HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-20 City Council (9)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
SUBJECT:
JANUARY 20, 1998 CMR: 114:98
INFORMATION REPORT ON PROPOSED SAFETY AND
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PALO ALTO AIRPORT
BACKGROUND
The County of Santa Clara, Airport Division, is proposing safety and operational.
improvements to the Palo Alto Airport. The Airport is located within the City of Palo Alto
and is zoned Public Facilities with a Site and Design combining district [PF(D)]. The Site
and Design combining district is applied to environmentally sensitive areas of the City and
requires project review by the Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board (ARB) and
City Council unless deferred under Chapter 18.99 of the Zoning Code by the Director of
Planning and Commtmity Environment to the ARB as a minor change. A "minor change"
is defined as "an alteration or modification of an existing plan, development, or project
which is substantially inferior in bulk, degree, or importance to the overall dimension and
design of the plan, development, or project, with no change proposed for the use of the land
in question, no change proposed in the character of the structure or structures involved, and
no exception or variance required." Unless the City Council directs otherwise, the Director
of Planning and Community Envirormaent will refer the airport project to the ARB as a minor
project.
DISCUSSION
The proposed project includes a runway and taxiway overlay, safety area improvements (new
lighting and striping), drainage improvements, perimeter security fencing and gate
installation, apron rehabilitation and apron security lighting. The Santa Clara County Board
of Supervisors has approved the proposed project and California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Notice of Detennination of no significant environmental impacts. The majority of
the proposed improvements are to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
safety and operational requirements.
Pertinent issues that will be considered by the ARB include:
CMR:114:98 Page 1 of 3
Lighting. The existing airplane parking areas will be lighted to deter vandalism and increas~
safety. The 400-watt, high pressure sodium fixtures will be mounted on 32-foot poles. Due
to the requirements of the FAA for non-interference with airport operations, the new lighting
will be directed downwards and will not spill off the .site. New airplane directional signs will
be installed along the runway, taxiways and aprons.
Fencing." A 6-foot, black vinyl coated security fence will enclose the airport parallel to the
runway, around the existing terminal building and along Embarcadero Road. The fence will
not cut off access to thb currently accessible levees and paths in the area. Planting will be
used at the north end of the runway to discourage access to the runway and airport property.
Rumvay. At the southern end of the runway, approximately 155 feet of paving will be added
as part of a required 240-foot safety zone area that also will serve as an entrance to the
runway. The actual take-off and landing area for planes will be reduced by approximately
60 feet from the current end of the runway. At the runway’s northern end, 240 feet of paved
safety area will be constructed.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The project does not affect City resources. Funding for the $1,111,000 project is 90 percent
from the Federal Airport Improvement Program and the remainder from the County’s Palo
Alto Airport Special Fund. The proposed improvements do not affect the City’s lease to the
County to operate the airport.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project does not increase the airport’s operation capabilities; therefore,
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review or action was not required. Under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the proposal is considered a project. The
County prepared an initial study and recommended a Mitigated Negative Declaration that
was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors. Copies of the initial study and Notice of
Determination are available for review at County Office of the Director of Aviation and at
the office of the Palo Alto Planning Division. Areas addressed included the increase in
impervious surfaces; the affect on public access, wetlands, and wildlife migration; and the
increased light and glare. In addition, the project requires a permit from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers in accordance with Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
Application for that permit is currently being processed.
PREPARED BY: James E. Gilliland, Assistant Planning Official
¯ DEPARTMENT HEAD:
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and Community Environment
CMR: 114:98 Page 2 of 3
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
ccz City of East Pal0 Alto, Office of the Mayor, 2200 University Avenue, East Palo Alto,
CA 94303
Jerry Bennett, Director of Aviation for Santa Clara Cotmty, Roads and Airport
Division, 2500 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA 94148
Ken Brody, Shutt Moen Associates, 707 Aviation Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Airport Joint Community Relations Committee, c/o Bill Fellman, Real Property
Manager, City of Palo Alto
Palo Alto Airport Association, 3409 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
CMR:114:98 Page 3 of 3