HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-29 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: January 29, 2020
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
2. Study Session to Review and Consider Amendments to the Palo Alto Municipal Code
Chapters 18.52 and 18.54 to Allow a Reduction in the Number of Vehicle Parking
Spaces for Existing Buildings/Uses to Meet State-Mandated Parking Requirements
Related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations,
to Provide for Additional Bicycle Parking, and to Comply With Other City Standards
Including Stormwater and Waste Management. CEQA: Not a Project. Zone District:
Citywide.
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
Approval of Minutes
Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.1,3
3. December 11, 2019 Draft PTC Meeting 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.
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.
Committee Items
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
4. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioner Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Agenda Items
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.
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.
Additional Information
Informational Report
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan
_______________________
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 Bart Hechtman
Commissioner Ed Lauing
Commissioner Giselle Roohparvar
Commissioner Doria Summa
Commissioner Carolyn Templeton
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 # 11022)
Report Type: City Official Reports Meeting Date: 1/29/2020
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: January 29, 2020 PTC Meeting Schedule and Assignments (DOCX)
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 Billy Riggs Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton
Michael Alcheck Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle
Roohparvar
Doria Summa
July August September October November December
Giselle
Roohparvar
Doria Summa Michael
Alcheck
Billy Riggs Ed Lauing
Michael Alcheck Billy Riggs Ed Lauing Cari Templeton Giselle
Roohparvar
Planning & Transportation Commission
2020 Tentative Future Agenda
The Following Items are Tentative and Subject to Change:
Meeting Dates Topics
February 12, 2020 • Ordinance Amending PAMC 18.42.110 (Wireless Communication
Facilities)
• Comprehensive Plan Implementation Annual Review
• Study Session Regarding Integrated Public Parking Strategy
To Be Scheduled:
Topics
Co-Working Office Model
SB 50 Data Briefing
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 10911)
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 1/29/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: Parking Reductions to Meet State ADA and EV Parking
Requirements and Provisions for Restriping.
Title: Study Session to Review and Consider Amendments to the Palo
Alto Municipal Code Chapters 18.52 and 18.54 to Allow a
Reduction in the Number of Vehicle Parking Spaces for Existing
Buildings/Uses to Meet State-Mandated Parking Requirements
Related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Electric
Vehicle Charging Stations, to Provide for Additional Bicycle
Parking, and to Comply With Other City Standards Including
Stormwater and Waste Management. CEQA: Not a Project.
Zone District: Citywide.
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) conduct a study session
regarding proposed code amendments. The amendments are intended to ensure compliance
with State-mandated parking requirements related to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) regulations.
Due to recent state law changes that became effective January 1, 2020, staff is now rewriting
the draft ordinance. The PTC will have the opportunity to assist staff with approaches now, and
review and discuss the draft ordinance at a future PTC meeting.
Report Summary
This report is to support a study session regarding changes to Title 18 (Zoning) of Palo Alto
Municipal Code (PAMC). Staff seeks feedback from the PTC on the code section language prior
to completing the draft ordinance for the PTC’s consideration and recommendation to Council.
The March 2019 PTC study session on this subject helped define problems and explore
solutions. The report (Attachment C) relayed information about the City’s Sustainability and
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 2
Climate Action Plan and Sustainability Implementation Plan. It noted the increasing number of
electric vehicle (EV) drivers and funding for installing EV charging stations. In that report, staff
committed to returning to the PTC with analysis and recommendations for possible
amendments to the municipal code.
This effort is primarily to meet State-mandated parking requirements related to the Americans
with Disability Act (ADA) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). This report notes
relevant, recent City actions and issues, including:
• The City’s acceptance of funding for EV chargers
• City Council’s November 18, 2019 approval of use of the funds
• Survey results from 2018 about residents’ interest in EV chargers
• Challenges for (1) mixed-use and low-income housing projects and, (2) small businesses
to meet ADA and EVSE installation (with example projects to discuss for each type).
• Increasing state-level legislative support to expedited and expand EV charger, evidenced
by recently adopted Assembly Bills (AB1236 & AB 1100).
The proposed ordinance changes include:
• Reduction in the total number of parking spaces for existing buildings and uses,
• Allowances for the provision of extra bicycle parking spaces in lieu of vehicle space(s),
and
• Clarification or provision of local standards for parking lot re-striping.
Accommodating ADA parking and EV chargers at existing sites with physical constraints has
been challenging, given the existing Zoning Code language. Staff’s approach to the draft
ordinance has focused on concepts for allowing a reduction of parking spaces; this report
summarizes that approach. Other jurisdictions have been counting EVSE charging spaces as two
parking spaces for a percentage of total required parking spaces. This alternative approach is
consistent with the State law that went into effect January 1, 2020. The new State law is
prompting staff to pivot with revisions to the draft ordinance. Staff is will present this
alternative approach for the PTC’s discussion and consideration.
Project Description
There are two primary issues to address in revised code language: (1) ADA and state law
regarding EV chargers, and (2) Noncompliance w/parking standards due to (a) ESVE
requirements and (b) ADA requirements. Staff will prepare a draft ordinance to present to the
PTC at a future PTC hearing, to address these issues. Staff has targeted three sections in PAMC
Chapter 18.52 for proposed changes:
• 18.52.030 “Basic Parking Regulations”
• 18.52.040 “Off-Street Parking, Loading and Bicycle Facility Requirements” and
• 18.52.050 “Adjustments by Director”
Staff is exploring two additional sections in PAMC Chapter 18.54 for potential changes:
• 18.54.050 “Miscellaneous Design Standards” and
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Planning & Development Services Department Page 3
• 18.54.070 “Parking Design Figures and Tables”
To assist with the study session, staff has included three attachments to this report:
• Assembly Bill 1100 (Attachment A),
• Relevant sections from Chapters 18.52 and 18.54 (Attachment B),
• March 13, 2019 PTC report (Attachment C).
In addition, an earlier code allowed for the substitution of eight extra bike parking lockers for
one automobile space by Director Adjustment. Staff proposes reintroducing similar code
language into the current code.
Background
Prior PTC Study Session
As noted, the staff report from March 13, 2019 to the PTC is attached (Attachment C). The
meeting minutes from the PTC meeting of March 13, 2019 are viewable via this link:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/70120. Commissioner comments
found in the March 2019 minutes included these:
• That it would be easier to justify loss of parking spaces if there were information
available regarding other noticeable trends related to these topics. Specifically, whether
an increase in bicycle commuters, pedestrian commuters or public transit commuters
was a trend is consistent across all of our green modes of transport.
• That the Comprehensive Plan sufficiently supports adopting an approach that favors
adding EV chargers at the expense of parking spaces.
• A request to come back to [the PTC] with a code language that specifically allows for the
loss of parking spaces, even if parking currently is inadequate under our current
standards.
• Encouragement to staff to bring [the PTC] language that specifically allowed for the
conversion of a parking space to an ADA compliant parking space if that also meant that
there was a reduction in the parking. Even if that resulted in further inadequacy in the
site’s current parking.
• Suggestion that if a church or an apartment complex has demand for bike parking
facilities, the City should consider accommodating if it means losing one space.
• Consider using three separate languages for each of these since there’s general
likelihood people will feel differently in terms of how strongly they feel about each one.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Funding and Community Interest
The City has received funding from LCFS (Low Carbon Fuel Standards) and CALeVIP (matching
grant opportunity from CEC https://calevip.org/about-calevip) for EV chargers at workplaces,
public, MFD (approximately $9.8M over the next 4 years.) The City of Palo Alto Utilities
forwarded a report to City Council on November 18, 2019, for approval to use $1 million dollars
of the LCFS funds towards the Calevip matching grant. The staff report (ID #10662) is viewable
here: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/73962.
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 4
According to the 2018 Palo Alto Residential Survey Results, 70% of the respondents are "very to
extremely interested in their next vehicle to be an EV if they knew EV charging would be readily
available".
EV Case Studies
Several project types will benefit from an ordinance update to facilitate EVSE installation.
(1) Mixed use and low-income housing projects are required to meet ADA requirements, where
parking spaces are open to the public and/or they receive public funds. These projects have
EVSE installation challenges because of ADA and the City's required parking minimums. Recent
Palo Alto housing projects have experienced these challenges.
(2) Small businesses are required to meet ADA and have EVSE installation challenges because of
ADA and the City's required parking minimums. The Peninsula Conservation Center project
experienced these challenges.
Analysis
Overall, the Planning & Development Services Department seeks to address issues that hinder
the deployment of ESVE across this city. The staff efforts include:
(1) ensuring local laws and practice comply with state law;
(2) ensuring that an owner’s efforts to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act are
consistent with State law and do not discourage adoption of ESVE; and
(3) ensuring that sites are not discouraged from adding ESVE to parking lots nor from
bringing parking lots into compliance with modern standards when adding ESVE.
Consistency with New State Law
AB 1100 Section 22511.2: Counting EV and ADA Spaces Related to EV Charging Stations
The State’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure modeling tool determined 250,000 EV charging
stations are needed by 2025 to support the 2025 zero-emission vehicle deployment goals. The
California Green Building Standards Code specifies the standards for the construction of
California’s buildings, including infrastructure necessary for electric vehicle supply equipment.
The Green Building Standards Code did not define EV charging stations as parking spaces. The
State found local governments required developers of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)
to construct additional parking space spaces to comply with local minimum parking
requirements. The State found these impositions were counter to State environmental goals
and requires cities to reduce unnecessary and barriers to EVSE deployment to support its zero-
emission vehicle deployment goals.
State Assembly Bill (AB) No. 1100, signed by the Governor in 2019, finds and declares the State
has a goal to deploy 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025, and 5 million by 2030,
respectively. AB 1100 adds Section 22511.2 to the California Vehicle Code which states:
(a) A parking space served by electric vehicle supply equipment or a parking space
designated as a future electric vehicle charging space shall count as at least one
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Planning & Development Services Department Page 5
standard automobile parking space for the purpose of complying with any applicable
minimum parking space requirements established by a local jurisdiction.
(b) An accessible parking space with an access aisle served by electric vehicle supply
equipment (EVSE) or an accessible parking space with an aisle designated as a future
electric vehicle charging space shall count as at least two standard automobile parking
spaces for the purpose of complying with any applicable minimum parking space
requirements established by a local jurisdiction.
(c) This section does not modify the approval requirements for an electric vehicle charging
station pursuant to Section 65850.7 of the Government Code.
The State Legislature found this action ensures access to EV charging stations, which is a
statewide concern, rather than a municipal affair under Section 5 of Article XI of the California
Constitution1. AB 1100 applies to all cities including charter cities and became effective January
1, 2020. A Municipal Code amendment is required to ensure Palo Alto’s codes are consistent
with this State Law. Staff is considering amending PAMC Section 18.52.040 “Off-Street Parking,
Loading and Bicycle Facility Requirements, to add a new item (item (b)(7)), as follows:
“A parking space served by electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or a parking space
designated as a future electric vehicle charging space (EV Ready) shall count as at least one
standard automobile parking space, to comply with State EVSE regulations. An accessible
parking space with an access aisle served by EVSE or an accessible parking space with an aisle
designated as “EV Ready” shall count as at least two standard automobile parking spaces”
As noted earlier, several jurisdictions have been counting charging spaces as two parking spaces
for a percentage of total required parking spaces. These jurisdictions allow this for up to 10% of
total required parking spaces. Sacramento County and the City of Stockton are two such
jurisdictions. This double-counting approach appears to be consistent with the new State law
now in effect.
Accessibility (ADA) Compliance
Staff’s approach to ADA, unrelated to the recent EVSE law, has been to amend ‘Basic Parking
Regulations’ PAMC 18.52.030 to codify existing practice for allowing ADA upgrades to existing
parking lots and structures resulting in loss in existing parking space(s). State mandates
requiring upgrades to parking facilities that are out of compliance with State accessibility
requirements. Staff’s current practice, currently un-codified, is to allow a reduction in the
number of parking spaces on an existing parking lot to comply with the ADA. Staff approves
upgrades to existing spaces, the provision of additional accessible parking spaces, and improved
accessible path of travel. These adjustments often result in a minimal loss of parking stalls to
accommodate the state-required changes. The code update approach prior to the recent EVSE
1 California Constitution
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=CONS&tocTitle=+California+Constitutio
n+-+CONS
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 6
law has been to formalize the loss of parking spaces resulting from minimum required
accessibility upgrades. The proposed code change would read:
The code update would formalize the loss of parking spaces resulting from minimum required
accessibility upgrades. The proposed code change reads:
“Allowed Reductions in Required Parking Spaces”
“(1) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance: For sites making ADA upgrades to
parking facilities, required on-site parking spaces may be reduced to the minimum extent
necessary below the code standard or below the number of existing on-site spaces to achieve
state-mandated accessibility requirements. This provision applies to minor changes to existing
buildings, structures or parking facilities that are intended to remain in substantially the same
form after construction”
The State law that considers EVSE ADA spaces as two spaces is causing staff to reconsider this
approach to reduction due to the insertion of an ADA space. Considering the ADA space (space
and adjacent travel path) as two spaces, even without EVSE, may be a simpler approach than
codifying the space reductions as currently practiced. This is the main reason staff settled on a
second study session, rather than bringing forward the draft ordinance to codify space
reductions. This approach would be consistent with the recent code changes accommodating
EVSE charging.
AB1100 became effective as of January 1, 2020, so an ADA parking space with electric vehicle
supply equipment can be counted as two parking spaces. The PTC and staff will discuss using
this alternative counting approach, even if unrelated to EVSE. That is, to always count the ADA
space (space and adjacent travel path) as two spaces, when it is inserted into an existing
parking lot.
Zoning Compliance Challenges for EVSE Retrofitting2
This section of the report focuses on the compliance issues related to standard parking spaces
rather than ADA spaces. When EVSE retrofitting is proposed, compliance with development and
parking standards can be problematic. EVSE installations within existing parking facilities often
involve conflicts with mature trees. In addition, minimum clearance requirements in the City’s
parking facility design standards are hard to meet. Often existing commercial parking facilities
barely meet the minimum code-required clearances, while many other facilities do not comply
with today’s design standards, parking, and loading requirements. When a property owner
proposes new features to an existing parking lot, such as EVSE, compliance issues are often
revealed. Existing site conditions and code language do not allow for an increase in
noncompliance when modifications are proposed. The following section of this report will
provide examples of the Municipal Code compliance barriers for EVSE installations.
Existing Non-Complying Facilities
2 The Palo Alto Zoning Code is available online: http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/palo-alto_ca
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 7
PAMC Sections 18.70.090 “Noncomplying facility - Maintenance and repair” and 18.70.080
“Noncomplying facility – Enlargement” are applicable in these cases. These noncomplying
facility regulations restrict improvements or repair of existing noncomplying facilities if the
activities result in any increase in the existing non-compliance(s). The result is that existing,
legal noncomplying parking facilities find it challenging to install state-law enabled EVSE.
Complying Facilities Becoming Non-Complying
Where a site or facility complies with the City’s development standards, installation of new
EVSE can also sometimes result in a new noncompliance. New EVSE installations within existing
parking lots often require adjustments to the parking lot design, as shown in the following
diagram.
EVSE Installation Diagram
When EVSE chargers are installed, the owner may need to adjust the existing parking space
wheel stops and install new bollards. As shown in the diagram above, the top row of parking
spaces becomes shorter in depth, reduced from 18 feet to 16.7 feet, which is below the
minimum 17.5 feet (for 90-degree parking). The EVSE is installed within the area previously
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Planning & Development Services Department Page 8
used as the “vehicle overhang” for the front end of the parked vehicle. The photo below shows
how vehicles extend beyond wheel stops. The introduction of the EVSE and the associated
bollards shortens the parking stall depth. Vertical barriers eliminate the “vehicle overhang”
area, leading to non-complying parking facilities including reduced drive aisle widths.
Proposed EVSE Code Amendments
Staff proposes code changes to enable a small reduction in the number of required parking
spaces to address this issue. The new code provisions would allow a single parking space with a
width of 8.5 feet to be forfeited. This would allow the other parking stalls along the aisle to
benefit from re-distribution of the extra 8.5 feet via restriping. The EVSE and associated,
protective bollards would be arranged within the excess width areas, enabling Code-compliant
dimensions for the rest of the parking facility. The code revision would allow for minimal
parking space loss to facilitate the installation of new EVSE infrastructure within existing parking
facilities. The loss of a parking space would be allowed in situations where other compliant
adjustments to the existing parking facilities such as drive-aisle narrowing would not be an
option.
Transformers for EVSE
The added electrical capacity needed for new EVSE installations often leads to a need for new
transformers and electrical switch gears for the site. Electrical utility equipment varies in size
based on electrical load requirements. The Utilities Department requires clearances of up to 10
feet around such equipment pads. Below are several examples where this type of equipment
was installed in planting areas within existing parking lots.
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Planning & Development Services Department Page 9
In the above examples, the site conditions allowed new transformers and switch gears to be
placed without clearance issues. However, the equipment was placed near existing trees or in
locations where trees could have been planted to meet the City’s tree canopy goals and shading
requirements. This equipment often conflicts with existing trees; if new equipment is proposed
within a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)3 the new EVSE is not allowed in that location. If this
supportive equipment were allowed to be installed within an existing parking space, conflicts
with existing trees could be avoided. Placing such equipment toward the rear of a parking lot
could minimize visual impacts of equipment on the streetscape.
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan4
Several Comprehensive Plan programs and policies directly speak to the expansion of electric
vehicle infrastructure. The following table contains these programs and policies.
Electric Vehicle Polices/Programs
Program T-1.3.1: Develop an electric vehicle promotion program that identifies policy and technical
issues, barriers and opportunities to the expansion of electric vehicles
Policy T-1.4: Ensure that electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including infrastructure for charging
e-bikes, is available citywide.
3 TPZ area are defined the Palo Alto Tree Technical Manual (TTM) as a radius equal to 10-times the diameter of the
tree or 10-feet, whichever is greater and is the restricted activity area for new construction and or trenching. TTM
Sec 2.15(E) & Sec 2.20(C-D)
4 The Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan is available online:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/topics/projects/landuse/compplan.asp
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 10
Program T-1.4.1: Update the Zoning Code to ensure compatibility with the electric vehicle
infrastructure requirements.
Utilities and Infrastructure
Policy L-9.10 Design public infrastructure, including paving, signs, utility structures, parking garages
and parking lots to meet high-quality urban design standards and embrace technological advances.
Look for opportunities to use art and artists in the design of public infrastructure. Remove or mitigate
elements of existing infrastructure that are unsightly or visually disruptive.
Program L9.10.2 Encourage the use of compact and well-designed utility elements, such as
transformers, switching devices, backflow preventers and telecommunications infrastructure. Place
these elements in locations that will minimize their visual intrusion.
EV Chargers and Related Equipment
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and the implementation of the listed programs and
policies could be achievable with code changes. With both the EVSE and related Utility
equipment taking into consideration, the following proposed code language could be inserted
into PAMC 18.52.030 “Basic Parking Regulations” under the proposed new item “Allowed
Reductions in Required Parking Spaces” as the second item:
(2) EV Charger Installation: For property owners or tenants seeking to install EV Chargers and EV
Charger related utility equipment, required on-site parking spaces may be reduced to the
minimum extent necessary below the minimum number of off-street parking space set forth in
Section 18.52.040 (c), or below the number of existing on-site spaces, to achieve state-
mandated EVSE parking requirements
Additional municipal code changes may include adding another item (item j) to PAMC section
18.54.050 “Miscellaneous Design Standards.” The item would specifically note EVSE. A change
to PAMC 18.54.070 “Parking Design Figures and Tables” could be to provide a new “Figure 7” –
a diagram of an EVSE parking stall. The addition of a diagram for EVSE parking stalls would give
a clear example of the required clearances involved with the installation of this equipment.
Substitution of Extra Bicycle Parking Spaces for Vehicle Space
The 1998 Zoning Code’s Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations (formerly PAMC Chapter
18.83) allowed the Planning Director to approve substitution of eight extra Class 1 bicycle
spaces for one vehicle space. The maximum substitution was five percent of the required
vehicle stalls. Specifically, the former Section 18.83.120 stated:
“Automobile and bicycle parking requirements prescribed by this chapter may be adjusted by
the Director of Planning and Community Environment [now Planning & Development Services]
in the following instances and in accord with the prescribed limitations, when in his/her opinion
such adjustment will be in accord with the purposes of this chapter and will not create undue
impact on existing or potential uses adjoining the site or in the general vicinity.
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Planning & Development Services Department Page 11
(a) Substitution of Bicycle facilities for Required Vehicle Facilities. Eight short term bicycle
parking facility spaces in addition to minimum bicycle requirements may be substituted for one
required vehicle parking stall, up to a maximum of five percent of the vehicle stalls required.”
This language was removed from the Zoning Code and Staff seeks to re-introduce modified bike
space substitution language into today’s parking regulations. The item could be placed within
Table 4 of PAMC Section 18.52.050 “Adjustments by the Director”. The new language would
allow the Director the discretion to:
“allow for bicycle facilities (inclusive of long-term and short-term facilities) to be placed within
vehicle parking spaces up to a maximum of 5% of the vehicle stalls required or at least one
vehicle parking space, whichever is greater. The exact number of bicycle facilities would be at
minimum four (4) short-term facilities (parking spaces) per single vehicle parking space. The
Director may require more than this minimum number if site conditions allow for additional
bicycle facilities. This adjustment is exclusive of the minimum bicycle parking requirement for
the site.”
Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Goals and Policies
Several Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies are supportive of code revisions to increase
personal transportation alternatives to cars and reduce single-occupant vehicle trips. Re-
introducing the bike substitution code language would increase bicycle infrastructure. This item
would help make it more convenient for cyclists who wish to bike to work, school, and areas
where goods and services are provided. The table below provides the Comprehensive Plan
support for a change to PAMC Section 18.52.050.
Bicycle Polices/Programs
GOAL T-1: Create a sustainable transportation system, complemented by a mix of land uses, that
emphasizes walking, bicycling, use of public transportation and other methods to reduce GHG
emissions and the use of single-occupancy motor vehicles.
Policy T-1.1: Take a comprehensive approach to reducing single-occupant vehicle trips by involving
those who live, work and shop in Palo Alto in developing strategies that make it easier and more
convenient not to drive.
Policy T-1.16 Promote personal transportation vehicles an alternative to cars (e.g. bicycles,
skateboards, roller blades) to get to work, school, shopping, recreational facilities and transit stops
Policy T-1.3: Reduce GHG and pollutant emissions associated with transportation by reducing VMT
and per-mile emissions through increasing transit options, supporting biking and walking, and the use
of zero-emission vehicle technologies to meet City and State goals for GHG reductions by 2030.
Policy T-5.12 To promote bicycle use, increase the number of safe, attractive and well-designed
bicycle parking spaces available in the city, including spots for diverse types of bicycle and associated
equipment, including bicycle trailers, prioritizing heavily travelled areas such as commercial and retail
centers, employment districts, recreational/cultural facilities, multi-modal transit facilities and ride
share stops for bicycle parking infrastructure.
Program T-5.12.1 Work with employers, merchants, schools and community service providers, to
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 12
identify ways to provide more bicycle parking, including e-bike parking with charging stations, near
existing shops, services and places of employment.
Policy T-5.7 Require new or redesigned parking lots to optimize pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Program T-5.8.2 Identify incentives to encourage the retrofit of privately owned surface parking areas
to incorporate best management practices for stormwater management and urban heat island
mitigation as well as incentives for the provision of publicly accessible bicycle parking in
privately owned lots.
Maintenance of Existing Parking Facilities
Regular maintenance of parking facilities by resurfacing requires re-striping of parking spaces.
There is a need to enable the Director to approve parking lot restriping to create conforming
parking stalls and drive aisles, even when the resulting lot contains less than the existing
number of parking spaces. The code changes would enable the Director whenever such
restriping is needed to achieve compliance with state law, the City’s waste management
objectives and/or stormwater policies5 (trash enclosures).
Re-striping can often improve on-site circulation and result in compliant parking stall
dimensions for previously substandard stalls. This would only apply to changes for sites with
existing structures and parking facilities that would remain in the same form after resurfacing
and re-striping of the facilities. As previously noted, staff’s concept is to amend PAMC Section
18.52.030 “Basic Parking Regulations” with the new item “Allowed Reductions in Required
Parking Spaces”. A sub-item for parking lot restriping would assist the staff and Director’s
review of changes to existing parking lots:
(3) Parking Lot Restriping. Existing parking facilities may be restriped in accordance with
applicable provisions of the municipal code. The Director may approve a reduction in required
on-site parking spaces to achieve compliance with state law, the City’s waste management
objectives, improvements to on-site circulation, or to adjust existing substandard parking stall
dimensions to meet current code stall dimensions. This provision applies to changes on sites
containing existing structures and existing parking facilities that are intended to remain in
substantial form after lot resurfacing that requires stall re-striping.
This concept is still in the conceptual stage and staff will endeavor to understand scenarios
under which this code sub-item would be employed. Staff will consider unintended
consequences of such proposal and endeavor to reduce and mitigate to the extent feasible
negative outcomes. For example, it is possible Director Adjustments might have the effect of
overriding prior Council and Director decisions on Architectural Review applications.
5 City Municipal Code 16.09.165 prohibits discharge of any domestic or industrial waste or other polluted waters
into City storm drains. To comply with this code section “trash enclosures” are required. Enclosure areas should be
covered and enclosed to prevent rain from falling on containers, compactors, or the enclosure floor and carrying
contaminants to the stormwater system or wind from distributing any items that may be on the floor of the
enclosure.
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 13
Director’s Adjustments resulting in a reduction in the total number of parking stalls on an older
parking lot may cause some concern when the property is within the Downtown Parking
Assessment District. Staff suggests that the ‘lost’ space(s) would not result in a requirement for
the property owner to pay in-lieu fees for vehicle parking space(s) no longer provided within
Parking Assessment Districts. This exemption from parking in-lieu fees could be added as
another sub-item to PAMC Section 18.52.030 “Basic Parking Regulations”, Item “Allowed
Reductions in Required Parking Spaces”:
(4) Parking Assessment Districts. The reduction in required parking spaces provided in this
subsection shall not require payment of an in-lieu fee for the lost spaces.
CEQA
This item is a study session with no action to be taken by the PTC at this time. Therefore, this is
not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
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 January 17, 2020, which is 13 days in advance of the meeting. Postcard mailing occurred on
January 17, 2020, which is 13 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 PTC6 Liaison & Contact Information
Samuel Gutierrez, Planner Jonathan Lait, AICP, Assistant Director
(650) 329-2225 (650) 329-2679
samuel.gutierrez@cityofpaloalto.org jonathan.lait@cityofpaloalto.org
Attachments:
• Attachment A: State Assembly Bill No. 1100 (PDF)
• Attachment B: Existing Parking Code Sections (DOCX)
• Attachment C: March 13, 2019 PTC Study Session Report (DOC)
6 Emails may be sent directly to the PTC using the following address: planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org
Assembly Bill No. 1100
CHAPTER 819
An act to add Section 22511.2 to the Vehicle Code, relating to electric
vehicles.
[Approved by Governor October 12, 2019. Filed with Secretary
of State October 12, 2019.]
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1100, Kamlager-Dove. Electric vehicles: parking requirements.
The Planning and Zoning Law, among other things, requires the legislative
body of each county and city to adopt a general plan for the physical
development of the county or city and authorizes the adoption and
administration of zoning laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations by counties
and cities.
Existing law, the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Open Access Act,
prohibits the charging of a subscription fee on persons desiring to use an
electric vehicle charging station, as defined, and prohibits a requirement for
persons to obtain membership in any club, association, or organization as
a condition of using the station, except as specified. Existing law requires
a city, county, or city and county to approve an application for the installation
of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined, through the issuance of
specified permits, unless the city or county makes specified written findings
based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed installation
would have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and
there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific,
adverse impact. Under existing law, an “electric vehicle charging station”
is one or more publicly available parking spaces served by electric vehicle
service equipment, which is defined as an electric component assembly or
cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries
within electric vehicles by permitting the transfer of electric energy to a
battery or other storage device in an electric vehicle.
Existing law authorizes a local authority, by ordinance or resolution, and
a person in lawful possession of an offstreet parking facility to designate
stalls or spaces in an offstreet parking facility owned or operated by that
local authority or person for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking
a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes. Existing law
additionally authorizes a local authority, by ordinance or resolution, to
designate stalls or spaces on a public street within its jurisdiction for the
exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for
electric charging purposes.
This bill would require a parking space served by electric vehicle supply
equipment, as defined, and a parking space designated as a future electric
95
vehicle charging space, as defined, to be counted as at least one standard
automobile parking space for the purpose of complying with any applicable
minimum parking requirements established by a local jurisdiction. The bill
would require an accessible parking space with an access aisle served by
electric vehicle supply equipment and accessible parking space with an
access aisle intended as a future electric vehicle charging space to be counted
as at least 2 standard automobile parking spaces for the purpose of complying
with any applicable minimum parking requirements established by a local
jurisdiction.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address
a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore,
apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The state has a goal to deploy 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by
2025, and 5 million by 2030, respectively.
(b) The California Energy Commission’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Projection modeling tool has determined 250,000 electric vehicle charging
stations, inclusive of 10,000 DC fast chargers, are needed by 2025 to support
the 2025 zero-emission vehicle deployment goal.
(c) To date, approximately 18,000 public charging stations, including
approximately 2,700 DC fast chargers, have been installed in the state.
(d) The California Green Building Standards Code specifies the standards
for the construction of California’s buildings, including the infrastructure
necessary to support the future installation of electric vehicle supply
equipment.
(e) The California Green Building Standards Code currently does not
define electric vehicle charging stations as parking spaces, despite the fact
that these electric vehicles can be parked at a charging space for a lengthy
period of time.
(f) Some local governments have required developers of electric vehicle
supply equipment to construct additional parking space spaces to comply
with locally mandated minimum parking requirements.
(g) The requirement to construct additional parking spaces can run counter
to state environmental goals, is costly and often technically infeasible, and
creates an artificial barrier to electric vehicle charging station deployment.
(h) Some local jurisdictions, including the Counties of Los Angeles,
Sonoma, and Sacramento, and the Cities of Stockton, West Hollywood,
Santa Barbara, and Pleasanton, have enacted ordinances to count electric
vehicle charging spaces as one or more parking spaces for purposes of
required parking.
(i) California must reduce unnecessary and arbitrary barriers to electric
vehicle charging station deployment to support its 2025 and 2030
zero-emission vehicle deployment goals.
95
— 2 — Ch. 819
SEC. 2. Section 22511.2 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
22511.2. (a) A parking space served by electric vehicle supply equipment
or a parking space designated as a future electric vehicle charging space
shall count as at least one standard automobile parking space for the purpose
of complying with any applicable minimum parking space requirements
established by a local jurisdiction.
(b) An accessible parking space with an access aisle served by electric
vehicle supply equipment or an accessible parking space with an aisle
designated as a future electric vehicle charging space shall count as at least
two standard automobile parking spaces for the purpose of complying with
any applicable minimum parking space requirements established by a local
jurisdiction.
(c) This section does not modify the approval requirements for an electric
vehicle charging station pursuant to Section 65850.7 of the Government
Code.
(d) The following definitions apply for purposes of this section:
(1) “Electric vehicle supply equipment” has the same definition as that
term is used in the latest published version of the California Electrical Code,
that is in effect, and applies to any level or capacity of supply equipment
installed specifically for the purpose of transferring energy between the
premises wiring and the electric vehicle.
(2) “Electric vehicle charging space” means a space designated by a local
jurisdiction for charging electric vehicles.
(3) “Local jurisdiction” means a city, including a charter city, county,
or city and county.
SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that ensuring access to electric
vehicle charging spaces is a matter of statewide concern and is not a
municipal affair as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the
California Constitution. Therefore, this act applies to all cities, including a
charter city.
O
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Ch. 819 — 3 —
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 10174)
Report Type: Study Session Meeting Date: 3/13/2019
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: Limited Parking Reduction for EV Chargers, ADA, and Bicycle
Lockers
Title: The Planning and Transportation Commission Will Have a
Study Session Discussion Concerning Municipal Code Conflicts
With the Voluntary Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging
Stations and Bicycle Lockers, and State-Mandated Compliance
With the Americans With Disabilities Act, Within Existing
Parking Facilities.
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) discuss and provide
comments. No formal action is requested.
Background
The purpose of this study session is to highlight an implementation challenge planner have
concerning parking requirements and other City or State-mandated policies. This report is not a
comprehensive analysis. It was drafted and agendized with the intent of engaging the
Commission in a dialogue to help define a possible problem, and as appropriate, begin to
explore potential solutions. It is anticipated the Commission’s feedback will be used to inform a
draft policy recommendation that would be discussed at a future noticed public hearing.
Three policies are the focus of this study session and, include:
1. Climate change and reducing carbon emissions
2. Reducing vehicle miles travel and encouraging cycling
3. Compliance with the State-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
These policies intersect with the City’s local parking requirements in many ways, but for the
purpose of this study session, the focus is on changes to existing buildings and parking facilities,
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 2
not new construction. Some specific examples that have challenged planners and are reported
obstacles by some property owners includes the following:
1. EV Chargers. There is no current standard that requires a property owner of an existing
building to install EV chargers in their parking lot. However, when electively installed,
State law requires the parking dimensions for the first EV charger space meet certain
van accessible parking and passenger loading requirements. These requirements are
borrowed from the ADA law, but the spaces themselves are not required ADA spaces. To
meet this requirement, parking lots need to be restriped. In most cases, restriping the
parking lot results in the loss of at least one parking space and often in a building that
does not have extra parking spaces to lose. Moreover, associated equipment may
require the placement of bollards to protect the charger reducing the required depth or
width of a standard parking space.
2. Bicycle Lockers. Similar to the EV charges, there is no requirement for a property owner
to install bicycle lockers. From time to time, the City will receive a request to remove a
parking space or two for the purpose of providing lockers for the building’s workers. In
some instances, planners are able to find a solution, but for under-parked buildings this
presents a greater challenge.
3. ADA Parking Spaces. When a property owner authorizes a tenant improvement or other
changes to an existing building, there frequently is a requirement that the applicant
dedicate a percentage of the costs toward accessibility improvements. For sites with on-
site parking spaces, this usually means converting a standard parking spaces to a van
accessible parking space with a pedestrian loading area. While the owner has a variety
of ways to meet this obligation, when an ADA space is required, the site will necessarily
require restriping and the loss of at least one parking space. Because the ADA
regulations are State-mandated, the City’s long-standing practice has been to authorize
the restriping and loss of the parking space. It is staff’s intent to receive Commission
feedback on this practice and as appropriate, memorialize a formal policy in the zoning
code.
Discussion
The purpose of this study session is to understand the tension between the City’s goals and
efforts to reduce carbon emissions and its current off-street parking requirements. From this
discussion staff anticipates returning to the Commission with more analysis and
recommendations on possible amendments to the municipal code that support the desired
outcomes.
The City Council adopted the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan ( S/CAP (Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan) in November 2016. This framework serves as a roadmap for achieving Palo
Alto’s 80% of 1990 levels by 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goal (80x30). In December 2017,
City Council approved the Sustainability Implementation Plan (SIP) focusing on CO2 and H2O
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 3
reduction. Energy, Mobility, EVs and Water are four pillars of the SIP. Two goals of the EV SIP
are to (1) Accelerate EV penetration for both PA-based & inbound vehicles and (2) make going
“EV” more convenient than using fossil fueled vehicles. Achieving these goals requires both
home charging and destination charging. Council also approved the Low Carbon Fuel Standard
Credit Program (LCFS) (Staff Report ID # 7301) on October 24, 2016 to facilitate funding of EV
related programs. Financial grants are also available through other programs such as Bay Area
Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and Electrify America. These policies, plans, and
programs have resulted in an increasing number of property owners trying to add EV charging
stations to their property.
The City of Palo Alto’s Utilities (CPAU) Department has a number of initiatives in place to
accelerate the adoption of EVs in Palo Alto and to diversify the City’s EV charging infrastructure.
These initiatives include programs to facilitate electric vehicle adoption, such as rebates for
electric vehicle charger installations, bulk-buy programs, educational events/tools, and rebates
on utility connection fees triggered by EV charger installation. Over the next three to five years
the department will focus on efforts to facilitate the installation of EV chargers at low-income
and multi-family properties and has budgeted three million dollars toward this effort.
California and more specifically, Palo Alto, continues to experience an increase in the number of
EV registrations. In 2017, among the top 40 California cities by electric vehicle market share
Palo Alto led with 29%, followed by Saratoga at 24% and Los Altos at 22%. The other top eight
cities are all in Northern California.1 Additionally, data received from the California Air
Resources Board (CARB) indicates a steady uptake in EV adoption in Palo Alto. In 2014 there
were an estimated 1100 EVs registered in Palo Alto, in 2018 there were an estimated 4000 EVs
registered in Palo Alto. This trend is expected to continue.
Where private entities have had some success installing EV chargers is on large parcels with
ample parking, such as the Stanford Shopping Center. The City is currently reviewing
applications for EV chargers on city-owned parking lots. However, when it comes to individual
buildings there are not many successful stories. Also, zoning regulations that apply to
Downtown properties provide less flexibility than other parts of the City that may be allowed to
reduce parking based on a transportation demand management strategy. For Downtown
properties that do not have excess parking spaces or off-site parking resources, the only
solution is to pay into the parking in-lieu fund and staff is not aware of any EV chargers installed
on private property in the Downtown district.
Similarly, there may be opportunities to advance City goals for greenhouse gas reductions, by
authorizing one or two parking spaces to be converted to bicycle lockers. Incentivizing cycling
not only provides health benefits to the rider, it reduces vehicle trips and supports congestion
management strategies.
1 The International Council on Clean Transportation, “California’s continued electric vehicle market development”
page 4.
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services Department Page 4
The City’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and promote electric vehicles must also be
balanced to the City’s interests to minimizing the intrusion of commercial parking in residential
areas and providing sufficient parking to meet a property’s or businesses needs. Staff seeks the
Commission’s perspective on how best to navigate these goals while promoting the public
health and welfare.
Environmental Review
The item 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. As a discussion item there is no action to be taken. The discussion item
is not a project under CEQA and is therefore exempt from CEQA.
Next Steps
The next steps are to be determined by the feedback and direction provided at the hearing.
Report Author & Contact Information PTC2 Liaison & Contact Information
Russ Reich, Planning Manager Jonathan Lait, AICP, Director
(650) 617-3119 (650) 329-2679
russ.reich@cityofpaloalto.org jonathan.lait@cityofpaloalto.org
2 Emails may be sent directly to the PTC using the following address: planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 11023)
Report Type: Approval of Minutes Meeting Date: 1/29/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: December 11, 2019 Draft Meeting Minutes
Title: December 11, 2019 Draft PTC Meeting Minutes
From: Jonathan Lait
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) adopt the attached
meeting minutes.
Background
Draft minutes from the December 11, 2019 Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
meetings were made available to the Commissioners prior to the January 29, 2020 meeting
date. The draft PTC minutes can be viewed on line on the City’s website at
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/boards/ptc/default.asp.
Hard copies of the minutes from each of the above referenced meetings will be made available
at the PTC meeting being held on January 29, 2020 at Council Chambers at 6pm.
Planning & Transportation Commission
Staff Report (ID # 11046)
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 1/29/2020
City of Palo Alto
Planning & Development Services
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2442
Summary Title: Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Title: Election of Chair and Vice Chair
From: Jonathan Lait
PTC Commissioners requested written guidance on the process for Chair and Vice Chair
elections. There is no express procedure for these elections. Where the PTC’s procedural rules
are silent, the presiding officer may decide questions of procedure, though any commissioner
may appeal a decision to the commission as a whole. Based on a review of the minutes from
the previous three elections (2017-2019), the most recent past election practices are
summarized below:
1. Nominations for Chair are made from the floor. Commissioners may nominate anyone,
including themselves. A second is required for the nomination.
2. The nominee states whether they will accept the nomination.
3. The Commissioners who moved and seconded the nomination make a brief statement
on why they support the nomination.
4. Nominees may also make a brief statement regarding their candidacy.
5. The PTC will take a vote after all nominations have been made, seconded, and the
nominees have stated whether they will accept.
6. Four votes are required for confirmation.
7. The entire process is repeated for Vice Chair election.
Vinh Nguyen
Administrative Associate III
Planning & Development Services