will have 36 assisted-living homes and...
Sunnyvale officials delay vote to ban artificial turf
The debate between using artificial turf or natural grass on government-owned athletic fields in Sunnyvale has been pushed into the future, leaving environmental activists and youth sports groups in limbo. The Sunnyvale City Council declined to decide on banning artificial turf after a 4-2 vote, with Mayor Larry Klein and Councilmember Richard Mehlinger dissenting and...
Sunnyvale buys land to build affordable housing
Sunnyvale has a unique strategy to support affordable housing development: purchasing the land for developers. Most recently, as part of a $29.5 million roundup of affordable housing expenditures, the Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved spending $12.5 million to buy a lot at 1171 Sonora Court, to help developers MidPen Housing build 170 affordable apartments. It will...
Sunnyvale replaces homeless outreach provider
Sunnyvale will have a new outreach team assisting its homeless residents after scrutinizing the city’s previous provider. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved a more than $900,000 one year contract with homeless service provider WeHOPE earlier this month. The contract begins Sept. 1 and includes a five person outreach team and the organization’s Dignity on...
Sunnyvale developments could result in food deserts
A Sunnyvale project to create walkable, interconnected neighborhoods could come up short, with advocates worried that vital retail services will be slashed. City officials have identified seven aging shopping centers, with a variety of grocery stores and restaurants, throughout the city that are considered underutilized. The plan for these sites, called village centers, is to...
Sunnyvale notches another affordable housing project
A 100% affordable housing project near the Lawrence Caltrain station in Sunnyvale is moving forward, with the development planning to open next year. Nonprofit developer MidPen Housing lifted the first wall of a new 176-apartment building, Ira D. Hall Square, at the end of July. Construction began on 1178 Sonora Court in January this year,...