The Cupertino Courier
Cover Story
2006
The year in review
In 2006, development in Cupertino, as it has in past years, dominated the public discourse. It also prompted action.
Voters in November passed two referendums overturning the city council's rezoning approval for a condominium project at Vallco Fashion Park and a mixed-use development at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Finch on land owned by Hewlett-Packard. As a result, no rezoning of those properties can be considered or discussed for one year.
Also, a proposed housing development on the former Measurex property, at Results Way and Bubb Road, died when it failed to receive a majority vote of the council.
Still, there are a lot of building proposals that commissioners, council members and residents will have to chew on in 2007.
For one, Apple Computer in April announced plans to build a new 50-acre campus in Cupertino's North Vallco area. And, construction activity continues at Vallco Fashion Park.
Renovation of the shopping mall, which has been declining in recent years, includes a 16-screen movie theater. Vallco officials had hoped to have the theater completed and opened before the holiday shopping season. It was announced this month that the date has been moved back to March.
Cupertino's financial condition continued to improve in 2006. At his State of the City address in February, Mayor Richard Lowenthal said the city had, after five difficult years fiscally, seen an increase in revenues to the city.
Cultural diversity continued to be celebrated in Cupertino with parades and other public events during the year.
The popularity of youth cricket was buoyed earlier this year when it was announced that Cupertino's California Cricket Academy had been awarded a national cricket tournament for the next three years.
The city's large Asian population was reflected in the selection of Kris Wang as mayor and Patrick Kwok vice mayor by their council colleagues. It is the first time in the city's history that both the mayor and vice mayor are of Chinese ethnicity.
Cupertino also grew in size and population in 2006. Last October, the city council unanimously approved the annexation of eight pockets of county land, totaling some 17 acres. That added some 40 people from areas near Stevens Creek Boulevard, Stelling Road, Stevens Canyon Road and the northern city limits.
--Michael Cronk
January
The Cupertino City Council approved an accelerated construction schedule for a 16-screen movie theater at Vallco Fashion Park. City officials said it was necessary to secure future commitments from major Vallco tenants.
Students arrested during a protest demonstration Nov. 11 at De Anza College alleged that racism led to their arrests. Officials with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department denied it.
Dr. William Bragg, superintendent of the Cupertino Union School District, announced his retirement Jan. 11. Bragg said he was retiring at the end of the school year in June after nine years with the elementary and middle school district.
Neighbors of Vallco Fashion Park objected to a proposed parking garage at the mall, saying it was too tall. After three hours of public testimony, the city council agreed and capped the height of the parking garage at 32 feet.
The city council unanimously approved a use permit allowing construction of a single-story, 68,000-square-foot Whole Foods market at the site of the former Anderson Chevrolet dealership on Stevens Creek Boulevard.
In a 3-2 vote, the council approved a rezoning for a controversial condominium development project at Vallco Fashion Park. The approval allowed Landmark Properties, owners of Vallco, to construct 137 condominiums west of Wolfe Road. More than 60 residents spoke against the project. Council members Dolly Sandoval and Kris Wang cast the dissenting votes.
February
In his State of the City speech, Mayor Richard Lowenthal talked about improving financial conditions in the city. "After five years of financial pain, we have turned the corner and revenue is on the way up," he said.
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District, one of the lowest-funded districts in the state, appeared set to receive an increase in state funding. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger included $130 million in the state's budget to "equalize'' the per-student amount the state pays to school districts. The Foothill-De Anza district expected to get around $1.3 million of that total.
A federal jury Feb. 1 found the Cupertino Union School District liable for negligence and civil rights violations involving a former student, who had been physically abused by her teacher. The jury also awarded $700,000 to the student's family.
Metrofi of Sunnyvale established free wireless Internet access for all Cupertino residents.
The Fremont Union High School District continued to look for students who didn't reside in the district. As a part of its residency verification program, officials scrutinized student registration papers.
With a projected decline in enrollment, Lynbrook High School announced open enrollment for the month of March. Lynbrook said it would accept 50 transfer students from the FUHSD and its feeder schools.
The ponds at Memorial Park were victims of fowl play. Migratory ducks and geese fouled up the ponds after gorging on bread thrown by passersby. As a result, the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department drained Memorial Park's two ponds and asked residents to not feed the birds.
March
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to support a tax equity allocation (TEA) bill for Cupertino, along with Monte Sereno, Los Altos Hills and Saratoga. Due to Prop. 13, the four cities currently receive the least amount of return from their property taxes in California--just 4 percent from the state compared to a statewide standard of 7 percent.
A small group of residents launched an effort to complete a veterans memorial art project by 2007. The project was estimated to cost $250,000-$300,000, an amount that had to be raised privately. According to the plans, the landmark would be placed on a grassy rise near the Memorial Park flagpole and include a bronze sculpture.
Three local residents raised $1,000 each as a reward to help catch those responsible for robbing the homes of South Asian residents in Cupertino. A local business, Fugitive Watch, agreed to administer the reward and publicize it as well.
The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce selected Ron Cali, a life-long resident and Cupertino businessman, as its STAR Citizen of the Year for his contributions to the community.
High winds caused a construction crane to crash through the roof of Vallco Fashion Park, hitting a bridal shop and narrowly avoiding shoppers. No one was injured in the accident.
With Mayor Richard Lowenthal not voting, citing conflict of interest, the city council deadlocked 2-2 on a vote to rezone the former Measurex property at Results Way and Bubb Road. The split vote effectively denied an application by Taylor Woodrow to build homes at the site.
A national debate over the portrayal of Hindus in sixth-grade textbooks ended with the California Board of Education rejecting major revisions but conceding to some edits. The revised textbooks are scheduled to be used in schools in the fall of 2006.
The city council approved rezoning for a mixed-use development on one of the last large pieces of undeveloped land in the city, which is owned by Hewlett-Packard Co. The council approved rezoning of the site at Finch Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard from industrial to residential/commercial. The residential development called for up to 300 residences and 80 apartments.
Cupertino Village, a popular Asian-focused shopping center in Cupertino, was sold for $65 million to Kimco Realty Corp. The new owners said the shopping center would retain its Asian character.
The Cupertino Union School District and its employee organizations reached a two-year agreement on compensation increases, settling months-long negotiations. Retroactive to July 1, 2005, employees were to receive a 5 percent increase for the 2005-06 school year.
April
Cupertino residents concerned about condominium development in the city launched a referendum drive to overturn two rezoning ordinances at Vallco Fashion Park and the Hewlett-Packard property at Finch Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Marketing students from Monta Vista, Fremont and Lynbrook high schools organized and implemented a fundraising fashion show. The students handled all aspects of the show, from developing the program to building the sets to walking the runway.
Sandhill Properties, owners of the Oaks Shopping Center at De Anza College and Highway 85, sold the complex to HomelandMg.
A truck accident involving explosives in Fremont underscored Cupertino's and Santa Clara County's lack of readiness for a similar accident. A pickup truck traveling southbound on Highway 680 rear-ended a big rig carrying 32,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, detonating blasting materials. The truck was possibly heading to Hanson Permanente Cement in Cupertino, although the company would not confirm its destination.
The De Anza College Planetarium closed for major renovations. The renovated facility is expected to open in February.
The city council voted to no longer charge sky-high fees for solar energy systems such as solar panels. Previously, the city charged a fluctuating fee of about $1,000, which was among the highest in Santa Clara County. The new fee was set at approximately $300.
Steve Jobs, head of Apple Computer, announced the company's plans to build a second campus in Cupertino. The new 50-acre campus would be bordered by Tantau Avenue, Pruneridge Avenue and Highway 280. Jobs said the campus would be completed in three years and is expected to house 3,000 to 3,500 employees.
Cupertino's California Cricket Academy was awarded a national cricket tournament for the next three years. The first of the three annual youth tournaments co-sponsored by the United States of America Cricket Association will take place June 22-25. Cricketers from 16 teams will use fields at Dilworth Elementary School, the Cupertino Library, Stanford University and others in the South Bay, which are still being decided.
Cupertino's planning commission began preliminary discussions on a master plan for the North Vallco area. Possible plans for the area could include a large retail outlet, parks, bicycle and pedestrian trails and possibly some homes on the edges, the planning commission said.
May
To bring attention to the issue of malnutrition among seniors, 10 mayors from cities within Santa Clara County went to O'Connor Hospital to help package food and deliver meals. The Health Trust organization provides Meals on Wheels to more than 300 clients in Santa Clara County, delivering more than 83,000 meals each year. Its clients have physical limitations and are low-income and housebound.
The city council unanimously agreed to continue charging $45 for residential parking permits for another year. The $45 fee generates about $12,000 for the city at a time it is looking for ways to increase its revenue.
The Association of Bay Area Governments and the U.S. Geological Survey released new online maps simulating the likely intensity of a future earthquake. The simulation maps forecast Cupertino will experience among the most intense shaking from a Bay Area earthquake with a magnitude 6.7 or greater.
Local officials dedicated a new trail in the foothills. The trail leads to the site where Spanish colonists, led by Capt. Juan Bautista de Anza, first spotted the San Francisco Bay after marching 1,200 miles.
Planning commissioners conducted a study session on the future of the North Vallco area bordered by Highway 280, Wolfe Road, Pruneridge Road and N. Tantau Road. Topics at the study session included possible development of a commercial core along Wolfe Road, incorporating the North Vallco area into a future Apple Computer campus and the ripple effect of development in the area on other sections of Cupertino.
Homestead High School students protested when they learned popular teacher Bo Cheli had been dismissed. More than 200 students marched a mile from the high school to school district headquarters to protest Cheli's dismissal.
June
Scholarship for Veterans, a local nonprofit organization, selected Sandra Lwee as its third scholarship recipient. Her award is for $2,000, or $330 per quarter for six quarters.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency recommended Cupertino and Apple Computer take proper precautions to ensure the safety of the North Vallco neighborhood. Cupertino plans to redevelop the neighborhood--home to Superfund toxic waste sites-- and Apple Computer plans to build a second campus there.
The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department posted warning signs in English, Spanish and Vietnamese warning anglers about health hazards from toxic fish at Stevens Creek Reservoir. The department had hoped to have the signs up in time for the 2005 fishing season, but translation difficulties lead to the delay.
The Foothill-De Anza Community College District and other area colleges handed out certificates to kindergartners guaranteeing enrollment providing they meet admission requirements. The goal of the program is to increase awareness about going to college.
Voters in the Foothill-De Anza Community College district approved a bond measure allowing for building and equipment renovations at the district's two colleges, including De Anza College in Cupertino. The bond, Measure C, received 65 percent of the vote.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District approved a 2006-2007 budget that allocated about $19 million for flood-protection work. The work was to include upgrades to several bridges over Calabazas Creek. In Sunnyvale, it includes repairs to the Sunnyvale East Channel and the Sunnyvale West Channel.
Cupertino's Ridge Vineyards' 1971 Monte Bello Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon placed first at a prestigious tasting of the best wines from California and France, helping affirm California's reputation as a home of world-class wines.
July
In a report by the Greenbelt Alliance, Cupertino scored 41 out of 100 percent for its policies on smart growth that encouraged housing and retail density and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. The Greenbelt Alliance, a nonprofit group, graded areas it believed encouraged smart growth including proximity to parks, affordable housing policies and mixed-use (residential and commercial) development policies. Cupertino scored high in number of parks residents could walk to and earned low scores for development standards and density. The Greenbelt Alliance emphasized the report grades reflected policies and not "on-the-ground realities" of smart growth.
The Fremont Union High School District school board discussed the resignation of two popular Monta Vista High School teachers in June. Several students attended the meeting to protest the board's handling of the resignations. The issue centered on popular teacher Tim Krieger's resignation after he a job he hoped to transfer to did not come through. The students at the meeting questioned board president Avie Katz's role in the resignation.
A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge ruled two referendums drafted by a group of Cupertino residents would remain on the November general election ballot. Cupertino resident Dorothy Stow sought to have the referendums disqualified on legal technicalities. The referendums sought to overturn city council approval of rezoning to allow for two commercial and residential projects at Vallco Fashion Park and Hewlett-Packard property at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Finch Avenue.
In a sign of a slowly rebounding economy, Cupertino's available office space for lease was among the lowest in Silicon Valley. According to the latest figures, Cupertino had the largest drop in space for lease, with a vacancy rate about half of the Silicon Valley average of 16.8 percent.
The Fremont Union High School District school board held a special meeting and passed an official motion to consider an investigation into the resignations of Monta Vista High School teachers Tim Krieger and Melanie Walzcek.
Cupertino and neighboring cities experienced a series of bank robberies. There were six robberies in Cupertino, Saratoga and West San Jose. There was also one brazen robbery attempt just across the street from the sheriff's westside substation in Cupertino.
August
Two individuals, Aaron Katz and Melvin Emerich, filed suit against the Foothill-De Anza Community College District. The suit centered on a $490.8 million bond measure passed by district voters in June to improve facilities. The suit questioned the use of bond money for administrative salaries and lack of detailed project descriptions.
Cupertino scored low in a new report documenting a housing "crisis" in the Bay Area. Cupertino received an "F" in a report examining Bay Area housing needs, with the city meeting just under half its target of 2,640 new homes in the last seven years, according to the by the Bay Area Council. The report measured the permits granted against cities' state-mandated goals.
The Cupertino Union School District announced a new policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program.
An unidentified Cupertino resident contracted the West Nile virus, one of three new cases in the area.
The city council discussed absorbing unincorporated pockets of county land. Under new state legislation, Santa Clara County would shift more property tax revenue to Cupertino. In exchange, Cupertino would commit to annexing islands of county land surrounded by the city.
A report published by the National Academy of Sciences in July said a chemical found at some toxic waste sites, including one on the Cupertino/Sunnyvale border, might be more hazardous than originally thought. According to the report, the chemical TCE, or trichloroethylene, is increasingly believed to have strong links to kidney cancer, liver cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, impaired neurological function and autoimmune disease.
Fremont Union High School District board members voted 3-2 to fire Superintendent Stephen Rowley. The surprise vote came after a heated summer in the district due to the resignation of two Monta Vista High School teachers. After their resignations, Rowley accidentally emailed the school board--an email apparently intended only for Deputy Superintendent Polly Bove--stating he hoped the resignations might spark the community and be "a scorcher fingering Avie and Cathy [Katz] as the primary reason for [Krieger's] resigning."
The Cupertino Veterans Memorial, a nonprofit group, held its first fundraiser. The group aims to raise funds for a proposed veterans memorial in Memorial Park.
September
Former Superintendent Stephen Rowley filed a claim for damages against the Fremont Union High School District. The district's communications manager, Cindy McArthur, said this was not a lawsuit but an attempt to reach some sort of settlement by Rowley, who had two years left on a six-year contract.
Several community members, parents and teachers expressed anger and confusion toward the Fremont Union High School board of trustees for their 3-2 decision to fire former superintendent Rowley. The public accused the board of acting on emotions rather than in the best interests of the district's students. Questions regarding cutting programs and teachers in order to fund a lawsuit were also posed.
Cupertino's plan to remove some mature oak trees in the Stevens Creek Corridor Park drew the attention of Oakland's California Oak Foundation. In a sharply worded letter, the foundation wrote that Cupertino would be viewed as "the worst possible example of responsible conservation in the region and the state" if they decided to remove the trees. In response, the city council asked the planning commission to review the city's tree ordinance.
Attorney Barry Bennett was hired by the Fremont Union High School District to determine a timeline concerning the resignation of popular teacher Tim Krieger. Bennett said he was uncertain whether or not we would also be looking into the firing of former superintendent Rowley.
October
The Cupertino Planning Commission discussed ways to improve the city's tree ordinance. Topics of discussion included the cost of permits needed to remove trees, criteria needed to define dangerous trees and protected trees, the importance of tree canopies on Cupertino's skyline and possible deterrents to illegal tree removal. No official changes to the ordinance were made.
The Blue Pheasant Restaurant was denied an amendment by the city's planning commission to extend their operating hours. The main reason for the refusal was the restaurant's location across the street from a residential neighborhood. It is the right business in the wrong location, commissioners said.
Barry Bennett, the attorney hired to investigate the timeline of events leading up to the resignation of Monta Vista High School teacher Tim Krieger, told the Fremont Union High School board of trustees that he needed more time to complete the case. Trustees argued among themselves over the deadline date and decided that the most pressing issue was for Bennett to stay within the budgeted 60 hours to create his formal timeline.
The city council unanimously approved the annexation of eight separate pockets of unincorporated county land. The land, which is about 17 acres, added about 40 people to Cupertino from areas near Stevens Creek Boulevard, Stelling Road, Stevens Canyon Road and the northern city limits.
Despite its first ruling in January and complaints from the community, the city council reversed an earlier decision to limit the Vallco parking garage to 32-feet. 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 theater opens. Other mitigation measures including planting 20 trees and a green screen of foliage on the wall of the garage.
The Fremont Education Association was threatened with legal action for using district email to inform members of the candidates it was endorsing for the school board. The union, which endorsed incumbent Barbara Nunes and challengers Bill Wilson and Don Mackenzie in the November 2006 election, was informed that district email cannot be used for political purposes.
November
Cupertino was hit by a number of burglaries that took place when residents were still home. Capt. Terry Calderone of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office speculated it was juveniles looking for cash. He advised residents not to confront any home invaders, but make noise to let the intruders know someone is home and then call 911.
Fremont Union High School board incumbents Barbara Nunes and Kathryn Ho were re-elected. Challenger Bill Wilson was also voted in. Former board president Avie Katz was not re-elected. He attributed his loss, in part, to the months of controversy involving the resignation of teacher Tim Krieger and the board's firing of ex-superintendent Stephen Rowley.
During the Nov. 7 elections, two Cupertino sites, the empty land at Finch Avenue and Stevens Creek Boulevard, and Vallco Fashion Park land next to Highway 280, were the focus of two referendums. The referendums successfully overturned city-approved rezoning that would have paved the way for a mix of retail and condominiums at both locations. As a part of the reversal, no rezoning discussions can be discussed for either site for one year.
The construction of a bicycle/pedestrian footbridge on Mary Avenue was announced to begin in Spring 2007. The bridge will include two soaring white towers over Highway 280 and will connect Cupertino and Sunnyvale just south of Highway 85. Officials said they hope the bridge will alleviate vehicle traffic congestion and encourage walking and biking Homestead High School, Cupertino Middle School, De Anza College and jobs in Cupertino and Sunnyvale. The bridge has yet to be named.
In a special board meeting, Fremont Union High School board trustees released a timeline of events surrounding the resignation of teacher Tim Krieger. However, with several key parts of the timeline blacked out, several community members pressed the board for answers. Trustee Nancy Newton was also disappointed by some of the board member's insistence about hiding parts of the document but assured the public that all the details would soon be released. It was also announced that former superintendent Rowley filed a lawsuit against the district for wrongful termination, breach of contract and infliction of emotional distress.
December
A police task force broke up a prostitution ring in Pacifica in an operation that also targeted prostitution in Cupertino and several Peninsula cities. Law enforcement officials arrested Tommy Chou, 29 of Colorado and Ri Luo, 41, of Oakland on charges of felony pimping, pandering and criminal conspiracy.
Acting superintendent Polly Bove was unanimously voted by Fremont Union School Board trustees to become superintendent through June 2008. Board members, teachers, students and the community expressed their trust and confidence in Bove. As for the lawsuit filed by former superintendent Stephen Rowley, the board was granted a 30-day extension after switching to a new attorney.
Kris Wang was unanimously selected by her city council colleagues to become the mayor of Cupertino. Council member Patrick Kwok, who served as mayor in 2005, was named vice mayor. It marks the first time in the city's history that both the mayor and vice mayor are of Chinese ethnicity. Wang vowed to work "whole-heartedly'' for a better Cupertino.
The future of long-struggling Vallco Fashion Park was once again the subject of a city meeting. The redevelopment, which started being discussed in 2000, is still in flux. The council was informed Dec. 6 that the movie theaters, initially scheduled to be completed in time for the holiday shopping season, won't be opening until March.
