Written Communications 3-12-2024 Complete
Planning Commission
Meeting
March 12, 2024
Written Communications
Item #2
From:Connie Cunningham
To:City of Cupertino Planning Dept.
Cc:Piu Ghosh (she/her)
Subject:Public Hearing, Agenda Item 2: Cupertino (5 story) Village Boutique Hotel Mar 12 Planning Commission
Date:Monday, March 11, 2024 4:07:14 PM
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Dear Chair Fung, Vice-Chair Lindskog, and Planning Commissioners:
Subject: Public Hearing, Agenda Item 2: Cupertino (5 story) Village Boutique Hotel Mar 12
Planning Commission
Did the Development Agreement (DA-2023-002) include the Cupertino Bird-Safe and Dark
Skies Ordinance? If not, I urge the Planning Commission to require this before approving the
project extension.
Studies have shown millions of birds die each year from colliding with glass. Millions more
are harmed because their night migration is disrupted by city lights. Cupertino is located on
the Pacific Flyway. Birds like the Yellow-crowned Sparrow migrate 3000 miles to spend the
winter here.
It is important for the public to know what the details of the project are that address theOrdinance. This Cupertino Boutique Hotel will be 5 stories tall with a rooftop lounge with separate bar. Following the Cupertino Ordinance will protect night-time migrating birds, and birds that willhit glass during the day.
I urge you to ask this question about the Bird-Safe and Dark Skies Ordinance for every project
that comes before the Planning Commission.
Sincerely,
Connie L. Cunningham
Housing Commission (self only)
Planning Commission
Meeting
March 12, 2024
Written Communications
Item #3
From:Connie Cunningham
To:City of Cupertino Planning Dept.
Cc:Piu Ghosh (she/her)
Subject:Public Hearing: Agenda Item 3: De Anza (7 story) Hotel Project Mar 12 Planning Commission
Date:Monday, March 11, 2024 4:07:22 PM
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Dear Chair Fung, Vice-Chair Lindskog, and Planning Commissioners:
Public Hearing: Agenda Item 3: De Anza (7 story) Hotel Project Mar 12 Planning
Commission
Did the Development Agreement (DA-2023-003) include the Cupertino Bird-Safe and Dark
Skies Ordinance? If not, I urge the Planning Commission to require this before approving the
project extension. Studies have shown millions of birds die each year from colliding with glass. Millions moreare harmed because their night migration is disrupted by city lights. Cupertino is located onthe Pacific Flyway. Birds like the Yellow-crowned Sparrow migrate 3000 miles to spend thewinter here. It is important for the public to know what the details of the project are that address theOrdinance. This De Anza Hotel will be 7 stories tall with a rooftop lounge with separate bar. Followingthe Cupertino Ordinance will protect night-time migrating birds, and birds that will hit glassduring the day. I urge you to ask this question about the Cupertino Bird-Safe and Dark Skies Ordinance forevery project that comes before the Planning Commission. Sincerely,Connie L. CunninghamHousing Commission (self only)
From:Swim5am (Connie Cunningham)
To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission
Cc:Piu Ghosh (she/her); Gian Martire
Subject:Thank you! The Birds thank you! March 12 PC, Agenda Items 2 & 3.
Date:Tuesday, March 12, 2024 8:31:42 PM
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Dear Chair Fung, Vice-Chair Lindskog, Commissioner Scharf, and Commissioner Mistry,
Thank you, Vice-Chair Lindskog, for asking about whether the Bird-Safe and Dark Skies
Ordinance was included in the plans for the De Anza Hotel and the Cupertino Boutique Hotel.
I had thought tonight that the answer from each applicant would be “yes”, and "here are the
details for our hotel." Since the Chamber of Commerce had been a partner with the Santa
Clara Valley Audubon Society and City Staff in negotiating the Ordinance, I really thought
that a simple extension that was not an SB35 project would be in compliance with Cupertino’s
Ordinance. I was shocked when they told you that it was not included. And that, yes, they
would follow all other building codes that were more recent than their proposal. Really, that
was a shock.
It was great to hear agreement from your colleagues on the Planning Commission and to see
the vote recommending to City Council that they approve these plans only if they include the
Bird-Safe and Dark Skies Ordinance. I will see you April 3 at the City Council meeting.
Thank you all for listening to the voices this evening speaking for the Bird-Safe and Dark
Skies Ordinance to be added to both the hotels . Birds that live in, and fly through, our city on
the Pacific Flyway, are facing continuing change. These changes are taking away their habitat
and reducing their navigable airspace. They will only survive into the future if people like
yourselves at the city government level take this opportunity to see the world through their
eyes.
As nice as their current plans are, the De Anza Hotel and the Cupertino Boutique Hotel will
each have a better design as a result of looking at it from the perspective of birds.
Thank you again for listening to our voices.
Sincerely,
Connie Cunningham (Housing Commission, self only)
Cedar Waxwing