Liang - "Vallco Shopping District" is the proper term used in the General Plan

From: Liang C

Date: Sun, Feb 25, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Subject: "Vallco Shopping District" is the proper term used in the General Plan
To: David Brandt <davidb@cupertino.org>, Aarti Shrivastava <AartiS@cupertino.org>, Catarina Kidd <CatarinaK@cupertino.org>, Piu Ghosh <PiuG@cupertino.org>
Cc: City Council <citycouncil@cupertino.org>

Dear Vallco Project Managers,

For this community-driven specific plan process to be successful, transparency and trust are important.

Perhaps, it should start with NOT trying to steer the process towards one direction or another intentionally. Or at least do not give any perception that the city is attempting to do so.

This should start with recognizing the purpose specified in the General Plan: " a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in the Santa Clara Valley".

"The City envisions a complete redevelopment of the existing Vallco Fashion Mall into a vibrant mixed-use “town center” that is a focal point for regional visitors and the community. This new Vallco Shopping District will become a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in the Santa Clara Valley." (Cupertino's 2040 General Plan)

And the proper term for the planning area is "Vallco Shopping District", as it is used throughout the 2040 General Plan.

However, the Notice of Preparation is titled "Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
Vallco Special Area Specific Plan", while the term "Vallco Special Area" is not used anywhere in the General Plan. The General Plan also uses other terms like "North Vallco Park Special Area" and "South Vallco Park Special Area" to refer to other areas. So, "Vallco Special Area" is a confusing and inaccurate term.

For transparency, accuracy and trust, please use the proper term "Vallco Shopping District" or "Vallco Shopping District Special Area" in all communications in the future to avoid any confusion. We don't want to give people the impression that the city is somehow discouraging the shopping center use at Vallco Shopping District when the area is specifically marked "Regional Shopping" in the approved South Vallco Master Plan and marked P(CG) and P(Regional Shopping) in the Zoning Map.

The proper term "Vallco Shopping District" is not used even once in the official city web site: http://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning/major-projects/vallco

The term "Vallco Special Area" is used in http://envisionvallco.org too. Unless the City amend the General Plan to specify where is "Vallco Special Area", please use the proper General Plan term.

Please let the community-drive process actually reflect the wishes of the community and NOT confuse the process with any misuse of terms that might give the wrong impression.

Sincerely,

Liang C