City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: June 16, 2025
Report #:2505-4730
TITLE
City Council Appointment of the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee in Accordance with Condition Number 33 Contained in Record of Land Use Action 2022-22 Authorizing Redevelopment of Private School at 1310 Bryant Street (Castilleja School). Environmental Assessment: Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the Council appoint Rob Levitsky, Andie Reed, and Nancy Tuck to serve two- year terms on the Council-appointed Neighborhood Committee.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On June 6, 2022 the City Council approved several discretionary entitlements and a legislative change to the municipal code to enable the redevelopment, and increased enrollment for, Castilleja School located at the subject address. The project received significant public input and, in its deliberation, the City Council added a condition of approval requiring the formation of a Council-appointed neighborhood committee to ensure opportunities for continued dialogue between the school and area residents concerned about neighborhood impacts.
Condition number 33 in the record of land use action1 established the requirement for a three- person committee that has the following advisory responsibilities:
I. Review transportation demand management reports and performance; II. Review impacts related to special events and make recommendations to the Planning and Development Services Director on future increases to the number of special events; III. Review noise complaints and other impacts on the neighboring community related to these conditions of approval;
IV. Coordinate with the school in organizing twice annual community meetings; and, V. Provide recommendations to the Planning and Development Services Director on whether the school has met conditions that would trigger changes in student enrollment.
1 June 6, 2022 Record of Land Use Action: www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/f65eb77d-4d17-41a6-8158- 44f1df3b649f/Casti-Signed-ROLUA-and-Exhibit.pdf
The committee is charged with convening within 30 days of submission of a transportation demand management report and as needed to review other issues within its purview. Any recommendation from the committee shall be submitted to the Planning and Development Services Director within 14 days of the meeting. As a Council-created committee, all meetings are subject to the Brown Act which requires that meetings be noticed 72 hours in advance, prohibits committee members from deliberating over items under their purview outside of noticed meetings, and prohibits receiving information serially from other committee members.
The condition requiring a neighborhood committee does not stipulate a process for selecting committee members and staff has not engaged in a formal process to solicit names for recommendation. Communication of this opportunity was provided through the neighborhood committee and school, and three names were advanced to staff. This includes current member Rob Levitsky and a new representative, Andie Reed advanced by the neighborhood committee.
Castilleja School has also advanced Nancy Tuck who is also reportedly a resident within the 500- foot radius of the school and has signaled an interest to participate on the committee. In the absence of any other nominees, staff recommends these representatives form the committee for the next two-year term.
If Council supports the recommended candidates, staff will follow up with a request for each committee member to sign an affidavit asserting they live within 500 feet of Castilleja School and understand the individual and committee requirements under the Brown Act.
While this action is being considered on the City Council’s consent calendar, if any three Councilmembers would like to discuss or deliberate on the neighborhood committee assignments or process, this item could be pulled from consent and scheduled for a future public hearing.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The appointment of these individuals to the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee does not result in a resource impact.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Staff has not engaged in a formal process to solicit names for recommendation or selection to this committee, however, the committee members have reported reaching out to interested neighbors.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Properties within 500-foot Distance to Castilleja APPROVED BY:
Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director