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| September 5, 2021 B R E A K I N G WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH VALLCO? READ the STATUS REPORT T A K E A C T I O N WRITE A LETTER / SPEAK AT TUESDAY’S COUNCIL MEETING NOW IS THE TIME TO VOICE YOUR VALLCO OPINION! What’s happening with Vallco? The question on Cupertinians’ minds since at least 2014 has been answered (for now) in a status report prepared by city staff, to be presented to City Council at Tuesday’s (Sept. 7) meeting. But the report is already out and we’re sharing it with you here. It consists of two documents (download by clicking these links): (1) a five-page summary and (2) a 20-page detailed version. We encourage you to read at least the summary. Why are we getting a Status Report now? The initial approval of an SB 35 project can be rescinded after three years if the developer has not begun vertical construction. Three years will be up for the Vallco Town Center project on September 21, 2021. And according to the detailed Status Report, “the initial three-year period has proven insufficient to begin vertical construction.” The (Vallco) Developer is asking for a one-year extension, which SB 35 law allows if the developer can demonstrate that substantial progress is being made. The detailed Status Report outlines what unresolved issues are delaying the issuance of construction permits and what needs to be done to resolve them: “Issues have arisen including (i) contamination found on the site, and the development and oversight of a remediation plan; (ii) the construction of a fire station; (iii) the development of a 30 acre “green roof” as part of the Project; (iv) traffic impacts and off-site transportation improvements; (v) the development of a transit hub as part of the Project; and (vi) the payment of certain impact fees, among other issues. In recent months a great deal of progress has been made on some of the above subjects, though difficult issues remain. This report outlines agreements which have been reached and those areas still under discussion. Staff has been working with the Developer on an implementation plan to be contained in an extension letter (the “Extension Letter”). One of the goals of this report is to provide transparency to the community and the City Council on the Vallco Town Center project.” The granting of the extension is decided by city staff, not city council, according to SB 35 rules. The extension will likely be granted. Though reading the report one wonders how the issues and disagreements can be resolved by September 21, 2022. We believe the Developer doesn’t want to build the SB 35 project and is merely delaying until next year when they hope can buy themselves a new City Council. There’s no real downside — even if they miss the deadline and don’t win the council, they can still come back with another, more profitable proposal. And hope for better luck getting an amenable council in 2024. NOW is an excellent time to remind City Council and city staff that we still oppose this development and this developer. We urge you to write a letter and send to each City Council member and the City Manager (email addresses below). If you can do it by Tuesday, even better. And we urge you to tune in to Tuesday’s meeting and speak up during the public comment period, which immediately follows the Vallco Town Center Status Report item (no. 12 on the agenda). Email addresses: Mayor Darcy Paul dpaul@cupertino.org Vice Mayor Liang Chao liangchao@cupertino.org Kitty Moore kmoore@cupertino.org Jon Willey jwilley@cupertino.org Hung Wei hwei@cupertino.org Interim City Manager Greg Larson manager@cupertino.org Cupertino City Council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 7, 6:45 pm Teleconference and commenting instructions here Register in advance here |
