HomeMy WebLinkAbout0467.094TO:
FROM:
iiOIioio ..... ___ "'_~ ____ ._ ._. _____ .
City of Palo Alto
______ (_~_it)_"_' Manag~r's Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING
AGENDA DATE; OCTOBER 14, 1994 CMR:467:94
SUBJECT:
!<l:QynI
245 LyrtDm Avon. ODd 305-377 Em.rson Street (Peninsula Times
Tribamt Sitt)
Ci!y COllrH.:ii I:, requ-csled to apprcwe the pn'lpo3aJ for j'j Plzr,ned Community lone change
in Fn!er Teo ('lr~s:truCl 17 :;ingic-famlly tmits. and 4 second units, and change the
C0mrreht'n~i\'~ PL:t..'1 dC'.'iignati-on on a portic1n (1f the site from Regional Community
Commer..:.i:!l hl :\1uhlp!e-L1mily R.esidential Appro\'al nf setback variances and ~
TenLati\'e Su.bdivision '''h.p is also requested,
RECOMMEND A T10:-;S
The Planning COIT'.n1is.s.ion, Architectural Revi!!\1" Board (ARB) and ~tatT recommend that
the City COUl1Cil:
i) Approve: the negative declaration attached to the staff report to the Pla.~ing
Commission dated &!>tember 14. 1994, findu)g that the proposal will not
result in any signitkant eT11,"ironmental impacts;
2) Adopt tne attached resolution appro\;ng the Comprehensive Plan amendment to
change the land use designation on a portion of th. site from Regional Community
Comrnerciol '0 Multiple Famil)' Residential;
3) Adopt tht" attached ordinance amending the Planned Corrlrnunity zone in
order Ie, Tel,one the property from R."1·30, CD-C(P) and PC 3111 to ,
Planned Community District in arder to construct 17 single-family units and
4 second units;
4) Appwve the setback variances with t}1e fmdings attacbed to the staff report to the
Planr.tng Comm\SS~Qn d-3.ted September 14, 1994: and
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5) Appro'/e the tentative subdivisil)n map with the findings and conditions attached to
the staff report to the Planning Commission dated September 14. !9<,L1.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The project does not represent Ml)' change to existing City policies. The majority of the
sitt (1. i aacre) is currently des.ignated Multiple FamlJy Residential and the remaining
portion (.14 acre) is designated. RegionaliCornmw:ity Commercial in the Comprehensive
Plan, The proposaJ to change a . J 4-.acre jJ\"1r1ion (If the sile frcIm a corruncn;ial to a
residential designation provides ;! rare opportunity fa increase the supply of r~jdenTial land
in the City.
The draft Do1\'Jl!o~71 Urban Design Guide C0T1taio." a p;."\!ic.~ t.:) "promote L.\tt(ln A\'eTIuG'
as an enlivened mixe-d commercial and resident;",l district. ensure tl1a.t den'lopmem
respects the U1I.Ilsjtion into the adjacenl DOVl111lw,'n ~.;(·rth r.eif:hh('[h(xxi~ <JTid prote--ct t.hi~
residential !Ieighborhood from jr1comral.ibJ~ cnn,'!,achm::'Tl:, "[1:. CO~nm"'Tcl31 /:qJilci!nf"S' The
pTopo-:;l!d project is ("om.is.tent with tl,.:tt guLd.eli.r,;;::.
The SingJ? Family R<.:s.ia""11t:21 De::. i gTI filli(l .. I!nes. (,~mJii1 ,\ r(i!t·."~· tn "~,,~)\"id{: lor
indi\'idual initiative and I.:r-t'<tiivity ' .... ·hde stil: rdl~(ltng CNl"Irlll1ll, C.h3.iJ.l·U:ri:;ttC
neighborbood pattern,:;;" (such 3S the "~le(.li~· c-harac:er (If Dl',"11l0"",l,T: ~·iorth)." Tbe
proposed project cont.:11ns many elements wh.idl art:" cori~i~lenl \\ ith DO\\l1tO,l,TI North
Development patterns, including the propo)«\ mal,Sing Oflh~ buildings \\ith ~i(1gle s10ry
elements facing the street., the usC of a variet) of building matcriah and coh.m 3..."lrl the ~15r:
ol"softer materials (wood sidin,g and aspha:t shingle-.s.l ofth ... homes along Emt'f'ion Street
Project consistenc), with Comprehensive Plan policies is dJ~;;:u...'sed in th( attached Planning
Comm.is.sion statTrcport dated June 24, 1994, and .!oumman.led in the attached. findings for
the ten tative $ubdi\·;sion map.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report forwards the Planning Commission and the: ARB re1.:omrnendations to approve
a proposal for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Planned C"mmunity zone change,
setback variances and a tentative subdivision map that ate neces>31)' to arlow the
construction of 1 i s.ingle·famll), unil<;. and 4 :::'::';;00.1 u.'lits ':In <l portion of the Penimu18
Times-Tribune site at 245 Lytton Avemre and 305·337 Emcr.lon Street. The proposed
residential project i, one of two components to redevelop the bloc. bounded by Everett
Street, Ramona Streel, Lytton Avenue and Em"",on Street. Ine applica.~t (Mola!"!
Development C·)mpany) has receive.d approvals of .separate applications to demolish the
existing two-s.tory', 8,6,l56 square foo\ Peninsu!~ Tlrr\~s-Trib\Jt\e bu~ld.ing and ..::onSl..mc\. a
three-story, 54,900 square foot ofi!ce building fronting on Lytton Avenue with two level:;
of underground parking (see enclosed platts for the office projec: that are included for
CMR:4Ci7:~ hg< 2 016
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information om)'). In order to 'aSses'S the cUIDIl:ati'vt impacts of both projects. one
environmental assessment was prepared fer both the residential and office components;
however, only the =identiai project is the subject of thi, staff roport. The office project
is discussed in the attached Slall' tqlOrI dated Jun. 24, 199~,
Architectur3.1 Review Board {ARB} and Zoning Administrator Action<:
On July 21, 1994. the ARB awroved the application for the office project (summar,'
minutes attached· due to tape recorder malfunction, verbatim minutes from the meeting
are not available), On July 21, 1994. the Zoning Administrator held a hearing and
subsequently approved. height variance for • 45·foot hi¢> office building. when: !be
maximum allowed height is 35 feet. The Zoning Administrator's f,"dings and conditions
are attached.
On July 21,1994, the ARB reviewed the residentiat project and on 6 4-0-1-0 ",ate (Vieira
cia Rosa absent), continued the Planned Community zone change appliC3tjoil (summary
minutes. anached), In response to comments at the July "2 \, i99-4 ARB meeting. the
applica."1t submitted a revised plan \\'hich eliminates one of the pror0:;.ed lots. Of) E,\'erctt
Street (i.e., the numher of uniL'i on Evero:"lt Street was; redu..:ed !Tom t<. l1.nits to 7 units),
On August 18, 1994 t.he ARB, on a 3-';.-0-U Yate (Maser and Wilson .::ppus!:d).
re,,~ommcndcd limited approval of lhe aHt:mate plan (minutes attadl~'d). rhe ARB
approval was limited to the number and shape Dfthe lots, tile orientation of the residences
to the street and the design of the proposed alley. In addition to the conditions
recommended by ,taft; tho ARB tnclude<l a condition that the following items return to the
ARB:
1) Provide quality architecture;
2) Restudy the massing of the hOU5eS and how they relalO \0 the surrounding
neighborhood;
3) Restudy the solar orientation and orientation of the patios on the north side of L~e
project;
4) Establish a meaningful access to the plaza on the adjacent office project; and
5) Provide. solar .rudy as a graphic analysis with diagrams.
Planning Commission Action
On September 14, 1994 the Planning Commission voted j-1-2-1 (Commissioner Cassel
voted no, COIT'tInissioners Cana.s.co a:1.d Schink not participating and Commis5icmer-Glazier
absent) to recommend that the Cit)' Cow,cii r.wne the property from RM·30. CD-C(P)
and PC 311 to a Planned Community Di'trict in order to construct 17 single·family units
and 4 second urjts. Commissioner Casset voted against the: PC zone change, ~callc;e she
did not believe that the proposed proj.e~t provided adequate public benefjt~. The
Com.rnission voted 4-0-2~1 (Commissioners Carr-d.SCO and Schink not participating and
Commissioner Glazier abs<nt) 10 =omrnend thaI \he Cit)' Council .pproye the negative
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dedaration, Comprehensive Plan amendment, setback variances and tentative subdivision
map.
As recommended by staff, the Planning Commission did not support the ARB
recommendation that the project architecture, massing of the houses and solar orientation
should be restudied and possibly revised. Th. applicant is I)l'icall)' required 10 submit
details of the site tkvelopment pll1JlS for review and approval by the ARB including
detailed elevations, landscape and irrigation plan and a lighting plan. This does not
preclude refinement of the plans, such as the revisions CQIltained in the enclosed plans.
Revised Pli!!lLiI.tJ.l.§llQlISC to ARB Comment'
Following the September 14, 1994 Planning Commission m«ting, the applkant ,ubmitted
"revised plans \vhich respond to comments at the ARB meeting on August 18, 1994 The
revised plans include the follOl.ving changes:
1) To provide improved solar acc~ss. the floor p13ns were rcvers..::d on frve of the units
facing Everett Aven1.Je,
2). To provide additionaJ architectural interest in the side elevations on the two (;ome-r
unit; facing Everett Avem..lt'. the boJ(...onics .,.. ... ~rc relocilted from the aliey ekvations
to the elevations fronting Everett Avenue and Ramon~ Street. 1n addition, a hip
roof wa<; provided oVl!r the entries on the frcmts of the Wlits,
3) To provide additional visibility of the plaza on the oftko proj.xt, the Plan 4 side
elevations on the two lots adjace:nt to the office project \"\-'ere revised to incorporate
additional glazing lacing the plaza.
4) rnc site plan was revi~ to provide a gote between the alley on the residenti.1 site
and the plaza on the adjacent office projcct. lne applicant has indicated that the
pl= would be open only during the hours that the office building is open. Due to
concerns regarding liabilit)" the office pi"", would not be open to resident, of the
residential project or members of the public during the hours when the office
building is closed.
5) To provitk more architectural variety along Emerson Street and Ramona Strec~ 1
new front elevation with double gables was introduced on Plan 3A.
On October 6, 1994, the ARB, on a 4-1··0-0 ',ote (Mas", voted no), approved the revi~
elevations and ac.cess to the courtyard on the a.djacent office project. To improve the solar
access, the ARB encout1lged the applica.ot to tum the houses on Ramona Street and
Emerson Stre--et :!-o that tilt:: courtyards are facing soutnei.\st rather than n01trl\Vest. The
ARB noted thaL a (:ondltion required the app.licant to submi! detailed plans lor final ARB
approval and encouraged the applicant to provide durable exterior materials en the homes:.
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Finally, tbc ARB added. condition requiring that the fenestration contain di"ided light or
clear glass windows rather than the proposed applied grid windows.
fiSCAL IMPACT
The f'!'Oi¢ct would DOt havo • ;ignifiC< fiscal impact upon the City. This application is
subjecI to tbc full co,;t ,,,,,overy fee :schedule.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMEI'I'
lbe EmitOiuncnt!..i AMessment prepared for this project tinds that it will not result in any
significant envirorunent,aj impacts, and f'CCcmt11ends adoption of a negative declaration.
A copy of the En\'lrOD1l1COtal A.sses~went is att.acheQ,
ATT ACHMENi~_
A. Draft Resolution
13. Didll C)rciin3.!1ce
C sts.tr Report to Planning Commission, SeptcmbCi !.4, 1994, ydattachmenb:;:
I. EIA
4. Variance Finding:;
S. Tentative Subdivision Map Findings
6. Tentative Subdivision Map Conditions
7. Zoning Administrator Findings and ConditiorL<;
D. Plal111ing Commission Staff Rcpcrt dated Julle 24, 1994, ",'!atta,hOlcnts:
I. Location Map
2. Development Progrwt Statement from applicant dated 516194
3. Minutes Ih>m Mal' ! 9, 1994 ARB Meeting
E. Excerpt Planning Commission Minutes of 9!l4194
F. Excerpt P:aaning Commi"ion Minutes of 6129194
G. ARB Summary Minutes of 7121i94
H. li'='jlt ARB Mi..'1utes of 8118/94
l. Letter from Linda Sissel! dale<! July 28, 1994
J. Letter from FAlvirorunental Science Associ."" dated August 5, 1994
K. Letter from """lieant dated August 9, 1994
L. Lett'" from applicant dated S<ptem~r \. \994
M. Letto! from Director of Pi"Ming and Community Environment dated July 25, 1994
N. Leru=r from SilDta Clara County Manufacturing G,oup dated 6121194
0. Lcru:r Ih>m Santa Clara County Housing Ac1ion Coalition dated 6/21194
P. Utter from Pale Alto Unifie<J School District dated August \2, 1994
Q. Residential Project Plan, (Council Members Only)
R. Te-nu:.tive Subdivision Map (Council Members Only)
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PREPARED BY, ROBERT SCHUBERT. CONTRACT PROJECT PLA.NNER
DEPARTMENT HEAD REVlFW 'fln;;4>f k~
KENNrTH R SCHREIBER
DmcIor of Planning Lod
Communit), Environment
'"'(" i\n.::'hitC"Ctural, Rc\je',~ DC'.JJd
Pia.n..'"ling CCmm!55ion
Paz. 6.16
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RESOLUTION NO,_-=-=
~ESOLt.JTION OF THE COUNC1L OF THE C!TY OF FALO ALTO
JLMENI)I.NC THE LAND US E MAP OF THE PALO AL ro
COKPREHENSIV"E PLA..~ FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY KNOWN AS
.245 LYTTON AVENUE A,."'ill 305-337 EMERson STREIT
(FORMER PENINSULA TIMES TRIBUNE SITE)
WBBR.EAS, the Planning Corrr.lissicn after duly Dotic-ed
public heal:ing held on September 14, 13904. t-1.ae recClr!'r.'leoded that the
City Council amend the Palo Al~o Comprehensive Plan; and
W"RBR.RA...I::j, '~pon consideration of said reccr!':':".endaticn afte:::
duly llDticed public h€arirlg, and upon r:vie ..... oE the ~;E~ativp.
D~claration prepared for tbe proj-2ct a!'j a..:l u;:.i:>:! "[cleva:-:t
ivforw..ation. including staff ):~;o.rts, ~r..:::l all tesli::-.:"':1Y, ',.;ritccn
and oral, pres.:'llted on the !"'.atter, the Cit)' Cc',mci~ cesl!"E'S tG
amend said plan as hereinafte:r ,s·:=t t0~th;
NO"rl". THEF.;:;FORE, the CC;'\.lil':'ii. of ttle City of Palo Aito oc:;,:-s
RES0t.\."E as foll O,,"S:
SECTIQN 1. The City Co~nci1 t:ino-:.: t,h.J': the publ ic
interest, healt.h, safety and 'Welfare require af;'.f:-:nci.'"::ents r.o the :ra10
Alto Comproehe:nsi\'e Plan as set fo:c'Ln in Secticr. "2 hereof.
S,BctlQN 2, The Cit}' CO".Jnc.:il het"eby <U1ends the ?aJ. 0
Alto Comprehensive Plan Land Use lo".ap by changing the land l~SE'
designation of the land known as 245 Lytton Avenue and 305-337
Emerson Street (former PeniA9ula Times Tribune Site) frOln
"'Regional/ CO!mtUnity Commercial-to "Multiple-Fam.ily Resident ial, •
as shown on Bxhibit "A'll, attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
SBcrION 3.. The City Council hereby finds that this
project will have no significant envi.tol~'T,ental ef feet,
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
90409(l7 (to: 0030,02'
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ATTEST:
City Cl.grk
APPROVIID AS TO FORM,
Senior Asst. City Attorney
9CtD901 i ~ 00301021
2
APPROVED:
Mayor
City Manager---
DireC',tor of ,Planning and
Community Environment
EXHIBiT "N'
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~ G.RAPHIC AnACK~Em
. TO STAFF REPORT
t-:-p R~O~J::E~C T::-:~COIIP~=R:-ER=Il!I~S::I::VE=-";P':':LAH::""''':';l\:!:';llIDr::::~D::':KENT:.!...''::':''::':~::''::':::''-~
• • lU!GIOHALJCOKK1ll!ll:rY COHMERCIM. TO
---IIVLTIPLE FAMILY RBSIOEH'l'IAL V
ORTH
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ORn INANCE NO.
OiIDIHAII<:£ OF THE COUNCIL O=F-:THE=::-:C~I:=:TY OF PALO ALTO
AMBNIJI-~ SEC'I'WN 18. OS. 040 OF THE PALO ALTO
MtlN'IcrPAL CODE {THE ZONING MAP) TO CHA1~GE THE
CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY mOlnl AS 245 LY"ITON
AVENUE AND 305·337 llI'IEJ'.50N STREE'I' (FORMER
PKNINSULA TIMES TRIBUNE SITE) FROM RM·JO, CD-C{P)
~ PC (ORD. 3111) TO PC
M&:ER.SAS. the Planning CQf!mlseion, after duly noticed public
hearing held September 14, 1994, and the Architectural Review
Soard, upon consiOeration at its meeting of August lS, 1994, have
recoemended tt-..at Section 18.08.040 (thf\ Zoning Map) of the Palo
Alec MuniCipal Code be amended as hereinafter set fortb; and
W-iffiREA-'3, the City CO':Jncil, ai'cer due cons idE'ratj,<')n of the
r-e-:otra'.en:iaticn8, tinds that che Pl"opcse-d arr.endiltent. is in 'Che pllbliC'
ioterest a.nd will px.-c:rotE: th-e pub} ic he-1.1 th I safety and welfare.
~Uh' r T.H:SREFORE, t,be Cc,mci 1 of the Ci ty of Pal~ Alto does
(!.RrV~1!l as follo ... ·s:
SEC!'IQS 1. section 18,08.0-40 of the Palo A.lto Municipal
Code, the ·Zonin~ Map,· is h€reby a~ended by changing the zoning of
c.:ertain properr.y KnOloin as 245 Lytton Avenue and 305-337 Err.erson
St~eE:t (the fanner Peoinsualco_ 'T.lrnes-Tribune site) the "subject
property·) frOft'. "R.'!. 30 Mediu.'T1 Densiey Multiple-Fcunily ResidenU,al,"
"CD-C (P.' Powntown CQ!mlercial (ServicE!) Pedestrian COIT"..bining" and "PC
Planned Community (Ordinance No. 3111) to ~PC Planned Community.
Th~ subject pro~rty is shown on the map labeled Exhibi t "'A~,
attached hereto and incorporated he~ein by reference.
~, The Cit}~ Council hereby finds with respect to
the subject property that,
la) The site is BO situated. and th~ existing uses
proposed far ~he subject property are of such characteristics chat
the application of general districts or ccmbining districts will
Dot provide for successful redevelopment, While the RM· 30 DislI'ict.
encourages the develc~~nt ot higher density housing ~hieh may be
responsive to Citywioe objective-s for the delivery of affordable
housing r it also tends to produce houBing that is inconsistent with
the scale, character apd circulation patterns of older residential
Ileighbornooes suet'. as DOWDtC""ll North. While RM-JO zoning would
pertrd.t greater density than this proj ect proposes., it would al~o
p€:rmit a monolithic development, out of scale and character with
the Downtown Na4~h neighborhood if tha huilding design and street
treat~'nt. were not. ha..o.dled very sensitively, as can bE accommodated.
under a PC district. The proposed project will also not result in
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objectionable environmental impacts, such as peak hour traffic
-generation.
(b) The project will rE'sult in public benefits not
otherwise attainable by application of the regulations of general
di5trict9 or combining di~tIict6. as tollows;
(i) Tb~ proposed project, which provides [rlediUl!'
sized 3 and .. bedroan hCl!\e'fI with modest but private open apace that
will acc~te families, viII address a major housing need in the
cormru.nity. Residential trends over the-last decade demonstrate
that t~he variety ~( housing types has been Vert limiLed. For-sale
l' ... afteS have been confiDed prin-.arily to very expensive, largE! siusle
family hcmes on c.:mfoIlT'.ing R-1 lots; modera..:...cly-sized townho.mes
with limited open 8pace and CC"lI"'mOn gree!1. are.=s .. and ~,ore mooeratel)'
priced Btacked flat: cond.otr,.lnit.L"'!"$ dc~irHtcd by Er!'.al.ler units. These
trends have cre3.l.:d "i gap in the hO\Jsing stoc\'; cel .... ·E'e1l. relat".'ively
affordable attached hells i~g Of::-S 19n."?d I: 0 acc~_~-date young
hOUR€holds without cralctren and 'i:xp~:-,sivl? si!"'.:;le--fil!":',i~l~' housing
t.r.at ..,ill acccm.1",oQat.e ra.. ...... ,ilio:::s, silch "','S this !J.roje~ct~ dcet:' , The
current $ir.gle~ and. ~11ti91e-fa::-,i1J' ~lc~~jr.g !"c,! .. llar:-}.cms do not
aIlo',,' for this style and t)"F~! of hC:'llsif,g.
(ii)
landscaping along
experience ana make
The p'top,:tsed si:-!"cet ~Fprovement<; and
8.a-'1tona Street \-Ii 1 1 enh'::;rK€" ttl'S! pedestr ian
the area O";ore ar.:.t~active.
(e) The pn:-,p0sed zone change if> in conf,jrt:!'anc~ 'With the
Multiple~F;::.mily Re6idential design?.tio(J ot' th:= Palo Alto
Con1prehensive Land Use Ele.tnent. 'The appl icanL will narrow the
re.sidential street cross B~ction along a .$e~nt Qf ~vna Street.
and will install a !Jew landscaped and irrigClted planter s;:rip
between the curb and sidewalk, preserving the existing street trees
around the entirF.! proj ect perimeter.
S8'CTION;1. ThoBe certain plane entitled ·Palo Alto Classic
Communities by Bassenian·Lagon: Architects, ~ dated August S, 1994,
and approved by the Architectural Review Board on AuguBt 18, 199~.
a copy of which plaus is on file in the Planning DiviSion office,
and to which copy :-eference is he;-eby made concerning the fuil
particulars thereof. are hereby appHi ... ~ed ;is trle D£;\lelcpmenl Plan.
for the subject property, pursuant to Section 18.68 120. Said
Development Plan is approved for the following uses, and subject to
the folloving conditions:
(a) pem.itte.Q,~ __ !.l1i~!i:~~. The use s-hdl1 be 1 iillit ed to
l-esidential and accessory uses incidental tberet.Q.
lbl
permitted.
CODditional Uses_
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No conditional uses shall be
(cj Site pgvelgpment RegulatiQM. All improvements and
development shall be s:ubstantially in accordance wit.h rhe appr'C"ved
Development Plan. The'following are site Q~velcpment regulacions
whicb establish rules for ~ificationB or additions to any
building, accesBory structure or landscaping on the subject
property, Definitions of terms used sr~ll be in accordanc~ with
C~~pter 18.04 (Definitiona) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto
Munic.ipal Code.
{il Landsca.ping, spas, switmrlng pools, building
colors aIld materials. skylights, exterior wall surfa("e treatrrents
a."ld window cov-erings may be installed and/or modified without
approval by the Architectural Review Board.
(ii) Any other exterior changes to tr.e buildings
or any new construction not s:pecif"icalljo' p2rmi::tpd by tl".e
Dev21opl'l'lent Plan or .oy these site develoF~ent. .r-eguL'ilierlS s:nall
req-.lire an amendment to thiB Planned C'orm';l.lnity ?(,Int"_
(iE) No !'lE'W constrl.ict ion over 12 iw.:::he~ in height
i'3.perrnitt-ed in th-e [-cent yards.
(iv) "No new floor: an,a 01' coverag~ r."I.)' .oe
constructed OIl any let. €'XCE"pt porches, p3.tio covers .:iud t:rcllises
of lesB than 120 square feet, which Ghall not exceed tw~lve teet in
height a.nd shall be set back ,s,t: least three feet from any property
line.
(v) No Bpas I R .... ·:ln"in!ing pools '0':: st:::uctures exc~pl
fences may be located on or across a pra~rty line,
(d) Parking and Loading Regyireropnts. The parking and
loading requirements governing the 9ubject property 6hall he in
accordance with t.he Development Plan, except as follo'Ws or ae
othe~8e set forth in subsection (e):
(i) Signage and landscaping shall meet the site
distance requirements ot section 19.83.080 of the Palo Al~o
~tcipal Code applicable to project frontages where driveways are
preeent, to the satisfaction of the Transportation Division. 1'1"":?
final landscape plan shall be prepared in accordance \llitr, this
requirement.
(e) Special Reguir.eFl~"
(i) In conformancp. witl". the City's Belo ..... ~.arkct
Rate ("BMR") requirements (Progra.1':l. 13 of the Housing Element of the
Comprehensive Plan), the owner of the subject property shall, at
its Bole cost and expense, apply for a PC Planned Community zone
designation at 330 Emerson Street and, if approved, shall, at its
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sole cost and expense, conetruct a new four-unit residential
structure OD the vacant property at 330 Emereon Street, to replace
the four units of housing being removed for thie project.
The building shall include four one-bedroom units of 625 to
550 aquaz:e feet each. Approval of the four unit project shall be
obtained prier to i86uanc~ of any building permit for the subject
property. Cans:truction of the four unit proj ect snaIl be completed
prior to final inspection, or occupancy, whichever is first, of 12
of the 22 units to be constructed on the subject property.
The owner of the subject property shall eell the property
and ~rovements at 330 Emerson Street to the Palo Alto Housing
Corporation for the price of $150,000, which will operate the
project as afford.:i.ble rental h()uSing.
If the 330 Emerson Street BMR project is not constructed
for any reason, the owner shall fulfi 11 the B/'t-'.J\. requi:t:ement bi'
payment ot a fee to the City e:qu('l.l to 5 pet.'cent of the gross sal~s
price of ea.ch unit on the subject property. The tee would be
payabl'? at the lime of clo,c;:e of escrow' on edch ,mit and ~'iJ A be
based 0.1 the sal~8 price of each unit as of thot time.
The provisions of this condition (e} (i) have been
negotiated between the City aDd the project applicant, and are set
forth in that letter frorr, the Director of Planning and Cort'!T",llnity
Environment dated July 11, 1994, ackno~ledged and agreed to by the
applicant on August 1, 1994; und these pr-oviaions ahall also be
incorporated into the SubdivitJion Improvement Agreement requi red as
a condition of approval of the tentative subdivision nap [or the
subject property.
(ii) Prior to issuance of a building permit, the
following shall be provided to the Architectural Review Boa.l'd for
review and apprcval:
{1} Detailed elevotions of all fences and
walls, calling out all proposed materials; and
(2) Color and m:a.terial eo.mples of the
proposed fence and wall mate~ialB;
(iii) Prior to issuance of a building per.mit, t,he
owner of the 9ubjec~ property shall obtain approval of a tentative
subdivision map and re~ord a final ~~p for the subject property.
(iv) Prior to issuance of a building pel'Trlit,
final landscape plans and irrigation plans which meet the
requirements of the City's Landscape water Efficiency Standards
shall be submitted for reviE:!w and approval to the architectural
4
-----,-...... ~-------
R.eview Board, City Arboriet, Utilities Bnergy Services Division and
Planning Division. The plans shall include the proposed treatment
of 8treet trees adjacent to the subj ect property as well as
laDdll:eaping on the subject property, Bach tree 'i",O be re.rnoved
shall be replaced with at leaBt:. two new trees r which shall be
located 80 as to shade paving and to reduce the need for air
coDdltioni.ng.
IV) Prior to submittal of final landscape plans,
a tree protection plan, prepared by a certified arborist, shall be
s:ul:&itte<1 for review and approval by the Plan."ling Division and
implemented prior to demolition and throughout project construe··
tian. 'T!lt! p!a..n shall i!l.clude implementation of the recOD'l:tendations
contained in the report by arborist, Barrie Coate, dated July e,
1994. The plan i!:Jha.ll include identif.i cation of all trees to bs
protected and e~~ll in~lude measures for their protection during
construction, including a temporary construction fence to be
erected arounj each tree that is to be saved. The fent;,;e ehs.ll
c0nsiet of portable cyclone fencing or wire mesh, securelyat.tached
to -r.'-F.tB.t posts driven into the ground, or alternative fencing
i\pproved in .... Titing by the Planning Division. The purpose of the
fencing i3 tQ keep all construction activit.y and storage outside
the dripline of the trees. It sr-.al1 be erected before any
const.ruction machi.nerv entet8 the site, and shall not be removed
until che final alte landscape grading is completed.
(vi) Pr.l.or to issuance of a building pern'.it, a
detailed lighting plan sen:sitive to existing adjacent land uses
shall De eubm.i tted for Architectural Review Board and Police
Departmellt review and approval. Exterior 1 ighting shall be
designed for safety, and shall avoid introducing unnecessary light
and glare.
(vii} Prior to coamencement of construction the
contractor shall obtain approval fram the City~s Electrical
Inspector for placement of all s1.l.bstructure installations, and
shall mark the exact locations of splice boxes and street lights
for the City.
(viii) Prior ':'0 corrunencernent of ccnat.ruction
ut.ility improvement plans and load sheets shall be eubmicted for
review and approval by the Water-Gas-Wastewater Bngineering
Division and the City'S Cross Connection Control Inspector.
(ix) Utility connection charges shall be paid
prior to scheduling any work to be performed by the City of Palo
Alto.
(xl Residential smoke detectors Bhall be
provided in accordance with Uniform Bl1ilding Code section 1210.
5
"---___ ,,-"'"'0'_-.;-.... _'-"
\
(xi) i'rior to occupancy buUding address signage
shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Fire Deparcment and
the Police Depart.ment.
{xii} All new electrical service shall be
underground. All electrical substructures required trom the
servi c::e point to the switchgear shall be installed io accordance
with standa~ published by the Utiliti~8 Depart~nt.
(xiii) Only one electrical service shall be
permitted per lot.
(xiv) A ."it.ch p.~d and box for the pad inOlJnt
switch tor the project shall be install eel at a loc<ltioI'. to be
determined by the Utilities Depart!!"rent.
; f) ,I;_~_y_e:1r.;.N.ent ______ S_c1u~"m,Ll...e. Const :::-uC't ion of thE" proj ect
apprQ'".r'C'd by tr,is ordin.H:;ce sball J:::a co::.pleteJ on ot." before F'eb!"·tlary
1, 1.996.
SECI:iC~)..... The CC·"J.ncil f:ind that lh~s pr0ject ',d.ll not
ha1,/O:' a s..l.JuHiC'ant envir'm..:~.enta.l effecc"
s..s...CU.Q1:L.2, This ordinance f;lhal). be effective on the
thirty~first day ~!t~r the date of its adoption.
I~1RODtJCKD :
PASSED:
AYES:
!lOss:
ABSI!lIT:
A'ITBST,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
6
APPROVED:
!<'.ayor
City Manager
Direct.or of Planning and
Co..~,uni ty ErNit"omr,ent
•
\
EXHIBIT "A"
~ GRAPH! C An AcHH[NT J-;:;:;~-:7-:..-:::-::;;:;--::-~--~--...;;;..;:.r:"'----1 ' TO STAFf" RF::NiRr
~P=R70J7.E=C=T-:~17.0~~~aw~~~~G~B~FR~OH~~RM~-~J~O~.~CD-~C~(~P~)~'~----~ ~
•• PC 3111 TO PC !fr
NORTH
L
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
PLANNING cOMMISSION
MEMORANDUM
FROM: Nancy Lytle, Chief PllIlllin,i Officw
AGENDA DATE: September 14, 1994
TITLE: Appllcatlon to 1't'7ODe tho propeny at 245 Lyttoo Ay..,,,,, and .J{lS.
337 Emerson Sum (penlnsull Tlmes-Tribune Site) from RM-.lO, CD
C(P) and PC 3111 to • Planned Community (PC) Distrk:t in order to
construct 17 to 18 single-famil)' Wlit, and 4 ."",md units, ann change
the Comprehensive Plan designation on ~ vortion of the site from
Regional COtnmUlllty Commercial to Multiple-F.ImillJ R~id~ntu!.
Setback variances and a Ttnt.atin Subdh"isioD Map an ahn requested
(94-Z(:-7, 94-CP-2, 94-SUB-3, 94-EIA·IOL
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commls.'SioD recommerv:l w1al the Cit)' C01.JTIcU:
1. Approve the attacbed negative declaration, finding that the propo>al w~1 not ","uit in
any sigrufica.nt eINironmentaJ impacts;
2. Adopt the a=hed resolution approving the Comprehens i vo Plan ameDdment 10 cbange the
land use designation on a portion of the site from Regi.onal Commuuity Commercial to
Multiple Family Residentiol;
3. Adopt the attached ordinance amending the Pianned Community zone in order 'Q
rewne the property from RM-30, CD-C(P) and PC 3111 to a Planned Community
District in order co construct l7 single-family units and 4 second units;
4, Approve the setback variances with the attached findings; and
5. Approve the tentative subdivision map with the attached rmdings and coooitions.
P~\PCSR\24!!LYTT .as
9-14-94
PAGE 1
"
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On July 21, 1994, the Arcllitoctural Review Board (ARB) reviewed the residential project and
00 a 4-0-1-0 vote (Vteira da Rosa absent), continued the Planned Community zone change
application (summary minu .... attached), 10 response to commeots at the July 21. 1994 ARB
meeting. the appl K:ant submitted a rev ised plan VI' h itb el iminates one of the PIOPO~ lots on
Everett Street {i.e., the number of units on Everett SO'«t was. reduced from 8 units to 7 units).
Other revisioos to the plan are described below under Rev jsed Plan,
On August 18. 1994 the ARB. on a 3-24-0 vote (Maser and Wilson opposed), recomrn<:ooed
limited approval of the alternate plan (minutes auacbed), The ARB approval was limited to the
DUmber ODd shape of !be 100, the urientltioo of the residences to !be ,treet and the design of the
proposed alley, 10 addition to the conditions recommeooed by stiff, the ARB meluded a
coOOition that the foU""'ing itents return to the ARB:
:. provide quality architecture;
2. restudy the massing of the houses and how they relate to the s.urrounding neighborhood;
3. restudy the soJar orientation and orientatior. of lbe patios on the north side of the project;
4, establish a meaningful access w tile plaza 00 the adjacent office projecl~ and
5, pro,,:fde a solar study as a graphic analYSts. with diagram3.
Staff doe~ not Sl~pport the ARB !c.cOIfullendation that the projecl archiu·crure, massing of the
hOuses, solar orientation, orientation of the paties and acress to the adja('em offlce proje.cl shouid
be restudied and possibly revi..;cd. The app!il:.aIlt i.~ typicaHy required to submit details. of the
site development pliillS for review and approval by 1l]e ARB including detaIled elevations,
~ and iITi~ati{Jn plan and a lighting plan. However, approval. of.a Planned Community
application includt:~ a Development Plan. The lsS'Je5 th.at the ARB has requested be deferred
to the ARB after PLwning Commission approval go 10 the basic design of the plan, and the
ARB's action couid $ubstantially cha..rtge the plan approved by the Commission and Council.
This procedure is not in acrordance with the Planned Community pr<x::e,s$ ~tablisbed in Lle
Zoning OrdiDanc::. In staffs opin.i{)D, this does not preclude refmement of the approved plms
(e,g., relocating some of the balcooles) or design improvements proposed by the applicant and
approved by the ARB.
BACKGRQUNI}:
This report addresses a proposal for a Comprchemive Plan Amtndment, Planned Community
ZODe change, setback V3Ilances and a tentative subdivision map thai are necessary to allow the
comtrtJoCtion of 17 to 18 s~le·family units and 4 second UOltS on a poni.on of the Peninsula
Times-Tribune site at 245 Ly1tOC Avenue and 305-337 Emerson Street. The applicaiion was
couceptually approved by the Planning Commission on JUJle 2)1, 1994 (at that time the project
included 18 ,ingle·family units and 4 second units).
The proposed residential project is one of two components to redevelop the block bounded by
E,'oren Srreel, Ramaoa Street, Lytton Avenue and Emerson Street. The applicant (Molal't
P:\PCSR.U45L YTT.85
9·14-94
PAGE 2
i
Devdc;>01eru C~y) hcu received approvals of separate applications to demolish the e:<.isling
fWO.ftOry, 86, I56 square foot Peninsula Tunes-TriblJne huilding and construct a three-story.
54,90) ~ foot OffiCe buiJding froorlling on LyttOn A'r'enu~ with two le ... ·els of underground
parkiDJ (see. etrJOM'Jd pims for the offlcc project that are included for information only), On
July 21, 1994, the ARB appro\'td the appii<auon for !be attioe project (suIIl!tlAry mlllUtes
attached oely -due tv cape recorder maifuoction, verbatim minutes from the meeting are not
.voilable). OIl July 2i, 1m the z"ning Administrator held a bearmg ... -xl 5ubsequentl)'
approY'ed I height '\-ariance for a 45~foot higb office build lng, where the maximum allowed
h:tiP2t is 35 feet, The Zocing Administnltor's fLDding5 and conditions are at1aChed,
In order 1O.asse:ss the cumulativt impacts of both projects, one environmental as.scs.sment was
p.-ep:ared for bach me restdentiaJ and office c.ompontnts, however, only the-resKiectial project
is the sub,i<ct of mis .<aft repcr!. The offi", project i, di5cus5ec in the attac~td ,<aft repoT!
da«<l JUlY 24, !994,
Ar;:bil>&rura\ BeykY-' Board Com·uent ..
Tn<: Souc, memocLS s'-'l'pon~ lhe project indica'.ed thaI l) the pmpo!ted den..sity provides a
good trulSitlOD to lr,e dt')wntv~n: 2) the red!.lctlon from 18 to 17 units is a loss in terms. of
pro\·,c,ing. aedlLC'f'>.-ll homing, howe-,er. it will add qua!ity!O the remaini[1g unil'l; 3) the public
(,:-.pen ~ya:.:.es. ne.iu-by art' w:ul:.:n ... 'alkirig dls:.acce of the site J.fI(L Lb ere fore , the project dxs nm
need to pw"ide tf"; O?::J: ~n ~pace; 4) the PJopo:.~ed aHt-)' provides a ~ens-e (,If community; J.Jld
5) the proJ~ct, p.&njc!l!vly the alcbiiecture, ne--eds further de-talling.
The Beard rn.!robe~ ~ir.g the !!lotion indicated that I) the review procen for this project
"'AS u!laCU'ptzhle boecause the-residential project should have recejl,;ed a preliminary ARB review
and ilia: the res:rdenlial ilnd offiCI: components 5110'.116 have been reviewed a~ one project; 2)
many people C'ln':sioned a:1 iIltegrated project on this site Llui! would combine retail and
CO!ruDt.f'CW OD LyttQn AvenL"e transilioning to higher density housing in mid-block witl1 a
poctiorj of tbt: parkjDg ~ing shared by tbose ei1tities, 3.Dd lower density housing relating to tbe
existing oeighbc:Jrbood on the E ... 'erett end of rt-.e block; 3) instead of increa.cing the density as
boch the Housing El~mellt and Commuruty Design Element of the Comprehemive Plan
encoor'8e, this project actually uoderdevelops me b()lJ$ing portion of the site; and 4) the project
does I!()( iDcr<a>e !be avaiJalJUity of affordable housing because the units are small and
expetiSrve.
The Board members that were oppose<j to the motion also indicate<! tMt although the ,I,.mate
plan ~'3S a signif.ant improvement compared LO the Ofiginai plan l) the JrulSSing of the units.
does not relate to the general fee!lng of the eXlsting neighborhood", 2) the:: side yards are unusable
dar;:: areas thai represtlll a significant waste of valuable real estate; 3) the architecture is.
oomogeneoos, lacks freshness and bears hole re Iationsbip 10 the chanc,., of the homes in the
a.rea; and 4) no ft5pCtDSe YI'B.S made. to the ARB suggestion that the project provici~ a direct
coi1I¥:Ction to the offj.ce building plaza or a common usable open $opace for the project residents,
9-14·94
PAGE 3
"'
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/
POI.ICY IMl'IJCATIQ1'!S:
1be project does not R:preSeDt a.ny ro.an,e 10 uistlng City poi K:teS. The drafl Downtown Urban
Design Guide co-n~ a pohc), to "promote LyttoD A"-enuc as .n enlivened mi.,ed comm.erci.al
&Dd res*,DtiaJ district; ensure tbat development respects tM transition imc the adjacent
D<nt."Dtown North neighborhood; .lI!d p~1 Ibis r~~nti.z.l r:ci.ghtx.'\[hood from lDc-ompatibte
eDCl"CJllCbmems by c:om..mc:n:i.aI buildiGg:s, ~ Tbc proposed projecl appears consistent with that
guidoJine.
The Slng~ Family ResJdentiaJ Desigo Guidelmes COntlln a po!ky to 'p!"O'ilOe ror irxHvK1uaJ
in.ttiative aDd creativity wbik still reflecting common, dwa....""teri5tic oei&hborbood patterw. • (such
a.5 the .. eclectic character of JXlwnwv..'D North).· The pr~ project a:mtai~ many elements
wbich are ct:msi:stent with [)o,;.'utcrv .. n North ~c:klpment patterns..
Project consisteocy '\\.'rtb Co-mp:--ebt'ruive Plan pohcit!l i.s dl5>:"'J5seD in tile attached Planning
Commission staff repon dated Ju~ ?4. 10";l4_ a~1 sumJ'i";,?!"iu.l.1 In (he c.i..a.:hed fmJings (0; the
teniAiin' subdri'ision map.
P1SC{j<S!Q:\:
rssu,".~ r<:ii.:.Idlrig th~ C(irr-:prthe~i\ c· Pl"'i .. _,r:cnjrr:~~t, t~;:' p:c'p-~:-.~d Ij.:':;: au! c<:n.ilt)'. pJI)..:ing.
humarl heDith and C{)mprel~ensiY'~ Pian (>In!L~It'fl-'::~' ar<" aGdre:s~d in (he 8.rta~hed PlanniT"Jg
COmIDLssioil staff ieporl dal.dl hint 14, 1994, Th,,> ff;x'P. d,,~cribe~ the revised plan subTLirtt:-d
in p!"-sponse to ARB comments made on July 21, !99-! ar..d addres~s iss.ues rcga,.nh __ 11& wrring
comp! iance , ~tt.ack \'ar~, the ~u.u!i~'(" s'Jbdi\'15~ofl m.ap, S(ljar access., proposed dediCllton
a!td. impro'l'cments on Ramon.a Street. pr~ S1tc' develormcnt rer,ulatioru, sales prices, below
[J\...ar~et rate hous.ing, tandscaping, wr.struct!on H!:puts. de','ek"j)lTIent 5-Cheduie and public benefit
fmding'S,
The prOJ>O'<d alley ~ to the g ... qes is be !lCf« ial to tl>e ~.n.n cbar3C!e! of the proj<<<
because it minrmiu:s the amount of pa-""ing visible from thl: surrounding publk streets and
eliminates garage doors facing the street. The tnc.Jrporatlou of ~md UnlU is consislf'nt with
the traditional Downrown North oeigbborbood, and would yield addition:U density and more
affordabie rental bolls;", ($800 to $1 ,200ltnOGth) Deal" the dov.1ltoWn and public tnruit.
Although the current housing $lock (consrr\lCled 50 ro 100 years ago) in llle Downlowll North
neighborhood is in high demand, [[ i5 r.ll"e 10 receive a proposal fur this t) v~ of s.ingit:·famliy
housing near downtown. In order to provide a u-ansitiou 't>et"-,\'een the commercia] and residenlial
areas, the applicant bas UUlize.! porcol ,i= (l.944-2,958 sauate foell, "hlCb are smaller than
tI-.e rypical size (5,000 squMe fee.) in Downtown North.
P:\PCSRU4:5LYTI .BS
9--\4-94
PAGE 4
/
J;
One of the primary assets of the remaio<!er of DowDtown Palo Alto is the ~m.J1 p,ucei siu.
Many blocks throughout the downtown are se~mented into 5ttWi parcels, of tell "'im 25-LO 50-
foot fronlllgeS. Eacll is occupied by a "roque !>uiJding with distioct arth,teetun:. The scale of
developmem downtowD enlivens the pedestrian environmem With ,,-ar~tj' and i.nte~-est, By
proposing: to subdivide the ,itt into 1S (inclu<iing rommerciaJ site) lors. the .applicant M!; reduced
me project's scale and tllowed the possibiHty of a Va1!et}' of architecture on ~ irn.:li\·j.dul
paroels.
kyjssd Plan
UDder the revised plan, one 101 on Evcrett Street"'" elirotnated which rtdu= the toQ] Dum~
oflots from 18", 17. The building materials would be the ~ 35 the origLOaJ plan .. <'apt that
flat roof tiles would be used Oil me interior uc.!ts, as ~ to round tiles on the origL..'"lOll plan.
The remainder of the project is me same under lM revised plan, includin~ the proposed colors..
Under tht origbal plan, the 6 interior lot on EYeren Str~~ c.'!.:mtain 1.9-10 squa;-~ fee( of lo( area
and the N,'O corner lots contaLn 2,160 square feet. Under the revG.cd p!J.n. tl1e c.cmer ims
reIT'..ain at 2, 160 square fr.e\ and the mterior lou were incre.a.sed in ~1U' to 2JSfl s.qu.a:c fe--et l'1.n
increasf.: of 440 :Jquare fet:t/Jnt compared to the orig ina! plan),
The applicant has introduced a. new hou..~ plan (Plan 6) on Lhe 5 intei-ior lots a!0I14 En"rett Strt-ei
(ll)e bouse pla.~ for the two corner lou hav~ 00\ been te\'~), Tt)ere are thit:(' \'3rl;l',icH\.<;" 0\"
Plan 6, wbich bas:l be<lrOOml and contains 1.648 to 1.6<;3 square f"" of fioor area. lInder to<
original pLan the units sizes on the Eyerett Street interior lots ra.ng~ from 1,275 to l,4SJ s.quar~
fee'.
The proposed floor area ratios (r"ARs) on the Eve-ren So-eel interior lots under both plan.1i. are
similar, Under the revised plan, the FAR OD. each lot is apyrox.lmatel)' ,7: 1 oo!!'.part:d 10 a range
of . 6S: I '" . 75: I under the original plan.
The revised plan includes p<m:hes on Lhe front of eacb of tile iDterior ullits and there is lDOil::
varialion in the front yard setba<:ks. In addition, 3 of the inlfr"" ~.o .... would have o«:ODd
.tory balconies on the frana Df tht uo.its. UDder the original plan, the fronl yard .. 1bods were
12 feet. UDder the revised plan. the fronl yard setbacb have:oore variation, rrom. minimum
of 12 feet '" • maximum of 22 feet.
fn addiCton, the .side yards are slightly larger under the revised. plan, Although l~~ mlOimum
side yard remains at approximately 8 feeL, the larger lOt s~:t.e allows the side yards. adjacent 10
the garages at the rear of the inlfrior lots '" be jIXTeased to 13 feet, 4 inches.
P:\PCS:k1245L YTT.1IS
9-14-94
PAGE 5
M explained in the .""ebe<! letter from the applicant dated August 9. 1994. Ihe appllOll1l does
00{ have a prefereoce brtween the originaJ and rr.:vtsed plans. Tne applicant has inc:hcatt<i that
the cost of the interior units on Everett Street would be incrused fTO~ S325,00Q to S350,000
on tllc: o<iginal plan to $375.000 to $400.000 on the revised pian. Staff recommends approval
of the revised plan because it responds to many of tm ARB comments and results in a more
inruesting project rhat is more consistent wiLb. existing developmem in the neighborhood.
The applicant did llOI rev;'" tllc: plans 10 provide additiolllll softscape and play area:; for the
residents; and i, DOt propoomg anydlanges 10 the wallo adjac<nt 10 the office property', gvden
(!be ARB .uggemd that the wall, should 001 be blank. bUI should be opene<l up to view the
gm!eD). The r.,.",ns for DO! revising the pi"", in response '0 these ARB c",runenlS are
explained in the a_bed letter from the applicant
ZouiDF CQI'U'iyUU
The following tabie COttipar.es the revised plan to the RMD District regul,a,lions and the RM-30
requirements ,
Project ComparisDn With Current Ordinance RequL..-ement'i
R.M.Qilkq:Ql EM·30LllliUll
Min. Let Area/Uni! 5.<XX1 sf NIA
Lot Widl" 50 ft. N!A
Lot Depth 100 fl. N/A
Muimum F.o\R 5:1 .6: 1-.75::
Maximum Lot Cove-rage 40% 45%
Usable Open Space 450 sf/unit 30%
Maximum Sidg. Heighl 35 ft. l5 ft.
Front Yard 20 ft. 20 ft.
Rear yard 20 ft. 10 ft.
Side Yard 6 ft. 10 ft.
Slreet Side Yard 16 ft. 16 ft
Parkiug 32 spaces 49 spaces·
• Includes 42 spaces for residents and 7 gu .. t spaces.
1.944-2.929 'f
25 ft.-30 fL
72 ft.·99 ft.
.76:\-.96:1
48%-56%
44%·52 %
27 fl.
)·22 ft.
2.5 ft.
4-!3 ft.
7.5 ft.
38 space~
Finally. the Code requires a 26 fOOl (minimum) back-ou. distaoce from dte proposed gvages.
The proposed back-..outdistances are 21.5 feet and 25 feet. Reductions in tht required back-.out
distance may be approved WiUl a PJann~ Community application.
P:IJJCSR\l4SL YTI'.BS
9-14-94
PAGE 6
•
The project Is requireJ by the Planned C001IIlU[lity regulations to com!>1 Y wi tl1 the setback and
c1aylight plaDe "'Iuicemen .. of the ad.l=ot RM-30 woe. Portio", of the proprued houses
extend into the required front, sK!e and rear setbac.ks and require varlail£:es. Under the requested
P"~ Community zoning. vari.aIK:es are required for we following:
1) the minimum. required ~ side and rear yards for a structure o,,:r one :;lOry is. 10 feet
for tile first ""'r of !he .tru<:IU.'" and one-balf of the actual height of the s!rUCtl:re, ~ut DOt
less !ban 10 feet for !he portion of the .trueture over one ,tory; the proposed minimum .ide
am n:sr yard oe1bocla are 4 L'td 2.5 fec, respectively (Le., a variance (Of 6 reo, is required
for tile .ide yards and 7.5 feet is required for the rear yards);
2. tbc minimum required side and rear yards adjacent to a strtel are 16 feet; tile minimum
~ side aod ieaf ~tbacks. adjacent a street :lre 9 and 2.5 feet, respe\:tively (thus, a
variano::' for 7 feel is requimi for the side yards and U.S fee! )j, uquired for the rear
yards); al'!d
3, 00 t.hose porth.x..; oftbe s~te opposite tb:: RM-30 Districl, the minimum required tront yard
se-tbadc 1...:, 20 feet compared to a minLmulIJ propos~ s.t\bark of appnl:;:;imateiy 6 feel (j.e.,
a variar.ce for 14 feet lS iequirc-<l).
Proposed finc1ings for the requested setback variances. are attached.
The applicant has filed a teotatr..'e subdivision rr.ap which would separate me oftj~ and
residential sites and subdivirle: t,J,e residential sitc. mla 18 single-family lots with private streets.
A condition of ippi'oval requires the tentalive map to be re· .... ised to pro\'ide 17 lots consistent
with tile alten:arive plan. The applicant inlend5 to phase ~,., Hnal maps and hos submitted the
anactJed letter dated Seplember I, 1994 e;q>laining the totent of the proposed phosing. Proposed
fmdings and cor.:Htions for die tentative subdivis ton map are .attached.
The O!>Plicant submitled !he auached solar study by Environmental Scie.nce Associates (ESA)
doted August 5, 1994. The study focuses cn the extent and duration of sunHght available in tOe
landsc.tped areas between the hom"'.
The homes froruing on E'Veren Street have an 8-foot (minimum) ~ar.ation between the uni~.
Eac.b. of these homes wOilld bave.a front yard, but 00 rear yard. The st'Jdy found that the side
yards of the Everett Street homes would have 1 hour of sunlight per day in winter, :2 bours in
spring and 3lfJ hours in summer. The Everett Street barnes would receive full sun in the
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morn.ing in all seas.ons. Tbe s;unJig.ht would fallon the west side. windows of those homes in Lhe
morning and mid...aay. The study LOOlCated that increasing the separation bet1olr'een units to
14 fttt woWd. add. about ~-l hour per day of dirt'Ct sunHgh! in summer, with stT.:Uler increases
in sprirll, faU IUId wi:.!uer.
The homes froo.t:l.ni on Emerson and Ramona Stre.::ts would have a typical ,)·foo! separalion
between the units at the froDt md a 7-foot sep.art.l~n Detv.'een units in the rear, at [be garages.
EICb uni, wouJd baY< • from yard zOO also "".lid him a rur yard betw<en til< hOU3C and the
prag<. The srudy fOUDtl dy., !be side yards of the Emerson and Ramo"" Street hom .. would
be cxpmcd 1D direct sua)igb, for duruiom ,imil>r 10 !I>c>e for the Everett Stree, bomes. bowever
the exposure wouJd be prunanJy 10 ~-noon sun. The courtyards of the Emenon and IWnona
Street homes would r=i>'< more dire<:. suo than would the 'ide yards; the added time would
be a..tx'Iut Yl tKIur per day in tbt: summer, with lma:ler ir.cT""...3.SeS in sprr'lg. fall and winter,
The ta~ p!.1n includes rr~ that ~'\XII<l shaG:: the ~ide yards, and an undErstory of vines
and k~' shmbs. 'The smd~' fOlJnd tb..a.t sh..ldC'-(O!::ram plamings. .... 'ou1d do we!1 in the side yarill,
... hire SUrl-!o\,mg pl..l1.l'..S ... o-dd 1K'1. Dt-cidu0'J.'i trees ',l,01J!d al!ow direct and retkcte:d ';"inteT
s.unHg.hl to ~netTa~e 1.0 ur.d::rslory pb.rits. and to '.., il;.:kr~~ of L".e homes.
A mITo .... ing of the stret-t :wd a 3-foot Stfttt d,-d;:';"lIill:1 ls P,O;Xr<ied 011 Rllillar.a SlIet" Mucb
of L~::-e"X.l5tin,g $1ck'lllall. O.J Ramona Street adjacer.! to the re-sideotiaJ project l5 located Oll prjva~
proper!)' and ~ Pl~ project will consume appro.1:lmately 3 fee! of the curreot sidewalk
area.
10 order lO provide a 5-fool wide pl.~n1er 'Strip l1etv.·e.en the e::d~[ing street trte5 and the curb, the
CIJf'b..to-curn w~rtJ of Ramona SUee1 adjocenl !o the residential projeci wll! be narrowed from
appro~imar.ely 35 feet to 32 feet (the street w~th a.djac.cnt 10 the offL~e project will remain at
approxinw.e!y 35 feet). Constq\'CDllJ'. til< "re,,' "ill narrow by appro<i"","']y 3 f",. mid-block
betweeo the offx::c. and resK1entiai projects. ()n..srreel parklng will be a.liowed on both sides of
the street aJ.t:>og the entire bkc.k. The applicant ha:s submitted a revised landscape plan to reflect
the proposed deC icatioo and sueel Lmpf('Iveme [Its on Ramona S ueet.
Staff wouk:l DOl normally reccmmend t.iat a private project consume a portion of an expected
standard public Qedation. 00wever. the proposed nTe.tl cross section is consis.tent with other
residential stree<:s in Downtown NOith. Ie bas the advantage of potentially deterring commercial
throug.h-tnffk.and m.1)' act as. il Oli.ffic 'calming ~h..Tljque. ~ It wdl also preser .. e existing street
trte$ and provkie an improved landscape strip. Stafi IS, u.1.erefore, supportive of the, proposal.
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-,
Proposed Site DeYClopIDCp! RegyLatlQ.o;.t
The City's Pianned. Community Distr:lct regulations requirt sitr: development fegulatKms tl-.at
would govern fu""" site impro"e.".nt> by the individual properly owners. The purpas< of !be
regulations Is to insure a continuing quality in any future: Improyements to the exterior spaces.
Below are the proposed site deyetopmen1 regulatw,m.
"The foUowfng are site devtlopmeot regulatioos which establi.s.h ~Jles for modiflCOlti0n:5. or
additions to any building, acct:MOT)' structure 01' Wxhc:Jpiug for t.1te de: ... e!opmer..t. For
defutitiom of terms u.sed, please ref ... to Sec!ioo 18.~ (DefUl"iol1S, of the Zooing
Ort!inanc:e, which is available at the PLmning Departm<n< coun«r, F I ftb Floor, Cit) H&!I,
250 H>.miJton Street.
1. Landscaping, !p3S, iwimming poets, building colors. and mite-rials. ,;\;yiights, e~ter.ior
·~-a.il surflce trea~nU and wlndcw (O'verinp rr.a)"lx iO!ltJHed alld ',g modified ',",lthOUI
apyro\"aI by the Architectural Review Rwd.
2. Any ut.'1er exterior changes to the bl.iild~[!g..!. O~ 3 .. r~~ rl':'W ''''rl.';lflJC'~i,m I~(': Speclfi:::aH .. '
permitted by trle Dcve!cpmcn! PLan or b)' thc3-:' 5i!.c: d~" I:'~OP:T:t,:t reg "LHiDfl..5. s~::all r~q~iT'c
an amendment to cnLs Plam:d Corr;mu.-;j[y ?~n.~,
3. No new C{)lliotruCtJOj~ ovt"t 11 ir;;;:hes ill height ~ pcrmittc:d ir, the frunt ~iUd5.
4. No DeW floor area or oove~e may be C>,)D:Structed 0:1 a!"1~ !(~. nc.c:pt porc!1es. patio
C(l,'ers and treilises of iess than 120 ~ua.re fee!, ~1'pch sh.all 001 e~clXd 12 feel in heighl
and shaH be set back at leasl 3 feel fTom any property iH'le.
s. No spas, swimming poo:ls or Stfucnaes e"tcepc fenus Tllzy be io,;,:ated 0 ... ar across a
property nne.·
The sire development regulations are intended to be Pio\'.oc mlntrnum resr:ricUons while
maintaining the design COnslsteDC)' of the origi.mJ project TI-.e rrv~w process for minor
modifications has been sLrnplif.ed to allow an 2.ppi~ lO obtain a buildmg poe-rmil without ,A. RB
approval.
The homes are prcject:d to sell Ln the range of S325,(XX) 10 ~25,(Ol During the first quarter
of 1994, the average bome pr:ce ~Id lr. the Pzlo Alto area (inciUiling Lvs Altos, Moun!ain View
and Palo Alto) was 5377,643 {ioXOCding to the Real Esute Re.s.earcb Council ot' NOfthern
Cilifomla) ,
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1 __ $40
BelOW Mar~t Rate UQusjng
The project is subject to a 10% Il<Jow Market Rate (BMR) requiremenl. Under Program 9 of
the Housing Element, any project that causes the loss of rental OOUSltlg must meet t';\'O of Llle
following tlrree condtio",:
1. 100'% increase in totaJ houstng uni~ prevlously existing on the lite and comply with the
BMR progr2l1l.
2. An equal "umbor of rental units as being displ"'-"'<i.
3. 20% of the uolts provided are BMR unilS_
The proj~t consists of 11 to 22 new housing units and is, thererore, in c.omplia.oct. with Number
I (above), The 4 9ropo!ed s~nd units. 9\liJl proviae new rental units iO offset the lCTSS of tnt
existing 4·unll building on the sire. Sioce the applicant can meet the flrSt r ... o reqUirements,
10% of the units provioeIJ must be BMR units.
In s.ati..~faction oftbe City's required [0% BMR requiremem,.an ~ro!:ement has been reacbec to
ccnstruct a new bulJding on the vacant property at 330 Emer's.()n StTei!l (&~e t.ile att2.cbed letter
from the DLrector of PLanning and C0mrounity Envrwnment dated July I L 1 994}. The bl1ildin~
would include f0ur .one bedroom units of no! less than 625 square feel and would be Gt'Sigr,e-d
and constru~tcd by the applicanL The Palo Alto Housing CarporaLion would purcha.<>e the
building and land for $lS0,co:J and operate the'-projecl as affordable reDt;tJ how.lug. The design
of the building is subject to approval of a Plau.ned Community zone change. The BMR project
must be approved prior to issuance of a buUdLng permit for the resuicnlial project, 1: for an~'
reason the BMR projoct IS not constr-.lcted, the BMR requirement would re .... ert to the payment
of a 5 % in·) teU fee.
I.ndwping
The applicant proposes. to preserve the existing street trees, with the exception of a 9-inch
Gledistia along RamoIl3 Street. In addition to the .s.treet trees, there are a t.oial of 27 trees with
• trunk caliper of 4 incbes or greater located in the existing parking 10< at the rear of L'>e ,ite
where the residential project is proposed. The majority of Ibe interior trees are poorly-formed
plums and pines that are of little val"".
Then~ are three Elms and an Avocado tree, which are located on the Emerson side of tile
parking lot. 'The applicant propmes remove two of the Elm trees (fret #47 and #49) and
preserve the Avocado tree (Tree #56) and one of tbe Elm trw.i (Tree #48). The applicant has
submitted an arborist's report that indiC1,tes that Tree 1147 and Tree #49 :are in poor condition
and sbou!d be removed. According to the report, the previow pl1lning practice.!; on Tree 1147
were so destructive that it Will be impossible to restnlcture the cree with other pruning to correct
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_. -.".-..--___ -_._, ........ ..,. .. -r-. __ ,~ __ ~
those problC'-IDS a:OO make the tree safe. Tbe report indicates, that Tree #49 has many structural
defects and should be removed. Each tree to be removed. will be required as a cor.dition of
approYlil to be replac«l with at least two new trees.
The applicant has submitted oonceptuallandscape plans for the residential project The sizes of
the proposed tree:!. within both the office and residential projects are IS gallon, 24~inch box and
36-inch box. The fIlIAl landscape plan sball be required to be reviewed and approved by the
ARB. City lutJorist, UtIlities Energy Services Division and Planning staff.
CpMtmr;Jjnn lrnparn
ComtructioD iIr.pacts are disc1.1SSCX.! in the attached :nvironrnental assessment. including the
C"Umulative constroction imp.ru of the 400 Emerson and 265 Lytton (Star, Re>taurant) projects.
COG.5trUCliOD of the residential project i:;. e~pe-cted to begin in the firs: quarter of 1995. The
tength of ~he construction period is plojecteJ to be approximately g months.. It is projecte-d the
residences will be occupied in the lasl quartr.f of i99S.
CUi1Sn"uctlon of the offio; PiOject is eY.pe-cted to begin in the fall of 1994. The length of lhe
r-.onstruction period is estirIulte.d to be approximately 14 month-so It is proj.e-cted that the office
building will be completed by November 1995.
Pub I jc Benefit F indini!.S
Approval of the requested. Planned Community rone change would r~quire that public benefit
findings be made. The public benefits of lhe project should go beyond the minimum code
requirt.ments and rompliance with the Comprehel"' •. o,ive Plan. The requested modificatkms will
=11 in the following public benefits:
1. The proposed projec(, which provides medium sized 3 and 4 bedroom homes dowDtown,
with modest but private open space, that wiJI accommodate families, wm address a major
housing neal in the community. Residential trends over the las, de<:ade demonstrate tha,
the variety of housing typeS bas been very limited. for-sale homes have been confIned
primarily to very expensive, large single-family home-s en conforming R-', lots~ moderately
sized townhomes with limited private open space and common green area: and mOTe
moder.Ilely p.ked stacked /lat condominiums dominated by smaller units. These trends
have created a gap in the housing stock between relatively affordable anached houslng
designed to accommodate young households without children and expensive single-family
hO\.l.sing that will accommodate families. The cunent single-· and multiple-family housing
regulations do not aHov.' for this style and t)rpe of housing.
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2. The p!opc>I<d $1rttI improYerneOlS 000 laodscaplllg "Ong Ramona Sttee< will enhance !he
pedesaan experience and make the area more actracti .... e. The applicam will narrow the
n:sldentia.! ~ CJ"OSS se=..1Km along a seg men[ of Ramona Sueel a."d w iJ I lnstall a new
la~ and irrigated pla.cter 5tiip betweeo the curb and sidewalk, preserving the existing
street trees l.round the ern.ire projec-t perimeter.
Staff bel;"'" Ihol the ~ public beoof". "'" adequate 10 supporr the project, without the ofl
si", publ" beoefIU propooed by !he app!i<anl.
In £Ix; Pb..nned Community applications. public benefits can be pro1iiced on-or off-site. The
applJc;ant ~ thaI wme of the ?I.l.bl)c beneflu for this Pt~ Communlty applicatlon be
located 00 the adjacent commfTciaJ project in conjunction with Q separate emitlement. Below
;it."e the .applicant's propos.....J off-site ptlblic benefits.
1. The :iip-j)fi)Y.e,d adjacclJ~ office ceyc\opment will provide a "plaza whicb will be. ac.cessjb~e to
tf!e pwbik whr!t1 [TIe ofn~ budding is open, It includes appro.l;.irr..ately 8,{)JO square feet of
forma..! lzr.d..'>C.aped gardens af'Jd courryards on the: iiQrth .. \esl side of the office build lUg faci~
l.:1e res id:::; [ta! d~\'e](~mem, It i~, .anlidpat~d t:i1ar this sp<,.cc wlii be a'laii.1ble for use by the
p'Jbl j,; rho," ever, a direct c,)[lno.:tjon to tJ,e ft-s.:Mn~b_1 project is not PTo'Jp{lsed).
2. Tn::. approved wjacenf office proje.::t would provide more park.ing sp.a~ than required. A
total of 149 parkJng spaces are proposed in the garage for the c-Omm~rcial bwllding. This
represents an inc-reas:: of appmximately 70% over the 90 .existing on-.5ite spaces. The
adrlittoT'..aJ spaces will n:li::: .. ·t,: the: overall COwnllJWll parkiltg deficit 300 will serve to reduce
the demand for on-street parking Ln tbe Downtown North area near the site. With a
pa.'"kiag ratio of approximatel)" 3 sp.ac.estl,CXJO square feet of oftlce area, the applicant tla5
.wed that the btiilding will provide more !han adequate parking 10 UO<Qmmodate the
propos«! building (it should be ooted that the Code requires 4 spacesll, 000 square feet).
The .'''1.lIability of these sp.ace:s would be secured by ootaining a commitment from the
developer of the offx-.e building to ent:r into an agreemem w 1th the Parking Assessment
District Ie proviOe these ~ on a permanent basis,
~ing Proposal i (above), staff does IlOl believe that the plaza will be a public benefit
become it is unlik<Jy thal • signif!CaDI number of the general public will use It, A public park
(Cagswell Plaza) iJ locate<! across Lytton Avenue from the site, Staff oo",iders the plaza a
t)'Pica.I iiInenity of the offlCe project, r!!-Suiting from it~ indel~ruknt design reYlew process.
~ Pr"l"'S'li 2 (above), staff reoognius that the arlditional parlJng will serve 10 decrease
the downtown parking deflCit. However, this parking is not avai~able to the residents of the
re!HieotiaJ pro ... io':t, and the additional parking is currently an approved feature of a separate
project.
P:\PCSJ,\24SL "t"!T.SS
9-14-94
PAGE \2
III general. sta.'1 Ls wu;ur::teci that the ~licanl's proposed off-site public beTtC'fits are
unnecessary and un.rela'ttd to !he $ubject applica:liorL Th(' applIcant'S pr('IJX"ISai would set a
precedent for consKlering me ~nitit5 or one em.iuemen! Lhe puhlic beoefll in anotheL While
the City has ~n ~ publtC beoefns off·site, the ameniti~ were over wd above the
project's design OOtcon'lt ~ had a relalkxnb!p to the project at ha.nci. That i..5 no! the case here.
Amenities natmJJly (lI:X1.!:" with IDe: re:de'vekJprnent of sites aDd tbC' ARB p~ Hov.'c:ver, jf
the: ameciues (e.g .• 5~'P1U5 parki:ng ~ m;j Iand.Y.:aped CllUrtyards) from orr appliC2tion can
be coosid::red the. "public beatfd" of a.oochet project, Ln effect tral"..i ferring these amenities
betwta '"",, til< CIty IS liltdy CO e:q><neoct a mtxtlOn in th<: ""bll<: benelit ,,,ItCOmt of the
PWmed Community pro<%$'
Thus, if the Commission dec-ides to Lnchxk the off.c:e paning and/or p1az.a in L~ public benefit
find[ogs, !l;taff recmruneDds lh.al ltx folIo .... ir~ ca\'eats be: 'rec0£niv:d to di ffere-r:t1a!e this un~ual
public benefll trart1feI from one tll!iuemem OOLCOme to a..ootber:
There are two sJtt:ro.ativC'.s 10 t,.'1(' propose-.d and altzrn.ate prcje.:-rs "iJi;:;h ~ho:.!!d be i.Ckoowl~ged
by :he Pianning CommwKm, One 2!ternaliYe!.S a hlgtx:r dtf!..Sity projeci on the !.It!. Th~ other
aiterna.tive is to ru,ru.i.n: L~ pnr"'i:sKm of t;po::n spact far t.he proj~cl res~nl.s,
The proposed 21 I'D 22 units otI the site resul! in a Otnsity of appro~lm.Lt:Jy 17 to [8 un..its/acre
(includiIli the 4 ~ writs'. Uncicr RM-3Q zoning. <he 1.24 acre sn< coold yield up to 37
wtits (30 units/acre), Ynus, the sit: rould yield uv to 16 additkmalunits if the ~ntire site were
within the RM-30 DtStrlCt (currently, approximate!y obe-half of the site is within the RM-30
District).
The Planning Commis5ion .noold;wes, whether tbe propos«! project provides suffocieD< boos ing
density and provides a smooth cransioon betMcn th<: rommercial and re.idcntial areas _ "''hUe
!he RM-3il Disttict oDCOU!'>j1" !he development of bigher density ilousitl,!. which may be
respousive to Ci~'Y.ie objecti\.-es for the deli\'uy of more affoniable hvllitOg, it also tends to
produce housing that is inconsistent with the sc.aJe, character and circulation patterns. of older
residen..'laI neighborboods such as f)(r;vntown North. The reOe\.'elopment of the site \!lith a
single, multiple-family projecT could product a monolithic development, out-of-scale and
character with !he Downtown North neighborhood_
9-14-94
PAGE 13
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Open SJI8C" for Project ResideDIs
Requiring common US3b~ ClpCn space for the 'Pro ~ res i<ienu is a..rlNht:r 011 ttrnati,,'e wh ich
sbould be ac!mowledged. The applicant could be: feqlJired (0 either provide a d:recl connection
to the offICe building plaza or a common usable open spau: for the project resident:§.. .... direct
connection between the residential .tnd offICe: project collld be pro'r'ided $0 t!-~! th:: f~j
landscaped courtyard ir. dIe off"" project could be U5<d b~ the resiOent5. Staff doe< no< suppor.
a direct connection because we believe it wouid have limited use by the residc:['Ilia1 owners aDd
would negatively impact me prMcy of the resiOenijaJ units. MOfeover t the T'"'...s.iCents can access
the plaza from the street.
Tbe City could also require that opeo spa:::e: for project resK1ents be pnwldffl cn~si!C H01''t'\'tf.
public open ~ (Johnson Put.uxt Cog5 .... 'tI~ Plata) arc ~rithin iI--alk:ng oLstanct of the 'Site.
In addition, the proposed alley within m.e prcjec! 9r.'[ll prc\'tde an uta fo; resid~!Jt5, p.arJcdarly
children to play, Provision of a.ddition.a1 open ~ce within the' pro}~.c' W('lJhj inl,'u:',e the !c"Ss
of at least one addition.a.l lot.
Th~ project would not have a $ignific&m f!)(al imr~C-l Uj}{1f1 the Cll~' ThiS, 2.ppi!,.icion ~~ '<.;bj";'(\
to the fuil C0ST recovery fee schedule,
E!Io'VIRQNMENTAL ASSF1jSME!'\J:
Tne Environmental AssesStnetll p~~ared fo~ this pre-jeel finds that it \0\ III not resuil in any
signiflcantenvironmentaJ impacts, and recurnmeods adoplion (If a rK'gativ(' dc'darz-!illP A cop;
of the Environmental A.'\..§.e'i-'Smen't is attact:c.d,
STErs FOLLOWING APPBOV AL:
The PIanni!lg Commission recot!llDtndations will be forNafdod to the ellY Council for f!1\ill
action. The tentative dare for the City Council meeting is Octobe: 17, [994. [r; ",khtion, the
applicant will be. submitting rtyi,sed plans for approval 'oy the ARB in rcs~ru.c LO tm auached
conditions.
PREP ARm BY: Robert Schubert, Coo"""t Planner
P:\PCSR\245LYTI.BS
9-14-94
PAGE 14
ATIACHMENTS:
ElA
Drut Ordinance
CompreheDSive Plan Amendment ResolU!lon
Variance Findi~
Tenwive Subdivision Map Findings
Tenwive Subdivision Map Conditions
Zoning AdministnilOr findings and CoDditions
Planning Commission Staff Report dated 6124194 with an.chments:
1. I..ocatiO!l Map
2. Development Program Struement from applicant dated 516194
3. Minutes from May 19. 1994 ARB Meeting
Ex~ Planning Commission Minutes of 6J29!94
ARB Swnmary Minutes of 7121194
Excerpt ARB Minutes of 8118194
Letter from Linda Bis",11 dated lull' 28. 1994
Letter from Environmental Science Ass.ociates d...1.te.d Allf,U£t;, 1994
1",<reT from applicant dated August 9, 1994
Letter from applicant dated September I, 1994
Lener from Director cf P1anning and Co::umunity Environment d3lC,d hly 25, 190~
Letter from Santa Clara County Manufacturing Group dated 6/2 ! !94
Residential Project Plans (Commission MembeiS. On:y)
Offace Project Plam (Commission Mem~rs Only)
Tentative Subdivision Map (Commission Members Oni)')
COPIES SENT TO:
Archite<turaJ Review Board
Applicant
Property Ow"",
Jim Baer
Pat Sharp, Downtown North Neighborhood Association,
333 Waverley, Palo Alto CA 94301
Tony Badger, Downtown North Neighborhood Association,
381 Hawtborne, PalQ Alto CA 94301
P:\PCSR.\24!!L YTT.8S
9·14-'14
PAGE 15
Bnvirgnmantal Documantg ~ City of PalQ Alto
SNVIRONMENTAL ASSESSHZN'r.
Project D@acription/Title: Peninsula Times Tribune -The project
involves redevelopment of a block bounded by Everett St. Ramona
St" Lytton Ave. and Emerson St, in downtown Palo Alto to construct
a-"l office development fronting on Lytton Ave. and a residential
project on the r2w~inder of the site.
office Prcject: The office developr.Lsnt consists of a three-story,
5-4~ 900 sq-<.lare foot office building with two levels of underground
parking and related site irr,provements. It includes approximately
8, ODD sq. ft. of formal landscaped gardens and courtyards on the
northwest side of the office buildi ng facing the residential
development. It is anticipated that this space will be availabl.e
for use by t:.he public (bowever, a direct connection to the
residential project is n.c,t proposed). A total of 150 parking
spaces "ire proposed with.in the underground parking structure
(co'i.pa:red. to 90 spaces requi.red by Code) 'The. park:~ng garage entry
\.,.':I1..lld be fl:om ET.erson Street.. The Pl..-opcsed floor area :catio [FAR)
.lS 1.S. The proposed. off.!.c.e bu':lding exceeds the beight
lirr,itd'.:.ions of Section lB.:j9.070 (el ''''hic.'h limits the heigb~.:. ot
b~lildings ',dth:in 1S0 feet Gf residential zoned plOpf~rties to 3S
fee t i\ '.'a::-iar,ce is req'Ji "red tor tr.e proposed bui ldi tl3 height
whic~l is apprOX1Mate]y 45 feet (1.2., a variance of approxi~ately
liJ fe~t is required).
Resi .. Hmt.ial Pro-je'.;~: The proposed resident ial development is a
plann~d cOTnmunity .of 18 small l<.,t t ..... o-story l;:-ingle family
resioences, 4 of which include a second dwelling unit. Eight of
the unl.ts would front on F.:verett Street, 5 ur:its would front on
Rai,iona Street and 5 ",'ould front on Eme!:'son Stl.-eet. The proposed
lot sizes range f:com approximately 1,944 sq. ft. to 2,500 sq. tt..
(i.e" 25-31 f~et wide by 72-100 feet deep)_ The smaller lots
frent on Everett Street and the lal.-ger lots, 4 of which would
contain second units, front on Ramona Street and Emerson Street.
The dev-elopment is organized on a liT" shaped alley connect.ed to
Ramona Street and Emerson Street. The alley, varying in width from
12 feet to 20 feet, would be a common dr-iveway maintained by the
owners of the individual lots. It 'Would provide access to the
garages at the rear of each of the residences. The second units
would be located in a second story above four of the garages,
adjacent to the alley. The project includes 8 two --bedroom units
(including four second units), 8 thrE!e br2droom units and 6 four
bedroom units. The unit sizes of the single-family homes range
from 1."1.'75 sq. ft. to l,S50 sq. ft. 'The second units would each be
670 sq. ft. in size. The proposed side yard setbacks on the
interior lots are approximately 4 feet {i,e., from building face to
sidE' F!:ope:t·ty line). However, use easen:€"nts would be recorded to
enable the owner3 of the residences to h~vc the use of one full
side yard extending from bui] ding face 1",0 buildin'J face
(approximateli 8-9 feet)
---------. --~.
._; .....
t.ocation/Add.r ••• : ~~.t_QILAY_~.1J_">l __ ~ __ •· ______ ) __ Q_S_.:.}._D Eqlerson StI-ee',;..
s-pcm..p:r~g' Agency/Applicant: Mpzar-t Development COL.1pan v , Michael
Wilsgn (office PrQiecL) and Scott Ward jResidential Project).
Addr ••• and T.1epho~. of Applicant: lQ68 East Meadow circle Palo
AIte en q43Q3 (415) ~16-i496,
Applicaticm fer: The applicant has requested the following 1) a
Comprehensive Plan ar;,end~.ent (,0 char~ge the land use designation on
a ,14 acre oort~_cn of the site from Regional/Con".munity Commercial
to Multiple Familj' Residential (lO to 4S units/acre); 2) an
application to rezone the resident.ial portion of the pl'operty from
RM-JO, CD-C (P) and PC JIll to a Planned Com"!1unit}' District .. and 3)
a M.ii.jor ARB application for the cOr7\1"!",ercial building, Under the
req1..:.ested PC zcning for t.he I:esidential p:r:oject., variances are
n:'q-...:ired for tr.e follclI.'ir::g:
1. ~r-.e ,,",l!i!.~'·-Y<o':r.liTed :.ntCr1()Y SlOf~ and rear yards for a
5t:CL:C:U~~ 0·.'e~· (':-,.-e sto-:-y is llJ feet fur the fiest stOl·Y of the
5tr~cture and ~ne half of the actual height of che structure,
c:~t r:.;:)t. l,:,s.:-t::;a~l H" feer_ f':)r" l?-1:e cort.io'l of the sLpJcture
!;~,~'",r c:-:e stc,r}', ·.[ie prc~:::.'sed t:1irl(r;"lJr~, .s~d,e and rear yard
~:t'~r'",('·.::s are <>',:) :;:,~ f;,'et r2s.o~:"tivel'/ {i,f'" a val:iance fer
:J :€c'7. ~c rc<r..:iTcd .. ;
"'. Uv.' -'ir,~-".l-yeo,lired side tlnd rear yar-ds adja,::ent to a street
are J.-t, teet; tl'.-e r:1inirr,Ur:1 pr..;,posed side and rear setbacks
adjac-::!flt a street art": 6 a.nd 2.5 feet.., respectivp.ly (thus, a
var ia"ce [ot"" 13" S feet is requ :"! red); and
3. on these J:.:.rtions of the slte oppc-sit€ tr:e P}j-JO District, the
!'.~I,imu:" r!:'"quiys;rj front yal'd setbaC'k is 20 feet com.pal:ed to
proposed ::etbacks of approxi1"1ately-5 feet (i, e", a variance
for 15 feet is requ.lred) .
A. tentative
residential
portion of
iitreets.
sul:xiivisicn map · .... ill be filed to separate the
and office uses and to subdivide the residential
tt€: site into 18 single fam.ily lots ....,ith private
In fi3.tisfact.ion of the City's l:equired 10%-Below Market Rate
req'..lirement, a t:entative agreement has been reached to construct a
ne .... · building 011 the vacant property at 330 Emerson Street. The
building wc~ld include four one bedr~om unite of not less than 625
sq. f-.:.. and '.o'O<.lld be-d:~signed and C'onst ructed by the applicant.
The Palo hlto Housing Corporation would purchase the building and
operate the project as affordable rental housing. Th~ design of
the building would be subj ect tQ approval of a Planned Community
(PCi zone change.
Fee Receipt No.: 94~2r;.2
· ....
NOTICE OF m;'!X8M1NAT!Q!'{
Based upon review of the project files, the undersigned member of
the Planning Depart~~nt hnS conclud~d:
lil Negative D¢clarabion: The project has no signlficant
enviro~ntal i~act. No En .... iron~-ent ",1 IiT.pact Report is
required. The reasons tor.a Negc\tive De,::,lar~tion are:
in the attaehed initial study A rerord of project action is
available for revie~ at -"-~~.Al.LQ.. . ...PJ..Aonir.g Department.
located on the 5th floor of City 19.11 ... _ ... ~5 .. Q._ ... .H.51.~.J.ll..Qn...Avenue ,
palo Alto. CA 943Q1.
[J The project may have a significant. l.'l!vironment-'I1 impact, An
Environmental I:-T1pact Repcrt .... ill be p!"ero.r~d.
Planning Department affic""), 't!c4szd_5,k~-
The project has been apprc','ed.
The project has been oe'lie.:i.
File NQ,: 94-EIl,-lQ
•
J!NVXROIIKEN'l'AL DOCtJKElI'r8 -PALO ALTO
J]UTIl..L S'l'Ot'rr-••
I. Pr'Ojeet Title/Ad4r.sIB Peninsuh._m..1imes Tribune Site -,,,""'
Emerlon and 3Q5-337 tmersoQ street
II. ~roj.ot nesoriptlQUt The project involves redevelopm~nt o~
a bloc): bounded by EVerett St. Ramona St., Ly-tton Ave. and IJ=erscn
St. in downtown Palo Alt.o to construct an office develop::I.ent
fronting on Lytton Av~. and a residential project on the remainder
of the site. The applicant has req'Jested the followinq 1) a
Coaprehensive Plan dmendment to change the land use d~sign~tion on
a .14 acre portion of the site from Regional/Community Co~ercial
to MUltiple Family Rasidential (10 to 45 units/acre) i 2} an
application to rezone the re3ide.ntial portion of the property from
RM-:!O, CD-e(p) and PC 3111 to a Planned COT!'.l~l.mity Distl.""ict; 3) a
Major ARB application for the c01':U'C'ercial buiJding; and .q variances
(described belo· .... '. A tentative SUbdivision !:",ap 'J .. iL~ be tiled to
s~parate the residsntial and. affic2 sites and to sut><Jivir:':e the
residential portion (';if the site intCl 13 single fanil), lots ' • .;ith
private 5treets.
In satisfaction Cit:" the Cityls l"'equir€-d lO~: Eelo· .. · ~:<1:J.;ct Rate
requirement, a tentative agree:-r-'!nt ha~ :O~en reached to Gons:truct. a.
new puilding on the vacant pl"Operti' at 330 Emerson Street. ':rne
building would include four on~ bedroo!ll units of not less than 625
sq. ft. ",_nd would be designed and ,:onstructed b}' the applicant.
The Palo Alto Housing Corporation would purchase the building and
operat.e the. project as affordable rental housing. The design of
the building '"'QuId be subject to approval ot a Planncod Cor-r,unity
(PC) zone change.
Offi~. Project: The office development consists of a three-story,
54,900 sQuar:e foot office puilding with t'Wo leve.ls of underground
parking and related site improvements. It includes approximately
a,ooo sq. ft. of formal landscaped gardens and courtyards on the
northwest side ot· the office building facing the residential
development. It is anticipated that this space ~ill be available
for use by the p~lic (however, a direct connection tv the
residential project is not proposed). A total of 150 parking
spaces are propos£:Id within the underground parking structure
(compared to 90 spaces required by Code). Th~ parking garag~ ent~y
would be from £merson Street. The proposed floor area ratio (FAR)
is 1 . .5. The proposed office building exceeds the hej ght
limitations of Section 18.49.070(c) which limits the height of
buildings within 150 feet of residential zoned properties t.o 35
feet. A variance is required for the proposed bJ.lilding height
which is approximately 45 feet (i.e., a variance of approxl~ately
10 feet is required).
*
*.
Adapted from Appendix I, california
Implementation of CEQA, December 14, 1976.
Updated May 1982, June 1983
Guidel~n·:s for
-_._"""-., 11111112'9W
I~
! .
~ •• ilS.a.ti.l pro;e~t: The proposed residential development is a
pla~,.d. cOmL'lunity of 18 small lot t"'o-story single family
resid.ences, 4 of which include a second d\o'elling unit. Eight of
the units would front on Everett Street, 5 units would front on
Ramona Street and 5 would tront on Emerson Street. The propoaed
lot sizes range from approximately 1,944 sq. ft. to 2;9 1513 sq. ft.
The smaller lots front on Evarett Street and the. larget' lots f 4 of
which would contain second units l front on Ramona Street and
Em.erson street. The development is orqanized on a tiT" shaped, one
way alley connected to Ramona street and EmerGon street. The
alley~ varying in width from 1-8 feet to 20 feet, 'Would be a COl'n..'\'ton
driveway maintained by the owners of the indivi~ual lots. It would
provide access to the garage.s at the rear of each of the
residence5. The second units woulct be locatQd in a second story
above four of the garages, adjacent to the alley. The project
includes a t",'o-bedroo:l:'l units (including fcur ~,econd uni ts), 8 three
bedrnorn units and 6 four bedrc·orn units. The l.lni t sizes ot the
single-family homes range tron 1/275 sq. ft. to 1 ,850 sq. ft. The
second units !;,'ol~ld each be 67Q sq. ft. in size. The proposed sjde
yard setbacks OIl the interior lets are approxi~ately 4 fEet (i.e. I
froJil building face to side propert.y line). HOII,:ever, use ease:r.ents
'Would be reccrded to enable the Ol ..... rters of the residl':nc.ss to have
the use of one full side yard exte.nding fron building face to
building face ,approxi~ately 8-9 feet).
Ill. Environmental setting: The site is currently occupied by a
two story residential building containing four rental units, a
tamporary pul:.lic parking area and a vacant 86,156 square foot
huilding including 53,510 sq. ft. of office space on t .... ·o levels and
a 32, f546 square toot basoeme.nt. The site is loca.ted between tha
downtown business district and the older residential neighborhood
of Do~town North. While much of the adjoining property is zon~d
RK-JO, it is subdivided into 5 /000 to 6,000 squar.e foot lots, with
a few multi,9le-family units interSpersed with primarily single
family uses. A CalTrain depot is locatecl ~pproximately two blocks
west of t,he site on Alma Street bet'Ween University ana Lytton
Avenues.
\
IV. !:nviro.".,.;t:nt.al Itapllct Checklist (!xplaoo!.tion 0' S&e'tj.on V)
1.
,.
3.
un.O· WUl the prcpolla.l .totiuLt .Ln:
I
<. Un.tabla eArth' conditione or chAngo.
it: qeole<;Jic ilubstru.:-ti.lt"es?
b. Diaruption., d.L8plac~ntsj COCIIfI&C'-
.. ion or ov .. r~v.rin9 of th .. II oil
r. eM_ 1" torcqraphy or g.round
,u.rtaee reB.! feature."
d. ~ .. d •• tnct:ion" C"OlIer 1n9 or .... 1-
fic.t.i .. on 0' any 'Unique 9~j09i(" or
p.bylict.l teatunll1 .. Any i~cr9a8e In 1o'lnd or ...... atltr ef'oaion 0' 1I0U., rtit~e..: on or off tn. eite7
t. !'xr;osure of p!"Op1E" or p;"pe·ty to
.;eoloqi..c ha:'olcd ... ellch " earthq-,l.akee f
11!r.o5lioes, r.-udsl ~des. 9roomd f:iil\l.n.~
Dr sL-::.i lac 'hazat'ds?
g. Cr.OIng~5!1 ...r. Slilt.:ltior .. dep:'s.i tioro, or
'!roa1.0n ... hic~1 r3}' :t"~:Hfi' the cha.nl1el 0' • ri\'"e-r or the bed 0' , bay or
inle-t"
1>.\.[. ""'11.1 the propos.!.l res'~lt; in: .. Solb.tantial ai, er.li!lsion'l or cle··
terior .. ti.r;m 0' &mbiant air qu.t;litY'~
b. The cr.~tlon of objact.ionlLble occrs?
<. Alteration of air moVBQo!nt: , moiz.t\,l.re
te.perature, or Any Cha.n.qa-1n eli~
If>at:.~ .ither locally or .r·9 i '=ln.al'1
!!A.W. Will tbe propoaal .r •• ult in:
•• Change. in ab.o.rptio~ ra~ •• , drainage
~tt.rn.~ or the rate 6nd AmOunt of
surlace water runoff?
b. Alt.r.tl~. to the cour .. or flow of
flood ", .. Uri?
c. Oi.charge into surface waters, or in
~ny alteration of surf.~e w~ter
qualitl', incl\lding b~t not limited to
temperat~re. di.aolved oxygen or
turbid-ity?
d. Alteration of the direction or rate
of flow of ground w~ter9?
e. Expo~uze of peopie or property to
wat.r related ha~arda such a. flood
i39 or tldGl ~ave'1
.11 "ye8" ana .... ers
ru MIll !;Q
-1L
..JL
.I~
..L
..L
~
..L
~
_x_
7.
s.
f. Chang. in t!'le quantity ot grO'.H',d.
.a.t,..rll, either th:n::'OJ.gh d.ir,.~t
~ddition. or withdr&w&l., or t~ro~9M
intf!rcepticne of an aqidI.T by cutll
or exca\'&t io:;'!?
4. Pl.nt Lil.. Will the propos.l re5ult in:
•• ehan~ in t~ di .. reLty o! ~peci •• r or
n'.8l:be.r of any Ip&ci •• of plants (in
cludiD9 ~r ....• hrub., ~r ••• , cro~,
aicroflore and &qyatic plantsp -X-
b. ~etLon of tb& ~uec.r. of any
~.ld.qu., r~.I."" or .r.d .. "ger.d spe-c i ••
of ph.nt.1?
-c. In'trOO'".Jcti.;r'l 0: r,Q<,; lO;p4'-:i.~ Cif
pl .. nt. i .. t.e., t.n at"'., or i:, 1 t:-U':-l~~
to tn~ ~orr"",l rl!"p;.e:l ~'~4~:;".: r::f
..... il't.ir,9 "'r .. ~i"l"?
d. ?eductio~ in .:r.~9~ Qt t.ny
8gr'c~tt~[~1 crap?
." C~l.I:;g. ir. t;;;. ::li.'{e-rsi~J" ~f 5~-ecii!'::;,
o[ of 'l'Y s~::!.. .. !· cf '~i,dl!!! [bird:!,
l .. :-d I.rJUullil lr.::-hn;'ir.q reF-tiles,
tliM 4nd 5!'\e.1HlIr-., Dtll1tl'1lc 0r':;4ni.~ .. ,
ir"l!lIl!'C't .. or =icro!,.,.,na):-
b. ReductIon of "'tr-,@ ,".;.. .. bo;!ni! of an)'
\,;;:1icr..:', rare or ef.jar,~er.d !'pe<:i.el!!
01 I;nilllAlai"
c. I~trod~ction of ~ a~'i •• of
&fIiAel. inco a.n &.r.a, or r ... ult" in
£ bArrier to tn. ~9~ation or ~.e
zent of a.n1..Nl.,
C. ~t.riora~ion in e.lstir.9 fl.h or
wildlif. habitat?
b. Exporura of people t~ aevere nci$~
lev. lSi?
Light and Glar.. Wiil the propo~al
proa~c. new liqht 91are?
Lind g". ~lll th~ propo.~l ~1I!'.ult in
a .~.t&uti.al alterat:i.,:m of th,1! pr •• e:'lt
or ~l&nn~d lL~d use o( 4n ~r~a'
9. Ent:!rq-yU':at;ural R8so:..!rc~~, h'Ul tr;e
propcaal r.~ult L~:
a. 0 .. of .ub.ta~ti.l amounts of tu~l
..1L
-"-
x:u ?YSX!I .. t !!;1
or .n.f"9'Y : ..L
•• Subetantid 11u:re.ee 1:" d.e:NI:.nd upon
.xleting .01,1".". of .nerqy. or
require tho developnent of r.~
~re.a or enerqy:? ...L
c. Inc-rea •• 1n <h. rat .. 0' u .. of an)'
natural r •• oucc .. e" ...!...
d. Subatant it 1 d~}..ti.o:n 0' ony nonre-
MW,u,h Mtur .. l reSOurC"e1 ...L
10. B.LI~ 5i!~ ll2I1Si . Do .. tho prOf'Q ... l
involve • rielt ot o., ex:plo:llicn or th~
rel.a .. ot ha:l.&rc1oua eW:lJtv:cell ( ~,.,-
c-ltldinq, but no!: lUl!t.-d. to, oii,
pcnticic1e5, cheoi(;&l. ., ri!.di.&tl~ro) io
the ",vent of "' accid.1lHlt ., '.=pu·t? "
11. eg~~ Il1it j Qr: 'ti~1!~1!:l~ . .. ,",ill tho p"o~sal alter t.ne lc::-~':.io:l,
::Hllt: ib1Jt iCI1, der.sLty, " ~rC'_"!:1", ! ~ t e
of ", i".l,.l~an pc t: ' .... 1 at i c:-, of ", ;. ret'.. 7 l
b, WI.!l the prcp0'!1!!l E-thct ",.x i ~ l i ~.;
hou.i.'l9, or cnut. • ce:.ar;d 10;:
additJ,.ond,l ho· .... alng7 --L
12. InDI2Qt!;!t~QO t~i[C'y ln j,~"" 10."111 tt".e
propou.l r •• 'Ult i~: .. ~n.r&tieTl of 81,l.1:::2t:.ant hi additicI'1a.1.
vahico.llar :I'iC"'e~r,t? -->-
•• Ethcta on exietin9 p&r)c,iflg faciti.-
tie., or d*ll!and for now ~rkin91' _A-
c. Altention' to pr ... nt p4tt.err.. 0' circulAtion or !!OOVement of people
IU!dlor good.? -L
d. Incr.a .. tn tr .. ffic ha-tu-d.. to !Deter
"ebiel •• , bicycliate or pea...nr-iUlJl2 --L-
13. EY~a!;C b[!L!O':II. lUll eh. propcl .. al hav ..
an effect upon, or r •• ult in I need 'or "-or altered vovernmen'tal •• rvic •• to any 0' the followLng er ... a.e:
•• Fin protl!'ction? ...!...
b. Police pn;ltection? ..L
c. School.? --L-
d. Parks or other reC!:"E06;t icru.l
(a::-UitielOr _.1; ___ .. KAintenance ~, public facilitiel!l,
including read.? --L-
.,
j
i
'I
!
t. Oth~r 90v~rnment&1 services!
l.~ UtilltL, •• Will the pro~_.l result LM ~
need; for ,..,.. sy.t .... or .ub.t .. ntial
alterations to tfie followi~g utilities:
lS.
•• Power or natural ~aa?
b. CCCIllunication. sY'!;.iI::..l
c. Wa~.:r?
d. s ..... or i1eptic tank1
•• Storm ...... ter draina;;.e?
t. Solid waste an. dillpoaal?
li~-Baalt~. Will th~ proposal ~egult
in:
4. C!.'e.!.tion of My health hau.:r-d or
pocantial h€&l~h ha1ar~ (excludi~g
tI1sntal health)?
b, Expoi3\.lre of pec~i:e to p"tentl"l
health ha.:u:dar
16. :-'¥:?!thetici}. Will the prcpoul ref<ult
in the ob;struction of a.ny scenic vip,ta;
or view open to th. pub.i.,lc, or will the
proposal result in the creation of ~
aesthetically off~n.ive site open to
pubic view?
17, Reer"at ion. .....ill the .propos.!.l resu 1 t
in an impact \lpCln the quallt}' or q-.. u.nt.l..ty
of vxisting r.cr •• ticnal opportuniti.s?
18. Cyltural R"oure's.
a. Will the propos.l r.eult in the
alteration of/~r the de.tructicn
of a pr&hlatorlc Gr hi storie
arehaeologic.l aite?
b. Will th. propo.sl re.~lt in ad
verse -physical or aG.tn.Gtie e!fe-ct.
to a prehIstoric or histori~
builciing, structure; or ob)~<:i:?
c. Does the propos.a.l. have the potenti.~l
to eau~e ~ phy.i~.l change whieh
would affect ~niqu. cultural v.l~eB1
d. Will the propo841 restriet existinq
religious or .acred uses within the
potential impact srea1
';
19. Handatory Finding, gf signitlSlnh~' ..
b.
c,
d.
O0ti8 tn@ project h4ve ~h. potential to
degrade the qu~llty of the environment,
aubet.&ntia.llY'[educe the h&bitat of ..
fi.h or ~Lldllfe .peci~., cau •• a fi&h
oc wildlLfe population to drop below
.. If-Iu.tainin9 lev.ll, threaten to
eliminate a plant 0% an~l c~~nity,
reduce ~he nwmber 0% re.trict the
r.nq. of & rar. or en4anqered pl.nt or
L~~l or eliminate ~rtant •• &mpl.'
of the Njor psrioda of californiA
h1etory or prahl.tory?
Ooea the project h&ve the potential
~o achieve ,hort-term, to th~ di~
~dvantage of long-t~rm, envirOnmEntal
gca!tl7 (.a. sr.ort-term impact on t.he
env'.ro:'!ment is one which OCCUr'1S in a
rl!latl ... ely brief, defLniti\"e poriod
of tL~ while lcng-t~rm i~p&ct' ~ill
~ndure ~ell into the future.)
D(;)€<l the pro~ect h.avto i.!!:p~ct8 which
He. lndi'/ioiUOllly li.mH~d, but
cumUlatively ~onaiderabLe~ f~ pro
ject mal' i~pact on tv.>\") or !ZOl'e
iI"!parate re$OlJrces whs.!"1I! the u:,pact
on eden re-so,n:ce 1111 rl!lativBly
amall, c'Jt .... hElre t.he e:t:fect of the
tot.al of those impacts cn the
en .. 'LroruMnt is Bignifll:&nt:..)
Doe. the project ha .. ~it Blwironmental
eff.ct~ ~hich will ca~lIIe aub&tantial
adverse effects on h~n belnq.~
either directly or lndir~ctiy1
V. Explanation of ~ye8· and -maybe" an&vers in en?iro~ntal checklist are
~ttached.
PUDrSt:rt.Ia TlKES TJlIBmrE -ATTAClOtENl' TO INITIAL STUDY
T. I:rpl'A.ti~rL.Qt tly.," apd "mAybell .ns~~ __ ~_~ ____ ip envirOnmental
~Uf.t.
xapact.: As part of this application, the applicant proposes to
de.clish the existi.ng Times-Tribune building on the site. The
de.olition of the existing structure and replacement construction
will disrupt site 50ils and result in changes to site topography.
Construction of the project will not increase the impervious
surface on the site.
Tr.e site is located \o'ithin a seis;nic area of moderate risk, and
;,;culd be: sUbJe.:::t to ver-y strong ground sha.king in the event of an
e~xt:hll' .. Ja.ke. ;,.11 construction on the si 't~ shall be subject to the
provisic.ns ('If tl1(! r.:<.'lst CllrI"l";:!nt llnifol.-t Building Code (UBC).
portiC'!':s of ',.'hi(:n are directed at mininizing seisr:1C risk. and
preventing loss of lite a~d property in the event of an earthquake.
Con~t~uction of the residential project is expected ~o begin in
early 199:5 (see the attached letter h'om Devcon Construction .... 'hich
describes t~e ~roposed constru~ti0n sch~dule and logistics). The
length of the COrls:xuction pedcd is esthla:ted to be 'lpproxi'r:":atel.y
S ClOr.th.S. It. is projected that r.he residences will be completed by
october 1995.
construction of the office project is expected to begin in the fall
of 1994. The length of th€' construction period is €:stirnated t.o be
approxi~ately 14 nonths. It is projected that the office building
... ill be: cOl:lpleted b~' Nove::ber 1995,
De.aolition of the existing improvements 'Will occur in two phases.
The first phase .. ill include the existing b'.lilding and
a.pproxiJll,ately one half of the existing rear parking area. The
second phase vould be the removal of the remainder of the rear
par):inq area. DeOll.olition acti' .. ities will require the transit of
approximately 200 tr-t.lcks ColO yard trucks would be used).
Exca.vation for the underground parking structure for the office
builaing ~ill require the transit of approximately 85 trucks. The
trucking path would iilclude the blocks of Emerson, Everett and.
Raaona adjacent to the site and southwest on Lytton to Alma. The
disposal site ... ·ill be deter:t:lir:ed witI'. the selection of a de.molition
subcontractor.
It both p:r:oj ects were tv be apprvved r the design of the two
projects would ~ integrated in such a way that the existing Ti~es
Trib~,~ builQing would be de~oli$hed and the parking garage for the
office building loo'culd be constructed prior to commencement of
ccnstruction of t.~.e re,-,idential project. Construction access and
staging ana r,at.e:rial storc"l.ge areas ... ·ill b12 coordinated beto",'een the
two projects.
-'-'.-"'~.~.--'---
cuaulativ8 Constru<;!tiOD Illpaet~: Tn~ follo·,.-ing projects .... ithin one
half bloc)c: of the "Times-Trib .... ne site involve construction schedule.s
which may coincide with the construct.ion schedule for the subject.
project.:
1) iDn E'merSQD strpet: The site i.s across "t.he Lytton
Avenue/Emerson Street intersection !r-Otll. the prcpor;.ed office
building. The proposed project involves the de~olitioi1 of a
forme~ automotive repair building and the ccnstruction of a
ne~ 8,100 sq. ft, ret~il/officeJresidential building.
2) 265 Lytton !o,vema .... ...L3"ars Restaurantl -The site. is on Lytton
Avenue in the bloc:':' north of RaDona Street. The approved
project involves dem.olitlcn of a portion of t.he existing
builcHng and the construction of a 2, S{lO sq. ft. a.ddition for
seismic upg~ade, a terrace vith outdoor seating and an
e.ntrance coditir:-.ation.
ThSl'".e ~ay b,:? overlap bet-• .'een thE! co!:structj,j;"l schc>:h.ll.es dur-inc1 an
eiqht month pe-c:icc:f (the prct::Jsed c'.Jl1structioll 5c-he,iule:5: £'01' all
trtree p~ojects are 5u,..=arizp:j ;'r'. the attach::ent labeled "400
Elrerson St, pro:je~t.") [")uri'.9 if bve ::.onth t:-'el.""icd t,et.,ef':n October
1994 and Mar~h 19~~, all thre~ projects dre currentl~' proposed to
be \!.n-der cConstr~ction. During a ttu'ee ::-onth pE;).rioJ bet',',Ben ~·:arcil
1995 and JlJne 1~95 • .bctr~ the "C.IO i.:::t?rS0n project and thr:: subject
project are proposed to be under construction. The construction
activities fron the. three pr.:.ject5 ..,i11 create substantial
inconvenience, noise, pedestrian ~ccess and traffic icpacts upon
the neighborhocd. -
Duri.ng constt"uction of "the three projects I it is e.stir.,ated that
thlitre w-c.Jlct be ove-r 4,9C[) tn.lc)':ll)ads of r.aterial transDortE:d to and
fro-. the sites. 8elo'oJ is a sum.:.>arjr· ot the cUlllulati·· .... e estimated
tcu.ckloads, per phase, for the tr.ree projects.
P'!tloliti0'l
245 LI~ton (Office) 200
245 Lytton (Res.) 75
400 Emerson 50
265 Lytton (Stars) 15
Tot.al 'I"rucks
E.xcavation
85
N/A
Nih
NIA
* Approximately 10-20 trucks/day ** Approxi't:ately 5 trucks/dd~' *** Approxir,ately 2 trucJr.s/day **** Approximately 3 trUCKs/week
Mitigation Measures:
CODstructw I2L!..'
3 1500. J, 7B5 trucks
725.. SDO trucks
240**~ 290 trucks
25 •• -* 4Q tru~
4,915 't.rucks
a. A construction logistics plan shall be submitted for review
and approval by the Public 'IoI·orks Engineering Departcent. All
truc}: routes shall conforn \"ith the City of Palo Altos's
TrUCKS and Truck Route Ordinance, Chapter 10.48, and the route
map which outlines truck routes available throughout the City
.~-.. ~,---.......... -.
,
b,
·"
of Palo Alto. construction of the project shall be
coordinated ~ith the proposed projects at 400 ~erson Street
and 265 Lytton Avenue, to the satisfaction of the Pubic works
Engineering Department. At a minimwc the pl,~m shall address
the followinq:
-Parking for construction l.'oTkers i
-Identification of proposed construction ~cC'ess points ~nd
truck routes and staging areas;
Site (s) for storage of construction eqlJipment .:!r-.d
supplies;
• Shorinq for underground garagei
Construction of temporary ~alkways. barricade~ and fences;
Provision of pedestrian and vehicular traffic adjacent to
the construction site;
-construotion of temporary barricades and fences;
-Restoration of Ci ty streets impacted by const,l."uct ion
activities;
-Replacement of City sid€w~lks in ddjacent to the site in
accordance .... ith city standardsj and
-Public relations plan directed at reeolving the concerns of
adjacent residents and businesses,
A detailed site-specific soil report ~h,)11 f..'e ,slJl~,i~~t.<:,:j '",'ilich
includes ir.tol"pation or, "".:Iter-table allU bel :-';'E:':7Biit r:ons::ruc t ion
issues.
c. Demolished ~aterials shall be recycled, as fedsible.
d, A final grading plan vill be
Department of Public Works prior
and building permits,
2.a. , 2.e. lUJ::
subject to
to issuance
revie..... by the
of any grading
I&paots: Demolition of th@ existing building and construct ion of
the new buildings and related site improvements ~ill te~porarily
result in an increase in dust emissions over existing ambl.ent air
conditions.
Xitiqation Measures:
a. To reduce dust levels during construction, exposed earth
surfaces shall be watered frequently, with r~clail!ied
"Water / during the late morning: and at the end of the day,
with frequency of watr=r. ing increasing on 'Wind.y days.
'X'his requireme.nt, may be lIIodif ied when approve-d in
writing by the Public Works Department. Reclaimed .... ate:r (
in accordance with Public Works Department policy, shall
be used for this purpoEe. Dust nuisances originating
from the construction operations shall be controlled ~t
the contraGtor's expense. The City of Pailo Alto Public
Works Depar.tment shall woni tc)!" the contractor I s dust
control op~rations.
b.
• _ >_. __ ~_ c·.·_~ __ .• ..-, .... ___ , .___ __ ._ .•
Spillage resulting from hauling operations along or acrClss any
public or private property shall De removed immediately at the
e.xpense of the developer. If required Py the public Works
1Jepart.lllent, streets shall be cle.aned. on a daily or weekly
:basis.
c. overfilling of trucks by the conti:actor shall be
prohibited.
d. TrucJcs shall be covered. d:J.ring the transportation of excavated
~d demolished materials from the site.
3 • " • lfAlll: •
Iapacts During dClIlolit.ion and ex.-;avation activities, stormwater
pollution could result. Runoff fro1:l the site f10· .... 5 to the San
Francisco '6-ay with no tr~atment. Nonpoint source pol1uti.on is a
serious problerr. for wildlife dependent on the waterl.,1ays and for
people who live near polluted strealJ",s, or baylancis. Construction
debris (soil, concrete, asphalt, sawcut slurry, paint, chenicals,
etc.) are a source of this pollution.
Kitiqatioll Meas-...,rBS: The developer shall prl:;":pa:-e ~ Stor~L;.'ater
Pol hltioTl Pt"evention Plan (SWPPP) incorporating best ~':ln~gere.ent
practices (EM? I s) for stormwater-pollution prevention 1n all
construction operations. 'I'he SWPPP shall be submitted for revie-w
and approval by the City of Palo Alto Public Works Engineering
Division.
Impacts! There al'e B total of 33 exi:sting street trees .... ith a
trunk caliper of 4 inches or greater on the block. The tIlajority of
the trees are streat trees, including Kaqnolias, camphors, Robinia,
craetaqus an~ Gledistia (notewortr.y are 4 Magnolias along Everett
stre-~t and. a nWl1l:ler of Camphor tree-So along Ramona, Lytton and
Emerson). 'The applicant proposes to preserve all of the existinq
Btreet tree:s..
There are 8 total of 27 trees with a trunk caliper of 4 inches or
greater located in the existing parking lot at the rear of tt-.e site
where the residential project is proposed. The majority of the
interior trees are plums and pines that are of little value. An
exception are three Elms and an Avocado tree which are located on
the ENerson side of the parking lot. The applicant proposes remove
two ot the Elm trees ('I'ree #47 and #49) and preserve the Avocado
tree (Tree #56) and one of the EDn trees (Tree 1-48). The applicant
has submitted an arboristls report which indicates th~t Tree #47
and Tree 1~9 are in poor condition and should be removed (see the
attached report by Sarrie D. Coate dated July 8, 1994). According
to the report I t.he previous pruning practices an T:J.'ee #47 were so
destructive that it will be i--mpcssible to restructure tbe tree 'With
ether pruning to correct those problems and make the tree safe.
The report indicates that Tre~ '49 has many structural defects and
-.-
, .
,0;. ___ _
combined with pave:nent damage caused by the existing roots I should
be removed.
El::ca:vat.ion and construction activities for the proposed underground
garaqe and three story office building would occur .... ithin the
driplines ot seY~ral street trees lo.'hich are proposed tc be
pres.~ed along Emersen, Lytton and Ramona. As a condition of
approval of the offIce project, an arborist should prepare
recoaaendations for pruning the roots and branches to insure that
the trees vill survive th~ excavation and construction activitigs.
Each tree to be removed -will be required as a condition of approval
of. the residential project to be replaced. \,lith at least t\olO neW'
trel!.B. The new tre.es should be located to shade paving and to
reduce t.he ne.'ed for air condit ioning. The applicant has submitted
conceptual landscape plans for the residential project. The sizes
of the pt·oposed trees \oiithin both projects al;'e 15 gallon, 24 inch
box and 36 inch box. The final landscape plan shall be required to
be revie .... ed and approved bj' the )~c-chitectural Review Board, City
Arborist, l1tilities Energy Services Division and Planning staff.
Kitiqatio~ Measuxes;
a. 'The recor.::(?r.dations contil ii'led in 'the arborist I s rep:Jrt dated
JUl)' 8, 1994 by Eat'rie Coal.-e {attached) Shall be irnplerr,ented.
b. A.l"l. ",rborist IS report shall be sUbmitted to insure that the.
ex.isting street trees on the office site are preserved dUJ:"ing
construct.ion .... ithout d3r.,dging the form of thv tcees.
Rec'ommendations to insure adequat.e root volume for .,:;uccessfu!
qro....-t.h and development rjf the street trees adjacent to the
proposed undergr.ound parking garage shall be provided. If
necessary, th~ wall tor the underground gar<lge shall be moved
toward the interior of the site to insure adequate root volume
for the street trees.
c~ Prior to submittal of final landscape plans r a tree protection
plan, prepared by a certified arborist, shall be submitted for
revie;;r and approval by the Planning Department and implemented
prior to demolition and throughout project construction. The
plan shall include-measures to protect the street trees on the
office site during construction of the underground parking
qar"'ge. The plan shall include identification of all trees to
be protected and include measures for their protection during
construction, including a temporary construction fence to be
erected around each tree which is to :be saved. It shall
consist of portable cyclone fencing, or .. ire mesh securely
attached to metal posts driven into the ground or an
alternative fencing i:lpproved in writing by the Planning
Departtlent. The purpose of the fencing is to keep all
construction activity and storage outside the dripline or the
trees. It shall be erected before any construction machinery
enters the site j and shall not be removed until the final site
landscape grading is completed.
\
d.. :Prior to th~ lss-"lance of a building permit, final landscape
plans and irri9~tiol'1 pll!:n.s .. rhich meet the requirelflents of the
City's Lands.cape "'-'at;.er Efficiency St:andards ft!'e required. tor
auhmittal for review a~d approv~l by the Architectural Review
Board, City Arborist, Utilities £nergy Services Division and.
Planning staff. Each tree to be re:%::ove-d will be required as
a condition of approval of t_he residential proj6!ct to be
replaced ... ith at le;"st two ne· ... tr.ees, 'rhe ne .... trees should be
loc.ated to shade paving' and to reduce the need for air
conditioning. If the arborist report reCOJ:)J%lends that Trees
147-49 be preserved, the site plan should be revised
a~r.!or(Hn9ly or adequAte replace..ment trees shoula .be provided.
e. Tree protection It.easures, including · ... Tapping of l::lajor limbs
(or protection of st.reet trees during construction, as
determined ~' the Cit)' Arborist and Planning Division, shall
be in place prior to co~~nce~ent of any construction
i!lctiviti~s.
6.", b, :Soi'S..,!:,
1I8.pact.: Thp. site is L,cJ.1:eo .in an ur"c~l1 an:!~ of Palo Alto, and
fronts on Lytton Avenu~ ~hich ~ontrib~tcs to the ~ajority of noise
experjenced or, the site. De=oli~ion and construction 2ctivjties
·.,:ill result in 'Ce~por.:>.rJ ilicn::J.s8.s ~n lo:::::al anbient noise le'J.els.
Kitiqation Ke&surft~;
a. The d-eveloper shall cCd:-,pl J' ' •• :ittJ the requirements of the
Palo J..lto Noise Ordinance, Chapter 9.10 PAMC.
b. Joi::u!fiers arid housings shall be provid(>d on construction
vehicles and equip~ent.
7. Lig,t and Glarl,
Iapact.: Development of the cf!ice project may result in a
negligible increase in light and glare generated from site
lightiru;, .but ..... il1 not have an adverse iJlpact on surrounding sites.
The lighting mwst be shielded and dire~tional, so that the source
of liqht is not directly visible and so that light does not spill
beyond the 5j te.
The applicant subnitted a solClor/shadoWo' analysis of t.he proposed.
office building (see the attached letter from EnvironJrlental Scier.ce
Associates d.ated June 16, 1994). The office building would restJl.t
in a small Amount of ne .... shado'Wing of the existing residential
properties en Eaerson and Ramona Streets. There 'Would be a
substantial decrease in the area and number of residences shadowed
on Ramona Street, because the existing Times TI'ibune building would
be removed. ?here ;,':;'IJld t:e a sl'!'all increase in thE', duration of
shado,", for the residences .. 'i thin 160 feet of the Lytton Avenue
intersection.
Jj 111
-,,--.-.. -~" ~''''~Q_'-'--' _.--
The majority of the new shado ..... ing Io.·ol..!ld Qc,:;ur in the t' .. :o-oonth
interval arollnd the winter solstice, .. hen severa.l residences ... euld
be shaclowed as early as 1: 00 pl!l 0:\ the shortest doJ' of the year.
The existing Time5-Tribune building and trees on the south side of
R.alIIona Stt'eet cast shadows on residential propertieG along Ramona
Street UD to 240 feet frcJr,. the Lyt_ton Avenue intersect ion. The net
increasl2-can bE;: characterized .as being app!"oxi~att":l)' er,e-half hour
of new shadov each c~y curing thp. ~interti~~.
Durinq the six-month p€riod from March
there ..,ill he essentially no ne ....
residential properties.
21st through Septe;:ilier 21st,
shado • .-ing of any existin:;
xi-tiqation Mea.sur •• : Exterior lighting shall be designed tor
safety r and. shall avoid introdllcing unnec~ssary 1 iqh':-and glO'lrc,
A detailed lighting plan sensitive ~o existing adjacent la~d ~g~5
shall be submitted as part of the findl plcns to ret.L!rn to the
Architectural Rcvie.' Board for revie .... l'.r.d ci~,pfo\'a 1.
$. Land Use,
Impacts: The majority rA' the p!"OpC-'5~d t'-=;;id.cr~tial p~·':)~ject .'l.rea
(approxic~t~ly 1.1 acre) is designated ~~liti~lle fa~ily R~sidential
ano. the reDaining l,ol.:tion of tbe sii""" ("ppr(J:':il~'~t\:ly :"),1'; :'1';:1"'::, or
6,100 sq. ft.j is designated for F:,=,gion.<'.l/CC.';~.=-_'.ln.ity C8:-:-;-,iO'!:Cl,;;:1 u".€
in the Comprehensive Pl-dn. 'Ih~ appli(>Plt be::.". r-8~Ljt:'.c>ted a
Comprer.ensive Plan a:r:l€ndnent to chal~ge the-pcrtlon of 'tt18 site
desiqr.ated as Regional/c.?I:l."":i.Unlty Co=ercial t.1:' Mu)tiple r,1!:>il,,·
Residential (10 to 45 units/acre)" The requested co~preh~nsive
Plen am~ndment is ~ppropriate for the following reason~:
1. ',rhe area which .. ·ould be changed fro:::; cO!'r.='_ercial to residential}
has fronti5ge 0:1 RaClona Street, ',,(hich is PI' l.lZla.r ily i1 res idential
street. This area is currently occupied b~' a portion of the
Peninsula Times Tribune building, ADoending the:. C'o:tprehensive
Plan to chanqe the boundary between the co=ercial and
residential areas · .. ould be consistent .'i th t.he separation
between these t\o'o uses in tI,e remainder of do.nto.m.
~. Redeveloping the subject area ~ith residential use would have
less impacts (traffic, aesthetics, etc.) upon the existing
residential uses across Ramona St::eet co:::.pared to a co=ercial
use.
3 • The amount ot area to be changed fro~
residential (.14 acre) does not constitute
portion of the total commercial area do .. mtown.
Kitiqation X8&Bur.s~ None required.
11~a~/~. population/Housing,
corr.:r.::ercial to
a sig;-:ificant
Iapaots: 'l'he project is 5'!.lbject to a lO~ Below ¥.arkt!t Rate {BMR)
requirement. Under Prograc 9 of the Housing Elell1ent, any project
.'!..-----~ ..... ~-~------"" ----
that causes the loss of rental housing otust ;r!1eet t\oiO of the
following three conditions:
1. 100% increase in total housing units previously existing on
the site and complj' with the BgR program.
2. An equal number of rental units a~ being displaced.
3. 204 of the units provided are BMR units.
The project consists of 22 nev housing units and is, therefore, in
compliance with Number 1 (above). The 4 proposed second units will
provide new rentaol units to offset the 1"65 of the existiIlg foar
unit bui14ing on the site. Since the applicant can meet the firs~
two requireMents, 10% of the units provided must be BMR units. In
satisfaction of t..'1~ city I s required 10-% BMR requirer:-,I;:nt, a
tentative ag;:eement has been reached to c<mstruct. a ne",,' bui :ding on
the vacant property at 330 Erlerson Street. The building .... ould
include four one bedroom units of not less than 625-sq. ft. <!!":a
would be de~igned and constructed by the applicant. Thf~ Palo Alto
Rousing Corporation would purchase the building and operate the
p.A.~oject as affot'dahle rzntal housing. The deBign of the b,Jildil1g
would be subject t,o approval of I;' Planned COJ:1...!-ltmity (PC) z.one
change.
KitiqatiQll !oieasuras! None :required.
12.&., b., C~t & ~. Tr.nsp9rt&tion/Circul~.
lap_ats: Access to 'the projects 'Jill be provided by t .... 'D orivewa.ys
on Emerson street ~11~ one drive ..... ay on Ralltona Street. The northern
driveway on F:l'!'Ierson street and the Ramona Street orivet,,'aj' ... ·i11
serve the residential units and will be located approxi~ately 85
feet south of Everett Avenue. The. soutllern .:iriveway on Emerson
street 'Will ba located approximately 130 teet north of Lytton
AvenuQ~ Construction vet~icles will also enter l,ytton from Alma and
use the perimeter streets (na~ely, Emerson, EVerett and Ramona).
The applicant has submitted a traffic 8tudy (see the traffic stUdy
by Barton-Ascnrnan Associates dated April 27, 1994 which is
available at the Planning Department, City Hall, 250 Hamilton
Street). The study concludes that the traffic generated by both
the commercial and residential projects would not have a
siqnificant impact on thE stUdy intersections. The study indicates
that the operation of key intersections (Lytton Avenue/Ramona
Street and Lytton Avenue/Emerson street) would be no worse than if
the building had continued to be occupie~ by the Peninsula Times
Tribune or was occupied with multiple office tenants. The study
also found that although the projected traffic volume increase on
the segment of Emerson Street between the proposed office driveway
and Lytton Avenue 'Would be gre.at enough that a resident of this
street would pcrct'.i\te an increase in traffic, the residential and.
commercial developments are not projected to have a significant
impact on the intersection of Lytton Avenue. and Emerson street
(Le., the intersection ..... ould continue to openlte at Level of
service B). There would not be a perceptible increase in traffic
on the. remaining segIaent of Emerson Street along the project
frontage or on Everett Street. The int~l"section of Lytton Avenue
and Ramona Street is projected to operate slightly better .... ·1 th the
development of the proposed project compared t.o Ule existing
buildinq occupied w.ith general office (,multi-tenant} space.
The a.pplicant has submitted an analysis of the proposed parking
structure (sE:'.e the. attached :by Barton-Aschman dated June 15, 1994)
which indicates that the proposed single entry/exit point. fo::-the
two level underground parking structure fer the office building
will be able to accommodate the projected traffic. The analysis
recOlIU!D;ends that a: 7IIinimuw of one j pre.f~rably two, turnaround
space (1') be provided to. facilitate turnaround movements ... ithin the
pa:t:king structure.
Currently, on-street parkiHg exists on both sides of Er.erson
Street, Ramona street, E"Verett Si;7:eet and Lytton Avenue. In order
to provide a sight distance of 110 feet from the project drive'rl'ays,
parking · .. ·ould have to be prohibit:.ed along the east side of Er-;e:rso!"
st.ree.t for a~:)'proxi1rlately 15 feet north of and 90 south ot each of
the s=ite drive .... ays. This ',,",Could rS5ult in the: o:?:lin,inat.ion of th~
t1'.ajo:city of p&rking along this site of t,hr; stn,.et. On Ra,-:;ona
Street.. parking wc~ld need. to be prohibited bet' .... een tlv.= site
driveway and Ev~rett Avenue and for about 35 feet south of t.he
driveway in order to achieve adequate sight distance.
A total of 40 parking ~_pace<; would b2 provided for the residential
units (2 space,$/unit. tor the single '(ami ly residences and 1
space/unit for the second \Huts), No g!.lest parking is proposed.
All of the parking spaces would be ~ithin garages. Ten units would
have attached garages a::.nd a units would. h3.ve ae-::ached garages.
Under P.H-JO zoning, a total of 51 parking spaces would be required
including 2 spaces for each residential unit and 7 quest parking
spaces..
A total of 149 parking-spaces are proposed in the garage for the
co:a.ercial building. This represents an increase of approxi!:.l.atel}?
70% over the 90 existing on-site spaces. The additional spaces
will relieve the overall downtown parking deficit and will service
to reduce the dema.nd for on-street parking in the Dolort'ntown North
area near the site.
The dev-eloper proposes to construct a ""'ork area enclosure around
the site during cons.truction. It would include a covered and
lighted pedestrian barricaded walkway along Lytton Avenue. The
enclosure would meet OSHA and USC requirements and allow access to
existing fire hyd.rants. At the remaining perimeter a standard
sectional chain link temporary fence wo~ld be installed. Access
for construction vehicles 'Would be from Emerson and Ramona Streets,
at locations subject "co approval by the Transportation Division.
During construction, there will be tet!1porary parking impacts due to
./
'I
1
I
.-
1) t-be loss of all on-street parking along the Lytton Avenue,
Eaarson Streetr EVerett Street a~d Ramona Street frontages, and 2)
tho additional p~rkin9 demand created by the construction ~orkers.
The .. tlHloora.ry park:ing impe:cts will have the greatest effect
during the Chris:ti&as shopping season. To mitigate this iMpact,
approx.iJII"-tely ·one h3ilf of the existtng on-site public parking lot
ahall ~ kep~ open duri~g the Christmas shopping season.
Kit!9atioD M ••• ur.a:
a~ on-street &iqnage directing pedestrians to the proper route
around the taDporarily closed sidewalks shall be" provided.
b. 'l'he developer shall if!1plement a public outreach program to
XQ~O area residents updated on the construction schedule and
the~use of the adjacent streets for construction access.
c. The develcpar shall icplement the following neasures:
1. St<Hld~rd constxuction area signs I s\.]bject to revi(?' .....
and arp:r~val of tt!E' Cit:y of P.;;..lo .h.lto 'TransportdtiQrl
Divi.sion, sh.all b~ post2d along L~'ttDn i\venue, Emerson
Street, Evel:ett Street, Ranona Street and othe.r
streE"ts I as necessary I tCl .... ·arr. the publ ic of the
ongoing construction traffic.
2. Ccntractor ;.;orker parf.:in')' shall conform lIrIith plans
approved by the Transportation Di.vision and. Public
Works Depart~ent.
3. star-age of equipoent or materials shall conform with
plans approved by the Transportation Department and
~~blic Works Depart~ent.
4. EPergency vehiclEJ access shall be r:laintained -l.t all
tit::es.
d. A turnaround area shall l)f!: provided ..... ithin the unoergrouna
parking structure. The location and design of the turnaround
area shall ~ subject to review and approval by the
Transportation Division.
Children living in the 22 residential units would attend: Jordon
Middle school, Palo Alto High School and one of sevoral elementary
achools. One of the eJementary schools which they may attend is
Addis.ion Ele::::-,":'!ntary School. The Palo Altc Unified School District
has lndicated that Ad.d.ison School is nearing capacity I Jordon
Midld.le School is beyond its rated capacity and t:hat adequate
capacity eX}.sts at Pale Alto High School to accommodate students
fro. the residential project. The school board is currently
considering options.
)(itig~tion )teasur-as: None required..
H.d • .t~
J
i
i
•
The nearest neighborhood park is Johnson Park at the ~ntersectiQn
of EVerett and WaverelYl t .. ,o blocks east of the site. According to
the Recreation Division. JohM!>on Park is one of the !"lost used parks
in city. The proposed residenti3.1 proje;;t. would inc)';"ease the
nWlLber of people using the park, ho .. ever this impact is not
consic!ered to ~ significant.
xitiqatio= K"5ur.~: None required.
14.a~,b. ,c., d., ~ ~ f. ytilities.
Iapaot.: Addit-ional nee-<! for JIIcst utilities ... ill not be required.
There are water, g8!'>, telephoner electric and sanitary Sewer
facilities in Raaona Stre.et, Lytton Avenue, Emerson street and
EVerett street. }. (2 inch starn drair. line exists on Ra:t1on3. Street
which .... i11 be available to s€:::--,,'e the co~erclal b:.Iilding. A 24
inch st.:>r1ll drain line exists on E .... erett Street" io'hich .,rill be
availablE: tv sen'€; ti-!e residcnt,ial projFct,
Impacts: 2h~~se 1 ar,J 11 [Jl'o'iT(l)1::~ntal S:t.e r\!:.;sess:~cn'C:: fOT t.he ~)ite
\o'~re prepa.red {by Pol1uc.io.n, rr<.>ven~ic>n International d,J't;E:d <.H.lly 26)
199.3 and report by HCL...:sren/Hart d.l'u:d June 8, l.,)'g, available in
the Planning Division, city Hall, 250 H~~ilton Avenue Palo Alto).
The Phase I EnviroT'W.ental }.s.seSS::'Emt discusses thf.l potli!ntidl
presence 01 the use, stQ!"~ge, disposal or :::::a:1u!act.ure of ha<:ardol.ls
materials at the site du~ to pJst land uses and sit~ operations.
A ser>"ice station .. '38 !or~el.'ly lcca.ted on the s.1 te {Qid-to .1ate-
1950·s); as was a s~all l~ad s~elter tor melting printing type for
reuse.. Both of t.'1ese operations were in locations which ","ould ha!ve
been excavated ""hen tne building basement was constructed. In
adcUtion l the Peninsula 'I'iJ!aes-Trib'.lne had an underground gasoline
storaqe ta~~ vhich ~as re~ov~d vith fire Protection Bureau
approv'al. The evaluation revealed no evidence of on-site
impair3ent from the [or~er ~ses and oper3tions.
The Phase II Environ.ental .bo.ssessment identified five potential on
site areas ot environmental concern and three off-site locations of
potential environaental concern. The on-site concerns consisted
of: 1) thP. former service st~tion on the site; 2) the former Palo
Alto Till}.es lead kettle roo:=-.; 3) the edit:.orial fil.o room '.;here photo
procE::ssing chemicals were storedj 4) tile prinling press ink storage
rooms; and 5) t..~e current p3rkir.g are!3. 'I'he off-site concerns
included t~o gas stations formerly located across Emerson street
from tbe property, and a dry cleaning operation formerly located
across L}'tton Aven~e from t_he property. To investigate these areas
of concern, four soil borings ;,,'ere drilled to groundwater, seven
hand aug-er borings .... ere drilled .and seil and ground ... 'ater sar.-,ples
were collected and analyzed, The soil and qrOl.;ndwater
investigation did not identify an~r significaont environr..ental
concerns. Based on the data collected, no on-site cr.em.ical
releases 'Were identified and no soil or groundwater conditions that
would impede future development of the property ~ere identified.
A final walk-through for closure of the Peninsula Times-Tribune
building was conducted by the Fire Department on June 6, 19:3J. No
stored hazardous materials ~'ere found. Trle building was
s.ul::Ise.quently removed from the City's hazardous materials !';Y:ite:m.
xitiqation Keasur •• : A contingency plan should De prepared and
submitted to the Fire Department to accolJnt for contaminants in the
soil, if any are encountered durir.g excavation for the underground
parkinq structure. soil gas monitoring should be conducted to
evaluate whether there ~re vadose zone conta:inants. If
groundwater may be encountered, or if 50 indicated by the results
of vadose. zone monitoring, groundwater' testing should ce conducted
to assess potential for ground\rJater contamin3tion.
Attachments.:
copies Sent To:
Revised E1'1/94
Letter from ~evcon Construction d~ted 7/B/9~
Cor.struction Scheoule
Letter fro):) ESJI.. dated 6/16/9";
Tree Survey by Gate~ , Associates
R~port by Barris D. Coate dated 7/6/9<
Archit-ect'Jral Rev:i.~...,. Board
.r..pplicant
property Owner
Jim Baer
Pat Sharp, i)o.....-nto·...,rn North Neighborhood Ass".,
3J3 Waverley, Palo Alto , C~ 9~JOl
-----------
--
, EVCC'l\~
OEVCDN CONSTRlJCTION
INCORPORA.TEO
GoO,1er"" B",:c'r,g CC,1rr;ac:,.'s
535 Los Coc~,es S,r~1
.\'-:CI,,"S C,,!r:o~~'a9"5035
P.nc"e ~':Da; 942·82CO
~AX :4CS.12--32·2l42 "' "-~',:
,
July a~ 199.
CITY Of PALO ALTO
ENGINEER!NG Of VIS/ON
250 )I .. i 11 on Ave",
Palo Alto, CA 9~303
At1ention: Jim Harrin~ton
Re~ardin~: Lytton Bui,lding D93/335
245 LyttQn Aven~e
Construction Logistics
Dea.r Jim,
Per th~ reqoest or ~ozart De~elop~ent and 3S
noted in the ARB rn[ormational Memorandum dated
'h.y 19. 1994. we are prOvldlng a propos:ed
"Logistics Plan", I hcpt" this plCin meets sll
items that ~e have reviewed, not only In
d~script ion but I{raphicaJ J:y. per the 3;ccc~pan:.'ing
site plan date1 June 18, 19:.i4.
PROJECT SCH£DLLE: Overall duration (14) mGnths.
CO!lU!lercia! structure demo) i lion and Tlew
construction (14) months starling approxitDatf':ly
~·o ... elDbE'r 1, 1994. Residential Devf!lopment (7 to
8) ~onths starline appro~imately February ••
1995 •
WORK1NC HOURS: All construct jon ~ork periods
wi II start at 8;00 a.ID, and stop at 6:00 p.m:. in
campI iance wi lh the-City of Pall' Alto's nOise
ordinance.
WORK AREA ENCLOS~RE: we will ~rovtd~ a covered
and lighted pedestrian barricaded walkway alon~
Lytton Ave. Thjs will .~et all OSHA and UBC Code
require.ents and allow access to exislinc tir~
hydrants. At the remain.ing perimeter we wi-II use
sta.ndard sectional chain link le.porary rencinrl.
During the commercial start or construction we
will acquire approximately half the telllporar)'
City parking' Jot until after the Christlllas
season. Entrance and exiting {{ate-s wi II be
installed on Emerson a.nd Ra.llllOIH!. (see attached
logistjcs plan for $i~nage).
PEDESTRtAN TRAFF1C ~'E wi II prQ"ide onstreet
signage directjng pedestrians to the proper route
around "the temporarily closed side.alks. The
covered and li~h1ed barricaded walkway &lon~
Lytton Frontage will be taking the place ot the
present street parking (~ee attached logistics
plan ro~ siina~e).
~~ . -:'
CITY or PHO ALTO
Mt. Ji. Harrinr10n
•
July 8. U94
P8.r~ Two
PA.RK ISO: We ~ i 11 use as lIuch on s i le area as
possib'fl!' for -p~rsonnel plrkin[ and .. dditionall),
r~Guired parkinK _ill be pushed to use adjacent
City Orr~5treltt parkin!l. We .. i Il su&:.(est to
Oeycon personnel .and olber fir., to n01 parle down
surroundj~r residential slre~ts and encoura~e
thea to park on AI~3 S!r~et and ~arpool with
other ~.ployees or by fir.s. When \he p&rkin,
str~cture is coapleted tor use we will redirect
oftsile parkin, <see .ttached loristics plan for
sii"na,e) •
t'~D£RGROUND SHOltlNG StPPORT: Wto intend to use
soldier pil~s and la~llin( ror rround support
durin~ underiround garage co~struction (sep
at1ach~d 1Ciistics plan tor locations and
5chemat ic de~alls). UpCO!l cottlpietion, shoring
~ould no lon~er be required and would be
ibandoned in place. We ~ould excavate Jo~n 24"
and jewo"'e soldiF.1 pi ies :0 the ex(.s,yated hci~hL
VEHICULAR TRAFfIC: Truck deli¥HY and pick up
If~ll be dir~ct~d by use-of hand outs, on site
si~na,e and included as lan~ua~e in our
Subo::ontracts, ir!lCks will be din·r.:ted to enter
and ex itt he sit e by Cleans or LyHon !: h.en on to
Emerson and Ramona without usiOi peripheral
residential streets tor egress or extti~g the
project. Truck tratflc will be dir~cted to use
route shown on city or Palo Alto Truck Route ~ap
rev ised 1/2.5/94.
Trud:ioll a.sslJlllption.s tor shell cOIlllae-rcie.1
construction:
1st .onth: 10 t rudrs/day, 200 t rucks/_ent h
2nd .onth: 20 trucks/day. 400 trucks/Ilonth
3rd .onth: 20 trucks/day, 400 trucks/mont h
4th ecntll: 15 trucks/day, JOO 1 rudcs/zont h
5th month: 15 trucks/day, 300 trucks/mont h
6th month: 15 trucks/day. 300 truc'ks/sonth
7tb .onth: 15 trucks/day, 300 trucks/Gonth
itb sonth: 15 trucks/day, 300 trucks/.rmth
9tb .onth: 15 trucks/day, 300 trucks/.onth
10th .onth! 10 t rucks/day I 200 trucks/.onth
II t h month: 15 t r ud:.s/day, 300 t ru<::ks/'lloont h
12 t h month: 10 t rucks/da,y I 200 tru-eks/month
To tal : l,500 trucks/year
Resident iaJ: 5 trucks/day tor 8 .onths
total ing 800 trucks.
Please note that this is an approximation.
----,.".----
... ,,~. .. -~
CITY OF P4LO ALTO
Nt'. Jia Harrln~tor.
July 8. l!}94
Page Three
\
Dispos.+1 or df!1llollsh~d .&t~r1il1 wIll b!'! flr,allzed
witt! (h .. finli selection of .. de-fIIQJition
subcontra.ctor". R:ecyC'line: or deeolished lDaterial
will b~ d~te-r.in'!!d b,y the-demolition
$ubcontractor and cost rl!asibili tYI but .ould be
(·o.plef ... t disposal locatjo~.
EXJSTING TREE PROTECTiON: We .. i II ... ork wi th and
ro} 10" .all di rectior-,s I.nd plan.! pro·.-ide-d by the
City's ;arborlst olnd d~v~loPf'r's .arborist. ).S
~tattd in thl!' .. ett:nrl this .ay require an
z.ddi t [on.1{ .eetini on si te wi th the Ci t)" s
.rbori~l. developer's arborist, Dewcon
(onsirlJcllOn Ind the tree :.urleon.
i) PrlQr lo cOfis{rucliDn Ir~p pruning,
1.) Stlec~'i\'e rool Cllt dont! by super")':: LOri
or .lrbor ist.
3) firHIl tree prunine-after cor.struction.
4} Onroln~ sup~rvjsjon or tree condition.
)'1 t .. ork to be perror'lled _i th supervision or
arborist fo\ lo.ini' Cit)" or Palo AI to standard
d&t~d 1'Z/1.j':f:!.
[:'<!:ciTINC 8l!S STOP RELOCATiON: \lie hallie contacted
Sointa. Cl.ra Coun~y Transit DistriCt. Ron Wong. He
inr:)r-.~d us to contact hi •• ppro.xi.atf'ly (2)
weeks priar to startln~ .ork. At that tiae h~
will vis't the sjt~ and de-ter.tne-if a t~ltporary
bus $(oP is r~asibl~ and/or re-quire-d .~St or
Eae.rson Slre-rt.
STREE'T ClE,A:-;I:-IG: "e-... ill provide dail)' stree-t
cleaninc surroundin~ cur own construction ~on~.
This will occur durin, periods of ti.e that. would
be creatinr h!.v~ .!treet debris and should tap~r
oft kpproxl •• t~ly half •• Y lnto project ~nd will
be done on an as needed b&$is atter that.
EXT£R!OR. SCAFFOtDINC: We wi II install scaftold
nettinc .round th~ peri.eler or th~ scaffolding
5tartin~ aboYe the three sided work enclQsure
borderin~ the sil~ on ~erson, Lytton and R •• ona,
caine the full beL~ht 01 tbe sc.ftaldin~.
PEAWIT: "e will seeure all required encroachment
per_its tor work witnin City property, use of
Cit, property tor" barricade with pedestrian
covered walkway and use or street parking ror
safely 10ne and staginrr nrea.
_~ ,"'_0&=" .... '.-<'
~
CITY Of PALO ALTO
Mr. Ji. H.rrin~ton
. ~'
July i. 1'9.
Pal~ fou("
Pleas!!' lei at' .:not: &5 1o tt-J~ d;,-ection .-e are
~.kin, and .c.all .f )'OU h .. "e .In.)" .additiona!
ques Ii cns.
V~ry truly yours.
DE\'CO ..... CONSTRCCT ;O.'i. I ~T.
,J/ r-' ! (!,/ 1....0 c.;£iAr vlv \j1,lJ:::?--,
Kevin \It'bite
P~o_j'i"ct \!~na;;er ,
Attacn.ent: lotistics PI.n dated S/18/9~ and
f€.'y\5ed 111ZI9~.
C"e: lIicl'lael Wilson. ~ol:art D~';IlI!'lop.ent Co.
Scott \lli.rd. w'o2art Dt:"f'l!lopmenl Co.
~enry Fischer. ~Olart Of'ytl~p.en! Co.
StfHe Oostart, 1II0zart O~ .... t"lopt~nt Co.
ear), Fi1iu·tti~ De-\"::on Constrl.lction Co).
Prltston Nisbf!l, Df.!Ycon Construction Co.
Robert Schubert, City or 'Palo Alto P!annloi
',/
r 400 EMERSON ST. PROJECT I
1 ~r3.l~ OItA,19!}4 ~ Otr 1 1005 ()Itl. 19!J5 OIt3.1i~ atr41;93 QI
10.'Am, ~rA""S.~jJtto~~ r;" .... M....... &" 001 ,,,,. Doe ,),0
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:J BUILDIr"G CONSTRUCTION
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11 DEMO --.. -......................... -....... --....... -···1
12 I')<CAVATION
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14 SLOG FAAUE
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Mr. MkrAe! WIJio"
M-.r. O"'-.Iop ...... =".ny
1066 E!:st Mo:i~w Circltl'
Plio Alto, C.di~miJ 94.:1Q3
i.E: Sh-t:iQ\Iio';~ from the Proposed LyttOf, e~j]diTIg ,n Polio Aho
on Mury nis!irig rc:siocrlC'\"S Ofl 'Eme::,~on ~lia R3 mcn~ Slreets
l.h~",·e m'~ ... ·eJ. Ihe pl.ms of \he pro?Os~ l:"tto;-, 8uit.ctiT'1g ~:;J 1"(:1;." ..... :' lo-:-ab,"lM 0: residential
lc~.o..-. B:T,e:"S<Il'I ~!1d R.;r."Co!'"cil S'r;t'{'~ ir •• J:-dr:r tQ -:C'~,'nnir,(' the' g('r::;~J l'x:~t ,1:'1d du:>c: t':~11 M ,
,t,~C:O\\·:".g QU~ by !h~ ,o:r.m';:iCi~l b:.Ji~dir,g, E~~~':l on dr",,~':r,p YC:..J .:r:,o'.'!dl'=:d, tb~ bwildlf,g
WNlld ~ a ppro~if!ta tel}' 51 ~t hiSh <':i Ir-;-. (cl1i:-.'l ('higr.:'5tJ p-.:-ir.t. \\~.Ih !he Iwo main , ... 'ires>
beil1g..:g fee! hlgh, :sll)ping down to ~l Fe\'! at the c~\'c.; Ih, ~J','':;; 01' the fOLJr lcw{"'l' Tc~f
~Ol'.J. """!]lJld De <11 i: heigh! of1.SJ. !~t.
Th.E: t':X)! il~pes a.re shallow encu.gh that fa! i'.:a:it M t1'oc d.a)', !r.ro'..l3holJt mOl'-t (1( (he teat, the
:iNdo .... a~t by the roof po!':;"''' ..... o'.lld ...... o:.;!, be ,an {JJ";tQ the b-.llldi;-,gs C,'hTL roof. "!llUS-,lfli:'
majority of Jny sMdowi-ng of tl'1e ncighOO":1~!g resid(";,.;cs w'-'ui.-J!:,-, sh.!.do .... · cas.t from the
41 foot Mgh N·..-'e"i oftheb',.l.Udirlg.
Em..ltivt$um~ry
The-pro~ L,ttcn StJild~g wocld T~utt in l! ""t!). -small ilr."'.C\1T\\ of l'Iew ~r..adowi.rlg of t:'e
e:dsti!lg rei~-ef!&1 p:ropertie~ on Eml!:Wn oiInd RamON S~ts.. Tht'TC w(j"Uld be 3 substill1""\tia)
~:in the ;fU .. no l'lumbe-r of resiCt11ces shi.dow.oo. on R.limona, bcc3l,.l$e th.: existing
TIl11t.tr.o!' b>.Wd.i.rIg wouJ.d be removed; th<-~ w"'J!d be t ~T:1Jll ir.crcas~ in the duraH.on of ShOldo ......
fo:-the few RameN rcsid~ncc5 within 160 f"'~t of the l,,·;t(ln A\ii.!nuC' ir.t<'rs.xr:o::"\.
The rC'.osl ::'lew sh!lJowit1g "'''''ould OC(1..'r in th' t' ... ·, ..... mo~th i:-otcl'V-!;1 UOUr1d In", 'n'irlJn ~o]st1ce,
when ~ever ... lreSi.c.t:;-:ccs would 'ot::5"h.:laowC'O a~ ~z;rl} ~$ 1 pm en the .sr,or/CSI day of the yNf.
The ~istir:g Tn17.1ne' tNild.ing and tre-es 01\ !!'tc· sr."!.l.!h :otec 0/ R3!n(ma loll (as! s.hadow or.
residential propC;rti~ /IIl"n8 R4rnona up ~o 2,.0 f~t from 11-.<:-Lytttm il".te:-se(tiotl. n .. e net
i... .. creasc can be CNJ!"lIIctcriz.cd oil!! !x-ing ~ppr("l)(imald~' on.;:-.h~l( nOl.,H of nCI,' ShadOh' each dilY
during ti.e ... intcmrnc.
DJ.:i:";.g ti.e $h:.:ilonth p::'riod from 1\Iilrch ~l ~I t~:-ol.)gh S.";91,":r.~-.::r 21 :::, lh:-rc-I .. nll be D~enli~lIy
r.o ne~' sr_ado\.Ang of .any existing resld<:-rlll") prop:'''':i,~.
ESA -----,-_.-
Mr, MKr....::1 Wllso;:Jn
I""" 16, 1m
P'3"1'wo
'Tlw ~~ f:'or.tJgt on l.y!~O:1 A\"t'r.ue. from EmC':'W:1. ~(l Ramo:1J. tics.:1 ;li1 z ngle .... hicn i~ J8.3
c~ to !lo~ ust of true" N"rth, T:'1'1!s. ~l:isti.!'1S :es:aei,(E'$ .01'\ Ra~IJ~~, ac."O~s :;'1:' st'rc'c! from
me. p:opcsed Lrt1'Or< Buildi."'lg.,.art ser,~l:)' \"LOt!\-. ni the project, ·..,.hili! th~ residcr<('~ on
Ezne:-son ue to the "'-~t of the Lytton eui!oll1~.
l) 0:-, ~::( ~::~~~td.av Df th,," ven !he ·.·.:intcl" >oLsb:,:-\\.lsuaU\' ~c"!:'''~r 2h~J. s);ado ...... s from Ihe
ly~o..'"t 'S·..:.Gdi .. -:S· ... '1tJ be i:,! ko;~~ be-c~'Js';-I}:-e ~'J:' ~ !t;~ )O~'~1 ?J):~:":'~ i~ t:.~ ~ky. TI-,o: ~Ul1 r..s-es
.!Dout ;':~ 01':':"1 rsi a:-·:'; S;:i"S .aC·~~:t .;.5D p~. PST. (::; th .. t r'r'orr.i!".g, \~'~:~::'1 Oi:e l:C" . .:t afti;"! s',mdse j.\e
:.... ~.t:"o;", ;'.,:,:,c j ;-,5 ~ '/-,.1.:;:: ......... 1tl 'N' .. ~ r, ~ r;e-1"c'$~::l cO':<: \ ,",' i t~;:~ : rc d ::,,({":{,?;ti c::t, E"xi$~r:1S l'C"5:de:t(C"i on
E~:So:", \-,,·;!ct r1:: b(' ~_;'.i:':!':;",,'t2"'': 3:: ~~~t ii:l:e. 5~-\:{,.);"'" the s~,iido\\' ,,'r)'.,;.l': h'!s;;> '1":',ml!"d to r,~arly
c>.;~ !'".;:l7:"~" .I.:'",;: \\c,-'l~ ,eil':~, ac:cs.s ?,.!i.",::m_~ S~~~:o Il-,~ "Clrt;-,",,,, .\.;,:(;:\",',)1:-, oy 1 PI':l. t;'€ $;,.::dow
' ... -:,~~ r"'~c.~, :·~-;"·.e-'",:'::P.'~:i21 !~t, ,;'::: c:.-~ ?:":"l, ~~L'~~,,''".k'h· "'CI.::';: ("~~;,:~t-"~'X>'.:i 10 n i.::,)I).,(. bu:lc~r.g:
-J~' ~ .!-..:J c: ~~'",' .... ·c '..l: ~ GJ" ~~-~:-~ ~ I,", :1'.'(' h: gr,€~ C:'I ~r-::-b\,i L j ~n3 -".\. (."': ilf: e":7-C<1:", pr;o gres.s~. 0:-0. th~
";"l,=ne.ir liay .:l~-l::e )"~.z •. H-. .z;oe .... "i!) be es_'e-nl~l i!y ,0 s~gnifjr;~M s:":2dc, .. -i:'",g of .a,,)" existing f<,side:-Jill
r:czx:·"i1H \:.rhl .. h~ .'!.~:)~ 1 prr;. ~,1J" ~id'~~ii~l prcf'Crty \,·~t);:n 16) feci of Iht lylto-n
;;'~O:1 w .. ",!cl be affe..."1"ed
:tJ 0:1 the Equi .. ';oxe-.s, the fil"'i>i oc.y or Sp:-:ng ar.d !~,e firs: d~~' (1: Al.li'U,",="n, Ir-,e days ?nd nigh!s a'lt of
cqua.ll~;-$th, Ti':~ S'J'T1 ri~ l~·Jt 6,j["l3rr-o ",d y~~~ ~~,'.:t 6:'W J:"r.1 r5T i;o M;:rch ';'1',0. ri'Sc::; ~bol,Jt
7:10.1:":'\ <:r:c; ioCtS i/ibo'.lt /'lJ pm rOT if', ~p: ... rr:~r. T~~ :;hdi, ..... !!",o\.'<'~ents.3~d piltte-:ns fQ\' the
~'o liJ;)'5 are esse'l' ~n.'( ~h<e-w:r.e-h'J ~ t);e-t'!m ... '~ d:!kr. Thi.$ dc~":"",?~k':' i~ for ILc-MJrc-h lh~ {PST)
clod ru:-..es, tr. uri): m017ling. b-.Jilcing ;,.:!udcw\< will r.:z"h .(r.o\~ ETT1c:~s.on S-.1'ft'C'l, tNt hr 8 am,
s...'adc .......... ru TY,;l~,:u.cil ;f~$ Emcr.--cr,. !y flOO,,", tl'"..::-:'oil("\"~S :>nIJdu'",' \, l1l h:-(Qw:rwg llinou.lh
.~e'o\ ... lk 0;'1 r4ti;cr.a ;e~.d ~ching rnro the ~11"'I:'C1_ Ey:3 pm. tl\r-~h~~ow ""ill !\.Wc.-CT?,5<'d R~mon==
met reached t't-.r·northcrn siae",,'alk By.( pm, th -shaJow ,,,iii [(len th::! SO'.JlhmO~l comer C'f tr,e
~tW property 3nG the II cfj! CC'l"It -cah:l'1O'..l~~ bUlldl:r,gs. Thcr...' will~: ,,~scI1liJ!ly no :.ignllko'lr1t
shad,lhi."g of e:ci.s..'!ng rcs:dcn~l propcrtk-s on the-equiMx.es.
3) On the lo."1g:est d3y of tr.c yNr, !t,oC" summcr !.Olstk:c {u~\Jally JU.;l{' 2]5!)' 'f0.1.:0 .... '3 ilTC sl'lortest
lo..xJuo;e the 5.un,is ill its hlghp.s! ?",-sirio';"i in the SY-f. rht: sun rhc-s.a:bo1..lt 3:30 :OT:1 ... nd ->ets .aooul
8:]<.1 p:r, ?ST. From SUr1n.se-t.:n:j'j "Oo'-lt 7 ~1TI. bUI!cil\~ ~hadnwj IviJl re.":' .::~~c:>s Emerson Sm."(.'t,
M.o".".ll'-l; *,aoo1<l'S ","'l.!l :ffcxl ;'! fc-..... {)f th~ d~.·' T~idc1"'.~_"!'i \"irhin the de"",lf)p:TICt".t. Noon and
afternoon -Ihad:DwS will t10t re3::'l-. ,)ny of In.: "'";lii~~lng n."J,j,;Jc-r.~~::; (\:1 P...arr.OI!J Street. As a~temcon
sh..do"''S ie;-.g'lhen. Ih<:)' will TCO)ch to ..... -aro and ~l"Io:o.s L),tton AVt'm.'(:, Th~r~ will ~ L'Ss-;:nliJ.lIy.M
s.:gnificar,t ~hado,.;!ng of .x.stir,g res.ide:1ti.Jl p:"Op<.'liiC"s 0;0 t:'":c ~~mrnN ~ol~t_Ct.'
.. ) 'St;'i .... ·li!'En tlte fi,otClY MSpri!"ig~:-;o :he ks.t co)' (If AUll!r,tr., T'1E':-e "<.'j]] b,-,c:;.s~r,iia.lly 1'\0
!ignif.,·:sn: $h~do'\'in.g 01 ~Xlstmg lcsidC'rlii.lJ plO?-'rri.:-,
twlr. Michafl W.:lson
1=0 16, 1994
rage-"llu'H
• SJ ~ tM-~l'1tt::" ~1s."'it:e "tJI'j I~(' fI~td.,! ¢fSpri.Mg.. ~hl:do ..... s .... ~II ~Clme progt'E'Ssi'lely
s.hcrtw. lIy J.aruu"Y 21s~.1~ 2 p.n f'DT ;r .. .:!~ .......... H I"'-S-i :"e;;~h Il'-~ n~r:~rr. s~dcwalk oiR.t~.,::-..
SCrt:er_ SNdo~o! it'.It !"C."S;d~.tili ~,ty I.dl no,:-:~;\ 1..:Mtil ~feC'T 2:.30 pm. 3)' Fe'..)n .. laT)' 21$1,
tN 2 pr!! 'POT u.adow will not :-uO: &CTCU ~l'I1«"o' Strf'O'!\. ;I:-,d th.r! ~:C:t'r.t::al property ,,,r,11 nct be
s..~d~ L.'!L"'i.l.1tt-t J pr._ D.:~ to ~h<t ~r."'.e-cr:f ~ft!-.~ ~1.01":'S ~O""e~ ... t t, ... rcughc"t thr rcou, the
s.haclO'foolinl 0:'> ~ ll1t ",,'ill ~ n·,e s.::~C'.I$":1. ):;:-:lJaTY 21Ji. ~nd Oc-!c':xt 21st wii! be the 5.1~
as~' 21st Thus. rYeT', c!tlr .. "'!! ,he A,-=!:.o..::r.~.:-d Wif1~cr, I'Cij,jpti~l po~e-s "".jjl no! Poe
s.~..,..."I!:d IlJltil2 pm. CC' ~te!. The on!,.. 1"l3i1:!lnt:JI: p!'Cpc-ny to be so .;ffoctcd wo-..ud be Ih(
~t!AJ Prop!i1y &4~a!'.t to t."Ie "C.;r:r:-c.:~~; oPSC"ilired as joe n, ar.d · ... ·ithi" .,bo,r.::t 160 itx"t of
the tytt::lnA~Ln~b.."",i. Noo,j-.r.;:~';~-g Ies.iic.tili p:rc?Crtr c:---_ R.i.rr:C:'\.,l. o~ or. [:7'.L."1SOr'L
~be ~tl\.a~ l""'~_~:1:-, i~ .. d:: .... ·~ itl") t:..-!! ,~I~~r, :hc--:..:g:-.c .. >! 11";c-yeM,
T'r'Ie ,"':±;r!.:-g Tr~J~ hlf-.:ii:'-f." 2·:,.:,::-\ t-~ -:~ :_-~ r ~ . .; ~ J-l '7:",:::~ A'e,;,,~, ~ ~,,~...:; 'S:-;-('~t for ~p?:"tJXi::!'iatel: ..
:aOkc~, .. r,d 2D~,) 3-:1 ~:: .... "'1 ::S~, ~ ['~ 1~t k".::i: j'':':' c! R.!rc,:;,;".,.j ,.:' C".!.": '>''<:'::\:;'-,,,-(In lr-e (':o::so)',g
r..!.=.c:-..a $'!":"!!"!': n5:~';~ ::""i ;--:V?!'~:~ ::". r:-,e 'I.'~ ~ ""':~;" !S C ~':-.~:-:-<:'<:~ .a:..~,-: ... j:~ exi;tir.~ !il.id·
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Exisling Tree SUrl'ey
THf: lYTTON BUILDING
PlIl() Aho, Ca
Mozart Oevt!op;nc-nl Company
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23 (,nf1.1fflom,,") L"mphOf,' HI t-:..'":" ~~ !. ~_!_I_ .;______ _ _____________ ~
24 C!nn,)I""or',!~ c.l':lph()ril 17 )0 )0:2 1
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27 ICllln<lITlOHlLlIT1 c.~mph{)1J i 4
26 I .. " CinnamOmllm cilmphoro1
29 ICinn"mornlJITl Cilmphofit ,n
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THE LYTTON BUILOING
Palo Alto, eft
MrJZart Devc\opm!!n' CompiJny
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48 UlmlJ~ ~p 14
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35 15 3
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54 Prun~)s Cf'fa-;ifer,1
55 Prunu! (('/;)-;i("1.1 -t 56 Avocado ~2~21 L J
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BARRIE D. COATE
and ASSOCIA n:s
.foMnKlIharM CONvh.l;f\'.
fOf-UJ·! g$2
UJ..b s-....... I,.eo!. c.-Colo...,.
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IItJOCIII8TBD TJtZE RZIIOVAL AMI TREE PROT&CTION
FOJI TItI:BII "7. 411 AIfD 49
AT nm I'Z!ID(EIULA TDaS BtJtLDlNG
'-45 LYTTON A~
PALO ALTO
Prepared at Lho:: Requl!'!-t of:
Scott Ward
M ourt Deve.lop-me.r.t Company
10619 East Mc:-adow Cirei'!
t'al,"I Alto, CA 9~3{lJ
f.vc' 415/493·9050
Site VLoJ L I..!:r
Hurie D. Co.lte
July 8, 1994
Job .07·94·1IJ8
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IU~ t1lD". JaJrlOVAL A.~ TRE.E PROTZCTICN
FOIl TaBII8 '47. 43 AM> 49
AT 1"JEI: PUGaOLA 'TDIE8 !lU1WINO
245 LTTTOIf AVBXt1Jt
I'ALOALTO
Lhc ~ of this I"'!:'porllli to ctlmmen! c ..... ~ h(".alth, strur:tu:e and u5a.b!..lJty or
Huee ,StDe .. ..an Elms, J.ll..wja~, Lr,.a pa.rkJ.I"'..ff isb,na in a paJkl.n~ iqt wh..lch Is
oordered Or'. tr.e north by e','"!!1't'<t St~: on the west b,. Err.ersoI1 S:ree! &!id on the
eut by RolIT'.,:II'lII str~t. In hJo Alto
These tr«:s are nurr:berd 47, 48 3T..1 -49 In the D~.~d Gatc"~ i'l.!"id As;oc1.a.tcs f.r<=t
re-,1ew.
The t.rtes tt.'"'e 20 to 24 feet .put lr1 the TOW.
They create;,; canopy r.o.rth-$CuL" o( approxim.ate:ty 33 {e-et In v.iclh
Ptt:dr'inr pi the Tma
AI) of these tTen have been ~ub·:::iJt at .~I<t.!y 15 feet .bove grade in tht:
pu.( and u ~ n.':3IWt, thdr .tn.II:tun~ Ls composed enUre-1y or 5 lQ S lnch dUunet~r.
20 10 30 foot Jonc: water ~uts.
'The atructure creaLed b)' thls stub-r:utttng and res.uhlng watCl'" ~pro1Jt growth (s
amy!! poor. In th1J eas.e, C:OlnddentaIiy. tM two Dutslde trec.s, l e., ~47 and 49
tuw the W'O'Nt str.lcturt'S.
None (If tly~ trer=; i.fe truly 'Nell fCTmo:-d or Wl.thD\Jt 5~nlct\JLa.l defects. hOWe'i!t'T.
TI-J$ report W1l1auuest "il,Y$ by -whlch tht: .remai.nlni trtt. ,~. should be ~runt'd
and othet'\llo1~ cared far to make It h:s.s susceptible to self·de:s.truc.tjon
nees 1t47 .1r..d 49, tn my op:nt.,n, shc.uld be remc','c:-d . . ,.
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8l]OOE:.8TED TUE REMOVAL AND TR£I!: PROtt.cnON
7'0. TUU:.47," AItD 4"
AT TBE:PDmfSt'l.A TIKUO BllIUlIl<G
U5 LTTTOIr AVEHllE
PALO ALTO
'n'M' IN Remonl pfTrut '47 wfe
Ire<.': '47 l'o..a.s 8. much Wider ~0Pi' lha.n the othe In:-e_'I but no C'J!1"'.tral <:tmIoTl. ~
Is 'pet:L''iea1!y due to the breaklng 'Out or 1'T'..a,lor put!! of t-l-ll$ ca.nopy l.,.'1 fe$-ponuo Lo
the W"ater sprout growth produc-ed a.fter the $!U~·c-..t!tL.,t wllk}-. 13 so hl.(hly
'l'Umerabl-e to b~.
Thls tree hu J-ost on~ 6 1n<:'11 d!<!.rn-eUr IJmb .. lid a 4. Ln.ch a:'!1 2: Inch dl.:trr.~ler Jl!7l'::S
jrJ the last two C,t th,,~e mont.h:!! due to tl"-.ls """.t-::r ~?~:j:..t! b"ea ... ..iige ilJd ,<,.'IT,:nU:o r.as
-4 rr.,;·rc majC1r parts w}lich ue hiS;hl)' n~:f:erab~~ (? l<:.U: ... .'i~
'Unfortunately, In tflr:-Cel!.;: of tht-= tn::\" , til: FevlJ,I'; r[1H:'[I,o, rr<lr 'i,~"\ ,\'t~t' ~,)
ce3tructtve that Lt Ml1 be ITTI~ss!bl~ to restn..tc~ ... n: lhis tree ... ilh ol.her pHH<!ng tv
cone.:t those preblerrl.$ or fficll:e thJs tree $i!.fe,
When the struc:tur-""l problems 1nh~rl!!nt to the 'peciC's an: l.:c:r',b~"1~ ..... 1&, th(O
structural }lTCblenu t'rea~d by thLs te:rnble pI1.ll"J."1.g an1 cC;T!blned .... 1't.h the 20 to
30 foollon~ wa.ter sprod gro~'th a.nti t.l,e '"(Or)" poor crotch -!tU'l('11r>lent3 ";lw, .... ~ the
severe pavement daruaee belng caused by this; lr~ on (1l.'(} sloes of II I f'~ues.: tr.e
only logical treatment (or thl:! tree 13 It.a rano"" • .!.
Thi$ tne is an aCUV!' hazard and In mr cpLYticn, 1t 'o\itl-.;.!d be CooUs.h to park bt'nt-,a! h
it because conttrlued iajlures of ~nd-wdghl--hea\')' limb.s 15 no! or:Jy possible b;J~
hlgh!y Uk.ly.
Tree '48 (or lInKnown Tea~n~ was not qu!te L3 st":"ertly dAn-.altd b)" the "tub-cui
prul"Jng. poSSibly becauS(" more heLiht and b.as.!c stm.:tunal Hml::u were: Idt by L'1t"
uninfc-rmed IlrooJ"l..st tho.t made these cuts. for thesoe reas<JOJ;. In my op(n:lon. lh!;'\ 1.0;
U1C' only one oJ the three treo.":~ ~hich 13 worth prese-r.:aLron
This tree: will certainly have to have water !prout gro ... tth th.!nning ar.d urtaJnl}'
have to have end-weight rem.)\'al by drop-crotch prunIng b'Ut at least has th-e
potential for being recovered If those remedial proc,=dures arC' u~d.
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SUGGESTED TReE REMOVAL AND TRElI PROTr:CTION
FOR TREEII f41. 48 Al'ID 49
AT TIl!: pp;zorm.viA TIME. Bt1ILIlINO
-2.48 LYTTON AVENt1E
PALO ALTO
'i'ree '49ls e. 13 lneh dIameter Stberlart:Etm whIch was stub·cut at 15 to 18 feet
above CJ'8de, Typically it has produced 20 root long water-sprouts which now tuIve
the majority of the leaf m.u.s of the tree at the ends of th6C' poorly tapered water
sprouts and as a result. the H."Ub drop from thls tree 1.s bIghly predictable.
A 6; £nch dlan<ete:r water sprout ripped out or the east quadrant of this trte in the
last two to three months. At least (} othcr water sprouts have ~tenUal fOT breakir.g
out 1n tile next month or No'O ~C3u8e t.f]is 1$ when Hmb dr0p oft~1l happem ! .. !"o
Elms,
In my opinIon, th.15 tree has IT><my slnJctural de[ectil and comb!md ...,.ith the
pavement damage ~jng ca.u5ed rm ootb trlC north and the ~outh by the-e;xJsUng
roots,lt would not make sen.!;'!, In my q1niOl1, to retain this tue during
recol\!ltructton ..
In l!Iumma.ry. I strongly reeor:r.mend remo,"'al oftreeJ; 147 and 49 and en.d-welght
prunJ..ng by drop·crotc:h prurung mrthods and wa'.e!' sproul thirming to make thLs
tree as structurally sale as posslb!e, coruldenng t.he history of UUs 1J nfortl.1 nate
s~cJ:nen$.
Note that all of these trees haw: been badly damaged by Elm Leaf B«tte. ThI.5
tnsect ~ the tJ.seue err thc .su.rla.cC$ of the leave:" In May and agaln more heavily
In J"""'/.]u.'y. A few tu!ulU are otUI p .... enL
It would be WiSe from an e.esthetie standpoint to e1the-.r back·band these trees with
em'i.1ltlnabk Sevin and 00 in Mayor to have the trees ... prayed to pre\'c:nt t.l-tis
damage to the trees ..
-rr.. .31 Sa _other S!berlan Elm of241llch dtameler. This trr .. e Is approxlmately
:i5 red.. tn height and app.ro.x1mately 45 reel In spread .. ThJs tree was also stub-CUI,
al apPl"'(IIlimate'Y the: same hejebt as the oLhea and ont .. trnght assume at the same
time. It has produced ("\len longcr water sprout growths ar.d due to the gr~al
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I~L NO.6
sv~ !1tJtE. REMOVAL A!fD TREE PROnCTtoN
FOR '2'1l&a,'''7. 48 AND 41i1
AT T'IIE I'!:HlN8CLA TllBS BUILDING
" • , '48 LYTrON AVZl'It.'l!:
PALO .u.TO
~t at the cr..d of t."le limM, and the' ,iiI"C'at length of th-ese limbs thIs trte Is e"yen
vu lnerahle: to H.rnb drop \.h.a.n tree '41.
! $!rong!y suggest thaf If ttus. trte 1$ to ~ preserved that end-weight remo..-al of as
much as lS feet C.'vm each lOfli! Umb-be done in order to reduce the Hkelihood of
branch drop coveT a.na.&. eopecLa.l.!)· tl10$~ which hl\v-e h.lgh "la.rget \"a.lues·, s~ch CiS a
parking Jot or a public .sIdewalk .
If ~.d.'iUn8 pavement ls to be r~mo ..... rd, new pavement InstaJled In areas ",,''Hhl:l :,:!Q
(c~t {If the trunk of any oi the..'!;e tree.!.. r !i1Jg.gest the largest dlameter surf.ac(' roo~
.Ix: ground out Of cut out ~[cre tho:'. new paVemfJI\ Is lnstaJled.
'Th.ls d~ nl)t mean that t!lll surlace root! can be ~oved, becau'it=' Jfthat was done,
slg:n.i!lal.nt loss of the (Tee's abWty to iUs!.m..llate water and O"J..'1eral' would oc:c'Ur
Il..!td ~ decline or death co!.!ld occur.
The lary.;es( .2 [() 3 t'<X)ts on tile sjd~ 01 the tTee In Whlch constfUct.!ol' 'I.'ill occur
cC'uki be cut (jut if the lar,est .roots: whjc..~ arc in the a inci'les of !oll !lurll:l~<': which
srI!! headed In the dlre(:tfon in whIch new pave"menl would be lnstalJed could ~
I-t-moved.
11~e Idea) UJ.nc-to do th1s root culting and/or prunJ.n.g would 1;c durmg Lhe .... 1nLer
after leaf drop has oCCt.':!Ted. Ir (or re.a:!lons of cOrulUucUon planrung thJ$ must be
done when leaves art sWl p~t. ~he tree should be prum:ci 85 prescribed'. any
rool p!1.ln!ng doJO: as prescnbed, and the tree should be very thoroughly watered
'II\oiUl at jeast 400 gallons of water per ~ to partly compensate fcr root loss and
kaIloss.
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Jul,1\.,)4 11 :32 P,Of>
'''oa.&::STZD 1"11.&£ REMOVAl. AJIiI) ttu.E. PROT~CTION
FOR TaZU 141. UAl'ID 49
A'r T'HZ PElfIlfSvLA mas IItl11.DINO
. -':US LYTTOII AVI:H1IZ
PALO ALTO
If thes.e proced~ rnu...4tf: be earned out wtule leaves are 8tlll present. 'L.;e tr~
,baWd Ix ,prayed with anU-tn.rapU"al:lt. auc.h as Cloud·Cover or Wllt·?ruf to rer:lucc
trar\s})traliOc Joas as well.
R~peelfuiJy 'iubm!tf.ed,
------------,--~=',
The following findings of dJ< seIi>ack ,;vw=s ha"" been prepare,;! by staff ,. support of !he
I'f'lI'OSa! -
1. There are exceptional or c~lnary c:ircumstoID:es Of con.:iitioru applicable 10 the
property involve,;! tb.al do DOl apply generall)' to property ,n!be same """." ill th.a, the
site is located in a trans rt:iomJ area benr.'ttD corn.!'De."'t tal uses on Lytton A vefll.e and l'le
residential uses in me Do'\\1:UOWD North oeigbborbood. l!l order to pro .... ick a traru I!ion
between !be COI!lIll<ttiai &lid residential .,.,... dJ< apr lieanl tw ullllZ<d pare< I ,ius
which an: .smaller than die typical • "" in Down-"",," N<>rtI1_ Setbaclc> Ul Ihe Downro..-.
North oeighbo<hood _ '" be closer 10 !he .idev."ait th.an in od>er R-I ~ig"borriOOds_
The proposed alley ~ '" <be png-e$. wbicb " be""flCw to the red<>trian ~r
of the project because it mjnjrntzes. the iIDOUnt ofpavlng vl5lhle from the surrounding
pubJic streets and ehmicates garage doors fa.ciot: t~e s~t. providlng impwyeO
a..-chitectural interesl to tht public. also p roy tdes ~(' a! l..-;"e r.ear of the strunures.. The
narrow setbacks are a more tradilicrIaJ pa:urn ILl the lAT,J,'l1iOl:l,tl NC'nh rn."!fhborh{)(l(j.
2. The granling of the ~p!lU.t:,lJ~ is neussary fer tht: pes.ery,;.-:iQ;-: c..r.d tf'1!0)'merl1 (1t it
su!1so:...ntia! prop~n)' rig.ht of t.he .a;phc~t. arrj to F'::l, Cll::~T'::~;:I;-l.?:ble ~':L~p<'r1J" ll.lS~ 0,
unneceS~:lry bardship in tr,id il;e nurr.ber Qisi.".;!e·famity flt':T'~S th",t (l~\l~d t .... ; d=:\"dll;l~d
(If) the $ile w,n.:1d be reduced $ignifican:J~' and l1",e Drc.1t-:-,,:t Yo0uld r.",,1! bknJ miD the
fabri0 of the exist1ug neighborhood in ~ compalib!e ·m.1rller jt all of u\e ~tback
req-Il.iremenu were met.
3, The granting of the apP!lcat)on witl DOl be detrimentai Of jnjuriow W IJroperl)' or
improvemeolS in the , .. kiniry in [hat the proposed ccnsi[), j.! rompalible with the
s"Urroo.ooing oeighoori:lood.
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9-14-94
PAGE 16
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Tentatiye Subdb1slon Map Flnd Wr a 245 Lytton; 3Q5a337 F..wrsoll Strn1
CPmtmmla 'Ilmn-Iribune Site)
The foUowing fmdlngs of the Leotativ: subdivision rmp b .. a:"-"e been prepared by staff in support
of <he propo.aL
1.. The proposed tentalive subdiviskm map ios wnsisLent witb the following Comprehensive Plan
goab and policies:
.a. Housing Element Program 1 -III areas adjacent to the Downro~T. shoppj~ are,a,
tnaintiin .ingle-family and duplex ar= and ilave multipldam ~)' bouslllg c 1= to
!bops and offtcts. The proposed projec\ is a smgle· and twO-family de;'elopm<nl
with • higher de .. i!)' than <he ,urrOUOOL'Ig neighborhO<.>d.
b.. Housjng Element PPiicy 4 . MaintaiIl at It''aSt the pres.em nurnlJe'r of £Lu[tip!e-fi!.!T1ily
rental units while working to increase the o',erall supply of rental hous.ing n:c
applicant has agreed to construct four new rental llr:115 on a p;opert}' a:.:fl)~~ ttl:::
street from the sile cn Emerwn Street. Ir. addi!lon, !(JuT rtCw r.entaJ U"1ilS ',l, iH be
rororruct~d on the site in [be form of sec-oW uoilS.
c.. i!..r!,"!.QIl...R~ __ i~,-Y..JlJj~_..l-~'faLn!.ain the pre.ser:t sCile l1f lhe-City, but rc("(ilfy l.r,(":-'-.(;'
elements. Vwhkb by ilieir massiver:r:ss: <i1C c\,er ... helml1l.g arKl tir~~:.cepIabk, TIl';
proposed single-famiiy project will bt mC'lTe in s.caJi: and c:ha!a.cter Wlt!· the
surrounding neighborhOC<l compared to a single, monolithic rnu.ltiple·family proj~l
which would be permitted under the existing RM-JO roning.
d. Urban Design Program..l -Du.couragr, ma.ssi .. 'e single \J,.'''es. ihro-.Jgh lu-ni[';;'lioIl!. ll(l
height and density to protect surrounding use5 and c-.ommunity vaiUe5. The S-Hlgk
famUy homes would be less ~ive compared to larger building:; wbicb could resull
if Ille site were de,'eloped for multiple-famlly houslJ!8.
e. Urban Design PrmaIn 2 -Restore and maintain ~idcntiaJ charac!er in o~clt-r
sections of Palo Alto_ The proposed project, whICh mcludes • Compreb<nsive PI."
amendment to increase the amount of resklentia.l land. is compatible with the
charncter of the Downtown North neighborhood_
f. Urban Design Policy 3 -Promote visual arsthetics througrl O'ee planting,
la.ndscaped areas and rem{'r~a1 of visually disruplive eleme!llS on ma)m City SO"eets ..
Almost all of the existing street trees would be preseryed, huwever, mos.: of we
interior trees would be remove<!. The appli<mt has swbmitte<l a ~ plan thaI
includes DeW street trees along the priv2.te interior streets ;u well as 00 each of the
new single-family lots. The plan also includes a 5-foot landscape sUi;> alot;g
Ramona Street, Evereu Street and Emerson Street.
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2. 11le de,.c:jgn and L'llpTOvements of the proposed iubdivis ion are C(l as istent wi t..'1 UJe
Comprehensive plan, in that the majority of the proposed rC$identiaJ project area
(approxiIru!lely 1.1 acre) is designated Multiple Family Residential and the remaining
portion of the site (appro){imatc!y 0.14 acre, or 6,lOO square feet) is designated for
Regional/Community Commerc.ial ust: in the Comprehensive Plan. Appro'r<ll of the
f""....quested Comprehens rve Plan amendment would change the ponion of Lhe ,'iite d::signated
as Regiooal/Community Commercial to Multiple Family Residential (10 to 45 unitslacre).
'The requested Comprehensive Plan amendment is: appropriare for the following reasons:
a. 'The aru whicb would be changed. from commercial t~ residential has frontage on
Ramona Street, which is prim.arily a residential street. This area is currently
occupied by a portion of the Penimu!a Times-Tribune building, Amending tm
Comprehensive Plan to change the boulldary between tbe commercial and residential
&iea'i WQuid be consistent with tbf; separation bet\l;'een th~e two llses in the
;-err.ainder of dowmown.
o. RedeveJoping the sUbj~,t:rrea with residential use ',,,,ollid have It'55 impacG (traffic,
aesthetics, etc.) upon the exi$ting H:·.sidentlalys:-s. acro~;) RamGilll S;reel compared
tG a co;mncrcial use.
C. The amount of area to be dJ.anged from commercial to residemiaJ (.14 acr~) does
DCt constitute .a significant portion of the total commercial area dO\.l:-,ntown, but it
does represent a reduction of the commerclal district.
3. 1he site is physically suitable for the type and density of developme.nl proposed, in that all
proposed site improvements are con..~istent will.1 development in th~ Downtown North
neighborhood..and provide an appropriate traru;itiofl. from 1m-c:om.G'.lcrcial deveJopment along
Lytton Avenue and. the residential area to the north.
4. 'The design of ~ SUbdivision, the division of the s'j"te into 17 single family juts, will DOt
cause substantial environmental damage or substantiall~' and a ... ·oidably injure fish or wildlife
or their habitat, in that the project ~ite is a developed site within.a develope.d urban area.
5. 'J1re design of the subdivision and the proposed rrnprove,meDts will not result in serious
public beahh problems, because based on the Environmental Site Asses.srnenl5 no on4 site
chemical releases were Kientif.Led and no scU or groundwater condltlons that would impede
future development of the property were. ldCniifje.d.
6. The proposed design of the subdivision and Lrnprov.emerrts will not C\'loJlict with easements
acquired by the public-It-large for access through or of property within the proposed
subdivision, in that rhe site is unencumbered by any public access easements. A three-to
fIVe-foot str~( dedication is required on Ramolla So-eel because much of the ex.isting
sidewalk on Ramona Street is loc.'..tN on private. property.
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9· \4·94
PAGE: 18
Teat.otiT< Subdivision Map Conditions -245 Lytton; 305-337 Emenon St .... t
(Padmola Times-TribaDe Site)
The following conditkms of approval for the tentative subdivision map have been prepared by
staff to .~ of th< proposal.
1. A fmal map shalt be fil<d ""th tho City wilhin fOIl, years of "I'provaJ of the tentative map,
aod I':COrded prior to lmw>ce of bu Uding permlt.
2. All utility installatioru; .shall be in a=rdance with the City of Palo Alto Standard
SpcciflCalion and the Utilil, Department Standard Cooditions.
3. All ~"at:r connec6ons from Palo Alto Utilities sh.111 comply with the requiremeras of
('aJifofma. Admlnistrati'r"f: Code, Title 17, Soctions 7583 !lJ.rougb 7605, lficlusive, The
applicant :shall contact the City's Cross CO!:mectLon ContwJ lr.spector to determine the type
or protec!!on required \0 prevent bac kf1 0-';'" i.nto the pubic v.'ater supply.
4. All e!ecuic and SU'(:et light su'f:lstructure (conduits, t>o:x:es, el'';,). both in !he right-of-way and
Of] private proper'l~" shall be instaJied by the applicam. The developer shaH install eiectrical
.'ten'ice lateral cable. iiJJd cond'Uit (2" minimum) from ttl!:' designat~ service box to the
>e!"\'ice main for each single-faun!y residence. Street ljghts required for th~ proj&t shall
be: imlaJlf"d by the applicant. The poles and iumilW'ies proposed for the subdivision ~hall
be utility standard style and are subject to review and approval by the AF..B and Utilities
Eag meet in$ Div is ion,
Prinr to Approval of a Final MAP
5. Improve!Delllpiaas shall be submitted for approval by the Public Works Department. Prio,
to 5ubm.ltt::in8 improvement plans. the applicam shall arrange a meeting With the Public
Werts, Eagineering, Utilities, Planning, File aod the Tl1U1$ponation Departments.
6. A SlIbdivi< ion j mprovement Agreement shall be .. .cute<! between the City aod the
applicam. Sepanue agreements may be e:«cute<! for the offlce and residential projects.
7, A Stteel M.3intenaoce Agreement for Lot 19. a private residential street, shaJ J be submitted
fOf' review and approval by the Public Works Department.
g. 'The cleclricai equip"",nt for <he residential proje<;, ,hall be pad-mounted. The locati<m of
!be r<quilt<! pad-mounted ITaJlSfonner sbaJJ be subject to review and approval by the ARB
and the Utilities Department. An access easemenf for the pad-mounted equipment shall be
provKied. 'The applicant shall obtain approval from the Utilities Engineering Division for
the detailed e\ectrlcal tayout,
9. The locat!on of the electrical switchboard(s) for the residentia.l project shall be shown on the
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9-\4-94
PAGE 19
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10. Tbe applicant slWl submit ~ completed Watei-Gas-Wastev..'atcr (\V-G-W) Service Connection
Apphcatioo -Load Sheet fix City of Palo Alto Utililies. The app!it.ant shall provide
information regarding utiiities services demands to the satisfaction of tflC W-G-W Utilities
Engineering Div IS »on.
l!. Tbc applicant shalt submlt i.-nprovement p!an:!i for uttfity construction. The plans st-lAll shew
the ,1!:t' ADd kx::a.t!oc of ail underground utiliues witbLn the project and the pubJic jight-of
way iDcludiD« mete.r5, ~. p~Dtrrs. frre requirements. sewer cleaoouts. and any
otber required utliiries. for re\')ew and iipproval b)' the W-G-W Utilities Engineering
Drv~jon.
12. Tbe applica.n1 stall prm'jde the W-G-W Ulilities Eogi..oetril"{: Division a copy of the plans
for the ftre ~"Strm, trx:luding all Fire r:>er-:mment requirements.
13. Plans to; tnt-jUOC::O'l bc~e-s. ')tJ.:tt hbnt ~:{lks and luminaries a.nd electr1cal .s.ubsrruC'ture
(ele:u·i;.', street 1lghl, ttlepr.oi}(' and cable TV) r<'q:Jircd ft1r tl;e subd~ ... isiGn sr.ail be
sw.bm:t'(ed jor r~Yi::.", ar..d ap;:no'i'al b~' the Utilities Engiiie,erlilg Divisiun. Tbe oit'plican( s11all
lr..swi aJ! Q( L.."~ 5uD)~i.::.::Ur[. Load 5heets s~11 c-e submitted for each single-family
re~ id-er.::.i::'.
14. A tb.rec:~fOOl; street d::d:1C3.lion s.hzJl Ix provided aJor.g l~e Ra..'T1ona Street frontage, for a
dis!aOCe of awroumat~ly 237 fet! 1.djacem to the re.5!dential project.
15. A tlw-foo! street de<i:ic.alion &h.uJ1 be provided aloug me Ramona Street fwntage. for a
distance of 3pproxtm.lteJy 163 (eet adJ.a.;;cnl tIJ tl::!e oftice project.
16. The apphcam 5hall pcrst a bood to guarantee the oompletioc of the public improvements.
The amouru of the boOO shall be de,ernuood by the Public Works Engi=ring Division.
17. Fees for furnishing oDd imtalling the primary and secocdary distributions cables shall be
paid 10 the Util ities Department.
Prier Tg IguR," Of BUilding Permit
is, A construction logistics plan s.hall be s.ubmitted for review and approval by the Public
Works Engineering Di ... isior •. All truck rOLltei sba!l conform with tbe City of Palo Altos's
Trucks and Truck Roo .. Ordinance. Chapte, 10.48, and the route map which cudines truck
roures J\o"'3.tl.ah!e throughout the Cit) of Palo Alto. ConstrLlction of the project shall be
~diw..tcd with [ht proposed projects at 400 Emc-cson Street and 265 Lytton Avenue, to
tk salisfaction of the Punic Works Er,gineerirog Division, At a minimum the plan s.hall
addre.» lhe folklwmg:
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9·14·94
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a. parking for constTUC:lion worl.c:r-li;
b. tde.ntifteatioo of proposed cOOltnJcti-on i'.cttss points and cruel: TOutes and staging alea~:
t. sir.e(s) for 5tof"I.ge of ronstruc-t~n equrptnent and supp1i~.s:
d. shoring fC}( undergro'lM garag<:
e. roDS~D of temporary 'Walk"'"3)"s, barricades and f.e,.ces;
• (. provision of pedestrian and vehicular traffIC adJacent to the rort.,truCllon site;
g. oonstruction of temporary barrICades and fe~:
h. f"I!StOratioo of City streets imp.ac:ta1 by ccnstrIlctKm &([yj tics:
i. replacemem of City sidewalks in adjaceOi to the site in accord..a.Ju WIt1'1 Cit)' !,tandacds:
and
j. pIlbl ic """""""' pmgmn to k;cep aIel residents and businesses updated c n the
construction schedule and the use of the adjacent !treetl feY. construction access .and to
resolve their concerns regarding construction IC1r~·ilies..
19. The appl!cant 5hall stlbmi[ a preJimir.ary gradir..g and drain..1.gt DW! CL1 the Pubhc Works
Departm..:nl. includir>i dratrJ.agf. patterns on-site al:d frOi~l ld.IJ.:-er:l p~operi.:~ T1"-,<; plan
shall demonstt .. te that pr~-e~Lstlllg dn.in.a.gc panerns to 2.M fr('::l ad)2 ... -ellt prorrt~::::s..ale not
aJtC'red .
20. The applicani: shalJ prepare a S':)rm7l-<!tC'f PO!IUI10'l. Pre\'er'l~,'~~ P:_"I \S\VPP?) lr':0rr;"}r21ir'g
best mar..a.gement practiCl~-s. {BMP's.) fe: SlClr[[1',l,;J.[t:r r"}!lr~ti", ;·':e',.:-~,ri(l~ in a!1 nli..s.rJu':"lio~l
optI<!lions, The SWPPP sh"JI b-~ s\:omin:.:d for rt,',-:;:\\. 2.!-id '"r~iL-"''':l.1 by 1..1'::: City oi
Palo Alto Public Works Engincert~ Divi.si(';"J,
21. The applicant shalJ obtaIn a Pennil for ConstructIOn in a PubUc Street from the f>'..!bfl.:'
Works Engineering Diyision for C(!DSrruC"tKm proposed [[1 Ihl" Cit} rig.hl,-of-~ay.
frior to CQmmencemcgl of CQ~12D
22. The contractor shall obtain an eocroadutlcnt pennlt from the ?ub!ic Works ~t.~rlng
Division for pedestrian protection during wnsmJctlon,
During ConstruCtion
23. Demolished materials shalJ be recycled, os feaoibJe.
24. To reduce dust levels dUilng construeUon, tlltposcd earth surfact'S shall be wal.ef'eCi
frequently, with reclaimed water, durilll the Late morning and at the: end of the day,
with frequency of w.aterLng increasing on windy days. This. [e-qu.irernern, may ~
modilied when approved in writLng b)' the Public Works Depa.."unem, Reclaimed water.
in accordaoo: wilb Public Works Department policy. shall be used for Ibis purpose.
Dw.t nu:isanoes originating from tile: roustruction operati(lflS shoa! I be conrrolled at the
contractor's expeose. The City of Palo AllO Public Works Department shall monitc.r
the contractor's dust control llperatioru.
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25. Spillage resulting from hauling operations aloilg or across any public or private propeny
sball be removed immediately at <he .. pense of the developer. !f requirc:<l by <he Public
Works Department. stree!> sball be cleaned on a daily Of weekJy baSIS.
26. OverfiJlinl! of truw b)' the ccotraclor shall be probibited.
27. Truw shall be covered durinl! <he trampo"'ltion of .XC3, .. ted and demulishc:<l ma\erials
from <he site.
28. Mufflers and housings shall be providc:<l co construction vebicles and equipment.
29. On-street .igDage <lirecting pedestrians to the proper route around the temporarily c!os.e<i
sidewalks shall be provided,
30. The contractor shall tmplement t.b.e following measures.:
a. Standard construction iIlrea signs, subjeci to review and approval of the City
of Palo ,AJto Transportation Djvi~!QiI, !;hall be posted .-.Iong L) non A \'c r.lle,
Emerson Street, Ever.:" Street, Ramona Strett and other s[re'~IS. ;::_i
OCt'cS$.Ciry. to warn the public of the ongoing t'{HI..<"rrl.icL!On trafiic.
b. Comractor '9.'Ofkcr p.<Irki..rlg .shall conform with plans approytu b)' th;;
Trarupom1joll Divlsiori and Pubiic Work..<; DepaitIncnt.
c. Stor:lge of equipment or materials shall ronfonn with plarlS appro .... ed by the
Transportation Division and Public Works Department,
d. Emergency vehicle access shaH be maintained at aJl times.
fr.ior To Occunancy
31. All sidewalks oordcrmg the project shall be removed and replaced i.n compliance wiili
stan<!ards approved by flle Public Works Engineer~ Divi>ion.
32, The unused driveways .boll be removed and replaced with curb aM gutter. to the
satisfaction of the Public Works Engineering Division.
33. Curb ramps for the disabled shall be provided at the corners of Everen, Ramoo.a, Lytton and
EmersoD, to the sati,sfaction of the Public Works Engi.neerlng Division.
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9·14-94
PAGE 22
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Pilge I
Cityo£ Palo Alto
~"I!=Jmand 0Jrr.mun#y .
Application No. 94-V-6, 245 Lytton Avenue and 305-337 Emerson
Street {former Peninsula Tim""s-Tribune sitel.
Variance 94-V-e: is approved for the construction of a 54,900
sq. ft. office development as per attached plans at 245 Lytton
Avenue and 305-337 Elnerson Street {former Peninsula Times
Tribune site)~ Zone District CD-C(P}. Palo Alto, California,
and is subject to conditions listed below.
FINDINGS
1. There are exceptional or extraord.inary
2.
circumstances or conditions applicable to the
property inv:olved th3..t do not apply generally to
p:roperty in ,the same district in tbat the site is
located in a txansiticnal area bet\·,reen cOr;',r;1ercial
uses on Lytton ;wenue and the rezidential unes in
tr·e Dm,mtown North neighborhood j
The granting of t!ie appl.i..catio;1 is neces;;.a.ry for
tt.e preservation and erojo1'711ent of a substant ial
property right of the appli<.~ant, and to prevent
unreasonable property loss or unneces::;ary hardship
in that if the height variance were not granted,
the construction of a 54,900 sq. ft. buildinq on
the site ·,.,o\lld increase the site coverage, thereby
substantially reducing the size of the proposed
outdoor cO·ilrtyard/plaza at the rear of the site;
and
3. The granting of the application will not be
detrimental or injurious to property or
improvements in the vicinity in that the project
provides extensive open space (approximately 45t of
the site) at the gro1.:.Ild level which enhances the
pedestrian experience and provides a large formal
courtyard/plaza at the rear of the site which
provides a buffer for the residential area to the
nort.h.
1. A five foot, six inch street dedication shall be provided
along approximately 166 feet of the Ramona Street
frontage.
23JHa.'ni.lmAvenue
P,O. Box IQ2':-O
PaloAl:o,O\9UD
4l5,329.2+11
415.329.22~Fa'l(
'> ,
2. Prior to the application for a building permit, plans
shall be submitted for review and approval by the
Transportation Division and Planning Division
demonstrating that the exit ramp from the underground
parking prvvides adequate sight distanc~ at the sidewalk.
3 _ Prior to the lIppU.cation for a building permit, details
of thi!' proposed security gate shall be sUbmitted for
rev"iew and approval b}-' the Transportation Division and
Planning Division. If the security gate is planned to be
located at the top of the ramp, it shall be of the
wireless-controlled type of activation. If the gate is
te; be of th~ card-reader t.ype of activation l it. shall b~
located at the bottom of the rarnp_
". PriQr to the application for a building per.rnit, t.he
'PIcposed handicap van -accessib} e space in the underground
g3rCi-ge shall be redesigned as n nor;r,al ha_f'.dicap sp·ace and
tr:.e van accessible space shall ce relocated to the
S<1::i.sfa.cti")rl of the Trar'.3pcrt.atiorJ. Division dnd Planning
[Ii 'lisle-n.
~;. Frior to the appl ication for ,e;. building pennie, the
propDsed turn around spa.ce in the underg:::-ound parking
garage sha.ll be revised to ir.clude a space perpendicular
to the-aisle (e.g., one of the pa.rking spaces) to the
satisfaction of the Transportation Division and Planning
r:-'i ... i~ion. The plans shall be revised to show the
turnaround area LO be signed and/or striped aco:ordingly.
6. !"be appl icant sh?_ll obtairl an encroachment pe!'Pli t from
the Pub 1 ic Wor.\.;:9 F.ngineel:iog DepOlrtment for pp.destrian
protection during constn.:ccion.
7. All sidewalks bol.-dering the proj ect shall be removed and
replaced in compliance '.-"'i th standards approved by the
Public Works Engineering Departrr.ent.
l. 1\11 construct.ion within the City right-of-way
conform to standard specifications ot the Public
and Utilities Departments.
shall
Works
9. The contractor shall contact the Public Works Inspector
prior to any work pcrfcrTI"_ed in the public right-ow--way_
10. A construction log:i st ies plan shall be subrnitt€"d for
review and approval by the Public Works Engineering
Dep.art~nt. All truck routes shall conform with the City
of Palo Altos's Trucks and Truck Route Ordina~ce, Chapter
10." e, and the rout.e map which outlines truck routes
available: throughout t.he City of Palo Alto. Construction
Poge 3
--------,---~-.... ,-----
of the 't;>roject sh.all be coordinCl.ted with the proposed
projects at 4(10 Emerson Street and 265 Lytton Avenue, to
the satisiaction of the Pubic Works Er:gineering
Department. At il m.inim~m the plan shall address the
following:
Par~ing for construction ~~rkers;
-Identification of propcsed ~onstnlction access points
and truck routes and staging areas;
Site{s) for stot"age of construction equipment and
supplies;
-Shoring for undergrouno garage;
-Const~ction of te~rary ~alkways, barricades and
fences;
Provision of pedestrian and vehicular t:: raffie adjacent
to the construction site;
Constr-'..lctior; of t.e:r.?:Jrary baIricade3 and fences;
ResturaCicn of City stz.-eets ir~;paC'ted by construction
acth'ities;
Rep:ac(>~.(,,,t of. c: ty .o::;idt'...,aH,S in adjacent to t.he site
i~ acco~dance with City sta~dards; a~d
Public r~lations plan directed at resolving the
concern$ of ad~acenc r~sidentB and b~sines~es.
11. A jetail~J site-specl~ic soil r~p~rt. shall be su~~\itted
"",.:b:.c.;) .u:cluc€s lnfo1."'lution 0:1 ,,'-aeer-table .and baserr,ent
constr,Jction issut;:·s.
12. DeL710l isrled material s sball L"e rec)'cled, as fE'asible:,
13 . Pl'ior to issuance of -3!lY gra,iing and building pereits,
the applicant sha.ll sU.h::d.t C\. preliminary grading and
drainage plan .. 0 the Public Horks Depa:t"tment, including
drainage pattern8 on site and frorr. adjacent properties.
The plan shall de".onstrate that pre-existing drainage
patterns to and from adjacent ,;:n:operLies are not altered.
14. To reduce dust levels during COw,8truction, exposed
earth surfaces shall be ... atered freq'.lencly, with
reclaimed water, during the late morning and at the
end of the day. 'With f::-equency of watering
increasing on windy days. This requiremen~. may be
modified when approved in writing by the Public
Works Depart.ment, Reclaimed water, in accordance
with Public Works Departr.1ent poliCy, shall be used
for this purpose. Dust nuisances originating frCln
the construction operations ahall be controlled at
the contractor's expense. The City of Palo Alto
Public Works Department shall monitor t.he
contractor's dusc ..:.'ontrol operations.
15. Spilla'ge t'esu.l'C.ing fro:-, haulH,g operations aloug or
.,
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across any public or private property shall be remove-d
irnnlediately at the expense of the developer. If required
by the Public WorKs Departl'T'.ent, streets shall be clear.eo
on a daily or weekly basis.
16, overfillir.g of trucks by t be contractor shall l'e
prohibited.
l? Trucks shall be covered during the transpo::-tation of
excavated and demolished materials from the site.
18. The developer shall prepare a St-OrT'I'lWat"er Pollut ion
Prever.tion Plan {SWPPP} incorporating best managelT'.ent
practices (BMP's) for stormwater pollution prevent. ion in
all cO:lstruction operations. Ttl€ s .... ~ppp shOll 1 be
submitted for revie'".. and approval by !r.e city of Palo
Alto Public Works Engineerin? Divisir::n.
19, An arborist'.s rep",rt sha11 :ce s\J'c~:~itt:ed ·~o insure. ;:t-,'lt
the existing street trees Oil the office 2~t~ d~e
preservo;d during cOr1stn.1ctio::1 ,,,'itr.·Jut d:::"r-:"a.g~_n<;, t.r;e fc,-"":'
of the trees. Reco~~~ndati0ns to in~ure ~d~q~~te rc~~
V01U!'Tle tOI' succf'ssf:ll grc.,'t'rL .-;1rd ce'.'el('F:'t!l'l':", 0':: t.h~
stre'2t trees adJac~nt to the p:ror"~~ed 'Jnder':!::::T"l:~cl ~3i~:':'n::;
garage shall be provided, If r:e:cessary, thE' · ... ·,:;;11 for n',,:;
underaround g-aracre shall be rr.o'.'ed to-,.·ard th.; intErior cf
the site to insu~e adequate root ... ol·J~e for the street
trees.
20. Prior LO submittal of final landscape plans, a. tree
protection plan, prepared by a certified arborist, sb;;:,.ll
be submitted for review and appro\'al by the Plannir.g
Department and im~lemented pr ior to grading and
demolition and throughout project conetruction, The plan
shall include measures to protect the stree~ tr~es on t~e
office site during construction of the undergro'.;.r.d
parking garage. The plan shall include identification of
all trees to be protected and include measures for their
protection during' const.ruction, includir.g d temporary
construction fence to be erected around each tree which
is to be saved. It shall consist of portable cyclone
fencing, or wire mesh securely attached to metQl posts
dl-iven into the ground or an ;;.lternativr:. fencJng approvec.
in ·,rriting by the Planni.ng Pepartl':'.ent _ ',he purpose .:Jf
the fencing is to keep all r;"onstrl.lction dcLi'lity i=lnQ
storage outside the dripline of the tree~. It shall be
erected before any construc:tioa machinery enr.ers the
site, and shall not be z-e::1oveo until the final site
13ndscape grading is completed.
21, Prior to th02 issuance of a buildin'? p,'!~"~it} final
\
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Page 5
landscape plans and irrigation plans which meet the
requirements of the City's Landscape Water Efficiency
Standards are required for submittal for review and
approval by the Architectural Review Board, City
Arboriet~ Utilities Energy Services Div-ision and Planning
fltaff. Each tree to be ret110ved will be required as a
condition of approval of the I'esidential project to ~
replaced with at leaEt two new t'rees. The new trees
should be located to shade paving and to reduce the need
for air conditioning.
22. Tree protection measures, including wrapping of major
limbe for protection of street tz.>ees during construction,
as determined by the City Arborist and Planning Di,rision,
shall be in place prior to commencement of any
construction activities.
23, The develope't" shall ccmply with the requirements of
the Palo 4~lto Noise Ordinance, Chapter 9 .10 P.~"~C.
24. 1'I.l..I.fflers and housings shall be provided on
construction vehicles and equip~ent.
25. Exte:-ior lighting shall be design~d for saf~t>', i"l.(ld sb?ll
avoid intI'oducing unnec.:essary Light ana glare. .~
detailed lighting plan sensitive to existing adjac~nt
land uses shall be submitted aE' part of the final plans
to return to the Architectural Review Board for review
and approv-al.
26.
27.
28.
29.
During the start of construction on the office project,
the de-veloper "3hal1 keep approximately half ot the
temporary City parking J.ot open to public parking un.til
after the Christmas season.
On-street signage directing pedestrians to the proper
route around the temporarily closed sidewalks shall be
provided.
The developer shall implement a public outreach program
to keep area residents updated on the construction
schedule and the use of the adjacent streets for
construction access.
'fhe developer shall implement the following
measures;
a, 'Standard construct ion area signs, subj ect to
review and approval of the City of Palo Alto
Transportation Division, shall be posted along
Lyt'Con Avenue, Emerson Street, Everett Street,
Ramona Screet and otller streets, as necessary,
\
Page 6
to warn the public of the ongoing constr.J.ct. ion
traffic.
b. Contl:actor worker parking shall conform with
plans approved by the Transport-ation Division
and Public Works Department.
c. Storage of equipment or materials soal1 conform
with plans approved by the Transportation
Department and Public Works Department.
d. Emergency vehicle access shall be maintained at
all times.
30. The applicant shall submit a contingency plan to the Fire
Department to aCcoWlt for contaminants in the seil, if
any are encountered during excavation for' the underground
p;arking structure. Soil gas monitoring should be
conducted to evaluate whether there are vadose zone
contaminants. If groundwater may be encountered, or if
60 indicated by the results of vadose 20ne monitoring,
groundwater. test ing should be conducted to assess
potential for ground' ... ·ater contrlmination,
31, A. fire sprin:der system shall be provided with5.n the
building, to the satisfaction of the Fire DepartMent.
32. The location of the ! equired pad·rr,ounted t!'ansformer
shall be s\lbject to revie..... and approval by the
Architectural Review Board and the Util ities_ Department.
The transformer $hould be relocated to the underground
garage, if acceptabl~ to the Utilities Division.
33. Prior to the iSEluance of a building permit, the fol10'. . .ring
shall be submitted for review and approval by the ARB:
a. window sash showing profile and material;
h. wood balcony rail detail showing a material with more
substance;
c. detailed elevations of all fences and walls, calling
out all proposed materials,
d. color and material samples c'i; the proposed fence and
wall materials,
e. a detailed landscape and irrigation plan, including
catalog cuts of the trellis design over the garage
ramp and proposed trash receptacl~s. benches, drinking
fountains, urns and annual pots (said plan shall also
be sub~itted for review and approval by the Resource
Conservation Division). Fuundation planters should be
provided at the base of the building. The flagstone
material should be extended into the sidewalk area, if
acceptable to the Public Works Department.
f. a detailed lighting and photometric plan, including
catalog cuts of proposed fixtures and light standards,
and
" ,
Page 7
g. a master sign program \lith the proposed wall signs
relocated to a lower h~ight on the building.
34. S~cifications and details of the proposed bicycle
park.ing shall be submitted for review c..nd approval by the
Transportation Division.
35. The applicant shall obtain approval of a tentative
subdivision map.
36. An after-hours security plan for the courtyard/plaza area
shall be submi tted fOl~ review and approval by the Police
Department and Planning Department. The purpose of t.he
plan is to balance the public enjoyrn~nt of the courtyardl
plaza with potentiaJ nuisance problems.
~:.:;:~;CY ~.l.....r,~.)x LllLE
Zoning Ad~lnls~~~~or
This form does not constitl.lte the variance for which
ap'P1ic.l.tion .... ·a.s ~.adf: If t.he application is approved and if no
app-eal f::ro~ thl9-de;:;ision .i.J filed by any persc:m firm, Qr
corp::>rat::ion affected bj' the decision on or by August 15,
19S'i., you will receive a copy of your pert':'1.it in tl'Je mail. If
this application is not decided to yOIJr satisfaction, the
decision ~ay be appealed to the Planning Co~~ission by filing
an appea1 ",pplication with the Planning Depart.rr.ent and City
Clerk on or before the above mentioned date.
cc: Joseph M. Colonna, Planner
Jim Baer
Michael Wilson, Mozart-Wilson Ventures, 1068 East Meadow
Circle, Palo Alto, CA 94303-4230
."'"
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PLANNING COMMISSION
DATE:
TO:
PREPARED BY:
JUDe 24 _ 1994
PALO ALTO 1'LA.'~1l'G COMMISSION
ll<.«n SclnWert
Staff Report
REPORT IN BRIEF: 14lJ".'l!lll_n: >DS-)L£"1l':l1Qn_S~ IP;nin'iu:, T,=-T;it.,w; Site"; ,
Preliminary re'liew of an appJ.icatlo n to n:"Z0!loe the property f n:-rrl R.\! -3 0, CD -C(P,) aoo P(' 3 [ 1 i
to a Planned Community (PC) Distrk:t in Nd:-r [0 C(lnsm.=':lIS ~if1..;]e-family UJllts l.!)j 4 s«:ond
llllits, and change the CompreheTl<;lve PI,in de~igruntl:~~ ~"'n Q f..-Jrti0n ')1 the Sl{t from Re1ional
Community Commen::iai to 1-.1ult~ple family Re~idem't_.ll. S.etr-iJ_-:''i.:, a.ri"aoc~s are ais-} fe.qUC:ST.cd.
IJI .... jronm-!nul Asse~: An ('n~ironrr:!T".:al a..'-~s~men! ~;II be rre--pa.!-e-d pliur h' It,, secGrid
bearing before the Planning C0mmi:.si\):}
loDe Di'tdc!s' RM-JO (Medium Densi1), Muitiple-Fur-il) R.:si<koc.eJ District
C!J.C(p) (Comm,,,,:iaJ Do~nlo"n Pedes!";.ar, ShOPPlllE Combiillng\ District
PC 3111
File Nos,: W-CP-2, W-ZC-7, 9-I·ARB·81, 9-I·ElA·IO
APPYCA TION HiFORMATION
Applicant:
Owner:
Sron Ward
MoW! DeveI"PfD"lll Compan)'
1068 East Meadow CUt)e
J'aJo Alto, CA 94JOJ
(415) 4%-4496
Penin..w Newspapt::rs., ID::,
clo Tribune Properties, Inc,
435 N_ Michigan AYeooe
Chicago, illOOis 60611-4041
P:\SHARE\245L ),I.SS
6.'24f94
1
'"
,
j
J
Type of
AppllcatiOD:
Dates:
----.... --."' ....... ~~,,-,-~-~ ..
Comprebensivc Plan Amerxl=t, PC Zone Change, ARB and
V~
Application r=i ve<l ~:
Applir.atioo complete Iiih;
~1mJatory action deadline ~
(preliminary revn)
~: The P_ COIlllIlWIity (PC) Zooe Cbaoge p""""s includes. preliminary review by
the Planning Commission. SbouId the Commission .," favo:-ably it this ininal review. the
"I'Plicant will ptqJOre more detailed plans and studies whicb will be forwanIed to the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) for rccoouncndaticru. The development plan. IS approved
by the ARB. is then retu.-ned to the Planning Commission for fInal I<view.nd ~tiotl
before submittal to the City COUJl:il for fmal action.
Should :he Planning Commission, at its ~ond re"\'iew. de'5ire to f"I!'\::ommeoo approval of !.he
application to the City CounciJ, the Commhsion must appiOye L.~e enyironmentaJ as.s.essnv.nt aJ"J,j
recommend adoption of a PC ordimnce comaLning the follow~ng: a fLOdLng of p;Jb-l'iC beneftt,
a dCllelCP:IDeDi program statelllent, plan and schedule that will become 1M b.a.sis of sjte~~ifk
;eg-o..llations to ~ .applied within the Planned CotTllnuniry LOne dblIlct. Tn~ arpEw.n! l1o'jjt s,1,.)
be filing a !entatl'r'e subdivi'ilon map to divide the property Lnto l3 s.if'..gle·famil) lOl~ wi!.., pri\".a~
streets, A tentative timellne for processing the PC zone change application is 3..'io follcws:
June 29. 1994
July 21, 1994
August3J. 1994
Initial Planning Commissiofl ~\'iew
ARB Actioo
Planning Commission Action
Sepcember 19. 1994 City CoolIlCil A<tion
~ITE lNFOBMA TION
Assessor's Pan:cl Number1;:
Comprehensive po...,
Designations:
120·25-64.65.85.86.87.88.898.90.91 and 95
Multiple Family Residential ond
Regional/Community Cornmen:iaJ
Temporary Public Parki.-,g Lot and T.,<>-S(ol)' Residential
Building
P:I.SHAREU45L IT.BS
6124194
2
SU1'I1lOlDdin!; Land Usc: Nort:be&st: Multiple Family Residenrjal
Pan:cl Sin::
Southeast: Vacant Om""ILight Industrial Building
SouthweSl: Single f'amily Residential
N onhwest: Single Family
1.24=
PROJECT INfORMATION
1949
M .. ,,,h 19, !979
The Palo Alto Times· Tribune building WIIS ClJnsttucted at 245 Lynoo
Avenue.
City Council approved PC 3111 which aJlowed a total of six resIdential
ur;it~ at 32S':l45 Ramona Street and a par~ lot for P:ninsula
Newsp3pers at 305-315 Em,,,,,n Stre<l.
The sit.:: is rectangular. with 225 f~t of frontage (111 Eve:ett Streel, 242 feet af frontage on
RamoQ,l Street and 242 feet ot' frontage OD Em.:rson St."ttt. It is. olXupied hy a ~mrvroU'''j public
parking lat surrounded by an iron grill fe~ (formerJ)' the parking lot for the Peninsula Times
Tribune building); • 4 unit, two· stOf), wood frame and plaster apanmeDl building; and • portion
of ~"" FeninsuLa Tim<s-Tribwv: building. The remainder of the block ,"ward Lyuon Avenue
is occupied. by me cwo-story Times-Tribune building which is proposed for demolition aDd
rede'w'eJopI!le:lt to a new office building, under a separate il.ppHcation (di£cussed below).
The site is located between the downtown business dislrict >AI the older ",sidenti&l neighborhood
of Downtown Nonh. While much of the adjotning property is zoned R.1\!-30, it is Sllbdivided
into 5,000 to 6,000 square foot lots, willi. few milltiplc.family units int<:rsperse<l with prir.larily
single-fomily uses. A c..JTnin depot is locatod approximately two blocks west of the site on
Alma Street between University and Lynon Avenues.
The proposed project is a planned community of 18 smalllo! two·story single family residences.
4 of whicb include a second dwelling unit. Eight of the units woold fron. ou E,'erett S=, 5
units would front on Ramona Stree! and 5 would front on Emerson St.reeL The proposed lot
sizes range from approxm-.ately 1,944 sq. ft. to 2,500 sq. ft. (i.e., 25-31 feet wide by 72-100
feet deep). The smaller lots front on Everett Street and the larger Jots, 4 of which would contain
secoIJd units, front on Ramona Street and F..merson Street.
P:\SBA.RE\245LYT.BS
6124194
3
-"~-----'-
The deY< lcpment is organi=! OIl • 'r shap<od all.)' ,onnccted to Ramona Street and Ernerwn
Stfelet. 1be alley. varying in wktth from 12 feel to 20 feet, would be a I;.':ommon driveway
m.a.irnined by the owners of the iDdlvidua] lots. It Q:ould provide access to the garages at the
rear of each of the residences. !be JeCOnd units would be located in a second story above four
of !be gange>. adjacent to !be olky.
The project includes 8 two-bedroo<tl units (inciuding four second units), 8 three bedroom units
and 6 fcur bedroom units. The unit sizes of !be ,ingle-family bomes range from 1,275 sq. ft.
'" I _1!j(J sq. ft. The second units ... <lUk! each be 670 ",. ft. in size.
The pt"l"J'C'd side J'lIrds on !be interior kJts are approximately 4 feet (I.e., from building face
to sid< property line). HO .. 'eVef, .... easements would be ,ecorded to enable !be owoe" of !be
re1tdenc:es to have the use of one full side yard extending from building face to building face
(8:f"Pro:timately 8-9 ft!et).
lbe proposed. re~identia.i project is one of Iwo components to rC(ie'velop the block bounded by
Eyetett Stret-I, Rnnona St:rec-!, Ly"uon Av;::nue and Emerron SLreec The 3Vplicant (Moz.an
I)e',e!(',pmen: Company) has filed ;a separate applir;ation to d~molish the I;)l:isting ffi'(rstory.
,~,6.156 sq. ft, Peninsula TLrnes-Trioune buiiding and construcL a ttae..e·stOf)', 54.900 sq. ft, office
buiJdtn.g fnlnting on Lytton ftsenu.e with two levels of uooerground parlUng (see tbe enclosed
f.-'tall~ for the office Pl1Jject), En order to a'iSCs,s. the r.:umulative impacts of both projects, OIlf"
emironmerual assessment wUI be prepared for both the residential and office components
(however, 1)01:" the resldcnti.ai proje\::t is the-S1Jbjecc of this staff report). 'The office project is
referred to and preser.ted !IS contC'n foJ' planning and environmental impact analyses.
A toW of 149 parKing sp;=s an: proposed within !be underground parking stnlcture (compared
to 90 spa<:e< required by Code). The ~ garage ent.--y would be from Erne""n Street. The
p.<.,..,...o floor a= ratio (FAR) is 1.5.
The pz"l"JS'd office building .. «Ods!be heiglU limitations of &ction 18.49.070(0) which Ilmits
!be height of buildings within 150 feet of ... _ zoned propenies to 3.5 feet. A varWtce is
required for !be tower ,lem<-nt at !be corner of LytlDn A venue and RamaDa Streel, which is
propoocd at 50 foe! and !be proposed building beigh! which is 42 feet (i.e., a variance of 15 feet
is required for the tower and • variance of g feel is ~ired for !be building).
On May J9, J994, tll< ARB revie .. ed preliminary plans for the om" building (see tho attached
minutes). The office proje.:t.5 tentatively scheduled for fmal review by the ARB a.ad Zoning
Admjnistrator on July 21, 1994. Since: the office project does OOl requil'e a PC application, it
will no< be reviewed by !be Planning Commission or City Coon;;il, unless it is appealed. &Iow
is a sum.m.a.ry of me tentative schedules for the resklential and commercial projects.
6/24/94
4
'.
I'
r
p~
Camn.
Major ARB NIl.
(0IIi0e)
Variana: NIA
(0IIi0e)
PC 6f2'!
(II<sjd.)
MALXSISiLmJR
ARBiZA Planning
Comm.
7/21 NlA
7/21 N/A
7.121 8/11
City
Council
N/A
NIA
9i19
The ma)oTit)' of t,he p;O~'l"'.ed ~ir..~il~i<cl rmjecl area iat'PJT};t.im.2tely 1.1 acre) i~ de'5ignated
Multip~e Farmly RC!.jj:ntidJ arld .... ~ rem4i.r.;.p..g port\on 01" the slu: {apPHll.imau:ly 0.14 acre, or
6,100 sq. ft,) is desigu.a.!.ed for Regi(ona~rCO!IJ .. '-'TI\lIljty Curnmen:iaJ U~ ill the Comprehensive
Plan. The :tpp!iCai!l hl..s ';PFi~ed f,g a Cr.'rnprer-.ens;,e Pi ...... ') :a.n:eTllm:-nt in d.a . .llge th!': portron of
tht': _~ite designal61 clS Regi'::>r>.al/CC';nm~flit)' Commerr~l ['J MI;]tirJe FaITlily Residential (10 to
45 Wiil.s/ar;re). The ~ted Comprehemive p~ amendment is appropriate for the foUowing
reasons:
I. The I1"ea ""ttich ~OUJd be ctunged from commen:i.al lC1 midet".UaJ ha..s frontage on Ra!DOna
Street ~IDCh Ls prim.a.rily 2 reskientiaJ stree!. This uta r.s cu..rreruly occupied by a ponion of
the mlPJiUla TUne.s-TribufJC building. AmeD:1in8 the Comprebeosivt Pian to change the
~ bet_ !he commercial and residential area! would be consistent with !he
sepa .. ation ~ these "'" u= in !he n::mainder of OO1>11lOwn.
2. Redeveloping the subject area wilb res>de!Jtial use wooId b;,,,,, Jess impacts (rraffic, ~ics,
etc.) upotl the e.tistintI residential uses across IWnooa Str«t <:O!Ilp&I1OJ to. oommercial use.
3. Tho ...".,.... of ala to be cbanged from ooam .. rcial to residential (.14 acre) d<>cs :lOt
coostinIre • signifJC:l.lll ponioo of !he ,0I.1ll commercial ..... do""",own, 001 it does repmenl
• teductioG of the COtllIDen:ia1 disuic! Slalf bas been adv'.sed by Andres Duany, an expert
in town pla.Dn.i:ng and Main Str~ design, tlw: t.he commercial downtov..n could only benefit
from a COlUI'itCtion of its area.
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lmtp. CgmpI'1U'!1':
The following .. ble compares the proj"" 10 the Rl,j-D DISUKI r<fUUwns and "'1< RM-30
requiremems.
RMDIReq'dl RM-3O!!%,.dl f'rooosC!j
Min. Lot ARaiUnit 5,000 sf N/A 1,94-I-2,95S sf
Lot Width SO fe N/A 25ft-lOti
Lot Deptb 100 ft. N/A nfi 100 fl.
Maximum FAR .5:1 .6:1 -.75:1 ,691· .96:1
Maximum Lot Coverage 40% 45% 43% . 56%
Usable Open S]><IC< 450 sf/unit 30% 44~ -"'6~
Maximum Bldg. He igh' 35 fl, 3H1-21ft
Fror~ Yard 20 ft 20 f1 II f1
Rearyanl 20 ft iOn + 3 f1
Side YanI 6 ft, 10 ft + 4 rl
S!ree' Side YanI 16 ft, 16 fl 6-9 (I
Parldng 33 spac.es 51 $p.:l.'';''c:,'' 4U ::p"':C""
Undei the requested PC zoning, ... arianc~ are required for W: fr,lluwmg:
1. the miDimum required interior side aOO rear yards for Oil sL-ucture over O~ story is 10 feel
for the fi,st story of the stntaUre and one·balf of !he actuAl heigh, of the sttucOJf':, but DOl
less than iO feet for the portion of the srrucrure over one stOry; the proposed miojmllm side
1Dd rear yard setbacks an: 0 and 3 feet I<Spe<;"\'ely (ie., a \'arioro: for 10 feel is required);
2, the minimum requL"Cd ,ide and rear yards adj"""nt 10 • street are 16 feet; the minhnwn
proposed side and rear setb>ck.s adjacent a street are 7 and 3 feel, =PCCtivoly (thus ••
variance for 13 feet is required); and
:l. on !bose portions of the site opposite the RM-30 Dtstri<:t, the minimum requjred from yam
setback is 20 feel compared to proposed setbacb of approximac.cly 12 feet (i,e .. a variance
fo,8 ree'is required),
P:ISHAREI245LY'l.'.BS
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PI., 11M u. and Density:
In reviewing the project, the Planning Commission sboold assess wbetber the project provides
sufficient density of bousing and whetber i! provides a smooth transition between tbe COfIIIIleTI:W
and residential areas. While tho RM·30 District encourages tho development of higber density
housing whlcb may be responsive to Cit~wiae objectives for the delivery of more affordlble
housing, it also tends to produce housing that is inc<JIl5istclll with the scak, c/wacter and
cin:uhuion patterns of older residential neighborhoods Sllch os DowD,own North. The proposed
22 units on the site ~t in a density of 17.7 units/acre (including tho four second unit,)
Under RM-30 :wning, tho site could yield up !O 37 units (30 unilSlacre). Thus, tho site could
yield up to 15 additional units under RM-30 zoning. However, the redevelopment of tbe 1.24
acJ"e site with a single, multiple-family project cO'lld produce a monoli!hic development, oot-of
scale and clwacter with tbe DoWDIown North ncighborhood if tho building design and street
tteatJDent v."ere oot handled very sensitively.
TIle draft DowntoVl>n Urb2.n .Design GUide contains.a policy to 'promote Lytton Avenue 2S an
enlivened mL1;:ed commercial and residenrial district: ensure that developmem respects tJ>e
transition into the adjacem Do"l\>nto\\,'n North neighborhood; and prote.:l this re:;.:dentj"j
neighborhood from incompatible encroachments by commer..:ial buildings. N Th~ project appe<!fS
~onsistent with that g1.1ic1eJinc.
The Single Family Residential De~ign Guidelines COlltain a policy 10 ~provide for iooividuaJ
initiative and ,rtaLi'!,'it)' whlle still reflecting common, CC.IM3.ctellstic DC l'£hborhood paueTn5 ~ (such
as the "eclec.tic chan.cttr of Downtown North)." This proposal contains ~rne elC1IleIILs which
are coruisrent with Downtown Nortb Development patterns, b\Jt wil! ha"e a very different
character as well.
The proposed alley access to the garages is beocficiai to the pedestrian character of the project
by mjnimjzing the arnount of paving viEible from the surrounding public streets am. eliminating
garage-doors facing the street. Tbc ~rporation of second units is consistent with the
tr1iditional Downtown N ortb neighborhood, and would yield additional density as a beoefit. This
also allows fDr more affordable rental housiog ($800 to SI,200lmonth) near !be doWIllOwn and
publictraosil.
Although the cuneru bousing stock (constrocted 5{) to 100 years ago) in tho Downtown North
neighborbood is in high demand, i! is rare to receive a proposal for !his type of single-family
housing near dO'WIltown. In order to proVLde a transilion between the commercial and n:sldential
areas, tbe apl'liCllt1t has utilized parcel size, (1,944-2,958 sq. ft.) which are considerably smaller
than the typical size (5,0000 "l. ft.) in DOWD!OWn North. The home, on the parcel' are larger
than is common for lots this size. The homes are projected to.sell in the range of $325.CXlO to
$425,000.
The proposed ;01 configuration will be unique to the area. The existtog lot panerns in tho area
exhibit more \'ariarion in lot width and sizes than is proposed by the applicant. In -1ddition, the
project does not 'Provide. the variety of architectural design and building re,backs. found in l.h¢
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neighborhood. The proposed fron' yan! setbacks an: approrunately 12 feet and ,he usable .id<
yard area i.s appro>imately 8 feet. Existing han' yard setbacks in the area VaT)', with many as
great '" 20 feet. Comcquently, the projec' providos less open spa« than is typically provided
within the ncigllborllood.
0... of the primary assets of Downlown Palo A1,o is the small pam:1 sW:. Blocks throogbou'
the district an: segmenI<d inI<l small parc<ls, often with 25-10 s{}-foot frontages. Each is
OC<Upied by unique ooildings with different architecture. The scale of development downtown
enlivens the pedestrian environment .. ith variety and inlerest. By proposing to subdivide the ,ite
intc 22 100, the project proponent bas reduced the project's scale and allowed the possibility of
• variely of arcbi= on the individual parcels.
However, the applkant ba., proposed one architecturdl style for an of the units which will make
the development read as a single project, which is not the typical pattern in !he Downtown N arth
~ighborbood. !n additioo, uniform 101 widths are proposed, whereas the lot width~ tend. to vary
within the neighborhood. These concerns could be addressed. by pm\-'idicg more variety In 1)
the lot panem, r.attictllarly in the propcosed tot widths, 2} the: buLlding ~tblCks along the street,
and 3) the building design including in the lor dimensions. ardlitectu.ra.l styles, roof liIk:s,
materials and colors, in a.dditiOD. a direct connection belVw'een the residential and oftlce project
~t'uJd t'o!' proYided su L~t lhe fom!al larxl.s..:aped garJen.<; and courtyards i.J."1 the office project
could be us.c.d by the re~idcnlS.
Elidjng Trees:
There art .a total of 56 e~ishng trees with a trunk caliper of 4 inches or greater on me bloc:k.
The majority of the. trees are street tree:'l. Noteworthy are fOUT Magnolias alocg E'>'erett Street
lDd a numr-er of Camphor street trees along Ramolla Street. The majority of the interior trees
om! plums. and pines.. In additioc: three elms are located in a curbed landscaped isiand In the
parting lot.
The applicant proposes to preserve mos' of the = aroond the perimete, of the site and remove
moo of me trees on the interior of tbe sire (a total of 2 t trees would be removed on the =_ portion of the site). The projec' woold benefit hom fun"'e, examination of
opporblIlities io, tree preservation. planting and landscaping. The applicant has submined an
Arborist's repon. The signif"""= of the = proposed to be ",moved will 00 fully evaluated
in the envitoomentaJ .a:ssess:meru.
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The IIJ!PlicaDl has subrniu«! a tnfflC study (.n.cbcd) whicb coocludes that !be traffic generated
by _the CWUl ... cialllJd ~identiaI projects wool<! DOl have a sigoiftcant impact on !be study
n .. " ........ as. The study indicates tIw the operation of key i""rsectioos (Lynon A venuelRamona
Street and Lyttoa A ,-enueiEmerson Street) would be 00 wo"" than if the building had contlmJcd
10 he 0CCIlpi0d by tile Peninsula Times-TribuD< or was occupied with multiple office tenan/5.
The !IDly abo _ tbal althougb tile projected InfflC volume increase on the segment of
Emer>oo __ the propo;cd offICe driveway and Lytton A venoe would be great eoough
thal. resio:k::II of tIris street would per.:ei"" an increase in 1nff1C. !he .... idei!lial and commen:ial
_~ arc DOt projected to bavt • $ignificant impact on the int=ior. of Lytton A venue
and Emenoo Street (ie .. !be ~ would conrime to operate at Level of Service B). The
inrrne<1i<'m of L)'tloo A ........ and Ramona Street is projected to opera'" slightly better with tile
cleyetormem of the ~ P"'ic<1 cornpa,"" to !be etisting buildinj; occupied with g,,,,ral
offICe (multiple·talVlI) sp=
,4, (0'...li.1 \...1f 4(; panjng ~':t"$. would t'oe pro\"!ded for the re5:identiai un:Ll'i (2 spaces/unit for the
~ln.gle-iiUTIily reside!>:~ ar!U I s-p.a.:c/unJt fo!' the 5.eCGOO uni:..s). Guest parking is prolX-'s-:d to
be: pnn'ided (,10 the ad.La.cen! pub!:.:-S.t.fe('li. All of !he parking $paces would bo! within garages
facing Jic ... .lley (gMa-gc doors. WOIJKl not be visible from the puh!k streets), Ten units would
ha\lC Att.iChed ganges a.nd g l.mit .. w0uJd have detached garages. Under Rh1 4 30 zoDir"o.g. a tDtal
of 51 p:tTKing ~ would be required ~ncluding 2 spaces for each re~identjal unit and 7 guest
parl.lng "'""'"
ConstnJCti,,,, of the resWcntial project is expected !0 begin in the sp~ of 1995. The length
of til< ~ period " e>timatcd '0 be approxim.ately 8 months. It is projected that the
resideoi:es will be compietod by <Xtobe:' 1995.
CODSlI'UCtion of til< _ project is expected to begin ;0 the fall of 1994. Toe length of the
ooostruction period is estimated '0 be approximately 14 months. It is projeded that the office
bnildq will be comp le<ed by Novemhes 1995.
The redevelopmeDt of an eIlIiI< bloct in cIowmowo Palo Alto over. 14-month period will create
substanti.a! in:oovenieoce, noise, pedestrian ~ and traffic impacts on adjacent uses.
Coostructioo impacts will be addresstci in the eovirorunental assessment for the projects. A
munber of i:.ssues related to conslruCtion faCti vities and traffic management during const::ruction
'-' 10 be =<>1""". Careful planning, staging and coordination of the constIUction acli vities
will be requil«l betweeo the projects and the surrounding neighbor,;.
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If both: projects 'Were to be approved, The de.'Sign of the {wo projects would be in1egTatod in such
• way that !he existing Times-Tribune l>.!lkIing would be demoli5ho:d Illd "'Ie p>rt.ing gange for
tbI: offia: buildiDg """,ld .-J to be ~ pnO£ to ~ of collStruction of !be
_., project C01lSIJUctioo = .00 staging .00 malIetUl ""rag< are>s will oced to be
coordiDmd benIml !he two projects, If ''II< of the projeru Is 001 'l'P"',1:d, or if for some
ocber rusons !hey calIDOI be coastructc<! ,imultmeously, ~ .00 ~ logistical
difficulties could occur. Aotioos n:quired by ;be developer and !he C II)' tho: would reduce tl>ese
<!ifficuIties and !hal wooId a1l<Jw eitber project '0 ~ witbout the ocber will be included in
!be cooditioos of "I'P'O,'aI,
In addition, • project " ptoposed .t 400 E.menon Street, .. '!ucll Is across !be L)'tIOfI
Avonue/Emenon _ inr.enJ:ctioo from !be J>!"!'O""l o/r.,. buikh"ll. n .. applicanl for that
projecl propose:! 10 demolisb tbe former lUIornotiv< r<pW !;ui'<1ing and constt'.-:t • now 8,100
sq. ft. relaillotrJCe/residet:Jti1J building. Comtructoo of Uo •• u project w(",·.dd ai'S(l need to be
coordinated with ;be subject project,
The project is rubjec{ to a 10% &10'.1,: Marte( R.ile (B~,~R I rcquirerr:t"nl, llr.der Program 9 of
the Housing Eie-rne-ot, any proje..:! ULoat i;:..!~~::o. the k~::o. or ['tm:d h1l.l::o.lng rrll.l~I. met': tv.·o (If t.'1e
following three cODdi:il.lru:
I, 100% increase in total housir.g unit:; pre. iOO!ly e~isti"lg 'In f.h,;:-si ... ~ and comply .... ttll the BMR
program,
2. An equal number of rectal units as heing displaced.
3, 20% of the uruts provi<'ed ue BMR units,
'I'bo pmj<ct consist> of 22 !lOW bousing units and Is, u.,.fore, in oornpli>.nc< with Number I
(above). 'I'bo 4 proposed scc<>oo units wJI pro\'idc: DI'" renul " ... its 10 offset the less of !be
existing fouc-{uUc building on the site. Since the appla.n.: ~ meet the first tWi) requirements,
only IO~ of !be units provided must be BMR units ( •. e .. 2 BMR unit> art required).
Staff bas beeD negotiating with !be applicant. regarding tbe _'tioo of ;be BMR requir<meots,
A ICDIative ~ bas beeD r:a.:hed 10 move !be e<isting four·uncl l>.!iIdulg from !be site to
• vacant loI across Emerson S!r<eI. If r<loca!ion mi mJOnti<>a of !be l>.!iIdulg are infeasible,
an alternative would be to construct a DC:W build iog on tb::: ,,~ Emerwn Street pro.?eny< In
either case, !be building would be operated by the PaJo AJto Housing Corporation as a.ffordable
rental housing, and ;be relocation/design of the building would be subjecl 10 approval 01 a
PI!ID!led Community (PC) zone change.
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Environmou!al Sill: As=ts for the site were prepared which d lscllSSCS the po<enrial p~
of the ""', stonge, disposal or manufot= of baz.anlous materials at the site d1l< lO post WX!
uses aDd site operations. A service station was formerly located on the site (mid· to latt:~
l!1:;O',), ... ,.s • small lead smelter for melting printing type fo,~. Both or Ibese
operations were in locations which would ba ve been Cltca vatod when the building ba setJ)C1)f was
construcIC<I. '" addition, the Peninsnlll Tim<>-Tribune had an underground gasoline ""rage Wlk
which was removed with Fire Protection Bureau .approvaL Fi .... e potemUJ OD-site areas of
envhonmeutal concern and three off·site kx:atiODS of potential cn.,.i~ coocem were
identified. The on-,ite CODCCt1lS consisted of: 1) the former service 'lalioo (fl1 the sill:; 2) the
former Palo Alto Times l..-l Iret!le room; 3) the editorial ftlm room wiler< pbo<o proo.:essiJl!l
cbemicaJs wen: stored; 4) the prin:ing press ink srorage roc!ll5; and 5) the curren! parting area
The aff~site coocem5 included Iwo gas &tatioos formerly Jocated across E.me1'soo Street froo:n the:
property, and • dry cleanlnj: operation [""",,,Iy 10<alal aero" L)'l1on Avenu< from the propert),
To investigate these at'"'...as of concern, four ~oi1 borings: wen: drilled 10 ground .. ~ter, St\'e!l hJ.n:j
au.gei borings were drilled and soil and grounJwater samples. wen: C(lHecttd il_f'):,1 anal),W,j, The
soil and groumhutt':f investigation did not !den!jfy an)' signif!.;.mt en",imnmem.al wn.:~ms
&sed OD tt-.e d.Jre.d collectt'd, 00 OD 4 site chemKaJ releases were id:nlirlN ;uld rID St'il or
groundwatf!'r conditioruo that would impede furore de\',,~opmer.t Qf L~ prup::,ry ,,'ere id,="nLified,
Neighborhood Oulroach:
'T'be applicant has indicated that they held three neighborhood meetir-ss. NOlj~ for the
meeting! were mailed tu residents ';l,'ithin a 300 foot radius of the site. TraffiC circulation
through the neighborhood (primarily Eme""n Stree<) and effoeti YO transition from commen: i.1J
to resideruial us;es within tl>e neighborhood a.re reported by the applicant to be the t\lo'O primary
neighborhood cooc<ms.
COMPREHENSIYE PIAN COMPUANCE
The uses and site development regulations within the PC District must be detenninod to be
consiSlent with me Comprehensive Plan. The proposed Lext amendment is coosi,'.,'" willl the
following Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan policies:
1. Housing Element I'rIW;un I -In areas adjacent to the Downtown shopping are>. maint<in
single-family and duple. areas and have multiple-family housing close to shop> and off""".
The proposed project is a single-and tv..'o-famiJ)/ development wi!..."} a h.igher density thin Ltx:
surto\UJdillg neighborhood.
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2. Hnu!<jng ElmJeTJt Policy 4 -Maintain at least the present number of multiple-family rental
units while working: [0 increase the overall S".Ippty of rental, housing.
Tbe applicant proposes to relocate the four existing renw unil'i: on the site. If reiocation is
infeasil))e, the applic&n will constrUCt four ,",w ,.Ill>.l units on a property .croM the street !rom
the site on Emerson Street. rn addition, four new rental units will be constructed on the site in
the fann of =ood units.
3. Urt>an DeJign. Po.tn.l-Maintain the pr=ot scale of the City, but modify those el_
w!tich by their massive..,... are overwbelming and =eptabJe.
The pr!l!>OSed single-family j.tOjc<;t will be more in scale and Cba ..... "1l:1 with the SUITOWl<1ing
neighburbood compared to. single, monolithic multiple· family project which would be permitt<d
under the existing RM-3{l roning.
4. '!.!~b311 Design Program 1 -Discourage massive single uses thrOiigh limitation.s on r~ight and
density to protect surrounding U3e!io and community values.
1be ~ingie-famjly homes would be less massive compared to larger buildings whien could result
if the site were devekpe.J for mUltiple-family housing.
5, 11ft-an Design Progran12. -R~~tore and maintain re!)idential characier in older secrion.:; of
hJo Alto.
The prop<><C<l proje<:l, wluch include< a Compreh<ru;[ve Plan ame!1dlnent to increase the amount
of res"idcotial land, is compatible with the ~lwo;.cter of the Do\\"'Dcown North neighborhood,
6. Urban Desjgn Policy 3 -Promote visual aesthetics through ~ planting, landscaped areas
;w.J removal. of vb."'l.Ia.!ly disruptive elements on major City streets.
Almost alJ of the existing street trees would be preserved, however. most of the interior tn'.eS
would b<! removed. The applicant bas submitted a IAfldsr..ape plan !bat include< • new street
along the private interior streets as weU as {In each of the new single-family lots.
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PUBI de BENEFIT
Approval of tile requemd PC zone chang. would r<quin: tP.at public benetit findings be made.
The publk benefits of tb:: project should go beyond the minimum Code requirements and
comp/iouce witIJ tile Compn:bensive Plan. Below is !be Applicant's proposed public benefit
findUlg baled upon tile project .. presemly p"'fXl"'d.
Rt.ritUruial rr-mds over t~ last .ucade demonstroJt,hat 1M mn'try of housing rypes has
~ \'try limittd. For-sale Jwmf!S have !Jeen confined primarily to ~'t1')t expensive, large
singt~-fami!y !Jonw OIl corrf0rming R·t /.1$; moderaIffy ,Qed rownhomes with limited
opm spo.a and COfM'l..ort grun Qrea; aM r1U)Te FnlXkrately pn'ced stacked fla1
condominiImIs dominated tTy smaller units. T"lu!st trends haW! crealed a gap in 1M
_g Slod. ~""" re/ali""/)' cJJordable aIU>CIted iwlLsing designed to accommodate
yoMlI8 1t0lLfdw1d.s wi:how cllildrm and expo",i'" single-f_J1y Iwwsing thaI wU/
ac~. famili<s Tn< proposed project, which provi<U5, 3 and 4 /mIroom /to"",
/.hat )+111 acconvnodau families, will contritJuze to closing rhis gap aJJd v.'ill address a
major nouslTig rJt'ed in t.~e communif)'.
Staff f'e(:ornmeoos L'1.at additional public benefits. be provided In appropriate c:as.es, public
benefit(, ('an toe pro','~ded off·~ite. Some of the public benefits pro:poscJ by ~ appliciUlt would
bc IOCJtro on \..he .u.ljiiccni corr.rnen;i~l prcject. &Iow :3re the applicant's proposed off~sj(e
publk lv:neflts
1. A (1)1..31 of 1~9 parking ~races. are proposed in the garoige for the cOTTunercial building. This
repre-sent::; an u:Cre<l:st (If appreJll::i:ma:tely 70% over the 9U existing cn·->ite spaces. Toe
additkmaJ ~~ wilf rclie~'e the overall downtown parking deficit and will service to reduce
the dt!mand for on-itreet parking in tn.;. Do"'T~tO;,m North area near rhe site. With a parking
ratio of approximately '3 $?2tccsll ,OCI(} sq. ft, of office area, the building will provide more
than ade<p.l.ate parking tD accommodate the proposed building (it should be noted that the Code
n:<jUires 4 spacesil ,OCO sq. ft.) The availabilit), of these spaces would be "",,,red by
obt.aining a CIJmmiuncnt from !be de'le loj>C r of the office buildUlg 10 enter into an agreement
with !be Pa .... king Asses.sment District to provide tbese spaces on • permanent basis.
2. The p"'fXl"'d offie< de,elopmen! incJudes Approximately 8,000 sq. ft. of fonmllandscaped
ga:d<m and courtyards on !be DOrthwes< side of the office building facing !be resillectial
developmem. \. is anticipated thai this spac< will be available for use by !be public (however,
• direct c:oncection to !be ""identiaJ project is not proposed).
FlNI2IN9S ....... 'D CONDITIONS
A fmal environmental detetmina.ion, and =onunended fiooings And conditions will be provided
prior w the so:.ond hearing before the Plan."ling Com.."ission,
RECOMMENDA nON
That the Planning Commission comment on tb\: proposal. conceptually approve the Planned
CommuniI)' Zone Change subje:t to plan revisio.T1S and additional public benefits, and fol'Vl'aro
the application to me A.ichitecrural Review Board for review
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Apctm;rp .
Loca!io., Mop o..v. __ Prosnm Satmrn' from applJ<.Ull da"'" 5/6'1'4
_ from Noy 19, 19904 ARB M<ding
Troffic ImpocI ADaIym by Barton-Asdmwl Asscciawl da:ed 412711'4 (Commission Members
0DIy)
Aerial !'bocogiaph (CcmmisOOn Members Only)
R_I Projcd P1am (Commlssioo Memben Only)
Cowueocial Pro;cCII'\am (ComJllissX>n M('!Dben Only)
Copies sm IQ:
Arc:IJiII:auraI Revn Bean!
AppIiam
Property Owner
lim Boer
Pat Sharp, Do'lJp'n!J'l~Tl N,mh ;'\'eighrorho.:l(j As.s..xiatlon.
333 WllYtm)', Pato Alto. CA 94};Ji
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RFCEIVED
MAY 0 S 1994
4. DE'VJ!,I'oPMENI PROGRAM STATEMENT
4.a. NECESSI1Y OF 1llE APPUCATlON/COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIRED
DETERMINATIONS
1be primary goal of lb. proposed development " to create a high quality residential
community that is wovea into til. fabric of tile Downtown North n.ighborhood. To achi"""
this goal, the following project objectives bave !>ee 0 estabUshed:
l. Serve lIS a model for "unified, comprehensively planned deYelopmeat< that
provide substanti.a.l public benefit" in the Do>ontown are.;
2 Give form to many of the "urban .ilIage" coocep t< developed by the
Comprehensive Plan Ach:isorj Commi ttee;
3. As outlined in the dralt DllNntown Urban De~ign Plan, 'promote 1..)1:00 Ayenur
as an enlivened mixed commtrcial and residenti.':ll dLlilrict; ensure: that de ... ~lopmenl
respects the tran.'Sitio!!. into the adjacent Do\;:ntO'\l,'ll North neighoorhrlOd; a.TJ.d prote('/,
this residential neighborhood from incompatible encroachments by cO:::J.lJ11elciaJ
buildings";
4. As recommend • .d in lbe Single Family Resid."tial Design Guideiinc5, ·provict.
ior incLYidual initiative and creativity wblle still reflecting common., characteristic
neighborhood patterns" (such as tile "ecleC'Jc' character of Downtown North); and
5. Furth.r the policies of the Housing Element of the Comprehensh'e Plan designed
to maintain the high quality of CJCi:Jting neighborhoods .nd to e"""urage the
development of new hou.s.ing. especially for low·, moderate-and m.iddle-inro;ne
households and for targete<! groups such as young families.
4.a.L AppllcatlOD or District Regulations not Sumdently Fled ble
Designating the subject property as a PC (pllInned Community) District is necessary he<:aus<
neither the existing RM-3Q (Medium Density Multiple-Family Residence) Dis,rict nor any
of the other residenti.a.l districts in the Zoning Ordinance permi. the type of housing that is
best suite<! 10 accomplish the objectives specified above. The subject property is lO<:ated
along a sensitive transitional axis bet.ve~m the Downtown business district and the older
residential neighborboods of Downtown North. The challenge for the proposed
development is to accomplish a transition in iaud use, development intensity, building scale
and !IUISSing. and traffic cirrulation withln a limited half-block are. The Zoning Ordinance
d0e5 DDt acknowledge the specialized conditions attached to this property and the tramiuon
challenge cam:ot be met successfully within the confines of the Ordinance's residential
district standards. Based on the;e considerations, the proposed development is dearly an
appropriate project for the site specific zoning afforded by the PC District.
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While the RM-30 District encourage. the development of higher density housing which may
be rapomivc 10 Citywide objectives tor the delivery of more alfordabl: housing, it also
teads to produce. housing tbat is inconsistent 'With the sca1e, chara.cter and circulation
penems of older re>idential neighborhoods such as the Downtown North neighborboo<ls
wIIicb are adjaoent to the subject property. At the same time, while the lower demity
boIlsint! permille<! in die R-I (SJngle-Family Residence) and RM-15 (lAw Density Multiple·
Family ResldeDoo) Districts may meet residential neighborhood preseMticn objectives, this
tn>e of dnelopment is not responsive to many Citywide and Dowlllown area neOils and
ot>;ecti>es. In addition, the multiple use development standards sperued in the combining
dioIricI OI1tboricy contemplate a "vertical' mix of uses within the same building envelope and
do 1101 addr= a "borizonUII' mix of uses otrorded by the opportunity 10 develop a fuU City
block.
U-l. PubUc Ik".nts Not Attolnable by Appllcallu. of DhtrictlO!guloUon,
Th¢ proposed developm<nl will prmide a broad '''''ge of .iglIi£icant public benefits nOI
attalnable by application of the development standards specified in the general districts or
rombmin,g districts. MaIl)' of thcc.e benefits are d.esigned to impIove conditioru considered
to be deficient by IT'...aIt)' representatives Df tbt D0\11-1Ho .... n North neighborhood, Tra.ftic:
cirruJaticn throug.h the neighborhood and effective transition [wm cOrI1J11erdaJ to residential
uses within the n~ighborhood appear to be the two primary oeigbborhuod COlll.:ems The
major public benefits produced by the proposed project aro as follows:
L M$r Increase In Num ber of On-Site Parking Spaces
A total of opproximalely 155 parking >paces will be provided in the garage for the
commercial building fronting Lytton Avenue. -'ntis represents an in(.'!'ease c.lf more
than 10 percent emr th, 90 e:riJting ou-site >paces. Not only will tht5. additional
spa<eS relieve the overaU Dowtown area parkill!l deficit, they will also serve 10
reduce the demand for and incre.... the availability of street parking in the
DownIOWll North area near the site. It should also be nOled thal, ",i!h a parking
ratio of approximately 3 >paces per 1,000 square feet of office area. the buildill!l will
provide more than enough parking to accommodalO building users. Th. availability
of tbese spa= bas been secured by obtainill!l a commitmenl from tb. developer of
the adj;<:ont commercial building to enter into a recorded agreement with the
Parking Assessment District to provided these spaces in perpetuity.
1. ~! Dectuse In TnIIIt Genen.ted by Improved Property
The incremental parking generated by the residential element of the project,
developed al a density of 18 units pe, acre, will be very limiled and will be
substantially lower than the level produced by a residentiaJ use al 30 units per acre,
In fact, based on typical traffic generation algorithms, the proposed residential use
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woukl be OlpCCIod to produce less thon 75 percent of the trips generated by a proj"ct
de.eIoped under the existing RM-3Q standards. It sllould aJso be noted that tbe
~ .... of the property will generate a much less intrusive type of vehicular
craffic than the former use. In additioD, be= the neigh boring rommercial
buiIdi<Ic will reduce office atea from the existing 80,000 square feet 10 the proposed
55,000 square fee~ the vo!um. of ttaflic in the vicinity of the ,ite will be ,ubstantially
lower than the lnels produoed 0)' the former use and the the levels that would be
produoed if tbc existing lmildUlg was rcu..'¢d. Cmnparod with the former use of the
pi ope>1) IDd allowable reuse of the existiog building. ttaflic conditions in the vicinity
01 the lile will be impr~ as • result of the project.
Tbe d'2ft Downtown U:-ban Design Plan calls for the development in the Lytton
Ave-cue District of "oocas:ional oourtyards and green spaces that provld~ amerlities
ruch as ,"":.cSUal r~lief, art. SCt!lptures., fountains. a..-n.d other uses: The Garden
COU,i-tyard and Garden that facilit<lt.e the tnr.sition from the commercia! 10 the
res.idential rumponc:nlS of the project i.~ e~ctly this ~ of space. It is Entidpated
that th.i.s. sps.ce 'l'"iU t;.e available for usc by commercial bi.:dJding tenants and the
public. Tne 8,OOJ square foo! Garden Courtyard and Garden are ~xpected to
prJ\lcC'-a 5;gr..i..1.C'ID~ c."Offiplement to Cogswell Plaza and to provide an attracti'\le
buffer beiVw'een commerdal an,,~ residential uses. It would not be: econoIr..ica11y
fuuole for a resit:kntia..1 project alont to provide a park amenity of this §jize and
quality OIl this property. Moreover, the RM-30 District stand2rds for useable open
space are ae.igned ~rimari.JY to create internal open spaces that are "",able only by
multiplt-famil;" housing proJect residents oniy and not tr.ore open green areas that
may be used ~. members of the public as well as project residents. Similaily, abs,ent
the mulitiplc·use aspect of the project, the. open space standards lor tbe CD-C
Distri<t wouJd likely be &chieved through development of a more inlernally oriented,
private 0JWtyI.rd. A commitment has be~n serurod from the developer of the
propooed rommercW building to make the Garden Courtyard and Garden avallable
for public usc.
4. CreaIIoot of & MocIeI ror Urban V1U.,. Coocepl
A1tbougb the Housing and CoIlllltunity Design Vision and Goals articulated by the
Comprebensiv< Plan A.d'.isory Commiuee (CPAC) and adopled by the Planning
o-""mission &nd City Council have Dol been formally ratified in the Genoral Plan,
they do esu.bIish a direction for future community development. As a mulitiple·use
project inrorporating compatible commercial and residential uses localed in close
proximi I)' to shopping. services, .cbools and public spaces, this development is weU
suited to serve as a model fer the type of ~urba.n village" nelghborboOOs envi~ioned
b~' CPAC. .A.s e ... idenced by the extensive Comprehemi .... e Plan Update proce~ the
current regu~tions of the existing districts are generally not designed to facilitate
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development of the urban village UJrnmunities outline.j by CP AC .;md new District
rquUitio... desiped to encourage IIW Iyp< of deyelopmem have yet to be
formolized A project wlticlt will brina to life l!Wl)' of these urban village ron<e?:S
in the Dear term will give the rolllllIllJlity an ou:stan<linf; opportunity to test the
polid .. ud program< DOW under oonsideration in Phase [] of the Comprehensive
Plan Update proces1. By definition, tlti> is • significant public bendit oot atainable
by application of e:xisting District reauJatiom.
s. ez.oo. of. Model .... ~ A_a. District Deodo_t o.ad OdIe<
TrusItIow z.o.e.
The subject property represents ODe of ""1)' few opportunities to develop an entire
City block noM of Lytton A'lenue in the ~,t",..n area and, c'>erior., one of the
best opportunities to aa:ompLish the goaLs outlined fot tbe District in the draft
Downtown Urb&l Design P13l!. Jt i.s anticipated, based on tIle scale and quality of
the project, t.h.iI.t it "",ill Soef'o'e aJ. an azchor for the ·enlivcned mi(C'd coIJUl)erciaJ and
residential diHrict" and as. a demomtration of bow to dfec"j v.e I;.' traruitiOD from
commercial to reetidenti.a1 Q.r,.e_~ in th.:-Do-,.'oINIl North neighborhoc--d. Strict
application of t'_mting CD-C D,s.mct re~..1IC:lfjon.s ",H1uld r~duce the beigtlt of the
p:ro~d com..rn~rci"aJ Ql..;ilding. t.h~reby u:cderrr.lnint; the l~lldma.r): scale of tht-CXlrner
eiernent ,IUld Jimi~ !be. capaci!)' of the pjoje,:t to sen"e a50 an a.nchor for future
development; li1~ise. strict adbCi¢DCC to (:xisin.,g R.\'!.3() District reg'.llations would
likel)' result in a scale and Iyp< of housing that would be incompatible with the ..:ale
an<! chanocter of tlle ho:.sing ill the adj.","t residential neighborbood.
6.. DeYdopment or I.DQOvatrre Type of l..ower ('J)st HUDsing ror Young Famliies
Residential developmeni trends OYer tbe last de<ade demonstrate tha~ as the
marketplaoe has met the Zoning Ordi.nauce, the variety of housing types has been
'mY limited. For-sale bome types have been confined primarily to very expensive,
large single-family homes on coo:formins R·! loIS; more modera~ly priced,
moderately sized IOWnbomes with limited open space and common greeD area; and
mo~ modenuely priced stacked flat condominiums dominate<! by smaller unit types.
These trends have create<! a major 8"P in the housing stoclt between relatively
affordable attached housing designed to .=mmOOa~ yeung bous<holds without
children aIKI extremely expensive <ingle·family housing that will accommodate
families. The proposed proj«', which provides ",oderatel)' priced, 3 and 4 bedroom
homes that will accommodate families, will contribute 10 closing IIW gap and will
a<kIress a =<jor housing need in the community.
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7. Calero •• Bdoor Markel Rate Hoasl"ll Contribntio"
Th. Below Market Rate (BMR) regulations for the RM·3Q and other residential
distriClS stipulate that in 10 percent of the units in developments of len or more writs
be provided at below-lII8I'Ut ra~; allow • density bonus of up to 15 per'" at of tbe
athe""", pennissahle density, subject to the condition that an additional BMR writ
is induded for elIdl addltional macket-rate writ; and provide for tn-lieu payments for
smaller projeCIS. The e:qoerience of the BMR program demollSttales WI this
requirement is typically met through the delivery of units in multiple-family projects
(wbicll usually hav. smaller units and themore, a smaller gap botweeo fair market
value and BMR value) and through payment of the in-lieu fee 00 single faml.'y
projects (wbicll typically have lar;cr writs and a larger gap botwcen fair nwkel value
and BMR value). The existing regulatiom do nOI ad:nowledge the costly impacts of
the BMR formula on the newer type of bigber density single family housing ~ropose<l
here. In thJs erue, while the gap bo~ ... een fair market value and BMR value i., ~arl)'
as large 3.i th~ gap in more conventional single fa..lUil), projects, the ilurnber L)f
required BMR uniu is dlsprQportionateiy high beC2.'15e the sue and densi!y of lbe
proposed proje-..ct bomes is reladv:ly high. Not-¥ritN:.tanding Lles.e diffjC'UiLie~ the
project \\'ill result In the retention of ftJUl oc-s.ile rtntal units (in the iorm of tt..e new
oo-s.ite second (.~Felli!1g units) Il..nd iTI the delivery of fOUT n<!w low ir-LC1Jro ~ rental ur.i t.s
located adjacent to the site (created by r~l()c-.aLi(lD of the (:.u..~l.in~ Ient~ units).
4.&.3. ConslslecC)'witb the Comprehenslv, Pl.n/C"mpatlblilty ,.jIb AdJoin"', U ...
The proposed uses are cle3J'ly consistent with the existing Comprehcnsi .... 'e Plan. T.tlr specifi.c
Comprehensive. Planpolides and prograD"15 with which this propos.al conforms are as follo\l,-s:
Honslng El ....... t
PoIIC)' Z; Preserve older single-family homes and small apartrn<D1 buildings.
Program 1: In areas adjuent to the Downtawu shOWing ar .... maintain
single-family and duplex areas and b.,'e multiple-famil)' housing close to shops
and offices. '
PolIC)' 3: Protect and enhance tlJose qualities which !I12.l« Palo A!w's
neighborhoods especially desirable.
ProJrarn 4: Use the Zoning OrdilWlC<, other codes, and specific plans to
maintain bigh-quality neighborhoods.
Policy 4: Maintain al least the present number of multipl-e·family rental units while
working to increase the ove rall supply of re ntal h ousi [IF;.
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p"uq 7: En<ourage and foster the developmnt of and existing housing units
aJfordab~ to low-, moderato-, and middle· income households, .. ,til pdnwy emphasis
on the low-and mode"'to-lnco_ sectors.
............ 13: ID l!ousina developments of thru or more unilS, oot less than
10 percent of !he unilS should be provided at below-market rates 10 low· and
moderalC-inoome families.
p"uq 14: Support the miIlnB of residentiaJ uses in ",,,,,,,erda! and industrial are ....
Prozram 33: El'aluate any disincentive. which discourage residential use on
land zoned for commercial and industrial u.se, and if necessary, eliminate .r
mitigate such disincentives-
PoUcy 2: Encourage til. constru<:tion of more bousing prirrulril) On or neu industrial
and commercial site..
ProllfllDl 3: Establish proce<hues and incentives to .,courage affordable
housing in ·x.mmerdal and icdun .. rial zones.
Program 4: A<>ure th.t the ZorJng Ord'Da'lce continues 10 de:.r
encrc.ac"hment of offices ill multipJe.famil)' zones.
Traasporta!IOD Eremen!
Policy 2: Increase transit ridership.
PoliC')' 4: Re<luce through traffic on residential streets.
PoIIq lOa: ID the Downtown Area. n ... development sbould not increase the total
weekday peak parking deficit beyond that expected from development existing and
approved Ibrough May 1986.
Polley lOb: In the Downtown Area, encourage the use of Planned CoIIUDWlity (PC)
wnlng for parking structures.
Schools and Parl<s Element
Policy 3: Provide park facilitie; ""thin walking distance for residents living within the
urban portion of Palo Alto, allowing for major physical barri ....
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.....,. I; Maintain the present scale of the City, but modify those elements which
by dIeir massiveness .,.. ~1Wbelmini and unaoceptable,
I'nlIrut I: Di=urage massive single uses through limitatio .. , on height and
Oemity to pro~ surrounding uses and rommunity values.
Procram 2: Restore and ntaintain residenti.al ch=er in older sections of
Palo Alto.
Moreo.er, the propooed uses ~ al>!olutely oonsistcnt with the HOIlsing and Community
o.e.;,n .,.aIo of Phase r of !be Comprehensive Plan Update, The Phase I goals and
prelimUwy implementation measures advanced by the proposed projects ue as follows:
Saue of ColDJl1ul1lty, Place and Quallty Dr Ute
ro. Housing. communitj design IUld work'jllace options "ill respect
n<ighborbo..'<1 <oncems but meet citywide ne,ds.
B5, Reduce the impact of paved surfaces by introdudng more landscap[ng,
B6. Impro-,re!be appearance and increase the 5eJ"l.se of IX! destrian friendliness
of !he city's ,tree" and public realm with the use of trees, street furniture and
fixtures.
B7. Ensure safe, well-designed and well mainlained parks ... and pubac spaces
thaI ellOO'J.fal!e day and ""ening use,
B8. Improve the appear.!D'" of all commercial neighborhoods,
A.ISonIabIJlI} Dol DI-..Ity
B13. Proo.ide affordable housing options distributed throughout !be community
10 serve t:lifinent populations in the city, such as ... niors, young flunilles and
people with disabilities.
B14. Iocr .... the housing supply 10 meet Palo Alto's fair share of regional
bousing DUds including housing for low Jmoderate income individuals and
families.
H15. Encourage a mix of land uses and mixed use projects to promote
diversity and vitality.
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UrtIu VUioF c.o.c.p
B16. ~ =,,:iLI ueas .. "neighborhoods" and "neighbors."
B17. Maimait: a small-town &tmo!bj>ere within individual neighborhoods.
B 18. E,oIu&u new deYelopmen( for compatibility with emtmg neighborhood>,
B19. EnlwKle rommer<:ial areas 000 increASe rompaubility, iDlt:rdependence
aDd suppar1 betwoeeD commercial .. -as and residential neighborhoods.
821. Eoc:oun,t ~ neighborhood ",!Vices within walking or biking
distmoe of aeighborboods.
824. SUwon land u.s.: and zoning ciwlge, SO that more people can live close
to ""rk.
B25, C!"e~te wd incre.a.:;.e p'Jblk spaces., open spa.:-e and community g~rden
spa<x which en...-ourage and support pedestrian traffic and persoO·to--persDn
contact.
Bullt E.JHironmt'nt
BU. PromC>te qualit)· design and di"er1il), of architectural 'lyles.
B27. Enro.ml!!e allernatives (0 surface parld08 loIS.
PreUm:iDt..ry ImpleasentJltioa Mea5a.res
I. Use new ODd redew:lope<i housi08 10 provide a variety of options.
3. Addr ... the lad: of low-rost re otal housing and low cost single family
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4. SupppoTt bome/work optiODS, including telecommuting.
5. AccomTDOl~ate second units wbere appropriate ....
6. Improve, mamtain and replace tree.s. ~ith appropriale ::;pede.s.
The subjecI property is bordered on the nonh 1»' RM-1S and RM-30 uses; on the south bY
PI' aDd a>-c uses; on the east bY PC (residential) and CD-C uses; on the ..... sl bY RM-30
and CD-C uses. It sbould be DOte<! that while much of the adjoing property is weed RM-
30, tbe I'f'O!>C'rty is subdivided Lnto 5,000 to 6,000 square foot lots improved wilh an older,
larger'ingle family homes that ba,. been converted into multiple-famil), rental dwellings.
The proposed proje~ oaIls for a mix of ll5eS that will be compatibl. with these uses; Ln faa,
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by ex>mparisioa with !he exisliag aIlQWed uses of th~ property, th~ propooed project
sipifiCIJIIIy imp"",,",!he 10000I of compatibility with a<ljaoent U~. The tTamitiOD from the
commercial 10 IIIe residemW element of t~ project <>«Un ., !he same poinl 011 !he subj«!
bloc:i< IS !he boundIry ~ !he CD-C ud residential uses on the adja=lt bloas. The
~ eJemea1 of !he project comorms with CD-C standanls and the residential
element, at • doemity of 18 units per acre, is ""misten! with the scale and dw-act<r of the
adjtooem RM-15, RM-30 &lid PC (midential) uses.
4.b. USES PROPOSED WJ11UN 1HE PC DISl1UCT
At. 5hown 00 the .nadIed de$ign p\1ns, the primary type of ~nnitte<! use in the Di.sui<t will
~ single-family residentiaL Othn permitte<l uses will ~ as foBows:
1. Sec:ood dwelling or ool!aj;e units for residences fronling aD Erne""n and Rllmona
Stt-..ets;
3, Home 'DCcupation;;, when acce&50ry to permitted res.:c:-llliaJ u~.e~; a..nd
4. HorticuJture, gardening and groi'<-~n£ of f(I<~\<j prcJ;j~ts ftH cvHSl1mpriQn by
occupants of a site;
The >«<>nd dwelling unit must ~ Iocate<l <:Ner the gange, for the ,""joct residen=; "'"
be no larger than 700 square fe<:, of U>1ng aT"" plus lne :lie.. of ODe !yVical =port; and
sh2ll be limiwd in height 10 one story over Ihe gara;;;e
The following uses may be conditiocally allowed W Loe subject PC District
1. Residential care homes;
2. Small adult day ~ bomes; o.n<l
3. Child day ..... homes.
oIL NATURE OF USES PROPOSED/CHARACI'EIlISTICS WARRANJ1NG DIFFERENT
REGULATIONS
The propooed project is a new COmmunity of 18 small lot, single family residences, four of
which include a second dwelling unit The pr<>jeCI is intended for singl.·family residential
use and the proposed residen= are expected to be u.sed in exactl)' the saine manner as a
"(X)nformiog" .mgl. family home. Toe project is organized OD an alley circ;u!atiOD plan and
it is anticipated that the alley will m: a common driveway maintai!led by tb~ O"o"TItrs of tb'!
lots 'accessed from the aUey. Use eastments...vill be-recorded to el'..able the OWD.(rs of these
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reside""",, to have the use of O~ full side yard extending from building != to building
face, while retaining the !isht to maintain the other side of their home. In addition. the will
meet its BMR requireDlCnt b)I providing a 5,625 lot II 330 Emerson; assislin8 in the
relocation of the emtiDg four IIlIiI apartment to the lot; and cooveying the improYCd
property to the Palo Alto Housing Corporation.
The propooed project is deslped to a=mpllsh a transition in type and intensity of U5e from
tbe eommerdal IISeI frontins 4'!ton Avenue 10 the medium density multiple-famJ.'1y
residential uses adjacent I<> the property and the single-family residenti&l 11"'-' in close
prcWmity to tbe site. Since the proposed higher density single·famiIy residential project
repre&e1llS • bybrid of the housing types permitted in R·I and RM-30 District, it is pasvl>ie
to lC(olDi1lOd4te the proposed project through variation of the site development regulations
fur either the R-l or RM-,3() Districts. Site development sWldards in the R·I, RM-30 and
the propos<d PC District are as follows:
Standard R:l MQ pro
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Minimum wI Area/Unit 6,000 1.350 2,400~
Maximum Lot Cover~. 35% 40-45% 45%·
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 0,425:1 0,7':1 Q.8:! •
(wiD 2nd Dwelling Units)
Maximum Height 30 ft 35 ft 27 ft
Sideyard Da)ligbt Plane 45'@ 10 ft 4S'@ 10 It 7.1·@ 10 t1
Minjm" m Front Yard Setback 20 ft 20 It 6ft
Minimum Rear Yard Setback 20ft 10 ft + 3ft
Minimum Side Yard Setback 6ft 10ft + 4ft
Minimllm Useable Open Space N/A 30% 4l)%
Minimum Porking/Unit 2 13 • 2.1 " k
• Pro-rata. share of on.s.ite drive induding i.n lui. area calculation
These differences are warnnted by virtu. of the need te create a projeCt wbicb .. ill
a=mplisb the neces.<ary transition from commerdalto residential use. The appropriate
type of housing product for this site is • more urban form of housing which bas tbe
necessary scale and massing to complement a commercial huilding and to reinforce publk
str •• t geometry.
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4.4. Cbnc:terUtIc:s of Propooed 80 .......
The prima:y cbaracteristics of tbe houm, propose<! in this PC are as foll""",
Houma LiYable Bedrooms/ Projected Sale
PIap l'ypt ~ ~ ABa BathrooIm Prlm/B s n1 4-
1 4 Som l,Z75 2/2.j S32S.Q()().S35O,OOO
2 4 Som 1,451 3/2.j S3SO,Q()().S37S.000
3 4 s-rn 1,618 3,12.S S37S,Q()().S4OO,OOO
4 6 Sorn 1,854 4j2.j S4OO,OOO-S42.S,OOO
S 4 2ndDU 674 2/1 S8OO-St,200/month
• Subject to market amditiODS
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CloastJ DC1iw 01 tIw propooe<I project is cxpected to begin in !be fust '1'.1111,0' of 1994( The -.m 01 ~ CIOIISIr1ICti<m period is projected to be approximate lJ! oiaht (8) munths. It is
JA j ! tIw """ n • triII be ocoupied in !be I&SI quarter of 1'I!1¥.'
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h is .",;,;pole<! !bat the ~Jopmenl wm not require more than two (2) yean for
"""'!'Ietioo mil """1"'"",.
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245 LYUOf! AVENU E
A~CHIT[CTURAL REVIEW BOARD HEARING
May i9, 1994
ptonrt -"'l15~n Ventures, 1 f1C.
94-ARB-71
Prelf.inary ~vl .. of const~cticn of a three-story, 54,900 square-foot
offt,e buildf"9 ~nd rel ahd ;lIPro.,:~nts.
"$ Wilson: ~s staff have any c~nts?
Ms-weiss: ~nt It thil tl~.
~~: the ~P91iclr.t hiS ten Dinutes to ~{e i presentation .
.Jj~: hiVe bi!eTi asked by the de)'elopment teil1l to introduce the team
and ma):E! the preser'ltativr..s tcd~y. H:e de'felopr'!ertt cO:"lsists. of John MOl1lrt
and ~icha€' Wilsot1. of ~zart-Wils'On De"elo~-2:1t (o::-:p.ar.)", n:s90n~ible for
the c(;~rc;.s1 bldldinQ de','!?\':'c·.--.enL <HiO fro""':' Chss)c CC~'1ni!ie$ is Scott
Ward. They ~il1 be de;21oping't~e residential co~p0~ent of the project in
conjunction ~ith ~olart-Wil~on, They hJ\'e very ~13bQrale drawings and
91in~ for )O~ to t~alua[e, Scott is ~Ere to a~5wer Questions. The
,ar,:J·,itect!.JrJl ted.":' i~ 1'2,:1 1;:c,rt/1 frc-KI:-rtM· S'.;r.s.;-rl , ArchjtE'ct:; in San
ft.'lili'~i$''-(J. an·j (!~"'i,j .s.n~5 is t~,e l.:rdscCl}:ii.> ar<;hite-;.;.t,
We had three cO~!.lrtit)· !1..eet~r1gs. i)n. .~,o"d.lY, Tuesday ar,d 'tIcdo1~sday rdg!"tts.
About 40-45 people itten.jej, It <.ertiini:r proyided sorr.e ir\put. We
appreclattd the ttaE' tMat wa$ 'Spe:lt i .... tn; s stage of tne process.
l~.K9_rth: This is. lyttor, A'.enui:. The si.te 'i~ unique becal.lso? it has a
ci ... ·ic side across from Cogs .... ell Plua.. On the ot[1U thr1:e edge> ther~ are
resi~ential ~ses. The opportunity and d~~j9n c~allenge ~a5 to design ~
t>uilding that was appropriitely scaled to lytton Aver~ue, as well as
sa.eth'ng tha.t ~H ic-t1e-d. to the surrcil",lnding COS'J.!"!.\t),. Tne Inas$\ng. on
this i.s. desIgned to recognize those 1ssue5, n:~ 'lain 'iolu~ ~f the
butldir.9 is three stor;ts hi9~, with threi;!' corners down t!'; a two-story
ele.nt. That was done to tranSition t~f s,.l~ d:>"ofTl to the houses at the
edges Qf the site. !~ ~ddltion. 1t 9a~t t~e QP~ort~nity to ~ut back the
volw;e to pruvide a~a5 for landscaping or. ali fo~r sides of tha
building. Tile back.of the b'Jllding I, sot back 32-,nd-a-h'lf feet from
the property line of tht residfnti.l component of the project to all~w for
s19nific.tnt hndst.\p\ng between t.he t'Wo UHS fo.r the use of the occupants
and ,lso for th~ people of Palo Alt~.
The corr:er element 15 a lHt1e taller than the main ei(:'FWnt, in an att€mpt
tD re.cQ9l1ize h~ important tl", .. t <'Grr.~r ;s and to il.ddr~ss the p~d. on the
opposite corner. 1 have broU<ji'tt in SOO€ sketches and SOG\e illl.a.ges of some
other buildings we h.~~ done th~t have a similar character. Thi~ is a
fa; rly 10119: street, 225 feet long. With other buildings that ha~e
addressed i~suts like t~is, ~~ ~ante~ to h~\ld & bu)idir19 that wnu1~ be
~ppropriit~ly scaled and not be just ~ contirluous wall along that ~hcl~
area. We built mo~els that ~ere two stories iligh t~ro~ghout the whole
site to pro~ide the same square footage, but we felt that was }es~
lppropriah for U1e s)te b~t<nlse-it did not pro-.ide the OPPQYtunlt)' for a
garden area. These are buildings that have similar situations in that yo~
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hive i long building. The architects nave made tffl1rts. to transittor. the
scale by breaking the building into various compo~ents a10ng the fice of
these long walls. These are shots of Stanford. There are cues that
reorient the project and reorient the people that come to the project ind
pr~v1de i special focus in areai that are important.
Th1~ is another building in Berkeley, ~hi(h is a ~u(h longer struct~re,
but 1911n, it has similar ideas in the massing ~~re there are taller
eleeents, oInd then lower elef1ents thH ten<l to pro .... ide that va.riety and
crelte an opporttJnity for planting. This is iI. building Uat r u surE'
everyone has seen 'lr.any times. Again, it is a fairly long bliilctin9, a.nd
there 'fIIere a.ttempts made to vary the scale and pro'l'ide fenestTat ion, wit,",
arc.hes at tne base of the bui'lding, to provide sase type Clf Hilt for
pe<lestrfans. Thh is a buildHlg in the East Bay. It is thf" Pi~nt City
Hall. It, s to show that there (olJ1 d b€" a cOlJrtyard beM; nd OUT' project
that could bt! landscap€d for elleryc,ne's enjoyment. Hoe $ciii! of tnat
would provide a transition (rom a commer'~al bUl1di~g bQ'~ to t~e
resider.tial.
These are so~ early elev.atlco s.ketches. bE:for~ \oo'~ prc.:fu!:ed t~e dra"jil~s.
for this submittal. I would like to explain t~at r~91rdi~Q the dra~jr~~
for the submitta.l, I ~,a'''e had (O~Ments bac'" t'r;:...t. H,'2'i ·",!;'n.' il 11tf.'h? tnt o~·
the technical side. Not h6ving been through this pr~ce~s with JOU, I a~
leilrning, as, well. We dre."." these for the CO;lt~'2(tcr f,)r 2: {:'r~'':i], i"
addit\<)n to the sutiT'Jlss10n, So anything "!'I"I! ShO,i )'0:; ' .. :~ ~;".:,o{ Cilr'I 3:c~'.!~l~.J
be b'Jilt and is affordable. Thest! ilre sketChes Hla~ s.~~c. i,jO:'ilS of the
maln entry jn the center of the building on lyttOA A~enue. lh~s~ ile~Ents.
are at the corner showing a tra(Js.ition in solo? ne tOJ(er S~.0WS t~e idea
of a1nost a garden element with a trellIS lC991a that 1001:::$ C'Jt tDWHriS.
the parle Tha.t is art important featUre on the site.
These are a variety of dlfferent ways of looking at th~ ~iy the building
is massed and dHferl!nt ways clf dea1ing with tnts cornE'r elf:'mer.t, whethEr
it will be a singl! arch or sevtral arches. All of the windows a.re
rec.esstd back as you lrfould expect in a traditioiHl culldirrg:. There are
cast stonf! 1 intels, and the arch'!!s ire surrou~ded by cast stO!1~ el~nts
whicn will appea.r ii~e real stone that has beer. qu~rriej. Again,
different ways of dealing: witI'! thlt corner. What WOUld happen "If the
corner were .actually the same height as the other trrree, instud of having
a bias toward the park? This is another way of IOOk.HI9 at it. Here is
another Jlassing st4dy. These are different sketd.es that sl'low views frOCl
the corner. In rulity, there are a number of trees that will re&i.in, :iO
the-Sf views nave X-ray vision .a 1; ttle. You are !.'i'eing through SOMe of
tht trees. It sh~s the variety of scaJe with ta11er ele~nts ar.d lower
-elements and tne breakup that tries. to ~al:.e tile b'.Ji1c:1in.g fit in with the
scale of tne neighborhood. This one c,;hows a, wGY of art iClJ1,at iog thE'!
corner element and ways of developing the windows. This shGWs how the
eave lM!ets the wall, and different ways of dealing JIIith the cornice-so
David G3te~; This landsc~pe is ~ant to be a direct response to the
downtown condition and the b",nding. Some of the thir:gs Ted did not have
Ume to say are that there is a piltteril. There is e corner elem-entj there
is a nodule that pulls back. There is. an entry eJerr:ent. arod then ~_ind of
a repetition of that. As you.turr. the corner, ther~ is another pedestrian
node coming back, and what I would consider a ga.teway that would take you
into the residential cOlTIi.wnity. That happens Ijj\ this side, although you
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halfe the parking rilfllp that brp.ar.s that sort of breaks that pattern. S<i
this is iI. clear pattern. That is the reason we put the tie to the garden
to that side, tying tne central courtyard to the whole building. So there
is this scale element that came frDm the ntighborhood in just the w~y
buildings are put t09dhf!r that we are trj'ifl9 to pick up on. Wl'1at YDU are
seeing here, a1' ~f the ~xisting trees of which there are quite; fe •.
Most are in good shapej most are not destroying the sidewalk at the
present tile. so we assume they are soing to stay. W! have added ~ew
trees wh1ch are the ones with the shadow to build on what is out there to
k~ep that sort of strong streetscape.
Within the front element, we are tr~atin9 a corn~r. We see this as a
critical corner as it relatet bacK to Cogswe11, S~ ~e too~ 1 pa~in9
pattern and said, tnere is a corner paving pattern to sort of break it.
W~ then sa1d. there ~$ an entry paving pattern that has t~~se flanKS to it
tnat start it, and then there is the point of entry where we have taken
the greatest llDOunt of special pavers and sort of trilnsit ioned a.ar frorrl
that again, with each of these creating i kind of fteld or a pattern.
Again, we ~ave picked up the corner at this point and said, this is an
important corner, Of course, th€re are Hie benciles: and th€ U$~ c.orr:poraellts
that each of these little node~ hss to it.
Th-e central element her€" is partially r.oof deck and parti<llly im .grade, so
that tM rO&,f iieck parts you ar-e 5~eiti9 arl! actually tl.i~it·I.iP cc.rltaiflHS.
Hen yO!! are seeing in-ground. live pLants, a fountain focal point,
Aqaif\. we are tryir!iJ tu stay \ferj traditional here. We are fallowing the
~ernacu'ar of the building as it has been don€ in the past. All of our
materials and joinings and cappings and things will be within that.
A very strong gateway here with monolitns ilnd metal I trelHs-flnillshing
latticework to tie that back. 5eatll1g areas are, aga.in, il cer;tral foc~1
pDint , an<l a 'l;i!ry strong, lan<lscape transition back to tf1e r~sidential.
We are gci~9 to ha~e sca1e-change elements become very important. ~c are
see; ng the pay 1 n9 bei r.g mcs t 1 y concrete, colored I scored, ul1d blasted,
a.nd then gOing into. a fhg. proba.bly lIirious colors of flag, both random
and cut, as ~e get into t~e final thing.
Jim Baer: Would it be hElpful to add some co~nts about the planning
.DroCess? (Sure) The goal of the appliC:ilnt is to create in ii very
sensitive neighborhood a project that is a. positive impact rather than an
intense, negative impact. Ho~ that has come about is that the current
buildin9 is 8~.OOO ·squar. f.et approximately. lh. 90.1 was to not do •
c~Tc1al building that exceeded what was allowed under existing zonlng.
10 .ccompllsh that, this building Is rIght on its .llo~ed, .bov.-grad.
area of 54,900 square feet. We may hi~e a few ~f those f~et that we are
wCjrki r.g through with the p 1 ann i ng sta ff ~ but the projec t come s to you from
the planning staff as being 1n compliance ~lt.h zoning, subj{!<::t to .a
~ariance that will be requested for exc~ed1ng the 35·foot height limit
which applies to propel-ties which are within 150 feet of an RM lOne, whidj
this proje:t is. The existing parki~g for the 851000~square-foot building
15 90 space$) which is now 1o,at~d on an aspha1t rear parKlng lot, lhls
project will hav.:;! 150 cars in two levels underground. We have the
blessing, so far) of the planning and tra~sPGftation d~visions that they
are all of a conforming type and size wah handicap and bicycle parking
types of issuts, It is fair to report that in our hearings with
neighbors, while the downtown no)'th l1eigt1borhood has a segment who Si!ys,
05(19/94
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the list thing W~ need i~ ~re off1ce space, the response is that we
reilly apprec 1 ate it that you ha .... e deve) oped a project that j s sens I t i ve
in Its scale, consistent with zoning, shares much of the urban design
goals that a tal :er building holdin9 corners 'Was more important. The
tradeoff vf exceeding the height limit of 3S f •• t, in part, is what
e"lDles this to be a ~enerOUSl open space) commer(lal de~e}opment.
Forty-five percent of th! lot 1s open space. That is unheard of in a
c~itial de~elo?ment. That is only ~Qssible by creatin9 a port,on of
this in a three-story element.
The Co( zoned parcel w111 be merged and separated from the remainder of
tht lot, reducing. the siz.e of the current CDC parcel. So rather tnan
capturing IIOre of the RH-30 lone ilt the rear of the lot and gobbling that
up int~ '~rcial. thls appiicant has done the re~erse. 9iving more of
the .CDC z<):!'\t {Iller to rtsi.<1entlal development. The issue {If where to
10Ctle the driveway for the under9round parking was d{lne ~ith extensive
co"sider~tion with the transportation division and an analysis of urban
design goals, .hich is th~t it is nfver desirable to do a curb ~ut on
L\t'tton Avenue if that can be a .... olded. Emerson $tr~et, rather than Ra!l'lOna
Street. ~as selected for t~e reaso~ that on emerson Street, there ;s an
e:risting lliiderground parKing lot at lSI lytton .Aver'Jue, and the underground
r.3mp for thi:i is very near in relationship to that underground lot at lS}
lytton Avenue which ente(s fran E~er$on Stree~, If the ramp were pl~ced
on Ra~ona Street, th~t is entirely a residential eiem@nt starting 60 feet
deep O~ Ra~on3 Stl"eet, ~ith a very nice Vietol'ian apart Gent building and a
serl~.s of ro"l hOUSb, <md the11 lo~'er residential de-velC'lp.:nents.
TrrE' rt!sidential pr{lject i.~. on a time frame where it hils sub.'TIitted an
appl icaticn for J PC zan! change. That PC zone change, far fr~m being
necl!!oosar), due to lf1creased den$lty. is necfssary b~<.::ause ll'1e approach
takefl iii pro,,·1ding single-family home~ creates .'loncor'lfornanc.e with minimul'fi
lot requirements. let rroe explain that., The zone is R.~"30. He acreage
'!oo 1.2 tC!'~S., $~ 3& conocl';;iniurn units could t>e deve10perl there. ',Ihat 1S
belr,g proposed are 18 sl(1g1e·h/l'!i1y, detached hG."lles. In a condominium,
yow have a single parcel of 1.2 acres, and eve:"ybody owns a piece of that
pa~cel. By gOing to si~9le·family homes. there is not the opport~r.ity to
satisfy the minimum l~t dimensions for a Single-familY home. Certainly.
Scott Ward could give a 'Y~ry good presentation on what the shap.e-and type
ind philosophy of those ho~s are, That is ~hY the PC is pecessary. Not
because .. e are loading more Of Ito th~ nei9hbccrhoQd, but because this s.tyle
of ~ousin9f whicn Wi:' think is ent1 rely ippr~priate for an infi 11 community
.t,tre ther~ is a hlg~ly sensitive neighborno{ld, needs special permisSion.
June 29th w1n be the first hearing before the P"lanning C.omisslon. Then
it comes before the Ar-chitecturar Review Board. lhe phns. are quite
ad\'anced in t:-'ei r development because of the PC process right now for the
reSidential project. 1heft schedu1~ i~ not sULh that there is an
opportunity to do a preliminary, broad brush review of the design of the
ha-es, The key issue that needs to bi! elr'aluated is whether you are in
supp~rt of single-family, detached nomes in that neighbcrhood, which
dictates D~st of the design issues that wou1d then come to you. It is
fair to say that ther-e 'ire a couple of neighbors here, and that the
respcnse to the comerc1al bliilding was, by and large, extremely
positi .... e. There are som~ concerns of r.eig~,bors on Ramona Street which
are, can we do a shadow study, becau~e of tne tower ~lement being proposed
to ancnor Cogswell Plaza, so could we get a shadow study? The applicant
O'/l9/9~
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1$ certaInly re{tpt1~e to dOlng that. Th~ second concern ,s to iddr~ss
tftt lighting t~lt co~ld ~ccur 1n t~~ patio area that ffonts O~ Ramona
Street at th~ rtar of tht! bu11dlrfg so that '\rti! <.Ie not ha.ve a bur drinking,
,19ht11h spot with brl9ht 119Mt', The,e are all totally appropriate,
fr1t~t) co..ents fr~ neighbors.
On Eeer-s.cf'l Str~t, the questicn a netghb,)r would ask is, why are we
burdened with the parking ra~ ~n our side instead of on the Ra~na Street
side? 7h,t reIlly was the exter.t of th~ c~nts ~ade at the neighborhood
IIIHttng5. ilbout the cOMerc.h.l project. It Is fair to sa)' that thE
~i9hbors wert not s4y1~. and therefore we totally b1ess thf design of
t~ caaaercial ~~ilding. 1 ~ not sU9gesting that. Tntt is not what they
were addressl~. But they did say they thousht the scale and the
orientition to lytton Avenue and the sep~rition of the block was a ¥ery
appropriate US! of the site, given that th~ r-ea1ity i) that commercial
de-.. riopeent is all ~ in thi) ZOi'le. Scott an.j the developers wlll anSA'er
ilny Q1 ... e~ttons atx:ut trli?' CMt€xt of thE' h~ieS, jf that .!:!.sists your review
of the cesig!'\ of L~t' c~rci2.1 building.
Hs, F';~.a. A"iother bnHd-t'~s~d Cl'oitstion n~~a(d\r,g Ult~ dem;)lition of the
existing building. Are th~re plans for those products to be recycled?
_1!~-,-....l!:.ilii2n: "'~ .. , 11 adherE' to · ... hat the city's .Qrdi nonces are Orl that
iIliltte~· .
~~: 5\Jt you are n::>t goIng above and bej'ond. That is all of my
.~ue st 1 <)11 50.
~.L ... J!U . .u: I ha\'! a quest ion for staff. Is there anyone taki ng a look at
this entire ue¥eiopment a~ a cohesive deve1o~nt, or is the P1an"ing
C~issian 901"9 to see the r.ouslng in itlelr review. whiie we are looking
it thh (lfhct bl.ii-ld)ng 3.5 an ;soh.te-d projec.t? 11 ilnyone ltlck)og at the
whol! de~elOpdent in ttrRS of zoning?
Ms Weiss: ~en this gets to th~ Planning ~~issionl they will $~e the
residentill project. The pl4nnir.9 staff is workin~ close)y with cur
contl"ict pl~nne'l", Bob Schubert, 1t'\ '(;Ioking .at both projects:. lhe
residenti.l pr~ject will be ~~~ to the Planning C~mmisslon and City
C~uncil. ThE' Cc,lI'IIIE'rcia1 project will Hturn to the ARB for final .. e .... 'le,..
Mr. RQts: How fAr is the near~st piece of th~ three-story element to the
closest r!!$ieenti.l property 1 i ne? I tried to figure it O\.lt frem the
plans, but could n~t.
Ted Kerth: inf rear setback is ~4 feet to the property line.
Mr. Ross; (auld yeu speak a llttle about the mechanit~l penthouses. In
the ele'o'it;ons pruented, they rooked rather massive. 1 am c.urious as to
how they ire going to be treated.
05/19/94
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~r1h: They are nine feet high, They will be of the ~a~ s.teria's
as the rest of the per1111E'ter of thE' buiiding.
Mr Ross: Have you studied the potential lO(iltions fer the padmount
transformer Ind any other utility connections like gas Met~rs. thlt sort
of tM~?
(inaudible answer)
"s. Wilsgn: 1 would lik.e to r.epeilt to stilff.y co~cern. If it wren't
for the tOiJrtesy Df t;,e appl lCJr,t, w,th vtlOCI I ~t pdor to thi 5 hearln9,
to s.how .us ""2t ls Mlppen1rl9 C~ ttle rest <.If the lot, wt1en ),C;J compare iI
project like this rtlltive to t~e fict th.t a dtvelaper oevelopin9 three
homes in i b'~ck si~ltinecu$ly hiS to C~ to this board a.nd show us
everything he is do;~g, i th;~k. thi'5 is !'lot an adeCjuat.f! way to re'w'it,>'W a
project "lik.e this. r appreciate t"'e fact t{1,at woe irl? hilldng an
opportun:,ty to see tM'S, but H G,)'eS :"'€rlt tj'S":I.l$S~Iit} ,t. 3$ ;!:, tct~i
project.
This is probably one of t~~ rjst ~i9nifica~t
downtoWll thi1:t "'t:' hHe-SHr. for .iI lor:~ ti"""-e.
opportunity, and I feel it is verj j~pDrtant
cogent hshion. It is ~'lJbliC ~,e;sri[';l tj""2.
please U~R ~fl~ micrcphon~.
piO'ces of n'.!1 i:':.t2(E' in cuI'
it is :! ','fry O(ltil1g
thar """ ':;l~' 2."":'Jt tt,; s. in a
?1.:-a:E' fill C!Jt ·a (.oro, ,u.d
Carl North: I li\lE in Sonora., b·Jt f (",n the lOI-YC'.lr old Vidori~n
apart~nt buildir:g c;cross the s.treet. I did go to en;.:' of the <"'€.?tirigs and
had a chance-to re~iew it. 1 nan), like this concept. 1 i'i':· a iHtle
(oncerned about tMls )'dl'"'ticu1ar eief"lEnt here, sinc~ It jo; pr2'tty close to
wnere I alll:, and .. n4t that effect ... nl be on SLll'llI9M. I would like
someboo'y to :ook at that In terms uf what ttt~t effect is. 1/1'(' I"lal'~ ill p~rk
acrass here, and iJn1\'!'rsity N';Uo:'ial O\fer here, which lS folrly l;'Irge.
The olJilding n2'xt door to us, typiC.ally known as 'IIt?bstH Sqt.J.lre, oil
G~tehoi.lse project, is soeewhat smiller. [t"'ir.~ Wi'! ne Nithi!"i 35 feet of
that proj~ct.
Because J aha hapPfn to 11ve In c.ne of th.e ... partJaents when I im down h~re
i r. Pa 10 AHo 1 1 all part i cuhr1)' (or:{~rn~d abcut ""hat k i rod of sun 1 i ght I
get. I lik.e to garden, and 1 lIKIu)d like to S~ this garden. It ICKJk.s
tErrific. S~ that is .y zain concern.
Keith Bissel: I a. the sDn-in-ldw of leota McBride, and we own a ~~ on
Emerson Street just up the stre-et across (rtwa th~ proposed deve1 oplM!nt.
'llCis.h m)' wife could. hi!.ve MEfl. r..ere. \i'e like ti'loe gefien.\ layout l!'\d plan,
but our cancern is, as always in do~nto~n Pal~ Alto, traffic and parking.
Our concer~ with this is, first of all, with the general ~ap, as you can
see, these 18 units will ill have their garages in thE ba'~ .and ~il1
access in and out of these two exits and ~ntrances here. So we ~l11 be
impacted by that. Even these on Everett Street will be c~ing out onto
Emerson Street or Ramona Street. Now, they are proposing to increase the
parking irl this. ar.;oa by about 50 percent and decrea<,;e the access fror.l two
to one. lhey wo~ld like to p~t it right on O'lT street, eyen though ~e
already nav! another underground, multi access here, These streets ire
parked all the ti~. They are narro~ streets. People park t~ere all day
long. The only vay ~e can g~t i~ and out of our d~i~eway is to driv~ into
the drive~ay. When you le~ve, you have to back out lnto tMe street. We
OS/l9/94
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are tGncerned about th~ peop\~ ind the children in this area, lnd 1 am
concerned about the access to the parktn~ here.
Two concerns I h.av~ wHh the parking. One) is it going to be Hke this
building, where it is d'rectional? In other wards, can it only be
ac.cessed cOGling fr"m lytton Avenue, turnlng: in this way, and when you
leave, you have to go out on Emerson Street? Or is it going to be "P~~ to
people cOIling off of Everett Street I down (~rson Street. trying to 1I"..)k.e a
left~hand turn Into thi s entrance? If that were t~e case, I thtnk Hat in
the eorning and the e~en1n9, we are g01ng to have a ~assl~e traffic j~ up
our street of people trying to c~ in.
Also, tne character of this bu\ldlng. Deing sulti~use p~cple, clients,
that sort coming 'in, not just employees or o~ers. but customers coci~g in
and o~t of this entrance all day long. If it was accessed down to lyttDI"i
Avenue so that you could only enter fro~ that direction, thit would ~elp
some. %fhy car:'t we 011so. like the n~sidential are~, acces~ it from R"'~(H1a
Street? That would be a great help. Why do .... e have to bear the brwnt of
the traffic on our street. ~h1ch is already prettj heavy?
1 know they are pal'"ticI.J1l'r1y fond of HEir garden, end j d(IJl't tlld:'l'.e tr.ei,
but perhaps the garden could be done i~ a manner stmiliT to City H~ll,
where it js done abo~e th~ entranct, ~aybe another layer here, or just
likE:' y011 han it r:cw, over .'IOUr" parking garage. W€ c(;':'.dd s.till ha'''~
access off both Rarr·oti;; Street ard Emus-on Stre~t ar,d \oPe could diffuse SC-2
of this traffic. In general, W~ like the pl~n, We thjn~ jt js
attractlve; we thircx 'it is. well thought out., except for thls ele~ent.
Thank )'ou.
leata McBride: I have the property at 3i2 Emer~on Street. Keith ~a~
pretty wel1 cove'red things. Hy ditoghter and son·in-law are nopeful of
making this thelr home 1n the near futun'. We have bcoen remodelling and
really doing a lGt of war\( thHe. We like He ~,l,;n and we think it is; a
great pl an, much better thar, any of the other p1ans iii€' know of that WH'f
being ,onsidered. It .111 be beautiful, but we certainly do not need ,11
that traffic on our street, if it could be divided some .ay.
Sill Phillips: 1 marl age Dear. Witter which is on Uni..-ersit)' A~enue at
Tasso. Dean Witter has been in this community for abo~t 38 years. and
this is a building tnat is under consideration for us to reloc2te to. ~e
are anxious to stay in the downtown cO~Jnity. We represent s~ 50
people on a daily basis that use services around here. As I 1M Stire you
are all very much aware, there are not a lot of choices downtown at this
point. We have also been looking it Mountain View, Redwood Shores. ~nlc
Park in the Sand Hill area, but this is something that is attractive t{l us
as a busifless to stay in Hie dow'1towj) corrrnunHy. As long as lte h~",:> been
hEre, everybody has enjoyed the community. I hope ~e can contlnue that.
Ms. Wilso~: If that 1S all of the public. we will near fro~ the baird.
Ms. Oa Rosa: This is one of the few major pieces of architecture ~e get
to see in Palo Alto. There is lots of remodelling of stores. This is a
whole block, and as such, we need to be iI€ry carefu', with it. A lot of
thought has already gone into it on the part of the Hcl1itect. l~t me
take some of the major issues. Dn2 is traffic. It 1s \Jery i~portanl that
it be designed to make sur~ that the traffic does not flow into the
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neighborhood. You can s~e very clearly that some will come down lytton
Ayenije ~nd turn into that garaq~, but e~tting is more d1fftc~lt to make a
1eft-hand turn. There;s going to be a t~ndency to shortcut through the
neighborhood to iei¥e thit 9ara9~. t do not have a solution to suggest,
but 1 think that is ~ometh'n9 that you really need to lQok at to keep the
traffic out of the neigh~rhocds. You have been making a real eff~rt, S~
fir, to sf.!parate thi s building from the ne1gl1bornood in terms of the
landscaping and the massing, and you need to look at tnat in more detaii
wit" tne traffic,
the other major, Jl.ajor im?ilct is the fact tha.t Uds is an erltire city
bloco, and. big one, at that. It is replacing a building that, while it
is two stories, has a very O"f~story feel ~bout it because of the
turquoise facia. 1t is going to be quite a change. All ef the
photographs you showed ,were very lnteresting. They show~d the importance
of detail. They s~loweCl the importance of text'Jre, of recesses in the
building, and your verbal presentation wa~ really different from the
dra'W~ng technique that Y"'I) used to present the bullding. Ttl,.:: comp'Jter
drawings make a \/ery flat building. fhe sketc.hes H.at yOfl had 9iiive more
of a sense of warmU: that you descr"\bed Ilerbally, That war1nttl and deta,l,
texture, shadow, all of those things in the photogrdph$ are really going
to be imporia!'1t to this bLlilding.
RigM i'1OW, )'pur entry l~ok) very flat. rt js Yr'!ry hard to tell from this
scal~ and )e~el of detail, but that ~s a key part of the b~tldlng. Fro~
what I can t~ll from this drawing, that is an are~ that you need to lou~
at some more. J all': a little concerned about the height of th€ building.
r think Lytton Avenue can stand height t~ere, but you need to look at it.
You ha¥e tre c~rner elements that bring down the massing, but when I 100k
nt this front entry, this whole building is really quite narrcw. It
appears overpcwer1ng to me on this bl~ck face. The bank across the street
has a very pedestrian quality at the $idew~lk. As you walk by, you ar~
not overwhelmed by the mass of the building. As I see this ri9ht now, it
; s ha.rd to understand the !ielbacks. 1 thinK you rully need to P3Y
attention to it when you do the .hol e bloco. I 1i k. the hct that the
builoding is broken up into those pieces that project out, because you need
to break up that face of the city block,
The area under the arched windows seems a little commercial in some of tne
pictures you have shown. I know that we are looking at a compuhr
dra~in9. but those are the detail areas you need to look at --what
happens ~nder those arches and what happens at tnat entry. I like your
concept of 11ghten1ng up that second floor, the third 1evel of those
pa\llliof,s that stick. out. That will do a tremendous amount to add
interest to th! building and change the scale ~f the building.
If it is 9Q,ng to be a mu)ti-tenant bui1di~9. yQ~ need to consider signage
now, so that you do not ha",e your building r'Jined by 5ignage later on. I
hope that right now, you can do something with the mechanical penthouse.
1 think this is one of t.hese few buildings where you will actually see the
mechanica1 p~nthouse, because you can step far back from it when you are
in the parle In many buildillgs, you see tne penthouse only in the
elevation, but when you are across the street. you do not see it. But
be(iUS€ you can get so far back frem this building when you are in the
park, it is gOing to be experienced in a way that is not typical of
buildings downtown.
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Ms. Pj~i: I really ~pprecjated the presentatioM with the freer, looser,
BO~ sk~tcny draw'fngs. These drawings in the packet 'Here very harsh and
hard and difficult to interpret. 1 do appreciate the additional
p~sentltlon ~ter;a15. My first re~ction. in looking at the drawings in
the picket. wa~ that there was much MOre care and thought given to tne
h!'l:dsC3pt dnwings than the buildi n9. Now I have a different sense from
your pr!sentaticn, I like a lot of the concepts that have been developed
In the l.I.ndsca.Pe plan. 1 appre:::iate the cllncern for it. I ~lieve
45 ~rc~nt of tne lot has been deSignated as open space. Unfortunately, I
don't think you have all~ opportunities for the users Inside the
~ilding to really e~joy those open spaces. The w1nd~s are rather small;
there aren't any outdoor balconiEs. 1 don't think the windows are
operable. 1 don't know if even on the 9rou~d ievel there 1s 3 way to
integnte sect! of this gnden l.ev.el to ihlke this a s.tronger -opportunity.
You e~ter th~ buitdin~ ~r~ are kind of Mit with restroom~ and an
ele ... ator. I would reallY like to see that dp.veloped. You ha\'e a
won{lerful conc~pt with the courtyard in back. EYen if tnat were somehow
Yisible fro~ the E~rson Stre-et side, som~ tralls-parency so you can see
th',S .,o!'.derful <)j)1!a ',,, the -rear. [t would mah' better spac~s for the
lenant~ jn5jd~ the b~i1di~g and for people in the surrounding
r.o?; I~h~r:.rhond.
[ do appr1!ci~te the sc~le transition in the building and the way YO!I haYe
stepped it do~n. You h~ve reilly ~ade opportunities for landscape areas,
but as J ~aid, I think those could be enhanced by cutdcOI' bdlconi~s and
opecrable )oIjr,dows" This is slJ,:h an impcrtElflt piec~ of property, and yo'l.!
oUe de:r.o1ishing a ;,ldjor structure. I would really beg you to find it your
~earts to recycl~ those laterials. I have just SEPn the wholE Old Mill
project de'!icdished. There is something hard about ooing that to buildings
tn t~is tl;r.t.. 1 also hope )'01) ire look.ing at ways for adapth'e r€use of
thi:c> new project so that If It does. not thrivi:! as an office building, it
Cin N-used if! some other way ..... e have a respomibility toda.y to 'look. at
thit in the new structures woe are p:.Jttir:g UP. especially one a.s
si9~ific.~t is this on!.
I d.on't ~{)W about thE' tower -element. i might rather se·e something more
bali~ced. I don't know how significant that is going to be in making that
such a strong ele:.ent for Cogswell Plaza. You ha .... e given that
considerable tho~9nt, but 1 wollld almost raUIH see the bullding be a
little bit BOre balanced t~an to have this tower elem!nt that you might
oniy rE'il1ze it has a reliltionship from one point, ra.ther than
experltnc 11't9 the building as a whol e I especially frO!l1 the use of the spa(.€'
inside. I don't know that ih,t will help to • large deg''',
1 do agree with the rIl4;r1tlon of the traffic studies and l'eally support the
neighborhood concerns. Those are precious neighb~rhoods back there.
There is Johnson Park behind there, and a 1 at of rtli 1 dren use those
spices. Those streets are narrow and tne way the stop signs are spaced,
they ilrt not conducive to hea .... ier traffic. People .rill look for snortcuts
In getting access back to Highway 101. If there is a way to create a link
for the train statior1, s01!1ething to encourage differcilt type!: of access to
t~e building. I think the traffic study is really important. 1 don't
think the neighborhood to the north can support any more traffic than what
is there already. That completes my comments.
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Ms. Maar: I did .. et with Uie applicant earlier tnls \:fE-ei<, znd
apprechte ~u¥i~ had that Peeling. I Wi!nt OYfl'r tn!: plans fer tne housing
Of"i' the rear of the property with tMem. I would 1 i'(e t'O mke oil couph of
o~erlll ,a..enl~ ibout tnt e~tire b1o~k before gp.tting into ~y co~nt5
ibo~t this specific buildt~, I ~ cDncer~~ ~bout th€ ',ck of transition
between this LlrgE: btJilding iHl'll HI! ]8 or so sin91~· fillaily homes:, There
,,\'"'e other Wi.j's of loo~ir\g a:1. thi.s site, ott\H approaches and ""a.ys of
trlns1tlon1n9 ~~ to single-flDily along Everett Street that should have
bteft l~k~ ~t .~ ~ight still bear ~o.e ,onslderatio~. Ther€ has been an
effort ~de to ~ke iI transition by expressing ~ tw~-story e1~nt or. the
b,ek Df those bGildir.gs, .s Ted pointed out, but if you look at the
footprint, the very lirge f~ctprint of this front building as compared
with the 18 Willer httTtl en i 16r!n 1 n the bad I there i 5 a· schi 581 there
thlt .i9ht be hlnd1td i~ Qt~~~. ~re t~c(essful _iYS.
One of tne neignb-ors, Tricla "'ard-DoH~s, called I!'e hst night a.nd wanted
mE t., express her concern .ith He cr/Jkie-cutt~r app,-c-,ach for the
residentiil buildings.. I ao,-; l'!enti("f",ing th}:c. Ol)t 'Jf ccnte~t J$ we are flot
lMt.ir.g ill theSE buildirigs, b,it I tlioug~~ )'ClU :r.ight W;'fJt to howe t~at in
),OlJf h-e.acH in ,ou (or.tirn..ie ';:tIHh t~,:-oUrsuit of this ~r,tire b10cl<. She
felt that t~·(-n.t~.H de'ie'cp~i\t-ol ~~nted appro~d). o,rah ali ('d the
residencEs b~irig thE ~a-:;; Da5ic ~;h.apl? a 1 thouq'h tr,He are 5C'-12 changes ill
the fapGI;'), b:.Jt b~,sir~ll.J' Hey i:lre .311 tr,€ s~"',e shape, it does not really
att;,,"':';:,t t<? f.1~ in 'Witi', H:t' Cjrddt€cture /Jr tho:'-Ql\.2n:ty (,If the r~>$iflq of
the ~xiSlinQ hcusi~~ in ttldt ne\0~lbDrhJod. Sh~ and Oth~r5 in the
neighborh~ca ~Duld ~j\e to SEE ~ore wariet) in the propJsej housing in
terms of ,. .. .:-Slf1g .a~,d stJ'l~. She ","":'1jld prefer H!ei~g SC'O!\C-U'nI19 that is
lIOie 1n k.~ep~ng with .. het is ther-t. In the errd, she-said th:.t people in
the neighborhoC>d feel that th(.)s~ hOlJses co r,ot r;tlcessari 1 '( have to mirror
the stylE of t~e proposed office buildir;g on lyttl1M A"enue. They ~culd
we1cOIK! scat IIKlre ex:citemp~t .and ":triety. That is out of context .. ith
tr,is n.eeting. out 1 tr.oPJg~t it !:11ght be ~ono.ething yeu ","'Ju1d like to know.
1 han a bH of a. ccnce,n n,at the open spice bEhind the offic.f! bui1ding
h not. i(.teSS~ by the reSidentiaL Here :,are protab1y good, operational
reisons ti'!.it you hi .... e f(lr CiJtt~n9 Uiat off fr~ the residential, but it
wculd bf very ~;ce to allow that ~se in t~e e~enjng. a11~ing people to
wander into tholt g.uden froe the residential. There is an attempt to
re1,att' thE' phntirtg~ vi'SIJillry )lit!'! the il1e.fli1ilY on an axis with tnat
ga.rden. txlt the frustrHion (OGleS In n~t bein-g able to .access it. You may
want to think .bo"! th.t.
Ha~ apPUCi"t knows that I am ha· .... in9 , reilly nard time with thlS
project. I didn't hold back ~y conCtrhS. and so far, T feel that perhaps
I .am in. the-r.lir;ority here, but 1-.:\11 e:r.press m)' cc-ncerro.s Olf€( ,,",hat 1 fe€:l
is a lack of vision ira this plan. It is reoally a unique opporV.Jnity, on~
that we IDaY never have-again. to provide derlser and more affordable
ilCrusing .and to pro\'ide, fer examplt, snared par-king faciliti.es that could
relieve sO.IIe of the ~.edlow park.ing that soi115 into the neighbcrhoad
Tight no~. It ~ould begin to do for this area what the Cowper/~ebster
garage does for the cthc~ erod of t(lwrl. ThiS much vacant 1a!"~d, this full
":lty hled;, \$ an opr-',ntllnit)' ... e fl~t ha'.'£: agaln. 1t u.lls for i1 rean),
\lisjoTlar), concept. an architecturai solution of distinction. This COUld
be a very exciting de"l'elopment, For me, right now, it isn't,
I will go 011 to talk about the office bDilding itself. I feel that the
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three stories are very appropriate. Ted did ha~e i little model, .nich ~e
di.d nat bdng, toda.y, of i two·stQry Ij'ersicn of thl:S with. tht! sute POud
of square footage. It covered the entire site and di~ Mot permit iny kind
of relief to the facade, so 1 im in favor of the itt~ts at t~ying to
mitigate the t~ree-st~ry appeara~ce of the building. It begins to go in
the r1ght d1rettlon. ind certainl)" tile architectural design can t'lil:r.dlt
the massing of a three-story bullding. if hanc)eo properly.
The two·st-ory elefleflts that arE!: ~Ir\t to rE"lil~ to the hou'H's, those
two-story projec:tio9 corn,prs 1 feel art' 90il19 in thi' rigtlt dir~ctio;;, but
could o:erhinly be stronger. Because the buildlng is so lo"'3. ttiis
12·foot relief that you ire express'l!1g does not se~ gutsy enough to
ac.cDlDp11sh wnat you indic.ate you are tr,}ing t~ do. It 1cok..s i little
'pplied to ....
1 find tn4t this perf~ct1i s~tr,ci1 p'!n, trlns'at~j 1nto 1~
asyrrmetricill h;ade, to be very dishJrbing. I hivE' been tMinkiflg ab-c·ut
this is. lal since we talked or. Monday, and I a!!l trying to put into ,""or-ds ~1'
disco.-nfort "-'it~ tMis des.igr}, it i~ ~'erl ~Hd, a~d j CO nc't knc.,.· \oj;',)".
Usually 1 On figure out whl.t it is tr:H is t:othi!rin'~ ,~i'.:, b:.it in Hlis
case, j a!!1 having a really hard tire tr:r'ing to .a.;'al,'ze ',..'h;t ~l disC0~fcd
is. J t~ink that part of it is, ~e h<l~'~ taken U .. is ~y-r·~tr101 p"lan Clr:J
have tnnsht&d it into ilsyrrr:'·'2'tij. 'NE' h.:.'.';: thESE f(,;J( pn)jf:!ct if,? C(lj'-,fn,
and Wf? irE' ~.,IIing, let's r'lake Orle tc.:llf..'r ~CI 'i)',at ,,';: can p," hC"'''-~i':: ro U;i3
park diagonally acros.s. on lytton A~f..'nue. lhjs ~hole cc~(ept results In a
fa;ade that just does not compose successfully, Jf reccgniljng the park
Hs-al f is an jmportant (or..ponent of the des'9i1, i th"l~ there ort .other
ways to accMplisl'l th.i!t. For examplr), possibly ~;JIJing back. it Hat
corner, creatin9 a cQurtyard, a spechl entry for so~ ~DE:Cial teni:nt or
some specia) retail ~pace, if r~t03n may be ,ons)~ered for this ouildl,'9,
II"right be very succes.r;.ful. Or turn ,t~e-tolter e1e~nt on the diiJ.'gonal or
mak-e it a different sl\ap.e-. iH' ac.togon"l sr,ap':e, s\'I:T-ething other than jlp;t
saying, on this corner WE ar~ going to push up, ud HH.'5;~ others we ril:-e
so1ng to leave ~own. It n~eds s~thing .ore to ~ke it s~cces)ful i5 i
stror.g e1e~nt. The tower I for me, c~petes with the ~lin entYir.ce of the
Duilding for 3ttention. There is no real purpose in this fi\ade. You get
a tan element, a &1edium ele.nent and a small element, and for BIo€, there is
no sense of a really successful, well conceived, overall co~osition. The
to'fter, ilS shcwn t is awk. ... ,ardiy proportioned. By virtue of the Wi)' )11 which
ft is treated architecturally. it defeats the intent of creating ~
vertic~l state~nt. You ha~e taken this vertlc~l eleMe~t afid then ~l~e
sliced it in half. You ha'ie p"ut glass stuff on the top and solid stuff on
the bOtt~lI, so you a.re hkir.g j/{.Il,.ir verticality and 511Cin9 it. You .are
really defeating t/1€ purpose of it. If you laok at buildings IH:.€' PlaZi
Ramona Street and some otn~r b'Jildings in to'Jffl. He t<:,w-er ",lerr.f:nts are
t'lore successful because Uey aY'E.' more Slender, they h.ave a center e)ement,
it center arch, as one of your sketches indicate-c. It is :'lot split lr, half
lIjith thl;!' two arches at the bottoro a.nd the four wlr\dO'll$ en top.. It '5 1
liKlre cohesive, singular statement. So I think it mig~lt be )r!'ort~ looking
at that.
I find that in the elevations, at least the eley~tjon of this driwing, nol
so much jn so~e of your sketches, there is a lack of real interest and
integrity in the detail ir.g. If YOll are inhnt t.lpon follofii1'lg U.e Spanish
style, c.ombi11eo W~tl"1 'wt1at 1ook.s to be a litHe Stanford~R)char-d'soniin~
Romallesque in some of your pnctographs, J lhink you !ieed to fol ro ... throltgh
, " ,
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"With a. richtr palette of Ci':taHirrg, ~~\.lr dt-e'P~st-t w'nljow~ ire il good
beg1nntng, but I thin~ you need to lnok at a strong basf or a strong er
be1t cours~ or horilontal molding to ~elp tie this buildi~9 tog~ther
ovlsuany. You begin to sE'S-real /'lints of this in your model, some of your
11M work, your pencil work.t but I do not get a strong enoug~ 'Sense of
that in the e1evations. The windows need to be fiamed more lnterestingly
and in a mt:lrE! thoughtful manner.
I am not sure. but I believe I am speaking for most of ~s on this board
that we would ha\'e preferred 1t I f you had brought in ",,,,,,thing other than
iii Spanish style building. I may be \!trang, and other:;: car; cOfIIIIIent, but
aiRY people see. t~ feel that th~t is the safest way to go these days. in
all the big projects thtt we Jre seeing are in the Spanish style. The new
cHnic bu1ldin9, The Hamilton. Ufli~l!rs1ty PlaH., ..ti\ch is i yeiY
successful Spinish style building. We are thril1eJ wh€n somebody suggests
a ItOre. innovative approl!.c.h.· The internaticn.;:.1 style building t~at William
Su,ut brought in was '.I2ry ~xciti.'9 fer iIlOst of liS. The buildings on
lytton Avem.!e. the bank., the bUild!ng on Everett Stre~t\ the LyttCil IV
building. all of these had a certairl vitality and interest of themsalYes,
It excitea' me and certainly folloltls the direction thzt CPAC is going in
'iIIanting to support a diversity of styles in the downto1'!n (om;unity, !
don't think any of us want to ~ee P~]o Alto turnin; into ~nother S~nt~
Barbara. One of HrF.' Uiings that makes Palo Alto s.peclal and m:tkes. it an
exciting piafe is this diversity of style done well. This l~ a
prt>il,minary review, ojj() you 'nave an oppurtunity to rethirJI. the style of
the exterior, With your dimensional 1 iwitations on what f~n be done to
relie\iE the I'j\Ono11thic as.pett of the ext2ricr, another style that allOWS
you more freedom in the use of matHials might a(./'1iE've the modulation you
are sr-tk.ing.
I hdve problems with th~ garage and hilve discussed it with ae appl ican:.
We had thf! same problem ~1th The Hamilton. [did t~lk to led dnd tne
Hoart peopJe about this. As you are cOIPin9 down, you i;rmediately are
forced into a ISO-degree turn at the bottom of thi s ramp, r want you to
maka sure that this turning radius is large enough to allow that tc happen
easily so that you are not 90lng to be swer~lng out into this ether lane
and conflicting with exiting traffic. As people were talking here todaYl
it occurred to ~ that a solution to this might possibly be to have a
down·r~p here with some planting aboye, Qnd an up~ramp here which would
exit onto l.ytton A'ienue. lhlt ""ould at 1east 9i"~ you the opp.orturdty,
with some reconf1gu~ation, of coming in here a~d not have to make an
hmedi.a.te 180~dl!9'ree turn, not confl ict1ng with exiting t,.-affic. I have
not completely thought that through, but in that .'Y, it oould be ~r. of
a symmetrical plan in terms of your ramps a~d would allow some tree
planting on both sides of the stre!t. relie~in9 som~ of the directional
traffic problems that neighbors were expressing.
The other thing 1 have a problem with is this dead-end here at U,e
bottom. If all of these spaces are taken, and YOLI are coming ln there
100king for a space and you reach this point I what are you going to do?
~ou are stuck there. Even if you hay€ it bGc~.up area h=re, as you
sL!ggested~ you really need to nave a coup·le of empty spaces in w~ich to
bad. into ana i'f.3neUVef out aga.;n. I do net think thh is ~ bas)ca)ly 90eo6
design t{l start with. r would t.ake a stror.g look at Plaza Ramona 1 whictJ
has para11el floors, rather than a continuo~s1y s)opi~g fl~~r and double
ramp system. a ramp for each level. It allows you , when you get down
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Mere, to continue to circle around unti 1 you get back to the ramp and can
get bad cut in a way that dCH!s not mean you t1aYf!' to jockey through a
.nole bunch of positions in order to get turned around and get yourse1f
back 1n the fight direction.
As I guess you have gathered. r .am generally not supportive of the
architecture of this bui1ding. fven accept1n~ the style, r find it heavy
a~ devo;d of richness or interest in retaillng. propoitionally off the
IJIrlc As I slid before, H is difficult for me to point to anyone thing
on t"is building ind say. do this an~ it will be corrected. You need to
do SOle strong, conceptual block busting and relook at this. Tweaking it,
for., "'ill not do it. I am lIery relieved that this is a preliminary
review, and I look. forward ttl being able to .suppnrt this project when you
return.
M,.. Ross: r. too, WOLJld like to give my thanks to the applicant for a
chance to review ttl; s project IIti thin the context of the proposed
subdivision. That was very h'i!lpfld to me. First of all, I noted in the
staff report that flagstone paving is not an approved material. I.
however I a~ very sUDpnrti'1E of alternate paving materials in sidewalk::;,
and I thin~ you should pursue it as strongly as pD~sjble. Those issues
haye been worked through with Public ;';orks OTi occasion. feel that they
add a lot of interest to the walking surfaces of town.
On the traffic issue, first of all, 1 think it is probably true to a
cedain e..::ts-nt tnat tnen hc:l.~ been an adjust::-·':'nt in the r;eigtiborhoQd to
the fact that the .exlsting buildiniJ nas been .... acalit for some time.
Although probably p€~ple would not feel they have noticed it, on the other
har.d, the new building is going to be pro¥iding almost three tjme~ as m~ch
parki~g per square feat as the old building dld, The use w1 11 probably be
less 1ntensive) from a street parki~g point of ¥iew. t~an previously. I
would be supportive of some measures to keep the traffic from lE:ak1n9 into
tl'1e n!!ighhorhood. If it were separated ramps or somethlng of that nature.
it would be great, with the caveat that j really lo¥e the garden and would
hate to see it modified in any s1gnificant way.
Another t,jog that might assist the neighborhood. little bit, and from my
own exper1~nces in the example, a lot of the parking and traffic problems
in that ni!ighb-orhood come from people in the ic!'arly evening hours, when ycu
ha¥e the overlap of the theater u~e while some people are still workln~,
pluS a n~~r of restaurants in operaticn around there. Even while going
to pitK up take-nut food from the local (hin~se restaurant there, r find
~yself ciTciing three or four blocks $e¥eral times in order to find a
plac~ to park. So 1 don't know if there is some way to a1low the public
to use some or all of this parking garage in the e'1Ening, but it would be
something tnat might be heJpful to the rleighbo"i"hood in terms of the
ov~rill traffic use throughout the 24·hour day.
On the housing aspect, I am lOOKing forward very much to the upcoming
re'1ieJt of the styles and location of that. ! am a strong supportef~ of t~e
z-ero lot line, is to 18 houses per acre approach. I thiilk it is a great
transition between the commercial area and the rest of the neighborhood.
especially considering the more ma5si¥~, denser use which could be put
there, wh,ch also ~ould ha~e a mucn great~r traffic impact tha~ the
proposed housing d~velop~ent will na'1e. So that is another point in your
fa¥or. traffic-wise.
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One other com.ent. T~e 20-foot-wide ~11eyway in the hOusing section may
net pro~~ s~fficient for backing and turning into 9~rages if they are set
buk M th~ rear lot lint. That 1I;9ht ~ something to lool( at. In
generl), In .cst plrklng l~t devel~~nts, a 25-foot backing space is
required. That i.s purely f~r IUneuver .. bil ity. I don't know if you can
snelk th.t extri spare there.
On t~! b-Ji·ldlng itself, I think the shadow study is a great idea. ~y gut
tells De it wiil reve~1 a not too significant impact on the adjacent
blocks, is ! gUfSS th! sun ang)e is c~in9 up more cr less towaras me over
the project. Except in th~ sho:test day in winter, it is ~robibly not
9Oi"9 to b! sn~d~ing .ucl'! ~cress the str~~t, since across the street is
~l.,st diru:tl, "orth of t.n~ 'Yictorian ipartaent building. But a Shadow
study wo~ld be very useful, and r hope you lnclude t~e tr~es in that,
be~i ... se Here are soee f.irl)' cature tre€'s alcng t~e"e that win also have
iln i~ict Ort the .sna<l"" sto::iy thH !!jay. in a s!nse, help mask the
snadowir.g; of the b'JiidHt9. To Lf".dS'!"stand t~e whole shado .. impact of the
site, it i~ useful t1J inc1dl2 th€ trefS.
O!i.tl ~I~ jt€~, en th~ PQr~bg. Pi?o~l~ 901,19 aOlofn there arid not phnniii9 to
'Stop afi'::l ':l'~"'! bilcJ; !)~t are 9cJin9 to cOJltr;bL!te to the confu::;ion Hound
there. I cr.:,,'t kr,cw if U·.€rc is. sc("<.", ·fia.y i{J har:dle it, cut if there wt:'re
SN":-e i:~nj of s.igna;;:e t~at wr,:n tlje iast spa;cP. 1$ t3.ken~ some kind of a
littl~ a-~E'r,.li~~'~ tht ·"")'.l1d C!,:'-:-on $') that people do Ilot go in there.
1 don't ~no .. if there ls ar:ythi'ig lO',€ that ani l"-ble. I dOtl't think you
... ·a:'1t t.o gilt into a ~itL:atiOil .,here lOU have a ful j·til:1E, live parking
.ntendiint. bwt ~c4'rHr.ir,9 that prevents people fro~ gotng in, touring the
thing, getting into a dead e~d and then e~iting bdCk out into the
nE"lghbort:p.,~ again WfJuld bt:' :'F.i pful.
r am obi)' ""it!) the ?'sj1:'metry of the tJtJilding, although I agr.ee .,.tth
Jull'='s CC~rlts about the tcwer being divided, 'With the trallsparent
el~el1t (In He top. ! think t1'lat H.t: persDE:CtiYe study raises the
trol.!'lsition btt'ltten those two slight. Is that correct?
Hr. Korth: It incr-ea.sed the iIIOunt of iIIIIall surface. (inaudible)
Itr'. Ross: For Ire, that helps a lot to make those second-story Windows a
littl~ tille;, so thit the trlnsparency of the third floor is raised up
fro. the war it 1~ sn~ on the C~~ elevation. I also agree with Julie
thlt the tcwer el e.nt d!)es not see!!l to be a strong need if 'What you are
trying to do is to pily nOllagE! to C09swell Plaza. I usually have a prob1em
.. ·lth Stf!ing bulldinqs that ari! a"like lnd seeing the elevation at the same
11 ... Once th€'y are actually built, it is very difficult for tM
elevation of havilig the SaF.-E! iropi:lct of syr.metry or a s,)'!lJTletry , in my
experipr,ce, I ~aye never been able to s.tand in tt1t! right plClce~ look at a
bun~ing and bE is offended by the asynmetry in real 1 He is I might be In
;. drawing. So 1 take: th.<tt into account a bit when I say that th€
lSygtetry does not bother ~ too it!uch.
I a.'"l'I with ~v.;oryo!'!e eise on the b{Jud, 1 bel ievE:, that the reveal s and the
shado,,' liMs, etc, ire pretty critical to thl2 texture of th.e building. It
\IIould be he1~fljl to see thos.e. r do get ~ bit of a sense from reading the
drailfings, bL.:t it is always helpful to be able to actually see it dra",m
Hlat way.
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Regarding the !)I,irdtn nu, i war1t to oIppl iud the selfct ion of trees in the
h,r"9.e sizes. Or.e of the thin~s that wijll NXeo this 9iTden .I iIOnderful
place right away is the planting of t~ees In t~e lolrge1t available
IWturtty SiZE to give the effect Hit is cle,:!re-d -there. ThE" ""·incM and
36-inch box~ trees will ~ • whole lot nicer than the usual five· ano
ten-9111<1n trHs. It is g."I"9" to ~'v(" I lot of iMpact right i!:Wi!)' , and the
arel will only get ~re be~utlful is they nilure.
) would like to see the ~h~n~c.l1 ~nthouses .inimiz~d, if they can be,
once you st~y the lechanici! equjpsent. if tM€r~ l~ ~ WAJ to cut rl~n O~
th~ size of thon I 1 tttle bit, pull i~9 tI'lMII bi(~, tD;j~ e-.fery foot th~t
yo~ pull tnee back f~ t~e front a~d sid! faces of the buildin9 is goin~
to he1~ ~ke th~ less Y)s1ble f~ the Jdj~,ent pyhl,c spaces.
Chtry 1 aade a cO'JIBEnt. l !, k.t, ¥h i ch ,,-a'S to s0geho'W try to plJ 11 thE gud'l2.ri
into the bui1ding a little, to blur the distinctio~ ~twt£n the garden in
tne rur M-:1 tne b-l.d'idii".g, .a.s i wcl,1'ld out it. It ~a)' r;ot be 9o!o:'iibie fro;,
the frent entry, glo:en the lO:Jt!cH1 of t·~€' (1e·:,r ad th t,~ . .dldij1g layout.
but t f ttlHe is :::cme \oI~y few l~f-I"ear -s\.·,.':;-e c,f He s.n.Y.JI-:j fi oor to ~lye
the garden feeling pu1lad in. 1 t~j~k ~t ~~~ld b~ a ~~rj f~cce5sf~1 ~rea.
~~_rth: You win see it st.r".;ligirt thrc!'.:gh ~h~ lobJ),. b'Jt tni! is a gl~l~d
pClint.
Ms" Wils...2L!: 1 a~ nre in ... l'.Jli~'s n"'p. ! Toe·!l]}, .!r;J'r"eci;ned U,e
cpportu~ity to 5e~ this early on. It ha~ giYen ~~ ~ let af ti~~ t~ think
about H. My first recction ... as ore of d~$ilP;;oir]t~enL it wC.s not H,at I
strangl), dis1iked !!that )'0;) ar'€ doing, b<!CiUH' 1 onnGt put i'i. thdt way.
But it \lias diSaPPOintment. O\'Sappo;nt~nt in I"ocvlr,g t~e-opportlJnHy to
de-velop a ."ho1e blOcK iiS a JIIu\ti·1.J~~ projf'ct. Ttli:' de-'o'eiopn is turning
his back on that a~d t~kj~g the €iSy vay o~t with just a straight zoning
ipprQic~. It is not tht f~ult of th~ aTthite~t. 1 have a'~~ys h~~ i
dream aOot.lt U1ls. SitE. It js .a personal dreit~. arld J .,.c;uld not ,'cdd )'ou
up for ,t ana tf this is the lpproach yCu ~ant to tik~, that is your
ri;ht. J will not stafld in YOl!r "sY, b-ut I h.'{e to say! iUI relll.Y
disappointO<i,
I aJI also disappointe-<:l Ir. the irchitectt:r2. You S~~ lii::e a very capable
person, and you i1a~e shD*1'l us a l(lt of the -..ork of ottJen.. anci a lot of
I'listory. I would 1 i ~e to Moo-' whilt you think, whit you think about
architecture today. fs then! 11. flivor in this-that you c;n persof'lalize
and lUke ft 1994 or 1995, wn(:-never it \11'111 be-bUli't? We seem to be
dwellirl9 in the past a lot in this COtftC.Jwity, and you have wonderful
histDric buildings with a wonderful fhvor, but it .,..in be a reC!.lly bDrinq
city if we ke~p doing this. Each ce',eloper tna.t cemes. in has hi:'> one .
building, but we see them all coming in, as Julj~ saj~. Stanford seems to
be setting the architectut"a.l tone for the entire cOMIIunity, an<l 1 don't
get it. Stanford is nice, but it is i fal1il. I do not feel justified in
s.tanding in the wly of this architectural stylE if this is. tryly 'lilhat the
owner wishes to pursue, but to ~ it is not a wond:erful contribution. W€'
already \"lave so much of it. But that is for :,.11 (',f )'I)!J, 4~ a te::t?i, to Soit
around ~nd decide what YOII I"eally want to do.
! had the same reilctiori$ to th~ sitE circulation. 1 was wonderir'lg now
E»ers.on Street w~s going to tole!ile al \ of this.. That whole iS$U~ of
site lines coming out of the parking garage and the circulation within the
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IJarage --we battled with Th~ Hamilton for a long time O .... fr dead··end
circulation in a gar.a:g4!!, I thinK that needs more study. If yotl do
de'lelop two ingresses ind egresses to tne garage. you should thi nle. about
no-r1got anO no-left turn signs to keep people out of that n~i9hbornooO.
I think we could do sections to the dr1ve~lY~. You s~ould cover as ~ch
of that drj~eway as po~sib'e. 1 have a feeling you cculd cov~r .are of it
than yo~ have, even with a trel1 i~. even if it bcWs up til Iltt1e. sOIIetlling
to keep softening the throat go'ng into the garage, I know there are
shorter driveway opportunities, J have seen them, so I hope you c.an
accomp1\sh tn.t, too. Tllat may ""an shifting tile posHion of tn.' goede, a
little hit in e1ther direction. I think you should pia)' wit" that and get
as II\Ich of l cover as you POB i bl Y can, whethp.!" Its tay.s. on one side I or
whether yO" split 1t. I am in favor of splitting 1t.
When you come back, 1 would like to see acre contextural dr~~ings. r
~u1d like to see $Dfte block faces, sections to blocks, c~aring the
helghts of this building wlth buildings across tM str*!et. Hut
relativity to ~ is rea11y important, ! stc~ cwt there ind triEd to
imi9;ne it. I do not ~r,o., hCl~ high the University Barr~ BtJildir.g is. {it
is 50 feet} "ell, tliat makes me feel more c.oit1fortabh about what yelJ are
doing. So y,:lU i1.r~ probably ck.ayo but it is t'le1ofl;1 to 'icE that, eYer, in
dla9ra~· fon:<.
'fou haVE a ',Iery unusual property line condition en lytto:J A 'd:?rwe , Jr.d
tn\"k ~Ol.l s~r;.uld tti"'e .!dnntil-ge of it. 1 a":'J 'i'e"ry ;'\Jpp~·,rt i-.'.e of )'O'Jf
flagstone, and 1 think you s~ould push real hard ~jth Publjc ior~s. Gi~en
that it is your property~ not cit)' property out quit;: a "!IIilyS f(o~ tnat
building, i think you have more of a case, so ~e will continue to sypport
that.
This building is going to be a centerpi€'ce on Lytton A¥p.n:.J~. Te rr-.e, it
will be kind of a flagsh1p building, supported b)' a lot of snal1er
structures that are exist,ilg, so it is really important ttnt it ~o1.c1 its
O~ as a hi~torical1y s1gnific~nt landmark building,
I am convinced that you want to do a q~ality building, This lS net ~
quality issue. It is more of a s~bjective thing. My response to the
building and the arcnitectural styl~ that yOu ndve is disappointment, 1
was not as able to 9~t to the core of it as well as J~lie did, I thought
her description of the relationship of the plan to th~ f)evatio~ ~lS very
irl$ightful. I was llnCOlifortab1e a.nd 1 thought to mys.elf, why do you blant
to see .-;:Ire s,YItnetry in this building when ordir.arily. I do not like
s~try. I HI," aSJ'1llllOtry, but there w>s something trcub110g... I know
one of tht issues was the entry, and I kept focusing th~ entry, That
competition at the corner is disturbing me. I think. there is {lpportunity,
even in mail'1tairting this architectural style, of that entry bay having a
very different character from tne rest of the building. Y~ur statement
that it i$ a. see-t.hrough entry is not cCX!!pellin9, ircr.itectunlLv, Iliir.e
that stat ... nt. I think the interior lobby can be redesigned. I think
tnose restrooms CQuld be pushed against the stairwells, if it is going to
be open ind s~e·throu9h. It should r~a11y be accurate. SGm€one me~t,cned
putting some greenery in pots through that entry. which would be l'1elpful >
The corner issue is a very interesting one. ~'e had a building on
University ~."enue and wrest1ed ..... lth the same prob1em 1 Uie tower, and
trying to mdke this stror.g corner W~ are talking about. I thinK it works
really wel1 1n some pla~es downtoWfi~ such as t~e intersection of Cowper
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05/19/94
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1"4 Haml1t()n~ where it is highly s<Jc<:essful. But this Is a location wherE
I am not terribly sure it is successfu1, because we tend to Tose the
pedestria. scale. Maybe the height will fly if the street 1 ".1 Is
sOMhow lAde IOOre pedestrian. That might be done in the wily that Jul1e
descr~bed of opening up the corner a littie for more extens10n of the park
feeling. Why J always want~ to see a mixed use b~11ding nere ~a$ to see
that kind of retail and pedestriAn vitality on the street. Maybe you
coul d iCCOIIp 1; sh that at the corn(l;r. That would bS! great.
Speaking of the other building on University Avenue, It ,e'me< like it
wor~ed better when we droPged the roof d~wnJ similar to your two-story
bays.. I tt't1rtk t~a.t is stili a pi)ss1bl1ity. i am not sure that this
(arlnot be resolved, If this corn!r is maintained at this height, I think
something h.s to be done to distinguish that entry. 1 think it should b.
ItOre transparent, architecturally, the scale ~f tf'll; wall, everything,
Maybe it should havE a different roof on it. It seems like something
pretty eXC"iting could happen there.
r support mQre detailed studies and solar studies. the meclianical
screen'ng issue, etc. I loy! the character of the landscaping, 1 think
it is wonderful. J ~ope it will be available to the public during t~le
day, I can see re .. s:ons: why yQIJ would Io{ant to have control over it. You
certainly hJve a rlght to control it at night, but ~aybe ~ l'ttl~
gatewd..", One reason why I .000rr, about changing tne drivel-i.lY entrances i$,
do .you lose ,th is 'Wonderful IJzteway i ntD the cOLlrty;;.rd? To m£, tr,~t j s a
terrific~11y'stron9 ele@ent here. So 311 of those f~ctors haye to be
weighed. 1 am flOt sa~irl9 one C,i another is absolutel.f r19nt. Ihat could
be an interesting amen1ty for the neignborhGod.
The si9n39i! and lighting hiS to be considered.
Regard1r.g the r!cycling 1ssue, 1 ~ant to u~derscore tnat 1 haye read
statistics that ouilding derr.lJl1tlon makes up 40 percent of our garbage.
It is a really significant landf1ll problem, :;0 if ther~ is ., way that can
be handled --there are businessp.s t~at take the stuff away so they can
sell It. I don't think It w"ld b. of significant cost_ There might not
be any cost. It ~uld be good publ;': relations.
] do not feel justified in commenting ~n the resid~ntial sector at this
point. It is hard for me to believe that we ar~ downzoning residential
when we n.ed housing as badly .s we do. Although it might .. an a few more
clrs in the resldent1a1 neighborhood, the scale of ho~sin9 in that block
is all apartllent buildings. There is so little single-family ho",1ng_
What you are doing is a very easy way to go, but it 1$ a wonderful
opporturlfty. A.ll the people who could 1 lve on that property 1 pI'"{lvide
affordable housing, people who 'Would use our downtown nights and weF!kends
without using theil' caM, 1 would think it would be a more profitable
Situation for you. But you are going to do the numbers on that. It is a
PC, because of the lot size, so it is a wide open canvas. You can do
anything you want to that is well designed, and I say, 90 for it. Let's
not give up this great opportunity.
Ms, Piha: I don't thin~ r stated it very strcngl.l', Mike, but 1 would be
so much more excited about something other than a Spanish style building.
My first impress1~n was that this looks like a remodel, rather than a new
building. You are gOing to a lot of effort to de:nol ish a structure, so
why not m~k.e it a new statement, J don't kno"" if you have considered
05/19/94
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anyth1 rig e 1.se.
Mr. Wi]sGn: T~at is whit I was going to address. ! really appreciate
yo~r cc-.nts and feel that they are very w€'ll thorJgM {lut. We wl1l
definitely go through them. We r •• lly .ant to 00 this style of building,
b!Cluse we feel it ;s important as a transiti~n lnto the,residential
neighborhood. This 1s not Gn University Av~nue. It is not even an
Haailton Avenue. This is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. We took
the ttlle to .-eet with the re-sidents behind us for tnree nights this week..
UniveTsi'ly (a~ there were at least 45 people who showed up) they were
.ery coofortabl. with thi, being adj.cent to them in t.rm, of the styl.
and texture of the building. That is something that we ar~ not going to
odju.t when we go b.ck to huddle. I f •• l v.ry ,trongly th.t w. h.v. to be
sensitive to their neighborhood. We have done modern architecture. We
di~ Charleston Place .ith 1ed , wn1ch is an award-winning project that I am
surf ~ny of you ar~ fimiliar with. The Oracle Building in Redwood City
is Qn! of the greit pieces of contemporary architecture in the bay area.
But we feel that in this particular n~ighborhood. to ~ork with the
neignooTs and to keep the character of l,vtton A",Ienue j ntact, that a
tr~djtlonal style building is appropriate. The University Bank Building
is across the street. There is a transition there. They could do
>o~thing.a little diffe~·ent. but "e are ri~ht IIp next to housing. In
keeping with that whole streetscape going down Lytton Avenue, this would
be ~ ;!!',ore appropriate iIt~y to .Iddress it than to go and Co something that
is. $c~e (OM. ('Jf modern architecture. I wu~t to be YEn clear r.n that.
8'Jt iii€' 'lriitl1 take your cO"'".;l1€nts crtd 'lI'e look for!'l'ard tQ ~ee1ng you again.
Xr. __ .B_Q~$: I nllVe OM other COtTr'l!ent I overlooked , and I want to throw it
~ut, although it is very small. It is the location of the backflow
pr~l;enter. t k!\GW th.at sounds siny, but it is '1ery !'\\cely disguised. I
am wondering if you had any co~nt on that from t~e Utilities Department,
bec.use in my e:-:perience, they really put their foot d01fn, once YOli get
more than fii't! feet away frQIt\ the property line. If you (an actually get
)t bad; there, 1 win sho'pt IJP and tat<. tD them with you if you want. 1
reany 1 He it where it is. J hope they are not 90i119 to push you towards
the Rancna Street property line. They are usua11y tnrown in as an after
tho~9ht. I really apprechte )'our thinking about it in advance. It might
he interesting to S~ pedestrians, but I find th~m very unattractive lf
they are right ~n the sidewalk. You hav~ put it in a good spot.
Keith 8issel: Could I make one additional comment? I like Julie1s idea
of perhaps entering the garage on this side and exiting here , also ycur
c~nts abo~t appropr1ate signs. 1 would be tempted to go down Everett
Street and Eeerson Street and enter the garage here I rather than trying to
nusle the traffic at the carner or. lytton Avenue. It \ll'ould be nice to
keep all of the traffic flew in and aut of the garage from Lytton Avenue
an(j back to lytton Avenue. If thClot can be done with ,'Signs, great. Maybe
we can do things that we have dane on the edge of the Stanford campus ,
which is to block off the resiGential ar~~ from th~ commerciai area on the
street so that people can only come in and out of He garage from lytton
Avenue. Tne people ~ho would access the residential area would come in
off fverett Stre~t. That is a suggestion.
K§!_yi.o Knopf: 1 like these gardens also, but they cauld be located like
the gardens in this building on top of the entrance and exit, and you
could expand it all the way across. 1 think that is an idea to consider ,
also. That would make for a larger garden area over the parking
entrances.
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pllnn1ng Co.1HioM ~t in a nguhr meetlog on WedT1esday.
at 7:35 p C"l. 1M the Council Chambers. with Chairmin
£rum: C~ission~r:s Ste-~~a:!3, Curas:co, (assel. Ojakian, Sd1ink
10<1 $<'-i61
rutn1: issle-ner Gl~zier
Staff Pr1:str'lt: Sus Case, Senior Assistant City Attorney
L i s:i rob, Zoning Ad'SIini5tr.at·:)r
Hancy le. CMit T Phnn11'1S' Official
~r"IIir: ~Nay, O;-'ief Transportation Official
Rob-ert Sc bt"rt, Plat1n~r
C!rl Stoff \ Trar,sportatiL'n Engineer
_C_h_i_.Lr?~i~ __ .Qj_ • .It.La--,~: COC'T':i.~sior,E'\ Gluil;r f12.$. nad an unexpected t,usif1ess
trip tdi'1o'. '\. . . \
OK.:"l CQMU:J.io;i;:e.Tl0'.S \\
C~L~...i_T_:::#11 Oi,"·~j.ai;~ Tn', fir3t itC'-, ['-n\ .. ~r ~~End~ l~ Cl!'J1 (,'-,-IJnications.
At tf'\:;:-~t1,:,,;e,-ari:. ~i~bn 'Jf the' pun1ic 'li!;~)'-speak to "Jny ite-: that 15 not
em the <l.ge'",dol. Seeing no sp-?aw,HS. Ioi-e ",).,'\1 r,:::ve on to the Jlt;"!xt agenda
i te:r..
APPRI)\lAL OF MINuTES \.
AGfNDA ITEt"'; 1 Approvil of Jul)' 27, 1994 Pla~ni COrm'lission Minutes.
~n Oja~jan: Does a~Y'Hlt: have any corrections ·,r COlT':!'.ents on the
~;nutes, or j ~ticn!
~: C_iss;oner Schlljdt: r FOye lppro .... l of Ue. 'rlutes Df July 27.
1994.
~: By Cosmissicntr Carrasco.
MOnQN PASSES:
oppo~ed? Thit
abstiining ind
Chairman Oiaki.o: All those
pisses on • v~te of S-O, with
Caa.is1ione~ blazitr absent.
in fa.o~. say Aye?
Comissic-ner Schinr.:
All
Stnce 1 C",i5sed the fast planning co"",:;issio..ln meetin't. J l'iant to thank
c011 !!agues for a \lote of confidence. Even; tl my abseflcE (or perhaps
beca:US! of my aose"ce), I was Sfdected to boe the Chal'-of this
commission. I appreciate that and ~ill do the best job that I can,
PUBLIC HEARINGS
AGENDA JT£'~ 2 2~\ L'inO~I;UE MiD 30\-337 [HfRSO'; SIRlU_l.fgnin,ula
Jimgs-iribune Buildin9): Applic~tion to rezone a portion
of tOE property from RH-lO, CD-qP) and PC 3111 to a
\
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Excerot_ Palo-Alto Planning
Commission .minutes of
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Plann~ Community (PC) Oist~ict in order to con~truct 17
single·fa~jjy ~nit$ and four ~eco~d ~nits. ~'so a chang~
to the COMprehenilV! Plan desigr.ation or. a port1on of the
sib from R~ionll c.~unit)' Con:cercicl to Multjple-folmi1y
Residential. Setback var1ance$ and a tentative
subdivision II!.lP He also r~que$ted. £r. ... jronlrlE'nUl
Assessment: A n~~tive decl.ration hiS bee~ preplred (~r
this projec.t. F'IIE Nos. 94·1C-7, 94-CP·2. 94-SUS-3,
94-EIA-IO.
CDlmliHioner C.artHeO; I will not partici~ate in this itM oIS J own .a.
piece of property locate-d hillf a block • ..,.y frl);l thE project.
C_1ssioner Schi!'lk: I 11$0 will flat p.articip.ate because .J wife's
business is .ith1n 300 feet of t~t project.
Chaimn Ojakian: Does shff have any CCfm)ents to f."'Gke?
Kr Schubgrt: There a=re two ba:;lC ;ter!1:; bt'fore )CU t.>Jnight. G::P. is. the
residential project, which j,1cli..:does. thE (01",preheCl:loi'o'l' Pil" r.£r,~-;€nt, thr:
PC zon~ change, 2nd the setblck yariallce~, The other ba~ic ite~ is thE
tentative map, ~hich inclUdes the rntire block. 11 ~cula dj~i~e the
offic~ and residential portions, a~d it .ould al~0 subjjvid2 the
reSidential project into 17 single·f~~ily lots Mith Dri~~tf str!@ts.
As you will recall, the Co~is$ion conceptu.al"l)' apDro'.'ed tt,{, r~sHJ€;iti.al
component wt1en t~ey re'Yie,,"cd the F'( lOM ch.ar.g€ {)r; JL1ne 29. !he appi \cant
subsequ!ntly went before t~e'loni~g Ad~ini5trJtor and the Architectural
Rel/iew EY.:iard, receiving approvil:ls. for ti1~ tMree-s.tl.lry, ~4,9('O·:!.qwar.c·foot
office building wtth twa levE'ls of I.Ir,dergrour,j parking.
Following the cormri!i:i;Or'J':; conceptual approval of the r-e.;;iceiitlal
component, it woO'nt b(!fore the Architecturai Re'lie-..: BOHa t,,'lce. ThE. hrst
time the ARB requested s;ubstant1,il changes;, T~e appl ic,u,t re ... iseo the
plans. The mii" change WiU tnat they elieinolte-d ?rle of Htp lots (,n
Everett Stre!t. W~en it wt~t back th~ seco~d ti.e on i 3-2 ~ote, tne A~B
recot!Dende-:l a limited approval flf t!H! project, reqlJlring the appl1clnt to
restudy and p~ssib}y revise the architectur.' massi~ of the houses, the
solar orientation, :nd access to the pliza fr~ th~ office project. Staff
is recCHRtRending that the revised project be i.ppn'l'Nd without subslilnti.l
cha~ges..
rinaily, we received ill ietter from the Pa)o Alto Unif,e~ Scheo' Oistrict
dated August 12th which jlo'J have this Evening. The letter requ~stS' that
funding for the school district's facilities and operatio~5 be required IS
a condition of project approval. How2¥er, sinc~ th! school di~trict does
not currently have a sd~ool jmpac.t fee in phce, tl)i! cit.v car.not require G
fee as a condition of approval ~f the project it this time.
Commissiqner Beecham: I am not Clear on one aspect of the ch~nge5 before
us. On Rar,lona Street, the width, curb to curb w111 be reduced from 35 to
32 feet. Can you revielol where tnat three feet goes., a.nd tiow it mayor !':',!y
not affect l~t lines and the city's access?
Chajnn;;n Ojakian: So you are ,asking about that reduction of three feet on
the Ramona side, which 15 what we disc;USHd for d fe..-rnjnutes. at
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yesterday's precommtss1on ~~tin9. We not~d that this may be th~ first
t1ae we have done so~thing like this. Is that correct?
Hr. Schybert: Yes. it is. Currently. the existing sidewalk is loc~~ed
entjrely on private property. The appl iCint is proposing to dedicate
three feet along t~e residential portion of Ramona Street. Fol1owlng tha.t
dedicatfon, tnree feet of the area wnere the Sidewalk is currently located
will be 1e<ated on the pr1vatp. lots. What we ~nd up with, as C~tssloner
Beech .. tndicated, is that the curb-to-curb ~idth of Rawona Street w111 be
reduced from 35 to 32 feet. It will be 35 to this poj,t, and when you gel
to the residential project, it w111 narrow <:l0WTl to 32 feet for the
Tema1nder of the project. Outside of the property line, there wiii then
be i Sidewalk, and between the sidewal~ and the curb, there,will be i
f1~e·foot planter strip within ~ich the e~istin9 street tr~s .iii be
located .
C.m'ssiongr Beecbam: What 'is the cQI!IIMln d'sti!'lC~ be he-en property 1 in~
and curb in Palo Alto? 1t i$ my understandil'lg that nOrfP'lany, there is. ,=.
plarlter str1p that ls approximately two or three feet in width, plus the
&idewalk, and th~n another Olle or two feEt that is typically city property
b€fore the actual lot line begins. Is thzt correct?
COIIJ!T"cis_sioner Scb.Q1iQ!: I have so!!,,! str~et questlons, to!), T~le dra;,.;llJg up
there does not 111ustrat~ tIle narrn~ed stratt, but do~s the drawjnQ we
hay~ at o~r places i~dicate th~ narrowed street?
Mr. Schubert: That is correct.
Corrroi~s.iQner Schmldt: Ramona Street already narrows in the Mxt blod.
Is that portion 3? f~et wid~?
Mr. Sthubert: The .applicant in.dicates that it is 30 fe~t, f.) YOjJ carl se-e
an the plan, it is alsa not in alignment with the p~oject side of Ra~na
Street. lt jogs oye~ that w~y, so by narro~in9 It down, it will get
traffic ~eaded in the right direction.
Comrn1isigngr Schmidt: rt will be aligned better if it is 32 feet down to
30 feet r.ther than 35 down to 30.
Chairman Oiakian: S,ince Bob IlIE'nti~ncd c:or-rssponJence. did staff recElve
fr.., Classic Coomunities the letter dated Sept.mber 13, 19941
Mr. Schubert: Yes, ~e did.
Chairman Ojakian: 1 wanted to erJsure that it is in the puLl ic record,
A'SD l it appears that we do not haye an Architectural Re .... iew Board I1€mber
present tonight.
~s. Grote: Unfortunately, we do not. Their co~ents were summarized in
the sta ff report, but I can 9 i lie you ali tt 1 e more de! a i1 if you woul d
like. They did giVE it limited appro~al, and they did agree wlth th~ site
layout j including the lottjng pattern, the building orientation and the
use of t~e all eYiolaY$. They did' want tht'! project to come back for further
architectural detailin9 and some amoanities on the buildings.
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Chjlrm~n Ojakjan: If I understood 1t right. that is something tnat staff
~id not ~!cessaiily agree with.
M$. S~Qte: After the first ARB ~etln9, the applicant had proposed a
"'V1sed 51te design lfhich included thE! 1 ass of one unit. We sUPPlJrted
that, bec~use it did incorporate the architectural co~nts that the ARB
had made, and we did support the revised proposal.
Chairman Oiatjan: if there are no furth!r questions, we will open the
public he.rlng and hear from Scott Ward.
SCott Ward. l Q68 East Meador Circle. Pilo AltQ; I am with Classic
C-=-unities, the pT'Oject app11c:ar:t. Y{)U may recall that our th~~. in the
earlier presentatiQn, was abcut transition. We talked ibout transition
f~ commercial to re~idential use, fr~m an active commercia' district to
.a ~ess intense residential ne1ghborhncd. We talked abOllt transition in
teMls of the process. We hid conducted an extensive OlJtreiicn effort and
work~ hard to ma~e this i ccoperativ~ process as opposed to ~n
~dversarial one. We talked a little bit about transition in term~ of new
housing type~. Palo Alto. oyer its recent history at least, has had a
very 1irnj ted set of housing choices .... hich, if'! our view, do not cOr)tribute
to diversity jn this cO~!..inHy. We tal~E!d a little bit about tr'';r)sHion
in t!l"'!T1S of golng 5.0 far as to tdlk about planning paradig!lls arid the
transition fro~ a ~orf monolithic, authoritarian p~radj9~ to a paradigm
that respects neighborhood a little mora and responds a l1ttle ~ore to
some of the urban vlllage concepts that are bein9 developed through the
tomprehensive Plan process.
1~ni9ht, our theme Is about continuity. We are essentially back befor~
YO:.l with the same phn that you approlr'ed unanimousl) several montMs agD.
The plan has changed, in O!Jr ~lell', in -one .~ignificint respect, in ord~r
to res:pond to :lome ARB concerns regardillg lotttng a.nd issues of vniety
and diversity. IrrIIe reduced the number of lot:;; 011 Everett Street by one,
giyi:r.g us the opportunity to bro-aden the lot, broaden the house alld do
SCM arcn; tecture along Everett StrlO!i!t that I th ink reflects a more
tnditional bunga10w sty1e that is onf! of th€ several styles typi.;::al of
the neighborhDDd.
We introduted three differ~nt h~ typ~s within the floor plans. Again,
thE-T! are ~ssent ially two repeats al-on9 Everett Street. Thos! are the
only repeat hDmes of the 11 that are treatin9 this continuQu~
Hret!tscape. We tia'v"e maintained the alley pattern alon9 Ramona end
Eeerson Streets. There are no repeats. Each unit is uniqu~t that,
combined with variations in terms of roof planes and c!)lor and detailin£'
we think will con~e'y the unique character of each vnit in the prDject.
We listened carefully to your comments regardlng the conceptua1 appr~yal.
We have attempted to respond to them as we went through the ARB process.
We think that we have conUnui ty aga i n t-oni9ht in tern,s of nelghborhood
support. This has been fairly typical of the turnout in the ARB hear'in9s,
is well (no ~ne present on this item). Input from the neighborhood has
been generally limited. We would 11k. to think that that reflects tacit
support. There ha~e been some aggressive statements of support, and there
have been some c~ents regarding relatiYely manageable architectural
design and detailing issues.
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We l1.shned carefully to )Iour C-Orr:r,.e11tS regarding below+market+nte (8MR)
t~11~nc! on this project. We have no~ enter£d into an agreement with
thf ctty to develop a four-unit apart~nt building .t 330 Emerson across
tl'te str-Ht frCMII this site. We irE-dOli19 that 1" addition to the four
c~rrilge unitl th4t wil1 be developed on site. They are expected to be
.. d~ IYoIlht<leo as .'i~C(ln.c dwelling units at relatively 1.,.,,-rents, Cllthough
t~y ~il1 r.ot be contr-olle<j. We haVE elected to do that, e'o'en though H
1 s probably Mt strictly 1n our ~st t.ccnomlc interests to Deve' op those
"Mts. TMN 1 s prablbly a t\igher cost assochte-d with taking the,
inltlative t~ build the low-inc~ ~nits. T~!y wl11 be made iva11able as
1cw-incoae rental uniti. It would be tYP1Cli for most deyel~per5 to opt
to ?&J In in-lieu fee. We eie(ted not to do that. We are building
low-aart't~r~te houSifl9 in a n~r of communities in northern Santa Clara
Cour:t,Y. ft think it is In i~orhnt part of serving the diversity that is
pcs5ibl~ to ichle~~ in n~ h~ projects.
We, il"l.::ldentilly, )till be before you -"<Hh anoaer PC 20~e apPlication to
:ccOltlplisn th~t ilftfJro\le~nt, .so .. ~ he"e not only signed on for the process
of bul1dir.g th-t: neJ( p!"flject, bl.it ~~ ha ... e to go through ~ fairly extensi\le
!n:tltle-!""r".2r·t effcrt for the fowr-Lo!lH building, as ~.en.
'Ire i'1a ... ~ .1:)0 heej£'J lU:.Jr (cr~"ents r€-go:rding public benefit, ~E made our
best eff::1r-t tD in:.or~c·r-atf' as. ~Jch publ ic ben-efH in thi So project <'5
~as.sib!E'. We ha~e encouraged staff to rec~on Qff'$ite pub1ic benefit in
the c~}culati0n of plJblic b~nefit for the project. We know that that is
an issue, ind ~il1 certainly leave that to your consideratlon. From our
\li-ewyoir!t. the off< .. ite pwblic benefit aSS(1ciated "",ah the additional
parkin9, tht' I';lffice buiiding <ina the development <Jf a significant gard!n
,ou~t eleBent thit ~;ll act as a transition space betw~en the co~rciij
ind rE:s'fdentlal e1er.ents of ttle project are important benefits that "'till
hE-e"1joy.;d by the owner!: of these hD~.eS, as well as by the cOrmlunHy at
lH:;Je.
1,0, addition to that, it hiS not b~en fOtllla1-ized here, but it W1S suggested
It t"~ ARB t'tur;ng that we inc1\lde as. .1 portion of the public benefit some
scrl of visual pr~stntatlon co~rating the farmer use of the site. the
newspaper \IS!, in tone lobby. It might b€ possible to obtain from the
nchi",es (If tne Ti6e5 Tribune ceTta~n mellEntos. or copies of front pa.ges
froa DeaOr.ble diYS In the life of the newspaper. We are prepared to
fDn.alize th~t coaaitment.
We would encourage you to supp~rt thE! staff recoanendat ion t·ega.rding
J.ppro~al of tfl,E-PC and the tentathe J:lap. Thai1K you.
C~jsSlQ1'1er Schm~dt: 1 did not see in t~e p2C'ket more of an Ele ... ation or
de~crjpticn of the fence bet~een th~ t~o praperti€s --the office building
and the residential are~. I wondered what tt will look like.
Mr. Ward: It is in the pack.et for troe office building. It w111 he .ab.Qut
a seven·fc.ot-high plaster fence. It will have ~oree scale to it. The
widtt; of the fence will be ei9ht to twp.l."e inches. It is going to hav~
SOf':i! mass to it. We are making applil:ation at the en.d of this week. i;{J the
ARB fer what we hope will be their final, relati\lely conditional approval
",ltt-. minor cOr')ditions. lhat submission will include a gate at the rear Df,
the ~lley connecting the two projects. The onl) break in the plaster wal'
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will ~ two woeden 9Jtes.
CQ!!1$$19"'t S'b!jdt: So tnf~e will ~ i gate (o~necti~n bet~ten tne
re$id~ntlal Irtl Ind the garden, W~~t;s the ;nte~ded use of that garden?
Mr. Ward: We l~ tVl1~lt;ng t~_t r.GW. and we I~E ~'vjn9 some discu~sions
with t~r develcptr af the office building. T~ 9lte .il1 be ~ed by the
office bYildlft9. TbeN 1S SOfIE' t!lSCi.lssior. about the technical feasibi'ily
of ~I ... ing iI locking 811!c:hilrdslI on that gilte thilt ... i11 be co~sistent 'IIIith
th~ 'OC~~n9 ~hlni$aS on the gItes on R~na a~ £~rson Street3. The
garden court and access f!"'Om ttH~ allfo,)' ~tluld on1y be .'il' li:ble during
buSiness hO\Jts.
r.i,SsjoD!:r S.c:t,.idt: So i1 Irigt.t be accessib!e-to thE residents through
the 1.11e), g,tt during bus~ne~!. ~CI.l'l'"'S. (Cc'rT'ect} I M.l.d SHi'. tnt: sect iOM
in the pIcket, ~t J WJS CUT'i~U5 if the elevation ~lS j~st one strajg~t
snot wit~ nothing hilppe!,lIr.g Dr: it. with trees 1n frent of it,
Hr. Win!: On t1'1~ re.s1de-ntiilr side, He €,xpe-:tHiC'1') is that It wj~1 nwt be
articl.lhteo. Ti'1tre .... 111 !',ct b", .. 'cot ""f i'e\Hf e.io!"'~ the .,:~1\ in ti!r1':'S of
the constn;ction /;iterial, 'IOtc c~n 5e~ in t.~t': \.a;-,j5cajJe Dlan that it is
expected to ce ~er) heavil) pl~nted.
{:,.:mrrJ..u_.L~D3;r __ .E~_~ __ ~_b __ ~_~: It 1 ,"ndi':-st.::;~:j ((l:rectl:" yJLi r:",r,tiOT'~£lj thcH 01"
1he new fC~T-Un'\ build~n~ t~~t ,CJ ~il' constr~~t on th~ ~a{a~t 10t
~r.rvss tt':e street, .l'L'U .. iii f:02ed to (0;-;? in f('f a l-'( en U).i,t. (ies.)
~or.d2red if Hut put;;, us iiito .; bind in that )!€, are rJ_"f( conditio,'1ln9 tll1s.
li.ppl ;cat ion on .;lOi01g sC"I\oeth ing tnat .... '" '",; 11 1 iitN need to .:ppfove in a
c.onditiJnal lIermer. I asSUW' :(Ol.l .. i11 biICk up jf tMCit PC is not appro\'cd
~nd just So i.hu.d ilnd .Pllly th~ ~R \f\.·1 'leu f~e\,
Hr, liard: Yes, t~e zgr~€'t)ent cor:tains nat pro'''';sion,
t~e.1rn~i1 QiakiaT1; TJ''lilt'5 1n H~ .st~ff report JS. a; 5 pen:cnt 1n-1 iew
fp.e. We got i~to • I1ttl~ bit ~f i di~cussion aboyt thit tn tb~
precoeission he;ar'"9. Putlaps I'!s. Case CUI CDIIBE'nt (.In that "fteor we
close the p~blic he'ri~3,
CQI!!issioD!:r Casal: I D hil'oll~ trouble wiUt thi:5 tn.ns1tion d~ from
t~-e c~r.::i;.l iT\ttl tM r:!s.iO(!nth,l ~rE'i.. "OJJ SPOf:.f. about trii.os-itiof1 frem
the residential i1\t<:l tne residential uu:. 1 H hi'lling pr-oble=s on the
other end of the property, the trir.sition fro. the '~rc,al into the
residential aru. ~y undl!'rst.looing is thit you aske<l for in ;,nc:re(!,se in
t~e h!lght t~it wo~ld no~lly be reG~ired fDr this bu,ldin9 within th~
nu.ber of feet that it is fr~ the resid~nttil units, Did you ask for an
\n'r!as~ of ten feet?
t-!r. Ward; Yes, bwt that is rean), not !fiy departAler.t.
J'ft!. Bae,r: I ~Iave bten ioIQr""!\g wHh the office b .... ilcUnq a.ppl icant. The
office building applied for and received a v,nj,znce ind also recejYed ARB
approva? en precisely the issue of level of s.etback and heig~t, relattllE
to the resid~ntjal pTc~erti!s. In the first hearing ~ith the ARB, one of
the issues on which UtE)' expended conSiderable effort \lias that it had been
a ta)1er offict buildi!'!g 'i'. th? first 'IHS10n U.at ca.me hefore the ARB.,
Then there are step·do'ol'n ",ings on the office building on all four corners
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so that t~e rear of the b~11d1ng i$ ~ lower point. The setback b~t~ten
the cff1<:f! building 2nd the res1der\thl is much greater thai1 any
ordinances r'!quire. Notwithstanding that, J need help .,..ith .... heH,er it i:;
125 feet or 150 het within .. residential1y z.on€-d prope-t·ty that l
c~rcial property cannot exceed 35 feet. lhat, of course, ~1"S that
that is something that would hit all transition ZQnes like Lytto~ ~~enue
on th~ north side.
A height ~arilnce was rtquested. Our understanding is that th~ ap~.l
period for tne granting of the varjance and for the ARB approvil on the
officII! building has expired so tholt the place for trfat deb.ate nCoW rests
with the residential ele.entl net in the office element. The ARB ind the
appliclnt and the stiff did work through a series of iterations with the
hope that this was a c~fcrtable transition.
Comrn;ssiQner Cassel: I have another question relati"9 to thp distln(~
betwe-er'l the hOlJses th;e,t arp. next to that f.ence and thE' fence it~el f_
Mr. Ward: let r:'!:e amplify ~n th~ otli£~r ccm~nL Hte d'i-sta:lc€' fr(i,'!" He
property line to the first building facc-, tl'1at i.s, the h'u-sto'r :Jffjc.~
buildilig elern-ent, is appr(lximately 35 feE't. ~~W. It hi:l~ l(;cr~ilSed frc-::-, tn~
32 feet that ~ere init1~11y proposed. Ttiit t~o-story ele~~nt itself h~s a
depth of about 12-;/2 feet. So there i.:i .!boLJt 47-]/2 fe~t fT"c,-, n"f
property line to the tl1r!:'e·~tQry building face. T.ho,", it is an['t~.2r fcwr
feH from the prooerty lirle to the rt:!sidE'ntial bl.lildirJo fa-c;=.. $,; it. is
o ... er SO feet, bui l-ding t'aCt: to cui ldi{lg face. ~
ComlissiQner~: Hy other question deals .... itb tht: jr'lte-rfHe bet"€en
that face .n·1 the house. YO!.! have a fo:..r·foot strip in ther~. iih.t is
that supposed to be for? HOlA'does jt look? How IlOES it feel? It S'fe~s
ratner ~arro~ there with a seven·toot-tail fence.
Mr. Ward: It win be narro~l. It will probably tend to SCi','>; a s.HVlce
functio.'1 for that unit for Di"e s.toragi! or other lJutdcor equiprr-ent storage
uses.
Commjs~jQner Cassel: Tn e four~fnot strip?
Mr Ward: For storage, yes, but not for US!. r nave a tnrf!-yeir·~lo son
and we have a lot of stuff that III'Jould fit very nicely in a fo~r·foot-wide
$p~ce. I am not maklng a case that it would be a functional. active
recreat1Qn space.
C~1ssiQner Cassel: Can you service the top of that house fr~ that side
with only four feet of width? Can you get up H paint that side c·f ttle
l,ouse with only four feet of width?
Mr. W'ud: Yes. This is net atypical of other n.eO\' hOI!le subdl'llsions that
we ha~t done. We have suggE!ste<l that it is fairly typi..:al . .a.. nu..l!'~ber Qf
new home deveiopments haye been built with four-foot side yar~s. Tn my
knowledge, maintenance of the bui lding .,all s on that sidf yard has not
been a problem.
Chairman Ojakian: If tnis remained R.~·30, now man.)' units. eQuid be placed
on the site?
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Mr. Sdwbert: Th1rty-seven , whld1 is about J5 more units than ""hat we see
here. It is a 1.4 acre sltP. at 30 ur.lts per acre.
Chairman Qjakian; So for my b!nefit, Scott. why would you opt far 17
units versus 37 slightly sma1ler units on this slte? Is th!re an ~conomic
benefit tc yOUT doing this Wiy versus the othp.r?
NT W3rd: It depends ypon how you reckon economic benefit. In our view,
stacked condoainiu. ~n;ts are not as ~arketable. They do not command as
high a price on a dollar-per-foot basis IS do single·famtly h~s in Palo
Alto. It is possible to co..and a premium for a new, single-famiiy hOm!
in this aarketpllce. iherefore. while it would be possible to lower our
cost by defraying your land basis over a larger number of units. the
profit ~rgin associated with the higher density is not substantially
higher than .nat we art propDsing here. lhere Is greater risk attached to
tnat as the ~arketib111ty is not so assured.
Finally, there i.s history in Cal1fornil recently of' a. lot of litiQation
surrounding homeowners' associations and commonly he1d property. In fact,
about 70 percent of homeowners' as.sQcll;tions are 1n litigation 01' hil!,l~
been in litigation at ana time or another against their contractors or
developers. Consequently, many developers are categoricaily out of the
attached hous i n9 market.
So whne 1 would not place us in that cat~qory. we <1re VHi mindful of
that experience. When we have an opportunity like this where m~ny of the
adjacent uses are conventional, single-family uses, ...,~ ta'i<,,= advMtage of
it.
Chairman Oiakian: There.,.,as some talk earlier this €'verling that these ;are
single,fam:ly homes with multiple bedrooms. What is your expectatiorl on
the number of children you think might re:.ide at this site?
tir W.trd: I wt:uld say that; n 1 ight of th~ fact that we just recei lied iI
copy of tne letter from the school district today, I will be careful about
!ICy response. The school district est imate of a hal f iI student p'!!r unH ; s
not in unreasDnable estimate. We think there is a rtasonable expectation
that the market segments to which these units will oe attractive wi11 be a
balance of younger families who are not now in a position to by,)l a
single-family home in Palo Alto, and we expect to have a fair
representation elf empty nesters Dr mo .... 2·aown buyers who halle more home
tnan they know what to do with in Palo Alto, and want the downtown
!xp!rience. That comes to eight. or nine chlldren.
Chairman Ojaki~fi: Would that change if the density were 37 units?
Mr. Ward: I don't think it would change appreciably. In fact, it mignt
be lower. We have had experience with attacned housing in other
cOI:IDunities, and 1 know, for lnstanc.a, that the ratio ttlat was agreed upo~
in a project of about sao units in Mountain View was 0.1 student per unit
that was contested by the Los Altos Unified School district. It was
attached housing at a density of over 30 units per acre.
Chairmen Qiakian: One of He thillgs that was brought up when we heard
this in its initial stage'was that 'Wl1en this came back, several
cOrrr.1issioners hoped they would see something to mitigate possible traffiC
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congut1on frOll thls site. I believe tt'1rC!t of thE' ccmmls;s\oner~ c.ornnented
on it. 1 did not see .mything 1n ttJe staff report tMs tfme that
indicates that lnythlng has been done a~ut t~at.
Mr Wlrd: I can tell you one thing th~t we have done. although 1 am net
certain as to whether thp ,~raffic departmtnt will .appro~e it. hie did
propose that the alley that traverses the ~\te from E~rson Str~et to
~r.l Street be one way so that there w~u'd not b~ the same volume of
trips there. The direction would be toward the east. It wou)d also make
it poslibl! for one of tne neighbors who ~wns a ur,it on Emerson Str~et.
"ich oight .. impacted by the alley in that it ,lts at the end of the
al'ey along Emerson, it t~~ld receive headlight glarf if the traffic were
two way. Wi! have ~n infonted, since pl""ap.Jsing the one-wilY al1ey, 'tnat
tt-Pf trlfftc deplrtment "is not comfortabloe with it and wi 11 r~c(lmmend that
it be configured two Wilt, So we have mde same effort.
~ did niye at. exte~sive discussion in the ARB re~(ew of the office
bi.JHding regardirig dual acces.s. into the parkin9 garage from £merson or
Ru:vni Streets an(! then out on the other s,ide. lhat ilternative was found
to b-!:! inferior for sen·ra"1 r~asor.s. First of all, Ell1er.s(lo is. .a
subital1tially wider slreet than Ramona. it is capable -?f harldling mc're
traffic. Secorldly. ~ith the narro~i~g of R~mona Street even further, it
did frot make seose to add additional cOn7Ti~Hial traffic to RamIJna S~re~t,
Tt1ere are al.')o tedmic,l fssues asso·::lated .... nh thE" efficiency of ne
p.ar~il1g s.tructure which supports the !',i!'l91e ~,ces.s from Er:1erson Str~et.
Cgr.llliSSiQ;'ler Cassel: Is He proposal that you iilre pre.senting to uS
t~nlght the one th4t you intend to take before the City Coun,i1?
Hr. WirO: Yes, subject to some changes in terms Df arc.hit~ctural detail
and aiso the coni,ectio-n iii the alley. We do plan r.m :.ubmitting a new ARB
packigt to respond to the d,rettio~ from thE ARB ~"d t~ m~ke changes with
respect to tl'1e iirchitertuie. ~hose concerns were essentia11y minority
~iewpo~nts. but we wll1 oe b!ck to address them.
C,w.jssiQrle:r CilSse1: )'OIJ said that the courtyard area win M open during
business hours. Ooes thit mean it will be closed on weekends.?
Mr Ward: Y!s.
Con;;ssiontr Cassel: So essentially, it ~il1 be unavailabie when the
wori:.1nq people in the units ar~ available. Those are opposite n'.lurs from
.nen the residents will be at ho~~.
Mr. Ward: That 1 s correct.
(Ql'll'l'licsioner Schmidt: Regarding the gate and ac.cess to it. you have said
that it will be keyed, and the keys are to be being rnaint~ined by the
office buildin9. Did yo .. consider 'Somethin9 like a card k.ey C.ccess from
the reslde"tial area t~!t would allow thEm tD use the area?
Mr. Ward: We did consider that, and it is an approach that is not
acceptabl~ to the office building grouD, It would be a concern for
pol,ce, if not other emergency services, in that if the expectation were
that th~ park ~as open only wh2n the building is open, security is
relatively easy to manage. If there is pr;yate access available to the
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~~~.rs It i"Y ti~. pre~u.lbly they could go in there and ha~e
parHes, etc. nit would raiSE' l11bil ity issues for the OIfflE'f of the
bUilding; it would r,;se security iS5ues for the ~ner5 of the bUllding
,and perhaps for the city, IS ~el1. We conSidered it. and we c!nnot fjgure
out! way to &I,e it practical.
CO!I;sS19ntr Sch!1dt: How is that any different from. say, the plaza in
frer.t d t~e b1.lildlng .ar. the corner of High Street and University Avenue,
which fices out lTlstud at irnfud.
!!It WJttd: l'MT"t is the ;.s.$U~ of \"s~bi1Hy. "'that is a c01"!trtllled space
~1th i lot gf eyes on it. r~ere is i lot of ~ye~nt through that space.
: do ngt think they Ire ,oaparable spaces. Also, it is important to put
thts i~ conte~t. There lr! ~ nu.ber of pirK ficillties in the i~iate
y;c;nity of this site. There is r.~swell Pl~za; there is Jonnson Park.
We h~yt rt:$.11.ted. i. CQMi!ction bet'oH!e-n the alley <1M tM! (lffici! building,
~Iu~e ~lrt of tht th~ for this project is the noti~n of getting peepl!
;'ac~ ~lJt" on tnt public rigM.s--of·WiY, l"1~y+ng this be a pedestrian-friendly
e-nvirOrllJlE:"1t, nert navi:"19 ex(;llS~V':-or privil~ged acces.s. to .a. particular
a!·,"ni~}', We -do not really .a.~·pr,?Cl.ite the need for en)' connecthm there.
To )laH. 1% !pet O~ :'0 alo::'1 '",hat .... i11 0-2..1 well plal)ted sidewlH with a
fi .. e·fo(lt ,orilr1tel ~,trjp pr'H.:.:tir:g yO'; fror""· au curb :ind the parr.€d cars
d~e~ flot seerr iik€ ~~ i~·;;osltl0f1 on <l ~.o":'o3"Gw~er. r think it ~ill be
cc~.si.s.ter:t )fiH, th c:l~EC!;;tfo~1 of PI:: buy~r:s of tfJi"sC' ji('~,"'S, So \I!'e trrink
it is a pitt:"r.ti.I11y Li~f::fiJ1 re1it~, b:Jt it iJSt. ti€' catefully j;I:ln<!g~d .
.t.·,i .. -:-:-,J.?.l.i.£.ner Sc~;c,idt: ~s 1 rp.ca;ll, ,o;,Jld Hie fir:.t floor f.os!.ibly be
cc~rciill ver~u~ uffice SPo.Co::-?
fiIIr, M',rd: it tou'ld bt', t.:.J~ 1 C!C< rwt ""ant to cr~ate ,a.r~ expectation that it
win /)e. Our f!'xpe-ct.j:tivn i5 H~~t it win be an office use.
hOlriissiOf'1g.r S;;"''''ldt: If it were co~er(jal. then '~i would l~ pOS5ible
ti'1it tn!' '93rde~ ;J,re. ",01 ... 10 be open diJtir:g (orrtT1€r'cial hULlrs. r,oh,ch could be
on ..... eoe~E-nds .
.LWnqjJn OJ,,ld.n: Seeing"o other spe,;,k2rs, 11I00I111 close the public
portion of the huril"9 ilnd bring it back to the comission, Are there any
fijrther q~esticn~?
C.Q!!!!!i:s.~jDner Cass!l:
q~estior.. Ms, Case,
wHPI .tllt the publ;c
th.e Pist?
I want to inquire about the pulJl ic. benefit
could )t:lU CDl'ml€",'It cn any ccns~stency \II1e may ha .... f:! h.ad
~ntfj tis .Dyer the yuiet
4
v of us.es 'We have 'had ;n
Ms (loa: we haY€: beo2'r. VeT)' libera1 in our interpretaUon of the public
benefit o't·t!r the )'urs. One thing that staff has always tried to
encouTige you to do, which we believe has ~en fairly s~ccessf~l, is to
require that ttiere be some nexus or 1 in~. behun the pub} ic bendi t that
is appro\red and UtE ~ppro~ill that you ire giving, OHler than that, it has.
bceen qUite br-aadly jn'.erprete~. We have had both cn·s.ite and off-site
benefits. We ha~e hid cash pa)~ent$ that were for sc~ethjng different
than what was app;{Jv~d. 'Ire ha'o'e a1 so had thir.gs that were inherent about
tn€ niiture of the project itself ap~roved. From our pOInt of view, we
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h~ve ~lwiYs been able to is sure ourselves t~lt there h~s bEtn so~ linki9~
thit is reisonable, sometning th~t people c~n see betw~en the project .nd
the ~ublic benefit.
Chlirmn Ojtk"n: Reqlrdlng the ,5.'/')001 distrlct letter, [ wint to e.,sure
t~it 1t is clear on the publlc reco~,
111 Cue: Let fie .xpand a 1 itth on that. As. Bob Schdb-ert noted. th'f
school district hiS an 09PQrtunit~, under stlte law. to adopt l fee
independently of tne city. They n.v'@: to go throl,lgh cP'!"'taitr stitt
procedures to adopt it. This C1ty school district hiS nct ch~s!n to adopt
a fee. T~ere are WiyS that t~ city has to .iti9ite l~.cts u~p.r CfOA.
1ft. have the-per"IWit streul tnip,g Jet ~ic.h Tf'GIo'ires that .Itlgations .)f
projects and requ1re.ents and c~nditiO~5 of proje.:ts hi~e to hot' b"sed Or'!
SOMething th;t is set i$ of t~ tjae-tnat ti'le ippl ic."tlor; for HIe project
is. deeeed c0ll91ete. !Jnfol·tlJ~lt~l)' for tn.e schOOl d·t~trict\ the)' did
revie" the ?roj~ct, !ifd at Ue tillie, tne.v ~r~ gi,'Er'i the ·,pportt.:rdt)' to
review it for er1vtronl'!K!ntal rel'ie;,r u,.j 1'1·':,ject re~'i~ •. H€y dc.:i€ not to
mah any c!>.'1Ir!ents: llr gi\le their input.
Then the aoplication ~as a,ce~ted as cc~~1€l2. ard th~ appl!cJnt ~as
basicany told what reC!,uinmenh he .... .i!$ go:r:g to h,:',e 1.0 foiir.,.'.
Subsequent to th~t, thi school di~trict apparentl)' rfallzed ~~E)' h~j s~-~
problems, but the)' ,r:-e rc>.ally teo latf: to CO~,2 if; ur"j~r C"H ~'r,:'~.;ss,
Sir:ce they do not na·,f;' an ir1d£pen'~cnt or,E of Hei, [, .. fl. 2t t.his pOint, I
suppose it is thF!oretic;:Hy pos:s,i~)t thal t~.ey (Ciuld lr,::h'pen,j~~tl)' still
initiate a fee. J would not ~ant tn giwe a legal opinlon O~ tMat~
hwp,ver, Th"t would be b-et ... ~e'n HtM (;nd tt1e iIIpplic~nt. At tnis pOllit, as
far a!i .getting a condition out of our iPPio· .. ,l proce:.s, we b-el\e,,-e they
are too lat€".
~f"'i"""~J.lU'=~~~1"!l!!;, We have 2 $ectio~ Erttitle::I 'Varilnce Fir'1dj!",os. for ElDe'nt'~ Str~et.· Or. Page 19, "t> ha.\lt' C{H1r:iiti!',M.
tenta:ti~e Subdivis.ion flap_ Tw-') of these conditj.on:i in'o'olve "I6)'ing
out e-lec.tr1ca1 IJt1)itit's ~CI,)fl.6iti'Clj fa) and other I.Itilit), tonstruction
(Conditien fll). In t~e put, we hi\lE tilll~£<l on the coAll'lssio:" dmot
trying to ensure that electri~ll utilit}' ooxes, biCkfiow r~qlJireaent.s:,
etc., are aesthetically pleas~nt. ve na~e SPOK!n ibout h~ we Cin help
ensure that what goes in nere is indted aesthetic, and not ~iaply whit is
engineeringly cor;venie11t, as life h;¥e Qone in the pist. 50 1 ha .. -e thought
of some lan9~age in here that .ight help, ana would ~pptetijte yowr
co.aents as to whether It does. Conditi6n 18 st.tes, -The electrical
e-qu1ptaent for tne residential project shall be pad-!lOunted. The '~cation
of the required pao·!DOunted trllnsror"lfer shall be subject to relfle'1t and
approva.1 by the ARB and the utilit;es depJrt~nt. An acces.s ease~nt of
the pad-mounted equipment shall ~ pro'Y1Ge-d. The .e.ppl-;'coIrJt shall obtain
appro'llal frOOt the (Jtilities En.gineerirlg D1""sion for the detailed
electrita1 )ayout.F I would s~gge$t adding, ~The ARB and the utilities
depirtment wi11 work ",·ith the applicant to 2n!:.ure that aesthetics arE:'
considered In locating the electrical equipment.-I want tc raise the
consc;oas~~ss for ae~thetics.
Ms. Caa: j luvE a c~ment on that. E'ither then~ i~ ARB approl'al 01'
there 1$ not. Requirir.g that the appJ icaot ",'ol'k with ttle AR~ does not
state either appr<l\lal or non-approi'.id. it seems. to be somewhere in the
middle, I think we need to nave mQre concrete requir€rnents for conditions
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of projetts.
Cqamissigngr Bgecham: I agree with what you uy. 1 Jt.at do not know .. hit
more we tan do at this point to define aesthetics .
"s. lytle: As 1 read the intent of that statl1!ment, it is to ha'lle the ARB
actually assist the applicant in adVocit1ng bett~r utility placemEnt.
CplFissjQner aeecba~: As wel1 as the utility department.
Ms. Lyt1t: Yes, I think. W1! are safe, at this point. It ha.s. been s.ade
such an issue, at this point, with o~r utllity department? that it has
bee_ .... thlng tllat tll.y .r. highly. highly consclou, of. I 'now til.
ARS is conctrned about t~at point. and I know that tn1s Ip~icar.t is also
cancerneQ .bout that lsswe, as well. I don't think we need it, ~t DI~
you could make 1t a directive to staff, separate from the condition, t~
satisfy the 'ity attorney tClnignt. lrie cO:lld lfork. on that as i cvcpentj~e
go.al.
Cc.m.issioner 8eeWi!.!: I ~now w! ha',re had meetings in the past on this"
and yo.U ire lI':lJcli c10ser to what ~t.aff is dDing nO'll', so if you are
as~ertfng that t~t utilities departm~nt is much more co~~cious of this
than in HIE past. I am 'Io'il1ing, at this. point l to re1y on that. nil! s.a"'~
comments app1y to Condition ~jl.
t1~~J.,g: I ~ould also like to say that a:;'surl'1ir,g lOU approve :;c::-,ethir.g
tonight, or at least do not change the part about, the ~!:, the ordin"r:c€'
\oIIIill be changed to add the in-lieu fee alterrutil(e. It 'pIas ne,t put in He
ordinance because! failed to catch that prO'lllSlOn of tl'ae lIgreeiltent.
Chairman !J.ii!..i.m: As I understand !t, we ha~'e tlo'(1 iHlJes b-efore us. On
the one nafJd. we have the PC zone chang~. along with the CO!,"Preh~n!il ... e
Plan change, and imbedded in th~re, we have the $etbad variances th~t we
!'leeo to appro'lle. That is why the document tniilt COfT1'11issior.C'r aeel~lim
referred to is i"'+lCirt.ant. because it ir.ch:des the findings for that
Varf4"C~. We also have the tentat!ve subdivision map ipproval thit we
need to ~ake, and al50 included in that doc~nt that CGArnission~r eeech~
referred to are the findings and CDnditions fc')r that. Any IltOtion we lM~e
tonight needs to be targeted towards those tl\'() itells. alQng with if',)'
a.lterations Wi! need to ;lake. 0'( we can approv€" the'll .as ls.
Ms. CaSE; It might be easi~r to take these up separately, doing the
Comprenensi¥e Plan·a~r.daent fir~t, then the PC, then the ~arlances, and
finally. the map.
MQIlQtt: Commi sS'iOf~er 6eed1am: 1 move that we apP"{Jv.e staff
recommendation U: Approve the atta-'::hed negative declal·atlon. finding
that the proposal will not result in ~ny significant ~nviron~ntal
illpacts.
~: By Commissioner Schmidt.
MOTION PASS'S, Cn'ima.lLill!.UM: All thos. io fal'or say aye1 All
OPfFosed? That passes an a \'ote of 4'0, with Co,\,lii'llHioner.s Carra.sco and
Sch1nk not participating and Commissioner Gla~i~r absent.
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lt1I.l.DtJ: Comriu1qaer Beecham: I mo ... e that t.'e accept staff recoll1'l'1er1daticn
'2: A;:Iopt Ule .attach!Hj resolution appr<l .... in9 tht> Comprehen;.;ve flhn
usenduM!nt to change the land use deslgnation on a portion of the s.ite from
Regional Community Commercial to Kultiplt Family Residential.
~: By Commissioner Schmidt.
MQllQN PASS[S: ~11rman Oiakian: All those in favor llY aye? All
opposed? That passes on a vote of 4D O, with Commissioners Carrasco and
Scnink not participating and Commissioner Gl~zier absent.
We have lnother $t.ff rec~ndlt1on to adopt the attached ordinance
a.end1~ th! Planned Community zone in order to rezone the property from
RM-30. CD-C(PJ and PC 311l to. Planned Community Distrlct'in order to
construct 11 single-family units ind fo~r second units.
~: COmliss 'cner Seecba"..: I mo .... e approval of the staff
recommendztion regarding the cnanglng of the zoning to a PC from RM·30,
~: By COi'l'fljis:~iol'1~r Schmidt.
.kQrmljOC$joner B!?E!t.harr.: I want to say thllt i think U1c number of iJnits. on
this sHe is entirelY i:pproprhte: for the 1nte-nt, It senes the plJrpo$e
VHY w~ll. creatir;g a tran!oition zone from lytton .t,vetiue 'into th~ more
·single·hmily character of dcwntol«n !!Ol'th. OO'ro:'!ltO\o'irl f1crth certeinly is
:net, by any ~eans. all sing1E:·f.lrrdly I·es.ldential. FaCing one side of this
property are to~nhornes, and t.hp. semi-s.lngle-f.a.mily cl'laractHlstic of this
lot j5 enticing a'id very intere~t1ng. Als.o in t~rm5 of having )7 UiiitS,
we do nave the tradeoff that we i!'way~ mClke bet .... een He hi9her density
whicn offers more unlts at a lower price and fewer units but units ~hi'h
Ihay be Mre amenable to jloung families. Condos typically are not used by
young families, as indicated r,y one stud~nt per unit in candes, ~hat we
are getting here is. appropriate to you~g far:1l1jes moving into Palo Alto,
and that will be very benf!ficial.
Also I want to comment on public benefit. When this was before uS the
1 ast tiae. Wi! hid a wide ran~e of ,laimed publ ic benefi ts. which were not
v~ry appropriate to the application in front of us. What is here tonight
does away with a couple of truly superfluous benefits that were claimed,
and it separates this from tne ccmmercial property that fronts on lytton.
It is appropriate ttlat the benefits for this property are solely within
the property oInd iII,re adequate to what '"e are doing toni.ght.
A third cDmment is in regard to th~ nonuse Df the courtyard in tne
conmerc:ial property, 1 agree .... ith the applicant and staff, I belie¥e, in
that allowing use of that courtyard in iny dedicated s~nse to th~
ind1viduals of the resjde~tial area behind it would create a ~i9nificant
liability and property rights issu;;!s. I entirely agre-e witt1 not having
that courtyard made av~ilab'e to the re5idents of th~ project.
Cqrml'lssioner Schmidt: I agree with Bern's comments about the
appropriateness of tht quantity of residential units, and !, too, think
they are appropriate for that n~i9hborhood. J would support staff's.
comments, rejecting the ideas of the Architectural Review Board to
fedesign witn different materials, etc. I tf1ink "'hat is prapo!)ed. 'if well
built. would fit well into the neighborhood. TI1~re is enough variety in
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th, style uong the units. If you continue on down Emerson Street, for
uuaple, there arl! ibout half i dOl-en houses .. ith wood siding across the
front t~lt have i similar feelj~9. They happen to be wood instead of
stucco, but the type of developn-.ent proposed here would fit in w~ll. It
goes .ith th.t type of character.
Also, 1 would c~nt that navin5 a resoundingly small audience with no
objection fro. tne neighbors ;$, indeed, i vtry good sign of acceptance of
this projtct. Also. the proposed construction of BHR units versus paying
tho in.lie, , .. i, • good idel. lctu.lly getting some built.
~w.r, I still feel t~e need to ~a~e the c~nt that this, in my
Q9ln;on, is I lost opportunity to have done a project that t~ok ad~antage
of t~e II!'ntire site. It is still two Sepill'"ite projects --one fairly good
sizrd office buildin9 that is a blOCK long and is separat~d from the
rtsioential deve1o~nt. There '$ not really a tra~sition. It is a
separation. Thn-e i5. a garden separation, a lovely gilrden tnat ~ill not
be ~ery uSlble. It cOllld allf,c·st be termed ~cmewhat of a waste because it
will be clo~ed off a lot of the time. It looks like it would be qulte a~
ittrictive area, c~cept for the real transitIon, a fenc~ ~ block long with
a 9ate in It \IIith sc~ ~l anting on it but f10thing el$e go',ng ~r.. I still
would agre-e ... Hh lht! AJ,B's cements af at It'02.st havir.g .a gite that people
could use during the howrs ~f cperatian of the building. The w~y it is
set up, t think it would be hard to ~onitor for security purposes, with
th~ fairly closed off garden ~t t~e re~r. I do wish that the developers
had taken the oppDrtunlty to do so~ething that W~5 more creitlve. but this
makes it Eisier to appf'cve ~nd obviously t~kes lpss time to get through
the ipprOyar processe$.
I also liked the ARB's sugg@stlon that ther~ be some ~ort of tributp. to
the Tift!J Tribune silt!. I · .... dS gOlng to ~.ake that reccrmrendation. rlad they
r10t done so. It was iii landmarlt bu!.iness in. Palo Alto for a long tir..e.
CO!!Gissial"e" Cassgl: Kath.Y has expressed a lot of my thoughts very
n1c~ly. I hive iii very hard tlme with this transition and with th,s lest
park.. I lH::e the li units. I ll~.c what Bern has said about the density
of t~ project, ~nd I 11k! the seal1 houses, but SO~hDW; we have lost the
open spac.e for use b}' the p.eople living there. True. there is a park in
t~e a~a, but these ire s~pp~sed to b~ designed as units that wi11 attract
funhs. O.S lIay actually be a 10\11 figl.l:re. These IJnits lJji'l .ork for
f.-i1ies. It is one of the nice things about these units, because so many
units being built Tn Palo Alto are so big that people with thi1dren cannot
Ifford to .ove lntc th~. These ~re not chea~ homes and are not whit I
would til1 ilffordablt noaes, bLit they are IOOre reasonably priced .and acre
relso"ably sized than alaost any n~w units in the area.
So I think we will ha~~ some children there, a~d that is delightful. We
hive lost the opportunity to haye sor.~ spac.e for them to play in that
would h; .. 'e been COlRltmitj' spac@ for them to use without crossing the
street. So I am very di sapp'Oi nted by that.
Is 5t true that they are only required to include two BHR units, and they
~re putting jn fcur units?
~ . .sm; They had to replace SOIl'K! that Ioeere ex; st 1119. so they are not
providing any more un; ts than are requi red.
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Cb.inli" 9j,5j,n: They Ire proyiding the unit~, lS opposed to providing
an 1n-1 iet! fee, whi en they could ha~€ opted to do.
CQII's11gner Schmidt; Aren't the cirriigt units a~ the site tr,e
~plJc~t units? The fovr Icross the street ~ould he ldd,tional ~nits.
Hs lyt1t: That is corre~t.
"'5 CUI!: Th~y had to ri!-pllce units plus. iddir;g aadHlrmill units because
of w!1.t tn.y , ... b<lildi""
(bI1r14D QI,t1Jn: 1 s~port all ~f the c~nts that the other
~o.aissi~rs hay. aadt. Bern ~d~ some to-t~e-~int c~nts that
.agree with, ,and ! will not 90 over those. T,'\e on1y points we did not
c~nt U90n ton19ht, bro~~ht ~p in t~e stiff report, are thc changps in
Ra.ona Street, 9ivin~ I pi!et of t~~ public lJnd as a plrt of the
project. Also, w~ did 110t .:~nt en the pr-op()Sed site deve-lcplI'IE'nt
rE'gchtion.s that wta in here. ner~ see~.ej to t:>to gr.;at concern abQut
constructiorl periods, b€c~us@ the c" .. Tltc·W': ail of i sLJ,~der, is back in the
lJ:ainstreJ..'" of cc:r.5tru:.:tion. As I C07i'rltej cnc ... before, "'~ ~H'e to
r€fl€ct O~ tMat a little, b~cJ~~e ~? ran i~to i fs~ problE~~ ~ith the
project cut in 8rhdes Park pro;osed ':'y tn~ "a.tEr rjistrict.
I a~ a$su~ing thilt Sl~U' neighbors are (,:.t (C'-'-:2'itln'~ NI these tI1ings
torrioht, trH''-flr.d th,"": ecc~pt"ble il$ sOt.:;;:; 1[) tbe s.t~ff rep0rt. A<l-lin,
irj sUr"r.:Jrj, 1 ;;.~ ir; sucport ot ':tIhat th? ('H • .:;r cort"!iss.icners h~y~ said,
along 'lliiH .:: lot of the po~iti>'~ thHl~S t~.at "ere bro'.:ght out in Uie stiiH
report. I iF. p!:rticulzrly MllpP,)' to se-e a .croject going into the dOWfltOIt'T!
north distric.t tMal 15 jou11g·fuiil.,·-ri"hted and i:. not of the den~ity of
SOClle of the other projects. that Mi!I:>'€ gone in there. lhlit r.e-ighborhood can
tnrhe and continue as .ii: residential r.eighbor-hcod, besides pro"lcj-jng for
other attiyiti~§ in the city.
CQII!issjcncr Cassel: 1 hl'lE'.l coupl.e of concer:-t~ with this PC, b-ecause we
ire giving the!! tl"=e e:xtri he'.9nt reqj,.fireaent, wt! an 91"l1n9 th!l!l SOIM! of
the street, .a1'!d we Ire glvln; tr,ef!', oi PC. I iI~t ~lvjng rul troubles with
the pu~lic benefit part of It.
'_iSS-ioner Buchu: O,"le way I look. it it is, rither thin gi'oting them
so.ething, I do not set that we i~e necessirily gi~in9 the ipplicant
SOM-tkif19. We .a:n~ mkirt9 charnJ~s t~u.t we thir1k will enhance the oyerail
projec.t. which will, iil tht' end, benefit the re.s.ideni;s there. The
w2rlance 1$ one w~y, ~nd tht tignt locltions in certain places are
trad~ffs to get =O~ interior space. $0 jt is not all positives. There
; s SWIE 9h'e and take. ln lI'ly !!lind, a lot of t!;e 'far; lrlCeS ..... ork toward the
~tteraen.t of t1le "roject it.self and .. in create a n~orr:: lilleable iJr,ll for
the residents. .
Ch'inyn Qjakian: I agree with Ccam; ssion€'r Be-et.harn. There are tradeoffs
in this. The thing th,at IUkE-s thls a 'IIery interestifig project is that we
are s.ayino), t"is is. a first. \IIe.are .,..n11ng to try smaller lot stzes with
larger homes. on the:r: bec,a.!Jsf ""€ ~mdHstafld that in Palo Alto, .... e have 11
city th~t is essentially b~ilt aut. As \'ice ~ayor Simitian said last ~eek
in their meeting, we-have ~i1 lfldture cornunHy.'· 'J.!e will halle t'O be a
little creative if we want to offset certain things and provide, in this
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Clse, mQre housing.
What we hive before us is a motion to adopt the attached ordtnance
~r.din9 the Phnned COIIDUl'lity zone in order to rHor.e ttle prcperty frOll1
RM-30, CD-ClP} and PC 3111 to a Planned Community District in order to
construct 17 single-fa=ily units and four se~ond ~nli~. That mellon ~as
made by CC4IIl1Ssi(lfltr Be€cn.a:m and seconded b.Y Chail"'!?'liir. ScrnHH
ftOTION PASS[S: en'i,,"" Qjakian: All those in hVQr, SiY Aye? Al1
GPposed? That pisses on a ¥ot! of 3-1, with C~is5ioners Beecham,
Ojakian Ind Schllidt yotlng aye, oppused is CoeissionPr Cassel,
Co.aiss1oners C,rrisco and Scnink ~Dt ~!rti'ipltin9 and C~issioner
Glazier absent.
The next 1tes we hive before us is a rec~ndit ior. to appro .... e the setback
'Variances with the atta;:hed findings. Included 1n our pac"et .:ew"e the
variince f1r.dl~g~, th~ three that are required,
HOTIOO: C!)!!Wl ssiQnrr Schmidt:
and tne ittached findings.
SECOND: By Com; .S$loner Seeche1T1 .
move apprc~~l of the ;etb~ck ~ir!anC~5
.M..Q1~'LPAS...!ill: ~ha;mi!n Oi~kia"1: ls thH~ an}' further-disc"'ssiC1r'1 O~I Hlis.
motion? "hat ~e lla'.'e oefore LIS. \S )\P.CCH:',.:-,.;nd:!tl":'rt ,~ frc-, f"-:~e-I of the
staff report ipproving the setback variances ~ith thf att~ch£j fi~djn9s is
found C~ Page 16 of the variance findi~Qs, I will say that ha~ing IODked
over each of these findlngs, I find them acceptab1e ~nd consistent with
some of the r~asonij"!g we ha'o'e uHd in the past. An t.1ose in favor, say
Aye? All opposed? That passes on a vote of 4-0, 'lilt" Ccmission~rs
Carra5c~ and Sthink not p2rticipat}~9 and CC~iSSI~ner Glazier ib$~nt,
That leaves approval of the te~tatl¥e s.utdi~isjon m~p with the attached
findings and conditions, as pro\ltded to uS: in Pag-.:-s 17 thn1ugh 2L dated
Septob!r 14, J994. Is there any diSCUSSion 01' iii .otion?
~: COfmIissioner Schmidt: I DOve iIIppro'f'a1 of the staff
RecolllDendation IS, the tentati'o'e subdivision Dlip with the attached
findings and conditions.
lliJlf!.il: By COI!IIlssloner Beech ••.
MOTIQH PASSES: Chajrman Qjakian: ls there any furthH discu5Sion on thi.s
motion? All those in failor, $iY Aye? All opposed? Tl'lit passes ·on ii1 vote
of 4-0, wIth COlTlTlissioners Carrasco and Schink .not particlpatlng ~lid
Commissioner GlaZier absent.
That covers all of the top1cs we had to vote on torlight, This item 111111
be forwarded on to the City Council on October 17, 1994,
'EHOA ITEH 3 Approval of May 25. \994 Speci,l Planning Ccmm",\cn
minutes,
""1!..U.x.>-,-"",,~St;hmill: Are therf! any corrections, or a motion?
MOTION: !<'Co"""",,,. u' ~!:""''--I mo .... e appro .... al,
illQ!jQ:
MOT! O!i PASSES: ",C "," ',-!iLrl!.!'!-'.liJCL::.1,t:"""*'
partiCipating
All tnose in favor, say Aye? ,(1.11
with Commissioner Scnmidt not
absent.
AGENDA ITEM 4 Approval of Hay 25, 19 Regular ?l.nn\ng C'mi"ion
minutes.
Chaj rpers(',n Schn:Ltit; Al'e there ;:;ny correct ions, r a !1:ot ion?
HonON:
~HONO: By :.c,,-.;issioner Schink.
1'10ve app)'ov.! 1. ~~
MPTI.QN PASSg: Chaitller~_Q!1 Schmidt: All those if. fJ:\'or, S,j~ ;,11
opposed? That passes on a vote of 5-0 with CO."7"cI15s.icnt:f Schmidt not " ...
\
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______ p_a_r_t_i_c_ip_;_t_i_'_g_'_,n_'j __ Co_c_,~_,i_S_S_io_n_e_r __ G_la_2_i_e_r __ a_bs_e_n_t_. __ . __________________ ~
5. f_45 lytton Avenuf!j 305-337 E'1Jenon Street (lj~_Iribune Site:
Prellminary review to change the Comprehensive Phn deslgnation of
the site fro!li Regional/(.orrrnunity to Multiple-F.lmily Resid-:ntial and
to rezone the parcels. fnlm RM-3u CD-qP) and PC ;)ll) to 'it Phnned
COnTr;ur.ity {PC} District in order to constrJJct 18 single-family units.
and fcur Hcond units, Setbacy, 'f'a.riance-s. are also re-Quested.
Environmental Ass.essment: To be prepared prior to the sf:corJ;d hearing
bef~re the Phnning Cc!l'tl'lission. File Nos, 94-CP-2., 94-1C-7,
94-ARB-81, 94-EIA-IO,
Commissioner Carras(Q: 1 hay€ a co~flict on this it€m since I own a pj~ce
of property '"'thin 2aO feet of thts s.ite. Therefore. I 'rJiH no.t
parti(1pate in this item and will le!ve for the rest of the meeting as
~el11 as l have to catch a plane.
~cm:missjoner Sch~nk: t al so have a confl ict of interest, s irtce: my W1 fe's.
b~siness is within 200 feet of this site. 1 will also leave t~js port jon
of the !11M'"!' 1ng.
Cha~son2chmidt: ihat leaY2S us wHh a quorum of f(iur COm'T!issioners
to discuss this project, Are therE ~dditior,al comments frem $taff?
~1r_-, __ Schmr.t: J lI'ould like to surnrnHlze a few points in th~ staff
report. This project is Of~e of two components Lo redevelop the erltlre
block currently occupied by the Times Tribune building. The appii"nt for
this project. hil::' also filed a separate application to cemoli:.h the
existing Times. Tribune building and construct a three-story.
54 1 900-square-foot qffice building fronting ')n lytton A'_enue with two
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E,cerp! Palo Alto Planning
Ccmmtssiun minutes of
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levels o~ underground parki~9 In crder to assess t~~ ~umulativ~
env1ron.ental impacts of both projects, one envircmmental asses.sment will
be prepared for both the residential and office project. Plans for lne
office building project are posted with the residential pl ans tonight to
serve as a cuntext for the residential project.
R~ardin9 the process, the office pruject has already recei¥ed a
preli.inary review by the Arcnitectural Review Baard. Both the office
project and the residential project .lre scheduled t·, go simultaneously
before the ARB and t~e loning ~dministrator on July 21st. Since the
office project dDes not involve a PC application, it will not be r€view~d
by the Planning Commiss1on or the City Council unless it is appeaied.
In conchl.sior..~ staff is reco~nding that tne COillTl'lssjon COmrf1ent on the
residential PC proposa1 and conceptually approve the zone change, subject
to the plan revisions and additional public be~lefits discussed in the
staff report, and forward the application to the ARB for review,
{:o:-mi~~.I9s'Sel :
Mr, Gi11iland CO~f2nt
define 1t?
Any questions frQ~ the commission?
I have a question about ~ffGrdabil ity, COllld
on tile use of the tertl "affordability'· a;nd 0:150
Hi'. Gillilu.d: Affor.1a:Dility or affordable /lousi;,':"! is a relati"2 tern,
It is not a tem t~at is USE'd in any of the Houc.ing and Uroan Oevelopi1'E:nt
(HUD; guidelines and regulatlcns. "Affordable" is just whatever is
assigned to it. In the housing tlement, u~der our Below Market Rate
program, ! believe it does use the term ~affordaole nousing" occasionally
in ther~. In that context. it is intended to mean housing that is
affordable to someone maki~9 80 to lOa percent of Santa Clara County
~dlan income ar,d 'fih~t they car, afford in h~lJsi.1'I9, ihat m£ans tnat for
that purpose, in Palo Alto, that is a three-bedroom house that costs
5134,000. Affordable 'is not a term that is normally used, The terms that
we usual1y use are -'fer), low" or "lo!rl'" or "rnoderati! income.-
COI".BissiMer Pja/dan: What is t/"je a .... erage price of a home in Pal <I Alto
right no.?
~r. GiJJi1and: I would hate to guess, but can get that figure for you
beforE this it~ returns to you.
COft'I!!issioner Oiakian: The last timf r !law a figure, it was in the
neighborhood of $450,000, 1\150, regarding thp. prescreening process that
was put into place s2verdl months ago, 1S this project tonight the type of
project that could apply for that process?
Hr. Cillihnd: Yes, it is.
~cmissloneL.2..iakian: But it did not?
Mr. Gilliland: No, the applicant chose to sepHate tile cO[l",:nercial and
res ideotial projacts and to put them forward as two separate projects in
wi th the PC.
COlTlTlissioner D,akian: B~t prior to dOing the PC, one could go througl~
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that prescrel'!ning process. Is t~at correct?
Hr ti1111.nd: Ihit;~ correct.
Co..1s$lofll:r Oj1-io;..i.j.n: Bwt ({lr SO;'C"" r€,.a;scn, thBY chos~ not to do so.
Mr. GiJ1i"rrd: Ms. Ca!>e ad,,;s€s me that they m<l)' have actually appl ied
for th,s prior to adoptio:1 of the pre-screening process. Mr. Schreiber is
also nodding in the affi~itive,
CcalS$iQner QjJ~ian; There;s not a significant amo~nt of corrrnercial
land that is going tc bf!' taJ.en off the market b) con-.. erting some of tnis
to r@ildt~ti'l. but ~~~ t~~t ~oes occur, how does it apply.to the
c~rct~T building Clp that is in place downtown?
~_r. Gill'la.",d: It dcE'.5. not aff!!ct it. Tn.€: building cap onl)' a'ppl}e~ to
a.c.tu;al ~q\Jare fCr~~tag?'. 1:" this (.l~,t, the t.!Jl\c\1I'19 np ,,~il act\lall:,1 hJ.cie
.! re-ch.ction, because H.e c-c'''77'€'rci~.l building is goif19 fro:" some
66,000 .s.q'JilrE·' feet cOloo'n to :6,000 quHI? ft:et. So tlle c.!r .... e He working
to~~ra~ ~111 b~ redJced by th~t a~0J~t.
Cc.·-rissi .. Y.r::,.'? .. ,._ .... (I.iaJid.r}: Tl;at doC'") r:ot ;;lE't ar}r:lb:J bacf: in 1ll 'lny ,,.a)', sha.pe
':''-fO~, d:Jt'-s it!
.l9~pi.ss.ioi,er '0ja~ig,n: l,\{;,re i~ il ('~'--'2rlt r".:.de In ~j'2l"-e a.bG~t d lot on
t!'!lt2r5on Street anCr th~ ~("l'1r!g (if <'. bl..·ildfng to trrat lot, I., fact, at orle
st.il9t!, O'H~'re is i!. Cv""f.ent :::aJ'? that if thdt i-:. not f2asiple, the
pos.s1b'tl it), exist.:> of building a strllctLJr~ on that lilt. TM€' wording in
herO! 'S "Hj q\la'ifi~\1, IJS~l'\y 'ljorJs lH,~ 'ar\t,ci~ate" and some others t~
th~t effect. Is that so~ething that is part of wha! is gOing on here? Is
it part of this application?
fo!i!'. G.nli1.a~; It is pirt of this. .:.pplicatior. to the exte:1t that they
nil;\le i! b-el~·lnil,..~et·r<it€' component that the)' na'le to satisfy. Anytlme 'We
are working on i BMR, then" are a let of negotiations and agreements. that
have t.o b! reached, The BMR i s. ('lever ju s. t a s t ra j ght forlti'an~ th i n9 where
one cln say, this is the solution. lie an~ ill negotiations with the
applicints right ilOW .. $ to how to sinisf,;' H1€-below-marKet-rate
coaponent. We do not ha\l€ an agree~nt on the table. We will have to
have thit before it c~s back. to you, bllt 'f(e are fairly close. Where we
are rig~t now is tnat ~t ~ill probdbly not involve moving the existing
stNJcturp. oiICroSS the street but ';Iill involve the constructi(1n of a new
No-to fotJ1"'-<Jnit bU11.din.Q 0:1, n,'?; lot across the s.treet on Eme'rs,ori
Street. Th~t particular ~roj~ct ~ill also require review and aoproval to
co:rte back thro!J9~1 you .as a Pc. We obviousl)' would have 1 ixed for boH of
thetl to COR' t~ether, but the oE-gotiations just did not wlJrk to combine
thN. Hopefully, in the future, tne), can catch up with each other, but it
is in 5ati~fact1on of the BrlR, sc' to that extent you c.an discuss it.
C(i~~issioner: .... D.i.~,~·:j~ .. r;: fo,. C1U1Ly en til~ PI:b·lic reconj, the 8MR,th.at we
ire talking about for t1lis. project is being ~liggested ~s ~n off-site BMR.
it w{luld not be one or two of ti'1e units.
Mr. Gillilar,d: Yes, if it were an on·site BMR ill this 22·unit project,
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there would be 2.2 of the units required for the BMR. rr~nk'y. with t~e
prices for wf'1ict'l the ~'l units car. sen: in taU.s lrI'ith t~E' Hous.ing
Corporation, "..nidl is .always. inilolved fro th.esC' ne90ti;;t1ons. the subsidy
tlJ tlo.'O indhlidull property ow11ers i:; extrt'~l)' grt'a.t. lh~s.e are lier)' nice
units that would :sell at a fairly 10-> cost. Clir fe-i!iing is that if we can
get four units .u:ross the :street, liie actl.Ja:lly get ~ better pr.oduct. and ~e
would <10 better In prcl{i.:iH't9 ;:!ore affcrda:bJe MOl.!sifll; H'l p~'!O Al to.
Howev~r, we hon'e to rHle~r tl"lat tnese 'Wo!.rld be f"~r one~b-edrac.r: units.
rather than tva three~b(>droo;r; units.
Commi$siongr Q1ak1an: ls the four SU99Ested by ~tdff or tne a~pilcant?
Mr. Gi11i1i11d: It is. coebination of both a~d ;,~ \If~·at we think can fit
on the site it1d what we t"'il'1~ is practical to b:Jild. In te-r=l$ of wt1at is
nee<led in the dOWl"ltOWf1 ueiJ, ~e ff!e1 ttlere is ~ Mej for or.e-bednw1'i'1 unlts
oIS opposed to t!-free-~droom urdts.. It .... ol.;)d 't€' re':'ltar housIng, .... ·r,jc!1 'IIIe
nee·:j, rat~er t~3n for-sale B~R urdts. So t!:ue' ,j'P S<:'·,'E:r<;.1 ri:J5Jr1S.
tQmi5sjOj]er...QiaJ.i.~J!: Il"p'r.e i::; SC~C t.:11: Jt:lc1t J::C>:;'55i~iliti to ~he
gar<jen ar~~ tha l_ 's-!>1':~J9.p:.t£.'j in hUe :l':. G. },.l'jir t,:-·\"i)t. Th~ cc-r,!?nt is.
made thilt therz is. ,lot pLJollr .:cce.5S to it. d,:, C'Hr"-?-~i.!',' ~'r'G~"J~,~;j, (lu"ld
you point out lh~t arra and hG~ it wc~l~ be ~(C~i5i1?
1k. Sc,"!uhert: This 15 the ct'Te."cL~1 fro;,tll",:; or, (}ltr,-r. ~,'.':-':'I;e • .a.f:~1 n,e
phza area 1$ bac:k it. this l{J(,~tiG·[). P':;?r" 1S r,:, C'p<.;-:'. sp.:ce f:er~ Ci"{.ZU';f
that is t~e iCC~SS \0 the under9rnu~d ~~T~;~. l~?r~ i~ a solid ~~,\
proposed bet_een t~e re5jdentj~1 ~nd office proJ!cts t2(e. There is ~lso
a fence propo!.ed f'ere tnat ,,0'Jl1 i<.:eef:' He ptlDl ic fri.':-: (c'!iI1g H"!~'-' that
area, so this area i 5 real1y ':;01('1)1 for ti'e bt:r'1F-flt of th-c-of(:c,:.
cccIJpants..
Corrmission.er O)akian: Whit is the purpose of.3 solid .. all?
Mr. Schubert: The lpp1icant c01J1d go. ,r\to U'IH b~t.tH.
indicated to liS thc1t it is simply to ~€ep the res~d~:-r,ts
space area wh1ch is solely for the Dfflce tenants.
they ha ... e
out of that open
Chairoer<jqn Schmidt: Sh'rl~y .ihon \s pn;senl tcn1ght frclm the
Architectural Review Board. The ARB has re ... ·ie.,,~d the cOI:T:'~rcial building
but not the project WE" are leaking at tonight. 00 you wish to ma"e any
tomrnents, Ms. Wilson?
~hjrley WPoser.: f\s yeu hi:!lfe stated, \oO~ (,iI;\'E' net r<:-vie',"c,j t~ds project .. $0
I '..-ill not ccrrment -on it specifically B"c1t We r,c.'r'(;' graye corlcerns about
the way in Itfhich io!~ are lO<Jking at this project. lhe board alrr.ost
unan1molJsly to{)1:; issue with the fact that this is nat belng 1.00KE'd at in
its entirety_ To recapitulate comments that 1 ~ade at that meeting, ~hen
you i'1~ve seen pruject wnere one developer d~velops three houses 1n the
same block, 'lot even adjdcent, and has to go for revle~ JS a~ entire
project, it s~ems anazing to us that a project of this ~agnltude and
significance to the ccrnunity is Dfirlg lOJked at in such ii: pi€'cemeal
fi'lShion. It ma~es it difficult for .;.'ou; it !ililles. it difficult for liS. It
makes it difficult to (omunicate well. ! think the re:;ults. fnll far
bela,.. what cou1d ultima.tely happen Oil this sitc.
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The beauty of the PC is that it l~ a clean canvas We ~ish that the
app11cant ~ou10 tlke this as a c'ean (a~~as an~ put all the r~\e1 aside
and deslgn a wonderful project wnere ""e can say. yes, this is great. We
don't have to have all these rules. We can lieve this wonder-ful project
and <lesign. I think they are tying tMeir own harr:ds. r feel that th~
project needs a more interestirl9, design totally, with more ."ari~ty in
massing and style. 1t needs to be more visionary. I nope Hilt as a
public benefit for the h<:lUS1ng, .You can requirt:! an c'w'erali plan that c~ais.
wi'th some cf thes~ i SSl.les.
COmmi$sion~aklan: The minutes of yo~r ~eting are lnciud~d in our
packtt. so we have had a chance to read through all of those minlJt~s with
the co~nts of the ARB members.
£hi.irDerson Schmidt: We wi 11 now hear from re:'1iDers. of ae publ Ie. "e
wi11 heGr frnm the applicant first,
Scott W~r.Q....~l(j; __ ~sic COl\T11u'lities: We are pj!;',asEd to howe the O~'~'-:1rtur'1P)
to pres eDt to you ,il. concept whns~ tl1'~':: has c<):;"e in this. u;igr;tji~r~(}<:d .c.~I::
COil'l!!il.mity, ~e aI'/? pleased to ha\;E with U$ tor:i.ght n~pr ~$'lnt~tLI;::$ f!'"c~ ,V1
outstandi~g team of design prcfession~ls th~l ~r ha¥~ assr-bled to ~X?~:;tp
this: project, The for;'1;at for (,ur presentation "ill (uns15t of HI (I'o'2n'1.E'0,'
of ihto project, wni<:h TllJpeful1y 'Wili (unrcr::1 ..,iHr ycur jS·~\m:te 1 ir,\t,
whidl I will be presentjo9. We would '2l1co·\Jr.agc 'jou, in )'~It~r follc,,'';p, t,:;
direct q~lestions that pertain to particu~al' Ederr,~r:ts. cf tr:€' ~;roject t.l) thr.
members of the team that dr~ with us tonight -D~'o'id G~tes with Gatts ~nd
Associates, for neighborhood conte;(t issues, Qvnidl site pLlnilir.g isSl!es
al1d landscape architecture it;slIesi Carl leqon; of Va:s~ini 2nd If'~o!'li,
Architects, with respect to the housing stie pl~n ~nd archlte(t~;al design
issue-so Jim 'Baer, who i!> a c.ons.ulta"t to thE' proj:~ct, ·~jlh re.spH_t to
process and procedural isslJes,
This project is about trsnsitiun. In the more simpie land use ~eGse. it
is about transiti"n from an intense I thri\ling corm.ercial area to a !T':C!ture,
lower~dens;ty residential distriCt. It is also about transition ill t!2ms
of process from a more adversarial proc.ess to a more cooperatt'r'e pror:eB
tn which the development cOrmlunity acknoIJW1edges and respfCH r.eighborhoQd
issues ar)d concerns. It is about transition in tl;!rms of thinking about
housing div~rsity and affordability. particularly affordable family
housing, Perhaps ItKIst importantly, 'it is about transition i.n c.o:<Jnw.nity
planning and development piradigms from the more monolithic, authoritHian
sc.nemes of the pc.st to thf! mure appropriately scaled', urban village
(oncepts of tne future.
Much of the grQundwork for this tranSition ha:s been laid b)' a continuing
series of (itywide and neighborhood level efforts to set a directior, for
responsible. reasonable cor1'r1umity del,le1opment in uo.wr,town North. This
project builds on that found-ltio[l, and aspires to give forn to many of the
urban vilhye or new urbanism concepts that make so much sense for thi s
neighborhood, The project is not afraid of this transition, indeed. it
\;clcomes Ole change, and c~lebrates the new dE!'.elo~~ent fOI'm. This
pt'oject seeks to create a high qUillitYf residential co,'rtJ\unity that is
woven into the fabric Qf Downtown North and that retrofits the block to
the neighborhood. Before addre,:>s.jn~ s?H.ific projec.t i':)sl.le:> , 'We ... 'o\Jld
like to t~ke this opportunity to take you on a walking tour of the new
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c.olllllunit)' as best we can, .gi .... en the 1 imitations. of thE projector.
This proj!!ct 15, in some respects, a work in progress. What you win see
here arE pr1martly soft-line drawings that are by several different
hands. They are di!signed to create an impression, not necesn.ri 1,)0' to be
interpreted literally. This is., after al1, i discussior. about whether o.r
net tllis represents an appr{lpriate set of uses for this project, 'not a
di~cussior\ af particular site planning and architectural detail issu~s, as
we understand it.
This; S oil neighborhood diagram context that shows. Cogswell Plaza. to the
southeast of t.he site, demonstrating tl1e interisit)' of the urban e1ements
Df the project a10ng Lytton. Also, it demonstrates that as you transition
to the north I you transition into a very different form of neighborhood
sCl)e ana cnuacter and a char'i9'! in use. ~hat neighbl3rh~od ch.?,,'rac.ter is.
base-d on a use wn'ch typically is housing at a d.enslty ranging from
apprlJximatel¥ six to ten units per acr~. This project is about
acc.J~plis"ir:S that trQosition in ten-l1s of use, in terms of bui'lding scale.
in terms of massing. It is also about defining the space that ':rl€ ma'<e
this trMsition in social tems. That is, we ~avE' a gatherin9 POllit. ME
acknow1edge the i~porlance of Cogswell PlalJ ~s is part of tne downtowil
open space system. We pro ... ·lde a termillUs at the RiliTOna-l_ytton
jntersection to hold the corner of Cogswell Plaza. We then providp ~n
nn){".e cc",-p\ex that \·eci.;gn'\Hs the r.eeci {Dr tran'..it.i0f1 to a i;,y"":er scale
residential 1;;'1 o:-rr.ent , .artd ',oie acccj:l~)lis" that in the fOH1 of il gC1J'cfeo cuurt
and the garaen that sepirate~ the two uses. TherE is a distance of
approxi~ately 32-1/2 feet from lot line to building f~c~ of the office
bui ldi ,19 at that !'-Joint.
Much of the office building 1S in a Ulree-st.cry height. We transition
oD-wn to the residential el~rnents ,dth a two-s.tory volume, a!'ld t'Mfl,
fini!:11)' alcng Fverett Street, we incorporate sorr:e sjngle-sto)-y el~ments in
the hous.ing. So we are es-s.erltially transHion1ng frem thre.e to t'ffO to
one-story building heights.
This shows the transitional ar'ea between tne l'fto uses. I 'Would take issue
~1th staff's r!presentatlon about the utilization of that garden and
garden court. We nave made it clear that at least durin9 business hours
and, potentially, at other times of the day. that co~rt will be open and
available for publit use. It i~ a t~mm1tted part of the public benefit
for the project. Yo,u see that as we transition to the residential
element 1 tht residential ~lement 1$ organized in an alley c,rculation
systeR. It provides a pedestrian-friendly environment in a continuous
building line, with narrow setbacks reinforcing the street geometry. This
is an elevation of the office building as it was presented in a
preliminary review for tnt ARB. In fi!:ct, this trJree-story element at the
corner has been modified for resubmittal to the ARB. It demonstrates a
three-story mass at the corner transitioning down to a two-story elemeT,t
as you mov~ north along Ramona Street and into the re~idential zone_
Thi s oc;l ide depicts the exist 1 rig tOlfllnhoLlse condomii'l11m project as .You are
head; ng north on Ramnna Street. It a I $0 refl eel:> the urban forn of
housing that we intend to develop on the Times Tribune lot. You see the
distance between the two uses -the entry to the garden and garden court,
the sense of scale and massing of the homes. This is an elevation looking
westerly into the garden and garden court, showing the building mass
.';,.
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~1nnlng to drop down into the res:identiil. This is a view thro'Jgh the
~11ey of the residential el~~nt. Then turning the corner toward EVerett
and R~nt Streets, we begin to pick up the single-story mass of the units
th~t front on Everett Street. Thi~ is obviously an urban form of
housing. It accepts and receives the street. T~e units have ~n armature
that projec.J frOG the building. This armature i."c'ud~s porches and
balconies for each unit type. The living ~rea addresses the street.
There Ire 10. fences ind walls that create a layer of privac) but do not
shield the ho=es.
As we turn the corner onto Emerson Street, you can set! in th€ distance the
office biJildiTlg which is the three-story scale. You see in perspecti'.le
that tne trlnsition is accomp1ished and that the relationship bet~een th2
Dffice and residential uses is apprcprlately scaled.
As $tiff incficated, the prop:Jsal includes 18 Single-family homes, four of
...-nich .ill have ~ecorHj d ..... el"l1ng units. 'These ar~ ca.rriage units that are
louted aiang tt1e alley (Iver top of thE: garage. This ""'i11 create an
<.ctlv.!ted alley. together with tnf.' floor plan for the houses. The-re will
b~ acthit), in t.he all.:y. It win be well l.ar:ds,:~ped. In addition, fOI"
He lir,i~s n~-2:t frent Cil ~','el'E"tt Street I there is outcc,or "'i'ling sp.::ce-at
nf: ree.r ~f n,~ "flit so th<:t U~re will be <I great dNI of detail arod
uticul<!.thH·t of the bui1dir.gs .l1on9 the alley.
This. gi\.'es c lOOK at a re'::l'siqned office buildir1q. It is not really ti,E:
fetus of ou,' attention tonighi. These projects ire 1 inked by ~1rtue of
the public b~nefit ele~ent, as Jim B~er wlll be gl~d to explain in more
detail, This is a look at the more dctailed elements of th:: housing along
Ra.=orJ~ Street ana Emerson Street. Wt: have adopted a de,~.i9n style here
that ~e ~lieve respe~ts th~ neighborhood , yet acco~plls~es a transitlon
in lL1r:r.s of bfJildifi9 materials and style. Thes~ are the £'i-erett Street
~-Ie~i!;tjons, .~,jch are cClrisistent wiUI that f<Jl";'il.
i want to spend a mome;,"! on our outn:acl'1 effcl"t$. We held a serifS o)f
three r~ce,tions fDr the project and invited ~11 of the property o"ners
an4 rtsi1ents within a 300-foot radius to jOln us for t~ose rec~ptions.
"'-e ills.:> contacted individuals who wer~ active in neighborhood group and
notified tn~ of these receptl0ns 1 aHd encouraged the~ to utilize their
pnone tr~e !o ma~imizE part~cipat;on in the receptions. The response from
IDOst of the ~rs of th.e cO~'mlun;ty was generillly very positive. We ioIere
very p1eased by that. The c~mmun;ty generally believes that this ;$ an
apprcpriate us~ for the site. Hopefully, that sefl:;e will be rHffirmEd in
the balance of this publlc hearing.
In additlon, severdl issues were raised that we would like to address
tonig~t. One Question has to do with lower versus higher density.
SMeonE' sugg€sted that this may reprp.sent iI potential loss in terms of
pro'w'iding affordable housing on this site. We do not share that view.
This proposal increases the reSidentially zoned area on the bloc.k by over
50 percent from 34,000 :.qU<il-e feet to 53,000 squllre feet. Based on the
existing zoning I the maxj~um number of units that can be developed on the
site is 22. GiYen the rAP restrictions, the likely ~umber of units that
would be de'weloped is 15.
This t)'pe of housi'ng re!:.pollds to a void in the array of ~ousjng choices in
Palo AHo, lt provides an innovative type of lO'~er cost hOUSing f.or young
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fUlil'ies, AHusdng Hat this. s<lrne area that .... -: are proposing for-rezor:ing
~re TelQntd RM-30, the llk~iy ~u~ber of bedrooms that ~o~ld be developed
on tht sit~ ~uld be 72. Ihi ou~r of pr~posed bedrooms h~~e is 64,
It is vtr)" difficult, if not i~oBible, to m.'\lmain ~€igtoborh(,od
character is you triIHHior", fr'V41 a ':le-nsity of fjve to ten units per acrf'
to a density of 30 ur,it> per iilOO€ We wowld :!;uggest to you thar there
hi .... e been ScIle te2T5 in the neighborr.ood fabrfc of Downtown North as
efforts to iiI~c~'i~~ thlt tr.nsition hive be~n atte~pted. Perhaps it
clJuld be don~ ir: s~ '50rt cf tirtoen h'Sh,cn ",ith res.~def'lUa\ scale
elMe'f'lt.s. but b",ildlng scalr and m,ass.ing "ill remain hea'l'Y .ind
l1'1stit(Jtion.tl. Tne pr()pc~ed type of housing 15 e("ono~ic'-Ily fea.sible. in
an e-n .... lror;tl!ent in .mien o~er 60 percefit <Jf home-o..ners associations are in
litlgatlon a9ainn developer!:. ar,d in .... nich the ~~~nt of da~ages awarded
~u t:ie!" astron~lcal, fe-. dev~}oper$ are '-'illir.g tC' as.SI,;~e tlie lon~·term
liability of thi~ typ~ of ~ou5jng_
"ith r:-'Spect t(-, tr-e di,enil.r \~!'u"" ... e thir~ thtlt .as :iOU stlJdX the
1xdldir:'95, YO'..I "ill apprO'ci .. tE' th~ J;'.'''r~it/ d.;:'S;gi"I,",j i~to t'he buildirlgs.
Thrre '1:' no r€-p-etitiNI of u~1it t:,'p~:, .2,1"':i:; K3~Yl-=' Street cr (i'"fnOn
~trcet, ThHe' is. Cf,e T<:p:-t,tl0r: il:{l~~::,> l;>;retl ~tr",~L Th;:orlO> is 2: vl1ri€ty
in cL'ildins_,;, :~.ns-iq, r,~,,:,f ;,12;,''''~' i!f,:~"t\:(ttJr"l d2i,_~;h. \Ie CiT€'
prop,,:.'{,~ t",;, c:nrar sd>'~~''S f,:}r thi~ C;'(:.1t'ct. 11?' .. H;, qio H!at, thi:>
fJY0jl',ct 1:' r'3~(j on tl-:~' >_\rt-~!I n ... 'r,Q;i'-~' fur ':'.i'::;-, ~s pr(C','ct"\::nt III th::
r.l'rthei!~t,. tl",;> for~'"Jst f,;.,pre!,:;lrJn ..-,f ' .. ;~i':h i<lY r,' th:; t'r'~""'is.tone, !;'hieh
IS r·otEd fO:i ,t5 CGnt.ir:uit)' of ~i!:s,"~:-,'j 3!"':1 vJriet::' oJf {let:!:i:. Jh,,;;e
buildings are "H}' :>i"i1ila:, jr. SCJre J~,j di~enS1c"'1 ~'~ See-this. as. oJ
(aliforni~ rc~ ho~se 4~plrj~g to the undprst~fed il~gance of th~
orollT\ston-e. it reinforces str,::..,;t Gcc·,:'"etn. "t' be~ ie','t: that in ail urban
conte)t. it is an appropl jat~ hGus~ng tre~t~!nt.
We arC' att~r:':~ti.'19 to a.:co;:o:pllSh .? trOl"_~ition in t>?l-:-':. of rateria):. here,
as W'e"ll, ThE' orcposecl office bUIlding feol!wre:; n"rClE'r 5.tH'face ~"teria'!$,
.~l~st all of the buildir:gs "',:UOl{ert to U~{' site Oil the Ri,!,",ona and Everett
Street sides il"e stucco b;;ildings. ... ith hard slJrf~ce r,",ofs. The buildings
on E!fI:!rscr"! Stref!t tend to hnE softer [T1,iterial!' --fiood slding ard asphalt
shii'igles, ~c.:.ause of that, we are introducing softer ",;ilerials 3$ well,
with swbstantili W'JoJ trilD as the projut transitions to Everett Street
and into tt1~ res.idential district of Downtown Nortn. The massing of the
buildings is broken do:.om into l mere residentiai scale as the buildin95
~ve north to (~trett Str~et.
Whjl e II«! are open tn increaslng dlversHy (and ther~ may b-e thinas we can
do to -enhance the rt'!sidential s(ale .and chardcter of the buildlngs), we
~ou'd caution agai~~l the arbltrarj i~trcouction cf inconsistent
archite,:tural form.> and ~~teriills. 'pie Ulin~. it is lr:"'portult for design
integrity to be n,aintajned here lest t~t' projl:ct be reduced to a more
Oi!fneyland .or Shc .. Ha.\Oft chara.d,er 'tI('nere-icer.s. of Spaflistl colordals arO;!
sided cheek by jowl with icons of Cape Cod salt boxes and the project
loses inte9rity.
With respect 10 traffic, an~th~r key ~ejghbol'hoQd issue, the project has
minimal traffic ir;pact on the n-eighborM{id. It is being developed at less
th~n the allowable ~ensitJ for ~o~sing. Tr.e floor area for the offiCE
t.undirl9 is su~stantiQlly less th::!o the e';\lst1ng flOOf area. 'ife' xno~ that
traffic ':irc~l.atioi1 and parking ilre ongoing issues. ir' thf' neigllborhoJod and
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that th~se issues will not be r~$ol~ed here toright. ~e are in a position
to support some ~tighborhood efforts to addreS$ tMese iS~u~$ as they
relate to this project. Ho~e~2r, we are rot in ~ position to cooperate
with efforts Ilihlch inIJolve cDnditions O'fH w~ich ... € l1o.y€ no control or
whjch se!k to address overall, neighbortlood·wide triffi( h~ues or \o(hich
seek to lIake resolution of traff,c issues. a conditicl'l of Uii:; development
We urge you to support the staff recommendation to ~D~e forward wit~ th'5
proj~ct and to ma~e this tranSition come to life. We ~uld enc~urage you
to address questions to us, a~ well as tel O'UlP,r ~-eif;b.en {If t.l1e de .. 'ela~'t!oertt
team present ton1ght.
C.hairperson Schmidt; Thank you. We do hil .... e qu~stiC:H.
Corrrnissioner Ojakjao: My fint questioi1 i.s one thlt ! ..sk:ed of sUdf
earlier that you did not toucM on. It ~ppears t'lat tQ gEt into this
garden area, th~rt! ,.ill ~ access. Yeu niHe lS':,ade th<!t c!€<lr, DJt in the
staff report, it say), "!t is anticipatF;d tnC!t th'rs ~,.t·<:.(e ;.;i!J t-e
uai1able for use bj the public. Howe·.-€r, a direct (')"'r!::ct',t}n to H!2
residential project is not proposed.-' J~ th~~ tr~p or i!lse?
ttl::~y_a..rc1: .';t thi~ roint, if HE' /"'.:',~r;:riq of .a d~r"'::t lU,r';E'cti{'I'; tr,~,~ troE
re$itj~'nti.~:1 to thp. cO:r.r'·2I"ci~i proje;:t 1$ ~ ~h\';l':.:1 ~~;!l"<", ,"1!"CS;:"-3,li)' 2;t
the-termiFiu~ of thE' 2l11e,', Hie ,~n,; .. 'er 1:> (;(1, trE"-,:-i~. r,il ,~,-,r':-'2'~ ;'J~
between the two.
What is. the PUrp-oSE' of :hi!t' It ~our,ds 1;;;e this CQ~issionE'r Ojakian:
bulk wall is mainly to
it.
separate the two, but ~ith no fu~'tl0nal r€ason for
~"j.r.Q: ThE!rE! ar€ several different iS$u('s ~en. Uii'.'id Gat~s r.:ay .... a;;"T:
to speak to these, as. \lien. Fint of all, t~(' garden c::,,,~ gard,'rI (ClJrt
really come out of a more publicly oriented sen~e of open space tllan is
typically found in an office buildillg of this tHe. ne-apprclch tc the
park is expected to be an appro1lch lI';adE frorc th.e= p;,.;blic l"lgMt-Of-\ljiil)'.
There is a sense of discolli!l'")' aLout finding tl1e pad:. in thu location fr~
the public right·of·way as. you turn the (orner fr~ the 'Office bliilding
and tran~itiQn into H,e. residential distric.t. Cur iSS,:..t:;:pUon is. that t~i'
reSidents {If this project will le-.wE th~lr front Q-I,)or). )i.all along the
sidewalk l and enter the garden and garden court frDlO1 the rigM-cf-llIay the
same as other users of the project would. There i~ no particular need for
the r~sidents of th.e ·projec.t to hal,'e a sp€:c.ia1, Ilr''1~te entry to t!\e pa.l-k.
With rf!spect to the need for the wall, .. e think \t is appropriilte t-a na'v"e
a barrier between the two issues. It win be .a,,"l e.:<t:"€'",ely ... ",11 ldr:G~c~pej
,"cl.ll. There may be ()?portul'\it)€s to l'1a~e :SO;:-,€' 1,'~"l,lai (onr;,:c!.icr. t,ei.""HIl
the two elements. such as a high opening in the ... al1. '.'£> (Ia .. e nad
discussions. with staff about thjs isswe. We are also exp10rlng that with
the-office building development group, which ;5 anuther affiliate of the
t\CIal"'t Companies. 1he building w~n that faces the (.o~rcia1 ~l~:i1e-])t is.
essentially closed down. ThesZ' an sir:gle-aspect 'Jrlits, th2;t is, orl€ :side
of the hc~e is e~~enti311y closed off. There are 'ieri fe~ openir.gs., ~cry
few penetration~. The ot~er side is €ssentially all glass. That aspect
ratio is applled in terms of the u~e of the property, as. wei'!. that is,
you relate only to one s1ngle side yard, not to t~c, ~~ 1n conve~tional
~}ngle·faml1y housing. At the edge of t~e project, .,.€' want to er.ptiasil:!
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that separation. and accentuate so~ prl~acy for units t~at wl11 be very
c.lose to a corrxnercial district. \We b-elie~e that tMe ",all will assist in
that regard.
COlTl'iliss.;cner Oial<.ji}!i: Wh~re it SA)'S it is. "antid?i!.ted," that ,"ord is a
little loose to my way of thinking. Wr,at is meant by "anticipated~? -rhis
is frOll'1 the staff r~port, and I know it is not your wording. but if i
understand you correctly, there ar-e no ffs~ ands or buts about this garden
area being available not only to t1ie people WMO will reside in t~e'Se
nemes, but H also sounds like it will be accessible to the public.
~r. Ward: To some ext.ent, yes. The hr'l9uage that you are referring to is
our lang~age, which staff 1~ uti1izing. We have not yet committed
ol,.ln:el'Vas to that use of the prop~rty. io the utent that that be::'orle-s a
condition of this development, we would not resist that.
C~airperson Schmidt: J haye a questIon abot.Jt the garden area o.lso.
c~nnot r~cal1 if ~t ~s stated in th~ written materia', but wi'l the garden
be gated or clos(d off after hours to svery~ne's use? When t~e office
building is closed, is t~e g8rden also closed?
~r-'~llrd: ..... e have been reviewing tilis issl1E! with staff, ariD will c(lntir;u(?
to de so. I am flot prepil.re~ to Tespor::d to Uett tC1.1ight. Clas.sic
Cornmi.lrdties is tMe> apP'io:ant for th.p. PC fer the :res·id€nti.3! t.:c-pon;:nt.
Another Mozart 8r.tHy. ~ll)z<ll"'t-~ilson Ventlires. is the appl icant {or the
offi~e complex. The partners in that grclJp will ultj~ately ~ake that
detemination. Clear'ty. we n~'1e influence on thdt group with res.p~ct to
the requirement to provide public bensfit h~re.
h,olml.Jlii.pner Be;;cnam: A fair PHt of wt-at .... ~ are talking tonight in ti'rrn:
of impact of the re-sidentia' aspects is couched in term$. of 110W it fits In
with the commercial a.spect, in terms of operr :spar.:e. in tern:; of parking,
etc. What happer1s to the clJmroercial asp€!ct if ~e Clr the Counc~l turn dowil
the reside~tia.l PC?
Mr. Ward: The projects ar€ entirely independent. At the point at which
the offi<.e b\Jilding obtains in ARB appro ... ·aJ. thl;;' on1.V' approval it
requires. it wl1 1 ffiO\'e forward and be f.Hli1t il"!depende{1tly. The balance of
the site would presumably remain vacant.
CQMml$sioner Beecham: Do you have fUnding and other arrangements set up
to pr~ceed with the commercial buildir,g, regard1ess ~f what happens or. the
north half of the lot?
Mr. ~ard: ~ am not prepared to comment on the ,urrent status of the
fillancirlg, bLlt at this i1lTle. there i~ no 'impedirr:ent trJ mOyjilg for-... ard with
the office blJi.1ding immediately fono.,.ifig an ARE. apllro'tal.
CQmis~ioTler Cassel: I have sOlne specific.: questions to aSK about the
housing. b the units that haye tne apartment!; behind th.em, are thuse
three 4 c.ar spaces or a two-car gal'age pl us ene car space? Ho .... is. thClt
b~ing h2ndlt:d?
II1.c_...M!rd: Those an; designated .as five on that site p1an.
single, uncovered parking space reserved for t~~ occupants
ildjac:ent to t""at unit. rhe garage area would be available
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occupant {)f the unit fronting either on Ramon~ str-ee'~ or [mersoi1 Street.
Commissjoner Cassel; I presume that you are planning on no parking in the
alley Itself.
Mr. Warg: That is correct.
CpNpissioner Cjssp.l: Must each unit use Its garage as garage space ~ersus
sOfMtthing else, providin9 they nne cars? (Yes) lhis mly be in ·the ARB
area, but do ~ou plan storage space so peeple do net use their 9ar~9~s?
One of the things that happens is t~at peQple do net have storage space,
so they use their gara9E's. and you CiLnnot control that.
Mr! ~'ard: Right. J ttli nk. that we could control it to the extent that we
could mandate that the garages be used for parking purposes through the
.establishment of a set of covenants., (odt:s and restrictIon:;. The
enforcem-enl of CC1Rs is sometimes difficult, howeYer. The units
the~selves range in siZe from abowt 1,300 to 1,950 square f€1?t, arid
t),!)ically prc-w;c€ fQr sl.tbs.tantial closet ar€3i. I feel that by cClrlp-arison
~itn other higher density projeC'ts where closet Sp.3C~ is very 1 imited, the
need for overflow storage in a g~rage area is limited. In ~ddjt1on, the
size of the detached two-Cdr gara~e5 that do not hay~ the tarriage units
on top is s~~~what larget· than what is stand~rd when they 4re attached to
;a t~ome. Thil'dly. Hiert; are a f2''''' nooks and cr.;~nnies in thp (Ji!ragG \\,~jch
contains. the unit over tcp that ,..'Guld suit that purp{)~e.
Connissioner Cas.sel: ~oLlld you review for ;nc the front yard setbacks. on
all sides, but particularly along Eyerett Street?
Mr. W~rd: The front yard setbacKs are .geMrall.'r' 10 to 12 feet throughorJt
the project. There is 12 feet along Ra,'l".ona and Emersun Streets, .but the
the porch ehmerlts and balcony erements project ;lIto tint setbaCK by about
fi~e feet so that the face of the armature of that, the porch and the
balcony, is seven fe€t from the property lin~ from Ramona and £merson
Streets. The Everett Street units do not have porc~ and balcony ~lernents
that project into th:.t frnnt set.back. iney are typical"!,y set back ilt
about ten feet.
Cormt1ssioner Casse1: Could you tell me "'hy you did not use the zero lot
line, rather than four feet, and then the other restrictions?
Mr. Ward: It;s real1y a legal con .... enience. What .... e have here are lot
lines th.t bisect the space between units. The granting of a UC is weant
from one ne1ghbor to the next to provide for the ~xclu$ive use of one side
yard by c.ne unit OWrlf>r. we do tn-3.t primarily SQ thdt we can confom \'lith
building code-requin:me!)ts that stipuhte that d.ny bu11ding wali built on
a pr~perty line must conform with the o~e-hour, fire-rated construction
requirements, which arf! typically inappropriate for single-family housing
and very c{lstly. So these unjts function exactly the same as a z.ero lot
line projert funct i Oil s. They jus t happen not to be 1 oea ted on the lot
line its.elf.
LO!TW7l1ssioner Cassel: Do you have any l1andic:ap accessibility requirements
for these units which are single-family? Multiple-family units are now
m~etirlg thesl! ne ..... requirements.
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~r. ~ard: Not to My knowl€dge. We wi1l hayc those ~equirements with
resp-ect to the 8f1R units Uat we are seekirl9 ta negotiate on the Emerson
Street lot.
Chalrpiqon Schali£: You have talked a lot about UP. transition from the
CQBDer.chl tiullding to the residentjal areas. We see rend€rings {)f the
c~rciil b\Jilding in the dis.tanc~. or the space between, but we do not
rea:l1y see ':ll'1ythir'9 Vut shows the '!;cale of one, slJch as an elevation that
got's froll ttle rtsident, .. l to t.he cO!7JPE'rcial. r ..... ondered jf you happened
to. hln tha.t il"\ your .a.tedals. !. would thi,,,,, they would lOOK like
different sc.les when you see them adjacent to each other.
~r~: .~ -do not. In .,aH.ing t~e neighborl'lood, you experiE!nce it in
9t!rspecth1e. se in SQiIIIe respects, a tJtc d'ime-nsion."l representation (of tnat
rel.atiiJllShip is: dl'ceptiy!!. The height of the tOrto-story shoulden of the
coaaercial building is -4:t'.;')ut 30 feet. lhe maximum height of the
residences is about 27 feet. So we think thdt is an appropridte
tn')slt1('1;, jn tel"h'S of ~eiglit.
(l-:;!lr;_l;_r.iQ1-__ .~ __ ~h_:.i.~H: r ""'oIJld like to ask a big pic-ture ~UBStiCfl, t:liHcugh
t~ere ~r! t~: se~ar~l2 ~evelor~~nt dTMS of M~zart th~t ar~ dOing thls
pr)ject l~d perhaps cannot be r~~panded to. Shirley braug~t up the
Q\Jesti('r". 3$ to \o'hy trlis is ret being II)ll~,ed at as a singl'" Pr"oj€ct. ''''flY
i~ i!;, tot':' ,jjffu.:-nt pr(,je.:ts l'I"it1"1 t ... ,.) different ~rchitpct$, two diff€'I'er.t
<"~,::,·.'il(';'er5, 'E'SS;;~.t\,~I~,;" ... he" it is ... · ... erJ lJ[',U$jj~1 0~').\[lrtl.lr,1t)' t.o r\~',e 3
s)~,~~l-:, ~tr';f block in ,'.1:0 idto to df;>','E,l(!V?
ttr. ;"arC: There are a nu:;-beT (If respcnses to tr-t.st. hnt of cd), it is
1{', our intiO,-8s\ to 1;;;,1\ Ijiscntiona-ry re'.'iew of any project that .. '2 il.re
sEe~i~9 to de~e}op. Mozart-Wilson Ventures, the developer of the office
b~jldlng. i~ in a position to limit discreti0nary revj~w to Archit!!ctural
Revie~ BOira arpro~al of t~e office element, and is motivated to keep that
reyie~ (onfj~ed to tnat level.
There hcs beer, a: great de<:l of intel".1ction .... ithin the design team between
Hie desiqnus of tt1e office and resider;tii11 elef!1ents. lhe idea that this
i,s not being de:>igned if', a cooperative or conSistent maiin~r IJIhere t~e
elNents ignore each cth('r is not a fair apPY'aisal. In addition. to the
extent that jf there were a single entity developing Hie t':o!'o. we would
5tiil .ant HCiiitects s))ec'.aiilif1.g in their re5p~ctivE rli')(.ipl;MS on this
project. In additlGn, r .... ould ~ay that to the extent that we ha~e
different df!S'i9n€rS of these ho e1ements, we get a; little more diversity
ar.d.l little IOOre variety than .. € )liQuid get with do singlE' designer,
This also g2tS. to the iS~(Je of whether or (lot we belip.,¥P thi~ is an
dPpropri~te ~iypj use. It happens to be that this is a horizontal mix of
I.l:iCS. it is not d '¥erticai mix of u~e~. That is a mix of uses that
historical,; has proven to be problematic in both t~e ~rban des.ign context
and In the mar~etpliLe. We see that as a very dated form of mixed use.
It is, fr.nr.ly, a form of use that is f10t finarlceable today,
JHrl Bler ~32 (h.:rH'tir.:g.5J.r.~t1!_L_~<UJL8HQ: it is a little alo,:kward spe,~k1n9
,)$ a (oilsuftartt. ,~jolrot appl icatian .. '~S ~ut in by the Hozut tE!'ar:1 <llid ny
group. The I'eason fur that is that this is as ~ensitive and difficult a
rli'ighborhuod and ilS VI?ll organi::.ed a nE:ighburho(ld with resistance to
inappropriate d€Yeloprr:-ent in a transition zone as exists. anywhere. 1f you
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,1sk why ha","e we :;epaT"lIted the proces.s., it is a matter of several issues.
f)rH~ of those is propert)' rig!'1.ts, and I 'Want to gi"t i"to wnat ! f.elt wert!
lJ)(lr~ represer,tations; by an ARB board me~ber''5 point of ,"'ie .. ',
I he second ; s that the s t ror.gt:' s; t spe.lker n ere ton l(Jh t i$ thl? abserrc e of
Iwlghbors 1n screU1ing protest to the destruction of trreir cO:n;':uT"Iity
YJlues in this neighborhoDd. Thi5 ~as after an cutl'each that had 60
nl)ighbors and leaders 'Iit,a lII£re as difficult as ar:y neighborhood in their
protection of property rig/'lts that ire eott1 architectural ar,j a sense of
cOGl!Wnityand impact on traffic 1her~ is ... :l.ingle rea~Gr' w~.)' thlS is
jwoceeding as a SEpi!rate proc-E'ss. It is b-ec.a.us€ it l'1?eds to get appro'ied,
ili'd it needs to s-erve tMat c~nity BIOre than it i'1e.eds to se~'o'e grolndiose
notions of village planning and the f~ct that t~i5 t~o-acr~ parcel is one
Dr the fN tW(I-i!cre pncel50 which shoi.Jld j~ose on a devE."loper tne right
f,,H" the ArchitectlJral RE'y,eiJl' 8eard ilot O'1ly t.c'. design UE projecr tut to
dictate property rights.
So the process has fY01\'Ed this waj !~£re lS an c,rfjc~ t~lldi~9 that ;s
nolo.' 88,000 square feet Hilt i~ tei~',!! r,,(1h-L,' .. lt~ j SS.I_:'; squ~"'-p fDr}t
\H·o~H:n::,. It · .. ill r,';)!. s.tac',j 2f(hi t.e-ct'Jf<1r;; a:1c,~_t: -"iH,(1Ui tr,;:'
;'irchi!ectL!"ai r;'e'i;e"l B~)"rd gi\'ir;~ F:l'tre-:,~::r ll,~'~2 ~,~(I,t iny of that
i)HildlJ:'] In {.onjlJnctic·: Idtf-ti',: '''':'5.1';;1 of U,e-!,-,-~'C' i:,[, c.t',f( ~~!1 Hie
,lr..plicant have b!:el1 n:r;,' 0\'1 it':r;;H-.1-: h;i\'ir:g i~;(' {-list r"',j,",, of tnf<:.
project, He l·esir:.1.2:,ti.>i, tcJ~:i;,9 f,rGe>: ';';~ ..11;:> 2!j-t, ',,:,';di_\o:, U:e fir'~;~
(Il('-.-)1 re',liel'l' of t.~f;.' df'(f' t'Jlidir,,? pr0ju_t, So Jr!i ,,',uti .:c:'uJ. thre['
j,~)~es s;id~ by side nrejii'9 to be re'.'ie .. ",d tv~<-,t~!t'r, ~:;: 2r-e riot :':",11:9 g;'.'2;';
rl),lt opportunity, i5 utter MfI~;"~_~~E'. n',es~ .. ';!~ ~,~ hod up, s.ide by 'SIde,
bY the AR8 in looking Jt a const~tent pre5Ent~tlan cf t~at neighborhood
and the lytton A~en~e dlst~jcl as an j~p0rta~t desigr, el~~enT.
[l~J'ond tM?t, we 9'o2"t ir.to, .Hld I t~lin\r, hr,ilr*~:;. Cuanj ~airi it t,E'st, ,whe:1 he
\oIJS here. "Builders build b~J-,ldings -:-nJ b:Jild (c-~c\Jrli:ie", 1~,Gt pl.z.nr.ers."
Some rar!fied notion Hlat t'~HS tfi'\;-auc p.::lrcel sr:cuid be de'.'elopej by SO:>ie
person without finanCIal responslbillty for the ability to ~~jld the
project ~ithout the neE'd to le2se and market t~at project to people ~ho
are actually going to tnjay their office jn ~t and ~~thout responsibIlity
to the neighbors ., there "o:JJd be 75 neighbors i1er.e to:':i<;'lht if ""t' ",,~re
doing an RH-30 de'f'elopmE':'lt O'.Ji:;'T phtfoTm parking so that you cculd cre.3te
a litt1e bit of p~blic dcceB arec feor i park. If that fits so.~ notion
of planning, then diZJ1 it, it ·~on't get approyed ,3,1d 1t is. root going to
91;:'t approved in this neighoorh-ood and it ",on't a10;'1g f1 Ca~ino either. So
we are h~re to stand for t~e .a~e of the future. as Scott suggested in his
introduction. We are all concern,d about approvabilily, archltectYral
~xcellence and opef1 s.pace. For" the office u1rr.por • .e-nt. the open s.Vace ratio
is S3 percent of the sit~ tOY~rage ~ith ~! perl~nt 'eft a~~jl~ble for open
soace with a hUGe amount oi ~etb~ck You can St€ r a~ ljttle heated ~bout
this.
Here is. a de'{eloper beaUng his heart out. A.nyor.e who lQo~:s at tt:is., arlY
building prcfesS:iN',al ,..ho leor.s at Ud'S project, including one who js. ',n
the (JLldienee arid h-as di50r1js.s.ed hi~5-elf • ..,.r,o {,2lS h::d an iflten:-s.t jr, .... hat
the value of this prop::!'t.!' i;,ighl be, it was t"t-Id 0pU, to li',i'-fiubl it,;. t..
Request for Proposal Wol's put out, and there \lias tIi~ abil ity fC!r the best
dew~lopers in the reYlon to bid tO~JrJs the purchase of the property.
This team ~aS selected because they give a Mel1 of a good price, and
secondly, because they had ~hat w~s conceived of ~s an appro~dble project.
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The-point is that it is astonishing, given t~e price that is being paId
for the hnd, that thh type of qua1 ity proje-ct could bE.' rut fonrtad, It
really is a tribute to this developer in what t think is a~ ingenious
separation of the parcel s in a way that mnes them and senes both the
lytton Avenue district and the values that can b~ created on Lytton Aven~e
through office and open space, and the needs .of this ccmunHy, Scott W.i:S
overly modest in depleting what the neignborh~od response was, it d~es
Mt mean that in this neigMborhood, there \IIIeren't subjectivE' opinion:>
volunteered by everyoM. By and large, the co~nt r,/as. ThJnk you 'Wer)'
lYIuch for :-.ot putting us through an RM· 30 or R/I!·40 reGtJe~t, What we feared
in this neighborhood was , after wiltchil'1g with lytton IV IJiIIha~ a horrible
pol itical prot;e:'\.s Hat was for everyone to have to er,dure. It is a
neighbornood that feels besiegf!d by density, absolutely ,;"lnprable to
Encroaching increased den$ity. Tnis nei9hbornooj can $up~ort it,
Increas~d density more than other neighborhoods is the notion. it has th~
worst east·west traffic bec~use of Aima and Middlefield, and this proJ@ct
has tried to respond. fral'1kly, I think it is 5h~~eless thJt the flrst
r-espon:;e would oe, lEt uS tell you nCo' .... to dr:Soign thes'E' t'r.'u ,l~re:" <1.i':) to
nell with the neighbDrs and to lIell .dH, th~ fjnal:reab1:1ty Dr He
project.
So it sec!')S t,) mf> tll;f. there i~ a flJl'ldaf1':iOrit3r ~ulicy i:"SlI(' t'l,lt i:; t'.:-;r.,~
ask2d her~ ,,",'hlch ;$ re~'en'ed for UiP. Pl~l1ning CO-'-is<;iCl" ,:r.j ~,:,1. f,~,r ~~e
ARB, Thz.t issu~ lS., "Is. this pncelizatiQI1 for 1S U.'1it5 ,jn '';h)i"'-:'~·riat>:
parcelilatiun?" That policy deci:;'io;;, wrlich '''''e hope and t-'c:,eech ','Q'J tv
adopt, carries forwal'd to tn£> ARB it> <;pprDpriate-ant1 l)r":;U:o (c'lr' 1.0 IODk
at the integrat~d design of these two proJects and not ~el1 U$ th2t ~e
~ho:.Jld be i:>uilding RM+30 oyer i1!ilxi,'I':um d~nsit)' offir:e .ar.d rftail b~(',3.',jse
somebody think~ th3t is going to work.
A second issue is to understand in th~ broa~er sche"~ of ~er\'lng the
nousing needs of U~ cCI:tmur:ity, Thi$ project IS !"loser to an ~:~·1~' H1In
to an R.I1-30. This is designed for families, Thr;r€' are c1()~€' to ~s many
bedrooms in this as would be developed in iln AA-30 condom1nii.l~ pr(Jject
By having three and four bedrooms. it is yery similar to a project that I
was involved in with Dermott and Magu'lre and Peter Calthorpe whic.h did flot
get built but got approved which was in this neighborhood, ~Gre than any.
becalJse of the avail abi 1 ity of pad.s, the sacrifice of some back y,ard
space, smaller lots with ho~s with multiple bedrooms, filled the desire
for h-eterogeneity in the cotm1uniti by hrinqing. in younger families. ThlS
15 not going to be a retired couples project, as you can see by the ~hole
nature of the design.
One 1c.st comment> because of one of the questions raised about average
nousing prices, h10 !\1tc has a h;'gf,~r cost per square fnot of land th,j,rl
Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley. So if the issue is, thp goal of
tnis in creating affordable housing is to the extent that you can reduce
the 61 000-sq1.Jare-fQot lot minimum, that, in and of Hs~H is what <.:teates.
affordahility. TMB only alternative in density, iI:i Scott has pOlflted out,
;s unfinan(.eable RH·30 housing, which looks. llke lrair~ tl"ad:; de'.'elcp~·ent
along California Avenue. let's not kid oursel~es, lhat is not appro\'able
in this neighborhood, let alone finance~ble. I a~ sorry 1 am a little
excited, but it seems like the focus for the P'annjng (omission stwuld b.e
in the context of the supportability by the neighborhood and the really
sensitive way in which this developer has appro~ched the project, which
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includes splitting the project so it can exerc1se jt~ legal rights in
<levelop1ng t~e office building a~ one project, net to protect it frorr.
public scrutiny. We s.t with each of the ARB members with tne office
building design and the residential designs before them in independent
meetings before the hear; ng. The same wi th the ne'tghbors. Thank you.
Chalrp~rsoll Sdmidt; We hJve one more pers-on to speik from the ilubl ie.
Keith Bissell, lQ31 Alegre ~~~ltos: Although we live in Los
Altos, we OIll'Tl a home on Emerson Street across from t~e proposed
development. It is a home which ~·e are currently renting out, but we are
projecttng to move into it 1n t~e futUre.
1 will confirm the fact that sp{!aking as a t'l.omeo:,rner in Hut comu!1ity. we
are r'f 1 i eyed that thi s d 1 d not turn into a higher dens it), proj ect because
of the nature of the existing r.ommunity iilnd also tht: f1~tur-2' of t~e traffic
that is already 'n the co~nunity. ThIs will add to the traffic. but if we
~ad a hi~her denSity situation, it would be eyen worse. We like, in
pr'jnciple. ~hat they hav~ designed, but ~e haye ~ couple of problem~ with
it, One i $ j'J:: t because '"'€ 11 appen to be lac ated ac 1'0 So", hen' 50 t.hat eu r
~ome, the only s;n;:e-family hor.;e on that street, h.1S tr~e pr:)sper~t of its
major picture window lookln~ right down the alley, That is something ~~
,l,re trying to work out with the:71. There is not t{)C rr:uch ""'Hh this pre':oent
pl~n that can bE done about that.
f"'e other prQble''!'1 is with the major parking irl the (ommerdal b1JildiflQ.
The oilly access t(J this 150 stalls of parkif1g is right off of our street,
wh '} en ; s Emerson St ree-t. I xnolol that t.hey rea,l1 y like the i f par~,. bl,'t ",,'€,
as neighbors, w~uld mudi rather see 1es$ traffic trran J par~" Right nDw,
our fear is that a lot of the traffic going into this commercial bUildi!"!g
will avoid lytton Avenue and will come down EYer8tt Str~et. right down oor
nelghborhocd streets, which are already cl'owded and parked frem dawn to
dL.lsk..
We would like to see where the access to this pre~ent parking would only
corne up lytton A'ienue and turn right in here and the exit Ol.1t here i¥here
the planned park is, and could only exit to t~e right and go back. to"-,ards
Lytton AVilnue. If that fails 1 wh~t would we would like to SEe happen. as
has happened in some other streets bordering Stanford University, is to
have this street blocked here, sO that the co~rc;al bui:ding can only he
acc~ssed from the c~rcial distrlct. not through the residential area.
Right now, we have enough people tutting through our street to get to the
cOftnE'rcial area, and if this parking is opened only here, .... eo are going to
have a lot of cQmmerc;al traffic. t!specially if this building is designed
for swch businesse~ and offices that have customers ~nd clients coming in
and out all day long, It is ~or8 than just people coming to a work place
that are employees, It is gOing to be customer and client traffi~, as
well. So J Ioiould 1 ike for you folks who know the parking and haffie
problems that we have in Palo Alto, especially for those of us whOSe
residences are right off the commercial district, to please pay close
lttention to this particular mattpr. Otherwise, we will be very heavily
impacted en Emerson Street.
To add d !'lote of humor to this, if there is nobody here from Ramona Street
objecting to this, why don't we put the park over here and hllve the
ingress and egress off of Ramona Street instead of Emerson Street? Thank
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CQ!!ftTuioner Ojakian: Keith, OIlE' of the thing~, yO\J suggested was perhaps
blocKin9 off tne street on the resld€ntial side. Ha"'e you talked with any
of your neighbors about t~at?
Mr BisglJ: Not yet. ,"",ost of cur nei.ghbors are rental people, but I
ha~e talK~ to SOmE other p€ople YP tne street who are actually
hoaeowner-s, and they e_~pressed my same conCern about the heavy increase in
tr~ffic. r can see that we c~n absorb the traffic just from the
resldential p~rt. but 'f we also have to absorb the tr~ff)c from the
c~rcial part, we fino that a bit int.olerab1e.
COl!II!isl1o!'F,r Oja.kJ_~n: W~len the Tfrnes Tribune was u:.dng that building, we
na'lle tlean:! tonight th;; t the buildi ng was larger in size than the cl1rrent
or:e being pr'Oposed. Did you experience heavy traffic i~ that situation?
1-!._f.n. __ Biss.en: Ho~t of tne ~eop-le there l,ooIere e\7'91(\y€p.':., ~CI they cam\?: in,
stayed tl,e day, and left. Also, the pre~ent park1~g lot ha~ two exits,
c,~e ':~l R-a.:'!',Qrt.) Street ,aiid one on f,er:;oI1 Street. This project i<o'ould
1nUI2.3SE-the ~"'C'LJi1t of pat'king sr.oaCF;$ f('Qn1, I bel ie'.'t:!, 9(1 to 150, and
re_d0C€ the entr.'il:ce f~"G":1 t'r!\) to one. 1tiat one happens to be off Em(;'rsC'n
Street.
(C::'.t~, __ ~ __ i_QJ.Lli.j)i\lki3~: Rut aq,~ ir., you have {Hlt ask",ci ryn;'OH(: i:lb(lL!t. street
burjers.. SO~i:'tir·es.. whell thE\' gCi ir., :some p{>rJple find it dlT1r%30re and
others find It very unp~ldtabl~. Do you have any id~~ how many of your
neighbors would wlnt this'
Mr Bi5~el1: We would rather krep 'it open and h~ve the ~ntrJnce and exit
as my first suggestion ~~ the eittrance off of [n;erson Street and exit ooto
r.:i\~n,? Stnet. But if it CO:1l(>:5 dOlrlTI to the other, I will personally go
through the whole neighborhood and canvas it, if that is a possibility.
~$_. tiilsqn: As a poir.t of irlforoation, it should be noted that the
res.ta\Jrant d~",~'op~nt u~ the street has discussed entEr'tn9 into a parl<..-)ng
ligree-~nt with this facit i~y, which 'Would mean that this parking Lo;;sue
wC'u1d go on into the evening hours. r wanted yO:l to know th.it.
Cha.irperson Schmidt: Seeing ne other speakers, 1 will clOSE the public
portien of the hearlr.g and b:--ing it back to the comission, Are there any
odditional questions for staff?
would like to ask Shirley ~ question.
(Ms. Case asks for time to advise Ms. Wilson as to how much she can
discuss this project.)
(orrnlis!:,iol1e"r Oit'lkiaf'l: May ask her a question now?
.ti~_~: Yes, and ~J:r:' will .inSII'er it to the ~xtent thC!t Sfl€' can.
CQ[£.iisslener Ojakian: I understand. To be somewhat fair jn this process,
and aho bH3JJSe ti'le ARB is represented by Ms. Wl1son, 1t puts yow in a
funny position because this is not a project that the ARB has looked at.
Mr. BJer made some comments t~.at lead U~ to believe that thi!re is a
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preferHU, (oF1-the part of
So Qy Qu~stions are these:
from?
the A~Sf to ha~e this a h:goer density site.
Is that true, and wtlere does. t"hat notion come
t'I...L......-'II/.!l.Hl!: T,"er~ was SOil'E dis.cuss-ien, e~'en befor.e~ this project was e'leon
designe·,j, a.bc1Jt pcss,ibiUties Oft th\s s.ite. l don't think that wa5 a
point \If dis.cuSSiol1 o:t the ARB n!>:etH'lg with th"" little that this. part of
the project WOl.S di5Closscd. 1 Hdr.i< there ~ere JtiS.t 50::le concerns about
how this WiS d~$igned .nd wnat tnat life would be like.
CQlni<siQner Qja~ijn: E~~ntual1y, tnls wlll C~~ ~efore tn~ A~B and you
will ~avt the ~p~rt~nitJ to c~nt on what you thin~ about the design.
Then It "ill C~ bad here with your r~c~ndati'Ons.
~.l..L .. !UJ...i.gn: I think. c'J.r ri.'!iiction is i!Klri' "hat j \lias stating in the
~gin11ing --~r1 Ul1f'lilfirled desire to s.ee this vision for th!: whole site,
which did mt ::eo?-::", to bi: 1;2penirrr:;-jrl t~e ... ·df th.at one w'Ould normally plan
a bloc:': -11k.;: th;~c
CV'-,SSl('-U ce'2(Ma-. lr:fl. ia:I'b', 1 .. '~nt te, re~~~cnd to $(1"':<", '.:o-."'-ents by
~r.2<:~I,at;,~t th2 foh· Df ~;;~,,;~en cr. bD~rds "n·::! co-~i:;s)IJ~::'. Hr. B3t.>r,
it 5€02"'-ed' tIJ :"">:;, tr'~:lL., ,,"~r2,~i' tn3t pl<:nni~r:, H:.J cnrd~ ~nd r;:o~i$sions.
'!'(::lul,j ~i!'r'!O t~.; 9;:-11 to tell c·,c·,el{'pE'fs. '",hat t,) ~0. WE art: hr,re, .in fact.,
to l1',) Hid. Hi:. Cli" \-;:'s.f,,~,r!Slt,ilit;,. to '10 'Jur' t.:-~t :0 Cle.:iJe what b the
t-i'.St ri;.: of bitr, {'rl'''c1~-;> ~i:l~ public t'i;r-:."::"flts Ii! the Cit)' of ~t~lo Alto.
Y(!u ut? right t~'H it is tf;P. build~I' "'~O rLlt~ thij'"l~s iJ~ • .and if Y<JU look
,H'our;;j P.a:lo Alt,) , 99 pefi;F.l"it ~::as Dee:l put ~p by kJi Idrn, reM planners.
So bl~ildc-r.s car: take :crF.dlt for ~nat has (jone right, dnd t:'1i)st of tnt'
cre~'t, too, I \uspe~t, for ~h~l ha~ lEerl don~ _rung. But \t '5, in fact,
our responsibility to t~11 you, under th~ l~~s ~nd regulations of Palo
Alto, w~at we feel ycu C~~ ~nd cannot do, should and Should not do,
1 haY2 a Q~€stjon for st~(f. One t~ing ~e have to~ched on tonight is the
exit fro. the cOr.'Df'rciai struttLlrt'-that is not strictly before the
P]innlng C.Ofr.IISSion. DQ lIIe have iril pur ... ie-Jt in discussing tnat tonight?
Mi, Ca.sg: Th.ere ii probably iI cQwple of things that ~l1ow you to taH:
awut 'it if! this, ipplic.ition. un\? of thtm is nat they ate· touUn9 that
as part of Hreir p1Jblic benefit_ ~'[1W ha'o'.(> the discretion tOo decide
whether you think. tn.eir public beMfit is appropriate or adequ--ltt:'.
Ther'2fore, you holve th~ r19ht to tan. aboJut the facility that they are
talking i~ut as 3 public benefit. Other tha~ that, to tn€ extent that
that llGpolcts t~is proJect that JOt..: are dea.lir:g with, I think you ~al{e the
rlght to tal~ about that. Aiso, ~t this paint, the ow~er is o5tensibly
HE" sam-e, so t~.eoreti(al1y, the:,.. h~',," the right to do $o<~~thing ~b.Ollt it.
So this is certainly a prop~r !i~E to t~lk about it.
CQmissiqnt:r Beedflm: 1 ha .... e a second question about parking on tn€
residential aspects. The plan before us has 40 spaces, whereas staff
indicates Sl · .... oL:ld be req:..:ired othe-nl'is.e. If these wer~ Single-family
nOr:1-E':', )a l,;nits, ho~ ,<;uch pnbng 1o.·(Hlld be reQuin':o?
ComdssiOI'lt-r 8eed'l~~: $0 that is calculated simply at two per unit.
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.' t
06/29/94
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/
Mr. Gilliland; That is correct.
Com;ssioner Bgj,charn: And sInce U1ese are rlDt singlt?·fa~ill ht.:'r:'Ics, but a
PC based more or )ess on an RM·)O, ",''!' use <I dHfe"erlt cdicul arion f"lr It?
Mr. Gilliland: That is corr~ct. That is why ~~ use those calrulatlons.
~jssjpner Beecham: \of~,at js. t,~e basis tor th€-differ~;;t calculation:
What is ti1e rationale b~1iii'1d it.?
Mr. Gilljlan~: That is because it is a denser Drojec~ th~n ~Duld he
pera;1tted under OUf R-l loning reguhtions. T,~-z E-l z(lf',ing regulations
Te{!uire a lot {Jf 6,000 square f>2~t, wi'lietJ, in t!';r:"l, :s 90;;19 to ·~iye you
mer-e street frQntilge a.r-d you 91 i.11 h~l/e r'cre ?c.r-~'ng a\'a.~1abl~ I)\", the
street. In a denser proje~t 11k .. this, \lie do 1:Xl\:~ I,.ip to t,1e rE~glJlitiors.
of t~e multiple-family district.
C;Qrr.mi:~i.LQ[I..tt...-.6_t.ech.~.1l!: JII a sin91e-fa",:11)' r~s.'d2"tial are1l. rri:'s!':~'E it
is normal to hOlY!!, in (Urr:::ont I.;.QnstrJ(t~~;n, -3 iJ'::;c,oi,':> .. 'hit~, Jrl'''C'''.~/?
.Cor:-nissicner I3p,-e.:~'rcr"'i: I~()t rE:',~uln~'i, bt l';r,';. ·>..:rr.;::",t ~'r:·ct1(~'" g';f;(;r"ll),
to do tnat?
Mr_ {;;llii<illo: Jt ~s. eCTorl pr.Htiu to llc'.';: ~ c:~':.;hlp "i,J::-~:3r>~2, t-ir
would not say that the ~ajorll~' of the~ d~ ha~~ ~ drlub'~ ~jotM drl\'e~d\.
We get a 10t of them that cni:/ h,~','e ~ L~ foot dri'.'e'.,.!y off t~"' str.:--."L·
have not daFle .a. sur',ley to be ab're-to 5.3:." hc~ ,";".111;/ of e~ch tH,-e-.
~lrrniss1aner Beecham: [n w3.1king -3.-rcund the b1or:~. tCl'\igt'1t, I fCirgot tn
note again wheth~r on the (orne 1-of f~erscn 3Gd [\'crett Strepts, ~hi[h way
do the ~top signs w~rk? I beliEvs th~y ar~ on E~erson Str?et. but j ~~
not positive.
Mr. Gilliland.: The r~sid€:nt hen: tor,ig!":t Si!YS t!1~.Y ap" Or', tr.erscn Street,
and I bel ieve that is cc·rrect.
C{lmmjssioner Cass.:'l: 1 haye a que:;tion of staff '~Oii19 baa tQ n,~ public
benefit. I am sensing that all of the public b€nefit ner~ i~ to b~ off
site. It is in the BMR units that win be off o;ite , and it is to t.e in
the parK, ... hid is ~sse ... tially {Iff site in term5. vf H,t' fact that thes-e
two are going to be separate parts of the property.
Mr. Gil1ihnd: tet me clarHy 'that the 8MP.. ond ne negotl;:;t1ons that are
90i~9 on, and anything tied to the BMR, are ~at i~cluded in the pu~lic
bcnef't at this time in any way. They are str'i(tly in co~plianc€ with
Program 13 of the Housing £lement. fhe-a.vDi icant !las sta.ted that put iJf
thelr basis for the public benefit is the type of hau~lng and providing
housing and converting S01'l"'e of the co::wner(,ial1y .:oned areii to hOliS}jjg.
They have a1~o indicated the possibility of an aff·site public benefit in
the added parking that is being done as part cf thE' (c,:,:,\c.ercial tuildir,g
and t"'e park are;;. nlat is. tOt!re. ! thlilk It is. \.J.D tel U,e (o-:r~i<;.s;::)n to
determine what is the appropriate pubric b'l'nefiL ihat i one of the
things 'ttl:-want you to discuss tCr119tit. How it-'Jch t-ef'lent '; Te-q\Jl:-e-d for 3
residential project of this type? Is whdt they ~re propo ing e-rlough? Is
06/29/94
~2Cr-
there additional public benefit that needs to be made?
Chajrperson Sc~midt: Let us begin the dIscussion.
Cqm1ssioner Djakiin: I will be glad to. I want to make a. few bri.ef
conments, and then a motion. Ratner than talking about in6ividl.:Clls or
people's opinions. i ",ant to stay focused Qfl what w .. hav~ before us, which
is this particular project to develop 18 housing tinits plu5 four units
above the garagE's, If we stay foc.used on Hat for the rest of tnf
evelling, we win rome out of here tlaving given the de'feloN' SOI!".e clear
message Dr. IrIInere we think this should be headed. ~e win ail be the
better off for that,
In corrmenting on t~e proje;:t it~elf, 1 '",ill paraphrase \Oihat the applicar.t
was siying earlier tonight. I will also refer to and sugge~t for the
public record that if it has not b~en made available, the ~anta Cltra
County Manufactur1~g Association sent out at least two letters on this to
the conrnissionel"S, both in favor of this parti<::uhr project. $tatir~g
severa 1 rea sons why th~y are in f eli ~ror of t t r as 1t i€9t.J a:.; to '"If t ~.O~J9ht 50 (""
this project.
One of the Cori'rr:ent'S that W.,5 emphasized tunight o,'3S one rhat ! th(llJg,ht
about eyen prior to coming in here that I ayre~ with. Thai is t~j~ ~ho'€
notion of where ttlis project fits in rel~tionsilip to the neiglibcrhccd,
am h.irly p',s:a::;ell with that as:pect of that project. lhis is "
neighborhood that has been inundated with high den~jty project~ and has
been sorred by it, at 'I~~st in ten~l~ of the fe~!\nq.5 of the peopl,e '11')1.0
liy.; in that area, and maybe even Hl terms. of ae design dnd plan and feel
that we have been starting to gi'-.'e to t~at area. rhis pr0ject, jn i:"ly
thinking. doe~ l',ot do that.
I agree with the CQmments made ear-lier about the offs.c-ttlng of "-high~r
density project, an RH··3D project, versus what ~e have here, thi~ being
more accept~bJe. I think this is a good fit for the neighborhood. It i~
a nice transition from H,e c{J~ercjal zcne, scaling dOlrtrl'n into that area.
It provides some security for the pecple who do live in that area.
I am pleased that it is farr.ily ho·using. I agree with the COm1e-nts made
there, the fact that we have ~ultiple b~drc~m units. More than likely, we
will haY~ families living in these units. I would not nece5s~rilj call it
low or moderate income lioi.a1ng, per se, as the applicant was alluding to
earlier. but in ~ sense, it ;s housing not quite at the price that the
c~rrent market is going for. So it offers t~e possibility for more
indiViduals to 'iv~ in Palo Alto. 2nd that is a real plus.
Also, I like it in term~ of being lower derlsity, t)''.It also as alluded to,
. not nece:.;s.arily fewer bedroom ur,its. We are gOing from perhaps 72
bedrooms to 64, a comment made tonight. I will assume that is pretty
accurate, and just thumbna,l thinking of that tells me that. Not to lese
sight here, by the way, is the fact that we are adding to the housirlg
stock. r agree with Mr. B;wr's comm~nts that we ar€ som€' .. hat -:aught
between a rock and a hard place in that to get higher density units, we
are not ill a position to ha .... e those everywhere in town and na\'e people
acc.ejJt that. The,!' are a little more appropriate here. As people like
Duany alluded to, in certain crossroads and areas where they can act as
buffers besides providing housing, along the rdilroad tracks, maybe that
i'
, I , ,
i
is an acceptable place to have higher den~ity housing J5 opposed to this
partIcular site. 1 like the feel and the fit, 15 what 1 3m getting at.
The pot~nttal eXisted to have a project i~ this area that is going to
produce more traffic, so in a sense, one of the outcom~s of this. wi1i lit',
tn many ways, less traffic in the area. BasicallY, what I am saying is.
in many ways, shapes and forms, thi 5 is a .... er)' good pr,?ject. I feel that
the crux that it comes down to is looking at two or thrp.f things that J
think win b~ important as we, hopefully, P.2!SS this from a conct:!ptllal
appro'llal part of th1 s process and eventually get it back for $OrT1e sort of
final re.iew before 1t qoes to Councl1. Tnose areas that would be
ill'lportJnt to scrutinize"the next time around lnclude public benefit. In
that a:rea, some things have beEn suggested, but r am going to look. closelY
at the number of BMR units tn~t are going to be proposed, O~r current
legislation requires two, but to get a PC loning, to my \<Jay of thinking,
there has to be something additional there. Maybe the four units that
have be:en kicked around a bit wOIJ1d b~ a geed f'>u1T,b~r. ma)'b~ $ome1..tling :a.
bit higher than th~t. I will look at that, and I am not sure wh~ther
OU'tH COliCl'liS:il0ners will ha'{OZ! sc,,"ething a rittie more specific there,
Another part of the public benef1t, to ~e, is glJaranteeing Jccess to that
garden a,ea. r am not con'/inced t{1at that has to be dor.e by ~Eans. (;if the
~irCjJito~s route b~ing sLlggested for the people coming in froffi the publit
arPd. for the people who reside in this parti(ular housing project,
re:'t1ng :some sort of QilteWlI\' into that 3rc;], ~nd ha~'iflq full ti.~it' <':((2SS to
that area I think w.oiJld b~· irTlportont, -
Obviou~ly. the av~ilability of the 150 parking 5pac~s for some pqblic u~e
is an ir.!Dortant public benefit that needs to be a part of the final
process, some method of guaranteeing that. How tll~t is constrlJcted will
be i~portant to how the circulation ~0rks tt~ere, too.
looking at the fir~al landscaping on this project, as it relate~ to the
street frontage, is a1sc an important part of determining what type of
publ ic benefit we will get out of this project.
One of the things J also like about this project which we ha .... e talkfd
about a lot in places like (PAC is the fact that with this project, th",
street cov~rage is not garage·oriented. That is a very appealing part of
the design to me. It plJts empnasls on the house. not on the car. 'rile are
putting emphasis on the possibijity of something that looks more appealing
teo people from a pedestrian point of view than what has traditionally been
done over the last several years.
1 personally will ba looking carefully at what type of traffic mitigations
are proposed wh~n we get this back again. One thing we hav~ not touched
upon a lot tonight but was a11uded to in a g€neralist way in the staff
report is the whole handling of the construction period and the potentidl
disruption that can cause. and how that can be minimized or mitiqated in
some way so that W~ do not have a tremendous amount of disruption, both in
th.e ne"ighbcrhuod a('1d in the (:cITlmerda.l area.
It is inter~sting. off of seeing our approval of the Santa C13ra County
Water Distrlct project, the building of t~at underground culvert in the
Santin Park ana, one of the s~d€ effects of that has been that several
bU'SiMsses have complained how that constructioI1 has impacted them. So we
06/29/9\
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niVe to be -sensitive to that. My cloin Clw.areness of that lOCi being
hei9hten~ a bit.
In s~ ... rr;u)', for me, in t~nTlS (If when WEi' are at in t~is prl)~es.s. ! have no
probless a.pproving this project c.onL:e-ptually and seei~9 it pas.~ed on to
t~E A~8 and then b.ack to us again for a final approval.
~~: CQi!'Uissiono':'r Qjakian: r ther-efore mO\ip' that the Pianning
COIIEIissior: recOlIIN:'nd cpprolfcl of the conceptual pha,:se of tl'1is PC
.appl ir.:at ion and pass it aloMO; to the ARB for furthe-r revie"".
C.hllrn4!rlOn St;MlJi1.: 1 s that with some of the cOr.'rnEnts .YOU spoke to about
public ben€ftt is a part of this?
~~issiQ.!lf.LQ.Lakl.an: That i~ (orrect.
C~-,-lr.,:,jc-"'~r r:JS~eI: l::1asjr::ally, i <,.glEe ....,\th ' .. rlat CQ71jss.ioD':"r OjaUan
;;2'; 5a"id.-l-ha-d :;Cr'"-e-(or:C:Hns about th~ parki.'"JS'. Thl::'r.~ i'S ~ wonderful
ir·cre.a.se-i~ pU~:'-jS' in that c(",·":cercl.ai buildir.g. J'et there Is !"Iv Wey to
(::.p;.w'""t: u,y of it for the hcusir'9. So J can c~pture the fl"elir'9, .:::
ilttlE:, c,f t~t> AKB ',.~,en they sajd it '1\'('1111d or; rnu' to (I <'l I<'[) put I.MeC1
'cqdhu i,\ :.(',~.~ "'J",', 1 ':<!.{j l,n,jerst~nj that feelinq, I.o::=C4U~(· you ,-,;qht
t..:t~tlJl'" "c,~ of thil; s.;,B(e, j,l 'lel''''.s of ~)arking. SLIt trt.3t is. r~"1t what ' .. e
~re ico\inQ at, anJ th~t is nat the way the} have bt'ought it to us. 1hey
ncH'e that prhate rigrrt, if the)' ,..,ish to, as long as they arc complying
'oSith !he rules. to go with thJt cO~1j€rcidl space .E, it is.
T lik~ t~e IS units, the transition into the tingle·family nelghborhcod.
1 should stat~ that the proje(t developers lsked me to m~et ~jth the~ to
t~lk ;:bOL:t .... h~t the), were dolrlg. I did listen tc ",r,at tl'1ey had to s.a}',
a"d l did walk t!le neighborhood more t!Jan once. 1 have driven it in
vuio:Js '10(,),5 more tndn O:l::e. J tried to get a sense of the ciistance of
:.[;;~ of He n('u:;es arld so~e of t~e mulUple·fa:ni'l)' units. ii, tl1e arei: from
the street to get a senie of how far back this is. It is a different
sens€ thi!ri t~e ether nO:..Jses in the neighborl1ood.. The street 1 ioe to the
bUildif'l9.!:· are pretty much the Hi~ for many of the units. T~~re is. quite
d va:riety of units in that neighboTnccd, and Uey transition from some
.... er)' interesUng and bealJtitl.:l little h01JSeS and some interestin9
apart.nent buildlngs to so,one thlt are not very interesting, but it is an
intert'stir-g bJend. So i do riot see these houses as being any closer to
the stre-et. They shou"ld certainly ha ..... e a nice presence on·t~e street.
I a~ cencer'ned about the Dubl ie ~enefit. If tile developers are dec~ding
that t~e5e are going to be two separate and distinct properties, so very
distinct about the wa)" they are developing them, and then come in to us
and sa", "f' are-going to have the plJblk benefit oyer there) we are going
to have 3 c0Wi10n EiR O'ft!r there, and we are goin9 ttl have tr.€' ptlbi ic
bel'1e.fit be this othe-r project, then 1 am a J i tt1e concerned about .... '~y H!€y
Cire ~o .5:-;Jui.l.te. It sems. ,1: little incongruous tha;t ti1<? public benefit
all co~~~ o~t of this P"OjEct, yet they are nut ti'ied together in any
way .. So obviously, they are tied together. I would like to see that
resolved C! f itt leo
J am ,oncerned that the public ben~fjt is a private ben~fit, in terms of
OS/29/94
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, ~-....
the park, If that park is only open in the dayti~e. and if it is only
op~n with one access and has a fence totdl1)' tround it. then it js only
open to the people coming into the building at the ti~ of the cay in
whjc~ buslne~s is conducted. [f it has a fe~ce ~rou~d it with only i
$~ll oppning, it is not going to entic~ anyor.e to ~aH ill there, So H
it is a private park, as far ~s r can s~~, I wc~ld like to do so~e more
r~searc~ en that as to how it fits together,
I can Sei!' the issue of saYlng, if people an: g01(';9 to use t)-,e park: and 1t
is open through, people (<In wal~ out thelr front door and get to the park
a:lo easily as they {;ar. w,al k .(Jut tt;~ir back doc" and 9ft tD it. At first. !
".ad thought H w-Juld M nice to ~,a'ie an openi!'lg right s.traight throug~
into the b!lc~ alleji, unt,l 1 re~~.t.ered that ttJ€5..e J.re single-faml1y lInits
and ~ople can wil~ out tl'1'i.'ir he'lt dO::Jr-is wen .as trw recH door. But as
far as I can see, 1he parj( is tota11)' a p,.i'''dt~ p.ar~, OH-:c:r than BBt, J
'lrtolJlci confi rn! what Vi c ~ias. teen ~d)'i r:g
COrm1ission:er f;:?-e,:_~_~_~; 1 h~''':2 :!dji~if,~,,~l (j,2~t!c;,~, fo; ~t"ff. Of;f' ite~ 15
nn the p3rki~g fer th::-(c'-r';Hi~1 b-,ilJi;-,9 n,~'~ 1~ ~~. :-~-,r~ 1:;'( iess. three
space$ ,Do:f Hi):!~an:j s-q;~=r,," fo::>2t ,..".r5:.,> H,:, ..::rJi j'"",::" :'"q:Jir~:-i?r:t of f{l~q'
spaces.. ~'r:y doc::. $t.:lf( lee1 Hat Un~, I"; .a:·e~Jn.:-" ~_fli~ t;,:)i1dir,g?
~kiJJjJ_~,'J_~: !~ cordor-~ to th,' fjr.Jir :f,::,' r, lr,:-; ·,t~ 1"1 l,r·;,t 'cl-]~::
.~x·lS.tiq b:1D~I~9 Df 36,0,)) ~q:.;u" r;;:ct 1'2"-':'~ ;:r~,I' c; 'H,,~(t.'j, ;-r{I'.'i,:'::J,
The ne,,' t::;ildijl:j i:: act!.:,~ll, _~~.3112'-ir:';r, th.3l I.!-,::,r p,~ 1:J]""" III' th~
zoning ordillance and th~ do~rl!O~~ a~sei~~~nt ~l";lr:ct rE]~l~~icns, they
ha\le tfJ r11)inUirl th':lse 90 -Spa.(e~ in !hf." }'r(,j~n, rh'f',' ,H'", dctua1i)'
reducing t~e sGu~re footage ~n thp ~~ildln~ ~n1 they ~re Jdding parking,
50 t~e ad,~ed pi!rkirll1 is ."ell t':::-"'l~J:d t:-:.-:-re~u'lc!ti{:r:s.. JT, fj(l~-S r,0t confor;
if yo~ were to buila a~ entirel~ ne~ buijd~ng that had to pro~1de ~arxtn~
under the dD~ntcwn lc~tn9 regviatjo~!~.
~g,ffi1ip,ioner Bf;f'cnan: Yvu sa)' irr the st.:iff r"'r-(lrt en f).:ge 13 that th~
building will provide m·ore.-Han adt:qu2te pHking to ac:co~,'d<tte the
proposed b!Jndi~.
Hr. Schubert: At H'!.:r:t point, under j:l\Jbli.: benefit, 'lit:' .,.'er-e-sU:rJTiJ.riz.ing
the statelil€nt from the applicant. In fact. thp.y hl','e indicated they have
some informatiorl regan:l-ing the adequa.cy of three per thousand, whicn they
are going to provide us.
CQll'lTlissioner Beec-harli: Does staff t~en not support the state~eilt, or dDeS
staff not have an opini'on on the-stateinEnt?
t1L.1. _____ G_'l1iiJll1: Ir!'e-hH'e not rHei'il?d the additional jr.ton-atior, that t~je,'
wert': to ~ro"'ide us on the ba)is. thdt t.hree per thousand 1S a good number",
Right nOW I we would say th~t four per thau5ind i~ the appropriate number.
Cormissioner BeHhaT:1: I do hava great faith that the applic.mt w',}l,
:r,deed, proliide tile proof, but i woold, fOf He ~.-.:.~ec1t, like to strike
that from tJl~ r€'j)ort, b2'c.ajJ~ e .;e do ni)t kr:C"" U-,!t yet,
Mr, Gillil<lr.o: i '",ould DOlfit out that this is fro, tlie':l. It is t~e
appJicant'~:; proposed off·site publh: benefit, and that is their statement,
understand that you are ~ayin9 now :hat it is
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their statem~nt. as. presented ill here in the staff rep~rt, as oppos€d to
what is a~tached In their stat~ment. So I would Mope that ~hen staff
makes its recO!m\endat i on, staff i s abl~ to support w~at stdff repeats.
If, in fact, it had been in the italicized part, I ~olJld understand wnat
you are saying, but it is not at all clear that that is what happe~~d.
Hr. Gilliland: w~ understand. and ~opefully, both issues ~ill be
cl.:!.rifie-d be-fore tllis. return'S. to you.
C.orrtrlissioner Beecham: Getting back to the residt'ntia! parking. pro"iding
40 spaces versus the 51 reiju; red by code, and understand ing that if they
were s.ingle-family res.ide"clI!s-, t'lojO spac.es per resident ",auld be required.
and that is ~re or le~s what is being provided' here .... here lrtere is
perhaps less street frontage, does staff have any oplnion on the fatt that
because these are downtown, close to other tran$portatio~, close to th~
train statton, in particular, that there m~y be fewer c~rs here than in a
nomal resideJ'ltial de\'elopment? Is that stret.chin·~ thj~gs?
Mr. Gilliland: Most studies have $nowr; that \\!'.el·~ you ;'3'\';;' Jire:::t ,a·C'Cf-:SS
to direct publi( tr~n$it and to retail facti itil2" H.; c¥ IU"I·. Df PU'<H 1
is correspondingly I'educ~j $o~e~hat. ~h3t thJt figure is I canrot gl\'~
YOl[o So I would sa:r Urf;re is so-;:e basis for sayir.g that th,~ d-:,es rat
Ilay~ to h~ve the total nv~ber of sp~ces tl,a~ we wDuld n0r-all., recllir'~ fJr
the resjdenti~l portion.
Com~l$siQP€r B~echa~: Perhaps when this co-es back to u~ In ~ ~;·~th or
two. you can have some inform~tion for us on that, as ~211
Another question area is on the cOmfllercial e)l;it on [C'ersori StrHt. ,e.s Ofj;;'
member of the publtc mentioned tonight, there is concern about how th~l
would flo\\! onto Eli'ferson Street and fiolo.' north to exit t."::I-IHd Ml.-:a or
Middlefi!2-1d. 1 know tIlJt that is a CO~OTJ rJute n.a'1. (c-rL:ters t:s.e tv Gf't
out of th€ dOMltOWfl area. 1 sus.pect )'0<1 have not yet had il d!anCi" to ~
thif'lk a.bout ways that the impact of that could be reduc€d end to encourage
people not to turn right out of that ~)I;it. Two thlngs I can i~agine. off
the lop af my head, is just a :!.ign sayin'] '"No right turn~ which people
'Would soon lerftl'l tney tou1rl ignore, but aho ratlte-r til an b1cchng off the
road, which is not tht' w~y we g~nerally want to go in Palo Alto.
nonetheless, to have some tree or -whate .... er planted ln the parking iane
directly to the right to at least m~ke it a little inconven;ent to turn to
the right from that exit.
Mr. Schubert: J did speak to the lransportatjon Division today abcut the
traffic analysis. It states in the staff report that there ~ould be a
perceptible increase for the r1E'ighbQrs. io the a~oIJr.t 'If traffic. tet--"<!~I-\
that cCi'T'e1iercial driveway and the int2t"section of Lytton k,'E'nue ,Hid Er·-erson
Street. He said it should ~lso be stated that fo~ the rem3ining port jon
of Emerson and also for tverett Street, ther€ would not be a perc~ptible
increase in traffic for the neighbors. He als~ Doint~d O~T that there is
cur:-ent 1 y an above normal amount of t ra ffi c for i hi:. type 0 f re s.;, dent " a I
street on E~'erett Street, which would make an inuer-;,-€"lt.al increJsf' lE'$$
perceptible to the neighbors.
(ommissioner" Beecham: 1 understand, and it is uedible to 1"1e thdt the
traffic would be noticed on Emerson Street. EYerett is alre~dy used
almost as a thoroughfare; a lot of people go between Alma and ~iddlefield
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on Everett Street. 1t is only a s~lall benefit to say that the traffic is
already heavy on it so this will not be affectili9 it and they won't notice
the dHferp.nce. What J am trying to do here is to still find a way to
minimize additional traffic 'On an oljerly travelled street.
Mr. Gjlliland: Since the cOl'Mlercial building is essentially r-eviewable
only by the Architectural Re'/jew Board, I would encourage you to direct
your corrments about the drive'o<Jays and access to it directly to the
Architectural Review Board when H-i s does come before them so that they
might incorporate any changes or SU99€stioll$ that you might nave.
Mr. Schubert: r also would like to add that when this does come back to
the c.onniss;·on, we win have Me environmei'1tal assessment that will look
at th~ entire block. Traffic will be a part of that analysis, ~o you cafi
look at it from that p~rspect;\'e .
.t.m!!!l..ilsloner BSI;t(.ham; I understand YOUI' puint of view that the corm:et'cial
structure is not before us, but staff has indicated that the parking h;s
been ti~d into the resjdenti~l public benefit, which ~e do have before us,
$0 we do have th9 purview for looking at it. To say, on one hand, th~t ~e
havE!' a public benefit bllt en ttH~ Othl2:f tiof\lj, it \$ ~ fl~iJ~l1\!e for the
neighborh{'lod does not fit well. I feel it is. \dthin 'ihat we .... ould )001, at
here, so I would like to see, when this co~es back to us, so-e options to
hel p reduce that irrpOlct.
Also in the pac:ket we navel the applicant 1 ists Clb:JlJt se,'en public
benefits. One of those public benefits is the creation, as they put it,
of the major courtyard park amenity. As you have mentioned, th~t 1s not a
part of what you are considering the p'Ublic benefit to be. I am wonderirlg
why you are not including that as a ~ubJtc benefit, €ven thollgh the
applicant desire$ to do $0.
Mr. Gilliland: T.l)e issue we were trying to put forward to YOLI is exa:;:tly
how mucn public benefit is necessary for this project. The ilpplicanl
tnitially made the statement t~~t the additional housing, the type of
housing and the transitlon in th~ neighborhood wa~ enough public benefit.
We ~uestioned that at tr.e staff level ar.d we asked them to gi '..'e us
additional information, which is what they did in Items 1 an.1 2. But
those create off-site be-r,efitc;l iind there is some question as: to the
appropriateness of that type of off+sitc public benefit, which is the
discussion that you. are having t.onight. I think that what "'e would ask
tlie cOl!lllission tc do is to 9"uid.e beth the-applicant and the-'Staff as to
what you think is an appropriate pub!}c benefit for the project, how much
does it need, and whether their proposal for public benefit is U1e right
public b-elleflt.
Com; s s i oner B~~echMl: Perha ps J have made ani ncorrect 01 ~ s1..impt i on here.
In the packet, there is a development program statement, which I presume
is by the applicant. Then the applicant ha~ a SettioD 4.a.2 which is the
beginning uf a public benefit statement, basically. It includes .under it
seven items, one of which is the major courtyard ~ark a~enity. So in
facti the applicant is .c .. aying Ulat ~ pub~l( tH~nefH is the court.l'ard park?
Mr. Gilliland: The applicailt is shaking his head affir-mativery.
Corrill1issioner BeeC:.'o'.§..m: Yuu hJ\"~ not jncludJ:d it jn your report because it
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1 shJuld a1s.o add tnit with the parking, it H. a mixeQ benefit in that it
t,ljill cMannf'l a fair amcHmt of traffic into th~ neighborhooi;l, I would 1 ike
to see so~ Wi!Y to i~prC'\'e that.. j ha .. re probably gOlle on a bit mare than
I shol.ild, getting at ..mat J think are some O\'el" l·e.a(h~n9 public benefits
by the applic4nt, all being started because w€' do not IHve He proper
70ning for th,s kjnd of application.
Q1j_ir.~.r .. l_Q'l....kh..~ia't: 1 basicaliy '.oupport wlut has beer, ~a16 here .
• ~rH with Ji2 8,iler'~ castenl ttlat proof of t~_€ project's. 2cceptance is
t~e fact t~it the audience is not full tonight. T~ere is essentially no
one ~ere el:cept th~ applicant, and ftC' do not have the nLlrmal objections
that \I!"E' ha'f'e to a 10t of oroj~'Cts. That lrn!ans 1t is fine with the
rteight:I)T"s. r would still" say that I fee:l Hils is a missed opportunity.
agree-with COoI:IIissioner Beecha:'i's response tQ Jim Baer's (Oli'll'lents that we
\Ire hfr~ to !!like soee swggestions and state:J!.?nts abDut ~r.alt !'hould and
snou'f(5 nat C'E!' in ?ale ;'.IHa. 1hat)$ t\'1e job of thi:. group.
r dlso fe~l that this was !~ opoortu~ity to have done sO·'Ething gr2at on a
1<;rge .p~r,:;.:1. DC'ir,q that does. not neu"ssar(1) ,-,'<In it !'las to tiE' hi~n
d?l'1 s. H)' It U)Ul,j :;,-ea:l t~!.:.'ir9 \h"i: eoh-·''2litS. r;f .... t;,3t i<; ttl?re i\f\O. do)!';g
sc,-~t:,;r"-':.· "',:,r~ \,l~ :.:-r.3r":., ,:JH' l:~i'';·;2. '-,JH' !nip'",?stir,g, inst€Cid of just
·i,:-ir(; t'..::, $~I!a.(,:ltf" l,roJFet:, fI'lth ! \0.'.011 In tlet',.;;en ~rd J (j·)r,·putilic garden
th"t l-S fs~c.:-j in ar;::: .F"U_'<",ibh' r.rlly h;_'"'; p,~ {·ffin oui'idir:11 or froil the
:;tr=~t ,.,I--=.rc ':t ,,"'\\\ ~'i (1,(',:\,;~ ,~ff. O~";/;'7:l~)\Y for 9(J~J ri>ilSCns.:?t f)'9tlt.
lt is « -j~,..:~: c': i_":]"t'.lrlitj: 1_,) t;,: ,':d'e crG.l.tl',''; ,It<)A ' .. hilt (,)t.dd b:: dor,C:'
th!:'e that WJ~ld -~2t ~jt~ Jc(e~tance ~j ~he n~j9hbOrhoGd and still have
50--:"2 i.\,Ijje~l(:; ~'rL'~.r:rlt toni~~~t ... 1":0 i<I':,:.:lJ CE: enthusiastically in support.
J w:j"ld ,;1$0 ~Qree with -Co:m"issicner 8~t'(hJ." 5 co-,:ents that the nli~ber of
rut-.lic ber,efits is aver r~dchir.g, Wneri' thi"), s}lf:lak about "urban vil'iage
an::1 use so~e I)f thf;se trO'r,dy ter0s, it is str.::tch'i{,g a bit. 1 agr~e with
thJ3 COiT,.en.ts .about fi;.di[',g r-,Jr", n''ll \)uoi it: beMfH ,:, th-\'~ pr<J,)('(t. '1'-<":5-,
Jt ii nice that !'D~P dlfferenl kind of housing i~ ~ping provided here. It
fits in ~ith the scale a~a tile type af ~~u5ing ~eople would ljke to see
thtrf, but 9ive~ that this is J PC request, T feel there needs to be some
.dditior.al real oublic be:lefit associated -..ith -';t.
I ilgree .. it'" the statement;; mcde that it is lmfortwnilte that we do not
have lonir.g H,d a,1iDVtS this, as is in Pa10 Alto (.u:re!1tly, so thilt we
have to go through th~ PC ~roce:ss. in order to do something 1 ike this at'o
COM' toP with sOMthing that is financEable and s.i1eable, In SlllTY!1<1ry, I
support the project, wnuld like to see some more ~ubli' b~nefits, and if
thert: is any Ioji] to inc<Jr-porate in the further <fe"elop~ent of thL" p)'oject
s:o.e re31 integrHian with the offi::e buiiding, { !!'auld really love to see
H. If the-re i.; S0e;"': .... dJ' to dO $o~ethin9 differpnt with the orientation
of the hcuses right next to the office bujldl~g, 1 would c:ertainly welcome
seeir:,} sl},~ rea: intf!gratioll in ti1~ relationship there.
! also w~nt to say that the concept of making s~all lots and having the
use of the ~jde yard as one large side yard ~ersus two small partial side
yards is a geod use of these narrow lots.. j did n0t look in detail at the
bla.nk elel'.atic:l5 of ' ... 'hat tile or~c sil1" of no? {,ou~e$ will bel but I slJspect
that th~ ARB ~jll loo~ at those in Dore detajl [0 ~nsur'e that t~ere is
enough interest t~ere to not make the!':', .... ery boring luoking side walls,
D6/29/94
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that r was pernaps overly negati'le in my cements, i!nd I ha\'2 not
expressed SOrM! of the pos.itive thOl>ghts. SO~ h~ ... e bE'er'l saId alre-ad,.'r'. but
1 will say that 1 think it is probablY the perfect density for the
Mlghborhood, J1 1s putting more re:!.identia"1 in th5?re than would fit Hl
there is single-family homt's, and not as r>1l:cf>.IS if one WHe to cr(jm in
RK-JO. That nas done justice to the nelghborhood. Al~o. I feel that the
open space in the park is an appropriate transition bet'Meen t~e c~~rcial
building and the nousin9. H4 ... ~,r,9 it ot'hind tt'oe r:'Jf:I'b('r(ial building
between it and the h.ausing is ar. unusual approacr, ..tlirh will her.efit the
neighborhood.
On thE' question of &ccess fr~ tne resjdenti~l develop~nt to the park.
having the wa.ll at the i:ll~J.ay is He appropriate ~d'j to go. l.am ver.\'
concerned about having ess.entially private :.pace, ... hlch i:. what the park
is. too accessible to others in an uncontrolled fashlD".
Regarding the architecture. lrlitial1)' r \10'.1'5 cor,,;::rned a~n·t th;;-stu,-C'J,
but in waning around, I find thpre i~ Lu r"'':)re stL!CC0 ir~ t1'1i1t
neighborhood than 1 had j~agj~~d, S~ it Is no' cut of pla:~ t~ere, J ~o
we'lccr.';p' th~ appllcant's CO"T:~nts, tc'~i~ht ~.~,at U'<, .. 1:' t::-~:;ir:9
5ub:.tol'itia: wood trir1 i:S the)" :-"1\':0 ir, 1.0>-:al.1 t~;,,' i;;iq:·t·":.T'fIC':'~.
In sl.Jrl";"':ar)', I think this pnJj<'ct 15. ',Fry S2rlsiti';e t-:, tr,'; r,C'id',t.)rh:'IJj.
The apprc1t:ch tnJt ~ht' te~~ t.o:'k ir~ c':Jt~':·3.:j-,1"',': Hlt'J V'-~ f,~'Q;-::,)rr:cc,:': '"a' .
.. :;on sLlcce~:;fljl, In fa.~t, that tH'; ,)i '~'Jtr·:~d, c'rC'~'r::" 1:; ~ t:.pt' uf
model t,'1at UH' CP;"C, 5r_;b(I~:-,~litte~~ he'.": !J~d in. l(,;.~· .. iq o:t "YO'" r:.iilCe in
Palo Ail,,). -.
~OrrrT1i;;<iQner (as~~J.: (arlier, r dir(?ctl?d d qilE'~tior; of affordabllHy to
the staff. r feel we need to bf; ~erj' t.areiul in rviol \0;'::; U~,f that !~r"". rl)
builder would build iii unit that he did not f~~l was aff~rd3bl@ to
semeone. That would be crazy. You can bUl1~ a ~~i! fot a ~illion doll~rs
if you thinK SOIt\I::O)1E! can afford H. 1~~ t~rr:' tt",j.:, t,) be ;,;sed lo rrlN,n
that it i:. affordable to people who$e jficorres are: rr,are ,.lO:ig the ("·earl
income level. These units are needed in Pilla Idto, and I likt2' the idea of
them, and I am glad that tt-;is si2e unit is. beir:q pru~o~,ed, but t(1E;' tern
~affordable" jn the s.ense tr,at a perSO~1 of 17oe~n inc:v..~, {"o'er, the !'lean
incOll'!e in Palo Alto, c.an afford the~ is a llttle unfair. it casts. tr1elTl in
a little better ligMf econO'micill'y, tnar, t~~y 2;)'e in that sense. That is
net to say that these are raot units that l!Ife .ant to have in Palo Alto or
that a.re reisonably prlced for n.e'Jl" units ln Palo Alto. 1n fact, i am glad
to see units in this price range coming in instead of ~njts of twice the
squari!! footage. We need so.'llE' smaller L1nit_s. So mayb~ we need a new tern
there, as It gets thrown around rather loosely.
MGTI0J'~ PASSES: ChairpHsol-1 Sci'l"';idt: 1hi:lt .'".~HI;.lu,1es the ,:,o-:t"":ents, an(! ... e
ilre ready to ... ote on the motion. (omiss-ioner Ojakian has ~·a ... ed and
COlTmiS!.10ncr Cassel has seconded that we conceptuiilll . ., apprc'o'€ this project
and s.end it fOnolard to the ArchitectlJral Review Board wi th s:evera1 ideas
attached. The pri~ary Or\e is tel look at He public benefit fOr" this
project. Some of those sugges:t'Ed W£r€ ii1d\t lanai B~R ur,; ts. al so :-or02
parking, if possible; al:'io larldsc<:ping Jnd <le(RS:; t;,) tt,E' pul.ijc pu6:
space. There were concerns mentioned, as ~211. Those ~ere about the
traffiC that wOL.lld be gene,rated. and the access to p<1r"'~'i'ig. Also, the
disruption that would be generated during construct jon. All those in
favor, say Aye? All 0ppos'E!d? That p<!s.:.es on a vot.E' of 4·{1, .,.,ith
0&/29/94
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Commissioner Glazier absent and Co~issioners C~rrasco ano Schink not
participa.ting,
COlTlTljss1o.nm:.Qiakial'1: The nellt thins tnat happens is that Ort Jul)' 21, the
ARB w1ll have this before them. Then on August 31st, we should see thi)
back b€f<lre us, and on Sept~mber 19th, it will b~ before the City (ouncil
for th~ir action,
FF CIAlS
Comprehensi,,.e Plan Advisory COimlittee . Cor.:tlrehens;¥e Plan
Review Process and Schedule.
Mr c;;chr' r; The c0lm11ssioners ha.v€' recei¥e<l in their pad.et..s a memo
fr<lm Nane ytle. Attached to it is the current Phas.e 2 Scrl1dule. The
11 n~te that at this point in time, tnere are thr~e
anticipated c .ission meetings for taking public come-rot, arId then
re .... ie'W 1,ng lind ~ing ncomrnendatiol"'l$ or. the-C?A,(. Oraft 1-POI)C \es <ll'.d
Programs. Those re scht!duled for October S, 6 .a.~d 13, l~e prinar;
concern that J he '0 at the las.t m-et'tinQ when t~is \o\'a-; scne::;'uh;,j for
discussion tonight ~whether three Il:€';'.ings ):"r)uld b2 rnough to
ilccomphsh both the ceipt of publ it te~tironJ' ",riO rt':' .. iE' .... "r,(j ::n--~r':. 0)1
the dr~ft material.
\
] might al~o add on the s' edulc that the SeDte~b~r 22 joint stud; ~c\siIJrl
is. a Joint sess;i{)n of the P-flning Co~nlnissiCorI o:nc lit)' CCI;Bcil. rhat i~ <I
Thursday night,
COrm1i$sioner Ojakian: On~ of tH good news ite~·,» ~en, is t~.;t we t!;ou'jrlt
we were going to have only two $eS~"'ion~, That was pilrt Df OU!' cr,H"'lcern, ,,0
at least, we have added a session. On the down s1dp is that Jon, Tony jnd
myself sat in on the Council session t their review of CP.~C, since we
were rill intere~ted in (;paring what SO'rxt of e.pproiich th~)' look. Thry gc~t
into a couple of the sessions, llke the rJe on NatL.irOll Er,viroriDent, i1:'ld
spent quite a bit of tlme on that, consi 1"9 they were trying to limit
the amQunt of time spent en !!ach section. ~at is a ~ectloT: ~e hild not
el(e.n decid-ed to ha'le. a. sp-ecial study s~ss'Qn n. So the up sice )$ t~,at
we have mora meetings than ""'e had originally t lked about for re'olie-,.· of
the plan. Th~ down side might be that after he jng Council, J arn
tntnking aj:)out where I i1eelj to focus in a little reo
Mr. Schr-eiber: C1ear1y, for a topic: of this importi.l, e, if HIt' Plaol"1ing
Comi ss;on needs another night! or two 11lore nights,.¥ c<'n obviously t1ike
that much time, Our caution in lookirlg at scheduling m .tings at t~e
clJrr-ei1t time is that it is '!€ry hard, if not ir.'!possible, 0 prp.di.:::t .:It
this time the extent of public testimony, I belie~e, cert 'nly, that the
Draft 4 Po1ic:ies and Programs are gOing to b~ a very differe">\t draft from
Draft 1. Some of the item$ in Draft 1 th~t elicited a lot of iSCUSSlon
may not be part of Draft 4.
A third coroent is that it is tI1e nope of staff tl1at n,e Commissio and
Council review, 35 well as review~ by oHler boacds and CQ,'":'::',is'Sions., ~t
certa'inly the Planning Commissjon and CHy CounC11 revie""" if it does "
extend, does not extend particularly far. Staff keep~ tl1e council's. '\
admonition to keep this p'rocc:;;:; or. s.:hedL!le and try to go faster than U..,~
schedule, if at all ~mssible. Sut certainlj' if at the end of the October
,.~.,. ... -:---~-......... ~---:::. "
06/19/94
-30-
•
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A.Ullhm~!lJQ
, 4\rcbitcctl.ral ~CTc-o ~~~;:. ,"iliides -----c., 01_ ...... __________________________ _
MIMES Tnursd.y, July 11> 1994
8:00 AM
Counci 1 Conference Room
250 Hami 1 ton Avenue
Palo Alto, California
A. BOll CAn
Board Members Present: Julie Maser
Cheryl Pih.
Da>tid Ross
Shirley Wi150n
Board Me:'l1bers Abs;:nt: P.1no \'leira da Rosa
Staff Mp.~bers Present: Jim Gilliland
Lisa Grote
Lorraine Weis.s
Joyce Augu~t for lte", 11,2
Bob Schubert for ItS-;"'IS 1 1.3 8. It. ~
B. ~J._Qf.JUI(Jm OF JU,y 07, 1994
.~ppro..,.ed 3-0-2-0 as corrected.
C. ORAL CIl!\~UHIC"TlONS:
D.
Ncn-e.
AGEIIlA ITEMS
APPRllVAlS: Th. Architectur.l Revje. Bo.rd (ARB) deci,ion on the design
of the project is l recomtef'ldat1or. to the Director of Pli!nning and
Community Environment (the Director), who makes the flnal decislon.
Unless ~therw;se stated by the ARB or the Director, project approvals
; ncorporate Project Rev; ew ConmH tee cend it ions as mai 1 ed to th~
applicants and staff conditions as reco:n":lEnded in the Il'lfomation
!-temorar.dums.
CHANGES: An;' cMange to an approved design plan must be resubmitted to
the City for approval, R-esubmittal of a project may be necessary if
changes are mandated as a result of complying with other City
depa.rtment requinments, or an/ other ,3pp1ic.able codes, or ordinance
~·equir~nlE.>nts 0'1'" ether regdl atory agenclEs
B:\/IIrll~lll.nl Page 1
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APPEALS; Al' ~a.jor and mi ncr project a,ppro',lal s are subject to an appe.al
pt~iod, which i}lo~s for the applicant or members of the rublic to file
~n appeal frOQl tn~ decision of the Directc,l' on the project. Th~ app.eal
peri~ fer e:ajor prcjf'c:t..s. (designated with an ash'risk " ... ~} is. eleven
(11) workin9 day:!. fallowing the date of th€' ARB's recorrrnendation on the
project. The ~npeil perio~ for minclr projects is '!;e\len {7} work:ing days
follo\liin';l t~'2 dite of ti"re ARB's reco:m1€-rid.tion en the project. Appnls
~f ~inor site and design and minor zone changes are subject to Chapter
1B.93 ,,( Ute-Palo Alto tiunidpal Cede.
If you wish to ippeal any item on thi s: agi!nda, contact the Planning
O'lti:sion pZ9·244lj r'!!gudinj ti~ and f!;!e. If you chal1en~e this land
use decisiOrl i!'l court, you may be limited t~ raising only these iss!.!es
yo'! or SOGieone else raised at the public hearing describf!d 11'1 this
not1CE', or in written corre.spondence dellVered to the City af Palo Alto
::t or prior to, the publ ic' ~€Hing,
E.~Yl"'O"'~ENTAL rK?ACTS: All major projects. not idei,tified by an EIA file
j",',~,ber fr:llo"'ir.'~ the project ;l,ddrt!ss ha'tE been determjned to be
(~tegcri(~lly Exe~pt frc~ (EQA review. All mj'~or projects ha\e been
d",ter-ir:.;d t:J be C ... tegt:<rical1y ExIOJ",,:pt fro-, C~O~, reviel"l',
T1~~, LIHJ"7": ProjF;'~~ ap~,n:t'.'31 is 'tal id fo)' one(l} year fr{)" t.be orjf"jnal
d2t@ ~f appruval, T~e ti~e period for a project may, uron applicitTon\
Cf extend~d o~ce by t~e Director far an adljjtional year.
DPIR.~TTON: Iii th~ event the bwildlng pemit tor a project is not
sEcured ~jthin the abo~e specified tim~ limits, the approval of the
project ,rj11 EXpire and be of no further force and effect.
T . CONS flIT CAl. EflDAR
I. ~EUM!ltU.~L..1lli 94-AR8-116
i1od~trom, Inc,
lmtall ten ne'ri 30·f('lot high light fixtures t{) replace seven
eljstin~ light po1e~ jn tne par~i(l9 lot ir\ front of NCirdstrom
stere,
A~CHITECTURAl REVIEW BOARD ACTION: Approved as submitted (4-Q-l-O -
Vieira dd Rosa abs~nt).
z. ill£OWP E~ STREEJ
Ca1ifornia Pizza Kitcnen
Revised
Y4-ARB-15
Re',rised signage per previous. ARB rpvi~w for new restaurant.
lhis it.€r-, \oI_;;,~ jJlJ11P.d for d,sCU$slC-rI by the Board.
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32.)
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34)
4.
sh~ll be post~ .lcng Lytten Avenue, E~rson Street. Everett
Street, R.aona Street In1 ot1H'r stret'!ts, as r.ecessarYl to
warn the p'Jbhc of thE ongoi"9 construction traffic..
Contractor ~rker plrkl~ shall confo~ with plans approved
by tne irlosportlticn DtlliSil)n and Public .orks Department.
c. Storlge of e~l~nt or materials ShlTl conform with plans
proved.by the Trlnspcrtitio!"i Ve~ut'-lNl!nt ilnd Public ~orks
irtaenl.
d. Ea nc) n-hic:h ,.ccess shll be .ainUined' at an times.
Prior to lssua .. of i b<Ji1ding t:!"~it, t:-.'e applic._,nt shan submit
d letter fre« t SAnta (larol Yilley Water Oi strict i ~dicatin9
that t.he project *'i 11 not i1'\terfere-... it" ~ny future ri!medi al
clea"-~p actlvltie~, (Staff ~lS ~i~~n th2 a~ticn to ~ork ~fth the
applicar.t to n\'fs.e ~dejete H11$ c(r;dfticn).
The a~pl lont .sh!ll i"'lp~ ... nt t~e fo: 1o"",irg:
~. H'ere :!-mJr.:l b!:' ro ... ti).~1 ("ccdSi(.r:~) re·o:-nluat ion of agency
rec.or,cjs ,)f tJr,jfrgrC,lj~:f~.,~Dri':9;' t,~n\ h?:nr;j~~:, .'iub"tancl':'s
r~11!il.5"':" '~i'{hir, {i~e·~'~lf'" ilt'! of tht? iite in c.rd€r to as,s!;;ss
grOUr)d .. at-er cOf1ta=!'itlat";or, ,at couid I::-Pi!ct the site.
b. A contingency phn ih.ould b.e ~p:li!"ed a.nd suo."itted to the
Fire OePiirt:tleP\t to i(.c-o .. nt for ntcur;in2:~t$ in the :soil, if
any ar~ encc'otntHe-d during ['xca' ..... ion for tile ur1derground
plrk~T't'9 strutt\.iTe. son 9i1.~ '/!'K'';iitc. 1n~ s.h~u'd t>C' cc-nductl?d
to eVil'Uate ...nether tl'1ere o.re yadose,:,\o~1e u}nhminants. If
groundwater m.lIy be f!i'II:ountHed, Qr if ).Q indicated by the
results of \'oidQs.e zonE ~rlitorin9, 9rou:n~i!ter test lng
should be conducted to iSS~$~ ~ot~ntial f~ groundwater
C(tf!.tu " T\ il t i on. ...~
(Shff W.iS given tn-!! tption to work with Hre ilpplic.a to revise
or delete this condition).
A fire sprlnkler systea sh~ll be pro~ided within the bUl~~'ng. to
the s~tisfict1on of the FiTe Oe~.rtment.
Ttle locatiofl, {If the required pad-~unted tnnsfonner shall be
subject ~o ,",j,~ .cd ,ppro,',] by the Arch1tectu,,] Eo.;,,' Boar '"
~nd the Utilitie~ De~artment. ~
ill..l..-rcr~IlHJQ~ 33) E!!E!!SO!! 5T.·
(Peninsula Ti~es Tribun~)
.' ,
9;-ARB-81
9'~CP~2
94~7C~7
94-EIA-IO
Page 10
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Recorrmendation to fllarmiOig (omn:i'iSlon regoU"ding application to
rez.one the property from AA·30, (O~C{PJ ,nd PC 3j H to a Pl ;lnned
Coolmmity (PC) Oistrlt:t in order to construct 18 single-fi!;,ily
units and 4 second units.
PRO-JHT REPRESENTATIVES: Scott !:tirO, Classic (Oi'J'1unil.iei, pre'!ientM the
residentia1 propos.l; DiVid Gates , ldndscape architect, pres~~ted
the urban d~si9n and lar'\dsci.pe aspects of the p-ropoSl1; Jil', B.a.~r,
pr::ject consultant, respc-nded to board COl'H~ernS; I1lctael Wilson,
project 'CIe'f'eloper t responde<!' to hOlrd C::l1'lcerns; Carl lagor-i,
arcn1tett 1 presented t~ r!sldentjal design pr~posar.
!'II6tltYU$1af'''. C ,'orI)i'C-niSco ~. t1wt lIois ~s ~ ~CIded
. ". ,f8t:~~ ~Shlrl~)' Wll .... _tioned th.t Tooy
~"""""~'9all tbe A!lB to tcn$;c!er .arE .. arl"ty in til<!
res:hie~'tt~l design s:pae1ftCilly it! Hs an:hH:iKtkrr.al styie ~!1d
mas.s~
Dave Ross: He stated that h~ f~lt th!rp ~hou'd Ge no access frc-t~e
93rden to the 1'':s.il!entlal ~n!';i ~~~. He th0~ght th~t Ci.'i'Sj~~\"·,~;"
ot th~ proposed hou$i~g style ~~$ sj~il~r to !940, 1950, a~d ]960
:>ubdivis~onst such as fichl&rs, and that HE: \,iiri~tion ,,{·uld ~e ~Qre
aPP<lrent as ons -1Ii2lkp.d dQ"ffi the strr:ct. /1':>':' res.id~ntja1 proje.:t, t1': ..
proJett does not ,'1ud a lot of ptJblic. be"1E'flt becoWss-of a g,a,p in zoning
laws. 119 felt that nothing in the project reCi,t.lired hea.~lr pl,[bli'~
benefit. He liked the tUFTlkey !andscap'ng .... i1lch -,t'il1 add Yari,ltioil to
the project over time, H~ slJpported Haff ii!'/el cf re~'i<:!"-' on r:ha"1ges,
He supported" th,e, project and j:s prepared to ~pp)"'{J,>,(,' it_ tfe. state<! thiLt
n~';,,~te4:~,'F1',rm\~ ,(ca1ssion's, de<:iSlO\1!;fl, the ~f'"Q.l~tt.
Cheryl Piha: She supp.or-te<l Da~idls co~nts. .and felt that the project
was right for downtown ralo Alto, though not nec!!sarlly ippropriate for
South Palo AltD or in Dther are-as. of ttYWTl. She-felt it '''is. a QOM
compromised solution and the pri,e range was app~opriat2. Sne't~0u~ht
that a ga'te placed bet""een the projects to allOW' residences to use th€
garden would be appropriate in the future, but ~uld ~ OklY ~ot to Mave
acc~s,s, f~orn the garden totesidenthl at tM$ time. Sbe .st:ated that be
$~~:~!,P1&1)njng C-is,iOll's decisiOllco the project.
Julie Maser: S~,e felt major discomfort wah initial deci~i~ns whia, led
the project to this design solution. She 'rIIoldd haVE. r-referred ii
preliminary revi~w. A fully developed proj~tt is h~~d to deny. This
project does not flt with CPAC policies. This is a transition blOCK
which could have had mare housing. She felt that it was hard to talk
aboi.lt detalls when she ;,S so entirel~\I opposed to the p:--cject. She
thought that the porch~s were too small, not ~eally useable for
residents tD enjoy. She would hOl,'!: 1 iked to /laVE s.et>n more variation in
tenns of setback arid r:,i:ls~,ing of buildings_ Tt,f arcrdtectDre ",'~$ 't!)Q
rangy" ~ and tnHe should have been mare nric·ty in .s.etbad not just the
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facades, The project needs a play area for children. She does not
senS2 iii trilnsition in Sicaie from the office project to the residential
projed. She dearly stated that she was not cOlllfortable with a.nything
about the project.
Shirley Wilson: She stated that she associat~d most with Julie's
COmlent5, She did not fee1 that the project was carnpatible ~ith
downtOWTl Mrtn b6cause there was not enough of iii transition, The
proposa1 w's i pc~r -Jse of 1an-;1, She ",as CO~'K_ernerj a~~t tl\t site
de\'elopment regul ations and thought tl"lat residences in il sing1 e·fa .. mily
project should ;,ave less regulations and be able to paint as they wfsh.
Tne site regulations were too restrictive and fe~r,restr;ct;cr.s are
needed. lher. should bt more variety in ."'dtiUct...., luludln.9 height"
setbi~ks and eaves, and in materlals,
ARCHITE"CTlJJtAJ.. REVIEW 80m AClION: After dlscuss"ion on the mer'ib of
the project ai'ld an appare-nt. 2 to 2 vote, th~ ARB continued th~ proposal
4,0-1-0 (Vieira da Rosa ab~ent) with the foilowing to return for revie~
and approye1 by the ARB and Shirley Wils{1TI indicLlting sh;'? could .~uppprt
tne propnsed density:
1) a solar study;
2) developm.ent regulations: P2-j/"e'iJ df.!"ii'1 to tha bOl'"-8 njni::iIJ~;
3) consider softsc~pe ~nd play areas developed for residancps;
4) waits llext to the clliIii1ercial prape,ty's gard€rI shauld not be blanr.
but should open vp to ~i2W the garden;
5) restudy roof angles, nei.ghts and materials;
6) res;tudy the rigidity of the 8 equJI-sized lots facing E.verett
street; and
7) consider different massing e);pressi{lns i . .e. 100;'; .!t units on
c:ornen and consider des igning them to be duplexes.
101 ~IRAKOHTt AVE; cr
conn~'t box at en! of three possible sites in tne
right-af-way.
lhe item prior to Items , ~ 4.
PROJECT REPRESEN1All V'S, P"Bell presented th.
proposa 1.
PUBLIC T£SliMONY: None "~~
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ACTION: Approv<d 4-0-J
absent) with the applicant to utilize either
discussions with the affect.ed homeowner, and
protection rTieasures to be taken.
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~.w. RhVIf)I B:WID
.EllC&<PL IIDlrrES CF NU.IST 18, 1994
Atta'hm~!!L1!
94-p.R&-81
94-0>-2
94-ZC-7
94-EIA-tQ
Rocaiiiewt ion to PlannIng-Cctrm1ssion reQaI'Cl.lnQ
application to rezone the property [ran l&t--30. CD-CU:',
and PC 3111 to a PI~~ed Community (PC) District in
order to construct 18 sinQle-fami l~' units and 4 secord
UTlitS.
I':ir.:c ",.'3rd: Go....'">'j rrornino;r. my narre is Scott Ward; I'm \.lith Classic Ccm:x.miUes.
1 ....ant to taXE! the oppot·tlJIllly to rev] f!'-/ ScrM of the fGlnts you rnaue in ~'our
ear j i er pre:serota. t i ('on before ....-e acidre3s SetTe of the chaJ~ges '-'P-noa,de with Un s
S'i..1lJ1'J s .. ion , Specifically. we Io.eI\t to remind 'J'OU that this pI'Qp:::!sal increases
the residentially .zoned area on the block by over fifty perCel"lt, 34,OQO feet
to about 53.000 feet. Based on the existing ~onin9, the rreximurrl number of
units. t!v.t would be all~ on the site-£.s it exists tOOaY is 22. Give-'l fhR
restrictions tr.e llkely n~ of units that could t.;.e deliveroo wder exlstino
~Jir"q O7.plYl1lO with all exjstlnQ developnent standa.rds and regulations is
15. em-p1"'CIIX)Sa1 r~ is to provid& an array of hoUSing choices l.n ?aJo
Al to that P!'ovlde.i: iUl innovative tYPe of lawer-oost hous1nc for young
fi'l'l"lilies. This particular area. of the Palo Alto housing market is, at least
in te:rtr6 of new deYelopnents, of rdgher dens~ ty s8nl.or hoUSing developrents
and higher densHY luxury condcxTUnim, develop-osnts, ....t\jch don't TGspond to a
need to provide rroderately priced lami ly oousing. AsSWLinl'J that the sa:re area
t.M.t w're proposinQ here is rezoned to re-i-30, which is. the current 2.onlng for
the property. the iiJl:eJy n\.ZT'her of be-'Jrocrns that would be delivered on thjs
site is 72. The number of bedrooms that we're proposing here is 64. There's
is no appreciable loss in teI'fT13 of the nl.!'ti:ler of indiViduals that could be:
accommodated en this site as a result of our proposal. It's \~ difficult in
our opinion, if not Hrpossibl~, to Iraintain ne~9hborr.cod cr.aracter as ',lOU
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tnlnsitioo fz~ the density of 5 to 10 cnits per acre, ...mich is too
predcr.Unant density north of l\Ierett and. the ~t~ north pe1QhOOrh-.,--r,..d, to a
ckr.dlity of 30 lU1Hs per acre. It can be done. it's in fact difficult enough
to traru;lt:ion fran a density of S to )0 WHts pe:r acre to trJe IS units pe.r
&ere that 'iooI! are p.rcp::lSlnQ Mro!!. ~ It can 'be done in sct'I'e E>Qrt of
f&Shioo wi til residential GCaie aw1icants tMt sort of awl~' to higher density
ooJ:ld.l~, bJt bulldioq scale ii.~ :r-asSHll,1 .... ill r..ecessarily rer.ain heavy and
InBtltlJt!onal at toot deru;~ty. The proposed type of housmq is econar,ically
feasible in an etl\'!-rormer1.t 'Ioi"Iic:n C'IV'et" 6D1: of ~t ass.xiation:e; are in
HtllJi!!tticr. ~iru:t their develCgeX::O or bo.lllders, end in ....nicl--. the arTOU!"Jt of
dc:rr.t;F-s ~ has ~I a6tI'::o::T\lcal. It is an. erlviro."'ITerlt ,."hich few
ck:..-;l<4eI"s a..1'"€ ~t)I,.'ated t.O as51!'"e tr-e !ocg-r.em. llabll\t~· e5~.xi,:;.too with
hj¢'>er de!1Sit'l i;;tt<,-;r~..J rr·'.!sin-:;r. 'h'itrl resp.?-.:;t ~o U··e C~I4nI}eS that 'Ne've mad,;,
~n t:1is sir.~ '::;'.ll" last r.:-etlr.::,J, . ...-'8: fC'CUs..;od C'~~ 'E'vere'Ct Stre>et and cr.anged roth
t.he iot pane.HI .a:d 1l.'11 t r;'j)02 ale',;!, E\'~rE'tt Stre.=t, O.U· view is tl'.:lt tt',~Te IS
~I'::! me, j t 1;1 n,"" -::x:r-r:-e;,'" that '~ feceiv .. ..J frc17, )'(1'.1 tr.!) laft tilT .. :> r.:;.,;",udmg
the lot patteITl ilJ)j the cr.ari10er of umts al00"'~Q F.\'H!?:tt, a'ld :::on:5=~E";ntly
~'V!:" beerl f0C"\.l500 00 that area. Tne typlcal lot wldth r.l?ls gr-~ fran 27 iE:et
to 32t feet. That qives us tbe ~rtu."lity to co a .... ·lde~: ra""E that really has
.in serre rb-poalCts a rror~. of a trad: t lonaj resident ial character, It also gives
us the ~ortu.y'nt\' t"J do a IltlIe blt .'TOr~ aIchltect'.lTe, ar,d to rE<"pond to tr.e
parcsptioo i!IIOClQ ~ flUT'berE, of the neighOOrh-:x:O that a craftsman's style of
arclll tee-ture 1& the predarunan't cha.racter of t!"~ nelQhbotivxd. In fact that's
not our v1~, we see .it as .en ec:lectic neJ.~rhocd that ha:; a mix of sty)es
and rIO particularly prerX:minant style, and ~ belie"w"e our proposal responds to
U"la.t diven1ty and that I..vlety. At the sarre tirre, the neiQt-.borhc:xxl w..~
orig~r.aJly built in the 20's with rrore of a craftEi'tBll'S style --a bunQa!cw,
typically a stucco bungalow. As tirre went on. they became a Ii ttle Il'Ore
fu£SY, a llttle more victorian elements_ Th~s wider unit also gives us the
opportuni ty to !ntr:::d. .... ~e porches and balconies .... 'i th this new hane type of the
five units alC!"lq Everett Street, the five ne..' Wlits of the Plan 6 that we've
introduced. nu-ee of the five r.ave both porches and balconj,es. .r..ll five have
at a mininur. ,porches. It also Qives U3 the oppertuni ty 'to introouce a rear
ya'l.'"d area bec..al..::se 'wolf: fJa'J€ !"!Y . .ll,-e dO::'pth at the rear of tIi<: :'ot. P.t the I"f'...aT of
these lots aloor; tr..e alley, we r.ave the opportUlllty to create a rroTe typical
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rear "}tlI'd ~i tioo w,)i'!n -.;i il ~s\u'-e !ilio'.!.t;. \3; <or 14 feoet by 20 to 2-3 f~L
In the &a.t'lier pr~l ~ dIdn't ha-...-e the ~rtu..'11~\' to Cl"e.atE' .l.'W r€>a:r yard
o.:n:::Htioo.. In addition, we had tlooO-story eiQ'!"ei,ts tha,t ........ .....re ad}(J)(;lr..J the
t>ide yard ocndi t ions, Here we have, tor the l""OST. part, 5ir'}"Jle ston' el~ts
adjaoent to those rear yards. 'I'tllS lTB..<6S It p:>&Sible-i<-'I" i,lS to 'X'{;t};)\.i.e. -.Jr.c,.t,
W! see as a trans:itloo to the &:.wntOool1 north area in te..vms of Ce;Sl ty and
buildino J'fIlssino and scale irJith the tt-J:-ee--story offIce ooilouiq. t...o-BtOry
residential ir'l a lot pattern that's a.wroXlrrBt(Oly )0 t&et ',Ilde by lfJD teet
deep; and therl as we \T3Il..6 it l(:f'. to Elo"erfttt, 'l'Ie i~tr~ siroQi.e-ston' el~.ts
alcng eltrost the entire face of E\."0rett as ....e tra..r,sitioo, then 00 into the
1~ densit~· sln<Jle-f~,i1Y ~t~ r,,;rth area. s,.;e'r", !'I?-ir,ta.!nl~ t~ desiQ:"l
tr.ere of dlvat5it~· of U!''li t tn;l€' of tht:: 001 !dlr:~ !""i':SSlr;) t.hat has: r~,"):,t lmll t~··
lp~ t,",in~ that's a.'P?'rop7~d.te,. It rZir.fo!,:es ~rf.; Stl:\N't ~~..T"Etry: l~ r")S~<":Y.!'5
to a great ~l of i/"QIiet)' in th? i'I.."!"(tIJt€'-:tl.!.!~1 stl';e 1" l~-e r,,'"lq'~_'))rr!:0d, aJ~~j
yet it's clearly a. .... 1Jl"D.,J) (()!T'"! of h>J'.~sir;'J th~t lE". ~l..'"'C,"le.j C~I th<:' tr3.."lSltl.c;'J.l
SCf\"e misl(l.EortTfltiOl:l tr!3.t \o.as. prese,ntei. H~ cur !-i.st r~ur,~. rr~r<3 set......,. ISS':.leS
that '...e don't thlnk ~O'-accurately repre-5e:-lt~j pr.::'.'lcus1y ' .. 'j th re$p&Ct to the
variety in buUdinQ s-sf.-backs. ~ tried :0 call n·,.::se O'J" l:-~ O',ll" Ievls~
sillxrJ.ssion. )jQ(l.O' E:tE'"son N.f.l Ris.'TI)r'..n. the bullen"J s~t '~cj::-; '/£. ll:6 f!"cr:1
feet to 11 feet for toos~ S -..udts ' .... 'ith a Jot I<Jldt~1 01 o:lly j') it"'€'t. .t..t dl€
street you're ~inQ to .'PE!tcelve sionlflcant V4l:'lAtior. in thi .pl~lIl of tr'()6e
units, there 1S \;101m to be S i Qrll tica.nt u:x:hJ.lat k'f'. '. r,ere . IdU';Q £\'P..ret t too
variation a....:i $6t-~c~ is frem -4 to 12 feet. !here. lS 51~1~ ficar.t v-~ii}tion
in teI'll"lS of tl-w frontal plain. particulAriy along E\"9.re-tt rcw \<,lith the
introductjon of the Plan 6 .....tlere the porch elErTJeOt n':pical i1 projects out of
the sinQlc-stoI'Y plain into a front set-bac"'K area. a.OO. aQa,i n ther€-\ s van ety.
l'here are t:t-.rae different unit tYPeS alCOQ :E"~rett. A100Q Drer&OO there are
essentiai ly five different ha'fI:! t'r'J)e('. both Em?n;.cY.'i an;j Ra..~. There .... ill be
no repeats in t€~ of unit type 31000 :Er'e.l,Sc.n/Rar,c:¥'l . .lila O!le repeat .:do.nQ
Ev&ett, The qu&St100 was ralsed 1).OOut ',ik,ether or r,ot these. are tu,")ct h,)I'#l
JX)rch C!.X'eas. and a ccrrparison. was dra'o.C"l to Lyttoo tc do a little re~rch on
that. TIle avp.La.~ porch area for theS€ unltS is aJ:c<J.t 188 sq\:ar€' foot. The
average porch at LyltorJlForG.st ~'4 S<.Tll..;,r~ fe-?t. ~t ' .. :0111<5. j t ~:p. to r€!":"~ind you
HjQ.t this parcel 'WaS orig~nal ty SU!xilV1C""..J ~n 1892 lfl j:S ro.:)t .. nde lots, ;,..\')':;3,
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about that sa:rre time wag lcdd out with 15 foot wld~ alleys. ~'e':€, roi>lntalr;lr.:;;
that character and at the satre tirre providino a l)e'IoJ ho\ls.ng type tbiH resw;Y.is
to nee.is in this marketplace. We've loo)o;ed at other options ll1 resp:xr.:HI7 tv
sore of }-"OU!" concerns, a..,d detenr.i ned tba t they' re r.o'. prac:t I c.a! fe,: cr:.e:
reason or a."1Othe:r: primarily technical reasor:s \oi.1ich SUI}q.est rhat. >,.;..-; COn.~lQ€-r
three-story wildinQ"S. Be r.appy to QO into sare of the t.ec'r':llcal reds.o:1S fra-I
our standpoint, but esse.'1.tially this is a 222 fO?t wide !c,t. At).') clearly ~
need to -;tet the car off the streo;:.t, and this fleees to be orc:un-zOO on s.-.:r'e
sort of aUey pattern. The iWtivatjon to do ?; thr~-.o;tcry O:.Jlldwg w:.uld 00
to incre;,se density that .....:,u1o. require that "We ....ould r.avt:! ',......0 alley:; $€!'.'lCl:''}
t...n th....ree-gtory ll'...li ldinQ&, and thc:lt In a 222 feot Qlliit!;I"lC:1 , .... -.:uid lc·~\,'2 a. ic<
depth of al;:o'.Jt 40 to 45 feet. If a car hes got to 1\3\'>2 hat: of :.~;F ,:.-p:r-.
park I It doesn't -..,uri:..
We've also tried to €'7.p1 ()H;! ~ llttle bil ~be ='~.l:;P C';' ' .. :;-,o,t 1~ lS ;':'~)~';: 'f-'
fraT'. our p.ar5:,~'::(1'le otrnousA',' ht see this 3', a frE::~h [:0',:,,' "L}:.;·'~_"""~'~I
pr-C""ridio,;'j alleN r.<'>'J.Sing t,'fl.~ if. Palo ~.i'i.r), Trns t'Jl>,;; of t,~'J~;l;'::; :;.,1':"'1';
dc>esrl't exist. Could I request .a fe..l additlcnal mlnutE',:;':
r.r. ___ ~d: Yes, I dQ, We're piea5ed lo ~ before yo'.! ' .... J,t·r; stafr
reca:rtrliUldat ion, If PlanmniJ Carmi fisi on reccrrrnenda t iOlI the ne H,:rJ:orh::o: as Q
\I.h:lle supports this project, The .ume::hat.e-neiqhbc.'rs 0( th€ prc}e.:t sU~'1XJ:ct
Hj the City's oonsultant on the ~to..n plall s'JPP,Jrts ~t; t~ 5a:-ltd Clara
COunty ManufactUl"erS group, which is the rroBt SiQr:ificarlt SUI:;: .• ;.t"1;f;r of
affordable hoUSing in Sal1ta Clara Cou.rJty, Sl.lppo:ClS Il; r;ouseh~)cis in otr;-=:-,
location!:! lYl Pe;lo Alto support 1l. We think th:tl hc:usenol-ds tr.at w.:r:..dd ill'.C:
to cane to Palo Alto w.ill suppurt jt i"1 the tom. of veting thl",n J.:-! :.3.rs l::'
it. and \.oJI9 would p..ncouraga your 5IJp;:.orl ot It as I>.'t:!ll.
Incidentaliy, Gari La90ni of the arcbltect~ra.i project a"1d Da'/lQ Gates, Lf1i~
landscape archi teet, are hen~ as well>
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Chairparsc:!l WIlS011: Staff. I didn' t ~sk.: you If you had any addl tional
CCITIIWlts at this t L'TJe1
Cr:mn.issiCl"lf1l' Oi!l~! Alright, it's tirre for Board questions. We have
questions. I have a CO\!ple of que.o;tions, I'm seeing this project ~ for the
first tl..ne. and I noticed that these W'l1 ts r these are all north facinq!
~ssi~~_Rq_!?a: can you e.~Jain the conc.apt there of rre.i{ing tho:! J:,nch
north fac1nq?
_~ __ . ____ !'ard: Fran rnl" :peT;:,pe<::t.ive. these are 90sentis,11y ,sJngl~ aspec~. urllls·
Trat ,\.s, one sidf! of tr,e unit 18 clo59d down and is de~Hqncd tc serve a.s. a
fence for a ne,iWDJrinq unit; and the other s.de ot t~lo; uili t is op'~od up and
is esse.'1tially a 9lasS -.e.ll that relates to the single side yard cor,1it)on.
Mod these uni ts are oriente1:o thls nanner prirran ly b;calJse .....e h.ava serious
line of siQht issues with respact to tlie office bulldinq. Th~.t is, .....-e've got
a three-stOry offiCI:! ooll-jin; ~n lines of sight directly into bedro:m.1 hers
a.-ld conCCivabiy doWn this strtno of OLi'T'ensions as ~ll. T.'}2 whole ide.a in t~
orientatloo as you are, thi, is tbe office caJplex with the Qard,en beh~nd. it,
and to create a hiQher level of privacy to the units, and rM.ybe I can jUTP to
this :PlM as an e.x.arrple. ~se are patio hares by the way. The t~""lT1 last
time """'8 used to zero outline. It's a sem:mtical difference, but thay're
patio hares. So they live out to this patio area, and the court that you have
mentioned enhances tr..at outside livinQ sp.!Ice by turning the: Q'eomtrt of the
units alIJay fran the c:cmrercial area. As you ,p)intoo out, it gives a greater
seflSQ of privacy to the outdoor living space in the Uo-,jts in n"fC way the
inOoor/outdoor rele.tionshlp IooOr'ks to that space. So that's really....nat
predicated that orientation.
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~J?~1oner ~~: I'm sorry I didn't see this before. Could you just .nm
quic.i;ly tl"'.rou;tl tt.:! f'i"EHerjals 111 the wlnckws. TItey' re stucco buHdings with
U",1S li Ie roof. What are the windows?
11r.~g: Yes. A.1"Id the-Qrid \'aIies per the elevation style. We're trying to
plC); up a I'1"Dre traditional thQre by rrulti.-l1ghtln:;J the upper pa"els. Sare of
than are lull liWlts; $UTS of thsn u.re of smale pane. It's )ust 'Witnin the
e!evatjOO's variation.
~~~~_Ro&a: Is there -....xx1 trim also on too buildinQs, or is that
.stucco?
.Mr. ~: Sare of the elo6\latians have IooOOd trim, SCIre of tr.e Ede"lations have
stucco trim.
;Mr. ~: Yes. For lnsta.'lce in this elevation, if you can see it fran thet:e,
the tri:nr.ung that is MOund. the .. i~ and the doors \oroOUld probabl\' be ~.
1lM=>-.re's other elevations....mere applled trim ....auld be stuc.'COed and then palnted
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an IIC\.--.nt 00101:, So you -..ould QEt the reI iet and the color variatJl.Xl to
""""'" tho wil"lbJ .
. ~~: !i:I. We have not presented thC:se to yo\.l at th).s tl:T~. I'm sorry,
~ do. '!"t'Je:5.e ue the Prc9CSi"Jd coler ~les, arA oJ."iat we're prcposlr,Q i~ a
variety of 9' color sd~5 l"'.R..Ti? they're :;l.Jjtl-C'otCrOO '..,:-It'nin o?.i>:::-'rj ficr,~.
lher>e is baS€ colors, ther::: is a;::~':t c.;::>ic·rs. tos"' trirr, ,;(j':>r-$, a,-,j tf.B.{8 15 a
tr~ooJ!': array In 'eJ.T7'i:' of c,)lCl: po~l-:t Mr var:atlOn. ,\!',') th-e:, Oi"J O'J_Y"
colc<!'"/rrateri.als, l:.'('.?Uti r~_rc" 10' '.r.r,' (>'"I t'r..;; '..crk '~~'I"" prc;:.:,:;;irJ';J' rl ('.:':o.::ete
CaTlr.i~!lJOC~~_~: .!..roo then, ~t is the f Inisb? is that an inteqral
ooior or ;,wlled :palm'?
Hr. Ward: It·s awHe::L
Ctmn.1liisioner, De ~: Have YC'J used th.'H b:!:fore?
Ccr.rniS6lalM~: And rXive you ha:i a prob 1 €JTI with thai fluorescence?
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Mr.~: l+:Oe. This isn't a new mate_rlal. T.'1is rOdS ~--en on tr.-e r.-alltet for
quite a f$lJol years, am '\ooIe have rY.)t e.),,""Peri~coo pr-obiers wjth that .
. GglJ:rjs_~.!gfler __ l&_RQ_~: l'm just trying to cat(;~ l:r' \~;I rr~*c C€~2!: i;o. (',f ~~"".3.:-
h:Ju.se.s.
& __ , __ !i..a;9 t rlaybe j f I can taX€ 0 f €!'W r;-,l nut :;'~"
pl;:o,ns. Ha'f~ tr,a\ >.J::.uiG heJp a l)\t;Jc bi1..
_<;gmJ.s§-iqnar __ :~_B9_5ft; I 'IT. IT'Ore int€!p.5COO HI ti".,e iirC'lI tl!'.::tUI"a.! a;r"':'..i.:Lrar.::~
than the floor plans theree-l .... -es eJotce-pt 10:: the C",:;.r,C<i:!"pt of tr,,,, p.e.tlC 0'[ I..r,e
north elev~tinn.
t-tr. Wa.rq~ 'I'i:e:re are u couple pai.nts. that 1 CQuld rM.ybe C:ldnt." ~f J tXl"':"l,j
0Jr Plan 1 and our Pla..'1. c are the iJ.'1Hs trot woyk QU E','e:etc Tr..ese urlf_ts
have attached gara~. Pian 1 'oJOr~s en either CO!"T,er. H's a L9 foot wide
unit. The fl and. 6X work thra'.llZh the rrJ.ddle. The umt is 24. f~t ...:ide. ~,
the difference between the 6 and tr.te 6X it> tt'.at !riC 6;.: has a mastel tednxrn
fol'\oot\r"d. The baS1C Plan 6, which is kind of hard to read and n. dow1 here,
the rre.ster bedrvan is back. No,..o the oiQflihcance to tMt in our elevat ton 1$
that as yoU cc.rre through the Everett Street p.l~vatlOfi, VOl,.:'ll P)cr. u."P tJ:~ ?lc;.:l
1 on ei ther end, which is the narr~ UlH t, r_I"Jrj t'nen ~ go, to th~ w:de.r
units throUQh the middle. ~ the 6X wHh the master bedro:::r'L for...a.rd, bnnQs
the mass of the unit a little closer to the bulldln~ front, but also
introduces a deck on the secor.:.i floor [or the !'!'aster bednxxll: and then as
Scott mentioned, it has porch OO1010i. In cC11"paris'.:n to tr.~ (.. .... ·~·ncJI lS ;-l·.:.r~,
you'll see the rress is pushed red":. Th~ \.Jlndw treat.;;If" . .nt 1$.3 little bIt Jes$
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and you oet a roof edQe. This is all done in an etfm:-t lo create vanety
alooq EVeret l StrBet. ntere J. 6 a tremendous Wldulation in the rrovE:ft"eIlt i n:l1":
the Ql"O\.!l1d plane back to the reaI WlH. alxi by varyin~ the mass on thE se...-~r-.d
floor and introduclllQ elements. within t~ paren. we've creat€d a lot of
DYitdiDq offset& ~)d a lot of mas6in9 dlfferences Qlonq the street.
Hr. Ward: The 6X unit? l'tte 6X unit to the building. the basj'.:; <tRIll IS 12
foo~, 10 inches. The porch projects out. 1t W)uld be that 12 foot. 1.0
inches .
• "tr. Ward: Yes it docs. 'It.at exists dO'WT1 ill QLiJ stn::-,,;,t. Sf'€' h".:'rO;;:. M::J (';12 of
the-uniquo'! elancnts in th~ plan. cne, is eVf;;n (r-Ju'Jh It frcnts on £VAl-€'J, \t
re.aily e,.,ter5 off eHhf"...r R~m:::nd or Enerson. SO as yO"oj :,.;3,j¥. d~n the side
facade, there !s a variation In the roof plane. The llvlr~g rO;:;rf' in the Pla.n
we're not b...tHdjng CNeI, so tr.eri!'s volune in the living I"<X.rn, the pl.ate CCl'i"eS
~I l4"lich bdnlJs the scale of the WlH d""""" fro then Cl..ll' point of e.r~t:ry,
our front entry, c-c...""UrS heJ;e. So you' l1 S~ the I~ plate. thi£· is om;
fireplace, this .:Jut' poren wi th olJr sense of entry. We're picki.nQ' t.:;p the
privacy wall for the side yard bere, arxl: then you start picklng up sane <Jf the
loll ndcw pra teem a1xr.re tt.a t \ooa 11 .
~ Person: rnat privacy 'Wall is a fence? Is thdt what you're S3yinQ?
Mr. friarg: It '$ a stucco wall. Yes.
1f!.!.Iq~ .P~J~: And it's '..mere? Is it on ::he property line?
Mr. Ward: It's on prCJ)erty.
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_~ Person: Wh1ct'1 is Ioihat in reiatior.ship to the slde..lalJr.?
~_~soo: And then, how far fran j t?
!iL....~-Q. Yes, There is; a 2 or .l foot offset bet\:l.leer\ thoa o,.,all ,
~ ~_~: Between the 'dalJ. and wtI;Jt? 'There is the 6id~lkJ then there
is 5 feet to the property line?
~ __ ~rd: 'l'he.re's a cudJ and g\Hter, 5 foot p.:u')(·..ray, S tcot side'>"Rili<:, and 2
to 3 fe.et of plantinQ wHh lanascap:P. in front of the stucco wall,
M:r,_.-_~~: ThE stucco wall is on the property ljne, .Forward of th.."l:t. that IS
on the public side of the stucco ~llJ 2 to 3 feet.
llrJcnow:I I-'M$ffi: And all of the &et-b;)CKs that '10ll're: taU:inQ about U.r.e 7 to
12 feet or 4 feet, that's fran t~ property line or frun the sidewaH:?
!'!r. tNard: Property line. In JOOSt cases. alorlQ" E\l'eri!t tit' 5 about 3 to 4 feet
fran ~ty line back to the sidewalk a.ionq Rarrcre and E}nQrson,
~ ___ i'erson; Okay, A.'ld so this unH 1 th,at's at the corn!ll" is the.'1
bet-.....een that fence. that privac)' wall and the uni t, r.a...r rrucrl space 1S there?
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tr~ PErson~ f-b.,! thick .\S ')-'Our stucco? OK.ay. think that an~rs all of
~ questions. Are there any (TOre quest.i.ons? JuliE:.
~ssio~.~_.Qa __ ~: It:-ere 15 sene con! Liet in the Infornatlon you t irst
CJIlV'!!! fl.!,c Hi the {iOte{; that ~ have In front of us here. .~YOO you could. cleat"
~ W'wlt tnet ':5 all about. We have a ~t here in fr-ont at lJS ·...tllch say8
the p..~ 22 UI'llts on the site results in a density of 1/.7 units per acre
inc.h..dlnQ 'the " ~ un1ts. I~t: ~30 2Oi11n:J, the site could yield up to
3! W1it5, 30 units per ;acre. ! thH1~ )IOU IJilW ~ other statist jcs whf>,n you
first beQan spEIa..:';inQ .
.IY_._~.~~: TtI.~ '7I.1ITent area tMt'~ 2C:-,e,j };"}1-30 is 3~,(]CO feet. We're
!n-:'"!"Ms!n;l tr..3.t area irw: :~.«I{j to 53,(1(10 fe-et. JG it's curre'"ltly
~f:~.lIOO. it ',.:y,Jld '/lp.Jd 22 units, I.l!',de.r F--M-".\(l,
,"tt. Wa,.;.-d; The> 'J.3, 000 feet If 1 t ws.s re:z..."lf1w to PM-30, and the 1U"e.a o! the RM-
)0 Wii6 in;;!~ bo.!' 50 pf:.rC~!H, the.'1 there o,.,ould 00 :pootentHlolly a yieid of 37
units.
£am'.isa;_t~r r..e R."?~; 1 'm n<:lt SUl"e I ot 111 'J,J'ldoerstand ttH~. Ji.ayOO Jim can
point to ~thinq.
~lW l~: RiQht 1".101¥, this rmch of the propert~' rlQht here is u'Oed
came:!'Ci.e.l, arxj 15 not zoned ~.-30 r6fiidential. So the rerrainder 01 the
p:>rt1on. Iohlct: It> .....nat s...-ott .is tal.ki.TlQ about in tl:'YinQ to do those f iqures 1S
34.000 squa:re feet. The p;Jinl be's trylnq t:O l1'il.Ke 1S tMy're taK!n9 scmeth.iug
that i5 camerc'ial and reZOflinq into residential.
Q:.airperGOf'l fiUS!Xt: Tne other question, actually Scott .it's a clanfication
on this question of Lytton .(;, that "waS roy ccr.pari&On. With the porch issue I
'MUi not ~inQ your project .... } th the individual porch-;-s of those units
"ok.ich '~e ne\'er rro.ant to be Torches r.ifl \.J.uch peopl€ sit. They're Just
deooraUve ehr.-ents, very f1_U'tcj,..,' st,) that one can ope., a door and al1<:IW scrne
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fresh air to care in and be protocted. bj' a Q"I..la.....-d rall, I W!5 refernnc;o to the
iar;JBr porc:h at street leveJ off at then fl't:iln library, .. .tHch 15 lund at a
ctmra'l JX)l,-ch. So I just ....a1'Iterl tc eiarit"i ~hnt 9() that 'z"CAj, I.ll'"lderst.ood ¥i".ere
was can.ir.q fraTl.
!ti, Piha: If I'm t.nie.t"standinQ COrToctly. 5(tfI'! of tr-,t! extenor chanQeS-,'O'.J
p:rcpose, 1.e. the e.ddit.icnal w:o::l tri~. 15 mlJ.' 00 (he !\'er€'tt Street r..:>uses.
~ __ . ___ ..E.!~: Is ti"'''!xe a l'"$.aSO~ IoTl'/ t;"at '....a"',·-I
streets, P.a;Tt.."'!.a: ct'ld E" ... <'O;e~t?
ooildinQ that we're t.ra..'1s,Hio.:-II'.:;I fr':';~ U-. ..:, otLce l:nllclln.:,l Hitc, tire nix
dct..titOlJ..o!) north. We rUtVe stu.:-t"':O c-lild\rl)js ak.':1',J the F.:-:)t)re rC'..lt'"' .... ·iO .. , ~~:'
Sl:ce9tiofu; alonQ the Ranooa Street :'lde. W€ '\'e qat stuCC-") .'liefl:;! the faClnQ
street on E'.rerett, arrl ..... 1ile lJe'rB !r']1.r,,"':,J, ... '::ln',1 ~ tr.i.~ c:-:~ E':e-Ie~t. ,~'!"~
rMintaininq iitucco s\dmr;. for t~ rro-.st p.ll"t. ~';':'. it's a b.ila.r~':;lr.:;l a,:::t. M;.>' re
acknowll3dQinq that tMxe's rrore w:-o::l as .....:'! hea-:i .;:or-th, but we're ",,1&0
ac)noJIE!dgin? our nejQhOOrs, roth resident lai and CO"!'JY'en: loi 1 " ~ roof tile
along E'-lerett for too .Pla.'1 Ii is 4 flat CC(,:::;rete tIle. WE: dc.cj't )).,ave HICldenUy
a. particu1ar attHude clout tnat. Asphalt s"nul::]les mlgt'.i: ~.Jr.r. just as ~ll.
and Y'oN see than cr.aracteristicall.y o.i craftsne.n bc.t;~10\01S. We"W" had su::cess:
with ~lt shinqles el~e. We do thirJe that bulldlr~ requires a flat
roofino IT8lerial of ~ )o.f.ld.
M!". ward.: 'l'he Plan 6 I So •
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~~Maser~ My q-.restiOOs are alrT"CSt entirQly having to do >.I:th the landscape
pla.~ \Irtl.ich is new as part of this suu.IJ.ttdl pa{;ka~, and we haven't heard a.r,~"
kind. of presentation on .it. I'm curious how '/'011 w:rJld lIke l:c l!",vrJ.le U .... 'lt
because it trey be tt>-.3.t. my hai£ oozP.l". or so. <!lJe<;,t':Q'IS-• .... ~-.l\d r.,.'d 3,,'s ....... '.!Gi )[\
that process. !'m happy lb..:!t ) t ~ 're I)\!t. of pres'3;1tat ::.-:':'1 t_ ,IP to r~.~ i~
th...~e q1..'estions.
"~.r~q...'rI'perSOIl: I hava a list of liltie qJ.€"s~i(\~j$ t!:3~ i51l't !r, n';.Jt_ iE,"
'WhiC'1'1 I'd liKe to ask nw, and jt's ii'oovt the~e re.:lta1 l .. I:'~S aW".2 >;'ne
GQIaaes. Is that "",hat they are, rent~ls?
~60r1. __ ~ __ ~lson: Alright, tha.nk 'tOU. And where is tnt! parkino for that
unit?
Chairperson Wil~: It's outdoors?
~. WNd: C\1tdoors. yes.
Cha-L.1J2§:~ _____ liiJ_~: Uncovered?
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~Ward' Uncovered,
~Jwerson Wi ison: Cl1e?
II!', .~, C<1e,
cr,..ai_-!:2':.~">9''1 Wilson: can you tell rre since those ill;:! t~ rmrOOil uni ts. what
K1nd of pecple Y,)-\.2 ex:PeCt to be living there? h"nat's it's destgnE'd Ior':'
Mr _____ War.,g: We e},:r~t it to be occupi?.1 b\' any J',t..'L"l:.>er of differ.::.,! pr.8::.y:;r.ably
lo,.,ter·-in~ or JrOO&rate lnc~""t£. ir.al .... lduai or &.l'ill1 r.ous2J"lol& 1t<lg'-lt be
appropriate for s.tudent:::. who ~uld uss public transit to the l.lllivero;:) 0', and
loPuld need a !:ihared situation to.rro.ke it affordable. 1t might be appropriCste
fo.c ~town service workers ~)O '..nilld be walking to and frQl1 their ;.,ork.
gp..kr.OWI'LPeraqo: I j\!St loolX.dered with tha.t ma.ller uni t "A'W you cr .. o*, to rriCIY.e
t\o.lO enclosed bEd.'"OCITIS l'ather than a lar:;,ar livino space. a bedro:.Jrl with
p'tenUal of putting a sofabed. or sarethinq in that space. &;,cause it is so
cro<tped,
Mr. Ward: We don't see .it as cra;rrped. Jo.oout 674 foot by san Francisco rental
flat standards is pret ty nllch averaQe far a t;.t:)-bedroar: un it. Mayba 700 feet
the avera\!<!. but not far off.
<l1airpersoo Wll!:>Qn: C*:ay_ l'hanI:: you. We have a rrarber of the pubLr:: here
~ wishes to spea.1(, Ar.d. 1 'm tryinQ to thin.': ho..t to d.o d-lis, I thw.k '1'I1e can
hold off this landscape issue probably. 1 need to Opell the public hearin'J
right flOo.\. If any>Xle would lll!:e to speak to this i tern, I need a card f.rern
you. First spea.)ter I have is Hicr-.aei l.y:zwa. WelC\:fTle back.
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~~~~: !'hey sldd tr!C professor ....no :i.aid every time 1 have on.,:\ of these
speajteTS 1 n f:root. of me, I wi 511 I CC\.lld sinQ, and 1 Gort of ft:el the sarre wa~'.
First of aU Michael Ly;z:wa.. 193 Waverly Street, corner of Hawthorne uno
waverly. ~al vicinity of this project, I'd Idee to first shere with the
board sort of the history of our neiQhborhood because :r think it's very, very
UI'portant in reference in itklat's Q:Jil""; Of! witl'l this proposal aI'.d in rl':::te!"ence
to tnis houe:lnQ o::ncept that we're reviewinQ todaY, First: of alL rTPst of the
hams in the nei¢iborhC'od are fr(7J1. the t~..nu.es. early twent~@s. Theyaz'€:
........ , beautifully detailEd, tr.e-t have;.,t:;;;Od Windows, they have solid \¥XXi dacre"
tOe:." have brass hard\..lare, 'They typically haV€ rraSOfJ!'Y fireplaces, 1MY ha ... 'l:!
e:q:oit!rll'l1J.ttoos, ar!d ttte'Ie is a lot of detul 1 "19 2ltl'd a lot of qual Hy
~ttst"enSh.ip tt-.at has 90ne Into tr-.e eY,isUng hooes that are there. Tnen:
lsn't a. singular style tr.w)t you could really relate lo in reference to the
....oole ne:¢'bo-rh.::x:d, D"Jt there i!l ave-tV ,]ice sC<1!.e cOl't;inatiorl of sin-;;le-story
a..nj t<"l')-,";tory h:rJso::s. 7l":~ .. r.e's 01::0 a ',..c,r.der f1..l 1 ped~strian traJlfi;~ion. And,
t~.,......z;~~ the r,e~chrD1 bA-..G ms b?->~') aX0\md to'! Q\ll te Ct ... t.S.le, ttl>c:te ore
be.autituJ e:<istlnq street tr€'es. sh...'r\{lli;. }ot)st nelqht.ors, all nekgtJ::ors, take
tI~ prioo in theiJ': yards, They have lNOndertuJ seasonal flowe:rs. They
r.a'\""C manicured Itt\iWls; they raally t.'3jr;e a qreat d~~ of ~ffor-t into keeping up
t:he a;+earance of the n~i(Jh."'lorhOOd. Most of U~e ha'nes a-re oriented to,..ords
the str~t, and tne'[e is a qreat scale cr-cange,. pedes.t'fia.'l scale change,
bet~ the publ jc streets and the ~s therwe-Ives, There are cC'1nsJ.derablc
r.e':-backs, and again that transition is 'Very wel i done, ~st bares have
balcooiea>., th£.y hav~ ck:cks. they have €'.ntriE".5 that are pedestrian orie.'lted.
It is a ver;' pedestrian neic;JhOOrhood. It's also very soH after, My neigt'..oor
recently put his t\.?l..I.Se on the !feXk.et. the flrst day he t-.ad three oUers. This
:project ~5 ~inq to be extrB'll:!:ly successfuL, and the rooson 'Wtly is that the
hcft"es within walkinQ distance of d::w'ltoWtl Palo Alto are appraising and
a,wreciating f>uhstant ially faster than a..'1ywhere else lli Palo Al to. pecpie
just love this f18ighOOrhoo:L F'amjlies th31: carl afford it. nove into it right
away; there's no such thinQ as a difflcult sellout there, People really want
to Uve 10 hanes, especially single-farni ly hcmes. And I think as you 1(0)1: at
these nc:rres. you ha'V2 to e\,-aluate thEfTI on a single-fami ly. 6inqh;-lot type of
a evalu.atiO,"L Tr'l€re atE! a lot of problems that .... 18·re cw:rerjtly fc:.cknq in 01JI
nE:1Q'hborhooci. The nwber one problem I -..,culd say ~s the issue of pa~:king. We
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~ been, for ~teve:r rea..<;oos, we M .... -.;; l?~ befHnd on res,;Jlving parJdnQ
iasues. What ccncerns r:12 about thIs project i~ that the came~cjal pa:n of
the p..··oject is I.DlOurparked. It's. u;rlerpar)(ed conside.cdhly; o,...e sMuld r-.ave at
lsut 4 per I ,OC'C) p.'\_rl(l~O" r~t!Os. 'We do not have that, 1'm ceortain tbat
the...~·6 ~ino to be a spill--oYe:-fran the CCIT11"ei"clal aspect of tr~is project.
I'm utf'«!'l'lly con....-~ irJ that tr.eIe is 00 visltor pe.rJdn::; 111 a'1Y c! this
~1 here. If jI'C'\J ~ and '{'Ou 10011:: at the nel¢\OOr1".coci; yO:J we'll!<; dIol)nd
the neighbort.oocl WI! are be J OO"r;'J.eI'OO wi ttl parkl n'~ , It r.appellS U ... .a t a lot of
the ~ia.! pro].qct6 in ao...ltOW'l :Palo ".Ito ca.'"!' t provict? par)unq fUl" then
8'!"'ployees. ~H ent>I01",*,,3 CI':T""W" early in th~ rrL'I1110Q. ti'Plca:~y t.oet\\~n i:QO
tll"'12" "~,~1'{.J. S:, ~1ii.ft:lT.~ lS cr 'J~_-:..""'S'. l::;sue !n [,~f2r>':·<i::O:-1,0 lr-:e nE;19'w,:,ri':-:xxJ
:tS€lt. !"h~re 13 ~ls.:: Qr..,.,.at (·'IT;::.-'tl~;C;1 fer p'.l:Ol~(' ~ii:'~lltJe-~ 5'.:-::'0 2S p~il(,
r...aTY.S, yo.t.l'.'~' 8.1 ... .-:;.;;, ' ...... £:::,"' 'J':'J '::'o..;~ ")' .• i,,';) 5-':", '...~:\ I lv.~':<:' a', \i'"ns pro.';0-:t., 1
'.-'J s1'-l cr:"..:ld ~12-':' L"T I r.s.ca,r.:",: r .'L< JC j • .rL. I ·,.,'l~r! I (,(,'Ji,j ~.:;,' " pJ a YiJr'J;lJ:'.1 tor
chIldren to pli'l:'" I:,. 1 ;';is-r, .! '.,,":;'J.id ~,,~ MUS ..... '!".-ero:: ',.;.e \o.OlJid have 5 b:CJ'c:le
varr..i~l?· Fla~-5 ~:r-.c.t · ... ::·w.ld s,).:. C ,)f '';::-lcc,ura~ &:ri'e s-c,rt of a p'Jhlic U::ie. I
don't see a QT"3.At ?Uhlic !:~,neij~ ottJ.ef t!").~ n:/i:' fact th .. ~.r ..... ~'re p:rO"'lQlng
t:C:;..slnQ, ..t1ich 1 t'nllV. 1S tlr:~, ::-;.l~. '~'re raaily no~ pr("vlj~nQ l'w;~ dfor~s.>.ty
r.ou..sinQ. ~'re prr:';l,jln:;-f.lr:',Jlf;--£ar:,llY, sir'gie-lot type of d-e'/elo;'"(Terlt. So
that '6 hOw] th!M *" s)x,...:.id be takircg a loo.~ at HliS pr'~Je-.:t.
BeslQes the vis) tor jlal:'T.i!OQ issue :..hl.:M I HunY. j S QI"ave, .;u-..d I tr,mk that tbe
p..--oject iii urOe.."PCU·xai. a Lt·'. of the exlstiflQ h::m;:.s hdvo oarages and the'.!' r;ave
dI'p,aaYii. Arxl if you don't have-street par~1nQ, you. can at least have yow:
Ql.leSt park in your ctrivewa~'. If you d::J"1' have arlvewayS, then you've
elinUnated that option, arlC! so you have 00 ~tioo except to parK on the publiC
streets, I wish ....:-WYJld see a C..:K'l':ept of set-!::'.QCKS. Q CO:l0ept of lor,jscaplnQ'
bet-..eer. n·Je~. A ttr.cept ot a tranSl t ion In sr.:ale :b€!.wee."1 the pedestriM
\lH' 00 the public streets. and the ho-.:Jres :hEmselves. n-re onentatlCln and tr..e
relatiC1'i5hip of the harJ3'S, in my e.stilt"ation, is veri ao.oo..urd. I trlink I-.'hen 1
look at the:6.e !or.;J, deep alley::; th:..t cu-e 6 feet or so, or ~tever that narro..J
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that fo.r instar.ce 17:,-Qroupiml S~ of the~e s t r\..;.::t u.re~ yCl'J cou 1 d r.,,,,, '1' c;:oe::
1..'9 the spaces and me t~ a. k,t rtOre e'<Cl t Ir.Q.
Street JightJpq I think is a critical issue in cur f1€l¢...oorrtYXi. I thin;", tnat
as PUt of this prcpcsal ... s~~d analy-'J: the st.::,,*_t 1'\}.'1l.l~O a.:.",j C~ v;
with a ~t that would pe::i1aps prc, ... ide a dl~fer€"rjt ~ ... -pe 0.1 a ='.re€~ j,,~!t
th&n we current 1 y have,
so 1 lin very concerned al:o\.Jt the de-.'e1c:-rrre:ltS, the way ] t s bro;';e."l d~
thmK that the plan itself is not a cre.::ttl\'t: SO!1.lUC:1 to '_~'d~ p:rte.ln6]lY
could be there. I would w-ge '/O>J to not lo-~~i( at tn;,-;: :r, d '';,''; ~ __ :-::_:r,,:c ... ..::..)
as a highest and best 'J.se of thl.s Lar,:', t'lt '.0 cC:-. .., ~':.,=r 'J.':;'
.P:lssibilities t~lat could p:)te..~,tlullJ.' r-2-f,,":-€'. ","~,:l ~ ";~".':
substanr.iaJly nur~ GT€..J.t.1V€, 5llt·~t.antic;j :~. 1"1...':-':' r::o:,.:::~;r,;;
the nei¢\r.x:lrhood as far as det-olll if:~ ,s c':·:-,:·:;!T.cd, ;.:1:-;.",-, ;35 (!',2 ,.::;'.:....::: : ~~,' ~.t
is .l;1iready therE!; and. pleas~ . ...-e";e g.)~ r.,~ j:.~,','-,:> \'1~,:1._'~ ~>.i.:~lr.:"'. ;.;,,,
sol\ltioo of th~S pojec~, ;~ st'rO'..l:d 3~~·: 2:S pc.!:: 0: .= ;."iL~l'.' ::. ... :.~>2r)~. ~':"lr."'r,"
arts, perhaps sam sort of publIc s.p.;.ces tri<,1;t C,j'.lld C"'! ,6::,) pan of Hils
de';elop;ent: and overa 11 I thin).: tha t ~ sr.culd crri'..rd fer i"' i1.: : .. ~ h, ~~! j E' '(>;
o( detiliting thall i~ C'J.rrentl~' prcp'-Jsed. Tr.arlo': j'<.YJ.
J1;""",-Sissell: HY narre is Ke.ith Bissell. 7h.,l1lt;ih I re.sl.dt? r~ 15 L;?s AltGs. we
have a txIre here at 312 E'nersoo ri¢"lt acrosi; thIS area. I ;,pprec~ate U-..e
previous speaker because he is .:dd.ressinQ my present CCfJCerTl tao'. ':Lno th.it ha..s
to do wtth the parkinQ a."Kl the conge£tioo tnat we {)ailEL In relatlonsh,p to
that, I like the plan or a.,ytl1irzQ. let's put It anr.;ltt~r way. Let'~ 54'1
w;:tJ.ld r~t t'nat ;.Ie do nDt ~nsl£t on arl'r'thH"\~ rro!!! (~C~ thai", tr,ls. I co
not want to see any rrore uruttlo .in here trzn we ha.ve. II rt .. (!r n,l.'i {,rl..:;r 01
less 'o.l'JUld be helpful Just :tJec.a.use of the con~tion, the parlo:lr~c, the t:ratflc
and SO forth. So, ~ iike this denslty, I would pl€ad not to ha\,'e !lore
density than ....-e have here. Less w:>uld be-fine, My COI""IC'ern also j S WI th the
int::act of the park)rlg as th€ preVlO'J5 s;:'''i:.:''':-:-er S:"l'l. 1r1-s: )-:;;"·.'2 ])":-\:1'(,1;".;: C 11. 1.[~!
time. 1'he streets are continually full, they're narra....·. Tne only 'o¥d./ tMt .... ~
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can qat in and out ot our dr)veways .is very careful Ii'. 'lOll dn' .. 'f' lfI ilrlj ';r'o:j
bact out. We have stop siQns here on Brerson, but Everett doe~ nc't rXl'J<': 5to~·
sl(,lns. AD:! since he's addreslied the otoor Issues real -.....el j, let rre ~ddrl;:ss
the particular parJt:i[J~ issue of the o;::mt"eI"Ckal bui ldlng .::lfJ(:l t'~ it .... '1! 1 irrpact
our residElntlai area because of the transition here.
Chalrpersoo WJJ~: 00 we have a problaI1 because ttlis OOj ldlnQ is not on the
a9Mda?
C1"'@.i!Pe~f;9n J';D~"iJ: Althcu¢l the public benefit issue lS pdTKU,y, 50 r:'nj.'be
it's OksS·
Mr.! Bis~_'8U: I'm only aMressint,l tI~€ pa:r)on.;r is~uro ill',,:l (;::-... ! 1 t ,,:lll ltv.c't n-.e
residential area. Bec3use of the lights here on J,ytl(,':L ard;....e ~;a .. ,E' t[US
already t'!OfoJ, th-ilt marj'l people ... tlO \<Jere wan.tHJI;:! tc CCf:€ to ctlir,. p.:u~;'::ing area
will avoid Lytton, care off of AJ~" cx::ru= dv....n Everett. ca:~ do..n Dr.~::;Sori and
will rreke a left t\ll71 into the parkinQ' are..a, If there's also traftic C"Cf:1.~!l;:l
this way, the traffic cculd back up all n~ way up O'JI stle.et. It they a.l~c>
cane out this way Uxl turn ri.;rht. tilEJ"ll be bac.i<ed up behir.6 tr,~ step slOT •.
This 18 just an accident 1,,21 una to happen; aiso 1 ca.""l see in til-:; ITOITHn.1S a.nd
afternoons that with this back-up of traffic. It's r;pir)l;! to bs very dltilC'.l1t
for us rErSldents to get out of our drive".;aya and c:a1"bat with the ccmrerclal
tratfLc that's trylnq to use the r-esidentiaJ end of our .street. At a mirwTun
! 'WOuld request that, I \oolaS hopinQ that we 'WOuld be able to spJ 1 t the eqre56
in one slde and out the other towards Ra1roria. bI.!t they seem be.'1t on having a
park here that seerrs to have no public benefit. So Wt::!'re forced to hava
inqress and $qI'e6S on our street here at ~rsor.. If we co\lld at least r.a ... re
sign aids or MChitecturally I'raJ':e it so that ,}'OU car; only ent.E-T and exit q'..)in~
the Lytton direction. For instance. if we had a Slgrl cCCT"JnQ do..KJ &rerson that
there ~ no left turn into the parr,ir.g, that W)uld prevent peopie fro.T\ u:;.iOlJ
cur rl:Sidential area of the street. F:.·..:tri cOOling Oa,.,,.l here. ccrr.;ng thlS .....aI',
they would be forced t.o ccrre up frcrn Lytten and in thIS way. A. ... a "ls() If (roe:"
exit, If they had a SlgTJ here, left tu..'I1 only, S0 t!loOt they r,..,Q:.lld r..a.v.a to ()()
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out t~a Lytton, that w.::>\.lld divert the ~rcial trdtf1c aWol,' fra71 the
residential area and \Irrnlld ~Ip us jn [he CooQEstlon aspect.
Chairperson W)!sv..'l: Thank you. ! w:)uld also llke to show on the rer:ord that
we recei\."ed a letter fran. it rrust be your ..... ·iie Linda Bissell?
Chairpe.rSQn WiL~: And I also have a'1Other letter that was re-ceI ved.. that I
~ I stiOuld l.'"ead into the reo:m:L Is that con'eet? Tnts is fran Sall~'
h7\aley. 24 (XesCf'.n'; D:'.l.ve . .Dear ~E-. Hllson. for tr.e past (\0,0 years, ~ ha'!~
been searCrdl1g to purchase a detached, hJ gh-quaJ 1 ty fi.'Tr'111e:r hcm~ to,.,rlllc>use
· .... \.ti""lln easy waJ'l.irlg distarl('~ to Palo Alto \:;'·us:..n8sses (::t.nd trle tndn sta.tlcn.
we ~~ve recently e:<a.'ninoo the plans as d:rc.'''~'1 by Classic 0.."f:lflu;)ities: to repii'Ce
'(rH;J '.drriE':::> Tt"ibur.~ property. He're 2:<citw to !lnd t'r><lt lhls oesiqrl me.:-ts cur
e>...,::.er:taticfI$. In the course of O\JE search we have f01.,,L,d oth-e.rt ...... 'ho .w . .'e
similarly searching. We be111:!""ta thdt this type of developreTlt is in high
da'Mnd. We r.a.ve lived j., Palo Alto since 1963. h'~ started our fai11l1'l \J!nle
at 650 Tennison, !TOYinQ to 24 {:re:sce.'1t Drl\,~ in 1974. Now tr.:at our crll idren
are ralsed, we <,o,e.nt tc. remun in PeJo Alto ...nite d()l,.,T1sizir,g otrr }',we, ThtS
II'I7'IS .....::>IJld also ,Pe."T!tit a..'"lother ta.rldy to purcl'\iise our-hare, thus oo-ginmng the
circle aQZlln. we-urge the Architectural Revje\ol' Eba.rd to grant approval for
this projECt. Sincerely, Sally and Jaye Whaley.
M~-rx.e else to s:pe.ak to HilS? Okay. Close t'ne. publ ic 'nearinq and return to
the 00ard. Would you Uke to do a brief landsC3.Pa presentation nON Dclvid,
five minutes, and therl if a few questions aren't answered. you can pursue
thEm.
Hr. Gates: ~t me start l:fOStly by the oifferences between the tYlO Ecnemes. 1
think 'What we're tryln(J t,) do heI'e -I think the camT.aJlt was in the alley, try
to Qet it a little softer. plant it a iittle more, and create same edge~ t~t
\oooII91e rrore archj tectuai, S0 1o.11eI1 the new uni ts c.a.Tte thl"Ough h~~nJ, we Ca'-TIE! weY
and 'We actually gained usablE' ynrd space aiong f.rle "T"' part of the al iey, U",C;
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EV'arett Street pal"t of the ad lPr' ~.nd W't'-.at Hre sketch trtes to sho..,· here IS
dlfiermt \ooIi!iyt> o~ cr-e.atinQ the nature of tho~, loitJat 1 call back e.'":ltrles. So
;",e 'IoaI"lt toat alley to be li~ wah a Qat..: wit a tI"c1l15, arld what we're
trYlno to do is io'lCiicate lI'ellls t}'pes th.3t '",,111 follow tre architectural
etyle $0 CL6 the crlit typ.e char1Qes tnE stucco to w:::x::o.l rT'iitenais or different
trim, \oIhat ~'rf' trying to do is OO\!!"rClale trl"!' back fentI~es w~th ~ lln~ of
trelliS4t> alc:oq this 1 ine 60 each cf these points """-Juld be a trel] Is/entry
;pomt. And the ;.,all discussed ea.rher lo,Ould follow alol'"LQ !;nls edge just
In&ide-this ha.sh J ~ne •• tllcti If; a la.ndscape elerrent. the:: a n,,~!~::;ll til on the
COIn(:ll.I, then the. ·...ail -..,:;-u~d dr~ fr.:xn the hel'J:'t it has on t~ slde to ago.ln
n-~"E:: typjc;;;13 trl<1t 'o.if? €sse:JU.ally tl.:i!:.l In tr,e pno.r sche:e, but ~ have
elabJr.Hoo t~oC:s-e IT';to <',gain toHo •• ,'in:; tho:: M:::hlt(~.::tu.ral Je;~d a."!ci the dlUer.:nt
rr.-"J~€'-!"!als;:.r,j d.ffr;rent t!>?dtr:"' .. rHs of ti:rjS~ \.idjjs. l'"r:~ of oo~.u:se the'l' w.J·.lld
fa: l,~ i!."~ t1'A:Y did in tt~ pn(;.:-sc:'t",.:r(~ .:;n ,t'IE' ~;.:\i ts in t!(.mt. of t<'c .. m:::r:,) M.<l
spaces. As ')"OU U)Oi:. at these t'lP~c.a15, we re.all}' didn't r.i.f· .. 'e this before. b'lt
tt-.e:e M€ places for di fferent uses. SO \<oIIi?'ve sho'",!'! trJI"ee diffe.rent t~'Pt:1s of
par;io tJ'P!ca!s, if you ...,:11, I-tljeh ~!Ii be located along those :.:.on~s d,S ~ll
'We l"'IilYe those pnor 0:'"; th·ese 1 Jght \.oIdll U.~l ::'5, and ).,·i th t"rle zero setoocy.
conti'J'.llat.i.Ctl Oi"] trlEfn.
I ~fi ill w;:lro on thE: nature of the O\'enll use of the Site at 17 Wl~t£ an
~-re, this. is il pl&'i that we've tT~ed to get apPloved in olrrer ccmrwutiBs,
a.tXI hava alW2liY5 lost the ::-ettle with the alley-..e'l scherre for ptilil!c works.
ti~~ &CCaSs. and other rea~ Which alleys are diff~cult to achl£~a. If this
oets b.<ilt, this .. 111 be the hrst alley Pl-OJe<:t that I,.,.'e've -...or-r.:ed on that
actually r;J:It app.roved a.'1'j bJllt. We. trled lli Trace")', Brent~,;xxi, other Q1,ltl'l'lng
dlstI"lct5. 1''iplC<llly, an 18 u.."'lit P!'-"je:t that .....e oet the opportuIllty to work
00 is surface park, carports, detached hem ~tac.ked unj [s. We've qotten up to
2~ U!lltS an acre 00 tr«ee--story waJ'K-ups for Tranttell crow, and it's a product
that ~'OU Qet a hlWta' der.sl tv o:Jt of t"at, but it doesn r t t~l 3nY\oo'ttere ne.al:
th,s sort of ra.,'-tC\o;!"l, c.o, • .-.ntow"lJ cr-0racter 1 t(llnk tl1i s br-im;J5. f'rar: d
la...1dscape ):olnt of VIew, sIte plan p0lnl of view-to cre3te a. vjable living
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street scape, with the public street not ~ln.o d·-::r,li"'i.·l(M b; the C.i\r in the
qaraoe with a sort of te;ITltOTi3l i!dqe larxiscape. ar.d then -....sable-space
daninated rea.i ly ~. the front entrance of the-IX'rch, ei I be ! ~ s.-r..a.l.l ~U5f:=:
tt's a.\1 urba..'l o,-o;iit ioo , .l'S Halrern's~' 't'O!~. ~ ·~·c·rf. s.'"):rt of tn. a
revjsited way, I thlr.k. the natur~ cf the st.l"ee:' sca.ps 1S YeCy 5L.:CCes5ft:l. Trw>
.a.bl1tty to put the car-internally ar;,j <:f1€ '.'ls~l ..:k.l!11MnCt=> of that to create
an 1ntrou:n..s.l space. Io8Uc:h I thInk is ret a lost space. the c,y.:>-...rail nwber of
1Jr'.J.ts WOtJld at low this to ~ lI: usable ~e for kitU. aJXi other ,.actlVl t ie5.
beca~ toe tnffic JiOVuTent in and out lS QOlnQ to t:-e qtnet enour;::r. La ~e It
usetul.
So to:re 1 '..c'..lic r.a\"e?, ,")::itl";'\::lt !,,;,"l? ;:"''''"-'~t'r,;:.l ,;, t.-.;"t!.u 1<,,;,"',1 "<'::;'-2: ~t~crrl '>~i
r,er at tr,es€ ,~e:"sl: !'='s. .~.r~ to try o."-..i ,~'.<:"';;:-1 ~ Ii} C(,~.:';:':-:~ ' .. ,:.: n~e
have car~li Pa.l"k and s':nt ()f 'r,t:-d=-ri'.CW"'l a:~.;utJe.s o..t:ich we W:Y"".d JJ.II:e to
rpally wild \JpCrl as cw:n.ed ~o ae..::llrr:;l a Se;>dl.dU:' but eq...L::.il use 3pa'::e ~io
t-Jel'"Eo. 'BlJt 1 thin~ that 's sctrctnll~Q Wf-: co~ja taD: rror02 ar.x)'Jt. S:.;. other tha'1
that, I tnink the blQ9€;St ch.~.:.;,te£ fur UG IS Lt-,<:, r.atuH: ~[ t.he alle"/. \ote've
O'tten iT"Ore IJ'e(JetaUcn in tho::! ba:Jt: of the alley::.. and then we've ta.:«e:1 the
peri:!h)t&!" lOol Wlll edoe ard trLi-xed a."ld rres5-ed troil~ ""Hh the archi te-cture. .i
think tt.e nature-of the ctaiQe1i 1fl the ard'tl t ecture don' t pa.!"t i-=ul ar 1 y read.
fran tlo;e (Jraptilcs, but I thir';: there'5o boen a t:l.u· arrourlt. of tif'te spe. .. t OD
the particulars. A.rd I think tr..a.t old oraph~c In ~alionq wlth t.he tecun, there
are a lot of subtle chanQres there. they just den't s~ up.
Hr, Gates: It vanes, b-lt It is 36 lnct-~s to a plaster, tr:e.r1. ~'re g'Jing to
mix sate w:::x:x:l. and metal <letai I lOy, probr:ibly aVBrilQ'wr;. w:'ut 3CJ lr.ches hlgh as
a tYPical.
occur lll. fn:,,{ of a i I th~ urn ts?
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Mr. Gat..-: Well 1 t charlrjeS here ...t\e.-, it beccrres a s 1 de yard cc:-,d: t lon, 'iC"J
can see it on that elevation. I tl)inx you're dt ...nat, at S t~t. It cares l.i;'
A little bH Oi'i the side yard elevatlO:1 of these t\oot) Wilts, tot as a ft'x.t
yard ca"ldit ion stays at J6. And 1.ooIS' re trying to bn n~ out ! itt I e tIL,:,;) 11 tJ->.s ,
'W&'re trYing to maJc;e individual statEfT'e!1t.; of entry ".*Hct"; \..Ii 11 \lar:,' per e..,tn-.
SO cae miOht. be a l.~ttle s.t'lJCCCo Ii'CilOlith, the next Ci~~ r:u.¢lt jx,' a;,o..--;O 61~t
w1 th a cap PkBCe on it 00 that each or.rO wi 11 ha'le l tEi CW"'I pr~ .6u~ there
w111 be thh eort of thread. of territorial \.o1all around the edqe.
Mr. Gat%: Actually, 'Ne haven't 90tten inw that bel'; i Uun.;; ' .... J.'.at .,""t' \.J:.~.Jh~ d~,
is liaht on the back o[ the OOi lding.:> b/ tt-:oE' qaca9€s ...... , P', d. b:~i::".et I! l "-,t
KInd of xeep it do...n. ~.? do!!'t \o,6"nt lr.e iau",i':'! p:)l<.> 11(::',1: 'r-,,::~~. '[-,.:r<2,
t1t.~g.Q§..S: How do '.i'C·U c.nticlpatP.: de.Jlllt~ '"Iith ~:;~te d.cc..!n;;::;o::.. s-tc.'~~': '-:I.td n~:,~
ofn Ar.d I'm cw·.i~u.s H this project repr.ef:-e.r.ts ~ r:!?:t :r'.~lec;::;e 11i ps-'l.'"ea.b!!.'-
surface over \<./hat sites used bef'Jre. 1 notice !rcrn lC()i<::lfi y ar, trl'2 <::j,/ll
enQineeriOQplan that ltsqulte nat, and! d~n't belle'''''' tt,.er~ .s-any
under~ou.')(j stonn water Systffil in that nei(,J.')b:;;rhooG; ar,j fIeq·;,;.-,tly l~i t;-~
.... intertine thE>.re are 5m1i: real problem; .n vanO',,;;s ~,.arts of t'r..e nel:;jr'J::(.:rh.x>d.
Actually this 1,5 still tTar-E! of a study sessi·.)f"l, oot my q'Uess 1.S rl¢lt Slnc€'
it's a jXlTkinq lot, tbe perneabiiit~' is probably IC peH .. "B1t ~.\Of', so
t'JP1-cally a. ProjfCt liK.e thH;. we ~J~d be in aro\lIX1 <IS-SO peICP.!lt b)j ll'nq. I
don't kr'Io.¥l\hat those nwbers calc out a.s, but typico.llY that's \It":.at \.>,I&'d be
at. Mo6t likely you loJOUid have a hiWJ ,point throUQh the center surta~;-e dral.n
reCK, collect here, and then coliect here, and then QI'ab all the roof WilIt:ta
a.OO probably brinq it back WlCi.arQI'oW"Jd as per cede. What yoo. are QOinQ to
have to do is you're QOtnQ to have to tM~ Q, flat sit~ and 'l'ou're '~, .. r.q tD
have to shape that site fer surface drai~ge.
~. Baer: Fer the record, R!!!rDna. street has a broox:l new stom, dram tl".at J!m
HarrinQtoo says 'WEU"e on the Lest bloc).: for ea5e of t','ir.Q !!ito a Cltr stcr~n
drail1.
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~ Ross: This naY be Trore of a staff q<.lestlon. b'Jt David y"u pI'obably r-Jl0'r.J
the answer; ~ t:M proposed plant Hst coopar:es to the city's ra ... ·am~J"idw
list in r-el.1!.tj,oo to thlr.9S like native 6J)eCles, I see you're trying to
achieve a quasi-fonnaJ settinQ here r..mich rna'lbe doesn't lend itself ....ell ~o
native species planting,
Mr. Gates: .!t.ctlJally • .....e've used oaks and qrids and birch and qT1ds, I trunk
tr..ere's a J~5 that '5 caning about throu\Jh SCfl"e of the piantings a~ the~'
chanQe, We~w oone throUQtl our first b)ush with staff ....nere \..re created a
list. Staff ccmnented on that list, .... te adjusted l:-.a:::-k, I SUSf,>e::t trjere's s-::rre
l'TDre of that. but I think hE:'re into a pretty clear pattern Win, staff. and
the settinQ is really set by tr.e existinQ trees. The preservatiOli oi t":iI;.~se~
t\J.;lt's the Ieat ..k1ni!'.a""l.t cr-.aracter to ~t. and ~'re ...-::.rkinr,;j 'Wl.th tlf"C5:> '.hili.. ~
krlC'l-i will ... .eri<: in condjtic,ns ' ... tlere YOIJ oor.'t 'Waflt ;:; broCld sprea.dlng tn:es
beo::.2use we've Q..:>t sare tairJt' tigrlt "paGes, 50 t:l'ime ar,: 'plng to ~ s,.)t t8t
colurmar t)l1)E: trees. But I think lfl tel:.TilS of the ~'a~er B.>ard/\.'3ter b:.ldQer.
t~ of requil"Efrents, \.oP-'ll have no trouble hllth t/:.al. In ta':'t It,.?,y
reccmre,"l\l this kind of s]:-ace ...mera n.'€! pelcentalJe of o:Jtdoor use 2.!e.a 1:' .;
little hi<;her ,and the actual planted areas are d~T]. ~X) ~ have r:o $1.o.."*'f:l~ of
lawn, and the la .... ns we have, you're nsvar under 6 i~t. I dO:1'i: tores~ aJ:':'
problem with staff in p:antino.
Hr. lto$e.: What kind of canopy oovetaQe of t.he alley...ai' ;.,culd you e>.-pect m
ten years frt'tfl these. tree types?
11;1~~_t_~; What we're tryinq to do is Qet $OT'ethJ.ng here tr...al eeL''} care up,
PUt it 1n at a size 1<t'heI'e we can get up to the garage level and aoo"e. and get
it to spread. So typically you draw a drawin9 like this at a 7-Yea1' qro,.,'th
project, so we're .beinO' conservat ive. But I would say at a ooture lev!?l at l~
years we ·...ouJd like to cover at least 50 percent. put 50 percent lid on top of
that alley, gr~~ it In.
~1~_@9ll Wilson: Does anyone else have any queSUOfIS c,t l~',I1d? 1 have (1
conceptual question. Why are i'OU fe.ncin~l in these units at the fror~t?
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;tr. ~: Basically, to .;;1'v'e a little bit of ter!"ltolia.l protection, an
edc}e. Din you eveI see the studY that Yale did with Bill TUrnbull "-",ich sort
of Qes.crlbell the OJiiWleIlts of Ml outdoor space. "fne t)'Plc.;ll ...as the lClW
picket fence. jl.lSt atl~. You could step oV'er it wi th a typical refio:!
t.relli& as an entrarlCe, &0 outside that edge \I\Ia.5 public. inside that edg:e is
privatE!, ~ statement of privacy gets rrore int~se as ycu ~o up a stair onto
a .porch and th..Y'OUQh the trCX1t ~r, So I think he desCl'ibed 5 ~nes at
territoriality trom very publlC to this IS my private front door. so we're
try1no to do that sarre sort of thino, We don't \ooIant to el imH'..ate the publlC
t:ran the stre;:!t visual iY, but w\"".en there's a plant out there, or you g,~t a
terdta ~inQr yow. don't ..ant t~ street pel'son to CO'rl:l a"'ld pI uck your
taT6~O. Sc n's serre subtle visU31 cu~s that 1o."8'rc: re.al;y Q(ter tn-'ing to
ke:='p the st.ro:-et ! i.f.e.
_~J~_~'"!! ___ t!_l).E(.?): rne reason I a:;~o{e.J i'£ that it's qi..llte dlfterent trcrn thG'
other sir:;:ie--ia;rj ly herr,!!'::.. 1~ it t..'eCClu;;e you're so close to the sid8t,.,'a,11, or
... .trr' <.,.,culd you fence t~~ .in aId not t'h€ ot.h£rs?
Mr ,_~tes: J. thi[l)r; W\at you find out ther~ now is in s.::rro c.3ses. Hie ~s
that ~...-e very close to the streets roave 4 Qr 5 steps up to a porch that may be
S arr:i 10 feet haC,.., If ~here is a greater .recE>9S and YOlll front porCfJ kS
t'oF-nty foot bacK. Io.tlich is &are cases, there is no tence, This L:; pretty
oor~isteot in the nature of what our set-bac~s are, and we kjnd of }~ke just
to ;COO? a .little bit nDre visual continuity, l-"e don't want clutter with 0119
fence a..'1d then notr,inq, and then a shrub and then tno fe.jces, We'd rather see
same desiQn control so that there is an order to it, but a littie bit of ~haos
to that order. if you will. So it's not ove:r-designed, and we 'haven't really
sald exactly hew we'fe QOim;; to do that yet, bot it mlqht be that there ar~
particular cornerstones that happen. say along the 'property line, and the..., the
in-flU in between t{):j~ miQl:1t vary CiS !Nell as trre variance at the point of
.. try right \oI)ere the patl"t..ay takes you fraT! the sidewalk ~nto your UnI t, An.d
we jus-t need to fOl1C1W the lead archHectural1y \ok\at that is. And it's all
Jew, it's all 30 inches and 36 inches (:It the htc;Jh. so it's a visual barrier
rore than alwthinQ, Tria t 's the goa 1 .
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Itr=-~: I have one quld: questF.)fl. :(0\.0 me,'1tlonoo 5CA:'thlng ato'..lt tire
6COeM into these allEl"s. Is that QOiny to ha~'9CJ"?
~._~ ______ ~t~: re$, I thir.k tr>en;-r.as bee."'l QTe:l t d \ SCtl-:·S lo."1 a!:"¢Ut tr~E! wid tll of
the alley. We tryIng !o put a 'T'COClllth In hBre t~ ...... ,)L!o: with the local
MIQt\b::>rs to pir1C'h th€ vie..' wto the al rey a.""Id to take the 1 i<;'hts-as you drive
bact oot .t n~9ht arxl ["educe tlie'n fran aimIng at Wil ts, partlc.tlar}y here.
Ard 110 ther~ has Voreoerl a lot of dis.-~"lcns about · ... .hat the wIdth has to be, the
redt us, the cur\-"a ture.
,"'tr"'.-(}&~€'S; I OOll~':02 2:::n~:l'~ l~ o:l.C;,-S r.-':::le. It ,:~sn't c,r~ dc.' ... -:-I U-.I..' ..... lr
I 1~;.~.de.'"~L.:..:"Jd 1 t. H· ... ·] i i c,-"l-~'e 8.c:rc,'·:;: a!'::5 thrr:,',.';:" ,"~t '.lp .ard .c.':llJ lines irem
9'lal_~soo _1oj_Lt:!>9!~: Tr>.anX YO:.l" O!r ... "y, ~'li r.;tu.rn to tt;e ~cL DaVid, I'd
jUce yw to ~in \<o'itrl yGUI c·:rrrerlt:'S,
Hr. Gates: I 1jOO rTI",r'Se!! preiUTirl9 the sljQhtly lower der.:;.ity aHf>..fllate
plans that's beE:n presented no..-wLtrl ? ~-s (llanO' the E'..rerett Street
tra1UQe alth:Jugtl 1 prefer it. aesthetically. and 1 trlin.\:; it p:rovides ITLlTe
vadety &nd Il'Dre operl space. 1\ 's too bad, but I tr.ink that ~t 's :'h€ loss of
a ~ing unit, It seans like one of thotie ccr.praruses that sort of has to be
ItsO 1 ved; l:1.Jt I Hod myself prefer-rillY the naoIij' presented a:ternate plan, .!
aqree with the awlica..'1t'ii ar.a.lys~8 of troe pla.ce base lSS'..le as stated in their
letter. I thin): it's not a$ nlo.? as a sCaJ'~d 5I:Ze r.omiil lot and yard. thdt
you rnigT'lt have tt!el:e. Tnere :'Je SaTI? Dlce publl\,": t:e;.se spaces nearby MHCh
will p.roba.bl.,. b&c.ore the fo.::-llS of oore sencus fa."Tl.l1Y a~tlvi ties pla~'ln'J catch
er picnicking and that sort eot t!Hrx;1, They are waUdng dkstance Mel I think.
the)"ll be really uti l.izerj there"
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I sort of cont'nue my r;upport for this cierl::;l ty as a tranSl t.1C'f, fr..:r, ~.t·:'W"l
to J&1"'Q6I" lots. It is an urban settinq. It .. 'iii naturally have Z':Il'Ie of the
carpran1ees and el(ffl!lrlts of urban style hous.lnQ rather tr.a::-, the f:'J)!(; sd"olJIboln
style housinQ that nest of us tr, l:a..K1 lJ'v-e in and tec<::re ::-eal aXi.!stc::n~ to·
I think it's a 900d solutioo to this r:".l!;Sll1g EderPnt 4I:i I stat-==d las t I~. 1
tiro mysejf really U):1nQ the land.sc.ap.;> plan. r th:nk It r.ee.i..; j"'%:'xe
developnant, a..'ld I want to see rrD!'e as it QC)e!; a i Clr'..q.
treatJnents and the va.;rjety in thos~. 1t' s subtle, ttlt
,IKe the surta=e
thlnF. jt will ~~ve a
nice effec:t. ! just \.IMtoo to oote also that It lcoked to !"£ Errn', lookl~ ~t
the tree plar. that rraybe 'there is a q3P H1 tM stre€t trff S~1'"II?r:'€ theft> th.Qt
could be fj lIed near the exi t allei'wa.:..· tr..3t ~s o:-;to E&-:'L"Y<o S"tr~t. '~J.::.e
this is sanethir.g that hasn". Qat-ten :l=iC'":e.." 10' jet :r, ttp i:'!:C,':::<::':;,;, bit rhi?Y;',
1 tD.lSt that they will be r,;,I911 th~' ... o:~t O:.Jt c11d .'"/..;:t ~:e~l'<'i~";. tr,T, tr-,·:;'
presantatico of the h,)use to the .£tr%t. Tr>.at.:-;.! t.
Ms. Haser: Well, I ha'v~ i'I lot to say, h,a;r.>, "'!l~tefj tt oc....rl c!..'1d 1 a))..)log12.e
tor doinq this. I had so tT'UC".~\ 00 :Tri mmd 1 dld.!)' t \oellt t.;; !CTlJE·j: a!',)'tt"nrI9 so
I did write it OI.lt. First of all thiS iten wu C'a"ltln...oo fr<::r:, JUiy 21, ar.od at
that tim:! the...""""tt \o8S a treUUTlctloo of the tape recorder and 30 ...rod.t we haV\:i!
were ~'iated rather than verbatim mlr:.utes, So the tolla.o!.'1q o::mrents ..... "'J I
try to recap EIC!lIe of the tasie lhiMinQ of that revH .... and then D:Xltin~ to
carment on ths project as it Iii presented before us tcdis.y .. ..too by the wa~'. ~
did request at that rreetinQ that you r9duet! tr~ Size of Yc->l"tr dra. .... ·ing -this
is my thinQ. that's ... tlY I'm hr-iflgin:; it up -but. ...-e dIe req..:.~st th.~t YOu
reduce the size of the drawinqs for this rreeti.nQ • .a.'1d tt~'I're 50tjll ,-,""veIsized
by about 100 percent. So I dSK t~~t it there 15 a teatuze In this prOJect,
and if you do care back to us, tr.at yo".! oxply ~'lth oW" s·ca.rrlard.<;. ThIS is
only for our convenience, but It' So a CC:U;el\'dtlC,] ;"'ieii:3:J.U:· H,·:;;.t ovar lr:, . ., :.'E:.:i..fS
realJy becames a slgniflcant factor,
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I have two Qe£leral ccncerns · ... itn th',s appllcatHm, (.r.e is the process by
..mlch the revieJt.l has.been conducte::1, ar.d t-...o is the resulr.10Y proJect Its""l!,
I CClntinue. to be very perplexGd and disturbed that tnis proje,:;t (i,ldrJ't .:xtT"e
t.etore U5 as a unified solution to the entire blocK. We dId til!:':: (j,oout UIlS.
ost the July 21 rreeting', but beca:use of the leck of v\U"baLm min'.Jtes. ! .. anted
to reiterate my feelings a.bout it. ReviEfWing what should have bee.,'4'1
inteqrated project in this piecElTJela.I fashion is really UI'.acceptablE>, It ...ould
be interestino:;: to krr.::Jw what the rationale -."ras betund the de.:lsion to hancHe
the review in this manner. Those of us who .are concen~ wi th plan .. 'iino for
this City have vi8'.o.'ed this PI;oject as a r'ar'€: oppo:rtumty to create ::;:~nl:r.~
very uniQUe and architecturally special. /u'.d at trJ€' s.a.rr.: ur.-e help to sohre
SCll'I'! of ~.he OMg::>ing paz'king and hO'J.Sing probl€fr;S that WE! ate f6c:irlQ .as a
o.:m'1'tJJ'lity. Many of us eN/ision0d an HltE-grated project thc.l "',\J'..lid C),:,blr,€' ar;-".i
residential and c.cmrercial al(!ng 1.ytton, tra.'1si tion efitHe c-enS.1 ti' h:"'~f;lj~CJ H.
rnid-blc..ck with a portion of ttre pal'klng t'>eH!C) ::rh'lrej by lr:es£' e:ltltiH~ a;-,j
the;1 lc..wer d€>..nsit~' r,'Ousing reli:,tinQ to thf'. €:~lstlnt:;; nelqrJ:ori',:x:d C~l tr,2
Everett end of the block,
We envisioned the plan.nino C'CfiCept that ,,;ollld reSJX)nci te.' U'ie ccm::el"!'1S
expre.ssro In the draft o[ the CarprehenslVe P),Mj. I' H lust bnefly ('0,,'e1 .Eo
few of those. Fran the housing eletrent, increasing tr'ie OVtillaDlllly oL
affordable oouslnq should be a priority in plannino deC:ls.Ol".S, Edlcw tQ::
increased. density for hoUSing in the ll'!lTeOlate area s'Url'OUnO.lflQ the
neiQhb:lrhood co.mercial and transit centers. ~esslvely look tor ar:a stujy
additional 5ites to deterntine the possibility of more aftcrdibie ~USlno such
as school, q:werMent. ocm:nercial and institutional sites for any vacant land
in suitable iocations. create public ~waren.ess of the success and iTl'POrtarrce
of nlgher density housing 'Within sin'Q'le-famlly nelghOC.rN::o:'!s and other t':~
of neiQhborhoods. And then frat, the COOI'l"llU"li ty dcsiQrl elm..? ... l":t, encouraQe
alternative housinQ ior\1l1"lS that increa:s;e de.i'lslty and provide an adversit\! of
housing opportunities. Whsn surrounded by lower-densitY ho~in9, hiIJT1.er
density hcusinq .[.auld be designed to rreintain the overdll charaCler of the
neignoorhood. ~ to Ire this pro)'=Ct does not .increase the avai ldbi i i tv of
affordable housing. The houses tr.at they're deslgnLng ar.d priced arc ~all,
~s.ive hares. CU;'rently belnq ccnsid~red by Woodslde as a defInition of an
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affordable ho1.'!.Se is one that can be purchased by a rami Iy .... i tt: an incare oE
.$.47.000 a year. Tr.e l"Ktre!; before us today can't Pe leoitimately ca~~ri2f!d
as &!fordable by any reasonable standards. And then tlo.tl, lnstead of
increastnq the density as: both the housino and coom..t.1Hy design elaTents
encow:aQe, this project actual] 'I under-develops the housinlij portion of thE'
site. Here is thE; site near the transit arrd I'etall that could aco::mroja,te \..o'P
to 37 units wtthln the ~3Q current 2Oninq, and proposes 21, And here is a
cHy beQqLIlQ for ,rrpre housinq, especially near these transit hubs and the
desirable ~tCW1 area. It is ludicrous to tre that one of the publ ic
benefits l1Bltlooed for this project lS tr..at H cc.rltdbutee; to 01 housing gap
~ it doesn't beQin to take advantaqe of h',Jusjno p:.te."l,tial on t.r.e sHe.
TI1e secx..d. peu-t of the proce::s that 1 f knd dlsturbHlq lS H'..at tbe AP.E di d not
S~ t.he ~sir'Q portion of trre si teo at; a proeliminaty r€,,!te..', Hen~'s a ITdJor
~"elo::ment on a very lifl:.ortant dry..,'f'Itown site L-eing pnx.~esged as B PC:. It's
exz.,ctly thE! t:,.pe of proje.::t tMt ",,'B expect ~o r;ee In;) prelIminary r-e-ne .. '.
Instead O\)I f~I'st revle .... of this portior, of the site lS of a fully de\.·elcped
sci)!3'~ S\iPPOrtoo by ne.ny sheet$. of finished drawings aJ'\d e~'1s)\'e -renderings.
This .places us as a Board kn a very uncanfortable positicn, It rM.kes It
aln"CSt ilTpOSsjble tu have a dialoq with thf:!; aWl icant a;} oosic plaP,.ning
princ}pies and ~::.sibilities for this sHe. I'm r..opeful that loA'! as a Ecard
will pursue this situation as a arOlJp to ensur-e that this doesn't r.appen agaIn
on :projects of such irrpoI'tancE!.
'l'hen puttinQ aside wT~t I Q':lnside.r to be a faul ty process in 'the ciensi ty
iss-~ anci focusinq on IIklat's, before \16 today. I'm still disa?PQintee. with
fI"EI.nY aspects of the t:roject, Granted an effort MS been nade to respond to
sane of the cannents the Board made at the last rev~ew and I r~llY do
apprecl~te that. ~"er, l'm ven: unccrntortable with the solution. The sun
study that 'We rr:qJssted is not IlCl"'....eptable. JtJ;3 architects o,..ae need diagran.s not
1o.O:rcW. At a mininun I \roIOuld like to see studies taken of lonoer, shortest and
intennediate date.; of the year with diaqraroo showlnQ the S'J, ... , pattern on the
ground 00 each of toose days at ~,O{J a .m, noon, and 3: 00 p.m. Wi th COOputers
this soould not be a particularly difficult or expensiv"l taslc Tnes€ car; l;:;e
very sirrple CQtputer printcuts si1c:Ywino the periI1"l.'":!'ter wc.i is of the bulldlnqs
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,..I.al t..\a,"Ulla"la.\ .. I." ••• 1,.
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and fen02S, .&l1CJ sro.rinQ thE:, sun patte...·rn on the resIJ! two open surfaces of the
site.
:<c'~ to your proposal, the ;!ia.SSlnc of these urti ts does not rela.te to the
oeneraJ. feelino of the P,J(istin.'J neiotomrr)(;.'lCcj. Slde ,:{al-ds I feel are still
l',dnly 1Z\usahle la1Q dark ~lits that r-epresent a si9rdf.cant ;.;aste of vaiuable
reel estate. ~~ the arcnjtecture ! feel lacks tres~~ess and bears little
relatioos.~lp to the character of the hcrres in the area. It wi l! be alrrcst
i:nrosslble to plant 'tree!! .... i th any kim of canopy in the narrC'.-J side yards.
Ilnd It seEm; to me that the:'e's very !ittle fl-w QrourJJ space for any kind of
nee:'t)-la.nd.s.::.api:19 in general. n1e corner W"li ts present a long austere slci!=:: to
~:>cr1 a'X! Ra'Tn'1a str~jts u"crid.racterisUc for tr:€ neighrorb,x.-l, and I ~luld.
thi.n'": ~~~o~ni'r.ble in ar'...,. neigtJ:l)l-h<.:x:d .. r...ll of this points cculd b€ .501\1(<l
.. ·.tn tt-.o6' r~lp of. i believe, with tl-..: help of <> creative plClr,ner. and there 1'0
S'j';h ~D :.ni::r;..i ~, y.J1J.I te.aT,. I ie8J t.hat in a very short t1lr~. and wi th<.-,ut
c;'::rpl02tel'/ :;:;ra):"?ir;;: · ... ;-.at's x-.;::-, dO~IE', JTC'St of the iSSU9,S I have -ralsN co<..:ld
te c:0He-:::t.eJ. M,.)H'. C),SQ._DJe 0i~D space, rK,mes,; in sit€S that ;u'e rrore
recta.''"lq\.\lar In sr.ape: slde yards tr.at are miniITt..!:l.ed in length, rr,"iotiHlg that is
!iCX"6 In k~lnQ ",I th the ~al cha..racter-of the nElgh."oorh<:<d.s U"I..,t \0,1111
bi?lleve result in !l'Dre pleiisinr; layouts 'Within the i'lJ!");s. feel th~s is all
p)Ssible. r care deoeph about the qua.1Hy of POQjEccts 'teirrJ budt ir. trds
City. RlI~:ht n.:JIW thifj. :s a project on pepe:r. ",lith a little rrore ture and
effort 00 the part of. this t'2ilrn, it Call l:;oe al tared and r,:reatly irrproved. Ql.ce
it is ~iJt, .it is QOlnQ to be t/)f:o..re for a. lcoQ, long tme. I'm still
rehx:;tant to ~ the concept as an int&g:rated. plaI1 for this block and.
hilitler density for the housiZ'l\l cx:F.pOnent. But even lf I'm focused Oil these
wry haslC i5S~, the project ~ see before us today r,eeds Te'llisi tinQ. It
does not cx::r;ply with many of our standards for review. I o,..,ould personally
g-ivoe it a C-and ! believe Palo Al to deserves an A.
~. Piha: Before she speal(s, Juile said SCl"Tethlng I just didn I t understand at
all. I".aybe s'r~ cO'..l.!d c1arifo,·. You said you w:>uld pr~fer hcnes a'1d !ilte&: tL1t
were rore rectanqu 1 ar in sh.ape;'
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S. Ha.'i8X;": ~e are. V'f'..I)' lon'Q. r..:rrro.." 51 tes. 1 '~1 glad you as/i;M n ... .:n
because I didn't ~ 'hcI,.I to phra.se It. ~ns'i:eaj of th-2se 10:",9, s!ormy sIteS.
a site tr.at )5 rrore rectanouJar or bad: tel a sq:uere s!"~pe. ~y·r.;-el.:-.·l~ted.
That's the word I wa~ lc~kjn~ fer. Not dS elo~Q3t~j,
Hs~lha; I t'Ia'w"e a OO\lPJe polnts .I ....ould ilke to rr.a)(e, J do shart? JulIe's
ooncern abctJt the process .and the way th,s pro;x.)S31 has C"ai'e be-fc.'n UE. 1
applicants rre!l',w.'"'t9d ::l...at s-€l'.~r.!ll otr.-er aitE'!Tl-r'tlV'?5 at the de-';el'J;:::n:..n~. ~ite
have bee.., stL01e..i. ,'l,"'td ! nlln;..·. tx.'.lh ra":"tlf":: .. t~-e-S,.'':lld c::.J th." ,':;lj); lCaJlt.s,
alternatIve that's lac:';JJ1Q H~ H-.ls r:--::rri.l{;.ty . .c.:.j ~ t:ll{J, t[~t ~t I-:i i, t.:: '''';''-':;11
rece~·/Ed. Me I ViSltt'oj the 51te a:;a:n as '",",=';j d:::> th(: SUIT.-;'.l.'1;'i;ng
neighb::lrhcxd ar:d 1 Q:Jt a resIQ€::..'1l In the ntSol..;:~1l..."'(>:~.·"""~l t~,...t f:<'lV':' \'iS1 t>?J.
John...~1 Park freq\.l€'-:'t i.l'.r' clf;d fa.;-:jj jar 'o.:,tn 1..5:r,·:;J t>.::: 1I"'!>.9··I': .. Jrr~~>c • .:! !r! ,'nCit
reqtud,
And too many i5!;'U€"S "have.been raise..i. I redll'l bellfNe troe d~\.:elDp:rent of
this site is QOil"l9 to be a bi-;l enhanC8''!'l!:flt H1 the neloJ"l..to.rrKX)d. 1 tnlli.k It
wi 11 be ~ transitlOO potnt. ! see a lot of the i:mt;!dlste nelghb.:-.:--hoo...--os as
beinq very tired aM IW'l 0c::t..e1, and I thiM this !ond of d2'w'clcpm.'1t wIll
really enhance tr.a't irm'ediate v)cinH't'. It thiftX it .... ill 'prO'V~de transItion
to iOCIQe of the otr.er arrenities of the hctnes not !:1 t'ne I.~iate VIClnity, but
will transitial. \ojIE'11 in terTM of the hiQher de:nsi ~y cttrrercial \J.3e. do
believe thlo.t the parr. a..rea tM.t's bi::UI(,l oe-.'<=lc.,;>eci dnh"":tl'l a.d.lC',"_"erlt to thl2
o((l~ D.uid!.JW is of ~lic benefit. and 10.'111 b::: utilizM by these
residential w,its as well as o:."r)e.r .resHlents J.n tho: al"e<::I. nOially 1j.).-,e the
dErlel~t of t'>e lOioler o.e! i ora the t;at€: .t th.> I:!tltry that t-:a5 """" prc,.-oseoJ . 7'r~ o"e thHl:;.l tro~ 1 ...... ,~.J i <j ll~: E-tc, 3~':,,-", a·,1~-=--.:.L ; t f; i :,}r. t~e a':'di [~C;l
of SUflE of the detalllri~ 0" ttxJse u:nts -Hl'Z: ....,...xod tr it"!". -\--C''Ji" be L::ene:,iclal
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01"1. all of the W1itS. 1 don't )rn.:J."l that I realiy ne;ess.:U'ily 1"..ave ar,y~hlrJ'.;l
else to add,
~J.e6U~ __ .Qe: Fx:l~: I'm seelnQ this for tthl first tL'1'€ n,':l.·' a.,-,j r€'ildH1,-;:
throuOh the minutes and trYjrlQ to ur.derstaJld. >.t:at ,~j h¢p;::>e;,aj toe!"'I;:?, : tlJ;j,
ITrIS8lf oenerally in s\!PPOrt of the concept of the SoIOI,de t<!I!'.llY apPl:'Od-:-n !)"Jt
at fl t11lCh denser 1 sv-e 1 B.£> a transition to other single t~,tt'J' h.:r:-es, a~~t!O~
I think that as Jul ia sutJQested another approach -,.QuId hil".,;'t-"."C!io:eo:j f:qUd I i y a~
well; bJt t.1J.16 is....nat 'We'Ie presented \,,ntr,, and I'm \.JiliJno to rp.'ieo.. thiS.
I like the idea of the al1e"j'l.aJ's leaviniJ urdrHern.rpte,i C1..LfC'S a!. tr-re ;,~ :-e.€t
that aUow to:! rT'Ore pa.rf.inQ. I thlnx that thE alle'{ ...... ays aJ::;,-:.~ a.jo,.,' [.::r ,;;,
COI'll'leCtion with tl"\€. othel' lJJ1it;;, and a se .. ~sE' of nel¢~xi":.>...'"X3 ;:~," C.G";"'~;'~-~
around thoSe al1e~"£ys. 1 S~ th~'se as a [.<1r.er:t,al f,>r ,OJ ' .• ';'~-', ",:~:.toi pl.a.:.-,,;,
california with pleasa.l1t ... .eatlw.r, ar;d to Him bo::l,::'<. (,;"LY tB".:.'a1;.,-;.e c.'!. trli:::,
bui.ld.i.n\11 think tner-e's a Pn,lblf.'Sn with tr..e JaYC"Jt If yo:.! h,~'·.'e tu dJ U'.at to
create north facing paUos, In a deslgn .....t-.ere you M'.'!:' :[-;.15 .r.at 10 s::-rrEl'it: tor
tnes-9 narrC\ol side ya.l'ds 1 tiunk that tt;05€ naIro,.; Sid€ 'r'ards. ,,€'6i to tX?
il"eX.im'zed.. And another proble:\ '..Ji th tt.e 51 t(; ~'lan 1 trllrJi: Y"'..l ~;I;C. C::" .. ,l€;ll
with duplexQ.'i that lo.Outd still have a slnQ'le foou!Y feel, D-.!t "o.O'J.lcn't h.:r.re "V,
unusahle side yard, It ~uld Qive people rrore space en t~:A: slo@. I'",
ooncerned with too comer units and 50rt of tr.at blaJ'.x 'r.I(!ll th.at :,'Cu. .see at
the oomer, a..'1d I thini: that needs ITOre stwy,
I'm also ccr.cerned with .the anDUo'1t of pari:iru;:!, You have a two bEldrcan u."1it
C"I\IeI' a~. I'm Qlad to st:e extra lHtJe re.'ltal u.'1its, but I thillK l'., '5
unreasonable to expect a sin91e car there. and just oe (:'r~t ing a '.o.Orso:!
situatic..i there with a t~ bedrocrn unit. j don't kTlQ¥.' :r~, Y'::":J. get art:·'''''~
haVlru;; j\l.5t Cole car parKed the.re.
The architecture 1 think n&eds: sctre ful'the.r deslQn ITl the ser;s~ of .":'Dte,:'iais.
People are seelno fake 14Xd, and 1 thln).: tl"iat lS SOrt of a Cf:;-,;,.:,p ar;:'~"C~,C'~, t,~;
these houses, 1f the houses are ~tucco, there l~ a let th:.t c~-m i..>'2 d-:-.-ie ',,;j th
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wood Of stucco detailin9 to make these attractive, and make them still
subet.mtial. I think that anytime you trt to use a rreterl~l to lrTij tate
another naterial it looks fak;e and cheap. And to use all..luimlrn wil'\~ to
imitate a 'ioO:d sys.tEm ,is a mistake. I have no pro!'lan usino al\.l'nlnl..r.1 win~.
but once YOU:.PIJt in applied orid, you just call attentIon to U~ tact tJl(.lt
it's not really a \oiOOd window. So! would Uke-to see :mJre detalls on theSf!
~. 5a'ne s.ectioos sJ1.cr.linQ the recess of the wmdo,..lS. 1 den' t )rIlC'f>oJ .it
yr;:J.J.'w Silen that before, oo't ~ usually see 3. lot 1Tl)re detaiL Drl b\l.i~din9s
than we're seeioq rjQht i".ere, ana I'd l1ke to ensure that the rre'lerlaJs and
tne oonstroet.iOO of these buildinos 1s one of CjUQ1J.ty. 1 trunk that rhe
colors, the soitness of thIS O.Jncrete and th~ v.:..riet]' in the root cr.."llia r:.e
Very ~ttractiva· It's Just l'v~ seen concrete roofs that h.."tve $uUared
Qreatly frern tlU0rescence, a.""td it rrtakes )t too):: like n':e painted fJnish is
can.iny: oft. If t~s-e dOl'l't do it, that's l'}IelIIt. It they do lL it I'€'.aIIY
looks ,".or.r ibl e.
1 don't think it's necessa..ry to provide a playqrOLuld or parl': in thesE' \.L'11t.$.
1 see t~ uni ts a.Ei a t:-,'picaJ sinQle fami ly house ....mere ~'O\l t-.ave ;..'our C\o,'fl
pri'o/a:te yard, and if you ....ant a pt1rk ~ .... ou go to one of the neiohtxn:h-.."'"'Od parlw.
I don't see that this project W?uld r.eve to have a park of its o..n that '+DuLd
separate rrcre fran the ccr:t'iU'1ity. 1t's .reallY a pan oi the ~..lJ';lty. exl
tf.IQ other hand if there's an adjacent park th--J['S paIl or tllis structure, and
I don't know how' we separate these tlo,l) pro)ects_ It S~ thut tr-.ere oou;,d be
sare beoof1 t to ttP-SE! Wlits bei.nQ able to use that so-caliw public park.
!rJ terrrs of PC benefitR, this is sarethinq that is realh-' for the Plar .. 'i1r.1J
Cclm'Jssion to .re"",iew and r \oQuld have a hard titre ~nq I.OP with s::rre real
benefits ca.1UnQ this a PC. I think t~.at t~'['e ~s a. need for 001-9 housing, I
think this project with 6aT13 refinerrents will add a lot to the camt.U'lity; tl'Jt
in t"!l1T't6. of e>.raluating, ir, tell'i6 c.>f PC, I don't whe-re you cou~d fil'lQ toose
benefits, I'm glad we don't hc:tve to do thaL
Olai.rperson _wUson: OkaY, I'han.k you. r too r.ave S<ll"e wri tten notes beca.\lse
r didn't expect :::0 be here leday, bJ.t the ju.ry I wa3 0;1 tho::> case ',,'as settioo.
O\,l,t of coUrt and 1 had tbls opportul1l ty. B'J.l 1 a:-,. going to :/."ead these notes
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because they're probably 1fOre orderlY than my randCf!1 thoughts, I want tl~
~in ~ repeatin~ that this sLte development will sta~ as one ot the rrost
s100l Hca!\t aM ~ed. in recent history in Pale A.lto. It deserv.es
careful ~ttention by all involved in both the puLiiC and private sector. I
,;tUl do not bel ieve that the dev-E11opne.nt teaJ1'i res pro~sed, ~t they have
proposed is ready for approval. I-bo.eVer, I think siQTlificant irrprove-re.'""It has
occurred and I thaM you for listening-and responding. I should qo on record.
1 have met with the landscape arcnitect and Mr. ~ard imredl.ate)y after the
last zreetinq here, t'-.M we di.scussed this project and 143.1ked the neiQhborhood.
together.
The si te a..'"Id ooi ldir.(} plans t.,lJrk t.et ter tr~ in the first pre:::entat len and
sare ITP\ra?er:t has: ~I rrade regarding architE:',;tural ,SSUBS. ... tlich 1 W1j';'
a<:):tre-ss lat~-. 1 arT', p.1!'ticulariY pleased. with thr; new va.nety and front yard
set-backs arl'Cl t~ interest creatoo hl ' the variet~' 01 front po:rches. I L tke
trle iCed .\nq of the iauisc<'Ir;;ing ar,d leel tr..&t th-e I-k;i If, !:.-etwe:an the urn tS
dl1nin i st". U .... oE: a!ley-iike feet~ng crl?..ated bet....een th~se ri?latlvell' Luge
buildin9s on 6I1all sites. The p(\vlng patterns and fencing patterns aJ:'e very
appealinQ'. I question the floor plans aOOve tr.e <;TuIdge 'JI1lts, and I asked
¥tIat the I)rtlfilf;! ....a~ of that p:lssible tenant, I a..'i\ di.sapr-,.k1inted that no
raGPOn-<:;e has been !Tade to providE: a site arret1lty to the prQjeGt by I-AaY of
direct connection of the office buUdj.ng garden. or a camon IJsable opel": sp.ace
for future resid2nts. Street vitality is not s~ch ru1 issue in a r~sjdentlal
nei~. It .... ·ili be perfectly Cldequate w~th the connection to trl€
~. To me there is such an incre:hbly pu:t'POS&f~l setup in thlS road
s:yst~ in relation to the garden of the office building. to roo it's like
puttinq a piece of c4ndy in front of e kid and then putting a wall in front of
him and saying you can't have .it. E\!e::l thouQh you can walk out on the street,
peopl'6 are not qoinQ' to let their srrall children go out O!'l the stl'eet to that
QaIden, beca\lse they are net goin9 to let them "Wan; alone. So 1 st ill Hunk
t;,ere's an aC~6S problan. Very solvable and could be sClved In a variety of
ways. I'd 11xe to now 90 to Mr. Ward'~ letter and respond to the issues as he
haS listed than.
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~ alE! is the sola.! stud)'. The Bc.arc. '.....as not 50 CO:Kerned '..Il~·n the
viability of p1a."lt rrater131s ....nlcrl ;..,e knOIoI ca!'l be appropnately provided b:;t
..nether or rot tMis 'ooI!1S 1 jvable land or wasted s~ te. This study fl.U"tr1l':'!l
a:f'lfiImG '!Wi' ccr.ee.rn that the a!TC\.lnt of lH;t"t in the spa,ce betweoe. .... trre
buUdlf')QS ~ thEm l.l.Sf'!less tor an~·thin9 bJt \.ltll] t~',
~ t~, the deYei~t requiauoos. 1 thln". e (m~ )ot has. ~, done en
thil, and l CXJq:Ill!!1!nt y'\)U. I tt":\nJ:; yo;; Q:lt then pared d;)\ol,!) to a useful set
of reoul~tlau;.
N1...rti:£.t. three, cr.-sPe soft. skate and play dre.;lS. TI:€ alterr.<i.te p~a.n hods
i:;VI<."'"ed. the use ot the !a_1')j for tty; y;-s,dents .md theIr ChlldH~,n 6i ~e by
i»t~. 7r-.e ':'l!'C',\l.a':.ic~. 3.~ c.~Sl.r;r,ed to H,?-off.c;;-~n:!er; '.;;,~ll gy€.Otly inr'llDlt
\ts ,.Ls.efuinf'"'",,$, as pa.Ients ()f S-n::l.ll crillm'(.J"i .... 111 \,.:..-::;,nt tc; :s-er;j th,!n out into
the .v..!l:,lic l'&)t[l, u."1.istte:,j~.
~-.rbcr t~~. tf.,-2 !<.C,;l.:. ~3.1c.::e::r. '.¢' tf~ L,flice !;,'J1LdllO;J, PJ<?.ase d2' ;€,("'(,nslder
tnese 'Jl .. 5::: ""'J)~. Stan--,."ays can 't.e very lnterest\rtg r:arts of oJi
DIcl-J)t6("tural <ex:p.res.S\·.:x1 ard. ~ sno'.,llc lak.e adva,'1t,)gE. ,..It thlS.
~ll.rrt:el fi'.:~, roof a..'1:'Jles, helQhts arl5 rrete.rials. 1m .. redlly is architecture
1 que.ss that ;.Ie'!~ tal~in'J a..t-ouL the. bo.1ii'.;hnQs-~r)€(t6eil.-es. I cannot s.uP?:Jrt
the r~ arctll tectUT!ll character of thlS desiQ71. The scale of detai 1 at
~'Hc+1 variety is belnQ SC\.'Qht l~ too f1ne-qramecl to my mlr.d. Toe 3I'QU!lIffit
that tt~ house6 a..l-ould r-elate to the office 00\ ldinq is f1a~ to rr:t thinkH1Q.
n-.ere is no rei-ationship or trar.sI tion in rress. cirC'Ul.at.ict"'l 0'( fWlction
l»tween this projects. ·TIle house structures need to have !TOre di.fferentla.tion
aIDOOI:JIEit lhBt&elves in order to fn into the character of Q::wltcw\ no.rth. If
the a:ncept is truly as was stated by the developer at the previous review.
We f,)u.rx! O':.lt ..rJ2tt the wir.do ... os at ~ ;Ldae of. I'm not saUst led \o,J~ th thS! <!\,!al! ty
of U))se. 1l)ey &-h::>uld. be! either ~ or steel alld. true divided lights. ~y
are the Qara:;Je doors and hoot doors so ald,;~ or sirrcilal-? Wiw do at; of the
~ have tr.lS ~ sidITl~' and vlrt'"ud 1y the ~a..'1J8 roo[;,li\l ffi3terials7 'rhis
proJect -..:;uld ber.e(i t tr-m, a. vddety of sldln.g l"!O.'\.tenals. d~rrrcprLate to ';.he
Oesl¢j. cna."1QE:::> l!l scm:-of the reo! angles. Trlere couid w sare classic
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mBclite:rranean roofs USlnQ the 6M'e floor plans fcu.."od frti4~ltly In t}-:lS
~iQhborhood. Why not a roof deck on a roof ClT t\ol:l C>(J a roof llt.~ that? """hat
a great relief to a tiOht Iii te -a pel'lthou.l:;.e t,,"})e t-'OClcept. thwy. the.re .are
8. lot of ORX'lrt1mitioeii here::. You're not h.avlr.9' e.1)O'J~ hl .. '1 Wltll this p::-oJect
yet,
'n)ese ooildiTIQS could be slttpler and ;tOre 'nterest.i.fY,1 .if tr..ey ~~d true
architectural character a.rrl caHriooted to the advarK:oer.er,t. of resident Jal
desion rather than the style that they d~:b"Pli.'1;yed. Palo Alt'=' ceserves batter
than this. I said in the previous revlBo.' that 1 'JYJid ,:;-;:,,::e::e to th? l.and
use, which I fioo E:QUally U,"":ll.!'m.QH"Jatl\."E', Co.Jr. pleas.e Ql'.'';' d,t' l-cTl:-=-.':;-:lty 5xe
arctiitecture, not a 51lh.iTDan pre'je.:::t ..
hurter SIX, restudy the 10'C olzes. I trnnY. tr..o:-Sl~ 1..:;.:; ~;l ~~L')',~f..\.-t by the
elintinat100 of theuni1 on f..'\I@r-e t.1. th::.'..qh 1 tc;o h:o..JHd U",e h.'~;s 0: q-~ ur,lt; en
this already l.l.tY.ie-.;elcped 51 teo wts IdiSE 0. q\.i.2.3t iC-n I.fl );"y' ~,j r~"l rC'.:;e.rdn-;:; ti",e
STi'l1l re'ltal un)t~ aD:Yve QlJa~s. y(...",,,,',,,·c answered n/ q'.I'?:;,1.lo:l.S i':.h'H the
rCfltal unj ts. I triink I widezt;:tw that 'ooIho CWi5 thw', arid ~ e dc, U".e
guests park. You've arw •• I£.red aU that. ThP...re IS :s;crre qu-?,st:on -I 'i'"1 ',)lad to.:
question of drainave ~"uP -there is SCM.'!' q'.leStlOl1 alx)~.H. I",oe spcxe., to
SCIT8.Xl& wtx;,'s had e.xper~ence .... ·i th the );ina of a proJf'ct and ~hey've sa~d tha'C
often in order to attain adequate cirainaQe, sl~l~ trent yards start Qettin;:
devel~. I W)Uld '.!roe yeu 1£ that care.s to be that YO'u raise the houses a
stliilP or tWt'J so that you ca.t'j rre.intain the froot yards In a !lat -..ay rather tha.."l
oetting this ~trerne dr,!!Il!"laqle' QOiTlQ. I think that'S a oore nortT'al residential
soluUoo. 50 just SOO1i!thlr19 to \o.oatC~ ter.
NI.nber seven, the rressing ~Iessior.. This has Dee,') U'tproveG and 1 think
-...ould benet it even rrore f ran SCIre of t r.-e c.:mnents r' \Ie r:aQ.--: pre\.·ious I y , The
rrost interest ing n€ighborho"Jds do no! :have t"r::: t_,::;.p d l"GJf ,j~r:-e_,-,sl-c":-"S al J tl"l'2
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elanents. Espeeially tr-..e dJ1Qles and rnatenal.; are re~titi\'e. '!'rte abse~)ce o!
~tive t:a1II'Jerlts fran the neiqhl:.orhood has SOTt of P<.l22led rre. 1 can .assure
you that tMrI!!: are certainly Bare with 'td'Krn I'\I'e spoken who.;) dIe cc ... ,=erned
alX>ut parXLnq isstJefl and archit~tu:re.
In rBQal'ds to the unanloous ?lanninQ Ccmiu.ssion approved, le~ me ra--.a..c you
that this is done without benefit of a.'1 ARB tm~11rn1na:ry revle.: ..... tnrt, is
highly unusual for a project of this si9l'1if icar.ce and ven' unprex]1.,("tive,
hope this f".ever happens again, and I've aCa:iressed a let ter to "en S<::hrelDet
reoardiT<9 thh issue. '!'he proceSB oc.es not speaX we'll -In the SP~Ilt of
cooperation and equal public expression by the thre€ intel"ests In.':(I]ved lrl
sl.l;:h a lrajor project, Trl€ city g:I'~'E'~.ent. th'i! d<;\"Alc:;:.er D!'.o th€ c·_"TT1'.:"'1;~~: at
1&'99, Hds l,x)ard and tM Pia. ...... fJlng Cc:mni S:3; I 0;', ,".ave D:?';~I '::-e3!:. a dl sse.'""':l'~-·:· " .... -::i
their job ha~ beP-..n made unneces.;.5I i 1'1 di f f l C'U It.
I'd next like to address public Der.€tits,
Q1-site.. I feel there are hO :public ber~eflt,s o:'l-site '3av-= tM w;:;r1r. on F.a:--.--o:O<l
street that is QOlnq to be dcn>3, It is Wl!Orhmate to rre that bc>slC ceslc:ri
jssues or the 1Tl:9l'S fact that sarethirl\l' is beH"LQ dorLE' en i1 Vd,_',a"t 51 te ar~
bejng ccosidex'ed a public re'l.efit. 1 do:l't '::onsicis[ nus attordable )'-~'USin';l
I think the letter fran the w-::nan .... 'as v'eTy jnterestin·~ that 1 ives 0;-1 CreS-CECLt.
She's l00kinq at it as a retirarent hare. I trunk you're g::JH1:;J to iwd rll.).e
people without cMldren then with chUdrerl interest~ HI this propeny, 001.: it
wi lJ stUll I think. be very rrarketable.
The off-Site public OO:lefits. I :belleve that the offir::t: plaza rJ8.rOefl ~t)l!e
handsane in its design, will prove to be of little be:iefit to tflls re$-iaerltla.\
project or the ccrrm.u1ity. That's not to say H shr;1uldr-I't t;oe 2.ppre:.;~ated
because H's beautiful, but I believe tr.at it w11! primlii~Y serve the t.:-nant::.
of the office buildlnq.
n-.s-parkin9 benefit .is one of Sfr.'antlcs and relativity. As ~tated clearly Hl
the staff repc-rt, H,e parl-dno C(ltmt does not. even c,:X:e I,;.p H.' cu:rr-en~ c.,:..~.::.
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This is also not clear what the publlc access is qoin~ to be to this
~facjlity.
My conclusions ~, so where i.s tP.e pub I ie bal1eht? What 15 the b~g deslG!".
idea that is /:eW, ex:cit1nQ a.'1d hopeful iy cne ttlat wil i be looked to as: a m:xiel
for the future? Where.is the interesting architeeture7 I t.elle'ie tr.at the
City of Palo Alto deserves a better proposal, Ttlis \oJhole city block d"E:serves
a m:>re integrated desiOfl approach. What we have here before us falls short.
What oets built wi1i be ..... ith us fOI' a very long ti:rre. wt us make SUI';' 1~ are
happy with the results. This is one of the rrost sigmfica.nt sites".,;e ...... ll! seoe
develcpo:L In my six: yeaIs on thlS l::oard I've oe<::.1 'OnlY tw:) O!; thr<=:E pl-O)ects
of this n'aQnltude, ai1d relat Ive irrponar,cs cc;res thYO"jg.-L Hot: r'fLl.st, eil[)':.ne t:'at
it's d,~ne well.
)i;,:JJI C.(i': (,C~..i r1-~_§.9rl. ___ :W 1_ Json;
for fllrth€£ do'?si<;;n develo~'nt.
9haL~l;~!:..sp., WilaQ.r:p Yes YDU .nay. Befere ~ vNt: we will do th.:.t, give YO'J
that ~rtuniI:Y. Is there any dlSC1.ls!:iion <1mXlg the Board aOOut this .
. ~l~_tJ: ! ~ if you wmt to enumerate ..mat sare or our concerns al-e 5.0
they knr:7w wha~ to address whe.r"J they ca:-e back?
statf: But usually we try tc> SU!T1nari2e it fer trle s,-a.t( so they can i~st a
nl~ o! i U~'TIG.
~~,?Q!1_J!.-U$9D: Well I said last tifl'e as tar as I'm conce~nerl, I sort of
boUOht into the si te plan, but I'm not heppy Wl th the arch, tecture. .t':lId
that's all I asked thE: last tirre -Qlve us serre dTctll te-.:-ture, drJd I st Lll
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1] .. -.... ,..;, T'/' ___ ~
~'t ~ it. I don't sec it as ~in~ appropriate tc; the neH;;hborh'xA1 OJ1J 1
~' t &e2 it a.. .... belr,g very interestmq.
MI· Haser; "IE:ll I'm 9lad YO'<.l ~tioned that because I thini'. the:re are sore
,PrOt-lems. with the site plan. I accept the concept., &J.l I lMnk there's Sctrlt?
~lte plAn issues that need to be looked ~t. One)~ the solar orientation.
All the oortt, faced balcol'::tie.s: and tM ,other is the skinny sloe yards and
MUCiNZjl1'Q that u.sable ootdoor space. For sane of those units .on Everett the
cr..ly usable outdoor space H' next to the oaraQe. sort of tucked to the back
and I th.in.lo:. that !!Ore cart t:.e dor::e •. ".;'lustenng tr.cse bui ldings to rraxlmi2-:' U".e
u.se d ootdcx'lr space. In te..1T'IS of the ~i te. piollS, tr,ose t .. l:e things .... hi le the
COftN'!'pt W':)r!OL req.llr£!'TE!1l~::; that I ·...ouId I ike to see,
:':::[;'?L~r,;..q:_l WU~::'{"I: 0'1,:;: of tree thlflqs I thin,,, lhat dlSt.urbs rre ai:out tr!lS is
it~ sen of be-,n:;; i:O;'ld tcY.,fe'ther l.iY.e its a r.crnrr,11"Iit~· p:ro~€:(":t vls'.ud.i.l', b'J.t
n",<':T.:-.nre a. J':)~ ,:,·f th!r.qs tr\:;it yc-,1J're S'l'./1r.g aTe S-:::!"il.:z<.cp~118rJiC .:;.h..11Jr. l'r.al.
It':, f}'.It l"ea.ll~' ca"I'fT'! .. ;.Jlit.'l, It's rei:l.l1i' Sino-i.e fa.:ujy h:;Jl.tses. a,);j there rca;')'
J.sTl't;my ccmn.l.r"tlty spac~ tha.t ,/(",U'P3 1JSkfJQ to<;jether or ,;;o.Jl~rthlnCi rIte t:--:.at. 1
pro',nded YC"\U' landscape archi ta-::t at one Urre \ . .'} th thls artlcle l>iT"l!ch
intel"es::in~h.' eno'.lgh aPPE>.arej In tr..e N-9w 'fork TlTne,;; tile 1T(l:::mng of your ii:rst
r6V\.e..". ni~S IS Scr:"e really ""-':>I)derful, e)'.Citinq rJO'Uslng t'r-.at's be-in:;; done.
Thj S l"Bnlmfi.c.::s'.t of a m.JTe t..radi't: ional ',..Orld, thir. very cootEHp:l:rary" And
lOCl'Mible buildin';l costs; in ar.othe!" part of the country if you WiO\lld ev·e:n
Oc-.ilile these costs .it s.eem; 1.0 1m you'd have a. v!aJ:)le project. Put SClre
i~inatian 1n th~s" It'b thouqht provoking. I'm not saying lt sr~uld be
c:opied, it needs to be thouQtJt al:o\lt. I'm cHsturbed tt-Ie adv"Mcement of
housino 16 not being considered here.
~ Per~: We 11 I' rn CCi'"'lce.:med atout the site p 1ar.. '{o.4 r.6.y no t be..
Q}a~!"q{L~ .. i)."~: 1 'm not. 1 sti 11 thiny. there are trEfTl""....ndou5
DP5XlIt\.Z:;lti.es wi ttl rethinkinQ "r ::~ a.spects of this site. I i~ke trie alleY
:wstem. 1 think tf.'i: al1ey..,rays arc a g,:;od idea. 1 nan-x. !\lno bro:..:ght up a
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QOCd JXllnt -i t ~ rei ieve the street of ~, ior of curt', dr JVew:a~' wll J help
reH8"1E' parbl'l9 problm, thp_rl:. !!Jt 1 a."Tl su'll (':()fj';H'!C@ tM~_ '_~re aIe ways of
QettlnQ oround the ~ncTe:::i\bl'i lCI,",.;I, Sr.l('.r1',:' iot~ wilh thelr iGlq, S,klrL'1Y side
yaTds. And there's a erm.1MI o.,o;;;ste of ~....:d lanj 1n ail U\.2t. There aLe
sJ jts of spaCE., A~ qra..'1toc they hd'/'e relle,,'ed tha~ 5cr.e...'hat HI (h-eir rlew
~);, bot 1 tnin.'Ic it could t:.= rel.e\.'oo s,w,i.flcantly ~l.-€. a:':d we 00'.110 end
up with 1t8SIiOinq that rsa.lly relates I1"LC~J better to the neiQ'r.oc.rh...-x::ds If they
\ooIere to rethln): sare of tOe: r baSIC $1 te plans thinJ:ino <XI thl s. project.
~...:.-!'fa~: 1 ~ ... ·ltn 'iQ'.I. I thinK ttl..')'5~ ccmer h::;n..J.s-es are a blQ i'TustaiCe.
Ttw!'i haw thi~ slocrt llttje fa::~de -2,'" E.\-cr~t~, ar:::: tr,*::;.-I tJllS ]oog -looks like
"itr\ tt, Gll:. :;:'5.a 'i~Y:'Y k\-,:;. bds.;.c,,\.li'; :it tt".E;-':;..:":1 ,:-t tr.lS ldf..."·:;;'~. ;',""d chat
just a:F"<s:"!' ro:;lu t.f: to ~'i!'lh:t,-; ';":'J &~"'" ':<";',,.;,: ,[I U;,'lt 1-,e1vu:'~~1·h,:,:x3. 1 thlnr.
S~f--1'(d) 5-::n;'3 th:" 1>:' <" ..... ::;.t_ ...... :-.?"-::-,::~ ;!",~ tf) c" 12" _~ (:--. : (: ~",;t:'-: S8-"-!l It r...:,',ne
in ,$O!.!'.[..eln Ca.lito~T,)a, Jet'£. ,'ht L:n:-; jt ~["(TI; !::-';",l~~:en, Ul:ron,j<;1 to Falo
Alto, ar.d it ~-:-i't '0.':;)1')(. TillS 1S '" tllUere:-lt :".il:Ct d nCi',;fJ:o:)fr,·,,,:,.j. As,
loUc!"i<:te! L/~ de$clibeQ, the ne19:"'iD:'zh:-:>:'i is tlaJ.;tlC:1;;!.\, ~lnei'./ cr",t!:ed z.::;D€S
clf C'I different.: cha:!'acter and ,j, tt,s,rer,t ~aS$lrt;l; an6 nHS is f"::.'t ni€ n¢H
1 ha'.re tTuub)e \o"llt~1 the pr-:x::ess a!O: I've ,."Y:'lnr.ea out. b,H eVeIl :f ... '<'! accept ail
Qf t~ t~inQS. I hall'e a. real probl".:'tl\OoI'tth:"t..at '.oe'r~ e!'tjH1Q. up ..... ~th in ti:U.'"1I'6
of arctutecture ~'1d. :ille plar .... lir)(,),
~_~:$i~QlI ~: Well, :1 ttnn..1c.. tr •• u: ttexc are s~· .. 'eJ:al h;sues. CTl.~ ~5
the prooess and ~ can't do ar;vthinq arout thait. Tne ne;.,:t is the COhcept, and
the CCI'lCEPt of the d-etacheri fami. l y a,wroacrJ 'Je!'SW: a t r.rt.-.e--,Story bU_lld!ng,
Ef\I'efl, rolit like &O!'t of oota.ched farn.:.ly, l\,t'rped tcqether, versus en!?' bUilomg.
I ~rt tr..e concept, hr..::l 0;-; ttr<: Sl te pian I ~de prcblaro: 1·.Jl trl solar
one:ntatioo and usa.ole OI.ltdo:):':" space 1.11 get-tino nd of serre of tr.e skir.ny
little areas. I thjnx YO~1 could still have an IDter-e-;sting re-.:::t",ngular shap.;:
that opens oot onto m=:re 01 a SIde yard the.'i the$e co. 1 just think that
concept . .hnd the ott·,er is archl ~e:::lllle; .and thmk th.:it l[-)-= archl te:::ture
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~'re seein-;r here .is. just not QOCd E'nO'.lQh and the qua! I ty isn' t. ~:x::G-erlO'...<¢!.
'Ihey're tryino to hnltate neterlals and I thinY. ""'"2 r,eed to hO~ really .:r,,;.allty
architecture to be veI')' sinple, oot needs to be wn' QCOd qual i ty.
And thEln the last issue 1s this j S5ue of PC. And t~t' 5 S(J1'tthHl'J ~or n~
PlanninQ Catrnissl00 to look at. I drXI't.im<;::r,.; how tt:-oey .... 111 f!r:rure ~'jt h~
what a PC is on this .tiide. What '5 appropriate.
You have the ~tUl"l1ty ar.d. we have Hli;3 ~mCl(X1 0.1 ~hf. f icc! 1 f ye-.,; W;::;'.lld
prefer to rral(~ a ccrnn&nt 01' to CiS;; us for d Q.e!"llal IftSte.:"_:l of U"2 c<::.,tll~ua.r.::e.
:.19 will entertain thAt.
'The Planning Ccmn;ssi.xa and COUJ,::;il "p.e.js r-;o:r-;, of U-.8 ~:)~il".,'I"-:: li';:'';~:,_ ~;-.:.(
n.stther need aex;tipta'1!:;e m: Go':..'Iitti. V':-? of th.:.,=e l"'-'ll::t Sl~t' P:c" d"-i d U,"!!"-=
were a >':'lOtic>TI that said C?!J \0013 trove k:r...:arJ ',iitrl t.~ '::'ltt' 'r.'lcJ, L",j th~t-:;;.
accepted or rejected. that 9ravld~s a lot 'Jf i.t1tcilc,t ~(':\. Trl'?.:'1 0:-\ c.':':;"';':',.;J..".~"e
or rejection or archltacture, it d~ls ,.nth a. ...r.o.ie dlitHeJ,:;e s.::t uf
categories, (-.A,lt wi thin an envelope, S::; if ) t ~ __ r€ Y..l~slbl >? ti') rtJ.ve t--'"_,
separate rroti.<.':15 'f:'ilOO for acceptar:ce or reJoct IC!}. ther. ... t",! ~ he;'s.::l IS that
thert:l iT:.iW1t be three votes evai table (or appn"rolID? n~ ~j te 'plan, -....e r.tt-.:i to
It:rtOW. Tnan we h&~ a lot ot rOCli\ to work ' .. nth e.::-ch\tect1J.!:~,
g:~_~_~ WllSO!): I thinK one of cu:-question!;; of thl5 tea..-· r:eeJ" tc· !:E" .;O."l'E:
you willinQ to w..t:::rlo; with us 01' do you want to take thi;; throoon an ~l
process?
Hr. Ward: And the answer 16 tr:at those are sepa!"ate ISS'...l€.:S. 5lte pi,df~. If
we're rejected, ¥.Ie need tD ap;::.eal,
Chairperson ~i1son: Yes DaVid.
~:,,:_J~oss: I W':uld liKe to make SQTt"'; CCC'1Te.1U en the I:VtlO:1~ :}c;;'t": or f2-':1 .i.i~~e
I want tc throw a fe4 thinQs In hen:: , and l' 11 stdIt 01.lt b)' s,ayir.~ U").d.t I 'IT;
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.ChairpersooJiU ___ &Qf!l I'm uncanfortabie splittinQ this apart. 1 dor:'t tJun ....
that that's wise,
~. Roo...E1 I don't think it needs to be tlo.D separate rrolio:)s or c!vlulno the
issues. I think the kind of rrotlcn that I ha\rG 10 mimi "'-Ould 00 a very
limited epprcval of the project with the H~ of iifl'llted site Issues, but t:-!e
\oh)le range of architectural issu€ls be required to rHurn to tt,\? Board for
review """'tle 811(-..;iT19 the applicant the kncA.,I1P.d,Qe. I guess, that we're here to
~~ ~th them too in the context of this approach, I settin~ aside the
d.1SflW'OintlTent that I haw in sne.l1 measure, and SCIre of you r.a.ve a very larf,le
rreasure aWolt the way the project has CQi'e to us in teITr1:5 of sp 1 itt )nq tl:€
site and not lookinQ' at !t as a co.~sive block d~velc::r.e1)t. I'rr, ,..:i1 ll!;';] to
IE:!t go ,.,! that and say t}-.at t.he Site de'l"elo~nt as s ......... -wr1 t"''Jfore \1$ '~.a5
approximately this density W'hich th~y ha'.'e Shu,..11 an lnten:!;t jr~ t~I:-19 d
fle.xible 3rout it at least, in exchange tor ITOrs an,fllte-:-t:.l.!"al j:1t~r€:~::
jlt.U>:;
\o,-'L1ling to rra. .... e a rrotion f..::r o.ppn.:Nal orl th:J38 }""I:ds cf lSSU0~;. '(l'~lt r!C;':';~;':;l t-.,
include a>:; CC>rldi Uo.'1S 01 this oJ]J)l:·oval the requu"aT$nt tno': th~J' .... '.)r~: '..,:i til
this Fcaru to address Io.nat I '"Cu.td cali the Ilsjoz-ity of the Board's COn;;efJ1S
abo1.lt al'crli tect\.u:al lS5"~S.
Mr. Bos~: Because there is a .rrotion 00 the floor ti-.at hasn't been voted on.
_Mr_-, __ ~' I dld. I :mean. I didn't know If yelj had to 'Wait to vote on that
before you can rreke another Ollf.!,?
Un~ _____ ~so!].: You CCUl !lUke a :3ubstitute rTl:ltlO:l if Y('1U -..'anted. to that you
\o.t)uld takE: the vote on first. That's...mat 1 tt"OlJ.ght 50 wh~' don't we. 00 tr.at,
My motion with you was fairly Simple J think .
.Hr~g;: Yes it was, Cne of the reasolls 1 wanted to S'!",Dr-t c:rc'Jit 1 t ~
Ii ttl e bit because as 'He get to the !Jroc€:ss of crt<~ t I hg Cl ITot ion [or
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goinq to look at this fran a Ven' p!'a~tlcall'Y point. of view, wnich 1 (eel
tnelY 91Y'i! diversity to the way the Board looks at it to use .a current kwd of a
bz:zz w:lro to oat thrQl..l't in. here, diversity. 1 thinY. any de\relop:rent th.3.t is
t;1:)lnQ to ta.lI:e place Of) this block in ITBybe an~are 10 any develo;nent
a:m:unity .is ~inq to end up as a set of cCJl"t:lrOOUSE!; between all of the
~tirq interests end is!ruefi. Frcn.a. vrillate applicant's 'PCoH1t of Vle.l
those are ~log to include ecor..aru.c rroUvations and their best judgEment and
analysis of ~t t~y can do eo::manicallYi ...mat kinds of opportunities (:rey
have that both rrake a project affordable or let' 'S say pr-o\'ide.s an incentivoE!
for thml to do the project and also provid.es eno'JqT. cushion tor addressing the
kinds ot civic aIid a~theUc ooncerns that \.Je' re brinQino up r.e:re. I WJuld
1 )i<:e to see us as a Bcoanl .retain jn(luence over ::hiS proJect, ;. 'TIl concern~
th.at -..e're <;1J1nQ' to Jose influence O'.;er thi.s proJect. ber:ausE: 1''.a'.''; a very
",trcrq gut feel inq that i l we a·~ee wi t'r: a de. .... lai of tr1l3 prc·Y':Ct as M[0re us
neot..·, t~loO.t it '00:1111 find r-Olitical sup)Xlrt that will supply OUT contHilled input.
A,d ! 'j';"l not gcnng tQ be $u~pol-CinQ fl .• rot IOrl toJ' ~.X,nl Hi'.lilflCf.! 5ho\.lid "I\: get to a
p;!bt where it' 6 }X)ssible to rrw.e another lTotion. 1 ~Ii 11 suggest a very
llrrjted type of approval with a m . .rrber ot: conditions and things to be
returned. 5ameWhat alonq tr~ lines ot ~rraps it the applicant is requ~sting.
I think that the o::rrpranise that 'fl suooested reqardinQ land use issues I'm
very satisfied ..... i tho TIlere are a n!.JTlb.:>..r of thlnqs I i. ikt! a,b:)ut this proje;;;t
very [l"lJci). I -..ould r.aate to SeE' thEm either carpletely thro.m out in trje
process of t!",s applicant heine: replaced by a ne.J applicant in the case if this
project ~ ecaiQ"nically infeasible for thEJn to perionn. and they back
~y fram it all together. That's why I'm calling myself a pra~tist here.
1'%1'\ r')Ot satisfied that all of the ideal solutions have been found here, N&d I
beU~ very strongly that no applicatl00 that will C~ befor~ us for use of
this lot .is QOing to ::iatisfy all of the concerns of Civics and aesthetics that
we mlQht brinq for...ard. I'd lil(e to continue working ¥,11th this appl:ca.,t M.d
not put them in a position of leaving us In their ________ '
Q-taitpg'8Or\.)i .. U.~: '!ha.n.r. you, Anyone else have anything-ttley'd like to say?
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!:Q1tin'JaJ")C:E! with a rather JOI'lf; llst of HEmS to be addres:sed. I think that
that's QOinQ to be regl titre oonsl.lnlng. I thin.k tr.at j"iJst tc, cle.arly sta.t.e
tMl .aotior. that .'1.C1-.s:n't been CClI\Jlete:y clearly st",too yet ab;nt JullE~ was
S8,)"il'lQ rMke sure;..,lE!' Q'E't all the ciBi"eflts out there. And I ,:hiny. tr.at If
thl:t . '" the Irot ion we're O)inQ' to be YO\: JnQ (.'In and 1 t pa:::.ses, tha l the
~1ic:a.nt is t;J:>ino to deny tt'1E! proje-:t instead, ioYhich lS a st.l.bst 1 tute rrotiOIl
or ~l of the aw~oact; of the 61 te pla:uHnc. the rear ent!"NK'!:, fe·[ the
c:a.l'S that the al iey...,av systan )".35 s~, the street or .lentaticn cf the
ref;u.".ces, the <;iIeOoeri!l;l ~t of the plan. The nature and gerleral iH2e Jr,
the Jot CCI'-.'er~!7-'! ar~ .. 1 sane 'Of the l'EliidenoE's thenselve5; tr,e dHd(~h61 natur-a of
the..,· 1 thirl-&; \ollie heard the las: tlrrE. ar.d Ajr.r<::> -.e~n't abie to rsaJ.ly l'\€ar
ti ... .a~ pa.!"t ~f too preS~"1tatlcrl. Thif; d~velo;>er's con:e[lIS a.,..hout attach£<l
r,:x.:.sin:;, I"atr:~:r ~;'1."'1 de:,::::,r,~ )-~::-:'.'5ir;r,.1. I c:'"i1't thHl.'; n'J'8 1 'rc o.:ilnq to give any
I' II th!c~< t'n,.t O"l1. tr:·:ne as a
_~~._~ __ ~':,I; )-i.e's ott21'lf'Q ,-, ~~.J.bstltute J1't)tlll:). Ii ~e offprs it df~d lr.'S
~, then you take IJp the subst i tut~ ITot ion f l!"",t,
.Y;Imrls8ianez ~_~: l'd like to diSCUSS It. 1 M11E a general slJPPOrt for
the ~t, rut; ! haVE-sane reai C\Xlca., .. -ns ... .-ith t.he orient.9tion of those
patios to tt-,~ north side ard wi th the laJ.--out !"iqh~ now that dv:sn' t takE'
advantaoe of the side yard_ Doesn't really ~lve people an o!,l.tcon space to be
in, and 1 think r.::ne can support the concePt, bllt Jet than refine that and I
don't willlt to loc:1IC in (:>'ll approval sayinQ that I.o.'e accept it liJ·:e this.
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~ .PerSoC,!}: I'm w111lng to not have the C'UIre''H one.1tatlO:1 of trl'E: P..a:rO:\.:l;
ard ilnersoo t't:>u6eS be a part of tr.at awrov,d. I thlil'.(; ~h('l( fran err,' ;::UUit 01
view ~ th!1"IQ!I still need to be resoJved.
alley systEl'fl, b.Jt not tr.e det.iIl iii 01 1t: not tl'",.<;> ~c-,lar one:;'.atiC-:l or t:",e
Wlusable &jOO yo....-ds. ~ are the m:'\111 iss:....~ to :TW'!
~_~_~.: ~,...Ild it mayb.;: be clearcir :f i ~1:-et re.ai ;",;.:"",:::::f~c i"7C'tlC.;'
.. /ith mu'lctl\' ~t 1 (;QJ.S1Cler 'o.X:'nhy c,t a;::::c~.'a;-:·
[,[,-~_~sgJ: I nee.:l (0 clilr~ft,::atl<;n
rrot ion , you have to have the cc.>r.C"'4"re;;:~ or (rtf: C:'fl~;a.'; :'"::::!C'-I ~-':i'-:=-r :n ('l"::eT
to offer a. S\l.bstl tute rrot,lon. a'ld I dldr,' '. !-.r&).[ 1. L9 I. ~(., Mf'>l:€. Y(,"j ,;-et ;':'v f.;'1.;
into tt, I trllnk \ole ought to dar1ty ... ~n~r or nc: th.at's C"cux:rej .
.9i".aL~.1:'5("'J(iJsqn! I'd lHo:€' to f!"1:."I;';e a su.b:stltule :7C,tIO~,. Ho:lllid 'i():.\ [I;.;.:e;:."
that? I'm not. ccndl)rtab\~ .... 'itt: st:3l:i'Pin;; ,;r.i'S '..;.\fl ~: ii-p';'l-,::-,vd Q\. th~s S.ti;o;l~
altboUQh): ttu:nk in !XlI"lcePL \ooIe're clO'Si:: to o::aC~1 (,ther, k;:":. ~::.at·s h-1\:H ~ """"'s
trying to Votart tu say, I think It's sen of c. r:-.o.tter of S:CI10J1~lCS. l..rod I
thiAA it's ha2anlous to sta."l'p this with an apprO"."'a: at thIS le-..'el of
dis5Atisfactioo thaI this Boal-d ".as wl<-h nus P!""C)~:::t. It dOOSf,'t~.n that
~'re net supportiw of the thlr<Q5 that you say. ar.d j thlflJ.\. 1>0'1-': car. stat€: that
clG.ariy tL"'1d 1 tfHfJ..X iooit: can state strc:-,O IS$ues.. th.;;t ~ L:-:>l re~.,.; ly r~"""y.j 1it;J!'€:
S\i,PjX!rt. But 1 fI11 IJ."lCl;l!d;ortable W1 tr-l Hlil'. ~'Ol;i t len. '!'o:J c~n try it and 51?E'
1f it flies. ~~ it will,
Yr~I?_grscn: 'B'-.lt 1. heard ';0U '2-3.')' ,,'O'~ W::'..:.i-j ,"-::<:::-;:', 'Ii.. ,,'
lo.J)uld have to take a I/Clte o;r: the o!"lQlnal rrot)Cti to -":C.1.t '/J':..!e,
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,al •• t' ,,\a1'110 \,.1 •• ' •• \-11, ••• _ ...
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.~. Person: 'roo mean it she accepts a SUh-.:itl tute rrot jO:l, trloe:! tr,:'lot :~ea.r.;:
she Me: to be wi U lnQ to vote fOl' in
~.J:..e.I"S09: It doe6n't me.arl she ME. to 'De wil.lmq to votE, :(1! l~" bJt 1",
does ~ that the vote on it \.KIuld occur til'st, drxl It 15 a substitutE' net I C': I
for the orl~1nal motion. It repla~~ tr.€ original motion·
~_~: So the quesUc'fI is are yoo \NU lin,;! to take a rlsk tha.t the
:91.lbst i tuta not 100 wi.u be passed?
wr-.at?
,1,.~_Perscn: Cor/~inue turt.'rt8;:-d.:si';) cevelc;:FI".;:.-.t LJ~ C:;-'-"-.'l.l ~ ~~: :n ,",' ,--, ,~rc
·to l"€study tr.e s.:~ar€ SIte y;;u;os, m:;LX I"'l "If'.' tr'p 'Js-aI.'Je \:"'.l~'~'.-'.:.-.::: :':;.j ' ••
rethinr. the 51 te plw.nkng oE the iong, s¥,lnnj' l()ts and 10:--,·;1, :'il·. 1 r,"'j", $;d,:; y .. HCS
that look like splits of s-pace, to restu:1y the ~SSHI\l fha~ f,,<,dt-;(; ~'::I the
neiQhbort"lood.. and t-ethmk the s.ite. P.l~. To loolt. at n-....: S',":)::-'l' C-~l~.to\ 1'2:) ar,l
the ori~..ntatjcn of pvrches on tl'.e nOl·tll .
. M:>...:........:.~er' And I l,oK,)uld 1 i"k,e-to acd to t'rl'3t to estahllsn a lle.aJlH)Obl
connection to the office buildlnQ Qa,rden. I think that· 5 Ntlv-s on the nor:.h,
not JX>rches. lhat the solar study return as a Q1:apflic based on ti . .e ces,:r:pt 10fl
in my notes loklich YOll have. Before ~ \.-'Ote, rray 1 rraJ(e a -:-ament?
HP_! ___ J·!aSEl.t= I think thIn Boar6 has l:>een put Ul ali aw"i0--':lrd ?OS) t:O:1 0:-: thi~
antir-e p!'oject riQ. .... t han the start, It has P?en Go pair-Jiul n',:ie...! prV2'::::>S.
think .....-e are ~ being put lrJ yet a'1Othe.r alo,'kward posltlon by beuIQ asr.ed to
separate this thing out, or by being threatened with denial. l!Tei1Il that's
their rir;mt, wt it has t.~ a Yen di~"ticult prcje--,;t for us. ~'Ye ;,-o! ~een
this as a preliminary review; we're new wir.g as:-:o:=O t,) do s';r,l<:3th:l;/ :cj:~:.
80ttcrn line. there are possibiliti.es that havt:"",n'! been expiQ::-o::,-.j ,Xl lrl!:;;~ Sit,:::.
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s.ased on pose.i.bil: ties ~hr1t o,.,ould irrprove the $1 C':: pi.e.n <:l:l.J::::,f01.Jsiy an-j l~rov~
too project 1'n its relatio:\Ship to the do-mto..m ,u:ea. k'id. c)' ;;~\f'.,)l.y
a.brot;at1TlQ' our righU to have that site plan studied, and by [o.."USSlno on
little details. I think we're allw a very inpottant basic lss\.!e of l,hlS
~ject to get a~y fram C6. If ~vid's Tight a~d if by ~~ntinuinQ this the
applicant asks for a denial and we're out of the loop, then I'm wi 111.1.9 to qo
tllat W!ly. I hc;:Ie that doesn't happen. 1 hope there wi II be S~ second
thoul:;:Jhts, I hcpe the team w.l.ll oet together a."'Id take another look at the way
this. is beiog pt"OpOSed. aJ~ care ~ ~ith rore ootta l(\-ea~. An<! 1 don' l O'ilrJ!;.
that !'!'eMS tossinQ out ev.arythinq you've done. I think there are s':::tre r.llncr
thinQS that yo'.l Cd...t1 do tc reallY,. i""rov9 this. But thev d0 req'Uir-e ::=<.:ns
adjustrre.l1tE to the site pla.'j., And. r'nl juzt not l..'iJllng to let ti'"'.at q:;;..
think it's t(o-.!Tibly Hll>:>rtant. This lS an lrrp:)l::tant sjte. We've all r-eei
lo()kinQ for ~thlng very specj.;;l on trJi.s 5ite and I '.hin;, the do..nlo.""'j
dese:tves this. 5<) I'rn not 1,.J)lllnq to .apprcve thls pro)eel: tha.t's Just
focussinq on the bi {S and pi&C-es a.'1Q t!'j let j t 00 \h)"Ol:,q:J nl~ sjo'zt(!"11 \.hl':': .,P,y
It'S coing to go: aIJd if ~'H~ out of the: loop th.:on so te It. Tnat's ' ... h3t
this ccmill..lTlity warlts. and if rrediocrity and this jond of SJte: plw>niJJI;l a.'1d
~ong UselEe&8 side yards is: r..'hat the <..'XmYJI.l'11ty \o/ants, "Ie st.ai.E.·j o\"'r ~~)Slt!Cn
and that's the ",.ay it qoes,
~~.son WJJ..~: .:Uriqht, WE have a rIDt kon and l! the appl icant -..ants a
denial based C(\ t.~is, we shclJld change it to a del"'.lal. Is. that 'fot\at ,;'o'J.' re.
say I nq<?
.Qnkn~tR_erson: We should vote on the Irotion to continue first, .and the
aPPlicant has the right to request you to c~jye that to denial so that they
can move forward.
~ssicn~ .. De R9~: I think tr.at as a Board 'He flood to IO'"->k at. ' .. tnt 5
presented. not what I¥E" ...-ould like and \.U1derstand l>f.1ether or nor ",nat' So
presented is acceptable.
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~~ ___ ~: What I 'o«rulct lIkE: is ...nat I described, wTlich 15 10rLQ gene. That
is unfortunately palst hi'oit,c!y·
~~S<!l_~ __ t~: There'5 a !TOt ion on th.:! floor .J.n.d It h:liS been SEC(1'Dm.
All those in fa\o'Or: cpposed. n.at ji'l):lOfJ dIdn't ~rr'i.
~~: ~~~ ~~"1: I'd lD:e to rmke a ,nIlW [0r approval of the site
pla..'V,inq; ot the subdivl..sioo. of the n1..ffber and 6.Pproxtma.te size plots., the
al1eyW!YS, setbacK£;, the ~a:l a..,-.proacn to that. '11'"le oric)tation of tr.te
lots to the street. ApprO'-" .. ;:.! of trIOse items with all of the condl lions for
.£Ii l of the:. tEr.l5 that you Snirl.ej.' -..anted tCl se-e as elarents l.n the contlillla."'.ce
to be add€Jd as ("ondit l 0:15 of t hi s approv-,;ll a'ld to ada . .Ju! ie's cO;ld i tiOfJ ot ~
gI'"a,phlC sola!:" stdy as a ccndl tlGJ] of th8 apprcval for furU;er r-evl8' •. ' ano
dis(..·\,ssicn n.Il:) r~,="",'Qtiation wlth this B:lard, alc:""g ..... 'ith ~.tioO~e-ie:r staff
tX;!7jitIC:lS '.-Je ha,,'(, ~O .. n-Iete is a It'> ...... qth:/ jlSt. of therr, &0 : k'Xj'l re_:'l,d th~:,
Tn~\.· s the
~: L,~~_ f'..:-.r~il: 1 wll J SEO:till it,
JJ]1~~_fer59rj. I 'r.-l -...cnc~.I ~ng if Y(,,\J w:>uld be 'Wi Ii !nq to crlanqe YCi..lr approva i
~n tf)e eM ite:n ~e. you sa':" t~t th~ speca!.lc lot n\Zl"ber an<1 s.hap~ of the
lots is a:::ceptable. It keeps the applIcant !rem any other f10J.:lbllitY th('y
miQht have in trying to irrprO'')e on those side yards, and ml¢1t a1d U,.'O .... ·1 th
scrrethinq that' 5 n<;,t exactiy a rectan91e, sort of sta,!'J<}ere(J" 01' they mlg)1t go
duplexes; ! don' t ~ ak:.¢ut that di5C1J55ioo, but it locks them into tins
partlC1.l1ar s.hape of lot. Ano your (Je,.fleral apprOlial if talk about the street
orientatioo of resicier'.ee5 and the alllJY system. If you leava .it that vagua,
that Oives them some fle~ibility.
14'~ ~SCCl: I don't think that we're reducinQ' their fle:-obi iity b'l'
app!'O''/inq sarethinq they r.itVe Shor...'ll \lS If theY carre back with a, I gue-tiS what
l'm tryino to sa .. ' is !'m· ... illing to approve th€ short plan, you mlr;i1t :::all it.
n~ ~y it's uJ.'.'ided 01OY.' olth:'1Jgh I \oJC"dd '.....:!c·.:rre a roe-study 'Of tr!2:J. It It
e;ol\1ed the ilTchl tectural p.roolems that :t6ll'dlr).
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\xdl';nc~~L'PeI~; h-.3 t~ archlte.::tural p!'ct,l~ n~ to ~ so1'/~j 5(1 tr.at
we're not OOxinQ thelri lMO a solution that ;;.oes.'1't ~!"k_
~!..J~er~~ I 8QI"~. I tr~H'~: the aWl J cant sh::ll'ld Ul'"iden.tar.f..!, eve.", t:::QTI
my JPDtioo that there are s.:ne \."en' se.r-iow;; If'S~ to b I i2S0ived ~tore the
project can be finally a;vroved. It's· a very CClndP':lO:-..e.l awn:r .... al. In order
to 801\1'8 :SCIT'I!! of these arctu t~turc.l ooocernJi lroar !bare has, U'iey fTU,' need to
restudy the di .... li;ioo at lots and so 00 here_ :f r were the ap;:.i J.cant,
~.lldn·t be> a ~le 10! rrt)re C'a1'"'.!orta:a by PHS apprc~,.';;!l tr.en bot' co.':t!nuance_
8!t 1 think that fTI')' r~ for ;..;a.~tln;;; iO ~.r-<lse It iii ~"ldt ..:a,,' 15 ({-.at It
tint ot 311 allcws us tco stEt}' li: t~ j.:-(c'P as a ;:art o[ th~s proj-:-.:;t ...mlch .t
COCI:~"':-f:S <'I1A.~".it t~;l.s. 1 :..r.~'Jld r::~ ll:".~ t.::; s* t)--,l S L€ d :.e.'ir rr-at ~ put H:e
CHv C-C''::;1-';~1 I::;. ;.1 :::'rG'.:~ t\:' 111',-) ':'J~ , ..... ,·~t'r~J ,l,e'/ ~',t H.' :--,2,','-;' lJ5 CC!'Jt.~nUi! to
~ in'JOh"3J i~, 'flJ <;., i ' ... -:·':ld t,:,t.j-:~r ~~l J n-Iff: t. h."t. ",..,. ·"':;\J1t to ccni i:n.:t'! h') l'll',?
If(.-':l)-:<?,.j 1f1 ':;"!5 -::--,:,.1 r",ll H.e 3p:;:dl',-':i:'ll tf..st tl;o') , ::;:-;.£ q'J..;>Sii:-' ... t1~t 1'1., sCI:"'lr • .;
is I ';-r, -.,:tl1 i'~ t':l a;:'~r8'!l2 lhlS 9£:r,cr,:< ,s., te pl2..r"J as .(,': ~50'~lted, t'Jt V2'ry open
to chanQes in It ~r';c\t ,?,jdr.-;ss tli-'E' arctliteoctlll'.:d c-c~cern£: ... "!ch !T'Ost be
!esol ... ed. bef~r-e the'~' carl !I?'-';9 ... 'l Qet £\:3.1.1::."d ()C'\ tr!€H c..:Y"str--0sUQr, dra • .an-;s.
Let'~.PUt it that. ..;e\,_ n-.e')' hav.; l':::':':'J row to k~ ".,'ith U3, but 1 'Ma.'1t tnar, to
o:::::t"ltlnue ~0 \o.Ork wittl u::; in tr.at process r~tr-~z thatl sff.)rt CI!(;'.lHll'lO It. So
,~the!t can a,l: b= ~tte:', li) a rrotlon, trJt tr~(-s....nat 1':-:; tr/H'lfJ to 53)'.
~.c..rl ParGa).: ! ~ld Just liKe to say trY.!t I thinJ< YO'JI lTO':.lon 15 Similar
to mine except in i~s ~.lbdgo;:._ I tt"Jlnlr,; 1t'5.3 distortIOn of t)')e 1-1Jn:'i
~I.
Y.LLi9_~ ___ .P!"-J's..=?f': Tnat's fn.tit, an,i if that rrotIO:) IS earned, I \ooDuld be "ible
to r..orit 'WIth It. but 1 probabi~' ....on't vote tor it because 1 think It's a real
If\is;u.se of the. wc.-rd ~tOV--d.l __
_ .::.:n:aJ ~.t.~',:?~:L"')J_§:9!I: ~ "'.a'.'€ .0 :rot 10:--1 at.a SCCOf:,j _ 1::; t b __ ere-dIW rure
dlSCl.lSsion about this? !-icfo.; does n:e appllc~l~ teel o.[,(;Jut thIS new-approach?
.>-.-,;;~-.-:~.
been placed 00 it'! Ax~ you clear e.t what tr.e c,x.,il tio::s ~:e 0:" , .... YJid V(l'" 1 dw
j t re-reed?
~~ Per~: I think we're re.ascc.abi.y cle.3..r on """.at the ::-,:-:"ilt;cns are,
and r thim: I<ole understand the dire-.::Uon arxl .....a're c::r.!ortable ..... :: tl l t.
~ Persoo; I thinX it achia\l-e.5 tt-..e-rra.ker ot the rot 1::',5' So o~.~€<:t "."e
Wlich is it's QOinQ to be a iOOQ rC\t.' to hoe, arxi tr.-e aI"c-hHe'::''rrd, iSSU.;>3 3.r-€'
not IT-lirtq to be passed. C'J'eX by PiEt!1.n.lG.:;l ~i5S1'::~' :)r e.tt's· ,::-.=<:~~. to re-·:H;! ... ~
the Clptic.l to a.ftirm or deny O'JI re}i'Cl.IC'""": bt' ;'_",.2, IT,!;te.?,-::j 1:
do our job on cetSrTT'tlnlng publIc rx .. -,'?fl':::' c.;,j ,::'S':",5 !!(t' ',1'..3'
~ .. ,_QJ.JJ1)~: Yes It will. It ..... ill QO fcn\otGTd \'i"ry r"1'_'·:rl as ,'O'J .o,~ It ri ... '7lt
00.;, witTl 'the re\.'ised aitPlT'.ate pil1n. 11: ....-cJt,·t 9:' ).Iit"ri::'..lt t'~)08 <ill,ll'.'i <-f H"J
Plan!"IinQ CciTmission to sa~' th~s archite.:.::i:'.l1e is D1:.d'r' ... 1 t1"; u.s. Tr;':l"r~ Q::nr.?
to sa',' "we are si lent on archi tectw-e ar:d the A..ru3 MS lOOl:.atoo thdt they a.I"f:
unhappy. Wl".at kt wi 11 uy .is that the ARB ...as not haWr ~'~ th tr..e arcbi te.::tl:.!€
at all and a lOOIJ 1.ist of other thil1Ql> and has asked that De r@studled. Tr.at
basic con...."'ept of t)-~ plan is a(A.."'eJ)table.
~~_\ij.J.e>QD: 'There's a rrolion 00 t'he floor. ls tr:ere an ... fur:r.er
clarification that needs to be made'? All these HI fa.'lO!, (.:p;:Q5<:~. Okay,
than:" you. We'11 look forward. to seelr."J yo'.] .t;"1rJc::d rl.
z.rnI~: '!jI)J:~n:O~!!t P§:""son: KfrlCN made ';hat It~ "t. ~ dnd 6 ·oc <.J.c,2.re-s5e,:: after
Item 2 in that o!d~r,
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lmlOO PASSES.
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Genecor Internatlonal, Inc.
Preliminary review of neo...' 126.000 squ..u:-e-foot researctl
and develQJlrerlt facility and lut\J.I'C· SD,QOO 5q'..Ja!"e-foot
c:anr.ercia! office buildinq .
. Q:@ln~~r~LW)'.t_~~ ThiS.16 a pralirninary review, one of our favori!;es as yoo
can probably tell for the last tloot) and one-half 'nours.. 128,OJO square-foot
research and devel~t iaciliW arod h.:tme ~O,DOD squ..are-foot camerclal
office research parj;. We--....el.;x;:rre you and ym.u-prelinli;nary. Trlls 18 rp....J,Jjy a
wonderful opportunity [or ~ll.
?tr_. ___ J~t~e= Let stan by intr-ool.4cinG Iv/self. Xl' niJ..T,e is FLCi'l~:lii': Ric~ ~r.j : a'""
Director of Tedmology q::..e..ratio'J$ for Ger,e,'l',::(',r lnte~:n~t.I0:1C::'I, ,:"f:J ):.6: """, B
way of brief introoucticn, you ptiQ'ht ioe ,fi\0043.re ot thE' !a:~t tl"~'.It GeneJ~'::M
International tOOa'l is locatoo in So\!th San ha.flCi.scO at a faCllity tr-:..."'It '..,Ie'V€
ocCUJ:.ie:i for the past ele\,"en ye.c:o,.ff>. We aTe a very successful lr,dlJstrial
biot~10Q'Y carpany, and .because of that S\JCCE;.SS cur r~l f:>state and
facilities have orcwn drarraticaliY, A.r:d what we r:.:ve Just curpletoo c'/(;r (r:f'
last 15 rrontns is extensive evaluation of .POt~.nt.La.! ne.! site!> in and arollJ';Q
the Bay Area \ooh)ere Genencor could expand into ~ ts next sta~ of success. And
at this point we are ready to say that the Stanford Research Park locat ton
here irl Palo AI to and the potential redeveloprent of 925 Page Hlll is cur
first choice locatlon in the say Area. So we are ven-pleased and excited to
be here, a.rxi \oD.tld Uke to take the next 10 min\ltes to describe to you sane of
the architectural aOO sit-e plarminq features of our proposed project.
J o,."o\l!d iixe to start off by intrcdudng (''uYtis Feeney, the ExeoJtlve "'ics
President of Stanford ManaQEmmt Carpany ....no wi Il Clive you sore !TOre
informat ion about tha inpact on the Research Park. c..'urt is.
~_J&eQ~: TIla .. ,'1ks Frank. CUrtis Feeney, StGniord Ma.n;;'Qar~.nt COO'p:my .. :?.J":a lr:
trre interest ot letting get to What you want (0 taik about most, the
-50 -
architectural and s'ttl: plan issuep, I loJi II just <dJve you ,S.C{OC' .::on~ext
foll~inq up on -.Jlat E":an.k said abou.t the Pt"OJects. We"IE! bee."1 \.;Ql")dng very
clO6ely with Stanford, with Genencor a~ with the City of Palo Alto for over a
year to try to !'T"Bke this project a rea! i ty. It's eX'.rer..ely urponant to
Stanford, StMford Research Park, and the CQmllflity because H olrect i y
addretlses Io.bat we think is one of the most irrpo:rtant 5trate(:liC' jssues In the
Resea:rctJ Park. Hc1rl do iooIEl keep it viable and cQ"!P9ti Uve in the future as It
has been jn the past? It's IoDrldlY reQarded as Cfl2 of the bel::lt research parks
in the country and -....e have to wild (,,"'11 its strengths and addre~s its
'Wel>..lcnesses, and nothinQ ~ can think ot is better IT'OVina uS in that di:rection
tt'aT1 doing a deal li.ke this one with Genencor. o,u-str-enCJtll:i at the
Ulivenity ar.d the Research Par.\<. are )0 b:tot~hn,)!ogv, c.'"C,frJluter soft"'l3re, and
e. fi!IH ott~ research areas. 1N~ reall y h;r,v'S t,) !'i"dke a Ci.nT;~ tr.'P-"':t tot he
Res,ecu-cn Park to cent inu~ M REd) fc'C\Js or else it oc-"COC'BS just ar:oU:e::
bU$in~st. p;;.r:r.. We dCI-I't think chat's .... l'l.-H Falo fJtQ '.oIMts; \ole dC:1't think
t'r.at's o".'h.3.t Stanford or tr.".., f,esf' ..... -rr.:::h (',;uk '£JltS. So ',,"2 i<?-€l tr!~n:~ are s::ms
c:.--cn~t.raif1ts that we have tr.a.t dri'/~ the site ploD. dnve U--,e a!.Thitet..:turai
fp..atUI<::!S, and dE.'c-~dinQ thst this should be an RlJ) loc.at lcr, L., ene of tbam and
.is a,big one. Cne of the t.hings tha': happens In R&D devel"'.f.I!~'1ts 16 the,-,:: ~s
a real r:eed to haVE: yOI.l.l." !;.cientl sts all together. Tne.re is also a h.;:ng'ht
liP\!tati011 00 tM b'J.ilding~. so wt\l.t you '=01.1'1 up v.:ltr: is a \arg~ i'M) faciiity
In a fairly l.w hei<$:t ~.lild.lr.r:l, and that directly a.ffect:;; tne rre.s;;~s and
limits Iohlat our cptions are.
1U'lOther constraint en this 51 te U".at we ....-ere forcOO to IS the size thal
Ger.encor needed did not just ify taldnq the enti['e site so Sta.'1rord r..ad to
CClT'bine w!th Genencor to taJce t~ other building; and in order to do t'hat. if
you are familiar with the way the Research Park ~r){.3 in thE marketplace, the
paqe Hill address lS absolutely key. Ev-ery tenant \.oIants to be on Page MIll.
TI')ere are a couple key addresses. Sand Hlll Road lS one. ?agt! Hill RQad IS
one. !he Har.i.ben adw:ess does not l4)rk, and tt-.at affects the sitlng of tile
buildings, and it was a si<Jflificant 1 IlT'j 'cation. We did not feel that t~
p!'oject could ....ork without that limitotion. We also mad~ the election Q.S we
did on process to r;p thIougtl the prellmi!1ary ARB pl':oceso~: ' ... '€ IIrtde the electlcn
voh • .ntariJy, but we think it's the smart one for evel"YCi'IG to stay \.o,Ilti"nn t.r,e;
--51
•• 1 •• ' ,., ... 10 Uli •• '''.'.1 •• '' •• 1.
~,-:;
'I -.' ,'s lS driven fer 'X:ln11'l9 t"tq'..:.irtlt'E!f\ts o\. the 5 L ta .e.no: not QO or var Ia,Ilces. ':'11
a m..a.r of reasons, but o:-,e of the ,Sj9'Tllflcaflt OT'.es is t£m..:.r.q. Trt€re are
.&rC1'S rael ti!n.inQ constrainU on the te:na.'1t arid their needs O'Jven their QTowth
and C'\lI'T1!!I"lt toc::lttioo, &r..o. we teit ~t is 'best to t'rY to 'Stay \oIlth~r. the
eziii:tinQi ::a'1!nQ in all respects,
Cbiiow;ly, econcrT'..lC ca)straint5 COOl:! into a'll' su,:::!" deal, 1 \J:Juld rreke the
potnt that RIiD ~s a very tr..reater.ed spe<:ies in the VrH ted States. ¥.ore; aJ~a
.:mre CCJ!I)I!I\ies are C'UttJ.rlQ thelr F<&), TO have viabl.e R&D '{OL1 basicallY h;;;ve
to 1oClT)t: with iiitri.ct m!.;rketplace ecor.-::Jl'11c consty~j.nts a::a that Hi an-€! of the
beton. alti-1...~': I 6cf'l't lhln)( .it is ti'.~ ke.y one you'll cc,n::':!Tl j'o'.lrse!ves
wp;h; It'-G cne th.:.t ~'\'e h.=I~ as .... ('OrJst!dlnt ir, t~ Cf:!s:qn-(.if the s.1te plan .
..... i t~1 tr"!'~ !' 11 pa .. s.o; rr~ r~::.t of the dlS('t.aS'",iOTI <::rl to BrLan
Yo.l', _C!:_~_rr-ej'; Hi. I'{"1 Erl,w'l '::c""",rroey Teprese.1~in(J thE' ~ ,t..rC~llt~:-ture in SaIl
1:-T:u-<~j~:;',:,,;J, th~ dIr.-:n,Uxt-:: (er th:o:. proj8-Ct, Ir! t~,,'J sh.:J!l tllT~ J )'"i.i.w~ left,
\oo:a",t to it::t 1~0U m... ......... ' trlZ.i. 1 Wd.flt tD t~lS. 0,1 tll€-arcili tocture a,r,d the site
plannirq 1 ES'.le.$ , W€ nave C'Ui:' larr.isCd,pe arcl"nr,o::>cl Aprll fhiii~ps fro.'1I U'I?W
p!:e:>erlt t;.Q a.r.s..rer :aI".'1 q' .... >esUons yo<J r:'llgtit have regarding !;;J;>eCiflC landsca;:.-e
) 5S'Uo.'lS in tliE'~, S1.:t WJ th tr.at 1 \oIa:")too to, under the ClSSl.tT'PtiOTI YC",: all
l",av€ li,'OKecl; at our dra;,:lnlji). and 'nave .'I; Q£.neral s-ar,s~ of Ioinat l.ht:.' project is
at:cut, Since thl& is il prelimi!'.ary, ~uld. lik.e to sho.-.I a couple napkins
a.ketche:;l, d;~~ to Jond of Qive you an idea of ~t the process W<l;S 3-'ld he ......
~ ended up Wlc.re we ,are r~' and ....t\at the constraint}) and opportum ti9S of
tins 6i.te are. In OUI vi@.ol,
It's a bjQ r..apk,m arrl 'We tIl' to sun it all up for YOlJ, n,e fjrst diagra."T'!
e:&8enti,&,lly :.J.& ~t's existiTl9, and yo'i). cdl 'n~ ..tJat's existinQ is 155.0DO
square foot Industrial .buIlding that's currently Vilcant and patJ.:lnQ t(Jr SOO
,Dl us CAl-. a.~ 1 ar.:isca;>e ,
~.:. __ ~~: ~~t we're pWpJsmg iE c,.Jnb~nat!on 0:18-and t'r<.()-story builcings
oS\::> e''''~ tOOl.l~'\ 'We".'\:: oev81o~ the site up to its ttuXlt1YJm fAR o;;li~ by th(!
-5:2 -
i
'1::Or\lnQ ......a.rden. \ooIe a.ctually reduced the 51te cc"e':n:qc ~I' a!:).~l'.I: iv.(i~;C1 ~~r€
teet; tlvtl '5 C~(,4I: to Ml a~re. k:Q ...tllle p.:svlr,:;l fc,r part.If)1 r~Jf)S r.ore or
les.t;. corostant. the awilabie 1im:1 for lands.:;'..(I;'1!'10 esseo;ntla.Jl'I' hes been
11"1C't"ea.s.eO by an acre, and thUi kS a lG-acre 51 ta. ::'0 j t'::; t': l,J peJ"C"e.'1t
increa.&e in the SfO'..xot of lana a~llabLe. Msr ... tM1"~ .'0. :10 f\:l1-oH O~I th€:
land. In dssl~i.no F.&D facii..!ty, )t's aJways arl lSSve ,)[ ball!l'l.Cl!l~1 lnterrul
l~yeut as they want as~led Q certain Wi'lY 50 trreJ' can c!,) thel: sce<1ce and
do their ~ Wltt"l::Jl..lt external ~nfl~. I'he.!"e's a '::oilect:o."1 01 spaCE-S
in thjs ooildlnq '''uch 1 can ~t ,ntD Ia.ter d>.l!lr.\J trtf eM. But esser~tl(llly.
thf>.re a;.e ~le>--Intensive ~:;::% and eq':l~t-H';te:r,,;,·,·"f' s~;-:-~. So th:s l~
lines.. We ","'il! Ke.ep n·,ose. ~ ~'Jli a;j Pd.r~:lr,? C'>', a btif'l ber.~A'1 the
adjacent "use.:; ~ tr:e b'lj ldw~"Is; d."¥"': t[:"' ...... 1 that l""'l' .. '~S. !rR !O:·e-;;;TO ......... ,d In a: j
caSE-S in the p..u::,llC [!-ollt £I.., !ar· .... .,.5Cil.~ .lIN.
Fran a. site z;.:.ning .s:tandpolnt, ;.,te ha':e to i;ee;> C'UI ~lte t:'l1 r,Ta.r,':es a~y har:
the intarieCtiCt'l of H!n~ and F-aqe HJ 1! and ~he~ r lc~,c.tlj JXllnts of dCCl:SS
here and here 'IJ1ict1 alJo..RS us to put the: parku":~ a,lOOg ti}E' bad: of the si t>O!
and keep It off the trent. CXe requlrment is 10I 3.3 S,P5ces per LL)~){I.
'Dlat 's a~t 600 cars, We'lle sut:r.-:J.ttoo O"::""'"'"T..IT'ef".tatHx, !;~i:Y,1 pa..rr.:wg for that
m.ny car. am or. requestirl9 deferrlLi of parx iflQ 00.,..,-, to .::6 .. cars I·.rnch i' the
J)I"O"Ve!l need for tMs QeJel os:r.en t . ~.s or, EM] h:-ility it c..'le:.n' 1. hav<"! t ~rC SCI!:'E'
densi ty H USE<! ., an OffH"::e DU~ldin~ as yO'J (= :s-&'!Q'r:e. So L'1oS.t J 5 ...-r,s'
we're actu.al1y prO}XIslnq tor C'o:.st.ru:tlO:"l.. :t,t's a1:x':ut i..6 sr·c.,c,:,s P'=r 1,aO'J,
oot the Site Z"E:ser-ved for the required 3.wunt. 't'har·s Cn:C:;;I! hate is H:e
fact U".at IotIe have two occupantS a.t the slte, and o:r,'lou!:d'l ?age Jolt! 1 Hcud hs
an irrport;ant ~QSs, ...m~:.:rj lS a challenge f~r us HI terTI"6 of land pla!unng.
ha',;~ a PaQ€ ~.lli address t,) bt;; vlhlJle, I thl(jl{. OJ,,( ~olut~c;l to that IS by
_, _________ ~ ___ M._ .. __ ....
cre.atin.., a me.jor landscape featl.!r~ as the entrance ",.tllch is €-s:;;.~_--:tia~i'l' ~
shared entry court for ~he t\l,O bui idir.t;ls, As '.'ou can S~. ~'\'e tr led v~ ~~p
as ITllCh parlc:irlQ to the bi!lct. Side of the site as p:lsslCle and ... Nt r~lr.j:l-;
perkin; that sits back tor thE: 50 foot setback i,:; re-;.; It' fa!'" '.': si l:,:-S ar.j fc't
eas~ of use. 'but we t["ied to push the 001:0: of the pa.r-XlllY to tj-,e red: and.
incrOoOSe the up-fn;m Jandscap i ng.
Qr(Ja,ni2at1CC'1..ally, we're p.r-OPOSlnQ ~ skyUt QCllle.Ila that is. taCHlQ ~r.e mi,Or,
street for li"lBt .is a very hi9hly social intel~ctiv~ ccrTpa:'.Ji \ok',a-i! all nl'e
functions beQin to relate to that inside street. ru-d PJt~rl·.la.!1y a
oontinuatiCfl of. that st["oot to e~'Q;a;O'S the ~ct"ld p~.as\:! ~'Jl jUl r,v st .. >JI j . t
evolve to a related wse. Landscape pre-serva t 101'1 15 sc!""€t h i r,:; ~. f,;,> '.'.;>;ry
and as a; result·.-.Ie on!:r" had to take ()'u~ d tl"E'€5 In lh,~" C!j~JC,"i ff"'( "~.,.
that are considered. healthy, ...tlictl ~s 13 out of aoo,.:t 8';1 f-:) ~'r:; ;',"':::-;Jt~9 at
about 10 percent of thE toted tree count being dlmlni,:;r~. ::':;-.costlLutl:'Xl I';
tw;) trees per every one rerro\:ed a.re n're requi r~lts
.Ms. Haser: ! don r t und'9X8tarrd that line. the v(:n lco1 l ioo
1 ine? 13 1t a beam or coll.rm?
Mr. ~"~.Y: This is a prelllnina,no review.
1& ,
. .MB.....:....J1a.s~: But it's such.=. strong ~lerr£nt trlOt It's ~:ln.l ot arresting.
!'tr. coer.r"~.Y: 'WE;1l let :rre see \f I can find a fuawlr:Q t"hat exp~aln:o thot.
originally this was not .P3It of the su4r,lttal. We t/,OU;l7H it rillght ~1J:' YCi..<
understaJ"ld the project thrce-dlll"EIlSionc.lly, '50 It 's iX. <,J,::;~!"c.'';L. blicH;.,1-'>
are never seen this '<J.a'./ as you knew, but the eJ.ei1):~fI~ H; rage K~ 11 w.:.:~ ~'Iere ard
-----_.-.-
,
Hansen .....,s here, $0: W'e kind of turned it arou,"ld. The elment that Yl'U al"e
askLl",.Q' about 15 here. n-.at's realiy a response to our asses51nent of b:..liidlngs
in this vicinity which are :onmanly pre-cast concrete cartlknatlor,:<;. B\.,;t
thA-re is a fair an'OUflt ot brick as well, s{, the idea. h~re gh'b?n the lrrp"")!"~ance
of tne Paoe Mi 11 fronta.ge is to de'velop a low scaie tl-el.lls i ike st:..-ucl'.lrE' and
detail isn't at the point where I can expiajn it to you. AJ:, sho.·Jn here It's
es&entiallya Io.Iall with punched cpenlnqs and a trell is extending over the top.
!he.idea there is really to brinQ sorlIE! of the brjc.k tr.at's also pl-esent a.rxi 1$
of a seconda .. -y material jn the Research Park end of this project.
You probably noticed that \ooIIe're sUQg;;!stinQ a tile at the base of. the
foreground buddin/). There wd 1 be :wrt. of it cant inwtion. of tn.a::: )ond of
~te" !TW'/:. It's just anoth~1r ITilotenal. ;:.JLd it'S J ye,::ogmtion 01 th~
irrpcJrtance of Page M~ll.
talkin~ about the matarial?
Jog_· ____ GPer~e:.v~ S--u-e. A!> I sa.id betore o,..re're tryilig te, bie,-id In. We'rE' tr~.'lr,q
to fit and as you }mcw the predcrr,warlt b~i ldH':g type out tMre is 0".11 ! lat
roof buildlTVJS. "'i'e Set;1 a lot of OJncrete, St..Jrt of rrooil$1 value; gray, t,-rr€-er:,
tan concrete colors. A lot of. e:q::x:JseO agqregatt!s of natUfal colo:,-s. h'e see
ve.ry liJl'lJted metal. We see no reilectJYe sUl1g1ass-type glas::.. 5<., .... oe·re
trylr.o to respond by essentiaUy proo\Jcwg a concre.te buildinQ. '!'Ie'r-e
propos1r,g soleY. glass. whi.ch is the green tint oJ.ass, anodized pilar coate::i
fr~ that ~uld be color O':ITpatiblp. Essentlally. l.I€"re tTying to blend 1n
We believe the deslgn is consistent with simHar buildings In that pariL that
area.. We're not trying to stand out, sort of adverUse Genencor is Delng
~ special, but just a QDOd neiQhoor esse.'1tial jy.
Ml-•• _~rey; Y&:; r did. Tney were hc-re ter:rporQI) 1 y. These are the t ... 'C
prirrary public elevations. This i::; how it ' ... ".:-uld appeaT ,.,'lth sm,e of U-,{
landscaping stripped away QU,",iously. Tnese are 1NE:l! set roc.'": trool PaQ't' 1'-'.:11,
-:~5 -
•
end the:"e is as you kr'low a lot of rratUl'e vegetat \orl out tl"lere, IT05t of ... THen
w're a.ble to ~Et:.p. But essentially. ~e is Paoe Mi II. Wha~ J.·C·\l 're $~inQ
here i~ tM et'id of the. spine '6yst~, the Gallet:'~a I des-enbed. 1hlS blJ.i1d1ng
us. in the foreQ:round and it's the Stanford &<,lildinQ. At's the office b'.uldHIQ
thAt sits Ticht tr.ere. '1l)e.n this is the rre.ln ent.ra:n<;:€" to th€-Gener;coz'
~t&S wt"!ich aQ&)n 'we'IQ lookinQ at as a large scale .....all with SCtflE"
put'.e:hed openinqS to s~Qr,ai entrance. Front door !s always a yen' irrp:J.nant
thlllQ". Genenccr, as tr.ey \oo1)uld expla:!n tc you, have ir.austria~· C'ilents ;.;ho
4l"'8 huc;t1-clients, PriX"tor and. Garrble, Lever, and .it's in the il1terest of
~ .... '.s u.lSiness dt:'VS1()JXl'er'.t to appe.ar re.ed a/'.d substant iii! a~d
professi\X".al to these people. ::.;0 ent!':Mce i~ very lrtp:>rtant. Wnat you S€-e lr:
It¢1t OTl"'P.!i t:e.~j,r.d sits ;.,.ell oo.::k: Lr'Jrl tr,e ooQ€ (,t I.ne root, ar:d t.J..at·s
sc-rere,1.1r~ !or roof-top e.-:;IJ\ p:'OOr",t . We Se€" it as bemg I"Tletai o:ia.ts. trell )s-
1)it;e: es~tlally peorrc,ml the ':urIC!lC:-1 of screen:nq, But oe';nl1 to add sccre
relief and $',Ti"l? ~llrr:)\.le:tte to tho[! 'p,(Ojec~. Tn;:> perlrrete, ro)f structur'2S .c;re
really a..rcrllt~·tu.ral s",rWJ1S for e~.3ust stacr:s that a..l."E:-r8".1'.l~rE:d fer I,his
~ind of facii!ti'. 1'(1:R 1d.:,., 15 to make then roof-jl~,€ r·""cher t/"l,.-;l!1 pjpe-llJ~e or
chiTlT"te}-'-ll)t;e to ir"ltl?:1;rate tharl a.,d to really t.ry to cra..3.te serre Suzt of
prcfi ! e: f rcr.1 the Pl"O j ('C t .
This slevati.on i.~ fran Han,se;) wai' ar.d ag:3l11 trl€re is a ,'~ubstantlal screen ....all
trees f)8U t.he side..el.k Iotlich '>.O\lld be retalI)@;;i. So Hils is svrt (If peel inO'
teek the trees GO you can see lotIhat \ooClUld be beyond t:'1€(ll. 'I'friat you're seelnQ
here is the Stanford buildinQ, phase to,."o buildwQ. Ttlis is O-,.e gap, this 15
the 'WEill, and these are the ends of thE' lab winQ5, l~ a,. ... Jd off.l.ce .... ,ings ti"'.at
~ld projECt out. !here are fOlmiiar scr'een walls here: and here ~imilar to
the ~(ltrance s...--reen r,.,al! ......nicf. uo:::f.i.ne the-aud~torium. conferencing center for
GeDencor. and the dinlr,1j roan, which is \· .. here all thp. 6Jl)loyees wtJ"Cld care a,d
eat and interact. And there are colJItya,rds asscKaat.ed w~th each of t.hesE:
spaces. This one: IS landscapeci, as April wlJl ):-Oint out If you have the llITC,
to be the socla~ space for the CaTpany to barbecue .:md do all sorts of thmgs,
voUeyball a.rd so forth. This one is a hit r;pte fonre.l.
Now, if I COUld, sin:;€. yow. did as).', questi0::lS aoo~-1t ~he exterior. here are scm:::.'
'blCW\JP6 hem the STt'll1E::r 5':Ade dra""'j,nQs to highUght scm:: of the features.
,
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'I
fj
i
suftlckent ly thic)c: to all~ lal"?(, 2 ~j;rn by 2 ip.ch reveals ",tll(."(l wi! i Cdst a
$ubiSt&ntj,a;l &rr~' of larqe reces~s t~ Q!ve r-elief t'ssen!.ial1y. and catch the
sun, Qf!t sc::r.e profilp.:. thlS)5 S~. $c~f.~caily. This is. tt,~ ql.as& e.'1d.
!his .~ to be. the I3':t)Joy~ entrance fran U..e bclck. We'll cenalrdy be
loo«i~ at :lCrl! lntriCi!!lte patte.rr.S-, and probdbly l'1\lxes of Qlass types. Tnis
tIhows a typical bay of the for~ ooi Ldlr.Q. ~l~ inteq.::'ation of a
br-id: oolor or h:nck-!ike tile !.o ~ do base to tle in with that alT.o,je and
tv 't"tl.t~ 60:,:';', the str@!'tt to Va.r~a~\ ~~t~rs.> ... tH<::".h is. ere o( OI.J..I:
buildiOQS r:ra~ 25 ~s ba:=1;.
i".;-.. Cc<=-;.t.<f· ,'tlS~ ~,:J ~".it tril::-~ 1 .. '.(" (-::":-:l«·'t. V-l:.: r;"(".~E".: 1:::-' rl,;:r~'. he-;«, r,\g~
X":.~l n\,;"Jl"lr.<) a;~!(,SS n',';; \t:'p, L':'tl.>:'..i!l,::iy "'''.!'l·i~ }n,,~ ("t tu..-nIr-j';J yO:J Z1.rC-'.lJl:1.
Har.se:n "''1 15 hf;;-r-e S~\ y'~:J car, sec.? ()'J,r n·~ se I I C-J dd i 1~9 and r-ri<';:;.e 1 t)'.Jl 10 ll"'.g,
the parkin,;: a,rry.!,.T)j -:-'be bac.it, arid tt"e! 0:-:;o.'1(,'-.Is1y thl:;;: .s .:; dale;:l aen;d
photc9l"a;lh, If'1"'-.re lS a Varia.'l project hen:' ~--'~Iic·rl tS \'.'rJ-'3.~ YOu're asking abJut.
TI>-.at is a larC}12 biJlldino tha.t r..a.s.:) '-ie:'y .. i.ll:r-.;t03.~ti5l set -'!.J.:\ck with a:-cess.
~int nQht here. OW>""ile ow: ~ite e.'1'(['anc:e and e>n'. > T~ b>J~ ldin';i is 50 tar
set-bQcJo: !ike a la-ndE-cape ;::.al r., our res;:on,;e to QUI relatlooshlp ..... : t1'1 it 1s
ree.Uy a lu.d.e~ respcn.$€. It 's i!7pCrta.,~ to \.is b--an a plantlng st-andpoint
that the tree-~ ined stree-t be Ji"li'iinta1l1~; that our aU'-T>ef'lting ~t is ~lready
~he.re be ~tlble. J\rwj the la:-.dscape tre.atJrap.: s'h-:::>uld be (."Cttpat~clc: Wlt}l
the ·varlan project.
gliaJ.~~ ... Io!j)!".con: Tza;'.F. ~'Ol.l, ;..,.'.' "ore Q"1lt:'3t IOns? Mr.~;, .~-ot:rs, of the p·.WJ lC
tee "'-"..'J,ld t\;;€ to a-d.'iress thlS':' rr,-a,"1 w-2' Ii J:eturn to t'rre. b:.:ara ;'\.w Ccr.\'i,e'ilS .
. ~.~_M!l~r: Your prESentation .....-a.s exce!:ent.
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Ct:41C'8Pt S.
N) ~JI In San Francis~. &J<i!th' ~..c.t · .... ~·\~6 ,:rice ~o dC', I!> ,hr~ t~ln;,s"
ene, we 'Ioe11ted to IoiOrk ..... ith the Qrulj¢1t toleram iard.sc.ape and y..dress wiHe:
as M issue In cad.ifornia and h~QhIHJht ...t1y H'i€' z,p...rc:rs·::a.pe la~.ds:::at.~ 15 5-;).
AU cur proposed landscape we "Llt try to 'uSE' r'l':H:r::o c..! H:odtes. d.."ld pla .... t
imter.i.als and o:::rrpJSitioo In sucr~.a ~y es to b: In.;l I1'Or~ a'nE-~~th:X1 lroat
droo,1Qht tolerant pla'l1ts can Oe l ~a:-ful l.~,n-d.sc.lpe. d::"",:~"':o;Y. \.ooIe ha'le d
.....ays to gJ. It Q.:::.esn· t sh:-...... .e let ot -2"'~cs:, "-:--~~ at, ~.r-:oe 'crt::.-,~, L",:: ri--,en s.
90ing to totally rEr'~din lr~ C~.ll' C.,:n·:-.::,;:,t, i;.'"l,-lf> '."'" ::1":'-::: .~_:'~ ',,;,: :.'~,~ .'"
that ~ felt that ~e ve.l"~ f;Mltr.)' a. .... ;.j C'~, c lC'1 tc-r (r-', • .c:',,", :'.'! ""':~-"<f.:' ~::-2
scma olives and edKS ar~d PHI Cdr;s m tr':-2 !:".::It ,~~r, ' .. ~ . .a' . ....-.: ..... : ,1 c~, 1S j,; I al
with rore as ~ taJ:e scm:: or the SJJ"'l::' y.lr..:l,5 of pl~-:t" r:dt'-.2rlaj~ a:.j ,:!e_~~e
stroooer QrOt..'S. Ri~llt r..ow it's a little bit :st~:naJif"' d!:' (h,n]5-c.r'.:' ~y;r,:J a,,~
not in gocd s):)ape, so \ooIe'!l tTY to ~.;e i1S n::::-t, itS ~,)s-"i,bj€
And the "hird is to rE<S?Orrl to hge Hi ~l Fo:)dd. ""~'H'Ch lS ""ex",! r,U'J;ll';' 'I-.i:Iter
intensive at the m:rT'IE'f1t because it I"o.:!st'l't tI-a.llSltl::>;~ed :nto <;. CorC>\J¢1I. t--.)ie-ro.nt
~and.sC'-aPE'. And there i~ that ~ new proJe.:[ a::--rcss tl":e 5 tree'. '.i'lIC\", 1S al~
drouQht tolerant IootIlch scands cut. And SD one of our th::u:;t:t;; hE're I s to
twist the ideas of :zero i:cape a UtUe bll 1S that "",,~. wane tC' uSoS: : a ... ,:,: H~ S'..lCrl
a way in a r;urnrral \ooi2Iy In t~ fro;')! b:.H st.i 1i. · .... .:;.t,:s .... 1 [:, tr~L 'Y1~1 '.not g,-__ ~:3
alooQ Paqe Hill aT')(j then care i."HO the slte WIn, a Lnle b.': IIcre qree.., K:.j,
then ...nich zero scapoe says i.s to USE your Id .... n Ifj YC'...U :'Dr .. ~me:.~e :r,t~r v:.o'"
zones. W13-' 11 deflnl te!y do th.::t, b\,!t ~ t !'~ Yc:Jlr~1J tc. tr'y :c. tls-:': ;c~ :.:-,';: Sc;:T""
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afford to do that. Atr.:I so that's basically it, We've cleat-eO a c''::..Qle 0:
00'nef;, that peripheral ooqe zone, the entry court zone. the bloloinQ c0unyatd
:zone, we have a courtyard here tt-.at froot=::: th~ audj tor-iLlr., so this .... 111 be a
nice ~therino space, We ha'-Je the catet&ia courtyard wtiid"l ~ll t ais';) ha .... e
thin9S 1.0te volleyball and law'! and places for pecple to SUO"l. li1e entn'
courtyard is actually fairly lonq beca·iJSe it does acccmn::date roth places., ar.d
we're ~inq that its wide enouQh so that it wIll also be used at lw-....'i1 tirre
and other tL.'TeS and not just a pass throuQh space. And It has a ve...ry q".llet
'ZC4'l~ t'iQht here M 'iO\\ qo through too aIC4de: i.nto a. rore defmei S?aC~. 5-..) ~
see a series of sequences into that spaC€:. And then of course the .. re -,.,'11! be
just the pe.riphP..ral edge outside the labs wtlich \<,IE!' 11 aevclo;:: fl.J.I tr,f'J" at
YIOther ti:f~ as we go forth in tenns of what peopis are JG0.:':ll'Q ,'It. ::;":.; U;2lt '"5
.basically it.
_QI'~lt~ .. ~ .'!,Lt@: t<.:r,y (km't I start 01lt ..... it!1 .iulie. $"r~,: r.Ci::> 3. ('(>"p]e
CQ'!r:-ents here, S"r,e. is CCnC€lTle.1 m'\Jt th-e c(;!-r:el ot H?ulSe<l .01',:\ t-'a;~-= :--'ill ~ ~,r:'i
... ,toat 1 s COnCeI1led a):-cut, I thi nk Iohen you c<:l'1E' b::\c:" I f you ~J 1 j ::.:r.:o,.,' e'.I':' .. ' a L a
r~l snell scale, t!'"l'e envi rons. You started to d0 tr.i3t on th",' ;2Jenal
pI"lOtOQTaph. I think it will be helpf1Jl to s~ the ',hlson, ~<irI5inl t\liloln-:;
across t.he street in ouU ine form. h'ha t the p-:lsi ti \Ttl .end ney:a ti ve s~e,;e 15
there, and this project. I think there is a concern ~d': h:>...' is thB e;ltry ~o
HanSf".I) being adclresseC\? It's verI O:petl on one Side, and you're r:ind. of
clcs.inlJ it on the-other. i);)E,s that really r,.ork !Hell? ~'O\l can't see tMt In
aJlythinq here 50 yet;; mlQht study that a IHtle loa rore to see Ii ~'OU're
really CC11\fortabla with the jJlacar""t of this Iittla Phase I: oo;ldlr.O. And
then slle said she Io<.Ii3S conC1:!rned aoout the arrount of di ifere:1t fI'i1.terti21::> br:!lng
use::l cxxroir.ed with a lot of rMSsinQ inter<f:!sts., and she's afr-ald H !My b= too
J1"PJch. lhe-re'.e a lot QOing on arChitecturally. I doo't !flirt)!; that trearlS that
she necessarily dislikes the 1T'iIteriais in qenera!.
Ch.a.ryl, \IoOuld you 1 Dee to ccmrent?
~~ .. J~Jha, I thouoht jf I could hear scrre ,,·f tile o:trments. ] r,ave s·:;ue rr.ixed
thoughts. I'm rp...ally enthusiastic a!xJu~ thls prcj~t. It's VHy cle.arlj"
thought out, Now ~-Je':re at the jXlint ·...me:re Ule slte finally ITdKeS a jot of
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.,..l.811"'." I.UOI 811 ~ ... \ rl •••. al.
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sense, and: the archHectw--e evolves fran that. There are co!icept~ and
objectives with the archi lecture that al! I'MY.E' sense Instood of trying to
just ify a buildi1'l9 trzt you put 6o.o.Jn on the si te. 1 doll t know what I can adO.
to loohat they axe doinq riOht now except ~hat I appreciate the cHrectlon
they're 9011)9 in. and 8"-/e.n the JT'eChanical s~eenin\l if; part of the
architecture. It's not samet~lnq that's plopped on top of the t~ildjnQ. 50
I'm very supportive of what's QOing on, It's a little r.ard to foile<w ~he
elevation, but this i8 all on a preliminary level and 1 have a lot Jf
ca1fidence in 'iJ'lat they are doinQ and look ton.rard to s€einQ the building.
Mr_.:.. ____ G£:~E:§: First of all on th~ Qeneral Sl te ar.c~ lanci.sc-apil,Q. :i ap;:,re.:-i.'ite tr . .:;
e.PPrw:ch they' rEl ta}:;jr;~ inslde tr.-e bUl iding a'ld parr.ing lot to retain as ITl'JCfi
of the heal thy ~a:r,dGca.pill-J as p05slble, and I want tv r~e sun., tr:at gets :s·a,o
explicitly, A lot ot times j'QU get a scrape and a lot ot brear,s en r.t;¥..J tH .. 'E;'r:;.,
btJ.t it tuY,'Ss 2JJ ()'( 30-'leo:!:$, to ge~ t..M hnd of d~e~_c·~nt tr',al b" (LHt: ",':-"-1.
and it's rt:>.a.lly ~rth _rBtaillir~o anrl tryin\} .. 0 preserv"" I thin~: BitJ""u(jrl YO'J
dld:"1' t bring tr,at up en your presentation. I ti"lirl;'; lr.at that's a par: ot the
Idnd of thinq ttrat r-ino's referring to .... 'here saoo thOUQht aI1d a;-lCIlysis
specific to the. site precedes t.he desiqn ~r.k. It's mce to be Io.Orking h')tra s.
cl1ent that tait~s that aW'r08ch and 1 appreciate see~n9 ~t cone. 1 al.so yen
rra.'ch apprec\ate the extensive use of landsc~.Pe rGserve. I thlnk 1 t is v~ry
critical that we not WeI park b'JiJdln~s bOC'iluse bu.i1ding 20rnng requirarents
specify certain nlJr."ber of spaces. A thoughtful Justiflcation of lhe nurr.ber ct
spaces t"Eqolired. with the flexibdity to increase that if need be is a
~fu} approach, and 1 \o.k:Iuldn't mind at all U you weroi! O'-.ler optilTllStlC
about :how few spaces you l~ and fourrd yourselves needioQ to add a few rrore
oIiPilCQS to see H YOll could put as rrt.lch as possible in landsca~ reserve t.hat
sit;lTliflcantly reduces tr.re IlTpE!nneable 6urla~ area and to rrrY mind is a lot
rore intarestirJlJ at sane neat landscapino-and GaM pleasirlg Iw.-dscapi!1Q than
sate unused pa.rking Dilse. So than" you for that. ;\notl'"ler thing I want to
speak "Up aOOtlt jn favor of is....nat looKS like water use pn.'jections that are
ooing to end up slqnificantly bel""" 1..r..e .max.l.mun a l1C'NaU , And even though the
city has been I think good about trylr"!9 to 1 imi l water u.se .:md 10lldscaping to
l·easonable le"\,rels, it's always a good ide..." 1:0 s€"e wnbt ,,-0," can do that 'W:)rks
that need.s less than that. And thanks tor thH. ! likE: ttle gal jer~a concept.
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For me .it ect-... :JieS the c:kJ,.,Intown urt~.n deS1Ql1 Q\ude philc,sop~W of having in a
SEr/..&4l s.."'q:JE. wi th ~ dif fel'ent func:t.i ens that are surroW'lc i ng thE paciest rl a't
1.Qy. And thlS has tha.t kind of ofQa."'Iiution. 1 thlnK It has the p.:>tenUai
to:-dri\.'ii'lQ the massinq and ar,-:n!tectul"e a l~ttle bit lTCre even in tha~
directlCtt. If 1 had an architectlU"al C'YitlciSTl to make, and t)us isn't my
"trenc;rtr. 60 k8tQl:l that in mim . .is that you could probably afford 1:0 have a
little bit less hc:!':'oQenelty and a little bit less synmetn' in favor of sare
mre vari.e.tiCf"! in the mll:ssinq and so Of! as looQ as i t r~lates to lIlat
pradesttian r"ey CUlCePt j and that mi~t rrake th!s project troo, a passer' 5 by
point cf Vi801 -there 1o,1YJld have to be larQ~ scale )onds of thlngs, I'm not
~.':..Lt tr.e pub} ic t{loat lS g.JHlQ to 00
seePI~ this .::.re ~·le ridln9 dnvir:'Q bi' !n t'h€lr ('MS. 5...') lal:l~e sca;e th~ngs
'1Te t;Oir ... .:: t,.:; be \'!sib!e, ar.~ if )"O~ t~v-e U'-,8 l:Hitucie tC' lntrcd..lce 5Ct:~ of
tr.at :':tr.d d '.'dI lot I c.'!') , It']l to? verv l:-lt8res~.lf;g tc.> th8 pc<:ple ol'iving b: .....
;..r, :,2-'.1 dri\."€ ::'1' ti'-3t site 0:"1 tl!.-."It rc,:;.:] pr';:':~>'lbJY C':'.JinLJ iastr.:'r than t{j·:.' s~
Another thir ... ';l ~rJat is g-::')l.ng to be 1 ttllnk a very pled.:;;ant expeIlence tor
peoplE drlvinQ by .i~, My 0pp...'"}rt\J.T)it~es in addition to ",l'Chltectural solutF.ms
'IOU care up ""ith, to introo;Jce large S:;.~ifo !t",'1:1:c art. Witrl'-::)·~t fluY.ing a real.
DPOCltlC 5UQ1";1eS! .. O,llS, I can tMnk of a ranQe of thinqs frO'll sC"Ulpture all the
way to the kind of pixby park approach ot usinQ earth elerre.rlts 1 !K.e that to
iI::,ioo of defll"le: spe<=es. 1 think there's. ~ whole range of posstbditles
a""ailabli!: U°.at if there done on a larQe eno!,lQh sCClle. will be roth r~lJ't
pleaiiioq for the people in the bu.i !dinq's and also for the people whQ Me
drivi~ ~'. It's not a real pedestrian 200e. You're. not qolng to get a lot
of people W!l}onq down. the sid~lks to the freeway to El Carmr.<:·, so th~r.c;lS
ha .... -e to Ix: scalt!:!d to the ITCtOI ist. j think you've got a grCi:t t;;tart a.id Sc:n"le
~rh.!l ('1::~:'-OI tum tlES In front of yo:) for OOlng tho.!;.~ Ullng5.
~_. ___ ~Lha: It·6 al\to1ays r.t€:lpful to hear sure of the other caments. Generally
I'm s~rtive. I think the color d6£-::ri.t.ed ~ of your expl.:t!laUons of SOO"e
of tN! SlUr,"; :ssues in ,Panic\:lur rJEdped. Z W'_~ulu ShaH~ SCfr)? of ,hl~!e's
concerns abmH the siting cot the b~llcling fran the tnterse.::tlOn (.,f t-'.otls&" and
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PaQe Mill, ar.d 1 thiM .....,.o,l'e I W.Jcl"sta;-,j the l:""P0!"tiin:::.:-c.f :.')E> Fas:~ .'11L~
&ddress for your nei~Ilf,~ p.!opcse::i futlJIe stl,Hure, I ccr.'t FJ1"" tha~ It
really &UppOrtfO yow' bI.uldw;I. li):€ tho:-Iooa'i you ')a'.I~ ~~leC to inteQT..'!te th'e
la.nc!sca.pe concept and tle that H, at tt:..e e. .... try, but 1 t!-llTJ. tr.ilt (..'~~ld be
strl!!Oi;tthened a DIt. :<jQht now it's k:nd at the Sd.1E h€l::;:--,t as e\'en'tillI'lO
0Me-'I'Ves sane addit}ona! Slu:lY, I spe.'1t s.::Jre ti.l""'e at U-re site a.'ld I an: '" b19
fane! the'RUson. Sa1&HH ooHd\r~, I I..hH';lo: l~'S toe',dl';. ~t'!; fI-asr" it's
.lm.'itill9. Ao")d I thiM aa'!'Ie of tr..e ot1-)er l:;:..,ti iOi[)(,jl:i, you los~ a se:u~e o~ ~.re
the entry is an(! ttwo)' don't appear quite a~ fncrrjly an:: lm·;tlr.~. k..o
th1.n:1:: yo.J..~ t-Jlldinq IS leaI1l~;Q ~~..I-.J.s r::r,lcO:l n,J. ~ . .:t"02 r.-.,t U;'::$fO fh'i1:;;s th.at
ar-en't q\.llte as frlerdlY C:.J)J Jii"'l~!"'.,; a~:i 1 t.;IH1~: tb~ ·~!l:.'x-l, S-:-:J:;ln~ €mn'
of -J don't \oia..Tl to say pr:sC;:"1 l;r,e'" 1 thlni( of jt . .as :or,·:]·.)f a b::J.rrle:
rather tha."l an e.>:C'l t ill;'; el~t. ! 'd ; 1 r.e s~thn~ "'::; d scr~n, H. c-C·:,,:e-;:·t,
oot 1 aon't ~ it the cncll; is. ;:r.e Il¢,t. solution. Gi!:"~e:!'aliy thc-'.IQl'. l'(Tr
very S1Jpp:>rtl\.'£L I really ap;:r-ec~ate the c.p?r..:-clatl::! the atte:',tl0n to pa:don";l
in the rear, the cent2'!" 'ipine. I think it sl.lP"pcrts the IntE((!OT t..:.r.ctlon Jv;
a sitirl\:i of a fut1.:.re, 1 don·t )mow that aJ'lyt'nlr,q cculd t.? (X;~13:.oe:::oo t~re.
~.i~ ~il~: I too fer.oi \,"2..1" enthustastlc ab::::ut this. ! r~ve a h,Q'h
level of confidence in you as a tat'fTl. H 's ~ well tlx:u:,i1t 01.lt ap;lrvactl a.nd
sense of irragi • .ation here t..iuch is very at tra:-tlve te, rre. Trl€' C"c;1Tl"J?nt ab.xlt
sIiCMIin;l environs ...... Jen f0'J CXlS OO'2}: (:IJd lkdun~ ~urE' n~t ')";:J r.av€ a co~lce,,')t
that ~~ that al J IoICrk nQtlt I th~n1. 'WI i I b.::' h€!pful. At thi:= sCdle of your
little early napkin dralo.'illQS' ttl::Js(> ar€' Very r~!ptuj '.0 u.s, than:': you,
I io'¥Quid lIke to r€'Jterat~ \..~·~ql ~s s.:;jd .::..rCJ; tr"s '.-.,,11. It '$ rt'<dly.:.
\>oQrideriul opportunit~·. ......j'€n )'OU fl:st ~:,.t"".x-tej t;;il,:.f;g .c:..tcuf ; t, I t.")~')'J~~t w~:s
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,1.1 •• 11",\ ... 1101.", ~ ... \ "'1 ... .1 ••••
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like a blade, oot not I see It's really more of .:olU',TIS ""l~h d nei11s, "''-:''lI:r
! thinx is a nora camon e:<per~enr:-e, and I I¥)ula 100'.( f·'::l d:1 U'KXf'mJo;l
experience. I think yo'J.t buildimji is lear,li19 tco..ards tx-ln~ a n~' €:.,.\.-pG::-.e.,::io
tor people Iotlich ~ a..., very excited ab:Jut. l'i'l r,,)t t0tail1' a,:X:\'l:",::-~j tt-bt
brick is the wrot\.9 tre..terial. ! tr,ink that's r.lrd o.f all :.nterestlr.o, :.ce.a --t:J
play that bric): trcr.'l across the street. It rna.,.' n~ tc ~ d. ..all, t-...:t as
David :mentioned, W1ich \<RIB g:finQ to be my camE-lit. that arOst l3 Invo:v0 In
it. It:rreybe needs to feel n'Ore llke a wall with pe.rforatl0:15 .jn II that a..:e
arti&tically dcne. Yoo m.tQht tall-'. to the Fa to "dtQ Arts C~lSSIOCI a.O.;'..lt
that. TIley have a \ooOT'Iderfu~ slide prese:1tatlc:i -.. nth lr.telestH~'.~ fe.:~:e::; arid
walls In it. ThIs couid. be a piece of art rr.at ""'¥ .. "Jlr~ )'.l:.~t t>:: ;:"jr: of ~~-=,
archt tecture, and I thil"J: ....o~ld be .... ery e.XCI (:n;J.
~~l.P~r~: We'n: very rZ3p:)r6IVe to r.fie ('.~,t,('.", c! i.. ellt c~ ',.,.':il~";:;·I' .. ~ c
technical blJildin9.
J2D!<n~ Per_son: I '¥.O'..Ild J ik:; to k..no,.' ... ~:.at' s. g.)lr.,l to r'.:,.r--r-=:'-' r.,..J t~.'" 1.::._ ,:is;",;.-.:-
plan in phase I, lue \ole S'J .. n; thIs llale !:'"llldir.q H o;.':'lf;':; t·) (.:"2~ niJl..· .. ~J
lh1known Perjl?Ofll SO what's .;pinQ to ~"l at t:.at ~!7Ier t-efol"e the :"",1 JdlnQ'
is bI,oJ.lt? We>)} be interested in that;. Ji...s 1 sa!.;,], 1 tf!ir~ to.e need tC" ad.ire.ss
~.at is the sense of entry 00 Hanse.'1 Way. Does it ne-ed ~ 11'_L~ rror,-'<' !):>ts
that bui ldlnQ need to be flipped over? dC~.' t kno..' tr,e a..r.s'",-,r, [.'..it J ,n,
cortf1dent you'lL be able to desCt-iCJe that. I'm Yen' Inter-est.eO. 1n your
rraterials. r like that fact that they're tl!"T'eless !TE3.tel"ia.is, perna.l,e-1t,
oroan1c matel.'lals. that I think are QOlng t.::." sta.nd the t~s-t 0': tliTt:' wr:ll. It's
hard to see at this level of pre:3entatlon, bJt :::']1. ~;;'.) 'pjr"i":;:::,~ -.j'U--tfl:~;;';ln;.
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about it so early becaus.e 1 think it's QOlnQ to produce aT, imer-estin(;; ~i1
surface and it's exc1tlno to He you cane back.
Mr. Rice: ThanlI: you .... -ery rructl for your tune.
~J~: n-.an3< you. CarE back soon, I'm leavlnQ the Board and I want to
Me what it looks Like.
-64 -
Linda Bissell
1031 Alegre Ave.
Los Altos, CA 94024
July 28, 1994
Civic Center
250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Attention: Ken Schreiber --Fer distribution to all rne~bers
of th~ Architectural Review Board, the Planning
Co;nr;;issi ... m and City Coutlci 1
Subject: 245 Lytton; 305-337 Emerson Street iTimes-Tri_bune
Si't.:e)
Dear ~:e~be~s of thQ ARB, the Planning Commissi0n and the
City Council:
1 expect to inherit a home roy mother o ..... ns on Emec-son,
between Lytton and Everett. It is across the street from
the prcposed development at the old Times-Tribune site.
The concern I wish to addre3s in this letter is the in
gress and egress to the underground parking garage of the
proposed cOmI11ercial building on Lytton. As you may be aware,
",he proposed entrance/exi t to that garage is on E.'T1erson. just
down the street from us. We are afraid that the traffic on
our stre~t will greatly increas~ because of this, unless steps
are t~ken to alleviate it.
We are in a residential area that borders the commercial
a~ea of town. Because of t~is, we already get a lot of commer
cial traffic (and parking) on our strect.~ The street is narrow
and the curbs are fully parked much of the time. We have to
ingress and egress our diveways very carefully. We do not
need :nore c:omrr:Erci al traffi c on O'l.r street 1
One solution would be to split the traffic between Emerson
and Ramona --ingressing from Emerson and egressing onto Ramona.
But, it that can not be done, \\o'C request that .~._i,.m:l§_ be mandated
thl5.t would limit the l.ngress/egress to the .!!y.ttgn end of Einer
son. Our concern is that those who would aCcess the garage
;~{)'.;ld 3':oid Lytton and take the "back" .... 'ay via Everett and
dO\oln EnH::'rSOfJ, makin') a left tu_rn im:.o the garage. 'I'raffie
could back i.lp the whole 1eo9th of the re.,;idential section
of our block all the way to Everett. The same could be true
of thos~ leaving th8 garu~e. If they turn right towa~d5
Everett, there could be a backup of cars ~l the stop at Everctt .
. . -'
•
') ,
This increase in com.one-r-cial traffic will not Qnl)' deteriorate
t'he q~.Jal1ty of our neighborhood, b'wt 'Will gr-eatly restrict
th~ resid~nt9' access to their own street. It could also
be an accident waiting to happen.
Therefore, I resp'Cctfully requ-est that in your delibera
tion5 on this propos~d developm~nt, you give due considera~ion
to this concern. Please dir~ct that, at the very least, there
.~lt be ~ po~ted tha~ will limit the commercial garage's
ir.o;.ress/egress to the !,}'tton end of E,''!1e!"50n.
$.at> Fnn.::i",-...,
~ffoma.
9->l07·)$ll
C'l:!1l896---'900
FAX iI-.4Cl:·l
August ~, 1994
;n, Scot< Word
0asD= Couun~
1066 E.ut Me-adow Of':lt
Palo Alto, Dlifun".l.! ~~~
TIll: ~~.uds of, fue E\'a~tt 5~ 1'o.."I!'.e:; w0xd ~.He (';!TIt" ~1! of .~I pot"! dr.)' i"t .... -"-.. ,lir,
two hot::s in sp~ and th.rE-e: and .t n..l! r-... ",m. ii'I rununn. The~.!R' 1$ p~~ .. uily tl,l
.mo:rning IRIJ'I. In add:ition tt.> the ~~, r.rong ~g:t ~ from t--~~ k--ol~
wiD.be~~hours poa<;!"Yln 'WU-.l:e::, tiYehowl; i;n~ . .t:r'".d ab:.:lct~ houtSin
SI..Ul\1nIe1. W~ tho$.t aid.! y ....... 'ds ",,"O".l..ld add '10 ~ dm"lboo of direc;t ~~ bCf'usir-.g
the wid1h to t., ifet WC4.Ud add ~~y one Nlf· hcul' pe-Mi' cf d.:.red 'i\l:!\lip'': in S~,
~ smaJJe-~ in £Pring. fa.!J .and WUltn.
1'hI! ~ pl&ntinp ~f! trf:,..~ Nt h'iJ.1 IJh,ade the s*de y.ard!;, and L ... undr.::stor} of
vina,.knv~ and plar.~ The-deodl.JOUS L"e\"S .... 111 ~ dind: a.nd ~ ..... "ll"1tz!or
sunlight Ie ~tI! to l.lJ'Iden.tory plan" a:\.d to ",,"it\.dows of tN hoomt$.. ThE-:s.il.It }"1rd
plant:ings ~ n...~ie ft.:;thco .s.t......"""lhshf C'f'r..:L~.~ I:: c.... CCl;:,T"..l.:1~.~ :5.~!'t,:):f'r~t
plmts shcru..ld do well i.tI. trcs.e s.kil: );,!,j,:h, \';:-111.: b· ... ' s-l.LI"l·k',,·i.. ... g ptmts. 5."","",,1.1..1 no! ross~bl~·,
sun· O! hat·lo~f18 climbing plar'h rou1.:I de-.... '"!ll or, the w~ willi. 01 W ~ yards.
Tlu! side yovdt ~ the E.mr.s:l!\ and Rart"lCl:\a ~l"E"'et n;:>mr::; ""'('~ld be '!""-FO(l'Soe\i to dirt"<t sVhl'g'ht
for duraticn~ si'T~ tCt tho$e fur ~ Ev('~tt 5tTee! ~o:n.?S, h-.."'''''o! .... ~ ~ txpo.."'>iUrE ."ill be
primu\ly tD aitemO(r.\ S"..D. lr, 3ddl.t.c";;"' tt, l~, ... dirc-;;:( ~\.lr.!.:b:-L:" "':rC".~t;: :-·,ll-j~S.!-.t ~f;I.":t ..... i fr,,;)',
b:.Ul:iing....-w aLoo .... "illl~ pr~lt (L.J! s.i_'l';J~j ;1u.f.'lUc'1r;S 1-.. ,(' ~o:..lrt:>E<rd$ o! t{:e Lr.~r">-D:I.."1l':.j
TO
, :
I ,
Ra:nona Street ~ Would ~e m...~ di1l'ct S\I!\ tN::n would tr..e $.ld~ )'I-Td$; tM ~.ddt(!
time W'O\Ud be ~ me hall-hour per day -:n !>1..ttI'ITM'l', ""Ith o;mali~ i.!~~ irI Jprir.g...!.ill
and winter. '
Plantings ol.r:lecil1uous trees th!.t will6ha.;!e the sIdf-. y .. rd I, loIrittl a." \,m~rr of .. 'i.~. Ion"
shr",bs and. pla:n~' should also be $uitable for th~ yards.
Bued on dra"ings you ?ro\'~t-.."!, the hotr . ..-,;. wo\1ld be 2 s.to.-it'!;; iJ1 he:ght ""n:~ h',;:, (00lts, TI'-",
ea"es wau..L:i ~ in height &om approxi.ma~f!_~)' 14 to 18 ~t .. '00 ... " the grtnL,",j. ~.:r.,:' k:-;-.e-;.
wDUld. h.lve singlHtoty gara~. Hom.es fIo:'1tiT1.g ~ r .. trb~:rS;)n 3;!'\1.1 K~J·;"tC~..a 'S'l ... .,e.:s '1'\ Q ~j
have ta tn'iaJ Il"~UHi 9·f,.o~ s.ep.aratiro ~.Soe:1 Iwib.at l,e £ren! ,'\.'13 iil'l.,;rr,:.It'1 ?~I,_''':-',
$Eparat)..,""'f\ r.etwft:n ~lrut:J in lhE JO-a!',.!t ~ ga.rag~. T)}~i:.;.U;' H to 1'5· 100: .,;,;" (·:>:.rrtp.r:::'~
\ .. ·~.tld be !~rect:mid.~utUI;_ Ead"l u.-ut WO"Jtd ru,y~ a fu...""l,; ,farJ;:.,nd ili;::. ~ .. ·o:..:.ld "r,,sl ~:;. r,:.",:'"
rlVd. ~,""t'et', w :h~ &nd ~ garage.
HorToeli frttI.q On E,,~ Street ..... ould kaye a typkil &-!ro! ~.tion ~twee:'! W'lils S~::!r'
windQ""'" W"JUld be primari.l}' on the WiSt wlll of each hom.;. E..Ach of ~-.eo Mm~ h c-u1.:d
"""" • from yard, but no ..., ymi,
The lot frontage c?r' Evet'l!'tt Street,. frQm Eme:soo to RADu:ma, lies at kl"\ a...,g).,: whid'l i..s 30.3
~ to the EaSt 01 t:rQe North Thus, the J.ide yards ol resi:;i1lJlQe:S frontl...~ ot\ E..-c:m1
~ the Everrti $tn:et home;-woWd ~ ... ~ full sun In the ~ and the P.I1'JigN ~'ouk1
fwon Hu! west Irlde windows 01. the.: homes i;r. the mom.ing and mio:kia,. On the ot.lw:r
hand,. the _ yal:ds of residt:I:'IQI:S frooting on Ernenon ar.d R.imona Streets wouJ,d t'ec~r..:e
lull sun in Ihe ~
The Nd yanb ci th:! EgW<jQ{l and Ramcr.a Stm>t homes will receive ~ I1.tl\ sll:cil.lt to
!he _ yards ,",!he E....., _ oo.n... bu, _ back )'Uti, .!Jo will rec"" """"
aite:mooo JUr.. The couttyvtl.s of the-~ and Ramona homts will ~'I!! aitmwon SI,m
in • way 5imUou 'to the: side yuds and bad:. )"arcisr but UK: CQUl't)"lUd!i an-to thE: n.")rt.~ ,,{ tho.
houses and will be S1.lb,unhally sn.1ded. by the hou-<.es, s.o tlw Q\lJ'.!It'..c .. 01 thcir SUJ'I expos"-Ti':
will be sim:iw-td tr.a: 01 the sid~ yards..
In the foLIm\1ng CJ:iscuss:iM, the t'NO groups of homes and the S1Jnlight ((1;x!iticm tnf'y ..... ould.
e,..periencE aTe d.i$cus.sed separately ter earn of the solar elates of int1'rt!S!, the .... "'inter !OOhcicl2,
th: s.u:r'nmEI solstk" Ai"ld the equino)«(:$ These-an' tht: de"...ai)~d flI'.di.ng_~ c.! m~' .!I'_"lJ$~s .
. _-----------------,----'"
.i
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lili. Scott Won!
AuftUt 4, 1994
hgt!'l'1:U"te
10
1) Ott ihe sI\orte$l dol" of the year, the l'IIinta fQl$t:Lroe (usually 'December 21st), 'Mdcws from all
b~ ,"iii be &be ~ becaUle th .. sun is .llb lo .... "fi! position in the :sky. The sun ri~ about
7'-'0 am PSI and ;.... obcu. 4050 pm PST.
Eynrtt Str:tt Jim.n. 1M side yards will rereve Iboo.:t IUl hoUf of full morning ii:l.m, LLo;ttng
lJZ"I.til about Y.30 a:m. 1"rte sidlt yuQ.:. will receive 5t..~8' reflected light, sunlight ~.!rom
the walls of ~ adjc:rnng home, until ClU'1)' aftt>moon, llu! fr-ot\l yards W'J1 recE-j\'E sotI'le tau
~-
El:nt:nDn md.~tte1·Hmn"5 Thlt ,J..dt. p.rds will ~:\-'<I!: streng !.ight, sunlig.ht r(onectEO
from ~ ,,"'a.l.li of tM ~dJoini:ng ho:r.\!, fr.::;'m rnld-morm...,S until .bout 2 pro... when th~· \',-'..11
receive ;ll;Q'.l.! M hoW'" of full aftetnoon !>:m. TIle ruz yiU'Cls wUi be I'tce.i"1So full momlng ~'.tI\, " .. ~t."
arell 001'~rage:decnaas±ng alter mid·m.omlng, 'bu{ with ljsJo~ refl(l(:i;ed b.=.r:k intQ the fuel. fro;;::n the
ra.."tte't;-' ..... .an ~t thE h"me or .sang€'. The ('Q".U'tj'!.rJ will re(ei-,',e; SOffili' morning .'..u'. and a't .. \)ut an
hou.r of ~ $UtI.
2) O!:, the E.t~~ t.'I,.e first day c! Spring: and. d Autu!N1. th(' days and nig/'.ts aN of !quill
l~ The'5'woIn rises about 6;10atn and s.et:£ a~t 6aDpm PST in Ma.t""...h ar .. d. ~ .about i:10a.m
and se1:$ about 7:20 pm.PO!' in~. ThE 51.1:\ mov~~ ar,d shadow piltttms lor tnt t .... o
da)'5 are essen~Y the!al7\e bul the. clt-A timeJ diifer. Thl!1.j~ticn h ~C1" Marth 21st (FSn
c..1«"l times,
~$trg:iHomf!6 Tht side-yCdi will rece!l,."E' about two hol,ll$ oj full moming $un,.1asting:
£rom about 9,am until about 1l1ll'rL, and will re-.::tu,,-e mong rdle¢ed light hom About B am until
nrwly 3:..~ p~ The front yud$ ",,-m receive gmu.aJ: oVtemOQrl ~
fmtrnrm aM JWruma $trW H!'?QlH The s:..1~ YW$ will ~ ~:-e£I.ected Sunlight
~ ~ l:L'\Oa'I.ing Wllii about 2 pm, when they;yill receiV& about M hour-of full aftemoon
sun. The:tat yan:U ~ I:.ot rec:eive.full trum'I1ng: ~ with are. coverage decrEq befote l\OCl\,
but wlth llghi ~ back into the )'e.td from the !'asmJy wall of the home or ,gange,
Diffue:nt ~ of the ~d will rec:eive lutl progressively ch.rougho..lt thII! Jl'\OIf1"Ung and
~vili n!Ce.ive about an t',our Qf ~fteJn(;:QIl ~..m.,
3) On the: lOi\g~t d.l.y of ~ y".u, Uw s\1tt\!ner solsti.;e (uro.illy June 21st), shado"""S are sho~t
bcCAl.l;Se the sun is at its highest p¢$itioll i,n lhe sky, 'The sun rL-.es about 5:SQ am and sets about
8oZ0p'" PST.
Ivgr.rtt Streo:t..Hnrun.. The side yards ..... ill N'C'<'lve ab.lut 0,'6-' .."1~d a hili hoW'S of {uJl sun.,
lo1.sting iro::n about jt}~) ,un U71til"'~\Jt 2 r,m, and will mcdve strong r~ile<led !.ighlfrom aOOllt
ESA
•
Mr.~tW&rd
AUJUtt.(,. 199-4
~li:>w
fmmm ,,01 Ramma Strut Hnrnn. ~ .side ya.rd$ will ~ve str'Ol'\g refl~ sunhght
~ thi ~ 14'01_1' 11,3<)"", wh«l they will recdvo about IIIre< ond. N 11
hours 01 Nll san. The reu yards""-:..n ~ l'eceh·"t full ro.'l by 10"30 Ill\. with Ira cover-agE"
~ after 1 pm. but ~ until about 4 pm. TI-.e lUI yards "",ill &l.Jo receive strong
~ ¥rt b!!:k.re trd L~t.."rl.. !M ~ will recei. ... ~ Swt prognssive1:;,' for a si:milar
~ sttrti:r~ lbtrut 11.tm.
+) In ~ t\o<o"O-~th b;m--.'1l ~em May 21st lnd lilly Us., S'.mlight (onoitirms .... 'ill be :;iInitM to
~ o:'l Jur.~ 21!'"'1 he<.-."t"1-'er th.!o .... Utl1!ticr or dJ..,,-tct ~.Ll11ight .... ,>o'jl 'No ]'()u~Jy onHuili hou: t~$ tha.n
0':'. , ...... "<¢ 21ft. In tN tv.-o-::rIDn.L-'" L"'Ittr,a,; ~"("€!"l N",,'emboer 21~t and Jant.~aJj' 2ht .. u..-rilig..'lt
::.-.:<:-d.itiot',.;, ~-:Jl De Cm.U.iu to';) ti-.::v.. C""_\ DI?.;-rn.J:.... ... 21s:, hm-,'J:"\-1P!f th€ duri'.;icn d.;Un--;t ~....,Jig':",t \-,Iilj t>~
rt:"c!~h.l~· CN'-~~ .k1,.,lf ~am ttl ... a. ... Dt<tm~r 2ht
L"1 lV\.J~~ It"" p-lmt t.t pro\,-j,ciN by G.&tes «: A»ociates, I }1~' ... e pttid partk.-uLu-atte1111(l:-\
to tt.e plar.ttnp ~ tn the ~ }-a.--d ... in Ol'de:r t" ev.al~ the g~&l i-uitAb-ility of the
F~ plart!s to '.he iR....-Ji&-h.! Ct."r.ditior.s tl>..at would be p~t The pllni:lng-i for the side
)-m:is of the :E,,'e:l1!'t1 ~: h~ prm'ide a mV::: cl d«idUOUS trws that I-I;;l! ~'u.de.t:M6"! 01
tl--w lIili yards. ~ther I-<.ittt an unders-xrry of \"ines, low ffirub3 and plc:.nts that will :;"r,'j\"t'
in th<e shacie c:reat~ b)' the trees ~~ the lre'I!:s a.R: decid\!ous, lvir.tet :Sunlight will
~.t:e to '!hE-\lCIden:tory pl.o.ntls v-.d to the wind:;iW1i of thf.!Se homes.
Tho ~ ~ ... ~y ~.ri:.bl, for the ptQpOt<d loatiorn>. Low pilm" must
he-qWte 5hacf,e.-'b::Jl.uant in Ol'cLer to do well On the otMr h.ir_d., sun--lovC'.g cllm...~~ plAnted
on the west '~or~. 3t:tMt ,I~) w.aW. of the t.ide yttds, nut)' .. ..avi-.;I! or f!'\'en <in well.
11:NJt tN.t this provides the Wic facts you nee-d. If you have qul!Stior-s, pl~ feel ~ to
call me.
VC)' truly )'~,
Ciu;rles B. Eernt'tt
VK(. Preskten!
ESA
"
, '
Aug''''t 9, 1994
Mr. Jim GmUand
Mr. Bob SclJu ben
Department of Plannj rig and
Commlutity Development
City of Palo Alto
CLASSl
250 Hamihon A,.-enuc, jlh Floor
Palo Alto, CA 943.f!3
bl~,.'lr)sed fur yC<H [(:'.ie'''' .l:.T:d (i."):~;t~er;~tio:--L ;.!o ~ r:::'.;,:-d .A...rci1i 1e,,'{U!J.! Rt'\'icw Board
~'Jbmb,":;I':ln fl)~'lhe Ie'.',id:er,lial r-!C'rmnl oi (he 2-!5 LYH0il, .~,r:,5-.337 Eme:-:ion Stfl!el (Penimula
Times Tr;!l~!".e) project. O~H «(l,mr,:::m'-reprdin~ (he tl~"l.>i.:d r!"I3tcr;~Is. are as iollo',l,"s'
L Solar Sll1d,Y. Prcr'ared b:!' EuyirUflmcn'.3.J SL"i~nce A~sr}{'iate5, Inc,. the S!udr
demonstnne_~ t11::t :;.io{' yuJ s1Jnll~ht cCini~:,iot-.s for !l"ll.~ propos-ed homes are not
substantiall)' diffe[("nt hom ~ide )'"rtrd s;l!11Ligtt cvndiilO!'1S in more conventional single
family home~ and cor:dllde!! that 'The s,iJe yuJ p13ntings appear suit:2bie for the
sunlight conditiom to be e[l"Qunfefed,~
2. De~'eiopment RE'guJations Re-duero. Witti mll10r le .. i..s.icns., ""'c are agr~eabJe to
tbe dra.ft Site De .... 'eJoprncrH regulations devc!op-ed by ~Iaff.
3. OA·ute Softsape/PIay Art:a5., The re .. -Lo:.e.d $.lte plan does. not incorporate a
designated pnvau common play area! e.xdu..s.ively fa! thc benefit of the proposed
residences. First. we do not share the 'ric'",' that there is a need for additional on-site
play area.: the revised site p:an provide;i for bot.'t-J side and rear yaId 3Ica5 for 15 of
the 17 homes and. in ou.r opinion.. the£t yard areas are s.ctficiently large and well
oriented to meet the otH;ia.e p14y area necds of the residents. Second, there is a veri
weIJ defined hierarchy range of play area options. \Io1111in t.h~ immediate vicinity of the
proJeCT: the g2rJen and garc!o:n court Dety,.'een th.: oftkt bllil~ing adja{'ent to the
b0me!i~ Cogs"l,eil Plaz.:! located ~cr(,)s..'" Lytton Avenue from the bornes: and Johr.son
Pa.:l;: located ~1.thin a quarter mik of the si:r.-. Third, p;ovisian of common private
on~site play areas is. in::onsistc:nt \\11h the sire pJarming CClncepc far the proJect which
is designed to reinforce the pllbiic rearm b>' bringillg activity. including play, to the
sidw'alk and streeL Founh, pro\lj~i()n of Ii com-non privoue on~sile play area would
require creatio:l oj ';1 i',Jmcc.;"'l'I,-r'::. :lS.SO,.-i3tiofl in neJilltain thi;; facility anj would
bUlder. lhe <i."Soociation witl] the task oi oblaining liability insur3.,I1Ce for this (adlil),
(mi1ny homeo\vner's a5.s.ocia~ion.s h~ .... e abJndoned such facilities GLJe to the inability
e
..... __ . __ .. _-._---..............
-," ~ ,....
to obtain s.uch jnsuranc'~).
4. ""'ails Adjacent (0 Ofnce Building GArden and GArden Court Bec:lu'.e a ~-\'en
foot wail is proposed for the Ooundal)' b<.!tween the commercial and res.idcntiai
elements of the piOject, .. iews of the off;ce ouilJing garden 3r.d garden court could
be observed only from s.econd story \lw"indo .... ~ of Plan 4. Pian 4 [s designed :\00 that
the -service core" of the hDme {i.e, bathrcolIls, sUirs., close1.~) is aligned on the s.id~
or the home that orients to the office building and the "li ... i~lg area" of the horne
{bedrooms, hallways} is oriented to prh<1te yard areas. \\'hile we a.re open to
modifying the g1Ms block: v.ind(JY.~ in the staiN-a)! to operl'ble. clear F-Im .. indows,
we see no point in making su.cb rnodificatioru in b~throo!ru <L."ld. due to privacy a..'1d
sHe line considerations from the office building. we are not ~men.abJ.e w reloclling
the window in Bedroom 2 from the rear "\O\'all to the sidt wa.l!
5. Restudy Roor Angles, Hcigh.ts and Haterbt'i. Tn~ T;!qUJ:, (If !,\)(If "'["'.8:r;~. t:~i.£hG
and materials. h~ 'been contined II) tho:' EYeretl Suet:l r.o~,~;. rr: re:'Jit of th;"
fffort is the intrvducti(1!1 of 3. new unit ly~1e, wht;;.'h fe.3.tur('s N't', tJC<'f J<on \,::iii~~[!~Jm
and three elevatlonal variations, on E','erett SHeet. "nlC n.e"y,' U:--ljt !~~~~ u:.:;i~~i1.~I(~d
as Plan 6) provide.'i a ".oarier h()m~ than !he I-:ome!i. O;-J Er:~""r"'f:r~ ~r:!j 'R;:';rT\i'):"l.j
Streets (over 24 foot ~ide ','erS'J:S :h~ 19 foot '';'''ilie P:~n 1 anl1 !tl::: :~>J !e~lt ' .. ,':~e n::-~["'"
3 and 4), which <;real(';s tile O;-,pOrTunit)' to in(:(lrpm"tc C\l i iIJrn:" bIJI1;.'!lI,\ J':~J,~n
elements in the elevatioru.. Plan 6 indljde~ l::-ift:c:~ p\.lrcne;;, .<;,~d. for three e,f ti1e rl"~'
l.mit.;, a s.ec-cona story baleon:., (the Plan '2 originaily ilKJ.I,ed OIl E\er~n <1llj not
incorporate either of the-s.e featurc5). TIle new urut type feJl:,H~ ll:::.t TO.-,Ii tile. as
opposed CO the rolled roof lile specified for P!JTG 1, -' and ~, and ir.,:('rpu;l~es. mC're
wood trim, (including porch/balcony raiis., pOSE" liT'ld COiU!Tlfl'o, and cort-eL ~r.d mher
eave details) than the otner homes..
6. Restudy Lot SizE'S on. Everett Street. As outlined olbo",,~, a [1C'W UP..!I t)"P<' "~ilh il
new lot width has been introduced on Everett Street. Tne ~~dth of the eighl lot~
originally shown on Everett Street ',rw'a5 27 feet v.-ide; [1\'(" of the 5.e'o'cn io'..5 now sno\'\'T1
on Everett Street have a width of just oveJ 32 feet and the tv.·o comer lots-ha· .. e a
v.ide of approximately 29 feet. In actdilian to aUov.-ing a. different m.u..s.ing -expre:s.s.ion
for the homes located on the wider lots. L.,is moofJc.ation in the lotting pattern also
creates a rear yard on these lots., and these yards wll1 rtcei ... ·c ~Ubs.lanti:s! ligbl
because they are generally bordered by single sw~' c!lements of ~djacent homes. It
should also be noted that there i", substantial \'ariety in building setbacks along
Everett, as well as Emerson and Ramona Street. On EYerctt. th~ fTont setbacks. for
the seven units range from appprOXimz,feJy 4 ieel (0 ~pproximalei"y 11 f;;::-::t and there
are no more than two units mth the same front setback distance. In addition to Ihe
setback variation,. there are five differenl building elevations for the 7 units on
E .... erett Street. Similarly, on Emerson and Ramona Street, Ihe f:ont, setback for the
five unit., range from approximately 7 feel wapproxi<Tl3le1r 11 t("el znd th~;e art;' five
dirfeIcnt building elevatlom for the 5 units on bJ!h Ern-;;rs(l~ ~r;J R~:l:ur,::! Sllctt~"
'" Jl~hl1' •• ---
."
\
I
, I
7. Considtr Diferrent Ma:ssing Expressions, As outlined abo-.'!!, the ne .... : unit type
has a different ma\Sing expression fram the Plans 1. 3 and 4 2nd :he earlier Plan 2.
This massing expression is more eomistent with some individuals' perceptions of the
architectural character of Downtown North.
We would note also note that our re .. riew of Ollr meeting notes and the videotape of the
hearing suggests that several important commenls from ARB members were omWcd from
tbe minutes. First, the minutes do not note that both Mr. Ross anj Ms. Piha comI'Tlented
that, since the Planning Com.rrussion unanjmously approved the, conceptual development
plan for this project, they consider the proposed land use and densiry to be sLlitable and
appropriate for this site. Second, the minutes do Hal make no Ie of Ms. Maser's commeni
that she was impressed by the absente of negative commenb regard£ng lil~ project from
ntigbbors. and representatives of the DO\\"lltO~'I1. North neighborhood.
If you h.ave_ any ques.dons or would like additio!lal inform3.iion fcg<lrding the c(ldo-st'o
matedals, please <:cntact me at 415+496-4496. Tnan~: you for your c1ssi.slan,;c
5Icott Ward
L
Sept=be, t, 1994
Mr. Roben Shubert, AlCP
Co!!tracI Pla:mer
City of Pa.lo Alto
Depart:n<n. of Planning and
Community Environme Dt
250 Hamilton Avenue
l'alo Ai.o, CA 94303
Dear Bob:
'-.....
<\ttachment ~
£..~
(Oi(i]!!'"
fiililiii
CLASSIC
(O'-l~:UNIII,~
As .'r'Oll recr..:lested in our telephone conver&...1.tiofi of August 31), the plJrpO'::.e of thi.s. letter i-s
:0 e\1l1ain wh~' pha5:!:d final m3:p~ are requir~d fUT the redevelopment of the Penin.."iulat
Tirnes Tribune s~te. at 245 Lytton Avenue and 305·337 Emerson Streel. The coru!ruction
period for the offiCt:'_ building l<X"atecl at 245 Lytton y,ill be approximately 12 months, while
the construction period for the hcmes located at 305·33i Emerson y.,iJl be approximatel~ 8
months. 'I1le scheduled compietion date for the office bailding is December 1995. To
achieve thb schedule, construction must Oegin in late 1994-. Jt is antldpated that the
necessary approvals to begin construction of the office building will be in place in this time
frame, while the approvals for the Tes[deilce~ will !lot be In place. umi.l early 1995. A
separate parcel for the offire building must be created to enable constructlon to 'begin in
late 1994.
lfyou have any questions or would like additionaJ information regarding this letter, please
contact me at 415+496-44%. ThanJc you fo, jour .ssi,tance.
Sincerely,
(!J()))JJOvQJ
Scot! Ward
·,
• I.
\
t !
-----~ ........... -~-
July 25 , 19ij4
..... Scott lo',rO
ClAssic Coa.unities
106! E.st ""dow Circi.
Fll0 Alto, CA 94J03
r
JUL 2 6 1~
8€1iJ'r< !o1arb~t RatE (Sr1~,} Agr.ee'!"eMt Fo"'!'Cer Peninsula. Time:5.
lritune prarerty
DE)r ~r. ~Hd:
H1\~ leUE:r st;C"".3riu'> the .agree-;;:rlt r~a~ht:"d b~tweE'n you <lnd Pltlnning
DiYi~i{.r'1 std.ff rlOgHdirLg S3.tisfacl.iofl (.If the provisions. of the C~ty of
Palo Alto Belew Harket Rate (8~R) ProgrJm The require~ent' for a BMR
.:;:~p[;:ri€:nt are cc,ltairied in Prcgra~ ]3 of the City of P.:.1o Alto Housing
Element. His letter r~latE$ to the prcpo5ed 22-Linlt housing project on
a port Ion of the prOp~Tty fornerly cccupi ~ by the Pen;nsul it Time~,
Trjburre.
Tne addre~s of the 22-unit project is currently listed as 245 Lytton
A\lenue and 305·337 [rlWnon Street. In tl1is lette" tn;? Pt'oposed project
is refs~red to ~s the ~22-unit project~ and the proposed four-unit BHR
proje,t it 336 Eerson Street is referred to as '"336 Em-erson Street."
In sitisflction of the required 1~ BMR component, i~U ~jl1 design,
obhln City of Falo Alto appro .... ills, and construct, an apartment building
consistlng of four one--bedrooo units on the parcel at 336 Emerson Street
,~rrently u~ed is a parking lot. The Palo Alto Housing Corporation
(PAHCi will purchase the finished building and land for the sum of
.$lSG,ooo. Funding for-the purchase will come from currently avai 1 able
CIty of Pa)o Alto funds, including but not limited to City Housing
Resf'~e Ful"tds.
Hie following He :sp~cifics to the agree-mef1L
1. The constru(tion of 336 Em€rson Street ~ill requlre a zone change
to Ph""ed Comunity. You will prepare this application and,
through the City's cost r~covery program, pay for the processing
at the plinning ~pplicat'an.
~Ham.ilta'1 A-.e:uz.
P.O.hH1250
PaloAl!o,CA9i.m
'fl5..3<9.14-l1
i15.329.224DPax
•
\
•
,
--_ ........ _. __ ._--
2. The design of the building _ill he dcne in co~cert with City staff
consisting of Ji. Gill n.nd, Cathy Siegel ind • ..lad Phl11 ips, and
with Ptlo .4.1to HoU1il~ (orpoTition st.ff represE'nted by Marlent'!
Prendergast l"d Valerle Glcssfor~.
3. The proposed 336 f~TS.on 'Str!'et bliil~ing shall include th!;
following:
.. Four one-betjrooo lJ:'lits .ith ('olen unit to consist of not l~ss
than 6,5 square feet, nor ~r~ th~n 650 squdre feet;
• A four~car clrp~rt;
* Design, ~ter1ils ,~d 'or,structio~ (~~rable to that Jf the
22· un i t projec t ;
* A de~ign incarp~T~tl~9 a~ ext2ricr stair ~nd porches is
ir.ceptacle;
•
* Co-:-:-:u(1ib' ;J?:> ',..'..ncr i'2a.t"f[~~} !':C-,~f.t.'J _~~;!:s t-:, be ,,(cE"s.:;ihle
fro-(;uts.ice;-
... cask appliaJ'l(b d,) ~rovldtd ;r) He 22-un.it project, but
excluding r~frigerOitors;
.. Wi!.sr-rer/Oryer connection i~ il 'SepHdte r:J':Ii'!1 OH"ceHibh-frcr.:
O!.itslde the individual units.;
... COillpiI;abie .indo.s. ~ard"'ire, do-c'!",:::, inc iightin:.; fi.;.:turr:-s to
the 22,un1t proj~ct;
* Cultured marble 01'" si~t1ir batf',roOll counter tcp~;
• Formica or similar kitche~ COVMter tops;
• Kitchen and batt\roOGl c4.bmetry to be sil!lililr to base suppli~d
1n the 22-unit project;
* MiniillUDI of Fibe~hs :;h~wer with tub in uc~ unit;
• Carpet to be Cabin Craft Eqtializ~r or equivalent;
... Interior colors of ~iint. carpd, fi):;tu~s. etc. to be
coordin~ted with ~alerje Gli~sford ~t Palo Alto Housing
Corporation;
--_._-.",,-.. -
,
f; CCmllOn gas neat1Tlg system in it room acces.s.ible fro;", outsidl2" the
individual units or indi~idu~l gas forced air heating in each
unitj
* If cOf!ll!on gas heating is utilized, a 5ingle rcco!!1 (0r:ibining,
w3sher/dry.ar, water heater and heating r::y b-!' wtll izea.
* Air conditioni~g is not i~tluded; end
• A composition roof 15 acceptable.
4. Approval of the desigr of 335 E~rsor. Street and the zene char,ge
to Planned Co~ur.jty must be obtained prior to i~suance of a~y
required buiiding permits for the 22-unit prQject.
5, You wi1i prepare and submit t~E:' plarls for Buildjr,'~ f!er:cit a~prcn~
for 336 E~erson Stre~t.
6. /l,ll legal ~ reJl estati2, title, tn:ns.fer repo-rts. f~~_" d~d t.nes
shal1 be perfoml2c, pal6 ~rlc pte-pan~ Dj' yC'W 2::. nea;,;~~r)' ~ITi(:I' t·:'
construction of 336 £:,:C'n-:-n Street.
7. Construct1Gn of 336 E~!rsQn Street ~u~t be C0-~~@t~d to t~e
satisfaction of the Chief 8uildi~g Ufficial p(~or to final
inspection or occupancy, whichever j~ first, of 12 of t~~ 22 ~~it~
in the 22-unit project,
8. Planning staff will ~ork with other Oepart~ent§ ~nd Division of
the City to ke2p City permit and fee costs to <l !"·in i !'".Uf':":, but no
specific aS5uran~e~ arf given,
9. PAHC will purchase thE camplet~d 336 Em~rson $tre~t, buildir,g{s.}
and site for S150,ODO payable in full at the tiii,e of ttiil§fer of
title. Transfer of Title to take place as soon as practital ifter
completion of construction of 336 Emerson Street as accepted bj
the Chief Building Off~c1al and acceptance of 336. t.lT!e rs 0'", Street
by th~ Executive Direttor of the Pillo Alto Housing Corporation.
Transfer of Title is estimated to take place approximai~ly 30 days
fc110wing cornpl~ticn of c~n$truction a~ accepted by the (hi~f
Building Official,
10. PAHC wi n pay r~asona.ble-and <custom.ary c1os.iJ\9 costs no\""X',a.l1y
assumed by buyer~ in Santa Clara County.
If for any reasor. this agreement cannot be fulfilled, the rcquir~d Belo'\!{
Market Rate component for the 22-unit project shan revert to the
payment of a 5% fee. At such timf each unit is so1d. whether
ln~ividual1y or as a group, an in~lieu fee equal to S~ of the gross
sales value of each ur;lt will be due and payable to He Cit), of Palo
Alto. The fee is due and payable at the tim~ of the clo5e of escro~ en
~ each unit[s) and will be based on the sales orice of ~a(ll unit ~t that
time.
A \199oi\L TII~f'r.
'~ ..
:.. ....
The terms of this letter ~f agreement shall be incorporated into the
Subdivision Agreement for the 22~unit project, which must be completed
a~ sign~d priGT to the final map for the project being considered by
the City Council.
Thank y~u for your coop~ratjon during the planning process on this
project.
Please sign this letter .mere shown below and return to me, indicating
that we have reached agre~']ent regarding your Bl'1R contribution.
Sinc.erely,
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Planning and
COrT1T1unity Envircnii1€nt
I agree to pto\ltde ~ Bf!low Hark€t rat!]' cG1iponr.-nt to the proje-ct at 245
Lytton Avenue and 305-337 Emerson street (former Peninsula Times Trlb'.!ile
site] as described in this letter dated July 25. j994.~
8·;'i L/ Oate --~---
cc; Marlene Prendergast, Palo Alto ~ousin9 Corporation
Kore-en Kelhher. Senior Assistant City Attorney
fred Herman, Chief Building Official
Jim Gilliland, Manager Planning Projects
Bob Schubert, CDntract Planner
Cathy Siegel, Senior Phnner
\.
*Suhject to approval by the City of the proposed Planned
Comtr.unity (PC) Dist-L"ict and the tentative subdivision map
for: 245 Lytton Avenue and 3()5-337 EmeI'son Street and subject
tosecul.".ing financing necessary to proceed with the development
at 2~5 Lytton Avenue dnd 305-337 Emerson Street"
f.:\I'NJ\lTB.t-f<FTT
•
Augusl 1, 1994
Mr. Kenneth R Schreiber
Direaor of Planning and
Community Environment
Clrf of Palo Alto
250 HamiltOD Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Dear Mr. Schreiber:
CLASSIC
EndlJ~rj is &.n execu'.ed kl{CI agreement regarding the B~lo\v Market Rale program for the
proposed 2..;5 L)1tl.ln/305·337 Emerson Street project. Pur:)u~ni. to a telephone' conference
w::L:i)' v.ith Jim Clillilan, cur acc~pt~U1ce l)f thi:; letter 3grecm.::nt is condilJanea upon
O:IppnT •• 'i of the propo~!d project. If you have any questions or would like additional
lnfommuon regarding thi! encios.r:d material, please cflntact me at 415-1496-4--496. Thank
you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
flil'I')i In {/. ~Vc! Vv l.V\eJ
Scott Ward
•
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Th. Ronor&hlo Xat:.hry'n 6ch:aldt. ['...h.4.i r
P_lo Alto Planninq co..1~.ion
City of P.lo Alto
p~ o. SOx lCiaSD
Palo Alto~ CA 9404J
Dear rru.. sc.haid t :
On buh2l1f or the Santa cla:tl!!l County lUnutaetm:!ng:
Group, r aa vrit1nq tCl you in ~upport ot the
propoa.ed c~!!:!lsic: cOJ:3\.lnitie$ hou._1./1<J project on the
CO!"£'e.r Penim:ula 'r~~.;S. 'I--r i b'J.n4t Bit~:
By "'Oi'J' at refe~~nc&, th.s-JlfAnufactu'tlng GL"O~P is ~,
p:J:bJ ic ~vi fer' trad.e as..ocii.tior ..... hi~h ..... as ['J[,I:'.ed. 16
'ie~rl'f ago b J.' D-av 1d ,P.:.ckard of P.e.vlett·-Poc.\'ottrd, It
nov _roe;n.eso<!~ts 11':> of tn. largt! .. t e:"qlloyelCs .ih
Sf 1..ic?:"l ~~',~lley .. · .. hi ch c~'l.loct_ (l,I"p]~. m::ploy 225 1 0CO
lire-a rEfdd.!t;ltt·:, ct· ~e!trjy c.r.,.-t.."hird r.:! the COUilty
.... :::g-kforc •.
The .M05m.1_hctur1nq Gro·.Jp aupport.s 'O'JM hcu.sing
~ropcs81~ 5U~~ as the one planned by Cla5sic
("OiQ.l.mities. Noc!!Iuse re.lativl!;Il~· <1'I.f!ordAbl..,
appropri.t~ly located housing is a botto~-ltne
.eoTl~ic COlipet ~ ttv.ne$" i."ue tor silicon Vftl1ey
~pl¢ye('$ An.d their eJl!ployees.
After • careful reviev or the pJann~ .i.~-U8~
devolopl!tU\t at H,5 LyttDr. Avenue, the Ka.nutacturing"
Group haG ~"d~r .. d the propo541 for a nuaber of
r .... "ns:
1~ Xixed-ue61 this project Rrovides A ~oabination
or both cOJQterc:ial .. pac. and. hOlIeS, .hich help.
t~ cut down on the need tor auloaobile usage .
2. ~T.nsport.t1on: The proj.ct 1. ft~jacent to A
prillUlr-y bus rOllte .nd lo'itl'lin two block. of
("'...!alT"roin. furth~~Dr~, it .,ill prod'lce less
.u~omobile tra!ric th.n the forzer u~e.
J. Exiatinq Meig'hl;;orhood;: Ttl.115 Gi~l" fuily
detached ijrQject is consistent with the existing
._---.,.
Scha1dt
GUardino
June .21, 1994
Pa<Je z .
.netqhborbood or ai..nql. taaily and aulti ... t .. l1y r.ald.n:c...
4. MfordebiHtyr By oli!lhtly ~t"'J tJ>e <Ienoity of th ...
• irtgle f"uUly 'h~ C ... 11 unit., ... 11. lot.) j t.b-. unit_ -
though Mrket nta --It". 'SCore attcrda.bl. to ltarkltt9 ~ •• 11!.1iI.
s~ Below Keu"j(et !tate: CCHulistf!!l"Jt ~ith the City of !-'-I.lo Alto'. Bf'm
prognlJII, ... unita, on .!.f1 a.1j n1nin-il ~rty, ~ill be avai l&bl ..
t.h...--ou.qt, the Palo Alto .8ouetnq COrpor-llt.tC;"l.
PC:f' the •• r.aliC11l5, til. K4.nttra<;tu..r lng Grcmp i'it-rnnqly ltJ'\.dor ... _ tbis
.!~.d-u~~ h~uainq pr~.41j ar,u urg .. ~~ft Planning co~iA~lon to
~pprQv!: U~e: ~eq\I....-t for thl ne·Gl!eF>:.ar~' %o'('·e chartqll .a:J'lC IPJoolviai':!1":
""'p.
Tt~ you tor your ti .. and \ntere~t.
C.az-l Gu.ardino
Vic. Pl"eci4ant
ee: Palo .Alto Pl.UUl1~ c~ •• ion
.... "
•
1IOUSING
AcnDN
COAL1770N
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n. IiOeonbl. bthryn kbIIJ.dt, Qlaix
hlo Alto l'latvUnt eo-J....i.erJ
Clty of ta~ <~
P. O. :kd: lCUIO
Palo lUt.e, CJl .'GU
•
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On "",aU of ttl. a.&nt. .. Cl&r~ cou."tt::r lRoual09 Act.1..~ COLlH1OG, ! ..
'Wr1'tl~ t-o ~&G'O rou &r.d tbfi PIU1t'1ltl9 COI:nt ... J.¢I"I to '''Pf'Ort tbll
Cl& •• 1c co.Dunit1 •• ' bOUli~ p~OPO"l tor tn. (O~ ~LD.~l~ ~~
Tribu~ lilt •.
ay w:lI? ot i.r,trod'llct.l.cr., t .... E~'J.r\g t..I;-tJ,.on Co.t.at.101l Lif -:~i....:l of
• bread r"MV8 of' ,:,rq.srol.J:l'ti.c.nB '01100 n... .. ", ..... ~r. q?1<1. t~
"LlJion of ,~ell1i.tivgl)' attortiUl., _ll-con.-tt"l.!r;T.M .. J\d fl:ppn:-priAt"_"ly
located hou.iny fQ~ 511i~ V.l~sy r •• ldmrrt~.
The CO&Ht:l~1'. {:anlirtl of «inr .. ,1n.rU.J.6<.ae.ls &.nd orTjlanh.tio:!".w .f~
tl~~nout the COunty, ~~ •• ~he sl.r~. Cl~J ~Qll~y .ad
CCIonat.nctoiol'l. 'h'a4M ~.Il'1oi..l, 9~lt .tll1 .. ane., ~ll..:UttIjl I:!ld'll.t.r:y
.... lfOCi.tiOl'\, .utordebl. 1k:Iu8ittg Jee-t.orlt, ....."t,a ... ::1U& COI.urty
Mtuw.hI~ut'1"9" UroI.Ip '-lid t:M I .. ,. Ara& ~ccu..
T'* eo.Utiml. UIIiI t.bc:~OI.J<lhly rn'l..oowM. t~ p.tVpCHl by Ca .. Le
~~lti.' to 'buUd s a.ua.d-u .. (~r;!:'1.L anA ~1n9, JX'OjllCt .s.t
t:.M p.-nicbl.e !~ hJ..bu,.... Ut.e on LyttO'l'l ~~ ..... Nl~ u.
-..ph&811 CCI .1I~. .1 't. callp*tibU 1. t., .. .ttl! t..h4o .. ht.il\9"
_i.9IIbCr:bcod~ it.a pro.l.aity to-aa.1 tt'&Ml.t iLM ita ~r .. t •
.Loe~. Ln decalty ..u it. .. !.rifOrtbWilU. p1'O:I~ wl'!.iC~ 1M
,.nthv.1ut:.!c.ll T ~pport.
It. 18 OI.lr bape tbft yvc. &ad your c:oll-..qo .. lOti tM ~iD.ioa wUl
~.I1t. C:l ... l.C' eo...anLt.iaoII' '8IQ'U •• t r:~ Ul.8 &OM C"~ &ad.
auWivbJ.on ... p. '!"beInk ~ tar c!Xtli-.r inq our .. 1 .......
ee~ '1~ni6q Oommi •• ionar:~
JI.6tl GOt!...-.i.bt:r. Pl-&ftft..lDoljl D.i.rIoctOl"
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•
Fro I 9:;:""9?':.;;J F-' .OZ'
Att&chment ___ ~
i
I
BUSINESS SERVICES
(415)329·37oe
FAX (415)329·3a03
PALb ALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
211 Chl"c:f11U Av.nue ".10 Alto, California 94306
i August 12, ,994 , ,
Mr. K~ F.. $¢hreil>t>r Oired~~TPlanning and Community Environment
C i!y of Palo IAHo '
P.O. Sex 19250
Palo Mo, a,A 94303 ,
SubjEtCt: i 4290 EI Cam'l1o Project ~ TImes Tribune Pi"oject
SI.r.lord West Proje8t
Daar Mi. S¢hr~\oor:
Thank you ~r the opportunity to commenl on the Ihr&e proposed real estate
deVeIOp.-n,t pro,~ thai may .1gnilicantly affect the Palo A~o Unified Sell 001
DIstJicI, .
The DrslrictJs COflcems and nescJs ale In three specnic areas:
I •
" Tho Impact on school lacilrties including classrooms and support se~.
I
2. The Ir.1i'<jOf on on-going operations because Palo AHe Un Hied $¢hool District
Is in en lrI'Fual cla""ification regarding annual funding,
S. The ~. ""nit/ for students 10 sa1erY commute from hom& to ""hool wtth
mirl,mal u of school buses, ,
Attached Is, SUrMlary of the Issu &6 and CQncems that the District ra",.s about
It\a pro:l' projects. I would be de lighted 10 discuss our needs at any time
aM 10 we, closely with the developers 10 insure that the project plans assist
the Distrtcl n me<lting the needs of students.
Please CQ act me at your conven ience regarding these or other projects that
may be p~ in the ilJture. .
~~~
Waller Fre.iman
eU~lness ~anager
i
.i
~ .. '.'.-.... '
,,-~
, "'."'
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I
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TD
I
II' PALO ALTO UNIFlED SCHOOL DISTRICT
I ISSUES AND CONCERNS
PFlQPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVEL.OPMENT PROJECTS
,
1. Fac!\ltla&: Because me Di$trict's schools in every area 01 the City are at or
near en$,' capacity, any residentiai development thal yields school age
chiid",., is to have a" adverse impaCi on the Districts ability to house
students, F 'r~ lor adeq\.la!8 expansion of the District'$ classroom and
....mc;a I &$ a COfIdi~OI\ 0 , ~
/$ ditlcn 0 6'0"'" a relatively small num r or students coule!
I1IqUim me 8ddrJo<1 of eiu8tooms and support .ervice space at the affected
elementary; middle, and high sdlools,
,
Insofar as I Can .""eMin, 111<1 project de'lelopers have oot ye\ projected the
yield of schOol age srude"lS lrom th$ proposed projects, A~r.ough the District's
yiE:ld from res.ldentia! deve!O?fTlent tands to be Jower, on average, man in some
othei ~ d~r:cts, many diSlricts experi€nce enroil!'ni:mt grc,'/th 010.5 Oi
mere stude1"lts par ho~JSirl9 unrt of ttle proposed type. Developers must wor"K
doset,. ¥'rrt:h:the O:$:r>:t to project datai~d studcrtt yields, 'I','hich will vary
depe::'ldmQ ¢r. t~e markel prlc.e or rentaJ varwe and lh~ location of the units,
and a~&l> of the potenlial students are of importance, Growth of
<:U,,,,",,,ts between the agas of 5 and 10 (elementary age), for
re bringing MOm .. lu!1 elementa,)' scI1coi on lin~ beCause
sufficient ~ity 10 accommodate tnal numbe, ot students on
eldisling]sites, A new elementary school OOS!s several million ®!i.",
l ~~:.~I~~C~:;~~' and accommc:iatfoi'lS, A somewhat lesser a..-nount n to remodel and reopen one ot the e><istlng surplus
~~O~~i~~~~~~iIWl~'*OIlme~~n~.t~g~ror~wt~,lt1e developers 4houki be ~~at the Dislrict can acquire classroom
spec~ications,
1 '-
\
receive
formula
optIl1ItlOntI: Funding lor addnional teachers, instJ\Jctional aides,
Instructional supplieos, and classroom eqUipment shoutd be
, condIIion of project approval, because the Distric1 cIoe& nol
funding tor enrollment growth under the State sehoo! finance
Sc:hco< District is one 01 about 40 school districts that do not
a per student besis, Inst&ad, the District depends on local
ions that may not neeessalily increase at the same rate as
, The mandatory Slate contribution to PAUSD i. the
co'1S1ii~II'O"&IIY required minimum of jus.t $120 per student per year. If the
District not ~n it-lis unique financi!1g da;s.ifk;ation, each additional student
would inc~e the District's oper.lliog revenue by about $4,000 per year,
Opej"ationa~, this means that enroHment grow1h in the Dfstricl may ditute the
pool of av"llable resources fOI day-to-day operations, Enrollmsnt gro .... 1h
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