The project, which started three years ago and received more than its share of publicity, went through numerous revisions to address community concerns relating to higher density.

The proposed project is a mixed-use development consisting of office, residential and retail/commercial spaces around a half-acre linear park on the Cupertino Town Center site. The site is located near city hall on the southeast side of the De Anza Boulevard and Rodrigues Avenue intersection.

According to senior planner Aarti Shrivastava, developer Hunter Storm Associates will demolish approximately 123,000 square feet of existing office space and construct three office buildings totaling about 141,000 square feet, two residential buildings consisting of 142 units, and almost 19,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Shrivastava said that although it requires a Heart of the City exception to increase building heights from 36 to 45 feet, the newly revised version of the project, unlike its predecessors, is consistent with the General Plan.

Councilwoman Dolly Sandoval is impressed with the revised plan.

She said, "I'd love to see this place developed together with the library. I think it's a great project, and I am glad to see it go forward."

Councilman Richard Lowenthal said, "I think the developer has done a great job working with the community and addressing residents' concerns. I really like the project. We need a gathering place in Cupertino; we need someplace to go."

The project went through one revision in March 2003 after residents

expressed concerns relating to increased density in the area. The developer scaled down the project by reducing proposed office space and building heights and adding in more residential units, bringing the total number of residential units from 194 to 237.

Although it better addressed residents' concerns of building heights, traffic and parking space, this revision did not comply with the city's General Plan.

The developer went back to work and submitted a scaled-down version of the original proposal. Although the second revision received the Cupertino Planning Commission's approval on April 28, and the developer further decreased the number of residential units to 142, it did not win over all the opposing residents.

Some attended the May 19 city council meeting to discuss their concerns.

Sally Larson, who lives near the project site, believes the developer should wait until after the General Plan update process to seek the city council's approval, though the revised project does not require a General Plan amendment.

She said, "Why is this project being pushed forward when we're in the process of working on the General Plan? I am happy about the lowered density, but I am still concerned about parking. You need to make sure there's enough parking on-site and not push parking down the street to my home."

Another resident, Dave Riopel, said, "I am impressed with the progress you've made. But I still don't like the height increase to 45 feet."

The 12.3-acre project site currently consists of approximately 159,000 square feet of existing medical and professional offices in 19 buildings. The developer's proposal will remove 16 of the 19 existing buildings and construct five new buildings.