PC 7-22-2025 MinutesMINUTES
CUPERTINO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
At 6:45 p.m. Chair Santosh Rao called the Regular Planning Commission meeting to order and
led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Cupertino Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre
Avenue and via teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Santosh Rao, Vice Chair Tracy Kosolcharoen, and Commissioners David Fung,
Steven Scharf and Seema Lindskog (participated remotely). Absent: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Subject: Approval of the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve the July 8, 2025 Planning Commission Minutes
MOTION: Kosolcharoen moved and Scharf seconded to approve the July 8, 2025 Planning
Commission Minutes. The motion passed with the following vote: Ayes: Rao,
Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Lindskog. Noes: None. Abstain: Fung. Absent: None.
POSTPONEMENTS – None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vic Menor spoke about Tessellations School, expressing concerns about the conditional use permit,
which would expand the school’s enrollment cap and add three grades to the high school.
Pinaki Mukerji gave background on the conditional use permit granted to Tessellations School and
how it related to parking.
Bindeeya Desar discussed traffic concerns related to the conditional use permit for Tessellations
School. She asked the school to work with neighbors and the city to fix current traffic problems and
to limit enrollment to 300 students.
Ravi Kumar raised concerns related to Tessellations School, including traffic jams, blocked access,
speeding and reckless driving, and safety risks for children. He highlighted how these issues affect
the livability and safety of the neighborhood.
Planning Commission Minutes July 22, 2025
Bonny Libby discussed parking issues created by Tessellations School, including parents parking
in the neighborhood instead of using the drop-off line, which creates pedestrian hazards, an
inadequate number of traffic directors, and the need to limit event parking with City monitoring
for compliance.
Meera Natesan spoke about Tessellations School’s expansion plans for a high school. She asked the
school to stick to the plans outlined in the original conditional use permit to prevent traffic
problems and to avoid high school students driving to school and parking on neighborhood
streets.
Carl Fong recommended that Tessellations School adopt parking and traffic measures used by
other schools, including no-standing zones, street parking bans, and strict enforcement. He
proposed capping enrollment at 300, returning to a K–8 model, and making monitoring and
enforcement part of the conditional use permit.
Jennifer Griffin discussed SB79 upzoning issues, concerns that Stevens Creek Blvd was one of the
places which would be affected, and worries about how this would impact her home. She also
expressed concerns about the federal government, the governor, and legislators.
Commissioners made comments and asked staff questions, which staff responded to.
STUDY SESSION
2.Subject: Study Session: Sample Objective Design Standards
Recommended Action: That the Planning Commission provide feedback and
recommendations regarding a sample group of objective design standards (see
Attachment 1) for new multifamily and residential mixed-use development.
Planning Manager Ghosh introduced Greg Goodfellow, Senior Associate II at PlaceWorks,
who gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions which staff and the presenter responded to.
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
•Jennifer Griffin
•Lisa Warren
•Sridhar
•Peggy Griffin
Chair Rao closed the public comment period.
Planning Commission Minutes July 22, 2025
Commissioners provided the following feedback and recommendations:
•Reviewing Objective Design Standards (ODS) from other cities, like Palo Alto, to
guide Cupertino’s approach, focusing on simplicity, clarity, and alignment with
existing plans such as the Heart of the City Plan.
•Leveraging PlaceWorks’ expertise, presenting the ODS in public-friendly formats
like checklists, and conducting outreach to both the community and applicants for
meaningful feedback.
•Simplifying technical language, improving consistency with the Municipal Code,
and balancing practical design requirements with guiding narrative in the final
draft.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – None
NEW BUSINESS –
3.Subject: Selection of Economic Development Committee Representative
Recommended Action: Select a representative to the Economic Development
Committee for appointment by City Council.
Planning Manager Ghosh gave a staff report.
Commissioners asked questions which staff responded to.
Chair Rao opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
•Jennifer Griffin
Chair Rao closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Kosolcharoen moved to nominate Chair Rao as the Economic Development
Committee Representative. Chair Rao declined the nomination. The Commission did not
vote on this motion.
MOTION: Scharf moved and Rao seconded to select Vice Chair Kosolcharoen as the
Economic Development Committee Representative. The motion passed with the
following vote: Ayes: Rao, Kosolcharoen, Scharf, Fung, Lindskog. Noes: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS –
Planning Commission Minutes July 22, 2025
Planning Manager Ghosh discussed a new project application received on Bandley Dr. and
stated that the major project’s website was updated.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING – None
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:07 p.m. Chair Rao adjourned the Regular Planning Commission Meeting.
Minutes prepared by:
Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant