HomeMy WebLinkAbout0337.092L
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July 9, 1991
HONOR.4Bl£ CITY COUNCIL
Pale Alt~. California
~_n Camino Real . .appeal pf Zoning Adrninistr.a+'Jr Decis;ion
Members of the Council:
Repo rt ; n e.ri~f
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This is an appeal of tt<e decislon of the Zoroing ,lI.dministrator to approve oS.
cnnditional USi! permit to allow the location <and operati!Jn of a Commertial
Recreation Use (5-table cardroom) in associatio~ with an exIsting restaurant.
Approval of the condltiQna1 Eo permit is recommended by th~ Planning Comission
and staff.
Planning CQmmj~on Action
On June 24, 1992 1 the Planning Commisslon recommended S~2 {Christensen and
Glazier against} thOlt UiE City Council uphold the decision of the Zoning
Administrator and approve the conditional use permit estabii!hing a cardroom in
assoc.iation 'JIith an e)(1~t1r.9 restaurant, 'IIith an amel'J~ment to ~ondit)ofl l and th~
addition of conditicns 6 ~nd 1. The Commission amended condition 2 changing the
dail,)' opening time from 6:00 a.m. to 10:0{) a.m. The COinmiSSlon a1so added
cQoditiQn 6 requi(\n3 a licensed, uniformed s€curity guard be pres~nt during t~e
operation of the cardroom between the hours of 6:00 p.m. ar.d 12:00 mio1ight.
Cand1tion 7 was added requiring a review of the use penmit within one year of
vperat"~on. with the cost of the review to be paid by the applicant. \l/hile the
Commission recommended tnat the use permit return to that body for a one-year
review, staff recorrmends that the Zoning Administratnr re\Jiev.: the use p~rmit
lIIithin one year; and at .staff's discretion or the request of the pllblic, it could
be referred to the Planning Commission. This is consistent with i! previous
condition p1aced on another apiJroved use permit requiring a ofle-year re\liew, the
Maaco automotive service at 816 Sa" Antonio Road. Staff has worded the condition
to require the app1icant to compensate th€ City for the cost of the review, not
to exceed the fee fo~ a conditional use permit at the ti~e of the review.
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A':1 additional motion was appro"ed 5-2 (8eec~am and S:hmidt against,!, recommefldir.g
t~at the City Council revj~~ the adult use ordinance, particularly the section
that allows est~blishment of an adult use ~it~j~ 250 feet of a resldential use.
T~e Commission was concerned Uat the l"'equire{j .250·fo{lt sep<arat1on ~etween ~ad'Jlt
uses" and residential zones !!Iaj" no! be enough to protect the resjdents' QUe1ity
of life. A1though th~ location criteria for ~adult uses" are not established in
the Zoning Crdl:'1anCe, the Commission rHomme~ds that the CHy Councj.1 review the
critoeria Jliith an emphasis on tr>e ifllpact of "adult \cse:;." on re:;idential lones.
An unusL.ial future of the Commission's pt.:.bl',c hea!"ing;s that the appellant, Dave
Chalton. President of the Barron Parle. A:isociatioTi, did not appear at the hearirlg;
and no m2mber of t~e pl.lblic spoke against t"-e issu<lnce of the Lise permit. On
July I, Bob Moss, who filed t!1e appeal~ cor.tacted staff regal""ding the hearing and
wiS informed of the date. He explained that he "Quid be on vacat~on and that tor.
(halton would attend in his absence. What a~pears t~ ha~e ha~pened is that the
June 19, 1992 staff report to ttje Planning Commission >.'as mailed to Hr. t.halton
without an agenda. Standard pr{lCetj~He is to include an agenda ..... ith the staff
report. but apparently the 3genda ~as omittad in thjs instance. Mr. Moss was
inforr.ied of the date of the ,"-earing, and ~r. cnalton did receive the staff report
prior to the Corrrnission 'lleeting. All reqiJi'red notices associated w1t1'1 tile
Commission's public hearing were handled properly.
B.ecor.n'l1end~Jion
Planning Ccrrmission and staff recorrrnend tnat the City Counct1 uphoTd tht! decision
of the Zoning Administraf.:or-.::.nd reccmmend that the City Coun..:.il approve the
("ol'1ditiona,l use permit. pursuant to the following findings and revised corlditior:s
(revisions are in italic). Staff reco;rrnends that U1€ one·year review be
conducted at the Zoning Administrator leyel, rather tnan at the Planning
C0!M11ssian, cansister.t wtth oil pr~ljiOiJi one-yeu re\liew requiremEnt.
The (ommissicn a1so recommends that the Cou~cil re~iew Palo Aito Municipa1 Code
Section 4.52.140, with rt!spect to i~creasing the required distance betloleen "adult
uses" and zone districts where residential is tne principal permitted use.
FINDINGS
J. The propcsed use in the prcposed location will riot be detrimEr',tal or
injurious to properly or improvements in the vicinlty, and ~i'l not be
detrimental to the pubiic health, safety, general welfare or c{Jri\lenience,
in that the locat;cn of the p~oposed Cardroom meets tne location criteria
established in Section 4.52.140 of the Palo Alto MuniCipal Code, ~hicn
restricts cardrooms from arHS within 250 feet of public or private
t;;!Tementary, junior high or high school, witr,in 250 feet of any zone where
residential is the principal permitted use, and within 1,200 feet of any
other "adult use,-~he cardroom ~~5t receive a license from tne Police
Depa.rtment, wh'ien grants free access to peace officers at an times the
cardro{lm is open to tne public and at all other reasonable hours.
Additionally, the design criteria requjre that He front wall facing a
publ ic street contain at least 50 percent clear. unobstructed glass. The
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applicant has testified that the cardroam 'Jse will be secondary to t,",e
restatlrant and /las submitted pl;:.r.s, sho!lling minor cnangps to the bunding
and si911ag~; therefore, the appearance and function of the site ~ill not
be significantly altered.
2. lhe proposed use will be located and conducted in a man"er 101 a,·cord with
the Palo Alto c.()mpre~el"1si'le Ph,!'1 end tht'! pUr"?Ose5 of lHle is of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code, in that the proposed Commercia! R~creaticnal Use is
a conditional us-e in the CS z~ne district, meets all thi: criteria f.ar
location desig~ and table limit as defined in Chapter 4.52 of the Palo
Alt(l MlJnicipal Code. Furthermore, tl1l:' proposed use is consistent with the
Ser\lice C.ommercial land use des'fgr-ation in th2 Comprehensive Plin in that
"the facll Hy provides citywide and regiona1 sen'ices that re1y on
customers rr:aking trips by caY a.nd tio flDt nec.e.s.sarilJ benefit frem being
located in high-volume p~destrian areas ... • The Police Department
r~ .... ie ... ed ti'va propos.ed cardroom and 'ir'.terJ.ds to issue a permit to operate 1
pending completion of the required building modifications and approval by
the State of CaliforMia Attorney Genera1's Office.
CONDITIONS
1. Prior to operation of ttle ,ardroom. tht appl icant shall obtain all
appiicabie license~ from the StaLe of Ca1;fornia Mton.ey General's Office
and the Palo Alto Police Oepartment.
2. No cardroom operations shail be permitted between the hours of 12:00
midnight and 10:00 '.'11., or as limited by the required cardroom license,
whi~hever is more rEstrictive.
3. 1he applicar.t shall complY with 2111 applicable requirements of the Palo
Alto Fire Deparlme.,t including but not limited to installation of
emerser.cy lighting, i11uminated ~~it signs, maximum o~~upancy si~ns, and
fire extinguishers.
4. All ext~rior modifications to the building, parking lot. or landscaping
shall meet the satisfaction of the Arch1t~c:tural Re~'iew Board, arId snall
include sa perce~t clear, unobstructed glass along the street frontage as
required by Chapter 4.52 of tMe Palo Alto Municipal Code.
5. The app1icant shall comply with all applicabcle Uniform Building codE'
requireme'l'\ts, i~cluding lJ.?grading res.t rooms. to hal'\dic.a.p stand<l.rd'!:..
6. The applicant~ at I1is cost, shail Cdvse one uniformed security guard
licensed by the State of California to be stdtioned on-site during the
hours of 6:00 p.m. ina 12:00 midr.fgllt whi7e th€ cardr"oom fs in operation.
7. The conditional IJse permit sl1a'~ return for reconsfdera.tion 'Within one
year to the Zoning Administrator~ and may be referred to the Planning
Commission at the dl'screUon of the Zarling Administrator or at th, request
of any member (Jf thE public. The appUCdnt shall post fu.nds coven'ng the
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cost of the revff!t¥. not tc exceed tile use permit fee at the: t:'me of the
r-eviN.
Respectf~lly s~bm;tted,
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onir.g Adminis}r~tor
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",.;/ I ol //.;;., /' " ,"1'-/ /1 _" {J' !.!._-t-{'~ " ",.Ll",,~,._·-/'
KENNET~ R, SCHREIBER
Director ~f Planning and
Community Environment
0""sistar.t City 't:,r
Attachments: Planning Commission Staff Report dated June 19. 1992
7/1/92 letter frnm Dave Cha'ton and Bob Moss, Barrc~
Park Association
7/7/92 letter from Nan $lrrmons
7/7/92 letter from Margaret & lawrence Herte
Project Plans (Ccunci] Members only}
cc: Planning Commission
Den Poja~amatt 3295 £1 Camino Real, Palo A1to. CA 94306
David Chalton, Pres1dent, 8arron Park Association, 3875 E1 C~ntro, Palo
Alto, CA 94306
Michael tyzwa, 260 Page Mill Road, Palo ATto, Ca 94306
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DATE: Juo. 19. 1992
TO: P~O AlTO PLANNING C~15510N
PREPARED BY: Nancy Maddox Lytl.
REPORT IN I~IEF, illS EL CAMINQ REAL: Appea1 of the decision of the
Zoning Administrator to approve a conditional use p~rmit to allow tne
location and operation of a Cor.tnercial Recreation U~e (S-tab1e cardruQm) in
association with an existing restaurant.
Environmental Assessment: fxempt from the pro\lis~,ons of the Cal ifornia
[n\liron~ntal Qu~l,ty Act pursuant to Arttcle 19, Section 15301. MinQr
Changes to an £x1sting Facility.
Zone District: CS
file No.: 92-UP-6
APPLICATION INFORMATION
·Applicant:
Ailpoellant;
Type of Appl icat ion:
Dab·s:
SITE INFORMATION
OWner:
Den Pojanamat
3295 n C'mino P.oal
Pale Alto, tA 94306
Dave Cha1ton, President
Barron Park Association Board
3875 El Centro
Palo Alto. c.~ 94306
(onditional Use Penr.H Appeal
Th! City Council must consider tr.e
Planning Comission reccm:endation itIIfithin
30 days of its having been transmitted,
unless the Council continues the item.
Mildred Holm
12lS Vienna Drive. , 173
Sunnyvale, (A 94089
A •• essor's Parcel NUmber; 112-38-)7. lB. 19
(Gmprehensive PTan Designation: Service Commercial
.Existing Land Use: Restaurant
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,Surround i ng lan:'" Use: North: Warehouse
(ast: Heotei
Soeth: Off j ce/Research
West: Motel
E.isting l~nJng: CS
Parcel Size: 22.471 square feet
PROJ(CT INfORMATION
..E.r.2i.-:ct Hist!l'!"Y: The applitatiol'1 fer a conditional use permit to operate a
S-table cardroom at 3295 [I Camino Feal, was filEd on January 31~ 1992.
The application was approved on April 2. 1992. An appeal of the approlo'al
I(as filed on Aprll 10, 1992.
The Zoning Administrator hearing on this item was recorded; however, the
tape rEcorder malfunctioned making the tape and backup inaudible.
Therefote, the minutes of that meeting ccu1d not be transcribed for this
report. The following ls a surrrnary of the testimony presented it the
hearing and an overview of the public correspondence received on this item.
The applfcant gave a presentation of the proposed p~oject which focussed on
t~e intended use of tne cirdroom in relation to the existing restaurant,
and the minor modifi,ations to the interior and exterior of the building.
He stated that t~e p~rpose of the cardroom is to prc~ide additional
entertainment opportunities within the City as well as generating more
b~siness for the restaurant. He indicated that the operaticn of the
cardroom ~ould be accessory to the established r€staurant use.
There was also testimony fr~ on€ opponent of the project. Clara Sharpless
opposed tne project based on the belief that a cardroom would not help to
iMprove tne appearance or the commartial viability of E1 Camine Real. She
also stated that other similar -adult uses· have presented problems within
the community? and that the proposed cardroom gave roo assurar.ce t~at it
will not do the same. She also presented a r€cent S~n Jcse Nercury News
art1cle which tied financia1 (ontributions from owners of tertain San Jose
cardrooms to poTit1cal leaders. The artic.1-e ""as not germane to t~e
ownership of the proposed cardroom.
The City received four letters in favor of the cardroom and eight letters
in opposition to the proposal (letters attached). Those who wrote lettE:rs
in fivor of the project did not specifj' it reason for their acceptancE of
t~e cardroom. Those opposed focused mainly on their belief that the
cardroom ~ould degrade the area and generate criminal acti'llty.
Prgject OescriQtio~: The project is a conditional use permit to allow the
location and o~eration of a CommerCial Recreation Use (5-table cardroom}
accessory to an existing resta~rant, it 3295 El Camino Real. The property
is lo~ated in the Servlce Commercial zone district at the r.orth corner of
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.Lambert Avenue-a.nd [1 C.am~no Real. ThE ilppllcant is not expanding the
existing 3,148-squa""e-foC'.: bui:1ding, taut w'nl be making minor modifications.
to the er.terior of the struct~re and landstapi~g to satisfy Pol ice
D~part~nt requirements. Any e~te~,or modif;c~tions to t~~ bui1din~ or
site will require approval from the Architectural Relliew Board. Tn order
to restrict acc~ss to peoplf 21 years or older, minor interior
modifications are proposed to separate the car~room facility from the
dining area. The site currently conta'ins 49 parking svaces. No additional
parking spaces are required as a result of this project.
Applicable Requl.tiQns: Pursuant to Section 18.45.0 4 0 of the Palo Alto
Municipa1 Cod~ (P~~), Commercial Recreation uses are allowed in the CS
z~ne district ~ith the approval of a condittonal U5e permit. Pursuant to
C~apter 4,S2 PAMC regulating -adult uses·, an operator sha11 obtain a
lictnse fr~ the Police Department for the operation vf a cardroom. N~w
card rooms are limit!d to 5 tables t ~hicn may consist of a single card game,
not exceeding eight players plus nne deaier. In addition t~ applicable
loning requirements, cardrooMs are limited in location per Section 4.S? as
follows: 1) not within ZSO feet of the exter~or boundary of any public or
private school; 2) not ~ithin 250 feet of the exterio~ limits of a zone
where residential use is t~e principal permitted use~ and 3) not witnin
1,200 fe.t of the oxterior boundary of any property ,..fully occupied by ,
car~ro~, ~ass~ge establi~hment, or an~ ot~er ~adult use-as defined by
Chipter 4.55 ~AMC.
The location criteria in combin~tion witn zoning regulations restrict
"ildu1t uses" such: as card rooms to six dlstinct area.s within the City.
Those areas include portions of the Oowntawn~ Stanford Shopping Center,
Ca.lifornia Avenue~ Urb~n lillln'E!, El Camino Rea.l at Lambert Averlue~ and the
southeast corner of the Sar. Antonio· Charleston Road -intersect i{)n.
ISSUES
The appellant has based the appeal on 5~veril issues. They are addressed
below ~n the o~der in ~~,ch t~ey ~~re raised i~ the letter of a~~ea1.
1. Appearance of £1 Camino Real: The appellant states that the proposed
project will degrade the appeara~ce Qf £1 Camino Rea1~ which has
gradually improved o~er tht past 15 years. Because tne applicant is
not proposing suhstantive exte-i~r changes to the existing building,
there wi11 be no change in the appearance of [1 Camino Real. Tne
~inor changes proposed by the applicant include removal of an
existing canopy at the front of the bUl1dlng a~d reconfiguraticn of
the eXisting landscape. Any exterior c~ange to the site or building
is required to meet the satisfactiQn of th~ Architectural Review
Board.
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.2, Function of El Camino Real: The appellant. Di:lve ChaltoT'l, President
of the Barron firk Ass~ci~tion Board, states that the ~dditiJn of a
cardroom will disrupt the function of [1 Camino Real. He cites the
current positive tr!nd within the eN zone district of successfully
introducing smaller ~cale, neighborhood serving businesses. The
Zoning Administrator agrees with this assessment of the eN lone. It
has been successful in introducing neighborhood ser~'ng uses in close
proximity to r~sidential .reas. However, the subject propertj ;$
zoned (S, and should this use establish, no further ~adult uses~
would be allowed along E1 Camfrro Real purstoant to Section 4.52 PAJotC.
The Senice CORl!1ercial land use cesigf1ation is. defined in the Pa10
Alto Comprehens!':e Plan as "hcll Hies that pro'<lide citY-IIIid€ and
regional services. that reTy on customers maKing trips bj cn and do
not necessarily benefit fro~ beiTi.g 10cated 11'1 high-volume pedestl"'ian
areaS suc~ as shopping centers and Downtown," Tnis part of £1 Camino
Real is not ped~striln oriented, rel~ing hea'<lily on automobile
traffic and access, This is evidenced by the tw~ motels, which are
traditionally located in areas of higher auto~bile triffic~ to the
east and west of this Site.
Because of ih~ current mix of uses in the area, lsolation from
residential areas and schools, and the reliance on automobll~
traffic, this site, above all others eligible for cardrooms, will
best support i cardroom use. The Zoning Administrator reasoned that
to exclude a cardroom use fforn this site, h.il'<Iing the highest
adaptability for that use, would exclude the introduction of
cardrooms throughout tne City. The First Amendment to the United
States Constitution pronibits tne C~ty frDm tata1ly e~cluding such
uses so long as they comply .ith all applicable state and 10ca1
reguTat ions.
3. Portrays Bad Imaoe: lhe appellant 5tates that a tardroom use
perpetuates a bad image of [1 Camino Real. He is also concerned
that. with the close proximit) of two motels, the cardroom ~ay
encourage prostitution. ,he Zor.ing Admir,istrator has made a finding
in issuing tne use permit that the proposed use will not b€
detrimentai or injuriou~ to property or improvements in the area.
The applicant has testified that the building and signage will not
substantially ,hange and the submitted plans sa indicate. The
applicant has testified that tne cardroom will remain a discrete
activity, subsidiary to the restaurant use. The Police Department
nas reason to beli~ve that the proposed use will not generate crime
or encourag~ prostitution (r~fer to attached Police Department
corrrnents) .
The applicant is required to ob~ain l bUSiness lice~se from the
Police Department prior to op€rati~g the proposed cardroom. The
Police Department w4l1 only issue a license after the owner and
manager of the cardroom have passed the City's background check and
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recefved eit~er a letter of cor.ditiona1 reg;strat~on or an annual
certificate of reg1stration from the State Depa~tm~nt of Justic~.
T~e Police Department has confirmed that the o~ner has passed the
Cit) b~ck9round check, but has not receive~ conformation that he
passed the State requirement. Th~ City t1as not completed the
backgrourld check. Dr. the manager, but til!:! Oeputment of Justice has.
lndlcated tnat he 'Was p!"":O!vio'Jsiy registered 'bJ the State.
~prRperh Right: The appeilant also ask.s that the permit be
denied based or. the fact that the operation of a cardroom is not
netessary fol" continued Enjoyment of propertj" right'> of the
applicant. Use permit findings do riot require the establisnmMt of a
hardship Q~ prop~rty right. Th~ reQuired findings of approval are
1 i.ted below.
RfC!)!!{NOATJON
Staff recommends t~at the Planning Commission up~old th! decisi~r. of the
Zoning Administrator and recommend that the City Council approYe the
cnnd1tiO~ll use permit, pursuGnt to the following findings and conditiuns.
flNDJHGS
1. Ttte proposed use "in tt;e propose-d lOCiltion will not be detrimental or
inj~rious to property or impro~ement5 in the vicinity, and will ~ot
be detrimental to the public hea1th, safety, general welfare or
convenience, in that the location of the propos~d cardroom meets the
location criteria established in Section 4.52.140 of the Pale Alto
Municip~l CDd2, which restricts cardrooms frgm areas within 250 feet
of pubHe or privah elementary. junior high tHo high sc1'1ool. within
250 feet of any zene where residential is the principal permitted
USP, and within 1~200 feet of a~y other -adult use.-The cardroom
~st receiYe a 1icense from the Police Department which grants free
access to peace officers at all times th~ cardYoom is open to tne
public and at all otner reasonable hours. Additionally, the design
criteria requir~s the front wall facing a pub1ic street contain at
least 50 percent clear. unobstructed glass. The applicant has
t2sti fied that the cardroom use 'Wi 11 be secondary to the restaurant
and has submitted plans sho.ing minor changes to the building and
siqnage, therefor! the appearance and function of t~~ site wili not
be significantly altered.
2, The proposed use will be Tocated and conduct~d in a manner in acccrd
with the Palo Alto Comprehensive P1an and the purposes of T~tle 18 of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code, in that the proposed Commercial
Recreationil Use is a conditional use in the (S zone district, meets
11' the criteria for location design and table limit uS defined in
Chapter 4.52 of the Pa10 Aito Municipal Code. Furthenmore, the
proposed use is consistent with the Serwic~ CommerCial land us~
dEsignation in the Comprehensfve Plan in thit "the facility provides
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citywide and regional serwices that rely O~ cu~tomers making trips by
tar and do not nect-s.sa,ily benefit from being 10cated in h<igh-vo1:.Jme
pedestrian arec:s ... • The Pollee Department rewiewed the proposed
cardroom and intends to issue a permit to operit~, pending completion
of the required buil~1ng modifjcations and ~ppro~al by the State of
California ~,ttorney Generill' s Offi-:.a.
eDND PI Q!!S
1. Prior tCi operation of the cardroom, the e:pplicarlt shall obtain al'
applicable licenses from the State of Californie Attorney General's
Cffice and the Palo Alto Po1ice Oepart~(1t.
~. No cardroom opera-tions shall be permitted between the hours of 12:00
midnight and' 6:00 a.m, or as limited by the required cardroom license,
whichever is more restrictive.
3. The applicant shall comply with a1l app:ica~l~ requir~ments of tne
Palo Alto Fire Department including but nat limited to 'nstal1~tion
of emergency lighting, illuminated e~it si9nS, maximum occupancy
51g"5, and fire extinguishers.
4. All exterior modifications to the building, parking lot~ 'lr
landstaping shall meet the satisfaction of the Architectural Revi~~
Saard, and Shill include 50 percent clear~ unobstructed glass a10ng
th! st~eet fr~ntage as required by Chapter 4.52 of the Palo ATto
Municipal Code.
5. The applicant shall comply with all applic~ble U8C requirements
inclu1ir.g upgradin9 restrooms to handicap standards.
Attachments:
location Hap
Zoning Administrator's Decision
Appeal letter from Barro~ ParK Ass.ociation
letters of from the Public in Opposition and Support
Petiticn Supporting the Cardroom
Police Oepartment Comment~
Project Plans (Commission Members ~r.1j)
Copies Sent ig:
Den Pojanamat, 3295 E1 Cami no Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Barron Park ASSOciation Board, 3875 E1 Centro, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Mic~.el lyzwa, 260 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
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PC-2533
SITE
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CRI.'H] C ATTACHMENT
TO STAFF REPORT
~D_A_T~E~: ____ '~-_1S-i2 ____ .. S~C~A~,~E.: .. ~'·.-~.~.~ •• ·'~ .• ~.p .. ~ ••••.••.••• 7.> ......
F!LE ND. 92-UP-92
condlton,l 101 •• p.rmH to .11", •• portion 01 the r •• t'ur.nl
al 32'$ EI Camino RIoIUO be converl.d to • c:.rd roorr.. NORTl-i
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Application No. 92-UP-6: )295 fL CA~!NO REA"
Use Permit 92-U!l-6 is approv~d for the operation of a Commercial Recreation Use
('S-hble cardroom) ill assoc'ia.tion W'ith an exist1r.g restaurant, as per attached
plans, at 3295 [j Camin~ Real, Zone District CS~ Palo Alto, Ca11fornia, and is
subject to conditions listed b21ow.
FINpINGS
1. The proposed use at the proposed location wi)l not be detrimental or
injurious to property or impro\lements in the vicinity. and will not
be detdm€nt31 to the publ it hea1't", safi!ty, general welfare or
convenience, in that the location of the prcposed cardroom meets the
location criteria established in Section 4.52.]40 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code> which restricts cardrooms from areas within 250 feet
of public or pr1vate elementary. jun10r h-igh or high school. within
250 feet of any lone wnere residential 15 principle permitted use.
and within 1,200 feet of any other "adult use.· lhe cardroom must
reeei ve a 1 icense from the Po1 ice Department whi ch grants free
access to peace officers at all tfmes the carCioom is open to the
public and at all other reasonable hours. Additionally, the design
criteria requires tne front wall facin~ a public street contain at
least 50 percent clear. unobstructed ~lass.
2. The proposed use will be located and conducted in a manner in accord
with the Palo Alto Comprehensi~e Pla" and the purposes of Title 18
of til. Palo Alto Municipal Cod., in t~.t the proposed Con-mercial
Recreational Use is a conditiQnal use in the ts Zone D1 strict, meets
111 the criteria for location, design and table limit as defjn~d in
Chapter 4.~2 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and is consistent 'fI'ith
the Ser ... ice CQlmlercia) land Use Designat1cn in the C,omprehensi .... e
Plan in that "the facility pro ... ides city.olce ilnd regional servic~s
that re1y on customers making trips. by car and do r;ot necessarily
benefit from being located in high-~olume pedestrian areas ... •
CQNPTTlONS
L Prior to operation of the cal"'droom, the applicant shall obtain all
applicable licenses fro:n the State of California Attorney General~s Office
and the Pa10 Alto Po1ice Department.
2. No cardroom c;perations shalT be permitted between the hours of 12:00
midnigH and 6;00 ami or as limitecl by the required cardroom iicer.se,
~h;chever is more restricti .... e.
UP926.jc
nl/dsk
4/2/92
Page I
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'3. The applicant shall coreply with all applicabl£ requirements of :he Palo
Alto Fire Department including but riot limited teo iflstal1ation of
emergency li9~ting. illuminated exit signs, maximum ~ccupancy signs, and
fire extinguis~ers.
4. All exterior modification!; to the building, parking lot, or landscaping
shall meet the sat~sfact~on of the Architectural Review Soard, and shall
include 50 percent clear, unobstructed g13ss along the street frontage as
rEQuired by Chapter 4-.52 of the Palo AHo Municipal Code.
S. The applicant shall comply with all applitable USC requirements inc1uding
upgrading restroorns to handicap standards.
N~M..QJ.,.j tiPP,
NANCYWDOOX" 8n.1i -~(..
Zoning Administrator
April 2, 1992
This farm does not consti:ute tne US2 penmit for which application ~as made. If
the application is approved and if no appeal from this decision is filed by any
person. f, r."R or corpora'ti on affected by the dec; sion on or by Apri 1 13, 1992:, you
will recei .... e a cnpy of your permit in the mail. If this application is not
decided to your satisfaction, the decision may be appealed to th~ Plarming
Commission by filing an appeal application with the Planning Department and City
Clerk. on or before the-above-mentioned date.
cc: Joseph M. Colonna
Den Pojanamat, 3295 E1 Camino Real~ Palo Alto, CA 94306
Mildred Holm, 1125 Vienna Drive, SP 173, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Michael lyzwa, 200 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94306
David Chalton, President, Barron Park. Association
VP9Z6.jc
nl/ds.
411/92
Page 2
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BARRON
PARK
ASS 0 CIA TION
PALO ALTO. CALlFORNIA
P-a I 0 /J.,! tee i t Y C~".J fi C i
City ~f Palo A~'c
2:~C I-i..ami ~ tOr1 Ave.
Dear Mayor Fazzi~o a~c Ccunci imembers;
The 8arron Park Association Board, at cur meeting ot M~rc~
17, tg92, lIoted with 'Jn~y 1 di55~nt to oppose the use
~er;'!':it ~or a carorcc:'!', at 32;5 EI Cc,l'.ir.D r::;ea! r.Ow dOIr'g
bU5i~es5 as tne Fe~tec: Catc~ res'~ra~t. I~ vle~ of t~e
appra· .. a~ of the co!",:i ti~r;a1 use perlt1: t 52-Jo-6 we a~e
appea' in; thj", ~ermi t apprt:Jvai Ie 1he C i\j CCl.:-:~i! _ Vie
wi!:h to poi:-.! out tr,.;:d eve~ tho~.Jgh :~e l.~catjci1 :'1'lce!s tr.e
reqt.J1remer.ts for dislail(.e 'rorTe res:dentlai scr,001 c;r
other adult o'-!siness uses, gfor',tirlg c! S'.Jcr-, 2: perrr.i~ LS
not required., it is :::l,-,"ei)r' d~scretionary_ !! May be
denied for ar,y of a ~u"'.~el"" of ~ooc reasor:s. ~r: c;Jorr:..vi"g
the permit the Barron Park. Asso'::aticn bel~eves :na:
discre4tio1"1 was rjO~ properiy used in this lnstance.
As you kt'1o'.' the appeaf;;nce ar:c fL,:r:cticn of EI Camir,o P:eai
has been a concern of Sarrer Par~ resioents fel"" tec~de5,
predating anrH~)(ation ;)t 8arror; Park to Paio t.lt~. We have
made 5tr01"19 and cOTtinuo~s efforts to upgraee a~d i~pro~e
~~e st'~et ~~ich serves as our front deor, a~~ as a ~aior
s"oppit'19 al'Hl s.ervice cer'1ter for I""esiderds, O'o'er t'r'e pas~
15 years tne appeara~ce ar:~ f~~ction or EI Ca~irc has
gradually improved. 7~e eN zore 5ucessf~1 Iy i~tr~d~cec
and nurt~red smal ieT scale, t'1eig~oorhoo: se~vi~g
busi~esses. R~~ev' !comen~ ~as improved ma~y af the sites
g~ older stores (H_~ey Baked ~am excepte~l. The trends
have been positive, ~ut slow, 11,;0'10 t'he "~::Jro'~,"1 of an.otner
car~ roem perpetu3tes exactly tM~ ki1"1~ or i~ace C~ EI
Ca.mino that we ha\le 50Jght 50 hard to ba~ISh.-I~.e
~roximlty at tr.e card rocm to several rr,ctc'is coo..:ld.
encourage prostjtutic~. a prOblem w~ich sporadicai ii
eXl5t5 along El Cami~o in Palo ,o.ltc;, Even editorials '"
the Sa~, Jose MercJry regardi~g t'1ew 8~d ewpat'1ded card r~c~s
it'1 San Jose and Santa Clara ~arned ~t the problems ana
assocl"Iec cr ir:-,.z:, ar,o caul io~eG a;a ir,$t ne';..', lar~~
gameI1r:; estabiis"1i.1erits, Per~aps it tr'1€ ZOr'1ir,~
Acm:risrator r:ad read tne eci tor ia1s ar,c artie: les b~~Gre
grafJ~:~g the usc ;:errr,i1, her dc~i5;O:"', "Ncuid r,avc beG;'
C:iffercr,t.
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We ask that yow f i~d that a~ tnou;n t"e reG~~~~ ~ect5 t~e
mlr'l;muiT'· requ:r:c--:!nts for cistar.-:e trom ct~"r ir.cai:1~atib!e
u~.e!, :hat grantin~ this use perrott wi:l have an ~c\,'er:;;e
i~.pa-::::t on the cornmur,it-y in t~at it is an ur,desirable ,"se.
w! II tend to ~n~erfere witt efforts to uocrade FI Cam',r,o
Rea~, may attract undesirable ele:'1'1ents, a~o::l cegrades ti"e
c·therwi:;e I".igh o.wal it l' jrr,;;ge of Pale AI10 S~:J3."e al".d otr,er
nearby bu!i~eS5e$. We alsc as, that JOu ceny t~e use
permit becau$e gral'1~~ng tl".e per'-1r IS nat necf':!isary h~r
contl~wed enjo)ment of proper,y r ighls of '~e ~pp I 1ca~t.
D~:,:iai ot Irls use p::r~:t 1s leag::.1 ar,o reasor!ab~e.
Grar,li~g rh:: oerr:iit may ;~po::;e a severe neg~ti\'e i:7'-~iHl Cr1
the cOrl'.mur-ity an'; 'Parlicu!a~ly c~hers r:earby 'Nrc "":g"",l
':.JIsh to i,..,:;:;~o ... e and el"lharce tr.jelf proper~.1, b:..Jt WI ,: be
de1erred by the presence cif a card rcc~.
Your5 very truly,
Sarro:: Park A~5cclat ~on
Dave Cnaitcil, Pre~,ider.t
3875 EI Centre
Palo Poitn, Ca. S4.3C€
Soard
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City of Palo Alto Planning Coml1'ission
250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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Pe.rfect Catch Restaurant
3295 EI Camino Real
Palo Alto, California 9430(;
June IS, 1992
Re: AweaI froID the Decision or Zoning Administrator
Application Ie 92-lIP-6
Dear Planning Cummissioners:
The reasons why the appeal ohould be denied and approval "and as recommended by
the Zoning Administrator along ·»ith the Staff are the foUmving:
1. The operation of a Commercial Recreation use (cardroom) in association with an
e:dsting restaurant in Zone District CS meets all regulatory requirements set fonh
by the City Poiice and zoning regulations. Cardrooms are legal in Palo Alto.
2. No additional building square foot.ge is requested. Toe proposed change is to the
interiors along with landscape modifications. The existing on-site parkir:.g is ample
for the change in =.
3. Very few places meet zonlttg requirements far a cardr()om within Palo AJto. Ibis
location does.
4. The OW11er has been a Palo Alto resident siriCe 1979 and bas personally operated a
business 'The Perfect Catcb Restaurant" for 13 years. (Please see attached letter,)
5. Owner bas satisfied all Cirj and State regulato,), requirements for gaming
registration.
6. Palo Alto is a diversified community with a stratified racial and cultural make·up,
Card playing is an acceptable form of behavior and for a number of cultures within
the Palo Alto community ic is an equivalent of a soda! club.
7. Cardrooms have an extraordinary amount of regulation that provide for fair, safe.
and fun g"-'!ling.
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Palo Aito Planning Commission
June 15.1~2
Pagel
8. The Baroo Park Association appt"~1 is largely bru.ed lm p~ejudice towards
cardrooms and on llfl..substantiated behavior purpo;ted to be associated with card
players.
9. Due to tbe location of Perfect Catch Restaurant at 3295 El Camino Real 31J.y
'impact on Barol! Park would be indire.ct.
10. Cardrooms in fact combat crime by not .ailovd.ng the abuse ofpliiying card~ due to
strict enforced re~uTatioru.
The Operation oreard Pla)ing
1. Call cardroom for reservations/',\o"hat game, when does it start.
2. Reservation is confirmed on a board for all players t'.) see.
3. Player comes at rese::ved time and purchases chips (cash is not allowed).
4. There is a dealer at every table who is an emplOyee of the (,lwner and who ar..swers
to t1:e floor manager.
5. The dealer is paid by the hour plus tips.
6. The cardroom has a :"Ioor manager who judges questions issues and concerns
posed during the game.
7. The floor manager is empJoyed by the ov.ner and is resporu.ibTe to the club
manager,
8. The club manager is employed by the owner and is directly rosporlSlble to the
owner.
9. The players are allowed to quit any time.
10. Upon leaving the game a player will take chips to the ca'llnier for a cash checkout
11. A player has the option for a promise note from the cashier ,", .. hic!:J he can return
with the following day to cash.
12. A security guard can escort a player to a vehicle plus provide seo!rlty in and
around the building.
13. How.e can deny service to anyone.
14. Video camera security ;vil, be [n place.
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alIPl ·.o·, P 0 Alto a:unng t..brrurusslDn
June 15, 1992
Page 3
Reasons why people play in cardrooms
1. Amusement,. sociallme.raction, and dub atmOS!,hel'e.
2 .
3.
4.
Challenge, ~Dmpetition, and test of skills.
For many prayers [t s.er.es as a [eiief of tension and pressure of day·-o-day tire.
The cardroom is a safe and regulated environment as opposed to playing at
someone's house where there could be; janger and no a.55urance of collecting
winnings.
5. Standardized procedll!'e, including food and beverage service.
The expected cardroom pat:on.~ 'WiH be men and women typicaliy 40 yea!. old and cider,
employed and Uving in surrounding ueighborhoods.
In order to ga:n the Palo Alto Zoning Administrators approval for a carCiroom wbicb
\\'& granted Apnl 2, 1992 the fo!Jo"W'ing as-encies were involved tn a selies of extensive
meetings. Police Departmel".t, City Plana'1mg Depanment, City Attorney
(interdepartmental routing: Fire Department, Building Department, Public Works,
Traffic, etc.), ABC (Alcohol and Beverage Commission), Caliiornia Depanment of
Justice bureau of Investigation Gaming Registration.
A meeting witit neighbors and interested pames was held at 7PM on ThurSday, March 5,
1992 at The Perfect Catch Restaurant
Since filing of the appeal ,',ted April 10, 1992 by ill. Baron Park Association the owner
and ill. architect met with the Baron Park representatives on Tuesday, Mar 19. 1992 at
7:30PM at Creekside!nn in PaIo AHa in the hope of coming to terms with ISsues raiseti
by the appellants. The appellants were not fle:"ble or ",!ling to accept any offers or
provide proposals of the" own for a cardroom approval.
The cardroom operation i.s largeiy based on the owner z.nd hi; commitmell~ to a clean..
legaL and fur. establishment. J haire been a Palo Alto resident since j 979 and have
owned and operated. business in this dly for 13 year'. r ask that the Palo Alte flanning
Co!DJTIission support the City Staff and the Zoni~ Administrator's decision for the
approval of a cardroom in a.."Sociation v--i th my ex!.Sting restaurant
Sin\:erely yours.
~~~" /;j'M'~/
Den Poj:ma:ma~ Owner
The Perfect Catch Restaurant
Enclosure
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Mr. Dell Pojanar::,at
2604 Marshall Dr! .... ·'e
Falo Alto. CA 94303
October 31. 1991
Mr. Den Pojanamat is a distmg'Jished member of the Palo AJto communjt)'
where he has been a resident since-:979, He 01,1,715 and operates an a"o\,rard
wiIJ.D.i.ng restauram called the ~Perfect Catch" located at 3295 El Camino Real in
Palo Alto. ,Mr. Pojanamat's ',Jrou!: Noi is businesswom..cm and they have a son and
a daughter both attending Palo Nta schools.
Den is the epitome of "America is the land of opportunity". Having arrived in
the United States in 1965 at tr.e age of seventeen be immediately began io'.'0fking
as a dishwasher in a restaurant. VO/orking his 1,1,;ay up to become a prominent
chd.la~er a manager and evenLUC'!lly a su.ccessful businessman and a proven
entrepreneur.
Since the 1989 earthquake the economy in Northern Caiifornia has been shaky.
\Ve all know that dunng the past 12 to 18 mcmths we have been in a major
recession which many experts claim is the worst ever in this region. The
restaurant busines:~ for Mr. Pojanarnat has taken a severe financial beating (a£
in.dicated in the enclosed financial ~tatemcnt) and Mr. Pojanamat is in danger
of being forced to dose his restaurant.
Tbere is an existing 18 year lease agreement between Mr. Pojanamat and the
oq.'Der at 3295 EI Camino ReaL O .. er 500 thousand dollars has been invested in
the past few years by Mr. Pojanamat in order to build a new parking lot and
improve tile build;ng housing the restaurant .
Mr. Pojanamat would like to convert his resiaurant (the Perfect Catch) into a
gaming facility which w0uid ~eature a card room, game m~chines. and fast food.
Thts is aIlowe,d under the current zoning regulations of the City of Palo Nto
governing the existing property. Mr. Poj2namst is very conf:dent that this
co[]\o'ersion from a restaurant to a gaming establishmem wO:.lld not only sa .... e his
busine:)S but create flJture employment opponl.lru·ues and a larger tax base for
the City of Palo AIto. A .. a Fab Alto resident he desires to wlJrk in full
collaboration with the Pa!o Alto City regulations, neighbors and interested
citizens in order for this conversion 10 occur.
Re$-pectful1y submitted,
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Michael M, Lvzwa, Ai ..
Principal, Arc~hDn
"-,:~
STAFF WILL RESPOND
February 25. 1992
Perfect C •. tch RestaunI't
2195 El Camino Real
o
Palo Alto, California 94306
Dear Mr. Poj am\mat,
OfflC!: CF THE em ~ ANAG Ell
I like you.r restaurant but am dismaye~ at your p!ans to conven a portion of your
establishment into a -cardroom. I live on Emer~on Street and my place of employment is
vtry close to yo'...!! restaurant. I feel tb.at .a cardroom will down grade youT resour-ant and
and the surrounding bu:;inesses areG, and affect !.he residenlial area belween EI Camino Real
and Park: A.venue negatively. also t..'1e neighborhood park. 110\.111 no longer patror,ize your
restaura'1t if yo!..': go through with this plan.
\Vhlle the recession no doubt also affected your business, I feel the addition of a caT'·jroom
is not the soiutiO!1. Jt m.ay temporarily give yol.l an additional customer base but it will drive
others away, especially your business clients. There is then a good chance that the card
room section will be increaset:l 2t the expense of the restaurant. In a couple of years the City
of Palo Alto may e .... en lind ~hat there is ::.nOLle! card room and no res.=aurat\t at 2195 EI
Ca.'1lioo Real.
I wish you great success in your restaurant b;.:siness venture but strongly objecl to the
proposed card room,
Sincerely, fL-t~~
Annelie Myers
2215 Emerson
Palo Alto. CA 94301
cc -Members of the Palo Alto City Cou:Jcil
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~~~l!_I_~L RESPO~D
February 25. i 992
Perfect Catch Restaurant
219:5 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CaJifoml2 94306
Dear t..lr. Poj anarr.ar,
As a Pale Alto resident, businessmafl and owner of property close to your Perfect Catch
Restaurant I wish to voice my objection to your plan to CQn'\.'eri a portion of your [e$t.aur~'1t
tCJ a card room.
The City of PaIo A]to does e,ot need another card room. I wiB no longer eat al your
restaurant or take clients or visitors to your restaurant if you install a cardroom. A cardroom
will do nothing to upgrade tile neighborhood a..'"1d can only affect if negarl\'ely.
{I_ery truly yours,
Iii r.. I ~-,1t-,1 ~~ -l')M,I.I/""" lb. K v,'hea,1ey I
2240 Cowper Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
cc -The Honorable Major of t..'1e City of Palo Alta
-Palo Al~o City Council
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RrCHARD M. JA.COBSEN , .
~<l' SOUTH".MPTO"," ORIVE i
p".x, ,o".:ta C"LI";...'R~<I'" 9")03
M..(. Den PQja~am3t
Perfect Catch Restaurant
J~95 El Carein~ Real
Palo Alto, CA 943C~
Dear Mr. Pcjanamat,
I ,_, , '
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~_~ ',0
;-J,~LO !.,LT~'!
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!-:arc~ 2, 1SOS2
I received J'our letter of feb::-uar:z' 13th, r'egarding your desire to
convert a portiDrj cf your restua:rant to a cardrocl:;';. I a::1 w'ritina
to let you kno ..... that I am nCot in favcr of that proposal. I hay';
patronized your restaurant for many, many years. ~ appreciat'2 the
quality of the fooo s€t"vice '."hich you deliVer ard the personnel
wbic'h you e::-plo]'.
I have notice-d, for SQme time.. th~t the patronage of YDU!"
restaurant at noontime seems to be low€r than you ~ight hope for.
I .also eat 2t !!',an)' cf the surrounding restaurer.ts in the.
neighborhood. Your patronage is, fro7!1 :my obser-vation, at a level
that's lower than is cons:stent ....,ith other restal..rants in the
neigt.bo::-hood. r have tried to evaluate why that ll'.ight be and, in
the: process, considered r.y o' • ..-n decisions re9ardlng where I eat. I
have observed that your ~enu seer.:s to changlC! very 1 ittle mO:lth to
month. I have often wiShed I could get a sirople tuna sandwich or
a bowl of soup (other-than cho1.,der). It see~s to r,'je, that if YC':..i
\r.'ould broaden you.r rnel1U some ...... hat., and change parts cf l.t a bit ~ore
fr€quently~ you might be able to attrGct c larger clientele.
I only mention this because I appreciate the service that you have
provided for the ,-:or:ununity ar.d an, anxious tl':at you becor1e !':',cre
succes~ful. I a5su~e ttat your desir-e tc ha'~e a car-droam is an
.atte:r.pt to l::-:prove the profit a",j incc:"'e ger.e::ateo irc-;:'; you::
business on that site.
In roy cpinion, a car-drco::-would be det.cil,ental tQ t:r.e neighbcrhood.
r think it brings in an e1 e-rr:ent and a.i. atmospnere tr.at is
undesirable. If a carcroom we:-e incorporated as pa.!'t of your
restaurant, I would no longer patronize it.
I hope that you choose to try to impr-ove the profitability of your
business in some at[ler ,,"'dy. I look fon:a!"d to cont ir,uj r,g to
support your ver-y fine e:3.'t.ing establ ish~eTit..
cc: Zoning Adrninistratcr, Cit)' of Palo Altc,
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DEPARTMENT OF PLA~'ji"'tll'l ...
CHYOF PALO MTO
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STEPHEN S. HERRICK
3000 SAND HILL ROAD
BUILDING 1, SUITE 21 0
MENLO PARK. CALIFORNIA 94025
415 854-4400
March 3, 1992
Ms. Nanc) Lytle
Zoning Aerninistrator
City or Palo Alro
Planning Depa:'trnent
Civic: Center
Palo Alto. CA 94306
Re Cardroom Proposal by Perfect Catch Restaurant
I am the owner of 450 and 411 Lambert Avenue. I am opposed [0 the concept of
the Perfect Catch Restaurant adding a cardroom to the Er ex:i sting restau.rant for the
fonowing fom reasons:
1. Approximately two years ago, when I was looking: for a tenant for 451)
Lamben,1 had. proposal of. pool hal1. This was a well financed effon. ""d
they showed .considerable interest in modifying the building to make it
suitable. I decided it would be an unacceptable use, and a1so thought the
neig.hbors would not endorse a pool hall.
2. CardrOOO'lS have typically ato-acted increased crime in a neighborhood.
Since Palo Alto already has some cardrooms I C4:[iIlOt see the need to add
more. Most citizens of Palo Alto are alreadj' concerned with the crime rate,
Any additional revenr..ie that the cardroom might create for the cit} would
probably be offset by the additional costs of policing the area.
3. The area already has. increased tratr.c WiL~ the addition of Fry's, which is a
good use. I would be reluctant to see addilional traffic increases due to a
cardroom.
4. I do not ttink this wouid eru-.ance the nejghborhood. In the sixteen years
[have owned the two properties en Lambert I have been very p1eafed to
,.aiL
.see the area improve, and have been proud to do my share of improvements.
I would find it unfortunate to see this trend reverse direction.
Mar<h 3, :992
Page 2
In conclusion, as a business olNner and one who hdps companies create value in
businesses,] think it would be a shame:o see a quality restaurant, the Perfect
('..arch, add a second bu.s.iness. This woui.d distract rn<l.!l2.gement from their mam
purpose. It would. in all :i.kelihood. cause some loss of clientele who are not
interested in going into a refo.tauran! th;!t ha'i a cardroom attached.
I strongly urge the City of Palo Aha not to approve: the use as a cardrooilL
Srephen B. Herrick
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/} . -'I' ~I I ,:; .J J.~ A-'7;...r "I ."
()f'r1CE" U THE CITY MANAGE~
-71 e !.f:P,"" /~ 'lr1c.'1C" ,1F -,tho" ('~1 c/ h'/~ /:,;i)
/p
~ t-IY: __ C~\\
L,::)t\-dc,-BG~)~J(I)l_
li77 Amarillo Avenue #8
Palo Alto 94303
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Zoning Administr~tor
City of Palo AI" ~
Civic Center
250 Hamilton Aven~e
Palo Alto, CA 94301
{[j) ~ ~ ~ Pff ~ffi)
~ MAR 10 1992
oePA~eNT OF pLA...:NING
CIT\, OF PALO ALTO
March 5, 1992
RF.: Application -Perfect Catch Restaurant
Dear Zoning Adl':1ir,istr-a';:
I have becorr:e aware that the owner of the Per-feet catch
Restaurant at 3295 E:L CattinG Real, Palo Alt,:::/, is applying to open
a card room at that location. to,'hy encourage such a LIse dt the edge
of the Stanford Research Park a~d so close to the V~iverslty?
The introduction of a card room will detirntely dO'.m-grade the
er.~ire area. Many businesses in the PF.l;lo Alto Sq;Jare-HanSeI". 'h~a::,
area rely on good resti'lurants within 'Io'alking distanc<2:5 of their
office, and I fe~. that ~llD~ing the introduction of a cdrd roo~ at
t~i5 site will introduce an element of seediness that will down
grade the image of th~ area and this facil i ty in particular.
We n.t;-ed to increase and enJ:ar.ce all aspects of our community
and not introduce a ga~bling activity in an area where none e~isted
before.
I recommend disapproval cf thiOl'=. propc,se-:: use.
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The Mayor
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
P.O. Box \ 0250
Palo Alto CA 94303
Dear Mr. Mayor,
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280 Wav2rley Street
Palo Alto CA 94301
r-.arch 10 1 1992
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ffi)~e[~w~[ID
IN MAR 12 1992
DEPARTMENT Of PW'NING
CITYOF P.4.LO AlTO
! write in support of the appli~ation for a cardroom Ijcen~e for The Perfect Catch restaurant located at 3295
El Camino R~al, Palo Alto CA 94306.
Cc: Nancy Maddox Lytle, Zoning Administrator
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BARRON
PARK
ASSOCIATION
PALO ALTO, CALIroRNIA
Nancy Ly~e, Zontng Administrator
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton. Avenue
Palo Alw, CA 94301
Dear Nancy:
rm ~ ~ [ ~ ~ \Eill)
lI\\ ~AA 20 1992
D!;PARlMEN1 01' j>~\~G
CITY OF PilLO ALTO
Maroh 18, 1991
The Barron Park Association Board of DirEo:tors last night voted overwhelmingly to
oppose the application for i1 Conditional Use Permit to allow the Perfect Catch
Restaurant at 3295 EI Camino Real to convert part of the restaur~nt to a "Card
Room"'. The reasons for the BPA's opposition to this application for the Ccnditional
Use Penni:t are as follows:
• 1'he addition of anot.h.er "Card Room"' on EI Camino south of Page Mill Road
does not help to improve the appE'arance of El Camino~ enhance the
commercia! viabilitYr or promote a neighborhood and community DTlentatiO:1
of the establishments OTt L~is pmtion of El Camino Real. It is the BPA's firm
goal to promote retail uses along the El Camino Real.
• The BPA has fought hard over the-y-ears to remove and keep out "Adult" uses
along El Camino ReaL Over the years there have been many problems caused
by the "Adult" uses in this area. Even though this particular locatiun is not next
to a residential area, it is in an area t..rlat our routh \',:alk or ride to other
businesses, such as Fry's Elecrrcn1cs.
• The BPA has r€guested that the amortiZation of the Cameo Club not be
extended. as the majority of the Board of Directors does not feel that ibis
establishment has any redeeming sodal or community benefit.
The opposition to issuance of this Condit-ionai use Permit by the BPi\ Board of
Directors was so overwhelming that the Board also voted thJt ~f the Conditional
Use Permit for tJ,e Card Room is approved, the BPA ",,·ouid app.:a! tJ-..is decl'5ion.
SmcNt?ly Yours~
£ludfi~
David Chalton
President, Barron Park Assoclation
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CIT! ~F PALO ALTO
DEPA'I~tNl OF PLANNINa '~D COMMUNITY EHV1RDNHEN1
TO: Bul1ding tnspE:'ction -Gail Schui er
Fire-D€'partrr,ent -Ph i 1 (orrs tan t f no
Fire (Haz Mat) -Jim fimko
Utilities En91~€ering -Taha fattah
PW OtL/Trees -Mi ba Mll 1 er/Dave Sandage
~ -m f' 'Tc-r,,., FI:::>ch.2r
APPLICATION NO: 1 d-::JJP-£
Publ ic Works -Dave Matson
Trar.spcrtation -Carl St~ffe1
Utilities (Ent!rgJ' Ser~ices) Harc Estrada
Water-{ias -Was.t.ewater -Jose JO\l~l
Zoning -
FROM: Plarmlng Department
SUBJECT, _ 3 ~ '1 S -,=£"-'....1 --,C"-"",, M , " " iJL a. ,--I ________ _
TYPE OF APPLrCATICH, ErA ARB SIT!: 1 DESI6~ ZONE CHA/4G E HIE
~ YARIANCE PARCEL !lAP SUBDIYISION
Your evaluation and corrrnents regardif'1S t!'1e proposed project are rt!que$ted.
The co~ents may bt! quoted in a staff report to the Cvmmissl0n a~d Council.
Please da not mark up the p1iln, as it will be useq by the Commissian, Please
return the plans and your COlTlTlents to M,_~ __ ~ __ ~ by ;J-Il If no
coments are rEceived by this date, lrI/oe~assume that the p1ans are
acceptable.
COI1ltENTS,
No corrment at this time, pe!lcting appr'Jval t.y the Sta:e of California ~~tO:i·'';:y
General's Offic€.
Reviewed" by:
White Copy;
Yellow Copy:
Pink Copy;
Planning Department Copy (Return to Planning Department)
Return to Planning Dc~,artment (Mailed to Applicant)
Reta ined b,/' department respondi n9
Route/MB
R.,ised 8/13/9J
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PALe ALTO, CALIFORNIA
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· CITY OF PALO ALTO
250 HAMilTON AVENUE
PALO ALTO, CAUFORNIA 9~303
ATTENTION: PlANNING DEPARTMENT
D.:';""! :::"7,. ~~\;: c~~ PL.-a,;\J)\;WG
CjT';i CF FA!..O ALTO
I AM TOTALlY DISGUSTED WITH THE e lTV OF PAlO ALTO AFTER LNiNG
IN EiARRON PARK FOR 42 YEARS --TO THINK THAT YOU WOULD EVEN
CONSIDER AllOWlNG A CARD ROOM AFTER THE PROBLEMS WE HAD (AND
STILL HAVE) WITH THE PROSTITUTES AND DRUG ACTIVITIES THAT GO
ON IN THE VENTURA AND BARRON PARK AREAS. THIS SHOULO NOT BE
ALLOWED Ao"40 MAYBE IF THE OWNER OF THE PERfECT CATCH 13 y-~
AGO HAD HAD FISH ON THE OPENING NIGHT HE MIGHT HAVE A BETTER
BUSINESS.
I Will VOTE VERY CAAEFLIU. Y FOR THE efTY COUNClL IN THE FUTURE AND
MAKE SURE WHERE THEY 00 RESIDE IN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO -fM SURE
NOT ONE OF THEM lNE IN THE AREAS MENTiONED ABOVE. TKE CITY OF
PALO ALTO IS FORCING GOOD BUSINESSES OUT ON EL CAMINO REAL AND
NOW YOU WANT TO BRING IN SlEEZY PEOPLE TO WAlK OUR STREETS AGAJN
wmiOUT REGARD FOR CHILDREN WHO lNE HERE, AND HOME OWNERS.
I WOUlD UKE n-tE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MR. JOE C<X.ONNA WHO HAD THE
GAUL TO STATE ·OUR OPINION WAS THAT IF WE ARE TO ALLOW CARD
ROOMS, THIS WOULD BE THE BEST PlACE IN THE CITY FOR fT". HE NEEDS
TO BE DISCHARGED FROM HIS POSITION AS CITY PLANNER ALO:llG WrTH
THE DlSCl-IARGE OF ALl COUNCiL MEMBERS WHO FA 'IORED THE PROPOSAL
~y ~~s"7
4013 AMARANTA AVENUE
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
CC:BARRON PARK ASSOCIA lION
Palo Alto City co~ncl1
2!50 Hamilton Aver,ue
P~lo Alto, CA '4301
PeaT Council M~m~~rs:
July 7, 1992
We are opposed to the Installation of a ·card room~ for legalized
,~mbl~ng at the II'Perfect Catch Resta.urarlt" sInce It "ill make EI
camino in Palo Alto Jess attractive snd not solve the
reSl&tH-ant' 5 ~robl'!m. Suct. a use will discourage upscate
busJnesses and improvements as have: been established In Menlo
Pa.rk ~nd Mountain View.
It Js sad to see palo Alto look as shabby as :; does alan! the
Royal Road of the peninsula, but a ·card room" would exascerbate
the problem. Also, the same constitutional loglc that excludes
gamblJng casinos, etc. frvm $o'Jth Lake Tah-oe should certainly
apply to legalized gambling in resldp.ntJal Palo Alto.
We are ~onti1ent that the Council a.nd PiGnnJng Comm[ssion wIll
1ind a way to solve this problem for Palo Alto and the declining
restaurant.
very truly yours.
~ CC: Palo Alto Planning Commlsslon
Margare1 & Lawrence BeTte
1160 Harker Avenue
Palo Alto, CA S430l
('I}) 322-248)
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