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City Hall, Palo Alto, California,
September 28, 1953.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in regular
sessionon thi's date at 7:30 P.M.,- with Mayor Marshall presiding.
Roll call as follows:
Present: Byxb:ee, Cashel, Corcoran, Cummings, Drysdale, Hanley;
Huston, Marshall, Mitchell, Porter, Rodgers, Ruppenttial,
Simpson, Wickett.
Absent: Bishop
approved..
The minutes of the meeting of September 14, 1953, were
Refund of License Fee'
A ..request was received from Thomas J. Kelly of Hayward,
Caliifornis, for" refund of license' fee in the amount of $25.00.,
ltwas.expla1ned by the: City Manager that Mr. Kelly
had paid ,$30'.00 fora solicitor's license fee for the painting of
house.'runbers.on curbs, that manycomplaints were received and
he was ordered'by the' Citytoestop his operations in Palo Alto.
The,`City Manager recomtended that the unused portion of the fee
amounting to $25.00berefunded..
On motion of Simpson and Porter, the recommendation
was adopted and the refund granted.
Oft -Street Parking (Letter from W. B. McMillan)
letter was received ` from. W. B. McMillan supplementing;
h:.s previous protest to -the.. inclusion of his property on Florence
Street in the 'off-;stre.et pa:rkfingr plan, and enclosing copy of a
previous communication on this Ysubject. On motion of Mitchell
and Wickett, this was referred to Committee No. 2.
Sewer.Ren.tal Rates,- Las Encinas Sanitary District
A letter.. was received from the Las Encina.s Sanitary
District objecting to the increase in sewer service charges.
On motion of Huston and Simpson, this was referred to Committee
No. -4.
Communications
For the'information of the Council, the Mayor read the
following communications:
1. Letter from L. D. Davis to the Controller asking for
information on parking meter revenue and expenditures
from the Parking Meter Fund, with the Controller's
reply ;and a financial statement of parkin; meter
operations.
2. Letter from James Edmiston, 3670 Ross Road,
complimenting the employees of the Building Depart-
ment for helpful suggestions and advice in connection
with the building of his home.
3. Letter sent to Dr. Loren R. Chandler, as directed by
the Council, commending him for his services on the
Hospital Governing Board, and Dr. Chandler's reply.
.:'Copy`of;Letter sent by Mayor to Dr. J., E. Wallace
Sterling, President of Stanford University,
suggesting that a joint dinner .meeting:, be arranged -
with the City Council and the Stanford Board: of
Trustees, and Dr. Sterling's reply stating he would
be glad to help arrange such a meeting:,
Letter from Chamber of Commerce concerning
public relations, parking; lot problems, and the
proposed meeting with the Stanford trustees,
with the: Mayor's reply.
Letter from.:Kenneuh E. White, 2343 Webster Street,
making suggestions for the improvement of the
parking situation.
Bids onGrader"
A report was made by the City Manager on bids. received
on -September 1953, on a. motor grader., with the recommendation
that the iel cf the'Western Traction Company for one Galion_ Motor
Grader in the anount of $10,971,92 be accepted.
On motion of Huston and Rodgers, the bid of the
Western Traction Company was accepted.
Parking>Lot in Block 21
In connection with the acquisition of property in
Block 21 fora parking `lot, tie City Manager reported that:
five property owners,are involved; that three have signed
contracts agreeing to sell the necessary land to the City and
that the other -.,two property owners have signified that they
are willing.to accept the City's offer and will enter into
contracts within the next few days.
Utility Agreements
Upon recommendation of the City Manager, the M.:cya:r
and City Clerk:were authorized to sign an agreement with Stern
and Price Construction Company for the purchase of water:and
gas systems in Tract No. 587, and an agreement with J. -1 Eichler
Sons for the installation and purchase of gas system. in
Tract No, 1213, Fairpark -Subdivision .
Agreement. for Operation of Public Refuse Dump
The City Manager,' submitted an agreement with the
San Jose Sanitation Service for the operation of the City of
Palo Alto public refuse dump. He explained the terms of,' the
agreement And' the advantages to the City and to the garbage:
company. It was pointed out that the agreement is for a.
six miOnthS period:, with the provision that it may be continued
for an additional year if the operation is satisfactory-.
-The.Cound i was informed that Committee No. 1 has
considered the matter and has recommended approval and execution
of this agreement.
On motion of Porter and Cummings, the Mayor and City
Clerk were :authorized -to sign the agreement on behalf of the City:
' Rea'olutons f or Retiri ng Employees
Resolutions to be presented to the fo1.7.ow1ng' retiring
employees, were submitted, expressing appreciation, foretheir:-;years
of service:'. Aimee. Peters, 25 years; Albert Couch, 32 years
v 8 Yi: PS#P }
454
Walter H. Wiley,. 23 years; Arley Marshall, 24 years; and Robert R.
Estes, 27 years.
On'rotion of Byxbee and Rodgers, these resolutions were
adopted by unanimous vote.
Standard Oil Gasoline Lease, Palo Alto Airport
Reference was made by the City Manager to the lease
with the Standard Oil Company covering the site for airplane
fuelinsr , facili.ties< at the Palo Alto Airport, for the period from
August 1, 1946, .to Jrly 31, .1966. .He advised that the agreement
provided that the'rental for the years from 1946 to 1953 would
be $100..00 per year; and that:the rental rates would be negotiated
in 1953 for the balance of the. tern of the lease.
The CS:ty.Manager'reported that negotiations have been
held with the Standard Oil C'.oinpany and it has been agreed that
the rental for th'e balance of the lease shall be a sum equal to
one-half .cent per gallon of'gasoline delivered to the leased
premises., with a zninimuri rate of $100..00 per year. He recommended
that the Mayor and City Clerk be.authorized to sign the agreement
accepting these rates
On motion of Porter. and Cashel, the recommendation was
adopted and the rental 'rates,:approved in accordance with the
agreerent..
Clerk for Planning' Department
A report was made by the, City"Manager regarding the need
for clerical help in the :Planning Department, with the recommenda-
tion that the position of Intermediate Stenographer -Clerk (C-39)
be established in the Planning :Department; that the balance 'of the
Assistant, City Clerk's salary:presently in the lanninu budget be
withdraWn from Account No. 105-01 and transferred to Account No.
103-01, `and that tyre sum of $2256.00 be appropriated from the
unappropriated balance of the General Fund to Account No. 105-01,
effective O,ctober'1, 1953•
On motion of Wickett.and .Simpson, the recommendations
were adopted by unanimous vote. on' ,roll call.
Project 53-6,. Street Lighting Reconstruction, District Two:
Resclution'NO 2478 of Preliminary Determination,
Project 53-6,Street Iightixig Reconstruction program for District
Two, was .presented, and on notion. of Porter and Rodgers, was
adopted by unan moi s _ vote :on roll. call. This resolution provides
for a.hearing on the project to'-be.held on Monday, October 26,
1953, at 7:30•P.rr.
The. City Engineer advised that notices of the hearing
and estimates of the costs of the improvement will be sent to
a1 property owners i.,n the assessment district.
The City Manager; reported that the Pacific Gas & Electric
Corpany has withdrawn its application before the Federal Power
Commi's'sion, for ,a gas rate increase, and that the staff will
fol-1ow through on the problems involved in the gas contract.
455
•
Change` 'of Street Name
A report ..was received from Committee No. 1 recommendi ng
adoption. of the ordinance changing the name of M;ybeck P1ade to
Dixon Place.
Ordinance No,, 1489, changing the name of Maybeck Place
to Dixon Place. was given second reading, and on motion of:Cummings
and Byxbee, was 'adopted by unanimous vote on roll call`.
Zone Changes, Louis Road and Adjacent Area
A report :was r,.eceive0 from Committee No. 1 advising
thatIt has considered the ordinance recommended by the Planning
Commission providing for the rezoning of those properties~ _>fac2rg
Louis Road and.extending'south and east beyond the present end
of Louis Road ;to'Adobe Creek and Charleston Road, which -are now
zoned R -3-G, Residential Garden Apartment District. The committee
recommended that Item :(1), of the ordinance, rezoning the property
located within Ste.xling Gardens No.. 2 to R-1, and Item {,3)."for
the rezoning of the property which lies south of Dry Creel, to Adobe.
Creek and Charleston{oad to R -1:B-8, be approved, but that IteM (2).
for the rezoning:ofproperty north of Dry Creek to R -1:B-7 be..
deleted from the ordinance, this area to remain zoned as R -3-G,
" Ordinan`ce. No. 11.90, providing for these zone changes,
as modified ty: Committee No. 1, was ;liven second reading, and On
motion of Mitchell -and Huston, was adopted by unanimous vote on
roll call.
'Zone Change, 'tJniversity Avenue,, R -1-R District
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending that the 4!R" designation (Restricted Multiple Family
Districtl be applied to the R-1, Single Family Distract;,
described , as follows':
Beginning 75 feet southwesterly of Fulton Street
on the northwesterly side of University Avenue
and 1124 feet northeasterly of Middlefield Road on
the southeasterly side of University Avenue, and
extending to a point on both sides of University
Avenue to Seneca Street.
A letter eras .received from Charlotte A. Davis, 84:0 Univer
sity Avenue, suggesting that the area in qi;estion be rezoned to
: R -3-P instead of'.R-1-R, to permit professional buildings.
A letter was also received from Mrs. T. s. Whitling,
775 Hamilton Avenue, opposing;any change from R-1 zoning.
Mrs. L., R. Bittner, 825 University Avenue, spoke in
support of the zone change as recommended, urging, that the "R"
designation be extended to Seneca Street.
A proposed, ordinance providing for the zone change
was accepted for first reading and referred to Committee No. 1.
Zone.Changes_, California Avenue Business District
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending, on its own ,,initiative, the rezoning of the following
:areas in the California Avenue business district:
a. Pror`C-3:S, General Commercial, Special Parking
District, to C -2:S, Central Business, Special
Parking District:
•
(1) Those properties:on the northwesterly side
of Cambridge Avenue, from a point approximately,
100 Peet northeasterly of E1 Camino Real to a
point -approximately 80 feet southwesterly of
Second Street.
(2)
Those properties on the southeasterly side: of
Cambridge Avenue from a point approximately
110 feet northeasterly of El Camino Real to a'
point 1:00 feet southwesterly of Second Street.
. FrornH-1:S, Light Industrial, Special Parking
District, to C -2:S,- Central Business, Special
Parking District:
(1) Those properties or the northwesterly side of
Cambridge Avenue From a point 80 feet south-
westerly, of '.Second Street to Dark Boulevard.
(2) Thase.prcperties on the southeasterly side of
Cambridge Avenue from a point approximately
100 feet southwesterly of Second Street to Park
Boulevard.
(3) : Tho:se properties on the northwesterly side of
California Avenue from a point approximately
270 feet southwesterly of Park Boulevard to
Park Boulevard.
A letter was received from the Consumers'' Cooperative
Society of Palo Alto, Inc ., objecting to the rezoning of the
property on the northwesterly side of Cambridge Avenue from
Second Street to Park Boulevard to 0-2, stating they feel that
0-3 zoning for this particular area is more appropriate.
The Planning'Cf_ficer explained that the zone changes
recommended by the Planning Commission conform to the changes
recommended by the California AvenueOff-Street Parking Committee.
After some discussion, the whole matter was referred.
to Committee No. 1 for consideration and report.
Revision of. Planned. Community District Flan
< A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending that the application of J. L. Eichler & Sons for
revisions inthe general plan for the Planned Community District
as;.Ct applies to -Starr King Circle i. the Fairmeadow Tract be
approved.
On motion of ,;Mitchell and Byxbee this recommendation
was adopted.'
Variance Teie h ane Com
Par n. Lo n obi
A :report:::��va,s received f r. ori: the Planning Commission
recommending -,approval- of, the application of the Pacific Telephone ,
&. Telegraph >Comnany. for; a variance from the special parking
district requirements of`.the Zoning.Oroinance as it would apply
to the roper ha�:
`p ty .ing a fro ntage .of 98 feet on the northwesterly'
side of " Kami1 ton: Avenue, beginning.: at a point 183 feet north-
easterly of Bryant, Street, being the northeasterly Go feet of Lot 2,
plus the;; southwesterly 38 feet of Lot 3, Block 21, University Park
and further recbmmending; that the proposed parking lot shown on
the map furnished by the Telephone -Company be the parking facility
for Block 21 in lieu of the parking lot originally designated on
the map previously approved by the Council.
in this connection the Mayor called attention to a
letter published in the' Forum column of the Palo Alto Times,
signed by Councilman Cummings, objecting to the removal of the
"S" zone from the Telephone Company property, and asking= that
people who agree- with him send the clipping of this letterY to
the Mayor. , The Mayor reported that he had received eleven
clippings.
The Mayor read a letter received from Charlesi P. Smith,
President of the Civic League, quoting a statement of the Board
of Governors of the. Civic League, which recommends againat`the
elimination of "S" zone requirements from any of the property
in Biock.21, but stating they recognize that the Telephone
Company's.probl.em is a special one which should be considered on
its merits. They. recommended that the "S" zone be maintained
in this block until an; overall plan for parking area standards
is developed for the business district,
it was pointed out by the City Manager that five
parcels are involved, in the acquisition of a parking lot in
Block 234 that in .addition to the purchase of a 62 -foot -parcel
from the .TelephoneeCompany as previously authorized-, the
purchase , of a: 20-foti strip from the Congregational Church and
three other" property. owners` is involved; that the Church is
willing to.sell the necessary land to the City for $6,000.00,
on condition. that the: "S" zone is removed from their property;
that the other property owners are also willing to'sell the
parcels:needed to"complete the parking lot, but that the""S"
zone is not a problem in these cases since the rest of -their,,
properties is built upon.
P.motion `was made : by Wickett, seconded byMitchell', .:
that'the recommendation of the Planning Commission be adopted.
Opposition was expressed by Councilman Cummings to .
granting the variance requested by the Telephone Company and to .
,removing the "S" zone. from any of the property in Block 21.
It was pointed .out that the only question' before the.
council :at this time "is the variance for the Telephone .Comp;any.
h^^oweve , it is, expected that the Congregational Church ,vi1l make
a request later for a variance .from the "s" zone requirement
on their: property: and the grr nting of the request is µ -.condition
of sale of the property necessary to complete the parking lot
Cotxncilnan Rodgers moved to amend the motion to' .aaop t
the, recommendation' of the Planning Commission regarding,the,
variance;, but.;leaving out the last clause of the report concerning
the propozed parking' lot. This amendment was seconded by Cashel.
After :considerable discussion on the whole :natter,
a five�miaiute recess was taken and the Council reconvened at
'10:15 P M
Tire amendment t,o 'the motion was withdrawn.
The, rptton made by- Wickett and Mitchell was modified to
readeaSefO4owsee That the: Council approve the application of the
Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company for a variance from the
special` parking district ,requirements of the Zoning Ordinance as
it would apply to'the property having a frontage of 98 feet on
the northwesterly side of Hamilton Avenue beginning at a point
1$3 feet northeasterly of Bryant Street, being the northeasterly
60 feet of Lot 2 plus the southwesterly 38 feet of Lot 3, Block 21,
Uniyers,it " --
Y y. Park
�'este:rl' � a.n�a thatparcelS . .
'`Ot sh wh n Black et par•C! , 2 4 be 22-
of r eliminated 2`3 and the
'ote�
.he matlan''w ? px�ovement 'Plans No, xro;i the par south
as they ,adQ� �e� ar, ti 52-24. `�,n�
�',��.'S roll call
B:l cbee by the f'ollot In
Mitchell, h�l',; For ,
W ekett:: Drysdale ;
aes Rodgers, Runp�ntaa cy, usto
ings.• lmpso,, a
Mot, Vot2njOeu
lman;j
8 S1m l:Pft
CuZV and absentg pr vtie rest this tin:e
10
er Pro ert'r t of the �,Getin�n. P.M.,
on :;Oil ;ma
Mr. n Street
an,.
{ the
r'9 tart��x, Cif px'on.'in'ch' a.t 0 , P
olin�
n the . e t state at- 63g- -Gii representing
,t the pr, a off-street pa:rkl d that his client's
Street, Miss Louise
b the City rty angle Wg p1ar; th`"tjs. e ry proeappeared of before
s�leXc].ude �. p��� to , l�. �q to is desirous Is irciude r .�urch se 1 -accept the appraised
of d
e: the parlk n if not praised fi uige
$ 7 s she requests
, 1
aXa so :..that 1t nq �� t�r�.�hat e
of .'fir, F could '" �. t
pare 7 r nch offered Cdr
?�Qr�oa oFst If ngge ed t h the City ca
s are not ees :u1e
nd
Clubhouse Manager nd Com eele'' the matt
for Ia ?�o• -r was
1,
) Bowfin Club
bU lid n Club, z „Mattson,
tts4 ,
buJ.l a fact
r L. ay ca be, reeldent
t ld ��c.t thatse ire borhi re g Council regarding f the lo La
wn
Alto
r• V�.0 a haen. �p called e pr p
1 t�Ir. u., Count
add1tio r Ma.ttyo had approved d attention
1 and t en..,l funds Earn 'eported ,. a the
�- Y nc�w their that the project.
a I�robead wit``ve arot2nd r building from organization Luatlon
present Oflunc h. the building ''0.00.00 fort the project
Stern
a received
th�� co;�l,� . it that the � A e the nro,eGt Stern " rate cd
he
�` GOmplete the agreement will
be c assurance
out
are ready
,
��' �'xan- ..�1 he ur�rce of ..G.`�.�
was. ?�otion _��.: � s� _ carried out so that
sub��Gtauthorized to -''ahead
a
tO apprav- �o ahead with
b p o lee o�vl
al of the the ,
Revised plans oft ,sect 4S ink O,ub
Plan for Sho.. bu.ila�rpr v3ous ..,opnov',
,.:he ,
In �' the City• d,
Center
recd i the Ain p{�rrov I report-waso ed from
a sery e„ center, f the rev. the Planning o
recd. a a tabor, at ,.Colorado ,sea. Avenue
an for r Commission o n
id ion Ewa site. e an motion
and Greer
Road a�,
do son of r f
�esi; Control ,ode „s and Porter,
include
and Lot the
recd A "eport e-ax'ran:ement Armst
�►endin�, a� � Was
at�� oval o eceive from he r°n Rea Co
the application ofaL'I:er`' Commission
Armstrong Realty
45
riveatment.Company for design control approval for apartment:
units on Lots' 16 to -3,0, Block 6, Stanford City, plus 30 _feet
of abandoned street, formerly E1 Capstan Road, on the southerly
side`of; Frierson Street, commencing with the southeasterly corner
of El Carmelo -Avenue, on .the. condltion that the parcel be made
into:one:lot.` :-On motion of Wickett and Drysdale, the
recommendation wat adopted`.
The -Planning Commission also recommended approval of
the application of the ,Armstrong, Realty Investment Company ton
createone lot from the existing; Lots 16 to 30, Block 6,
Stanford City, and 30 feet of abandoned street, formerly,E1
Capstan Road, on the southerly side of Emerson Street commencing
with the southeasterly corner of E1 Carmelo Avenue. On motion
of Mitchell and Ruppenthal, the recommendation was adopted.
Lot Redivisions
A report was received from the Planning Commission
recommending approval of the following, redivision cf lots:
a. Portion of Lot 1.}9, Wooster Subdivision, located on
the south side of Loma Verde Avenue, 300 feet oast
of Cowper Street, subject to :he granting of a public
utility easement and to the payment or segregation
of assessments, as recommended by the City Engineer.
b. Portion of Lot 3, Seale Subdivision Nc. 4, located.
between Middlefield Road and Byron Street, 100 feet
northwesterly of Oregon Avenue, subject to ,ranting
of a public utility easement as recommended by the
City Engineer.
On motion of Byxbee and Wickett, these lot red'visi.ons
were approved in accordance with the recommendations.
Utility Easements
Upon motion of Byxbee and Huston, and by unanimous vote
on roll call, the Council adopted resolutions accepting easements
for utility purposes from the following;: R. D'Arcy and; lone W
Bennett," covering portion of Lot 8, J. J. Morris Real ;E Mate
Company's Subdivision of ` the M. S. Loucks Tract: Christina
Dickson, covering "a portion of Rancho Rincon de San Francisqui.to
on San . Antonio' Road; and Theresa Bruzzone, covering part of
Lot 1 and parr of. Lot 2, : J. J. Morris Real :.state Company's
Subdivision ,,of -- the M S. Loucks Tract.
Acce tance-of Deeds Barron Park water Company
Resolution No. 2179 authorizing the Mayor to accept
all deeds, easements, and bills of sale from Cornelis B`ol and
Josina J. Bol, which may be necessary to consummate the, sale
and transfer of the Barron Park Water Company to the City
Palo Alto, was : adopted by unanimous vote on roll call
Amendment to Improvement Procedure Code
Ordinance No. 1491 amending the Palo Alto Improvement
Procedure Code relating to the cost of collecting assessments_
was gtveh second reedI g, and on motion of Drysdale and Byxbee,
was ' adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
46O
Zoning Annexed Area, Charleston Road and Bayshore Highway
Ordinance No,. 1492, zoning property recently annexed
to the City, extendinge700 feet easterly from the former city
limits between. Charleston Road and Bayshore Highway, was given
second reading, and on motion of Drysdale and Rodgers, was 'adopt ed
by unanimous vote' on roll call,, This provides for M-1 zoning
for. a distance of 200:. feet,`from Charleston Load, the remainder
of the area, to be zoned M-Y:S' and M -2:S.
Removal :of. "A" Designation
Ordinance No. 1493, removing the "A" District
designation (Agricultural) from portion of Sterling Gardens No.
and' f rom Tracts. No:. 771, 1174, 1137, 1135, 1122 and 1173, was
-given :second . reading, ' and on motion of Porter and Byxbee, was
adopted by' unanimous vote on roll call.
Appointment to Hospital Governing Board
The Mayor , called attention to the ,amendment to the
agreement between the pity and Stanford. University for the
:management and operation `of: the' -`Palo Alto Hospital, which state
that the .City < s'hall appoint„ one person to be its representative
on `:the Governing Corrtittec of the Hospital. The Mayor
recommended that Maurice Moore, City Controller, be appointed
,as the City's representative.
On motion'' of Byxbee- nand . Mitchel1, this appointment
approved.
• Leave to Councilman' Simpson
A request was received from Councilman Simpson for
permission to leave ,the State from. October 2 to October 10, 195;.'
On motion of Mitchell and Ruppenthal, the request was granted.
Public Transportation ,Study'
Councilman,' tupnenthal .called attention to the need for-;
Improvement in tie pub1iC' transportation. service in Palo Alto,
and: suggested that a committee be appointed to study the problem
th_c .conmittee -to be cornposed of a, ,represen.tative of the bus
company,, a representati v : of th,e Chamber of Commerce, a
representative o:f tthe. Council the Planning Officer, and three
representatives fnoth .the Public_:eand that the committee be
requested to neport-t`o th'e: CounCil.as soon as convenient.
At the suggestion of 'Councilman Huston, who thought:
that the matter should oe referred to a council committee fi.rste.
the question was r c ferr'ed to Co ir'ittee No. 2, and Mr.. Ruppenthal
was asked to` present ' his suggestions to that committee.
Next Regular Meeting oc.tober,13, 1953
It was announced that, the next regular meeting of the
Council wfl.l be held on Tuesday, October 13, 1953, since October
f2th is a legal holiday.
On motion of Drysdale, the Council adjourned, at
11:00 P.M.
ATTEST: ‘•-•
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