HomeMy WebLinkAbout04131970Civic Center
Palo Alto, California
April 13, 1970
1
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:35 p.m.
with Mayor Arnold presiding.
Present: Arnold, Beahrs (arrived 7:40 p.m.), Berwald, Dias,
Gallagher, Norton, Spaeth, Wheatley
Absent: Clark, Comstock, Pearson
Presentation of United States Fla
Mrs. Edgar Zimmer presented a United States Flag to the City on
behalf of the Republican Women's Club, noting that the flag has
been flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Mayor Arnold expressed the City's appreciation of the flag to
Mrs. "Limner and the Club and stated it would be used during the
forthcoming Civic Center dedication ceremonies on Saturday,
April 18, 1970.
Walnut Grove Homeowners Association
Mayor Arnold announced the est?blishment of the Walnut Grove
Homeowners Association, recognizedthe presence in the audience
of their President Fadlo Mousalarn and other officers of the Asso-
ciation and urged them to take an active part in community affairs.
Approval of Minutes March 30, 1970
Vice Mayor Wheatley requested that an additional statement be made
in the Minutes of March 30 concerning the use permit approved for
260 Sherit!an Avenue stating that only the plan for the building with
the additional 14 -feet was approved and that parking requirements
are expected to be consistent with the previously approved plan.
There were no objections.
The Minutes of March 30, 1970 were approved with the additional
statement.
13 St t Pro'e (C.MR:494:0)
Mayor Arnold referred to the Finance Committee recommendation
regarding the Bryant Street Project and outlined the procedure for
consideration of the matter.
Sarah Johnson, 1836 Hamilton, Palo Alto, member of the Housing
Task Group of the Midpeninsula Community House, asked the Council
to reject the Bryant Street Project; to direct the staff to study the
effects such development might have on the City's residential supply;
and to direct the staff to make specific recom nendatioas regarding
any future commercial/industrial development being accompanied
by provision for an attendant increase i.n housing.
Don Klages, President, Downtown Palo Alto, Inc., spoke in support
of the development of a Bryant Street Project to revitalize the down-
town area and alleviate the problems presently encountered there.
Steve Gayle, President, Youth Advisory Council, questioned whether
the Council has answers to all questions presented by possible effects
of the Bryant Street Project in the comtrnurdty and urged rejection
of the Project.
Richard Rosenbaum, 717 Garlard Drive, Palo Alto, presented slide
photographs stating they showed evidence of air pollution in the
Palo Alto area. Mr. Rosenbaum presented the next speaker.
Dr. Torn Harvey, resident cf Santa Clara, Professor of Biology at
San Jose State and consultant to Bay Conservation and Development
Commission, described problems presented by air and water pol-
lution caused by increases in growth and urged a decrease in__urban-
__
Mrs. Martha Blair, 2569 Webster, Palo Alto, urged rejection of
all proposals for a Bryant Street Project.
Mrs. Doris Christianson, 140 Tennyson, Palo Alto, urged support
for development of a Bryant Street Project in order to improve the
downtown area.
Jim McBride, 439 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, urged establish-
ment of adequate parking for shoppers in the downtown area.
Mr. Rosenbaum. returned to the microphone and urged rejection of
the proposed Bryant Street Project.
Fred Cochrane, 557 East Crescent Drive, Palo Alto, spoke in
supp';t of a Bryant Street Project to improve the downtown area.
Frank Grist, Jr., 1400 Byron Street, Pz:Io Alto, spoke in support
of development of a Bryant Street Project in order to improve the
downtown area, to assist small businessmen there and to encourage
both greater open space and new apartment housing in the downtown
area.
Victor Gile, Bank of America, 251 University Avenue, Palo Alto,
spoke in favor of the Bryant Street Project and urged the Council to
accept the proposed plan this evening in order that the Ba ik of America
248
4/13/70
will be able to work with the developer in planning their new building
for the Bryant Street block and advised that the Bank most call for
bids on April 15.
Dick Geiger, 3981 Page Mill Road, spoke in opposition to a. Bryant
Street Project.
Jan Aarts, 561 Jackson Drive, Palo Alto, employed in the downtown
area, urged the Council to accept tho Corre sh & Carey proposal for a
Bryant Street Project and to proceed promptlf in order to obt tin the
best possible development of the downtown area.
Robert Arnold, 460 Marlowe, Palo Alto, stated he tends to favor
the development of a Bryant Street Project, but urged the Council
to obtain adequate information regarding all effects of the proposed
Project on the community before proceeding.
Mr. Klases returned to the microphone and advised that the Bank
of America has cooperated with the City on the Bryant Street Fro-
ject for almost three years, and the Bank needs require them to
proceed with development of their property at this time.
Mrs. E. M. Kinderman, Palo Alto, stated the City should not con-
sider any proposal which indicates that the City's land is valued at
$8.00 per square foot when it has previously been valued at $13. 00
per square foot.
Scott Carey, Cornish & Carey, 1991 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto,
suggested that those opposed to the Bryant Street Project also con-
sider the Project from the viewposnt of the alternatives, bearing
in rn.ind that 44% of the proposed site is privately owned and under
present zoning may be commercially developed to a much greater
intensity. Mr. Carey advised that his firm would welcome a study
of the proposal by an economic analyst and urged the Councii to
accept his firm's proposal.
Joseph Carleton, 2350 Ross Road, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition
to the Bryant Street Project as not being in accord with a balanced
community.
Brian Barhaugh, 330 Cowper. representing Ecology Action, urged
that a study be made to deter. ;*me how the developrn.ent might affect
Sow rnoderat: income housi:btg in the mid-pe.ninsula and that the
study be given to the Council, the Finance Committee and the Palo
Alto Housing Corporation for their consideration in regard to
housing needs.
Resident, 2563 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, stated his belief that
citizens require more information from the City in order to examine
the Bryant Street Proposal.
Guthrie Baumgardner, Mountain View, spoke in opposition to the
Rrye it 6t eet T : .j a -'
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4/13/70
John Lockwood, 4018 Laguna, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the
proposed Bryant Street Project.
Stuart Hansen, 184 Walter Hays, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to
the Bryant Street Project being located in downtown Palo Alto and
suggested a development of small shops there.
Council discussion followed concerning the history of the Project;
the almost three years of study devoted to the Project; the reports
of Riches and Hawley and Peterson; the General Plan which provides
for a commercial district downtown; the alternatives now possible
under the present General Plan zoning; the need to improve and up-
grade the downtown area now; the previous plans to upgzade the
area which have not been implemented; and the problems of down-
town Palo Alto which require solutions if the area is not to deteriorate
further.
(The Council recessed from 10:05 to 10:20 p.m.)
MOTION: Councilman Berwaid moved, seconded by Spaeth, that
the Council express its approval of the concept of the Bryant Street
Project and that it directs the staff to initiate discussions with
Cornish & Carey, to the exclusion of other developers, hopefully
See Page leading to a firm proposal which would be more consistent with the
267 Hawite---tsixd-Pettere,on - -assts--Ri-Ches research studies in the following
specifics:
1. that the City achieve a net increase of 400-500 underground
parking spaces for public use over and above requirements
generated by the development itself at a price within the
parking district's capacity and willingness to bond;
2. that the scale, architectural features, feasibility factors
and esthetics and open space factors are to be consistent
with the Riches and Hawley and Peterson studies;
3. that City owned property (exclusive of Cogswell Plaza) be
sold or leased at a sum consistent with its appraised
value and, if leased, in consideration of escalating values
and income over the lease period;
4. that a substantial portion of the site is to be developed as
a pedestrian plaza, with Cogswell Plaza to be preserved
and. protected and to be incorporated into the total site.
5, that the project incorporate a high level of aesthetic quality
in keeping with the key location in the University Avenue
- Business District and because of the close relationship to
the new Civic Center;
that the project integrate into the development plan the
--,.erertiee ee% tote .arc) t 1.1.,.x... not _ r _ el..
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that the project incorporate plans for total beautification and
street lighting of the downtown area;
Z50
4/13/70
7. that all financial, legal and property tax aspects of the
project from the City's standpoint be submitted to an inde-
pendent economic analyst selected by the City Council for
study and analysis and fog; review of the Cornish and Carey
proposal as to fairness and feasibility from the standpoint
of the City's interest;
8. that the-etaff enterinto discussion with downtown property
owners to study the feasibility of upgrading the total down-
town area through development of parking, beautification
and related improvements.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Spaeth,
to delete "the City achieve a net increase of" from Paragraph 1.
and substitute "provision be made for."
The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Spaeth moved, seconded by Berwald,
to add to the motion "that all of the foregoing shall be pursued with
due diligence and submitted in not less than 60 days.'`
The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote.
_INTENT OF MOTION: In rest one to question, Councilman Berwald __ _-
___.-----...------
stated that it is the intent of Paragraph 7. that the study should be
made from the City's point of view as to the economic desirability
of the Bryant Street Project proposal.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Gallagher,
to delete "selected" frorn Paragraph 7. and substitute "to be r econi-
mended by staff .,tnd approved."
The amendment carried by majority voice vote.
AMENDMENT: Councilman. Norton moved, seconded by Wheatley,
to add a new Paragraph 2. to read "that the physical layout and
workability of the parking facilities to be provided, particularly
those for use by the genet al public, be reviewed and reported on
by the staff" and to renumber the other paragraphs accordingly.
The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote.
The motion as amended then carried unanimously by voice vote.
(NOTE: Below is the motion restated incorporating all of the
amendments:
"that the Council express its approval of the concept of the
Bryant Street Project and that it directs the staff to initiate
discussions with Cornish & Carey, to the exclusion of other
developers, hopefully leading to a firm proposal which would
be more consistent with the Hawley and Peterson and Riches
research studies in the following specifics:
251
4/13/70
1. that provision be made for 400-500 underground parking
spaces for public use over and above requirements
generated by the development itself at a price within
the parking district's capacity and willingness to bond;
2. that the physical layout and workability of the parking
facilities to be provided, particularly those for use
by the general public, be reviewed and reported on by
the staff;
3. that the scale, architectural features, feasibility factors
and aesthetics and open space factors are to be consistent
with the Riches and Hawley and Peterson studies;
4. that City owned property (exclusive of Cogswell Plaza)
he sold or leased at a sum consistent with its appraised
value and, if leased, in consideration of escalating
values and income over the lease period;
5. that a substantial portion of the site is to be developed
as a pedestrian plaza, with Cogswell Plaza to be pre-
served and protected and to be incorporated into the
total site plan;
6. that the project incorporate a high-level of aesthetic
quality in keeping with the key location in the -University
i c District and because u
-- _, .,G�aus a of the close __--
Avenue Bus_nes,, tk,;_,.�.,_ ____________
relationship to the new Civic Center;
7. that the proje ;t integrate into the development plan of
the properties on the project blocks not presently
involved and that the project incorporate plans for
total beautification and street lighting of the downtown
area;
See Page 267
8. that all financial, legal and property tax aspects' of
the project from the City's standpoint be submitted to
an independent economic analyst to be recommended
by staff and approved by the City Council for study and
analysis and for review of the Cornish and Carey pro-
posal as to fairness and feasibility from the standpoint.
of the City's interest;
- 9. that the start enter into discussion with downtown prop-
erty owners to study the feasibility of upgrading the
total downtown area through development of parking,
beautification and related improvements; and
that all of the foregoing shall be pursued with due diligence
and submitted in not less than 60 days. ")
252
41-13/70
License Re uirements re Solicitors and Peddlers
as.. i.w.
Mayor Arnold requested permission to consider at this time the
Agenda item relating to license requirements for solicitors and
peddlers. There were no objections.
MOTION: Mayor Arnold moved, seconded by Wheatley, to continue
the item relating to )i,cense requirements for solicitors and peddlers
for one week in the absence of Councilman Pearson. (to April 20, 1970)
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Chan, a of done - l7 30 Embarcadero Road
MOTION: Mayor Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, adoption of
the following ordinance:
Ordinance: No. 2554 entitled "Ordinance of the -Council of the
City of Palo Alto Amending Section 18.08. 040 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code Changing the Zoning of Certain Property Known
as 1730 Ernbarcadero Road from L -M -D to P -C" (first reading
3/30/70)
AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Wheatley moved, seconded by Arnold,
that the planting area in front of the existing Volkswagen building be
entirely planting and not a display area and that the two round pads
for display be removed.
The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote,
AMENDMENT: Councilman Norton moved, seconded by Wheatley
that the one free-standing sign at the Volkswagen building may be
installed only upon removal of the existing roof sign.
The amendment carried unanimously by voice vote.
The ordinance eo amended carried unanimously by voice vote.
Operating e-dget_197O-7i (CMR:495:0)
AMM(TIONf: :[:nian� 1�..�.• S _ _th m__.
- - -- -_ - _... ........ ��..���,� moved,
the 1970-71 Operating Budget to the Finance Committee.
� m.......i ...i by Tk a �.r-..�..144 %11 ILI, 04 .
The motion tarried unanimously by voice vote.
A .S
South Bay Wastewater Discharge
Requirementss (CMR:498:0)
City Manager Morgan con mented on his repo: t concerning the South
Bay wastewater discharge requirements and advised that on April 20
253
4/13/70
the staff will propose a resolution directed to the California Regional
Water Quality Control Board suggesting that imposition of the pro-
hibition of all waste dier}.zrge into San Francisco Bay at this time
is premature.
Chief Engineer of Water -Gas -Sewer May replied to questions from
Council members concerning the status of enforcement of the
recent prohibition.
Water Quality Improvement
MOTION: Councilman Berwaid moved, seconded by Wheatley, to
ask the City Manager to prepare staff recommendation as to the
desirability of initiating exploratory talks with parties to our Joint
Water Quality Improvement facility to determine their position
with respect to proceeding with development of a full scale tertiary
stage of treatment on the facility now under construction.
INTENT OF MOTION; Councilman Berwald stated that it is not
the intent of his motion to set a.ny time limit for the requested
staff recommendation.
The motion failed by majority voice vote.
Oral Communications
I. Mrs. Crystal Gamage, 1568 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto,
speaking both as a resident and as representative of
Downtown Palo Alto Inc., thanked the Council for approving
the concept of the Bryant Street Project and for all the
time and effort Council and staff has put into development
of the Project.
Adiour nment
There being no further business, the Council adjourned at 11:31 p. rn.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
'T r
:r -s--% • --t' _
City Clerk
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4/13/70