HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.4TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS April 14, 2005
Staff Report to the Planning Commission
RE: GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE LAND USE DIAGRAM
DESIGNATION OF THE BULLISIPURISSIMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE FROM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; APN: 175-23-013
FROM: Brian Froelich, Assistant Planner
APPROVED BY: Carl Cahill, Planning Director
That the Planning Commission:
Review the General Plan Amendment, consider any revisions and forward a recommendation to the
City Council.
ALTERNATIVE
The Commission may choose to continue consideration of this item to a subsequent meeting and
direct staff to make changes to the proposed amendment.
BACKGROUND
Following direction from the City Council, staff has prepared a General Plan amendment to
formalize uniform language in the General Plan diagram. Specifically, the General Plan land use
diagram currently notes the site at 29890 Fremont Road, as an Elementary School while the
General Plan text references the Bullis/Purissima Elementary School in context with other public
schools under the auspices of Los Altos Elementary School District. The Council directed staff to
amend the General Plan land use diagram legend to further describe the Bullis/Purissima
Elementary School site as a Public Elementary School.
The following diagram illustrates the proposed change to the General Plan land use diagram
legend:
Table 1. Proposed chance to the General Plan diagram
Current notation: O Elementary School
Proposed notation: <,E,> Public Elementary School
Planning Commission
General Plan Amendment
Apt 16, 7005
Page 2 of 2
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE (CEOA
The proposed action is not defined as a project under the California Environmental Quality Act
because it involves a general policy amendment and is not associated with a foreseeable project
or a physical change in the environment (Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines).
ATTACHMENTS
I. Existing legend for the General Plan diagram.
II. Proposed legend for the General Plan diagram.
III. Land Use Element Sections 131-143
LAUsers\bfroelichTMjects - Cument\5-Planning Commision\I-Staff Reports\Code Amendments\Gen Plan
Amendment Public School.dcc
*
2
§ �
J \) § of
E ; §u z »
§ J § u \ Z ! 00
\
§)
)())u\»)�,�®\
(A § ozzo g
\ \0))(\ i
(6 §§ \
m �
Al
slow- IM
ATrACHMENT
.
�\
y
o
+_0,0
O 0
v
�c
W d >o o z
m i
�3h g W a
c�. W z 0Woo p =000_ 3
r
Y PA' � ♦�
7n
" "a^ ;-fie -si'"� � 'r1���`'s2� •Y-` •}� � __� _
r
ATTACHMENT 3
126. (cont.) geologic information, may also be appropriate for similar modification
when new, more detailed geologic information becomes available.
127. The Neary Quarry presents significant problems to this area in
terms of trucking, noise, dust and aesthetics. The quarry is shown as an
open space preserve, an indication that it most likely will only be suitable
as open space. Plans would need to be developed to enhance the site.
Other Residential Areas
128. In addition to the six residential units, there are several other
residential areas, portions of which are included within the planning area.
These areas, although in other jurisdictions, are of direct and immediate
concern to the plaiming area because of common problems relating to
drainage, circulation, public facilities, and visual amenities.
129..- That portion of Los Altos within the planning. area is shown in the
low to medium density residential intensity category. This designation is
based on existing development and plans of Los Altos. It is proposed that
development of existing vacant land immediately adjacent to Los Altos
Hills be no more intense than one-half acre per dwelling unit, to help
provide a gradual transition between residential intensities, as previously
agreed to by the City arid the Town.
130. The land use intensities indicated for -those. portions of Palo Alto
and unincorporated lands of Santa Clara County within the planning area
reflect existing development and the plans of each of these jurisdictions.
Institutions
Objectives:
131 1. To provide for those institutions that are for the use of local
residents and of a character in hainmony with the residential character of
the community.
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page I 1 of 20
2.
To ensure that institutions are conveniently served by traffic ways
and air efficient network of trails and paths.
3.
To ensure that institutions will be properly related to adjacent land
uses.
Principles:
132. L
Space should be provided for only those institutional uses that may
be necessary to serve local residents, such as elementary schools,
churches, Town governmental buildings, and Ere stations.
2.
Major community facilities should be served directly by collector,
or where possible, arterial roads. Emphasis should be reasonable
convenience. Prime consideration should be compatibility with
adjacent laird uses and with preserving the rural atmosphere and
existing residential. character of the Town.
3.
Schools should snake recreation areas and facilities available for
use during non -school hours.
4.
The Town should work with school districts in design and
development of schools to provide for Town needs in re-creation,
meetings, etc.
5.
School service areas should be defined so as to minimize the
opportunity for conflict between children traveling to school mrd
motor vehicles moving within and to and from the community.
6.
Public buildings; should be of a size and scale conducive to
maintaining the rural atmosphere of Los Altos Hills.The
architectural design of non-residential buildings should be more
similar to and compatible with residential buildings.
Standards:
133. 1. PUBLIC SCHOOLS
a. Palo Alto Unified School District --Optimum Elementary
School size (K-6): 500-600 students, 10 usable acres
b. Los Altos Elementary School District -Optimum Elementary
School size (K-6): 500 students, 10 usable acres
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page 12 of 20
c. Mountain View -Los Altos Union High School District -- All
high school students originating in Los Altos Hills are
accommodated outside of the planing area -- this district
believes that ultimate development of Los Altos Hills based on
the holding capacity projections can be accommodated on this
basis.
Description:
134. The minimum institutional facilities necessary to serve the
residents of the planning area are indicated on the Plan Diagram and are
located as to preserve the basic residential character and rural atmosphere
of the planning area. The institutions that presently, and/or may in the
future, require space within the community include schools, churches, fire
stations, and Town government.
Schools
Palo Alto Unified School District
135. Based on the holding capacity and standards for ratio of K-6 students per
housing unit of the area within the Palo Alto Unified School District, an
additional elementary school is proposed, in addition to the district schools
presently serving Los Altos Hills residents. (Palo Alto Unified School
District has for several years reserved three parcels owned by the district
within Los Altos Hills for future school sites. In the fall of 1972, these
sites were put up for sale by the School District. The reasoning behind
this move is the belief by the School District that residential development
in the foothills is no longer expected to be of such magnitude, due to the
re -zoning of 6,100 acres of the Palo Alto foothills to 10 -acre minimum
lots, substantially limiting the number of students who might live in the
area.) Based on the holding capacity figures, it is proposed that a portion
of the site on Page Mill Road be reserved for potential elementary school
development. If Palo Alto Unified is unwilling or unable to keep this
parcel for a future elementary school site, the Town should consider
purchasing the site. In addition, a community recreational facility is
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page 13 of 20
135. (cont.) needed in this portion of the planning area and this site could serve to fill
two important needs. If the site were to be used for a school or a
recreational facility, the extension of Lupine Road to Elena Road would be
highly desirable and is proposed as part of this plan. (See Cu culation
Element).
Los Altos Elementary School District
136. For the area covered by the Los Altos Elementary School District,
the holding capacity and ration of K-6 students per housing unit indicates
that the existing three schools, Bullis, Purissima, and Eastbrook, would be
needed, and, in addition, one other site might be required if full holding
capacity development occurs. District plans have indicated that one or
more sites might be closed. It is proposed that the Town encourage the
School District to refrain from making a final decision until further
information on family size and population trends can be evaluated. if any
of the schools are closed, it is proposed that the properties be retained as
neighborhood or community recreation areas. However, this should only
be considered after the Town is assured that the community educational
needs will still be adequately met.
Mountain View -Los Altos Union High School District
137. The district plans to handle the increased enrollment at full holding
capacity at sites outside the planning area. No sites are proposed within
the planning area. This appears consistent with Town policy for limited
services within the area.
Foothill Junior Colleee District
138. It is proposed that no further expansion of District facilities occur
within the Los Altos Hills Planning Area beyond those which can be
reasonably accommodated on the existing college site. Daytime
enrollment in 1971 was 5,600 and total evening and daytime enrollment
approximately 9,100. Projected 1970-80 increase in total enrollment is a
maximum of approximately 15,600. It is Town policy to work closely
with the District to ensure enrollment is held to a reasonable level,
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page 14 of 20
138. (cont.) particularly with regard to the proposed circulation system to serve the
college.
Private Schools
139. Four private schools are shown on the Plan Diagram. The schools
include Ford Country Day School, Happy Hours School, Mt. Helen
Summer Home, and St. Nicholas School. Residential private schools are
proposed.
Town Government
140. With the possible doubling of the Town population to full holding
capacity, Town Hall facilities, already constructed, could become
inadequate for necessary Town administrative activities. If Town services
are to be maintained even at the present minimum, expansion of
administrative facilities will have to be accomplished. While the present
Town Hall site can accommodate immediate expansion needs, subsequent
needs will be difficult to meet, depending on the range of services desired,
without crowding this long narrow site. Relevant to this problem is the need
to decide where corporation yard type equipment will be stored.
141. The Town should evaluate future Town Hall needs in relationship
to the range of services that potentially could be desired, and as
appropriate, consider alternative, centrally located sites for Town Hall.
Sites such as all or part of the vacant parcel across Fremont Road from the
present Town Hall or the Bullis School site, if closing of the school is
determined necessary, could be appropriate. Both of these sites are well
served by circulation facilities. It is possible existing Town structures
could be moved to these sites.
142. Incorporated with any expansion of Town Hall space should be
provided for a few additional community serving facilities. Room should
be provided for at least one public committee room apart from the Council
Chambers and for a Town library. The library would at least facilitate
public access to public documents and storage and display of historical
documents and artifacts relevant to the Town's history. These added
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page 15 of 20
142. (cont.) facilities would not necessarily mean a change in the level of services
provided; however, they would help enhance community identity and
citizen involvement.
142.1 Residents of Los Altos Hills accord the highest value to the
Town's open space and recreation areas. These areas, many of which are
owned by the Town itself, help supply and preserve the unique character
and semi -rural atmosphere of Los Altos Hills, provide important balance
to the more densely urbanized San Francisco Bay plain, and provide
numerous recreational, scenic, open space, and conservation resources and
opportunities for the Town mid its residents.
As required by Principle 11 of the Open Space Element and
Principle 8 of the Recreation Element, the lands owned by the Town of
Los Altos Hills commonly known as Byrne Preserve, Central Drive, Juan
Prado Mesa Preserve, O'Keefe Property, Rhus Ridge Properties, Murietta
Ridge, Little League Fields on Purissima Road, Westwind Community
Bam, and Edith Park shall not be conveyed, sold or abandoned in whole or
in part for any purpose, except pursuant to a vote of the Town electorate;
provided, however, that this paragraph shall not require a vole of the
electorate for any conveyance by the City of a leasehold, easement, or
other property interest in these lands for a use consistent with the
property's General Plan designation.
Fire Protection
143. In addition to the existing fire stations, of the Los Altos County
Fire Protection District shown on the proposed Plan Diagram, a proposed
new fire station is shown near the intersection of Horseshoe Lane and
Arastradero Road. This location has been acquired by the Los Altos Fire
Protection District to enhance fire protection to the northwestern portion
of the Town.
Town of Los Altos Hills General Plan Land Use Element
Page 16 of 20