HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-03-20 City Council (19)City of Palo Alto
C!ty Manager,s Rep°rt
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:MARCH 20, 2000 CMR:185:00
SUBJECT:UPDATE ON THE "FUTURE OF SINGLE
NEIGHBORHOODS" ADVISORY GROUP ~
FAMILY
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
In early January, staff prepared an informational memorandum (CMR 117:00) to the City
Council reporting on the establishment of a Future of Single Family Neighborhoods
Advisory Group (Advisory Group). The purpose of the Advisory Group is to provide
input to the Director of Planning and Community Environment on final recommendations
to the City Council to address comprehensively concerns related to the compatibility of
new and remodeled single family residences within established neighborhoods. The
Advisory Group is not intended to address the issue of the demolition of historic
structures, but rather the issue of replacement and remodeled homes that do not "fit" in
Palo Alto’s diverse neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION
The Advisory Group has met four times since the initial meeting on January 20, 2000.
To date, the Advisory Group has reviewed and discussed a substantial amount of
information; including the R-1 Zoning Code regulations, relevant sections of the
Comprehensive Plan, a variety of articles, and information from other cities. There has
also been a presentation on design issues sponsored by the Santa Valley Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects, and a citywide tour.
The emphasis to date has been on issue identification. The next phase of the work
program will focus, as specifically as possible, on identifying the problem(s). The issues
are complex and inter-related, and there are a number of elements to be addressed (e.g.,
privacy, streetscape, building design, light and air). As part of this process, a citywide
community workshop is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday evening, April 11, 2000 at the
CMR:185:00 Page 1 of 2
Mitchell Park Community Center main hall. The workshop will be widely publicized
within the next several weeks.
To date, the Advisory Group has specifically avoided a discussion of solutions until there
is a clear identification of the problem(s). A second community workshop is planned to
seek input as solutions are discussed and analyzed.
Staff will continue to periodically update the City Council on the activities of the
Advisory Group.
PREPARED BY: Joan D. Taylor, Associate Planner
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW:
GEORGE E. ~
Director of Planning and Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
cc: Advisory Group Members
CMR:185:00 Page 2 of 2