City Of Cupertino: City Of Cupertino Supports Protection Of Ridgeline And Enforcement Of Easement

Press release from the City of Cupertino:

06/21/2021

The City of Cupertino supports the recommended action in the upcoming Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ Regular Meeting Agenda (Item 22) that Santa Clara County Counsel enter into discussions with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MidPen)) for enforcement of the perpetual 1972 Ridgeline Protection Easement.

“We applaud Supervisors Joe Simitian and Otto Lee for their leadership and vision on this important topic,” Mayor Darcy Paul said. “In our community, we have already seen the negative impacts of mining-related activities on the ridgeline, which has seen landslides in 1987, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

“Lehigh’s application to impede upon this permanent easement and lower the ridgeline by an additional 100 vertical feet is clearly a non-starter for our community and our City Council. The ridgeline is important to Cupertino, as are our hillsides, the viewsheds they provide, and the environment. We agree that this is a long-standing public property right that should continue and be fully enforced for the benefit of the public.”

The City recognizes the need for additional resources to strengthen the County’s work to ensure enforcement of the easement. The partnership with MidPen is a step in the right direction, and the City has offered its support on this issue.

This press release was produced by the City of Cupertino. The views expressed here are the author’s own.