Mall revitalization plans likely available in September

The city of Cupertino has begun the long process of preparing to review a major project that could some day revitalize Vallco Shopping Mall.

On June 16, the majority council voted during consent calendar to authorize Cupertino City Manager David Brandt to negotiate and execute an agreement with David J. Powers and Associates, Inc. to provide consultant services to the city as Sand Hill Property Co. begins work on a plan to radically change Vallco Shopping Mall.

If all proceeds on schedule, Sand Hill could submit formal project plans to the city in mid- September, according to a June 4 letter to city officials from the developer.

The contract with David J. Powers will eventually result in the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports for a Specific Plan for the Vallco Shopping District Planning Area.

The contract amount will not exceed $ 754,305, and the total amount will be paid by Sand Hill. The applicant will also pay a 10 percent administrative fee, according to the June 16 city staff report.

Sand Hill is the new owner of the vast majority of parcels at Vallco Shopping Mall and aims to bring a mixed- used “town center” project to the site. In December, the Cupertino City Council allocated a potential 600,000 square feet of retail, 389 residential units and 2 million square feet of office space that could come to the area if a project is approved by the city council.

Sand Hill first needs to craft a Specific Plan for the area. A Specific Plan is required prior to any development on the site and will be the first opportunity for the council to get a look at the scope and plans for the revitalization project. The plan will be the zoning document and will lay out the land uses, design standards, guidelines and infrastructure improvements, according to the city staff report.

The June 4 letter from Sand Hill’s managing director Reed Moulds, asked for the environmental review process to begin. In the letter, Moulds stated that Sand Hill has conducted 17 open houses at Vallco with neighbors and residents to share project ideas and get input from the public. The city reports that Sand Hill is in the process of formulating plans that incorporate resident input.

For more information about Sand Hill’s plans for Vallco, visit vallcovision. com.