Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06051967City Hall Palo Alto, California June 5, 1967 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in an adjourned meeting from May 22, 1967 on this date at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Dias pre- siding. Present: Arnold: fle h e (arrived 7:36 p.m.), Berwald, Clark, Comstock (arrived 7:31 p.m.), Cooley, Deb., Dias, Gallagher, Pearson (arrived 7:36 p.m.), Rohr, Rus, Wheatley Absent: Norse Hearing - El Camino Real Widen' Project No. 64-1 (NOTE: Present and seated with the City staff were: Kenneth 1. Jones, Bond Counsel; Elmer M. Berliner, Real Estate Appraiser; and Paul Schiller, Certified Shorthand Reporter. A -full transcript of the entire Hearing was made for inclusion in the Project No. 64-1 file.) Mayor Dias reminded the Council that the hearing on the El Camino Real Widening Project No. 64-1 was still cpen, having been con- tinued from the Council meeting of May 22, 1967. She added that the nature of the hearing is such that all Council members should be present and therefore, pending arrival of the two councilmen --'► - --- re .. e_te 7 stir the (Icemen -woeld-*caress to consider the items scheduled for executive session. (The Council recessed from 7:35 to 7:45 p.m, ) (Councilmen. Beahrs and Pearson arrived at 7:36 p.m.) A eultrxaoaat of City Attorney Mayor Dias annow ced that Acting City Attorney James A. Hildebrand would be asked to accept the appointment as City Attorney effective hone diate ly . Hearin - El Campo Real Wide asf►ag Prooeect No. 64-1 Mayor Dias announced that the procedure outlined previously would be followed and stated that testimony from the public would be heard. John Traynor, 30 Chirchill, Palo Alto, represetiting Traynor and Silver. presented hie plan ier the corner of .i Camino Way and E Camino Real. He referred to wall snaps of the area and replied to questions fro= the Council. 189 6/5/67 Don Dawson; President of Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. , spoke and read a statement from his organization in support of the City's ex- penditure for the widening of El Camino Real. Charles J. McManus, owner of the property at the northeast corner of El Camino Real and Charleston Road, read his statement con- cerning the proposed storage lanes near his property, suggested alternatives and rerslied to questions from the Council. Edward Crady, 1100 Fulton, representing the Elks Club, protested the cost to the Elke Club of widening El Camino Real, stated that on -street parking and sidewalks were of no value to the Club i nd added his concern for entrance and exit in connection with the Elks Club property. City Engineer Witbeck then replied to questions from the Council concerning details in connection with State plans fcr development of the EI-Camino/Charleston /Arrstradero intersection. City Manager Morgan stated that Bond Counsel.' Jones would sum- marize the staff reply to testimony and provide further information to the Council. Mr. Jones referred to the report by Charles P. Bonini distributed to Council members on June 2 and questioned Real Estate Appraiser Berliner on details of his previous report and on additional infor- mation provided by Mr. Berliner, City Engineer Witbeck read his analysis of the assessment range and comparison with other Palo Alto projects and assessments, and two traffic reports prepared by City Traffic Lngineer Noguchi. For the purpose of qualifying himself as an expert, Bond Counsel Jones outlined the experience of his law firm in connection with_ ____-___---- assessment districts. He then summarized the position of the staff -in regard to t roject 64-1 and filed his letter on the subject with the City Clerk. (The Council recessed from 9:36 to 9.;50 p.m.) Richard D. Maltzrnan, attorney for the El Camino Real Property Owners Association, filed the following with the City Clerk: "Analysis of 'Study of Benefits Expectable - Project No. 64-1 El Camino Real Improvement Revised to Include the Years 1965 and 1966"'; a letter dated April 24, 1967 from Senator Clark L. Bradley to the El Camino Real Property Owners Association; Clerk's Affi- davit dated July 22, 1966 from the Clerk of the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors to the County Assessor; and an Assessment Diagrarn representing areas filing written protests to tbr_ Project. Charles P. Bonini, Associate Professor of Statistics, Graduate School of Business, Steford University, commented on his analy- sis of Mr. Besliner's report. i David Ingraham, Real Estate Consultant, Menlo Park, presented his opinion off the figures contained in the Berliner report. Mr. Maltzman concluded his presentation. Mayor Dias declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Councilman Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, to re- open the public hearing.. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. City Manager Morgan replied to questions from the Council con- cerning possible alternate sources of funds for acquisition of right of way, and Bond Counsel Jones stated that payment of the assess- ment could be made in either a ten or fifteen year period. Mayor Dias asked for public omunent on preference of the affected property ow ners in regard to a ten or fifteen year payment p —iod. George P. Casten, owner of property at 4309, 4325, and 4329 El Camino Real, stated he is in favor of the Project, but opposed to the proposed 120 foot width, and has no preference in regard to the payment period. Mrs. Smith, owner of Paso del Norte Motel, asked for information concerning the actual cost difference involved in the two payment periods. Mayor Dias then declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Jones then outlined the poesible action which might be taken by the Council at this time. MOTION' Coiivt Uwts„ dreold moved, . secondedby Beahrs, to con- tinus the matter until the first meeting in July. The motion carried by majority voice vote. MOTION: Councilrnan Pearson moved, seconded by Debs, &et the Council strongly request the County Board of Supervisors to reconsider their decision and permit Palo Alto to use the one and one-half million dollars in Phase I funds for the El Camino Real Widening Project 64-1. The motion carried on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Beahrs, Berward, Clark, Comstock, Debs, Gallagher, Pearson, Rohrs, Rus, Wbeatley Noes: Arnold, Cooley, Dias 191 6/5/6? MOTION:. Councilman Peare:on moved, seconded by Comstock, that the State Division of Highways reconsider their decision regarding 20 foot right-of-way. The motion failed by majority voice vote. CounciL . Meeting Schedule Mayor Dias announced that it is expected since a quorum would not be present on June 19 the Council meeting regularly scheduled for that date would be cancelled, and that :eecauee the July 4 holiday falls on a Tuesday, the regular meeting e; hcduied for Monday, July 3 would be cancelled and a special meeting called for Wednes- day, July 5 to consider the July 3 agenda. Building Permit Moratorium Mayor Dias stated that a petition had been presented to her with the request that it be considered immediately as an emergency item. MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, to consider the petitionas an emergency item at this time. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote, Stanley Grams, 3907 Louis, Palo Alto, preaenteJ a petition signed by residents of his neighborhood, which borders the manufacturing area where Philco-Ford Inc. is located, objecting to the height of constructions planned by Philco and requesting Council action to establish a moratorium on building permits while studying permis- sible heights of buildings in such areas. He distributed photographs of the area. Bernard Mahon, 3815 Nathan, Palo Alto, spoke in favor of the moratorium. James Swan, 3739 Louis, Palo Alto, spoke in favor of the mora- torium and of his concern about traffic in the area. Howar'l Swinehart, 3925 Bibbits Drive, spoke in favor of the mora- toriw� In reply to question, City Attorney Hildebrand stated that the M -1:S zoning of the area occupied by Philcc is in accordance with the General Plan, that the planned construction is permitted in an 1.4-1:S sone and that at this. point in time the City has no discretion in the matter, but must issue a building permit. He added that if a general toning study were in progress which included the area in question, it might be possible to establish a moratoriuxn on building permits in such area generally, but the Council could not act specifically to prevent Philco from development of its property in accordance with the present General Plan toning. Discussion followed and Mr. Hildebrand replied to questions con- cerning possible solutions to the problem presented by the petitioners. MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the Council refer to the Planning Commission a request that they specifically reviww building heights and backyard setbacks in M-1 zone where they abut residential properties and return their recom- mendation to the CouTacil no later than the second meeting in July (July 10) and that the third meeting in July (July 17) be set as a heari.-4 date to review the recommendation. 1 van v.:.:, l Comstock; with the consent of i .r.t....�.- his second. changed "M-1 zones" to "all manufacturire zones." The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Mayor Dias stated that ehee would call Philoo about their plans, in- fo_rm them of the petition and report her discussion back to C6unciP. as soon as possible. Adjournrnent MOTION: Councilman Cooley moved, seconded by Beahrs, to ad journ to 7:30 p.m. , Tuesday, June S. 1967. AMENDMENT: Councilman Debs moved, and it was duly seco to adjourn to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 1967. The amendment failed by majority voice vote. AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved, .econ1ed by to adjourn to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 12, 1967. The amendment failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Clark, Comstock, Debar, Pearson, Rohr. Noes: Arnold, Beahrs, Berwald, Cooley, Dias Wheatley AMENDMENT: Co; ncilman Debsa moved, and it was d to adjourn to 7:30 p. m. on Thursday, June 8, 1967. The amendza ent failed by majority voice vote. The motion carried by majority voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:25 a.m. APPRO a ded, Pearson, Rue Gallagher, my seconded, 193 6/5/67 City Hall Palo Alto, California June 6, 1967 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in an adjourned meeting from June 5, 1967 on this date at 7:32 p.m. with Mayor Dias presiding. Prudent: Arnold, Beahrs (arrived 7:39 p.m.). Berwald, Clark, Comstock (arrived 8:28 p. rn.), Cooley, Debs (arrived 8:48 p.m.), Dias, Gallagher, Pearson, Rohre, Wheatley Absent: Rua Junipero Ser a Boulevard Renamed "Miranf1a Avenue" Assistant Panning Officer Barker outlined the recommendation of the Planning Commission. MOTION: Councilman Arnold introduced the following ordinance and moved, seconded by Beahrs, its approval for first reading, the change of name to become effective within one year instead of 30 days: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Designating That Portion of Junipero Serra Boulevard Constituting the Frontage Road of Foothill Expressway as "Miranda Avenue." The ordinance was approved for first reading on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Arnold, Beabrs, Berwald, Clark, Cooley, :[bias, Gallagher., Pearson, Rohrs, Wheatley Noe s: None Bicycle Routes Assistant Planning Officer Barker outlined the Planning Corrani s 'ion recommendation and referred to wall charts depicting the pro- posed bicycle roue plan. Discussion followed and Mr. Barker replied to questions concern- ing the trial period. MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Clark, to tee old dye Planning CoMuu:saion recommendation and the staff be directed to impairment the bike program ao that it will be in effect this ssaufter. 190 1604?