In these difficult economic times, mixed-use development provides the best approach for alleviating many of Cupertino's budget problems. The benefits of properly designed mixed-use neighborhoods are obvious:

* Balanced use of existing spaces for commercial and residential purposes and for the development of affordable housing for sale and rental to residents at all income levels, including city workers, young workers and seniors with fixed incomes;

* Promotion of vibrant, safe, walkable communities for social interaction, shopping and recreation;

* Increase of sales tax revenue for Cupertino from shopping and dining in neighborhoods in the city instead of driving elsewhere, which leads to increased automobile traffic;

* Provision of incentives for economically viable development/conversion of existing infill, blighted and underused areas throughout the city.

The Heart of the City should consist of a well-designed downtown area that is economically vibrant, but should also be aesthetically pleasing with a unique character of its own.

A unique downtown does not necessarily have to consist of high-density buildings close to the street, but should be a blend of retail and service establishments, residences and open green spaces. It should be a place where residents and visitors want to shop, recreate, linger and return to, and feel that they are in a special place called Cupertino.

As a longtime resident of Cupertino and a member of the task force that worked on the General Plan last summer, I supported the Minority Report, because it provides more flexibility for mixed-use development, thereby achieving the benefits described above.

Frank Yap

Cupertino

Initiatives don't stop new businesses in old areas

A local real estate investor, Jack Hubby, stated in his letter to the editor in the June 16 edition of the Courier that the three initiatives proposed by the Concerned Citizens of Cupertino would have prevented the renovation of the old Wherehouse building. Another recent letter said that the Gumba's Pizza building would not have been built if the initiatives had been in place at the time.

If the initiatives had been in place when those buildings were designed, they might not look the way they do today, but these initiatives would not stop those businesses from going into the existing structures.

Existing structures may be remodeled or rebuilt. The initiatives do not affect these buildings, only additions made to them. The additions would have to adhere to the new standards, but the original envelope of the old building could be maintained. The new Panera Bakery and Peet's Coffee proposed for the Good Earth site could still be built although small adjustments would need to be made due to the extensions at either end of the building.

Maybe some buildings would not be built if they were proposed today, but that is the whole point. Those buildings are already here and are grandfathered into our General Plan. The intent of these initiatives is not to stop businesses from coming but to assure new development maintains the suburban character of Cupertino.

By the way, HP has sold its property on Stevens Creek Boulevard and Tantau Avenue and a possible mixed-use and high-density housing area is being considered. If HP were planning on further development, I think it would have saved that land. Should we be concerned about the negative impact of the housing density on that property to Cupertino High School?

Penny Whittaker

Cupertino

Monta Vista donates 117
pints to blood reserves

Many times when high school students are featured in the news, like most news stories, it is for bad news. We wanted to let you know about the many wonderful students who by donating blood to the American Red Cross have helped to save more than 21,000 lives during the 2003­04 school year.

We collected more than 7,100 pints of blood during 128 blood drives at 74 high schools throughout Northern California, including Monte Vista High School with 117 pints.

Thanks to these drives, well over 21,000 people may have received the gift of life, as each pint of donated blood can help three people.

Students may have been late for class or even missed a class while they were donating blood. Gym classes may have moved outdoors because the gym was needed for the drive. But much like school itself, donating blood is part of a lesson in life. Giving blood is one of the most important, rewarding and compassionate things a person can do.

Student leaders and faculty advisers put a great deal of energy and effort into organizing a blood drive. By having a blood drive at high schools, students have the opportunity to donate with their peers, making it a less stressful atmosphere.

Students who donate are more likely to donate later in life. Our goal is to encourage them to be lifelong donors because only 2 to 3 percent of residents of Northern California donate blood. Nationwide, the average is closer to 5 percent.

Medical advances require more and more blood as our population lives even longer. More blood donors are desperately needed. High school and college blood drives account for 9 percent of the mobile blood drives we do, yet these students provide 10 percent of the blood needed in the Bay Area.

For all of this, we wish to recognize the students of Monte Vista High School for their help.

Sara O'Brien

Communications Supervisor

American Red Cross, Blood Services, Northern California Region