Celia Chiang_RedactedFrom: Celia Chiang ]
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 4:24 PM
To: City of Cupertino Planning Dept. <planning@cupertino.org>
Subject: I support "The Hills" at Vallco
Attn: Piu Ghosh, Dept of Community Development. Re: Vallco Specific Plan EIR
Please keep in mind 47% of Cupertino voters supported Measure D, Sandhill's original
"The Hills" plan, and that's not a negligible number. We sincerely hope the final plan
does not deviate significantly from it.
The 2 million sq.ft of office is totally acceptable to many of us who understand how
business works, and who also understand there's no such thing as too many jobs
because we remember the great recession. Many Cupertino and nearby residents who
work in farther cities express their desire to find jobs close by their homes. And we
cannot wait for "The Hills" office to be built so we'll have more job opportunities near
home. Additionally, Cupertino desperately need the office workers to support the retail
businesses — many are in dire situation because we do not have enough customers to
support all existing retail/restaurants.
Traffic and jobs go hand in hand, and to many of us, having a job means quality of life.
And we understand the price "the traffic jam" -- we have to pay in order to have quality
of life. Cupertino's'worsening traffic' is an exaggeration, it's quite smooth compare
with San Jose, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Francisco.
"The Hills" percentage of retail is more than enough given the difficult retail scene
today. I'm pessimistic Vallco will be able to bring back its old customers who left them
20 yrs ago and attract new customers. I will never go back because it simply cannot be
compared with Valley Fair in scale and it is only 2 freeway exits away.
The Better Cupertino and the like want 100% retail because they want to restrict the
housing supply for their own selfish reason (as admitted by some residents to me), and
they want discounted, low-end merchandise in a premium location.
On housing, not all residents move to Cupertino have school age children, just go to any
apartment complex and watch and talk to the occupants. The complaints about over-
crowded schools are gross exaggeration.
Lastly, we are very happy with Sandhill's mitigation measures and charitable
contribution.
Thank you for your consideration.
Concerned neighbor
Celia Chiang