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City Hall, Palo Alto, California,;
July 27, 1953.
The Council of the: 'City of Palo Alto met in regular
session on this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Marshall presiding.
Roll call as follows:
Present: Byxbee, Cashel, Corcoran, Cunnings, Drysdale, Hanley,_
Hutton,-Marahall, Mitchell, Rodgers, Ruppenthal,
Simpson, Wlckett.
Absent: Bishop; Porter..
The minutes of the meeting - of July 13, 1953, were
approved.
Budget and Tax Rate for 1953-54
A, : report was• received 'from Committee No. 4 recommending
adoption of the budget;:as submitted,_with some minor adjustments
totaling $6-,360.:00 in;'expenditures and $7,775.00 in estimated
revenue, and including_:a general .salary increase of 5% across the
board, effectiNe August 1, 19.53:
This was the- time- set for a public hearing on the
budget.. The hearing' was dec lared open. Mr. R. E. Hackley
addressed, the COUnell brieflyy;stating he would not make any
particular objection ,to, the budget, but asked if the general
salary increase: applied to all employees including those in the
top. braeke:ts'.' : He was informed by the Mayor that the increase
applied 'ta all salaries. There being no one else who wished
to speak on the mmatter, :the:_hearing was closed.
Ordinance Ito. 1+79, adopting the budget for 1953-54:
as recommended by CommitteeNo. 4, was read, and on motion of
Drysdale and' Mitchell, was :adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
'A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending
that:: the tax: rate for, 19.53-54. be fixed at $1.19 per $100.00 of
assessed valuation,
—
On. motion of Drysdale and Rodgers, Ordinance No 1480
fixing the tax rate -at $1.19 was adopted by unanimous vote on
roll <call.
Weed Abatement
This was -the-` time for a hearing on the report and
assessment for weed abatement, which was filed by the Superinten-
dent .of Public; "Works on:. July 16, 1953
The hearing vas declared open. There being no one
present who wished to speak on. the matter, the hearing was closed
Resolution No.:2465Ac.onf'irming report and assessment
list for weed abatement ;was:` read, and on motion of Simpson and
Hanley, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
.Pr..o,jeLt 48-14, Hi 'r_' Street :r.,xtens .on et al
This was also the'time for a hearing on the unpaid
assessnient,list in:connection with Project 48-14. The hearing
was declared open. There -being no one to speak on the matter
the hearirz was closed.
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Gift from Senior -Recreation Club
A communicati:on.,was received from The Senior Recreation
Club of PaloAlto' offering m. furnish; an Atlantic Cedar tree for they
City Hall" grounds_; as .a :giftl� 'to the Cityl The City Manager
recommended acceptance of the gift.
On motion"of Cashel and Ruppenthal, the gift was accepted
and the Mayor was asked:to send:::a letter of appreciation.
Census
The., City:Manager submitted copies of a press release
from the Bureau of t_he:Census giving the results of the special
census of Palo Alto taken as of February 5, 1953.
Recreation Area on: Sherman School Site
The City Manager` presented the agreement between the
Palo Alto' Unified School District and the City of Palo Alto for
use of'a portion of,the Sherman School site, approximately
0.055 acres, for cOmMunity recrea't'ion purposes, in accordance
with previous action' Hof the Council.
On motion:, of:Mrs.Corcoran and Byxbee, the Mayor and City
Clerk were authorized to sign 'the agreement.
Variance' I"S" Zone)
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending approval of the application of Graeme MacDonald for
a variance from the 20 -foot rear'yard requirement azid the off-
street parking: requirement, 'of the Zoning Ordinance :involving
Lot: 16, Block 12; University Park, commonly known as 214 University
Avenue, provided that,the applicant provide within the new
structure a facility for refuse disposal which is accessible
from the:; outside of the buiiding;and.of construction detail satis-
factory to the Building Inspector.
An explanation of .the. matter was made by the Planning
Officer.: Councilman Cunnings ..objected to the removal of the
"s" , zone requirements;' and disagreed with the recommendation of
the . Planning. Commission `as he 'felt that hardship has not been
shown in this case.
After considerable discuss 'on, and at the suggestion o
Councilman Huston,, the matter was: referred to Committee No. 1
for :consideration:and; for a; full discussion of the policy on
variances and the' -future` application of the "S" zone.
Pr0103ed Zone Change (Charleston and Middlefield Roads)
Reg'ard'ing the application' of Albert S. Wittfor rezoning
property -located or tI,e southerly and easterly corners of
Charleston and ,Middlefield .:Roads From -:R-1, R -1:B-7 and C-1 to
Districts,:the Planning:Commission recommended as
follows:„., That'the property on the eas=terly corner proposed for
zone :.change :to R 3=G be =zoned P_,C, Planned Community District,
with: the, understanding that the development will generally follow
the_ requirements of .an R73,41, -Garden ;Apartment District; that tae'
area .on then ouch be -zoned P -C as;.proposed, for development as a
shopping center.; inaccordance with the general plan submitted;
and. tha.t.; t,be remainder of the area ,on' the south remain as
R- l s B-� . `7 • ` ' The ;Coiamission reported ;.that it had held a hearing
on these proposals: and' no .objections were voiced by adjoining
property owners.
A proposed ordinance amending.the Zone Map to provide
for these zone chsnges``as - recommended was accepted for first reading.
423
was granted
The general' subject of design control was
to Committee, No. r1 for consideration.
Fina9.M p Tract 1190. Sterling Gardens No.
A•; report. was received from the Planning" Commission'
recommending approval; of. the final map of Sterling Gardena -
No. 4, •Traci No. 119p, Subject to mathematical and field check
as'recommended'by the City; Engineer.
Proposed Zone Change (Sterling Gardens)
A report, was received from the Planning Commission
recommending -approval of: the rezoning of Lots 1 to 8 inclusive,
Block 9.,- Sterling Gardens ;:No.. 4,: from R-1, Single Family
Residence=-Di'strict,,.`to• p -C Planned Community District, `for the
development of aneighborhood shopping center in accordance with
the generalplan subniitted by the Sterling Terrace. Corporation..
The'`Pl .anning Commission reported that at the public hearing
held on this proposal a strong position was taken by residents
of Sterling:Gardens in favor of the commercial development: as
recommended,
A proposed -ordinance amending the Zone Map to provide
for this zone change'was accepted for first reading.
Design Control
,A .report was .received from the Planning Commission
re:coim ending approval of application of Don Scoble, Builder,
for- design_ control approval of apartment buildings to- be-. erected
on Lots. 2 to 6 inclusiv,e, <'Block 3, and Lots 15 to 17 inclusive,
Block' 2, Stanford. city.
On Motion of Mitchell and Huston, the recommendation -
On ' motion. of Mitchell and Cummings, Resolution No-: 24f
approving this final map was adopted by unanimous vote on roll
call.
Lot Redirisions;
-- The Planning: `Commission recommended approval of the
following redivision of lots, subject to the recommendation_ of the
City Engineer in.,each, case:
a.; Part of. Lot 1, Block 7, Seale Subdivision- No. 5,
on the; southeasterly side of Amarillo Avenue,:
approximately 115 feet northeasterly of Louis. Road,
subject to -granting of public utility easement
and to the payment or segregation of assessments.
b., portion of Lots 16, 17 and "A", Block 48, College
Terrace, at the easterly corner of Oxford Avenue
and. Yale"St.reet, subject to payment or segregation
of: assessments3
on motion of Mitchell and Huston, the recon endation
was adopted, and these lot redivisions were approved.
Hospital Budget
A report was received from Committee No. 4 recommending
approval of the budget for the Palo Alto Hospital for 1953-54.
On motion of Drysdale and Mitchell, the recommendation
was adopted.
nr,w;x�r
A report was -,received: from. Committee No. 4 recommending
adoption of a' new;,schedule of rates: -for sewer . rentals outside the
city, in :the Las: Encinas:: Sanitary District, .and that the City
Managerbe instructedto contact the Las. Encinas Sanitary District
regarding; theincrease in: ' rates.
On motion of Drysdale, and Byxbee, the City Manager was
instructed to contact .--the: Las .Encinas Sanitary District and
notify them of the proposed increase in rates.
Purchase,; of_- Pro p erty for Off -Scree Parking
. aransfer -of: Funds,. Project 52-14
"A . report- was receive.d from, Committee No. 4 recommending' ,
that the property at 620 -,624 -Gilman Street, a ].ot 50 x 112.5 feet,
located on .the- southwesterly side: of GilmanStreet 100 feet
southerly cf`,,Hamilton Avenue, in: Block 22, be purchased for off-
streetParking purposes for the::suit of $24,000.00, and that a
transfer of:: $;25;,000.:00.- be made , from the Parking Meter Fund to
the Revolving Fund to -make -the -purchase and to cover any expenses
involved in the transacti n.. k document -was reeeited at this
time signed by Amelia; P-.- Smith, owner of the property, giving
the 'City an option to August"10, 1953, to purchase this property
for $24,000.00.-
On -motion of Drysdale: and ,`Hanley, the recommendation of
Committee No. 4 for the purchase of the property was adopted by
unanimous vote on roll call.`
Councilman Byxbee pointed out that there is a vacant lot
ad;aining the Smith property, owned by Stanford Universty,
:which might be available for leasing for parking purposes. At his
suggestion, Committee No.2 was requested to look into the matter
and ascertain whether or; not Stanford University would be willing
to lease this lot to the City.
A resolution concerning the sale of the Smith property,
designated as Parcel 22-W-1 in the proceedings for Project 52-14,
and ordering transfer of funds was presented.
The City Manager, reported that other property owners
in -the proposed assessment district:may wish to negotiate with
the City for the sale -of their -property, and suggested that the
sum' of $125,000.00' be: transferred from the Parking Meter Fund
to:the Revolving.Fund so.that negotiations could be started if
other parcels: are available, It'was pointed out that the
transfer of these- funds.. would ;enable< the City Manager and staff
to carry on negotiations with property owners, but that any
further purchaseswould have to.;be authorized by the Council.
Resolution No. 2469, ordering transfer of funds,
Project 52-14, was amended::to provide that the sum of $125,000.:.00
be transferred from the Parking Meter Fund to the Revolving Fund.
0n motion. of Mitchell. and; Mrs. Corcoran, the resolution was adopted
by unanimous vote'':on roll call.
Utility Easement;.
On motion of Rodgers and Simpson, a resolution was
adopted by unanimous vote on roll call, accepting grant of utility
easement :,.from Williami Low Smith covering portion of Lot 6, Block 23
Seale Addition No. 2.. - It -was explained that this easement was a
condition of approval of a_ lot redivision.
Zone 'Changes
Ordinance::No.: 1481 amending the Zone Map to provide for
changes of district in the, Bell Tract, was given second reading,
and on motionof Byxbee and Mitchell was adopted by unanimous vote
on roll call. This rezone$ Lot 'r and portion of Lot 6, Block 1,
Bell Tract, ;from R-1 to` R-2, and Lot 7 and portion of Lot 6,
Block 2,, from: -R-1 to R-3-4.
Ordinance Na. 1482 amending the Zone Map
Block 8,; Sterling :Qarcens No. 4, from P -C, Planned
District, to R--1, was given: second reading, and on
Byxbee and M3:tchel3.-, was adopted by unanimous vote
Passen er LoadLn Zones and "No Parking" Zones
Ordnance No. 1483 establishing passenger loading zones
in front of hotels, and establishing "no parking" zones on
Alma_Street near California Avenue, was given second reading,
and on. motion of"Rodgers and Byxbee, was adopted by unanimous
vote on` roll 'ca;ll.
Amendment;.to Administrative Code (,Comrittees1
At the request of the Mayor, a proposed ordinance was
- presented to. amend 'Section 109 of the Administrative Code . to
provide that the.;standing-committees of the Council shall
Consist of five or more members each. The Mayor advised that
he wished, to - appoint each council member to two committees and
in order to ' do this it' 'eras necessary to amend the ordinance.
proposed ordinance was accepted for first reading.
to rezone
Community
motion of
on roll call.
Appointment Of Standing Committee*
The Mayor' announced his appointment of standing
c"onun±ttees of the Council 'for 1953-54, as follows:
Committee No,
Committee No.
2: Fire, Police,
Health . and
Animal Shelter
3: Library and
Recreation
Committee No. 4: Finance
Committee No. 5: Organization
and Policy
Public Works, Noel: 2. Porter, Chairman
Public Utilities Stanley Bishop
and Engineering Edward P. Cashel
Robert H. Cummings
J. P. Mitchell_
Karl M. Ruppenthal
Clifford H. Simpson, Chr.
George S. Drysdale
Donald A. Hanley
Noel E. Porter
Karl M. Ruppenthal
F. A. Wickett
Lee W., Rodgers, Chairman
Stanley.Bishop
Mildred S..Corcoran:
Donald A. Hanley •
Paul J. Huston'
F. A. Wickett',. `Chairman
Robert W. Byxbee.
Edward P. Cashel
George S. Drysdale
Lee W. Rodgers -H.
J. P. Mitchel-:, Chairman
Robert W. Byxbee
Mildred S. Corcoran
Robert H. Cummings
Paul J. Huston
Clifford H. Simpson
C1
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oi'�'�en�. &�' On �,�,�emen� �
for -app r 'tee approved. G�ai 3 bEr Ue„
foup'� a ytere a ,ex' A�►
p o n °e't Q Cashel. a C ` h 1 and
c, ,.ntmen t need .d,:• 0n the � oz� � '
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advised ittee iar t
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James OAnbl
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Andrew �� C • Taft
Marshall IS.re to
vi Rabert. � e cl,t��ens,
� �oue �cni.n � an t° enlarge mar hthan On �1� 5 of
e 1 requested p able tha i d �o ppolnt an
e "r e
The reilKe tabe v.oualY liven rt hav�ni 'ale
a �,g2q�D�
tt�e a he ou a aut or zr each o co dexapion oLnM ear e
Cpip�ts ao, the bee wi
pEop1tYs1 aal wde8xntl �eme 'e of one person
e Mai°r a COtal t i�'tee of ' r '' the ° nt way made y 5peC- �o Pi
o� "� Announ�e�� members o�
e "� °l�,owin
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Ralph „ Ca
Oac Seri CC?
a '`Y
olt
lea er Dtvtlig, Luc ar°ch
M fie' Son • P.
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rs. wlet
Wati►• eman son
Paul d Ku
'Mir ed
0iidred S..� bee
Robert. W D'x'edale
4eo �e guppenthal
Karl n
� as ry 1' �����an
P • etch Corcorain
Kusto
Oxa motion. of v d •
ittee was ` appra_
cow
po'yr�tmeX�t o tYxis
the a p
Permission to Leave`. State
Councilman Cummings requested permission to leave the
State f 'ora July 3Q11953 to August 9, 1953.
The City:Attorney advised that permission to leave
the State for short periods is not required by law, but: -it has:
been the policy of council members in the past to request such
permission.
On°motion of Huston and Byxbee, Mr. Cummings' request
was granted.
On` motion of Simpson and Drysdale, Councilman Ruppenthal
was given blanket approval to leave the State, in view of his.
occupation as an airline pilot.
:'our of; City Facilities
Councilmen Byxbee and Drysdale commended the administra-
tive staff and city employees for the way the facilities and
equipment 'are, being operated and maintained, as observed on the
recent tour'of city facilities by council members.
Off -Street Parking Study
Councilman;Ruppenthal made a statement regarding the
off-street parking program, and moved that the City Manager -
be requested to make a survey to determine what properties:are
available for Voluntary sale, and report his findings to the
Council in an effort to work out an amicable solution to the
problem. The motion was seconded by Cashel.
Mrs..Corcoran suggested that the areas of greatest need
should be determined first and negotiations restricted to those
areas, as the_Cityi might not be able to purchase all the
propertie8:that are available.
Counc F; ilman Byxbee ,as also of the opinion that a
satisfac.tory.program can'be worked out with the property owners
through' negotiation. Be moved an amendment to the motion that
the task of defining the :scope of the off-street parking
program. be assigned to Committee No. 2 and this question be
determined before the City Manager starts negotiations for
the purchase of properties
The xnotlon as amended was carried.
On motion, the Council adjourned, at 9:25 P.M.
/
APPROVED~ \ 1 L %'?, 1'
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