HomeMy WebLinkAbout01141974CITY
COUNCIL
MINUTES
CITY
PALO
January 14, 1974
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m.
with Mayor Comstock presiding.
Present: Bebwald, Clay (arrived 7:40 p.m.), Comstock, Henderson,
Norton, Pearaon, Rosenbaum, Sher
Absent: Beahrs
Mayor Comstock announced that during the recess period he would like
Council to have an Executive Session to discuse several matters of liti-
gation.
Finance and Public Works Committee
co.q1en at on ! resse Positions
at ono Water a it Cantrel Plant
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Mayor Comstock asked Councilman Henderson to report on the recommendations
of the Finance and Public Works Committee.
Councilman Henderson said that the committee reviewed and raised questions
on the staff memo of December 6, 1973, and listened to further testimony
by Mr. Oeverel. He said committee members were reluctant to authorize
a 10% increase in the annual budget for the plant, but it was felt that
staffing increases were necessary. Original staffing was done on a mini --
mm basis and had proven not sufficient to meet the requirements. Parti-
cularly important was the time last due to absenteeism and personnel loss
during monthly guaranteed three-day weekends. He outlined the total cost
increases and Palo Alto's share.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Vice Mayor Pearson, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2762 EMIT "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO ANDOM G THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1973-74 TO INCREASE
THE tiLNBER OF AUTHORIZED POSITIONS AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE POSI-
TIONS IN THE SEWER UTILITY FUND, REGIONALWATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN"
Mayor Comstock said he hopes that as the budget moved through its pre-
liminary considerations, the Finance and Public Works Committee and the.
staff would give special attention to the fund which would be established
by the increased rates avd make an effort to preserve the fund for the
ultimate expansion of the Plant.
The ordinance was adopted on a unanimous vote%
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1/14/74
Polic and Procedures Conmlittee
•ecow en at ens e o e e Terrace
'irat`T1'c t"u3y"�TCMR:837:3
Mayor Comstock acknowledged that he had received a number of ce ds from
members of the audience who wished to speak or the subject. He said that
the Council had received numerous phone calls and letters, which continued
through the day, in addition to letters they received at their places to-
night. He assured the audience that any correspondence which went to the
City Clerk's office would be distributed to council. He turned the matter
over to Vice Mayor Pearson as chairwoman of the Policy and Procedures Com-
mittee.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that the Committee did have a hearing on the Col-
lege Terrace Traffic Study as which about forty people spoke. This review
included Plans A, B, C, D, etc., all for curtailing the commute traffic
through the residential aree of College Terrace. She remarked that this
was not a new subject but one which had been going on for years. Since
the committee meeting on December 18, 1973, she said that she, as well as
all xaembere of the Council, had been inundated with phone calls and letters
not only from College Terrace residents, but from the Stanford community
as well. She said that rather than go through another long public hearing,
she thought the subject should be sent back to the Policy and Procedures
Committee and at the sane time Council should direct the staff to contact
the Palo Alto/Stanford Liaison Committee and ask them to get together with
Stanford campus residents and come to their own conclusions. These con-
clusions could be brought back to the Policy and Procedures Committee for
committee consideration. An area to be considered would be the Stanford -
Bowdoin intersection, and whether or not Palo Alto should have the option
of the small piece of laced, so that a good traffic pattern could be devel-
oped in that area. Another area for discussion should be Escondido Vil-
lage. Many of these residents had to travel out onto Stanford Avenue in
order to get back to the campus. Stanford might like to consider changing
the barrier at Escondido School or develop some other roadway system for
their own people. She did not think it would take more than a month to
develop a plan and come to some conclusion before the next Policy and Pro-
cedures Committee meeting in February. She said she felt that Council
should consider the other recommendations which came out of the Policy
and Procedures Committee meeting tonight, being items "b" through "f"
with one additional request from Councilman Rosenbaum.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that the matter
of Plan A and any other plans that may come before the Council, including
any resvits from the Palo Alto/Stanford Liaison Committee, be referred
back to the Pclicy and Procedures Committee.
Mayor Comstock explained that the Policy and Procedures Committee would
hear conclu:aiona and recom ndatione of the Palo Alto/Stanford Liaison
Committee presumably at their hearing date in February. The committee
would consider the problem as they have before and if they were able to
resolve it on that evening, they would return it to Council with their
recommendation. During this period, the Committee would be receiving in-
put from all interested parties. The purpose of directing the staff to
work with the Liaison Committee would be to formalize contact with the
University.
Councilman Henderson agreed that the items should go back to the' Policy
and Procedure,: Committee. He introduced a plan of his own involving open-
ing up Stanford Avenue which he felt would cut out the commute traffic and
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yet would have very little restriction on the people living in College
Terrace. The main complaint to opening up Stanford Avenue had been the
excessive speeding, and he felt more stop signs would remedy this.
Councilman Henderson referred Council members to copies of his plan which
was put at their places tonight.
Councilman Berwatd stated that he was mainly interested in hearing from
the people who live on the Stanford campus and the residents of College
Terrace. He asked Mrs. Pearson if her notion contemplated the staff
meeting with members of the public before the matter went to the com-
mittee.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that she assumed that the Liaison Committee
meeting would be open and that all interested people could speak.
Aar. Sipel said that if the issue went to the Palo Alto/Stanford Liaison
Committee it would be open to the public and participation would be en-
couraged. He asked Mrs. Pearson if his understanding of the motion was
correct. The staff and Stanford staff would solicit,opinions from the
Stanford community, but not necessarily from the College Terrace residents.
He asked if this was correct or if they should try to get everyone in
one room together.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied that everyone should be allowed to come in
and listen to each other.
Mr. Sipel asked if the objective of the meeting would be to try to reach
a consensus of all opinions that currently exist and bring those back
to the Policy and Procedures Committee.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that was correct.
Councilman Bers.-aid said he hoped it would be understood that the city
staff and the Stanford staff would try to develop a consensus. Also,
he felt that all the letters received on the issue should be made avail-
able to the Stanford staff. He asked if the public would be able to
speak tonight.
Mayor Comstock replied that he would prefer not to hear from the public
tonight became of the referral motion.
Councilman Berwald suggested an amendment that notice of all meetings held
on this subject be officially published in the paper and that they be
held at convenient tines for the public and Council.
Councilman Clay said that he did not expect to hear any new alternatives
to the traffic atudy tonight and yes surprised that it was being refer-
red back to the Policy and Procedures Committee. He did not feel there
would be any revolutionary ideas between now and when it comes back to
Council. He said that if the issue did go back to the Policy and Pro-
cedures Committee, he felt the industrial park community should be con-
sidered, as the industrial park was pne of the largest contributors of
traffic. He said that an alternativie plan would be to remove all the
barriers and return the area to normal.
Councilman Sher said that he supported the deferral motion because he
felt a compromise solution could be reached in light of other compro-
mises of a recent date.
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The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum,
Sher
NOES: Clay
Mayor Comstock asked Vice Mayor Pearson to introduce the rest of the
Policy and Procedures Committee recommendations,
Vice Mayor Pearson said that several short-term and long -teem decisions
were made regarding the traffic carriers around College Terrace and the
Industrial Park.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson rived, on behalf of the Policy and Proce-
dures Committee, that staff be directed to develop the feasibility plans
in cooperation -with the industries for new access routes in the indus-
trial areas between California and Page Mill Road.
Councilman Rosenbaum noted that there was a staff report dated August 2,
1973, in which this suggestion was made, and it said that to make this
study would cost $15,000-$20,000 and an estimate of the cost of the
roads was $450,000. He wondered if everyone was aware of this. He
said that whi.?e he recognized the problem of traffic on California Ave-
nue, he could, not conceive spending half a million dollars to build
these roads. He wondered if the estimate was still the same, and ,whether
a consultant was or would be hired.
Assistant City Manager Walker replied that a consultant would be hired
to do the study. Part of the feasibility study would involve the finan-
cing for the roads if they were to be constructed and to determine who -
would benefit from the roads. Thus, an assessment district would be a
probability. It was unlikely that the full cost of the roads would be
borne by the city alone. The staff would put the money for the feasi-
bility study in next year's budget and conduct the study at that time.
Construction would probably not occur before the beginning of the fol-
lowing fiscal year.
The motion passed on the following vote: kk
AYES: Berwald, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum,
Sher
NOES: Clay
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, on behalf of the Policy and Proce-
dures Committee, that staff be directed to request the California Divi-
sion of Highways to work with Pa. o Alto city staff to determine how they
can improve the signal light system at California Avenue and El Camino
Real, and El Casino Real and Page Mill Road.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that this notion vas not specific enough and
added the words ". . . and the two left-h4nd turn lanes at Page Mill
Road onto El Camino Real and from Califooiia ohtb El Camino Real" at
tha end of it,
Mr. Walker requested that the County of Santa Clara, as well as the
Division of Highways, be included in this motion.
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Council members agreed to these changes.
Councilman Henderson asked Mrs. Pearson whether the subject of synchron-
ization of other lights on Page Mill Road was discussed.
Vice Mayor Pearson referred the question to Mr. Noguchi.
Mr. Noguchi said he felt the consideration of synchronization was in-
herent in the motion. Staff would have to talk with the County.
Mayor Comstock asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak to item
"c" and there was no response from the audience.
The motion with the additions discussed above passed on a unanimous vote.
MOTION Vice Mayor Pearson moved on behalf of the Policy and Procedures
Committee that staff be directed to request Stanford University to ac-
celerate the schedule for completion of Carpus Drive..
Vice Mayor Pearson said that Campus Drive must be completed in order to
keep traffic from flowing totally into Palo Alto. This Was another item
which staff should bring to the attention of the Liaison Committee.
Councilman Berwald said he was going to oppose this motion because it
was being overdone. There have been several c:eetings with Stanford,
including a special meeting, and he was assured that they were accelera-
ting the completion of Campus Drive to the extent of their economic
ability. He said he would not like to put this kind of pressure on the
University.
Councilman Clay. asked Mrs. Pearson if this item cc'.tld be best discussed
in the Liaison Committee.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied that this was what she said earlier but she
felt that pressure should also come from the City Council. Staff would
be free to talk about it in the Liaison Committee.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Norton, that
Council request staff to discuss the matter of Plan A, which was pre-
viously referred tci the Palo Alto/Stanford Liaison Committee.
The substitute motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock, Norton, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Henderson, Pearson
See p.
103
Vice Mayor Pearson reported that one of the bottleneck intersections
was at Page Mill Road aad Cami.no Real which resulted from the terrible
signal light system.; The city got some relief there from the state and
the county best still needed new lefthand turn lanes and synchronization
of lights at this, intersection., . The city had been promised an inter-
change at this intersection but the state hid not notified the city as
to when this interchange vpuld be built, although the Council developed
the plans for the interchange several years ago.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson movedl on behalf of the Policy and Procedures
little that Council request the California Division of Highways and
Santa Clara County to maintain the present timetables for the Page
Mill/E1 Camino interchange.
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Vice Mayor Pearson added that 1976 was the time set for commencing con-
struction of the interchange.
Councilman Rosenbaum indicated that he had some concern about the inter-
change because of the impact it might have on certain movements onto
Page Mi11/Oregon. For example, if there was no break in traffic caused
by a red light, there could be,a problem at Park Boulevard where traffic
had to move onto the Oregon Expressway from a ramp. He suggested that
before -any communication was sent to the state, staff take a look at the
problems which might be caused when there was no break in traffic.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum :coved, aeconded by Berwald, that the item
be continued until a staff report can be made to study the effects
caused by the loss of signal breaks of movements onto Page Mill/Oregon.
Mr. Sipel asked Mr. Rosenbaum if he felt it would be more proper to direct
these questions to the county, who had jurisdiction.
Councilman Rosenbaum agreed but felt the matter should be looked at care-
fully before the state was approached.
MOTION RESTATED: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Berwald, that
staff be directed to request information from the.county and the matter
would be continued until the staff report was received.
Councilman Henderson asked if design plans were available now for inspec,
tion.
Mr. Sipel replied that there was a preliminary program which was approved
by the Council at the time the improvement project at the other section
of Page Mill Road went forward. The plans were probably on file but
were not detailed and did not take into consideration any change of
traffic problems which might have taken place in the last couple of
years.
Councilman Henderson said he would like to see these plans before urging
the present timetable.
Vice Mayor Pearson said she remembered the plans and said she had con-
cerns at that tine, although she had been in the minority. She wanted
to look at the plans again because some of the predictions she made
had come to pass. Also she felt the plans should be made available to
the Policy and Procedures Committee.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Norton
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved on behalf of the Policy and Procedures
Committee that staff be directed to consider as input only.the recom-
mendations of the "Short orange Action -Program" that were stated in the
meeting on 12/18/73.
Mayor Comstock asked Vice Mayor Pearson what this motion basically ac-
complished.
Vice Mayor Pearson replied that staff was to use it it their implemen-
tation of capital improvement.
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1/14/74
were several buildings, such as condominiums, which really were not
R -I. The school was in a fringe area. He felt the school belonged in
this area as ,p=osed to a commercial area and that the one-story building
was residential in nature.
Councilman Clay asked Mr. Gately what the cost of the expansion would be.
Mr. Gately said he told his clients that the cost would be in the neigh-
borhood of $150,000.
Lena Wikramaratne, 3895 Nelson Drive, Director of the Montessori Educa-
tion Center, spoke briefly about the goals of the Center and refuted
all the allegations made by the previous speakers. She said one of the
primary things the children were taught was how to be responsible for
their -actions. She said she could not understand why people were so
preoccupied with their own concerns rather than with bringing up the
children of the next generation. She felt that children should attend
school in a residential area as opposed to a commercial one, and she
had tried to make the school attractive by planting a garden for the
children. She stated that with the change in hours, the traffic load
would be lessened because all the children would not come at the same
hours. Some parents had to bring the children early and pick them up
late. She is asking for an extension of the hours to aid the parents
and give the children a place to stay while waiting for their parents,
Councilman Clay asked Miss Lena where the children played.
Hiss Lena responded that they have a fenced yard in the front of the
building and -in 1967 she got a use permit from the Council to extend
the garden' area to outside. All activities outside were under careful
supervision.
Councilman Clay asked about the swing set in the back of the school.
Miss Lena said that they did not use it. Flay was confined to the front
area of the school. The children usually play in the yard when they
first arrive in the morning and then again before they go home while
waiting for their parents. Occasionally physical exercises were sched-
uled outside, but always in small groups with adult supervision.
Councilman Clay asked about the present hours of the school.
Miss Lena stated that they were presently 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. but
some children arrive earlier than that and for that reason she would
like to have an area where the children could wait for their parents.
Councilman Henderson asked if with the expanded hours, would classes be-
gin immediately at 7:00 e.t. or would the children play in the yard.
Miss Lena replied that clases start at 9:00 a.m. and she would like a
building separate from the school where the children could stay while
classes were not in session. She said the children never ran wild as
they do in most public schools. She wondered why public schools were
not criticized for this as most of them were located in residential areas.
Councilman Berwradd referred to a remark by Miss Lena that 80% of the
children come from residential areas. He asked if SOZ of the children
came /tom Palo:Alto.
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Miss Lena responded that 80% of her thirty students came from the Palo
Alto area, a few from Mountain View and Menlo Park and she felt the
additional children would be from Palo Alto in the same proportion.
Councilman Berwald asked if the additional children would be in the same
age groups.
Miss Lena replied that in most cases they would be although sometimes
there were older children who were not working up to their grade level.
Councilman Berwald :inquired if the Montessori School was privately funded.
Mies Lena responded yes.
Robert J. Jebe, 3145 Flowers Lane, said that he was the author of to-
night's appeal because he wanted Council action to turn down this re-
quest. On the surface the use permit requested was for increased.atten-
dance. The zoning administrator allowed the increase but left the buil-
ding up to the. Architectural Review Board. Pe said that this was not
just an increase in attendance, it was a physical expansion in the
heart of R-1 zoning and would prevent any reconversion of the two lot
parcels back to R-1. He stated that the question was not the quality
of instruction, which he felt was probably good, but what would happen
to the value of the whole neighborhood, which was already too close to
a commercial zone.
John B. Dougherty, Secretary Treasurer of the Montessori Education Cen-
ter, stressed that the Center was privately funded and while it acted
somewhat as a child care center, child care centers cost the taxpayer.
He said it had been discussed what would happen to the Center should
Miss Lena die. He said one thought was to donate the property to the
exclusive use of children in the form, of a non-profit organization. He
said they were in the process of communicating with Wilson Riles and
others in Sacramento as to what way they should go. He stated that
neighbors did not have a right to complain because the children were not
out in the yard very much of the day. He felt there was no more noise
coming from the Center than there was at the public school at the corner
of Emerson and Loma Verde.
John Shipper, 3133 Flowers Lane, stated the four problems which he felt
were of the most concern regarding the expansion of the school, He
said that Miss Lena appeared to have difficulty keeping promises, In
1970 when increased enrollment was allowed, she promised to pleat bushes
and shrubs to screen noisis at the rear of the school property. He said
that she bought small, five gallon shrubs which would take years to
grow eo sufficient size. The second problem he presented was that with
the increase of the hours per day to 11,5, the school would become a
babysitting situation. Thirdly, he expressed his concern over the ef-
fect on the local zoning. By allowing the use permit, the Council would
be rezoning without going through the formal procedure of changing the
General Plan. Iits last point concerned the environmental impact report
and he felt it was somewhat inadequate, primarily with regard to the
growth -producing ;impact of the school expansion.
Councilman Berwald asked if there was any other evidence other than not
plating the right _shrubs which substantiated his comment that miss Lena
did not keep promises.
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Mr. Skipper said that the swing set was supposed to be removed and had
not been. He said they were small points but indicated Miss Lena's
intentions.
George Desposito, 615 Wellsbury Way, said he looked upon the matter as
another encroachment of the neighborhood. He said that the present
use permit stipulated that the age of the children would be from two
to seven years old. Yet an ad in the phone book stated a maximum age
of ten. He referred to the use permit granted in 1970 and explained
that if the use permit was granted, the 1970 use permit which Miss Lena
obtained would be null and void and the applicant would be rewarded for
waking promises and commitments four years ago, not fulfilling then and
now going after something on a much larger scale.
Mr. Worline, 3130 Middlefield Road, explained that he worked nights and
could not sleep during the day due to noise disturbance from the school.
Miss Lena responded to the allegation that she did not keep promises.
Size recalled that they were requested to submit a plan of the garden
and she had a garden architect look into the matter. The plants and
shrubs chosen and their placement had been the recommendation of the
architect. She said that they never used the swing set and welcomed
anyone who would like it to copse by and pick it up.
Mr. Glanville said that in his opinion the school had not complied with
their 1970 use permit. He pointed out that there was a condition re-
stricting the enrollment to thirty Lntil all construction, landscaping,
etc., was completed and met the requirements of the Architectural Review
Board.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded by Comstock, that the
Council uphold the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny
the application of the Montessori Educational Center fora use permit
to increase attendance. 1
Councilman Henderson emphasized that this was r.o reflection on t:he Mon-
teasori School and its principles bdt the basic problem was that the
issuance of an original use permit would seem to guarantee a capacity
of twenty children. It was accepted by the Council and the residents
on that basis. Then it was raised to thirty and now capacity would be
increased by another two-thirds. ?.lso, the size of the new building
would permit further growth in attendance in the future. He said that
this changed the character of the facility and threatened a breakdown
for commercial use or a higher residential dersity use. He said he be-
lieved the Council's first obligation was to protect the R-1 residential
area, especially from later expansion on special permit uses.
Councilman Rosenbaum asked Mr. Glanville why'he recommended in favor of
the use permit whereas the first two times it came up, he -recommended
against it. What caused his change in view?
Mr. Glanville replied that this was a different situation, primarily
because the use permit did not consider the plans, as the two previous
permits did.
Councilman Rosenbaum said that he read about Mr. Gentry in ?Mountain View
who had comments to make about whether an old age home should be located
in a residential neighborhood. He said Mr. Gentry had some strong Words
about just where do you put these types of things. He wondered just
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1/14/74
where schools would be put. He felt the size of the lot offered a cer-
tain amount of flexibility as to building placement. He reiterated the
concerns of the neighbors and recognized them as legitimate concerns.
He suggested that perhaps the Architectural Review Board could bring
some resolution to the problem which would be consistent with the re-
quirements of the neighborhood but which might also allow for the expan-
sion of the school.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Berwa1d, that
the matter be referred to the Architectural Review Board for the purpose
of attempting to find a solution which meets the needs of the school
while preserving the tranquility of the immediate neighborhood.
Councilman Rose. balm added that the aspects of the problem to be con-
sidered should include:
1. The height and locAltion of the proposed building;
2. The appropriateness of the size of the building in relation to
the proposed number of children;
3. The location of the outside play areas;
4. Feasibility of converting the existing structure back to R-1
should school use be discontinued.
Mayor Comstock asked Mr. Booth if this would be an acceptable approach
to. take.
Mtn. Booth responded that he felt it was appropriate if they acted within
a reasonable length of tine.
Councilman Berwaid said he felt it was a very good motion and supported
it with the thought that Council could find some way to approve the
expansion. He felt Councilman Rosenbau;'s conditions were good, but he
would like to have him add one more in his own :cords. Mr. Glanville
had mentioned that then were some more design changes which would ame-
liorate the noise and he wondered if that would be inherent in the mo-
tion.
Councilman Rosenbaum said he felt that would be inherent and he did not
intend to be exclusive in his suggestions.
Councilman Lerwald commented on the concern of protecting R-1 residential
uses. He felt that was a worthy goal and all of the Councilmen should
be given credit for protecting neighborhood zones. He felt the question
was would a decision to deny the use of the property for the Montessori
expansion be protection of residential zones as claimed by some of the
opponents. He said that one night ;conclude that approving it was in
the interest of residential zones. He said he spoke in support of the
proposal and hoped the objections of the neighbors could be met. He
stated that in the long range, Palo Alto was going to have nursery schools
and child care centers and they were going to hopefully be in residen-
tial zones as opposed to commercial zones. He commended Miss Lena and
Virginia filers and her child care task force for their work. He said
in his opinion it was preferable to take the noise of laughter of chil-
dren now instead of the noise of abased children later.
Councilman Clay said that all of the schools he could think of were lo-
cated in R-1 neighborhoods. He asked if there was something peculiar
about the Montessori operation that caused more problems than a public
school.
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Mr. Sipel responded that he did not know of any specific ccmplaints.
He said that in comparing this to an elementary school, Councilman Clay's
observation was correct in stating that they were in residential areas,
the only difference being that the elementary schools were largor and
the children were spread around more.
Councilman Clai said that it appeared to him that with the motion, the
Council was setting policy with respect to the order in which things
would be considered. He said it was his understanding that the appro-
val of the use permit would be contingent upon the Architectural Review
Board's coming back with a favorable recommendation. He stated he thought
that would happen anyway without the present notion. If that was not
the case, the Council should set a policy with respect to the order
in which these things occur.
Mayor Comstock replied that the recommendation by Kr. Glanville in Sep-
tember set some conditions on approval of the use permit for an atten-
dance level of fifty. Once the use permit was approved, it would not
become final until it received approval of the Architectural Review
Board. He asked the staff how long it would take for the ARB to reach
a conclusion.
:r. Glanville said it would depend entirely on the applicant and how
soon he coui3 get the item on the agenda.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that this was a difficult decision for her.
She favored child care centers and felt that Xcntessori school was
merely anothar alternative. On the other hand, she felt that the expan-
sion of the school had gore beyond what the neighborhood thought way
reasonable. in her opinion, the Council was going about things back-
ward and therefore she could not support Councilman Rosenbaum's motion.
Figures ought to be developed showing how many children could be placed
in the 5500 square feet, and this figure shoulc be established as an
ultimate goal. she Planning Corission would be determining the growth
figures and whether the plans for the site were good for the neighbor-
hood. They should tell the Council, not the Architectural Review Board.
She continued that the main task of the Architectural Review Board was
not to help develop plans for someone. They were merely supposed to
look at it after the plans have been developed. The applicant then would
come before the Planning Commission which would decide whether it was
a good site plan and then. the Architectural Review Board would get into
the act. She felt the procedure was backwards in this situation. She
said that the bestwey to do this would be foc the Council to accept
Councilman Henderson's motion to deny the application. Then, having
heard the comments of the Commission and Council, the applicant could
come back to the Commission with a new plan. Then before it came to
the Council, it should be reviewed by the ARB.
Councilman Sher said he felt it was a different assignment for the ARB
to come up with a design to cooperation with the applicant that would
be compatible with the R--1 neighborhood. He asked Mr. Rosenbaum if
it was his intention that AFB might say that in order to accomplish
the objective, the building should only be built I:o twenty-two feet or
that only ten children could be added.
Councilman Rosenbaum replied that he would expect them to consider just
those sorts of things. he said the considierations with regard to the
use permit had to do with the physical plan. The Planning Commission
said they could not worry about those things, it was the ARB's respon-
sibility. The ARB Would be in a hole if the use permit was approved,
because it was their job just to consider the plan.
0 4 9
1/14/74
Mayor Comstock said he would like to speak against the motion to con-
tinue and he was in favor of upholding the decision of the Planning
Commission. He felt fifty people were just too many and this was some-
thing Council should decide. He emphasized that the Planning Commission
was not saying to :tear the site and move the school out. They were
responding to a request from the neighborhood and this was an issue that
would have to be considered anytime a child care center issue arose.
He said that from what he had seen to date, it was not appropriate to
approve an increase in enrollment at this time. Before an expansion
could be approved, he felt the performance rf the school as it existed
now must be more satisfactory to the neighborhood. He urged the Coun-
cil to vote against the continuance and not give the ARB a job they
could not do. He said that turning down the use permit at this time
should not be construed as an indication that the Council was not going
to do anything in any other part cf town.
The substitute motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Berwald, Clay, Norton, Rosenbaum
NOES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Sher
Councilman Berwald said he respectfully disagreed with Mayor Comstock
that fifty children was too many. He discussed the school in his own
residential neighborhood and said there were :io complaints ,about noise.
He felt it was a o:atter of attitude rather than noise level. He said
he would vote in opposition to the Planning Commissions recor :endation
of denial. He suggested that Mr. Klein might like to make some cow, -
meats which might guide the Council. Also, he suggested that those
people who have not visited the school, might like to do so before they
vote to deny the application. He said that some stock should be put in
the environmental impact statement declaring that there were no adverse
impacts.
Councilman Clay asked Mr. Henderson if his intention in moving that the
denial be upheld was that the Montessori people would come back with
a new plan which would be more in line with tl.e residents' requests.
Councilman Henderson responded that the Planning Commission made their
judgment based on the increase of attendance requested and he was up-
holding their recommendation and opposing the increase, and that the
Montessori people were free to come back with an alternative plan.
The motion to support the recommendation of the Planning Commission
and deny the application failed on the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson, Sher
NOES: Berwald, Clay, Norton, Rosenbaum
Mayor Comstock asked Mr. Booth what happened next in the event of a tie
vote.
Mr. Booth replied that the Council had an option to continue the matter
or in the event that it could not be acted upon tonight, the applicant
having failed to get a Council majority that would overturn the Planning
Commission decision, the matt.er'wou?d stay the way it was.
050
1/14/74
Mayor Comstock said, in other words, that barring any action by the
Council, the Planning Commission's recommeridation effectively became the
case in point.
Councilman Berwald said he would hate to leave it that way without the.
Council deciding and since there was not a full Council, he had no way
of knowing how the absent member would vote. He felt the full Council
should deliberate on this.
MOTION: Councilman Berwald coved, seconded by Clay, to continue the
item for one week.
Mx. Sigel said it is his understanding that there would not be a full
Council at the January 21 meeting.
Mr. Klein suggested that the Planning Commission might take a further
look at this application and work out'an acceptable compromise.
Mr. Booth confirmed that this wts an Acceptable alternative.
Mayor Comstock said that if a referral motion was made, he would rule
that it would take precedence over a motion to continue.
MOTION TO REFER: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that
the matter be referred back to the Planning Commission.
Councilman Rosenbaum asked what the Planning Cvrission might do.
Mr. Klein responded that the Council made cuggestions earlier which
might be considered. -
councilman Clay asked if the ARB would look at the issue before it came
back to Council.
M4.ayz>r Comstock said that under the present procedures it would probably
evolve as it did before as a recommended action on the use permit and
then be contingent upon approval of the plans by ARB.
Mir. Sipel responded that the Mayor was correct.
Councilman Clay said that it appeared to him the case would travel the
same circuit again.
Mr. Klein replied that as he recalled the ARB ordinance, it was drafted
to be flexible to cover situations such as this where there was a con-
flict. It might be appropriate to ask the ARB for its advice before
bringing the matter back to Council.
Councilman Sher said it appeared the . Planning Commission was now ready
to consider questions which it had been advised not to get into, such
as structure and building plans, but now the idea was that they would
get involved in thesfe matters.
Mx. Klein agreed that to some degree that was correct but also a joint
meeting of the Planning Commission and ARB might prove effective.
The motion to refer the matter back to the Planning Commission failed
on the to:/owing vote:
AYES: Clay, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Berwald, Comatoek, Henderson, Norton
O 5 1
1/14/74
Mayor Comstock said that the continuance motion would now be considered.
Councilman Rosenbaum suggested a substitute to his earlier motion of a
joint referral to the ARB and the Planning Commission, either jointly
or separately.
MOTION: Councilman Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Berwald, that the sub-
ject be referred to the ARB and the Planning Commission for the pur-
pose of attempting to find a solution which would meet ,the needs of t' -e
school while preserving the tranquility of the itamediate neighborhood.
The motion failed on the following vote:
AYES: Berweld, Clay, Rosenbaum
NOFS: Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Sher
Councilman Sher said he would like to see the matter continued to a
time when all Nine Council members would be present.
MOTION TO CONTINUE RESTATED: Councilman Berweld moved, seconded by
Clay, that the ratter be continued for two weeks, instead of one week,
to the meeting of January 28, 1974.
The motion to continue for do weeks passed on the following vote:
AYES: Clay, Berwald, Norton, Pearson, Sher, Rosenbaum
NOES: Henderson; Comstock
Executive Session
Mayor Comstock announced that the Council would take a recess in Execu-
tive Session to consider personnel matters and matters of litigation.
Council recessed from 9:55 to • 11: U5 p.m.
Councilman Norton left the chambers at 11:0 p.m. and did not return.
A ointuents to Humap Relations Commission
Mayor Comstock announced that in Executive Session Council appointed
Helen L. Tao and Elvia P. Garwood to the Human Relations Commission
each to fill a three-year term expiring December 31, 1976.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by 1iexiderson, that Council
approve the appointment of Helen L. Tao and Elvia F. Garwood to the
Human Relations Commission.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote with Beahrs and Norton absent.
Plannin. Commission Recommendation
ton-Kulakoff
D ve1opmsere Co. Co orado Park
. . ��r�.. ,- aew.w..��r®.wa�wuri tasar+�w .r�nero
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson Moved, seconded by Henderson, that the Coun-
cil uphold the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny the
0 5 2
1/14/74
application of Harrington-Kulakoff Development Company for a change of
district of property at 1009-1011 Colorado Avenue from R-1 to P -C (17
dwelling units).
Mayor Comstock reported that the Council was in receipt of the Planning
Commission minutes of the meeting at which the item was considered, the
report containing Resolution No. 169 with appropriate drawings attached,
and a letter dated November 20 from Walter Harrington.
Walter Harrington submitted a letter addressed to the Planning Commis-
sion in care of Mrs. Mary Gordon and the same letter addressed to Mr.
Knox. Mr. Harrington said he would like to ask a few questions of Mr.
Klein because he was at the Planning Commission meeting. He asked Mr.
Klein if the adjacent site was rezoned for R-3 for Colorado Park and
why?
Mr. Klein replied he believed it was zoned. R-3 but Colorado Park and
the zoning which applied to it were not discussed at the Planning Com-
mission meeting where Harrington-Kulakoffts proposal was considered.
Mr. Harrington explained that the reason he asked the question was
that in looking at the zoning map there was a pin on that site, and
that the R --3G site was really an island. He suggested that it might
be considered spot zoning, which occurred for Colorado Park. He felt
this was the decision made by the Planning Commission ant the Council
at that time and that the decision for doing that was relevant to his
proposal. This was not brought out by the city staff or the commis-
sioners. He asked Mr. Klein if he felt the proposal for Colorado Park
was more or less than R-2 and if this was determined for him by the city
staff. Mr. Harrington corrected his statement and said he meant Colo-
rado Village, not Colorado Park.
Mr. Klein said he could not quite understand the line of Mr. Harrington's
questions. Colorado ?ark was Colorado Park and it had particular cir-
cumstances surrounding it and since then there had been several other
applications for that particular neighborhood, most of which had been
rejected on the same grounds that the Harrington-kulakoff proposal
was rejected. In general, the Commission felt that Colorado village
was much too dense for the situation involved.
Mr. Harrington replied that those were all tantamount to R-3 proposals
and that was why the West Bayshore Association vehemently opposed them..
In this case, the associaeion did not express opposition but took a
neut>a1 stand. He asked Mr. K.ieiti. if he did not feel it was a good
planning practice to have a k-2 between a R-1 and a R-3. He said that
what he proposed was less than a R-3 proposal. He then asked Mr. Klein
if he personally favored $70,000 large P-1 houses over $30,000 small
R -1 houses.
Mr. Klein responded that he favored both types for Palo Alto and said
that the city liked a mix of housing types, all of them consistent
with good planning which meant not having any neighborhood impinged
upon by paeticular developments. In_ larrington-Kulakoff's case, the
proposed development was far too dense for the neighborhood.
Mr. Harrington asked if it was true that the West Bayshore Msociation
took a neutral stand on the proposal and the neighbors to the Vest
took an opposing stand.
0 5 3
1/14/74
Hr. Klein replied that there were some representatives for the West
Baysbore Association present tonight and suggested they might speak
for themselves. He said that he believed Mr. Harrington's understanding
was correct.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that she objected to a member of the audience
grilling the Planning Commission representative and that Mr. Harrington
should ask general questions of the Council or the staff.
Councilman Henderson added that the Council had a letter from Mr. Saper--
stein, chairman of the West Bayshore Residents Association stating their
position.
Mr. Harrington projected a dime and a quarter onto the screen to illus-
trate his discussion of comparative values of houses. He then referred
to the letter of January 14 which he had submitted tonight and posed
five questions regarding Colorado Village which he felt the Planning
Commission and Council should study. He concluded by saying that he
wou.id like to withdraw his application, at least temporarily, until a
study session could honestly determine the answers to his questions.
Mayor Comstock asked Mr. Booth if withdrawal of an application could
be done unilaterally by an applicant, or would it require some specific
action by the Council.
Mr. Booth replied that the Council was entitled to act on the Planning
Ce=i_ssion's reco- en?ation or accept the applicant's request to with-
draw.
Mayor Comstock said, in other words, if Mr. Herrington made a statement
to withdraw his application as a matter of public record that in itself
accomplished the withdrawal.
Mr. Booth replied that some action of acceptance by the Council was
required.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, to accept
Hr. Harrington's request to withdraw the application of }iarrington--
Kulakoff for a change of district of property at 1009-1011 Colorado
Avenue.
Councilman,Ierwald wondered if Council was going to accommodate Mr.
Barrington by referring his questions to the Planning Commission for
study. He did not know if the questions could be referred in relation
to the particular proposal.
Mayor Comstock suggested that if fir. Berwald wished to raise the natter
of referring the questions to the Planning Commission and staff, it
#could be taken as a separate motion action rather than relying on
them to do it as a matter of course,
Mayor Comstock asked the audience if those two people who wished to
speak to this subject wanted to comment on the withdrawal motion or'
if the questions pertained to the original recommendation of tar. Harring-
ton.
The speakers indicated that they had wished•to speak to the original
recommendation.
The motion to accept withdrawal of the application passed an a unani-
mous vote.
0 5 4
1/14/74
Councilman Berwald asked Mr. Klein if he felt that the Planning Com-
mission and staff would like to take up the five questions in Mr. Har-
rington's letter as a courtesy, and avoid an unnecessary referral from
the Council.
1
1
Mr. Klein said he had just read Mr. Harrington's letter and his initial
reaction was that all the issues were already before the Commission
and staff in relation to the comprehensive plan. At face value, the
letter asked a series of leading questions which related to the Harrington-
Kulakoff proposal and he suggested that if Mr. Harrington wanted the
questions answered with regard to his particular proposal, then he
ought to leave the application in for consideration on its merits.
Mr. Sipel added that it appeared to him that the request for withdrawal
was conditional upon some review of the questions in relationship to
the application and the motion did not do that. if anything was to be
referred, it ought to be done specifically. lie agreed with Mr. Klein
that the general questions were before the Commission and staff as
part of the comprehensive plan study.
+.ouncila:an Berwald said he asked the question, got an answer and would
rest at that.
Councilman Sher said that in view of }r. Sipei's concern as to whether
it was a conditional withdrawal, he did not think it was a good idea
to leave it so ambiguous. The notion was clear but it was in response
to a request that the application be withdraw. with some kind of ambi-
guous condition on it. He felt it would be useful to hear from the
applicant and see if he thought he would be satisfied with having these
general questions considered in a general way rather than a specific
way. He said Council could not accept an application to withdraw
that was condiciomal.
Mr. Sipel commented that when someone waned to withdraw an application,
that was what they say, but that was not uhat Mr. Harrington said.
Mr. Booth opined that the applicant requested withdrawal with a request
that there will be a further convening of a committee session, and he
did not get all that he asked for.
Mr. Harrington responded he was really asking that as a courtesy and
also in lieu of the fact that the questions were seriously being addressed
in the general plan, there might be some relevance going from specific
to general. He felt that he should be given the courtesy of a study
session to answer the questions as they related to his proposal.
Mayor Comstock said the only way that could be accomplished would be to
refer the matter back to the Planning Commission, without action.
Men Sipel suggested that the Council could refer the substance of Mr.
Harrington's letter back to the Planning Commission and staff.
Councilman Henderson said he felt the last actio-t would have to be
undone if, indeed, the Council was only responding to the statement
by the developer to withdraw under certain conditions.
Mayor Comstock said that Mr. Booth indicated that the Council did not
do that.
0 5
1.114/74
Councilman Henderson asked if it were proper for the Council simply to
accept a withdrawal and not accept the conditions of the developer.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that when she made her motion to accept with-
drawal there were no strings attached. She was not saying that the
Planning Commission should specifically go back and answer the questions
or have a special study session just for Mr. Harrington. She said that
Mr. Klein answered it, that the general questions already were being
asked in a general way at the comprehensive plan study session.
Councilman Clay said he did not know how the motion would read but
what he would infer was that the Council approved a continuance of this
application conditional upon the questions being answered.
Mayor Comstock repeated that the only action taken by the Council was
to accept the withdrawal of the application which means that the appli-
cation is withdrawn and the matter is no longer before the City Coun-
cil or the Planning Commission.
Mr. Booth commented that the only difference between the applicant's
withdrawal and denial from the Council is that the applicant might
re -apply at any time whereas if he were denies: outright, he would have
to wait a year.
Councilman Berwald said that he was willing to let the vote stand.
Judging from the vote at the Planning Commission meeting and. judging
from Mr. Klein's answers, he did not think it would do any good to get
this back, He said Mr. Harrington would like to have the questions
considered in relationship to his application and the questions obviously
were not approached in depth by the Planning Commission. As `dr. Kieia
said, all of these questions are being studiee in the comprehensive
plan and the Council is wasting time if the ratter is considered any
further. He felt they should rely on the integrity of the Planning
Comissicn to discuss the questions and Mr. Harrington can apply
again or make an amended application based on what the Planning Commis-
sion seems to decide. He said he was disappointed that the innovative
approach was not approved.
Councilman Sher said that he did not feel the points of view were very
far apart except where a question of a separate study session was con-
cerned.
MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Berwald, that Walter Har-
rington's letter of 1/14/74 be -,eferred to the Planning Commission with
a request they consider the Concept in connection with their review of
the comprehensive plan.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Clay, Berwald, Rosenbaum, Sher
NOES: Comstock, Henderson, Pearson
0 5 6
1/J.4/74
Piannin Commission Recommendation
Ike "'A cat on o ,c an ess ted
Tang Site andiuesign District
`TO52 Elwell Court _..
MOTION: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Pearson, that Council uphold
the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approve the applica-
tion of McCandless Limired Company. for Site and Design District approval
of modification of an approved plan at 1052 Elwell Court, zone district
L -M -1-D and finds that alterations quslify as minor and are exempt
from the requirement for an environmental impact assessment.
The motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Controlof Waste Slud
Dis rosal Process s 2:114:4)
MOTION; Mayor Comstock moved, seconder: by Rosenbaum, that Council
approve the agreement with Systems Control, Inc.,- for the proposed
work.
Mayor Comstock corm.ented in support of his motion that he had discussed
this matter with Mr. W. Deverel, Assistant City Manager, and as he
understood it the plant as built and operating net the current require-
ments it was built to meet in tetrs of water and air pollution control.
The objective of the contract was to achieve ' higher level of effi-
ciency and reduce the operating costs of the plant. he said he had
asked Mr. Deverel if the costs of this contract could be recaptured
in a reasonable time through improved efficiencies and Nr. Deverel
had assured him that was the case. He asked Hr. Deverel how long this
would take.
Mr. Deverel said it was difficult to say how fast the costs could be
recaptured. The direct costs, such as natural gas, totaled nearly
$200,000 per year. Since they were dealing with volumes in excess of
$200,000 and if they were to achieve just a five percent reduction,
they would be paying for the entire operation even if they had to go
into Fhase II in the space of aboud two years. He felt confident that
they could do that.
The motion parsed on. a unanimous vute.
Re ort on Ordinance Amendin
ect on .an ter
. o t e a o _ to unit oa
Mayor Comstock acknowledged that the Council received the report from
the City ;tanager and the proposed chanes in fees.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Rosenbaum, its approval for first reading:
ORDINANCE: OF THE COACH, OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION
13.16.080 AND CHAPTER 21.18 OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHANCING
FEES FOR DIVI SZON OF ASSESSMENT: MISCELLANEOUS DIVISIONS OF LAND
SUBDIVISIONS (second reading 1/28/74)
0 5 7
1/14/74
Councilman Henderson wondered that since this was a direct measurable
service cost, if the staff had considered a 1.40% coverage in its fees
or if there was a reason to stop short at this point, with 66% rather
than 100%.
Mr. Walker replied that staff had considered 100% coverage. Some of
the items involved -were of community benefit. The costs they were
recommending were based on covering roughly two --thirds of the total
costs and applying those to their experience this fiscal year. 10
order of magnitude the deficit whs about $3,000. -
The ordinance was approved for first reading on a unanimous vote.
Professional Service Contract
e:7 s a ia..�l* sort : 4
MOTION: Vice Mayor Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, that the
matter be referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee.
Mayor Comstock asked Councilman Henderson how soon the Committee would
take the matter up.
Councilman Eenderson replied that he felt it would be handled at the
first meeting in February.
The motion to refer passed on a unanimous vote.
Foothill Green 690 Arastradero
venue: Pro oseo Substitute for
Site tion 3o Hossin� Lnits
Mayor Comstock acknowledged that Council received the staff report and
a letter from the Inwood Corporation, and a resolution which reflected
the recommended action by staff.
Vice Mayor Pearson wondered why the four units were not built at the
same time the other housing was built. She felt there might have been
some costs saving if they had been built at the same time.
Mr. Grigoni replied that the developer did consult the staff at the time
he went into construction and the staff asked him to wait on the four
units, hoping that the Section 235 program would begin again and that
they would be able to build the four below market rate.
Councilman Henderson asked if the staff would support the figure used
in the Inwood Letter that construction costs had increased 30.401.
On that basis he could justify the price increase from $21,000 to
$270300 but he did not have any statement from staff saying this as
true.
Mr. Grigoni replied that staff would support the lower figure.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the folloying resolution and moved,
seconded by Pearson its adoption;
0 5 H
1./14174
RESOLUTION NO. 4859 ENTITLED "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO AMENDING DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONDITION "a" OF SECTION 2
OF ORDINANCE NO. 2657 RELATING TO THE P -C CLASSIFICATION FOR 690
ARASTRADERO ROAD"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous vote.
Bowlia Green Clubhouse Pans tort :3
Mayor Comstock acknowledged that Council had received a staff report
concerning bids on the expansion of the clubhouse, an ordinance amen-
ding the budget and letter from Palo Alto Lawn Bowls Club, Inc., letter
from Mr. Bruns and preliminary environmental assess ant.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock introduced the following ordinance and moved,
seconded by Henderson, its adoption:
ORDINANCE NO. 2763 ENTITLED' "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE PUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1973-74 TO ESTAB-
LISH A PROJECT FOR 1}iE LAWN BOWLING CLUBLOUSE EXPANSION IN THE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR $30,000"
the ordinance was Ldopted on a unanimous vote.
MOTION: Mayor Comstock roved, seconded by Eenderson, that the Mayor
be authorized Oa execute a contract with 3. Paul McKim General Building
Construction, Inc., in the amount. of $28,208 for the expansion of
the Lawn Bowling Green Clubhouse and that the Council find by motion
action that the project has no significant environmental impact.
fie motion passed on a unanimous vote.
Gros Loadi Procedures
7 s CMR:11 :
Mayor Comstock acknowledged that the Council had received a report from
the City Manager and a recommended revision to the ordinance.
fOTIO:': Councilman henderscee introduced the following ordinance and
loved, seconded by Comstock, its approval for first reading:
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING scowl;
4.42.920 OF THE PALO ALTO hLNICIPAL CODE BY REPEALING PROVISIONS
REGARDING EXCLUSIVE PASSENGER USE OF TAXICABS (second reading 1/23/74)
Plannin Commission Recommendation Re
a it ion n row a as &ot ibed in
uown[owu fire Zone t Study Report
age
Mayor Comato::k asked Council if they were prepared to deal with this
immediately or if some discussion was required.
Vice Mayor Pearson said that Council had a memo from Councilman Sher
suggesting that the matter be sent to the Finance and Public Works
Committee to be. considered ate the time when they discuss the rehabili-
tation program. She thought that would be appropriate.
0 5 9
- 1/14/74
Councilman Sher said that the reason for his memo of 1/14/74 was because
the Planning Commission made a proposal that Council take immediate
action on the question of a mandatory versus voluntary rehabilitation
program in the Fire Zone 1 area. If that had not been moved by the
Planning Commission, it would not necessarily be before the Council.
He felt that large areas of tha: question of the rehabilitation program
had already been referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee,
specifically the question of what areas of Fire Zone I would be eli-
gible for that program. He said that his suggestion in the memo was
another alternative which might be considered and that a trial volun-
tary rehabilitation program should be referred to the Finance and
Public Works Committee for review and recommendation to the Council at
the same time Council gets the committee's response to other aspects
of the problem,
MOTION: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Clay, that the question
of voluntary versus mandatory rehabilitation program, together with
consideration of the proposal for a trial voluntary program, be referred
to the Finance and Public Works Committee for review and recommendations.
Councilman Henderson said that his concern, in addition to the scheduling
problem,was that he thought the question of mandatory versus voluntary
was already before the Policy and Procedures C::onmmittee as a policy item
and that the Finance and Public Works Committee was going to end up
with various questions relating to eventual financing. He said he
needed to be clarified as to what the Policy and Procedures Committee
did on this and what to anticipate would be different.
Councilman Sher replied that the Policy and Procedures Committee did
not take any action on this question. but he felt that the question
of financial assistance to this program which was in the Finance
Committee did involve the question of what kind of programs it was going
to be. He said that Council had the projections of the staff which
were quite different depending upon what kind of program was embarked
on. He did not see how that question could, be avoided.
Mr. Sipel said he thought this was a chicken and egg question. In
looking at the range of alternatives, he felt it would be ditficult for
the Finance Committee to grapple with them. The maximum programs would
cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.5 million and the minimum
program would be about •$900,400. Fran; the staff's point of view, he
felt their preference would be to receive'somne general policy guidance
from Council at this time and then a referral to the Finance Committee
to determine how the program might be financed, or even whether it
can be #inane.
Vice Mayor Pearson agreed with Mr. Sipel and said she was willing to
make up her mind. She felt the program should be mandatory, All the
figures indicated that in the long -run the mandatory program would be
less expensive and she did not feel anything would get done on a volun-
tary basis. Sba said that she would he willing to make a policy state-
ment that the program should be mandatory and then let the Finance and
Public Works Committee develop numbers along that line.
See p. 103
Councilman Sher asked Mr. Sipel if he felt the Coun;.il's policy state-
ment, in addition to saying voluntary versus aandatory, should say in
which areas. He said he talked to Mr. Grigoni about the matter and it
appeared that the magnitude of the program depended upon whether, as-
suming they were to be rezoned areas, it was limited to that, whether
0 b 0
1/14/74
there were those plus the noncore area, or the noncore plus the core.
He wondered if Council had to decide that question and if they did,
they would have to wait on the whole subject until after the Planning
Commission hearings and it was determined what actually was going to
be rezoned, if anything, before they could define the areas in which
the program was going to go forward.
Mr. Sipel felt that would be preferable. He said that this Was a ques-
tion that ought to be dealt with at the Council level with maybe some
input from the Finance Committee. This was an overriding policy ques-
tion end he did not feel it should be sent to a committee.
Ccunei1man Sher asked if that included the areas of Fire Zone I where
the programs should be instituted. He felt, in that event, he would
accept fir. Sipel'a judgment and all the Council could do was continue
the matter.
Mayor Comstock suggested that the meeting be adjourned until the fol-
lowing Monday at 7:30 p.ca. and the subject would be before them at the
beginning of the meeting. He said hopefully nine Council members would
be present.
Councilman Sher replied that the matter had to be continued until at
least late April or May if they were going to talk about in what areas
the program '.outd be carried out.
Mayor Comstock said that the Council had to decide on the areas.
Councilman Suer said he thought CcuAcil was supposed to give guidance
to the Finance and Public Works Committee as to what part of Fire Zone
I the Council thought should be mandatory or voluntary. He said that
staff had recommended that it only be carried on in the r.ezoned areas,
but the Council did not a.now if there were going to be any rezoned
areas.
Mt. Grigoni said that the staff had recommended that the program be
o aerated only in the rezoned areas but whether or not the Council
chose to operate it in those areas or to expand it to noncore and core
did not have to depend on whether or not those areas were actually
rezoned. He said that even if the city decided not to rezone an area,
proposed for rezoning by staff, the city could set up concentrated
code enforcement areas that follow the same boundaries. He concluded
that the issue of mandatory or voluntary could be decided before re-
zoning.
MOTION WITHDRAWN: Councilman Sher said that in light of wthat Mr. Sipel
said and with the agreement of Councilman Clay he would like to with-
draw the referral motion. He said he would move to continue the matter
to a meting soon after the question of reeoning has been resorted.
Mayor Comstock suggested that the meeting be adjourned until 7:30 p.m.
on Monday, January 21, 3974. He said this would give the staff seven
days to come back and clarify the points which apparently they had
not clarified. He said it appeared that at this point the CoPuzcil mem-
bers were of a number of different minds about what the timeliness of
the actions were and how big an area should be covered.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Mayor Comstock moved, seconded by Henderson, that
the meting be adjourned until 7.30 p.m., Monday, January 21, 1974.
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Mayor Comstock said that the purpose of the motion was to enable Coun-
cil to reaume their discussion at the same point the following Monday
at 7:30 p.m. He said that the motion was debatable.
Councilman Sher said that he was worried about the importance of the
rehabilitation program and that there was a chance that he and possibly
Mayor Comstock would not be a' '.e to stay until the end of the discussion
on January 21 because one of them might be going to Washington that
night on city business. She felt that given the magnitude of importance,
it was unfortunate to box themselves in, and that he would vote against
the motion to adjourn tonight's meeting.
The motion passed on the following vote:
AYES: Clay, Comstock, Pearson, Henderson, Rosenbaum
WES : Sher
Ad our:u nt
The meeting was adjourned to 7:30 p.m., Monday, January 21, 1974 at
11:55 p.m.
ATT ES T : APPROVED:
City Clerk
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(-//) I 'VC:.
Mayor
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