HomeMy WebLinkAbout01131975S
CITY r'
COUNCIL
MINUTES
Regular Meeting
January 13, 1975
CITY
or -
PALO
ALTO
ITEM PAGE
Adjourned meeting of January 6, 1975 7 9 6
Willow Road 7 9 6
Oral Communications 8 1 7
Adjournment 8 1 7
Regular meeting of January 13, 1975 8 1 7
Minutes of December 16, 1975 8 1 7
College Terrace Neighborhood Traffic Study - Plan Y Evaluation 8 1 7
Request to Continue Items 1, 2, ansl 3 on the Agenda to the
Meeting of January 20 8 2 4
03s Tracking Rate Increase 8 2 5
Palo Alto Water Rates 8 2 5
Request to Continue Items Seven through Eleven to January 20 8 2 6
Executive Session 8 2 6
Oral Communications 8 2 6
Adjournment 8 2 6
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January 13, 1975
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m.
in an adjourned meeting of January 6, 1975, with Vice Mayor Henderson
presiding.
Preseut:
Absent:
Beahrs, Berwald, Clay, Comstock,
Henderson, Norton, Pearson,
Rosenbaum
Sher (Buy: to possible conflict of
interest regarding the Willow Road
item.)
Willow Road
Vice Mayor Henderson said that the meeting of January 6 concluded
with Councilwoman Pcarson's presentation of her position on Willow
Road, followed by a motion. Vice Mayor Henderson said he had been con-
tacted by some people re;arding two comments made by members of Council
that were heard by those attending the meeting and by the radio audience.
One comment concerned Councilwoman Pearson being permitted to speak
for seventeen minutes, and the other co at was: "If I had been
the speaker - as a male - I would have been cut off thirty minutes
ago". Vice Mayor Henderson clarified that Councilwoman Pearson's
speech was twelve minutes long, with perhaps another minute taken
to read and explain her motion; and this information was given in
the interest of accuracy. He thought the important thing was who
speaks when and for how long. When the lights go on ors the panel
In front of him, Vice Mayor Henderson stated that he writes the names
down in the sequence that the lights appear; and he did no shuffling
of the order. He pointed out that the only time he would consider
a deviation from this policy was when Council members were seeking
a second or third turn before all of the other members had an initial
opportunity to speak, or in a case where there was a need for an
immediate response from some member of Council. When a subject is
being brought back to the Council for discussion, Vice Mayor Henderson
felt that each Council member should have his full say. In the present
situation, each Council member is free to talk as long as he or she
desires on the Willow Rand motion. Vice Mayor Henderson expressed
that his overriding concern was to conduct meetings in a fair manner
(certainly avoiding rancor) and as expeditiously as possible.
Vice Mayor Henderson read Councilwoman Pearson'ss motion, seconded
by Rosenbaum, so that ae bere of the public would know exactly what
was before Council. The notion is: "that the staff begin the selection
process for an independent consultant to prepare an Elk on all the
alternatives shown tonight, plus any other alternatives, plus any
partial plan, plus "no plan"; and that the EIR and the entire Willow
Road Project be referred to the Planning Commission for review and
recommendation to the City Council; and that the Council chase the
consultant in conformance with consultant selectiun procedures recently
approved by the Council".
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See pg.
Vice Mayor Henderson reported that since January 6, he had received
several requests to re -open the public discussion on this matter.
Among those requests was a letter from Scott Carey, and a telephone
call from Robert Augaburger of Stanford University. Vice Mayor Henderson
noted that he felt no sense of unfairness up to this point since
several hours of public testimony supporting the Willow Road Project
was heard at the Finance and Public Works Committee meeting and at
on of the November Council meetings. Opponents predominated at asst
week's Council meeting, bit certainly proponents were present in
the audience and were welcome to speak. Although to go back to the
public again carried with it the possibility of another hour or two
of discussion. Vice Mayor Henderson commented that he would support
ggq reopening public discussion if that were the will of the majority
of Council members.
Councilman Berwald said the essence of last Monday's meeting was
that the democratic proc+eae should prevail with a full. airing of
the issues. He was sensitive to the fact that Council was probably
opening itself up to a good deal of additional public discussion,
but he thought public discussion was good for the city and good for
the government,
MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Pearson, that the
meeting be re -opened to public discussion.
Councilman Comstock pointed out chat the notion on the table was
for referral of the Willow Road Project to the Pic.nning Commission.
If that were done, the public would have thJ opportunity to speak
at that meeting. His concern was that those who wishes to speak
tonight may find that the subject is referred to the Planning Commission,
and they would have to appear at that body's meeting to reiterate
their comments. Councilman Comstock thought Councilman Bervald's
motion might be more appropriate after disposition of the referral
motion.
Councilman Berwald stated that he recognized that problem, but he
would let his motion stand.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Beahra, Berwald, Clay, Henderson,
Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum
NOES: Comstock
Vice Mayor Henderson invited members of the audience to address Council.
Robert Augsburger, Vice President for Business and 'Finance s Stanford
University, said he would s arize Stanford's position on the important
issue of public policy which is before Council. He stated that Stanford
viewed the future of Willow Road west of El Camino as an issue of
public policy. Facilities that are of substantial importance to
the public are located along that road, and access to those facilities
is now poor. If nothing is done, the situation will only get worse
to the disadvantage of those who own, operate, and work in those
facilities, and to those who use them. There would be no reason.
for Council to consider the expenditure of public funds for the improvement
of Willow Road if it were not convinced that the Shopping Center,
the Hospital, and the Medical Center, the services on Welch Road,
and the housing along Willow were important to the people of Palo
Alto. Mr. Augaburger commented that saying this does not deny that
benefits would accrue to Stamford, to merchants in the Shopping Center,
and to the tenants and owners of the Welch Road offices and the Oak
Creek Aparaents, a fact that is taken into .account in the proposed
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form of financing through an Assessment Diatrict. It could be said
that almost all actions of the Council with ;respect to land use can
be made to appear to be for the purpose of someone's private advantage,
for the simple reason that almost all Council actions do produce
an advantage for someone or some group. That, however, is purely
a distortion of the process through which Council must go in order
to Neigh the relative public advantage in the courses of action available.
Mr. Augsburger noted that such a process was especially complicated
with respect to this issue because as last week's discussion demonstrated,
there is a complicated mixture of arguments for and against particular
courses of action. The city staff and its consultants produced an
excellent professional analysis on which is based a recommendation
with which Stanford happens to concur. Stanford believes the analysis
to be sound and would be suataiued in any future study. Opposed
to the conclusion of that analysis are a variety of different positions.
It is fair to say that some oppose any significant improvement of
Willow to El Camino because they feel it would be an opening wedge
leading to a major road between El Camino and Bayshore OT Dunbareon
Bridge. Mr. Augsburger stated categorically that Stanford University
had no interest in such a road. Nor did the University believe that
action west of El Camino necessarily and inevitably would produce
unbearable pressure for action east of El Camino. To argue that
it would is to argue that this Council, future Councils, and the
citizenry at large are without resources to protect an important
interest of the city. Mr. Augsburger commented that such al argument;
to say the least, was not consistent with his personal experiences.
Others oppose the project because they fear its potential impact
on traffic in residential areas. On this point, there were complementary
concerns in Palo Alts* and Menlo Park. If there ever were a matter
that demanded regional cooperation, this is it. Mr. Augaburger noted
that it would be grossly unfair to disadvantage the public that uses
the facilities along Willow Road simply because either the will or
the mechanism for inter --community cooperation is lacking. Still
others feel that improving Willow Road as proposed would enable Stanford
to undertake a major expansion of the Shopping Center to the public's
detriment. Mr. Augsburger indicated that he did not really know
how to lay this fear to rest except to say that modernization and
upgrading of the Shopping Center is being explored and contemplated.
Stanford hopes and expects that the Center will be improved in various
ways, including limited and selective addition of retail and service
space. Each such proposal., however, would be discussed with the
appropriate community bodies in a timely fashion; and they would
have the opportunity to work their will. Mr. Augsburger assured
Council. that Stanford University had "nothing up its sleeve". Finally,
there are those who oppose a particular alignment or any project
et all for what may be loosely called "environmental reasons" - concern
for trees, pollution, noise, aesthetics, etc. Council would be bored,
Mr. Augsburger said, if he listed examples of Stanford's own concern
for these important matters. He thought it would be sufficient to
invite one and aU to inspect the ways in which Stanford has developed
its own land, to walk the spaces that: have been left open, to review
the recent land use policy adopted by the Board of Trustees, and
then compare what had been seen with any comparable area in the Peninsula,
the State of California, and the United States„ Mr. Augaburger felt
that such an exercise would speak more loudly than any words he could
muster. In short, Stanford University believes that the environmental
concerns that have been voiced to the Council are grossly exaggerated,
without foundation in fact, and will fall before any fair analysis
of the matter. Stanford University believes that the improvement
of Willow Road must be attended to as a matter of public policy.
Having voluntarily accepted this corridor into its jurisdiction and
being principal financial and service beneficiary from the facilities
in this area, the City of Palo Alto hes a responsibility to address
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Willow Road in an honest, straightforward, aid timely manner. In
Mr. Augsburger's opinion, the city staff has provided Council with
a highly professional analysis; and Stanford is substantially in
agreement with its conclusions. The University recognizes that
the issue is a controversial, complex one; and a substantial question
of proper process has been raised with respect to the role of the
Planning Commission. Given all of the circumstances, Stanford has
no wish to risk short cutting what may be a ;necessary step in the process
or to suggest that Council push itself into taking an action with
which it is manifestly uncomfortable. Mr. Augsburger supported
having the whole matter referred to the Planning Commission with
the understanding that an independent; objective, and thorough Environ=mental
Impact Report will be prepared prior to action on the matter. He
said that the University was entirely confident that a full evaluation
will support the position that Stanford urged, and that Stanford
stood ready to cooperate fully as the study and future deliberations
proceed.
Councilman Rosenbaum scid there had been a suggestion that perhaps
two lanes from Arboretum. to El. Camino, or at least for part of the
way between Arboretum and El Camino, might take care of the traffic
problems in the medium --terra. In particular, one could visualize
an alternate in which there would be four lanes running from Arboretum
to the major entrance to the Shopping Center and then two lanes
from there to El Camino. Councilman Roselbaum asked Mr. Augsburger
if the University would be willing to consider that possibility.
Mr. Augsburger responded that the University would be open to considering
such a plan if that solved some of the problems that the Council
faced.
Councilwoman Pearson asked. Mr.. Augsburger if Stanford would consider
removing any reference to the Willow Freeway or Expressway, either
verbally or pictorially, from its Land Use Plans and -then allow
the EIR people to develop a report.
Mr. Augsburger replied that from Stanford's point of view, the Willow
Freeway or Expressway had been removed. He assumed this was a dead
issue and probably not even necessary in this day and age.
Councilwoman Pearson asked that if the University had sor=e updated
plans, would they be given to the EIR project people and have that
particular Freeway/Expressway removed.
Mr. Augsburger commented that this would require a new printing
of the pions.
Councilwoman Pearson thought a new printing would be a good idea.
Councilman Beahra said he thought Councilman Rosenbaum in his questioning
had in=mind opening Quarry Road so that it could absorb some of
the traffic coming down Willow Road via Arboretum, thus exhausting
it on El Camino. Then, a smaller road as now projected would also
exit on El Canino. Personally, Councilmen Beahra felt this would
bring too much traffic nearer to University Avenue and Palo Alto.
It seemed to him that if the traffic were kept to the north of the
Shopping Center, Pilo Alto would be protected to a larger degree
from any possible additional encouragement of traffic.
Councilman Rosenbaum interjected that his thoughts had nothing to
do ;with Quarry Road, and he had not contemplated using it in any
way other than the way it was currently used.
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John Alcorn, 1978 Edkewood Drive, said he was one of many residents
in Palo Alto for whom the traffic situation along the Willow Road
link between Santa Cruz and El Camino has become intolerable. He
stated that the existing route is totally inadequate for the eaaount
of traffic which it must bear, and the traffic involved has no logical
alternate route. Mr. Alcorn thought the proposed improvements of
widening Willow Road to four lanes between Santa Cruz and Arboretum
and construction of a direct connecting link to El Camino between
the Stanford Shopping Center and San Francisquito Creek are eminently
logical; and in his opinion, they constituted the only practical
solution. Such a connecting link through the existing wooded area
will cause c•a environmental disaster nor would it destroy prime
park land. Mr. .Alcorn pointed out that in-depth studies showed
how four lanes could be routed through the wooded area in such a
manner that only approximately thirty trees would have to be removed,
about twenty of which are either dead or dying. Mr. Alcorn felt
he was in a distressing situation since he was an avid conservationist,
and he was in the position of having to oppose such groups as the
Sierra Club on this issue. He thought that groups such as the Sierra
Club might not have looked into this situation adequately, or perhaps
they had developed a Pavlovian response to any situation in which
any trees are cut down for any reason whatsoever.
R, J. Debs, 3145 Flowers Lane, commented that this particular installation
'n the corridor has many short and long-term ramifications; and these
ramifications should be fully explored by the Planning Commission,
lie reminded Council that all alternatives on this particular corridor
installation must be looked at under an Environmental Impact Statement,
including the possibility of no installation. Mr. Debs had heard
a rumor that there was a feeling on the past of some Council members
that this matter should be pre -decided, perhaps as a sense motion,
and Council would say that it wanted cextain options with certain
intersection plans. That would be turned over to the Planning Commission
with the idea that they would then decide how to do that part of
it in the best way. Mr. Debs observed that this violated a number
of precepts and a couple of laws regarding environmental impact.
He especially mentioned that the professional consultants should
be having meetings with the members of the Planning Commission. Mr.
Debs noted that this was a change in the comprehensive Plan of the
city. If Council went ahead and made a predecisian, it would be
violating the city's Charter. There are legal means which Mr. Debs
thought a number of citizens would be reluctant to take; but if
the proper procedures were not followed, Council would be individually
and collectively called to court by some citizen. He said that was
not a threat, but that he was simply pointing out that anyone could
do that.
Scott Carey, 180 University Avenue, noted that the overwhelming analysis
by the experts and by many testifying from the public indicated that
the issue was a :sear cut one and the debate short. Yet, this did
not seem to be the case as far as Council was concerned. Mr. Carey
said that this issue was obviously becoming a political one leading
up to the May campaign, and he was distressed to see that. He stated
that the argument was whether eight or so dead trees should be chopped
down so the road could be constructed where it ought to be, or to
put the road somewhere else. Putting the road somewhere else really
meant not having one at all. Mr. Carey asked :if the concern was
for the eight trees or whether the real issue was to strangle the
University which confers so many benefits to the public. Perhaps
the interest was in letting the Shopping Center deteriorate, and
that would happen if the traffic congestion were not relieved. Mr.
Carey pointed out that Vallco Park would directly compete with the
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Stanford Shopping Center, which provides the city with very much
needed tax revenue. He asked Council to rely on the expertise of
the city staff and the consultants. Mr. Carey observed there had
been suggestions to have the entire matter referred to the Planning
Commission, and he said he would not go and talk to that body. Comments
made to the Planning Commission and recommandations made by them were
not very important because Council made the final decision. Referring
Willow Road back to the Planning Commission was 1n Mr. Carey's mind
no more than deferring the ultimate decision. Mr. Carey was certain
that an Environmental Impact Report would confirm that Alternate
(D) in the connection of Willow to El Camino would benefit the entire
city by relieving traffic congestion on residential atreets. Such
issues as Willow Road get clouded in the political arena, and Mr.
Carey asked Council to set that possibility aside and decide the
issue or: the merits alone.
Elsie Begle, 1445 Bryant Street, stated that relieving the intolerable
bottleneck at the Stanford Shopping Center would surely serve the
public interest. The only more frustrating situation she could conjure
up would be to force the traffic on Embarcadero going to Stanford
to thread its way through the Town and Country Shopping Center.
When it comes to public harassment by intolerable traffic situations,
Ma. Begle felt she had to voice a cardinal heresy; and that is that
the public interest should override the environmental position.
889 Terry .Tremble, 1011 Lincoln Avenue, Chairman of Land Use in Santa
Clara, Sierra Club, expressed the opinion that three difterottt laws
would be violated if an alternative were selected which involved
an Environmental. Impact Reprt which has not yet been analyzed.
These were the Cafif.orrda Environmental Quality Act, the Palo Alto
Municipal Code, and the California Government Code often referred
to as AB 1301. Consequently, Mr, =rumble could see a number of problems
that would occur If Councilwoman Pearson's motion is not adopted
since an Environmental Impact Report is specifically required as
part of a Planning Commission review. Mr. Trumbie concluded by noting
that California Constitution Article XXVIII states that the people
declare it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve,
conserve, and otherwise continue in existence open space lands for
scenic beauty and recreation.
Charles B. Lusk, i085 University Avenue, said he had been present
at the meeting of January 6; and he was dismayed at the contin?sous
parade of persons making statements about the potential possibility
of legal action against the Council. This same kind of statement
had been made at this meeting by two previous speakers. Mr. Lusk
felt that the proposal that the Willow Road Project be reviewed by
the Planning Commission was very much in order; but be thought that
Council had been totally in its rights and within all legal precedents
in trying to identify the project. Before any environmental quality
analysis can be made and before the alternates can be studied, somebody
has to establish the project. Mr. Lusk commented that prior to the
establishment of what is considered the basic project, it is completely
illogical ir:r anybody to threaten the Council, or the City, or any
group of its citizens with legal action. Once a concept has been
established, then it becomes mandatory for Council to say that they
were interested in the concept and would like to find a project that
is acceptable. In Mr. Luak'a opinion, Council was trying to do just
exactly that; and any threat of legal action was entirely premature.
Robert Mark, 125 Cowper Street, asked Council to make valuable use
of the EIR process in its planning. He felt that an FTR should be
part of a planning process rather than be used in ordcn to justify a
project.
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a project. Mr. Mark strongly supported the suggestion that ttie subject
go back to the Planning Commission and tFiat an FIR be prepared at
this time.
Councilman Berwald said he would not take seventeen minutes or even
twelve. He thought the meeting should be continued in a very constructive
way, and he felt all of the arguments had been made. Councilman
Berwald stated that he had no adverse feelings to persons threatening
lawsuits since that was their right; but he did, however, take issue
with the indications that Council had in any way acted invalidly
or improperly. One of the cases presented are an example of Council
acting improperly was one involving a private development where a
site permit bad been issued by an Appeal Board in San Francisco.
This situation is a different one, and Councilman Berwald hoped the
City Attorney would be heard from with regard to this, He pointed
out that Council had not even approached the issuance of any permit,
bit it was merely discussing a project and making an effort to reduce
the number of conceptual options. If the number of options were
reduced, then those who would make the Environmental Impact Report
would have something definite to work with. Councilman Berwald pointed
out there were lots of precedences to this. W ie.i a developer proposes
something to the city, he presents a definite development. When
a water quality plant is developed, Council does not ask the Planning
Co:rn.ission what size or type it will be. There are established standards
for parks, roads, schools, and for every kind of public works. Council-
man Berwald thought it would be well to establish clear directions
when a matter goes to the Planning Commission. He commented that
it did not make any difference to him if all of the options went
back to the Planning Commission, but he felt strongly that public
interest is served by open debate and by the Planning Commission
having its opportunity to objectively review any project. Councilman
Berwald did not know if it were the general feeling in the community,
but he had heard from some that this particular project was one that
had been initiated by Stanford. Certainly it is a project Stanford
if:. interested in, but it was initiated by a member or Council. The
subject was sent to the Finance and Public Works Committee in October
and was heard on October 8, 1974. There were a couple of thousand
people who either signed petitions or who were represented as being
in favor of the project. At that time, there was not much opposition.
Council approved the project in concept in November 1974, and the
staff developed plans. The number of plans on the board indicated
that there had been an opportunity over a period of months for a
lot of public input. Councilman Berwald made the following points:
First of all, he thought that the project deserved a complete Public
Hearing. Stanford agrees, and all of the members of the public seem
to agree on that point. Councilman Berwald wanted all interests
to be considered. The city needed to have roads that would adequately
move automobiles, prevent smog problems caused by idling, prevent
inconvenience to the public by time wasted in a congested area, and
prevent barriers which encourage automobiles to encroach on neighborhood
streets. If a two-lane road would not ameliorate the traffic congestion,
then perhaps a four, -lane road should be considered. On the other
hand, if a two-lane road will open up the traffic corridor and prevent
drivers from infiltrating the other roads and prevent congestion,
then that would be fine. A second point Councilman Berwald wished
to wake was that if mass transit moves gradually to replace the individual
vehicle in any significant way, corridors with adequate capacity
are needed. This would be one corridor that would move traffic from
at least one heavy traffic carrier, El Camino, to another, Route
280 and points in between. Another concern was the environment.
Councilman Berwald stated that certainly the creekaide and the trees
are important, and he pointed out that the property in question has
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been zoned C-3 and R-4 for very many years. Stanford has been the
owner of that property, and the fact that it is still in open space
indicates more than words can. If the question is that of removing a
few trees and the viability of jobs in the Stanford Shopping Center --
those two considerations would have to be equated along with many
others. Another point that needed attention was the comment that
such a project would induce more use of the automobile. Councilman
Berwald felt that if this new corridor would allow for uses transit
use, then perhaps that fear was unfounded. Auto disincentives had
been mentioned, and he hoped that at some point in the considerations
by the Planning Commission that subject would be discussed as well
as Stanford's experiwents during the Christmas holidays of moving
people around the parki:g lot in small electric carts. Councilman
Beroald' a next consideration was the present and prospective users,
of the property along Willow - the residents, the patients in the
hospitals, the professional and office people, and the educators
at Stanford. Also, the viability of the Stanford Shopping Center
needed consideration. Councilman Berwald expressed the opinion that
there is no question that the Shopping Center, as a viable one, would
be impaired if adequate access for the customers is not maintained.
He observed that everyone knew what the income from the Shopping
Center was in terms of property and sales taxes and what that meant
to the School District and the city. Another important consideration
on Councilman Berwald's mind was Stanford University itself. He
explained that Council was not dealing with just a commercial enterprise,
but it was dealing with an enterprise along the Willow corridor that
is maintained principally for funding an institution of higher learning.
Councilmn Berwald considered it inconceivable to believe that anyone
in this area failed to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and
contributions of Stanford University to the city and the area. If
the Stanford Shopping Centex: should gradually become uneconomical,
this would have a direct effect on the ability of Stanford to provide
the educational and medical services which they presently provide.
Another aspect was income to the city, and Councilman Berwald thought
that quite important. Still another aspect which Councilman Berwald
brought attention to was the total cost of the project verses the
disadvantages. The last point would he the effect of the project on
the subregion and the entire area. Councilman Berwald hoped that
whatever Council action is at this meeting, the matter be approached
with balance and reason. Lawsuits or referendums should not enter
the discussion because no decision had as yet been made. Councilman
Berwald urged everyone to keep an open mind and Work toward a decision
that would satisfy all parties interested in the problem.
Councilman Beahrs stated his intention to take not more than two
minutes for his comments, let alone twelve. He expressed appreciation
for the lucid comments of Mx. Lusk and Mr. Carey. In his opinion,
the way the Willow Road Project was being treated was another prime
example of Council's ability to apiu its wheels. Councilman Beahrs
commented that Councilwouae Perrson's motion was in order, it was
in order tvo meetings ago, and he was in support of it. He assured
everyone that Council had not been trying to avoid the obligations
it had to the community for full herrings, and he pointed out this
was the third one. It was highly probable that there would be two
more hearings before the Planning Commission and perhaps two more
before Council. Councilman Beahrs expressed disappointment that
the motion, which veto in order, had not been advanced two meetings
earlier. He agreed with 4r. Carey that Council not only spun wheels,
but it also became politically oriented in Palo Alto every two years.
in conclusion, Councilman Beahrs said he believed the Wymaan, Klein,
Pearson show last Monday night was one of the best political performances
he had ever seen,
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Councilman Rosenbaum stated thi't he brought his stop watch along
just to see how long his speech would last. Being normally very
brief in his comments, Councilman Rosenbaum felt he had held a couple
of years in reserve just for tonight. Councilman Rosenbaum recalled
that when he ran for Council in 1911, the Willow Expressway was a
very hot issue. Also, a little later on, in August of that year,
Menlo Psrk had an informal referendums, on whether or not to have an
expressway. It was Councilman Rosenbaui's position then, and that
of many other people, that there was no need for an expressway. Such
an expressway would have very serious adverse impacts, and it would
be a better course of action to take a look at some local traffic
improvements that would take care of the problems that were generating
the pressure for the freeway. Tonight, Council was trying to looks
at those local traffic solutions and find out whether a potentially
serious conflict could be resolved. Councilman Rosenbaum mentioned
the great differences of opinion among the citizenry and the obvious
differences that would appear between Stanford University and Palo
Alto. Furthermore, he was sure that Menlo Park would have some interesting
things to say. In his opinion, Council wan faced with a real challenge
in trying to resolve the conflicts and in trying to make the trade-offs
involving open space that simply have to be made in these situations.
Councilmen Rosenbaum thought it was rather amusing to discover hose
far the city was willing to go in trade --offs when it involved the
use of somebody else's land. He trusted that everyone was familiar
with Council', feeling that Campus Drive should be extended to Junipero
Serra as part of this project. Not only is Council willing to do
that, but it insists that it be done because of the belief that it
would relieve traffic in College Terrace and serve as a joint Improvement
in the Willow Corridor, relieving part of the bottleneck at that
traffic light. Councilman Rosenbaum invited everyone to go out and
look at where that road is supposed to go, and he said you would
find there the most bucolic scene that you would see anywhere on
this side of Junipero Serra Boulevard. There are horses; in the fields
and a line of beautiful eucalyptus trees, and yet it is Council's
feeling -and he agreed -- that the situations the city faces make
it seem necessary to pave two and one-half acres of land. That is
the amount of land that would require paving in order to satisfy
traffic needs. Councilman Rosenbaum, in pursuing the situation,
commented that he could see very easily on the Stanford campus some
opposition to extending that road in spite of the tact that it has
been on the University's plans for ten years. As universities are
wont to do, a committee would be formed; and the committee would
hold a Public Hearing. Someone from Council would probably be invited;
and naturally, Councilwoman Pearson would be sent because of her
great rapport with the Stanford community. At the meeting, Councilwoman
Pearson would very carefully explain why it was necessary to pave
two and one-half of their acres and run a road through their eucalyptus
trees because there were trade-offs which made that a very vital
thing for fah) Alto to do. Councilman Rosenbaum indicated that he
wanted to speak primarilyabout the extension to El Camino. There
was a real cuckoo situation there that never should have been allowed
to develop F It was ridic;a.loua for people to have to drive through
the Shopping Center to get out to El Camino. These people were those
who work at the hospital, our residents who live at Oak Creek, not
to mention citizens of Menlo Park; and the situation could only get
worse. Councilman Rosenbaum doted that the forty-five acres located
right next to Oak Creek were likely to be developed, and Council
and the Planning Commission had indicated some interest in having
that land developed for residential use. Stanford University has
said it might well be willing to consider that idea. The Medical
Center is bound to expand; and whether or not Council agrees with
all the things that go on there, Councilman Rosenbaum doubted that
the city would oppose it. Considering all these factors, it became
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clear that the bottleneck needed to be eliminated. When mentioning
this argument to people, Councilman Rosenbaum found their response
to be that this was just another step on the way to the Willow Expressway,
He suggested that he did not believe that it would be; in fact, he
thought it would relieve pressure for a Willow Expressway. Councilman
Rosenbaum reminded Council that in 1971 there was a group called
Citizeus Against Willow Expressway, Its Chairwoman was Ida Morris
of Menlo Park; and in addressing the Menlo Perk Traffic Commission,
she said the following: 1°We recommend the following street improvementa.
There is a severe need to take through traffic off city streets in
West Menlo. A four --pane road should be constructed from the Sand
Hill/Santa Cruz/Alpine intersection through the Stanford Shopping
Center parking lot to El Camino. Most of this is Stanford land,
so costs to Menlo Park would be minimal". Councilman Rosenbaum explained
that the last point was made because there was the argument that
cities could not afford to make the improvements, and they needed
the state to do it. Peter Sly, one of the tacticians in the early
fight against the Dumbarton Bridge and the Willow Expressway, said:
"The traffic bottleneck at the Stanford Shopping Center will continue
to generate paeseure in West Menlo and Sharon Heights for a Willow
Freeway unless this poorly designed street system is corrected".
Now we come up to today, and there is a letter from the University/
Crescent Park Association which opposes the connection to El Camino.
Councilman Rosenbaum pointed out that the Association did not say
that such a connection would increase traffic on University Avenue,
and they :sake a rather astute observation: "If you open Willow Roar;
to El Camino, you will relieve all the traffic strain of the West
Menlo Park area, which is halt their problem. Before considering
this, you should be talking of tho overall traffic problems and their
solutions". Councilman Rosenbaum thought .heir position, that if
you do this you are not encouraging a Willow Expressway but discouraging
it, was a shrewd one. Some of the pressure would be relieved; therefore,
the creation of a Willow Expressway was less likely. What all of
these people recognize is that people who have to sit in tra££ic
a couple of tfmps of day, and people who have heavy traffic running
down their roads, do not feel inclined to indulge their environmental
concerns about roads. They want action taken that will relieve the
problem, and Councilman Rosenbaum considered that a perfectly reasonable
point of view. With regard to the EIR process, Councilman Rosenbaum
observed that the EIR under discussion would cost on the order of
$50,000, It seemed to hire that until there is some agreement by
a majority of Couaefl that it wished to pursue a project, one does
not order an EIR. The last major EIR before Council had to do with
the Yacht Harbor. The County prepared that EIR but only after Council
told them it was interested in the dredging. the EIR was done, referred
to the Planning Commission, came back to the Council, and a number
of changes were made; and that is the way the process should operate.
Councilman Roeenbaum observed that Council did not ask for all the
alternates that were presented for the Willow Road Project. They
were developed by staff to show the different things that could be
done. In his opinion, some of them really should not be studied;
and he thought perhaps the motion might be changed somewhat. Continuing
his remarks concerning EIR's, Councilman Rosenbaum said he could
say tonight that this was a project which he thought should go forward;
but he added that if the EIR generates information which demonstrates
that the decision he has made based on present available facts is
a faulty one, he would be perfectly willing to change his mind.
It was interesting to Councilman Rosenbaum that Mr. Alcorn was the
only resident, and the only person without an obvious economic interest,
who bas spoken in favor of the project; therefore, C?uncilman Rosenbaum
assured everyone that he was under no political pressure to go ahead
with the improvement. He suggested to those who had spoken in opposition
to the project that if the EIR shows there are no significant impacts,
1
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they should be willing to change their minds too. Also, Councilman
Rosenbaum thcught it could be concluded that there are no significant
impacts. He referred to the Comprehensive Plan Impact Report and
the fears that everyone had as to what a new Dumbarton Bridge would
do to traffic in Palo Alto. Livingston & Blaney and Gruen & Gruen
were hired, and they concluded that either a two or four -lane Dumbarton
Bridge would not have a serious impact on the city. The city hired
the best people it could find, and they -ame up with that kind of
heretical information, Councilman Rosenbaum thought it a real possibility
that they might come up with the same conclusion with respect to
this extension to El Camino. There were those who spoke of their
concern about noise and pollution along the road. Councilman Rosenbaum
was sure the people who did the E1R were going to look at the fact
that this road would divert some traffic from streets in Menlo Park
which are purely residential; and although those people do not vote
here, he did not think the EIR consultants would worry about that.
They may well conclude that removing some traffic from those streets
will have a positive environmental benefit. Everyone was aware of
the magnificent trees that line many of Para Alto's heavily traveled
arterials, and Councilman Rosenbaum wondered lust what adverse effecte
might be found if a road carrying several thousand cars is placed
next to the trees in this case. After other Council members made
their comments, Councilman Rosenbaum thought the motion should be
amended so that staff would not be directed to took at every one
of the alternatives. Perhaps a suggestion from Council that staff
invet,tigate an extension which runs along the edge of the parking
lot would be wore suitabin than many of the alternatives that had
been prepared. Also, Councilman Rosenbaum indicated his intention
to -make a motion later in the evening with regard to tightening
up the agreement the city has with Stanford regarding the Campus
Drive extension. Further, he would like to have some information
on potential zoning and the ownership of the land that might lie between
a road and the creek.
Councilman Comstock said the emotion before Council was a referral
motion, and he thought the motion was likely to pass. As things
were, :here was one agreement by major parties interested in the
project that referral to the Planning Commission and exercising the
EIR process is acceptable and the right thing to do. Secondly, he
agreed with Councilman Ro►senbaum's comments that the EIR process
will certainly generate very useful information; not only, he hoped,
of what the impact of one of several options would be, but what possible
mitigation measures sight be taken. For example, Council had maps described
to it in glowing terms that showed ways to achieve a very beautiful
drive through the woods; and that was certainly the case, but at
some price. Councilman Comstock thought an EIR might show an alternative
possibility that a road going along the edge of the parking lot was
not just another paved road, but was One accomplished with the addition
of landscaping. He stated that there was'no reason why a road, wherever
.it was located, could not be landscaped and made attractive. Councilman
Comstock felt there were two ways of having tte landscaping; one
would be to put the road through the woods, and the other would be
to perhapa construct a taro -lane road with landscaping. In the second
case, there would be clearly an addition of trkea. Councilman Comstock
felt the beauty of the Stanford campus set an example for developments
elsewhere on the campus and in the Shopping Center. He assumed the
referral would generate there kinds of considerations in the development
of a* Environmental Impact Report n Councilman Comstock pointed out
that there is another part of Willow Road, and that is the part that
goes from Arboretum to the creek. He wanted to be sure that no one
thought that had been forgotten about simply because there were so
many maps poated shoving only the portion of Willow Road between
Arboretum and El Camino. A point to remember is that this road doea
8 0 5
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have two aspect: to it; and the substantial portion of discussion,
presentation, and concern has been generated over the portion between
Arboretum and El Camino because of the possibility of where it might
be routed. There were a lot of alternatives that had not been discussed;
and one extreme example would be putting the road through the parking
lot and through 1. Magnin's, or relocating T. Magnin's instead of
disturbing the trees. Councilm,:vn Comstock explained he was not proposing
that but mentioned it just to show that there are extreme alternatives
in either direction. He thought that if Stanford were starting the
Shopping Center from scratch today, they would probably follow some
of the concepts that were shown to Council in a slide presentation
a few weeks ago. The presentsituation was one which was really
two shopping centers. One focuses on Stanford Barn, Bullock's, and
Saks Fifth Avenue; and the other one focuses close to El Camino.
It seemed to Councilman Comstock that some day Stanford would want
to unify and develop some linkage between those two shopping'centers.
Council and Stanford would have to keep that in mend because Arboretum
Road is important to Stanford for a lot of other reasons than just
being an accesu to the Shopping Center, and it is important -to the
community. He hoped that the referral motion would be approved;
and that when it went to the Planning Co:;rmission, Stanford would
feel inclined and milling to speak to the Planning Commission on
those sOjects. Councilman Comstock indicated that this would be
very enlightening and helpful when the Planning Commission dealt
with this particular issue. There are constant references to the
Shopping Center, t.1e parking lot, and the roads that are going into
the parking lot, not going into it, or alongside ie. Councilman
Comstock mentioned the great deal of concern that. Stanford had expressed
over the possible loss cf parking spaces, and he thought the Planning
Commission would be helped a great deal if it had the kind of information
Council was given by the University as to what their objectives were
in the development of the academic campus. Councilman Comstock expressed
the hope that his colleagues would vote for the referral motion and
give the Planning Commission the opportunity to properly exercise
the EIR process.
Councilman Norton noted that he had already stated his own view that
in a proper manner, a 'connection should be made'between El Camino
and the existing Willow Road. Such a connection should have been
made ten or fifteen years ago; and when you look at it, you wonder
why it was not done, It is a matter of fact that a majority of Council
has indicated that a connection should be made. Also, Councilman
Norton mentioned that was a matter of recent history that the
Planning Co union has indicated the connection should not be made;
and the motion on the floor is a referral to the Con ission that
has taken that position. This problem should not be ignored that
on the one hand there is a Council who thinks the connection should
be made, and there is the Planning Commission who thinks the connection
should not be made; yet the action is a referral to the Commission.
Councilman Norton felt that Councilwoman Pearson's motion as it stands
is acceptable in the sense that it reefers the matter to the Commission
in the spirit of the city's ordinances which require a Public Hearing.
That hearing has not yet been held, and Councilman Norton thought
any question of the propriety of that' procedure should be eliminated.
There had been a lot of discussion about the need for an Environmental
Impact Report, and he thought it was appropriate at this time to
embark upon that study. If the matter is referred to the Commission,
that will he done; and those who were apprehensive about the EIR
not being done would no longer need to be worried.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Norton moved, seconded by Comstock, that inasmuch
as the majority of Council has show an interest in the completion
of a connection of Willow Road to El Camino Real, the Planning Commission
is requaated to prepare and include aaoug its recommendations to
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Council, the best plan in the Commission's judgment for the routing
and design of such a connection, which plan would provide for a trail
or trails, stays away from the creek along the lines of Alternates
(E) and (G), and stays northerly of the center line of the existing
paved roadway.
Councilman Norton said it was important that this be among the matterr
studied by the Planning Commissi_9peabecause Council was in favor
of an extension, the Commission - was opposed to an extension; and
yet, there was nothing in the potion suggesting There Council stood
on the matter somewhere in between. Councilman Norton thought it
was realistic to indicate to the Commission the parameters within
which Council would like to have at least one helpful. recommendation.
If there is to be an extension of Willow Road, the Commission could
be most helpful in giving Council its recommendation on the best
possible route within the parameters stated in Councilman Norton's
amendment. He explained that it was in this spirit that he made the
amendment - not to prejudge the matter, but to make the Commission's
input most helpful to those members of Council who think an extension
should be made. The parameters include the trails that everyone
seemed to want, it saves a maximum amount of area covered by the
trees along the creek, and it recognizes the need for some kind of
interior circulation arrangement in the parking lot when a part of
that roadway has been used. Councilman Norton explained that without
taking a number of spaces out of the parking lot, Stanford would
be able to redesign its 'parking lot with the undoubtedly required
new roadway and interior circulation system within the parking lot.
The amendment would permit this without tearing across the lot on
the one hand, and without pushing too far into the tree area on the
other.
Councilman. Beahra noted that Councilman Norton's amendment was silent,
as was Councilwoman Pearson's motion, on just what the status was
of the linear park. The land is worth $300,000 per acre; and Councilman
Beahrs, as a taxpayer, had no intention of agreeing to spend $600,000
plus another $200,000 for the development of that sliver of land.
Meanwhile, Stanford has been paying taxes on property worth $300,000
per acre for a number of years so that some people can look at it.
In Councilman Beahrs' opinion, this was not fair to Stanford; and
he wondered if the amendment should not provide in some way for the
solution of this problem. Perhaps the zoning could be changed from
C-3 or C-4 to Open Spuee to give Stanford some relief. The University
was stuck with land which would have no value at all if the road
goes through. Councilman Beahrs pointed out that Stanford had been
generous and courteous enough to nbt raise the question even though
they had been paying is for the benefit of Palo Alto citizens
for years. His feeling was that if people wanted to look at Stanford's
open space, then those were the people who should pay the taxes.
Councilman Norton noted that in all of the plans, the eventual question
as to the nature of the area that Will end up north of the roadway -
between there and the creek - has to be confronted; and he thought
that everyone, as a matter of courtesy perhaps, had chosen to not
confront the iesue. Councilman Norton's personal position was that
he had no intention of using general city funds to buy a park in
that area: beyond that, he did know if he were willing to speculate
on how the problem should be solved.
Councilman Clay said that Council was looking at seven throughways
and four connections, and that maeau there ere twenty-eight different
alternatives to send to the Planning Commission, assuming passage
of the motion. He stated that he would like to see as many of those
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Sea pg. 889
alternatives eliminated as Council could possibly see fit to do without
compromising the sense of the action that it would eventually take.
Councilman Clay pointed out that there were some questions that would
have to be answered before a throughway went through that vicinity.
He asked if there were any significant anticipated problems with
regard to state approval as far as any of the four proposed connections
were concerned. With regard to the throughways, Councilman Clay
pointed out that Council was looking at parcels of land varying from
three to ten acres with an acquisition cost of $300,000 and a development
cost of from $60,000 to $200,000 for a park. He asked as his second
question what assumptions had been made with regard to the disposition
of whatever size parcel would be allocated as a park. Some suggestion
had been made that Council should wait a while for answers to these
questions, but Councilman Clay felt they had a direct_bearing on •
the alternatives that would be found acceptable even before referral
to the Planning Commission. If the city is not going to spend any
money to acquire a park, Councilman Clay wanted to know how any throughway
would be gotten in that particular area.
Ben Pawloaki, Director of the Public Works Department, responded
in regard to Councilman Clay's first question that it was staff's
understanding from the state that they would accept an intersection
design which would not present a hazard to motorists. Concerning
the second question, Mr. Pawloski repJ.ied that the original proposal of
August 15 gave the assumptions that went into that. alignment. That
proposal stated that acquisition of a ninety -foot right-of-way for
a roadway could produce questions about land remaining betweev the
roadway and the creek because portions of the remaining land could
be questionable as to development. Mr. Pawloski explained that any
land included in the estimates was strictly for acquisition of right -
of --way, and there were no funds mentioned for the acquisition of
a park. He clarified that fundamental to the whole subject of assessment
districts is a concept of benefit re'eived; therefore, how the costs
are spread to adjacent parcels is based on benefit.
Vice Mayor Henderson wanted to correct the impression that was expressed
in the Palo Alto Times and elsewli ere that some members of Council
had rejected any improvements to Willow Road. At a November 1974 meeting
every member of Council supported a widening of the existing road to four
lanes (Arboretum to the creek area) . Also, every Council member
spoke favorably about serious consideration of a connection from:
Arboretum to El Camino, although there were substantial differences
in details. When Vice Mayor Henderson introduced this subject in
1971, he did so in recognition of the obvious congestion on the existing
Willow Road. At that time, he saw plans and estimated dates for
completion of Campus Drive by Stanford, Feeling imbued with a spirit
of cooperation, Vice Mayor Henderson was willing to join with Stanford
in alleviating the traffic problems by widening Willow Road, completing
Campus Drive, and discussing the possibilities of extending Willow.
Road to El Camino. He stated that at that time, the possibility
of the extension passing through the trees never entered his mind;
and he had assumed use of the parking lot. Vice Mayor Henderson
commented that the spirit of three years ago seems to have waned
a bit; and he was now being told that Willow Road must be ninety
feet wide, it must go through the trees, it must be connected to
El Camino in a way that he felt would easily permit later connection
to Alma Street, no parking spaces can be taken from the Shopping
Center, and Campus Drive will be completed "maybe" some time after
five ,ears if Stanford believes that conditions warrant it. According
to Vice Mayor Henderson, the present Willow Road still presents a
serious congestion situation that needs to be alleviated; and he
was willing to give that high priority. When it cons to cutting
through to El Camino, much study was -leaded by the Planning Commission
d09
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and by Council with an EIR at hand comparing the relative benefits
and disadvantages of each alternative, incleding Alternative (N) -
no connection. Vice Mayor Henderson stated that the estimated cost
to the City of Palo Alto for the new segment of Willow Road is nearly
$700,000. He had been hearing about hard times ahead for Palo Alto,
so he had to ask just what Palo Alto would be getting for that $700,000.
For instance, were Palo Alto residents finding it that difficult
to ,get to the Center? At the busiest time during the Christmas season,
Vice Mayor Henderson watched cars coming into the Shopping Center
off of El Camino. Every time the light was green, all cars waiting
to enter the Shopping Center cleared the turn lane; however, the
story is a far different one for drivers coming in from the west
side. Would Palo Alto benefit? Would commuters benefit from the
extended road? Would Stanford and Menlo Park be the main beneficiaries?
Although he did not begrudge benefiting others, Vice Mayor Henderson
felt the benefits had to be weighed against the costa, especially
when Palo Alto pays the costs and Menlo Park does not. Comments
made at an Atherton City Council, meeting which Vice Mayor Henderson
attended indicated that Palo Alto's cutting through of Willow Road
would take some commute traffic out of Atherton, so even Atherton
would benefit from an El Camino connection. With all of the alternatives
before Council, Vice Mayor Henderson was becoming more and more interested
in one which had not been discussed; and that was Mr. Irby's proposal
of using Arboretum and Quarry Roads. He noted there would be a tremendous
cost saving, no parking lost, and no trees lost; therefore, he thought
that plan should be included in the referrral motion and considered
by the Planning Commission. Vice Mayor Henderson stated the opinion
that this matter should go to the Planning Commissio: not only because
the law says it should, but because that is why the Planning Commission
exists. He wanted the Commission to have the benefit of an EIR re/sting
to the various alternative proposals and relating to the idea of
no cut through to El Camino. This is not a delaying tactic, but
it is a required and proper procedure to follow. Vice Mayor Henderson
commented that he saw no problem in referring all of the options.
Of the six plans on the board, there were really only two basic plans
with variations on each. Planning Commission would be considering
"in the trees" of "out of the trees", and the rest would be variations
of those two premises. Vice Mayor Henderson admitted that he did
not have complete confidence in ell of the data that had been presented
to Council.; for example, Alternative (F) is not drawn in a way that
he would have intended, nor did it reflect the count that he considered
to be accurate. It lists 210 parking spaces lost and ten trees.
When Vice Mayor Henderson went out and measured distances and alignments,
See pg. 889 he concluded that there would be 86 parking spaces lost, one good
tree, and three small apparently dead trees. He explained that he
was not speaking in favor of Alternative (F) and repeated that the
original motion before Council should be supported. With regard
to the Norton Amendment, Vice Mayor Henderson's first impression
was that it .appeared to very seriously limit the chnices available
to the Planning Commission. Planning Commission cannot favor a road
entirely on a parking lot or entirely in the trees regardless of
what the EIR says; and he thought the amendment precluded the Commission
from looking at the EIR and then coating back ':o Council to say that
no cut through was advisable. It limits them to a definite statement
that it must be extended and sets certain guidelines for it.
Councilmen Norton said that Vice Mayor Henderson had mieainterpreted the
intention of his amendment. He asked the Commission to come back
See pg.8$9ilth one plan, including the pars tern he had mentioned, that does
not preclude other plans. Councilman Norton explained that he was
saying that. Council wanted one plan within the parameters; but the
Planning Commission could come back with five others if they wanted
See pg. 889 to, or none at all.
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Vice Mayor Henderson understood and appreciated the clarification
of the amendment.
Councilman Rosenbaum was still a little disturbed about the part
of the original motion which requires that the :TR be prepared or:
all of the alternatives. He wondered if Council teally wanted staff
to do that kind of work on all the alternatives when it was obvious
that they were not all under consideration.
Naphtali Knox, Director of Planning, responded that it seemed to
him that the basic task on which Council was zeroing in on was identification
of the project; and he agreed with Mr. Lusk that there has to be
an identified project on which to do an EIR. To that extent, the
narrowing of the alternatives does assist in the preparation of the
EIR; and Mr. Knox felt it would be helpful to have it clarified that
Alternatives (A) through (D) are not under consideration. Mr. Knox
explained that staff would have to prepare an EIR that looks at a
specified project and indicates where there are impacts that are
adverse. Where these adverse impacts occur, mitigation, measures
would have to be investigated. If staff starts with a single roadway
design, it can identify what the adverse impacts are from that design
and then look at the mitigation measures that would be necessary
to correct the adverse impact; and alternatives could be looked at.
Staff could also look at the "no plan" alternative and state whether
that would mitigate toe impact or produce other impacts more adverse
and o r significant. Mr. Knox clarified that to whatever extent
the alternatives could be narrowed, a beginning point would have
been achieved for the consultant. He felt that the total result
that would be placed before the public for review would be clear
if staff started with a beginning point as opposed to a large number
of alternatives.
Councilman Rosenbaum asked Councilman Not'ton if he really wanted
staff look at Alternatives (A) through (0) .
Councilman Norton responded that he expected an EIR to discuss the -
implications of his amendment. He commented that in his opinion,
staff should not waste a lot of time on eight plans; and perhaps
that should be clarified for them. Councilman Norton thought it
was fairly clear where Council's interest lies within certain limits.
Once an EIR had beer done on the idea of a connection versus no connection,
it reduces itself to such details as haw many parking spaces are
taken, trees that would be removed, and that sort of thing.
Councilwoman Pearson explained that her intention was to get an EIR
on the whole project and on the question as to wi'zether or not there
should be a road cut through. She pointed out that the plans were
very similar with regard to a connection to El. Camino; and the only
two that were really different were (F) and (D), and the rest presented
little variation,. The consultant would come in and give a recommendation
as to whether to open the road to El Camino or not. Saying that
you do not want them to look at each on* of the plans is saying that
you do not want the to look at the total picture. Councilman Norton
has said that the Planning Commission could come back with its own
independent recom mendr;tion, and Councilwoman Pearson stated that
was exactly as it should be. The Planning Comuission would come
in with a recos aendation for the least harmful plan, and she certainly
supported that. Councilwoman Pearson reminded Council that the recommendation
that this matter go before the Planning Commission was made by her
two weeks ago, and the motion failed four -to --four.
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Councilman Beahrs considered the reservations expressed by Councilman
Rosenbaum very much in order Since it seemed to him that staff and
the Planning Commission were open to an infinite number of variations.
He said he was not looking forward to more Public Hearings, let alone
speeches. Councilman Beahrs thought that after the main motion as
amended is finally considered, Councilman Rosenbaum should be able
to take some action on limiting the variations. Vice Mayor Henderson
had proposed an alternative of a Quarry Road/Arboretum connection,
and that was almost a charge to the Planning Commission; but Councilman
Beahrs felt that such a plan would be very inefficient. On the other
hand, he would be willing to consider an opening of Quarry Road to
El Camino in addition to an extension of Willow Road to El Camino.
Costs had been mentioned as a considerable factor; but Palo Alto
has a great interest in the economic viability of the administrative
center, the Shopping Center, and the Medical Center. Councilman
Beahra felt that if greater viability and efficiency were realized
in these properties, they would be worth more than $70,000 in the
years ahead to the taxpayers of Palo Alto.
Councilman Clay interpreted Councilman Norton's amendment to be,
in effect, a policy statement which would reduce the number of alternatives
the Planning Commission would look at and of EIR's that would be
prepared. AE things stood at the moment, it appeared to Councilman
Clay that there could have to be thirty-two ELR's.
Vice Mayor Xlen person expl lined that the Norton Amendment was an addition
to the main motion, and all aternati•res were to be discussed.
Councilman Berwald asked his colleagues to support the Norton Amendment.
The amendment passed on a unanimous vote. (Mayor Sher not participating.)
1
1
Councilman Rosenbaum reiterated his concern that staff would have
to prepare an EIR on each one of the specific alternatives, and he
added that the alternative of "no plan" has to le considered by law.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Berwald, that
the language of the motion be changed to read: "That the staff begin
the selection process for an independent consultant to prepare an
EIR on widening Willow Road between Arboretum and Sand Hill and extending
the road from Arboretum to El Camino in the vicinity of the edge
of the parking lot", and that the following language be removed:
"on all the alternatives shown tonight, plus any other alternet'dves,
plus any partial plan, plus no plan".
Councilman Comstock asked for an explanation of the difference between
Councilman Rosenbaum's amendment and the original motion.
Councilman Rosenbaum responded that it seemed to him that s°gaff,
if the motion is passed as stated, could require the consultant to
do s great deal of work on some very specific alternativea in which
Council had no interest.
Councilman Comstock understood the thrust of Councilman Rosenbaum's
intent was to eliminate Alternatives (A) through (G) by specific
reference in the first part of the motion, and calling for a roadway
near the edge of the parking lot. He could see staff, in talking
to the consultants, pulling out Alternative (E) or something like
that; and the consultant would want to know what he was supposed
to analyze. Staff would have to provide him with some sort of a
plan line, so that Council would end up with one of the alternatives
one way or the other. Councilman Co a tocx noted that earlior Councilman
Rosenbaum had mentioned the possibility of two lazes between-. Arboretum
8 1 2
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and El Camino, but all the plans had referred to four lanes.
Councilman Rosenoaum stated that he planned to make a separate motion
concerning the number of lanes.
Councilman Berwald commented that he seconded the motion, hut he
did have come reservations about it. He asked if Councilman Rosenbaum
meant the road to go specifically along the edge of the parking lot
all the way from Arboretum to El Camino.
Councilmen Rosenbaum indicated that he wanted to leave that as broad
as possible, and he just wanted to avoid having the staff think it
had to do detailed studies of some of the specific plans in which
Council had no interest. For instance, no one eared anything at
all. about Alternative (D). It would never be approved, and he did
not want staff to do an EIR. carefully considering all the details
of Alternative (D).
Councilman Berwald asked if Councilman Rosenbaum were contemplating
other amendments.
Councilman Rosenbaum responded that he would propose an amendment
that would consider the possibility of a two-lane road along part
of the extension.
Cot.uc1Ican Berwald thought the consultant might read this language
rather literally, and it says about the same thing as Ole Norton
Amendment. He said he w,:uld vote for it as lone as the record shows
that the intent is rot to specify that the roadway he immediately
next to the pavement for the entire distance or eves the majority
of the distance between Z1 Camino and Arboretum
Councilwoman Pearson felt the consultant would come to Mr. Knox and
ask hint what all of this meant and what was there to work with.
Mr. Knox would get out all of the plans far the area between Arboretum
and Sand Hill Road and all of the pions for the area between Arboretum
and El Camino Real in the sisinity of the parking lot. To Councilwoman
Pearson, that meant that the consultant would have all of the plans.
From everything she had heard about ElR's, it would address itself
to "no plan" and any other alternatives such as Quarry Road, which
already opens up to El Camino. Councilwoman Pearson asked Mr. Knox
what he would do when the consultant asked for information.
Mr. Knox stated that everything that had been developed on this project
would be Piven to the EIR people. Complete tapes of the meetings
would be given to them so that they can listen to each and every
word that has been said; and in addition, they would have the transcribed
minutes. He explained that ail he tried to say earlier was that
it would be Less confusing for the consultant if he had a starting
point indicating just what the project is. Once that starting point
is developed, staff would still get out all the plans for the EIR
corasuitan .. If the directions given by Council at thia time are
more specific and say that certain alternatives are not favored,
then the EIR consultant might look at those plans from a mitigation
standpoint and then dismiss the fairly quickly. Thus, the EIR consultant
would have looked at each one of the alternatives but would not have
spent an infinite amount of tine going through each one in great
detail. Mr, Knox pointed out that if there is n) specific narrowing
down, the EIR consultant mat look at each and every one of tha plane;
and that would only add to the cost of the document. In the staff's
recommendation of December 19, Mr. Knox recalled that it indicated
a narrowing down of alternatives aad recommended Alternative (D).
At the ease time, staff recommended that the consultant selection
process for the EIR begin. That was the intent of that recommendation.
8 1 3
1/13/75
It had not been particularly well articulated, and staff members
wanted to apologize for thet.
Councilwoman Pearson could not see any difference between her motion
and Councilman Rosenbaum's amendment, but she would support it.
Any EIR consultant who cores in will look at absolutely everything
that had been proposed.
Vice Mayor Henderson said that he was not as yet a supporter of any
Arboretum/Quarry route as a cut through, but he was interested enough
in it that he thought it should be included in the deliberations.
Councilwoman Pearson responded that when an EIR is done, the consultant
does look at other areas in the vicinity; and she would expect a
competent consultant to pick up this possibility.
Vice Mayor Henderson said he would vote against this amendment since
there was no way of knowing there the line would be drawn.
The amendment passed on the following vote:
AYES: keahrs, Eerwald, Clay,
Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum
NOES: Comstock, Henderson
(Mayor Sher not participating.)
AMENDMENT: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Comstock, that
the following language be added: "Among the alternatives to be added
will be one calling for a two-lane road for a portion of the extension
east of Arboretum".
Councilman Scriald said it seemed to him that the road with two lanes
which goes into the Children's Hospital would have four lanes anyway
due to turn patterns. He wondered if it should be two lanes east
of the Children's Hospital.
Councilman Rosenbaum responded that his thought was that there would
be four lanes to the main entrance to the Shopping Center which would
take the road right to the Children's Hospital, and there would be
two lanes thereafter.
Councilman Comstock understood this was a comproasice between no project
in that area and the originally proposed four lanes. It had been
mentioned earlier that one of the things that has to be looked at
is no project. Given the motions on the floor, Councilmen Comstock
asked staff if there were not some division to this extent -- Council
had talked at great length about the problem of the connection between
Arboretum and El. Camino as opposed to Arboretum and the creek, and
he wanted to know if the motions would set in action a review of
a division of the no project issue. He also %ranted to know if staff
would be looking at no project totally as one case, and no project
between Arboretum and El Cassino as another case, plus the ones that
had been talked about up to this point.
George Sipel, City Manager, responded that the more specific direction
staff could have, the more precise job it could do cm a scope of
services. He added that staff would come back to Council with a
scope of services at the time it had selected a consultant. There
would be a price tag then, and Council would be able to determine
814
1/13/75
if it were comfortable with the price as well as with the scope of
services.
Councilman Clay asked what effect this would have on the
He assumed that the Planning Commission is not precluded
that alternative along with any others. The implication
to be that with each of the alternatives, both two lanes
lanes should be considered.
amendment.
from evaluating
appeared
and four
Councilman Rosenbaum explained that the idea of using two lanes is
one that staff, the Plaaning Commission, and the consultants needed
special direction from Council to consider. Otherwise, they would
probably work only with the four -lane idea or no road at all. This
would also serve partially as direction to staff to talk to Stanford
to see if they really are interested in this and to begin working
on any of the problems that might be entailed by using two lanes
on part of the roadway.
The amendment passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock,
Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaur!
NOES: Beahrs , Norton
AMENDMENT: Councilwoman Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that
the Arboretum/ Quarry Road alternative be considered.
Councilman Beahrs asked if Councilwoman Pearson's intention were
to include this as an absolute alternative or as a combination with
an extension.
Councilwoman Pearson responded that her intention was for the consultant
to look at whatever he deemed to be an alternative,
Councilman Berwald considered this to be a completely different subject,
and he vigorously opposed it. In al]. of the data that staff had
given to Council to date, the Willow corridor was discussed. This
was a completely different corridor; and Councilman 8erwald said
that if he were an environmental impact specialist, he would not
know what to do. He asked for a comment from Mr. Knox on this alternative.
Mr. Knox responded that he thought the suggested alternative should
be looked at. What is being talked about is the EIR process, and
the coasultrnt will by obligated to look .*t viable alternatives.
He pointed out that if this alternative were. not looked at, someone
at a future date would question as to why it had not been looked
at as being a viable possibility. Mr. Knox said staff's opinion was
that this would be a very difficult roadway to accomplish with the
state because of the connection at El Casino with Quarry Road. Perhaps
that is what the EIR consultant will find out, and gybe he will
dismiss the idea quickly and easily, but Mr. Knox thought it should
be included. Further, Mr. Knox felt a competent consultant would
have looked at that alternative whether or not it had been recommended
by Council.
Vice Mayor Henderson added that the Willow corridor is 1,000 feet
wide; and at the Arboretum corner where it row ends, it is about
889 equidistant going over to Quarry Road as the further extremities
of the proposed Willow Road.
889 Councilman 8eehrs said this answered his question. He would vote
for the amendment, but he would oppose the idea even if the EIF. says
it is a good road.
815
1/13/75
The amendment passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Comstock, Henderson,
Pearson, Rosenbaum
NOES: Beaters, Clay, Norton
AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved, aeconded by Pearson, that
for purposes of the review, the case that would be considered "no
plan" have two variations, one being no expansion of the Willow Road
in any of the corridor and the other being no expansion between Arboretum
and El Canino.
The amendment passed on the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Henderson, Norton,
Pearson, Roaenbaz
NOES: Beahrs, Berwald, Clay
FINAL MOTION, AS AMENDED: That the staff begin the selection process
for an independent consultant to prepare an EIR on widening Willow
Road between Arboretum and Sand Hill and extending the road from
Arboretum to El Camino in the vicinity of the edge of the parking
lot; and that the EIR and the entire Willow Road Project be referred
to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the City
Council; and that the Council choose the consultant in conformance
with consultant aele^tion procedures recently approved by the Council;
and that inasmuch as a majority of the Council has shown an interest
in the completion of a connection of Willow Road with El Camino Real,
the Planning Commission is requested to prepare and include among
its recommendations to the Council the best plan, in the Commission's
judgment, for the routing and design of such a connection, which
plan would provide for a trail or trails, stays away from the creek
along the lines of Plans (E) and (G), and stays northerly of the
center line of the existing paved roadway; and that among the alternatives
will be one calling for a two-lane road on part of the extension
to El Camino east of Arboretum; and that the Arboretum/Quarry Road
alternative be considered; and that for purposes of the review the
case which would be considered "no plan" have two variations, one
being no expansion of the Willow Road in any of the corridor and
the other being no expansion between Arboretum and El Camino.
The motion, as amended, passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Comstock that staff
be directed to develop criteria for determining the traffic levels
on Willow Road and the amount of new construction in the vicinity
of Campus Drive that will be used to make the Campus Drive agreement
with Stanford more specific.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
1
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Beahrs, that staff
be directed to report on the potential ownership and zoning of land
between an extended road to El Camino and the creek assuming that
an assessment district is formed, with the report being referred
to the Planning Commission.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
816
1/13/75
ni CommLrnication�
1. Joseph Carleton, 2350 Ross Road, spoke in
favor of mass transit over the use of the
automobile.
2. Harrison C. Oti.a, 909 Forth California Avenue,
spoke: against Dial--A-Ride and about the need
for a good transportation system in Palo Alto.
sdiaur�at
The adjourned meeting of January 6, 1975 adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Re ular Heetin of January 13 197
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 10:20
in a regular meeting with Mayor Sher presiding.
Present.: Beahrs, Berwald, Clay,
Comstock, Henderson,
Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
Absent: Norton
tUnutes of December 16, 1 74
MOTION: Councilwoman Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that
the minutes of the meeting of December 16, 1974, be approved as submitted.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Councilwoman Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that
Item 4 on the agenda dealing with the College Terrace Traffic Study
be moved forward for consideration at this time.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Coile e Terrace
u y vs uatiou (CMR:673:4)
Ted Noguchi, Traffic Engineer, stated that the present report was
the culmination of almost two years of effort by staff and Council.
Staff was recommending that three barriers in the Terrace at Williams-,
Cornell, and Princeton be removed to permit unencumbered movement
on those streets. This was approximately the same conclusion that
staff had reached on the previoes evaluation. Mr. Noguchi reported
that the staff's view was that problems just do not exist to warrant
retention of barriers on those particular streets. Letters from
the public and some newspaper articles indicated interest in maintaining
the barriers, and that would be a decision for Council. Mr. Noguchi
said that staff refers to the modified plan as Plan Z, but that carried
no connotation that it was intended to be the final plan. He stated
that if a decision were made tonight for either Plan Y or Plan Z,
Council would have to declare a negative environmental impact based
on the paaesaea nt presented. Mr. Hogucbi commented that staff intends
to incl:As in the Capital Improvements Program for the fiscal- year
1973-7b some funds to permit implementation on a permanent -basis
the plan that is being- recommendad.
817
1/13175
Mayor Sher referred to the barrier at Stanford Avenue and Bowdoin
and the fact that staff had worked out a compromise with the residents
and the church; and he asked if the staff recommendation was that
("un cil approve moving the barrier to the corner of Stanford Avenue
at;er the entrance to the parking lot to the church on Bowdoin is
closed.
Mr. Noguchi responded that the voluntary effort being made by the
residents and the church seemed to be moving along very well at the
present time. Staff's recommendation is that the barrier be moved
to Stanford Avenue as one of the changes proposed in Plan 2. Mr.
Noguchi said that the barrier would be moved before the actual change
to the driveway. There would be a slight inconvenience to some people
for a short time, but those persons concerned indicated that this
arrangement would be acceptable.
Councilman Comstock expressed his strong interest in hearing from
the public with regard to the recommendations indicated in the staff
report as compared to the present situation.
Mayor Sher invited members of the public to address Council on the
College Terrace traffic study.
f oyd }iaight, 1032 College avenue, felt that the present traffic barrier
system in College Terrace only partially alleviated the problems.
The fact is that the system merely takes the traffic off of some
streets and shifts it to others, and it did not accomplish the prime
purpose of keeping non -College Terrace traffic out of the Terrace.
Mr. Haight asked that the traffic barrier system not be made permanent
until there is further study done. He suggested that a traffic barrier
system be developed that eliminated outside traffic or that would
shift the barriers from time to time.
Angie Herceg, 2311 ?rinceton Street, presented a petition signed
by persons who live on Princeton, Cornell, and Williams between College
and California, Oberlin between College and Stanford, and on College
Avenue. These people find the traffic arrangement in College Terrace
unsatisfacte ry and a threat to the lives and property of the residents
of some streets in the neighborhood. Ms. Herceg pointed out that
before the current traffic pattern was established, the signers of
the petition lived on relatively quiet residential streets; but now
those streets carry the principal burden of traffic. The petitioners
would like Council to rearrange the traffic pattern so that the burden
is spread over more streets. Ms. Herceg proposed that all the streets
in the Terrace be closed at College Avenue only. College Avenue
residents would use that street for ;moving in and out.of the Terrace,
and this would prevent through traffic on all streets. M. Herceg
stater] that she waa not a somber of the College Terrace Residents
Association, and she did not believe that group represented or expressed
the views of the reajority of the residents.
Frank Rhaeae, 2344 Hanover, stated that the 1990 traffic projection
clearly sherd that College Terrace would be overwhelmed with traffic
generated by the two giants that the Terrace was unfortunate enough
to lie between. It was his conclusion that the residents of the
Terrace opposed Plan Z, particularly those residents who live on
the side of the street where the barrier is located. Mr. Rhsme expressed
his support for M. Culpepper's approval of Plan Y and opposition
to Plan 2.
8 1 g
1/13/75
Leslie C. Vickery, 980 Third Avenue, Redwood City, complimented the
judgment of the Council for the removal of barriers last spring.
Recently, he had also appreciated the flashing yellow lights at Escondido
Road and Hanover Street in the mornings. When the barriers were first
installed, Mr. Vickery strongly opposed them because they interfered
with the most efficient way for him to get to work on Page Mill Road.
He stated that if Council did not interfere with the present system,
then he would not have to fight any changes.
Riber Gann, 2390 Hanover Street, asked what had really been done
to close off traffic and relieve the situation in her immediate neighbor-
hood. In her opinion, the traffic created an intolerable condition;
and she wanted to know what the status wasp of a separate road that
would lead to the Industrial Park.
Mr. Noguchi responded that staff was interviewing consultants with
regard to an alternative road system for Industrial Park. Also,
staff has been working with the state concerning double left turn
lanes; and indications at this point were optimistic.
Mary Bay, 2261 Columbia Avenue, requested that no permanent harrier
be placed at the end of Columbia until the whole traffic problem
is settled with Industrial Park. She thought the proposal to close
Hanover on the Industrial Park side was a ridiculous one since the
residents had to be able to get out co Foothill, De Anza, Route 280,
etc. Ms. Bay asked if there were any way of charging the sign at
the stop light which now Nays "no right hand turn on red". She noted
that there are practically no pedestrians or street traffic after
about 7:00 p.m.
Colin Mick, 2130 Hanover Street, considered that Plan Y was working
quite well.. Traffic was being spread over more streets; and that
was one of the main purposes of the plan. He stated his opposition
to taking out the barriers et Williams, Cornell, and Princeton; and
he generally supported Plan Y. }r. Mick had observed the unbelievably
long lines c,f traffic on California Avenue at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30
p.m., and he hoped that some improvements could be made to alleviate
that situation.
David M. Raskin, 1575 Stanford Avenue, spoke to the barrier location
at Stanford and Bowdoin; and he thanked Mr. Hoguchi for patiently
waiting while the interested persons in that area worked out a compromise.
Mr. Haskta asked if there were any way that the city could Join the
effort to widen the driveway at the Lutheran Church. He felt the
preaeat plan was working extremely well in his neighborhood.
Margaret Andersen, 2250 Bowdoin Street, spoke in support of the present
traffic control plan. Since the barriera had been installed, the
neighborhood became more of a residential type of community. There
is some inconvenience, but Ms, Andersen thought that was a very small
price to pay for a quiet, safe neighborhood. She expressed concern
that if Bowdoin Street were opened; heavy trucks would again be going
through with their attendant noise and pollution.
Philip Stavn, 2222 Oberlin Street, stated that Oberlin had a driveway
at the end of it that went right into one of the industrial plants.
Before the barriers, there was a lot of traffic going to and corning
from that plant. Since the barriers had been installed, a dramatic
change had taken place; and parents no longer needed to be constantly
concerned for the safety of their children. Mr. Stavn observed that
Plan Y had served his neighborhood well, but he did sympathize with
those residents who had traffic diverted to their streets, He expressed
his appreciation to the city for the present plan.
8 1 9
1/13/73
Robert Chapman, 2255 Oberlin Street, spoke in support of Plan Y.
The situation where he lived was very good, but it was clear that
those who lived further down toward El Camino had more traffic than
they previously did. Mr. Chapman thought it would be well to try
to even out the traffic load before the plan became a permanent one.
Tom Myers, 2250 Amherst Street, expressed his support for Plan Y
and thanked staff and Council for being so patient. He brought up
the fact that opponents of a particular situation are usually much
more vocal than proponents; and despite that, it was clear that of
the number of people who responded in this case, there was a two -
to -one bias in favor of the present system. Mr. Myers asked Council
to approve the plan.
Tom Yeomans, 1590 California Avenue, commented that before the barrier
system was adopted, he was in a constant state of anxiety over the
safety of his young children. He urged support of Plan Y.
James Culpepper, 2121 Amherst Street, Chairman of the College Terrace
Residents Association, said he had a great deal of sympathy for all
of the residents who were experiencing increased traffic in front
of their homes. He did not see what core could be done other than
pressing forward with the alternative road system, which will remove
the through traffic. With regard to Councilman Clay's suggestion
that Hanover Street be closed, Mr. Culpepper noted that the idea
of closing Hanover south of California had been thoroughly disc'issed
on many occasions. the suggestion had always been rejected because
the Industrial Park industries fronting on California Avenue generate
an enormous amount of traffic, and closing Hanover Street south of
California Avenue prior to the construction of che alternative road
system would force all of that traffic through the College Terrace
neighborhood. Mr. Culpepper stated that his position ruined the
same as when he expressed ft in his letter of January 7. Plan Y
has been thoroughly tested, and the quantity of non -neighborhood
traffic had been substantly reduced. He asked Council to adopt Plan
Y as the final barrier plan for the College Terrace neighborhood.
Mr. Noguchi commented that the city could participate in the widening
of the driveway at the Lutheran Church, and he noted that it was
a rather minor expense. He clarified that if Plan Y is to be considered
for adoption by the Council, the barrier relocation at Bowdoin should
be considered as part of that plan.
Vice Mayor Henderson was very disturbed about the staff recommendation.
After many attempts, there finally was a system that was auccessful
in keeping out through commuter traffic. Vice Mayor Henderson had
been going through College Terrace during commute hours to observe
the present situation, and the transition was an amazing one. There
was an 802 reduction in through traffic, and trick traffic had been
virtually totally eliminated, Vice Mayor Henderson realized that
no system would be perfect, but he felt that this was as close to
that goal as it would be possible to get. in his opinion, if the
city removed barriers, congestion of traffic would go right back
where it was. If the barriers were removed on Willi s, Cornell,
and Princeton, three residential streets close to El Camino Real
would be opened up; and those streets were ceF.tain to have a significant
traffic increase. This would be the beginning of a gradual return
to what the conditions were when Council was first asked to take
action. Vice Mayor Henderson pointed out that just one street in
College Terrace had an above average count, and that was College
Avenue. Even in this case, the count is far below that of nany residential.
820
1/13/75
streets in Palo Alto; a.►d the count is below that of Yale, Hanover,
See pg. 889 and Bowdoin. Vice Mayor Henderson was completely against removing
barriers. As a result of Plan Y, less than half the number of cars
were traveling on the cross streets. Vice Mayor Henderson expressed
pleasure about the Bowdoin Street barrier being moved over to the
corner of Stanford Avenue, and he complimented Mr. Noguchi for working
that out with all parties involved. Vice Mayor Henderson urged that
the current system be accepted as the permanent one for College Terrace.
Responding to the member of the audience who had suggested closing
all the streets along College Avenue, Vice Mayor Henderson said that
had never been seriously considered because of the lack of support
among the residents of College Terrace.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Henderson moved, seconded by Comstock, that Council
approve Plan Y, with the change of location of the Bowdoin Street
barrier to the corner of Stanford Avenue, as the final barrier plan
for the College Terrace neighborhood, and that Council find there
is no negative environmental impact.
Councilman Comstock noted that Mr. Culpepper had mentioned in his
letter such things as crossing markings, signal tiring, and protection
against cut-throughs in the Mormon Church parking lot; and he asked
if staff would like specific direction on those utters as part of
the proposed motion.
Mr. Noguchi commented that he thought staff understood the gist of
Council's direction. With regard to the Lutheran Church driveway,
he understood that the driveway would be closed off at Bowdoin Street,
and the short-circuiting of the barrier would not occur.
Councilman Comstock asked if this were not a possible problem at
the Mormon Church at Stanford and Cornell. Mr. Culpepper had suggested
that some sort of a chain and post arrangement on the Cornell driveway
at the Mormon Church might be effective.
Mr. Noguchi believed this could be worked out and was just a matter
of discussing it with the church.
Councilman Comstock stated that he assumed that the motion would
not only approve the overall concept but would require consideration
of these points as well. One other question that had been raised
was one about no right turns on red, and he asked for a comment on
that.
Mr. Noguchi explained that the reason for the no right turn on red
was because there was an "all walk" operation for the students.
He added that the signal does go on flashing operation at 7:00 p.m.
and stays on flash until 7:00 a.m.
Councilman Comstock asked what Mr. Noguchi thought about Mr. Culpepper's
comment about that signal going on :flash later in the evening because
of meetings at the Escondido School.
Mr. Noguchi replied that the flashing operation is quite flexible,
and the staff was open to any suggestions.
Councilman Comstock thought that if the motion passed, it might be
helpful to propose a motion that concerned some of the specifics
he had mentioned.
Mayor Sher stated that all of the details were things that could
be changed irrespective of the barriers, and staff understood that
they should be considered.
821
1/13/75
Councilman Clay said he was generally opposed to barriers in College
Terrace or any other community because they were not satisfactory
solmtions to traffic problems. He was sympathetic towards College
Terrace because of its peculiar location between two major traffic
generators; and he wished that long before all these discueaioms,
the city and representatives of the Industrial Park might have gotten
together to devise an optimum solution. Councilman Clay stated that
the crux of the problem was externally generated traffic; and, in
fact, that is the only problem that Council should attempt to solve.
It was important for all College Terrace residents to be able to
move freely on their streets, to have public transportation vehicles
able to get in and out, have easy access for emergency vehicles,
and the like. Councilman Clay had looked at the various plans and
had listened to many discussions; and in this week's packet he had
counted at least ten letters from College Terrace residents, half
of whom were opposed to the barrier system. His own position was
that those who favor the barriers were the more vocal of the College
Te:_•race residents, and that had been the case from the outset. Council-
man Clay felt particular concern when someone said the Hanover Street
closure south of California causes a problem to College Terrace residents
because they cannot get out. From that, he drew the inference that
Palo Altans would like to use "another's community" to get out of;
but the citizenry would not like to have those residents cone through
our community. Councilman Clay wondered why it was not -re generally
known that the option of closing Hanover Street was part of the Comprehen-
sive Plan. During the final discussions of the Comprehensive Plan,
Councilman Clay had asked what impact the closing of Hanover Street
south of California had on emergency vehicles. If that is a problem,
Council snould certainly address itself to it. If a barrier there
would not accommodate emergency vehicles, particularly fire trucks
from the other side of California, then Councilman Clay stated there
vas a similar problem with the barrier system that now exists. A
few minutes delay to an emergency vehicle's progress could be vital.
in some situations, Councilman Clay asked staff if it had evaluated
Option 9-H; and if so, what was the assessment.
Mr. Noguchi responded that the issue of the barrier south of California
did cone up at the Comprehensive Plan discussions at Council meetings.
At the time, it was related to the alternative road system; and in
light of that combination, it was staff's view that they were intimately
related. To close Hanover south of California Avenue would make
it almost essential that there be an alternative road system. Hr.
Noguchi explained that the alternative for those industries along
California Avenue would be to take a long route along Page Mill Road,
down El Camino, and then use the entire length of California Avenue,
which does not now occur. The other point not specifically discussed
is that the closure of Hanover Street on the south side of California
Avenue would also impose traffic problems on Stanford Avenue and
many of the cross streets, particularly in the lower end without
barriers. If there were no barriers, all the previous traffic in
that area would be re -introduced through Stanford Avenue via Junipero
Serra or Peter Couttn Road. Air. Noguchi thought that might also
be the see pattern that would occur for industries east of Hanover
on California Jvenue,
Councilman Clay commented that be was not by any means suggesting
that implementing 9-H now would be necessarily the best thing to
do, but he was carious to know the impact that it might have. In
the Comprehensive Pien, the alternative road system and 9-R are separate
and distinct, Council had staff, early in the game, discuss possibilities
with the state of preventing left turns off Junipero Serra on to
822
1/13/75
See pg. 889
Stanford and right turns from California on to Stanford at certain
times of the day. Councilman Clay noted that the reason for that
was to prevent any traffic coming from a northerly direction from
using Stanford Avenue as an access road to the Industrial Park.
Council had been looking at what Councilman Clay considered to be
the identical effect, excluding what problems might have been caused
to emergency vehicles, because the primary purpose of that request
was to take traffic off the roads that came through Stanford Avenue.
He stated he would oppose this motion just as he would oppose any
that suggested there ought to be barriers in College Terrace because
he thought it would be unfair in view of the number of letters received
from College Terrace residents asking that the barriers be removed,
and who had not been as vocal as some of the others. No matter what
barrier system is chosen, Councilman Clay noted that it would be
simply a matter of shifting the traffic from one location within
College Terrace to another.
Councilman Berwald commented that here was a situation where all
of the letters received specifically commended Mr. Noguchi for his
fire handling of the situation. Mr. Noguchi is the city's Traffic
Engineer and a paid professional of the highest order; and in his
opinion, Plan 2 is the better plan. Councilman Berwald asked Mr.
Noguchi how strongly he preferred Plan Z over Plan Y and whether
he would be disappointed from a professional standpoint if he had
to go back to Plan Y with the Bowdoin edification.
Mr. Noguchi responded that he would not be the least disappointed.
He stated that he had been merely trying to be objective. Mr. N'oguchl.
commented that he had exercised his professional judgment; and if
Council chose to take another course of action, that was certainly
its prerogative.
Mayor Sher referred to Councilman Clay's comment that it would have
been preferable to have all interested parties brought together in
an attempt to reach a solution that would be satisfactory to everyone.
He stated that this muter had been before Council and its committees
many, many times; everyone had been heard from at one time or another;
the natter was referred to the Stanford/Palo Alto Liaison Committee;
a public meeting was held sponsored by that Liaison Committee; and
there was tremendous input from both communities. Mayor Sher did
not feel it would be possible to devise a plan with which everyone
would agree. It is clear that Councilman Clay's proposal of closing
Hanover south of California is nct a plan that everyone would agree
with. Mayor Sher was convinced that the present plan is one that
has significantly decreased the non -local traffic through the Terrace,
and he recommended that Plan Y be adopted in accordance with the
}Henderson motion. Regarding the Bowdoin barrier, Mayor Sher stated
support for it; but he thought it should not be made permanent until
it was known for certain that the entrance to the church on Bowdoin
will be closed,
Ms. Rerceg requested that the petition she presented be considered
by Council membera before the vote was taken on the motion.
Councilman Berwald thought the number of names on the petition reinforced
his feeling that the professional opinion of the Traffic Engineer
regarding the equity of Plan E is very sound.
(Councilman Metre left at 11:26 p.m. and did not return)
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Rosenbaum,
that Plan 2 be adopted as the final barrier plan for College Terrace.
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Councilman Comstock commented that over the last two years a plan
was hammered out with input from staff and interested members of
the community, and the plan has been in effect for some time. He
was surprised that Council could reflect on the number of meetings
that had been held and seriously suggest that Plan Z should be the
final one rather than Plan Y. Mr. Noguchi knows, as well as any
of the other experts on staff, that Council takes the opinion of
experts and the opinion of citizens and makes a decision. Councilman
Comstock noted that if Council simply always threw itself in the
arms of the experts, then there really was not much need for the
Council. He was sure Council would not want to embrace that idea
totally, and it was probably glad that it had not taken the experts'
advice totally on University Avenue and Downtown Beautification.
Councilman Comstock predicted that if Council adopted Plan Z this
evening as a permanent plan, the last meeting will not have been
held on College Terrace. The entire process will be completely
gone through again. He strongly urged the defeat of the substitute
motion.
Vice Mayor Henderson said he was completely frustrated after an
earlier plan that was a staff recommendation that had simply not cut
down the amount of traffic. He could not see how anyone could vote
against Plan Y if he considered the fact that 80% of the commute
taaffic had been redirected. If there were any danger that Plan
Z would pass, Vice Mayor Henderson hoped that Councilman Berwald
would matte it a test situation. It should not be put in as a final
barrier system when there had been no experience with it whatsoever.
Councilman Rosenbaum had not earlier realized Oat there were seventy-
four signatures on the petition. He agreed that if Plan Z were
adopted, it should be considered as an experiment; but he would
support Plan Z because of the intense interest of the people who
lived along the streets that were involved.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION RESTATED: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded
by Rosenbaum, that Plan Z be adopted on an experimental basis, and
that staff report back in one month as to the effect of having the
three barriers removed at Williams, Cornell, and Princeton.
The substitute motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Rosenbaum
NOES: Henderson, Comstock, Sher,
Pearson
ABSENT: Beahrs, Norton
The Henderson motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson,
Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Berwald, Clay
ABS : Beahrs, Norton
use t t o Continue I t ems 1 2 and 3
an 4t } en. o e e n o anuar 20
NOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson that Item
1 dealing with the application of John N. Pappas for a Subdivision
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Map for 4221 Wilkie Way, Item 2 dealing with the request of Sydney
M. Smith to extend the development schedule for 3801 East Bayshore
Road, and Item 3 regarding a resolution memorializing the California
Legislature to regulate the practice of massage be continued to
the meeting of January 20, 1975.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Gas Trackin& Rate Inc (CMR:109:5)
memermessee
MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the following resolution
and moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, its adoption:
SOLUTION NO. 5049 entitled "RESOLUTION
OF THE OUN I- F THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING SCHEDULE G-1 (GENERAL NATURAL
GAS SERVICE) OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES RULES AND RATES"
See pg. 889
Vice Mayor Henderson counted tLat the city was increasing the
gas rate at an nverage of about 30% per year, and he asked staff
if there were any cities or private utilities that charge a straight
across-the-board and did not have reduced rates for higher consumption.
Edward Aghjayan, Director of the Utilities Division, responded that
he did not know of any that did. All of diem have the declining
rate block structure which was designed to encourage usage at a
time when energy supplies were more available,
Vice Mayor Henderson said this was his point.
Councilwoman Pearson felt that increasing the rates is going too
far, and one of the big problems was that the PJC did not hold public
meetings.
Councilman Rosenbaum thought that Vice Mayor Henderson's comments
were applicable to electricity where there is a great difference
between the low and high usages, but the schedule shows that there
is not that much difference in gas.
The resolution was adopted on the following vote:
AYES: Bervald, Clay, Comstock,
Henderson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Pearson
ABSENT: aeahrs, Norton
.Alta WalLer, (CM :108:5)
MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the following resolution
sand moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO.
5050 entitled "RESOLUTION
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING SCHEDULES W- I AND W-1-0 (WATER
RATES) OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
RATES AID CHARGES'
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The resolution was adopted on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock,
Henderson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Pearson
ABSENT: Beahrs, Norton
MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Berwald, that Items
seven through eleven on the agenda be continued to the meeting of
January 20 as unfinished business.
Councilwoman Pearson protested the motion because her item regarding
Dial -A --Bus would become old business at the end of a very long agenda,
and it was necessary that a statement be made on that subject.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock,
Rosenbaum
NOES: Henderson, Pearson, Sher
ABSENT: Beahra, Norton
Executive Session
arama gesins
Council adjourned to Executive Session at twelve o'clock midnight.
oral Cor unic.at ions
None
i_okrarapt
The meeting of January 13, 1975 adjourned at 12:40 a.m.
ATTEST:
APPROVE:
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