Everyone agrees that Cupertino's fiscal health, school quality and housing opportunities are important, but they differ on such fundamental issues as mixed use, height and density restrictions and the need for a downtown. Their differences show there might not be a consensus in the community as a whole about Cupertino's future, either.

Two reports came out of the process: a majority report and a minority report. The majority report is a product of the final votes from every task force meeting. The key component of the report, housing and community design, was approved by a 35-6 vote. The minority report emerged at the end of the process and is supported by 14 task force members.

On March 1 and 2, both reports were presented to the city council and the planning commission for the first time.

The majority report group believes that the city should:

*Not create a downtown.

*Reduce residential growth and eliminate most below-market-rate housing objectives.

*Preserve Cupertino's suburban character by limiting height and density.

*Abolish mixed-use developments in areas such as the Crossroads (at the intersection of De Anza and Stevens Creek boulevards). The group is divided whether to allow housing in areas north and south of Vallco Fashion Park.

"We are not against mixed use. We just think the city should be selective in its application," said Roger Costa, one of the five presenters of the majority report. "Although we do have room for growth in the city, we don't need to take away revenue-generating commercial space to develop residential units."

The minority report group believes otherwise. The group recommends the city council accept the General Plan draft made by the city staff. The 14 people believe that the city should:

*Create a dynamic downtown, where residents can gather, shop, eat and relax.

*Not excessively restrict height, form, and density.

*Increase residential growth and provide more affordable housing.

*Encourage mixed-use development.

"We believe mixed use can enhance business by providing property owners with the incentives to improve the business portion of a shopping center," said minority report presenter Rod Brown. "Although our report is called the minority report, I don't think our opinions represent the minority of the community."

Which group represents the majority opinions of the city as a whole is exactly the thrust of the debate.

Although its 72 members were chosen by the city council to represent the cross-sections of the city, the task force is basically a self-selected volunteer group. At the end of the six-month process, the task force had dwindled to 50 people. And the majority report group's desires for not having a downtown and more affordable housing contradict the results of the city's biannual surveys.

Before the March 1 and 2 meetings, conspiracy theories had been floating around, suggesting that the city staff encouraged the minority report. Senior City Planner Ciddy Wordell, coordinator of the task force meetings, said the staff in fact encourages everyone whose opinions are different from the majority report to make his or her report.

Eventually, the city council will have to look beyond the two reports, because both reports may not totally appeal to community members. For example, the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce only partially agrees with the minority report group. While the Chamber supports mixed-use development in the Vallco area, it doesn't endorse rezoning in commercial districts.

To better understand what the residents want, the city council will not make any decisions until it has the results of a citywide survey that will be conducted in April. But for now it will use the majority report as the framework for discussions.

"My big concern is that there seems to be a majority versus a minority. I want everybody to know that everyone's opinions are important to us," said Mayor Sandy James. "The fact that we have a majority report and a minority report shows that there is no agreement in the general public. We need more input."

People who are interested in providing input can attend another study session about the General Plan update at 5 p.m. on March 15 in the council chambers at City Hall, 10300 Torre Ave.