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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0513.091November 21, 1391 HONORABLE CIry COUNCIL Palo Alto 1 California Members of the Council: ]'J:PORT IN BHI,F On October 31), 1991, the Plannil'1g Comrn~ssion recc'llmenQ.ed ~ppro\'al of a vest~ng tentative map t~ merge four e~isting parcels into one parcel and to resubdi¥ide the property i~to one corldominiu~ parcel with 19 airspace units. Pl~NIHNG _t;9MMISSION ~CTiON The PTanni:'19 Commission voted 4-] (Huber and ~lazier absent) to recommen<l approval of t.he vesting tentative map, 'With minor amendments to three conditions of approval. The Commission amended condition 4 to remove the phrase "i~ the .icinity of" to c1arify that the tree protection requirement only applies to those trees on the project site. They also amended condition 7 to require the applicant to use reclaimed ~ater for dust ~o~trcl. cor.sistent with Public works Department pol icy. Condition 8 was amended to require the installation of the right-turn-only sign and stop sign before the commencement of construction activity. Planning (ommis~ion recommends that the City Council approve the vesting tEntativ~ map subject to the following findings a~d revised conditions (rev;s'ons are in jtallc). Subdivision findings !. That the project, as proposed, wnl n('lt have a s"ignifical1t impact on the en",lroom~f'lt. in that Hie project has been desigf\l;d to decrocil:se the visual impact. minimize energy con$~mption. retJin a majority of existing mature trees, and reduce parking and automobile impacts. as shown in the Negative Declaration adopted by the City Council on D~cember 10, ]990. 2. That the design of the project is consjstent with tha (ity's Comprehensive Plan objectives and conlpatible with the immediate CMR:513:91 3. Q ellvironment. in thJt t~e prcpos~d project ~ornplies ~ith Program 9 and former Program 12: (now Prn~rarr. 13) of the Housing Element by prollidiflg a net gain {Jf 13 housing units including three BMR units, '!nd is de .... elo,ped at a scale which is c~mp2tib'e ~;th surrounding uses. In accordance with Palo Alt~ Municipal Code. Section 21.12.090~ the prop~sed subdjvision, as conditioned, together ~ith the prov:~ion for its design and improvement, compl'es a~d is consistent ~~th the provisions of State law and t~e Palo Alto Municipal Code, including Sectio~s 66473.5 and 66474 of the GOllernment Cod~, in that the site is physically suitable, is zoned for the type cf density of the proposed development, and there are no conflicts ~\th existins or proposed public easemerlts. Subdivision Ccnditions 1. Prior to the recordation of the final map, t~e subdivider shall !nt~r into a subdi~ision agreement ~ith th~ City of Palo Alto that addresses the fol1owin9 issues. a. Tne subrlivider s~all provide three BM~ units a~ follows: two 852- square-foot units at $90,500 pach, and one 1.21J-square-foat unit at SI03,500, 1n the locitions specified by the approved ARB plans and in accordance with the negotlated agreement. b. The s!lbdi'l'1der shall replace all curb, gutter. sidewa1k. and street trees along the El Camino Way frontage ~r. compliance .... itts all City standards. The subdivider shall exte-nd the El Camino Way island in a m?nner acceptllb1e to the Transportation Division staff. that will discourage vehicles from making U-turr.s from £1 Camino Way into the project. These impro~ements shall be guaranteed by bond or other form of security acceptable to t~e City Attorney. c. The subdivider shall be responsible for installing all storm drai~age impro~ements~ water and sewer mains. and services, including any ~equired off·site upgrades, to the satisfaction of th~ Utilities and PubliC Werks Department staff. These improvements shal1 be guararJteed by bond or other form of security acceptable to the City Attorney in ~ form approv~d by the City Attorney. d. The subdiwider shall design and install all electrical utilities in accordance with the City of Palo Alto standardS, including providing under'ground utilities, to the satisfaction of the light and Power Oi~ision staff. 2. Prior to filing the fi!1al map 1j/it~. the c.ity, the subdivider shall submit an apprQved improvement pl an, inchldi n9 p'Jbl i c impro~ements and a final drainage plan, to the satisfaction cf the Public \IIorks Department staff. CMR:513:91 p: \l;mr'410J ","cb.)C 1l/ZI/91 Page 2 • 3. ;.;..:..._ .... ',"""--""---,,-_.,-... --"- PriJr to submitting the final map with the City, t~e subdivider shall work with the Utiliti~s D~p~rtment st~ff to determl~e all ~tility des,gn and cap3citj requirements including water~ se\rler~ gas, electric. phone, and cab1e facilities. The project shall be lim~ted to single-service laterah for sewer, \r\Iater~ and gas. ,1),11 utllity phi1s shall be approved by the UtilHies., Water, Ga:; and Sewer DO:O,:lartment staff befo':'"e the final map is reco~ded. 4. All existing trees (;n the site shall remain, as defined by the approved landscape plan. and shall be protected in accordance with the measures established in the ARB co~ditions of approval for the project. 5. The project shall be constructed in compliance with all plans and conditions e-stablished in the ARB appl"oval. 5. All construction activities s~all comply with the provisions of the Noise Ordinance. Chapter 9,10 of the Palo Alto MuniCipal Code. 7. To reduce dust levels during construction, the subdiYlder shall ensure that eKposed earth sUI-faces are watered frequently during the late morning and the erd of the d<lY. 'With frequency of watering increasing on windy days. Rec1air/~€d water, in accordance "it,~ Public Works Department policies, shan be us~d for thrs PiJrpose. All streets and haul routes shall be cleaned daily. The subdivider shall enSUfe that spillage resulting from hauling operations along or 2cro)s any public or private property shall be re:!1o.'ed i;:;ii102diately and paid for by the contractor. The subdivider shall also ensure that dust nuisances originatin9 from the contractor's operations, either inside or outSide the rignt-of-way. shall be controlled at the contractor's expense. 8. A 24 ~ 24-inch standard stop sign and a rignt-turn-on1y sign shall be installed on the right-hand side of the driveway at the back of the sidewalk, to the sati~faction of the Transportation Division staff. prior to start af constn,ction activfties. 9. The applicant s~al1 grant a 6-foGt-~ide pedestrian easement 310ng the rear (ncrtheln) property line, .. dthin the e:.dsting Santa Clara Valley Water District access easement, for t~e use of ~e.destrii:r.ns and emergency ~ehic1es ass~c;ated w4th any mixed U5e or residential development w~ich may be appro'.red at 3981 El Cami r.o Rea1. 'Thi s easement shal1 be dedicated through an agreeme~t bet~een the subdivider and thE owner of the property at 3981 E1 Camino Real. which shall be reviewed and appro .... ed by thE City Attorney. and which shall be recorded with the final map at the County of Sa~ta Clara. 10. Prior to filing the final ma~, t~e applica~t shall obtain Santa Cl~ra Valley Water District appro~'al to grant a six-foot-\l/ide pedestrian and emergency ~ehicle easement, ~hi(h is coincident to an existing flood control easement along the rear (northern) property line. CMR:51l:91 ~: \.:mr \42 C.J.a;:c-bo. j<: ---._-'-" 11/21/91 r.ge 3 ,j 'j I '1 I ! .. 1], Prior tQ filing the final m~p, YelTey Water District approval control channel. t~e applicant shall obtain Santa Clara for drainage into the adjacent flood Respectfully submitted, lrt-()l.~ iJOSEPH M. COLONNA . ~S$OCiate Plannes t:J,;/~d' ;[ .//"( ;u:~? \\£ . ~ING~'7r l. Assistant City ~er KENNETH R. SCHP,rIB£R Director of Planning an~ Community Environment Attachments: Planning Commission staff report, dated October 25, 1991 Vesting Tentative Hap (Counc~l Members only) cc; Architectural Revle~ Board Barron Park Association Mr. George Remsberg, Lightner Property froup Deny Petrosian, 443 Venture ~,venue 1'2, Palo A1to, (A 94306 lois VanderbeeK, 736 Barron Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Bob Moss, 4010 Drme Street. Palo Alto, CA 94306 Jane DeKoven, 421 Jacobs Court, P~lo Alto, CA 94306 Gary Breitbard, 740 San Jude A,,'en.u.:o, Pi~O Alta, CA 94306 Herb Scrod., 2731 Byron Stre.et, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Geor'iJe Smith, 390 Maciane Street, Palo .6.Ho, ell. 94306 Brian DDnovan. 4054 Wilkie ~'Y, Palo Alto. CA 94306 CMR:5l3:g1 p: \~r-\4:2\lJac(l!J, jc !l/21!9l Page 4 • ",:' , I~< . -... , ~. "--" -"'-.~'-"''''''''' "" .... · .. '°_ ...... 1.'_ ... / . . -") -"City of Yalo }lito ~ 0 ~OK lO~50 TO: PALO ALTO PlANHlNG COMMISSION PREPARED BY: Jo,eph~. Colonna DATE: October 25, 1991 RfPORT IN BRIEf: 420·461 Jacobs Court: Application for approv.l of. ve,ti'9 tentative map to ~erge four existing parcels into Dne parcel and to resubdivide the property into one condominium parcel witM i9 airspace units, .En..virQnmental Assess".nt: A Negative Declaration (90·EIA-26) was approved by the City Co"nci1 on December 10, 1990 (mjnutes attached). File Nos.: 91-SUB-2, 90-EIA-26 APPLICATION INFORMATION Appiicant: Type of Application; SITE INFORMATION !llmir: Assessor's Parcel Numbers: Comprehensive P.lan Designation: Existing Land Use: EXjsting Zoning~ Parcel Size: Peninsula Tcwnhomes Associates 254 Santa Paula A¥enue San Francisco 1 CA 94127 Vesting Tent.tive SubdiviSion Map Application received 8-22-91 Application complete ]0-7·91 Mandatory action deadline 11-10-91 Jacobs (ourt Associates 355 Santa Rita A'JE:nUt! PalQ A1 tQ, CA 94301 132-43-140, 150, 151 Mult iple-familY resident; a1 Six s;n~le·family homes RH-I5 54.479 square ffet Page 1 10/25/91 • "' , , pROJECT INFORMATION Pro1ect History: 0., April 24, 1990 an application was submitted proj:losing i Comprehensi'Je Pian Amendmer.t For U,is site to I:-e changed from Sing1e-family R€sidential to Multiple-Family Residential, and for the site to be rezoned from R-2 to RM-1S. On July ~5, 1990, the Plannir.g Commission unanimously recorrmenr1ed den1o::1 of the appl ication. On December 10, 19£:0, the appl ication was heard by the City Counti1 and appro~ed by i vote of 6-3. On May 17, 1990, the Architectural Revie", B~ard (ARB) re~ie\Jied a preliminary proposal for 19 condominium units on the site. A final AR8 appl ication was submitted em February 1,1991. lne pr~jp.ct was approved, witt1. conditicms, by the ARB on March 21, 1991, and forwarded to the City Council on MQy 20 t 1991~ At tnat hearing, t~e Council continued the item and referred it b2Ck to the ARB for approval of numerous details. The City Council also relieved the applicant from a prell i ous1 y ; mposed condi t i on t hat they ,-,oul d be required to prall; de an addit ional below·market-rate (BMR) unit, if the project '!Jrfere approved after August 1, 1991, in order not to penalize the applicant for the delay in project approval caused by the return to the ARB. At the July 18, 1991 ARB meeting, the ARB r~vie'Wed and approved (3-1, Maser ab$entJ the arr.hitectural detai 1 sand 1andscape plan. On August 19. 1991, the ARB application was retl~rMd to the Cit), Council and approved {6-1, Andersen and Kniss absent) with conditions. Project Descripticn: This project is i request for approval of a vesting: tentative map to merge four eX"istir,g parcels and resubd1.\jjde the property into one condominium parcel ",ith 19 airspace unitL The approved ARB application includes demolition of six existing single·family ~omes ... hich ire currently vacant. The applicant propoo;es to develop tne site with three, two-story buildings divided into 19 units with access from £1 Cart)i.no Way. The project includes tnre~ BMR units. Tw~ BMR units are provided at the front of the site. T~ey share a single detached 9arage~ The t~ird BMR and remaind~r of the market rate units have attached garages that face the central access driveway. ANAL VSISIISSUES During the publ ic hearings en the Zone: Cht:.ngejComprehei1s;ve Plan Amendment and ARB app1icatiCrns for this project the fonowing issues of concern w~re raised: i. Traffic 1mpacts on £1 (amino Real and El Camino way; b. Vehicular access to the site; c. Pedestr~an access to the site; and d. Loss of existing housing. Specific conditions were incorporated into the project approval to respond to these concerns. The same conditions have been incorporated into the conditions of approval for this subdivision application. P '\JC\42OJ~ab.jc Page 2 10/25/91 , r , j I 1 I I ... L , ,-~-,.>.,..---~--........ ~-~ .. '- Traffj c Impacts ~v~t comments regarding the hazards of the intersectlon between [) Camino Real and E1 Camino Wi)' centered on illegal and dangerous driving practices. Residents of the Barron Park. area not€c that vehicles rurming r€d li9htS and drhing on the left side of the El Camino Way island cause trafflc hazards. HiS project is ~ot expected to signifir:antly increase the nUlr.ber of illegal driliing practices in the area. Th~ project has been designed so that the two-way driveway lS centared on the frontage of the site to deter illegal left-hand-turns on the wrong side of the island. This project is conditione~ to requir~ the applicant to e,ect a right-turn-only siljn at the site's exit. Similarly, there was concern t~at residents and visitors of the project will im:rease the number of tllegal u-turns around t~e fl Camino Way island~ which save motorists time at He expense of increased risk. of accident. The City Council conditioned the approval of the ARB application on the exte~sfon of the isiand, subject t<l Transportation Div"jsion lpproYal. in i manner that wou1d deter people from making u-turns. The Tra~sportation DiVision finds the extension of the island feasibie and the ili1piementation of that improllement is li:ited as a condition of the subdivis1cn. Vehicu' ar Access The site has frontage on both E.1 Camino Way arid Wilkie iliay. The project has been developed wlth all vehicu1ar acc~ss from f1 Camino Way as it is for the current development. The Transportation Division analysis projects only a 0.3 percent increase in traffic at the c:l Camino Rea""ijLos Robles intersection. This additional traffic would not be a perceptible ~n.crease ever current levels. Exclusive access to the site from lrIiHie Way would result in a 16 percent increase in average daily t~i;s en residential streets. This alternative was rejected in favor of neighborhood concerns over increased traffic and parking on those reSidential streets. Pedestrian Actess The project will have pedestrian access from both El Camino ~ay and Wllki@ Way. Tn! ~ilkie Wa)' access "111111 provide a connection -.with the adjacent resid"ent1a1 neighborhood'. Traditionally this site sBriled as a short CLlt for walk.ing into ttle. ne;gt~borhood from El Camino Real and has even been used by people eTuding the politi!. The pruposed pedestrian circulation will dlscourase nonresidents from usir.g the site as a short cut but still provide a connection for residents to the adjacel1t neighborhood and school facilities. This "IIIi11 be accomplished through a perimeter fence and gated entry frolll Wnkie Way. The City Council conditioned the approval of the ARB application t<l include a 6- fcot easerr,ent along the rear property line for the purpose of pro¥iding access fer pedestrians and emergency vehicles to the proposed mixed use deveTopment at p:UCI42llJm::'<'jl: Page 3 10(25/9J ! r , , l_;--· 3981 [1 Camino Real. H2' easement will run coincident to an existing Sanh Clar;J. Va'ley Water District (SC'WD) e.se~."t. Tn. ap~'1cant for the project at 3981 [1 Camf~o Real will be responsible for securlng the r~ght of access over the SCVWD easement and the adjacent property when the subdf~i5ion map is filed for that project. loss of Existing HQusing This project '!fill rem01ie 6 detached c.:lttage unit'S but provide 19 unHs. Ir. compl1ance with Program 9 and form~r Program 11 (no ... Prosram 13J of the P.a10 Alto Housing Clement, this project is requirt!d to provide twa BMR units. The appl'car.t has opted to also provide one add1tional BM~ unit [for a total of t~ree BMR ~n1t5), making the BMR dedication IS percent of the total units provided. The applfcal'lt will pr\)\{ide two 852-square-foot units at $90,500 each, arid one It211-square-foot unit at S103,500. The applicant's agreement to pra.ide the three BMR un~ts is recorded in the attao:hed Jan;jary 17. 1991 Tetter. which will be incorporated into i Subdivision Agreement should the te-ntative map be approved. Under these conditions, the 19-unit projett is. in compliante-wit~ t~e Mu1tiple-Family Comprehensive Plan designation. COf'IPREHENS lYE PLAlLill~1!:PJ.L!!1 A"'N"-CfL-____________ _ Tne project is in compliance with the r!quirements of the Palo AHo Comprehensive Plan, in that the proposal results in a net ;ain in housing units and three BMR units, consistent with PrD~rarn 9 and former Program 12 (now Proyra~ 13) of the Housing Element. Furthermore, the project tonforms to the El C~~ino Real Design Guidel ines. established by the ARB. and improves the standards and quality of development in its district. consistent .. itn C.ompre-hensive Plan Urban Design Pol icy 6. RECOfottfNPATlOU Staff re,ommends that the Planning Commission recommend that th! City Council approve-the 'proposed ... esting tentati\le map, it, aCc:Jrdance with the following findings and conditions of approval. SU8DIVlilQUJN"'"'-!.lwNG"'S _____________________ _ ]. That the project, as proposed, will nat have a signif;;:.ant impaa on the environment, in that th~ project has been designed to decrease the vi5~al impact) min~m;ze energy consumption, retain a majority of existing mature trees, and reduce park.ing and al!tomobile impa.cts. as shown in t~e Negative DecTaration adopted by the C,ty Council on December 10, 1990. Page 4 10/25/91 -I I ! 2. , That t~e design of the project is cJnsistent wittl the City'S Compre~ensiye Plan objectives and ccm.oatible with the immediate environment, in that the proposed prClject complies with Program 9 and former Program 12 ,noll' Program 13) of the Houslng [lement by providing a net gain of 13 housing units including thr!E!e BMR unit5~ and i!. {.1eveloped at a scaTe ..... hich is compatible with surrounding uses. rn l.ccordance 'With Palo AHo Munitipa1 Code, Section 21.12.090, the proposed subdivision, as conditioned, together wHn ttle provision f\lr its des~9n and imp':'o .... ement. complies and is consistent wit"-the pro~isions of Stlte hw and the Palo Alto Municipal Code, including Sections 66473.5 and 66474 of the Government Code. in t~at the site is physically suitable, ;s zoned for the type of density of the proposed developme~t. and ther~ are no conflicts with existing or proposed public easements. SUBDl~ISlON CONDIT)ONS 1. Prior to the recordation of th~ final map, the subdi~ider shall enter into a subdiviSion agreement 'With the City of Palo Alto tnit addresses the following ~ssues. a. The subdivider shall provide three Br~R u~its as follows: two 852- square-foot units at S90.500 each, ~nd one l,211,sQuare-foot unit at Sl03,500) in the lo,:.ations specifi'E!d by the approved ARB plans and in accordance with the negotiated agreement. b. The subdi~ider shall replace all curb, gutter~ s'idewalk. and stretlt trees along the [1 Camino Way frontage in compliance with all City standards. The subdi~1der shal' extend the [1 Camin~ Way island in a manner acceptable to the Transportation D;~ision staff~ that will discourage vehicles from making u-turns from £1 Camino Way ir.to the pr~ject. These improvements shall be guaranteed by bond or other form of security acceptable to the City Attorney in a form approved by the City Attorney. c. The subdivider shall be responsible for installing all storm drainage i~pro~ements. water and sewer mai~s, and services, including any required off-site upgrades, to the satisfactior1 of the Utilities and Public Works Department staff. These impro'l'ements shall be guaranteed by bOr1d or other form of security acceptable to the City Attorney in a form appro~ed by the City Attorney. d. The subdi¥ider shall design and install all electrical utilities in accordance )Wi ttl the City of Palo Alto standards, including provi-ding underground utilities, to the satisfaction of the light and Power Division staff. p'\JC\42rJbc:obj: Page 5 )0/25/9) - .: ... o 2. ;.or-jor to filing t~,=, fit1al map liPith tn~ City, the subdiVider shall submit 3n approved improvement plan, including public improvements and a final drainage plan, to tne satisfaction of the Public Works Department staff. 3. Pr'ior to submitting the final map with the City. the su~div;der shall work. with the Uti1iti~s Qepartment staff to d~termirie &n utilit,!f d~sign and capacUy requiraments including water, sewer~ gas, e1ectric, phone, and callTe facilities. The project shall be limited' to single-service laterals far se ..... er, water, and gas. All utility plans s~all be appro ..... ed by the Utiltties~ ~ater~ Gas and Sewer Department st~ff before the f1nal MAP is recorded. 4. All existing trees in the ~icinity of the site shall remain, as defined by th~ approved landscape plan, and shall be protected in accordance with the measures established in thf ARa conditions of approval fot the project. 5. The project shall be constructed in compliance with all plans ind condit ions establ fshed in the A.RB approval. 6. All construction activlties shall comp1y 'With the pr~visicns of the Noise Ordinan~e, Cnapt2r 9.10 of the Palo A1to Municipal (ode+ 7. To reduce dust levels during construct,on, the subdivider shall ensure that exposed earth surfaces are watered freQuentl, during the late morning and the e~d ~f the day, with frequency of watering increasing on windy days. All streets and haul routs shall be cleaned daily. The subdivider sha11 ensure that s~nlage resulting from hauHog operations iloTlg or across any publ it \lr private property shall be removed irrrnediately and paid for" b,)-' the contractor. The subdivider shall also ensure tnat dust nuisances originating from the contractor's operations. either inSid! or o'Jtside tk~ right-af-way, sl'.all be control1ed at the (c>ntrac.tor's expens.e. S. A 24 x 24· inch standard stop sign .no a r;ght-turn-on1y sign shall be installed on the right-hand-side of the driveway at the back of the sideva1~. to the satisfaction of the Transport6tion Di~isian staff, prior to any occupancy of the project. 9. The applicant shall grant a 5-foot+wide pedestrian easemef'lt along the rear (northern) property l·ine, within. the existing Santa Clara Valley Water Dhtrjct access easement, for the use Cif pede~trians and emergency vehicles associated with any mixed use or residential development which may be approved at 3981 El Camino Real. This. easement shall b2 dedicated tnrough an agreement between the subdivider and the owner ~f the property at 3981 El Camino Real, which shall be reviewed and appr~ved by the City Attorney, and which shall be record(;d with the final map at the County of Santa Clara. Page 6 10/2S/91 / -'.' __ .. u""""' _______ . _. -.--. ------...... ~--iIIfI) •• 10. Prior to filing the final map, the applicant sha1l obtain Santa Clara Val1e1 water District ii.ppr<Jval to grant a six·fcot·.ide pe~estr;an and emergency vehicle 2'as.ement, wnich is cOincident to an existing flood control easemer.t along the rear (northern} property line. 11. Prior to flling the final map, the ii.pp1icant shall obtain Santa Clara Yalley Water ~istrict approval fer dril!inage-into the adjacent flood control thannel. A IT A( HMENTS Lecatian Map Envi rt:lnrrrental Imvict Assessment Subd1~iderls Statement January 17, 1991 Below·Market-Rate letter City Council Minut~s of Oece~ber 10, ]990 and August ]9, 1991 ~estin9 Tentative Map (Commission and Council members only) Plans (Commission and Council members only) COPIES SENT TO Architectural Review Board Sarron Park Ass~ciatjon Mr. George Remsberg, Lightner Property Group Den,)' Petrasian, 443 Ver.tura Avenue ~2, Palo Alto, CA 94306 lois Vanderbeek, 736 Barron Avenue, Pala Alto, CA 94306 Bob Moss, 4QIQ Onne Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Jane DeKoven, 421 Jacobs Court, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Gary Breitb.rd, 740 San Jude Ave"ue, Palo Alto, (A 94306 Herb Sarock, 2731 Byron Street. Palo Alto, CA 9430~ George Smith, 390 Haelane Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Brian Donovan, 4054 WilKie Waf, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Page 7 10/25/91 t11~~ I .. , 1~1.: . ---.... ' .. . ~~ , " , . , r-i RM-l5 aJ-- • • ~ , L "",,-~ -:, .",;{ PF VENTURA SCHOO.L .:' . GRAPH! C A IT ACHMENT ~~,=-~:.!.i~;w,....&.~:;";';":'~':;;';;"'~;';:';--"1 TO STAfF REPORT ... PROJECT .....-- NORTi-l • " .. ~~ . ,.~< • "Emlixoruuental Dccu:ments -City of Palo .Alto C n r<-~ ... oJ ... _l., ASSE_?S~~NT ~3 0 _F_r_o~ ect Descr iption/T i tle_, ___ ~_._ee attached ...i~·~~'~i~\i~~-~' ~'"~~~c~ .. ~. IST:.~:~~:1t~<'«-~:== Location/~ddress: 420-461 Jacobs CO'.lrt Palo Alto, CA __ 9430")----_._--- Sponsori~g Agency/Applicant: Address and Telepho~e of ~pplicant: 355 Santa Paula Avenue (41.5) 665-4"O-'O,,5'--____ ~-_ ~Francisco, c:A_~9,,--4'-··='=2_" ___ _ Application for: zone Change, compreher.sive ?~~~~endment, Archite~tural Review~ Zoning at Project Location: R-2 Fee Receipt No.:--------- Base~ upon review of the project files. the undersiqned merrber of the Plan­ ning Department has concluded: \~! Negative Declaration: The project has no Significant environmental im­ pact. No Environmental !~pact Report is required. The reasons for a Negative Declara,'e-ion are: incluo.ed ~ the attached initial study. _/J:.; I'~cort:L.g:f project action is ava~lable for review3_t the Palo Alto mP1an­ ~g Departnlenh loc~ted on _ the 5th floor o~ __ City Ha1l, 2~Hamilton Avenue, Palo_ Alto, CA. i_I The project may have a significa!".t £lnvironmental impact. mental Impact Report ~ill be prepared~ A....,.,. Environ- • ,,; ---C" [" , Planning Department Official: __ ~/!.,,> .. --~Ji'~--" __ ~_________ _ _________ _ Planning Director, ~425&~...:; I Date' ?/l;/fo The proj"-ct has b.enE~ Date; .i"2/-U/YIl The project has been denied. Revised S-1-79 :'-;" " .... > .. -:. ... ': •. :::.--·~-;.::.3-·:f..::;; Date: ----- File no.: 90-EIA-<26 1 o " " • ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS -PALO ALTO EIA-2a. I. Project Title/Address: 420-461 Jacobs Court. Palo Alto. CA ________ __ II. Project III. IV. EnviroT'.n'..ental Impact Checklist (Explanation cf all 1'}'es 11 an5"'e~5 are in~Section V) 1. Earth. Will the proposal result in: YES EIAFMCK SC a. tT!";stable earth conditions or changes in geologic substructures? X b. Disruptions, displace~ents. compaction or ove-reevering of the soil? X c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? X d. The destruction, covering or modifica­ tion of a:-,y unique geologic or physical fe~tures? X e. Any increase in vind or water erosion of soils, either on or o~f the ~ite? ~ f. Exposure of people or property to geologic hazards such as earthquakes~ landslides, mudslides, ground failure, or similar hazards? X g. Changes in siltation, depo~ition, or erasion 'Which lnay modify the channel of a river or the bed of a bay or inlet? ~ 90-EIA-2.6 2 'Adapted from Appendix I. CEQA, D&ce~er ~4, 1976. 2vpdated MaYr 1982; J~ne, 19S3 EIAFl!CK SC -"'-,. 90-tIA-26 3 • ". '-"----- .. ~ i' rl , j ! 2. Air. •• b. c. • Will the propos~l result in: substantial air emissio~s or deteriora­ tion of ambi~nt air ~jality? The creation of objectionable odors? Alteration of air movement, moisture temperature, or any change in climate, eith~r locally or regional? 3. w~te~. Will the, proposal result in: a. Changes in absorption rates, d~~inage X patterns, or the rate and amount of surface ~ater runoff1 b. Alterations to the course or flow of flood 'Waters? c. Discharge: il"'.to surface ",'aters, or in ~ny alteration of surface ... ·c.ter quality, ir.cluding-but not limited to tempel"atul:'e, dissolved oxygen or turbidity? d. Alteration of the direction of rate of tlo~ of ground waters: e. Exposure of people or property to water related bazards such as flooding or tidal 'Waves? f. Change in the quantity of grcund ~aters, either through direct additions or with­ drawals, or through interceptions of an aq'.Jifer by cuts or excavations? 4. Plant Life~ Will the proposal result in: a. Ch~nge in the diversity of species, or X number of any species of plar~cs (inclUd- ing trees, shrubs, grass, crops, micro­ flora and ~quatic plants)? , \ ... x x b. Reduction of the numbers of ~ny unique, ~ rare or endangered species of plants? EIAFMCK 5C c. Introduction of new species of plants ~ into an area, or in a barrier to the normal replenishment of existing species? c. Reduction in acreage of any agricultural X crop? 90-EIA-26 4 , ...-. ............ ~. s. , . ,:' Animal Life~ will the proposal result in: a. Cl'\anqe in the diversity of sp~cies, O~ of any species of animals (birds, land animals including reptiles, fish and shellfish, benthic orqanisms~ insects or microfauna)? b. c. d. Reduction of the numbers of any uni~~eJ rare or endangered sp2cies of animals? Introduction of new species of animals into an araa', or re&ult in a barrier to the migration or movel1lent of animal s? Daterioration in existing fish or ~ild­ life habitat? 6. Noi~~. will the proposal result in: a. Increases in eXisting noise levels? b. Expos'.lre of people to severe noise levels? YES x ~. Light and ~lare. Will the proposal produce ~ new light glare? B. Land Use. will the proposal result in a ~ substantial alteration of the prese~t or plannea land usa of an area? 9. EnerqyjNatural Fesourcas. Will the proposal r@sult in: a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or er.ergy? h. Substantial incr@as@ in demand upon existing sour~es cf snergy, or re~~ire the development of new sources or energy? c. Increase in the rate of use of any natural resources? d. Substantial depletion of any nonrenew­ able natural resource? 10. Risk of. Upset. Does the pY'opo5al involve a risk of an explosion or the release of hazardous substances (including, but not limited to, oil, pesticides, chemicals or radiation) in the event of an accident or upset? EIAFMCK sc x x x 90-EIA-26 5 Q 11. ~ulationiHOUsi:"lg. a. Will the proposal alter the location, ~ distribution, de~sity, or growth rate of the human population of an area? b. Will the proposal effect existing ___ ~ housing, or create a demand for addi- tional housing? 12. l'raD._sportation)Circul_~ti()..!!. will the proposal result in: a. Generation of substantial additional venicuia~ movement? b. Effects on existing parking facilities, or demand for new parking? c. Alterations to present patterns of circulation or movement of people andl or goods? d. Increase in traffic hazards to ~otor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? ~3. Public Services. Will the proposal have an effect upon., or result in a need for new or altered gover~~ental services in any of the following areas: a. Fire protection? b. Police protection? c. Schools? d. Parks or other recreational facilities? e. Mainte~ance of public facilities l including roads? f. Other governmental services? 14. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need EIAFHCK SC for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: A. Power or natural gas? b. Communications systems? _x_ x __ x_ x 90-EIA-2C 6 c. Water? d. Se .... er or septic tank? e. storm .. ate_r drainage'? f. Solid waste and disposal: 15~ guruan Health. Will tne proposal result in: a. Creatio~ of any health hazard or potential healtn ha~ard (excluding menta,l health) '? b. Exposure of people to potential health hazards? 16~ Aesthetics. will the proposal result in the obstruction of any sce~ic vista or vie~ open to the public, or ~ill the proposal result in the creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to public vie'J? 17. Recreation. Will the proposal result in an impact upon the quality .or quantitj' of exist­ ing recreatio~al opportunities? 18. CUltural Resources. EIJ>.FMCI< sc a. Will the proposal result in the altera­ tion of/or the destruction of a prehistoric or historic archaeological site? b. Will the proposal result in adverse physical or aesthetic effects to a prehistoric or historic building, structure;, C~ object? c. Does the proposal have the potential to causes a physical change which ~ould affect unique cultural values: d~ will th~ proposal r9strict existing religious or sacred uses vithin the potential impact area? YES ~~ HQ ..£ _L ..£ x x x 90-EIA.-26 7 19. , "And"tory nQ'1'l'I of S.is:n,ific~",,_~" .. ~L ooe$ t.ht! p:roj~ct. h.i!.Ve the pot~ntial to deqraQg th~ ~~ality ot t~e enYiron~entl l!iut).'stantial1y' redu::;e t:.he h~bitat. or It tiSh O~ vildlife ~p~c:i~$.~ ~au~e a ;.n_~n. or Yild~if~ population to dro~ b~l¢~ self-sustaining l~vels, threaten t¢ elilllir..a.te a plant or animal C:Q~'.H11tYI ~~duce the n~er of restrict the ranqG of a ra:t"e or endangereo plant. or AhiMal or _liminate i~portant exaEples or the ~ajor periods of C~lifornia history or prehisto~? b~ Does th~ p~oj~ct hav~ ~he potential to achi~ve shC)l"t. ... t~rm., to thE< disact\tant~g~ of long~te~f ehvi~onm~rytal ~oals. C~ ~hort-t~~ ~~paGt on th~ envlronment in Q~e vhi~~ oc~ur~ in ~ ~~latively b~i~t~ a~fihitiv~ p~ri~d of ti~e ~htle Ipng~t~~ i:mpaets llI'ill enQ.Ut~ vel!. inti.':! the tutut"-e,} c, I)oes th~ project:. havta i~,pl5ct:; ",,-hich ~.r~ individu..a:Jly limited. but. cUlb:llatively cOhsiderable? (A preject may impact en two or ~o~a $eparate reSOurCe$ vhere the impact on each rasou~ce is relatively small~ but where th~ effect of the total of t.bose impClGts 'On the enviro.hn'\ent is signl.fiqant. ) a. Do~s th~ project hav~ env~conment~l etfects ~hich ~ill ca~~e substant!al ad~e~se ette~t~ on h~~an ~eing$. ~ithe~ dit'ectly ~.r indirE?;c:t:ly7 V. Explanation cf ffy~~~ ~n$~~r~ ih environmental ch~ckli~t_ See: 3t:.t-acht!Q .. tl"'"MCK sc 1 ! I I 1 1 (b,c,f) Earth. constr\Jct~or" of the project, .... ·ill cisrupt,sit:e,scils and result l.n 1!unor changes to s~te topography. 5l.nee all parkln'~ \Hll be at yrade a minil!liJlII amount of g!'ading ... ·ill :be required~ ). detailed grading and drai:1~ge plan shall be required f,=,r revie· ... and approval of the City Engineer prior to issuance of ~ny qrading and or b~ilding permits. The site is located ,dth5.n a seislJIic area of moderate ri~k. and ",'ould be subject to very strong ground shaking in the event of an eart:=.quake:. All constr~ction on the site shall be subject to the provisions of the most current Uni fonJ!. Building code (UBC). portions of , ... hich are directed at :minimizing. seismic risk and preventing loss of 1 i fe ar:d property in thl9 event of an earthquake. ~~) Air. Demolition of the exist-~i:ng structu:!'es ar.:l co:'.strnction of the new bu~ld~ngs 'Will temporarily result in an increase in dust ernissio~s o'.'er existing a~bicnt air conditions. To reduce dus-t levels durir.q demolition and construction it shall be required that exposed earth surfaces be ~ate=ed frequently during the late morning and the end of the day. 'With frequency of ... ·~tering increasing on windy days, All streets and haul routes shall be cleaned daily~ Spillage resulting from hauling operations along or across a~y public or private properT,Y shall be retlo'ted i"rnnediately and paid for by the contractor. D'..lst nuisances originating from the contractcr r s operatim~s either inside or CJutside t.be right-of-way shall be cont-rolled ant t?';.€. contractor I 5 expense + 3 {a) water. The developmer.t of the site will result in minor alterations to existing drai~age patterns. A detailed drainage p!an shall be required to be approved by the City Engineer prior to issuance of a building permit. ~_~plant Life~ There are approximately 25 trees on the site. These included o"'k, walnut, madrone, California pepper, conife:::-s, palms and fruit trees. More intensive development of the site ~ill inevitably result in a loss of some of the existing trees. The project being proposed for the site is d~siq~ed to retain 15 of the existing trees, including np.arly all of the largeI' trees. It is recommended that as many ne'",' additional trees as can b~ reasonably accomodat.ed on the site. {10 1tI.inimu~} shc·J.ld be plar,ted to replace the trees which are being lost. The ~ew trees should be located to shade paving and to reduce the need for air conditioning+ The final la:1dscape plan shall be required to be rev ie·..red and approved by the ~rch5tectural Review Beard prior to issuance oi any building permits. 6 (a) Noise. Construction activities will result in te~porary inc~eases in local al'tlhilint noise levels. All constr:.1ction activi ti es shall be subj ect to tt',e provisions of the Cityts Noise Ordil".ance, Chapter :3.10 FAMe. 7. Liqht and Glare. The project ~ill result in a slight ircrease in light and glars. qenerated from the 5it~. It is reco~mended that all exterior lighting be shielded and directional in order to minimize light and glare impacts on adjacent residential uses. A final light:i~g plan shall re':;p.1ire review and approval of the ARE as part of the final landscape plan prior to 1ssuance of a building permit. EIAFMCK SC 90-EIA-26 3 ... ' S. Land Use. The prOP~d RM-lS multiple family ~ing for this site is. mor-e consistent with city land lIse patterns thai1 the current R-2 tt.'o fc:1mlly to~inq. RM-15 zoning is typically used throughout the city as a buffer between single family residential and higher density multi-.family and comnercial zones, as would be tbe case in this instance. Residential zoning along El Camino Real is almost exclusively ~ultiple faD!ily, with single fa~ily and two family residence zoning occuring in only a few locations. This site is surrounded by a mix o~ zone districts including CS, CN, RM-30, RM-1S and R-l. The proposed RM-15 zoning ~il1 provide a logicol tr3nsition between these other zone districts. 11. (al Pop"..!lation and Housing_ The proposed zone chang€: ..,ill result in an increase in the maximum number of units which could be b'.lilt on the site, from a maximum of 12 units' allowed under R-2 to a maximum of 19 units allowed under F.M-l5 ,.,ith a net increase of seven units. The demolition of the 6 el<':isting housing units and construction of 19 l'"leY housing units 'Will result in a negligible increase in area pop'..llation and a slight beneficial impact on the city's housing and jobs imbalance. BeC3Use the project ~ill result in the removal of rental housing stock, the project shall be subject to the provisions o~ Program 9 and 12 of the PalCl Alto Comprehensive Plan's Housing Element Below Market Rate (EMR) program. compliance with Program 9 ana 12 will re~ire 10 pEr cent of the units 'in the project to be BMR units. 12 (b , d) Transportation/Circulatton_:.. SITE ACCESS There is SUfficient frontage for future projects to access this site from either El Camino way or Wilkie Way, or from both streets~ However, the proposed project provides for access only from E1 Camino w~y 'With no vehicular acc~ss onto Wilkie Way. The transportation Divisi~n has determinea that access from either street can be accomplished safely and with no Significant environmental impact on nearby streets ana inters€ctions. The driveway access to the site from El camino Way should be located approximately in the center of the site frontage, as is the case in the proposed project. This location ~ill provided adequate queuing for right turns onto El Camino Real and will reduce the possibility of illegal manuevers to e.nter and leava the site. Access to the site via El camino ""ay is right-turn-in/o'.Jt due to the. location of a median island on £1 Camino Way directly in tront of the site. Some drivers approaching the site from the north could try to enter the site by making u-turns just south of the median island. Drivers exiting the site may be tempted to turn left and drive on the wrong side of the median to reach southbound El Camino Way. Both these manuevers ~ill be discouraged by locating the driveway approximately in the center of the site ~rontage. The small number of u-turns that might occur is not judged to create an unacceptable safety problem. Acc~ss in and out of the site on Wilkie Way has excellent sight distances except for left turns into tbe site. For left turns, sight distance is partially impeded by a ~mall tree on private property. but is considered to be minimally aCCEptable. Project traffic accessing the site via Wilkie way EIAFHCK SC 90-EIA-26 10 ! f· I I , ~(t':·,· ., " • ;-," " woul"-enter the nearest' -.,!'ollector street, West Mea~_ .,.' r;rive l at a four-way stop intersection. IMP~CTS OF INCREASED TRAFFIC VOLlTXE 'l'he 'l'ransportatiQn Division has dE!tern.ine-d that no lnatter "'~ere access to the site \ltl'ere to be :made, and even if all project t.:::-ips ... ·ere to pass exclusively through anyone af the three nearest intersections, the increase in traffic generated by the proposed higher dl?'nsi ty -.. ould net result in a significant environmental impact at any locaticn (i.e., LOS E ~ould not be produced.) Using sta.n.dard City ot Palo Alto trip generation rates, current trip '.generation f"rom the existihq six sir.gle .... family 'J.nits is estimated to be approximately 60 ADT with 6 trips (10 percent) during the PM peak hour. The proposed 19 units ~ould generate 130 ADT with 12 trips (9 percent) during the PH peak hour.. The net increase in vehicle tips would be 70 A01 and 6 PM peak hour tr~Fs. CUrrent traffic gen€rated by this site is via EL camino way only, whereas future projects could access via El Camino Way and/or Wilkie Way .. 1990 PM peak hour levels of service at nearby intersections are as follows: Los Robles Avenue/El Camino Real/El Camino Way West Meadow Drive/El Ca~ino Way West Meadow Drive~'i1kie Way (estimate) IIJS D' UlS B LOSE The increase in total entering volume during the. PM. peak hour at both West Meadow Orive intersections ... ·ould be a maximum of about one percent. At El camino Real/Los Robles~ the increase ~ould be about 0.3 percent. Current average daily traffic (ADr) en Wilkie Way north of West M~adow has not been measured but it is estimated to be in the range of 800 ~o 1100 ADT. based on ADTs observed on other similar residential streets. If project access were taken exclusively from Wilkie Way, the addition of 130 ADT due to the project would represent a maximum increase of about 16 percent in Wilkie Way AOT. According to the TIRE index, a me~hod of representing a resident's perception of the effect of traffic an residential activities, this increase ",ould be expected to be just less. than perceptible. P~~ED INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Improvements are planned for the E1 Camino Real/El camino Way/Los Robles intersection and are scheduled to be implemented in 1990-9l. These improvements will facilitate the safe movement of vehicl~sf pedestrians and bicycles and will help mitigate tbe impact of i~creased traffic at the intersection.. The improvements include. new right turn lanes onto El Camino Real, the addition of Dike lanes in both directions on El Camino way, widening of the two eastbound lanes on Los Robles and improved traffic signals. EIAFMCK SC 90-EIA-26 11 • Subdivider's Sta"tement ."-...". Section 21.12.050 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code ""Jdres that a "Subdivider's Sta.temen.t" shall appear lJtX'TIJ or accompany. tentative 0-:­ pr~liminary oaT1:el maps .. and shall contain the following information: Address of Subject Property: 1f20 'rtiRelI4J1 1t I .//;:1,'81' ('Ailee (If any of'the items bel"", are not applicable, so state.) Ca) Existlng use(s): -"IX ~O TT A.f!;:;K VAc!MI Zone district (s): _tJ?4-'l'i'J.1).L .... -t../...z5 __________ _ • (b) Proposed use (5): (q f?p1f/DEliT/lI1. IQU'NHO(),cPS (&itlUOf!l'~ILW-!! (c) Improvements and public utilities proposed and expected date of eanpletion: ______________________ _ (d) Provis ions far sewerage and sewage di.!'P9ffl'f'ri;4i!#~rn~3J.i~~- Cel Public areas proposed: DE'WOEH! 0' PLANNING LD ALT~ ef) Tree p1antlng proposed, lnc1uding lndication of trees to be reooved or left In place: (lee f0fud!PflIjYIUr; 4,4liOW.A£E PJ..ftN --' -- / o • (3) The granting of tl>.e exception will not be detrimental to tr •• public welfare or injurious to ather property in t..~ territory in which the property is 5i tuated. (Explain) ;11/19 (4) The granting of the exception will not violate the requirements. goals. policies or spirit of the 1..... (Explain) ¥Il j.. Requested variances fran any af the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. (Va:riances fOT-side yards and setbacks for existing build.:ir..gs may be requested in conjunc:t:ion with subdivisions to be reviewed by the Planning CamUssion and City COuncil.) Variances requested: IjI.A Reasons and Justification: ______________________________________ __ ---'~""""----~ .... ! " ! i ! (g) Proposed ''"'\ \J O'~ street and outdoor light ing: .1.1 ~e!:.KR--4Jj"'IlI.IU;;'D~SC!:..l&P.~/I:::;'-.1P~Lb,c,,-,l'-ll~ __ {h) Existing Tes~rictive covenants~ leases, rights~of·way. licenses and encumbera.'1ces ai:ccting use of land'(attac.I,. copies):J:::m fC lSepoe:t (i) Requested excep1:ions to any requirements of the Subdivision Ordinanc.e. (lobst exceptions relate to General Design re<r.rir"""nts (Olapter 21.21) and particularly to lot site, dimensions, location or configuration~ Applications for exceptions shall state fully the grcundsof the application and the facts relied upon by the petitioner. Exceptions shall be grar.ted only upon making certain findings. including the four listed !><ol"",.) Exceptions requested: __ ~h<41 b~4=<-_______________ _ I ," (1) There are special (Describe) clra.mstances or conditions affectlilg the property. (2) The exception is nE'Cessary for the presel"V3tion ai'ld enjoyment of a substantial property right of the petitioner. (Explain) IJ/A '. • • j. Mannor in which complia.'\ce with applicable elements of t110 ~rehensive Plan, including housing policies, slulll be attained (if relevant): . !Uvea , • ~~/F:/~A~( ~f('p11:iI f~N~I,,!',"l'} -3. ",q~ ""J.t-~/3 I':' DFl'Hc ~tnlrPk6'!elXlllJi' H) The best 0 my 1cnowleage, ~ application lS "i.1'l C otmanee 'w'J. th the P-AJ. Cottqorehensive Pla'l as sumutted or as indicated under (j) above. Si&natuTe of applicant lAJ=:::-@ Planning Department lO/lZ!79 .10.llfr .. 1;0"" To: From: Date: Re: c-.. City of Falo Alto William Lightner., Jr., Lightner Property Group AUgust 20, 1991 Subdivider's statement; (Subsection 21.12_. __ 05.0 <9_1l (Subsection 21.12.050 -c.) Improvements and public utili­ ties proposed and expected date of completion: The develop­ er intends to extend ~nd complete the looping of the exist­ ing 6'" water main from El Camil".c way-through to Wilkie and Maclane streets. This will recruire the relocation and resetting of existing drive 'Wifh a wider (approximately 24') drive opening to the private dr~ ,·eway court area. Adjacent sidewalk areas will also be replaced to the city's stand­ ards. The inner drive'W~y court area will have sufficient turning radius for fire apparatuses as has been determined with that agency. Sanitary sewer main will be installed along the court area with laterals to the individual dwell­ ing units and said mair. extension from Wilkie a~d Maclane street will be provided with a public utility easement; pertinent manholes and clean-outs to be provided to the satisfaction of the ~ity engineer4 Storm waters will be collected by a combinaticn of surface and closed systems that vill discharge to the adjacent Santa Clara Drainage Facility. Additional utilities to be provided to eac~ unit vill include power, gas, telephone, cable ~l, fire sprinkler systems an~ a common irrigation system for landscaping maintenance. Specific details of these utility extensions will be provided during the preparation of final improvement plans and to the satisfaction of the city engineer. Tentative construction schedule for the above improvements: completion is expected to occur on or before June 30, 1992. Cd.) Se.wage disposal via closed PVC laterals to an exten­ sion of system's main fro~ Wilkie and Mac1ane str~ets. An alternate routing to El camino Way may be re~lired. (e. ) No public areas are proposed by this proj ect but dedication of public utility easements over those portions of the of driveway court areas and common land as required to satisfy agency and utility services are anticipated. (e.) Removal of existing trees and proposed replanting are as delineated by proposed landscaping plans included here­ with. Deoartment of Planning and Community Environment (415) 329·<354 January 17. 1991 Mr. ~111iam tiQht~er, Jr. Lightner Property Group 254 Santa Paula Avenue Post Office Box 27508 San Francisco, CA 94127 Dear Mr. Lightner: 250 Kami 1 ton Avenue Post Office Box ]025C Palo I,]to, c.~ 94303·086, Subj€ct: Jacobs Court -Bela"", K<irket Rate Units-.l]11Bl This letter summarizes th€ agreement reached between YOLI and Plan.ning Olv;sicn staff regarding the provision of Below Market Rate (BMR) condominium units for your proposed Jacobs Court Tow~nouse project at 420-461 Jacobs Court. As discussed, you hava agreec to prQvide three BMR units as follows: 1. The units (numbered !, S, and 19) shall be located as shown on the attached preliminary site plan" t. The unit noor plans \!lin be as shown on the attached dr;;;wings lab.led Flan A (Alt. J) a', Pl.n D. 3. The ~umber of units, the si2e of the units, the number of bedrooms in the units and the initial sales pr5ce of each typ~ of unit shall be as fo~ e,'?2. cc..-. T\\Ic~square-foot two-bedroom i.!r"l1ts ~t 5913,500 eacn unit ~ \-;..11 \.'~ On~-square-foot three-bedroom unit at Sl03,5DO The actui!l price may '.;ary sli9htly as new uni.t prices are established annually in April. The unit price "'1"11 be that in effect at the time of subdivision map approval. 4. The e~terior finishes of the BMRs will be indistinguishable from those of the market rate units, as 'Will the majority of 1~terior finishes. Substitution of less expensive appliances and interior custom finishes may be acceptable subject to prior approval by the Planning Department. -'. o 'William lightner, Jr. January 17, 1991 Page 2 • 5. The terms of this letter of agreeme"lt shall be incorporated into the Subdivision Agreement u~on appro~al of the Subdivision by the Pl.nning Commission and City Council. 1hank you for your cooperation during the planning process or. this project. I wou1d appreciate your signiog this letter indicating that we ha~e reached agreement regarding your BMR cor.tribution. Sincerely. KENNET" R. SCHREIBER Director.of P'annin~ and Community £nviro~ment ] agree to prcv~de three 6MR units as described i~ th€ 1etter of January 17, 1991. D,~ t-e Attachments: letter dated 1/9/91 from ~111iam Lightner~ Jr. Pre1 iminary Site Plan Floor Plans Plan A aod Pl.n D cc: George Remsberg, Lightner Property Group Sylvia Seman. Palo Alto Housing Corporatio~ Sue Case, City Attorney's Office Jim Gilliland, Hanger Planning Projects JG/1991/A/SMR420JA . , ! i ~ . ., r, " , , • ::= -, .~ .... :-.. ': ~:. 0'1.1'/ G." Ii 0 u ~ : " :. "." "U' ~ "'!" uf .: .. , . -: . -, ~ ' .. ' . . . . . , . .J January 9, 1991 Ken Schreiber Director of Planning end community Enviror'.ITlent City of Palo Alto 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 Re: Jacobs Co~~t, Ao~lication 90-ARB-74 Dear Ken: In accordance 'With the :zo71ing approval granted by the'! City Council for the referenced prot'osal , I am · .. 'riti::"lg to confinn that 'We ~ ... i 11 be contributing t~ree belo'",'-market-rate u:1.i ts ("BHRs") rather than tr,e tva required by law'. It is my understanding that at the time \\Ie make our suomi ttal to the Architectu~al Revie ..... Boaru for final appro .... al, w'e "I<:ust have obtairled a letter fro;!: yot! confirming your acceptance. of the basic elements oE our p:-oposed BMRs. Par the e::-lclosed, red'...'::::ed site and floor proposing that u~its 1, 5 and 19 will be scribed b€low: ~ 1lS'<-' F) plans, .... ·e .are the SHEs, as oe- Unit .1: Unit 19: 2-bedroom t ..t~ sq'..lare fe~ parki.'lg sp02.ces [1 covered~,-~'7-z.-~ 2-bedroorn, ~ square fe~ pa=king spa:::es Unit 5: (.1 covered) I.J-.-~ t1v-H ~ J-bearocm, ~ square reet t 2 covered ~a=king spaces The exterior finishes of th~ BMRs will be indi5tin~ishable from those of the market rate "I.lni ts. For the most ~ part, i:1terier finished will alse be equivalerr:.. Ho'Weve!", 'We may substitute less expensive appliances and less expensive custom finishes in the EMRs. I understand that the current prices paid for EMRs are $90,500 for 2-becro~ro units and $103,500 fer 3-becroom units, and that ne~ prices will be set in April c! this year. I a.1so underst.ar.d that the prices for a particular project's BMRs are established at the time of subdivision map approval~ As I do not believe the projectts li:iap will appr!=>ved prior to April, I assume that prices for the Jacobs Court BMRs ~ill be the pest-April-199.1 a~oun~s . If you hav2 any qu~stions prior to confirming your accept­ ance of this prvposal, please cor-tact George Remsberg at 949-44 05. Sincerely, Peninsula Townhem ---. ssoc~ates, Q calif~ Ltd. Partnership ~1. \'-' k' I'-..J---J"v ,----. I ~lliarn Lig. tn~ __ I o -_. l~j'~~ r, --,... __ -/ ! I I > ~ a > -;. y i--'\ ~"" ~-----,/ ~'----------:---'--" '--:----------- ! J ! J J,~ .;::--c-~ 2~-­ .:~~ .. • -'1': ----- -' ..... .- o • . - . ' " :". CITY COUNCIL EXCERPT MINUTES DECEMBER 10, 1990 420-<61 JACOBS COURT 11. PUBLIC HEARINC: Plannl.nq Commissior. Recc-mmendation re denial of an application for a zone change fro!!l. R-2 to RM-15 and Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map change from single-Family Residential to Multiple-Family Residential for property located at 420-461 Jacobs Court (continued from 8/13/90) POO) (CMR:602:0) Planning Commissioner Jo~ Hirsch said the Planning Commission was concerned about the loss of affordable rental housing to ccndomini­ UlII units at a market value of approximately $375,000 and the displacement of the currant occupants. Council Member Renzel queried if the existing lot pattern on the pro~rty consisted of three lots of different sizes and what the procedure wO'.lld be if a re-subdivision was required under the current zon inq. Zoninq Administrator Nancy Lytle said any re-subdivisicn to the maximum potential of the property ~oulQ be a major subdivision of five lots and would require Planning Commission and Council approval. council Me~er Renzel queried if the property was included in the current status of the R-2 zone referral to the Planning Commission. Ms. Lytle said the property would be subject to the interim R-2 regulations. vice Mayor Woolley queried other possible results if the Council did not re~one the property. senior Planner Virgini~ Warheit said the R-2 and R-2 Interim Regulations 'Were based. on a hypothetical prototJ;pe of five lots which mig~t go on the site ~jth no exceptions being required. Vice Mayor woolley queried if there would. be five lots under either the R-l or R-2 z~ning, unless variances were granted. 65-168 12/10/90 -" o Ms. Warbeit said yes. the floor area. ratio under the R-2 zoning. The lots would be developed the same. but (FAR) per lot could be put into two uni ta. Vice Ma~?or woolley queried if the access would be f.l'om E1 Camino Way for two units. Ms. Warheit said y~s. The developer sketched out several scenarios for dividing the property into five or six R-2 lots 1oI'hich all re­ quired some kind of exception to lot size or street access. The prototypes, however, were based upoo what could be done without asking for any exceptions to the subdivision. process, and other schemes would require exceptions. Mayor Cobb queried if two pie-shaped R-l lots could be created to front onto wilk.ie way to creatE'. a completely R-l situation off Wilkie Way where the backyard ~ould front onto El Camin~ Real ~nd could provi~e for multiple-family units facinq onto El Camino Way and R-l' completely on the part which fronted -onto Wilkie way, cO'l'l'Pletinq an R-l neighborhood rather than having a 'Dlultiple-family intrusion. Ms. Lytle bel ieved a map could be created with one R-l lot o:ff Wilkie Way at the rear~ however, two lots leading onto Wilkie Way would create a situation calling for exceptions fvr width. Player Cobb queried if the potential area had been looked at as having R-l. lots on Wilkie Way 'With the rest being m'..llti-family .. Ms. Lytle said no. Council Member Kniss queried if only one below-marKet-rate {SMR} unit would be required with the density of the ten units versus the nineteen units. Ms. Lytle said the 'SHR requirement 'Would be 10 percent of th4!­ number of units; under the R-1 zoning, if each of the five lots had a duplex of two units, one BMR unit ~oL:.ld :be required. Under the RM-15 zoning, tw~ BMR units ~ould :be required. Mayor Cobb dec)ared the Public Hearing open. Jane Oekoven, 421 Jacops court, spoke as an individual and as a representativa of several residents of 421 Jacobs Court, ~ho lived and ~orked in Palo Alto and would be displaced if the propo"ied: project 'Was approved. She disagreed with the need for another condominium project. There were several vacancies in the Palo Alto Commons and the Hamlet according to a real estate agent from Cornish' Carey. The environment of Jacobs Court had not changed substantially. Rather than make Palo Alto look like Sunnyvale, it seemed more challenging to maintain what made Palo Alto unique. In terms of Hr. Remsburg'S argument that the zoning of adjacent properties had changed allowing similar or higher density residen- 65-169 n/le/90 • tial uses, .she believed the statE"mf?nt refuted one of the proposal's major points, i.e.; that opportunities for balancing the jobs and housing imbalance were rare. To o~e ~alking along El Camino Way, it appeared many opportunities ",ere prevalent 0 She urged maintair.­ ing the residential char~cter of the area as part of the Wilkie Way neighborhood. In terms of the jQbs and housing imbalance, Palo Alto could not solve all of its tax :base and housing imbalance problellls in a three, square-block area of El Caminc Way. The traffic and pop~lation density problems were not being addressed for the projects currently unde~ay. She opposed the project. Bob Moss, 4010 Qrme street, referred to the deteriorated nature of the buildings and pointed out that no money had been put into maintenance for the past few years ~ There ~ere ongoing safety issu.es and paying for .a IINo u-t,urnW sign -would net me.co:n anything. There currently existed a -No Right Turn-sign on El Camino Real just before El Camino Way which was regularly violated. The accident historr did not go back far enough. rn terms of energy efficiency, .. ben one increased the number of units and made the~ twice as efficient, it actually serve,j to increase energy usage more than 50 percent. He di~puted the affordability of the units and their actual impact on the jobs and housing imbalance. The proposal would trade relatively affordable rental housing fC'r relatively unaffordable owner housing, and it ~ould increase traffic in an already oangerous area. He urged rejection of the proposal. Herb Borock, 2731 Byron Street, lived in a similar ~oning situation and was concerned about the bad precedent. In Augustl 1990, he provide.d documents from 1983 re.latiTlg' to the subject property, which were given to tbe applicant, 'Which clearly reflected the Santa Clara Valley Water District easement as the area on the Wilkie Way side of the property. On the present plans the easement was between the property line and the chair.. link fence. He believed the ARB application was incomplete because it included flood area property and easements in the site area calculations in violation of Palo Alto Municipal Code (FAMe) Section 1B.88.070 and construction in the utility easement areas ~ithout an €ncroac~ent permit in violation ot FAMe Section 18.88.060. The site area shown was more than 5,000 square feet larger than in 19B3, but the property share of the abandoned wilkie Way extension 'Was much less than 5,000 square feet. Wilkie Way vas only 60 feet 'Wide and the extension was only 50 feet wide. The proposed property's share of the extension was only 20 feet wi~e, and of that, six feet ~as the f1000 control easement so that the additional area in that abandoned extension was less than 2,500 square feet. The April 13, 1983, Plannil".g COllUDission Minutes clearly indicated the residential redevelop~ent guidelines ~ould have required a zone of R-1, RM-l or RM-2 if the land use had bee!"l changed to mu:'ti-tamily in 1983. Those zones were replaced by the RM-15 zone. It ~a5 misleading to compare the density of the current RM-15 zone proposal with the density of a fictitious RM-5 proposal from 1983. counci 1 needed to 65-170 12:/10/90 \ , • • ,. 31" 1 • J .. compare the development proposal before it with the new zone versus vhat could be developed unaer the current zone. If the applicant ~as succes~fu! in o~taininq a zone change, he could always 9ubmit an entirely different project afte~ the new council ~a6 on board. The cumulative effect of development on adjacent properties should calJ~;.e less--not more--dev.alopment on the parcel. council had the absolute right under the Subdivision Ordinance, Title 21, to p~ohibit access f~om Wilkie Way if it ~as the street abutting the rear property line. The application for a zor,i"..,g change 'Was independent of the building plans. Regarding the deterioration of the properties, even in ~he strictest rant control cities, property owners could pass on maintenance c~sts to tenants. He urged rejec­ tion of the zone change applicetion and that the applican~ meet with the Water District to survey the property and to find out how much property the Water District owned and how large the easement was. council Memb-e:r Andersen qt',eried whether Mr. Borock's position was still, as stated in the July 25, 1990, City Council Min~tes, that it council decided on RM-15 zoning on the property, any kind of access either for vehicles or pedestl."ians should be onto Wilkie Way. Mr. BorocJc said it was his secondary position. His primary p"si ticn was that the R-2 zoning sho\lld remain. He referred to Planning commissioner Christensen' s comments in t.he July 25, 1990, Minutes that there ~ere significant vacancies ~ith the eKisting development on El Camino Way and there ~ere significant parking and traffic problems on E1 Camino Way. If there was access on Wilkie Way which perm~tted people to either drive through or park and walk through, people with business or needs to ~e on properties on El Camino Way wouid be motivated to park on Wilkie Way ~nd use that access~ Ms. Lytle sai~ the Water District easement ~as carefully $ybtracted from the net area of the site at the time of ARB sUbmittal. Four parcels were contained in the legal description for the property. George Smith, 390 Maclane Avenue, lived for 38 years behind Yus~ Jaccps I property. Since. M:cs~ Jacob$. died, the property had deteriorated to a point where someone had to apply for a zone change in order to improve it. The prcposed housing would not even be affordable to Palo Alto employees. The city should buy the property and build some truly affordable housinq. Tim Gadus, 4080 Wilkie Way, said there were too many high density projects being put in the little area of El Camino Way. The streets suffered from tremendous overflow traffic and parkin9, and children had a difficult time maneuvering the bike path to get to school. HE!-opposed access ont.o Wilkie Way where they already received overflow traffic fro~ west Meadow Drive and El Camino Way. He opposed the project. 65-171 12/10/90 .-, .. .,.,..~,~~ .... ~. Bobbie Redstrom, 251 Churchill Avenue, \lI3S appa\led to learn t.hat the Jacobs Court project ~as again before the Council, especially "When the Planninq commission unanimously recoJIUr.ended against rezoning. There was little affordable housinq in Palo Alto and council vas elected to honestly represent the peoplE's interest in the community. The proposed project was not affordable housing. She urged rejection of the project. Denny Petros ian, 443 ventura Avenue, represented herself and "Willie Branch, Mrs. Ja~es Peterson and Elsie Cosby. She referr~d to the three letters in t.i"le packet .hich appeared to be endorsements of the project. MI". Chan and Mr. DUrham "Were concerned about any development regardless of the number of units, the adequacy of setbacks, no access to Wilkie Way, and the improved appearance of the property.. When council re.zoned the Subject property for .12 units in 1978, the intent ~as to maintain the affordable rep-tal housing opportunities for as long as possible I to discouraqe s.peculative redevelopment yet. maintain for the owner reasonable redevelopment rights to double the number of units on his land if he so chose. The zoning was never intended to create a maXi!!lUm number of units. The RM-15 zone was specifically rejected at that time. In the contest between maximizing the number of new units and preserving existing rental units, rental units almost always lost. If Council votea to change the Comprehensive Plan, it would also change the original intent, "Would become a responsible party to the premature demolition of affordable housing in direct violation of the Comprehensive Plan, and set a terrible precedent fer the demolition of other affordable rental units throughout the City~ Since conditions could not ~e imposed on a rezoning, the~e was no substantial public benefit to be gained whether the property 'Was developed at 12, 10 or 19 units. rt would be a more becoming posture for Coun.cil to let the original zone with the original intent of integrity and fairness to work in its own way. She urged Council to make the same findings as the Planning Commission and to reject the application. She urged Council to focus its attention on securing affordable housing on the 15 acres of the Maximart property and the other large parcels available. It waG ridiculous to take housing away from people to qet $375,000 condominium units. George Remsberg, 200 Osage Avenue, Los Altos, represented the Liqhtner property Group. They believed their proposal was a good one iI.nd would benefit the City by providing moderately priced housing while more t.han tripling the housing stock on the site. On halance the benefits of approving the application outweighed the concerns expre~sed, and they had suggestions for possibly mitigat­ ing the displacement issues. A professional civil engineer was e1!lployed to exa-mine the title report and perform. the required survey work. They were prepared to stand with the figures provided in terms of the area of the property. They never intended any vehicular access onto wiLkie Way. and if that "Was made as a condition, it could be accepted. They _anted pedestrian access because it did not make sense to turn their backs on the rest of the neighborhood. 65-172 12/10/90 t "-.~ - o Mayor cobb queried whethe.r consideration was given to the idea of an R-l situa~ion ~nich fronted onto Wilkie Way to complete the R-l nature ot t.hat neighborhood with multi-family fronting onto El camino Way. Mr. Remsberg said yes. ~ytime there was a change between singlE family and higher densit)·# the!"e 'Was a line. On one side wa.s single-family and on the other side was the medium density. The most immediate impact in terms of height, setbacks, daylight plane, etc.; ~ould occur to the Chans 'Whose home 'Was to the right and the rear. If the existinq parcel remained R-l and ""as developed as such, it would result i~ a greater n9gative i~pact on the property, i.e., a six-foot setback in contrast with the 20 feet prcposed, and a daylight plane ~hich began at 10 feet above grade at property line and proceeded upwards to 45 degrees ira contrast with the proposal which was 5 feet up at a 45 degree angle. While it was considered, they did not believe it vas necessarily a benefit, and it further restricted the balance of the property. city Attorney Ariel Calonne cautioned Council that while the model was attractive, it was irrelevant to the Comprehensive Plan amendment and zoning issues before it. It was inappropriate to consider tre model as a factor in the decisicn-maklnq process. Vice Mayor Woolley queried what type of development would occur if council did not appro\"e the zone change. Mr. Remsberg said the final decision would be market driven, but he believed the likely development would be single family. Whether it would be five or six single family homes, be diO n~t know. If the lots were changed in size from 7,500 square feet, they were fairly comfortable. that with the 6,000 square foot lots, they could achieve six homes. If market conditions improved and returned to where they were, the homes could easily sell in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. Council 'Member I'i-ccown queried whether t.he applicant consider~d pursuinq the project through a planned community (PC) zone process which would provide the community some certainty in terms of the project. Mr. Remsberg said it was considered, and while there were advantag­ es to a PC zone in terms of the City being able to ensure that what was proposed was built, there were some difficult findings to be made particularly with respect to the public benefit. The P~-15 zone had certain safeguards built in and within the approval process, and t.he model and plan maximized the floor a.cea ratio, d~nsity, lot coverage, and came close to maximizing the height~ While tile architectural style could change, in terms of the envelope, there could not be more. 65-171 12/!O/90 i I [ ! • [ f ~y I F , ! f' " ! ~ , I I , council Member McCown asked about the applicant's thoughts on miti­ gating the impacts of redeveloping the site on the current residel".ts. Mr. Remsberg said developers always cor.sidered that the mitigation requirements to qain approval could be s~fficient to sink the ship. Tney had always been aware that the real concern was th2 loss ~f th~ rental units. Their original application ~as submitted under guidelines which indicated the requirement for 10 percent BMR units or 1.9 or 2 units ou~ of 19. Subsequent Council action changed that guideline s~ch ~~at when rental housinq stock was displace~, the project \"ould: have to meet two or three other objectives, one of which would resul t in a eMR count of 20 percent or in tbe suhject instance of 3.8 units. Another change -.ras the underlyirig R-2 zoning changed from no limit on floor area ratio and kind of a safety valve if the property had to be developed under R-2 require­ ments. CIlrrent.ly, R-2 \Was in an interim z.oning classification which parall.eled R-l. Small cha.nges could l:le absorbed if market conditions remained relatively stable; major changes could not. A change from 2 BMR units to 3.8 or 4 B..'1R units was a substantial change in the project~ However, they .... ere prapared to provide three BMR units rather than the technically required two BMR units if such a change could be codified. Mr. Calonne said while staff had strongly discouraged Council from conditioning zone chanqes or COl'll.prehensive Pl~r. amendments, Council could condition one or both o.f the entitlements. to make the representation made a mandatory feature of the entitlement. The practice was not favored in planning circles because of administra­ tive problems in tracking the individu~l, unique conditions Which applied to each piece. of property ar-ound the town. While he believed the process ~as better not st~rted, it could be done. Mayor Cobb clarified the idea of prohibiting access to Wilkie way would fall ~ithin the same description. Mr. Calonne said that was correct. Council Me~er Kniss queried if Mr. Remsberg ~as offering three BMR units of the nineteen to be built and if he had thought of any other typ-e of mitigation w'hich might be acceptable. Mr. Remsberg had considered others which ~ere difficult to come to grips ~ith but ~hich were open for discussion and consideration. One l which might answer the human problem, would be some sort of Rental Housing Assistance Program relocation assistance: however, determining how to do it would be difficult and would depend upon different circumstances, needs, and income levels among the resi­ dents; and if an additional BMR unit ~as provided, it ~ould be more difficult to ~eaningfully address the relocation assistance. Council Member Kniss queried if Mr. Calonne would cOIDl'Dent on relocation assistance. 65-174 12/10/90 • - o Mr. Calonne said rent relocation assistance necessitateu ad hoc administrative programs on a particular ~one change. Ee advised the Council against becoming involved in a relocation program because it became extremely difficult to administer and define. As the process progressed to extremes, the Council could become involved in legal questions. As a pr~ctical ~atter, he ~ould be very cautious in the types of conditions the council should become involved in. Mayor Cob~ declared the PUblic Hearing closeQ~ MOTION: council Member Renzel moved, seconded by Fazzino, to approve the Planninq Commission recommend4tion to deny an applica­ tion for a zone change from R-2 to RM-15 and Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map chanqe from Single-Family Residential to Multiple­ Family Residential for property located at 420-461 Jacobs court with the ~ppropriate findings as follows: 1.. The proposed Zone change and Comprehensive Plan amendment \jiill reduce the affordable rental housing, and the resulting in­ crease in total housing units is not substantial enough to mitigate this loss of rental units; 2. The proposed zone chanq~ and Comprehensive Plan amendment is not consis~ent with land use patterns in the City, in that R-2 zoning commonly serves as a more appropriate buffer betweer sinqle-family residential areas and more intensive land usesr and 3 ~ The propo5ed zone change and Comprehensive Plan amendment 'Will result in an increase in traffic at an intersection with awk­ ward traffic patterns. Council Member Renzel believed many good zeasons had been given for approving the Pla:ming COlIllllission recommenda.tion. Jacobs Court had existing rental housing, the current zoning allowed hiice the existing denSity, and the neighborhood had been heavily i~pacted by high-density projects. The proposal .~s for a zone chanqe and a Comprehensive Plan a~endment, but the effort could have been put into a planned community (PC) zone ~ith 12 units if the developer's desire ~as to utilize eXisting zoning ~ore amenably~ Findings had been made on PC zones for years with fewer public amenities than Jacobs Court 'Would offer '",ith 12 units. 'l'bere was no reason to double or triple the density. Even with three BMR units, the project would not mitigate people ....,ho lost housing. The location with six existing housing units was awk~ard. and the opportunity for six more existed under existing zoning. She urged Council to deny the application and uphold the Planning COllunission recommenda­ tion~ If sQmething more creative came in, she would be willing to consider it, but she did not believe adding 50 percent more density was the ans'Wer. 65-175 12/10/90 ~ -. . , . , i I - Vice Mayor Woolley opposed the motion.. If Counc:"l allowed the eXisting zoning to remain, there vas no guarantee the rentals would ~emain. The real choice was ~hether to have R-2 zoning which could result in either six-singloe-family houses or ten duplexes or vhether to have 19 townhouses. If the existin~ zoning remained, the property owner could go ahead ~ith the R-2 or R-l buildings. She referred to an editorial in last week's San Jose M~rcury New~ about a meeting in San Jose between environmental ists " . .'1d housing advocates, which indicated the agreement was to keep the hills in ope.n space and cQncentrate housing along maj or arterials and transportation corridors. El Camino Real 'Was a major t.ransporta­ tion corridor and had the only good ten-minute headway bus service in Palo Alto. She prefe::-red rezoning to RM-15 to al10 .. 19 townhouses, at the lower price end of what could be p~rchased in Palo ~lto, rather than obtaining six single-family houses in the $800,000 category. While traffic and safety problems 'Were an issue, she believed there were secondarj. The basic ;.s~ue was how many housing units should be provided. staff said no accidents had occurred and. significant improvements would be made in the near future, perhaps even before t..""e project .... as completed. The proposed units were townhouses, which were considered the next best thing to a single-family home and more desirable than condos. The neighbors most heavily impacted ~ould receive larger setbacks and more restrictive daylight planes. PM-1S 2'oning ~ould be better for the Wilkie Way residents than R-l zoning. Council Member Renzel said if the property .... as developed as single­ family, there ~ould be fe.er units ~nd minimal impact on the neigh­ borhood. In terms of in-fill, there was ample existing, ready-to­ be-developed zoning in Palo Alto. The Ma~imart site and several other large sites were already zon~d multi-family. There was no way tpe City would catch up with the jobs and housing imbalance, but the problem should also be tackled on the jobs end. She disagreed that $365,000 tovnhouses ~ere entry-level. The fact that townhouses were more popular than condos suggested higher ~ather Lhan low~r prices on the market rate units. Council Me~er McCown opposed the motion~ Commissioner Chandler referred to a comnent by Mr. Borock that it .. as unlikely the property ~ould stay status quo. She said the same thing in 199J, and raised the same concern ~hen she was on the Pla,ming Commis­ sion. Sbe believed the community ~ould regret, as a long-term land use matter, the development of the site for $600,000 to $700,000 houses. The site could handle some additional units, and the project attempt~d to do so ~hile being sensitive to the Wilkie way access issues. In terms of the ~one change, she was concerned that while the plan might be sensitive to the neighbcrhood, the action requested did not gua~antee the plan would be the one presented for a building permit. Council had created other opportunities for adcH tional housing, and the Maximart property ..,a.s one exaD',ple. Ho'Weve~, the City's action was completely oppc,sed by the property owners, and no .one had siJbmitted a proposal consistent with the City's goals for the site. The Jacobs Court situation was an 65-176 12/10/90 .IW I ! l -'---.'-... sm 71& i , '" - economically-d~iven interest of a private owner as~ing the City to lOOK at the possibility of creating additional housing. .s~e believed such situations in the future would be the ones the council should carefully consider. The long-term planning view for the site an~ the opportunity the proposal presented for additional h",usi~g arqued in its fa ..... or. Council Member Levy agreed 'With Council Mz:mber McCo ... n. The property was on a main, highly-traveled street, in a relatively noisy area, surrounded by commercial and hiqher-density., residen­ tial uses, and it vas appropriate ~o have the transitional multi­ family use which RM-1S represented~ Palo Alto was more a sinqle­ family community, and whenever there ~as a development, there was always a desire to have less rather than more density: but the question was, if Palo Alto was qoinq to have highe~ density, where it should be concentrated, and the appropriate place was on a major street surrounded by higher density uses. While council could not be assured the proposed development would come forward, it was likely, and there would be design and revie~ through the ARB and the desiqn and appeal process, so the City would ha~e a chance to look intensely at the partic'..llar development and ~ake. sure it remained highly sensitive to the single family homes on Wilkie Way which joir..ed a portion of the property. If the Council had. a motion for an RM-15 rezoning, he agreed the third BMR unit should be part of it and, with the increased computerization of planning activities, the Council ~ould be able to track the special elements more specifically. He believed there should be no vehicle access to Wilkie Way and the cOmlr,ent "Jt'lade by the applicant to extend the median on El Ca~ino Way in order to reduce further the possibility of U-turns, if ~he City's Transportation Division agreed to it, was proper and should be part of the RM-15 zoninq application. Council Kember Kniss said it 'Was a difficult decision, and she wished she could vote 'With the residents. The issue was not whether the City was going to keep rental housing on the sitei it ~as about a zoning change and not even & pc. She ~as persuaded the location was close to a main thoroughfare and was vithin walking distance to shopping. She oppose.d the motion. COlJ.ncil Member Suto:cius referred to the Planning comnission actions of 1983 and said he had been in the minority because he stron91y believed a zoning revie'W -was appropriate. He now had a better understanding of the neighborhood, tried to accom-:nodate for the benefit of the community, and recognized the sensitivity of the total subject. He was pleased Council had the opportunity to do somethinq specific to protect Wilkie Way and provide access to protect the mature landscaping. He opposed the motion, supporte~ the comments of Vice Mayor Woolley and Council Members McCown and Levy, and would support a positive motion. Council Member Fa~2ino supported the ~otion and the recommendation of the Planning Commission. He was sywpathetic to Mr. Remsberg's points and might accept, in the final analysis, a significantly 65-177 12/10/90 t .* • .~. :~:;:' - larger number of units in return for more BMR urdts~ He believed changing the Comprehensive Plan and the z.oning for a specific project 'Was a troublesome precedent.~ The Council talked about ..... hat it might get in return but pulled back upon the advice of the City Attorney. He ~ould have preferred a PC application in which the Council could have made legitimate, specific planned trade-offs. He recognized Jacobs court ..... ould not r~main the ~ay it vas much longer, and council had to deal ..... ith the fact the rental housing st~k would not remain. He believed a PC application would have been a more appropriate 'Way to address the issue. He also believed the city had placed significant amounts of density in the neiqhb~r­ hood over the past few years ar.d that the vest side of E1 Camino Way represented the buffer bet'Ween commercial and residential. The Council action would indicate there wo".]ld be no buffer between the commercial/higher-density area and a single-family residential area and 'Was important to recoqnize in context of dis-=ussions ~ith respect to other neighborhoods throughout the City~ Council Member Andersen opposed the motion. He was concerned if the zoning of the property remained, the owner might decide to ~~it for another COl.!ncil if the vote happened to be close~ He was pleased by the offer of the third BMR unit and encouraged Mr. Remsberg to work with the Palo Al to Housing Corporation (PAHe) concerning tbe relocation issues. He "",·~s concerned about the prospect of monster houses being built and bel ieved that would occur if the zoning ..... as not changed. Mayor Cobb associated with most of the comments of Council Member Fazzino and believed the economics ~ould not allow the status quo to be preserved. He preferred a lower-density solution and believed the ideal soluti~r. 'Was to complete the R-l. on Wilkie Way and have multi-family fronting on El Camino Way which would give appropriate density levels. He did not believe the market would support $700,000 t.o $800,000 single-family homes on a. property which fronted on El Camino Way. A PC would be the best way to get appropriate controls and creative solutions such as the mixed R-2 and multi-fa.mily. If the Council 'Went forward with the applicant's request, there would be no chance to see such a creative solution. He believed findjngs could be made of public benefit and preserving the character of the neighborhood which a PC application ~ould make possible~ He supported the motion~ MOTION PAIL&D 6-3, Cobb, Fazzino, Renzel -aye.- MOTIO.: Vice Kayor Woolley moved. seconded by Kniss, to direct the staff to return to Council with a resolution and ordinance, and a contract with the applicant that implements the staff recommenda­ tion as amended, with findings generally as follo~s: 1. Approval of the proposed zone change from R-2 'l'Wo-Family Resi­ dence zone to RM-15 Multiple-Family Residence zone, with the 65-178 12/10/90 As Corrected 01/22/91 o condition that three BMR units will be provided by the appli­ cant and that no vehicle access will be p~rmitted from Wilkie Way; 2. Approval of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment for chanqe of land use de$iqnation from Single-Family Residential to Multiple-Family Residential~ 3. Adoption of L~e negative declaration of no slqnificant environmental impact: and 4~ Direction to the Director of Planning and Co~~ur.ity Environ­ ment and the Architectural Review Board that vehicular access to the site should be exclusively from El Camino Way, since such access can be ~ccomplished safely and ~ould result in les~ impact on the adjacent neiqhborhood than auto no vehicle access from wilkie Way. l~ The proposed zone change and Comprehensive Plan amendment will reduce the affordable rent~.l housin9~ and the resulting in­ crease in total housing units is not substantial enouqh to ~itigate this loss of r~ntal units: 2. The proposed zone change and Comprehensive Plan amendment is not consistent with land use patterns in the City, in that R-2 z~ning commonly serves as a ~¢re appropriate buffer bet~een single-family residential areas and more intensive land uses, and 3. The proposed zone change and Comprehensive Plan aDlendment will result in an increase in traffic at an intersection with awk­ ward traffic patterns. Vice Mayor Woolley said the addition of the BMR units ~ould apply to the proposed project only: any subsequent project ~ould come under the new regulations ~hich would require J.8 BMR units. She did no~ !:Ielieve access needed to be a condition because the developers and the neighbors did not ~ant access from Wilkie Way. council Member Levy said the staff recommendation called for no access from Wilkie Way. Hr. Calonne referred to the BMR units and the pre ..... ious council action which read the final design approval needed to be obtained by August 1$ 1991: if it was not obtained by then$ the project or any other would need to provide four SMR units. The ordinance drafted during the summer ~as not suited to the Council's present action. 6e recommended the motion be modified to direct staff to return to Council 'With three documents; an ordinance 'With appropriate conditions on the zoning, a resolution amending the 65-179 12/10/90 · I "1 I I ! I I - Co~prehensive Plan, and an additional agreament binding the applicant to th<e tert!'ls of the contract z.oning. Mayor Cobb queried if the motion ,""ouId prot'oibi t vehicular access to Wilkie way. Mr. Calonne said the recommendation was a direction to the _~8 and fell short of a mandatory condition. Council Meuher McCown queried ~h~t the mechanics of taking action would be if the Council believed the process should be achi2ved through a PC zone process rather th-an a zoning change and .... ·hat would be the process ~hich the applicant would need to go through from scratch or how much could be incorporated into the PC process. HS4 Lytle said if the Council denied the application and provided direction to reapply for a PC zone change, the applicant could use whatever preliminary plans to make the application and start a new process which would incluee a Planni~q Co~ission and ARB review and City council action~ council Member Renzel believed the Council should recognize that if it approved the motion, it would be accelerating the lass of rental housing units and would not be encouraging replacement with rental units, whereas the existing zoning did have the option, and it "~ould not have total control over 'What a developer would do with the land~ If the .zoning was there, there 'Was a good chance it would be properly used and would provide an equivalent number of ren'cal units. There 'Was no specific project: the models and pieces of paper with designs were not before the Council, but what was before the Council 'Was a zone change which told people if they saw a zone with small houses on it or under-utilized rental units, it would be worth a qamble to get a 50 percent increase in the allo~ed density by giving up one, two, or three units of the six additional units :for BMR units; and the cOUlicil was still giving a very substantial profit to the developer, would be responsible for not getting the kind of affordable housing needed in the community, and allowed a major site to be used tor the Senior Care project which was only 50 percent full and had a major impact upon the Jacobs Court neighbOrhood. She believed the council would be sending out a signal that it paid to speculate in Palo Alto. Council Me~er Y~iss queried if staff could elaborate more upon the PC process. MS4 Lytle said the PC process went to the Pl~nning COnL~ission at a concept level for its recommendation on 'Whether or not the pt·blic ben~fit was adequate and ~hether the project should proceed. If the application received a positive recommendation, it ~ent forward to the ARB for its re~ommendations on the design aspects of the project and assistance in further development: it came back to the Planning commission with a more finalized plan and a specific development sched.ule I-~quired by the PC ordinance~ Th.e Planning 65-180 12/10/90 ·" ., .. ~ ~:.: .. ,,~ ~"'~"''"';;;'''.' .. -;;- c~~; '-'~·.'~:;'~~";:ii.;~f~'i~i~r~?I-:·~~.·":'·"··"::.'.: IIilIJ.;II!J!lki!l!ll!O"!!.Ii.!II, lIlIIiI'I'1'7",.$$.41"", _~~ '~'.$-"'$'~ ,_ /.~ ... ~.!~ .... _~ ~'i~-"'!'.-:-:'i~~~~""-<'.~ - o Cc.-mmission ,.ould take action on the specific proposal 'Which lII·ould lock in the plan; and the application ~ould be forwarded to the council for final action. Council Member Kniss queried how lcng the process ~ould take. Ms~ Lytle said the precess ~sually took six months~ Council M.ember Kniss supported the 1notion. The proposal -would have about 19 units, of which thre~ would be BMR units available to the City. wbile they were not rentals, the Council could not pass a la'W whien r-equirod rental houses in the are.a i however,. it did face only a zoning change. She would have preferred to have the process come as a PC zoning -::hange and 'Was concerned about having five large houses in a neighborhood which would not be compatible. She believed the area was a good one for multi-family housing; it .as ~lose to bus lir.es and shopping and not too far from child care and schools, and the loss of rental housing units was partially mi tigated by requirements that the new development comply with Proqrams 9 and 1.2 and added one more BMR unit. She 'Wished the Council could. protect people .... ho were misplaced by the loss of rental units; however, the motion was only for a zoning chanqe. Council Member Levy 'Was unsure whether RM-15 or a PC change 'Was the best way to tackle the problem. He agreed the PC might have been the best way but was willil19 to accept RM-15. 'I'he odds were overwhelming that the project would be similar to ~hat the developer had alroeady projected. from the comments made by neighbors and the Council, and the developer would be taking a great risk if he rede&igne~ the project and had to get questionable approvals of the Plann.i.nq Commission and the ARB. He believed the project 'Would be v~ry much like the project presented. He was willing to accept RK-15, unless so!teone came up \lith cogent reasons he had not thought of for the PC ~oute. The December 5, 1990, l~tter from t~e developer mentioned a willingness to fund some roadway improvements which would discourage u-turns in front of an access from El camino Way, and be was concerned that drivers would come in from El Camino Feal and make a U-tu~ in a very dangerous area. He queried if the Council should speak to the situation now or rely upon the Planning Department and the Transportation Division to make sure the traffic patterns would be considerate of the turning movements in the area. Ms. Lytle said the area had some capital improvement projects underway for improvement of the intersection which had been negotiated 'With Caltrans for the past several years, and there was potential to ~ove forward with making furthe~ adjustments to the intersection which could be initiated through the ARB process. Transportation had looked at the area extensively and was comfort­ able 'tiith the safety but did not object to further improvemer:ts which could be incorporated into the final design. Council Member Levy believed a close look at the turning movements in the final project would be necessary. 65-181 12/10/90 t F t~·':'.-;' I .' , , • Council Member sutoriU5 said council Member Levy's observations about the PC ver~us the zcne change was understandable and shared by a number of Council ~embers ~ho had wrestled with the pro~lem. Through the appeal prOC9ss, the Lytton/Tasso proposal had been before the Council. The Council continued the item 'While the project 'Went back t.-c the ARB and ultimately returned to t~e Council for final review aDO action, which 'Was acceptable to the applicant and bn unusual departure from the normal situaticn. It worked well 'With the resulting-project being one which the Council approved, and the applicant was happy. Al(E.HPX1UI'r: COl.lncil Member Sutorius moved, seconded by Fazzino, that the project, after review and approval/action by the ARB, return to the City Council for final review. Mr. Calonne said the zone change. and C011'lprehensive Plan change would have occurred by that point in time, and he was not sure what recourse the council would have it if "'as dissatisfied with the action taken by the ARB. He suggested having an agreement signed and ready for council approval, along with the Comprehensive Plan amendment zone change, 50 there 'olTould be no further actions left to be taken by the applicant 'With respect to conditions before the legi5lati~e action approving the zone change. He would not want the legislative action taken and left dangling, pending some contingency; a cOIldition such as suggested for an ARB review by the. Council added a contingency after the legislative action. council Member Sutorius ~anted to incorporate the amendment to be companion to the zone and Comprehensive Plan change to add certainty that the loop h3Q been closed~ The applicant should be motivated to act promptly because the BY~ requirement would chanqe to four units as of August, 1991, and the applicant ~o~ld know the process had to go through the ARB which had wrestled with public comments. Mr. Calonne 'Was concerned about the Council taJc:i:lg action to approve a zone change and Comprehensive Plan a:nendment having continqencies in the tCrlIl of a condition ",.-hen it returned at a later time and about what remedy would be available to the Council~ Legislative action could he ta>:.en to undo the previous zoning action, but 'When talking about conditions of approval, he did not think in terms of having to go back and undo something ~ut in terms of the action never being fully effective if conditions were not fully performed. The problem \o'ith looking to another design/revie .... process was that there .. as no way to :keep the zone change and Comprehensive Plan actions open-endeo for a long period of time. council Member McCown anticipated the project wo~ld be presented at the ARB and 'Was a'wro'are there was no guarantee.. The developer could sell the property to someone ~ho ~ould come in ~ith a different project. The zoning would be in place and th~ project would go through the process. Council Member Sutor ius ~as suggesting there be something different than the appeal process, ~hich was the only 65-182 12/10/90 ! ,. i ! ! f r , • "', o way the Council saw an ARB item. It was a situ3tion .. here the zoninq was in place and a design ~~eded ARB approval, and the only City council involvement was when there 'fI,-as an appeal to the ARB decision. She understood Council Member Sutorius's intent was to require that any ARB process for Jacobs Court 'Would return to the council for review. The Council could then deny the project even if the ARB approved the desi9n. Mr~ Calonne understood the ~mendment to be a condition of the zoning. If it was a separate directio~ for a referral to come back to the Council and not a part ot the zone change, he would concur. Council Member SutoriU5 believed the ~mendment logically belongEd with condition 4 which 'Would cause the item to come back to Council. A step ~ould be inserted which the Council ordinarily did not take, but it had been us~d in the most recent case on an appeal sItuation and was the design step which 'Was built into a PC process. Mr. Calonne said existing language in Condition 4 incorporated the di r-ect i on. Council Member SutoriU6 said the amendlf,ent 'Would assure the project .. ould come ba.ck to the Council after the ARB revieW'. Council Member McCown said the intent of the amendment was not to be a condl tlon of the comprehensive Plan or zone change but a separate provision with respect to the Jacobs Court site. once the zoninq and Comprehensive Plan changes were in place, any develop­ ment propoeal tor the site would come after ARB review to the Council for final decision on the design issue. Mr. Calonne believed the language was appropriate. Mayor Cobb believed the non-access to Wilkie Way should be mandatory rather than sllgqestive. LANGUAGB REGARDING VESICULAR NON-ACCESS TO WILKIB WAY AND THAT THE FINAL ARB APPLICATION FOR DBVELOPMENT ON THE BITE BE REPERREO TO TIlE CITY COt1llClL lU"nR ARB RECOMKllNDATIO!l II1CORPOR. .. -nO INTO 1'Ii& lIAIN KOTION BY TIlE XAl<ER AlII) SECONDER Planning Commissioner Hirsch opined the Jacobs Court proposal violated at least five of the first six policies in the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Members of the cOm!fl.unity looked t.o the City Council for guidance in terms of the meaning of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Calonne suggested since they ~ere op~rating ufider the premise of an agreement and some additional items were included beyond the BMR units that applicant consent be indicated on the record. Mayor cobb confirmed the applicant indicated approval. 65-183 12/10/90 ... i I r 'j j J I I , , 'J .! CITY COUNCIL EXCERPT MINUTES AU~UST U. 1991 420-451 JACOBS COURT RECESS: 9:3{) P,M. TO 9:45 PM. REPOB,TS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS 9. Architectural Revie~ Board recommendation to the City Council approving the design for a 19-u:"!it residential project for property located at 420-461 Jacobs Court (300) (CMR: 397:91) razzino/Hecovn Approve staff recommendation with the addition of Condition Nos. 9 and 10 as shown below: Finding 1. The materials I textures, colors and details are appropri­ ate expressions to the design and function and are compatible with the adjacent and nei9hboring structures and landscape, in that the articulat~on of the building facad~sl the use of wood and stucco wall finishes and :metal porch roofs, and preservation of several large trees on the site help to retain the semi-rural feeling of the site and the informal residential character of the neighborhood . -8-8j19jH • ,. o REPORTS OF CQM1>lITIEES ANn CCMMISSIO!iS. (continued) 1. Prior to issuanc2 of a building planting and irrig3.tion plan s!lall Utilities Department. permit, the final be approved by the 2. Prior to issuance of a building ~ermit and prior to any demolition on the site, the app11cant shall provide the Pla~ninq Department with evidence of a contract with a certified Arborist who will be responsible for supervis­ ing implementation of the following tree protection measures. a. PriQr to any demolition or construction .on the site, all trees designated to be preserved shall be protected with a 6-foot-high chain link fence Mounted on 2-inch-diameter galVanized iron posts driven into the ground to a depth of at least 2 feet at no more than IO-foot spacing. The fence shall enclose the entire area under the dripli~e, O~ a distance from the tree of 1 foot per each inch of tr'..lnk diameter, whichever is greater. This area shall be shown on the layout and plantinq plans. Spray paint the top of the fence with bright oran~e pair.-t before unrolling the fabric to ensure ViSl­ bility of the barrier. In no case shall any vehi­ cles or equipment or any type of materials, 1nclud­ inq soil, be per.nitted to be stored within tr.is enclosed areB. The fence shall be erected before demolition or construction begins and shall remain in place until final plantinq operations are com­ pleted. b. Any trenching within the enclosure shall be done by hand ~ Any tree roots encountered smaller than 2 inches shall be cut clean with approved t~ee prun­ ing tools and sealed with an approved fungicidal tree sealant. Tree roots 2 inches or large~ shall not be cut~ Pipes should be routed into an alter­ nate location to avoid cO!Jflict. c~ Any grade change within the fenced zone shall be limited to 6 inches cf cut or fill from the origi­ nal grade and shall be ~ccomplished by hand. Under all Qu ercu sand Sequc i a trees there sh a 11 be no grade change under at least the inner 50 percent or the tree canopy4 d. No soil sterilants shall be applied under paV2ment near existinq t~ees. e. Above gro'lJnd surface runoff shall not be directed into the tree canopy area from. adj acent areas. EnsurE that sidewalks or other construction do not trap ~ater near the tree. -9-8/19/91 • I I l j I , I ---.... ---.'",-- REpoRTS OF COMMITTEES ASp COMMISSIONS (continued) 3. 5. f. Supl?lement~l irrigation and fertiI ilation before, durl.nq and after construction for' all trees to be retained, lmd correctional pruning and cabl ing of spe~ified trees shall be provided as directed by a certified arborist. standard noise level control shall be implemented throughout the project not to exce6d 40 dB inter-lor level f to protect from both street noise and noise generated on the project site~ A 24 x 24-inch standard stop sign shall be installed on the right hand side of the driveway at the back of the sid~walk, to the satisfaction cf the Transportation Division prior to occupancy. In compliance yith conditions of City Council ap~rovdl of the zone change from R-2 to RM-15, three BMR un1ts shall be ~rovided. This requirement shall be fulfilled to the sat~sfac::ticn of the City Attorney and the Director of Planning and community Environment, in conjunction with the subdivision process. 6. The applicant shall grant a 6-foo~-wide ~edestrian easement along the rear (northern) property l~ne within the existing Sa:1.ta Clara Valley Water District access easement for use by the 3981 £1 Cami~o Real project, in conjunction ~ith the subdivision map process. 7. An irrigation stub, soil amendment and 24-incn box trees and a paved patiO shall be installed in the b~ck yards of all units prior tc occupancy. 8. It the proposed fireplace shroud ana treat;l1&nt or chimney do not meet Building Division approval, revised chimney and shroud design shall return ror staff approval prior to issuance or the building permit. ~ A right-tu~n-onlY sign shall be installed. 10. Di:ect staff to revie}l an ex~_en5ion of the island further ~ El camino lI.~ay and. if fe_.:s_sible. to include that as a condition if possible~ XOTIOK PASSED 6-1, Renzel -no,-k~dersen, ~niss absent END EXCERPT -10-8/19/91 .' .