HomeMy WebLinkAbout0137.092I
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January 30~ 1992
HONOHABlE CITY CDUrie I l
Palo Alto, California
Attention: Policy and Services Committee
STANFORD RESEARCH PABK STUDY
Members of the Council:
Report in Brief
This report reviews the status of the Stanford Research Park Study. Sep;flr.at~
information from the Chamber of Commerce responding to the December 3, 1991
CUll1TIittee (onsideratioi1 of the Study is anticipated to be in the January 30,
1992 City Council packet. It ; s recorrmended that the Committee re"'ieYf and
discuss the St'Jdy; review and discuss the information from the Chamber of
Commerct!; ask Stanford University staff for iI status report on U"leir Research
Park planning project; and, as the Committee deems appropri~te. make
recommendations to the City (ouncil on the thirteen Potential Actions
highlighted in the attached November 27, 1991 staff report.
lliJIgJ:l!.!!.!ll!
The attached Iktober 3, 1991 (CMR:428:91) and NDvember 27, 1991 (CMR:S34:91)
staff repo~ts contain background infonmation or. the Stanford Research Park
Study. Also attached are appruprlit.e excerpts of the October 29 and December
3, 1931 meetings of the Policy and Ser~ices Committee.
At the December 3, 1991 Committee meet;n9~ review of the Study was continued
in order to have the Chamb~r of Commerce, working with representatlves of
firms located in the Research Park, develop priority ranking of the thirteen
Potentia1 Actions identified in the Novemb€r 27, 1991 staff report. The
thirteen P~tential Actions are items that the City could pursue in the
relatively nea~ term and i~dependent of direct Stanford University
involvement. Many of the other Potent~al Actions identified in the Study ire
longer-term issues that need the direct participation of the University ana.
in some cases, Park tenants. City staff ~ave been informed that the Chamber
of Commerce h3s completed a review of the thirteen Potential Actions and
infonnation or. the re$ults of their review will be in the City Council packet.
CMR:137:92
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Purpose of the Febru~_..l992 Comill; ttee Meet i n9
The February 3, 1992 consideration by the PoTity and Services CO!!'mittee of t~e
Researc~ Park Study should be oriented to several objectives.
• Since an members of th~ C.omittee have not previously discussed the
Study, time should be taKen to have Committ~e members raise questions
and discuss re9ardi~g the purpose and content ~f the Study.
• The Committee should review the information submitted by the Cnamber of
Commerce and as necessary djscuss the Chamber's findings ~ith Chamb~r
represent at i yes .
• As noted in the Study and past Committee reviews, Stanf~rd University is
in the process of prepa~ing a Research Park Plan. It would be
appropriate to ask Stanford representatives for an update on the status
of their planning efforts~
• The Committee may wish to make recommendations to the Council for
assignments to City staff regarding implementation of ~ome of the
thirteen Potential Actions.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Policy and Services Committee review and discuss the
Research Park Study. receive and d;~cuss the Chamber of Cemmerte priorit~
recommendations. and, as the Committee believes appropriate. ~ake
recommendations to the Council,
Onguing review of Ue Research Park Study should remain in Cornnittee. Tillling
of the Committee's next discussion of this topic is likely to be inf1u!nced by
the status of Stanford's planning efforts and the conte~t of the Committee's
February 3 t 1992 review.
Re.pectfully submitted,
;t;Md';/?~fA~,/
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Directcr cf Planning and
C~unity Environment
:l 117 r;~~ ~s1stant Ci~ Man~
Attachment.: CHR:419:91 dated October 3, 1991
CHR:534:9! d.ted November 17, 1991
Cl1R: 137:91
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(~cerpt minutes of October 29? 1991~ Policy and Services
Committe! m2eting
Excerpt minutes of Oecember 3, 1991, Policy and Services
Committee meeting
1/30/92
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cc w/o attachments:
CMR:137:92
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Planning Commission
Architectural R~~iew Board
Stanford University (Sil1 Phill ips. Diane Healey.
Zero Murphy, Scott lec,.rd, Andy Dot1, Phil William,)
Stanford Research Park Tenants and leaseholders
Barron Park Association
College lerrace Restdents ~sscc;ation
Chamber of Commerce
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October 3, 1991
HONORABL, CITY COUNC [l
Palo Alto, Callfornh
STANfORD RESEARCH PARK STUDY
Members of tn€ (ouncil
REPORT I~ BRIff
His iter;, ',;rill be placed on the
'gend. of the 10/28/91 Palo Alto
City Councl] meeting. with a req~Est
for referral to tile 10/29/91 Pol icy
and Services Committee meeting.
This report transmits ~ study of Stanford Research Park-related issues. The
Research Park Study identifies background information, trends, projections and
pDtential actions that could be undertaken by the City, Stanford Uni\lersity
and/or Park tenants. It is recom:nendE:d that the report be referred on
October 28 to the Pancy and Ser...-lces Committae for their initial discussion
on October 29. Foi1owing the initial Committee re'/lew, including h:)ped for
reactions fro~ Stanford university and Research Park tenants. staff will
develop a report addrtssing implement~tion issues and priorities.
BACKGROUND
The Stanford Res earCI1 Park. St udy ; s tl1 e result 0 f an e Ho rt in it i at ed by th e
City Manager to devct€ limited staff resources to tne investigation of topics
related primarily to Palo Alto's economy. Kenneth R. Schreiber, the Director
of Planning and COIr"'l11.Hiity E!ll;ircnment, was rE'.s.p'Or,~ible for coordinatir"lg the
Study and undertaking sorre of the research. Pet~r Govea, an engineer in the
Utilities Department, serwed a s1x-morlth inter~al inte,"nship working on the
Study. Substantia1 assistance ,,'as provided by Emily Harri~on, Director of
Finance, Libby Dame, Senior Financial Analyst, and other staff members of
numerous City d~partments. In addition, City staff have had num€rOUS
discussions with Diane Healey, l~ra Murp~y and Scott Leonard of Stanford's
lands Management organization.
The primary objectives of the City Mar,ager's assignment ir1c!uded developing arl
understanding of what Dccurs in the Research Park and how it impacts the City;
identifying trends and making projecticns in are-as that appear to be
especially important far the future Df tne Park and its interaction with th€
City; and identifying pctential actions tnat may be abTe to positi\lely impact
the future course of ev€nts.
CM~:42S:91
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The Study's EX"ecf.l:ti\le Summ~r,,. ldentifies. 12 Major Findirlgs and contains t~~
potential City. University and P~rk tenant actions that are subsequently f~und
in each c~apter of the Study.
PROPOSED REVIE~ PROCESS
For many of the Pr:lposed Actions identified in the Study, impler.l~I1taticn
efforts need to focus an Stanford University and Par~ te;l;H'l+~S {including
leaseholders), often with the assistance of the City. rather than focusing O~
unilateral City actions. Staff is also sensitjve to the likelihood that
additiona.l infGrmation and discussior: win Itod!fy so;r,e of the data and
Potentia1 Actions and identify additional actions that shcuTd b€: given serious
consideration.
Therefore t staff recommends that thE! Study be referred to the Pol icy and
Sendces Committee with the intent that Committee meetings can sene as a
forum for discussions among University. Park te~ant, and City representatives
along with input from the public. FollOWing the inltial Committee meeting.
staff woul~ prepare a propDsed implem~ntatiQn guide t~at wDuld identify
priorities fer botM City actions and University and/or Park tenant actions
that the City wished to encouragE.
It is important to emphasize that c.ity staff agrees witn the reactions of some
Park tenants that the ~alue of a study of this ~ind directly r~lates to what
actions are implementEd.
RECOMHEND4T!ON
Staff recorMlends that U1e City Coullcil refer the Stanford Researc'h Park Study
to the PQlicy and Services Committee fQr their lnitial revlew on October 29,
1991.
Respectfully sutmltted,
'/P!/lcdA' '1'f' 4{:fl(£&/~/
KENNETH R. SCHREI~ER
Director of Pl~nning and
C:omun; ty En\'; ronment
Attachment
cc: P1anning (omission
Architect~ral Review Board
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Stanford University (Bill Phillips, Diane Healey, Zera Murphy, Scott
Leonard, Andy Doty. Phil Williams)
Stanford Research Park Tenants and Leaseholders
Barron ParK ASSOCiation
College Terrace ReSidents Association
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Ilovl!!!lber 27, 1991
HONORABLE CITV COUNCIL
Palo Alto, C.l Horni a
Attention: Policy and Services Committee
STANfORD RESEARCH PARK STUDY
IMPLEMENTATION Of CITY-RELATED POTENTIAL ACTIONS
Kembers of the Council:
REPORT IN BRIEF
This staff report prcvides information on implementation of thirteen Potenti21
Actions identified in the September 1991 Stanford Research ParK Study. The
thirteen Actions are items where implementation is the direct responsibiiity
of the City and implementatlon could be pursued in the next six tD eighteen
months~ No Council actior. is recommendEd. ~owever, the Policy and Services
Committee could~ if desired, forward to the (ouncil recommendations on any of
the Actions.
BACKGROUND
On October 29. 19;1. the Policy and Services Committee held the inllial
discussio~ of the Stanford Research Par~ Study (th~ Study ~iS distributed in
the October 3, 1991 City Council packEt -CMR;42B;91). The Committe.
requested t~at staff identify which of the 29 Potential Actions could be
pursued independently by the City within a reasonably short time frame and
pT'o~ide 1nfQrmation (1) lrnp1ementat~ol'l of these items. Ya.9~S 6 tnrough 10
{attac.ned} of the Study's Executive Surrrnuy c.onta-in the Potentiai Actions.
DISCUSSION
Thirteen of the Potential actions Mave been identified as candidat~s? in whole
or in part. for near t!nn implementation by the City. As stated and numbHed
in the Study. the thirtEen Actions include tne following:
Potential Palo Alto Land Use Planning ana' De .... elopmentm_Actio.ns
1. Tn! City should continue to pursue simplification of the design review
process for smaller scale changes to previously appr~ved site plans and
buildings. Shortenlng the time neCEssary to {lbtain design approval plus
continuation of the express one-stop buildir.g permit procedure can
facilitate for Par, tenant. and other appl;cant. the completion of
routine building and site modifications.
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DiScus.sicn:
Planning shff is currently working on the draft 1 ililguage for an ARB
ordinance amendment that WQu~d allow for greater flexibility in staff
apprDvals for smal1er scale projects. That amendment 1S scheduled to go
to the ARe en December 5? 199], to the Pla~r.ing Commission a5
inf{)nnatiofl en January 3, 1992 and to the City (oLincil in February 1992.
A second code a~ndment that will shorten the time necessary for
obtaining design approva1 involves a change to Title 17, the Hazardous
Materia.1s Storage OrdinanCE. The proposed change would stream1,ne
!nvironmental r~view for hazardous materialS permits. The changes to
Tftle 17 are scheduled for Council revielli on December~, 1991.
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A third acthity related to this Action ;s ali lnterna1 s.taff i!ffort to
e .... aluate and im~lr<lve customer senices . .At the direction of Ule City
Manager t representatives from all City dep3rtments are part~cipating in
a project liffied at enhancing custo~er ser~ice to the City's residents
and business (o!l'll'iunlty. Of partlcu1ar relevaf1ce to the reccrrrnendaticns
in the Stanford Resea~ch Park Study are the effcrts being evalulted to
provide easy-tc-understa1ld directories and f~nctional service listings
to users of City service$ to facil itate their -entry-into the City
system by providing points of contact, as ~el1 as efforts to improve
interdepartmental (a~peration in order to ensure that the customer
{resident or business repr!sentativeJ is moved quickly and effectively
through the City's processes.
Potential Transpqrtation Actions
2. The City shDuld continue pursuit of th! use of compressed natural gas
powered or other a1ternathle fuel vehicles. by the City ami major
employers owning vehicle fleets. A succeisful alternative fuel vehicle
program (auld be an important e1ement in the CongestiGn Management
deficiency plan process and retaining development fle~ib1lity for the
Pirk.
Discussion:
~n Tespo~se to the California C1eln .~lr ~ct lnd the abunda1'tce of
lnexpenslve domestic supplies of natural gas. the Utilities Department
is implementing a progtam to: convert approximately one-third of the
City's light duty vehicle fleet to compressed natural gas (eNG) in the
next three )ears; in5t111 i -fas.t-fi1) public refue1ing st3tion similar
to existing retai1 gasoline outlets; and promote natural gas as a viable
alternat;Ye to gasoline.
Over the next two ye~is, approximately 100 cars wi)l be converte~ to
eNG. During this period, the City will demonstrate the viability of CNS
tD our customers and target f~eet operators for conversion. Palo Alto
will be the on1y lotation between San Jose and San franCisco to offer
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pu~lic eNG refueling in the short t~nr. and 1S willing to work with all
potential customers en m~king use of tne Cityls program.
T~e City should investigate augmenting ~esearch Park tr2ffic mitigation
funds with other funds, includin9 City gas tax funds and (ounty and
Sta~e fundi n9.
~.tiQ.n:
Currently, a total of $558,000 has been collected from the Stanford
Research Park Traffic lmpatt fee imposed on development projects fer use
as fundin9 for several major inte~sectior. ~mpr~vements dire~tly related
to the Researlh Park. Additional development, when it occurs, will
generdte additional f~ndin9 for these inter5ectio~ improvements.
Furthermore, the City is cOIDm1tting $50,000 per year of gas tax money to
a~9ment the Traffic fmpact Fee and lccel~rite the implementation of the
intersection improvements. In light of the continui~g projected deficit
in the City's General f\.lr.d, staff has examined General FUnc spendirlg on
streets and sidewalks and determined tnat reductions may need to be mlde
in this area.
Prospects for additional transportation mo~ey from tne State are
\lirtually nonexistent, gi .... en the Statels chronic budget defic't. fn
fa,t, legislat;\li! dt:\lelopments in Sacramento Dver th.-:; hst year have leo'
to t~e State taking ta~ money bac( from cities, e.g., parking fines and
motor vehicle fees. More recently, the Assembly Office of Research has
floated the idea of di\lerting $2 billior. of State transportation money
(pr1marily gas tax) to the State general fund,
The County faces a projected budget deficit as we11, but staff will
continue to pursue possible approaches to cost-sharing, particularly en
Page Mill Read and Foothill Expressway imprcvements.
5. The City should pursue a capital impr(l\lement project to upgrade the
appearance of He Page MH] Read median from El CamiM Real to Highway
280 .
.?iScllssion:
Aimost all landscaping in the Page Mnl median strip from El Camino Real
to foothill Expressway has deteriorated due to the drought and the
recent hard freeze. Also, over the years, plant materials have died due
to poor irrigation and have not been replaced. Recommended improvements
would include design, updating and repair of ;~rigation, and
impiementation of landscape improvements.
The med i an from F oothi 11 Expres sway to Hi ghllrtiay 280 has no e)(i s t i ng
infrastructure. This area flas never been landscaped and the scope of
improving this area wouid also include deSign, installat10n of a water
source for irrigation, irrigation installation, and la~dscape
improvement installation.
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Both of these a~eas belong to Santa Clari County, Currently, the City
maintafns the mediar.s from Highway ]01 to Foothill fxpressway, w;t~ the
County re:mbursi.r"l9 tne City at approxilTlately SO percent ~f -actual costs.
An~ adGitianal landscapfng for either of the above projects will result
in "increased demands for fur,ds frem the City and/or the County.
Improvements from £1 Cam1no Real to Foothill Expressway have been
estimated to cost $325,000. No cost estimate is available for
irnprayements frQm Foothill to 280. The $325,000 cost estimate is
included in the Landscape ind Lighting District proposal scheduled far
discussion by the Council's Finance Committee on December 10.
5. Tne City should inve.tigate with Stanford and Park tenant. a policy
regardlng pro~is;on of and pa,YlT\€'nt for sidewalks.
Discussion:
A comprehensive Research Park sidewalk project ~ou1d involve
approximately 20,000 to 25,000 lin£~r feet of sidewalk with a~ estimated
ccnstruct10n cost of Sl.2 to SI.5 million. A planning type study is
first reqdire-d to establish the necessary understanding and ilgreement of
what is to be done. S~ch a study would include the following:
1. Oefine the area tc be cansidered (geographic boundaries};
2. Inventory and cla!.sify existing si~ewa'ks/path5. including
obstacles (poles. trees, landscaping. etc.) and right-of-way;
3. Establish standards and typical sections for one or more
types/sty'~s (Width, material, with/without planting strip. o~e
sfde or bot~ Sides of st~eet, etc.);
4. Prepar! plan relating type style to locat;;ons (new installationsl"
upgrades, replacements);
5. Prepare cost estimate;
6. Prepare final plans? specifications and related documents;
7. Est.ablish funding ~chanisms (assessment district, City funds,
individual businesses); and
8. Bid, award and construct project.
Consultant resources would be needed to undertak.e the study. Steps 1
through 5 are estimated to ccst S60,000 to 170,000 .ith Steps 6 and 7
costing a" additional $30,000 to $40,000.
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1. 1he City shou'rd de .... elop a cooroif"1ated water reuse and disposal policy.
Key features would include conservation of potabl~ water supplies, re~5e
of treated water from the Regional ~ater Quality Control Plant and
facilititior. of the reUse of treated groundwater re~ultin9 from the
ongoing environ~enta' cleanup of numerc~s Research Park sites. The City
and Stanford should jointly facilitate ! fea~ib;lity study for the use
of reclaimed water resuHing from char.up ;efforts. The initial studj
could fotus an the Hil' .... ie~ Porter and Mayfield cleanup ~reas! but some
a~a'ysis should be devoted t~ individual sites where imp'eme~tation of
cleanup efforts is an independent company responsibility. T~is study
should be closeTy coordinated with the Cltyls ilready ir.itlited
wastewater reuse study. Potential use of the reclaimed ... ater f:'om both
the Water Quality Control PTant and ~es~arch Park cleanup efforts could
include Stanford campus landscaping as well as uses in the Park.
QLscussion:
The element of this Action that is already u~derway is the Water
Re,lamat;~n Master Plan. The focus of this study is the reUie of
reclaimed water from the Palo Alta Regional Wat!r Qualit) CQntrol Plant.
The final repcrt is due in early J992.
The preliminary (hIdings of the study identify se .... enl reclaimed watf:r
projects that Ire financially and technically feasible and consistent
with the preservition of the environment and public health. The use of
reclaimed water for industrial processe~. such is cooling for heat
exchangers, has pro .... en to be very costly. The master plan therefore
focuses on landscap-e irr'!:gation. The reclaimed water chemistry is
compatible with the 5011 and plant types in ~~st of the study area,
Among the compatible sites are Stanford Research Park and Stanford
Uni .... ersity.
It is anticipated tnat the reclamation projects will be implemented in
four to five pha~es over a period of five years. The ;.hasing af t~e
projects is flexible. Depending on financing and us~r requirements,
projects from the 1 atte,.. phas€ car, be moved ahead. Stanf.,;;:! Research
Park is tentatively identified in phase 3 of the progrdm.
Contaminated groundwater can be treated and used for an even wider
variety of uses because it ge~e,..ally has a much lower salinity level
than reclaimed wastewater. In addition to landscape irrigation, it can
he used for certain industrial processes, dep~~d;ng on its quality. The
prinCipal difficulty in treating and using contaminated groundwater is
t~at it is typically more economica1 to discha~ge it to the sanitary
sewer. Most extraction projects have a relatively sIIIa11 and varlab1e
.... elume making reuse difficult. Howe .... er. the use of contaminated
groundwater will increase for two reasons. first, the Regional Water
Quality Control Plant is requiri~9 in .... estigation of alternati .... e uses
prior t~ issuance-of permits for discharge into the sewer. Second,
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larger extraction prcjects will be coming on 1 ine making use more
economi~al.
It would be difficult to inc1ude a specific contaminated groun~~ater ~se
plan into the Reclamation Master Plan it this time ~ecause the
Reclamation ~aster Plan is almost com,lEted and t~e City Tacks
qua~titat've data on the volumes and locations cf upcoming extractlt.
projects. TMh information can be deve10ped in the future, howe .... e-r, .. ,IJ"
used in the more detailed design phases as reclamation projects are
brought co line~
Potential Hazardoys Materia1 and Emerg~ncy ResPonse Act;Q~s
1. The City sho~1d increase the integration of Fire Oepartm€nt and Water
Quality Treatment Plant data bases to facilitate permitting, inspection
and enforcement fUnctions.
2.
During the past year, the Water Quality Control Plant ,taff acquired the
computer hardware to interface with the Fire Oepartment data base. As a
result, access tc the Fire Department's data base by Water Quality
Cootrol Plant staff has r.c.ntly been approved by the Fire Chief. In
addition, the Fire O~partment is currently conducting i comprehensive
review of its cGmputer software and hardware. ihis rfview will provide
an assessment of the adeq~acy of the current and fut~re computing needs.
Any future enhancements to the Fire Department's data base will take
into acc~unt the inte9riti~~ of the other C,ty depar~ment dat. bases.
T~e City should develop a funding plan for outfittinq with more
hazardous material response equipment th! emergency response vehicle
recently ordered and expected to be delivered in the Fall of 1992.
Discussion:
Funding for the hazardous material outfilling of the emergency response
vehicle will cost S7~!OOO. The preferred financing alternative for this
l'xpenditure is to inc1ude the costs in the 1992-93 Capital Im.pr<oliement
Program.
3. Tne City should continue efforts similar to those involve~ with the
Hazardous Hat!rials Storage Ordinance and Toxic Gas Ordinance to
reguiate industry by design of fac11tties rather than mare precise
regulation of uses.
O,scussion;
Tne implementation of this Action is an or.go1ng effort consistent with
past City practices. It;s the intentivn of the Fire Department to
continue to develop and refine local fire codes ba.sed upon He model
code process used for the Hazardous Material Storage Ordinance ind th~
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Toxic Gas Ordinan'~. De~elQpm~nt of mode1 codes provides business
representativ~s and the gen~ra1 publ~c with an active role 1~ design and
review of the codes.
4. The City shouid initiate coordinated discussions with ParK tenants
re9ard~!'l9 emergency response planning and the '!ppropriate equipment and
f~cilities. .
Discussion;
Additicnal coordinated discussions will be provided to the Res=ircn ParK
tenants by Fire De~artment staff upon req~est and according to resources
availabie. Tne current fire Code provide~ l;nguage for industry
responsi:biliUes regarding hazardous materials emergency response,
including the reqL:irements for personnel training, written procedures,
and Hazardous .Materia1s Management Plans and Hazardous Materials
fnventory Statements. The Fire Department currently re .... iews industry
plans o~d procedures relevant to these requirements.
Potential Electric. Gas and Water Utility Actions
1. The City, in cOQperation with Resed~ch Plrk tenants and Stanford~ should
develop Research Par~-specif;c el~ctric, gas and water forecasts. The
forecasts shouid be closely linked wit~ the City's environmental and
development review process.
Pi sC:Js_si on:
The Utilities Department annually develops a 20-year forecast for the
electriC, water and gas consum~tion using end-use end e(onometric
forecast techniques. These forecasts are disaggregated by customer
C'!iSS (residential, commercial and industrial). To rep'~at the same work
for the StanfDrd Research ParK, an addition of one fw:l time pOSition or
an addition of $SO,OOO for consulting service will be needed.
2. Stanford and the City should continue to emphasize ne;.o Res2arch Park
landscaping design guidelines for tne use of drought-tolerant plants.
Discussion:
lmplementation of this ;:tem is ar, ongoing effort. DrougM-tolerant
landscaping guidel,nes have been developed by the City and are used by
the Architectural Re~iew Board. Oe'llelopment and implemer.tation of th"e
guidelines is cQordinated with the University's ~lanning and
architecture staff.
Potential Financial Actions
2. The City should evaluate the feasibility and desirability of auditing
tho!! County property tax illocat~,or, process to determine whether the City
receives its full share of secured and unsecured property taxes"
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Discussio,!J::
While the City Auditor's office has scheduled a property tax audit for
the current fiscal ye~r. past experi~nce indicates that p€rforming
audHs of this particu1,aT revenU2 stream can be quite time consuming_
Additionally, work ph, changes and staff turnoyer tUlle impacted the:
office's ability to perform these audits in the current fiscal year. As
a result, the City Auditor's office i1iill soon be assessing the resources
it has ivaihb1e to perform property ti..\( audits. and may postpone them
t, fi seal year i992/199J.
CONCLUSION
The 4bo\le thirteen Potential Actions are primarily or comp1etely the
respor:sibility of the City. Other Potential Actions are directl" related, in
~arying degrees, to the policies and time commitments of Stanford University
and, 1, some cases~ Research Park tenants.
The pr~mary purpose of this ~taff report is tc provide infor.mat;o~ that ca~
facilitate further City-UnivErsity-Park tenant discussion of Research Park
issues. The .?ol icy and Services COlTll1ittee should retill;n the Study in
Cennittee for rlH'ther review is Stanford's tl:esearch Park planning efforts
progress. At the same t lme, if the Committee conc' udes that one or mar!!!: of
the thirteen items identified in this report merit pDl~cy directic~ from the
Council, i Comm~ttee recommendation to the Council would be appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
£Ji?i£?f' f/ll,uh->
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and
Commu~ity Environment
~~;:;~ c, ty Manager
Attachment: Pages 6 to 10, Stanford Rese.rch Park Study
cc: Planning Commission
Architectural Review Board
Stanford University (Bill Phillips, Diane Heale], Zeri Murphy, Scott
Leonard, .'~ndjl Doty, Phil Will iams)
Stanford Research Park Tenants and Leaseholde~s
Barron Park Association
College Terrace Residents AS50(iation
Chamber of Conwnerce
CMR:534:91
p:\CMR\SRPimpl
11/27/92
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rellt!d changes and de¥elopment and a CDntext for interpreting the
'TIonitore,d data.
The Park is in a transition period and will be underguing many c~anges over
the next 20 years. Many factors lI!ill be influenc~:"Ig those changes, m.:lst of
which are outside of the City's direct or sOle control. Indeed~ those same
factors will ca~se change within the City as ~ell. The direction change takes
(an, to some degree, be influenced. and the CHy has the ability to exercise
SOlTle influence. HIe positions and policies the City adopts regarding tne Pad::
will be viewed as either thw~rting change or trying to constructi~ely
i!'lfl uence it.
As with the Park at its beginning, He combination of tne right ingredients
(commitment. resources. and long-term pers~ect;ve) and active cu1t,vatinn can
bdng about a tremendous success. An opportunity preser.ts itself to continue
that success through renewed cl.'lt'ivation and ilcti .... e inllolvemp.nt in the
redevelopment master phnning of the Park. The City is faced' with the
cha.llenge of defin1ng its commitment to and involvement in that work. The
City's financial hea1th, in part, is depende;'\t upon it.
This report identifies a variety of actions that could be pursued by the City~
the lJn1versity~ and Park. tenants. including businesses operating "n the Park
and owners of leasenolds. The listing of actions should be ccnsidered an
i,..itiiil agenda for disc'JsSion by representatives of the City, Unlversity and
tenants. All of the three parties have critical ro1es. Estab1ishing an on
gOing communi~ation process to evaluate issues and identffy appropriate
courses of action is more important than the initial ~ording of any particular
issue identified in this report.
Pot~ntial actions contained in thlS report include the fo1,1 0\10'; r.g:
potential Palo Alto Land Use Plannina and OeveloPJ''rent Actions
1. The City shouid continue to pursue simplificati~n of the design
review process for smaller scale danges to previcusly approved
site plans and buildings. Shortening the time necessary to obtain
design approval plus continuation of the express one-stDp building
permit procedure can (acllitah for Park. t2r;ants and <Jther
applicants the cOlJlpletlon of rouUne building and site
modifications.
2. A collaborative effcrt shou1d ~e undertaken by the City,
Univers1t~ and Research Park tenants to ~dentify desired special
facilities (e.g., ch11d care, recreation, meeting and training,
and transportation fao:i1ities) and ways that the University's
lease process and the City's deyelop~ent re~iew and approval
process cou1d be used to obtain the facllities.
3. The City and the University shouid in~estigate ways (e.9.~
transfer of de .... elopment rights) to pro .... ide limited additional
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de~el~pment fl!xibility for sites that are developed to their
ma~imurn potential under current zoning regulations.
4. The City shouTd encourage upgr2ding of commerc!aT prcperties on El
Camino Real near the Research Park wit~ the primary objective of
impr~ving the ~hysical appearance ~f El Camino Real and also
encouraging commercial activities that compleme~t the Park.
Potential Sta~ford land ~~n~gement ~ctions
1. Stanford should have a~ ongoing aggressive Research Park planning
process starting ~ith the current strategic planning process. The
pl~nning process should address longer-term Park issues such as
desired Park tenant mix, potentiil changes to the current mix of
parcel sizes, desired facilities and programs available to Park
tenants. and ways of deve1oping~ throtJQh physical and program
stratefi~es, a spechl identity fo~ the Park.
2. Stanford sh~uld deve1o~ ways of linking Park tenants and academic
departments to facilitate identification of 3ctivities. that can be
mutlJally beneficial to tenants~ faculty lTlembers and students.
3. Stanford should continue increasing participatlon 1n the
Hil ~view/Porter and other grcundlol"ater c.leanup efforts.
4. Stanford should develop a marketing program to inform rea' ~state
professionals and potential tenants of P~rk-related informatio~.
5. As identified in the Land Use Planning and Development Policies
section, the City, University and Research Park tenants should
undertake a collaborativ2-effort to identify desired special
facilities and ways that the University~s lease process and the
City's development review and approval process could be used to
obtain the facilities.
6. As identHied in tne Employment section, Stanford should consider
a strategy of a1locating leaseholds for start·up compa~ies.
Potentfal Emoloyment Action
1. Stanford snould consider a strategy of alTociting leaseho1ds fer
start-up companies. Specif~c measures cou1d include buy back of
existing leases and use Ijmitations with ne~ leaseholds,
especially associated with redeveiopmei:t of Park sites.
Potentfal Transportation Actions
I. R~search Park tenants~ the Uni'o'ersity and the (ity should deve10p
a cDordinat~~ strategy responding to the changing congestion
relief and air quality regulatory environment, including expanded
programs and services. to facilitate (oIMluters using transit, car
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pools, bicycles and other aHernat;\les to the single-occupancy
commute vehicle.
The City should cont1nue pursuit of the use of comp~es~ed nat~ral
gas powered or othe~ alternatlve fuel vehicles by tne City and
major emp10yers owning yehic~e fleets. A successful alternative
fuel yehicle program could be an impoitant element ir, the
Congestion ~anagement deficiency plan process and retaining
development flexibility fer th~ Park.
3. Park te~ants. with assistance from the Un;v~rs;ty. City and Santa
CTa~a County Congestion ~anagement Agency, should exp10re the
desirabl1ity of a Stanford Research Park Transportation Management
Association (TMA). A TKA might be the best mechanism for
4.
de .... e1opment of a Research Park-wide transportation strategj and
i~plementation effort.
The: City should lnvestigate augmenting Research Par'j( traffic
mitigation funds 'w!ith other funds, including City gas ta.x ft.mds
and County and State funding.
5. The City s.hould pursue .a capital impro',lement project to iJpgrade
the ipp~arance of th~ Page Mill Road median from [1 Caw,lno Real to
Highway 2BD.
6. The City shou1d lmrestiga.te with Stanford and Park tenants a
pollcy regarding provision of i:1d paymer.t for sidewalks.
Potential Groundwater Cleanup Actions
1. Th~ City should develop a coordinated water reuse and disposal
policy. Key features would include conservation of potable water
supplies, reus.e of treater:! Wi!!tH from the Regional Water quality
Control Plant and fGciTitat;on of the reuse of treated groundwater
resulting from the ongoing environmental cleanup of numerous
Research ParK sites. The Clty and Stanford should jointly
facilitate a fea.sibility study for the USB of reclaimed w~ter
resulting from cle~nup efforts. The initial study could focus on
the Hillview Porter and Mayfield clea~up areas, but some analysis
should be devoted to individual sites ~here implementation of
cleanup efforts is an independent company responsibility. This
study should ba cTosely coordinated ~ith the City's already
initiated wastewater reuse study. Potential use of the reclaimed
water from both the Water Quality Control P1~nt and Research Park
cleanup efforts cou1d include Stanford campus landscaping as well
as uses in the Park.
2. Repres€ntatives from companies in'.!olved in groundwater clean-up
acti',lities along with Stanford and the City should petition the
Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to ~aiye the pump tax, a
charge levied by the District on any ey.traction of groundwater in
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Sarlta Clara County. A possibh ;::utcome could be a requirement to
spend an amount eQLJivalef1t t[;' the pump tax 01'1 reel amat ion
equipment to facilitGte the use of recTaimed ~ater, witn p€rhaps a
nominal payment made to SCYWD.
Potential H!zardous ~eria' ~nd Emerg~sponse Actf~n5
1. Th~ City should increase the integration of Fire Department an1
Water Quality Treatment Plant data bases to facilitate permitting,
inspection and enforcement functions.
2. The City should develop a funding plan for outfitting ~;th more
hazardcus material response equipment the emergency response
vehicle recently ordered and expected to be delivered in the Fall
of 1992.
3. The (ity should continue efforts similar to those involved with
the hazardous materials storage ordinance and toxic gas ordinance
to regulate industry by design of facil Hies rathet' than more
precise regulation of uses.
4. lhe City should inithte coordinated discusslofis \lrith Park tenants
regarding emergency response planning and the appropriate
equipment and facilities.
Pote~tial Electric. Gas and Water Utility Actions
1. The City. in cooperation with Researcn P~rk. tenants and Stanford,
should develop Researc.h ParK-specific electric, g(ls and water
forecasts. The forecasts should be closely linkea with the City's
environmental and development rev1ew process.
2. Stanford and the City should continue to emphasize new Re5earch
Park landscaping desigr. guidelines for the use of drought t~lerant
piants.
3. The City should cDntlnue to monitor deve1op~ent of compressed
natural gas and other alternative fuel vehicles and explore the
feasibility of locating a fue1ing station within ti1e Research
Park.
Potentia' Wastewater Utility Act jon
J. The City should continue to explore use of reclaimed water within
the water service area. Subsequent to completion of the
feasibility study, commercial building plumbing system
modifications required to utilize reclaimed water should be
identified and, where appropriate, incorporated into new
development.
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Potent1al Storm Drain Utility Act!on
1. The City should undertake a small pilot effo~t betwe .. I the
Ri!Sionai Water Quality Ccntrol Plant and the Storm Drainage
Utility to treat a small portion of the stormwat~r prior to
dis~harge to the 8ay or reuse by Research Park tenants .
Potential Financial -",ctions
1. The Cit.1' and the Un;\lersity shQuld develop a rnt.:tual1y acceptable
strategy to retain e)(lstirlg and obtain new sal'!!s tax gen€rating
uses.
1. The City should evaluate the feasibility and desirabilitj of
auditing the CIJU!1ty property hx allocation proces:s to determine
whether the City receives its full share of secured 3.:10 unsecured
property taxes.
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EXed;? ~ ,lr~uTES of trle Pol icy and
Servi ee'i Comi tte.:: ;nee"'; ng of 10129/91
2. Stanford Research Park Study -Initial Review (L"MR:428:911
City Manager Bill Zaner explained ho'" ~irector of Planning anc
community Environment Ken Schreiber began approximately one year
ago workinq with a project called the Corporate Planning Process.
The 'Word "'~orporate" .. 'as used because it best described the
planning process covering the whole organization in one simple
phrase. The City of Palo Alto was a :municipal corporation. There
were several pieces to the project, but the piece concerning the
m!O".fE!tinq was the Stanford Research Park Study (SRPS). Mr. Schreiber
had been directed at the onset of the project to review Palo Alto's
economic picture. It ~as possible to look at some of the major
pieces to discover programs or policies the Cj ty Counc .. i.1 might
adopt to push the community's economy in the desired direction.
Mr. Schreiber spent hours ~ith the various groups and had outstand
ing cooperation from th~ tenants in the Research Park. Stanford
University was making a parallel effort regarding the Research
park, looking at its O\ri'n long-te.rm strategic plan and working
closely with the City of Palo Alto. Stanford had not cvmpletad
enough of its study to ~pproach the public. The effort had been
truly cooperative up to the present point. He suggested the Policy
and Services (P&S) committee use the SRPS executive su~ary as a
~~ide for the study's findings and conclusions. Staff hoped to
open a dialoque and get some feedback from the committee and the
community. Since the document had nowt become public, staff
expected people to react to it. So~e ite~s in the study might be
put into place in the relatively near future. Other items listed
could not be approached until stanford ~oved on some of its ideas
and more discussion occurred ~ith industrial tenants. The stUdy
should help figure out how to strengthen and stabilize Palo A1to's
economy, which was the major objective.
Director of Planning and community Enviror~ent Ken Schreiber
explained the study was not a one-person project. Project
CoordinatoI, Energy Services, Peter Govea spent a siX-month
internship working on the project and was an extremaly valuable
resource. Director of Finance, Emily Harrison, ...... as heavily
involved, along with Financial Analyst, Libby Dame. Mere than
twenty of the interviews occurred with major tenants. The process
used. involved providing the corporations 'With a long list of
questions and topics. Staff was able to speak with very senior
people: senior vice presidents, chief financial officers, chief
e.x:ecutive officers, and people 'Who had a broad view of their
particular organizations. Staff 'Was interested in the Research
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Park because not much ~as known, only bits and pieces of informa
tion (e.g., square footage, traffic , sales tax, utility usage~
etc.). Mr. Govea spent long hou.:rs ""'ri ting co:rnpllter programs,
accessing data bases and sorting infonaticn gleaned from thE::
Research Park. A reasonably good data base 'Was created. The
information generate~ did not have ahsolute accuracy but provided
what 'Was essential for determining major policy trends for-the next
ti ve to ten years. The thinking behind the st'Jdy was to detennine
wh~t the City could do if it wished, to have some positive effect
over time. To that e)(tent~ th'2 study 'Was not a Plar.ning Depart:ment
project. He lW'anted to highlight what stood out after a year of
intense research~ Both stanford and the city found the biggest
finding was competition (p. 3, SRPS)~ In the past, the City of
Palo Alto did not pay much attention to competition for business
activities in the. Bay Area because for a lang time it ..... as felt Palo
Alto was a very special place · .... i th desirable types of facilities.
What the study identified vas extreme competition for the types of
activities found in the Research Park. In numerous interviews
tenants 'Were asked .-hat they would do if they had a choice of
~hether or nat to be locdted in the Park. Many said they would not
locate there or not locate ~s much of t.heir firms in the Park.
Tenants felt there were other locations in Santa Clara county, the
Bay Area, other states or even world'wide "Which were better.
council Member Faz~ino asked if the statement ~not in the Park~
meant nnot in Pal~ Alton.
P~. Schreiber said yes. It ~as an extremely important conclusion
which took time for palo Alto and Stanford to digest.
Chairpe~son Andersen stated the conclusion ~as very humbling.
The second important point was timing. Many leases were at the
point of renegotiation or tenants .... ere making decisions about
~hether to stay in the Park. The length of the leases created
problems for financing major capital projects. Five years from now
the problem would escalate because amortizing the capital facility
over the length of a lease would cau~e a conmercial banker, bonoing
agent or corporate financial officer to question tha investmcnt$
Chairperson Andersen questioned JO-rear ieases. Whether Stanford
"",,auld be able to extend any leases or add to current leases was arl
issue for future consideration.
Mr. Schreiber said the issue of timi~g as it related to environ
mental issues, \r,Ihich included air qua 1 i ty and transportation, "",ould
be drawing a lot of attention over the next fe~ years. The third
major finding concerned the City/Universityl tenant cooperation
opportunities, Many of the items discussed concerned all three
parties. The city could not regulate the findings in the study in
any traditional sense. It ¥las difficult to regulate with any
precision what 'Went on in the Park, ~hich was an understandable
feature of the City's regulatory role~ The study revealed aspects
not fitting the traditional city's regulatory approach to an issue.
The fifth finding involved the City's financial relationship to the
Park, an important and previously known issue. What was not
10129191 P'S: 3
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ree:lized WI!:.S just ho.,... imoortant finances ..... ere. In the Execut:ve
SWClCary, the word Ifdependence Pl 'Was delibe;-at~ly used because
approximately l5 percent of the Gen'?:ral runG. carne frQrI'. the P,e5earch
Park, represent.illg $20 million. Sales tax was almost equ.al to 'wr.'t.at
was g~nerat~d by the Stanford Shopping CenteL'. Property tax had
been sta}:lle and increasing over t.ne last ten years. Given the
redevelopment and sales sites, etc., property tax had been strong.
utility sales e~llalled about one-third of all utilit~· sales, and
about 50 percent of electric sales were in the Park. utilities
contribution to t!1e Gene.ral Fund from. the Res.aarch Park 'lJas
extremely importa!lt. The last major finding relateti t:> the
functional use of land and buildings, indicating many oppor
tunities. "Natural" changes ""'ould continue in the Park, such as
redevelop-ment changes, occupational change, etc. Anoti"".er type
woUld oe "encouraged" change, which was outside the City's
regulatory role. However, Stanford and th.a tenants had oppor
tunities for leasing policies, parcel size, and configuration
policies where the City of Palo Alto might have a role. He noted
a paraqraph on page 6 of the SRPS Which began tlThis report
identifies ••• • and explained how staff used the term ~shouidn to
encourage discu~sion. Staff recognized there would be additions,
delet.ions ~nd changes which Would spark. suggestions and dialogue
between the University, the City and the tenants. Listed in the
study were plannin'.;-oriented actions, not in the senS9: of tradi
tional municipal planning processes, but a master plann~ng process
.... hich might encourage the UniverS:ity. The study identified a
variety of smaller: actions the City or others could take regarding
amenities. So~e were being pursued now; for example, reclaimed
water study. Identified ~ere 28 specific actions ~orth discussing.
Council Me~r Fazzino asked about process.
Hr. Schreiber desired the P&S COnL~ittee to have a sense of timing.
Stanford had an issue regarding timing. Ti:n= next step "Was a
detailed commenta.ry on limitation of actions, feedback in terms of
content and questions. Staff would then have specific discussions
of appropriate actions for the City and University. staff wanted
the item to stay in committee.
Council Member Fazzino asked if a fo~al process or vehicle through
which Stanford, the Research Park and the City could work on items
had been formulated.
Y:.r. Schreiber stated staff had not thought about any s.eparate
process other than discussions in Committee.
Chairperson Andersen stat~d if there were a policy decision, then
that portion might be referred to the full Council.
Mr. Zaner agreed. If an issue needed Council approval, staff
should be inforroed. The initial draft implementation list should
ultimately be presented to Council. <
Council Kember Woolley asked about those things the city could act
on now.
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Mr.. Schreiber indicated page 5 of the SRPS under "Potential
Actions w , Nu~ber l~ per sue simplification of design review
FrCfCesa,which needed to be brought to Council to modify the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) process.
Chairperson Andersen asked 'Wn-e.the.r the slo'Wdo'\ofn ""as caused lUore by
citizen review or staff review.
Mr. Schreiber explained ho'. relatively simple items vent through
the full ~ process causing a month to a rnonth-and-a-half aelay ..
The ARB was receptive to expanding the initial existing staff
approval process to include additional minor items and get an
ordinance change to the council.. The current process was extremely
aggravating for ~any applicants 'Who had small projects and must
attend a public It:eeting. The second. potential land use action, a
collaborative effort between the City, University and tenants~
'Would be long-term.. The third item, regarding site developI!lent
flexibility, could be either short-term or long-term.
Council Member Woolley asked if the item was more in Stanford's
hall park than the CityTs.
Mr .. Schreiber indicated it would be a joint efto.r:t. A zoning
co~~isslon would be necessary to allow small ~ncreases fo&
flexibility that firms found desirable in ~pgradinq or maintaining
a facility.
CO\lncil Member Woolley aske.d 'Whether transfer of development rights
(TOR) was possible within the Park ..
Mr .. schreiber said yes; but a formal TDR program containing many
legal ramifications was not necessary. The City had a program
downto~n ~ith a cap on floor area ratio (FAR). There were vays of
dealing with transfers with Planned community Zone and benefits.
Item Nu."nber 4, upgrading properties along El Camino Real, was a
longer-term problem. Regarding potential Stanford Land Management
~ctions, page 7 of the SRPS, there ~as an ongoing Research Park
planning process. The City of Palo Alto should encourage Stanford
to continue with the process ..
ChairperGon Andersen asked if Stanford could have an opportunity
fer input and invited Diane Healy, Managing Director of Real
Estate, Stanford Management Company and Bill Phillips, Executive
Director of Real Estate, Stanford Manaqement company to join the
P&S Commit.tee. The stanford Manaqenent company was r-esponsible for
management of the endow:llents and assets of the University ..
Diane Healy, Managing Director of Real Estate, Stanford Management
company~ explained stanford's plan ~as similar to the City's but
differed pril'n.arily in its emphasis; for example, vith regard to
sales tax and the fact stanford was more concerned with academic
issues.. Stanford intended not only to have recommendations but
"implementation plans, ~hich ~ere the most difficult components.
The key element 'Was the physical development plan, which Stanford
referred to as the Master Plan. The goal was to identify parcels
appropriate for Stanford's repossession as the leases terminated or
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expi::r:ed in order to put in centraliz.ed am.enities and services.
stanford's desire w~s to keep the Research Park consistent with the
competition. From a timing perspective, stanford "'anted to request
proposals over the I"l.ext fe ... ~ weeks. Reexamining Stanford's role as
a landlord would also be done.
council Member Renzel referred to
~cad.emics related to business, and
stanford to renew a lease.
the reinstitution of the
asked what factors caused
Ms. Healy stated the academic departments relation business al~ay5
existed. .In intel·vi~ws tenants said the cost of living and the
cost of bu~iness in the area, as well as the other business issues
~ould affect a decision to leave, ~er~ it not for their association
with Stanford. Some tenants voiced concern about allowing tenants
into the Research Park "Who did not have a r-elationship with
stanford.
Hr. Schrai:ber indicated staff found St.anford 's academic connections
were not at all ccnsistent. One organization or firn: would have a
strong connection with Stanford and the next firm would have almost
no connection. Many times in the last five or ten years the
existence of the strong connections between Stanford and tenants
had been happenstance. Staff had talked about trying to strengthen
those con..~ections in a more crganized way rather than allowing
nature to take its ccurse. The items under Potential Transpor
tation Actions (p. B., SRPS) which could be accomplished fairly
quickly were NUlIlbers 4, 5, and 6, investigating the use of gas tax
funds to supplement mitigation funds, an upgrade of a road median
and investigation of a poli~y regarding sidewalks. The road median
project was to improve the appearance, not to add more turn lanes.
The Park tenants seems4 to have an interest in emergency service
and initiating discuso;ions for Park tenants regarding the addi
tional coordination of em~rgency resporsc plans which was Item 2
under Potential Hazardous Material and Emergency Response Actions
(p. 9,. SRPS). Under-potential Electric, Gas and Wa:'er utility
Actions., Item 2., drought tolerant landscaping was in place~ The
city had a study underway to look at alternative fuel v~hicles in
response to the Clean Air Act limitation, which ~as Itec 3. Under
potential Wastewater Utility Waste· ... 'ater Action, Iteo 1, the City
had a feasibility study ur.derway to look at recla~:med -...ater use
which ~ould be coming forward in the early part of next rear.
Those were relatively short-term items. The City Auditor had an
item regarding property tax issues.
Council Member Fazzino asked why the sal~s tax did not follow the
retail tax cycle.
Mr. Schreiber answered what w3s known was that it did not.
Council Member Fazzino asked about business to business trans
actions producing the type of sales tax revenue received from the
Park. He believed it was very different from sales tax revenue
from the Shopping Center. Focus was generally on the latter, and
the City should also focus on the loss of retail sales offices in
the Resear-ch Park.
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Mr. Zaner indicated th~ two ~ere different objectives.
business sal~s follo~ed an entirely diffecent cycle.
Business to
Council Member Renzel asked about the status of retail sales and
business sales.
Mr. Zaner indicated they are unrelated. There ~ere some retail
sales in the Research Park, but they ~ere not a predominant sales
tax source.
Council Member Renzel concluded the tax might lag and sometimes be
totally independent.
Mr. Schreiber indicated the cons~~~us was the business to business
sales were not increasing. There 'Were pressures causing sales
taxes in the Rese3rch Park to decrease, as there were pressures to
move sales offices out of the Park.
council Member Fazzino confirmed the concentration 'W~s on the loss
of sales offices, and it was an issue he. 'Wished to understand
better. He did not think business to business sales tax revenue
was as healthy as retail sales tax over the last coupl~ of years in
the Research Park.
Mr. Zaner stated it ... ·as more cOlnplicated. The ::lessage Mr.
Schreiber was transmitting was as the nature ot the Park shifted to
pure research, the sales tax generating part of the Park moved
away. Th~ net result was the drop in ~ales tax revenue.
Council Member Fazzino referenced one-stoop shoppi!"Jq or point of
contact within City Hall which app&ared to be an important issue
for tenants in the Research Park, and he asked abo~t progress in
that regard.
Mr. Schreiber indicated one.-stop shopping did in fact exist.
Council Member Faz-zin":) asked if one person cou.ld be called when a
tenant had a problem with refuse or planning, or any problem with
City Rall.
Mr. Zaner did not beli~ve anyone could come to City Hall ~ith a
problem and go to just one place. The City was a multi-service
industry. The City was tryirlg to establish a process to identify
people in the organization who had very clearly defined respon
sibilities with regard to industry in the community. It 'Was not
possible to have a one-stop place because there was almost no way
one person could cover every problem.
Chairperson Ande:sen understood the nature of the frustration, but
at the same time it was difficult for businesses to know who to
contact. Be asked if there was a way to set up a system where
questions could be directed so ansvers were ret~rnea as quickly as
possible.
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HI'. Zaner did n~t think there 'Were many complaints abo',.lt not being
able to qet to the correct person. ne thought the problem 'W~s the
inability to get an answer or that the process was too long.
Chairperson Andersen asked 'What could be done to shorten that time.
Mr. Zaner said one-stop shopping in the Planning operation did
solve the prohlem tor the land use: issues. In some cases, the
process itself needed revision because there 'Were too many steps.
Councll Member Fazzino asked if Stanford intended to addre~s the
issue of lack of opportunity at the present time for start-ups to
find places in the Park.
Ms. Healy indicated Stanford 'Was looking at the issue. She had
visited some "incubators" across the country, and ~ost of them ~ere
eKecutive suites with m~ny mature but small companies. stanford
'WaS trying to find a prototype, which 'Was financially viable~
There were tenants ~illing to work 'With the incubator concept but
the process ill'culd take some tiDie.
Chairperson Andersen understood a start-up company very often 'Was
not ahle to afford such a facilitr to make the linkage and asked if
Stanford was working on connecting more effectively.
Ms. Healy stated Stanford had talked abo~t actually setting up an
office to handle and facilitate the linkage. The big companies had
the relationships, but the newer, potential tenants did not know
how to develop a relationship lr."ith the University.
Council Member Renzel thought many st.art-ups ",'ere not cor:::.iTlg to the
Research Park because the right types of facilities were not there,
and the cost per 6quare foot was high. The ball was in Stanford's
court regarding the price of the facilities. She asked if stanford
intended to do something to create an open door.
)Is. Healy said Stanford had not really gottel1 far in terms of
successes. Their research indicated they did n~t ~eet the needs of
high tech cOIl".panies in terms of very specific lab requirements,
which were harder to provide on a generic scale, as what ~as needed
for an incubator.
Executive Director of Real Estate, Stanford M;anagelIlent Company,
Bill Phillips, said Stanford observed incubators across the country
which were set up by new research parks subsidizing people so wh~n
businesses grew they could fill their particular research parks.
The proble~ was the need for expansion ~ith a ~arket which did not
facilitate the incubator idea~
Ms. Healy said the number of start-ups in research parks was
pheno~enal in et.her cities because Palo Alto 'Was not able to
accommodate them~
Mr. Phillips said in a larger company capital was inunediately
present. The amount of money required to support a company was
eisht or nine times ~hat it was six to eight years aqo~
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council ~embe~ Renzel asked about the difference between the kind
of planninq in ~uestion and adQitiDnal land use planning.
Mr. Schreiber said the interfac€s related to land use categories.
In the CitY'*'ide St.udy, the Research Park .... ould be the Research Park
in terms of the zoning. There might l:)e areas 'Within the '&cr.ing
~here changes should b~ made, for example, contractibility.
Municipal planning did not tend to get jnto the issues of lease
holds, parcel site issues, child care centers. or transportation
facilities. It ~as much more private. In large research parks,
undet' one ownership or a sm311 ownership group, there was acreage
with specific amenities designed in and the designers were willing
to make trade-ofts. When developing a research park, it was still
the property owner's priJr,ary responsibility to decide. There might
be ways to use the City's process and not impede or encourage the
types of facilities desired. If a child care center, recreation
facili ty, or restaurant · .... as desired, the City should ]:lake sure
there were no zoning processes which impeded. those. Right now
zoning imped~d restaurants in the ?ark.
Council Member Renzel asked how the New Leaf Restaurant was in the
Research Park.
Mr~ Schreiber thought the New Leaf began as an internal operation.
Over time, the r-E:staurant provided such good food that other
companies patronized the restaurant. It qrew outside the city's
zoning. No one in the City ever said there could be expansion into
a full restaurant.
Denny Patrosian" 443 Ventur-a Avenue, commented on the recommen
dation to develop businesses on £1 Camino Real .hich were compli
mc~tary to the industrial park. Business developing on El Ca~ino
Real encroached into the subject of Comprehensive Plan review
because it had heavy implications for land use~ She was concerned
the emphasis was on the convenience of the Park, as though El
camino Real was a service alley for the industrial park. What ~as
missinq in the recommendations was potential for housing behind ~he
east side of E1 camino Real near Page Mill Road on the Maximart
property. The toxic waste dump in her ~eighborhood and El Camino
Real needed to be looked ~t carefully. E1 Camino Real served an
import,ant business function apart from pig business in Pale .1t.lto.
Palo Alto needed a small family business plan as well as a research
park plan. Trje city should look closely at what share of the
burdeJ"l. companies bore with regard to the handlinq of ttle hazardous
materials. k~ important part of the cost of doing business ~as to
handle toxic waste. She would not like to see fu~ding of special
procedures in the Fire Department for handling toxic emergencies
developed tv the advantage of the businesses and to the detriment
of the city. TORs ~ere a good concept but she was concerned about
the precedent of trading child care for square foetaqe. The
strongest emploree benefit 'Was housing first, and child care and
the others were second. The Mayfield site should be a housing
site.. There "'as reference to toxicity on the site, but many
potential housing sites 'Would have toxicity since sites had been
rezoned industrial sites. The handling of the Mayfield site in the
study seemed in conflict ~ith the next paragraph which dealt with
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the j?bs/housing balance. In the Economic Outlook. Coll'Utittee
minutes, housing and transportation were cited as the two most
important problems of the Park. The focus of the City needed to l:Je
coordinated better in the stUdy. E1 camino Real and Page Mill Road
looked the way it did because seIDe important land usc goals to
brin9' benefits to the cit}~ were laid do .... n some time ago in the
comprehensive plannir.g process. Housing ",as on one corner, a
reduction of the traffic generating commercial pvtential was on the
other corner, pu'blic bE~nefits fro'!!'. the county lot on t!'le othe.r
corner, and on the remaining corner was the industrial park.
Council Me-rnber Fazzino stated for the record that there ",as a
difference betveen toxic and haza~dous waste. He asked Mr. Zaner
to share a report from the Fire Department regarding the drums.
Mr. Zaner :believed there was a prescribed cleanup ... ·hich the Ci ty
was required to permit. and inspection ~ould be by the Regional
Water Quality Control Board.
council Member Renze! asked wby that particular site was used.
Mr. Zaner explained the materials on the site Would be transferred
and were required to b~ dealt with on that site. It was not a
repository to which people were bringing materials.
Edie Dorosin, 1221 Waverley street, Director of the Palo Alto
Chamber of Commerce, saie the report 'Was good. The Chamber of
Commerce had a committee composed of Research Park facility
managers which had been dealing with some of the issues for over a
year. A mode.£~ process was i!l place which could be seen as a
forum:, not a.t a policy making level, .but at a 1:echnical l'2vel. The
Chamber of Commerce WQuld like the opportunity to work on items the
P&S Committee considered could be done quickly. There was hope the
past year of interviews, surveys and stUdies ~ould result in some
actions which would benefit all.
c..'ttairperson Andersen asked what
Commerce was hopeful would be
mentioned.
specific things the Chamber of
add.:-essed ·.!hich had not been
Ms. Dorosin responded some issues 'Were sidewalks for safety, access
to buses, and reclaimed water.
John Lovewell, Keenan Love~ell Ventures, 700 Emerson Street,
interacted extensively with t£nants throughout Silicon Valley and
had a sense of v~at businesses ~ere ~ooKing for and ~hy they wanted
to be at Stan.ford~ Keenan Lo."e'W~ll Ventures had spoke.n about the
lower power costs in the Research Park, and the improved commute as
the result of CalTrain, the widening of Highway 280 and improve
ments of Highways 85 and 81. The common drawing card, besides the
issues, was the desire to be close to Stanford University. The
conclusion was Stanford was the source of Silicon Valley and the
main fuel which drove the 'Whole economy. It 'Was clear 'When
probl~ of co~petition with the Japanese increased. traffic
congestion, infrastructure and lack of venture capital were faced,
a positive influence offering hope for continued success and.
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economic soundness ~as stanford University and its relationship to
the conmunity and to the Park itself. The report ~as qr~at as a
beginning point~ Ability to p~ocess apPLovals, particularly ARB
and hazardous materials appro:.rals, was a key issue. A fine biotech
company might have left the Research Park recently because of slo11/'
response froIt the city to a request. A $15 million investment
might not have occurreG ~ithin the Park had the company left. As
redevelopment \rr'as revie'w'ec!, it ..-as important for Stanford to
present a cohesive pr~gram for lease £xt2nsions, which was not much
of an issue for the P&S cocmittee but a key issue for the future of
the Park.
Council Member woolley stated one wor~ which came to her mind was
"alert .. ~ The research provided an alert to the City COl.1I\cil that
certain things co~ld happen and it was up to the P&S committee to
pursue the qoals in a timely rnanner~ She would like an implemen
tation plan for the items Mr~ Schreiber listed earlier which could
occur in a re~a.tively short time fra'me to come back to the P&S
Committee as soon as possible. Meanwhile~ Stanford 'Would be
~orkinq on its plan. Then the City and the University could work
in cooperation with one another on the project~
Council Member Renzel found the report very interesting. Some of
the factual aspects of the Park 'Were useful and helpful in all
areas ct planning. She learned by a~tendance at a stanfo~d forum
ho* ouch 'Was in stanfordls hands regarding operating the Park, and
much concern was expressed about Stanford's management practices
and the City's interrelationship with the Park. There might be
ti~es when Sta~f~~d's and tenant~t ~oals might conflict with land
use planning goals. There IJas much -work to be done to find is
common g~ound and find exactly ~hose responsibility various actions
were. She asked 'Why side'fro'alks .. ere not included in the Park
because sidewalkS were required everywhere else. She -would hope
the P&s committee would continue to bear the importa~t relationship
about land use and housing balance in mind when aeciding what would
be done in the industrial Park and everywhere else in the city.
The Park contributed a large part of the jobs~ That situation
combined with the student/faculty population added to the housing
market pressure. She agreed \o'ith Council M€l'r'.b-er Woolley about the
need for immeoiate action.
Council Member Fazzino agreed with comments about the importance of
the study and found the report very well written and easy to read.
He agrees there should be ~n action plan developed, both short-term
and long-term. He would like a more forma.l process by which
Stanford, tenants, ~e City and the neighbors ~ere able to work
together on issu-es. He ,*,ould like the report back to the P&S
committee on a regular basis, and he did not believe once a quarter
was excessive. Over the short-term, being aggressive was not
inappropriate. putting in place the tools necessary to deal with
some of the long-range issue.s ... ·ould also be appropriate. He was
interested in establishin9 an agreed-upon vision for the Research
Park which should be cons istent ... ith the Comprehensive Plan
process. Reducing the "ha5s1e factor" "Was a significant concern to
the people in the Research Park~ He was interested in long-term
restoration, start-upsr and all ties to Stanford ~hich would help
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in marketing the Park. Open space had not been discussed. Support
for continuinq open space in pa~ts of the Park was not inconsistent
\!lith support for rer::ovat,ion of other aspects of the r-ark. He hoped
to identify ways in which the ucility Advisory Commission could
'Work 'With the P&S committee to better understand the needs and
interests of the important utility custo~ers.
Chairperson Andersen \o'as pleased "'ith the report. He thanked the
City Manager and all who w~re involved. He suppcrted the ARB
review process modification. Gas tax funds for some of the
modifications 'Was prcbably an appropriate approach .. He ..... as pleased
with the strong interest of putting in side"ol'alks and the lr;edian
strip.. The TDR concept had some interestin9 potential although
these might be difficult with leases. The clean up problem was ~ot
discussed. The City needed to be more than an enforcer of clean ~p
efforts.. He hoped the 1>&:5 Committee \IIould have creative ideas for
the s2rious issues to allow the Park to be used to the fullest,
environmentally appropriate extent~ Another area not addressed in
the report regardea the companies' needs for highly technical
communications bet~een business communities. If coaxial hook-ups
were possible or appropriate} he i,:!Is:ked ",'he:ther Stanford or the
community would explore such a system.
Chief Planning Official, carol Jansen j indicated state of the art
digital eq'..lipment and state of the art communications should be
used.. It was a subject which should be reviewed.
Mr~ Zaner explained when the City became involved in the Cable
Co-op venture, including the B cable, the technology was in the
ground ready to cake connections.. Whether ar not technology ",,'as
what the Park wanted or ~as necessary for the Park was question
able. Another possibility was a seventh utility, a communications
utility, an idea presented eleven years ago by a Council Member.
Council Member Renz~l referenced the transfer of development rights
question and asked ·whether the Park ",,'as properly stibdivided or
parcelled as welch Road wa5.. Before any transfer of development
rights took place, there should be a prop.:!!'" map fiJ..e.
Mr.. Schreiber said vast areas of Stanford lands ..... 'ere never
subdivided} for example, Welch Road and the Shopping Center. There
were no legal property lines; it was all one parcel with a complex
of lease 1ine5.. The lease lines were recorded back in the 1950's
and 60's and beqan to be shown in the accessors' record as property
lines. He believed most of the. Research Park had leg'al property
lines, but he would check on the issue.. Everyone was operating
under an assumption that the Coyote Hill Open Space Ease~ent ended
afte.r-20 years} in January of 1993, then there ..... ould be rao
easement} normal zoning would take over, and the land was ~oned
agricultural in the city and designated open space in the C~mpre
han&ive Plan so it could not be developed. However, the easement
documents were patterned after the Williamson Act l with a ten-year
roll-over4 If Stanford had wanted to end the easement in 1993, a
l~tter should have been submitted in January of 1983. Tbe Open
Space issue as identified in the SRPS was addressed as an eminent
land use issue with no recognition of the ten years.
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CO~Lcil Member Renzel asked if coyote Hill itself was a 50-year
easeme.nt.
Mr4 Schreiber said yes; but it ~as not an emin~nt issue.
Mr. Phillips said the Xerox site on Coyote Hill ~as like the other;
no action had been taken.
Mr. Zaner reempha~ized the SRPS ~as only one ~iece of the economic
puzzle in Palo Alto. Ms. Jansen's a~signment vas to look at an
economic resource planning function to fo~ a frame work or
strateqy under which the study could fit. .An outline or draft of
a strategy .. ould be put together to shoW' how Palo Alto could
stabilize and enhance its economic position.
Chairperson Andersen asked .. 'hen the item .. ould return to the P&S
Committee4
Kr4 Zane~ said staff hoped to return to the P'S Committee in a few
weeks afte~ people talked about the study.
Ms. Healy expressed her appreciation for what had been done so far.
She recognized the tremendous effort and the fact the citl of Palo
Alto was as concerned about th~ Park encouraged Stanford.
NO ACTION TAKEN
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EX[~RPT Ml NUTES of the Pol j Cj and
Services CC1i1T1ittee Pleeting of 12/3/91
5. Stanford Research park study I~plementation of City-Related
Potential Actions
Director of Planninq and Community Environment Kenneth Schreiber
said the staff report (CMR:534!91) vas in response to a request by
the P&S Committee to identify items the city had reasonable control
over vhicb could. be worked on 'Within the next 16-24 months.
Thirteen items were identified., a number of which were ongoinq;
others were vell underway and -would be going to Council. Som.e
could be identified as CIP projects such as sidewalks. The next
step involved acquiring CQmments and reactions from the P&S
Committee, Stanford, and roe tenants of the Research Park as to
their priorities and then establishinq a basis for a.n exchange of
information. Staff had no recommendation to proceed ~ith ~he next
st.ep.
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Council Member Fazzino asked hoy often staff intended to pre~ent to
the P~S committee info~~ti~n acquired.
Mr. Schreiber said staft wanted to return quickly, but there vas nc
schedule. The TI".I.ess4ge tenants 'Were giving, that an important part
of studying 50mething was the subsequent action, encouraged staff
to send a message to the tenants that there would be work.
stanford should be consulted for its timing.
Chairperson Andersen said the P&S Comcittee: should revieW' the
report.
Mi. Schreiber indicated a typographical error (page 2, paragraph 2,
CKR:S34:91); December 2 should be D~cember 9.
Council Member !'azzino had a particular interest in Item 1, lithe
city should continue to pursue si~plification of the design review
process for sUialler scale changes to previously appro .... ed site plans
and buildin9s~, after reading an article in the newspaper by Mr.
Freeman about Syntex. He asked what changes a Park tenant would
see as a result of the proposals contained.
Mr. schreiber intended to sen~ a letter to Mr. Freeman seekinq an
opportunity to converse with hie. He thought Palo Alto had a good
relationship 'With Syntex:, especially on a staff-to-staff level~
The article in the paper did not reflect that, and he desired to
find out why~ It would take some ti~e to eliminate Palo Alto's
reputation for being a difficult community to deal with. When Park
tenant executives were interviewed, complaints cited were 5 to 15
years old yet viewed as something recent. Modifying the Architec
tural Reviev Board (ARB) process would produce a better day-to-day
working relationship with those individuals dealt with on a regular
basis. There would be an attempt to get back with people to
rectify situations, but ~any times past approaches had left a bad
taste, and 'Work would be necessary to alleviate that. It 'Was
important to rec~nize the degree of competition.
Council Member Fazzino queried if there was one individual a Park
t,enant could Ctmtac:t should someone have a prol:llem 'With a City
department O~ serv~ce.
Hr." schreiber said no. The one-stop issue was legitimate and
should be investigated and researched, but ~ithout a formal person
with the role it would be difficult for anyone individual or
depart~ent to take on that responsibility.
Mr. Rudin said a staff group was compiling a directory Which was
in-depth enough to assi~t anyone to correctly direct a phone call.
Council Member Fazzino said that was not enough for him~
Council Member Renzel said the directory would be an index
specialized to prcject orientation as opposed to the regular binder
directory currently being used. She said under Potential electric,
gas, and water utility actions (page 7, CMR:534:91) regarding the
suggestion to develop Park-specific electric. gas and water
1213/91 NS: 17
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forecasts, it appeared in the past there 'Were only a few major
users which drove the demand fro~ the industrial park. She asked
'What additional information would be gleaned from forecasts 'Which
vould be different from the o¥erall 20-year forecast.
Mr~ Schreiber said the data identified in the last four to five
years did not re\o'eal the same correlation with square footage
historically seen. It 'Was assumed expanding s~uare footage
generated the greatest demand. To the extent of the larger trend
or. projf!ctions of utility usage ~nd plannin9 for the tj"Pes of
se.rvice the Park 'would need in 10-20 years, it would not be a
casual assignment but a different approach.
Council Member Renzel said her question was sparked by the need for
an additional full-time position or $50,000 for consulting
services. If there were not a 1:1 correlation of square footage
and electrical demand, a smaller marginal increment 'Would indicate
overblown forecasts.
Mr. Schreiber said the indications were underestimated; there was
qreater conswnpt!on t,han square footage ~
Council Member Renzel said the lor:g-tenn forecast could come up
short.
Mr. Schreiber said yes, it could. with the data identified from
1986-~390 -... he.ther it was a longer-term trend or not 'Was unkno....-r.~
A longer forecast woula be necessary.
council Member Renzel asked if the forecasts "",ere going forward
regardless.
Mr~ Schreiber said no~
council Member Renzel said it would require a recommendation fro~
the P'S committee in order to proceed. Because the Budget
Guidelines indiGated new pOSitions 'Were not to be funded without
identifyinq a funding source, she asked wnat the funding source
would be.
Mr~ Schreiber did not believe there · ... ould be a non-City funding
source for the position. The response '""as outside the Budqet
Guidelines~
Council Member Woolley said all the items fell into one of two
categories: either an item was in progress or it vas one which
required substantial dollars and would not fit ~ithin tne Budget
Guidelines. She asked what was the appropriate recommendation the
P.S Committee could make to council 'When a large expenditure ~ould
not be recommended while something already in p~ogress would not
need recommendation.
Hr. Schreiber said there were currently items, like sidewalks,
Which could be a CIP project and evaluated in the overall priori
ties. Council always had the pr~rogative to establish priorities.
12/3/91 P&5: 18
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Chairperson Andersen askerj to 'What exter.t stafr had cOmlllunicated:
with stanford aDout the reco-m.mendations and. "Wh~'t response had beer.
received if communication had occurred .
.Mr~ Schreiber said the only communicat;,on .. as distribut.ion of the
staff report~ People ~ere alerted about the meeting t but he had
not received any direct feedback. The issue of sidewalks came up
a number of times.
Chai~erson Andersen asked about the ab~lity to make major p~iority
shifts eithEr trom the elP or the General Fund and t it shifts ver~
possible I he asked whether it would be an investment 'Which made
sense with re3pect to the long-range plan.
Hr. Schreiber said the.re were a number of items which clearly
involved l or could involve, a priority shift. If the City
undertook a sidewalk program with the expectation that nO!1-Park
tunds would not qo to the assessment district but insteac be runded
out of the, CIP prograza, a significan't change. of priority would be
necessary. Internally, the decision was made to co~it $50,000 a
year in qas tax money to augment ~itigation funds because mitiga
tion tunds or transportation improvements were not coming in at a
rate consistent with projections a few years ago~ To supplement
the .~ney for the projects and to de~onstrate to the Park tenants
improvements were impo~tant, the City was willing to invest some
resources.
Chairperson Andersen asked about Mr. Schreiber's initial comment
that the ~ajor purpose was to do something. He was interested in
finding out what staff needed frem the P,S Committee and Council to
see some a.ction.
Mr~ SChreiber said there were items upon which the City could
establish a hiqh~r priority or which could be accelerated4 It was
not to be assum~d the $7S,OOO for outfitting a response vehicle for
hazardous materials would fit within the elP. It might tie
appropriat~ for the City to accelerate efforts to reuse groundwater
rather than for companies to independently work on solutions to the
problem~
Chairperson Andersen asked if staff needed feedbaCK as much as the
P£S Committee did.
Hr. Schreiber said yes.
Council Member Renzel asked about the water reuse problem as it
applied to conta~ination.
Mr~ Schreiber said all groundwater discharges which went into the
sever sYlite-m. contained some contaminants and increased flo ..... into
the Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP). The policy was to ask
people who wanted to dispose of water it t.."ter-e was not another
beneficial use. To ~eiJse the water, it needed to be clean enough.
Council Kember Renzel asked if it vas not chan9ing ene pollution
problem for another.
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Mr. Schreiber said the question of filtered ~ater evaporatin9 into
the air vhich required air regulations was beyond the city's
control.
Chop Keenan, 700 Emerson Street, said the Chamber of Commerce had
two standing committees regarding: the F.esearch Park, Stanford
Research Park Forum, and Environmental Health and Safety. They
vere very focused on issues in the report and the study. In
leasing space, the two import_ant major attractions 'Were the
proximity to Stanford and the utility rates 4 Regarding the ARB
process, :be-thought it was critical, especially as the situation
with ALZA was observed. The transportation actions vere not on the
top of his list. He had a concern ~ith Item 4, reducing General
Fund expenditures while needing ClF. He ~ould like to see nexus
between the tax and capital improvements to ma}ce it possible.
Upgrading page Mill Road median was not a priority. Each company
vould have its own opinions. Provision of side~alks ..,as an
excellent choice. Regarding groundwater clean-up action, Stanford
asked the various City agencies for concepts On pumping. Syntex
researched qoing to drought-landscaping ~ith a cost of $3.6 million
bUt admitted the look and feel of the Park was critical. ~erqency
response action was excellent. The Mayfield School Site deserved
attention.
Chairperson Andersen asked if it WOuld bit;O possible for Mr. Keenan
to give the P&S committee his top ten priority items.
Mr. Keenan said yes. He said the Stanforo Research Park Forum
would also be doing the same thing. He suggested Councilor the
P&S committee members meet 'With the Forum from time to time for
input. The Forum met once a month; the next meeting was scheduled
for Tuesday, Dece~er 10, 1991, at 8:00 a.m.
council Member Woolley asked if the Forum would be doing its
prio~itizir.g at that mee~inq.
Mr. Keenan Gaid he believed so. He said it ~culd be advisable tor
the P&S committee members to attend the following meeting, after
the prioritiZing had been acco~plished.
Gene Endicott, He~lett Packard {HP}, 25 Sherland Avenue, Mountain
View, said HP appreciated the effort put forth in the initial study
as well as follo'W-up activities. He suggestec3. staff not lose sight
of the lonqer-ranqe issues 'Which 'Were as equally i:cportant as the
short-term issues. Specifically, child care, recreation facili
ties, development flexibility, anQ transportation were very
important to HP. He encouraged the City, Sta.nford, and tenants to
talk more actively in the future to enable dealing ~ith the pro~lem
regulations. {council Me~r Fazzino excused himself during Mr.
Endicott's speech to avoid conflict of interest.)
Diane Healey, stanford Management Company (sMel, said SHe had been
working with !tr~ Schreiber and staff in terms of asseSsing the
viability and the priority of the actions. She agreed with
Mr. Endicott rega.rding the long-term/short-term issue. People 'We.re
tired of the rhetoric and were looking for action, but much ",,"as
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overdue attention to necessities. Caution sho\J;ld be given to
ensure an ov~rall commitment. In terms of Mr. Keer.an's priorities,
not as far as SMC ~as concer~ed, she reiterated his comment about
leasing as it related tc ~tilities. She had heard ~any co~ments
from tenants about the negative feelings invoked by the Jo..RB
process. The City's and stanford I s processes should both be
revie'~ed to avoid redundancy. Jo,.n RFP 'Was issued for land planners
for the master plan, the key component from Stanford's perspective,
and Stanford expected the selection to be accomplished by December
16, 1~91, with results back in final torm around March~ SMC would
approach its board some time before the su~er~ vhile ~ttemptinq to
maintain an aggressive schedule.
Chairperson Andersen was very pleased to see the City and Stanford
working together.
Mr~ Schreiber said it was important to recognize that many of the
biqqer land use and policy issues had such a direct relationship to
Stanford... that Stanford IS research park planning needed to be
encouraged. Many of the smaller issues were critical to
effectively implement some of the larger issues.
Council Member Renzel asked about his comment concerning the
concurrence of the property own~r, She asked if he was speaking to
the tenants or the City with regard to planning with stanford's
concurrence~
Mr. Schreiber said any nu~ber of the longer-term issues addressed
features of the Park in terms of location of activities, types of
special amenities provided, leasing policies, and changes in parcel
sizes. Those were the types of issues where Stanford's input would
be critical because there would be little the City could do to
bring about the desir~d outcome if Stanford did not move in that
di ["act i on •
Denny Petrosian, 44J Ventura Avenue, said it ~as ~mportant to keep
the right perspective and not feel Palo Alto was a l::ad cit}"
Instead, Palo Alto vas a distinctive place. It was ~ecessary to
recognize there vas a built-in adversarial relati~nship between an
industry a~d a city. While the city was putting forth an effort to
go ~ore than halfway, industry needed to come at least halfway and
recognize the City ha.d leqitimate interests which might not line up
with the business interests. If the ARB precess became the most
important priority, then the focus should be put there. She
observed there did not appear to be a direct correlation between
major land use changes and economic health. She was ccncerned vith
the vagueness of a couple of the items. Regarding the CIP issue,
she thought businesses were drawn to Palo Alto on a more funda
mental issue than merely appearances, like the per square foot
issue. She was concerned ~ith the cost amounts, She thought it
should be recognized that businesses which enhance the City also
pollute the City, which should necessitate a geod faith contribu
tion. she asked about the necessity of the $50, oeo for the
electrical, gas, and water forecasts in light of the cuts in human
services. She urged recommending those issues Which did not cost
money and retaining the remaining items in the P&S Committee.
12/3/91 NS: 21
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1I0000IOl!l.: Council Heuer Woolley m.oved, seconded by Faz zino, to (1)
retain the ~tudy in Com:ai'ttee l (2) direct staff to ar-ra:nge a
meeting in January with the Stanford Research Par/( Forum and
Council and the Policy and Servic~s Committe~ members to discuss
priori~ization of Ehort-term projects, (J) consider in the February
meeting of the policy and services Committee recommendations to the
City Council" and. (4) direct staff to set up a process for
determining ttle long-term priorities.
Chairperson Andersen stated the priorities which were e~tablishe~
by the Forum yould not be con~rol1ed by the P&S Cc~ittee.
Hr. Schreiber said it was better to separate the long-and short
term items because stanford ~as not at the point of addressing the
long-term isslJ~s in a definitive ","ay.
Council Member Woolley said the staff repo~t only dealt with short
term issues.
Another woman representing the Chamber of COmI<lerce' s Stanford
Research Park Forum Committee said the staff report had just been
receiv~d in the mail, so none of the committees had looked at it.
The initial discussions looked at the study and prioritizing. It
would make sense to look intc the short-term issues.
Mr~ Schreiber encouraged not losing sight of the long-term issues.
The short-teI1l1 issues should be dealt with in a more exact way,
with long-tent! issues dealt .... ith in a general 'Way.
Ms. Healey said it should be stated the list .... as not all inclusive.
Mr. Schreiber said it was just a place to start.
Counc i 1 Member
concerning the
priorities.
Woolley
meeting
said clarification could be included
in January primarily for short-term
Chairperson Anderser. said one minor modif ication should be includ.o:d
to ensure staff was in communication .... i th the interests of Stanford
and tenants $0 their input was in~luded:
Mr. Schreiber said possibly the fourth item shoul~ direct staff in
consultation with Stanford and the ~enants.
Council Member Renzel aske~ about the invitation to the Forum's
meeting, the fact that the P&S Committee members wculd be guests,
and the app~op~iateness of the part of the motion which included
discussion with ~~e Forum.
MOTIOH RESTATED: 1) Retain the study in committee; 2) direct staff
to york with the Chamber of Commerce-sponsore~ Stanford Research
Park Forum to arrange a January meeting at which the Forum shall
discuss with the City council, especially members of the Policy and
Services Committee, its priorities among the Potential Actions
identified as candidates for short-te~ implementation by the city;
J) at ~e February m~etinq of the Policy and Services Committee,
12/3/91 P&S: 22
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consider recomcendations to the City Council; and 4) direct staff I
in consultation .ith Stanford University and Stanford Research Park
tenants, to set up a process for determining recommendations and
priorities for long-terE Potential Actions.
ChairperE;on Andersen ma·1e an additional request the motion be
referred to full council so the Council would be aware it vould be
coming up.
Ms. Rudin said the minutes would be ready in January and coule be
coincidental with the meeting.
Chairperson Andersen said city Council Member~ and futu~e Council
Membe~B should be notified.
Ms. Rudin said there were several orientation mee'tings :being
scheduled. When Mr. Schreibe:!' met with the new Council Member's, he
could brief them.
Chairperson Andersen appreciated those' 'Who attended the meeting
fro. tbe community.
council Member Fazzino commended Hr~ Schreiber on the significant
progress made over the months.
Chairperson Andersen was excited about the prospects of renewed
relationships. He bad a concern, as it was incumbent upon the City
not to drop the ball, for Council not to neglect to do the
necessary follow-through.
lrOTIOlr PASSED 4-0.
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