HomeMy WebLinkAbout0163.093, i
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February lI, 1993
~ONORABlE CITI COUNCIL
Pa'~ Alto, talifornia
REQUEST TO CONTINUE PARTlCIP.~T10N !Ii AN AD HOC CITY-STANFORD-COi'I'IUN!Ti
COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING PLANNING ISSUES FQCUSING ON THE AREA BETWEEN
EL CAMINO REAL, ALMA STREET, EMBARCADERO AND SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK
1The ·Ore-~rii Team~j _________ _
Members of the Cou"cl1:
REPORT IN BRIEF
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The purpose of this report is. to reque~t City Council c{)ncurrence with continued
staff inYDlvement with, and expendlt'Jre of up to $ll.OCa~ in an ad hoc effort to
investigate ;planning issues for the island of land bounded by Alma Street,
Embarcadero Road, El Camino Real and San francisqwito Creek. If acceptlo~e to
the Coum:il, staff \1 .... 11 phce a budget amen.dment ordinance approprih~01g ~.he
S11,OOO on the March L 1993 Council agenda. This effort ha.'5 been label~d' the
"OreiITI Team l in newspaper articTes and by some members of the g)"OUP
~articipating. To date, a small amount of staff time has bean expended on the
effort. The group is tentatively scheduling a professional p1a~ning charette to
e~plore i variety of de~Elopment concepts for the designat€d ar~a. The charette
is targeted to take! place the last weekend ir-. Marc!'1, and win illso serve as il
CO!TITIunity Forum 'tforbhop for the C('lrnpr2hens~ve Pl ar. Advl sOl") COl7l11li Uee. The
char-ette wi 11 cost approx ima te l.y S22, 000" It is propo s€d th at the co s ts be
shared betwC!en th€ City an1 Stanford University. Beca~;se the fP"'O'J,a has
volunteered to organize the charette, It wlll cost substiiritialTy less than if the
City requesti!d the American Institute-of Architects (AlA) to spcns{)r a similar
design exercise, which is what other cities across the country ha .... e dane in
similar situations"
BACKGRQUND
Th<e origin of the Dream Tearn was describ~d in a November 1992 informational
report to Councll, CHR;49Q:92 {copy ilttached). Out of the Draft Urban Design
Plan process came se .... eral ideas which the Downtown Urban Design COlTRTlittee and
staff determined were infeasible within the context of tne Design P1an" These
ideas included creating a transit hub at our current University Av':!n'Je transit
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depot. The transit hub would be user-~friendly and lIIould be desi9.,pd to encourage
ridership, as; opposed to some of the features of the current So itt: ~ . on. Members
of the Urbafl Oesi9!i COl'Tli1ittee [)e9~1'J taH.ing to cClm'lurdt) member. :;JarticiJh. ... ly
Tony Badger from Downtown North, IIIho ~ad ideas ar.d sugg~stions regardin· ·~e
configura.tion of Alma S~reet, University Circle, and the n~ed to pro'ofj(.ie safe and
convenient pedestrian as well as b~ke acces from their neighborhood across El
Camino Reai. John Montgomery, Public Arts C mission, had a conversation wit!1
Dal(id Neuman, Stanford Architect and Pl ii'" ~er~ who sr.ared tM~ concern for the lick
of pedestrian connectedness between Dow-"1 lli'ld tt,e Stanford Campus and Shopping
Cente:r t and the ... is10n that the transit could someday be a vibrant and better
used cornmun';", facility. Encouraged b., ~ letter from t~e State Department of
Transportat .. r. in .... ittng Grant appl ications for lr.t~rmoda' Surface Transportation
f '"ficienc), Act funljing. a number of ·rldi .... iduals In .... olved in these discussiol1S
:1ta,:tli!d City ~,taff far an informal r ·elin; to discu.ss their idea.s. Since t.hat
time, tne Ad Hoc COlTlTlittee has met 9 t ,nl,:S for two hours each. The meetinr ~imes
were publls.he~ and several !Tle!r.boers of the p\JbTic have attended. Questio' _ ave
r:;risefl regarding the ad hot effort. This report will attempt to answer some of
those questions.
Is the Dream Team a ()~licY-1J1akinq body or win it play d role .1.tl. fortflation of
public PQlicy?
The "Dream Team" is not a pl)l icy-making body, nor is it a recomm.ending body. It
is a:l ad ho-c group of Sta.nford staff. City staff a.nd coli1't'\unlty members who have
C~ toqetner to sh~re ideas and expertise rela.t~d to dn area of Palo Alto where
changes are likely to occur In the future and where opportunities undoubtedly
exlst. Tke catalyst for the group to begin discussions was a letter dated AIJgust
26, 1992 from the StatE: of Cal i fornia, Dept. of Transportat; on, in'{iti ng
inn:ollathe orcposa.h from joir.t~effarts of iOCii '3ollernments. universities arid
private enterprise for I~termodal Surface Transport.tion Efficiency Act {ISr~AJ
funding. (This Tetter is attached to Exhibit e.) it was ilmlediately rec<::grrized
that, not on1,) wa.s the Palo Alto corrmunity in no posit;:m to apply for this
fumhny, but that innovative ideas that might st)meday lead to such a proposal liad
never been explored in the joint manner described. The purpose of the g~oup is
t~ generate some ideas for consideration in th~ Comprehenstve Plan update and
possibly ~ther establis~ed decisio~-making ~~chanisms_
l.L..llre group is not going to ma~ ___ r'pcommendationL what is the pOil1.LnQf
Rene-rating jdeas?
These ideu can be introduced to the Comprehensive Pian .Ad .... isory COrrrT1ittee ((PAC)
or can directly inspire the p~licy makers. The plan of the Dream Team is to
conduct a professional charette in late March. The summation session for the
chuette is emds.ioned to-become a (PAC Community Fcr~m Ihorl;.s.t'1QP. "The (.c:'iI'Ilunity
Forum for the ·nmprehenslve P'af1 Update j s a series of e .... ents wherein speaKers,
panel discuss _ns, field trlps, and other publlc information wo,-kshops ~il1 be
arranged throughout the 2·1/2 year CompreJ':ensiire Pian update process. Community
Forums will be advertised for the general public, and staff lS ma~ing
arrangements to ha .... e the segments videotaped by 'iolunteers f{)r library
distribution and rebroadcast on public television. If the (PAC is intere:ited in
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pursuing any of the ideds comi"9 from the "~,rean: Te-3.m" charette, they car.
introduce them into th!!' p~blic policy recortJTlendati~lI1S that \!!Iill eventually be
made to the PTanning Commission and City Councii. Should the Council, who would
alsD ~e ~ncouragEd to attend the charette, find ar~ of th~ jdea~ worthy of more
immediate pursuit, tney (DuTd agendile ~ne issue.
A'hJ.t is .a charEtte?
Th~s professional charette ~ill be a workshop w~ere owts~de expsrls in urban
design, land use planning, transportatio:1 and development are in'iited to come to
Palo Alto to explore three-dimensional land llse s-::i>narios {ifl)"nediate, mid-range,
and long-range) for the study area. Tnes.e professionals are experts with proven
talent in their respective fields who ~olunteer t~eir time or are given modest
stipends, with expenses paid by the host jurisdiction. The AlA arranges th~se
types of workshops allover the country for a fee. The Dream Team is pianning
and intends to mak.e all irrangi:ments, with the costs propo$cd to be shared
between Stanford and the City. The charette is planned to be a t~o a~d one-half
d~y event wherein the team of professionals arrives in Palo Alto on Thursday,
conducts a tou( Of the st~dy area, receives a backgrcund pre~entation from a~l
~stakehoTders· in the area, asks questions of these persons, and then generates
land use scenarios ar.d design options graphically. Stakeholders are indiiliduals
and organizations who have an interest i~, existing elr future 'land use~ and
activities in t~e area.
The City of Palo Arto has conducted student cnarettes several times in the Pdst,
~itn the most recent being the Sovt~ of Forest Area charette, wherein students
from Cal Poly San Louis Obispo were in~ited to develop ideas for one of our
Downtown districts. The pro~u:ct of this effort is available in the Plan'lin9
Department. for those unfamiliar ~ith it. Many of the ideas from this charette
were fo ...... arded in the Oraft Urban Design Plan, scnilduled for City Covnci1 review
in Mardi.
Ho~ cun outside prgfessfona1.s dev~loo u~!J.:LIJ..sefIJ7 ideas for Palo A?toL).,Pu(J.ll.u_they
don 't kl)ow m!.Jch about us?
One of the advantages of skilled professionals without ~e5ted inte(~st or preset
opinions is that they are uner.cuil1bered by lecal prejud1ces and prejt;dge~ents.
However~ it is. important to prcliide background materials to tilese professionals
in order to obtain any potentially useful or realistic range of ideas from them.
For this r-eason the Dre~m Team intends to assemble bilcKground materials for the
professional invitees. (Reft!r to a list of maps and models required, Exhibit C.)
lixew;s<!, a hii,lf-diiY portion of the charette wjn be reserved exclusively for
stakeholder presentatians, wherein representatives fYelrn all identifjable
interested parties will be invited to provide background "informatior1 and
presentations to the profes$ionals, prior tel their begirlnir1g the design and
planning portion of the charette. Should these stakeholders be unable to attend
the meeting, videotapes of their presentations will substitute for their personal
app~arance. (Refer to list of Stakeholders, Exhibit D.]
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"The-t,.terhce Study Area" ?'te~icus1y d(:scribed il'\ C""R',490j92, is. hnl,.mded by E1
Camino Reel, Alma Street, Embarcadero ~oad and San Francis~u;to Creek.
Circulation and ac(ess ~o the transit d~pot will be i!xamined for the entire study
area, but the land u~e and design focus will be on the ar~a nurt~ of ~ells
Avenue.
"h~t are the futu.rt cpoortuniUes and Ute1 r changes for tl1_~_ area tiMen prompted
the Dream Team in the Urst p1ace an.U!J..y dfdn't this ~ff"rt .rait for the
C9mprehensive Plan process?
The opportuRlt,es a.re identified in the. Draft U"ban Des~gi'1 Plan and irlc.1ude
better access ~nd improvements to the PaTo Alto Transportation c.enter, including,
user-friendTy linkages and connections for intermoda1 transportation systems,
including pedestrians, bicyclists, automobiles, buses ilnd Caltrain, The
potential changes w\lieh ire mDte immediately 'imminent for pub1ic considt'raUcn
are;
l} The Red Cross is locking to significantly expand their facilities to me~t
futur~ responsibilities and has approached the City and Stanford in thls
regard;
2) The Palo Alto Medical Foundation has publicly stated its intention to
present ipplitatio~s to the Cltj to mn~e and expand their faclliti~s to
the Urbari tane area;
3} -:cording to COI'!W!I ·,ty memboers. the Joint PO\olle:rs BOird {JPB} has
identified the Pdlo Alto station is having 9reotest pot~ntial for transit
improvements of all statin~s between Sar. Jose ind San Francisco, and have
therefere targeted a ~uture parking structure (or their prnpert!;
4) The train station will become leasable within months. begging the question
of both shw~t-term and 10n9 range potential use;
5) The City has been awarded fundi ng for i bH.e bri dge over Embarcadero Road
and blke path extending southeast from the train station;
6} Thr~e mil1ion dollars of public funds are allocated to the Metropolitan
Transportation Comrnissinn for imprc~ing the pedestrian ~nderpasses to the
train station for meetin9 American Oisabtlity Act (ADA) req'Jirements; a"d
1) There is i rea.s()l,abie likelihood ttiat hlo A1to and Mer.10 Park 'Mill
receive State funding for a ~ew bike bridge over the Creek near El Pilo
Alto.
Usually. staff reacts individually to these proposals .. ithout having the
opportunity to ghe \Wider Cons.ideration to their relationship to each other, the
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cCRrnunity. or the regio:'1. 111 this. cue, the chantte wi11 fac111ta':e thir-kin9
about the futlJre (If the uta and idelitifying id€as which can It!ad. through the
Comprehensive Plan process, to changes,
Stlpv1d Stanford U!liver"s1J_L_ll~ff. __ and City staff be meeting and _~~_~hanging idei~
in this m~nf1e,.?
Staff has no il1ul)ions abol.1t the fact that Stanford University is a 1and
de'W'e1c:per. Just il.S staff r.c!Tfllurdcates '.ith all a?p~iicalJt3 cmd developers. st~ff
also communicates with Stanford University repraser.tath'es: . ..,hen any property
O:-ffler or developEr' chooses to explore options for development of t~eir land
ho1d1ngs~ ~o matter how large or small, Planning Division staff are a~ailab1e to
engagf!; in discussions regarding the potent ~ a1 for t.he property and to make every
~ffcrt to present the public po1icy and regulation perspective to that part}.
This is part of the customer ser"ic~ ethic of the Department, and it is i
function of all local planning departments. The amount of staff resources
exper1d"ad 'With Stanford iJn~'1e.rsity or. thea Dr~am T-earn effort to date is. less than
that expended wit~ numerous other indi'lidual property owners o ... er the past
several years. on projects that are re1ati .... e1j minor in comparison and with iess
public b€nefit sigrlificaf1c€ (e.g .• the Peninsula Creamery site, St. Mark's
Church).
Th~ fact that Stanford University ha~ such significant land ho1dings and is a
dynam}c a!1d compl€x institution is a good reason to encourage staff cOlmlunication
.. ith. the organint'on. It is lmp~rati\j'e that cooperat'hle discussions and
improved relitior.ships at all levels deve10p through time, so that the City and
Shnfojd c.a.n better understand each ether's needs and work toward improved
relationsh'ps as neighbors in a tightly bound regjon ~ith significant planning
(OnCernSi .
Please find attached a me~o fram the City Attorney's Dffice, which states that
the Dream Team, as currentlY functioning, ;s not subject to either the Brown Act
or the Pol itica;l Reform ~.ct.
What is thE pubric .resQ.t!.rce cammftr.:.ent on this .r:1fc[t to date and 'What is
propose(i... fcr~ __ tne future.'
The resource commitment since October 1992 has been approximatelY 60-70 ho~rs of
staff time SpEnt in group meetings, preparing a City Manager's Repart (CMR) and
answerlng questions from U1e pub11c about the effort. Should the Council endorse
staff's continued participation fn this endeavor, another BO hours of staff time
are likely to be expended; and, in addition, a budget of 522,000.00 is proposed
to be snar!d between the City and Staf1ford to finaf1ce the professional cnarette.
{Refer to attached draft budget, Exhibit F).
This effort also addreS5€S, in part, a Council assignment from the Citywide Study
to perform an area ~tudy for the Urban Lane Area.
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Does t11is eFfort somehgw (;odermine th", CO'Mreh~nsi've P}8,'lJr~ __ ~_ess?
It complements He process by providing fresh ideas for the CPAC. Wahout the:
Dreim Team effort~ tt 1$ doubtfu1 that City staff exploratio~ of this important
interface a.rea .. ou1d be passible. The Dream Team effort ilso anticipates. curr-ent
planning issues that are likely to arise "'hile the CP,4.C is in session. namely the
PAMF relocation and the R~d (ross expansicn plans.
Khat abqut the ISTEA flntennod.!.1 Suif§ce Transpg.rtHiell ... Jfficiency Act of 19911
Grant 1(ontr? "auid 11" ever ke eUqible for the funds Jihich l""Q-'1JP.~~_~ effort
in the fi,st place?
The Intermodal S~~f&ce Transportition Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) includes a
broad range of funding programs through fiscal ... year 1997. ihe part~cul;Jr program
that inspired this current Dream Team effort ...... Transportatian En~ancel'!1ent
A.::tivities ...... has application deadline of March 10,1993 (accelerated first phase
funding) and August 1~ 1993 (r2maining funding). Whil! it is unlikely that a
definable project or project element(s) ~ill emerge from this effort in time to
app1y for suc~ funding, there ~il1 be future fundin9 opportunities that could be
pursue~, once a project is ldentified by the pGiicy·makers.
RECOI+, .. DATIOI
Staff recommends that thE City Council direct staff to continue to participate
in thE Dream Team effort. including joint funding of the professional charette.
utilizing a bud9~t amendment, a~d incorporation of the charett€ as a
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Community Forum,
Respectfully submitted,
A,-> Ai;.,lj ~r-~nJttd ~ Jciu:rk.
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER ,/
Director of Planning and
NANCY MADDOX lYTLE
Chief Planning Officia1
~~~ivj~
City ~anag.r
Attachments~ Exhibit A, Re~ised A-,"ea M~p
(ommtlni ty [nvi ronment
Exhibit B. CMR:490:92. ~ith attached August 26~ ,992 letter from
CMR: 163: 93
State of California, Oepartment of Transport~tion
Exhibit C, list of Maps/Models Required
Ex~ibit D, Stakeholders list
Exhibit f, MemQ from City Attor~ey
Exhibit F. Draft Prospective Budget
E~hibit G, Calendar of All Steering Committee Meeting and
Subcommittee Meetings
Exhibit H, News Articles
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~_".;._=~.'":;o ii~·_"' _______ ...... _____ ~~ .. ___ . _____ .~" .. _
cc: Planning Comissicn
Arcnitecturil R~vi~. Board
Comprehensive Plan Advi:ory Comm~ttee
Urban Desfgn Committee
Pa.lo Alto Medical Foundation (Or. Robert Jamplis, Robert Boyl€:~
Jay Thorwaldsen, Bert Rose. Dena Massar)
T~wn & Country Shopping Center {Ronald Williams)
City of Menlo Park (Jan Dolan, Don de la Pe~a)
Dream Te~~ Mailing List
Holiday Inn {Clement (Men)
American Red Cross (Margaret Donohoe}
Downto~n North Neighborhood (Tony Badger)
Chamb~r of Commerce (Susan Frank)
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~~~ ____ sI4I ____ fJ~~~ ______________ EX_HI_B!T_B __ ~
November S, 1992
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Aito. California
Status Report on Arl Ad Hoc City-Stanford Committee Investigating
PTa.:lning Issues Foc.using on the Area between Downtown and the
Stanford Shooping Center (The ~Oream Team-)
Members of tne Council:
REPORT IN B~!EF
This is ili infol'lTlational report. No City Council actiofi is reauired or
recorrmended. The report describes the status of a Spo~lt2neous City·-Stal1forj
effort to investigate p1annir19 issues for the isl.and of iand bounded by Alma
Street? £rr.barcaderc Road 1 £1 Camino Real af1d San Francisquito CreeK. The issljes
being discussed focus on ccth land uses within this i~1and and the connection of
activities on the island to other areas an::! primarily Downtown and the Stanford
Shopping Center. SOfTIE of the participants iii this discllssion process ~ave dubbed
the effort -The Dream Team.-
BACKGRQUND
During the course of the past year, sporadic conversations .?tcurred among some
combination of City Planning staff, members of the Urban Design Committee and
Stanford staff (primarily David Neuman, Star.fDrd A:rc~'1ite:ct, wllose re:;pansi~
bilities have expanded to include all Stanford nanning work). The general fccus
of these discussions ha5 been use of the area around the Palo Alto train statioll
and the des;rabilil:y of better connecting this area with Downtown and the
Stanford Shopping Center. The "triggers-for these discussions include the
process leading to the draft Downtown Urban Design PTan; the availability cf
S'3,{lOO,OOC for upgrade of the train depot"s pedestrian access to meet reqJ.iire
ments of the Americans with Disabilities Act; intere$t expressed by the Red (ros.s
to replace and e~pand their facilities; the potential av~ilability of Federal
Transportation Funds for innovative m~ltirnodal transportation centers; a~d the
forthcoming Comprer-tenS~V2 Plan lJpdate pre·cess. Th.:se discussions led to an
understanding that the range of iss~es and opportunities is such that a more
org.<.nized investigatioli ;s wiirnnted. Because the effort 1'5 orle,ted to
identifying whether iI. broader land t.Jse and activity vision cali be identified for
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th~s area, the term "The Dreanl Team-was coined and i~ used by SCr:le of the
participants to refer to this process,
ne ~roup recent1y became motivat~d to ";t:llelop .a more formal struc.tIJri! and senSE
of purp~~~. The first meeting to consi~~r an orga~ized approach to thes~ issue~
octurred n Monday, October 5, 1992. The "Or~am Team~ was identified to include
Ilembers of the Urban Design (ormittee, Stanford planning, trar,sportation and
lands management staff, m~mbers of thE Cityr s Planni;"l <I.nd Tr~nsportation
divisions and, ho~( ~ull.Y, representativES of the ";Oi,lt Pcwers Board. SAM1RA~S~
and Santa Clara COl.i.nty Transit. (Refer to attached Exhibit C for Subcolmlittee
struct~re and membership.) That meeting led to an initia1 agreement on the goals
identified below.
rt is important to empnasize that this undt>rtak.1ng is intended to s,Jppo,-t
existing review and a'1proval processes. If a bro<l.d vision for He area ~s
iderllified, tnat concept will be fOl"'wllarded into the Comprehensive Plan Update
process. If specific propos31s tre identified, they wtll be brought through the
appropriate Ctty revie~ and decision maKing processes.
The goals of the group, adopted on Octob~r 5, include the following:
1. Bring Palo Alto and Stanf..,!"d c10ser together, creating a larqer sense of
conrr.unity? by creating cO~T1ect1ons across [1 Camine Real.
2. Improve the qual ity of 1 ife in the irrrneaiate area by enhancing the
uSibll ity and interconnectedness of the Downtown, the Stanford Shopping
Center, Town aild Country Shoppir.g CentEr, the Urban lane A.rea, n Camino
Park, the Red Cross and other uses located between the railroad tracks and
[l Camino Real.
l. Establish iii vision and a framework for future land use and transportation
decisions for the -interface area-which occupies territory bounded by
Emb.rcadero Road on the south, Sar. Francisquito Creek on the north I
Stanford Shopping Center on the west and Downtown on the east (Refer to
Exhibit A).
4. Upgrade the existing intermodal transportati\Jn hub
trans-it depot and linkages to it~ so that a range
aHernatives. including pedestrian and bicycle,
accolTlTlodated.
Schedule Of Meetings
by impro'oling the
of transportation
can be easi ly
A schedul.a of meeti ngs. of the "Dream Team" Steering Committee is attac.hed
(A.ttachment F). This subcommittee is meeting in the Red Cross Building next docr
to the MacArthur Park restaurant and the Transit Depot, The meetings are o~en
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to t~e public and interested parties. A schedule of meetings for the SubgrDups
; s fortncomi n9.
lQng-and Short-Range Ob1ect i ves
One of the ilTlrNi!'diate objecti .... es identified by the group is to co~duct a works;hop
(i.e., i design charette) to which professional designers are invited to explore
'lir.riol,js cptions for t~e area under consideratto".. The professional charette is
tenhti~ely scheduled to occur in february, after the publ ic r€view of the Urban
Design Plan and the beg1nning of the Campreh-ansive Plan Update effort. The Dream
Team's ilTlTled1ate focus is to de .... elop a framework for that workshop and the
10g;sti($ of organizing the event.
Ideas and canc.epts which have been discussed and might be explored at the
professional charette are included be1ow. Please note that these ideas,
particu1arly tnose in the m1d-and Tong-range categories, are a coll~boration of
creative concepts. Many may be revealed as ir'11.practical as they are further
explored. Additional id~as ... il1 emerge during future discussions and the
char~tte. Obviously, l formal r!vie~ through the ComDrehens~ve Plan ~roc~ss or
other lppropriate approval processes will be nee-ded prior to any implementation.
Short-Term Opportuf, it i es
]. Pedestrian tunnels to tne transit depot are scheduled to be improved using
$3 million available from the Metropolitan Transportation Con~issicn for
Americans with Disabil'ity ,~ct renovation. Can these monies be parlayed
1nto a broader access concept in addition to the improvements for persons
with disabl1ities?
2. Passage of the Intennodal Surface a'1d Transportation and Efficiency Act
(lSTEA) has provided an opportunity for private enterprise, lOCil
government and the education conmunity to seek grant funding for
innovative tr~nsportation programs. (Refer to Attachment B, a letter from
the California Departm~nt of Transportation dat£d August 26. 1992.)
3. The Red Cress is p1an rd ng an Expansiort. {Refer to attached Exhibit D,
letter from Margaret DonGnoE and R. ~ichael Kasperzak to Nancy LJ'tle,
dated Sept. 25, 1992.) This may rJ~t-essitate a I'lodification of the
boundar.v of E1 Camino Parle Hc·w can their plans er,har.ce opportunit~es on
El Camino Park island?
4. Applicat:ons for the Stanford ~est project and a ccmbinea Sand Hill Road
ExteM ; on and Stan fa rd Sno~ ping Center Ex pans i on p roj ect h a 'Ie been fil ed.
dnd [I~'s will soon be 1n process. The residentj~l deyelo~ment projected
to come from the proposal would create a naw neighborhood for Palo ATto,
... ith a 4 percent increase in overall City population. How is thIS
proposed neighborho:Jd to connect with the rest of the community, the
Downtown, scho:Jls:, etc? What kinds of opportunities are reveaTed 'fI'ith a
road connection and shopping center Circulation changes?
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;;. Plans for a bjcycl~ path connection ilon~ the sout~ slde of the railroad
tracks from the High School side 0; Embarcadero t~ the railroad depot are
underway. How does this plan relate to the other proposals?
6. ihe ~alo Alto Medical Foundation i;
Urban lane. How d.o the'jr plans c:
atea to the t-,.., ~der comm:.m i ty?
M'id·Range Opportunl ,.:$
~ively pursuing plans tJ reT ocate to
e o~'PQrtuni ties for conne.:t ing th~1 s
1. Stanford staff hive noted that a new theat~l'"' for the Dl"arr.a Department is
needed in the future, CDuld' this nee-d be combined 'WHh the {j,,.ban Design
Committee's idea of a Performing Arts l~~ater for the Downtown? The night
lighting and ~vening activity on E1 Camino Pijrk ball fields is an asset to
the vitality of tne a~ea. Combined with a potential theater use and its
associated evening performances and downtown restaurar.ts, the three co~1d
be compatibJe.
2. The Joint Powers Bo.ard, now in ~harge of operating the cor.muter trains.
anticipates expanding the Palo Alto (i.e., Unh'ersity Av~nue) train
station in their 1cng-range plannfng. Could a parking structure, which
would alma!'':. undoubtedly be necessary. provid:! opportur:ity for shared
parking w " other uses? The shtion has great potential for
\l1talizatJon, but surrounding u:.es and uses within the faeOity will be
the k.ey to realizing this objecti'lie.
3. Housing lTay be a p<:ltent1al use on [1 Camino Real islar.d. Because the
islar.d is ptlysically isolated froll! other areas. it is ;Jossible that higher
intensity devel'Opment might work there. Housing near tne Downtown is
desirable and encourag~d in the Drift Urban Design Plan.
~. The circulltl0n 'of the Shopping tente, could chanl!fe ind might allow
opportunities for a new at-grade connection from A1ma to E~ Camino Real
closer to th~ University interchange. A new crossing could deter t~-ffic
from the Downtown North neighborh{lod .and a·',~ow the current Pale ~Tto
Av~nue connection from Alma to E1 Cami no Aima '~J c1ose, freeiT'lg terr i tory
for i more ir.tegrated or expanded park use.
5. An ibove-gr-ade pedestrian link Oy2r El (amino R~al from the Shopping
Center to the transit depot and its parking structure could mare directly
connect all activities and integr~te their use.
lang-Rar.g-e
l. The COfIFluter rail is el,'entually Hk-e1y to be converted to an electric
train. Should the fr-eight 1ine be abandoned, the cpportunity is created to
either underground Cir ele'fate the entire rail line. a..'hile th€ str:Jrrg
preference of the Urban Design Comrnitte-e is to underground it. either"
o~tion opens a ~ide range of possibilities fo,. better urban design,
CHR:49Q: 92 ~1/5/92
Page 4
--~---~-----~~----------"'---~~11111111
CONCLUSION
This staff report has described iii spontaneous effort that ir.\'olves: members of the
City stafL Stanford L:niVers1ty staff and the publ'ic. TM effort, If successful,
... 111 ~ventual1y generate ideas for the Compr.ehensive Plan Update ana/or ether
public review processes. City stiff conciudes that the energy and creativity
evidenced among Stanf~rd staff and members of the public is valuable and should
bE reinforced. Thus, if: limited amount of City staff time will b.e ilToc.ated to
this effort as an ;djunct to ongoin3 City planning and transportation work.
Respectfully submitted,
,., ~ J: "':..t f IW/;!r I)"t " • c(U ,,;>
NAlley MADDOX lYTLE
Chief Planning Official
~~~~/
Intedm City Manager
Attachments: EE~.~~j~;8~iHt~A~"~la~p~c~f~1~il~t!~jMfM.~e~.~S+t~cid~i~'~'~'~Ie~.>-
Exhibit B Intermodal Surface Transportation Effici~nC,)l
Act Grant Opportunities
Exhibit C Organization Chart
Exhibit 0 American Red Cress tetter
bh ibit E "ISTEA/D, ea:.1i hal" Stee iliS Eo ii, littte P, cposed
neet;li; Scheda;e
cc: Planning Commission
Arcnitecturil Revie", 8Qard
Urbii!'1 Design Committee
Palo Alto Med.ic:al FOlJndation (Dr. Robert ,Jamplis, Robert Buy1e)
Town and COlJJ'1try Shopping Center (Ror.ald lrIilliams)
City of Menlo Park (Don de la Pe~a)
Dr~am Team Members
Ho1iday Inn (Clement Chen)
America~ Red Cross (Margaret Donohoe)
Downtown North Neighbort'1ood (Tony Badger)
Dena Massar
NOTE: See O',P_:163:93 fer illlssin·g ex.,ibits.
CMR:490:92 11/5/92
Page 5
-----------:'.,~$,~--~.c"'· ..:cr
'D~~."R:tMENT OF
1 t3:) N Si'fET
F,O.80X~4 • MCfW.e."/P, C\ _...."
1OO~a)~
1916) 6f4-:<463
., .'
TRANS'")RTATiON
/
AU2USt :26, 1992
St~n!ord University Planni~g Office
855 Serra Street
St~nfcrd, CA 943QS-61~5 ,
,
l'.tte:1tion Debbie:
&t.nford~
SEP 1 1992
~:"'. ~\?~0~== 1l1. ',::
jntermoda1 Surf,ce 'fran:o.portOl-ion. Eft i ci ency A\"'t G"""u'"
'WpgrtppH i fig!
'rhe Federal government hae provided a unique oppcrtcnity tor
pr~vate enterprise, 10001.1 g"cve:nment, the education comm::tlity, and
thp! St~te to obtain grant fU::Id.ing fer ir.:').ovat.ive tranl!lpo!'ta":1o!'l.
prog:t'arns. 'the Intermod.al su~tace ':'ran.spor'tation Efficiency Act
(ISTEA}, pas::Ied into la.w on Oece~e:, 1a, 1931, provid.e! ;r~u'.t
opportunities for a variety of trBr.s~o~stion progre~~ int~nded to
le~C1 the United States of A.~eric4 into the 21.!'t cer.tl.lry. The ISTZA
wa$ designed to encourage cooperative efforts in t~e research and
development of Mu.lti-modal and otb.er innovative tran ... portation
opt.ions such ae high speed rail, e!ectrie yehicl-e.s, and mag-netic
l&Y.it.ation projec:t.I!I~ "more exten.sive list. of the ne .... '
di/icretionary transportation qrant opport"..!r:;':"ties i" attllched.
i Over $2 billion is e,,,ails.ble t;-!.tion .... ide for developing
ecQ!".omiQlll, energy efficient, and enviror.mer:t.!.lly !I~\.u~~ i'!1_ethods of
!nOV-ing pevple a.."'lcl qoodJ'. This ;rant rroone.l' will be avail.l!lbte duri:"q
the six-year effective per:!..C'd of the ISTEA (19.91-19:517). 'Ihe
Calit.,rr.i& Department of Tra..~.!porta.tio.n (Ce.ltra:'l.!J .is Sei!icir:g
proposal.15 end idees {rore local 9'o;.~el:'-rut\ent!.l ~qenc1e3, the ed.ucation
CCl~"'l\ur:ity, and pri"J'ste enterpria.. '1'0 sr • .are yoer ideas or
pr~po~als, ple~se call or write to:
~. ~celina ~A-tinez
u6partrnental ~.anta Office:
Oivision of Budget"
Depa~tment o~ ~ransportation
1120 N Street
Sac:carr.ento, California 3:S8:i..4.
(916) 65~-2453
.:..---
•
•
"
-..,----..... ----.. .. -------.
Page 2
We invite you to ,",ork 'Witl: us in developin9 the innO\rstl .... e
ids!.! ar:d techno':o'i'Y that. .... ill be !':ieeded to me.t. the challenges
tac.!.n9' t:ra.nsport&t!.on in Calif'Qrnia. Caltran" is cOmmitted to
jOining witl". our pa.rtners in the transpOrtatiQn comrn,l,;jrd,:y to
develc>p proposal.$: for t!'J.e.se grant c.1='t:-",.r-tl.lnit.!e!'!, i
~ttachment
Si:lcerely,
R~~T:r~-
Depa.rtr.'lental Grants ot!'il.:er
Civision o! Budqet3
-. -.~. ---------------------
J
;;',
A
PROCEDURES
·PA·NANCY LVTLE •
·SU· SILL PIiILLlPS
-IU·CHARLES CARTfR
·PA·JOHN MONTGOMERV
-SU·ANDY DOH
·SU·LEDNI BATKIN
·PA·8ILL FELLMAN
,. Chairs
kK 111NtAMTEAMI. \",gpln.cl"
s
ORGANIZATION
PA/SU I NHRHODAL
INTERFACE ZONE
STEERING COMMITTEE
PA·NANCY LYTLE •
SU·DAVID NEUMAN'
URBAN OESIGN·TONY CARRASCO
,. TRANSPORT ·MARVIN OVERWAV *
LAND OWNER·BILL PHILLIPS
i·PA·KEN SCHREIBER
·PAMF·DENA MOSSAR
·SU·CURTIS FEENY
B
LAND USE
DESIGN
-PA·GEORGE ZIMMERMAN
·PA·JIM GILLILAND
·PA·TONY CARRASCO
·PA·SHIRLEY WILSON
-SU·DAVID NEUMAN'
·PA-ROXY RAPP
·PA·JIH BAER
·SU·JEFF TUHLlN
·SHC·LEONI BATKIN
·CHARLES CARTER
,~' .••.. .-.~~, . ....:'..i:'~_ ~-'-:"...L_~:':::.~~!'.£
I C
TRANSPORTAT ION J
·PA-MARVIN OVERWAY •
-SU·JEFF TUMLIN
·JOINT POWERS BOARD
·SAMTRANS
·SCC TRANSIT
·GEORGE ZIMMERMAN
·JOHN MONTGOM[RY
-CONGESTION HANAGEMENT
AGENCY
~j
)
~"
" "
f ,
I
,.::~t>
, .,
:,.",
• ~-< ,.
'.
---,~-,---------------------:-~~
-, + American Red Cross
September 25, 1992
Ms, Nancy Lytie
Ci!\' of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94Q25
Dear Nancy:
Polio Alw _"'r~:! Chzpte~
f.ak' AJ~, .. ', CA. "~J'21
;dt"pi-J:"J'" i., )' 52:'::.-1)
:S)r;r;r:~ ~
, I
Thank YOll for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with Bill and me I;onceming
the future expansion of Palo Alto Area Red Cross facilities.
While we understand the camplexi',f and politics that surround the "Parklands", the future
of Red Cross services requires the roaperation of Stanford and Palo Alto.
The following summarizes _ our facility's r:..eeds arid piaru for much needed expansion.
Current SitUBtWP
We have OlltgrOWn our current space and have immedia.te needs for 1,000 sq. fL of
appropriate classroom/meeting space. We anticpate that by 1994 our space needs
"ill have more than doubled.
.luter 2 years of evaluation, we find that it is more feasible and Ctlst effective to
reouud than to rellovate or add on to tbe existi .. Hg building in light of building codes and
the age of the building.
• We have utilized all of our current electrka1 capacity-existing sewer lines in the arf':a are
in poor COD dition.
There are 22 yean I~ft on our current lease-at the end of the-lease all L-nprovemel1ts
revert to Stanford if no new lease is negotiated.
The Red Cross Board is commined to historical presence a! tbis s~te.
-Our current time schedule calli for:
City, Stanford and National Red eros; Approvals;
Capital Camprugo:
Land/Space Planning:
Constru cti OT.:;
August 92 -April 93
August 93 -May 94
May -November 93
March·July/ August 94
-
~---~~---~---
{
.. "
• Tne Red Cross urgently needs more space: f'Jr programs, staff and parking.
• We r;eed a long-term lease and stabnity to support case for capital fJnd,ais;ng and
expansion.
• U!"ban Ministry is in ne::d of permanent office/client space to L.:'pon theli programs
throughout Palo Alto.
J. There are a number of social 5eJvlCe agencies that are leaving Palo Alto d:.!e :0
high costs, lack of space and "NIMBY" envlronment. This land is a uniq'le "island"
iliat i.~ dose 10 public tr.:l.fl..<;pOrtation and truly not in anyone~s bacl:yarrt
Vision
• Increase our lease parcel, to include a portion of the land to the north, tow8jd, but not
Including, the fencea a.ea of lhe park.
• A new builcimg (approxillllitely 20,000 sq. ft) thaI C{)uld house expanded Red Cross
Programs, Urban Ministry and (possibly) a small wcial service agency.
that is facing space and '~lMBY" restrictions.
• Using me site of the current faC11iry. once a neW building is comple!~d. far parking for
the Red Cross iI!!Ji McArthur Park Restaurant
• The Red Cross would like to extend our currC[lt lease 10 at 1e~t 40 years and increase
the size of the parcel of land. This would provide the Red Cress with much needed
room for expansion wit..i.out committing the future of El Camino Park.
AgaL-::., our thanks for your support. Let's hope that this new committee "",ill bring a joint
reso]utioD to this land issue.
Sincerely,
/A:/Va-£-~;aret ~nOhoe
Executive Director
~---t / 1// i--1,_ljj::2t~ :/ J!
;
R. Michael ' p':'hak Jr.
Chainnan .
cc: Jim Eaer, Leouie Batkio-AJlen, Bill Fellman
MAPS/MODEL REQUIRED
Title
BUIlding/Volumes
Aerial Photos;'ObLiques
Land Uses (exIsting)
(Comp Plan, Zoning: & 'C"ses)
Stakeholders criteria md.p
Kevi..." Lynch type dra.wing
Topographic Map
Traffic: Volumes/Train & Bus Schedules
Property Une Maps
Bu.s Routes, Train Romes
Study model of area
Alex/Tony C
Biil P.
;\Janey
0:a.r:.cv
Da\,ldrTony
~..; anc),
~L:.r\'in/DE:1d
~ancy
Dena
David
•
\
EXHIBIT ,
-------------------------.----------------~*,. --~, ---,.;.. "'"" ~
,
. -'~-.... ".,....,. .............. -,----",.------.. " ..
EXHIBlTjl
liST OF ·STAKEHOlDERS:~'LI1:iI_ INTERFACE ARE~
1. Curred Users and Facilities in the Study ~rea
A_ Red Cross -Desire to expand their facility and to rftain and
improve their current programs, including tnat of He Urban
Mif"listry to provide referral and counseling for the homehss.
8. HoI idn Tnn -Desire to improve il'1ternodal 11!1Kag€s from the hotel
to the transit depot. Dowr.to~n, TOlolln & Country and the Star.ford
Shopping Center. Parking need. Concern over any potentia1
cCliI1pdition and interest in contir,ued and impro .... ed lIitality.
Potential financial commitment to any Joint effnrt.
C. Joint PCWHS Board -1II1pro\ling the trans:t center as a main depa~
between San FranCisco and San Jose, need for parking. need fer
intennodil ilccessibll itj.
O. SAm.Tnns -Same is ab.,ve.
E. Santa Clara Co..sntt TranSRortation Ag~.!l£l:: -Same as above, and in
addition are immediately planning to automate and tnerefore ~ill
rely more heavily aT! improved acc.essibil ity arld -liser
friendliness· of the facilfty.
F. Town & Country -Linkage. competition, redevelcpment? (Need to
contact them dire~tly.J
G. Urban Lape Merchants'---..craft~m2n. Artists and Eclectics· Concern
of displacement by PAMF. No ~U1er similar-place in Palo ATto to
locate for this type of use.
H. MacArt~JJr Par.~ -Desire to expand. need for parkins. impro'l'ed
acce~s and identity.
1. Park User!! -Keeping the recreatiLmal opportunities. open spa.ce
and functions thiit occur there, including concerts and craft
ex-hi bit ions.
J. Mar9lJ.erite· Desire for improved linksg2s. identit,)" v;sibihty
and public relations for the program.
2. Neighbors, Surrounding Users, and Owners
A. Oo~ntown North -Prl!vent ng through traffic and parking
encroachment into their eighborhoods, safe bike and pedEstrian
connections to the Snapp ng Center and t~e tranSit depot.
, , I
,
·:i
B.
c.
-----~-----~~------.-------------~--...... --..
Shcppil'19 Cer"l..ll.I. -Imp(ol<ing lirll.'.<lge tQ Pi.lo ~ttQ and U,e transit
facllity, improved identity. ra 10M.lizatlcn of access, intermodal
access.
~ntQwn -Improved iinkages to the transit depot ar.d creating an
inte-rmod:&i transit l"1ub tt1at could ere-ate "itiiHty .. ~thc\lt
impacting park.ing, improved connections to Stanford lands,
maintatn and improve business vitality. concern OV2T competiticn
with tn. ShoppIng Center.
D. !+en1o Par~ -Preventing through traffic alollg the £1 (amino
corridor a,-.-i into their neighborhoods, concern o\ler (ompetition,
need for improved and safer biKe and pedestrian link.ages. e.g.,
Stanford Co~rt Hotel, strong r;paria~ preservation policies.
E. ~ -Same as Downtown North, but incre~sed sensitivity to noise
and appearance of any proposp~ redevelopment in the Urban lane
area, Neea for safe 1 inkage, .0 the interface area and Town &:
Country.
F. Palo Alto Medical foundation -PAMF intends to relocate to Urban
Lane, conditioned on property assemb1lge and appropriate City
approvals and review. Relocation to Urban lane would create the
need to impro~e connect;o~s of the site with the Downtown and to
i~prove intermodal transit opportunities to reduce parking demand
and improve patient accessibility. Interest in impro .... e<l shuttle
services tc Downtown~ pede5~rian access at Homer Avenu~.
G. 101 Alma -Concern over traffic on Alma, noise impacts, visual
impacts. and need for imprc-.'ea' 1 ir.kages wi tn the Shopping: Center
and transit hub.
H. Stanford M.edical_~enter irJd Associated Uses -Need (or reducing
parking demand. improving internodal apport'..!nit 1 e." and
acces5ibUity~ need for improved emarger,c-Y access.
3. OU-')rganizations and Groups ... ·ith Gerlera1 Interest in the 'Dt"eam Team-
Gor ~S.
A. RiRHigD Habitat ProteC-t'o!i ___ ~Q_Thc;.!.tes -Many people af'\! __ ery
conc~rned about the preservation of any existing n~tural haL,Hat,
liki' San francisquito Creek, the only remaining non-channelized
bay-to-foothi11 riparia~ habitat in the mid-peni~su'a and the
sDuthernmost existing remaining steel head ru~ in California, This
creek. "is 1; hi9h prior'ity for the State Departme1"lt of Fisl'1 and
Game,
B. Bicyclt~ __ li interested in seeing impro __ ed and safer bike
hc1iities.
1/18/93
Page 1
----------
-
-----------
-.
-..:.. __ m_..., .... b_.,...". ___ .. ~ ...... __
C. perso~s ~it~ Phrsical Impairments -Inte~ested in seeing ADA
implem~nted and accEs5i~ilit~ t~ all public areas for all people.
D. ~!UUJUlCQmm1ttee -A Centen~ial proje(t w111 be anncunc~d.
The committee would like to stay ~osted on this proc~ss and keep
enthusiasm high around the Center'!nial event.
L HQusing Ad'ofoc.a.tes • The interface area could have potential for
higher densitj dev~'opmentt and residential ~ses could ser~e to
buff,r th, PAMf.
F. Seniors -Intere~te~ in accessibility to transpo,tation and
services.
G. Histori..i!ll -The Palo ~.1tD trai~ station and MacArthur Pa"('k
building are historic structures.
H. ~nvironmepta1i$t5 -Interested in see1ng c~~unity rely 1ess on
iutomobiles and mcr~ an alternative trao)pcrtation.
I. Sta~ford Stadium . B~tt~r access for football ga~es and other
!''1;:onts.
J. H;g~ School -Sdfe crc.ssings for young people.
2/18/93
Page ,3
•
..
,.-.
t
. /
::...'-.... --.... -... --~-~--...
,
The JM:IfIO from the City Att(1rrey's Offlce cited on page S of th~s re~ort was
nat received in time to be inciuded as an exhibit. This. m€1T10 will be
forwarded to City Council Hembtrs when it is cornpiete.
EI Camino Pan:elrrra1n Station StLldy
("Dream Team")
Pr~pectjo,'e Budget
EXI!.!BILf.
B udge~le"d,-__ .:;E::;.'"p;;.en::;d::;i::;lU::;re.:;;:.s ___ .:;8:::a"I,::.,,:::;c::;0 __
Ch:JrreHe:
Honoraria
Air fare
}ioLel
Ground Tramporl
Meals (7)
Working Dinner
Prir.ting and MaUing
Facilit)' Rental
r ... lisc. (Phon~, xerox,
eH:,)
Subtotal
Pre & Post Charrette-
Activities:
Starf SUpporl for
Documentation
Travel (ISTEA prop.)
Misc. (Printing & xerox)
Model of si Ie
Subtotal
Contingency
Total
Funding Sources;
City of Paio Aha:
Stanford Unjversily:
InkinJ Cont!-ibutlon~:
SOO()
J300
ISOO
'OO
400
500
5Q()
300
400
10,200
SOOO
1000
2000
5000
13,000
2300
25,300
11,000
Il,Om
3,300
o
0
Date., ___ i;,:I,J'QJI.!9;t.1L __
•
Janua."')' 27
Februa.."')' 3
Februa.--y 17
March 3
March 17
March 26·28
March 31
. " ' , , '-.. <",~~~~-~'''"---
Dream Team
Procedures SiJb 4 Cummittet"
1993 Meetin g &hed ule
Update: un Charc-ne arrangements
Finalize Charene schedule, paniclp:3J1[S, a!ld budge;:
Revie·w· contentS of program packet; fO! panidr.an~
Fin.'llile and distnbute packet,>, pu"Q.licity
ConErm atla.ngements and local participation
Dream Team Charette
Chat'('lte follow· up
•
UHIBIT I;
All meetings at 10:30 AM in NaIlcy's office, 5th floor City Hall.
January 19, 1993
January 20
Januarv 27
Janu.ary 29
January 30
February 3
Februa.)' 5
February 16
Februar~ 17
March 3
:-'1arch 4
\larch 17
;"1arch 26,27,28
Dream Team
Land Use Sub-Committee
1993 Meeting Schedule
?wspe.:L\'e b'J.dget to Palo ~-\J~o staff. Request i· .. mdli'.g.
Dream Team Steerlng Committee !'vk"t'ting
Fi"aHze s~akeholders needs
Inform Team of consultant selections
Compreher=sive Plan Meeting (Cit:zpns Task Force)
Drei?m Tea:-n Steering Committee Meeting
Arrange far Holiday Inn (~1arch 26, 27, 28;
Staff repo.t to C~ty CounciL Council ~1eeting -Casper presentation
Drea:-r. ToE-3m Steering Committee ~1eeting
Dre.::.m Te;lm Steering CO!nI:".ittee ~.1e-etj:tg
Send out packages to ccnsuitants
Dream Tea.m Ste,;!"tng Committee ~'lifeetiI'lg
CharE:tlE' at Holidav Inn
~ ,
]STEAfDream Te:tm Srf:ering Committee
Proposed :\leering Schedute
V .. /ednesdays
3;30-5;00 p.m.
Red Cmss Headquanf:rs
October 21,1992
No\'ember4
Novem!:ler is
DI"..cemlJ.--.r2
December 16
Decc=mbcr 30
Janunry 6, 1993
January 20
February 3
F ebn.:al)' 17
March 3
March 17
March 3i
April 14
April 28
May 12
May 26
June 9
June 23
· .
Santa Clara County's
ISTEA Transportation
Enhancement Task
Force
by MichiJd Be!r~
The Intumcdal Surface Transportation Efficitmcy Act
(J!,!EA) [HR 2950] wa;; signed into l..1,w by .President Bush it'
I>ec-enber of 1991. 'J'he p.:'l\aty inl:e1t of this act is "', .. to
develop a National IntermodaJ Transportation Systt'm that
is CC'O!'\Ootioilly effident, envirollIJ"ti:!nl3Dy sour.d, provides
the foundation 1m' the Niition to compete rn the glocal
economy, artd will mvve people and good s in an energy
effiO€1'1t n".a.!U'ler," One of the principal authors of the
1egisiacon was local Congre-ssman Norm Mineta.
ThE" ISTEA progran has a projected sU: year funding Jjfe
(betwern fi~! ye.us 1992,,97) and on ove:ra1l antidpa~
nationwide budget of $155 billion.
One of the components of lSTEA. is the Surface Transporta
tion Prognm (sn:a~, whi!".h serves asa l"!e'W block grar,t type
of progrun that may be used by
lion system Removal ofoutdoor advertisu--g in theview.s..~
of a highway is justified in light of ib pr1I.x:ir.rity. ~etrof1tting
an emting highway by creaMn of.a wetland to filter l"WlI)fi
from thE" hig."way would qualify ba.sed on the ~"t of the
rughwa;y III terr.n.s of water pollution."
A..s one can begin to se€", the implicil purpose of including.l
<:r3J'"13portatiun er.h.mcements eiernen t in LSTEA is to ~
rill the fact that our rug..""ways and transit faollties mu!lt
bIend in wi.th om nahrnll, soOa.!., cuitural and hl:stmk envi
ronmenb,and thUf lncrP;ase tnt' pleast1J"'e and satisfaction of
their u~. .
The t\ationwide tn.nsportai:ion elh..<t.r.c.e:rnents ~ O"ll'f'l'
the life of L"TEA is expectx>d iO approach $3.5 billion. of
whJch California is eannar.,l;ed ~o receive approximately
$3((! II'J1!lDn. Of this amount. Santa Oara County ro\Jld
po:.sibty be e1igtbie (or up to $9 ITIillion fur enNncemenlS
monies during the life of the program
In response to the possibility of utilliting the>e 'funds to
f111"the!-historic pr("Ser"Vation prop, the Preservation Ac
tion Council of San Jose has orchestrated a County~wide tad~
force entitled "De:o;tination Gces"' in order to coorc:linateand
prioritize tocal en..hancement; proposals Representatives
from every dty, OOW1ty~ and histuric
pre:scn.-ati,m group have been invited States and local' munidpaiities for
improving roads i:hata.re riot funt
tionaIly classified as loc:aI or rural
minorcolleo.::ton;. Thetotalnation
wide funding for SIT over the
neJl;t sill years is approxil':'\ately
525.9 billion.
California isedTriiarked
to receive approximately
$300 million.
., to attend l:l\I)f\tt ..... y ~ tNt were
Utitiated on 1une 25 of trois year.
TIl<! primary prnpooe of these efforts
h.a5 been ~ educatethe va..~ousparties
involved in whallhe-ISTEA program
is an aooutand to help build a O':lIl.~
sus around which pro}Xlsed enhanc:e-Ten perC2nt of STP fundti·'g must
be directed toward::; Ml1L~ rnhant:-':mrn! actn..mt'S,
me.anir.g.. "'with =-espect Ie ally project. pro.-isior, of facilities
for pedestrians and bicycles; acqlllsi ["'.on of scenk: "a...«e-
ments, and sce:rucor historic sites; scenic or rustoric highway
progratl".s; landscaping and oL""er s<:-enic beautification; his
toric preservation. rehabilitation and operation of rostoric
n-.w.sportation buildinSS, stru('tUres, or facilitif;-S (including
historic .. ul road filcilities and canals); preservation or aban·
dol'lE"d railway corridors (including the cunye~ion ;li.d US!:'
thel"e(,'! for pedestrian or bicycle trails); control and remoy",\
of outdoor advertising; archaeolOgical p!an.,..-,.ing and re
search; ~nd mitigation. of water pollution and rese3rch I')f
water pollution due to highway runoff."'
These: enhancement ac:tivitiL'S must have a direct relabon
ship to the intermodal t:ransJX!rtation .sysrem_ This relatiGrl
'Shi p may bE> one of fu rutiotl, prori1111ty, or impact. Examples
of~ components are as follows: "An indc?-,nd':I1tbi1o.:e
path i!. a fu~ component of tl"le int-enn0dal tr.msPlr1J.-
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m€nt proje<1s v.;111 be the mo,:>'!; .iaoble-to submit for :approval
by our local Me-tropohtanPlannm,g Agl!ncy (MFO), whkh in
our case is the Metropolitan Tra..'lSportation Commission
(MTCl. The I'.-ITC has been vested ..... ith the authority by the
State Department oI Tra..T'Jsportarion (Cattransj 3.5 th~ final
dL"(ision making bod)' that will determine how tr.lr .. sporta
tion enluncements. funds will be allcx:ated in our:area,
It is bcliE'v~ that by forming a unitt.od coalition of di"er.:.e
pl1::'~rvation :ntere5ts throughout Sd.Tl.t;i a.ar.J. County,.m,..
enhancement::. propos.al that is finaily s-ubmitted to the MTC
rOt Tev-iew Wlil be approved with iittle oppos!tlon.
TD learn more about the IS-TEA erilian("'timents task force, 01
to pilrticipa~ in futurE' meetings, conta-::t Karita HllnUT',er at
(4/:':,) 911-D94O.
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San J,}3e Me~ury ,; .. ;"'! • Calendar" • Wednesday, December 9, 1
h~(rlt..-, , ,
'Dream Team' 'envisions
transit-friendly Palo Alto
By CAfillL r~ JV!'OG
14~rt'07~""" SW!"I':',-'.,N
You won't find thL= "Dream.
TEam" dtmking bask ... ts. rnsi.ead,
this ~a.-n 'is out to S«I:'e points in
revamping ar. underdeveioped,
badly designed atl!3 of Palo .'-ltn.
Dubt>ed tr.~ "Dram Te:a.m,"
this informal committee of dty
pli..;u..frlg htnclal.s, Stanford ~~l1i-.
verslt! represe.ntati,,'es an,d,
do',\;·nto ..... n d(vdCipt!.I'S h.as met (or
a year to de-.'el'Jp lofty ideas _~ ..
revamp tne mL.:.hma.c;'tl '\T'€'8 along
El C8JT'..i..'\O Real frof"" e To~n
a.nd Ccr.L'"l~_ry ShQ;,puI ~nt.e.r to
Ei Palo A the c!ty's ~lamesake
tree,
"Right now, it's a lIo-man',!
la.'1.d between Stanford and Palo
Alto," said Torr)' CJ.rnSCO. a Palo
Alto arehitect atld member or t."e.
city's pLanni.ng commission:" nt ~
}wt ~'( runctioti wen:;;-' ;-
The goa! of the CC'~-:-" ee !s to ~
break dvwn the barrier Mween
StanfGrd and Palo Alto, to better
tink the city' 5 d.owntown bou
tiques and re5Ui.utll.nts with the
StanflUd. Sb.opping Cerlter. whid>,
i:!i only two blodts away bU,t
seems mud'. farther beca.use c( II
confusing rrl&S5 of da!!ic a.rteriei!. rn -tlle process, the committee
ho~ to srMf up t~is area,
smooth the traffic flow for can,
bicyclists lind pedestria.ns and:
perhaps create more room for
hoU!llng, parks atld social se.ryj.ee
orpnizations.
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The "",up is conce".tr .... tini on
this ilrI!Q because it alre8-(!y ,ls
expect:ed to undergo .a. l'lu.mbP.r' (If
C~allge3 !rt tl1e next lew year'!.
Dreary, graffltl.-covert'd pedes
tritlI'. tunnels to. the do.¥;'l1town
C2.lTrain station v."ill be impro,lIe<i
with $.3 nuWon in federal fW'd5
available t-C meet rl!G.uirements of
the !lew, federal .o\merlcans with
DisalHhtie5 Act
Th~ Red Cross also plans' tD
double the size of its nearby
Mitchell Lane 'buildlng, whfch
might lwr hotl5e' the Urbl1l1 Mln,
ist!'y alld other socilll service
agendes, •. :
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The PaIo .-'Jt6 Medical Founda
tion a gunning to move-it:3 clinic
to Urban La!,!!, sa.1d,,":ehed be-
tween the HOliday llln arid the
'town ar.d CQuntry St. c.ppu.g Cen-ter. ' '" ~
:: AdditiQlUll < i 2. bi.LUQn in' fed,-.,
en..! tJ'aruIpor-1 fW'lds 'Will 00 '.
~H~B.Jlable to a.nd states for-.
:nnova.tive tr projl'cts.
With all th.. :t mind, .. Dream
"Team" rn~rr,ber!i alr~ady have
C(lme up wil h a hast ilC joje.;1S to
further lrn;Jro,'€' tr.e ;u'ea.
Picttlre a stretch of park from
Err.barcadero Road to EI Palo
Alto alld El Camino ?4l'k, ~iti1
jaggin.g paths and bencnes, a
lllace wheN ~twotd emptoyees
· arid ~cal fot.l!1.d.tion "'"ork€1'1
could eat luneh and stroll. That
oould happen it mo~ey ts Ilvall·
able .either t., move t.~e r.ail..-oad'
tracb \l ... ~dl1:!'iI'ound or raise-ti"!arn
sbove ground.
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T'net'l Uilagine a. roe.". ~mm·
ing arts ~Iltt.'r downw",,'!I., a joint
project that could be a.:.:::om·
plishe-d by the city and Stanford,
whose drama de~ent nt'eds.a
ne'", theater
· :-"ew !lDLiSing also could be tI=.:iIt
.&t£lIl st<'ll'eS behi.."l.d the T()~m and
Country ShoppIng Cen!er.
. To better 11nk r~tAil are~, the
StarJero Shopplng Center could
kicate some stores dose to EI
Cirni.'lo., nearer Palo AltO·! d',)W1'\
town
-A troiley also co~ld be rur.
down Uni;:erslty' A,,"('nue and
Palm Drive to !ink thO! :shopping
center at'.d do~-nto'l'<L1.
'·"['raffle fiow onto El CaminD
CQuId ':>e [rnpro. .. ·ed by converting
the two pedestrian lanes that are
pa,rt of the Unive .... .sity Avenue
undellla!>:9 into traffir. lanes, A
pedestrian o"'erp"s~ at -".ima
Street coul.d J;onner.;t the shcppL."1.g
"center with the park and do;\-n·
WWtl Palo A!w,
· ~~dd:iti~:n~IY. a fle'.1l' parking gao
:-age ~ouJd ~ 'clui I t near tM tra.in
station, ane::! C'MftE' and other \ en·
ders could be ho~ in tl1e train
Of'pot
Europ •• n .pproaclt:
Palo Alt.:! ho~ to de-ve!op a
more European approarh, woe-te
tra.T\!!it hubs become (xal points
of cites, encouragi.'lg more people
to u.:.e ~FJ.bik transit, Catt'~
s.aid.
"These are t.'"1J.ly futmistle !de
as," "laid NMo.jI Lytle, the city's
ehJef planning official, "But ll1'.
If!'SS 1'00 COl:1ctlVt of them, Y'I:IU
<.<U'!'t bring them to rT',JiQoI" •. "
Committee meffiben expect to
Mid a desi.gn workshop the last
weekend in FebruL'":Y, where
lan[j·use p'arull:m~. com:mur:ity de
\'elG~, tt'ar'.sportation e..""'pertB
owd archita,-ts VfiU &lla1yu and
illnstrate iliese CQJl~pts. The ide-
as, combined wit. ... feedback from
res.lden~, the!1 will be Ut('flroorat,
~ into the city's cumprenl.n.eive
?taJ:'_
If succes.s(ui, C{lm1!littee mem·
bE-rs hope this pi'"'OCeSS C"d..'"t be ap.
plied to other areas of the city. as
:1 as til otJl~r traL~ sffition ar
'n ULC LOUTIty.
We don"t war,e to create. a..'l.
ul1.3ttainable dream,'" said David
NellJTlal".. Stanford an::l:itect. "We
want tc take sorroer.hing we can
develop i.nto a project: ~ make the
community tunction weD into the
Zbt. century."
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
.', Ths;'Dreem Team" mftl';-e\l&ry
ot~er Wednilsday at ttle Pt'Jo Aito " "I
Cha.pter of the American Fled ';;... I
9ros_s" 400 Mi,"h, eU Lana, The fleXt'1
m⪙ing is Oee. ,,~ 110m 3::39 p.m.
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• NOl'ember 25. 1992 • P,age ~
llpfront
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TN w-aJ ~..u-Sour IINl E1 WtmiJIO Rail ill Pail) Also is 1Juft;0.3 of. IIeW J)~ ~on cimd 4J
fmpmviJrg the CD~1f ~ ~ PtllD Alto ami 1M SUmjr.>.'"d Shoppiltg CeN~. -
LAND [iSE
'Dream Team' looking
for: visionary link
Bet:Jer connection between Stanford Shopping Center
and down/own Palo Alto sought
by 0.. Kozak
Stan!OId Shoppi:q Center aad Plannrng CommissioD mc:mbcr. ;.bUlry of transit fuAds to tlpgrade
dCiwn1oWII. .PrJo Alto are now Sh..i.rky WUson. of the A."dtil:c.cun1 the ttaln satloo.
sep.atated by.:be ~ ~ Revi~w Bo .. ~ ud lohD. Mont· -n', really an exdtl.c.g idea to
of FJ Camino Re&1, I.!Id tlw will i'Omely of the PubEc Arts ~ .I:!laSter plan thfs area," Dory said.
Dt"Ier ~e. Bat Lbc cir'j and: the sio:l. 11 :also incl",~ SC'Io'cnl Palo "We wmi: to OWe 1 b!:tter puce
m.all c:ouL.:I be Dl<XC c:oc.occtec'l tI:.a!I AHo plaru:.ilJ.! sl.aff cCll1be~, f.c-for hIe .41:c bc:t9,"ccu Town &.
:hey lie IKIW. cIu~g K.e.3 SchreilieI, I!!e ~g CQunuy and E P&.Io A'lo.," Carras-.
Imagine. for~, fue r.tilro3d d.ite.."1or, oowr.!OWl1 prcper1y O>;lrll." co said, rderdng to lLe gi.a.nl t.-ee OJl
tlaI;b be:.ng s.eI u.cde:-groUlld. I..mag~ e~ Jim Eu. I.!Id ,Roxy R~pp, and tDt llortlJ Clld of ~ Stne:.
!r.c. the pa:<l Alto ~ FOlUlda-s.evcr.il St.anf.o:d officiJ,.l.s., 'includLlg H.: &.aid mere ~bouJd be 5~ inj_ -
tion being rcloca.ted to.Urban we,. Bill Phlllips, the ~ve dir.ectol till recomme.nda.Cion.; 10 -the City
~~eel::J the Tcwn and Co'iUltry of the Stanford .I...a..nd Ma.oagc tne.W: CuUll.cU by lhe middU: of next y~. __
Sboppiag: Q:n1et ittId HoLid.i.y Jan, ..:.-Compll.lly,',David N:lO.lllan, Slan-· Sbort·t£rm goals inl;:lw:!e!.C up---
aDd imagine Urbu!.we !lself be· fOI~':!O new lrcbi:ect, lod A.J:dy grade of t~ ped~Uian tunnels to
mg men: integraLed .... i.Lh do1llo.-coown • Doty, the wUvusUy',s 10llgUIDc eli· the uain t.t.a'.ion, an ~oo cfthf;
pJ}c Al!o fOI e.sy pedestrian Ie-rrcto!"ofCODl.!IlWli.!y rel.ll.ions. Red Doss bOlilding, l!Id the Puo
Ces!:. ,-""The) wanted. to k.now what Alto Me&ca1 Found..u.ion r>:Jocnion.
"'This is ,what I'm imagini:lg )5 I StanfOrd'1i pJrns'are," Dory s.a.id of ulI1gu-term oppo1tUnlli~ btLrl!;
01 20 yu.s from DOW,"' s.a..id ardj~ Cam..sco aDd otber city offldals. He looked~: by lhe Dream Team l..-:-
le;;;1 TC'ny Carr"-!:'ztl, I :::r.~: cC s.4.id ~veral. currer>: is.s1KS, kcJud:-elude cbiUlging tbe: entiJe ttil..ffIc:-de-
lhe city', PJanniJl,g; CO~ll and ing thc:: cil)' !case: w~te ... C:th Stan~ CU!ltbo to _and from the &boppu,g
an moUlter ofwb .. t is !loO",", b-d,1ig ford ewer El Cimino Park: &r1d ~ ct:::*, t-)' closing au tbe AlQla
cal1«lIlte. Drum Team. • Red Cross' cesite t'"' expand i!.,S fa· . Streel :in:mc:cljcn with H CamillO
1'b.e Drtacl Team is comprised cf . cili'Y, made & whol~ ~l.Ie of ~n-. Real and !Il.lki.;lg" n~ conIltc:lio'l
Stanford.and c.ily ~fficials., Mc:m~ ne.;:ting thC:,urUveroif), with the city bc:tw~en Alma andEl Camino clo.·
bers of the group bav= been muting timdy. "11 scem:d J.i.k:~ a golden np-er to Univers.ily Avenue, a..'ld build·
uoo1ficially and Womally fer most ponuniry 10 look. at Ilt= m:elilce," ing ~tl~r pedeslI:an ac:ce..\,!; betwUIl
of the: la.st yrar, aDd i:t cow cas hetll t,( S.ii.id. the sll{'lpping CfJl.ter and train st .. -
tlevatc:ci to offici&! Iot.1;tw,. rompllCte "This IS11'1 a deci5ioo-J:::l.alUng tiOIL
wilb • s;ec:U8 committee L'ld :sub~ proo:ess," Schr~iblCf slrw;ed, ;1· 01)" I~aff membcrs say Ihe
c:olIllcilU:=s. ADd iLS mtc:tings.. tv· thmigh &oc.e specific ideas couJd be Dream Team formed out of .sponl.i.·
cry other Wedaesday II the Red gellerated by ~e g'oup and, then DCOUS meeti.n~ But rile fat:!: that th~
. Cross buDdl:lg nut 10 the train s:a· wow.d Jalerb-e dealt "",ub.as propoo-me:ting::s. we:n1 o.a !or.so long with-
tiun, In: now opeD 10 lh~ public. ili 10 the ciry.· om tile knowledge of the P;;J(' ..4.1to
The g.."Oyp includes Camsro, a -Another .c:.oti"al..ion is !he avail· {;or',tinued cr, ('.e:;ct pa,ge)
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'Dream Team'
(.e.or:!iruI!dlrOl'T'~paa:tI
· Medical FOIltldruoc is I tnioor son:
pamt. .
Tbe foundation' ~ nesotLltiDg
w.i.tb property owners 1.0, RIc-ctte its."
c;titc cpe~ to Urbu Lmc. a
key pact of Ibc:".rei be iu& looked a!
by rae Oru"1n Team. "We didc."t
· bow about (1M Drw:rI Team) u.olil .
RC:lId,.: sW 1&'1 Tbor¥.!tldsOQ. eli-'-,
n-ctot o( DlmmuniIY,'relatiol!S for
lhe mcdkaI f~w... .
Tbarwaktsoa;. woo ~:he me..:fi..
""tal foo.mdatiClll will participate ID th:-
o Drum TcaiD meetiDg.;, 5Iid the Ur·
· han !..me .. -e! is new the: ;pctfurtd
site rot the bmdatioo, .... hich 9"011 '
·ciry~~fu:?.:J~o[ :i
c:.nmt hCilitit -199L -
The mtdkaI t ::.datioa.'. inten:sl
in UrbCI Lee and c.1ra.\co', own
o. mteTtst hi PmPcrtiel Ihere mCIJI~
Ihac c:anuco' bad. to ra.ip from & _ of devdopen IlW ..., b«o
tryinl iO put totelher I IfOCIP of
propr:rties fm-the: "mediCal fouDd;lo
li04 t-:.ation. -I ruig!lCd r ~
lhII pa..nmhip twO' .JDOCiI1hI ",.:1,.
Ca:ns;o lUi Caauco. ~ witll
Rapp Uld developer 10:. Sdlink.
had attempted to purchuc op6ous
C%: ~ Ur'Jaa Lrn, properties.
· Th-e: medical feW:d&Jion ha.1 since
purc:haed thoR qmonL
C'arnsoJ said Dty AMrney.Ariel
CalClbne had detmniDed 1lw be lw
no finandJ.! ~ of interest in
his pL'1klpatioll ,'on the Dr,eam Tum. .
The Jlen meeting of the Dream
Team ",ill be II 3~30 p..m.. Dec. 2 at
the Rd Cross building..
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