Transparency when specifying parcels, clean-up and consistency changes - Alpine Rd/Vista Knoll Drive re-zoned! by Peggy

Four parcels, right next to single family homes were rezoned from R2.4.25 to R3 to allow higher density housing per acre. They were approved as a part of Ordinance No. 14-2124, on Dec. 4, 2014, in the name of "clean-up" and consistency for Housing Element.

R2 = Residential Duplex
R3 = Multiple Family Residential

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Peggy Griffin
Date: Wed, May 13, 2015 at 2:25 PM
Subject: Transparency when specifying parcels, clean-up and consistency changes - Alpine Rd/Vista Knoll Drive re-zoned!
To: David Brandt <Davidb@cupertino.org>, Aarti Shrivastava <AartiS@cupertino.org>
Cc: City Council <CityCouncil@cupertino.org>, planning@cupertino.org, City Clerk <CityClerk@cupertino.org>

Dear City Manager and Staff,

 

When parcel numbers  (APN) are specified in your documents, I am requesting that you also include the street address of the parcel for clarity to the public and to our City Council members.

 

I do not think that the City Council members realize that on Dec. 16, 2014 they approved re-zoning 4 parcels on Alpine Road (off Foothill) to R3.  One of the four parcels backups up to Vista Knoll homes!  (See below and attached document).

 

These changes came under the words “clean-up” and “consistency” but did not specify exactly what changes were being done other than to list the APN number of the parcel.  Every indication in the words of the agenda item and the ordinance was that it was related to the Housing Element. 

 

Changes made need to be clearly specified!

 

Suggestions:

1.       Anytime a parcel number (APN) is used, also include its address.
2.      If “clean-up” is done, include a list of items to be “cleaned-up”.
3.      If “consistency” issues are being resolved, include a list of the exact issues.

 

Thank you,

Peggy Griffin

Cupertino resident

 

 

For example:

On December 16, 2014 City Council Agenda, Item #12 it reads:

"Subject: Conduct Second Reading and Enact Amendments to the Zoning Map and Municipal Code to conform to the General Plan and Housing Element Amendments, as well as text changes to Chapters in Title 18 and Title 19, of the Municipal Code regarding zoning, density bonuses, below-market rate housing, and the addition of Chapter 13 (Parkland Dedication Fee) and other clean-up to comply with state law, consistency and to improve readability."

 

ORDINANCE NO. 14-2124 – This ordinance implies from the title that the changes are related to the recent housing element and general plan decisions.  No mention of random site rezoning.

"An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cupertino Rezoning Certain Sites in the City for Conformance with the General Plan and Housing Element."

 

 

326-15-110 R2-4.25 rezoned to R3 10365 Alpine Drive, Unit A,

326-15-111 R2-4.25 rezoned to R3 10353 Alpine Drive

326-15-108 R2-4.25 rezoned to R3 10381 Alpine Drive

326-15-073 R2-4.25 rezoned to R3 10334 Alphine Drive, Unit B

Attachment: Ordinance No. 14-2124 - Attachment A-Exhibit Z-1-Parcel details on Alpine Road.pdf