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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05261969City Hall Palo Alto, California May 26, 1969 The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date ac 7:30 p. m. with Mayor Arnold presiding. Present: Arnold, Beahrs, Berwald, Clark, Comstock, Dias Gallagher, Gullixson, Pearson, Spaeth, Wheatley Absent: Note City Government Night - Cubberley High School (CMR:220:9) Mayor Arnold welcomed Mr. Warren Nelson, Senior Government teacher from Cubberley High School and his students who were participating in City Government Night. In response to invitation from Mayor Arnold, members of the Council and City staff intro- duced their student counterparts, as follows: Mayor Arnold. Vice -Mayor Dias Councilman Beahrs Councilman Berwald Councilman Clark Councilman Comstock Councilman Gallagher Councilman Ghsllixson Councilman Pearson Councilman Spaeth Councilman Wheatley City Managcr City Engineer Director of Planning and Community Development Phil Kline Roxie Minasian James Miller Karen Smith Charles Armstrong Nora Foley Bonnie McDowell Kitty Woodlev Linda Vawter Bill Parrish Don Williams Todd Starks and John Krnetowic Harold Sampson Kathy Farrner City Attorney Sue Bishop City Clerk Connie Sullivan Minor Exceptions to Subdivision. Ordinance MOTION: Councilman Wheatley moved, seconded by Comstock, to continue the matter relating."r2 adoption of an amendment to the subdivision ordinance to allow the Planning Officer to grant minor exceptions for two weeks (June 9). The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Parking ReR irements - Hospitals and Rest Homes Councilman Spaeth advised that he will neither participate nor vote concerning the Planning Commission recommendation regarding parking requirements for hospitals and rest homes. City Attorney Hildebrand advised that in the proposed ordinance the word "convalescent" should be deleted from the title and in Section. 18. 22. 100, since it is intended that hospital requirements would be the same for convalescent hospitals as for other general care hospitals. Discussion followed and City Manager Morgan, Director of Planning and Community Development Fourcroy and Planning Commission Member Giosso responded to questions concerning preser' - dad pro- posed parking requirements. MOTION`.- Councilffian Pearson"introduced-the following_ordir9--_ and moved, seconded by Comstock, its approval for first reading with the deletions recommended by Mr. Hildebrand: "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Sec- tion. 18. 22. 100 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Change Parking Requirements for Convalescent Hospitals and Rest Homes9° The ordinance was approved for first reading unanimously by voice vote. U. S. Post Office Location Mayor Arnold outlined the background regarding the location of the proposed U. S. Post Office at Loma Verde Avenue and West Bayshore Frontage Road, and invited Post Office officials to comment first. Marvin Arbuckle, Palo Alto Postmaster, described the proposed past office and tae City's need for increased and modern postal fac- ilities. 427 . S/Z6/69 J. G. Schulz, Regional Real Estate Officer, U. S. Post Office, des- cribed the proposed facility, observed that zoning of the site in ques- tion is L -M (light manufacturing), advised that a local architect would be selected to design the building, and stated the estimated postal needs of the City for a twenty-year period. Lengthy discussion followed and Messrs. Schulz and Arbuckle and Director of Planning and Community Development Fourcroy res- ponded to questions concerning activities to be performed in the building, traffic which it .might generate in regard to both its own and patron vehicles, proposed landscaping, other possible sites in the area, whether use of the site for a post office might be more desirable to nearby residents than other uses which would be per- mitted in an L -M zone of the size of the proposed site, the hours during which post office vehicle maintenance would be conducted and the level of such maintenance anticipated in the particular fa- cility, the size of the proposed building and +-Ile amount of parking provided, and the requirements for a buffer zone between adjacent residential and nonresidential zones, (The Council recessed from 9:25 p. m. to 9:40 p. rn. Vice Mayor Dias did not return at 9:40 p. m. ) Alan Wilrnunder, 3361 Thomas, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of the post office on the proposed site because of traf- fic generation. William Ebaugh 3370 Kenneth, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of the post office on the proposed site because of the probable traffic situation. (Vice Mayor Dias returned at 9: 50 p. rn. ) Alan Eikarnp, 1044 Madciux, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of the post office on the proposed site because of traffic problerns. Robert J. Debs, 3145 Flowers Lane, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of the post office on the proposed site and read from the ordinance describing permitted L -M uses. Jaynes Koenig, 956 Colorado, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of the post office on the proposed site and suggested con- sideration be given to Stanford lrsdustriai Park or the east side of Bayshore. Norman Gordon, 3345 Thomas, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of a post office on the proposed site. Jaynes O. McBride, owner of a business at 439 Hamilton, , spoke in opposition to the location of a post office on the proposed Site be- cause of the probable traffic situation. 428 5/26/69 Mrs. Ethel Anderson, 360 Colorado, Palo Alto. suggested that if consideration is given to closing Lorna Verde ;:.n the event the pro- posed post office facility is built there, then consideration should also be given to closing Colorado Avenue. Osburn Crewes, 3455 Thomas, Palo Alto, spoke in opposition to the location of a post office on the proposed site and suggested the site might be used for low income housing. -.MOTION: Councilman Gallagher moved, and it was duly seconded, that the Mayor ask the Postmaster General to direct his local re- presentatives to move the proposed Palo Alto Post Office to a more appropriate location in view of the widespread disapproval of the present site and that our members of Congress be so advised. Discussion continued concerning the need for a new Palo Alto post office, whether or not the City would have much leverage with the federal government in opposing the post office location on grounds that it would be rn.ore offensive than other permitted L -M uses, the desirability of maintaining the General Plan zoning, and the objec- tions of the adjacent residents to the location of the post office. The motion carried by majority voice vote. Trails and Paths Plan MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Comstock, to refer the report of the Planning Commission's subcommittee on trails and paths priorities to the Planning and Procedures Committee. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Modifications "Miscellaneous Streets Project No, 67-3 MOTION: = Councilman Gallagher introduced the following resolution and moved, seconded by Beahrs, its adoption: Resolution No. 4255 entitled "Resolution of intention to Make Changes and Modifications, Miscellaneous Streets Project No. 674 3" The resolution was adopted unanimously by voice vote. 1 Downtown Library and Recreation Center - Report on Bids (CMR:222:9) MOTION Councilman Gallagher moved, seconded by Arnold, to re- ject all bide for construction of the Downtown Library and Recreation Center. Project No. 67.5, in accordance with the recommendation of the City Manager. 429 5126/69 Discussion followed and City Manager Morgan replied to questions concerning possible courses of action in view of the low bid of $419, 000 being $119 500, or 39. 910, over the architect's estimate. The motion failed for lack of a second. MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, that the entire contract be re- viewed in executive session next week by the Council. AMENDMENT: Councilman Pearson moved that the staff report be referred to the Public Works Committee. The amendment failed for lack of a second. AMENDMENT: Councilman Comstock moved, and it was duly sec- onded, that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee, and the architect and staff be. directed to prepare an analysis of the original bid, this is to be reviewed by the Public Works Committee for determination of a future course of action. The amendment carried by .majority voice vote. The motion as amended carried unanimously by voice vote. Ba ,lands Pro ert . for Trail and Path Pur oses MOTION: Mayor Arnol l moved, and it was duly seconded to refer the City Manager's report on policy for the acquisition of Baylands property for trail and pathway purposes to the Finance Committee. The motion carried unanimoudy by voice vote. ( ouncilm an Spaetth Ieft at 10:50 p. m. and did not return) Site and Design Control - 450 San Antonio Road Carl folvick Mr. A. Wyn, architect with thri-Heilwig, described the building prciposed for the site at 450 San Antonio Road, and replied to questions from Council members concerning details of the plan. MOTION: Councilman Gullizson moved, seconded by Dias, to up- hold the reconunendation of the Planning Commission and approve the application for Site and Design Control, Approval, 450 San Antonio Road subject to certain conditions. The motion failed on the following tie roll call vote: Aycs: Arnold, Clark, Dias, Gallagher, Gullixson Noes: Beahrs, Berwald, Comstock, Pearson, Wheatley 430 5/26/69 Local Bonds MOTION: Mayor Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, to continue the matter regarding federe 1 legislation affecting local bonds. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Construction on Large Parcels Ammo In response to Councilman Berwald's inquiry regarding advance no- tice on major construction and developments of large parcels, City Manager Morgan advised that during the course of the consultant's study of the foothills the Council will be advised ,f any Large devel- opment of the area. Stanford Lands - Arastradero/Pa e M ill/Foothill/Hillview In response to Councilman Berwald's inquiry regarding present dc- vel opment of Stanford lands bounded by Arastradero Road, Page Mill Road, Foothill Expressway and Hillview Avenue, City Manager Morgan stated that the City has been advised the lot approved, formalizing streets and street improvement standards for Arastradero Road, will be an item for the Council and other affected jurisdictions. CATV MOTION: Mayor Arnold moved, seconded by Beahrs, to refer to the Finance-r:oscir ttee-the letter of -May 21, 1969 from County Counsel Kennedy regarding CATV. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Skyline Regional Scenic Route Councilman Pearson requested the letter from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding their resolution endorsing the con- cepts of a Skyline Regional Scenic Route be considered at the Planning and Procedures meeting on May 28. There were no objections. Oral Cornm unications John Buckley, 327 Addison, Palo Alto, stated he was spokesman for a group who just adopted a resolution to urge the Council to take action to keep the Paso Alto police from being sent outside the City in connection with mutual protection aid agreements and that the police not take part in U. S. Army training. .431 5/Z6/69 See Page 441 See Page 441 City Manager Morgan advised that Palo Alto police are trained to use the equipment that is issued to them in order that they may act effectively on behalf of the citizens of the City when a situation which requires it arises. Richard Bogart, 3919 Bibbits, Palo Alto, urged that Palo Alto polic.-e not be given Arrny training. Resident, 2345 Dartmouth, Palo Alto, suggested that large groups of police are not more effective than small ones. Adiournnnent MOTION: Councilman Beahrs moved, seconded by Dias, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. The Council adjourned at 12:00 M. APPROVED: 432 5/26/69