Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10211968City Hall Palo Alto, California October 21, 1968 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m. with Vice Mayor Dias presiding. Present: Beahrs, Berwald, Clark, Comstock, Dias, Gallagher, Gullixson, Pearson, Spaeth, Wheatley Absent: Arnold Approval of Minutes Councilman Comstock requested that an error on page 192 of the previously approved Minutes of August 12, 1968 be corrected where his name is included in a roll call, although he was not present. MOTION: Councilman Wheatley moved, seconded by Berwald, to delete Z:ouncilrnan Comstock's name from page 192 of the previously approved Minutes of August 12, 1968. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Councilman Berwald requested that an addition be made to the Minutes of September 30, 1968 on page 232 to indicate that the ager a for the Finance Committee meeting of October 22 would be the 1968-73 Capital Improvement Budget. There were no objections. The Minutes of September 30, 1968 were then approved as distributed. Councilman Spaeth requested that a correction be made on page 247 of the Minutes of October 7, 1968 to indicate that he did not second the motion of Vice Mayor Dias. Councilman Beabr's stated he had ee- eee•ondedt., _tip. motion_ There were no objections to the correction. Vice Mayor Dias called attention to the typographical error in the misspelling of Councilman Spaeth's nateie on page 241 of the Minutes of October 7. The Minutes of October 7, 1968 were then approved as distributed. Downtown Library and Recreation Center (C :78: Councilman Wheatley called attention to an error on page 4 of the Public Works Committee Minutes of October 1, 1968, noting that the cost for automatic sprinkler system is $3, 300 rather than $33, 000 as shown in the Minutes. Z51 10/21/68 See P. 263) 252 10/21/ MOTION: Councilman Wheatley moved, on behalf of the Public Work Committee, that the Council: (1) approve the concept and schematic Works P. 263) design as presented and proceed to plans and specification to insure completion of the Downtown Library/Recreation Center concurrently with the Civic Center; and (2) provide that the building be made structurally adequate to provide for a landscaped deck on the roof. AMENDMENT: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, that provision be made for a separate room to be used as a central information center by senior citizens, such room designed for part-time use by multiple governmental agencies. Discussion followed as to the amount of space required, the groups who would use it, whether the function might ,e better performed in the civic center, whether the agencies to be involved would cooperate and whether there is a need for such an information center. MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, seconded by Beahrs, to hear from any members of the public who wish to speak although there is a :notion before the Council. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Reverend Jchn Francis of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, spoke in support of the proposed amendment. In response to question, Reverend Francis stated that it is expected the center would be manned by volunteers from the agencies involved. The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote. The motion as amended carried unanimously by voice vote. In response to request for clarification from City Clerk Klarnmo Councilman Pearson stated that it was the intent of her rnotion to —_ includes community service! organizationA_as-well -as governrental agencies in the use of ther om. There were no objections. Status of Hu.ntan Relations Council MOTION: C:ouncilrnan Berwald moved, and it was duly seconded, to refer t h e matter of the PAHRC operating under the authority of the City Council rather than the FEPC to the City Manager and the City Attorney to confer with the Chairman of the PAHRC and the liaison member of the HRC and to report their recommendation back to Council. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Subdivision - Grant Avenue and Ash Street MOTION: Councilman. Gallagher moved, seconded by Beahrs, to pprove the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission for approval of the tentative condominium subdivision map submitted by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Deveiopmeet (Federal Housing Administration) for the "Grant Avenue Apartments" located at the southeasterly corner of Ash Street and Grant Avenue. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Old Corporation Yard Proposals: One University Circle Holiday Infix Raven Enteryrises Lee de Forest Center Assistant Planning Director Barker described the public meetings held by the Plan -ring Commission in connection with proposals for development of the Old Corporation Yard site and responded to questions from the Council. MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Spaeth, to table the matter at this time and consider the next item on the Agenda concerning low -moderate income housing with the intent of returning to ,.Discussion of proposed uses of the site after the housing itern is resolvers. The motion failed on the following tie roll call vote: Ayes: Clark, Comstock, Gullixson, Pearson, Spaeth Noes: Beahrs, Berwald, Dias, Gallagher, Wheatley Discussion continued and Mr. Barker responded to questions con- cerning factors considered by the Planning Commission in their review of each of the four proposals selected for submission to the Council. Mr. Lane Brennan, 2512 €ith Cohrt, Palo Alf spokesman for the Palo Alto. Civic League, stated that if the site is to be commer- cially developed then their preference is for the One University Circle proposal. He stated that the Civic League suggests investi- gation of a possible land trade involving downtown property proposed to be developed by the Research Foundation Hospital, allowing the hospital to be built at the corporation yard site and low cost housing to be built in the more suitable location downtown. Olscussion followed concerning the Civic League's suggestion and Mr. Brennan responded to questions from th+e Council concerning it. Robert Johnson, 14122 Amherst Court. Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the Howard Johnson/Palo Alto Plano Complex (not included in the Planning Commission recommendation) being built on the ol,d corporation yard site and read his letters of October 16 an the subject. Jolt. Brockman, President of Raven Enterprises, described their proposed plan for development of the site and urged its farther 253 I0/21/6a consideration. Mr. Brockman responded to question from the Council regarding government requirements for subsidized housing and proposed cooperative ownership of the apartments by tenants. Mrs. Kitsy Bocook, 251 Stanford, Palo Alto, urged that there be no development of the old corporation yard site until the Council is certain other land is available for residences. Frank L. Grist, 531 Cowper, attorney representing Tan Construction Company, spoke in support of development of the Lee de Forest Center. iyilliam Buase, 552 Kellogg, Palo Alto, stated that he is the architect working with Raven Enterprises and responded to questions from the Council concerning anticipated per unit cost of the apartments and their probable design. Mrs. Janet Owens, 863 Moreno, Palo Alto, spoke in support of the Raven Enterprises proposal. Troy Barbee, 881 Richardson, Palo Alto, spoke in support of the Raven-. Enterprises proposal and presented a petition containing four signatures in support of the proposal. MOTION: CouncilmanWheatleymoved, seconded by Pearson, that the Council receive the recommendation of the Planning Commission for One University Circle, Holiday Linn and Raven Enter- prises and that these proposals be referred to the Public Works Committee and to the staff for further study of their acceptability and feasibility. AMENDMENT: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Berwa d, that the Lee de Forest Center recommendation be included also. At the request of Councilman Wheatley, Vice Mayor Dias ruled that the Council would vote on each proposal sseparately-and'then ors. a a - te rstesote to be _c n. the amendment. t4►� anti r,r. mt�fa rin _ . srro t -D+ t1. The amendment to include the Lee de Forest Center in the notion. carried by majority voice vote. The first part of the motion to include One University Circle carried unanimously by voice vote. The second part of the motion to include Holiday Inn carried by majority voice vote. - The third part of the motion to include the Raven Enterprises proposal carried by majority voice vote. The fourth part of the motion to include Lee de Forest Center carried by majority voice vote. The entire notion as amended carried unanimously by voice vote. (The Council recessed from 10:00 to 10:1) p. m. ) 254 10/21/ 611 1 1 Housing - Low to Moderate Income MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that the staff report to the Public. Works Committee at the time of the review of the four proposals fon the development of the old corporation yard site in a statement or summary of the type of programs available for low to moderate cost housing at the state or federal level and how they involve the city, particularly with regard to funding and financial assistance in this type of project. AMENDMENT: Councilman Clark moved, seconded by Gullixson, that the staff be encouraged to meet with repreeentatives.of"the appropriate department of Stanford University with regard to any possible cooperative programs in regard to moderate income housing in response to the letter on the subject from Acting President Glaser. ADDITION TO MOTION: Councilman Comstock, with the consent of nis second, agreed to add the proposed amendment to his motion. The motion as amended then carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: CoUT cilrnan Comstock moved, and it was duly seconded, that the City Council respond to Dr. Glaser's letter affirmatively and indicate the Council's desire to discuss the matter further. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Adult Traffic Guards MOTION: Councilman Spaeth moved, seconded by Beahrs, to continue for one week the report of the City -School Liaison Com- mittee regarding a request for adult traffic guards until a written report could be submitted. The ITIOtioil carried "unaniniotisly by voice vote Proposed Downtown Parkette - Cow , r Street/at Lincoln Avenue Vice Mayor Dias announced she had received several requests from eitirens who wished to speak regarding the proposed down- town parkette on Cowper Street at Lincoln Avenue and suggested the Council hear from the public at this time. There were no objections. Mr. Nathan Finch, 237 Coleridge, Palo Alto, attorney for John B. Newsom, owner of the proposed parkette property, referred to a wall rnap indicating the residences of those on record in support of or opposed to the parkette. Mr. Finch spoke in opposition of the acquisition by condemnation of Mr. Newsom's property for a public parkette. 255 10/21/68 Mrs. Vivian Hawkins; 510 Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the proposed parkette. Ray Linsley, 554 Kinglsey, Palo Alto, spoke on behalf of 106 petitioners in opposition to the parkette. Mrs. Jack Hauser, 1425 Stanford Avenue, Palo Alto stated her home is next to Werry Neighborhood Park, her family has encountered no problems in connection with their location and offered to respond to questions. Henry Parker, 430 Kingsley, Palo Alto, spoke in support of the parkette. Ralph Hawkins, M. D., 510 Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the proposed parkette. Rev. George Wilson, 3347 St. Michael, Pastor of the First Pres- byteriani Church on Cowper Street, but not speaking as a representative of his church, spoke .but support of the proposed parkette with the exception of the portion of the property which is presentl, being used as part of the yard at 510 Kingsley. See P. 263) See P. 263) 256 10/21/68 Jim Judy, 106, Bryant, Palo Alto, presented a petition containing (See P. 263) 24 signatures in support of the proposed parkette and a letter req+lesiing tr'.at two signatures be withdrawn from a petition submitted in opposition to the parkette. Hoyt Rohrer, 1669 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the proposed parkette. Mrs. Arthur Morse. 308 Lincoln Avenue, Palo Alto, spoke in support of the proposed parkette and filed a map indicating support and opposition to the parkette. William Frye, 536 Lincoln, Palo Alto, read a letter to the Council in opposition to the proposed parkette. MOTION: Councilman Clark moved, seconded by Gallagher, to abandon condemnation proceedings at this time in connection with the proposed parkette on Ccwper Street at Lincoln Avenue and that this not be considered as necessarily discarding the idea of a parkette in the area. Discussion followed concerning the size of the proposed park site whether there is a need for a parkette in the area, and the opposition of many whose homes are closest to the proposed parkette. PREVIOUS QUESTION: Cou.icilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Gallagher, the previous question. The previous question carried by majority voice vote. The motion then carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Beahrs, Berwatd, Clark, Dias, Gallagher, Gullixson, Spaeth, Wheatley Noes: Comstock, Pearson (See P. 263) r. Stop Signs Installation on Edgewood Drive (cMR 3:9) MOTION: Councilman Councilman Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Gullixson, its adoption: i Resolution No. 4172 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Resolution Z971 Making Certain Intersections a". Edgewood Drive Stop intersections" The resolution was adopted unanimously by voice vote. Duck Pond Improvements - Final Plans 1CIA:s :3—. MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Beahrs, to approve final plans and specifications for the duck pond improve- ments and authorize initiation of bidding procedures. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Beahrs, itsepprovai for first reading: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Adopting a Plan for Phase One of Development of Duck Pond." The ordinance was approved for first reading unanimously by voice vote. Proposition )A - Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption I :8 ! :9) MOTION: Councilman Gallagher introduced the following resolution __________ and moved, seconded by Gullixson, its adoption: Resolution No. 4173 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the Citx_of Palo Alto Supporting Proposition 1-A" The resolution was adopted by majority voice vote, Councilman Comstock voting no. Abandonment of Portion of Vista A venue (Councilman Spaeth and Wheatley left the Council Chambers at 11:25 p,m. and did not return) Assistant City Manager George Sipel recommended that the proposed abandonment of a portion of Vista Avenue in connection with the El Camino Real Widening Project be considered at an executive session because of the nature of the abandonment. 257 10/21/68 (See P.263) 258 10/21/68 MOTION. Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that the Council consider abandonment of a portion of Vista Avenue (See P. 263) in executive sesoion on Mond.y, November 25, 1968. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Pearson, that the matter of the abandonment of a portion of Vista Avenue be referred to the Planning Commission for a report to be available at the November 25 meeting. The Motion carried unanimously by voice emote. Proposed Letter to Parents re Curfew Vice Mayor Dias announced that School Board Chairman Oliver wished to join with the Mayor. in writing the letter to parents apprising them of their responsibility in ,regard to children unattended under 18 years of age in Palo Alto after= :0:00 p. m, , as stated in Section 9. 24. 020 of the PAMC, and therefore, the letter has not been drafted at this time. MOTION: Vice Mayor Dias moved, and it was duly seconded, to continue consideration of the matter for one week (October 28, 1968). The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Department of Community Services Vice Mayor Dias announced that the creation of the Department of Community Services had been se;er-iti.e -F P celndidate for the International City Managers Association Management Innovation Award. Monroe Park Improvements In response to question from Councilman Berwald, Assistant City Manager Sigel stated that a public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 1968 to explain the proposed improvements to the Monroe Park area to the residents there. Oral Communications Robert Cullenbine, 921 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, stated that the Mid -Peninsula Free University has time on radio station KPGM on Friday and Saturday nights and requested permission to tape all or portions of City Council meetings for presentation on the radio program. Adjournment MOTION: Councilman Beaters moved, and it was duly seconded, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The Council adjonrned at 11:32 p.m. A : TEST: 1. .-- APPR tY ice Mayor,