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Vol. XXXVIII, Number 49 Q September 8, 2017
www.PaloAltoO nline.com
Arts aplenty
Look at this season’s
quirky dance party,
epic world premiere and more
in our fall-arts preview
Page 19
News 5 Pulse 15 Spectrum 16 Transitions 18 Movies 30 Puzzles 52
QEating Out Southern-style chicken hatches at T&C Page 27
QHome Home buyers valuing neighborhood ‘walkability’ Page 31
QSports Stanford prepares for Pac-12 football opener at USC Page 54
Exciting Advances in Prostate Cancer
A COMMUNITY EVENT
SPEAKERS Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men
Andrei Iagaru, MD and has a high success rate if caught early. Join Stanford Medicine
Radiologist
doctors as they discuss the latest screening, diagnostic tools
Sumit Shah, MD
Medical Oncologist and treatment advancements. Meet Stanford Medicine prostate
Geoffrey Sonn, MD cancer experts and get your questions answered.
Urologic Oncologist
Patrick Swift, MD
Radiation Oncologist Sat, Sept 9 Sunnyvale Community Center
@ the Recreation Center Ballroom
9:30am – 11:00am 550 E. Remington Drive • Sunnyvale, CA
RESERVE YOUR SPACE
This event is free, though seating is limited.
Register at stanfordhealthcare.org/events or by calling 650.736.6555.
Page 2 • September 8, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
471 Nevada Avenue, Palo Alto
Garden Romance in Old Palo Alto
"1-/12A8 -88A>5:33->01:?A:2;80->;A:0@45?@>5 81B188ADA>E>1?501:/1;2-;;9?
Y2A88-:0V4-82.-@4? -:0;@E;2:1->8E] TTT?= 2@ I/5@EJ (-A8@10/1585:3?1:4-:/1@41?A: 85@5:@1>5;> C45818AD1
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For video tour & more photos, please visit:
www.471NevadaAve.com
Offered at $7,298,000
Saturday & Sunday Jazz, Lattes,
OPEN HOUSE 1:00 - 5:00 & Gourmet Snacks
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 3
A BENEFIT EVENT FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS SUPPORTING KIDS & FAMILIES
FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2017 3 3 R D A N N U A L WALK
STARTS
AT 7PM
Presented by City of Palo Alto
10K Run 5K Run & Walk
GREAT EVENT
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For more information and to register:
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CORPORATE SPONSORS:
Page 4 • September 8, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Upfront Local news, information and analysis
Contractor errs, sells too many parking permits
More downtown employees than intended bought permits City staff noticed the error in and others that had been flooded commercial core. Before the sec-
in five residential areas closest to central downtown June, after responding to a re- with cars each day because of ond phase kicked off, the City
quest for information from John the streets’ free all-day parking. Council approved a permit quota
by Gennady Sheyner Guislin, a Crescent Park resident In April 2016, the program for each particular zone and au-
who served on the committee entered its second phase, which thorized staff to sell up to 1,400
A
n error in implementing Too many permits were sold to that helped create the parking split downtown’s residential permits total to employees.
downtown Palo Alto’s employees wanting to park their program. areas into 10 zones and issued However, according to data
evolving Residential Pref- cars in five out the area’s 10 Debuting in September 2015, zone-specific permits to em- that the Weekly obtained last
erential Parking program, which parking zones. the initial phase of the down- ployees, with the goal of distrib- week, in the second phase,
aims to eventually stop commut- In one zone, the number of town Residential Preferential uting their vehicles throughout 277 employee permits were is-
ers from parking in residential permits sold was 70 percent Parking program brought instant downtown and reducing conges- sued for zones that had already
neighborhoods, caused the exact higher than the city-planned relief to the neighborhoods of tion in the areas closest to Uni-
opposite to happen this summer: limit. Downtown North, Professorville versity Avenue and downtown’s (continued on page 9)
DEVELOPMENT
City relaxes rules
on office development
Split council votes to give developers more flexibility,
scraps ‘beauty contest’
by Gennady Sheyner
A
fter two years of sluggish replace it with a permanent law
commercial development, that would maintain both the
the Palo Alto City Coun- 50,000-square-foot limit and the
cil moved Tuesday to loosen existing boundaries.
the city’s cap on new office and There were, however, some
research-and-development con- sharp disagreements when it
struction so as to give builders came to the details of the new
more flexibility. permanent law. One change,
The council largely agreed that which the council approved by
Veronica Weber
the city’s annual 50,000-square- a 5-4 vote, will allow builders
foot limit has been largely suc- to roll over unused square foot-
cessful — for some, a little too age in years where there is little
much so. Adopted in October growth. This means that if the
Cruising the campus 2015, the cap applied to three city gets 25,000 square feet of
A cyclist rides past the fountain outside Memorial Auditorium at Stanford University. prominent commercial areas — new office space in one year, it
downtown, the California Av- could allow 75,000 square feet
enue business district and along in the subsequent year. Or, a year
El Camino Real. in which Palo Alto adds no new
To date, the cap has not been office space in the three desig-
TRANSPORTATION tested. In 2016, the city re- nated areas could be followed by
ceived three projects proposals one in which the city approves
(a research-and-development projects totaling 100,000 square
Rail redesign to rely on workshops, project at 2747 Park Blvd. and
mixed-use projects at 2585 and
feet.
The change, which was cham-
surveys — but no stakeholders’ group 3225 El Camino Real) to build
40,863 square feet of new office
space, well below the threshold.
pioned by Mayor Greg Scharff,
squeaked by with a 5-4 vote,
with Vice Mayor Liz Kniss and
Palo Alto’s most significant infrastructure project There have been zero projects Councilmen Adrian Fine, Greg
faces criticism over community’s role proposed so far this year. Tanaka and Cory Wolbach all
Given that the aim of the cap joining him. The four council
by Gennady Sheyner was to moderate the rate of members who lean toward slow-
growth and address the poten- er city-growth policies — Tom
I
t will likely be Palo Alto’s “We’re going to talk about and streets no longer intersect. tial traffic and parking problems DuBois, Eric Filseth, Karen
most disruptive infrastruc- disrupting Alma Street for two To date, the most popular so- brought on by new office proj- Holman and Lydia Kou — all
ture project in generations years or more,” Vice Mayor Liz lution under consideration has ects, some council members saw opposed the change.
— and potentially its most Kniss said. “We’re going to be been constructing a trench for the slowed development as vin- Scharff argued that the roll-
controversial. talking about asking people if the rail system. dication for the ordinance. over provision would still al-
As Palo Alto moves ahead they would mind leaving their Even though the council ul- Even those council members low the city to meter its growth,
with its effort to separate the homes. We’re really embarking timately voted Tuesday night who are normally amenable while also giving builders more
railroad tracks from local streets on an incredible process.” to approve a plan for engag- to city growth agreed the cap flexibility after a slow year.
at the city’s four rail intersec- While her colleagues con- ing residents in the process of should be retained well after “Having the flexibility on that
tions, City Council members curred, there was less consen- planning for grade separations, the current interim ordinance I think is really important for
agreed Tuesday that the public sus on the optimal path toward some members of the council expires in November. Thus, the people ... so that we don’t have
needs to be fully engaged from consensus on what are known and the community warned that council unanimously voted to these queues that get backed up
the beginning of the journey to as “grade separations” — the extend the temporary ordinance
the end. design in which railroad tracks (continued on page 12) until June and to ultimately (continued on page 13)
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 5
Healthy Teeth and Gums Upfront
That Last a Lifetime!
• New Patients Welcome!
450 Cambridge Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 326-8210
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
• Free Consultations and PUBLISHER
Second Opinions William S. Johnson (223-6505)
• Saturday Appointments Available EDITORIAL
Editor Jocelyn Dong (223-6514)
• Our patients love us on Yelp Associate Editor Linda Taaffe (223-6511)
Voted Best Dentist
Sports Editor Rick Eymer (223-6516)
Arts & Entertainment Editor Karla Kane (223-6517) To somebody it will be absolutely
Best of
Home & Real Estate Editor
Elizabeth Lorenz (223-6534) gorgeous, to someone else it will
THE VOICE
Don’t Wait! Call 650.969.6077
2014 MOUNTAIN
VIEW
2016
Assistant Sports Editor Glenn Reeves (223-6521)
Spectrum Editor Renee Batti (223-6528) be an unattractive elephant.
Express & Digital Editor Jamey Padojino
for your appointment today! (223-6524) —Liz Kniss, city councilwoman, on office cap
Staff Writers Sue Dremann (223-6518), Elena
Kadvany (223-6519), Gennady Sheyner (223-6513)
regulations. See story on page 5.
Editorial Assistant/Intern Coordinator
756 California Street, Suite B 650.969.6077 Anna Medina (223-6515)
Mountain View 94041 www.dentalfabulous.com Staff Photographer/Videographer
Around Town
Veronica Weber (223-6520)
Editorial Interns Elinor Aspegren, Shawna Chen
Contributors Chrissi Angeles, Dale F. Bentson,
Mike Berry, Carol Blitzer, Peter Canavese, Chad
Jones, Chris Kenrick, Kevin Kirby, Jack McKinnon,
PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Alissa Merksamer, Daryl Savage, Ruth Schechter,
Jeanie K. Smith, Jay Thorwaldson NATIONAL RECOGNITION ... that measures 48 feet over the next
CIVIC CENTER, 250 HAMILTON AVENUE ADVERTISING Palo Alto High School journalism eight weeks. The fixes will cover
BROADCAST LIVE ON KZSU, FM 90.1 Vice President Sales & Marketing teacher Esther Wojcicki, an area about a half-mile northeast
CABLECAST LIVE ON GOVERNMENT Tom Zahiralis (223-6570)
commonly known to her students of the Byxbee Park parking lot
ACCESS CHANNEL 26 Multimedia Advertising Sales
Adam Carter (223-6573), Elaine Clark (223-6572), as “Woj,” has been recognized at the trail. The work is expected
***************************************** Connie Jo Cotton (223-6571), Janice Hoogner by the nonprofit Honored, an to help protect the Matadero,
(223-6576), V.K. Moudgalya (223-6586)
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THE Real Estate Advertising Sales
organization that puts the spotlight Adobe and Barron creeks from
AGENDA WITH COMPLETE TITLES INCLUDING LEGAL Neal Fine (223-6583), Carolyn Oliver (223-6581), once a month on a K-12 educator flooding and protect animals above
DOCUMENTATION CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BELOW WEBPAGE: Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585)
for his/her impact in the classroom. and below water at the basin.
Inside Advertising Sales Irene Schwartz (223-6580)
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/agendas/default.asp Legal Advertising Alicia Santillan (223-6578)
In addition to the title, the honoree “We apologize for this temporary
is given a $5,000 cash reward and inconvenience,” district board
AGENDA-REGULAR MEETING–COUNCIL CHAMBERS ADVERTISING SERVICES
an article by a “world-class writer” member Gary Kreman said in an
September 11, 2017, 6:00 PM Advertising Services Lead Blanca Yoc (223-6596)
on their work. Actor James Franco, email. “It is critical that we complete
Sales & Production Coordinators Virida Chiem
(223-6582), Diane Martin (223-6584) Wojcicki’s former student, called this project before the rain season
Special Orders of the Day
1. Appointment of Three Candidates to the Storm Water Management DESIGN her his hero in a video and praised so that we may all continue to enjoy
Oversight Committee (SWMOC) for Terms Ending May 31, 2019 Design & Production Manager Wojcicki for giving control to the peace and natural habitat of the
Kristin Brown (223-6562)
and Four Candidates to the SWMOC for Terms Ending May 31, students running The Campanile, basin.” A detour has been set up
Senior Designers Linda Atilano, Paul Llewellyn
2021 Designers Rosanna Kuruppu, Talia Nakhjiri,
the campus newspaper. “Not only for trail visitors that partially parallels
2. Proclamation Honoring Santa Clara County Public Health Doug Young did we write the stories, we got U.S. Highway 101 and winds
Department for Their Commitment to Healthy Living EXPRESS, ONLINE AND VIDEO SERVICES to come up with the stories and northeast near Mayfield Island.
3. Proclamation Honoring Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, Online Operations Coordinator we did the layout of the paper.” More information on the project can
September 10 Through September 16, 2017 Kevin Legarda (223-6597)
The work young journalists did in be found by calling the district’s
Consent Calendar BUSINESS Wojcicki’s classroom gave them public information representative
5. Approval of Amendment Number 4 to Contract Number S12145610 Payroll & Benefits Zach Allen (223-6544)
to add $75,000 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $379,000 for “a sense of ownership,” Franco Diego Barragan at 408-630-3063.
Business Associates Cherie Chen (223-6543),
*VU[PU\H[PVU VM ,TWSV`LL )LULÄ[ )YVRLY :LY]PJLZ 7LUKPUN >-0: Elena Dineva (223-6542) said. “It wasn’t work that would
:HSL[V
Upfront
Veronica Weber
A children’s play area sits in the yard at 1055 Los Robles Ave., whose owner has marked off his property line into the street, narrowing it to a single car width. The road is
adjacent to Barron Creek.
supervisor at the city’s Develop- or granted. Prescriptive ease-
NEIGHBORHOOD ment Center, said that there are ments are rights to use property,
older properties in Palo Alto that but the user does not gain land
have property lines extending title.
Land owner narrows road into some streets. Some roads,
including a few in Barron Park,
“There’s no easy way to check
into it. It is a whole research
are private. project. The city will have to
to enforce property line But easement law is compli-
cated, he said. The property
do analysis — go through his-
torical records and documents
Los Robles Avenue narrowed to 7 feet in one section owner might legitimately have a recorded at the clerk’s office.
private property claim. But there They will have to see if it (the
by Sue Dremann also could be a public street over road) is dedicated and accepted.
the property line where the city It’s something that involves the
D
rivers who travel up Los if the property line extends the fire truck as well as the fire has a purchased or a recorded city attorney to figure out,” he
Robles Avenue in Bar- underneath. equipment, hoses, apparatus and easement. The city also might said. Q
ron Park might notice the The issue arose about two Sat- other equipment, Palo Alto Fire have a “prescriptive” easement, Staff Writer Sue Dremann
road has suddenly gotten con- urdays ago when workers were Chief Eric Nickel said. which is obtained by regular use can be emailed at sdremann@
spicuously narrower. A proper- doing preventive slurrying to Mike Nafzinger, Public Works and is not purchased, negotiated paweekly.com.
ty owner has decided to enforce the roadway, said Holly Boyd,
what he claims is his property city Public Works senior engi-
line, which is to the center of the neer. The resident was adamant
already narrow street, accord- that the city should not encroach
ing to nearby residents and city on the property and said he did
officials. not want the road to be repaired
The property, 1055 Los Ro- there, she said. Workers decided
bles, is at the corner of Rincon not to press the issue, but Public
Circle cul de sac. Homes bor- Works officials and the City At-
der Los Robles on one side; torney’s office will research the
Barron Creek borders it on the matter, she said.
other side. Already, the width The property owners listed
along a stretch of the road var- on the deed through county re-
ies from approximately 14.5 feet cords did not return a request for
to about 16 or 17 feet, according comment.
to a Santa Clara County Asses- On Wednesday afternoon, deliv-
sor’s map. But the land owner ery trucks — including from the
at 1055 Los Robles has spray U.S. Postal Service and FedEx —
painted “private road” stencils squeezed through the narrowed
and white lines to demarcate his road, which was additionally lined
property-boundary claim, which by chunks of cut-up trees marking
now narrows the road width to the 1055 property line. Branches
just seven feet. from overhanging oaks scraped
Some neighborhood residents the roof of the FedEx truck as it
recently expressed concern drove along the edge of the pave-
through their email list about ment next to the creek to avoid en-
the narrower road. The section croaching on the portion of road
is near Gunn High School, and now marked private.
many students ride their bicycles The narrower road could make
through the area. The residents it difficult for emergency vehi-
wondered aloud if property cles such as fire trucks to pass.
owners can stake a claim to a The fire department needs about
piece of public roadway — even a 16-foot width to accommodate
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 7
Upfront
The High
News Digest
Holy Days Woman attacked in Homer Avenue tunnel
A Palo Alto downtown businesswoman walking through the
Homer Avenue underpass at Alma Street was attacked by a man on
Tuesday morning, Palo Alto police and the victim said.
Nina, 77, who has owned and operated Tailor Plus for 43 years
Keddem Congregation and whose last name is not being used for her safety, said she was
Community-led Reconstructionist services traveling through the underpass connecting to Palo Alto Medical
Everyone is welcome, at no charge Foundation’s offices at about 8:05 a.m. when a man pushed her from
Kehillah Jewish High School behind. As she turned to see what happened, he struck her twice in
3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto 94303 the head with a heavy bag, causing her to nearly fall down. He then
yelled obscenities at her, she said.
Nina said she takes the bus to work and usually gets off at the Palo
• Wednesday, September 20, 7:30 PM Evening Service Alto Transit Center bus depot, but recently she has walked through
• Thursday, September 21, 9:30 AM 1st Day Morning Service the Homer tunnel because the bus drops riders off near the Medical
10:00 AM Children’s Service Foundation due to a city construction project at the Palo Alto Transit
Center bus depot.
The man, who was in his 40s or 50s, was carrying two bags and
• Friday, September 29, 7:00 PM Kol Nidrey (and food drive) appeared to be disturbed.
• Saturday, September 30, 9:15 AM Morning Service (note earlier start time) She went to police headquarters to report the crime and ask for
10:00 AM Children’s Service more officers to patrol the area.
5:00 PM Mincha, Yizkor, Ne’ilah
Palo Alto police Sgt. Brian Philip said the attack was not an at-
No-charge reservations Online: www.Keddem.org Phone: 650-494-6400 Email: hhd_reservations@Keddem.org tempted robbery, but a battery by a person who appeared to be hav-
ing a mental health crisis. Police have not located the man.
Inspirations A guide to religious services in your community newspaper. For advertising Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the
information, email Blanca Yoc at byoc@paweekly.com or call 223-6596. department’s 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Q
— Sue Dremann
New law to require suicide prevention training
California has become the seventh state in the country to require
that all licensed psychologists be trained in suicide risk assessment
and intervention.
On Friday, Sept. 1, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly
SPECIAL EVENT
Bill 89, which starting on Jan. 1, 2020, will mandate that anyone
Monday, Sept. 18 applying for licensure as a psychologist in California completes a
7-8:30 p.m. minimum of six hours of coursework or experience under supervi-
sion in suicide prevention, and that already-licensed clinicians also
at complete this training.
Mitchell Park The bill, which was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Marc Levine,
Community Center D-Marin County, and the California Board of Psychology, is a prac-
tical and symbolic victory for suicide prevention, said Vic Ojakian,
a former Palo Alto mayor who with his wife, Mary, became mental
health advocates after their son died by suicide. The bill was co-
authored by Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto.
Over the last several months Ojakian corralled support for the
Your kids and the law bill from up and down the state. Palo Alto youth well-being collab-
orative Project Safety Net also solicited support from its members.
A high percentage of people who die by suicide see a mental
health clinician prior to their death, Ojakian said. Mandated, stan-
dardized training will help ensure psychologists throughout the state
A discussion on how juvenile crimes are handled are more prepared to recognize warning signs and treat patients
accordingly.
by the police and District Attorney Ojakian is hopeful that California’s passage of AB 89 will inspire
• What is public information and what isn’t • Penalties for juvenile crimes
other states to follow suit.
The next step in California, he said, will be to draft similar legis-
• How decisions are made to prosecute • What happens when a juvenile turns 18
lation for other mental health clinicians such as social workers and
• How juvenile court proceedings work • How crimes on school campuses are handled licensed marriage and family therapists. Q
— Elena Kadvany
Welcoming Remarks
Jay Boyarsky, Chief Assistant District Attorney, Santa Clara County Vigil held in wake of DACA repeal
Bay Area politicians and immigrant advocacy groups sharply
condemned a decision by President Donald Trump’s administration
Featuring
Tuesday morning to end a U.S. immigration policy that granted
LaRon Dennis deportation relief and work permits to nearly 800,000 young people
Supervising Deputy District Attorney for Juvenile Justice Unit across the country — an estimated 24,000 of whom live in Santa
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office Clara County.
In response to the announcement that the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, would be phased out with
Nate Wandruff a “winding down” period, Together We Will Palo Alto Mountain
Investigator, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office View hosted a vigil in downtown Mountain View Tuesday night that
and former Mountain View police officer drew a peaceful crowd of about 500 people offering testimonials
and support for the so-called “Dreamers” who benefit from DACA.
Moderator The group teamed up with the Services, Immigrant Rights, and
Education Network, and the event drew people from all over the
Elena Kadvany, Education Writer, Palo Alto Weekly Peninsula and San Jose. The large crowd gathered at the corner of
El Camino Real and Castro Street where the vigil began at 7:30
Sponsored by the Palo Alto Weekly and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office p.m. before marching to Mountain View’s Civic Center Plaza where
young DACA recipients and supporters shared testimonials and
words of advice. Q
— Kevin Forestieri
LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk
Note: Panelists will not be able to discuss specific cases due to the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings. about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com
Page 8 • September 8, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Upfront
between Ramona and Guinda avenues, between Alma and seemed chaotic to try to do this not receive complaints over the
Permits Street, and a small section of Guinda streets, the city sold 125 swap out at this point in time,” summer from residents in the
(continued from page 5) Hamilton, between Webster and permits — well below the autho- Keene said. “We apologize for five affected zones, city Chief
Guinda. This area was eligible rized limit of 337. that unfortunate error by our Transportation Official Joshuah
reached their limit, thanks to for 162 employee permits. The While city planning staff contractor.” Mello said. That helped influ-
what the city called an error in city sold 259, or 97 above the caught the error in early sum- Guislin, the resident who re- ence the city’s response, he said.
inputting data. The areas where cap. mer, it wasn’t publicly disclosed quested the permit data that led “Our plan was, if we did hear
the mistakes were particularly In Zone 6, which includes por- until Aug. 28, when City Man- to the discovery, called the blun- concerns about over-saturation
glaring are just north and just tions of Homer and Channing ager James Keene alluded to it der “a gross error.” He acknowl- and parking shortages, we would
south of the commercial core — avenues and Zone 7, the city while announcing the upcoming edged that it’s hard to gauge do an immediate occupancy
the very neighborhoods where oversold employee permits by Sept. 30 expiration date of the what impact the mistake had on count and, if needed, we’d do
parking shortages have been 49 and 18, respectively. phase 2 parking permits. Keene downtown’s parking availability permit repossession and re-issu-
most acute. Those errors notwithstanding, attributed the mistake to the (planning staff does not conduct ance,” Mello said.
In Zone 2, which is located in the city did not sell beyond its city’s contractor, SP Plus, which parking surveys over the sum- The many variables of the
Downtown North and includes 1,400-permit cap — issuing a was hired to create the online mer), but said the issue of cars downtown permit program ap-
a stretch of Hawthorne Avenue total of 1,155 employee permits permit-sales system. He also “bunching” around the down- pear to have contributed to the
between Alma and Webster as of late August. noted that because other zones town area still exists.
streets, the city sold 174 permits, That’s because the city sold had “less demand, this mistake Despite the glitch, the city did (continued on next page)
exceeding by 63 the authorized relatively few permits for those did not effect compliance with
limit of 111. In Zone 1, which is neighborhoods that are more the overall limits set by the
just south of Zone 2 and which distant from downtown’s com- council resolution.”
includes Everett Avenue, the city mercial core. The northernmost Staff considered revoking the
sold 119 permits; 50 above the zone, known as Zone 3, which erroneously issued permits when
allowed limit of 69. runs from Palo Alto Avenue to the mistake was discovered and 3DOR$OWR8QLÀHG6FKRRO'LVWULFW
A similar glitch occurred in Hawthorne, was eligible for 208 replacing them with permits for
University South, where the city employee permits; the city sold other zones, Keene said, but ul-
oversold permits in three zones only 45. timately, they decided against it.
just south of Hamilton Avenue. And in the geographical- “Because the permit expira- Notice is hereby Given that proposals will be received by the
The biggest difference took ly broad Zone 8, which runs tion is so close and all employ- 7HSV(S[VVYRZ*OHW[LY
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Upfront
Permits sold in Phase 2 of Downtown RPP
CityView
A round-up of Palo Alto government action this week
Palo Alto sold permits starting in April 2016
Employee Parking Zone Permits authorized Issued Variance
City Council (Sept. 5) Zone 1 69 119 +50
Office cap: The council unanimously approved an extension of the city’s office
cap but voted 5-4, with DuBois, Filseth, Holman and Kou dissenting, to “roll Zone 2 111 174 +63
over” unused square footage to the next year and to eliminate a provision that
created a competition between developments in years where growth exceeds Zone 3 208 45 -163
50,000 square feet. Yes: Unanimous
Rail: The council approved a community-engagement process for selecting Zone 4 176 138 -38
a grade-separation alternative for the rail corridor at the the city’s four grade
crossings. Yes: DuBois, Filseth, Fine, Kniss, Scharff, Tanaka, Wolbach No: Zone 5 162 259 +97
Holman, Kou
Zone 6 92 141 +49
Council Rail Committee (Sept. 6)
Rail: The committee heard a presentation about the Dumbarton Corridor study. Zone 7 125 143 +18
Action: None
Zone 8 337 125 -212
Courtesy City of Palo Alto
Utilities Advisory Commission (Sept. 6) Zone 9 23 0 -23
Electricity: The commission discussed the Electric Integrated Resource Plan,
local solar programs and smart grid pilot projects. Action: None
Zone 20 97 11 -86
Architectural Review Board (Sept. 6) Total 1,400 1,155 -245
Garage: The board held a preliminary review for the five-story parking garage
that the city is planning to build at 375 Hamilton Ave. Action: None
LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk (continued from previous page) permits and lower rates. The re- would have.”
about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com cently introduced zone structure The council approved a three-
contractor’s mistakes. Unlike the added another factor. year contract for $284,068 with
city’s first parking-permit pro- The new system required the SP Plus for managing the per-
gram, in College Terrace, which contractor “to manually ma- mit-sales system in April 2015.
RIDE CALTRAIN
VTA LIGHT RAIL
FREE ADMISSION! sold permits only to residents for nipulate the permit constraints The contract, Mello said, does
a set rate, the downtown scheme that were set up by the zones,” not have any provisions that
OR BUS SERVICE ST 2 has different rules and rates for said Mello. He noted that when would allow the city to penalize
2
E
TO THE FESTIVAL!
AB 19
LISH E D in
residents and employees. In ad- staff had accepted a bid with the the vendor for not following the
#MVArtWine dition, it includes special provi- SP Plus several years ago, “We council’s guidelines.
sions for low-income employees, didn’t really anticipate the level However, after noticing the
who get priority in purchasing of complexity that the program errors, staff is preparing to step
up its oversight of the program.
Keene assured the council that
46TH ANNUAL
Online This Week
These and other news stories were posted on Palo Alto Online
a mistake of this sort will not
occur again. And Mello told the
Weekly that staff will be more
proactive in monitoring the
B AY
L
IVA
throughout the week. For longer versions, go to www.PaloAlto parking program as it enters its
AR
ST
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2017 Online.com/news. next phase.
FE
EA
'S
BE NE
ST A R T & W I “We’re paying much more at-
Unsolved murder case could be reopened tention to the workings of the
CELEBRATING 46 GREAT YEARS!
program and staying on top
SATURDAY 11AM-7PM The unsolved murder case of a 27-year-old Palo Alto woman
who was found in an Illinois cornfield 31 years ago could be re- of the contractor, to the point
SUNDAY 10AM-6PM opened, pending the investigation of another decades-old murder, where we’ll be getting weekly
according to the Belleville News-Democrat. (Posted Sept. 3, 1:45 p.m.) reports,” Mello told the Weekly.
CASTRO STREET • DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW The city is not ready to re-
place the vendor just yet. How-
500 EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTS Palo Alto native killed in train collision ever, staff is moving ahead with
Stellar Live Music Everywhere A 29-year-old Palo Alto native died early Tuesday morning plans to adopt a new permit-
when his Volkswagen was struck by a train traveling through
FABULOUS FOOD & DRINKS Redwood City, according to the California Highway Patrol and
sales system — requiring a
Pigskin Party Lounge Giant Screen new request-for-proposals from
the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office. (Posted Sept. 5, 11:22 a.m.)
What's Up Photo Booth • Cornhole Corner interested contractors — that
would be more comprehensive
TASTY CRAFT BEER • PREMIUM WINES Crash off Page Mill sends car airborne in scope and would allow per-
Signature Cocktails • Margaritas • Sangria A car that went off Page Mill Road in Palo Alto was likely air- mit sales for all of the city’s
SMASHING ENTERTAINMENT - ON STAGE & STREET borne before it landed in brush about 50 feet away from the road- Residential Preferential Parking
5XFNDWDQȏ3DFLȴF6RXO%DQGȏ&DUDYDQVHUDL – Santana Tribute • Ancient Winds way Friday afternoon, a fire official said. (Posted Sept. 1, 6:14 p.m.) districts (the city had recently
Cisco Kid – War Tribute • Johnny Neri Band • The Element • Blue House introduced such programs in
The GroWiser Band • Bob Culbertson • HeartStrings Music • John Clarke More victims added to maseur sex case Evergreen Park and Southgate
The list of victims who were allegedly sexually assaulted by an neighborhoods), as well for pub-
AWESOME ACTION-PACKED KIDS PARK East Palo Alto masseur has again grown, adding more felony charg- lic garages and lots.
"Mountain View's Got Talent Community Stage” • Wild & Wacky Waterballerz es to his roster of alleged crimes to a current total of 32, the San If things go as planned, the new
Ultra-Thrilling Bungee Jump • Rock Climbing Wall • Obstacle Course • Sand Art Crafts Mateo County District Attorney’s Office said. (Posted Sept. 1, 3:32 p.m.) system will be available by the
Party Animal Puppets • Exotic Hair Braiding • Super Cool Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos middle of next year, Mello said.
As for downtown’s program,
CHAMBERMV.ORG Car crashes into Palo Alto garage Guislin pointed to the fact that
MIRAMAREVENTS.COM A Palo Alto woman who has attended to many car-accident vic- the city sold 245 fewer employee
INFO: 650.968.8378 tims in front of her home narrowly missed being struck by a car that permits than the 1,400 autho-
NO PETS • NO SEGWAYS crashed into her garage late Friday morning. (Posted Sept. 1, 1:51 p.m.) rized in Phase 2 as evidence
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY that the council should shrink
Jury convicts ‘Sunny Day’ defendant the number of worker permits
A Menlo Park man who was part of the 2014 “Sunny Day” gang in future phases.
arrests in San Mateo County was convicted of murder and special “The idea is to take the busi-
circumstances charges on Thursday for a gang-related shooting ness commuters off the resi-
that killed an East Palo Alto man in 2012. (Posted Sept. 1, 9:47 a.m.) dential streets, so that number
should be reduced, by my logic,”
Want to get news briefs emailed to you every weekday? Guislin said. Q
Sign up for Express, our daily e-edition. Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner
Go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com to sign up. can be emailed at gsheyner@
paweekly.com.
Page 10 • September 8, 2017 • Palo Alto Weekly • www.PaloAltoOnline.com1494 PITMAN AVENUE, PALO ALTO
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www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 11Upfront
the council’s Rail Committee that “they don’t suddenly wake
Rail and the full City Council. up one day, after we go through
(continued from page 5) In addition, the council fa- a long community-engagement
vored making the Rail Commit- process, and say, ‘Wait. You’re
this plan falls short of what’s tee discussions more interactive taking my house?’”
required. so that members of the public Some council members ar-
The approach the council ap- would be welcome to attend and gued that the approved process
proved by a 7-2 vote, with Coun- offer their thoughts. If the pro- doesn’t go far enough in achiev-
cilwomen Karen Holman and cess goes as planned, it would ing that goal. They focused not
Lydia Kou dissenting, includes result in the city’s adoption of a on what’s in the plan but on what
focus groups, community work- preferred design alternative for isn’t: namely, a stakeholders’
shops, online surveys, website grade separations by March. group featuring both technical
updates, email newsletters, a Mayor Greg Scharff, who experts and Palo Alto residents.
technical advisory committee made the motion to approve Some community members,
composed of rail experts and the process proposed by City including founders of the rail
city staff, and public hearings Manager James Keene and city watchdog group Californians
in front of the Planning and planning staff, said the goal is Advocating Responsible Rail
Transportation Commission, to get people engaged early so Design (CARRD) and former
Mayor Pat Burt, emphasized
Veronica Weber
the importance of appointing a
diverse stakeholders’ group that
would help guide the design pro-
cess. The council opted to leave A commuter train passes through the intersection at East Meadow
3DOR$OWR8QLÀHG6FKRRO'LVWULFW out such a group. Drive in Palo Alto as cars wait on Sept. 13.
Burt and CARRD co-founder
Nadia Naik argued that by omit- “Context Sensitive Solution” used by the U.S. Department
Notice is hereby Given that proposals will be received by the ting the stakeholders’ group, the (CSS), which council members of Transportation to design the
7HSV(S[VUpfront
Office argued that it’s nearly impos-
(continued from page 5) sible for the council to decide
whether a proposed development
is attractive or not.
after we go through a recession “To somebody it will be ab-
where you have no office space solutely gorgeous, to someone
developed,” Scharff said. else it will be an unattractive
He also noted that allowing elephant,” Kniss said.
the rollover would effectively DuBois and Filseth both dis-
give developers a two-year win- agreed, with Filseth saying that
dow to get their projects through removing the contest before it’s
the planning pipeline rather than ever been tested is “premature”
forcing them to race to meet the and DuBois pointing out that
annual deadline. the scoring system for proposed
“We can blithely sit up here competition goes far beyond
and say, ‘It’s OK if someone’s the buildings’ appearances. The
project gets delayed,’ but the scoring system that was devel-
cost to that person and the un- oped, he said, is “really about
certainty involved is huge dol- job growth and impacts on the
lars,” Scharff said. city,” and the idea behind it was
But Holman called the roll- to incentivize the types of de-
over proposal “counterintui- velopments that the community
tive” in that it would facilitate wants to see.
dramatic spikes in office devel- “By removing that, we’re di-
opment in a year following little luting the purpose of the ordi-
or no growth. This, she said, is nance,” DuBois said.
exactly what the ordinance is On other office-cap issues,
trying to forestall. the council marched in lockstep.
Filseth also opposed Scharff’s One aspect on which there was
Veronica Weber
idea and called his argument “by widespread agreement is that
and large development-centric” Stanford Research Park should
rather than “resident-centric.” remain exempt from the cap.
DuBois and Kou also argued While Kou initially proposed
against the rollover provision, Construction crews this summer work on 636 Waverley St., a mixed-use building with 4,800 square feet including the sprawling corpo-
which nevertheless advanced by of office space plus residential units. rate park, she ultimately voted
a single vote. with the rest of the council to
By the same 5-4 vote, the years when growth in the three preference to those projects that Instead, the projects will now exclude it.
council scrapped a provision in designated areas exceeds 50,000 score highest on factors includ- proceed toward approval on a Tiffany Griego, the park’s
the ordinance that required de- square feet. The competition, ing sustainable design, mitigation first-come, first-served basis. managing director, lobbied for
velopment projects to compete often referred to as a “beauty of traffic congestion and public Kniss, who made the motion
with each other for approval in contest,” would have given benefits such affordable housing. to eliminate the competition, (continued on next page)
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License 8479799
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 13Upfront
Research Park in Palo Alto be- “Office development did not “small stakeholder group.”
(continued from previous page)
cause they believe the city will reach the 50,000 number in ei- Rail “By coming to us as decision
the continued exemption and permit them to improve and ex- ther of the cap’s two years of (continued from page 12) makers, you’ll have more of an
touted recent efforts to reduce pand their aging facilities (up existence,” Kleinberg said. “It’s impact than you would speaking
traffic generated by corporate to the maximum square footage unclear if it was effective.” what he characterized a “primar- to a small stakeholder group and
employees through a host of allowed under zoning) in order DuBois saw things differ- ily staff-driven process.” making those points,” Scharff
programs, including carpool in- to remain competitive in their ently. The whole point of the “I’m already hearing concerns said.
centives and shuttles. respective industries.” ordinance was to guard against from the community about pro- Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner
“Employers are concerned While Griego asked the coun- “massive spikes of construc- cess,” DuBois said. “I worry if can be emailed at gsheyner@
because their business needs cil Tuesday to keep the existing tion,” he said. we continue in this way, it’s go- paweekly.com.
can evolve quickly, and when boundaries, Chamber of Com- “The fact that it hasn’t been ing to blow up on us.”
they do, companies must be merce CEO Judy Kleinberg triggered isn’t a knock against Scharff disagreed and ar- WATCH IT ONLINE
able to grow within a clear, pre- went further and argued that the the ordinance,” DuBois said. “I gued that a process in which PaloAltoOnline.com
dictable and consistent set of office cap should be eliminated think it was part of the point of the council’s Rail Committee Tune in Friday evening for a
parameters,” Griego and Stan- entirely. The building boom that the ordinance.” Q invites the broader public to at- discussion of the railway redesign,
ford Associate Vice President the office cap was intended to Staff Writer Gennady Sheyner tend the meetings and weigh in hosted by Palo Alto Weekly
Jean McCown wrote in a letter. temper is simply not there, she can be emailed at gsheyner@ on the issue does more to foster journalists. Look for “Behind the
Headlines” on PaloAltoOnline.com.
“Companies come to Stanford said. paweekly.com. community engagement than a
City of Palo Alto
Architectural Review Board
Regular Meeting
250 Hamilton Avenue, Council Chambers
September 21, 2017 at 8:30am
Study Session:
1. 250 Hamilton Avenue [17PLN-00193]: Request by Crown Castle
for Preliminary Architectural Review of location/siting criteria,
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University South, and near Town & Country. For More Information
Contact the Project Planner Rebecca Atkinson at rebecca.
H[RPUZVU'JP[`VMWHSVHS[VVYNHUKVY]PZP[[OLWYVQLJ[^LIWHNLH[
O[[W!^^^JP[`VMWHSVHS[VVYNWSHUUPUNWYVQLJ[Z
Action Items
7Free At Last “There’s no place like home.”
Pulse
A weekly compendium of vital statistics
Community Recovery
And Rehabilitation
Services
1796 Bay Road,
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
POLICE CALLS Menlo Park
Aug. 30-Sept. 5 Hiring Full, Part-time and On-Call positions Matched
CareGivers
Palo Alto
Apply in person or email your resume to
Violence related
Aug. 30 -Sept. 5 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Violence related
Domestic violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Theft related gbarragan@freeatlast.org. For more
Theft related
Commercial burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2 information about the positions please Providing the best
Fraud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 in home care
Grand theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 contact Gerardo at 650.462.6999. for over 25 years.
For more information about our
Identity theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Petty theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Theft undefined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Matched CareGivers
Residential burglaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shoplifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2
Vehicle related
Bicycle recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
organization visit freeatlast.org. is nurse owned and
Vehicle related Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Auto theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Driving w/ suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
operated. Our trained
caregivers provide personal
Elite Pianos
Bicycle theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Driving w/ suspended license . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Parking/driving violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 care, bathing, dressing,
Driving without license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Hit and run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 companionship, exercise
Misc. Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 and mobility assistance,
Theft from auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Vehicle vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
medication reminders, meal
Vehicle accident/minor injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Vehicle accident/prop damage . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Alcohol or drug related
Driving under influence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Lang Lang plays Steinway — planning and preparation
Vehicle tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
shouldn’t you?
Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (including specialized diets),
Vehicle vandalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Miscellaneous transportation and errands,
Alcohol or drug related
Animal call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 coordination of social
Drinking in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
APS Referral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Driving under influence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 activities, light housekeeping
Fire call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Drunk in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Possession of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 and laundry.
Medical call. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Sale of drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Mental evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Smoking in public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 When someone you care about
Restraining order violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Miscellaneous Suspicious circumstances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 needs assistance...
Animal call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Threats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 you can count on us to be there.
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Found property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 VIOLENT CRIMES
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Other misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
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License 8479799
www.PaloAltoOnline.com • Palo Alto Weekly • September 8, 2017 • Page 15Spectrum
Editorial
The shriveling cap
Council’s split over office cap will surely return as
an election issue next year
I Editorials, letters and opinions
s the fact that there has been little new proposed commercial
office development in Palo Alto over the last two years a sign
that the city’s 50,000-square-feet-per-year cap on new office
construction is succeeding — because it has slowed the number of
proposals — or failing because there haven’t been enough propos-
als made by developers to test the competitive approval process?
That, in essence, was the speculative discussion Tuesday night at
This week on Town Square
a City Council meeting in which all nine members can claim they Town Square is an online discussion forum at PaloAltoOnline.com/square
voted to make the cap “permanent,” but five of them did so only
after voting to significantly weaken it. Editorial: Time for The unions represent the inter- to renew the rental contract. The
Those votes, particularly the ones cast by Cory Wolbach, Tom McGee to go ests of their employees, period. landlord doesn’t remind you, so
DuBois and Eric Filseth, whose current terms end in 2018 and Associated with my professional suddenly your company is kicked
therefore may run for re-election, are destined to be issues in the Posted on Sept. 1 at 10:30 life, I have heard many stories out. Do you blame the CEO? Of
next year’s already unusual campaign — when the size of the coun- a.m. by Robert Smith, a resi- about teachers’ unions. Their role course you don’t. Renewing the
cil will shrink from the current nine to seven and only three seats dent of the Duveneck/St. Francis is to represent the interests of their contract isn’t part of the CEO’s job,
will be open. neighborhood. members, period. They are not and the CEO shouldn’t be spending
Wolbach voted with the 5-4 majority (made up of Mayor Greg This is just terrible. While we concerned with the district, the her time constantly monitoring the
Scharff, Vice Mayor Liz Kniss and Councilmen Adrian Fine and have seen many administrators board, staff, students, parents, tax- manager of workplace services.
Greg Tanaka) in support of two changes to make the cap less re- leave the district this last spring, it payers or any other “stakeholders.” When you look at it from this
strictive, while DuBois and Filseth voted with Councilwomen is clear that more need to go, and I have great respect for the lead- perspective, it’s obvious, but look-
Karen Holman and Lydia Kou to keep the cap as is. soon. We also need new board ers of the teachers’ union. They ing at it in the context of PAUSD
The two changes don’t gut the cap, but they undercut its effective- members that will pay some atten- know their job and do it very well, clouds people’s judgment because
ness in two important ways: by allowing the rollover of any unused tion to the contracts and follow up obtaining superb results for the of everything people (rightly or
portion of the 50,000-square-feet annual allowance to the following on things. membership. wrongly) associate with the district.
year and by doing away with the competitive review process of all Last year, when this fiasco be- As taxpayers and parents, it is Similarly, the superintendent
proposals submitted and instead shift to a first-come, first-served gan, the board and staff should our job to make sure that the board of schools has no business delv-
system. have been reading the contracts in and staff is working as hard, or ing into the nitty gritty of con-
Both changes were important to developers (although they detail to try to figure out how to harder, for us as the teachers’ union tract modifications and should
would prefer that the cap be eliminated altogether), and it is rescind as much of the raises and works for the teachers. They have be spending his time on strategic
disappointing, but hardly a surprise, that — with the exception bonuses as possible. The staff rais- failed us. thinking and major decisions for
of Wolbach — those candidates who supported these changes es should simply have been rolled the school district.
have received political and financial support from development back, period. Posted on Sept. 1 at 2:21 p.m. There is a reason PAUSD has
interests. One point that I disagree with by Kirsten Essenmacher, a resi- specialists who dedicate their full-
These five council members tried to argue that the cap, which in this editorial concerns the fail- dent of the Duveneck/St. Francis time jobs to working these things
was adopted two years ago in response to community concerns ure of the unions to raise this is- neighborhood. out. It was certainly an enormous
about the negative traffic and housing impacts of unbridled com- sue. Yes, it would be nice to think The Weekly is completely bark- oversight by the administrators
mercial development, was discouraging developers from making that the unions have the concerns ing up the wrong tree blaming Mc- who were responsible for this,
proposals in Palo Alto and that the cap imposed arbitrary limits of the district at heart and would Gee for this. Look at it this way: and saying it’s time for them to go
without regard to development and economic cycles. If the intent work collaboratively. However, that suppose you’re in a company rent- might be reasonable, but it’s fairly
was to meter growth, they argued, then the cap should have more is not the way that they work, and ing office space, and your work- absurd for the Weekly to call for
flexibility over longer periods of time by allowing unused square that is not how they see their jobs. place services manager forgets McGee’s ouster when the oversight
footage to accumulate for use in future years. involved someone else’s job func-
And without any evidence, they surmised that developers might WHAT DO YOU THINK? tion and someone else’s job.
be shying away from making proposals because the competitive
process puts them under pressure to enhance their projects in hopes Posted on Sept. 3 at 6:40 p.m.
The Palo Alto Weekly encourages comments on our coverage
of getting placed at the top of the list. In arguing to kill off this by Chris Dewees, a resident of
or on issues of local interest.
unique feature of the office cap ordinance, Wolbach said he lacked the Leland Manor/Garland Drive
confidence that the council could be fair in assessing the best pro- neighborhood.
posals in front of it, a startling admission given the council is rou- What’s your opinion on the City My God, the reign of incompe-
tinely required to make such judgments. Council’s decision to roll over office tency continues! Over and over
These arguments attempt to paint the current cap as flawed, while development after a year in which there again we are smacked by, at a mini-
we think the community should be delighted with the results so far. mum, negligence and obfuscation,
Where are the voices wishing for more office-building construc- has been little or no growth? and at a maximum, outright dis-
tion? We don’t hear them and we challenge the five council mem- sembling, by our Administrators,
bers to point them out. Submit letters to the editor of up to 300 words to letters@paweekly.com. and fecklessness by our Board,
The original intent of the annual 50,000-square-feet office cap, Submit guest opinions of 1,000 words to editor@paweekly.com. Include your which time and time again is either
name, address and daytime phone number so we can reach you.
unanimously adopted by the council, was to slow new commer- We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, objectionable content, caught off-guard by the mistakes
cial development in downtown Palo Alto, in the California Avenue libel and factual errors known to us. and machinations of the Admin-
district and along El Camino while the city’s Comprehensive Plan For more information contact Editor Jocelyn Dong or Editorial Assistant istrators or unwilling to exercise
was completed or after two years, whichever came first. The as- Anna Medina at editor@paweekly.com or 650-326-8210. proper diligence and push-back re-
sumption was that some form of office-growth limitation would garding Administration proposals
continue at that time after gaining some data and experience with — the last contract negotiation and
the temporary cap. approval process was one of the
The concept was responsive to strong community concerns about largest displays of Board abroga-
the increasing negative effects of big new office projects, and vot- tion of duty I have witnessed.
ing for the cap at the time was a political necessity for all council (Remember it was our Board that
members. But as often happens, development interests have ever approved the use of funds pledged
since been looking for ways to undo this restriction, and with the for class-size reduction to pay for
shift in political majority on the council with the 2016 election, the salary increases for teachers and
votes are now there to roll it back. administrators, increases approved
The irony and hypocrisy of this is that the same majority that based on rosy, and faulty, real prop-
voted Tuesday to make more commercial development easier has erty revenue expectations.)
been advocating repeatedly for more housing. If there is one docu- Don’t blame the Union for this;
mentable result of the current office-cap restrictions, it is that it has it is an economic animal, and it’s
led to more housing projects where office development would have job is to protect the interests of
otherwise been likely. its members. It was not the job of
It is not hard to imagine voters becoming cynical about candi- the Union to notify itself to pre-
dates who say their focus is on increasing the supply of housing vent a raise. Of course the Union
while voting to make new commercial development, the major would be mum. The direct cause
driver in demand for housing, easier. Q
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