Michael Chang, a former Cupertino mayor, has spent almost 30 years building a huge network of Asian American political and community leaders — and he still isn’t satisfied. The Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute (APALI), which he founded, has trained hundreds of teens and adults who’ve moved into elected office, civil service, nonprofits and more....
Townhomes planned in Cupertino off Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino officials are set to review a proposed development that would bring more than two dozen homes to a commercial corridor off Stevens Creek Boulevard. The proposal from SummerHill Homes calls for a 27-townhome, three-story development on 1.55 acres at 10268 Bandley Drive, including five below-market-rate homes for low-income residents. The project would replace an existing...
Cupertino applies plastic bag ban to more than grocery stores
Cupertino businesses and shoppers are adjusting to a future without plastic checkout bags but many said the alternatives don’t always work as well. Samiullah Memon, owner of Oakmont Sandwiches and Coffee, said adapting to Cupertino’s evolving rules has been both costly and confusing, particularly as guidance around acceptable materials has changed over time. “At first...
Cupertino council declines to reconsider housing project
Cupertino officials have declined to reconsider approvals for an affordable housing development in light of an ongoing lawsuit from residents who claim the decision was rushed. The City Council on April 1 voted 4–1 against reconsidering the Mary Avenue Villas housing project, which the council previously approved in February. The lawsuit — filed March 11 against...
Cupertino council approves housing in high fire risk area
A Cupertino housing development proposed in a high fire risk area is moving forward despite resident concerns about evacuation safety and traffic congestion. The Cupertino City Council on Wednesday voted 4-1 to approve a 51-townhome project on a 2.5-acre site along Linda Vista Drive, where residents say limited evacuation routes could take more than an hour...
Cupertino residents say housing project sits in risky wildfire zone
A controversial housing development in Cupertino is heading toward potential approval, as city officials weigh state housing mandates against resident concerns about wildfire risk and evacuation safety. The Planning Commission in February voted 3-2 to recommend the city move forward with a 51-townhome project on a 2.5-acre site along Linda Vista Drive — to the...
Cupertino to poll residents on potential tax increase
Cupertino officials are asking residents if they’re willing to pay more taxes, as the city faces mounting financial pressures and rising service costs. The City Council on Tuesday directed staff to poll residents on a potential increase to the city’s utility users tax, signaling that as the most likely path toward placing a measure on...
Cupertino council approves unique affordable housing project
A controversial nonprofit housing project in Cupertino that’s been under consideration for about 20 years has the green light to move forward. After a three-hour marathon of presentations and public comment Tuesday, the City Council voted 3-1-1 to narrowly approve a first-of-its-kind housing mix with 40 affordable apartments. Of those, 19 will be set aside...
Cupertino mayor blocks ally from becoming vice mayor
Kitty Moore, Cupertino’s new mayor, blocked a City Council ally from becoming vice mayor at a recent meeting — even though both belong to the same political faction in the sharply divided city. The five-member council voted in Moore as mayor Dec. 11 and Mayor Liang Chao as vice mayor, though Councilmember R “Ray” Wang...
Cupertino Vallco development reduces its affordable housing
The developer of a massive residential, office and retail development at the former Vallco shopping mall in Cupertino is reducing affordable housing by 60% and office space by 25% to make the project “financially feasible.” Sand Hill Property Company delivered a revised plan to Cupertino’s city manager Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving, and the...