City of Cupertino Government News Digest

The California Department of Housing and Community Development has approved the City of Cupertino’s Housing Element, which outlines the number of units and locations of new housing to be built in the city.

Resident and City Council feedback is leading to services slated for cutting due to funding shortfalls to be added back to the budget.

Local teens are invited to apply for vacant seats on the City of Cupertino Teen Commission.

Cupertino city staff will be on hand for in-person budget-related outreach at various locations throughout the city in April. 

The nonprofit San Francisco Shakespeare Festival has produced free 90-minute shows in Cupertino's Memorial Park every summer for decades but now faces a budget shortfall.

After two years of planning, Cupertino is ready to begin the contractor bidding process and then start construction of the $4.8 million project.

The Cupertino City Council unanimously voted to stop exploring ways to create new taxes or increase taxes after the majority of small business owners surveyed said they wouldn’t support it on the November ballot.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors selected Eden Housing to develop affordable housing for teachers in the West Valley. It will be built in Cupertino on a property currently owned by Apple.

After facing cutbacks and years of delays, the largest single housing project in Cupertino's history has secured approval for the Rise, a mixed-use development that will include 2,669 apartments and homes.

Cupertino’s latest mixed-use, affordable housing project is almost ready to open its doors. The Westport Senior Apartments will add 267 homes to the city’s inventory.

Cupertino is receiving more than $425,600 to increase safety on Bollinger Road through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

Housing organizations Yes in My Backyard Law (YIMBY Law) and the California Housing Defense Fund won a judgment against Cupertino after the city failed to submit a housing plan to the state by the Jan. 31, 2023 deadline.

The city of Cupertino is one step closer to seeing more housing delivered due to a legal case concluded this week that enforces the “Builder's Remedy” provision of California law designed to ensure cities adequately plan for and ultimately deliver needed housing.

While Sheila Mohan was installed as the next mayor of Cupertino by a unanimous vote of her fellow city councilmembers, the selection of J.R. Fruen as vice mayor for 2024 was more hotly contested.

A Silicon Valley developer is scaling back its plans for a massive and controversial development of offices, housing, retail, dining and park spaces on the site of the former Vallco Mall in Cupertino.

“All that money that’s tied up in a vacant house is money that’s lost opportunity for us to do good in the community,” says PACE’s executive director.

Cupertino may be forced to lay off dozens of workers, cut services and put new tax measures on the ballot to compensate for the loss of nearly $60 million likely to be ripped from its budget.

As the state scrutinizes Cupertino’s tax deal with Apple, the city has launched a survey to help identify community preferences in the face of a potential 73 percent reduction in revenues.

Cupertino’s finance director is scheduled to provide the City Council with an informational budget forecast this afternoon that includes a potential potential 73 percent reduction in local tax revenue.

A Cupertino planning commissioner accused of harassing community members and city officials has been ousted. The City Council voted 3-2 to remove R “Ray” Wang, who was supposed to serve until January 30, 2025.

A Cupertino official who repeatedly berated city employees and harassed residents may soon be booted from a powerful commission. The city council will consider removing Cupertino planning commissioner R "Ray" Wang at its March 7 meeting. Councilmember J.R. Fruen, who was elected recently, called for Wang's removal last month.

Cupertino Mayor Hung Wei described the city as “challenging, progressing, promising, full of opportunities and evolving” as part of her first State of the City speech.

Nearly two months after a civil grand jury report accused members of the Cupertino City Council of fostering a toxic work environment within city government, councilmembers concedes that, while some of the claims were inaccurate, the panel identified genuine problems.

As the revitalization of Memorial Park continues, Cupertino residents are being asked whether they want the space to focus on local gatherings or to focus on nature.

A status update given to the Cupertino City Council revealed the city is significantly behind in submitting its state-mandated housing plan.

Cupertino is implementing its first pedestrian scramble at the intersection of Bubb and McClellan roads beginning Jan. 23.

J.R. Fruen, an attorney and third-generation Cupertino resident, won a seat on the Cupertino City Council in a crowded race against seven other candidates.

Ellis Partners made an $28 million all-cash purchase on a five-acre property along Highway 101 in Sunnyvale. Changes of ownership could lead to redevelopment—specifically a forecasted 150,000 square feet of office space where 89.900 is standing now.

Local matchups include the race between congressional incumbent Ro Khanna and his Republican opponent, Ritesh Tandon, as well as an eight-way battle for three seats on the Cupertino City Council.

Following the sale of the beloved local landmark, the prior owners will continue to operate the park for another decade.