Keeping water flowing, sewage systems operating and garbage collected will cost Sunnyvale residents more in the coming year, as city officials work to keep pace with aging infrastructure and rising operating expenses. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously voted to increase water rates by 7.5%, sewage rates by 7% and garbage and recycling rates by 3% for...
Sunnyvale hits pause on new smoke shops
Sunnyvale leaders want to stop new smoke shops from popping up in town, especially near schools and other youth-oriented areas. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a 45-day emergency moratorium to temporarily halt new smoke shop permits and introduced a separate policy banning nitrous oxide sales citywide. The proposed regulations come as city...
Sunnyvale residents opposed to park redesign
Residents near Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale are pushing back against proposed renovations they say could limit access to the open space they use daily. The city is exploring whether to redesign the 24.3-acre park to include a multi-use sports field, potential fencing and lighting upgrades. Residents who oppose the changes said fencing the space...
Sunnyvale slow to help homeless people living in RVs
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...