The project, which received a unanimous thumbs-up from the Cupertino Planning Commission on May 27, was scheduled to face the city council in a public hearing on June 16. However, upon request by Prometheus, city council members continued the project to their July 7 meeting.

Nevertheless, the public hearing did take place as planned and residents expressed their objections to the project.

"I think Saron Gardens is an excellent community. The neighbors look after each other. It's safe. It's affordable. It fits with all the criteria of a model community. Why do people want to evict us and build 55 three-story densely packed single family housing? Why here?" said Norris, who has lived at Saron Gardens for 18 years.

Norris encouraged the city council to learn residents' concerns before making a decision on the project.

According to Gary Chao, assistant planner for the city, Prometheus plans to demolish the 39 existing apartment units, one single-family house, six carports and a swimming pool to construct 55 detached single-family homes, a public pedestrian pathway and a village green area on the project site.

Aside from the physical changes and impacts that the project would bring to the neighborhood, the most important issue has been the future of existing Saron Gardens residents, who are being pushed out of their homes to make space for the new developments.

Although Prometheus and Saron Gardens residents have met and agreed on a relocation program, which will provide residents rental assistance in the amount of three times the individual resident's existing rent per unit, residents are reluctant to leave because of various factors.

For example, students living at Saron Gardens who attend local public elementary, middle and high schools are not guaranteed the right to continue education at their current schools if they moved out of the school boundaries.

There are 13 children from Saron Gardens Apartments who are currently attending Regnart Elementary, three in Kennedy Middle and four attend Monta Vista High School.

"I think if we had a choice, everyone here would like to stay, regardless of what relocation assistance they give us. But we don't have a choice," said Tom Dragosavac, a seven-year resident and one of the leaders of the Saron Gardens Resident Association.

City council members are expected to vote on the project following the public hearing's conclusion on July 7.