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Apple Receives Final Approval for 'Spaceship' Campus From Cupertino City Council
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While I agree, the fact it didn't take longer is astonishing.
This is a huge endeavor, regulation is necessary in determining the environmental impact, transit/traffic, utilities (electric, sewage, water), proposed solutions to lessen energy impact on power grids, real estate (traffic, real estate value), construction (sufficient infrastructure to withstand development without impacting current infrastructures), etc.
Many area's in arid California need to be careful as trees and vegetation maintain environmental homeostasis necessary in keeping erosion at bay, without such mudslides would increase, especially in over-developed area's. Regulation isn't perfect -payoffs, out of control unions, etc - but it is necessary. Many things need to be considered, not for what we can predict but what may not be easily determined with the complexities and factors involved.
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Let me get this straight:
So Apple wants to build one of the nicest, environmentally-integrative, energy-efficient, modernly-designed, attractive offices in the country, will provide thousands of construction jobs during the years it builds it, has assured tens of thousands of permanent jobs in the area following completion, is going to do additional work to make the surrounding city area nicer and more accommodating, already has overwhelming public approval to do this, and they are willing to do it in one of the most business-unfriendly states, in an already way-overpriced area to live (the bay area), just because they want to stay local, and the city of Cupertino is like,
"Yeah, we'll only approve it if you agree to pay us more."
Apple should have told these greedy government money-flushers to piss off, that the primary reason they have any interest in Cupertino was because Jobs couldn't see past his doorstep but that they see things more practically, and that any other city would be thrilled to accept their plan for a class-of-its-own office with city improvements and a boost to both temporary and long-term employment without a tax hit.
This confirms one thing: Tim Cook sucks at negotiating.
That is not at all what happened.
Review some of the recent articles on MacRumors alone, the enormous amount of paperwork, reviews, approval based on environmental/traffic/energy/infrastructure impact, etc took a long time for a small city council to examine and approve based on protocol. That is not to state back room deals weren't made, but it certainly didn't play a main factor in hindering the approval this large project. In fact, a lot of professionals in the industry were surprised it passed as quickly as it did.
I feel like they've been approved about three or four times now
One of my children goes to a new school which is being placed on the grounds of a fort, taking over fairly old buildings that need remodeling. It had to go through approval from 2 cities, 1 county, 1 state, and the federal govt. Took years. No wait, it isn't actually done yet. Now they are 'discussing' with some historical society for approval to build the only new building they want, state I think.
Perhaps the inmates here just don't know what issues major construction projects have.
Seriously?!
You're calling the government greedy money-flushers, while Apple are the ones getting half of the sales tax for purchases of Apple products? Apple shouldn't be getting ANY of the proceeds of sales tax!
From the linked article:
So actually, the whole fact this deal still exists (even at its lower rate) is a negotiating win for Tim Cook, taking money from the City of Cupertino in the first place. It originally existed to help Apple try and survive (how nice of the city to do that for them), and it's totally absurd that they still get it. They definitely don't need it - that $6M income is meaningless for Apple whereas it would represent a 12% increase in revenue for the City (they could give all municipal workers a 15% raise and still have change with that).
Also, you've totally neglected all of the benefits to Apple by being in the Bay Area. Sure, they could relocate to Reno or Albuquerque or wherever, but good luck attracting top-class talent. You're also forgetting the fact that this was part of a life-raft thrown to Apple by the City when they were facing bankruptcy.
Corporations cannot just take, take, take from governments under the threat of otherwise not providing jobs. The City gave Apple a hand when it was in a dire situation, but it seems Apple is not willing to reciprocate.
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Not sure if this is:
Too soon
Uncouth
Too easy
Overdone
Might be a mix of all from my point of view
OMG...we are in an infinite loop....
You, sir, deserve an 
for that one.Honestly, I feel a little uncomfortable with something reminiscent of some SC2K arcology that just seems too minimalistic in appearance. Artwork on the building sides from artists would be nicer than the white juxtaposed against the black solar panels. It's kind of like a 1950s minimalists dream come true. Letting school kids paint the first story walls would be really cool. Please do something other than plain white. Please.
Apple gets 50% tax back
I am horrified that one of the biggest companies in the world was getting 50% sales tax back from Cupertino.
Apple retail outlets should inform the customer that 50% of the "TAX" actually ended up a revenue for Apple. It would be interesting to see the customers thoughts on that.
Corps getting any slice of tax revenues is just wrong - shame on Apple.
Nebs
I am horrified that one of the biggest companies in the world was getting 50% sales tax back from Cupertino.
Apple retail outlets should inform the customer that 50% of the "TAX" actually ended up a revenue for Apple. It would be interesting to see the customers thoughts on that.
Corps getting any slice of tax revenues is just wrong - shame on Apple.
Nebs
Thanks for the details, I didn't bother reading the linked article. You have my upvote.
Highly unlikely, and I don't recall seeing one in any of the plans.
This is intended to be a campus designed to unify the core development groups at Apple: iOS, OS X, Mac, iDevices, iTunes/App Store/iCloud, etc.
Including a retail store at this location would complicate security, disabled access, parking, facility design, blah blah blah. This is a private facility designed for Apple employees and guests (i.e., visitors on official corporate business). This is not Disneyland, this is not a public park.
It would appear that the inner courtyard is secure, allowing Apple employees to discuss company confidential matters discreetly but without much worry about random non-Apple people passing by. This level of comfort (and security) could not be provided if the general public had access to the location.
Plus, there is no other retail here. Apple is highly strategic in picking prime *retail* real estate for its Apple Stores: downtown shopping districts (SF, Palo Alto, Santa Monica, NYC, etc.), popular malls, etc.
There might be a small company store like the one at Infinite Loop, or maybe they will even forgo that.
The Apple Company Store is pretty lame unless you want textiles or a silly souvenir like a coffee mug or a logo-ed pen, although the only place to buy that stuff is at the Company Store. You can't buy your polo shirt with the Apple logo at their retail shop. There are very few actual Apple products for sale at the Company Store, and they likely minimize the merch overlap very deliberately.
Aha. And due to this type of thinking of embracing overregulation it not only renders life in California unsustainable, it ruins the state where the local government police are making sure architects, contractors and suppliers are briskly out of business, all while the city officials get fatter by extorting made up fees for a permit to drywall a garage or replace a door, or walk. Apple has privileges. The California infrastructure and education are failing and here we a spaceship. The question is, are they ever going to make a contribution to the state? As Disney/Pixar overlooks the trailer public school in Glendale with children not having adequate bathroom facilities, all from the comfort of racking billions from the global market, is Apple any different?
