The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutRESO 5675I 1- '• - ----------------------------• • ORIGINAL RESOLUTION NO. 5675 ----- RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE DEVEL-OPMENT OF THE CITY O!? PALO ALTO WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has conducted a review and on March 14, 1979, held a properly noticed public hearing to consider certain amendments to the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan and has recom- mended that certain amendments to the Comprehensive Plan be made~ NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as follows: SECTION 1. The Ccuncil finds that changed conditions and the public interest, health, safety and welfare require those certain amendments to the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan set forth in Se.ction 2 hereof. SECTION 2. The Council hereby amends the Palo Alto C,omprehensive Plan as follows: a. Housing, page 5, Update housing cost graphic: Change caption to: "The average of the estimated market values of three typical singla-fami.ly homes in Palo Alto in October, 1978 was $140,000 according to the Northern California Real Estate Report. This fi~ure represents a 230 percent increase from the April, 1971 figure of $42,400." b. Transportation, page 24, "Bus Routes in the Palo Alto Area as of January, 1978." Amend to include new and revised routes as shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit A aiid incorporated herein by this reference. c. Schools and Parks, page 32, graph of Palo Alto Unified .. School District Enrollment. Update with 1978-79 enrollment and revised enrollment pro-· jections as shown on the graph attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herein by this reference.. · d. Land Use Plan Map. Amend the Map to eliminate Churchill Avenue between Embarca- dero Road and Middlefield Road. e. Housing, page 13, Program 21 and following text. Modify Program 21 and the following text t.o: "Program 21: Support the Rental Housing Acquisition Program whereby the Palo Alto Housing Corporation would acquire, rehabilitate if necessary, and operate existing rental housing primari_ly for low-and inoderate-income persons~" "At the Council's request, the Housing Corporation has developed e proposal for a Rental Housing Acquisition Program. I .. -. "' • This.program would assist in the provision and preservation of low-and moderate-income rental housing in Palo Alto. The Housing corporation would operate City-wide to acquire, rehabilitate wher.e necessary, manage, and rent reside,tial properties to provide housing at the lowest possible ~ost while maintaining a financially self-supporting progra."A.11 f. Transportation, page 25. Insert before Program 5: "SCCTD has started express bus service for longer distance trips to employment areas. Routes One and Two serve the Stanford Industrial Park from western and downtown San Jose. Route Four serves San Antonio/ Charleston and the Industrial Park from the Milpitas area." g. Schools and Parks, page 33, Program 1. Modify Program 1 to: "A joint City-school district process should be developed to decide re-use of spe~if ied closed school sites including appropriate environmental assessment and citizen participation. Uses of surplus school sites should be compatible with the surrounding residential com- munity, and should preserve community and recreational uses and· facilities to the greatest possible extent." h. Enviroru~ental Resources, page 44. Add, after the first sentence on the page: "In October, 1978, the City Council adopted the Palo Alto Baylands Master Plan which is also included as part of this Plan." i. Environmental Resources, page 44. Add Resource Management section as shown on attached..Exbibit-- C and incorporated herein by this reference. SECTION 3. The Council hereby finds that the adoption of this Resolution wiil not cause any significent environmental impacts. INTRODUCED AND PASSED: April 2, 1979 AYES: NOES: Brenner, Carey, Clay. Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher ~one ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: Witherspoon ATTES~· .d~ city clerk J APPROVED AS TO FORM: Y~~?~ Sr. Assistan~City Attorney=c:::::: -2 - · Mayor\ ~ cl~ Directdro:Pannngan 1 Community Environment 1 ~t •'· " r •, . -~, .,_ --- .. ·,~us J::\OUTES lN THE. , }>ALO AL TO AJ:::\EA AS OF JANUA~'( 1q7C} j. . ~"t::~:::~% P.LA.NN\NG AREA bouNt:>ARY i NOT&: ~CUTE$ 4A..5L,7F.socJ6.'50V ~Ii $11,._Wb lt.Y TH& fi-'N ~Tf40-CO\JNT'ti~T bl$T~IC.T. AU. ~ ..,_CUTE~ AN! ~'l&I) l!S'I TM&. ~A C~ C.OUNT"f ~T! bl~TNCT. . ALL ~(:.lAL. ~V\C.&$ c~eOAC.H,EX~li$ au&ANb l!M.J$ ~~NOT ~ - •• --""·--· ___ ;.,_., __ _ ........... _ ..... ____ ,_ :....-~--·---- 0 0 Q ~ ~ z w ~ ,_ b & d 2 .11 10 9 e 7 6 ~ 4 3 2 ~ALO ALTO UNIFlEb SCHOOL OIS~\CT 5TU~ENT EN~OLLMENT iliJ[~1f~M GMbE LEVELS 9 TM~ l2. -G~e LEVELS 7 ANb8 -GAAbE L.E\JEL.~ ~ TH~OUGH6 '• t •• -•• ?..ESOURCE MJ..NAG£MEN1' SECTTON FOR TH£ PALO ALTO C<Y.-'.PREHENSIVE PLAN INTRODUCTION Palo Alto's Resource management objectives, policies and programs focus on developing and maintaining adequate suµpli~s and using available natural resources E.!fficiently and in an environmentally sound wa)'. Energy and water are the resources which are the focus of this $ection together with the issue of refuse disposal. Electricity and natural gas at"e the traditional energy elements used in Palo Alto and td.11 continue to be the prime "resources''. Electricity is• of course, the prod·Jct of an applied resource. In Palo Alto's case water is used to generate t.he electricity we buy. Supply development and conservation are strongly emphasized. Alternative energy sources, including soler and wind power, also need to be consid~red. Palo Alto obtains water from the City of San Frencisco. Palo Alto's water- related activities are oriented tovnrd conservi~g existing supplies. as soon as poss~ ble but no later Refuse disposal has traditionally included those activiti.es carried or. ,:it Palo han .Alto's Baylands landfill disposal site which is scheduled for closure 15 t:o , 20 years. Since alternative sites are not readily available,empbasis·is given·' to a broadened concept called "solid waste S3nagemen:." Falo Alto's efforts include reducing the amount of w<tst:e,. reusing as much discarded material as possible. and insuring the en~'ironmental1y safe disposal.of the rest. THE PALO ALTO RESOURCE SUPPLY AND DEMAND PICn:JRE AlJac>st all of the energy and water used in Palo Alto comes from outside the City. Most manufactured products consumed here were made from natural reeources obtained elsewqere. Nevertheless, through the utility syste"ClS it operates, the C~ty -government is a vital link in ensuring continued adequate resource supplies in Paio Alto. Here is how the major natural resources consumed in Palo Alto nre supplied or disposed of: · ~lectricitY._: Since 1964 Palo Alto has b~ught ail of its el~ctricity frOUt the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) of the Depa::-tment -of Energy (DOE) under a contract which ends in. the year ~OOl.. Palo -Alto used nbout 788 million kilowatt hou:::-s in 19/S. WAPA's electricity is primari.ly hydroelectric and is cheaper than if it we•e µurchased froa P;;i:-i' f'<: r r.~.<:;. !'. '!:l~c:tdc C01Cp&:4j (I'G&E). P!llo Alto uil.: ~eeci. sourc.e.:. of ele~tricity in the mid-19SO•s when ~A?A's ca?acity is P.~cceded. A cu~tail!IM!Dt. plan and related rcsulations are cv~ilable :~: ~~o~t-term supply emergencies~ Natural Gas: Palo Alto buys all of it$ gas on contract from PG~E. !n recenc years ~Alo Alto gas consumption has been about 30 t~ 40 million therms. Natural sas shortages in ~h~ mid-1970's foretold even greater 8hortdges for the mid-1980's. H0Yever9 ~s a res~le custoccr, the City can;t infl\d.nce the natural gas supply situatior. very much aside from conservatian efforts and our sr.ort-t~rm emergency curtailment plan. ---------------------------~· .. ' I I Oerllond for .Ut!lfties 1978 ELECTHIC/rY INDUSTRL'.L 47% -MULTI FAMILY 4% GAS SINGLE FAMILY 42% Total.Consumption 788 Million KILOWATT HOURS Total Consumption 32 Million THERMS WATER S:NCLE FAMILY 38% Total Consui:tption: 4 BILLION GAL!.()NS MIJLTI f.AMIL Y 8% SOLID WASTE iotal: 91,2~0 TONS The percentages of resources used by different groups of consumers indicate where resource manage~~t ~ttorts should be d!rected. For ex.ample, residential programs sh~uld highlight natur~l ges conservation techniq\..oes • while co::"""e·rci&! m-.'1 !"ldustri~l programs should emphasize electricity. 'While these-brenkdowns represent -· 1978 usage, the proportions .u::e expected to re:tain relatively constant. . • t . • . Page 2 as soon as possible but no later than Water: Pale Alto buys all its water from the City of San Fr~nc!sco's He tch Hetch1· sys: tem on contract. This system sets about 80 percent of its Yater from =cse:voirs in the Sierra and 20 pe~cent from ~unoff stored i~ .;:he Calaveras Reservoir in Alameda County. Palo Alto used about 4 billion gallons iu 1978. In case of a water shortage, Palo Alto will receive a share of the total available supply proportionat~ to the amount used in the City during the ~receding year. Palo Alto also maintains a standby well field which can produce about 45 percent of the City's average ~ater needs. Although it is somewhat less expensive, the well system is unused because Retch Hetchy water has better taste and lower mi.1eral content. Petroleum: Automobiles use nearly all the petroleum consumed in Palo Alto. Programs to encourage reduced use of cars are included in the Transportation section of t'~e Co111prehensive Plan. Solid Waste: Palo Alto owns and operates a landfill for disposal of solid waste, commonly called refuse or garbage. Around 250 tons of solid waste are produced each day in Palo Alto. Most of this waste is collected by Palo Altc Sanitation Company-with a large portion of the remainder delivered by CitY. employees or residents. Palo Alto's land- Ifill is scheduled to close""-b;-1998. li.'hile solid waste planning efforts have not identifi~d specific new disposal sites, it is projected that future landfill area~ will not be as convenient and will be much more expensive to obtain and operate. Reducins;t solid waste would ma!;:e it ea~ier to find future d~sposal space. Solar and Wind Energy_: These are the only significant energy resources indigenous to Palo Alto, and they are virtually untapped. labile their technologies are not yet well developed, rising costs for the more conventional energy sources and technological advances may make solar and ~~nd energy increasingly more competitive. OBJECTIVES Palo Alto's Resource Management objec~ives apply to the following four policy areas: Long-term resource management. Conservation of scarce rescurces. Development of alternative energy resources. Solid waste ganagem.ent. The objectives include: Preserve scarce resources by using them more efficiently. Secure necessary energy and water supplies. ~i~imize th~ cost of supplying en~rgy and water anu dis?osing of solid v~ste. ·. Reduce the nn~unt of solid w~stc du~ped a: the landfill. Distribute the hardships and benet'jts of resource consumption and conserv~tion equitably. Continually ev3luate and update Palo Alto's policies and programs in light of changes in resource supplies and development of new techno- logies. In developing and implementing programs t Palo Alto sl-:o!.!ld: Favor voluntary over mandatory conservation measures and programs wherever posstble. Be sure conservation and new supply measures and programs are cost- effective by taking into account both initial cost and all operating costs, a concept called "l:i.fe cycle costing." LONG-TERM RESOURCE Y.ANAGEM""...NT ......... 6'·--. Pol.icy Z: Ensure Pale Alto's Z.Ong-term suppl:J of eZectz.i.city, natural gas, and ~ter, and tong-term disposal of solid waste in an envil'01'U!lentatiy sound L}ay at the ZozJest possibte cost. The sources of supply for electricity, gas, and water are markedly differ£nt and so a~e their supply plans. It is necessary to pursue a variety of supply options as w.ell as carry out conservation -programs in order to ensure an adequate supply of electricity. The most practical local solutions for ensuring water and natural gas supplies are primarily in conservation programs and substitutiqn of solar or other energy for natural gas. Scarcity of · lan~fill sites for solid waste can be eased s0111ewhat through resource recovery programs which are discussed following Policy IV. P.rognzm t: Ccr.tinuaUy evaZu'2t..e and rezn'.se e"tectri.c poruer r.eed forecasts and pursue a.de.quate ~cost supplies by paraticipa"ting in Norather>n California Poi.)el' A~ency (lJCPAJ and othel' por.Jer supply eouraes consistent i..">ith City policies. Retain ability to pza'Cha.se suppZ.ementa'!. pOLJ6:r from PG&E. Remain open to securing r.ete) supp'Lies of natural gas and to tryirzg ~ so?.utions to aolid waste roeduatfor: and disposaZ. Although the City's contract for electri~ity vith_ DOE does not expire until the yc~r 2004. DOE does not expect to have enough cap~city to supply Palo Alto'~ elecnicit;y g"I"vw tli ~t:~u.; . i.! [ i..toa th~ mld-1980' s. The City must plan on -other sources for its growth after that. New-supplies will probahly be Y-:my. ~itries more expensive. It is extremely important for the City to obtain S~?plcmcnt~ry power sources as cheaply as µossible io line with other City policies. Strong conservati~n efforts should be exerted to minimize the need for as mueh ~pensive supplemental po'"er. The key st.rateftiee to carry th1$ out ar.::: C~nsider DOE e~ the primary power supply and oppose any modifi¢at~on cf the City's co~tract which ~ight reduce the DOE comnitment to the City. ~ ' I ANNUAL PURCHASE COST (IN MIU.IONS Of DOLLARS) 1968 ---------~'--. \~G. ''"~ ~·~ \~ I i91oi--~~~~·~~-+-~~--¥f~~~~+-~...,.....~-+-+~--1r--~-+-~~~~~~~r-~- ';._ ~ 1972 1------~---_-_-....... _-_-_-_-_-_-....... _~_-_ -_ ...... -_ -_-_ -_ -_-_ .... t-"----)~.~~.-~-~--t--------f-- -4---t---OlL SHORTAGE 19H--\ ··\ U76 ' ' } 1373 US6 H88 1390 ~~~~-~~~~~i-.~~~~~~•,~~~-+~~~~~~f-~~~.+~~~-t-~~~~~~~~~~-t-~~~ ..,. __ ...,_...__... __ n?Wal'JllT .,.... __ +. ______ l~~ HAI'A RATa INCRE.\SE ....,.-+----BA..~il.Oll PAU AWNEXATION ------··· -·· -, ' \ ·~· ~-~----'--___J~·~~----~~·-+-~--~~11---~--+----\ ........ ____ ,ir-~~~~-+-~~ t\mlt~\&'Jf-~&&Ji.~lst~~-t~u~~Acm 11111tllll1ll'll N 0 0 .&:-0 0 ENERr.'! IN ~ILL IONS OF l<.Wll 00 0 Q N o. 8 . . . . .. . . · . . . 20- 16- -(t) I ~~ -~ a:: 30 -1-2 12-"" a: ::c I I-w % la. ... 0 c:: (I) w z CL 0 ~ o-..J 20-r U) ...J 0 u ~ 4- --------------------:'.""'~------------ C rrv OF PALO AL To TOTAL GAS USE AND PURCHASE COST ·------·-,, ~ ~ I~ /.... o"' ~ c:.; ti ~ A.:. ~ ·.. '. ---. ~·· - f .72 73 74 76 T1 78 .79 YEAR Purchase costs of n2tural ·gas h3ve risen rapidly since 1913. T"t-"1 st<iAS~ h4P been d.~ct'easing in rP:spnnse to these hi ~hpr costs. . ' 10 8 Cl) !i 6 _J _J 0 Q 0 ~ 0 4 ..J -. : ...... ..J :I Page t.. Economic and enviro~al acceptability must include: l. Disposal of toxic waste~ 2. A:iequate liability coverage, 3. Enviro~.mental cle3nup costs. Continl!e to particlp3te in NCPA as :i t:iet:1ber. Par:;icipate in the NCPA Development Fund Agreettent. Continue relations with PC&E because it i~ a reliable though expensive backup power supply. Pursue oppoTtunities t~ develop power supply resources independently of NCPA, separately, or in joint action with other agencies. Insert as separate paragraph .-.., Palo Alto should consider NC?A its preferred source of ad1iticnal pover because of the advantages of joint action with other municipal utilities. The most favorable projects for NCPA part:icipation at pres~nt. are geother.nal power) c\lventional hydroelectric generation, recapture of.hydroelectric projecte for which Federal licenses have expired, participation in projects of large utilities, and power purchases from other agencies. Palo Alto does not yet participate in the NCPA Development Fund Agreement but will probably be able to join in 1979. Palo Alto should continue its agreement with PG&E to supply supplemental power if DOE cant t meet the City's needs. 'nle agreement should be modified to prov·ide that PG&E ~ill supply any requirements supplemental to all of the City!s'other sources. If only the DOE source and the NCPA hydroelectric proj~ct meet their goals, Palo Alto's forecasted total electric power requirements will be covered through 1990. As no present sources are guaranteed, the City must have backup plans if it is to ~void buying expensive supplemental.power from PG&E. Staff should continu~ to investigate joint action power supply projects with ~ther agencies and !~dependent projects using p~oven technologies that are economically and environmentally acceptable. ~Staff ch~uld also continue to follow the developaent of new technologies and evaluate their applicability to the City's future needs, either as independent'p~ojects or through joint action. Resources using proven or nearly proven technologies which may be pursued for action independent of NCPA include geothe1:111n.l power, convention.al hydroelectric generation~ cogeneration--the concurrent generation of electricity and heat for on-site use--and low-head hydr~electric generation, which uses water under less pressure than conventional hyd-roelectric systems. -Ntteiear ..n.AWAr-~ --•• • .. _ ~----~ --" power &oui:ca a&ai.n wbert-~-Staiia..J..if'r; r-------~ ---. ·iu mcratotimn~ locating nuclear plan-es 11\~. Ptoj!'.!cts which are not yet practical but which may Jievelop !uture promise r-<~ include fuel-cells, refuse-derived fuel (RDF). central-atation solar generation, wind power, tidal po..rer and bio-mass fuel. Pumped storage, which pumps vater uphill during off-peak hour~ for later use in hydr~clec~ric !;<an~r~t::..c~ ~t pea?'; load times, is a proven econo1dcally effective technology-but it does ~t now appe~r to be au applicable source for Pal~ Alt~~ Geothermal ~wer,. hydroelectric generation, low-bead hydroelectric, "fttl'Cie~~er; central station solar generation, tidal power and bio-mass power sources would be-located at reiuotc.sites. not in or near falo Alto. Fuel cells, lU>F, co- gen~ration and wina power couia he located in or near PalQ Alco if they <lid uo~ conflict ~ith other City or region~l policies. ?age 5 ~ 2: Modify rote structu:res to encow"agi? C!)r..ser-Jation of efoctri.:ity, natu.rat. gas:1 ar.d W;;;:'!;er c:r.d to di&cow.ra.ge soUd r..~ste generation. Set rotes r.1hich reflect act-"'°"Z costs of sePVing ec:ch customer> r.:hiz.e conti.nu.fng to provide a 7.if e Zi:ne rate s true ture. T~aditionally, utility rate structures have encouraged greater use. The most common structure was ~ decreasing r~te for increasing levels of consumption which tended to discourage conservation. Recent energy shortages and pri~e increases ha'\"e forced a reexamination of rate structures to reflect operating costs oore accurately and encourage conservation, Since 1976, PUC has mandated lifeline • I residential rates for minimUtD necessary quantities of gas and electricity, . --- seasonal rates for all residential customers, and "time-of-day" rates for very large electricity consumers. The lifeline rate concept is to set artificially low rates for those quantities of utilities considered necessary for survival. In 197S with the passage of the National Energy Act. the Federal government required utility ratemakers to consider a variety of conservation-oriented rate structures based on the cost of service of electricity. Palo Alto has kept pace with these rate structure changes even though the PUC has tu) jurisdiction over municipal utilities. the City studies service costs for all utilities regularly.. The rate structures as of e:arly 1979 are these: • Electricitz: A residential lifeline rate is in effect. Consumption above this rate costs very little more now. but will increase in the f-Jture. Ccmmercial and industrial custo111ers get electricity under a rate that declines for increased cori.sumption. This rate reflects the cost of providing service. Commercial and industrial custom<?rs also are charged for their total demand of electricity, which encourages better load management. Natural Gas: For the past 20 years, it has been City policy to ·charge its own customers :he same price PG6E charges in neighboring cities. Ccmmerci~l and industrial customers are charged a flat rate on all .&as consumed. Residential customers receive a lifeline rate which varies seasonally. Water: The water rate structure was modified during the 1976-77 drought. ~o that all consumer classes pay more for greater consumption. A life- line att10unt has, been set for all consumers. Solid \Ja.stc: Two rate stni°ctures are in effe~t: One for solid vaste collected where it is generated and one for refuse delivered to the City landfill. A lifeline rate is available for collected refuse. Remaining rates for collected refuse are detet'mined by now much is disposed of. how often it:is collected, and 'Whether the custot!M!r is commercial or residential. Fr~e disposal of si:;;::ll ~~~:::;~ lead~ ~: :he City landfill io available to . l"esidents ~ho recycle a minimma atnQunt of_._ materials. KeQ,!linins rate$ are determined by volw:.e of the refuse delivered to the landfill. Palo Alto should continue ~~...ataining costs of utility service periodi~ally, and tracki~S PUC or re&E rate structure changes applkable to Palo Alto. In severe ~atergencies, race structures should be c~anged and ~mergQncy plans and rules ~hould be c&iriee out. Page 6 co~:SEP..VATION OF SCARCE RfSOURCES Policy 2: Mazimize the conservation and efficient u~e of eZaat1oiaity, natui.•al gas, and tJater in r.elJ and e=ie.ting .residencec.~ businesses, and industries in Palo Alto consistent with other Comp't'ehensive Plan potiaies. S01M! options that could be.used.to promote conservation are: Setting up conservation and manager:ient programs• including public information efforts. Providing financial iri.cendves. .. . .. .. Developing and enforc~ng product and building stanuards • .. Imposing mandatory restrictions or cutbacks or both. Most electricity~ natural gas, and water is used to operate homes, businesses, and public buildings, ~lthough in Palo Alto a large proportion of electricity is used io industrial production. More efficient use of natural gas and elec- tricity is required in all new construction by new state building codes which require ceiling aod wall insulation, limit the number and size of windm;s, and Wike allo-.i1ances for ?assive solar designs. The State also has developed energy conservat~on performance standards for all major energy-consuming_new appliances sold in California. Similar Federal standards are being developed. Tile only State water conservation standard for new coPstru~tion is a =equirement for toilets that use less wa~er. ' Buildings in Palo Al.to were constructed when energy and water were much cheaper and before State standards came into effect. By 1990, Palo Alto is to have about 2,000 1X10re housing units, ari-eight percent increase ~ver 1978. Most of the present buildings will be around in 1990 and will be extremely costly in resource consumption if they are n0t"made more efficient. There are no State or local building cedes which require existing structures to be modified for conservation. This is primarily _because;of 'the inequities arising from uniform codes applied to buildings which··\1ould cost varying amounts to modify. Most ·efforts to improve existing structures will have ta be voluntary. and conserva- tion programs should be designed tj·en~ourage volunteer action. Mandatory restrict- ions would cmlv be instituted in siRnificant water or ener~v emer~e~cies . ... ~·-:.:"' . '" ·:· ~ . ~--. ''·. Rising energy costs are !'llak.ing s~ of t;:he more expensive technical solutions of conservation problems more econo~.ically feasible for existing buildings. FFiw people understand how to apply th'e solutions or understand the idea of life- cycl.? costing. Even when they _do, they will still have to overcome their reluc-t~..:::.c~ to pay for conservation tecilni1ues that are expensive, bu~ wor~~ ~t in the long run. Pltogram ~: Maintain a residentia.l. :itesoUPCe conservation prog:>C.'11 that wiH se'P'.Je aU.. re6ource user:? tr.ro-ugh .. ac:tiv_ities .such as informational. pr>ograms and the home i.Jeat.hefri.:Gaticm p1 .. og1"aT1'1. · · -: ' Program 4_: Maintain. a conseroation ·_ploo~am for' COTTTfief'Cia"i.; indu:;;t...-,cz, and pubiic users th.rough activities B~h.as ·infoz-mationaZ progrcmr; and aOntJl:')rVatior;. audits. · .~ ·. Page 7 'l'he Utilities Departn:ent t·esource conservation pro~rrams for homes should be contir&ued because they are popular, effective, and have been in part mandated by Federal law. City coordinated gro\i."P efforts ::o reduce unit costs through economies of scale should be pursued. Use of the utility bill payba~k mechanism .developed for the home weathc~izaticn program should be expanded to other cor.servation measures. Tile City should also continue to direct low-income residents to the additional conservation programs pruvided by other area agencies. The! Utilities Department should. continue to eoffe:: energy audits to commercial, industrial, and public agency customers. Audit training workshops and other incentives should be offered to these ct:.Stomers. Program 5: · Include local, State, ar.d Federal poZiaies and standa...-.ds designed to enccJW'age effiaiant use of energ-; ar:d 1.JJate:t> resou.iY:es in City aodes, :regu'latior.s, ar.d procedw>e8 where proactiaaZ. Potential resource consU1l7Ption should be analyzed when new construction is up for City building permit and environmental review. ·Mitigation measures for large construction ~rojec~s should include resource conservation tachniques. The City should actively encourage innovative building and site design and orientation techniques which miniadze resource use by taking advantage of sun- shade patterns, prevailing windst landscaping, s~nscreens, and choice of materials. At the same time, the City should also t-ry to lover administrative barriers to the use of more efficient resource system.'9. Staff should be trained periodically in resource conservation techniques. The City should also provide displays and'manuals on resource conservation design, include inspection of ceiling insulation in the voluntary program for inspection at the time of sale, and deVelop a one-year pilot-program to offer conservation suggestions on selected building permits. Pz>ogra:m 6: Iriclude iuate:r conservation ir.. other City energy conser>Vation pro- grama. Distribute infonMtion on alternative Zandscaping and irrigation.. metlwds, including use of-drought-tolerant p'l.anta. lbe water conservation measures and emergency watP.r allocation plan developed during or after the drought should be continued. Promotion of ~ater conservation in the residential, commercial, and industrial audit programs should be contin- ued. Water ~e-use or .reclaa.ation is already a part of the Comprehe~sive Plan Environmental Resources section. New buildings and landscaping should be·designed to use as little water as possible and to re-·use Yater. Further d.?.crease of water waste and encourage.~ent of the appropriate ~e-use cf water can be accom- plished by: Training the staff to give advice C;n water consc:rvation prcblems and solutions; Re'1uiring water consumption projections for aP new construction, landscaping:, ·and addition~; Including suggestions for water c.onservation and re-use in a pilot program through the Building Inspection D!•::!.~icc; . ' •• . · 70 60 50 --i 40 E 20 10 I I ,. • • TYPICAL AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL UTILITY BILL (122 therms 1 500 kilowatt hours, 6732 gallons per month} I I I I I I I I I / I I I I I I I I I ? I I I I I I I I f I I I _...;r, ____ ...........- ELECTRICITY -~-• -.. ti •• " . .------. WATER 6--6 -~ 6---tz--~--u---6 I f I I I I I I I . I ' I 70 7t 12 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 of YEAR Projections are based on current ti·ends, pending ra.te increases and . national policies. Changing policies and national events make projections over 5 years uncertain. 'nle concinued rapid increase of natural gas prices are a good reason for emphasizing natural gas conservation iu residential programs. "' I . 1 62 a3· P~ge 8 Finding water cons~rvation measures that are widespread enough to be included in the code; antl Pro~iding guides ~o the Use of drought-tolerant plants and alternative irrigation methods, pri~..:irily tnrocsh available publicatio~~. State er.ergy conse:n·ati~ri codes for ne~ cor~truction er additions are an adequate conservation base and must be enf~rced locally, but other measures could also be susgested to applicants for permits or in environmental and design reviews. ·~ Proaz>O'JTt 7: Cal"'r!-' o!.4.t cost-eff~ctive resource conservation tTirough oonstr-uction, mainter.ance, ar.d operati.,...g p:ocedu.res fof" City faaiUties and City promtl'ement practices. The City operates about JO buildings ~n providing services. Certain modifica- tions of existing facilities will not only pay for themselves, but will save money over the life of the modification. These Sdvings should continue to be identifiei and lllOdifications made. Cost-effectiveness and life-cycle costing should be .used to help decide whether to carry out conservation measures in City facilities. City of Palo Alto purchaaing policies should: • Include consideration of energy efficiency; F~vor pr~ducts whicli:have ~he lowest life-cycle costs; Require bids for major purchases to provide resource consu:npt1on dnta and to meet mi.nimumperformance specifications; Analyze bids based on life~cycle costs; . . Encour~ge State procux:e.;n.ent-agepcies to haridle group purchases like this to. reduce group cos ts f ur~ller; and ---Study any model procurement ordinances to see if they tJould work in Palo Alto. ... -:-..:·· .. · .. DEVELOPMENT OF ~LIER."aATIVE ENERGY" RESOURCES .. PoZ.icz1 3: EncQUI'<Z9e the approp:Pi.ate use a?".d itrrplerr.entat:ion of alternative energy tecnnotogies in netJ m'.d eristing ~cidences, busir:.izsses~ and indust"ries b1 Palo Alto. Alternat:iVi! energy technologies are those such as solar energy systems and win·~ e~ne?"atOJ"S ...,h{ch Uf'lP nontradi.tfc»iAJ. fO~Q (lf f>T'iOT'~y tO r~!>}?Ce '!iOrk rlcne t_\y traditional forms. These technQ~ogie~ ·are not as well developed as conventional ene.rgy sources an<i hflve economi,,c and .av{lllebili::y problems competing with them. 'rhe fol:i.owing is :Stated in te~·~f solar_ appl:!.cc.:fons; hpwcvc~~ if other • . . . Pase 9 a~tcrnatives become ~ore feasible, the programs below should be applied to the::: as uell.Solar energy will probably be the most usable alte~native energy source befot:~ 1990. Present thinking is that of all the possible uses of solar energy. only building and water heating are likely to be inexpensive enough co grow much rt•fore 1990. Cost will also limit solar energy use primarily to new const•1.1ction rather than existing buildings. Thr! Federal governn:ent has made a commitment to develop solar energy through ~i:tivities such as demonstrati'>ns of technology, mo'litoring programs,.incorne tax c1edits. and consumer-protection performance standards. The 1978 National Energy A;t required l'1rge utilit-l!s. including Palo /'.l to, to make so lar-systetn recom- ~~dations in home visits and to arrange loans and installations for cost- effl.'.ctive homes uses. The Ste.te provides income tax credits, perfor.nance testing, consumer. protection, and encourages the use of sol3r energy through i~s life cycle costing requirei::ients for new constru~tion. '11le City can become involved in areas not reached by State and Federal programs. ,---They -in.:lud~: " Uslng City facilities to demonstrate cost-effective solar uses; Providing information on the e_conomics and appearance of_ solar systems; Reviewing new development ~o encou~age solar-syste:ns; Providing economic incentives for modifying existing structures through City programs; Encouraging State and Federal development of appropriate energy supply technologies and their implementa~ion in California; and Ensuring that City regulations do not discourage the use of solar energy. Program B: Provide infol'ma:tior. and aal)ice on the use of al.ternative energy tec1moZogies to aU cne~y users. £.~couraging ir.terest in solar systems and their use, especially providing infolmation on appearance and cost-effectiveness. should be continued through activities such as solar classes; displays, information distribution, and de~ign guidelines. ~ 9: Review Zand dcvetopmen.t roegu.l.ai;ior.s i'J'f.c"luding ooning, . land sub-WiB'Um; and bU7.:Uing codes that wuld make it eusie!' t-0 use sotaP er.ergy. ·Access to sunlighc !s· a coucern in encouraging solar use. Anyone considering installin~ e solar system wants to be assu~ed that the ncaded sunlight will remain unobstruc:::ed. California! s l~'ia St•l1tr Rights Act is intended· to encourage solar utilization and to protect aola~ ac~ess. lt: Page 10 Defines solar easements and specifies their content; Voids legal instruments such as deed restrictions which now prohibit the installation ·or use ~of. solar systems; ~nc . •.·. • .: .··-1 Prevents loccil gciv~:i:nments;-including cities, from enacting ord:lnances prohibiting. or restrfcdng the use of solar systems. ' . Encouraging solar use through zoning regulations, building codes, and environ- mental reviews should be pursued by: • • .• Adopting a model solar code; Providing code-related guidelines to installers along with the design g1;rldelines until then; Evaluating City regulations and processes and the zoning Ordinance end modifying the daylight plane regulations to take sunlight angles into account if necessa~y; Encouraging adequate potential solar energy collection areas ip new buildi~gs in orde~ to prevent modification problems; and Reviewing the results of other citi€5' actions which have made solar installations mandatory in some new construction and see ii they would work or be desirable in Palo Alto. ~ to: Watch actitJities of other-ut·Uity syE>tems tha.t invol.ve neu uses of utitity se?>Vices to pror'lOte atte..Y>native energy teannoZogies and seek funding for i.nr.ovative p"t"Oj'e(!ts that lJJiZ l. app ty to the Ci t;y. The City should also consider providing solar-use incentives. 'lbe problem of expensive but cost-effective solar installations can be cvercome with low interest loan.s and utility bill payback. The City of Santa Clara, which also has a municipal utility, leases solar equip- ment to heat swimming pools and some industrial and domestic water supplies. This prograJll attempts to ovcrc9me financial barriers, and protect against loss of solar access~ increased property taxes, and fly-by-night installers. Tt:.ere are problems involved with a solar utility. Widely scattered syste:ns could aake installation and maintenance difficiult and expensive. Third-party liability for installation and operation of the system could also pos~ problems. Mnny smnll solar businesses object to utility involvement which might be unfair compe~ition_: and squelch innovation. · · ~ Zl.: Use cost-effective aiternative-enePay teahno1..oaies in cor.stP. .. wtion, mai.ntenance,, and opel'at-:.ng pX.Ocedures fol" City faeilities dn.d in City proc:;.t'ement practices. Active pnrsuit. .of solar energy use oppottunities ir1 City fadlities \."ill demon- strate solar us~s. help reduce operating costs, and 111ake City staff famili~r with a new technology •. Staff should in~estiga;e projects similar to the P.inconada .. . • • Pase 11 Pool solar heating installation which was completed in 1978. SOLID wASTE MA.NAG~ PoliC)i 4: Conduct solid waste management abtivities to reduce the amowit of soZia. !iXlste disposal in landfiU through a combination of prog'!'alns intended to encou:NZge reduction in the amowit of tJaste generated and cost-effeative reuse of sol.id :.uaste and to ensu..we the environmentally cowui. disposa'l of the remaining UJaSte. Several options will be pursued to reduce the amount of solid waste requiring disposal. By changing product designs or othen-rise altering society's produc- tion and consumption patterns, the solid waste generated could conceivably be reduced by 10 percent. Up to 40 percent of the solid wasce could be reduced through recycling. Large-scale solid waste processing systems, now being studied by the North Santa Clara County Solid Waste Management Program, have a greater long-term potential than recycling but l1ave much longer lead time, higher capital inYestments, and greater risks. ~ 'l.2: Encourage the use of i•eusabZe, retu1..,llahZ.e, reayalabZe, and ioepair-goO<:li th.rough incentives~ educationat displays and other info:rm:i.tional.. actinities, and support of State and Federal 1.egisl.ation. Fifty-five percent of the .~.olid waste generated i:i Palo Alto consists of items designed to be used only once and then thrown away. This includes containers and packaging. Encouraging people to b\iy reu"sable, returnable, or recyclable- -products and items that avoid excessive vackaging could reduce the amount of solid waste significantly. This should include consumer education, product :~labeling, and container deposit systems. 1bc Palo Alto Solid Waste 'Reduction · Advisory Com:nl.t~ee should help coordinate local efforts. Program 12_: Devetop source sepa:ra~cA:m programs for recyclable solid r.x:zste ___ rrr:.te!'iai8 for at:l ""'Zste generatoPs. Pro«!"?'!!. 1.4: Ma.intain and ezpa1'ld the use of the Recyct.ing Center, iocated at the City's Refuse Dis[>Osal Area • . Separating solid ,,,as te allows materials to be recycled more economically. rt can occur in ho\:!'Jes and bunineszes or at the Recycling Center. Palo Alto resi- dents recycle 3,600 tons of gaterials per year. Materials include newspaper, c~rdboar~, high-grade paper, metals, glass, and motor oil~ The Center presently in used by SO percent of Palo Alto residents. 'l'he p~ogram has recently b~en expanded to many residents to include weekly c~rb ci~e colleccion oi recy~lables. Source. sepllration programs should be ·developed for r.he different· types of waste generato?'s. For eianrple, a restaurant generates significant amounts of card- board while houses have more paper. Source separation will have widespread participation only if the collection program is convenient, people know about it, . ;~ .· . • . . • Pase l '2 there are incentives for participation, ar.d there are containers ~t the source. Sixty-six percent of the solid waste is hauled by the City's garbage collector to the Ref•.JSe D:f.sposal Area. The rest is delivered mostly by the City crews and residents and is chiefly garden trimmings and waste wood. Program 1.6: Through City purak:sing policies an-1 other> efforts, promote the use of goods containing recycled materials; ['rogrcm l6: 'E'ncouztage State and Federal. investigation of th.e effect of tax taiJsand regulations on tJie maI'keting of l'BC!";;Jc'led materials. Suppoztt, where economi.ca'l.Zy justified, efforts to have recycled ma.tel'ia.te treated in similar fashion as PaLJ lft'lteriats. . Small denand for recycled materials h&s established a varying and generally depressed market price and discourages recovery efforts. The demand is low because virgin raw materials are favored over direcdy competing recycled materials in transportation rates and tax structures, and consumers are reluc- tant to buy recycled goods. City purchasing policies that favor buying recycled materials can help to eliminate this attitude by setting an e.~ample for the rest of the City. Increased use of these goods will als~ help lower their prices. Specifically, the_ City should establish a policy to purchase recycled paper products. The City should also support re.vision of Interstate Comm.erce Connission trar~~port rates and Federal tax regulations that discriminate against recycled materials and their products. Profll'"!l!I! t?: DeveZop, through aotiva paPtiai.paticm ;, the Northern Santa Cl.am County Sol.id Waste M:ma.gement ProgpaM, a 'l<mg-temJ solid uxr.ste management p1'0- gram, inaludirig safe and emlil'Or'.mentally eou.nd disposal methods . . '!he cities of Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Rills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyv~le and die Cowity of Santa Clara hav~ entered into an agreement to develop a long-term program for the management of solid waste. This includes investigating centralized resource recovery and enviTonmentally sound solid wast~ di.sposa1.· Centralized resource recovery facilities may make solid waste reco~ery more effective and economical. 'Ole nonreducible and nonrecoverable waste may be usable as a fuel source. However, some material will remain for di.sposal. Therefore, the North County Program is investigating alternative disposal sites that could be used after the present local sites are closed. In the case· of P.alo Alto, the Baylands Landfill will" not be available after the late 1990's. I . ' " . . ... . . . • COMPOSITION OF SOLID WASTE: PALO ALTO'S GA.'UAGE CAN . NEWSPRINT HUED PAPER PLANT DEBRIS MISCELLANEOUS AND RUBBLE The great variety ~f component~ of solid waste necessitate a wide range of· resource recovery and solid waste reduction programs. . . ~ •"' . . '•. ---·-·-···------------------------------------------------ . 0 1:.1 a: w > B· UI G: cc < w >-a:: UI 0. U2 z 0 ~ 0 w t; - "' a a: a. 14.300 -13~ 1VOO 11,ClOO 9,900 S,600 7.700 6,E:OO 5,500 4,400 3,300 2,200 • Material Recovered Through Recycliiig Programs in Palo Alto ~- Rli:CO\.'ERYOF GI.A$$, CANS. Nf:WSPAl'ER, WASTE,Al'ER, PLANT DElfl!S RECOVERY OF WEWSPAPEA. PL.ANT OEIRIS 14 '3 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 r, 4 13 2 _ 1.u~_ 1 0 E"----L.----.L...---"--:;;_;~---.&---....L----............. """"~--_._--___. 0 0 -10 20 3i" -AO !&Q 60 _ • 10 IQ 90 100 : - CVMUl.ATIVE PERCENT PAATIOPATION 0 w a: al :> 8 w a: Based on results of the pilot study. expansion of the curbside collection program is expected to involve 70 to 80 percent of the hous~hold!J in Palo Alto. '],'his would result in source separ- ation of about 20 percent of the residential waste stresa or 4 to S percent ~f the total Palo Alto vaste stream. If plant ciebris and waste paper were included in recycling programs, the total ~unt of solid waste could be reduced by approximately 10 perceo.t. " ·' • L .~1