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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-25 Planning & Transportation Commission Agenda PacketPLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:00 PM Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas and minutes are available at http://bit.ly/PaloAltoPTC.  VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/91641559499) Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499    Phone: 1(669)900‐6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Commission and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. 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. The Chair may limit Public Comments to thirty (30) minutes for all combined speakers. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak for Study Sessions and Action Items to two (2) minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. TIME ESTIMATES Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Commission reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMENT  Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS 1.Director's Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments STUDY SESSION Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 2.LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site.      5:10 PM – 6:40 PM JOINT SESSION WITH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC) ACTION ITEMS Public Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal. All others: Five(5) minutes per speaker. 3.LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site.      6:40 PM – 7:40 PM STUDY SESSION Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 4.Study Session: Retail Study Introduction and Check‐In      7:40 PM – 8:40 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 5.Approval of Planning & Transportation Commission Draft Verbatim & Summary Minutes of September 13, 2023 COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments  m a y   b e   s u b m i t t e d   b y   e m a i l   t o planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30, Firefox 27, Microsoft Edge 12, Safari 7. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted  through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions above. 4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Commission. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN    Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499   Phone:1‐669‐900‐6833  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 AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONSpecial MeetingWednesday, October 25, 2023Council Chambers & Hybrid5:00 PMPursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with theoption to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safetywhile still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose toparticipate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe andparticipate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged ifattending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live onYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen MediaCenter https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas andminutes are available at http://bit.ly/PaloAltoPTC. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/91641559499)Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499    Phone: 1(669)900‐6833PUBLIC COMMENTSPublic comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or anamount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutesafter the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance toPlanning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Commission and availablefor inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you arereferencing in your subject line.Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified aspresent at the meeting at the time of the spokesperson's presentation will be allowed up tofifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided that the non‐speaking membersagree not to speak individually. The Chair may limit Public Comments to thirty (30) minutes forall combined speakers. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak for Study Sessions andAction Items to two (2) minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted onlyby email to Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. Touphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storagedevices are not accepted.TIME ESTIMATES Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Commission reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMENT  Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS 1.Director's Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments STUDY SESSION Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 2.LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site.      5:10 PM – 6:40 PM JOINT SESSION WITH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC) ACTION ITEMS Public Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal. All others: Five(5) minutes per speaker. 3.LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site.      6:40 PM – 7:40 PM STUDY SESSION Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 4.Study Session: Retail Study Introduction and Check‐In      7:40 PM – 8:40 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 5.Approval of Planning & Transportation Commission Draft Verbatim & Summary Minutes of September 13, 2023 COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments  m a y   b e   s u b m i t t e d   b y   e m a i l   t o planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30, Firefox 27, Microsoft Edge 12, Safari 7. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted  through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions above. 4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Commission. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN    Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499   Phone:1‐669‐900‐6833  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 AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONSpecial MeetingWednesday, October 25, 2023Council Chambers & Hybrid5:00 PMPursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with theoption to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safetywhile still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose toparticipate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe andparticipate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged ifattending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live onYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen MediaCenter https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas andminutes are available at http://bit.ly/PaloAltoPTC. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/91641559499)Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499    Phone: 1(669)900‐6833PUBLIC COMMENTSPublic comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or anamount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutesafter the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance toPlanning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Commission and availablefor inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you arereferencing in your subject line.Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified aspresent at the meeting at the time of the spokesperson's presentation will be allowed up tofifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided that the non‐speaking membersagree not to speak individually. The Chair may limit Public Comments to thirty (30) minutes forall combined speakers. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak for Study Sessions andAction Items to two (2) minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted onlyby email to Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. Touphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storagedevices are not accepted.TIME ESTIMATESListed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while themeeting is in progress. The Commission reserves the right to use more or less time on any item,to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items maybe heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to bestmanage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALLPUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker.AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONSThe Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS1.Director's Report, Meeting Schedule and AssignmentsSTUDY SESSIONPublic Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.2.LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding ProposedAmendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42(Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establishthe Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as anAncillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts WhereChurches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing RegulationsRelated to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on EachSite.      5:10 PM – 6:40 PMJOINT SESSION WITH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC)ACTION ITEMSPublic Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal. All others:Five(5) minutes per speaker.3.LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendmentsto Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards forSpecial Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish theCongregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as anAncillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts WhereChurches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing RegulationsRelated to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on EachSite.      6:40 PM – 7:40 PM STUDY SESSION Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 4.Study Session: Retail Study Introduction and Check‐In      7:40 PM – 8:40 PM APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker. 5.Approval of Planning & Transportation Commission Draft Verbatim & Summary Minutes of September 13, 2023 COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments  m a y   b e   s u b m i t t e d   b y   e m a i l   t o planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30, Firefox 27, Microsoft Edge 12, Safari 7. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted  through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions above. 4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Commission. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN    Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499   Phone:1‐669‐900‐6833  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 AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONSpecial MeetingWednesday, October 25, 2023Council Chambers & Hybrid5:00 PMPursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with theoption to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safetywhile still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose toparticipate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe andparticipate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged ifattending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live onYouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen MediaCenter https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas andminutes are available at http://bit.ly/PaloAltoPTC. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/91641559499)Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499    Phone: 1(669)900‐6833PUBLIC COMMENTSPublic comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or anamount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutesafter the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance toPlanning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided to the Commission and availablefor inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you arereferencing in your subject line.Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified aspresent at the meeting at the time of the spokesperson's presentation will be allowed up tofifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided that the non‐speaking membersagree not to speak individually. The Chair may limit Public Comments to thirty (30) minutes forall combined speakers. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak for Study Sessions andAction Items to two (2) minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted onlyby email to Planning.Commission@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. Touphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storagedevices are not accepted.TIME ESTIMATESListed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while themeeting is in progress. The Commission reserves the right to use more or less time on any item,to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items maybe heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to bestmanage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALLPUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker.AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONSThe Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS1.Director's Report, Meeting Schedule and AssignmentsSTUDY SESSIONPublic Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.2.LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding ProposedAmendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42(Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establishthe Congregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as anAncillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts WhereChurches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing RegulationsRelated to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on EachSite.      5:10 PM – 6:40 PMJOINT SESSION WITH HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC)ACTION ITEMSPublic Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Fifteen (15) minutes, plus three (3) minutes rebuttal. All others:Five(5) minutes per speaker.3.LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendmentsto Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards forSpecial Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish theCongregation‐Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as anAncillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts WhereChurches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing RegulationsRelated to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on EachSite.      6:40 PM – 7:40 PMSTUDY SESSIONPublic Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.4.Study Session: Retail Study Introduction and Check‐In      7:40 PM – 8:40 PMAPPROVAL OF MINUTESPublic Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.5.Approval of Planning & Transportation Commission Draft Verbatim & Summary Minutesof September 13, 2023COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS ANDAGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments  m a y   b e   s u b m i t t e d   b y   e m a i l   t o planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.org. 2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30, Firefox 27, Microsoft Edge 12, Safari 7. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted  through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions above. 4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Commission. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN    Meeting ID: 916 4155 9499   Phone:1‐669‐900‐6833  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. Item No. 1. Page 1 of 2 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report From: Planning and Development Services Director Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: October 25, 2023 Report #: 2310-2114 TITLE Director's Report, Meeting Schedule and Assignments 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)  Upcoming PTC Agenda Items Commissioners are encouraged to contact Veronica Dao (Veronica.Dao@CityofPaloAlto.org) to notify staff of any planned absences one month in advance, if possible, to ensure the 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 (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/City-Council/Council-Agendas-Minutes) for the months of their respective assignments to verify if attendance is needed or contact staff. Prior PTC meetings are available online at https://midpenmedia.org/category/government/city- of-palo-alto/boards-and-commissions/planning-and-transportation-commission. UPCOMING PTC MEETINGS November 8: Action: Title 8 Ordinance Changes (Urban Forestry) Action (placeholder): Safe Parking Ordinance (if the item is not completed on 10/25) Informational report on 2023 State Legislation regarding housing and land use Item 1 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 5     Item No. 1. Page 2 of 2 November 29: Study Session: Active Palo Alto: Bike/Ped Plan Update Introduction & Visioning Action: Review and Recommend Comprehensive Plan Implementation Annual Progress Report and Housing Element Annual Progress Report Action: 2501 Embarcadero Road, Advance Water Purification System December 13: NVCAP Study Session 420 Acacia Avenue Vesting Tentative Map (16 for residential units) ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: 2023-24 Meeting Schedule & Assignments AUTHOR/TITLE: Amy French, Chief Planning Official Item 1 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 6     Planning & Transportation Commission 2023 Meeting Schedule & Assignments 2023 Schedule Meeting Dates Time Location Status Planned Absences 1/11/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled 1/25/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled 2/08/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 2/22/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 3/08/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 3/29/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 4/12/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled Bryna Chang 4/26/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular Bart Hechtman 5/08/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Joint Session w/ Council 5/10/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 5/31/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 6/14/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular Bart Hechtman 6/28/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular Bryna Chang 7/12/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular Bart Hechtman 7/26/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular George Lu 8/09/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 8/30/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 9/13/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 9/27/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled 10/11/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 10/25/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 11/08/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 11/29/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 12/13/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 12/27/2023 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled 1/10/2024 6:00 PM Hybrid Cancelled 1/17/2024 6:00 PM Hybrid Special 1/31/2024 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 2/14/2024 6:00 PM Hybrid Regular 2023 Assignments - Council Representation (primary/backup) January February March April May June Cari Templeton Giselle Roohparvar Giselle Roohparvar Keith Reckdahl Bart Hechtman Doria Summa Doria Summa Bryna Chang Bryna Chang Keith Reckdahl Keith Reckdahl Bart Hechtman July August September October November December Cari Templeton Allen Akin Doria Summa George Lu Bart Hechtman Keith Reckdahl Bryna Chang Cari Templeton Allen Akin Bart Hechtman George Lu Doria Summa Item 1 Attachment A - 2023-24 Schedule & Assignments     Packet Pg. 7     Item No. 2. Page 1 of 14 3 0 7 9 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report From: Planning and Development Services Director Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: October 25, 2023 Report #: 2309-1999 TITLE LEGISLATIVE STUDY SESSION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation-Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission and Human Relations Commission host a study session to discuss and provide feedback to staff regarding the proposed amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) 18.42.160 (Safe Parking). The changes would codify the congregation-based safe parking program. After the conclusion of the joint study session, staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Safe parking programs provide parking lots where unhoused program participants dwelling in their vehicles can park, connect to services, and, ultimately, find secure and stable housing. The City Council directed staff to codify congregation-based safe parking program following the pilot phase ushered in by the temporary ordinance adopted by the City Council in 2020. The draft ordinance incorporates lessons learned from the policy’s adoption in 2020 to date. The staff report provides background and history of the policy; the analysis section summarizes program service outcomes, the proposed changes in the draft ordinance, and discusses other Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 8     Item No. 2. Page 2 of 14 3 0 7 9 topics that may be of interest. While the stakeholder engagement section summarizes engagement, comments from stakeholders are dispersed throughout the report. BACKGROUND Safe Parking Safe parking programs provide places where unhoused persons sheltering in their vehicles can safely and legally park and connect with services and support. Safe parking programs aim to connect participants with resources so they can find safe, stable, and affordable housing. Program operators and parameters vary from operator to operator and from one city to the next. In many communities, including Palo Alto, a variety of parking lots may host safe parking programs. In Palo Alto, two types of parking lots may host safe parking programs (1) publicly owned parking lots and (2) religious institutions. Both the congregation-based and public parking lot programs provide interim assistance to households using vehicles as their residence by providing a safe place to park, access to restroom facilities, connection to social service programs, and other support to transition households into permanent, stable housing. Safe parking programs on publicly owned lots may allow vehicles to park in the parking lot continuously (24 hours a day) without needing to move the vehicle. The City of Palo Alto supports a 24-hour safe parking lot at 2000 Geng Road in Palo Alto, which accepts both passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles (RVs). This lot is operated by Move Mountain View, supported by funding from Santa Clara County, with Palo Alto leasing the City-owned property at no cost. Congregation-based programs, in Palo Alto, require participants to exit the parking lots daily. Vehicles are allowed to arrive on site in early evening hours, beginning at 6:00 pm. The program then requires that the vehicles and occupants leave the parking lot in the morning, by 8:00 am. At congregations, up to four passenger vehicles may be parked per night. Safe Parking Ordinance The congregation-based safe parking policy (Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 18.42.160 and Ordinance 5490) was adopted by the Palo Alto City Council as a temporary ordinance in January 2020. The policy went into effect 30 days after its second reading. The adoption of the ordinance and municipal code section enabling safe parking occurred after months of careful consideration and discussion. The ordinance was temporary both because it did not receive scrutiny from the PTC before adoption and because Council desired to learn from a pilot phase before adopting a permanent ordinance. The idea of creating and adopting a local safe parking policy began on June 10, 2019.1 The Palo Alto City Council discussed a Colleagues’ Memorandum regarding safe parking and voted 5-1 (Tanaka dissenting, DuBois absent) to direct the Policy and Services Committee to craft program details to bring back to the City Council. On September 10, 2019, the Policy and Services 1 June 10, 2019 Agenda Packet: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/00-archive/2019/06-10-2019-71690.pdf Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 9     Item No. 2. Page 3 of 14 3 0 7 9 Committee met and directed staff to “return [to the Committee] with a safe parking program for up to four vehicles on private property containing religious institutions.”2 On November 12, 2019, the Policy and Services Committee considered a proposed congregation- based safe parking program. The Committee voted unanimously to support it. Following that, the Council considered and approved the program on January 13, 2020.3 At the time Council passed the ordinance enabling the congregation-based program, several congregations expressed interest in pursuing permits to operate programs at their facilities. On September 14, 2020, the City Council also adopted an ordinance that allowed safe parking programs to occur on land zoned for public use (PF).4 Programs sited on land zoned PF can operate 24 hours a day, without requiring vehicles and participants to leave during daytime hours. The adoption of this policy allowed the city to negotiate and enter into a lease agreement with Santa Clara County for the operation of the 24-hour safe parking program at 2000 Geng Road. On September 18, 2023, the Council recently considered and renewed the lease with the County for the program’s continued operations.5 The Geng Road site also provides a variety of on-site services including a kitchen, laundry facilities, shower facilities, and a children’s library. Approximately up to 12 recreational vehicles can be located at this site at a time. ANALYSIS This analysis section reviews the safe parking program, both the impacts of the program and the administration and operation of the program. Then, the report reviews the draft ordinance and discusses the rationale for proposed changes. Active Permits & Safe Parking Programs Presently, four congregations have permits to operate safe parking programs. Table 1 shows the congregations, their address, and other information regarding the permits. Image 1 is a map showing the locations of the active permits. 2 September 10, 2019 Action Minutes: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/policy-and-services-committee/00-archive/2019/09-10-2019-ps-action- minutes.pdf?t=48771.21 3 January 13, 2020: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas- minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/00-archive/2020/01-13-2020-ccm.pdf 4 September 14, 2020: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas- minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2020/september-14-2020-city-council-meeting-agenda-and-full-packet.pdf 5 https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=13026 Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 10     Item No. 2. Page 4 of 14 3 0 7 9 Table 1: Active Congregation-Based Safe Parking Permits in Palo Alto Congregation Name Address in Palo Alto Submission Date – First Permit Approval Date – First Permit Congregation Etz Chayim 4161 Alma Street April 12, 2023 June 14, 2023 First Congregational Church of Palo Alto 1985 Louis Road May 11, 2022 July 21, 2022 Highway Community 3373 Middlefield Road November 9, 2020 March 1, 2021 Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto 505 E. Charleston Road February 25, 2021 May 12, 2021 Image 1: Map of Safe Parking Sites (Congregation and 24-hour) in Palo Alto Needs Among Palo Altans In mid-July 2023, the County released city-specific data from the January 2023 point-in-time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness. The PIT count is a federally mandated effort every two years to literally count the number of unhoused persons in each county and community in Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 11     Item No. 2. Page 5 of 14 3 0 7 9 the United States. Volunteers and others spend time canvassing areas of each community to count unsheltered persons. In addition, data is gathered from shelters and other facilities and databases that indicate the number of unhoused persons in a community. In summary, the PIT count provides a snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness, as counted by volunteers, on a particular day. The City of Palo Alto count of people experiencing homelessness decreased 25 percent, from 274 in 2022 to 206 in 2023. The 206 people counted included 187 unsheltered, 181 of which were sleeping in vehicles. Of those vehicles, 68 percent were RVs. This data suggests an ongoing need for safe parking sites in Palo Alto and demonstrates that more individuals and households are sheltering in recreational vehicles than in other vehicle types. However, as noted below, existing safe parking facilities are not being fully utilized and have additional capacity. In addition to the 2023 PIT, staff have also reviewed and summarized data from calendar year 2022 regarding unhoused persons in Palo Alto. This data (Attachment B) can help inform the public policy strategies adopted to reduce homelessness. Of the 276 unhoused Palo Alto households in 2022, 29% identified their vehicle as the most frequent place they slept. This is the second most reported sleeping location after “outdoors” (33%). Both the PIT and the 2022 calendar year data demonstrate that many unhoused Palo Altans are using vehicles for shelter. Pilot Program Operation During the pilot (and proposed in the draft ordinance), the congregation-based safe parking program requires that permit holders (which are the congregations) contract with a qualified safe parking operator to administer the program. This is to (1) ensure the safety and cleanliness of the parking lot itself during operational hours, and (2) to ensure that participants are connected to a case worker and other services that can help them find stable housing. Permit holders have liberty to select the qualified program operator of their choice. In Palo Alto, the current congregations have selected Move Mountain View as the qualified operator.6 The organization began with their Lots of Love program, at the first congregation-based safe parking site in 2018 in Mountain View. Since then, the number of lots and participants has grown. In addition to the four congregations in Palo Alto, Move Mountain View also operates Palo Alto’s 24-hour safe parking lot at 2000 Geng Road. Table 2: Participants and Placements 1/1/2021 to 6/30/2023 Congregation Unique Clients Households Positive Placements Highway 21 19 11 Unitarian Universalist 8 8 2 First Congregational 8 5 4 Total 37 25 17 6 https://www.movemv.org/ Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 12     Item No. 2. Page 6 of 14 3 0 7 9 Table 2 shows program participation across 3 of the 4 congregations since January 2021 to June 30, 2023. The most recent permit holder, Congregation Etz Chayim, was not operational during this period of data reporting. The congregation-based safe parking programs have served 37 unique individuals across 25 households. Of those, 17 individuals have exited the program to positive placements. Positive placements include anything other than a place not intended for human habitation: •Rapid Rehousing •Rentals by client with and without vouchers or subsidy •Rental by client in Public Housing •Transitional housing •Staying or living with family or friends •Emergency shelter including hotel paid by voucher or home host shelter Some remain in the program while others exited to “non-positive exits.” Non-positive exits include: •Dwelling in a place not meant for human habitation (such as remaining in their vehicle or otherwise remain unsheltered) •Unknown (the client left the program without notice) •Client refuses to divulge where they are heading Table 3 shows the overall program outputs, including the 24-hour Geng Road site. Table 3 also shows those individuals and households who are affiliated with Palo Alto (such as they were last housed in Palo Alto, work in the city, or have children attending school here, etc.). Table 3: Participants and Placements 1/1/2021 to 6/30/2023 Palo Alto AffiliatedSafe Parking Site Total Individuals Total Households Individuals Households Positive Placements (individuals) Nights provided Occupancy Rate Highway 21 19 12 10 11 1,256 41.8% Unitarian Universalist 8 8 4 4 2 1,249 51.1% First Congregational 8 5 6 5 4 343 34.7% Geng Rd 84 25 43 16 13 8,849 64.6% Total 121 57 65 35 30 11,697 The data indicates a higher percentage of positive placements at congregation sites as compared to the 24-hour site. While the overall population is small at the congregations, due to the size limitations, the sites are occupied for a number of evenings, serve mostly Palo Alto affiliated individuals, and lead to positive placements. Overall 17 positive placements among congregation-based sites from 37 individuals. Feedback from Operators & Permit Holder Regarding Pilot Program Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 13     Item No. 2. Page 7 of 14 3 0 7 9 Overall, both the operators and permit holders report contentment and success from the current program and its parameters. During the pilot phase, the City of Palo Alto, permit applicants, and the program operator experienced consistent opposition to and concern about the program’s operation from nearby neighbors. In advance of each permit being approved, the Planning and Development Services Department held a neighborhood check in. During the check in, the permit applicant and designated program operator answered questions posed by the neighbors. In advance of permit approval, neighbors frequently voiced concerns about the proposed program. The concerns ranged widely but may be summarized to span several areas: (1) safety of persons and property, (2) quality of life, and (3) unsightliness. Regarding safety, neighbors expressed concerns regarding how program participants are vetted for suitability in the congregation-based program as well as how the security of the neighborhood would be maintained during program operation. Regarding quality of life and unsightliness, residents expressed concerns regarding the appearance of vehicles as well as the diminished quality of life that might result from vehicle dwellers being in and/or parking in the neighborhood during program hours or outside of program hours. In preparing the subject ordinance, the City requested feedback from permit holders regarding the program. Overall, permit holders expressed that the program is extremely low or no impact to the congregation. On the operational side, permit holders attested to Move Mountain View’s professionalism, noting that the congregation hardly noticed the program. Given the overnight emphasis of the program, thus operating outside of a congregation’s core operating hours, most congregations’ members and staff are not on site when program participants are on site. Congregations do receive a weekly update from the program operator about the “guests” (program participants) staying on site during that week. As the operator, Move Mountain View handles the logistics and implementation of the program. As one permit holder put it, “MOVE Mountain View is doing all of the heavy lifting, and we just provide the space.” Otherwise, the program is not perceptible. Among the permit holders, it is fair to say that “no news is good news” regarding the program. In fact, one permit holder noted that the only news was in fact good news reporting the rapid exit of some participants to a positive exit. Despite concern and hesitancy before permit issuance, during the pilot program, no complaints have been reported to the City regarding program operations. Additional ideas and/or comments from permit holders include the following points. In most cases, the thoughts were volunteered by one permit holder. Thus, a comment may or may not represent a shared sentiment among participating congregations. Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 14     Item No. 2. Page 8 of 14 3 0 7 9 •Opposition from Neighbors – Congregations reported the strain and energy required to engage with neighbors before program operations began. Many congregations faced pushback from neighbors, ranging from formal appeals to flyers to petitions to halt the program before a permit was issued. While no incidents were reported after operation, the strain of obtaining the permit was felt by several permittees. •Additional Capacity – Given the no/low impact of the program, one permit holder expressed a desire to increase capacity beyond 4 vehicles per night. Given the size of the parking lots, this permit holder noted the additional space exists with limited negative impact. •Promotion Needed – One permit holder noted that increasing usage of the spaces relied on getting the word out to those dwelling in vehicles. Certainly, advocates and the city have long recognized the need for those unsheltered in their vehicles to be aware of the safe parking program and its ability to meet their needs. The City Council allocated funds in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget to hire outreach workers to conduct outreach to unhoused Palo Altans and connect them with programs, such as the Safe Parking program. •Accept RVs – One respondent noted that accepting recreational vehicles (RVs) into congregation-based safe parking lots may increase the number of unhoused persons that can be served by the congregations. It’s important to note that the City’s policy does not prohibit nor is it proposed to prohibit RVs from being served by a safe parking site. Move Mountain View has noted, however, that the congregation sites are not ideal for serving RVs. Additionally, neighbors at various points have expressed concerns about RVs being parked at the congregations. •Change neighborhood notification process – One congregation suggested providing notice to neighbors of an impending safe parking application before approval of the application. The sentiment of this comment encourages the City to engage neighbors before a permit is issued. In fact, the City does engage neighbors before a permit is issued by notifying owners and occupants within a 600-foot radius of the property that a safe parking permit issuance is pending. The nuance, however, of this pending permit approval may be lost on members of the public unfamiliar with government policies and processes. The purpose of issuing a notice of tentative approval is to notify those within a 600-foot radius that a safe parking permit will be imminently issued and that the issuance of the permit is appealable to the Palo Alto City Council. Draft Ordinance As currently proposed, the draft permanent safe parking ordinance normalizes the permits by aligning procedures with other conditional use permitting processes available in the city. To achieve this, anomalous procedures are removed. Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 15     Item No. 2. Page 9 of 14 3 0 7 9 Duration of Permits & Permit Renewal – Due to the experimental nature of the safe parking program, the initial program had unique permitting timelines. Specifically, permits were valid for 90 days. If no violation of permit conditions were found, the permit was extended an additional 270 days. Together, this made permits valid for one year. In the proposed ordinance, the permits would not expire. Like other discretionary permits issued by the City, permits remain subject to revocation in the event a permit holder habitually and egregiously violates the permit conditions or if the program’s operation becomes detrimental to public health, safety, or general welfare. Community Meeting – Though not required, the City hosted neighborhood check-ins during the pilot phase. One neighborhood check-in was hosted for each permit application. By allowing the Director the discretion to choose to host such meetings, the City has the discretion to do so— and residents or permit applicants the discretion to ask—that the City hold such meetings. These meetings are not required though, as the programs continued success may limit the demand for such meetings. Likewise, the approach of discretion can allow for more meetings should they be warranted. In at least one case, City staff helped facilitate a second meeting between neighbors. That meeting, along with other discussion, helped mediate a pending appeal and lead to its withdrawal as the permit holder and neighbor reached agreements. Preferences for Participants – To help meet the program goals of connecting unhoused Palo Altans with stable housing, the draft ordinance proposes to impose a stated preference for program participants. Modeled after language from the City of Mountain View, this section of the ordinance aims to ensure Palo Altans or those with a direct and immediate connection to Palo Alto receive priority in obtaining safe parking spots. As proposed, the order of preference is as follows: (1) Households with children enrolled in Palo Alto Unified School District (2) Individuals who resided in Palo Alto within the last five years prior to seeking enrollment in a safe parking program or who currently work in Palo Alto (3) Households with at least one person over the age of 65. (4) Households with a person who is disabled as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. At present, the congregation-based safe parking spots are not at capacity, as discussed above. Should, however, shifts occur in the availability of on-street parking, there may be an increase in demand for congregation-based safe parking spots. For example, Caltrans proposes to significantly reduce available on-street parking spaces through proposed projects on El Camino Real. The final improvements remain to be seen and the impacts of unhoused persons dwelling in vehicles has yet to occur. Staff will continue to monitor this development. Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 16     Item No. 2. Page 10 of 14 3 0 7 9 Santa Clara County (the lead funding and coordinating agency for homeless services) and Move Mountain View, the program operator, are opposed to including a preference list in the ordinance. There are several practical reasons for this. First, unlike the City of Mountain View, which maintains a preference list for its programs, the City of Palo Alto is not supporting the congregation-based program with any financial support. The City reviews and issues permits at no cost. Otherwise, the City of Palo Alto does not provide any financial support for the safe parking program. Whereas the City of Mountain View funds several safe parking lots, including several 24-hour safe parking lots. Thus, in the City of Mountain View, there may be a greater case for achieving City policy objectives as the City is funding, at least in part, the programs. Secondly, the safe parking programs are currently not at capacity, so there is not a concern or an issue with needing to preference some participants over others. So, creating a preference list while it sounds reasonable does not appear necessary at this time. Finally, congregations have expressed an interest in or intention to serve specific populations, such as seniors, or women, or families with children. City priorities may or may not be aligned with a congregation’s ministry objectives. If a preference is added, there could be a minimal impact to the programs. While the preference list as proposed gives a priority to certain groups of people and individuals, the list does not prohibit others from being placed at the safe parking sites. Since the current sites are not at capacity, it is likely that a household that doesn’t meet the preference criteria could and would still be placed at a site and be able to secure a parking spot. Additional Operational Changes – Staff suggest a number of minor additions to the ordinance that align the ordinance with consistent conditions of approval. By including these conditions in the ordinance, permit holders, program operators, and the public can clearly anticipate operational conditions at the site. The proposed additional Standards and Conduct of Use are: -Quiet Hours – In addition to limiting noise, participants are asked to observe quiet hours beginning at 10 p. m. and ending at 7:00 a. m. This will reduce disturbance to other participants and to neighbors. -Restroom siting. Where feasible, portable restrooms should be sited away from neighboring residences and away from street frontages. In the event the lot configuration does not allow such siting, the Director shall have discretion to determine the location of the portable restroom and/or handwashing facilities. -Annual Reporting – Annual reporting will allow the City to better track and understand the participation of local persons in the program as well as site operations. -Vehicle Idling – Vehicle idling is generally not allowed. The PAMC does allow idling of vehicles in very low temperatures and very high temperatures. -Personal property – All personal property shall be stored in vehicles. This helps maintain a tidy site, prevent an unkempt or blighted appearance, and decrease the likelihood debris will accumulate. -Fire – No open flames or fires are allowed. -Lot Monitoring – Based on past and current experience, safe parking program operators employ lot monitors to ensure that sites are secure and participants are safe. The Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 17     Item No. 2. Page 11 of 14 3 0 7 9 monitors typically visit in the early evening to check in participants and ensure only participants are present on the site. They may return once during the overnight hours. The monitor may then return in the morning to ensure participants depart and the site is in order. Continuing Ordinance Provisions: No Fee Permit - Some noted aspects of the pilot program that are proposed to continue include the fee waiver and appeal distance. While the draft ordinance (and currently adopted ordinance) references a fee, the municipal fee schedule does not include such a fee. Given the minimal number of staff hours and the negligible number of permits, staff can absorb the cost of issuing safe parking permits into the department budget. Should the Council now, or in the future, determine the need to charge for the review and issuance of the permits, the department can and shall calculate a fee and update the fee schedule accordingly. By allowing no-cost permits, the City can encourage provision of services to unhoused persons. Continuing Ordinance Provisions: Appeal Distance - The appeal distance remains 600 feet surrounding the safe parking location. This radius is aligned with the radii for other permits issued by the Planning and Development Services Department. In addition, the scale of the radius communicates that the existence of a safe parking lot is a community-serving amenity that is of interest to a wide swath of the neighborhood. Additionally, in some planning law in California, a distance of 600 feet is used to approximate a city block. Additional Policy Considerations & Areas of Interest Below are topics frequently discussed regarding the program that the HRC and PTC may wish to consider in their deliberations. Density of Permits - This program specifically allows safe parking programs to operate at religious congregations and religious institutions throughout Palo Alto. Congregations and religious institutions, however, are not evenly distributed throughout Palo Alto. In fact, some areas have a concentration of these uses. That could lead to a concentration of safe parking lots in some areas of town. On one hand, if programs are operating in accordance with the operational requirements, the programs should not pose a nuisance to the neighbors or neighborhood. In fact, that has proven to be the case to date. In addition, there can be operational efficiencies for the program operator when participants are closer together, making it easier for staff to visit the sites and check in on participants. On the other hand, such concentration—and the risk that any poor performance might be concentrated and metastasize—may be deemed undesirable or to place a disproportionate burden on areas of the city with more congregations. Should the PTC and subsequently Council desire to prevent a higher concentration of safe parking programs in one area, the ordinance could require at least 600 feet between safe parking sites. Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 18     Item No. 2. Page 12 of 14 3 0 7 9 This would mean that congregations within 600 feet of an existing permit holder would not be able to apply for a permit. Utilization & Number of Vehicles Per Night - Given the number of unhoused persons sheltering in their vehicles, many stakeholders have expressed a desire to see greater utilization of the sites; that is to see all the parking spots available occupied by households. The hope being that participation in the program leads to stable housing. Thus, increasing utilization may lead to more households exiting homelessness. Alternatively, some members of the public assert that since the existing lots are not at capacity, there is not a need to issue new permits to additional congregations. Finally, at least one congregation expressed a desire to be allowed to host more than four vehicles per night. The program operator has indicated that the current capacity and vehicle limit provides sufficient capacity at this time. They did not advise an increase in the number of spaces per congregation. They did express that increasing utilization depends on the ability to outreach to unhoused persons and connect them to safe parking or other programs. The City Council has allocated funds for outreach workers that can boost participation in this program and others. As noted earlier, however, the congregation programs currently serve passenger vehicles and not RVs. That is an operational decision of the permit holders and operators. Based on their significant experience, Move Mountain View does not believe the congregation sites are best suited for serving households in recreational vehicles. So, while many unhoused Palo Altans are sheltering in vehicles, only those in passenger vehicles are eligible for these programs. Background Checks - The topic of screening of program participants is a frequent conversation at community meetings and neighborhood check-ins hosted prior to permit issuance. Some residents feel concerned about having unhoused individuals parking on a parking lot near their homes. And they are curious about the vetting process that participants undergo in order to be deemed appropriate to be placed at a site. In addition, neighbors sometimes have queried if the program could or should include background checks of potential program participants. The topic of background checks is complex and nuanced. At a high level, state law, including case law, significantly restricts the use of background checks for housing decisions. The law limits the ways in which a person’s criminal history can or cannot be used in qualifying an individual for housing, shelter, or other programs. Thus, the process would not simply be one of “passing” or not passing a background check. Further, Santa Clara County follows a “housing first” policy. Under housing first, the County seeks first to house unhoused persons and provide support they need in order to maintain their housing, such as mental health services, job placement, etc. The County wants to reduce and eliminate any barriers that might prevent unhoused persons from accessing the services that they need. A background check can be a barrier to accessing services, and therefore is not aligned with the housing first policy. The County does not support its service providers to perform background checks on clients. Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 19     Item No. 2. Page 13 of 14 3 0 7 9 It's important to note that the program operator in practice does ask screening questions of the participants to get a sense of who they are and their overall background. Certainly, the operator wants to be sure that an individual does not have anything in their history that would legally prohibit them from being located in a certain area, such as near to a school or other uses for those who have offenses that restrict where they can be placed. The operator also wants to ensure that folks are placed at the site that is best fit for their needs. Staff are not proposing background checks. This information is included for the further edification of the PTC and HRC, as well as the public, since this topic frequently arises during program discussions. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT The permits applied for under the proposed policy require minimal staff time due to the small- scale and limited facilities required. At this time, staff believe the associated work can be performed using existing budgeted resources and are not proposing to impose a fee for this program. This represents one way the City can provide limited financial support for safe parking lots. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT During the preparation of this report, staff reached out to all the permit holders to ask if they had any feedback on the program, had received any complaints or had any issues with neighbors, and any proposals for future changes. Those suggestions have been addressed in the analysis portion of the staff report highlighting areas where congregations felt there could be some changes. In addition, staff spoke with the program operator, Move Mountain View, to understand their concerns, ideas and overall health programs operate. Likewise, that information has been incorporated into the staff report and the analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which applies to minor alterations of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use. Adopting the Ordinance to allow the use of existing parking lots for temporary overnight safe parking would not constitute any significant expansion of use. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) also applies to the adoption of the Ordinance because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity of limited parking overnight in existing parking lots may have a significant effect on the environment. The potential exceptions to the categorical exemption in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 are not applicable. Use of existing parking lots in the operation of temporary safe parking does not impose a significant cumulative impact over time as the use as a parking lot is generally unchanged and the safe parking use is limited to a short duration; it is not an unusual circumstance to modify the hours of use of existing facilities, and there is nothing unusual about Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 20     Item No. 2. Page 14 of 14 3 0 7 9 the size or location of the existing parking lots at which temporary overnight safe parking would be allowed; the use of existing parking lots does not adversely impact scenic or historical resources; and the Ordinance does not involve hazardous sites as it relates to existing parking lots and no ground disturbance would result from implementation of the Ordinance. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS The PTC may request amendments to the ordinance. If significant, staff may request the item be continued in order to incorporate any amendments into a draft for review by the PTC. In addition, should time for discussion and recommendation be insufficient, the joint hearing can be closed and the PTC can continue its deliberations to a future date. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Draft Ordinance Attachment B: Unhoused Palo Altans Attachment C: Point In Time Count Attachment D: Map of Safe Parking Sites AUTHOR/TITLE: Rachael Tanner, Program Specialist Item 2 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 21     *NOT YET APPROVED* 1 0160126_20231018_ay16 Ordinance No. _____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs. SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows: A. The number of households dwelling in vehicles has grown substantially in the past decade. The lack of stable, affordable housing and other life circumstances have contributed to this growth. B. On thoroughfares throughout the city, individuals, families, and households of many kinds can be found dwelling in recreational vehicles, trucks, vans, cars, and other motorized vehicles. C. The City must, for the health, safety, and welfare of the community, identify and implement short-term and long-term solutions that support these households as they pursue and ultimately secure affordable, stable housing. Safe parking programs, which offer off-street, authorized parking spots in parking lots for households dwelling in their vehicles, represent a short-term solution. D. Churches and other religious institutions have expressed a desire and willingness to make their parking areas available for safe parking programs. Allowing such legally operating churches and other religious institutions to host safe parking programs for up to four vehicles in their parking lots overnight provides assistance to homeless households as they seek and follow a path towards stable housing. The provision of such assistance is a use consistent with the mission and purpose of many congregations and religious institutions. E. The presence of four vehicles in such parking lots overnight and the accompanying administration of assistance is a minor additional use that would not conflict with the primary use of the properties nor threaten the health, safety, or welfare of the community or its inhabitants. The administration of such programs serves to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the community. SECTION 2. Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) of Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is amended to read as follows [additions are underlined and deletions struck-through]. 18.42.160 Safe Parking. The following regulations apply to zoning districts where safe parking use is permitted. Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 22     *NOT YET APPROVED* 2 0160126_20231018_ay16 (a) Purpose. The intent of this section is to establish regulations to govern the operation of safe parking programs at churches and religious institutions within the city of Palo Alto. The safe parking programs provide interim assistance to households using vehicles as their residence by providing a safe place to park, access to restroom facilities, connection to social service programs, and other support to transition households into permanent, stable housing. (b) Definitions (1) "Safe parking" means the providing of shelter of homeless persons as an incidental use to an existing, legal church or religious institution use where the shelter is provided in vehicles located in designated paved safe parking areas. (2) "Safe parking area" means the paved area where the vehicles are parked for the safe parking use. (3) "Safe parking program operator" means an agency or organization that facilitates, administers, oversees, and provides staffing for safe parking uses in safe parking areas. (c) Safe Parking Permit Required (1) Permit required. No person shall operate, allow, permit or suffer a safe parking use without approval of a valid safe parking permit. (2) Application requirements. All applications pursuant to this section shall be filed with the director in a form prescribed by the director. The application form shall contain a list of information that must be submitted in order for the application to be deemed complete. (3) Receipt of application. No application shall be deemed received until the following have been provided to the director: (i) An application fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule; and (ii) All documents specified as part of the application in this section or on the application form. (d) Decision and Appeal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 18.77, the procedures of this section shall apply to all safe parking permits. (1) Authority and findings. The director may approve a safe parking permit only after finding that: (i) The proposed safe parking use complies with the standards listed in subsection (f) of this Section 18.42.160. (ii) The proposed safe parking use at the location requested will not adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in the surrounding area. Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 23     *NOT YET APPROVED* 3 0160126_20231018_ay16 (iii) The proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the safe parking use. The application shall be denied where the information which is either submitted by the applicant or presented at the public hearing fails to satisfactorily substantiate such findings. (2) Decision by director. (i) The director shall prepare a written decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. (ii) The Department may host a community meeting, held virtually or in- person, and send mailed notice to owners and residents of property within 600 feet of the subject property notifying them of the date, time, location of the meeting. Notices shall be [sent/postmarked] 14 days prior to the community meeting. (iii) Following a community meeting, if one is held, or after the director has made a tentative decision to issue a permit, notice of the director's decision shall be given by mail to owners and residents of property within 600 feet of the subject property. The notice shall include the address of the property, a brief description of the proposed use, a brief description of the director's decision, and a description of how to appeal the decision. (iv) The director's decision shall become final fourteen (14) days after the date the notice is mailed unless an appeal is filed. The director may, for good cause, specify in writing a longer period for requesting a hearing at the time the director issues the decision. (3) Filing of appeal and withdrawal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 18.78, the process set forth in this subsection (d)(3) and subsections (d)(4)-(d)(5) below of this section shall apply to appeals of the director's decision on safe parking permits. (i) The applicant or subject property owner, or owners or residents/tenants of a property within 600 feet of the subject property, may file an appeal of the director's decision by filing a written request with the city clerk before the date the director's decision becomes final. The written request shall be filed in a manner prescribed by the director and shall be accompanied by a fee, as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. (ii) At any time prior to the hearing, the person requesting the hearing may withdraw the request. If the hearing request is withdrawn and 14 days have lapsed from the mailing date of the notice under subsection (d)(2) above, the proposed director's decision shall be final. (4) Decision by the city council on appeal. If a timely appeal is received by the city clerk, and not withdrawn, the director's decision shall be placed on the consent calendar of the city council within 45 days. The city council may: (i) Adopt the findings and recommendation of the director; or Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 24     *NOT YET APPROVED* 4 0160126_20231018_ay16 (ii) Remove the recommendation from the consent calendar, which shall require three votes, following which the city council shall adopt findings and take action on the application. (5) Decision by the city council final. The decision of the city council on appeal is final. (e) Duration of Permits. Permits shall be valid as provided in Section 18.77.100.for a period of up to 18 months unless suspended or revoked sooner as set forth in this section. (1) Extension term. If the director does not find any violation of the permit conditions or this Section during the initial 90-day period, the permit shall be automatically extended for up to an additional 270 calendar days. (2) Renewal term. If the director does not find any violation of the permit conditions or this section during the 270-day extension period, the permit shall be renewed and be valid for a period of up to one year or the expiration of this interim Ordinance No. 5490, whichever is earlier. (3) Expiration of interim ordinance. In no event shall a permit be valid beyond the expiration date of interim Ordinance No. 5490. (f) Standards and Conduct of Use. The following standards shall apply to all safe parking uses: (1) Qualifying site. Safe parking may be allowed on a parcel with an existing, legal church or religious institution use. (2) Number of vehicles. At no time shall more than 4 vehicles be used for safe parking. (3) Hours of operation. A safe parking use may only occur between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (4) Noise. Audio, video, generator, or other amplified sound that is audible outside the vehicles parked in the safe parking program is prohibited. Additionally, participants shall observe quiet hours from 10:00 p. m. to 7:00 a. m. (5) Shelter in vehicles. All persons receiving safe parking shall shelter within the vehicles. No person shall be housed in tents, lean-tos, or other temporary facilities. (6) Required facilities. Accessible restroom facilities, including a toilet and handwashing sink, shall be available to persons utilizing the site for safe parking at all times during the hours of operation. These facilities may be the existing onsite facilities or mobile facilities brought onsite on a temporary basis to serve persons utilizing safe parking. Whenever feasible, portable restroom facilities shall be located at least 25 feet from neighboring residential buildings and 25 feet from street frontages. In the event the lot configuration does Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 25     *NOT YET APPROVED* 5 0160126_20231018_ay16 not allow such siting, the Director shall have discretion to determine the location of the portable restroom and/or handwashing facilities. (7) Contact information. The following emergency contact information shall be posted on site in a place readily visible to persons utilizing safe parking: (i) a contact phone number for the safe parking program operator; (ii) the police non-emergency phone number; and (iii) 911. The safe parking program operator shall be available at all hours of operation at the posted phone number and shall be the first contact for non-emergency matters. The contact information described shall also be sent from the City by mail to the residents and owners within 600 feet of the program site. (8) Connection to county case management system. The safe parking use shall be managed and operated by a safe parking program operator that participates in the federal Homeless Management Information System with Santa Clara County or other county. (9) Safe, clean, orderly premises. The safe parking area and other onsite areas accessed by persons utilizing safe parking shall be maintained in a safe, clean and orderly condition and manner. (10) Compliance with laws. The safe parking use shall be operated in a manner that is fully in conformance with all state and local laws including regulations and permit requirements. (11) Annual Reporting. The safe parking program operator shall submit a report to the Director reflecting the prior calendar year’s activities. The report shall be submitted electronically in a format approved by the Director. The report shall include the number of individual participants in the calendar year, the number of nights each space was occupied each year, the disposition of each participant that exited the program during the calendar year (exit to housing, exit to homelessness, etc.), the city in which the person was last housed, and any complaints from neighbors communicated to the operator or permit holder along with the resolution of the complaints. Where a safe parking program operator operates multiple sites within the City of Palo Alto, the annual report may be combined. (12) Participant preferences. 1. A safe parking program provider shall develop a preference list to award available parking spaces with the following preferences: (i) First preference shall be given to families with students enrolled in a school district school Palo Alto. (ii) Second preference shall be given to those who: (1) Had, within the past five (5) years from the time of admittance to the safe parking lot, a legal address or resident address for purposes of voter registration in the City of Palo Alto; or (2) Work in Palo Alto. (c)Third preference shall be given to households with at least one member over the age of 65. (d) Fourth preference shall be given to a person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 26     *NOT YET APPROVED* 6 0160126_20231018_ay16 (13) Vehicle Idling. Vehicle idling is not allowed except as allowed under Chapter 10.62 of this code. (14) No temporary structures. No temporary structures or amenities, such as clotheslines, shall be allowed to be erected in relation to the safe parking program. (15) Personal property. All personal property shall be stored in participant vehicles. (16) Fire. No open fires or open flames are allowed. (17) Lot monitoring. The safe parking program operator shall deploy lot monitors to occupied safe parking lots. Lot monitors shall make at least three visits to the lots to ensure the safety of the participants and adherence to the operational conditions. Lot monitors are advised to be deployed in the early evening (lot opening – 10:00 p. m.), in the overnight hours (11 p. m. – 5 a. m.), and in the morning hours (6 a. m. – 8:00 a. m.). (g) No Assignment of Permit. No person shall assign or transfer a safe parking program permit issued under this section. (h) Suspension, Revocation and Modification. (1) Grounds for suspension, revocation or modification. The director may suspend, revoke or modify a permit, according to the procedures set forth in subsection (h)(2) below, if the director finds that: (i) Operation of the safe parking program violates any provision of this section, other applicable provision of this code, or state law; or (ii) Operation of the safe parking program is detrimental to public health, safety or the general welfare. (2) Procedure for suspension, revocation or modification of approval. (i) Public hearing by director (a) Notice to permit holder. Whenever the director believes that grounds for the suspension, revocation, or modification of a permit exist, the director shall give the permit holder written notice of the date, time and place of a hearing to be held before the director on whether the permit should be suspended, revoked, or modified. The notice shall state the alleged grounds for the proposed revocation, suspension or modification of the permit, and the notice shall be served on the permit holder by mail at least 10 days prior to the hearing at the most recent home or business address on file with the planning and development services department. (b) Notice to public. Notice of the hearing shall be given at least 10 days prior to the hearing by mailing to all residents and owners of property within 600 feet of the subject property. Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 27     *NOT YET APPROVED* 7 0160126_20231018_ay16 (ii) Decision of the director. (a) Within 10 days following the hearing, the director shall prepare a written decision to revoke, suspend, modify, or leave unchanged the permit. (b) Notice of the decision shall be provided by mail to the permit holder, by posting on the planning and development services' department's website and by email to other interested persons who requested notice to the planning and development services department. (c) The director's decision shall become final 10 days after the notice is mailed to the permit holder unless a timely appeal is filed. (iii) Request for appeal hearing. The permit holder or subject property owner, or owners or residents of a property within 600 feet of the subject property may file an appeal of the director's decision with the city clerk. The appeal shall be filed in written form in a manner prescribed by the director. (iv) Decision by the city council on appeal. If a timely appeal is received by the city clerk, and not withdrawn, the director's decision shall be placed on the consent calendar of the city council within 45 days. The city council may: (a) Adopt the findings and recommendation of the director; or (b) Remove the recommendation from the consent calendar, which shall require three votes, following which the city council shall adopt findings and take action on the application. (v) Effective date of revocation, suspension or modification. The decision of the city council is final. The revocation, suspension or modification will be effective 5 days after mailing of the decision addressed to the permit holder. SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 4. The Council finds that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which applies to minor alterations of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use. Adopting the Ordinance to allow the use of existing parking lots for temporary overnight safe parking would not constitute any significant expansion of use. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) also applies to the adoption of the Ordinance because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 28     *NOT YET APPROVED* 8 0160126_20231018_ay16 the activity of limited parking overnight in existing parking lots may have a significant effect on the environment. The Council further finds that the potential exceptions to the categorical exemption in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 are not applicable. Use of existing parking lots in the operation of temporary safe parking does not impose a significant cumulative impact over time as the use as a parking lot is generally unchanged and the safe parking use is limited to a short duration; it is not an unusual circumstance to modify the hours of use of existing facilities, and there is nothing unusual about the size or location of the existing parking lots at which temporary overnight safe parking would be allowed; the use of existing parking lots does not adversely impact scenic or historical resources; and the Ordinance does not involve hazardous sites as it relates to existing parking lots and no ground disturbance would result from implementation of the Ordinance. SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first date after the date of its adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Planning and Development Services Item 2 Attachment A - Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 29     An a l y s i s o f H o m e l e s s H o u s e h o l d s A f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e C i t y o f P a l o A l t o , C Y 2 0 2 2 • 27 6 h o m e l e s s h o u s e h o l d s w h o t o o k a V I - S P D A T a s s e s s m e n t d u r i n g J a n u a r y 1 , 2 0 2 2 t o D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 2 2 h a v e a n a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h t h e C i t y o f P a l o A l t o t h r o u g h an s w e r i n g “ P a l o A l t o ” t o a n y o f t h e f o l l o w i n g a s s e s s m e n t q u e s t i o n s : • If e m p l o y e d , w h a t c i t y d o y o u w o r k i n ? • If y o u g o t o s c h o o l , i n w h i c h c i t y i s y o u r s c h o o l ? • In w h i c h c i t y d o y o u s p e n d m o s t o f y o u r t i m e ? • Wh i c h c i t y d i d y o u l i v e i n p r i o r t o b e c o m i n g h o m e l e s s ? • Cit y o f P a l o A l t o a f f i l i a t e d h o u s e h o l d s ( “ P a l o A l t a n s ” ) a r e 4 % o f t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f h o u s e h o l d s w h o t o o k t h e V I - S P D A T d u r i n g t his p e r i o d ( 6 , 7 1 1 h o u s e h o l d s ) • 15 4 o r 5 6 % o f t h e s e h o u s e h o l d s t o o k t h e V I - S P D A T f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , a m e a s u r e o f h o m e l e s s i n f l o w . • Th e f o l l o w i n g a r e d e m o g r a p h i c s o f P a l o A l t a n s w h o t o o k t h e V I - S P D A T i n C Y 2 0 2 2 : 8% , 2 2 20 % , 5 4 21 % , 5 8 17 % , 4 6 21 % , 5 9 13 % , 3 7 010203040506070 18 t o 2 4 2 5 t o 3 4 3 5 t o 4 4 4 5 t o 5 4 5 5 t o 6 4 6 5 o r A b o v e By A g e T i e r Ma l e , 1 6 5 , 60 % Fem a l e , 1 0 9 , 40 % Tra n s g e n d e r , 1 , 0 % A g e n d e r oth e r t h a n sin g u l a r l y fem a l e o r ma l e ( e . g . , no n - b i n a r y , gen d e r f l u i d , age n d e r , cul t u r a l l y spe c i f i c gen d e r ) , 1 , 0% By G e n d e r Sin g l e A d u l t , 20 7 , 7 5 % Ho u s e h o l d wit h C h i l d r e n , 44 , 1 6 % Ho u s e h o l d wit h o u t C h i l d r e n , 25 , 9 % By H o u s e h o l d T y p e No n - His p a n i c / N o n -La t i n x , 1 8 4 , 67 % His p a n i c / Lat i n x , 9 1 , 33 % Cli e n t ref u s e d , 1 , 0% By E t h n i c i t y 8 5 12 8 1 57 1 15 69 1 9 6 83 3% , 9 5% , 1 5 27 % , 7 4 5% , 1 4 6% , 1 7 3% , 7 51 % , 1 4 0 020406080 10 0 12 0 14 0 Am e r i c a n Ind i a n , A l a s k a Na t i v e , o r Ind i g e n o u s Asi a n o r A s i a n Am e r i c a n Bla c k , A f r i c a n Am e r i c a n , o r Afr i c a n Da t a n o t col l e c t e d Mu l t i - R a c i a l N a t i v e H a w a i i a n or P a c i f i c Isla n d e r Wh i t e By R a c e a n d E t h n i c i t y No n - H i s p a n i c / No n - L a t i n x His p a n i c / L a t i n x Cli e n t r e f u s e d Item 2 Attachment B - Unhoused Palo Altans     Packet Pg. 30     An a l y s i s o f H o m e l e s s H o u s e h o l d s A f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e C i t y o f P a l o A l t o , C Y 2 0 2 2 ( C o n t ’ d ) 3% , 9 11 % , 3 1 5% , 1 5 9% , 2 4 12 % , 3 3 58 % , 1 6 1 1% , 3 020406080 10 0 12 0 14 0 16 0 18 0 Les s t h a n a we e k 1 w e e k - 3 mo n t h s 3 - 6 m o n t h s 6 m o n t h s t o 1 y e a r 1 - 2 y e a r s 2 y e a r s o r mo r e Cli e n t do e s n ' t kno w Ho w l o n g h a s i t b e e n s i n c e y o u l i v e d i n p e r m a n e n t sta b l e h o u s i n g ? Mi n i m a l Int e r v e n t i o n , 28 , 1 0 % Ra p i d Re h o u s i n g Ra n g e , 9 8 , 36 % Pe r m a n e n t Su p p o r t i v e Ho u s i n g Ra n g e , 1 5 0 , 54 % VI- S P D A T I n t e r v e n t i o n R a n g e (Le v e l o f N e e d ) • Th e f o l l o w i n g a r e a d d i t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e 2 7 6 h o m e l e s s P a l o A l t a n s w h o t o o k t h e V I - S P D A T a s s e s s m e n t d u r i n g C Y 2 0 2 2 . T o s u m m a r i z e a f e w o b s e r v a t i o n s : • 54 % s c o r e i n t h e P e r m a n e n t S u p p o r t i v e H o u s i n g r a n g e o f i n t e r v e n t i o n a n d 3 6 % s c o r e i n t h e R a p i d R e h o u s i n g r a n g e o f i n t e r v e n t i o n . • Ne a r l y 6 0 % r e p o r t 2 + y e a r s s i n c e p e r m a n e n t s t a b l e h o u s i n g • 33 % r e p o r t s l e e p i n g m o s t f r e q u e n t l y o u t d o o r s a n d 2 9 % i n t h e i r c a r s • 43 % r e p o r t a m e n t a l h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n a n d 3 2 % r e p o r t a s u b s t a n c e u s e d i s o r d e r 4% , 1 0 3% , 9 8% , 2 2 10 % , 2 7 14 % , 3 9 29 % , 7 9 33 % , 9 0 0 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 1 0 0 Da t a n o t c o l l e c t e d Tra n s i t i o n a l H o u s i n g Co u c h S u r f i n g Oth e r She l t e r s Ca r Ou t d o o r s Wh e r e d o y o u s l e e p m o s t fre q u e n t l y ? 55 % , 1 5 3 32 % , 8 7 30 % , 8 3 27 % , 7 5 29 % , 7 9 18 % , 5 1 16 % , 4 5 8% , 2 2 Me n t a l He a l t h Sub s t a n c e Us e Ch r o n i c He a l t h Lea r n i n g / De v e l o p m e n t a l Do m e s t i c Vio l e n c e Vic t i m / Su r v i v o r Jai l i n P a s t 6 M o n t h s Fo s t e r Ca r e Ba c k g r o u n d Ve t e r a n Sta t u s Dis a b i l i t i e s a n d O t h e r D e m o g r a p h i c s Item 2 Attachment B - Unhoused Palo Altans     Packet Pg. 31     En r o l l m e n t o f U n h o u s e d P a l o A l t a n s i n E m e r g e n c y S h e l t e r s , C Y 2 0 2 2 • 21 2 h o m e l e s s h o u s e h o l d s w h o w e r e a c t i v e l y e n r o l l e d i n e m e r g e n c y s h e l t e r p r o g r a m s d u r i n g C Y 2 0 2 2 h a v e a n a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h t h e C i t y o f P a l o A l t o t h r o u g h cur r e n t / p r i o r a d d r e s s , z i p c o d e o f l a s t p e r m a n e n t a d d r e s s , o r a n s w e r i n g “ P a l o A l t o ” t o a n y o f t h e f o l l o w i n g V I - S D P A T a s s e s s m e n t qu e s t i o n s : • If e m p l o y e d , w h a t c i t y d o y o u w o r k i n ? • If y o u g o t o s c h o o l , i n w h i c h c i t y i s y o u r s c h o o l ? • In w h i c h c i t y d o y o u s p e n d m o s t o f y o u r t i m e ? • Wh i c h c i t y d i d y o u l i v e i n p r i o r t o b e c o m i n g h o m e l e s s ? • Cit y o f P a l o A l t o a f f i l i a t e d h o u s e h o l d s ( “ P a l o A l t a n s ” ) a r e 5 % of t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f h o u s e h o l d s ( 4 , 5 8 5 ) a c t i v e l y e n r o l l e d i n e m e r g e n c y s h e l t e r p r o g r a m s du r i n g C Y 2 0 2 2 ( e x c l u d i n g F E M A I s o l a t i o n H o t e l s / M o t e l s ) . • Th e f o l l o w i n g c h a r t s h o w s t h e p e r c e n t a g e o f P a l o A l t a n s e n r o l l e d i n : • Sun n y v a l e N i g h t l y S h e l t e r ( 7 % o f h o u s e h o l d s ) • No r t h C o u n t y S h e l t e r s ( 1 6 % o f h o u s e h o l d s ) • No n - N o r t h C o u n t y S h e l t e r s ( 3 % o f h o u s e h o l d s ) No r t h C o u n t y E m e r g e n c y S h e l t e r p r o g r a m s inc l u d e t h e f o l l o w i n g : • Bil l W i l s o n C e n t e r - Y o u t h S h e l t e r N o r t h C o u n t y • Ho m e F i r s t - M o u n t a i n V i e w N i g h t l y S h e l t e r • Ho m e F i r s t - S u n n y v a l e N i g h t l y S h e l t e r • Life M o v e s - M o u n t a i n V i e w - E S - F a m i l i e s • Life M o v e s - L i f e m o v e s - M o u n t a i n V i e w - E S - Sin g l e s a n d C o u p l e s • Life M o v e s - O S C - E S - H o t e l d e Z i n k - O S H 93 % , 3 2 9 84 % , 6 2 2 97 % , 3 , 9 9 3 7% , 2 4 16 % , 1 2 2 3% , 1 0 5 35 3 74 4 4,0 9 8 SU N N Y V A L E N I G H T L Y SH E L T E R NO R T H C O U N T Y SH E L T E R S OU T S I D E O F NO R T H C O U N T Y Ho u s e h o l d s E n r o l l e d i n E m e r g e n c y S h e l t e r s , C Y 2 0 2 2 Pal o A l t a n s Oth e r Item 2 Attachment B - Unhoused Palo Altans     Packet Pg. 32     Cit y o f P a l o A l t o R e s u l t s – T o t a l A s s e s s m e n t s a n d H o m e l e s s I n f l o w •Ho m e l e s s i n f l o w i s d e f i n e d h e r e a s t h e f i r s t t i m e a c l i e n t t a k e s a V I - S P D A T a s s e s s m e n t . •In 2 0 2 2 , P a l o A l t o - a f f i l i a t e d h o u s e h o l d s m a k e u p 4 . 6 % o f t o t a l h o m e l e s s i n f l o w , w h i c h i s low e r t h a n C Y 2 0 2 1 . •For h o m e l e s s i n f l o w , c i t y a f f i l i a t i o n i s e s t a b l i s h e d b y o n l y V I - S P D A T a s s e s s m e n t q u e s t i o n s : cit y o f w o r k / s c h o o l , c i t y l i v e d i n p r i o r t o h o m e l e s s n e s s , a n d s p e n d i n g m o s t o f o n e ’ s t i m e i n the c i t y . Ho m e l e s s I n f l o w T r e n d 60 15 4 27 6 0 5 0 1 0 0 1 5 0 2 0 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 PLA C E D I N H O U S I N G ( H E A D O F H O U S E H O L D ) : MO V E I N D A T E O R E X I T T O P E R M A N E N T HO U S I N G HO M E L E S S I N F L O W : R E Q U E S T I N G A S S I S T A N C E FO R T H E F I R S T T I M E ( C L I E N T S W H O T O O K T H E VI- S P D A T F O R T H E F I R S T T I M E I N C Y 2 0 2 2 ) HO M E L E S S I N C Y 2 0 2 2 ( V I - S P D A T S C O M P L E T E D AN Y T I M E I N C Y 2 0 2 2 ) Ho u s e h o l d s A f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e C i t y o f P a l o A l t o , CY 2 0 2 2 Item 2 Attachment B - Unhoused Palo Altans     Packet Pg. 33     Item 2 Attachment C - Point In Time Count     Packet Pg. 34     Item 2 Attachment D - Map of Safe Parking Sites     Packet Pg. 35     Item No. 3. Page 1 of 1 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report From: Planning and Development Services Director Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: October 25, 2023 Report #: 2310-2135 TITLE LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed Amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to Permanently Establish the Congregation-Based Safe Parking Program by Allowing Overnight Safe Parking as an Ancillary Use to a Church’s and Religious Institution’s Use in All Zoning Districts Where Churches and Religious Institutions are Allowed Uses, and Establishing Regulations Related to Safe Parking, Including a Maximum Number of Vehicles Per Night on Each Site. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning and Transportation Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18 (Zoning) Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) to codify the congregation-based safe parking program. ANALYSIS Staff advises the Planning and Transportation Commission to review the staff report regarding Safe Parking provided for the joint study session between the Planning and Transportation Commission and the Human Relations Commission. That report and draft ordinance attached to it are the subject of this proposed action. Attachment A: Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs Item 3 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 36     *NOT YET APPROVED* 1 0160126_20231018_ay16 Ordinance No. _____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs. SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows: A. The number of households dwelling in vehicles has grown substantially in the past decade. The lack of stable, affordable housing and other life circumstances have contributed to this growth. B. On thoroughfares throughout the city, individuals, families, and households of many kinds can be found dwelling in recreational vehicles, trucks, vans, cars, and other motorized vehicles. C. The City must, for the health, safety, and welfare of the community, identify and implement short-term and long-term solutions that support these households as they pursue and ultimately secure affordable, stable housing. Safe parking programs, which offer off-street, authorized parking spots in parking lots for households dwelling in their vehicles, represent a short-term solution. D. Churches and other religious institutions have expressed a desire and willingness to make their parking areas available for safe parking programs. Allowing such legally operating churches and other religious institutions to host safe parking programs for up to four vehicles in their parking lots overnight provides assistance to homeless households as they seek and follow a path towards stable housing. The provision of such assistance is a use consistent with the mission and purpose of many congregations and religious institutions. E. The presence of four vehicles in such parking lots overnight and the accompanying administration of assistance is a minor additional use that would not conflict with the primary use of the properties nor threaten the health, safety, or welfare of the community or its inhabitants. The administration of such programs serves to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the community. SECTION 2. Section 18.42.160 (Safe Parking) of Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is amended to read as follows [additions are underlined and deletions struck-through]. 18.42.160 Safe Parking. The following regulations apply to zoning districts where safe parking use is permitted. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 37     *NOT YET APPROVED* 2 0160126_20231018_ay16 (a) Purpose. The intent of this section is to establish regulations to govern the operation of safe parking programs at churches and religious institutions within the city of Palo Alto. The safe parking programs provide interim assistance to households using vehicles as their residence by providing a safe place to park, access to restroom facilities, connection to social service programs, and other support to transition households into permanent, stable housing. (b) Definitions (1) "Safe parking" means the providing of shelter of homeless persons as an incidental use to an existing, legal church or religious institution use where the shelter is provided in vehicles located in designated paved safe parking areas. (2) "Safe parking area" means the paved area where the vehicles are parked for the safe parking use. (3) "Safe parking program operator" means an agency or organization that facilitates, administers, oversees, and provides staffing for safe parking uses in safe parking areas. (c) Safe Parking Permit Required (1) Permit required. No person shall operate, allow, permit or suffer a safe parking use without approval of a valid safe parking permit. (2) Application requirements. All applications pursuant to this section shall be filed with the director in a form prescribed by the director. The application form shall contain a list of information that must be submitted in order for the application to be deemed complete. (3) Receipt of application. No application shall be deemed received until the following have been provided to the director: (i) An application fee as set forth in the municipal fee schedule; and (ii) All documents specified as part of the application in this section or on the application form. (d) Decision and Appeal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 18.77, the procedures of this section shall apply to all safe parking permits. (1) Authority and findings. The director may approve a safe parking permit only after finding that: (i) The proposed safe parking use complies with the standards listed in subsection (f) of this Section 18.42.160. (ii) The proposed safe parking use at the location requested will not adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing or working in the surrounding area. (iii) The proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the safe parking use. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 38     *NOT YET APPROVED* 3 0160126_20231018_ay16 The application shall be denied where the information which is either submitted by the applicant or presented at the public hearing fails to satisfactorily substantiate such findings. (2) Decision by director. (i) The director shall prepare a written decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. (ii) The Department may host a community meeting, held virtually or in- person, and send mailed notice to owners and residents of property within 600 feet of the subject property notifying them of the date, time, location of the meeting. Notices shall be [sent/postmarked] 14 days prior to the community meeting. (iii) Following a community meeting, if one is held, or after the director has made a tentative decision to issue a permit, notice of the director's decision shall be given by mail to owners and residents of property within 600 feet of the subject property. The notice shall include the address of the property, a brief description of the proposed use, a brief description of the director's decision, and a description of how to appeal the decision. (iv) The director's decision shall become final fourteen (14) days after the date the notice is mailed unless an appeal is filed. The director may, for good cause, specify in writing a longer period for requesting a hearing at the time the director issues the decision. (3) Filing of appeal and withdrawal. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 18.78, the process set forth in this subsection (d)(3) and subsections (d)(4)-(d)(5) below of this section shall apply to appeals of the director's decision on safe parking permits. (i) The applicant or subject property owner, or owners or residents/tenants of a property within 600 feet of the subject property, may file an appeal of the director's decision by filing a written request with the city clerk before the date the director's decision becomes final. The written request shall be filed in a manner prescribed by the director and shall be accompanied by a fee, as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. (ii) At any time prior to the hearing, the person requesting the hearing may withdraw the request. If the hearing request is withdrawn and 14 days have lapsed from the mailing date of the notice under subsection (d)(2) above, the proposed director's decision shall be final. (4) Decision by the city council on appeal. If a timely appeal is received by the city clerk, and not withdrawn, the director's decision shall be placed on the consent calendar of the city council within 45 days. The city council may: (i) Adopt the findings and recommendation of the director; or (ii) Remove the recommendation from the consent calendar, which shall require three votes, following which the city council shall adopt findings and take action on the application. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 39     *NOT YET APPROVED* 4 0160126_20231018_ay16 (5) Decision by the city council final. The decision of the city council on appeal is final. (e) Duration of Permits. Permits shall be valid as provided in Section 18.77.100.for a period of up to 18 months unless suspended or revoked sooner as set forth in this section. (1) Extension term. If the director does not find any violation of the permit conditions or this Section during the initial 90-day period, the permit shall be automatically extended for up to an additional 270 calendar days. (2) Renewal term. If the director does not find any violation of the permit conditions or this section during the 270-day extension period, the permit shall be renewed and be valid for a period of up to one year or the expiration of this interim Ordinance No. 5490, whichever is earlier. (3) Expiration of interim ordinance. In no event shall a permit be valid beyond the expiration date of interim Ordinance No. 5490. (f) Standards and Conduct of Use. The following standards shall apply to all safe parking uses: (1) Qualifying site. Safe parking may be allowed on a parcel with an existing, legal church or religious institution use. (2) Number of vehicles. At no time shall more than 4 vehicles be used for safe parking. (3) Hours of operation. A safe parking use may only occur between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (4) Noise. Audio, video, generator, or other amplified sound that is audible outside the vehicles parked in the safe parking program is prohibited. Additionally, participants shall observe quiet hours from 10:00 p. m. to 7:00 a. m. (5) Shelter in vehicles. All persons receiving safe parking shall shelter within the vehicles. No person shall be housed in tents, lean-tos, or other temporary facilities. (6) Required facilities. Accessible restroom facilities, including a toilet and handwashing sink, shall be available to persons utilizing the site for safe parking at all times during the hours of operation. These facilities may be the existing onsite facilities or mobile facilities brought onsite on a temporary basis to serve persons utilizing safe parking. Whenever feasible, portable restroom facilities shall be located at least 25 feet from neighboring residential buildings and 25 feet from street frontages. In the event the lot configuration does not allow such siting, the Director shall have discretion to determine the location of the portable restroom and/or handwashing facilities. (7) Contact information. The following emergency contact information shall be posted on site in a place readily visible to persons utilizing safe parking: (i) a contact phone number for the safe parking program operator; (ii) the police non-emergency phone number; and (iii) 911. The safe parking program operator shall be available at all hours of operation at the posted phone number and shall be the first contact for non-emergency matters. The contact Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 40     *NOT YET APPROVED* 5 0160126_20231018_ay16 information described shall also be sent from the City by mail to the residents and owners within 600 feet of the program site. (8) Connection to county case management system. The safe parking use shall be managed and operated by a safe parking program operator that participates in the federal Homeless Management Information System with Santa Clara County or other county. (9) Safe, clean, orderly premises. The safe parking area and other onsite areas accessed by persons utilizing safe parking shall be maintained in a safe, clean and orderly condition and manner. (10) Compliance with laws. The safe parking use shall be operated in a manner that is fully in conformance with all state and local laws including regulations and permit requirements. (11) Annual Reporting. The safe parking program operator shall submit a report to the Director reflecting the prior calendar year’s activities. The report shall be submitted electronically in a format approved by the Director. The report shall include the number of individual participants in the calendar year, the number of nights each space was occupied each year, the disposition of each participant that exited the program during the calendar year (exit to housing, exit to homelessness, etc.), the city in which the person was last housed, and any complaints from neighbors communicated to the operator or permit holder along with the resolution of the complaints. Where a safe parking program operator operates multiple sites within the City of Palo Alto, the annual report may be combined. (12) Participant preferences. 1. A safe parking program provider shall develop a preference list to award available parking spaces with the following preferences: (i) First preference shall be given to families with students enrolled in a school district school Palo Alto. (ii) Second preference shall be given to those who: (1) Had, within the past five (5) years from the time of admittance to the safe parking lot, a legal address or resident address for purposes of voter registration in the City of Palo Alto; or (2) Work in Palo Alto. (c)Third preference shall be given to households with at least one member over the age of 65. (d) Fourth preference shall be given to a person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (13) Vehicle Idling. Vehicle idling is prohibited except as allowed under Chapter 10.62 of this code. (14) No temporary structures. No temporary structures or amenities, such as clotheslines, shall be allowed to be erected in relation to the safe parking program. (15) Personal property. All personal property shall be stored in participant vehicles. (16) Fire. No open fires or open flames are allowed. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 41     *NOT YET APPROVED* 6 0160126_20231018_ay16 (17) Lot monitoring. The safe parking program operator shall deploy lot monitors to occupied safe parking lots. Lot monitors shall make at least three visits to the lots to ensure the safety of the participants and adherence to the operational conditions. Lot monitors are advised to be deployed in the early evening (lot opening – 10:00 p. m.), in the overnight hours (11 p. m. – 5 a. m.), and in the morning hours (6 a. m. – 8:00 a. m.). (g) No Assignment of Permit. No person shall assign or transfer a safe parking program permit issued under this section. (h) Suspension, Revocation and Modification. (1) Grounds for suspension, revocation or modification. The director may suspend, revoke or modify a permit, according to the procedures set forth in subsection (h)(2) below, if the director finds that: (i) Operation of the safe parking program violates any provision of this section, other applicable provision of this code, or state law; or (ii) Operation of the safe parking program is detrimental to public health, safety or the general welfare. (2) Procedure for suspension, revocation or modification of approval. (i) Public hearing by director (a) Notice to permit holder. Whenever the director believes that grounds for the suspension, revocation, or modification of a permit exist, the director shall give the permit holder written notice of the date, time and place of a hearing to be held before the director on whether the permit should be suspended, revoked, or modified. The notice shall state the alleged grounds for the proposed revocation, suspension or modification of the permit, and the notice shall be served on the permit holder by mail at least 10 days prior to the hearing at the most recent home or business address on file with the planning and development services department. (b) Notice to public. Notice of the hearing shall be given at least 10 days prior to the hearing by mailing to all residents and owners of property within 600 feet of the subject property. (ii) Decision of the director. (a) Within 10 days following the hearing, the director shall prepare a written decision to revoke, suspend, modify, or leave unchanged the permit. (b) Notice of the decision shall be provided by mail to the permit holder, by posting on the planning and development services' department's website and by email to other interested persons who requested notice to the planning and development services department. (c) The director's decision shall become final 10 days after the notice is mailed to the permit holder unless a timely appeal is filed. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 42     *NOT YET APPROVED* 7 0160126_20231018_ay16 (iii) Request for appeal hearing. The permit holder or subject property owner, or owners or residents of a property within 600 feet of the subject property may file an appeal of the director's decision with the city clerk. The appeal shall be filed in written form in a manner prescribed by the director. (iv) Decision by the city council on appeal. If a timely appeal is received by the city clerk, and not withdrawn, the director's decision shall be placed on the consent calendar of the city council within 45 days. The city council may: (a) Adopt the findings and recommendation of the director; or (b) Remove the recommendation from the consent calendar, which shall require three votes, following which the city council shall adopt findings and take action on the application. (v) Effective date of revocation, suspension or modification. The decision of the city council is final. The revocation, suspension or modification will be effective 5 days after mailing of the decision addressed to the permit holder. SECTION 3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional. SECTION 4. The Council finds that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, which applies to minor alterations of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use. Adopting the Ordinance to allow the use of existing parking lots for temporary overnight safe parking would not constitute any significant expansion of use. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) also applies to the adoption of the Ordinance because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity of limited parking overnight in existing parking lots may have a significant effect on the environment. The Council further finds that the potential exceptions to the categorical exemption in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 are not applicable. Use of existing parking lots in the operation of temporary safe parking does not impose a significant cumulative impact over time as the use as a parking lot is generally unchanged and the safe parking use is limited to a short duration; it is not an unusual circumstance to modify the hours of use of existing facilities, and there is nothing unusual about the size or location of the existing parking lots at which temporary overnight safe parking would be allowed; the use of existing parking lots does not adversely impact scenic or historical resources; and the Ordinance does not involve hazardous sites as it relates to existing parking lots and no ground disturbance would result from implementation of the Ordinance. Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 43     *NOT YET APPROVED* 8 0160126_20231018_ay16 SECTION 5. This Ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first date after the date of its adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Planning and Development Services Item 3 Attachment A Ordinance Adopting Permanent Regulations for Safe Overnight Parking Programs     Packet Pg. 44     Item No. 4. Page 1 of 3 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report From: Planning and Development Services Director Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: October 25, 2023 Report #: 2309-2087 TITLE Study Session: Retail Study Introduction and Update RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) receive the staff and consultant presentations regarding the retail study project scope and status. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is to provide the PTC with an introduction to the retail study project, which is currently underway. The PTC may ask questions about the draft report and project tasks undertaken or planned by the City’s consultant, Michael Baker International (MBI). The goal of this study is to help the City of Palo Alto to modernize its regulations and ensure vibrant commercial areas. This effort is made in concert with work prepared by economic development strategy consultant, Streetsense, and ties in many other Council priority initiatives related to retail including developing a citywide retail and retail recovery ordinance, review of retail preservation policies, and consideration of regulatory standards for conditional use thresholds. Staff’s objective is to enable the PTC to learn about the project and project timeline, meet with the consultant, and learn how MBI’s scope of work relates to work of Streetsense and City Council direction on August 14, 2023. The consultants will be available to answer Commission questions and discuss anticipated timelines and expectations. This project includes future amendments to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Title 18, Zoning. Attachment A is an excerpt of the consultant’s project scope. BACKGROUND Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council has held several meetings advancing policy initiatives and directing staff to pursue a variety of zoning code amendments to support small businesses and retailers in Palo Alto. Topics included relaxed standards for placing merchandise in open air areas, facilitating parklets on the street and outdoor dining in parking lots. Council directed changes to the retail use definition in the zoning code and expanded its Item 4 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 45     Item No. 4. Page 2 of 3 direction to include neighborhood and district specific regulations for commercial retail with the goal to support a thriving retail environment. Over several years the scope has expanded and now incorporates the guidance from Streetsense, the City’s consultant assisting Palo Alto with developing a comprehensive economic development strategy. Streetsense Streetsense was engaged in the fall of 2022 to develop market-informed economic development strategies to ensure Palo Alto’s ongoing regional competitiveness by identifying impactful public sector interventions and investments for which there is both need and consensus for action. The strategies identified in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy aim to reflect the delicate ecosystem that drives the vibrancy of the City’s downtown and commercial centers with a focus on the retail and hospitality sectors significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting hybrid work environment. The economic development strategies endorsed by the City Council on August 14, 2023, are intended to inform future resource allocation, policy and programming decisions for the City of Palo Alto. Three guiding principles emerged from this study that seek to: 1. Reinforce each district's distinct scale and offerings by stabilizing and reinforcing Downtown as a destination, embracing California Avenue as a community and neighborhood serving place, and supporting existing Neighborhood Centers 2. Improve accessibility by embracing walking and biking solutions to/from/within all of the City's commercial districts and addressing parking policies and systems 3. Adopt policies that reflect changing market conditions by easing the regulatory burden for businesses, removing outdating restrictions that create hurdles to tenancy, and focus retail and retail like uses in places where they are market supported. Each guiding principle included several recommendations, and the report serves as a roadmap for coming economic development work. The work of the MBI project discussed in this report will inform the City’s review of the retail protection ordinance and options for how to further enhance retail uses in the City. A link to the Streetsense report, staff report, and Council minutes are provided below1. Prior PTC Review The PTC had previously reviewed an ordinance to address the conditional use permit thresholds for certain land uses in an effort to facilitate the establishment of more retail and retail-like uses. This work was eventually supported by the City Council on a temporary basis and that corresponding ordinance is set to expire in June 2024. Staff anticipates needing to temporarily extend that ordinance for an additional time period until the work identified in this report can be completed. 1 Link to Council Agenda of August 18, 2023; Item #5 is the Street Sense report within the staff report. Item 4 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 46     Item No. 4. Page 3 of 3 DISCUSSION Prior to hiring Streetsense, staff had engaged MBI to help advance some early Council direction regarding retail uses in the City. As additional work was assigned and with the anticipation that Streetsense was reaching a conclusion, staff updated and expanded on MBI’s scope. The additional scope was to analyze the City’s existing regulatory retail framework, rules, and procedures, and to compare that to other jurisdictions and best management practices. MBI has engaged stakeholders and interviewed representatives from other jurisdictions. As shown in the attached project description, MBI has been asked to evaluate and make recommendations to the City on specific zoning code changes to achieve the City’s goal of ensuring a vibrant retail environment. To this end, MBI’s work will be informed by Streetsense’s analysis and findings. The purpose of this study session is to bring the community and PTC up to date on the staff and consultant’s work in this regard. Initial feedback is welcome, particularly if there are aspects of the project description that the Commission believes are missing and critical to future policy decision-making. Staff anticipates returning to the PTC next spring with a draft report and consultant policy recommendations. The goal is to present a final report with PTC recommendations to CIty Council prior to the end of the fiscal year (June 2024). The final report will include specific actions the City would take to amend the code; this work would include future hearings before the PTC and Council through the balance of 2024. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT This is a study session report; no action is being taken and therefore there is no fiscal impact. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT MBI will be discussing the approach to stakeholder involvement with the PTC during the PTC meeting. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Scope of Work Revised Spring 2023 AUTHOR/TITLE: Amy French, Chief Planning Official Item 4 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 47     Scope of Work Next Phase, City of Palo Alto Retail Recovery Study Michael Baker International Submitted: March 24, 2023 Purpose: The Retail Recovery Study takes an in-depth approach to evaluating the challenges facing the current retail environment in the City of Palo Alto due primarily to economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and provides a path to recovery through a resiliency plan. This includes general retail trends, the transition from brick & mortar spaces towards the internet commerce, and the transition to experience retail and open gathering spaces. The study, which accounts for different forms of retail establishments but focuses particularly on small business, is developed from pertinent data collected through city documents, industry literature, peer reviews, and interviews with local retail stakeholders. The study is also informed from City-led economic development and planning efforts such as the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element; Interim CUP Thresholds Ordinance in place through June 2024, and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy by Streetsense (expected June 2023). Objectives of the study include the following: Evaluate “Retail Preservation” and identify recommendation for change, if any Evaluate other constraints on retail and retail-like uses, such as CUP thresholds and parking to validate or report on findings based on in-field observations and best management practices Recommend and develop citywide and “district-by-district” neighborhood retail and retail-like regulations (drawing from localized influence and Streetsense report) with an emphasis on making regulations more standardized across districts Deliverables will provide an informed status report with “best management practices” related to retail retention, both on a citywide basis and for specific commercial areas within the City. Michael Baker will undertake the following tasks in carrying out the retail recovery study. Task 1: Conduct small business interviews Work with City to obtain up to 12 total small business contacts in study areas; additional interviews to be conducted based on request from City. The City will identify and provide the contacts of interviewees. Develop a short interview script and obtain approval from City Schedule and conduct virtual/phone interviews; City introduction to the businesses and assistance with scheduling may be required Prepare notes from interviews and provide them to City Deliverable: Interview script to be reviewed by City Item 4 Attachment A Revised Scope Palo Alto Retail Recovery     Packet Pg. 48     Interview notes Task 2: Conduct additional focused peer research on best practice Target most appropriate comparable jurisdiction (e.g. Santa Monica) zoning and its applicability to Palo Alto Review zoning regulations and contact Santa Monica planning staff with questions (as needed) Note similarities to Palo Alto and tie research findings to select recommendations for the study Deliverable: Memo to City summarizing data findings from peer research and relation to Palo Alto retail recovery Task 3: Evaluate Constraints of Parking on Retail Coordinate with City Transportation staff to understand parking management strategies and existing information on parking inventory for University Avenue and California Avenue parking districts as well as El Camino Real and Middlefield Road (retail areas). Intent is to use existing information and fact check that to business owner sentiment. Complete Conduct analysis that compares validates understanding of parking resources available to businesses and the interviewees’ (Task 1) impressions perceptions as to whether the resources are operating sufficiently sufficient or not. Identify possible impacts on retail establishments in Palo Alto. City-provided map shows retail locations within and outside AB 2097 areas. Conduct peer and industry research and provide responses to the following questions: o Does reduced parking reduce any barriers to entry? o Do retailers want parking? Even if cities do not require it, do retailers want to have parking to make their business work? o How does the law impact curb management? o How does this affect retail locations outside of the AB 2097 areas? Prepare findings and policy recommendations for inclusion in report Deliverable: Memo summarizing implications of parking on Palo Alto retail (inside and outside of the AB 2097 areas), and policy recommendations and best management practices. Task 4: Analysis of Retail Preservation Ordinance Summarize the retail preservation program, its goals and why it was established. o Address the amendment to allow waivers. Assess as to whether the goals were met and whether the waiver amendment was successful. o How many people took advantage of it? o Application data to be provided by the City Item 4 Attachment A Revised Scope Palo Alto Retail Recovery     Packet Pg. 49     Deliverable: Analysis to be included in the updated report. Task 5: Analysis of Formula/Chain Store Regulations on California Avenue Summarize implications of formula/chain store regulations for California Avenue: o Quantitative analysis of whether these regulations are beneficial to the City’s interests or not. o Provide recommendations to address Deliverable: Analysis to be included in the updated report. Task 6: Update Retail Recovery Report Communicate and respond to City comments provided on 1st administrative draft: o More specific Palo Alto specific information to be included throughout the document. o Provide references to interviewees of businesses (Task 1) o Analysis of effectiveness of retail preservation program and recommendation of retooled retail preservation program where appropriate. o Comprehensive zoning clean up of mature complex code o Consider broadening the definition of retail and retail-like considering new trends in experience retail Integrate data from the above tasks into the report with focus on specific zoning recommendations linked to peer review Review City Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) drafted by Streetsense o Use CEDS as an information tool to elaborate on scope of the retail challenge Conduct qualitative analysis of CEDS data Summarize CEDS elements to inform more specific retail findings and policies, with focus on neighborhood retail Reformat administrative report to summarize the study purpose and analysis method, and recommendations and justification in the report body. Revised report will contains sections including, but not limited to, the following: o Shift of other study data from the draft report to an appendix, including retail trends, local market research and existing zoning, peer review findings, and outreach summaries o Definition of retail and the retail commercial areas (drawing information from other jurisdictions, best management practices and specific tailored recommendations for Palo Alto: Specific recommendations on the interchangeability of land use, based on the new retail definition (i.e.. how to facilitate a definition for more flexible retail, Item 4 Attachment A Revised Scope Palo Alto Retail Recovery     Packet Pg. 50     medical, commercial recreation, entertainment, etc.) building on the City’s efforts for CUP thresholds and prior work with the Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) and City Council o Restatement of citywide retail recovery/resiliency objectives (integrating Streetsense findings) o District-specific analysis: summarize existing conditions and recommend changes to achieve objectives. Changes may be in areas such as land use and zoning regulation; parking; approval process, and; other regulations. The following will be included to set up the discussion: Stated understanding of the City’s interests in these areas (glean from zoning code intent) Observations and recommendations o Maps: Owner properties: Stanford shopping center; Town & Country; Charleston Center; Alma Plaza; Edgewood; College Terrace Center Other areas: Small lot nodes along El Camino Real; Mid-town; San Antonio; Downtown; California Avenue o Policy recommendations to promote/support small business resiliency o Recommendation and definition of “roadmap to Palo Alto retail recovery and resiliency” Deliverable: Revised draft submitted to City for comment Screencheck draft submitted to City for review Final Report Task 7: Meeting attendance Prepare for and attend up to six (6) PTC meetings virtually to present and discuss the study Prepare for and attend up to two (2) City Council meetings virtually to present and discuss the study Deliverable: Draft PowerPoint Presentation Task 8: Amend Zoning Code Amend Zoning Code to reflect recommended policy initiatives o Subsequent scope and pricing to be determined based on recommendations Item 4 Attachment A Revised Scope Palo Alto Retail Recovery     Packet Pg. 51     Item 4 Attachment A Revised Scope Palo Alto Retail Recovery     Packet Pg. 52     Item No. 5. Page 1 of 1 Planning & Transportation Commission Staff Report From: Planning and Development Services Director Lead Department: Planning and Development Services Meeting Date: October 25, 2023 Report #: 2310-2127 TITLE Approval of Planning & Transportation Commission Draft Verbatim & Summary Minutes of September 13, 2023 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC) adopt the meeting minutes. BACKGROUND Draft verbatim and summary minutes from the September 13, 2023 Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) meeting was made available to the Commissioners prior to the October 25, 2023 meeting date. The draft PTC minutes can be viewed online on the City’s website at bit.ly/PaloAltoPTC. ATTACHMENTS There are no attachments. AUTHOR/TITLE: Veronica Dao, Administrative Associate Item 5 Staff Report     Packet Pg. 53