The Cupertino Courier

News

Townhomes will replace businesses in Cupertino

By Tiffany Carney

San Jose City Council members unanimously approved the rezoning of a 4.2 gross-acre, commercial site to a planned development zoning district on Kentwood Avenue at S. De Anza Boulevard at their June 5 meeting.

Braddock and Logan Homes bought the retail property, across from Nob Hill Foods, from the Groner Family Trust in September 2005, said Jim Sullivan, president of acquisitions and entitlement for the new owners.

"It was zoned for commercial and what we allowed the applicant to do is rezone part of the property for residential and keep part of it for commercial [use]," said Jim Cogan, chief of staff for council District 1. District 1 includes the West San Jose area where the property is located.

In December 2005, a community meeting was held to discuss plans to demolish the 45-year-old retail structure and build an 80 unit-plus townhome, residential community. While the property sits in San Jose, it is near the Cupertino border. Cupertino residents objected to the all-residential plans during the council meeting, Sullivan said.

As a result, San Jose officials asked the developer to change the proposal.

Cogan said they asked the developer to lower the number of units and retain some neighborhood serving retail. Braddock and Logan soon modified their vision to reflect community input.

Site plans now include 56 single-family attached residences and one single-family detached residence, all for sale at time of completion, in addition to a separate area for commercial use.

"We are going to knock down everything. We're going to build a new 8,000-square-foot retail building and lease it out to six or eight new tenants," Sullivan said.

Two years ago, more than 20 tenants occupied the 34,000-square-foot retail space, but today, most have relocated and the remainder will vacate the premises before demolition.

Construction is expected to begin in early August, and the model homes and retail structures should be completed by this time next year, Sullivan said.

The shopping center was previously home to Kiku Sushi, a tenant for 25 years, which moved a few blocks south, to Prospect Road, as well as Roberts Press, which now operates from 10161 S. De Anza Blvd. in Cupertino.

San Jose resident Larry Buckereus has lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years and is not bothered by the construction plan.

"I've seen all the [neighborhood] changes, and I just ignore it," said Buckereus.