The following list outlines recent actions and the current status of planning and transportation projects and issues that may be of interest to boards and commissions, staff and the community:
City Council
• California Avenue Trees and Streetscape Improvements: On October 5, 2009, the City Council considered a report from the City Manager regarding the process for replacing the trees recently removed along California Avenue and the schedule for reviewing other streetscape improvements (street furniture, bike racks, newsracks, etc.) and restriping the road to two lanes (rather than the existing four) with enhanced crosswalks. The project is an outgrowth of two years of discussion with the California Avenue Development Association (CAADA), comprised of many of the local merchants. The schedule included public outreach meetings regarding the trees on October 8 and 22, and public review by the Architectural Review Board on October 15 and the Planning and Transportation Commission on October 28. The Council is scheduled to make a determination regarding the trees on November 16. Other streetscape improvements will be considered over the winter for implementation in the spring or summer of 2010.
• Green Building Update and Amendments: On October 19, 2009, the Council considered a report about the first year of implementation of the City’s green building program, and approved several minor amendments to green building requirements. Implementation of the amendments will be timed to coincide with the updated State energy code effective date, which is likely to be January 1, 2010. The updated requirements can be found on the City’s website at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=17394.
• 801 Alma Street Affordable Housing Project: On November 9, 2009, the City Council will consider certification of an Environmental Impact Report and approval of Architectural Review for a proposed 50-unit family affordable housing project at this site. The prior proposal for a mixed use project, including the Palo Alto Hardware site, was withdrawn. On September 24, 2009, the ARB recommended approval of the project.
• Oregon Expressway Improvements Project: On November 9, 2009, the Council will consider the Planning and Transportation Commission’s recommendations (August 26, 2009) relative to Santa Clara County’s plans to modify portions of Oregon Expressway to provide for safety and capacity improvements. The Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department has approximately $2.8 million in federal grant funding to implement the improvements on Oregon Expressway identified in the Comprehensive County Expressway Planning Study. The Commission recommended new left turn lanes on Middlefield Road and 8-phase signal operation, without road widening for the intersection of Middlefield Road and Oregon Expressway. The Commission endorsed the staff-recommended improvements at eight other intersections, including signalization of the Ross/Oregon intersection to provide protected crossing of the expressway for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Council’s determinations will be forwarded to the County. Information on the project, including the traffic study and the latest plans, is available at: www.oregonexpressway.info.
• Zoning Amendments to Enhance Retail Protection Requirements: On November 9, 2009, the Council will consider zoning ordinance amendments to enhance protection of retail uses in commercial districts, particularly downtown. The intent of the review is to assure that retail uses are retained and viability enhanced during this economic downturn and beyond. The revisions include strengthening and extending the “Ground Floor Retail” requirements downtown, reducing the extent of retail requirements at the perimeter of commercial areas, and modifications to the zoning map to extend or lessen the Ground Floor (GF) restrictions for specific properties. The Planning and Transportation Commission recommended approval of the ordinance on September 23, 2009. A map of the subject area is included in the Council report (CMR 420:09), which should be available on the City’s website (Council agendas/minutes) by the end of the day on Thursday, November 5.
• Development Center and Review Process: On December 7, 2009, the Council will review a report outlining an approach by staff to evaluate and implement improvements to the development review process and potential reorganization of the Development Center to more effectively act as a meaningful point of contact for development applications, review and information.
• Stanford University Medical Center Study Session: On December 7, 2009, the Council will conduct a study session to receive an update on the status of review for the Stanford University Medical Center expansion project. The review would include a summary of key topics and mitigation measures to be outlined in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and the status of discussions of Development Agreement terms. The Draft EIR is expected to be released in January of 2010.
Planning and Transportation Commission
• Comprehensive Plan Vision: The Commission reviewed the overall themes and vision of the Comprehensive Plan and their interrelationship with the individual chapter vision statements on October 21, 2009. The Commission also discussed the vision and major issues related to the Housing Element on October 21. The Commission’s chapter-by-chapter review of the policies and programs for each element of the Comprehensive Plan will occur over the next several months. The Commission began its review of the Land Use and Community Design Element on October 28, 2009 and will resume that discussion on December 2, 2009. New policy direction for all of the elements will be deferred, however, until after a joint Commission/Council study session in early 2010, after the new Council is seated. This session will allow both groups to provide “big picture” input to the scope and intensity of development in the City, as well as the necessary services to support that development.
• Commission Annual Report to Council: On September 9, 2009, the Commission provided direction regarding its second annual report to Council, outlining activities of the Commission for the past year and discussing the format for presentation to the City Council. The Commission further discussed the report on October 21, 2009, and will finalize the report on November 4, 2009. The Council/Commission study session was scheduled for November 16, 2009, but has now been rescheduled until early 2010.
• 2180 El Camino Real (College Terrace Center): On October 14, 2009, the Commission recommended a proposed Planned Community (PC) zoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment to develop a 61,960 square foot mixed use project, including 8,000 square feet of grocery space (intended for JJ&F Market), 5,580 square feet of other ground floor retail, 8 affordable one-bedroom residential units, 39,980 square feet of office or other commercial use, and two levels of below grade parking and surface parking providing 227 parking spaces, in the Neighborhood Commercial (CN) zoning district. The Council initiated the project on July 13, 2009 with direction not to exceed the maximum floor area proposed, a maximum of 8 below-market rate units, and provision of a lease (or other legally binding document) for JJ&F or an equivalent grocery store. The Commission’s recommendation included 13 conditions, including reduction of the office square footage by approximately 1,950 square feet. The Architectural Review Board (ARB) is scheduled to review the project on November 5, 2009. Subsequent to ARB review, the application and environmental review would return to the City Council for final action.
• California Avenue Trees and Streetscape Improvements: On October 28, 2009, the Commission provided input regarding Phase 1 of the California Avenue streetscape improvements, which include the tree replacement plan for California Avenue (see further discussion above under City Council items). Most of the Commissioners recommended that the tree replantings should be delayed until Phase 2 of the program, which includes streetscape improvements and possible restriping, is fully developed.
• Capital Improvements Program (CIP): On November 4, 2009, the Commission will consider and provide early input to the development of the coming year’s CIP program. The Commission review is intended to ensure that the program is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Subsequent to further development of the CIP program in the coming months, the Commission will review the draft CIP for recommendation to the Finance Committee of the Council in April of 2010.
• Tentative Subdivision Map for 4309 and 4329 El Camino Real (Palo Alto Bowl site): On November 18, 2009, the Commission will consider the tentative subdivision map for the site, to be developed with a hotel and 26 residences. The map primarily sets forth the ownership pattern of the site, including the hotel site and condominium ownership for the residential units. Other areas (streets, driveways, park, open space, etc.) are generally designated as common areas. The Commission previously recommended approval of the Site and Design Review for the site on June 10, 2009. Subsequent to action on the map, the Site and Design Review and Tentative Map will be forwarded to the City Council for action.
• 1700 Embarcadero Road (Ming’s): On November 18, 2009, the Commission will consider a rezoning request to designate the site Service Commercial with a Site and Design combining district (CS-D) to accommodate a 143-room hotel at the corner of Embarcadero Road and East Bayshore Road. The Commission will consider the application for Site and Design Review and a Variance to allow a 20 foot greater setback along Embarcadero Road than the 10 foot setback prescribed in the CS zone. Subsequent to the Commission’s recommendation, the City Council will consider the rezoning. The Architectural Review Board will also review the Site and Design Review request.
Transportation Projects
• California High Speed Rail: On November 4, 2008, the voters of California approved initial bond funding for the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) detailed environmental studies and plans for the construction of high speed rail from Los Angeles to San Francisco, via San Jose and the Caltrain corridor. Council discussed this project on March 2nd and March 30th and approved a “scoping” comments letter to forward to CHSRA and a Memorandum of Understanding to join the Peninsula Cities Consortium (PCC). A City Council subcommittee has been appointed and on May 11th the Council outlined the role of the subcommittee in outreach efforts and coordination with the State and other agencies. The City has established a web page to keep the community informed about the project at: www.cityofpaloalto.org/cahsr. The CHSRA’s Draft Scoping Report for the EIR was released on June 29, 2009 and is available at: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/library/default.aspx. Staff provided an update report to Council on July 27th, which is available at: http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=16516. On August 26, a State court found deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) outlining the programmatic components of the Northern California segment of the rail project. The effects of the court’s decision remain uncertain at this time. A copy of the decision is available at: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/media/reports/1251332011.pdf. The PCC sponsored a day-long “teach in” on September 12, 2009 at Cubberley Community Center that was attended by over 300 participants. A 2-day Urban Design and Planning Workshop was held on October 3-4, 2009 at the Palo Alto Sheraton Hotel. Further information about the design workshop is available at www.cityofpaloalto.org/cahsr.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan: In March, 2009 staff applied for Transportation Development Act (TDA) grant funding to update the current Bicycle Transportation Plan. The Plan would be updated into a Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan. In April 2009, the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC) unanimously passed a motion to support the update of the Bicycle Plan as well as other projects included in the TDA Grant Funding application. On July 27, 2009, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved a grant of $55,000 for this project as well as grants for the Park Blvd. Bicycle Boulevard ($60,000), bike rack installations ($50,000), enhanced crosswalks ($51,300), and bicycle route directional signage ($40,000). Staff will initiate the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan project in 2010.
• College Terrace Traffic Calming: On July 22, 2009, the Planning and Transportation Commission accepted a further trial period for a proposed traffic calming program for the College Terrace neighborhood. The changes are being implemented with the street resurfacing project currently underway in College Terrace. Subsequent to the additional 6-month trial period, the Commission will again review the program for recommendation to Council.
• College Terrace Residential Permit Parking Program (RPPP): On September 21, 2009, the Council approved an ordinance implementing a Residential Permit Parking Program (RPPP) for the College Terrace area. The Council asked that additional flexibility be provided for sign-ups and that the program be initiated as soon as possible. It appears now that nearly all of the neighborhood will participate. Implementation (signage and issuance of permits) of the program is expected to occur by mid-November, with a report back to the Council in February. During that period, staff will monitor parking in the neighborhood and work with a neighborhood committee to assess the effectiveness of the program. If determined to be necessary, the program may then be modified to further restrict re-parking throughout College Terrace or in specific subareas of the neighborhood.
• Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project Phase 2: On July 27, 2009, the City Council approved recommended trial improvements to striping and traffic control facilities along Arastradero Road from El Camino Real to Gunn High School. This is Phase 2 of the Charleston/Arastradero Road Corridor Project. The Charleston Road segment was part of a two-year trial prior to approval of permanent improvements. In November 2008, traffic adaptive signal timing was implemented along the entire Charleston/Arastradero Corridor, and the system is now being monitored and refined. The staff and stakeholders group will continue to meet to finalize the design and the Arastradero Road improvements are scheduled to be installed in 2010.
• Highway 101 Auxiliary Lanes: Proposition 1B passed by the voters in 2006 included funding for the installation of auxiliary lanes on Highway 101 in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. The Santa Clara County project will extend from Embarcadero Road to Highway 85. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved the project on July 29, 2009. Design of the project has begun and construction should occur in 2011.
• Highway 101 Ramp Metering: The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in conjunction with Caltrans, is scheduled to activate ramp metering on the southbound ramps of Highway 101 on November 9, 2009 from Embarcadero Road to De La Cruz Blvd. in San Jose. The ramps to be metered in Palo Alto include the Oregon Expressway and Embarcadero Road southbound on-ramps for the evening commute from 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday only. An information report in the Council’s October 26th packet provides background information on the ramp metering and a detailed analysis of the metering process and monitoring program. The report is available at: (http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=17442). That report also includes a letter from Caltrans submitted to the City in which Caltrans commits to working with the City to address any problems that may arise after the metering is activated.
Other Projects/Issues
• Comprehensive Plan Speaker Series: On November 10, 2009, the City will sponsor its initial presentation in a speaker series related to the Comprehensive Plan update. The session is titled “Implementing SB 375: What Local Governments Need to Know” and will focus on the role local governments will play in helping the state implement new laws regarding climate change. The presentation will be held in the Council Chambers between 4 and 6 p.m. and is open to the public as well as elected and appointed officials. The second forum is expected to be scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2009, and will likely look at recent state and national planning trends.
• 2640 Birch Street PTOD Rezoning: On July 6, 2009, the City Council deferred consideration of a request to rezone this site (2640/2650 Birch, 305 Grant Avenue, 306/320 Sheridan) to the Pedestrian and Transit Oriented Development (PTOD) Combining District, to allow for a mixed use building with 10,247 square feet of ground floor office and two floors of residential (8 units) above, with a below grade garage. On April 15, 2009, the Commission recommended Council approval of the rezoning with additional conditions that the building management provides EcoPasses (transit passes) for residents and workers, and that driveway access is relocated from Grant Street to either Birch or Sheridan. The project will be rescheduled for a future Council date.
• Stanford University Medical Center: The City continues to prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Stanford University Medical Center. Staff expects that the DEIR will be finalized and released for public review in January 2010, and that the fiscal analysis will be available at the same time. Development Agreement negotiations are underway and staff will present an update to the Council on December 7, 2009.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: On October 21, 2009, staff discussed with the Commission the overall themes and vision of the Comprehensive Plan and reviewed the Housing Element vision and major policy components as an initial introduction to a comprehensive review of the element. Over the next six months, the Commission will devote several meetings to review of the Housing Element. The Commission began reviewing goals, policies and programs of the individual chapters of the Comprehensive Plan on October 28, 2009 with the Land Use and Community Design chapter. The Commission will continue review of that chapter on December 2, 2009. Information regarding the Comprehensive Plan update is posted on the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Project Website. The website can be accessed at: www.paloaltocompplan2020.org/. Community members may sign up on the website to receive notice of new information or upcoming meetings regarding the Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
• East Meadow Circle and California Avenue Study Area Workshops: A third and final meeting for the East Meadow Circle/San Antonio area was held in the neighborhood on September 16, 2009 to discuss with the community a preferred overall land use development scenario for the area. There was general public support expressed at the meeting for the concepts identified in the preferred alternative. This alternative will be forwarded to the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council in early 2010. Potential land use scenarios for the California Avenue area will be developed at a third workshop to be held in early 2010. More information on the workshops can be found at www.paloaltocompplan2020.org/.
• Edgewood Plaza: No revised submittal has yet been received. The applicant has indicated, however, that a settlement was reached in litigation with the nearby property owners to allow the project to be revised and resubmitted for review. It is understood that the revised project will include 10 residential units and that the Eichler-designed commercial buildings will be retained (though one will be relocated on site) for retail use.
• 310 University Construction: Construction at the former Walgreen’s site continues and is expected to be completed in late 2009. The project includes ground floor retail (Walgreen’s is expected to return) and office uses on the second and third levels.
• Trader Joe’s Construction: Construction of the new Trader Joe’s at Town and Country Village Shopping Center remains ongoing, and staff anticipates completion of the building by late November 2009. A traffic signal is being installed at the entrance at Embarcadero Road in conjunction with the project, with completion in advance of the project opening. Some delays on Embarcadero are likely during that period due to the signal installation work.
• Architectural Review Board (ARB): The following key projects were recently reviewed by the ARB or are scheduled for upcoming meetings:
a) Appointments of Board Members – On October 26, 2009, the City Council reappointed Board members Judith Wasserman and Alex Lew to new terms and appointed architect Heather Young to the seat vacated by outgoing member David Solnick.
b) 265 Lytton Avenue – On September 24, 2009, the ARB recommended approval of the design for a 3-story, 38,000 square foot mixed use building including ground floor retail (5,197 square feet), office, and residential (4 units) uses on the block between Bryant Street and Ramona Street in the CD-C zone. One level of below-grade parking is planned, and the historic portion of the “Tinney Building” is to be incorporated into the design. On June 17, 2009, the Historic Resources Board (HRB) reviewed project plans and found that the project is in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. An approval with final conditions was issued on October 13, 2009.
c) 4301-4329 El Camino Real (Palo Alto Bowl): On October 1, 2009, the ARB conducted its second review of a Site and Design Review for the construction of a 4-story, 167-unit hotel and 26 3-story detached and duplex-type townhomes on a 3.62 acre site located at 4301 and 4329 El Camino Real. The ARB continued the review to the meeting of November 5, 2009. The Planning and Transportation Commission recommended approval of the project on June 10, 2009, and will review the Tentative Map application on November 18, 2008. The Commission and ARB recommendations on the Site and Design Review application, and the Commission’s recommendation on the Tentative Map will then be forwarded to the City Council for final action on both applications, tentatively scheduled for Council review and action on December 14, 2009.
d) 2180 El Camino Real (College Terrace Center): On November 5, 2009, the ARB will consider a proposed Planned Community (PC) zoning and Comprehensive Plan amendment to develop a 61,960 square foot mixed use project, including 8,000 square feet of grocery space (intended for JJ&F Market), 5,580 square feet of other ground floor retail, 8 affordable one-bedroom residential units, 39,980 square feet of office use, and two levels of below grade parking and surface parking providing 227 parking spaces, in the Neighborhood Commercial (CN) zoning district. The Council initiated the project on July 13, 2009 with direction not to exceed the maximum floor area proposed, a maximum of 8 below-market rate units, and provision of a lease (or other legally binding document) for JJ&F or an equivalent grocery store. The Planning and Transportation Commission considered and recommended approval of the project and the environmental review on October 14, 2009, with 13 conditions, and requested that the revised project reviewed by the ARB return to them on its Consent calendar. The application and environmental review are tentatively scheduled for a hearing on December 7, 2009 before the City Council for final action.
e) California Avenue Trees and Streetscape Improvements: On October 15, 2009, the ARB considered the tree removal/replacement and streetscape improvements for California Avenue (see further discussion above under City Council items) and continued the item to November 5, 2009 for further review.
f) 385 Sherman Ave.: On November 19, 2009, the ARB will consider demolition of an existing one story office building in the CC(2) Zone and replacement with a four story mixed use building containing 55,556 square feet, along with requests for Protected Tree Removals, street tree replacements, and a Design Enhancement Exception to allow a setback encroachment on Sherman. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is proposed and the public review period of the Initial Study/MND began October 19, 2009 and ends November 19, 2009.
g) 195 Page Mill Road (Hohbach): On December 3, 2009, the ARB will consider a Major Architectural Review for this mixed use project. The Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the resubmitted mixed use project were published April 24, 2009 and the public review and comment period on the document ended on May 25, 2009. A revised MND has been re-circulated for public review and comment beginning November 2, 2009 and ending December 1, 2009. The project includes 84 apartments and approximately 50,000 square feet of research and development space.
h) The ARB has considered projects for the 2010 ARB Design Awards and is anticipated to discuss finalists in early 2010 so that displays of the award winning projects can be displayed in City Hall’s lobby during Architecture Week in April.
Staff Notes
• Staff Retirements: The Department is sorry to announce that Cathy Siegel, Advance Planning Manager, will be retiring at the end of the year. Cathy has played a crucial role in implementing the City’s housing programs for the past 17 years, and helped establish the City of Palo Alto as a leader in inclusionary (affordable) housing. Staff also regrets to announce that Greg Fraga, Plan Check Engineer, is retiring at the end of 2009, after more than 12 years with the City. His experience in the Building Division will be greatly missed.
• Staff Recruitments: Recruitments are underway for Transportation Planning Manager (Planning and Transportation Division), Building Inspector Specialist (Building Division) Building/Planning Technician (Building Division), and Administrative Associate (Building Division). A Planner (Green Building) position remains vacant and recruitment efforts will soon be underway.
• Planner Weddings: Steven Turner, Senior Planner, was recently wed and is currently honeymooning in some exotic location. Kristin Heinen, who coordinates the Green Building program, was married in September and has changed her name to Kristin Parineh. Steven Turner remains Steven Turner.
• Building Official Green Energy Presentation: On October 9, 2009, Larry Perlin, the City’s Chief Building Official, conducted a Green Building training class in San Ramon for the Northern California CALBO (building officials’ professional organization). The class included development of a green building ordinance (including a case study of Palo Alto’s ordinance) and an overview of the new California Green Building Code and what it means for local green building programs. Larry was asked to teach this class because of his participation on the CALBO Green Building Committee and because of the widespread interest in Palo Alto’s ordinance. Larry has been asked to teach the class again at the Southern California CALBO Education Week meetings in Ontario on November 20, 2009.
