SCC Parks - 3-12-2018 5-10 p.m. REVISED Response to COCCounty of Santa Clara
Parks and Recreation Department
298 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, California 95032-7669
(408) 355-2200 FAX 355-2290
Reservations (408) 355-2201
www.parkhere.org
March 12, 2018
Piu Ghosh
Principal Planner
City of Cupertino, Community Development Department
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
SUBJECT: City of Cupertino Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
(DEIR) of the Vallco Special Area Specific Plan (EA -2017-05)
The County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department (County Parks Department) submits the
following comments in response to the NOP of a DEIR for the Vallco Special Area Specific Plan to
redevelop 58 acres out of the 70 total acres into approximately 1.2 million square feet of commercial uses,
2.0 million square feet of office uses, 339 hotel rooms, and 389 residential dwelling units as designated in
the City of Cupertino General Plan 2040. The Vallco Special Area is zoned commercial, office, and
residential and spans multiple Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) 316-20-080, -081, -082, -088, -092, -094,
-095, -099, -100, -101, and 103-107.
The County Parks Department is charged with providing, protecting, and preserving regional parklands
for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Our vision is to provide a
sustainable system of diverse regional parks, trails, and natural areas. The Department is also charged
with the planning and implementation of The Santa Clara County Countywide Trails Master Plan Update
(Countywide Trails Plan/CWTMP), an element of the Parks and Recreation Section of the County
General Plan adopted by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors on November 14, 1995.
While no CWTMP Trails are located within the Vallco Special Area, City planned Interstate (1) 280 Canal
Trail (Junipero Serra Trail) runs through the project site, connecting to Calabazas Creek Trail in
Cupertino and ultimately connecting to the San Tomas Aquino/ Saratoga Creek Trail, a CWTMP trail.
The San Tomas Aquino/ Saratoga Creek Trail encompasses off-street trails that provide a combination of
hiking, equestrian, or bicycle use depending on the segment. The trail traverses North from its connection
in Cupertino through the Cities of Santa Clara and San Jose, connecting to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
I-280 Canal Trail Ounipero Serra Trail)
As a planned Class I trail, the construction and opening of the Junipero Serra Trail provides more than
just a "loop" connection for the City of Cupertino. Once complete along with planned segments of the
Calabazas Creek Trail in Cupertino and the San Tomas Aquino/ Saratoga Creek Trail, this trail will
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Dave Cortese, Ken Yeager, S. Joseph Simitian
County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
SANTACIARA
COUNTY PARKS
SUBJECT: City of Cupertino Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) of the Yallco Special
Area Specific Plan (EA -2017-05)
enable local residents to use non -motorized transportation to connect to San Francisco or to reach Apple
and other tech companies for work. With the completion of the trail, the newly constructed Vallco Special
Area would provide an employment, entertainment, retail, and commercial hub for recreational trail users
and commuters, not only vehicle or public transportation users.
Class III Bikeway: Portal Bike Boulevard
Proposed in Cupertino's Bicycle Transportation Plan (2016), the Portal Bike Boulevard borders
the western boundary of the Vallco Special Area. This shared roadway commences at Stevens
Creek Boulevard and continues north, passing the City's Portal Park, Collins Elementary School,
and single-family residences until it makes a sharp westward turn onto Merritt Drive terminating
at Sam H. Lawson Middle School. The Portal Bike Boulevard is one of five segments and part of
the above-described "loop."
The County Parks Department recommends the Draft EIR provide a complete analysis of
recreational and traffic impacts and include:
• A traffic study to analyze the potential impacts on planned City of Cupertino trails, bike
paths, and schools, parks and residents within the vicinity of the project site.
• All DEIR maps (circulation, aerial, recreation, etc.) should depict the planned trail
alignments: Junipero Serra Trail, Portal Bike Boulevard, Calabazas Creek Trail in
Cupertino, and the San Tomas Aquino/ Saratoga Creek Trail.
The County Parks Department also respectfully suggests the following potential area
guidelines/elements to provide natural areas for Vallco Special Area users, including but not
limited to:
• Open space design strategies that promote passive recreation and provide common open
spaces.
• A variety of pedestrian- and bicycle -oriented amenities and facilities to include, but not
limited to: street trees and landscaping, benches, low-level lighting, signage, textured
crosswalks, and bike lanes.
The County Parks Department appreciates the opportunity to comment on the NOP for the DEIR of the
Vallco Special Area Specific Plan. Please provide notice to the County Parks Department of any future
information regarding this project. If you have any questions related to these comments, please call me at
(408) 355-2228 or e-mail me at Cherise.Oranae@12rk.scc og v org.
Sincerely,
ge4risOrangge
Associate Planner
Board of Supervisors: Mike Wasserman, Cindy Chavez, Dave Cortese, Ken Yeager, S. Joseph Simitian
County Executive: Jeffrey V. Smith
SANTACIARA
COUNTY PARKS