Geefay, Frank_RedactedFrom: Frank Geefay
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2018 4:01 PM
To: City of Cupertino Planning Dept. <planning@cupertino.org>
Cc: Barry Chang <councilbarry@gmail.com>; Savita Vaidhyanathan <svaidhvanathan@cupertino.or >;
Rod Sinks <RSinks@cupertino.org>; Darcy Paul <DPaul@cupertino.or >
Subject: Vallco Tiny Apartment Village
Dear Sir/Mam,
I am a long time retired residents of Cupertino. The following is my unique Vission for the
Vallco site: -
I want to address thee major related issues with a single integrated solution:
1) Reduces overall traffic on Hwy 280 & 85 and going by Cupertino and on Wolf Road and
along Steven Creek Blvd. crossing Wolf Rd. created primarily by the new Apple Campus;
2) Provide a combination of small family and tiny singles, more affordable housing units for
employeed young millennials work at Apple, Google, and elsewhere around Cupertino as well as
De Anza College;
3) Help solve the State and regional housing crisis by providing thousands of such housing
accommodations with 30% of them BMR for various income levels.
This concept will require changes in the General Plan to accommodate a large number of very
high density and tiny apartment units.
The idea is to make cheaper housing units demanding lower rents than normal apartment by
building comfortable stripped down sleeping and changing studio unit with beds, bathroom, and
a small kitchenette. A shopping, eating, and entertainment downstairs common area would
contain all the amenities a young millennial would want for socializing with friends and
coworkers in a huge living area.
The tiny apartments would vary in size from 150-200 sf. Micro single private occupancy units to
400-500 sf. Mini couples & small family units with a upper level bed for two small children.
This allows the construction of thousands of these tiny housing until at much lower cost and low
rents. These tiny apartment are not intended for long term tenancy. Turnover is expected to be
every two to six years before they outgrow these units or change Jobs . I would like to see 5,000
units of such high density housing at Vallco.
Tenants are expected to spend most of their waking hours downstairs in the huge living area.
There would also be bars and a nightclub. A sports -fitness center would also be available. The
large living area should be an enjoyable place to do all kinds of fun activities with friends or just
hang out.
There would also be amenities for children such as a playground, branch of the library, daycare,
preschool, hobby and technology room adults can also use, tutorials, etc. This huge living area
could by 1 M sf. with enough residential support.
These tiny housing unit tenants will have no parking because it would be understood that this
walkable community would be self contained with almost all their need. This saves the cost of
underground parking for thousands of tenants and the savings to the developer would allow them
to build 30% similar BMR housing units for various income levels so young teachers,
firefighters, first responders, Vallco employees, and other employees working around Cupertino
can live with the same amenities. This will reduce gentrification.
There would be a convenient bus terminal busses on Stevens Creek and Wolf Rd. that could take
tenants to Caltrain in Mountain View or BART in San Jose or a city shuttle to work and
shopping elsewhere. Car rental and Uber/Lyft would be readilly be available. Class 4 Protected
bicycle lanes alone Stevens Creek and a Junipero Serra Trail going by Vallco along the
soundwall would be easy reach for tenants to jog or bicycle. Bicycle lockers will be located in
the public parking area.
This would be a perfect place for an Apple employee straight out of college to live without a car,
an Urban Village at Vallco destination with just about everything a young person might need or
want. And all at affordable rents.
Other bonus luxury apartment and a modest amount of offices might also be available to pay for
the BMR rents. But I am only focused in the tiny apartment unit element.
This could be very well tried at The Oaks on a smaller scale.
This is only a framework upon which to build. It would reduce by up to 5,000 car from hitting
peak traffic by eliminating Vehicle Miles Traveled. That is a sizable amount of car. It will reduce
air pollution by the same amount and car accidents. It would save hours of driving daily fo
tenants. And it will provide housing to a group of people at affordable rents who badly need
housing near where they work, millennials. This proposal lives up to the spirit of the new State
housing laws. And everyone comes out a winner.
Best Regards,
i
kiwGeefailm
Cupertino