Cupertino Manager Statement Regarding Receipt Of Letter From Housing And Community Development Department

Press release from the City of Cupertino:

May 7, 2021

On May 4, after months of robust public discussion, the City of Cupertino adopted an ordinance incorporating a previously approved Housing Program into its zoning code. The Program allows increased density bonuses for housing development projects with higher percentages of affordable units.

At that time, the City Council was not aware of a letter of technical assistance sent to City Manager Deborah Feng from the State of California's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) stating that the City should apply current state density bonus law, rather than the City’s ordinance. HCD had emailed the letter to Feng on May 3 at 4 p.m..

“The fact that I had not reviewed or forwarded the letter from HCD prior to the City Council meeting was a complete oversight on my part,” Feng stated. “The City Council should have had this information to consider prior to making their decision and I deeply regret this mistake.” Feng also apologized to the City Council.

Feng has reached out to HCD to discuss the letter and will be meeting with a representative on Monday, May 10, 2021.

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