HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-24 City Council (15)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
1
DATE:JUNE 24., 2002 CMR:299:02
SUBJECT:RESOLUTION CERTIFYING ADOPTION OF MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND APPROVAL OF CONCEPTUAL
DESIGN OF THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT
REPORT IN BRIEF
Children’s Library was constructed in 1940 and is listed on the City’s Historic Inventory.
It is part of the Lucie Stern Community Center and, Consequently, has limited expansion
opporttmities~ To alleviate the overcrowded conditions at the library, a feasibility study
was prepared in 2000 by Architectural Resourc~es Group (ARG).to determine, expansion
opportunities. ARG recommended a south and a north addition to Children’s Library,
increasing the size from-3,400 square feet (sf) to 10,150 sf. A subsequent building spatial
program recommended 12,000 sfto achievethe vision of the New Library Plan.
ARG was also retained to develop the conceptual designs of the Children’s Library
expansion. The designs represent a further development of the feasibility study scheme,
exploring different massings and floor plans for the expanded facility. Issues surfaced
during the design review process, and ARG has revised the designs numerous times in an
effort to respond to and resolve all. issues. The current design has been reviewed and
recommended for Council approval by the appropriate boards and commissions, and the
project Committee. The project cost estimate is $6.5 million. Funding for the project
would be provided by bond proceeds, assuming the project is included in a bond measure
and the. measure passes,
A MitigatedNegative Declaration has been prepared by staff, reviewed by the public, and
staff .has responded to all comments. The completed document is recommended for
.adoption.
CMR:299:02 Page 1 of 8
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council:
Adopt a Resolution Approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Children’s
Library Expansion Project (Attachment E).
2.Approve the conceptual design of the Children’s Library Expansion Project.
BACKGROUND
The Children’s Library is part of the Lucie Stem Community Center. The library was
designed iri 1940 by Birge Clark, a prominent local architect, and was constructed later
that year. It is a 3,400 square foot (sf), single-story, Wood-framed building. The library
has been designated to the Historic Inventory in Category 1. The adjacent Secret Garden
is an historic garden and is used by the library’s patrons as an informal outdoor amenity.,
and in good weather, as an outdoor study room and a space for the children’s programs.
The Children’s Library suffers from deferred maintenance. Most of its original systems
are long past their useful life and need replacement. The building needs a seismic
upgrade and a reroof. The library isseverely overcrowded because of high use and
collection growth and in need of reorganization and expansion. The Secret Garden’s
shrubs, pathways and features are in need of renovation.
In April 2000, the Friends of the Palo Alto Library contracted with Architectural
Resources Group (ARG) to conduct a feasibility study to determine the options for
expanding the Children’s Library, ARG completed the study and delivered the "Final
Feasibility Study for the Palo Alto Children’s Library’, in June 2000. ARG had
developed six different schemes for the expansion of the library, and recommen,ded
Scheme 5A as the most suitable. Scheme 5A calls for a one-story north addition and a
two-story plus basement south addition. The additions add 6,750 sf to the existing
building for a total of 10,150 sf.
In May 2000, the City’s Library Advisory Commission (LAC) produced the New Library
Plan (NLP). This document describes the LAC’s recommendations, for upgrading the
City’s library system, including full renovation and expansion of the Resource Libraries,
which include Children’s Library and Main Library in north Palo Alto and Mitchell Park
Library in south Palo Alto. Council conceptually approved the NLP in October 2000.
In January 2001, the City retained Phillips Swager Associates (PSA) to prepare programs
for the expanded libraries, quantifying the various space needs based on parameters
described in the NLP. PSA completed the programs in July 2001 and recommended a
total of 12,000 sfto achieve the NLP’s vision for the Children’s Library.
CIVIR:299:02 Page 2 of 8
In October 2001, ARG was selected to prepare the conceptual designs of the Children’s
Library. ARG’s qualifications include considerable experience in designing renovations
and additions to historic buildings, including local and California libraries.
Council has not previously reviewed this project.
DISCUSSION
ARG has developed the conceptual designs over the last eight months. The Project
Committee, consisting of community representatives, various City board and commission
members and key staff has met with the architects regularly to review and discuss the
designs. The designs have been presented to and discussed with the City boards and
commissions. There were also two community meetings heldat the Children’s Library.
During the development of the designs, many specific site and building issues were
raised, some resulting in adjustments to the design.. The final conceptual des.ign are now
complete and the site plan, floor plans, elevations and perspective sketch are included as
Attachment A. A brief summary of the key issues that affected the development of the
conceptual design follows.
Program
The program recommends 12,000 sf for the expanded Children’s Library, with all public
spaces on the main floor level for security and efficient staffing. However, the final
conceptual design is only 10,625 sf. This is due to the very constricted site, with the
library essentially being hemmed in on-all four sides. The only way to achieve the 12,000
sf program at the site is to deviate from certain parameters established in the feasibility
study. A third floor on the south addition was ruled out because it creates too tall a
building mass and does not accommodate the program well. A second floor on the north
addition would create a negative impact on the Children’s Theater and residential
neighbors and would require an additional elevator and two stairs, considerably reducing
the usable area of the addition. A basement under the original library would provide
additional space, but was determined to be unsuitable for most of the library functions
and very expensive to construct. Expansion into the Secret Garden was to be minimized
to lessen the impacts on that historic space. Building the additions over the front setback
lines would create a negative impact on the residential neighbors and would require a
variance from the City’s zoning ordinance.
South Alley
The south addition to the library is planned to be constructed on part of the alley that
separates the Children’s Library and the Community Theater. The addition was initially
envisioned to be 30 feet wide, reducing the width of the alley to ten feet, which satisfied
the building code requirement of a 10-foot separation between two structures. The
resulting narrow alley created five concerns for the Lucie Stern Community Center and
its users:
CMR:299:02 Page 3 of 8
1.Fire Department access
2.Emergency exiting from the site
3.Access for workers delivering equipment to the Community Theater
4.Security and sight-line issues
5.Relocation of transformers and other electrical equipment
ARG and City staff met with the Fire Department to resolve the fire fighting access. This
will be accomplished by providing an additional fire track parking area, additional hose
outlets, and completing the fire sprinkler system in the Children’s Theater.
ARG retained a fire protection engineer to address the issue of emergency exiting
throughout the Lucie Stem complex. The engineer visited the site and prepared a report
stating, that a 10-foot wide south alley would be wide enough to accommodate the
maximum number of facility users exiting through the alley during an emergency.
ARG and City staff met twice with the users of the Community Theater to address the
access issue. A 10-foot wide alley would be too narrow for delivery tracks to reach the
side doors of the Community Theater, where workers load and unload musical
instruments and stage sets. To accommodate the theater productions, the south addition
was narrowed, widening the alley by three feet to create a 13-foot wide alley. This
additional width will allow pick-up tracks to be loaded and unloaded while still providing
space for pedestrians to pass. Widening the alley also alleviates much of the concern
about security and sight lines.
To allow trucks to pass down the alley, a transformer and a large piece of electrical
equipment that serve the Community Theater will need to be relocated. The alley will be
re-graded to provide safe, lev.el access for both the Children’s Library and the Community
Theater stage area. Also, the wall treatments and pavement in the south alley will be
improved to provide a better pedestrian experience.
South Addition
Narrowing of the south addition resulted in a significant loss of square footage for the
library, which was already less than the programmed amount. ARG developed a number
of different .plans that compensated for this loss. Some of these plans had the south
addition extending into the Secret Garden. Other plans had a portion of the south addition
wrapping around the front of the oyiginal library. Other plans removed the south ten feet
of the original library in order to accommodate a wider addition. All these plans gained
back some of the square footage lost when the south addition was narrowed, but created
impacts to the historic building and Secret Garden. The impacts of each plan are
discussed below.
CMR:299:02 Page 4 of 8
South addition extending into Secret Garden:
The south addition extends about 20 feet into the southeast quadrant of the Secret Garden,
converting about 400 sf, or 5%, of Secret Garden space into a stairwell and a glass-
enclosed reading room looking onto the Secret Garden. Five trees are lost in the Secret
Garden by the addition, representing 20% of the trees, and will be compensated for by
planting additional trees elsewhere in the Lucie Stern complex. The southeast quadrant is
the least used quadrant of the Secret Garden and only rarely accommodates programs for
the Children’s Library. It is, however, the only quadrant of the Garden that is still in its
original configuration. Previously, the Children’s Theater expanded into the two west
quadrants of the Secret Garden. ARG and staff have reviewed the plans and conclude
that: 1) because only a small percentage of the Garden is affected by the south ’ addition,
2) the affected Garden space is not well utilized currently, and 3) the addition opens onto
and create.s a more usable indoor-outdoor space with the Garden, that the impacts to the
Secret Garden are not significant.
Removing ten feet of original library:
This plan was considered because it allowed the south addition to become wider and,
consequently, created additional space in the basement and on the second floor.
However, it has a significant impact on the historic structure and therefore raised
concerns about the design meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation (Secretary’s Standards).
Wrapping the south addition around the front of the historic library:
This plan created additional square footage, but also has a negative impact on the historic
building because it blocks the view of a portion of the primary fagade. Consequently, this
plan also raised concerns about meeting the Secretary’s Standards.
In conclusion, based upon comments and direction from staff and the Historic Resources
Board, ARG will develop plans during the schematic design phase that do not remove any
length of the historic building and that do not have additions that wrap around the front of
the historic building.
North Addition
The north addition abuts the northeast quadrant of the Secret Garden, but will not reduce
the size of the Garden. The addition is only one story in keeping with the adjacent
residential neighborhood and is set back from the historic building, conditions that meet
the Secretary’s Standards. A transformer for the Children’s Theater is located where the
north addition is planned and would be relocated.
Floor Plans
The floor plans work fairly well, considering they are being concentrated into less square
footage than recommended in the program. Additionally, there are inherent compromises
associated with adding onto an existing structure. The collection areas, program room,
CMR:299:02 Page 5 of 8
circulation areas, and working areas have all been significantly increased in size. A new
front entry in the south addition allows the checkout and circulation functions to be
adjacent which is valuable for staff efficiency. There isa view through the south addition
from the front door into the Secret Garden. A large program room in the nortti addition
-can be opened up onto the Secret Garden for indoor/outdoor programs, or be used as a
homework/study room. The north addition also has restrooms and a kitchenette, allowing.
it to be closed off from the rest of the library to potentially serve as an off-hour
community meeting room.
Historic Impact
The majority of the historic context of the original library is retained. The roof will be
strengthened and waterproofed and the original tiles will be reinstalled. The north
exterior w.all, including the fireplace, will be mostly retained to become the interior wall
separating the original building from the north addition. Many of the interior components
of the original building will be retained. The original front entry porch will be retained,
although a new main entry is included in the south addition. The existing south entry
porch will be removed to accommodate the south addition.
Secret Garden & Landscaping
As part of the project, the Secret Garden will be fully renovated, retaining all of the
existing historic components except for five trees. The existing trees will be pleached
(pruned and trained to form a canopy). The front yard will be enclosed by a low brick
wall and a gate to de-emphasize the previous front entrance and to provide a safe area for
children. A section of the original brick wall around the perimeter of the Garden will be
reconstructed to become an interior wall in the south addition. The south addition will
have a glass reading room to integrate witli the Secret Garden.
Parking
The Children’s Library patrons park. in the Lucie Stem parking lot or on Harriet and
Hopkins Streets in front of the .library. The additional parking demand generated by the
expanded library has been calculated at ten spaces. To accommodate this additional
demand, to establish a future bank of parking spaces for potential expansion of other
Lucie Stern facilities, and to help alleviate an .existing overcrowded condition, the Lucie
Stern parking lot will be reconfigured as part of the project.
There is a CIP project currently under design to provide new lighting for the Lucie Stern
parking lot. If Children’s Library is included in a bond measure and the measure passes,
this CIP project will be cancelled as the lot will be reconfigured, .Lighting will be
included in the reconfigured parking lot.
BOARD AND COMMISSION REVIEW
The designs have been reviewed by the Library Advisory Commission, the Architectural
Review Board, the Historical Resources Board (HRB), and the Planning. and
CMR:299:02 Page 6 of 8
Transportation Commission. The consensus of those who reviewed the designs is that the
plans accomplish the goals of the feasibility study and integrate well with the Lucie Stern
complex. The HRB concluded initially that the south addition was not in conformance
with the Secretary’s Standards because it was too massive, was too far forward of the
original building, and dominated instead of being subordinate to the original building.
However, ARG revised the designs and presented them to the HRB in a special meeting
on June 12, 2002: After reviewing the revised designs, a staff report, and a peer review
report, the HRB passed a motion that stated the revised plans can be made to conform
with the Secretary’s Standards without further reductions in the size of the south addition.
Certain architectural treatments and modifications will be developed during the next
.phase of design to accomplish this. Formal recommendations from the Boards and
Commissions are included in Attachment B.
RESOURCE IMPACT
ARG has prepared a construction cost estimate for the project, totaling $4.0 million. Staff
has added the other project costs, including design, construction management,
contingencies, allowances and escalation, to arrive at a total project capital cost of
$6.5 million. This includes the renovation of the Secret Garden, reconfiguration of the
Lucie Stern parking lot, the relocation of the transformers and electrical equipment, and
completing the fire sprinklers at the Children’s Theater. It does not include furnishings,
estimated at $455,000, or any staffing, operation, or maintenance costs, which are
estimated at $682,000 per year. See Attachment C for a summary of the project costs.
Since proceeds from a bond measure cannot be used to pay for furnishings, operation,
maintenance, staffing or other on-going costs, the City will need to identify other funding
sources for these costs.
The City Manager has convened the Community Facilities Cost Advisory Committee to
review the cost estimates of all the community facility, projects being considered for the
bond measure. The Committee consists of six professionals in the building industry,
including architects, developers, contractors, construction managers, and public works
staff from other cities. The Committee has met four times. It will issue a report stating
its conclusions and recommendations regarding the various cost estimates. The
Committee’s report will be included in the Council packets for the Council meeting on
July 15, 2002.
Current staffing levels are inadequate to proceed into final design and construction of all
of the projects if a bond measure were to pass in November. The 2002-03 Proposed
Budget document includes the following additions to the Table of Organization: an
Engineering Technician III, a Senior Project Manager, and an Office Specialist. These
additions to the Public Works Department have an annual ongoing cost of $246,640 in
salary and benefits expense. The funding of these positions will be requested by a Budget
Amendment Ordinance only after a successful November 2002 bond measure vote. Staff
may also request one Library position to support the building planning process; however,
CMR:299:02 Page 7 of 8
these needs are still being reviewed. The cost of three Public Works .positions can be
.capitalized as part of the construction process and could therefore be financed as part of
the bond measure as long as they are directly related to design and construction activities.
These positions are not permanent and would be terminated upon project completion or
absorbed through attrition of similar positions.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This recommendation does not represent any change to existing City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is being reviewed per the California Environmental Quality-Act (CEQA).
Staff has prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration .(MND) for the project, which
addresses, the potential environmental impacts and identifies mitigation measures
included in the project that would reduce impacts to a less than significant level. The
MND has gone through the public review process and staff has responded to all
comments (see Attachment D). The City Council received copies of the Initial Study and
the MND at the beginning of the review period. Staff recommends that Council approve
and certify the MND by adopting the attached Resolution (Attachment E). -
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Site plan, floor plans, elevations, perspective sketch _
Attachment B.: Recommendations on the conceptual designs from the Boards and
Commissions
Attachment C:
Attachment D:
Attachment E:
Summary of project cost estimate
Mitigated Negative Declaration, including comments and responses
Resolution Adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration for
Children,s Library Expansion Project
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
BOB MORRIS
Senior Project Manager
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
the
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:299:02 Page 8 of 8
,ATTACHMENT A
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ATTACHMENT B
BOARD AND COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Historic Resources Board (HRB), at its meeting of May 15, 2002,
unanimously recommended that the City Council:
1)Support the adequacy of the Mitigated Negative Declaration with the
mitigation included in the project that the project shall conform to the
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. ,
Vote: 5-0-0-2 (Haviland and Mario absent)
The Historic Resources Board (HRB), at its meeting of June 12, 2002,
unanimously recommended:
1)That the HRB firmly believes that a south addition to the existing
Children’s Library can be accomplished that will meet the Secretary of
Interior’s Standards and that will be sufficient size to meet the needs of
the Children’s Library.
2)That the south addition must not demolish or obscure any part of the
existing street-facing facade.
3)That it be clarified whether the adjacent alley next to the Community
Theater is required by the City to be at least 13 feet wide.
Vote: 6-0-0-1 (Mario absent)
The Library Advisory Commission (LAC), at its meeting of June 18, 2002 passed
the following motion unanimously:
1)The LAC accepts the conceptual designs for Children’s Library
prepared by ARG (Alternate 5C).
2)The LAC recommends a one-story north addition and two-story south
addition and with no further reduction in the physical scope of the
building or in the program that will .occupy the space.
Vote: 6-0-0-1 (1 absent)
The Planning and Transportation Commission, at its May 15, 2002 meeting,
unanimously recommended that the City Council:
1)Approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration and that the mitigation
measures include those addressing historic preservation as affirmed by
the Historic Resources Board in that any expansion that is constructed,
or any project that is undertaken must comply with the Secretary of
Interior’s Standardsl
2)Approve the design for the expanded parking facility to maximize the
number of parking spaces to serve the expanded Children’s Library and
Lucie Stem complex.
3)Approve the concept of expanding the Children’s Library, and that
expansion may include additions to the north and south which would
satisfy the Secretary of Interior"s Standards, including a Historic and
Architectural Peer Review to concur that the Secretary of Interior’s
Standards would be satisfied.
Vote: 7-0-0-0
2
ATTACHMENT C
CHILDREN’S LIBRARY EXPANSIQN
CONCEPTUAL-LEVEL PROJECT COST ESTIMATE
YEAR BUILT
TYPE
SIZE
DESCRIPTION OF COSTS
CONSTRUCTION
Renovation of (E) bldg’
New construction
Under-building or structured parking
Sitework, incl. surface parking & landscaping
BUILDING COSTS
2004
1 & 2 story additions
3,400 sf (E); 7,225 sf (N)
UNIT COST
$190/sf 647,000
$262/sf 1,891,000
LS 900,000
$3,438,OOO
Sustainability allowance 2%
General conditions 8%
Bonds and insurance 2%
Overhead and profit 5%
CONSTRUCTION COSTS 17%
68,760
275,040
68,760
171 900
$584,460
CONSTRUCTION SUBTOTAL IN 2002 $’S $378/sf $4,022,460
Design/scope contingency 10%
Construction contingency 7.5%
CONTINGENCIES 17.5%
402,246
301 685
$703,931
CONSTRUCTION TOTAL IN’2002 $’S$445/sf
ESCALATION (@ 4%lyr)8%
$4,726,391
$3781111
CONSTRUCTION TOTAL IN YR BUILT $480/sf $5,104,502
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT COSTS
Design, all disciplines 15%
Construction Management 5%
Testing & inspection 1%
Permits and fees 1%
Public art 1% ¯
Environmental 1%
Commissionin~1%
Relocation 1%
. TOTAL 26%
765,675
255,225
51,045
51,045
51,045
51,045
51,045
51 045
$1,327,170
TOTAL CAPITAL COSTS $6,431,672
FINANCING COSTS
BOND MEASURE AMOUNTS $6,53t,672
FURNISHINGS $44/sf $455,000
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS (rounded)
compared to
FEASIBILITY-LEVEL ESTIMATE $6,000,00~
S:Morris\Libraries\Children’s\Cost estimates03; Last updated 6/19/02
ATTACHMENT D
City of Pale Alto
Department of Planning and Community Environment
California Environmental Quality Act
MITIGA TED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
"NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Mitigated Negative Declaration has beeri prepared
by the Pale Alto Department of Planning and Community Environment for the. project
listed below. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines, this document is available for
review and comment during a minimum 20-day inspectior~period beginning April 17,
2002_ to May 6, 2002. Written comments may be submitted to the Department of
Planning and Community Environment during the hours of 8:00 AM.to 5:30 PM in the
Planning. Division, Civic Center, 250 Hamilt0nAvenue, fifth floor, Pale Alto, California or
FAX 650-329-2154. The Initial Study. prepared for the Mitigated Negative Declaration
may be also be reviewed at the Department of Planning and Community Environment.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Date:" April 17, 2002 Application Nos.: 02-PAR-12; 02-EIA-06
Address of Project:1276 Harriet .Street
Applicant:
Pro perty Owner:
City of Pale Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Pale Alto, CA 94301
Attention: Tricia Schimpp, Department of Planning and Community
Environment (650- 329-2230)
City Of Pale Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Pale Alto, CA 94301
Project Description and Location:
The City of Pale proposes to expand the existing one-story library facility from 3,400 sq.
ft. to approximately 12,000 sq. ft. Site options include an alternate facility of
approximately 10,700 sq. ft. Both options include a two-story addition with basement at
the South end of the existing structure and a one-story addition at the north end. The
library is located in the Lucie Stern Comple.x in the City Of Pale Alto PF Zon!ng District.
The 100 existing shared parking stalls will be expanded to accommodate approximately
110 parking stalls. Some vegetation, including mature trees, will be removed and the
site will be re-landscaped.
The project site is located in the northern section of the City of Palo Alto, in the northern
part of Santa Clara County, west of U.S. Highway 101 and east of State R~Jute 82 (El
Camino Real). The civic facilities expansion program includes the Children"s Library and
adjacent Secret Garden area of the Lucie Stern Center, a civic facilities center, bounded
by Harriet and Hopkins Streets to the east, Melville Avenue to the north, Middlefield
Road to the west and Riconada Park and Walter Hayes Elementa:ry School to the
southeast.
II.DETERMINATION
In accordance with the City.of Palo Alto’s procedures for compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the city has conducted an Initial
Study to determine-whether the proposed project located-at 3700 and 3800
Middlefield Road may have a significant effect on the environment. On the basis
of that study, the City makes-the following determination:
The proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the
environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION’is hereby adopted.
X Although the project, as proposed, could have asignificant effect on
the environment, there will not be a significant effect on the
environment in this case because mitigation measures have been
added to the project and, therefore, a MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION is hereby adopted..
The attached initial study incorporates all relevant information regarding the
potential environmental effects of the project and confirms the determination that
an EIR. is. not required for the project.
In-addition, the following mitigation measures have been incorporated into the
project:
The expansion of the Children’s Library shall comply with applicable Comprehensive
Plan policies and the Palo Alto Municipal Code and shall be designed in substantial
conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and
Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings and The Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment
of Cultural Landscapes. In addition, as a "Certified Local Government", the City of
Palo Alto would require all design development involving the existing historic library
¯ and additions shall be reviewed by the Historic Landmarks Commission and the
Architectural Review board.The expansion of the facility shall be constructed in
conformance with Best Management Construction Practices.
2,The architects shall utilize the design star{dards identified in Section 4.0 of the
Arborist Report (City Files) in the.final design of conceptual plans. The City of Palo
Alto Planning Arborist shall review final conceptual design plans. Mitigation for the
six London plane trees may be accomplished in one of two ways, as consistent with
the standards specified in the City of Palo Alto’s "Tree Technical Manual" (Planning
Arborist Memorandum, City Files):
a) Relocation to anotherarea in the Lucie.Stern Center. The trees may be evaluated
for their suitability for transplanting, preparation, transport and post planting care for
a period of at least two years. In this event, it is incumbent that the trees continue to
be maintained by the "pollarding~’ method of pruning.
b) Replacement Of the trees at a 2:1 ratio ai another location in the Lucie Stern
Center. T.he replacement trees should be 36inch box trees of the same species .or
other species as. approved by the Department 6f Planning and Community-
Environment and Community Services. In this event~, it is not incumbent that the
trees be maintained by the "pollarding"meth0d of pruning.
The City of Palo shall conform to the guidelines identified by the consulting arborist
in Section 4 of the Arborist Report and comply with the guidelines of the Palo Alto
Tree Technical Manual during all phases .of. demolition, construction and post
construction,of the project.
Standard engineering. practices and seismic upgrades of the existing building shall
comply with Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Demolition and construc:~ion at the projeCt site shall comply with standard safety
¯ protocols and Best Management Practices and all local and state codes for
abatement of hazardous materials.
All-construction at the project site shall comply with Best Management Practices. A
construction, management plan shall be prepared prior to construction and shall
conform with the City Noise Ordinance.
The construction plans for the library expansion shall include the installation of one
hose inlet in the .northeast corner of the library addition and two hose outlets along
the north exterior of the library. In addition, the driveway shall be resurfaced and
lighted with low lights. The Children’s Theatre is currently only partially equipped
with fire sprinklers. That facility shall be upgraded to provide complete sprinkler
coverage. That area in front of the Lucie Stern Center between Middlefield Road and
Melville Avenue shall be designated as a red zone of sufficient area to provide for
emergency equipment access. The new parking plan shall indicate a red zone in this
area (Fire Department memorandum, City Files).
The footprint of the proposed expansion shall not encroach more than 13 feet from
the exterior of the north side of the Community Theatre wall. In addition, the City
shall resurface the drive to provide better access to the stage door and to eliminate
an existing exterior stair railing (Community Services memorandum, City Files).
The Lucie Stern Center is owned by the City of Palo Alto. The City shall redesign
and construct the 100 parking space area to accommodate the additional 10 spaces.
In addition, the entire parking area shall be reconfigured to accommodate a
.maximum of potential parking spaces to provide for the shared parking needs of the
entire complex.
Project Planner
~’~ent Planning M~nager
Date
Date
ATTACHMENT D
Department of Planning and Community Environment
Staff Responses to Comments on the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the
Children’s Library
May 15, 2002
FRIENDS OF THE PALO ALTO JUNIOR MUSEUM AND ZOO
REVIEW COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
FOR THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
May 6, 2002
Page A1. -Notice -The Board of the Friends has reviewed the draft Mitigated
Negative Declaration for tt~e Children’s Library portion of the Lucie Stem Complex
of the City.of Palo Alto. Per our discussion with Emily Harrison, the Assistant City
Manager, and Steve Emslie, Director of Planning and Community Environment, we
suggest the following additions and changes be made to the draft mitigated negative
declaration and initial study prepared for the Children’s Library Expansion. The
purpose of this comments is to better acknowledge the multi tenant use and shared
parking facilities of the Lucie Stem Center, and specifically the potential
reconfiguration and design of the existing parking lot for both the Children’s Library
and Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo future programmatic needs.
Recommended Text Changes.
Page A1 - Proiect Description and Location - The next to last sentence to read:
"The City will redesign and rebuild the existingshared parking lots (100
cars) in the Lucie Stern Center to accommodate at least 130 cars to meet
the expansion needs of uses within the. Center."
1. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged. The City has identified that the
existing parking lot could be expanded to 110 parking spaces to accommodate the
Children’s Library Expansion. In addition, staff’s analysis of the parking lot found
the potential to provide a total of approximately 145 spaces, which could serve the
future expansion of other uses at the center. This would include the Junior Museum
and Zoo (JAZ).
Any additional of expansion of facilities at the center would require additional
environmental review.
Page A2 - Top Paragraph - Revise to read:
"The ~ librar2~ expansion program includes the. Children’s
. Library and thee adjacent Secret Garden area of the Lucie Stem Center,
bounded by .......
2. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged. It does not change the
nature or Scope of the project addressed in the Initial Study and Mitigated
Negative Declaration (IS/MND).
¯Page A3 - Mitigation.Measure #7 - Clarify where the red zone for emergency
equipment access is to occur. Is this in the street, in the parking lot, impact parking?
3. Staff Response: The red zone for emergency vehicles would be located in the
circular driveway and would remove approximately three ten-minute parking
spaces. These spaces would be replaced within the same driveway.
Page A4 - Mitigation Measure #9 - Revise to read:
°’A preliminary review of.the parking suggests that approximately 30 to 40
additional spaces can be added to the Lucie Stem Center parking. The City
shall complete the design and reconstruction of the parking lots to
accommodate the additional spaces needed for planned improvements in
the Lucie Stem Center.
4. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged. As-stated in the staff report,
preliminary design has identified the potential to expand the parking lot up to
approximately 145 spaces. Although the Children!s Library expansion would
require 110 spaces, staff is recommending that the parking lots improvements, for
maximum parking spaces be included in the design development with the library
project..The City’s traffic consultant has determined that this maximum parking lot
expansion would not significantly increase traffic volumes or the Traffic Infusion on
Residential Environments (TIRE) Index.
Page 1 - First paragraph, last sentence - Leave as is:
"CEQA and the State CEQA Guidelines require public agencies to
consider the potential environmental impacts of their decisions, to disclose
all considerations to the public and affected agencies, and to mitigate all
significant impacts to the extent feasible."
5. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged.
¯Page 2 - F - Project Location, second sentence - change to read:
"The ~ libral~ expansion program includes ......"
6. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged. It does not require revisions to
the IS/MND.
2
Page 4 - Project Description- next to last sentence - revise to read:
Wh inn ~.~-~÷-i.,.a,-,- ,I-,,-,~A ~.~I,-.~,-, ,-,+MI .... iii I., ...... A,~A + ........
...... :....+~1.. 11 n ~..~.:~..~+.~m~ The City shall complete the design and "
reconstruction of the parking lots to accommodate the .additional spaces
needed for all planned improvements in the Lucie Stem Center.
7. Staff Response: See response to comment numbers 1 and 4 above.
¯Page 4 - Top Paragraph, Last Sentence - Eliminate extraneous reference to growth in
San Francisco.
8. Staff Response: The comment .is acknowledged.
Page 4 - 3rd Paragraph - Revise to Read:
"The City conducted a traffic and pa~king study for the proposed
Children’s Library expansion. They found that the bulk of the
improvements were designed to remedy overcrowding and provide
reagonable administrative and storage space, not for program increases.
The projected 5-10 new parking spaces is based on the floor arer, not
program expansion."
"The existing shared parking lot and surroundings are not well designed
leading to major inefficiencies, poor pedestrian links between uses and the
unattractive asphalt core of the Center. As part of a comprehensive review
of the site for the Lucie Stern Center and the park, the City can
substantially improve the aesthetics, pedestrian safety and parking lot
design to accommodate the improvement plans for the Children’s Library,
JM&Z and other anticipated improvements.
9. Staff Response: The comment is. directed to the overall circulation issues of the
Lucie Stern Center. The Children’s Library expansion would address these with
final design development. The discussion on pages 26 and 27 of the Initial-Study
adequately addresses these issues. The City is committed to improving all facets of
circulation for the Lucie Stern complex, including, cars, strollers, pedestrians and
bicycles.
Page 4 - J -SU_RROUNDING LAND USES AND SETTING - Change to read:
"The Children’s Library is part of the Lucie Stem Community Center, a
complex of civic buildings sharing a-lvark-ti!~ common landscaping,
access and parking. The Center provides the setting for important
community cultural, recreation and education activities, with a special
emphasis on children. The Center facing Melville includes the community
Theatre, the Children’s Theatre, the Boy Scouts and the City Recreation
3
Division. The. Girl Scout House and the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
are located across the parking lot next to the park and Walter Hayes
School. The main complex center is designed in a Spanish-influenced
style and linked by a series of covered walks. The Palo Alto Junior
Museum and Zoo and girl scout facilities are separated from the Lucie
Stem Center by the existing central parking lot.
10. Staff Response: The comment specifically delineates other uses in the Lucie
Stern Center. This is addressed in the IS/MND as inclusive in the reference to
"entire complex". Revisions to list the specific users for the entire center complex
will be added to the Initial Study. This does not affect the adequacy of the Mitigated
Negative Declaration.
As with the Children’s Library, the Friends of PAJM&Z have been
preoaring plans for the past gear to improve and expand the Museum and
Zoo facilit5i in order to meet the overcrowding and inefficiencies of the
current building. The plans are not designed to support majorprogram
expansions but to remove current code and safety_ problems, provide
adequate administrative space, clarify a confusing layout, add storage and
add dedicated space for existing programs. The plans will be submitted
early this fall. The Friends are not seeking bond funding for the
improvements. The preliminary plans call for renovating the existing
structure and add new space along the edge of the existing zoo buildings
towards the Girl Scott House into the asphalt parking area between the two
uses,
ll.StaffResponse: The comment is acknowledged. The comment address
future alterations of the JMZ, which are currently being studied by the
Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. The Friends of the Palo
Alto Junior Museum and Zoo are an independent, ~on-profit group who
provides substantial financial support forthis City facility. They are engaged
in feasibility studies for presentation to the City at a future date. At such
time as the City Council authorizes design development for a project at the
JMZ or elsewhere in the Lucie Stern:Center, the City will conduct further
environmental review. As the comment makes clear, the expansion or
alteration of the JMZ would not be a second phase of the Children’s
’Library/Secret Garden project presently under analysis.
¯Page 5 - 1st Paragraph- Clarify reference to "checklist" on "previous pages."
12.Staff Response: This will be revised to "checklist" on the "following pages".
4
¯Page 5 - Evaluation of Environmental Impacts - Required Elements - #2 - Retainreference to "cumulative" and "indirect" and "operational". impacts.
13. Staff Response: The comment is acknowledged.
¯¯ Page 11 - Does the estimate and discussion of potential tree loss include trees in the
proposed expanded parking area?
14. Staff Response:. The expansion of the parking lot would not significantly affect
exiting trees.
¯Page 19 - Should we mention the "Habitats" in the zoo?
15. Stfiff Response: No. The reference to Habitat in the Initial Study Checklist is for
identified natural riparian or habitat areas for endangered or protected species,
including plant and wildlife. The zoo is not included in this category.
¯Page 23 -’Public Service Discussion - Where is the "red zone parking area in front 6f
the complex for use only by emergency equipment" and does it affect parking?
16. Staff.Response: See response number 3 above.
¯Page 23 - Add a potential impact on the Junior Museum and Zoo flexibility to
improve with a mitigation related to the City providing adequate joint parking for all
of the improvement plans including the Library and Museum.
¯
17. Staff response: This library expansion project creates a net increase in
parking available to the Lucy Stern Community Center. It would not have an
adverse effect on the City’s ability to consider and implement future plans at
the site. There is no additional previously unidentified adverse effect on the
environment and no amendment to the Mitigated Negative Declaration or
recirculation because of identification of a new impact is required.
¯Page 25 - Recreation Discussion - Change 1st paragraph to reflect same wording as
previous comments on providing adequate parking for all uses.
18. Staff Response: This is addressed in the Initial Study, .the Mitigated Negative
Declaration (statement no. 9) and the staff reports presented to the Boards and
commissions.
¯Page 26 and 27 - Transportation and Traffic - f) Change.to reflect same wording as
previous comments on providing adequate parking for all uses.
19. Staff Response: See previous staff responses numbers; 1,4,9, 10, 11, and 17
above.
Page 29 -Mandatory Findings b) re: potential cumulative impacts -retain ".....when
viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current
projects, and the effects of probable future proiects.
20. Staff Response: Comment acknowledged; this is the language in the Mitigated.
Negative Declaration. The feasibility studies for a possible future project on the site
described by the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo indicate that
their proposal would have little if any environmental effect since no expansion of
programs is contemplated. However, such a project, like any other project at the
Lucie Stern Center,~ can only be analyzed when it is defined by the City Council.
¯Page 29 - Discussion- Add reference to the JM&Z to. the conclusion.
21..Staff Rgsponse: See previous comments
Responses prepared by:
Lusardi, Current Planning Manager
6
¯ ATTACHMENT D
Responses tO comments on the Children’s Library_ Mitigated Negative Declaration
Comments from Mr. Herb Borock, received May 6, 2002:
Comment: 1) Cultural Resources: "The proposed two story expansion at the
south end of the Children’s Library is a potentially significant impact, because it
would cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical
resource. 1’
Response: The Children’s Library has been identified as a cultural historid
resource. The Initial Study identifies and describes the structure’s importance. The
Initial Study further describes mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts
from the addition to the structure. The mitigation measures include substantial
conformance to the Secretary’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the Secretary’s
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with the Guidelines for the
Trea.tment of Cultural Landscapes: These mitigation measures, as stated in the
Mitigated Negative Declaration have been included in the project.
Further, the project architect, Architectural Resources Group (ARG), was selected
because of their significant expertise and experience in historic rehabilitation and
additions to historic structures. The City’s Historic Resources Board (HRB)
continues to review the design development of the Children’s Library for
substantial conformance with the Secretary’s Standards, (the HRB is Certified
Local Government with the. State Office of Historic Preservation). In order to
attain the level of addition that is being contemplated, this requires a high level of
review for compatibility. The project also includes the historic rehabilitation of the
existing historic structure.
Thecomment regarding the Lucie Stern Community Center and Main Library is
incorrect. There is not a clear path and clear line of sight between the Lucie Stem
Center and Main Library’s south elevation that currently exists, and therefore the
addition would not have. an impact. The line of sight extends from the Community
Center arcade down Hopkins Avenue to the Main Library site. Please see the
attached photo taken from the Hopkins A~enue that shows that the Main Library is
to the left of the intersection of Hopkins Avenue and Newell Road and therefore
out of the line of sight With the arcade and the south wall of the Secret Garden. "
Please also see the attached 1960 Sanborn Map No. 34 that shows the relationship
of Hopkins Avenue and the Main Library building.
Furthermore, the Lucie Stem Center and Main Library were built approximately
20 years apart. There is no documentation that staff is aware of that there is a
design relationship between the works of Edward Durrel Stone and Birge Clark.
The proposed additions would be in substantialconformance with the Secretary’s
Standards and therefore would not have a significant impact on an historic
resource.
Comment: 2) Piecemealing violatesCalifornia Environment Quality Act. The
Children’s Library project, the Mitchell Park and Community Center project are
one project as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and their
effects on the environment define the term must be analyzed in a single Draft
EIR. Reviewing the Children’s Library project as a separate project is
piecemealing in violation of CEQA. "
Response: The three individual library and community facilities are not one
project, and therefore are not subject to a single DEIR. The fact that they are being
considered under a single bond measure would not constitute a single project for
environmental review. The action that is subject to CEQA review is the Council’s
selection of a preferred project for each site and facility. Piecemealing constitutes
a series of subsequent project actions subject to CEQA review for a single project.
The cumulative impacts of the projects have been addressed.
Each of the three facilities has separate design development, budgets and could be
constructed independently of each. CEQA requires the lead agency to analyze the
project, as the whole of an action, which has the potential for resulting in either a
direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonablyforeseeable indirect
physical change in the environment including an activity directly undertaken by
any public agency including but not limited to public works construction and "
improvements to existing public structures.
CEQA also requires projects to analyze the project’s potential to add to a
cumulative impact form existing plus proposed projects. The potential cumulative
impact identified for the Children’s Library was traffic. The traffic analysis
prepared for both the Children’s Library and Main Library/Art Center determined
that there would not be a significant cumulative impact on traffic and parking.
Furthermore the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Main Library/Art
Center concluded that there would not be any .significant cumulative impacts.
The Children’s Library is not a Resource Library.
Comment: 3) Project review occurred before application filed. No application
for a permit or entitlement has been filed for the children’s Library project. The
environmental evaluation of a project under CEQA and a determination that a
project is subject to CEQA can occur only after there is a permii for’an
application or entitlement.
Response: The City is not required to file a development permit application in
order to initiate. CEQA review for a public project requiring City Council
approval. The CEQA review was required when it was determined that the
Council would be required to take a discretionary action to approve a project
design for the Children’s Library before placing it on the ballot for funding. A
preferred design approach, as initiated by the City, requires envircmmentat
review.
~rb Borock
O. Box 632
Palo Alto, CA 94302
6, 2002
Tricia Schimpp
~artment of Planning and Community Environment
.of Palo Alto
250 Hamil.ton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA.94301
’S LIBRARY, 1276 HARRIET STREET
(02-PAR-12, 02-EIA-06)
Cross,references :
MITCHELL PARK LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER
3700 AND 3800 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD
(02-PAR-If, 02-EIA-05) "
NEWELL/EMBARCADERO CIVIC FACILITIESEXPANSION PROGRAM
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
MAIN LIBRARY AND ART CENTER
1213 AND 1313 NEWELL’ ROAD
(02-PAR-10, 02-EIA-04)
STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NI/MBER 2002032008
~ar Ms. Schimpp:
comments in this letter must be adequately answered before the
City of Palo Alto can approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration for
Children’s Library project.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
proposed two story expansion at the south end of the Children’s
is a Potentially Significant Impa~t, because it would cause
substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical
resource.
south end expansion would create a barrier across the clear path
and clear line of sight between the Lucie Stern Community Center and
:he Main Library, both of which are historic resources.
{hen the south wall of the Secret Garden was built it was aligned
Pag~ 1 of 3
with the wall of the Lucie Stern Community Center to preserve the
clear’path and clear line of sight from Melville Avenu@-near
~iddlefield Road, through the arcade in front of the north wing of
the Lucie Stern Community Center, continuing in a straight path along
the Hopkins Avenue north side sidewalk to the Main Library south
entrance.
Fo mitigate this potentially significant impact, the. project must
~lign the south outside wall of the Children’s. Library ,south end
expansion with the south wall of the Secret Garden.
PIECEMEALING VIOLATES CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
the Children’s Library project, the Mitchell Park Libraryand
2ommunity’Center project, and the Newell/Embarcadero Civic Facilities
Expansion Program (Main Library and Art Center project)_, ar~ one
project as that term isdefined by the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), and their effects on the environment must be
analyzed in a single Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) instead
of in one Draft EIR and two Mitigated Negative Declarations.
Reviewing the Children’s Library project as a separate project.is-
oiecemealing in violation of CEQA.
he Draft EIR for the Newell/Embarcadero Civic Facilities Expansion
Program (Main Library and Art Center project) must be revised to
include the review of the Children’s Library project and the Mitchell
Park Library and Community Center project, and the revisedDraft EIR
must be recirculated for public reviewand comment.
2he City .of Palo Alto New Library Plan proposes to make Mitchell Park
Library, Children’s Library, and Main Library the city’s resource
libraries.
The City ofPalo Alto is currently conducting an opinion survey to
determine the content of abond measure for the November 2002 ballot
that would fund the projects for. the Children’s Library, the Mitchell
Park Library and Community Center, and the Main Library and Art
~enter.
~he New Library Plan and the opinion survey for theproposed bond
he,sure provide substantial evidence that the applications reviewed
by the two initial studies and one Draft EIR are really one CEQA
)roject that must be reviewed in a combined Draft EIR.
PROJECT REVIEW OCCURRED BEFORE APPLICATION FILED
qo application for a permit or entitlement has been filed for
Page 2 of 3
the Children’s Library project.
The environmental.evaluation of a project under CEQA and a
determination that a project is subject to CEQA can occur only. after
there is an application for a permit or entitlement.
~he Children’s Library.project has submitted only an application for
preliminary review, which is "For the ~urpose of securing the advice
of the architectural review board prior to making an application for
the board’s recommendation on a project... If the applicant wishes
t0proceed with the project, he or she must then file an application
and pay a regular application fee." (Section 16.48.110, Palo Alto
~unicipal Code)
It is a p~ejudicial abuse of discretion to do an-environmental impact
assessment before an application for a permit or entitlement has been
filed.
Thank you for.your consideration of these comments.
~incerely,
{erb Borock
Page 3 of 3
ATTACHMENT E
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALOALTO
ADOPTING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION PURSUANT
TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT AND
APPROVING THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR RENOVATION AND
EXPANSION OF THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARY (02-EIA-06,
1276 HARRIET STREET, CITY OF PALO ALTO, PROPONENT)
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does RESOLVE as
follows:
SECTION I. The City Council of the City of Palo-Alto
("City Council") finds, determines, and declares as follows:
A. The Children’s Library renovation and expansion ("the
Projett") would expand the existing one-story library located at
1276 Harriet Street from 3,400 square feet to approximately 12,000
square feet, modify the existing parking lot to provide at least an
additional ten parking stalls together with improved pedestrian and
bicycle access, and new landscaping.
B. The City of Paio Alto ("City") as the lead agency for
the Project prepared a Draft Mitigated Negative DecIaration. The
Draft-was released for a public comment period on April 17, 2002.
The public comment period concluded on May 7, 2002. The Historic
Resources Board at its meeting of May 15, 2002, the Planning and
Transportation Commission at it.s meeting of May 15, 2002, and the
Library Advisory Commission at its meeting of June 18, 2002,
reviewed and considered the Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration.-
C. The Mitigated Negative Declaration consist.s of the
following documents and records: (i) Children’s Library Center
Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study prepared bythe
City of Palo -Alto dated April 16, 2002, and those documents
referenced therein, including without limitation, those listed as
"Source References" on Page 31 of the Ini.tial Study, (2) the
comments and responsesto comments on the Draft Mitigated Negative
Declaration, and (3) the planning and other City records, minutes,
and files constituting the record Of proceedings. The Mitigated
Negative Declaration was prepared pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000, et
seq. (~CEQA’), and the State ~EQA Guidelines, California Code of
Regulations, Title 14, section 15000, et seq. The Mitigated
Negative Declaration is on file in the offices of the Director of
Planning and Uommunity Environment and, along with the planning and
other City records, minutes and files constituting the record of
proceedings, is incorporated herein by this reference.
D. The Mitigated Negative Declaration was written by the
City and reflects ~its independent judgment and analysis. Ther.e is
no substantial evidence on the basis of the record as a whole that
the Project will have a significant effect on the environment.
020620 sya 0091095
SECTION 2. Adoption. The City Council finds that the
Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed in compliance
with the California Environmental Quality Act and adopts and
approves it. The City Council has reviewed and considered the
information contained in the Mitigated Negative Declaration, staff
reports, oral.and written testimony given at public hearings on the
proposed Project, and all other matters deemed material and
relevant before considering for approval the various actions
related to the Project.
SECTION 3. No Recirculation Required. The City Council
finds that no new significant information has been received that
requires recirculation of the Mitigated Negative Declaration.
SECTION 4. Mitigation Measures. The mitigation measures
set forth in Exhibit A attached to this resolution and a part of it
are hereby adopted.
SECTION 5. Approval of Conceptual Plans for Renovation and
Expansion of Children’s Library. The City Council hereby approves
the Palo Alto Children’s Library Expansion Conceptual Design,
Alternate C, including front elevation, site plan, floor plans and
perspective sketch.prepared by Architectural Resources Group and
dated June 18, 2002. A copy of the documents is on file with the
Department of Planning and Community Development. These are
conceptual plans and will be further reviewed by the City Council
at the schematic phase of design.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney Director of Planning and
Community Environment
02062~J syn 0091095
2
EXHIBIT A
MITIGATION MEASURES
FOR CHILDREN’S LIBRARY PROJECT
The following mitigation measures have been incorporated into the
project:
The expansion of the Children’s Library shall comply with
applicable Comprehensive Plan policies and the Palo Alto
Municipal Code and shall be designed in substantial
conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic
Buildings and The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the
Treatment of Cultural Landscapes. In addition, as a ~Certified
Local Government", the City of Palo Alto shall have all design
development, involving the existing historic library and
additions be reviewed by the Historic Resources Board and the
Architectural Review Board. The expansion of the facility
shall be constructed in conformance with Best Management.
Construction Practices.
o The architects shall utilize the design standards identified
in Section 4.0 of the Arborist Report dated April 23, 2002 on
file with the Department of Planning and Community Environment
in the final design of conceptual plans. The City of Palo
Alto Planning Arborist shall review final conceptual design
plans. Mitigation for the six London plane trees may be
accomplished in one of two ways, consistent with the standards
specified in the City of Palo Alto’s ~Tree Technical Manual"
ao Relocation to another area in the Lucie Stern Center. If
the trees are to be relocated, they shall first be
evaluated for their suitability for transplanting,
preparation, transport and post planting care for a
period of at least two years. In this event, the trees
will continue to be maintained by the ~pollarding" method
of pruning.
bo Replacement of the trees at a 2:1 ratio at another
location in the Lucie Stern Center. The replacement
trees should be 36-inch box trees of the same species or
other species as approved by the Departments of Planning
and Community Environment and Community Services. In
this .event, it is not necessary, that the trees be
maintained by the ~pollarding" method of pruning.
020620 syn 009 1095
o
°
,6.
°
o
,9.
The City of Palo shall conform to the guidelines identified by
the consulting arborist in Section 4 of the Arborist Report
and comply with the guidelines of the Palo Alto Tree Technical
Manual, where applicable, during all phases of demoiition,
construction and post construction of the project.
Standard engineering practices shall be employed and seismic
upgrades of the existing building shall comply with the
Uniform Building Code (UBC).
Demolition and construction at the "Project site shall comply
with standard safety protocols and Best Management Practices.
and all local and state codes for abatement of hazardous
materials.
A construction management ~plan shall be prepared prior to
construction and shall .conform with the City’s Noise
Ordinance.
The library expansion shall include the installation of one
hose inlet in the northeast corner of the library addition and
two hose outlets along the north exterior of the library. In
addition, the driveway shall be resurfaced and lighted with
.iow lights. The Children’s Theatre is currently only partially
equipped with fire sprinklers. That facility shall be upgraded
to provide completesprinkler coverage. That area in front of
the Lucie Stern Center between Middlefield Road and Melville
Avenue shall be designated as a red zone of sufficient area to
provide for emergency equipment access. The new parking plan
shall indicate a red zone in this area
The footprint of the proposed expansion shall not encroach
more than 13 feet from the exterior of the north side of the
Community Theatre wall. In addition, the City shall resurface
the drive to provide better access to the stage door and to
eliminate an existing exterior stair railing.
The City shall redesign and construct the i00 parking space
area to accommodate at least an additional i0 parking spaces.
in addition, the entire parking area shall be reconfigured to
accommodate the maximum number of parking spaces to provide
for the shared parking needs of the entire Lucy Stern Center.
020620 syn 0091095