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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 7356 City of Palo Alto (ID # 7356) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 10/17/2016 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Approval of the Temporary Fire Station No. 3 Site Title: Approval of 2000 Geng Road as the Temporary Location for Fire Station No. 3 During Construction of the Replacement Fire Station No. 3 From: City Manager Lead Department: Fire Recommendation Staff recommends that Council: 1) Direct staff to locate Temporary Fire Station No. 3 at 2000 Geng Road while the permanent replacement Fire Station No. 3 facility is under construction; and 2) Amend the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Appropriation Ordinance for the General Fund by decreasing the revenue estimate for rental of the Geng Road site by $55,922 Executive Summary The Fire Station No. 3 Replacement Project is part of the 2014 Council Infrastructure Plan. A temporary fire station is needed for approximately 18 months while the new fire station is constructed. Staff analyzed a number of potential sites, with more in-depth analysis of three sites: 2000 Geng Road, 1142/1146 Middlefield Road and the Rinconada Park Tennis Courts. Due to lower estimated construction costs, neighborhood concerns about the Middlefield Road site and impacts to Rinconada Park users and adjacent residents, staff recommends locating the temporary fire station at the 2000 Geng Road site. While the Geng Road site has the greatest impact on emergency response times, the Fire Department believes that this can be successfully mitigated by locating Engine 63 at Fire Station No. 1 during the daytime hours. City of Palo Alto Page 2 Background The Fire Station No. 3 Replacement Project is part of the 2014 Council Infrastructure Plan. The project will provide a new facility built to meet essential services standards. The new fire station will be built on the existing location of Fire Station No. 3 at 799 Embarcadero Road. During the construction, the station must be relocated to an interim facility that will ensure continued fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the neighborhoods served by Fire Station No. 3. Engine 63 generally responds to areas in the following neighborhoods: Community Center, Leland Manor/Garland, Professorville, University South, Duveneck/St. Francis, and Old Palo Alto. Engine 63 also responds to emergencies on Highway 101. Engine 63 serves as backup to many other neighborhoods including the Downtown area. In 2015, Engine 63 responded to 1274 calls or 15 percent of all calls in Palo Alto and Stanford. The Palo Alto Fire Department’s (PAFD) adopted performance goal is to have a responder arrive on scene of an emergency within 8 minutes or less, 90 percent of the time. Within the last quarter, the Fire Department has been able to meet this response goal for Emergency Medical Service responses 91 percent of the time. However, in regards to Fire Suppression calls, the goal was accomplished 81 percent of the time. PAFD units are dispatched to emergencies via Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology. This technology supports efficiency of operations, as the most appropriate unit that is geographically closest to the emergency will be dispatched to respond to the incident. The PAFD has been using this technology since 2014, specifically to reduce response times. The PAFD uses an advanced software program that uses historical emergency incident data to simulate the response of a fire jurisdiction and test the effectiveness of alternate deployment scenarios. This software allows the Fire Department to test ideas and provides objective, quantitative results to support or refute potential changes in deployment. Deployment scenarios using response data from calendar year 2015 were used to determine the effectiveness of emergency response from the proposed temporary Fire Station No. 3 sites. Discussion City of Palo Alto Page 3 The Temporary Fire Station No. 3 will need to accommodate the station’s three on-duty personnel and two apparatus (fire engine, and smaller pickup truck suppression vehicle) for a span of approximately 18 months during existing site demolition and construction of the new fire station. The temporary site would provide living quarters and a garage facility. The temporary station will include various service hookups such as electric and backup power, water and sanitary sewer, security, alarm and communication linkages. Staff identified six potential temporary site locations 1. 2000 Geng Road; 2. 1142/1146 Middlefield Road; 3. Rinconada Park Tennis Courts; 4. Rinconada Library parking lot; 5. Art Center Auditorium parking lot; and 6. The Art Center Lawn along the Embarcadero. The sites were evaluated on the following elements: parcel size and zoning district; community opposition and impact; and station operations. Interdepartmental meetings with the City Manager’s Office, Fire, Public Works, Community Services and Planning were held to discuss the potential impact of the temporary site locations. The top three sites (Geng Road, Middlefield Road and the tennis courts) were chosen for further analysis to determine which would have the least negative impacts on the community, could be constructed at a reasonable cost and could meet the fire department’s performance goals which are essential to public safety. Attachment A contains a location map of the top sites along with aerial photos of each site. A brief analysis of each site is provided below and summarized in matrix format on Attachment B. 2000 Geng Road The Geng Road site is located near the intersection of Geng Road and Embarcadero Road. The site is zoned Public Facility with a Site and Design Overlay (PF(d)). The site is located within the area covered by the Baylands Master Plan. The site is 1.3 miles from Fire Station No. 3. Currently home to GreenWaste of Palo Alto, the Geng Road lot is a fully developed and operational site with an existing garage/storage structure and two office buildings that may be modified for the temporary fire station. Per Council action on staff report #7082, GreenWaste of Palo Alto will vacate the facility at the end of 2016. The City of Palo Alto Page 4 estimated construction cost of locating the temporary fire station at this site is $141,000. Staff met with Baylands environmental stakeholders to discuss the proposed temporary fire station. The Baylands stakeholders were not concerned about the potential use of the site for the temporary fire station, but expressed interest in a future dedication of the 2000 Geng Road site as parkland. In order to effectively occupy this site during construction, the Fire Department would split the location of Engine 63 determined by the time of day. During the day, Engine 63 would respond from Fire Station No. 1 located at 301 Alma Street. If Engine 63 responds from this location during the day, the response times would improve in Downtown Palo Alto, and on Stanford Campus— the call volume and the risk is the highest in these two districts during daytime hours due to increased population of students, workers and visitors. However, the response times would increase by an average of 60 seconds in Station No. 3’s area. After 7:00 pm, Engine 63 would relocate to the Geng Road site. In the evening, the call volume and traffic congestion decreases and residents return from school and work. Therefore, relocating the engine to this site is more practical. Lastly, due to the relocation of Engine 63 during the day, adjacent Fire Station No. 4’s engine, located at 3600 Middlefield Road, will be responding into Station No. 3’s area more often. 1142/1146 Middlefield Located 0.6 miles west of Fire Station No. 3, the city owned parcels are within the residential zoned district. The site is currently vacant and undeveloped. The estimated construction cost of locating the temporary fire station at this site is $384,000. The adjacent neighborhood has raised issues about potential adverse impacts of the temporary station related to transportation impacts, noise, trees, street parking and serviceability. Attachment C is a letter from a number of adjacent neighbors expressing these concerns. Relocation to this site would increase the response times by 6 seconds in Station No. 3’s general response area. The Fire Department acknowledges the benefit of the minimal change in response times; however, responding from this site would be impacted by daytime traffic on Middlefield. City of Palo Alto Page 5 Rinconada Park Tennis Courts The third site is located on dedicated parkland and is one block north of Fire Station No. 3. This site accommodates three community tennis courts and a parking lot which is partially used as a sand bag station. Placing the temporary station at this location would temporarily eliminate the use of 2 tennis courts, the sand bag station and at least 4 public parking spaces. The estimated construction cost of locating the temporary fire station at this site is $290,000. Due to the close proximity to Station 3, responding to emergencies from a temporary fire station at this location would emulate current response times. After careful consideration of neighborhood and community impacts, emergency response time impacts and temporary fire station construction costs, staff recommends that the temporary fire station be located at the 2000 Geng Road site. Timeline The design of the new Fire Station No. 3 is scheduled to be completed in early spring of 2017, with construction to begin in late spring or early summer. Resource Impact Funding for the Fire Station No.3 Replacement Project including the temporary station is available in Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project PE-15003. Locating the temporary fire station at 2000 Geng Road is expected to result in a decrease in rental revenue in FY 2017. GreenWaste of Palo Alto was paying $172,350 in FY 2017 rent for the site, but is moving to the Los Altos Treatment Plant site at the end of calendar year 2016. The Real Estate office intends to rent space at 2000 Geng Road for parking and staging. The temporary fire station is anticipated to occupy 65 percent of the 2000 Geng Road site, resulting in an estimated rent revenue reduction of $55, 922 for FY 2017 and $111,844 for FY 2018. Policy Implications This recommendation does not represent any change to existing City policies. Environmental Review This project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California City of Palo Alto Page 6 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines as repair, maintenance or minor alteration of an existing facility and no further environmental review is necessary. Attachments:  Attachment A: Temporary Fire Station 3 Site Location Options (PDF)  Attachment B: Fire Station 3 Temporary Site Matrix (PDF)  Attachment C: Letter regarding fire station at 1142 Middlefield (PDF) Gas Station #1 Garland Elementary School Fire Station # 3 Hopkins Electric Substation Rinconada Library Art Center Lucie Stern Community Center Girl Scout HouseChildren's Library Junior Museum and Zoo EMB 4 EMB-3 EMB-2 EMB-1 U.S. Post Office Building C Building D Building B Building E Channing House Webst e r O a k s A p t s . Addison Elementary School Elementary School Church C G M F H Jordan Middle School E B J A K L D Rinconada Well Storage E-SHED Coastla nd Dr hin gton Ave Ave Mario nAve Tasso St Middlefield Road Warren Way Iris W ay T ulip L n Garland Drive Louis Road Hilb ar Ln Alannah Ct Rhodes Dr Dennis Dr Agnes Way Blair Ct Santa Ana St El sinore Dr El Cajon Way CeliaDr Ind Santa Catalina St Ch Carmel Dr E d g e w o o d D r I v y L n East Bayshore Road S t Fra n c is D r Wild w oo d L n Watson Laura Lane O'Brine Lane Embarca dero Roa Ge n g Road Cowper St Tasso St Webster St Byron St No r t h C a l i f o r n i a A v e Portal Pl Or eg o n A v e n u e Ho m e r A v e Webster Street Kellogg Ave Tasso StAddison Ave e B o y c e A v e Middlefield Road Channing Ave R e g e nt Pl Fulton Street M el ville A v e Byron Street ve ve S om erset Pl Pit ma n A v e Fife A ve orest A ve coln A v e Fulton St Northampton Dr W Greenwich PlNewell Rd Guinda St E Greenwich Pl Southampton Dr K e nt Pla c eTevis Pl M artin A v e C e nter Dr H a rriet St Wils o n St C e d ar St H arker A v e G ree nw oo d A v e H utc hinso n A v e H o pkins A v e Embarcadero Road Ash b y Dr D a na A v e H am ilt on A v e Southwo od DrUniversity Ave Ar c a d i a Pl Louis a Ct N ew ell Pl S h aro n C t Erstwild C o urt W aln ut D r P arkins on D r Pine St Mark Twain St Barbara Dr P ri m rose W a y W a lt er H a y s D r J o rd a n Pl L ois L n H e ath er L n Bret Harte St Sta nley W a y D e Soto Dr Alester Ave C h a n nin g A v e Ne we ll Rd Kin gs L n Island Dr Jef fers o n Dr P a trici a L n Mad i son Way OregonE Bellview Dr Crescent Dr Morton St Azt N e w ell R d Faber St Francis Dr Sierra Ct 3 2 Existing Site 1 This map is a product of the City of Palo Alto GIS This document is a graphic representation only of best available sources. 0'1067' Temporary Fire Station 3 Site Location Options CITY O F PALO A L TO I N C O R P O R ATE D C ALIFOR N IA P a l o A l t oT h e C i t y o f A P RIL 16 1894 The City of Palo Alto assumes no responsibility for any errors ©1989 to City of Palo Alto bmedved, 2016-09-29 11:03:32 008-02-004 008-02-013 008-02-029 008-02-033 008-02-026 008-02-034 008-02-017 008-03-066 008-02-027 008-02-032 GE N G R O A D 2200 2300 22 2 5 2100 17 3 0 17 0 0 2 2 7 5 17 1 7 17 5 5 17 3 1 2000 1 7 3 5 1900 22 2 2 This map is a product of the City of Palo Alto GIS This document is a graphic representation only of best available sources. 0'160' Site Option 1 2000 Geng Road CITY O F PALO A L TO I N C O R P O R AT E D C ALIFOR N I A P a l o A l t o T h e C i t y o f A P R IL 16 1 894 The City of Palo Alto assumes no responsibility for any errors ©1989 to 2016 City of Palo Alto bmedved, 2016-05-09 09:45:44 (\\cc-maps\gis$\gis\admin\meta\view.mdb) 120-07-055 120-07-029 120-07-030 120-07-009 120-07-008 120-07-007 120-07-032 120-07-031 120-07-017 120-07-018 120-07-019 120-07-020 120-07-021 120-07-022 120-07-023 120-07-024 120-07-025 120-07-026 120-07-027 120-07-028 120-06-057 120-06-062 120-06-061 120-06-060 120-06-059 120-06-058 120-06-069 003-43-043 003-43-042 003-43-044 003-43-049 003-43-048 003-43-047 003-43-046 120-07-013 120-07-014 120-07-015 120-07-016 120-07-012 120-07-011 120-07-010 120-06-041 120-06-042 120-06-043 120-06-082 120-06-081 120-06-046 120-06-047 120-06-048 120-06-049 120-06-034 120-06-051 120-06-052 120-06-053 120-06-054 120-06-055 120-06-056 120-06-039 120-06-076 120-06-077 003-43-041 003-43-039 003-43-040 003-43-033 003-43-009 003-43-010 003-43-011 003-43-012 003-43-013 003-43-008 003-43-007 003-43-006 003-43-029 003-43-028 003-43-027 003-43-050 003-43-051 003-43-024 003-43-023 003-43-022 003-43-021 003-43-030 003-43-031 003-43-032 003-43-020 003-43-019 003-43-018 003-43-017 003-33-046 003-33-048 003-33-047 120-06-036 120-06-037 120-06-038 120-06-035 M I D D L E F I E L D R O A D F U L T O N S T R E E T KIN G S L E Y A V E N U E KIN G S L E Y A V E N U E KIN G S L E Y A V E N U E B Y R O N S T R E E T B Y R O N S T R E E T W E B S T E R S T R E E T LIN C O L N A V E N U E F U L T O N S T R E E T M I D D L E F I E L D R O A D M I D D L E F I E L D R O A D 61 8 122 0 66 0 65 6 121 1 120 5 122 1 115 0 66 3 67 1 64 6 114 7 113 9 122 8 124 2 121 2 120 2 115 1 60 9 57 1 65 5 65 9 62 9 116 0 62 5 115 0 114 5114 3 113 5 114 2 112 4 112 0 72 8 72 0 111 1 111 9 112 7 114 5 114 9 70 3 113 6 112 8 112 0 111 2 108 5 70 5 110 1 112 0 111 0 69 0 66 0 111 9 112 5 106 5 107 7 67 7 66 7 114 4 115 2 116 0 71 1 113 5 114 3 115 1 116 0 120 2 75 0 121 1 121 9 120 2 121 2 122 2 123 0 121 1 122 1 70 0 123 1 120 4 121 2 121 8 122 6 122 5 122 7 123 4 125 4 65 9 123 1 125 3 65 1 65 3 67 2 110 0 111 9 71 7 115 0 114 2 112 7 115 9 113 0 114 2 114 6 61 0 106 1 106 9 105 7 107 3 This map is a product of the City of Palo Alto GIS This document is a graphic representation only of best available sources. 0'108' Site Option 2 1142/1146 Middlefield Rd CITY O F PALO A L TO I N C O R P O R AT E D C ALIFOR N I A P a l o A l t o T h e C i t y o f A P R IL 16 1 894 The City of Palo Alto assumes no responsibility for any errors ©1989 to 2016 City of Palo Alto bmedved, 2016-05-09 09:27:15 (\\cc-maps\gis$\gis\admin\meta\view.mdb) 003-56-035 003-56-034 003-56-052 003-56-053 003-56-054 003-56-080 003-56-055 003-45-074 003-45-069003-45-068 003-45-067 003-45-066003-45-065 003-45-087 Tennis Courts003-45-088 003-45-085 003-45-084 003-45-054003-45-055 003-45-056 003-45-063 003-45-083 003-45-051003-45-050003-45-049 003-56-033 003-56-037 003-56-036 003-47-020 HOPKINS AVENUE EMBAR C A D E R O R O A D PI N E S T R E E T PARKINSON AVENUE HOPKINS AVENUE NE W E L L R O A D NE W E L L R O A D EMBAR C A D E R O R O A D COMMUNITY LANE COMMUNITY LANE 171 1 79 9 1210 1249 14 3 0 14 2 0 14 1 0 14 0 2 1259 14 0 5 1200 13 2 1 1258 1272 13 3 5 13 2 7 13 3 6 13 3 2 13 3 0 171 0 1722 183 2 180 8 182 0 175 1 172 5 1806 8 1 6 8 3 6 15 3 0 15 2 4 15 2 0 15 3 4 1213 1313 1280 1350 77 7 13 4 0 78 4 1280 1300 1370 This map is a product of the City of Palo Alto GIS This document is a graphic representation only of best available sources. 0'132' CITY O F PALO A L TO I N C O R P O R AT E D C ALIFOR N I A P a l o A l t o T h e C i t y o f A P R IL 16 1 894 The City of Palo Alto assumes no responsibility for any errors ©1989 to 2016 City of Palo Alto bmedved, 2016-05-09 09:42:35 (\\cc-maps\gis$\gis\admin\meta\view.mdb) Site Option 3 Rinconada Park Tennis Courts (Near Sand Bag Station) Location Zoning Available Site Size (sqft)Pros Cons Public Opposition Negative Impact Summary Comments 1 2000 Geng Rd PF(d) 12,000 ±• Minimal development issues or constraints • Geng Rd has low traffic congestion • Close to freeway • Large available space for double apparatus bay and  FD equipment • Response time longer and increased workload for surrounding  stations • Need to reprogram ringdown system for Fire Station 1 No known Public opposition. • FD Response time • Fire Dept Operations Fire Station 1 would host Fire Station 3 during the day and  then Fire Station 3 would relocate to the Geng Road site  during the night when the call volume is low.  Geng Road  Site is 1.3 miles from FS3. 2 1142/1146  Middlefield Rd R‐1 11,250 • No FD service disruption  • Concept plans show site is feasible • Tree removals can be mitigated • FD inspected site ‐ ok to maneuver in tight space • Large mature eucalyptus/cedar trees to be removed • Overhead/underground utilities to be relocated • Initial study & probable Mitigated Negative Declaration required to  address parking, noise, & tree impacts • Decrease in public parking on Middlefield Road • Fire Truck will be required to back into the site • Existing Middlefield traffic congestion • FD may need to implement noise mitigation measures • Cost to remove temp station and restore site Current Neighborhood opposition is high.   This site was initially the primary  candidate for the temporary station. • Neighborhood • Parking  • FD Truck Circulation  May need to integrate signal controls to hold vehicle traffic  at Melville and Homer during alarms.  Middlefield site is 0.6  miles from FS3. 3 Rinconada Park  Tennis Courts near  sandbag station PF 12,000 ±• No FD service disruption • Dedicated Park Land: needs Council approval/Park Improvement  Ordinance (PIO) • Rinconada Park is already deficient in parking spaces • Community programs and events disrupted • No Utility Connection available • Cost to remove temp station and rebuild Tennis Courts Public opposition likely high due to loss of  parking and estimated loss of 2 tennis  courts.  Also nearby homes would likely  oppose. • Neighborhood • Parking • Community Programs Rinconada Tennis Crts are 0.1 miles from FS3. FIRE STATION #3 TEMPORARY SITE LOCATION MATRIX Estimated Construction Cost $384,000 $141,000 $290,000 10/4/2016 Page 1 of 1 September   19,   2016    Dear   Matt   Raschke,    It   has   come   to   our   attention   that   there   is   an   evaluation   of   the   1142   Middlefield   Road   lot   for   use   as   a  temporary   fire   station   during   the   re­construction   of   Fire   Station   No   3.   at   799   Embarcadero   Road.   To   our  knowledge,   this   has   never   been   directly   communicated   to   the   surrounding   neighborhood,   so   if   there   is  no   such   plan,   it   would   be   great   to   get   that   statement   from   you.   If   there   is   such   a   plan,   we   believe   it   to   be  deeply   flawed.    We   appreciate   having   emergency   services   in   our   neighborhood   and   look   forward   to   having   a   modern  fire   station   on   Embarcadero   Road.      We   also   understand   that   you   are   navigating   difficult   tradeoffs   in  selecting   a   site   for   a   temporary   fire   station   during   this   project.    We   believe   that   the   proposed   site   for   the   temporary   fire   station   at   1142   Middlefield   Road   has   serious  challenges   due   to:  1.Traffic   congestion   and   safety   issues   on   this   segment   of   Middlefield   Road  2.Noise   disruption   to   multiple   homes   in   close   proximity  3.Permanent   damage   to   Palo   Alto’s   urban   forest.    We   ask   that   you   consider   alternate   locations   for   the   temporary   fire   station   along   Embarcadero   Road  that   do   not   face   these   challenges.    Sincerely,  Inge   Infante ,   1110   Middlefield   Road  Pramoda   Ramachandra ,   1120   Middlefield   Road  Thai   and   Anita   Tran ,   1130   Middlefield   Road  Mark   and   Nina   Homnack ,   1145   Middlefield   Road  Brent   Le   Blanc   and   Zuzia   Perkowska ,   1150   Middlefield   Road  Scott   Plemons ,   Owner   of   1150   Middlefield   Road  John   and   Laura   Sturino ,   1151   Middlefield   Road   Edith   Cohen   and   Alex   Wang ,   1139   Byron   Street  Beth   Libby ,   1222   Fulton   Street     Congestion   on   Middlefield   Road  The   current   location   of   Fire   Station   No   3   is   along   Embarcadero   Road,   which   has   two   lanes   in   each  direction   with   good   traffic   flow,   and   is   on   a   corner   with   a   traffic   signal.      The   proposed   location   of   the  temporary   fire   station   is   along   a   section   of   Middlefield   Road   that   has   one   lane   in   each   direction   with  cars   often   parked   on   both   sides   of   the   street.      This   section   of   Middlefield   Road   can   become   congested  during   commute   hours   and   whenever   there   is   a   traffic   incident   on   101,   Middlefield   becomes   backed   up  for   blocks.      This   would   make   it   nearly   impossible   for   emergency   vehicles   to   quickly   respond   to   issues.  Example   of   heavy   congestion   on   Middlefield   in   front   of   the   proposed   fire   station   due   to   a   slowdown   on   101.      All   of  these   cars   are   currently   stopped   due   to   red   lights   on   Middlefield.      (Photo   taken   on   Sept   15,   2016   at   5:50pm)  Google   traffic   map   showing   the   congestion   on   Middlefield   Road   extending   from   Lincoln   Ave   to   Embarcadero   Road  (orange   and   red   lines).      During   this   time,   traffic   is   flowing   on   Embarcadero   Road   (green   lines).  Safety   issues   on   Middlefield   Road At   other   times   of   the   day,   Middlefield   Road   is   prone   to   speeding   drivers   and   aggressive   passing.      In   the  6   month   period   between   March   and   August   2016,   there   were   7   reported   auto   accidents   on   Middlefield  Road   along   just   the   5   blocks   surrounding   the   proposed   location   (between   Channing   Ave   and   Kellogg  Ave).  To   reduce   speeding   and   limit   unsafe   passing,   the   City   of   Palo   Alto   is   planning   on   narrowing   the   lanes  on   Middlefield   Road   and   adding   crosshatching   with   raised   traffic   buttons   at   intersections.      The   residents  of   Middlefield   Road   are   looking   forward   to   these   safety   improvements,   but   they   may   make   it   harder   for  cars   to   pull   aside   to   let   an   emergency   vehicle   pass,   especially   during   times   of   congestion.  Illustration   of   the   planned   changes   to   Middlefield   Road   at   Kingsley   Ave  Children   crossing   Middlefield   Road  At   the   beginning   and   end   of   the   school   day,   many   young   children   cross   Middlefield   Road   at   Addison  Ave   to   get   to   and   from   Addison   Elementary   School.      This   is   just   one   block   away   from   the   proposed  location   of   the   temporary   fire   station.  Because   Lincoln   Ave   is   a   through   street   to   University   Ave   (and   by   extension   101),   the   school   mornings  are   already   dangerous   for   children.      Several   years   ago,   before   the   current   levels   of   traffic,   one   mother  and   her   two   elementary­age   boys   ­­   who   live   near   the   proposed   location   of   the   fire   station   ­­   were   hit  while   crossing   Lincoln   Ave   at   Middlefield   Road   by   a   car   rushing   to   avoid   the   traffic.      We   are   concerned  that   emergency   vehicles   pulling   out   of   the   fire   station   with   their   sirens   blaring   would   further   aggravate  this   situation.  Children   crossing   Middlefield   Road   at   Addison   Ave  Negative   effects   of   loud   noises  The   current   location   of   Fire   Station   No   3   borders   with   Rinconada   Park   to   the   west,   Rinconada   Pool   to  the   north,   and   the   Palo   Alto   Art   Center   to   the   east.      The   closest   homes   are   to   the   south   across    four  lanes    of   Embarcadero   Rd   and   we   presume   that   the   people   who   chose   to   live   there   did   so   with   the   prior  knowledge   of   the   traffic   on   Embarcadero   Road   and   the   nearby   fire   station.  The   proposed   location   of   the   temporary   fire   station   is   adjacent   to   houses   on   all   sides,   including   ones  with   young   children   whose   bedrooms   directly   overlook   the   lot.      Fire   engine   sirens   can   be   120   dB   or  louder   in   close   proximity.      The   World   Health   Organization   (WHO)   recommends   that   children   should   not  be   exposed   to   noises   at   120   dB   for   any   period   of   time,   and   warns   that   sudden,   unexpected   noises   can  lead   to   startle   reactions   and   unintentional   injuries.  The   Tran’s   4   month   old   baby’s   bedroom   is   directly   next   to   the   location   of   the   proposed   fire   station.  Preserving   Palo   Alto’s   urban   forest  The   lot   at   at   1142   Middlefield   Road   features   three   towering   manna   gum   (eucalyptus)   trees   that   are   120  to   130   feet   tall   with   a   crown   radius   of   55   to   60   feet.      The   appraised   value   of   these   three   trees   is  $24,400.  Quoting   from   the   report   of   certified   arborist   Ray   Morneau   who   was   commissioned   by   the   City   of   Palo  Alto   to   assess   the   trees   on   this   lot   in   2013:  The   trees,   however,   make   some   prominent   statements   –­   both   as   excellent   elements   of   Palo  Alto’s   urban   forest   and   as   substantial   challenges   to   work   around   in   the   future.   Although   there  are   no   small   or   young   trees   here   at   this   time,   that   merely   leaves   room   for   designing   more   urban  forest   into   the   next   stage   of   each   parcel’s   use.  The   manna   gums   (#12,   #13,   and   #14)   are   the   most   ostentatious   and   effective   as   trees.   These  provide   all   the   benefits   we   expect   from   our   trees,   including:   shade,   carbon   sequestration,   wind  attenuation,   homes   for   wild   things   from   mammals   to   microbes,   storm   water   interception,   leaf  litter   (mulch)   production.   We   are   enveloped   by   a   trio   of   awesome   aesthetic   accents   punctuating  the   atmosphere   with   their   pungent   oils   up   close   and   with   their   visual   dominance   as   one   backs  away   ...   even   offering   perspective   from   blocks   away.  ...  On   a   general   note,   it   could   be   good   that   these   trees   have   been   stressed   by   lack   of   attention   and  care   in   recent   years.   It   is   a   sign   of   relative   “strength”for   them   to   be   doing   this   well   without  needing   to   be   pampered.  Palo   Alto’s   unique   appeal   is   the   beauty   of   its   urban   forest.      Removing   these   mature   trees   for   a   for   a   fire  station   that   would   be   in   service   for   less   than   two   years   would   create   a   hole   in   our   neighborhood’s  aesthetic   that   would   be   difficult   to   recover.  Can   the   City   preserve   these   manna   gum   (eucalyptus)   trees   when   building   the   temporary   fire   station?      If  the   trees   are   removed   because   the   City   forces   us   to   accept   this   location,   will   the   City   commit   to  developing   this   lot   after   the   temporary   fire   station   is   removed,   such   as   building   a   park   or   community  garden,   or   selling   this   lot   so   that   one   or   two   houses   can   be   built   that   are   comparable   to   the   rest   of   our  neighborhood?  Alternate   locations   for   the   temporary   fire   station  Has   the   City   considered   alternate   locations   for   the   temporary   fire   station   that   have   good   access   to  Embarcadero   Road   and   are   less   disruptive   to   nearby   homes   and   Palo   Alto’s   urban   forest?      Here   are  two   examples   very   near   the   current   location   of   Fire   Station   No   3...  Grassy   field   between   Palo   Alto   Art   Center   and   Embarcadero   Road  Palo   Alto   Art   Center   parking   lot   next   to   Embarcadero   Road  Further   information   If   the   City   decides   to   propose   the   Middlefield   site   for   the   temporary   fire   station,   we   would   expect   to   see  the   following   information   in   the   proposal:  ● How   will   the   City   maintain   its   emergency   response   rate   with   all   of   the   logistical   issues surrounding   the   site? ● What   is   the   expected   noise   impact   during   and   after   construction? ● What   will   be   done   to   minimize   noise   disruption   due   to   the   fire   station? ● Given   the   sustained   disruption   that   this   facility   will   mean   for   the   neighborhood,   what   form   will   the compensation   to   homeowners   take? ● What   is   the   plan   for   the   Middlefield   site   following   the   completion   of   the   Embarcadero   site?   What guarantees   will   the   City   be   giving   that   those   plans   will   be   realized? ● What   is   the   plan   for   the   replacement   of   the   tree   coverage   of   the   affected   area? ● What   other   sites   were   evaluated   and   why   is   the   Middlefield   site   superior   to   those? References  Planned   changes   to   Middlefield   Road  ● Palo   Alto   Online:      Narrower   lanes   on   Middlefield   Road   could   slow   traffic,   improve   safety: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2016/07/01/narrower­lanes­on­middlefield­road­could­slow­ traffic­improve­safety  ● City   of   Palo   Alto   announcement: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=3420&TargetID=107 ● Photosimulation   of   changes   at   Middlefield   Road   &   Kinsgley   Ave: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/52768 ● Plans:       http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/53429 Accidents   cited  These   are   only   recent   accidents   in   the   immediate   vicinity   of   the   proposed   site   for   the   temporary   fire  station.      Due   to   the   heavy   traffic   and   often   speeding   cars   on   this   segment   of   Middlefield,   many   other  accidents   have   taken   place   in   the   prior   months   and   years.  1.DUI   /   Accident    ­   Mar   19,   2016   @   1000   Block   of   Middlefield   Rd   (Incident   ID:   753402082,   Case No.:   160001370) 2.Accident   with   minor   injury    ­   Apr   16,   2016   @   Middlefield   Rd   &   Channing   Ave   (Incident   ID: 757109131,   Case   No.:   160001880) 3.Accident   with   property   damage    ­   May   26,   2016   @   Middlefield   Rd   &   Lincoln   Ave   (Incident   ID: 760655004,   Case   No.:   160002607) 4.Accident   with   property   damage    ­   Jun   13,   2016   @   1400   Block   of   Middlefield   Rd   (Incident   ID: 762212369,   Case   No.:   160002895) 5.Accident   with   property   damage    ­   Jul   14,   2016   @   Middlefield   Rd   &   Channing   Ave   (Incident   ID: 765044686,   Case   No.:   160003477) 6.Accident   with   property   damage    ­   Jul   29,   2016   @   Middlefield   Rd   &   Lincoln   Ave   (Incident   ID: 766539032,   Case   No.:   160003792) 7.Accident   with   property   damage    ­   Aug   13,   2016   @   Middlefield   Rd   &   Channing   Ave   (Incident ID:   767860914,   Case   No.:   160004098) Impact   of   noise   on   children  ● NY   Post:      Fire   truck   sirens   made   me   lose   my   hearing:   Retired   firefighter: http://nypost.com/2015/03/03/fire­truck­sirens­made­me­lose­my­hearing/  ● Noise   Help:      Noise   Exposure   Limits:       http://www.noisehelp.com/noise­dose.html ● World   Health   Organization:      Children   and   Noise:    http://www.who.int/ceh/capacity/noise.pdf Certified   Arborist   Report  ● Tree   Inventory   with   Appraisal   and   Tree   Protection   Report   for   1142   Middlefield   Road: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ulutuleuvy41my5/Tree%20Report%20Middlefield%201142%20CPA %20July%202013.pdf?dl=0