PC 7-22-2025 Searchable PacketCITY OF CUPERTINO
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
10350 Torre Avenue, Council Chamber and via Teleconference
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
6:45 PM
At the overhead projector at the podium or
E-mail the document to planning@cupertino.gov by 3:00 p.m. and staff will
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Planning Commission Agenda July 22, 2025
advance the slides/share the documents during your oral comment.
2) Written communications as follows:
a. E-mail comments to planningcommission@cupertino.gov
b. Regular mail or hand delivered addressed to the: Cupertino Planning
Commission, City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014
c. Comments addressed to the Planning Commission received by 5:00 p.m. on
the day of the meeting will be included in written communications published and
distributed before the beginning of the meeting.
d. Comments addressed to the Planning Commission received after the 5:00
p.m. deadline, but through the end of the Planning Commission meeting, will be posted to
the City’s website by the end of the following business day.
3) Teleconference in one of the following ways:
a. Online via Zoom on an electronic device (Audio and Video): Speakers
must register in advance by clicking on the link below to access the meeting:
https://cityofcupertino.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QeVauQhnRJu-AhQlEmTbQg
Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about
joining the webinar.
Speakers will be recognized by the name they use for registration. Once
recognized, speakers must click ‘unmute’ when prompted to speak.
Please read the following instructions about technical compatibility carefully:
One can directly download the teleconference (Zoom) software or connect to the meeting in
their internet browser. If a browser is used, make sure the most current and up-to-date
browser, such as the following, is used: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari
7+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers, including Internet Explorer.
b. By Phone (Audio only): No registration is required in advance and
speakers may join the meeting as follows:
i. Dial 669-900-6833 and enter WEBINAR ID: 852 4923 3670
ii. To “raise hand” to speak: Dial *9; When asked to unmute: Dial *6
iii. Speakers will be recognized to speak by the last four digits of
their phone number.
c. Via an H.323/SIP room system:
i. H.323 Information:
144.195.19.161 (US West)
206.247.11.121 (US East)
Meeting ID: 852 4923 3670
ii. SIP: 85249233670@zoomcrc.com
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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Planning Commission Agenda July 22, 2025
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Subject: Approval of the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
1 - Draft Minutes
POSTPONEMENTS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Commission on any matter
within the jurisdiction of the Commission and not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3)
minutes. In most cases, State law will prohibit the Commission from making any decisions with respect
to a matter not on the agenda.
STUDY SESSION
2.Subject: Study Session: Sample Objective Design Standards
That the Planning Commission provide feedback and
recommendations regarding a sample group of objective design standards (see
Attachment 1) for new multifamily and residential mixed-use development.
Staff Report
1 - Sample Objective Design Standards
2 - Planning Commission Design Priorities Summary
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
Effective January 1, 2023, Government Code Section 65103.5 (SB 1214) limits the distribution of
copyrighted material associated with the review of development projects. Members of the public wishing
to view plans that cannot otherwise be distributed under SB 1214 may make an appointment with the
Planning Division to view them at City Hall by sending an email to planning@cupertino.org. Plans
will also be made available digitally during the hearing to consider the proposal.
OLD BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
3.Subject: Selection of Economic Development Committee Representative
Select a representative to the Economic Development
Committee for appointment by City Council.
Staff Report
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
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Planning Commission Agenda July 22, 2025
This portion of the meeting is reserved for staff to provide any updates on matters pertinent to the
Commission and for Commissioners to report on any Commission related activities they have taken part
in since the prior regularly scheduled meeting.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
This portion of the meeting is reserved for the Chair or any two Commissioners to propose a future
agenda item within the jurisdiction of the Commission. A proposal to add a future agenda item shall be
brief and without discussion by the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
If you challenge the action of the Planning Commission in court, you may be limited to raising only
those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this agenda, or in written
correspondence delivered to the City of Cupertino at, or prior to, the public hearing. In the event an
action taken by the Planning Commission is deemed objectionable, the matter may be officially appealed
to the City Council in writing within fourteen (14) days of the date of the Commission’s decision. Said
appeal is filed with the City Clerk (Ordinance 632).
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who is planning to attend this
meeting who is visually or hearing impaired or has any disability that needs special assistance should
call the City Clerk's Office at 408-777-3223, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to arrange for
assistance. In addition, upon request in advance by a person with a disability, meeting agendas and
writings distributed for the meeting that are public records will be made available in the appropriate
alternative format.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission after publication of the
packet will be made available for public inspection in the Community Development Department located
at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014 during normal business hours and in
Planning packet archives linked from the agenda/minutes page on the City web site.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be advised that pursuant to Cupertino Municipal Code section
2.08.100, written communications sent to the City Council, Commissioners or staff concerning a
matter on the agenda are included as supplemental material to the agendized item. These written
communications are accessible to the public through the City website and kept in packet archives. Do
not include any personal or private information in written communications to the City that you do not
wish to make public, as written communications are considered public records and will be made
publicly available on the City website.
For questions on any items in the agenda, or for documents related to any of the items on the agenda,
contact the Planning Department at (408) 777 3308 or planning@cupertino.org.
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Planning Commission Agenda July 22, 2025
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CITY OF CUPERTINO
Agenda Item
Subject: Approval of the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Approve the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
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DRAFT MINUTES
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Santosh Rao called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Santosh Rao, Vice Chair Tracy Kosolcharoen, and Commissioners Steven Scharf and
Seema Lindskog. Absent: Commissioner David Fung.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: Approval of the June 24, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the June 24, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Administrative Assistant Nelson made a correction to the minutes.
MOTION: Lindskog moved and Rao seconded to approve the amended June 24, 2025
Planning Commission Minutes. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Rao,
Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Lindskog. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Fung.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jennifer Griffin spoke about concerns related to SB79 and its wording regarding bus systems. She
also spoke about Governor Newsome’s modifications to CEQA, particularly the exemption
related to data centers.
David spoke on an item on the agenda, and per Rao’s request held his comment for the agenda
item.
Peggy Griffin spoke about regulations in the Municipal Code and the desire to have these be
simple to aid in code enforement.
STUDY SESSION
2. Subject: Study Session on a state law mandated update to the Health and Safety Element.
(Application No(s): GPA-2025-001; Applicant(s): City of Cupertino; Location: citywide)
Recommended Action: That the Planning Commission receive the report and provide
input on the recommended policy areas and/or programs in the Health and Safety
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Element.
Assistant Director of Community Development Connolly introduced the consultants,
Senior Associate Jacqueline Prostman Rohr and Principal Tammy L. Seale, with
Placeworks, who gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions about the presentation.
Chair Rao opened the floor to Ex Parte disclosures. Chair Rao and Vice Chair
Kosolcharoen made Ex Parte Disclosures.
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
• Jennifer Griffin
• Peggy Griffin
• David
Chair Rao closed the public comment period.
Commissioners continued their discussion, and asked questions which staff and
Placeworks representatives responded to.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. Subject: Proposed amendments to Municipal Code Chapters 19.08 (Definitions), and
19.112 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and Associated Environmental Review. (Application
No. MCA-2025-001; Applicant: City of Cupertino; Location: City-wide)
Recommend Action: That the Planning Commission adopt the draft resolution
recommending that the City Council adopt an ordinance to:
a. Find that the proposed actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) and CEQA Guidelines; and
b. Amend the following:
i. Chapter 19.08, Definitions, and
ii. Chapter 19.112, Accessory Dwelling Units.
Planning Manager Ghosh introduced Senior Planner Martire who gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions and made comments.
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
• Jennifer Griffin
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Chair Rao closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Rao moved and Lindskog seconded to move the staff recommendation with a
change to Table 19.112.040, Subsection I - Structure Design, that Clause (a) be struck. The
motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Lindskog. Noes:
None. Abstain: None. Absent: Fung.
NEW BUSINESS – None
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS –
Planning Manager Ghosh mentioned two new housing development projects listed on the city’s
webpage, including two townhome developments, one on South DeAnza for approximately 103
units, and another townhome development on Canyon Crossing along with two SB330
preliminary applications. She also stated that the Wolfe Road housing project (Eden Housing)
has come in as a formal application.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING – None
Commissioner Scharf recommended, and Vice Chair Kosolcharoen seconded to conduct a study
session on article 34 of the California Constitution, and a presentation from the legal department
about it.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:19 p.m. Chair Rao adjourned the Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Minutes prepared by:
Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant
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CITY OF CUPERTINO
Agenda Item
Subject: Study Session: Sample Objective Design Standards
That the Planning Commission provide feedback and recommendations regarding a sample group of
objective design standards (see Attachment 1) for new multifamily and residential mixed-use
development.
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PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Agenda Date: July 22, 2025
SUBJECT
Study Session: Sample Objective Design Standards
RECOMMENDED ACTION
That the Planning Commission provide feedback and recommendations regarding a
sample group of objective design standards (see Attachment 1) for new multifamily and
residential mixed-use development.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
Cupertino is preparing new residential design standards, known as objective design
standards (ODS), to conform to changes in State housing law. Staff and the project
consultant, PlaceWorks, conducted a Planning Commission Study Session for the ODS
project on May 13, 2025. The Study Session covered:
• Relevant legal background
• The definition of ODS
• Differences between discretionary and ministerial review
• Regulatory limits of ODS, which do not regulate land use, density, or zoning
• Current Cupertino design policies, guidelines, and standards
• Local flexibility in the ODS process
• Typical ODS content and approaches
Commissioners were presented with a series of discussion questions regarding design
priorities for Cupertino. Commissioners offered feedback on current housing design
trends, including design components considered of concern to residents and those
considered beneficial to local quality of life.
Commissioners also provided input on the level of specificity preferred for the future
ODS. The consensus of the Commission was that the City’s ODS should not be overly
prescriptive in order to prevent a visually homogeneous pattern of future residential
development.
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CP-2025-001 Objective Design Standards July 22, 2025
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Analysis:
The ODS project team selected five housing design priorities expressed by
Commissioners during the May 13, 2025 meeting. These five design priorities are not
intended to represent a comprehensive list of Commissioner priorities or feedback from
the meeting, a full summary of which is included as Attachment 2. Instead, they have
been selected to demonstrate how ODS can be tailored to support the direction of local
housing design. The selected priorities are:
1. Ensuring that new buildings are sensitive to the surrounding lower-density
residential neighborhoods.
2. Ensuring that new surface parking, vehicle loading areas and utilities are sensitive
to surrounding lower-density residential sites.
3. Minimizing the potential privacy impacts of new multifamily development on
adjacent development, particularly lower-density neighborhoods.
4. Preventing a transition to a local “concrete jungle,” or heat island, with an
inadequate number of trees and greenery enhancing the City’s appearance and
improving the pedestrian experience for residents and visitors alike.
5. Activating retail visitation and walkability.
PlaceWorks then developed the Sample Objective Design Standards in Attachment 1 to
support each of the selected priorities from the Commissioner feedback during the May
13, 2025 Planning Commission meeting. The goals of this exercise are to:
• Demonstrate to Commissioners and the public how ODS can be applied and
adapted to various design priorities. The standards do not represent the full
range of possible design approaches to each priority.
• Allow Commissioners and the public to review various ODS approaches and
formats, including language, level of specificity and various graphics and
illustrations.
• Introduce the ways in which ODS may be organized into topical sections.
Organization of Sample ODS:
Attachment 1 is a sample of potential standards that would be dispersed throughout the
complete ODS document, which is different from the typical approach where ODS
documents are organized into topical sections and subsections. In this instance, the
standards in Attachment 1 are organized based on Planning Commission priorities. In
order to demonstrate how the sample standards could be organized in a final ODS
document, the standards under each priority are organized under typical ODS topics.
This approach shows that, for example, standards developed in response to
commissioners’ prioritization of context-sensitive buildings may fall under three
subsections addressing “Building Form” within the ODS document, specifically:
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CP-2025-001 Objective Design Standards July 22, 2025
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1. Façade Articulation
2. Context and Scale
3. Equipment Screening
Limits of Sample ODS:
The sample objective design standards and topical organization in Exhibit 1 are for review
and discussion purposes and are not intended as a “draft ODS” submission. The visual
format and organization of the document, colors and branding, sectional headers,
numbering of individual standards and internal references are intended to demonstrate
how a potential document could look and be organized. These features are adapatable to
change as the ODS project progresses in response to staff, Planning Commission, City
Council and public comments.
Environmental Review
This study session and the resulting Planning Commission recommendations will not
cause a direct or indirect physical change to the environment. As such, they do not
constitute a CEQA “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 21065 – Project. No
environmental review is required.
Other Department/Agency Review
None required.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
This Planning Commission Meeting follows two public outreach events conducted as part
of the ODS Project:
1. Open House: City staff and PlaceWorks conducted a hybrid in-person/virtual Housing
Design Preference Open House on February 10, 2025, at Cupertino Community Hall.
The goals of the meeting were to introduce residents to the ODS process and conduct
a design preference open house.
2. PC Study Session: City staff and PlaceWorks conducted the aforementioned Planning
Commission ODS Study Session on May 13, 2025.
NEXT STEPS
City staff and PlaceWorks will complete a full Administrative Draft Objective Design
Standards document for consideration by Planning Commission and City Council, with
expected public review and adoption of the final ODS by late 2025.
Prepared by: Greg Goodfellow, Senior Associate II, PlaceWorks
Reviewed by: Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
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CP-2025-001 Objective Design Standards July 22, 2025
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Approved for Submission by: Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community
Development
ATTACHMENTS
1. Sample Multifamily and Residential Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards
2. Planning Commission Design Priorities Summary, per May 15, 2025 Meeting
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ATTACHMENT 1: SAMPLE MULTIFAMILY AND RESIDENTIAL
MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
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PC PRIORITY: CONTEXT SENSITIVE BUILDINGS
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: BUILDING FORM
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: CONTEXT AND SCALE
Standard 1: Side and Rear Upper Floor Step Backs
All new developments that:
a. Abut low-density residential lots at an interior side and/or
rear property line; and
b. Are t wenty (20) feet or more taller than either an existing
adjacent building or the maximum height allowed by the
adjacent zoning, shall incorporate side and/or rear upper floor
step backs that:
• Star t within two (2) vertical feet of the height of the
adjacent building or maximum allowed height.
• Have a minimum depth of six (6) feet along the façade(s)
facing low-density development.
• Occur for a minimum of 70% of each relevant façade
length.
Standard 2: Rear Modulation
All buildings whose rear elevation abuts a lot with low-density zoning
shall include at least one façade modulation with a minimum depth of 18
inches and a minimum width of two feet, per 40 feet of façade length.
Standard 3: Daylight Plane
The minimum daylight plane angle from a rear or side lot line shared with
existing low-density residential districts shall be 45 degrees, as measured
from 25 feet above grade at the subject property line, perpendicular to
the property line.
STANDARD 1: SIDE AND REAR UPPER FLOOR STEP BACKS
STANDARD 2: REAR MODULATION
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POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: FAÇADE ARTICULATION
Standard 4: Façade Wrapping
The same materials and finishes must be uniformly applied on all exterior
elevations to create four-sided architecture.
Standard 5: Side and Rear Façade Details
The side and rear façades of new developments abutting low-density
residential lots at an interior side and/or rear property line shall incorporate
each of the following:
a. Window heads and sills that align horizontally with those
on front façade and are consistent with privacy standards in
Section xx.
b. At least one of the following decorative elements used in the
front facade:
• Light fixtures
• Vent gables
• Trellis or arbors
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: EQUIPMENT SCREENING
Standard 6: Building Façade Equipment
Utilities and mechanical equipment must be integrated into the
design of the building facades using at least one of the following
methods:
• Building façade insets.
• Integrated architectural screens composed of
materials and colors used on the primary building.
• Enclosures with walls no higher than six (6) inches
above the tallest equipment component.
STANDARD 3: DAYLIGHT PLANE
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PC PRIORITY: SENSITIVE PARKING AND UTILITIES DESIGN
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: SITE DESIGN
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: VEHICLE ACCESS AND
PARKING
Standard 7: Design of Surface Parking Abutting Low Density
Residential
Figure x illustrates standards for the design of interior parking lots
that abut low density residential properties. The following additional
standards shall apply:
a. Wall. The height of the wall at the shared property shall be at
least eight (8) feet, as measured from highest adjacent grade.
It shall be a solid masonry material construction, colored to
match the primary building.
b. Landscape Buffer. The landscape buffer shall be planted with
trees planted at least fifteen (15) feet on center and with a
mature height of at least twenty (20) feet. All relevant parking
lot buffer standards in Section xx shall also apply.
c. Covered parking. All parking abutting the property line shall
be covered by a roofed structure without vertical walls,
composed of either materials that complement the primary
project building or photovoltaic shade structures.
Standard 8: e-Commerce Vehicle Parking
All developments with (30) or more dwelling units shall provide at
least one (1) vehicle loading and unloading space for e-commerce
delivery vehicles per thirty (30) units. The loading space shall:
a. Be located outside of any drive aisle rights-of-way.
b. Be a minimum of ten (10) feet wide by twenty-five (25) feet
long with at least twelve (12) feet of vertical clearance from
ground level.
c. Include adequate maneuvering space such that no backing
onto or from a public street is required.
STANDARD 7: SURFACE PARKING ABUTTING
LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
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POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: EQUIPMENT, UTILITIES AND
STORAGE
Standard 9: Solid Waste Facilities
All solid waste storage containers shall be designed and located to
minimize visual and circulatory impacts to proposed and adjacent
development. The following shall be true of all solid waste collection
facilities:
a. Siting:
• Trash collection facilities shall be sited so as not to block
project circulation or driveways.
• Trash collection facilities shall be located outside a sixty
(60) foot radius from the nearest residential entry.
b. Screening:
• Trash collection facilities shall be enclosed on all four
sides, one of which includes an access gate that opens
the full width of the enclosure.
• Enclosers shall include a roof providing adequate
clearance to open receptacles.
• Enclosures shall be composed of at least two (2) materials
and colors used on primary project structures.
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PC PRIORITY: MINIMIZE RESIDENTIAL PRIVACY IMPACTS
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: BUILDING FORM
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: FENESTRATION
Standard 10: Upper Floor Window Placement
When a proposed multi-story, multifamily or mixed-use building would
be located near existing low-density residential buildings, upper floor
windows of the proposed buildings shall be oriented to avoid a direct line
of sight into all adjacent buildings. The following shall apply:
a. When a proposed building would be located within twenty
(20) feet of an existing building, windows shall be offset
horizontally from the existing windows by a minimum of two
(2) feet.
b. If the proposed building would be located within ten (10)
feet of a side property line, side windows shall be offset
horizontally by a minimum of five (5) feet from windows of
the nearest residential building on the adjacent property.
c. Windows on any floor to a non-habitable room such as a
bathroom or closet may be excepted from this standard if the
minimum windowsill height is five (5) feet and the window
has frosted or privacy glass.
Standard 11: Balcony Placement
Balconies shall be oriented to the front of new buildings. Balconies
on side or rear facades facing adjacent properties shall be prohibited
unless that façade is a minimum of (forty) 40 feet from the shared
property line.
STANDARD 10A: UPPER FLOOR WINDOW PLACEMENT
STANDARD 10B: UPPER FLOOR WINDOW PLACEMENT
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PC PRIORITY: SITEWIDE TREE COVER AND LANDSCAPING
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: STREETSCAPE DESIGN
Standard 12: Street Trees in Sidewalk Landscape Zone
All sidewalks surrounding new multifamily and mixed-use projects
shall include a dedicated landscape zone between the pedestrian
zone and the street. The landscape zone shall include at least one
street tree for every 30 feet of linear feet of sidewalk length. Street
trees shall:
a. Be planted within six feet of the sidewalk.
b. Be selected for consistency with City of Cupertino plans,
ordinances, approved planting lists.
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: SITE DESIGN
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: VEHICLE ACCESS AND
PARKING
Standard 13: Parking Shade Coverage
a. Surface parking lots larger than ten (10) stalls shall provide
minimum shade coverage of fifty (50) percent of the gross
surface parking area.
b. Trees shall be provided such that they are demonstrated to
provide the required shade area at maturity.
c. Solar photovoltaic structures may be used to provide shade
but shall not be allowed as a substitute for required tree
shade.
STANDARD 12: STREET TREES IN SIDEWALK LANDSCAPE ZONE
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Standard 14: Surface Parking Tree Location
Shade trees shall be provided in surface parking lots through either
of the following methods:
a. A minimum of two (2) shade trees shall be planted in each
surface parking finger oriented perpendicular to the drive
aisle. Parking fingers shall:
• Provide a minimum of six (6) feet of clear planting width.
• Be placed at a maximum of every six (6) stalls.
b. Shade trees shall be planted in sur face parking planting
strips at a maximum of twenty (20) feet on center. Planting
strips shall:
• Provide a minimum of six (6) feet of clear planting width.
• Be located between each opposing row of spaces.
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: COMMON OPEN SPACE AND
LANDSCAPING
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: TYPES: GROUND LEVEL AND
ROOFTOP
Standard 15: Ground Floor Landscaping
All open spaces in the front setback (excluding areas for driveways
and sidewalks) of multifamily residential projects shall be at least 75
percent landscape (planted materials) that are selected to comply
with WELO standards as found in the 2016 Cupertino Landscape
Ordinance. In addition:
a. Selected plant species for the site shall incorporate a mix of
trees, shrubs, and ground cover.
b. Tur f areas shall include no more than 25 percent of the total
irrigated area on the site.
STANDARD 14: SURFACE PARKING TREE LOCATION
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POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: GENERAL STANDARDS
Standard 16: Physical Focal Point Landscaping
Physical focal points of new development project sites shall be
landscaped to increase sitewide green cover strengthen the visual
impact of the landscape plan. Physical focal points include the
following:
• Central plazas or other permanent gathering facilities in
common open space areas
• Terminal points of pedestrian pathways
• Site entries
• Areas of common open space visible from the public
right of way
• Corners of open space areas
Each physical focal point shall provide at least one of the following
landscape treatments:
• Climate-adapted flowering plants.
• Plants with foliage of a texture or color that differs
from the larger landscape palette of the site.
• Up to five types of ornamental plants.
STANDARD 16: PHYSICAL FOCAL POINT LANDSCAPING
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City of Cupertino | CA 10
S A M P L E M U LT I F A M I LY A N D R E S I D E N T I A L
M I X E D - U S E O B J E C T I V E D E S I G N S TA N D A R D S
POTENTIAL ODS SECTION: PEDESTRIAN EXPERIENCE
POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: STREETSCAPE DESIGN
Standard 17: Sidewalk Sections
Public sidewalks abutting new mixed-use development shall be divided
into a Frontage Zone, Pedestrian Clear Pathway and Landscape Zone.
The following standards shall apply to each:
ZONE REQUIRED WIDTH ALLOWED AMENITIES
Frontage Per setback requirement
• Private Dining Areas
• Outdoor Displays
• Public Ar t
• Public Seating
• Trees/Planting
• Terraces
Pedestrian Clear Pathway Minimum eight (8) feet Sidewalk
Landscape = Total sidewalk –
Pedestrian clear pathway
• Street Trees
• Lighting
• Fire hydrants
• Micromobility
• Bike Parking
• Public Ar t
• Private Dining Areas
• Outdoor Displays
• Public Ar t
• Parklets
Total Sidewalk Minimum twelve (12) feet
PC PRIORITY: RETAIL ACTIVATION AND WALKABILITY
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City of Cupertino | CA 11
S A M P L E M U LT I F A M I LY A N D R E S I D E N T I A L
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POTENTIAL ODS SUBSECTION: COMMERCIAL GROUND
FLOOR DESIGN
Standard 18: Commercial Ground Floor Dimensions
a. Ground Floor Finish Level: Zero (0) feet at entries.
• Exception: Ground floor finish level is subject to Cal. Code
Regs., Title 24 and site-specific conditions.
b. Ground Floor Height: Minimum fourteen (14) feet floor-to-
floor or shall match the ground floor height of an abutting
building.
Standard 19: Commercial Ground Floor Glazing
Ground floor elevations shall have at least sixty (60) percent
transparent glazing between two (2) and eight (8) feet above
sidewalk level.
Standard 20: Primary Commercial Entries
a. Primar y entries shall be recessed between one (1) and four
(4) feet from the main elevation.
b. Primar y entries shall provide full ingress and egress during
business hours, including unobstructed movement of all
doors.
c. Each primar y entry shall include awnings or weather protection
at least six (6) feet wide and three (3) feet deep, composed of
metal, wood, glass, slate, or concrete, and without openings.
Standard 21: Percentage of Vehicle Access per Frontage
No more than twenty-five (25) percent of the site frontage facing a
street should be devoted to garage openings, carports, surface parking,
loading entries, or utilities access. On sites with less than one hundred
(100) feet of frontage, no more than twenty-five (25) feet of frontage
shall be devoted to vehicle access.
STANDARD 19: COMMERCIAL GROUND FLOOR GLAZING
STANDARD 20: PRIMARY COMMERCIAL ENTRIES
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Attachment 2. Planning Commission Design Priorities Summary, per May 15, 2025
Meeting
1. Sensitivity. Create objective standards for multifamily development next to R1
single family neighborhoods, and/or additional context-based design standards.
2. Greenery. Promote landscaping and open space: Avoid creating concrete
jungles. The urban forest is important for the city. Reduce heat islands and
increase attractiveness of neighborhoods. Create a required hardscape to
landscape ratio.
3. Access to nature: Every resident should be no more than a 5 minute walk from
nature. Create pocket parks and parklets to bring nature close to all residents.
4. Pedestrian Plazas. Increase opportunities for pedestrian plazas that create a
more vibrant city and strengthen business for local shops. Allow outdoor seating
for restaurants and cafes.
5. Rear façades: Address the visual disjoint between the front of the building vs.
the back. Ensure wrap-around designs for the benefit of rear and side neighbors.
6. Front façades. Pay specific attention to aesthetics and details of the front façade.
7. Promote Privacy. Focus on privacy standards. This will help differentiate
Cupertino from other gentrified and densified cities as a city people want to be
in. Include standards such as required offset windows.
8. Welcoming access. Ensure ground floor designs are welcoming and accessible
and offer a sense of safety.
9. Diverse products. Don’t focus entirely on townhomes. Develop standards for
large and small projects to achieve the density required by the State.
10. Support the transect. Prioritize transect planning, with higher densities on
corridors and decreasing densities in neighborhoods. Begin with a simple
purpose statement about where development types are expected, in order to
guide developers. Overly complex standards will only increase the changes of
developers waiving them all.
11. Learn from parking missteps. Avoid failures in lack of parking seen in block-
level multifamily and mixed-use projects like Montebello, Travigne and others.
12. Retail and pedestrian activity. Promote the survival of retail and pedestrian
activity in larger projects. Main Street has retail and some housing, which is why
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it works. “Token” retail with poor design will not work. Use ODS to promote
walkability, with wider sidewalks, major trees, and a continuous network of
wide sidewalks with frequent bench placement.
13. Overall visual diversity. Facilitate architecturally diverse and more attractive
new development that is seamlessly integrated into neighborhoods, balances
housing with green community gathering spaces, using mature trees and
landscaping to create privacy.
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CITY OF CUPERTINO
Agenda Item
Subject: Selection of Economic Development Committee Representative
Select a representative to the Economic Development Committee for appointment by City Council.
CITY OF CUPERTINO Printed on 7/17/2025Page 1 of 1
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PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: July 22, 2025
Subject
Selection of Economic Development Committee Representative
Recommended Action
Select a representative to the Economic Development Committee for appointment by
City Council.
Discussion
Background:
The City Council re-established the Economic Development Committee (EDC) on April
15, 2025, with a requirement to have representatives from several business sectors and
commissions, including a requirement to have a representative from the Sustainability
Commission.1 On July 15 2025, the City Council changed the composition of the
Committee to having a representative from the Planning Commission instead of the
Sustainability Commission.2 The Interim Deputy City Manager requested that an item be
placed on the PC agenda for selection of the Planning Commission representative for
appointment by the City Council.
Analysis:
The initial term of the representative will be until January 30, 2026 after which each
subsequent representative will serve on a one year term ending January 30 of each
calendar year or until a successor is appointed. Moving forward, the representatives will
be selected for appointment by Council at the same time as the annual election of Chair
and Vice-Chair to ensure continuity in representation (typically in February of each year).
The EDC will meet quarterly, unless special meetings are called. Upon appointment, the
representative will be provided additional information by appropriate city staff.
Prepared by: Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Michael Woo, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Approved for Submission by: Luke Connolly, Assistant Director of Community
Development
1 See Ordinance No. 25-2269 online here:
https://records.cupertino.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=1168800&dbid=0&repo=CityofCupertino
2 See Agenda Item: https://cupertino.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7476647&GUID=F7BF3F4E-
3941-4592-B381-4A899A6DE4CD&Options=&Search=. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 25-2273
conducted on a 5-0 vote on 7/16/2025 by Council. Ordinance effective date: 30 days after second reading.
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
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