HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 5291•
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RESOLUTION NO. 5291
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THI CITY OF PALO ALTO
ADOPTING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAH FOil THE DEVELOPMENT
-OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
WHEREAS, _there has been duly prepared and the Planning
Commission of the City of Palo Alto has adopted and recom:nended
a long-range, comprehensive general plan for th6 development of
the city and of such land outside the city's boundaries as in
the cormnisaion's judgment bears relation to its planning,
consisting of a map and related diagrams and statements; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission by its resolution of
June 9, 1976, has certified and recoamended the plan to the City
Council for its consideration; and
-WHEREAS, the City Council baa held at least one public
hearing on the adoption of said comprehensive plan, notice of the time and place of which has been published and given in the
manner provided by law; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has proposed certain amendments
to the comprehensive plan certified by the Planning Commission and has ref erred said proposed amendments to the Planning Com-
is s ion for a report as required by law; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has submit-eed to the City
Council a report on said proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council bas certified and considered the
contents of an environmental impact·repnrt for the proposed
contrehensive plan prepared in conformance with the provisions
of the California Environmental Quality Act and Title 11 of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code;-and
WBElllAS, tl\9 City Council deair•• to adoit said comprehensive
plan, aa amended, aa tha comprehensive genera plan of the City of Palo Al"to. -_ ---· --
NOW, TREll!ioRI, the Councii cf the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE a• follows:.
. SECTION 1. The map and accompanying descriptive material
captioned "Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan: 1976", aa lllB8l'lded by
the City Council, a true copy of whichria attached hereto as
EXHIBIT A hereby i• ~dopted by the City Council of the City of
Palo Alto aa the comprehenaiva General Plan of the City of Palo
Alto.
SECTION 2, Said Palo Alto CoP1Prehenaive Plan ahall be
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endorsed to show that it has been adopted by the City Council of
the City of Palo Alto.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: NovadJer 29, 1976
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Beahn;, Benald, caxey I Clay I Ccu:stoc::k, Eyerly I Nortal, Sher I Witherspooo.
Rme
ABSTAINING: Nale
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PALO ALTO
Cl'l'Y COUNCIL 1973-77
STANLEY a. ROB:cON, MAYOR
IOY L. CLAY t VICE MAYOi.
JOBR V. BUBIS
JOBR J. BERWALD
scorr T. CAREY
nJUCE W. CCllSTOClt
JUD S. EU&LY
BYJION D. SHEil
ADE B.. WITBERSPCON
*Served until July, 1975
PALO ALTO
PLABlllNG COHKISSION 1973-77
ANHE STEINBDG. CBAIJIKA1'
RA1X RACX, VICE. CBAillWC
PITD. CAJlPEll'l'Ell
HAlY GOl.Dm
WILLIAN GOEN
JAY llltCBELL
9vILLliM POWDS
•-i_AJmPCB rm
••~ UIRIRI .
••• Gm CCI>!'
._ ~ Uatil Dec ........ 1973
••Ser9ec1 Vet.il May, 1974
••• Senecl Unt.il -...c, 1976
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Replace with the adopting resolutions of the
Planning Collllllission and the City Council •
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No AJto"s Comprehensive Pbn is theresult o"'threc yars --require larae llnd areas. for example, land use, trafftc circu·
....--work by the Planning Commis.Sion, City Council, a large lation, and ichool and putt facilities.
mmbcr o( citiuns, City sraff, ind coosuhants. It pramts a Sewra1 subjects oi City-wide concem are not addressed
pide for future changes in the City recom.rntnded (0 the JD lbe-Plan. Social propams as such are not included, at.
Council by lhe Plann.~g Corruni!mon after exteasive tbouP"narly all propollls have social implications. Thus,
. c participauon. The Plan rtsUlts from a process or cbld care, crime pre¥ention, and recreation prosrams are
_ltJectinl a series of planning alrem.imes. l'bblic ~. __ . not mduded. Ahhoutb problems of energy C'ClmlefYation
dnele>Pment of information. and analysis of impacts upon and water c:-onsenadon are noc included in this document,
-die Oty mulling from implemematic;m of thtse al · It is mtettded that dine 1Ubjects be &cidmsed in lhe near
were 1D of this ocess. Pia~• adop~ by fu~. c --~~-~----
Council, i5~ni1M1 an o ·-· policy framework for Some major decisiens affecting land use baTe been
piding dec:isicns both on priYak projects and on City cap· made: the foothills and Baylands are to mnain open.-The
ital expenditures. maaindet of the City is nearly built-up. However, there arc
~--... ---. g economic forces that could brini major daanges.
Theilnianr Process
Dis Comprehensive P.an ... :zt subject of formal Pbn·:
.. Commission public hearings and the ~bsequcnt -~.coDl1rllmdations .of the Commission~~ by
_tilt C-1ty C~jil ~l !'U.blic mttliogs._~u-~ __
.-.ll..... ia wnting.J._:irthe meetings..a.mfluenc~ lie:miells ef ~ ...._ bodies ID reaclllng decisions on the Plazi.
The Planning Area
1he Plan is for public and prmte properties within lhe Palo
:Alto planning ~ The phnning ~ indude'l lmd within -
lk Palo Alto Oty limits and unincorpor.trtd arm includ-·
... SUnfoid Uniffrsity Jznds in Sm13 Clan County and
sw:ral parcels in me Baybnds -upper foodlills. Adop-
tion o( 1be ftm by the Qty Council will not necasari1y
-_If me City tabs no action to cbiln,e pre5el'lt trends and
pt;ltidcs.. these are some of the thinp • can expect by
1990; .
• . Hcusing units will increase 7.6 i-r cent from 23.SOO
in 1974 to 25,,600 units. smg.ie family units Mii
. decrase by 200 to 1 S,300 because of clentOOtions
ramdag in apartment construc:tion. Apartment
UDlts will incte.ase by 2,000 to 10,300 in 1990. Most
new households will ~ childless. and housing cost:.
ia Palo .Alto will rise faster than ic the rest of lite
Ba.y Area.
--.--~Alto em~nt ·will increase 36.7 per cent
&om S9.600 in 1974 to 81,500. led by a pin of
8200 in the demonics iadustry. Abouc 68,000 of
daesc workers will commute into Palo Alto. miablly
from tbt south. -_commit Santa Cl3ra Couary to use rbe • · mcl
__ in the unin ~ ataS_,~e~e ~wjll::...w<_,_ __ '!-.If anploymmt trends and trDel habits do not
as 1or R"ne•-anbf!oe~ in tbe 1llliD-~. the munber of au1GlldJBe nips in the Oty
ICDfpcnted am. ·-fia ,.._~"4 ... \ will lie 40 pet CCDI paler lben iD 1974.
The Intent-of-the Plan ,
9de law proridcMound the City Code wquiiesa ~ · --· -
· lp:miw plan tbat loots al all• a •so( pbysint.Flll'"'~t-t-11i .'!-~h...-,..-m_~~
• ·Ambades toward powth,. ••irmmental poteelklll. ad . I,.· ....._ 11111 fllDllll low clalsitY dwKter ohxm·
IOCial responsibility have chaaled imrtecly sila No Jae..,. &mly area.
Alto's last CamprehenSift Pim was ptepared ia 19'3.
1his ...-Plan is aoDg-dnJe md cmnP..._ 11at it l. Slolr ...... Mpfl)J..at lfOWllL
lli1l must proW1e guidance towanl sohifllg today's JrG1t-~-Mliple• exhtfea IMI •na ad flO'ide some new
_......_ Soa proposals can be ~oat~~ P.Y-Y 1Pnl111 roi low. -.sate, Md middle income
.lie IS or 20 yem in the r.ture. la dae c:ase of tlllllil. this-_ laot I h .... . .
..... QB oaJy iecownMo4 ..... ..... ......... . 4. ........ Jruwtlaof.-tmf&.
-public ~ ... likelr 10 ... ...., ift ... . . am hyais. · · s. a.,.. * .,.....,.. _, ftlllc1iall of El euuao
ne ,._~an ..,.cad ·.!'~°'*oar t1at ...._
Al.though thU Pl.a bas DCN bee"
fomally Uopted. the H!mtcip&l
Code requtrea tb.e Pl~ Coa-
aisaion to revimr the r1.,. ... .u,. -
ad reccr:lillrAd to tile Cotmcil aay ·
mcli~~:i-Jtiou wbidt ti.. r,owr«eatoa . . "9'l~r:Her ueceuary 1n tha l1alB
·of 'any chaaae in c:oacllt~ ..
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. 'lhe pl of keeping Pa.lo Alto a fine residenbal community
ates housing one of the most importlnt factors COIUid·
ered in the Comprehensive Plan. Housing is important, not
ClOly in its own dght, but :lbo beci.U$C it strongly influences
the siu of the population and its distribution in IF. back·
~and Jacome.
· Palo Alto's Housing Objectives
What ctirections should housing in Palo Alto take to main-
tain and enhance present residentiaf qualities-."•911!"!-~~
Siec'"'cl ,~it is important to maintain a dn-ersit of housing
· ~ opportunities. This means a wriety of housing types and
· sizes. a lbixture of owneJSbip and rental housing, and a full
-. rmse of housing costs. This diversity of housing opporlU·
,::. :~ aides. aYailable-_iri an atmosphere of open and free choice
~~ for all. will then accommodate the desired population
... diversity-a variety of household sizes. especially families
with children; all ap groups, and a ~de range of income
te.els.
Jwst,~ it is imporunt to maintain the character Ind
pb.ysical quali\Y of te:Sidcntial neigbbochoods.. Palo AlQM
nnt to aYOid dnstic changes in ndghborhood t.haracter. to
reduce the intrusion of through·traffic ineo residential
~hoods. to protect DCighborhood quality, to nn.
prO¥C ftsual quality. and to prevmt deterioration.
The .p,et;., Housing ~ly _
. ....r Palo Alto's 23.800 housing units...-.up a')out t.IUHia1lt . .-Sl~I A
A ot the housin& in the Midpcoinsuli area from Redwood
/..I. City to Sunnynlc. In addition.. Stanford Un1'-ersity pro-
Wdes space for about 7100 students iDdudiDa l4SO apart·
meats for married students: There ui'atso 700 campus
units f« faculty and staff. 1JMu units are JIOl aftilable on
tbe opal 1mrtet. .
TwcHhirds of Palo AJto•s units are~ 11oma,
but about· 20 per c:ent of dwm ue mrted. Owners oc:cupy
Juat Ota' one-hair or .n tbe -.... uaits in P.aio Alto. The
pen:ea&aer:s of single family •aits aod GWllU~ uails
IN similar to most otJm lup Niclpnim11sla eommaaitia.
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COMP1lf'HF.~Sr\'F. rt \~
Palo Alto's housing is closet in ap to the housing in S:ln
Mateo County than it is to other communities in S.mta
tiara County. Almost 40 per cent of Palo Alto•s housin1
was built befo~ 19SO and anotlm 40 per cent between
1950 and 1960. Sinci: l 960, white Palo Alto was construct·
tna QRly 20 per cent of irs housing, rhe rest of Santa Cl3ra
County was building SO per cent.
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'lblre it ptatet demand for housing In Palo Alto than
an be mer. This is because Palo A!to U. a desirable place to
live. there are many jobs, and there is Uttle land available
tor new booting development. This llU !ed to high housina
COltS and low 'l'IWSCY r3 tcs.
1he median market value in 1970 of owner-occupied
houlin1 ill Santa Clal':l County was S27 ,300, almost 20 per
cmt hipcr than in California as a whole. At the same time,
the median value in Palo Alto was almost $33,900, and
more than IS per C4nt of Palo Alto's owner-occupied hous·
iq wn ftlucd at O¥tJ SS0,000. Palo Alto had almost tV..:.e
11 mUCh of its ownership housing (46 per cent) priced
above $35,000 as 1M whole of Santa aan County and less
than balf u much (17 per cent) under S2S,000. No other
dry of cmr S0,000 population in the county showed such i
diYergence from the eowtty pattern.
Although more than SO per cent of Palo Alto's owner-
lhip housing was Yalued under SJS,000 in 1970, less than
. 10 per cent now is available for that price. Units under
$25.000 ate almost gone from the market. Between 1970 ~ and 1975 the median home value Ip increased to SS6.000,
~ a jump of 1nore than SO per cent. ~ -·4 .·-J --~~·~~~~~~~~~~ ......... ~--~~-.
H-.TO HOUSING UNITS
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lq60 :970
.. 1 __ I Mut..Tt-FAMIU'
I . . f.siNGLP FAMIL.Y
ALL.. ~ NC.U.K::ll!. BANa.cN ~
If Clllmlt dctlelo;ment patWeon1inue ill ~A.he lft --... in
dll .amber "~ · llousin1 •':lib ii p1ojeclled a.led • dae expectlld .•
.... o{ ..., Mlllti.faailr am. Mew •tk-faanilJ c:onstmcdoa
wB oa1y tepi;lc dealolUhcd ±lk flillllJ _. ia lHO 1n4 will flll
.. ol~liD 19'0.
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Similar, althoogh less severe. cost esalallon b.u occurred
In feAW housing. About 70 per cent of hlo Alto's rtnta!
housin& was av.2ilable for under S:?OO per mocnn in 1970.
but only a little more than SO per .:ent was :available at tha:
ame lnel in 1974, mostly in smaller studio and one·
bedroom units. One-5.btth of the ;apartments in Palo Alto ii!
1974 we•e ~nuns for S::?7S per month or more.
Despite the high coses, the vacancy rates for bo~Ih"er-1 ship and rental housing have been stable at below ~
cent bl recent years due to the strong bousin9 demand~e~
federal Department of Housing and Urban Development ~
~ .. shortagie" or "'tigtu" market conditions u an O\Tr· ,-" '._
all rental vacancy rate of three per cent or less and an "' ;
apartment vacancy raio of five per cent or less. ~-·
Looking To 1990
In theory, Palo Alto's present residential zoning pattern
could hold almost 38.SOO housing units. The only way this
total could be reached is if all buildinl$ in Palo Alto wc:re
re~ and the City were completely rebuiJt from s..,,.3tch
at maximwn density. A more realistic estimate of full res-
idential development is much lower because much of Palo
Alto's housing ls already built up and is unlikely to be
Jedewloped. and development in the past has not usually
occurred at ma.'<imum density. Building on ~ remaining
iesidentiaily zontd vacant land would result in a total of
about only 25,150 unics in the City. There will be construe·
tioa oo other th.an vacant land. however. Most new multi-
family units will be built on redeveloped Jud,. replacing
older single-family units in ams already zoned for multi·
&.mily use. Because of this kind of cxpeeted redevd·
l<J7t ·. 1972.. : .
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1'be -. tJI die ~ .met Yahles tJI dllu typical
.._ nilJ bomas la fl&o .AltD ia.ansect 7f per cent from April.
1970 to Apd1. 191$, acc:onlinf so die Nardllm CMfamia Rw !mis ltcpart. .
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opnnt, • eealhlic esum1te or (uU development in hlo
. ~ Alto ts •round 27,500,r ""''t ~. .
~ Only middJe.ineomt and hilt\·incontC ~wholds will be
able to rtnt or buy new muhi·famity units, unless efforts
are made co make some unjts available to low-or moderate.
lneome bousbolds. The new single-family unils will be so
expensive that only hifh-income households will be able to
dford them. At the same time, tbe City's present supply of
lower cost housing w;u be diminished lhrousJt removals to
make way for the new construction.
'lbe anlicipated increase in the proportion of multi-
family housing does not necessarily mean a parallel increase
in the proportion of rt:ltal housing because of the tecent
popularity of condominium units. whkh are usually owner-
occupied. Condominiums are like!y to ciintinue to account·
for a larp proportion of the new multi-family units built in
Palo Alto.
~Decent, Safe, and Sanitary
-Not aD units in Palo Alto are decent. safe. and sanitary.
~ than four per .Cent .of Palo AJto•s housing was sub-
standard in 1970. These units were predominantly lower·
cost mu;d umu mrrounding Downtown which:
• ladaed private plumbing facilities or adequate beat-
ing equipment or both.
· • •-ere dibpidated to ihe point of endm,erins the
occupants and should have been ex~nsiwely repaired
·or tom down.
Orfsinal qU31ity and lewl or maintenance, p1rceiwcd rede-
wlopmftlt polaltial, ~d ownenhip are important in pre-·
dieting fu~ housing quality :lad neighborhood dwactcr.
Neighborhoods .,.itere original quality attd the level <>f
lilaintenance arc low are likely co get wone without mne.
dial ~-Older Jin!fHamily houses In neighborhoods
zoned for mwli-family use aae oftea allowed to dcteriolate
1'ccause owners are waiting for the time when oppottunitiel
for hifher density redeTelopmmt wm make lb!t (>lopat1
more· ,.iuable. this process bas been etidenr m tbe aeiJb. ·
borhoods zoned fo(high«nsity residential use smroaiading
DowntOlil-11..
Abtenlee.~ often are not wilUna to in9ISt in ape.
life -repairs arkl. imprcmrnenu and tenants cannot be
apicted to do so. Abseatee ownerstiip is prewaleat and
profitable in many single-family · 1reu because of Palo
~to .. i tight bousiaa market.
.. The People 5" oo0 . -~=...;;.;-. -. 1bere are lf~~ Uwkig in Palo Alto, and abotat .. ,.::r ~~vinl on me S&:mfcd _Uaivenity c:1atp11.
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Palo Alto's population la rtsln& in nerap ap. :a...,60
years and older make up almolt onHemtth of PaJo Ah\)'•
residenu, a higher propcxlion than the nallonal 1¥mtce, but
lower than in neighborln1 Mm.lo P:ark. The hishftt coactn·
tration o( seniors in Sultl Clara County is found in the
.Downtown area o( No Alco. At the same time u the per·
cmtage of seniors is incnasing, the percent1ge of dd1dren is
decreasina. Children under 18 made up 28 per cent of P:llo
Alto's population in l 970 u compared to Santa Cbra
County•• 37 per cent. F.nrollment in the Palo Alto Unffi~d
School District bu been declinins steedlly in recent years
because of the drop in the birth rate and me tight. bish·
priced housing market wbkh causes most &milies with
young children to seek housing elsewhere.
Six per cent of Palo Alto's population Is between 18 and
21 yean old. Stanford stUdents living in Palo Alto account
for a latge number-almost 2000 people-in this age group.
Ethnic minorities make up about 13 per cent of Palo
Alto's population. hople of Spanish language and aim:un~
are the larsest group. accounting for ehnost half of the
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llllillodtJ pop!lbdon. ~Amerkans are a htdt more tho
......... or die minority popubtion and about rour per
cad or lk IOta1 population. Blaicks :are gne.ftfth a( the
Dnority popubtion·.:an4 Inf Ulan three prr cnt ol lhe
tDtll populltioa. ~-tJL.;., are less lhaa. one per c:ml of . .... total~-: . . .
,.. 1970 Census shawft) that Palo Alto had the second
~ lffdF (amity income of any city or 25 ,(#) Of
_,.. ill lbe Bay Ara. AWDF household mcomc ranked
7
unn;hac lowlR because or tbe larp awnbef of low.r-
lnc:onw 1mi0r and "1141ent boulcholds in PaJo Alto .
Cblnlli in populatio. chltlc&edst1cs 10 aJoas wtrh
PALO ALTO POPULATION
~600 ~r 56~00 S7a700 ... t-I t
1960 1970
.. I
cbanps in the housing invenCOI)'. The average bousebolct
lizie will continue to decrease :is families mature and oldtr
cbildren leave horr.e, as young married couples ha"We fewer
cbildren, and as the proportion of one-•nd two-persoa
llousrholds incMses along with the increase. i multi-family
umts .•
2~ Pt!.RSONS ~ HOl 1$1!.HC'L.D .
Z.7~PEA
HOC 15'!HOU:>
hlO A110 "'ill me -bomcbolds or ol4kr pcnons and ,.....
adu& •ilhoul dill.Sen. Tb.is trill c:oalinuc dae dotl'n1rllrd and ia
11ae nomber or pmcns per bomclaold.
>-~llatlllila.ai81...-iJM1il9ioiMi_...-lililttlPalo Alto•s populac~
will continue to rise in :tWRP •• ~ ... ~Y-llllmlllQlllJ
... ai per eent"' ·~&i.
Am3St Palo Alto income is likely to increase faster thaa
die Bay Area a~rase \>eQUR of hi!her income required co
afford the. new housing units. increasinJ costs of oistiDg
~g.. an'd the displacement of lowa-inc::ome fMJmelrids.
through ~lopmenL .
•
t'OllNEIECSIVE PLAN
~bodaoocb
Procectin& ex.iltin1 ndlhborboodl ii u bnpoclmt dement
of Palo Alto ·s bousiftg polk:ia because No Altans wmt to
avoid chante in the resldntial characte! of the Qty.
Policy 1: Jlttin.U. tlw lntmli low-Mralty ~ of a·
""""~family llrta.
Policy 2: hntr~ ""*' ~ .....,,. a4 -11
apt1""1HI ~ .
In single-f&mily zones. which are over 90 per ceut of Palo
Alto's residentially-zoned Jand, this will not be diftkult
became little new construction will take place. New siagle-
family homes will be built on the few remaining wt sites
scattered throuaftout the areas. However, becaam: of the
scarcity of Yacant Land zoned for multi.family us., new
multi-family construction wil! umaDy replace older homes
oo land zoned for multi-family use. To reduce the changes
in neighborhood cbanicter created by this ~t, it
is necmary to retain some of the older homes wbicb are in
danser. especially Downtown. This eouhl bdp maintain a
range of homing prices because the older homes are usually
less exptnliYe per square foot dml the new mufti.famjly
units which woald re~ then Ewn these older bouf.es
~d be too ·expensiw for low· and moderate in:~
families.
•
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J f ' d ~ , I~ h 1 ' h a.'' hr "l · J • .
; • s. l:t 11 : 1 · I I i I. . i1 r· f · f ! -· " ~ -I -a fr I I Jff l ft•l l ~-a It! Bj•!; .. ··.ii I . -
i i " I J . . I' ·1 it l· t f' . . .° f ' . Sl i' l ff i-c j , r J . '. ' .• I s· ], 0 • • • I~ j
-·di lfl .11 ~. . ~ .:-J111nnt!ul !H Hh~llhirrrl · ~=
n. il.;:; fr . , ·. ·~ z i i f 1 • a rt z"'? p ~ t :.. o = 11!' ; a s i .! ... , ~
-~l!h •~r 1 · · · · r f nt!H i l f.H iU~i 1 Hun ~
. !l!~r. ~I as f 2 ! iHila.1-~·11 ;I. p i.i [ ~~I f -I rr1; II . ~ ':11:'"1» rl 0 ·~ oll ;HJ " t! a. i·~ l 1111.S"
. I J ! ~ i I g! . ~ i f .. ~I i I 1 H •t r h t i ! i ' i ~ I r ' 'f~J I.!' ·. ~ Hrral({~ t a I rh 1 t]r' • _ ... ( · . . ..• htJn.tlf 1 H,. &: •. 9 h!h ....
' ' . ... ' . ·,
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• • .. t \.VMt'KUleNSIVt rt.~ ·!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~:::;:;===::;:;:~====:::=..... toi ,,....~... ,.., • .,...itta
2. Ar ... In which owner-occup1nll need financial help
to!mpc'O¥e their propttty;
3. ANDI in which tenants would be most likely to bi
6f1acec1 or PJffer hardship as a result of higher
..u &SIOCiated with wwsisted rcb.tbilitatiO!l; and
4. Area with st.~tures of historical or architectural
lllue and sis,niflcance.
~hlbiUmtJon is expensive, and present occupants, f'PC-
. rentefSA•0 a· no• lta 11tle II 11i1·r• th• •"•i•i1MI Hiii
"n\1• tltl1y ,,... Iran silt lae~cipating landto~ds arc
_ ~ to n:W;e their uniu aval.lable for federal usistance
prosrams in order to avoid displacing lower-ineo~ tenants.
Otberr:del to ~hilbilitation can be eliminated •
. .ftopldh · .Building pmnH fee schedules wbidl discourase
rehab tatioo should be adjusted to promote rehabilita·
lioa of exis!ing housing.
Priorities For New Comtruetion
New housing construction in Palo Alto should be directed
. IOWlrds ftlling identified community needs.
For insrance, new hou!ing is necde:d to go with new jobs
IO SOD eraployen can liw near their work. this would
mtuce 1dditioMI stms ori the housing market and ~'!b
·increased traffic: con~. However, there are few.,,,~
....... to increase significantly the number of housing
opportunities dose to employment oo. vacant residanial
lllld. Housins deov~t on land zoned for noa-
.. l'll!Sidential use. would pro¥ide more housing.
• Policy 6: s.,.pon * arbdq of resid•tiol urs flt co.
mllrdtll Md inlbatritll Ql'ftlS.
Prf,,..,. a. •'4••\all new relail l.Qd office con.itrut:hu11 lu
provide ~ rropGrtton of taideaual •?KC on 01 ~
the same Ii to. ·
Mlxtcl-use residential and commercial structum offer
promise ol incrQIUas the housfns 111pply by rc-cstablishin1
apartments over stores u 1 standard buildlng type. These
ap11rtmenrs would also bnfm>R tbe wban desisn quality of
tbt city's commerchl districts by "1clin& variety and visual
mcl°";'re to shop'in& st.roets.
If .
. ho;rr,m Mi Facilitate development of residential units on
air rights owr public aad private paddna lots in com-
mercial and lndusbial districts.
It b also necessary to provide new housing for families with
childiea to maintain a balanced community. despite the
head co msaller bouseholdsS
Pelcy 7: £w°""" tlw ft.e#op11t11nt Olld plWision of
,.,,_. all ~ oM/fff'S/lip ond rMllll 111rits in
..... IO "'°""' hollSilq lllOtt SMilo~ IO /on#~ 14.idl
dllltlrnl.
•c.a.ia... .
...... federal policies c:d for cammuaities to provid, .
·~ fer aH iacomc ~and No AJto• tried iR .. ""'!Jiiiii,.., IO tee &bat time-. Bouiagopporti.Jnities for . · _ ·
ptql)e of a Mell 1DJt ol· illlccqs .. But, the trend towar4f ·
·.~ · llousi&a. costs c:0."ltiues. Housing costs ·
.. .,.-. ._ dlil'8 ... to tbl! paeml inftatioe in mat· ·
..., ia4 ,.._ aad IU ieceat· 11eep incmses a interest
..... MditicmCll l.a ...-f0ir the ~ l:R cbC high
., • .,. .. for "°""""' ia ,., .AirO ....... Jaeithkned by
.. -...... ol~ft'IM.'lkr. .. housiq~pa:eat.-
. .
an4 unlor eitueaa ~th. U.aite4 U.CC. · ._,. ut ·b• -&bl.• co ·-'ford -tbe .
additional cot1t• UAlN• they bav• fi.aaaeW. help. !\I auk:• a a t , • ..._ iba.
Home Jlepai~ Pl'ogr•• which. ie adldautered 'by the-Snior Coo:r4inattJta
Couac11. ad put:f.ally f\IQded. by ci.·ctt7. pnw.1"9 au,b•141-d hOllle repair
aemcMy l~r 'l'-~8",
..
•
1111 demolition or lower-cos• unlts 10 nsake wty for ex·
ptn8w new construction, the c:on\'frsion of e>tislina rental
mlll &o hipr-c:osc c:ondomiums~ ar.d che larF number of
Jobi.
WW the p!ice of housin1 aoes up, large segments of the
populatla'l pduaJJy becwm unable to -compete for
..,.... in Palo Alto:
• Middle· ind moderate-income households, putlc-
111ady Chose with children, who cannot afford to
buy • bame in expensive housing ams.
• Senion on Umited incomes, such as pensions and
Socil1 Security, which are not sufT&c:icnt to keep up
Ina tipt h~gmarJcet.
• Househol~J with low-paying jobs or on public assis-
tma who cannot aff'ilrd high rents.·
Studeats also genmlly bave limited financial resources.
1hase who do not want to live on campus or who cannot
be KCOmmOdated there because of lack of space in the
campus housing $}'Stem are, how~ri often able to compete
Jll cbt housing market because rhey are wiWDg to share
mlts with others. -
'lbete Is no w., to estimate the number of households
who, althoudl they want to live in Paio Alto, lift elsewhere
t.c:ause they cannot afford to live here. Others with strong
moup reasons do decide to live in Palo Alto no ma_tter
.Ut the cosu. The costs indude noi only paying more
1Un they want to for houang., but also li\'ing in units which
me struc:CuraUy in:adequate or overcrowded. -
In 1910, 3600 Palo Alto bOU$eholds. over IS per cent of
die total, fit the federal standard for .. lower income" and
wem lmnJ in inadequate housing conditions:
• ocaipyiag Uni1s bckina some or all plumbing;
• with more thM l.lS persons per room;
• payiQg more than 25 per cmt of their iDcom8 for
aat aiuJ./or
• occupying housing mOR than 30 years ~.and m-
md al Jess thin SJ0.000.
J
! II -
leftiors of low-and moderate-income haq IO meny requests
that some ~ve stop~ taki111 names for Wlitifta lbts.
Tllffe ftgur:s are bmd on the boulint 1iluatJon at any
one time. Annual tstlmates of housinl need an idcluded in
Palo _Alto's Housina Assistance Plan, which ll required. u
part of Palo Alto's annual applicaUon for lhe Communily
Development Bl~k Grant Program.
It sboUld be recognized that as Par Alto Is made an even
more desirable place to liYe, demand for bousiat will in·
crease, bidding up prices even further. This makes it ewtn
more important to ~ public policies which encourage
housing which can be afforded by lo• and moderate·
income households.
tbe Cost of lla)'in& a House
House Value: -$56,000 (Median Home Value ha Palo Alto)
Initial Costs: 20 per cent downpaymmt $11,200
poi.n~ QO
closing costs 1.120
$13,000
Monthly Costs: mortgage payment (9W_.) $375
tua 120
insurance . 20
$515
Jmuary, 1976
tililides md mainlftWICe add 111bslaatial:y IO die monthly am of owniDs • boose. bill were not included in dUs cable ~ .. '1Cl!ic they
. ate BOt ~tant. Only ~ boucboWs ca. afronl LO buy
bomcs in hlo Alia. -
Without such policies and programs the supply of lower·
ClCllt housing wiD continue to dwindle and low-and
moderate-income owners and renters will continue to be
pushed Out of ~lo Alto by redevelopment, conversion, mma reats. and hipr taxes. ·
Many Pa1o Allan$. not only thase oa the ftlP orbeing
squeezed out, are coracemfd about the km of the di\"erSity
. •w.nm1he ~ty ooce had.
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,,.,,,,.,,,,; Condnue the adopted condominium con-
wrtkla ordinance.
Palo Alto bas adopted an ordinance which restricts the con·
wrsion of rental units to condominiums until an adequate
Yaeancy rate ex.istS in the community to 'l)l'Ovide enough
bowing choice for displaced tenants.
WoddJaa wida Other Lewis of Gomiuneat
1•: ,.,.,,,.,,. W. Continue the local nnt mpplemrat (l'iE;)'·
blck} pqram to .,_, the ftdmll)-.llllsffd te..sana
of priately-owned unitt ror low-income fGnWa and
seniors.
The f'lm'blCk Propam wa created when tt became :ap-
pereat that me maxlmum rents }»yable by the Saata Cl:ira
County Housin1 ;u•\hority under iu federal housing assis-
i.ncc program were coo low to rri.&ke the Housing Auth.Jr·
lty 1 real competitor for llnits in P:tlo Alto's ti&ht housing
market. The present PilSYblck apecment pro\'ldes a
_Policy 9: E11a1~ """llfll'tidpt11~ hi low-tllUI modm1t.. 550.000 three-year City subsidy to dle ustn1 Authority .,.
lllt:onttt ,,_., ~ finonttd by olMff'?!!!... . ..!!l...:::=:_.... to enable it ta lease units in hlo Aho.,. UllDI Au· 111'i,
IO,..,_,,,· ftd'. ~ th.ority...-.use4the funds to help lnse 30 units.
Most of Pale Alto's housing activities have been City~ ./\ ~.~ . ..: .. y. '.'('~T ~~ .'.:..· ~-~-
pms to make federal assistance pt~Jl,nms more effective r .. ·.5'~°1~'1!;..~t'-~~ .... }°"' '. :. : > .: . ~· ~--re . ...., .,. ~ . ~-. ... ~~~-..· '·· .. ·f,,,
•7• . . . * . .. . ~ • -. • • ~ . ~. , .... -· -• ~. . . 11 •• ,.. ' .• ,,~> ~·. ~11;--
hOll:DH>tf Continue the Land 6ank Program for pur-~· \.. . ~-_ · ··::l.,; ---.. i ~ -r\-.;: .. ~ -~;: ~-·
chasing parcels for housing development for low· and f . ~:r-·· .. ~:.fJ~~. _; :.. ::. -~~""Y ,r o.;-~:; _ _.a_tHn familiesandseoiors. f . __ , ---r::~::.f$.,. ~ .
-· come 1 ·· -· ~ •: ...:...J. ··=---c:: . ~ · ··-::r=r~-w _fl? .. ---i ~~ _4
l;fOUJN6 UJC ~
-N:Qutflt&0-_6'&.S
-~,,.,..,... 90-0M'
· 'lbe Lind llllk Program. plvrides fat-City pwdw of sites
tor resale to de\-elopas ildemlcd . in pril;disaJ to..ef<Olil
laa•d• n. comtnactioa al this housina would tie ...
lbty without both a laacl IJlnk prOpftl to make the_Jacl
awBHile and federal asistlnCI t!I) Jaw boUPag COSJS. 'Ille
purclml fund is repletlisbed .. u. bePmilia Of~ flScal
,w to SS00.000. OYtriaht ~ of desinbfe.propertiel
ii ....... -. The Qty cioel-0"81 °' o;erat.e ~. Jmt of tbe propanL .
. .
,
l # • -··: ;;; ~ •• , .--i . -
~ ........ ~ .:..,....F ~ ..... ,.-:.4'" --...
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'_.·_ -...... : .· •· . __ .:. . .
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•• ~·~~ ---.6 .j;~.:.-·~:~~;. :td't~j
L,-uoa-Galdens, ~ 2lkait fedetail)··~sistcd hOIKial dew-lop:riear rar-.man Gt Jo• and modcatt income, 1n1 bail1 cm Ow Cust sire pmebwd ftlf ,. Lad Bank.. -
n:
·PrognzmN: Assist deYdopers who •-mt to use .. te and
federal ~I programs..
Today dxN are three major bOutint-ttlated progr-ms
&auced bf the '1Ute aDd feckrat !O"tmments in ~:-.ich
Palo Alto can participate. The fec:L=ral Commwlity ~-.--el·
CfBIHll lllock Grant Propma prcwides funds'° dties an_d
~-
· .. '·
,.
a • ~
_.ties to upgrade neighbocboods by impro¥ina bausiq
... cammuaily facilities.
1he federal Housing Assistance PaymealS Ptopam pro-
...._ 1e11tal assist;m" to io.... and modcr.ue-income e>ma·
,..ca ~new and existing housing. The only state lllbt•nce
...a.ble is dlrough the California Ho\Qing Ftmnc:e ~.
wllich prowides finanQng for the consuuctioft of mix.ed-
tlmolne bo111sing de¥eloprwnts to provide market units and ..... ror Jow. and moderate-income people.
By keepiDa abreast of state and rearat bousir\1 usis-
c-:e prop.mas. the City can prondc infonnatioa to deffl.
.... illtercsled in using the housing ptagr.UDS. City sup-
is also often nluabM in obtaining mte and fedeial ,.;;;;;;;~
l'Dlky 10: Fosttr th' proPision of SOIM MW.ul eJdslill6
-'ts. tllsptt7S«l tltrou&/loUI ti# Ctty. for OwrtaSbip Mil
,,,,,,., J? "'--llolds of /ow-ont/ lllOdml~IW.
l.oc:ll houSng assislan« progmns in addition to dlose
modated with state and federal progmns ue ~y to
.,oridc bousing opportunities for the fuO raqe or income
1Mls which Palo Alto 'Nisha to eontimle to boule. . -..... -....
""¥•:: J9. ftllt'lifl IQ f" 11•1 •••i•ll ilt11• u lill ii: \
........... ••tthpMIFM ef 10n•i11 •-· I
N> Alto•s policy for die past ltYCl'll·yeus bas baa dm I
_.. housing ~lopments or 20 or more ~ sboulcl
illcble 20 per cent to 40 per cent low-m4 moderate-I
fllcome a.u.S. depending upon the size or type of the dcftl.
Gpmmt.. UnctH this policy the surr 1:aas negotiated ttae I
porisioa of lower-cost units. Experience has showo that I
W. units haft ac:~nted for about l 3 per cent of thit
l!Mil aiU in ~lopmenu of ~o units cc more._.• f
fib Ila$ been around $30,000-too biAh to nrada law-
...._., •aebolcb. . I
-.!!=~~~-,;:!~&~units are an that can praclicalh tie.ex· · f ·. .
............. of ~donPIS A 10 per cent moderalef1-:r'''id ·
14i••a.:irOF ail dewdopments of JO or more ~~ .
of Wl)'S to provide &owet-co1t bousiaa
method '*4 in determininl in-Heu paymenlS t
itabM to all deYelopen. Bases for sertlnJ in-lie pa •
mlaht be the COil of constructing modente-i
IP"-or the cost of ~ higbef-priced
r lewis. The in-lieu payment from
t should be larp moush to ~ ror a.:>ber llK>4krate-incomc u.nilS that would
thoul the in-lieu payme!lL
~~ ..... , r-.,.. . . .... ,._
fftMde • broader base for-the proYisioo or UAils Iha the .lt'Olll!l'll'lll or aupnt the
cmat policr.<MIMll• •••• 1.t·1k .aalllitW for CJ I 11 f . dlat Cunds .,.
~~~~~~~---,. ·~.
:.-J-.IMI.-~ aad ....... ~Iv . J . wOuld ·.,..... • 11o-1na tunc1. AcfdiQrMlial ·I . . fUads "'2idl coakl be usec1 1or
in the fwad.
.~-.. J ussfora-...ftmdiR ....
W,plSll!ltDI piropm iadude the Land ..... l:lm¥bact · I lllCl Mure local ftasancial "*'ace PIWIPJJDI
~r:t.~11&" slldl pr01JW ildude mia. oa CODS>ll\lC . 1 .. -.11PllmlR;Ats ~ dl'*f .. RI wfa ...... fOr
1a111m..-11C01111 bot_...,.;_. JaODey.aM.ltW-.ta
.• .....,.. ....... _.~--~·for
~r..i1...,., ............ ...,..~~_...,..: I
.' ~
... , .
'
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••
P• Alto Uomin1 Corpandoa .ao ,.,.,._X Continue to support the Palo Alto Houliaag
Corpondon in the provision of low· IRd moderate-
IDcOlnl housina. -
TM Palo Alto Housin1 Corpora don was establiJhed in 1969
to encaaiaee and develop low· and modera le-income
bousiDa in Palo Alto. It is an independent, non-profit oip.
nmtioa whose boatd mem~ serve without pay. In
ldditkm to Us dnclopJntnt aetivides. the Corporadon bas
prowted ccmuldng semces an hculina to the City under
CCDtnlet since J 970. ~' ~----~ Support the establishment of a n~-proftt
Olplization· whose purpose would be to acquire. F·
sene, and manage housing at the lowest possible cosu in
a fimac:blly self-supporting progwn.
· Al the Council's request. the Housing Cotperatioo has
dneloped a proposal for a '"Sub-Corporation.'' This non-
profit orpniz::ation would assist in the ~ ud prat:r·
•tica of' low-and moderate-income. housing in Palo Alto.
1be orpnization would operate Oty-wide to acquire or
consttuct. rehabilitate wbe~ necessary. mana•· md rait
~ properties to prowide _housing at the lowest pos-
sible cost while amntaWn& a finaadaUy self-supporting
fl'Ol'IJL
OpeaQoice
All of Palo Alto'• efforts to proYide a dhersity of hous.~.,
opportunities would be meaninalest if that housing •:~e
not awilablc in an :itm~ of opea and free choic:c :°)r
Ill.
Policy JI: lt'ork towards IM dmination of NdoJ and 01l::tt
i»rr'krs d»t prrttnt frtt dloltt in housilft
·Pr~ to accomplish tills policy are: . 2,_ .
ho/:fom }C Seek better state and federal eafo..:ement of
fak~laws. ·
Pforpzm. ~ Continue to contract with such groups as lt:!-
penillsub Citizens for Fair HouSing to provide f:!r
housln_f~
Pto,om z.« Continue the City-su d Rental HcU1::0.
Mediation Task ForceAto prevait or y conc:tic:-.s
which lead to problems between landlords IDd tenW::i.
'Dae Desftd Result
The potides and pr~ms set out in the preceding pages ~e
the framewodt of Palo Alto•s housing program. To~tl.tt
these policies and programs will help_Pato Alto to contin:.:e
to proride a bilh-quality residential environmcot for t~~
diwrsity ot people who make up the Palo Al~ community.
,a prograa of the Buman Relati.ons Commissio'E!-, *
Program 2$': Continue the efforts of the Ruman Itelations Cow1ssion
· · to callbat d1acrimination iil rental housing. •
~ *Lan&uage adcted by ~he Planning Coimissi.o._, June 9, 1976 •
•
.. .....
-..
No Alto ha become one of the major employment centers
fll die Bay Area pertly because the Oty Is dose to Stanford
..... ty ~dendfied with ii. Large amounts or land
wae zoned ror commermt md industrial uses duriq the
lllld 1950s and stNeral of tbis natiort•s latgesl electronks
lnm wwie founded hl Palo Alto. Other industries chest to ·
lllw facilities here beau. o( the outstanding educational
..t rese:atdl institutions as well as the fine residential areas
-4 1be oolltanding municipal services. Business and ~
h•blal serYk:e farms and retail stores were established in r. Alto to llt'ft rhe expanding market.
1be Oty's commercial Ind industrial districts. in geoeraJ.
aw c:buKtcrized by wdklesigned buildings and low--
4auity deTelopmmt patterns. lhis is in contrast to the
canceotntion of high-rise office buildings and smolcirig
flctories fOund in many major employment centen. Palo
Alto II an example to many communities on developing md
~ :ittractm and succeafu1 commercial and illdus-
tdal crntm.
1be aty•1 busintsses. wbicfl craled the teniind for
mcin jobs. haw atso enabled Palo Alto's midents to enjoy
9 of the higbnt standanb cf Oty servk:es in the natiol'l at
a wry law lallfticipal tax rm. 11ds is largely because of the
popeny ~sales taxes. aacl Dtilities revenaa paid by
6es businesses. lberc probably is no other highly clesir·
IMc midmtial community ~ the h~ contri-
111111eS such I small share of 1be City budget. Palo Altans
llllw paid i price, bown'er, • tmns of trarfic llllisance, air
_. DOise palbnion, ner-iaacasing c:apiUi improvements
-. llMI laiabcr housing costs resulting from exceptioully
.... dnaad.
Objectives
• • ..nll pl, PaJo Ahas bPe expH I Id a lll'Glll
.._ IO paem their &.e midcntill ""'uwMnty wllile
· • • 'alnieg dw aec:essary c:omawrdal uct llidustd1d .ctiw.
Mill 1hat belp sapport lbe ........ OtJ fadliliei l8d ••icll. . . . ~ ·tmt ase la.I at i*W*& die raw.till
aia'"t odaoolk from lncrallll lllfflc wlaile ••11iai111 w -mm low density of Piiio Abo's cidlldaj C«H rclll
-............ distdca m:
IS
• Existing businesses lbould be bpt healthy and at· .
tractlw •
• Industrial and commercial uses ID Palo Alto should
be clean, quiet, and otherwise compata~ with the
residential character o(the City.
• Desip standards for non-residenti&l. dcw:lopments
should-be consistent and compabl>le with an ap-
• ble elements of the Comprehensi~ Plan. .
PALO _AL TO PL.ANN,NG /IP.EA
E.M~OVME.NT
-,..,..,,...,, IOOt
90,00 0 too-
al eop ~~
i/
00 '
/ 000
I. ~ 6QOOO
1::
0
; / .. .. ..
. j
I
l
' ,
.
i ·-
I
l'60 1970 1980 tc;90
~MEN'T· ..
~ ~ .. OVMEN"l9
p ·~NJ.NT ~~ ANb ..a ICE&·.CCNTINUE..
~ ~ 'T\.")' P\&SCl!NT.$
~ IN THl!. CJTY
---. ~l!C.19.b lltifJ-0 "A\.:i:'o .. ·~. ~O"t'E.Ct
:""tie: crrv
•.
i.
!
,..., Alto .. offered aDe or the highest ~tandards of mu·
alc:lpll .meet la the nation at a~ low munlci~l tu
nll. 11le Qty-owned and optnted utiliUes. whkb sene
CC!'Mlfidll, industrW, and rtSidcntw customers, through
prolltllllt Of*ltionS. contribute substantiully co the mu·
aldpll budtet. Howctet, as municipal SCfVb ~ go up r.a. dllla menues, the le¥cl of municipal services or th.e
amouat of &ocal tax UTeOUH needed to finance these scr-
._ will nmtuaDy have to change. The alternative would ·
be an~ io both senices and tax rewnues.
• S.tisfletory nts or Jenice should be provided
wldaout substanti:il inaeases in municipal tax,,_
Existing Conditions and Trends
1'he employment forecast prepared for the CompRbensiYe
flaa showed that Palo Alto can expect 11Jbstentia1 em-
ployment FOW1h until 1930. The forecast awmes recent
ecooamic trends and cunent land use policies wiD continue.
Betweea 1980 and 1990, the lack of Sllitably zoned vacant
land wat slow commacial and industrial expasian end em-
plorme8t 8fOWth is ~ to lnd off. Deftkipmeat ia
the OtJ's commercial llld industrial districts should be
~by 1990 and sign.ificant employment incrdses
me aot expected to occur after that.
1be No Alto Planning ~ Employment graph illus.
-bates Palo Alto's employment incRaSe betwcea 1960 lad
1910 and the empl.oymaat c:ban11t1 expected between l 970
ID4 1990. The fcmcast includes full-tiint and part-time em-
ploJment for ~ · of Palo Ailo and Stanford University
except far put.woe stucteat employment on the SC.tnfonl
c:mpL
~--foncat By E~t District
., 0.,.
1979 1988 1990 1~
Uniftfsit)' Avenue 7.100 9.000 10.SOO 3.400
Cliifornia A\'enue · 2,600 3.600 4,600 Z.000
Slmford J,JOO l.700 2.100 IOO Sboppins CeRrer
SbiafCat 4.800 . 6,800 7#» 2.200 Plof'eslioltll Cmter -
Stn!Grd IGdmtrial 20,400 30.$00 32.$00 Jl;lOO Parlc-SublOtal
Saa Antoaio Area 1950 12,200 12,800 4.ISO
Remamdtr Qf Ciry 8,850 9.900 12.000 J.1so-
Qty of No Alro 53.000 . 73,;'700 ai.soo-2UGO -Mto1al
SC.foal llninrsity ..
(....,._aced s.ooo SI#) SJ,100 -0-
!!'!*->
PaloAkOftmaiq 58.000 ?l,700 86.500 ·:21.Joo Ara-ro?AL
•·
e : I / __ /
...
_.
1he foreeasled employment arowtb In Pllo Alto will be
· c:ancentrated In semce and IDilnufacturing. The hao AJto
Ftanning Area Employment table shows this forecast by
employment sector for Palo Alto and SUnrord. Em-
ployment within the unincorporated academic lands of
Stanford Urmersity is shown n a separate category.
• Palo Alto has a number of major employment districts.
which ·have resulted from tbe Oty's z:oning paltems 3nd
preferences of similar industries to du:ter at one location.
The 1970 employment total in these districts was over
44,000. or more than· 80 per cent of Palo Alto ·s total jobs.
1'be ~P shows thae districts and the ac_adcmic: campus of
Stanford Uniwrsity. _
If ~ Alto's current development polldn continue,
moie thin two-thirds of the employment increase between
1970 and 1980 win occur in the City's two light manu·
~districts: the Stanford Industrial Parle and the area
ar00nd San Antonio Road. The smaller employment ift-
crea9e txpedtd between 1980 and 1990 would be more
~ distributed because of the diminishing supply of
miiible zoned land. for new de'fclopment in the City's
commercial ~d industrial distdc:ts. .
1Jat table tided Employment Forecast By Employment
. Distnct !bowl the employment foreca5t for Palo Alto and
lbe academic campus of Stanford Univetsity. The foJ'eC:ISt
lllllft1CS a continuation of cwrent dnelopmtnt trends and
Otypolicia.
A critical impact of employment is the commute pattern
of pmam employed in PalO Alto and the effects on traffic:
~. 1he Midpenimula te~ traditional patterns.
Usually the affluent li11t at some dlstance from their jobs.
but .tways dose ro transportation-On the Midpeninsub.
~ wase eamezs live doser to their jobs. ·
r.
' .. .:
< I
i
~No
Tht past and expected locations of jobs and workers In
Palo Alto are illustrated in the graph of City of PalQ Alto
Cammuten. This chart shows a comparison between the
-...bet of'~ who comniUte into Palo Alto and the
waber 9flo live here and commute out of Palo Aho. The
forKISl is based on a continuation of current policies. The _
-peatest incrc::lsc is for workers who c~te into J-a]o
Alto. 1Jds forecast is valid unless siptificant chanps c:an be
_. Iii the projected employment level. in the total pcp-*tioa of Palo Alto, or in the number of No Alto res-
idents who work outside the City.
Palo Alto's Employment
Related Problems
Trafllc, housing. and capital expenditwu are the Problem
mas ..mch relate to employment.
Jlato Altans are· concerned that the City•s micleatial
glwncter wiU change as employment increases. Established
Deigbbodloods will have mOR commutetl parking on their
tlncts. Ocher neighborhoods will experience more traffic as
eomamters seek less congested r()\rta The appearance of
the Qty also may change as commercial and some industrial
• *1opawtat int.msilies.
-Traffic coogestioa is a problem, particularly during pale
'1ow5. Most p..irsonl who work in Palo Alto travel to work
• prhate automobiles at peak periods. Thae commuters
ciaatdbute to c:ongest.ion on the Oty's arterial sueets and
• some residential streets. -
Jnc:rascd employmmt also affects the long.term parking
problem, espec:iaUy in the business dismcts on thUversity
and C21ifcnia Avenues. The problem has two sides. If more
pmking is provided, more commuters employed in these.
"
districts wilt be encouraged to drive their can to work and
add to existing local traffic congestion. lf additional
parking facilities arc not provided, some commtuen will
switch to other modes or transponation while some eolll-
muten will park their cars on the botden oC these districU
and disrupt the residential quality of tome of the Qty•s
oldest Migbborboods.
~ -.. ' tlQGOO r:., ... :~
t:'.· . _,
IQOOO :; . -1 -,.
~ -4Q6oO ~·. :·,, .. -. :.i ~-
~
-;
-......--tQiQOO ... I -......
I
I---....
!'960 ""'° Jl;80 ,qqo
fa 1970 orer @.000 .-orkus ~lied iauo hlo Ait.>. If prnenr
policies ,_.a0. by 1990 om-65,000 workers ril cmnima • into the Ciif. 1lle 13,000 pcnoas liTiq in Palo "1to and wortiq OUUidc
the CitJ in l 970 ase not Rpectlld ta mes• :lllbstantially betv.·Ho
19'78and 1990.
,. Alto ........ Area Emp&O,meas
Employ1MOt (OOO's)
"Employuwat Sedor 19701+2 1m2 19802 1"'2. CJaanae
1910-1990
Qty or Palo Alto
Omtnlclioa 1.3 l.3 . L4 1.4 o.t .._eacturin, 19.4 25..1 311 3" "17.%
TADSpoitation, Commwlication 1.1 L7 10 2JJ 0.2 AUtililia
YID 7.:Z 7.S 1.2 9.0 1.8
Piamce, lnsurma & Real Estate 2.8 '2.9 3.4 . 3.1 1.0 -
Senbs 11.3 11.0 22.J 25.6 73
Palllc: Adm.in. 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 G.6
Ollllr Wuana .1 .I .9 . 1.0 ·_ o.J
. ~ 53.0 59.6 73.7 ··~ u.s
..... Uam:nitY
(DliacwpoiaUd lands) ..... 5.8 5.0 s.o -$.6 0..0
NoAltol'lallaia1AM-TOTAL· -sa.o 64.6-7&.1 16.S. 28.5
• ..,. ...... c.-la....0.-+A 11 llU• ......... profntl~
• . .
' .... '
"i • j
•
..
t ..
---~-~-~~~~~~~~~------------------------------------------
..
!xpadin1 entplo,-ftllftC wilt lncn• prnl4itt Olt an aJ.
.-dy •turattd houMI merktt in Palo Alto and in the
11atoaneti111 communlrift. Tht quality of housinJ. 1"el of
public .men. publk school sys&em, proximity to regional
tramporU.tlon, and the dllnctlf and IT'lpuUade ot local
mnployment all affect houlin1 demlqds.
Expwion of comtlWtdal and industrial (adlftia and
• resu!tJng employment increases will aha lfOCt'ltt the need
fot expenditures on such caplw impO¥emenu as power
substations, sewer, water 1nd pt Una. and iDcrnscd solid
Wiile disposal f KitiCAes. Additional capital fldlitia will
ha" to be constructed to support lht 0peetcd commercial
aod lnilustrial expansion.
Employment Polldes and Programs
1he fallowiq poUc:ies a.rt meent IO ~ the an-
ployment objectiYes and wOfk on mployment-relared
. prob1enw at the same time.
PolicJ' I: Rl'd11a IM 1f0itt#d mqtloylllnt •>' • ..,Uf-
,_,, Jlftlll'Onlon tdow thtt prnn1 I 990 fottttall.
11ds policy deals with au three major problems identifaed
with employment: ttaffic. housing. and additioaal capital
e:xpenctitures.. If expected employmnt manses ire re-
dac:ed. it is uaumed that uafric con,mlon will aot teach
expected lcftls, pressare on lbe housing marbt will chl.np,
ad the need for aclclitional publk capita) expliMtitmes will
lmea.
1970 Palo Alto
. ldow IGd Outflow of Worken
No Alto
Stanford UniTerSity
(11Dincorpoated
ponion)
MoaazailtYaew
Suaayvale
Santltbta
San Jose
Jtanainder s.c. Co.
Homes of fmoM Woit ftlal
Employed ID .of No Akei
Palo Alto Rllilltats
10,,325 10.32$
500 1.419 ,..,. PPG
4,.675 . ..,,
2,071 336
5,.310 665
9AOO l.256
Saa Mateo Couacy 9D750 3,762
San Francisco 511 I.US
A11mec1a CouatJ 1,251 m
Ebewbcte . -1-
Soarces: 1) J 970Ceasm of Populatioa.JOUIDIY to WGdc
2) F.All ~No Alto-.._.,firt Alli
. Trwportation Plojeet
COllPllEllENSIVE PLAN
Policy 2: J7w ~ ·of fto'""'6 shollld ~ ,.,,..
eotnlf'd "' ~•nttlon wUlt """~iial tkw/opt1tenl.
nm policy adYocates additional housing so that more
pmom who work in Palo Alto can live here and reduce
both pressure on the local housing market and the priwte,
pub&, ~d environmental costs ~uired to make Ion com-
mutes. · en.courage resa ential construction
in tonjunction with .a. new commercial ... U.••uillt
de'felo~t and ff~lll'11 it f11 n•• 199• ef j1 1lepM111t
Six programs are recommended to support these two
policies and put them into effect: ·
"'°'1ai 1: Reduce non·residential site coverage limits to
. correspond to existing development patterns.
1b1s program is primarily intended to reduce the expected
employment increase in Palo Alto. It would be applied in
this way:. each of the City's commercial and industrial
zones would be sampled to determine overall, site cr'!Crage.
The petmitted site coverage ia each zone would then be
adjusted. 1his adjustment would. in most situations, lower
the site coverage limits for future commercial and industrial
deftlopmcnt in Palo Alto.
"'°"1m 2: Establish procedures to permit housing beyond
established zoning standards for industrial zones.
'Ibis program could reduce the anticipated employment in-
crase somewba\r..F.t essentiaOy it relates to Empioyment
PoUcy l .....,.~seeks to encourase housing at iRdustrbl .
lites. A revision in the zoning ordinance to pennit hwsing
~ruclion at industrial sites would be required. This
.,,..,., would not be c:alcuJaled as part of the maXinium
site COftrage permitted by lhe zoning ordinance for indus-
trial deYelopment. Thus, the propm could :apply to·
-·
-.:
w~-~c.1-wo.s 1'r-trorpot"afetP·
'"to Pa. lo 14 Ito in 1'11,,
I. I
ulstiag ot new industrial dnclopmen~. As the program
continues, total ~tc ce>Yerage limits will have l\> be estab.
lisbed so thal lhe er.tire area of an industrially zoned parcel
could noc be developed with a combination of industrial
Md hou.sfng uses.
1allow 110r.e.aeaple to live. . . •
in Palo Alto near their work,
19
prh111~ purpoie of' this propam would be to en-
courage and retain supermarkets. drug stom, wriety stores.
and other businesses along Et Camino Reill wou set\~
the adjacent residcntiaJ nei~borhoods. "
,,. • ..,, .. "'~~""· 4er .
..
.J.JWHO_.., 6:al•tt•i• all new retail and office construction to
_ ~ _ ,,,.,,,,_,,, J: On El C:imino Real, vecs11t pe;ccfs'\ provide.some proportion of residential space on or !l~:-: .....
m• Hit sh"' .f h ••"•• tHiiitRlie $ rnaller vacant lots the same site. • \ • ~ • ~~· ... ..1.~··1d '"-a · d " ff.·st " • · _...__ · ., a •• ""~'"'•• "" . · ""' . ~ 1..,; cqwre 1or o reet panctng to ... u .... ce This program "* rtHMMHulli 11 per• ~the housin-g
e ling~ · ~ l section of the "Pi:m. If !A'IUI' i:iaut MUM 1fHot ?A sodwia!!'
nus program is aimed at making healthier con~~ . . .
and residential neighborhoods immediately behind El A....._en,ourage more housin and add vitality to PatoAlto':i
Camino Real more recognizable. Adequate parking is a commercial districts. ~
major problem for commercial su~ on a busy through-..,_._.~-.-.-'iala .. '911 ...... -. ....... .-lie9"9!'1~
fare like El Camino Rnl. AcqUiting some smaller vacant
pattels on El Camino Real for off-street parking would help
existing businesses.
5 hogram 4: Revise the zoning ordinance to .J e Tef"' t"urther ~ ,;,,_ __ eaetaMHliM of offices in multi-family zones. •~v'a"'-"'""'~ .fl This program dais with the policy to reduce employment
potential as well as the housing policies of preserving ex·
isling howins stoc:k arid enhancing Palo AJto~s neighbor·
hoods. oln 1u11t1ereut H•• lie constrUc:tion of offices in
multi-famtly aieas isAdiminishing the residential quality of
the neighborhood primarily through increased traffic and
noise and the introduction of ~xtcnsiwe pirking areas.
hogrom S: · A new c:cn:une!Cial zcne should be defmed
which c:ombiaes neighborhood commercial With some
semc;e commerdal compatible with El Camino frontage
and the residential neighborhood bebind.
J"8 1980
tlnmrsiry A
California~
Sunfotd Shopp"
Cater
Stanford
ProfessioQal Ccrnet
Stanford Industrial
Parle
Rem:1inder of City
Cil)I of Palo Alt 23.lOO -Sul:ltotal
s.ooo S.000
sa.ooo · 76.700 81,000
0 ALTO ?L..ANNlNG
~··~l..OVME.NT
..
4(\000 t--+-_,_-1-....---+---+----..
, I
aQOOOi---+*-~-+---'11.-r--~ ....... ~--.
~01~·-1+-~-1------ll----4~~ .a--·
f970
__ _, EM~OVMENT
--~ ~QJl!CTED EN\Pot.; IF CuAPd!.NT ~.!:-=NI~
PO\..lCI~ CONTINU
PPl,Q-.Jl!.C~ !!M~O~
~SNa
.N!C~'TlO.~S
~ILNTI!:).
plus a limited number of other buaineaae9 that are now oul-y •llowed 1D
. c~:t:cbl zone-11 but which.
20
. Impact of Programs
· on Einployment F~cast '"t ~that co~Je~u~ ~~yrlfnt increases"'-••._.
ue those \Mt ree1M1MR8 •Aredu~ecc nt;.Jte, coverage ·
limits for non-residential development, •'i''·aatM;'~ new
office bw1ding construction in multi-family zones. cd -.
••Dinment fu HMI rt1i1haSiial Mnltp•••t ila ""
FMinn 11i'h aam H\IH .... tfi•• 'oilAitte UC'!P'i\i ..
Adjusting the maximum site coverage limiu permitted in
ecmmercial and industrial zones to correspond to the
· ·aftfaP site coverage of existing development in these zones
could reduce the expected emplo)-ment increase between
J9n aid 1990 by approximately 3,600 persons.
. ... .. ~ ..
----------------------·----·--···
~.
-,
-toMl'llHINllVf Pl4N
'"':.;t l.t1 iH1t1i 'lia9~# ollkt builcUnl COllllftKtion ln nwlU·
fanily zone1 cuuld ftducc the tmpfO)'mtnt po11n1a.1
between 1977 and 1990 b~ an adcUdOftll I .200 emplO)'tfl.
It is estimated that the· ttcommrndtd pcUdts and pro-
grams would reduee the 1990 No Aho employment fort·
cast from 81,SOO 101'11881'Jft11•0.
Within the entire planning area, the 1990 rorte11l would
change from 86,SOO co 81;1981 ti, 7•••
The recommended programs would alter the npoeted
employment increases for all of Palo AJro•a majOr com-
mercial and industrial cllstricts. lii:•H ••• 1hl1:1 press••
•Hel •••• ~1(t11 1977 er IP'JI; tlaey :11411 MPI 1lll16r
....... 1A'.11u 1f•• 1988.
•
•
1
I
I !
1 • E
0 • ...
i
l. .. ....,
"' ..
:::J ,
~ •
.
Objectives
Palo Alto rtcop1iztl die tnclMduaJ'1 rlaht 10 trawl In u
etnc:knr, safe, and reliable manMr. Tnupon1Uon nt1d1
cannot continue t~ be mer primarily by tbt private auto-
mobile. A large portion of the population depends on other
mode• or tr1n•portadon. Srron1 dependttK• on the au"'9
mobU. ha• resulted iA increasing problemt of tr1ffic con~
11Stioll, air pollution, and noise. Traffic flltert lhrougb Md
disturbs residmtiaJ neipborhoodl in order to l\'old Oftt•
arterials. ,.
TransportaUon objettives for Palo Aho are:
• Serve pment and future traauportAtfoa dtrnlllds
ataly, efficiently. and reliably.
• Reduce growch ()( oqraQ trafllc.
• ·Reduce peak-hour tnffic conaestton.
• Serw the transft-depm'ienc poputlt.l!f . frMP.:Ove. 1ht C~ic•...t ...... inf •·· ,...-p•••u 11 tluu"automobllc-
• Protect resideftdlJ ftda:hbodsoods from daroatb
traffic.
Existing Conditions and Trends
Ttamit
Teaditionally, t~nsit is the me of butts ad raU &ruspor• ·
talion. ""t; I I"~ . lDtil!o hik pN'ri limittd bui ll'nfco in the Palo Alto
an:a to the St:mford University NtdiCll CenW? an4 Scla-
fard Shopping Cmtet. The • n1C"1· hwd Sin Mateo .
County T.rmsit Disnict f6MM8) ua) 1 usaa, '*"""'
l'llponsibility for such semce-.,. •• ,~ it.
The Santa Clara Cunty Transit diltrict (!CCTD) ud. to
a lesser dep. the Sift Mateo County Tllnlit Dtllrict, IN
esponsible for sub-regionel tnnsit •Mee widUla No Alto.
Gteyhound and Southern Pacific also otter limited -.
Je&ional transit.
The Santa C!ara County Trt.nsle DJstdct prcwM111 illlc
bus smice for Palo Alto. SCCTD"s new beckOGat M
llnice .... increased traasiC ridmhip kt PaJo Aho from
1600 daily iA 1972 to 4900 in August, 1975. The IMNl1
l)'ltelft design may be termed I .. radial" Of "'"bub Incl
spoke" ddlan. wilh all the rouees pauing tbfDUlh ~ lJm.
wrsity Awnue Southem P:adfic Rd.road stadan~ TM M
n.. abdity or 1 prO))QMd tiMd rlil tysttm to achfew this
ddmhip would depsnd ~ 1 lhort·trip '°'*tlon and diltri·
butioa 1Y9tem that would carry pullftltrl to and from the
rail ntlYtork. In San francilco, tht molt transit-oriented
dt)' In tht wnt. the Mm11dpal Railway earrid only 20 per
enc ot Ill tript.
lplcW tnMpCMtaUon for all handicapped pmona °"''
ll )'Hn of •• ii 1urrwt1ti provided by the City thtol.llll Protect MobUU.y, ,,...PfOl'll"!\ ohublldlllna we.I fam. ,.......,. .
11M strtm In Palo Allo ha¥t beta datllfled Into four cal·
qortea battd on thetf nwln f\mctlaa:
,,_,,./~-~·• aclUIMly to tr.Mc
lllO'fMllGI.
AllMll-tnlinly "'"' duGa. tratflci tUA traffic to
-~ -..... ...
-~ ... .....
~-"Titho_.., .... blind. ""lC\1t. -~ at~ .
The Saiita :::& baa Ill Ip of
attract1n1 30 per cent of aD trip& bl cbe (ouaty 10 tJM8I.
Tfle Plan see.ks to en.couraa• altetnativH co tha •ill&U occupac autollobUe
.through incentivu for~•~,_~_. ... .._.,.,.. ... ,..,
I J ! . '
.-.
. /[_'.:~
22 ·~·§:> No
ilad from c.11.pressways, and pro~des ac:icess to adjacent
prope1ties.
Coll«torStrttt-<~ries traffic: 'fiithin 111 area to arterials
111d provides access to adjacent properties.
L«al Strftt-provides ~ to adjacerat properties
oaly.
Qty st.-eet traffic: bas increased steadily ovn the years. If.
the current trend continues, and no major street im·
1974 Ttaffic Volumes
1 j
I +rl'<'-~--®
.• c.I. .. ,., ... _. •
(f~l .
·~ ~ QOI!.., •• ~
. -... -~ ~ ~ ~,. ..
o-~~-..
prO¥tmcnts are n•de, voluaws ill 1990 will bt • lho"n or.
the. Projected Traffic Volumes Map. This np Ibo shows
the estim:lted traf1lc volumn lf SCCTD is IUCCmf'..t in &C·
tract1ng 30 per cent of all 1990 trips to tranliL
Pnhts
Demand for parking in Choe Downtown aocl C..Uforr.U
Avenue retail and office areas consists of Shofl-cemt shup-
pcr parking ind lona-tero employee parkias-Patkin1 ii
l
I I • I
.• -
, ..
·.,
·-
I
r -
..
· · -~-No C"'a~n UA!mOl.TATION . if
HM r.ejldell TD8it Volalet
(A,... Dlli1r Trank)
1'90 1990 l9IO 1990
3 30'» • 2S .. " --------~~------~~T~n-·-·~··-T~ran~· ~At;.;....;rtl~.·_,M.;:;;111 ·----~----------------~-T~w~m~t~.T~n1~·-mt....,9!\!1~....,
L ..,._. Saattl ol Ottsoa
2. a-il'I East of Nft'dl
3. Newctl North of Embucdao
4. lolds Soalll ot OtegOI!
S.. u.hetlit' Wbl ol Yiddldield.
6. ~.tero West of M.iddldidd
1. Qrepa West of M.iddlef"ldd
.......... Scuds ol Oiqoa
9. East Mallow West ol Niddkf"lldd
IQ. Ed Cbdestoa West of l!liddW"ldd
11. S-AJllDllio Wut of Uiddldidd
... , -. ;._ .. ~ --~~ · ·t;..~: . ... . .
IOIOOO 94000 -ll'A ll. Alma Nortll ol ~ 24GOO 17000 -HS
olOOO. 2000 -5~ lJ. A1saa 5-Lll of Otc.-27000 220Ci0 -lK
8000 4000 -SK 14. El CIAUDO llal Soadl ol EaMn:adao 32GOO 24000 -25
4GOO 3000 -25 15. Smfclfll West of El Calaillo llcd UOCKt 10000 -9'Ai
21000 UOOO -?9':$ 16. Pap Kill Wat ol El Camillo Real 42G08 32000 -24
3GOOO 20000 -33S 17. El Camino .Rnl So11uh or rap Yill 37000 21000 -Zft
32000 l90CIO -41'5o 11. ~WestolElCn!iDoR.nl ?UJOO 14000 -3K
13000 5000 -63-19. WiDow West olPmev 20000 17000 -15'l ·
6000 3000 -SOS 20. FoodlilSolltllofHiUYiew 24000 18000 -25'5
13000 10000 -~ 21. JuipaoSasaSoatbofPqdtill 71000 41000 -36
32000 19000 -·~
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_ . .,.. critical Do-. .. towa whert muy -can now part on
.t;acent midtftml streets.
If IDOlt people go on riding to ~ in ~t
cara. dae Downtown 1990 deficiency of parkiog Sp;aeel ..nll
mda 3900 to SOOO wuming pment employment trends.
If Slnta Clara County•s transit goal were ach..kwd, the
,.._ lplCCS now in eJtiim.ce could take care of the 1990
• clemlnd by reaU0<:ating some of tht present employn
1p1ct1 to shopper me.
A lilniJar situation will exist in· the Califorllia Avenue
....._ About 300 spaces ue needed 30*. but if empl(l)'!Mtlt
trtnds and Mhick use patterns -reluia tM SlnM a _cltft..
dmcy of bct9ecn lSSO and 215Q ~will result by
1990. ffowtVCr, 30 per cnt of al-trips on mass tnmi.l
would rub the aumst spaces .....,t• (or the 1990 .........
AB Innovative approach to die patiDI problefll within a
· S... C..CCIDPt\J '-,_ ... a .._,_AllD ... ..._ ._
portioll ef the planing area was Stanford University"s intro-
cluctioa in 1975 of a fee system for all close-in perking on
the ~. SWtford Untversity uses the incomt to ex-
periment wilh transportation systnna that provide an alter-
native to the automobile. this system bat reduced the use
ol. private automobiles Oil C1JDPU$.
licycle Routes
No Alto's bkycle route system. dedicated In 19?2, WU
llllCllll Catitomia•s first. 1'he City's Rat tembl and Palo
Altans'· hi8b level of awueness of the environmental wt
health benefits or cydiog wpport the premise and tmld
toward c:ycliDJ becoming a mote important part of our
tnasponaticn system.
lkyc1e ridership~ 13 per cent la the yetraf\er
die bi.kt routes were Installed. However, with ti. iftaeasec:I -
-of bicycles ind illcteued miles tnivehtd. the aumb_er of
ICddenu invomng bicycles iacrealcd.. ·
E)(t.STING BU.S SV.STI:.iJ\
tN THE. F¥J...O AJ...'TO -
ME.NL.O ~~, AAEA,
----:T. 1' 1 IC\ "JG.
_.._............................... . .... --
........ ~ ................. ---. .................... l'o .......... ,., _ _____ &_,....., .
• ~U· cJ...,.. i'°\ 3: ~MU· .. · . . . .... ·-J ...
o "'' 11.a l.i'tf'J,. H-~"'~ _ J "(lv.'te & l"t ~-.... ~_. •• , ... ; ,, • .,., ,.
s .. ""' ~:-ho c.u ... 1"a. ·
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11l»ISfORTATION
Transportation Needs, Policies,
Ind Prozrams
Paley I: /mptt>~ mtm transit.
Pelic:f 2: lllt:lftH transit rUlmllip.
lmpcowd tranut service is needed for several reasr>ns. A
ligaiftcant segment or Palo Alto., population has :¥cry
limited alternatives to transit. Thil group coDSisti pri!barily
o( lbe youns. elderly, poor, and disabled. It is estimated
that in 1970, Pa!?-Alto bad approximltely 6000 people
between the ages of 10 and l5; 51SO people age 65 or OYer;
3750 people with income below federal pc)Yerty levels; and
3100 handicapped individuals. While these sroups OYerlap
to 10mC extent, it is e\rident that many people need il'Jo ·.
pc'ONd transit scmcc.
Othn people now depend solely on their priwa~ can for
tnmportatioa. Witil ilnprowd ltansit thOll WM ftOW
depend soleJy on private can may haw a Qoict.
1be projected traffic volumes for 1990 will cau.e serious
problems or congestioa on pment strMts. 11 ..wen u pol-
lutJ.on and intrusion of tluou&b ·Uaffic ID mideadal neijb·
borboods. Better coordination of chc omall transponatJon
planning is bnportant to reduce the number c>f ans ClllSing
alYlronmeotal damage. ~· ·
Para-transit involves efforts to mow lfOUP' of people
without using traditional transit ftdlities such u trims and
buses. Examples of para-transit are chartered commute -
busa or bus pools. car pools, and YaD pools discussed iO tlW-
traf&cways portion of this section or the Plac.
Protrams to cany out the three transit policies sboutd
/lti.OoPTIE'P
FQGPQl&ar' BUS .SV.STE.M FO~ THE. PAL.O AL.TO-· MENL.o ~ AAaA
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1Uu .. ,._ •••••s r~ciC: Ot.t-,.i&t ,~;ti°' t'it. terc ~~ ...
~ iscluck pruviclin1'aore and better tervice and ~rt lnfOf· r the 1t11cicni;:. :in;
malion abcM l~iac: propams include: rtUabihty ~r the bus system, I 1 tt)' o rewmn~ un~
1're111\li\ kcrJ>. or more exchuive bu1 bnct on some roadway~11tw' • .,_ hofrew I: lmlfrow semce frequency on bus and ran
rout--~Le." cit ..... -.t w~-• ...M.. 111,1s:u•~ne proanms lncludo: • --.. .-... _.. ......... -• %•Plfi-.••'t' tit.• t'"'i• . ~ 2.: Institute • compatible rue and transfer U• ~ """'*" S:_ l~"f) •lat P mlff11>us system.fs•• • , • ._
raJlFmenl (or the use of aU pubUe transit syst~ ••• 11 1 11 1~
. . (Bl.RT. Muni, SCCTD, S:m M:i.tco TranStt.) v·.:': , ~"' 6: Prorict. exclusive bus lanes.
~~---. ,,,. ~-holfWJI J: Decrease wliting tunes at transfer poln '""--dinl or t:dstinu~ •rviee will not be sufficle:tt to · .. "c" 4.,...-.,.. ...,.rn .. e.. "..... .~ . · "'°"°"' 4: Prtp<tre informaUon for passengers, including meet au transportauon nteds. Three proarams deal with tht
pocket.me maps and scbedults, and routing information lddillcm\ 11mce needed.
~-----~'':, ~:! :1~,.7,an;s,.;. bus stops. --,,..,,,.," 7: Establish a toally higher ~velor trmlit-':~°!;·
'RH .. _,., .111•phu,Palo .Alto-M~:MPark Area TraQ$-horrvn 8: Prmide ~dal tnnSporta41on senices ow~nic:
portatlon. l!oject (l'A.\lTRA.."liS~ eaae.". -ahll the present dtizens and band.lcapped peno111.
bus system~ be modified from a radial to a Eid sys.~ !C.C.'f P -~
tan for better area co¥erage ll)d tkxibility~ r;H) ii~ppemental uansponatioa servbS sucn u the amen~ I'S,.. ; .. prement the grid system would require more buses than Project Mobility~ progmn should be pro~ ~u1~
CAUFOP.NIA AVENUE. f:tAAKING DB.MAND
DOWNTOWN-~KING OE.MAN[) __
~4qo ...... t"' ·~~7~~-7!.'
·~· .. ·:· · .. :: : ... ,;~:.:;J:~;~
···.·.·: .... '
It fewer peopi. clroft ~pat QIS '°Work.• ... rw • t m•...a ~-a. tlll. Dowa1on ud Cllifoalie Awme busi.'1css llidlida woul4 be Hpif"'tc111dy....... . . . -
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~-~ *-dliaena ~~pped ~ who are not able to ...,
· chi •Ultkaa bus sy11e111. -.
~ 9: Proride lhutde semce bttwsen actMty cen1m.
Tiit .,edit t.mel denUd between ac:tMty cmters like
Dowatown and the Stanford Shopping Center.and to and
from latte employment areu during lunch iloun,can best
lie 1mtd by a lhuule bus service. Such a service Would bdp
aome of the .. ricing :and tram: circubtion problems at
cbete centen today.
"°'1• J 0: Support ~ regional transit tin.. (BART CX•
temioD or upgraded SP commute semcc with ditec:t
8AllT connection) between San Frmcisco and San Joee.
rto,.,,, 11: Improve subregioaal tnnsit ten'ice (for ex·
ample through the Sana Clara County Transit District
by prcwiding connecting semce to BART~ """'°m 12: Establish express lanes for buses on freewys ~~~~-Ind expressways~ w!\e.re s.c." ''"•' w\11 .._,., p\llflic...,.. ,., .. ate 1:raft1&:-!a.-w~. Improving b':lnSlt s.trrice and in . 8 lbe number or
people using transit in•olves not only aaasit semce wricbia
Palo Alto and adjacent areas. but also semcc ~tween die
mid-peninsula and other parts of the San F~Sl!I
Jose.OaJdand area. Faster and more efficient iegional ccn.
aections could include · oved access to BART~
t ·r.IC: commute Rf'I~.,..,.. ~ for ex-
press bus lanes that would bypasS coagated automobile
trafficaww•d atso i....,,..... re1•..,-' W"lft•&·
I Ta. _
P'f'Wal&P-:ff',_ TRAFFIC. CONGE.STlON
F:'M. ~ HOUR.
-· e ~ i::;&L.AV ... t:m • CONsa.sT&D
E:a 0 HaA'lll-Y C'ON&a.Srwo ....... ~,,,....,... ~.
· ,,,..,,,. I J: Establish an Ml'C committee to coordinate
. trllllpOrtatKM pluain1 bt .. Palo Alto-Mmlo Pwk ....
The lnchement of <be Metropoftran Transportation Com-
mistioft (MTC). the Santa Clara County Transit Districi.
and the San Mateo County Tnmit D5*I b needed to
provide more and better mbregioml and regional transit · ..me. to people who Im or W(lCk in Palo AltO and MeaJo
hrk.
~.
The st.roac dependence on tbe pdYate automobile roi tnY--
el!lna to wort bas resulted in hea'Y tAffic ~ Oft
Palo Alto suecu, espedaUy during peak houn. Traffic fil-
tas tbrouF md disturbs midentill miahborhoods to
noic1 .. coa'"'ed arterta1s.
Palo Alto Is detemaed to reduce tnftle coateSdon, but
not .,,. widenlna the streets co lilcrelse their c:apacidet:
,.,.. 4: llflllllll ,,./# bta-.s ill lllllfHllO/llk tnlfffe Olll-
«llla.
Policy 5: DlfcwM• nMOI ,_loan. _, ·,
Po6q 6: ~ IM . ...,... of persom tlWriftl pa-.· ~ .· ......
Paley 7: DiKofllQt Uto ...
If IH>dlina wae clone to cmn. the current tffJld m alito.-
_.. ... tbe baffic contatiOa in 1990 "WQul4 ~
-·"°'~-~ -·~ l:l'IG•!SAM-V ~. .
-IJllLH ... 4& /JM.A~
....... 1,,.,,.. ....... -,,._~ ............... dtmatil_.._. • ...._ ..... ..-a11a1 citid-.ptt.
_,__ 1 ! ., ...... l!Ollll .. Blo.r.illlo ....
~
Anroual of e::U:hm: ai:t•wtbe •hDtdd •• pt:ce l J L) ~Gate -.~tion, :
including a cos~-benef:lt anal.ya.is, ~ .apprcmal· by tlua electo~
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ildoferable. Supportins traasit ii Dot tnO&tlft to sohe ddl
pioMcln kQase transir CUlltOf mrdt auto speed ad coa-
waicncc for most types ol trips. Palo Alto•s polida ncl
prOlfmlS ~ ways to ctiscounp &:ilO ... npecWI)'
daring pe1k bouts.
... .---. ... --
-...nt wbb No Alto's adopte4 ::.peo Spice polidn. -n: ~ .... Malce om,-~ operaticaal DprO'fCJMDts to
,......-"'ill~ trllOc Dow ca major sDeets. II: Jt..-. Jla A four.-e wmow Road 1m been ~ct
• between Snta Cn12 A\INue in Menlo Park snd Arbo-
Ntma. Rod. with an utensioll to Et C.andao Real 14: --
V..1Jnatn1 Jll A Page Mill/El Camino interch:loge is Dffde_d
,...._. to ~the Oty's imllt caapsted ill~tion and to
~--~;;;.;;,,-.-~::;..;:::;,.i.....-redvce tt3ftu: ill the Collett Terrace nrigbborllood and
, ......... --.--....... ....., ..... -......,. on Owrdlfl! Awaw and oo Aiastradeto Rold.
"••n JIJ 9ppw ..W.aiag •' ., ... Ml•., •
•ifht h X. h•* ff;, ii ;•··· 111J1 •• ••• ll•'f PX ta
••ll'•••k1aaAite
m •!I Iii Ill!• Nil ._. ••• Ii fi• tiaa 1ta.fln.e benefits
of these two impr~emenu in redudn! congestion aad pot..
lu1ion IS well as ~ dM:l:sioft of through tnffi.: to
iesidcntial ~life ~ to outweigh lhe
coat and the~ iacrase in tn.ffic oa those~
W'idmiag of~ Fzeeway ~ 101) to eight ~c+amZJ: ilexiblewodtscheduling.
lwt would rbifr some tmJic fivm foodJill .Expmwa,y llt most parts of 1be CitY the baffic conpsdoR pmbie•
IDd Jacipero Sena ~ (IRle!SIUt 280). posliblj in-.. limited to • few laoass of the day. Most of dlts peak
ansfag tmtfic OD cmaroft -streets. F:lilme lO widen Bay--hoar tripS are wort tripS. By eacCMJa&"'I eniP1o7eB -to
llK'R is ·&tely &'O came Imm bJ fotdag locll llafftc to UR .topt flmble 90lk ~ mace people could choose
pmBd IOlda SDCb • Newell load md _.rep •al mffk -t.o awoid aal'fh& dWag peak hlnaad reduce mot the .
10 t,ISlt the lbystlOR C,.... ..... El CMDino Ral, Alma WG1S1 ~srioli.. • -
Scaeet. and Middlefield ....... The Sl3le ..,..raced ia
Mada, 1975 mt h .m 8'•doaed the wkll 1 1 ot die ,,,,,_,22: Ptomoie,carJ!OOll.
tReway fnlBI sbt to eiehs lws ill ••illtua S:m M.tteO l'ldpw 23: ...... .,.. pods.
OMmty, so it appt:llS din fleeaay wideaiAa ia No Alto ia ,,.,__ 1':-Prmaote_ _WI_ __.. aot litelv ...... ~ ------...... .---
,,,,,,_ 16: Oppose Dimblltoa Bddp re~ w1 1'0&ftl'M25: Provide flee ,..... far car pools MCI ftll
die rou\as of iK appeoadl roads to No AllJJDrsple -p>ds. _-.
cmtimliag opposiliaa. dis ~ Bridp ~-fedmps 1be best -payoff ill ~··•• relief~ be ob-
mmt Im a.em ~ lbe Bly Alea-~ liiDal hf ~ fOiiiladm of ear pools. wo pools.
rwpona~ A new ..,. ..... a.--_, ._ ,..._ Dae ro.-el 11•111ostadaa provide a
,..,.. sass to llHl _ma Dthtm: Atan ull ~. flla:Pliad ltl1ice dlat-is bener' *-buses. C11t opeme
md illClc8 tnffic• Uaiwenit)' Aww.£1 ••c '110,. iltdloatptJlllk......,.wl~n.krsldatiwelJlit*. -
-~ExpuswaJ. · lodl dle City_. d9e t'll)ell -.W womage
"'°"a1JlDere1etbe .. Mil/F_..m_.• •rm._--wlws rojoia pods. 1Jw a~lqer WOllld beM6t from No~·sGemn&..._ : clec11 nt * ••cm IM .. -u i'1 woul4
·caqlllWJe md 'lddc •s of
-AA iaterc:imle: at r., Mil ... ,S.· Feadiil fwr maay --WCllba no lhe eta. ~ QJalcl be psowided by the -
wwlcl relieve Q>Dlll'iaa, ............. 1a.--.: : -•• ,1.,. .......................... by tbe
laFOUS tbante ia uaffic ...... k ii flWl••----... "OtJc._ -· '" ............ . of~ COl8. .......... 8plct •die.... _ A .... fardllR mrAW• formation ol
diat••h••a•t -
~= . "'°'1RM.JF-OppOle .... , .... Gf. '* ....... Mil
... to Skyline~ -. -
.. Mil Ro8d is ......... Scaic ........... four
· Ian from latentaee 2IG &o Sl;JIDt...W. ..... sit mt11y
ofilS~.~ aaa·ctm...-.i•·~
To .encourage aatcb:hlg of riders.-----
Providing pri.fer-.ti.al parldDg-ap.aeu
and free or redaced-fee pukiDa ia
public and pTivate lots·
ud a bill that wuld aeea co spacif 1-
cally cl~ar its ~~tlon ... _•t.saed
into law ~ 1 976.
~ Oc.'foD-ec-
1~----_.. ................. ~----------_,;,----------.J~
£.%.ililtjfliWlid• are .... aqil.ahle dw Pap
!Ull-11 Cwino iatercb.BDp, ~ aPPfOV'e4.~litl-..
-~
-t~•~'\l\"el , ... rotee1,;.. sS,•..JI
\le b.i IT 1o ~·se ilat ; 1 .....
-... ' -r .... t.t.·~
Titc use o( ~umcrou.s :ihtm1tives to tbe single occupant
automobile is impoct:int in reducing pt;ik hour con~tion.
Employers and employees shO'.ild pursue new appro:ic:hes in
lddition to rcgufar tra.'lsil scrvi«s, bus, wn, and c:ir pools;
llKl Oexibtc "'or kine houn
1cd to pemut comp:ic1 spaces
ximum limit on total 513rking ar'Qll.,..M~IMll-
+tlM' IM1~1\1" "c«Mla. PoL\C'f a ""°"' Ra.a ~ TalLT ON P~-· ':a. .. --'•
Wick StleCtl can be~ at int«tKtioM ad ~rt:i i-:
~ liUiq areas and Yisa:I -m~ amt conwct Wter:l~'bw ......
. I I. I . f ~c~•,nrcrN.
~""CA~""° ..OW
..
. ~-:. ..:iuc:a. ................. ~~.--.. .
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Eaployers sftould be -Jnceutives to ilatti&te t~e new .approaclMs ad to hduca e;o:.!
amount ~needed parking. l•~lli:oves could include BU.bsti.tutioa o.f lAM.seas>ina ~or re~~!.:~·::
·parkinu\~i;na_"'ea b-'dJdias su~v~JP29e1 •ii 1•••••• eu•i••l•• af ., .. ,_, *• t:il•lfn ion
peai•i•• .-e•ti~• _ey e11pl:!fyewe ee wes•ee -.ae cae· ef -••••••J:es. ~-,_ . · -· · ·
Policy 8: Supj?..:>rt state and fecJ~ral legislat.i.on to reduc& soto~ ve!a1cle ..U1to114, aoisa,
and fuel couslllllPt:ion.. · · · · ·
l'h,~ o.~1o ~o~··l« i,,. ~11 p1rC."tel 't. ·~-~d• _ . . lt is aatid:patcd that the eotO&:IW::le ml:i cwetca • 6e the pri.Mr1 •au of tt.nelt
JDUCh can be dcne •• _Hii11 .. bAnaful ,eaissions ad DOiM U4 • de.c:r•.a,tud conau:.ptio-:;.
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PAGE 29-A
(no paragraph)
The following proaras will insure that the parking needs of tbecommunity
are met with the minimum amount of paviua and minimum disruption to
adjacent residential areas:
(The underlining shown below is strictly for the convenience of Council-
mecibers' review. Underlines show new wording. Words not underlined are from
the original Plan text.) ----
mces._
'1'he Palo Alto ZoDing Ordinance requires a apecif ic number of parkina
spaces for varioua land usea ~~not allow C$!!J!!Ct .5!!. spaces~!?!.
counted toward !!!!.. repired total. Thia of ten encourages extensive
standard •ize parking areas and reduces pOtential l&nclacap!d .!£!!• 'l'b1a
. zoaina philosophy should be mo.iified to permit coapact apac:.es, ~ ~
••••Ml •f•'-•!!!'•••!!• U:a-tld '-• l..,••••"•• discourage '111 aea
e•n•U• ·a' excessive epaH1h p6ve~.ak't. ·
~r. .
PToaram .M: !!!!. City should asaiat !!. ~ plamd.y ~ development .!?!_
abort-term parldg. ·
~oppar -. .
Future ls ~ aasesamut districts should. ~ ~ providing !!!!!!.
short-t atber ~additional long-tera 91oyee paddy. .
Short-term parking for shoppers is important for business districts.
ShoppiDg trips are the llOSt di.fficult to attract-to treD.ait and.the aoec·
libiy to go elsewhere :lf parking ie d1f ficult. Addit1onal long-term
employee parking should be provided _!!I. the private se~tor .!!. aeeded.
Provisico s!_ !.!:!!, additional short-.!!!!!_ lpy-tto,na parkil!g should. ill
aelected loca:tiou, J!!. below ground.!>£._!!: -.lti-stoEy parking facilities
!.!!.. ~ ~ ~ repl!ce c~ !!!. reaidend.al !!!!!!.. ~ e:xtenai.ve
. surface parking. · act: . . ne•T" Progr-;Ill: .!'!!!.City shoald !!Plate":pa!k1y ~streets~.!!!!, atl;Jaeeat !!!. business diatricta. ·
On-etreet parking !!!, ~ ~i~c·a" ._tld ~ dewte4 pr?arilt !2,
short-te'tm shopper ~ rather· .!!!!!!, ·!!!. .lOag=t.em parldng wh!cb discourages
. custc:aers. Mia.cent: !!!, badaeaa 4iatrtcta. Uteui.ve log=tera !!!!--
street dafJ.im.e .. ·P.:U!9!& adver~. affect a ..!:!!!: z.eaicleattal ueu. ~
should~ prevented ~ouP ]5!la£1ona. . · -. . · ·
.Prc\f't>.m 2_?: Hi>li~ tht ·zc~~ Or.ft~""''~ To pe.rttel-t
tt&VAi"'•"~tta.Tl~ •pf'r'O\J'&I "to·de~r rc\CAit-e.I pc.rk•~
s p o..c-e' with "tk~ I a"" . To b., he.I'. ..... . I 0 ""~'· p ed
re s~r ve "'" +i \ ~ &.c..C ~ T• *t o s rt• ,.P .. £ es a. .. ~
J~ T tr~,··uad ·.,..~ b< "'~etf-el.
• .,
:lo CONlkEllEHSIV£ Pl.AN
io:
Pro,am,w!" Make better use o! existing parking lob by
re1triping ror compxl CVS.
Existin1 parking lors could be re-striped with some snu11er
spaces ror compact can to Jncrease tba oumber or lplCCS. . 3J I -
Pro,,.am "«' Reserve c:loa-ln public pukJn1 for short-term
use.
In the public parking tot system, short-term SpiCtS should
be located dosest to the mopping areas while lona-term
parking should Fl the least desirable SJllCel· -JJ: t>I sc.o u~•~.. ,r,.. • .,. Prornun-w.i ~,..,,., 1:u:el 1iM11 ,., throqh-traffk"tra·
... ii:f.j ..... &A;&&Qira&.;illi!!W ........ _., ... ,....;&..I.~-~.-,-.ersJng RJidentiaJ neijhborhoods.dl')« 'Ifill ......... .
PALO AL.TO
-~ 1:5JKE.WAVS
Tiie exbein1 aad proposed bittwtr IYlf8:D inri:Mlll OIHttMt 1811 ....._. '*"'* fldl1lls ..c ~ llllilpl_ laailditkln., U.O fta ncor.
. !
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' ...SS cariducti!IJ a tesl to -tr a 1 ~ "' t Ii trite booJa¥ad1--.s-o«11184 ....... • ~ 1'1J91111:a; q "' P..11' ef Ille b~ ~-· -· .... Ten improvement pro ecta we.re identified a part of a l •t of bicycle and .::~~ pedestrian barriers. Cost estimates M• '8 1871 ••ll••••w•~ ••4C &'t lhf ff"lus. ~
[ (NOTE: the list of improveaents on. aev page •A would· be iUa'.tad • ~ ""6f~
I
I ! I I
....
(The text below is to be. 1.naerted on tba map on Pas• 30, irrespective
of whether Transportation programs are revi.aed aa suggested in staff 'a
September 2 report, QG.:419:6.)
0 First Priority
Sher• R••a~Program•
1. Adobe Creek Underr••s under U.S. 101 ($25,000)
2. Pedestrian Overpa11 between P.A. High School and Town and Country
Shopping Center ($42,000 -$60,000) ·
3. Brtdae adjacent to SPRR bridge at Alma and El Camino Real ($60,000 -$80,000)
4. Underpass between Loma Verde and Chestnut Street ($42,000 • $80,000)
5. I.amp at San Antonio and Alma tnterch&nge ($50,000 -$65,000)
D ~ece9'~ p;;.i-1:= ee:aL iate R•~APrograma
6. Widen sidewalk and install ramps along Alma between california Avenue
and Colorado Avenue _($15,000 -$20,000)
1. Overpass over U.S. 101 at Fabian Way or Loma Verde Avenue ($250,000 -$400,000)
8. Pedestrian overpasa over SPRR tracks between Alma Street and California
Avenue ($175,0CO -$200,000)
A Tit.;ri P,.i..,.ittt
-~~••& R••a•~Programs
9. Bilce lane along Katadero Creek between Bryant and Middlefield ($36,000 -$45,000 ).
10. Bike ramps and sign:lna Improvements at San Ant"onio lload over U.S. 101 ($6,000 -
$8',000)
. , l
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;1 lt11~:1~ .1· Hiut1i1H:fl 1i, 'Ht~ 1u1· . :I.Ht''!-· 1H
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§I
'lbt Palo Alf'.1 Unif1ed School Dlstrict serves tM Palo Alto
plaluting aru and a portion of Los Altos Hills. In the 197S..
-76 $!year, the Oistrlc:t operate<f ~elementary schools, ~ ~~" I 1 -.... Wiools, and three bi&i\ schools. Three
· "-' e&emen~~· Ftemool H"i.lls in Los AlH!ls. and _ ':::-:_-,:-~:rte:tr"'" ora-Drjtep in Palo Alt~~ ~e4 flR
:.1 ...... after the 1975-76 school year.
· -..... the district is an indtpendent entity that levies a prop-
uty tax. The only legal connection between the district and
dis City Is Palo Alto's Charter which provides for the elee-
-tian. membership, and term of office of the members of the
-lolid of Edw:ation and for the appointment of the Super·
• JMeadmt or Schools.
15,417
1be IChool district's buJ!d.iilp were coutrueted to
handle a muc:h llrpr namber of Students than is projected
· for 1980. Enrollment is likely to dedine somewhat during
the 1980s, llthouth precise enrollment .?~$E..tions have not
beeft dcwloped. 1be decline will~ 1 M the trend
toward smaller families and the probability of little major
new residential development In the district. The district has
indicated that aa additional undctemdned number of
ICbools will haw to be ~ during die next 10 years.
All public school sites in Palo Alto are cowrtd by the
iegulations or the Ptibuc Facilities. District of the '8lo Al tc-
Zoning (>rdinanc:.e which accommodatl'i ~ntal,
public utility, and cduc:atiOnal f'adlides. a..Jt"'ar these
11191 for Ktivitin. olber than by tbe government or for
publlc education will ~ a chanae in zoniq. Tiie Palo
PAL..O 1'J... J'O UNll=le.t::..
SCHOOL. blSTP\lC-r -EN..,._OL..L.MENT
' ~ Pi'l>'O N-'TO UNFll!.Clit ,, ~Cll~~
• * Nott: .1916 . ell.l'olllllent will " avai.lable by md-oet:.er, ad th:is chart
will be llOclified to ref·lact tbe actual arollaeut for 1976.
.....
,_.
Aho Oty Council is responsible fOf gnnting a chanat m ....... ,,.,, .
n. •"'"'"'Ind future school clasings will hawe in
lnnedtare efftct on residents with children in the school
.,.um and • aeaeral impact upon the City. The City must
lllct 1 different approach to school ckmngs than the dis-
jrid, The district is attemptinJ to respond go enroument
ind buqet mlit.ies while assuring a quality edua.tional
pror,ram. The City must look at the effects upoa services it
cuneotly offers at school sites_ the potential uses of the
lltcs of closed schools. and the posai. effec:ts on tho
.qhborhoods. re-
lhe objective or the Schools section~ that~ or school
lites should be compab"ble with the neighbor:bood ud with
die obJecti• and policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
PolcJ' l ~ Jn ~ORSidmn1 11nv Ilsa /tit' ckJsetl sdool sltn.
~ $/tould ff #mr. M-WnO/ll""'prio~. toarssua\'a
,,,,,,.,_ potks, and ~ommunily·ly~ faciJi •
hofnm l: A joint City-school district process should be
dndoped to decide R-use o( specftic closed schotll sites
Including appropriate enwiroamental nres1ment md
dtizea participation. .
A dccisioa by the sdiool district as to whether a lite.should
be sold or leased is an unporant f'Ktor in naluatlng poten-
tial uses. The district might want to keep some school sites
for fbture educational use in the nent schoot earolhnent
liscs. For (Ctaiaed si~. the length or leases ... ill be • an.
portant factor in detetm.inri t~ practical uses. ·ne IDOlt
ldopted Ill 1972 and UMDded 1111973.
• Prmde" p1rk tdtlel c:oawa!lady located and
properly claiped to 1erw the aeedl of all residents
ht the community •
Edldna Fmcilitia.
City-owned park and recmtional land totals approximately
3,400 ICleS. Properties include mini.pub. neighborhood
parts. district parkS, llld Qty-wide parb.
1'bl 10 mini-parks range from one~f to two acres and
~ their immediate ncighbon. Palo Alto's eight neighbor·
hood pltb. rangina from duet to a" acres, Ibo tcne
adjacent areal.
District pub 1em major portions· of the community.
. 'IW=ty«re Mitchdl Park aad 19-lcre RJncoaada hilt ~e
fu1ly dewloped. In 197S, the City acquired 16 acres adja-
oeat to the ff'W'HCR Greer Park to expand the existing
Dd&flborhood park into a district park.
Qty.wide par~ include the J 800-acre Byxbee Park in
the Jllyt,lnds and the 1400«re Foothills Park, as well as .
tbe Bl~ Athletic Center, El Camino .Pa.rk. and the·
Lawa. BowUnc Gtttn. 1bc 22-acrt: Esther Cark ~ hn
bem bpt m a natunl state and is not used for intensm
tecNatioa.
"A 1"9. Parks and Recreation Policy Study coaduded
dm ..... ownn. Palo Alto [including Buron Parici has an
adeqllate amount of ac:mge in parlt use. the de~
drat do occur are mauers of distribution .... "".
pdClicd and·. accept·bfe pO.mtial uses for dOICcl IChoal Pelc)' l: Jiark /tldlilin MOlil4 w proftdal Mthia Milkin:r
lites include housing, parks, wl community-type fadlities. • w ftw lftltltlla lhifl6 widliR IM ,,,... porliDll of
U.. of school sites for ~will Mt o9aCrOW4 1he No Alltlttllowiq for .;or ph}'Skol ~
JelDliaing schools. pYCn the dedining atro&ment of the Poley 3: De Oty Slunll4 pro.uh pork liM of differott. ~!.~.die smaller families wbO woakf ftlide ill the ... Md i>'Jfla ID I~ 1iJ tM/Wd.r Of ll ~ IH>fHlla•
---... doll. .,,,.,,,. ~ -"""' ..... lillair-tTolis... ""' . Some School sites ant key open spKe and reaeation..... . . ,,,.,.,._ q--. . . . .
for a .arighborhood. Ha site being ~red fOr ~ Is.
aot dGSe to a park. keeping at-.:.... Of .__ ... A.l'(w .' · · for mt~. ilte walking distlnce 10 paks i$ one-h3lf
open space should be ~dcmt. .:.::: <. . :/· · ·· · ·. . .. Gr lisf.c~of No Alto deYcloped since the late
the Qty proWiel playgn(dwl .. -•••• ~--· ...... • . 1940s......, .... ptdt facilides wi1hin me-half mile o.f .
U_lllOSl nei~·sdlaof,tcladagfi~.Jar..;.~ -· ........ , • ...._ JIDW'-• ill-No Alto, as iA most older.·
al"clle playgroundprOgiams.iiqib dl'e\W•.,d!lt•!i!l•.. · c . · , ....... :-. .,_deteloped 40 to SO years ag0
11 lbe sc:hoal &ru1 wwid be Mlptac"u!QI ~ .._ .atloll _.....,.._.do.Rot hM...,...y spaced perks.
Ii.ta. la addidon to~~ . ..., ... ,.. .. i.,..; ~ tflele·Jm bleftm~NCOtPJitioft
1m1e aa imponant 1ocill idell&y ... : ... tlllir.... dlla .,.k llllS -1ac1a4e amaD .a mch as Lytt0n Plaza
borboods. 'l'bsclosing~heh~riNIJl"1ia11,1!NSl:ll.s• •-* Soott·Stioet ~.kN Dl11'0W linear a~ ,ace mON p&ISllcft ml facilities ... -lltl~CIOao ... a 'l1mod5y ffoplti~ihrlt ~is located~! Sul
mdty caiters. and the Culauril ee.r. n... ~ lll8W FtillMltqultoer.k from Emena&SUeeuo Mautowe SCreet;
_., C11*itY use .._ lflaaaoa -.I ..... ..._ · _, _...,.. ... &. tbca fcadJo Footfdlls Part IDd the
n.efore. ~Uon.,..... beptato er°"6ta,... · aa,_111 di . · . :-· · · ·
com.1mftity-typ0 &c:illties II dQlld schoci lbM. . . • . . "-•Z.· ~ .. --... , pl1k la"-...: soutb."of Parks. . -F.U •.... · . . '; _ . . · ... Downcwa. ·.
•. I rt 11se~,_~8llaelfOll"tlll,._._._. · "'-aJ: liabp1bnaattll.~qathe"l>ow• · ~Pl la Palo-.Mo9s ai-n Sf.-&emat, , .._PW North._.-~-.tOllU'd ca.Pletior&
· · :.ho. · . ot. a PQ'k for the •.tire 1Plock. · · whe~e auch u9u YUl 'ilifu·t'il.-..~i:al.
from the enjoymilt of ~u1deu. ·
II /1•ret•Tl~l'1,, 11.~ di·~1,;,.f_ ,.,·l 'on't1"•.a• t~ ow11 .,.... '''°~""
Scleols 49'd .fe&M ~.IM (•r. C9tMIJM_, .. ,·t~ fU~poi•sOt 9r\",'f41
edu.'c:.afi0tta I Cl~~' ~il~~. & • .._. t•r-&1 i1. ,1"e4'\nl It"\ ~-c. C1't'f
a.o~·~ a.d~··"''' 'tfa1•r. · .
Ii! r;;--ii ... _ 1n riir iiiiiiiUH a . .. · lif. uii;. Uiri'.ii ··• I t' -.. ~
t1~ . . . .·· ' ·I t ·· '21~~:uttt~t.n:s~~;;:;; · ~ .
ll . J .. ilj'f)i~' . ,. .
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1( . lflff fl f fiJ I Jr . I lfil•! ff f 1 · e . . ff '"·' ' . f 11 .
• .~-~·;· .. :'--·~-< ". < c: .. "' "". 0 z •
. 11 l~!',l!f !f I~(![ ~. ~.t i•·1~~l ~= : · · jl ·. HI. ii 1t ·11i .• ; .. •i . f
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. I _1', " '"~~~·llr:F.:V..'.~.~:_>.,;{~;:./,:.~~o:"W.~~ '•.• ._ ,c~' •. ~. ·---••
~ £
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PM>t~ ~' «-"'"'~~ ....
'De 19691\lhldy pointed out nftr,hborhood park defl.
deDdcs in dM: Downtown ua. To bdp correct tbese dcfi..
deacies, the Chy dnelopcd the Scott Street Mini-Part
touda ol Unhersity Awnuc. lk drftlopmeat of a StCOnd
ftni.p;ltk is needccl and pmdme of tbt laDd sa.al4 be
panuld.
North of Uniwrsity Awenue, the block bounded by
Eterett, Wiwdey. tbwthome, and Kipling Im been pur·
dlllSed. TM site has not yet been fully de"fdoped a a put
because 1 l low· and moderate-income ~ding units would
baw to be rcmowd. Several vacant parcels oa tbt block
lane been dneloped into mini-puks.. lbese mjni.paflcs
lbould be made pmmnent through park dedication,-'
hopaM 4: · Dnelop Greer P.uk in accordlnc:e with tbe
ipprcwed Master Plan.
~ .S: As appropriaae, a. .. quire and clcfflop oa oae or
mace sites district park f'ac.ilities nst of A.Ima.
flans ha11e be.en dneloped for the recently Hpanclecl Gnet-
Pult land and should be carried oat a City fWlds became ndable. -
'Ille Qty conducted a suney in April. un.t. wbidl
ftllualrd No Alto's satisfaction with recnadGml ter-
tbs. 1be suney found that there is a need for mom dis-
tdct put type fac:ilides in lbe area west of Alma. Needed
· &dlidn coulcl be located at sewral existing pales. ad
amller sites conld be purchased. It is aot aecesmy co bv:y
lad dnelop a sinale 2o..ctc site 10 meet this need.
Jlofcnrm 6: ~'Clop a system of traiJways f0t bii:ydist:.
pedestrians. joggers. and othen utililing eUting pub
and public righr-of-w.ay.
Recent incrases in hildng. jogging. nd lieydiaa haw:--
FQenttd a need for sped:ll trails. These uses of existing
puk l;:uub and street rishlS-Of-way can be the bail for a
trail system. Jn some cases. die _ Ciry may haYC to· acquire
mil easements or purchase strips oi land to complete a
portion of a desired bail nettllOrk. The Transporulioa seo-
tion of the Plan contains informalioo on bicydc routet
including I mp of e.'Cisting and ~ llikewaJS.
~"" 1: Utilize the CRCt area ill Esdm a.t. ht. fol
ecological Stlldies.
F.sdm Clark Parle bas been lrepf ill -... ICluptd cma-. .
di1ioo. 'Ille part•s _locaiim ill • residential nea • tllo
-bc:lrder of the City de.a not favor acthe ~ 1k ._
of chis area Cot ecolo!iCd studJeS-; espec:iaUy· by No A1CD
Unified Sch~ Distrkt students, should be~~
emphasis shoa!d be placed ca the cert bid._ __
"°"*'" 8: Consider purdme "or~ open.,... .....
unusual opportur-Jties preseai ~
/'qlw 9: Seek opportumda ID Md IMar l*b ....
aeelckck.
hapsn IO:Purdmc aew pnk sills ...... •II oppor·
lmidesrracatllM....._
It ._ leclllldy become more ...... accepled &bel a put
syse.aa an Md mo.aid ladude moie dma tndltioml Dei&b-
bodaood. clistric:t, wl city-wide parts. Inc <•d -of
DUi-parb and the acqv.ilitian of .-opes lplCll aie
resp ••1 to tld:s idel. An euinple of mbla GfC1t 1p1ee is ....... ~:;· ·,.•La.Pbn..•~mana~~ ._ oa UMlenity Aw{ ftOG-ti • . ara is °\t:Ka.
Bopklas Pule alq San F~o Cmet.. n. Qty
should canttm. to be receptive to pmd 1na *8111 part
sitllS.
Pdcf 4:11tb ~,.,,, /tlr..,,. -,,,.., .....
Mt&
,,.. .. u.-1a t11e deR&n aac1 taaciapma or puts. pnwidlt
far amimum Yilihlity fiom surrowting asas. _ ,
-,.,.,.,_ 12: Develop plrk KliYllies co mad the time of
,..,.., 13: ~ foot wt bib ttaffic la p1rb at all
boars.
Rapcmses to an ~ 1974, smwy indicated ti.a alOSt
·Pato Alsam feel safe iD their putL liovteftt, a ""&Ir to
poor"" safety reaclion to ~ pa:b wu.tqistimd by 14
per cent, aDd 20 per ~t reacted the same way to MiPb<Jr·
lloocJ parks. . -
'Dae design, Jandsclpili&. and .st ~tlelDS of pelb CID ·
Jaelp .nab dwm safer. It is importaat to make pub Yisib1e
-~-~ aras through desisa_ 1acl lllldlapin~.
Ewa if 1be put desiSB is acceptalrle, tilt lmdscapni cm
aate ICnlQCd aras aad cmtidors. It ~-belie* tbat m-
idclla wil feet SJfer IS ~ people. ...... hikers and
blqdislS. .. the pub.
,., 5: "" .. dw CWlP" ......... Clq ..,/
~~· ~ ........ ., ....... ,,,,,,..
----"-=-,.-"••~fedli*s.
~ -U: £_... pceestill putt uses far cbeclschool .... -.
Scboal ... ..,,. ..,. .... ,, &"Gd and distdct pm
fadiim. Tiie 1969 Pub" wt lteaatioa Policy Swdy
. ' CIOUled. jaAlar -..... sc:hod. _playfleldE • disuict
parb. Nat ......... eqeiPy--by bolh clistrict part
-~ fw ••in Clollcl sdmCJl si-.drould be aaalyze:d
. co .. ...,. 1hly ftmctat.111 ............. and.
co Wcm what effecta:boalclosinalm•~ -
....... pub. . .
,,---------------------~-'-~---and efforta should begin ~o .,,reot~iiiii ...
the existing housea Del t.O C0111Plete. a park
on. the entire block;. --
•
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111~n ... l~ ...... -·~~:·.;•"···~·····:.···:;..,.. .• ·~~ ... ~::·2::~ ·f Jf f. Ii.· ii r w 11[ ... 111e' ~~· 'I , , . . . . 1 ....• I'.~ , .. • '" r a: t ~ t. •I ._ \< .. ', ' i. " . 1 .. I / " ... •." -r -:.;;:-,: ~ ·Mo ··1 .. ,.. f ~" l a l ( Ii r ~ 1· s .
·· .. ' " ,\ ' .. 1. ~ . It . f 1':' · ~ 1-!~ j . ii° , i i _ :i r=. ... . f , ~ • . .. !"-~, ' ~· J j . • . ;;. s l'l· Cl" •. 1 ......... P•I . IJ I ~
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.... I· ·'"·:<',·. ··, '''·.' ··'·:j ,., loi..iio•, · I·· ,,. is t -. . *I I ··. . " , , . .1 i .. ~ !...' I { . 2, '-11.1 . . ; 1. f; ~··~~ ·':J·:~r~:"""'i ; -~ ,--{!' ,.-It t Ii ~· ! r ll i. l I i I
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! . \ ·"" ·:~;. i:,~di-·' ,,,_ fu•: d ' ~ t I!. • ! 11 t I i [I '·•J' .. • } i, \ ... : .. )..\~LJt.f :1:.;~· · f II! 11 f I 1 f I!
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...... .... ••• = b -CJ a.I • , "·•·~~'"'.• ..... ,...... ~~1-.~ >H ··'?':: ', -·--t .. ~~-''t• .~ ... ,.. ~11 .• • " I• •••" ........... ; ._.-. 1.,.,, ......... , ... , .............. -"
Ull&M' Of.SIGN
ltadons on Jvjcht and dtnsity to protect surroundina
mes and commun!ty 'lllues.
In mpome IO the expressed views of r.to·Altans, the Plaa
IYOids bigness 111d advoc:1&es maiatalnin1 the pracnt scale
ol che City. TI\ere is no reason why the scale must llwa)-s
inctAse. The zoning will have to be "vised in some ams to
POid M;ale changes. h should be revised between Down·
tow1l and San Francisq\aito Creek where pmcat rqulations
ate designed to encourage combining several parcels and
c.oastnaction of larse-apartment buildinp.
At some loc:atioas abrupt chanps of sc:ale cause one land
use to ovcrwhelmJu\othcr. Where Stanford Industrial Put
adjaW College Terrace, for tXllftple, the 9isual shock ls
lessciled·by eencrous landlQpiag and Umiting the apparent
llz.t of buildingt and pukina lots near the boundary.
Parkins lots and parkina structures probably ue the most
penuive thi'eat to cxiSting SCl1e throusfiout the City. The
effidcncy of larp. parking facilities that are fully ¥islble
from the sttcet must be sacri~ In favor of smaller
perkfns 11e11 that crute less viluiJ impKL Tbis would
meet urban design objectives.
Massh·e land uses also can become barriers that do more
1han define areas of the City. Undesirable barriers block
physical access and c:an adversely affect nearby ams. the
most notable examples are Alma SUeet and the Sou!hern
hcifk Raitreiad tracks.
~ 2: Develop visual daip ~dards for new dcYel-
opment and a program for abadng existiJ.g dewlopmmts
ex design futures that do itot coaform.
hofnws 1: Elimm.te prish or depadins .._
Pro.,.,,, 4: ltesaoAI mtd -mllnWa ;resklential .. ·•.cider--
seclions of Palo Alto. ..
De sole ancl·chmctcr of many~ depeads OD
1be SUCCtU of Program 4, u·~ 1he presenation of the
Oty•s older and therefore less costly housing for me. We>
would odaerwise be priced out or~ Alto.
..... · .
. --::::;... ~laced with. reviaed po11.ciea. proar-.,
,-" ~ ti o ,I. • p.i . ~·s 31 A -· ::_~~l. .,,..,c. ~·~ .... pap • ..,. ... _-.
...... •• ....J .
J7
•• ... 1.111 ~a F11•1 lln• al OIJ irtwr le•1l ii• ...d., fatll Wit• Iii I r..tr·•
Traflieways
It II primarily from the streets that ID)' c:lty is Mil and Its
form percciwd. With few exceptions, llignmeat., width,
abuttint dcvelopn."lnt, or 1andscaptn1 Jive ach Palo Aho
. tl\oroudlfare a •puttc dwacter.
t-....
r~ --·e:~· . : ·%1.·....-
.. . . . ... :
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~-1-l--is_~_°"_'_~ __ Pre ___ ,_•_t"Ya~t-'°"~~~--------~~~~~~~~
Policy 2: Encou~age prlvate preeerv1tion of buildin&• which have historic
and/or architectural inerit.
Palo Alto•s cultural heritage has been preeerved in many .buildings dating
frOID the establishment of University Avenue in 1885 and the subsequent .
settlement of the City. The shops at 530-536 lamona Street south of Vni-
veraity Avenue are examples of commercial buildings worthy of preservation.
Many well•designed old homes that should be preserved are located in the
viclnity of Lincoln. I<ing1ley 1 Ramona, and Waverley Streets. Thia area,
kn.own aa Profeaeorville, 1• a California registered point of hiatorical
intere.t. The Mayfield area focusing on California Avenue and El Cmino
Real was settled in the. 18501 but the 9ldest remaining structure• ln the
area date from the 1890s. The Squire House at 900 University Avenue S..
an official National and State Historical Landmark, the Downing Howle at
106 Cowper Street is an official National Historical Landmark. and the
Lee de Foreac House at 913 Emerson Street i8 an official State Hi1torical
L• mark. fa ethlitie._,. Q number of other buildings and locations have
euWee~mte~ •• eeuae, Hie tor teal Lanc!wwwdcs. The criteria uaed in .
designating buildings as Qeuar.y, State and National Landmarka can be 49M-'6S•d ~er -••&• far determining which buildings are eligible for Proarame 5 through 9.
Program 5: Develop in.centives for the retentlon and rehabilitation of
houses ha~6ng architectural or historic merit in all zones. r.v1'1'k -
Often the coat and effort needed to maintain and upgrade an ·older structure
places it at an economic di•advautage compared to new developments. Pro-
grauis 6, 7, and 8 are incentives that can apply to some structures worthy
of preservation. Additional incentives should be developed.
Program 6: Allow non-conforming use for ~uild!ng• ~f ar~~~tectural or
historic merit for the life of the buUdtDg. -
In aome situatione, an historic building mi&ht be retained only if it can
be used for an activity which would not normally be permitted under the
zoning classification. In such instances, the City should consider proce-
dur~s to allow non-conforming uses where tb•y will not have a major detri-
mental effect on Che ne,igbborbood. ·
Program 7: Eucourage and aa•:bt owners of building& of architect\aral or
historic merit in applying _for tax reliAaf-under State pr0grama.
Thia involves a•!:leprogral!I C:Q-t~,(t.:1'1;· !:.~!'7 '·
Program 8: Develop en elt=ernative building code for h1atorlc bouaes.
. U•i..•W\ f".:iOI: ole""'-Historic buildiug• should meet the safety atamfa~ of tbeAlfuildiag Code. "-=•' "l'"'-""G;.;.u.-,~often tile llaife .. :l•H.•1•8 Q•~• requiree tecluaique• that.do not lend
the•elves to older buildings. The statetl• .... , ... h •••• , ...... .,. .
build:Lng code !or historic bousea1 wb1ch would maintain the c.orqnt aafety .
ataadards but allow different building tedmtque•1 it ••p•c"t•d "1'• IP• l•su#I Jt'
'" l't7i'. .
'Prograa 9: -h fac.out"age tbe nbabilitatloll of biatoric build1118•~rov'1d •"'9 ·
for the preaervation of the .buildillg facade '8 •h••t ... •••m• s:e•·at'• wi.• .. ;ti.s
of the ls11tHing'e i•••wN• ta not ecOGO.t.cally feaaibl• 7• ~•'T•a .... .,... w"•f• \:,'4:l'·~·. . ·.. _-. . .
Palo Alto baa used a "facade •••-at to tn.ur• preHrvation of th Squire
Houee. Pteaenation. of baildina faoadea can bP. acc0111plt..bed by private
owners aa well •• by the City. -~ ..,,,,,,...,.~~~~~-. e..r ... ; •• o~ ...
hlicy ll htHnott FiJlloJ ro111inulty throup l1'ff plo111inz.
ftllU/Jktit ,,. of low llrr11l11 ond lf'd&1nd com, and rtmorwl
of ra.lly dhruptlw .,,.,,,. on mo/or Cit:~ slrttts.
ro: ho&NnrA Accelmte the prosram of placiftg utility lines
under~d. "'
COMPaEHENSIVF Pf \S ... ___ ._ ... _
pedestrian and bicycle uses. and the amount and speed of
traffic are among the most important urban design elements
the City can control. Auto dominance should not be
uswned .one! in some loeations bicycles or pedestrians
should have right-of.way.
Businea D!stricts ~ E.icourase the use of planting and other tttat·
ment of the space ~tween street and sidewalk other In addition to streets, business dJstricts help to set Palo
than unrelieved con'rete paving. Alto'• urban desip\ character. Conflicts are evident between n.: the demand for automobile space and the human desire for ~nrJt Extend street tree planting Citywide, including afc, pleuant. and short walking distances and visual enclo.
median strip tren wherever possible, With soecific sure. No amount of landscaping c;in fully overcome the
schedules for comDletin1 individual streets. __ . prollferation of uphalt for street space, parking lots, and
Plof1a1tt 1J: sc..pplCl"itt\1" th• p\o""T;,., 0 10 .. C\ Al"'• drive-ins. People, not cars. dominate virtually all of the
f world's great cities. Lont-term urban design improvements
To '''"~'"' Tk-c f"o.i'I rood ri4'hf·• ·'-'~"' will be dosely linked to the success of transit Jpd 10
-A .. cm :B. Llhoce 1i11w fibia &st !tli1sbo1e F1attago making walking necessary an4 attracti~IK~ ~ H·A
t"_"" • ....._.:..;;;. ;:;;' =::::> olleatl hnt11 1th1H 'Iii• • d 1la1 It) mid Widtieloptd lmp«mng the quality of Palo Altos business districts
. $"": _... .. •• e'9ttinMlt. . will depmd ...W, on setting standards for new devel· I ~ opment appropriate to each district and enacting reg-/ •. Policy.-1 Find new ·usn for srnn spaca otltn-tJran /Ot' ulations that grad1,1ally Wili bring existing development ir.tot t ·,i
•tomtibiks. CC!Oformi~. ~~= _;...
14: · Policy/( tJnrad~ standtmls for El Camino Real. ~lidtoM-71. .
,,,, ..... .,,,-um-~ Create mini-pub, pedesman ~ en; and IM ~c1¥'Tf Dot1:n10~.,,_ . . ~::.-,l
eoades, open space. and areas where pcdestnans would~-13:Q;v;:ai ~~
have right-of.way over aut~mobiles. ~ m Jg: Conduct detailed area studies for El Camino · ·
Non-automobile use of street space should be given greater
emphasis. Palo Alto. like all cities. is seen mainly from iu
streets. so the width, the landscape character, the heijbt
and location of buildings relative to the street width. the
Retl, Midtown, and the Circle arca o( Downtown.
llf: />rognun),f/J Design studies for _retail districts should con·
sider allowing buildings to encroach on sidewalk. areas
where the Yisual character or the street would be im·
proqd and pedestrian space v.'OU!d a.ot be unduly
constricted. . . S.•• . J'ri..i""Ofl-.,'"nir New zonins regula~ns should clarify com-
mercial '""business district boundaries and restrict the
amount of frontage that may be occupied by uses that
c!o not contribute to tttail vitality.
~~Explore the possibility for secUring temporary
llmdscapina on unusri lob in business districts.
J
~-I
i i I [
• • Retail viuUi:,"mea.il• the ability of bwsine•• dlstril}ts tO utntatn aaid
expand their ••les velU. and profit.J. Older retail •:reaa lou their
vitallty quickly when • a.umber of •ite• _becOM vacant or an oc~ied l>y .· '. ·
vacant buildin&•1 parkba lots, atretcbe• of blank wall•, •IMI dri•a•b 1,
buaine11••· All of tbe" combi• to di•coar•a• 1hop1Mtr• •• •'•da-t..._ ~tk~-3·
••••••••••• 1••8 •~•111~ to ~'-'• .. veral •tor.• befo~e i:eturalaa to tbeir I
autos. Paa;tua U •UL '8••1& ••~•1\-e aev sonilta :.a_~tonce.s...... ... l
c;:our•a• development tut vtll kftp • DcM\tOlm •nd.lq!a1£;;1"• Avenue · I
buaicaeu district~ campetltive 1Hd;£11':tf.t'J1Pricntcd .., • .,-....... ___. :
Rn!!H3 U •••• will eacou1•1• ,.;;, ~: d •ti••teU•• •• •M •••H•..U ... ''°"i ,~..... ef' at ca-••• .. · ·
---··-------------------------------------...
~~-~ Policy 5: Encourage prll.i'•'• rehabilitation of aging retail areas
:. i : -·~::J _ to keep them economically -:hll h a ,,ea I ta. 'f. fr:-·~~
Program 15: S~e /,( ;ra11 0 v& t 1\,f-c wcr.1£S 1"o opp 1'1 tk• $pjr;t o~ C.Ut"~tftr c.e•&so."'d o,.cf. n~A"'~" t'o older b"u'lcf1t\.fjs· 14sJis t o"tl -eW\.co~ r"ct,-e d4. "e. I oft.r.r 1'"" ~'"'d•.C, W&ijS t'o r-c\to,.e ~u-e b"'\\d1~!t1 Tu ""sc {.U_t t'leU. -
Program 16: E"',0 ",.of-e rec.~c/'~'J of 'oui\&1.t.,s tko.i ar-e
VGc-."' t" o. ~d /or dtre It'-t'.
~-
Keeping Palo Alto's business areas healthy and attractive while _
retaining the present scale of the12 areas shculd involve efforts "to*• k• ,· t
.., eaeilil!eee redevelop•••• el older structures and diacourage
retention of derelict and vacant buildings.
Program 17: Study the use of redevelopment laws to encourage the
redevelopment of deteriorating non-residential areas.
In addition to encouraging rehabilitation of individual structures,.
•nealba •i8R& el•• ha?e •• II• 9ir••• le those portions 9f P-;~•;:· l:;o;:;:;;~
Alto1s business areas which contain buildings and uses that•
•&F''~l• •• ••••••i• •• ph,•ieel 4eee~i•••eiea. If the private sector
is unable to rejuv~nate those areas, the use of state •nd federal
laws to assist privac:e redevelopment ehould be studied.
t1'16'l d-eTerror•t~ p)..~ \f°co.J#'i or eccU\OtM 1·co ll41
s ~ou.lJ 1'4a ""''t~"•'· ·
-.
,, ..
aa.: ,,._,..J.( Improve and supplement plantings on croa
lbftll and slrects p:tralkl to Univftsity Awmaae Jn IM
downtown arH.
lhoppina itmt. Despite 1 few instances of careless re·
modelinl that occumd socne ytan IJO, the q'1ality of old
Ind new buildinp generaJly is hiafl. and the miXture evoke$
fl Camino Real
1hls street is ~ritidzed most often and presents the most
challea&fng problem. From I dearly defmcd pteway vmere
1t.e Menlo Park ~ommerci.11 strips ends, the nOrth half of
Palo Alto•s El Camino fronta,e generally unfolds free of
clutter, and where it passes Stanford unn:ersUy and P.alo
Alto ftiah School it becomes a green boulevard. This only
bciabtens the contrast wilh Palo Alto's only coaunercial
strip-El Camino from Stanford Awnue to the south
boundary of the City. Much of the business there is nor
pedestrian oriented so competition for che motorist's at·
tmtioa bu created Yi.sual chaos.
an emotional mponse that no shopping center or ofrace i ~· ~
pule can. Reflecting the way No Altms ied ~t re· (.~-;~:-;·
taiJUng the intimate seale and chancter Of Downtown WU _; _,;:
the rejection in 1971 of the higluise "superblock" proposal. ·
Tho proposal in tbe housing and employmt"Dt secti<115 of
the Plan that retail and office ~ •• ea•••hed ~~res
idential .. ?A,.: ;t.r"9f the 111rnir-J&aepca••• will add
intetest and 1ctiYiry to the urban fabric.
E Camino will change only to the cfesree that the Oty
tabs positiVe actions and provides inducements to the pri·
ate sector for change. Landscaped setbacks, much stronsr:r
contlds of sign sizeS, lighting, colors.. and scrmting of
Functional and Yisual problems include through traffic:
oa Univenity A"'1ue, many ·obsolescent buildings. and
somr inefficient mi.'tures of actiritics such as the bmks and
ofllcn that break up retail frontage. Miily Ktivities such as
primt 111tan stores are too far apart or isolated. They would
benefit if they were closer topther. The walk from one
store to another can be unacceptably long when one must
past by blar.!c walls, puldng lots, offices or other .. dead ..
puking will help make El Camino a. more aura<:tM part of rrwa.&& S.-t ,,,..,.,. ...... .,.
Palo Alto. lhese controls should be applied on a schedule .
that will eliminate out-of-character demopment within a · .
· iasoaablc length of time. · _ tt
.• · •.. -More sipuficant clwtges in~~ will probably be l A 0 -T j · ~ ~ br~! abou~ b~-land usei p ;fised in~ Plan. · _, ~ f':_':.,. ! ~f'~\.. . .. :t ! ·,
lpMii)ll'! • •nt,.11 ehm ••.,. allr•~ IJtf:cl beJmad f!t W.:: -~~I;·· "· ~-Z-1 --. "J~= ~
--Qsill's•-Te ~c ewecae peeailsie. l:he Ci.ty en->.!.;,~~-: ·~--· -~ ;.·· .;:._·~ . : •. · :.·:~ .,. -~1 courages neighborhood commerd.al ·use, ra~her thaD . c.,,·~~~~.t~..,r=e~ ~:.-·-~-re~'iomoe.rcial use, for E1 ~o. · =-_-::-· ·. · ·
Dtspce majur shopping center compedtion during the last · ..
20 years. Downtov.'1\ Im maintained its identity and urban ~
cbuac1er. New bendles. planting. and lighting contribute :
toward an impro,,.~d shopping m~nt on UAZYmity J
A'-enue. P3rking areas are rnsonably weD.Jandst:aped and · ~ · · •
well-loc3ted, usdly only a half-block from the main 1he EJ Camillo llAI ~mcn:id SU1p is marked by nsmI daaos.
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.lllat walls,, alllMlrcDid -~loll,_,., lcfls and ~t
lld§41 .. tM aec:.at. ' I lillca-... betie dte 11psaqe in
111111 ICdwilr Dt!wRtowll. 'Ills .... NC111atA19dl. 911COU ..... un ... , _..... to mail .............. ldlf DalJ lwl-
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-.. Continuous ret.til frontast $hould be fostered Ind
amatained If the Downtown retail dislJict is to rellin us
'1tality.
Palo Alto•s downtown is better ddlneci than moct. HOw·
ner, lt can be hard for shoppers to ori..'flt themsefve:s when
they enter Downtown. Many streets are indistinguishable
ftom one another. and it's difficult for motorists to decide
Mli:tt to prk their '3J'S mnd start wallin&-
StlafOC"d Shopping Center ~-4 ........ ~;;;;;;.:;;::;;;;;;;;;>Stanford Shopping CenterJ'.n ae > •• .W md is laced
with increasing competition from newer centers. A major
improv=ment and expansion project is now underway. The
possibility of adding housing on the initiative of the Univer·
._-,:·---~tr er IA• Qsy C"@JHll ..... 1111jtr H•d•li"! could create
"-• ID urban complex far superior to the existing islands in an
·· ·-...;.;· aphalt sea. the Oftrall land shortage in Palo Alto may be
economic justificalion for parking structutes.
Tna and Comatry Shoppins Cen!er
Town and Country Shopping Center continues to lme the
11,.e aaks that conuibul~ to its original charm. It deeds
new t.adscaping. pamcubrly a lcw hedge alon1 El Camino
1'1111 Nillton .,,..., .. -* a compeebemiw raawailaa • · dltdilla a MW paldq ...a ..,. .. SJIUm., addi~ ..... IClllinl. mw.& lips, .a die ••11d'.t! aotwy I.Iii ··11ap
tba& would screea tht =t. but lea" stores wisibtc. CllifornaA~ \\
California Awnue publif: 1r1 and landlcapt le:·
prowiements ~pleted4oioiyL.19 have helped reriv~ Pa:~
Alto's most centrally~ted businm district. Back-of·tht·
store parkina lots need substantial beautification. and the:t
sbcMd be tnrmer pedestrian-level night lighting throu~o·.:
. dat IM.. The entrance from El Camino neecb strong jdtnr:-
flcatiaa mat would make it easier £or the fhst·time Ql.S•
taDer to flnd tbt bUsiness distrkt.
Midtown
Midtown. Palo Alto's only rtetnt multi-ownership shoi'JMr.l
distrkt. ,reW during the 1950s when the su.nounding am
WM be:in& developed with modentely priced homes. Cor::·
prebensi"fe rcnO'lation would mhance its intnaction wi-:.~
the mnounding neighborhood. New landacaping. c:~
biDed, coordinated, and thoroughly revamped ~rkiq
dmllation; buildiag mnocf,cliftg; and mote tasteful signs att
aD needed.
Of&ee/lndlastrill Area
SUnford lndustriai Park fs justly recosnfzed for hiah·
quality dcvdopmenL Architectural review rcquiremcn:s
ensure that other industrial areas will improve as lhey mett
~. CESIE;N CONCEPT 1'0 ~THEN GATEW,6..Y 1·
FeEl IN6 A..T .50UTH ENT~C:. ;
To·~ ,e..J...TO I
I~ • . l ~F Hl!.L.DT' ... ~~~' N'>Rie.H ''°'<:> }
Gmwis ot t111 ._ _. , .. ' a b • "'-A4o11e Clliet bric11e "·~
It ., .... dlii ..._.. ....... l'llD AIW"a mada gatnQce Ofl £! ClmlDI& -. .
..
tbe 'hi~ dcsip standards set by the Alchlter:tural Re\ieW
Board.
Gateways
t:s: hot:mn#IJ Plant groves of tall trees at Palo Alto•s south
ptewai:1 E Camino IUal. · "°"""" Jf Preserve lhe wooded character at Palo Alto's
north pteway on El Camino Real. . 3-5: hoirom)I Strengthtn the gateway entrance from Bay-
lhore Freeway onto Embartadero Road, westbound.
1he sense ot entering Is an important contributor to com-
munity ldtntity. The motorist enters Pala Alto through
tbne types of gateways: croui11g 1 creek bridge, using a
. -.....:...~ fittway ramp, driving aJo2:;an a1teri31 street, or through -..,.._ •t..-n-::.. · -It' ...., ~ d of the ·;::~ ..., u1u.-enaty Avenue,..-••HA oew1H stu y
· Downtown Circle area should emph~e the g:i:eway
identity. l'Mre is an opportunity to enchance the gateway
feeling by emphasizing bridge structures. A wdl-4esigned
sip ·or symbol incorporating the .. tall tm .. should appear
It all gateways.
Scenic Highways
The objective of the Scenic Highway program is to:
• Protect and enhance roadways with special xenic
qualities.
Thrtt designations of scenic highways commoaly used by
Olher planning qencies are:
1. City roads with visual attraaion.S that sene as
routes throuah the City. These lead to recieatioaal
areas or iink with scenic routes' in other cities.
2. Rural routeS with natural vegetation. ~ views
Ol COUfttty JandSC3pe that lead to reereational ueas
and are suitabW for pleasure ttavel. ·
3. At~ sta~ and county routes that pass
through Palo Alto and conf oma to the 1cenic: ·
criteria cf tile state. counnes. and adjoinina cities.
Scemc routes are select-ed if the exislin& or potmrwhOilld is
wide enough to be aesthetically pleasing OI'. if dime is or
could be especially Ui.temting laadscapng ~ aati1ie teee-
tation aloog the roachidc. It couJd be selected if the route
has waded *"" of open space and Sftilic beauty aad will
safely ac:commodale motodsts. hika-s, btcycllsts, or ~
back riders. A sceoic route should ha•e stopping plaQeS
llq the way for mt ind fc.Od, or for tiewiq hiUodc:al
lites « iDtcnstio1 sttucnua.
Detipated ~ llGUtes
Skyline ~ 1a. tbc oaty of&ciaBy desiF&ted .awe
anic laitkway Jn Palo Al&o. . Tbt ·Qty Jm t.Sl.lblWMd a
200-foot 1eenic corridor isetback on ils section o( Sk)·line.
Arastradtro Road between Pap MiD Roed and the
western City limits has been propo1ed by Santa Clara .. I
County as a scenic highway. Awtradtro Inds to scenic .,...
Alpine Road in Portola Valley. Within Palo Alto, Ar.astr· ,,, __ _
ldcro Road in the tower foothills his had a 200.fool '"nic 1" ltr·
corridor setback since 1972. stet•
Santa Clara County hu also proposed Page Mill Road at D
betwceq Foothill E&&f.~ Jpd Skme ~u.11 d as
scenic highway. ~cbmpTeielY ru~mM t ly,
through areas of native wgetation toward . the meadows\
along Skyline Boul«ard, passing country scenes and wood·~ 1})
lands, and providing exhilarating views. Palo Alto has estab· "·
liahed a 200.foot setback on up;-er fap Mill Road. · . i
Foothlll Expressway.Junipero Sem Boulevard is pro-; __ .. ~
pcwd by Santa Clara County u a scenic route. Alameda de
• \ • ' ·\
\ :\ -.. .-· .. ,
n.s. ................ 1
.. Id",.,, :1111 ~ Skf· limlo I, ....... * .... IMa,._Wil:__, •.
Pa.lo Alto highly valuee it:• beautiful attuu., Wh:Ll.a ~at· P&lo Al.1:0 atz-eets
are not cited in th!s section of tbe Pla as·'b.&91.na aped.ill scenic qualities.
•intainiQS and upgrading the appearaace of _&11 struts continues to be a high:
prio~ity u uoted 1.1\. Urban O..i.aa Poli~ .. 3 and 4 and Progr ... 10 through 14. ·
--...
42.
lb P\llgas, the cxtmsion of this route in San Matto County,
is proposed by Menlo P..ark as a scenic route. Within Palo
Alto, this route is almost entirely bor<lercd by Stanford
lands t!-.at are either undeveloped or have large se!backs.
Policy"' ho~·idt lilf"!, Olrrocti~t set'!IC TOUltS '111..,,icli MU
.w llw motorint public, tht bkyclist, IM ptdntri.n, and
bt #IM tlR.s I/rt rqutstrlan.
K: u .. i.,.rsit>, IW'&ewe,
m ~ Willow Road,AEmba.rcadero Road, .... ge Mill/
Oreson Expre5$Way, San Antonio, Interstate 280, and
Arutradero Road from Foothill Expressway to Inter·
state 280 sho&lld be added to me list of protected scenic
routes in Palo Alto. •• •..-t.._ a..-. FW. vln~ •T r ... •"v&i,
~rban streets: W'dlow Road,pt'!bMcadero Road. Page
Mill Road/Oregon Expressway, and San Antonio Road, are
proposed scenic routes. Thffe .routes either are visually at·
tracUve « can become so.
Willow Road, from El Camino to San_ Francisquito
Creek, will be widened and extended soon and will connect
with proposed scenk: highways in Menlo Park, San Mateo
County, and Portola Valley. The generous setbacks that
Sttnford Untversiry requires of its tenants hnc preserved a
or open space. _;~~~cadero Road. from Harbor Road to El CaiWno
Real, ii the nwn access to the Palo Alto Baylands. Embar·
cadero 11.'CSl of Bayshore freeway is lined with lrees and
some houses of historic interest. The lbylands portion con·
tains the site of ~oric Wilson's Landin oo the former San
Francisqu.ito Creek and-..~ ot open
Page -Mill Road/Oregon fxpressway. from Bayshor.
Freeway to lnterstite 280. bu wiJe 'Setbacks in Sl01nf.nd
Industrial Park west of El Camino Real. Dcsip critcri3 im-
posed upon Its tenants by Stanford Uruversity have set a
blg,b standard for this route. Tbc width and lan~j'ing
make the Oregon Awnue portion visually pJeasinJ. Tht
toUte leads to the Palo Alt<> Bay1ar1ds and the foothills.
A Wi4tc1pcd median. bordering street trees, and set·
b9cb of some of rhe de~Jopment on San Antonio Roac
from Bayshore to Alma Street m:3ke vis\lll improvement
possible. ·The Los Altos portion of· the street h:is wor.
awards for tu attractive landscape· design. Some of tht
intemn.lng section in Mountain View is bdna reno\:ittd,
and is propoad as a sceruc road in that city's plan. lt is
possible io reach the sire of the future Mountain Vie"·
Shoreline Park and the south 'nd of Palo Alto's Ba)·l:inds
on San Antonio.
Program Zf: Encourage State designation of lnterst:ate 280
u a scenic route. ·
Jn~rstate 280, or Junipero Sena Freeway, is proposed as?
state scenic highway by most of the cities and counties
along its length and Palo Alto should do the same.
. is: Program i.r Coordinate the designation and regulation or
scenic routes with neighboring municipalities and cowt·
ties, and the state.
All of the proposed scenic routes in Palo Alto conne-ct wit.'l
these in other cities and counties. Each city's or coi.o.nty"s
pltn should be remwed before P:llo Alfo's scenk hi!--;way
plans ue put into effect. Skyline Boulevard is an examp:~
of overlapping jurisdictions. On Skyline, near Palo Alto's
south border, the jurisdktions of two counties. and t1'o
cities tooch or overlap. l'niformit)' of city and counry rt!"
ulatioas should be-attained.
·-..? .:.:_·.,·~ ,...,, ::t::f
It ie iaua•e• •he:t Gtner arterials and collector roads 1n Palo Alto t even
though not listed· as acenic routes, will con.t.inu4 to be. maintaine.d and
visually improved.
~ ·---";j .. l)._..: ;-
n.iversity Avenue east of Middlefield is a curvini street, lined with
gracious magnolia trees. Many visitors remark on c::_ s:.~;na entrance
to Palo Al.to that this tree-lined atree.t affords. . . asses the.
historic Squire House, whose facade bas been preserved by a special
easement. tlest of Middlefield, a beauUfied. U.Uversity Avenue traverses·
the City's Dc.wntowa. and leads directly into Palm Drive. the formal maiu
entrance to Stanford University.
·-·
·.~
E.NVlltUIOt!NTAL RESOlrt.CES
Pa.lo AJto's adopted Open Space Element. as amended in
April 1973, is ~f ~Compreh~
Conservation{~ 'es·
lbeA are small li~stone deposits high In the fooduT.:,
md a larse grccnstone deposit near Los Trancos Creek h:u
been quarried •• llllVf 10 ,,.,, ~i~ w~ War ][.
Uttle marketable timber grows on the hillsides. but opt:.
mets of land are used for grazing. Grazing lands are ti:~
prinn.ry vegetative resource of ecoaomic value il'l Palo Alt·:.
although potential for various other kinds of •sricultu:~
alsts. The aesthetic value o( grasslands and wOod~ _hills :.S
also important.
~Mtion is the WJSe management of natural and man·
made resources to assure their cont,inued aftilabillty fo:
use. appreciation. and enjoyment.
Natural resources in Palo Alto include the underlying
bedrock. the sons spread over the bedrock, the streams that
flow through the soils and along channels from the foothills
to the Bay. and the vegetation whose roots penetrate the
IOil and are watered by the urea.ms. Additional resources
are areas where minenl resources may be extracted. areas
where agriculture may be practiced, lakes and ponds where
water is impounded for irrigation or for recreation, sites of
archaeological or historical signifir.ance. and buildinp of
.estbttic: or historic:al intettst.
Other information on consemtion may be found in the
Open Spece Element and the Seismic Safety/General Safety
section of the Plan, . including descriptions of the natural
environment and natural prO(nses, and discussion of baz·
ards due to seismic activity or ftooding.
ObJtttms -
1he objective of the conservation plan is to preserve and
enhance the· natural environment consistent with human
needs. Excessive water runoff from the foodillls must be
avoided. Erosion of the soil must be minimized. Fire htt·
ards in the foothills m\151 be red'"*1. Restoration of water
to the underground mervoirs must be inaeasecl. Prevention
of damaae to stt.k:turcs must be achieved with the le3st
poaible alteration uf the natural Ccology. Enhancement of ·
the le$ltaetic environment must be c:oasistent with bumaa
11:erntional needs and the preserntion of wjldlife hlbilaL
The quality of air and water must be improwid by prcmdios · -
pofturwn.free ~s for percolation into the warer able md
balthy waetation for photosyntksis.. .
Comenatioa I.ands wt Rl!':IOtlreeS ba No Alto
Natural resources include the watersheds -:f. Les Tnmcos,
San Francisquito, Matadero, BanoG. aad Adobe Creeks,
ud their small tributaries. lhcse .watm:bcds can absorb
rainfall in proportion to their steepllea. amouat of vepta·
tive cover, and soil ead rock type. Flood plains adjacent to
tbe streams dissipated stoma wataa in the put. PmocHc
fioodiaa restoiCd fertility to the sail •kma ftadadl prime
~bull mu. Storm W8!as lllo JMiatlined thl uMer·
pound water table. •
In addition to providing wildlife habitat, the marsh pot·
tioos of the Baylands are a rital link in the Pacific Qce;:.:,
food chain. 1bey provide for re-oxygenation and th~ r~·
moval of nutrients from Bay waters, which impro'IH wat::
quality.
Many typeS of anima1s and birds liw: in Palo Altt' in tb
baybnds and foot!u1ls md in residential areas where abu:.·
dant trees and irCfll spaces give food and shelter.
MUHnack resources in Palo Alto important for conser·
· Yatlon include those evidences that remain of the histor.~
and prehistoric past. Xnown archaelosical sites include 1
former Costanoan Indian settlement on the banks of Sr.
Francisquito Creek. There are historical· sites of forrM:
Spanish adobes, tnvel routes and boat landings, many a:-
ready marked by the Palo Alto Historical Association •• .\lsc.
11 aorcd in the section on wban desip, there an buildin~
of_~~~~ ~d ~cent ~~or~c interest.
Wllal Ca Be Done &o .Censene.Resoarces?
Excessiw ~noff.of Stonn ~~~menu problems for rJ:e
eawfronment and for the human OCQJp:mU of an area •. Pro:.-
Jam indude erosion, siltation. ano downstream floodir.2. ~ -. -. -
.h&c.y I(~ wt1ter lft~RliH t11td ~" 1M
. lfffea$ of MrUT' """1/1.
. l'olcJ 2:. ~ ~ tO lmProN lM t/f#llfr.,v 0!0
---""'°1/. .
.;
. ~:
...
.•·
.;
''
' ' ' . !
I·
,, ··"· -N ·IL~~ o
44
/'h+WH 2: Require repanlifta wMrc wptation has been re.Md. -
11dl lhould be required as part of the review process of new
drft:lopment. Replanting of native species that require
minimum cultmtion should be encouraged. Areas of ft!l-
caUoa wbich provide wildlife habitat should be ideatificd,
• prot~ and replanted.
Pro,um 3: Regulate land uses near water courses to reduc:
liltab and provide open, natural areas.
1be Santa Can. Valley Water District bas established I
SCM'oot building setback from the banks of Ill water
couraes under its jurisdiction. The City should cooperate
1rith the Water District, the State Agriadtural Extension
Smfce, and the Federal Seil Consenation Senice to
control overgrazing of grasslands. mnoft1 of Yefjetation,
ad ~ insW.lation of impervious su..ofaces next to
cieeksldcs..
Ptoiram ~ Continue to participate in the Natiooll Flood
lnsunnc:e Protection Program.
Udlln dnelopment has encrOICbed on the mtwal floocl-
plai_.ns md floodways in the flatlands and Baylands. It is not
feasll>le to R"moft existing developmtnt from Oood ha2ard
aas. but pecautions can be iaJcen in the further de\dop-
meat of those sites to minimize the porential for dam:lp
fi'om flood warm... Such pm::aDtioos would mctude chaJI..
Deis. teteation basins for flood waters. and dnatioa or
~
-two prO(PlllS are pr~ to cany ou.t dlis policy.
hogl'tlm .S: Inject treated water underground to ~
land subsidence.
'lhi= Baylamb and portions of the area along 8a)'Slt0re free-
way hlYe had siptificaot probltms bec:allse water extracred
through 1Wtb bas camed ground to subside. 1he rate of
lllbsideracc is signific::aady less today. -_ ..
1he Santa Clam Valley Water District bis bepa • p1o.-
pam of ground water ~-to prnart future land ...
tideace md control the innsioa of Slh water into ~·
~ ftesh water aras. Purifi!sd water &om No Alto's
Water Quality CWl.rol PSaat v.il be iap:ted. iDto 18 ie-
dlaf&C wells in various Baylands loaatiom. .
~ 6: Use treated water tor irripuCe.
New treatment methods to be iaslalled at die proce MD*&
paot will •ault ill WISte waf.et of mucb --~
pu.dty. --; --
-1his initially Mil be used for irripliaR of die muaidptl
pf coune ad later -'1ould be ..ct for _., areas of~
Oty.
•
,
-.
CCNPREflf.NSIVf Pl.<. 't
Pelq 4: /tffw!rt IM _,,,11., ,.,,_IS of --«tivllia
.. ,,.., •d-'111111 lift.
Fl'te programs haw: beeft dneJoped to put dm pc:6:y In:>
effect.
/'tOfiuhs 7: Encourage the planting of ~t plar: :1
and control or flammable chapparal veptatioa in t:.:
foothills to reduce rue hazards. . . .
11ae Oty has a program underway ID Foothllls Puk ti>
latroduce ftrHesisUnt plants. Information dc¥elo~ ty
the Qty on this technique ls made available by the Dep:lr:·
mmt or Nature and Science to owners o( land in tht foc:-
bills. Controlled. chapparal burning in FoodUlls Park_ h:s
been used to redace the danpr of wild fires.
~ 8: Control 4ccess toemironmentally sensitive pu;.
lie areas in the ~ylands and foothills.
Otenase of any area can cause deterioration not only of t!:e
flant and aniaW life, but or the total m'rironmenuJ
qmtity. -
Wildlife habitat mu should be identified, protectc~
ed repbnted where necessary.
Foothills Park is ~ wed to its maximum and ac.:ess :S
coouolled. Access to the flood basin and .othet sensifr;t
Bayland areas should also be limited. espec:ially duri."?g tr.~
nesting snson, to protect the mammnd and upland me3J.
ow habitaL YssitOB to both these parks' must be ~uald
to pmerve sensitive ~nds. -. _ ~~
l'h>r;nun ~: Reduce pesticide use and increase tbe use· cf
·.iatural pttdators md other biological controls.
Tiie Qty has undertaken an intepated peSt control pikl
P'O&Jlm lhat uses natural pmlaton as well as pesti=idi:s.
Dis program ~should be continued and expanded. 3r:J
advice should be given io homeowners who wish to t:s: _ -
...... means. .
"'°""""'JO: Encourage ~ of undeveloped prime a~· ~ land to ~e adYatllap or stale progranu. su::i
_ a the WiJtiamsoo Act, which will reduce propeny tu.;s
ID teturn for preses ring the land.· ---" -.
P.tio Alto his petticipated in the \Yilliamsoa Act prO!!:t.~
liace 1972 aad shoWd coneiG:le to do so. Other lqis!aric:i
dlilt will assist in preservation or lacds for apicultur~ ar..i
apm space sllould be explored.
-,,..,., 1 J: Encowap use of WI pd.a. apicultun! .
... for prdea plots.
Uote·City-owncd lmd;Dot pracady lllldscaped.. could l'' ·
... to public mer« prden plotL Some prhate ov.-m:s
of luler prime d aim thady psoride 8lfden land ti>
dm ~:or other sroups. 11111_ J'l'ICdce could t-e
-••pl.ted
: -. ·-t-~
•
..
Noise ............ ". Naill 111 put of modem sodety-noite from motorized
........... deYlces. trwporWicn ¥dUdet. Uld recrtatioa ·
dnfica.. fllopll can tolerate or ignore a eertain amount ot
aolll but edwrie efTects indudill1 outrisht hearing im-
pllrmeDt md other danprs to bcal.th are present in many
upo1111es to ooist.
11M objective of this secdon of the &a and Palo Alto•s
CICllltinuiq Noise Conttol Prosram ls to reduce noise which
affKtl bmnan.s achersely.
'Be Eftectl of Neile OD Pwepie
'DI problem ot controlling noise is difficult because it af •
lecta each indi~...S in a dif&mlt w.y. People do not bar
IOUDds ·alike or react to them in the same way. f.ach
pel'IC.'G•s reactian to noise depends on characteristics of the
aoilO itlelt-tbe loudness, duration, and frtqtJney content,
for example. the etTect of noise on people ii also deter·
Bald by t.M listener and the situation.
De tfrect of noise levels abo?e 80 dBA can ~ from 1.
mmponiy loss or ability to hear quiet sounds up to penm-
..at me: imwrsible loss of nounal baring.
Forblnately. few exposwes to nQ5e leftls caing
perllllllalt bearing damage occur in Pa!o Alto. Howem •
.,.. problems may occur for thoe;e who attend loud musi-
cal and recrutioilal C\-ents or for pmons wbOK jobs ift.
'IOhe hidl nci!e levels. ~cupatiooal DObe. is regulated by
State and Feder» ~atioo ..
Noise may a1S() disrupt acavitics such as sleep. coam-·
aticft. relding. listening to records. or watching tde"8ioo.
Studies !DYC showJ1 that noise not only may prevent s&eep
but may seriously distwb the quality of sleep without fully ·
awabaing the sleeper. Noia ICYds over SS dBA dis.~ all
t,pll of n«mai listenin& ICtMtics. r-ioise alsc ClllMI sucll
NIMlt ttT«ts as dlstrKtion. anooyanc1. atrns. and tcnsillft.
If tlwle tffeds :ani c:ontinlatd, they can cause wry serivus
tmodonll and psychological problems. The noise e:.ivi·
l'OIUDeftt ii oftfft noc blamed direclly for these mctions if
dw Uatenet ts not consc:iously aware of the noise illtruSt.:in.
Ha or slw may only be aw:ue of an incmlcd irriiabillty 2nd
l&Dealinlu. So pro1"tlon aplnat the intrulion of distur~ing
Major IOWCtS or 'Cnd1lc noise tie streets 'id\ hiib Yokaaws. 't:.: ;h
!pCccl, a laqe number or tr:iffic COlltrols or tnafty aucts. buses . .::\d
~ load ftftic.ln.. Sou~ Pacific trains :in: lnothtt ml,jor 50:..: :c
of aoise. DwinJ peak tntTi.;: periods. the ii~ le\"ds in paren~~~
.-peenUy e;11~ 10 ~r cnt of the timf: .n 50 lttt ''°'"' =~ ·
tcaf&c.'.~. kfels of 50 to 60 cl8A art 1Fpk:ai in neilfthodlo.:.J.s
BOC !llbjat6lileWJ lnffic.
I /m.OOO,CX»,000
:00.000,000.000
10.000.000.000
lJBJl#J.000
100.000.000
10..000.000
l/S).fDJ
IOOJ)OO
Auto~ (J-). 4•9 I jet (100') .120 uo
100
. 10.000 i,.oao·
100
10
I
Rock ... iasidt lli.ibtdab .
Motozc)de without anaftln l!C oclerMina Jadm ... HDH (2S")
SllOC:t~~(25") ,_..lawn mower (20")
Sindy..,_ tide (2S1
.Nar..a~(Y)
. ·~street. ao nearby uaflic
Quiet olib .. Quiet~
......... home. Soft whisper (10")
lilo*.or~stdo·
.._ .... SOIUlll
1'11dwkl f>fburtlt
.•
i .
90
80
10
'° so
40
30
20
JO
0
..C ii particularly important to mental and emodonal
llllltL
Moler Vehicle Noise
Vthfc~ noise is the most pmtisi¥e noise in hlo Alto and In
DICll\ other COIM'l"nities. Through nwnben alone, the
elrect of motor whide noise would be sigr?if&ant, ewn if
acb individual vehick met •tlte noise stand:i.rds. Federal
ID4 wte lepsl.ition will pdu.lly reduce tndividlW vehicle
aoile limiu thtoulh l988, but even then freeways and
major c:ity streets •ill remain the most siplific:ant com-
munity noise sources., particuJarly Jn Palo Alto wl*.e
whicJe traffic ls expected to increase.
Railroad Noise .
Twenty-iwo Southern Pacific Railroad commuter trains run
in eacb direction throush Palo Alto daily during the week.
and 10 each WrJ on ~-cemds. Alm0$t an or these tnins
s&op at one or both sutions in Palo Alto. Also, up to 70
fat frdpt trains pass throu.gb weekly. usually at nighL
Aaftoyance from train noisie. which is between 80 lad
95 dBA at l 00 reet. is felt most acutely by stsidenn alonJ
Alma Street, approximately 125 feet east of the tndcs~
aloq Mariposa Strttt and P.:ark BooleTard, where houses are
cal)' SO.SS f "' west of me tracks.
Until wry recently,·no agency had authority to rqulate
n.ilR* noise. Now the federal Environmental Pror.ectioia
~ Is bqinning to set such standtrds which Palo Alto
c:sa help to Cftf'Ofce.
Airaaft Noise
Aircralt nClise in Palo AltO is a relamrtly SllllU part of lhe
city's noise enwooment. In recent yars. aircraft on sub-
m:uine P3lrol and training aircraft opentirig from Moffett
Faeld NaQJ Air Station hsve spcndica1Jy ilown over ~
muthnst scrctioa oC dtc Qty on daytime training flights.
1his utivity is dea;!3Sin1 u other trainint methods are
used.
Overfli~ts of large lircraft from Se Jose Municipal Airv
port and S3ft fnncisco lntemauonal AiipOrt are at ahj.
IUdcs which make their noise effect Mgllplc at· poaad
level. .
Noise leYels ·caused. by small priYlte aircnft ming•
Palo Alto airport mi low becwse airpOrt me is. {United to
two-engine planes under 12.SOO pound.$. amt a ariaimum
attitude of 1,200 feet is riquired over da4 popalated. areas
west of the laysll<m freeway. Helicopter flights and me
concentration of small airaa ft flishts aie particWar.ly aoily~
Aircraft noise p1 obtems would illcra!e if the number of
flilhu is sigt"6i.cmdy incnased.. ftipl putems are c:banted.
or laf'Fl' planes use the airport.
~laasporta&ioQ Noia -
Noisel oot associated wtdl tnmpo11ation an more ..nable
-and unpreclictabk ctiStmbuce!. Except for emcrFSC)' .
· cqvlpment and adiwities. all ·BOQ-trimpoftation llflile ii
apltted by the Palo Alco NM~ .
1 ..
Colllrol of NW. Su:rcn
PIJo Alto has done; much to reduce nom and can condnue ·
to do IO. Howner. aome nolle IOUICfl, such u m1roada
ud certain alrpluts. are controllocl by •tenmt outside the
Clty. However, the Qty ca mist in Che enfor~menc of
replatlona.
PoUcy 5: Sllpport •llOIWI .,J U.1' lrtb/odo11 ad"""
,._ M-'61kit ~;a ffl/11« llOiM In 1oJo Alto.
Palo Alto e1n IStlst otha ••ncies In dnelopin1 Jeaisfation
and can promote enforcement or adopted andards.
hofram 11: Provide input on significant noise ltaislation propOab. .
Pfortrzm IJ: Promote enforcement of ••tinl State and
Fedenl noise le,;sladan. ·
Under Sa.ate law, Palo Aho may not reauJate nobe from
motor tie.bides. The .Palo ·.Alto Noise Control Prop-am
emphntm Polke DeptrUMnt enforcement of ex.1stJn1
Cdfomia Vehide Code tepladom prohibiting loud motor
whJde mufflers of'lll kinds. from 1973 throuah 1975 over
4.000 muffler '1ola~ were correctff tbrouJh ·this
ffOl'UL .
Pro,D1ft U: Prori4e City enforcement of Slate mufl1er
and exhaust S)'Ste!D regulations.
In 1972. Palo Alto adopted a noise ordinance which has
multed in u enforc:emer.t program designed to reduce the
lmOWlt cf noise. The Noise Control Program invohes aty
enforcement of State motor vehide regulations and conuol · or noa«hicular noises.
-~ 6: Non-ttltkdu noi# sourca In l'alo Alto sllolli4
lflttf a~ 11oM on6Mttla-rqu1a11ons.
hogrrun JJ: Pr<mde aggressive enforcement of the Oty
naae crdinance.
'lhe &a. ordinan" is primarily enforced by police patrol
officers.
COIDDIOlt sources of industrial Reise UadUde pumps and
air ~ air conditioners. and ~on equip--
meni. MGll aoise complaints abc>ut industry aJe made by
residents-of neatby areas wbai nac:hinery is run dllring the
ewniag. ~ mocllficafioas to rcduCe ti. noise .
..oy ... these problems.
IWidendal · ~ caU$na frequent problems are am-
plified .mmic:. puties. barldng doas. and pow=r equipment
sscb as lawn niOweis, saws. or swhmlling pool pumps. Noise
Cll'diNMI c:antrols apply to eadi of tlMtllt dbturbanccs.
,,,,...16: Modify Clty .,.... kt JWI noise. ordJ.
. awe aqairwU.
Ala. fmponut .Ph-of die -Qty Poise .cOatrol propm is
lhe ~ effort to .Identify, ~ md me quiel
equipcnmt ad me ... Dewlopkaa beu.r mufften an4
..
·. f
: .
I~
cpietcr equipment it primarily the manuramarer'1 respon-
libllity but slow propess in this aM bu resulted fft local
lfbtl at Rndins eflfcti" nolse redudna equipmenL
fllmllacand Dcsip for NM ProtcctJcia
la lddltioft co rtdudn1 whklt and olhtr naUes, much ca
be dOftC co ptotec;t people from hlJh noise levels throuah
proper ate layout. buildiag desip. and ~
awtbods.
..,. 7: EllSllH ~lttt with olsl"'1 ,,.. "*' Miii
~ o/mltWllJ ''°"' .,,~ ""'--
l'lo,at J 1: Analyze aoile brtpaetl of aew projects.
1IM noilf environment may be an important factor in the
IUCCK1ful accommodation of clianJin1 usa for land and
1laOdinp. When plamllns a project In an existing noise envi·
romnent. ~ easing or the eff~t on people can be ·
~ through proper design and construction methods
to reflect or absorb the noise before it reaches d\em.
LndU. Superi« Ac:cepcable
Upt tndustrial..OUtd~ 6S dB.\ 7Sd8A
Cornmcrcial/Offict
Outdoor 60dBA 70clBA
lndOoc 45dBA SSdBA
l'ubtic/Park
Outdoor SSdBA 6SdBA
Indoor 4Sd.BA -SSdBA
Residential
. Outdo<>!. SSdBA 6Sd8A
lndo<K 40dBA SOdBA
n. Lio aoisit kYcl is die k'lcl eii~ oal)o .10 per cent at die .... ne recomtn.~l\11cd IM.'rimom li:Tris are baod 8'POD prc:ftlltms
.-intemm.ee i.idl hum111 ..-:tiritie$ ud i.re hU below Jeorels · .
wl*b could ~ llHriDg. Tbc iadOOI" ~ ..,,,. to noile
~ by outdocir nobe SCUJl:!S. ll~.Jill •aloor Jcilllds *mid.,. ao 4BA 1owu ia a ne-. &Aan ia .a.: 4ajtSK.
When there are a.uuraJ ffttum on a si~. sadt • bills
Ind ridgeS. valleys aa4 depresQonS, they sbOuld be ,..
.-and .incorporated into the lire ;a. a a ·~
aplnst noise sources. · ·
Noise cm be scattered. absolbed. ad niduced by all
types of leafy plants. A planted strip of trees me busht:$
SO.JOO feet rode is nec:eaary to 1educe die noise a.er
' .... lfictntly. n.cre aie two other ways Ja wbJch plana c:an be asefUI
.. redudag the effect of Dolle. rant. a ... scnea of
plan between a noilt SOUfC!f aad a ·~ area JI aot
cmly ~cally p&euioa, bul Ibo ieducel tM .......
pacefled by 'bose who canaot·ae dle lllOile IOllrCll. It.owl
ol .._ bushes, Vines. or bees pllnted a1oat·a ajar a ..
4'J
prtSIWIY sof'ten the lmpKt of the traf'ftc, C\'tft thoutb tM
ICtual noise level f5 reduced wry llrtle.
Stcond, bushy plants located around walls, hills. road
lhouldtrs, and other larp impervioua ~la improvt
thltr effectiveness as noise baniers and lower t:bc amount or
DOiie refltcted from hard IW'faces.
Sound. Intensity or tewl lncrean u distance from a
noise source decrcues. luildinp should be located io take
llhlntap ofwbatewr cHstlftcas are available on the lilt.
Physic.t cbaracttristics of buddinp cu pro'ridt two
kinds of· noise control bencflts-recluction in sound levels
trammitted into the buildiq. and redw:tioa ID 10und levels
for Delfby outdoor ams.
l'bntiftl 111d 1anchc1pln& fll*llllY whh solid beniers or n:atuni
eaatQun. Qa be Yaluable to CllaU'Ol noise. However. plants dO not
a111et mlldl souc1 am1 .. ""' lalJ' .mou•t or d:ick · r~ it
8eeded &o~ mawq.ble aaaoonu ol aom. A lilllle row ot mes
ot blasltes is DO& aa effcctift aoilc barid.
,.
c.ridel wllid r.. • .... ,..11 .-1011111;M _.id as .. .na-
.._.....,.. ..................... Willa ........... ill-.
..,... ml M loCatlil tllCiltl lllOilt -md •• • sllimldl foe -.~ort11en. ..
. ·-:--__ ,,,. .... -... --.
. .. I
Long Pd hish buildinp can bt t;ocelltnc n• barrien
CO protect portions O( mt lite. £nclolfcl lpec:el fadnt I
noise source should be noided bccat111 they col'9~t and
amplify ~. Courtyards and similar ddpa lhoWd race
away from any signlfKant noise sourcn. 1r pouible,
buSdlnp should be oriented so thac a comer rather than a
lkk rices a noise source. This will help disperse noise in
leftfll directions. Noise-produc.in1 facilities mch u parkin1
lots or swimming pools should not be enclOffd by livin1
um.cs,or serious n• disturbances to residents may occu.r. :""":··-=~=-:.~--,. -. .,~.~ 18: lUquire adequate noise~J,,. in:L
r
:. ".:::;/ buildings. (~ .,., '91 ..... "'1 c. ............ 3'••• .. # • ...,.,) la new buildinp. efforts should be made to pm-ent trau-
D.ssion of outside noises, to minimize equipment noises,
and \o minimize noise trammission between one 1oam or
area and other parts of the building.
Olifomia law requires new muld·family buBclinp to
maintaiL an interior noise leve.l due to exterior noise of less
· dllR 45 dBA in any room. This means that attmtion COUit
be paid to proper architectural design. construction mate-·
dais, construction mcthOds, and beatina. plumbing, and
dKtrical equipment. Drrrdenda in any of these mu will
compromise other good noise reduction practicel.
lh>gNM 19: Construct noise barriers wbete tht impact of
llGises call ~ significantly rcduccd.
A noise barrier may be any solid structure high and dena
enousft to reflect rather than transmit sound wnn. Many
Palo Alto ndghborhoods exposed to high tramponatioo
aoise en\ironments are candidates for noise Nnier
protection-BayViore Freeny. Alma SUeet, Embuadero
Road. and Middlefield Road, for example. May are limited
by &he nec:essit)• for street arid driw=way aeeess throcgh !he
barrier, wllidt tnetdy reduces its effec:dYe:nas. The aes-
thetic effect of a waU on a neighborhood must be con. ·
sidercd. Often ~ noise barrier cm be incorp;>n.ted in the
original tact design to great achaatage without footing uq.
............ ·-
.. ...--...
-·· .. ...... -
........ ............ ... ~--··· ...... ··-······-···. --... -........ .
M&h&ly. WbUt an liaht root wtU betwmt Alna Sliett an4
SP ltlCb would IWduce a m1jor noite 5"Urce for eica m-
kltnca. the noi• from motor whide traffic would remain
-~-L . "'°"8m 10: lmptcM captbility to predict ftobt fmplCU of
pl'OPC*d ICtiYilin.
Rnarch on nobe implCU II important ta quietin& 'l'thkles
and other equtpmtat, dt¥elopin1 new canstrucdon and sill
'p1aantn1 standards md tecbnlqua. and "8ming more about
the d'feet of Doke Oft bUftWll. Palo Alto shoulCl tnCOUnl.
and panlcipate in appropriate noitt raurd\ efforts.
Air Quality
Wltat II Air Pollulioa!
Air pcllutants are those substances found in the atmosphue
wtaidt exceed naturauy occurinJ qmntitJes nad an · un-
dsslrable or bannf'ul in sosm way. Many kinds of pol· ·
lutaats, Including p1rticulates. liquid mists. and pses lwft
btm icleadlied. Most human aclhides cau. some air .
pollution.
Some poDutut emissions pClle a direct lhrelt to health.
la mote mb* ways many air poButams are n:sponsr1>~ for
pllat damqe and ciop losses, physical deterioration of
rnaterilk, IOd aesthetic depreciation. Federal Primary Am--
INntt AJr Quality Standanfs establish the Jewb of air
pOUution which repmeut potential danpr to· human
btalth.
lmprotina Palo Afro ·1 air quality ts ti. objecdw of this
sectioG. A.ccomplisbnwnt UmJhes lol::al. rqionil; state. and
fedcql prosrams.
Air P6tants and neir Effects
i'articu!ates. carbon monoxide, orpnic compounds,. nitro-
... oxides, and sulfui oiideS are the &we inafot pollul:lnts
named for control because of their ldvene effHU.
Panic:ulates indude solid pBtidn. d~ and smoke
emitted into ~ air from buming. wind. industrial pro-
c:esns. or 1lehides. Depending upon the size and weiyu of
tbe partides,tbcy may settle to the pound ct remaiJ'I sus-
tmded indefinitely. Padides 1111)' damage plants and nutcw
Alls.. sed\l.ce 9istlriltcy. or carry poisonous ot irritating cntm-.
iCata -.0. die ..._ mphatory system. lndustri.'! sources
· · ~ . ._ 10 per .en~ of die partides ~tted by Bay
Alea ICMHayad UlllSpOltatioa sources produce ·the rm.
CubGa ..,..ide .is ta ododeta, iaflsible, md poten-
dally ·.JltMI .,.. ftidl -. fonnecl .,,. tac:omplete burning
pN.C I fl lllch U dlca of J8terDll cembastioa engines. In
llml ....,..., .. II cau:m. he ....... &!ipe. dttzifieU, and
........... or mUIClc coordinadoll bcause.,, it red~i99-. * ~ Hilty of dM blood. llsb awls of .
c:adJoa maaoxide pllcc -added --Oil people with il a.ut. tJlood, lad ielplrltoty ._11. ve111c1es produoc ·n '~ ~ 9$ per cm ef ..... ca.-.___.... emis-.1 .! ..
... ill -Bay Ala . · .. -. . .: \ ~ ..
,_._.._. dua' w _. • ...... plata. aad ~· . ....... ,...,... ~ * , ......... 9WpOlalim
•
..
. '
INYIRON!l&FNT "'· anouacu
den. or DO Wind to blow the emissiom away, the nNsaioas
ue c:ciafincd near the poand. These cunditioas create a
dpid build-up of pollurant conc:entntioGS, and in tht pee. _
aen.:e ot Rl'lfhiM form ""OJ.
.... Coatrek .. Lot.al Afr QultJ
Rqi;ontll COllll'Ols. Bay Arn stationary air pollution
sourca are under 1be autbority of the lby Aia Air Pol·
1utioa Coat\'Cll DisUid (BAAPCD), although ultimately the
fedenl EDviromnental Protection Agmt:y (EPA) is mpon-
si!*. bstrict regubtiom and enforcement policies focus on
major large poOutm. Local jursidictioas CID mist iD iden-
tifying problems.
Vebicle em!ssloa controls •re also the cmta1l respon-
libllity or the EPA. but California Air Resources Board
regulaticas, starting id J96S, haft been more str.inpt than
federal rqulatioas.
Loctll Afr Qulllity. n. quality of tbr air rn Palo Alto. as in
other mas. is cxbemdy Yariable. On a given day h
depmds on the amount of emissiem by vehides and in·
clustiy within me entire ~ air basin, and -upon the
weather. -
Most BAAPCD instruments for meaa"ing air quality are
located on building roofs rather thm at ground leYel where
humans are ex;><J!Sed. Thus, BAAPcD air quality mea-
sumnenu which show that Ambient Air Quality Standards
are exceeded in the Palo Alto an:a appnmmately me per
~ of the rime widaestimate the ~pomre of mmy
people who live. wort. or play near emmion SOU?CH, par-
tieularty major streets. Therefo~, adopting pr~ to
mluce human exposure to pollutants is imporunt.
Weather and Topopaplay _ ~ l'elicy 8: Su~ni;o-.ol. Slllltt. Md lllllUmol ~
The diseinction bc~·een pollotant emissions aad pollutant -wilH ila/1'0~ llir t/fll!lilY itt tlw IJq Amr.
~trations is important in undm.tanding the problems
ot implO\ing :air qu:Uity. Emissions att the 'otal amouou cf
poUutants produced -by somus; coa~llations are cteu..
sities Of a poUtnaaL Emission ~ indica!e flow
well sourte controls are wodting,aacl cmccatn.tioil mea-
sumnents indicate the mulling air qu:dity.
After they aR emitted, pollutants can eicha be cis-
pmed and mixed througf;out che aunospbere. or Ibey caa
be trapped and continue to JnaCase tbc local pollutant coe-
cenuation. lnca1 weatber and topopaphy delCrlDilae what
actually happens to emitt.:J c:oata.miaaa.ts. fins and moun-
tlim may fore: nanual air basins whidullow air polhar:mas
to be trapped _and accumulate. Both Los Anpies and Sa
Francisto regions have such .. closed"" ail basim. £11t11
dloc'lh daily emissions aie about d1C same iA a alt1a1 lir
basin, nriations in air tempmtuft. Mad speed. ad wilt'-
diaectioo. cause the air quality to wry greally from day to
day. Air poll-.itioa is worst when pcllhatuts are prewn~
&om dsiag vertically by a ""t.emperaliare illwersioa .. -a lay:r
ol warm air abcne cooler .u. Jf dlele ace_ abo timaia_ bit·
J
~ ....... ....,e ... ~~ ..... tioll Alayerol . --.-..~-tnips ........ 1111 ........ "s~ ....,. _ _. _..,.._amlMS ....
Palo Alto can •••1•t effort• to dacre•se air pollutioe by aupportins
reasonable and econo•ically feasible air qua.Hey legislation. tl•t wUl 111et
50 C'ONN.EHENSIYE Pl.AN
Pro,ram 21: Pro\'ift C\ty input on R&nifle1nt air quality
legbbtion proposab.
Pto,ra.m 22: Assis& the lby Ara Air Pollution Control
District (BAAPCD) in achiewing compliance with ex·
istin1 regub tiom.
Air po!tution is a regional problem as well as a local one.
Automobile travtl. industrial activity. and other souras of
pollution in San Mateo County, San Francisco, Odcland,
San Jose. and other portions of the Bay Area affect Palo
Alt d Palo Alto ~llution affects other parts of the Bay
_.E ..... ::.Jl-i<ftl Alto an~:Jsw in the rqioftaJ effort to decrease
ution by carrying out Pro~,and 24.
Policy 9: Nidgot~ impact of oil' qwlily pt'ObkllU dw to
lllltlotoary fltrd rM:allar .ronrca.
While major efrortS to reduce air pollution focus on re·
aiomt. state, and national apndes and programs, tbac is
much that Pa.lo Alto can do to reduce the amount of air
polluti<m created and diminish the neptift effects or
pollutants. -
ho&rmn 2J: Rmew proposed projects to reduce negative
aJr quality irnptets.
Jn addition to control of emission sources. planning pol-
icies, zoning. traffic control, and open space COOlemltion
are all fuadamtnul to the improftmmt and m1intmance
of ttgional and local air qualky. New or ~d use for
opcntioas such as paint and rey.tir shops. maaufa.cturing
plants, or commercial cleaning. fadlitits should be carefully
ev.alwued with ttprd. to air pollution.
Seismic Safety and General Safety
Srismk saf et; identif'1n and appraiaes eeol<'gic hazards and
dbcuaet the resulting risk to people and proJ;eriy. These
huuds indude fault ruptu1es of the earth's surface. ground
sbalcing. gr0und failures indudhlg mudislidn, brldslides,
liquefaction. and slope instability. llld the effects of _
earthquake-induced wa~es.
Cmeral safety involves the protection of the communlry
f'ram seo'ogic h.aza~ floods, and fires. Safety haz:llds
such as building collapse. water. gas, sewer. and electric Une
damage; communications disruptioa; md fire or explosion
potential are included.
Objec:tMs .
The objectives are to reduce potential injury and loss of
life and to lessen possible property damage.
Safety from geologic hazards would seem to be relatively
asy to ac:hieYe if it were not for pre-existing major st.rue·
nam. Lam' use decisiorls in the past have not been based on
a.oidance of such comparatively infrequent phenomena as
fault rupture. ground failure. ground shaking. and flooding.
Land use and structural controls may appear to be much
more expensi've than the potential km due to a disaster.
Social and ~omic dislocation can result from controls
applied too rigidly. and the degree of risk the community is
willing to live with must first. be established. It is necessary
lO achine a balanet between cost of hazard reduction and
potential cost of losses.. Recommendations shauld be
carried out in phases to achieve this balance.
Site desip can greatly affect the impact of'a.ir pollution. Mlata.e dw ~ ~rds in Palo Alto?
Arns usecl ;· lr in~ buman...xtim.ieuhaukl. bdocawt. ..... .blo Alto..in~ hills. composed of rock ·masses of many
on the site as far from significut emissioa soun:es as kinds and ages mant!ed by a thin. smoothly contoured
possible. co-er of soil. Some soils m.m slowly downhill. tilting
Topographic ccntouring, landsMtpinr, amt plantings ot fences and wa)ls. However, both soil and underlying rod
trees. sruubs. and ground i:over next tC. 'msSion soun:es can Ulldft· stms conditions slide moR specta~ularty. Slow
will mix. filler. and dispme pollltmts, redQdq sub-erosicll oc.:curi over all soil surfaces from water runotT. Dis-
sequent hwmn exposure. lmbaalces of the. soil ID3lltk increase tM nte of erosion. All ·
~ 24: 1mprow· capability to psedic:t air qvaility an. · ot ...._ surface ~s detiwt sediment to the strAmS
ol----' . ·-.. ad&odMBay.
PKU .,.....,._ .. acti'V)ues. la 1lle-pest. peat aprons or allu.W &ns Or ftOQd.bomc
lmpromg the ability to predict how mudl * poludan sedimeat wae ~out from the· foodtills to the Bay,.
sped.tic pril&te de'lelopmcots 0r pernmeAt policies will foanint dw pdy sloping plain upoe which most of Palo
caUSt is important io Cuture Grom to iaaproie lir qadty. ·Alto's raidmts lhe. ~ mch as San Francisquito
Palo Alto sh~dcoopc11te witbaepcml, ~.ad a;adooel ei.t U. Cll1: ~ dmnnels in dae u.pper parts. of the
_agencies wbich iue .qnyin1 out rtilillds 1n dtis.fitkL • 6'tal fas IO ftoodwalers no 1onFf owrtlo¥i the uwr . ........~t . rr-
l'tofrom 2S: ~~ p~ to ·· w of~ _ ~of the Palo Alto plaia. _ _
. whicllS aDd JD.creaseluse or mm tnnsit IDd odllr madn ndl! ~'ill • _,Im cRllcd alt marshes bf builcf.
oC traftliiee 11111h i111••••• rrsiui•• . ~ up Jaye;'_ of 8ae siit in die ..-;a p~ o~ Palo ~to. , -.:~cf d,_: fomicr manhlands._. bten JeClabmd by
'Dae Tiwporlltioa Slctioa of &M. flm{. disa.SMS -..,. to ' -+e.;; * ::.:acf tlUiq. wlaD w . nmaiD in wetland ·
reduce the use of pdqte aatomObiltl and i1Jcnase um of caadldala.
-· masa tramit. Traf& contntiOA in No Alto 11· a pdmlrJ Fault mcwemoat ~rupture of 1he pound surface is
con<:em and Che wtomobile ea-a lltF amoat of air -dll lllCllt dnct M:anl to man-made structares. Iddings or -poUutioa.l UCilty Jiaa utrilk a rai wm --. soiae damap Crom
f'~ Program 26:
J-~~-
I
wnereoer possi::bie In reviewing and granting building
permits and in approvinq rezonings and •ubdivisions,
the City should encourage builders and developers to
provide improvements that will reduce the number of
· cars occupied oy only one person. These J.Jlprovements
could include preferential car·poo1. parking, bicycle
storage, bus stop shelter91 and substitution of land-
acapi~ _for some required parking spaces.
C~rryin9 o':'t~:-his proqram through ARB, Planning Connis,si n
City_ .council r7view of development proposals will h 1 ° '
furtuer worseni.ng of Palo Alto •s noise levels and a~rp q~~rr:;~.
and
dat stress of significant surface rupture. 1be last major
earcbquate oo the San Andreu fault affecting Pl!o Alto
oc:cumd 1n 1906. In Palo Alto the trace of thh active fault
paerally Ucs west of Monte Bello Ridge alon1 the align-
ments of Stevens Cn:ck and Los Trucos Creek nnr where
Pqe Mm Road joins Skyline Boulnard.
Another system of raults which extends int,, Palo Alto is
CIUed the 53rgmt-Berr«>W famt zone. Earthquakes of low
inttnsity have occurred on this fa ult in t.~ aRa of Los
Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, and ~:uatop in 1967 and
1913. .
Ground shaking from an earthquake causes the most
widesjxead damage to life and property. It is 1 result of
turfac:e wkft movement through the earth's erust, orig-
inldn& from the earthquake epkmter or focus. 1be ground
• motion c:s:ated by these seismic: watJeS is not cODStant
because it is directfy related to the type of material and
surf'ac:e topography through which the waws pa!S. The
. photographs of Univenity A miue in 1906 show danJ'i!Je to
buildings in Palo Alto as a result of ground shaJdng in the
1906 earthquake on the San Andreu fault.
For example. a strong earthquake centered in hard rodes
would cause .ooe ot mon: sharp shocks nur the epicenter
.. .
• .·
SI
111d &onpr, slower, aad probably peer vibntlOPS bl
IO<llely-compaceed ground. The Ground Shakin1 map gtws
ui idea ot tht area wbtrt ptest pound shakinS could be
expected from :in earthqune centered on the San Andreas
fault in or near Pa!o Alto.
Ground failua c:an occur as a result of earthquakes or
other natural forces including heaY)' flins, erosion, removal
of giound cover by fire, or as a result of human actions.
• Landslides and mudslides occur in ams of loosely C:OO·
solidated material and aR often triggered by earthquakes.
Water-aturated soils •~ partJculady susccpn1>le to sliding.
Areas or the Palo Alto foothills are Sllbject to landslides.
Altbouab present regulations require pologic and soils
reports for each building site, landslide potential in Palo
Alto bas not been mapped in itetau. Heavy rains can cause
loCILse material to ~4.lide ~ilhout earthquakes. Human activ·
ities such as watering the si:>U, dbturb~ce of the natural
drainase, or remoYal of grotind holding wptation by cut·
ting oc fire can also cause landslides.
--"""""~ .... -..... .. ~
c::::; ~ ... ..aw
<==i ~or ..ow
Ground f=!lure QI\ involve bnd slid-..-s .:and liqud.xtion. Lad slidc1 · c:an occur with or -...·itho1u earlhqu;akes. Liquefaction happens as lhc
asall 0: an eMthqtW:c ,."hen shKin' ca1ascs wa.w-a•~ted (!rOUnd
to behave u a la.quid.
I
-j .. ~: ... , . ~ " ..-. .
·1.· -
,. .• -. .,.,,,,,_.---~·
.. j· -.
.;.....,,_._
. .
COMPRftf£NstVf. Pf.AN_
Ano!Mr form or around failure js Jlquer111ctlon. whk:h
occurs as the result or an earthqlliice when 1ratns of 1ed·
iment become saturated. The sediment becomes un:uable
and may behave u a liquid, causing tudden ground failures.
Greatest potential for liquefaction in Palo Alto b near
_present and former stream channels, near rhe Bay, ;nd
where the water table i' high.
Substdence has occurred throuJhout the alluvial pbln of
. Santa Ctsra Valley. It ts the result of man's withdrawal of
water from the 1mderground water-beArinl rock and the
resulting c:ompac:bon, or settltna. or the grou:\d.
& the land subsides, so do the levees, but the IOI Jewl
does not. Btc:ause of increased subsidena:, levees had ro bf
raised to prevent flooding. Problems have been created for
utilllles by subsidence, where areas which once drained nat·
Ulllly now reta!n water. The map of Land Subsidence
Lewis shows historic: subsidence in Palo Alto.
Flooding can occur in Palo Alto u a. result of bea'Y
rains, dam failure, levee failure, or 11rthquake<aused
-.avs:·Aood danger:has probably been increaHd in same
areas by ground subsidence. The 100.Year Flood, u ?ro-
jec:ted on the Potentill Flood Ams map, would CCMr a
SJMiRS ~latdjpa Ja•uawcl br .,. ......... oluadcTpoowtd
. waer rrom weUa. SObsidcac:e ohs nmi:b u five. fat in Palo Alto ha
. · _.. problems I« die i&lilities ud has~ flood prme .--.. · -n. rate or.~ Im A11q11sa• in ftADt yean. · ·
, .
i
J
Uh'lllOSMt,:~T AL RF.S0l1RCFS
ia ... part or P'1lo Alto to nrying dtpths. Flooding in 19SS
wu widcspn:ad. as a result of an estimated SO-year storm.
~ 100-Ycar flood" is the ma..x.lmum flood level used in
the design of flood protection ~sures: it is likely to occur
cince each century but could happen in iny year.
flO')ding is a result of overlapping of their banks by San
Fran~to Creek, St!lnford Ditch. Matadero, Barron, and
Adobe Creeks. The construction of bridges and culverts
with sometimes inadequate c:i.pacity and a potentW for
blocbge by debris, as weU as the addition of impervious
surfaces which reduce absorption of storm water into dtc
around have tncreas:ed the occurience of flooding.
Failure of Searsville, Felt, and Lagunita dams upsueam
from Palo ~to could al~ cause ronsiderable flooding; the
potential maximum inundation area has been mapped.
Flooding by salt water could occur as a result of failure
or the ~ along the Bay sjde of Palo Alto, or possibly
from earthquake-induced WDes in the Bay.
1be levees around most of the south Bay were origir.ally
built to create eva}ORtion ponds for salt production, but
now serve as protection for devetoped lands. The Santa
Clara Valley Wi!.ter IXstrict has jurisdiction over and main-
tains the levees in Palo Alto. Most of the levees are coQ.
strvctcd of compacted Bay ·mud. The levee ele¥ation
estimated by the Bay Conservation and Development Com-
mission in its 83y Plan Supplement as necessary is 10 feet
above sea level in the south Bay. This height inclu~simn
----r~ w.....a'l.oG0-1·-....
.. ~~~,.:~.&:' e--~~~ .......
-..-...~J . _....... ---
Ma, "''\\ ~ upa•4.l +. ,.........t
... o&t. rec..C .C:...., a.eA· .&Ah..
J
5l
feet for water and three feer for protection apinst storm
waYts. This implies that without the levee system, Palo Alto
would be subjc1..'1 to salt watc-r inundation :at high tide t<> an
elevation of seven feet. The most recent topographic map
(1961) shows considerable developed ams in Palo Aleo
within fiw feet or less of se:a kvd. .
A high water table, while not in itself the cause of
flooding. reduces water storage capacity of the ground and
can cause much damase to structUm and increase the
danger of liquefaction. As shown on the Water Table Map,
in parts of Palo Alto the water table is less than rave feet
below the surfa;e.
Awidance of Risks
-An idealiz.td plan for Palo Alto would regulate devclopmmf~~
to maximize safety from natural disaster. Development
should be less dense in areas of greatest hazard. AJ !hown
on the Risk ZORC$ Map, ~f gtUtest risk in descending
order indude (l)active fault zones, (2)~ of most un-
stable ground such as Bay mud and Jandslide-prone hill·
sides, (3) amts of moderately unstable ground because of
potential damage from liquefaction, and ( 4) alluvial soil sus-
ceptible to increase4 seismic shaking.
Ideally, structural controls for each of these areas should
be estab~ and emergency facilities 1ritb safe access
---------~---------~..._ ... _ .. ·-·· ........... .... --·--......... ...,.. ............. ==:=:-~-.:-=.. .. ---""'·-·-la,.. olNo Aho ......... tallls li"WidaJa °"9 lteet of the "pound arr... tldl ~ lood... JOttiAs of plaC IVOtS. faqtteat
................ ofdle ... wt ..... to.........,
.,
, ...
l
l f i t
•
routes lt>.ould be cmtributcd to serve a maxiJN&m oC lbe
population. Lands where H:tttmt geol<>ajc haiar• eldsl
llllsht lie considered a.i areas where no oca&pied slructures
JhDuld be-built. ~Y of these atHS haft beta rese~ for
.-i 1p1ce or conservation u.scs and other areas should be
CIOlllidered for such designation. Those with sewre but less
atieme susceptibtliry to Fologic hazards would be areas
wlltre structures musi be subject to special regulations.
Olly low-occupancy buildmss of special design might be
permitted iJl dwse areas. and public facilities and trmspor-
tadoa networks lbould take these geoloF hazards into
caaiclmtioo.
As dae idealized pbn was ROt drnn ap before No Alto
deftloped. ho-aicwr, die City must apply hazard mitiptioa
masara to the dtftlopmmt that does exist. and rtplate
dica stiJJ undeYeJopect aias in a llllllDft' coa!istent widt
F..rt line ams...,,. die pratnt dlk for w ndr mue--. 111111
.. isaho ....m• 'Widl Bay ......................... .
--~-~ac.-. ... M .......... r._IM ~. potallllllllltar. ....... 8aaJlq. 1.-lilkMllli-
.-,liblc.IO,_.~_.._ ...... .......,_
J
b°"1l and suspected lwuads. SLgntiont for suds actions
'" concaiocd in ibc fb.Drd lleduction Prasram.
5afet)' Bmids
Jlllildilfr d"1na.gtt "' collllpw. Structural cnp.eers do '~
agree·~· the best way lO design bW1dings to reduce the
danpt of dam:Jp or colJapsc.
BuUdinp in Pollo Alt~ or hiah occupancy mcl oftbrce or
mote stories were mapped. Critical buildings wilh in .. ·o1-
untmy occupancy such· as schocls and hospitals arc indi-
c:atcd oa the Areas with Buildings of Hilb Density O.:.:u.
plDC)' map. Before 1933 building~ did not R'g'.!!.tte
c:oaswcricG to resist cuthquakes. Build.lngs bUilt before
then !aYe been identified. Thus. areas in the Qty .,..here
more detailed liiwstiptioa is needed c:aa b;: 1een at a pee. .
Stmf«d Uaivenity has a master ~n &>r brinpag iu
buftdiaas up to present building code ~10 rw·· n
l•p-4 NRW'rsP! k 'lll" ling lk 1311 Jt•1pi11l .,11ilajJ119S
... 11 IJll tlaeir 11Mlt .. 1l11 .Ul!f u M llll'tirl. "Y ilHI ia ..
.Dbnlpdo# of li/dna will result from 1 great eardlquaU in
Piiio Alto. These include watei. l.!.S, se,.-er, tclephc:te,
_. elecClic lines. The lmomu of disnzpdca, of cou:w,
•p1+.,fs upon tile mapitude of the arc:hquate. If moq.
-' ocmrs m 1be Hayward fault ia the East Bay. :.'le
pi.,es of dw SID fianc:isco Water Com;miy, ftom ,,..i1Jch
,. Ako recciws its supply, could be btokea.. Beca~ me
water clisln'butioa system supplies walft". few si:nr-col-o
lcdioa. an eanbcp:akc could cause flows to dim:~
sapidly. Sewagre trcarment Dttds elmricity for pomps anc
.. for combustion, showing t.be inw«pmdcace of an
udiria.
Wlltfr &lpply. 1be pbotopapb shews a 3o-mdt wue: ;:i·~
dial ws crulhcd in the I~ arthquake. No wue!' ":as ...we for Dille days folowing the 5.-ln f"enmKlo e:?.r:h-
qmke oC 1971.
Twee leb of pipdina bring San Francisco •-aw to P.:!c
.Aho. No Aho .atet is stored in si"t mut"oiis wi:h a '~tzl
Clfldl1 or 10.S lllilliclll ptloas. Lanc!slidcl or. s:r,.ng
....... could naptutt me. ~ or damap the ..:oo·
..al; r lo lliersa. The City .:dso owns 10 unused • .... ens
.. a 8" mt die fladamb area. 1hCy co~ld be used fo-: •nr• ltJ' ....,. .ii ·i11ey Wefe not damaged nd if .e!ec:· .
....., .....
7
.... for .... pumps. Abo.. mm are about
100 ,.._ wells ift No Alco d!Jt c:ould b: used for
••H••~ ._.supplies with adequate disinhction an.!
Ji •U. '*'*supply. .
..., ~ ~.ia Mt Alto iJeollcc:lcd Cmrn grid·
wolk ol amilll ~· 1ise City. The pipes are day ar 'IOi --..i . .t ~ coamrte and dfflle in tht
. la,t• II ue 1-wily. w4 Incl liPlJ' wulneAble to earth
-• rn. lefitsatic-ccctll OCQll" ia the mains as a -:~ sulI
of ....... or ...... It took 6ft. months to r~tore
llWIJialw.,_tllll·l~ISaaFemudo~~ .
·~
El«t:rlc ~. hlo Alto buys its cl..:i:tikil)· hom the U.S.
aata.s of Recbmation, and it is dtlivcr..:11 hum·~· lt.lwM-
wood lllbsUtion near Dumbarton Brid~ 11\'.:r l"C ~L trJ.ns-
lllission tinn to the C°'°rido $Ubslatiun .... "''" u-..·r.: 11 is
tllllSmitted to nine other suestoatiom :i1hl 1!wn d1,111ttt.1ed
ill 1 grid pattern throughout the City. Tiul'i\.' Imes •hi..:h :uc
andersrounci ba're been waterproofed. allhou,:h the )Uf).
stalioaS haft not. Substations are very sus-:..:p11bli: tu coirlh·
~ ud saffcml hdmy hi the S... Fcrnaado ea~
~uof 1971.
Staof'ocd Unlfttsiry, ncept for the Medical Ccn ter, pur...
c:haJCS elimricity and ps from PCAE :.tnd w:ater from the
Saa Frandsco Warer Company. The University contracts
with hlo Alto for sewaee d~. Stanford ampus udlity
distribution lines are not operared by Palo Alto.
TdqlitorW service is prOvidcd by the Pacific Telephaae
ComP'f'Y .. Te~ lines use electric distribution poles ·
ancl underJJOUUd trendles. Telephone service· is less likely
to be bt1emaptcd than electricity because the linn will not
lbort out when damaged unless actually ruptured. The Palo
Alto ex.chanF bWldinp on Hamilton and Umbert Awnues
cont:dn all switch.ibg equipmmt.
........... ~
Ams of peatest mt. as sboMa. on the Risk Zone ma;. are
-Ufomd)' lbe most~ popzlated.,..
A study has beea made of population 4isttbur:ion in
No Alio by cnsu.s tract showiaa wbeft: people wom.t be
localled at two times o£ tllit day. 11tis stady sllows ~ al
2 a.m. IS1SI people are ia woodfa:ame J1ouses. stra.crurt:S . .-a ue least~ to~ dllmp mim a .-i carrb-
Cpak~. Al l pA people are ia scbocl. at WCJlk. OR the
mllk. ar4 ia ceamrdal ....., Wida ... uas of lli@h.
pqiulation demily wt Pl* stllidmal· ---
Mey 10:: Jla:i9&H ..... l'bA • ...... /lh Mii pilVlfl-
. _,, 9-ltl /«9,,,,,.. _W'o ap I_... -i l•T """" ~
eml: ..... .,, ~ ..... llf • "'.-..llicstl .-I ..,.,.__... u ""'.,,. .w--.r.
•
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SJ: ~ Revbions to tbt ZOllinl and subdwiWn
llCtioDs of the MWlicipa.I fO<k should bt made tG rec:og-
llill further seismkally rhn~rOU! aceH and Oood hazard .....
'l1lere .,. some parlS of Palo Alro where developmmt
.,.... lllOt hive taken place bec3use of the envirorunctual
baants. However, it is not feasible to ~ th.is dcwl·
opeenL Hazardous area zoning could, however, be im-
pONCI upoa these arm so that detailed geologic and engi-
Mtdq lnYestiption would be necasary for sdditioas or
~t.
~~ CCX1tract with an er gineering seoloalst f'or
N'Wlew of polopc, soils, and enpeering reports; these
NpDrts should be prepared for developmmt in an area
with bip hazard levels.
Nmtnl buards already haw bctD recognized in the Open
Spece District reguladom of the zoaing ordinance which
lpldfy that an in-depth seologic and soils inwstigaliolt and
sepott must be prep:ued bef'ore dcvelepment in all ueas of
No Alto southwest of lnmstate 280. A similar requiR-
aent lhoulcl also be imposed on other high risk atea iD the
~==---Qty. ..... ..,..__
lte\Ww of the hR••1 •• grass codf4" •••1 under·
... by a rmn of enJioeering geologists with the ~
of nkin1 de'llelopment as safe as possible in ~ ---,.,:
~ The City should hatt a suuctUnl engineer
lmpect and evaluate' an hi~cy buildings ud aD
Wdinp of more than tv.o stones. City codes should be
te*wed to ensure that a mechanism exists to reqUe
tbat public iaf~y ckt"iciendes ire corrmed by thole
responsible for the buildings.
'
An earthquak•proof buikhns does not eiUst, but d.1ta
accWbu1a.tcd foll'>Wiftg •veral recent major \Uban earth-
quaktt Ms permitted engiftffts srntly to upand theit
Uowlcdp of tht ~ of struc:tum to stress. Uves are
most threatmed by buarda from damage to or coUapsc of
1tructures. Continued stiff monitoring of all plans and con·
struction w a Yibl pert of enforcement of revised codes.
There are many inex.pcmive measures that can be tAlteA
.to improve the safety of haz3rdous buildings. Rameving or
· reinforcing puapets Is an obvious example. Falling debris is
a majoi hazard in urban areas du~.J and after an .arth-
quab. It is recommended that the program be carried out
in phases. Stanford University has a c:ontinuins program of
structural lnvestiptiaa of its buildinp. and has installed a
1111'11 emergency power system in case of disruption of its
.mce frolll PGlE.
1here are two hospitals .in PaJo Alto: Stanford Univer·
sity Hospital. including Hoover Pavilioti. and the Vet~rans
Hospital. Although jt is only used for out-patients. the Palo
Alto Mtdical Clink could dispense Yitai services in an
emergency. Structural inspection of critical medical fadl·
ities sh®ld be made to ctttify their safety. .
,,.,.._~City offadals should regularly review disastn
· plans to minimize potential earthquake-caused damage
and disruption of semce.s.
Among llftdcd emergency utility servkcs and facilities. are.
1CClll to afe wa!a' su~ temporary au..-uliary power
-soatWS, temporary sewage servicfl., and rfleasuru to ensure
. dt)t of ps supplies if Jines a« ruptured or major shut·of'fs
.. -MCCSSatJ.
All.~ ............ .,. ·.......i~otall Htt•mu 1;,-htill.ti st±An1ICblols.llolti•w&~p ., ...................... ., ..,., k ....... slaOllld bit
t:-•1
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Colutwllcations networks ire essential in time or nat· a dtluler. Plans to maln1-in ma.in transportation cor•
ri4arl should be made by the City's Streets DivisioS\. Altet•
Diii routes shoWd bf planntd for accns lo areas of polen·
tlal *""tion in case or collapse or bridps and fmw:iy
. owrpases. St~turat investigation of key communicltionl
tOUta and fadlttics should be rnade.
Pallce and Fire Dep;utments have the major respon-
libdlty In an emerpncy in Palo Alto. Emetgendes resulting
from ana11 and moderate earthquakes: 31ld other natural
6lsten cu be handled under eldstina plans, but in case of
a peer disaster, Palo Alto would.havt to rely on aid from
ochet jurisdictions. There are two-My radios and fint aid
ecppment in each police and flre vehicle. Each fire mtion
.... small auxiliary aenerator. Ea:b department blS drawn
11p pllm for response to a dmster. Fire department rep·
lationS nquire apparatus at the City's five stations to be
mowcl outside in case of an earthquake. The statioftS have
been coastructed to make equipment removal nsy. An
wraency operations center, located in the first under-
IJouncl 1eftl or the Civic Center. can function for two
weeks withOGt outside amtance. Alternate headquarters
for both rare and police are designated at the Municipal
Senlce Center. HoWtver~ the center is located on sround
•bject to flooding, seme sbakin~and isolation. in a major
earthquake.
rublic Works and Utilities Departmcna b:ive by roles in
.merceacia sudl U restO!atiOG of' semea :md daring of
debris and transportatior. routes. All City departments have
emeraency plans and many ha<Je signiricant roles in pro-
'fidiq shelter. welfare scnic:es, and commu.Ucation coordi-
mtion.
Palo Alto has an Emergency Plan whkb was 3dopted ill
1971 llHI revised in April. 1975. This plan resporuh to the
aequhetneots of the Stu~ Office of EmefFRC'Y Services for
fecleral. sate and local .. civil pre~" The nation-
wide pr.,.am was begun in 1961 when the threat of a
9DClear dislster seellled imminent. and is geared lalJdy
1DWard tbe response to suc:h an emergeney. IJlhougb sudl
1cspoDSe would, of course, be nece:mtY and orgaaizadal
for it Important. ~ efforts aft equally impor·
tlllt. rr facilities were planned and prepUed .to Jllillbaize
,.,..,., darmge to life and propnty in case of wliratner.
utunl or mn-made disaster were to strike. the burdm oa
post-disasta' propams would be much less. ne Emergency Plan should be. reviled to r.ficct aaiarat
aad ..... hazards.
'
Coord.inatton bttw.tn Rid Croa, Stanford Uni~crsity, 1ind
Oty offkktJt ahouJd be atrsnathtned and partkulll aaen·
lion ahould be plld !O special bau.rd antal.
M·Dilllkr Lan4 Ute PIMnlnt
Were major dam111 to be infUcted on Palo Alto durin1 1
flood or t1rdaquake or both, :m opportunity for rtbuUdin1
the City would bt availablt. n. City thould replatt rebuildln1 to minimize the _
effect of natural disasters. There should be desipated flood
plain ueu where buHcllnp should not be built. or built
only to ri&ki 1pcciflcatiollS. There should be ample open
space areas where flood waters could be absorbed into the
lfOUDd tO plll b)' OD their way to the Bay. Areas of the
Qty where uvere ground shaldn1 and sround (ailure would
take place In an earthquake shoulf! be the Seismic Response
Zcat. In these areas, stnac:tural desl;n of buildin~ would
ba\'e to withstand maximum cround motion with minimum
damage and risk to life. The added cost of such design
should be balanced apimt potential ~omic distuption in
m eatthquake. Other portions of the City should be
repiatcd to minimize erosion. and to pmimt any human
ICtiftty that could trigger earth oi mud5lides or add-to
water runoff' downstream. Geologic h!Ye$tigation to
-detcnnlne the presence of fault ttaee'$ and pment or pat
land.tlide activity should be required.
It woulcl be difficult to superimpose these zones upon
the present system of land ownership an( development. A
start could be made with regulations for ~w buil<Pn~ and
'When the non-conforming ones . are remodeled, the new
regulations could be applied lo them.
Although we hope that no natwal disaster such as a
-great earthquake ddrroys Palo Alto, tM City has 1
mpon$l1Jility to its citizens to be as prepared as ~ole by
1nticipating some of the hazatds ad taking mei$Urff to
stml,rbal buildings. conuol development in high risk
areas., and prepare for post-emergency .ction.
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COMPUHINSIVE PL \N ' . .
SI
~ 1Lmmnail lU~\e <~~ -=--...L--~~~~~~~---.~-.--~------~~~t&~
bac 11 rqtioft ' Palo Alto's 1990 Land Use Plan in~ pocket ondthetree k --~bp in most cnes reflects the policy ot avoldin~_ COftl' of tbJs report shows propo1ed ... nd usts an s ts. , ...
mijor inmasn In automobile tnffic capacities. -~*C
1he Land Use Plan shows the Oty's intentions for tl-.e Tbe Plan Map shows the ""••1)1apero~FceptI~r l
dtwlopment, redevelopment, grc>l¥cb, and pmemtion of a four.Jane Willow ROid between Santa C~;:&n~e tn !
ts;A;;;;pubf(c: ~A,pmte properties within the Palo Alto pfmnlng Menlo Park and El Camino Real. The map a1s0,.uRta1M a I ~~frit Ii ,...,, The planning area includes p--d n..-Mill/E Camino Real interchanp~ded tOl_\:l!.W. iV :_ land~,;thin the Palo Aho City limits and unincorporated ·-r-.-..,.. ... rel19'1 lhe City's most congested intcnect.ionman trafric: in J area indudin1 Stanford Unlvml.ty lands in Santa Clara --. l n-. d sevenl restden till ueu. J County and Rftral parcels in the .... ,.Juds an upper Major transportation policits are to improve m1ss f
f'ootbills. transit and increase uansit ridership. Existing ~d prop~sed 1 Proposed llnd uses and streets echo existing pattema..--bus routes are mapped in the Tmnsportation sect:on. •
1hfs Is bcQuse the flatlands ot Palo Alto are larply built Transit planning, wruch is primarily the mpoosibilit» of -I
up. The City•s dedskm to keep the foothWs ano Baylmds Senta aara County and the Metropolit~ Transport3tion
predomlnaatly open Js rtf!tcted Jn die Open ~ Ctlmminfon, bas nc>t progressed to the point where rail i
Element. loundaries between llftd uses are quite specific . · · _ tdmit lines can be included on • local Plan Map. · -! .:!. uaally r~ praent property lines.••~, -. --Pmks . -• ---I
' -~; . 1he PIM Map shows alt the current public school Sites. The
Objectives, Policies and Pro&nm'.ls .._ ~~£ta:h~=~~t;S.1u'~ ~ i
'lhe. Land 'Use &ft brinp toaether all of the map-related . -"~W '.!¥ i1• 'R'Hi° Q rai: 9l1~9ftep ~:-:~ -
objectives, policies, and propams in other sections of the ~st Meadow on~ ~ -Ross ~-~
Comprehensive Plan. Howwu, the Plan Map cannot reRect -.Ro atii~t Js expected th:i~ schools will be closed
ID the policies and prolr:ams which wiU inftumee allo-able ·_ tllriaitlll RHM 10 ls H ;u1 .. ~ 11'•• . . ~ 1an4 w.cs. fOi example. the Plan Map dots not re~t ~ Potential ustSJor closed~ sites•• th• ps•Ali:it; ~ design icin and prosmns which deal -With .nua1 •fi-11t•a•• 1 are diseusud m tm Schools and P1:ks
,. · · features, ~uc:h as,.YI• -•R.--nu•11• ur ••smutial section orthis report. · -. · -
11M111e!: u:: Iii @a11ia. Employment Policy 2: "-n.e 'J'he Sc:hOols and P.uks section ptoposes acquiring .and
C\lllStruction of homing should bt encouraged in dC\lrelopina district parkfacilitirs on ooe or mo~ sites we~ conjunction~ -non-rertmtt:' ~opmmt.. md Pro-of Am. Smet nd dcYeloping a seeoncl min~ SGUth ot .-m6:-."~lfi,.d~~~ anTofib c:oastructica to Powatowa. Sped& sites for these parks tiavc not b~n
proWle-some propo.tion ofmidentiaJ space oa ~-~'.~ 111own on lbs Plan Map. The Plan should be amestdcd when
same site .. lft assUmed In the defmitioas of ~ die Qty deddeno _purcbase and develo;> speQfic sites. ' resean:h/oflke~ and industrial land uses.
. --... _. __ --::--~-·
1\• fla".Ma.p wi ff e~•r:u~.Jlts f~J t., clt•~as t._· '!"o .. ; .. , ~-~ torTto•s ~ ~ E ! C•tMftao _Re•I ~·"" co~~~,.u.,.•~ t. *"' lt•,t-e· f....,., l-, t> ,,.ti ~ -$.tf'Ut<• c.o""'~ -trc,ta.I
Kt.l-1k\ar-luoJ UUtU~U'C.t•af.
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Sill/d~·Ft1mrlr N1•tlJtolftllll: includes one dwellin1 unit on
nch lot :u1J u~ mtuiring pcnriU such as churches and
prmtc k'houl~ y,'hk,i\ sencrab)' locate in residential areas
ilftd st~ 1h.:n1. ~c:1fk .:sn:-:is may bt zOMd for addition Qf secoad
units ur mouafkJciun of sinsfe-tamdy houses to duplexes
where ah<}' •muld be compatt"'blc with. neighborhood
ch:u:Ktc:r anJ nut inc:re:ast uamc and puking problem$.
The d~nsit)' in single--t":snily areas will range from one-
to Sl:Ycn dwdlinL'S :an :acre. but may rise to a maximum of
14 ~~!'1~-s·~'here secoad units are permitted.I\ • IL,.; f11milv R•"llikntial: the permitted number ofhoosmg A • , -units •ill YatY hy :i.rca, depeadinJ on existing land use,
pro"imUy tt• najt'lf streets ind public transit, distance to -
snolei1, Wlltterilt:uians and small anim:i.1 hospitals, lumt-er
yards and building supply dnlcn. and (3St·food and-oth.:r
restau~ts. In almost a.It C35'."S, thtse rcquite go·:J
1Uwmobde aceess and scrvU dtivn so that c:ustorntu "ln
safely and convm=ntly l03d and unl~d without impcd~r.s
traffic. Semce commercial areas shown on the Plan Map :rne
along a C3mino, San Antonio. south of Downtown. a.nd on
Embarcadero tast of Ba)·shore Frttway. -.
Rnarch/O/fict Park: offi", resc:nch, and manuf'acturir:g
eslablishments whose operations are dean and qqitt and co
not conflict wilh any adjamu r~dential uses. Stanf":d
. IDdustrial Pule is an example of thi$ type or bnd l&itl.
lhoppng. and ennronmtntal problems of~area. ~~--·nsicics will r;anp: from 10 to 45 units per acre =:r~]
Entplu)'~t Pr~ ~ds that t z~ing
ordinance m 11_~scd t!"~Wurtber::=."*" of
Lil#fl lndus:rilll:-wholesa.le facilitiet.and storap ""Udlous~s
and tbe manufacturing. proccssin3, repairing,. 06 pac:ka~ ... -:g
ot goods. .Emission of fumes, noise. smob or ot!:~r
pollutants or nuisances are strictly conuo!ltd. lbe :i:-ea
sooth of Orq:on A~nue between El (3min1.> and Alma ~:-:d
tbe San An_tonio Road industrial am :are dcsig:iatcd h~;.c
mctusmal on the Plan Map. ~o AJto•s zoning ordin:i::.:e
doies not contain prO\'isions for factories and the Land l'se
Plan Map does not contain a-~ indust.rial dmifkatk~.
Oly or Cowrty Consenotion Limd: op:a space lands whose
pgrpose is primarily the pmervatiaa and ~t ~r
the present natural state of the lands and their tiara ::::d
fauna. and in which c.nly c:ompcu1ble rcaution :ind
educaCi6Dal acti-1ties are allowed. ~::iii;jil;ioff1Cn'rn:.~"r;njly ZODel-ijtKo.T •s I fM" 'C't-A]
NriKh/Jr1rlu1tNI CmnJftOrill.· iadudes shopping enters with
ofr-strcec parking. or a c:lusta of street-front stores that
serw the imm.."Cliatc neighborhood. These areas often
iacludc supcrrmrkets, t•• 0 dlfl Jed H?FW; lbia D
bakei~ ...a dc~U"ssem. dnlgstorn,,• nmty stores.
rat;sur.a.'!..'!r ~~r~ty shops. launchomats, ... dry
c:leane~rdv.-:i.M UO.CS. •• 911 •••i•8' £xisling
oeighborhuod c:ummercial c:ntm ~11 on the Pl:ao Map
are Alrm Pbn. Charlatan Center. Edsewood Shopping
Center. and Mi tuwo..~
Rt:gitll1l!l/Ccm11ffUlfil.v Con'tma'dol: larger shappng c:anen · ·
and ~ag disuiccs that ha.ft a wariety and depCh of
aoc>ds 3nd servioas usuUy l!Ot amlable in the neighbor·
hood shopping area. Ibey rely 0'1 lalJI bade areas llDd ..
Public Pala: open space lands v.i\ose pirpose is primari!y
active recreation and whose c:bara~m is essentWJy ur't-!..,,
wbic:h haTe been planted widl non-indig.enous lindscap::-, ~.
and which require conccrtecl effon to maintain ~he
n:crntional facilities anclW\dSICaping in a US:lblt iuhion.
&.-bt>o/ Distrlct Ltlllds:{ii:e l1d&Nplj litH If 1111 P-~
1•1111 •• 1lu iplua a·· iafi •egsa of 9 '2' Ql!i ui L:$
MM; Id 1l1:1i1 ri•Hlital'ltl iuiliMt..
SOwltrsitk Open Span: the corridor of riparian ftSet~::~n
along a aatuQI strum. TI1C corridor my ~'3ry in wid:~ :;p
to 200 feet. Hiking. bikiDa. and riding uails wnay be
detdoped.
ny illdudc drpmbmnt stores. appmd shops. sportina ~ Spir. ••• °"""1&d ~: land ha,,ing ill
goods stores. loy srores. book shops. pbat stom, fabric. liac c:blrXteristics ol opal lpliCe but-upon v.ilich s~:;:e
Sl~ appli:mCe ~ filmibue stores_ restai••m, · de\ldop•at c:aD be .o01ftd, proridioa tbat die open spa.;e
dwatas. Ind ac»fttlil llnic:es such as olfiCes. iea! aiallt · ----relaiaed. apes.~ and Jal?llaDce broken. ~COlmnu&ity n. City otC:omn.y c:..mtioll Lan~ Public P;:::.s. ~ areas sboWa on tbe Pima Nap am Staford: Sdlool District lads. Strtamlide ()pea S?llCC. and O;:!n Shoppioc Cenkr. ~ (tJn.ifmity, A"'8Ueh Cali-· Spact ••• Cantroiled Dndopment dtmuuons are take:: :ii-
fomia A~. m TQWQ aad Comtry V-llage. 1'ICtly from 1he adopted Opeo Space Eleme:rtp Appenl!l: ... F:
~ 0~· r.:ilitia that~ city-wide ad "'1/0t' lafliMiOlf/Specllll .Ndlllin.· lplCblized public :::~.d
tqioaal smiccs "-t rdy GI~ smkiDa tdps by Qt pmatc-buikUqs IH lads. &aes m Stan:"'·.: rd
wt do not nccesSldly belletlt 6om beirla located • Uaiw:ally, the v-.. Mriallmtkm lbpi1al. a.,d
bigih-'fOlumc pcdcslriln anras Slacla as ~ c:eatas wl paWic blllclaas wi lliW -* is C"aty lfd. dlt Cult-r.tl
Downtuwn. Stores loudng iD thele ... ilacb&de-...S ill <:eater. -lluak:ftil Ser-. c.cr. liblllks. aad !1rt
aew aad used autoinolJilft. .automobile · llld semce, aadoDs. ·
i:IMajor lnsti.tuti.on S y eaident : aiugle-y aru• vb.ere t
~ occupancy of the · its is sigrd.f 1..cantly or totally l:lrllited to individuals ~ · or f tel~ liated with the institution. ·
As escribed in Emplo}'llellt Program S, t o . COl:lmer a ara&11 eti ;ute
I
El Camino Real and FJ. Caaino Way aJ:e 1ateAde4. to iuclude such ues pla a liaited number
of service cmmei;.c;.iaJ.~MlftQi~1Ce9l.4 serv•. · · _ · ~ nearb nei hlforn~li'ia a 1'eailnTied c.iuno. . . · . l'r proper es o~ y H M p .
ecreational or other DOD-co.-ercial.
i
i I or lease o
orb~ 'ti\t~
•
~
't-!:..S
:ncsn.T #1
ause · a.. .. , use fl•ft "4ap fi.., \a.Ill d,...,.:_ to eisbotd's"rt.-'l•t tl'•w ~, •• !r ....... 'tv•.-••e" •• •••• ..... -.. •• x•• • , ..........
_ f•I•• •II• Ii•• V.e Pha lfilp .... -~·-8•• •• ••UH• aw h•i .. fel•"&i•s pall•'-•• h a •H*t• some areas now zCXMtel for apartment use,
•pecially around tbe DowntOlir.l, are to be designated atngle-family ~ residential (aa defiacd below~, and aome areas., ·upecially around .
4M l)awn.tovn and along El Cami.no , where the preselit zoning allows
office• or c0111Dtrcial wses,. will be deaignated multiple-family-
realdentlal •
Ia draviDa tbe boundaries of these two land uae categoriH • every
effort bu been mde to ndnillt.n the umber of properties where ·
extating t.prowmnta would not coafora to the propoaed land uae
category. J'or.example1 the b~riu of the mtJlt:lple-fndly area
•round .... ~toWn were drllVD. so that u fw existing apartment
bvildinp u pou~would fall :lnt9tbe •••• ....... , •• les single• ~y n•:ldentia lt vu poeaible to mtntab:e the number of
heh propez:tiea~ t waa .-.f"f,oU:lhle to dnv • map that elimimted
t.m. ant.irely _aad at111 carriad oat the Plan'• pC>Uciea. Da•I•.._
.... '•l1&1a•fn8 alai1 PU.1 aae C&.17 ""1U P••H•• H f.e1l•1 1 w..-..r ..... •• -.•us• fl•ep1N'81 ·h·& •• .-ilA ••iasm••H w4tah •-
' •' UM "ep· ........ C.I.., ..,; II ~. ,,..., Tlai's. ptec..ecf"" .. irt de. ti.;.. ._.,;n.
i•pro"•' roper-tits..,... .. ..,.. •• .,..,. c .. f."-..,.;~ fi• &. ...... UJ~ Map:
'!be P1na1na eo-tMton will r<l'rlev all such properties and will
MJte a reci:a •• aohtion to the Council applying two standards. (l)
i1here the.U.rovwmt is capable of being used by 90re tban one
.-e, aDCl tbe a:rrent use is ~tant1ally tan.rp.tib.le vith the
alllTOUDdin& area. aa aort:i.zat.:lon period will be ~ ended to
el:lain:ate the use nd to prod.de for uses compad.brl.e with the
ana. If the currtmt ~ is. C<M1patihle, the propa:ty. ~ be
natrlc~ t.o that: llSe or to another compatible uee. (2) When
tbe illprov1 znt ~not lend· i~:to -.ore than. oae aaa, the
o-t.-t.oa. will dedde if that. w 1a tacmipetthl• with the sux--
rouedmg RM. n it 1s iPcaapatible. -..otttz&UOD period will
be applied to tbat: property. If the 1ase 1a compadble, the
Land Use Plait Hap will be changed to acco-date tbe ui.Hin&
· -wse 'Dlli -iilliK. t-v iillow iilt~.icatioa of the aee.
c,·~ ,._, ,
~ DISU7#2
~ A•ot•• ... C.1 •€981• i1vll7 •r•l .... , tlMI ·'89.•laould_k.~...._k4..wt.&.i
__,,,,,..-GD the ~ end .of the aalt .-17 lsrlit• -=ale.: ,-~l&V ~ ae -
OtitA$. s•J•s=r xa. iffgber dena:ltta-, i.. •11-14 ,._. ~Alnbl• eom-
-1.t~ lMDefit la.to he deriw4. -whne ~awl.~~ ne
-.liiir... availal>le to serve tht illczeaaad .... ltJ' •. _, wbeft ~I . .-a of dMt _.,,,..-iDcft_.. -..1ey_ w11l:·.be CG?pSUble ·fttb ta. .-..-.e-•.alllli n 1· nlt••
dajs11&U.• n• pe1'hfo• el at.a Pl.GI.• -·
DBUr #l _... -
MaJor InaSfi!-/!dU,le-P-.,.ix · aeat41at.iab _ -.ldpt.-&.1.ty •naa
wM.n l:be OCQtm«:y of tM. ':>!P....._i.s •iplf~lJ • ._ .. ,.., Uaiced
to :lnd1rtcleala ..u ... fa.t1:1allnlllete4 wlth tllit taatl~loa. ·
'l'hl• 4ealpllttm haa beg ..,UM to tile Staf-4-oiMllll ,.,.r Coate&
Bill am ill .. icipai:t. Df • 4nele1 r•t cwt.st.eat "1.tb tbe l•/
modera_te 1-0IJa .bo.aln& olaJ~iW. of tta. 1tn ,na.tms .
.;t[~"l IMt H~h-ct .,,.., '14 .... It, •e , . .,,.,. .... , C..--.ea~;...
~1 ~·-~1: -7ia"'* -t,t "'4~
..
Lota/ Shwts: local strttts provide accm to adjKenl
JIOP8fdel only. Not all local streets arc shown on rhe Plan
Nip. -
Cblrctor Strttts: collector street~ c:arry tramc within an
wa tv UCerials md provide ac:cns to adjacent properties
llld local stittts.
.inlrid Stn:tts: arterial streets are dcsipd to ~
darouab·traftlc and take llaffic to and from collectom and
. . . -. ·-· --
. :
•
. -
tXf'CSMnY'· but _allo provWt accaa to adjacent propet'tin.
~I: exprt91W11s art dftottd solely to the task of
tiafflc: m0vemcnt, but 1111y etou arterials and collectOfS at
lntmeetions c:onttolled by tralllc li.,als or step signs.
.Expresaways do not eerve adjacent properties directly.
/i'lwwqs: freeways ue dnote<l solely to the task or traffic
moftmtnt. and connect with strtets at interchaaps. There
II DO~ from· adjoilliq properties.
•
·-.
Selected Major Sources ....
l. hlo Altl). City or .. An laterlm HouAn, St.a•~nt 101 No
Alto.1973.
2. hlo Alto. Oty of, 8uildina an4 Demoliiioo P.anlt Records,
• l970.l97S.
J. fllo Alto, City .,r, City CouN:il Resolution No. 4S77;Apri1,
l972.
4. hlo Alto, City or, City Council Rnol11tion No. 1'72.S. April. 1973 ..
S. Pllo Alto, City of, Community Profile '14, Oc,obcr, 1974. _
(. hlo Alto, City or, Comprcllensin P1:in HOluina Back~
Reports:
llesickntiat Densiry Limits
l:>cYetopmonr Ri;hts TAnsfer · ·
Howins on Non-R.:sidmtially Zoned Land Pim~k "°'1'am Land 8ank Propam Low!}lodera~ l'"-"Ome Hou.sma Requirement hi-Lin Payments Dtmi=lll LK9I s
Consauc T:a.'I: Palo Alto Housinr Corpon.tion
Roesinf Rehabilitation and Code Enf'on:anent.
7. No A.Uo, City of, Comprebnsive Plan-FiJst Dnrt. June.
197S.
I. Palo Abo. CltJ ol, Comp._. Plan Impact Repon. June.
1974.
9. h1o Alto. CilJ' of, Condomlnlwn CGM'Cnioa Study, '°'ay,
1974.
10. Palo Alto. CitJ ot, Study of Palo Aho Atta Residtau 60 Yean
orOIWr. 1973. -
U. h1o Aho, Cily Gr, Towuo ·a Mousins Plan tor Palo Alto, 1973.
12. U.S. ~at of Cocnmercs, Bureau of the C~ Ceuu ot ~lion and Ho1uins. 1960.
13. U.S. ~t or Commerce. lattau of dte Cemus. Cemus ot Popubdound Ho.sins. .1~70.
ElisployBllllt
l. GIUta Gluen + Aniocialll. ~ Adcfidonai Hoktial Clpldey, febrv:aty, l97S.
. 2. GNCa GnMll + A'soeiates, ~ Employment Fom::ast fat . No Aho. 1"°'1990. Mudl. J97$.
J. Palo Alto, a~ oi. Compre!k:mift Pl~ Badtpaand ~ OA
Ernpto,'ment Projecdons, Scpwmba:. J975. ·
4. Palo Atto, City or. ComprehensiYe Pbn kkpouacl Rqon OD
Jok hr ffolucbolcl. .ct Joumey '° w Olk Paumas. Sepwadler. 1,7$. .
S. Palo Alto., Qty oi, Compt'lhemift Plan-fiat . Dal~ J--. 1975. . ..
C. Ptlo Alto. CitJ cf. Comp~bmsift Pim lmptir:t RCpoit. JUM,
1974. . .
7. 1bc PA.'-."TRA.'i'S Study Group. Palo Atto-Mea!o .... Aid T~ Project., Fillai R.-rc. November. l!nS. . ·
I. U.S. ~tment of Cc:mme~. Bu~~ or ltle CeiaiMIS, Ceum of ,...lift. J ocune1 lo Work, 1960. .
t. U.s: ~nt of Commerce, lulftll of the C--. 1978
. ~of l\lpulalioa. Joumey ~Work. 1973. ,...........
I. Associ:ation of Bay .\lea Gowierame~ls/liktropelhaa t~con com~. Join• Land .tJ.uoirr~
. Planaiag l'ropam, Aupst 1973.
1. ..,_.AlllllL1n Associates. lac.. Bley~ DllftciallCJ'
. Sbady fol h!o Alto, Califomia. J.-.ay. ~916. · .
J. DelAaw Caebl:r I. Co.. Pala ·Aleo T~liat ftlluaills hosna, f'UW Rtpert. July. J969. ·. .
4. Del.ftw Cadlct 4 Co.. ~alo Aho T~lioa · P11uia1 ~bmao--Ac:ao.~ ......... NDt s•JC,
5. De~w Caehef • Ce .. hJo Alto ~-...... ~T~~1"8-·
•
'·'
·-
6. ~Lc]jw C~thcr a Co.,~-~ CbA County Tr-.inslt Stvdy, 19?0
hpuletlon ;md Emplo)'trWftt Esuma~•. !\lay, 1974.
1. E~nbl lraPKt Pl.ant1lnf A"Miall:,, 'Willow Rl'1J
r.prOl'Cl!Wnt Proj«i, · final En,·itonme11w lmpa<:t Rcpcrt, NoWHlbcr, 1975. ~ .
I. Cieorp $. ~ohe :and Anociurs. le,ort On 'Willow R~~3.i
Ori&fn-DcstinOlUOCI Slarvey, lune, 1172.
9. Ge«,e. s. Nolte ind Asso;;i.ues. Willow :toa4 Desip Sw~>··
City or Pillo Alto, April. 1973. .
10. 1.Utprnan and ADocia&c1, A=1cknt Analytis llftd l'lnentio::l
• Promm. 197-&.
U. aktropolitan Tmaspottarion CommWiao, RqiOMl Tnnsror·
tation Plan, June, 197). -
12. Pll.o Alto, City ot. Comprettcn.iM P!all Bxkpowid Rcpon on
Tnnsportation, June, 1915.
13. Palo Alto, City or, ComprehenSive Pbn-Fint Draft. June,
1975.
14. Palo Alto, City or. ComprehtllSive Plan Impact lleport. Ju.=:.e,
1974.
lS. Palo Alto, Ciey of, Policies and PfOPOSlb for the -Trails a.'l.i Paths !'Ian, Mouch, 1'69. · ·
16. NO Alco. City or, Stanford Shop¢n1 Cer.ter Emirouient:!l
ltnp:t Report. Dmt. ~f:arcll, !976.
11. Palo Alto, City or, The Downtown Neishborbood Sni.:)·,
January. 1968. .
11. hlo Alto-Mtnlo Park AM TnnSt)Ortation Project (P A~1·
TllANS), Fuw Report. November. 1975.
19. llueh and G4iq-Norton S. Curtis Inc., Junipero s~:n
lclulevud StudJ, Santa. CWa County Tr.ui~on:ition Ap:r..;y. AllJllst. 197,.
20. Santa ~ COU1lty or, Slllla Clan County Trzupomtion
l'llftn.blJStudy, F"mll R~pon. April. 1969. ·
lL Santa Clara. County or, Tnrasit Dimitt, Rapid Tnnsit De"·tl-
cipmea& Propam Pisa. One. Sllnunary Report. D«ember, 19 7 4.
ScMols aacf Pats
1. hlo Alto. Ct!y of, City of hlo Altp Parb-Genoer:ll
lalortn:uion, Dceember, 197$.
2. hao Alto. Cit)' of, Compttbmsive Plan lmpx1 Report, Jun~.
1974.
J. Pllo Alto, City of. Pub and Rfcu;acion Poticy Stu.O::·'. ;. · Stpiesn~. 1969. .
4. Palo Alto, City or. Servk."e ~,ement Syst~m Cimea SUl"\'ty
Rqoru (Sbt"f NfOIU to_Ci.~· Cou~.:ih. 197-1. .
S. hlo Alto t:niflc4 Scheid Distric•. PrOjr:cc lle4ietip Fi:.Jl Rsport. )laida, J'75. .
...,
!.
,, I~
14. Smdl. Cbr:a County, Draft Back~nd Report for the Scenic
Hq:hway Ekmo:nC. August, 1974. ·
15. Soctthwonb, t.ficfl;acl ;inJ Kevin Lynch, Eksir:ninL and Mcan;il!ins 1k Strip, Joint Cenb:t for Urb;an Sllldiet or l'ol.l.T. and Huvud
Unlwni&)'.~tobc:r, 1974.
CHll ••doe
l. Palo Allo? City or, Comprehensive Pim Baclcpound Report oa COIUemlllon, July, 1975. -
1. No Alco, City of, Compnhemift Plan-Flist Dntt. JllDC,
197S.
3. Palo Alto, City of. Gcnenl Plan, Open Space Ekmlnt, adopkd
Apdl, 1972, amended April. 1973.
.4. Sift M.alllO County Historicd Aaociadon. La Penbnula, vol.
XIV, no. 4, Mudl. 1968.
J. San "lateo County Hlltori;al Assodadon, La PenlnsllJa, vol.
XV, no. 4, Fcbnwy, 1970.
6. Santa Clara County Gener:;aJ Plan, A Plan for the Conlllfttioa or Resourecs, adopted June, 1973.
Nolle
l. Americ:all Speech ud Hnifnl Aaodatlcm, '"Nol• IS a PIAblic
HAI th Huard." Col1fereace f'rocecdiaJs, February. 1969.
1. Calllamb.. S~te of, Vellklc Cod9. Sections 23130. 27150,
271.51111417160.
J, ffJlhway Rni:uch Board. Nadonal Acadcm7' of Sc:imces, -.ripway Noke-A Design Guide for HiJhway Enpacen."
National CoopetatiYc Hisbwat Reseuch Propam Report 117,
1971.
... No AHO, City or, Compl'Chemift Plan 8"qrond Report Oft
Noise, July, 1'7S. -
5. Palo Alto, City oC. Compiehnstre Plaa-Fllst Draft, JIUlll, lt75. --
6. Palo AJtO, City of", Mu.nidpal Code, Section 9.10 '"Noise ...
7. Pllo Allo, City of, "'To QuietaCily ... ," Jane.1974.
I. U.S. DepL of Hou.sins :ind Urbu ~lopment. "Airborne,
lmpacl, and Suucnue Borne Nolie-Control ha NullHamily l>Wellinp." Scptitmber 1967.
9. U.S. EnYironmmtlll Protc:ction AFGCJ, "C'ommanity Noise."'
December, l 971.
-NIQaltJ .
I. Bu AJa Air Pollution COIUrol Disuicc. "Air OamnU. .. Ap!il. 1975.
l. Bay AIU Air Polhalioa Control DisuU:t. .. Air Poav.tion and dle
Sin FDnl:isl:o Bay Ara." N'uub Edition, Janliary.19i5.
3. l.euue of Women Voters of"'-Bly Am. '7ransponadoD ....
Alt }oUulioft," 1975.
4. hlo Alto. City or, CompcetleNiN Pl:aa Bactpaand Report aa
AirQumty,July, 1975.
S. Palo Alto. City of, Comwnllamiff Plan-Finl Drar1, Jee.
1975. .
6. U.S. DcpL or Hnhh. Edvcation -· . Wdfait. Alt QstDty Ctiwia documents for Cvbon MoftoUlc fN::i~ Air
Polhttion Con~rol Administr.alioft . Pait. Mo. AP-42). ftoro-
cbemi.:al Oxidancs iNAPCA Pub. No. AP~3), HydnJciuboM
(NAPC:-\ Pub. No. AP-6·'>. March, 1970. -.
7. U.S. DcpL of He:tlth. Education .I. Wc!&lc, Air Qua6ir Critaria ,
documeaU for hrtii..-ub1e Mauer-(NadoNI Air NJIU:iOll::·
CoaU<ll Adminisualioft Pub. NO.: .\f'.49),· IOll.Selfur Oddlis
(NIJ'CA Pub. No. AP-50) • .Jaimuy.1969.
I. U.S. EnYizoameataJ rro.u. Aanq. ~ Air mcl Y..-C•." Ma:dl. 1974. _ -.
smr.lc Saittr~ SD;~
1. lmdladt, R. D .• Ind S. F.: GUllts, ...... daa of~
£arcbqmb lntenlitin ror tile San F:aiCisca a.y a.rpo..
Uni*9cl Slata Geololieal ~ Qpea File Report 75-180. 1975. ---. .
2. lkabb, E. E., PRlimiw)' ~-~..;' the Cc_ nlnl s-ca Cm& MounWns. Calilomia. ~ ucl Ulbaft Dcfflopo
.-t Sall Ftudsco Bay ~ ~"' 184 ._ .. _., ....... StadJ. 8a1ic DUI C1111tdhdaa 6. 1970. _
•
-·
l. Calirornia.-Sbk (II(, iolnt Committee on Seismic: S:afctf,
Mectintt the E;arthq!W:c Cbalkn~. final Report to t!'.~
Lqillablcc; 1974.
-'· Di~. T. J., <icolot!Y or the Palo Alto Quadranpc. ~n~ Clara and San Mati:o c:oun~ C;ilifomia, Calil"ornia IMi..,on d
Wines and C.:oloS)', )bp 8, 1966.
S. Lawlon, AIMllew C., Ciiainna.a. Sl3te Earthquake lnnsli~atic:"!
Commtnion, Report on the Califomb F ... mhquake or Arril H. 1906,) wob., Carnepe lnstilllte of'Washinston, 1908.
6. MdAul\blin, R. I., The Sa:,:mt &rroc:al Fault Zone and i:; Relation to the Sourhem S:an Fnm:IS4::0 ~,. ReCiOft and S:an:l
Qua Vlllcy, CaliComia. l1SCiS Journal of Rc~h. Vol.:?, N,. s September-October, 1974.
7. Nicbo1s. D. R., .:utd J. M. Bllchan:tn·B3nks. Reducin1 ~ism!;: Hauda Tbroulh L:md Use Plannin& USCS Earth-tua!::
Womation Bulktia, Nonmbu-De.:cmber, 1973, Vol 5. no.(.
I. Palo Alto, CiSJ or, Comprcllcnsivc Plaa-Fint Draft. lune,
197.S.
9. Palo · Alto, City oC. C'omprebensiYc P!aa Seismic Wert
8Klcpound Report. Dcccmbu. 1975.
10. No Alto, Chy of,~ Pbl, July, 1971 (tnis=d Apn..
1973.) -
11. Palo Alto. City of, Open SPICC Elemnt or d.e Geecrt1 Pia=, 1972, amcndccl April, 1973. .
-12. ~. E. H.. Geolopc )f1p of the P:alo Alto 7.$ ~tinute Qmdzmp:. San Mateo ;ind Sint::i Clara Counties. Cali!omu. _ USGS/HlJD San Fnru:iSl."O Bay Repon EnYironmt':'l: an!
Rcsoun:a Pfannin1 Study, Basic Data Contribution 2. 1970.
U. PoW!d. J. F., Land Subsidence in the 53nu Clan \".:J.ley.
Allmcda. Saa )latco. v.nd Sanu CbR Counties. CJSliiorai;.. USGSIHtTD San Frani:Uc:o Bay Rcpon Environment :111.1
ltnoatce1Planniu1St11dy, T~:a.I Repon 2. 1971.
14. lt.Ofit'I. T. H., and J. w. W"dliams. Porcnlial Scislftic Huards i::
Slat.a Clara County. Cmforr.ia. California DWHioa ol Mines an~ OeekltY, Sswm! R~ort 107, 15174.
15. San Fandtco Bay Conservation and Dcvdopmmt Conuniulon, Saa Fnnc:isco 8::iy Pbn Supplmmn: J;i.,llOll)', 1969. -
16. Sm Fnnds;o Dep:utmmt o!City Pbnning, Comnm.n.iQ.· Safeir Plan. A PropOGI tor Citizen bricw, 1974.·
11. TMor En,-.rinJ Comr~Y. A Rtpon to the $3nta Cbu
County Flood Contra.I :ind \\";iter District on the Baybndi S:l::
Waler FllMllJ Coauol Plannin1 Study. J::imwy. 1973. . ·
IL V.S. Department of Commm:e, N1tion;il Cke111ic an:• Atm~zic Adminittntio.11, S:sn Fun.indo. C:iliComi:l. E::ittfl. _
qukcotfebnwy 9, 1971, J YOL. \\'Wiin310ft, D.C,.1913.
19. W~ Robert E;; Goals, Str;st...'I)" -and _Tasks o! th~_
Earthquake Huard Reductioa Prosnm. USGS, Gcot~pg:
SuMf Cimalar 101. 197".
20. Wcbseu, D. A.. )bp Shawm, ANas 8orderin1 lhc S•)u:~tr.-: . Part or SCl-Fru.:i!K'O Bay \\'~ a Hi~ \\"atn Tat-!,· ~Ll~
Adwcrscly Aff«t L3ll4 t::.e. USGs,m;o S:1n Fr:at11:isco lh;
llqion Enrironmcnc and Raoim:u Planam1 Shady, B;a.~ D;it;. Ccmtn'llution 61, 1973.
·-2t. You4. T. L. D. R. Skhob. E. J. HcDcy. IC. It. LiJok ~action Poeenti:IJ of Unconsolid.aWd Sediments i:-. !II~
. Solltnem S. Fanc:ilco Bay JlqiCA, Califonaia. USGS O;x:: Fiii ~ 1974. ---
. .....
_ I. ~ htk AMociatioe, . A General Pbft for Sanon P~rk.
-_ . C-i:r ofSaiuaCllral'lanAiltff)eputment. 1973.·
• 1. liri .... D _. NIJllllY. City _and RqiDmll P1Aanm, SUnfon!.
UailcaltJ Lmcl Usr. Polic)" Plaa. 1911. _ ,
1. NO AhD. qty ot. Atri:d Pho&opaph1, 1974 and 197~.
4. No Aho. City of. 911nH Park• El CuUoo Study. 1976.
S. Na Au.. Cit:r ot. City of" PllD Aho aad Emirans Lan~ t:~
W.,-1974, 19'75. .
6. hlo Alto, Ci&J of, Genenl Plaa. Opei1 S,.,. ElimeRt. ado;:ted Aprl.1972,.maeadcd ~. 1973. .
1. ND Abo, CitJ QC. Zoainc ~and Nllp. 1975 lad t ~76.
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finning Staff
~ H. Jtnca, Director ol~ wt Coauiallnlty EnW-• ..........
K-sb ~. Assima& ...... Dftctot ........
LollA&dmoa. AaocU "-
Wllllr lliu. Principal Plllmlr
Oiuil Cbades.. ......
lllaa.da Crowder, PCaasw
I.Jule Mdi:na. beculh'e AssiftMC
S. Sllely, EDTirOMlClltll Specialist
Geoqie-~ Principll ......
1\1 'IQMbi
Tell NasadU. DircctarofT~
Jom Tbcmpmn. .PlanninJ wt l>aYdopmeDa ~
lllda Tl'Olldvold. Aslistmt TD!fic E8liMa
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JdJl!Cbaa
lomM.lr1n
AmaSllOft
Gloria YOUI
Consultants
Ma BlaJMy AssoCiatel
C-GNQlll + As$ociates
~t As10Ciates
Dd.euw Cather and Cll!Glpur
RkUrd Cork. hoductiaa ..S Alt DitecdaG
1-Ford. Edit.'
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Sept...,_r 30, 1976
m:
nett:
Comac11mmben
X.n Schreiber
llapbtali Inoa.
CttyoJ J'alo jltto
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SUBJECT: Changes to the "Palo Alto Laud U.e Plan" of tbe Comprebeuaive
. Pla11
ID gett.1.ng a revised text: to you for your 1D.div1du.al renev. we have
nfrained from any mention of t.be Lmd ua·e Plan Map. The purpose of.
thJ.a memorandum ia to advise you that the official Land 17&e Plan Kap
(1 in.ch• SOO feet), wbidl has been diaplayed. ill t.h9 CouDcil ·ciiambert
dartng your deliberations, baa been modified in accordance with the
changes that. you made on September 21st. l'hat mp now differs f~m
the printed "mp in the \'Mick pocket of the 1916 Plan in the following
WJ•;
Six chauges to the plan llap were made by the Plamrlng Comaission ~
June 9. 1976. ?'hose •meudnieats are numbers l thrOUgh 6 as desc.r:il>ed
OD the attached Exhibits Bo. Z and A. B md C.
'!'be act.ached Exhibit. Ro. 1 shows the changes made by the City Couucil
OD September 21st (all were iu the area of Stanford University). The
reference numbers Mlow and Oil t.he exhibit are-the same nudMD uat
were used by Stanford University in their presentation:
l~ the Stanford athletic fields aa.d 'b~ld:lngs southeast of Galvez
and Campus Drive llhich were formerly shown as "Open. Space--
Controlled Development" ~ been cha:aged to. '\ta.jor Institution/
Special Fa.cUitiesu. ·
2.. All of Escondido Village, vtnch waa aholna u "Ma.lt~le Family
ltes1clential" bas been cb.aai.lld b> "llajor InstUuciaD/Special
Facilities". · ·
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3. 'blo. areas of the "Bow*' Mw been ebm8.ed &om "Siagl• Falilly
Jleaideatial" to ''Major· Iaat:lb.atien/Speei.al. l'aciliti.ee• ..
4. All of tbe area f~rl7 ahcNa as "Slagle F..S.11 Jles~4eadal"
amd ly:l.Dg south of ca.,-.. Drive ~west: of Bo.larh:a aad Coltqe ·
Terrace (with tbe ezc.ep~OG of ite!it #3 aove).b&a He:l changed
to a uev categocy called "llajor lBat.itqe.ion/SiagJ.e Faily B.u.1-
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S. All of the area of Peter COutts Hill formerly sbov0 H "Multiple
P~mily Residential" has been changed to a. new category called
''Major Institution/Multiple Fnily llesidential".
13 .. ?he area bounded by Searevill~ aoac!1 Governors Avenue, Loi
Arboles Avenue, and Santa T~reea Street baa been ctu.oged from
'\!ajor Institution/Special Facilities" to a ·new categ01:7 called
''Major Institution/Single Family lle1idential".
In addition to the above changes, it is contemplated that several aon.~
substantive changes will be made to the colored fold·out eap in tbe
back pocket of the Comprehensive Plan (Palo Alto La~d Use Plan Map)
when it is republished: The. date in the lower left band corner will
be changed fro41 "May, 197611 to reflect the date on which the Plau is
adopted by the City Council. 'Die names of adjoining communities will
be shown on the map (Sau Mateo County, Portola. Valley, Menlo Park.,
Eat Palo Alto. Mountain View,· Loe Altos, Los Altos Hills) and large
recognizable geographic areas will be la~lled (San Francisco Bay,
Stanford Unf,vers~ty, Foothills Park). Existing creeks aad at:reams
will be shown.
At euch time •• the Council refers the entire Plan hack to the Plannins
Coaaissiou for a review and report, the staff will remind.the Council
to officially take note of the above changes in the Land Use Plau Map
1n making the referral to the Planning Commisai.ou ...
l.eapectfully,
-~~~
~TH a. SCBREDER
Assistant Plauuing Director
a~.JJ~
llAPBTALI H. KNOX
Director of Planning and
COaauui.ey Environment
. cc: Cit1 Mauger (widr•aittacbaenu)
Plamd.ng ec-m-eion Chai.J:maD (with. att.acm,.nca)
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AMDmM!NTS
l. Amend the Land Uee Plan b;y chauaing th• 'ar.ea hom Wilt'Xi to approximately
205 feet north of Fernando. on the e&eterly side of El ~no Real, from
"••rvice commercial" to "naiahborhood commercial" in accordance witb the
map attached u Ezhibit A.
2. Amend the Land tr•• Plan b;y chanain& area• known u 3341 Park Boulevard frOIC
1111gbt indu.trial .. to "•ingle fnily residential" and by changin& the City
of Palo Alto Park Boulevard substation from "light induatrial" to "major
iuetitution/apecial facil:ltiea" in accordance with the •P attached ••
Exhibit A.
3. Amend the Land Use Plan by changing the area ·between the Southam Pacific ·
l.ailroad track& and the Holiday Inn leaaehold to ''Jlajor inatitut~on/epec: ')l
faci11tie•" to accomaodate a future tran•it atati.w, with the under1tandin1
that ''Urban Lane", a street, vill be the westerly boundary of the ''major
inatitution/apeeial facilitiu" area. in accordance vi.th the map attached
aa bhibit I.
4. Amend the Land Use Plan by changia.1 the exiatiug commuter parki.Dg lot at
the California Avenue Sou them Pacific station from "regional/ community
CC1Dercial" to 'Alajor institution/special facilities" to accommoctate ·a
future transit station in accordance with the map attached as Exhibit A.
S. .Amend the Land Use Plan by changing the Billbaven Convaleacent Hospital and
parcels on the southerly side of Channing Avenue between the Scott Street
mini-park and Bryant Street from "major institution/special facilities" co
1'multi-fami.ly residential/' in ai:cordance with the map attached as Exhibit
B.
6. Amend the Land Use Pl.an by changing Lytton Plaza fros "regional/commuDity
coanercial11 to "public parks"; by changing the site of the new post office
east of Ba;ychore Freeway fra-"research/office park" and "light industrial"
to ''ma.ior iostituti~n/spec:ial facilJ.ties"; and by changing the City of
?:~::. .!.~ ~c!:.O.r.x11~y substation from "research/office park" to"major inati-
tution/special facilities", in accol:'dance with Exhibits A and c.
7. Amend Environeeatal Resources Prograa 18 to r~ ''llequi.re adequate noise
level control in all n..-buildhlg8~"
8. AM.11.4 tbe def:ld.tion of MulU-Pamily Jteaidelltial on page 59 to add: ''Higher.
densities may be allowed wbet'e meaaurab1e cc•imdt.y benefit is to be deri.•.7ee,
where senices ·an.cl faeilitiee are ava1lable to eene the increased dens~ ty • ·
and where the iapact of the increased deaaity will be compati.ble with the
enviromaeutal and otb.s~ objectiv .. ad policiu of tbe Pl.a."
9. Aaend.Houabig Program 28 to add afte't' t.be word "Foi:~e" the par@thetical
pb:rue "(a propma of the Buman Bel.at ions -Coaa:l,ssiou) "; ad add "Hoaillg
Proaraa 19: CoDtiuve the effort• of the lllC to combat ducrtm1a•tioD in
rental hOU81ng."
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