The Cupertino Courier

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Planners looking to revise how projects are reviewed

The Cupertino Planning Commission is looking at ways to revise the process for the preliminary review of major development projects in order to save time and money.

Planning commissioner Marty Miller, at the April 8 commission meeting, presented several solutions that would provide developers early feedback and direction from both the city and residents.

"By the time it gets to us, the developer has already spent a lot of money on displays and plans, and they aren't usually motivated to make significant changes," Miller said. "I'd like to see ways to make the process more efficient."

Miller suggested a model similar to one in Los Gatos, which runs a conceptual review board consisting of members from both the city council and planning commission.

"It would help facilitate the process. Los Gatos has been doing it for about five years, and their experience has been very smooth and positive," he said.

Other proposed solutions include holding a public session with the planning commission, city staff and the developer, and creating a joint study session with city council and staff. The idea would be to provide input but keep the dialogue on community and residential issues.

"It would be a way for us to give earlier input to the developers before they set everything in stone," Miller said. "When you reduce uncertainty and shorten the time frame, you get better results."

Steve Piasecki, director of community development, expressed concern over maintaining impartiality and fairness during these informal sessions.

"I think this can be constructive, but very difficult," Piasecki said. "I think you are going to have the hearing before the hearing."

While in support of the commission's discussion, a couple of Cupertino residents spoke about the importance of keeping residents in the loop.

"It's good to hear ideas floating around to improve the communication between the city and developments, but it's also important to keep the residents involved," said Keith Murphy.

Resident Jennifer Griffin added that the extensive efforts and amount of time that went into developments was a good thing.

"Nothing of quality is ever produced unless a lot of work is put into it," she said. "Projects that the community are most proud of have had a give-and-take process. Sometimes quality takes time."