After listening to more than 30 individuals speak against a proposed three-story parking garage exceeding 32 feet, the city council unanimously voted against it--with some council members also expressing anger over Vallco's lack of clear planning.

Shilpa Joshi set the tone for a debate that at times became raucous when she said to the city council, "It's time for you to consider our opinions."

Joshi, and other individuals living near Vallco, have become increasingly concerned about proposed projects at the mall affecting their quality of life. The proposed garage on the west side of the mall facing a residential neighborhood served as the latest example of that struggle.

Residents criticized the garage's height (of up to 41 feet) and lighting as well as the traffic that could go through neighborhood to get to the garage.

Once a thriving area-wide destination, Vallco has since fallen on hard times due to changing consumer habits and shopping mall designs. Along the way, business has dwindled and sales tax revenue--crucial to the city's budget--has declined.

As a result, a new and improved Vallco is seen as key to reviving Cupertino's economic fortunes.

However, as the council meeting demonstrated, how best to complete that process with the minimal amount of disruption to residents is an open question.

At the Jan. 17 meeting, residents, many of them from Norwich and Dension avenues and Amherst Drive near the proposed garage, made it clear they felt the balance had tipped too far in Vallco's favor.

"I do not believe it is a win-win situation for the community," said resident Julie Bay to the standing-room-only crowd. "Why does a garage have to be located next to a neighborhood? I'd like to hear from J.C. Penney and Sears about why they don't want a garage [in front of their stores]."

"Vallco seems to have a 'honey do' list that never ends," added resident Janice Ishi.

City council members ultimately agreed. The council voted 5-0 against approving a parking garage exceeding 32 feet, although it did allow for a 49-foot elevator tower.

"I am tired of the piecemeal process; it is heart-wrenching for our community to go through," Mayor Richard Lowenthal said, referring to constantly shifting development proposals by Vallco officials. Lowenthal also expressed frustration that Vallco officials had at one point promised a parking garage with a maximum height of 32 feet, and then later requested a taller structure.

"I don't want to see you come back a bunch more times," he said, while also suggesting they hire a professional planner. "Thirty-two feet is about all I can support."