HomeMy WebLinkAbout06111956Y
City Hall, Palo Alto, California
June 11, 1956
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:
Present: Bishop, Byxbee, Corcoran, Cresap, Cummings,
Giffin, Marshall, Mitchell, Porter, Rodgers,
Ruppenthal.
Absent: Davis, Drysdale, Nevis, Simpson.
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The minutes of the meeting of May 28, 1956, were approved.
Abatement of Nuisance
This was the time set for a hearing at which Charles E.
Boyle shall show cause why the building at 432 Hawthorne Avenue
should not be declared a public nuisance. On advice of the City At-
torney, this matter was continued to July 9, 1956.
Project 55-5, Off -Street Parkin, California Avenue District
This was the time for a hearing on Resolution No. 2733 of
Preliminary Determination and of intention to make Changes and Modi-,
ficatlons in Project 55-5. The City Attorney explained that the
change will provide for 30 -year bonds. The hearing was declared;
open. There being no one to speak on the matter, the hearing was
closed.
Resolution No. 2736 ordering changes and modifications waal
introduced, and on motion of Byxbee and Bishop, was adopted:by unan-
imous vote on roll call.
Resolution No. 2737 calling for sealed proposals for the
construction of two parking lots on Cambridge Avenue was introduced,
and on motion of Byxbee and Ruppenthal, was adopted by unanimous
vote on roll call.
(Councilman Simpson came at this time, 7:40
P,.M.- and was present for the rest of the
meeting..)
Annexations to Mountain View and Menlo Park
Notices were received and filed regarding the following
proposed annexations: Alice #3, Boranda #4, Stierlin #7 and Sierra
Vista #4 to the City of Mountain View; Betka, Ryberg, Swift and
Chamberlain properties,, and the Abbey, Smith and Wolters properties
to the City of Menlo Park,
South Palo Alto Grade Separation
A letter was received from Robert Kreutzmann, Chairman of
the Underpass Committee of the South Palo Alto Civic Club, stating
that the South Palo Alto Civic Club has endorsed the program for an
underpass in the California Avenue area and urging that some type of
traffic interchange system on the westerly side of the underpass be
included in the plans. This was referred to Committee No. 1.
Beer License
A -letter from Donald A. Hanley protesting the issuance of
a beer license to the restaurant concession at the golf course was.
received and placed on file.
Eleanor Park
A communication was received from the Eleanor Park Protec-
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tive.As.sociation, 802 Center Drive,. expressing appreciation for the
completion of curbs, sidewalks and street lights on Center Drive,
and urging that the minimum development of Eleanor ?ark be completed
in the near.'future and offering assistance in the planning program
for the park.
National Guard Departure Ceremony
A letter was received from Capt. Stewart C. Griswold, Pen
insula Chapter, Military 0rderof the World Wars, inviting the Mayor
and members of the Council to participate in the National Guard De-
parture Ceremony to be held on Friday, June 15, at 7:30 P.M. at the
Menlo Park City Council Chambers.
Transfer to Hospital Fund
The City. Manager presented a request from the Controller
fora transfer of $10,000-.00 from the Hospital Improvement Fund to
the -Hospital Construction Fund::to.carry on architectural expenses un-
til the receipt of bond monies. On motion of Mitchell and Bishop,
the.transfer was authorized by unanimous vote on roll call.
Bids on Project 55-8, Widening Portion Embarcadero Road
A report was -made by the City Manager on bids received on
June -8, 1956, for•the: widening of Embarcadero Road between the -under-
pass and El Camino Real,' with the recommendation that the low bid of.
Bahr and Ledoyen in -the amount of.$13,426.80 be accepted. On motion
of Rodgers and Byxbee, the recommendation was accepted and the Mayor
was authorized to sign the contract with Bahr and Ledoyen for this -
work, by unanimous vote on rollcall.
Sale of St. Francis Terrace Property
(Councilman Drysdale came at this time, 7:45
P.M., and was present for the rest of the
meeting.)
The City Manager reported that the sale of the city -owned
property in St. Francis Terrace (the abandoned park site) was again
advertised and bids were received at 3:00 P.M. on this date. Comdr.
W. Douglas Curtis, 1112 Embarcadero Road, bid $5,010.00; Ames -Cran-
ston Co., 534 Ramona Street, bid $5,400.00. In accordance with the
bid procedure as stated in the notice, it was permitted to submit
additional bids beginning with a bid exceeding the highest bid by
j10%. Comdr. Curtis then offered $5,940.00. Ames -Cranston Co. bid
$6,000.00. There were no further bids. The City Manager reco,nmend-
!ed that the property be sold to the highest bidder, Ames -Cranston
!Co., for $6,000.00.
On motion of Cummings and Byxbee, a resolution accepting
the bid of Ames -Cranston Co. in the amount of $6,000.00 and authoriz-
ing the Mayor to execute a deed in behalf of the City was adopted by
'unanimous vote on roll call.
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(Councilman Navis came at this time, 7:50
P.M., and was present for the rest of the
meeting.)
Architects. Libraries and Parks
1 The City Manager requested the Council to determine the
Ipolicy and procedure on the selection of architects for the new 11-
,brary buildings and the parks to be developed. He advised that he
Ihas,no specific recommendations to make, and asked that the question
lbe considered as to whether one architect should design both library
;.buildings, and if one architect should design the plans for all the
parks.
On motion of Mrs. Corcoran and Ruppenthal, the matter was
referred to Committee No. 2 to consider the method of selection of
architects for these projects and make a report and recommendation
to the Council.
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Filling in Seale -Wooster Canal, Storm Drainage Easement,
Deed to Turkel and Slatt
The City Manager and City Engineer reported on the re-
quest of Albert Turkel and Harry R. Slatt for title to land over
the Seale -Wooster Canal for which they agree to fill in the Canal
and install a concrete sewer pipe. The City Engineer advised that
the title would include a ten -foot easement for utilities and a ten
foot easement for the underground storm sewer. He submitted a plan
showing the proposal and the required easements, with the recommen-i
dation that the agreement be approved if the easements conform to
those shown on the plans.
On motion of Drysdale and Byxbee, and by unanimous vote
on roll call, the proposal was approved and a resolution authoriz-
ing the Mayor to execute a deed was adopted.
Fr ject 55-11 Middlefield Road et al.
The City Manager reviewed briefly the improvements contem-1
plated in Project 55-11, Middlefield Road et al., and outlined the
schedule of the proceedings for this project, to be initiated at thei
June 25th Council meeting with consideration of the Resolution of
Preliminary Determination. The City Manager read a report prepared
by the City Engineer concerning the proposed improvements, cost esti-
mates and financing of the project, advising that it is estimated
that the City will contribute $144,632.C)0 to the project, $102,102.=
00 of which would be paid from gas tax funds.
'The City Manager was requested to have copies of this re-
port sent to.all council members.
Zone Change Application (Hansen and Lamb)
A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending
approval of the application of Dr. H. J. Hansen and Dr. W. E. Lamb
for the rezoning of the property at 2620 and 2640 Middlefield Road
from R-1 to R -3-P, and recommending adoption of the ordinance pro-
viding fc,ro this change of zone. The proposed ordinance was given
second reading.
A motion was made by Bishol,, seconded by Navis,,that the
recommendation of the committee be approved and the ordinance adopt
ed.
A report was received from the Planning Department, in re-
sponse to a request from Committee No. 1, relative to off street:
parking reouirements for professional and administrative uses. The
Planning Officer included in this report the results of a survey'of
parking provided by existing professional developments,. and pointed
out that professional and administrative uses have provided 18 per
cent more off -street -parking than the minimum required.
Mr. Robert Dell 'Ergo, attorney for the applicant, in..
formed the Council that.b'y revising the building plans more parking
'could be'`p,rovided than originally contemplated. He urged, approval
of the rezoning.
49r. Laddy Gross, 2563 Webster Street, spoke to the Council
in behalf of residents.in the area who oppose the rezoning applica
tion.' He filed a petition with approximately 60 signatures of rest-�
dents in the area`'asking that the application be denied. Mr. K. R.
Ferman, 2526 Webster Street, also protested any change of zone.
,Mrs. Corcoran suggested that the parking problem be given
further consideration, and also advised that there is a need fora
pathway for children to use going from Webster Street to the hoover]
School, and thought. this question should be discussed in connection-;
with- any development along Middlefield Road in that area.
A. motion ;>was made by Mrs. Corcoran, seconded by Giffin,
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that the matter be referred back to committee for further considera-'
tion.
After considerable discussion, the motion to refer the
question back to committee was lost by a voice vote.
A roll call vote was then taken on the motion to adopt the'.
ordinance providing for the rezoning'of the Hansen and Lamb proper-
ties to R -3-P. The result was as follows:
Ayes: Cresap, Cummings., Marshall, Mitchell, Nevis, Porter,
Simpson.
Noes: Byxbee, Corcoran, Drysdale, Giffin, Rodgers, Rup-
penthal.
Councilman Bishop was absent during the roll call.
The motion, was declared lost.
(A recess was taken at this time, 8:55 P.M.,
and the Council reconvened at 9:05 P.M.)
Use Permit and Variances for Motel (Engle)
A report was received from Committee No. 1 advising that'.
it has considered the report•of the Planning Commission recommending;
that the decision of the Zoning Administrator in granting a use per
mit and variances to Jerrold S. Engle for a 30 -unit motel at the
southerly corner of University Avenue and Webster Street be reversed:
and that the use permit and variances be denied. The committee rec-•
ommended that the recommendation of the Planning Commission be up-
held and that the use permit and variances for the motel as original-
ly proposed be denied.
On motion of Simpson and Byxbee, the recommendation of
Committee No. 1 was adopted -and the use permit and variances were
denied.
Extension of Louis Road via Montrose Avenue
A report was submitted by Committee No. 1 stating that it
has considered the petition for reconsideration of the extension of
Louis Road to Middlefield Road via Montrose Avenue; that a motion to.
block off Montrose Avenue (recently renamed Louis Road) at Charles-
ton Road and to change the name back to Montrose received a 2-2 vote
in committee, and therefore the committee referred the matter back.
to the Council without recommendation. The committee advised that
it had asked the Traffic Committee to report to the Council on the
advisability of blocking off Montrose Avenue at Charleston Road.
The Planning Officer made an oral report for the Traffic
Committee, stating that the committee had given the problem a great
deal of study and had developed some statistics and information re-
garding traffic flow in that part of the City. He submitted infor-
mation on the estimated volume of traffic during peak hours on Char-
leston Road and Middlefield Road, and also on Montrose Avenue.
A motion was made by Mitchell, seconded by Nevis, that the
petition to block off'Montrose Avenue at Charleston Road be denied.
Mr. A. W. Wiegand, 770 Seminole Way, addressed the Council
in behalf of residents of Charleston Gardens who oppose the exten-
sion of Louis Road via Montrose because of their concern over the
traffic situation. He presented a drawing of a proposed barrier or
planting strip at'Montrose and Charleston Road.
Mrs. R. C. Locke who addressed the Council at its last
meeting on this question ,spoke again at this time, calling attention
to the traffic hazard to children which would be created if Louis
Road is extended by way of Montrose' Avenue, and asking that a hedge
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or planting be placed at Charleston to dead-end Montrose, since it
seems to be too late to change the course of Louis Road through the
adjoining subdivision Mr' Robert Loberg, 786 Montrose Avenue-, and!
a number of other,; residents of .the area were present to join in the 1 request to block off Montrose Avenue.
There was considerable discussion by council members on
the matter. Mr:. Drysdale suggested that considerati_on.be given to
a rearrangement of the subdivision plans so that Louis Road,*ou1d
not connect directly with Montrose, and that the City reimburse the
subdivider for any loss he would incur because of a change in the
street plan.
The motion to deny the petition to block off Montrose Ave -1
nue at Charleston Road was lost.
A motion was made by Byxbee that first reading be given to
an ordinance to block off Montrose at Charleston. There was no sec -1
ond.
The City Manager suggested that if the street is to be
blocked off, he would like to have the Council consider blocking offj
Montrose at Middlefield Road instead of Charleston.
After more discuss{on, it was agreed that the Traffic Com:.j
mittee and staff would give further study to the suggestions made
for blocking off Montrose and for a realignment of Louis Road
through the Meadowpark subdivision, and report back to the Council
at its next meeting on June 25th, with information on costs in-
volved.
Pedestrian Walkways on Alma Street
Councilman Cummings asked when the Traffic Committee is
going, to report on the request he made some time ago for considera-
tion of the establishment of pedestrian walkways on Alma Street.
The Planning Officer advised that the staff is waiting fora report
from the Greyhound Bus Company on this question, and that the matter
is being studied.
Mrs. Corcoran suggested consideration be given to install-
ing a pedestrian walkway on Alma Street in the middle of the block
between University and Lytton Avenues.
Zone Change Application jMenary)
A report was received from the Planning Commission recom-
mending denial of the application of Jack B. Menary for rezoning of
the property on the northerly side of Alma Street, distant thereon
190 feet westerly from the intersection of Alma Street and San An-
tonio Road, from P -C, Planned Community District, to L -M, Limited
Manufacturing District.
On motion of. Rodgers and Mitchell, the recommendation was
accepted and the application denied.
Design Cor,:tro1
A report was received from.the Planning Commission recom-
mending approval of the design control applications of Phillip C.
Mooers for a three -unit apartment on Lot 1, Block 3, Stanford,City,
known as.2831-33-35.Aima Street, and of Wayne L. Prim for a two-
story triplex at the northerly corner of Colorado Avenue and High
Street.
approved.
Interim General Plan
On motion of Byxbee and Rodgers, these applications were
A report: was received from the Planning Commission on its
study of the Interim General Plan during the past year, recommending
the plan as the General Plan for Palo Alto, with certain changes to
be made on the map and•in the General Plan Report as outlined in the:
Planning Commission's report of June, 1956. The report was reviewed
briefly by the Planning Officer, and copies were distributed to coun-
cila members.
Mr. Mortimer Smith, 1525 Walnut Drive, called attention to
a statement in the 'Interim General Plan Report regarding the possible
use of city -owned land adjacent to the City Hall as the site for a
new public safety building, to which residents of the Crescent Park
Woods area object.
The Planning Officer directed attention to a reference to
this matter on Page 4 of the June, 1956, report, with a comment by
the Planning Commission on the future location of a new Police De-
partment administrative'headquarters and their view that a jail
should not be located on a site adjoining a residential area.
The Mayor advised that before any decision is reached on
the location of a new public safety building, there would be ample
opportunity for discussion.
Purchase of Treasury Bills
Resolution No. 2738 authorizing the Treasurer to purchase
$300,000 U.S. Treasury Bills dated May 31 1956, due August 30,
1956, at 2.53% discount basis, for $298,083.12, was introduced, and
adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Resolution on Hospital Bonds
Resolution No. 2739 directing that all Palo Alto Hospital
Bonds of 1955, Series "A", be non -callable and waiving any right to
call or redeem said bonds prior to their fixed maturity date, was in-
troduced, and on motion of Byxbee and Navis, was adopted by unani-
mous vote on roll. call.
Amendment to Fire Zone Map
A proposed ordinance amending the Fire Zone Map to estab-
lish fire. zone for the C -2:S Zone recently established near Middle-
field Road and Colorado Avenue was accepted for first reading.
Amendments to Building Code
A proposed ordinance amending Sections 423, 2805 (a), 3203
(f), and 4710(a)of the. Palo Alto Building Code was introduced.
The changes were explained by the Building Inspector.
The proposed ordinance was accepted for first reading.
There was some discussion by Councilmen Byxbee, Drysdale
and Navis regarding the provisions of Sec. 423 relative to the r^eth-
od of determining the value of a building. These three council mem-
bers were asked by the Mayor to get together before second reading
of the ordinance, and report back to the Council if they wish on the
wording of this section.
Amendments to P1umb-iinz Code
A proposed ordinance amending the Plumbing Code was ac-
cepted for first .reading. The proposed changes were explained by
the City Attorney.
Matadero Mosquito Abatement District Taxation
Mrs. Corcoran brought up a question regarding the taxes
for mosquito abatement, stating that she has been informed that for
some period of time,the people who are paying taxes in the Matadero
;Mosquito"Abatement District have been paying double taxation for
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this purpose, as for some years the County Health Department,has
been abating mosquitoes with county funds. Mrs. Corcoran moved the;
adoption of a resolution withdrawing the City of Palo Alto from the'
Matadero Mosquito Abatement District.
It was felt that action should not be taken until the Ci-
ty's representatives on the Matadero Mosquito Abatement Board can
be heard from, and the matter was referred to Committee No. 3 for
investigation and report.
Claim `for Damages
A report was.received from the City Attorney on the claim]
filed by F. C. Youngblutt in the sum of $40.56 for damage to his au
tomobile.when he drove up to the curb in front of 827 Ramona Street
and struck the trunk of a tree. The City Attorney advised that, in
his opinion there is no liability on the part of the City and recom-�
mended that the claim be denied.
On motion of Mitchell and Navis, the report was accepted
and the claim denied.
Monthly Reports
The monthly report of the Controller for May, 1956, was
received and filed.
The monthly report of the Planning Officer on action taken
in May on applications for redivision of lots, and the monthly re-
port of the Zoning Administrator on action taken in May on appiita-
tions for variances and use permits, were received and placed on
file.
BuildinS Consultant for Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital
The City Manager reported that in accordance with authori-
zation-of the' Council at its last meeting, City and Stanford repre-
sentatives had met this past week with representatives of outstand-
ing construction firms and .interviewed them regarding the position
of building consultant for -the Palo Alto - Stanford Hospital proj-
ect. It was their recommendation that the firm of Wagner and Mar-
tinez be retainedat a maximum fee to the City of Palo Alto not to
exceed $4500,00.
On motion of Mitchell and Drysdale, the offer of this firm
was accepted and Wagner and Martinez were appointed as building con-
sultant by unanimous vote on roll call.
Annual Financial Report
A motion was made by Ruppenthal, and seconded, that the
City publish in the Palo Alto Times its complete annual financial ref -
port covering the last fiscal year.
It' was moved by Simpson, seconded by Drysdale, that the
matter be referred to Committee No. 3 for recommendation. The mo-
tion was carried by the following vote on roll call:
;ATTEST:
Ayes: Bishop, Cresap, Drysdale, Giffin, Marshall, Mit-
cheli, Navis, Porter, Simpson.
Noes: Byxbee, Corcoran, Cummings, Rodgers, Ruppenthal.
The meeting was declared adjourne at 10:40 M.
APPROVt.DAV
Mayor
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