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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06151970U MINUTES city of Palo alto 312 6/15/70 Civic Center Palo Alto, California June 15, 1970 The Council of the .City of Palo Alto met on this date in regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. with Vice Mayor Wheatley presiding: Present: Absent: 3eahrs, Berwald, Clark, Comstock, Dias, Gallagher, Norton, Pearson, Wheatley Are.oid, Spaeth Br ant Street Pro'ect - EconomIc asi bili�t Vice Mayor Wheatley briefly reviewed the history of the Bryant Street Project and referred to the Council action of April 13, 1970 expressing interest in the Cornish & Carey proposal with a request to staff to enter into an agreement for a study of the economic feasi- bility of that proposal with Optimum Systems, Inc. He suggested the following procedure for considering the economic feasibility re- port: (1) presentation by Mr. Scott Carey of the Cornish & Carey proposal; (2) Mr. John Cone, Consultant from Optimum Systems, Inc,; (3) Mr. Kenneth Jones, Fond Counsel for the City; (4) clarifi- cations and recommendations from the staff; (5) commentsfrom the Couu.cil. Mr. Scott Carey advised that since the initial proposal Cornish & Carey have been able to make :modifications to the City's benefit, and to the benefit of the citizens and to the downtown community. They can now provide a parking capacity of 1206 stalls in the underground garage facility (which will cost Cornish k Carey close to $4,000,000 with their charge to the City of $3,140,000). In aidition they will pay the City $640, 000 for the land. The pro- ject itself will meet the "S" zone requirements and leave 432 stalls for the public. Mr. Carey advised that they had tried to develop the garage as a self-liquidating facility, thus relieving the taxpayer of making con- tributions to the bond cost. This bond cost should be payable from garage revenues. The project they are proposing is as closely in line with the Hawley & Peterson and Riches. Research concept_ se possible. Todatyis higher interest rates and building costs make it vary difficult to meet criteria set two years ago. He reviewed changes made in the proposal and concluded by stating that Cornish & Carey have given up any commissions they would ordinarily ex- pect to make on the real property and they will not be making any large profits. They see themselves in this project benefiting not mone- tarily except as to the lease, but benefiting in the years to come for what the project will do for Palo Alto in the way of revitalizing the downtown area. i 1 Mr. Cone spoke directly to four questions: (1) Is there sufficient market demand for the larger project proposed by Cornish & Carey? The answer was that the record of office construction in Palo Alto, and comparing office developments generally throughout the nation, Palo Alto can safely assume they will be a focal point for continuing development. (2) Will the developer make an unusual profit on a pro- ject requiring public assistance? The answer was that this project simply would not exist without City participation, and in their opinion, in no way could anyone involved in the project make an exhorbitant profit. (3) Will the garage be a self -paying proposition or will it re- quire additional public assistance? The answer was that the general indications are very positive. Mr. Cone suggested that a more de- tailed estimate should be made because of the changing market, and the amount of money that will be needed in the early years before the project becomes fully operable. (4) Is the project a sound investment for the general city in terms of the City's land resources, money, credit and powers? The conclusion is that this project is highly feasible from the City's point of view and represents advancement highly desirable. in terms of joint cooperation which neither party could do by themselves. City Manager Morgan referred to the opening comments of his report dated June 11, 1970 (CMR:554:0). There are specific steps that should be considered: work to be done, refinements to be made and agree- ments to be developed if Council. des iris _the project to move forward. Vice Mayor Wheatley opened the meeting to the public at this time. Louie Rapp, 355 University Avenue spoke in favor of the project. Frank Tims, 2600 El Camino Real, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, -urged approval of the Bryant Street Project. Don Klages, President of Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. , spoke in favor of the project. Louise Douglas, 518 Everett Avenue, advised that she was a downtown property owner, and urged approval of the project and spoke against an increase in taxes. Frank Manfredi, 216 Addison Avenue, spoke against the project. Joseph Carleton, 2350 Ross Road, spoke against the project. Ed Ames downtown property owner, spoke in favor of the project. Tom Paasell, 3825 Louis Road, asked regarding the market value of the land in this transaction. 313 6/15/70 Thomas Wyman. 546 Washington Avenue, drew attention to the recent hospital 'cote as an indication of the feelings of residents about high density. Steve Gayle, Chairman of the Youth Advisory Council, asked the Council to consider the wishes of the youth who were not in favor of ;nigh rise, high density projects. 1The Council recessed from 9:13 to 9:26 p, m Willow Road Meeting Vice Mayor Wheatley announced a joint meeting will be held on Thursday, Tune 18, 1970 at 7:30 p. m., of Palo Alto and Menlo Park Councilmen with staff of District IV of the State Highway Division to review the Willow Road plans in the Council Chambers. The public is welcome. 3rva►;t Street Project (continued) Se P. to man, 2O2. Edge'.;•ocd, student at Palo Alto, expressed ent►hu- ;_.as'n for the project. Ellen Schrnurtia spoke for the youti; in favor of the project. I)r:n Kiages advised of a Downtown Palo Alto, Inc. survey sent to the clre.t ntov..n Merchants with replies approving the project, - t):ck Rosenbaum, 717 Garland- Drizre.-1_tgea the Council to defer the i._. _. k Frank Crist, ir. , 531 Cowper Street, spoke in favor of the project. Discussion followed with: Mr. Carey, Mr. Cone and Mr. Jones re- sponding to questions from Council. MOTION: Vic e Mayor Wheatley rnoz-eci duly secoeided, to continue the Bryant Street Project for one week to appear as Item No. 2 on the Agenda. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mitchell Park Recreation Bui lclin&improvernent s (CM.R: 551:0) MOTION: Cour:cilman Gallagher moved, 'seconded by Pearson, tee authorize the Mayor on behalf of the City to execute a contract with McKellar and Associates, n the amount of $25. 204 for remedial work at Mitchell Park RecrYatior. Building. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. 314 6/15/70 1 1 E1 Camino Median Landscaping (CMR:565:0) MOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded bey Comstock, to continue the item El Camino Reel Median Landscaping for two weeks. City Engineer Witbeck responded to questions f7.orri Council and ad- vised the project could be stretched wer any pro -rated period of time desired. He pointed out that the landscaping is not something in this instance the Division of Highways would do. The costs were all borne by local agencies. Councilman Berwald, with the consent of his second, withdrew his motion to continue. MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Dice, to table the matter. The motion was defeated on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Noes: Beahrs, Clark, Dias , Wheatley Berwald, Comstock, Gallagher, Norton, Pearson MOTION: Councilman Gallagher moved, seconded by Beahrs, that the matter regarding El Canino Real Median Landscaping be returned to staff for future reference to Council in about eight months for re- ferral to Public Works Committee for review and recommendations for the 1971-72 Budget. The motion carried by a majority voice vote. Downtown Traffic erations and fety i no *ez :5490 MOTION: Councilman Comstock introduced the following resolution and moved. seconded by Beahrs, its adoption: Resolution No. 4357 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Arne;iding Resolution No. 2971 to Prohibit Parking on Both Sides of University Avenue Near Byron Street" The resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote. California Division oI Forestay - Fire Protection Agreement (C.MR:550:0) MOTION: Councilman Gallagher moved, seconded by Beahrs, to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Division of Forestry and introduced the following rcao- lution for adoption: 3I3 6/15/70 Resolution No. 4358 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving Agreement with the Department of Conser- vation, Division of Forestry, State of California (For Basic Water- shed Fire Protection)" The motion was carried and the resolution adopted by unanimous voice vote. Downtown Park Ac uision and Leaseback Project No. -12 (CMR:4 :0; 294:0; 79: ; 09:9; and 61:0) MOTION: Councilman Pearson moved, seconded by Comstock, to authorize the City Manager to execute the documents necessary to accomplish the proposed lease for Project No. 66-12, Downtown Fwzx Acquisition raid Leaseback. The motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Baylands Athletic Center (CMR:553:0) l!iOTION: Councilman Berwald moved, seconded by Gallagher, that the City Manager be authorized to initiate negotiations with the Palo Alto Unified School District representatives to the objective of lighting and jointly using one District Secondary school baseball diamond to meet participant neeus . In response to questions, City Manager Morgan advised that staff in- tent in making this recommendation is that this opportunity for addi- tional far l ties be explored with the School District and in the mean- time that Phase II be set aside with no further action taken at this time. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Lands Leaped from Stanford Univerait -a. Litigation Vice Mayor Wheatley acknowledged receipt of report received from the City Attorney regarding litigation on lands leased from Stanford Univers ity. Un errity Avenue District (Civic Center-' afi-Street Par in Pr ectt No. :556:0) City Engineer Witbeck reviewed the protest of Mr. Ames for Carol Cranston 218-338 University Avenue in the staff report dated June 12, 19?0 (CMR:446:0). He advised there had been further review with Mr. Ames and the Department of Planning and Community Development. In reviewing the Municipal Code requirements for the space required to get out of the area, it is staff feeling that severs spaces can be justified. Mr. Ed Ames, speaking on behalf of his client Carol Cranston, spoke in favor of their request for eight spaces. MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheatley moved, seconded by Clark, that parcel Nos. 122-29014/15 at 318-338 University Avenue, be given credit for seven parking spaces. The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote. MOTION: Councilman Dias moved, seconded by Pearson, to accept the remaining recommendations of staff regarding the following pro- tests on the "G"Bcnd Assessment, University Avenue District (Civic Center) Parking: 1. Herbert E. Bell, 536 Emerson Street, Parcel No. 122-49-004 Mr. Bell is claiming credit for two parking spaces. A field check of the premises indicated a space 7'7" wide by 25 feet. The Municipal Code requires a space to be 8 feet wide by 18 feet long. Since the actual space available represents sub- stantial compliance, the staff recommends granting credit for one perking space, 2. Mrs. Erneet J. Kurny, 325 Lytton Avenue, Parcel No. 122-28-54 Mrs. Kurnp is claiming credit for 48 parking spaces instead of 43 spaces. Further investigation revealed 44 spaces lined for parklnaz with one of these spaces failing short of the 8 feet x 18 feet requirement. Other areas which may have been con- sidered by Mrs. JKursp to be parking spaces are clearly :narked in painted letters "rio parking," Credit could be given for the one additional space provided they change the painted lines to meet the requirement. 3. Tnoits and Thoitsj 501 Webster Street: Parcel No. 122-21-40 This firm is claiming credit for 35 spaces because of attendant parking, instead of 22 spaces. Credit for parking is based on the same criteria as parking requirements in ar.. "S" zone and since the Municipal Code makes no allowance or variance in parking requirements in cases of attendant parking, it is recommended that no additional credit be given for attendant parking. 4, Mr. Irvin Ss:iitvani 545- 549 Emerson Street) Parcel No. 122 -3? -022 Mr. Sullivan is claiming credit xor two parking spaces in a private alley. Although the alley is a part of the adjacent 317 6/15/70 property not owned by Mr. Sullivan, he was granted an ease- ment over the alley and is requesting credit for parking by virtue of this easement. Investigation into the provisions of this easement reveals the fact that the easement is for joint use of the two parties and is to be kept open and unobstructed. Since the alley is 10 feet wive, parking would amount to an obstruction. It is recommended that no credit be given. The motion carried unanimously by vo4 ;e vote. MOTION: Councilman Dias introduced the following resolution amendeded to reflect the above recommendations in the Engineer's Report and moved, seconded by Pearson, its adoption: Resolution No. 4359 entitled "A Resolution Confirming Engineer's Report and Assessment Roil - University Avenue District Civic Center Off -Street Parking Project 66-8" The resolution was adopted unanimously on a voice vote. Corporation Yard Prospectus MOTION: Councilman Norton moved, seconded by Comstock, that the City send a copy of the Prospectus on the Old Corporation Yard to the Palo Alto Medical Research Foundation H: pital. Discussion followed with Councilman Clark requesting the record to show he abstained from discussion and voting. The mot>kan_ carried on o majority voice vote. Ronal Water Qualit Control Board Staff responded to numerous questions asked by Councilman Pearson regarding a letter received from the Regional Water Quality Control Boars. POINT OF ORDER: Councilman Clark objected to detailed discussion on a non -agenda item. Adjourritrient MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheatley moved, seconded by Beahrs, to adjourn the meeting. (Councilmen Beahrs, Clark and Galiagt^er left the Chambers at 12:10-a. rn and did not return) AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved to amend the motion to adjourn the meeting until 7:30 p.m. , June 22, with Oral Communica- tions the first item on the Agenda. MOTION WITHDRAWN: Vice Mayor Wheatley withdrew his motion to adjourn. 318 6/15/70 Oral Communications Vice Mayor Wheatley recognized Oral Communication from the public. 1. Jerry Dunn, representing Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club, described the hazardous conditions emanating from rtray golf balls which are endangering players on adjacent tennis courts at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club. Mr. Dunn requested from the Council some relief from the variance limiting the height of fences, stating the need for a twenty -foot fence. MOTION: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Berwald, to request staff to prepare a report for Council review and suggesting alternative solutions. The motion carried by a majority voice vote. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 12:25 a.m. APPROVED: ATTEST: City Clerk if .3 4 S! i _j 6/15/70