From: Natalie Geise
To: Council, City
Subject: Agenda Item #8 - Development of Parking & Downtown Housing Proposals Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 12:28:36 PM
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Mayor Kou and Honorable City Council,
I am thrilled to see the agenda item tonight considering affordable housing for seniors, teachers, and workers on city-owned parking lots downtown. The severe lack of housing affordability in our community is evidenced by the fact that the median Palo Alto home sales price in 2021 was more than two and a half times that of the County median. As a result of the high housing costs, 14% of households in Palo Alto are severely cost burdened and paying more than 50 percent of income to housing.
Building explicitly affordable projects is one tool to address the crisis. Putting forth projects on city-owned land allows us to say that as a city, we are serious about finding solutions and prioritizing affordable housing.
As you consider the item tonight, I encourage you to create a larger canvas for Alta and Mid- Pen housing to paint a vision onto. I want to let Alta and Mid-Pen paint a bold vision with more options, more units, and better cost drivers. Please create a larger envelope for affordable housing proposals on our city-owned sites in downtown and:
-raise the maximum height to 85+ ft
-raise the maximum FAR to 5.0+
-reduce parking minimums
Natalie Geise
Palo Alto Resident
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Cc: Lait, Jonathan
Subject: Agenda item 8 on housing and parking
Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 11:00:13 AM
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Dear Mayor Kou and council members,
I support more housing for low-income residents in DTN where I live.
I appreciate the decision to contribute the land at minimal cost.
DTN is a great area for these residents (close to services, shopping, jobs and transit) and for our HE (more broadly distributing new housing for low-income residents.
I do not know enough to suggest the parameters for these projects BUT I do know the right process to use because the council just used it for the ECR focus area.
Please engage with Alta and MidPen and others if they come forward on what is needed in terms of height, FAR and other development standards as I am pretty sure they will meet or exceed what was adopted (thank you) for the ECR focus area.
My second wish is that the city move quickly to expand the number of these projects DTN as both Alta and MidPen suggested several DTN sites they were interested in moving forward on asap.
Thank you
Stephen Levy
From: Danny Warren Sallis
To: Council, City
Subject: Support for affordable housing ordinances
Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 10:49:43 AM
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Hello,
My name is Danny Sallis. I am a current student at Stanford and a member of Students for Workers’ Rights and the Stanford Coalition for Planning an Equitable 2035. Given tonight’s considerations, I would like to express my support for affordable housing.
In order to meet the massive need in the area, we need housing to be built at high densities. Large buildings should be considered to accommodate these needs. Housing downtown will help support the the many working nearby.
Thank you!
Best wishes,
Danny Sallis
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From: City Mgr
To: Lait, Jonathan; Paras, Christine; Nose, Kiely; Ramberg, David; French, Amy; Kamhi, Philip Cc: Gaines, Chantal; McDonough, Melissa; Shikada, Ed; Clerk, City; Velasquez, Ingrid Subject: FW: Avenidas & City of Palo Alto Parking In-Lieu Fees Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 10:37:00 AM
Attachments: image001.png
Good morning—
Please find below public comment regarding item 8 (Direction to Pursue Development of New Parking and Refined Proposals for Housing in the University Avenue Downtown and Development Goals for Housing Investment. CEQA Status – Not a Project.)
This message was send to CMO general inbox and individual Council emails. Forwarding as FYI only.
Thank you,
Danille
Danille Rice
Administrative Assistant
Office of the City Manager | Human Resources
From: Amy Yotopoulos <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2023 12:00 PM
To: City Mgr <[email protected]>; City Attorney <[email protected]>; Burt, Patrick <[email protected]>; Lauing, Ed <[email protected]>; Stone, Greer <[email protected]>; Veenker, Vicki <[email protected]>; Kou, Lydia <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Lythcott-Haims, Julie <[email protected]>; Tanaka, Greg <[email protected]>; [email protected]
Cc: David Gordon <[email protected]>
Subject: Avenidas & City of Palo Alto Parking In-Lieu Fees
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Dear City Manager Shikada, City Attorney Stump, City of Palo Alto Council Liaison Lauing, Mayor Kou, & Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
As you may know, when Avenidas remodeled the building on 450 Bryant Street in September 2017, we paid over $1.9M in parking in-lieu fees. The money was raised as part of our grassroots capital campaign to support the building’s renovation to modernize the space to better serve our community and to bring it up to code -- community members from Palo Alto and beyond contributed generously. When any action is being considered for these funds, our hope is that the City will consult with Avenidas on how those funds are being earmarked. As a charitable, not-for-profit organization devoted to serving seniors since 1969, it is important that we report back to our community members about how their donations have been used.
As a longstanding partner of the City’s with a track record of collaboration with community-focused organizations like La Comida and Downtown Palo Alto Farmers’ Market, we would like to understand the City’s plans for disbursement of these parking in-lieu fees, including the possibility of returning those funds, in light of the recent ruling by the 6
th District Court of Appeals/Santa Clara County Superior Court.
We noticed that the December 11 City Council meeting features an action item related to this issue -- “Direction to Pursue Development of New Parking and Refined Proposals for Housing in the University Avenue Downtown and Development Goals for Housing Investment” -- which has implications for the use of the parking in-lieu fees. We met with Ed Shikada on November 22 and Ed Lauing on December 7, and we also want to ensure that all of you were aware that Avenidas has a vested interest in these funds.
We look forward to learning more about the City’s plans for parking in the downtown area and collaborating with the City regarding the parking in-lieu fees that Avenidas paid. We’re confident in a mutually positive conclusion.
In partnership,
Amy Yotopoulos
Avenidas President & CEO
and
David Gordon
Avenidas Board Chair
From: Hamilton Hitchings
To: Council, City
Cc: Lait, Jonathan
Subject: Housing Over Parking Agenda Item Input
Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 10:13:58 AM
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Dear Council,
As a former member of the HEWG I wanted to share a few thoughts:
These projects provide much lower cost housing because they are using city lands and are non-profit housing builders.
It’s important that the bidders maximize the amount of outside money they can bring to these projects so we can build more BMR housing in Palo Alto.
I support staff’s well thought out recommendation of narrowing the target sites to rectangular lots and starting with Lot T (Lytton & Kipling) followed by lot C (Lytton & Ramona) as well.
Many homeless and low income folks live in their cars and/or that is their fallback. In addition, many rely on them to commute to work in other towns so it’s important we provide sheltered parking for their cars.
They are also more likely to house share out of fiscal necessity thus increasing the number of cars per unit.
In addition, remote parking is less safe for these residents late at night, and also encourages them to park in spots on the street after 3 pm, which then reduces evening parking supply.
Before the pandemic many lots were at full parking capacity and combined with the lack of parking for new high density buildings going forward, it’s critical we plan for that.
Otherwise lack of parking will become a constraint slowing downtown housing densification.
Thus I request council require these projects to build underground parking on all of these housing and parking garage sites. We can not underutilize this valuable space.
The city should subsidize the delta cost between above ground and below ground parking from the downtown parking fund, Measure K funds, infrastructure funds or wherever is most convenient for this project.
I also support staff’s thoughts on reserving lot A (Emerson & Lytton) for parking which is already being used at 100% at noon and 6pm daily and lot D (Hamilton & Waverly) which is already over 80% utilization at noon and 6 pm.
In summary, the goals of low income housing, parking and the health of retail are supported and mutually complementary given the approach stated.
Hamilton Hitchings
From: Jimmy Stoyell
To: Council, City
Subject: As much housing as possible for seniors, teachers, and workers on city parking lots! Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023 8:40:08 PM
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Hello,
I'm writing to support as much housing as possible on the proposed plans for development on city parking lots. We need as much housing as we can in Palo Alto, particularly for those with lower income, and the area is a fantastic place for it - near transit and services. Please, act quickly and streamline the process for as much housing as possible! Thank you,
James Stoyell
From: Palo Alto Forward
To: Council, City
Cc: Nose, Kiely; Tong, Sunny
Subject: 12/11 - Item #8 - Housing on City Parking Lots Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023 12:57:32 PM
Attachments: CC Item #8 Housing Parking Lots.pdf
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Honorable City Council,
Please find our attached letter regarding Monday's Council Agenda Item #8 - Housing on City Parking Lots.
Thank you,
--
Amie Ashton
Executive Director, Palo Alto Forward
650-793-1585
December 10, 2023
SUBJECT: AgendaItem#8- Development of Parking&DowntownHousingProposals Mayor KouandHonorableCityCouncil,
PaloAltoForwardiswritingingeneral support of densehousingondowntownparkinglots. Wearesoexcitedtoseethisproject movingforward. It cannot happenfast enough! Maximizethedevelopment potential of theseparkinglotswithaminimumallowedheightof at least 85andfloor arearatio(FAR) of at least 5.0. Andweurgeyoutothinkevenbigger –whynot 150+feet andFARsof 10.0. Additionally, pleaseconsider loweringparkingratiosto0.5per unit, consistent withother affordableprojectsthat havebeenallowedtoproceedbyCouncil, whichwouldenhancethedevelopment’soverall potential for success.
Allowingalarger envelopefor development meansevenmoreaffordableunitsonthesesites- especiallydesperatelyneededaffordablehousingfor areaworkers, families, andseniors. Weshoulddemonstrateour commitment toaffordability(oneCouncil’stopgoalssince2021) byallowinglarger projects. AswehaveseenwiththeSanAntoniocorridor andEl CaminoFocusArea, wearegainingpublicacceptanceof higher heights, greater FARs, andlowerparkingratiosbecauseour housingneedissogreat.
Tall buildingsarenot uncommoninour downtown. Thefollowingisalist of several that arewithin0.5mileof cityparkinglots, andnotethat eachonehasaone- or two-storystructureimmediatelyadjacent toit. ● 525UniversityAvenue- 237feet● ChanningHouse- 142feet● PaloAltoCityHall - 122feet● 535Everett Ave- 85feet● Hotel President - 90feet● 101Alma- 140feet● TheMarc- 165feet● 325Forest - 65feet● 360Forest - 77feet 1 AmaximizedbuildingenvelopewouldalsoshowtheStateDepartment of HousingandCommunityDevelopment that weareseriousabout meetingour HousingElement goals. Itwouldalsoshowthat weareseriousabout AffirmativelyFurtheringFair Housingspreadingunitsacrossthecity.
Our housingneedissodire, especiallyfor affordableunits- andwehaveoneshot atthesesites. Let’sbeboldandmeet our housingchallenges! Sincerely,
AmieAshton,ExecutiveDirector andonbehalf of theBoardof DirectorsPaloAltoForward 2 From: Jo Ann Mandinach
To: Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Cc: Council, City
Subject: Re: affordable housing developments at city parking lots Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023 10:25:06 AM
Julie, thanks for your reply but I don't appreciate your "have you stopped beating your spouse and dog" framing of the issues.
I'm for affordable housing, not buying market rate housing for highly paid techies as per their deep-pocketed backers which is what the housing laws require for 80% (or more) of the new housing.
I'm against destroying retail and the character of our community to build more $4K apartments, especially when the deep-pocketed backers can spend literally HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars lobbying against paying their gig workers benefits, unemployment, etc.
Why do you think there are so many homeless?
Are you aware that EACH of the big tech companies has settled with TENS OF THOUSANDS of minorities, women, older workers for discriminating against them SO they can hire cheaper foreign workers?
Why aren't you lobbying for WORKER protections and to change the labor laws? Due to the changing economy and the new huge state deficit and the massive layoffs, I oppose destroying our community to benefit the billionaires screwing workers to enrich themselves.
I'm appalled that we're barred from reconsidering RHNA targets in the face of the new realities. Are Newsom and Bonta running a dictatorship or trying to get us to vote Independent or for the GOP?
I oppose sticking housing on transit parking lots because then the rest of us have nowhere to park when taking public transit.
I oppose having a biased Planning Department with its leg on the scale for big money and developers. I know you oppose oversight for city workers so you can focus on the "big" issues but suggest you take a closer look here at home and how the CITY governs since you're a member of the CITY council.
I must have missed your speaking out for the workers or preserving what makes /made Palo Alto interesting,
Again, thanks for your response.
Jo Ann
On Sat, Dec 9, 2023 at 4:29 AM Lythcott-Haims, Julie
<[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Jo Ann, thanks for writing us. Are you against the affordable housing? or are you against parking lots being taken up for affordable housing? And if the latter, would you be OK with affordable housing developdeveloped along with parking? Julie
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 8, 2023, at 11:17 AM, Jo Ann Mandinach <[email protected] >
wrote:
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Please stop destroying downtown access for potential shoppers by eliminating parking,
If you can't / won't do that, fire all your "retail consultants" since the answer to why retail is suffering here is painfully obvious.
Save us some money on these consults who have no local knowledge and save a few merchants, too.
Most sincerely,
Jo Ann Mandinach
PA, CA 94301
From: Jo Ann Mandinach
To: Council, City; City Mgr
Subject: affordable housing developments at city parking lots Date: Friday, December 8, 2023 11:17:30 AM
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Please stop destroying downtown access for potential shoppers by eliminating parking,
If you can't / won't do that, fire all your "retail consultants" since the answer to why retail is suffering here is painfully obvious.
Save us some money on these consults who have no local knowledge and save a few merchants, too.
Most sincerely,
Jo Ann Mandinach
PA, CA 94301
From: Rhonda Bekkedahl
To: Council, City
Subject: Agenda item: Affordable Housing in Downtown Palo Alto Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 6:43:12 PM
Attachments: image001.png
23.12.06 Letter to Council for Affordable Housing.pdf
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I am attaching my letter to the Mayor and All City Council members.
Please add to your consideration of this important issue.
Thank you.
Rhonda Bekkedahl
CEO & Executive Director
650.324.7596 Direct
Confidentiality Notice: This transmission and any attached documents may be confidential and contain information protected by State and Federal Medical Privacy statutes and is legally privileged. They are intended for use only by the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient of this transmission, or an agent of the intended recipient, you are prohibited from reading, disclosing, printing, saving, copying, using or otherwise disseminating any information contained in this transmission. If you received this transmission in error, please accept our apologies and notify the sender via reply e-mail. Please delete the entire message and its attachments.
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Thank you.
From: Patty Irish
To: Council, City
Subject: Agenda item: Affordable Housing in Downtown Palo Alto Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 12:59:01 PM
Attachments: Letter to Council for Affordable Housing on downtown parking lots 12-5-23.docx Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
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Attached in my letter to the Mayor and All the City Council members.
Please add to your considerations of the important issue.
Patty Irish
--
Patty Irish
850 Webster St. #628
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-324-7407
650-245-3906
cell
How do you tell a story that has been told the wrong way for so long? December 5, 2023
Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members:
I am writing to you in support of using downtown parking lots to build subsidized, affordable housing. The need is urgent to provide housing for many of the workers we need to provide the services for our area employers. And we will need even more in the future.
I live at Channing House, on Webster, and we have 175 employees.
Many of them drive over an hour to come to work. We will need more in our future too.
As you know, these projects take time to complete. Funding is complex.
I hope you will act very efficiently as the need is GREAT. The sites you are considering in our downtown are excellent. They are near transportation, jobs, services and schools!
Also I believe I read Alta Housing was also proposing to include public space in their application for Senior Housing on the parking lot near Avenidas. This public space might be large enough for the noon meal plan provided for Seniors that does not presently have a downtown location to serve them.
Please move quickly and positively on some of these sites so that we might actually produce needed housing in the next 2-3 years! Thank you for your serious consideration for the need to act and act now.
Sincerely,
Patty Irish
850 Webster St. #628
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-324-7407