HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-08 Planning & transportation commission Agenda Packet_______________________
1.Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at
the time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair,
provided that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
1.The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
2.The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Planning & Transportation Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda: November 8, 2017
Council Chambers
250 Hamilton Avenue
6:00 PM
Call to Order / Roll Call
Oral Communications
The public may speak to any item not on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,2
Agenda Changes, Additions, and Deletions
The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.
City Official Reports
1.Assistant Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments
Study Session
Public Comment is Permitted. Five (5) minutes per speaker.1,3
Action Items
Public Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal.
All others: Five (5) minutes per speaker.1,3
2.The Planning and Transportation Commission Will Review and Provide Comments on
the Draft Environmental Impact Report Prepared for the Stanford General Use Permit
(2018) Application and Provide Input to the City's Comment Letter
Approval of Minutes
Public Comment is Permitted. Five (5) minutes per speaker.1,3
3.September 27, 2017 Draft Planning & Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes
4.October 11, 2017 Draft Planning & Transportation Commission Meeting Minutes
Draft September
27, 2017 Minutes
Draft October 11,
2017 Minutes
_______________________
1. Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at
the time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair,
provided that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
1. The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
2. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Committee Items
Commissioner Questions, Comments or Announcements
Adjournment
_______________________
1. Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as present at the meeting at
the time of the spokesperson’s presentation will be allowed up to fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair,
provided that the non-speaking members agree not to speak individually.
1. The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers.
2. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to three minutes to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission
Commissioner Biographies, Present and Archived Agendas and Reports are available online:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp. The PTC Commission members are:
Chair Michael Alcheck
Vice Chair Asher Waldfogel
Commissioner Przemek Gardias
Commissioner Ed Lauing
Commissioner Susan Monk
Commissioner Eric Rosenblum
Commissioner Doria Summa
Get Informed and Be Engaged!
View online: http://midpenmedia.org/category/government/city-of-palo-alto or on Channel 26.
Show up and speak. Public comment is encouraged. Please complete a speaker request card
located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Commission
Secretary prior to discussion of the item.
Write to us. Email the PTC at: Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org. Letters can be
delivered to the Planning & Community Environment Department, 5th floor, City Hall, 250
Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Comments received by 2:00 PM two Tuesdays preceding
the meeting date will be included in the agenda packet. Comments received afterward through
2:00 PM the day of the meeting will be presented to the Commission at the dais.
Material related to an item on this agenda submitted to the PTC after distribution of the
agenda packet is available for public inspection at the address above.
Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a
manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an
appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs,
or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing
ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least
24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 7781)
Report Type: City Official Reports Meeting Date: 11/8/2017
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: City Official Report
Title: Assistant Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments
From: Hillary Gitelman
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) review and
comment as appropriate.
Background
This document includes the following items:
PTC Meeting Schedule
PTC Representative to City Council (Rotational Assignments)
Tentative Future Agenda
Commissioners are encouraged to contact Yolanda Cervantes
(Yolanda.Cervantes@CityofPaloAlto.org) of any planned absences one month in advance, if
possible, to ensure availability of a PTC quorum.
PTC Representative to City Council is a rotational assignment where the designated
commissioner represents the PTC’s affirmative and dissenting perspectives to Council for quasi-
judicial and legislative matters. Representatives are encouraged to review the City Council
agendas (http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/agendas/council.asp) for the months of their
respective assignments to verify if attendance is needed or contact staff. Prior PTC meetings are
available online at http://midpenmedia.org/category/government/city-of-palo-alto/boards-
and-commissions/planning-and-transportation-commission.
The Tentative Future Agenda provides a summary of upcoming projects or discussion items.
Attachments:
Attachment A November 8, 2017 PTC Meeting Schedule & Assignments (DOCX)
Planning & Transportation Commission
2017 Meeting Schedule & Assignments
2017 Schedule
Meeting Dates Time Location Status Planned Absences
1/11/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
1/25/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular CANCELLED
2/8/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Waldfogel
2/22/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
3/8/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Monk, Waldfogel
3/29/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
4/12/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
4/26/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
5/10/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Rosenblum, Summa,
5/31/2017 6:00PM Council Chambers Regular Alcheck
6/14/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Monk,Waldfogel
6/28/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Alcheck
7/12/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Rosenblum, Waldfogel
7/26/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Alcheck, Lauing
8/09/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Rosenblum
8/30/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
9/13/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
9/27/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
10/11/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
10/25/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular CANCELLED
11/08/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
11/29/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
12/13/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular
12/27/2017 6:00 PM Council Chambers CANCELLED
2018 Assignments - Council Representation (primary/backup)
January February March April May June
Michael Alcheck Eric Rosenblum Asher Waldfogel Ed Lauing Przemek Gardias Eric Rosenblum
July August September October November December
Asher Waldfogel Ed Lauing Doria Summa Przemek Gardias Susan Monk Michael Alcheck
Subcommittees
Planning & Transportation Commission
2017 Tentative Future Agenda
Last Updated: 11/2/2017 8:26:25 AM
The Following Items are Tentative and Subject to Change:
2017
Meeting Dates Topics
November 29
PTC Elections (Chair/Vice-Chair)
Title 18 Annual Planning Code Update (2017)
PTC Annual Report to Council (Initial Discussion)
PTC Annual Process & Performance Review
December 13 Amendment to the PF Zoning District Near California Avenue
and Within the Downtown Business District to Accommodate
City Parking Garages and Essential Public Safety Buildings
Eichler Design Guidelines and Discussion of Potential Zone
Changes
Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance Implementation Update
PTC Annual Report to Council (Final Draft)
Update on Recent State Housing Laws
2018
Meeting Dates Topics
January 10, 2018
Update PTC Rules of Order & By Laws for Effective Meeting
Management
Update on Housing Element Implementation
Training: Palo Alto’s Below Market (BMR) Housing Program
January 31, 2018
Annual Office Limit Ordinance
Training: Brown Act & Conflict of Interest
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 8473)
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 11/8/2017
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: Stanford GUP 2018: DEIR Comment Letter
Title: The Planning and Transportation Commission Will Review and
Provide Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report
Prepared for the Stanford General Use Permit (2018)
Application and Provide Input to the City's Comment Letter
From: Hillary Gitelman
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) review and
comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) prepared by Santa Clara County for
the Stanford University 2018 General Use Permit (2018 GUP) amendment. The Commission’s
input will help to inform the City’s comment letter on the DEIR.
Report Summary
Santa Clara County distributed on October 4, 2017, a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the DEIR
for Stanford’s application for an amendment to their 2000 General Use Permit (2018 GUP).
Based on the City’s comment letter on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and the conclusions of
the DEIR, the City is in the process of preparing a response letter to the County identifying
issues relating to the City. (Attachment A: NOP Comment letter) Comments are due to the
County no later than December 4, 2017.
The Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) is being asked to review the Stanford 2018
General Use Permit (2018 GUP) DEIR, particularly with regard to the adequacy of the document
as it relates to the issues raised in the City’s NOP comment letter. The California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) defines the scope of environmental analysis and mitigation specifically to
include those issues that relate to the environment and can be measured against accepted
criteria. The DEIR document for the Stanford 2018 GUP and associated appendixes can be
found on line at: www.scc.org/sites/dpd/Programs/Stanford/Pages/GUP2018_CEQA.aspx; a link
to the document was previously transmitted to the Commission on October 6, 2017
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment Department Page 2
There are other – non-CEQA -- issues raised by the 2018 GUP project that affect the City of Palo
Alto and are not included in the DEIR. These policy issues should be identified so the City can
address them separately with the County and Stanford University. An initial list of the policy
issues identified so far in the City’s review also has been included in the Discussion section
below for Commission review and comment.
Background
In November 2016, Stanford University (Stanford) applied to Santa Clara County for a major
modification of their 2000 General Use Permit known as the 2018 GUP, with associated
amendments to the Stanford Community Plan in the Santa Clara General Plan and to some
zoning designations to confirm to existing and planned conditions. The application for
development is wholly within Academic Growth Boundary (AGB), central campus, located in
Santa Clara County. The request that is addressed in the DEIR includes the following
development within the AGB between 2018 and 2035:
2,275,000 SF net new academic and academic support space;
3,150 net new housing units/beds of which up to 550 units would be available for
faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars and medical residents;
40,000 SF net new of childcare center space and other space that reduces vehicle trips
(e.g., transit hub);
Use of up to 50,000 SF of construction surge space authorized under the 2000 General
Use Permit;
Use of the remaining unbuilt parking authorized under the 2000 General Use Permit
(estimated at 1, 480 spaces remaining after completion of the Escondido Village
Graduate Residences and associated parking in 2020) [There are an estimated 3,156
remaining unbuilt parking spaces as of Fall 2015];
Creation of a parking reserve for up to 2,000 net new parking spaces (with County
Planning Commission approval);
Associated infrastructure.
As lead agency Santa Clara County (County) is responsible for preparing the environmental
document for the Stanford project, 2018 GUP. The Stanford 2018 GUP DEIR was released for
public review on October 6, 2017. (Attachment B- Notice of Availability) In accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), comments on the DEIR are due within 60 days,
December 4, 2017. Staff is currently preparing a draft comment letter for consideration by the
City Council on November 27, 2017. The Commission’s input at this evening’s meeting can
inform preparation of that letter and will be made available to the City Council.
Discussion
City staff and the City’s environmental consultant are in the process of reviewing the 2018 GUP
DEIR to determine the adequacy of the analysis regarding impacts and mitigations affecting the
City. So far the following lists of technical and policy issues have emerged and are being
studied for inclusion in the City’s comment letter.
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment Department Page 3
Technical Issues
EIR Assumptions
o 2018 Baseline is not clearly identified or quantified and it is not clear whether
the 2018 baseline condition includes development under construction in
adjacent jurisdictions. Further, the concern is whether the 2018 baseline
scenarios are carried consistently through all analyses and, as a result, whether
all pending and proposed Stanford development is adequately addressed.
Land Use – Project Description
o Additional housing beyond the proposed limit of 3,150 units and or changes in
distribution of academic, academic support, housing may be requested by
Stanford as condition of permit. Although this would be subject to additional
environmental review and County approval, there is concern about the flexibility
and resulting impacts that could happen with changes in type and distribution of
academic, academic support, housing throughout the AGB.
o Future locations for development in the DRAPER district along El Camino Real
between the Arboretum and the new graduate housing accessed from Stanford
Avenue is not defined. Without better definition some environmental impacts
of the proposed 200,000 square feet of academic and academic support
development on immediately adjacent Palo Alto neighborhoods cannot be
assessed, such as aesthetics, tree removal, traffic/transportation and parking.
Population and Housing
o Accuracy of the Stanford off-campus housing demand projection within Palo Alto
is also a concern and whether population/household size estimates used in the
DEIR analysis are consistent with current City projections.
o Given the role of Stanford as a nationally recognized research institution with
plans to increase the faculty during the project period, the accuracy of Stanford’s
projections of graduate student and postdoctoral population cohorts that will
affect the demand for off campus housing should be reviewed.
Traffic and Transportation
o There are several concerns with the “No Net New Commute Trips” program
wording, methodology and feasibility. The three key areas of concern are the
definitions of the peak periods to be monitored, the direction of travel to be
monitored, and the unlimited use of trip credits to meet the goal.
o Trip generation rate is based on traditional peak periods that potentially
underestimate impacts of project trips and traffic impacts.
o The assumptions for adequacy of transit capacity and performance analysis for
transit and Caltrain may not be accurate.
o Parking concerns include the following issues:
- The impact on trips of buildout of the parking space carry over from the
2000 GUP and requested Parking Reserve in the 2018 GUP.
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment Department Page 4
- How parking management will impact the effectiveness of the TDM
program.
- Further clarification of the off campus parking impacts.
o Intersection impacts and specific mitigations including Caltrain grade separation
at Alma and Charleston need to be addressed.
o Impacts of additional trips on freeway segments are not adequately addressed.
o Finding of less than significant impacts to residential streets and
bicycle/pedestrian facilities.
Construction Impacts – Air and Noise
o Concern that construction-related air emissions, including diesel emissions, and
noise are not adequately addressed for example changes in travel distances for
solid waste disposal during the project period.
o Construction noise and noise mitigation when proximate to Palo Alto should
reflect Palo Alto policies and regulations.
Public Services
o There is concern regarding provision for adequate fire and emergency service
protection for future buildout.
o Continued, safe access for fire, police and emergency services throughout
construction needs to be more thoroughly addressed.
Other
o Visual and Aesthetics: Design-performance standards i.e. buffers, screening, for
projects adjacent to the City is not provided.
o Cultural: Stanford’s historic campus interfaces with the City of Palo Alto at the
Main Gate / Palm Drive/the Oval which is an extension of the Main Quadrangle
Block and should be provided better long term protection.
o Hydrology:
- Does not adequately address effects of project on run-off and
downstream flood control particularly on San Francisquito Creek and
whether there is adequate capacity in detention basins for groundwater
recharge.
- Analysis of impacts of long term groundwater use on adjacent wells and
coordination aquifer storage with other jurisdictions is not adequate.
Cumulative Impacts
o In some cases the cumulative impact analyses are inadequate and need to be
revisited.
o The projected growth of neighboring communities and other Stanford University
off-campus developments are not properly addressed.
Policy Issues
Policy issues are general and/or policy concerns that are outside the limits of a strict CEQA
analysis. These are issues that are important as the City discusses the project application with
the County and Stanford. The following policy issues have been identified so far:
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment Department Page 5
Protection of foothills from future development is not addressed. Currently under the
Stanford Sustainability Study (2009) the AGB could be changed by the County with an
easier procedure after 2025 or when 17.5 million square feet of academic space is
developed.
Stanford should to meet more of its housing demand on campus than proposed and the
County should be prepared to accept some of the City’s RHNA allocation in the next
housing element cycle as they did for the 2007-14 cycle.
Because of the close interface with the Central Campus area (AGB), the City of Palo Alto
anticipates the need for fee contributions for housing, use of City recreation facilities,
and transportation/transit services and facilities including Stanford/community bicycle
access and safety improvements.
City Review of DEIR
Relevant City departments including Public Works, Community Services, Police, Fire, Emergency
Services, Traffic and Transportation and Planning also have been involved in the review to
identify local and interface issues. On October 16, Santa Clara County presented the DEIR to
the City Council. At this Council study meeting the Council members identified some of their
issues of concern. The County also held additional public comment meetings in Palo Alto on
October 12 and October 19, 2017. A final County public comment meeting with the County
Planning Commission will be held in Palo Alto on November 30, 2017.
The City’s current review process is continuing with this PTC input. To meet the December 4
deadline, the conclusion of the entire City input will be put into a comment letter. The City
Council will review the letter on November 27, 2017.
Next Steps
PTC input is important as Staff is in the process of drafting a comment letter on the Stanford
2018 GUP DEIR. For your reference the key technical and policy issues identified so far have
been included in this staff report. The NOP comment letter (Attachment A) also may assist
Commissioners as you consider your comments.
Staff will prepare a comment letter on the 2018 GUP DEIR. The Council will review the
comment letter at their meeting on November 27, 2017. The staff will submit the approved
letter to the County by the December 4, 2017 deadline.
Santa Clara County representatives have indicated that they expect a Final Environmental
Impact Report (FEIR) to be available for review in the Spring of 2018 and that the Board of
Supervisors will consider the FEIR and project mid-2018.
Environmental Review
This is an opportunity for the Planning and Transportation Commission to comment and no
decision will be made requiring CEQA review. Ultimately, if the County approves Stanford’s
GUP proposal, it will be after completion of the EIR process and subject to required CEQA
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Community Environment Department Page 6
findings. Under Section 15381 of the CEQA Guidelines and Section 21069 of the CEQA Statute,
the City of Palo Alto is a ‘responsible agency’, which is a public agency, other than the lead
agency (Santa Clara County), responsible for carrying out or approving components of the
project. Items requiring City approval include any physical improvements within the City limits
– including mitigation measures – as well as any agreements or contracts between the City and
the University and/or the County related to implementation of the Stanford GUP.
Public Notification, Outreach & Comments
Notice of the November 8, 2017 PTC meeting to discuss the 2018 GUP DEIR was published in
the Palo Alto Weekly on October 27, 2017. In addition Santa Clara County presented the DEIR
to the City Council on October 16, 2017. Santa Clara County has held two public meetings in
Palo Alto for comment on the 2018 GUP DEIR, October 12 and October 16, 2017. The Santa
Clara County Planning Commission will also hold a public meeting in Palo Alto to take
comments on November 30, 2017.
Report Author & Contact Information PTC1 Liaison & Contact Information
Meg Monroe, Management Specialist Jonathan Lait, AICP, Assistant Director
(650) 329-2425 (650) 329-2679
margaret.monroe@cityofpaloalto.org jonathan.lait@cityofpaloalto.org
Attachments:
Attachment A: City of Palo Alto Comment Stanford University’s Application for a 2018 General
Use Permit, letter, March 7, 2017.
Attachments:
Attachment A: City of Palo Alto Comment letter on Notice of Prepartion for Stanford
GUP2018, March 7, 2017 (PDF)
1 Emails may be sent directly to the PTC using the following address: planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org