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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-09 City Council Agenda PacketCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL December 9, 2015 Special Meeting Council Chambers 5:00 PM Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. Supporting materials are available in the Council Chambers on the Thursday preceding the meeting. 1 December 9, 2015 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to agendized items; up to three minutes per speaker, to be determined by the presiding officer. If you wish to address the Council on any issue that is on this agenda, please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of the item. You are not required to give your name on the speaker card in order to speak to the Council, but it is very helpful. TIME ESTIMATES Time estimates are provided as part of the Council's effort to manage its time at Council meetings. Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest arriving at the beginning of the meeting and remaining until the item is called. HEARINGS REQUIRED BY LAW Applicants and/or appellants may have up to ten minutes at the outset of the public discussion to make their remarks and up to three minutes for concluding remarks after other members of the public have spoken. Call to Order Closed Session 6:00-7:00 PM Public Comments: Members of the public may speak to the Closed Session item(s); three minutes per speaker. 1.CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his Designees Pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Molly Stump, Suzanne Mason, Dania Torres Wong, Alison Hauk) Employee Organizations: Palo Alto Police Officers Association (PAPOA); Palo Alto Police Managers’ Association (PAPMA); Palo Alto Fire Chiefs’ Association (FCA); International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1319; Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Local 521; Management, Professional and Confidential Employees; Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA) Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a) REVISED 2 December 9, 2015 MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. 7:00-8:15 PM Study Session 1a. Infrastructure Plan Implementation Update Oral Communications 8:15-8:30 PM Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of Oral Communications period to 30 minutes. Action Items 8:30-11:00 PM Include: Reports of Committee/Commission, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Reports of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters. 2.Comprehensive Plan Update: Comprehensive Plan Structure and Goals/Vision Statements for Each Element and Related Issues (Part IV: Natural Resources, Safety, and Business & Economics) Adjournment AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA) Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329-2550 (Voice) 24 hours in advance. City of Palo Alto (ID # 6411) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Study Session Meeting Date: 12/9/2015 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Infrastructure Plan Implementation Update Title: Infrastructure Plan Implementation Update From: City Manager Lead Department: Public Works Recommendation This is a study session; no Council action is required. Executive Summary Since the appointment of the 17-member Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission (IBRC) in October 2010 and the completion of the IBRC’s Final Report in 2011, significant progress has been made in addressing the City’s infrastructure needs. In FY 2011, City Council set a goal of achieving very good to excellent pavement conditions citywide and significantly increased the Street Maintenance Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to accomplish the goal. In FY 2013, ongoing additional funding of $2.2 million was budgeted to “keep-up” with infrastructure maintenance needs in accordance with one of the IBRC recommendations. Following a one-year process led by the Council Infrastructure Committee, in June 2014 Council adopted a $126 million Infrastructure Plan to provide for a number of previously unfunded projects, with the New Public Safety Building project identified as the top priority. This report provides an update on these infrastructure initiatives and the implementation of the City’s Infrastructure Management System, or IMS. Background The 17-member Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission (IBRC) was appointed by Council in October 2010. The IBRC’s primary charges from Council were defining the City’s infrastructure backlog, defining future needs, prioritizing infrastructure needs and assessing potential funding and financing mechanisms for AGENDA ITEM 1A City of Palo Alto Page 2 infrastructure projects. The IBRC’s December 2011 Final Report included a number of key findings and recommendations, including the following: Infrastructure funding had suffered over the years in the competition for civic funding Infrastructure maintenance, or “keep-up”, was underfunded by $2.2 million per year Deferred maintenance, or “catch-up”, had grown to about $41 million Spending on keep-up and catch-up should increase by $6 million per year The existing Public Safety Building and Fire Stations No. 3 and 4 should be replaced An Infrastructure Management System (IMS) should be created to track the condition and use of all City infrastructure and provide the basis for budgeting and longer-range projections Since December 2011, the City has made substantial progress in implementing actions to address IBRC findings. In FY 2013 ongoing additional funding of $2.2 million was budgeted to “keep-up” with infrastructure maintenance needs. Year- by-year funding of catch-up projects identified by IBRC have reduced the total catch-up backlog from $41 million to $22 million. This includes all planned funding allocations as approved in the Fiscal Year 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Plan. In June 2014, following a one-year process led by the Council Infrastructure Committee, Council adopted a $126 million Infrastructure Plan to provide for a number of previously unfunded projects. The Infrastructure Plan includes the New Public Safety Building project as its top priority, and also includes replacement of Fire Stations No. 3 and 4. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project TE-13004 was established in FY 2013 to implement the IMS and a Needs Assessment Report for the IMS was completed in late 2014. Discussion The current status of the City’s progress on street maintenance, the IMS and implementation and funding of the Infrastructure Plan is described below. Street Maintenance Goals and Progress City of Palo Alto Page 3 In FY 2011, the annual budget for street maintenance was increased from $1.8 million to $3.8 million. The City adopted a goal of ensuring no street would have a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of less than 60 by 2021, which is also expected to result in a citywide average PCI of 85, representing very good to excellent condition. The budget was further increased to $5.1 million in FY 2013, and the 2021 goal was moved forward to 2019. Additional funding of approximately $2 million spread over three years has been budgeted for repaving Alma Street and Middlefield Road from Colorado Avenue to the northern city limits. This effort has been highly successful. The citywide PCI has increased from 72 to 79, and is expected to be 80 at the end of calendar year 2015. If other jurisdictions maintain the same overall PCI scores as 2014, this will result in Palo Alto having the highest citywide PCI in Santa Clara County. Infrastructure Management System The IBRC Final Report strongly recommended the City establish an Infrastructure Management System (IMS) that would maintain an up-to-date inventory of the City’s infrastructure assets, track the catch-up and keep-up needs and compare these needs to available funding. The FY 2013 Capital Budget established a CIP to implement the IMS. A needs assessment study completed in late 2014 recommended the use of two software applications the City already uses, Maintenance Connection and Questica, to build the IMS. Maintenance Connection will contain the asset inventory, maintenance and condition information, while Questica will contain the forecasted capital project needs and available funding. Questica is scheduled to be integrated with the City’s financial accounting application, SAP, which will allow the IMS to access CIP financial information. The two applications will be integrated, allowing reports to capture information from both. Asset inventory and financial need spreadsheets developed during the IBRC process and maintained by staff since will be used as the basis for the IMS. The initial IMS will focus on asset information for buildings and equipment, parks, streets, sidewalks, medians and bridges. Figure 1 illustrates the structure of the IMS. City of Palo Alto Page 4 Figure 1: IMS structure and application functions Implementation of the IMS will begin in January 2016. Contracts with Maintenance Connection and Plante Moran (consultant assistance) are being executed in December and staff is negotiating a contract amendment with Questica, requiring Council action in early 2016. The key actions needed to implement the IMS are the following: Build integration between Maintenance Connection and Questica that results in 1:1 asset registry Enter existing inventory from IBRC spreadsheets into Maintenance Connection and Questica Configure each asset type to capture relevant information Establish policies and procedures to capture operating maintenance information Establish policies and procedures to capture capital maintenance information City of Palo Alto Page 5 Add additional concurrent and mobile licenses in Maintenance Connection to allow full use of the IMS by project managers and field maintenance staff Establish policies and procedures for entering future cost projections into Questica Establish policies and procedures for using future asset cost projections to build 5-year CIP plans Complete configuration and development of all reports needed in the IMS Staff Report ID #6401, agendized for the December 14 Council meeting, includes a recommendation to add a 1.0 FTE Project Manager position for implementing and maintaining the IMS. This position will also facilitate regular reporting to Council and stakeholders on Infrastructure Plan status, including managing and tracking design and construction costs for the projects to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the Infrastructure Plan. Infrastructure Plan Projects and Funding The Council Infrastructure Committee was formed in early 2013 and met from March 2013 through May 2014. The committee considered a number of infrastructure project needs, as well as the potential funding sources and public support for finance measures to provide additional funding. Based on the committee’s recommendations, Council approved the Infrastructure Plan projects and funding sources in June 2014. The Infrastructure Plan includes the following projects and funding: Project Infrastructure Plan Funding ($ millions) Public Safety Building 57.0 Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge* 1.7 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Implementation* 20.0 Charleston/Arastradero Corridor* 7.5 Byxbee Park 2.8 California Avenue Area Parking Garage 9.6 Downtown Parking Garage 13.0 Fire Station No. 3 Replacement 6.7 Fire Station No. 4 Replacement 7.5 Total: 125.8 *Projects with other funding sources in addition to the Infrastructure Plan City of Palo Alto Page 6 Funding sources for the Infrastructure Plan were assigned as follows: Funding Source Funding Amount ($ millions) Stanford Development Agreement Infrastructure Fund 22.1 Stanford Development Agreement Sustainability Fund 12.4 Infrastructure Reserve* 12.5 Parking In-Lieu Fees 4.0 Parks Impact Fees 2.8 New Hotel Revenues (Certificates of Participation) 33.6 TOT 2% Increase (Certificates of Participation) 30.8 Available Revenue From TOT 0.1 Future Revenue Sources (to be determined) 7.5 Total: 125.8 * Includes $4.0 million FY 2014 surplus Key considerations for the funding sources included the $30.8 million from Certificates of Participation (COPs) proceeds that were dependent on a vote of the electorate to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate by two percent, and the $7.5 million in future revenue sources that were not identified in June 2014. The TOT increase was approved by voters in November 2014. During the FY 2016 budget process, additional TOT revenue was identified for transfer to the Capital Improvement Fund over the next two years to support the Infrastructure Plan. This funding provides the $7.5 million in “future revenue” and funds public art related to the Infrastructure Plan in the amount of $1.1 million. The FY 2016 Capital Budget and 5-year Plan incorporated all of the Infrastructure Plan projects and their funding sources within the FY 2016 to 2020 timeframe. Infrastructure Plan Implementation Status With the inclusion of all the Infrastructure Plan projects in the FY 2016 Capital Budget and 5-year Plan, staff is now working to implement the projects. The status of each project is briefly described below. In summary, seven of the nine projects are underway, while two are scheduled to begin in FY 2018. Five of the projects have Council actions scheduled for the December 14 Council meeting. City of Palo Alto Page 7 Public Safety Building and California Avenue Area Parking Garage: Staff contracted with RossDrulisCusenberry Architecture to conduct a Site Evaluation Study for placing the new Public Safety Building on California Avenue area Parking Lot C-6, with the California Avenue Area Parking Garage to be constructed on Parking Lot C-7. Staff Report ID #6069, agendized for the December 14 Council meeting, describes the results of the study and includes staff’s recommendation to proceed with design and environmental review. Design of the California Avenue Area Parking Garage is not scheduled to begin until FY 2018. However, approval of the Parking Lot C-6 location for the Public Safety Building would result in the project moving forward immediately, as construction of the parking garage would need to be completed prior to beginning Public Safety Building construction. Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge: Since the conclusion of the bridge design competition and Council’s selection of the Moffatt and Nichol low-profile suspension bridge design in March 2015, staff has been evaluating the constructability and cost of the design and attempting to negotiate a scope of work and cost for a design contract with Moffatt and Nichol. Staff Report ID #5780, agendized for the December 14 Council meeting, describes these efforts and includes staff’s recommendation to cease negotiation with Moffatt and Nichol and proceed with a Request for Proposal (RFP) process that would include a more standard design in alignment with the project’s budget. Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Implementation: As described during the Council study session on October 26, work on a number of bicycle boulevard and other bicycle improvements is underway. Final design contracts are expected to be awarded in January 2016 for the Bryant Street Bike Boulevard Extension and for the Park Boulevard, Wilkie Way, and Maybell Avenue bike boulevards. Additional outreach will be used to advance the concept plans for the following bike boulevard projects in the next three to six months: Bryant Street Upgrade, Ross Road, Homer Avenue, Channing Avenue, Amarillo Avenue, and Moreno Avenue. Other projects including bicycle and pedestrian improvements include: Churchill Avenue Phase I / Phase II: The final design contract for Phase I (El Camino Real to Caltrain) has been awarded to Sandis. A design charrette with key stakeholders is scheduled City of Palo Alto Page 8 for December 2. The Phase II (Caltrain to Coleridge) planning and design contract is expected to be awarded to Sandis in early 2016.  Embarcadero Road & El Camino Real Corridor and Intersection Improvements: A design contract has been awarded to BKF Engineering to prepare plans to improve the intersection of El Camino Real between High Street and El Camino Real. A public meeting is scheduled for December 8 at Paly.  Dinah Summerhill Pedestrian/Bicycle Path: Construction documents are being prepared to issue an IFB for construction of the pathway connecting Wilkie Way to the Summer Homes Pathway in early 2016.  Midtown Connector: As directed during the Council meeting on November 9, staff is proceeding with a feasibility analysis of a hybrid option for the Midtown Connector corridor. The hybrid option will follow the creek channel in areas where it is practical and use parallel local streets when necessary. Staff is also developing concept plans for high-quality separated bikeways along two parallel corridors, one of which is East Meadow Drive. A neighborhood outreach event is planned for early 2016, where staff will present the draft feasibility analysis for the hybrid option. Charleston/Arastradero Corridor: Following a conceptual design process that included significant community input and approval by the Planning and Transportation Commission, Council approved the conceptual plan line design for the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor in September 2015. Staff is currently working with Caltrans to complete National Environmental Policy Act review for the corridor design and will also be holding a community meeting this winter to review landscaping palettes. A contract amendment with Mark Thomas & Associates will be brought before Council this winter to provide funding for completing the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor final design. Byxbee Park: Design of the Byxbee Park project is scheduled to begin in FY 2018. Downtown Parking Garage: City of Palo Alto Page 9 Following Council direction in October 2014 and the establishment of the project in the capital budget, staff has developed a draft RFP for design of the Downtown Parking Garage on Lot D (Hamilton Avenue and Waverley Street). Staff Report ID #5818, agendized for the December 14 Council meeting, includes the draft RFP and staff’s recommendation that Council direct staff to proceed with the RFP process. Fire Station No. 3 Replacement: Staff developed and released an RFP for design of the new Fire Station No. 3 at Embarcadero Road and Newell Road. Staff Report ID #6299, agendized for the December 14 Council meeting, describes the RFP process and includes staff’s recommendation that Council approve a contract with Shah Kawasaki Architects for design of the new station. Fire Station No. 4 Replacement: Design of the new Fire Station No. 4 is scheduled to begin in FY 2018. Infrastructure Plan Funding Challenges As work progresses on the Infrastructure Plan projects, staff anticipates a need for additional funding beyond the $126 million provided. As described in staff report ID #6069, the total cost for the Public Safety Building and California Avenue Area Parking Garage, if the staff recommendation to proceed with design on Lots C-6 and C-7 is approved, is estimated at $72-97 million. The current Infrastructure Plan funding for the two projects is $67.6 million. There may also be a need for additional funding for the Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge. In general, the Infrastructure Plan project cost estimates are several years old and do not account for cost escalation that has already occurred or will occur before the projects are bid for construction. As discussed with the Finance Committee at the November 17 meeting as part of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Closing CMR and presentation of the Fiscal Year 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Stabilization Reserve contains a set-aside of $6 million to fund costs related to Infrastructure Plan projects. The closing of the budget is scheduled for Council approval at a Council meeting during the latter part of January or early February. As planning for the FY 2017 Capital Budget begins, staff will look for opportunities to use a portion of the annual transfers to the Capital Fund for the additional funding City of Palo Alto Page 10 needed. For instance, the street maintenance program funding level is expected to be reduced to a maintenance level in FY 2021 once the citywide PCI goal has been achieved. Pending assessment of other capital project priorities, this funding may be available for the Infrastructure Plan. Additionally, as will be reported in the Fiscal Year 2017-2026 General Fund Long Range Financial Forecast, the revenue estimates for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) are higher than originally anticipated. For example, the last Forecast assumed approximately $5 million of TOT revenue dedicated towards the Infrastructure Plan. With updated figures, the Fiscal Year 2017 transfer is close to $10 million. Therefore, staff expects that annually more funds are available than anticipated which could be used to fund the Infrastructure Plan during the next five years and/or to issue a higher amount of debt paid back with the higher than anticipated TOT receipts. Another potential source of additional funding includes shifting $1.05 million of Rinconada Library funding previously paid from the Infrastructure Reserve to the Measure N library bonds as well as annual General Fund budget surpluses. At the award of the construction contract for Rinconada Library, $1.05 million of the contract was funded by the Infrastructure Reserve due to uncertainty of the financial outcome of the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center project. With the library bond projects now completed and the total use of the bond funding at $4.05 million less than the authorized amount, the Library Bond Oversight Committee has recommended that the $1.05 million be returned to the Infrastructure Reserve for other infrastructure uses. This recommendation is expected to be considered by Council in January 2016. Staff will make recommendations about additional Infrastructure Plan funding as part of the upcoming FY 2017 Capital Budget and 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Resource Impact As described above, funding is available for Infrastructure Plan projects, but additional funding is expected to be necessary. Staff will provide recommendations through the FY 2017 budget process. Policy Implications Infrastructure Strategy and Implementation is one of the four Council priorities for 2015. City of Palo Alto Page 11 Environmental Review Preparation of this update is not a project requiring environmental review. City of Palo Alto (ID # 6300) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 12/9/2015 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: CP Update Part IV Nat.l Resources, Safety, Business & Economics Title: Comprehensive Plan Update: Comprehensive Plan Structure and Goals/Vision Statements for Each Element and Related Issues (Part IV: Natural Resources, Safety, and Business & Economics) From: City Manager Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment Recommendation Staff recommends that the Council review and discuss the organizational structure of the Natural Environment, Safety, and Business & Economics Elements in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, including the vision statement and goals for each individual element and related issues, in order to provide guidance to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and staff regarding necessary updates and adjustments. NOTE: This is the fourth meeting on this subject scheduled for the fall of 2015 intended to provide immediate direction to the CAC. Executive Summary Completion of the Comprehensive Plan update is one of City Council’s priorities, and this agenda item is a continuation of a process intended to give the Council an opportunity to discuss the organizational structure of the Comprehensive Plan, including the vision statements and goals of each element of the Plan as well as selected policies and programs that the City Council would like to take the lead on, as opposed to delegating them to the CAC. Over the past two months, the City Council has approved motions regarding the goals and vision statements for the Transportation, Community Services & Facilities, and Land Use & Design Elements. Tonight’s discussion is intended to provide the same guidance on the Natural Environment, Safety, and Business & Economics Elements. In the current Comprehensive Plan, safety issues are included within the Natural Environment Element, and this structure was proposed for retention in recommendations of the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) forwarded to the City Council in 2014. In more recent discussions, the City Council has expressed their desire to separate safety issues into a separate City of Palo Alto Page 2 element. The Council has also made clear their desire to incorporate issues related to climate change/adaptation/resiliency and related, specific direction on visions statements and goals would be appreciated. Background The City’s Comprehensive Plan, Embracing the New Century, Palo Alto 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan, was adopted in 1998 and sets goals, policies, and programs related to land use and development issues, including transportation, housing, natural resource, community services, and safety. The City recognized the need to update the plan in 2006 and began the process in earnest in 2008, when a consultant was retained to work with staff and the PTC. The PTC’s draft work product was submitted to the City Council in early 2014 and focused on organizational changes to delete redundancies and make the text more accessible and user friendly, emphasizing the existing themes and ensuring they were represented throughout document, and incorporated environmental sustainability issues. When the PTC’s work product was brought forward to the City Council, staff proposed a process that would complete the plan and an associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in parallel with expanded community engagement (Staff Report 4415 from March 3, 2014). Public workshops and “scoping” meetings were held in the summer of 2014 and at a series of meetings culminating on December 8, 2014, the City Council discused their desire to consider zoning changes concurrently with the Comprehensive Plan Update and discussed a number of issues they would like to consider during the update process (Staff Report ID# 5236 from December 8, 2014). The discussion led to a motion directing staff to: Update Zoning Ordinance to address retail preservation, discuss parameters of annual office/R&D growth management program and potential interim zoning changes, schedule series of community meetings to discuss “big picture” planning issues utilizing simplified planning scenarios to test the growth management programs and review goals, policies, and programs from the existing Comp Plan with the recommendations forwarded by the PTC in early 2014. Concurrent with the Comp Plan Update effort, staff was directed to work on preparation of the impacts analysis (Draft EIR), and preparation of a draft zoning ordinance(s) for consideration that would implement different aspects of the Comp Plan. Because the Comprehensive Plan Update has not been completed yet, The Draft EIR will utilize a series of simplified planning scenarios to bracket potential outcomes of the planning process; the results can be used to inform ultimate decisions on key aspects of the Plan.1 1 As Vice Mayor Schmid has pointed out in the past, the City has developed its own projections of housing and population growth for 2030 and intends to use these to inform the Comprehensive Plan Update and in the EIR analysis. These City projections are based on historic data on dwelling unit construction. The City does not have a comparable data set regarding job growth and as a result, the EIR scenarios will analyze a range of possible projections of job growth. These can inform a decision as to which should be embraced and supported by policies in the Comprehensive Plan Update. The Draft EIR is currently scheduled for discussion and dissemination in January 2016. City of Palo Alto Page 3 Since the Council’s action on December 8, 2014, the City Council has held work sessions on growth management strategies, including the idea of an annual limit on office space and retail preservation strategies, and transportation priorities. A community “summit” took place on May 30, 2015 and a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was appointed to assist with the planning process. An analysis of community input from the summit related to transportation was transmitted to the Council in advance of their August discussion of transportation priorities. A second analysis of community input from the summit related to housing and growth was transmitted to the Council in advance of their discussion of land use and community environment. On April 27, 2015, the City Council began their review of the organizational structure of the existing Comprehensive Plan, and the Council’s direction on the vision statements contained within each element is reflected in the comparison of current and PTC recommended vision statements and goals included as Attachment A. On August 31, 2015, the City Council continued their review of the organizational structure of the existing comprehensive plan, focusing on the vision statement and goals for the Transportation Element. These organizational meetings continued on October 5th and November 5th, with the Community Services & Facilities and Land Use & Community Design Elements. After tonight’s discussion, the City Council will have completed review of the overall structure of each element in the Comprehensive Plan, save two – the Housing Element (which was just updated in 2014 and will be discussed in February), and the Governance Element, which is being reserved for discussion once drafts of the other elements are complete. Discussion Each element of the Comprehensive Plan begins with a vision statement. This statement lays out the overall objective and spirit of its element. Following the vision statement, the plan’s organization is achieved via a series of headings, subheadings and goals. Goals are high-level statements articulating an end point towards which the City will direct its efforts. The goals provide a structure for the subsequent policies and implementation programs that will serve to advance the goals. Table 1. Structural Framework of the Comprehensive Plan (Used in All Elements) Vision Statement summarizing what Palo Alto will be like at the end of the planning horizon. Goal “General end towards which the City will direct effort.”1 Policy “Specific statement of principle or of guiding actions that implies clear commitment but is not mandatory. A general direction that a governmental agency sets to follow, in order to meet its goals and objectives before undertaking an action program.”2 Program “An action, activity, or strategy carried out in response to an adopted policy to City of Palo Alto Page 4 achieve a specific goal or objective.”3 1Embracing the New Century, Palo Alto 1998-2010 Comprehensive Plan, p. I-4. 2Ibid. 3Ibid. A distinction can be made between ongoing programs and programs intended to be completed at some point within the planning horizon. Source: Palo Alto Department of Planning & Community Environment, August 2015 Review of Comprehensive Plan Goals As the CAC begins its work on Comprehensive Plan policies and programs, guidance from the City Council is necessary to properly frame the community discussion. Staff requests the Council continue to review the existing Comprehensive Plan’s vision statements and goals alongside the recommendations developed by the PTC and provide direction regarding the desired goals and structure for the updated plan, as started at the August 31st meeting. To facilitate the Council’s discussion, staff has provided the summary included as Attachment A, which contains the following for each element:  An introduction summarizing the intent and scope of the element, contents of the existing element, and necessary changes/updates (based on prior Council direction, changes in State law, etc.)  A comparision of the vision statements in the existing Comprehensive Plan element with those recommended by the PTC, with a summary of the City Council’s input from April.  A short overview of the existing Comprehensive Plan element and the PTC’s recommended revisions, with an explanation of the PTC’s recommended structure.  A detailed, side-by-side list of the major headings and goals in the existing Comprehensive Plan element and the PTC revisions, with a summary of the intention or rationale behind the PTC’s changes. In most cases, the PTC’s recommended revisions were intended to reorganize, but not alter the meaning of the existing elements in significant ways, and to address the necessary changes/updates identified in the introductory section. In reviewing the attachment, the Council will be able to determine if they wish to accept the PTC’s recommenations, if they would like to maintain a structure of goals closer to the original, or if there are specific adjustments to individual goals that are needed. In staff’s view, there is no “wrong answer” when it comes to organizing the material, and the most important question is whether the desired range of topics is addressed by the goals. Providing guidance on desired goals within the plan before the CAC makes their recommendations regarding policies and programs will ensure that the CAC’s work is consistent with the Council’s expectations. Natural Environment Element City of Palo Alto Page 5 Since the adoption of the Natural Environment Element in 1998, climate change has come to the fore as one of the principal planning issues of our time. Municipalities are now routinely incorporating goals, policies, and program into their general plans that address greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. The existing Comprehensive Plan does not mention the terms “climate change”, “adaptation,” or “resiliency.” In their work, the PTC addressed these issues in a new Goal section - N-2, Climate Change and Adaptation. Based on discussions at the CAC, it is clear that the body would like to more broadly consider climate change issues throughout the document, and have created a sustainability subcommittee to inform that work. Staff welcomes further input from the City Council on how to best address climate change issues in this, or any other, element. Safety Element The existing Comprehensive Plan addresses safety issues primarily in the Natural Environment Element (with some safety issues also addressed in the Community Services & Facilities Element). In April, the City Council recommended that Safety issues be handled separately in a new element. This would give more attention to hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, and etc. The new element could focus on/include:  Existing Natural Environment element Goal N-10 – Protection of Life and Property from Natural Hazards  New concepts around the potential deleterious impacts of climate change, separate from other climate change/resiliency concepts included in other elements  Descriptive components regarding Police and Fire from the existing Community Services & Facilities element  New introduction/descriptive language tying the element together  Alignment with other City planning efforts related to hazard mitigation and safety Business & Economics Element The PTC proposed significant changes to the structure and content of the Business & Economics Element and staff welcomes the City Council’s direction regarding the vision and goals that should form the basis of the CAC’s discussion regarding policies and programs. Timeline The Comprehensive Plan Update has been underway for many years and the City Council “reset” the process in 2014 in an effort to ensure broad community input, to identify and address critical issues facing our community, and to ensure concurrent consideration of needed zoning changes. In April of this year, the City Council requested formation of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to assist staff in completing this work. As shown in the draft schedule included as Attachment B, CAC meetings are likely to continue through next year. During the same period, the City Council will have multiple meetings to provide direction, and a City of Palo Alto Page 6 Draft EIR will be prepared, along with a fiscal analysis, both of which will provide data and analysis to inform Council and community discussions. A revised draft Comprehensive Plan Update will be prepared for consideration by the City Council by the end of 2016/early 2017. Resource Impact General plan updates are significant undertakings for any jurisdiction and since 2008, the City of Palo Alto has invested time and resources in the project. The need to allocate multiple members of City staff, significant time on the City Council’s agenda, and financial resources for consultant assistance and event/meeting programming will continue until the adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan and its companion environmental document. Policy Implications The City’s Comprehensive Plan sets forth the City’s policies with regard to the topics addressed. The structure comprised of vision statements and goals will inform discussions regarding updated policies and programs. Environmental Review Adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan will require preparation and certification of a program-level Environmental Impact Report (EIR) pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Attachments:  Attachment A: P&TC Comparison on Natural Resources, Safety and Business Economics (DOCX)  Attachment B: CAC Council Timeline (PDF) Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 1 The Natural Environment Element in the existing Comprehensive Plan currently addresses the management of open land and natural resources in Palo Alto and the protection of life and property from natural hazards. It is one of the broadest elements of the Comprehensive Plan, satisfying the requirements for four of the State- mandated General Plan elements:  Open Space—with policies describing the use of open space for the preservation of natural resources, the managed production of natural resources, outdoor recreation, and public health and safety.  Conservation—with policies to protect creeks and riparian areas, wetlands, the urban forest, water resources, wildlife, and air quality; to regulate and limit the use and transport of hazardous materials; and to minimize solid waste disposal and promote clean energy.  Safety—with policies describing how exposure will be reduced to natural hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires.  Noise—with policies to decrease exposure to undesirable levels of noise in the community. State requirements have evolved in the last several years to require policies related to flood hazards, fire hazards, and fire hazard severity zones, and to require consistency with local hazard mitigation plans. Also, the new topic of climate change – including curbing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change – is a natural fit for the Natural Environment Element. Safety elements are the only element other than the Housing Element that is subject to State review and they must be submitted to the California Geological Survey and State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for review. The State also requires agencies to use their Urban Water Management Plans as source documents and to maintain consistency with adopted airport land use plans. The Current Plan Palo Alto has vast open space resources for a city of our size. The Natural Environment Element seeks to protect the 29 neighborhood and district parks, large holdings in the Baylands, Foothills Park, Montebello and Arastradero Preserves, and Barron, Matadero, and San Francisquito Creeks. All of these areas provide important habitat, scenic, and recreational value. With more than 300 tree species, Palo Alto’s urban forest is an extension of the natural woodland and grassland plant communities and provides a bridge for wildlife between the foothills and the Bay. The Element supports this resource both for its biological benefits and contribution to the aesthetic appeal of Palo Alto. The Natural Environment Element has also proven effective in protecting the health and safety of our community by limiting noise and exposure to hazards. Most of its policies will be carried over into the PTC’s recommendations, including: ATTACHMENT A Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 2  Seeking opportunities for adding open space, including connections between Skyline Ridge and San Francisco Bay.  Re-establishing riparian and other natural features that have been diminished by development, and protecting surface and ground water from pollutants.  Expanding the urban forest, including by requiring development to provide landscaping and street trees.  Conserving water and energy, and securing long-term water supplies and renewable, clean energy.  Reducing waste, recycling construction materials, and encouraging reusable, returnable, recyclable, and repairable goods.  Protecting the community from noise, air pollution, hazardous chemicals, and natural hazards. Our Palo Alto 2030 To better describe its importance and, in light of new issues and trends that have emerged subsequent to the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, The PTC recommended renaming the element “Natural and Urban Environment and Safety Element,” with added major concepts, including:  Monitoring and adapting to impacts caused by climate change.  Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Emphasizing and supporting community emergency preparedness.  Protecting sensitive habitat from human threats.  Balancing conservation with improved open space access and encouraging low impact recreational use.  Addressing State regulations requirements for transportation noise generated from roadways, airways, and railways, and limiting construction noise around sensitive receptors. Since the Commission’s recommendation was completed, members of the community and the City Council have suggested the creation of a separate Safety Element that would address the issues related to public safety, natural hazards and emergency management issues. City Council direction is required to affirm this suggestion, and to determine whether the updated plan should maintain the current element’s organizational structure or use the structure of goals recommended by the PTC, and what specific goals should be included. Additional focus on aircraft noise may also be warranted in the Natural Environment Element given recent community concerns and Council direction would be appreciated. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 3 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT VISION STATEMENT COMPARISON EXISTING PALO ALTO 1998-2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION APRIL 2014 CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION APRIL 27, 2015 NA T U R A L E N V I R O N M E N T EL E M E N T “Palo Alto will meet today’s needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Palo Alto will respect and manage natural resources in a way that sustains the natural environment and protects our foothills, baylands, creeks, parks, wildlife and open space legacy. Elements of the natural environment will be conserved where they remain intact and restored where they have been degraded by past development. A substantial portion of the City will remain as open space. Even in built-up areas, a network of parks will provide access to nature and an urban forest will provide ecological benefits and a source of beauty for residents. Palo Alto will strive for cleaner air and cleaner water. Its policies and programs will foster energy and water conservation, reduced solid waste generation, and cleanup of contaminated sites. The City will be well prepared for natural disasters and will grow and change in a way that minimizes public exposure to hazards like fire, flood, and earthquake.” “Palo Alto shall preserve its ecosystems, including its open space, creeks, habitats, and air quality while working towards a sustainable urban environment of urban forests, water quality, waste disposal reduction, emergency preparedness, community safety and a plan for climate change mitigation.” City Council Comments: All of the Council members preferred the existing Vision Statement. Council felt that the PTC version blends the concepts of parks, open space together and there is no mention of conservation in the vision statement. Following are some suggestions made by the Council to incorporate :  Add “wildlife” to Vision Statement of Natural Environment Element;  Add language on “conservation” in the Vision Statement;  Recommendation to add “restoring” our eco systems to PTC version;  Add language to maintain sustainable water supply for future and  Add language on Climate change adaptation and implementation Based on this input, staff will develop minor revisions to the existing version for City Council review. If Safety is separated into its own element, a separate vision statement will also be prepared for Council review. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 4 SUMMARY COMPARISON - NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT Current Organization NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT N 1. Open Space • Sensitive Plant Species List Maintain & Strengthen City Character • City of Palo Alto Open Space Development criteria N2. Creeks And Riparian Areas • Special Status Wildlife Species List Maintain & Strengthen City Character • City of Palo Alto Open Space Development criteria N3. Urban forest N4. Water Resources • Historic Water Consumption and Projected Demand in Palo Alto • Best management Practices to Address Water Pollution Explanation of Proposed Revisions The PTC recommended extensive reorganization and consolidation of this element based on input from different stakeholder groups, boards and commissions. They recommended strengthening the Safety component of the plan, including the addition of two new goals along with several policies and programs. Several new topics were addressed, including adapting, monitoring, and mitigating climate change. The PTC also proposed a name change for this element to Natural and Urban Environment and Safety Element. Organizational changes recommended included:  Consolidating existing Goals N1, N2, and N3 under Natural Ecosystems as Goal N1;  Renumbering and renaming existing Goal N4 to Goal N5: Water Quality and Conservation;  Consolidating existing Goals N5 and N8 to Goal N6: Environmental Quality; Air Quality and Noise Level Mitigation and Reduction  Consolidating existing Goals N6 and N7 to Goal N4: Solid and Hazardous Waste;  Renumbering and renaming existing Goal N9 to Goal N3: Energy Sources and Conservation;  Splitting and renumbering existing Goal N10 to Goal N7 and N8: Natural Hazards and Community Safety And Emergency Management  Changing five Goal headings and introducing Sub Sections to improve organizational clarity and  Adding new Goal 2 to be consistent with the City’s the Climate Protection Plan. The PTC’s recommendation also included new policies addressing effects of sea level rise and flooding, and policies to achieve City’s GHG reduction targets. New policies and programs were suggested regarding Energy conservation, use of alternative energy (solar), and on maximizing recycling and composting. The PTC’s suggestion was also intended to strengthen policies on conservation and efficient Proposed PTC Revisions NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT N1. Natural Ecosystems • Foothills, Bay Lands and Public Open Space • Creeks and Riparian Areas • Urban Forest N2. Climate Change and Adaptation (New) N3. Energy Sources and Conservation N4. Solid and Hazardous Waste • Hazardous Materials • Solid Waste N5. Water Quality and Conservation • Water Resources: Water Conservation, Recycling, and Quality • Stormwater Quality • Wastewater Treatment Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 5 Current Organization N5. Air Quality N6. Hazardous Waste N7. Solid Waste N8. Noise N9. Energy N10. Natural Hazards  General Safety Measures  Seismic and Other Geologic Hazards  Flood Hazards  Fire Hazards  Emergency Management Explanation of Proposed Revisions use of water resources, and maximizing use of recycled water. Policies were added regarding the California and Palo Alto Green Building codes, Demolition and Construction Debris Diversion program, and planning for zero waste. Additional policies were also suggested regarding transportation related noise (roadways, airways and railways) and construction noise; and on community safety and emergency management. The revisions were developed in consultation with City staff and stakeholders, and referenced the following studies: • Urban Forest Master Plan; • Baylands Master Plan 2008; • Tree Technical Manual and Tree Preservation Regulations; • City of Palo Alto’s Climate Protection Plan (in process of being updated); • California Green Building Code & Palo Alto Green Building Regulations; • Zero Waste Operational Plan; • Integrated Pest Management Plan; • Foothills Fire Management Plan and Cal Fire Plan; • Local Hazard Mitigation Plan; Emergency Ops Plan and Seismic Hazard Ord As noted above, there is now an opportunity to re-visit whether the topics of safety and noise should be included in a separate element. There is also an opportunity to view contents of the element through the lens of the current drought, and ensure consistency with ongoing planning related to water resources and sustainability/climate action. Proposed PTC Revisions N6. Environmental Quality • Air Quality • Noise Level Mitigation and Reduction N7. Natural Hazards • Seismic Activity and Geologic Hazards • Flood Hazards and Mitigation N8. Community Safety And Emergency Management • Public Awareness and General Safety Measures • Fire Protection and Awareness • Community Safety (New) • Emergency Management Note: Staff believes that either organizational structure will work as a framework for a robust set of policies and programs. The existing goal regarding the urban forest was subsumed within Natural Ecosystems by the PTC, and this may not be desirable. However the PTC’s recommendations effectively incorporate new subjects/focus on sustainability and climate change. Also, separating-out safety into a separate element would provide for greater focus on these issues. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 6 DETAIL COMPARISION - NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ELEMENT GOALS Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals Open Space GOAL N-1: A Citywide Open Space System that Protects and Conserves Palo Alto’s Natural Resources and Provides a Source of Beauty and Enjoyment for Palo Alto Residents. Consolidated existing Goals N1, N2, and N3 under Natural Ecosystems as Goal N1. All elements of natural eco systems are included in this goal. Additional policies on protecting our sensitive habitats from all types of impacts, human or animal, conservation and protection of native plant and animal species have been added. New policies on meeting compliance with City’s Foothills Fire Management Plan, Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance, Urban Forest master Plan etc. are added under this goal. Natural Ecosystems GOAL N1: Preserve our open space, natural and urban habitats, and protect our ecosystems and natural resources that are the foundations of our environment. Creeks And Riparian Areas GOAL N-2: Conservation of Creeks and Riparian Areas as Open Space Amenities, Natural Habitat Areas, and Elements of Community Design. Urban Forest GOAL N-3: A Thriving “Urban Forest” That Provides Ecological, Economic, and Aesthetic Benefits for Palo Alto. This is a new goal to address climate change and adaptation. It includes polices on complying with City’s Climate Protection goals, including meeting goals in reduction of GHG, achieving Net Zero energy home goals, and addressing sea level rise. NEW Climate Change and Adaptation GOAL N2: Actively support regional efforts to reduce our contribution to climate change while adapting to the effects of climate change on land use and city services. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 7 Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals Water Resources GOAL N-4: Water Resources that are Prudently Managed to Sustain Plant and Animal Life, Support Urban Activities, and Protect Public Health and Safety. Renumbered and renamed existing Goal N4 to Goal N5: Water Quality and Conservation. This goal includes all existing policies and programs and also adds new policies on conservation and efficient use of water, use of recycled water whenever possible, and retention and use of rain water. Water Quality and Conservation GOAL N5: Conserve water resources and protect water quality to support our natural environment, public health and safety, plant and animal life, and the vitality of our diverse urban activities. Air Quality GOAL N-5: Clean, Healthful Air for Palo Alto and the San Francisco Bay Area. Renumbered existing Goals N5 to Goal N6: Environmental Quality; Air Quality. This goal includes all existing policies as well as new policies on reduction of air pollution through enforcing existing ordinances and maintaining existing tree canopy to reduce air pollution. Environmental Quality GOAL N6: Reduce environmental pollutants to protect and enhance air quality. Hazardous Waste GOAL N-6: An Environment Free of the Damaging Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazardous Materials. Consolidated existing Goals N6 and N7 to Goal N4: Solid and Hazardous Waste. This goal has been rewritten to include efforts by the City to strive for Net Zero solid waste generation by maximizing recycling and composting efforts. Additional new policies on educating residents and developers on available City incentives to reduce carbon footprints are included in this goal. Solid and Hazardous Waste GOAL N4: Strive for zero solid waste generation and an environment free of the harmful effects of hazardous and toxic materials. Solid Waste GOAL N-7: Reduced Volumes of Solid Waste; Solid Waste Disposed in an Environmentally Safe, Efficient, Manner. Noise GOAL N-8: An Environment That Minimizes the Adverse Impacts of Noise. NOISE LEVEL MITIGATION AND REDUCTION Goal N6: Reduce environmental pollutants to protect and enhance air quality and to reduce ambient noise levels in every neighborhood. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 8 Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals Energy GOAL N-9: A Clean, Efficient, Competitively-priced Energy Supply That Makes Use of Cost-effective Renewable Resources. Renumbered and renamed existing Goal N9 to Goal N3: Energy Sources and Conservation. This goal carries over all existing policies and programs in addition to new policies on maximizing use of photovoltaic energy, as well as other renewable energy sources. Energy Sources and Conservation GOAL N3: Move towards a clean efficient energy supply that makes use of new technologies and cost-effective renewable resources and promote energy conservation. Natural Hazards GOAL N-10: Protection of Life and Property From Natural Hazards, Including Earthquake, Landslide, Flooding, and Fire. Based on City Council’s discussion in April 2015, a separate Safety and Noise element is recommended and can incorporate this Goal as well as one addressing community safety and emergency management. Resiliency and climate adaptation can also be addressed. This goal was previous Goal 8 of the PTC revised Natural Environment Element. On City Council’s direction this goal has been moved to the new Safety and Noise Element. This goal includes new policies and programs on educating the community and creating awareness to prevent loss of life and property from all types of disasters, community safety and emergency management. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (NEW) Goal N8: Develop and coordinate a plan for fire, police protection and effective emergency preparedness and response.  Public Awareness and General Safety Measures  Fire Protection and Awareness  Community Safety  Emergency Management This goal was previous Goal 10 of the existing Natural Environment Element. On City Council’s direction this goal has been moved to the new Safety and Noise Element. This goal includes policies and programs on earthquake safety, flood hazards and mitigation, and other natural disasters. NATURAL HAZARDS GOAL N7: Protect life, ecosystems, and property from natural and man-made hazards and disasters, including earthquake, landslides, flooding, fire, and hazardous materials. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 9 BUSINESS and ECONOMICS ELEMENT Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 10 The Business and Economics Element is not required by State law, but it is just as important as the mandated elements in shaping the future of Palo Alto. Renowned globally for innovation in research and technology, Palo Alto also has regional commercial districts and neighborhood shopping centers that play a major role in local quality of life. The Element offers policies that emphasize diversity, growth, and flexibility of businesses, as well as compatibility with adjacent and nearby land uses, including residential neighborhoods. The Current Plan The City has long acknowledged that revenue generation and other positive effects of business growth have the potential to be offset by impacts on the community, especially concerning traffic and parking but also including loss of community character if not properly addressed. Accordingly, the Element calls for modest economic growth in balance with preservation of residential neighborhoods. In addition to growth limits, the City uses zoning, development review, environmental review, coordinated area plans, and other planning tools to maintain compatibility between residential and nonresidential areas. The Business and Economics Element addresses:  Maintaining distinct business districts as a means of retaining local services and diversifying the City’s economic base.  Ensuring that neighborhood shopping areas, including California Avenue, are attractive, accessible, and convenient to nearby residents.  Promoting public/private partnerships as a means of revitalizing selected areas and providing community benefits and services.  Supporting advanced communications infrastructure and other improvements that facilitate the growth of emerging industries.  Encouraging pedestrian-oriented neighborhood retail along El Camino Real. The Element also recognizes the important role that Stanford University plays in our local economy as the largest employer in Palo Alto and as an incubator of new technologies that have helped make Palo Alto a global leader in innovation. The policy framework in the Element supports Stanford Research Park as a thriving employment district and seeks to sustain Stanford Shopping Center as a major regional commercial attraction. Our Palo Alto 2030 The Business and Economics Element provides an opportunity to highlight the City’s lace in the region, as well as the City’s desire to direct growth and change to commercial and mixed-use areas of the City. Policies can be framed to ensure that economic prosperity does not result in unacceptable impacts on Palo Alto neighborhoods. As discussed in November, the updated Land Use & Community Design Element will include Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 11 growth management strategies, which can be cross-referenced and supported by policies in this element. Other policy guidance proposed for inclusion in the Business and Economics Element in Our Palo Alto 2030 includes:  Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.  Enhancing and diversifying the retail mix through business retention and attraction.  Developing positive parking solutions for businesses in California Avenue and Downtown.  Support for creation of business registry.  Enhancing Palo Alto’s appeal to visitors and tourists. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 12 BUSINESS and ECONOMICS ELEMENT VISION STATEMENT COMPARISON EXISTING PALO ALTO 1998-2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION APRIL 2014 CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION APRIL 27, 2015 BU S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C S EL E M E N T “Palo Alto’s business environment will be exciting, dynamic and vital. Businesses will have access to a wide array of support services and will enjoy positive relationships with Palo Alto residents, officials, and City staff. The competing needs of residents and businesses will be balanced so that neighborhoods are protected and enhanced while business districts are competitive and attractive. The local economy will thrive, and a diverse array of goods and services will be provided to Palo Alto consumers. Most development will occur within Palo Alto’s employment areas, and will be consistent with the role and character designated for each area by this Plan.” “Palo Alto supports a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that welcomes innovators, entrepreneurs, business professionals, the University, visitors and the community. The City’s business policies, balanced economic goals, vibrant downtown, and diverse local and regional-serving businesses combine to stimulate and support viable business opportunities.” City Council Comments: Majority of the Council members preferred the PTC Vision Statement because of its clarity and felt with some additional language from the existing Vision Statement it can be strengthened. Following are some suggestions made by the Council to incorporate:  Add the following language from the existing Vision Statement, to strengthen it. “The competing needs of residents and businesses will be balanced so that neighborhoods are protected and enhanced while business districts are competitive and attractive.” Based on this input, staff will develop revisions to the PTC’s version for the City Council’s review. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 13 SUMMARY COMPARISON - BUSINESS and ECONOMICS ELEMENT Current Organization BUSINESS and ECONIMICS ELEMENT B1. CITYWIDE: Compatibility B2. Diversity B3. Growth B4. Flexibility B5. Centers • All Centers • Regional Centers University Av./ Downtown, South of Forest Mixed Use Area, Stanford Shopping Center • Multi-Neighborhood Centers California Av., Cal-Ventura, El Camino Real, Town & Country Village • Neighborhood Centers B6. All Employment Districts • All Employment Districts Stanford Research Park, Stanford Medical Center, E. Bayshore & San Antonio/Bayshore Corridor Explanation of Revisions The PTC proposed significant updates to both the structure and content of the Business and Economics Element while simultaneously retaining the intent of existing goals, policies and programs. Though the number of goals remains the same in existing and proposed plan, two new goals were added to the element to make it more comprehensive and some goals were consolidated to reduce redundancy and improve clarity. The element also highlights Downtown Palo Alto and California Avenue as two distinct major business centers of the City. The suggested reorganization of the Element’s structure included: • Adding a new goal encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship and another new goal on enhancing Palo Alto’s Visitors and Tourism; • Distributing policies and programs under existing Goal B1 and B2, to Goal B4 and B5: Thriving Retail Districts and Doing Business in Palo Alto; • Consolidating existing Goals B3 and B4 to Goal B5: Doing Business in Palo Alto; • Moving existing Goal B5 to Goal B4: Thriving Retail Districts; • Moving and renaming existing Goal B6 to Goal B3: Palo Alto as a Regional Shopping, Services and Employment Destination • Changing all Goal headings and introducing Sub Sections to improve organizational clarity. Policies were added addressing diversity in retail mix, ground floor retail design guidelines, creating positive parking solutions for Downtown and California Avenue business districts. Policies were also added about enhancing visitor experience in Palo Alto, providing more opportunities for arts, entertainment, and night life. Proposed PTC Revisions BUSINESS and ECONIMICS ELEMENT B1. Encouraging Innovation and Technology (NEW) B2. Business Centers: Downtown and California Avenue (NEW) B3. Palo Alto as a Regional Shopping, Services and Employment Destination • Stanford Shopping Center Stanford Research Park • East Bayshore, San Antonio and East Meadow Circle Area B4. Thriving Retail Districts • Retail Districts: • El Camino Real • South of Forest Mixed Use Area (SOFA) • Town and Country Village • Neighborhood-Serving Retail Districts: • Mid-Town • Charleston Shopping Center • Edgewood Plaza • Alma Village B5. Doing Business in Palo Alto • Business and the Community B6. Visitors and Tourism (NEW) Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 14 DETAIL SUMMARY- BUSINESS and ECONOMICS ELEMENT GOALS Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals This is a new goal encouraging entrepreneurship, in support of Palo Alto’s image as a global center for innovation. NEW Encouraging Innovation and Technology GOAL B1: Foster the next generation of entrepreneurship in Palo Alto that builds on the City’s legacy of innovation. CITYWIDE: Compatibility GOAL B-1: A Thriving Business Environment that is Compatible with Palo Alto’s Residential Character and Natural Environment. Consolidated and distributed policies and programs under existing Goal B1 and B2, to Goal B4 and B5: Thriving Retail Districts and Doing Business in Palo Alto. These two goals contain policies and programs on Palo Alto’s neighborhood retail districts, and ways of doing business in Palo Alto. New policies on improving the viability of the El Camino corridor following the guidelines of Grand Boulevard initiative, retaining grocery store and neighborhood serving retails at Alma Plaza is added in Goal 4. Goal 5 includes policies on sustainable business practices, encouraging local sourcing of materials to minimize carbon footprint. Thriving Retail Districts GOAL B4: Preserve and improve existing retail districts, and enhance the vitality of businesses that serve Palo Alto’s neighborhoods, commercial districts and visitors Diversity GOAL B-2: A Diverse Mix of Commercial, Retail, and Professional Service Businesses. Doing Business in Palo Alto GOAL B5: Support businesses that serve our residents, our visitors, and our workers, that provide needed local services and local revenues, and contribute to the economic vitality. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 15 Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals This is new goal highlights the two important business centers of Palo Alto. New policies include making these two centers as destination shopping center and entertainment center. Policies on making these centers attractive, pedestrian friendly with adequate parking have been added. NEW Business Centers: Downtown and California Avenue GOAL B2: Maintain and enhance the attractiveness of our two primary business centers by supporting an attractive and sustainable mix of commercial and office uses with pedestrian-oriented neighborhood shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. Growth GOAL B-3: New Businesses that Provide Needed Local Services and Municipal Revenues, Contribute to Economic Vitality, and Enhance the City’s Physical Environment. Consolidated existing Goals B3 and B4 to Goal B5: Doing Business in Palo Alto. Doing Business in Palo Alto Flexibility GOAL B-4: City Regulations and Operating Procedures that Provide Certainty and Predictability and Help Businesses Adapt to Changing Market Conditions. Comprehensive Plan Update Comparison Matrix 11.18.2015 Page 16 Current Goals Explanation of Proposed Revisions Proposed PTC Goals Centers GOAL B-5: Attractive, Vibrant Business Centers, Each with a Mix of Uses and a Distinctive Character. Moved existing Goal B5 to Goal B4: Thriving Retail Districts. Thriving Retail Districts Employment Districts GOAL B-6: Thriving Employment Districts at Stanford Research Park, Stanford Medical Center, East Bayshore/San Antonio Road Area and Bayshore Corridor that Complement the City’s Business and Neighborhood Centers. Moved and renamed existing Goal B6 to Goal B3: Palo Alto as a Regional Shopping, Services and Employment Destination This goal highlights Palo Alto as regional shopping destination, employment destination. New policies are added to encourage retail and neighborhood service uses in East Meadow Circle, San Antonio and Charleston areas. Palo Alto as a Regional Shopping, Services and Employment Destination GOAL B3: Support Palo Alto’s research parks, shopping centers and employment centers to improve and enhance economic vitality of the region. This is a new goal focusing policies on increasing visitor appeal, providing space for conference centers, art, and entertainment centers. NEW Visitors and Tourism GOAL B6: Enhance Palo Alto’s role as an international attraction to visitors and guests for its cultural, educational and civic appeal. Comprehensive Plan Update Revised DRAFT Schedule Attachment B Showing Citizens Advisory Committee & City Council Meetings/Interaction Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Schedule of Meetings & Topics Date* City Council Schedule of Comp Plan Discussions • Selection of Chair/Vice Chair (Action) • Adoption of meeting schedule and CAC ground rules (Action) July 14 • Community Services & Facilities Element Policies & Programs (Discussion) Aug 11 Aug 17 • CAC membership, ground rules & schedule Aug 31 • Additional CAC appointments • Comp Plan Structure & Goals/Vision Statements Part I (Transportation Element) • Revision to Ground Rules RE: Co-Chairs (Action) • Discussion of City Council Direction Regarding Schedule and Subcommittees (Discussion) • Transportation Element Part I Policies & Programs (Discussion) Sep 8 Sep 21 • Adoption of Interim Ordinance Establishing an Office Annual Limit in Portions of the City • Ground Floor Retail Preservation Ordinance Regarding Cal Avenue Area Oct 5 • Comp Plan Structure & Goals/Vision Statements Part II (Community Services & Facilities Element) • Transportation Element Part II Policies & Programs (Discussion) Oct 20 Nov 2 • Comp Plan Structure & Goals/Vision Statements Part III (Land Use & Community Design Element incl. Growth Management Policies) • Community Services & Facilities Draft Element Recommendations (Action) Nov 17 Dec 9 • Comp Plan Structure & Goals/Vision Statements Part IV(Safety and Noise, Natural Environment and Business & Economics Elements) • Land Use & Community Design Element Part I Policies & Programs (Discussion) Dec 15 January 2016- JOINT MEETING – INTRO TO DRAFT FISCAL STUDY AND DRAFT EIR (Extended Public Comment Period Begins in Jan; Additional Mtgs of the CAC and City Council may be Scheduled) Jan 11 • Review of CAC work on Community Services & Facilities Element • Transportation Draft Element Recommendations (Action) Jan 19 FEBRUARY 1 - JOINT MEETING – Housing Element Discussion (Are any changes desired?) • Land Use & Community Design Element Part II Policies & Programs (Discussion) Feb 16 Mar 7 • Review of CAC work on Transportation Element • Land Use & Community Design Element Part III Policies & Programs (Discussion) Mar 15 Revised August 19, 2015 -- Page 1 *All dates and topics subject to change. Additional joint meetings for discussion or City Council direction to the CAC may be scheduled as needed. Comprehensive Plan Update Revised DRAFT Schedule Attachment B Showing Citizens Advisory Committee & City Council Meetings/Interaction Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Schedule of Meetings & Topics Date* City Council Schedule of Comp Plan Discussions • Natural Environment Element Policies and Programs (Discussion) Apr 19 • Land Use & Community Design Draft Element Recommendations (Action) May 17 June 6 • Review of CAC work on Land Use Element • Safety and Noise Element Policies & Programs (Discussion) June 21 • Natural Environment Draft Element Recommendations (Action) July 19 • Business & Economics Element Policies & Programs (Discussion) Aug 16 • Safety and Noise Draft Element Recommendations (Action) Sept 20 Oct 3 • Review of CAC work on Natural Environment & Safety and Noise • Business & Economics Element Policies & Programs (Action) Oct 18 • Implementation Plan (Discussion/Action) Nov 15 • Putting it all together/Final Thoughts and Recommendations (Discussion/Action) TBD REVISED DRAFT COMP PLAN DISSEMINATED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW (Starting in November) February 2017 • Final Review of Transportation Element March • Final Review of Land Use Element March • Final Review of Natural Environment and Safety and Noise Elements April • Final Review of Business & Economics, Community Services & Facilities Elements April • Review of Implementation Plan May • Final Review of City Council’s Changes & Errata UPDATED COMP PLAN & FINAL EIR ADOPTED May 2017 Revised August 19, 2015 -- Page 2 *All dates and topics subject to change. Additional joint meetings for discussion or City Council direction to the CAC may be scheduled as needed.