The Cupertino Courier

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Council approves annexing unincorporated county land

By HUGH BIGGAR

Cupertino is set to grow, not by leaps and bounds but by about 17 acres.

The city council unanimously approved annexing eight separate pockets of unincorporated county land at its Oct. 3 meeting.

"The timing is very good," said Councilman Orrin Mahoney, noting the recent state passage of tax equity allocation. Cupertino had agreed to pursue annexation of unincorporated land in exchange for the county's support on tax equity allocation. The allocation brings the city's revenue from property taxes up to the state standard of 7 percent from 4 percent.

Community Development Director Steve Piasecki said Cupertino's past history of successful annexations, including the Monta Vista, Garden Gate and Rancho Rinconada neighborhoods, helped convince the county to support the tax equity bill.

Residents of the 40-acre Creston community, the largest unincorporated pocket of land in Cupertino, have said they are not interested in being annexed, in part because the community has a Los Altos postal address.

The latest annexation would add about 40 people to Cupertino in places, generally from territory near Stevens Creek Boulevard, Stelling Road, Stevens Canyon Road and the southern city limits. The newest residents will receive city services and pay city taxes and fees.

City Attorney Charles Atkinson said individuals unhappy with being annexed can appeal to the Local Agency Formation Commission.

"It's really an eventuality, since once a county property is sold, it automatically becomes a city property," said Councilwoman Dolly Sandoval in voting for the annexation. "This just speeds up the process and is a way to have them pay for city services."