HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3738 City of Palo Alto
COLLEAGUES MEMO
April 15, 2013 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 3738)
DATE: April 15, 2013
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Mayor Scharff, Council Member Holman, Council Member Price,
Council Member Schmid
SUBJECT: COLLEAGUES MEMO REQUESTING THAT THE STAFF AND PLANNING
AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (PTC) REVIEW SIDEWALK WIDTHS WITH A
FOCUS ON EL CAMINO REAL AND THE GRAND BOULEVARD PLAN AND RETURN
TO COUNCIL WITH SUGGESTED ZONING AMENDMENTS
Background and Purpose
In recent years, Palo Alto has experienced a number of new developments, especially
along El Camino Real and Alma that address the street in ways that are inconsistent
with the intent and the vision of the El Camino Real Design Guidelines and the Grand
Boulevard Plan.
This has generated consternation in the community and a strong negative reaction by
members of the public as to how close these new buildings are to the street and how the
buildings turn their backs on the public right of way due to inadequate setbacks and
building articulation and openings to reduce the building mass. New Urbanism
principles and/or use of the PC have often incorrectly been identified as the reason for
these buildings being characterized as unfriendly and overwhelming.
A course correction is needed that is grounded in design principles that inform
development standards, site plans and architectural design and lead to better, more
appropriate future development that addresses the street in a way that is consistent
with the vision of the El Camino Real Design Guidelines and the Grand Boulevard Plan.
It is worth noting that 8-foot sidewalks limit the species of trees to those with vertical
growth and thus results in a smaller canopy that can be accommodated in areas with
greater setbacks.
The Grand Boulevard Initiative recommends an 18-foot minimum between buildings
and the curb edge (Street Design Toolbox, Figure 5-15) compared to the 12 feet (4 foot
April 15, 2013 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 3738)
planting strip plus 8 foot sidewalk) currently being implemented by Palo Alto. The 18-
foot Sidewalk Zone incorporates 1) a six-foot amenity zone for street trees and lighting,
2) a minimum 8-foot walking zone, and 3) a four-foot spill out zone adjacent to building
frontages. Further, the Boulevard Sidewalk Width section states that the current and
typical 8-foot sidewalks are too narrow … and that heavy transit- and pedestrian-
oriented areas in larger cities are 30 feet and more wide. Section 3.1.7 recommends
“….varying increased setbacks to improve building design, creation of public amenities
and improved building function.”
Recommendations
That the Staff, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and Architecture
Review Board (ARB) review sidewalk widths and how buildings address the street with
a focus on El Camino Real and with reference to the Grand Blvd. Design Guidelines and
return to Council with suggested zoning amendments that implement the vision
expressed in the Grand Boulevard Plan, and revise the South El Camino Real guidelines
and zoning as appropriate to make them consistent with this vision. Other major
thoroughfares, including but not limited to Alma, Downtown, California Avenue and
Charleston should be addressed in this context, as Staff feels is appropriate at this time.