A New Educator Workforce
Housing Development

10333 N Wolfe Road, Cupertino, California

Brought to you by:

Engage
with us!

Shape the Future of Wolfe Road Housing!

In January 2024, the County of Santa Clara selected Eden Housing and the Architects FORA/Engage FORA team via a competitive request for proposals process. The goal for the new development being proposed at 10333 N Wolfe Road is to create high-quality affordable and middle-income rental housing opportunities with an emphasis on providing housing for West Valley school district and DeAnza Community College employees.

The purpose of this website is to share about community engagement events and other information about the new housing development to be proposed at 10333 N. Wolfe Road in Cupertino. Here you can find project details, information about upcoming events, past event recordings and reports, and opportunities to participate in community engagement throughout the development process, including signing up for direct communications and project updates.

We welcome your questions and feedback at info@wolferoadhousing.com.

Sections
In this Site:

/ PROJECT DETAILS

Community Type:

The goal for the new housing development at 10333 N Wolfe Road is to create a mixed-income community in Cupertino, including high-quality affordable housing opportunities and educator workforce housing.

The project will likely be built in two or three phases, with the initial phase including educator housing. In compliance with the City rezoning of the site, there will be 250-300 total units across the 5-acre + property. It will be 100% rental apartments, offering a variety of unit types for various income ranges, depending on community feedback. The affordable housing will benefit those making 80% or less of the area median income (AMI). Learn more about the benefits of affordable housing and AMI in the development details section.

Development Details:

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/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

Design is better when diverse perspectives are at the table. Buildings that best provide for the needs of future residents, reflect their community and place, and are deeply valued by the community, are created by listening to those they strive to serve and including them throughout the design process.

✔️PHASE 1 / CONNECTIONS

We always begin community engagement by developing an understanding of the project’s context, including its location, history, and surrounding community. During the Connections Phase, we interviewed community leaders such as community organizations, non-profits, local businesses, and neighborhood block leaders to gain hyperlocal insights.

✔️PHASE 2 / LISTENING

The first public phase of community engagement process began with the Listening Phase. This phase is about understanding the community’s collective values and visions. Your critical insights have helped ensure the project is designed to best serve its community. To review the details and findings of this phase, please see our Listening Report.

Events included (click on the ‘+’ signs below for more info): 

✔ Pop-up table at Earth Day to hear from the wider Cupertino Community

    • LOCATION: 2024 Earth & Arbor Day Festival

    • DATE: April 20, 2024

    • AUDIENCE: Broader Cupertino Community

    • Drew in community members from Earth Day event with project info, a raffle & free donuts

    • Flyers shared with community partners

    • Translation offered in Chinese and Spanish

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✔ Virtual meeting to learn from Educators and School staff to help craft the vision for educator workforce housing at this site

    • LOCATION: Virtual Zoom Meeting

    • DATE: April 25, 2024

    • AUDIENCE: West Valley Educators and School District Staff

    • Event flyers were sent to school district leaders of 15 West Valley Districts to share with their employees 

    • Employees could respond to a Google Form instead of attending the meeting

✔ Community-wide Listening Workshop to hear insights and values from neighbors

    • LOCATION: L.P. Collins Elementary School

    • DATE: June 3rd, 2024

    • AUDIENCE: Wider Cupertino Community with a focus on neighbors

    • 1,100 + Postcard Invites

      • Postcards to all owners of properties in ¼ mile distance, 

      • Postcards to renters in ¼ mile 

    • Flyers to community partners and block leader contacts for further distribution

    • Event shared on City social media platforms

    • Email to Project Mailing List

    • Translation offered in Chinese and Spanish

✔ Virtual Listening Workshop to meet with Portal neighborhood residents

    • LOCATION: Virtual Zoom

    • DATE: November 12th, 2024

    • AUDIENCE: Portal Neighbors

    • Event organized by Portal neighbors

✔ In-person Listening Workshop to meet with Portal neighborhood residents

    • Emails will be sent to Neighbor Contacts

    • Flyers will be made available for neighbor distribution

→ What we heard during the Listening Phase:

Generally, we heard an overall excitement for educator workforce and affordable housing! Here’s what we heard most from the community:

🏡 Privacy & Thoughtful Design – We heard calls to carefully consider the impacts of building height, setbacks, and density to maintain privacy, especially near the Portal neighborhood. Height was generally acceptable further from Portal neighborhood.

🚗 Traffic & Parking Concerns – “Keep the wall!” Portal neighbors want to maintain neighborhood character and prevent overflow parking in residential areas. We were also encouraged to consider traffic impacts on Wolfe Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard, with many community members encouraging safe bike and pedestrian design, and encouraging public transit.

🎨 Architectural Style– A preference for neutral earth tones, varied roof pitches, a village-like feel were evident. We heard the design should feel timeless and welcoming.

✨ Drawing Inspiration from Cupertino – Top picks for favorite local building designs included: The Hamptons, The Veranda, and 1655 South De Anza.

🌳 Green Space & Sustainability – Protecting trees, incorporating sustainability, and ensuring ample green space are top priorities.

You can find a full report on our Listening Phase at this link.

/ PAST EVENTS: PHASE 2 / LISTENING

  • PAST EVENT: Listening Pop-up at Cupertino's Earth Day


    April 20th, 2024 / 11:00a-3:00p

    Cupertino’s Earth Day Festival on April 20th at Library Field Park

    Engage FORA gathered insights and feedback from festival attendees as part of the community engagement process for the Wolfe Road Housing Development.

  • PAST EVENT: Virtual Educators Listening Workshop


    April 24, 2024 / 6:30p-8:00p

    Via Zoom (invite-only)

    During this interactive virtual workshop, educators and school employees across the west valley learned more about the proposed mixed-income housing development, shared their insights, and inspired the vision for the project.

    Download Event Flyer

    Watch Event Recording

  • PAST EVENT: Community Listening Workshop

    June 3rd, 2024 / 6:00pm-8:00pm

    Collins Elementary School in the Guided Learning Center

    Engage FORA gathered insights and feedback from workshop attendees as part of the community engagement process for the Wolfe Road Housing Development.

    Download Event Flyer (English, Spanish, Chinese)

  • PAST EVENT: Virtual Neighbor Workshop

    November 20, 2024

    In November 2024, we were invited by the Portal Neighborhood Leaders to participate in a virtual meeting with local residents to discuss design decisions that would directly affect the neighborhood. The conversation centered on secondary emergency access for the Fire Department.

    Residents encouraged our team to explore alternatives that would avoid the need for a gated entry through the neighborhood’s sound wall, citing a range of anticipated disruptions this could cause to their neighborhood.


  • PAST EVENT: In-person Neighbor Workshop

    November 20, 2024

    Following the initial discussion in November, we held a second virtual meeting with Portal Neighborhood residents to continue the conversation around secondary emergency access. This follow-up meeting provided an opportunity to share updated design considerations based on community feedback and to hear additional input from neighbors. The dialogue remained focused on identifying access solutions that address safety needs while respecting neighborhood character and minimizing disruption to the sound wall.

✔️PHASE 3 / CO-CREATION

We are now in the Co-creation Phase, which begins by reporting back the findings and major themes and values heard during the Listening Phase. A series of interactive design activities help inform the project design. Upholding a process based on transparency and integrity, the design team will describe the requirements and key design drivers for the development and only present feasible options. Below is a summary of Past and Upcoming Co-creation Events.

✔ Virtual Interview Series with West Valley School District Leadership Teams to align with School District Goals

    • LOCATION: Virtual Zoom Interview Series

    • DATE: Summer 2024

    • AUDIENCE: School District Superintendents, Board Members, other leadership team members

  • Emails sent to School District Leadership contacts from 15 West Valley Districts provided by County of Santa Clara

✔ Virtual Educator Advisory Group to co-create the design of the homes, the buildings, site, and policies

    • LOCATION: Virtual Zoom Event

    • DATE: September 11th, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30pm

    • AUDIENCE: West Valley Educators and School District Employees (Classified and Certificated Staff)

    • emails sent to educators who previously signed up for advisory group

    • requested nominations from school districts without representation on existing email list

    • incentivized participation with $50 e-gift cards

✔ Community-wide Workshop focused on overall site design and architectural design

    • LOCATION: Virtual Zoom Event

    • DATE: September 19th, 2024 - 6:00 - 8:00pm

    • AUDIENCE: Wider Cupertino Community with a focus on neighbors

    • 1,100 + Postcard Invites

      • Postcards to all owners of properties in ¼ mile distance, 

      • Postcards to renters in ¼ mile 

    • Flyers to community partners and block leader contacts for further distribution

    • Event shared on City “Cupertino Connect” newsletter and on NextDoor

    • Email Invitations to Project Mailing List (from website and previous event attendees)

    • Translation offered in Chinese and Spanish

✔ Pop-up at the annual N Portal Block Party to meet and learn from direct project neighbors

  • We were invited by local block leaders to attend the annual North portal Block Party to hear and learn from direct project neighbors

    • LOCATION: N Portal Avenue

    • DATE: October 6th, 2024 - 4:30 - 6:30 pm

    • AUDIENCE: Direct Project Neighbors

✔ Community Co-creation Event to share what we’ve heard so far, and share our first pass at a design

  • This event, we invited the Cupertino community to get updates and share feedback on the initial design of mixed-income educator workforce housing at 10333 N Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA.

    • LOCATION: Guided Learning Center | LP Collins Elementary School

    • DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 / 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    • AUDIENCE: Cupertino Community

What we’ve heard during the Co-creation Phase:

Strong Community Support

  • 🙌 Enthusiasm from neighbors, educators, and school district employees for creating a range of affordable housing options.

  • 🏫 Educators and school district staff expressed interest in living in the development.

Site Planning & Building Design

  • 🚧 Keeping the Wall: Many neighbors prefer not to have a secondary emergency access point through the Portal Neighborhood—so we’re exploring alternative options.

  • 📏 Setbacks & Height: Larger setbacks are preferred, especially for taller buildings. Taller structures should be positioned away from the neighborhood.

  • 🏘️ Building Type: Educators favor townhomes, which aligns with neighbors’ preference for shorter buildings near Portal.

  • 🚶‍♀️🚴 Bike/Pedestrian Connection: Opinions are split on adding a connection through the Portal neighborhood sound wall.

Architecture & Landscape Design

  • 🏡 Exterior: Neutral colors, traditional windows, and privacy considerations are important.

  • 🌳 Landscaping: Community preference for preserving trees, organic design, shading, and natural materials that enhance safety.

  • 🎨Interior Design: Educators favor a rustic farmhouse style with flexible layouts, open spaces, ample storage, and areas for gathering and sports.

You can find a full report on our Co-creation Phase at this link.

/ PAST EVENTS: PHASE 3 / CO-CREATION

  • PAST EVENT: Community Workshop at LP Collins Elementary

    Wednesday, February 12, 2025 / 6:00 - 7:30PM 

    During this workshop, the design team presented the initial concept for the educator workforce housing project and highlighted how community input has already shaped and improved the vision.

    Participants were invited to share additional feedback on this early design direction. Since then, the design team has continued to refine the plans, ensuring that the new homes, shared amenities, and overall experience will support both future residents and the surrounding community in thriving together.

  • PAST EVENT: Educator Advisory Group Co-creation Meeting

    September 11, 2024 / 6:00p - 7:30p

    During this virtual workshop, educators and school district employees from across the West Valley were invited to learn more about the proposed project, ask questions, share their insights, and inspire the vision for the project.

  • PAST EVENT: Virtual Community Co-creation Workshop

    September 19, 2024 / 6:00p - 8:00p

    We provided updates on the proposed mixed-income housing development and polled design preferences during interactive & optional activities covering: building shape and height, architectural aesthetics, pathways, open space, outdoor amenities, and landscaping, and safety, privacy and sustainability measures.

  • PAST EVENT: N Portal Annual Block Party Pop-up

    October 6, 2024 / 4:30p-6:30p

    We attended the N Portal Annual block party to share with Portal community members more about the proposed project, how we are responding to community input, and help understand how we can be the best neighbors we can possibly be as we progress the design. Topics ranged from: what affordable housing is and how it benefit communities, building shape & height, tree preservation, setbacks & buffers, and site access.

→ PHASE 4 / ACCOUNTABILITY

The Accountability Phase was a robust effort to gather and organize the valuable feedback we received from the community, distill it into key themes and values, and thoughtfully document how those insights were integrated into the project design. The report linked below highlights the priorities and perspectives shared by Cupertino community members and West Valley educators, and illustrates how input has meaningfully shaped the project. Please find the report linked below:

We sincerely thank everyone who participated and contributed their voices—your input has been essential to this process. Though there are no further events planned for community engagement, we will continue to provide updates to our project interest list, and welcome further feedback and questions at info@wolferoadhousing.com.

/ ALL EVENTS

  • PAST EVENT: N Portal Annual Block Party Pop-up

    October 6, 2024 / 4:30p-6:30p

    We attended the N Portal Annual block party to share with Portal community members more about the proposed project, how we are responding to community input, and help understand how we can be the best neighbors we can possibly be as we progress the design. Topics ranged from:

    - What is affordable housing and how does it benefit communities

    - Building shape & height

    - Tree preservation

    - Setbacks & buffers

    - Primary site access

    Secondary Emergency Access

  • PAST EVENT: Community Co-creation Workshop

    September 19, 2024 / 6:00p - 8:00p

    Please join us virtually to get updates on the proposed mixed-income housing development and share your design preferences. We’ve crafted activities that respond to the topics we’ve heard are important to the community. At this event, you will be able to participatein interactive & optional activities:

    - Help craft solutions for building shape & height

    - Provide further input on architectural design

    - Share your values about pathways, open space, outdoor amenities,  greenspace & trees 

    - React to a range of potential design solutions to promote safety, neighbor privacy, & sustainability

    … and more!

  • PAST EVENT: Educator Advisory Group Co-creation Meeting

    September 11, 2024 / 6:00p - 7:30p

    During this virtual workshop, educators and school district employees from across the West Valley were invited to learn more about the proposed project, ask questions, share their insights, and inspire the vision for the project.

  • PAST EVENT: Community Listening Workshop

    June 3rd, 2024 / 6:00pm-8:00pm

    Join us at Collins Elementary School in the Guided Learning Center!

    Engage FORA will be gathering insights and feedback from workshop attendees as part of the community engagement process for the Wolfe Road Housing Development.

    Download Event Flyer (English, Spanish, Chinese)

  • PAST EVENT: Virtual Educators Listening Workshop


    April 24, 2024 / 6:30p-8:00p

    Via Zoom (invite-only)

    During this interactive virtual workshop, educators and school employees across the west valley will learn more about the proposed mixed-income housing development, share their insights, and inspire the vision for the project.

    Download Event Flyer

    Watch Event Recording

  • PAST EVENT: Listening Pop-up at Cupertino's Earth Day


    April 20th, 2024 / 11:00a-3:00p

    Join us at Cupertino’s Earth Day Festival on April 20th at Library Field Park!

    Engage FORA will be gathering insights and feedback from festival attendees as part of the community engagement process for the Wolfe Road Housing Development.

    ———

    Cupertino’s Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.

/ REPORTS & RECORDS

Visit our Youtube Playlist to watch meeting recordings.

Materials from each event are linked in the associated Community Engagement Process sections above. You may also find our Phase Reports here:

/ DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION

Project Team:

Project Lead: The County of Santa Clara

Project Developer: Eden Housing

Community Engagement Consultants: Engage FORA

Architect: Architects FORA

Landscape Architects: Creo Landscape Architecture

What is the timeline for the project?

Please note, you can always email us at info@wolferoadhousing.com with questions or feedback. Thanks!

The project is currently in the Entitlements phase. Our team anticipates the project to receive entitlement approval from the City this year (by the end of 2025). Once the project is entitled, the next steps are to assemble all financing and get a building permit ready. This process typically takes a year or so. Finally, we estimate construction to take around 2 years.

Who benefits from affordable housing?

DISCLAIMER: This project is not associated with The Rise or Sandhill. Here is a link to The Rise’s website.