HomeMy WebLinkAbout06191972MINUTES
city of Palo alto
June 19, 1972
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m.
in a regular meeting with Councilman Pearson presiding.
Present: &eahrs (arrived 7:50 p.m.), Berwald, Clark, Henderson,
Pearson, Sean
Absent: Coms cock: , Norton, Rosenbaum
Minutes of June 5 19:2
z?eferri.ig to € age 124, second paragraph, t_garding the appeal of Xarie
and Norton R=c{,hre1 for e variance, Councilre n Sema_n Lequestee at the
evid of line S the word "not" be removed so that the phrase reads "...that
in this case the zoning crdinance should be upheld...". Also, on Page 124,
third paragraph, line 3, Councilman Seman noted that "37.6%" was incorrect
and should be changed to read "36.7%". On line 4 the sentence "Actually
this would be an increase of 5%, he stated." should be removed from the
record.
MOTION: Chairman Pearson c'ovcd, duly seconded, that the Kinutes o
June 5 be approved as corrected.
The motion passed on a unarimous voice fete.
kesclutions of A reciatio:� to
utoing Heathers of the Youth
Advisory Commission
Chairman Pearson asked Councilman Henderson to speak on this subject.
Councilman Henderson reviewed the splendid direction given -the YAC
during•the last year% noting that many of the YAC ambers were junior -
high school students. He said it gave :pit~ great pleasure to hove these
resolutions of appreciation, Chairman Pearson presented the resolu-
tions to those present.
MOTION: Councilman Hendorson introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Seman, i:s adoption:
Resolution No. 4610 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to,Bruce Lewenstein for.
Outstanding Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Seian, its adoption:
Resol:it,oti No. 4611 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Annie Gerard for
Outstaalxng Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous void;" vote., .
1 6 2
6/19/72
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution. and
moved, seconded by Seman, its adoption:
Resol.utaion No. 4612 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Dan Berman for
Outstanding Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION: Councilman Henier_'son introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Seman, its adoption:
Resolution No. 4613 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Carina Chiang for
Outstanding Public Service"
-Me resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution any;
1y:ved, seconded by Se= tan, its adoption:
R_sc,ititn No. 4614 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Bill Hartman for
Outstanding Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Seman, its adoption:
Resolution No. 4615 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Lit° Expressing Appreciation to Steve Sodos for
Outstanding Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Seman, its adoption:
Resolution No. 4E16 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Fxpressing Appreciation to Kerry Yarkin for
Outstanding Public Service"
The resolution was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
Ordinance Amen'Jin- PAMC to
rovide for the Duration of Variances
Wow 104101.1.0b21WW•earlinsilammwomo... 1EV—
Chairman Pearson, noes that ati a result of Council action asking for
an ordinance to stare whether or not a variance can be granted for the
life of a structUre only, the'City Attorney had drafted this document
which ehe would move to refer to the Planning :dommdeeion.
MOTION: Chairman Pearson moved, seconded by Berk*aid; that the pro --
posed Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adding Sec-
tion 18.9'0.160 to the PAMC to Provide for the Duration of Variances
be referred to the Planning Commission for Public Hearing.
1 6 3
6/19/72
-
Councilman Clark asked City Attorney Stone waxy it was possible to con-
sider an ordinance of this nature now, when to his knowledge, this had
,not been possible during the last 4 or 5 years.
City Attorney Store stated that the proposed ordinance represents a
combination of changes in the law during the last year and also, per-
haps, a change in philosophy vithin the City Attorney's office. He
said the City Attorney's office believes this is a perfectly appropri-
ate way to amend the City's :rdinance permitting the Council to in -
pose this kind of condition.
Councilman Clark stated chat he would like to see the staff go back
and review those variances granted during the last few years and see
if those permitted by the Council for perpetuity could be changed to
conform with .the proposed change in the law and be effective for the
duration of the _building only.
City Attorney Stone responded that an approach could be made to see
whether or not the present owners would be aggreeable to changing a
variance already granted for perpetuity to one that would last for
the life of the structure. This review would cover all variances
granted since 1966.
Councilman Clark said that he would like very much to have the staff
review the 10 or sc variances granted by Council over the ruling of
the Zoning Administrator.
The aietion to refer the ordinance to the Planning Commission for Public
Hearing pasted on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION Councilman Clark moved, seconded by Semen, that staff, at its
leisure, review all variances granted in the City of Pain Alto since
1967 for the purpose of seeing whether any of them can be discussed
d th the present owners to see if there is a possibility of getting
their agreement that the variance be for the life of the structure.
The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Welcome to Mrs. Mary_Cottrells
'hymen Relations Commissioner
Chairman r irson recognized Mrs. Mary Cottrell, newly appointed Human
Relations Commissioner, and congratulated her upon her recent appoint-
ment.
Ordinance :e ulatfnf; Smoking 1n Theaters
Y • {wilt M�WY�..R� I��.<i� wiR��l iy1►.x.".IP
MOTION: Councilman Berweld introduced the following ordinance and
moved, seconded by Henderson, its adoption:
Ordinance No. 2657 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City
of Palo Alto Adding Chapter 9.14 to -the PAMC Regulating Smoking in
Theaters" (first reading 6/5/72)
The ordinance 'was adcpted on a unanimous voice vote.
1 6 4
6/19/72
Ot3iaance to Chan e Fite Zone.of
.r„ erty own as San Antonio Road
Mar
MOTION: Councilman Berwald introduced the following ordinance and
moved, seconded by Henderson, its adoption:
Ordinance No. 2658 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City
of Palo Alto Amending the Official Fire Zone Map of the City of
Palo Alto to Change the Pire Zone of Property Known as 650 San
Antonio Road fro Fire Zone 2 to Fire Zone 3" (first reading
6/5/72)
Tha ordinance was adopted on a unanimous voice vote.
Communit Com testing Program (CMR:316:2)
Chairman Pearson asked City Manager Sipes to report.
City Manager Sipel noted that, in response to a petition, staff has
established a pilot ccmmunity cerposting center for the community's
organic refuse for a period of one year starting October 1, 1972. This
will be backed by an educational program to encourage backyard com-
posting of household waste into a valuable soil constituent. Mr. Si.pE_l
said he would ask Lawrence C. White, Director of Nature and Science
Department, to explain in more detail and to answer Council's questions.
Mr. Larry White made a brief presentation and, iri response to a ques-
tion from Councilman Seman regarding specific commitments on the part
of volunteers, he said that there had been a commitment from about 4
dedicated volunteers for this program, also 5 high school students_
are very interested in going into the composting program.
He said it is not so much a matter of how. many volunteers are needed
as a matter of how many people'ail1 use the compost after it is com-
posted. He noted that the compass_wfil not be ground, it will be
textured and will not feel good and for this reason people may not
use it.
Councilman Berwald spoke in support of the program but said he con-
sidered it to be more or less a test and he hoped that at th, end of
the test period the public will have been educated into composting
in their own homes. He said this was the real answer, and while he
would be willing to engage in an educational program for one year,
after that,he would see it almost as a.waste of stoney. He said there
should be an economic analysis made during the year to assure Council
that it is reasonable.
Mr. White confirmed that it is planned as an educational pilot program.
Councilman Henderson commented that he viewed the program as more a
case of what to do with the garden debris than serving as a market
for composting. He said he assumed that most people would compost
chat they could at home and this program is an attrempt to take care of
what is over.
The Council took -no action and Wished the staff well with the community
composting program.
-1 6 5
6/19/72
Reconstruction of Tennis Courts -
o.- an un or c ao :323:2)
��nrnnnews�wnnswa s��n�c• .
Chairman Pearson asked City Manager Sipel to report.
City Manager Sipel stated this is one of a series of projects to im-
prove the nur4her and quality of tennis facilities in the City. The
project was :=carted two years ago. The City will design and recon-
struct 6 tennis courts in return for a commitment en the part of the
School District to maintain the .courts at a level consistent with
the maintenance o : similar City tennis courts. The cost will be
approximately $31,000 to extend the sice and resurface with a special
material new used on the City's courts.
Councilman Beahrs said that he would recommend staff spell opt the
level of maintenance.
i
City Manager Sipol stated that this has been discussed with the School
District and the staff has a list of things which they feel ought to
be done with respect to maintenance. The School District has acknowl-
edd.ed that maintenance will be substantially higher than that pro-
vided at Jordan now. lie said the level would be comparable to the
courts at Rinconada Park or Paly High.
MOTION: Councilman Henderson moved, seconded Ny Berwald, that the
staff be authorized and directed to seek bid proposals for the con-
struction project and to submit a contract formalizing the proposed
agreement with the School District for the Council's approval prior
to the award of the construction contract.
The notion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Amendment to Pre:e=t A reement -
Federal Grant or Bic cle Route ro ram
Chairman Pearson asked City Manager Sipel to report
City Manager Sipel noted that the project agreeNent for the Federal grant
for the bicycle route program must be amended if tlee City is to receive
Federal grant funding for this program and Council's action on the reso-
lution before there would accomplish this. He said he had a few comments
to make late_ regarding thin Rub ject.
MOTION: Councilman Clark introduced the following resolution and
moved, seconded by Henderson, its adoption:
Resolution No. 4617 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
City of Pain Alto Approving and Authorizing Execution of Amend-
ments to the Project Agreement for Land and Water Conservation
Fund Project No. 06-00197, 'Urban Bicycle Route System,' By and
Between the City of Palo Alto and the State of California, Re-
sources Agency, Department of Parks and Recreation and Authoriz-
ing the Mayor to Execute the Amended Agreement"
The resolution was adopted on m
City Manager Sipe] added to his
bicycle route program will cost
unanimous voice vote.
earlier comments stating that the
subatanttally more than was first esti-
1 6 6
6/19/72
mated. He said it is now estimated that there will he a total Bost of
approximately $190,000. The Federal grant provides for a cost of
$175,000 but staff's estimates have ranged from $132,000 to $175,000
depending upon a.hich alternative was adopted. The latest estimate is
in excess ,:rf chat and it will be necessary to bring to Council an amend-
ment to the 1972-73 Budget before it is adopted in order to accomplish,
plan"E" as adopted by the Council. Mr. Sipel said he wanted to advise
Council of this increase in cost while the bicycle route system was
before them this evening.
Councilman Berwald expressed concern that costs always go up rather
than down and he said he wondered if there were any way the staff could
review the program and see if there is any place whore the City could
save money.
City Manager Sipel responded and thanked Councilman Berwald for his
comments and said these are things that the staff is presently review-
ing. Soma cuts have been :made and wherever there are opportunities to
reduce the cost, staff will try to do so, He noted that one of the
major costs is the cost to eli;ainate the present striping on the
streets which will cost approximately $30,000. These are the kinds
of things presently under review by staff.
Stared Jrhar, Develc-)rent Pien (CMR:3j1:2)
IN.,,MMNIIi.
Chairman Pearson welcomed Mr. Naphtali H. Knox, Palo Alto's new Director
of Planning, and asked him to speak to this subject.
Mr. Knox advised the Council that f=.e item before them Is a combina-
tion of the urban development plan and an open space element. The County
chose to combine these two elements in developing the open space element
as required by the State by the deadline of July 1, 1972. The staff
has been in touch with LAFCO on this and the Local Agency Formation
Commission at its June 8 meeting completed adoption of the- PaJ.c: Alto
Sphere of Influence in conformance with the proposal of the Palo Alto
City Council outlined in the staff report dated February 18, 1972,
Mr. Knox said he had, this evening, received a letter from the office
of the Vice President of Business and Finance, Stanford University,
indicating some concern over the staff recommendations for the Palo
Alto Sphere of Influence regarding long terra open space. :the letter
delineates seven specific area of concern and when the staged urban
development plan is before the Planning Commission, staff will look
ietn Stanford's request and bring it to the attention of the Flann ng
Commission.
Upon request, Chelr an Pearson ruled that the -staff s recommendation
would be divided.
LOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Seman, to refer:the Staged
Urban Ikveiopment Plan to the Planning Commission for:.review and recom-
mendation.
The iotion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
MOTION:' Councilman beahrs moved, seconded by Seman, that the Stag 4
Urban Development Plan Map be forwarded to the Santa Clara County Plan-
ning Policy Committee for its use in preparing a peeliminary Countywide
urban development -open spate plan.
See
Page
195
1 6 7
6/19/72
MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Beahrs, to table the
motion.
The motion to table pas3ed on a unanimous voice vote.
Sale of Sanitary Sewer S stem
On Monroe Drive to e ` ty of
Mountain View in Excha_n e of Sani t t
Connection }ti ,hts OIR:31 :..)
�+rne�lwle.arr +m -
In.; response to Chairman Pearson, Mr. Warren L. Deverel, Managing Direc-
tor of Utilities, reviewed the staff report and said the agreement pro-
vides that the property located at 195 Monroe Drive, Palo Alto may
remain connected eo the system to Le owned by Mountain View by virtue
of proximity. .oxre;poadingly, the property located at 186 Monroe Drive
which may be an .e ed into the City cf Mountain View in the future will
be permitted to connect to the Palo Alto system, again by virtue of
proximity.
Councilman berwald raised a question regarding certain differentials,
a certain differential charged to so:: users while other:: receive dis-
eounts.
City Manager Sipel responded to Councilman Berwald noting that the dif-
ferential he is referring to amounts to :$.15 per month affecting, 10 to
15 property owners in a specific area.
MOTION: Counci lwan Semen moved, seconded by Henderson, that the Mayor
be authorized to enter Into al agreement with the City of Mountain View
for the pt:rchase of the sanitary sewer system as described in staff
report dated June 15, 1972 (CMR:318:2).
The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Executive Agreement - 8u11is Station,
Inters stem Sewa a Relief Station for
e ty o s tos .CHR :
Chairman Pearson asked staff to report.
Mr. Warren Deverel, Managing Director of Utilities, reviewed the staff
report noting that in April, 1972, raw sewage overflowed from the Los
Altos Sewage System into Adobe Creek in the vicinity of Miranda Drive.
This overflow was cased by failure of a pump at the city of Los Altos
left station. As a solution, the agreement before Council will percit
the construction' of t"e necessary facilities and will solve the pro-
blea which has been a continaingsource of complaint to the Palo
Alto re idents in the Adobe Crt ek area. It 4s expected that construc-
tion wi ll oe completed by June 30, 197;:,
MOTION: Councilman Seman moved, seconded by Beaters, that the City
Manager be authorized to execute the Executive Agreement with the City
of Los Altos providing for construction and operation of the 13ullis
Station intersystem Sewage Relief Valve.
The mntioat Gassed on a unanimous voice vote.
6/19/72
A licztion of Stanford Universit
►ar e o onTh Di.strfrt 140
and c7 El Camino Real
Chairman Pearson advised that this matter was continued twice from
April -3rd and April 26. She noted that this e..!'ning Council had re-
ceived a letter from Robert R. Augsburger, Vice President for Busi-
ness and Finance respectfull" reques'-ing that the application be
withdrawn.
Chairman Pearson.read aloud the letter from Stanford concerning the
rezoning of the Mayfield School site on El Camino.
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Semen, that the request
for withdrawal of the application of Stanford University for a change
of zoning district at 2650, 2740 and 2780 El Camin, Real be approved.
Responding to a question, City Attorney Stone noted that if the with-
drawal request is approved, the application would he considered dead
and if the property owner wishes to came back and request any;h:ng
else on that, site it would be an entirely new application to be heard
before the Planning Commission and then the City Council.
The motion approving withdrawal passed on a unanimo.:s voice vote.
Protection of El Camino Park and
Reduction of its Assessed Value
-saw
1
Chairman Pearson referred to her letter to Council dated June 15 and
said that she would offer the following motion:
MOTION: Chairman Pearson moved, seconded by Henderson, that the staff
be directed to take the necessary steps to place the El Camino Park
lands .under the Williamson Act and to take necessary steps to reduce
the asaessed value and return to Council around August 28, 1972 when
the enabling legislation will be in effect.
Councilman Berwald stated it was his understanding that El Camino Park
is a dedicated park. While he would support the motion, he stated
that he vas concerned that this ,utter was raised on the premise that
now that the future of the Old Corporation Yard has been decided, it
is time to take steps to protect El Camino Park from development.
He said he thought it was misleading; to suggest to the public that
E1,(amino Park is going to be developed since it can't be developed
without a change is the ordinance and the vote of the people.
Second'sy; the City has a 40 year lease with Stanford on that piece
of property. He said he felt the cha.reee of that Park being developed
for any puepcae other than ita present purpose are just abso1.'te?y
zero. Councilmau Berwald then askec. the C' ty Attorney whether El
Camino Park is all ore portion, with the buildings coming under the
Wi11iaissos Act too, or can it be divided so that the City might, in
the "future, get the maxim ,m amount of that land under the Act for
open space.
City Attorney Stone stated that he assumed Councilman Berwald was re-
ferring to the Veterans' Building and the Red Cross Building located
on this site. Generally speaking, he said, when there is a residence
on a'parcel ghat is to be given the Williamson Act treatment the Assessor
i A 9
6/19/72
takes one acre 'urrounding the residence. In this particular instance
it is unsure what the Assessor's practices would be because it would
be the first instance of a public park being given the Williamson
Act treatment.
Ceuncllraa' . Berwald said he considered both of the i urrent &s&s to
which the property has been -put to be very beneficial uses to the
community and probably ones which could weigh favorably against its
use as open space, but as contracts for lease renewal, etr.;, come
up perhaps the Council ought to develop a policy. The question
would be do we want the entire parcel in open space or are we willing
to have a portion of it developed as it is now, he said.
City Manager Sipel pointed out chat leases referring to both the Red
Cross Building and the Veterans' Building will expire in 1976 which
-could, conceivably, terminate the use of these buildings for the pur-
poses to which they are now being put. He clarified further that all
of the land leases are for 40 years and the agreements with the ReJ
Cross and Veterans are subleases, therefore it would not seer to be
practical to ask Stanford what they want to do with the land the
City is leasing from theta until nearer the time the lease actually
expires:
C:ou:acilman Henderson pointed out that people fear development of
this land beaus the Assessor keep the assessment so high. People
may not realize that this land is dedicated park land. Why is the
assessment set so high if there is no fear of development, he asked.
Councilman Berwald responded that that was the point he wished to
make - that there may be a fear and it certainly isn't legitimate.
The property is dedicated, he said, and his understanding of a dedi-
cated park land is that it requires a vote of the people to change
..it, so. why would the people fear development if they are going to
have to vote for it.
Councilman. Beahrs stated that he was unhappy at the fact that the City
is going to put millions of dollars into this property end will have
no residual interest or proprietary rights whatever after the lease
expires. he said he believed that a municipality having use for a
property over a period of 40 years can only exercise intelligence in
purchasing that property if it has high utility. He said he could see
the City putting as much as $5,000,000 into this property and having
nothing at the end of 40 years for the $5,000,000. He said he was
referring specificallyto the escalation of va s and rent and on this
basis would support Councilman Berwal.d's idea of possibly negotiating
with Stanford to purchase the land and letting the taxpayers, In the
future, nave something to show for their money.
Chairman Pearson said that it seamed to her that El Canino Park has
certainly been threatened and it took the people saying let's dedi-
cate the land as park land to keep that threat off. She reviewed the
pant proposals for development of thin land, recalling that at one
time the White House Department Store wanted to locate on this property
and finally wit►►dreW'. Secondly, an Eichler development was proposed
in tae form of a 27 story high rise office/apartment, and that was
another threat to the Park. Mr. Eichler withdrew that one because
the people objected to it and the Council didn't have to take any
action.
Referring to the comment that the City is paying a -lot of money for-
' this land, Chairman Pearson pointed out that we probably are, u;i to
"1 7 0
6/19/72
a point, but she also thought that at a cost of only $.50 a year per
person it may bejustified in keeping it at that. She also noted
that the Assessor's assessment of this land has gone up every time
Council took action to develop in that area. -She said the idea of
purchasing the land is not new, it was presented to the Council by`
the Planning Commission back in 1964. Chairman Pearson then dis-
cussed the location of a transportation center and said in her view
there is no -where else to locate such a facility. She, said that she
would say that the land :is constantly threatened an0 the City should
purchase it as park land. She said she hoped the staff report would
come back with answers to all the questions that -have been v aised.
The motion gassed oa a unanimous voice vote.
Construction of New Dumbarton Bride
Ccunci.l:ran Henderson raised an item of New Business, reviewing SE 1014
which has passed through the Transportation Committee and will be
before the Senate this week.
l,Councilt.an Berwalri left the meeting at 9:05 p.m.)
Councilman Henderson noted that at the April 24th meeting of the City.
Council Resolution No. 4587 supporting SB 495, which required approval
of the MTC before replacement of any bridge crossing the Bay, was _,iopted.
SE 1014 would bypass the MTC. He said he thought it was time to reem-
phasize the City of Palo Alto's position and since there was no time to
request the City Attorney to prepare a new resolution he wished to make
a motion for adoption this evening on an emergency basis:
MOTION: Councilman Henderson .moved, seconded by Clark, that Council
take emergency action and direct the Mayor to send a fetter,ro.tire_
Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the Assembly Transportation Com-
mittee, and Assemblyman Hayden expressing Palo Alto's concern about
construction of a new Dumbarton Bridge and reemphasizing Palo Alto's
position as expressed in Resolution tic 4587 of April 24, 1972.
City Manager Sipel commented that he had participated in several. dis-
cussions at the staff level with representatives from East Palo Alto
and Menlo Park and ft was his understanding that there are no specific.
routinn.s established for the southern approach.
ResporAing to a question from Councilman Beahrs regarding whether there
might be a way to block routing thrcugh the Faber Tract and the Bay -
lands, City Manager Sipel said that if the Bill_ passes the three agen-
cies will get together and agree on routing. Beyond that he was not
sure of Palo Alto's orations with respect to stopping a s<suthern approach,
but he did fr ai that there would be several opportunities to do so.
Cot nei lean Henderson made further comments and Quoted from. SB 1014.
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Beahrs, Clark, Henderson, Pearson, Seman -
Noes* None
Councilman Clark requested that the record state that the Council -took
this emergency action under.New Business and it was voted ou here to -
1 7 1
6/19/72
ight because of the Hearings to be held in Sacramento this week. He
said under these circumstances he felt Council's action to be most
appropriate and the situation should be declared an emergency.
f lanni.n Commission Recommendations
Re Piannin Polic Committee Bavlands
Subco tittee Report
Chairman Pearson recognized Mrs. Mar;! Gordon; Chairman of the Planning
Commission.
Mrs. Gordon stated that she tiisned to alert the Council to the forth-
coming meeting on Thursday, June 22nd, where an item on the Agenda of
the Planning Policy Cemmittee of Santa Clara County will be the Bay -
lands Subcommittee Report. She noted that the Planning Commission had
this item on their Agenda several weeks ago but were not able to com-
plete it in sufficient time to send their recommendations to tha .Council
along with the minutes of their sleeting. She said she wished to aae ent
an informal report to the PPC at their meeting on June 22nd 'hai.tman
Cordon then rۥvie':ed the revisions to the Plan as suggested bt. -,rte Com-
mission, noting that the Commission reviewed bath the primary goals
and policies ane also tht goals and policies listed undo, each chapter
of the docement (Recorded in the Planning Commission minutes of
June 14, 1972).
Chairman Pearson ncted that the Council cannnt take action at -this
tima unless this can be considered a:2 emergency.
Councilman Clark noted that Chair:: Gordon is a member of the Policy
Planning Committee. He said he understo'd the tiring problems the
Commissioe has faced but the Baylends Subcommittee report has been .
before the City for five to six nonths and he felt that some action
should have been taken to insure that the City's recommendations -
:►erc presented to the PPC on time. However, he re€caized that this
is tot always an easy thing to accomplish since the City does not
always know when the PPC will agendize these matters, under these
circumstances, Councilman Clark said he felt it wou.d be appropriate
for Chairman Gordon to take these suggestions to the Planning Policy -
Committee, stating that she is presenti.irg . tba recommendations of the
F3io Alto Planning Commission and not the Council's actions. He said
he felt a sense of frustration that this was r.ecese,a.ry but he did
feel strongly that this report should be made in the -name of the Plan-
ning Co ission and not ita the name'of the City of, Palo Alto. -
Chairman Pearson and Planning Commission Chairman Gordon both concurred
with Councilman Clark's suggestion. Planning Commission Chairman Gordon
said she would convey the Commission's.suggested revisions en an in --
formal basis to the Planning Polley CoMmittee.
MOTION: Councilman Clark moved, seconded by Serran, that the Planning
Commission relay their recommendations to the Planning Policy Committee
on June 22 regarding the report of the Baylands Subcommittee and state
that they are the recommendations of the Palo Alto Planning Commission
and do not represent the final action of the Palo Alto City.Council.
Cnairman Pearson noted again how difficult it is to be aware ahead of
time when the PPC is going to aehedccle their meetings attd she said
it is. not always the staff's fault that these things are not known
,ahead of time.
The motion passed on a unanimous voice v,.te.
1 i 2
6/19/72
(Councilman Berwald returned to the meeting at 9:30 p.m.)
Transit District
City Manager Sipel reported that on June 6, the electorate approved
the Transit District. He said this will set in motion the preparation
of a plan for a County Transportation System are; this affects Palo Alto
because of the subsidy to the Palo Alto Transit Line. He noted 'that
several commitments were made prior to the election and one commitment
that staff feels was made is,that the Palo Alto bus subsidy would be
assumed by the Transit District beginning July 1, 1972. There are a
number of unanswered questions which will be reviewed in the next few
months such as the question of service levels, the status of the Palo -
Alto Transit Authority and Demonstration :rant, anti if this grant goes
through, to whom it wt11 be granted. He noted that Council would be
receiving a request to designate a representative to the Transit Com-
mission. The bus subsidy will be continued for four months until funds
are available from the State gas tax funds allocated for this purpose.
It is staff's intention to rec_ ILend that alternate takeover by the
district be encouraged. Mr. Sigel cone ud;d that Palo Alto's bus
line should be continued until something equai or better is in the
offing. He said that he is optimistic that this will happen and
that Palo Alto will be the beneficiary of an equal or better service
at a lower cost to Palo Alto taxpayers. He Indicated the staff in-
tends to continue along this line until the Transit £3.stric_t is es-
tablished. In response to a question from Councilman Henderson, Mr.
Sipel noted that the Demonstration Grant application is presently
pending in W'aahington, D. C. and he is hnpeful that the City will
be receiving a response very shortly.
Frc err Tax Relief for Sensor Citizens
Councilman Seman raised an item of New Business, informing Council that
beginning this July senior citizens' property tax relief will go into
effect offering property tax relief for those oa fixed incomes.
She suggested that the Senior Adult Coordinator be alerted to provide
information and guidance on this natter to Palo Alto senior citizens.
Cancellativ;a of Executive Session
ChairmalyPearson noted that the Executf,ve Session scheduled by the
City--Cdun_iI for June 22nd to discuss personnel matters would now
be cancelled since it seemed doubtful that a majority of Council
members could attend on that evening.
Councilman Semen urged any member of the public interested in appoint-
ment co the Human Relations Commission to contact the City Clerk's
office for an application form.
Future Agenda Items - Councilman Berwald
/ Councilman Berwald reviewed his memo to Coun;;11 of June 16 and listed
items that he was thinking of agendizing for action. He said he was
askinz for counsel not only from the Council, but also from staff and
1 the public. Specifically, Councilman Berwald mentioned architectural
- - policy rega---- -----
_.._ �.
_- �z a ss
asau; a stronger' rding non-resi-
1 7 3
6/19/72
dential uses adjacent to residential zones; a sign policy such as the
sign ordinance adopted by the City of Lafayette, California; review
of the "S" designation; review of the policy regarding planting and
maintenance of parking strips: ar:d vacant properties; a policy to
encourage owner -occupied housing in balance with rental housing;
housing policy in general; establishment of a southerly gateway
landscaped area at El Camino and San Antonio Way; concern re marsh
areas in the baylands; establishment of procective strip tom center
of all water courses for flood control and accessible open space
area; parkina lot regulations; rehabilitation and maintenance of
older buildings; landscape median strips, regulation of parking
storage and vehicles on lawns and other non -driveway areas; preven-
tion of vandalism of property caused by painting of e.'.ogans on walls.
Executive Session
The Council adjourned to Executive Session from 9:50 to 10:10 p.m.
to discuss personnel matters.
Ad'=7nment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.ti.
APPROVED:
Chairman
ATTEST:
City Clerk
1 7 4
6/19/72