PC 11-14-2023 Written Communications after cut-off additionsTimeline of Communications with Cupertino Planning
Department
The timeline below outlines communications with Emi Sugiyama beginning in 2022 when we
applied for a business license. Note in particular when we told her about our potential
move to the Regnart site and subsequent communications where we asked her repeatedly what
information Tessellations needed to provide next. Meeting notes are linked, and copies of emails
are located here: 5-9-2022 to 4-12-2023 and 4-26-23 to 8-9-23.
Date Type of Communication Details
3/2I /22 Online submission Application for business license submitted on Cupertino's
Accela portal
5/9/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi requested more information and indicated that
depending on our use, a CUP may be needed.
5/1 6/22 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara provided Emi with details of use. Doc provided:
a Details fqr Cupertino business license v. 5-16-2022
5/1 9/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi indicated she would respond the following week
6/5/22 Email from Sara Spiegel After no response, Sara reached out for an update.
6/1 0/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi indicated she hoped to respond the following week.
6/22/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi requested that: (1 ) Tessellations contact San Jose
Regional Office of the California Department of Social
Services to obtain a child care license; and (2) that
Tessellations submit an application for Preliminary Review.
6/23/22 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara emailed in response: (1) San Jose Regional Office of
the California Department of Social Services had confirmed
that Tessellations did not need a child care license; and (2)
asked Emi for clarification on details requested.
6/23/22 Phone call from Sara
Spiegel
Sara called Emi and left a voicemail. No call back was
received.
6/28/22 Online submission & email
from Sara Spiegel
With no response received from Emi, Sara submitted
additional details about Tessellations' use on Cupertino's
Accela portal. Doc provided:
n Details for Cupertino planning division v. 6-28-2022
Sara emailed Emi that the doc was submitted and asked her
to let us know if anything else was needed.
6/28/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi confirmed receipt of the additional details and said she
would respond within the coming weeks.
7/5/22 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara requested a copy of the current CUPs for New Life
Church & St. Jude's Church.
7/12/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi shared use permit #s for the churches and how to
locate them.
12/2/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi asked for clarification about the scope of the project
since Ed Chiao had talked with the City about a different
site.
12/1 4/22 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara requested a meeting with Emi.
12/21/22 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi responded with potential meeting dates. Meeting was
scheduled for 12/22/22.
12/22/22 Phone call between Emi
Sugiyama & Sara Spiegel
Emi stated that she had emailed a Preliminary Review letter
to Tessellations; however, Tessellations had not received it.
Emi resent it:
I PR-2022-124 - Preliminary Review Letter - Dec 2022....
Emi indicated that Tessellations' use of the New Life & St.
Jude's sites was somewhat different from the churches'
previous use. She said the City would like permitting
completed before the start of next school year. The City will
not ask us to cease operations as long as it's taken care of
by then.
Sara notified Emi that Tessellation was hoping to lease the
Regnart site and shift operations to that site. Emi said she
assumed that CUSD had the current permit already and that
Tessellations would just need a minor site approval.
Emi & Sara agreed to meet again affer January 4.
Meeting notes: S 12-22-2022 Emi Sugiyama.docx
I /31 /23 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara requested a meeting with Emi to discuss plans for the
Regnart site. Meeting planned for 2/2/2023.
2/2/23 Zoom call between Emi
Sugiyama & Sara Spiegel
Sara informed Emi that the move to the Regnart site is
confirmed. Sara asked what needed to happen next.
Emi said that Regnart had been operating at that site since
likely the 1 980s and may not have needed a permit. The site
is zoned as educational use, and CUSD had a business
license. Emi indicated that Tessellations may only need a
business license and would do some research to find out
what is needed.
Meeting notes: m 02-02-2023 Emi Sugiyama.docx
3/8/23 Email from Sara Spiegel After no response, Sara reached out to Emi for an update.
4/1 2/23 Email from Sara Spiegel Still no response. Sara reached out to Emi again for an
update.
4/24/23 Email from Sara Spiegel Still no response. Sara reached out to Emi again for an
update. Meeting scheduled for 4/27/23.
4/27 /23 Zoom call between Emi
Sugiyama & Sara Spiegel
Emi told Sara that a CUP will be required. However, she
indicated that Gov Code Section 53094 says that if the
school board votes to allow for the use, they can override
the need for a conditional use permit.
Sara agreed to check with CLISD to see if a school board
vote is possible.
Meeting notes: q 04-27-2023 Emi Sugiyama.docx
5/3/23 Email from Sara Spiegel Sara communicated to Emi we had spoken with CUSD and
that they preferred that we move forward with a CUP. Sara
asked Emi what Tessellations needed to do next.
5/1 0/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi stated that the next step was for Tessellations to
resubmit for a Preliminary Review. Emi did NOT request that
Tessellations complete a CUP application package.
Emi's email: "The required information would be similar to
that outlined in the Preliminary Review letter for
PR-2022-124 at the previous site. As I understand it, all
operations will now be moved to Regnart. Please send over
a complete project description and submit for a new
Preliminary Review online to initiate the preliminary review
process."
6/20/23 Online submission & email
to Emi Sugiyama
Revised project description submitted online. Doc provided:
a Details for Cupertino planning division June 2023 . Email
sent to Emi Sugiyama with same.
6/21 /23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi confirmed receipt and said she would respond in the
next few weeks.
7/22/23 Email from Sara Spiegel After no response, Sara reached out to Emi asking if
anything further was needed.
8/1 /23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi indicated that she hoped to respond the following week.
8/1 4/23 Phone call from Emi
Sugiyama
Emi called Sara to request that Tessellations complete a
CUP application package by 8/"1 8/23. This was the only
request received up to this point that Tessellations submit a
CUP application.
8/1 4/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi sent the CUP application package for completion by
8/18/23, which represented a quick turn around for our
team.
')'>Email? Phone call?
between Ed Chiao and Emi
Sugiyama
Due to the tight timeline, Ed asked Emi's advice re
submitting the application. Should we attempt to fully
complete everything on the first pass? Emi indicated that it
was most important for us to simply get our application into
the system as quickly as possible.
8/1 8/23 Online submission Tessellations submitted CUP application, which we
considered to be a first draft.
8/21/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi sent an invoice for use permit fees of $32,970.
8/24/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi emailed a reminder to pay the use permit fees.
8/25/23 Online payment Tessellations paid the use permit fees.
9/23/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi emailed and mailed a letter that the application was
incomplete and listed items to provide within 60 days
(11/22/23).
9/26/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama Emi requested more information about the public outreach
that Tessellations has done and is continuing to do.
9/29/23 Cupertino requested
meeting
Debra Nascimento requested that Tessellations come to
City Hall for an in-person meeting on Oct 5, 2023. We
accepted the invitation.
10/5/23 Meeting at City Hall Cupertino staff indicated that Tessellations needed to submit
our completed application by Monday, Oct 9 (one business
day later) - this was new information since we were
previously told 11/22/23.
10/5/23 Email from Emi Sugiyama After the meeting, Emi provided an updated list of items
needed and reiterated the 10/9/23 deadline.
10/9/23 Resubmitted application Tessellations staff completed the application and
resubmitted on the timeline requested (1 business day).
Tessellations also implemented all parking suggestions
made at the 1 0/5 (Thu) meeting by 1 0/9 (Mon), which
required numerous immediate changes to our protocol since
we tested the shuttle system and repurposed the back lot.
11/1 4/23 Planning Commission meeting planned
12/5/23 City Council meeting planned
From:Peggy Griffin
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission; Piu Ghosh (she/her)
Cc:City Clerk
Subject:2023-11-14 Planning Commission Mtg-AGENDA ITEM4 - 2 stories
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 5:06:02 PM
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recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
PLEASE INCLUDE THIS EMAIL AS PART OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE ABOVE PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA ITEM.
Dear Planning Staff,
Thank you for changing “should” to “shall”! Please continue doing it.
Sincerely,
Peggy Griffin
From:Kamyab Mashian
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Cc:City of Cupertino Planning Dept.; Housing
Subject:Clarify and Boost ADU Rules
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 5:53:44 PM
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Dear Cupertino Planning Commission,
We are glad our city’s planning commission is taking up the revision of ADU rules, with the
passage of new state laws requiring cities to relax unnecessary rules. Overall, we believe
our main goals should be to give property owners the freedom and discretion to decide how
to best utilize their own land, and to demonstrate to the State of California that our city will
tackle our severe housing and homelessness crisis in good faith. ADUs have shown to be
an effective way to house new families and individuals in Cupertino and have generated
significant interest from property owners; now the city should ensure all homeowners have
an equal opportunity to pursue this desirable use of their land, rather than just those with
the means, expertise, and time.
Still, we believe the planning commission should better clarify new ADU rules, while also
further empowering property owners to build new homes on their own land. The
commission should advise Council on stronger language that:
1.
Makes ADU regulations simpler, especially since small property owners are unlikely
familiar with complex land use principles. Simplification and alignment with our
existing pre-approved ADU ordinance are also essential to ensure the program is
better utilized.
2.
Provide across the board permission for ADUs to be up to two stories in height, as
was intended by the passage of new state laws. There is no reason we should restrict
heights for such a small type of housing, which will result in limited new impacts on
the community. For homeowners, these restrictions will limit access to opportunity
based on neighborhoods, when all should be allowed this same ability. In addition,
Cupertino has a uniquely large number of multigenerational families who deserve
ample space to live together, with caretakers and other loved ones. Transit oriented
development should be focused around true dense, multi family homes, rather than
single story additions.
3.
In line with the above, we should also increase design flexibility by cleanly allowing
for both detached and attached ADUs to accommodate all types of families and
homeowners of all backgrounds and situations.
4.
Provide the same opportunities for single-story and multi-story single family
homeowners.
5.
Remove all mentions of proximity to transit within the context of ADUs.
ADUs are an effective, desirable way to better meet our housing needs, without noticeable
impacts on neighborhoods, while also placing the financial onus on homeowners, who are
demonstrably eager to build these homes. We should be simplifying and incentivizing our
ambitious, thoughtful residents, instead of making the process needlessly challenging.
Thank you for your consideration.
Shivani Kavuluru
&
Kamyab Mashian
From:Cupertino Resident
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Regarding Tessallations school"s application to the city of Cupertino
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6:20:13 PM
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Hello Panning Commissioners,
As a resident of Cupertino, I thank you for your service to the city. I read the
application submited by Tessalation private school to the city that is on today's
meeting agenda. Due to prior commitment, I am not able to attend the meeting in
person, so I am sending my concerns via email.
1) as mentioned on page 13 of the application, stating that the effect on traffic is
minimal is SIMPLY NOT TRUE. Ever since Tessallations private school opened,
traffic on Rainbow drive has become so conjusted in morning drop off hours. School
has not enough space for cars to park or to drop off kids and traffic backs up past
Stelling at times. Once past this school, traffic is fine. And it will only get worse
because school wants to grow >33% in population(180 to 300 kids).
2) The obvious solution is on page 8 of the application document. Map of residences
of families attending this school, since they are spread all across the bay area, and
only 6% of their children are from Cupertino, there is NO compelling reason for it to
be here. School has aspirations to grow, Regnart site in Cupertino is very small to
meet their aspirations, so they can move to South SanJose/ Los Gatos or other areas
that have bigger sites.
I would urge the commission to not renew lease for another year given the school's
aspirations to grow.
I would appreciate if my feedback is taken into considerations while discussing this
matter today and in future.
thanks
-a Cupertino resident
From:Sairam Ramachandran
To:City Council; City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Reference agenda item 2 of Cupertino planning commission meeting scheduled for 11/14/23.
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6:26:05 PM
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Planning Commission/City Council
I am a resident of Cupertino, living on Bubb Rd and Rainbow Dr. This is regarding the plan to
expand the school parking capacity of the old Regnart Elementary School, now Tessellations
School.
I would like to request the conditional permit for expansion be DENIED due to lack of Bubb
Rd and McClellan Rd capacity to handle the traffic and surrounding neighborhood roads
inability to handle the street parking.
--
Best Regards,
Sairam Ramachandran
From:Sundar Narayanan
To:City Council; City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:school changes and increased traffic on bubb road
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 7:48:27 PM
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Dear City council members,
as a 17 year resident of Columbus Avenue, the changes done on Bubb road have already
made morning commute difficult.
the light changes at McLellen corner, the bus stops in middle of Bubb, the private school
change of Regnart..
Cannot take it anymore. Please do NOT accept the school change to have additional grades as
the road cannot support local residents.
thank you
sundar.
From:Babu Srinivasan
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Cupertino Planning Commission Teleconference Meeting - November 14, 2023 (Meeting Begins at 6:45 p.m.)
starts in 1 hour
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 9:54:34 PM
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Regarding Parking resolution
I am Babu and I live in Rainbow drive.
The traffic in the morning has become a nightmare for many in Rainbow , Stelling , Yorkshire
and Bubb.
At times I am ashamed of myself not to let the residents get out of their home safely and easily
in the morning. Not joking, really serious.
The children who are residents of cupertino are getting shuttled between Lincoln / Blue Hills
and rest with siblings in MV and rest.
Is it necessary to displace native and bring in new development?
While we do not question the distinct nature of Tessellation , is it Mandatory to be located in
Cupertino?
There is already a Faria Elementary Lottery school which is nearby DeAnza and less than a
mile away.
Is it necessary to locate it in the middle of Cupertino for the small number of kids in
Tessellation whereas throwing 400+ kids who were part of Regnart?
If people are coming to Teslations all the way to Cuperino they can go to Los Altos and San
Jose where there are empty lands or be part of John Muir or in the worst case
in the Cupertino Municipality building itself.
Is the Municipality planning to operate a Shuttle for the Public school if that helps
Tessellations manage the transportation issue.
Is this meeting info shared with every resident?
I wish the Planning commission better spens the time on the welfare of the residents of
Cupertino.
Is it possible Tessellation continues to call Cupertino their home ( remote ) like they claim
those days during the lockdown.
There was a mention of stealing kids from Monta Vista and 9k kids in the slide which is
horribly wrong.
Thanks
Babu
From:Jennifer Griffin
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Planning Commission Going Too Late
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 11:29:41 PM
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Dear Planning Commission:
It is now 11:30 PM. Why are we making hundreds of changes on adus when we
Have had no Planning Commission meetings for two months?
You should probably postpone most of this.
I am assuming we will have a Planning Commission meeting next week?
Thank you.
Jennifer Griffin
From:Jennifer Griffin
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Subject:Planning Commission Cancellations
Date:Tuesday, November 14, 2023 11:35:34 PM
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Other cities have been cancelling planning commission meetings.
There have always been Planning Commission meetings.
I am worried that the Planning Commission is being eliminated to
Eliminate the public's voice.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Griffin