Last spring the CCC drafted three initiatives that would control the height, density and setback of buildings from the curb. The initiatives would also require the city to hold special elections for all amendments to the General Plan, the blueprint that governs th city's growth for the next 20 years.

The CCC even took its battle to court, hoping to bring the initiatives to a special election. But a Santa Clara County judge recently ruled against the CCC, as did the city council in November 2004.

In the meantime, another group, the Alliance for a Better Cupertino, has organized in opposition to the CCC. The goal of the alliance is to educate the community about the impact of the CCC's initiatives.

"The initiatives are dangerous," said Rich Robinson, a member of the Alliance for a Better Cupertino. "The initiatives wouldn't allow for any new developments such as the library and would create urban blight and an anarchic development process." In addition, Robinson said the plan for special elections on amendments would undermine the General Plan.

According to the city's planning department, the library, in fact, could not have been built under the initiatives' height restrictions.

CCC member Edward Britt, who filed the recent lawsuit on behalf of his group, said the alliance represents the minority view. "Cupertino needs to be kept as a good place to live, with good schools, and not grow too rapidly," he said.

The battle is timely because the city is currently reviewing and updating its General Plan.

Last year a city council-appointed General Plan task force split over the issue of how much Cupertino should grow. And the task force recommendations reflected that split, with a majority recommendation that was in accord with the CCC's desire for slower growth and a minority view more in line smart growth, including mixed-use developments.

"The city requires a healthy business climate," said Councilwoman Sandra James, who co-chairs the ABC with community activist Paul Fong. "The initiatives would have a serious business and economic impact on the city." For example, the cost of holding a special election on the CCC's initiatives is estimated be over $350,000.

In November 2004, Bay Area Economics, a consulting firm hired by the city also found flaws in the CCC's initiatives. The consultants' determined the initiatives did not comply with state housing laws since the city is obligated to provide its share of the region's housing needs. The consultants also said the initiatives would discourage developers from coming to Cupertino due to the height and density restrictions and would deplete the city's general fund due to the resulting loss of revenue (sales tax contribute 33 percent of the general fund).

The CCC, however, views new projects mixing residential and commercial properties as having a negative affect on the city. "We need to encourage more development of commercial areas," said Britt, "and not rezone land from commercial to residential property." Britt's group believes more housing will affect overcrowded schools, traffic and the city's suburban quality of life.

Cupertino residents will have a chance to decide for themselves during the regular municipal elections next November. The initiatives are expected to be on the ballot Nov. 8.

Before the elections, however, the ABC hopes to educate Cupertino voters. "People need to realize how it impacts their lives in the long term," Robinson said.

"My role is to educate the community," James said. "The initiatives are fear-based and short-sighted for the community as a whole."

The next planning commission meeting is March 8 at 6:45 p.m., in the Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave (next to the library). For information on the agenda visit www.cupertino.org.