By Lilia Guan
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has presented Cupertino Council in California has submitted a development proposal for their new Apple Campus 2 on a 175 acre area.
The proposal includes; an Office, Research and Development Building comprising approximately 2.8 million square feet; a 1000 seat corporate auditorium; a corporate fitness centre; research facilities comprising 300000 square feet; a central plant; and associated parking.
City of Cupertino’s public and environmental director, Rick Kitson, told Government News the City Council hasn’t yet reviewed the plans.
He said Steve Jobs first came to the Cupertino city Council in April of 2006 announcing the vendor was buying properties and offices formerly occupied by Compaq.
“No design details were suggested at that time,” he said.
“The first glimpse our City Council had at the proposed Apple project was during the most recent presentation by Steve Jobs.
Mr Kitson said official plans were submitted to the city on 9 August 2011.
“The Cupertino’s reaction has been generally very positive,” he said.
Mr Kitson said official plans were submitted to the city on 9 August 2011.
“The Cupertino’s reaction has been generally very positive,” he said.
“Currently, Apple occupies approximately 60 different office buildings throughout our City.”
“The public approval process will not begin until completion of the environmental impact report (EIR),” he said.
“The environmental review process will take approximately 15 months depending on the issues that are identified through this process.”
According to Mr Kitson the environmental review process in California is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, pronounced “see-qua”).
Originally enacted in 1970, this law is the cornerstone document for identifying concerns of government officials and community members.
By law, this must include a public process and must capture and address all concerns that have been raised within the scope of the report.
“The impact of the development on the local community is exactly the question environmental impact report is intended to address,” he said.
“Since the campus was originally announced in 2006, Apple has acquired a 100 acre campus currently occupied by Hewlett-Packard.
“It is on this parcel that Apple will be placing its headquarters building and this gives Apple the advantage of proposing their campus in a location that is consistent with an existing use.”
Mr Kitson said Hewlett-Packard had approval for 2.5 million square feet of office space. “Apple is proposing an expansion but not as much as might appear at first glance,” he said.
“Certainly one of the biggest impacts will be to have a nearly abandoned office parking become one of the busiest corporate campuses on the planet.”
Although the campus was still at a very early stage, Mr Kitson said the current Apple headquarters is definitely a “destination for techno tourists”.
“We expect the new headquarters will be even more of a draw. However, due to Cupertino's small-town suburban character, there isn't a great deal to do after your visit to Apple. Our community is known for its excellent public schools,” he said.
“More than half of our residents moved here with children for the education as well as proximity to Silicon Valley jobs.”
According to Mr Kitson, Apple was the number one source for sales tax revenue in the City, although he couldn’t specify the exact sales tax figure because of US laws.
Read the full interview with Mr Kitson in the October/November issue of Government News Magazine.
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