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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01231967City Hall Palo Alto, California January 23, 1967 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:32 p.m. with Mayor Dias presiding. Present: Arnold, Beahra, Cooley, Debs, D.as, Pearson, R ohr s, Sher, Worthington Absent: Comstock, Flint (arrived 7:40): Rus (arrived 8:43), Woodward (arrived 8:35) AREE2y.,ai of Minutes Mayor Dias requested that the reference to the Finance Committee be stricken from the two amendments, to the amendment shown o i page 4 of the Minutes of January 9, 1967. The Minutes were then approved as corrected. Old Trace Road Project MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, on behalf of the Planning and Procedures Committee. that the staff be directed to prepare a report for a revised Old 'race Road project and to return this report to the Planning and Procedures Committee for further re- view and that the revised project should incorporate the circulation elements of Plan R, should include water, gas, sewer and storm drairn improvements, should include 25 foot street widths and should include minimum preparations for the inclusion of under- ground utilities at a later date. Le thy discussion followed concerning street widths in the_foot- hills area, the reports already provided for the _ project and the -desires of citizens in tam -gropoaed assessment district. The motion carried by majority voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, on behalf of the Planning and Proceduxee Committee, that the staff be directed to provide infer -motion showing the impact of increased City contributions to the road system, and the problems and coot involved in making Old Trace Road a straight street out to Arastradero Road. In reply to questions lrcm members of the Council, Councilman Pearson referred to the wall map indicating the "straight street out to Arastradero Road." The motion carried by majority voice vote. MOTION: Csanicil nan Pearson moved, on behalf of the Piaaaing and Procedures Committee, that the staff be directed to provide information on the variations in width of the road, both cost and traffic -wise, from 20 to 30 feet, and on rolled versus vertical curbs. Discussion followed concerning the standard width of the roads. The motion failed on the following roil +.all vote: Ayes: Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher, Worthington Noes: Arnok, Beahrs, Cooley, Dias, Rohrs Commercial Recreation Use Permits Planning Officer Fourcroy referred to the Planning Commission recommendation regarding recreational uses in R -3:G zones and added that the latest Commission recommendation was to strike the reference in. t�s.proposed ordinance that such uses should be primarily intended for the use of minors. Discussion followed clarifying the status of the Winter Club and the Swim Club :which upon the granting of use permits would become conforming uses in the R -3:G zone, if the recommended proposed ordinance were adopted. Duncan Williams, 650 La Mesa Drive, Menlo Park, owner of the Winter Club, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Chuck Thompson, 3005 Middlefield Road, owner of the Swim Club, urged adoption of the proposed ordinance. Frank Grist, 3r., representative of the Peary estate, owner of the property on which both clubs are located, spoke in favor of the pro- posed ordinance. -G e -SCn bil gel .3344 St. Michael Drive, Palo Alto, ,spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Mrs. Arthur Covitt, 3344 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, epoke :n favor of the proposed ordinance. William Turner, 1127 Guinda Street, Palo Alto, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. MOTION: Councilman Arnold introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Debi, its approval for first reading with the change recommended by the Planning Commission deleting "minors in the surrounding area" and replacing it with "surrounding resie dential area": "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1324) by Adding Section 4.44 to Article 4 Defining Neighborhood Recreational Use and 22 1123167 i Amending Sections 8.03 (R -3-G), 8A. 03(R-3), 8B.03(R-3-P), 8C.03(R-5), 9.03(R-4) and 9C.03(HDA) by Adding a Subsection to Include Neighborhood Recreational Uses with a Use Permit." The ordinance was approved for first reading on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Noes Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Debs, Dias, Flint, Pearson, Rohrs, Sher, Worthington None sa: __---.__ W oodWard City -School Liaison Corr mittee Report osa�a■.�■w�s u� .�■sro�.r. ��■ou r Councilman .Pearson read her report an the City -School Liaison Committee meeting of January 11, 1967. Brief discussion followed concerning the fact that Escondido Village is tax exempt although many children attend school from that area. Special Committee on Eart Palo Alto Councilman Worthington reported on the most recent meeting of the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission concerning the unincorporated triangle area of that county known as East Palo Alto. Re stated that any action should await the outcome of the planning study which will be made if a planning grant is obtained, and that LAFCO had urged the San Mateo Board of Supervisors to apply for such a grant under -the_„ ode1_Cities Act." �aniag Chan _ 3941 Alma Street MOTION: Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by .Beaters, the adoption of the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2330 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 3. 02 of Ordinance No. 1324, the Zoning Ordinance, Changing the Zoning of Certain Property Known as 3941 Alma Street from R -1:B-8A to P -C. " The ordinance was adopted by unanimous voice -vote. Fencing of Private Swimming Pools MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Pearson, the adop- tion of the following ordinance: f "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 31.5 oI the Palo Alto Municipal Code Relative to Pri- vate Swimrning Pools." William Anderson, 635 Bryant Street, representing Rickey's of 4219 El Camino, stated his opposition to the proposed ordinance. Councilman Cooley left the Chambers at 9:'O p;-Tn. ) Mrs. Robert W. Smith, 4230 El Camino, Palo Alto, owner -manager of the Paso del Norte Motel, spoke against the proposed ordinance. MOTION: Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Rohrs, to refer the ordinance to the Planning and Procedures Committee for fur- ther review. The motion to refer carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Rohrs, Rus, her Woodward, Worthington. Noes: Beahrs, .Dias (Councilman Cooley returned at 9:22 p.m.) S ed Limit -Foothill E�xessw h��/ .1i.' MI��O�tii. I�ia.l� M �/ MOTION; Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, the adoption of the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2331 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 19. 152 of the Palo Alto Mu it irx.Z1 Code---D-Toeaethg cfle Speed Lirnit 1 I o Chill Ex- pressway." The ordinance was adopted on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Debs, Dias, Flint, Pearson, Rohrs, Sher, Worthington Noes: Rus Abstain: Woodward Speed Limit - Embarcadero Road MOTION: Councilman Beaters moved, seconded by Rus, that the proposed ordinance decreasing the speed limit on Embarcadero Road to 25 miles per hour on Embarcadero Road be referred to the Planning and Procedures Committee for consideration of inc•eased ut�.liaation of lights as a policing device on Embarcadero. In reply to question, City Manager Morgan stated that in the pro- posed ordinance "St. Francis Drive" should be changed to "Mark Twain Street." The motion to refer failed by majority voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Debs introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Flint, ita approval for first reading with the change of "St. Francis Drive" to "Mark Twain Street." "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Deleting Section 19. 151 from the Palo Alto Municipal Code and Adding Embarcadero Road to Section 19. 152 Decreasing the Speed Limit to 25 Miles Pe r Hour." AMENDMENT: Cou.ncilrnan Arnold moved, seconded by Cooley, an amendment to delete Section 2 of the ordinance. Discussion followed concerning the desirability of using present average automobile Beds to de -ter -aline the speed limit emus setting the limit and policing the street. MOTION: Mayor Dias moved, seconded by Rohrs, to refer the pro- posed ordinance and the proposed amendment to the traffic engineer for review, Councilman Pearson requested Mayor Dias to include the Planning and Procedures Committee in her referral motion. Mayor Dias agreed to do so but Councilman Rohrs stated that he objected and would withdraw his second. The motion then died for lack of a second. MOTION: Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Cooley, to refer the matter to the traffic engineer and t to staff fr,r rAv,;ayv_ .rie^l 'e- -- port back to Council,- — - The motion to refer carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Beahrs, Cooley, Dias, ,Pearson, Rohrs, Woodwazd Noes: Debs, Flint, Rus, Sher. Worthington ( The Council recessed from 9:47 to 10:00 p.m.) (Councilmen Russ and Woodward did not return) Human Relations Council City Attorney Michalski reported to the Council that the members of the Human Relations Council were appointed to one-year terms by the FEPC and that all terms have expired effective January 1, 1967. He recommended that the Council send a panel of names to the FEPC so that a new Council can be appointed for 1967 ane stated that these names could be the same as those of the present Council if desired. MOTION: Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Sher, that the Council send a panel of names consisting of those of the existing Human Relations Connell and recommend the reappointment of all the present members. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Debs, to request the Human Relations Council to send a copy of their annual report to the Council. The motion carried by unanir ous voice vote. Dumbarton Bridge Study City Attorney Michalski referred to the report of January 19 from his office referring to the Council request of January 9 to prepare a resolution requesting that "any imp:7ovement of the Dumbarton crossing int:11We a provision for a mass transit feasibility study as well as for highway traffic" and stated that investigation indicated that the study has been competed by the California Toll Bridge Authority and did not include mass transit. He requested further instruction. MOTION: Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Beahre, to request the City Attorney to draw up a revolution to the California Toll Bridge Authority asking that the Dumbarton Bridge crossing study be reopened to include the subject of macs transit. Discussion followed concerning the possible cost of reopening .the study. The motion carried by majority voice vote. Double -+decking of Bays;hone Freeway City Attorney Michalski reported that in regard to the Council re- quest of January 9 instructing the City Attorney to prepare a reso- lution in support cf a feasibility study of double -decking Bayshore Freeway, that the State Division of Highways has completed the study which did not include mass transit. Councilman Arnold stated that inasmuch as he had offered the motion, he would work out any necessary details with the City Attorney and could report back to Council at a later date. Agenda Items - Written Communications City Clerk Itlamm referred to her letter of January 18 requesting guidance concerning placerane nt of itema under the "Written Com- munications" category of the Agenda. Councilman Sher requested the Council censider out of order the item concerning a letter regarding procedures for handling petitions or correspondence directed to the Council. There were no objections. David Dawdy, 3139 Avalon, Palo Alto, stated he believes there should be very clear guidelines for procedures in handling citizen requests to the Council. Diacusion followed as to whether or not a letter addressed to the Council frorn Mr. Dowdy should have appeared on a previous agenda. MOTION: Councilrnar. Debs moved, seconded by Flint, to instruct the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the Code to the effect that any communication from a citizen or taxpayer of Palo Alto which requests Council action en policy or- that it shall be placed upon the -Agenda 6haii be placed upon the Agenda under "Written Communications." Mrs. J. B. Cobbs, 1533 Dana, Palo Alto, President of the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto, recommended that the matter be referred to the Planning and Procedures Committee. MOTION: Councilman Rohrs moved, seconded by Beahrs, to refer Mrs.' Kla.mrn's and Mr. Da*dy's letters to the Planning and Pro- cedures Committee and that the entire matter of clarification of the handling of citizens' communications to °the Council be reviewed. The motion to refer carried on the following roll call vote: Beahrs, Cooley, Delis, Dias, Flint, Pearson, R ohr r, Sher, Worthington Arnold Flood Control Mayor Dias asked the Council if they wished to hear an oral report from City Manager Morgan on the near -flood situation which had developed during the past weekend in Palo Alto. There were no objections. City Manager Morgan outlined in detail the situa.t'on of San Fran- cisgnito and Matadero Creeks in particular and the City in general with regard to possible flooding. He describeci the work which had been done by City crews to alleviate the problems caused by the heavy rains and rising creeks, and stated that no assistance had been provided by the Santa Clara County Flood Control District to which Palo Alto contributes. MOTION: Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the Mayor be authorized to request an emergency meeting of the Special Committee on San Francisquito Creek to consider what immediate action can be taken by local agencies to improve the flow of the creek channel, with reference specifically to the modification of the bridges involved, and that if no immediate agreement can be reached at the local level, then that Palo Alto take unilateral action tr pre.^,tect.tit! prr.pert__ l + �. - T rlfl:7_ :�f- tl�.a i=A r1ia _n�. "J +ierrr r_ _.�, r......r..:� �� ► asti.:lt3,tykxlg the d�EI1G.l._ -_ '___ '. r_ . r..._-....... - _ Street Bridge. Councilman Flint added that Santa Clara and San Matec Counties and Menlo Park, Stanford and Palo Alto were the local jurisdictions involved. The motion carried unanimously by voice votes. MOTION: Councilman Flint moved, seconded by Deb, to request the Santa Clara County Water and Flood Control District to remove uprooted trees, loose rocks and other debris from the Creeks immediately. The motion carried unanimously. Lengthy discussion followed concerning recommendations for flood control, and Mr. Morgan replied to questions from mettle ers of the Council concerning details and stated that staff is presently working on material which will be submitted to the Council. MOTION: Councilman Cooley moved, seconded by Beahrs, to re- fer the shatter to the Planning and Procedures Committee to re- examine Palo Alto's relationship with all government agencies in- volved in flood control and regvest the staff to make a similar report of alternatives available to the Causicil in dealing with flood control. Discussion bought out that it was the intent of the motion that the Committee examine whether or not Palo Alto should continue in the Flood Control District or whether the City should withdraw and use the ta.x money to take care of the situation itself. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. (Councilmen Sher and Worthington left at 11:40 p. m. MOTION: Councilman Flint mewed, seconded by Debs, that the Mayor be authorized to request the Santa Clara Water and Flood Control District that more comprehensive measurement of both rainfall and stream flown in specific drainage baisins be made to determine long-range flooding characteristics. The motion carried unanimously lry voice vote. Site of Substation H Councilman Cooley asked the Council to consider the item relating to the proposed alternate site for power substation H out of order on the Agenda. There were no objections. (Councilmen Sher and Worthington returned at 11:46 p.m.) Flood Control (continued) 1119.1.6 Mayor Dias recogrdzed a member of the audience who asked to speak on flood control before the Council proceedet: to the next item. There were r o objections. Robert Lewis, 3470 Kenneth Drive, Palo Alto, recommended the City should condemn use of flat valves for drainage. City Engineer Witbeck explained details of the pumping operation in the Sterling Canal-Matadero Creek area and replied to questions from members of the Council. Site of Substation H (continued) Burton S. Marks, 3415 Louis Road, Palo Alto, stated he repre- sented many residents in the area of power substation H. He further stated that his group had investigated the possibility of an alternate site for the substation and had been assured by owner that a site near Fabian Way at the conflux of Adobe and Dry Creeks, owned by California Pacific Commercial Corpora- tion of San Francisco, would be available to Palo Alto for such a substation. He urged the Council to consider the alternate site proposed by his group of residents. City Manager Morgan replied to questions concerning the conse- quences of abandoning development of the present site and selecting another one. MOTION; Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Debs, to delay further action of development of the designated site of ,substation H and direct the staff to investigate the availability of the site selected by the residents and report back at the next Council meet- ing on the consequences al changing the location. Mayor Dias ruled that the motion was out of order and that the only acceptable way to reopen discussion of the substation site would be a motion to rescind previous action selecting the present site. CHALLENGE: Councilman Skier challenged the Mayor's ruling. 29. 1/23/67 The ruling was reversed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Beahrs, Cooley, Dias, Rohrs Noes: Arnold, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher, Worthington Mayor Dias then stated that Councilman Sher's motion was before the Council. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Bealira, Debts, Dias, Flint, Pearson, Rohrs. Sher, Worthington Noes: Cooley ABAG Report Mayor Dias announced that the next meeting of the Goals & Organi- zation Committee of the Association of Bay Area Governrnents would be h6:�t on February 1 and asked if the Council wished to direct the Mayor regarding direct election of representatives in connection with the proposed Bay Area regional government. MOTION: Councilman Debs moved, seconded by Pearaor_, that the Council take a strong position on direct election in accord with the amendments suggested previouslyy(see Minutes -of December 12, 1966) The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Beahrs, Debs, Flint, Pearson, Sher, Worthington Nos. _ Arnold, Coo1ey _ nias._Roars Adjournment Councilman Rohrs moved, and it was duly seconded, to adjourn to February 6, 1967. The motion carried by majority voice vote. The Council adjourned at 12:37 a.m. A PPROVED: 1 1