But the tech giant's pure economic prowess, with its potential to raise nearby property values and bring good jobs to the region, is easing -- for now, at least -- the typical NIMBY-like disputes and border wars that have plagued these cities in the past.
So even though Cupertino will soak up the worldwide prestige and millions of dollars in tax revenues, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are not raising alarm yet about the extra traffic, noise and other suburban headaches sure to be buzzing around their borders.
Sunnyvale resident David Cookson -- who has for the past 18 years lived across the street from the 155-acre site of the forthcoming campus, now occupied by HP -- says he isn't thrilled about the extra commotion sure to cook up from the iSpaceship sizzling less than 100 feet away from his doorstep. But he's more than willing to overlook those bothers if it means he can drink in the successes of a campus he joked is destined to become "the eighth wonder
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of the world."
"A project like that, how could you say no?" said Cookson.
Sunnyvale Mayor Melinda Hamilton and Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews say that even with their cities having no control over the project or direct tax benefit from the giant building, they'll be riding the Apple wave all the way to the bank.
"There will be people who want to buy homes here, to eat lunch, and we're right on the border," Hamilton said. "Proximity is a huge deal. Having more and better jobs brings the whole region up. That success breeds success."
No border war yet
It's a departure in many ways from the relationship between the three cities, which hasn't always been harmonious.
So many big projects were being built near the border without the consent of neighbors that officials from the three cities and Mountain View held a collaboration summit in 2008 to strengthen ties and soothe old wounds. Then, Sunnyvale's City Council last year passed a resolution that would have required any projects within 1,000 feet of either side of the Sunnyvale border to get approval from both Sunnyvale and the neighboring city, but no other cities agreed to the deal.
And now, some locals on the other side of the border, like Hamilton, have been dismayed over Santa Clara's plan to build a 49ers stadium sure to jam traffic in other cities. It comes on the heels of border wars that erupted over proposed expansions on opposite sides of the Apple site, at Santa Clara's Kaiser hospital and Cupertino's 99 Ranch Market shopping center.
There have also been cross-city fights in recent years over a massive mixed-use project slated for the Kohl's site in Santa Clara and the infamous case of a Sunnyvale couple that was forced to trim their redwood trees when their neighbor, in Santa Clara, cited an obscure state law requiring there be sunlight for his solar panels.
When it comes to Apple's campus, Cupertino leaders have already rolled out the red carpet for Jobs, while their neighbors are viewing the campus with "clear eyes," as Hamilton put it.
"In Sunnyvale, we make decisions on projects like this after asking the residents how they feel about it, as opposed to declaring 'there's no way we're not going to approve this,' " said Sunnyvale Councilman Chris Moylan, clearly aggravated at Cupertino Mayor Gilbert Wong's comments that Cupertino would never reject Apple's plans.
Wong, for his part, now says "Apple won't be getting any special treatment." He downplayed many of the impacts the project will have on its neighbors.
"It's going to be like an urban forest with a building right in the middle of this forest," Wong said. "You have a little bit of inconvenience with the traffic, but I think it's worth it because you can live, work and play within a 10-minute radius."
Will support last?
The seemingly unilateral support for the Apple project may not last forever.
Whether it's the 49ers stadium project, the state's high-speed rail line or almost any other mega construction plan, criticism typically mounts as more details are released. In the case of Apple's campus, officials from neighboring cities were quick to note it's hard to scrutinize the project when formal plans are still months away from being submitted.
"A lot of the potential impacts come from how you design a project, how you lay it out," said Santa Clara Councilwoman Jamie McLeod, a planner by day. "A big thing is traffic -- but where are the outlets? Does it impact any flows of traffic? It's hard to (know the impact) at this point."
In the months that follow, consultants will conduct a full traffic analysis and environmental impact review before construction can start. State law will put the onus on Apple to address any projected community problems, through measures like paying for stop lights to ease traffic jams and planting trees to screen neighbors' views.
City officials also say it appears a portion of Pruneridge Avenue east of Wolfe Road will need to be eliminated to make room for the campus.
Eager to get ahead of the plans, managers at all three city halls are already meeting with one another to discuss what the project will mean for the region.
Matthews, for one, thinks the preconstruction review won't be an obstacle.
"We'll be innovative and find ways around issues that get raised," the Santa Clara mayor said. "It's quite a boon for Silicon Valley. Either we find ways to continue to grow and accommodate these titans of entrepreneurial venture or we stop being Silicon Valley."
sources from: http://www.crown-sat-receiver.com/
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