12/19/1966 - Laserfiche WebLink

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UNSCHEDULED ITEMS Cont'd.: 2. Request to oppose expansion of Syntex Laboratories in City of Palo Alto. r� City Clerk read letter dated December 2, 1966 from Mrs. George Krieger, 26555 Aric Lane, Los Altos Hills, and Mrs. Krieger's letter to the City of Palo Alto Planning Commission, opposing the request -of Syntex to changing the zoning status from residential to light industrial. Mrs. Krieger was present and stated the real problem is traffic control, which will exist regardless of the tenant, and should be solved. Mr. R. S. Riley, Manager of RealEstate and Development at Stanford University, owners of the land who are leasing to Syntex Corporation, presented an area map showing location of the triangular piece of property in question, bordered by Arastradero, Foothill Blvd. and Hillview, and explained the traffic pattern with access from Junipero Serra Freeway via the newly aligned four -lane Page Mill Road under construction to Foothill Blvd., thence to Hillview or Arastradero, and thereby avoiding Fremont Road. Mr. Riley explained the present zoning is medium density residential, which allows six homes per acre (approximately 300 homes) and a neighborhood shopping center, and Syntex is requesting a change to light industrial zorfng, M-5 (5 acres per building). Mr. Frank Koch, Director of Public Relations for the Syntex Corporation explained the expansion will consist of research and administration ' space, the total result being an international creative research center. Map of proposed development was submitted showing a campus -like environment, with 30% greenbelt area and 200' setback from Arastradero with extensive landscaping to enhance the beauty of the Creek, and exist- ing architecture retained. Although Councilman Aiken was of the opinion the industrial park oi- this calibre is far superior to a shopping center with gas station and 3CG homes, he made clear that Stanford University and its tenants had not lived up to its promises to the residents in the area to avoid traffic problems, bright lights and noise; but that these situations exist today with no apparent effort to cure. Councilman Aiken recuested Mr. Riley to give some indication of action which would give the Counc`.- confidence that the Syntex plan would be carried out. Mr. Riley stated they were aware of the problems since the recent Palo Alto Planning Commission meeting and are requesting old, as well as new tenants, to shield and subdue the lights and have roof screens for the noise; as to the Town's traffic worries, he believed the pattern described above would avoid traffic problems. Mrs. R. L. Jones, President of Los Altos Hills Association, stated a communication had been received from the residents across from Arastradero whose main concern was a buffer from noise. Mrs. Lois Hogle, a citizen of Los Altos Hills and a Director at large for the Committee for Green Foothills, commented on the traffic prcbiem �- and rapid transit. -2-