The Cupertino Courier

News

City reverses self, allowing taller Vallco garage

By HUGH BIGGAR

"Park, shop and see people shower," said one Cupertino resident from the top of Vallco Fashion Park's new parking garage.

"No more privacy thanks to Vallco," said another.

The residents were a part of an unusual Oct. 18 city field trip to decide the future of the yet-to-be-opened garage north of Macy's at Vallco Fashion Park.

The residents hoped Cupertino's city council would stick to its January decision capping parking at the garage at three stories and the height of the structure at 32 feet. Vallco authorities hoped the council would reconsider and allow some parking on the fourth level, which would mean adding to the height limit.

As a part of that process, with the two sides circling each other warily, Vallco officials conducted a tour of the facility to allow the city council to assess the potential impact of the 32-foot garage on neighbors.

On a tour of the roof, Vallco officials promised barriers would be in place to prevent neighbors of the garage from future visual or sound impacts from the garage. Meanwhile, residents on the rooftop remained suspicious of Vallco and the city council, particularly since Vallco officials were asking the council to reverse its earlier decision.

After reconvening at city hall, city officials voted to allow parking on the roof.

According to the council's decision, the parking garage is to operate at 70 percent capacity, with parking on only the first three levels until Vallco's new movie theaters open. As a part of allowing parking on the roof, mitigation measures are also to be in place including:

* a no-parking zone in the northwest corner, closest to neighboring homes;

* a green screen of foliage on the wall of the garage;

* a minimum of 20 trees planted to help hide the garage; and

* a 4-foot wall on the roof.

Mayor Richard Lowenthal acknowledged the possibly unseemly nature of voting again on an issue that had been decided last January.

"There is a lot of truth in the applicant getting away with something," he said. "But we have to do the best thing for the community, and to me it's clear that means having adequate parking for shopping and theaters."

More than 10 residents spoke at the meeting who were not happy with the council's actions.

"This projects sends two messages," said resident Al Di Francesco. "It says to developers, 'Come to Cupertino and get what you want,' and it says to voters, 'Don't bother to participate in local government.' "