Sunnyvale leaders are moving forward with a plan to address homelessness among people living in their vehicles, but how quickly solutions can be implemented is unclear. The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to develop proposals for interim housing on city-owned land, a potential RV buyback program and a permitted parking system for oversized vehicles...
Sunnyvale officials say license plate cameras prevent crime
A heated debate over surveillance and public safety is unfolding in Sunnyvale, as residents fear license plate reader cameras could enable mass tracking — while city officials said the technology is critical to stopping crime. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to continue using Flock Safety automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, after...
Sunnyvale joins other cities in approving ICE-free zones
Another South Bay city is working to keep federal immigration agents off public property, following the lead of its neighbors. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from using city-owned property for civil enforcement. The policy directs the city to provide “know your rights” resources and...
North Sunnyvale bike path approved but lacks funds
North Sunnyvale cyclists have another protected path in their future. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday voted 6-1 to approve the installation of raised multi-use pedestrian and bicycle paths on both sides of Tasman Drive, from Fair Oaks Avenue to Vienna Drive. The roughly half-mile stretch runs between two of the state’s largest mobile home parks...
Sunnyvale’s retail protection plan falls short
One of Sunnyvale’s proposals to build more housing threatens to demolish several grocery stores, and city fixes haven’t patched the problem. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved an overhaul of the Village Center Master Plan Tuesday. The new plan redefined how seven aging retail spaces, called village centers, will be zoned for commercial, residential and...
Sunnyvale neighborhood boxed in by multiple housing developments
Another affordable housing development is planned for downtown Sunnyvale, but some neighbors are feeling claustrophobic. Sunnyvale is planning for 126 affordable apartments at 295 S. Mathilda Ave. on a 1.04-acre city-owned site, developed by MidPen Housing. The site is adjacent to multiple new developments like the Meridian and downtown Cityline’s various apartments. Some nearby residents...
Sunnyvale ready to dip into surplus with looming federal cuts
While Silicon Valley grapples with millions of dollars in federal cuts, one city is trying to use its own money to weather the storm. The Sunnyvale City Council allocated its fiscal year 2025-26 federal grants on May 6. The city has about $383,000 from the HOME program, $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funding...
Sunnyvale workers must go 40 miles to drop off animals
Sunnyvale’s new partnership with Santa Clara County Animal Services has some major glitches. The county doesn’t accept healthy stray cats. Its spay and neutering services are limited and it’s more than 40 miles away to the animal services facility in San Martin. Peter Hoang, senior management analyst with the city’s Department of Public Safety, presented...
Sunnyvale aims to preserve retail spaces in northern neighborhoods
Sunnyvale wants to preserve retail space in an underserved community, but the city will have to convince developers the investment is worthwhile. The Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, with Councilmember Murali Srinivasan absent, to approve a retail preservation program for two aging retail centers slated to be turned into townhomes. The program would allow...
Sunnyvale residents split on improvements to dangerous road
As Sunnyvale expands its bicycling network, one neighborhood is grappling with decades-old limitations. Residents in North Sunnyvale, a portion of the city that historically lacks resources, are excited about planned safe transit infrastructure on Tasman Drive, from Fair Oaks Avenue to Lawrence Expressway. Other residents are less enthusiastic, saying the proposed changes — bike lanes and...