HomeMy WebLinkAboutID-3189-Part-A
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3189)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action ItemsMeeting Date: 12/3/2012
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Summary Title: Arts & Innovation District (27 University Avenue) (cntd from
9/24)
Title: Request for Council to (1) Review Revised Arts and Innovation (A&I)
District Master Plan Concept (including 27 University), a Revised Letter of
Intent with TheatreWorks, Preliminary Traffic Assessment, and Draft
Timeline for Master Plan; and (2) Direct the City Attorney to Draft Ballot
Measure Language for Council Consideration for the June election.
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Review and comment on the revised Arts and Innovation (A&I) District Master Plan
concept;
2) Review and authorize staff to execute the attached revised Letter of Intent with
TheatreWorks to collaborate on a Theater Arts Performance Center in the Arts and
Innovation District;
3) Direct the City Attorney to draft an advisory measure for the June election to ask voters
whether (1) the City Council should initiate a change in the Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Code to facilitate the master plan, and (2) the City Council should exchange the
unused “panhandle” portion of El Camino Park for more usable portion of adjacent land
to facilitate better site planning for the master plan;
4) Review summary of outreach to Planning and Transportation Commission and
Architectural Review Board for the master plan;
5) Review summary of outreach to Planning and Transportation Commission and
Architectural Review Board for the city-side height limit;
6) Review draft timeline for the master plan; and
7) Review the preliminary traffic assessment
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Executive Summary
The concept for the Arts and Innovation District, first presented to the City Council on
September 24, 2012, has been revised. The revisions address comments made by the Council
and members and the public that evening, as well as comments made by commissioners, board
members and the public at subsequent meetings. The primary revisions to the master plan
concept are the reduction of the height and floor area of the office buildings, and the reduction
of the height of the theater fly tower. In addition, the historic Julia Morgan Hostess House
building is shown relocated to El Camino Park. The Hostess House would face El Camino Real
with its entrance aligned with the entrance to Stanford Shopping Center.
Attachments A and B describe the revisions to the master plan concept that have been made
since it was presented to the Council in September. Highlights include:
Reduction in office floor area
Reduction in office building height
Modification to building massing of offices and theater
Pedestrian and bicycle circulation to and through the site
Integration with El Camino Park
The Arts and Innovation District master planning effort is being led by the City of Palo Alto. The
planning was anticipated in the Stanford Hospital Projects approval, in which the City sought
funding in the Development Agreement to plan for future uses and improve connections
between Downtown, Stanford, and the Stanford Shopping Center and better utilization and
integration of the Transit Center. In the context of a concept proposed by developer and
philanthropist John Arrillaga for use of Stanford lands, the City thought it was an opportune
time to initiate planning for this area, especially if Mr. Arrillaga proceeds with a development
application on the site. The master plan concept is for a non-profit project, with contributions
to a new transit center, a new performing arts theater for TheatreWorks, and relocation of the
historic Julia Morgan Hostess House to be a part of El Camino Park.
A set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) has been prepared to provide an overview of key
master plan elements and issues. Whereas this report is a follow-up to the September 24th
Council meeting and addresses specific issues raised in that meeting, the FAQs provide a more
narrative, broader overview of the master plan. The FAQs will also be continually updated. The
FAQs are included as Attachment C, and on November 21st the FAQs were posted on the City’s
website.
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The FAQs provide an overview of the master plan and provides information on:
Master Plan History
Land Use and Architecture
Traffic Impacts
Economic Benefits
El Camino Park
Community Input and Public Vote
The City Council review of the master plan concept on September 24, 2012 resulted in Council
questions and comments, cited in the Background section of this report. A summary matrix of
comments from the meeting is included as Attachment D.
Following Council feedback, staff engaged the Planning and Transportation (PTC) and the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) in public meetings as described in this report and reflected in
attached meeting minutes (Attachments E, H, I, J, and O). Associated PTC and ARB staff reports
are also provided (Attachments F, M, N, and R). Commissioner questions and staff answers for
the 10/24/12 meeting are included (Attachment L). Letters of support from transit agencies are
included (Attachment S) as well as a revised Letter of Intent (LOI) with TheatreWorks
(Attachment T).
There has also been significant community feedback and commentary on the master plan and
project concept that was presented on September 24. Further public outreach is essential and
is planned as discussed in this report. The Discussion section of this report provides responses
to Council questions and comments, and summarizes the feedback obtained from PTC.
Council has been provided a preliminary traffic assessment for the master plan concept
(Attachment G). Preliminarily, up to 3,000 new vehicle trips per day may be realized by the
project between the proposed office and theatre uses, prior to any reductions from
Transportation Demand Management solutions. This traffic would include 310 new trips during
the AM commute period and another 328 trips during the PM peak period. Potential new
roadway improvements include an extension of Quarry Road east of El Camino Real into the
site as well as improvements to the existing Mitchell Lane and the circular road around
University Avenue. Significant Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures would be
incorporated as a critical feature of the plan, together with mitigating traffic impacts. A
complete traffic analysis would be prepared as part of an Environmental Impact Review (EIR)
process.
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Background
On September 24, 2012, the City Council reviewed the master plan concept and gave staff
direction to return to Council no later than the second meeting in November* with the
following:
a plan for Boards and Commissions review of proposal,
a plan for a traffic study,
community outreach,
a draft revised letter of intent with TheatreWorks, and
a summary of height limit considerations with the Planning and Transportation Commission
and the Architectural Review Board.
*(Please note: this item was moved to December 3rd because of Councilmembers’ schedules
and sequencing numerous agenda items on the Council’s fall/winter schedule)
The Council also directed the City Attorney to develop options for an advisory measure to bring
back at an appropriate time to ask voters whether or not:
(1) the City Council should initiate a change in the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code to
facilitate the Master Plan and subsequent Project, and
(2) the City Council should exchange the unused “panhandle” portion of El Camino Park for
more usable portion of adjacent land to facilitate better site planning for the Arts and
Innovation District.)
Follow-Up to Council Comments
The purpose of this meeting is to provide Council with information on those items requested in
September. Council comments on September 24, 2012 listed in Attachment D are noted and
addressed in this report where feasible; other responses to comments and questions are found
within the FAQ document.
Process
Council Comment 1: “Process lacks transparency and needs review by commissions and boards
to inform Council decision making. Explain the process.”
Environmental Review Process
The first step of the formal review process is the initiation of environmental review. Given the
potential for potentially significant impacts in the area of historic resources, traffic and possibly
other areas, a full Environmental Impact Report would be prepared and circulated for public
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review and comment. The EIR process would be kicked off by a public scoping meeting which
would allow the public to comment on any issues it believes should be further studied in the
EIR. The EIR will discuss the project analyzed in the Master Plan as well as other feasible project
alternatives.
Land Use
The PTC and ARB staff reports of October 24, 2012 and November 1, 2012 provide a summary
of the processes for making changes in land use designations to accommodate the master plan
concept. The master plan would involve changing the site’s Comprehensive Plan Land Use
Designations, currently Public Facilities (the area of the Depot and Bus Transit Station) and
Public Parks (the remaining area from University Avenue including the parkland leased by the
City of Palo Alto from Stanford, as well as the area that is not leased by the City for parkland –
the area of the Julia Morgan Hostess House and the American Red Cross building). The
Comprehensive Plan is Palo Alto’s General Plan.
The process for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment is PTC review and recommendation
followed by City Council action; in this case, the re-designation on the map could be bundled
with the creation of a new zone district, rezoning of the master plan site, and the subsequent
development project itself. However, the land use designation needed for the master plan
envisioned is not on the current “standard menu” of designations listed in the City’s
Comprehensive Plan. Regional/Community Commercial is the closest fit but may not match
exactly, depending on the master plan characteristics. Therefore, along with the creation of a
new Arts and Innovation Zone District, the Council may be involved in the creation of a new
Arts and Innovation Land Use Designation to include in the City’s Comprehensive Plan text and
on the associated Land Use and Circulation Map. This effort could take place in conjunction
with the full review of the development project, but would need to occur after the
Environmental Review process is complete.
Arts and Innovation Zone, Development and Environmental Review Process
To allow for the project, the site would require a rezoning from the existing zone districts,
Public Facilities and Planned Community (PC) Zoning to a non-standard zone (Arts and
Innovation District). Initiation of a new Arts and Innovation (A&I) zone district chapter within
the PAMC, and a map change for the site to the A&I Zone would likely begin with the Planning
and Transportation Commission (PTC). The rezone process could either be supplemented by an
ARB process, or could include a Site and Design Review process, with ARB and PTC review, to
accommodate the particular project. Given the historic resource(s) and parkland use of the site,
the HRB and PRC would also hold public hearings on the development project as well.
Following release of a Draft EIR, all PTC, ARB, HRB and PRC hearings would serve as public
hearings on the draft EIR prepared for the Comprehensive Plan re-designation, re-zoning and
development project. Comments by the public and boards and commissions on the Draft EIR
would be reviewed by staff and the EIR consultant, and responses to comments would be
included in a final EIR for Council adoption in conjunction with the re-designation, re-zoning and
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project. PTC review of the ordinance and final review of the development project could follow
PRC, ARB and HRB reviews of the project. The recommendations of the boards and
commissions would be provided to the Council for consideration prior to any action on the
development project.
The ordinance for the rezoning in this case could (1) establish the new Arts and Innovation zone
district within PAMC Title 18 and (2) rezone the site to the new A&I zone, which could set forth
the particulars (lot coverage, FAR, height, open space, permitted and conditionally permitted
uses). Council could act on both the ordinance and the project in a public hearing(s), unless the
Council indicates a preference to first act on the ordinance and rezoning, and subsequently
consider the development project details following multiple public hearings with the ARB, HRB,
PRC and PTC.
Community Outreach
Council Comment 2: “Need neighorhood/community outreach plan and input on intermodal
terminal and master plan”
The City has prepared informational materials such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The
FAQs have been posted to the City’s website and are included with this report as Attachment C.
Additional public outreach would be designed following Council direction. Public hearings by
the boards and commissions anticipated to be involved (PTC, ARB, HRB, PRC) in reviewing the
project application would be scheduled sequentially and each meeting would provide the public
an opportunity to speak. Additional meetings could be scheduled to address particular topics
of interest. A communtiy workshop is envisioned for January.
Commissions and Boards Sessions on Conceptual Master Plan
The following outreach meetings/study sessions are tentatively scheduled to take place with
the Historic Resources Board and Parks and Recreation Commission before and after the
12/3/12 Council meeting:
- 11/27 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
- 12/5 Historic Resources Board meeting
The following meetings were recently held to present the master plan concept. Meeting
minutes are attached to this report for Council review:
- 10/24 Joint ARB/PTC Meeting (Minutes, Attachment I)
- 10/24 PTC Meeting (Minutes, also Attachment J)
- 11/1 ARB Meeting (Summary Minutes, Attachment O)
Only one member of the public attended and spoke at the 10/24/12 sessions. Mr. Moss noted
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his concerns about violation of 1970’s El Camino Real Guidelines, about the Comprehensive
Plan’s focus on providing housing density near transit and potential for exacerbation of the
jobs-housing imbalance. He noted his preference that the height be shortened to 50 or 60 feet
to be more in scale. He also stated he did not like the huge theater wall facing the park,
questioned the circulation, and encouraged an evaluation of traffic impacts. Ten speakers
spoke to the ARB on November 1, 2012. An 11th speaker left but had provided written
comments. Attachment O includes the summary minutes of the 11/1/12 ARB study session, as
well as the written comments provided. Attachments P and Q contain additional
correspondence received via email.
The staff reports for these meetings are also provided (Attachments M & R). Commissioner
questions and staff answers for the 10/24/12 meeting are included (Attachment K). The
handouts from the 11/1/12 ARB meeting were refined for Council and are provided as
Attachment N.
Joint ARB/PTC ARB Study Session on Master Plan – October 24, 2012
The PTC and ARB reviewed the master plan concept in a joint meeting on October 24, 2012.
The discussion is summarized in Attachment I. Highlights included:
Potential impacts on traffic, housing, schools
Public benefits
Design of theater fly tower
Retention/relocation of Julia Morgan Hostess House
Building heights and massing
Amount of parking, design of parking entrance
Connections between Downtown and Stanford Shopping Mall
Active ground floor uses
Community uses in theater
ARB Study Session on Master Plan – November 1, 2012
The ARB reviewed the master plan concept in its meeting on November 1, 2012. Summary of
the discussion is provided as Attachment O, and the staff report of the session is included as
provided as Attachment R. Letters to the ARB before and after the study session are provided
as Attachments P and Q.
Summary of ARB comments in 11/1/12 master plan study session:
Clarify process – clear process needs to be established
View of theater fly from park is troublesome
Plaza needs to be active – if it faced University it could serve transit center
during daytime
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Massing is challenging
Courtyard seems dark, bridges make buildings seem more massive
Avoid shading park
Provide connections to downtown, including linkage at Everertt
Parking concerns – resolve with Caltrain parking demand
Height Limit
Council Comment 4: Need to affirm Council commitment to 50 foot height limit citywide and
address downtown application issues for minor adjustments to 50 foot limit.
Board and Commission Sessions on City Height limit
There have been two study sessions since September 24, 2012 Council meeting regarding the
City’s height limit, and minutes are attached to this report. Additional comments on height
were made during sessions on the master plan concept.
- 10/4 ARB Meeting (Minutes, Attachment E, Report Attachment F)
- 10/10 PTC Meeting (Minutes, Attachment H, Power point presentation is attached to
ARB 11/1 Report, Attachment R)
The recent outreach to ARB and PTC on the 50 foot height limit has resulted in interest in
continuing discussion on the height limit. Staff has committed to holding future meetings with
the ARB and PTC on the topic of height in general. As reflected in meeting minutes for the
height study sessions, there is interest in exploring where additional height might be
acceptable, given existing context and planning documents for housing growth. At the same
time, there have been expressions of concern about increased height from other community
members. Additional public outreach is thus envisioned. The process to change the text in the
Comprehensive Plan regarding height, and the height limit in any particular zone district, would
involve reviews and actions by the ARB, PTC and Council.
The height of the proposed project is an identified concern. Ultimate height limits will follow
an open and involved public review process that will inform and advise the Council’s decision,
assuming the Arrillaga proposal is submitted as a development proposal.
Summary of ARB comments in 10/4/12 height study session:
Look at how visible, and effects on neighbors
Deal with ground floor level – need activity
Properly sited & well designed: 7 to 10 floors
El Camino Real opportunity for more height
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Senior/intergenerational housing atop commercial
Ground Floor retail or residential to allow over 50’
Must deal with parking; use PC for over 50’
Story limit vs. height limit for flexibility
Summary of PTC comments in 10/10/12 height study session:
History – growth control vs. scale/aesthetics.
Expand comparison analysis of other communities.
Indirect impacts of greater height, such as population growth, traffic,
parking, tax base, jobs, energy use.
El Camino Real may be appropriate for height where not adjacent to R-1.
Number of stories vs. height.
Trade-off between taller building height and increased ground level open
space.
Height and density relationship.
Design Enhancement Exception (DEE) vs. taller building height.
Different solutions for different locations, and different uses.
Height for greater ground floor height, more interesting roofline articulation.
Height to encourage diversity of industries.
Uses – encourage offices or residential.
What types of locations would be appropriate.
Discussion
Advisory Measure
Given the Council feedback at the last meeting, staff recommends that the advisory measure be
placed on the June 2013 ballot, rather than the March ballot. A community meeting could be
held by the Planning and Transportation Commission in January 2013. Then, if directed by
Council, the City Attorney will prepare ballot measure language for the June 2013 ballot that
will be brought back for Council consideration in Febraury or March 2013. This delay will allow
more time for the further refinement of the master plan to take into account the comments
received by Council and the public, to perform additional traffic analysis and to implement a
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more comprehensive community outreach plan. The disadvantage to postponing the election is
that the additional studies and consultant work will require more funding and staff resources,
which may not have been expended had the advisory measure been placed on the March ballot
and the residents expressed a strong preference not to pursue the master plan at all.
Changes in Master Plan Concepts
The revised master plan incorporates substantial changes in response to comments heard at
the 9/24/12 City Council meeting, 10/24/12 Joint Planning and Transportation Commission and
Architectural Review Board study session, 10/24/12 Planning and Transportation Commission
hearing and 11/1/12 Architectural Review Board hearing. Revised master plan concepts are
illustrated in Attachment A and revised building concepts are illustrated in Attachment B:
Exhibit A: Revised Master Plan Concepts
Existing Site Context & Project Area
Illustrative Plan
Illustrative Plan Detail – Arts & Innovation District
Existing Property Ownership and Leases
Proposed Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation
Proposed Revised Comprehensive Plan Land Use Designation
Proposed District Boundaries Over Existing Zoning Plan
Proposed Transit Routes
Proposed Pedestrian Network
Proposed Bicycle Routes
Proposed Automobile Site Access
Proposed Public Spaces
Compatibility With Future Rail Corridor Changes
Exhibit B: Revised Building Concepts
Building Massing Studies: NE
Building Massing Studies: NW
Building Massing Studies: SE
Building Height Comparison
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FAR Map
Revised Sections of Office & Theater
Revised Floor Plans of Office & Theater
Scale Comparisons
Revised Perspective – New Transit Center at University Avenue
Revised Perspective – Urban Lane at the Caltrain Depot
Revised Perspective – Theater in the Park
Revised Perspective – El Camino Real as Grand Boulevard
Reduced Office Floor Area
In the revised master plan, the floor area of the office buildings has been reduced by
approximately 50,000 square feet, from 260,000 to 210,300 square feet. The two office
buildings have been reconfigured as four smaller office buildings. The north and south pairs of
office buildings are linked together by pedestrian bridges at the third and fifth floors, while the
ground floor would remain open as part of the plaza and pedestrian network. In the revised
plan the office FAR would be 1.78 assuming 118,106 square feet for office land, and theater
FAR is 1.11 assuming 71,867 square feet for theater site.
Reduced Building Height and Massing
Building height and massing has been reduced as follows:
Office building facing University Avenue:
- West tower has been reduced from 10 stories to 7 stories, from 161’-6” tall down to
103’-6.”
- East tower has been reduced from 9 stories to 6 stories, from 147’ tall down to 89’-0.”
Office building facing theater plaza:
- West tower height is unchanged but number of stories has increased from 6 stories to 7
stories at 103’-6”.
- East tower has been reduced from 7 stories to 6 stories, from 118’ tall down to 89’-0.”
The floor to floor height has been reduced for the ground floor, from 20’-0” to 16’-6”. The
typical office floor to floor height is unchanged at 14’-6.”
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Julia Morgan “Hostess House” is located in El Camino Park
In the revised master plan the historic Julia Morgan Hostess House (currently occupied by the
MacArthur Park Restaurant) is shown relocated to El Camino Park between the soccer and
softball fields. The building would face El Camino Real with its entrance aligned with the
entrance to Stanford Shopping Center. The adjacency to the soccer field would support
pedestrian access to events from the building without crossing parking. The soccer field has
been moved north. Some existing trees at the north of the field would be impacted to provide
sufficient room for the Hostess House and soccer field.
Future use of the building has not yet been determined, but given the location in the park a
community-oriented use has been suggested. The master plan concept provides approximately
100 parking spaces; the actual number of spaces will depend on the type of use for the building.
A separate planning process will be needed to engage the Park and Recreation Commission, the
community and potential users to recommend the best use of the building and the final site
planning.
New Pedestrian and Bicycle Underpass at Lytton Avenue
The master plan concept includes a new pedestrian and bike underpass beneath the Caltrain
right-of-way, at the terminus of Lytton Avenue north of the existing Caltrain cross-platform
tunnel. The underpass adds a direct connection between Downtown, the Arts and Innovation
District and Stanford Shopping Center. The existing Caltrain ramps on the east side would need
minor modifications to allow a symmetrical alignment of the underpass with Lytton Avenue.
New Dedicated Bike Route Connects through the Transit Station
A new two-way, 10-foot wide dedicated bike route has been added to connect the proposed
Class 1 bike route north of the Caltrain station to the existing Class 1 bike route south of the
station. This would create a continuous bicycle network linking local and regional destinations,
as well as directly linking bikes to transit.
The design of the bike route is based on successful European examples found in Copenhagen
and Rome to integrate pedestrians, bikes and transit. The bike lanes would be between the
sidewalk and median for passenger drop-off. Bike lanes would be differentiated from the
sidewalk by a slight change in level, a different color, or both. Bike lanes would be striped and
rise to sidewalk level at pedestrian crossings with bollards separating bike lanes.
Reconfigured Parkland Swap
The boundaries of the parkland swap have been reconfigured to have a more coherent shape
and relationship to park use. The existing parkland along the El Camino would be swapped for
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part of the lands currently leased to the City for the transit center and the Red Cross. The
theater building is now included in the parkland area in the revised master plan, as shown in
Attachments A and B.
Feasible Ground Floor Retail
Staff met with several different retail development experts, including key people in the
redevelopment of Town & Country as well as the Oxbow Public Market and Ferry Building in
San Francisco, to discuss the potential for the ground floor uses at the site. The key findings
from interviews were:
The site, in concept, could support a destination restaurant of up to 10,000 square feet,
with some additional retail serving office, theater and transit users;
The site cannot support retail throughout the entire ground floor;
The lack of visibility and access of the office courtyard is not conducive for retail;
Limited surface parking in front of retail reduces ease of car access to shops; and
The best location for retail is along the street frontage facing the depot, with the restaurant
located at the southeast corner of office building facing the transit center.
Site Plan Integration of the Theater into the Park
The revised master plan better integrates the theater into the park as follows:
A new meadow along El Camino Real would feature the redwood trees planted in the 1980s
to honor Palo Alto Olympic medal winners. The large size, shape and orientation of the
meadow would create a new public place visible from El Camino Real and Quarry Roads.
The size of the meadow would provide space for recognition of future Olympians, and
would form the entrance to El Camino Park and the Arts and Innovation District. Parking
would serve both the park and theater. The theater forecourt would extend across the
Quarry Road extension to include the Olympic Grove, connecting the theater and grove
together as the pedestrian and bicycle entrance point from Stanford Shopping Center.
Quarry Road extension would be realigned to shape a new green for passive use between
the theater and the softball field. Parking would be reconfigured along the Quarry Road
extension to form landscape area to plant tall trees to screen views of the theater fly tower,
and better serve as patron drop-off.
Pedestrian and bicycle paths would be reconfigured to create a continuous network of tree-
lined walks and riding paths through the park. People could walk or ride bikes from the El
Camino Real and Quarry Road intersection, to Olympic Grove meadow the new multi-use
path, the Lytton Avenue underpass and the new transit center bike path to destinations
south of the area.
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The open space in front of the theater would be redesigned to:
Create a forecourt for the theater, as a setting within the park, scaled for 650 people, and
designed to for theater patrons to comfortably gather outdoors yet feel separate from
other park users and activities.
Orient the entrance to the theater to El Camino Real.
Provide a pedestrian "ramblas", or tree-lined walk, surrounding the forecourt to the
theater, creating a walking path from the Lytton underpass to El Camino Park. Seat walls,
benches and stepped seating in the landscape would provide shady places to stop, gather in
small groups or people watch.
Provide stair access from below grade parking exits at both the south and north ends of the
plaza would providing direct access to the theater and El Camino Park.
Create an orchard canopy for shading the café and black box theater outdoor gathering
area south of the main entrance.
Provide a specialty food kiosk located along the south side of the theater with outdoor
seating along the walk from the train station, to create activity visible from the Depot across
from the Lytton underpass.
Landscape of Transit Streets
In the revised master plan, Canary Island Date Palms are shown planted along the three sides of
the Transit Ring Road to create an attractive arrival experience to the transit center and
downtown Palo Alto. Palms would be in front of the office buildings, the Caltrain station and in
the median in front of the hotel. The oak grove within the Transit Ring Road would be planted
with additional oaks and oak savannah grasses. The street section along the Sheraton Hotel
would be modified to have a palm-lined median, wider sidewalk and landscape buffer with
seating along the hotel parking. Oak trees surrounded by palms would create an identity similar
to, yet in contrast to, Palm Drive, which has palms surrounded by oak trees.
The depot plaza at the new Lytton underpass would be planted as an orchard of colorful
flowering trees. This would extend the shaded tree-lined walks of El Camino Park to the depot.
The seat walls, benches and steps would provide public gathering places.
Traffic
Traffic circulation is a primary focus of the master plan, specifically transit operations as the
master plan concept proposes to replace the existing Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
Transmit Mall with an expanded on-street transit mall that is incorporated into the University
Loop. The VTA and other transit operations including Stanford Marguerite and Samtrans have
participated in the design of the proposed site circulation plan to ensure that near-term and
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future long-term transit expansion opportunities are satisfied. The master plan concept
proposes 32 new transit stops, an increase of 11 stops over the existing 21. Future transit
expansion opportunities are preserved along Urban Lane.
Traffic circulation includes an Extension of Quarry Road east of El Camino Real providing
vehicular and transit access around the proposed site. The existing northbound on-ramp from
University Avenue to northbound El Camino Real will be transformed to an access road for the
site providing full vehicular access to new underground parking from both the east- and west-
sides of the site. Improvements to the on-ramp include converting it to a two-way street at
University Avenue allowing for full-access to University Avenue from the University Loop.
A preliminary traffic assessment for the master plan has been prepared (Attachment M). The
preliminary traffic assessment was intended to identify any immediate potential flaws to the
surround transportation infrastructure. The study shows that up to 3,000 new vehicle trips per
day may be realized between the proposed office and theatre uses, prior to any reductions
from Transportation Demand Management solutions. This traffic would include 310 new trips
during the AM commute period and another 328 trips during the PM peak period. Potential
new roadway improvements include an extension of Quarry Road east of El Camino Real into
the site as well as improvements to the existing Mitchell Lane and the circular road around
University Avenue. Significant Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures will be
incorporated as a critical will be a critical feature in this project (see examples of dramatic
Stanford reductions in vehicle trips in recent years) and mitigating traffic impacts will be a key
requirement of the plan.
This only a preliminary finding and full Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for the Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) needs to be completed. The City anticipates the cost of the TIA up to
$85,000. Quotes from on-call consultants are currently being solicited and the City anticipates
TIA development to start immediately next calendar year. When development of the TIA
begins, input from the community and adjacent communities will be solicited during the
scoping phase of the EIR/TIA to ensure that the master plan is properly evaluated.
Master Plan Compatibility with Potential Future Changes to the Rail Corridor
The urban design of the master plan would be compatible with potential future changes
contemplated in Rail Corridor Study. Attachment A illustrates how the design of the master
plan could advance city objectives for the rail corridor and not preclude opportunities to reduce
the barrier of the tracks, increase cross-corridor connectivity, and shape attractive places.
While it is unknown what specific future infrastructure improvements will be, the exhibit makes
the following assumptions:
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Trenching of rail infrastructure would be below grade with adjustments to horizontal
alignment;
Trench covers would extend for four city blocks from Everett Avenue to Forest Avenue;
University Avenue would be brought up to-grade;
A new Caltrain station would be below grade with elevator, escalator and stair access to
the station and ventilation structures;
The existing historic depot could be adaptively reused;
There could be opportunities for joint development on the rail right-of-way;
Development along rail corridor could be divided into city blocks and open spaces that
align with the downtown street and block pattern;
Pedestrian and bicycle circulation across the corridor would be at grade and align with
existing downtown streets.
The design of the master plan would be compatible with the Rail Corridor Study because:
The street and block pattern of the Arts and Innovation District would be in scale with
and aligns with downtown and rail corridor open space and city block pattern.
The district pedestrian and bicycle network would connect directly to contemplated rail
corridor routes, further interconnecting these networks.
District streets would form a grid that could connect to changes in the street network to
support expansion of future bus transit services. The transit center could expand bus
stops and layovers by moving to a new location on the rail right of way, to a new parking
structure at a future redevelopment site, or to an expanded network of on-street bus
stops and layovers.
If the transit center were to move in the more distant future, the Transit Ring Road area
could be redeveloped with new buildings, designed in scale and character with
downtown, extending University Avenue to El Camino Real.
Trees
The assessments include the Draft Traffic Assessment, dated July 9, 2012, and Initial Tree
Assessment, dated April 16, 2012. However the tree assessment was prepared prior to changes
to the transit center. The report will need to be expanded in scope if the transit center is
included in the master plan.
Infrastructure costs
Infrastructure costs have not yet been estimated because there has only been a focus on
City of Palo Alto Page 17
preparing concepts for the master plan. Because of some significant improvements on site
additional input from other sub consultants will be needed once a project is initiated such as a
parking garage contractor, bridge construction, electrical reroute and major we utility reroutes.
Parkland swap
The master plan envisions a parkland swap to remove the narrow, unusable “panhandle” swath
fronting El Camino Boulevard with some newly dedicated parkland adjacent to El Camino Park
to allow better site planning and an extension of Quarry Road through the master plan area and
better parking access. The change in park dedication areas would entail changes to the
parkland boundaries, but would not result in a change to net park area.
The parkland swap would involve a revised plan for the El Camino Park Restoration that moves
the northerly field farther north, reconfigure the parking lot, and to make way for the Julia
Morgan Hostess House building between fields. The revised plan would retain nearly all parking
spaces approved by council previously, and shrink the dog park area at northern end. Council
would need to authorize negotiations with Stanford to initiate a separate contract with
Siegfried Engineering to integrate the Arts and Innovation Master Plan with the El Camino Park
Restoration efforts. Finally, a Park Improvement Ordinance for El Camino Park would be
required.
Other real estate issues, such as extending and/or modifying all or a portion of the El Camino
Park lease with Stanford to accommodate the project.
Red Cross Building and Mitchell Lane
The Red Cross Chapter House and Mitchell Lane have historic merit that may be a consideration
in a master plan. The Red Cross building, designed by architect Birge Clark, was constructed in
1947-48 to house year-round Red Cross activities. It was built by gifts of friends and members
of the organization and was one of the few chapters in the state owned by its chapter. The
building was dedicated to the men and women who served in the world wars.
Mitchell Lane was named in 1947 to honor Lydia Mitchell (Mrs. John W., 1854-1958) the first
managing director of the Palo Alto Chapter of the American Red Cross. She served the
organization for forty years. The street leads to the Red Cross Chapter House and runs between
the Julia Morgan Hostess House building and the railroad right-of-way. The master plan shows a
street in this approximate location; it could retain the name Mitchell Lane in honor of Mrs.
Mitchell.
City of Palo Alto Page 18
Revised Letter of Intent (LOI) with TheatreWorks
At the Council’s direction, City and TheatreWorks staff met to discuss the public programming
opportunities for the proposed theater. As TheatreWorks mission is to provide a series of
theater-based programming to benefit the local community, the parties’ interests are very
much aligned. In response to the Council’s inquiry, a summary of the TheatreWorks current
programming vision for the space is now included as an attachment to the Letter of Intent and
a revised Letter of Intent is included as Attachment T.
It is important to note that the overall details of this programming will change over time, due to
a variety of factors. As a threshold matter, the final design plans are not completed, and while
the current plans anticipate a total of 91,000 net usable square feet, the precise square
footage, configuration, and use allocations are subject to change. Further, once the design
plans are complete, TheatreWorks expects its programming needs to vary from year to year
depending on the type and scheduling of its performances. In addition, over time,
TheatreWorks plans to not only modify but grow its community outreach programs and these
efforts will also impact use.
For these reasons, the current Letter of Intent has identified the programming issue as an
important one, but one which will take a significant amount of time to develop. In fact, it is
likely that the final Public/Private Partnership will attempt to set up a process for cooperative
joint programming over time, rather than a specific schedule. This process will codify the
parties’ long term relationship and mutual goals of community access and allow for a fluid and
iterative programming that is driven by priorities that both parties acknowledge will change
over time.
To codify this expressly iterative approach to programming, Paragraph 5 of the Letter of Intent
provides: “TheatreWorks will not pay rent to the City but, in lieu thereof, TheatreWorks will
make portions of the Theater available to the City on terms and conditions to be decided
(including, on a space available basis, to community non-profit organizations), which terms and
conditions shall not impede TheatreWorks’ customary production schedule or the New Works
Festival.” Further Paragraph 12 of the Letter of Intent expressly provides that it is not binding
on either party but it simply intended to facilitate a discussion of a public/private partnership.
For this reason, City Staff believes the City is better served by retaining the broad language in
Paragraph 5 at this juncture and deferring more detailed programming discussions until a later
time in the process.
Resource Impact
City of Palo Alto Page 19
If the Arts and Innovation District proceeds, the City can expect incremental revenues and
expenses. The following impacts represent preliminary and rough estimates. As with other
significant projects, the developer will be asked to conduct a more thorough fiscal analysis in an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Estimates:
Sales tax from retail space = $80,000
Sales tax from employees/theater patrons = 79,000
Transient Occupancy tax from business visits = 46,000
Utility Users tax from occupancies = 37,000
Property tax = 131,000
Total incremental and annual revenue (est.) = $373,000
Since the current property is owned and will continue to be owned by Stanford, no
documentary transfer tax is anticipated. Unlike the lease arrangement at the Stanford Shopping
Center with Simon Properties, long-term leases that could potentially generate transfer taxes
are not foreseen. Since the proposed project will house commercial activity, additional
property taxes should be realized.
Ongoing and incremental City services such as those provided by public safety, public works,
planning, and other City departments will be provided to the developed site. While some of the
City’s costs due to the project will be recovered through the City’s fee structures, other
incremental and ongoing general service costs need further evaluation. Staff recommends that
a fiscal or economic impact analysis be incorporated in the EIR. With modeling capability, a
consultant will be able to more finely hone staff’s revenue estimates and new City cost
burdens. It is suggested that other impacts such as ABAG housing requirements and potential
Palo Alto Unified School District needs be explored in the fiscal study. Draft Traffic Assessment
– July 9, 2012
Initial Tree Assessment – April 16, 2012
The cost for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report is estimated to be $250,000.
City of Palo Alto Page 20
Environmental Review
The conceptual master plan is not considered a “project” under CEQA. However, if the master
plan is approved and a project application is submitted, CEQA would require environmental
view at that time. An Environmental Impact Report would need to be prepared for a project of
this magnitude.
Next Steps
An extensive community outreach process will continue prior to a public vote in June 2013 (if
Council determines that date is appropriate), and substantial further community input and
board and commission review would follow if the Council moves forward after the advisory
vote.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Revised Master Plan Concepts (PDF)
Attachment B: Revised Building Concepts (PDF)
Attachment C: Arts & Innovation District FAQ (PDF)
Attachment D: Matrix of Responses to Council (PDF)
Attachment E: Minutes of Height Session ARB 10 04 12 (PDF)
Attachment F: Staff Report for ARB 10 04 12 (PDF)
Attachment G: 27 University Ave Draft Preliminary Traffic Assessment (PDF)
Attachment H: Minutes PTC Height Session October 10 (PDF)
Attachment I: 10-24-12_PTC-ARB_Summary (PDF)
Attachment J: October 24 Verbatim of ARB-PTC and PTC (PDF)
Attachment K: Commissioner Questions and Staff Responses 10 24 12 (PDF)
Attachment L: PTC Follow-up Questions 10 24 12 (PDF)
Attachment M: PTC 10 24 Report (PDF)
Attachment N: PTC 10 24 12 report attachments (PDF)
Attachment O: Summary November 1 ARB (PDF)
Attachment P: Public correspondence to ARB prior to ARB 11 1 12 (PDF)
Attachment Q: Public correspondence to ARB post 11 1 12 meeting (PDF)
Attachment R: ARB 11 1 12 report (PDF)
Attachment S: Letters of Support (PDF)
Attachment T: Updated TheatreWorks Letter of Intent (LOI) (PDF)
City of Palo Alto Page 21
Attachment U: Final Council Approved Minutes from 09-24-12 meeting (PDF)
Attachment V: Public Correspondence Post Early Packet (PDF)
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
R E V I S E D U R B A N D E S I G N M A S T E R P L A N
A R T S & I N N O V A T I O N D I S T R I C T
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
R E V I S E D U R B A N D E S I G N M A S T E R P L A N
A R T S & I N N O V A T I O N D I S T R I C T
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN
1. Existing Site Context & Project Area
2. Illustrative Plan
3. Illustrative Plan AI District
4. Existing Ownership & Leases
5. Existing Comprehensive Plan
6. Revised Comprehensive Plan
7. Revised District Boundaries Over Zoning Plan
8. Revised Transit Routes
9. Revised Pedestrian Network
10. Revised Bicycle Routes
11. Revised Automobile Site Access
12. Revised Public Places
13. Compatibility With Future Rail Corridor Changes
EXHIBITS
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
EXISTING SITE CONTEXT & PROJECT AREA
El Camino Real
Un
i
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
Av
e
n
u
e
Pal
m
D
r
i
v
e
Alma Street
Qu
a
r
r
y
R
o
a
d
Palo
A
l
t
o
A
v
e
n
u
e
El Camino Park
Transit Center
StanfordShoppingCenter
Sheration
MacArthurPark Westin
Arboretum
Lyt
t
o
n
Av
e
n
u
e
Ha
m
i
l
t
o
n
Av
e
n
u
e
El Palo Alto
Urban Lane
Un
i
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
Av
e
n
u
e
RedCross
CaltrainDepot
OlympicGrove
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
PROJECT AREA
0 100’ 500’
N
0.00 00024681.0
El Palo Alto
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Alma Street
Theater
Mixed-Use
Office
Palo Alto Station
Stanford Shopping Center
El Camino Park
Sheraton
Hotel
Lyt
t
o
n
A
v
e
n
u
e
Un
i
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
A
v
e
n
u
e
El Camino Real
Pa
l
m
D
r
i
v
e
Qu
a
r
r
y
R
o
a
d
Mixed-Use
Office
Mixed-Use
Office
Mixed-Use
Office
Julia Morgan
Hostess House
San Francisquito Creek
Ha
w
t
h
o
r
n
e
A
v
e
n
u
e
Ev
e
r
e
t
t
A
v
e
n
u
e
Palo
A
l
t
o
A
v
e
n
u
e
Arboretum
New Public Places and Connections: 1. University Grove 2. Transit Ring Road 3. Depot Orchard and Underpass 4. Theater Forecourt and Green 5. Olympic Glade 6. Boulevard Place 7. Urban Forest Walk 8. Boulevard Pathway 9. Continuous Bikeway
Sa
n
d
H
i
l
l
R
o
a
d
11
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
0 100’REVISED URBAN DESIGN MASTER PLAN--ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN Scale: 1”=40’
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
ILLUSTRATIVE PLAN DETAIL--ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Park Parcels leased to the City of Palo Alto by Stanford
Peninsula CorridorJoint Powers Board
State Highway
City Streets
Leased to Sheraton Hotel by Stanford
Palo Alto Medical Founda-tion of Health
EXISTING PROPERTY OWNERSHIP & LEASES
Pacific Hotel DevelopmentVenture LLC
Leased to the American Red Cross by Stanford
Leased to Macarthur Parkby Stanford
Depot Parcel sublease by City of Palo Alto to “VTA”, (owned by Stanford)
Owned by Stanford
Parking Lease Agreement from the City of Palo Alto to the Pacific Hotel Develop-ment Venture
1
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
6
11
10
12
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
6
6
6
7
8 9
10 10
1111 11
12
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Public Park
Regional/CommunityCommercial
Major Institution/Special Facilities
Service Commercial
Major Institution/UniversityLands/Academic Reserve &Open Space
EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION
Multiple Family Residential
Streamside Open Space
Streets & Highways
Railroad Tracks
Creeks
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
2 2 2 2
3 3
3
4
4 4
5 5
6
7 8
9
1 3 3
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
Public Park
Regional/CommunityCommercial
Major Institution/Special Facilities
Service Commercial
Major Institution/UniversityLands/Academic Reserve &Open Space
REVISED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE DESIGNATION
Multiple Family Residential
Streamside Open Space
Streets & Highways
Railroad Tracks
Creeks
EXISTING DESIGNATIONS
Arts & Innovation District
NEW DISTRICT DESIGNATION
A&I
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
2 2 2 2
3 3
3
4
4 4
5 5
6
7 8
9
1 3 3
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
District Boundaries
Stanford Lands
Public Facilities
BOUNDARY OF REVISED ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT OVER EXISTING ZONING
Major Arterial
Special Setback
Multi-modal Transit Center
Arts & Innovation District
NEW DISTRICT DESIGNATION EXISTING DESIGNATIONS
A&I
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
REVISED TRANSIT ROUTES
VTA
Marguerite
Samtrans
V
M
S
VM
S
V
M
S
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
REVISED PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
Street Level Pedestrian Network
Below Grade Pedestrian Connections
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
REVISED BICYCLE ROUTES
Bike Lanes
Bike Paths
Below Grade Bicycle Connection
Existing Existing Bike Bike LanesLanes
Existing Existing Bike Bike LanesLanes
Existing Bike PathExisting Bike Path
New Bike & New Bike & Pedestrian Pedestrian TunnelTunnel
NewNewBikeBikePathsPaths
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
REVISED AUTOMOBILE SITE ACCESS
Drop off/Pick up
Parking Access
*
*
**
*
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
1. University Grove
2. Transit Ring Road
3. Depot Orchard & Underpass
4. Theater Forecourt & Green
5. Olympic Glade
6. Boulevard Place
7. Urban Forest Walk
8. Bourlevard Pathway
9. Continuous Bikeway
REVISED PUBLIC PLACES
44
3
15
2
6
7
8
9
ARTS & INNOVATION DISTRICT
FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN--FGY ARCHITECTS--SANDIS ENGINEERS
DECEMBER 3, 2012
ILLUSTRATION OF MASTER PLAN COMPATIBILITY
WITH FUTURE CHANGES TO THE RAIL CORRIDOR
Assumptions•Trenching of rail corridor below grade with adjustment to horizontal alignment•Trench covers four city blocks from Everett Avenue to Forest Avenue•University Avenue is at grade•New Caltrain station below grade with elevator, escalator and stair access to station and ventilation structures•Potential re-use of existing historic depot•Potential joint development opportunities on rail right of way•Joint development along rail corridor is divided into city blocks and open spaces that align with the downtown street and block pattern•Through pedestrian and bicycle circulation across the rail corridor is at grade and aligns with existing downtown streets
Compatibility•Arts and Innovation District streets align with rail corridor open space and development block pattern•Transit along the Transit Center Ring Road can move to a new transit center located either on the rail right of way or at the first level of a new parking structure at a redeveloped hotel site•New buildings can replace the Transit Ring Road, designed in scale and character with downtown, extending University Avenue to El Camino Real •Rail corridor pedestrian and bicycle routes connect directly to district routes
FERGUS GARBER YOUNG ARCHITECTS FUKUJI PLANNING & DESIGN SANDIS ENGINEERING
R E V I S E D B U I L D I N G C O N C E P T S
A R T S & I N N O V A T I O N D I S T R I C T
R E V I S E D U R B A N D E S I G N M A S T E R P L A N
D e c e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 2
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 2 of 22
Summary
The building concepts, first presented to the City Council on
September 24, 2012, have been revised.
These revisions address many of the comments made by the
Council members and the public that evening. These revisions
also address the comments made by the Commissioners,
Board Members and the public at the Joint Planning and
Transportation Commission Study Session on October 24,
2012, and the following Planning and Transportation
Commission hearing later that same evening and they address
the comments made at the Architectural Review Board Study
Session on November 1, 2012.
The primary revisions to the building concepts under
discussion are the reduction of the height and area of the
office buildings and the reduction of the height of the
theater’s fly tower.
The following is included in this report;
• Palo Alto Buildings that exceed 50 feet
• Building a Base Case for Floor Area Ratio
• Footprint comparisons to other buildings
• Why placing the office use along University Avenue and the
theater along El Camino Park is recommended
• Why orienting the theater’s Fly Tower towards El Camino
Park is recommended
• Revised Building Area Calculations
• Revised FAR Calculation Scenarios
• Revisions to the Office Building Concept
• Revisions to the Theater Building Concept
• Revised Aerial Views of the Building Concepts
• View of Theater Plaza Concept
• Revised Parkland Swap Map
• Existing Ownership and Lease Map
Summary Existing September 24, 2012 December 03, 2012 12/3 v 9/24
Site Size: 179,301 195,053 189,973 (5,080)
Commercial Square Footage (gross): 19,200 262,580 210,300 (52,280)
Hostess House 10,000 0 0 0
Red Cross 9,200 0 0 0
Office Ground Floor 0 23,080 24,600 1,520
Office Floors Above Grade 0 239,500 185,700 (53,800)
Office Number of Buildings: 0 2 4 2
Office Height(s): roof/mech roof/mech
University Ave & Mitchell Lane Tower 0 136'-0" / 147'-0" 89'-0" / 99'-0" (47'-0") / (48'-0")
University Ave & El Camino Tower 0 150'-6" / 161'-6" 103'-6" / 113'-6" (47'-0") / (48'-0")
Quarry & El Camino Tower 0 92'-6" / 103'-6" 103'-6" / 113'-6" 11'-0" / 10'-0"
Quarry & Mitchell Lane Tower 0 107'-0" / 118'-0" 89'-0" / 99'-0" (18'-0") / (19'-0")
Office Number of Floors:
University Ave & Mitchell Lane Tower 0 9 6 (3)
University Ave & El Camino Tower 0 10 7 (3)
Quarry & El Camino Tower 0 6 7 1
Quarry & Mitchell Lane Tower 0 7 6 (1)
Theater Square Footage (gross): 0 80,000 80,000 0
Ground Floor 0 35,000 35,000 0
Floors Above Grade 0 45,000 45,000 0
Fly Tower Height: 0 100 95 (5)
Total Open Space 160,101 136,973 130,373 (6,600)
Open Space: 160,101 96,161 91,840 (4,321)
Plaza Area: 0 40,812 38,533 (2,279)
Building Foot Print (ground floor) 19,200 58,080 59,600 1,520
Hostess House Community Center (possible) - - 10,000 10,000
Parking Spaces: 81 883 to 933 978 to 1,128 95
at existing Hostess House 62 - - -
at existing Red Cross 19 - - -
at El Camino Park, center parking lot ? - - -
Adjacent to new 27 University Site - 13 5 (8)
Adjacent to Renovated El Camino Park Site - 20 22 2
at (possible new) Hostess House Location - - 101 101
New Underground Garage 850 to 900 850 to 900 0
Transit Bus Stops and layovers 21 32 32 0
Notes:
1) The existing site area is calculated by summing the leased areas of
the Transit Center, MacArthur Park and the Red Cross buildings
2) The Dec 3rd site area is less than the Sep 24th site because of
revisions to Quarry Road and Mitchell Lane and bike lane revisions.
3) The Dec 3rd Illustrative Plan shows the Hostess House possibly
located in El Camino Park
4) The areas of the Hostess House and the Red Cross buildings are
approximations based on measurements taken from Google Earth
5) The Hostess House appears twice because it changes uses from
commercial today to possible a community center later
6) Open Space is defined as Site Area minus the Footprints of the
Theater, Office Hostess House and Red Cross buildings
7) The number of parking spaces that were in the center El Camino
Parking Lot prior to the Reservoir work is not known
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 3 of 22
Palo Alto Buildings that exceed 50 feet
Several of Palo Alto’s buildings exceed 50 feet, sixteen of
which, shown in time, are shown on the chart to the left. This
chart includes some of Palo Alto’s future buildings that are
under construction now.
The horizontal gray dashed line indicates the height of the
office building concepts that were presented to the City Council
September 24th, 2012. At that time the height of the tallest
office tower being discussed was 150 feet to the roof. If the
mechanical floor is included in the calculation, the height was
161 feet 6 inches.
For the December 3rd discussion the massing of the office
buildings have been revised. Whereas the previous concept
was to articulate two tower masses to appear as four, the
December 3rd concept is revised to be four independent
towers. The two towers closer to El Camino are taller than the
two towers that face Mitchell Lane.
The height of the tallest pair of office towers is now 103 feet 6
inches to the roof. If the mechanical floor is included in the
calculation, the height is 113 feet 6 inches. The height of the
shorter pair of towers is 89 feet. If the mechanical floor is
included in the calculation, the height is 99 feet.
TALLER - September 24, 2012
27 University
Tallest Building was 150 ‘-6”
(Roof Screen was 161’-6”)
LOWER – DECEMBER 3, 2012
27 University
2 Taller Buildings are 103’-6”
(Roof Screen is 113’-6”)
2 Shorter Buildings are 89’-0”
(Roof Screen is 99’-0”)
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 4 of 22
Floor Area Ratio or FAR means the maximum ratio of gross
floor area on a site to the total site area where "site" means a
parcel of land consisting of a single lot of record, used or
intended for use as one site for a use or group of uses.
(Palo Alto Zoning Ordinance, 18.04.030 “Definitions”, subsections (57) and
(84)).
Floor area ratios are used as a measure of the intensity of the
site being developed.
Building a ‘Base Case’ forFloor Area Ratio
The question was asked in the October 24, 2012 Planning and
Transportation Commission hearing, “what was the FAR of the
project”. The answer is not straight forward because the
proposed location for the Arts and Innovation District is a small
portion of a much larger site that is wholly owned by “The
Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University”.
Recognizing this, the Planning and Transportation Commission
asked Staff to construct a “base case” for the calculation of a
FAR for the master plan area. The Commission was interested
in seeing how much area would be generated using a FAR of
2.0, the highest FAR found in Palo Alto’s Zoning Code -
regardless of the actual use of the land.
Multiplying the entire site (bounded by University Avenue, Palo
Alto Avenue the Caltrain tracks and El Camino Real) is not
reasonable because dedicated park land cannot be used for
commercial office use. Staff suggests that using the leased
areas of the site as though they were legally separate sites
may be a more productive way to build a base case to
compare a proposed amount of buildable area to.
In August of 2011, Mr. Arrillaga discussed sketches with City
staff showing a single building combining office and theater
uses that ran across both the MacArthur Park ‘site’ and the
Red Cross ‘site’ totaling 250,000. Utilizing Scenario #3, that
concept would have exceeded a 2.0 FAR by 108,255 sf,
inversely the concept would have generated a FAR of 3.5.
The office and theater buildings being discussed at the
December 3 Council meeting total 290,300 sf and utilize the
MacArthur Park, Red Cross and the transit Center ‘sites’
illustrated in Scenario #2. In this scenario the ‘base case’ FAR
is 1.53.The concept produces67,302 sf less sf than a project
with a FAR of 2.0.
Existing Leased Areas
Scenario 1 - Entire Area Total MacArthur Park Red Cross Transit Center Park Land
Site Area 602,456 46,879 23,998 108,424 423,155
FAR @ 2.0 1,204,912 93,758 47,996 216,848 846,310
Parking @ 4:1000sf 4,820 375 192 867 3,385
Parking If 20% transit Reduction 3,856 300 154 694 2,708
Scenario 2 - No Parkland Area Total MacArthur Park Red Cross Transit Center Park Land
Site Area 179,301 46,879 23,998 108,424
FAR @ 2.0 358,602 93,758 47,996 216,848
Parking @ 4:1000sf 1,434 375 192 867
Parking If 20% transit Reduction 1,148 300 154 694
Scenario 3 - Red Cross & MacArthur Park Total MacArthur Park Red Cross Transit Center Park Land
Site Area 70,877 46,879 23,998
FAR @ 2.0 141,754 93,758 47,996
Parking @ 4:1000sf 567 375 192
Parking If 20% transit Reduction 454 300 154
BASE
CASE
FAR
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 5 of 22
Foot print comparisons to other buildings
These exhibits were prepared in response to a request made
during the Joint Planning and Transportation Commission
Study Session on October 24, 2012, and then shared with the
Architectural Review Board at the Study Session on November
1, 2012. The buildings being compared to the Arts and
Innovation District concept are shown in red and overlaid at the
same scale and orientation as the underlying 27 University
concepts. The only difference is that these underlying 27
University concepts have been updated to show the concepts
being discussed at the December 3rd Council meeting. These
overlays are approximations traced from Google maps and are
not based on surveyed field conditions.
525 University Avenue.These buildings sit on a city block
which is a similar size as the block concept for the offices in 27
University office block. The low rise office (left side) and the
tower (right top) have foot prints that are larger than the office
foot prints being discussed for 27 University.
3000 El Camino, Palo Alto Square. Thesebuildings have a
site larger than 27 University. Thefoot prints of these buildings
are larger than the office foot prints being discussed for 27
University.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation.These buildings have a site
larger than 27 University. The foot prints of these buildings are
larger than the office foot prints being discussed for 27
University. Although not a tall as the office buildings, PAMF
with a FAR above 2.0, is a more intensive site than what 27
University is being discussed as being.
City Hall.These buildings sit on a city block which is a similar
size as the block concept for the offices in 27 University office
block. The low rise office (right side) has a footprint larger than
the office foot prints being discussed for 27 University. The
tower has a smaller foot print.
525 University
Site Area : Same as office block
Building footprint: 525 Tower is similar to office bldgs in one direction, less in the other
3000 El Camino. Palo Alto Square
Site Area : Larger than A&I District Concept
Building footprints: Larger than the office bldgs
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Site Area : Larger than A&I District Concept
Building footprints: Larger than office and theater bldgs
250 Hamilton, City Hall
Site Area : Same as office block
Building footprints: City Tower is smaller than office bldgs
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 6 of 22
Bing Concert Hall.This building is larger than the theater
concept that is being discussed for 27 University.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts & City Hall.
The area of the foot print of the Center for the Performing Arts
is similar to the theater concept being discussed for 27
University. The plaza of the Performing Arts and City Hall is
smaller than the plaza concept being discussed for 27
University.
Lucie Stern Community Center.The footprint of the Lucie
Stern Community Center is larger than the theater being
discussed for 27 University; the Community Center is an
assembly of many smaller buildings. The courtyard space in
front of the Community Center’s theater is smaller than the
plaza area being discussed for 27 University.
Sheraton and Westin Hotels. The footprints of the three-story
Sheraton and the four-story Westin hotels are much larger than
the 27 University concept being discussed.
Bing Concert Hall
Site Area : Larger than A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Larger than theater
Mountain View Performing Arts Center & City Hall
Site Area : Larger than the theater block, smaller than A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Performing Arts Center is similar to theater
Lucie Stern Community Center
Site Area : Similar to A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Larger
Sheraton & Westin Hotels
Site Area : Larger than A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Larger
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 7 of 22
These comparisons look at buildings and spaces that are not in
Palo Alto; they were not part of the discussion at the
Architectural Review Board Study Session on November 1,
2012. They overlay buildings and blocks in San Francisco and
on Manhattan in New York City.
Transamerica Tower, San Francisco.This building is larger
than the office concept that is being discussed for 27
University. The city block is slightly larger than the block
concept being discussed for 27 University.
Union Square Park, San Francisco.The area of this park is
roughly equal to three-quarters of the area of the 27 University
site being discussed.
Empire State Building, New York City. The typical New York
City block is longer than the 27 University site and about as
wide. The footprint of theEmpire State Building is roughly the
same size as the entire office block concept for 27 University.
The FAR of the Empire State Building is over 60.0.
Rockefeller Center & Plaza.Rockefeller Center is a complex
of 19 buildings covering nearly 22 acres in New York City. Only
the Plaza block is shown here. The rectangle between the
buildings is the ice skating rink which is about the same size as
the footprint of one of the office towers being discussed as part
of the 27 University concept.
Transamerica Tower, San Francisco
Site Area : Similar to office block
Building footprint: Larger
Union Square Park, San Francisco
Site Area : Park area is smaller than A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Park area is larger than the office or theater blocks
Empire State Building, New York City
Site Area : Similar to A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Larger
Rockefeller Center & Plaza, New York City
Site Area : Similar to A&I District Concept
Building footprint: Larger
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 8 of 22
Why placing the office use along University
Avenue and the theater along El Camino Park is
recommended.
At the policy level the City’s Comprehensive Plan speaks to
this area but there is no zoning underlying whole of the site
that structures future expectation of use for this area. Prior to
1982 the portion of the site that the Hostess House was on
was designated as zone PF; Public Facilities. By 1980 its use
as a community facility had declined, and “it had deteriorated
physically and had become a candidate for demolition”
(Historic Resources Inventory Detail dated January 25, 1995,
page 2). The City changed the site to a Planned Community
zone in 1982 to allow a restaurant use in the Hostess House
so the structure could be occupied by and revitalized by the
MacArthur Park restaurant.
This diagram shows a map of the existing use of the lands
adjacent to the site, with the Public Facility (Intermodal Transit
Center), restaurant (MacArthur Park) and office (Blue Cross)
uses taken out. The diagram also assumes that the transit
center use has moved to the area around University Avenue.
The diagram is roughly proportional to the actual sizes of site
and the surrounding lands. To keep this discussion at a high
level the lands have been divided into three uses: Commercial
(Blue), Residential (Brown), and Open Space (Green). This is
not a diagram of lease lines or property ownership.
The argument for placing the theater use on University
Avenue, instead of the office, can be compelling. A theater
can be a very civic use representing the aspirations and
interests of the entire city and present the ideals of our
community at this important entry in to Palo Alto in an
architecturally exciting building. The argument continues that if
the theater isn’t placed adjacent to University Avenue, the
Community loses this remarkable opportunity for new civic
identity; and the property is subjugated to the interests of the
property owner and or their agents.
Placing the office building on University Avenue presents the
property owner and their agents with advantages; the office
gets a University Address and sits in a dramatic and very
important location in the City. And shouldn’t that be resisted so
that a public good can be realized and better shared among
all? It is a difficult argument to resist.
Reconciling the desired civic outcome with the both the
existing uses adjacent to the site and the physical
requirements of the project, force the solution from an ideal path.
Adjacency and the convenience it provides, is at the root of
zoning and place-making. Placing the theater on University
Avenue is only one of many possible starting points to
understand the various adjacency issues that constrain any
planning solution.
ADJACENT USES DIAGRAM
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 9 of 22
ADJACENT USES
Office at University Avenue and
Theater & Plaza at the Park
AFFINITY ANALYSIS
NOT RECOMMENDED
There are four primary reasons why staff does not recommend
putting the theater use on University Avenue.
1 –Better support Downtown North Residential
Neighborhood’s pedestrian and bicycle connections to El
Camino Park.As part of this master plan concept, the City is
committed to creating an access under the Caltrain tracks,
similar to the Homer Avenue Underpass, so the that the
Downtown North residential
neighborhood can better access El
Camino Park, the Stanford Shopping
Center and Stanford Hospital via foot
and bike.
If the theater is placed on University
Avenue, the office buildings would
then need to be located on the
northerly or park side of the site –
closer to the proposed Lytton
underpass. Placing the office use
adjacent to the park interrupts this
chain of related adjacencies between
the residential neighborhood and the
park.
Additionally, the office use will likely
be populated by many hundreds of
people arriving and departing the
buildings each day. At the beginning and end of the day the
office population will by and large park in the new underground
garage or walk, while passing the theater, to and from the
transit center. The closer the Office Buildings are to the Lytton
underpass the more attractive the Downtown North
neighborhood will be as a place to park for office workers who
are looking for an alternative to the underground parking.
The opposite argument can also be made; that placing a
theater closer to the Downtown North Residential
Neighborhood means that someone wanting to avoid parking
in the garage could, with the easy access provided by the
proposed underground Lytton tunnel, be tempted to park in the
Downtown North Residential
Neighborhood. However, this is less likely
because the theater’s population is smaller
than the office building and the greatest
demand for theater parking will be when
parking space in the proposed garage will
be most abundant.
2 – Not blocking the views from the
Downtown North Residential
Neighborhood. The northerly portion of
the site sits between the southerly end of
the Downtown North residential
neighborhood and the foothills to the west.
The office buildings will always have larger
visual mass than the fly tower of a theater.
If the theater is on University Avenue and
the office buildings are placed adjacent to
the park, the office buildings will have a
much larger visual impact on the more sensitive neighborhood.
Placing the office use on University Avenue avoids this.
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 10 of 22
ADJACENT USES
Office at University Avenue and
Theater & Plaza at the Park
AFFINITY ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDED
3 – Better Support the University Avenue Business
District. Although the theater is intended to provide
programming during the day in addition to the traditional
evening performances, its population during the day will be
significantly less than the office buildings. If the office use is
located at the park, it will not have as
strong a role supporting the University
Avenue business district as it would if
the use were located on University
Avenue.
It is true that there is a secondary
benefit that could be realized if the
office buildings are located behind a
theater that is located on University
Avenue. During the day the area of the
theater will be activated by the office
foot traffic between the office buildings
and University Avenue.
However, it is City policy to find ways
to activate and support the businesses
along University Avenue
(Comprehensive Plan Policy L-23,
among others) . At lunch times the
office buildings being adjacent to El
Camino Park will be within very easy walking distance to the
Stanford Shopping Center and further from the Downtown
University Business District, thus less likely to visit these
businesses. To be sure, support of the Shopping Center is a
good thing, but on the balance the preference should be to
give the advantage to University Avenue
4 –Better support of Public Space. Office buildings adjacent
to El Camino Park would certainly benefit the office workers.
But is that adjacency best for the park and public? There is
greater affinity between the park’s
public open space and the public plaza
and the adjacent theater use.The
opportunity and flexibility for public
plaza programming increases if it is
adjacent to the park.Pedestrian and
bike connections between the
Downtown North neighborhood and the
Shopping Center and the connections
between the Shopping Center and the
train are also better supported in this
scenario. The December 3rd
presentation to Council also introduces
potential concepts for the Olympic
Grove and the Hostess House in El
Camino Park which benefit from this
synergy as well.
Locating the office use closer to
University Avenue and the theater and
public plaza closer to the Park better supports the Downtown
North Neighborhood’s connections and protects their views,
better supports the University Avenue business district and the
use and utility of the proposed public plaza space.
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 11 of 22
Why orienting the theater’s Fly Tower towards El
Camino Park is recommended
Before focusing on the theater’s orientation, it is important to
understand the program that the theater concept is answering
to and how that program is organized to address the various
site opportunities.
Theater Program.The essence of a theater’s program of
spaces is an exterior forecourt (green dashed rectangle), a
lobby (white rectangle), a house where one watches the
performance (white circle), a stage (blue rectangle) with the fly
tower above it, and support spaces (grey rectangle). The lobby
is roughly sized to house the same number of people in the
house but standing, and the stage is roughly twice as wide as
the actual performance area.
Diagram #1 shows this configuration. This is how the Lucie
Stern Theater is organized, for instance. The lobby is smaller
than one would expectat Lucie Stern, but including the covered
area outside the lobby the combined area works. The single
lobby is a gathering area for all the
theater-goers and is a strategy that
strongly supports the identity of the
theater.
A standard variant of the single lobbyis
what is often seen on Broadway in
New York City where the support
spaces and the lobby have to be
adjacent to the street to allow access
into them (Diagram #2). The area
needed for the lobbies have nearly
always been sacrificed to save the
area for the house and stage which results in the quintessential
New York theater experience where if you are not sitting down
inside, you are standing on the sidewalk.
The common way to organize more than one theatersis to line
them up along the lobby which has been elongated to
accommodate the strategy (Diagram #3). In the 27 University
theater conceptthe second theater is a smaller intimate “black
box theater” (blue circle).
Depending on the site constraints and opportunities, the lobby
is used to link exterior entrances and stages together in a
variety of ways (Diagram #4).
Note how the lobby increases in length to accommodate this
strategy. For example The Kennedy Center for the Performing
Arts in Washington DC utilizes this long lobby strategy albeit at
a much larger scale.
As effective as the long lobby strategy is,it works against
creating a common identity for the theatergoer’s experience; it
is difficult to create a single gathering without making more
lobby area which both adds to the
amount of square foot area and can
further attenuate the theatergoer’s
experience.
The way around this is to keep the
single lobby by adding the theaters
around it (Diagram #5). The Thrust and
Roda theaters of the Berkeley Rep are
basically organized in this way; the
outside area between them is the lobby
for them both.
Diagram #1
Single Lobby
Diagram #2
Single Lobby Variant
Diagram #3
Long Lobby
Diagram #4
Long Lobby Variant
Diagram #5
Single Lobby w/ 2 Theaters
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 12 of 22
The single lobby strategy is highly preferred because it allows
all the critical elements of the theater’s mission (main stage,
black box stage, costume shop, educational class rooms, and
administrative areas) to be displayed around a single lobby -
sharing the all the work of the theater with the public. This
anchors the identity of institution in that space. The lobby
becomes the central experience of the theater’s identity.
Site Considerations.Lobbies, as a programmatic element,
can accommodate many permutations of shape and size and
still function, by degrees, effectively. The program element that
has the least amount of flexibility in its size and shape is the
stage and its fly tower. Locating the stage and its fly tower is
the largest constraint to how the rest of the theater’s program
is laid out. It also has the largest visual impact on the exterior
of the theater.
The 27 University site being discussed has no “back” to place
the stage and fly tower against. The explorations of the theater
concept started by placing the fly tower in the center of the
theater’s mass to avoid any single building face beingburdened
by the tall fly tower; the other programmatic pieces of the
theater would be used to build mass around the tower
(Diagram #6). However, one critical issue among many kept
this plan scenario from being pursued further; the area of the
floor plan grew unacceptably large to accommodate the long
lobby.
Several schemes were explored placing the stage against the
train tracks (Diagram #7). These were eventually rejected
because the broad side of the tower is less desirable when
seen from the Downtown North neighborhood and likely to
present noise reflections from the trains that would be difficult
to mitigate.
Placing the stage and the fly tower on the side of the public
plaza was not considered.
Turning the stage and fly tower 90 degrees presents the
narrow side of the fly tower to the neighborhood - more
preferable than the broad side. The view towards the theater
down Mitchell Lane is the only view of the theater that can be
had from the Transit Center at University Avenue (Diagram
#9). The side of the building facing the Transit Center should
therefore present programmatic spaces that can be shared
visually with the public. The fly tower could be seen beyond but
the clear preference was not to place the fly tower directly on
Mitchell Lane.
How to place the fly tower on the Park(Diagram #10)? There
are two ways to see tall things; near to it and far from it. The
full impact of a tall wall is best had near to it. But if the height of
that wall is obscured the height may never be fully perceived.
From far away the impact of height can be mitigated by
foreground composition.
The strategy (as presented in the concepts at the September
24thCouncil meeting)is to develop a building concept where the
side of the building facing El Camino Park steps up to the full
height of the tower; the tower does not come fully down to the
street, use the area in front of that side for pedestrian, bicycle
and automobile passage to the largest extent possible. The
reservoir pump house and the trash enclosure areas being
located across QuarryRoad help support this strategy. And to
the degree possible, utilize landscape trees on both sides of
Quarry Road to reduce upward views.
The Illustrative Site Plan that will be discussed at the
December 3rdCouncil meeting further develops these
strategies.
Diagram #6 – Buried Fly Tower
Diagram #7 –Fly Tower against tracks
Diagram #8 – Fly Tower against tracks
Diagram #9 – Fly Tower facing University Avenue
Diagram #10 – Fly Tower facing Park
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 13 of 22
Revised Building Area Calculations
In response to Council, Commission and Board comments, the
applicant has reduced the amount of area of the office
functions. The top table shows the area of the December 3rd
buildings concepts. The middle table shows the difference
between the area of the December 3rd building concepts and
the September 24th building concepts shown in the table at the
bottom.
The project scenario that is now being presented for discussion
is just over 52,000 square feet less than before. All of this area
is taken out of the office function; the area of the theater has
not changed. The current design concept of the office is slightly
different than before. The total area on the ground floor of the
office has increased slightly by 1,620 sf. The floor plates have
been reshaped and the enclosed connections between the
towers have been eliminated; each tower is independent of the
other. The total area of the typical floor is only slightly larger
than before, except where they have been eliminated.
December 3, 2012
The building concept is less area
than it was on September 24th
FAR Area
Dec 3, 2012
Theater Office A
(at U Ave &
at El Cam)
Office C
(at U Ave &
near Mitchell)
Office D
(near Quarry &
near Mitchell)
Office B
(near Quarry &
at El Cam)
Total
OFFICE
Ground Floor 35,000 6,150 6,150 6,150 6,150 24,600
Mezzanine 16,000 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0
2nd Floor 18,000 6,150 6,150 6,150 6,150 24,600
3rd Floor 11,000 8,950 8,950 8,950 8,950 35,800
4th Floor 0 8,950 8,950 8,950 8,950 35,800
5th Floor 0 8,950 8,950 8,950 8,950 35,800
6th Floor 0 8,950 8,950 8,950 8,950 35,800
7th Floor 0 8,950 0 0 8,950 17,900
8th Floor 0 0 0 0 0 0
9th Floor 0 0 0 0 0 0
10th Floor 0 0 0 0 0 0
total 80,000 57,050 48,100 48,100 57,050 210,300
FAR AREA
Difference
As of Dec 3, 2012
Theater Office A
(at U Ave &
at El Cam)
Office C
(at U Ave &
near Alma)
Office D
(near Quarry &
near Alma)
Office B
(near Quarry &
at El Cam)
Total
OFFICE
Ground Floor 35,000 -5,390 6,150 -5,390 6,150 1,520
Mezzanine 16,000 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0
2nd Floor 18,000 -5,980 6,150 -5,980 6,150 340
3rd Floor 11,000 -8,790 8,950 -8,790 8,950 320
4th Floor 0 -8,790 8,950 -8,790 8,950 320
5th Floor 0 -8,790 8,950 -8,790 8,950 320
6th Floor 0 -8,790 8,950 -8,790 8,950 320
7th Floor 0 -8,790 0 -10,050 8,950 -9,890
8th Floor 0 -17,740 0 0 0 -17,740
9th Floor 0 -17,740 0 0 0 -17,740
10th Floor 0 -10,050 0 0 0 -10,050
total - -100,850 48,100 -56,580 57,050 -52,280
No Change Less More Less More Less
FAR Area
Sept 24, 2012
Theater Office A.1
(at U Ave &
at El Cam)
Office A.2
(at U Ave &
near Mitchell)
Office B.1
(near Quarry &
near Mitchell)
Office B.2
(near Quarry &
at El Cam)
Total
OFFICE
Ground Floor 35,000 11,540 in office A.1 number 11,540 in office B.1 number 23,080
Mezzanine 16,000 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0
2nd Floor 18,000 12,130 in office A.1 number 12,130 in office B.1 number 24,260
3rd Floor 11,000 17,740 in office A.1 number 17,740 in office B.1 number 35,480
4th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 17,740 in office B.1 number 35,480
5th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 17,740 in office B.1 number 35,480
6th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 17,740 in office B.1 number 35,480
7th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 10,050 0 27,790
8th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 0 0 17,740
9th Floor 0 17,740 in office A.1 number 0 0 17,740
10th Floor 0 10,050 0 0 0 10,050
total 80,000 157,900 0 104,680 0 262,580
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 14 of 22
Revised FAR Calculation Scenarios
FAR Scenario 1 – Existing Leased Area. This hypothetical
scenario uses the assumption of the FAR Base Case
described above; that the site area is composed of the existing
Transit Center, MacArthur Park and Red Cross leased areas
compared to the December 3rd revised building areas. In this
scenario the FAR of the project is 1.62.
FAR Scenario 2 –Revised Dec 3rd Site. This scenario uses the
revised December 3rd site area shown in the Illustrative Plan. In
this scenario the FAR of the project is 1.53.
FAR Scenario 3 –Parkland Swap Boundaries. This scenario
uses the proposed boundaries of the revised Parkland Swap
Exhibit. The theater’s site is assumed to then be the portion of
the proposed revised parkland boundary that overlays the
revised December 3rd site. The office site is then the remaining
area in the revised December 3rd site. In this scenario the FAR
of the theater site is 1.11 and the FAR of the office site is 1.78.
FAR Scenario 1 – Existing Leased Area
FAR Scenario 2 – December 3rd Site
FAR Scenario 3 – Parkland Swap Boundaries
FAR Scenario 6 - Parkland Swap Total Site Theater Office
Site Area 189,972.50 70,292.00 119,680.50
Theater FAR Area 80,000.00 80,000.00
Office FAR Area 210,300.00 210,300.00
Calculated FAR 1.53 1.14 1.76
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 15 of 22
m
Revisions to the Office Building Concept
The office building height and massing is reduced as follows:
Office buildings facing University Avenue:
• West tower reduced from 10 stories at 161’-6” to
7 stories at 103’-6.”
• East tower reduced from 9 stories at 147’ to
6 stories at 89’-0.”
Office building facing theater plaza:
• West tower height unchanged but number of stories
increased, from 6 stories at 103’-6” to
7 stories at 103’-6.”
• East tower reduced from 7 stories at 118’ to
6 stories at 89’-0.”
Floor to floor height is reduced for the ground floor,
• from 20’-0” to 16’-6”,
Typical office floor to floor height is unchanged at 14’-6”
Mechanical floor height has been reduced
• from 11’-0” to 10’-0”.
Ground Floor Typical Floor
Section B Section C
September
24th
September
24th
September
24th
September
24th
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 16 of 22
Revisions to the Theater Building Concept
The height of the fly tower of the theater is reduced by 5 feet,
the tower is now 95 feet high.
The garage elevator has been eliminated and replaced by
public garage elevators located in the Theater Plaza.
Ground Floor Mezzanine
2nd Floor 3rd Floor Section A
Main Stage
House
Lobby
Black Box Theater
Costume Shop
Main Stage Balcony
Education
Black Box Balcony
Rehearsal
Dance Rehearsal
Administration
Roof Garden
Administration
Fly Tower
House
Lobby
Rehearsal
Black Box Theater
September
24th
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 17 of 22
Revised Aerial Views of the
Building Concepts
VIEW FROM THE NORTH WEST
101 LYTTON
THEATER
THEATERPLAZA
OFFICES OLYMPIC GROVE
EL CAMINO REAL
UNIVERSITY AVE
ALMA
QUARRY ROAD
SHERATON
HOTEL
STANFORD
ARBORETUM
TALLER
green volumes show the
buildingconcepts discussedat the
September 24, 2012
City Council Meeting
LOWER
December 3, 2012
LOWER
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 18 of 22
Revised Aerial Views of the
Building Concepts
TALLER
green volumes show the
buildingconcepts discussedat the
September 24, 2012
City Council Meeting
LOWER
December 3, 2012
VIEW FROM THE NORTH EAST
TRAIN DEPOT
THEATER OFFICES 101 LYTTON
UNIVERSITY
ALMA
QUARRY
STANFORD
ARBORETUM
MITCHELL LANE
Caltrain Tracks
PALM DR
LOWER
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 19 of 22
`
Revised Aerial Views of the
Building Concepts
VIEW FROM THE SOUTHEAST
LYTTON UNDERPASS
QUARRY
101 LYTTON
EL
CAMINO
PARK
TRAIN DEPOT THEATER PLAZA
OFFICES
TALLER
green volumes show the
buildingconcepts discussedat the
September 24, 2012
City Council Meeting
LOWER
December 3, 2012
UNIVERSITY
ALMA
STANFORD
ARBORETUM
MITCHELL LANE
Caltrain Tracks
UNIVERSITY
EL CAMINO REAL
ALMA TRANSIT RING ROAD
TRANSIT RING ROAD
TRANSIT RING RD
THEATER
LOWER
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 20 of 22
Views of Theater Plaza
Concept
`
TALLER
green volumes show the
building concepts discussedat the
September 24, 2012
City Council Meeting
LOWER December 3,
2012
Sep 24 volumes overlaid by Dec 3 volumes
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 21 of 22
`
Revised Parkland Swap Map
In response to Council, Commission
and Board comments, the proposed
parkland swap has been revised to
make the boundary more regular.
The area of the parkland has not
changed; only the boundary has been
reconfigured. In this revision a portion
of the theater plaza is in the parkland
and the entire theater is in the
parkland.
Arts & Innovation District - Revised Building Concepts
December 3, 2012
Page 22 of 22
`
Existing Ownership and
Lease Map
No revisions to this document have
been made. It is provided for your
information.