HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2405-3111CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, June 10, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:00 PM
Agenda Item
12.Supplemental Memo: Hearing on Written Protests Against Proposed Discontinuance of a
portion of El Camino Park; and Adopt a Resolution and Ordinance Approving a Ballot
Measure for the Discontinuance of a portion of El Camino Park and Calling a Special
Election on November 5, 2024 and Authorize the City Mayor and City Manager to
Execute a Letter of Intent with Stanford University for the Quarry Road Project; CEQA
status - statutorily exempt per Pub. Res. Code § 21080(b)(12).
Item No. 12. Page 1 of 2
City Council
Supplemental Report
From: Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official
Meeting Date: June 10, 2024
Item Number: 12
Report #:2405-3111
TITLE
Supplemental Memo: Hearing on Written Protests Against Proposed Discontinuance of a
portion of El Camino Park; and Adopt a Resolution and Ordinance Approving a Ballot Measure
for the Discontinuance of a portion of El Camino Park and Calling a Special Election on
November 5, 2024 and Authorize the City Mayor and City Manager to Execute a Letter of Intent
with Stanford University for the Quarry Road Project; CEQA status - statutorily exempt per Pub.
Res. Code § 21080(b)(12).
RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the published recommendations on this item, staff recommends that the City
Council Authorize the City Mayor and City Manager to execute a Letter of Intent with Stanford
University for the Quarry Road Project.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
This supplemental report transmits a Letter of Intent drafted by the parties, City of Palo Alto
and Stanford University (Stanford), and amends the agenda item title and recommended action
to seek authorization for City signatures.
Revised Title:
Hearing on Written Protests Against Proposed Discontinuance of a portion of El Camino Park;
and Adopt a Resolution and Ordinance Approving a Ballot Measure for the Discontinuance of a
portion of El Camino Park and Calling a Special Election on November 5, 2024 and Authorize the
City Mayor and City Manager to Execute a Letter of Intent with Stanford University for the
Quarry Road Project; CEQA status - statutorily exempt per Pub. Res. Code § 21080(b)(12).
Revised Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hear and pass upon all valid written protests received by the Clerk regarding the
proposed discontinuance of a portion of El Camino Park to construct a roadway for
transit vehicles;
Item No. 12. Page 2 of 2
2. Sustain or overrule (majority vote) the protests; and
3. If protests are overruled, adopt the attached ordinance and resolution calling for a
special election on November 5, 2024 and submit to the voters a ballot measure of
whether to discontinue the park use of approximately 0.33 acres of El Camino Park for
the purpose of constructing a roadway for transit vehicles between El Camino Real and
the Palo Alto Transit Center
4. Authorize the City Mayor and City Manager to Execute a Letter of Intent with Stanford
University for the Quarry Road Project.
Letter of Intent Between City of Palo Alto and Stanford
In order to provide a more complete context for the proposed Quarry Road project, including
its relationship with the Palo Alto Transit Center and El Camino Park, Attachment A provides a
proposed Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI outlines responsibilities and actions that each party
plans to undertake, including:
•responsibilities for the funding, design, and construction of the roadway. This includes
Stanford contributing up to $4 million for completion of the project, as well as
maintenance funding;
•extension of the lease for playing fields at El Camino Park for an additional ten years
through 2052; and,
•undertaking a long-term visioning process for the Palo Alto Transit Center that
addresses dynamic public spaces, multi-modal transit needs, and community
engagement.
This LOI was discussed and drafted with the involvement of Stanford, the City Council Stanford
Ad Hoc Committee (Council members Burt, Kou, and Lythcott-Haims), and City staff. The
attached letter has been signed by Stanford’s representative and staff recommends
authorization for the Mayor and City Manager to sign on behalf of the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Letter of Intent Quarry Road
APPROVED BY:
Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official