HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-04 City Council Agenda PacketCITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
June 4, 2015
Special Meeting
Community Meeting Room
6:00 PM
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. Supporting materials are available in the
Council Chambers on the Thursday preceding the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to agendized items; up to three minutes per speaker, to be determined by the presiding officer. If you wish to address the Council on any issue that is on this agenda, please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of the item. You are not required to give your name on the speaker card in order to speak to the Council, but it is very helpful.
Call to Order
Oral Communications
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of
Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.
Special Orders of the Day
1. Interview of Candidates for the Architectural Review Board
Adjournment
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1 June 4, 2015
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DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
June 4, 2015
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Interview of Candidates for the Architectural Review Board
On Thursday, June 4, 2015 the City Council will interview four applicants for
one unexpired term (Ballantyne) ending December 15, 2017, on the
Architectural Review Board (ARB). Copies of all applications are attached.
Some applications may be redacted at the request of the applicant. A full
set of non-redacted applications will be provided to Council Members
directly.
The City Council is scheduled to vote to appoint candidates for the ARB on
June 8, 2015.
Architectural Review Board
2.21.010
There is created an Architectural Review Board consisting of five persons
appointed by the City Council, and at least three of whom shall be architects,
landscape architects, building designers or other design professionals. The
Architectural Review Board shall have the powers and duties specified in this
chapter, and shall comply with the procedures specified in this chapter.
(Ord. 5208 § 9, 2013: Ord. 4826 § 2 (Exh. 1 (part)), 2004)
Applicants to be interviewed are as follows: 10 minute interviews
Peter Baltay 6:00 p.m.
Wynne Furth 6:10 p.m.
Kenneth Huo 6:20 p.m.
Flore Schmidt 6:30 p.m.
BACKGROUND
On Monday, May 18, 2015 City Council selected the four applicants to
interview for the Architectural Review Board.
Page 2
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: ARB Baltay, Peter (PDF)
Attachment B: ARB Furth, Wynne (PDF)
Attachment C: ARB Huo, Kenneth (PDF)
Attachment D: ARB Schmidt, Flore (PDF)
Department Head: Beth Minor, City Clerk
.f
Architectural Review Board Application
Personal Information
Name: Peter Baltay
W�IY Of PAL8 l\Lr@ldJA erry CLERK'S ef'P+et:
Address: 450 Kipling Street, Palo Alto CA 94301
Cell Phone: 415 407-1621
0 Home t®office Phone: 650 327-7573
E-mail: peter@toposarchitects.com
Are you a Palo Alto Resident?QYes @ No
15 HAY -5 PH 2: I 0
Do you have any relatives or members of your household who ar
.
e employed by the City o.L.ealo A.Jle., who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are Commissioners or Board Members? UYes(!} No
Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for? ®vesO No
California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed disclosure of
their financial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of Interest (Form 700).
Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to:
1) engage in business with the City;
2) provide products or services for City projects; or
3) be affected by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for? Oves®No
Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto? ()v es @No
How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Architectural Review Board?
Ocommunity Group
[{]Email from City Clerk
0Palo Alto Weekly
0Daily Post
Deity Website
0Flyer
Other:_�-----------------------------
List relevant education, training, experience, certificates of training, licenses, or professional
registration:
Bachelor of Arts-Columbia University 1984 Master of Architecture-University of Washington 1990 Licensed California Architect since 1995 Owner and Principal Architect of TOPOS Architects since 2000.
Employment
TOPOS Architects (www.toposarchitects.com) Present or Last Employer:
Occupation: Architect and builder
Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
Past member of the San Mateo County Design Review Board
Past member of the Redwood City Architectural Review Board
Member of the Santa Clara County AIA
Page 1
Architectural Review Board
1. What is it about the Architectural Review Board that is compatible with your experience and of
specific interest to you, and why?
I am an experienced local architect. I have worked successfully with the Palo Alto Planning and
Buildnig Department on many projects. I have served on other design review boards and am
familiar �ith the procedures and practices of public service.
I believe that it is important to "give back" to the community.
2. Please describe an issue that recently came before the Board that is of particular interest to you
and describe why you are interested in it. If you have never been to a Board meeting you can view
an archive here: LINK.
429 University Avenue is a project meeting the 'objective' requirements (parking, FAR, height) yet
still not fulfilling the 'subjective' requirements (compatibility, scale, massing). Much contention
could have been avoided had the ARB been more insistent that the project comply with the
subjective requirements of the Design Guidelines and Comprehensive Plan, even if it reduced the
allowed maximums of the Zoning Code.
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Architectural Review Board achieve,
and why? How would you suggest accomplishing this? 1. I would like to see the Architectural Review Board be more willing to compromise on the objective standards of the Zoning Code to fullfill the subjective standards of the Design Guidelines and Comprehensive Plan. 2. I would like to see the Architecture Review Board (and City Council, and Planning Staff) provide more concrete feedback to reduce the number of design review cycles and move projects through the review process efficiently.
4. Please identify a project or projects that you find to be examples of good architecture, and
explain why. You may attach samples, identify project addresses, or provide links. If you
attach samples, staff may request that you bring hard copy print outs to the interviews.
1. 520 Cowper Street (Garden Court Hotel)-a wonderfully pedestrial friendly street front with e spacious end well designed vehicular entrance at the hotel help mask the mas of the buildng. Careful and playful detailing and lots of balconies provide en attractive link to Palo Alto's architecture heritage.
2. Courthouse Square, Redwood City-sometimes no buildng is best of all. A we;; used and loved public space created with lots of community input. Small flanking gazebos enhance the pedestrian nature of the public square.
3. 1600 El 'Gamino, Menlo Park (NE corner of El Camino end Encinal)-a beautifully executed rendition of a Mediterranean style building built in the twentieth-first century. The materials, detailing and massing fit the site and community and, while gently evoking the past, are not reproductions of outdated building techniques.
4. 270 University Avenue (Jos. A Banks store)-a well designed urban storefront that is both of our time (contemporary detailing and sustainable) yet of a scale and massing to fit into the University Avenue streetscape as a good neighbor. Not every building should be this dramatic, yet once in a while it is refreshing.
5. Architectural Review Board Members work with the documents listed below. If you have
experience with any of these documents, please describe that experience. Experience with these
documents is not required for selection.
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan LINK
Zoning Code LINK
El Camino Real Design Guidelines LINK
El Camino Real Master Plan Study LINK and Appendices LINK
Area Plans such as the South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) I and II Plans LINK
California Environmental Quality Act LINK
Permit Streamline Act LINK
Density Bonus Law LINK
Secretary of the Interior's Standards LINK
Page2
Architectural Review Board
/
Consent to Publish Personal Information on the City of Palo Alto Website
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local agency shall post the
home address or telephone number of any elected or appointed official on the Internet without first
obtaining the written permission of that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not
be redacted and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
The full code can be read here: LINK
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
0 I give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the City's website the attached Board and
Commission Application intact. I have read and understand my rights under Government Code
Section 6254.21. I may revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto City Clerk. ·
OR
0 I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone numbers, and email address
from the attached Board and Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am
providing the following alternate information and request that they use the following contact
information instead.
Address:
Cell Phone: 0Home 10office Phone:
E-mail:
l DigltallyslgnedbyPeterBaltay 5/5/2015· Peter Ba 1. ta yr �{:�:�::��:�;�,�;=,���::�··"· Signature: --------""-;;_·o._,.,_2m_s.o_s.o_s1_B_2,,_3-0_,. .. _. ----------Date:------
Page3
Architectural Review Board
Architectural Review Board Application
Personal Information
Name: Wynne Furth
Address: 216 Everett Avenue Palo Alto 94301
Cell Phone: 650.444-5888
(!)Home 10omce Phone: 650.326-9313
E-mail : wynne.furth@gmail.com
Are you a Palo Alto Resident? (!)Yes Q No
Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City of Palo AJ!Q., who
are currently serving on the City Council, or who are Commissioners or Board Members? Qves\!) No
Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for? 0 ves0No
California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed disclosure of
their financial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of Interest (Form 700).
Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director of, a company doing business in
Palo Alto which you believe is likely to:
1)engage in business with the City;
2)provide products or services for City projects; or
3) be affected by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for? 0 Yes0 No
Exciuding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto? ()res (!) No
How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Architectural Review Board?
Ocommunity Group
D Email from City Clerk
0 Palo Alto Weekly
Other: city clerk's office
O oaily Post
D City Website
0 Flyer
List relevant education, training, experience, certificates of training! licenses! or professional
registration:
Trained in economics at Stanford (including design course from Matt Kahn); law at HaNard, with a focus on land use, local govt,
and legal process; worked with and for California cities, notably Claremont and Palo Alto, advising building officials,
planning/transportation/architectural/historic preseNation boards and city councils, and in the process received great training from
applicants, staff, the board members, and the citizenry on design and its review, land use, architectural history, sustainability, and
the need for clarity, civility, study, hardwork, a range of expertises, and integrity in design review. Participated in APA, ULI, and
League of California Cities workshops and conferences on land use and design issues.
Employment
Changelab Solutions, Oakland -consulting attorney Present or Last Employer:
occupation: lawyer (last full time employment: Burke Williams; McDonough Holland & Allen
Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
Board member, Palo Alto Woman's Club; member and former Board president, Unitarian
Universalist Church of Palo Alto; member, League of Women Voters; participant, Downtown
North residential parking permit program working group; co-organizer and leader of Palo Alto
Forward field trip exploring multiple-housing residential developments in Downtown Palo Alto
from the 1920s to the 1990s.
Page 1
Architectural Review Board
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/5/2015 5:15 PM
,r
1. What Is tt about the Architectural Review Board that Is compatible with your experience and of
specific interest to you, and why? 6rt(P.� .7Jt� 1l� �evflV'� i>tp ptZ-4f eN� 111i5t� 191��111�0, �M�uJ !JI/ �l1'1J�,, CAJM�G /tttS-C.H rrJ� ,,
cA-o?S vvi/l'lJ� in<?ti��e � �H� �� lt>0/' ..
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2. Pie e describe an issue that recently came before the Board that is of partic lar interest to you '
and describe why you are Interested In It. If you have never been to a Board meeting you can view
an archive here: LINK.
__ p.$7· ji-t¢ t>tza1J1'�111�L--�� t?�� MG'M��? v�wrt.rfe��N 1/IVI� �� IN 11i6 ftuH'f 4 �N-re� &FltJf&NG.:? ..,.-,
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0 t?�716'NIN "'"tA-.111'H I' .. IVP. e=t-1 �1H .
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Architectural eview Board
and why? How would you suggest this?
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p�NIU!Jt>N? � �ic.e>P-D � tJf • A �t.-7,? �?J�J-.l ! }11'(1£.f{
4. Please identify a project or projects that you find o be examples of good architecture, an
explain why. You may attach samples, Identify project addresses, or provide links. If you attach
· samples-; bring hard copy print outs to tlftflnteivlews.··· ··· ··· -q,_�p p.-�t{t t(evftJ� c??vV�'? Wrl�� �77 /56NS.e ..- �� -1"'�� r��A1 r�P.�/t>+Jp N fc.G
5. Architectural Review Board M bers work with th documents listed If you have
experience with any of these documents, please describe that experience. Experience with these
documents is not required for selection. y(alo Alto Comprehensive Plan LINK . t>K-
·vzoning Code LINK � Real Design Guidelines LINK �
Camino Real Master Plan Study LINK and Appendices LINK � �a Plans such as the South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) I and II Plans LINK
Vcalifornia·Environmental Quality Act LINK yk:
�mil Streamline Act LINK �
Density Bonus Law LINK �
Secretary of the Interior's Standards LINK
. " Architectural Review Board t?�--u .. �t
)
Consent to Publish Personal Information on the City of Palo Alto Website
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local agency shall post the
home address or telephone number of any elected or appointed official on the Internet without first
obtaining the written permission of that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form w/1 not be redacted and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
The full code can be read here: LINK
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
I give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the City's website the attached Board and
Commission Application intact. I have read and understand my rights under Government Code
Section 6254.21. I may revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo
Alto City Clerk.
OR
I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone numbers, and email address
from the attached Board and Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am
providing the following alternate information and request that they use the following contact
information instead.
Address: -
Cell Phone: l &7"''!? 1 g
Home I Office
E-tnail: 6'.IJ'fo �tft i'fi"f e7 ti lvf"fl.-, 4
Signature:
Hi.Jo
/� Architectural Review Board
t? �/]. .;' �
\
Architectural Review Board Application
Personal lnfonnation
Name: Flore Schmidt
Address: 1091 Tanland drive 207 # 94303 Palo Alto
Cell Phone:650 714 8535
0 Home 1@offlce Phone:
E-mail: sctvnidt.flore@gmail.com
Are you a Palo Alto Resident?@Ves Q No
Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City o.1.ealo Al�, who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are Commissioners or Board Members? UYes\!) No
Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for? ®vesONo California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed disclosure of
their financial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of Interest (Form 700).
Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to:
1)engage in business with the City;
2)provide products or services for City projects; or
3)be affected by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for? O ves®No
Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto?()ves @No
How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Archltectural Review Board?
Ocommunity Group
0Email from City Clerk 0Palo Alto Weekly
0 Daily PostDeity Website0Flyer
List relevant education, training, experience, certificates of training, licenses, or professional
registration:
Full architecture degree, Paris-Versailles -France 1988
Graduate year in Rome La Sapienza University • Italy 1990
Cofounded and run 20 architect's Architecture Firm in Paris area, France 1991-2013
Experience includes: Residentials & multi appartment buildings I education (3 high scholl • 2 middle scholl) I remodelling University campus in
Orsay/ Goverment {Civic hall, Library ... ) I sport facilities {stadium) I international experience I many competitions
Not a California licensed architect
Employment
Present or Last Employer:
Occupation: Moved to Silicon Valley 2014 /Currently works with Sunplanter INC a Solar building start up company, Palo Alto
Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
Recently arrived in California. I am looking for involment opportunities in subject I am deeply
interest in.
As Teenager I have consistently been engaged in Christian charity actions.
During the students years I have also given art classes (painting, drawing, sculpture & models) to
5-12 year children
Page 1
Architectural Review Board
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/5/2015 5:02 PM
1. What is It about the Architectural Review Board that Is compatible with your experience and of
specific interest to you, and why? For 20 years, I have been in France, on the other side of the table, submitting projects to building departments, boards & governments. Although the administrative organization is quite different, I have been wishing the French permit granting authorities were more open-minded, more professionally experienced and supported a higher vision.
I also wished they better understood the designer's constraints and quest and there was a productive dialog between the designer and the authorities. I have been member of many architecture competition juries and I have been involved in several city planning projects from small to very large scale.
2. Please describe an issue that recently came before the Board that is of particular interest to you
and describe why you are interested in it. If you have never been to a Board meeting you can view
an archive here: LINK.
I have no specific information about a particular case, but I have been witnessing over the last few years the restart of a cycle of tearing down small
things and replacing them with huge structures, all over the Bay Area and very so in Palo Alto, and I am concerned about how the board can help
maintain high quality standards through a period of shifting life style.
I was in Architecture school in the BO's in Paris when 6 "new cities" were built in a rush in the fields around Paris, with very little previous thinking
and while are historic cities were being bulldozered by developers. Nobody had envisionned the society problems this ideological city planning
would generate, but we all spent our carrier years trying to fix the problems due to density and lack of upstream thinking and control. I would be
very motivated to help the Architectural Review Board keep Palo Alto friendly, green and residential.
3. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Architectural Review Board achieve,
and why? How would you suggest accomplishing this?
I am very impressed by the level of the thinking I have seen at work here. I understand Palo Alto is facing pressure about higher urban density. I
have spent a large part of my professional life as an architect in France curing the failures of ill designed density built in the post war rush through
lots of demolition.
Building on my experience, I think Palo Mo's mission as a forward looking and globally admired city is to set new standards about how
neighborhoods can be vibrant and quiet, busy and green.
Palo Alto should harmoniously develop the environment but preserve every one's identity and freedom.
I think it is a fascinating mission. How does "city planning" encourage "living together'', "energy and ressource conservation", "meanningfull life", "
efficient business" ?
4. Please identify a project or projects that you find to be examples of good architecture, and
explain why. You may attach samples, Identify project addresses, or provide links. If you
attach samples, staff may request that you bring hard copy print outs to the interviews.
Let me talk here about PA City Hall. I don't know if it works well internally, but I feel it provides PA downtown with remarquable qualities. His
volume make it stand out like a goverment building should, his architectural design, the material employed gives a scale and style reference. It's a
landmark. It's also manages to create a European style "piazza" which is both a focal point, a breath in the city, a harbour\\lhile it reveals the
institution's importance, providing public parking too. I absolutely do not mean private buildings should be allowed what the City Hall is. I mean that
architectural design, volume, layout, building implementation must be use to build a neighborhood quality, an order in the city meaning and
hierarchy. However for the future, I strongly believe buildings should be designed around the sun so they are positive energy solar powered, so
they treat the suntight and allow quality inner spaces while reducing the need for air conditionning and artificial lighting.
To my european eyes, LEED Platinum is an easy target, I wish Palo Alto will really invent the next step ...
5. Architectural Review Board Members work with the documents listed below. If you have
experience with any of these documents, please describe that experience. Experience with these
documents is not required for selection.
Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan LINK
Zoning Code LINK
El Camino Real Design Guidelines LINK
El Camino Real Master Plan Study LINK and Appendices LINK
Area Plans such as the South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) I and II Plans LINK
California Environmental Quality Act LINK
Permit Streamline Act LINK
Density Bonus Law LINK
Secretary of the Interior's Standards LINK
Page 2
Architectural Review Board
Consent to Publish Personal lnfonnation on the City of Palo Alto Website
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or appointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not
be redacted and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
The full code can be read here: LINK
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
0 I give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the City's website the attached Board and Commission Application intact. I have read and understand my rights under Government Code Section 6254.21. I may revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto City Clerk.
OR
0 I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone numbers, and email address from the attached Board and Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am providing the following alternate information and request that they use the following contact information instead.
Address:
Cell Phone:
0Home 10office Phone:
E-mail:
Signature: __ �_I ............... 1J-++-0_J-_____ Date: _05_0_5 _2015
Page 3
Architectural Review Board