HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 - February 13, 2026 - Memorial Park Specific Plan - Status and Consideration of Potential Revisions
PUBLIC WORKS
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10300 TORRE AVENUE • CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
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CUPERTINO.GOV
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Date: February 13, 2026
To: Cupertino City Council
From: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Re: Memorial Park Specific Plan – Status and Consideration of Potential Revisions
Summary
This memo provides background on the Memorial Park Specific Plan, adopted in April 2024,
and outlines staff’s recommendation regarding recent suggestions to revise the plan to reduce
its overall estimated cost.
Background
The Memorial Park Specific Plan was finalized in April 2024 following an extensive public
outreach process that included significant community input. The plan identifies a wide range of
potential improvements and renovations intended to support long-term planning efforts for
Memorial Park. It serves as a guiding document to inform future decision-making related to
park investments and expenditures.
The full buildout of all improvements identified in the plan is estimated at approximately $85
million. However, the plan does not require the City to construct all proposed improvements.
Rather, it functions as a menu of options from which the Community and City Council may
select and prioritize individual projects over time, based on community priorities, available
funding, and broader City needs.
Discussion
Staff has received inquiries regarding whether the Memorial Park Specific Plan could be revised
to reduce the overall cost by reducing the scope and removing certain proposed improvements.
At this time, staff does not recommend initiating an amendment to the Specific Plan for the
following reasons:
1. Additional Costs: Revising the Specific Plan would require the expenditure of additional
funds to modify, prepare, and adopt a new or amended specific plan document.
2. Non-Binding Nature of the Plan: The existing plan is a roadmap of potential improvements
and does not mandate construction of any specific project.
3. Council Discretion: City Council retains full authority to prioritize, defer, or decline any
improvements identified in the plan, allowing flexibility to align investments with
community priorities and available funding at any given time.
4. Current Fiscal Constraints: Due to existing budget limitations and the need to prioritize
capital improvement funding toward repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of existing
infrastructure, staff recommends placing proposed projects in the Specific Plan on hold
until funding becomes available.
If City Council wishes to advance a specific improvement identified in the plan, staff
recommends that Council provide direction through the City Work Program (CWP). This
would allow staff to evaluate project scope and pursue potential external funding opportunities,
such as grants, to support implementation. Should the City find external funding sources, any
proposed project could then be incorporated into the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for
implementation.
Conclusion
The Memorial Park Specific Plan reflects a community-informed vision and includes a
comprehensive “wish list” of improvements identified through public engagement. Revising
the plan to remove certain items is unnecessary and could disenfranchise community members
who participated in the outreach process. Given that the plan does not obligate the City to
construct all improvements and already provides flexibility for prioritization, staff recommends
maintaining the plan as adopted and advancing individual projects only as funding and
Council direction allow. Final documents and other materials can be found at:
https://www.cupertino.gov/Your-City/Departments/Public-Works/Capital-Improvement-
Programs-Projects/Memorial-Park-Specific-Plan
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impact.
Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
City Work Program (CWP) Item/Description
Yes, FY 2025-2027
Memorial Park Study Session: A study session on Memorial Park and the proposed design.
Most people I've spoken to love Memorial Park the way it is now where it is mostly naturally
space, rather than one jam packed with stuff in the proposed plan. I hope to consider a
minimalist option with upgrade of existing features and only include some low impact features.
And reduce the cost. Maybe we might refer it to Parks and Rec Commission to consider options.
Council Goal:
Quality of Life
California Environmental Quality Act
No California Environmental Quality Act impact.
_____________________________________
Prepared by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Kirsten Squarcia, Interim Deputy City Manager
Approved for Submission by: Tina Kapoor, City Manager
Attachments:
None