HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-28 City Council Summary MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
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Special Meeting
Friday, June 28, 2013
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 5:00 P.M.
Present: Berman, Burt, Price, Schmid, Shepherd
Participating by Phone: Klein, Kniss
Absent: Holman, Scharff
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Fred Balin, expressed concerns regarding the new trees to be planted on
California Avenue and remarked that the tree plans were not made available
to the public at the June 2013 Architectural Review Board meeting. He
wanted to be sure that the new trees remained true to the original planting
plan and hoped his concerns were seriously considered.
Herb Borock, reported updates on the High Speed Rail (HSR) Litigation and
said on June 28, 2013, the Judge pronounced a tentative ruling to overrule
the demurrer of the Plaintiffs in the Brady Lawsuit. On June 27, 2013 the
HSR Authority filed a request to continue the oral argument for the Cities
appellant case; they requested permission for a supplemental briefing.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. SECOND READING: Planned Community Ordinance 5200 entitled
“Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section
18.08.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (The Zoning Map) to Change
the Classification of Property Located at 567-595 Maybell Avenue from
R-2 Low Density Residential and RM-15 Multiple Family Residential to
PC Planned Community Zone No. xxxx for a 12 single family and a 60
unit multifamily affordable rental development for seniors. (First
Reading June 17, 2013 - Passed 9-0)”
MINUTES
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Special City Council Meeting
Final Minutes: 6/28/13
Robert Moss, thought it was unprecedented to have a Special City Council
Meeting on a Friday. He noted that the Adopted Project report said there
were “large numbers of seniors;” and announced some actual numbers of
people that would be displaced. The traffic on Maybell Avenue was
dangerous and was incompatible with the residential zoning in the area.
Deb Goldeen, supported the Palo Alto Housing Corporation and said it was
an anchor for the community. She thought the Palo Alto municipality
needed to support low income housing developments, housing for seniors,
and housing for stable mentally challenged people. If there was effective
traffic engineering in the Maybell Avenue neighborhood, there would not be
problems.
Jennifer Fryhling, asked the City Council to reconsider the Maybell Avenue
Ordinance and brought out that the “In Lieu Below Market Housing Fee” was
changed or deleted in the original Ordinance. She also made note that the
Mitigated Monitoring Program report was not in any previous reports
submitted to Council.
Candice Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Palo Alto Housing Authority,
supported the Maybell Avenue Project and said the project would generate
the least amount of impact in comparison with other projects.
MOTION: Council Member Berman moved, seconded by Council Member
Price to approve Agenda Item Number 1.
MOTION: Council Member Schmid moved to remove Agenda Item Number
1 from the Consent Calendar.
MOTION FAILED DUE TO A LACK OF A SECOND AND A THIRD
MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Holman and Scharff absent
Council Member Burt asked the City Attorney to remark on Ms. Fryhling’s
comments regarding noted changes in the Maybell Avenue Ordinance.
Cara Silver, Senior Assistant City Attorney referenced the ‘In Lieu Housing
Fee’ and said the amount was put into the ‘Conditions of Approval’ report.
Staff thought it was more appropriate in that place. She added that the
‘Mitigation Monitoring report’ was provided At Places tonight. The Mitigation
Monitoring report contained the same mitigation measures that were
contained in the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
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Special City Council Meeting
Final Minutes: 6/28/13
Vice Mayor Shepherd requested the five present Council Members to place
their vote, and to have Council Member’s Kniss and Klein to express their
vote verbally over the phone line.
Council Member Kniss verbally voted yes on Agenda Item Number 1.
Council Member Klein verbally voted yes on Agenda Item Number 1.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Holman and Scharff absent
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 P.M.