HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-02-27 City Council Summary Minutes1
CITY
COUNCIL
Manures
Regular Meeting
February 27, 1978
CITY
OF
PALO
ALTO
.ITEM PAGE
Minutes of January 16, 1978 7 3 1
Announcement of -Executive Session 7 3 1
Oral Communications
Dr. Herbert O. Zeman, 464 W. Charleston Road
Tom Harrington, 1250 Montebello Road
Wi l l l am Thompson, 410 Wilton
Consent Calendar -- Referral Items
Consent Calendar - Action Items
Policy and Procedures Committee Recommends re
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Contract
Compliance
4164 El Camino Real: Zoning Classification Change
Ordinance - Second Reading
Moratorium Extension Ordinance on Portion of El
Camino Real - Second Reading
Golf Course Facility. Approval and Authorization
of nda t:tn Lease Ordinance - Second Reading
Ca 1 averas Hydroelectric Project
Palo Alto Water Rate Decrease
Finance and Public Works Committee Recommends re Miranda
vemee/Al tat Mesa Cemetery - 695 Ar3s t!adero Road: Open
Space Easements, Alta Mesa Improvement Company
Adjournment to Executive Session
Planning Commrission Recommendations re Draft Zoning Ordinance
(Continued frame 1/16/78, 2/1/78, 2/6/78, 2/7/78 and 2/14/78),
Policy and Procedures Rucommendetion re Tree Houses
CMce1lation of Council Westin 3,>f March 6
AdjoUemment
731
7 3 1
732
732
732
732
733
7 3 3
733
733
733
734
7 3 7
737
753
753
7 5 3
730
2/27 ►
Regular Meeting
February 27, 1978
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:40 p.m.
in a regular meeting with Mayor Sher presiding.
PRESENT: Brenner, Carey, Clay, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson,
Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Eyerly
MINUTES OF JANUARY 16, 1978
-
Anne Steinberg, Chairwoman of the Planning Commission, asked that lines
10 and 11 of paragraph five on page 529 read instead, "A new pedestrian/
shopping combining districtand other proposals will add vitality to the
commercial areas. Mrs. Steinberg remarked that the staff memoraodun: of
December 22 points out some of the new provisions, ."
� TION: Councilmember Henderson moved, seconded by Carey, , that Council
approve the minutes of January 16, 1978, as corrected. The minutes
passed on a unanimous vote, Councilnember Eyerly absent.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Sher announced that an Executive Session concerning some litiga-
tion would take place later that evening.
ORAL C( N I CAT I TINS
1. Dr. Herbert 0. Zeman, 464 W. Charleston Road, ;o -Chairman of
the Charleston Meadows Association, referred to a statement
made by Mr. Traynor, owner of property at Charleston and El
Camino. His statement had been that property owners in that
area had no objection to his plans for developing that
property as service/commercial. Dr. Zeman had conducted
an opinion survey regarding Mr. Traynor`s plans, asking those
neighbors being surveyed "If you prefer to have a service/..
commercial development . . ." and If you prefer to have a
m+ulti-family development, ." and "If you prefer to have
a new residential development. ." Of one hundred and
seventy four respondents, one hundred and fifty favored
multi -family development, as stated in the Comprehensive Plan.
2. Tom Harrington, 1250 Montebello Road, expressed concern about
fire hazard in his area which was off Upper Page Mill Road.
Residents in that area had met about the problaa . µ Gently,
which had arisen because the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space
District had acquired the property, which meant the property,
formerly private, would now be used by the public. The area
was thirty minutes from the nearest Palo Alto fire station. A
letter he had distributed to Councilmembers asked that a fire
station be built in that area, and a discussion that week was
scheduled with the fire department. He wanted Council to
place the question on 'the agenda.
Charles Walker, Acting City Manager, said a member of the
Midpeninsula Regional OPen Space District and a representative
of the California Division of Forestry would also be included
in the dismission. If action were taken staff would info
Council without putting the matter on the agenda.
731
2/27/78
3. William Thompson, 410 Wilton, read to Councilmemmmbers a letter
the Ventura Parents Association had asked him to read. The
letter gave reasons why that Association objected to closure
of Ventura School, and was addressed to Councilmemmbers. A
decision, following a public hearing by the Palo Alto School
Board, would be made on March 7, 1978.
Mayor Sher explained that the Palo Alto School District was a
separate and autonomous jurisdiction, and not a matter for
City Council deliberations.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Referral Item
None
Action Items
Mayor Stier pointed out to Councilm enbers that the tie vote arrived at by
the Policy and PrrKedures Committee on point 2) of the fiAiuking recommenda-
tion was, according to the Policy anti Procedures Committee's accompanying
memo, tantamount to approval of the items but without eutLorization of
additional staffing. The matter of additional staffing was to be reviewed
by the Finance and Public Works Committee during the budget review
process. On the matter of water rates, the rate decrease was based on
the assumption that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors were going to
reduce their rates to the City of Palo Alto --that reduction had been
deferred to March 6, and so Palo Alto had changed the wording of the
resolution to read that the decrease would be effective when approved by
the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, but no later than May 1, 1978.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
TT 1=4647
5:8j
The Policy and Procedures Committee recommends to Council re Affirmative
Action/Equal Opportunity Contract Compliance, by unanimous vote: with
the exception of recommendation 2), which had a tie vote, 1) To revise
the Municipal Code to be in compliance with the most recent Federal and
State AA/EEO provision and in conjunction update formes, process and
mire periodic performance reports; revise state Affirmative Action/Equal
Employment provisions. 2) To tncrease staffing in the Purchasing Depart-
ment to be responsible for monitoring AWEEO contract compliance and to
immmmplemert the fallowing: 2a) If contracts or agreements exceed $50,000,
a requirement that the contractor or local representative meet with the
compliance monitor for counseling on their AA/EEO program at least once
a year. Additionally, a requirement that the compliance monitor can
require counseling on an as -needed basis on contracts that are less than
,000. It is estimated that this would impact approximately twenty-
five to forty companies providing construction, maintenance, professional
and miscellaneous services. The cost to implement and maintain would be
aPnroximaaely 1O0 hours of additional staff times. 2b) A requirmeant
shat all contracts, lenses, and concession agreements be accompanied by
a certificate of non --discrimination. The cost to implement would be
approxiestely 20 hours of additional staff tie. 2c) Periodic field
audits and subsequent reporting. There are approximately 135 organi-
zations with whom the City contracts that could conceivably be audited.
The cost to implement would be approximately 300 hours of additional
staff timmme, assuring it takes four hours to field audit lolly one half
of thit group. 3) To provide general administration over tint AMEO
program, File, consolidate, i3 d maintain reports,review Federal and
732
2/27/78
State AA/EEO regulations, counsel minority contractors and employees,
prepare case reports for City Attorney. The cost to implemmmeryt and
maintain would be approximately 400 hours in staff time, plus $300 in
office supplies. 4) The Hunan Relations Commission (HRC) to be involved
in the selection process for the staff person. 5) The staff person
responsible for this program will make sure vendors are not exc uded
from counseling, monitoring, or audits because individual City purchases
are small, especially if the accumulation of contract payments is over
$5,000. 6) Periodic reports will be made to the HRC as to how the
Affirmative Action Program le working.
king.
4164 EL CAMINO REAL--
7111111C7DESIMTM CHANGE ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE 3041 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY (WPAL} ALTO AMENDING SECTION 18.08.040 OF THE
PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
OF CERTAIN PROPERTY KNOWN AS 4164 EL CAMINO REAL FROM C -3-S TO
P -C SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS.' (1st reading 2/13/78)
m ATOR I UW EXTENSION ORDINANCE
CMR:151:8)
ORDINANCE 3042 entitled "(ROMANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO EXTENDING THE TERM OF A MORATORIUM ON
ALL NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, BUILDING EXPANSIONS, ZONE
RANGES, SUB -DIVISIONS AND CHANGES OF USE ALONG A PORTION
OF EL CAMINO REAL IMPOSED BY ORDINANCE 2975."
(lst reading 2/13/78)
GOLF COURSE FACILITY --APPROVAL
TO LEASE
ORDINANCE 3043 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
tiTi niTO APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION
OF AMENDMENT TO LEASE OF GOLF COURSE FACILITY AND OF
LEASE AS AMEND WITH THE CITY OF PALO ALTO GOLF COURSE
CORPORATION." (lst reading 2/13/78)
CALAVERAS HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (CMR:174:8)
Staff reds that Council approve an ordinance amending the FY 1977-
78 Electric Utility's operating beset by appropriating $75,000 from the
Electric Utility Reserve Fund to prsvide for the City's share of the
prebend election development costs of the Calaveras Project.
ORDINANCE 3044 entitled "ORDINANCE . OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
alinr-PlEVTO SING THE BUDGET FOR TOE FISCAL
YEAR 1977-78 TO PROVIDE HANDS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
JOINT NORTHERN CALIFtiRNt: POWER AGENCY—CALAVERAS MUNTY
WATER DISTRICT HYDROELECTRIC GENERATION PROJECT.`
PALO ALTO ldllTER RATE D CN EA.'�E (C98ts1713:8}
Cont1 n9ent upon the San rranc i sco Board of Supervisors' approval of the
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission adopted rate schedule, it is
recommveN6ed that Council adopt a resolution revising rate schedules.
RESOLUTION 5520 entitled "RESOLUTION OF TNE AIL OF NE
C t HALO .ALTO AMENDING G SCHEDULES Y-i AND N -I -0 OF NE
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES RATES MI) CHARGES TO PASS THROUGN
TOE DECREASED COST Of SAN FRANCISCOMERem
733
2/27/76
Councilmember Carey asked that his votes on numbers 2 and 3 regarding
zoning classification and ending the moratorium be recorded as abstentions.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked that her vote on number 1, on Affirmative
Action/Equal Opportunity Contract Compliance, en Section 1, subsection
2, 4 and 5, be recorded as "no,", as well as en Sectioe 3.
MOTION: Councilmember Henderson moved, seconded by Fazzinc, that
Council approve the ordinances, adopt the resolution, and.approve the
recommendations on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed on a unani-
mous vote, Councilmember Eyerly absent, witA Councilmembie Carey abstain-
ing on items 2 and 3, and Councilmember Witherspoon voting Know on item
1, subsections 2, 4 and 5, as well as on item 3.
FINANCE AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS :4
MirtrAMTMENTS
ALTA me.SX fRPROVMETT COMPANY
Mayor Sher commended staff and participants in the Miranda Avenue/Alta
Mesa Cemetery matter for working out a compromise. One question about
whether or not the road was to be deeded to the residents or to the City
still remained. Both residents and the Alta Mesa people felt it would
be better for the City to have the property; the Finance and Public
Works Committee recommended that the road be deeded to the residents.
Staff was ready to answer questions regarding the entitlenent going to
the City.
Councilmember Carey said the history of the case was lengthy and complex.
The Finance and Public Works Committee had made a unanimous recommenda-
tion, end he would put it before Council.
MOTION: Councilmember Carey, Chairman of the Finance and Public Works
Committee, introduced the following re:o sendation and resolution:
The Finance and Public Works Committee recommends to Council re Miranda
Avenue/Alte Mesa Cemetery, by a unanimous vote, one absent, that the
Council approve the cpen space easement requested by the Alta Mesa
Cemetery Association with the condition that the Association grant an
additional fourteen -foot easement for the approximate fifty hundred
foot length of the road to the Miranda area residents.
Planing Co fission unanimously recommends that the City Council accept
the three proposed open space easements of Alta Mesa Cemetery at 695
Arastradero Road.
RESOLiflON 5521 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE AIL OF THE
UTY1MFIXErADO ACCEPTING THREE CORPORATION OPEN SPACE
EASEMENT'GRANT DEEDS FROM - ALTA MESA IMPROVEMENT commy
PURSUANT,TO CALIFORNIA C)VERiMENT CODE SECTIONS 5107041067
AND CALF IA REYENdE AND TAYATION COOS SECTION 421 (e) and 422
(d).
Countilmember Carte said that if the property were deeded to the res i -
dents they would have the obligation to maintain it. If the City took
fee title it might have an obligation beyond maintaining the agreed -upon
width of the roar-: Such as installing curbs and gutters; and also, had
the City maintained access to the road, which led free a City street,
were two questions which had ruined unanswered.
734
2/27/78
Robert Booth, City Attorney, said the City had no obligation to install
curbs and gutters on the street: City obligation was to keep all City
property free from dangerous and defective conditions only.
Charles Walker, Acting City Manager, said that recorded City involvement
with the private portion of Miranda Avenue showed two c411s far patching
potholes in 1973, along with one call each in 1974 and 1975, a•total of
four instances for which there were work sheets. Also on record were
three repairs of speed limit signs in 1975, and five of repairing "no
parking" signs in 1976. Custorprary City road maintenance involvement
would be resurfacing, slurry seal and street sweeping, none of which had
been done. The City regarded the street as private and involvement in
repairhad been by'people who Were not aware of its private ownership.
Coencilmember Carey emphasized the complexities of the history and the
working out of the compromise now before thew. For Alta Mesa Cemetery
to obtain tax benefits to justify deeding the additional fourteen feet
of property at no cost, the cemetery would not maintain an easement.
Councilmember Carey would accede to the City accepting the property if
it were clear that the City's obligation to maintain or improve the !road
would be limited to the existing roadway, and not to installing curbs,
gutters, or walks or bicycle pathways.
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Carey moved, seconded by Fazzino, that Council
approve City acquisition of the fee title for the present roadway with
its 14 -foot addition in width, with the understanding that the City has
no obligation to maintain or improve the road or install curbs, gutters,
or bikeways or walkways..
Councilmember Witherspoon asked about results of the title search.
Councilmember Carey replied that the title was clear and was owned by
the cemetery, which would deed it ove,-. Whether or not the cemetery
granted an easement was not important, for if the City acquired title
there would be customary safeguards, either through title insurance or a
joining of the homeowners in the granting of the fee.
Councilmember Fazzino asked what maintenance costs there had teen on
Miranda Avenue since 1973.
Arthur Reschke, Public Works, said he thought it world amount to a few
hundred dollars, with a like amount anticipated for the future.
Mr. Walker said about that amount o ld have to be expended repairing
potholes this year.
Councilmember Fazzino said he would support the amendment.
Councilmember Henderson asked if the City did not maintain other streets
in the area. Why was the exclusion ofmaintenance put into the motion?
He stressed that inclusion of the limitations was not different from the
City's usual terms.,
Mayor .Sher said he thought the exclusion was put into the motion to
assures residents that they would not have to pay for any improvement,
and also to allay expectations on the part of residents that the City
would provide bike or walk rays.
Vice Mayor Brenner said she thought the City Council was at this time
assuring that a street which had been satisfying to the .neighborhood was
being held for them; neighbors could, at any time, for an assessment
district to install curbs gutters and the like. The City would maintain
the street, but would not develop it, as- the* `w,uld for a subdivision.
735
2/2778.
Mayor Sher clarified that residents could not form an assessment dis-
trict; they could cone to the City to request that one be formed.
Mr. Walker said that staff recommended that the street from Arastradero
Road to its termination be named Miranda Avenue; staff also wanted
Council to "accept the concept" of the County moving the fence to the
other side of the roadway --perhaps the Mayor would help staff persuade
the county to do that.
Councilmember Fletcher wondered about the length of time the motion
would take in with all of its exclusions.
Mayor Sher repeated that the City would help the neighbors form an
assessment district when they so asked --the possibility of their asking
would not be foreclosed through passage of the.motion. He also repeated
that he would call on members of the public unless Council did not pass
the motion.
Andrew Spears, representing Alta Mesa Improvement Company, said a letter
gave pre -conditions to the granting of the fee title and the fence.
Mayor Sher pointed out that those two matters were a part of the motion
now on the floor before Council,
Allan H. Reid, 8EO Miranda Green, said he had had to dedicate 20 feet to
the roacheay from 890 Miranda Green. He added that prior to the matter
of the road coming before Council there had been streetsweeping. The
road. users of which paid gas tax, Mr. Reid pointed out, had been in use
since "mart 1850," :end he thought "private" was not a fitting term for
it. He urged that Council include a bicycle path, since funds for
bicycle paths were now available in the City.
Frank Olson, 4309 Miranda Avenue, represented Miranda Avenue residents.
Mr. Olson said residents "are in complete agreement" with the terms of
the compromise. He asked that Miranda Avenue not be excluded in con-
siderations for those streets which would have bikepaths; along with
that he asked that in a subsequent motion staff be requested to give
permission 'to establish the two -foot shy -away" region next to the
county fence which was next to the expressway. Such a motion would be
consistent with the staff's aim of establishing safer streets.
AMENDMENT PASSED: The alit that Council approve City acquisition
of the fee title for the present r adway = ,i th its 14 -foot addition in
width, with the understanding that the City has no obligation to main-
tain or improve the road or install curbs* gutters, or bikeways and
wrlkways, passed on au=nanimous vote, Councilor Eyerly absent.
AMENDMENT: Cowncilmember Carey moved, seconded by Fazzi no, that Council
approve INi rands" as the name for the street, and that the City nego-
tiate with the Comity to move the fence line two feet, as recommended by
the staff report.
AMENDMENTPASSED: The amendment passed on a unanimous vote, Council -
member Eyerly absent.
MAIN MOTION AS AMEND: The main erotfon, that mil approve the
acquisition by the City of fee title, as amended, passed on a unanimous
vote, Councilmember Eyerly absent.
Mayor Sher thanked Mr. Walker, City N eager, and all the participants,
for Hamel r efforts. He said the papers would be taken that wren i ng for
filing with the County.
736
2/27/78
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council adjourned to Executive Session from 8:40 to 9:15 p.m.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECONIENDATIONS
cn nu cos► I /1 /78, 2/6/78, 2/7/78 and 2/14/78)
Mayur Sher reminded Council that the motion approving the Draft Zoning
Ordinance was on the floor. .He pointed out there were five subdivisions
and said they would begin with Chapter 18.88 and continue.to the end.
The public had spoken on those Chapters at the last meeting and the
matter was now before Council. Vice Mayor Brenner had raised the matter
of appeal procedure in relation to Chapter 18.83.080. Staff had pre-
pared a mem from February 23, regarding Chapter 18.99 that addressed
those points, suggesting a possible appeal procedure, to some adminis-
treeave decisions on those two sections.
AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Brenner moved seconded by, Henderson, that the
procedure for appeal to decisions made by the Director of Planning, as
comprised in C1 :169:8, dated February 23, 1978, be applied to 1)
Section 18.83.080, paragraphs A and B, excluding those items as sug-
gested by staff because they dealt with preferred parcels: and to
Set -6‘n 13.99, su that it eipplie. minor changes on projects which
have been approved under Chapter 18.68, P -C zone, and Chapter 18.88.082,
Site ari Design Review. With this airy the Council directs the City
Attorney to insert the appropriate 1anpage for second reading of the
ordinance approving thedraft, texts
AMENDMENT PASSED: The am►,ant passed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Clay, Fazzino, Fletcher~, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: Carey
ABSENT: Eyerly
AMENDMENT: Mayor Sher moved, seconded by Fletcher, that Council approve
addition of changes covered in staff memorandum :172:8, dated February
23, 1978. The amendment passed on a unanimous vote, Counciieeeber E,Veerly
absent.
Mayor Sher pointed out that the next items concerned bicycle parking in
public parking lots, as raised by Council r Carey.
Council:amber Carey observed that the dollar amounts of $143,000 in lieu
of ;Arty -tom parking stalls was a sure ray to kill a motion. The
figures had been put forth in the staff memorandum. He had not intended
that the 10 percent requirement for off-street _ perking facilities for
bicycles to be included into the zoning ordinance text be the same as
what his motion inquired about„ but merely "some bicycle parking in the
central business districts: . . He acknowledged that it was diffi-
cult to try "to wedge into the text a retroactive requirement." He
asked that staff return with mare realistic figures, and also that
bicycle parking requirements might best be dealt with apart few the
zoning ordinance.
MOTION TOCONTINUE: Councllmember Carey moved, seconded by Brenner,
ne natter of bicycle parking requirements in public parking lots
be continued to an indefinite time.
Ccsmci lmeeber Carey said that perhaps there would be bicycle parking
places available that mould not take up present automobile parking
places.
737
2/27/78
Councilmember Fletcher asked that action on the motion not preclude
concluding the zoning ordinance considerations that evening.
MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED: The notion, that the matter cf bicycle
parking requirements be contioued to en indefinite time, passed'on a
unanimous vote, Councilmiberlyerly absent.
Councilmember Henderson referred to page 194, line 29, under Accessory
Use and Facilities. He said he did net want to include Newsstands,
Drugstores and the like as a part of the definition of Accessory Use and
Facilities. he felt they should be included as part of.P-C.
AMENDMENT: Councilaaar ber Henderson moved, seconded by Brenner, that
number 5 under item C, on page 194, be d 1 eta:.
Naphtali Knox, Director of Planning and Community Environment, said that
toting and drinking facilities +old not be affected in the Inddustriel •
Park. There might be sae effect from the action in the P -F zone where _.
there were hospitals as well as golf courses.
Councituber Witherspcon said she thought the facilities would be small
and solely for the use of guests and would not increase traffic. She
did not favor the amendment.
AMENOMdENT FAILED: The amendrent deleting number 5 under item C on page
194 failed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Henderson
NOES: Carey, Clay, Fazzino, Fletcher, Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Eyer l y
Counci laraeanber Henderson referred to page 199, 1 i ne 21, referring to a
permitted height limit of chirmeys. flues and the like of "not more than
15 feet." That permitted height, he said, would allow a total height
limit exceeding that of 50 feet. Was it a current regulation?
Mr. Knox Bald it allowed an additional height for utility and mechanical
features in all zones. R -E, 10 and g-2 districts had been excepted
from that requirent, which made the requirement "tighter than the
present ordinance."
Counc i 1eEember Henderson referred to page 201, line 21, reading 90.
advertising' shall be permitted on the site." D#d tit elisainate notary
publics, attorneys and so ogre who had "hung out their shingles"?
Mr. Knox said there was a provision limiting sign size in residential
districts.
Lou Green, AQsistaant City Attorney, said that under the present ord-
inance, as he read it, that kind of sign would not be permitted.
Business in hoaxes meant business was done there, and not advertised to
rsserseby.
Coimcilmember Henderson said that type of occupation often was operated
by a handicapped person. He felt it should be granted restricted use.
Mr. Knox said the 1angage on line 21 ,old be modified, es, for example,
"No adverts s i ng shall be permitted on the site, except for purposes of
identification only in accordance with Section 1i.2d.120." The section
itself proscribed the size of signs in residential districts.
7.3 3
2,/27/78
Mr. Green said such signs were not now permitted, and such peraission
would have to be specifically given. There might have to be q change in
the sign ordinance.
Councilmember Henderson referred to page 202, line 14, concerning mobile
homes, and ascertained that Palo Alto's "one and only" mobile bo a park
had resulted with the annexation of Barron Park, and was located -at the
corner of Los Robles and El Camino. He referred to page 203,1in1!620,
regarding servicing of vehicles. He said such servicing seemed to have
a debilitating effect on residential neighborhoods. He would also bring
that consideration up later, after determining that the draft zoning
ordinance did not take care of there.
Councilr r Witherspoon referred to page 200, line 6, and questioned
the passage that limited the height of decks that could be built to one
foot.
Mr. Knox said the provision applied only to decking to be built in
required yards, that is, those portions of the yard that were required
to be yard, in order to fulfil zoning regulations. In that way it would
preclude "a six-foot teenager appearing over the six-foot fence peering
into the neighbor lady's pool." All of the provisions in 18. : were
subject to variance, with the burcen of hardship proof on the applicant.
Councilmn er Carey referred to the. non -conforming uses section, which
dealt with the "now infamous exceptions or compa ii bi l i ty procedure that
is found in the Comprehensive Plan text on page 61," the langueee of
which was to prevent such applications to properties which would change
tha now -existing uses of those properties just for the sake of "tidi-
ness." The non -conforming text has now been drafted, he said, approved
by the Planning Commission and recommended to Council. As he understood
the compatibility requirement on caste 61, it meant that if the non-
conforming use was in an area to ultimately be zoned for another use,
finch as manufacturing, the residential will be allowed to continua,
automatically, unabated, without conditions, including the previous
traditional condition, which meant that if over half of the structure
were lost by fire it could be re -built. The only condition was that
were it to be re -built, it could still only have the same intensity of
use.
Mr. Green confirms that Counc11 r Carey's understanding was correct.
Councilmber° Carey continued that he understood, with respect to office
use or property that could perhaps be designated for another use, the
sane principle applied.
Mr. Green replied that it would be correct insofar as the office uses
were located in districts now zoned multi -family.
Councilmember Carey said that essentially the situation raised "the R -3-
C problem," addressing the preblem of change from present multi -family
zones where they were penaitted, to those which do net. There was,
then, no provision other than amortization, for those improvements or
uses which were either Commercial or industrial and which would ul ti-
tely be in zones o rb than commercial or industrial.
tir. Green said that Councilmember Carey's assessment was correct, as
provided for in Chapter 18.94.
Councilmember Carey asked what was need. Those property owners
rye properties had commercial or 1ndufitrial improvements or uses would
find themselves being re -zoned for uses that did not permit the current
uses or improvements. ents. "they could apply for relief as a P -C application
7.39.
2/27/78
procedure, stating that they are, in fact, compatible with the text as
written on page 61 of the Comprehensive Plan. They should be granted
P -C to allow them unlimited and continued use nithout amortization and
all the rights of re -building to the same intensity, as would be the case
with residential use.
Mr. Green said that was correct. The text concerning compatibility
could be looked to as one element of the consistency requirement for
re -zoning. At the same time it would allow any provisions to be made to
insure that compatibility. Perhaps Counc{ laeaber Carey s suggestions
would be the most expeditious way to handle it.
Councils .tuber Carey said that what he and Mr. Green had just agreed on
varied from the language on page 61 which directed the Planning Commission
to review such propertiee for the purpose of determining compatibility.
The burden,now, shifted from the City to the property owner with respect
to initiating the compatibility test. If Council did not modify the
text it would have to modify page 61 of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Green said the Planning Commission on its own could view the proper-
ties and apply or not apply the P -C zone; it would be an elaborate
procedure.
Countilme ber Carey said he thought the City was ciligated to tell
property owners what the city was and was not goixtg to do. Be thought
property owners should know if the burden had now shifted to them. Cotacil
should set the policy, and not permit the ambiguity. If the burden was
to be on the property owner there should be some mandatory language in
the P -C eection stating that the applicant, upon a showing of compatibility
of use and structure with the surrounding neighborhood, shall be granted
the P -C approval, as a matter of course, so that he would have the same
righta the residential user would have in his property that changed in
use, that is, no amortization and the right to re -build to the same
intensity.
Mayor Sher said he understood that that provision would apply only to
existing commercial end industrial uses that now found themselves in a
residential zone --it would not be applied to new application for P --C.
Council er Carey confirmed that the language on page 61 limited itself
to existing improvements. In the course of the application the applicant
could make changee in his property to attain compatibility and preserve
its use, and that could be assumed to be part of the process.' For
example, if a facade bad to be changed in order to achieve compatibility
that could be done. Therefore, Councilmember Carey summarized that if
the burden of establishing ..ompetibil.ity were shifted from the City to
the property owner, there should follow the mandate that the application
*hall be granted. "That's what the compatibility motion of a year ago
was all about," he conc luded .
Anne Steinberg, Chairwoman of the Planoing Commissiop, milted if Couuci1-
a her tasty inteddad that the application be subject to all the regula-
tions of the P- C some.
Couucilmember Carey replied that he would root so igend.
Mayor Slur added that there were conditions to achieve comPatib.ilitY.
Coluecilmember Carey said that the requirement that public befit be
demonstrated, a* was the case with other PPC applications; did not have
to be ate; for only showing of compatibility had to be 'esde.
Mayor Sher ash abut how many properties the circumstances Councilmembox
Carey was spa/Odes of night apply to.
?40
2/27/7$
Mr. Knox replied that the number was "somewhere between ten and forty."
Ms. Steinberg said the Planning Commission had net been able to assess
properties in the category they were discussing for they did not yet
have the zoning ordinance.
Mr. Knox said the P -C zone had been very briefly described. He ques-
tioned handling the properties in the P -C zone, and suggested that the
amortization section would be more appropriate. As Planning Director he
had recommended to the Planning Commission, that, since the Comprehensive
Plan called for mixing of uses, the City should not be very strict on
the amortization. Some of the Commissioners, he said, had felt that
since there was a land use map it should be strictly observed. For that
reason the amortization had lost its stringency.
Councilmember Carey questioned the right of. the City to impose any
amortization schedule on a property. If the use and structure were
compatible an exception had to be made. He asked if he was interpreting
staff's recommendation incorrectly --were they not recommending that
analysis of the property be shifted to the property owner?
Mr. Knox said one question related to amortization and ncn-conforming
use; the original recommendation was that the original non -conforming
use be identified as non -conforming, and that brought along with it some
disadvantages, particularly with those portions of El Camino that might
be zoned as multi -family because the land use map of the Comprehensive
Plan showed them ae multi -family. Those particular uses would be desig-
nated non -conforming, but amortization had not been initially recommended;
it had been thought that the buildings would live out their lives, and
uses, with the expectation that the area would change gradually. The
Planning Commission had recommended to Council that the planning was
carried out "in short crier" and that had meant, Mr. Knox said, applying
amortization. He continued, say1ng that he assumed a second aspect of
the question was shifting the burden of proof • cram the Planning Commission
to the property owner. There had never been a situation where Planning
had initiated a P -C zone. To do so created a number of problems.
Counci lmneasber Carey asked how the provision on page . bl of the Compre-
hensive -Plan could be carried out -other than in the P -C. -
Mr. Green said that the use of the P -C was considered inappropriate by
staff, and that it would be t better - to establish an exception procedure
in 18.9ee.
Councilmember Carey answered that the main point was that upon a showing
of compatibility the amortization provisions eeeld spot apply and the
property owner would have the right to reconstruct.
Councileefter Carey moved, sanded by Clay, that appropri ate
language be written into Section 18.94 providing . for a procedure by
L ich a property owoer shall, by shcming compatibility as prescribed in
the Compressive elan text, be a1lc d'to continue the use or improvement.
Mayor Sher said that page 221, of the nee zoning ordinance would remain
in effect if the motion passed. The City Attorney was to lraft tine
language; included would be rev$e eby the Planning Commission with
rest to compatibility,as described en page 61 of the Comps ens i ve
Plan, along with a recommendation to Council.
Mr. Green asked if an exception could be applied for any tisme, or if
there would be a specific time period during which exceptions could be
applied for.
741
2/27/78
Councilmember arey replied that there should be a cut-off time, along
with some procedure of notification to the affected property owners. He
asked if that would pose any problem.
Mr. Knox answered that once the mapping was done, about twelve months
should perhaps allowed in which to file an application. He then
modified that length of time to two years.
Councilmerber Carey said he would add to the amendment that such properties
be given individual notice by staff; after delivery of such notice the
property owner had a period of two years in which to apply.
Vice Mayor Brenner suggested.that the phrase "...review upon application"
should be added to the Comprehensive Plan, to clarify the procedure.
Ms. Steinberg said that the Planning Commission would conduct its first
review of the Comprehensive Plan 400n; they would take that suggestion
into account.
AMENDMENT RESTATED: CCeenrilMember Carey moved, seconded by Clay, that
upon second reading, language be included in Chapter 18.94 to provide
for a procedure by which property owners shall, by showing compatibility
as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan, be allowed to continue use or
make imprnve nts, such property owners to be given individual notice by
stafY and after delivery of sut t notice, property owners will have a
period of two years to apply.
AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment passed on a unanimous vote, Council -
member Eyerly absent.
AMENDMENT: Councilor Carey move , seconded by Clay, that lines 28-33
on page 223, subsection (b), referring to structures which are non-
conforming and w1 ch have been abandoned, and stating that they shall be
re -instituted only as conforming use, be deleted.
AMU-10MM FAILED: The amendment failed on the following vote:
AYES: Carey
NOES: Brenner, Clay, Fauziiao, Fletcher, Henderson, $her, - lei therspoon
ABSENT: Eyerly
Counci lr Fletcher referred to a letter which Councilmembers had in
their pats from an attorney for' the Pale Alto Medical Research Foundation.
The letter spoke of parking and storagelots next to the Foundation
which, should theey be zoned non-conforering use, squid have to be amortized
within five years. She cited Sectino 18.88.0209 subsections (a)* (b),
and (c). The attorney, Lawrence Klein, of Blase, Valentine A Klein,
asked that an exception be made to the amortization provisions.
Mr. Green cited page 193, lines 8--11, regarding accessory uses. The
Ironworks Restaurant and the Palo Alto Times had parking facilities
which were accessory to a principal use —they were now located ; n a
residential zone. Under the old zoerteg ordinance they had been pereitted
under the multi -family zoning, and the, r we d not be with the we zoning
ordinance. For such reasons those places would amortized. Not many
of them were of very great lealue and aim be amortized in a very short
peed. That led to a situation ire parkin lots for mired park-
ing, which were in anther , -raid have to be amortized. He asked
if Ceurcil did not wish adjacent.parting AMISS to be amortized. If so
the ordinence wording gild have' to be` merged.
742
2/27/78
Councilmember Fletcher said perhaps such parking lots could demonstrate
that they were "compatible" and hence fit under non -conforming uses.
Mr. Green suggested the wording, "Parking lots which provide necessary
or required parking shall not be deemed non -conforming uses."
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that
Council direct staff to prepare the appropriate language for the ordi-
nance for second reading that permitted parking lots to be classified as
accessory use.
Mr. Knox stressed that the language the ordinance would have, would
apply to existing parking lots.
Mr. Green said that clarification was needed as to whether or not the
language would .apply to all existing parking lots which were accessory
uses, or, all existing parking lots which are providing required parking.
Mr. Knox pointed out that the Palo Alto Times was in the assessment
district; in the five situations known it was desirable to nintein the
parking associated with the permitted use. The language in Mr. Klein's
letter covered that, about whether or not it was required parking.
Councilmember Witherspoon said she did not like to cut back on parking
if the overflow would then park on the street:
Vice Mayor Bremner said that some parking -would overflow to the streets
in residential areas. She preferred seeing the question of working out
the specifics go to the Planning Commission or else some re -zoning done
some years back would be negated.
SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Brenner novel that the question of
parking lots which came under accessory use go to the Planning Commission.
The substitute &enchant died for lark of a second.
Mr. Green said the requested-chan ,of language would apply to lawfully
existing parking lots.
AMENOMCNT PASSED: The emendment that Council direct staff to incor-
porate into the ordinance for second reading the provision for an
exception in the amortization provisions of the wig regulations of
existing off-street parking lots ,ryhich would qualify as accessory uses
except for the fact that they have not been included in the saw district
as the principal facility. Such parking lots should be al l hosed to
continue as conforming uses so long as the pri c c1 pa i =use with which they
are associated continues, passed on°the fnlioming vote:
AYES: Carey Clay, Fa2zino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: Brenner
AGENT: Eyerly
AMEMOMENT; Mayor Sher moved, secooded by Henderson, that on page 210,
line 11, Which said that if a variance of a use penm1 t is not used
within two -,ors i t r ui d become null d= voi d, be changed to read
'...ulthin one year.
Mayor Sher said his motion was aimed at making that passage consistent
with a correction of another pese.t sada earlier in the meeting.
743
2/27/78
AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment passed . on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: Carey, Clay
ABSENT: Eyerly
Mayor Sher referred to page 236, about amendments dealing with the
zoning sap; Section 18.98.050 spoke of action by the Zoning Adminis-
trator on a change in boundaries. Stith application was to be given to
the chairperson of the Plaanniag Commission, he read, and then it was
diverted for administrative approval pursuant to Chapter 18.99, a
section which dealt with minor changes. He didnot understand why a
cha ege in boundaries should be considered a -minor change.
Mr. Green explained that a change in :boundaries was really a change in
designation. The section Mayor Sher spoke of related to a P -C zone
where anychange, since it related to underlying permitted uses, would
be considered a change of boundaries.
Mayor Sher said "Well, you know, we have a history related to minor
changes --it makes me a little nervous . "
Mr. Green said the passage in 18.98.050 permitted minor changes in the
P --C zone without having to bring it -before Council.
Mr. Knox displayed a sheet showing the fourteen changes made to date
under Section 18.99 within.the-past'year ant one-half: trellises,
garden sheds, and the ;ike,
Ms. Steinberg observed that none of the fourteen chi..;ges seed to be
concerned with boundaries.
Mr. Green said he was not aware that anychange of boundary had been
processed by the Zoning Administrator. ills poiht-was that if, for
example, a commercial zone, bounded by specific lines, were changed to a:
residential _zone, that would be considered a change of district boundaries
to R-1 from C-3, and any change under P -C could be viewed fn the same
way. He. said Section 18.98.050 was not :intended nor would it be inter-
preted to expand any authority -under 1S.99.. It merely clarified that
saaaetning done, under 18.99, dos not have to have a public hearing
before the Planning Coneiss9cri:
Mr. Knox said that with the present ordinance the saw 1 angeage mars
ne epage 674 ofthe } it did -not -refer to appl i cacti on for change in
boundary, but_ to the application only.
Mayor- Sher said that presumably the language hed found itself in e
chapter that- dealt .witip +d ages in-heendartes and zoning caps, and the
chapter in the draft ordinance had a broader moaning than the chapter in
the code in which the leafage appeared.
Mr. Green said that in Section 18+98, 0. ie Oe general section on
meendments, wording appeared amt Owing immediate notice of the filing
of the application. "1► p l i cats ce a'efer9s - to awl i cati on for a change
of district. He thought it was esseetial ly the s.
Meyer Sher said paragraph (a) talked about an application for change .of
boundaries. (c) followed (a), and the conrlusioe was not clear. Some
langeaoe should be added to limit the -meaning to a chamge in district,
by putting it into ',he "unless*. clause.
Wr. Knox : eferred to page -236s line l7, tahi ch adds "...for a chugs in
boundaries." lie thought . that mos the languagemhich should be changed.
744
2/27/18
-7kly
AMENDMENT: mayor Sher moved, seconded - by . Brenner, that for the second
reading of the ordinance staff return to Council with language which
would clarify that the diversion, for -administrative approval would apply
only to the kindsof cases where it was now possibleunder the existing
zoning law
Councilmember Carey said that under 18.99.010 conditions of non-contro-
vers i a l i ty, with a l i kel i hood. of acceptance by Council . and the Planning
Director, and not minor when considered -in -the context of the applica-
tion, had to be met. Matters which related to page 236.then reverted
back to those conditions; for that reason,- he would vote against the
motion.
Councilmemaaber Clay said there was no definition for the term "boundary,"
in the zoning text.
Mr. Green said wording eliminating.ttme •ward "boundary' could be formu-
lated. Consistency was needed for change of district and change of
boundary. "Change of boundary" .indicated change of zone rather than
change of the zoning regulations.
kMvADMENT PASSED: The amendment, that for the second reading of the
ordinance staff return to Council with language which would clarify that
the diversion for administrative -approval would apply only to the kinds
of cases where it was now possible under the existing zoning law, passed
on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Clay, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Sherr Witherspocin
NOES: Carey
ABSENT: Eyerly
Mayor Sher referred to page 244, relating to the appeals provision and
the Architectural Review Board (ARP). There was mention of "appeals by
the applicant," from the decisions of the ARB. Mayor Sher asked if that
.. , v nc v..i. T. a SC bl!'Si I li
Mr. Knox replied that Section 18.99 now grated in that way. It dealt
with minor changes only. A new appeal -procedure was to be worked out,
so that the applicant and any citizen cold appeal.a procedure.
Mayor Seer observad. that all the chapters in the draft zoning ordinance
had been oonsideret; some amendments had been made. The public, as each
category was addressed, had an - opportuni ty to, speak to Council.
ge said the public could speakagain oe its reactioos to the. actions
Council bad` tken, though he cautioned that the consideration of the
zoning ordinance was essentially over'. Councilatmae ers old also speak
of actie;s that had been taken, though he did not encourage it, and only
those Councilmembars who had been on -the -prevailing side were permitted
to make a m ,t1, to reconsider.
Alice Schaffer Smith, 4284 Los Puce Circle, represented Willis Photo
Lab, which was located 0157 Lama Verb. She spoke on the compati-
bility feature which had'been accepted 'as an amendment to the zoning
ordinance. She aid- that Section Your of that amewleiat bt struck, and
applied to people who had +. re -wed ta the pact. n co forssetng
use , which could be compatible,Nith surrounding uses, were now per-
mitted tt.ed to appeal under the c i attbt t 1 t . f eat rs.. She asked that such
permission be granted to those who had berm re -zoned in the past.
Hilly Oavis, 344 Tennessee, speke-regardieg Section 18,43.o7o, pamge 107-
Councilmembers had in their its apetition asking do to reconsider
745
2/27/78
whether or not 100 feet.of usable open space should be required for
mixed residential and non -residential -use on sites in a community/
commercial district. Owners of such properties had been offered a
considerable bonus, because they could. build residences at.a density of
45 dwelling units per acre; owners of exclusively residential sites had
been held to a density of 29 units. She thought owners of community/
commercial property should be required to give quality of living to
residents in their properties by havingto provide 100 feet of open
space, perhaps through balconies.
Emily Renzel, 1056 Forest Avenue, commented on the special requirement
Sections,18.12 and 18.17.070, peg* 47% alloying existing two-family,
multi -family uses in new single-family and duplex zones to become con-
forming uses, and also office uses currently existing -in multi -family
zones. Language had been added saying ... Sri thc,ut the necessity to
c ly. with site development regulations." Therefore non -complying
facilities could be re -built. The -result of that added language, she
thought, was that those properties were to be accorded separate treat -
t from other buildings in non c p1 i aace; such grandfathers ng gave
special privilege, to which she objected.. She preferred that the former
wording 5e unchanged.
Mayor Sher confi rmmerd .tint Ms. Renzel was making a distinction between
non -conforming uses and non- plying facilities, Sections she had
cited resulted in making certain uses non -conforming through post-
dating, and if they were destroyed they were to. be re -built at no
greater intensity of use.
Ms. Renzel said that if it was more than 50 percent destroyed it would
have to be re -built in a complying fashion.
Mayor :her said he wanted to inquire of staff if that had been the
un4erstanding.
M. E. Pratt, 1136 Wc.verley, said he would like to see planning given
some instruction. He gathered from the draft zoning ordinance that some
old and Few Tones were regarded as equivalent---. for example, R=2 equaled
RN -2, and R-4 equaled R#4-4. He had checked into the downtown area . and
'had food that smaller properties bed an increase of first -unit require-
ments; time old R-2 was actually equivalent to the RN -3; the old R-4 was
actual 1y equivalent to the RN -5. he - hopsrd i t wou l d be taken into
consideration when the maps were- dry"etc#- that densities that were
'really equivalent" would be used. If not, 35 to 50 percent of the
housing potential in downtown, an ars ant adaptable to low-income
housing, would be lost.
Robert Noss, 4010 -Orae, agreed with . the < is regarding open .space
amil- by Hilly Davis. and also MC.Reezelis tents about ., -confor 1ng
use not being required to met site- r latioes. He referred to page
97, 1 i ne 27, noting that Council had .fr oot-yard setbacks in CM
yes from 20 to 10 feet.: Helelt-inodequate attention had been given
to the safety problem. Structures _built :too close to . the road made it
impossible at corners to see oncoming trafficuntil one was too far into
the intersection. He asked that the Z0 -foot setback be, restored in
Neighborhood/Commercial zones.
Kermit M. Knopf, 930.P le Alto Avenue, spy of the RN -3, RN -4 and R1-5
ar : :Perin ? vii et ors— soave Meeks back he had submitted a
recommentkition. He wanted now -to -explain why: a smeller -lot owner
suffered an unfair loss of value beta a .of. throe .high .square -footage
requirenent the first Unit. Suchwrequtrament led developers to boy
smeller pals, mhtch had a lamer value;:then revert them to acreage,
1n that mey thereby picking.picking.up extra 'aafts. aced increasing thc, value of
the total property. Such latia8 prsctiees encouraged destruction
of existig housing, mmhich wes contrtryte.the.Conprehemsive Plan. He
7.4 6
2/27/78
asked that Council consider returning toa.lower .initial renuirement on
square footage. He continued on the -matter of setbacks, especially the
16 -foot requirement, increased from 8 feet, for a corner side yard. He
felt a far better architectural design could be achieved 11 that 8 feet
were available, particularly in the downtown area. He felt the ARB
should make the decision as to what the side yard setback should be.
Council er Henderson referred to page 122, referring to General
Manufacturing District regulations, seying there were no setback require-
ments, whereas the Light Manufacturing (Li District did set forth such
requirements. The requirements, he felt, rare most appropriate in
manufacturing zones.
AMENDMENT: Counci lmemb er. Hendersona moved, seconded by Fletcher, that
Council amend the zoning ordtranceeto.replace i (a) through (f) on
page 122, with the words regarding setbacks for the LM district on page
130, which gave the minter site area as one acre and so on.
George Zimmerman, Planning Department, said such a change in wording
w ul d make all existing industrial structures and warehouses non -complying.
There was no provision to grandfather their non-compliance. If Council
approved the change and a building were lost through -fire, the property
owner would have to re -build in compliance with adopted requi rents .
Mayor Sher pointed out that new developments had no setback requirements
in LM. He asked the rationale for making them different.
Mr. Knox answered that LM was really Office/Research/Park category
according to Comprehensive Plan language, end General Manufacturing was
really Light Manufacturing zone. GM allowed more intensive use than LM.
Mr. Zimmerman said that GM uses for transportation terminals, for
example required such setbacks.
Mr. Knox added that there had been no specific rationale; the Planning
Department had retained those parts of former zoning requirements which
him worked.
Councilarember Carey said the `tack of requirement for setback had to be
related through practicality; such areas were already -built almost to
capacity, and Leaving such setback r quir nis'out of the text helped
Planning to avoid the problem of non-conformance with those LM zones
that existed.
AMENDMENT FAILED The amendment that ,Ca i1 amend the zoning ordinance
to replace items (a) through (f) with the words r+egerdt eg - requirements
for setbacks - on page 130, giving minim site area . as -one acre, and so
on, failed on the following vote:
AYES: Fletcher, henderson
NOES: Brenner, Carey Clay, Fau1mo, Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Eyerly
MOTION TO REC®$Sl k: Councilmember Henderson moved, . seconded by
Fleteher, . that Council reconsider the e 1 iari n'atioa of the requirement for
open spate which had ai red on page 107, lire 24.
Councilmamber Carey said he thought - the annulment had been made to add
open -space on mixed residential/sun-residential uses. The motion to add
open span had failed.
747
2/27178
MOTION TO RECONSIDER FAILED: The motion Lo reconsider elimination of
the requirement for open space.which:hadlappeared.on page 107, line 24,
failed on the following vote:
AYES: Brenner, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
NOES: Carey, Clay, Fazzi no, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Eyerly
Councilor Henderson returned to the matter of conforming/non-conform-
ing alluded to by Ms. Renzel.
Mayor. Sher referred to-page.47, and comparable places with special
requirements relating.to the non -conforming uses. Councilmember Carey
had moved to add language removing the necessity to re-bui i d without
complying with current site development -regulations. When he voted for
it he had been unaware , of the poi nt, subsequently made . by Mt. Renzel,
that gave such a property owner a better break than the owner whose
building conformed, which, were" i t destroyed, could not be rebut i t to a
non -conforming size.
Mayor Sher asked the effect of the language -added by that motion,
Me. Knox relied that the amendment -had been suggested by a request of a
'property owner of an apartment -building who had pointed -out that he
would not be allowed to.re-build-unlessAaequirement for Lczplying
site development were changed. The. Pl anni ng Departwent was trying to
structure part.of the ordinance in Section -18.12.070. The property
ownier would be in a new -zone -with new setback requirements when he re-
built, and the amendment wording made allowance for that.
Mayor Sher inquired what happened in -the case of a building which had a
conforming use but had obtained -a variance so that under the new zoning
ordinance it was then non -complying. .Would it not have to be built
within the new rather than the former dimensions?
kr. Green replied that_it-wind not,because the buiiding.which existed
under a lawfully issued variance would not.be a non -complying building.
If it had instead been "grandfithered : i n" .. as a non -complying structure
it would have to be reebu lt_within the new dimensions,
Mayor Sher cked what,mould be the cage. if the structure did not have a
veri ante, an..1, had beinokay 'under tie` di d zoning law, but _ i t had burned
down,,amd,the new zoning ordinance had a more restri cti ; could it
be beat it back to the old (but 'i l leg41) •dtmensi cis even th6igh it had
f erly conformed'
ice. Green said the .language ndopted:in'the.amendient which had passed
addressed the motion on past ' 6l ' - t# -Coo ,sheet i tae P l ae and a l so t!:
housintpoliciets in the Plan. 'It was itmited to multi -family uses
within twee zones.. There were insuranteerand other problem regarding
repi amt and so . i t Wes decided to = le t.. sum structures be . reebui l t as
otgin 'ly built,
Mayor Sir seed that.since, thurationale, was -developed to carry out the
ComprehcAsive Plan he would not-dWanything further.
AMMO: _ Counce lager Carey moved, seed by Clay, that with
rat to Rii-2, RV4-3, and -W4 tomes; `that the sire footage -for the
initial unit be mod- in each case'by 1,000 square feet.
748
2/27/78
Mr. Knox .asked .to show some.slides which he had brought in response to.a
discussion with Mr. Knopf. The s'ltdes;:wtth.differentiating' colors,
showed the effect of the amendment now before :hem. He showed that the
site requirements were 1500 square feet less in the RM-2, -3, -4 zones.
The effect of the difference was that on a 6,000 square -foot lot two
units were allowed; on 7,000 square=footiats the present ordinance gave
one more unit; there was no difference at 8,000 square feet, and on
9,000 square feet there would be one-more.unit, and so on. Mr. Knopf had
said that the differences seemed to end at about -16,000 square feet.
Mr. Knox displayed a chart showing 'what would happen if there -were a
1,000 square -foot reduction; the number of units would remain about the
same. In the present zoning ordinance the:RFi-2, with 4,000 square feet
for the first unit had a density range from 12.5 VI 20.7 units per acre;
the target density was 10 to 20 units -per acre. To adopt the 1,000
square -foot reduction would raise -the /ensi ty at zr Rf the
scale. The Beeeon Park Associationtad :54id -they tnought 9.8 units per.
acre was desirable density. The . RM-1. zone :got -wel L bel ow 9 units per
acre.
Councilmember Carey said he.made-the.motaoe.:_:e Amend because smaller
lots were penalized.to a -reduction -of -about 25 percent --.going down from
-four to three was quite a decrease, and.wouldresult ineforcing devel-
opers toward accumulation; also; though, if the amendment.passed there
would be intensification, it wouly not be to any great degree, and the
matter of righting job/housing imbalance showed that some modification
had to he made regarding -intensity; -. He asked Councilraemmbers to support
the amendment.
Mayor Sher said he was troubled by the fact that Council's policy of
achieving 9.8 density had not been accomplished in the Barron Square Rl-
1 development even through combining -two parcels.
Counci lmember Carey said he had deliberately left RM-1 out of the 1,000
square -foot reduction, so that those Barron Square densities would still
fit.
AkEnomemi FA1! i:w: The amendment, thst with. aspect to RM-2, RM-3, and
R4 . zones , that the square footage for : the initial unit be reduced
1,000 feet,.-failed.on the following vote:
AYES: Carey, Clay, Fazzino
NOES: Bremner, Fletcher, IHenderrson, Sher, Witherspoon
ABSENT: Eyerly
Councilmember Carey raised the matter of setbacks --it was proposed to
raise the setback limit from 8 to 15 feet on side yards.
Mr. Knox displeyeti a chart showieg difference among t-2, -3, -4, and
5 zoo s. Mr. Knopf, he said, had requested changes in the RM-4 and -5
zones.
Councilmember Carey asked about tSe rewired setback oo non -street side
yard- setbacks
Mr. [mac r0O11.04 that the present'requirvient was feet _ otr•_ 20_ percent.
the pewordinance wires. 6 'iwt; . .T a street sideyard prepeted requite-
ment of 16 feet -was o 1y for . -4 and . RM-5 zones.
Ceuntilsember Carey said that in tit event . he wdul d not propose an
amendment. He referred to pew 10. of ; .0 +ptriehenslve plan -and rid
749
2/27/78
Policy. 6: "Support the .mixing.of.residential .uses. in commercial and
industrial areas." He then referred tc- Program.11 in the:draft zoning
ordinance, welch discussed the facilitation of residential and industrial
districts over parking lots. He concluded that according to that,
passage of the zoning ordinance as it -now stood, would make it incon-
sistent with Policy 6 in the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Zimmerman referred to page 120, line:6,.which listed single-, two -
and multi -family residential uses to General Manufacturing (GM); in the
Light Manufacturing (LM) section, page'132, residential.densities were
provided for, beginning on line 24.
Councilmember Carey stood.corrected--thee text, under GM and LM, per-
mitted residential use. He said~ pege-10 1ia1ted.residential use in
in trial areas to public parking lots.
Mayor Sher.said_that-the text CouncilMeMber Carey.referred to die not
say residential could not be built 'elsewhere.
Councilor Carey read Program 10: "Provide-1ncentives for new retail
and office construction to provide -some partioreo re uential-space on
or near the same site." Accordieg-to'the discipline of logic, if
limiting factors were given, other ppseibilities'.were excluded. A
previeus.Counci1 had debated the -matter at some.1ength, setting a policy
that -it would not allow -or encourage -residential use in industrial
districts. He asked how to reconcile =that with the text in the Compre-
hensive Plan, and with the GM and LM permitted use text.
Mr. Zimmerman pointed out the Employment element of page 17 of the
Comprehensive Plan, Progra ±:2, "CstabIlsh.Procedures to permit housing
beyond established zoning standards -for -industrial zones." That passage
shod that the draft zoning-ordinaece-didtallowresidential uses In
industrial zones.
Counci lr Carey asked if a previous Council had not rejected that
policy.
Mr. Knox said that to the initial Comprehensive Plan there had been a
requirement for affixing resi tial- andindustrial.
Coumci 1r Carey mid the point had been debated by a previous
Council - and voted dom.
Neyor Sher referred to .Policy 6 in t , Co prehens i ve Plan supporting a
mix of residential with rctal' and-tr trial --it was.not a requirement.
-Ceeecilmember Carey recalled , that Council.had.rejected the concept of
mandatory requirements; there might possi bap have lea .sow kind of
incentive —it had been two or more years ago and-he.dtd-not recall
• clearly. He t oug,t. the elimination or the requirement for open space on
residential/ commercial mix,wes,oneincentive; ,yet he did not see
i centives set out in -the !:M and -`text- r :eting .to residential'mix--1t
was merely given as a permitted use. .He asked .if_it had -been a Council
policy to encourage residential/industrial mix?. If so, were were the
incentives?
Neyor Shar.asked if,Counc:lnember. Carey wanted to undertake some motion
'to per i ire
Councilmenber Carey .said that lacking`firm recollection of -the action a
prowieNs Council had tams halwavvoluctant to move for change.
Nr..Knox sai d. b was qutte . sura :that Council had.made t!he poi i cy to
support residenttaltto trialf ncial- mix, He referred referred.again to the
paasa e . in the wing ordl nancc that crag the mix, on page 132,
750
2/27/78
and one incentive had been van e11n'rtnation of the .requirement for open
space. That..led to a permitted density of about 35 dwelling units per
acre, about the same as the RM-I' zone --that was another incentive, for
it almost doubled the allowed density. So far as facilitating develop-
ment of residential units on air -rights, that could perhaps not be
handled in the zoning ordinance.
Councilmember Witherspoon referred to page. 39, about Allowed Uses -
Residential: She asked about provisions on keeping and raising animals.
As she recalled, dogs and cats were not considered "animals" in the same
sense as livestock.
Mr. Green recalled having discussed private kennels, keeping and raising
of dogs; he thought that the matter could be dealt with in Title 6.
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Witherspoon moved, seconded by Fazzino, that
Council direct staff to amend lime 19, page 39, by adding.''...including
kennels for. dogs or cats."
.Mr..Green referred to Section 4.;8, which made it unlawful to maintain
a dog or cat kennel if the animals were for sale in districts other than
agricultural.
Councilmember Witherspoon said that since the statement related to
residential zones it prohibited raising animals for commercial purposes.
AMEN ENT FAILED: The amendment failed on the following vote
AYES: Clay Fazzino, Witnerspocn
NOES: Brenner, Carey, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
ABSENT: Eyerly
Councilamober Fazzisho asked wily there was a requirement of one parking
space far every 300 square feet -of building space in the LM zone, while
in all ether zones only cee space per 260 square feet was required.
Mr. Ziassern said that the Planning Ctm mi ss i otin had t4anted one standard
for all uses in the LK zone, to e1 tow for building change use. The Lid
ems considered a special area to protect.
Ms. Renzel .replied that many IA buildings .are built on speculation,
without known tenants, and therefore without ; known .uses . Three hundred
square feet was felt to be a more elesti c- provi sign.
Cowncilammber Fazzino asked how the 12' x 45' requireeent for loading.
space is arrived at. lie understood.the present ordinance only required
10' x 2C'.
Mr. Knox answered that a standard semi -truck measured 12' x 451 —even
small operations were provided for by Marge trucks. The 10' x 20'
requirement had been adopted in 1961.
Couocilmember Clay referred back to -the distinction made earlier between
non -conforming buildings and terse whi,h bey .nos -conforming. He asked
if tyre wouad.be a problem itall-buildings were to be treated the
same.
Meyor Sher pointed out the passage, relating to Councilor Clay's
question on page 227, parrgraph four.
MOMENT: Councilmamber Clay moved, seconded by Carey, that all non-
conforming uses, in the app l i cati o of .the compatibility test, be made
unify.
761
2/27/78
75/
Mayor.Sher clarified that tk►e.intent.af Counciliember.Clay's amendment
would-be to delete sub -paragraph Con page 227.
Mr. Green. said he did not think the.intent of the amendment was to
delete sub -paragraph 4 on'page-227. The purpose of that section was
:basically to take care uf.a situation.wbere soaethtng.was presently
being amortized and to which a new aerie :schedule was .r-cw beteg applied.
The passage would not give tt aay-ea e years. One situation to come up
was a new exception procedure to:carry out the intent of page 61 in the
Cottprehensive. P1an; .He could see' expanding_that to already.extsting rton-
. conforming .uses . then, if it fai led to get the exception, the sub-
paragraph 4 mould come Into play, and would not extend the time any
-further. As he recalled Alice Smith had .r tioned that in connection
with the Loma Verde area. That was a special amortization district
establ i shed under Chapter 18.95. Page 227, lioes 11-16 related to that
. Loma Verde/Middlefield sec ,ton alone --Chapter 18.94.070 and .action of
. Hew. amortization schedules. Wtth respect-to.that special .amortization
district, when the Council adopts the- -zoni. g -map; _it - 11 have to
determine whether or not -to apply a new amortization .district to that
area. If, at that. titre~, the Council elects:to remove it from the special
amortization provision, that action could take .precedence over 18.94.070,
which:did not inter -relate with Chapter.18.95, for the new as well as
-the old zoning ordinance provided -for special .amortization of some
building,. at Loma Verde/Middlefield.
.Mayor. Sher asked Where sub --paragraph 4 -applied, i f . i t were.not under a
special.amortization district with a rer•tain nu r of years.
Mr. Greeo said it applied to certain -districts with.commercisl and non-
-residential uses which -are presently*amortized under the general amorti-
zation provision.
Mayor Sher clarified that the issue then, was one of general versus
. spact fic. , He than asked about the . best way . to accomplish the intent of
the motion now before Council.
Mr. Breen .said : that the best tray to do . that was to have the amendment
included in the amendment adding a provision for an exception procedure,
as proposed by Councilseraber Carey. If•sub-paragraph.4 were deleted the
amortization section might result in -the -amortization being renewed.
Mayor Sher. asked what the -result sold :be . i f Council took no action.
W. Green said that if amorti zati on were to continue Council +rou l d have
• to apply a special amortization zone to it.
RE ISW AMENDMENT:. Cuuecilmambertlay revised his amendment -to hive
z.non:-confurming uses made unifov in tinueppl1cation of the oaMpatibility
to tt i etc) uded in the ent adopted -earlier, stating that -appropriate
language be written into Section 18.94 -providing .for a procedure by
which a property vaner.shali, by shoesng'corrpatibtlity as presct-ibed in
the Comprehensive Plan text, be a 11 oaf- to coeti nue use or improvement.
.Corencilmember Carey agreel.to_its inclusion, for he felt it would clear
up an -inequity,
Ate. FAILED: The .amsndeent • fed lot on . the . following vote :
AYES: Cater, Clay, Faaeaioc, Witherspoon
NOES: Brenner, Fletcher, Henderson, Sher
Eyerly
752
2/27/7
Mayor Sher said that since there were.no further,proposed amendments it
would be appropriate .to vote on,adopting.the proposed zoning ordinance
as amended for -first reading.
MOTION PASSED: The motion, adopting the proposed zoning ordinance, as
amended, for first reading, passed'en a unanimous vote, Councilmember
Eyerly absent.
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO REPEALING TITLE 18 OF THE PALO ALTO
MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING) AND ADOPTING A NEW TITLE 18
EFFECTIVE UPON ADOPTION OF A NEW ZONING MAP.
Mayor Sher thanked Councilmembers, staff and participating citizens for
their. cheerful and persistent hard work.- The work now pissed to the
Planning Commission, he said, as they began applying it within the City,
as, concurrent -with approval of the land use map, it would go into
effect.
POLICY AND PROCEDURES RECOMMENDATION
MOTION TO CONTINUE: Miayor Sher moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that
Council continue the matter on tree -houses to March 13. The motion
passed on a unanimous vote, Councilmember Eyerly absent,
CANCELLATION OF COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6
NOTION: Councilmember Carey moved, seconded by Clay, that Council
cancel the next scheduled meeting of March 6. The motion passed on a
unanimous vote, Councilmember Eyerly absent.
ADJOURNMENT
MOT ION : Councilmember Carey moved-, seconded by Brenner, _ that Council
adjourn. The motion passed on a unanimousvote, Couocilmember Eyerly
absent.
Council mourned at 12:25 a.m.
7 5 3
2/27/78