October 12
The City Council authorized Mayor Sally Meadows to sign a letter of support to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for the Stanford Community Plan Update. The plan allows housing for faculty and staff, both affordable and market rate, to be developed and located on campus or on adjoining Stanford lands. In addition to increasing affordable housing, the plan will reduce miles traveled to work by Stanford faculty and staff. Council members questioned whether green space and local transportation needs have been addressed, but according to staff who wrote the letter, those details are part of further development to be resolved in later updates of the plan.
The City Council introduced an adjustment to the Special Events fees specified in the municipal code. Any organized event usually drawing 150 people or more in a public area of the city is considered a special event, for example the Festival of Lights. Special events can also be an activity that lasts several days in one city location. Revising the special events fee structure makes it simpler, streamlined, and sometimes less expensive to organize an event. These changes will distinguish between for-profit and non-profit groups to determine fees. In addition, any fees for city services, like the police, will be determined and presented to the applicant before they sign an agreement. The staff report maintains that the changes may build community enthusiasm. Public comments worried that lower fees may attract more events and mean more traffic congestion downtown. Adoption is scheduled for October 24, 2023.
The City Council adopted zoning amendments discussed at the September 26 council meeting which implement programs identified in the adopted sixth-cycle Housing Element. The most controversial for residents is the changes in building height in mixed-use zoning districts, and removing the restriction for the ratio of a building's total floor area to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built (FAR), specifically at Rancho Shopping Center and Woodland Plaza. Public comments continued to show concern about sunlight available to homes behind such developments and sight lines and setbacks between properties. A resident’s meeting to provide information about concerns raised over the controversial housing elements is set for November 1.
October 24
The City Council adopted by consent the Special Events amendment to the municipal code as discussed at the October 10, 2023, meeting.
The City Council watched a slide presentation organized by staff on past Dark Skies legislation, regulations, and limits and then directed the Environmental Commission to study other city programs, make outreach efforts in the community, including concerns for bird safety and light pollution to help the Council make a decision on pursuing a Dark Skies position. The commission’s proposals should include the main Dark Sky principles and how or when to apply them.
Dark Skies is a regulatory tool which restricts or limits outdoor light to be defined by a local ordinance. Dark Skies regulations use efficient lighting in warmer color tones and shields on equipment to prevent lighting up the sky. The regulations can help restore the night stars that we cannot enjoy from light polluted skies. They can provide tranquility and maintain the rural ambiance for the community. In addition, such an ordinance can protect against direct glare and excessive lighting.
Legislation already in place in California started with the 1974 Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act. It required the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to adopt lighting and other building design and construction standards that increase efficiency in the use of energy. However, it doesn’t control or limit the amount of light, rather only regulates the efficiency of the light produced.
AB-38 Light Pollution Control Act is suspended in committee as of 9-2023 and would apply to newly installed or lights being replaced. It exempts lighting necessary for worker health and safety or public health and safety, for example, police and fire department personnel.
Nine public comments addressed the problem of light pollution and its effect on bird safety. One comment referred to the inconclusive evidence over whether low-lighting or multiple lighting at a home keeps burglars away. Council members were concerned that unless the majority of Bay Area and northern California jurisdictions adopt Dark Skies regulations Los Altos is unlikely to see any notable change in the night sky as light pollution affects regional night sky visibility. It was noted that many neighboring communities are considering Dark Skies type ordinances.
Claire Noonan, Observer