Cypress Knolls Decision

On August 24, 2011 the City Council voted 3-2 to accept CRP as the future developer for the Cypress Knolls Senior Project. The project would consist of 772 units, a community center, beautiful landscape and grounds, etc.
After additional consideration, Councilman Brown sought to have the decision reconsidered. This decision to reconsider was not only an informed one, but one that took a lot of courage. Some people in the city verbally, and in writing abused their right to oppose Councilman Brown's decision.
The council subsequently reconsidered their vote for CRP and voted to have a smaller project of 90 acres with 400 or less units. A Request for Qualifications will be sent out and developers will present their project proposals.
This is not a case of doing a "half project or a reduced project". This is an intelligent decision to provide the senior community with a development that will be exactly what they want and need.
The two previous proposers, PHP and CRP, gave the public and the city council a tour of their senior projects in Gilroy and Roseville. It was realized at that time that the Gilroy development consisted of approximately 23 acres and the Roseville development consisted of approximately 55 acres. You could fit both of those projects in the Cypress Knolls acreage of 188 acres and still have 100 acres to develop for other purposes.
Our city and the county have been subjected to many developments that have stalled or failed (i.e. original Cypress Knolls, Marina Heights, Marina Station, East Garrison). We now have an opportunity to open this process to developers who have a desire and ability to submit and complete a full, smaller development that meets our desires and needs.
Those people who see the need to oppose the current decision do so partly out of frustration, anger and disappointment. Those who support it are pleased, encouraged and optimistic. All of us have to put aside our emotions and work together to make this a successful decision.