Posted on February 17, 2022 at 8:13 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: February 16, 2022
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.
The City Council met for the February Meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 6 pm via Zoom Teleconference pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Public Comments.
Following Public Comments, the Council moved to the City Manager's Report (~6:01 pm). The City Manager's Report is typically 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 the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 5 through 14 (~6:03 pm). 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 minutes of various meetings, bills and claims, a resolution for a Mid-Year Budget adjustment, acceptance of the 2nd Quarter Treasurer's Report, acceptance of the 2020/21 Audited Financial Statements, adoption of a Notice of Intent for a Fair Oaks Quiet Zone Extension, Adoption of a Notice of Intent to comply with SB 1383, acceptance of a donation of speed feedback signs, award of contract for the overlay of tennis courts and certification of the continuing emergency. Following brief comment and an abstention, the Council approved all items on the Consent Agenda.
Next was Public Hearings. Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. There were three Public Hearings on the February Agenda.
Item No. 15, Appeal of a Planning Commission decision to deny a Heritage Tree Removal Permit at 1 Elm Place (~6:04 pm). Following a Staff Report and presentations from the applicant, the Council took public comment and then discussed the appeal. Following questions related to size of replacement trees, constraints on property development, health of the trees, placement of the trees, and safety, the Council approved the appeal.
Item No. 16, Introduction of an Ordinance amending Atherton Municipal Code Chapter 8.16 "Noise" pertaining to gas-powered garden equipment (~7:13 pm). Following a Staff Report and public comment, the Council discussed State law provisions for 2024, noise, types of equipment governed by the proposed ordinance, enforcement, use on streetscape, Spare the Air days, cost of compliance, practicality of compliance, and outreach. Following discussion, the Council opted to table the issue for future discussion, conduct additional outreach and education, and return the issue for consideration at a future date.
Item No. 17 was Introduction of an Ordinance establishing regulations and objective standards for Urban Lot Splits and Development Projects pursuant to Senate Bill No. 9 (~7:57 pm). Following a Staff Report and public comment, the Council discussed the provisions of State law, objective review criteria for application in the Town, encouraging property owners that conduct Urban Lot Splits to develop consistent with existing land use criteria, and expectations with respect to regional housing needs compliance. Following discussion, the Council Introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading with 2nd Reading and Adoption to be held in March 2022.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~8:38 pm).
Item No. 18 was Approval of the 2022 Earth Day Event Work Plan and Budget as recommended by the Environmental Programs Committee. Following a Staff Report and public comment, the Council heard an update from the Environmental Programs Committee Representative and approved the Work Plan and Budget for 2022.
Item No. 19 was discussion of an Al Electric Reach Code Ordinance for the Town (~8:45 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed the merits of an All Electric Reach Code, with exceptions for the Town. The Council discussed the various exceptions expressing support for all electric Accessory Dwelling Units, exceptions for cooking facilities, fireplaces, pool heaters, and generators. The Council also discussed requirements for Electric Vehicle Charging in the home expressing support to go beyond the State minimums under the Energy Code. The Council discussed integrating the Town's local Reach Codes with the timeline for the new State Energy Code directed staff to return the Reach Codes to the City Council in tandem with adoption of the new 2022 Energy Code.
Item No. 20 was consideration of a Agreement with Peninsula Clean Energy for a Power Purchase Agreement for Solar at the Town Center (~9:27 pm). Following a Staff Report, Presentation and Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to placement of the proposed solar, efficiency of the panels, aesthetic of the panels, expansion of the panels in the car port areas of the site, ownership of the panels after 20 years, financial benefit to the Town, net energy metering options, total kW supported by the site and by the project, and authorization limitations via the City Manager and/or a City Council Subcommittee. Following discussion, the City Council adopted the Resolution authorizing entering into the Agreement with Peninsula Clean Energy with assistance to the City Manager provided by a City Council Subcommittee to be determined.
Item No. 21, Review and Discussion of the Town's Master Plan Projects and the Financial Planning Model was continued to the March 2 Study Session.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:24 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting on February 24 from 3 pm to 5 pm to discuss the Town's Housing Strategies. Staff and the City Council will discuss various housing strategies for the Town in order to comply with the State's Mandated Regional Housing Needs Analysis. The Town is required to provide for the development of 348 new housing units over the next 8 years. The units do not have to be physically constructed; but the Town must provide land use and zoning provisions that will allow the housing to be built. The City Council will be considering land use changes that would facilitate housing construction in or near local schools as well as consideration of a Townhouse Overlay that would be applicable to specified areas of Town. Other strategies include encouraging the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units and the facilitation of lot splits under SB 9.
Tonight, the Town is hosting a Virtual Community Safety Meeting from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Click Here for the Zoom Link or use the QR Code to enter the meeting.(Meeting ID: 933 6832 6364, Passcode: 363626)