Warren, Lisa 3-12-2018 3-55 p.m. - NOP Vallco EIR Scoping.docxEIR for VALLCO Special Area Specific Plan SCOPING COMMENTS -March 8, 2018
Pre construction and During construction impacts absolutely need to be studied for anything being
considered in the Vallco area. How will any project be `staged'? Deconstruction health and environmental
issues must be addressed. The air and water quality before, during, and after construction need to be
studied. So many people are concerned about the local cement plant and it's impacts on our natural
resources and our health. It is believed by many that the Apple 2 project construction has had a far worse
effect on our environment than toxins being released by the cement plant. A FULL analysis of all materials
that are part of the existing Vallco site structures, infrastructure ... and earth below (underground)... needs to
be studied for the safety of our health.
How long will any proposed construction take ? How will traffic, safety, bicycle and pedestrian routes,
noise, air, water, public services, law enforcement, infrastructure be effected ?
FULLY study what the effects on deconstruction/construction requirements will have on the `not yet'
fully occupied Apple Park Campus and Main Street complex. Travel of any kind in these, and surrounding,
areas is already a more than `significant' challenge. We have seen the disruption that such construction causes
to several environmental elements.. Quality of life including air and noise pollution, as well as safety has
been compromised. Regardless of what Vallco development may be, the impacts that it will have on the
currently unknown (based on non -completion and/or non -occupancy) traffic, safety, pollution of all sorts,
infrastructure of all kinds, will be staggeringly significant. How does any EIR consultant/researcher, or
anyone, even begin to analyze the unknown.... using the unknown..? Hopefully with `worst case' approach.
ALL projects We all know there are projects under construction that are destined to entirely change
numerous aspects of what an EIR studies. VERY careful attention must be made to NOT MINIMIZE, or omit
what is already under construction OR APPROVED BUT NOT BUILT in the REGION, not only
Cupertino. What will be the CUMULATIVE IMPACTS of THIS project PLUS OTHER projects in Cupertino,
neighboring cities, and the County. Especially the nearby Apple campus expansion, Main Street, and
anything approved, but not yet built INCLUDING, BUT Not Limited to Hamptons, Marina, SJ Urban Village
plan, etc.
The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker. Beyond construction `traffic', the "EIR Firm" must study
all impacts related to the additional work force that will be necessary to keep a project of ANY mix and
magnitude running effectively. The employees and contractors that will be needed to support daily functions
magnifies the actual number of people traveling to the project. What is a realistic figure as to the number of
extra people' aside from projected office, residential, retail `residents', and any other use?. I have heard an
expert' on the subject claim that for each `employee' there are seven support positions ( that is 7 times the
bodies!).. I suspect that is a general number and may be a smaller number for housing complexes and
perhaps retail ??? Still must be considered a big part of the study.
• Loss of Retail — Can't ignore this detail. More people, but less goods and services !!!! This effects multiple
environmental concerns, and needs to be properly addressed in any study of any size/mix of any project type.
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• Loss of Commercial services. See above. Also, for both Losses- So many environmental issues.. and city
revenue from taxes - lost. This can't be ignored either.
• Traffic analysis —There are two methodologies for traffic analysis. It is important that the EIR use BOTH the
level of service methodology and the vehicle miles travelled methodology . In addition, if EITHER approach
indicates significant impacts, the impacts should be considered significant. Include in report that any
significant impacts ARE avoidable. You avoid them by not approving a project that creates the traffic. Pollution
from traffic must be studied also.
• Parking... oh the parking.... Amount and accessibility, and flow. Public safety concerns related to design
of structures. Air quality associated with vehicles traveling (including `circling') to find parking both in `open'
and 'enclosed' parking areas. Excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, NOX emissions will
likely be an issue. EIR should study health and safety issues related to extremely poor air quality caused by
these gaseous chemicals.
• Water supply - EIR should analyze increased water demand and whether it will increase stress on Santa
Clara Valley Water District, the local water wholesaler, or the State Water Project, the eventual source of
SCVWD's water. How will water for any/all project proposals for the site be provided? How will it be stored,
treated? How will rain water and piped water be drained from the entire site? Where will the run off gather
and flow too?
• Power supply should be studied - What will be the electrical and gas supply for the new project? How much
will the project increase greenhouse gas generation? How will GHG generation be mitigated?
• Internet Services and Cellular Service capabilities need to be studied. There should be a way to provide
adequate service to all residents and businesses without erecting faux trees and towers in numerous
areas. How will the amount of adequate service effect the health of those who live and work in the area ?
Housing The study (EIR) should analyze how the ENTIRE project, ALL uses together, AND individually,
will impact the immediate area, the entire city, the school districts, the region. Will the project result in
increasing the pressure on the local housing market, resulting in increased housing sale and rental prices and
forcing lower income households out of the area, increasing their commute distances to reach jobs in the
area? Type of housing units needs to be analyzed, along with size of units. Compare 'for rent
apartments' to `for sale condos/townhouses and single family homes' . Impact on power and water supplies,
property tax income, quality of life, etc.
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• Seismic safety impacts of the massive `dirt moving', grading , haul off, concrete, non -permeable hardscape,
glass, large green roof park area, etc must be analyzed/studied/considered. Research any proposed
elements (ex. green roof, subterranean, flyover ) done previously in a seismically active area similar to
Cupertino / Santa Clara County / Bay Area.
The drought has put stress on the soils and created lowering of grade, and significant 'fissures' in the
land/soils. Ground water has been depleted significantly. The EIR needs to address this fact and analyze
any and all cumulative effects that mother nature has created as it relates to safe building practices.
• Existing Trees and significant landscaping. Something that needs to be considered and addressed is
how the project proposal will impact all of the trees that exist on the Vallco site, including street trees. How
will structure footprint, and height , effect available sunlight and the amount of rain that will reach the
trees/landscaping? What are the risks to existing trees during deconstruction and enormous amounts of
digging, drilling, grading and reshaping of land ?
• Visual Pollution. Preservation of, and impact on, VIEWS. EIR should include study of these. The
proposed building height, setbacks, building plane, VERSUS the requirements in the General Plan for
these things. Building GLARE when glass and bare metal are used... or even white/light finishes/materials
are used.
• Lighting. Light Pollution. The GLOW and effect. — Include analysis of what the effects of any project
mix/size will have on surrounding areas that will suffer from constant non -natural light during dark
hours. Including the effects of this related to auto and bike travel.
• Reflective Glass - Heat generated by sunlight reflected off of treated glass is significant. The office buildings
at Main Street are only one example. EIR study should include the environmental effects of various square
footage amounts and locations of reflective glass materials. How does generated heat effect, temperature,
heath, landscaping, animal life, water evaporation and air quality.
Wildlife - EIR should study the effects on wildlife under current conditions, during deconstruction, during
construction, and post construction.
IN ADDITION : Several residents / stakeholders have shared NOT EIR Scoping Comments (for VALLCO
Special Area Specific Plan) that they have submitted. I want to 'echo' many of them, and would like
assurance that all comments will be given serious and thoughtful consideration. I have read enough EIR
reports to know that there is often `dismissive language' related to very serious issues.
Lisa Warren
Cupertino Resident since 1986
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