City Manager Weekly Update - March 24, 2017
Community Development
Loyola Corners Specific Plan Study Session
The City Council and Planning and Transportation Commission will review the latest changes to the Loyola Corners Specific Plan at a Study Session scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in the Community Meeting Chambers at Los Altos City Hall. The changes to the specific plan include suggestions by the economic consultant that indicated allowing an increase in the number of residential units and development square footage would help catalyze private redevelopment and investment in the area.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulation Revision
The accessory dwelling unit regulations (secondary dwelling units) are in the process of being updated to reflect recent changes in State law. The Design Review Commission, which acts on accessory dwelling unit applications, has had an opportunity to review the proposed amendments to these rules and provided some valuable suggestions. The proposed amendments are next slated to be considered by the Planning and Transportation Commission at its meeting on April 6, 2017.
Historic Designation of Eichler Neighborhood Tabled
Staff has received written communication from the proponents of the formation of a historic district of Eichler homes in the Fallen Leaf Park Neighborhood that they do not intend to submit or pursue a historic designation application at this time. Staff continues to plan for an educational meeting on the historic designation process and what such a designation means for property owners. A date, time, and location for the meeting need to be finalized. Citizens and those interested will be encouraged to attend the future meeting.
Preparing for a Vote on the Larkellen Single-Story Overlay District
Staff is preparing the ballot information that will be mailed to property owners in the Larkellen Lane neighborhood. This election will determine if a single-story overlay district is desired by the property owners. If approved, two-story homes will not be allowed within the boundaries of the district.
New Tennant for a Familiar Location
The owners of “State of Mind” have submitted tenant improvement plans for the restaurant space formerly occupied by Maltbys at 101 Plaza North in Downtown Los Altos. The application indicates this will be a public house and pizzeria. The application and plans are being reviewed by the Building Division in preparation for permit issuance that will lead to remodel work.
Police
Honors & Awards
Sergeant Kathryn Krauss, a 5 1/2-year veteran of the Los Altos Police Department, recently received the LEAD Award for her efforts in Community Policing. This award recognizes law enforcement professionals whose efforts support the ideals of Community Policing which include building collaborative partnerships between law enforcement officials and those they serve, alignment of organizational structure to support community partnerships and engaging in proactive problem solving. Sergeant Krauss has demonstrated a true adherence to these ideals and has introduced new ideas for the Department’s community outreach efforts.
Sergeant Krauss served 3 years as School Resource Officer, where she taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or “DARE” program, at several local schools. She also taught the Parent Project program, working with parents to strengthen skills to assist in dealing with difficult situations involving adolescents. Sergeant Krauss has remained engaged with the community’s youth by providing Police Department tours, hosting the local high school district job shadow program, as well as participating in the annual Silicon Valley Shop with a Cop holiday event.
Last summer, Sergeant Krauss introduced the “YES” (Youth Exhibiting Safety) Campaign in Los Altos. This was a tremendous community outreach program, which sought to improve traffic safety amongst local youth. The Police Department contacted various businesses to seek small donations such as toys, books, ice cream, cookies, sandwiches, and pastries. Los Altos officers then contacted young people who were observed exhibiting safe traffic-related behavior and issued YES “tickets” to later redeem for the generously donated items. The word quickly spread so that many other young people began exhibiting safe behavior in hopes of attracting an officer’s attention.
Sergeant Krauss also assisted in hosting a Coffee with a Cop event, which inspired her to create an all new community outreach activity, “Pumpkin Carving with a Cop.” Last Halloween, community members were encouraged to bring their pumpkins to the local community center and receive carving assistance from uniformed police personnel, including the Chief of Police. This event was well-attended and generated a great deal of excitement with parents and children alike.
Sergeant Krauss continues to offer new ideas and participate in established community outreach programs, inspiring her peers to do the same. She exemplifies the Los Altos Police Department’s goal of partnering with the community to enhance public safety. Congratulations, Sergeant Krauss!
Public Works
Engineering and Traffic Survey – Speed Limit Trial Period
In response to community-wide concerns about traffic and speeding in our town, the City Council has made traffic improvements one of its top priorities to address in 2017. As such, the City is exploring options which may enhance the effectiveness of Los Altos Police Officer’s traffic and speed enforcement efforts.
One of the safest and most effective methods by which Officers can enforce speed limits is by using radar. Based on California law, for Officers to use radar, speed limits must be established by the procedures and information contained in engineering and traffic surveys such as 85% speed, average daily traffic and accident rates. The speed limit on many of the most heavily traveled streets in Los Altos are not currently set based on the necessary surveys, which means Officers are unable to lawfully use radar on these specific street segments. In the past, the City Council has not approved raising speed limits due to a desire to keep speed limits lower in hopes of encouraging drivers to slow down and adhere to the posted speed limits. Based on recent traffic speed surveys, the data shows this has not been an effective method to reduce speeding.
The City Council has asked staff to identify one street segment to evaluate the impacts of raising speed limits to allow Officer’s use of radar for traffic enforcement. To determine an appropriate collector street segment to raise a speed limit and evaluate its impacts, engineering and traffic enforcement staff took several factors into account such as average daily traffic, cut-through traffic, speeding complaints and street geometry. Based on these factors, staff recommends Cuesta Drive between Springer Road and El Monte Avenue to raise the speed limit from 25 MPH to 30 MPH for a period of one year.
City Council will consider this topic at its meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Los Altos City Hall, Community Meeting Chambers, 1 N San Antonio Road. To learn more about this topic and proposed Speed Limit Trial Period, you may view the City Council staff report.
Illuminated Crosswalk Improvement Project, Project No. TS-01031
The Illuminated Crosswalk Improvement Project will replace failed illuminated crosswalks at school locations on Almond Avenue (Almond Elementary), Fremont Avenue (St. Simon Elementary), and Springer Road (Springer Elementary). The City awarded the construction contract to Tennyson Electric Inc. at the February 28, 2017 City Council meeting. The City is currently finalizing the contract document and scheduling a pre-construction meeting. The construction schedule will be finalized at the pre-construction meeting.
Redwood Grove Tree Maintenance Project
The City will begin a tree maintenance project in Redwood Grove Nature Preserve located adjacent to Shoup Park at 482 University Avenue in two weeks. As part of the City-wide tree inventory, an area of Redwood Grove was identified which has an unusual number of dead or dying redwood trees. Per a certified arborist retained by the City, the perennial California drought was the primary cause for the declining health and death of several redwood trees in Los Altos. Of the 24 assessed trees located in Redwood Grove, 13 are recommended for cutting to grade. These trees are in very poor condition or dead, and would not be able to recover. Staff will monitor the new shoots arising from the lignotuber (stump) and identify one or two of the most vigorous shoots to become the replacement leader stem (tree). The remaining 11 assessed trees are recommended for top pruning. After completing the recommended maintenance actions, staff will work with Grassroots Ecology, the steward of Redwood Grove, to increase irrigation of the redwood trees and to discourage pedestrian traffic in the impacted area.
Staff solicited proposals from four certified and licensed tree contractors to perform the maintenance actions recommended by the arborist. Two companies responded to the request. Commercial Tree Care was the lowest responsible bidder and was awarded the contract. They will perform all the recommended maintenance actions and will also perform soil fracturing nutrients delivered to the tree correctly and inject perlite that helps to prevent future soil compaction.
Other Maintenance Updates
The Facilities Crews repaired tree lighting conduits in South Plaza that were recently damaged by construction activities and performed routine maintenance on various city facilities. The Parks Crews removed weeds and prepared for spring planting in downtown. They also performed detailed maintenance in Shoup Park and Patriot’s Corner and fertilized all the parks. The Sewer Crews cleaned storm drain lines in preparation of today’s forecasted storm and performed routine maintenance on sewer lines.
Reminders
Senior Program Survey Deadline is Next Friday
Thank you to all who have already completed our Senior Program Survey. Those who have not yet taken the survey are encouraged to do so before the survey deadline on Friday, March 31, 2017. You may visit the survey on Open City Hall, or complete a printed copy at the Hillview or Grant Senior Centers. Your answers will help us identify which modifications, expansions, or additions should be considered in the immediate and long-term future to enhance programming. Even if you are not a current member of the Los Altos Senior Program, your answers are greatly appreciated.
