HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3728
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3728)
Committee for Potential Infrastructure Finance Measure
Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 4/16/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: 395 Page Mill Revised Schedule
Title: Accelerated Schedule for Jay Paul Development at 395 Page Mill Road
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Infrastructure Committee accept the attached updated schedule for
the consideration of the Jay Paul Planned Community zone change proposal.
Background
The Planned Community (PC) zone change at 395 Page Mill and 3045 Park Blvd., if approved,
would allow construction of two four-story Office Buildings, totaling 311,000 square feet at 395
Page Mill Road, and a three-story 44,450 square foot Public Safety Building (as the primary
proposed public benefit), along with associated parking. The Council’s Infrastructure
Committee, at its March 28, 2013 meeting, directed staff to bring back a schedule for the
subject project with a target Council hearing date for potential project approval in December
2013.
Discussion
The attached schedule shows the critical milestones for the PC Zone project to meet an
“expedited” schedule, culminating in a December 2013 City Council hearing date for the project
and certification of the environmental impact report (EIR). The schedule would allow for
identification and evaluation of community needs, particularly the Public Safety Building, as
quickly as possible, and will provide momentum to keep the project in the public spotlight. The
schedule does, however, assume limited numbers of review opportunities by the relevant
boards and commissions in order to achieve the final action in 2013. It also assumes rapid but
substantive responses by the applicant to questions and issues posed by the boards and
commissions, staff and the public. The schedule does not include a meeting with Council until
the final review. If Council desires a “mid-point” check-in to discuss public benefits or other
City of Palo Alto Page 2
project elements, the most appropriate time would be at the same time as the Planning and
Transportation Commission review of the Draft EIR (September). That review could occur within
the proposed timeline. Staff notes, however, that such an interim review would it interrupt the
review process (PTC to ARB to PTC to Council) outlined in the code.
Staff also notes the following immediate efforts to move forward quickly on the project:
The Planning and Transportation Commission’s initiation of the project has been moved
up from May 8 to April 24;
EIR request for proposals were issued with an abbreviated response deadline, and
submittals were received by April 11, which is expected to allow staff to issue a notice to
proceed to the selected consultant in the next two weeks;
Staff has coordinated with the applicant to initiate the traffic study, which is underway
and will be peer reviewed by the EIR consultant; and
Staff kicked off the economic review by Applied Development Economics (ADE) last
week, and expects its report quantifying the benefits from the rezoning in
approximately 45 days. Staff will bring the methodology and approach forward to a
meeting with Council before finalizing the report.
Staff believes that the revised schedule (Attachment A) provides an appropriate, though
ambitious, timeline for the project review.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Revised Hearing Schedule for PC Zone Change (PDF)
Milestone / Task Responsibility Target
Schedule
Actual
Date
Council Prescreening Planner/Applicant 09/10/12
Submit revised plans Applicant 12/13/12
Initiation by PTC 1st hearing Planner/Applicant 02/06/13
Initiation by PTC 2nd hearing Planner/Applicant 04/24/13
Initiate EIR contract Planner/ EIR Consultant late April
Circulate NOP (Cal Ave & 395) Planner May
EIR Scoping Meeting at PTC Planner/Applicant June
ARB Prelim Hearing Planner/Applicant June
Admin Draft EIR Planner/EIR Consultant July
Circulate EIR (Cal Ave & 395) Planner August
EIR Hearing at PTC Planner/Applicant September
ARB Hearing Planner/Applicant October
PTC Hearing Planner/Applicant November
CC Hearing Planner/Applicant December
395 Page Mill Road and 3045 Park Blvd
Planned Community Zone Change w/ EIR
Target Schedule