Sunnyvale · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sunnyvale public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cleanwater Program / Wastewater Plant Rebuild
The wastewater treatment plant upgrade is running tens of millions over, largely from delays coordinating PG&E electrical service and an undiscovered hazardous-materials building. Residents will bear the added cost; staff says contractor pre-qualification and earlier utility coordination are now in place.
Transformer undergrounding requirements
Commissioners clashed over whether the city should keep requiring undergrounded utility transformers when PG&E won't allow it and there's a national shortage. Commissioner Pyne warned he'll press the Community Development Director to use waiver authority in future cases.
Cal Water Well at 800 Carlisle Way
Cal Water wants to replace a well lost in 2016 with a new 800-foot-deep well, 17-foot tank, and diesel backup generator in a residential neighborhood. Drilling will create a significant, unavoidable noise impact for about 27 days of 24-hour work, so the commission added vibration monitoring, real-time public noise data, and hotel vouchers before recommending approval.
Water Supply Reliability Planning
The adopted 2025 water plans project Sunnyvale can meet demand through 2045 in normal and single-dry years, with a small 4% shortfall late in the horizon under a severe five-year drought, managed through a six-stage response framework.
Utility Rate Increases
Water goes up 7.5%, wastewater 7%, and solid waste 3% this year. 102 residents filed protests — far short of the majority needed to block it — and several speakers said rising costs are squeezing families. Staff countered that Sunnyvale's rates are among the lowest of seven nearby cities.