City Manager Weekly Update - May 5, 2017

Community Development

Downtown Vision
The Downtown Vision consultant team and planning staff held two Pop-Up Workshops this week. The first was held at the Los Altos School District's Junior Olympics event and the second was held at the season opener of the Downtown Farmers’ Market. There were many new faces that provided ideas and suggestions on the future of Downtown Los Altos - all seemed to appreciate the opportunity to participate in the process and were eager to share their thoughts and ideas. The next two Downtown Vision Pop-up Workshops will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The first of the day will be held at the Los Altos Library from 10:00 a.m. to noon and the second will be held at Grant Park Community Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on the Downtown Vision project, please visit losaltosca.gov/DowntownVision.

Secondary Dwelling Units
At its meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, the City Council will consider amendments to accessory dwelling unit regulations. The most significant change proposed is a reduction in the minimum lot size, which may enhance opportunities for the community to provide additional housing units, which are needed in the region.

New Office Building Considered
On Thursday, May 4, 2017, the Planning and Transportation Commission held a study session on the office building proposed by Los Altos Community Investments (LACI) on First Street adjacent to the Plaza Seven parking lot Downtown. The Commission received public comments and provided direction to LACI advising that potential traffic impacts should to be carefully evaluated and addressed or mitigated and, given the site's proximity to the residential neighborhoods, privacy and compatibility issues need to be taken into consideration. An application to start the formal review process is pending.

Public Works

BPAC Bike to Work Day Energizer Station
The Los Altos Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) will host an Energizer Station at the northwest corner of Foothill Expressway and Main Street in support of the annual Bike to Work Day event on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Stop by, enjoy a cup of coffee, and meet some of our BPAC commissioners and fellow bikers.

PG&E and AT&T – Joint Trench Relocation Project
Underground Construction Company (PG&E’s subcontractor) has been trenching and installing conduit as part of the utility relocation efforts on Fremont Avenue near Fallen Leaf Lane. Next week, the contractor will begin pavement restoration in the area. Detours will continue to be in place during work hours (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) until May 10, 2017. Following pavement restoration, the utility companies will begin pulling cabling through the newly installed conduits. This work is anticipated to continue into mid-July and will not require detours.

Wayfinding Signs
New parking directional signs, which are part of the City’s Wayfinding Sign Program Capital Improvement Project have been installed downtown to direct motorists to Parking Plazas throughout the area. Signs are located on existing street light poles along State and Main Streets. New monument signs were also installed this week on San Antonio Road and more signs are on their way in upcoming weeks.

Community Rating System (CRS)
The City of Los Altos, together with nine other cities, the unincorporated County of Santa Clara and Santa Clara Valley Water District have been active participants in the Community Rating System (CRS) for almost 20 years. CRS is a voluntary program of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that allows participating communities to earn flood insurance premium discounts for their residents and businesses by agreeing to adopt and enforce an ordinance that meets or exceeds FEMA’s requirement to reduce the risk of flooding. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) completed the review of the documents submitted by the City of Los Altos on August 11, 2016 for the 5-year CRS cycle visit. The City recently received a letter from ISO stating that it maintained its CRS Class 8 rating based on the new requirements of the FEMA 2013 NIFP/CRS Coordinator's Manual. This rating results in a 10% discount on flood insurance premiums for property owners in Los Altos.

First Street Utility Undergrounding Project
This week, PG&E and its subcontractor Mission Contractors are completing the sidewalk and pavement restoration work on First Street between Main and Lyell Streets. The work involves the removal and replacement of temporary asphalt patching currently in place. Next week, crews will remove and replace temporary asphalt patches in the street. Work will include grinding of the old and installation of new asphalt. The work is scheduled to be complete by May 19, 2017. On-street parking located adjacent to the work zones will be unavailable while work is underway. Partial road closures with directional traffic control measures will be in place as needed. Please be sure to heed 'No Parking' signs.

Grant Park Center Senior Lounge Improvements
New window coverings were installed in the senior program lounge at Grant Park Community Center. The window coverings will improve light and glare control for those utilizing the lounge for reading and other recreational activities.