Cupertino apartment project stalls, as city council wants to see more retail, fewer units

A public hearing lasting more than three hours Monday was still not enough for the Cupertino City Council to come to a decision on an apartment complex project slated for the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Blaney Avenue.

A majority council's desire to see more retail and fewer apartment units is sending Prometheus, a San Mateo-based real estate and property management group, back to the drawing board.

The project as of now would see the demolition of a number of retail shops and restaurants at Blaney Plaza. Prometheus is seeking permission to demolish approximately 21,000 square feet of existing commercial space and construct a mixed-use project consisting of roughly 80 apartment units and a new 7,000-square-foot commercial building.

Construction will likely mean the bulldozing of nearby businesses such as Chili's Grill and Bar, Shan Restaurant and a number of retail shops in the rear of the property. A number of the retail pads date back to the 1960s and '70s.

Current businesses at Blaney Plaza include M&M Food Mart, Out of the Blue Consignment, Pinky Nail Spa, Ernie's Barber Shop and a cleaners. The Village Falafel is the only retail pad that was not acquired and will remain standing.

The loss of retail was a sore spot for residents and members of the council, who requested that Prometheus meet with city staff again to find a way to add more parking and more retail, while lowering the number of apartment units

"I want to see retail that works here, and I think parking is important to making it work," mayor Mark Santoro said.

As proposed, the project would see a 7,000-square-foot commercial building built along Stevens Creek Boulevard, with about half of the retail space going toward some kind of dining establishment.

Prometheus acquired the property at 20300 Stevens Creek Blvd. with plans to build apartments that will align with the already established Biltmore Apartments on S. Blaney Avenue. The project would add an additional 12 units to the Biltmore complex, and recreational facilities and entryways onto the property would be shared by the two properties.

The Biltmore Apartments include 179 apartment units. The apartments have been in operation since 1970s and most recently went through a renovation in 1999.

Continued here:
Cupertino apartment project stalls, as city council wants to see more retail, fewer units