The grass-roots organization formed last January in response to decisions made by the city council on its development projects. The group disagreed with the council's process, its means of communicating how decisions were made, and the resulting Cali Mill Plaza development at the corner of Stevens Creek and De Anza boulevards. In response, the CCC formed to advocate for change and to preserve the suburban character of Cupertino.

The CCC initiatives would limit building heights to 36 feet, except in the Vallco Park and Wolfe Road commercial area; limit housing density to 15 units per acre; and require minimum setbacks of buildings from the street of 35 feet. Any exceptions to these standards would only be allowed by a citywide vote. This differs from the current practice, which requires three of five council members to approve changes to the General Plan.

"We've gone to the initiative process because decisions made by a majority of the council under the General Plan don't protect us," said CCC member Ned Britt at the Oct. 21 meeting.

The CCC also says the city council can make exceptions to the General Plan, bypassing the approval process.

"That's simply not true," said City Councilman Richard Lowenthal in a telephone interview. He cited a letter by Mayor Sandra James in the Oct. 6 Courier in which James noted that just two exceptions to the General Plan were permitted in 2004, one for the Good Earth and one for the Town Center.

She also wrote, "the truth is the city allows very few exceptions because our General Plan is a reasoned, professional planning document that anticipates most contingencies."

The CCC feels differently.

"One of the biggest problems we have are the exceptions," said Pat Smith at the meeting. "Buildings are going up that are not in compliance."

The CCC members also allege such decisions are often made in secret, without adequate public notification.

"None of it is made in secret," said Lowenthal.

"But [the meetings] are always public whenever possible, with the proper noticing," he said.

"We're at risk," said the CCC's Norman Hackford at the meeting. "All the citizens are looking at something going up in their backyard."

"We need to amend the General Plan in a permanent way," said Britt. "We need to return control of the city to its residents."

In order to make that happen, the CCC recently circulated a petition to place its initiatives on the ballot in a special election in February 2005. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters has certified the signatures, qualifying the initiatives for a special election.

The city council disputed the petition, saying the initiatives do not qualify for a ballot because the wording does not specifically request a special election.

According to the CCC, this is part of the city's pattern of distortion and misinformation. At the close of the Oct. 21 meeting, speakers for the group presented more than 13 myths they say are propagated by the city council. Among the alleged myths:

*Developers and businesses will go elsewhere unless projects are approved.

*Cupertino will lose needed sales tax revenue.

*The CCC initiatives represent just 17 percent of Cupertino voters.

Lowenthal disagrees with the CCC about the alleged myths.

"I'd love to clear the air with [the CCC]," he said, adding he was open to meet with the CCC at any time. "These are unproven ideas, and I'm willing to talk about any details."