CHC 08-13-2009 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
THE CUPERTINO HOUSING COMMISSION
August 13, 2009
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Cupertino Housing Commission was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Chair Radha
Kulkarni
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Radha Kulkarni, Frances Seward, Nicole Maroko and Planning Commissioner David
Kaneda
Absent: Harvey Barnett and Jessie Lin
Staff present: Vera Gil, Senior Planner; Kelly Kline, Redevelopment/Economic Development Manager;
Steve Piasecki, Consulting Planner
3. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rotary Housing Corporation
Rotary Housing Corporation representatives Kathy Nellis and Jim Walker made a PowerPoint
presentation to the Housing Commission. The Rotary Housing Corporation is a new 501 (c) (3) not for
profit corporation created with the specific mission of creating affordable senior housing to serve
Cupertino residents.
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The project would result in 18 -20 units of affordable senior housing constructed on excess asphalt
consisting of rarely used angle parking and a center turn lane along Mary Avenue. Mary Avenue would
be narrowed into a narrower, safer, tree -lined neighborhood street with a bicycle lane and parallel parking.
The units would be small 500 -800 square foot detached one -story cottages with front porches.
The Rotary Housing Corporation has held one neighborhood meeting and is planning on meeting with the
Glenbrook Apartments and the Senior Center in the near future.
After the Rotary Housing Corporation presentation, the Housing Commission discussed the idea.
Planning Commissioner David Kaneda mentioned that the senior housing was a great idea. However, he
remembers the community complaints about removal of the parking when the last proposal to narrow
Mary Avenue was heard. Mr. Piasecki and Mr. Walker addressed this by discussing the recent
construction of a new parking garage on the DeAnza College campus which more than addresses the
school's parking needs. Most of those parking on the current Mary Avenue spaces are individuals not
wishing to purchase a parking pass at the college. Also, members of the Rotary Housing Corporation have
been monitoring the use of the parking spaces at key times and they are finding very little use of these
spaces.
Commissioner Maroko mentioned that documenting the needs for the affordable senior housing is also
key to the development of the project. What has the Rotary Housing Corporation been doing to document
the need? Mr. Walker mentioned that they are planning to meet with the Senior Center director, Julia
Lamy to discuss what the need for this type of housing is currently. They have also been collecting other
data.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Housing Element Update
City staff has a phone conference with Lark McNeil and Paul McDougall of HCD to discuss some
Housing Element comments. The City e- mailed a response to HCD and is awaiting the arrival of a formal
comment letter on August 25
7. NEW BUSINESS
Presentation from the Housing Industry Foundation
Debbie Wade from the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) made a presentation to the Housing
Commission on what her foundation does in the community. HIF was started by a group of apartment
owners and expanded over time. They serve the counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara with three
programs. They allocate $250,000 for emergency assistance through contracts with community agencies.
WVCS is one of their partner agencies. They also have a Shelter Rehab Program where agencies like
Senior Housing Solutions can receive assistance in repairing or improving their shelter /transitional home.
Finally is the Disaster Relief Program that assists families with relocation costs if they need to relocate
due to a natural disaster.
8. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
Chair Radha Kulkarni was unable to attend the last Mayor's meeting.
9. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Commissioner's Dinner will be held on September 10, 2009 at the Community Hall. Please be sure
to RSVP.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. to regular meeting on September 10, 2009.
SUBMITTED BY:
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Vera Gil,
Staff liaison to the Cupertino Housing Commission