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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 3093ORIGINAL RESOLUTION NO. 3093 A RESOLUTION URGING A FAVORABLE VOTE ON THE FOOTHILL LAND ACQUISITION AT THE ELECTION OF MAY 12, 1959 The Council of the City of Palo Alto resolves: Section 1. This Council has on December 8, 1958, unanimously adopted its resolution authorizing the execution of the contract with Dr. and Mrs. Lee for the acquisition of certain Foothill lands which will be voted upon by the people of the City at the election of May 12, 1959. Section Z. The facts which the Council then considered and now considers to make this a most attractive transaction for the City are: 1. The acquisition and development of a mountain -type park has been included in the City's General Plan since 1955. In 1958 the City Council reaffirmed this policy and established as a guide that the land acquired for a City mountain park be located in an area not more than one hour's drive from the City. 2. The City Attorney advised and the Seller's attorneys concurred that the contract was entered into under powers granted to us by the Constitution of the State of California and the Charter of the City of Palo Alto. 3.. Qualified real estate appraisers, bankers, realtors, land developers, civil engineers and others whose opinions regarding land values are realistic and respected have advised the City Council that the land has a value far in excess of that which the seller has established. As a further indication of this fact, informal offers well in excess of the purchase price have been made to the owner and to members of the City Staff. The cost of acquiring this land and the improvements thereon has been set at $1,294,000 to be paid over a period of seven years, interest free. 4,. The purpose of acquiring this land is to preserve a beautiful natural area where a foothill park and nature conservatory can be maintained for the people of this City. All of this land and more in the same general area is now in the City of Palo Alto, having been annexed on February 13, 1959. Municipal services of all types, including utilities at the expense of the property owners and in conformance with City policy, will be extended to this area as soon as practica.1 and as demands so require. The fact that the City has a park in this area will have little or no effect upon this program of extending services. In fact, if a large area is allowed to remain basically in its natural state the cost of services will be considerably less than if the entire area were to be developed with homes. The claim by the opponents of this program that the purchase of the foothill lands willresult in the expenditure of millions of dollars for utility development is completely without basis. 5. The City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara have an obligation to preserve as much open land as possible for the future enjoyment of the people of this area. This is our park, to be developed and managed as we desire, supplementing an already outstanding system of neighbor- hood and district parks and' other recreation facilities known and admired throughout the nation. -1- Y • 6. This area is already a natural wonderland with physical improvements capable of serving are' the basis for an outstanding program. If the people of this City so desire, the development of this park can be kept at a rninimum. Already existing are more than 50 miles of riding and hiking trails, roads for .ingress and egress and interior circulation, a water supply andunique structures, including a Japanese Tea House and garden and a magnificent stable. 7. The Palo Alto City Council is not .,'anning a part of this area for real' estate subdivision and speculation. The only statements regarding this matter have been made to.illust:at€ the option which the people of this City have should they decide in the future that a portion of this land should be ,released, Should there ever be any release of portions of this land, the people of this C4ty will be the sole beneficiaries. 8. The acquisition of thin land by the City of Palo Alto has been the most publicized single event in the rzodern history of this City. The Superior Court of. the State of California has riiled that this matter is an• appropriate one for' the.people of this City to decide through their ballots. 9.. Extensive examination by experts indicate that the water supply within the area issufficient to supply this park. 10... It is the intention of the City :Council to maintain this area in its natural state as nearly as possible, •providing" only those .developments desired by the• people as the fonds for such development bect me available. 'Section 3. . We, therefore, urge all the citizens of Palo Alto to vote at the election on May 12, 1959, and to vote YES: on the proposition. Introduced and passed at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of • Palo.:Alto held Monday, April 27, 1959, by the following vote: AYES: '.Bi,shop, l3yxbee, Corcoran,,Cresap, Davis, Evans, Giffin, Marshall, •P,orter; Rodgers, Ruppenthal, Stephens, Woodward.. NOES: None. ABSENT: Mitchell, Navis, ♦, ATTEST: WINIFRED KIDD City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: JOHN R. NIMOCKS City Attorney APPROVE, C t E';I O T ER Mayor Note: Dr. John C.‘ Manning, consulting geologist retained by the City of Palo Alto to determine and report upon the potential water supply in the area in which the City's Foothill Park is located, advises that: "There is a sufficient quantity of subterranean water in the park to supply all anticipated domestic and irrigation needs of the facility."