HomeMy WebLinkAbout03111957•
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City Hall, PaloAlto,.California
March 11„ 1957
The Council of the City of Palo.Alto met in regular ses-:
sion on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Porter presiding. Roll'
call as follows:
proved.
Present:' Bishop, Byxbee, Corcoran, Cummings, Drysdale,
Giffin, Marahal4 Mitchell, Navis,.Porter,
Rodgers, Ruppenthal,.Simpson.
Absent: Cresap, Davis.
The minutes of the meeting of February 25, 1957, Were ap-.
Itter'from Garden Club
A letter was received from the Garden Club of Palo Alto'
concerning their Flower'Show.to be given on May 4 and 5, 1957, and
advising that it is their intention to give,the net proceeds to the
.:City or:Palo Alto for civic improvement of some kind, probably for
the development of Eleanor Park. They requested permissionto pub-
licize the fact that the Flower Show is being given to raise money
for civic improvement.
On motion of Mrs. Corcoran and Marshall, the request was
granted.
Sale of -Used Equipment
A repor was made by the C5,ty Manager, for the Council's
inforeation, concerning the sale of used equipment and surplus prop.!
erty on which bide were taken on February 28, 1957.
Eleanor Park Building 1
The City Manager reported on the problem of maintaining
memorial rooms in the:old house in Eleanor Park, in accordrnee with
the wishes of the donor of the property, Mrs. Emily Dixon, who had
stipulated. in the grant that four rooms in the building be. main- f
tained as a memorial to her daughter Eleanor Pardee. The City Man+
ager reported that he had brought this matter to the attention of
the CapitalImprovement Committee in connection with the proposed '
development of Eleanor Perk; that Mr.::Lawrence Baker, an attorney
and a member of the Co mittei, had studied the resolutions and -deeds
involved and had recommended' that the City commence an:action in
court to relieve:the City'of the responsibility of maintaining the
building, with the understanding that the. City would provide a mo2iD
suitable.and fitting memorial.
The City Manager advised that the. Capital Improvement Comf
mitt** and Cosimittee'"Jo. 2:endorsed the recommendation, and he re-
quested that the City Attorney be instructed to follow through with:
the intent and spirit of Mr. Baker's recommendation and see 1f the •
City could be relieved of its obligation to maintain the building,
with the understanding that it would construct, and maintain a more
fitting' a aoria1 to: Mrs•.,- Diaon's, daughter.
A motion was made by Mitchell, seconded= -by Bishop, that
the recommendation be adopted and the City Attorney be so instruct -1
ed.
P Swartz .asked the Council if any c.onaideration
has been: given to -the use of, the property ae a museum by the Palo
Alto istorical'Asso0Sation. He: asked that further study be given
to the fatter` 'before any decision is made.
The City.Manager advised that a great deal of study has
been given''to:>tbe matter;, that the building is -in poor. condition
and it would costa great deal of. money to repair it; that the fire
OF,Agr
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Chief and' Building.In'spector have inspected the building and agree
that it is not worth maintaining. He stated that he has discussed
the matter with members of the Garden Club -who are interested in the'
development of°Eleanor Park and they agree that a more suitable me-
morial should be provided.
The City Attorney pointed out that the proposal le not to
terminate the trust but to4sk the court for instructions as -to how
the conditions of the trust:can be fulfilled in another manner.
After diseueaion,•.the motion to adopt the recommendation
and instruct the City Attorney to cowrence a court action was car-
ried.
Project 57-1, Page Mill Road' Improvement
The City Manager submitted A report on the proposed widen-
ing and improvement<of Page ,Mll1 Road from.E1 Camino Real to Junipe-
ro Serra Boulevard, explaining that the improvement,provides for two
traffic lanes and a parking lane on each side of a canter dividing.
strip,'and for left -turn storage lanes, 'street lighting, curbe, gut
tars and storm drainag•;.end that the street will be•widened from 6(1
to 220 feet, with Stanford University contributing the 60 feet with-
out chargoe to the City..., The City -Manager advised that several meet-
ings have beery held`with'propsrty owners and leseeee in the -Stanford
Industrial Park, and that the proposed assessment district plan meets
with their approval.
Resolution No. 2818 of Preliminary Determination, setting
a hearing for March 25, 1957, at 7:30 P.M., was introduced, and on
motion of Navis and Mitchell,,was adopted on roll call, with 12 Ayes,
Porter not voting on the motion.
It was explained that a portion of the project, from the
city limits line. to JuniperoSerra Boulevard, is outside the city
limits and it will be necessary to obtain the consent of the Board
of Supervisors to the improvement of the portion of Page Mill Road
which is within.. unincorporated area of:the County.
Resolution.No. 2819, requesting consent of the Board of Su-
pervisors-of-SantiT.Clara.-County to -:thy exercise of extra -territorial
jurisdiction, was 1i troduced; and on -motion of Mitchell and Navis,
was adopted by- uianimous Grote on roll call.
• The City Manager advised that it is proposed that the City
finance the cost of'construction'ot ten:feet in width: of grading,
base pavement and surfacingon - each : aide of the divider strip within:
the city limits, and ;,that: it would:` beappropriate for the Council , to
ask the,Board of Supervisors to participate on the same basis in the
financing of the portion of the project which is outside the city
limits.
On -motion of Rodgers and Mitchell, the Mayor was requested
to communicate with the Board of..Supervisors and ask that the County
Participate' in the pr=oject to this extent.
Hospital Bids
On motion of Mitchell and R!)dgers., the City Manager was au-
thorizedr to call for bids on the Palo Alto -Stanford Hospital project.
?AMINO AND USH OF STREETS
The City Manager presented Resolution No. 2820 recommend-
ed by the ' Traffic Committee, 'amending Resolution No.. 2,78 regulating.
parking and thc:use of certainitreets, to prohibit parking on the
north side of Churcchill .Avenue.: •between Alma -Street and El Camino
Real, and imposing a two^hour parking limitation on Park Boulevard
from Cambridge Avenue to College Avenue.
On motion of Mavis and.Drysda.le, the resolution was adopt-
ed .by uaanimeus vote on roll, call.
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Traffic Problems, Cactillela and Mariposa Avenues
Councilman Bishop called attention to the traffic and
parking problems on Castilieja Avenue and Mariposa Avenues south of
Churchill Avenue,, pointing out that these streets are. narrow and
passing -is difficult when cars are parked on both sides. He sug.-
geated that consideration be given to prohibiting parking...on one
side of the street -when functions are going on at the high school
which create.a parking problem in the area.
The City Manager advised that the Traffic Committee is
aware of the problems on these particular streets, and that it is
the intention to have the matter studied,by the.traffic engineer to'
be engaged by the City for the proposed traffic study; that the
staff would like to have:a recommendation from a traffic engineer
inasmuch as a residential area is involved.
Planning Officer
The City Manager reported that Planning -Officer Elton.R.
Andrews, who has been`on leave of absence for the past several '
Months, has_ been' appointed Local Planning Consultant for the State
Department of Finance and has resigned his position with the City.
The City Manager recommended that Louis Fourcroy, who has
been serving as Acting Planning Officer for the past five months,
be appointed Planning Officer and that his salary be $600.00 per
month for the remainder -of this fiscal year.
On motion of Mitchell and SiwpeOn, the City Meanager's rec+
ommendation was adopted and the appointment of Mr. Pourcroy as Plan,
ping -Officer was approved.
Kr. Andrews was present and expressed his thanks to the
Council and the City Manager forgiving him the opportunity to be
an applicant for the State position to which he has been appointed.
The Mayor, in behalf of the Council; expressed appreciation to Mr.
Andrews for his services to the City.
Taxicab Ordinance (Article 11, Codified Ordinance No. ,5)
A report was received from Committee No. 2 recommending
adoption of the proposed ordinance revising regulations covering'
Taxicabs, Ambulances, Trailers and Other Vehicles (Article 11 of
Codified Ordinance No. 5), with corrections and amendments made by.
the committee at its meeting of March A, 1957.
The City Attorney reviewed the provisions of the proposed'
ordinanceand the corrections and amendments which have been made.
He explained that provision has been made for. the, granting of tempo
rary driver's permits at the discretion of the Chief of police.
The City Attorney recommended a further amendment to the
Proposed ordinance by the deletion of any references to drive -your-
self vehicles: and for -hire. automobiles. This amendment was accept-
ed. At the=suggestion of Councilman Nevis, the Council also agreed,
to an amendment to Section 11.23 by the deletion of Paragraph f.
The proposed ordinance revising Article 11 of Codified
Ordinance No. 5 was accepted for first reading, with the amendments,
noted.
It had been brought out in the discussion regarding the
revisions in the Taxicab Ordinance that there is no provision in
the proposed ordinance for certificates of convenience and necessity
or for the fixing of rates by the City; that Committee No. 2 had
recommended against the inclusion of such provisions in the ordi-
nance.
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Palo Alto -Stanford Hospital Center
Articles: of Incorporation -end By -Laws
'A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending
approval of the Articles-: ofr-i orporation and the- By -Laws of the.
Palo Alto -Stanford -Hospital -Center.
On motion of Mitchell and Nazis,'• the Articles of Incorpo-
ration and By -Laws were approved, with the understanding that if
any substantial changes are suggested by Stanford; they be referred
to the Council for approval. -
Core Facilities Agreement
A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending
approval and execution of the Core Facilities Agreement between the
City of Palo Alto and Stanford.University covering the facilities in
the Palo Alto -Stanford Hospital for joint use by the City and Stan-
ford.
Councilman Mitchell,, Chairman of Committee No. 4, stated
that the agreement hoe been given the most careful review and con-
sideration by representatives of both Stanford and Palo Alto; that
it covers the ownership and cost of construction of the core facili-
ties, the cost being allocated 65% to Stanford and 35% to Palo Alto.
The City Attorney presented copies of amendments made to
certain provisions of the agreement since the last draft was fur-
nished to council members, and advised that he is conferring fur-
ther with Stanford attorneys on the wording of Paragraph 16 regard-
ing preparation of the budget for the core facilities.
On motion of
roll call, the Council
cilitiee Agreement. and
the understanding that
stantial changes, such
proval.
Mitchell:and Davis, and by unanimous vote on
adopted, a resolution-_aeproving the Core Fa -
authorizing its execution by the Mayor, with
if the- Stanford attorneys advocate any -sub -
changes be submitted to the Council for ap-
Tentative .Map
A report was received from the Planning Commission recom-
mending approval of the tentative map of Lot 98, Wooster Subdivision,
near Louis Road and'Dry Creek, subject to:the dedication, of
a 45 -
foot drainage easement and public utilities easements, to construc-
tion of a.6 -foot chain link fence along lot lines facing the creek,
and'to adjustment of,lots in Block1 to provide 8,000 sq.ft. lot
areas. It was moved, seconded and carried that this tentative map
be,approved in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning
Commission.
Lot Division (Eichler ,Homes)
A report was received:from the Planning Commission recom-
mending approval of the lot' division application of Eichler Homes to
divide portion of Lot 5, Subdivision-vf Lot 9, Greer Lands, and por-
tion of Lot 6, Estate of Greer, located on Wildwood Lane opposite
Ivy,:Lane, as corrected by -moving the line ten feet back on the Mar-.,
tin - side- and with- the- easement as part of the rear lot, and subject -
to granting easements and :to..furnishing evidence of payment of 1956-
57 citl': and county taxes.
Gn motion of Rodgers, and Mitchell, this lot division was
approved as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Lot Division (Kaliekk)
A -report was received from the Planning' Commission recom-
mending denial of the lot division application of Jennie Keliaky to
divide a- portion of Lots 1 and 13,1Block 1, Hawxhurat Subdivision.
The Commission advised that it feels there is no reason for not re-
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quiring the 60-foot.width. The Planning Officer reported that the
applicant has 175 feet'of frontage on ElCamino Real and proposed
to divide:. the property into two lots, one of 50 feet frontage and
the other of . 12;5 feet, .and that the:; Planning Commission felt that
no lot should be less than the standard width of-60�feet.
:On motion of Giffin and Byxbee, the report of the Plan-
ning Commission was accepted and the application denied.
Zone Change Application (171 and 177 -Bryant Street)
A report was submitted by the Planning Commission recom-
mending approval of the application of Gus and Lucille Wollnick,
Cora Jordan and Mary P. Stewart, for change of district'froe R-2 to
R -k of a portion of Lot 3, Block 17, University Park, being the
property at 171 and 177 Bryant Street.
On motion of Byxbee and Drysdale, a proposed ordinance
providing for the change of.district as recommended was accepted i
for first reading, with the understanding that the Planning Commis-
sion will review and consider the vhole area for possible rezoning r
instead of just two lots.
Zone Change Aplication (Malzahn)
The Council gave further consideration to the application
of .Edward W. Malzahn for change of district from R-1 to R -3,P of
portiona of Lot 68,.Wooster Subdivision, being 737 and 739-.Zolorado
Avenue and adjoining land; also a parcel approximately 100 feet by.
250 feet at the end of Randers Court.. At'the request -of the appli-
cant, action on this matter had been postponed at the la at'.meeting.
The Planning Officer reviewed thematterand presented.a map of the
property:inVolvechh The Planning Commission had previously recom-
mended denial of,the application.
I4i. Hoover, speaking in behalf of Robert H. Taylor, in-
formed the. Council that Mr. Taylor has just purchased the property
from Mr. Malzahn:and proposes to develop part.of it in connection
with the development of adjoining property he owns; that it -would•
be satisfactory to.rezone the lots facing Colorado Avenue from R-1
to R-2 and the balance of the 100 -foot strip directly behind to R-36
as they are interested only in developing the area for apartment
use and not professional uses; and further, that the parcel extend -I
ing northeasterly' at the. end of Randere Court could be left in R-1
as there are no plans for its development at this time. :In answer
to a question raised by Councilwoman Corcoran, Mr. Hoover assured
the>Council that an access driveway would be constructed to serve
the area.
A proposed ordinance rezoningportion of Lot 68, Wooster
Subdivisior..`, to R-2 and .R-3,- was accepted for first reading.
Zone Change Application (Taylor)
The Council gave further consideration. to the application
of . Robert H. Taylor for change of district from R-2 to C-2 of a por4.
tion of Lot.70, San Carlos Court Tract, known as 716 Colorado Ave.-
nue, which:had'been recommended by the Planning„Coaiasion for de-
niel. The Council had -postponed. action on this matter at the last
meeting at the request of the applicant.
Mr. Arthur: -Ellis, representing the applicant, addressed
the Council, stating that there had been no protest to. the change
of zone by neighboring property owners. He pointed out that the
property is in the lid -town area and urged that the application be
approved. '
3n reviewing the situation, the Planning Officer reported
that the Planning; Co$uie8ion felt there was no need for further ex-
tension of the'C-2 district an Coloradc Avenue at this time.
A notion was made by Cummings, seconded by Byxbee, that
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the Council uphold the Planning Commission; and deny the application.
After discussion, the vote on roll cell was as follows:
Ayes: Byxbee, Cummings, Drysdale, Mitchell, Porter,
Ruppenthal.
Noes: 'Corcoran, Giffin, Marshall, Nevis, Rodgers, Simpson.
Not Voting: Bishop..
The notion was declared lost, and the matter was referred
to Committee No. 1 for further consideration.
Naming Streets on Stanford Lands
Ordinance No. 1735, naming certain streets on Stanford
lands (Quarry Road, Welch Road and Pasteur Drive), was given second
reading, and on -motion of Mitchell and Giffin, was adopted:; on roll
call, with 12: Ayes, Marshall voting No.
Change'of Zone (Churchill Avenue)
Ordinance No. 1736, rezoning Lots 11 and 13, Block 5,
Seale Tract, located at 136 and 1$0 Churchill Avenue, from R-1 to
R-2, was -given second reading, and on motion of Rodgers, duly sec-
onded, was adopted by unanimous vote. on roll call.
Amendment to Zoning Ordinance
Ordinance.No. 1737, .a.nding: Article 21 of the Zoning Or
•dinance, by; adding Section 21.08 relative to meaning of the -term
"floor area," was; given second reading, and -on= motion of Mitchell,
duly seconded, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call. This
section:provides that the term "floor area",.shall be interpreted as
"net usable floor area," in reference to minimum parking and loading
area requirements.
Claim for Damages (Shepard}
A report was received from the City Attorney on claims
filed by Mr. and Mrs. Stanley .L. .Shepard in the total sum of $60,-
969.4/8 for property damage' and personal injuries sustained on Novem-
ber 24, 1956, as a result of a gas explosion on their premises at
2825 Greer Road. The City Attorney advised that in his -opinion the
elesenta necessary to impose liability on the City under the Public
Liability Act arenot present; that -the City did not have knowledge
or notice of any dangerous or.defective condition which resulted in
the explosion; and he recommended that the claim be denied.
On motion,of Byxbee and Marshall, the report of the City
Attorney was accepted and the claim denied.
Monthly Reports
The monthly report of the Controller for February, 1957,
was received and filed. •
The monthly report of the Planning Officer on action taken
in February on :applications for redivision of lots, and the monthly
report of the Zoning Administrator on action taken in February on
applications for variances and use permits, were received and placed.
on file.
Deputy City Clerk for Civil Defense Oaths
-0n motion of Rodgers and Mitchell, Mrs. Charlotte Miller,
special assistant in Civil Defense, was appointed a Deputy City
Clerk for the purpose of signing loyalty -oaths of Civil Defense vol-
'unteesa.
Or ;OP
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Annouaceelent b Councilman sdale
Councilman Drysdale announced that he will not be a candi-
date for re-election at:the municipal election on May 14, 1957. He
thanked the, aembers'of the Council end the city government, and par-
titularly ‘ the people of Palo Alto, for the privilege, oP serving the!
City, as chairman of the Charter Revision Committee and as a member
of the -;Planning -Commission before his election to the City Council
in 1951, and stated"that he had decided not to run for re-election
as he wants to put his time to otheruses.
There being no further business to come before the Coun-
cil, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
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