Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-16 City Council (4)City of Palo Alto C ty Manager’s Report TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: City Manager CMR: 304:01 DATE: SUBJECT: July 16, 2001 PROGRESS UPDATE ON COUNCIL DIRECTION REGARDING VENTURA SITE This is an informational report and no Council action is required. BACKGROUND On April 24, 2001, the Council discussed a report from the Council Members of the City/School Liaison Committee regarding a proposal by Palo Alto Community Childcare (PACCC) and Avenidas to build an intergenerational facility on the Ventura site. The Council directed the City Manager to: ¯Pursue use of the Ventura site for a PACCC/Avenidas intergenerational facility and provide appropriate parameters, and engage the community in discussion of the optimal use of the Ventura site given the constraints ¯Use the City’s best efforts to engage the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) in planning for the best use of the site ¯Report back to the Council by July 1,2001 with an initial report ¯Ensure that a portion of the parcel be maintained as open space for the public, and that, in redevelopment, there be a preference for neighborhood services ¯Review other sites, including the Roth building, as a temporary site or contingency site for the PACCC/Avenidas proposal DISCUSSION On June 28, a community meeting was held at the Ventura site. The meeting was publicized using the City Manager’s Weekly Memo, official notice in the newspapers, a press release, the City’s Web Calendar of Events, and flyers distributed by PACCC skateboarders. A written invitation was also sent to the PAUSD Superintendent. The format for the meeting was similar to that used for the community dialogue on CMR:304:01 Page 1 of 3 infrastructure and budget priorities in the fall of 2000. An informational packet (Attachment 1) was prepared and given to all participants, which included: ¯A summary of the direction given to staffby the City Council (above) ¯Current uses of the Ventura facility ¯An overview of the PACCC/Avenidas proposal and a summary, of the associated challenges ¯A map identifying Census Tract 5107, which includes the Ventura site ¯Census information on changes in population and the youth population specifically in Census Tract 5107 from 1990 to 2000, and a comparison of those changes to the City of Palo Alto as a whole ¯A card for participants to fill out, asking what the individual liked best about the Ventura Community Center; a concern about the site; and what the participant would like to see in the future at the Ventura site After a welcome from the Mayor, the City Manager provided a brief overview about the Council direction and provided some information, illustrated by maps generated by the Geographic Information System, on the schools and school enrollment, potential housing developments and parks and open space acreage (including the Ventura site) in Tract 5107 and the surrounding area. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to input from the community. Attachment 2 is a list of all the comments provided on the cards given to participants, which mirrors the comments made in open session. Some general themes included: Positives about Ventura Community Center: A number of comments related to the perception that the Ventura site functions as a neighborhood "yard" where children .and youth who live in the surrounding apartments and multi-family housing can go to recreate. Participants indicated that PACCC has created a true community center at Ventura, especially in its programs for youth and teens. Accessible child care is a great value to some neighbors. One participant reminded the audience of the youth gang and graffiti issues that preceded creation of a Police substation and teen center at Ventura. Participants also placed value on the open space for the neighborhood, including the community garden. Problems/concerns with site: A number of the participants believed eventually the school population growth will require the District to re-open an elementary school at Ventura, and some indicated the CMR:304:01 Page 2 of 3 desirability of a walkable school so students don’t need to cross E1 Camino. However, concern was expressed about the potential loss of community services should the site once again become an elementary school, as well as the loss of open space accessible to community members. There was general consensus that the Ventura buildings are decrepit and several speakers felt the open space could be better designed to serve community needs. Several speakers reminded the audience that seniors in the neighborhood also would appreciate services and a walkable facility. Concern was expressed about the impact of adding additional uses to the site, given already difficult ingress and egress issues, and the potential for increased traffic. Also of concern was the proposal to build a two-story building, which might dominate the site or impact the neighbors, so they asked to be involved in design of any buildings. Future vision: The future visions for the uses on the site included an elementary school; an intergenerational facility; neighborhood recreation facilities, including a skateboard park and better basketball hoops; teen and youth facilities; and preschool and childcare programs. Open space and park facilities are valued. One participant summed it up as "modem, well-planned, accessible facility offering variety of services (including multigenerational program) and revamped park area geared to youth uses." Several participants queried whether the intergenerational facility could be designed so as to allow the PAUSD to re-use the buildings at a later time, if needed. Prepared by: Emily City Manager City Manager Approval: City Manager Attachment 1: Packet Materials for June 28 Ventura Meeting Attachment 2: Summary of Comments from Cards CMR:304:01 Page 3 of 3 ATTACHMENT 1 Tell the City What I likebest about the Ventura community center is.., problem or concern with the Ventura site is... ::::> What I would like to see in the future at the Ventura site is... Optional Your name Address Email Phone I would like a copy of the report to City Council. Ventura Neighborhood Dialogue June 28, 2001 7:00 pm Welcome and overview Purpose of the Meeting and Background Information Dialogue Wrap Up and Next Steps Mayor Sandy Eakins City Manager Frank Benest All Frank Benest Direction from the City Council ¯Pursue use of the Ventura site for a PACCC/Avenidas intergenerational facility and provide appropriate parameters, and engage the community in discussion of the optimal use of the Ventura site given the constraints; ¯Use the City’s best efforts to engage the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) in planning for the best use of the site; ¯Report back to the Council by July 1, 2001, (now July 16) with an initial report; ¯Ensure that a portion of the parcel be maintained as open space for the public, and that, in redevelopment, there be a preference for neighborhood services; ¯Review other sites, including the Roth building, as a temporary site or contingency site for the PA CCC/A venidas proposal. Uses of the Ventura Facility As of June; 2001 Full time use Palo Alto Community Childcare Country Day Preschool Heffalump Cooperative Nursery School YMCA/City Activity Center Palo Alto Police Sub-station Palo Alto Fire Department Partial use Palo Alto Adult School(ESL classes) Second Harvest Food Bank SHARE Food Bank ~ Packard Health Van Positive Alternatives for Youth Youth Activity Center (summer only) Various neighborhood meetings PACCC/Avenidas Proposal Overview The Proposal ¯ Creation of a 2-story, 40,000 square foot building for an intergenerational facility - where services are provided to a wide range of age groups. ¯Avenidas will serve the frail elderly, PACCC will serve preschool children, and other parts of the center will serve the teen population and residents of the Ventura neighborhood. ¯About half of the building would be used for childcare services; the other half of the building would be split equally between the Senior Day Health Center and community use. ¯A guarantee of no-loss of park or open space. ¯All current uses and services existing on the site would remain and 1.2 acres of the 4.6 acre site would remain for community use or, if feasible, for use by the School District. The Challenges ¯ The City owns the site and leases it to PACCC.PACCC is responsible for most of the maintenance of the facility. ¯PAUSD has a repurchase option. The projected school enrollment for the next 3-7 years shows sufficient elementary school space, but if all the housing contemplated in the City’s Comprehensive Plan were built, the situation could change, so the District does not want to give up its repurchase option. ¯Any repurchase would be at current market value for 2.4 acres and half of market value for 2 acres. Any repurchase requires one-year advance notice. ¯The Ventura site needs major renovation, which will have to be undertaken regardless of what happens with the intergenerational facility to ensure that the current activities can continue as they are. ¯PACCC faces a major financial challenge in finding funding for this renovation. ¯At Avenidas, the Senior Day Health Center lease with the First Baptist Church expires in four years and the Center is already behind schedule if it is to conduct fundraising, design a facility, obtain permits and construct a new facility. ¯The Ventura site is ideal in many ways, but if PAUSD retains its right of repurchase, Avenidas and PACCC believe it will be impossible to obtain financing for the costs of building a new facility, either through private donations or other financing, since there could be no longer term assurance that the facility would be at Ventura. 6106.02 6115 6112 6114 6130 6128 6125 5116.04 5113 5112 5114 61’ 5111 5109 5110 5108.0’ 5117.01 6132 5117.03 5099.01 5100.01 5101 5077.03 2000 Ce nsus Tra Page 1 of 4 1990 to 2000 Total Population Increase for the City of Palo Alto Relative to Tract 5107 In 1990, there were 55,900 people in Palo Alto and 3,635 or, 6.5% of the total, lived in Tract 5107. In 2000, the count was 58,598 for Palo Alto and 4,200 or, 7.2%, for Tract 5107. 1990 Total Pop: 55,900 Tract 5107: 3,635 or 6.5% 2000 Total Pop: 58,598 Tract 5107: 4,200 or 7.2% Therefore, from 1990 to 2000, the city’s total population increased by 2,698 people or 4.8% and Tract 5107 increased by 565 people or 15.5%. 1990 to 2000 Total Pop Increase 70,000 50.000 40.000 30.000 20,000 Increase of 2.698 persons or 4.8%-- 10.000 Increase of 565 15.5% Tract 5107 City ~ 1990 ~2000 Tract 5107 accounts for 21% of Palo Alto’s total increase. Tract 5107: 565 or 21% Total Increase: 2,698 D:\Gloria fiGIS\Census\Projects\Ventura\CityTractCompareTotal.ai Prepared 6/25/01 Page 2 of 4 1990 to 2000 Youth Population Increase for the City of Palo Alto Relative to Tract 5107 In 1990, there were 9,884 persons aged 0 through 17 in Palo Alto and 622 or, 6.3% of the total, lived in Tract 5107. In 2000, the count was 12,406 for Palo Alto and 815 or, 6.6%, for Tract 5107. 1990 Youth Pop: 9,884 Tract 5107:/~ Tract 5107: 622 or 6.3%/815 or 6.6% 2000 Youth Pop: 12,406 Therefore, from 1990 to 2000, the city’s youth population increased by 2,522 people or 25.5% and Tract 5107 increased by 193 people or 31%. 1990 to 2000 Youth Pop Increase 14,000 10,000 2,000 Increase of 2,522 persons or 25.5% Increase of 31% Tract 5107 city ~1990 ~2000 Tract 5107 accounts for 8% of Palo Alto’s youth increase. Tract 5107:/193 or 8% Youth Increase: 2,522 D:\Gtoda I~GIS\Census~’oje~s\Ventura\CityTtac~CompareYouth.ai Prepared 6~25/01 PaQe 4 of 4 VENTURA NEIGHBORHOOD DIALOGUE June 28, 2001 7:00 p.m. Public Comments ATTACHMENT 2 = What I like best about the Ventura community center is... Open land - grants a safe place for (small) children to play. We can have our skateboard ramps there and Margo Dutton lets us. Also, the Ventura Teen Center. It’s a school site that students can walk to. Open space for the children to play - tree houses, garden, blacktop is great, safe place for riding bikes. Note that the area right around here is dense with apartment residents whose place to play is the Ventura playground. It is convenient and "homey" for South Palo Alto residents. The people that are here: YMCA Teen Outreach, Margo Dutton, and Police substation. It’s a place I can go to just to hang out with my friends; it allows skateboarding. It is an open space where I am allowed to skateboard. We got to skateboard around on the ramps. Diversity of childcare programs and the community garden. That you can take young children to the playground, and it is used by them. Teen center for teenagers living in apartments. Food banks. It is close by and it is used by the local residents for many different purposes. The encounter of several generations of people. The playground for young people. Provides needed open space and services directly applicable to this area - children’s programs, police substation, ESL classes. Neighborhood center and services. Open Space, youth services, and school. Close by and provides essential community services for many different groups. Variety of services and recreation/park features which provide friendly, accessible community center as a gathering and focal point for neighbors. Its location and reputation as a good child care center. Also, having the police substation close by. Variety of spaces accommodating many groups, especially the open space and recreation facilities, such as the playground, basketball courts, and the field. Good mix of people from neighborhood for sports (ages > 7 years) and playing (ages <7 years). Love PACCC sharing site; has a super staff. I like the multi-access for various groups, and my family plays here. The YMCA teen center, the computer center, and the community services. The Teen Center. Occasionally having the police on site and it is a good place to walk. Multiple offerings to different segments of the community (childcare, youth services, etc.) Situated in an area which has diversity and can and does respond to local needs (ESL, Food Bank, Health Van, PAY). Resourceful/community binding center. It isn’t crowded. The open space, the view of the mountains and the closeness to my apartment. ~ A problem or concern with the Ventura site is... Since I manage Merrilee Terrace apartments and our property borders the back of this site, I am extremely concerned and would like to be able to give you feedback about where you build the new building. Deterioration of the building. It’s an old building, but I like the "informal" feel of it. It may be needed in the future as an elementary school site. Zero, it is great. It seems like an old run-down facility. It doesn’t seem updated enough. Don’t forget to look at the growth of the population segment of those 85+ years. The site will be used by too many other people. The traffic that denser uses will create and possible loss of present uses that may be deemed "inappropriate" by future tenants. That it is degrading. School district may want to recapture Ventura. Would love to see it turned into a school again so children don’t have to go across El Camino. That is might close due to lack of funds. Why doesn’t the city school district take Ventura back now and open up a K-3 school. It seems strange to me to require students this age to cross El Camino and travel to two different schools. It will be needed for a school when Stanford housing gets built under General use Permit. Traffic, what building looks like, how much of new building would be used for senior services as compared to present, how major renovation and earthquake proofing would be paid for, if the city is its landlord they why hasn’t the city kept the building up. Who funds PACCC? How much area of the building will be for community services. The building is decrepit and the facilities and park space could be so much better designed to do more for the neighbors. We shouldn’t have to wait for PAUSD to decide what to do, or keep allowing the site to deteriorate. The neighborhood deserves better! Cost and waiting list for enrollment. It’s current condition - poor. Lack of open bathrooms. Concern that a two-story building would block my excellent view of Ventura Community Center. Currently underutilized. The buildings need to be remodeled. Remodeling. Old building. Assuring its best and proper use. Getting run down. No community connection keeping kids to adults taken care of. Limited siting of building if view is to be preserved. Too many uses could cause overcrowding and loss of open space aesthetic. Mandatory pre-school could require Ventura school to be reopened. No room for expansion for Avenidas/PACCC could cause Avenidas to move to another site any way, due to huge demand for a bigger facility to accommodate huge increase in elder population. The population pressures on a less than adequate open space acreage of new residents from the projected new housing projects. Planning for only 10 or 20 years instead of for a longer period. What I would like to see in the future at the Ventura site is... It will have a skate park. Devoted to all Ventura area students. Keeping the open space (which it sounds like you already will do). Avenidas/PACCC Union -it makes sense. Have it leased on a year-to-year basis. More stuff for kids to do, better basketball courts, arts and ceramics studio, and a skate park. A skate park. More activities for kids i.e. basketball courts, art studio (ceramics and painting), skate park, and a better Teen Center (YMCA). School. A skate park and better basketball hoops. Intergenerational program. The same usage or back to a school. Return to a school or expanded recreational facilities i.e., tennis courts or a swimming pool par course. I am so frustrated sitting here listening to these comments that clearly indicate that they haven’t read the proposal! There’s room for all three. How about that? If you want to see hills, go to Foothill or move to Belmont. My son is 7 and I am not worried. That time is now - Ventura makes sense. School site. Enhanced services for youth and local residents, better facilities, no loss of existing programs or services. A school and neighborhood center. Services that are p~esently at Ventura kept at current site. Modern, well-planned, accessible facility offering variety of services (including multigenerational program) and revamped park area geared to youth uses, built to Mills Act standards so PAUSD could easily take it back if needed (but at market value). Child care - pre-school facility, open space and park facilities. Continued well use of space. Some permanent or semi-permanent skateboard facilities. Elder day care ok with me. PACCC/Avenidas proposal sounds good. Preserve option of a school. I like the intergenerational facility idea. More teen activities and resources. I’d like more park space on site and a new school. Whatever is built should be compatible with a school of ever it is needed. Continuing community center offering such as those currently available. A PACCC/Avenidas intergenerational facility! Combined day care and senior services site and elementary site. Put energy into purchasing additional land so we can provide for elementary site, PAC/senior center. Infant to elderly together.