City Manager Weekly Update - March 3, 2017
2017 City Council Priorities
The City Council approved their 2017 Strategic Priorities at their meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive particular, unusual and significant attention during the year. The topics the Council will focus on in 2017 include the Downtown, Loyola Corners, Hillview Community Center, 10-year Capital Facilities Plan, Housing/Land Use, Traffic Safety and Community Engagement. You can learn more details about the Council’s ideas about each of these priority topics here.
City Clerk
Public Arts Master Plan
The City has engaged the services of Designing Local to assist in the development of a Public Arts Master Plan. The goal of the Plan is to provide guidance for the City’s Public Art Program, to identify resources for the support of public art throughout Los Altos, and to set priorities for public art within the City. The consultant spent this past week in Los Altos meeting with key stakeholders and touring the City’s public art pieces, facilities, parks and commercial areas. A series of community workshops and outreach events will be conducted in May. As well, an online survey will be posted in the coming weeks to gather additional feedback.
City Council Open Office Hours (New March Date)
The Los Altos City Council will host Open Office Hours on the following dates and times:
Monday, March 6, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Saturday, April 8, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Room 2
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Thursday, April 20, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Room 3
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
One City Council member will be available to the public for these two-hour periods to answer questions, receive input and discuss topics of interest with community members. All are welcome.
Community Development
Larkellen Overlay
At the February 28, 2017 City Council meeting, Council approved the Larkellen single-story overlay zoning district boundary. In this initial step, the City Council determined that the proposed boundary was appropriate in accordance with the City’s adopted guidelines. The single-story boundary is clearly defined as a uniform district of 47 properties on Larkellen Lane, on the west side of Ravenswood Drive between Fallen Leaf Lane and Havenhurst Drive, on the north side of Havenhurst Drive between Ravenswood Drive and Fallen Leaf Lane, and on Fallen Leaf Lane between Havenhurst Drive and Ravenswood Drive. Staff will initiate an election by mail of all property owners within the approved boundary. The election will take approximately four weeks. If at least two-thirds of participating property owners support the proposed R1-S district, the Zoning Map Amendment will be reviewed by the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council.
Updated Public Notification
Community Development is in the process of adopting a new format for all mailed notices. Moving forward, all public meeting notices will go out on large yellow postcards with an updated appearance to clearly identify it as correspondence from the City. Public meeting notices in letter format and on smaller white postcards will be phased out. The goal is to increase public awareness when new projects are being reviewed and reduce instances where public meeting notices are mistaken as junk mail.
Commission Holds Study Session on Three Unit Condominium Project
The Planning and Transportation Commission held a study session on a proposed three-unit, two-story condominium project at 517 Tyndall Street at its meeting last night. The designer for the project provided an overview of the site planning and design considerations that went into the development of the proposal. The Commissioners provided feedback on the design and there was general agreement that the project needed to be revised so a more cohesive design could be achieved. There was concern that the exterior components of the building such as the roofing, siding and window placement did not relate well to each other. The next stage for the applicant is to revise the plans based on Commission input and submit applications so the project can begin the formal review process.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing Week is back this May (12 – 19)! This year's theme - #ItsUpToUs, Silicon Valley - is about collective action and the role that each of us plays in creating a more vibrant and equitable Silicon Valley. Last year’s Affordable Housing Week was a success, with 24 different events held throughout the County that provided opportunities for learning, engaging and addressing the need for affordable housing.
Economic Development
Downtown Green Update
The proposal for closure of Plaza 6 during July and August for the 2017 Downtown Green was modified and approved on a 3-1 vote by City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. (Eng opposed, Prochnow recused). Staff was directed to consider other locations including portions of Third Street or State Street between Main Street and Fourth Street instead of Plaza 6. The City Council limited the expenditure by the City to $25,000 to match the donation by Los Altos Community Investments of $25,000. The Downtown Green will have light programming and will open after July 10 and run through August 31. Staff will finalize the location within the next few weeks. Staff will also begin the process of engaging community organizations, local merchants and property owners for sponsorship and partnership with the Downtown Green.
Save the Date: Cycle Saturday is March 11
Next week is the Second Saturday of the month, which means its Cycle Saturday! From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., four valet bike stations will be set up throughout Downtown to encourage cyclists to come through our downtown and take a break from their ride. Volunteers will staff the stations while cyclists can rest easy. Please take advantage of the improving weather and get on your bike and ride!
Police
Neighborhood Safety Workshops
Community members are invited to join us for a series of Neighborhood Safety Workshops:
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Grant Park Community Center, Multipurpose Room
1575 Holt Avenue, Los Altos
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hillview Community Center, Multipurpose Room
97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
Join us on either date to meet your new Community Service Officer, Amanda Pitman, and learn more about crime prevention programs and strategies. We will be discussing topics such as Neighborhood Watch, home security inspections, situational awareness and reporting suspicious activity. We hope to see you there!
Public Works
Crosswalk Repair on San Antonio Road
Staff has been working to replace illuminated crosswalk safety features on San Antonio Road at the intersection of Hillview Avenue and Loucks Avenue. This is a priority and we are doing everything possible to expedite the project. The City expects to receive the necessary parts the week of March 15. If the parts arrive as promised, you can expect to see the crosswalks functioning properly shortly thereafter. In the meantime, please remember that crosswalk safety is a shared responsibility. Drivers have the legal responsibility to yield the right of way to pedestrians; remember to be diligent about watching for pedestrians as you drive or ride through the intersection. Pedestrians should use extra caution, as drivers have become accustomed to the illuminated crosswalks functioning as a visual cue to stop. All are urged to be cautious and be safe.
First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
PG&E construction crews completed the conversion and energization of the existing overhead electrical lines to the underground system. Electrical service lines and associated facilities have been removed from the utility poles on First Street. AT&T and Comcast crews will follow with the installation of new lines and pole removal in spring 2017.
Grant Park Center Acoustical Improvements
Acoustical improvements were completed this week in the Senior program lounge located at the Grant Park Community Center. The improvements included the installation of sound absorbing wall and ceiling panels. Additional improvements at the Grant Park Community Center will continue throughout 2017.
Water Main Extension Project
The water main extension project on Jardin Drive started on Monday, February 27, 2017. This is a joint project between the City of Los Altos, the City of Mountain View and California Water Service Company (CalWater). The purpose of this work is to provide water service from CalWater to the six parcels that will be annexed to City of Los Altos. The construction area is on Jardin Drive between N Avalon Drive and Alicia Way. During work hours, one lane will remain open with two-way traffic flow; flaggers will be onsite to assist drivers. As of today, CalWater has finished the installation of the majority of the water main and will start flushing the main line next week. The tentative schedule to complete this project is by the end of March 2017.
Reminder
Community Meeting: Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Starting in April, residents and business in Los Altos will be getting 100% carbon-free electricity as part of their automatic enrollment in Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to attend an upcoming Community Meeting:
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Los Altos Main Library, Orchard Room
13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos
Hosted by GreenTown Los Altos
