Council Meeting Date: October 16, 2024 (full Agenda link)
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TownOfAtherton/featured
Details of each item can be found via the links to Staff Reports within the narrative and meeting videos are uploaded once they are fully compiled.
The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 16 at 6 pm. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations (~6:02 pm) and Public Comments (~6:18 pm). The Council presented a Proclamation to longtime Congresswoman Anna Eshoo recognizing the Congresswoman for all of her hard work and dedication to the US House of Representatives and the Town of Atherton.
Following Public Comments (~6:18 pm), the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:20 pm) are prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda.
In addition to current reports from the City Manager, it typically includes departmental updates on the various happenings around Town such as reports from Administration, Community Services, Planning, Police, and Public Works.
Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda (~6:21 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 6. Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature and are generally considered in one motion and adopted by a single vote of the Council. Included in this month's Consent Agenda were bills and claims, minutes, acceptance of work for street patching and overlay projects, adoption of a resolution approving the conflict of interest policy and accepting the 4th quarter Treasurer's Report. Following an opportunity for comments and questions, the Council approved the items on the Consent Agenda.
Next was Public Hearings.
Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. The Council took up Item No. 9 prior to Item No. 7. The Council heard Item No. 7 at ~7:22 pm.
Item No. 7, entitled Consideration of Resolutions Recommending Adoption of an IS/MND and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and Amendments to the Town's General Plan, and Adoption of an Ordinance for 2nd Reading for Municipal Code and Zoning Updates related to the 6th Cycle Housing Element. Following a Staff Report and Presentation, the Council asked clarifying questions of staff. Following questions, the Council Opened the Public Hearing and took public comment. Following Public Comment, the Council returned to discuss the issues. The Council moved methodically through the issues with clarifying questions from staff related to application of sidewalls, floor area ratio calculations, setback table data, inclusion of the Bay and Ringwood properties, and direction regarding the use of the Gilmore House property in the Park. After discussion, the Council adopted the IS/MND and MMRP, amendments to the General Plan, adopted for 2nd Reading and adoption an ordinance modifying the Atherton Municipal Code and Zoning Map. In addition to general clarifying comments on the introduced ordinance, the Council opined with respect to the following:
- All identified opportunity sites on Bay Road and Ringwood (4 properties) are to be included; however, the Council directed staff to work closely with neighboring jurisdictions in support of traffic safety improvements at the Ringwood/Bay intersection;
- The Council directed that the Gilmore House site be considered for 5 or more units (within the RM-10 Zone); however, the Council directed staff to move forward to perfect any legal issues related to the underlying deed provisions;
- The Council clarified that the 28-foot sidewall height at the front setback in the RM-10 Zone was the maximum sidewall height allowed and that increases were allowed at a step-back ratio of 1-foot increase in height to 1-foot increase in setback up to the maximum height of 34-feet (to create a pitched roof).
Once staff completes the necessary revisions to the Adopted Housing Element and associated documents the package will be posted and made available for a 7-day public review period before being sent to the State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) for consideration of certification. It is anticipated that HCD will review the Town's submission and respond with a letter of substantial compliance or non-compliance within 45-60 days.
If the Town's Housing Element is found to be non-compliant, the Town will need to respond to and address all comments and recommendations provided by HCD. This process could involve changes to programs, policies, zoning codes, densities, objective design standards and property selection (to include the identification of additional property for inclusion if directed by HCD). Any subsequent revision process will involve public engagement. If HCD finds that the Town's Housing Element is substantially compliant with or without minor changes, any requested minor changes would be made and the Town will move to the next phase which will include implementation of programs and policies identified in the Housing Element and annual tracking and reporting of development.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The first item on the Regular Agenda (but the last item in heard order) was Item No. 8, Pickleball Program at the Park (~10:35 pm). Following a staff report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed continuation of pickleball at the Park. Following discussion, the Council approved continuation of pickleball at the Park and continued shared use of Court 1 with the following hours:
- Mornings (until noon) - daily
- Evenings (after 4 pm) - Tuesdays and Thursdays
- All Day - Sunday
- Court Keys required.
The Council heard Item 9 prior to the Public Hearing item.
Item No. 9 was Approval of a Change Order for a Roundabout at Alameda de las Pulgas (~6:21 pm). Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the merits of a roundabout at the intersection. The Council discussed the cost of the roundabout, safety issues related to pedestrians and cyclists, use of a roundabout, fit of the roundabout, timing of the project and grant funding implications, staging or phasing of the project, and details of the scope of work. Following discussion, the Council approved the Change Order with a text modification to the scope to prioritize the preservation of ingress and egress from private driveways. The Council asked that as the project progresses through design that opportunities to view and comment on the design be provided. Prior to solicitation of bids for construction, the design must be approved by the Council.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:54 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is a Special Meeting on October 30 at 4 pm. This meeting will include a report from the Environmental Programs Committee on Earth Day and a Staff Report discussing revisions to the Town's Reach Code for electric readiness requirements.
For more information and calendar of events, visit the Town's website.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us