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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 09-22-2026 Written CommunicationsPC 09-22-2026 #2 General Plan Amendment Written Communications From:Jennifer Griffin To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission Cc:grenna5000@yahoo.com Subject:Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Availability & CEQA Date:Tuesday, September 22, 2026 1:05:32 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Planning Commission: (Please consider the following as public input for Item 2 (Revisions for Chapter 7 General Plan Updates) on the Cupertino Planning Commission Agenda for the September 22, 2026 meeting.) On September 22, 2026 the Planning Commission is addressing Item Number 2 on the Planning Commission agenda, General Plan Amendment Updates for Chapter 7. I attended the previous discussions of these items at other meetings in the city. I have concerns about continued access to grocery stores and pharmacies among other "vital services" in the city. I don't know if "vital services" are addressed in Chapter 7. Other vital services include having gas stations available to get fuel for cars among other "vital services". It is very important that residents Of all ages, especially the elderly and handicapped or mobility challenged residents, have access to places to buy food, medicine and pick up medical prescriptions. No one wants Cupertino to become a food desert where there are no grocery stores to buy food. Everyone wants Cupertino to have adequate access to drug stores and pharmacies so residents have access to medicine and can pick up prescriptions from their doctors. Everyone wants Cupertino to have gas stations so that residents may get fuel for their vehicles and have repair work done. These are indeed "vital services" and I hope that Chapter 7 reflects the need for the retention of these "vital services" in the city, especially as retail in the city of Cupertino is quickly disappearing. I am also concerned about the overall loss of CEQA studies as AB 130 and SB 131 have inaugurated a reduction in CEQA studies. This unusual implementation of these bills and their reduction in CEQA oversight has made me very nervous about officials taking a "trite" approach to CEQA. I hope that Chapter 7 shows a true understanding of CEQA and why it is always important. Thank you very much. Best regards, Jennifer Griffin From:Henry Sang To:City of Cupertino Planning Commission Cc:Louise Fishler; ROGER COSTA; Bruce Preville; Minh Le; Kenneth Ericksen Subject:Cupertino Wildfire Evacuation analysis Date:Tuesday, September 22, 2026 3:54:37 PM Attachments:260826 Cupertino FHSZ Evacuations.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. ​Cupertino Planning Commissioners, I am writing as a member of the ad hoc Cupertino Wildfire Committee. We are engaged with analyzing and advocating for support for preventing catastrophic wildfires in Cupertino. Recently, we created an initial report looking at issues with evacuation during a wildfire event along the Cupertino WIldland Urban Interface (WUI). Cupertino has somewhat of a different challenge than our immediate neighbors. The Cupertino WUI goes quickly from wildland to dense urban subdivisions, townhouse HOA's, and apartment complexes. If fires get into our houses, then we may experience a domino effect requiring mass evacuation from the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). And we expect the fire department to become overwhelmed due to house to house fires and ensuing ember storms. The major arteries for this traffic will be Foothill Expressway, Stevens Creek Blvd, Bubb Road, Stelling Road, Prospect Road, Rainbow Road and McClellan Road. We expect major choke points at intersections. Further, we may experience traffic from Saratogans and residents from Stevens Canyon Road along these routes. We have identified several road blockages that were installed to prevent cut-through traffic. Only a few of these have gates that can be opened during an emergency. Few would be recognized as potential emergency exit routes. We also find that some of the trees along these routes can become fire and falling hazards. Specifically, trees along McClellan Road near McClellan Ranch Farm and pines trees with dead needles in the median along Foothill Expressway. Trees along Stevens Creek may also shut off traffic on Stevens Creek Blvd near Blackberry Farm Golf Course. The attached report has been shared for comment with the County Sheriff's office and the Cupertino Emergency Operations Coordinator. Given your work on the Health and Safety element, this early report might be useful. Henry Woo Sang, Jr. Other committee members include Roger Costa, Louise Fischler, Minh Le, Bruce Preville, and Ken Ericksen DRAFT Cupertino FHSZ Evacuation Discussion Cupertino WIldfire Committee August 2026 This document is meant to discuss evacuations from the Cupertino in the State Fire Marshall (CAL FIRE) Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) during a wildfire emergency. See Figure 1. This document does not cover houses further into the wildland interface beyond the more heavy density developments. Those houses and their evacuation routes are very special cases and luckily the total numbers are much less than in the more densely populated areas. Note that the FEMA Ember Cast zone is much larger than the FHSZ. This is shown in Figure 2 for Cupertino. The density of houses in the FHSZ is worrisome both because of the likelihood of house to house fires (domino effect) and the need to move many people and vehicles out via a very limited number of routes. The FHSZ is estimated to be 26% of the area of the City of Cupertino and includes XXX houses.There would be major congestion during evacuation from these high density neighborhoods which also include schools, businesses, as well as day cares, retirement homes and convalescent facilities. We expect the evacuees to flee into Santa Clara Valley and we do have easy access to both Highway 280 and 85 that should make such travel easier. However, our neighboring cities will also be evacuating which will compound the traffic. Highway 9/DeAnza Boulevard/Saratoga Sunnyvale Road will be heavily impacted by people fleeing the City of Saratoga. Similarly, Foothill Expressway will be heavily impacted by people fleeing the cities of Los Altos Hills and Los Altos. Our FHSZ zone exit routes are hampered by few overpasses or underpasses for Highway 280 and 85 and by natural barriers such as Stevens Creek. Understand that the FEMA Ember Cast zones extend farther than the FHSZ and the evacuation zones that we discuss do not enclose the entire Ember Cast areas. Note that our zones are not the same as the CAL FIRE evacuation zones which are shown in detail in Figure 3 and the notification levels shown in Table 1. School traffic is bad most days in Cupertino. In the event of a wildfire emergency, it will be many times worse. Unfortunately, those schools are located in key areas that will further block traffic flow especially in the Monta Vista Evacuation Zone. Additionally, there are man-made barriers that break western Cupertino into evacuation zones. We will illustrate some of these barriers and discuss suggestions. Opening these routes during an evacuation could ease the congestion as well as allow for routes for emergency vehicles. DRAFT 1. State Fire Marshall/CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone for Cupertino Figure 2. FEMA Ember Cast Zone DRAFT Figure 3. CAL FIRE”s Cupertino Fire Evacuation https://protect.genasys.com/en?lat=37.3144&lng=-122.0348&z=13 The Fire Department decides on the appropriate level of notification for each of these numbered zones. We are primarily concerned with levels 1-3. Residents are encouraged to install the Genasys Protect app on their phones or to use the website https://protect.genasys.com/. They will receive warning via the app. The levels are given in Table 1. DRAFT 1. Evacuation Order: An immediate threat to life. This is an order by law enforcement to leave immediately. The area is lawfully closed to public access. 2. Evacuation Warning: A potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately. 3. Evacuation Advisory: A precautionary notice alerting residents that conditions could become dangerous. People should prepare to leave, gather essential items, and stay informed in case an evacuation order is issued. 4. Evacuation Order Lifted: Officials have determined the immediate danger has passed. Residents may return home but should remain alert for any changes in conditions or updated instructions. 5. Normal: No current threats to life or property. 6. Incident Perimeter: Perimeters are generalized and do not necessarily indicate structures within the boundaries have been damaged or destroyed. 7. Red Flag Warning: National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings indicate warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds that can combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Table 1. CAL FIRE emergency evacuation levels. (https://www.fire.ca.gov/map-legend) DRAFT Monta Vista Evacuation Zone The Monta Vista Evacuation Area is defined by Stevens Creek Boulevard to the north, Prospect Road to the south and Highway 85 to the east. To the West is defined by Stevens Creek and the hills. This is shown in Figure 4. This is a densely populated residential area that also includes Lincoln Elementary, Kennedy Middle and Monta Vista High Schools. Plus there are business campuses along Bubb Road between McClellan and Stevens Creek Boulevard. DeAnza College is just outside of this area on the other side of Highway 85. Highways 85 and 280 as well as Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Expressway represent the highest throughput corridors from this area. DeAnza Boulevard will likely be very crowded from people fleeing Saratoga. Foothill Expressway will likely be highly congested from people fleeing Stevens Canyon areas and the surrounding Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Figure 4. Monta Vista Evacuation Zone DRAFT There are limited routes to leave this area. Plus there are some natural choke points where traffic congestion already is a problem. This includes the intersections of Bubb and McClellan, Rainbow and DeAnza Boulevard, Rainbow and Stellung, McClellan and Stellung, and McClellan and DeAnza Boulevard. These intersections will likely gridlock with frantic traffic. Plus avenues need to be available for emergency vehicles entering and exiting. Figure 5 shows roads that would typically be used to evacuate cars. In the case of an emergency, some might be forced to use the Southern Pacific Railroad Figure 5. Exit routes from Monta VIsta Evacuation Zone. Roadblocks in Red It is essential that residents understand the best evacuation routes from their homes and that proper signage to make this obvious. To reduce gridlock, we may wish to restrict traffic going into choke points by diverting some of the stream through alternate exit routes. It may be necessary to open up additional corridors. DRAFT Roadblocks There are several roadblocks in these areas that are in place to reduce commuter cut through traffic. These are often done with permanent fixed barricades. These are shown below. Imperial Ave from McClellan Imperial Ave from Stevens Creek DRAFT Olive Ave Orange Ave Byrne Court, Stevens Creek Blvd on left While not in this Zone, there also ways to reduce traffic on Stelling and McClellan by opening up the one way on Kim DRAFT Kim Street and Kirwin Lane By opening these roadblocks during an emergency evacuation and providing signage and traffic control, it should be easier to facilitate traffic flow out of the Monta VIsta Evacuation Zone. There are some other alternatives that could be used in an emergency evacuation. It is possible to drive on the wide sidewalks in Jollyman Park and exit on the other side. This would be in lieu of getting out on McClellan or continuing on Stellung to Stevens Creek Blvd. Similarly, lighter vehicles could potentially escape through Blackberry farm. The gates to Blackberry Farm at Stevens Creek Blvd already have locks. Entry gates to Blackberry Farm from Stevens Creek Blvd DRAFT Stevens Canyon Evacuation Zone Figure 6 shows the Stevens Canyon Evacuation Zone is defined by Highway 280 to the north and Stevens Creek to the east, Stevens Creek County Park to the south and wildlands, the cement plant, PGE substation to the west. Note that the Crysto Rey Drive is treated as a special case evacuation zone. Note the northern most parts of this zone are actually in the CIty of Los Altos, but for evacuation reasons we are considering it together with Cupertino. This is a densely populated residential area that also includes Stevens Creek Elementary School. Plus there is a large retirement community and a convalescence facility. Figure 7 shows the evacuation routes which typically lead to Highways 280 as well as Stevens Creek Boulevard and Foothill Expressway represent the highest throughput corridors from this area. Although Foothill Expressway may be highly congested due to evacuations from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Note that not shown is use of Homestead Road to get onto Highway 85. Figure 6. The Stevens Canyon Evacuation Zone DRAFT For most residents in this zone, they will need to flee on Foothill Expressway and attempt to get onto Highway 280 or 85 or to travel into Cupertino on Stevens Creek Boulevard. For residents further south, they may choose to attempt to use McClellan Road but that will probably lead them into traffic from the Monta Vista Evacuation Zone who are also fleeing. Figure 7. Stevens Canyon Evacuation Zone evacuation routes In addition, there are other blocked exits. There is a locked gate on Scenic Boulevard that could allow traffic to escape from the area bounded by McClellan, Foothill Expressway and Stevens DRAFT Creek Boulevard. And, a barrier on Woodridge Court to Foothill Expressway. These are marked in red on Figure 6. Scenic Boulevard gate onto Stevens Creek Boulevard Scenic Boulevard to Stevens Creek Blvd DRAFT Barrier on Woodridge Court next to the Monta Vista Recreation Center fields Barrier on Woodridge Court as seen from Foothill Expressway The Rancho Deep Cliff HOA has provided a secondary emergency exit within their facility to Drea Road for their use. This could serve bidirectionally for their neighbors to also escape through their other main exit. Rancho Deep Cliff Emergency Exit onto Drea Road DRAFT Cristo Rey Evacuation Zone The Cristo Rey Evacuation Area is defined by Highway 280 to the north, Foothill Expressway to the east. To the West is defined by Rancho San Antonio Park and the Heavens Gate Cemetery. This is shown in Figure 8. Figure 9 shows that this zone is characterized by having a single, small evacuation route of Cristo Rey Drive. There is a locked secondary evacuation along Saint Joseph Avenue shown in red. Both exits bring the traffic to Foothill Expressway which will be very crowded. While not as heavily populated as the other evacuation zones, it is surrounded by wildlands including grass fields. Plus it houses a large retirement community in The Forum at Rancho San Antonio. Highways 85 280 and Foothill Expressway represent the highest throughput corridors in this area. FIgure 8. Cristo Rey Evacuation Zone Another evacuation route is possible through the Rancho San Antonio Park near Heavens Gate Cemetry. This leads to the last part of Stevens Creek Blvd close to the cement plant. This would start in the first parking lot in Rancho San Antonio. But, this is dangerous owing to being close to potential fire risk. DRAFT Figure 9. Cristo Rey Evacuation Zone evacuation routes. Emergency exit gate on Sycamore Drive to St. Josephs Avenue Emergency exit gate onto St Josephs Avenue from the Forum at Rancho San Antonio is not shown. DRAFT Next Steps We have discussed recommendations for next steps. These include: 1. We believe that feasibility, legal and cost studies should be made for removing barriers to traffic flow during emergencies. 2. We need to identify and address any potential risk factors for restricting traffic on the evacuation routes such as dangerous trees that could restrict evacuation along those paths.For City Street Trees, we need to evaluate which of these may become hazards or how to reduce the potential issues in a wildfire. 3. We believe that the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s office and the Santa Clara County Fire Department should weigh in on their advice and issues with these changes. 4. We believe that we need traffic flow modeling to help predict likely congestion issues during an evacuation. 5. FUHSD and CUSD need to be included in an evacuation plan for their students. 6. Retirement communities, convalescence facilities, and day care centers should be approached for their plans for evacuation. 7. Companies located along Bubb Road need to have an evacuation plan that dovetails with the City plan. 8. The CIty, Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department should designate interim evacuation destinations for citizens fleeing a wildfire. 9. The City should acquire or create a private evacuation database and apps to allow evacuating persons to notify the authorities that they are out of their homes and how they can be reached. This can be used by the evacuation centers as well to notify emergency responders that the residents are accounted for.