Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12121938City Hall, Palo Alto, California, December 12, 1938 The. Counc` 1. of the City of Palo Alto met in re u..a r session cr3; this date at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Sa:i.sman presiding. Roil call as follows: ' Present:' Blois, Bonham, Cashel, Collins, Costello). Mrs. Merner, Mitchell, M0.s'. nez , Richards, Sa,lsman, Wood. Absent: Cypher, Goddard, Thoits, Thomas. The minutes of the meetings of November 14 and 28, 1908, were approved. HeerinA o2 Application for Chan'e of Zone This was the time set for a hearing on the application for the rezoning of the property on the southerly corner o: Bryant Street. and Addison Avenue, in Block I), riving -a frontage e 50 feet on Bryant Street and 105 feet on Addison Avenue, from First Residential to Second Residential Zone. The Council was informed ,'t at notices of this hearing have been sent to each property owner in the zone of interest and that a notice was also published in the. Palo Alto Times. Att the, last meeting a report was received on this matter from. the Planning Commission recommending that the eppli.ca- tion be denied. Written ,protests against the application for. this the re u of zone were filed by Rufus H. Kimball, ir s . Isabel Jones and L. S. Fish. The petition filed by M ^b as signed Lo pc r. Kimball was property owners protesting the application. Mrs. Henry Cemmer, representing the applicant, addn:sseo. the Council urging that the application be granted se th t the building of a duplex house would be permitted on the lot in question. Mr. Rufus Kimball addressed the Council on behalf of the protestants. Mrs. Frank Hall, a property owner in the zone of interest, also spoke in opposition to the rezoning of t :is property. The Chairman of the Planning Commission advised that the Commission is opposed to spot zoning and referred to the extension of the Second Residential Zone to Addison Avenue :ieic ��a made a year or 'mo ag It was „ feeling f a was .'�.. y c? .�',e ago. .�,. t,._� .. �.,1Tlg of C Gi.:u�.s�:. that t the .urge area rezoned at that time to Second Residential was sufficient to meet the demand for second residential pro,oer:,; for some time to come. On motion of Mitchell and Cashel, the application for the rezoning ofi the property on the southerly corner of Ereeen t Street and Addison Avenge from First Residential to Second Residential ;Zo,ne was denied. esigna'tion of Col. W m2. K. Jo _ s A.communication was received from Col. �.- , z: a K. = ;,::es tendering his resignation as a member of the City Planning Commission. On.; motion of Mitchell and Richards, the reeio ' is was accepted and the Mayor we.s requested to express to Col. .3.1=e the thanks and appreciation of the Council for ni s' e ery i.o.: s Yn the Commission. {``o,n:c 3man Thoits came at this time 7:..50 PM., =4 was present. during the rest o: the meeting., U real e • the Ci Bryant of enL regard with f: quoted. upon of Cali White C motoris passed to the x=47, Di: patriot.: Warner charge _ t cooper4.t either Vetere; n: Brothers commu i 4 was refe Ord_. Club, si emergent, running the measi ^ i1j be 1: Supe_rintE of Lyttor School; Linger, Gregory, was refer: :fie e�o: of the Pe/ .unici aU to a ttene Thursday, nge sed )e De ty ce s i.on. hes c. OOf'er to eS:el::: Pr apertY ... letter was received from James W. F. Ger rise, real estate broker.' of San Francisco, asking whether or not tne City is interested in acquiring the property at 63O Bryant Street adjoining the Ptzbiic Library for the purpose of enlarging the Library, and enclosing a memorandum in regard to theapartment house now located on this property, with figures on the : present income and expenses. The price uoted for the property, is $12,500.00. This comeication was=referred to Committee No. 3 upon motion of Mitchell and Collins. at 63O.. Bryant S t . Letter from Blind Workers Guild A letter was received from the Blind Workers Guild of California, requesting that publicity be given, to the 'rite . Cane Law of the State of California in order that motorists will understand and observe this law which was passed in 1935 as a protection to the blind. On motion of Collins and Richards, this was referred to the Board. of Safety for consideration. Letter from Disabled .mericf:.n Veterans A communication was received from Peninsula Chapter ,-47, Disabled American Veterans of the World Sklar, concernin` . patriotic motion pictures ' which have been :made available by arner Brothers to veteran ' groups for exhibition: free of charge throughout the State, and requesting the Council to cooperate in bringing these pictures here by writing to either the Department Headquarters. of the Disabled American. Veterans of the World War it Los, Angeles or to Warner Brothers, asking that the pictures be shown soon in this community. On ,motion. of Richards and Blois, this communication was referred to, the Advisory Board on Commercial Amusements. Ordinance on :Control of Dlo=Xs' A communication vas received from the Woman's Civic :,lab, signed by Louise B.Wallace, Chairman_, urging that ,the emerge=c:; ordinance- now in effect prohibiting dogs from running at large .Le mace permanent, with statements endorsing L= Treasure and expr. essing. the none that this legislation :l Li be made permanent from the following: J �� � J. R. Overturf, htendent of Schools,•. Miss M. ' C ..t� .,� r �,'*, ., Van Auken, principal pa�. o Lytton School; Miss. Edith Patton,- principal of� Walter Hays e, hoof; F. R. Palmer, principal of Addison School; Ivan H. ry1A '¢x, erincip al of the: Palo- Alto- High School; and L. G. e ory y principal al . of Mayfteld School. On motion of Mosher and . Richards, this communication cation was referred to the Boars of Safety and Committee No. 2. Meting .of Peni su a Livislon of Leaeue A letter was received from . +1 Verti.n, President of the Peninsula Division: of the League of California -r::�S.'21..n.i;oc'3. ^i y � .L�1.1 or:Cli�. .: 1rties inviting council .members and city, officials to attend the nextmeeting of_ the :ui.visl.on to be held or .: nursday, December 15, 1938, `:a t Villa Mateo in Daly City. Annexation of ' Embarcadero Oaks No. 2 A communication was received from Laub. o. Leve concern- ing the petition . filed on , September 1, 1938, for the annexation of Embarcadero G s. No. 2, requesting that this matter be given immediate attention.' A report was submitted by Committee No 1 recommending that the Council pass such resolution as is necessary for the immediate - :annexation of Eabarcaaero Oaks No. 2. Resolution of Intention No. 1229 to call a special election. for' the ;purpose of submitting to the electors residing in Bmbaroadero Oaks No. 2 the question of annexing said territory to the " City of Palo Alto was presented and read, and upon motion, of kosher and Mrs. sterner was adopted by unanimous vote on roll cola:. 'This_resolution fixes January 9, 1939, as the time when property osiers objecting to the proposed annexation may appear before the Council, and declares that it is the intention of the recommend Council to hold the special election on Tuesday, February 7, 1929. present b. that the 5 that the revenue fx The City .Attorney made an oral report relative to the ; tion of• al claim for damages filed at the last meeting by Ponciano E.lava, advising that he had ac?r9ressed a communication to the c? aieiant denying liability in this case. the Corrwi& Building a Policy in_ Handling Claims be .wade fo to the amo The City Attorney suggested to the Council that a explained change oe made in the procedure of handling claims; that when the wood claims are received they be referred to the City Attorney for available handling _ instead of referring them to him for a report. After ,`�4 ::ill be av; an investigation of the claim, if the Attorney comes to the Cashel eh, conclusion that, there is no liabil ty on the part of the City , he will so i� if inform the claimant i..` he should determine that is liability he would so advise the Council after negotiatinc; that the u• the claimant for a settlement. If this 'ere followed re procedure ,.•0 retain tain :l there would be no delay in handling the scatter and there ,ro ole' ce is ova i.ia of no necessity of bringing claims before the Council unless there cho' lc be is liability on the City's part. %i 8l . it a � C ct'" The question of establishing a policy in regard to the handling of claims was referred to Committee quo. 3 for st.:iy. Request of Softball Association i Additional Llgntin" Use c,f'... Claim for Damages Reet A. communication was received from J. J. Saitta, President of the Palo Alto Softball Association, requesting the installation of additional light units at the El. Camino Rea:: Baseball Park. On motion of. Collins end i .ocher, this was referrec to the Board of Works for a report on the costs involved crc .-s .t to Committee No. 1. Annexation of `Green Gables Tract A petition was submitted, withthe signatures of t.e .ve qualified electors in the territory known as Green Gables :A act, petitioning for the annexation of this tract to the City o' Palo Alto.. A motion was made by Mitchell, secondedby Mosher, X a resolution of intention to call a special election on. this matter be adopted, but the motion was later withdrawn when it a= pointed out that it w2.5 c'zstoM?' v to refer. s.oc petitions to Com ttee NNo...1. On motion of Thoits and Mitchell.:, the petit cir' was referred ';to Committee ; No. 1. requestir erroneo zs Board of Disp Witting f Items 1 a: for the W Warehouse suggestio: C ommuni ca date of Nov first year in advance to the Boar< cna des nect stores and on this mat' :rieeting on November 26 Flade aV oiler. oy the ;oar .0 the w a.r eho :xc of teese eun to the 'Board Council. Co from the fir Cornor •r.ion rn- ory on here i a.,d. L. be e Rec uest for ; ,.. fU d , on Lot '.4eaninpe Chi s: e f letter -was -received .from Mrs. Anna L. Shultz, reeuesting a refund of $8.80 '.f`or lot cleaning charges erroneously placed On er tax bill. This was referred to the oard of Works and -Committee No. 5. Dl:soocition of Agencies ccu: yin:$ Warehouee ivo.. 2 4. report was submitted.by the Board of Works trans- eittine for the Couxic ,.1' s information Bulletin No. 49 and Items 1 and 2 of Bulletin No. 50,` relating to suggested quarters for the WomentS Service League end other agencies now occupying ftrenouse No. 2;1- - also transmitting Bulletin lb. 52 relative to sqg eations made for new quarters for the United States Naval Communication Reserve:" A report was also received from the Board of Safety recommending that the Community Kitchen be continued in its present building; that the wood pile also be retained, and that the Salvage Department be liquidated. The Board advised that the continuation. ion. of the Community' Kitchen, V without the revenue from the Salvage Department, will require an appropria-- tioa ocf about X2400.00 per year. Committee No. 1 :recommended that as a matter of policy the Community Kitchen be . allowed to occipy the old Shelter B a1c. ng as long as it is available and that no appropriation be ;nude for the operation of the Community Kitchen in addition to tne amount being allowed, at '.tae present time It was explained in reply to a question concerning the retention of '..he wood pile, that asp long as the old Shelter building is evailaolo for the Community Kitchen some la:d adjacent to it ill be available for the wood pile. On notion of Bonham : nod Cashel, , the report of Committee No. 1 was adopted. li report;' was receiv from Committee No. 1 recommending that the united States ' Naval Communication .cation Reserve be permitted to retain its quarters ,in` >a'rehouse, No. 2 as long as the s � ..SpG.Ce is available, but' the committee does not feel that public money :'yp .g On motion ef. __ ,,,_d be used in ta���n care of this agency. ^ .:tc -iel_1 and Bonham, this report was approved. (Councilman Wood left at this time, 8:30 P.M., and. was absent during the rest of the meeting.) Use of t arehottsse ` Rental report .was . received from the Board of Works, under (ate ,of November -28,-1958::; requeSting that the amount off" the irst year's rental of Warehouse No. 2 of $1800.00, to be paid /1 tovance .:oy tne..Coast Printin Corporation, be !made available to e Board of Works to 'pay the .cost of adjustments and chL,nt es 2E'cessitated•:b the .4 O'Vi.ng ` and re -arrangement of the stores :grid eguipment of the 8o ,:rs4, of „Works. A further report ea this. matter was .: subm± tted by tie. Board, stating that at its eetinn on Deceriber 12 199,3 , it reiterated " i is request of' November :5th tri.t the ' amount of . the - first' year $ s rental be` available far tni:s ose% and .ai:so to ` pay expenses incurred Jy the Bo and . In aiding '�the�.:X'e; oval: `:a:� ..J v ►e?." agencies occ��3'i:n ; � - _ ne arenouse. .°h B e ard,,.,, ,elt that t .is u as a proper`'al io'cation these of .__ unds :. , ua be1 .ovr.ed that' they sno 1a be made available to the11 Board-outsid`ecif- its b°czdget heretofore approved by the fr ^m the mittee No a recommended that the su of $1;00.00 �he first year's rental -on -the lease with the Coast Printing Cornoretion hc� transfer! d: to the ;R�prd of liTo,rk for o-..-nP As in.`:con junction with the removal and re -arrangements necessary. On motion of Mitchell and Ars. Verner, the report of Committee No. 4 wasadopted and the appropriationauthorized, by unanimous vote on roll.calla On motion of Mitchell and Bonham, it was directed that the balance of the rental, $600.00, be placed in the General :Fund. Real E t e 'Broker s Commission A. report was, received from the hoard of Works .directing.:attention of the Council to the Board's minutes or November 17, 1.938, which state that there was' ' a definite understanding that the real estate broker's commission_ in connection with the ..easing of Warehouse 2 to the Coast Printing Sx rporation erasto be paid by the lessee. The Council -was -advised that Committee No. 1 has this matter andel. consideration'}Jut, is not yet ready to make a report. Actin was deferred. Survey of Sidewalk Trees A. report was received from the Board of Works transmittingfor. the Council's information. Bulletin No. 51 relative to survey of sidewalk shade trees, :::ith the recommendation that the recommendations for rork to be done as outlined in the, report be carried, out by WPA labor under the supervision of the City Engineer. Committee No. 1 reported that it has considered this bulletin outlining the various trees which need attention and informed the Council that this work is being taken care of under the regular �',`P.� park project. i�o action was required. , > VPA Sidewalk ;end t ra.ina ,e Project • , - A report was submitted b; the Board of Zorks recommending.' a WPA sidewalk and drainage project to the Cs ncl. for approval and submission to the WPA. This is a continua- tion ofwork previously done under a Simi 1cr project. The T, 4 necessary funds for the City's share are inched in the present. budget. Committee No. 1 r<ecommended. that the ; P sid.et al k and drainage project be approved and.that the Board of e.orks be authorized to make the application for this project. Committee ;; No. 4 reportedthat since no appropriation is required ` for this 'pro j ect, the committee has taken no action.. On motion of Mitchel: and Bonham, the report of Committee' No. l was approved. A report was received from the Board of .' orks ad vi sang that .it has received a request from the Fire C_ ie- e ; permit to " erect a temporary drill tower adjoining the pump 'tower at "the>Aayfie1d Fire Station; , that if the oeri t is grantedit; should be .subject to the' prior rights o -f the Water Department for the use of the structure in connection with the :operation., of the well and pumping plant, and if the over is constrimted it should have certain structural featuressuggested by the Building Inspector The Beer'e f� Lt that "i t :��tias. not the proper body to decide -as to . ether or:. not a temporary drill tover should be erected at this loca tio. The :,ou by the . a repor. word f rs consider the reqi taken. met esoressi at 845 C above b2 CornrnjSSj action .. r ecomme:As] the Zonir to the pc jSection 1 by Oreille Committee Le• ,+ ha t the F. . Council o: project growing n. referred ordered. Dues that it z Cal.►��,r lc revenue ;.r. services i to e_L w Th a ay �r`�'? om t t =e propos not ?favor. Committee te ee tous s;^ s n. to location, and therefore referred the matter to the Council. the Council was advised that this matter had been referred by the Mayor ,to .the Board of..Safety which has not:. yet submitted report. The ' Mayor reported that he had just received_ word from members of' - the Board Of . Safety suggesting that consideration= of"'this item: be deferred as it was probable that the request for the-,PerMit would be withdrawn. No action was taken. Rec uest tD Operate Beauty : Shp in First Res iaentiel Zone A report was received from the Planning Commission expressing its opinion that the proposed use of the property at 845 Oregon Avenue as a beauty parlor in 'chit home is not an aleowable use under the present zoning ordinance. The Commission transmitted the ,follow,ng suggested courses of. action which could be followed by the Council in such cases: (1) Enforce the ordinance as it exists. (2) =mend the ordinance to prohibit ail businesses in the first and Ssecond Residential Zones. (3) Amend the ordinance to take care of such uses in the homes, , ;by the addition of a paragraph to Section. 1000 of the Zoning Ordinance. defining "Home Occupations", and by the amendment of Section 1002 to include nhame''occupations" in permitted uses in the First Residential District. This matter was referred to Committee No, x. rmendment. to Zorinc, Ordinance A report was received from the Planning Commission recommending an amendment to Paragraph 2 of Section 1011-A of t -:e Zoning Ordinance,' as amended by Ordinance No. 605: re1at3ng to the permissible building width of lots. - A _oroposed ' oraine,nce amending Paragraph 2 of Section 1011-A of the. Palo. Altc Zoning Ordinance as amended by -Ordinance No.605 T s given first reading and referred to _ _ «a„ eo.n i„tee No. 1. • Letter from Mayfield Woman's . Club re Under ss A report was submitted by Committee No. 1 recommending eat one letter from the Mayfield 'Foments Club advising the Council of their interest in. and support of the underpass project at University Avenue, and directing attention to the gro;s`ing need of a similar underpass at C Board California �:�,'eliL?e i be r`�Ierrea to the Board' of Works for consideration. It ordered. 4��5 So Dues of :dun:i.c pa:1; League A report was received from Committee No. advising noetit has considered the communication t` a, ± from the League o,� ::junicipa ities concerning changes in the League's r venue and expendituareprogram, outlining plans for additional. erv:ices to be provided by the League � a ✓ t- �;,:-� and requesting Palo Alto t w2156.00 for dues in JanuarY, 1939, instead of ;175.00. -- s committee reported that it questions te the advisability of proposed- expansion of the functions of the League and does. rct favor an increased appropriation. On motion of Mrs. Merner and Bonham, the report of hm o tee No 4 was adopted. 1 Recodification of Crdinzaces Block" 1 A report wns submitted: by Committee No. 4 recommending Coi ei"; that an additional appropriation of $5C»CC be made from the roll c. unappropriated balance to pay for labor and supplies in connection with the preparation of mimeographed copies of the final draft of the recodified ordinances. On motion of Thoits and Bonham, this recommendation was approved and the appropriation author i zed by unanimous vote on roll call. Change of Zone cr,verj;reen Park) The following proposed ordinances were presented for second' reading: A proposed_ ordinance rezoning Lots 1, 2, 3, 5 .and 6, Block 8, Evergreen -Park, iu.pon the application from property owners,' from First Residential Zone to Commercial Zone. A proposed ordinance rezoning Lots 1, :;;, ;:,, 5 and 6, Block 8, Evergreen Parr„ upon the initiative recommendation of the .Manning Commission, from First Residential Zone to Third Fesiden-tial Zone. Tie hearing upon the application for rezoning its property to " Commercial Zone, and upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission to rezone the property to Third Residential, was held by the Council et its meeting on November 14, 1938. A' motion was made by Thoits that the ordinance rezoning; these lots to Third Residential as recommended by the Planning Commission be adopted. There was no second to this motion. The ordinance was declared lost. - motion was then made by Blois,, `seconded by Bon' a_a, that the ordinance rezoning these lots to Commercial Zone, as requested by the property owners, be adopted. During the discussionwhich followed, Councilman Thoits .stated that he believed there was sufficient frontage along El ' Camino Real zoned as commercial to take care of the needs of business on tree highway for a long time,, he belie the recommendation of the Planning Commission was sound and would 'therefore vote against the ordinance. C ounci-i :pan Co lin5, also opposed the ordinance and staged that he considered' Stanford Avenue to be the logical termination cdf the bu ness zone.; C. C. E. Ashworth, Chairman of t:.e Planning g C %mmiss� on, explained the Commission's views, stating that the Commission felt that the, commercial zone should ,not 'be extended northerly from Stanford Avenue :�,�" =t� ' there was sufficient frontage along the highway zoned for business purposes at the present time. covering Y9o,Oao It was pointed out that at the : time of the le �z :: ��or' there s were no. protests against ' application the me against app�� ca tiOn for the �ozdd not rezoning of the property in question from First Resi.den — . o. $. Commercial Zone, except from one _aerson whose property is located several ..blocks away. Several council :members spoke in favor of the,. adoption of the ordinance any= -'"e xpr.essee v .c op Lzaion that the property owners should be gi-v e:I an c -- r t h • to :develop their properties. Or ;iven f distric the des the Deal for t-1,? file. on role authorize fl a�, � . C : a , : opt ront C First '..esideatial Lone to . e'� ? 'e ' . ,e at stib inL Jt E .C1z r t� a a t C o ri V Y proposed ordinance r ee e,�ex• e tin . I I. 0.1st establisbed 'by Ordiaance 'Ac,. 166 be +.. V i 1C M� _ ld�'�" o - - - n. ? b�.,` c \N s eJam" ? a'r,F C' Glad �� rt3Q �' 1 C-. C tor t�r ��� o �,ty� the xpGe�Te , Cyd1t�= C s avebsr aaimo� vote iCY, .1 • 1C b�( t. ' -var rants bills . A: •"' e°11followlas f.1.:It —Li'a L ec . t � o .1: , C l Cit i'y1" � $ y off: p to � 0 t�J dU &' Gr°me Cti ra s r�l�r r 1 Compe Vs. O. Dresden. 22.26 .00 1.29 C Sta.-agora. ta? Tae Ta a ce Cs • 101.'1Saop 5.00 2.9 11,:11./eTst/ lOrierfo lers e r ev r eT ;o � el�-toss 00 e ' t ?lad Calif. att l ��' �� a � City .Tre o\)$ 1:656.C:0 .8. tir 5loz� %.lt s yY ita 250.00 h. isn i'hQ Carey v�� wkl C atj;p ! t;J lj. S C, � �, �.C�-:'lam tr- d not . .a CS`�C�r C',C7 ess -policy CD��x�C�ny loss ��,� l'�i���httorey, v �(� e.w?1"`'''�".1..oss over $5,000 k+Z. ����-rrtp �+. of tr ���.� 41+4tw��/ryw'�1�� �� �� 1 re�' to resented 'by atter 'vas V�s ,�r y," �C � �r CCU .yw r Co �;s ?resent w-- Green Gables Tract Councilman Costello referred to the petition . for the annexation of Green Gables Tract, previously presented at this meeting and referred to Committee No. 1. He called attention to the fact that it would be advisable, if this tract is, to be annexed to the City, to have the proceedings completed in time to nave this property assessed on the t;,.a rolls on March 1st, and suggested that in order to expedite, matters a resolution of intention to call an election to submit the question of annexation be adopted, with the under- standing that Committee No. 1 c,;ould consider the petition and be ready to report upon it at the next regular meeting on January 9th, the time set for i:_earing. Resolution of Intention No. 1233, calling a special election in Green Gables `.eruct for the purpose of submitting the question of the annexation of this tract to the City, as ready and on motion of Tho:i is and Mitchell, vas aoo:oted, r+xes with nine Ayes, L%ypher and Mrs. Merner not voting. This resol2;. January 9, t 19b9, as the time when property, owners objecting to the proposition may appear before the Council, and declares that ...t is . the intention of the Council to call the special election ;onthis matter =Tuesday, February 7, 1939. Resignation of sivor Saisman At this time Mayor Saisman asked Councilman Gs -cello to take the chair for the balance of the meeting. Saisman then submitted a communication tenderi.rlo his resignation from the City Council and from the office o Mayor, wi tht ::the request that the resignation be accepted as of January 1, 193'9. He stated that he felt this action was necessary in 'view of the fact that his duties as Assemblyn an from the Thirtieth District begin as of January 2, 1939. On motion of Cypher and Mosher, this resignation effective as of January 1, 1939, was accepted with regret, and; upon motion :7f :.ors. Merner and Blois, it INas directed the record show that the Council expressed its appreciation to Mr. Salzman for the services he has rendered to the City during his membership on the City Council. The election of a mayor to succeed Mr. Saisman :.as postponed until the regular meeting in January. motion of Mrs. Merner an Bonham, the Councii. adjourned. APPROVED: ATTEST: G�� .‹ ty Clerk session to ord e; Mayor pJ Mitchel: Roil car Pr.( Abs for the Richards Costelc ballot t 8 votes a raa j on for the were app - Ann. the prop of Palo 1229 ado protests was no ca; public h, held on i Cars No. the City wz ordinanck election p ualish,e<; date of Green Gai: that the December Siie a ne that neso