In recent months, the CCC has waged a fierce battle with the city council to limit growth in Cupertino. Members of the grassroots organization say their goal is to preserve the current quality of life in Cupertino. And with more than 4,000 signatures supporting its initiatives, the group hopes to place limits on the amount of space allotted to new development in the city.

The initiatives would 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.

"The next step is to follow procedures and file the list of signatures with the city," said Robert Garten of the CCC.

The minimum number of signatures needed to get the initiatives on a ballot is 2,500, and having gone far past that mark, the group has decided to continue collecting signatures.

"They are probably planning to go for a special election," said Jody Hanson of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, which recently issued a statement saying that it does not support the initiatives.

The group has already exceeded the 3,900 signatures required for a special election, which means the CCC can decide whether to put the initiatives on the upcoming November ballot or call for a vote on a separate ballot, which would be decided on by the city. LeAnne Cooley, a member of the CCC, says the group is concerned about the cost of a special election. According to Kim Smith, Cupertino's city clerk, putting the initiatives on the November ballot would cost $80,000, and a special election would cost $270,000.

"We haven't set a specific date yet," said Garten.

"The city informed us that there are no municipal issues on the [upcoming national ballot in November]," he said. He said that this fact will not dissuade the CCC from continuing to pursue its endeavor and possibly even work for a special election. "They are trying to use every angle against us," he said.

Garten said he believes that the initiatives will pass if they are put up for a vote. He said a large number of community members have shown their support for the initiatives.

But Hanson suggests the initiatives need a closer look.

"I think if everyone knew all the facts, they might reconsider," she said.

She said the new restrictions would be too limiting and would hinder growth in the area.

However, Garten said the group is not against growth at all.

"We think business growth is good, just done within standards," said Garten. "We would like to see more businesses in the city."

Hanson said that one factor being overlooked is the impact that the new initiatives would have on businesses and their choice about whether to come to Cupertino.

"It could seriously curtail commercial development," she said. "Previously developments were approved on a site-specific basis."

She said that, currently, developers must go before the planning commission and the city council, as well as be open to public input, before their plans are approved.

The CCC says that development is fine, but limitations such as those proposed in the three initiatives are needed to preserve the quality of life in the city.

Garten said members of his group are more concerned about the impact that housing growth will have on Cupertino schools.

"We have great schools, but they are already overcrowded," he said. "More housing means more pressure on the schools, which could cause the quality to decline."

When and how the initiatives will be placed on the ballot will be determined once the CCC has filed its signatures, and they have been verified by the city and the county registrar.