HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-02-13 City Council Summary MinutesCITY
COUNCIL
MIMUTEs
CITY
OF
MIO
ALTO
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 13, 1984
ITEM PAGE
Ural Communications 4 2 0 7
Minutes of December S, 1983 4 2 0 7
Minutes of December 12, 1983
Item #1, Resolution of Appreciation
Sutorius for Planning Commission Service
4 2 0 7
John 4 2 0 8
Item #2, Resolution of -Appreciation to Gail Woolley
for Historic Resources Board Service
Item, #3, Appointment of Three Visual Arts Jury
Members to fi 11 Three .Year Terms
Consent Calendar
Referral
Item #4, ;984-85 Community Development Block Grant
Program Application - Referral to Finance and
Public Works Committee
Item #5, .Lot J Parking Garage - Selection of
Financial Consultant s .Referral to Finance_ and
Public Works Committee
Action
Item #b, Resolution Extending Residential Non -Park
Use of 0,955 Acre Parcel on Arastra Property
Item O7, Final. Subdivision Map. 2150/Z152 Staunton
Court
Item #8, Library Cataloging Computer Services
Contract
Item #9, Reinforced Fabric Pavement
Item #1Up Tennis Court Cleaning
item 111, Resolution Re Authorization of Signature
of William Loner, City Manager, on City Bank
Accounts =
Agenda Changes, .Additions , and Deletions
Item. #fu, Request of CouncIlmember Fletcher re
Resolution of Appreciation to David Stiebel
Item #1.i, Finance,' and Public Works Committee
Recommendation -'re Human Resource Allocations
4 2 0 8
4 2 0 9
4 2 1 0
4 2 1 0
4 2 1 0
4 2 1 0
4 2 1 0-
4 2 I 0
4 2 1 1
4 2 1 1
4 2.1 1
4 2 1 1
4 2 1 1
4 2 1 1
4 2 1 2
4 2 0 5
2 13 54
ITEM
Item #13, Finance and Public. Works Committee
Recommendation re Revisions An Solar Loan Terms
Item #14, Finance and Public Works Committee
Recommendation re Financing of Solar Loan Program
Item #15, Finance and Public Works Committee
Recommendation re Utilities Personnel Requi r .vents
Recess
Item #16, Planning. Commission Recommendation re
Downtown Study Work Program
Item #11, Appeal of Sap Francisco Federal Savings
from the Decision of the Architectural Review Board
and the Director of Planning and Community
Environment on an Automatic Teller Installation at
2401 El Camino Real
Item #18, Legislative Committee re Letter of
Support for House of Representatives Resolution
Concerning Early Projections of Presidential
Election Results
Item #19, Request of Counci-imember Fletcher re Stop
Sign Request at East Meadow/Ross Road
Item #2I, Cancellation of February 21, 1984 and
March 5, 1984. City Council Meetings
Adjournment: 12:45 a.m.
P AG E.
4 2 15
4 2 1 5
4 2 1 6
4 2 1 6
4 2 1 6
4 2 3 9
4 2 4 7
4 2 4 8
4 2 4 8
4 2 4 9
Regular Meeting
February 13, 1984
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met -on this day in the
Council Chambers at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, at
7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Bechtel, Cobbs Fletcher, Klein, Levy,
Renzel, Sutorius, Witherspoon, Woolley
Mayor Klein announced that an Executive Session re Litigation was
held in the Council Conference Room at 7:00 p.m.
U AL CUMMUNICAT!UNS
1. Tracey Lindeman, KZSU Station Manager, said that David
Stiebel, who served as anchorperson for the Council meetings
for some time, real leaving KZSU. She introduced Max Ball, who
would take over the position. He had much experience at KZSU,
and she was sure the Council would find him suitable.
Mayor Klein said he was sorry to see David leave, but welcomed
Max.
MIN=UTES OF UE :EMBER 5 1963
s�.r�waM�oneerce�lo rr .r a 7:���®
Councilmember Bechtel had the following corrections:
Pa e 3979, paragraph 5, line 2, the word "Ho rmer" should be
spe e omer."
.Pv ae 3996, paragraph 4, l i ne - 5, the word "Cortesi.'s" should be
's' -pee ec ortese's."
Councilmember Cobb had the following correction:
Page 3993, paragraph 3, Tine _7, "California State University at
Berkeley" should read "University of California at Berkeley"
MOTION: Vice Mayor Levy moved, seconded by Renzel , a pprova 1 of
the Minutes of December 5, 1983 as corrected,
MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7-0, Sutorius, Woolley abstaining.
MINUTES OF UL.CLM 3ER 12, 1983
Councilmember Fletcher had the following corrections:
Page 4013, paragraph 7, line 9, the word "computer" should be
- Commuter:,*
Pave 4013, paragraph 7, line 11, the words "by MTC staff" should
fv l ow the word "rejected."
'Mayo.r Klein had the following corrections:
Pa a 4021, paragraphs 1, 3, and 6, "Counci lmember Levy" should
red ounci{rnember Klein."
Councilmember Henze] had the following corrections:
.Fame 4018, paragraph 12, line 2, the words '"City Council" should
e =Muted for NW";
4Page 4027, pArayraaph 7, line. 1, "Housing Council* should read
-Housin9 i.or.porat1on";
4 2 0 7
1/13/84
P e 403U, p ra ore ph 7, line 4, insert the words "in having a
process after "no point";
Paye_ 4131, paragraph 4, l the 3, insert the word "while" at the
beyinning of the sentence.
MOTION. Councilmember Renxei moved, seconded by Fletcher, ap-
proval of the Minutes of December 12, 1984 as corrected.
MOTION PASSED by a vote of 7-0, Sutorius, Woolley abstaining.
ITEM #1 , RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO JOHN SUTORIUS FOR PLANNING
�M*94� . -- .. �--!� ---. -r r-rr�ri■�.r-�ar�---- wrs tint ----- i. rr�rrsrr.rws.• �ww.r+
Mayor Klein said Jack Sutorius served the City as a member of the
Planning Commission from February 8, 1982 to December 31, 1983,
and gave unselfiahiy of his time, talents and professional abili-
ties to assist in guiding the growth and development of the City
in the best interests of the total community. He made a signifi-
cant personal contribution to the community through his diligent
and conscientious efforts as a member of the Planning Commission,
and the City and its citizens recognized and appreciated his ef-
forts.
MOTION: Mayor Klein moved, seconded by Levy, approval of the
resolution of appreciation to John Sutorius.
RESOLUTION 622.7 entitled *RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
ittE CITY OF ) AiO ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO JOHN
SUTORIUS FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF
THE PLANNING COMMISSION"
MOTION PASSED by i vote of 8-0, Sutorius abstaining.
I iEM #21. RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO GAIL
HISTORIC Rlr
WOOLLEY
FOR
Mayor Klein said Ms. Woolley performed outstanding public service
as a member of the HRH from June 1, 1980 to December 31, 1983, and
as its Chairman from June, 1950 to July, 1981. She gave unself-
i :ily of hey time, talents, and knowledge of historic preservation
to assist in the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of
buildings and neighborhoods of historic or architectural signifi-
cance contributing to the aesthetic and cultural benefit of Palo
alto. She made a significant personal contribution to the commu-
nity through her diligent and conscientious efforts as a mee!te,..of
the HRH, and the City expressed its appreciation.
MOTION: Mayor Klein moved, seconded by Levy, approval of the
resolution. f appreciation to bail C. Woolley.
RESOLUTION 6228 entitled 'RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
ALTO EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO GAIL C.
WOOLLEY FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF
THE HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD"
-MOTION PASSED by a vote of 8-0, Woolley abstai ei ng.
Mayor Klein said At was an honor to record that vote because Ms.
Woolley did a super job as Chair of the HRB, and was the heart and
soul of that organization,. She did much for_ the community in pre-
serving its historic heritage and he thanked her.
Mayor Klein presented the plaques encompessifg the resolutions td
Ms. Woolley and Mr. Sutorius.
G.ouncilmecaber Sutorius said the only. --way to' express his apprecia-
tion to the colleagues who helped so much and to the staff who
were thou+yhtful and educated him as a Commissioner was to be soc-
ci nct.
4 2 0 8
2/13/84
Couruc;i imembeu Wuvi ley Said She was pleased to serve on the Filth for
its first three years, working with the other members, the two
competent staff members who advised during those years, and with
the applicants. The Council wrote the ordinance so that a review
procedure was mandatory but compliance was voluntary, and it
worked out well in her experience with the applicants. The Board
considered itself a resource, and the applicants worked with the
Board to achieve a satisfactory result for both sides.
Councilmember Fletcher said Mr. Sutorius was a member of the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) longer than he was a Planning
Commissioner. She attended many ARB meetings and was never as
impressed by the diligence and commitment of an ARB member as she
was by Jack Sutorius. He put full time investigation into each
application, not only by visiting, but by examining the details of
every- site, and examining the plans with great expertise, even
though he was not an architect. Since first meeting him, she
always appreciated and was impressed by the abilities Jack
Sutorius exhibited on the ARB.
ITEM #3z APPOINTMENT OF THREE VISUAL ARTS JURY MEM:ERS TO FILL
Mayor Klein read the names
Arts Jury (VAJ):
3ENNETT, Ptah
HICKEY, Thomas K.
M A C N E I L, Ionia W.
MOBERG, Gail W.
SMITH, Gale U.
of the 15 applicants for the Visual
COOPER, Ron
LUM1 SH, Philip M.
MAIONE, Ue Lando T.
RUDAL, Dorothy S.
STRATTON, Stan H.
FOREMAN, C i a
LYDGATE, Tony
MARSHALL, Michael B.
ROGONDINO, Michael A.
WHITCHURCH, Janet C.
He said Council received a letter from Mr. Hickey stating he did
not wish to be considered.
Vice Mayor Levy said one of his votes would go for the reappoint-
went of Orlando Malone, who had been an outstanding member of the
VAJ.
Counci lme+mber Renzel said the City was fortunate to have an out-
standing group of applicants. She hope:`. those who were not
selected would continue to have an interest and perhaps seek an
opportunity to serve in the future.
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR FIRST APPOINTMENT TO THE VAJ:
�,..e .�,.....,.,.
Yotin� fo a�ione, Sutorius, Witherspoon, Cobb, Bechtel, Klein;
�� "'�"� r Mt "�' Levy, Woolley, Renzel, Fletcher.
City Clerk Ann Tanner said Orlando Malone received nine votes, and
was appointed.
Mayor Klein said the Council was pleased to see Mr. Malone return
for another term, on .the VAJ. The vote reflected the high esteem
in which the-- members of the Council held his service. .On behalf
of the comm€rnity, herecognized Mr. Maione`s outstanding achieve-
ments on the VAJ.
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR SECOND APPOINTMENT TO THE VAJ:
Yo .g. for lyd9at,
Vot1n for Macneill, Woolley, Klein, Witherspoon, Sutorius
121141.4=4221= Levy,
Votin for Whitchurch: Bechtel, Cobb
Ms. Tanner announced that Ms. Macnel l - had four votes, Mr. Lydgate
and Ms. _Whi tchurch had two votes, and Mr. Cooper. had one vote.
Fletcher_, Renzel
Mayor Klein asked the Council to vote again since no oiie applicant
received a majority of votes.
Councilmember Fletcher said the applicants were unusually well -
qualified, and it was difficult to make a choice. She joined
Councilmember Henze! in urging those unsuccessful applicants to
apply again in the future.
SECOND KUUNIJ OF VOTING FOR SECOND APPOINTMENT TO THE VAJ:
Voting for Macneil:
12Ilaa for .Smi tlx:
a
Sutorius, Witherspoon, Cobb, Klein,
Woolley, Renzel, Fletcher
Bechtel
Votin for • ihitchurch: Levy
Ms. Tanner announced that ,Ms. Macneil received seven votes, and
was appointed; and Ms. Smith and Ms. Whitchurch received one vote
each.
Mayor Klein said the Council was pleased to have Ionia Macneil as
a member of the VAJ.
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR THIRD APPOINTMENT TO THE VAJ:
Yati1 s er
or Go : Sutorius, Cobb, Klein, Levy, Woolley
oi�® aa�rs�m.
Vot�n� for L d afie: Witherspoon, Renzel, Fletcher
Yoting for l�hitclurch: Bechtel
��[M .�Yl �vIY 11 ,b���f�Ylattl�r�p
As. Tanner announced that Mr. Cooper received five votes, and was
appointed; Mr. Lydgate received three votes and Ms. Whitchurch
received one vote.
Mayor Klein said the Council was pleased to have Mr. Cooper as .a
member of the YAJ, and he echoed the remarks of Counc lmembers
Renzel and Fletcher. The Council was pleased with the number of
applicants, and believed it reflected the spirit of the citizens
of Palo Alto who volunteered for the various civic organizations.
He added that Tom Hickey,.; who withdrew his application, served
long and well on the VAJ. His service would he honored by the
Council at: a later date, but he expressed Council appreciation in
advance.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Vice Mayor Levy moved, seconded by Cobb, approval
Consent Calendar Items 4 - II.
Referral
ITEM 04_, 1984 85 COMMUNITY I. DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM ArPPLI-
lt_. R L U N N .�
ITEM! #1 LOT J PAINING GARAGE - SELECTION OF FINANCIAL CONSUL -
P y' AZ`10F
,Action
ITEM #b
RESOLUTION EXTENDING RESIDENTIAL NON --PARK USE =OF 0.956
Staff recommends that: Council adopt the Resolution extending tem-
porary non -park use of the 0.956 acre portion of the Arastra Prop-
erty for interim residential use.
1
1
MOTION RE C& i'SENT CALENUAK CON T ' u
RESGLUTION 6229 entitled RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
0 ALTO EXTENDING THE TEMPORARY'NON-PARK
USE OF THE DEDICATED 0.956 ACRE PARCEL ON THE ARASTRA
PROPERTY FOK UP TO ONE YEAR"
ITEM #7 FINAL SUbi IVISION MAP - 2150 2152 STAUNTON COURT
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the final map.
ITEM #t3 LIBRARY CATALOGING COMPUTER
(C x :1 : ' `�...�,.�..�,,..r...�. ... _ . .
Staff recommends that Council:
SERVICES CONTRACT
1. Authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement for $39,000 with
CLASS for cataloging computer services; and
2. Authorize staff to execute a change order to the agreement of
up to 10 percent of the agreement amount.
AWARD OF CONTRACT
Cooperative Library Agancy for System and Services
ITEM #9, REINFORCEL FAGRIC PAVEMENT (CMR:150:4)
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with O'Gr°ady Paving
in the amount of $55,034; and
2. Authorize Staff to execute change orders up to $5,000.
AWARD OF CONTRACT
O'Grady Paving
M #10 TENN15 COURT CLEANING (CMR:156:4)
Staff recommends that Council:
I. Authorize the Mayor to execute a contract with The Court Works
in the amount of $12,5.3,7; and
2. Authorize staff to execute change orders not to exceed
$2,001.
AWARD OF CONTRACT
The Court Works
ITEK 111, RESOLUTION ;E AUTHORIZATION OF SIGNATURE OF WILLIAM
RESOLUTION 6230 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF
"CITT UTTweD ALTO AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING SUBSTI-
TUTION OF THE SIGNATURE OF WILLIAM ZANER, CITY MANAGER,
AS AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE ON BANK ACCOUNTS WITH CROCKER
NATIONAL BANK, AND OTHER BANKS OR SUCCESSORS, IN PLACE
OF CLAYTON E. BROWN, TO BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY"
MOTION MOTION PASSED unanimously,
A6E1'€UA CkIANGESMIw1, ADUI T IONS ANO UELET INNS
rew�r� 11seMtl1F��,71 ►'
---NOTION: Councilnember Fietchd moved, seconded by Klein, to
-brieg forward Itee 2ii, Request of Councll*eaber Fletcher re
Rssolut1on of Apprecietien to Dovid Stiseel,'
4 2 1 I
2/13/84
Counci imernber tletcher said Mr. Stiebel wuuld be unable to attend
the next Council rneettny to receive the resolution she. hoped would
be approved that evening, and rather than have him wait until the
end of the meeting, she believed it was proper to move the item
up.
MOTION PASSEU unanimously.
ITEM #2O REQUEST OF COUNCILMEIIBER FLETCHER
ANPiaCIA UN TD uHviu aiiEBE
Councilmernber Fletcher said the Council was earlier advised that
David Stiebel, the KZSU announcer, would not be in Palo. Alto after
that even_ my because he accepted a position with a radio station
in Napa. She considered him to an outstanding young man. He came
to the City as a broadcaster at the age of 16, when he was about
to enter San Jose State University. He graduated, and it only
took two and one-half years to .earn his degree. During that time,
he spent time not only on his studies, but interned at KCBS and
worked at ei radio station in- San Jose at the same time. His
broadcasts were outstanding. She listened to.the broadcasts when
absent from the Council due to medical problems almost two yeare
ago. She listened faithfully every week, and was impressed. She
remembered the evening when the microphones were not working for
quite a while, and David gave.a simultaneous account of what was
being said as it was said. At the time she believed he was quali-
fied to work for the United Nations doing simultaneous broadcast-
iny while delegates spoke.
RE RESOLUTION OF
MUT1UM: CouncilmeMber Fletcher moved, seconded by Cobb, that
staff be directed to prepare a Resolution of Appreciation to David
Stiebel.
Vice Mayor Levy echoed ` Counci lme€nber Fl etcher's comments. The
Council was fortunate to have someone of such excellence nanrile
the broadcasts of its meetings.
MUTIUN PASSED unanimously.
Mayor Klein said the vote passed unani mous iy and with a great deal
of affection and -adrni ration for a job we i done. He asked David
Stiebel to step out from behind the plastic screen to say a few
words.
David Stiebel, 840 Talisman Drive, said he was glad the Council
meeting was on radio because his face was. turning red. li" enjoyed
attending the Council meetings, especially when they dealt with
big issues, He enjoyed watching people come before the Council to
discuss the anti -smoking issue, anti-nuclear involvement, and gun
control and being there while the Council discussed the issues.
He would miss that, and the chances he had to talk with many mem-
bers of the Council and staff who were helpful in giving him the
background on many issues. City Clerk Ann Tanner was helpful in
telling him the development of different issues, who.served on the
various committees, and advising him of any changes. It was ex-�
cellent, and he much enjoyed it. He thanked the Council.
ITEM #1e, FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION -RE
HUMAN RESOURCE ALLUCA ODES CR.12b:4 and CMR:ISfa:4)
Councilmember Cobb for the Finance_ and Public Works (F&PW) Commit-
tee reviewed the recommended priorities of the Human Relations
Commission (KRC) for fiscal year. 1984-85. The recommendations
were reported in _a complete memorandum from the HRC dated January
12, 1984, and summarized by CMR 128 4. The F&PW Committee clari-
fied the intent of tie first recommendation and made a slight mod-
ification for clarification in the third recommendation. The
report was then approved by a unanimous action.
4 2 1 2
2/13/84
MOTION: Councilmember Cohh fnt the Finance and Public Works
Committee moved approval of the Human Relations Commission recom-
mendations re Human Resource Allocations as follows:
1. The City release Request for Proposals for alcohol and drug
abuse prevention and education services for adolescents;
2. City staff explore and encourage opportunities to consolidate
hotlines in the City of Palo Alto;
1
1
1
3. The service levels on all programs currently supported by the
City be maintained, except where the program has demonstrated
either that the need is low and/or that the service is not of
a quality that merits that level of continued funding and
those were the proper reasons for reducing it; and
4. Council adopt the fields of service priorities.
Councilmember Cobb said a. "need" survey was performed, but the
quality of service was not yet evaluated, although two major- con-
tributors would be evaluated in the coming fiscal year the order
of priority in the subgroups shown on pages 5 through 9 of the HRC
report was a priority order within groups, and the purpose of the
clarification in recommendation 3 was to focus on why a service
might be underutilized. He said the word "of" should be added to
the fourth line on page 2 of CMR: 155:4 dated February 9, 1984 so
as to read "...service is not of a quality..." The F&PW Committee
was united in commending both the HRC and ::he supporting staff for
an excellent report and first effort on the entire recommenda-
tion.
Councilmember Witherspoon said the process took almost two years
to make, but was effective. It was a learning process for the HRC
and the Council, and as a member of the F&PW Committee, she
thought it would be valuable in setting budget priorities. She
Was concerned about getting back into the drug abuse situation --
she was a veteran of two experiences, and was leery about that
area. She asked how :staff visualized proceeding if all four rec-
ommendations were passed, and whether there would be a request for
proposal for Council to approve, or a dollar figure.
Social and Community Services Administrator Hai Anjo said the
Council. would have final say by approving a request for a contract
for service, which would follow the guidelines of the request for
proposal (RFP), would specify the kinds of services, and the type
of organization to provide the service. The City currently worked
with several organizations considered to be professional in that
they had certified clinical workers on staff.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked if staff interpreted it to be ser-
vices or education. The F&PW Committee discussed whether family
counseling for young alcohol or drug abusers would be provided or
education about the dangers.
Mr. Anjo clarified the program included prevention through educa-
tion, prevention of additional problems, and some levels of inter-
vention. Staff presently had two contracts that provided inter-
vention services 'ancillary to the drug problem, one with the Com-
munity Health Abase Council (CHAC), the other with the Palo Alto
Adolescent Services Corporation (PAASC). The program would be a
part of .that constellation.
Councilmember Witherspoon visualized staff putting together a pro-
posal and returning it to the Council for approval.
Mr. Anjo said staff would do that..
Councilmember Witherspoon suggested when staff consulted with the
HRC to determine the kind of RFP,, it be run past the Council for
4 2 1 3
2/13/84
As Corrected
4/09/84.
approval. It would have to be soon because the budget process
already started. She realized time was of the essence, and sug-
gested the information be put into the packet, and if it was not
agendized, the assumption would be to stand as written. It might
save two weeks. Staff should put the RFP in the same Council
packet with a time line for it to be agendized, and if no Council-
member did so, it would stand as written.
City Manager Bill Lefler said that could be done. An alternative.
process, 'which might be easier for staff, would be to put the
matter on the Consent Calendar, if there were no problems, it
would be approved, otherwise it cou:`.Id be removed.
Councilmember Witherspoon agreed.
AMEI4DMERT: Councilmember Witherspoon moved , seconded by Klein,
that a copy of Request for Proposals (RFP) be sent to Council as a
Consent Calendar ite& before being put out to bid.
Councilmember Bechtel asked whether staff envisioned an existing
organization, such as CHAC or PAASC to bid or a new organiza-
tion.
Mr. Anjo said existing organizations were expected to bid.
Councilmember Bechtel asked whether he knew that the County
granted money to CHAC to directly support parent organizations
doing the same thing currently in Palo Alto schools. There were
two different groups called "Group 80" and "Croup 88."
Mr. Anjo said yes, and his report referred to discussions with the
PALISD staff on the issue. As the RFP was developed, he believed
that if one came out as a result of the discussions, it would com-
plement the School District. The RFP would be designed with that
concern in mind, to not duplicate nor be. redundant in providing a
service already provided by the School District,
Councilmember Bechtel asked whether it was implied that a certain
amount of money would be guaranteed for funding in the submissions
for the particular RFP process, She was concerned there might be
no decent bids, or someone might bid $60,000, when the Council had
$2,000 or $3,000 in mind. She asked about the implications.
Mr. Anjo said the RFP would specify the range of dollars allowed
for the contract service.
Councilmember-Bechtel asked if that would be done before the Coun-
cil made any budget decisions
Mr. Anjo said it was typically part of an RFP.
Councilmember Bechtel was concerned because it was only decided at
budget time which contracts should be granted and the dollar
amounts. The'proposal seem to precede that process.
Mr. Anjo said it was typical for an RFP to include a dollar range.
A qualifier could be added that the proposal depended on the will-
ingness of the Council to fund and include the dollar range,
Councilmember Fletcher said she was happy to . see the process in
action. In years gone by, the Council was confronted with appli-
cations, and made its decisions without a good base of information
on which to make judgments. She especially commended : staff for
sorting thr=ough the mountains of information gathered, and for the
approximate 385 responses to the survey. The responses were - es-
says, and they must have been difficult to sort, categorize and
evaluate. Staff put in a great deal of work, and the result :was
outstanding.
Vice Mayor Levy said if Council approved the proposal that eve-
ning, it would mean new directions for the HRC. The concept of
the Human Services Resource Allocation Plan was a formalized way
to approach the many services expected of the Council and the many
services provided in Palo Alto. It was excellent to embark on an
analysis of what the City should be doing and the best uses of
its resources, and the HRC recently chaired by Mr, Podolsky and
Mr. Roe deserved commendation in that regard. The other element
highlighted the need for alcohol and drug use prevention and edu-
cation services for adolescents,, and he believed it was important
and needed in the community. His personal concern was in the area
of alcohol abuse prevention, although he suspected that alcohol
and drug abuse were two sides of the same coin. He hoped there
would be a particular focus on alcohol abuse in that area. He was
delighted with the report and happy to support it.
AMEWDMENT PASSED unanimously.
MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED unanimously.
ITEM f13, FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
IttViSIUNS 4 �`
RECOMMENDATION
RE
Councilmember Cobb, Chairman of the Finance and Public Works
(F&PW) Committee said the Committee reviewed CMR:100:4, which was
before the Council, and unanimously recommended Council approval
of the staff recommendations. He believed the minutes accurately
reflected the discussion, and noted the discussion by some members
of the Committee with regard to good judgment in granting un-
secured loans as related to the need to use the third item of the
recommendation.
MOTION: Councilmember Cobb for the Finance and Public Works
Committee moved re Revisions in the Solar Loan Terms the following
changes in the program's loan term:
1. Establish a sliding loan scale to accommodate 'passive* water
heating systems;
2. Increase the loan amounts available for small multiple family
buildings;
3. Authorize a $1,SOO unsecured loan for households with out-
standing credit history.
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM #14 .FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION RE
Councilmember Cobb, Chairman of the F&PW Committee, said the Com-
mittee reviewed CMR:114;4, which was before the Council. The Com-
mittee discussion was clear from the minutes, and he, noted.. several
members deservedly complimented staff on an exceptionally well
dorm and thorough report.
MOTION: Councilmember Cobb for the Finance and Public Works
Committee. moved re Fidanciwg of Solar Loan Program to adopt the
staff recommendations as follows:
1. Aatberi ze staff to repay the balance of the line of credit
obtained from the Bank of America using approximately $108,000
in foods from the Solar Loan Revolving Account;
2. Adoptt a policy which establishes ao intradepartmental line of
credit to be extended from the Gas System Improvement Reserve
to the Solar Loan Revolving Account, including provisions for
use of interest earned -by the, latter account for the purpose
of additional funding of new solar loans; and
/f3 $t
As Corrected
4/09/
MO ION CONTINUED
3. Approve a budget amendment ordinance from the Gas System
Improvement Reserve to the Solar Loan Revolving Account.
ORDINANCE 3510 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CTTT -or PALO'ThLTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 1983-84 TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE SOLAR
LOAM REVOLVING ACCOUNT"
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM #15, FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
RE
Councilmember Cobb., Chairman of the F&PW Committee said the Com-
mittee unanimously approved the staff recommendation contained in
CSR:?.04:4. The positions appeared to be justified by the work
required --the Interconnection Agreement with PG&E was part of the
City's Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) relationship;
second, the Calaveras project where the City had a large role; and
third, the 1985-87 undergrounding activities for the City utili-
ties. A part of the positions were triggered by the early retire-
ment of Bob Nagel, and the Committee discussions noted that the
electrician specified was more an electronics technician, The
costs involved for the balance of the current fiscal year were
$40,000 for all positions involved with an annual cost of
$135,000. As the NCPA representative he knew that the City's
activities would get into engineering and support relative to the
Interconnection Agreement and the Calaveras project —and could
become significant. For many reasons, it was important that Palo
Alto take a leadership role within NCPA because of its importance
to Palo Alto and its size within that organization. Technical
leadership was a part of it, and he believed the City needed
strong technical support for the kinds of activities that would
occur during the next several years.
MOTION: Councilmember Cobb for the Finance and Public Works
Committee moved to adopt the staff recommendation re Utilities
Personnel Requirements to authorize the addition of one Supervis-
ing Engineer, one Principal Engineer, and one Electrician to the
Utilities staff.
ORDINANCE 3511 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
cf''T_ aw TALK ALTO AMENDING. T1#E UItnI T FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 1983-84 TO ADD THREE POSITIOIS TO THE TABLE OF
ORGANIZATION FOR THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT"
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
COiNCLL RECESSED FROM 9:35 p.m. TO 9;40 �,m.
i�.Bs.�o PAI,IIOIfI.0 Y ..1 il�.-M1:'Y- vM �+�vf.Iw.YiYR�..�/I���ilb.y 1.Idl�i pll�
ITEM 116, PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RE ,DOWNTOWN STUDY
»I -MOAN
s
Planning Commissioner Jean McCown said the Commission made seven
recommendations The Council did not have the Commission minutes
because the action occurred just the previous Wednesday. The
staff report provided a number of items to consider. The first
recommendation was to make the downtown study a high priority for
1984. The Commission believed the matter was important to the
issues of development and parking in the downtown and to the com-
munity. The Commission perceived some fairly significant changes
occurring downtown recently at levels perhaps inconsistent with
the intent of the 'Comprehensive Plan, The Commission believed the
issue of the downtown_: and the proper level of development would
be a major focus of the Comprehensive Plan review, and was comfor-
table with it as a high priority and accepted the = resultant delay
of the overall Comprehensive Plan review that would be
1
f
4 2 1 6
2/13/84
necessitated if the downtown study were moved up by the Commis-
sion. It disagreed with the staff recommendation of the area
boundary to be considered in the study, and particularly with
regard to the CS area, which the Commission believed should be
included. The discussion spoke to the concern that if the down-
town study resulted in more restrictive development controls for
the core area of the -downtown --the assessment district and the CC
zone parcels --development pressure would shift to the CS areas to
the south. Those areas were presently underdeveloped in compari-
son with the CC area, and the Commission was concerned/' that if it
did not make policy recommendations for the CS area, then it would
play catch up on the area after development occurred there under
existinr regulations. It was- therefore an integral part of the
downtown area study. The staff report presented two a l ternati',e
descriptions of the scope and analysis that could take place in
the downtown study, The public testimony unanimously supported
the fullest possible analysis, and came from downtown property
owners, businessmen and women who supported it even if it meant an
extension oT Lrre current parking ordinance beyond the end of
Fearuary, 19e5. The Commission concurred that the significance of
the issues in the downtown area justified a full analysis, and
that it shc)uld be the focal point of the study and discussion of
the issues. It did not support the staff recommendation of the
nomination and adoption - of a Study Advisory Committee, and con-.
eluded that the formulation of goals and alternative policy con-
cepts Should be acted on by the Planning Commission for recommend-
ation to the City Council. _ The- Commmission strongly concurred
with the concept of foil public participation and a formal
advisory group probably along the guidelines suggested in the
staff report, Rather than having an advisory group make recom-
mendations to the Planning Commission and the Planning Commission
in turn making recommendations to the City Council, the Commission
wanted to conduct the study and analysis of the issues; with pub-
lic participation, and make recommendations to the Council. The
Commission concurred with the staff recommendation as to the use
and role of consultants as described in the staff report, and
believed the focus was principally on the need for the economic
analysis described in the staff report. The Commission did not
focus on whether the economic analysis must be done by an outside
consultant versus the capabilities of the City staff, but con-
curred with the staff recommendation that an outside consultant
was necessary to perform the work. The Commission deferred to the
staff's view on that, but the Commission believed that kind of
economic forecast and analysis were important in putting together
the ultimate conclusions of sucn a study. The Comrrriseicn recom-
mendation as to the urban design evaluation was set 'forth in item
b of its transmittal. The Commission strongly believed the ARB
should be involved. in the urban design subcommittee and input into
the downtown study. With regard to the Parking Advisory Subcom—
mittee, the Commission did not act on the staff recommendation
about: selecting and appointing such a subcommittee because its
recommendation as to the role of the Study Advisory Committee was
different from the staff recommendations. The report stated that
the Commission recommended it not be established, but she believed
that was overstated. The 6e1 a cd -sirs
ce it went in- a
different direction from staff on the Advisory Committee, it
Should see how that worked out before a Parking Advisory Subcom-
mittee was set up.
Couocilmemher Cobb said there were other major actions that would
be triggered by "waiting for the Comprehensive" Plan update," and
he asked .what dominoes would fall if Council gave the kind of em-
phasis suggested.
Chief Planning Official Bruce Freeland said staff would continue
work on severa i . studies i n progress --a I l _ other work .wool d,: not be
halted. Staff .embarked on the study of the multiple family areas
where there was high density in close relationship to single fami-
ly areas, end expected to complete it, They were working on the
Maxim�art - site, where a moratorium! was running, and would complete
4 2 1 7
that, acrd Lhe Arastr'a Park plan was nearly completed. Other plan-
ning efforts would continue --the housing element had to be -done
that year so that part of the Comprehensive Plan would proceed.
The major work to be postponed would be looking at the overall
adequacy of the Comprehensive Plan, whether it was up to date, and
breathing new life into the existing document. He believed the
overall Comprehensive Plan was in pretty good shape. It was im-
portant that it be renewed from time to time, but he did not be-
lieve any major problems would result from the Plan being post-
poned about one year --the suggested time lag to concentrate on the
downtown study.
Councilmen ber Cobb clarified that the Comprehensive Plan update
might not be completed until late 1985, but it t was in good enough
shape and not a real crisis.
Mr. Freeland believed it would not start until early 1985,
Cnuncilmernber Cobb clarified it would not be completed until late
1986. It was a significant undertaking for the Planning Commis-
sion, and he asked about the impact on the Planning Commission'.s
normal workload. If the Planning Commission took on the central
role, he asked how a Citizen':s Advisory Committee could be set up
so that meetings between the Planning Commission and the Advisory
Comrmittee would be different from any public hearing the Commis-
sion might want to hold.
Ms. McCown said she was not sure she could respond to the workload
question because staff had a clearer idea about what was coming
up. The Planning Commission's schedule projected the next couple
of months. The Commission discussed the process with it perform-
ing many of the functions designed for the Advisory Committee.
There was no decision on how it should be done, but there was a
strony feeliny that the procedure and format should be more infor-
mal than the normal Planning Commission public hearings. The Com-
mission did not want the meetings held in the Council Chambers,
for example, but rather in the conference room or some setting
that allowed more give and take. At an initial stage in the pro-
ceedings, there would be an exchange of dialogue between members
of the public who wanted to attend and the Planning Commission, or
perhaps a designates committee would provide input into the .Come
mission process. Uuring the early stages of the process, the Com-
mission would not necessarily act formally by voting on matters
but would rather engage in the listening and reaction process.
After working with the materials and ideas generated by the
process,- 'the Commission would start to formulate recommendations
and actions to be passed on to the Council. As staff recommended,
the Commission's role would end about March and it would not be
involved again in the analysis of the issues and data until the
public hearings in October°. The Commission was concerned, given
the magnitude and importance of the issues, that it not .partici-
pate in four or five months of working effort, but simply have a
package returned from the Advisory Committee. Then. the Commis -
pion would either approve or deal with the matter in some smaller
way, but it would not actual ly:. get in and work with the material
directly. She spoke at the Commission about a sense of distance
she felt on the California --Avenue study 'where two Commissioners
participates in the Sounding Board all &long,- and the rest of the
Commission was not involved, After months of good work, the
product was brought back to the Commission, ,which odid not have
much to do with it. That might be in Order, but it .gave the Com-
mission a sense of not having formulated the background -=and bass±
for the ultimate recomrendati-ons. Because of the significance --of
the downtown area and_ the issues they faced, the Commission be-
l.ieved it -was a Matter in -which it wanted to be directly involved
from -the begi nni ng to the end.
Councilmeraber Bechtel said ;the November 17, 1983 staff report In
dicated the downtown study would be incorporated as part -`of the
Comprehensive Plan, and less than two months later, there was a
change of thinking. She asked for an explanation.
Mr. Freeland said staff was trying to respond to what it under-
stood to be the Council direction --that before the end of the one
year sunset clause _ in the downtown parking ordinance, a study
would be completed with a successor ordinance before the Council.
In order to accomplish that, the parking issue needed to be ad-
dress;d in the context of the overall downtown development policy.
In order to meet the one year expiration date of the downtown
parking ordinance, and the Council instructions to prepare a work
program for the downtown study by which to accomplish it, staff
took thee as a benchmark. The logic of the program was to try and
bring back a product in time to meet the deadline established by
Council.
Councilmember Bechtel asked if it was possible to make the eco-
nomic analysis more in-house with subcontracting if necessary.
Director of Planning and Community Environment Ken Schreiber said
much of the data collection would be done in-house. Staff would
not hire consultants to collect data because technicians could be
hired, and they could use the resources already provided for in
the budget. The consultant work would be needed if the economic
questions were such that Council wanted answers in the analysis
area. There WdS insufficient expertise within the Planning
Bepertrnent or within other places in City Hall to answer in depth
the types of questions the public and Planning Commission might
like to have answered.
Counciimember Bechtel asked for the total cost of the California
Avenue study.
Mr. Freeland believed Mr. McDonald's contract was for $30,000.
Mr. McDonald was working on two different tasks, .one to. help with
the overall analysis of the area, and to develop a new assessment
formula to- raise new moneys from that assessment area. He
believed a comparison of the size of the two areas would show the
California Avenue area to be about one-third in size. Staff
estimated that the economic consultant tasks would fail in the
$511,000 to $75,000 range but not the full $100,000, and were: talk-
ing about three times the area, with perhaps twice to three times
the budget for the California Avenue area study.
Mr. Schreiber realized that dollars were important, and said staff
attempted to try and estimate the cost of the consultant by con-
tacting a number of consultants to outline the City's interests,
and what it might cost. The $50,000 to $75,000 figure was a mid-
range estimate, and many consultants pushed the numbers up to
$10€0,000 or nigher. When staff said $50,000 to $75,000, they
assumed a tight contract with the role of the cons_ gal taut
restricted. If the primary study area were expanded, as the PC
recommended, it would add considerably to the work of the economic
consultant. That would add a lot of area with -different develop-
ment restrictions and developmene. assumptions from the main area
in the downtown„ and would add complexity to the economic analy-
sis, which meant the cost would be closer to $75,000 than
4501.0004
Councilmember Woolley was also concerned about the workload of
the PC and staff. Originally, it was planned that three parts of
the Comprehensive Plan, parks, urban design, .and environmental
resources, would be taken up early, and she asked where they stood
now.
Mr. Freeland sAid staff believed the entire... Comprehensive Plan,
except the housing element review and .the work on the multiple
family areas, -should be postponed until •after the downtown study.
The downtown st y - was a major component of the Comprehensive
Plan, as was the Makimart Site, and it was hard to think of it as
anything other than Comprehensive Plan level issues.
4 2.1 9
2/13/84
Counci Imcmbcr Woolley asked about the capabi l ities of staff if
sup e• major project the scope of the or1 g Iia 1 Stanford West project
came' along.
Mr. Freeland said staff would be stretched, but would also stretch
if it :ame along when they were doing the Comprehensive Plan.
Counci lmember Woolley referred to Item 4 of the Planning Commis-
sion recommendations. From Commissioner McCown's remarks, it came
down to the Commission being closely involved with the total
prucess versus the representation afforded by the Advisory Commit-
tee, which would have 18 representatives from various segments of
the community. She asked staff to comment.
Mr. Freeland said when staff considered Planning Commission in-
volvement, it was unknown whether it could be done, and was not
suggested. Staff welcomed its direct involvement. It was more
than staff hoped to secure, and much would be gained by direct
citizen involvement in the process. If they had both, staff did
not recommend an 18 person committee plus the Planning Commission
because it was too large' to work with. There were obvious advan-
tages and disadvantages to the Commission and the citizen models,
and the Planning Commission recommendation was to try and bridge
the yap. They talked about how it Enioht work, but he was not sure
closure was reached. Staff imagined about 10 or 11 citizens work-
ing with the Planning Commission in an open study format, without
decisions being made. It would be an idea -generating debating
society, without a direct recommendation rule. The Planning Com-
mission could meet separately from time to time to make its mile-
stone -type decisions. It needed to decide on goals, but there
would be a lot of analysis and idea generation necessary for the
decisions to be made later. He did not believe the Planning Com-
mission would constantly need to withdraw from the others to make
a decision. That would happen at major decision points along the
way, and it was possible to have a fairly natural committee give
and take, with the understanding that from time to tirne, the Man-
nino Commission would consider the advice it received and make
recommendations.
Cbuncilmember Woolley asked if the Downtown Study would consider
the 10 10 zone for application to any part of the Downtown North
area.
Mr. Freeland said staff tried to limit the policy €end of the study
to the commercial areas, more than the Planning Commission recom-
mendation, and the major issue was time and a manageable product.
Councilmember Fletcher believed the California Avenue study was
partially funded by the California Avenue businesses.
Mr. Freeland said that was because' there were funds in the assess-
ment district kitty. One task was to !evelop a new assessment
district formula, and it was considered legitimate for the assess-
ment district .to pay a good portion of the costs since it was
directly related to future money raising through the assessment
district mechanism.
Councilmeuber Fletcher remembered the unhappiness of the business
people who said they were being singled out, while. in other area.s
of the City, affected people were not being assessed. She re
quested fairness.
Mr.. Freeland suggested the creation of a new assess r ent formula;
and if a parallel arose _between the .two-- studies, perhaps sore
money cov l d be raised. He ova's not sure whether the downtown had a
reserve fund as did the California Avenue area, but Jhosee Were
legitimate assessment district decisions. and functions.
4 2 2 0
2/13/84
Vice Mayor Levy said he was biased against economic consultants,
and asked staff to be more specific about the purpose.
Mr. Freeland said that by analogy with the California Avenue
study, the study was undertaken in the hopee of providing parking
through increased activity in the assessment district. It was not
until they developed forecasts of the .amount of development they
would experience, turned that into the number of parking spaces
that would be needed, turned that into costs of building spaces,
and turned those -casts into likely rents that would be raised in
order to pay for ;the assessments, that the study began to make
sense. Once they had the numbers, they could see the cost to sup-
port the growth through the parking, and it became obvious to the
business people in the area that they could not afford to bear
those costs. That was not obvious until they got to the point of
turning growth into parking, parking spaces to assessments, and
assessments to rent. That would be the exact concern downtown.
,The theory would be either success or failure, dependent on how it
ultimately worked economically. The Council asked staff to study
the in -lieu fee structure so that small properties downtown might
not have to provide all its parking on -site. There was no basis
for in -lieu tee payments unless parking spaces were being provided
somewhere. In order to request that the downtown businesses raise
the funds to build those parking structures to provide the spaces
so;that in -lieu fee, or buy -in, could work, there would have to be
assurances that it made sense economically, that the amount of
development upon which the supply of parking was predicated was
sensible, and that the cots of providing le were sensible in that
new development would be able to afford to buy the spaces. Unless
those costs could be traced down, and unless it was known whether
development could take place, it was a gamble at best to ask
people to embark upon a series of structures in order to have -that
in -lieu fee payment. When it got down to policy, he saw a need to
have an economist work with staff to see if things fit and would
make sense. He believed that was the most important function of
an economic analyst. In order to get there, the City needed to
deal with growth forecasts, and that was the other major level
where staff expected input. Staff wanted to know how much growth
and economic activity they could expect in the abeence of changing
policies, and some idea of the effect of policies they might sug-
gest in terms of the possible growth level. Staff could guess on
the impacts of policies, but he believed someone competent in that
area could.. give much better advice.
Vice Mayor Levy said it one assumed the downtown area would be by
and large filled to the zoning capacity decided on by Counci l ,
could the economic extrapolations be done by staff. He believed
staff might know the downtown area better than most consultantsr
they could hire.
Mr. Freeland said if he assumed full development of the policies
on the books, they would not have to get to the economics; it
would break down for other reasons. Staff was confieent there was
not the capacity to produce that many parking spaces, and he- was
confident the C1-ty would not want the traffic that would be on the
streets, If they started from that question, the answer would be
undesirable. Staff _did not consider it likely that the full
amount of development would .Occur for a number of reasons, include
ing parking and traffic, Staff requested help on the harder ques-
tion of what might -occur and how -the Council's desires -could be
translated bask into policy andande how it might affect growth
levels.
Vice Mayor Levy believed that should be discussed .further as he
supposed it would, ehe asked about the lnclugion of tnr CS _zone in
the study.. He ascertained .from Commissioner McCown that she
Wanted to include the CC zone along Alma and asked if the lnclu-
lion of those zones would make any difference in the study. It
Seemed -loll -cal from -the planning Commission' -s point of view, and
it :see:ed logical to him.
4 2 2 1
2/13/84
Mr. Freeland said it was iuejca 1 to look at all the commercial
a reel in the downtown. The concern was time and resources, and
staff looked to the Council to call those shots becausea it
represented a major expansion of ten blocks. Parking was not so
,much the issue because they were outside the parking assessment
a aea, but there were, other issues like what to do with the auto-
mobile uses there and the different character of the neighborhood.
The different owners and interests involved increased the complex-
ity of the study, and he would not argue the need to study the
area provided they had the_time and resources to do it. Staff was
concerned that with d tight timetable, the more they bit off, the
more they must chew. It was a question of whether it Could be
done-.
Councilrnerhber Renzel said there were a number of questions about
the Comprehensive Plan review being delayed. The Comprehensive
Plan was intact. It took a number of years to formulate, and it
was modified more or less on an annual or bi-annual basis. Aside
from ti•re housing element, which they were required by State law to
implement, and having some out of date information, she asked
about further impacts from delay in revisions to the Comprehensive
Plan.
Mr. Freeland believed the most important part of the Comprehensive
Plan was that it maintain credibility; that the Council, the Plan-
ning Commission, and the public view it as an up-to-date document
they could believe in, which was the major reason for an update
from time to time. He did not see that any major crisis would
occur through delay because the Plan was in good- shape overall.
The major concern was that IL not become so stale people lost
faith.
Councilrnernber Renzel said in the original staff proposal for a
Citizens' Committee to focus the public input, she did not under-
stand where the ordinary citizens, not members of the committee,
would give their input. She asked if they would be required to go
to different groups with their input, and asked staff to elabor-
ate. She was satisified with the Planning Commission solution to
the problem, but wondered if staff would comment on how it
envisioned encompassing the.members of the public generally con-
cerned with the downtown.
Mr. Freeland said staff looked to a rapid study, and did not en-
vision many opportunities for the public at large to become
involved. The first opportunity would be during the goal -setting
process, which he believed was the direction and intent of the
study. . -That would provide an opportunity for publicity in the
-early stages to let people know what they were doing. There would
t•e hearings at the Planning Commiss on and Council level early on
in the study to try and set those goa 1 s. That would-be: the first
major opportunity for the public, and although net specified,
staff could provide opportunities for the Committee tomeet with
the public from time to time just as the Seismic Committee held a
big public meeting before making - .,its final recommendations.
Basically, staff saw .the goal -setting phase, and the final recome
mendation phase. They assumed, the meetings would be open to the
public., and that there would be public notice, but did -hot envi-
sion a major outreach effort other than at those deci ionemaking
meetings.
Counci lcnember Sutorius acknowledged a bias in favor of the spe-
cifiic plan approach to -planning for thee downtown, but -Would -'het
lobby for it twat everi1ny. .Since the specific plan was discussed
and an alternative was offered in an urban design evaluation and
urban design plan development, he would di`rRect his questions in
that, area. No one,. saw.,., specific plea as only urban des9.gn or
Visual design analyses,,, `and he asked staff to comment further on
how the suggested subcommittee t f local architects and designers,
members ofe the Downtown Study Advisory Commi tee, ' etc. , would
function, and what its product would be.
Mr. Freeland said there would be multiple products. The major
product would be identification of the step before the design
plan. An urban design plan was a detailed uucument that specifi-
cally identified architectural and urban design features to be
treated in the downtown area. He saw it as being a step short and
identifying the opportunities of the City to accomplish visual en-
hancement downtown, identification of the major architectural and
public open space features the City should strive to accomplish.
That was essential in order to talk about things like amenity zon-
ing. He was not sure about the Council's position on amenity zon-
ing, but if it were discussed, they first had to know which ameni-
ties the City wanted so badly it was willing to entertain more
flexible zoning. He saw that inventory as the wish list of the
types of amenities the City should strive to accomplish as a
product of the Committee. He also believed there might be -
specific design enhancements that could be brought to the ARB's
attention --for insta`r;ce, when the students were in town the previ-
ous.summerO they made quite a deal over Florence Street and the
potential access between Lytton and University and the potential
it represented. Density transfer and so forth was another product
area. There -was a product area associated with parking. When the
parking ordinance was in front of therm, members of the public sug-
gested such things as a policy to allow the City to replace street
treed because of underground garages, and a policy to question the
banning of curb cuts on University Avenue because of the desire
for parking structures. He previously mentioned that the design
of budidiegs could be affected by the way parking spaces were
created, so that .parking, and a desire to have parking downtown,
would mean aesthetic trade-offs in the downtown area. Someone
needed to look at that product area in depth. . The products would
be recommendations in at least those three areas, parking, densi-
ty transfer and amenity zoning, historic preservation area, and
identification of major visual assets and objectives for the down-
town. The recommendations would be made to the Commission and in
turn to the main study. They would not be set up in opposition to
the main study, but would support it. He believed it could be
accomplished, which was the reason for having people from the main
Committee sit on the subcommittee. In order to work, there must
be a lot ,of interest from the downtowo area and' the architectural
community. Some local architects indicated a willingness to par-
ticipate, but he was unsure about whether they knew the level of
commitment necessary to do the job. Doing that other than through
the professional interest An the community, might be costly if
eonsu l tants were used.
Counci lmember Sutorius said if he caught all the aspects identi-
fied, the products would he observations, critiques, verbal and
written presentations, but not actual concepts on paper in a de-
sign sense at that stage.
Mr. Freeland believed that at the end, some concepts would be down
on paper in a design sense, but limited in scope. If it was con-
cluded that there should be major pedestrian enhancement of some
of the cross -streets, it might',, be identified, but he did not
believe there would be a plan for accomplishing it. It would be a
stela- short of a design plan on how to do it, but it might well
identify the major_ design ideas for the downtown.
Councilraember Sutorius asked if..the latter area was considered to
be an urban design plan that would be undertaken subsequently.
Mr. Preeland believed it was a - futu.re decision, If there were
sufficient promise in what was produced to Justify going further
wi th i t, the City. _cou l d do so. He hoped that would be the case,
but was. not :setting out with- the. firm idea that it `would neces
sari iy be _so.- - If it turned Out the Committee's Work was fruitful
and promising, it .fight generate enthusiasm to, go further.._
4 2 2 3
2/13/84 .
Co►unc l l u er4rber Sutorius referred to the map, and. a ske i f e r ou f i r-
matica of area identification, ltegar•diny the area principally
identified as PF--the railroad station and parking areas on both
sides of the tracks --he asked if that boundary was in the second-
ary area. He asked if there were discussions that would indicate
a way to address the parking subject comprehensively without mak-
ing sure the area was incorporated as one of the last real oppor-
tunities the City had to do -something significant.
Mr. Schreiber said that was exactly why the boundary went out and
picked up that land.
Councilmember Witherspoon said that after listening to the discus-
sion, the Council -might be better served by breaking it down into
pieces. She could not find'the difference between their lists of
activities in the "reduced scope" and the list of activities just
above it, which she understood was more or less the. Planning Com-
mission recommendation, give or take larger boundaries, or a
facilitator or not.
Mr. Schreiber said the basic difference was that the reduced scope
did not focus on economics. It started out with a process where
the goal and policy identification would lead to a small number of
development alternatives that would then be analyzed basically in
terms of traffic and parking --not economics. There would be fewer
alternatives, less data collected, and less analysis. That would
be the major cutback in terms of the Planning Commission recom-
mendation and the "reduced scope."
Counci lrrenber Witherspoon agreed that traffic and parking started
the process in the first place As Council fiddled with the for-
mula, it backed into a lot of the other considerations, and while
they were at it, threw in urban design, which they always wanted
to study if they ever had the time. She believed the scope should
be limited. If, as Mr. Freeland pointed out, they found fruitful
areas at the end of the study that were peripheral to the goals
identified, consideration should be given to going on with them.
In the meantime, the Comprehensive Plan should be finished, _ She
believed the driving motivation in the entire issue was parking
and its impact. With all due respect to Vice Mayor Levy, she
believed Council mmst have economic data to determine whether
alternatives (a) or (b) were justified or feasible. As a Council -
member, it was important to her that a third of the City's income
came from the sales tax, and she wanted it clear that the retail
trade downtown wool d be in no way endangered: She did not know
how much of their income fr9m sales tax came from the downtown,
but she suspected it was considerable.
Mr, Schreiber said that was another area where an economic consdl-
tant could provide answers. The impact on retail activity and the
amount of sales was another area where staff would not have sub-
stantial expertise to answer those questions.
Councilmernber Witherspoon said she appreciated that, and asked
whether the assessment district should do the funding. She
believed the parking motivation was one thing,_ but the city was,
also involved in economic revenue, and could justify spending an
amount necessary to get the economic consulting done.-:
She asked
if that' was coisidered by the planning Commission, in the spirit'of
consolidating the advice to maximize input,: volunteer expertise
and expedite the proceSsse 1f it would not mate sense, she under-
stood the Planning Commission volunteered its services for which
Council was grateful., perhaps AIM: members would tike to partici-
pate also. it would be in tyre form of a committee as a whole, -and
every member did -no.t-have' to attend each session, but she believed
it would be =valuable, especially„ in the. goal -setting stage, to
have both advl-sory experts in on the process. If they granted -to
expand It, anybody in the public would be invited to address them,
-but it they wanted to go out into the community and specifiCal y
invite civic members, it would help doyen the road Innovati-ve and
radical suggest i oris" . i n terms of input, expertise, etc., wool d be
helpful- for imp.lementative.
Ms. McCown said the matter was not specifically discussed by the
PC, but the sense was that as much ARB participation as possible
would be welcomed.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she understood it was to be a
quasi -informal advisory committee, and that the subject of discus-
sion was whether its members would be Planning Commission members
or others.
Mr. Freeland said staff origi,riai,ly recommended the Planning Com-
mission make recommendations to the City Council, with a citizen
involvement process to apprise the Phoning Commission of communi-
ty views. There would be aee informal exchange and idea -generating
committee, but the Planning Commission -PC would make the recommen-
dations.
Councilmember Witherspoon clarified that after discussion, dissen-
sion points would be voted en, but only Planning Commissioners
would vote. She asked Mr. Freeland if that would work.
Mr. Freeland said it would be tricky to maintain the process so
that citizen members felt worthwhile, and it WuS inpuriant it be
an idea -generating, information -sharing forum, and for everyone to
be involved. The Planning Commission was concerned about giving
people a false sense of authority to make recommendations to the
Commission, who in turn made recommendations to the City Council,
with the prospect of rejection along the line. In either case
there was a risk in making people feel that what they were doing
was meaningful and legitimate, and it was important to the commit-
tee for people to understand the ground rules under which they
operated, which was to share ideas.
Councilmember Wi hersvoon said the Planning Commission proposed to
meet with the ARB and selected citizens, if necessary, for a
chaired round table discussion, but without any formal recommenda-
tion.
Ms. McCown believed the concept was to set a stage where goals
could. be recommended by the Advisory Committee. She understood
the goals would be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and that
the Planning Commission; would make recommendations, with input
from the Advisory Committee, to go to the Council by March, • at
which time some set of goals would be adopted. There. would then
be a five or six month process where only the Advisory Committee
Would be involved; the Planning Commission would not participate
in that:. putslic hearing or meeting process. The Advisory Commit-
tee, as described in the staff report, would be a voting commit-
tee, and would make formal recommendations to the Planning Commis-
sion in October for review and recommendations to. the Council.
She saw the potential kit conflicting recommendations since the
Commission Would not -be involved with the input and information
discussions of the Advisory Committee, and would have formal hear-
ings with public input for reactions to the recommendations of the
Advisory Committee. The Planning Commission wanted to be a part
of the working process, and tried to devise a manageable way to do
so. It proposed a working series of meetings without decisions or
votes --an informal, give-and-take discussion among Planning Come
mission Members, tmembers of the public and specific 'designated
representatives, whatever the format. At the end of the process
when the PC was .to make. recommendations to tree Council, all input
generated from the meetings by all active participants, aWoold be
studied for recommendation -s.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked if that was why a, facilitator was
not needed
Ms. McCown said _yes,- .and the need for a facilitator arose with a
group of people who did not know one another.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked why.
4 2 2
2/13/84
Mr. Schreiber said the Planni iy Commission recommendation.set a
basie approach for citizen involvement with details to be worked
out, and farther formulation. If the Council adopted the Planning
Commission recommendation, staff anticipated determining whether
there should be appointed members, or a process open to anyone who
wanted to join. Staff: worked on te question the previous week,
and it would be discussed with the Commission. There was a con-
cern about continuity, getting people involved in the entire
process, and giving people some ownership. Some of the questions
raised by Councilmember Witherspoon would be answered after Coun-
cil action that evening.
Councilmember Renzei asked about the limited scope option, and
whether the major deletion would be the economic portion. In
terms of land use planning, she asked if adding the economic study
would embellish the otherwise common land use planning technique.
Mr. Schreiber said there was no one right solution, and the best
was the one which allowed the decision makers to be comfortable.
If the downtown analysis clearly showed the direction for future
changes in development regulations, then economics could be delet-
ed because ,it would not be the highest priority, and an economic
consultant would be unnecessary. If Commissioners and Councilmem-
bers were asked economic questions to which they had no answers,
the situation would be uncomfortable and an unacceptable part of
the process. In three to eight months time, the economic consult-
ant Would become an important adjunct to the entire study, and the
question was the level of comfort, and the information sought by
the Council, and the intended response for members -of the public
asking about the impacts of potential policies.
Mr. Freeland said it was clearly stated to the Commission that
staff sought to not spend City money on issues to which the Coun-
cil did not reed answers. Council was being asked what it needed
to know to make the eventual decisions.
Councilmember Cobb was concerned that even if the Planning Commis-
sion took on the recommended role, the schedule would remain at 12
months, and the Citizens Advisory Committee would not compress the
schedule by much.
Mr. Freeland said 12 months was an extraordinarily tight time
frame.
Councilmember Cobb said during the next year, the School District
would present the Council with the Middle School question, .and as
he understood the rep'grt, it might be difficult for the Council to
dig into that significant problem, and deal with it because staff
would be "up to its eyebrows." He asked whether the City would be
able to deal with the Middle School site when proposed if Council
adopted the proposed:recommendations.
Mr. Freeland said the timetable to complete the downtown work
would haveto be extended, or there would have to be a less inten-
sive —effort on the Middle School question, and it would be. the
same i f :staff -jumped into the Comprehensive Plan. study. There was -
insufficient staff resources to take on future programs for a
while. When that decision came, Council would have -- to weigh its
priorities.
COUNCIL RLCLSSEU FROM 9:35 psmr.. TO 9;5O
Bob Moss, 4U11l Orte., agreed, that the problem in the downtown was a
significant issue that deserved attention. He was concer-ned with
the ret;ommendations, ono was uneasy with the -idea of such 'a. major
study almost:to the exclusion -of other things that might:. occur
like the norpal Comprehensive Plan review,: _the possible_ school
site acquisition,- etc. He was concerned about the --philosophy to
4 2 2 b
2/13/84
1
1
i
take nn such a project with the California Avenue project the pre-
vious year, and in three or four months Stanford West might return
with another proposal. The Willow Road extension was on the dock-
et, and he was concerned about such a major new project in such a
short time frame. The projected schedule estimated less than sev-
en months for the committee and public hearings before going to
the Planning Commission, and in October the entire issue would be
before the Commission. Based on his experience on the Terman
Working Group, he -believed that was grossly optimistic, and would
be surprised if the project 'was ready for the Commission before.
the following April or May. He believed they were looking at 18
to 24 Months for something -as complex as the issue before the
Council. He was concerned about projects not mentioned being
elbowed out. The Barron -Park Traffic Committee was promised a
Barron Park traffic study since 1977, but every time it got near
the top of the list, something happened.: The Traffic Department
would be heavily involved in the project, and Barron Park was
tired of waiting, and letting Southgate and Evergreen Park studies
go ahead because they had problems, and the downtown study should
not also go ahead The -Barron Park problems should be solved.
:There were two basic issues, parking, -which was discussed in
detail; and the jobs/housing imbalance, which was not mentioned
but which had a bearing on the downtown. It was not just the
amount of parked cars, but also the number of employees, that
created pressures on the housing market and on parking in residen-
tial areas adjacent to the downtowns The focus should not just be
on parking and whether it was possible to get parking structures
or otherwise park cars downtown, but also on how many jobs were
being brought in. if that was done everything else was irrele-
vant. He believed the Advisory Committee was heavily weighted
toward the downtown business interests and against the neighbor-
hood representatives. He suggested it be expanded by three addi-
tional residents from .Downtown North, Downtown; and University
Park. He walked those precincts during the last campaign and
found those residents considered the downtown their neighborhood
shopping area and were concerned about what happened because of
their vested interests. He suggested adding a resident from
Crescent Park because it was that neighborhood's shopping area.
In addition to the League of Worsen Voters' representative, he sug-
gested a .representative from the Palo Alto Civic League. Regard-
ine representatives from the Planning Commission and the ARB, the
Terman Working Group was open to anyone who wanted to sit in on
the meet i nys. The Advisory committee could be open to Planning
Commission and A U membert as observers, with one identified rep-
resentative -on the Committee.,,. While it was an interesting study,
the Council proposed something that was against the basic princi-
pies of good land use planning, `and can the _verge of piecemeal.ing
the Comprehensive Plan, taking one element of the City and making
an extensive study on it to the exclusion of all others. When
that was done, the Council might find that adopted recommendations
created unexpected pressures in' Other areas of the City. For
example, reduction of development potential downtown might create
a development demand In other areas, such as Stanford Industrial
Park which, under Stanford guidel siesa was developed far less in-
tensely than City zoning allowed. It might encourage lntensifica-
ti.on in Stanford industrial Park, along the 8ayshore, Fabian Way,
and San Antonio. Such piecemealing was dangerous, and he sug-
gested the.Councii address it cautiously.,
Warren Thoits, 52S University. Avenue, was a member of the Joint
Sponsor Group, Who worked on a number of .downtown problems. He
supported the Planning Commission recor:endation that the study
not be limited, and as indicated by Councilmember Witherspoon, the
downtown was a valuable asset to the City and produced a ,major
part of` the revenue on which the City depended. To study an ,.area
without Making it a general study would be a mistake_-, to isolate
one ptobleu and study it;without taklrg its effect or the -total
problets of the area.'. into account-, would.be a mistake, and lead to
another- Study of other proba:.ams. He .strongly urged adoption of
the Planning CuAmission recommendation that the study not -be
1 irai tells: Thee Planning Commi ssi on' s wi l i i ngness to Aindertake. the
4 2 2 7
2/13/84
task was admirable, particularly in view of its and staff's cur-
rent workload, but that would overlook the input of those most
directly involved, who lived with the problems, and would pay for
the results, which would be a mistake. He believed it would be
most effective for the Commission to sit as a policy group, as it
was supposed to, and act as a sounding board for specific recom-
mendations or proposals from those most directly involved and
familiar with the problems, amalgamate them, and make a final pro-
posal to the Council. To put the problem in the lap of the Com-
mission would hamper the work on all other problems with which it
had to deal City-wide, and overlook these who probably had the
best input for the problem. He strongly urged adoption of the
PC's recommendation, but that the Council . make the Citizens'
Advisory Group the major group to work out solutions for Commis-
sion consideration.
Carl Schmitt, 3b1 Lytton Avenue, was a corporate resident of the
downtown area, and urged that Council go ahead to utilize the
economist and as much citizen involvement as possible. Kany peo-
ple had different ideas about the character of the downtown, and
some believed it was Hain Street, U.S.A., or about to become a
Century City North, or Rodeo Avenue North. There was a lot of
confusion out there, and he believed the study had the potential
to provide a good, solid base upon which to make decisions in the
future which could be vital to the downtown going forward.- He
last appeared before the Council on the parking issue, which was a
strong driver within the problem, and as staff pointed out, the
parking ramifications needed the analysis of an economist. A
heavy involvement by citizens --the people living, working, owning
and using the area --should a 1so be involved in the process. All
of the different perceptions, even in the goal -setting area, must
be brought together. If the Commission were assigned the work, it
should be augmented by those different facets. There was a strong
interest by the various facets to be involved in something that
could be a good resource to the Commission. If dollars were the
trouble, either of the two assessment districts might -be utilized
to fund it. As a direct and indirect payer into the assessment
district, he welcomed the opportunity to participate. With regard
to the CS and CC zone and its involvement or inclusion in the
study, that was the di recti;gin of much potential development, and
should be looked at as a potential assessment district with which
to deal with the parking problem. He encouraged its inclusion as
well. He said it was an opportunity that should not, be scaled
back and left to lie at the side, -there was a lot of interest in
the downtown, and it needed to be developed.
Uavid Jury, 305 Lytton Avenue, represented the Downtown Palo Alto
Property owners Giroup, and echoed the statements of the two pre-
vious speakers about the size_and scope of the study, and for par-
ticipation by property owners, merchants, and tenants in the down-
town .area who had the most to gain or lose by the success of —down-
town Palo Alto. It would be scary to leave then left out of the
process just -as Commissioner McCown mentioned hesitation on the
part of the Planning Commission to be left out of some of the
decision -making procea es for -a lengthy period of the study. That
idea also terrified some of the people who Worked and lived-in the
downtown area. As far a,s the design portion was concerned, pro-
fessional design consultants --were useful in such cases. Upgrading
tt3e alleys was a good idea, but little was seen by way of concrete
suggestions as to --how that should be done. That was a situation
where professional design assistance could be helpful to determine
the goals. As ,pointed out by Councilmember Witherspoon, the re-
tail sales tax from downtown was a ihealthy portion of- the City's
budget, and the area should not ` be ) studied without economic con-
sultants.
Chuck ki nsney, 124 -University Avenue, represented: —Downtown -Palo
Alto Incorporated as its PreSidentte He looked at the process
linear --goals, forecasts, impacts, etc. --but the planning process
was a..continuum. -.Vibe day the process had to stop, -ea report would
be printed, but the process continued. He- preferred: to. look atr`
4-2 2 8
2/13/84
the pi'u.:ez,s teros of goals, analysis, decisions, and then d redef-
iriitiurr of ys because earlier yulas might not fit. He understood
the Commission's concerns about being actively involved in the
downtown study, and that many people represented downtown inter-
ests --property owners, merchants, other businesses. He did not
see many seniors represented, but it was also their neighborhood.
He had a business downtown, and believed there was a need to in-
volve business people. In their own business improvement area
they had dialogue for a consensus op the improvement areas, and he
believed any consensus needed to involve those people who lived
and worked in the area. He questioned the need for the entire
Planning_Commission involvement, and suggested that a representa-
tive be involved in an equilateral committee where all people were
players --not judges or petitioners. The urban design section
looked only at enhancement, and his urban design origins, back-
ground, and training said it could play an integral role. The
whole planning design process and matrix could play a dramatic
involvement during the process --not after the goals were reached.
He echoed Carl Schmitt's "full shot" approach. What happened
recently downtown was important for the near future and further
down the line. Anything to better the understanding of the matrix
ande the complexity of the chemistry downtown was important.
People could arbitrarily state goals and ideas for the -downtown,
and even though; the downtown would probably not end up like that.
they wanted to participate. There were two districts, with a
third district being considered downtown in terms of improvement
areas as well as parking districts. He hoped that if it was a
question of money, there would be some formula or sharing in those
pursuits. He liked the Planning Commission recommendation in
terms of broadening the study down the Alma corridor in the auto-
motive area. A study of downtown areas in many cities showed that
automotive areas were soft areas and most likely to change in the
near future, and it should be included in the plan.
Chop Keenan, 300U Sand Hill Road, supported the previous speakers'
comments, and said the Council laid the foundation for what was
occurring in downtown Palo Alto by passing a parking ordinance
that might not alleviate the existing problem, but would not exas-
perate it in terms of future parking impacts. He believed it was
an effective de facto downzoning of downtown Palo Alto, and it was
important to note there was not a mad outrush from landowners,
tenants and merchants in the downtown Palo Alto in opposition to
the ordinance, as was probably expected by staff, Planning Commis-
sion, and Council. The parking problems were recognized, and if
left unchecked, they could affect the vitality of the merchants,
which -depended on parking availability. If people had t� search
for parking, they would take the path of least resistance to
Stanford Shopping Center or Town & Country. He was not concerned
with '.ire potential for more than one recommendation from the
Advisory Committee, which could make one recommendation to the
Planning Commission with another _ recommendation from. the Commis -
stop. That was healthy and the matter would ultimately be evalua-
ted by the Council and a decision made.
Tony Carrasco, Chairmane of the ARS,- 421,6 (Iarlington Court, said.
for some time the ARB discussed the need for an urban design plan
to guide decisions on building form and character. It needed to.
start with an analy_is of visual assets downtown, and a way 'to en-
hance them. It needed a shared perception-- of those .assets in
order to ask bui ldiny designers and architects ahead eaf time to
use ,those assets in their building shapes rosethey were designed,
and to, enhance those that were valuable. It hoped the recommended.
staff evaluation would .lead to - a more precise plan dealing with
improvements, both.in the public area and then private areas, _con-
cerning build ,ng heights and volumes as they related tc=visual
character, and that it_ was the first nstep in -achieving such. a,
plan. Many ARB members spoke-. to local'architects, and there was a
lot of enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer for -such 4 study.
The, ARiI, ..embers also wanted to participate in such a study, and he
hoped the Cou_ncl i would include an urban design evaluation as part
of the study.
a 2 2 9
2/13/84
Counci lmcmbcr Renzel was pleased with ;the Planning Commission con-
sideration of the matter, and Strongly believed it was responsible
for City planning., and should be the major recipient of public in-
put with respect to such. an important area of town. She was de-
lighted it took on the i;nu s of being a committee of the whole, for
the informal way in which to receive input, and for interacting
all data as presented -about the downtown, which was important. As
in all City processes, she expected all sectors of the City would
be welcomed and listened to for purposes of input. She appreci-
ated that so many members of the public were interested and volun-
teered to participate. The public generally rruFt feel, when giv-
ing input, that they were giving it to the responsible, decision-
making body, which she believed was the Planning Commission-. She
concurred with the Commission making the study, and -with regard to
shifting priority from the Comprehensive Plan, she believed the
City had a credible Comprehensive Plan in place, and one of its
major incredible parts was the downtown. It was important that it
be addressed with all due effort. -
MOTION: Councilmember Renzel moved, seconded by Fletcher, to
adopt the Planning Commission recommendations that:
1. The Downtown Study should be established as the number one
priority for the Planning staff during the period January,
1984, through January, 19.85, with the related postponement of
the overall Comprehensive Plan Update Program;
2. The boundaries of the Primary Area of the Study include all CC
Community Commercial, CS Service Commercial, and PF Public
Facility zoned parcels in Downtown Palo Alto and the Planned
Community zoned parcel in commercial office use at 550
Hamilton Avenue;
3. The scope and depth of the analysis in the Downtown Study
reflect the full work program described in the February 3,
1984 staff report to the Planning Commission on the Downtown
Study;
4. (a) The Planning. Commission perform the functions of the
Study Advisory Committee described in the February 3,
1984 staff report and that some form of public participa-
tion process be devised;
fib) Additional staff investigation of how a formai advisory
group could work with the Planning Commission tiering the
course of the Study;
5. The Downtown Study include the use and rol ss of consu a taints
that were described in the Febreary 3, 1984 report. Ie addi-
tion, if cost reductions are necessary, perhaps the role: acrd
use of facilitator services could be recontidered. However,
the use and Tole of economic consultants should not be reduced
or modified in the Study's scope of work;
bb An urban design evaluation be included in the Downtown -Study
and that an urban. desigin swbcommittee be forded for this en-
deavor thet would report to the Planning Commission a end that
woeid consist of local design professionals and these mealrers
of the Architectural Review hoard who` wish to participate;
and
7. Establishment of a parking advisory subcomsi ttee not proceed
until the composition end - function of the Study's Advisory
Committee , is + etermi ned.
Councilmember Fletcher believed the study was justified, and that
questions were raised about the downtown for a" couple of years,
and the answer was always that it would_be dealt with after om-
p l et i on of the California Avenue study and when it . dealt with the
downtown study. No one was upset that- a thorough job was done on
the California &venue area, and it was time to move to the down-
town where the situation was critical than it :was on California
a
Avenue. The amount of office development downtown alarmed both
r°esidenbs and nonresidents alike, and it was time to look at the
entire issue as well as the crisis in oarking and traffic situa-
tions. She concurred with the staff reports and Commission refer-
ence to retail vitality or activity to concentrate on the types of
retail Palo Alto really wanted downtown. There could be some
high-class retail establishments downtown that brought in a lot of
sales tax but which might not necessarily be in the best interests
of residents who wanted to shop there. It might be i.appropriate,
but the job generation potential downtown should be looked at in
an overall fashion and : of in detail. It was of great concern, as
was traffic and parking.
Mayor Klein asked Councilmomber Fletcher if she proposed to add
items to the seven Planning Commission recommendations.
Councilmember Fletcher said the retail aspect was already
included, and staff did nut need d formal motion to include types
of retail.
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Fletcher moved to include some study
of the job generation factor downtown.
Mr. Freeland said that was a basic part of any economic forecast
for the downtown, He saw nothing wrong with the addition, but it
was understood by staff to be part of the consultant work.
AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN
Councilmember Cobb agreed a crisis situation existed downtown
which needed priority and sweeping attention. He was bothered by
setting up a situation where important planning issues, such as
school sites and other major issues could not be handled. He was
concerned that Council was putting itself in an awkward situation
where if At were forced to deal with an important issue', it would
be done in a crisis mode forcing other activity to stop until the
immediate fire was put out, and that was not a good way to do
business. Council must allow the flexibility to deol with other
equally important activities that affected the town in other ways.
He had no problem with the Planning Commission taking a lead role
in whatever the form of study _was because the role was appropri-
ate, but it was essenti that a structure be created whereby the
citizens most direct y affected --those with an economic and social
stake downtown --had strong input in order to achieve the result
that would help them grow and prosper, rather than suffer from
decisions in which they had no input. He agreed with the comments
that they needed to look at a wide area: He asked how they could
use the citizen invol veinent _,and expressed -interest of the people
with a major economic stake downtown to take some of the burden
staff would 'otherwise have to take and make:...room to deal with
other issues that would go before the Council. That might produce
the best of both worlds --scaling down staff's involvement and mak-
ing sure -they did a thorough study.
Mr. Freeland said it sounded good, and staff would likely encoun-
ter other major competing studies. If that happened, staff might
well . inform Council .it would take four months longer to complete
the downtown study or whatever the assessment with regard to the
size of the other effort. He has no alternative but to ask the
Council to set the priorities. The Council must decide what staff
should be working on, but it was not realistic t'o think the down-
town people could be asked to step in and take over parts of the
study. It `was expected people would work diligently with staff,
but his experience was that the more people working with :him, the
*ore he had to work to make it all _fit together. He welcomed the
thought. of getting as much effort from the downtown people as pos-
sible, but did not think that necessarily, translated into saving
staff effort.
Counciimember Cobb was specifically concerned about the Middle
School because if staff undertook th full scope study, it would
4 2 3 1
2/13/84
as a practical matter be all they (Auld do until someone changed
the direction by having a higher priority. It would take the
overwhelming bulk of staff's time, and no other major activity
would take place. He underscored Mr. Moss comments regarding the
Barron Park Traffic Study and said he spoke with people involved
in the issue, who were tired of waiting. That was an understate-
ment, and he sympathized. Regarding the Middle School, the City
knew it was coming, and when the decision would be made. If that
were kncen, it could be surmised that when the decision was
dropped on them,, there would not be much time to respond. They
should start thinking about it soon and get ready. He was con-
cerned the issue could not be dealt with until the fire was too
hot to ignore, which was not a good way to deal with an issue of
such magnitude. He was concerned about tying staff up to a point
where they could not deal with things they knew were coming until
they were so bad they could not be avoided.
Mr. Freeland said the Planning Division lists were updated from
time to time, and the newly updated list was current as of
February. He suggested Council review the overall priorities and
assignments to see what weight should be placed on the various
assignments.
Courrcilmember Witherspoon sympathized with Councilmember Cobb and
with those who had a stake in the downtown area, as did the City
as a whole, that they do whatever was necessary to get a meaning-
ful and useful study not only for that year, but for a policy
based on solid studies. The only way to get at that was to set
rather broad policies and go back and look at how to fit those in-
to the alternative process of reduced scope as mentioned by staff.
It was a question of timing, and as she understood Mr. Freeland's
earlier remarks, the first step was a body, hopefully representa-
tive of the Planning Commission, ARB and citizens, to help by
,setting some goals and priorities. Staff would return to the
Council, and needed to know how broad those goals should be. She
heard that everything in the wish list could not be accomplished,
but she believed they should concentrate on the first pass at
parking and traffic, where it all started. The more they tried to
fuss with it, the more they impacted other areas. If the focus
could be on parking and traffic and the preliminary consequences
of coping with that, staff could return when goals were set by the
Committee with a- work study program realistically tailored for one
year's work, with some of the prioritizing and goals if necessary.
If the community became involved, there was no way they would have
just one or two hearings; it would be an involved process.
Secondly, staff had to return to Council with what they perceived
to be the need for an outside consultant, a sample RFP and a Crud-
T eL. That would take some months. Council would have reviewed
Mr. Freeland's list of other assignments, and would know when it
ratified the goals of the Committee how much they bit off for the
year in the downtown study. She believed some consultant activity
would be needed In the economic area right away. She was
intrigued by the urban design aspect and believed it might have to
wait for the second year when they decided on the Committee, recom-
mendations, set policies, identified other areas they wanted to
pursue further, and had the urban design aspect pinned -down. She
e,did not want a half -way review nand a snap decision at the end of
':the year without'a lot of hard data. She believed the Planning
Commission recommendation should be phrased morie specifically for
staff to provide Council with a work study. If the -motion on the
floor passed, Council would have some idea of how long it would
take to set up .a committee. -She believed the Commission would-be
the primary focus, and wanted to see the ARB, and some citizens
involved. She understood from the Planting Commission it -would
make. a recommendation-- to .the Council as to how the Committee
should be framed. ,She was not - hung up: on the procedures, but
wantr? 4 a: lot of_ input on the goals.
Mr. Freeland said staff -needed clarification about whether they
were talking about the Commission as the body, or the Commission
4 2 3 2
2/13/,84
As Co�r���;%eE4
1
i
plus another formally constituted group to advise the Commission
ission
but without a formal recommending role. In that case:, staff would
return with a recommendation on its composition witnin a matter of
weeks. With respect to goals, the Planning Com tiission ant' the
Committee needed to get to work as soon as possible, to give the
goals to the Council in the shortest. possible time period. The
work program was largely elaborated, and if changes in direction
were necessary, that program would have to be revised, but that.
could be done quickly, If Council gave the direction, staff could
quickly respond and get the wheels in motion.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she was encouraged. As she under-
stood the motion, they were talking more or less of a committee of
the whole. If dissension occurred, the Commission would be the
body to make the recommendation. She concurred with Councilmember
Renzel's motion on that, but wanted to feel they were a part of
the deliberations on an almost co -equal basis with the members of
the ARB and selected citizens of the community for_ the goal- set-
ting round.
AMENDMENT: Couacilmember. Witherspoon moved, seconded by Levy,
that the persons to be invited --the members Of the ARB and select-
ed citizens of the community --form a part of the deliberations on
an almost co -equal basis for the goal -setting round.
Councilmember Witherspoon clarified that with her amendment, in
addition to the Planning Commission, members of the ARB and
selected citizens 'f the community would be invited to participate
in the first round of meetings that would set the goals for the
scope of the study.
Vice Mayor Levy said that elements 4(a) and 4(b) of the Planning
Commission recommendation spoke to the Study Advisory Committee,
and he asked Councilmember Witherspoon to elaborate on how her
amenorjent differed from those two items.
Councilmember Witherspoon understood from 4(a) the Planning Com-
mission would perform the functions of the Study Advisory Commit-
tee. She suggested they be augmented by the ARB and the citizens,
rather than just sit alone. They wanted additional staff investi-
gation of now a formal advisory group could work with the Commis-
sion during the _course of the study, and she hied no quarrel if
they did not feel comfortable with the first structure. Goal -set-
ting was important and it was important for the community to feel.
involved with setting those'goals. They did not have to agree
with the conclusions, but when setting: goals, it was important for
the public to-partteipate as much as possible and ttc feel they
contributed to the focus and -the priority -setting. From then on,
participation might depend on expertise. If they_wanted to go off
tato urban des .gn, .or economic analysis, .or any other areas in
which the public expressed interest, that was fine. To determine
the Council's credibility, and hopefully ensure some consensus in
the community at the end of the process, it was important to .in-
volve the public in setting it up, which was the -purpose of her
ais*endment.
Vice Mayor Levy said he concurred about half -way, in that he be-
lieved the Commission probably was the proper ultimate residuum of
responsibility prior to the recommendat`ioi to the Council He was
comfortable with the Commission ruking,the basic judgments, and
believed it was important to have a substantial amount of public
participation, perhaps carefully structured to ensure a good
representation of merchants,, property owners, shoppers, and work-
ers from the downtown area. He wanted to see some half -way- pro..
pose l --ha 1 f -way between what they had from the Commission and ad-
ding those others to the formal decision -making process, with pos-
sible,other wording for a clear indication that public participa-
tion should be rather formalized and strong.. He believed it was
appropriate, given the perspective of the Commission; that the
final decision be with the Commission.
4 2 3 3
2/13/84
Councilmember Woolley agreed with Vice Mayor Levy about seeing
some kind of middle road= She asked staff If it was possible to
have a committee that included the structure of citizens represen-
tiny the specific groups as mentioned on page 8 of the staff
report in addition to the Planning Commission, which would bring
the number up to 24 people, which she realized was an unwieldy
group.
Mr. Freeland said he understood the Commission wanted staff to
return with ,another, version of a specific committee structure
along those lines but not as large. He did not want to see 24
people sitting around a table trying to talk to each other. The
only distinction would be the formal recommending body would be
reserved to the Commission. The purpose of getting input, debat-
ing ideas, considering the goals and generating the goal areas
would be the work of the larger committee, and if that were the
intention, staff could return by about February 27, with a follow
up suggestion= of how that might be specifically accomplished. He
asked Commissioner McCown if he correctly identified the ineent-of
the Commission.
Ms. McCown said yes, and there was some specific discussion about
the make up of the proposed Advisory Committee with suggestions
about adding and deleting members. There was a concern about the
size, but interest was expressed for a group of about 12 people.
The recommendation set out id, of which three were ARB, Planning
Commission, ai,.. 8Rb representatives. If an additional 12 commit-
tee members were added, they would meet as a committee of the
whole, as suggested by Councilmember Renzel. The meetings would
not:be formal like a Commission meeting where the public stood on
one side of the rostrum and addressed the Council, which sat and
did not reply, but then discussed the matter and acted, It would
be a full, equal participation process to, generate ideas, inter
change ideas, raise points of agreement or disagreement, etc., all
the way through the process to the point where formal recommenda-
tions were made to the Council. The Commission recommended at
that point, it act in its role of making recommendations to the
Council rather than having a separate Advisory Committee makm its
own recommendations in a voting fashion, which, in turn, would go
to the Commissions which would have to consider it and pass it on
to the Council. That was the concept discussed, and why the
recommendation included the request for staff assistance in devis-
ing how to incorporate the formal advisory group concept into- the
Commission's desire to be the recommending body to the Council.
`,
Couecilmember Woolley asked how the number could be cut to 12 and
still have a representative group. She agreed with Mr. Moss that
there were more people to add than take away, and believed that
was important especially as she understood Councilmember
W.itherspoon's amendment, in the goal -setting phase. If she had to
choose, at that point between the Commission and the citizens, she
would favor all the various citizen groups be well represented,
with the uriderstandiny that ultimately the PC would make its
recommendation to the Council. Referring to. the amendment, she
asked Councilmember Witherspoon if she wanted to specify a number
of citizen -participants and whether she would be satisfied with
12.
Councilmember Witherspoon did not care one way or the other. She
ayreed on the importance of citizen input, and believed Vice Mayor
Levy might have ;misunderstood her. She intended the Planning Com-
mission be the body to make the formal recommendation. They could
discuss all kinds of goals, but when the prioritized three or five
goals returned to the Council) it would be with the Planning Come
mission recommendation. She wanted the input on a more or less
formal basis, so the people could argue and talk and not, feel.they
were citizens with five minutes before the microphone before -a
formal body. She did not , care :how many there were, but believed
the number should be comfortable to the staff and Planning Commis-
sion.
Councilmember Woolley said she would not support the amendment.
1
i
4 x 3 4_
2/13/84
Vice Mayor Levy said that having heard a clarification of the
Planning Commission recommendation, he could support its point,
and withdrew his second of the amendment.
AMENDMENT FAILED FOR LACK OF SECOND.
Councilmember Bechtel believed the process was too cumbersome, and
that sight would be lost of the real issue --traffic and parking.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilmember Bechtel moved, seconded by
Klein, that staff be directed to return to Council with a reduced
scope for the Downtown Study.
Councilmember Bechtel agreed downtown was a prime area and impor-
tant in terms of economics, tax bases and vitality but at the
same time, they needed to review the downtown overall and in con-
junction with the rest of the Comprehensive Plan. That 'i"ould not
be done with one project to the exclusion of all others, and in
addition, she was concerned the study might get so big it went be-
yond the basic issue --the concern for the lack of parking and
amount of traffic downtown. The City was concerned about the in-
creased number of big buildings and the impact of a total build -
out. She believed they could get to that without as big a study
as that proposed. She preferred to have staff return with a re-
duced scope.
Mayor Klein suggested the wording of the motion be "within two to
four weeks," since that was when the next two meetings would be.
LANGUAGE INCORPORATED INTO SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
Councilmember Renzel asked for clarification that it was a partial
substitution since there was the issue of the Advisory Committee
versus the Planning Commission being the principal body for the
study.
Councilmember Bechtel said she addressed the scope issue only.
She had no objection to incorporating the issue of the Advisory
Committee versus the Commission as the principal body for the
study. She believed the Planning Commission recommendation was
fine, and the substitute motion could be a part of that and ask
staff to return and say how the Advisory Committee could func-
tion.
Councilmember Renzel said her motion incorporated a lot more than
the scope of the study and whether t. e PC should be the principal
study committee. She asked if the substitute motion also took in
those parts of the Planning Commission recommendation that did not
relate to the scope of the study.
Councilmember Bechtel said yes essentially but some might broaden_
the scope, which was why she did not want to pin them all down.
She believed they should not quibble about such items at that
points and could doso when it returned; For example, the details
of whether an Advisory Group or the Commission itself should be
the principal body ought to return since they were planning to do
that as, part of the original Planning Commission recommendation.
Councilmember Cobb asked staff if under Councilmember Bechtel's
motion, they understood it was part of their task to return with
some specifics with regard to citizen participation, the Planning
Commission role, etc.
Mr. Schreiber saA yes.
Councilmember Cobb said he would support `the substitute motion.
Hewanted to see the priori:t<y question involved, and how the re-
duced scope study might fit into the larger scheme of things. He
asked if that would be incorporated, or if a specific request was
necessary. '
Mr. Freeland believed that could be taken up as something to do if
they. came back with a reduced scope.
4 2 3 5
2/13/84-
1
1
Councilmember Renzel did not object to the reduced scope in ,terms
of concentrating on the land use issue in particular, including
traffic density and parking, and asked if it would reduce the area
added by the Commission, which -included the CS and the northerly
CC zone.
Councilmember Bechtel was unsure, and said those were prime areas
ripe for some potential change. Their impact on future parking
demands might better be answered by staff who indicated in earlier
comments that it would broaden and make the study more complex
She preferred to see their recommendation.
Councilmember Renzel said the substitute motion suggested the
scope be reduced without clarification about whether it referred
to the area and nature of the study to take place or the intensity
of the study. If Councilmember Bechtel was limiting the motion to
the intensity of the study --whether it got into urban design and
economics and so forth --would affect her vote on the issue.
Councilmember Bechtel said it more likely referred to the nature
rather than the area.
Councilmember Renzel said staff had to know that because they were
directed to return with it.
Councilmember Bechtel said she left it vague purposely to provide
staff with the flexibility to return with how they believed a
reduced scope study could best be done.
Mr Zaner said he understood the words "reduced scope" would refer
the issue back to staff. to review the program presented t� the
Council, and return with some reduced fashion. There were many
components to the program, and staff would not feel constrained by
the consignment with regard to any of those components. Staff
could return to the Council on all of the components, including
the Planning Commission and citizen participation the size of the
district, the amount and depth under which a consultant would
operate, and the limited goals that night be adopted by the
Council. ,The program would return significantly reduced in size
and targeted more toward Council review as compared to the larger
program. He saw it as a broad assignment.
Mayor Klein clarified Mr. Zaner saw it as a broad assignment to
return with a narrow assignment
Mr. Zaner said staff was not limited in the approach.
Ms. Lee said a staff member was concerned about the scope of the
opinion. She believed only one Councilmember was aware of a prob-
lem, and on behalf .of three Planning Commissioners and one Coun-
cilmember,-she prepared an opinion request to the Fair .Political
Practices Commission (FPPC), to determine whether those people
could participate in the study. In order to prepare the opinion,
a key issue focused on the number of parcels and landowners who
would be involved. SIeplanned to send the opinion that week, but
now the issue of the number of parcels was open to question, and
she could not do sta. By delaying the decision they could delay
the decision on whether the three Planning Co er issioners could
vote. The question for the Councilmember would come later. It
was a decision she was concerned about getting.
Mr. Schreiber clarified that earlier in the discussion" they talked
about "reduced scope," and a major reduction by the elimination of
all or host of the' economic analysis. He interpreted the substi-
tute motion to mean the thrust was to focus on traffic aid park-
ing. and cut way back on the economic consultant. If Council had
additional corrections in that area, staff would appreciate
receipt.
Councilmember Renzel said she: would support the substitute motion
as long as it did notdelete the Commission as the principal body
As "144i41
1
1
for the effort at that point,_ it was clear the major focus would
have to be land use issues because that was the critical problem.
Urban design and the economics would largely take care of itself.
Several Gouncrl.embers spoke as if the Commission would meet in a
room, close the door and chitchat about the issue, with no public
input. The Brown Act prevented the Commission from sitting alone,
it would always have public input, and in the subject case she ex-
pected there to be a lot of public input particularly from those
people with the most interest in the area --the property owners and
business people downtown. She wanted to focus on the fact that
the Commission was a public body, and its whole purpose was to
hear from the public and make planning decisions. She opined that
to superimpose another official body, a group of delegated indivi-
duals, to "represent" the public would be an exclusive action, or
at least a quasi -exclusive action, that suggested other members of
the public were .not welcome to give input into the process. It
should be an open process for all members of the public, and par-
ticularly for those interested in the area. When the matter re-
turned, she reminded the Council that the body was suggested by
staff as a way.to field ideas, but sight was lost of the fact that
the Commission heard from the public, and that it was an integral
part of Planning Commission and Council decisions.
Counci member Sutorius said he would not support the substitute
motion. If it failed, he was prepared to --support the first motion
on the floor to adopt the planning Commission recommendations
which he understood to be points 1, 2, 3, 4(a), 40), 5, 6 and 7.
He believed prints 4(b), 6 and 7 could quickly and correctly ad-
dress -the pubic participation process, and that the Commission
and staff could see ways in which segments could be parcelled. He
dial not believe the schedule needed to extend out, or that Council
.should fear it would happen as described. The California Avenue
study was a learning process, and there were ways in which the
Commis ion and staff could conduct its affairs and proceed in an
orderly and effective fashion. Recommendations 4(b), 6, and 7
would afford ample public participation as descrihed by CoJncil-
member Renee] and assist in shortening the process or guard
against prolonging it.
Mayor Klein supported the substitute motion, and believed the pr=o-
posal for a larger study was overblown. To some degree the study
would involve things they already knew --for example, he was not
persuaded that the study of goals would be helpful. He knew there
were conflicting goals., but they were not a mystery and -did not
need to be studied. He was concerned because they could not do
everything at the level of detail suggested in the larger study
and .Council would be required to wrestle with difficult land use
decisions in many areas in town. Councilmember Cobb correctly
mentioned the Middle School site problem that appeared to be com-
iny up shortly, and which would be a significant decision for the
community. He could not say the School site issue was more impor-
tant than the downtown, but it the Council'. voted for the full-
scale study, which would tie up the entire planning Department, it
would -imply it was more important than anything else, which he did
not believe was true. Some serious decisions were coming up with
regard to the Willow Road corridor, and Stanford could be expected
loo return sometime that year with a revised Stanford West propos-
a.l , which was an important decision for the community --a signifi-
cant number of housing -units Would be produced, but with problems
they were Well aware of. The Council would want significant input
from the Planning staff to make a decision on what should happen
there, and he was concerned about tying up the staff on an unnecs
essary matter. Much was already -studied or known, .,so much wou i d
not be accomplished from the in- depth study suggested. Fie was
concerned -about the economic -study*_ and not persuaded, that the
data they would receive was worth. the Money they proposed to spend
on it. .As a- matter of theory, and as an old economics_ student, he
doubted the validity of economic. studies that went -out more than a
° few years. Looking at the history of Micro -economic studies orrer
--a period of time, they -did not have a good record of accuracy.
The- state-of-the-art was not Stith that it_, could be_ --supported on
that Auisis, so a false reliance would be placed .on it. Much
4 2 3 7
2/13/84
economic study was available and the City should make use of it.
There was some large real estate organizations downtown that con-
tinually made their ewn micro- economic studies as to where the
community was yoiny. Some of those',representatives were there
that evening, and he welcomed their input as to where the downtown
was going economically. Tha* data was neither as unknown nor as
mysterious as suggested, and he believed the study had to be sub-
stantially downscaled in order to move forward and be able to de
other things as well.
Vicne Mayor Levy supported the substitute motion, and was also con-
cerned with the problems of a large-scale study. He was impressed
by a comment made by ,Chuck Kinney which related to the concept of
thy: never ending continuum when it came to land use planning, and
believed. it was true in the downtown area. They were fool;ny
themselves to think they could come up with one big study and have
that be the end of it for a long period of time. Things changed
constantly, and he was skeptical about an economic consultant's
ability to forecast. He believed they could tell the Council that
if certain goals were set, then certain eventualities were likely
to occur, or if the area was developed in a certain way, they
would see certain results follow through in relation to traffic
and parking, etc. He did not believe they could tell the Council
better than they could guess themselves what the community devel
opment would be. It appeared the development of the downtown -area
in Palo Alto would be as large as the Council allowed. Economic
pressure focused on the Palo Alto area, and if the Council allowed
tremendous development, then it would take place. As pointed out
by Mayor Klein, they should focus on the goals, and the Council
should move ahead rapidly. It was important for the downtown
study to be the number one priority, although he agreed it should
not be so elaborate as to overwhelm the other needs. The physical
boundaries set up by the Planning Commission were appropriate, and
there should be strong public participation. The Commission
should be responsible for making final decisions, but public par-
ticipation should be more than random members of the public speak-
ing. There should be selected members of the public representing
different constituencies --merchants, property owners, workers, and
resi.6entb in the downtown aree whose input was significant.
Those persons should be selected by the Mayor because he was -un-
easy about groups in the community selecting the representatives
in such a situation. They could recommend and nominate, but he
believed the ultimate selection should be by the Mayor. That was
how he saw the reduction in the scope and its elements. On that
basis, he supported 'Ole substitute motion.
Cou_nci lrnenber Fletcher did not entirely support the substitute
motion. She bel ieeled staff needed to put all its resources into
the issue to the exclusion of almost everything else -because Coun-
cil gave them one year to do it. Sher did not see the need for
such a tight time schedule which required such concentration of
effort at once, The Council was queasy --about the parking require-
ments:.downtown, but no complaints were received, and there seemed
to be general satisfaction about the parking ordinance for the
time being. The Council could take pressure off the study by ask-
ing 'staff to return with it when ready. If the study was being
.+none, it should be done properly. Mr. Freeland made a convincing
argument that parking was tightly tied to economics. Perhaps an
extensive economic analysis was not required, but it had to be
tied into economics to the extent of the -parking situation. Fur-
thermore, she wanted to have some professional advice on what
types of development they wanted downtown, and that was closely
tied to an economic analysis. The urban design could comtp at the
end of the study, ,or perhaps after the study was completed. Gen-
erous offers were received from the downtown designers to work on
the matter, and perhaps they could form their own committee and
return to, the PC and Council with a finished design suggestion.
She was. reluctant to`cut out the economic analysis, although it
might be.scaled dawn. She was not expert enough to judge how much
economic analysis was needed, but was unwilling to cut it out.
4 2 3 8
2/13/84
CouicilmeMber Renzel clarified that Mayor Klein said he supported
the substitute motion because the downtown was not_ to be a high
priority to the exclusion of other matters. She wanted it clear
that she considered the downtown to be a priority area for work,
because it was an area that ' caused significant problems and had
the potential to cause even more significant problems. She sup-
ported the scaled -down study only for the reasons stated by Coun-
ci lmember Bechtel --that they focus on the lack of parking, traf-
fic, and.the increased number of•big buildings going up. She sup-
ported the motion so Council could get on with the heart of the
study-. As indicated by Vice Mayor Levy, other elements such as
urban design could be done later, .and without the same pressure as
the land use issues. She supported the substitute motion for
those reasons and not because the downtown was not a high priore
it
y•
Mayor Klein clarified the downtown was a high priority item for
him. he -intended to indicate it was a high priority, but not to
the exclusion of other items that he also considered to be of high
priority for the community.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSk,O by a vote of 5-4, Fletcher, Woolley,
Witherspoon, Sutorius voting "no."
MAYOR KLEIN RE CONSIDERATION OF REMAINING AGENDA
ITEMS
Mayor Klein said the procedure required Council to consider
whether to take up. any other items on the agenda, and he believed
Council could conclude the remaining Items 17, 18 and 19 since
Item 2U was already handfed.
ITEM #1i, APPEAL OF SAN r-RANCISCO FEDERAL SAVINGS FROM THE
u
NM
L
L
MR:
Tony Carrasco, Chairman of the Architectural Review . Board (AIM),
said the ARB reviewed the project three times. As was customary,
the board members reviewed the site and the proposed automatic
teller machine (ATM) in -the context of the building and the area,
its compatibility with the streets and the building, and-: in terms
of the urban design guideline on El Camino. While the ARB judged
each application on its_own merits, it was important to point cut
that ATMs reviewed in .the past went to the ARP, with a more dis-
crete design compatible with the building, which was not the . ase
with the subject application. The ARB believed since ATMs were
now a common feature on bank buildings, they did not need to be as
"loud" as the one proposed. For the past two years the ARB con-
sidered ATMs to be expected on bank buildings.— The first time
,,.round, the ARB asked that the ATM be painted to match the build-
ierg, and in subsequent meetings, since the applicant wanted the
Colors proposed, the ARB asked that the ATM be made smaller to en-
sure cetpatibility. The ARB believed the building to which the
ATM was attached was one of Palo Altos nicest buildings, and the
ATM should respect it. In most instances the ARB worked with ap-
plicants and found design solutions that were acceptable to both.
The ARB suggested the type .of,..machi ne that San Francisco . federal
Savings & Loan (SFF -S&L) used on other bank buildings in, San
Francisco, and believed the type of machine used in the past by
the bank Y0puld be compatible with the building in question. After
exploring those options with the applicant who was not willing to
accept any solution other than .the one they proposed, the ARB
voted to recommend the applicatio,+ not be -approved.
Councilmember Renzel asked fob, confirmation that when the -Council -
handled an appeal of an ARB decision; it essentially stood in the
shoes of the AR'S and looked at the issue from the: ARB___ vi ewpoint.
City Attorney Diane Lee said that was correct.
4 2 3 9
2/13/84
7-71 Counci lrnember Sutorius asked the record to. show that at the time
the applicatioa first went before the ARB in November, 2931, he
was a member of that body and participated In the initial discus-
sions, and had considerable familiarity with its genesis. Subse-
quently, as a Planning Commissioner and e recipient of the ARB
minutes and its agenda., he followed the course of the item, and
availed himself of the opportunity to visit SFF S&L at El Camino
and California and was familiar with the site and installation.
Counci l member Cobb also recorded that he visited the site on many
occasions and as recently as that day, when he made a close up in-
spection in the company of a the Barron Park community leader, who
expressed interest in the Council discussions that evening.
Vice Mayor Levy said from his visits to several of the SFF S&L
sites, he gained the impression the ATM in question was the Stand-
ard appearance used for mostly all their sites, and that no change
was made to accommodate the particular -site, and staff confirmed
that.to be correct. He visited the site on California Avenue and
El Camino, the Los Altos site on San Antonio Road the previous
weekend,_ and several Wells Fargo sites, Crocker Bank sites, a
Firat interstate Bank, a Security First National Bank site, and
other bank sites in Palo Alto to observe the ATM machine in_ques-
Lion and others. -
Councilrnemberlitherspoon said she drove by the site that weekend
to ascertain its conformance vis-a-vis the Comprehensive Plan goal
for El Camino. •
Councilmemoer Fletcher said she visited the site that weekend and
observed various banks with that comparison in mind while riding
around the City.
Timothy Tosta, 333 Market Street, #2230, San Francisco, Attorney
for San Francisco Federal Savings & Loan, referred to two volumes
of photographs and an administrative record of the ARB proceedings
sent to the Council. They were dealing with a corporate logo ap-
plied to an ATM, one aspect of which was its .color. He read a
letter from Mr. Price, Executive -Vice President of SFF S&L..con-
cerning the logo and its coloration. In 1960, it was chosen be-
cause the national colors tied in with the Federal Charter, ee
like Federais, in particular those\ formed in the depress ion, they
identified with patriotism and national p; pose. The colors'em-
phasized the Federal form of the SFF S&L Charter and was used ever
since. The round ATM fascia was a direct take off from the core
porate logo, and was qu:rk'y identifiable to customers and busi-
ness neighbors. Almost all financial', institutions developed a
corporate logo, and he considered theirs successful. The fascia
included many customer aids: a list of locations, a map of nearby
:installations, instructions, a telephone, and:a wastebasket. The
logo style identification made it impossible for them to accede to
personal preferences of individuals serv1 ny.- on the many `rnuni ci pa 1
boards who issued building permits. They made concerted efforts,
and were almost always successf 1 in having authorities approve
the standard red, white, and blue ATM fascia for ATMs. Mr. Testa
pointed out while the logo was used for• promotional, purposes on
cu.ahions, hags,- and balloons, it was al sa used to. identify the in-
stitution to . the customer on transaction tickets, envelopes, etc.
and on the ATM fascia. _The logo identified the ATM with the other
lb ATMs located at SFF S&L,'s.211 Northern California branches. The
industry would soon be substantta l:ly more ,dependent oh the .; ATMs,
which were a_ sigrli.ficant technological advance. The ARS first met
in November,e1-981 when it, required SFF S&L to produce a smaller
ATM with different colors at a different location-, and to consult
with a regional architect._irr February., 1.982, the`=ARB approved
the new l ooation, _site, _and shape , of the ATM, but required colors
more: closely approaching the color.of the wall. ,.Po 440; 3, k982
the Altt3 accepted an off white color and "issued a per& .t. The
standard package ATM with the red, white, and blue fascia was
1
1
e
installed, and SFF S&L's lawyers, requested the ARB to reconsider
the coloring. In November, the ARB cited both color and size as
being visually disruptive, but would accept the color, if the size
were reduced. SFF S&L decided not to reduce the fascia size, and
notified the ARB, which denied the application on November 17,
1383. At its November 3 meeting, the ARB did not discuss the
colors although the application was denied because the colors were
out of character with the building, visually disruptive, incompat-
ible with the immediate environment, and introduced a visually
disruptive element on El Camino Real, contrary to the Comprehen-
sive Plan, The ATM was found to be inappropriate to its function,
being designed primarily to attract attention through its color
scheme, which was net compatible with the neighboring and adjacent
structure. He reminded the C,c+.unci l of the photograph, and said
there was a problem with the standards of review Staff identi-
fied five of the 14 ARB criteria as relevant-- consistency and
compatiLility of improvements with the Comprehensive Plan; compat-
ibility with the site's immediate environment; appropriateness of
the improvements to their function; compatibility of the improve-
ments with those already approved; and the appropriateness of the
function to the improvement. In other words, the ATM was visually
disruptive, incompatible with its immediate vicinity, and inappro-
priate to its function: The El `amino Real design guidelines ve-
toed improvements designed primarily to attract attention and the
use of a predominant bright color. He had legal reservations be-
cause such standards were incapable of objective measurement.
There was no assurance, even if the standards were met, that a
permit would be issued, and no standards for Council review of an
appeal. Perusal of earlier ARB actions showed no consistency on
standards, even on the present item. The ATM was not visually
disruptive --it was not do igned primarily to attract attention„
but as readily identifiable to its customers as a. vital service.
It was located adiace_nt to a private parking lot 50 feet from the
street so that customers leaving their cars could easily locate
it. The Comprehensive Plan said the El Camino was not pedestri-
an -oriented, cee d the Alm could only be seen briefly by cars headed
north on El Camino, not by southbound cars. Red was clearly not
•,_= disruptive beeeeese it.
the predominant color --it was not - v i sua � ;,z .� � a. _,�.:.: ... _. _,_-
identified a particular service, was not generally visible to the
public, and was consistent with the E1 Camino Real color patterns.
He produced photographs to substantiate his .polnt
Mayor Klein commented that hie and his colleagues read the mater-
i a l s lu bmi tted, and much was being repeated.
Mr, Tosta said the AIM was not incompatible with its general en-
v i ronment. 'Two `experts found the size, shape and color to be
_something that worked well with the brcnch. lts colors did not
blend An with tnose of one neighbor --the Coronet Motel --which was
red, yellow, and salmon. To .require a change in the- ATMs standard
features would dilute the .corporate identity and confuse custom-
ers. The Planning oirector and the ARB asked the Council to find
the colors ofthe ATM out of character and _visually di s- ruptive;
incompatible with the environment; visually disruptive to El
Canino Real; not appropriate to its function, and income patibie
with the. colors of the Coronet Motel. That was not supported by
any -evidence in the record, and contradicted the impression the
AK8 cave_that the colors were net objectionable. Evidence showed
the ATM, as installed,-to be compatible with the building, serving-
() valuable business purpose and situated to be available to cuse
tamers without,being significantly visible to the public. He cone
c.,luded the ARB was piqued -because the colors were :not painted out
immediately after installation, The` ,alternatives were. to reduce
the logo by approximately 10 square feet, provide a new color
scheme, •or, screen.the ATM. The only real issue was color. The
Planning Director asked the Council to find eblor-s on an ATM 50
feet from_° the street and visible to customers bit not the public,
to be.unaccepta:bie. He urged_the Council to overrule the Planning
Director and issue the permit.
4 2 4 1
2/13/84
Vice Mayor Levy was interested in some of Mr. Tosta's assertions
that the ATM served a valuable business purpose, and that a change
would cause confusion to the customers. He asked for facts, such
as market research data, to support those assertions.
ter. Tosta acid his assertions were from his experience as a former
trademark lawyer in cases of trademark confusions. The imagery
created by the red, white, and blue fascia was strong in the minds
of SFF S&L's customers, so they could easily identify a ,facility
such as one used elsewhere and which they could depend on to give
the same results. SFF S&L was concerned that a change in the ex-
terior appearance of an ATM would undermine the sense of confi-
dence in knowing a service was available at a given branch. He
had no expert testimony other than his own as a trademark lawyer.
Vice Mayor Levy asked if there were market _studies of customer
reaction to the sized fascia and Colors propo:led.
Mr. Tosta said no. -
Couricilmember Cobb said Mr. Tosta indicated the color and shape
- were essential, but later in his remarks he indicated it was not
the essential point, but merely a decoration.
Mr. Tosta did not believe he said it was not essential.
Councilmemher Cobb said he heard differently, and asked if on,
about, anti immediately across from the ATM, logos were prominently
and frequently displayed.
Mr. Tosta said yes, because of the different uses. A specific
response tended to be created by the red, whi ;;e, and blue fascia
of the ATM, that ATM service was available. The size and color
communicated to the customer the service on which he depended, and
there was no confusion. They fact that ATM service was available
could not be communicated by the same logo on a plaque next to the
driveway, nor by any other varied uses of the logo at the branch,
on documents or any other paraphernalia. It was a specific piece
+ specific: message that the service was
� � S. �l il! �!! U 11 ! w Q '. l V 5 9 b v v iV i e r t j .. e% � •• : _: __ -_ o - -
there, and could be depended on.
Councilmember Cobb said Mr. Tosta commented the ARB changed the
rules in the middle of the game, that an agreement was reached,
and the ATM installed. .The agreement was then abrogated because
it was not followed by the SF, S&L, and he asked Mr. Tosta to com-
ment.
Mr. Tosta said he . studied the ordinance and case law it a suffi-
ciency of -standards review, and how the ARB .handled other cases.
He provided photographs of other ATMs, some of which were worse,
and some of the ugliest ATMs he ever saw were approved all over
town.. -He informed SFF S&L that Palo Alto had no standards, 'and
appeared to approve things willy-nilly. He suggested they ask if
red, white, and blue would be acceptable that year, and it was
-
not.. He looked at the case, and believed -there was an abase of
administrative power. -When asked by SSE S&L whether it. would have
to paint the fascia whi te, he cli d not believe so. He suggested
the City be apprised of the irpertaance of red, white, and blue to
SFF S&L, argues that it was not a public detriarent,.: and that the
only benefit would be to the customers.
Counci l member Cobb asked if there was any room for a comproail se.
Mr. Tosta _ reverted to the punts Concerning acceptable approval
recommendations. The ATM could not be screened --his office ;-spoke=
With the Palo Alto Polite Departarent, and neither the police- nor
the SFF .SZIL insurers wanted ter .see the criminal activity -4 screen
Might provide. They were told -.that particularly on El Camino
Heal, screening should not occur, which meant either- reducing the
size of the fascia -and maintaining the colors, or reducing' the
4 2.4 2
2/13/84
intensity of the colors --to prepare a palette of ranges of -colors.
One problem With the City's guidelines was that red was not red,
and blue was not blue. Color had different effects, depending on
the intensity. The -SFF S&L logo .used the deepest shade, and he
suggested they be advised that. it would be in its best interests
to lighten the shade and leave the fascia in place. Unless some-
one got out of his car within the confines of the site, he doubted
that any public view of the fascia would be found disruptive, es-
pecially in view of the Coronet Motel. He suggested the Council
consider a lighter shade of coloration. The alternative would be
the smaller fascia which SFF S&L used for an'hist_oric rehabilita-
tion, where the space limitations were fairly severe.
Mr. Carrasco said regarding the confusion between the color and
the size, a large, bright area of color was usually not compatible
with a building. The same .emount of bright color on a small area
could be compatible, which was tte relationship between size and
color. When the ARB first saw the large area of bright color, it
was determined to be too bright. The applicant was asked to paint
it to match the building, and the applicant agreed. The second
time, the applicant felt strongly about the colors. The ARB
agreed to that, but.asked that the size of the ATM be smaller,
like the one at Irving and Eighth Streets. The ARB was not incon-
sistent, but traded between color and size.
Ms. Lee said that before providing responses to the legal issues,
she suggested the Planning staff.respond to some of the factual
statements made with respect to other signs on El Camino. The
evidence was introduced --a board with several photographs dis-
played of,other properties on El Camino,
Mr. Schreiber said the board contained about 20 photographs of
activities in that area and showed a variety of signs, including
amortized free-standing signs, some older predesign review build-
ings, plus a number of items which went through the ARB. As Mr,
Carrasco had indicated, the question was, not the use of red,. white
and blue, but the relationship of size, shape and colors to exist-
ing str-uctures in the area. The board, being large and unwieldly,
was too large to pass around, but it did not speak to the problem
of the combination of size and color referred to inn the applica-
tion. He dia not believe the r'uies were clan e 1:i -;-the process
because the ARB attempted a whole series of situati aes to fit the
building. It was a question of trade-offs between size, color,
and shape the AR%3 dealt with on almost every application.
Ceuncilmember Sutorius asked when the most recent ATMs were
installed.
Mr. Tosta said the last installations were during the last couple
of weeks.
Councilmember Sutorlus said they cuts through the intervening
period, and he wanted to understand what action was initiated. If
he read Mr .Tosta's record. corret.tly, after July 1982, the next
action was notification by the City of Palo Alto. It appeared to
take some time before the action in July, 1982 took place` -on the
part of the -applicant.
Mr. Tosta said that was correct.
Counci lmecber. Sutorlus said it appeared to be a compression. If
someone did.not like something because it_ was not suitable for a
set of reasons, and something different was negotiated as a com-
promise, and later the area of- physical concern showed up, he
asked Mr. Tosta whether--_ it alight cause a person to find it as
abominable as originally feared.
Mr. Taste said the leitmotiv of the process was the issue he
raised -shod SFF S&L reneged on a 'deal. That could be the
4 2 4 3
2/13/84
conclusion only if the club used by the ARB was pruper'ly used in
the first place. He found the law and standards of review of :the
ordinance to be inadequate. The fact that the City had the autho-
rity to wield the club did not necessarily mean it was properly
wielded. If the ordinance was sufficiently secure with suffi-
ciently tight standards, which it was not, Palo Alto could condemn
SFF S&L for not conforming to the particular deal reached. They
returned to reargue the matter --the ATM was in place, so it was no
longer hypothetical. If the City still found it offensive, SFF
S&L suggested lighter hues of red and blue. It was an important
function, and if that was unacceptable, the City would have to
take the action it deemed appropriate,_ but it would lae done in
light of his view of the ordinance.
Counci lmewber Sutorius said -Mr. Tosta indicated the importance of
the paticular ATM installation was to avoid customer confusion and
to establish a sense of confidence and identification of the ATM
and the availability of its services. He clarified that a person.
would arrive in the parking lot, get -out of the car aed approach
the entrance to SFF S&L. He asked if something totally different
in character acid color from the architecture, and of the size
proposed was required.
-Mr. Tosta said the City's interest in what SFF S&L designed on the
property, and which was said to be acceptable by a design archi-
tect and a design expert, did not interfere with the public's per-
ception of the building, and was of such tangential interest to
the citizens of Palo Alto that it was almost nonexistent.
Counr.ilmember Sutorius recognized that the communication from the
Vice President called it a "vital public service," but in the same
sentence, he stressed it was not designed to attract new customers
or business, but eras intended for existing customers. It was a
contradiction to extol something as a "public service" and con-
trolled as only a "customer" service since the two were differ-
ent.
Mr. Tosta did not know how to respond because the question that
needed to be asked was Palo Alto's interest in the nonpublic piece
Of property and its nonvisibility. Regulation occurred because it
served a public purpose, and SFF S&L G.ad the right to do almost
anytnine it pieaaed 0» its p upcl ay ccpi, where public
defined an interest, a ballot law was passed, and. it was subject
to objective criteria. The question was what public interest Palo
Alto had in the ability to regulate a walk-up teller, situated on
a private parking lot, which was barely visible to the public.
Mayor Klein said the applicant was instructing the Council on the
law, and it was appropriate for the City Attorney to comment an.
the law from the City's standpoint.
Sandy Sloan, P.ssistant City Attorney, said the City Attorney's
office reviewed the case law and legal documents submitted by Mr.
Iosta's law firm, and was confident the ARB ordinance was consti-
tutional. The ARB ordinance set :forth specific purposes, guide-
-lines,- and standards for advancing the visual. aesthetics and ap-
pearance of -the City, its -standards were nut vague and averhroada
It requited discretion on the part pV the Council to apply ttloe
standards; and as pointed out by Councilmembey Renzel., the stand-
ards -used by the ARB were the same As those to be applied by the
Council. The Council was within its rights to apply the -standards
and approve.. conditionally approve, or.di.sapprove the project.
,Bob Mess„ -401U Orme, said he knew of a community whose ARB was
mere restrictive .than Palo Alto`s, , avrd its applications were asubia
jective and arbitrary. That ordinance went to the. State Supremo
Court on two• separate occasions, , and each time the Court -uroarli-
mously upheld the ordinance in its entirety. Regarding corporate
identity, --Palo Alto had twtd McDonalds but no golden arches. It
4 2 4.4
2/13/84
B
1
1
1
f
had two Colonel .3andei a ;U i no Colonel or buckets rotating in
the sky. He recalled the application of the Holiday 'no for. an
uyly Holiday Inn sign. That sign was now custom -designed, and it
seemed to work because the Inn was mostly full. If those other
mayor, national organizations could survive and prosper in Palo
Alto without their normal corporate identity, so could SFF S&L.
He looked at the sign on 'the bank building to see how obtrusive it
w4s from the street, and being illuminated, it stood out like a
sore thumb at night. lt was a free-standing sign -on El Camino,
which said "SF FED" in red, white, and blue. There was :1-ogo on
the door in a bright red color, and directly over the door it also
said "San Francisco Federal." The ATM had a specific function,
and did not need the type of fascia around it the applicant be-
lieved necessary. It was an advertising device, and the bank's
name was stated four times within an area of about 35 to 40 feet.
The Barron Park Association fought to upgrade El Camino's environ-
ment and appearance, and for a decade sought to disallow unsightly
new construction along El Camino. Despite the applicant's argu-
'ments, the ATM was visible from the street and was unsightly. The
Coronet Motel predated the existence of the ARB, and as indicated
by staff, many of the other ugliest things along El Camino also
predated the existence of both the -sign amortization ordinance and
the ARB. E1 Camino would be cleaned as the signs Were amortized,
and as properties were improved, they would be required to come
"up to snuff.." Existing eyesores did not -justify additional eye-
sores, As in the case of the ATM, and he urged that Council sup-
port the ARB and deny the applicant's request. Further, he urged
that Council take note the applicant was in violation of Chapter
lb of the Palo Alto Municipal Code since the ATM was installed,
and assess appropriate fines an a daily basis until cured,
Mr. Schreiber reiterated Mr. Moss' comment that the Coronet Motel
was a pre-ARB, predesign review sign, and the City had no mechan-
ism for modification. When something came in, that sign would be
brought into conformance with the overall intent for El Camino.
He eeferred to the blue binder submitted to the Council, and said
the Security Pacific Bank, Item #13, included a temporary sign
that appeared to violate the City's sign ordinance. Imperial
Savings, item f15, -had a banner that violated the City sign ordi-
nance. The Bank of the West sign, Item #24, was changed. The ap-
plicant came in for a modification and worked with the ARb for, a
sign more compatible with the building. Stanford Sports Shop,
Item #Z'3, also predated the A , as did Craig's ca ult St i
Item #30, which was going through amortization.
Ms. Lee said since Mr. Schreiber pointed out violations of the
sign ordinance with respect to some other buildings of which the
applicant provided photographs, her office would follow with ap-
propriate criminal proceedings.
Councrlmember .enzel wanted to uphold the ARB findings, but asked
whether a separate action was needed to uphold the ARB decision
for the surround to be painted white, or whether the decision
would stand as an approval.
Ms. Lee said the Council could- either deny the whole project or
approve it with conditions. As pointed out, if Council di s- ap-
proved the project, the present application would be disapproved,
but the earlier one would stand.
MOTION: Coubci lmewber Renzel moved, seconded by Fletcher, - to
upko)d then= November lit 1983 decision of the Architectural Review
board and the Director of Planning and Community Environment, and
deny the appeal of S ia Francisco Federal Savings, based on the
following findings
4: 2. 4 5
2/13/84
MOTION CONTINUED
1. The automatic teller. in its existing state, is not consistent
and compatible with the Comprehensive Plan goal of changing
the appearance of El Camino Real in that its colors., on the
large and strong form of the surround are out of character
with the building and are visually disrupting;
2. The existing automatic teller design is not compatible with
its immediate environment, the building on which it is loca-
ted, due to the unusueily large size of the surround and the
red, white and blue color scheme which contrasts sharply with
the creaacolored building;
3. The automatic teller, in its existing state, is inconsistent
with Comprehensive Plan Policy Number 3 of the Urban Design
Element which promotes visual aesthetics on major city
streets. The automatic teller is inconsistent in that, by
virtue of its stripes and color introduces a visually disrup-
tive element on El Camino Real;
4.. The existing automatic teller is not appropriate to its func-
tion in that At was designed primarily to attract attention
through the use of a large surround and the red, white and
blue color scheme and the building has been allowed adequate
oppoe tµnities for business 1 4entification through other signs;
and
5. The coior and detail of the existing automatic teller is not
compatible with the adjacent and neighboring structure in that
the red. white and blue stripes are visually disruptive.
Councilnember Renzel said during her ten years of activity in City
government, there were ongoing programs to upgrade El Camino Real
in various respects. New plantings, sign amortizations, and
rezoning was done to eliminate the strip element and cause. it to
be an area that reflected the neighborhood behind. Every effort
was wade for harmonious and orderly development on El Camino that
was in conformance with the current Comprehensive Plan. When
looking at the proposed application, the "logo" was- clearly used
to draw attention --not identify. Most people could find their
automatic teller in the dark because they Used it so often: and t_e
siiyy �s tuiL an AIM user needed the gigantic red, white and blue
surround for identification was ludicrous. Over the years, the
City made are effort to make El Camino in Palo Alto more attractive
and harmonious, and the proposal did not. e The original ARB deci-
sion -that the surround be the same color as the building was good,
and she supported it.
Councilmember Cobb said regarding the public benefit finding that
the primary benefit would be the appearance change of El Camino,
which was a long-standing problem. When he was a teenager, the
appearance of -El Camino was considered to be one of the less et..
tractive parts of 'town, and was an .issue of concern. During the
ensuing 40 years, it was a continual problem and one they tried to
deal with recently. It wa-s a specific City -policy to make 01
Camino a Mere attractive part of the community, -and the reason for
_ the ordinances and steps taken along Et Camino Real. was to. make
every --effort to cure along. -standing problem.
Vice Mayor Levy said he carefully reviewed the site, walked .around
it, on the sidewalk in front, observed It as a oedestr.ian, and
from a car traveling in both directions on El Camino Real He
betieved:.aesthetics was a valid goal for a Community, and $FF 5&i.
was aware >of its value_ in its own bui ldings;- which were designed
in different styles for=' compatibi laity with the immediate en,vi run-'
meats. I-t used different' type face in its -:signs, :buildings and
doors, in relation .to its environients,, and, was -aware of..the=value
of different aesthetic appearances.` The sign or element being
discussed had little to do -with- the functions of the ATM... There
MOTION COOT x NUEU
1. The automatic teller, in its existing state, is not consistent
and compatible with the Comprehensive Plan goal of changing
the appearance of El Camino Real in that its colors on the
large and strong form of the surround are out of character
with the building and are visually disrupting;
2. The existing automatic teller design is not compatible with
its immediate environment, the building on which it is loca-
ted, due to the uausuaily large size of the surround and the
red, white and blue color scheme which contrasts sharply with
the creamcol ored bey i l di ng;
3. The automatic teller, in its existing state, is inconsistent
with Comprehensive Plan Policy Number 3 of the Urban Design
Element which promotes visual aesthetics on major. city
streets. The automatic teller is inconsistent in that, by
virtue of its stripes and color introduces a visually disrup-
tive element on EV Camino Real;
4. The existing automatic teller is not appropriate to its func-
tion in that it was designed primarily to attract attention
through the use of a large surround and the red, white and
blue color scheme and the building has been allowed adequate
opportunities for business identification through other signs;
and
5. The color and detail of the existing automatic teller is not
ce.patible with the adjacent and neighboring structure in that
the red, -white and blue stripes are visually disruptive.
Counciirnenber Henze) said during her ten years Of activity in City
government, there were ongoing programs to upgrade El Camino Real
in various respects. New plantings, sign amortizations, and
rezoning was done to eliminate the strip el ement and cause it to
be an area that reflected the neighborhood behind. Every effort
was made for harmonious and orderly deve t opment on El Camino that
was in conformance with the current Comprehensive Plan. When
looking at the proposed application, the "logo" was clearly used
to draw attention --not identify. Most people could find their
automatic teller in the dark because they Used it so often, and to
t.._ .�.,_a to t a - ATMc .ice needed tho gi�t3nt 1P` red white- and blue
i4 �`aV 2b 4ft4b an ATM Yi4i -It4rinv r•: -c - 3 �-: .� _ ,- _
surround for identification was ludicrous. Over the years, the
City made an effort to make El Camino in Palo Alto more attractive
and har+onious, a d: the proposal did not. The original ARB decl-
sion that the surround be the same color a$ the building was good,
and she supported it.
Councilneuber Cobb said regarding -the public benefit finding that
the primary benefit would be the appearance change of E1 Camino,
Which was a long-standing. problem. When he was a.: -teenager, the
appearance of El Camino was considered to be one of the less at-
tractive parts of town, and was an issue .of concern. .During the
ensuing.4U -years, it was a continual problem.: and one they_ tried to
deal with recently. It was a specific City- policy to make El
Camino a more attractive part of the cot munity9 'and the reason :for
the ordinances and step taken along El Camino Real was to make
ev.Qr' effort to cure a king -standing problem..
Vice Mayor Levy said he. carefully -reviewed the -site, walked around
it, on the sidewalk in front; observed it as a pedestrian, and.
froN-a car. traveling irt- both €iir^ections on =El Canino Real. He
believed aesthetics was a valid goal for a community, ,and S.FF S&L
was aware of its value in its own buildings,- which were .designed
in different styles for. compatibility with -the `immediate
meats. It used different type face in i-ts . signs, buildings and
doors, in rela.tio; to its. environments,- and:was aware of the. value
of different aesthetic appearances. The sign . or ele;ent being
discussed had , little to 'do with the functions of the AIS There
4 2 4 6
2/13/84
were i,iivee i ii the sign, and the instructions to use the ATM
were contained only in the white —not the red or blue. In terms
of its business purpose, no data was presented to the Council that
the size, design, and color combination were indispensable to com-
municate the location, use, and availability of an ATM. He saw no
reason to believe that conformance with the ARB's recommendations
would reduce its marketing impact or business purpose. No other
bank or savings and loan in Palo Alto had an ATM fascia that
combined the elements of size and color to provide as disruptive
an impact on its environment as the one proposed. He concurred
that it disrupted its immediate environment and conflict':;d with
the Comprehensive Plan to create a satisfactory aesthetic and
visual feeling to the area in which it was located. He favored
the motion to uphold the findings of the ARB.
Councilmember Sutorius supported the motion, and agreed with the
comments of Councilmember Renzel in making the motion, and those
offered of his colleagues. Staff recently concluded the
California Avenue study process where all aspects of future levele
opment and goals for that area were reviewed. The community sup-
ported the implementation of pedestrian guidelines in an effort to
further enhance processes to encourage self -upgrading of the area
supported by the administrative and advisory roles of _the Boards
and Commissions. Signage was another subject where the public
supported guidelines the City attempted to apply. He regretted
the discussion and actions left an impression the Council did not
want the attractive nature of the SFF S&L location at California
and El Camino because there was a strong motivation to see the
entire structure retain the attractive style and integrity of its
original design.
MOTION PASSED unanimously.
ITEM #18 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR HOUSE OF
!EPRESL'}4 f AT1 VES LU H
WM> 1.11•011.11=11111011.10
MOTION: Mayor Klein moved, seconded by Cobb, adoption of the
Council Legislative Committee's recommendation to direct the Mayor
to send letters supporting the resolution to Congressmen Edwards,
Lantos, and Zschau.
Mayor Klein made the motion as a member of the Legislative Commit-
tee, and said the letters of support would be in keeping with the
letter from Congressman Edwards before the Council.
Vice Mayor Levy was aware or the d►sropt ve affect in the last
presidential election in the early projection of election results
over the news media, which was the source of concern that led to
the letter a,nd resolution. Although he was concerned about the
effect of the particular usage of free speech, he was more con-
certned that Council would be taking a step he considered unwise.
He believed it an error to limit the right of anyone to convey to
the general public whatever information was -at-his or her dis-
posal., and in that case there was nothing wrong with .early pro-
jections being made.:- He considered it unwise for the Council to
say that once those early projections were developed, it would
protect the American public from itself and not allow those with
the projections to coiarnunicete thus. Although he sympathized With
the attempt, he had faith that the Palo Alto voters and those in
the west would understand what was., going on nationally: and stil_1
act responsibly, given in -A case such as that four years ago. He
would`not_support the motion.
Councilmember Fie :elder -urged -support-eel. the resolution She
vividly remembered the campaign where the.: projection showed the
president already worr by a_ landslide several -hours before the
close of .the polls in California. Unfortunately, many residents
An Ca l i forn i a decided i t was not; worth going out to vote, and the -
election outcome was not what it woifl d, or could, have been had
4 2 4 7
2/13/84
that projection not been made and publicized. She saw no harm
with holding up the projections, and disbelieved that anyone any-
where would be harmed by not knowing the results before the polls
closed. It was little to ask, and she believed the benefits would
be great if everyone had a chance to vote before being told the
outcome of the election.
MUTION PASSED by a vote of I3-1, Levy voting "nay".
ITEM #19 RE UEST OF COUNCILMEMBER FLErCHER RE STOP SIGN REQUEST
RSA 1
Councilmenber Fletcher said a letter was received with a petition
from -Mr. and Mrs. Hodel who lived on_Ross Road, which was on file
in the City Clerk's office, and which detailed some accidents that
occurred at the intersectiora and requested a four-way stop sign.
Mrs and Mrs. Model pointed Out that the accident records were not
accurate because sometimes no reports were written. 5he requested
that staff reply to that statement, and on a proposal for improved
recordkeeping. Accident reports pin -pointed dangerous
intersections, and accurate statistics were needed. A similar
shortcoming was discussed at the last Policy & Procedures (P&P)
Committee meeting that dealt with'stop signs, and on February 27,
thequestion of another stop sign was on the agenda.
MUTION: Councileember Fletcher moved, seconded by Renzel, that
staff be directed to report to the Council on the request- for _ a
stop sign at East Meadow/Ross Road, including recordkeeping of
accidents, and to agendi ze for the February 27, 1984 meeting.
Vice Mayor Levy said such matters normally went to the P&P
Committee, and he requested confirmation that the_Itern went to the
P&P Committee, and why it diverged from the normal procedure to
handle all stop sign requests at one time.
Uirector of Planning aad Community Environment Ken Schreiber said
the Webster/Forest item was at Committee, and concerned.landscape
treatment corrections that were re.ornrnended. The Council asked
that it return after three months to see whether the solution was
effective or whether additional stop signs were needed.
Vice Mayor Levy would not suuport the motion. It was good policy
to consider all stop sign requests at one time, and to send then
through P&P Committee so they could be heard in a congruent way.
He rec mmer►ied the item be treated the sage way.
MUTION PASSED by a vote of 6.3, Woolley, Levy, Witherspoon
ITEM #21 CANCELLATION OF FEBRUARY _21_, 1984 AND MARCH 5 ;i)R4
c iEETIKTS
Mayor Klein said it was the usual custom to cancel the meeting
after a holiday, and February 20 was a holiday. The National
League of. Cities (NLC) Conference in Washington would be held --
during the_week of March 5, 1984, which both,"he and Councilmember
Fletcher would atter=.d, the agenda was kept clear by staff on
March 5, 1984, because ft was originally anticipated that mdse
Counci lmemhers would attend tape NLC conference,
MOTION: Mayor Klein moved, seconded by Leer, to caibCel the
City Ceo`nci l "meetings of February 21, 1934 and March b', 1414.
MOTION PASSED by a vote of 8.1,. Setorius voting *no."
1
ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned at 12:45 a.m.
ATTEST:
APPROVED: