The initiatives proposed by the CCC would impose tougher limits than currently exist on the dimensions of any new buildings introduced into the city and would require a vote by residents for any exceptions to those limits.

In its June newsletter, the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce board informed its members that it will actively oppose the initiatives. And the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement, saying it's backing the Cupertino Chamber's stand.

The CCC, a well-organized grass-roots group, has been gathering signatures from Cupertino residents in order to get the initiatives on the ballot.

"[The Chamber] has chosen to oppose the initiatives because [they're] not going to be good for business or the community," said Jody Hanson, CEO of the Cupertino Chamber.

"Developers might be discouraged from coming to Cupertino," she said. "And it could stop some of our companies from expanding their headquarters here."

However, the CCC contends that the city should be putting its efforts in a different direction before considering the effects of building.

"The city council wants to build, but it does not have the infrastructure in place," said Dennis Whittaker, a member of both the CCC and the Chamber.

Whittaker said the council would do better to put its efforts into correcting problems the city already has.

He cited the difficulty of finding parking in the city as an example of

an issue he thought Cupertino would do better to resolve.

"Business would be better if residents could find a place to park," he said. "Otherwise they will shop somewhere else.

Hanson said there does need to be consideration as to where the city chooses to build, but the initiatives propose limitations on building that would constrict the city's economic growth.

"Every case is site-specific, it really depends on what's around it," she said. She said there are locations where building is appropriate and can add to a city's ambiance.

"Los Gatos has buildings right up to the streets, and it has a very nice feel to it," she said.

The distance of buildings from the curb is just one of the issues that the initiatives cover.

They would also limit the height of new buildings to 36 feet, with the exception of new buildings at Vallco, which would be limited to 45 feet in height. Building density would be limited to 15 units per acre, independent of the number of stories in a building. Vallco would be set at 30 units. And the initiatives require setbacks from the curb of at least 35 feet or a 1.5/1 slope-line ratio. Vallco's ratio would be set at 1/1.

Whittaker said he thinks these initiatives serve the best interest of the residents.

"We don't want the city to become another San Francisco," he said. "We like our openness, and the council is not getting the message."

Since Apple and Hewlett Packard are two large businesses that currently reside in Cupertino, Hanson said she thinks the measures could dissuade them from continuing to grow in the community.

"It really prohibits them from having choice," she said. "Any developer has got to make it work financially."

She said it is important for developers and private landowners to both have freedom within the city.

"The initiatives will tie the hands of the commissioners and the council from making their decisions," she said. "There would be no public hearing on a special project. We would lose our flexibility and can't make exceptions without going to the voters for approval."

Whittaker said most people in Cupertino would prefer that development decisions remain in the hands of the residents.

"The majority of citizens like the quality of life we now have," he said. "The council is looking more at taking care of future residents than they are current residents."

The measures will affect only new structures in the city, while existing buildings will be protected by a grandfather clause.

Although the two groups disagree on what needs to be done, they both say their goal is doing what is best for the city.

"We are just trying to set standards for what the city needs," said Whittaker.

Hanson agrees that the main purpose of any initiative is to better the city.

But she said, "We want to see flexibility on any plan that the city has."