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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-11 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. 2.The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers. 3.The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to two minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers. Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting Agenda: December 11, 2019 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.Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments Study Session Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,3 Action Items Public Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal. All others: Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,3 2.PUBLIC HEARING/QUASI-JUDICIAL. 470 Olive Avenue [18PLN-00148]: Recommendation on Applicant's Request for a Zoning Code Text Amendment to Allow an Exception to the Nonconforming Use Amortization Provisions that are Applicable to the Site. The Applicant has Requested the Text Amendment to Allow an Existing Office Use to Remain in a Single Family Residential Zoning District for Five Years. The Existing Commercial Structure is Located on Two Parcels: 470 Olive Avenue is Zoned Single Family Residential (R-1) and 2951 El Camino Real is Zoned Service Commercial (CS). Environmental Assessment: Exempt from CEQA Per Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). For More Information Contact the Project Planner Samuel Gutierrez at samuel.gutierrez@cityofpaloalto.org _______________________ 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. 2.The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers. 3.The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to two minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers. Approval of Minutes Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,3 3.November 13, 2019 Draft PTC Meeting Minutes Committee Items Commissioner Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Agenda Items Adjournment Chair's letter _______________________ 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. 2. The Chair may limit Oral Communications to 30 minutes for all combined speakers. 3. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak to two minutes or less 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 William Riggs Vice Chair Michael Alcheck Commissioner Ed Lauing Commissioner Giselle Roohparvar Commissioner Doria Summa Commissioner Carolyn Templeton Commissioner Asher Waldfogel 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 & Development Services 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 # 10916) Report Type: City Official Reports Meeting Date: 12/11/2019 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 329-2442 Summary Title: City Official Report Title: Directors Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments From: Jonathan Lait 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 Vinh Nguyen (Vinhloc.Nguyen@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: December 11, 2019 PTC Meeting Schedule and Assignments (DOCX) 1 Packet Pg. 4 Planning & Transportation Commission 2019 Meeting Schedule & Assignments 2019 Schedule Meeting Dates Time Location Status Planned Absences 1/30/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 2/13/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 2/27/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 3/4/2019 11:00AM Community Meeting Room Special 3/13/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Roohparvar 3/27/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 4/10/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 4/24/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 5/08/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Riggs 5/29/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 6/12/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 6/26/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 7/10/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 7/31/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 8/14/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Asher Waldfogel 8/28/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 9/11/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 9/25/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 10/09/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular Cancelled 10/30/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 11/13/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 12/11/2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 2019 Assignments - Council Representation (primary/backup) January February March April May June Doria Summa Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa July August September October November December Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar 1.a Packet Pg. 5 Planning & Transportation Commission 2020 Meeting Schedule & Assignments 2020 Schedule Meeting Dates Time Location Status Planned Absences 1/08/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled 1/29/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 2/12/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 2/26/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 3/11/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 3/25/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 4/8/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 4/29/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 5/13/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 5/27/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 6/10/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 6/24/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 7/08/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 7/29/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 8/12/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 8/26/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 9/9/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 9/30/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 10/14/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 10/28/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 11/11/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled Veteran’s Day 11/25/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled Day Before Thanksgiving 12/09/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Regular 12/30/2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers Cancelled Day Before New Year’s Eve 2020 Assignments - Council Representation (primary/backup) January February March April May June Doria Summa Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa July August September October November December Giselle Roohparvar Doria Summa Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Asher Waldfogel Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar The Following Items are Tentative and Subject to Change: 1.a Packet Pg. 6 Planning & Transportation Commission 2020 Tentative Future Agenda Meeting Dates Topics January 29, 2020 • Ordinance Amending PAMC 18.42.110 (Wireless Communication Facilities) • Ordinance Amending PAMC 18.52 & 18.54 (EV Chargers) To Be Scheduled: Topics Co-Working Office Model SB 50 Data Briefing 1.a Packet Pg. 7 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report (ID # 10857) Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 12/11/2019 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 329-2442 Summary Title: 470 Olive Avenue: Nonconforming Use Exception (2nd Hearing) Title: PUBLIC HEARING/QUASI-JUDICIAL. 470 Olive Avenue [18PLN- 00148]: Recommendation on Applicant's Request for a Zoning Code Text Amendment to Allow an Exception to the Nonconforming Use Amortization Provisions that are Applicable to the Site. The Applicant has Requested the Text Amendment to Allow an Existing Office Use to Remain in a Single Family Residential Zoning District for Five Years. The Existing Commercial Structure is Located on Two Parcels: 470 Olive Avenue is Zoned Single Family Residential (R-1) and 2951 El Camino Real is Zoned Service Commercial (CS). Environmental Assessment: Exempt from CEQA Per Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). For More Information Contact the Project Planner Samuel Gutierrez at samuel.gutierrez@cityofpaloalto.org From: Jonathan Lait Recommendation Staff recommends the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) take the following action(s): 1. Recommend adoption of the attached ordinance (Attachment A) extending the amortization of non-conforming uses at 470 Olive Avenue. Report Summary The applicant seeks a text amendment to Title 18 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (Zoning Code) to allow an unpermitted office use to legally occupy the subject site. The applicant’s proposed text amendment for a five-year extension went before the PTC on October 30, 2019, with a staff recommendation of denial. The PTC requested that staff (1) prepare an ordinance limiting 2 Packet Pg. 8 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services Department Page 2 the extension to a two year period, and (2) return to the PTC for additional review and recommendation to the City Council. Staff revised the text amendment language per the PTC’s direction. The amendment would allow office use occupancy for two years on a site currently zoned R-1 (Single-Family Residential). Background Project Information Owner: Jessica Rose Agramonte Architect: N/A Representative: N/A Legal Counsel: N/A Property Information Address: 470 Olive Avenue Neighborhood: Ventura Lot Dimensions & Area: 50’ by 119.7’; 5,983 sf Housing Inventory Site: No Located w/in a Plume: Yes; COE Plume Area Protected/Heritage Trees: None Historic Resource(s): Determined to have no historic status Existing Improvement(s): Approximately 3,710 sf; Single-Story Building; Approximately 18’ tall; Built 1968 Existing Land Use(s): General Office Use Adjacent Land Uses & Zoning: North: Single Family Residential (R-1) West: General Office (CS) East: Single Family Residential (R-1) South: Retail (CS) Special Setbacks: None Aerial View of Property: 2 Packet Pg. 9 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services Department Page 3 Source: Google Maps Land Use Designation & Applicable Plans/Guidelines Zoning Designation: Single Family Residential (R-1) Comp. Plan Designation: Single Family (SF) Context-Based Design: Not Applicable Downtown Urban Design: Not Applicable SOFA II CAP: Not Applicable Baylands Master Plan: Not Applicable ECR Guidelines ('76 / '02): Not Applicable Proximity to Residential Uses or Districts (150'): Yes; adjacent to R-1 Residential Uses & District Located w/in AIA (Airport Influence Area): Not Applicable Prior City Reviews & Action City Council: Pre-Screening; October 2, 2017 (http://bit.ly/470olive2017) (Transcript https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/62983) PTC, HRB, ARB: PTC; First Hearing, October 30, 2019 (Staff report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/73824) 2 Packet Pg. 10 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services Department Page 4 10/30 PTC video link: https://midpenmedia.org/planning- transportation-commission-63-10302019/ Project Description The applicant requests a zoning code text amendment to allow for an exception to the nonconforming use amortization provisions applicable to the site. The applicant’s proposed text amendment was to allow an existing office use to remain for five years in an R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District. The existing commercial structure is located across two parcels. One parcel is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential (470 Olive Ave) with frontage only on Olive Avenue. The other parcel is zoned CS Service Commercial (2951 El Camino Real) and has frontage only on El Camino Real. Requested Entitlements, Findings, and Purview: The following discretionary applications are being requested and subject to PTC purview: Zoning Text Amendment. The Zoning Text Amendment process for this type of application is set forth in PAMC 18.80.010. Amendments to the title may be done by changing the boundaries of districts, or by changing the regulations applicable within one or more districts, or by changing any other provision of this title, whenever the public interest or general welfare may so require. The PTC’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action. Analysis1 On October 30, 2019, the PTC considered the applicant’s request for a zoning text amendment allowing an exception to the nonconforming use amortization provisions for 470 Olive Street. The request was for a five-year amortization exception to allow an existing office use to remain in an R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District. The PTC held a thorough and robust discussion regarding the history of the site, the existing conditions, and the requested text amendment. Staff recommended denial because the previous property owners had not taken the necessary actions to retain the nonconforming use on the site. In addition, staff did not recommend allowing an office use to continue on land zoned for single-family use. The PTC, among other discussion points, recognized the unique nature of the site, the property, and the forthrightness of the applicant in coming forward to address the issues directly. Initially, the PTC considered a motion to move that the applicant work with Staff on acceptable non-conforming use of the Olive property that will come in compliance within 5-years of the NVCAP proposal. 1 The information provided in this section is based on analysis prepared by the report author prior to the public hearing. Planning and Transportation Commission in its review of the administrative record and based on public testimony may reach a different conclusion from that presented in this report and may choose to take an alternative action from the recommended action. 2 Packet Pg. 11 City of Palo Alto Planning & Development Services Department Page 5 After further discussion the PTC changed the motion with friendly amendments and ultimately proposed the following motion, directing staff to: 1. Come back with a proposal that would satisfy the Text Amendment vehicle for continuing the use with relationship to the NVCAP process and that the Text Amendment would come back with a shorter time duration than the requested 5-year period. Thus, Staff has returned with: 1. Modified amendment to limit the requested exception to two years from the date of a possible City Council approval, and 2. A revised zoning text amendment, that the PTC can act upon and forward to City Council. The revised text amendment is attached to this report as Attachment B. Environmental Review The subject project has been assessed in accordance with the authority and criteria contained in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the State CEQA Guidelines, and the environmental regulations of the City. Specifically, Exempt from CEQA Per Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Public Notification, Outreach & Comments The Palo Alto Municipal Code requires notice of this public hearing be published in a local paper and mailed to owners and occupants of property within 600 feet of the subject property at least ten days in advance. Notice of a public hearing for this project was published in the Daily Post on November 29, 2019, which is 12 days in advance of the meeting. Postcard mailing occurred on November 26, 2019, which is 15 days in advance of the meeting. Public Comments As of the writing of this report, no project-related, public comments were received. Report Author & Contact Information PTC2 Liaison & Contact Information Samuel Gutierrez, Planner Rachael Tanner, Assistant Director (650) 329-2225 (650) 329-2167 samuel.gutierrez@cityofpaloalto.org Rachael.Tanner@cityofpaloalto.org Attachments: • Attachment A: Vicinity Map and Photos (PDF) • Attachment B: Zoning Text Amendment Draft Ordinance (DOCX) 2 Emails may be sent directly to the PTC using the following address: planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org 2 Packet Pg. 12 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 19.7' 50.0' 119.7' 139.5' 139.5' 50.0' 66.9' 200.0' 66.9' 200.0' 50.0' 50.0' 134.7'134.7' 50.0' 134.7' 50.0' 134.7' 50.0' 134.7' 50.0' 50.0' 150.0' 150.0' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0 119.7' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 119.7' 50.0' 47.9' 150.0' 47.9' 150.0' 95.7' 150.0' 95.7' 150.0' 95.7' 150.0' 95.7' 150.0' 200.0' 72.6' 200.0' 72.6' 119.5' 119.5' 119.5' 50.0' 50.0' 50.0' .0' 109.8' 150.0' 451 441 450 460 470 2875 412 420 430 440 450 451 441 431 456 470 471 461 2999 2951 2905 461 3017 3001 473 51 OLIVE AVEN UE PEPPER A VENUE A MINO REAL O REAL This map is a product of the City of Palo Alto GIS This document is a graphic representation only of best available sources. Legend abc Building Roof Outline Underlying Lot Line abc Easement abc Lot Dimensions Zone Districts abc Zone District Labels Tree 470 Olive Avenue 2951 El Camino Real 0' 70' 470 Olive Avenue CITY O F PALO A L TO I N C O R P O R ATE D C ALIFOR N IA P a l o A l t oT h e C i t y o f A P RIL 16 1894 The City of Palo Alto assumes no responsibility for any errors ©1989 to 2016 City of Palo Alto gowen, 2017-09-12 16:10:10 (\\cc-maps\Encompass\Admin\Personal\Planning.mdb) 2.a Packet Pg. 13 470 Olive Ave 2591 El Camino Real 470 Olive Avenue (site) and 2951 El Camino Real Source: Google Maps 2.a Packet Pg. 14 470 Olive Avenue Source: Google Maps 2.a Packet Pg. 15 2951 El Camino Real Source: Google Maps 2.a Packet Pg. 16 NOT YET APPROVED 1 151104 sh 0140146 Ordinance No. _____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Zoning Regulations to Extend Amortization of Non-Conforming Office Uses at 470 Olive Avenue The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows: A. July 20, 1978, the Council rezoned the 470 Olive Avenue portion of the site to R-1 to achieve consistency between the zoning map and the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation Map. This action rendered the commercial use of the 470 Olive Avenue parcel as “legal nonconforming.” Commercial uses onsite became subject to amortization, with a termination date of September 11, 1998 as the existing building was determined to be a “Type III” structure (PAMC 18.70.070(2)&(3)). B. On October 5, 1987, the City Council approved an exception to the nonconforming use termination provision for the site, subject to conditions. However, the prior property owner did not implement the required conditions. Instead, the owner confirmed, via a letter to the City dated March 28, 1988, that they would not pursue the Council- approved exception. C. In 2014, the extensive retail use was changed to an office use. The owner was unable to obtain a Use and Occupancy Permit for the conversion to office use, given the R-1 zoning of the property and 1998 amortization deadline. As a result, the owner submitted a Council Prescreening application for a request to rezone the property. On October 2, 2017, Council conducted a prescreening discussion regarding the owners request. D. On May 1, 2018, the property owner submitted a formal application for a text amendment exemption for a non-conforming use amortization for the site, and professed an interest in future development of multifamily housing on the site. E. On October 30, 2019 and December 11, 2019, the Planning and Transportation Commission considered the requested text amendment and recommended that the City Council adopt a short-term extension of the amortization of the non-conforming uses at 470 Olive Avenue until December 31, 2021 to allow for potential coordination with planning efforts associated with the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan (NVCAP) and/or to permit the property owner to maintain the existing office for two years use while exploring the possibility of developing multifamily housing on the site. SECTION 2. Section 18.70.070 (Nonconforming use – Required termination) of Chapter 18.70 (Nonconforming Uses and Noncomplying Facilities) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended to add Subsection (b)(2)(H) as follows: 2.b Packet Pg. 17 NOT YET APPROVED 2 151104 sh 0140146 (H) The non-conforming office uses located at 470 Olive Avenue on or before December 31, 2021. SECTION 3. The City Council finds that this ordinance falls under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15305 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations). SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be effective on the commencement of the thirty- first day after the date of its adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Deputy City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Planning and Community Environment ____________________________ Director of Administrative Services 2.b Packet Pg. 18 December 10, 2019 Dear Mayor Filseth and Council Members: Each year is customary that the Chair of the Planning & Transportation Commission (Commission) issues a report to the City Council (Council), serving to update on the actions and activities of the Commission over the past year, and highlighting some potential visions and next steps for the coming year. This letter serves that purpose. It begins with an update on the goals of the year, follows with a summary of highlights of the Commission’s actions and activities during 2019, and concludes with potential visions for 2020. 2019 Goals While the Commission cannot set goals, agenda, or schedule, we began the year with a strong consensus among the members that we wanted to be action oriented. We had deeply invested in the 2018 Housing Work Plan and policies such as the Housing Incentive Program in 2018, and all wanted to see action, particularly in helping address acute affordable housing issues facing our community. We began the year with a retreat, which included a team building session with a group facilitator, followed by a dialogue regarding our interests. We developed topics for inquiry that we wanted to educate ourselves and the public on—potentially offering the opportunity to explore and experiment with unique solutions in the City. Key questions at that point spanned the topics of housing and transport and included: Housing • How do we bring funding, resources, and information for affordable housing to the table? • What are outreach efforts to get more affordable housing projects in the pipeline? • Should we begin a dialogue regarding a policy for employer-provided housing for City employees? • What are best practices in incentivizing approved projects to break ground? Transportation • What is our comprehensive off-street / on-street parking strategy? What can we do to better understand parking dynamics, information as well as auto ownership? How can we innovate in this area? • Should we have policy to manage cut-through traffic and curbside pick-up and drop off? • What kind of new mobility should Palo Alto be pursuing? Why have we not engaged in a micro- mobility or self-driving shuttle pilot? What are the obstacles? 2019 Accomplishments We reviewed a number of important projects throughout the year. Our review included review of development proposals, transportation plans, program and policy initiatives. These included the following notable projects: • Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan • Cubberley Master Plan • Mercedes/Audi Dealership • Newell Bridge Replacement • Capital Improvement Plan • Comprehensive Plan Compliance and implementation of Comprehensive Plan EIR mitigation measures • Assigning Affordable Housing combining District to El Camino Real property The Commission reviewed and recommended ordinances related to promoting housing opportunities in multi-family and commercial zones, rooftop decks in the CD-C zone, zoning amendments to enable hotel and multi-family housing, non-complying facilities, wireless communication facilities, and subdivisions in the R-1 zone related to historic preservation. The Commission conducted a public scoping meeting allowing comments for Environmental Review of a mixed-use project on San Antonio Road using a Housing Incentive Program, and reviewed and commented on the Draft EIR for the Castilleja School Project. The Commission reviewed and commented on the City’s transportation and parking management strategies, on traffic safety projects and residential parking programs, parking innovations, and plans to address conflict between ADA and electric vehicle charging stations and bike lockers. The Commission also reviewed and commented on several subdivision maps and a fence variance. We remained efficient in our meetings and worked to integrate two Commission-requested study sessions to educate ourselves and the public on innovations in planning and transportation. These included informational talks by innovators that related to the questions we posed during our retreat: • Shoup Parking Technology Study Session: Chair Riggs and Vice Chair Alcheck Have Invited Evan Goldin to Make a Presentation to the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) Regarding his Experience with Innovative Parking Strategies. The presentation and discussion included new technologies to allow changes in parking usage, allocation and management. Evan Goldin is a Palo Alto native and Cofounder of Shoup Inc. • Cohousing and Coliving Study Session: A Study Session Regarding Cohousing and Coliving With Presentations from Cohousing and/or Coliving Owners and/or Operators in the Bay Area, and Commissioner Discussion and Questions. StarCity and Bungalow are coliving startups founded in San Francisco that have expanded to other communities. Presenters from StarCity included Jon Dishotsky, CEO & Cofounder, and Eli Sokol, Senior Development Manager. Presenters from Bungalow included Bryan Connolly, Head of Field Operations, Alex Canedo, Bay Area General Manager, and Ali Nichols, Head of Strategic Initiatives. Vision for 2020 Given this platform, looking toward 2020 I believe there is opportunity to continue educating the commission and public about best-practices in planning and transportation. There is also a distinct opportunity to begin applying some of these ideas through micro-experiments. During our 2019 retreat the idea was floated about giving Commission a budget to begin experimenting with some of these innovations. In this light, there are a handful of small things we could begin to experiment with in 2020, that could inform the future of how we deal with housing and transportation in our city. • Employer-Supported Housing Dialogue and Partnership: First, I believe the City could initiate dialogue with employers about housing through the Commission as an active way to encourage unit production by and for local companies. This could include private companies who might be interested in partnering to build workforce housing. This could include housing for public employees and teachers with families who do not qualify for affordable housing. Public-private or public-public partnerships could lead to untapped production in this space. • Parking Pricing Experimentation: The Commission has long-standing interest in discussing parking and wayfinding. While we have not yet had a window in to this topic, there is an opportunity to do micro-pricing experiments in the context of the Residential Parking Programs. For example, exploring if a small amount of daily paid parking issued via barcodes printed at home could help understand the market for parking in areas of acute impact and perceived need downtown and near California Avenue CalTrain areas. If such a program were successful it could provide another way of relieving neighborhoods than RPP while bringing in revenue to the city. • Travel Behavior Experimentation: Similarly to parking, the City could begin to take some different approaches to travel demand management and transportation programs. In light of this, I believe a paid cycling or walking program that used financial and social incentives to nudge sustainable travel could have great efficacy in our City. Some of my own research suggests, that people respond to financial rewards encouraging them to travel sustainably but also are very averse to losing those benefits (loss aversion theory). A micro-pilot of this kind of program for desired travel. Likewise an electric-bike or electric-scooter rebate program could be equally powerful at encouraging individuals to drive less. It would be unique if the City could begin running such experiments as a prototype for future policy. While these ideas are my own, the Commission will work to define more precise goals over the first month of 2020. I do believe the ideas expressed reflect the energy and urgency that all of us share for tackling challenging issues and finding innovative solutions in our community. We want to see action and want to be tasked with helping move our community to be more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable than it already is. I know I can speak for all of us in thanking you for the opportunity to serve. Best Regards, William (Billy) Riggs