HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-06 City Council Summary Minutes Special Meeting April 6, 1998 1. Joint Meeting with Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian......................................................86-175 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.............86-175 1. Appointments to Human Relations Commission............86-176
2. City Manager=s Report re Flood ........................86-177 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS .......................................86-178 APPROVAL OF MINUTES .......................................86-179 3. Proposed Fiscal Year 1998/99 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Allocations and Draft Annual Action Plan Update of the Consolidated Plan for the Period 1995-2000 - Refer to Finance Committee.....................................86-179
4. Resolution 7752 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Refund of Debris Box Rental Charges Incurred as a Result of Flood-related Damage and Approving a Revision to Utilities Rule and Regulation Number 2
Pertaining to Policy Billing Adjustments≅ .............86-179
5. Ordinance 4491 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Ordinance No. 4381 in Order to Extend the Period Within Which Chapter 16.50 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code [Interim Historic Regulations] Shall be in
Effect≅ ..............................................86-180 6. Ratification of Continuing Emergency "El Nino 98" Disaster86-180 7. Consultant Contract between the City of Palo Alto and CSS Architects for Long-Term Council Chambers Improvements86-180
04/06/98 86-172
8. Pedestrian/Bicycle Railroad Crossing Feasibility Study as Part of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation\South of Forest Area (PAMF/SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan.....................86-180
9. Ordinance 4493 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $721,620 for Capital
Improvements Project Number 18516, MSC Seismic Improvements≅......................................................86-180 10. Annual Public Review of Compliance of 1050 Arastradero Development Agreement with Stanford Management Company86-180 11. Annual Public Review of Compliance of Development Agreement with Palo Alto Medical Foundation for the Area Around 300 Homer Avenue..........................................86-180 12. Public Employee Performance Evaluation................86-180 13. Conference with City Attorney--Potential Initiation of Litigation............................................86-181 14. Conference with City Attorney--Potential/Anticipated Litigation ...........................................86-181 15. PUBLIC HEARING: The Palo Alto City Council will consider an
appeal by Janice Phebus of the Zoning Administrator=s denial of a Use Permit to convert an existing two-car garage into a second residential dwelling unit and a Variance to allow a second dwelling unit with a rear setback of 6 feet where 20 feet is required for property located at 1088 Maddux Drive 86-181
16. Ordinance 4494 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $250,000 for the Golf Course Improvements Capital Improvements Project, Number 19624"................................................86-181
17. Ordinance 4495 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $75,000 for the Tank Investigation and Removal Capital Improvement Project Number 19101"................................................86-182 18. Status Report and Request for Council Direction on Key Planning Issues of the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan Process......................................................86-183 ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 9:10 p.m...................................86-188
04/06/98 86-173
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m......86-188
04/06/98 86-174
04/06/98 86-175
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Conference Room at 6:15 p.m. PRESENT: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler SPECIAL MEETINGS 1. Joint Meeting with Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian A. Welcome and Introductory Remarks B. Proposed Legislation for Restricting Taxation on Internet and Catalog Sales (Kniss/Schneider)
C. The County=s Role in Assuring That the Entire County (Region) Take Part in the Housing Dilemma--Comment on the
County=s Purported ΑSurplus.≅ (Kniss) D. Stanford Development Update (Ojakian) E. Roadway Improvements - Page Mill Road and Foothill Expressway (Ojakian) No action required. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
04/06/98 86-176
Regular Meeting April 6, 1998 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss (arrived at 7:24 p.m.), Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Appointments to Human Relations Commission Vice Mayor Schneider said she would vote for Wynn Hausser and Litsie Intergand who had done a remarkable job of serving on that committee and were in the midst of making some critical decisions. Council Member Fazzino said the City was fortunate to have Mr. Hausser and Ms. Intergand serve on the Commission for one term each, and he would vote for them to serve another term. He said they did not always agree with him and he did not always agree with them, but he wanted a group of Human Relations Commissioners who forced people to think differently about issues and people in the community. Council Member Ojakian said he supported the same two candidates for the reasons stated. He had expressed interest in Solina Kwan during the interview session because Palo Alto had experienced a recent demographic change. There was a growing Asian American community, and he hoped that she and others would apply for openings in the future. Council Member Eakins said she was happy to vote for incumbents who had served the community well. She acknowledged Victor Frost who brought interesting ideas and would represent a part of the community that was not clearly represented. FIRST ROUND OF VOTING VOTING FOR BACHMAN: VOTING FOR EL-BIZRI: VOTING FOR FROST: VOTING FOR HAUSSER: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler VOTING FOR INDERGAND: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler
04/06/98 86-177
VOTING FOR KWAN: VOTING FOR LEIGHTON: City Clerk Gloria Young announced that Wynn Hausser and Litsie Indergand received eight votes and were appointed on the first ballot.
2. City Manager=s Report re Flood City Manager June Fleming said that the City was participating with the City of Menlo Park to bring all of the San Francisquito Creek stakeholders together in an effort to focus on creek issues and to seek permanent solutions to dramatically reduce flooding potential. She said that the group members had been meeting for approximately one month to determine issues such as under what authority the group could proceed. The group planned to explore formalizing its existence by establishing a Joint Powers Agency (JPA) which would give official sanction to the group. The Menlo Park City Attorney drafted a suggested JPA, and all the participating agencies forwarded the JPA to their legal advisors. Comments will be forwarded back in order for the agency to request that the Council would consider those who had been meeting in an official ad hoc task force be formed into a JPA. The goal was to have the first meeting in May. Since the group had a wide participation by stakeholders, there was an expectation that the membership would expand and the group would be an effective results-oriented effort. Staff planned to return to the City Council on May 11, 1998, with a number of flood related agenda items including the: 1) FEMA map
proposal; 2) Flood critique, and 3) City=s Emergency Plan. The staff and Council received concerns related to citizens needing various types of assistance related to the flood emergency. Staff response was limited because of the skills and expertise available. The City contracted with an agency, Dimension Unlimited, who would make themselves available for a fee for an initial period of two weeks. They would assist in determining if those who needed assistance were getting it and would be available on a drop-in visit basis or by phone. Staff made every effort to notify impacted homeowner associations of the service and would continue to help to make the public aware of Dimensions Unlimited. She was not aware of any other municipality which provided such assistance in that area, and the City was taking a leadership leap in order to be responsive to the concerns that had been forwarded to the City. Regarding the dumpsters, there was an item on the agenda that
night. If the Council approved staff=s request, the four public dumpsters would be removed on Tuesday, April 14, 1998, and staff would post notices informing the public. The Santa Clara County Assessor had a form to fill out for property tax relief for residents. They could call 408-299-2401 to request the form. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) would hold a Public Meeting on the 1998 San Francisquito Creek Flooding on Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in the Cubberley Community Center
04/06/98 86-178
Auditorium, at 4000 Middlefield Road. Any questions about the meeting should be directed to the SCVWD at 408-265-2600. The City would announce its plan for returning sandbags at the end of April. Staff was concerned that the program not be set in place too soon before the rains stopped. Staff had been informed of two additional alert systems that needed to be evaluated which would extend the decision on the selection of a system by a couple of weeks. By mid-week, all of the creek monitoring systems would be in place. The City Clerk had informed her that, due to the fact that there had been no calls on the phone number 329-2420 in the prior week, staff would not monitor the line for messages that occurred during nonregular business hours. Members of the public were encouraged to continue to contact the City during regular
business hours. She announced that the evening=s report would be the last regularly scheduled flood update. Council Member Fazzino congratulated City Manager Fleming. The report represented significant progress on the issues. There was an article in the local paper the prior week which led one to the conclusion that not much had been done. It was obvious that the City Manager had been hard at work the prior weeks, particularly on the issue of establishing a JPA to deal with the issue of flood control. He hoped that local papers recognized what the City was doing. Mayor Rosenbaum said the Council and affected residents appreciated the work that staff had done during the prior month. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Gudrun Fiëgl, 1061 Bryant Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Ray Dempsey, 1036 Bryant Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Craig Woods, 1127 Webster Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Kathy Woods, 1127 Webster Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Mary Dowley, 460 Maple Street, spoke regarding review plans (submitted a letter to the City Clerk). T. J. Watts, homeless, spoke regarding recent events. Yo Wong, 3766 Redwood Circle, spoke regarding neighborhood matter. Edmund Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding fair play. Jim Fruchterman, 1850 Middlefield Road, spoke regarding traffic.
04/06/98 86-179
Monica Young Arima, 1053 Bryant Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Laurie J. Aguinaga, representing the United Way of Santa Clara County, 1922 The Alameda, spoke regarding referral services. Lynn Chiapella, 631 Colorado Avenue, spoke regarding code enforcement. Adrian Arima, 1052 Bryant Street, spoke regarding the historic ordinance. Mark Moulton, 1010 Doyle Street, Menlo Park, spoke regarding affordable housing. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Vice Mayor Schneider moved, seconded by Kniss, to approve the Minutes of December 1, 2, 8, and 15, 1997, as submitted. MOTION PASSED 7-0-2, Mossar and Ojakian Αabstaining.≅ CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member Wheeler moved, seconded by Schneider, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 through 11, with Huber,
Ojakian, and Mossar Αnot participating≅ on Item Nos. 8 and 11, and
Mossar Αnot participating≅ on Item No. 10. Council Member Huber said he would not participate in the item because of the proximity of his house to the proposed Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) project. Council Member Ojakian said he would not participate in the item because his wife was employed by PAMF. Council Member Mossar said she would not participate in the item because of her employment by PAMF. 3. Proposed Fiscal Year 1998/99 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Allocations and Draft Annual Action Plan Update of the Consolidated Plan for the Period 1995-2000 - Refer to Finance Committee
4. Resolution 7752 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Refund of Debris Box Rental Charges Incurred as a Result of Flood-related Damage and Approving a Revision to Utilities Rule and Regulation Number 2
Pertaining to Policy Billing Adjustments≅
04/06/98 86-180
5. Ordinance 4491 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Ordinance No. 4381 in Order to Extend the Period Within Which Chapter 16.50 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code [Interim Historic Regulations] Shall be in
Effect≅ (1st Reading 3/23/98, PASSED 7-0, Fazzino, Huber absent) 6. Ratification of Continuing Emergency "El Nino 98" Disaster 7. Consultant Contract between the City of Palo Alto and CSS Architects for Long-Term Council Chambers Improvements 8. Pedestrian/Bicycle Railroad Crossing Feasibility Study as Part of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation\South of Forest Area (PAMF/SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan
Ordinance 4492 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $33,000 for the Preparation of a Feasibility Study for the Construction of a
Pedestrian/Bicycle Railroad Crossing≅
9. Ordinance 4493 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $721,620 for Capital
Improvements Project Number 18516, MSC Seismic Improvements≅ Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. For Construction of Temporary Seismic Bracing at the Municipal Service Center Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C7094743 between the City of Palo Alto and Dames and Moore for Construction of Temporary Seismic Bracing at the Municipal Service Center 10. Annual Public Review of Compliance of 1050 Arastradero Development Agreement with Stanford Management Company 11. Annual Public Review of Compliance of Development Agreement with Palo Alto Medical Foundation for the Area Around 300 Homer Avenue MOTION PASSED 9-0 for Item Nos. 1 - 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9. MOTION PASSED 8-0-1, Huber Αabstaining,≅ for Item No. 5. MOTION PASSED 6-0, Huber, Mossar, and Ojakian Αnot participating≅ for Item Nos. 8 and 11.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar Αnot participating≅ in Item No. 10.
04/06/98 86-181
CLOSED SESSION
12. Public Employee Performance Evaluation Subject: City Manager June Fleming Authority: Government Code section 54957 13. Conference with City Attorney--Potential Initiation of Litigation Subject: Potential Initiation of on One Separate Matter Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(c) 14. Conference with City Attorney--Potential/Anticipated Litigation Subject: Significant Exposure to Litigation Authority: Government Code section 54956,9(b)(1) arising out
of claim from Danton Camm. (Gov. Code, ∋54956.9(b)(3)(C).) PUBLIC HEARINGS 15. PUBLIC HEARING: The Palo Alto City Council will consider an
appeal by Janice Phebus of the Zoning Administrator=s denial of a Use Permit to convert an existing two-car garage into a second residential dwelling unit and a Variance to allow a second dwelling unit with a rear setback of 6 feet where 20 feet is required for property located at 1088 Maddux Drive (Item to be continued to 5/4/98 at the request of the applicant) MOTION TO CONTINUE: Vice Mayor Schneider moved, seconded by Huber, to continue the Public Hearing to the Regular City Council Meeting of May 4, 1998. MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 9-0. ORDINANCES
16. Ordinance 4494 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $250,000 for the Golf Course Improvements Capital Improvements Project, Number 19624" Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Key Turf Construction, Inc. for Golf Course Improvements
04/06/98 86-182
Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C4038586 between the City of Palo Alto and Amphion Environmental, Inc. for Golf Course Improvements MOTION: Vice Mayor Schneider moved, seconded by Huber, to approve the staff recommendation as follows: 1. Approve a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the amount of $250,000 to fund the Golf Course Improvement Project CIP 19624. 2. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a construction contract with Key Turf Construction, Inc. in the amount of $4,590,520 for the construction of the Golf Course Improvements, CIP 19624. 3. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute one or more change orders to the contract with Key Turf Construction, Inc. for related additional but unforeseen work which may develop during the project, the total value of which shall not exceed $675,000. 4. Amend the Consultant Agreement, Amendment No. 3, with Amphion Environmental, Inc., to include an additional $175,000 for construction services. 5. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute one or more change orders to the consultant agreement with Amphion Environmental, Inc., the total amount of which change orders shall not exceed $26,000. MOTION PASSED 9-0.
17. Ordinance 4495 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $75,000 for the Tank Investigation and Removal Capital Improvement Project Number 19101" Contract between the City of Palo Alto and HK2, Inc. dba SEMCO for Underground Storage Tank Removal MOTION: Vice Mayor Kniss moved, seconded by Huber, to approve the staff recommendation as follows: 1. Approve a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the amount of $75,000 to provide additional funding for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project 19101, Tank Investigation and Removal.
04/06/98 86-183
2. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with HK2, Inc., dba SEMCO, in the amount of $29,000 for the removal and disposal of underground storage tanks. 3. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute one or more change orders to the contract with HK2, Inc., dba SEMCO, for related, additional but unforeseen work which may develop during the project, the total value of which shall not exceed $5,800. MOTION PASSED 9-0. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 18. Status Report and Request for Council Direction on Key Planning Issues of the PAMF/SOFA Coordinated Area Plan Process Council Member Huber said he would not participate in the item because of the proximity of his house to the proposed Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) project. Council Member Ojakian said he would not participate in the item because his wife was employed by PAMF. Council Member Mossar said she would not participate in the item because of her employment by PAMF. Chief Planning Official Eric Riel said the purpose of the report was to provide an update of the midpoint of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation/South of Forest Avenue (PAMF/SOFA) process and to secure Council comments and policy guidance regarding key planning issues with the intent of a preferred alternative that would be before the Council within the following six months. In September 1997, the Council approved a policy framework which outlined thirteen specific goals. The charge of the working group was to advise staff, the Commission and the Council. Seven working group meetings had been completed, three Technical Advisory Group meetings were completed, an Existing Conditions Report was published, three concept plans exploring various options for development of the area were prepared, and on March 10, 1998, a Community Update Forum was completed. The next step in the process was the preparation of a Land Use Plan, a plan indicating site design objectives, creation of design guidelines, preparation of finalized economic analysis, and creation of an implementation program. Public Hearings would occur prior to the adoption of the final plan. The study area included PAMF sites, surrounding residential areas in the SOFA commercial area bounded by Alma Street, Addison Avenue, Kipling Street, and Forest Avenue. The working group was divided into three subgroups to encourage a greater interaction discussion between the working group members. The groups developed concepts of varying ideas as well as possibilities for inclusion in the final plan. The working group
04/06/98 86-184
came to general agreement on eight items: retail, railroad crossing, street character, mixed use, automobile service uses, historic structures and buildings, traffic patterns, and child care and community facilities. The five areas that staff formulated in the form of questions were housing density, affordable housing, open space parks, parking, and building heights/bulk/mass. Richard Rathburn, Member of the PAMF/SOFA Working Group, said many of the members walked the streets looking at each building, building sites, residences, and opportunities. The opportunities fell into two large areas: the short-term emphasis on the PAMF redevelopment area, and what was currently there. Reviewing an overhead, he explained that in one area they would encourage single-family residential to be compatible with what was presently there. The Alma Street corridor would allow more density while still trying to preserve some of the historic factors. The area around Whole Foods on Homer Avenue would be encouraged to be a neighborhood oriented, foot- and bicycle-accessible area. New housing development, according to the recommendation in the new Comprehensive Plan, would determine there should be 1.3 acres of park land. He recommended seizing on the unique historical opportunity in Palo Alto to create a substantial public area which could link with the Scott Street Park and take half of the PAMF block and turn it into a public use. It would preserve the Roth Building and create a sizable community park. There were funding challenges with that plan, but development fees could help pay for that type of facility. Judith Kemper, Member of the PAMF/SOFA Working Group, said everyone realized that more housing was needed. During the discussions on housing, there were ground rules. They did not want the area to look different from the neighborhood, but wanted the edges to blend naturally with what was already there. Referring to the area that would be vacated by PAMF, R-1 and R-2 on the main block might increase to mid-density housing. Another area would encourage mixed use. The group recognized the need for affordable housing, and the majority recommended that the below market value housing be sprinkled throughout the area. The group wanted to make the area pedestrian-oriented and maintain a residential feel to it. Any additional high density development should be self-park. Many of the working group felt the self-park rules should be maintained at the current levels but some felt that, because of the proximity to the transit hub, those could be reduced or relaxed somewhat. They wanted to make sure there was a varied street front, with a height limitation. There was a strong need for child care in the area. Three alternates were discussed: (1) the clinic had earmarked the lot at the corner of Channing and Ramona for child care and would be willing to donate or rent the land to the City for a nominal fee; (2) the AME Zion Church could be renovated and used for child care; and (3) the Dunn Building on Homer Avenue could be an ideal place for child care.
04/06/98 86-185
Larry Hassett, Member of the PAMF/SOFA Working Group, said he was a firm believer in the process and encouraged the Council to take a serious look at who the group worked. It was a good attempt to bring different points of view together. The three groups were in agreement that traffic patterns on Homer Avenue and Channing Avenue should revert to two-way traffic flow. There was some discussion about how far Homer Avenue could go back to two-way. The benefits of two-way traffic were noise reduction and traffic calming. The group felt that needed to be studied by Traffic. There was less discussion about High Street. High Street, from Forest to Homer to Channing were considered for change back to two-way. The groups looked at the automotive service business in the area and there was general agreement that the existing uses should be grandfathered in with no additional restrictions or pressures to leave. There was a strong desire that any future auto service related uses be channeled into the High Street/Alma Street corridor. The area along Homer Street and Emerson Street was considered for retail expansion. The groups discussed the railroad crossing and came up with three different options: at-grade, below-grade, and above-grade. The below-grade was encouraged with proper lighting and visibility, the at-grade presented the biggest challenge, and the above-grade had already been looked at. There was some discussion about parking requirements. Most of the groups felt there should be complete on-site parking for any new development and, as height and density increased, that parking should be below-grade; the lower density would mean at-grade. There was some discussion about parking requirements. Most of the groups felt there should be complete on-site parking for new developments and, as height and density increased, parking should be below-grade; the lower the density, the parking should be at-grade. Ms. Kemper said the groups discussed asking the Council to decide what would go in the area and then not to have any PCS. The neighbors would know what to expect and the developers would know what their boundaries were. John Erving, 420 Palm Street, said it would be helpful to the process for the Council to distinguish between what the expectation was on the PAMF properties for contribution towards affordable housing as opposed to the other generalized properties that were identified in the SOFA area. The guidelines were general. His concern was that over time, without specific goals for each of the areas, that not much affordable housing would be the end result. Marjorie DeWilde, 775 San Carlos Avenue, Mountain View, said she represented Peninsula Regional Co-Housing which consisted of clustered, privately-owned modest homes with convenient access to shared gardens, playgrounds, and community buildings. It was encouraged in the Comprehensive Plan under Policy H-14. They were a group of people interested in building a better designed neighborhood with more community feeling than most suburbs made possible. They wanted to create a close knit neighborhood where
04/06/98 86-186
children could run safely, parents could get help, singles did not
feel lonely, and elders felt supported. The Council=s endorsement would be invaluable. Gail Slocum, 205 Pope Street, Menlo Park, said Co-Housing needed
the Council=s help in order to become a reality, and asked that the Council direct staff to make co-housing a component of the PAMF/SOFA plan. They needed 1.5 to 2 acres of contiguous land zoned at 20 units an acre, appropriate design criteria, and planned community criteria. Sites of appropriate size could be designated in a number of different portions of the maps reviewed by the Council. They were willing to be flexible to continue working with the City staff, the PAMF, the working group, and the neighbors during the ongoing process. One interesting possible site would eliminate the need to build an extension of Scott Street. An overhead showed a rough general concept of a two-acre site for co-housing with about 24 townhouse-style households. Co-housing generally created a village layout with a footpath connecting the units to the common house and perimeter parking. That eliminated the need for individual driveways to individual garages which she understood was the only reason that Scott Street was being considered for extension. A second general concept for that same two-acre site showed a 30-unit co-housing community with some units as duplexes or triplexes and others as single-family homes. Eliminating Scott Street could be a win situation because the City would gain more housing with less asphalt and PAMF would make more money. It might be possible that some of the windfall could be reinvested in the City to help fund a larger City park. Another transparency showed photos of two of the fifty co-housing communities that had been built in the United States. There were at least another 100 under development. Co-housing could be designed to fit with surrounding single-family neighborhoods. Co-housing had increased neighboring properties in cities such as Palo Alto. Many university towns had that type of innovative design. Discussions with the PAMF had begun. She urged the Council to support the inclusion of co-housing in the PAMF/SOFA area. Brian Glass, 52 Roosevelt Circle, said there were some benefits with co-housing; it could include affordable or below market rate housing. Many developments around the country included a percentage of below market or subsidized units. They could be done as triplexes and look like a large single-family homes. That would tend to generate less traffic than other types of housing, with the isolated parking and the location near the transit node. Co-housing communities tended to own fewer vehicles. It was a community by intention, not by accident. Common house facilities were often borrowed by local neighborhood groups, such as a community center. It was personal, but not a commune. It was efficient in terms of the number of units given the amount of green space without all the extraneous driveways and concrete. Recycling would be done at the common house. He urged the Council to give the matter serious consideration.
04/06/98 86-187
Alison Lee, 124 Harker Avenue, said she noticed a letter in the Palo Alto Daily about the concept of an urban park for the block on which PAMF existed. The Arts community continually talked about the concept of a downtown performing arts center. They wanted to see the cultural level of the Downtown greatly enhanced and liked the idea of retaining the Roth Building because of its architectural history. A vision was needed in order to consider plans for the future. She suggested that the urban park be a place for community involvement. Janet Owens, 851 Webster, #421, said there needed to be an identified area in the SOFA Plan for development of higher density housing with assured lower rents for the long term for those who could not find an affordable place to live in Palo Alto. This was a one-time opportunity for a full size parcel of land. All that would be available in the future would be small, infill sites that would not provide financial feasibility for assisted housing. The SOFA area was ideal for those with economic need for such housing. Schools were closed and the expanded park site would be a benefit for children living in the area. The Senior Center, churches, shopping, and public transit of all types would benefit parents, seniors, and the disabled. The unique opportunity must be protected by Council instructions to the Working Group. It would preserve diversity in Palo Alto such as economy, age, race. It would assure that more lower paid service employees would be close to the City at times of emergencies. Assisted housing would be a winning situation for the entire City. Council Member Eakins asked Ms. Owens what was a full-sized parcel in acreage. Ms. Owens said she thought it was 1.5 to 2 acres. Pat Irish, 765 San Antonio Road, said the SOFA area provided Palo Alto with a great opportunity: the chance to plan the utilization of land near the Downtown, near public transportation, and in a City with good schools and desirable public services. She asked that the Council identify a site or specifically zone a site in order that well designed, affordable housing could be built for families who were earning median or below-median wages. In Santa Clara County, that would be a family of four earning $77,200. The
affordable housing was important in the Council=s planning so that teachers and many employed in local companies would have the opportunity of living in Palo Alto. Richard Brand, 281 Addison, Avenue, said he was concerned about the radical change in the usage of the area. Previously, with PAMF in place, the usage was a Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. usage. Parking in the area was impossible during that time. After 6:00 p.m., there was no problem, and the weekends were quiet. The big purview for the staff and Council was the larger issue of the
04/06/98 86-188
Comprehensive Plan because the medical foundation issue was left open. In working on and improving the plan, the Council needed to consider how it would fit into the overall traffic patterns and changes to the larger area of the community. The change from business and health related to residential would have a large impact on traffic patterns. He asked the Council to take that into consideration as it made the final changes. Sylvia Smitham, 2514 Birch Street, said if she had not been fortunate enough to have a BMR unit fourteen years prior, she would not have been able to stay in Palo Alto. She, along with others, was willing to do what she could to give back to the City for what it had given. There were many people who were born in Palo Alto but left because they could not afford the rent. A piece of land that would incorporate more homes for people such as herself would be greatly appreciated. Leanna Hunt, 245 Lytton Avenue, said she viewed the whole process as a very important step to plan for the future and the use of the critical parcel of land. As a realtor, she was concerned about the property rights of the owner, the PAMF. She believed they had a right to be fairly compensated for the land they wish to sell. She was concerned about the issue of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) designated for the 5,000-square-foot parcels. Her understanding was that on the 5,000-square-foot parcels, the City was to allow 3,000 maximum square feet FAR. She thought that was a precedent-setting decision and hoped that much deliberation was given to that, considering a maximum FAR of 2,250 on a 5,000 square foot parcel was allowed up to the present time. Chief Planning Official Eric Riel said the Resource Impact section of the staff report referred to the Economic Consultant Background Report as a memorandum. That was available for distribution at the meeting. MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Wheeler, to continue the item to the Monday, April 13, 1998, City Council Meeting. (Public Testimony Closed) MOTION PASSED 6-0, Huber, Mossar, Ojakian Αnot participating.≅ ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 9:10 p.m. The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters involving Potential Initiation of and Potential/Anticipated Litigation as described in Agenda Item Nos. 13 and 14. Mayor Rosenbaum announced that no reportable action was taken on Agenda Item Nos. 13 and 14. FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
04/06/98 86-189
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.04.180(a) and (b). The City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are made solely for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the minutes of the meetings. City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are recycled 90 days from the date of the meeting. The tapes are available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
04/06/98 86-190