From: Nat Fisher
To: Council, City
Subject: 702 Ellsworth Place item on consent today
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 12:46:36 PM
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Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and members of the City Council, City Staff have changed line item 2 of the approved motion of December 11, 2023, and they have chosen to avoid line item 3 via deferral. Neither of these points respects the Council motion. Please vote to remove item 7 from the agenda on February 5, 2024, and fix the language of the ordinance to maintain the safety measures approved by the Council.
Thank you.
Ellsworth Place Resident
Natalie Fisher
From: Annette Glanckopf
To: Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject: Ellsworth Place
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 11:12:43 AM
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Dear Council Members.
After reading the Ellsworth Place neighbors slide deck for tonight, I request that you pull agenda item #7 from consent and make sure the final approvals are what council moved.
The Ordinance needs to match the motion as approved by the City Council. The staff write up was far too liberal in their interpretation and does not match your original decision.
Items that were changed from the council motion in the staff report that need to be amended are
1) Delivery trucks: Make sure the wording allows truck delivery on Ellsworth and remove the sign banning trucks over 24 feet.
2) Fencing: I agree with the neighbors that the proposed fencing does not allow "adequate transparency", and the fence placement & height differ from both the motion and "CPA Transportation requirements."
3) Amend the ordinance to state that the 26' road must be "matching, driveable asphalt to the existing road" and may not use any kind of pavers. 4) Revise wording to refer to Ellsworth Place as its legal definition of a "private street" and not as a "driveway".
I have a concern about the major changes (and interpretation of council motions) from staff in ordinance.
Thank you for pulling this item and correcting the ordinance to reflect the council motion.
Annette Glanckopf
From: Robert Chen
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Ordinance Differs From Motion - Ellsworth Place Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 9:12:28 PM
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Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of the City Council, Regarding Council Meeting on February 5, 2024, Agenda Item #7:
How can the City Staff change the motion? This is not right. As elected Council members I ask you to fix this.
Remove Agenda Item 7 from February 5, 2024.
Sincerely,
Chaoqiang Chen
Ellsworth Pl residence
From: Jeff Levinsky
To: Council, City
Subject: Problems with Item #7 (Ellsworth Place) on Monday’s Consent Calendar Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 8:40:19 PM
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Dear City Councilmembers:
The ordinances for Ellsworth Place on tomorrow’s consent calendar unfortunately do not match what you approved on December 11, 2023. Here are two significant problems:
The 702 Ellsworth Sight Triangle
The sight triangles are the area at the corners of Middlefield and Ellsworth in which plants and such must be kept low so that drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians can see each other. On December 11, 2023, you approved the new PC ordinance for 702 Ellsworth, which specified that the site triangle for 702 Ellsworth shall “extend to the southernmost corner of the property along Middlefield Road.”
But the proposed ordinance for February 5, 2024: significantly narrows the sight triangle to just 35 feet across the Middlefield frontage.
Nothing in the Council motion of December 11 changed the size of the sight triangle. The staff report for February 5 contains not one word discussing why staff then made this major change. Additional comments subsequently produced by staff attempt to justify the change by noting that a different motion on December 11 seeking to further enlarge the triangle (and make other changes) failed, but that does not mean the Council somehow agreed to instead significantly shrink
the sight triangle. If anything, the fact that the
Council rejected a motion that would have altered the sight triangle means Council clearly knew it could do so and opted not to.
Given that the proposed ordinance does not match the safer sight triangle that was in the ordinance when the Council approved it in December, the item should be pulled from the consent calendar and the sight triangle size restored to how the Council left it.
The Wrought Iron Fence
Council discussed on December 8, 2023 the proposed wrought iron fence to be installed both on the southern side of Ellsworth and the southern portion on Middlefield. During the hearing, the Council noted that one will have to see through two fence sections simultaneously and the proposed wrought iron fence would not work.
The proposed ordinances on the February 5 consent calendar however retain essentially what the Council rejected. The proposed spacing of vertical rails every 4 inches is hardly different from the industry standard for wrought iron fences of 3.875 inches. No drawing or study is presented in either the February 5 staff report nor its subsequent comments to verify how the 4 inch spacing will solve the visibility problem. But having the proposed ordinance now include an exhibit that requires
the fence be made of wrought iron removes
the possibility of the City mandating better solutions should the 4 inch wrought iron prove no better than what Council already rejected. The exhibit language should be modified to not require a wrought iron fence but instead one of adequate transparency (it currently does not).
Over the years, poorly-written PC ordinances have caused the City and its residents considerable grief, so it’s best to fix these problems now when they’re spotted. So again, please pull this item off consent.
Thank you,
Jeff Levinsky
From: Andrea Eyestone
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Staff Watered Down Council Motion for Ellsworth Place Safety Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 8:03:02 PM
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Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth - Council Meeting - February 5, 2024 Dear Palo Alto City Council,
For the safety of ALL children and pedestrians who traverse Middlefield Road near Ellsworth Place, please remove agenda item #7 from the 2nd reading this coming Monday, February 5, 2024. The line of sight triangle, fence placement, fence type, and fence height as stated in the ordinance for 702 Ellsworth Place do not match the motion of December 11, 2024.
Ellsworth Place neighbors have repeatedly stated we need to see over to Matadero Creek when exiting Ellsworth Place, and the ordinance language and/or EXHIBIT 1 map as attached to this ordinance, will allow for a 4-foot high fence near the creek, made from wrought iron, which is not transparent when looking through it through two layers of fencing.
This is very unsafe and goes against the approved motion.
Please vote to remove agenda item #7 from Monday night’s meeting.
Kindly,
Andrea Alberson
From: Chin Chong
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Cc: Kristen Van Fleet
Subject: Ellsworth ordinance has big problems
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 6:11:50 PM
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________________________________
Hi Palo Alto Council,
City Staff should not go around the council’s motion! This is not right. Please pull item #7 and have staff fix it to what you asked for!!!
Thanks!
Regards,
Chin Chong
Sent from my iPhone
From: On Chong
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Cc: Kristen Van Fleet
Subject: The 702 Ellsworth Ordinance Differs from the motion Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 6:03:38 PM
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________________________________
Dear council,
Regarding Agenda item #7 Ellsworth for city council meeting on February 5,2024. Please pull agenda item 7 as it does not match the council’s motion.
Sincerely,
On Chong
Sent from my iPhone
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Please Remove Ellsworth Pl Agenda Item #7 from February 5, 2024 Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 4:39:38 PM
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- Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth Ordinance - Council Meeting, February 5, 2024
Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and Members of the City Council, I am writing to request that the council refrain from voting on the approval of agenda item #7 (Ellsworth Place) while further considerations are taken.
When rezoning a planned community district I hope that precedent, and benefit for all stakeholders (beyond real estate speculators) are taken into account.
I am concerned that rushing into a vote on a proposal that disagrees with the motion of December 11, 2023 on the matter is not in the best interest of the community. Specifically, what would prevent other developers from splitting out parcels of property meant to service their tenants in private transactions to yield more single family homes? I understand that the city is expected to provide on the order of thousands of additional residences in coming decades and do not see how simply bending planned community ordinance to extract the profit of a few more single family homes sets a reasonable precedent. I argue that if the city council is re-evaluating a planned community that is part of a private street, the precedent and all current provisions should be taken into account. This includes unit per acre density and adequate two way vehicle ingress / egress.
Thank you for your public service.
Warmly,
Jake Margolis
From: Yogabear23
To: Council, City; yogabear23; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Please Pull Agenda Item #7 From the Ellsworth Ordinance on 2/5/24 Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 4:23:38 PM
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Dear Mayor Stone and Members of the City Council,
Please pull Agenda Item #7 from the second reading of the Ellsworth Ordinance on February 5, 2024.
Ensure the safety of all who walk, drive, or bike along Middlefield Road as it crosses Ellsworth Place.
The Palo Alto City Staff made changes to the "line of sight" triangle that were not approved on December 11, 2023. They did not implement "adequate fence transparency" along Middlefield Road between Ellsworth Place and Matedero Creek. I ask that this misinterpretation be corrected at the February 5 City Council Meeting.
Thank you for your service to the City of Palo Alto.
Respectfully, Carolyn V. Garbarino
From: Jessica Sheldon
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Major Issues with Agenda Item #7 - February 5, 2024 Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 2:54:08 PM
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Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth - Council Meeting - February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone and City Council Members,
Please take a good look at what City Staff has written in the ordinance for 702 Ellsworth Place and compare it to the motion of December 11, 2023, as they do not match.
Therefore, the ordinance needs to be corrected before being passed into City law.
Thank you,
Jessica Sheldon
718 Ellsworth Place
From: Robyn Ziegler
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki Subject: Ellsworth Ordinances - City Staff Did Not Follow Your Motion Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 2:41:02 PM
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Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth Place: City Council Meeting February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone and City Council,
I was quite surprised to learn that the Palo Alto City staff did not follow the motion you approved in the creation of the ordinance for Ellsworth Place (agenda item 7), and instead chose to remove very important safety measures. As our Palo Alto elected officials, you are in a position to reverse the inconsistencies.
Please vote to pull agenda item 7 and direct staff to make it match the original motion.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Robyn Ziegler
730 Ellsworth Place
Palo Alto
From: sel lightahead.com
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Ellsworth Safety Ordinance Concerns
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 11:19:28 AM
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Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth - Council Meeting - February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and members of the City Council, For the safety of Midtown residents and all who drive or otherwise traverse by Ellsworth Place along Middlefield Road, we ask you to please pull agenda item #7 so that the ordinance can be corrected to what the prior City Council motion required.
The Council motion seeks to address the serious safety problems related to the line of sight and fencing at the proposed property, but the ordinances do not match the motion of December 11, 2023.
I look forward to seeing the corrected materials
Sincerely,
Susan E. Light, MD
From: Charlie Effinger
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Issue with Agenda Item #7 for February 5, 2024 Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 10:18:24 AM
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Re: Item #7 Ellsworth - Council Meeting - February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone and Members of the City Council,
Please take a deeper look at what City Staff has written in the ordinance for 702 Ellsworth Pl. It does not match the final motion of December 11, 2023 and therefore the ordinance needs to be corrected before being passed into City law.
Thanks,
Charlie Effinger - 718 Ellsworth Pl
From: Tsing Xue
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Ellsworth Agenda Item 7 Has Issues - Please Pull It For Correction Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 9:54:14 AM
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Dear Mayor Stone and members of the City Council,
A couple of important items were overlooked in the making of the motion on December 11, 2023. These issues have a direct impact on neighborhood safety and also on my property value. I ask that agenda item #7 be removed from the 2nd reading it is scheduled for on February 5, 2024, so it can be corrected to what the council’s motion states, as well as to address the overlooked issue of removing the sign that bans delivery trucks on Ellsworth.
Please pull agenda item 7 and get the ordinance corrected before making it a CPA law. Too much is at stake!
Sincerely,
Tsing Xue
729 Ellsworth Pl.
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: The 702 Ellsworth Ordinance Needs Corrections
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 4:40:28 AM
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Regarding Agenda Item #7 Ellsworth Ordinance - Council Meeting of February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone and members of the City Council,
City Staff has misinterpreted the City Council motion of December 11, 2023, and that is not how a democratic process is supposed to work.
The ordinance written for 702 Ellsworth Place differs from the motion. Here is your chance to fix it by pulling agenda item #7 from the 2nd reading scheduled for Monday night’s meeting.
Sincerely,
Venkata
From: Chin Chong
To: Council, City
Cc: Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Subject: Ellsworth Ordinance Has Big Problems - February 5, 2024 Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:09:11 AM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
City Staff should not go around the Council’s motion! This is not okay. Please pull item #7 and have staff fix it to what you asked for!
Thanks,
Chin Chong
From: Kristen Van Fleet
To: Council, City
Subject: Ellsworth Ordinance - Needs Reworking To Match Motion Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 11:14:40 PM
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Regarding: Agenda Item #7 - Second reading - Ellsworth Ordinance - Council Meeting of February 5, 2024
Dear Palo Alto City Council,
The Ellsworth Place Neighbors have all worked hard to get safety measures implemented at the intersection of Ellsworth Place and Middlefield Road. The City Council motion of December 11, 2023, reflects these benefits, which were designed for the safety of ALL people who traverse on or near Ellsworth Place.
Unfortunately, City Staff took liberties to undo some of the safety measures as approved by the Council, and they did so based on what the applicant wanted, as was stated in the Council Consent Agenda Responses, “Staff thoroughly reviewed the meeting video and worked with the applicants to revise the ordinances and drawings to reflect the Council’s motion.” Additionally, several cherry-picked video timestamps were included, which left out pertinent timestamps.
Since when do city staff get to ignore a Council motion to please an applicant? This isn’t how democracy works. Please pull agenda item #7 so its language can be corrected to match the motion of December 11, 2023, and properly implement the safety measures.
Sincerely,
Kristen A. Van Fleet
From: gala b
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Pull Agenda Item 7 from Feb 5, 2024 - It Has Safety Issues Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 9:21:04 PM
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Regarding Item #7 Ellsworth Ordinance, City Council Meeting - February 5, 2024 Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and members of the City Council, Parts of the 702 Ellsworth ordinance are unsafe and differ from the approved motion of December 11, 2023. Please pull agenda item 7 so the ordinance can be corrected and the safety measures documented correctly.
Thank you for looking into this important matter.
Sincerely,
Gala Beykin
Ellsworth Pl.
From: Yevgeny-Yoni Khasin
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Remove Item #7 (Ellsworth) from Council Meeting February 5, 23 Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 9:16:34 PM
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Regarding Item 7 Ellsworth - City Council Meeting of February 5, 2024 Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council,
Please pull Item #7 from the consent. It does not match the motion approved by elected City Council officials on December 11, 2023 in critical ways.
Thank you!
Yevgeny Khasin
Ellsworth Pl.
From: Paul Bigbee
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Problems with Monday’s Consent Calendar Item #7 Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 8:54:10 PM
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Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and members of the City Council, You can protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers by restoring pertinent safety measures and delivery services in the 702 Ellsworth Place Ordinance. My objection specifically targets the version presented for the second reading:
- Differs from the Motion of December 11 2023,
- Removes the safer line of sight triangle,
- Allows a fence that does not have “adequate transparency”, and - Bans some delivery trucks on Ellsworth Place after creating a space for them.
Unless the item is removed from consent and fixed, you will be degrading the safety measures and community requirements that you voted for back in December.
Sincerely,
Paul Bigbee
From: Bhanu Iyer
To: Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Subject: Remove Ellsworth Agenda Item #7 from Monday, February 5, 2024 Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 6:47:51 PM
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Regarding Council Meeting on February 5, 2024, Agenda Item #7:
Dear Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing, and members of the City Council, As a Palo Alto property owner and resident, I’m disappointed that the Palo Alto City Staff revised an ordinance to not match the Council’s motion of December 5, 2023, as approved for the new PC governing 702 Ellsworth Place.
We very much appreciate how you and other Council members worked hard to implement safety standards regarding issues brought forth by the Ellsworth Place neighbors. But then, City Staff reinterpreted motion line item 2 and deferred line item 3 without good reason.
This is not
how a democratic process should work.
Please remove agenda item #7 from the 2nd reading so City Staff can revise the ordinance to match the Council’s motion.
Best regards,
Bhanu Iyer
712 Ellsworth Place
Palo Alto
650-269-4476